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Nov 07

Sunday Salon 11.08.09

By Stephanie meet the author, new books, renovation, sunday salon Add comments

Happy (almost) Sunday! I’m posting my Sunday Salon a little early since I probably won’t have much computer time tomorrow.

 I hope you all had a great week. It’s been busy (and quite messy around here) as the building of my addition is chugging along. The headers are in the ceiling and the space has opened up quite a bit. To get a perspective, take a peek at the size of my kitchen, living room & dining room from my front door in this picture:

interiorbefore (4)

Below is a picture I took on Friday from the same location. As you can see, the interior wall and back wall have been removed and it is now one big room. You see where that bright light is sitting? That’s pretty much where the back wall used to be:

morerenopics 011

The plumber has finished and the electrician is almost done so we should be ready for the inspection on Tuesday. Once we are done with that, the room will be insulated and sheet rocked! You can also see all the wood stacked up in the middle of the living room – that’s for the wood floor that will extend through the entire room.

When I wasn’t busy tiptoeing around the workers in my house, I was eagerly anticipating a wonderful package from Random House and TLC Book Tours that I just couldn’t wait to share with all of you. I received an e-mail from the wonderful Lisa over at TLC Book Tours to see if I would be interested in reviewing Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See here on my blog in January. When I wrote back to tell Lisa that my book club had just picked Shanghai Girls to read next, she contacted the publisher and ten brand spankin’ new copies were sent to my house! I’m now handing them out to the women in my book club and we are all really looking forward to reading this book. It is the second See book that we’ve read as a group (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was the first one) and this time we are all crossing our fingers that the author will be calling in to our meeting! I’ll be sure to let you all know how our book club meeting turns out when it’s my turn to review Shanghai Girls.

Shanghai Girls: A Novel

I also finished up Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan (another TLC Book Tour read) and cannot wait to gush about this book to all of you later this month. I really loved the story and characters and would highly recommend it if you are looking for a great story about time travel, Irish history and a bit of romance. 

Well, we are headed out to dinner with some friends tonight, so I’m signing off. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!

18 Comments

  • At 2009.11.07 16:59, Kailana said:

    I enjoy looking at the pictures! I hope you have a great Sunday and a great week!

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    • At 2009.11.07 17:04, CelticLady said:

      Can’t wait to see th finished result!!!

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      • At 2009.11.07 17:05, Kathleen said:

        I haven’t read Shanghai Girls yet but I think the cover is so beautiful and the book is inviting!

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        • At 2009.11.07 17:37, Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings said:

          Love looking at your photos. Can’t wait to see them when it’s all finished!

          Look forward to reading your thoughts on Shanghai Girls.

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          • At 2009.11.07 18:21, Susan said:

            I can’t wait to read Shanghai Girls! :-)

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            • At 2009.11.07 18:47, Ariel said:

              I loved this book! So did everyone else at my library. Can’t wait for the sequel. I may read Peony in Love in the meantime.

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              • At 2009.11.07 19:06, Andi said:

                Your renovation looks like it’s going to be BEAUTIFUL, and congrats on all the lovely books for your book club. Can’t wait to read your thoughts on it.

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                • At 2009.11.07 19:55, Sandy said:

                  I’ve seen both good and so-so reviews of Shanghai Girls, but I do remember that the dear Matt at A Guy’s Moleskin Notebook LOVED it, which means something to me. I’ll be interested in what you have to say!

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                  • At 2009.11.08 10:22, debnance said:

                    Just a wee critical thought…I think you meant 11, not 10….Your renovations look lovely! Stay chipper!

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                    • At 2009.11.08 14:05, Julie said:

                      I’m reading Shanghai Girls right now and am really enjoying it. Peony in Love is my favorite of Ms. See’s.

                      The house looks excellent!

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                      • At 2009.11.08 19:18, nat @book, line, and sinker said:

                        wow…i can’t imagine such a major overhaul on my house–we’re going to move instead of do all that! good luck to you with this monumental undertaking! looking forward to before/after photos when it’s all done. :D

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                        • At 2009.11.08 19:19, nat @book, line, and sinker said:

                          eek! typo! *doing, not DO. duh.

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                          • At 2009.11.08 21:21, Kathy said:

                            Wow, it looks like your addition is coming along great! I hope you & your club enjoy Shanghai Girls.

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                            • At 2009.11.10 11:40, Velvet said:

                              great space! like everyone else, i’m looking forward to the final pic. you’re gonna love it when its done. ;-D

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                              • At 2009.11.11 11:41, Kinda Sassy said:

                                OOOH I cant wait to read your review on Shanghi Girls… Ive been meaning to track down a copy and read it all summer and now its late autumn – ahem – where did time go?

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                                • At 2009.11.11 16:56, Jennie Nash said:

                                  What an incredibly classy move by Lisa See! Not only is she a great writer, she’s a smart and savvy writer gal.

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                                  • At 2009.11.16 15:07, lisamm said:

                                    Wow the remodel is looking great. We did a major remodel a few years back and it’s tough to live through all the mess, but so worth it when it’s done!

                                    I’m so happy the books arrived and can’t wait to hear what you all think of it! I’m supposed to hear about the author chat today.. fingers crossed!

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                                    • At 2009.11.25 21:17, Barbara Clark said:

                                      I read Shanghai Girls and loved it!!! I’ll definitely read more by this author! I’ve so grown to love stories with an Asian personality–Street of a Thousand Blossoms—Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet!

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