(Jamie Ford, on my Kindle). A poignant story about a Chinese-American, growing up in Seattle at the beginning of World War II. Henry falls in love with a young Japanese girl before her family is interned in a relocation camp. It a very secretive relationship because his parents would highly disapprove. The story goes back to the 40’s and forward to the 1980’s when Henry is in his 50’s and his wife (not the Japanese woman) has just died of cancer. The story pulls you in from the first page, especially when some artifacts are found in the basement of an old hotel which contain personal belongings from several Japanese families who were suddenly taken away back in 1942. You can see where it’s going, can’t you? I heard criticism of this book that it was just a little bit contrived. Halfway through I’m enjoying it very much.
(Kathryn Stockett on my Kindle); if you haven’t heard about this book, you should! It’s a novel written from the voice of the black servants and some of the people they work for, all residents of Jackson, Mississippi. In the 1950’s. The maids generally are disrespected, still have to ride in the back of the bus, and some are prevented from using the bathroom in the houses where they work. The story is about a young woman (daughter of one of the society ladies) who decides to write a book about the stories of the maids. Anonymously. But not quite, of course. So it’s not only the stories themselves, but about the society-ladies’ relationships, and about the stealth required to interview the maids and write the book. And the repercussions when it’s published. A fantastic read.
by Jetta Carleton (Kindle edition); 
by Susan Richards (Kindle edition); 
by Sally Gunning (Kindle edition)
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(Mario Batali & Gweneth Paltrow); 
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What a cute place this is. Charming atmosphere, spacious rooms, delightful patio if the weather cooperates, and some very fine dining. And very pleasant hosts as well. Alexa and Charles are a perfect pair – she runs the front of the house and he’s the professional chef who will prepare dinner for guests (by prior arrangement) and does lots of catering on the side too. And likely the recipes for breakfast are his, although they have an assistant who does the actual cooking each morning.
The inn has several guest rooms, a spacious dining room, a beautiful kitchen, and tucked in the back is a professional catering kitchen where Charles does most of the catering/cooking for events and dinners. One of the nights we stayed they were entertaining two different groups for dinner. So there was no room for us to have dinner with them. But if breakfast is any indication, the dinners are likely to be special. Just reserve it in advance.
The B&B breakfast was very nice – a quiche, some fresh biscuits and scones, fresh fruit, and an apple bread pudding (which they make from the leftover scones and was the standout of the breakfast offering, in my book). Copious amounts of coffee, of course, and friendly conversation with the other B&B guests.
Dave is thinking we need to make this an annual event – visiting the wineries in Oregon and Washington. Each time we come there are more new wineries to try. This area is just getting into high gear with high-tech tasting rooms, although some are still a kind of barn-like affair too. Something like Napa Valley used to be about 30 years ago.
During the daytime we visited just two wineries, both in downtown. Dave had a copious list, and specific wines he wanted to try. No way could we go tasting in 6 wineries and sample everything they had to offer. He sampled one or two in each place, with little more than an ounce. We can’t buy much wine because we would not want to leave it in the hot car anywhere. So we’re buying just enough to enjoy next week.
The Fat Duck Inn, 527 Catherine St., Walla Walla, WA, Phone: 888.526.8718
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