Lian Dolan's Blog, page 10
August 23, 2022
Podcast: What We Did on our Summer Vacation
August 23, 2022
Season 22 kicks off today ! We celebrate ONE MILLION DOWNLOADS so far in 2022! Plus, let’s hear it for summer vacation, recapturing the empty nest, walking our way to better health and movies you can take you Mom to. (And one you really shouldn’t.)
Find the Show Notes here:
One-in-a-million Satellite Sisters:
Serena Williams is moving on from tennis.
Friendship studies:
The power of friendship between poor kids and rich kids from Axios.
Walking With Friends
Eileen Fisher is a real person.
Lian’s Upcoming Appearances:
Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop: October 20 – 22, 2022 University of Dayton, Dayton OH
Pequot Library, Southport, CT: A Night Out With Lian Dolan Thursday October 27th 6 pm
Thank you to today’s sponsors. Please use these special urls and codes to support them and Satellite Sisters.
Caraway https://caraway.com Use code SATSISTERS
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Entertaining Sisters:
The Edge of the Earth on HBOMax
Fire Of Love from National Geographic and Disney+
‘I Am Glad My Mom Died” memoir by Jeannette McCurdy
Sign up for our new weekly newsletter PEP TALK here.
Go the the Satellite Sisters website here
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For Lost and Found in Paris and all books by Lian Dolan, go to her website here.
For all of our booklists at Bookshop.org, go to www.bookshop.org/shop/liandolan
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Listen to this week’s episode here or on any podcast platform.
The post Podcast: What We Did on our Summer Vacation appeared first on Satellite Sisters.
July 19, 2022
Podcast: Migraine Relief Cooking+ Carrot Soup Recipe
Optimism Boost! TV Recs! Music Fest Do’s and Don’ts! The new podcast is up and it’s chockfull of information, tips, strategies and yes, even cats.
Plus, Lian Dolan and Julie Dolan talk to health educator Stephanie Weaver about her personal journey with Migraine, her diet plan for migraine relief and other information for migraine sufferers. Stephanie has used both her professional expertise and personal journey to create a valuable resource and community for people with migraines. That said, the recipes in the books are great for anyone looking fora healthful lifestyle. Scroll down for her Carrot Soup recipe.
Find Stephanie’s website and cookbooks here: https://stephanieweaver.com
Find Stephanie Weaver on Instagram here and on Twitter here
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Listen here to the epsiode!
Carrot-Ginger Soup
From the Migraine Relief Cookbook
By Stephanie Weaver
When a neighbor offered me some carrot-ginger soup, I found the combination of sweet carrots, fresh ginger, turmeric, and a little heat from the red pepper flakes to be dynamite. Not to mention the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric and ginger. It might be my favorite recipe in this book, the best kind of medicine in a bowl.
Makes 8 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes (stovetop), 15 minutes (Instant Pot)
Passive time: N/A
Budget friendly: Very
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds (1kg) carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
2 large leeks, cleaned, roughly chopped (white and light-green parts only)
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (see Cook’s Note)
½ teaspoon white pepper
4 cups (.95L) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 (14.5-ounce [428mL]) can regular coconut milk
1 cup (50g) finely chopped cilantro or fresh Italian parsley
Stovetop instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and leeks; sauté until leeks begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.Add the broth. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmering uncovered until vegetables are fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut milk, until all solids have melted. Puree the soup until perfectly smooth. See box on the next page. Stir in the herbs and serve at once.
Instant Pot instructions:
Select Sauté (normal heat), add the oil, and sauté the carrots and leeks for 5 minutes, stirring often. Press Cancel.Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, red pepper flakes, and pepper; sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Secure the lid.Select Pressure Cook at high pressure for 8 minutes.Use the quick release, covering the vent with a kitchen towel to avoid splatters.Stir in the coconut milk, allowing the heat to melt any solids.Follow Steps 5 and 6 above to finish the soup.
Cook’s Note: This soup freezes beautifully. If using frozen or pre-cleaned leeks, you’ll need 2 cups sliced (180g). Reserve the green tops from the cleaned leeks for other recipes. If you don’t like spice, omit the red pepper flakes, or start with ¹⁄8 teaspoon. Cilantro and fresh parsley bunches will vary in size. Feel free to use the entire bunch of either; it will not affect the taste.
If lemons are not a trigger for you, a squeeze of lemon juice adds a lovely tang.
Per 1-cup serving: 2g protein, 12g carbohydrates, 8g fat, 6g saturated fat, 69mg sodium, 302mg potassium, 3g fiber
Blending Hot Soup: If using a regular blender, blend in batches, and cover the top with a kitchen towel to protect yourself from the escaping steam. If using an immersion blender, place a hot pad under the pot on the counter and with another, hold the pot at an angle away from you. Blend the soup until very smooth.
Reprinted with permission from The Migraine Relief Plan Cookbook by Stephanie Weaver, Agate, July 2022.
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July 12, 2022
Podcast: Summer Sports Spectacular with Olympic Gold Medalist & RHOA Sanya Richards Ross
New Podcast is up! The World Track & Field Championships start this week at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Liz has been working on it for 3 years and has the whole behind-the-scenes plus an interview with Olympic Champion/World Champion sprinter Sanya Richards-Ross, who is on the NBC broadcasting team and is the newest cast member of Real Housewives of Atlanta.The whole NBC schedule to watch the action from Hayward Field is here. July 15 – July 24.
Plus, our favorite sports movies of all time and some hot new up-and-coming sports from around the world. See below for the list.
Thank you to today’s sponsors. Please use these special urls + codes to support the show.
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Julie’s Favorite Sports Movies:
This is a Satellite Sister Solid Gold choice. This movie has everything: sisters, baseball, Geena Davis, Rosie O”Donnell, Madonna in center field, and Tom Hanks telling the players, “There’s no crying in baseball”.
A wonderful coming of age/cultural assimilation/girl power story about Jess Bijam who wants to play soccer like her idol, David Beckham but struggles to respect her traditional Indian family values. And, hello, Keira Knightley plays Jess’s friend and David Beckham makes a cute cameo.
It’s hard to pick my favorite baseball movie but the kitchen scene with Susan Sarandon and Kevin Costner makes Bull Durham my top pick. The movie is about baseball in a very deep way, but also has breezy romantic comedy.
I loved the original Rocky. It’s the ultimate underdog movie and has one of the best theme songs ever. Also, Talia Shire shines in the film.
An excellent documentary following two young Chicago basketball prospects trying to use their athletic talents to get to a better life. The two stars face racism, poverty, injury and other roadblocks trying to make their dreams come true. The film left me in tears.
Watch the original movie with clear eyes and a full heart. Before there was Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor, there was Billy Bob Thornton and Tim McGraw in a film that follows the coach and players of a high school football team in Odessa, Texas. As a transplant, I am beginning to appreciate what Friday night football means to Texas communities. The film is as much about Texas culture as it is about football.
Haven’t we all been on a team for work or play where you feel like a group of misfits or outcasts? This is a movie about kids who never expect to care about competing or winning. Tatum O’Neal is the 11-year old star pitcher. Walter Matthau as an alcoholic ex-baseball pitcher turned coach is perfect. The ending involves a championship game and a big celebration for the Bears.
Liz’s sport movie faves include Robert Redford in Downhill Racer and Bill Murray in Caddyshack! Plus Without Limits, a great T&F movie with Billy Crudup as Steve Prefontaine and Donald Sutherland as Coach Bill Bowerman
Lian names the great cycling flick Breaking Away and The Cutting Edge, a skating rom-com that does the sport proud.
Stay Connected with all the Satellite Sister Links:
Sign up for our new weekly newsletter PEP TALK here.
Go the the Satellite Sisters website here
Go to the Satellite Sisters You Tube Channel here.
For Lost and Found in Paris and all books by Lian Dolan, go to her website here.
Join our community: Facebook Page, Facebook Group and on Instagram and Twitter @satsisters.
Email Satellite Sisters at hello@satellitesisters.com.
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June 21, 2022
We Love Paris! Book Celebration, Plus Cookbook Author Patricia Wells and Travel Tips
This special episode celebrates the publication of Lian Dolan’s new novel Lost & Found in Paris. Author + French cuisine/culture expert Patricia Wells joins from her Paris apartment. Plus, travel tips, Paris must dos, Paris Entertaining Sisters recommendations.
Listen to the podcast here.
Lian Dolan’s books: For info on Lost and Found in Paris, The Sweeney Sisters and Lian Dolan’s other books and appearances, go to www.liandolan.com
Lian Dolan’s Lost and Found in Paris makes Zibby Owens Must Read Books list for 2022.
Order Lost and Found in Paris from indie or online stores here.
Links for today’s episode:
Find all things Patricia Wells at http://www.patriciawells.com
Music inspired by Lost + Found in Paris on a playlist created by Lian on Spotify.
Recommended films and instagram accounts that celebrate Paris:
Julie’s recommended cinema:
Belle de Jour by Luis Bunuel starring Catherine Deneuve
Jules et Jim by François Truffaut
Liz’s favorites:
Breathless by Jean Luck Godard starring Jean Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg. On YouTube with English subtitles. Love that haircut!
French Kiss. Meg Ryan + Kevin Kline. Another great haircut!
Before Sunset. Ethan Hawke + Julie Delpy. The Before Trilogy by Richard Linklater.
Julie’s French girl style guide for the summer:
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Hear excerpts from the Audiobook here or click on graphic below:
Want Lian’s Travel Tips from Paris! Click here on on graphic below:
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Sante Fe Travel Tips for a Great Getaway: Art, Food, Culture and Cashmere!
What a week we had in Santa Fe! My husband and I hit the road for a book research trip in the City Different. My next novel is set in Santa Fe, a place of fantasies for many, but it had been thirty years since my last visit. So we plunged in ~ with culture, arts, food, margaritas, walks and runs, cooking class. Plus, some quite moments sitting in coffee shops where I just took in the vibes of beautiful, spiritually-rich Santa Fe. Thanks to many conversations with locals and some really great Satellite Sisters about where to go and what to do/eat/see, I feel like we got a really great sense of the place. It’s a special city, for sure.
Find the podcast about my trip here or listen now here.
Resources:
Get Planning!
It’s hard to beat the Santa Fe Tourism Website for starting your planning to The City Different, as they call Santa Fe in all the press materials. Complete, thorough and well put together, this is the place to start planning, booking and researching your trip. All the links you need for lodging, food, activities and museums are here. Plus, great day trip suggestions like the one we took to Chimayo. I signed up for the newsletters a year ago when I started thinking about this book and I’ve loved the inspiration that arrives in my inbox periodically. If Santa Fe is on your list of must-see cities, then put yourself on the email list. Canyon Road, the art gallery hub, also has a good site to check out here.
Tip: Get your lodging reservations early. Summer is very busy, as is Fall, Halloween and all of December. Plus, throughout the year, Santa Fe has many special cultural events that bring large crowds to the city. This is not really the place for last minute booking. Six weeks before our trip, we booked a fabulous VRBO off Canyon Road that suited our needs, but the owner told us she was booked out for five months solid. We had lucked into a cancellation. Start planning now!
Get Cooking!
I can not recommend a class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking enough. I loved my three-hour demonstration class in traditional New Mexican cooking and would take another in an instant. The magic of New Mexican meals mixed in with lore, history and cooking tips. Plus, an amazing meal at the end! ( The best Chiles Rellanos and Sopaipillos I ate in Santa Fe were at our end-of-class lunch.) The gift shop can’t be beat, either. Bring a friend for extra fun– but I had a terrific time on my own. Information on cooking classes, walking tours and online store here.
Get Shopping!
Chocolate & Cashmere – Satellite Sister Cheryl said this was her favorite store in Santa Fe. And now it’s one of mine too. It features stunning cashmere magic and spectacular chocolate. It’s the ultimate “buy on vacation” store and I did. Because a cashmere poncho will look fabulous on my book tour for my Santa Fe book, right? Find the website here.
Cielo – An arts collective on Canyon Road featuring both Santa Fe and Peruvian Artis. Truly, I could have bought everything in this store: Ceramics! Textiles! Jewelry! Cutting Boards! Art prints and cards! Honestly, everything was special and lovely and I’m already regretting teh napkins I didn’t purchase. Next time, Cielo. At the “top” of Canyon Road in a beautiful space. Worth the walk to the top of the street. Find the website here.
Beadweaver of Santa Fe – As the name implies, beautiful beads and jewelry making supplies. Clearly, a wonderful store for readers and creators. Plus, other special gifts items.I don’t craft, but I do love beads so I bought a lovely handmade necklace by one of the owners. In a shopping area downtown near Kaune’s, a very good gourmet grocery store. Find the Beadweaver’s website here.
Collected Works Bookstore and Coffee Shop – Every great downtown needs a great bookstore and Santa Fe has a lovely one in Collected Works. I’ll admit, I went in here to see if they carried Lost & Found in Paris so I could sign it. (They didn’t. But maybe the next one which is set in Santa Fe!) But they had a wonderful collection of other titles, especially in the area of Santa Fe history. Children’s books as well. Plus, an inviting coffeeshop. Do stop in! Find the website here.
Get Eating!
There are literally too many restaurants to mention in Santa Fe. (The chef at Sazón literally won the James Beard Award while we were there.) Like a visit to New Orleans, you could spend your entire vacation eating and drinking. (We didn’t) But, if you’re looking for suggestions, here is a list. And another. And one just for chile spots. Foodies, you know what you have to do: start your research and make reservations! Yes, there were hour waits at places for lunch on a Wednesday! (But worth the wait for local favorite La Choza) We weren’t there for the food like some, but enjoyed a few stand-outs during the week. Loved the paella and the vibe of one of Santa Fe’s oldest spots, El Farol. The newer and modern Optuntia Cafe in the Rail Yard district had a great selection of plants and the best avocado toast I have ever had. Next time, we’ll plan ahead and get a spot at Paloma, which was charming and romantic and a long wait mid-week, but locals recommended it as a favorite.
Tip: Many/Most Santa Fe restaurants close early on Sunday nights (8 pm) and are closed Monday and/or Tuesday. We arrived late Sunday night and were grateful to the restaurant at the Hilton for staying open until 10. On Monday, we had a delicious meal at Thai on Canyon, one of the few spots open near us and not fully booked. If you arrive early in the week, be prepared and make reservations ahead of time.
Get Art-ing!
So much art everywhere. And fantastic art. World class contemporary art that you can take home with you! Or just look at and dream. Santa Fe is a one of the top art markets in the, second to New York City. The gallery scene is impressive and you could easily spend three days wandering in and out of the galleries on Canyon Road, in downtown and the RailYard. The gallerists are friendly and there didn’t seem to be any pressure to buy, just to enjoy and appreciate. We did pick up a piece at Ventana Gallery, a stunning rememberance of our time in Santa Fe.
The Museum line-up includes the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, the International Folk Art Museum and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. The list of arts & culture activities is endless. Check out all the resources here.
Tip: The gallery hours are loose! Not many are open on Mondays and Tuesdays and the hours can vary on the other days of the week. Plan accordingly. Museums are also closed one or two days and week and many require advanced ticketing. In addition, some museum are undergoing construction wit limited galleries open, so check website for the latest information.
More Tips:
Plan early! Book your lodging. Make lunch and dinner reservations. Get your tickets for the museums.
A lot of restaurants, museums and galleries are closed Monday and/or Tuesday.
Remember the altitude at 7200 ft and adjust accordingly.
Hydrate! Moisturize! Hydrate! Moisturize! Bring your own water bottle for sure. And powerful sunscreen & moisturizers.
Portions are huge, even at fine dining establishments! Like comically large! Order with caution.
More Satellite Sisters podcasts & posts about Travel
We Love New York! 13 Travel Must-Dos in the Big Apple. Listen and read here.
Let’s Get Lost & Found in Paris with Cookbook Author and Foodie Extraordinaire Patricia Wells. Listen and read here.
An Insider’s Guide to Pasadena and the Rose Parade! Read it here.
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May 9, 2022
Best Beach Bag Books 2022
Welcome to our 2022 Satellite Sisters Best Beach Bag Books. We picked a wide variety of great beach reads to get you through the summer at the lake, a week in the mountains, even a staycation at home.
Find our Best Beach Bag Books podcast here.
Find all the books here at Bookshop.org. Support Indie Bookstores while supporting writers.
Thrillers, Mysteries
The Murder Rule
By Dervla McTiernan
Law students works on an Innocent Project case for her own personal reasons. Page turning legal thriller with strong characters and rising stakes.
Listen to our interview with Dervla here.
See How They Run
by Rachel Howzell Hall
An Audible original. You’ll never go “glamping” again with glancing over your shoulder! Great road trip thriller on audio.
The Second Husband
by Kate White
Emma looks likes she’s rebounded after her first husband’s murder with a perfect second huband, a beautifuk house and a thriving business. But when the murder case is re-opened, her world starts to unravel in this psychological thriller by vet writer Kate White.
The Pink Hotel
By Liska Jacobs
Confined to an opulent Beverly Hills hotel during a raging wildfire, a young couple is caught in the escalating tension between the wealthy guests and the staff, in a blistering, dark social satire.
The Homewreckers
By Mary Kay Andrews
Summer begins with Mary Kay Andrews! Expect snappy dialogue, sharp pacing and murder! Plus, house flipping, renovations and true love.
Historical Fiction
The Yellow Wife
By Sedeqa Johnson
An engrossing story follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia.
Mustique Island
By Sarah McCoy
A sun-splashed romp with a rich divorcee and her two wayward daughters in 1970s Mustique, the world’s most exclusive private island, where Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger were regulars and scandals stayed hidden from the press…
Sister Stardust
by Jane Green
In her first novel inspired by a true story, Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging ’60s
Angels of the Pacific
by Elise Hooper
A powerful new novel of the Angels of Bataan, nurses held as prisoners during the occupation of the Philippines in World War II. Well-researched, character driven fiction.
The Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons
By Kate Khavari
The Lost Apothecary meets Dead Dead Girls in this fast-paced, STEMinist adventure.
Debut author Kate Khavari deftly entwines a pulse-pounding mystery with the struggles of a woman in a male-dominated field in 1923 London.
Family Dynamics
Vacationland
by Meg Mitchell Moore
A delicious summer read set in midcoast Maine, tackling family secrets, marriage, motherhood, and privilege.
Super Fun Summer Romances!
The Bodyguard
by Katherine Center
A plus feel good rom-com with an unusual West Texas setting and a terrific main couple with lots of appeal
Nora Goes off Script
by Annabelle Mongahan
Attention, Hallmark movie lovers! This is a funny, sharply observed rom-com with a screenwriter main character and the actor that comes into her life. Just a fun, fresh take.
The Emma Project
by Sonali Dev
The final chapter in the Rajes series. Emma gets a fresh Indian-American twist in a heartwarmingly irresistible Jane Austen inspired rom com series.
The Power Couple
by Alex Berenson
Julie read this on a beach! She works for the FBI doing counterespionage and he works for the NSA. After two decades of marriage and two kids, the couple tries to rekindle the romance in their marriage with a European vacation. Their teenage kids are along for the fun until the unimaginable happens. A good suspenseful read.
In a New York Minute
By Kate Spencer
A clever, tender, and romantic romp for readers of Jasmine Guillory, Abby Jimenez, and Sophie Cousens, this funny and charming debut is a perceptive reminder that fate can have a sense of humor, and that love can happen in a New York minute.
Non-Fiction
The Palace Papers
by Tina Brown
A 2022 summer must read. The inside story on how the British monarchy reinvented itself after Princess Diana’s death. Tina Brown has been a keen observer of the royal family for thirty years. Lots of juicy details and keen insights.
Memoir
Hello, Molly
by Molly Shannon
A candid, compulsively readable, hilarious, and heartbreaking memoir of resilience and redemption by comedic genius Molly Shannon
Bookends: A memoir of Love, Loss and Literature
by Zibby Owens
A deeply personal memoir about one woman’s journey to finding her voice and rewriting her story by the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books(TM).
Find the booklist and purchase books here.
Find the podcast with Dervla McTiernan here.
Find Best Beach Bag Books 2021 here.
The post Best Beach Bag Books 2022 appeared first on Satellite Sisters.
March 17, 2022
Spring Break in Palm Springs, Sucking Oysters, St. Patrick’s Day Traditions Podcast 03.15.22
Links from today’s episode:
2022 International Women of Courage Honorees, U S Department of State
Cooking with Liz LIVE on Thursday March 17 5 om PT on the Satellite Sisters YouTube Channel
Ireland:
Watch Find It, Cook It on YouTube.
Visit Cliffs of Moher, County Clare.
Try Making Grilled Oysters.
Putin Article in The New Yorker. The Weakness of the Despot.
Entertaining Sisters:
Linda Evangelista in People Magazine
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Kiwico: https://kiwico.com Use code sisters
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Lian Dolan’s books: For info on Lost and Found in Paris, The Sweeney Sisters and Lian Dolan’s other books and appearances, go to www.liandolan.com
Lian Dolan’s Lost and Found in Paris makes Zibby Owens Must Read Books list for 2022.
Preorder Lost and Found in Paris from indie or online stores here.
For all of our booklists at Bookshop.org, go to www.bookshop.org/shop/liandolan
Buy The Sweeney Sisters here on bookshop.org or here on amazon.
Join our community: Facebook Page, Facebook Group and on Instagram and Twitter @satsisters.
Email Satellite Sisters at hello@satellitesisters.com.
Follow Lian Dolan on @instagram @liandolan
Follow Liz Dolan on @instagram @satellitesisterliz
Follow Julie Dolan on @instagram @julieoldestsister
Subscribe to Pep Talk here.
Go the the Satellite Sisters website here.
Go to the Satellite Sisters YouTube channel here.
Join the Satellite Sisters Facebook Group, to interact with other Satellite Sisters listeners.
Like the Satellite Sisters Facebook Page for announcements and links to new content
Follow @SatSisters on Instagram and Twitter.
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February 10, 2022
You’re The Best: Happy Galentine’s Day!
Hello, my friend…
Just a quick note to tell you how much I value our friendship. Too sincere? Maybe, but totally true.
I’ll never forget the day I met you in fourth grade/at summer camp/in health class/ at orientation/in the break room/in Mommy & Me/at law school/when the kids started kindergarten/on that hellish work trip. My first thought was, “I wish I had her hair.” My next thought was, “I hope she likes me.”
And I’m so glad you did.
You are the type of person that keeps me sane, makes me laugh and accepts me for who I am, which, let’s face it, is not always a bundle of joy. But you always seem glad to see me anyway.
You appreciate my love of Jane Austen/Nora Roberts/Katniss Everdeen, my obsession with Madonna/Mariah/Olivia Roderigo and my devotion Succession/Downton Abbey/Law & Order. The love we share for Colin Firth/Harry Styles/Taye Diggs is mutual but I think if the occasion ever did arise where one of us could act upon it, you’d let me win which is way more than I would do for you.
You remember my birthday. You admire my creativity. You pick up the check when I least expect it. You tell me I look great even when I don’t. And when I actually look great, you tell me I look fabulous.
You were there for me when I really needed a gut check/amateur medical advice/intervention. You listen to my symptoms and make your recommendations over the phone while simultaneously cooking dinner and Googling, which is a special skill. The fact that you can quote medical journals, US Magazine and Eat Pray Love in your treatment plan is icing on the cake.
You were there for me when I blew out my knee/went into pre-term labor/broke up with that idiot and you never once chastised me for over-reaching, doing too much or trying too hard. All of which I was guilty of, of course. But you came with tea and sympathy, aka wine and Parmesan crisps, and said exactly the right thing, which was nothing and just let me vent.
You were there for me when I got fired/promoted/caught abusing the shipping & receiving privileges at work and you had the perfect advice, which was, “Never cry at the office.” You were so right and I really learned my lesson, maybe a tad too late that to save that one job, but now, I’m solid. I’ve learned to cry in the car at lunch and that’s been a real boost to my career.
You were there for me when I did the detox/started my cat-centered business/entered that karaoke contest and managed not to blurt out, “You’re crazy.” I could see you thought so, but you held your tongue and just asked, “What can I do to help?” You might have tried a little harder to talk me out of my bad idea, but no hard feelings.
You were there for me when I had the third baby/got divorced/heard the diagnosis and I thought I might never leave the house again. You showed up with your signature Caesar salad and you told me, in the nicest way, “Take a shower, put on some make-up and get it together, for God’s sake.” Now that I think about it, you were kind of mean but that was just what I needed.
You were there for me when I lost the pregnancy/my other great friend/my mother and never once did you say, like so many others, ‘”It’s for the best. At least it went quickly.” Because it wasn’t for the best, not at all. One day I had somebody in my life and the next day I didn’t. How could that be for the best? You showed up and stayed the night. You brought soup and bread. You sent that beautiful arrangement of all white flowers with the roses, hydrangeas and stephanotis that was just perfect. And now, when I see white flowers, I think of my loss and your kindness and it’s all right.
I owe you for that night at that dive bar on our road trip. I should not line dance under the influence and I think we both know that now.
I owe you for letting me borrow that really expensive evening clutch with the feathers. I had no idea puppies liked feathers.
I owe you for that really poor financial advice I gave to you. It was loud on the subway, but I thought I heard that guy in the suit say, “Buy Enron.”
I owe you for Brad. Let’s not talk about him ever again.
You’re smart. You’re funny. You text just the right amount. You’re the one person that tells my about the thing in my teeth without sounding just a little bit superior.
Thank you for the years.
Thank you for the dancing.
Thank you for the sunshine.
Thank you for encouragement.
Thank you for the empathy.
Thank you for the laughter.
Thank you for your friendship.
You’re the best.
xxoo
The post You’re The Best: Happy Galentine’s Day! appeared first on Satellite Sisters.
February 1, 2022
Podcast 020122: The Gilded Age in Books & TV, NFL History and Dryer Ball Injury
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The New Satellite Sisters Podcast is UP! This week we talk the Gilded Age on TV and Books, plus a Satellite Sisters Salute to an NFL Broadcasting Pioneer, and Julie sustains a Dryer Ball Injury
Special guest Carol Wallace, author of Our Kind Of People about the Gilded Age and special Sold Gold Satellite Sister Sassy Award to Suzanne Smith of CBS Sports, first woman to ever direct an NFL Championship Game on any network.
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Links from content on today’s episode:
Congratulations to Suzanne Smith of CBS Sports, first woman to ever direct an NFL playoff, championship or SB game as Director of the AFC Championship in KC this past weekend.
Special Guest Carol Wallace, author of Our Kind Of People, new fiction about Gilded Age NYC. Goodreads. Amazon.
Pillow Fighting As A Competitive Sport
How To Pack For The Winter Olympics
Entertaining Sisters TV Recommendation:
The AfterParty on AppleTV +. Starring Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Ilana Glazer, Ike Barinholtz Want to watch #TheAfterParty but don’t have @AppleTVPlus yet? You can watch the first episode of show FOR FREE right now on @YouTube till 2/6!
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Lian Dolan’s books: For info on Lost and Found in Paris, The Sweeney Sisters and Lian Dolan’s other books and appearances, go to www.liandolan.com
Lian Dolan’s events are updated here.
Lian Dolan’s Lost and Found in Paris makes Zibby Owens Must Read Books list for 2022.
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The post Podcast 020122: The Gilded Age in Books & TV, NFL History and Dryer Ball Injury appeared first on Satellite Sisters.
December 27, 2021
An Insiders Guide to the 2022 Rose Parade and Visiting Pasadena
Hello, Utes ! Hello, Buckeyes! Hello, Parents of Bandies and Flag Girls from across the globe! It’s Rose Parade time! And the Rose Bowl, the Granddaddy of Them All, is on again. We welcome you all in Pasadena for the festivities of 2022. Sure, Christmas is great, but in my hometown, we’re all about the Roses from about Thanksgiving through January 2.And this year, the Parade is back after a year off in 2021. The theme of the parade is year is The Bloom is Back– and that’s almost true!
As a longtime local, 29 years and counting and the author of several novels set in Pasadena plus a huge Parade Enthusiast, I wanted to share my Insider’s Guide to the Rose Parade and Pasadena. More about me here.
There are some restrictions, event changes and requirements due to Covid. In Pasadena, we are vaccinated, masked up and eating outside whenever possible. If you are coming for the Parade or the Game, I suggest familiarizing yourself with the best practices and requirements for 2022 :
For the Parade
It’s the Rose Parade. Not the Rose Bowl Parade. The Rose Parade preceded the Rose Bowl Game– though both are well over a 100 years old. Here’s the complete history lesson, but talk like a local and get the nomenclature correct: Rose Parade. Thanks!
On New Years Eve, make plans to see the floats being decorating and then walk the parade route on Colorado Blvd to witness a sea of hardy humanity camping out with BBQ grills and the inexplicable tossing of marshmallows and tortillas. Or head south on Orange Grove south of Colorado Blvd for the float line-up after 10. Walking the Parade Route is better than a party!
Bonus Insider Tip: On the 31st, the floats are lined up and judged before they head to the parade route. The floats are built all over town, but to see a four or five floats (usually) in one spot up close, head on over to Rosemont Pavilion (Across from Rose Bowl) around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. You can get fairly close and see the detailed floral work while the floats are stationary. Great for picture taking. I’m there every year. Times are approximate and subject to change.
Go to the parade, people. I know it is tempting to party on New Years’ Eve and skip the Rose Parade with the 8 am start, but don’t be an idiot! Get up and Get Going! If this is a once-in-a-lifetime event for you, buy tickets. (The closer to Orange Grove and Colorado, the “TV Corner,” the better. Worth every dollar. Bring a seat cushion; the benches are cold.) The floats are spectacular, the bands are fab, the horses are beautiful, the weather is always great. And don’t worry, it’s never as crowded as they say it will be. You can always find a spot on the street in Old Town Pasadena if you are willing to be 2 or 3 rows back. The floats are huge so visibility is no problem. Bonus! The Grand Marshall is Levar Burton what more could you want?
Layer I know, I know– it’s Southern California and on Tv, it’s look like a sunny & picture-perfect escape. But it does get cold here and temperatures are expected to be in the high 30’s when the Parade starts and 60 by game time, but will drop again when the sun goes down. Don’t leave those mittens at home!
Do call out “Happy New Year!” and “Queen Nadia! Over here!” It’s a personable little parade for a million people. There is lots of waving and good wishes. You don’t have to be a local to , all outstanding young women from the community. And please thank the volunteers in the White Suits (the White Suiters, as we call them). They put on the whole shebang as a community service, giving up literally years of their lives, not to mention their entire holiday!
Cheer for the bands. Love the bandies and their parents. These high school bands are hand -picked; their appearance in the parade has been in the works for years in terms of auditioning and fund-raising. And those kids are in for the longest march of their lives ( over 5 miles), usually in inadequate footwear. Why don’t the flag girls wear shoes with support. Why?) So when they go by, be generous. Better yet, see the bands perform before the parade at Bandfest.
Wear your school colors at all times. We locals like knowing who is representing. More Utes? More Buckeyes? We talk about you all year long when you’re gone. As in “Wow, those Utah fans really spent a lot of money in the bars.” or “Love those Buckeyes. So polite.” We’ll never know who you are if you don’t wear your sweatshirts.
Before or After The Parade
Eat, shop, and sightsee in Pasadena. Thank you! We appreciate it. Pasadena is a beautiful town with great art +architecture, world class universities, set streets that look like movie sets because they have been, shopping, gardens and food. Plus, Pasadenans love their history and showing off our city. So stay a while!
See
Visit the Norton Simon, the Gamble House, The Pasadena Library, Caltech, and the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. Because they are all beautiful, special, and unique to Pasadena. (Okay, technically the Huntington is in San Marino but we pretend it’s in Pasadena.) There is more to Southern California than theme parks, beaches and Hollywood. There is art, history, and Nobel prizes and they are all in within about 5 miles of each other. Just driving around to each of these places will give you a great architectural tour of the area, too. I set my first book Helen of Pasadena at The Huntington because it’s such a magical place with a world class library, art and spectacular gardens. (Plus great food now) If you only have a short time, hit the Norton Simon. It’s a jewel box of a museum with Van Goghs, Picassos, Rodins and a brilliant collection of Asian Art. Links to all the Museums can be found here at Visit Pasadena.
Shop
Old Town Pasadena has all the big names shopping experiences you might want from Tiffany to Apple to Nike to a Tesla store right on Colorado Boulevard. Here’s a link to the Old Pasadena site for a complete guide & maps.But if you want to get off the beaten path…
Head on over to Holly Street, two streets north of Colorado, for some of my favorite locally-owned stores with one-of-a-kind gifts. Homage features local artists and their jewelry, home goods, gifts and art. Maude Woods has the chicest and most intriguing selections of decorative items in town. I could buy every item of clothing at Elisa B. Take your time on Holly– chocolate, coffee & more on the street, too. Great sushi at Mama Sushi if you need a quick bite! To find/follow the indie shops on Instagram, follow @shopsonholly
Cozy Stylish Chic: My friend Jeanne is all those things and she runs this wonderful little shop of decorative delights on Delacey. maybe you can’t take home a mid-century ottoman. But the art on the wall will fit in your carry-on! Website here.
Goldbug: A creepy, delightful, unexpected collection of jewelry and object ;d’art inspired by… bugs! And other wonderful and slightly sinister muses. Off Union in Kendall Alley. Looks for the signs to this one-of-a-kind emporium of oddities. Love it
Vroman’s It’s a very walkable mile from Old Town to Vroman’s, our venerable indie bookstore that’s over 100 years old. Books, Rose Parade & Rose bowl souvenirs you won’t find elsewhere, lots of local authors and a wine bar. We love our Vroman’s and you will, too. Website here.
Eat
There are restaurants for every palate and budget in Pasadena. Please poke around to find your craving. (And by poke, I mean one of the many poke emporiums we have here.) I went with my Go-Tos. Old Pasadena is close to the ‘action’ of the float decorating, the Parade, the Game so I concentrated on this area for recommendations:
Café Santorini: Delicious Greek Food and a super festive atmosphere. Lovely heated outdoor patio. Longtime fave of mine. And you often see other (famous) chefs eating here with their families. Reservations a must. Website here.
Ramen Tatsunoya: Stand in line and you will be rewarded. Delicious beyond words. Website here.
Osawa Sushi & Shabu Shabu: Just recognized as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in LA by the late, great Jonathon Gold. You ain’t in Ohio anymore, Buckeye. If this place is too busy, try Bone Kettle next door. Website here.
Crepe de Paris: Slightly off the beaten path with a charming outdoor patio if the weather is nice. Sweet or savory crepes, relaxed service and a place to re-charge. No website but it’s at 84 S. Fair Oaks.
Union: This is the (tiny) spot for soul warming pastas, hearty Northern Italian main courses and seasonal California vegetables. Plus, a wonderful selection of wine and cocktails & desserts. Reservations a must to dine in. To Go Family Meals of Pasta & Salad are a great deal. Website here.
Next door is U Street Pizza for a more casual taste of Union’s magic. The Green Goddess Chopped salad and the Petaluma Pizza hit the spot. Website here.
About the Author
Lian Dolan is a writer and podcaster. She is the host of Satellite Sisters, a podcast she created with her four real sisters in 2001. She is the author of three bestselling novels, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife and The Sweeney Sisters. Her next novel, Lost and Found in Paris, will be published by William Morrow in April 2022. She has written a regular column for O, The Oprah Magazine, Working Mother Magazine andPasadena Magazine. A graduate of Pomona College, she lives in Pasadena, California, with her husband, two sons and a big German shepherd. Website here.
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