TRUST ME is now in trade paperback! Pub date--today! And you can buy it here (at Target!) or here (at Walmart!) or here or in your favorite bookstore!
More about this--and the sassy new cover!--later in the week.... but first:
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Do you have a date for New Year's Eve? The question of doom, right? Back in the dark recesses of my past, I remember when that horrible question hovered like a black cloud, starting in November, the yes or no being the defining answer to whether you were cool. Would you be out and about on NYE? Glam and fancy and drinking champagne, carousing and dancing and flinging caution to the winds, with the person you cannot live without? Or....
Lemme stop you here.
 |
| Riiiiiighht |
Did that EVER happen? I'm thinkin'--not that I remember.
As a little kid, I had always imagined all gowns and champagne, waltzing and white gloves and looking at the stars and toasting the new year and our futures with Gatsby-esqe levels of indulgence and flagrant opulence. I think I was like, fourteen when I thought it would be like that.
And as a little kid, ALL we wanted to do was stay up til midnight. It was the COOLEST.
Now, so many years later, I am happy happy happy, and all I can think of whether it would be rude to tell our hosts for this NYE that we really have to go home at about ten, say, and avoid the nutty traffic.
We are very splurgy, with champagne and caviar, and probably beef tenderloin, and the baker in the group makes her famous yeast cake. Awesome. And then we trundle home at about 12:02, with me watching for the crazy drivers.
How about you, Reds? What's up for tonight? Gatsby glam or cozy tradition?
HALLIE EPHRON: I like to be at home on New Years Eve, snug as a bug with some nice champagne and treats (crab cakes, maybe?) I had bought a duck that I thought I'd make but it thawed too fast so I had(!) to roast and eat it last night. Duck a l'Orange. It was spectacular. I'll trundle up to bed early, and let the fireworks going off in downtown Boston wake me up and I hug my honey. Turn over. And go back to sleep.
LUCY BURDETTE: Oh my. After a week in California with the family, we are landing back in Key West (fingers crossed) on New Year's Eve. I will be hoping to find something to eat and go to bed with a book. New Year's is nuts on our island--I've been on Duval Street for the party several times, and have no urge to repeat!
DEBORAH CROMBIE: We made a rule years ago that we wouldn't go out on New Year's Eve. Maybe it's better now with Uber, but people around these parts have been notorious for drinking and driving on NYE. And then there are the fireworks and the gunshots. Seriously. You'd think we lived in the Wild West. I do open champagne, for me and any friend or neighbor who wants to drop by (Rick does NOT like) and I usually try to cook something simple but a little special. My dream would be to have something very elegant and much more fabulous than take-out Chinese brought in, and to eat in front of the toasty fire and watch The Holiday with my sweetie--assuming I could twist his arm to sit through it again.
RHYS BOWEN: Some years a friend holds a lovely elegant party. It's only one block away so no driving involved. This year I think we'll drive into San Francisco, walk around and look at the decorations watch the skaters and have a drink at the St Francis hotel. Then home by about 8, bed by ten!
JENN McKINLAY: I love, love, love New Year's Day! There is nothing I like better than flipping the calendar to a pristine new year, looking forward to the books I plan to write, the trips I plan to take, and the memories I hope to make with family and friends.
HANK: We are the wildest group ever, right? How about you, Reds and readers? Cozy or glam tonight? And how late are you staying up? And may we say--we LOVE you madly, and will be toasting all of you, from wherever we are!
When we were kids, Jean and I would spend New Year’s Eve with our grandmother. We’d snack and wait for the ball to drop in Times Square. It was always great fun and we looked forward to it.
ReplyDeleteWhen John and I got married, he was usually working on New Year’s Eve, but most of the time he’d get home just before midnight. So our festivities have always been rather cozy. Tonight John and I will watch the ball drop at midnight and celebrate with a toast and a kiss. Then it’s off to bed . . . .
That sounds perfect....awww. (How long have you been married?)
DeleteWe've been married for forty years . . . .
DeleteCozy night, since we are not fans of New Year's Eve. We will be reading Harry Potter. And eating black eyed peas. Love everyone's posts!
ReplyDeleteDiana
Of course! Forgot about the black eyed peas!
DeleteI will be staying home and comforting the cats. With any luck I will get some reading done too. Happy New Year's, all!
ReplyDeleteWill you stay up for fireworks? How do the kitties feel about that?
DeleteI will undoubtedly be up past midnight, although I won't really be watching the fireworks. A lot of the neighbors will be setting them off though. The cats don't like it, but they're inside cats so at least they'll be safe.
DeleteMy, we are a festive crowd. When I was a little kid, my parents would hire a babysitter, dress up in LBD and suit, and go to some party or another on New Year's Eve, so I always thought it was a night for glamor and kisses. By the time I got out of college, I was the one headed out to a party--usually with a bunch of attorneys who would hire limos to drive them around so they could drink as much as they liked. These were never date-based parties, though, and the whole "kiss your love at midnight" thing did not apply.
ReplyDeleteAfter I met Warren and moved to Texas, we were way out in the country, so any party was at least 25 minutes away. We mostly stayed in. Now? Well, I'm about two blocks from Deb's champagne, so I might stroll over there, but if it's cold or wet or annoying in any way I might opt for a quick text-storm of New Year's wishes and staying home with my firework-phobic pups. It would take something hugely romantic to make me drive the ridiculous rental truck I'm stuck with this week very far afield tonight.
A rental truck? Sounds like there’s a story there :-) and yes… Staying home sounds very very wonderful.
DeleteJust a silly story. On Friday I saw that the air dam/cowl/plastic shield under the front bumper of my Mustang was sagging on one side--the victim of one too many high curbs, I think. I took it to the body shop and discovered that the only thing available to rent on the Friday before the New Year's holiday was a full-size, king cab pickup truck with a 6-foot bed and trailering mirrors. Imagine a big SUV with a little U-Haul trailer behind it, and you'll have the general picture of the size. I had to trim back branches along my driveway just to get it in. Being a rental, it's pretty basic so no running boards. I have to stretch/jump/scramble to get into it and when I get out I sort of point my feet at the ground and hope I stick the landing. And did I mention it's bright red? Adventure clearly awaits.
DeleteGigi, watch the Vera series for tips on how to gracefully enter and exit a big vehicle! Vera does it with aplomb.
DeleteGood tip, Karen. You'd think, after all these years in Texas, I'd know how to do that. Running boards help tremendously.
DeleteOh, must see! It happens with Ubers sometimes--impossible to get in or out in heels and skirts!
DeleteI love staying up until midnight and having special treats and bubbly, but the man I live with does not and goes to bed as usual. So in recent years I hang with some single girlfriends and play games until midnight. I was going to host tonight - but this scratchy throat feels very contagious and I think I'd better cancel, alas. Like Jenn, I love the freshness of New Year's Day, and I put away all the Christmas decorations (except for the window candles - they stay up another couple of weeks) yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Reds and commenters!
Oh no ...feel better!
DeleteI do not go out. I barely acknowledge the changing of years at all. I'm usually up anyway so staying up to midnight isn't something special about the day.
ReplyDeleteA long time ago, the drummer for the band Dokken, "Wild" Mick Brown, was asked what he does on New Year's Eve. He said that he stayed home because he was a professional partier and these type of drinking holidays are when all the amateurs come out. He added that you can tell the difference between a professional and amateur partier because the amateurs usually end their night wrapped around trees. It's a philosophy that seems pretty solid.
Plus, it is cold outside. The last thing I want to do is be anywhere other than my house to be warm and close to indoor plumbing. And I've got a book I need to read.
It’s supposed to pour, right? Another great reason to stay home! Happy new year!
DeleteHank,
DeleteYes it is supposed rain at some point tonight as well.
Plus I've got two Top 10 Lists to work on tonight along with the reading of the book.
Oh, yes, our glam fantasies! My first husband and I went to a couple fancy parties, but that was the early 70's, when dances were a big thing and you could find a place to dance almost every night of the week. I remember those days wistfully, when people actually dressed up to go out. I made some very fancy dresses for those occasions.
ReplyDeleteThen I was single for eight years, and had to readjust my expectations. Instead of sitting at home wishing I was out, I invited friends to come over, which I did for many years, including for years after my second marriage. That was fun when the kids were young, too. Neighbors could stop by for food and beverages, including their children, and everyone left by 10 PM or so.
About half the time we spend NYE alone, usually in front of the fire, the other half we spend with dear friends, as we will this year. When we're alone I make us each a Sazerac since neither of us are big bubbly drinkers, but tonight I'm sure my best friend and I will each have some prosecco, during the champagne toasts. These three other couples have been in our lives for 40 years, so it's very special to spend this time with them. We decided we will celebrate the new year coming in over the Atlantic somewhere and call it a night by 10:30.
By the way, I've read that October 5th (which happens to be my birthday) is the most common day to be born. The conception date? New Year's Eve. Be careful out there.
Oh that is fascinating! Oct 5 huh? Wouldn’t that be the basis of a good short story anthology? ( and yes I love Prosecco too!)
DeleteHow funny and special about your birthday, Karen! I think I might have begun as a Valentine's Day celebration.
DeleteLove that, Gigi!
DeleteHank, you might also have gotten your start on NYE, but stubbornly refused to be born on time. <3
Dancing! Sigh. That was so much fun!! Last time we danced on new year's eve it was with friends at the Parker House. The chef had quit that afternoon and dinner did not show up until nearly midnight. We did dance. And it was Sooooo cold late, walking to the subway.
DeleteOh, those Parker House NYEs were a big big deal! And what a funny story about the chef--I guess funny. :-) He'd probably said: do (whatever) or I'll quit! Thinking he had new years eve leverage. But then--they called his bluff.
DeleteWishing all the Reds, all the commenters, and your loved and dear ones a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2019.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you, dear Karen! Xxx I think we’re starting our eleventh year—can that be?
DeleteHoly cow.
DeleteBig hugs, dear Hank.
I second Holy Cow!!! Happy New Year, Karen!
DeleteInside, warm and cozy and with any luck fast asleep before midnight. But you all have fun!
ReplyDeleteYay—and it sounds like snoozing is a popular decision! Stay cozy! Xx
DeleteThe black eyed peas remind me… What else are we supposed to remember to do?
ReplyDeleteYou must remember to eat at least one for everyday of the coming year, for luck.
DeleteSheesh, these Yankees.
I was told by my Hungarian ex-mother in law that lentils had to be eaten on New Year's Day--to make you beautiful! Which is a lovely thought.
DeleteMy neighbors LOVE fireworks, so I'm usually treated to lots of bangs and whizzes on NYE. The cats do not enjoy the show, alas. The 'boys' are young men now and will be off to their own friends, so chances are I'll ring in the New Year with my journal, writing out my hopes for a healthy, stable New Year for all those I love--and for the Reds and readers here--and for this beleaguered world of which we are a part. Bless you all!
ReplyDeleteAnd you, too dear Flora! xoxo The neighbors set off fireworks? That is terrifying...
DeleteI land on the side of staying in, nice and cozy. Having worked for many years on New Year's eve, I can attest to Jay's comments regarding amateur night. So now, I enjoy being tucked up on the couch with a book or a great movie. There's a church down the street from me and they ring the bells at midnight. I count off the peals, lift my mug of tea in a salute, and toddle off to bed.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Neil Gaiman when he writes,"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books, and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art - write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."
Happy New Year and the very Best Wishes for the coming year!
Oh, Lyda, that is so perfect...wonderful quote! Thank you!
DeleteLyda, love that quote from Neil Gaiman. I think I'll start my new journal with it.
DeleteWhen we lived on the island, we were part of a group that had a fabulous progressive dinner every New Year's Eve. The party grew more delicious, festive (and, frankly, wild) as we trekked from house to house. It would be impossible to improve on that or duplicate it - it was a uniquely island sort of thing at a special moment in time.
ReplyDeleteThese days we celebrate more quietly. This evening Diane is taking us out to dinner. I am the cook in our family and she insists I deserve a break on NYE. We made an early reservation (natch) at a nice Italian restaurant and hope to be home by 8:30 and will celebrate the rest of the night doing the pajamas/movies/champagne ritual. Sweet and safe and relaxing.
Happy new year, all!
Oh, that sounds fantastic, Brenda. and the progressive dinner--amazing! I can see how you'd all have to leave close to each other--and how unusual that would be!
DeleteI'm in the cozy group, too. I remember going out some when I was younger, and it always felt so forced. "This is supposed to be a wonderful night!" Too much pressure. Then there were the years when our son was small and it just seemed easier and more pleasant to stay home. After he got older, I think we went out another time or two, but came to the conclusion that staying in had been more satisfying. So we usually watch movies until 11:30 or so, pop a bottle of champagne for the midnight toast, and go to bed around the time the Central Time Zone is ringing in the New Year. (Because it takes the two of us that long to drink the champagne.) Some years our son, now an adult, joins us, but this year he is already home in Cincinnati.
ReplyDeleteYes, too much pressure! (and SO expensive, right?)
DeleteCurled up in front of the fire watching "Bel Canto".
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I've never seen that...are you re-watching, or for the first time?
DeleteI loved the book. Don't think I realized it had been filmed. Is it good?
Delete2018 release with Renee Fleming singing the arias. I've had it on hold in the library system forever.
DeleteOh My! That sounds wonderful! *rushes to search netflix/amazon/hulu*
DeleteWhen I was a kid, I had visions of glamorous parties or at least a party of some kind when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is much different. We watch "Young Frankensein" while snacking on cheese, crackers, and shrimp cocktail. We stay up until midnight, toast with sparkling grape juice (The Girl might crack that last mini-bottle of pink champagne in the fridge), text the family, and fall into bed as soon as our teeth are brushed. The Girl wanted to go out for New Year's Eve, but I don't know if that will happen or not.
Wild things, that's us.
Mary/Liz
Totally! wild and crazy! xoxo
DeleteWe will go to a party at friends at 7 so home early I bet. There will be musicians there so maybe music! The friends have a piano.
ReplyDeleteLoved the fact about October 5th. I have an old friend from high school who has two daughters, both born on Oct. 5th.....five years apart! HaHa! (We had already figured it out.)
Happy New Year Reds and fellow readers.
I will make collards and black-eyed peas tomorrow to go with my pork tenderloin.
Oh, it's so great to have music at a pal's house--so fun! xoox
DeleteI happily stay home and read or watch a DVD. Most of the time I’m in bed before midnight. At the beach down the street from me there will be fireworks, and my goal is to be asleep before that happens. I heard-don’t know if this is true-that one year there were gunshots. No malice involved; the people responsible were new to the neighborhood and said that’s how they always celebrated in the big city they were from. Again, I don’t know if it’s true.(One of my friends, who grew up in that city, said “oh, yeah, they probably said ‘big party tonight. Bring your guns!’ “)
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the very best of health and happiness in the new year!
DebRo
Bring your guns--can you imagine?? xoxoo Love you!
DeleteThe gunshots here--at least mostly--are from people firing their guns in the air to celebrate. It's actually very dangerous.
DeleteI bet! Yikes!
DeleteWe were just talking about this this morning. Julie said she's never been a big on for NYE, and I can't remember the last time we stayed up until midnight. When we lived on the Left Coast, we watched the ball drop at 9 p.m. PST. Probably the last time we saw that too.
ReplyDeleteOh wait, NYE 1999, from the top of the St. Francis, fireworks in the fog, sparkly hats and sparkly champagne and wondering if the virtual world would crash at midnight. It didn't. That was the last time I've stayed up to welcome the NY in.
In my misspent youth, which I count as all the years before thirty, New Year's Eve was something I planned from about November on. Ah the sixties. Don't ask.
The black eyed peas are ready to cook, but I need to get to the store for some collards. I need a ton of luck for the coming year.
Happy New Year to all REDs and Readers. I'll see you in Dallas in October!
We've been on a movie binge lately, and I highly recommend "Searching", available on Prime. It won a few prized at Sundance this year, and the format is like nothing I've seen before. For fun we watched "Crazy Rich Asians", AKA Chinese Bollywood. It was amusing but we were glad we didn't spend 15 bucks a piece to see it in the theater. "Mary Poppins Returns", however, was well worth full price. Emma Blunt was astounding. "Mr. Brooks", with Kevin Costner and William Hurt, was a real sleeper, great for satisfying bloodlust, also on Prime. We are still talking about this one.
DeleteNot sure what tonight's small screen fare will be. But if you have Britbox, have a look at Mrs. Brown's Boys Christmas 2018. It is hysterical, rude, and will be most appreciated by those of us who have Alexa in our lives.
Bonne année!
OH, thank you, Ann! We are hooked on The White Queen, during which I spend half the time looking stuff up on google.
DeleteI missed this, but ut's just as well, because for the last I-can't-recall-how-many years, I've led the ultimate boring New Year's Eve: something tasty to eat, a DVD or Netflix, then in bed, almost always well before midnight.
ReplyDeleteWhen the kids were middle grade/high school, Ross and I attended several New Year's Eve Portland festivals, with art galleries, live music, food and shows for the kids, all leading up to fireworks on midnight. We stopped for mainly two reasons ; Maine on December 31st is usually cold as balls, and every event was in a different venue, meaning shuck on all your layers, walk to the next place, shuck them all off, repeat. Then the drive home was never any fun. We'd walk through the snow and single-digit temperatures to whatever inconvenient place we managed to park our car and then had a half-hour drive home, followed by overseeing everyone to bed... no thanks.
I'm with Jenn - I like New Year's DAY. Bright and sparkly and full of promise.
NO thanks to all that! Exactly! ANd all the lugging of boots....xoxooo Love you!
DeleteA memory comes back... When I was growing up my parents had a huge party every New Year's Day with friends over to watch football. We'd wake up and watch the Rose Parade. Then my mother would cook (the only day of the year, pretty much, that she set foot in the kitchen.) Franks and beans for company. Lots of booze, of course. And betting on the outcome.
ReplyDeleteWow, Hallie. I'd like to know more about what it was like for you growing up.
DeleteThat's so--fifties? Sixties, I guess. I can just picture that....
DeleteHallie, for years my parents gave a New Year's Day open house. Loads of people, loads of prep. The older they got, the more my mom depended on me for the organizing and the cooking, and it was a huge job. So NY Day parties are not my idea of fun.
DeleteYeah, and everyone has to go to work the next day, so..meh. xoo
DeleteHaving grown up in Pasadena within walking distance of the Rose Parade route, New Year's Day is always and forever will be THE PARADE!
DeleteCooking scallops tonight. I was hoping for lobster tails, but, no, none to be had at Trader Joe's, which was the extent of my shopping adventures yesterday. Tomorrow I'm making my traditional New Year's Day black-eyed pea soup, courtesy of Crescent Dragonwagon and Dairy Hollow House. But this year I'm going to try it in the Instant Pot. Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteWhoa--exciting! What else besides black-eyed peas do we need to remember?
DeleteDeborah- it seems you've given in to the siren song of the Instant Pot. We want updates!
DeleteMy darling Reds and all the wonderful friends and acquaintances here, you are all more important than ever on this ending day of 2018 and on entering the new year of 2019. As many of you know, my sister died last week, and I've just returned from her funeral, so I'm definitely not in a party mood. But, I'm not posting to bring the positivity here down. I'm posting to let you all know that you are more than ever a source of positivity and joy to me. And, the best way I can honor my sister is to live the best life I can. That includes treasuring the people who bring me joy. So, thank you all so much, and I look forward to the many lovely things we will share in the coming year. The Reds rock and life is full of wonder! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou are an absolute treasure, dear Kathy! And we love you so much...and we are all here to be with you. She has given you a wonderful legacy. And we will all take heed.
DeleteHank, you are always so wonderful. Thank you! xoxo
DeleteYes, it’s dangerous and irresponsible. Ever since I heard that there are people in the area who like to celebrate this away, I’ve worried about stray bullets.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Can it be anything but a ridiculous idea? Xxxx
DeleteHappy New Year all! 2018 was a very difficult year for my family. I feel for Kathy and Julia and all of you who lost family this past year. My husband is making hospital visits to friends who are in a bad way now. It just doesn't seem to end. Let's hope for a new year full of happiness, health, and prosperity. Thanks for the reminder about the black eyes. Hopefully I have some in the freezer to fix in the morning. Frank actually went out to buy some good champagne to start off the new year right. Here's to you all!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you and your family, Pat D! Enjoy the champagne, and know you are wonderful compassionate people...we love you!
DeleteI'll be watching Midsomer Murders and reading tonight. Central PA does pork and sauerkraut but since I don't like sauerkraut, I'll be putting my pork, cabbage, potatoes, etc. in the crock pot tonight so I can eat before the Rose Parade tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSo far tonight, I've done some laundry and finished reading a book. I'm about to start watching the latest Mission Impossible movie while doing some blog/review housekeeping. Obviously, I know how to party.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go out, but most of my friends seem to have quiet evenings at home, usually with their young kinds. So I have a quiet evening at home as well.
I'm at home, as usual, watching multiple repeats of holiday movies, mainly because I'm using it for noise, not content. I'll curl but under blankets with a good book soon. I worked today and will be back at work tomorrow. It is crisp and cold tonight, forecast says colder than normal for San Francisco bay area, so I'm happy to be inside. Despite having a grandmother from Oklahoma, I never did the Black Eyed Peas thing though I have friends who dutifully consume them every year. Enjoy your evening everyone and I hope your New Year's Day is peaceful.
ReplyDelete