Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
3 out of 5 stars
Summary:
An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of "Riding Lessons." "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder and a majestic, mute heroine.
Favorite Quotes:
“With a secret like that, at some point the secret itself becomes irrelevant. The fact that you kept it does not.”
“I want her to melt into me, like butter on toast. I want to absorb her and walk around for the rest of my days with her encased in my skin.
My Thoughts:
This is one of those books that makes me sad that make me sad that Good Reads rating system is skewed toward the low end. I enjoyed the book, but I wobble back and forth on how much. It’s a book that gets off to incredibly slow start. The beginning doesn’t tie into a bigger picture the way I like my books to, but I’m more than glad I stuck with it. Water for Elephants is one of those rare books that would be infinitely more entertaining on a second read. It’s a book that sticks with you after you’ve finished. You’d think picking up another book would help ease it from your mind, but there’s something so rich so enticing about the world that Gruen paints. If follows you around no matter how hard you try and shake it off. The second half of the book deserves at least four stars, while the beginning only two, which in the end leaves me with three and a sad feeling because that somehow seems unfair.
Captivate (Need #2) by Carrie Jones
2 out of 5 stars
Summary:
Zara and her friends thought they'd solved the pixie problem. And they did - sort of. The pixie's are all locked away, deep in the woods. But the king's needs grow stronger each day that he is in captivity, while his control over his people weakens. And it's enough to draw a new king into town. Astley claims he is different. He claims there are pixies who can live peacefully with humans, that it doesn't have to be all violence and nastiness all the time. Zara wants to believe him...until Astley also claims that she is fated to be his queen.
There is no way Zara would ever turn pixie. And she's got good friends who will make sure of that. Besides, she and Nick are so in love they're practically inseparable. But when they very thing Zara wants to protect most is exactly what's at risk, she is forced to make choices she never imagined
Favorite Quotes:
“Loving you is a full-time job. It's a great job, don't get me wrong. It's the best job in the universe. But it's not easy.”
“Reality isn‘t round, it‘s flat. There are edges where you can fall off and this October when I moved to Maine, I fell off one.”
My Thoughts:
I’m disappointed. I hadn’t expected this to be as strong as the first book but I’m still disappointed. Captivate lacks a lot of what the first book excelled at. It’s not a horrible book by any means- I’ve read far worse, but but it leaves me question whether or not I’ll be picking up the next book in the series. There is some interesting plot developments, although unlike Need, they revolve less around external forces or danger and spring mostly from relationships between the characters. Unfortunately this is where my biggest issue with the book comes into play. Zara is in love with Nick. She is obsessed with Nick. It’s over the top. It’s distracting. By the end of the book it’s turned something that could have been wonderful into something that’s mediocre. I have noting against young love, as consuming as it is. What I have an issue with are, like in the first book, the metaphors, and the insistence of forever, the constant need to swoon and remind the reader that they’re still in love just in case they’ve forgotten in the last five pages. It’s redundant, but worse yet, it’s disappointing.
Blueberry Muffins and the Almost Disaster
When I sat down to write up this post I fully expected to have another tale of cooking!fail to tell you about. I had after all messed up big time. I expected to have a good laugh, eat some mediocre food and move on with my day. Boy was I wrong.
It all started as most kitchen adventures do, in the local food co-op. I had finished up my shopping and had turned down an aisle to make my way to the register when I saw it: the maroon paper bag proclaiming ‘no sugar added’! I looked at my overflowing cart and thought I don’t really need muffin mix. Normally I’d have everything I need to make muffins at home in the cupboard, but I’ve been packed for the move that’s never happening for ages and I’d be lucky if I had any baking soda left let alone muffin mix, so I waivered. I thought it had to have something else in it, something that would make me put the bag back down but it didn’t, so I splurged, and splurged some more on some blueberries.
Today, since it was supposed to be cooler, I pulled the mix out. I mixed everything together, added some stevia and some blueberries, popped liners into my muffin pan, poured in the batter than looked at the bag. A quarter cup of oil it said. A quarter cup. I stared. I looked at my muffins and I thought about how hard I would laugh when I pulled them out of the oven in fifteen minutes. Somehow I had morphed a quarter cup into a cup, a cup of oil. I had thought that didn’t make any sense but hadn’t checked.
I thought I was going to have to mourn my muffins and move on, but when I pulled them out of the oven something magical happened. They were perfect. They in fact are the best gluten free muffins I’ve ever made even if they are a bit greasy. I’m now planning on buying another bag of mix and trying it out properly. The only change (other than using the proper amount of oil) I’m planning on making is to sift the mix before adding the wet ingredients to make combining them a bit easier.
Usually I’m a box, or bag in this case, skeptic. Even wheat-filled mixes tend to be comparatively expensive, they don’t come out as well as something made from scratch, they don’t taste any better than their homemade counterparts, and they take the same amount of work. With this one though, I think I might be sold. I don’t bake very often anymore, but this would be something I would pick up to have on hand in case of sudden carb cravings or unexpected house guests.
In case anyone’s wondering and for my own purposes: I added ten drops of vanilla stevia and about a cup of blueberries. I baked the muffins at 400* for ten minutes then dropped the temp to 350* and cooked them for another 15 to compensate for the extra liquid/oil.
* I’m not trying to advertise, but if you want to go out and buy a bag by all means go ahead, I’m just excited to have muffins, perfect muffins. These may not be totally foolproof but they are as far as I’m concerned. If nothing else they’re more foolproof than the other gluten free recipes I’ve tried.
Need by Carrie Jones
3 out of 5 stars
Summary:
Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.
She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.
In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.
Favorite Quotes:
“There is something about libraries, old libraries, that makes them seem almost sacred. There's a smell of paper and must and binding stuff. It's like all the books are fighting against decay, against turning into dust, and at the same time fighting for attention.”
“Okay, little car, you are protesting roads. They are death traps for animals. They are environmentally unsound impervious surfaces that cause runoff. I understand this. But could we protest in the summer?”
My Thoughts:
I've read a lot of young adult books this year, most of which were centered around high school to some degree. Some of them older and some of them new and boy, have young adult books changed since I first started reading them. They're not as sheltered, they address real issues. I love that. There tends to be some element of teenage drama and angst. I don't love that. I don't do gooey swooning young love like <em>Twilight</em> or drama and high wire acts like <em>Pretty Little Liars</em>. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just not my thing, which is fine except that I keep almost discarding books on the assumption that it's going to be another story of teenage melodrama. Is it just me or are book summaries sounding more and more alike? It makes it hard to pick out the good stuff. If a book's not full of mushy couples in love, prom queens and jocks, please please tell us. The readers who pick up your book will be happier for it.
And now that I'm off my soap box, on to the actual book at hand. <em>Need</em> by Carrie Jones. In full disclosure, the summary on the library website had me at "tall, dark, and creepy" for reasons we won't get into, but it had me concerned I was walking into another <em>Twilight</em> or<em> A Discovery of Witches</em> or even <em>Duff</em> none of which I was in the mood for. I wanted a quick read, but I wanted something a bit more relevant to my life, which is to say less black and white and less dramatic. Had I read the summary on GoodReads, I would've been golden, but instead I hit download- you have to love ebooks- and worried and fretted for the thirty seconds it took me to open to the first page and start reading.
It took two paragraphs for me to stop worrying. I think it was the mention of Charleston- I have a thing for books set in the south- and Maine, particularly the snow, what can I say I'm a New England girl at heart even if I share Zara's disdain for the white fluffy stuff. And I know that doesn't sound like much of a reason to fall into like with a book, I mean snow and Maine, really? but there's so much more to this book than that.
Jones does a wonderful job of building this world for us. It's well grounded, focusing just enough on the small details to make it feel believable, believable in a way that when the paranormal stuff starts filtering in no one's left running for the hills. There's also an element of mystery, particularly in the beginning, that's compelling. It's not as overt as it would be in a crime novel, but it's there subtly drawing you along.
The world building isn't the only thing that's well done, the characters themselves are equally as wonderful. They're all real, with their quirks and their flaws but they each have their own inner strength, their own morals and principles which hold fast throughout the entire book. It's a nice thing to see. It's not wishy washy. It's refreshing. There are subtle messages here, real issues, important issues- human rights, equal rights, environmental issues- that are addressed without being preachy or in your face. They play to the character's strengths and draw out their inner conflicts. Everyone has their flaws, but as Zara says there is no damsel in distress, even when she needs help from her friends, it's not about her being weak, it's about them being stronger together. That being said, Nick's self-professed hero complex is just that, a hero complex. It's a bit cliche but it's done carefully and in good taste. The peril in <em>Need</em> is real, not over the top, and without Nick's care for the others things would've ended very differently.
My only other complaint is the lovey dovey moments between various characters. I understand that young love is exciting and consuming, but as much as I'm a closet romantic, I could've done with a little less. Having started the second book in the series now, I have to say that even this isn't much to complain about, while yes it's there (moreso in the second book) it fits within the scope of the story and the characterization. There's no blind faith here which I think deserves some kudos.
Oh Canada… thank you for your awesomness
I’ve gone and fallen in love with Flashpoint. I hadn’t intended to. It started out a lot like most other things with me watching a couple of episodes with *insert favorite actor here* (Pacale Hutton, in this case, for those of you who are wondering). The episodes were good, really good, but I chalked it up to the amount of glee I had over cop uniforms and the CN Tower. I’m really not hard to please when it comes to all things Canadian, but then I watched another episode. I had an hour before bed, no biggie, but one turned into two, I feel in love with the characters and I was hooked. And since it’s been awhile since we’ve had some Canada <3 on this blog, here’s a bit of Toronto themed goodness.
Sources (clockwise from top left): A Wintery Day in Toronto, Toronto Throw Pillow,
The Birds, Transportation Collage of Toronto.
Daniela Andrade: Things We’ve Said EP
::Daniela Andrade:: Things We’ve Said EP
Tumblr // YouTube // Website
About the Album:
This is Daniela’s first album and I have to say it’s about time. I’ve been waiting excitedly and expectantly since I first heard she was in the studio recording.
First Encounter:
I can’t remember how, but I do know the first song I heard of hers was her cover of Somebody Loved. I’m not a fan of the original song so I was a bit skeptical going in, but that didn’t last long, I was mesmerized. That afternoon I remember going through her channel listening to her songs wishing she had an album out so I could buy because I was pretty sure YouTube was going to come after me for abusing the replay button.
The EP:
There are seven songs on the EP, all of which I love. I couldn’t pick a favorite if you asked me to both because they’re all awesome and because it really depends on what kind of mood I’m in. Daniela’s music is more upbeat than most of the stuff I listen to, another thing I love by the way, but it somehow manages to fit my every mood. From bits of nostalgia to longing and joy, it’s all there. It’s a versatile album to say the least; that’s been on repeat since I’ve bought it and I have absolutely no complains. Alright, I do have one, but that’s because I refuse to take responsibility for Daniela turning me into a bit of a romantic sap.
Favorite Lyrics:
”You left me down on my knees. Now it’s my time to watch you bleed, so cry me a river of gold.” – River of Gold
“I don’t know much about how to love, but you know the city and got a big yellow truck, so how about we take a ride out to Arizona, Manitoba.” – Manitoba
“There was a night I chose my favorite dress and you were wearing your best suit. It was about that time when everyone was sound asleep and I was up talking to you.” – Gentlemen
“Cuz you, you’ve got a hold on me. Yeah, you’ve got a hold on me… and that’s ok, cuz I wouldn’t have it any other way.” – Any Other Way
Other Songs:
She’s posted an amazing bunch of songs on her account so I know I’m missing some, but off the top of my head:
Tea: There’s something about this song that makes me smile every time I hear it. It’s sweet and homey and the video makes me feel a bit nostalgic.
Creep (Radiohead cover): It’s dreamy and haunting which is about the only thing that makes this usually creepy song creepy.
Youth (Daughter cover): This is the other thing that I love about Daniela. Not only does she take awesome songs, add her own spin and make them even more awesome, but she picks songs from a lot of bands I haven’t heard. I’ve found many a great artist because of her.
Like a Star (Corrine Bailey Rae cover): If you’re still not convinced check out this one. It makes my fingers tingle with its awesome.
For the Love of...
I feel a bit like Kate Hewlett every time I post something with 'sorry guys, I fell off the face of the internet for a bit'. I do though remember that I have a blog, I've just been busy, out of town, internetless, and hot (90's in June is insane). As it is I'm just popping in for a quick update.
I've had a lot of interest in the design I made up for Ravelry's birthday design competition and wanted to let you all know that I have prints and other items available for purchase on CafePress. There's also a smattering of photographic prints on there as well. Both of these can be found here.
I should be back with regular content soon. I haven't been doing much crafting but I do have some food related stuff and photos to share with you guys.
Kale Chips
Recently kale’s become quite a phenomenon, which is fine by me, even if finding kale chips in the snack food aisle still weirds me out. It’s quite possibly my favorite green, not because it’s packing with all sorts of awesome stuff but because it tastes so good, particularly when it’s been dehydrated or toasted up.There are lots of kale chip recipes out there, but my favorite ones will always be the ones at Making Love in the Kitchen. The idea behind making kale chips isn’t any different from making fries or any other sort of roasted goodness, which is a good thing because I’ve been bending the rules. It’s a bit like playing a game of chicken, how much kale can I fit in one glass baking pan, at how high a temperature before the kale burns between checks (generally at 10 – 15 minute intervals). The best results will always be at the original 300* with a thin layer of kale cooked until crispy. If you’re up for eating mass amounts (or would like to have some leftover for tomorrow) heaping a 9x13 full of kale at 350* (375* if you’re not using glass) and tossing every 10 or so minutes means you’ll have three or four times more kale in about half an hour.
May Knitting Projects
I don’t know what surprises me more, the fact that I finished a project this month or the fact that I’m blogging about not one project but two. I can say though, I am more than pleased that I finished these socks, they’re for an awesome friend of mine and I was a bit peeved they took me this long to sit down and finish. I would’ve cut myself a bit of slack, but I still owe her socks from Christmas (I was a bit overzealous in planning last year as usual).
This is a pair of Traveling Lace Vine socks from Writing and Living (rav link) made from some acrylic I had laying around. I used a standard toe up sock formula like this one from knitty and adjusted the stitch counts to account for the blukier yarn and larger needle size. While the orange isn’t an exact match to her school colors, it’s still spectacularly orange which is the important thing. I had originally planned on making a pair of Japanese Garden but I didn’t have my copy of the pattern with me.
These aren’t the greatest pics given my feet are mouse tiny compared to hers, but you get the idea.
Last month I knitted up a birthday present for another incredible person in my life. While her Christmas present is similarly delayed I knew I wanted to make her a headband. At first I thought I’d make it match her belated holiday gift, but in the end decided to poke around Ravelry first. Her favorite show at the moment is Sherlock so when I stumbled across a chart for the wallpaper in 221B Baker I knew I’d found my project. The crocheted smiley face is attached to a button so it can be detached or moved.
Comfort Food: Baked Chicken Meatballs
I tend to shy away from posting recipes because I’m not a food photographer. I make food to eat it. It doesn’t tend to last long enough to photograph. There’s also a part of me that thought it’d all been done before. Looking for allergy friendly recipes, however, I realized that’s not true. There’s not nearly enough allergy friendly recipes out there, particularly when taking multiple allergies into account. As such, I’m willing to try and undertake the task of attempting not to stuff my face the second food comes out of the oven. Good recipes deserve good photos.
Baked Chicken Meatballs
(adapted from this recipe at smitten kitchen)
1/3 uncooked brown rice (or amount to make 1 cup cooked)
1/3 coconut (or other non-dairy milk)
1/3 water
You may need to adjust the amount of liquid to suit the rice you’re using. Combine in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes until rice is soft. Stir occasionally toward the end to stop the coconut milk from burning the bottom of the rice. For a grain free alternative quinoa should work as a substitute for the rice.
3-4 slices of bacon/turkey bacon/ham (chopped in small pieces)
1 small onion (diced)
1 clove garlic (chopped fine)
1 pound ground turkey
3 TBSP parsley
1 egg
2 TBSP tomato paste (set aside half)
Brown the onions, garlic, and the bacon in a pan until the onions are soft. Set aside until rice is cooked. After rice and the onion mixture have cooled, combine all ingredients. Divide and shape into 12 meatballs.
Brush tops with a mixture of 1 TBSP of tomato paste and 2 TBSP of water.
Bake at 375* (I use a glass 9x13) in the top third of your oven for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Enjoy!
Summer, summer
Despite the cats' incessant needs to cuddle, summer has arrived and is in full swing. I'm contemplating moving into my bath tub permanently (or installing a pool for my bed). Lying sprawled out on my floor listening to the neighbors mow their lawn yet again (can you believe they had to start in March?!) I'm attempting to kick this early summer off with a bit of optimism. As such I thought I'd put together an extended 'these things go together' list.
sources on the click-throughs :)
Girls in Trucks is an awesome read, period. With it’s summery southern setting and wonderful humor, it’s perfect for this time of year.
I love any excuse to wear a dress and summer with it’s warm weather has a perfect excuse every day.
Remembering to pick up a new pair of gardening gloves or hiking boots is never hard, finding a good alternative to chemical laden bug sprays is, which is why I love citronella candles.
Green smoothies, I honestly can’t say enough about them. They’re my favorite summer food, ranging from something as simple as kale, coconut oil and a bit of orange juice to something a bit more complicated, they’re all amazing. One of my favorites at the moment can be found here.
Over the last couple of years I’ve developed a bad habit of eating through strawberries by the bowl. It’s a delicious if expensive habit I indulge because I only buy mine in season, a season which doesn’t last nearly long enough. To help my strawberries stick around a bit longer I’ll occasionally dress them up, making a pie or topping them with a bit of homemade nutella.
I discovered The Staves when they toured last year with The Civil Wars and have recently fallen madly for them. There’s something homey and warm about their harmonies, a sound that at the same time is somehow airy and breezy like a nice summer wind. They’re the perfect soundtrack to hazy summer days.
The Weight of Silence by Heather GudenkaufMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Summary: It happens one August morning. As dawn's light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing.
Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy as a toddler. Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to do the best she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay has cost more than her daughter's voice.
Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend and voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual demeanor. Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of family secrets.
Favorite Quote:Having a little girl has been like following an old treasure map with the important paths torn away.
My Thoughts: The one thing that struck me most about 'The Weight of Silence' was how strong Callie's voice comes across even when she wasn't present. Gudenkauf has a wonderful way of playing with narrative voice, the subtle shift in tense, characters speaking for others, instead of themselves, in spite of themselves.
Looking back on the book I was shocked to realize that Petra had narrated a section toward the beginning. Despite so much of the book being about Petra, she's surprisingly absent. It's this absence that most capitvated me as the piece of the mystery came together. It's what drew me forward through to the end. Ouside of this, the book is predictable in a good way, a solid read. The epilogue, while somewhat necessary, was depressing. The hope that had built in the last several sections of the books where left tainted with a bitter aftertaste once I finished the epilogue.
Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived–and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who’ve long forgotten her.
The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details–proof they hope may free Ben–Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club... and maybe she’ll admit her testimony wasn’t so solid after all.
As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby’s doomed family members–including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started–on the run from a killer.
Libby's childlike thought patterns, her awkwardness make her an unusual choice for a narrator. She's not the most likable character, but she grows on you, worms her way into your heart the same way that her story haunts you- relentlessly. Despite all this, or perhaps because of it, it's the hope that shines through at the end that I most loved.
Fifteen years later, Caroline, now a New Orleans cocktail waitress, sees a photograph of a woman in a magazine. Convinced that it is Ellie all grown up, Caroline embarks on a search for her missing sister. Armed with copies of the photo, an amateur detective guide, and a cooler of Dixie beer, Caroline travels through the New Mexico desert, the mountains of Colorado, and the smoky underworld of Montana, determined to salvage her broken family.
Favorite Quote:
“When you are small, if you reach out, and nobody takes your hand, you stop reaching out, and reach inside, instead.”
My Thoughts: While the description on the back of the book may lead you to believe that the story centers around the disappearance of five year old, Ellie, the story is much more about the Winter's family: their grief, and their struggle to find themselves. Despite much of the plot falling into place early on in the book, there's still a feeling of suspense until the end, which was almost disappointing because I want more!
I liked the use of various POVs within the novel, although at first it was unclear what role they played. They were a nice way to present information to the reader, at times providing a nice source of humor (which was wonderfully sprinkled throughout the book) to lighten some of the sadder or more serious moments. As I said before, my main complaint is that there wasn't more. While I can appreciate the book ending as it did, I want more, something to lighten the sadness that threaded itself through the entire book. I'm not usually one for hearts and flowers, but I'm a bit attached, what can I say?
Favorite Quotes:
“Spanish, huh?" he said, glancing down at the scattered papers as he grabbed them. "Can you say anything interesting?"
"El tono de tu voz hace que queria estrangularme." I stood up and waited for him to hand over my papers.
"That sounds sexy," he said, getting to his feet and handing me the stack of Spanish work he'd swept together. "What's it mean?"
"The sound of your voice makes me want to strangle myself."
"Kinky.”
“I wanted to make sure you were fine...and that he was okay, too. You didn't, like, stab the boy, did you? I mean, I totally disapprove of murdering hotties, but if you need help burying the body, you know I'll bring the shovel.”
“I'm perfectly fine with being used. But I would like to know for what I'm being used."
"Distraction."
"That much I gathered. What am I supposed to be distracting you from? There's a chance that if I knew, I could do my job more effectively.”
My Thoughts: I generally avoid novels set in modern high school environments. I always fear I’ll end up reading what amounts to an episode of Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars and at the very least end up with wardrobe envy. Every once in a while though, a book comes along that makes me curious enough to risk it. The Duff is one of those books.
All in all, I’m glad I picked it up. While stylistically it can be a bit repetitive at times, it’s a good read: fast and compelling. The drama that is present is lacking a lot of the usual overdrawn teenage angst and settles around the major disturbances in Bianca’s, the main character’s, life. I know there are those who won’t appreciate her cynicism, or her heightened sense of responsibility toward her friends and family, but I loved them both, particularly the cynicism since I do have a soft spot for it. The issues within the book are universal and independent of the age group (and intended audience) which I think is spectacular as it provides a lot of brain fodder: how would the story be different if Bianca were a college student, if her parents were older and so on. My biggest nitpick is the simplicity of the writing style, which I can’t say was that unexpected. While I won’t be picking up The Duff for a reread any time soon, I would happily check out other books by the same Keplinger.
Spring
It’s spring. Alright, it’s not really but it might as well be; it’s warm and parsnips are out of season. It’s time to bring on the radishes and the asparagus. I’m so excited I’m a bit scared for anyone who might end up around me when I’m cooking, or eating, or grocery shopping, or really just breathing in general. Spring means rain and mud and earthworms, and salad greens.
This i awesome.
(Yes, I suppose this means I’m back, which is both exciting and confusing. If nothing else, there should be semi-regular if widely spaced book geekery here since I’ve fallen into obsession once again <3)
Hiatus
In the meantime I've started a project with Becca called List Makers Anonymous. The two of us are planning on making 366 lists in 2012, one a day, with the number of items on the list corresponding to the day of the year. Check it out.
