The Summer Kitchen

I read this book the week before we moved. It was a good, light read that was perfect for taking my mind off of the move before I went to sleep at night. I did not realize, until I sat down to write this review, that the author is from the Texas Hill Country not far from where we lived. Lisa Wingate has written many other books and I will probably check them out more thoroughly once we have settled into our new house.

The Summer Kitchen  written by Lisa Wingate

Sandra’s world is crashing down all around her. She is lonely and confused. So, she begins spending her days at her Uncle Poppy’s house. Although she begins by doing some cleaning and painting to prepare to sell the house, she finds herself with a secret mission to care for those in need.

This is a story about love and hurt, restoration and new beginnings. It addresses family issues such as adoption, marriage struggles, death, hunger, and poverty. But most importantly, it illustrates that even a few humble peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can made a big difference in the lives of those in need. I would recommend this book to someone that enjoys a quick read with a strong moral emphasis. And, it is obvious from the title that is an appropriate read for the summer.

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School

I purchased this book after reading a review from another blogger; and, it was well worth the investment!

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School written by Kathleen Flinn

After finishing her culinary degree at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Kathleen found herself wondering what to do next.  However, after a chance encounter at the local grocery store where she helped a mom figure out how to replace her pre-packaged grocery supplies with fresh ingredients, she embarked on a project that would bring confidence to nine hesitant home cooks. Kathleen began by putting together a group of volunteers that would allow her to come into their homes to investigate how they cook, and then teach them how to be proficient in the kitchen. She taught these women, from diverse economic backgrounds, how to perform elemental tasks such as chopping vegetables, roasting chicken, making stock, and creating soups. The results for each volunteer were different, but they all gained confidence and know how that changed the way they ate.

As someone who teaches simple cooking classes on a regular basis, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have seen the same sense of accomplishment on the faces of women that Kathleen describes in her book. The overall feeling of community that takes place in the kitchen is something that is essential to the health of our bodies and our families; and, this book definitely portrays that feeling. I would recommend this book to both seasoned home cooks and new cooks alike. It offers a wide range of hints and tips along with some tasty looking recipes. A great read for anyone who needs inspiration in the kitchen!

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Food Rules

Do you find food complicated? Do you walk the aisles of the grocery store reading labels and shaking your head? Do you wish that you knew what to do with all of that great looking produce at the farmer’s market? Well, you are not alone. And, Michael Pollan, has written a short and sweet book on how to figure all of this out.

Food Rules: An Eater's Manual written by Michael Pollan

This is a book of food wisdom complied to help people navigate the grocery store and eat better. The rules are simple and straight forward. And, you do not have to have a degree to understand them. For example:

Rule #2 Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food

Rule #45 The whiter the bread, the sooner you’ll be dead

Rule #74 Don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does

If you need a quick jump start to eating more responsibly, this would be a great place to begin. Eating real food is intimidating, but this book takes out some of the guess work and offers some fun advice to get you on track. And, now that summer is here, and farmer’s markets are opening again, it is a great time to make a commitment to healthy eating.

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French Women Don't Get Fat

I just happened to see this at the library a couple of weeks ago while wandering the shelves. Knowing that it had received a lot of press when it came out because of the title, I picked it up. While living in Europe we couldn’t help but notice how much thinner people were there, so I thought this book might give me some insight into why that might be so.

French Women Don't Get Fat written by Mireille Guiliano

Mireille, as a young woman, spent a year studying in America. When she returned home to France, over weight and embarrassed, she sought out the means to reverse this unpleasant side effect of traveling abroad. What she learned from Dr. Miracle (an affectionate term for the doctor who discreetly helped her get back on track) was simple and effective.  And, it permanently changed her life.

This is more of a life story than it is a diet book. Mireille’s writing style is witty and encouraging. And, although you will find many tips that will help you keep your weight under control, much of what is found in French Women Don’t Get Fat is an attitude that is almost exactly opposite of the American way of thinking about diet. So, if you are interested in a life style change, and some encouragement to be healthier, this would be a good read for you.

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Friendship Bread

I have to say that I devoured this book! This novel revolves around a friendship bread starter that took over a little town and brought hope and healing with it. Friendship bread is made from a sour dough starter that multiplies, meaning that you have to regularly find friends to share your starter with. For many years, I kept a starter myself, but grew tired of it and decided not to maintain a starter once I moved to Texas. After reading this book, I will definitely be creating a new starter as soon as I get settled after our move! And, contrary to what this novel states, the starter does NOT have to be multiplied. Maybe sometime next month I will share my version of friendship bread with you.

Friendship Bread written by Darien Gee

When Julia receives a plate of friendship bread along with a starter, she is not so sure that she is interested in doing any baking. But, her daughter convinces her otherwise. And, this one starter begins the healing process for Julia who had tragically lost her son. Eventually, Julia builds two unlikely friendships with Hannah and Madeline who are both dealing with their own hurts and new beginnings. And, as the starter spreads through their small town, it brings about friendships, restoration, and new opportunities. Finally, Julia rallies the townspeople to bake friendship bread as a way to bring encouragement to local flood victims.

This book really exemplifies the importance of community and the role it plays in our lives. The small town attitude to care for and support one another is something that we all value. This book made me want to get into my kitchen to create a starter immediately to share with my friends and neighbors. The recipes included were some that I had not tried in all of my years of friendship bread baking, and I am looking forward to testing them out after our move. This book was a quick read and would be perfect to take to the beach. And, if you need a bit of inspiration in the kitchen, this book will give it to you. Plus, you just might decide that friendship bread is a great way to get involved in your community!

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Reading Report

Last week at the library, I picked up a book that I had as a child. I remember reading it over and over again, so I thought that my kids might like it too. All three of my kids enjoyed reading it. And, all three of them read it multiple times. But, best of all, it created a desire for them to pop popcorn together and eat it as a family. Quality time together indeed!

The Popcorn Book written by Tomie de Paola

This is a fun book that teaches kids about the history of popcorn while incorporating the fun of how to pop it at home on top of the stove. The facts are understandable for pre-school children and yet interesting enough to hold the attention of upper elementary school kids. And, the foible that the kids find themselves in the end makes this book both educational and entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to draw their kids into the kitchen for some fun family time; or, to anyone that would like to integrate educational value into story time.

The second book that I would like to tell you about is one that I received for free as a review copy from Bethany House. Please know that I have not been compensated by this company to write this review; and, all opinions expressed here are my own.

The Messenger written by Siri Mitchell

This book is a work of historical fiction that takes place during the Revolutionary War. The main character, Hannah, is a Colonial spy. Along with her partner, Jeremiah, they diligently work together to free a group of prisoners. Among these prisoners is Hannah’s brother. However, Hannah’s Quaker faith creates a moral dilemma within her soul that causes her to battle fiercely with her understanding of right and wrong.

Although I enjoyed this book, I found it difficult to dig into at first. It was a quick read and the story was compelling; but, I probably would not have picked this book up had I not been offered a review copy. However, I would certainly say that Siri Mitchell is an excellent writer and that if you are looking for a quick read, with entertainment value, this would be a good choice for you.

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Play With Your Food

This week I got something a little different from the library.  A book filled with pictures of food that look like animals. Surprisingly it was located in the cookbook section and I have to say, I am glad that I found it!

Play With Your Food written by Joost Elffers

This is a picture book highlighting fruits and vegetables that look like animals. The author/artist has scoured farmer’s markets and road side stands to find unique looking produce that has animal like characteristics. He searches specifically for pieces that only need minimal alterations in order to appear life like. He then adds eyes, or ears, or legs to enhance the look. The author uses vegetables like peppers, sweet potatoes, and squash. And, he uses fruits like pineapple, cherries, and pears. These he turns into mice, elephants, insects, and birds.  And, after having fun with the food, he eats it!

This book was enjoyable to look at. My kids have poured over it many times in the last couple of weeks. And, I think that it would be a great idea to take my kids to the farmer’s market to allow them to choose a piece of fruit or a vegetable to turn into their own animal creation. Finicky palates just might be more willing to try something new if it looked like a turtle or a teddy bear. So, if you have young children or picky eaters, you would enjoy this book. And, what a helpful tool to get your kids to eat their veggies!

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365 Ways to Live Cheap

My kids have been on a Boxcar Children kick lately. I read the first book to them a couple of months ago and they are now fascinated with these creative and resourceful kids. This week we listened to The Yellow House Mystery (Book 3). And, of course, they loved it. My son is also reading Blue Bay Mystery (Book 6) for his homework every day. And, I read a frugal living book this week that a friend loaned to me and learned some great tips for saving money.

365 Ways to Live Cheap: Your Everyday Guide to Saving Money written by Trent Hamm

This little book of frugal tips and tricks is filled with money saving strategies and techniques that can save both money and time. It is a comprehensive book that includes advice on areas such as cars, clutter, health, and groceries. And, the topics are organized in a logical manner allowing the reader to skip around the book to find what is most beneficial, when needed.

Trent Hamm is also the author of The Simple Dollar, a financial blog offering practical advice for average people. If you are a long time reader of Trent’s blog, you may find that many of these tips can be found there. However, it is nice to have it all in one place as a reference that is categorized for easy use.

This book is perfect for those just starting out in frugal living. The tips are practical and reasonable. And, even a seasoned frugal girl like myself, learned some new tips. I would recommend this book particularly to someone that needs to cut expenses quickly or to someone who is transitioning from a two income family to a one income family. A great resource for pinching pennies without sacrificing quality of life!

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Folks, This Ain't Normal

Over the last several years, I have learned a lot about food and how it is farmed/raised and processed in our country.  As a result, our family has slowly made the move toward real food. It is an on-going effort that has benefited our family in many ways.  If you have read The Omnivore's Dilemma written by Michael Pollan, you will recognize this week’s author as the owner of Polyface Farm.

Folks, This Ain't Normal written by Joel Salatin

The Polyface Farm is family owned and operated in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It flourishes under the care of Joel Salatin, who is a man with a vision: a vision for responsible living and the belief that everyone can make a difference.  With big business having taken over our food production and the government with its hand tightly clenching the system, Joel is offering an alternative that is more environmentally friendly and healthier for people and animals alike. His approach to farming and to life may seem a bit outdated, but it is a system that works: a system that replenishes the land and nourishes bodies in a far superior way to that of current methodology.  Joel Salatin is a visionary for self sustainable farming and responsible living.

I enjoyed reading about Polyface Farm in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, so I was glad to see this book on the NEW shelf at my library. His writing is entertaining and a bit gruff making for an enjoyable read. Although a bit technical, it was worth the effort to push through it. The most beneficial part of the book is the list of ways to make a difference at the end of each chapter. The inclusion of these tips makes the book both practical and applicable. I would certainly recommend this to anyone concerned with the way food is farmed or raised; or, to anyone convicted enough to make a change for responsible living.

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My Life In France

Well, my local library provided me with another stellar book this week. Over the last six months, I have read a number of books about France, both fiction and non-fiction. And, I am fascinated by its romantic image, artistic fame, and food culture. This book certainly did not disappoint!

My Life in France written by Julia Child

Julia Child moved to France, as a new bride, in the late 1940’s. There, she fell in love with the food at the first meal she ate on French soil, and all other meals were forever measured by those first few bites. As she learned the language and how to negotiate the outdoor food markets, she became determined to learn how to create delicious French food in her own home. Eventually, Julia enrolled at the Cordon Bleu where she learned the techniques necessary to write Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Julia spent years testing and writing recipes that were easy to follow for the American home cook. This was a daunting task that she tackled with numerous obstacles. The tools needed to be easy for Americans to obtain. The food needed to be readily available and must be found for a reasonable price. And, finally the recipes needed to be written in a way that Americans could duplicate flawlessly.

Julia’s success led her to write multiple books and cookbooks and star in cooking shows. She found her passion in France and shared it with the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is one of the best books that I have read this year. Julia Child is an inspiration to home cooks like me. She was an average home cook who followed her passion and found tremendous success. The book was well written and exciting and fun to read. I would recommend it to anyone with a zeal for cooking, or to those who are enamored by all things French.

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Country Kitchens Remembered

It has been such a blessing to listen to my youngest read aloud to me every day after school. She is progressing so quickly and she is very pleased with herself. One night as I was headed to her room to tuck her in, I heard her reading Green Eggs and Ham aloud to herself. She is growing up and I am so proud of her!

This week, the kids and I listened to Surprise Island (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #2) on CD. There is something special about listening to a story together. It sparks a lot of discussion at the dinner table and it helps my kids to settle down after a long day. And, honestly, we all enjoy it.

Country Kitchens Remembered: A Memoir With Favorite Family Recipes written by Marilyn Kluger

This book is part memoir, part cookbook. The author tells about her childhood in rural Indiana during the 1930’s. Although much of the nation was struggling through the Great Depression, Marilyn remembers it as a time of plenty on her family farm. This is due to the fact they her parents and both sets of grandparents were almost completely self sufficient. She reminisces about her mother’s kitchen, and both of her grandmother’s kitchens and how nothing was allowed to go to waste. She follows the seasons remembering the rhythms of the farm with anecdotes and recipes.

I have always enjoyed reading about this time period, and this book was no exception. Each chapter concludes with dozens of old fashioned recipes that still hold appeal today. It reminded me of the books I have read about the Amish culture. If you are interested in self sufficiency, more mindful living, and whole food recipes you would probably enjoy this book.

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Finding Betty Crocker

We had some good finds at the library this week. The kids listened to an Audio CD of Pippi Longstocking  written by Astrid Lindgren. They absolutely adored Pippi, just as I did as a child. I read It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff written by Peter Walsh and Finding Betty Crocker: The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food written by Susan Marks.

This is a book detailing the history of Betty Crocker. Although Betty Crocker was not an actual person, many have thought of her as such. Her cookbooks, radio programs, and “personal” correspondence led American women to believe that she was the quintessential homemaker. In her early years, she offered wisdom and encouragement; and, in her later years she offered quick and easy baking solutions with the advent of convenience mixes. Thousands made the trek to visit the Betty Crocker test kitchens only to find that there was no “Betty.” Nonetheless, Betty Crocker has become a beloved household name; which is a triumph for brand recognition and creative marketing.

As a lover of both history and cooking, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I especially appreciated the war time wisdom that Betty gave to help feed families for less: something that we can all benefit from now, many decades later.  Having spent many years working in sales, I also was amazed by the marketing genius behind the Betty Crocker name.  And, the recipes included were the icing on the cake. So, if you enjoy reading about cooking nostalgia, this would be a good read for you.

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Reading Report

This week my kindergartner did all of our aloud reading. She read five books total and she is incredibly proud of herself. She is especially competitive, so I think that she is pleased to have accomplished something that the others can do.

This week I completed only one book, but it was something that I had wanted to read for months. Last fall, I read The Paris Wife; a novel about Ernest Hemingway, his first wife and their time in Paris. It intrigued me enough to pick up A Moveable Feast written by Hemingway (published after his death) about this same time in Paris. After reading these two books, and learning that F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway were friends, I decided that the logical conclusion should be to read The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzberald

This is a simple tale about life in the 1920’s and the rise and fall of the American dream. Love, lust, wealth, scandal, and mystery all play a part. Jay Gatsby embodies the American dream; but his rise to wealth and status does not bring him the love of his life. His story is told by a neighbor, Nick who is also looking for love and happiness. Both are searching for something that they never quite grasp; and, it all ends in tragedy.  

What I liked about this book is that it left me wanting more. So many authors try to wrap up every last detail and tie it with a pretty bow at the end. Not so in The Great Gatsby. I think that as I finished the book I found myself with more questions than answers and I am pleased with that. I can understand why so many students are required to read this in school. There are numerous topics that would be perfect for further examination and discussion. I would certainly recommend this to anyone who loves 20^th century classic literature, or to a student needing material for a book report/discussion paper.

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Reading Report

I am feeling a huge sense of accomplishment this week because we finally finished reading Five Little Peppers. We have been working on it for several weeks, and we all enjoyed it. I normally read a chapter book out loud to my kids every day after school for my kindergartener’s homework. However, her reading skills are improving, so I am going to be doing less reading in order for her to do the reading herself. Yesterday, she read Green Eggs and Ham to us all by herself without any help. This is the first time she had picked up that book, so there is no way that she had memorized it. We were all pleasantly surprised by her ability.

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
Written by Margaret Sidney

This is an old fashioned story about a family struggling to survive. The five children, the Peppers, range is ages from 11 to 4; and, they all must do their part to make ends meet. As a result, some of the children are working to earn money for the family and none of them are able to attend school. Their life is simple, but full of love and happiness.

This classic story is sweet and sad at the same time. My children were alarmed to hear that these kids had never had a birthday cake or received a Christmas gift, but were happy just the same. And although the writing style is a bit different than that of current authors, with long sentence and little punctuation, it still made a great read aloud. However, it may be a bit difficult for a young child to read on their own. I would certainly recommend it to anyone with lower elementary school children. It caused a lot of discussion within our family about poverty and simple pleasures.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything written by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

This is one of those books that may not appeal to everyone. It discusses troubling questions of everyday life and then uses cold hard data and statistics to discover the answers. Questions such as: “Why do drug dealers live with their moms?” and “What makes the perfect parent?”.  And, the answers are surprising and sobering. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and included a good bit of humor. And, best of all, it caused me think about the cultural concerns discussed in a new light.

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Reading Report

We are on spring break this week and have spent our time playing outside, eating ice cream, and visiting with friends. Today we plan to go to a nature park along the river. I see muddy feet and soaking wet clothes in our future. Our house has been loud and messy; we have stayed up late and slept in. And, we have watched lots of DVDs. It has been a true break for us.

As a result of all of this, I have spent very little time reading. However, I have finally finished the third book in the Lark Rise to Candleford Trilogy. I read the first book last fall and the second book earlier this year. My parents recommended it because they enjoyed the TV series on PBS so much that they both read the book.

 

Lark Rise to Candleford: A Trilogy written by Flora Thompson

This trilogy is semi-autobiographical and is a tribute to rural life in England during the late 1800’s. Laura (Flora Thompson’s character) is a young girl who grew up in a small hamlet called Lark Rise. As the oldest of six, Laura learned to keep house and care for the younger children. Life in the hamlet was simple; the people lived off of the land, worked hard, and made do with what little they had. By the time Laura was 14, her education was complete and she was sent away to work as a post office clerk, eight miles away in Candleford Green. The “old ways” were instilled in Laura/Flora as a young child and the value that she placed on those long forgotten ways is evidenced by her writing of this book.

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