Jenny & Tyler.



I caught a small Jenny & Tyler show tonight with a friend, I've never seen them live.

It was like good food.

Little Balloon- Jenny & Tyler

Little balloon goes flying in the air

Little balloon, come on down from there
My skirt is trailing in the dirt below
I follow close till my breath starts to go

Evergreen trees raise their voice as one
Branches wide, offering their love
I try to climb; I want to touch the stars
Sap in my hair, I don’t make it far

Always how my story ends
Feels like I’m slipping from your hand
Try and try, time and time again
I want to hold on; hope I can

Grassy hills, far as I can see
Running fast, through a sea of green
I trip and fall, my face meets the ground
Gently weeping, waiting to be found

Always how my story ends
Feels like I’m slipping from your hand
Try and try, time and time again
I want to hold on; hope I can

No one is able to steal what is in Your hands

Always how my story ends
Feels like I’m slipping from your hand
Try and try, time and time again
Try and try, time and time again
Try and try, time and time again
I want to hold on; hope I can

Copyright 2011 One Eyed Cat Music (BMI)

Going Back.

After a much longer wait than I would have liked, I'm returning to Zambia in August.

Here in America when we hear about HIV/AIDS, slavery, human trafficking, orphans and every other poverty-related issue, we want to throw our hands in the air and our heads in the sand.  On top of all the problems we have in our own country, who can do a thing for anyone across the world?

That is the tension I lived with for several years.  We cared very much about the orphan and the widow, about the plight of the poor here in America and abroad- but the problems seemed so large we had no idea where to start.

Whenever someone asked Mother Teresa what they could do to help her mission in Calcutta, she simply said, "Come and see."

In December 2010 I went to Zambia with Poetice for the first time.  You can read a series of posts about it here.

That experience was life-altering, and has led our family on an amazing journey ever since.  I went and I saw.  I held children the ages of my own, children who've never, ever had enough to eat.  I heard story after story after story.  I listened and brought stories back giving a voice to the voiceless.  I could never, ever be the same after that experience.

I was completely wrecked and filled with joy for it.  I wrote about it, I brought back images, and in the two years since, many of my friends have experienced Africa as well.  Those of us from The Ransom who went on that very first trip were pioneers of sorts, and brought Zambia back with us.  We shared it, and now dozens more have accepted the invitation to come and see- and it's wrecked their lives as well.

  In fact, our church has begun a partnership with Poetice.  Well, to be more accurate, we've gone a bit crazy for Zambia.  We've seen God do some amazing things.  I am so grateful to be a small part of that, and I am thrilled to go back, and to bring even more people along.

My experience in Zambia hasn't been limited to work in Africa.  Immediately after returning our family started working with African refugees right here in Sioux Falls, and it's been an incredible joy to practically apply our faith together in our own city.  Now even here at home our children know Africa, and have tasted Africa in the food our friends have prepared for us.  It's been such an incredible thing to experience together.  My own experience in Zambia has been the catalyst for a real movement in our family towards a more justice-minded culture at home, and has caused us to apply our faith in new, deeper ways in all areas of life.

What will I be doing in Zambia?  I will take another 3,000 images, mostly of local Zambians who will rush to the camera to see their photograph on the screen, delighted to pose for me.  I will soak in as much of Choma and its people as I can, and this time focus much more of my energies on writing Zambia. 

We will be assisting with a youth camp for the week, sharing life-saving information about HIV/AIDS prevention, trafficking, and the hope of the Gospel, all combined with arts education through the Academy.  Hundreds of Zambian youth will attend. 

Many of my friends will be instructing students at the Choma Academy of Music.  I will instruct a small group of students in photography and the composition of images so that even photographs taken with their phones can be more beautiful.  It seems amazing, but with advances in technology even those in the third world have phones with cameras and Facebook accounts.  An image they take in Choma can be shared here in America instantly.  It might not seem like a big deal, but, it's kind of a big deal.

It's not easy to leave my family and travel across the globe.  Not easy is an understatement.

But I care very deeply about investing in the work God is doing in Zambia through Poetice and I'll give anything I can to help.  Zambia is in my bones and I can't stay away.  I'm compelled to go.

Though I've been keeping a trip to Zambia in the back of my mind for a long time, this trip has come together very quickly, and I will be leaving August 10.  Though there will be a bit of scramble to get things in order before we leave, I am confident things will fall together.

If you would like to partner with our team in the work God is doing in Zambia would you consider praying for us, or perhaps contributing to the trip? 

I will need to raise about $3000 in order to take part in this camp.  That amount, though it sounds high, accomplishes many things.  Not only does it assist me with travel costs, but it funds the camp and the work of Poetice in Zambia itself.  Without these team members joining together and raising these funds, this camp doesn't happen.  You can have a very real impact on the lives of orphans in Choma, Zambia with your gift.  I'll be bringing images and stories back with me- you'll be able to see your gift at work in the lives of real people.

If you would like to partner with us, you can do so by mailing a check to Poetice International with

the code PIT-0813-THRA-MEKO on the memo line.  Please do not write my name on the check for tax purposes.

You can send your tax deductible gifts to:

Poetice International

ATTN: Trips

201 West Washington Ave. Suite 310

Zeeland, MI 49464

You can find out more about Poetice on their website, Poetice.org, and can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks so much for your help- I am just about busting at the seams with excitement to be returning to Zambia, and now that the word is out, I am so thankful I get to share the experience with you.

To hear more about life in Zambia, watch this.  You can find out more about the Choma Academy of Music here.  You can also learn more about Poetice's 365 Campaign by clicking here.

7.



Spicy Sweet,

The Wild Card,

The Funky Monkey,

Seven.

Happy Birthday Lily Hope.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Spring Fling.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, I have just one more post today.

It's not uncommon for friends to come over to play Just Dance at my house.  This time, we took it up a notch. 

Last weekend we held the First Annual Spring Fling and it was the bomb.

1.  Find the most awesome formal gown you can at a thrift store (or from your closet.)  I found this one for $10.  Bonus points if it's a little ridiculous.

2.  Kick out your family, then decorate your house with tons of cheesy balloons and confetti. 

3. Have your rad friends bring along food and drinks, and come in all their thrifted finery.

4.  Have a contest, jam out to Dance Cardio Radio on Pandora, play this game and OF COURSE play Just Dance until everyone's a sweaty mess.

5.  Repeat festivities bigger and even better next year, because it was a blast.

Grace's Baptism.

A few weeks ago Grace decided she wanted to be baptized.  Well, she knew she wanted to be baptized, but wasn't so sure about getting dunked in front of the whole church, which slightly terrified her, introvert that she is. 

All the best stories we have with God will involve a little bit of terror and some diving in anyway; I'm so proud of her for going for it.  She was very glad she did it once it was over.

Anyone who plans to get baptized at our church prepares a statement to be read as they head into the water.  A couple of days before she was baptized, Grace brought me hers, which read:

I want to get baptized because I love Jesus and I want everyone to know.  Also because he has done amazing things in my life like giving me a great family!

I put down the dish I was drying and cried right there in the middle of the kitchen while my daughter gave me an awkward, mom-you-are-so-weird-but-I-love-you-anyway hug.

Brennan Manning passed away earlier this month, and I've spent time reflecting on his life and his words, remembering a man whose honest and close walk with God has impacted my life so much.  I first read The Ragamuffin Gospel in 2001, and I will never forget it.  I'd been a christian for a few years, but until that point, I had not understood grace.  I would hear the word, but not grasp it.  In the time I read that book, I got it.  I knew grace for the first time, and understanding grace has made all the difference for me.  Unearned favor.  In naming our first daughter, we chose a name that would serve as a constant reminder of that work of God, his work in us; constant goodness we can never earn but can devour daily, grateful as can be.

Phill's message for the day also happened to be entirely about grace.

It seemed so fitting that this was the time she chose to take this step.  It's hard to explain the kind of joy we feel as parents, seeing our children grow, become individuals, experience the world, and know God in all of it for themselves.  So I won't even try.  It's just hard to explain.  But it is joy, for sure.  It's an absolute joy.

Here's a video (she comes in at around 3:00.)

She is also getting incredibly tall. 





We're so proud of you Grace!

Grace's Book.

Last fall Grace's class worked on writing books about their families.  Each student was given the assignment to share about their family, and share three reasons why their family is special.  Over several weeks I heard about each step of the process- brainstorming, compiling, organizing, drafting, re-working, editing, illustrating, and finally, binding.  She absolutely loved it, but kept the content TOP SECRET so we would be surprised when we saw the books at conferences.

The night of conferences came, and as I flipped through those pages, tears filled my eyes because, well, my daughter is beautiful and reading about our family through her eyes was precious. 

The books were finally sent home last week.  You can read it below (press pause to stop the slideshow.) 

Patie's Puppet.

A couple of weeks ago Patience told me she was making a puppet in art class. "Well, I think it will be really neat, but I'm not even close to being done with it.  I decided to decorate it with lots of dots and patterns.  I think I got in a little over my head."

I thought that was adorable. 

She did take a while to finish it, though that's nothing new.  Patience does everything methodically and purposefully.  We're used to waiting for Patience.  Very used to it.

Her art teacher is awesome and always lets her finish her projects in her own time, knowing it's late for the best reasons.  He told her this puppet would be worth the extra time because it was so beautiful. 

Last Friday she came home with her completed puppet, which was of course beautiful and very much worth the time.



Current Class Dates for Spring/Summer 2013 {Sioux Falls Photography Classes}



*Update: All profits from class sales this Spring and Summer will help to fund a great cause.  Read more here.

...........................................................................

I planned to announce my current class dates for Spring 2013 starting in April.  Not only is April here, but some amazing warm weather showed up too!

This Spring I am offering a much more personal experience for my students.  I decided last winter that rather than booking larger groups, I would focus on meeting you one-on-one or in groups no larger than five in your own homes (here in Sioux Falls) or in my own home in Northwestern Sioux Falls.

These settings have always been such an incredible experience, and they allow me to meet my students "right where they are."  That's a philosophy I've valued from the beginning, and it is what drives me when I teach.  Yes, even total strangers can come to my house for classes.  We'll drink coffee, you'll meet my dogs; I just had two fantastic ladies come last weekend for a class, and it was a blast!

When you'd like to know more about your camera, often you simply don't know what questions to ask.  When you do have questions, you don't know who to ask; and finding help from other photographers can be intimidating.

I'm just a woman who received a camera as a gift, and figured it out on her own (with lots of help.)  I remember how overwhelming that was, but I loved it.  These classes are a way to pay it forward and offer all the help I can to you at a very reasonable cost.  Not only do you get a hands-on class experience, but you will get a packet to take home that covers all the material we discuss, and access to ask me any and all camera and photography-related questions you have going forward.   You can send me images you have questions about and I'll troubleshoot you through them.  I love this part, so ask away!



I'm a natural light photographer (I never use a flash.)  My style is real-life and uncomplicated.  I'm hungry for alive, unprocessed, beautiful images straight out of my camera without the use of expensive software and equipment.  That makes me a wonderful resource for you, as you are most likely a real-life everyday photographer.  I teach with images from my everyday life, which is probably a lot like yours.  I'd love to get together with you and talk more!



I offer two classes, which are independent of one another; class content does not overlap.  Here are some details:

DSLR Basics

The DSLR class is appropriate for anyone who owns a DSLR or hopes to purchase one.

We will, in just one class, cover everything you need to know in order to move from Auto Mode, through the priority modes, and right into full Manual Mode.  A ton of other information will be covered as well, including how to get clear, focused shots, how to shoot in poor lighting situations, and how to avoid many other common pitfalls.  If you own a DSLR and do not confidently shoot in Manual Mode 100% of the time, or perhaps do not understand what most of the buttons "mean," this class is for you.



Creative Basics

This class is for anyone with a camera.

Technical skill is just one side of the coin.  A technically perfect exposure can be very dull and lifeless if not coupled with visual method.  The Basics class covers rules of composition and creative techniques that will inspire you to take your photographic "eye" to the next level.  We'll spend the class discussing many ways to turn an everyday snapshot into a true "photograph;" all with techniques we employ before clicking the shutter.  This is not about editing; it is about putting life, interest, purpose, and beauty into our exposures.



The Details
We can book a single session, or book an afternoon to work through both sessions in one day.  If you are completely new to DSLR photography, I highly recommend taking this class alone, and booking the Creative class another day.

Classes run about 1.5 to 2 hours, and are priced at $25 per participant.

I am currently booking Saturdays only, for morning and afternoon sessions.  Contact me with any questions you have or if you're ready to book.

You can email me at megankoch@yahoo.com, or call 605.863.0075.

Every one of the shots from this post is an unedited, straight out of camera shot from my real life.  Each was taken in a unique situation and could not have been possible without technical and visual command over the exposure.  I'd love to see your pictures, answer your questions, and show you how to get more control over your images, too.

Easter on the Farm.



Love Wins the Ransom.



"In the world's darkest moment, love shines through.  In spite of betrayal, idolatry, and chronic unbelief on our part, God loves us and pursues us.  And his love wins the ransom of mankind.  Jesus of Nazareth- the great Prince, son of the King- comes and gives his life to rescue his beloved.

Christianity is the greatest love story the world has ever known."

- John Eldredge, Love & War

Things I Don't Want to Forget.

See caveat for this post,  for sure it applies here...

Here are some things that have happened lately; things I don't want to forget.

1.  Not long ago Hudson, who is five, burly, and tender-hearted, read The Giving Tree with me for the first time.  As we read each page, as the tree lost more of itself, I noticed Hudson was looking very introspective, and his breathing was deep, measured.  By the end, he sat silently, not closing the book, not saying a word.  We sat for a few moments and I said, "What are you thinking, Buddy?" 

"I just feel heavy, Mom.  Real heavy."

Melt my heart. 


2.  In January the kids always hit their "100th Day of School."  There are little celebrations centered around the number 100.  Lily brought home a sheet her first grade class filled out, "100 years from now, how old will I be?" etc. 

One of the questions was, "If I had an extra $100 I would ____________." 

Lily wrote, "Give it to poor people."

A few weeks later at conferences we saw some samples of Patie's writing.  One sample was a worksheet, similar to what Lily had.  One of the questions was the same, asking the kids to write a paragraph about how they would spend $100 if they had it.  Patie wrote that she would give it away to poor people.

SHUT MY MOUTH, HOW DID YOU TWO BECOME SUCH AMAZING PEOPLE???????

They are picking this up somewhere.  While we are often with the poor, and talk about the poor, in full disclosure I need to be clear:  we give, but to be honest, if someone gave me an extra $100, my instinct would be to keep it.  I wouldn't immediately find someone to give it to.  And if someone gave them $100 for reals, I don't know that they wouldn't do the same.  Maybe they would.  Maybe we need to try that experiment.

Regardless, look at those hearts, away from us, not knowing we'd see it, right in front of their friends, they thought of the poor first.  Make me more like that!


3.  Speaking of conferences- conference time is THE BEST.  Your teachers are always brimming over with praise and stories and love for each of you girls.  You are simply amazing.  That's all.


4.  A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, Grace said, "All my friends who've been to my house are jealous because I have such an awesome mom, and they talk about you at school, and say that I'm so lucky to have a mom like that."

SHUT. UP.  YOU ARE KILLING ME, GRACE.

Honestly, our girls' friends do say stuff like that, not just Grace's.  I WILL TAKE IT!  YOU CAN THINK WE'RE COOL!  LITTLE DO YOU KNOW!

I do like to keep that statement in my back pocket, for times when I know I'm getting on Grace's nerves, or keep telling her what to do and she gets annoyed with me. 

I'll be like, "Hey, your friends are JEALOUS you have a mom this awesome!  Don't you forget it!"  This has not failed to make her laugh in tense moments.  Someday it will fail.  Until then, I'm keeping it!



Kids, you. are. incredible.  For 1,000 reasons, I admire you so much.  You make life so very interesting and so good.

Family.

This post begins with a caveat.  I write this blog for myself, and don't usually cater the content to other readers much, but I do observe certain boundaries, knowing that readers, whoever and wherever you are, are indeed there.  This post blows past all boundaries and is, entirely, for myself and my kids to read someday.  It will be full of seemingly boastful swagger that hedges on obnoxious.  So, dear reader, beware.  I'm writing this for us.

A couple of weeks ago, after reading this post, my friend Rachel* facebooked me and said,

"I was reading your blog about being in your house for five years and it made me think - wait a minute, I've 'known' Megan for about five years and I don't remember a move. Anyway, I've spent some time going through your archives this morning and it's crazy to see your kids so little! I know in my head how fast it goes, but having a baby is completely exhausting, it's easy to forget."

  I messaged back,

"Funny you mentioned this. Just this morning I was searching through my old journals looking for something (I only pull them out once in a blue moon) and the thing I was looking for was in the 2005/2006 or so time period. I laughed to myself as I scanned three years of journal entries, 68% of them starting with, "God, I am so tired this morning!" etc. or consisting of me talking about how worn down/tired/overwhelmed I was feeling that day about one thing or another. Hmm...could it be all those babies and being pregnant all the time?? My goodness!"

Those early years are a bit blurry.  At the time I certainly knew they were difficult, but in hindsight I am AMAZED at how we got through it in one piece.  It was a one moment at a time exercise in relying on God to give me what I needed; be it strength, patience, or forgiveness, as all those journal entries testify. 

Jim and I are entering in to a golden season of parenting.  Our kids our independent (but still very near.)  They are capable and bright and eager individuals, and we watch them grow more so every day.  All six of us so entirely different, we even out one another's rough edges.  It's real life, it can be gritty and ugly, it can be frustrating, but it is also chock-full of rewards.  Honestly, I just like my kids and my husband so very much.

Parenting is not easy.  We worked hard to lean on our strengths, and strengthen our weaknesses.  For me as a mom, that meant my kids thrived under my pragmatic style of leadership and my sense of flexible order.  I'm creative but organized and that has really added a lot to how this family "works." 

I also love my kids fiercely.  That love compelled me to press in to my faults and shortcomings and serve them anyway.  I am introverted and easily overwhelmed by busyness, excess noise, and talking.  I have very little patience or compassion.  These are learned, transformed behaviors in me, should you ever see me display them.  I have a low tolerance for being touched.  I like my space.  I can't stand messes, or when people touch my stuff.  Most of all, I am deeply, deeply selfish.  I very rarely think of anyone else first.  Just me.  I don't know if you have kids, or ever work with small children, but...  nothing could involve more noise, mess, touching, diplomatic mediating over somewhat ridiculous arguments, or more need for patience and compassion.  And it is entirely about serving outside yourself.

I am a work in progress, and there is nothing quite like parenthood to move you squarely outside the boundaries of what's "comfortable."  In myriad ways, my salvation is being worked out in my role as a wife and a mother.

Thankfully, I married a man who complements all my strengths and faults;  we make a real team.  (But let's be clear, he's a much better person than me.  Anyone who knows us will tell you so.)

Long story not made short, we set out on a quest some eleven years ago with a clear vision of what our marriage and family would be here for, and while the road has been long, and our methods are constantly evolving, that vision is here and clear and not going anywhere.  And the kicker is that now that we're down the road a bit, we see fruit from all those long and weary early days, and it is beautiful.

I am very, very hopeful for the future.  Not because we can sit back and relax; indeed this next decade of parenting will be intense as our children transition from childhood into teenagers and young adults. 

But because ten years ago when Grace was born (and I didn't know the first thing about being a mother) God promised me that if we would do this thing day by day with Him, He would be there and He would work something incredible in and through us.  And He delivered.  Over and over and over again. 

This year has marked a "halftime" for us; a pause between the craziness of a house full of small children and the iron man challenge it will be to mentor, love, and inspire them through these formative years, allowing them to discover who they are, who God is to them personally, and what they will live for; preparing them to leave us well.  Nothing breaks my heart or fills it with joy more than that calling!

Being a part of this family is absolutely amazing.  I really, really, really like every one of you.  Thank you for putting up with me so nicely.

*Rachel sells online Lightroom Classes!

Making the Best of It.



“Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” – James Beard

Jim had to work late tonight, so he couldn't be here for dinner.  I still baked the bread I'd originally planned, but I pulled some blackberries from the freezer and we made a nice little meal of warm bread with butter, and bowls of berries topped with fresh whipped cream.  We still lit the candles, played some Bach, and had a good time.

We see less of Jim than we'd like these days, but I am always working to keep my perspective clear, keep things fun and interesting for us at home, make things awesome when he is here, and, in general, make the best of it.  Butter helps.

The Thaw.



There is a large drainage ditch just beyond the boundary of our backyard.  It was a huge point of hesitation for me in buying this house; our yard isn't that great.  It's just not. 

Jim and I do marriage coaching with several engaged couples in our church.  Last night during a discussion about money we needed to explain both one of the worst and best financial decisions we've ever made.  We unanimously agreed that one of the best decisions we ever made with our money was to buy this house.  (These points will relate- just hold on.)

Five years ago today we closed on this house, and it really was a compromise of the best of our combined discernment to buy it.  It also had very little charm when we purchased it, but, over time our family has loved it up and it's become a cozy home that has been just enough. 

And the ditch I hated so much has been an unbelievable blessing, providing tons of extra space and grass to run and to play frisbee and soccer, an excellent spot for catching fireflies and dragonflies, snakes, and frogs, for puddle jumping, even ice skating when things are just right; and in winter, it is the place to be for sledding for all the kids in our neighborhood.  Endless opportunities have been given to us because of it, as a parade of scruffy kids have marched back and forth across it, forging friendships and sharing s'mores.

The day we closed on our house was one of the first warm days of that spring.  Everything began to melt and when we arrived after closing, that ditch was flowing with water, as if we had a legitimate bubbling stream in our backyard.  Each year since, right around the anniversary of our closing date, there is one day when things really begin to thaw, and a little "river" runs through it again, marking another year, promising that warmer weather is just around the corner.

Last week we had our first real thaw, and I'm grateful to mark year five in our little house.

Sara Groves.

Saturday night I drove across town in the rain to sit with an old friend and enjoy a Sara Groves show; she was as much of a genuine, warm, breath of fresh air as ever.  I can't think of another artist whose work has infiltrated my DNA more than Sara Groves.

The night was low-key and wonderful as expected, and after a stressful week it was what I needed; in other words, I cried through 75% of it.



Bread Books.

After reading so much Judith Jones this month, I went hunting for a couple of the breadmaking books she'd co-authored with her husband, Evan, to keep for my kitchen.  I was able to find both Knead It, Punch It, Bake It! and The Book of Bread from Goodwill stores via Amazon, for just $1 each (after shipping, they were $4.99 each.)  

I have a ton of really great bread recipes, but I was excited to own these, knowing Jones had crafted these recipes herself, along with her husband, in their own kitchen.

The Book of Bread is the Jones' collection of bread recipes from around the world.  It's large, interesting, and charming.

Knead It, Punch It, Bake It! is great for kids because it's written with easy to follow instructions, generally without even mentioning using anything that "plugs in."

It's all about dissolving the yeast into the water with your fingers, kneading the bread with your hands for five minutes, etc.  Simple, instructional, very very hands-on.  

Saturday was cold, rainy and dark...we made bagels.

Candlesticks.



I usually have a candle on the table for dinner but it's always been something low; in a mason jar, etc. 

Up to this point we've never gotten too crazy with open flames, because, well, we have four kids and two cats.        

I found these wooden candlesticks at a thrift store for $1.99 last week and they've been a special treat for the kids- absolutely anything is swankier when you're eating it by taper-light.

Come to think of it, this picture would have been better if the candles had been lit, but, I forgot.

Real Food: It's all in the presentation.

Jim has been away a lot for work lately, and of course we miss him. 

Because I'm not cooking as much with him gone, and he's not commuting to work, there's some budget money left behind.  Last week I splurged on a couple of new cookbooks and a new mandoline, which I've had in my Amazon wishlist for months.  (As I type I see Jim reading this somewhere, shaking his head.)

It's awesome!

I have a food processor that can do just about anything, but it's really inconvenient to set it all up then clean it up after small tasks. 

I also have an apple peeler/corer/slicer that we use a couple of times a day.  It makes quick work when I'm making something like this, and no kid can deny an apple completely cored and sliced in one long spiral cut.  That's how I eat my apples whole, too.

But this mandoline is fast and easy to clean up when it comes to other fruits and vegetables; and because I can make paper thin slices, the kids think it's fun to eat an entire apple, core and all, in a hundred little slivers.  They also love eating carrots in julienned strips, etc.

The rituals of how we eat our foods mean so much and really make an impression on our memory.  I love making simple foods more special for my kids (and for me.) 

What I've Been Reading.

I thought it was time to share what I've read so far this year.  I have gone through stages this winter in which I devour three books in a week, then weeks go by when I don't read any books at all.  I'm always looking out for new things to add to my library queue, so feel free to drop me some suggestions- I love suggestions!

Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems,

     by Cesar Millan

     In which I realized I parent like an alpha pack leader. 

A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan

     Stone-cold bummer.

The Paris Wife: A Novel, by Paula McLain

     I could not put this book down!  It was amazing.

A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway

     Hemingway's fictional take on the same story; interesting stories about Fitzgerald to boot.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed

     Mixed thoughts.

The Next Best Thing, by Jennifer Weiner

     I read this from a friend's book list.  Meh- but it was a fast read.  It's sort of one third Bossypants,  one third Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?/ last third light chick lit.  (But does not hold a candle to anything written by Tina Fey or Mindy Kaling.  It reminded me why I almost never read this genre- blah.)

     Also, I brought it to one of the girls' orthodontist appointments and our ortho said, "I just finished that book two days ago!"  To which I said, "I just picked it up on hold at the library yesterday."  She said, "Well I got it from the library too- must be the same book!"  (Same neighborhood.)

     We shared a little moment.  I love our orthodontist.

The Pleasures of Cooking for One, by Judith Jones

     Lovely little book full of wonderful, small recipes and big wisdom.

The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food, by Judith Jones

     Another one I couldn't put down.  Also, after her first lovely description of a recipe from her childhood I thought, "Man, I wish this book had a companion book of recipes!"  In faith I flipped to the back and saw to my delight that it did, indeed, contain dozens of recipes for the foods she talks about throughout her memoir.  Perfect.

Girl in a Blue Dress: A Novel Inspired by the Life and Marriage of Charles Dickens, by Gaynor

     Arnold

     I'm about a third through, so it's too early to tell, but, my enjoyment is probably lessened as I so recently finished The Paris Wife, which I can't help but compare it to.  But really- it's good.  Very "Dickensonian" characters.

Real Food Farewell

When I decided to start this little series I had just two goals: 

1.  Post 5 simple, fast, and wholesome recipes from our everyday life each week.

2.  For a whole month.

I did it!  I blogged through the entire month of February. I had some fun with the practice of photographing our food before we ate it, and I enjoyed sharing some of our favorites with you.

 

Along the way I also reminded a BUNCH of people how easy it is to make popcorn on a stove top, and enjoyed all the side conversations I had with friends in person and online about food.  I love friends and I love food- so that was a bonus!

I created a Pinterest board of the recipes from the series as well as some other recipes I've blogged in the past.  You can find it here.

Bon Appetit!