Cooking, Gardening, Books {what I've been doing}

Life is hard; food doesn't have to be #125 [vol4, 3.4]

Cooking

I can’t remember who told me to follow Alexandra Cooks, but it was someone who understood that I like understanding technique and want to eat seasonally. Alexandra culinary trained and has 4 small(ish) children (no-nonsense cooking). Alexandra is the one who gave us the best easiest peasant bread (I’ve also made & been impressed by the GF version) and is currently writing a pizza cookbook. I’m her biggest fan. Good food with little fuss.

This week I stumbled upon a blog post she’s written called 13 Essential Recipes/Techniques That Will Make You a Better Cook. What a goldmine resource! For you — or a teen/pre-teen — who wants to be in the kitchen. I plan to use this list with Caroline, who turns 13 in May.

PS - I love my new kitchen and it makes me happy everyday!

Recipes I’ve made this week: chili and bacon cheeseburger soup. Caroline mixed these granola breakfast cookies and I’ve baked them while the kids get ready in the morning. NOTE: I added grams to the recipe because I’ve found baking by weight eliminates so many non-essential dishes. If you too love efficiency, get a scale ASAP.

Gardening

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Daffodils have bloomed, tulips are coming and everywhere is greener! Spring might be my favorite.

This year I’ve been trying what I’m calling Poor Man’s Greenhouse Method or winter sowing in milk jugs. So far most seeds have germinated. I need to buy warmer weather seeds like tomatoes and peppers.

If you’re a beginner gardener, I highly recommend following Jill who is The Beginner’s Gardener. She’s on Insta, YouTube and has a podcast.

I’m so excited to have a bit of dirt to call my own!

Books

In the mail this week was Strong Like Water: Finding the Freedom, Safety, and Compassion to Move through Hard Things--and Experience True Flourishing by Aundi Kolber. I read and loved her previous book Try Softer.

The dog intercepted *and I’m not exaggerating BURIED* (this DOG is a whole story!) Learning to Be Me Without You. It’s a book on grief geared for widows. I’m not a widow, but I know a few and wanted to read it to see if it could be a resource for them.

Borrowed from the library: I’m Glad My Mom Died. I had no idea the author is/was an actress. I saw the title reviewed by others who said it was good and thought the title was, um, interesting. My husband is the librarian for our home and I frequently send him titles to reserve for me at the library. This one has been on hold a long time. The author discovers through therapy (after her mom dies of cancer) what a people pleaser she had become. It’s written from the perspective of a child actress. While I wasn’t an actress, I have identified with her strong sense of wanting to please people. I’m halfway through and the book is written with humor. Short chapters, fast read.

Anxious Bible Study by Scarlet Hiltibidal - started this 8 week study at church last night. I am trying to understand the very real struggle of my daughter as well as so many women. I loved a quote I heard from Sissy Goff this morning who defined anxiety as “thinking of a problem as bigger than my ability to solve it.”

Life is hard, food doesn’t have to be.

Julie

PS - Who are some of your favorite follows? Reply & let me know.

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