1. America's Test Kitchen Slow Cooker Revolution Volume 2 is bringing sanity and deliciousness to our dinner table, with lots of "open, dump, walk away" recipes that I can manage in the 3.2 minutes Polly will stay in the Bumpo.
This is my copy. I flagged every recipe that did not require prep work.
To be honest, the most prep work required is microwaving chopped onions and garlic before adding to the slow cooker. So for normal people not holding high-need babies, it's totally do-able.
Every recipe we've tried so far has been a hit. Welllllll, I liked the Spiced Tenderloin with Quinoa. The minions ate it, and proclaimed it "interesting." It's the first time these gringos have had anything flavored with garam masala.
Monday, we had the Chicken Pomodoro. To. Die. For. Definitely making a double batch of that next time.
We've also made the Chicken Adobo, the Chicken Tomatillo Chile (yum!), and Thursday, I'm making Easy Beef Stew.
November + Polar Vortex = Comfort Foods
2.
Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox is Jill's current favorite.
"Harriet Harris is a pesky child."
Jill snuggles up to me as I read this book daily. She looks up at me meaningfully when Harriet makes mess after mess.
She smiles knowingly when I read, "Her mother didn't like to yell, so instead she said, "Harriet, my darling child. Harriet, you'll drive me wild."
Yup. It's like a day in my life right there on the printed page.
3.
A Life of Our Lord for Children by Marigold Hunt is a family read-aloud for the RC Connecting with History course we are using here at St. Jude's School for Kids Who Want To Read Good and Do Other Things Good Too. Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox is Jill's current favorite.
"Harriet Harris is a pesky child."
Jill snuggles up to me as I read this book daily. She looks up at me meaningfully when Harriet makes mess after mess.
She smiles knowingly when I read, "Her mother didn't like to yell, so instead she said, "Harriet, my darling child. Harriet, you'll drive me wild."
Yup. It's like a day in my life right there on the printed page.
3.
And it's really interesting. Basically, Hunt re-tells the Gospels with a linear timeline, while including all the background info about Jewish and Roman life of the period. I enjoy reading it, while Edmund enjoys listening. I'm even picking up a few new facts. Learn something new everyday!
When we finish A Life of Our Lord for Children, we'll continue with Hunt's The First Christians: The Acts of the Apostles for Children
4.
I began Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel by Katherine Reay, but kept "misplacing" the book, only to find my high school girls were much further along in it than I was.
So I did what any kind and generous parent would do. I read the ending, and then handed it over.
Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel is an ideal book for the young adult reader. Set in modern times, with a "Daddy Long-legs" type plot, Reay's novel is sweet without being saccharine, and relevant without being raunchy.I began Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel by Katherine Reay, but kept "misplacing" the book, only to find my high school girls were much further along in it than I was.
So I did what any kind and generous parent would do. I read the ending, and then handed it over.
I predicted (quite accurately) the entire plot and ending, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment in seeing the protagonist live happily ever after.
5.
I read Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy by Rumer Godden at least fifteen years ago, and I'm re-reading it for Micaela's Stella Maris online book club.
It's like a completely different novel this time around.
Lise Fanshawe, brothel manager goes to prison for a crime passionnel. From prison, she enters religious life. From one enclosure to another. She finds her freedom behind the walls of a convent.
There is so much to think about in this book. I am avidly looking forward to discussing Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy with the others who have read it. You've got time. Come on! Play along!
Yeah. I would NOT let my high schoolers read this one. It's gritty. She's a prostitute. But it's not graphic.
When I was telling Patrick about it (He lets me "tell" him my books, God made him just for me.), he said that this sounded like a book that I would hate. And it does. But like I said, gritty, not graphic.
Since I've been MIA for so long, I'm not going to host a link-up, but rather add this post to Jenna's Five Favorites party.
I read Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy by Rumer Godden at least fifteen years ago, and I'm re-reading it for Micaela's Stella Maris online book club.
It's like a completely different novel this time around.
Lise Fanshawe, brothel manager goes to prison for a crime passionnel. From prison, she enters religious life. From one enclosure to another. She finds her freedom behind the walls of a convent.
There is so much to think about in this book. I am avidly looking forward to discussing Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy with the others who have read it. You've got time. Come on! Play along!
Yeah. I would NOT let my high schoolers read this one. It's gritty. She's a prostitute. But it's not graphic.
When I was telling Patrick about it (He lets me "tell" him my books, God made him just for me.), he said that this sounded like a book that I would hate. And it does. But like I said, gritty, not graphic.
Since I've been MIA for so long, I'm not going to host a link-up, but rather add this post to Jenna's Five Favorites party.
A friend of mine has been posting the recipes she's been making in her newly acquired crock pot. The amazing feature of her crock pot? The insert can be used on the stove top to do any browning or searing required. Game changer. Now I'm hoping mine breaks.
ReplyDeleteOoh I'll need to put that Harriet book on hold - my kids are in love with all things Marla Frazee and yes, they certain drive me wild ;)
ReplyDeleteAmerica's Test Kitchen AND my crockpot? YES PLEASE.
ReplyDelete