Mad Hungry

For Christmas this year, Husband and I bought gifts that fell under the umbrella of 'something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read'. All nice, important things in life, without going overboard. For my 'something to read' I asked for Mark Bittman's 'How to Cook Everything'. I didn't get it. Instead, while at the bookstore, Husband spied 'Mad Hungry'. He's a bit of a typography/design junky; here are the two covers, you be the judge...

No contest, huh. Mad Hungry sells itself as a cookbook with men's meals; the subtitle reads, "Mad hungry, feeding men and boys; recipes, strategies, & survival techniques; bringing back the family meal". To me this would be steak, potatoes, and more steak. However, the book is filled with wonderful recipes for all types of meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, even desserts! The author is Lucinda Scala Quinn, Food Director for Martha Stewart. She has created a wonderful assortment of recipes, photographs, personal content from her family and sons, and guiding words not just about technique, but also about true love of food and family. I've made quite a few things and we have loved them all. My new favorite all time cookie recipe (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip) comes from this book. Seems like these are made at least once a

week around here. Overall a great book, both to browse/read and from which to cook.

Made From Scratch

Instead of reading this blog for the rest of the month of January, read this book.

Hopefully we'll have the internet at home soon (although, secretly I am enjoying not having the pull of the computer when I should be lounging with Husband or doing dishes or the like). Perhaps February?

Enjoy!

Downs and Ups

This weekend was a busy one; work, friends and family in for a visit, a trip to the ER...

Last night was definitely the worst part of my weekend. Sister was ridiculously sick and ended up calling 911, getting a ride in an ambulance, and spending several hours in the ER. We live about 1.5/2 hours away (opposite ends of the Chicago suburbs) and we hauled it down to her place. Husband, bro-in-law, and friend returned home last night and I stayed with her. She was able to go home, get some medicine, and is feeling much better. I needed to get home. That's where the best part of the weekend comes in.

I took the commuter train into downtown Chicago and had a few hours to wander around, people watch, window shop, etc. It was a wonderful stroll; beautiful weather, fingers stained orange from Garret's popcorn, never once pulling out the emergency GoogleMap in my purse. Then I hopped onto another train and was home by the afternoon. I picked up Eat, Pray, Love before my jaunt into the city and LOVED every page I read. And then, upon my return home I was greeted by this...

Amy Butler Midwestern Modern fat quarters. What should I make? I'm thinking a set of placemats with two coordinating fabrics in the same style as the ones Danielle made for me and some sort of patchwork handbag and a no-cash wallet from BTRS and what else?

Currently Reading...

What is new here... not much. It's cold and grey outside again. I was so happy that Spring was finally here; guess not. Crap weather really puts the kibosh on outdoor activities. I've been keeping busy inside with sewing projects, morning yoga sessions, reading. All good things.

Yesterday included the arrival of a package from Amazon. Woo hoo! My portion of the shipment included these two books.


Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childcare and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block

Since viewing The Business of Being Born, I have taken great interest in the perspectives on birth and birthing in our society. The American view is so greatly skewed from the rest of the globe, and it leads me to ask, "Why do we 'do' birth this way? Why don't we see what works elsewhere?" If your answer is "Because what we're doing here works!" then you are grossly uninformed. From Block's blog, "4 in 10 women today are induced. 1 in 3 give birth by major surgery, the cesarean section. 1 in 3 vaginal birthers get an episiotomy — surgical scissors cutting your vagina. And most women will put their pelvic floors at risk by lying in a bed throughout labor and pushing the baby out while while flat on their back." That does not sound like a pleasant, nor medically necessary birth process to me. I could go on forever. I will spare you, although I do suggest seeing TBoBB and doing research of your own! I am looking forward to learning more about this topic from 'Pushed'. Husband is tired of hearing statistics. Sorry!



Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Love, love, love this book! Love her blog, too, Angry Chicken. I've already done one project [Happy Birthday, Alysia!] and will do many more. For the most part these are small scale projects (read, projects using scrap fabric and not buying any new ones. Yes!) Watch out for typos, though. I was lucky enough to find one right off the bat. Almost made Alysia's bag with a 13" wide strap, instead of 3" as it should be. Whoops. Photos of that to come later.