book talk: wisdom

I am a little more than halfway through this book, which in the audio version I'm borrowing is read by the author. I am listening to it in the car, during my commute, and trying to soak it all in. The back of the book makes clear that Ms. Angelou is writing to her "daughter" in the universal sense of all younger women she intends to "mother" through her writing. She only has one physical child, who happens to be a son. But I am honestly kind of in awe that she is writing to me, her "daughter."

I cannot tell you how much I am getting from this small volume! (especially hearing it read to me by Maya Angelou, complete with her pauses and inflections and humor and warmth). If you haven't already read it, I urge you to pick it up as soon as possible. You can read one of my favorite essays (so far, anyway) excerpted here.

Meatless Monday: my soup committment

So, it's been a couple of weeks now.

Pretty much since the weather turned cold.

I've committed to making a pot of soup every week...and actually done it! It's been really satisfying both for my need to relax-via-cooking, and for the hot, healthful meals it produces for us. This week, I'm going to make a mushroom white bean soup, like this one listed at Whole Living:

But I also think that this soup looks amazing, too. Decisions, decisions.

The soups are usually my Thursday-morning routine, since I don't have to teach on those mornings. For tonight, I'm definitely riding my baked-eggs obsession into Israel. I think this shakshuka recipe in Bon Appetit's December issue will fit the bill nicely.

the most finalsy time of the year...

Hey all~sorry for the dearth of posts lately, but it is that time of year...finals. The leftovers worked out splendidly last week, but now we have a new week, and so I'll be posting for Meatless Monday a bit later. First, though, I thought I'd share some images that epitomize the feeling on campus right about now...

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Meatless Monday: leftovers!!!

Hey friends, happy Monday! I'm having a splendid start to my week, and I hope you are, too. It's almost finals-time at my university, and my students are working on their final portfolios for my classes. I plan to be really, really productive this week, and next. Lots of incisive grading, student-conferences, and efficient planning for and working on my own research projects. And that is why it is leftover week.

My dear friend, Jamica, had a bunch of us over for a potluck this weekend. She made three incredible soups, and we all supplied salads, bread, cheese and wine. I'm so grateful that she let me steal some of her delicious lentil soup--it is going to be our hearty meatless dinner tonight!

But don't get me wrong, with the proximity to holiday feasts of all kinds, I have a fridge full of leftovers that are going to be re-purposed as fantastically quick dinners this week! Here is my game plan:

• Tonight: Jamica's lentil soup with greek yogurt, rice and greens
• Tuesday: turkey shepherd's pies
• Wednesday: roasted chicken breasts with sweet potato gratin
• Thursday: chicken barley soup
• Friday: Girls' Night! (so, basically eating wine and cheese for dinner)

What about you? Do you like leftovers, or detest them? Any creative leftover-makeovers you love?

Five Gratitudes

Here are some hilarious pins that made me laugh out loud this week. I am super-grateful for laughter.

1. I'm grateful for Betty White, that sassy, sassy lady.

2. I'm grateful for this disgruntled cat (makes me laugh out loud every time!).

3. I'm grateful for this helpful graph...which is totally not pedagogically accurate, but as a former nerd-student, is extremely emotionally accurate.

4. I'm grateful for this funny public service announcement.

5. And I'm grateful for this flying cat. I think the pic pretty much speaks for itself.

Hope you have a fun weekend full of laughter, friends!