Someone emailed me about my thoughts of headnotes on recipe blogs about a week ago

Ok first of all... I am NO AUTHORITY on food blogging.  Not one bit. I think I hit a nerve in the conversation that I was having offline-ish with someone on Instagram about a month ago.  But this made me think this morning about it. 

Headnotes are super important to show authority, why this particular recipe you are looking at is valuable and most importantly it is 100% how Google optimizes the search. You can embed search words and tags but you also have to include it in your dialogue and written content to allow Google to search and scrape your site to be able to get it to "find" and "promote" your recipe.  Simple as that.  

So when I am looking and searching for recipes honestly when I find one that I like I usually skip right to the ingredients list (I also have a chrome app that pops open a window with just the recipe  it's called "recipe filter".  It's pretty good...) to see if it's something even approachable for me.  PS if there is mayo or sourcream mamma out...and then I will close the app window pop up and go through and read a little bit more.  Sometimes there are hidden steps that aren't in the recipe proper... watch for that, I think it's a trick now a days for some bloggers. 

Note most of the time, I would say it's about a 50/50 ratio that I find a recipe worth printing out to make later.  But if there is a recipe that I do like and want to try, I read some of the headnotes/story that accompanies the recipes.  Want to know why?  

Here it is... it's really simple... I really DO want to know why this recipe was important enough to write up for a blog.  Why did the cook think this was important... is it cultural, did they find that all the other gluten free brownies they tried weren't great, did they find this cloud bread recipe on another site and their adaption made it easier to bake and quicker, did their mother make something similar when they were growing up? All these really important things could be answered before you hit that "print recipe" button.  It's really important to get a little background.  It makes it really valuable to have this in the back of your mind when you are making something.  

The author may have had to do something like this... will they save you some time maybe... it's worth reading to find out right?!

Sure ... sure ... sure... it is a pain in the ass sometimes to read a recipe post and all you hear about is how the preschool pick up line was so long when the poster realized that she may not have enough time to make the mac and cheese little Charlie loves the most in life so adapted a recipe to be no stir or whatever.  But gleen what preschool Mom is telling you... time saver.  This could save you 10 valuable minutes... Oh you don't have a kid you say... well this could be a walk around the block time instead.. whatever. You get my point.  

I was doing a search on pinterest for a bao bun recipe ... btw... I honestly don't know why I was searching for bao buns because I can't have carbs like that... and I came across this recipe... https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-bbq-pork-buns-cha-siu-bao/.  There was honestly just enough interesting personal stuff that I dug deeper on the website and learned that a pineapple bun could be simple to make and honestly I didn't know that it's not pineapple flavor.  I also didn't know that one of my favorite dimsum cart treats was this exact thing and named what it was, why and also with a pronunciation that will make it easy to ask for when the world opens up again enough to go to a sit down dimsum palace.

So see... while it may be a pain in the ass to dig through the story and discussion before the recipe, keep in mind... you are reading content that someone is putting out there to bring you into their kitchen in a big ole way.  Be kind and conscious of the message.  Sure hearing about little Madison's soccer practice may be a slog to get through... give it a second to resonate why you found the recipe in the first place.  

Food blogging has to be incredibly difficult.  I wanted to do it about 10 years ago before it was a thing but realized, nope... not for me.  So I honestly admire the heck out of anyone that can do it.  Kudos to you food peeps...I see you.   And you should read the headnotes... you never know what you can learn.  

Do you want to cook from a really amazing cookbook? Julia Turshen's cookbook Simply Julia is simply amazing...

 In this pandemic world I have spent every night (barring some takeout) mostly cooking through my pinterest saved links. I heard a podcast with Julia Turshen (sadly honestly I can't remember which one... sorry) and immediately just fell in love with her.  I now subscribe to her podcast and eagerly listened to all the episodes.  

My new favorite cookbook

When I saw that God's Love We Deliver was doing an online promotion with her I didn't hesitate for a minute to sign up.  The session was revolutionary to me.  (Liz Alpern's questions were amazing... I learned so much from Liz too, how to ask great questions that are intuitive and interesting... make a donation to GLWD or your local Medically Tailored Meals organization so that these organizations can continue to do the good that they do).  I seriously was so very glad that I ordered the cookbook along with the session   I do also encourage you to if you can volunteer as well... and another aside... I have added Liz Alpern's book to my wishlist as well, it too looks great). I have, will and do make birthday cards for my local organization, as soon as I get the vaccine I am going to do what I can to volunteer in the building again.  

Y'all... this cookbook...it's so good.  

I had to step out of my comfort zone of cooking from a cookbook.  I have a library in my pantry of over 50 cookbooks but really I don't necessarily cook from them directly.  I have them there as a resource for ideas, because sometimes I just need an idea.  

Until now.  I have made five recipes so far.  Each one absolutely has been great. There are over 100 more that I am excited to cook.  I am literally cooking from the start to the finish with one interlude to make the Sled Dog Muffins (which were amazing and I am making again... just waiting for the banana to ripen).  There are so many ways to adopt the frame of the recipe and make it your own... for instance: I didn't have chia seeds for the muffins... I used an egg... totally worked!  I am comfortable to change that up because in the talk I was so fortunate to be an observer in she said it was ok.  In fact, she encourages it.  And it's a simple ... Simply Julia... joy.  

One of the things that I really have loved in watching this book take hold around the internet - a - verse, and Ms. Turshen's reaction to people's photos and zhuging is that she is encouraging of additions and substitutions... what author does that?  Certainly none that I have ever seen before.  Ms. Turshen reposts people's pictures on HER instagram stories, which honestly slays.  A few times this week she has been on instalive promoting her book and sharing the joy of it.  It's been a delight to see pop up now and again throughout the week.  I have a couple saved so that I can watch undisturbed later.  

She also loves her lists, which I personally adore about this as well. There are real nuggets of great information and inspiration... don't forgo reading the stories in the recipe header, they are charming a.f. and have some really great tips, tricks and offerings.  

Ps every recipe I have made is amazing. I can’t say that for other cookbooks to be honest. I have made the sled dog muffins twice and omg THE best. I rarely if ever make anything more than once because I just move on. But this is a return to if I can say so. It’s really a great cookbook! 

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev - whoa what a journey

 

First off: wasn't quite sure what to really expect when I was offered this book to read (thank you so much Simon & Schuster and 37 ink - the publishers) but it sounded like something that I would enjoy, the tie to the music side of the story grabbed my interest.  Honestly I didn't know anything about the book and was looking for something to read inbetween waiting for the Stand to be available from the library again to be able to finish it up. 

Dawnie Walton is an Iowa Writing Workshop MFA graduate and worked at Tin House (RIP).  I am more jealous of her than I thought I would be while reading the linked article.  It is so completely apparent what a formative talent she is.  Reading this book was a history lesson, wrapped in a rock and roll history lesson, wrapped in a civil rights story, further and finally wrapped in a box of Black History all in one... and it's truly fabulous (just like the character Opal's fine dressage).

So, there you have it.  Not going to front here... the first part of the book, being a compendium of oral history for me was a little distracting, the history that was dialoged what a little hard to discern character to character  while I was reading it (except Virgil... his voice was very there).

Yet, for me at least, when the author moves to a more traditional style they come more alive... and this is where the story shines.  There are many people posting that the book is like Daisy Jones & the Six, but really it isn't.  Nor is it like any of the other oral history books out there, it's a cop out to compare it so stop it y'all.  

Yes there is the oral history component but it's not the crux of the style or even the story.  Get past it people, it's a super different experience.  

Here is a line that was in the book that shows what a talent Dawnie Walton is (and forgive me publishers, I know I am not supposed to quote the book without permission, I will remove it if you wish)... 

"...a million speck of dust exposed and floating in the light, telling stories on you"... this is a line that just slayed me... it is so incredibly beautiful, scene setting and telling.  Wow wow wow... Dawnie Walton had me in her story at that point.  Honestly... that was the sentence that grabbed a hold of me. 

This is a full story of a journalist who is on a journey to discover her family truth, cover the music industry and career of a strong woman and her obstacles.  Along the way some unknown truth doors are opened and those inevitable feelings that are underlying with all the characters. These are strong people we are reading about and honestly I want to know where these characters live in real life because I want to buy all the records, read all the magazines and know them better.  It's a story about strong women and some weak people facing their truths.  

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev is a great read... really a great read.  No spoilers of course, but I thought the "gotcha" at the beginning was the one that would follow the story through, nope, there are some great twists and turns.  Also a lot of history that is forgotten about how marginalized black people were (and still are) in the entertainment and music industry at all levels.  Lots to imagine and learn with this fine novel.

The folks raving about this book are right and I am joining that chorus too.

Additionally if you read this prior to April 1 2021, there is an online booktour opportunity for you to hear the author talk with the author of Daisy Jones and the Six, I am sure it will be amazing! 

Edited: We watched the Book Soup conversation... it was terrific.  It is archived here.  I want to add that I learned so much more about the backgrounds of the characters, some which I could definitely imagine and some that I was surprised by.  Taylor Jenkins Reid was so delightful in the interview as well. I was so delighted by their conversation that now I want to go back and re-read this book. Seriously.  I took notes even. What?!  Really so great.  Please go and watch the interview... it will tell you so much more (and more eloquently than I ever could) about the story and hopefully draw you in as I did.  

Thank you BookSoup for this ... it was amazing!  

Broken by Jenny Lawson....with some updates (see the bottom)

 

y'all.... so I read on Jenny Lawson's blog (and insta) she was working on a book last summer.  My heart skipped a beat because honestly... you know I love me some Bloggess.  This lady... heart of hearts she is just beyond the best.  She is funny as fuck, honest as hell and kind as all get out.  She is the only reason some days that I log onto instagram because she truly makes me know that I am ok.  Not necessarily better but ok. She is a gift to the world.  I know sometimes it isn't easy for her and this book spells that out and some of the things she was going through at the time to be a little better.  I cried.  There you are.  

I remember getting her book Furiously Happy  through a kindle sale years ago - wow just looked it up and it was 2015 - and thought sure, why not... could be good. Sorry ... could be good means....kids it was great. I have literally been in heart with her since.  I joined all the things, posted comments in her blog, shared emails with some people there, sent cards on holidays to other fans and generally have been a fan girl in the biggest of ways.  We even had her book as a Punk Rock Book Club pick of the month (or of the entire club actually... we made it through one book).  It was all about reading the book, not really getting together or talking about it... just knowing we were sharing great books, something that I think Jenny Lawson would approve of. No need to meet up about it.  Ew.  

 

I have all the things.  I even invited her family to breakfast in my town when she was here and said that I would totally sit at another table so they didn't have to talk to me but they were already on the road.  I would have totally bought them breakfast while not facing their table.  It's an open invite and promise.

So thanks to Henry Holt and Company I have been able to review an advance copy. Thank you thank you thank you.  Trust me I will buy the hard copy too only because this book is amazing, true and really great. 

So some things to know about this book - 

• it's scheduled for sale (as of now) April 7th - go to Nowhere Books to buy it from her (did you know she owns a bookstore... you are welcome... buy your books from independent sellers please)
• watch the blogs for preorder magic I am sure there are things on deck
• if you want to watch a video of Jenny reading from the manuscript watch these readings she did a while back - the videos should embed below

• there is an audio book that will be available and Jenny Lawson reads it.  

Ok on to the good stuff.

Things you will enjoy reading about:

• losing a shoe and what it possibly means for all those shoes you see on the side of the road
• how Jenny manages the health care system (I read this and was ashamed for the industry that I used to work in... I was blind to how tremendously awful it can be to navigate... but now I know and can help... let me know)
• keto diets suck (I basically have to live that way too and it's meh)
• laughter will help you survive nearly anything
• marriage is hard but also really hilarious
• each chapter is it's own nugget of knowledge and humor

Jenny Lawson doesn't have it easy.  But she really does have a great way of looking at life and it's such a message to us all. We are not alone when we struggle.  I have also learned that along the way of being a fan of hers.  I certainly have found the best message is that if you are kind and share your story it's a winning proposition. This book is about truth in finding humor in your life.  It's a great reminder.  

OH also Jenny Lawson is an artist.   She made you this:  (PS this is a link to the post on her blog... go back through the blog... it doesn't disappoint). 

When this book comes out... buy it. Follow the link above to pre-order.

It's sometimes an easy read. It's sometimes difficult. But it doesn't disappoint.  This is a book that will make you laugh out loud, cry a little and probably think about how you are feeling right now.  It's so good y'all. I can't wait to read it again and again.   Self help it is not but it does help the self, if that makes any sense... it's so funny and so sad but so awesome.  How many books can you say that about?  

2/18/2021 UPDATE:

UPDATE!

Here is a graphic direct from Jenny Lawson herself... for her 2021 book tour, she is going to be talking about the book with some really impressive authors... see if there is one you are interested in! PS it comes with a bookplate or signed book :)

Here is her instagram link

And here is the link to the clickthroughs for the book tour! 

UPDATE TWO!!!

So I told you there are some cool ass things on the horizon right?

Here is one more! Pre-order your Broken book, it will be signed and you will be able to get some cross stitch patterns (as a partnership with the so sweet and so amazing, Subversive Cross Stitch).  Honestly this may be the BEST and coolest book tie in I have ever seen.  And I have seen some promotional tie ins that were pretty awesome.  Here is a link from Jenny Lawson herself with more information!

Update again... I love Jenny Lawson so much.

Her book comes out tomorrow and I want to just post this link -added from my phone because it’s not going to matter if I format it... https://thebloggess.com/2021/04/05/behind-the-scenes/ or not. This book is delightful  and that post sum it all up...I can’t wait for the tour on Friday.

By the way Jenny I still stand by my breakfast offer... and I won’t even try to sit at the same table. You probably could handle the company. I would be freaking out. 

I will refuse to click bait your recipe with "crack" in the title

 I am a pinterest user.  I was actually one of the early adopters of pinterest. I love it.  I really do.  I use it daily.  Most of my boards are hidden though.  

That being said in the last 10 months I have worked really hard to find new recipes to make so that we aren't in a food rut, meaning I make the same 10 things over and over again.  In March when the pandemic started and I knew that we were going to be in the house all the time I wanted to make new things, try new things and find new options for favorite things.

One thing that I have found over and over again in the feeds that I follow so many posts link to recipes with the word "crack" in it.  

OMG this is so damned offensive today I am making a stand.  I will not click on your recipe. I will not bookmark it.  I will not share it.  

Why? It's 100% offensive.  

I am not an addict but it is so triggering to me to see that word in any post/recipe title/or pin image.  

What makes your recipe addictive?  Don't be lazy recipe poster... find another adjective.  Just do it.  You are making light of addiction and people's plight with this disease. It's enough. The time has come to right click on your mouse and look for the synonym finder and find another word. Take the action to do better for your readers... it's time.  It is completely and beyond offensive.  

Here are some options... you are welcome and take this advice for free - 

By the way these are just three real titles on pins that are currently on my home screen- 

• Cinnamon Roll Crack -----> Charming and Easy Cinnamon Roll  - that makes it sound amazing
• Iced Coffee Crack ----> Iced Coffee Cubes 
• Mozzerella Crack ----> Air Fryer Mozzerella Sticks (there is a picture of mozzerella sticks with an air fryer) 

You want to make your recipe stand out and entice people to click through?  Come up with a more imaginative and less trite title.  No one wants your Southern Pasta Crack.  

It's not just about the food, that is a secondary thing... Edible Beats Vol. 1

 So when I was 16 I was going at school in another country. Not going to say too much because that would give away all my mystique but know that I think about it often.  I met a boy and that boy had a friend that I was introduced to who happens to be one of the hottest chefs and restauranteurs in Denver.  At a time when we can't actually eat in and break bread in his restaurants I found out there was a zine/but really amazingly interesting graphic magazine (really book) with stories and restaurant asides from his many restaurants in our fair Queen City. It is really cool.  Really.  

I bought it online on Sunday and four days later it's now in my hot little hands.  It's pretty great.  Chef Cucci has taken some incredible buildings here in town and made them into the most interesting and vibrant dining spaces around.  There is history about the places, interesting asides about topics related to the buildings and honestly the design in the books as well.  Totally unexpected and a highlight for me. He thanks his staff.  He writes about them.  I really didn't expect that.  I thought it was a traditional cookbook.  I should have known... nothing about what he does is traditional at all.  And I as the reader am the lucky one.  

There are some rather lovely recipes.  It's fully rounded out.  Vegetable forward food that is presented in a radically beautiful way.  He calls it a zine... far from it... it's a story book and its beautiful.  

Sorry it's not a better (meaning bigger) picture because I totally stole it from the site...

 thanks J C... sorry thanks. 

So let me preface this by saying I have a total love hate relationship with the restaurants.  I want to LOVE these places. The food-amazing... , the decor- the tits... , but hold the phone, I have only been able to actually enjoy the service and dining when I have been to Ophelias for a concert and during the concert out of the dozen or so times we have tried (one time I actually walked out at the host stand because I was so pissed my reservation wasn't honored after they called confirming twice on the phone... I was less than happy...the manager later called and was less than honest and I swore I would never eat there again.  Technically I haven't since we have only had a snack ... but it WAS delicious). I know that isn't their style to be jerks and that person probably is no longer there so to even write about it... really isn't valuable except this is my platform and I am going to kvetch for a sec.  This is my kvetch and not one that is normal I am sure, for sure,  but sadly I will never experience Brunch when they serve that again.  Not worth the aggravation.  No matter how good the food sounds. And when we ate the couple of times at Root Down, the service was less than great.  I NEVER play the I went on a hunger strike in High School with your Chef ... I never ever play the I once knew the owner bullshit... no one cares about 1984. I don't think Chef Cucci does even. NO SHADE I swear... pinky swear.  

Sorry tangent... anyways the staff is recognized, it a couple of different ways and I have never seen than in any other restauranteurs book or zine or article ever.  It was a nice thing.  

I went to a not my work but another person's work event at El Five and was duly impressed, they set out a buffet that was beautiful, made some cocktails that were special for the group that were delicious and honestly the view can't be challenged in the evening.  The staff was busy and noted that it wasn't a normal evening there I am sure and they worked hard to some folks that I saw were less than kind at the bar... I don't want to say "entitled" but don't ever snap your fingers at a bar tender... I know when I worked service I would be known to slow down or sneezer someone that snapped their fingers at me. But they had that really great hummus out.  Again with the hummus, I know but it's all I have to judge the food on really.  That is all I remember.  It was delicious.  

The other thing I remember having was at Root Down was chef's avocado lime pie.  Or something like that.  We went for dinner there.. me and said boy from when I was 16 years old and his daughter she was 16 I think (we are still friends, it's nice)... that pie was amazing.  The recipe is not in the book.    

I had snacks at Ophelias (post our other experience) once in our seats at a Bill Frissell concert of the hummus and I swear to gawd that there is a recipe for maybe possibly it in this cook book makes me happy.  It was that good.  Everyone riffs on hummus and falafel and some are good, but Ophelia's hummus was great that night.  And for the record, the concerts there (of the two that I have attended Nels Cline Singers earlier in the year and Brothers of a Feather (both our last shows out in the world actually) are really fantastic. I wasn't sure how a music venue would work but man oh man it's great.  And if you go back and look at the back patio security footage from the Brothers of a Feather evening... that was me out there with some random stranger doing push ups... I was back there smoking and a guy from Texas who was in town skiing and for the show wanted a contest.  He totally won do not be mistaken.  Even drunk as all get out that guy won over sober me because well it was me. We celebrated with another cigarette.  

I am going to enjoy cooking from this 'zine/book so very much... and there is so much to unpack in it's goodness. 

Maybe even when lockdown is over we will try and give dine in at Linger or Root Down a go again.  If not I will seriously just dig looking at this book. It's really beautiful. 

The price is $18.95 and 100% totally worth it.  I wasn't thinking that it would be. But ho nelly it really is.  And please Edible Beats Team... bring us another volume!  I know I have seen it in the works on your instagram (I peeked, but you linked), seriously make it happen.  It's a beautiful thing to behold and have as part of my cookbook library.

For those of you who may be interested here is the link again to buy this yourself.  

And here is a video that I just found that just shows how really inventive this group and Justin Cucci are:

Justin Cucci: Restaurants with WEIRD Histories

What has the pandemic wrought?

 Well for one I have been reading alot... as many folks have.

I finished Welcome to the United States of Anxiety by Jen Lancaster 

 I am a fan of Ms Lancaster on Instagram... love her.  She saves me the time and energy watching some of the Bachler shows... I would give her a rose (that is the right thing right?) for her energy and sincere love of the wrapups.  So she announced that her book was out and I got it the ebook that day.  I just knew that it would be exactly what I needed to have bedside on the ipad to read before I went to bed.  

So why did it take so long to read?  

Oh because I started The Stand by Stephen King all 1000 pages of it.  It's a long read, it's a deep dive to start in a pandemic not going to lie.  How do he know?  I mean geebus how did he know? I think I started it in April.  I finally found the mass market paperback locally but have been reading the ebook.  The book is just too small and hard to hold I have tiny little hands and I can't.  Sorry that is why I keep getting the book from the library.  I read it often but it takes so much time.  Not that I regret getting started.  

So why would I start a book about a pandemic in the middle of one?  Yeah there are a couple of reasons.  

One I have a pen pal named Ms. Shirley (Hi Ms Shirley!!!!) who was looking for a friend to write about Stephen King novels.  So I needed a book to start, it seemed like a good one.  What a ride it's been. I feel terrible because another friend got her the book and she is going to start it soon she says.  That'll teach me.  I do love the style.  There is so much in this book.  I am halfway through.  I will beat this beast.  I am back on the waitlist and it's a good thing because I can take the time away to finish a couple of other ones that I started.

And the other reason... why not read a complex story about a pandemic that possibly will scare the shit out of me while we are in a pandemic and I am actually having the shit scared out of me?

So while I am waiting for the ebook to come up available from the library again and I am not willing to hold that tiny but HUGE mass paperback ....Here is what I have in que and started. 

I.M. a memoir by Isaac Mizrahi - LOVE THIS BOOK. Love it.  I think I am reading it slowly because I just want to think we are friends and he is spilling tea with me.  I know that this is not even remotely true... but hey Issac... if you read this...  I would talk recipes with you mmm k? 

A North Pole Cop in a South Boston World - by Jason Stewart

Don't let the inexpensive ebook price catch you thinking that this is just some dumb ebook.  It's clever and really great.  More to come on this later.  I am so ding dang lucky that I know the author because it's really a great read.  More on that to come later when I have finished.  But it is in process and I want to read it at a clip and not the fits and starts that come from being in The Stand World as I call it right now. I am probably at somepoint going to share a recipe with him since mostly the times that we connect I am eating.  Keepin' it classy.  

For my anniversary the little Mr bought me a signed copy of Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson so I started to re-read the ebook that I have.  I love this woman.  Seriously. You know how I said above that I would invite a friendship with Isaac Mizrahi?  I would quake in my boots if I was ever even in the same room with this fine and special being on the planet. To say she is funny and special is beyond.  I watched her book reading here that is a preview for her new book that is coming in April (if I remember correctly... I do have a request for the galley... and yes I would review it, yes I would buy a hard copy and yes I will talk about it anyways... but wouldn't you like to have a review?  Hint hint...oh I will talk about this so much).  At the beginning or maybe middle of the pandemic I am not sure when since time is completely meaningless right now, she gave a walkthrough of her bookshelves behind her desk.  It was incredible.  I can't colorize my bookshelves... it truly goes against everything that I know (I wanted to be a librarian at one time) but I loved her talking about her books... like her they are friends in a way.  She had a story for each one she picked.  It was magic.  

OH I almost completely forgot. 

If you are looking for something to do while we wait patiently for the pandemic to be over... Jenny Lawson also has a coloring book out.  It is great I just look at it and color it in with my imagination because the copy I have is hard for me to actually color in.  I don't know why I can't just do it.  It's like that with Chuck Palahniuk's coloring books I suppose, I have them and I just can't bring myself to marr them up.  I may have to get another one to actually color in.  I do have some more time on my hands now than I did before.  Updates for that in a bit... sorry to vaguebook on that but I don't like to put too much of myself out there anymore.  

OH and I am linking to the books to a small amazing bookshop in Texas where you should consider buying your books from.  They ship anywhere and would be happy to take your order.  

xoxo and happy reading friends... Zoe

Reading list...and chopped m'fn cheese for dinner tonite.

What wasn't boring that I read last week was -

 

by Luke Geddes...

In reading the gentleman author's bio I am not at all surprised that he started a record label... the descriptions of the records and record collections were so beyond deep and thoughtful, it makes total sense. I loved the book actually and knew that I probably would when I was at B&N looking for magazines to cut up in April and saw the cover... I just knew. To be fair I didn't buy a copy at the time, I looked at the library app, to see if it was available and it was so I knew when I had a chance I would get it that. I actually borrowed it from the library and now I know that I need to remedy that ... Hey Luke ... wanna sell me a signed copy? And he made these hilarious pins as a promo tie in for the book... mama wants. Because I love junk. Lets just say I have a heart for it. Oy. And anyone that mentions Psychic TV in their book.. you know he appreciates the number 23 and knows whats up.  Thanks sir... that was a nice little nugget. 

It was really fun. Just a really super fun book. Its really honestly what I needed as my gateway drug to reading for pleasure. It had been maybe 2 years since I had. And this is NOT a review... NOT a review a TOTAL observation.

Soooooo.... I am someone that has gone to an Antique Mall in my day (remember the days of needing all the Pink Pyrexware I could find?). So it was fun as hell to read a fictionalized story about some of the people that may (or may not) own the booths. It was just really fun. At first I thought it was going to be a little bit of a mystery novel, that it isn't... it was a fun inside look into characters. And characters that they are. So there is a review. But more it's about remembering what I liked about it outside of the fact it was a SUPER quick, easy read and kinda fun. Not at all surprised either that it's been optioned. This book is a year old I think so not surprised.

Oh and it's ironic as hell that the author is a collage artist too since that is what I was at B&N to get magazines for when I found the book.

OK... also got the new Chuck Palahniuk book last week and I have not started it. I need to because I am not part of a weekly Support Group for rescheduled book readings of some Chuck peeps.... they are delightful and I don't want to be a dick and not be able to provide thoughts. I can't wait to read it because I do love his twists and turns and characters. So hopefully that will happen this week. Plan to start it tomorrow after work.  I just can't tonite because I am fried.  It's been the most monday of mondays.

Also I have this not quite book club had given me the BEST to read list ever and was encouraged to read Lovecraft Country ... I found a copy while I was on the support group and wouldn't you know it's great.  

My new friend R held it up in our chat and he said it will help because honestly I felt like I was just watching to have my mind blown by monsters and special effects... there is a very important story to be told and I damned well knew I was missing it. 

Found a copy that I could read online right away... and no it's legit... not some rando pdf that was published... it's legit.  Through the library.   And I am going to say that the book makes so much more sense than the tv show... holy fuck that tv show warps my mind... I am NOT a science fiction person and it's so crazy what they do on that show... but the book... much much more to my liking... AND it totally helps me know what I have seen in the last couple of weeks.  I am not at all caught up book to show (maybe I am at episode two of the show as to where I am in the book) but it makes it much easier to grasp what the fuck is going on.  So I love Matt Ruff... Fool on the Hill was one of my favorite top 10 books for a while and I am glad I am able to understand what the story holds. Racism is bad y'all.  You know that. You wouldn't be here if you thought it was ok.  in fact... fuck racism... all round... 

Also in honor of what I am making for dinner tonite (not as good as the hot bodega grill version because sadly we are unable to be in NYC like I had hoped to be right now) I bring you a delightfully colorful language filled video and story about the Chopped Cheese... Also I could not find a good hero roll ... come on hometown get your shit together... the steak torenado rolls will have to do.  It will help with portion control which is not a thing really that I believe in.  But it will have to do.  

This is a picture of what I am talking about... not what I made credit where credit is due:

photo by Soup Loving Nicole on All recipes (here is her recipe... ours not spicy)

I love being able to post whatever I want.. I was a slave to worring about publishers visiting... nope... I can afford my own books.  I appreciate very much the opportunities that I had to write about books that I liked but whoa was there some serious pressure.... no longer.  Best decision I have made in a while.  

I have kinda had it... too much pressure....

There is too much pressure.  

I decided at the start of 2020 that I was going to try to read and review a book every 10 days or so.  

Nope. Not going to do it, not going to make it and not putting that kind of pressure on myself for that. I am also at this time not going to do any ARCs.  I totally love and appreciate all the opportunities that I have been given by the publishers in the past that graciously let me review. Really truly. It was such a gift.  But so much pressure to live under (yes it's totally self made) and I can't live right now under that hammer for a while (even though it's of my own making).

I have to read for my pleasure.  Not that the other wasn't but there was the pressure to review and post all over the place.  I lost track of why I love to read a little bit. 



I can not wait to just read ... to read... 



PS please make sure you vote.  please. 

Book Review: Shelter in Place by David Leavitt - not bad... not great... not a mistake to have read.

Shelter in Place by David Leavitt
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC, I wouldn't have known anything about this novel if I hadn't been looking through the lists of a new book to read and a new author to be exposed to.

Let me say this... The opening paragraph made me snort outloud. 

The rest of the book not as much. Now that may seem cruel, it isn't. There are other reviews out there that will give you the synopsis and deeper dives into the content of the book... I am not here to rehash any of that information.

The book opens on the Saturday after the President is elected in 2016. Let it be said the main character of the book isn't too pleased and that is the basic premise of where the book takes us, I guess.

I appreciated that the characters were wealthy literary folk. It made the conversations and situations plausible  and entertaining. I was transported to a part of New York Literati that I will never be able to experience.  I felt very much like I was eavesdropping at a fancy restaurant on people I would never actually know.  

Rich people. 

Rich entitled people who can afford to by houses / apartments in another country and have their decorator fly to design the space. It was so out of my very own league that it made the concept of the book entertaining but maddening. I suppose reading it when the nightly podcasts and news tell me how many people are unemployed, reading about a character who buys an apartment in Venice because she nary wants to live in this country anymore under the current (as of November 2016) presidency rings a lot hollow to me. I wanted to like these characters... but I just couldn't. I couldn't get there. Plus all the characters were using one another in a way that just was so hollow. I don't think truly any of them like one another very much.

The writing and the dialogue is expansive, lovely and honestly what kept me engaged. But it was a hard one to finish for me.  I just sorta stopped caring about the main characters and some of the secondary characters. Also some characters completely disappear. There is one ... who could have become a much bigger character I think... just sort of stopped being in the story. It was weird. So when the book ended and just kinda tidied everything up in a nice little bow I was satisfied.  

I liked the book. It was good. Not great. It needed a little more zing and zang that I think a good decorator would give to a Venice apartment with bland beige walls and an overgrown garden could.


***spoiler and I promise my only one ***

There is one monologue in the story near the end that is touching as hell (in a way) but I wanted to punch the character because he was explaining why he didn't want to return to Venice. This is why the character is punch-able to me... His actions and the author choosing to have this character reveal that he had a lover who dies of AIDS but the character refused after that to ever get a test himself was completely offensive to me. I don't know what the point of that is. And it's never really explained and there is no repercussions for the character.

Which is kinda the way the book goes. Great promise... a couple of great potential storylines that just kinda didn't really go anywhere like I hoped.


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Flatiron by Michael Heslin- simple sentences for a complex story

What a lovely remembrance of what NY was and still is in a way.  The story passes over a couple of decades and the complex relationships the narrator has with the women and some men in his life.  We never learn the name of the protagonist but get to know him through his first person tales of the City, his friends and perhaps his loves. 

He meets one of the main characters in 1964 where this story begins and ends in 1989.  It follows their friendship, her successes as a photographer, his trials of surviving as a short order cook and cabbie, his friendships (and possible love) with another woman and other friends in his life.  Our protagonist tells us his tale is short, simple and less than complex ways but it is so very deep this story. 

Its a fascinating history lesson of the city as well. We see the city change, the people in it at their lowest sometimes and I as the reader, really got into it.  It's a side of NY in the 70s and 80s we have heard talk of many times but this is from a slight outsider view.  There was a lot of empathy for the narrator for me.  His life was not easy, his friendships and relationships were not easy... but he was really so very kind to everyone that he engaged with.  As a cabbie he waited in a hospital lobby to find out about the birth of a child that started in his cab after being paged for the far, just to have the fare never page him again.  It was sad.  People used him.  That was hard.  He is a very kind character in a very hard environment.  You have to have some empathy for him.  I did.

I enjoyed this story and I appreciate that in the end I was hopeful that he was able to find some payback for how people used him. 

It's not a heavy read.  It's not a difficult read.  But it is a solid read.  It did take me a few stops and starts to understand that this is completely first person, told in the way the author anticipated this character to speak.  Short and simple sentences like I said for a character that really truly is far more complex than presented.  I really appreciated this storytelling style so very much. 

Enjoyable.  That is my short and simple but complex take. 
Available from what it looks like as a Kindle published book on July 21st 2020 at $4.99.  I was provided the book to read and all opinions are mine. 

Antkind by Charlie Kaufman

Antkind by Charlie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Phew this was a tough one to read and honestly I am going to confess I haven't finished it... but I have a promise to keep to talk about it... it's publishing soon (I am posting this about two weeks prior).

It took me two months to get past the first two chapters. Seriously. Two weeks to read about a bug getting squashed (or was it a drone) on a windshield. Then after that things really kicked into gear. And the gears directed me into a rabbit hole. A complex, swirling rabbit hole of the main character. It's really really good y'all.  Don't let the length, the complexity or that it's weird scare you off... it's really good.  I am relishing in it. 

Charlie Kaufman really loves his words. In this 720 page tome not a single complex word is wasted. Seriously. To me not a one. Wowza. That is valuable. I have loved it. The challenge of getting past those first two chapters, the challenge of learning a new pronoun, the challenge of seeing the film that is the center of this book.

Yes this is how twisty and complex this is. Charlie Kaufman's gauntlet has been thrown down and it's a joy to accept the challenge. I don't think Charlie Kaufman looks at the reader as the enemy that the knight might, but definitely is challenging the reader.

I have seen it said that this is an absurdist fantasy. But it is the connection to Charlie Kaufman and his mind that makes this less fantasy but absurdist for sure. Keep in mind the calculated deeper message Charlie Kaufman always has. This is a book about a deep love of the genre of "film" and how we get to that point is part of the journey... the fantastical, wordy, charming and imaginative journey.

Not an easy read, but one that I am very seriously enjoying as I am moving along.


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Wear your mask... for f sake already.

This is has been such an emotionally difficult couple of weeks for me.  On the pandemic front I work for a medical company and I struggle along with my compatriots on the front lines, I watch the numbers, I literally obsess about the numbers.  I watch them go up, then down than up again, for those infected and passing away.  It's a huge drain.  About three weeks ago I stopped watching the numbers.  Honestly I thought it would make me feel better. It didn't.  I just didn't watch the numbers but I knew that they were changing.  I won't work in the office yet, I am in a risk category.  A minor one but I do smoke and it's a two-fer of risk factors.  My head isn't in the sand by any means.  But even not watching the numbers has been emotionally hard on me.

Then my soul has been broken by the Black Lives Matter movement happening in our country. Honestly I can't imagine or even dream what my fellow humans are even remotely going through or have been.  Keep this in mind. They are risking EVERYTHING right now to go out and protest so that black people are treated fair, respected and not treated as anything but HUMAN by the mere authority that they are trying to fix the relationship with. That is the sign of an abuse.  It's got to stop.  It. Has. Got. To. Stop.  Our fellow humans can't escape the abusive partner in this relationship because the partner is the one source that is supposed to help. 

Can you imagine?  Everything. Those folks on the front line too are risking everything.  Beyond their health.  There are some companies that will fire those marching because they are talking their truth.  Yes, too their health.  It is amazing.  And brave and sadly beyond any measure but so very necessary. 

Please please please understand that of our fellow humans are out there making necessary change in this world. Love on them. Treat them with love.  Help us all in humanity be better. 

And when they say Defund the Police, it speaks to defunding the militarization of the police and funding the social changes that need to be addressed. Our police officers should NOT be social workers, EMTs, school counselors, psychiatric triage nurses, dog catchers, neighbor dispute resolvers.  They should be PEACE officers.  They should not be the folks that walk in alone to situations that they haven't been trained for.  Community Resource officers should go with them.  They should work together and be part of the solution not the problem and this is what defund the police means (at least that is what I gotten out of what I have read... if it means something else, I would love to know).  And I whole heartily agree with this.  I have a friend (or actually friends) who are cops and their job sucks.  I went on a ride along maybe 15 years ago... went on a welfare check to a house and it was horrible what my friend had to deal with.  If there was another compassionate healthcare worker along side my friend, the situation would have been very different from the outset.  The person in crisis probably wouldn't have been in crisis honestly.  So yes, defund the police... fund partners in health man.  Mental and Physical.  Lets work together to make a better future.  It can happen.  All I know is I am just broken.   I am not sure how this really relates to much of anything that I can do except write about it.  Document what I know. 

But I am sorely broken and trying to fix my heart right now.

Go Do Some Good..... Love Wins.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin    Wilson


I loved The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson (the movie not as much… but you know that happens sometimes). After waiting patiently to get the ebook from my local library I was notified last week my hold was available. Whew was it worth it.

I dropped everything I was already reading. It’s been a treat to read. Just easy, compelling and otherwise (and I am sorry to use this again….) a joy. I really got into these characters.
The main character Lillian really comes into her stride when she moves in to take care of her charges, that literally are charged with the ability to combust. I think it’s an analogy about anger and frustration with situations that are out of ones control perhaps. I don’t care, it’s a plot point that is really in my opinion … an aside. Really truly… it isn’t as much a major function of the book… that isn’t a spoiler but my opinion.

Responsibility to and love within friendships makes this book tick.

I can totally see why this novel has become a book club favorite. It’s about love, friendship and ultimately the fire of parenthood, which is completely and utterly engaging.

If I still had my book club active (sadly once I gave up on facebook, our book club quickly fell apart) this absolutely would have been a read. It would have been interesting because we had some parents some not parents in the group. I would have loved to hear the parents take on the fire aspect of the children’s lives. Does this mirror what a meltdown really looks and feels like without the combustion and subsequent damage? Since I couldn’t ask them, I have to assume, yes this is a metaphor for general childhood and learning to love. The light of this novel is watching Lillian work through the fires and learns instinctively how to quell them.

Other reviews state that the children of the novel are damaged. I didn’t see them this way. I saw the three main characters (Lillian, Bessie and Roland) as the most honest characters of the book. They aren’t damaged at all. Sorry to those that think they are. Misfits? Nope… not that either. The conversations between the three are full of nuture and need that similar to that Nick Lowe song “Love Starvation” they are looking for something and are pretty honest about it.
The finale’ of the book is pretty straightforward and honestly I wouldn’t have wanted to have the book end any other way. It does wrap up in a nice pretty little package with a pink warm bow. I can’t imagine this charming of a story ending any other way.

A rather enjoyable read, warm and touching. If I ever get that book club going again… I would love to reread and discuss. Maybe win this movie gets made I will be able to get a group together again.


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This is what instagram should really be used for:

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Here Goes Nothing by Eamon McGrath

This book interweaves tales of musicians on the road and a band later (oh and some surfing).  Two different time lines intertwine and bring forth a magical tale.

REALLY enjoyed this book.  I know musicians who have had the van life, I have always secretly wanted to go out on the road with some band. But one: I have no musical talent and two: ew stinky boys in a van... so it's never actually never worked out for me.

This was a peak behind the curtain further in a tour beyond going to a green room and drinking band's PBRs out of the band beer bucket (just one... since the merch gal really needs to respect the bands beers).

There is a bit of the story that takes you inside a perfect wave that is magnificent to read.  I never was that great of a surfer to be in a curl.  It's obvious the author has and put me in that wave. It was incredible.

The story moves back and forth between a couple of narratives that sometimes is a little confusing but then again, time stops and starts when you are on tour. So that fits this design of how the book is written.

I really don't want to give anything away about the intertwine but it was worth it.

Its complex for sure.

A quick easy and enjoyable read.  It was a great follow up to the previous book that was less than enjoyable.

I was able to read a chapter or so each night before bed and honestly... it was a really nice escape before going to bed.

A great quick and light read for sure....

Also note that it's more poignant to read about Paraguay, Spain, United States, Canada and Van Life in general with a band(s) on the road with these characters. They are obviously living their lives in a world that right now at least is so vastly different than ours the readers currently.  It was a great escape into a world and situations that have been and may from here on out be very different, and it was a joy. They are out in the world, traversing it without masks, social distancing and all the issues that currently befall us as readers during this time.  It was a great escape. 

I am not compensated for the review nor the link... just know I enjoyed it so very much, it was a great ride along with a group of people that I otherwise would never be able to hang out with.  Thanks go out to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the galley and preview copy.  It was a fun one.

Remain in Love by Chris Frantz


So when the word came down that there was another Rock and Roll Memoir coming out and Chris Frantz the drummer for both the Talking Heads and the Tom Tom Club was the author, I was really anticipatory. There was some hype I suppose so when I was granted access to the galley I was actually really very excited. I am not a huge Talking Heads fan, but really do like the band. I also have liked the Tom Tom Club and honestly, candidly, when I was standing outside before we went into the show and saw Tina Weymouth I got a lot giddy when I saw her come off the bus to go into the venue. They are so iconic and was really walking into reading this book with the same enthusiasm.

So when the word came down that there was another "Rock and Roll Memoir" coming out and Chris Frantz the drummer for both bands wrote his, I was really anticipated something great. I was disappointed.

So. Here is where I get very uncomfortable but am going to be VERY deliberate in how I state this. I did not like what I read. . I got about 30 % into the book and decided... It was not for me.

I felt like I was reading a post card from a kid from camp. The writing and story telling was so stilted and it's boring. So boring. The shortest and most stilted sentences made for a difficult and boring read. Honestly I just decided I needed to move on. I was just saying aloud that there is something off about what I was reading... honestly it feels like a first draft that came off Chris Frantz's word processor and hadn't gone before a line editor yet. . What I read needs a lot of work to make it a more compelling read ... to me.

The hope when I started the book was that the bands he was or is in are know for being so creative, genre busting and dynamic that the book would be too. I didn't find it so.

Thanks to St Martin's Press for the galley. But this was not for me. I write this with great sadness as I was really excited and interested in the memoir.


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Ripped from the Headlines - The Shocking True Stories Behind the Movies' Most Memorable Crimes by Harold Schechter

True Stories make literature so very interesting don’t you think?  

I read  Ripped from the Headlines! and was pulled in.  Some of the stories were who dun it's, some were crimes against others... and some were just court dramas but all were interesting stories. 

The theme of the book it to present a film, discuss the plot points and how the movie stays true to or veers from the real tale.  Mr. Schechter is a crime novelist so it was interesting to read his synopisis of the tales from that perspective and not a filmmaker perspective as well.  

I think this book would make an amazing film theory course book.  It so very much reminded me of film school.  And it was a nice journey back to when I was in film school.  I know that sounds dismissive, it isn’t I loved film school by the way. 

The one thing that I think was sorely missing is more current films sprinkled in.  Most of the films were from the more recent past the most recent movie revealed was 2015.  But I will say perhaps that is when his research was taking place.   

The author indicates that the brevity of the discussion is meant to inspire future viewing of the films and indicates that all the movies are available to see via the various streaming platforms that we have available to us, which is really terrific.

Some of the movies I had never heard of and plan to look into with the book as a refence tool for the story behind the story.

It was a quick read and an interesting one if you are a film, history or film history buff. I really enjoyed it and look forward to having this book available as a reference tool to spark discussions about them when we watch them... which we will!

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Little A for providing me a review copy... this was a great book that I will use and reread I am sure.

What have I read during the Pandemic of 2020...

I have been able to read alot of books during the quarantine and not all are listed and reviewed below.  I first want to thank Netgalley, the public library systems and friends who have given me books... oh and Amazon for shipping one of them to me so quickly.  

Another thing... we updated a room in our house to be what we originally intended it to be... a library.  It was an office/music studio/painting studio up until last Thursday when we moved a desk to our basement and thus moved the office and music studio to a much better place in the house.  I got my oh so desired library and reading safe space.

I can focus and read in a space that is purely dedicated to it.  It's a magic thing.

So behind the cut are the books that I have read in March and April 2020. 

OH all books are linked to Amazon... there is no affiliate link, I do not get any commission, it's just an easy resource for folks to get a book.  Just to be clear.  I do suggest if you can, go to your local independent bookstore...give them your money.  If you don't want the physical copy see if your library has the Kindle (or reader of your choice available then give them a couple bucks or become a member at a sponsor level) and support your community... that is what I do.  

Becoming by Michelle Obama.

I have one short paragraph about my thoughts about this book.

OMG this book slays.  I was so inspired by her story, the tone in which this book was written and how much it really resonated with me.  It just slays.   I wish I had read it when it came out, I really honestly think things in my life and how I look at them (the challenges mostly) would have been different. SLAYS. I am going to buy a hard copy... read it and annotate it. There are big lessons to be learned here.

Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever

A book about Mr. Rodgers and how we can all learn his lessons, follow the path and bring some of the Neighborhood to our lives each and every day.

With the resurgence of love and admiration for Fred Rodgers, I wasn’t surprised to see another book hit the bookshelves about him.  At first I thought this is another biography about Fred Rodgers, certainly but it was the second half, more on that later, that really made me sit back and relish the book.

In one way or another anyone that finds interest in Mr. Rodgers has been touched by him in some way so it’s hard to not go into reading this wondering when the author is going to insert himself into the story.  But that doesn’t happen. He tells many stories of other people, some we are familiar with and some new friends.  And I was relieved.  I appreciated it so much. It let me learn and grow from the stories.

The first part of the book really is a timeline of the production and development of the television show, along with the development and temperament of Fred Rodger’s life.  Some of the more personal items are lightly discussed but it really is about the development of the television show for this first part of the book.  Which as a former tv producer, I found incredibly fascinating but may be a little boring for those who may not be interested in the minuetia of television production.  I am not saying it’s boring, it certainly isn’t but there are some more interesting things to be investigated and read. 

As I was writing this I thought… wow… this book kinda has the same gentle character and desire to teach as the tv show did.  There is that same pacing actually. Nothing is really dumbed down to the reader, just like nothing was dumbed down to the children that Fred Rodgers and his partners/team presented to or taught anything to.  The pace of the book was really gentle and well presented.

Part two of the book is really where the book shines.  I wasn’t anticipating this part of the book to be honest, since I picked the book solely on the subject matter not how the book was designed.

The second part of the book really is a how to manual with examples of “Ten Ways to Live More Like Mr. Rogers Right Now”.  Which upon coming up on that title page made my brain open right up and I literally said “yes, this is what I need right now… thank you Gavid Edwards”.   I had no clue just how touching all the stories and examples would be. Some stories I knew and had read before or seen before but many were new.  Again, this is where the book really shines and shows the reader the deep humanity of Fred Rodgers and how we as readers can learn from his example.

If you are looking for a little more insight into Fred Rodgers and Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood that you may not have already had… this is a great book to get you there.

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves

I decided at the beginning of April, with being at home full time and working that I needed to revisit this book.  I took part in a "work book club" about two years ago and went all in on the lessons. But I think with time and life I let some of the things that I adopted fade.

I wanted to make sure that in my new existence in the workforce and how I support those that I work for and with that I supported with empathy and understanding. I needed to revisit the book.   The four concepts really resonate with me strongly and I am glad that I reread it.  It's a good book to revisit and get that booster shot of social awareness training. 

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I got the book from a friend at work a while back and had the time to sit and read it recently.

I read this other review that said it was a "masterpiece".  I won't go that far. It was good.  I had pictures in my head of what they looked like and sounded like.  I didn't go to the obvious place (it is referenced at the end of the book, and I won't reference it here so that your ideas of these characters isn't tainted) though.  

The format of the book is presented as transcripts from interviews (ala Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain).  I can't imagine that the author didn't read that book and take her format inspiration from that format.  It works for sure, and progresses the storyline really well.

It also made for a very entertaining and easy read.  

The song lyrics at the end of the book was a nice surprise (amoungst others in the story) and I have to give credit where that is due because I really wanted to hear the songs (but can't at least until the movie comes out) because the band and characters are not real.

These were great characters to spend some of my quarantine with... that is for sure. 

And in fact that is what I said in the thank you note to the person that loaned the book to me.

I have three books that I am currently reading :

Banging the Monkey - by Tod A

The Village: 400 Years of Beats and Bohemians, Radicals and Rogues, a History of Greenwich Village by John Strausbaugh

Diane Arbus: A biography by Patricia Bosworth

Other things that I have been doing to keep myself creative in this time:

I have been making birthday cards to donate to the Project Angel Heart birthday team. I am hoping to make 500 by the time that this is all over.  I have about 4/5 more to go... but I am going to do it.  I love making cards and am finding that it's really actually super fun to go through what I have handy to make things with.  Since I can't order anything new (although I did preorder some stamps from Ink Road Stamps recently) I have used what I have around here. It's really nice actually to use what I have. Plus it makes me look forward to when all of this is over that I will be able to go crazy and order lots of new stuff because I actually will need it and not just want it. Probably once I get all 500 made I will post some of them up here.  Tomorrow (Saturday) I really hope to make many many cards made.  I have prepped my space, what I am going to listen to and culled 6 card designs that I want to do multiples of. 

I have been trying to cook something new and different every day.  I don't think once in the last five weeks that we have been home that I have repeated.  Even if it's salad there is a new riff on it with contents of said salad.  All I know honestly... I am super burned out on cooking dinner. So last weekend I made rainbow cookies and on Wednesday I baked a Spring Fling Cake. Both turned out terrific. Who knew that I would be baking and get such pleasure out of it.  I am not getting on the sourdough bandwagon yet though.  I am waiting for my friend to bring me some starter this weekend.  I am not sure if I will bake a bunch of bread or not because simply put I just cant eat bread like I used to... f' you carbs and blood sugar. So I am worried about having it in the house alot.  I may have to bake for my neighbors that can though.  We will see.

I have also started to weed our small gardens in the back and the front.  They are mostly flower beds but I do have some mint that I planted last year that I am hoping to start seeing come in again soon.

I am going to hand dye with botanicals next.  I have some thank you presents that I need to make and thought that it would be nice to make something useful... so I am going to try dying cotton napkins and towels with avocado.  It will be about three weeks before I try that but it's on deck, I have all the details for what I need, and just have to order the napkins/towels.  

I am trying to maintain some sanity. It's really hard and I am trying to not feel warn down either.  But it's a lot right now for sure.

Trying to keep my spirits up, read alot and make something creative every day....

Any tips and tricks or book ideas... please feel free to share... this is open season for hive help!