At Home with Modern June: 27 Sewing Projects for Your Handmade Lifestyle, by Kelly McCants

If I can make these, then literally anyone can

I don't consider myself much of a seamstress (I was going to say 'sewer' but then I realized that 'sew-er' as in 'one who sews' is indistinguishable from 'sewer' as in 'where poop goes'...which is probably why people say 'seamstress') but I can mend torn clothes, sew a hem, and make simple things like doll clothes or pillow covers. But even I found the projects in this book easy. As in, really easy. So easy, in fact, that I probably didn't need a book to tell me how to do them (like make a place mat or a simple pair of curtains).

At the same time, if you are someone who loves the look (or idea) of handmade items for your home but have absolutely no idea where to begin, this book might be perfect. The photos are aspirational and--as promised--modern, even though they're referencing a nostalgic time gone by. For instance, the author refers to her grandmother as "the only person she ever knew who wore an apron" then shows you how to make an apron. It's the book for people who find Pinterest exciting but too complicated.

But because the projects are so simple, At Home With Modern June does make me want to try the few ideas in the book that are slightly more intimidating (to me at least) like the Roman blind or the bed skirt ruffle. Since the other things are so easy, how hard could these ones be? If I actually do get a Roman blind finished, I'll be sure to update you with my results!

Ultimately Kelly McCants captures perfectly the current trend of "modern nostalgia," mixing old-fashioned patterns and ideas with modern sensibility and accessible techniques. The projects are probably too simple for the serious sew-er (see? it's hard to write that word) but are a great starting point for someone who desperately wants to be able to point at something in their home and say proudly, "That? Oh yeah I made it."

Simple and adorable apron

BOOK DETAILS:
At Home With Modern June: 
27 Sewing Projects for Your Handmade Lifestyle
by Kelly McCants
Publisher: Stash Books
Publication Date: March 1, 2014
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 Source: NetGalley

Duck, Duck, Goose: Recipes and Techniques for Cooking Ducks and Geese, Both Wild and Domesticated, by Hank Shaw

Duck, Duck, Goose:
Recipes and Techniques for Cooking Ducks and Geese, both Wild and Domesticated
Author: Hank Shaw
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Source: NetGalley
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As the title promises, Duck, Duck, Goose is a cookbook with recipes for--you guessed it--duck and goose. It's a great idea, as I love duck and I've always wanted to try cooking goose. What's not indicated by the title is just how intense the author is about fowl. Hint: The answer is REALLY FREAKING INTENSE.

Here are some of the things Hank Shaw says in his introduction:

"Cooking a duck or a goose in today's world is an act of expression. It is a way to find that forgotten feast we Americans once enjoyed, to free ourselves from the Tyranny of the Chicken and shake our fists at the notion that fat is our enemy."

"Cooking a duck or goose--a whole bird, from bill to feet--is real cooking. True, honest cooking."

"Perfectly cooked duck breast has the meatiness of a steak with an additional cloak of fatty, crispy skin."

"Cooking a duck properly is not rocket science, though it does require some specialized knowledge."

"And i am certain that either your or someone you know has his or her Great Goose Disaster story."

"Taste it. Savor it. You will see. A perfect duck breast is a revelation, a life-changing event. There will be no turning back."

In other words, COOK DUCK RIGHT NOW. IT'S REALLY HARD AND YOU'LL BE TERRIBLE AT IT WITHOUT THIS BOOK. BUT YOU HAVE THIS BOOK SO DO IT NOW. NOW! DO IT NOW!

Ack! I've never been intimidated by cooking duck in my life but apparently I've been doing it wrong. Here I thought it was one of the easiest birds in the world to cook, harder to mess up than it is to make delicious. It's my go-to protein for fancy meals and I've never had a bad experience. Then again, I've also never encountered Hank Shaw's level of alarmist passion.

As for goose, I'm actually comforted by the fact that Shaw paints such a harrowing picture of goose-cooking disasters. It makes me think that, as with duck, the opposite may in fact be true. Maybe this year I'll try goose for Christmas. And hey! I've got a whole book of recipes to draw from!

Peachy: A Harvest of Fruity Goodness, by Lori Nawyn

Peachy:
A Harvest of Fruity Goodness
Author: Lori Nawyn
Publisher: Familius
Publication Date: August 21, 2013

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Source: review copy from author

Even though I assumed peaches were more of a summer fruit (for the most part, they are) I was happy to receive this book in October because my daughter Magda and I both had peaches on the brain. We had just finished reading James and the Giant Peach and Magda was eager to make peach EVERYTHING. Can we make peach pancakes? Can we make peach salad? How about peach omelettes? I don't know about the last one, but Lori Nawyn's book was just what the bookworm ordered for the rest of our peach plans.

This simple and straightforward paperback cookbook arranges over a hundred recipes into intuitive categories of savoury and sweet, including "Breakfast," "Main Dishes and Sides," and "Pies and Cakes." Some of them made me skeptical. "Peaches 'n' Beans"? I'm not so sure. But I can tell you already that the "Peach Bread Pudding" is FANTASTIC.

And at the end there's an informative section about all the different kinds of peaches. Before this I couldn't name more than zero types of peaches. There are different types? Apparently there are dozens. Who knew?

Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice, by Melanie Falick (photographs by Susan Pittard)

Handknit Holidays:
Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice
Author: Melanie Falick
Photographer: Susan Pittard
Publisher: STC Craft | Melanie Falick Books
Publication Date: October 30, 2012
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 Source: NetGalley

Unless you are a person of very diverse talents and interests, it's unlikely you'll make every single one of the projects in this book. Unless of course you happen to knit, crochet, embroider, do lace work, metal work, felting AND you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, winter solstice, the Feast of St. Lucia and various Russian folk traditions AND you make gifts for children, adults, newborns and dogs AND you're looking for a new holiday craft book. In which case, you're amazing. And I just found you the perfect book.


For everybody else, this book would be more of a starting point, a source of inspiration or new ideas, even if you only make a few of the projects in it. It really takes the "something for everyone" approach to heart, with a selection of clothing, decorations, household items, ornaments, gifts, toys and more to make. There's even a cookie recipe. For me, it's probably not a book I would buy (I received a digital copy for review purposes) because I just don't think I'd get enough use out of it. But I could see it making a great addition to your crafting library if you have a crafting circle, if you teach classes, etc. Otherwise, I would recommend checking it out from your local library first and seeing if the projects appeal to you. There are a lot to choose from and there may be enough that are intriguing that you want to own the book.

I'll just say one more thing about the projects though. Don't judge them based on the picture on the cover of the book. In my opinion the cover photo is the ugliest one in the whole book (sorry). It's dated and, I think, a little tacky. And most of the projects in the book are not at all like that. I'm not sure what made them choose this particular glove-hood combo thing for the cover but it makes the whole book look like it came right out of the early 1980's. So don't be fooled. A lot of the ideas in the book are actually very pretty and modern.

Which reminds me. If I'm going to make any knitted gifts for Christmas this year, I'd better get started! There's a tree skirt and a table runner in the book that I'm dying to try but I'm not sure if they're too hard for me (I'm truly a beginner). If I make them, I'll be sure to post my results!

 Or maybe I'll just start with some of those adorable tree ornaments...

The Best-Dressed Knitted Bears: Dozens of Patterns for Teddy Bears, Bear Costumes and Accessories, by Emma King

The Best-Dressed Knitted Bears: 
Dozens of Patterns for Teddy Bears, Bear Costumes and Accessories
by Emma King

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Publisher: Anova Books (Collins and Brown)
Publication Date: July 5, 2012
Source: NetGalley

It's cute, and the idea is a good one: provide a few patterns for basic teddy bears and then provide patterns for clothing them. If you like those teddy bears, you'll love dressing them in dresses, pants, hats and various costumes. The only thing is, I didn't really like the teddy bear patterns. They're okay, but they're the kind that have the arms and legs attached separately so there's a seam at the connector points. I'm sure that makes them a little easier to make than if they were all one piece, and it probably makes it easier to put them in a sitting position, but I don't think it looks as nice, especially when the bear isn't dressed.

I guess I think these would make good "display" bears but not necessarily good "playing with" bears. Having said that, that's just my personal aesthetic preference. There's no reason you couldn't make these bears--which are mostly the same but in different sizes--for a child to play with. And if they loved it you could easily surprise them with new clothes for the bear without needing to measure again. Personally, I think I may skip making the teddy bears for now and just try making some of the outfits for my daughter's other stuffed animals. I think she'd be thrilled!

Lovely Knits for Little Girls: 20 Just-Right Patterns, Just for Little Girls, by Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard

Lovely Knits for Little Girls:
20 Just-Right Patterns, Just for Little Girls
Author: Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard
Publisher: Taunton Press
Publication Date: February 21, 2012
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Source: NetGalley 

In many ways, this book delivers exactly what it promises. The patterns in this book are indeed lovely and they are definitely meant for little girls. They're not just frilly dresses covered in flowers and bows, but they are feminine and pretty things like billowy sweaters, knit shrugs, sweater dresses and wrap scarves. Most of them are presented in neutral but stylish colours like creamy ivory, soft grey and light blush pink, with details like fabric bows and puff sleeves.

Sofia Elf Cardigan with Fabric, page 10

However...

I wouldn't say these are the most practical garments. I agree with Deirdre at Wyvernfriend Knits who said that "this is a book more for events than for everyday." There are a lot of short-sleeved sweaters with VERY puffy sleeves and small shrugs or mini-vests in thick yarn. In both cases I think that if it's cold enough for those garments, it's probably cold enough for a coat but I'm not sure how you'd wear one over them. In most cases they look like they're purely for fashion and not for actual cover ups. 

And the oh-so-high-fashion photos confirm that. The photos are beautiful and full-colour, with multiple photos per garment, but they're very "fashion-y." The girls are wearing satin bubble skirts with giant bows on the hips and elaborate fascinations on their heads. It's definitely not playground wear or even everyday school clothes, though some (but not all) of them probably could be worn  that way.

Apart from the lovely photos of the finished garments, there were no pictures or schematics of the pieces in progress, closeups of techniques, or closeups of seam stitches or anything like that. And the introduction is pretty sparse, without any "mastering the basics" introduction. So it's not really a book for beginners, at least not without some good reference books to help you along with the techniques. 

And I had trouble figuring out the sizing. I have other books that have directions for how to make the same garment in multiple sizes (how many extra stitches to cast on to make it one size bigger, etc.) but with this book I was a little skeptical. Many of the designs are only described in one size with little to no information about sizing it up or down, while others claim to be suitable for sizes 3-8 years but the measurements for each size are nearly identical (surely a girl grows a lot from the age of 3 to 8?). And it seemed most of the size adjustments were in the chest measurements but not the length, which is where my daughter grows the fastest. All in all, I found it a bit confusing and a little daunting.

Has anyone tried any of the patterns in this book? If so, I'd love to hear from you and find out how it went. Leave a comment!

You Be Sweet: Sharing Your Heart One Down-Home Dessert At a Time, by Patsy Caldwell (recipes) and Amy Lyles Wilson (stories)

You Be Sweet: Sharing Your Heart One Down-Home Dessert At a Time
Recipes by Patsy Caldwell
Stories by Amy Lyles Wilson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
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"You be sweet," advised Amy Lyles Wilson's mother, a piece of universally applied wisdom that could indicate that her daughter should play nicely with others, introduce herself to new neighbours, or volunteer in her community. It wasn't just about behaviour but about attitude. Likewise, You Be Sweet: Sharing Your Heart One Down-Home Dessert at at Time isn't just about food. It's about how we use food to strengthen our communities. The Southern-inspired dessert recipes (which look like heaven on a plate!) are arranged not by type but by event. A section entitled "Sip and See the Baby" offers ideas for what to bring for an afternoon visit or a baby shower.

Little Old Lady Recipes: Comfort Food and Kitchen Table Wisdom, by Meg Favreau (photos by Michael E. Reali)

Little Old Lady Recipes: Comfort Food and Kitchen Table Wisdom
by Meg Favreau
Photos by Michael E. Reali
Publisher: Quirk Books
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Source: my local library
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Oooh! It's like a cozy little old lady mystery, distilled and reduced until all that's left are the recipes, the flowered wallpaper and, of course, the little old ladies. This adorable little hardcover is filled with photos of real-life grannies along with their favourite recipes and nuggets of practical advice, such as, "Don't wear dark lipstick. When it shows up on a man's collar people will know it's yours" and "Use old pantyhose to store onions." Whether you're craving a Golden Girls fix and your DVD player is broken, or you're looking for ideas for what to do with that can of cream of celery soup in your cupboard, you can't go wrong with Little Old Lady Recipes.

The Speedy Vegetable Garden by Mark Diacono and Lia Leendertz

The Speedy Vegetable Garden
Authors: Mark Diacono and Lia Leendertz
Publisher: Timber Press
Publication Date: January 15, 2013
Source: NetGalley
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Every year I say, "This year is the year I learn how to garden." I say this every year. Usually I think about it, I worry that I don't know anything about gardening, I realize I don't know what to plant when, then I assume I've missed my window of opportunity to plant anything at all. And repeat.

But I think The Speedy Vegetable Garden might just be the answer. Filled with crops that can be grown in a matter of weeks--or in many cases just days--it's perfect for the beginner gardener. Plus it has recipes to go with the crops so you can make things straight away with your sprouts and beans and edible flowers and cherry tomatoes.

The only thing I'm concerned about is that the authors are based in Portland, Oregon, and at least one of them used to live in England. Will I have the same results here in Nova Scotia? The temperature is colder here and I assume the growing seasons are shorter. Can I still grow all the things mentioned in the book? Even the edible flowers? I'm not sure.

I guess the only way is to try. Of course this book came out in January and I've just now gotten around to reading it now, even though it's almost fall. Okay, so next year FOR SURE.

Soup Night: Recipes for Creating Community Around a Pot of Soup, by Maggie Stuckey

Soup Night:
Recipes for Creating Community Around a Pot of Soup
Author: Maggie Stuckey
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Publication Date: October 2, 2013
Source: NetGalley
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This book is really more than a cookbook featuring soup. It's a book of stories of community block parties, neighbourhood kitchen parties, street-long potlucks, all centred around the idea of Soup Night. Soup Night is described in many forms in the book, but essentially it's a neighbourhood tradition of everybody on a street gathering at one person's house (once a week, once a month, during the winter or all year round) to enjoy homemade soup. Everyone brings their own bowl and spoon and neighbours take turn hosting each time. Maggie Stuckey describes Soup Night traditions throughout the United States, but mostly focuses on one particular area of Portland, Oregon.

When I first started reading this book I thought, "Well I'd never invite my neighbours over to my house for soup. That's crazy talk." But the book sucked me in. As she described the warmth and smells and feeling of sharing soup and building traditions--building community--around food, I found myself thinking, "Well I feel like I almost have to do it!"

I'm not sure if I really will go out and invite everyone on my street over to my house, but I'll tell you one thing: I have a pot of soup on the stove right now. I was inspired not just by the recipes or even the stories, but by the tone of the book. Maggie Stuckey knows what it is to love making soup, and she reminded me how much I love it too.

I especially liked her intuitive instructions. Recipes like "Cream of Something Green" soup, or invitations to substitute at will between ingredients, choosing the best of what we have and what we like. Because she knows that is how everyone makes soup. We put a little of this and a little of that until it feels done. To help decide when to substitute and when to follow directions, she provides a list of "soup making basics"--ingredients you may want to have on hand to make a variety of soups on short notice--as well as excellent tips for making your own stock and roue. In fact when I read her roue instructions I realized I had probably been making it wrong all along because when I did it the way she suggested I made the best roue I've ever made. So thanks, Maggie!

I can't talk about community dinners in Portland without thinking about this sketch from Portlandia in which dumpster divers Daniel and Meg throw a dinner party. Hopefully real life Soup Nights are more successful!

Knit Christmas Stockings: 19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments (2nd Edition), by Gwen W. Steege (ed.)

Knit Christmas Stockings:

19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments

(2nd Edition) 

Editor: Gwen W. Steege

Publisher: Storey Publishing

Publication Date: August 21, 2013

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If you really love the look of knitted Christmas stockings, this is a good book for you. The patterns seem simple enough and there are lots of variations on the same basic pattern. But...well...that's about it. Most of the stockings in the book look pretty much the same to me. There aren't a lot of "outside the box" ideas for stockings (like there are in Knit Your Socks on Straight, for instance, which had tassels and buttons and everything), and the "and Ornaments" part of the title is a little misleading. There are hardly any ornament patterns in the book, which I found very disappointing as that was the part I was most looking forward to. I'm not sure how this compares to the first edition, but I found myself underwhelmed.

Crafty Creatures: Follow the steps to sew and knit the cutest critters, by Jane Bull

Crafty Creatures:
Follow the steps to sew and knit the cutest critters

Author: Jane Bull

Publisher: DK Adult

Publication Date: August 19, 2013

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I liked this book but I really thought I'd like it more. The projects in it are all easy and cute, but most of them look more like decorative items than actual toys, so I'm not sure what I'd use them for. They're simply too cute (the word I'm looking for is "twee") for my taste, at least if they're just going to be sitting on a shelf or adorning a gift or something. I guess they could work as toys, but a lot of them are very small and two-dimensional (well, not REALLY two-dimensional, but nearly flat and only meant to be looked at from one side...you know what I mean) so I don't know if my daughter would play with them much. 

At the end of the day, the projects all look like exactly what the title promised they would be..."crafty." They look like overly cute arts and crafts projects. If you love them, you'll love the book. If you don't, you probably won't. I've included some illustrations from the book to help you decide for yourself.
 

  

Get Started: Knitting (Learn Something New), by Susie Johns

Get Started: Knitting

Author: Susie Johns 

Publisher: DK Adult 

Publication Date: December 17, 2012 

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Hooray! Finally! This is the beginner knitting book I've been looking for! As some of you may know if you follow my reviews, I started knitting a few months ago, almost by accident (okay, from spite, but that's another story) and I've been looking for books that would help get me from "someone who can make a knit stitch and a purl stitch" to "someone who actually knits things." There seems to be a step missing in there that a lot of books and instructional videos (and ladies at the library who knit socks and sweaters) seem to leave out. They all seem to say, "If you can knit and purl you can make anything! That's all you need!" Um no. That's ridiculous. There's a LOT more to it, like understanding patterns, figuring out the eighteen million versions of adding and decreasing stitches or casting on or off, changing colours and making patterns, not to mention buttonholes and...really the list goes on and on. 

Luckily this book has me covered. It's a step-by-step guide to about a million different aspects of knitting that a lot of other books just take for granted that I either already know how to do, or will at least pick up with minimal instruction. This book doesn't make any assumptions. It's just a broad, easy-to-follow overview of everything. The photos are easy to follow, plus each step also uses illustrations, written instructions and photo examples of finished products. And if that isn't enough, they also explain each technique using the various "knit-speak" names for that technique, so it'll be easy for me to look up specific things on the internet (or at the library knitting circle, which still intimidates me) if I want to see videos of the process.

     

There are some projects included in the book, mostly for the purposes of encouraging beginner and intermediate knitters to test out new skills with increasingly difficult patterns and ideas.

In short, I love this book. Although I do wish I had the print copy instead of just the digital copy. I might have to go buy it (or borrow it from the library).

Beating the Lunch Box Blues: Fresh Ideas for Lunches on the Go! by J. M. Hirsch (Introduction and Notes by Rachel Ray)

Beating the Lunch Box Blues: 

Fresh Ideas for Lunches on the Go!

Author: J. M. Hirsch

(Introduction and Notes by Rachel Ray)

Publisher: Atria

Publication Date: September 3, 2013 

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J.M. Hirsch is the foodie for the rest of us. In an age in which the Food Network convinces us all we could be chefs if only we knew how to make things into foam, and Pinterest brags about all the things we should be making in mason jars (Hint: It's everything. Pinterest thinks we should be making everything in mason jars.), it's enough to make the average mom throw in the towel and buy some lunchables and call it a day. But J.M. Hirsch assures us there's a better way and it doesn't have to be hard.

In our household, lunch is that oft-neglected "freebie" meal that doesn't get much thought. Our three-year-old has peanut butter sandwiches and raw veggies more often than not, her dad grabs some pizza pockets to take to work, and I usually heat up some canned soup for myself. No one photographs anything and nothing is presented in mason jars (sorry, Pinterest). The Hirsch household is different. J.M. Hirsch is a bona fide foodie and his son Parker gets sent to school with lunches that are not only photographed and blogged, but are genuinely interesting (not so for every plate that gets photographed these days). 

While I'm not sure I could get most adults to be as food-venturous as Hirsch's son is (he once sent him to school with kangaroo steak and elk sausage, for goodness sake), I was inspired by the ideas in the book. I particularly liked the simple ideas, like making a "mini" lunch with baby cucumbers, baby bell peppers, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, sliced baguette bread and small cheese. It's great for portion control for adults, as the author points out, and kids love the novelty of it. But it's still all healthy stuff. So simple and easy, but so clever. Another so-simple-it's-obvious-but-still-clever tip is to separate components bento-box-style so kids (or adults) can assemble it themselves. It saves breads from getting soggy and meatballs from getting cold (for meatball subs, for instance) and it also gives kids a sense of DIY, which they love.

One of my favourite features of the book is the "One Dinner, Two Lunches" idea. Hirsch presents a dinner menu idea, then shows you exactly (with gorgeous photos) how you would translate the leftovers into two different killer lunch ideas. Again, so simple but SO helpful.

All You Knit is Love: 20 Patterns for Romantic Handmade Gifts, by Debbie Harrold

All You Knit is Love:

20 Patterns for Romantic Handmade Gifts

Author: Debbie Harrold

Publisher: Collins and Brown

Publication Date: January 5, 2012

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All I can say is, "Hooray for Debbie Harrold!" Thanks to All You Knit is Love, I can proudly say that I have finally followed my very first pattern. First, a little back story:

About two months ago I took up knitting. Quite frankly, I hated it at first (you can read more about that here) but I stuck with it, mostly out of spite. I wasn't going to let knitting beat me! After a while I stopped hating it and actually wanted to get better at it. I learned to knit, to purl, to cast on (eventually) and to bind off (pretty much). I hoped I was ready for some of those knitting books for beginners. Turns out that "beginner" doesn't mean beginner, at least not really (more about that here). Knitting patterns completely intimidated me. Following a pattern for the first time armed only with a glossary of abbreviations was a little like trying to read music for the first time after being given a list of what the notes meant. Not impossible, but not pretty.

But I knew I could do it, if only I could find a book simple enough, aimed at actual beginners. AND I DID IT! I made a little doll based on a pattern in this book! It may not be perfect, and it may not be fancy, but it was easy. Keep reading to see pictures!

The Homegrown Preschooler: Teaching Your Kids in the Places They Live, by Kathy H. Lee and Lesli Richards

The Homegrown Preschooler: 

Teaching Your Kids in the Places They Live

Authors: Kathy H. Lee and Lesli Richards

Publisher: Gryphon House

Publication Date: May 1, 2013 

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I'm of two minds about this book. On the one hand, I'm thrilled this book exists (it's a good book) but on the other hand, I'm a little sad that it NEEDS to exist. Let me explain that second one.

The premise of The Homegrown Preschooler is that you can "homeschool" your preschooler by giving them many of the early learning experiences that they might get from daycare or preschool, but in your own home or with outings that fit into your regular life. It's aimed at parents who wish to stay home with their preschool-aged children (for any number of reasons) but would also like them to get the early childhood education that best prepares them for school (whether that means kindergarten, first grade, homeschooling, etc.).
The reason this book makes me sad is because I'm amazed that any of this even needs to be said. OF COURSE your child learns from everyday experiences, like running errands with you, helping with household chores, playing outside. OF COURSE your home is perfectly well equipped to help your child learn, and doesn't need to be turned into a "classroom environment" for your preschooler. OF COURSE you are perfectly capable of teaching your child basics like early literacy and numeracy skills. Isn't that how most of us were raised ourselves?

I don't want this to sound like I'm saying that staying home with your child is better (or worse) than putting them in daycare or preschool. There are lots of factors that go into deciding when or if to put your child into daycare/preschool/childcare and there are always benefits and drawbacks to every option. I myself worked as an Early Childhood Educator at some fantastic daycares for nearly a decade before I had my daughter, and I know that there are great programs out there (and some not-so-great ones). When my daughter was born, I decided to stay home with her and have been implementing many of the things I learned as an ECE into our daily routines at home. So I guess I am "homeschooling" my preschooler already.

The thing that still amazes me, though, is the notion that we all need to be convinced that we, as parents, are CAPABLE of doing this. A couple of decades ago, early childhood education was almost always done in the home environment, either with a parent or another caregiver. Has the pendulum swung so far that we think that children can now only learn in a "real school" environment, even when they are three or four years old?

Here's my feeling, both as an ECE and as a parent. If your child is in childcare, make sure it's a quality facility that focuses on developmentally appropriate learning and has a program that you feel comfortable with. Then relax. Your child is fine! And if your child is home with you, don't spend your time stressing that she's missing out on daycare. Relax. Your child is fine!

Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table, with Recipes, by Shauna Niequist

Bread and Wine:

A Love Letter to Life Around the Table, with recipes

Author: Shauna Niequist

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: April 9, 2013

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Finally! Someone who GETS it! As much as I love, love, love those glossy cookbooks with gorgeous pictures of food and home decor that looks like it came right off of Pinterest, the truth is those are ALL KINDS of intimidating. I can't get mine to look like that. Would people eat it if I did? My house is too messy to invite people over anyway. Besides, all of that looks so fattening...

Shauna Niequist knows all that. She thinks the same things. And you know what? She says DO IT ANYWAY! Enjoy food. Enjoy those moments in your life when food memories are made. Food is an essential part of our lives, not just because we need to eat to live, but because so many of our family and social memories are tied up in food. Yes, food and entertaining can cause anxiety and guilt, especially in women, but we can't let that take away all our wonderful experiences with food and loved ones. 

In a lot of ways this book was a healing journey for me. I have had all of the same fears and anxieties as the author (I was particularly affected by the chapter about having a house that is too messy, too small, or too unfinished to entertain...but doing it anyway) but I also miss having that wonderful, positive relationship with food, particularly with sharing food with friends and family. Shauna Niequist really inspired me!

Eat Your Vegetables: Bold Recipes for the Single Cook, by Joe Yonan

Eat Your Vegetables:

Bold Recipes for the Single Cook

Author: Joe Yonan

Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Publication Date: August 6, 2013

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I love, love, love the tone of this book. It's slightly scolding, as you can glean from the title ("Eat your vegetables!") but in a good way. In the introduction the author basically comes right out and says that if you live alone you probably eat crap and you should knock it off. Stop saving the fancy dishes for the dinner parties you're never going to have and cook yourself a proper meal! So true. I don't even live alone and I can relate to that. Plus even those dinner parties (that almost never happen) can benefit from some fancy vegetable recipes. How many holiday meals have I attended in which the vegetables are a total afterthought? A side dish boiled and thrown on the plate? Too many!

Not all of the recipes in the book are for vegetables (or even just for side dishes), but a lot of them are fruit and veggie heavy because the author's right. I do eat like crap too much. Way too much.

Now to plan my next dinner party...NO WAIT, I'VE LEARNED NOTHING!

Simply Delicious Amish Cooking: Recipes and Stories From the Amish of Sarasota, Florida, by Sherry Gore

Simply Delicious Amish Cooking:

Recipes and stories from the Amish of Sarasota, Florida

Author: Sherry Gore 

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

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I'm not Amish but I'm a sucker for cookbooks. I figured an Amish cookbook would be awesome, filled with delicious buttery goodness and farm fresh recipes. But Simply Delicious Amish Cooking was a little different from what I expected.

On the plus side, it has a lot of great cookbook qualities. It has beautiful full-colour photos (awesome), a comprehensive index (helpful), and it's spiral bound (awesome AND helpful). It's a cookbook you could definitely use in your kitchen, letting it rest open on your counter while you follow along with the recipes.

On the other hand, the recipes themselves were...well...different from what I expected. I'm not sure what the Amish of Sarasota typically cook, but I was picturing old-fashioned "from scratch" recipes with basic farm ingredients. I was surprised by how many of the recipes called for things like processed cheese spread, Miracle Whip, Jell-O, marshmallows, canned fruits and vegetables, and even soda pop (hint: it's a lot). And there seem to be a disproportionate number of coleslaw and ambrosia recipes. (If you don't know what ambrosia is, it's that combination of canned fruit, marshmallows, gelatin and whipped cream that is favoured by seniors, particularly at church social events. A lot of the recipes in this book, though they go by different names, are variations of this horrible recipe.)

Many of the recipes reminded me of old cookbooks from the 1950s my mother used to have, back when people had just discovered preservatives and were all super excited about it. I figured an Amish cookbook would be old-fashioned, but I didn't think this is what they meant. Where were all the cake recipes that called for, like, 45 eggs? Instead there were things like "Gingerale Salad." What the--?

Knit Your Socks on Straight: A New and Inventive Technique with Just Two Needles, by Alice Curtis

Knit Your Socks on Straight:

A New and Inventive Technique with Just Two Needles

Author: Alice Curtis

Publisher: Storey Publishing

Publication Date: May 15, 2013

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Oh thank goodness I found this book! I'm still a beginner knitter and though I've finally figured out how to follow a pattern (mostly) I'm terribly intimidated by "knitting in the round." If you're not familiar with that, it usually means knitting round things (like socks and hats) by using four double-pointed knitting needles at the same time (that's a total of eight pointy things!) or else using a circular knitting needle that has a point at each end and a bendy cable in the middle. It's all very scary to me. I'm just not ready! Why can't I make everything with seams? At least for a little while?

Well thanks to Alice Curtis I absolutely can! Her sock patterns all have seams (along the top or the side) and only require two normal, straight knitting needles (no double points or bendy cables required). Plus she's got some insanely cute patterns (some with buttons and at least one with fringe and tassels called "moccasocks") that might make even experienced "knitters in the round" consider trying something different. I haven't made any of them yet but I can't wait to try!