Weekend Cooking: Paleo Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Each weekend, Beth Fish Reads hosts Weekend Cooking.  This is perfect for me since I love food and cooking almost as much as I love books!

My son and I eat a Paleo diet for medical reasons. Paleo means no diary, grains, or legumes and only natural sugars. We are both supposed to avoid all sugar, as well. So, I really miss baked goods and especially desserts.

Last week, a friend of mine posted a link to a recipe for Paleo Pumpkin Coffee Cake on Facebook, and I immediately clicked the link and printed the recipe. I made it yesterday and took it to a potluck, where it was gobbled up! It's really delicious, and my son said it tasted like fall. I agree!

The recipe is from the blog Jay's Baking Me Crazy, which I had never been to before. You can read the full blog post, see lots of photos, and print a nice copy of the recipe at this link: Paleo Pumpkin Coffee Cake. I don't have any of my own photos because there is nothing left but crumbs! Amazingly, though, it came out looking just like her photo, which is a rarity for me.

I made a few small changes because we are supposed to avoid all sugar. I cut the maple syrup and coconut sugar both in half and added in 2 teaspoons of Stevia. So, that is a lower-sugar option.

BONUS: I had some canned pumpkin left after making the cake yesterday, so this morning we had Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes with Bacon and Pecans for breakfast, a recipe from Against All Grain, one of my favorite sources for Paleo recipes - mmmm! (Once again, I subbed 2 teaspoons Stevia for the honey called for in the recipe - that was for a half a recipe.) It's been a fall pumpkin cooking bonanza this weekend!

Paleo Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 58 minutes

Yield: 9

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 

 

CRUMB TOPPING
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325° and line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the crumb topping first: in a small bowl, combine coconut flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Mix well- it should resemble wet sand. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and pumpkin. Mix well.
4. Add in the eggs and mix until incorporated.
5. Add in the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until no dry pockets remain. Pour into prepared pan and top with crumb topping.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
7. Store in fridge after the first day.

http://www.jaysbakingmecrazy.com/2015/10/16/paleo-pumpkin-coffee-cake/
 

Saturday Snapshot 10/15: Kayaking at Janes Island State Park, MD

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

Here is Part 2 of my photos from the beautiful Janes Island State Park on Maryland's Eastern Shore, where my husband and I vacationed and camped a couple of weeks ago. Most of these photos were taken while kayaking because Janes Island is a fabulous kayaking spot, with a half dozen different water trails through the salt marshes and the Chesapeake Bay beyond.

Morning reflections on the water - wish it had stayed that calm!

Morning clouds reflected in the water

Beautiful day for kayaking

Me and the marsh grasses

Tiny periwinkles clinging to the marsh grasses

Great Blur Heron standing on the shore (click to enlarge)

Heron flew past us & into this tree!

Dusk at the Crisfield town docks - crab cakes for dinner!

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!

Middle-Grade Review: Swing Sideways

I recently listened to a middle-grade audiobook, Swing Sideways by Nanci Turner Steveson, a debut author. This story of a summer friendship between two girls is warm, tender, and full of adventure.

Annabel and her parents arrive at the cottage on a lake in rural New York where her family has spent every summer (and her parents spent their childhood summers as well!), but this summer is different. Annabel has an eating disorder, and her therapist has made her mother promise to give Annabel some – in fact, a lot of - freedom this summer.  Her mother normally fills her days with scheduled activities, kept track of via a spreadsheet stuck on the refrigerator door, but this summer, she is supposed to let Annabel do whatever she wants…with no schedule or spreadsheet.

On their way to the house the first day, Annabel spots a girl about her age at a farm down the road, and she knows exactly what she wants to do with her summer. The girl is running through fields and climbing trees, in bare feet and with her hair loose and tangled. She waves when Annabel and her family pass, and Annabel can’t wait to go back to the farm and meet the girl. She looks like she lives the kind of country life Annabel has always dreamed of – she adores books like the Little House books that tell of a rural life.

The next day, Annabel runs down to the farm and meets California, the girl she spotted the day before. California was brought up on a commune with her mother and is full of energy and enthusiasm. She is spending the summer with her grandfather who has cancer. Caught up in the excitement of freedom and new experiences, Annabel introduces herself as Annie, and her summer of freedom and adventure begins.

Annie and California spend their days outdoors on the farm, climbing trees (California teaches Annie how), picking raspberries and eating them right from the vine, and swimming in the river. Annie’s mother would not approve of any of this and is appalled when Annie shows up for dinner dirty and with messed-up hair, but she keeps her end of the deal and doesn’t nag. The two girls eventually settle on a special quest: California wants to find the ponies that meant so much to her mother when she was young, to lure her mother back to the farm and fix whatever caused the rift between her mother and grandfather. She thinks the ponies are loose in the wild around the farm somewhere, so the two girls search every day.

This is a story about friendship, but it is so much more than that. Both girls are suffering in their own ways and in need of healing that this special summer can provide. There are plenty of secrets, here, too, not just between the girls but family secrets that they will uncover as well. As their friendship blossoms and grows, the two girls grow close to each other and when needed, learn how to be brave. It’s a summer of growth for both of them and of healing for their families.

I enjoyed this fast-paced, warm novel very much. It’s one of those books that slowly steals your heart as you come to care for the characters. Children will love all of the adventures the two girls experience, but this is also a story with plenty of heart (and a few tears, too). It is sad at times, but mostly, it is a story about hope and healing and the power of friendship.

HarperChildren’s Audio

Fiction Review: Wuthering Heights

I’ve been trying to read more classics lately, and my old copy of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte was calling to me from the bookshelf. I last read this classic Gothic novel when I was 15 for my 10^th grade English class (which is obvious from the boy’s name written all over it!). I remembered I liked it but not too much about the plot, other than that the main characters were Heathcliff and Catherine. In fact, I often confused Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre in my memory. I re-read it last month and once again enjoyed this dark story of unrequited love and revenge.

It’s a complex story of two families whose lives are intertwined. Their two homes – Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange – are a few miles apart on the lonely, windy moors of England. Three children grow up together as siblings at Wuthering Heights: Hindley, Catherine, and Heathcliff. Heathcliff was not born to the family but was found when he was very young and brought up as an equal to the other two. In fact, Mr. Earnshaw, their father, actually favors Heathcliff in many ways, resulting in Hindley’s lifelong envy and anger toward Heathcliff.

Heathcliff and Catherine, on the other hand, get along very well and are inseparable playmates as children. They love to roam the moors together and explore the outdoor world. Things start to go awry, however, when they are teens and young adults. Cathy, as Heathcliff affectionately calls her, falls in love with Edgar Linton, one of their neighbors at Thrushcross Grange, and eventually marries him. This sets off a lifelong rage in Heathcliff, whose love for Catherine never dims.

That’s the underlying situation that sets these two families off on a twisting path of rage, vitriol, and revenge that will last not only a lifetime but through generations. Hindley hates Heathcliff who, in turn, hates Hindley. Heathcliff loves Catherine, but she’s married to Edgar, and so, by extension, Heathcliff hates all of the Lintons. Heathcliff harbors this boiling rage his whole life, with a revenge scheme that he carries out not only on those he hates but on their descendants as well.

The whole novel is set within the framework of the Earnshaw’s beloved servant, Nellie, telling the history of the two houses and two families to Mr. Lockwood, a current tenant at Thrushcross Grange. Mr. Lockwood is mystified and curious after meeting his sullen and wrathful landlord, Heathcliff, so when he retires back to Thrushcross Grange, he asks Nellie to explain the strange situation at Wuthering Heights to him. Nellie, who also grew up as a small child among the three Earnshaw siblings, starts from the beginning, and brings him up to the present.

Wuthering Heights is a dark, brooding novel (a perfect fit for my RIP XI Challenge this month). It’s a story of passionate – but unrequited – love that lasts a lifetime and possibly beyond (there are intimations of restless ghosts here, too). It is also a story of a plan of revenge so deep that it is the culmination of a lifetime of hatred enacted on multiple generations. Most of the characters are somewhat unlikable, though there are often reasons for their wretchedness, and you feel empathy for what they have been through to make them the way they are – even Heathcliff. Despite all this darkness, there is an element of hope at the end, a hint that life will improve for the next generations. All in all, it is a satisfying, passionate family drama that is beautifully written; it’s easy to see why it is a classic.

320 pages, Signet Classic

New Travel Article: Stay in a Treehouse in Oregon

Another of my travel articles has been published on the website, My Itchy Travel Feet. This one is:

Reconnect with Nature By Staying Off-Grid in a Treehouse

about one of our favorite travel experiences ever! This gorgeous treehouse high in the trees in southern Oregon was our home for 2 nights about 5 years ago, and we never wanted to leave! It is truly an extraordinary experience and sure beats a hotel room or even our much-loved pop-up camper.

The treehouse is part of a "treesort" with about a dozen treehouses, many of which you can also stay in, though we enjoyed the peace and quiet of this one (top photo) off by itself. Check out the article with lots more photos and definitely book a treehouse next time you are in Oregon!

TV Tuesday: Dexter

In honor of Halloween coming up and my RIP XI Challenge (Peril on the Screen), I thought I would talk about an older show that my husband and I have been watching lately. Dexter aired on Showtime from 2006 - 2013. My husband and I watch it when we are camping together because we have it on DVD (it was one of our older son's favorites a few years back), so we can watch an episode on my laptop at night in our little camper, even without electricity or internet.

Dexter is a very odd show, but it really grows on you. The main character, boyishly handsome Dexter Morgan, is a serial killer...and he's the protagonist, the one you root for! Yes, you will root for him, even if you don't think so now...

Dexter, played by Michael C. Hall, works as a forensic blood specialist, analyzing blood spatter at crime scenes and other blood-related forensics work for the Miami police department. His sister, Deb (played by Jennifer Carpenter), also works for the police department as a detective, following in the footsteps of their father. Dexter was adopted into the family when he was just four years old, so he and Deb grew up like real siblings and are quite close (or as close as Dexter is to anyone).

In reality, you know from his narration from the very first episode, that Dexter is a psychopath who  has difficulty feeling real emotions or relating to other people normally. He loves Deb in his own way, though. He also has a sweet girlfriend named Rita, played by Julie Benz. Rita is damaged in her own way from a past abusive relationship, so she and Dexter get along well. She doesn't expect much from him - in fact, is often apologizing for not being ready to move things along faster - and he is fine with that. She has two adorable little kids, a girl and a boy, and they adore Dexter, who is playful & caring with them.

And, yeah, Dexter is a serial killer. However, he is a serial killer with a strict moral code - he only kills really bad guys who kill other people. He calls it the Code of Harry, after his adopted father, a police detective, who carefully trained Dexter. He could see at an early age that Dexter had these urges inside of him and so taught him to release that pressure and allow himself to kill only in a very specific, controlled way (and also, so as to not get caught). It was his way of protecting Dexter, the only way he could. We see that training gradually unfold in flashbacks.

Dexter has most of the people around him fooled - no one suspects that this easy-going, funny guy is really a cold-hearted killer underneath. Well, one person suspects something is wrong: Detective Doakes, played by Erik King, works in Homicide (with Deb and Dexter). Doakes is creeped out by Dexter and is certain he is hiding something sinister underneath his mild-mannered appearance. Dexter can't believe he's the only one creeped out by him when he is surrounded by homicide detectives!

That's the general outline of the show: Dexter helps to solve murders by day and commits them by night, leading a double life. But the crazy thing is that within a few episodes - and definitely by the end of the first season when you know more about Dexter's background - you actually like him. While you may not be rooting for him to kill again (though the people he kills are truly evil), you do hope he doesn't get caught and/or can maybe heal somehow and pull his life together.

This show definitely belongs in the creepy category for RIP XI this month because not only is it about a serial killer, but it can be pretty gory at times. I admit to covering my eyes during some scenes! The opening credits alone will creep you out (not gory, just creepy)! In between, though, it's similar to a typical detective show. Much of its appeal is due to the fact that the cast is excellent. Hall as Dexter manages to be both likable and creepy, Carpenter is fabulous as his sister (and we enjoyed her last year in the Limitless TV show), and the supporting cast are all great, especially David Zayas as Detective Angel Batista. The writing is also top-notch: realistic, engaging, and even funny.

On our last camping trip two weeks ago, we finished season 1 and watched the first episode of season 2 (it's a real cliff-hanger!), and we are totally hooked now.

You can watch all seven seasons of Dexter on Netflix streaming, on DVD, or for free on Amazon Prime or Showtime if you have a Showtime subscription (otherwise you can buy it on Amazon Prime).

Have you watched Dexter? What's your favorite creepy TV show?

It's Monday 10/10! What Are You Reading?

Ah....quiet Monday morning, though not for long. It's a week full of appointments & meetings, and I have to meet my father-in-law at the doctor's office in a half hour - off and running!

I had a rough week because it seems that my Lyme disease is back (third time's a charm?) on top of my chronic immune disorder, so I had severe knee pain all week and all of my "normal" symptoms were badly flared up, including just feeling totally wiped out. Not a very productive week for me. I have a whole new appreciation for people who live with chronic pain every day.  I saw my Lyme specialist on Friday and have started treatment, so I am hoping to start feeling better soon.

Meanwhile, as always, books bring me comfort and escape! Here's what we've been reading this week:

• I finished Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel, one of this spring's hottest new releases. All the rave reviews were right on target - it's SO good!! It's a novel about the discovery of a giant metal hand in the ground and the investigation that follows to figure out what it is and where it came from. Highly recommended, even if you think you don't like sci fi!!
• Now I am reading this month's choice for my library's discussion group, A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. I rarely have time to squeeze in the library's book group (I belong to 3 other book groups!), but this book was on my TBR shelf and it fits in perfectly with my RIP XI Challenge for this spooky season. A wealthy, successful man in the early 1900's in rural Wisconsin places an ad looking for "a reliable wife." Catherine, the woman that answers and is chosen, says in her letters that she is a "simple, honest woman," but she is anything but. We know from the start that she plans to poison and kill her new husband but not why or who she really is. It's good so far and full of surprises, with a very dark and creepy tone perfect for this month!
• On audio, I am listening to The Hunt by Megan Shepherd, a teen/YA novel and sequel to The Cage, which I enjoyed. This series takes place in another world, where a group of teens from Earth are being held captive. Gripping suspense and intriguing concepts here!
• My husband, Ken, finished The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett, a very old paperback we had here at the house (I was surprised he'd never read it before!). It's a classic spy thriller - Follett is an excellent writer. He loved it.
• Last night, Ken started one of the new books I gave him for his birthday last week, Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, author of the books that were made into the Wayward Pines TV series. In this intriguing novel, a man is knocked out and abducted and wakes up with a completely different life - different wife, no kids, everything changed. Sounds great, doesn't it? I definitely want to read this one, too (those are the best kind of gifts to give!).
• Last I heard, Jamie, 22, was reading book 3 in the Scott Lynch series Gentleman Bastards, The Republic of Thieves, which he bought this summer. He loves this series (so does my husband) and says it is about con men in Medieval times. 

Blog posts from last week:

Teen/YA Review: Drag Teen by Jeffrey Self, a warm, funny road trip story about 3 friends

Fiction Review: The Summer Guest by Alison Anderson, an immersive story within a story about Chekhov's summer at a guest house in Ukraine - captivating

What Makes Me Happy - The Happiness Tag

Saturday Snapshot: Janes Island - Eastern Shore of Maryland - kayaking & gorgeous sunsets

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.

Saturday Snapshot 10/8: Janes Island State Park, MD

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

My husband and I went away for our first Empty Nest Vacation last week! We had planned to go to Vermont but found out it was going to be far too cold for camping, so at the last minute - really, the very last minute - we changed all our reservations and went south instead! We spent a lovely week at Janes Island State Park on Maryland's Eastern Shore and at Assateague Island National Seashore, with the last couple of days (and our anniversary) back in Delaware at Rehoboth Beach.

First, a few photos from our first day at Janes Island State Park, a lovely park right on the Chesapeake  Bay, with wonderful water trails for kayaking and a gorgeous sunset over the water:

Kayaking one of the many water trails thru the salt marsh

Out on the water - cue the seagull!

Our lovely campsite near the water

Sunset through the trees, from our campsite

Fabulous sunset over the Chesapeake Bay

Last of the color, through the trees

Hope you are enjoying a great weekend!

What Makes Me Happy

I've been tagged by Anne of My Head is Full of Books to complete The Happiness Tag.  Actually, Anne tagged me way back in August (this is why I don't normally do these kinds of things anymore!). It's taken me a long time to find the time to squeeze in an extra post, but Anne is a good friend, and I wanted to give a shout-out to other blogging friends as well! As Anne mentioned on her post, she and I feel as if we are real-life friends, even though we live on opposite ends of the country! I urge you to check out her blog - it is warm, interesting, and always entertaining.

Rules:
1. List 5 things that make you happy.
2. List 5 songs that make you happy.
3. List 5 bloggers that make you happy and let them know that they have been nominated.

OK, here goes...

5 Things That Make Me Happy

1. My husband and kids (now young adults)
2. Being outdoors (I am writing this on my back deck)
3. My friends, especially when I am able to enjoy the outdoors with my friends!
4. Travel - this goes along with #2 because we are usually camping & enjoying the outdoors when we travel! Though we also love to discover good food on the road.
5. Reading, of course! Nothing like losing yourself in an amazing book.

 5 Songs That Make You Happy

1. Happy by Pharrell Williams (makes me dance!)
2. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor - an anthem! It came on the radio in my convertible yesterday, and I cranked up the volume and belted it out!
3. Bohemian Rhapsody or really, anything at all by Queen - not really a happy song (the lyrics are actually kind of disturbing), but I can't help singing along at top volume!
4. Best Day of My Life by American Authors - makes me smile - this one does have happy lyrics 
5. You Better You Bet by The Who - because it takes me back to high school and has really cool lyrics - actually, anything by The Who!

 (Honorable mentions to anything at all by ABBA or Billy Joel and most of the soundtrack from Glee) 

5 Bloggers That Make Me Happy
(keeping in mind that Anne, who nominated me, would normally be in my top 5!)

1.  Julie of My Book Retreat - she is another blogging friend who feels like a friend IRL. She's a mom, too, we share a lot of the same reading tastes, and I always enjoy visiting her blog.
2. Tanya of Mom's Small Victories - besides our love of books and being moms to boys, Tanya is also battling an immune-related chronic illness like me. I don't know how she finds the time and energy for such an amazing blog! We have so much in common - I know we'd have a blast if we met in person.
3. Ricki and Kellee of Unleashing Readers - though they are at the beginning of their motherhood journeys while I am almost done (though you are probably never done!), I LOVE Ricki and Kellee's contagious enthusiasm about books & reading, especially for kids. I always look forward to visiting their blog!
4. Beth Fish Reads - we both love books of all kinds, cooking, fresh produce, and eating tasty foods. Her blog posts always make me smile and are interesting and original. 
5. Tanya at Girlxoxo - I've been enjoying Tanya's blog for years. She is another mom who loves a wide variety of books (see a pattern here?). I am absolutely in awe of her polished, professional blog and gorgeous photos, and her posts are always unique and enticing!

Feel free to join in the fun even if I didn't tag you (it was hard to choose only 5!). It makes you happy!

Fiction Review: The Summer Guest

Most of the audiobooks I listen to are middle-grade or teen/YA novels, but once in a while I listen to an adult book. Since I had heard good things about the novel The Summer Guest by Alison Anderson, I was excited for the chance to listen to it last month. I was completely transported by the audiobook to another time and place and thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

The structure of this novel is unusual, as the narrative moves back and forth between two modern women, in England and France, and a third woman writing in a diary in Ukraine in 1888. It is also fiction that is based in historical fact. The story centers around the fact that Anton Chekhov and his family spent the summer of 1888 in a guest house in eastern Ukraine on the property of the Lintvaryova family. The two families developed close friendships and continued to write to each other after that summer.

In this novel, the 1888 diary chronicling that summer was written by Zinaida, the oldest of the Lintvaryova family and a practicing doctor until she developed a terminal illness which first took her sight. With the help of a ruler, Zinaida starts a journal that summer, to help occupy her time and also as a gift to leave behind for her family.

When the Chekhovs arrive to rent the cottage on their farm, the families immediately like each other and strike up friendships that will last well beyond the summer. However, an especially close friendship develops between Zinaida and Anton. They take long walks on the estate, and he describes their surroundings to her, offering to be her eyes for her. Anton talks to Zinaida of his writing, and they both share their experiences of being doctors, as their friendship grows deeper.

Back in the modern day, Katya Kendall and her husband are struggling to keep their small publishing house in London alive. They hope that publishing Zinaida’s diary, with its many details of Anton Chekhov, his friendship, and his writing, is just the boost they need to save their business. In addition, Zinaida’s journal says that Anton – renowned for his plays and short stories – was working on a novel that summer, a novel that was never published. To find and publish an original Chekhov novel would be a publishing coup that would cause a great stir in the literary world.

Katya hires Ana Harding, a translator living in France, to translate the diary into English. Ana has to sign a secrecy agreement, as Katya and her husband want to keep everything quiet until they unveil the book to the public. As Ana translates Zinaida’s words, she finds herself immersed in that world and fascinated by the possibility of an as-yet-unknown Chekhov novel and begins her own investigation.

This novel is beautifully written with lyrical sentences that seem to match the characters and the time. It was especially good on audio, listening to the accents and pronunciation of the Ukrainian names and a few other words; listening to it makes it an immersive experience. My family is from Ukraine so that made this book even more special to me. The only downside of the audio was that I kept hearing passages that I wanted to write in my Quote Journal, so I jotted down the chapters (journal dates) and got a hard copy from the library (which also contains a helpful Cast of Characters at the beginning).

The story moves back and forth between the three women and between 1888 and 2014 so that the reader learns more about Zinaida along with Ana, as she translates the diary section by section. There is a bit of a mystery imbedded in the story, as Ana wonders about the possible novel and sets out to find out more. The modern-day story of the diary’s translation and upcoming publication form a framework, but the bulk of the novel is historical fiction, set in that long ago hot summer with a famous literary star, an unknown woman who is near the end of her life, and their engrossing, heartwarming conversations. All in all, The Summer Guest is absorbing and completely mesmerized me from start to finish.

HarperCollins

Harper Audio

Teen/YA Review: Drag Teen

Last month, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to a new YA novel, Drag Teen, by Jeffrey Self, who is, according to the book’s blurb, “one of the gay icons of the YouTube generation” (who knew?). Self’s first novel is warm, funny, and highly entertaining.

JT Barnett is a gay high school senior living in Clearwater, Florida. He feels like a total misfit in his family, where his Dad runs the local gas station and his mom is completely obsessed with the Shopping Channel on TV and her creepy doll collection. JT ‘s life consists mostly of going to school, working at the gas station, and hanging out with his best friend, Heather, and his gorgeous boyfriend, Seth. JT dreams of an exciting, fabulous life somewhere amazing, but his family can’t afford college and he fears he will be stuck in Clearwater forever.

JT has already tried applying for all of the scholarships he can find, but none of them panned out. Now, Seth is making plans for college – possibly even somewhere far away – and JT feels like he is out of options. Then, Seth hears about a contest called Drag Teen in NYC, with a prize of a full four-year scholarship. It sounds amazing, but the one time before that JT tried drag in public was at his school’s talent show, and he got laughed off the stage.

Finally, Seth and Heather convince JT to give it a try, and the three lie to their parents about plans for spring break and head off on an epic road trip from Florida to NYC. Along the way, they meet some unique characters, encounter all kinds of challenges, and begin to learn more about each other and themselves. The pageant itself is like nothing JT has ever experienced, and his love of drag feels normal and accepted for the first time in his life, among his fellow contestants.

One of the great things about this novel is that JT and Seth’s being gay is not the central point or the obstacle encountered by the characters. Here’s how JT begins his story in Chapter 1:

“This isn’t one of those stories about a heartwarming journey toward accepting my cursed homosexual identity. No. First of all, being gay is far from a curse. It’s more like an extra order of fries at Wendy’s because the lady in the window isn’t paying attention when she fills your bag. It’s awesome.”

In fact, the characters are one of the best things about this novel (along with its excellent sense of humor) because they feel very real and authentic. Though JT is fine with being gay, he is very self-conscious about his body and the extra weight he carries. Heather is even heavier than he is and also struggles with self-esteem issues. Even perfect-seeming Seth is hiding a secret. These are real teens struggling with real problems, and that two of them are gay is simply a fact.

Right from the first page, JT’s story is funny and touching and a whole lot of fun. Readers quickly come to care for all three of the main characters and to root for JT to find a way out of his small town. Besides, I love a road trip story, and this one is a doozy! Along the way, the three friends meet some very interesting people. The ending is satisfying, even if it is a bit too perfect. This engrossing first novel kept me glued to my iPod – and laughing out loud – from beginning to end. I can’t wait to see what Jeffrey Self comes up with next.

Scholastic Audio

It's Monday 10/3! What Are You Reading?

I was absent from the blog for a week - my husband and I took our first Empty Nest week-long vacation together! We had planned to go to Vermont but changed out itinerary at the last minute (really, the very last minute!) because it was going to be too cold for camping up there. Instead, we headed south and stayed closer to home - going to Maryland's Eastern Shore, Assateague Island National Seashore, and our own Delaware beaches.

The start of the week was beautiful weather, and we enjoyed some amazing kayaking. Wednesday night - camping right on the ocean shore at Assateague - we experienced the worst storm we have ever been in! Steady winds of 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mpg, and heavy rain for over 12 hours. It was really unbelievable. Our pop-up camper (with canvas sides) shook like crazy all night long, and everything was soaked by morning (it is usually quite water-tight). Fortunately, we escaped to the third part of our trip and spent a couple of nights in the lovely house at the beach that my friend generously shared with us. All in all, it was a good trip - certainly full of adventure!

Now, I have over 600 e-mails, plus all sorts of other catch-up. Re-entry is always tough after time away! We had a LOT of time for reading this past week. Here's what we've been reading the past two weeks:

• I finished a review book, They Are Trying to Break Your Heart by David Savill, a British import that will soon be published in the U.S. It's a complex story with threads related to the Bosnian War in the 1990's, the tsunami in Thailand in 2004, and people involved in both, looking back from 2005. I enjoyed this gripping story about a man accused of possible war crimes who disappeared, and the people who still look for him.
• Next, I squeezed in a classic before the end of the month! I re-read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, which I hadn't read since 10th grade. I liked it in high school and enjoyed it again now. It's a story of unrequited love and lifelong revenge. With its dark tone and glimpses of ghosts, it was a perfect fit for the R.I.P. Challenge!
• Now, I am almost finished with Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel, one of this spring's hottest new releases. All the rave reviews were right on target - it's SO good!! It's a sci fi novel about the discovery of a giant metal hand in the ground and the investigation that follows to figure out what it is and where it came from. Highly recommended!
• I started - and finished - listening to a middle-grade audio book, Swing Sideways by Nanci Turner Steveson. It's about a young girl with an eating disorder and a controlling mom who spends the summer of her dreams running wild on a nearby farm with her new friend, California. Little by little, secrets are revealed that make this a deeply moving and thoughtful story of friendship and growth.
• On our trip, my husband and I started a new audio together, The Swimmer by Joakim Zander, a spy thriller. We didn't get very far into it, since we were only driving a couple of hours instead of all day to VT and back! It's interesting so far, with multiple points of view and suspense beginning to build.
• My husband. Ken, finished The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry, a thriller and free book I picked up for him from our library's summer reading program. It's the first Berry novel either of us have read, and he enjoyed it.
• Now, Ken is reading The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett, a very old paperback we had here at the house (I was surprised he'd never read it before!). It's a classic spy thriller - Follett is an excellent writer.
• Last I heard, Jamie, 22, was reading book 3 in the Scott Lynch series Gentleman Bastards, The Republic of Thieves, which he bought this summer. He loves this series (so does my husband) and says it is about con men in Medieval times. He's still asleep, so I'm not sure if he finished it yet!

 Blog posts from the past two weeks:

TV Tuesday: Freaks and Geeks why did it take me so long to find this amazing show??

Fiction Review: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, fascinating story of a woman locked in an asylum for over 60 years

2016 R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (R.I.P) Challenge - enjoy the season with creepy reading!

Cookbook Review: Curtis Stone: What's for Dinner? - one of my favorite cookbooks - simple meals with fresh ingredients & lots of flavor!

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.

More vacation photos coming on Saturday Snapshot, but here is a glimpse of a gorgeous sunset over the Chesapeake Bay:

 
 

Cookbook Review: Curtis Stone - What's For Dinner?

I used to love to watch chef Curtis Stone on his TLC show, Take Home Chef. Besides his rugged good looks (who wouldn't want this handsome Aussie to find them in the grocery store and ask to come home with them?), I loved his approach to cooking. Even back then (before it was trendy), he focused on whole, fresh foods simply prepared.

So, I was thrilled when my son gave me one of Curtis Stone's cookbooks for Christmas last year: What's for Dinner?: Delicious Recipes for a Busy Life I was determined to make immediate use of it - often I flag dozens of recipes in cookbooks or magazines but never get around to trying them!

What's for Dinner? has turned out to be one of my favorite recipe sources. All of its recipes are simple, fresh and full of flavor. My son and I eat a mostly Paleo diet for medical reasons (it's supposed to be best for  people with immune disorders), but even with those restrictions, there were plenty of recipes in here that I could use because of Curtis' focus on fresh, whole foods.

Since this cookbook is meant for busy everyday cooks, he has divided into daily sections:

• Motivating Mondays
• Time-Saving Tuesdays
• One-Pot Wednesdays
• Thrifty Thursdays
• Five-Ingredient Fridays
• Dinner Party Saturdays
• Family Supper Sundays
• Something Sweet

Most of the recipes we've tried so far have been in the first two sections (I don't know why - maybe just because there is so much to choose from, I haven't made it further into the book). The photo below shows how the cookbook is laid out - with easy-to-follow, simple recipes on one side and gorgeous, full-color photos on the other side that make you want to make every dish immediately!

Here are some of the dishes we've tried so far:

Grilled Chicken with Arugula and Zucchini Salad with Lemon-Caper Vinaigrette - a simple and delicious summer dinner that was very quick to prepare. My husband isn't fond of arugula, so I mixed in some fresh lettuce from our local farm CSA.

Fennel-Roasted Chicken and Winter Squash with Endive-Apple Salad - another dinner salad but filled with fall flavors! The first recipe we tried - we both loved it (I left out the fennel - not a fan). In fact, I just got some apples and acorn squash from the farm, so I think it's time to make this one again.

Poached Salmon with Green and Yellow Bean Salad - perfect for summer (I never know what to do with all the radishes we get from our CSA!) and good, though not as flavorful as some of his other recipes. I might add something extra next time, like capers or olives for a bit of zing.

Cauliflower and Spinach Dal - OK, funny story behind this one. I was dying to try it because my husband and I love Indian food. I couldn''t find the yellow split peas called for anywhere, so I used red lentils instead. The finished dish was delicious, with wonderful spices. We both loved it...but our stomachs both exploded in the hours after dinner! Might try it again if I can find the yellow split peas...if we dare!

Korean Steak Tacos - hands-down, our favorite recipe in the book so far! It's very simple, but his marinade for the steak is just blow-your-mind fabulous. Wow. Our picky son even loved this one.

Grilled Steak and Broccolini with Parmesan Tomatoes - I think I subbed either broccoli or asparagus for the broccolini. This was tasty but not as amazing as some of the others. My husband and son were just so-so on this one, though I enjoyed it.

Steak and Green Bean Stir-Fry with Ginger and Garlic - delicious and simple weeknight dinner, with great flavor.

Grilled Pork Chops and Vegetable Gratin with Caper-Parsley Vinaigrette - I made this for a Sunday dinner with everyone home, and it was well-liked by all. His vinaigrette adds amazing flavor to simple grilled pork chops.

Halibut and Spinach with Orange-Pine Nut Vinaigrette - I think I subbed mahi-mahi, but the mix of flavors was delicious (and the preparation very easy).

Chicken Cassoulet with Fennel and Bacon - Cassoulet is one of my favorite dishes, but the traditional recipe takes hours to prepare. This is a quicker, easier version but still full of flavor. I left out the fennel (it's the only produce I don't pick up when available at our CSA!). Our family loved it - the only complaint was that Curtis' recipe didn't make quite enough for our four hungry appetites!

NOTE: You can see photos and/or recipes of many of the above recipes when you click on the "Look Inside" feature at the Amazon link below.

That's what we've tried so far, but looking through the cookbook just now made me realize how many more great recipes are left that I still want to make! And how did I miss the whole dessert section?

This cookbook is well-worth the purchase price and one of the few I've made room for on my crowded kitchen shelf.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Purchases from these links provide a small commission to me (pennies per purchase), to help offset the time I spend writing for this blog, at no extra cost to you.

 

Click here to use Amazon's "Look Inside" feature or to buy from Amazon.

 

 

Or you can order What's for Dinner? from Book Depository, with free shipping worldwide.