so, i was given a few of these books at christmas.
can you tell what is on my brain? i have been staring at this stack for almost a week now since we've been home. when i look at them i think, dang, i am one well rounded person! and then i realize that i have only finished one yet (almost 2 though). but i am excited about them and i will tell you why, in order.
1. mastering the art of french cooking. you know? from this movie. i LOVE to bake and cook. repeat, LOVE to. and was more than tickled when my mom and dad purchased this for me. WARNING: this book is not for the faint of heart in the kitchen. if you have a hard time scrambling eggs you should buy the joy of cooking first and/or better homes and gardens cook book and start there. all i'm going to say is, THESE FRENCH PEOPLE ARE INTENSE. i made the butter sponge cake on sunday and probably cursed at my eggs ten times. make stiff peaks, stiff! gosh darn it! i'm pretty sure i have carpal tunnel syndrome now as i did not use the proper 'beating' technique. *i also know now why french people are not fat as you burn off more calories making the food than ingesting it. it is not, open this can of this and mix with these premade this, then grate cheese on top. poor, poor, fat, america. another post on that is coming soon. anyhooos, i am very excited to make many other dishes, but am lacking either the 'proper' cookware and/or ingredients. next sunday!
2. the backyard homestead. um, yeah. i read this book and now want my own hen house , hens, goats, cow, pasture, a garden, pigs, fruit trees, herb garden, bees, and compost. so far ty has only agreed to the goats.
3. the other two chicken books are from my mom in her hopes to have another poultry loving partner.
4. the five love languages. another gift that i am almost finished reading. i know, it's a popular one and everyone has read it and i'm late in the game. but all i can say is this: very eye opening and important to read if you are married. it also has helped me to see a way to properly loving our kids too. a twofer! if you haven't read it already, do.
5. 7 habits of highly effective people. another popular one that i am late in the game for. once i disregard the fact that this book has sat on the ground the last two days (not a habit of effective people) i know that it is very valuable. not one that i would ever pick out on my own (i'm not a big fan of the self-help section) but very glad that i am reading it. it is full of wise, thoughtful, important information and advice. i love that he talks a lot about the fact that you are not a result of your surroundings and situation, that you have a choice in the matter as to how YOU will be as a person. favorite quote so far?
"we are what we repeatedly do. excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit" - Aristotle
*wow. lots of exclamation marks in this post.
5 comments:
Sounds like some good books! Not quite ready for the chickens and goats and stuff, but I am actually trying a chicken recipe out of the cookbook and I think the same sponge cake recipe you tried this Sunday. (For reasons we've already discussed. Limited options.) I'll let you know what happens. I'm already nervous about the eggs! :)
Annie, I just watched Julia and Julie two days ago and decided I want the cookbook so you have to let me know how you like it! Maybe you should post some of your french cuisine adventures:) Oh and also let me know how the five love languages is too because its on my list of B2B (books to buy) as well
Great list! I've read (or rather, listened to) The Five Love Languages twice now, and it has been great for my marriage. BUT, I didn't realize until I had kids that it totally applies to them, too! I guess there is a book specifically about the love languages of your children, but I haven't read that one. So as my kids are growing I'm trying to figure out what theirs is. Cuz, you know, spanking a kid whose love language is "personal touch" could be devastating, yet it might have no affect on a kid whose language is gifts. So far I think I've decided that Sophie is personal touch and words of affirmation. But she's young, so that could easily change, who knows. Great stuff, though. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Oh, and I'm a pretty good mix of all of them, but I think my biggest one is words of affirmation. What are you?
Great list Annie. Books have been on my brain a lot lately--I've been meaning to expand my horizons. I will be checking a few of these out. 'Seven Habits' has been sitting on my bookshelf gathering dust...but now I am inspired. Thanks!
I want the Art of French Cooking book. I LOVE that move and cooking. I hope to read more of your experienes in french cuisine. Also the poultry, goats, etc. That is what we are working on. We have our big back yard, now for the animals to go with it. I want to start with chickens first. Let me know if there any good tricks or tips you find or get from your mom.
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