For the first two months of the year, I decided to do Emo Winter! I’m been really loving The Emo Project channel on Sirius XM Radio. I picked all my selections directly from the channel.
I am completely obsessed with this song. So catchy! I can’t help but sing along.
As I look outside my window: It’s bright and clear outside, but pretty cold (30 degrees or so). I’m loving the light, but I would have liked another snow fall.
Right now I am: Deciding whether to make some tea bread for tomorrow for wait to make it tomorrow…
On my bedside table: The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham; The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
On my tv this week: We’ve been enjoying S3-4 of Schitt’s Creek and S1 of Lupin.
Listening to: Mostly podcasts. I think I need to cue up The Emo Project or some other kind of music for this afternoon. Over the talk right now.
On the menu for this week: We were noticing that I tend to make at least one Tex Mex inspired recipe every week. So true! This week it’s out Friday meal.
Monday - Sega Wat from Ethiopia (this was pushed from last week)
Tuesday - Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
Wednesday - Avocado, Bruschetta Chicken
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Pork and Green Chile Stew
Saturday - Parmesan Tilapia
Sunday - Stuffed Pesto Shells
On my to do list: It’s appointment week! Meaning I need to make all the various appointments for myself and the kids. I seriously hate talking on the phone… I also need to get this school tuition bill straightened out. They are currently wanting to charge us for the spring semester even though that child graduated in December. Blergh! More talking on the phone.
Happening this week: Not much at all. Tuesday I need to do our grocery run and we’ll probably go to the library on Thursday.
What I am creating: Not much, although I am plugging away at my 2020 Memory Planner. I’m currently working on September’s pages. Hoping to finish through November by the end of January. Then I guess I need to work on my 2020 December Daily album so I can really start on 2021’s Memory Planner.
My simple pleasures: A good Regency romance, fun new-to-us TV shows, snuggly blankets, natural sunlight in my craft room.
Looking around the house: Like every week, there are random piles that need to be put away. I also have clothes everywhere drying as our dryer keeps tripping the breaker. Not sure if it’s an electrical problem or a dryer problem. SO clothes are everywhere drying.
From the camera: Grateful that our backyard has a slight rise to it. The boys can sled without leaving the yard!
Title: One to Watch
Author: Kate Stayman-London
Publisher: Dial Press 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 432
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf Project; Winter TBR
Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers—and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television?
Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition—under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She’s in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That’s it.
But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She’s in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale. In this joyful, wickedly observant debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men—and herself—for a chance to live happily ever after.
Overall a very enjoyable contemporary romance. It wasn’t a very surprising story, but I did enjoy following Bea and her journey to romance. I didn’t even get annoyed by our constant reminders of Bea’s size. Usually it was done in very kind way or in a more empowering way. Very cute story with a decent amount of heart.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Wellington
Author: Aaron Mahnke, Delilah S. Dawson, Piotr Kowalski
Publisher: IDW 2020
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 120
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Winter TBR
Meet the Duke of Wellington--one of England's most decorated military heroes and, unknown to most, her most daring monster hunter. After receiving a letter from an old flame, the Duke of Wellington heads to the countryside to investigate a series of disturbing crimes-a mysterious murder, a missing child, and a vicious black dog roaming the hills. Featuring an amazing cast of characters and calling upon centuries of supernatural myths, folktales, and lore this thrilling graphic novel reveals the secrets behind one of history's most illustrious figures.
I had been looking forward to the beginning of this new comics series. I love the idea that the Duke of Wellington was actually a monster hunter along with fighting the human wars for Great Britain. I love listening to Aaron Mahnke tell me weird and wonderful stories on the podcast Lore. So I was super excited about this one. And overall, I really enjoyed the start of this story. However, I really wanted more from the first trade in the series. We don’t get to learn too much about Wellington or the big bad. There were some very scary bits through the issues and I loved meeting Wellington’s “god daughter". Hee hee. I am really excited for the continuation of this series.
Title: Solutions and Other Problems
Author: Allie Brosh
Publisher: Gallery Books 2020
Genre: Graphic novel; Memoir
Pages: 518
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Winter TBR
Solutions and Other Problems includes humorous stories from Allie Brosh’s childhood; the adventures of her very bad animals; merciless dissection of her own character flaws; incisive essays on grief, loneliness, and powerlessness; as well as reflections on the absurdity of modern life.
Another lovely collection of stories from Allie Brosh’s life. There were a few stories that I really connected with, some other ones were really funny, and some were a bit strange (in that they didn’t seem to have a point). Like all collections of stories, I don’t love all of them equally. But, I might say that really did choke up during her story about her sister. I was not expecting that turn and it really threw me for a loop. Overall an enjoyable collection of comics from a very complicated person.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Piranesi
Author: Susanna Clarke
Publisher: Bloomsbury 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 243
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Winter TBR
Piranesi’s house is no ordinary building: its rooms are infinite, its corridors endless, its walls are lined with thousands upon thousands of statues, each one different from all the others. Within the labyrinth of halls an ocean is imprisoned; waves thunder up staircases, rooms are flooded in an instant. But Piranesi is not afraid; he understands the tides as he understands the pattern of the labyrinth itself. He lives to explore the house.
There is one other person in the house―a man called The Other, who visits Piranesi twice a week and asks for help with research into A Great and Secret Knowledge. But as Piranesi explores, evidence emerges of another person, and a terrible truth begins to unravel, revealing a world beyond the one Piranesi has always known.
Oh my oh my oh my… I might have liked this one even more than Clarke’s early novel, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Clarke knows how to create a world that sucks you right in and doesn’t let you leave, even after you finish the book. It took me about 10 tries to get past the first line as it’s just so strange and interesting. That sounds terrible, but I mean it in the best way possible. Clarke just dumps the reader in and we’re left to puzzle out what is going on. Samesies with Piranesi. Apparently we are all in the same boat stuck in the house attempting to unravel all the mysteries. I loved all the random references Clarke wove through the statues and occurrences in the house. I was pulled along until the very end, even after the mystery was resolved. Extra point, I love how Clarke doesn’t feel the need to completely tie up all the strings before ending the book. Overall, this was such a beautiful book. It might even end up on my year-end Top 10 list.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Here's my randomness for the week:
I have officially DNFed my first book in a very very long time. I suspected something was going to happen, read some GR reviews, and decided that I didn’t want to read that. DNF
Thankfully, I read a few good short contemporary romances to help get me back on track.
Arthur has made an entire “winter camp” in the living room complete with ice fishing area and igloo.
We’re very addicted to S1 of Lupin right now. Unfortunately, there’s a limited list of things I can do while reading subtitles.
Thinking I need new yoga pants…
I’m really into all the winter themed picture books we’ve been reading lately.
Ugh! Victoria really needs to go on The Bachelor. She is beyond unbelievable.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Leave the World Behind
Author: Rumaan Alam
Publisher: Ecco 2020
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 256
Rating: 1/5 stars - Hated it
Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf; Unread Shelf RC - Book with High Expectations
Amanda and Clay head out to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a vacation: a quiet reprieve from life in New York City, quality time with their teenage son and daughter, and a taste of the good life in the luxurious home they’ve rented for the week. But a late-night knock on the door breaks the spell. Ruth and G. H. are an older couple—it’s their house, and they’ve arrived in a panic. They bring the news that a sudden blackout has swept the city. But in this rural area—with the TV and internet now down, and no cell phone service—it’s hard to know what to believe.
Should Amanda and Clay trust this couple—and vice versa? What happened back in New York? Is the vacation home, isolated from civilization, a truly safe place for their families? And are they safe from one other?
I completely despised this book. I cannot decide if Alam wanted the reader to just feel like he was talking down to them the entire time or he really meant it. Right from the get-to, the reader is put into an uncomfortable position and doesn’t get to relax. Okay, I get that stylistically. But then I read through the entire story and fail to find any message or reason to read it. There is absolutely no hope to be found in the storyline or the characters. All of this had definitely dropped down the ratings. I’m okay reading bleak books, but this one just fell down a deep hole and didn’t come back up. Was this book supposed to be a mirror to the worst of human behaviors? If so, congratulations, you accomplished the task, but do I want to read it? Nope. I don’t. Combine all this with the oddly sexual descriptions throughout the book and I was completely done with it.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Exhalation
Author: Ted Chiang
Publisher: Vintage 2019
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 368
Rating: 2/5 stars - Disliked it
Reading Challenges: Winter TBR
Nine stunningly original, provocative, and poignant stories. Two being published for the very first time. All from the mind of the incomparable Ted Chiang.
Tackling some of humanity’s oldest questions along with new quandaries only he could imagine, these stories will change the way you think, feel, and see the world. They are Ted Chiang at his best: profound, sympathetic—revelatory.
With my newly recalibrated star ratings, I decided to give this short story collection 2 stars. That sounds terrible, but I do think that some others might give it more stars. I was in a conundrum when it came to rating. Most of these stories felt very bland and frankly reductive. I think my biggest problem with this collection is that they all seem like bad copies of classic scifi stories from Asimov, Heinlein, Bradbury, et al. I didn’t find anything new in this collection and I didn’t have a lot of enjoyment from the stories that I did read. Overall, this just wasn’t to my liking at all.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Arthur thrives on routine and structure. Too many days of unstructured activities lead to a very moody 7 year old. For Christmas break, I tried to do a bit of math and language arts most days with some little crafty projects thrown in here and there.
Literature and Poetry
I randomly picked up The Very Very Far North by Dan Bar-el from the library and it turned out to be the perfect winter break read-aloud. It’s a very gentle story about Duane the Polar Bear who lives in the Very Very Far North and who meets new friends in his explorations. Each friend has a different personality and Duane has to learn how to value each new friend. A sequel just came out and I’m currently on hold at the library for it. This was such an easy story for our cold snowy days. Perfect! We also read a few winter themed poetry books.
The Very Very Far North by Dan Bar-el
A Chill in the Air by John Frank
Winter Bees by Joyce Sidman and Rick Allen
Math
We did some holiday theme math pages throughout and progressed a bit more in Khan Academy. Arthur definitely has trouble with inattentive mistakes. I’m hoping some more practice will help him get more steady so we can move on. I do know that Singapore Math 2A will be a bit of review so that might help.
Social Studies
Nothing formal, but we did do a mini unit on New Year’s Day. We read a few books (fiction and nonfiction) about the holiday and discussed how people celebrate. And then Arthur made a few mini books with resolutions.
New Year’s Day by Dana Meachen Rau
Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller
The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing
Science
Does playing in the snow count? We definitely did that a lot. And there was some documentary watching and random conversations about topics we have already studied a bit.
Art
We made some fun Christmas and winter themed crafts to hang around the house. Arthur and Quentin also got a huge stack of craft kits for Christmas, so we’ve been doing some of those on random days.
Music
Nothing formal
Unit Theme
We read the last of our Christmas themed books throughout the end of December. Right before the New Year, I started pulling winter themed books from the library for our first couple of second semester weeks. I also made sure that some of them were picture books for night reading.
24 Days of Books - Another successful year!
The Shortest Day by
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
The Finest Christmas Tree by
Christmas Farm by
The Nutcracker Ballet
Merry Christmas Stinky Face
Merry Christmas Little Elliott
The Polar Express
The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Misc. - Random picture books read
Pirate Jack Gets Dressed by Nancy Raines Day
One Dark and Dreadful Night by Randy Cecil
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
Fright Club by Ethan Long
Good Night, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Quit Calling Me a Monster by Jory John
Only a Tree Knows How to Be a Tree by Mary Murpjy
Dino Duckling by Alison Murray
Animal City by Joan Negrescolor
Unicorn Day by Diana Murray
Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray
A Birthday for Cow by Jan Thomas
Miffy Can Help
Linus the Vegetarian T. Rex by Robert Neubecker
A Time for Sleeping by Ron Hirschi
Walk on the Wild Side by Nicholas Oldland
There’s a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor by Wade Bradford
From Ed’s to Ned’s by Gideon Sterer
Dragon was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio
A Trapezoid is NOT a Dinosaur by Suzanne Morris
If You Hopped Like a Frog by David M. Schwartz
Up the Creek by Nicholas Oldland
Unlike Other Monsters by Audrey Veronica
Hockey in the Wild by Nicholas Oldland
Al Pha’s Bet by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
If Frogs Made Weather by Marion Dane Bauer
Who Stole Mona Lisa by Ruthie Knapp
Dinosaur Countdown by Nicholas Oldland
Outstanding in the Rain by Frank Viva
Make Way for Dumb Bunnies by Dav Pilkey
Super Saurus Saves Kindergarten by Deborah Underwood
Ice Boy by David Ezra Stein
A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse by Frank Viva
The Walrus Who Escaped by Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley
Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert
Flannel Kisses by Linda Crotta Brennan
The First Day of Winter by Consie Powell
Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar
Even in the midst of a pandemic with no travel, I think we managed to have a lovely Christmas.
Arthur definitely thrives on schedules and we didn’t really have any schedules over break. I could see his attitude decline throughout. Thank goodness we’re going back to a schedule this week.
Next Week
We’re back to our regularly scheduled homeschool week.
Next up on the TBR pile:
For the first two months of the year, I decided to do Emo Winter! I’m been really loving The Emo Project channel on Sirius XM Radio. I picked all my selections directly from the channel.
This is a new-to-me band that I’m really digging.
2020 has been such a strange year. Here’s hoping 2021 starts off better than the last year ended. I’m not going to make a big list as I know things are still very strange.
Read 45 books
Complete Two Jigsaw Puzzles
Movie Month February
Weekly Game Day/Night
Have an Indoor Picnic
Make Ice Cream Sundaes
DIY Spa Night
Buy Fresh Flowers Biweekly
Take a Winter Hike
Read 50 Winter Picture Books
Make a Blanket and Pillow Fort
Use Food Coloring to Make Pictures in the Snow
Bake Cookies
Make a Snowglobe
Have a Board Game Night
Have a Craft Day
Make a Bird Feeder
Next up on the TBR pile:
Instead of a separate bucket list, I’m just going to highlight our advent activities for December. I bought the cute countdown kit from Stampin’ Up and using that as my calendar.
Decorate mini tree ✓
Write a letter to Santa ✓
Go See Santa at Cabela’s ✓
Lego Build ✓
Xmas PJs ✓
Go See Werner Park Lights ✓
Coloring Books ✓
Bath bombs ✓
Window Clings ✓
Zorinsky Park Lights - canceled due to bad weather
Decorate Gingerbread Houses ✓
Hot Chocolate Bar ✓
Stamp and Ink to Make Cards ✓
Make Gingerbread Cookies ✓
Watch The Nutcracker ✓
Paper wreaths and snowflakes ✓
Puzzle Day ✓
Watch 5 Christmas Movies ✓
Babes in Toyland ✓
Elf ✓
White Christmas ✓
Muppet Christmas Carol ✓
Christmas Vacation ✓
The Grinch ✓
Cookie Decorating ✓
Christmas Music Dance Party ✓
Drive around and see the lights ✓
Next up on the TBR pile:
Last year I had my second to highest reading year ever and it was great, but I really really needed to change up my reading challenge strategy again.
I’m going for mood reading in 2021. I went with challenges that don’t stifle my reading in any way. I want my reading challenges to feel exciting and motivating.
Goodreads Challenge
Perpetual Books
UnRead Shelf
MMD Summer Reading Guide
Winter TBR
Spring TBR
Summer TBR
Fall TBR
Currently Reading Podcast
UnRead Shelf Project
GoodReads Challenge (200) - Even though I blew past 200 this past year, I am not convinced that means I should up my challenge number. I still think 200 is a respectable number to shoot for.
Perpetual Books (30) - Really going to try and knock off some of these books from my big lists!
UnRead Shelf (50) - My third year participating in this particular challenge. I did not do well at all last year, I’m hoping that a library ban for the first few months will refocus my reading to the Unread shelves.
MMD Summer Reading Guide (20) - I always love to see what Anne Bogel’s highlights each summer. But I never actually read all the books in the year (or even want to read all the books in that year’s guide). So, I thought I would try to pick 20 books from across all the years of the guide to read this year.
Seasonal TBRs - Instead of strict monthly goals, I’m going to focus on 25 books that I am excited to read each season. These can be from my own shelves,
Winter TBR (25)
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (own)
Still Life by Louise Penny (own)
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh (library)
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (library on hold)
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (own)
Asylum Series by Madeleine Roux (own)
Sanctum
Catacomb
Novellas
Escape from Asylum
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas (library on hold)
The Ends of the World by Peter Brannen (library)
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (library on hold)
Exhalation by Ted Chiang (library ebook)
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (own)
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari (library on hold)
The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow (library on hold)
Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt (own)
Underland by Robert Macfarlane (library on hold)
Wellington by Aaron Mahnke (library due)
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips (library on hold)
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl (own)
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (own)
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (library on hold)
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown (library on hold)
The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (own)
Scythe by Neal Shusterman (library on hold)
Lock In by John Scalzi (own ebook)
The Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov (own ebook)
Spring TBR (25)
Summer TBR (25)
Fall TBR (25)
Currently Reading Podcast (12) - I love listening to the Currently Reading podcast and I even became a Patron this past year. I didn’t join the challenge last year, but I think this year’s focus on mood reading will play well with this challenge.
Kept me turning the pages after midnight -
Can't wait to give someone else -
Binged in a day -
Makes me feel cozy -
Read with a buddy -
Takes me to another world -
Reflects the season I read it -
Someone desperately wanted me to read -
So good I didn't want it to end -
Wanted to read so badly, but then it got lost in my TBR -
I picked up randomly in the library or bookstore because it called to me -
Everyone is loving on Bookstagram, podcasts, or Goodreads -
UnRead Shelf Project (24) - Another one that I didn’t quite finish last year. I’m really going to commit to doing the monthly challenge and the topical challenge.
January: High Expectations -
February: Got for free -
March: Bought on a trip -
April: Bought from used bookstore -
May: Bought as a new release -
June: Bough in a spending spree -
July: Bought for the cover -
August: From an independent bookstore -
September: Want to learn from -
October: Secretly afraid of -
November: Published before 2000 -
December: Reminds you of childhood -
More than 500 pages -
Impulse buy -
On the shelf longer than a year -
{Author you've never read before -
Bought because of a recommendation -
Given to you that you didn't ask for -
Got for a special occasion -
Favorite genre -
Bought because of the hype -
From a Little Free Library -
Most recently acquired -
Backlist title by an author with a newer release available -
Kid Read Alouds (15) - We are already doing some fun read-alouds for homeschool. I have a goal of 15 read-alouds for 2021. We have 7 picked out for the spring semester and will be adding to the list.
The Very Very Far North by Dan Bar-el
Mathilda by Roald Dahl
The Theives of Ostia by Caroline Lawrence
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
In having some big conversations with J, I’ve decided to slightly change my book rating system. Previously, my star ratings broke down as:
5 stars - loved it
4 stars - liked it
3 stars - not for me
2 stars - disliked it
1 star - didn’t finish
This has resulted in a lot of 4 and 3 stars, but it was throwing off my distribution a bit. I took a few days to think about how to change the system, and have come up with this new rating system:
5 stars - loved it, will tell everyone (or almost everyone) to read it
4 stars - liked it, would recommend to certain people
3 stars - okay book, but maybe not something i would recommend, maybe not a book for me, but I see merit
2 stars - disliked it
1 star - finished the book, but hated it! will rant to anyone about why I hated this one
Winter TBR: For 2021, I am going to change up how I do my reading challenges. My seasonal TBR’s are going to be expanded and those are the big reading challenges that I am going to focus on. For the first season of 2021, here are my 25 books I want to read:
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
Still Life by Louise Penny
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Asylum Series by Madeleine Roux (Sanctum, Catacomb, Novellas, Escape from Asylum)
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas
The Ends of the World by Peter Brannen
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow
Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
Underland by Robert Macfarlane
Wellington by Aaron Mahnke
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Lock In by John Scalzi
The Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov
Next up on the TBR pile:
Now that my blog is 10 years old (seriously, how has it been 10 years?), I decided to choose my favorite books of the decade. First, I had to pull all my top ten lists from each there and then came the difficult part… I had to narrow down 100 books to 10! Looking at the list, fantasy is definitely my most favorite genre. And I love a good dark fairy tale-esque tale. I took many days, and this is what I came up with, in no particular order:
The Magicians series by Lev Grossman (2012)
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire
Broken Earth series by NK Jemisin
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
2011
Fables Series
Autumn and Autumn: The City by David Moody
The Affinity Bridge by George Mann
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger
The Walking Dead Series by Robert Kirkman
The Prestige by Christopher Priest
At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols
Have Spacesuit--Will Travel by Robert Heinlein
The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall
2012
Allison Hewitt is Trapped / Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeleine Roux
The Lost Hero / Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
2013
A Song of Fire and Ice series (Books #1-3)
The Passage
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
Neverwhere
The Mark of Athena
The Book Thief
The Angel's Game
The Lace Reader
Hyperbole and a Half
Me Before You
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
Smoke Gets in You Eyes by Caitlyn Doughty
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
The Wicked + The Divine comic series
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
2020
And just like that we are onto our third yearly food project. First year was grilled cheese (got a bit repetitive) and our second year was Soups and Stews Around the World (loved it), so this year I wanted to go a completely different direction. We are going to strive to make 52 New-to-Us Desserts and Snacks. Some will be recipes that I’ve had for a long time but never made. Some will be completely new. Some will be ones that are recommended from friends. Some will be ones that I purposely seek out. Whatever form they my take, all our recipes will be ones that we have never attempted before. I am going to try and balance our heavy desserts with lighter breakfast-style baked goods and interesting snacks (some might be more like appetizers). I’ve got a Pinterest board full of possibilities, a few options already in Paprika, and a stack of recipes books on my floor all ready to dive into this year’s project!
We ended up making 53 recipes from 53 different countries and territories throughout the world. Our basic plan was to rotate through regions to not overload ourselves in similar flavor profiles. Each of our Top 10 lists have some variations, but we ended up having a lot of crossover. There were some definite wins and definite losses through the year. Overall, I really enjoyed this project! We didn’t reach every country we wanted and even left out some big ones (India and China come to mind), so we are going to informally continue this project into the next few years. I want to scratch off all the countries and flags on my world map. But, let’s see what we loved this year:
I ended up with a wide range taste profiles and countries. All of our Top 10 picks are definitely going into regular rotation.
Sega Wat from Ethiopia - Hands down the best recipe we made!
Gazpacho from Spain - I will be making this one many times during the hot months.
Maafe from Senegal - Such a flavorful peanut stew.
Mang Cua from Vietnam - Loved this flavor profile!
Prawn and Sweet Potato Curry from Jamaica - Spicy jerk blend really elevated this one!
Miso from Japan - Super simple but oh so tasty!
Fesenjan from Iran - Different flavor profile that I really enjoyed.
Cullen Skink from Scotland - Really really good and could be better with proper smoked haddock.
Chili Verde from Mexico - Love my Tex-Mex style recipes.
Asam Pedas from Malaysia - I really loved the flavor profile and think I can make this even better.
Recipe 40: Ajiaco from Chile
A very standard type of beef stew. Not great, but a good variation of beef stew.
Recipe used from Mi Diario de Cocina
Recipe 41: Farikal (Lamb and Cabbage Soup) from Norway
This was interesting… J liked it, I was less sure. There is a very strong lamb taste to this dish and I wasn’t quite sure that I loved it. The peppercorns really do elevate the dish.
Recipe used from Fusion Craftiness
Recipe 42: Soupe au Pistou (Vegetable Soup) from Monaco
Good vegetable soup. I especially liked the garnish on top; added a nice bit of extra flavor.
Recipe used from International Cuisine
Recipe 43: Carbonada Criolla from Argentina
Decent beef stew. I think I would up the amount of wine, apricots, and prunes and lessen the amount of potatoes if we make it again.
Recipe used from Sugar Loves Spices
Recipe 44: Lamb Soup from Iceland
I liked this so much more than the Norwegian version. A subtler lamb flavor and more vegetables. Pretty good!
Recipe used from Foodie Quine
Recipe 45: Dovi (Peanut Stew) from Zimbabwe
This was so so good! We are definitely adding this into a regular rotation. Our only big change was to add more peri-peri sauce and sub in squash for okra (the store didn’t have any okra).
Recipe used from Arousing Appetites
Recipe 46: Scallop Bisque from Ireland
Ooh.. This was good, but could be amazing. We’re keeping it on our list of things to play around with.
Recipe used from Beyond Mere Sustenance
Recipe 47: Beef Stew from Flanders
I liked the beer flavor in this one, but the rest of it was pretty bland. We want big flavor in this house, and this one didn’t do it.
Recipe used from Ang Sarap
Recipe 48 : Mushroom and Potato Soup from Russia
Decent potato soup. I liked the inclusion of the dill, but otherwise it wasn’t amazing.
Recipe used from Tara’s Multicultural Table
Recipe 49 : Laksa Soup from Singapore
This was decent, but there’s something missing from the recipe. J and I kept debating different ingredients all through dinner. I bet I can figure this out and make the dish really really good. Also, I need less noodles and more broth next time.
Recipe used from Canadian Cooking Adventures
Recipe 50: Onion Soup from France
This was so good! So very rich, but so very good! It might end up on our Top 10 for the year.
Recipe used from The Kitchn
Recipe 51: Creamy Pineapple Soup from Cambodia
This was really good! With a couple of tweaks (more chili, add in some pineapple juice), I think it could be absolutely amazing!
Recipe used from Homemade and Yummy
Recipe 52: Chili Verde from Mexico
Really good! It was mild, but we could easily kick up the spice factor with more peppers. As is, we added some hot sauce on top with a dollop of sour cream and avocado. We ate it with tortilla chips.
Recipe used from Closet Cooking
Recipe 53: Fish Curry from the Seychelles
This was pretty good, but not quite great. The smell was amazing, but the taste didn’t live up to the smell.
Recipe used from The Food Dictator
House Goals/Resolutions
Successfully move into our new house! ✓
Make a list of house renovations/projects and complete at least 50% - Nope. Quarantining put a weird damper on this goal.
Create a plan to tackle the house one room at a time ✓ - We do have a more solid plan.
Life Goals/Resolutions
Get back into a gym schedule - We dropped our membership due to COVID, but did buy a treadmill in July and have been more intentional in using it.
Complete our 52 Weeks of Soups and Stews Around the World (adding some permanently to Paprika) ✓ - We completed 53 different recipes.
Create a spending budget and stick to it - Nope. I completely forgot about this.
Create and stick to a new weekly routine for Quentin and Arthur - Nope.
Plan and complete a fun summer road trip! - Nope. Cancelled.
Plan and complete a reading retreat! - Nope. Cancelled.
Reading Goals/Resolutions
Read 200 books / 50,000 pages ✓
Decrease my physical UnRead Shelves by 50 books - Nope. I didn’t get very many completed.
Decrease my ebook UnRead Shelves by 30 books - Nope. But I did get closer than the previous goal.
Create a library/reading space in the new house ✓ - Loving my space!
Follow my reading whims/cravings instead of rigid reading challenges ✓
Craft Goals/Resolutions
Finish all currently in progress projects - Nope. Completely unrealtistic goal.
Organize a craft space in the new house ✓ - In December, but I did it!
Take stock of my supplies and use them! ✓ - I need to do a bit more organizing and weeding, but I did buy less this year.
House Goals/Resolutions
Tackle at least one big renovation project - We’re thinking it’s probably going to be landscaping and the deck. The deck is going to be a safety issue pretty soon so we at least need to remove it this summer at some point.
Lay out a kitchen renovation plan - The actual construction won’t be for a few years, but we need to figure out most of the plan soon as it might impact some other house projects.
Life Goals/Resolutions
Set a treadmill goal for every month - I am really enjoying the convenience of having a treadmill in the basement. I need a firmer schedule, but it has been going well.
Complete our 52 Weeks of Desserts and Snack
Plan and Complete a fun summer road trip
Plan and complete a reading retreat
Reading Goals/Resolutions
Set up a book buying budget - Last year I spent somewhere around $315 on books. For this year, I’m going to set a budget of $350 to spend on books (new, used, or ebooks).
Read 200 books / 50,000 pages
Decrease my physical UnRead Shelves by 50 books
Decrease my ebook UnRead Shelves by 30 books
Craft Goals/Resolutions
Complete at least 60% of my currently in-progress projects
Finish organizing my craft space
Organize and use my supplies! (limited buying)
Next up on the TBR pile:
