family – Page 6 – Peaceful Reader

Vacation

I have a few great vacation photos to share with you. It fills me with great joy to get together with family and I am blessed to have such an amazing extended clan on my husband’s side. We traversed through D.C., NYC, Brooklyn, and Rochester, NY. Whew. I’m tired just thinking about it and am happy to be home.

Three handsome Holt men, happy to be together, talking politics.

We toured the new National Museum of African American History and Culture and it was spectacular and overwhelming. So much information on 5 floors. I need to go back and look at all that we missed but it was a great first look. Japhy and Sophie enjoyed walking around together.

We made it to the top to view the Lincoln Memorial-it was a struggle and really sweaty (temps were in the 90’s). Anton enjoyed his first look at D.C. and the National Mall area.

My mother-in-law wins the “best” MIL award. She always makes our time together special with food, wine, stories, and lots of hugs. I am very lucky to have Allen and Phyllis in my life. This is our last meal together before we head off to Brooklyn to see Kaylee.

We all enjoyed School of Rock on Broadway as our friend Joel Waggoner (@joelwags85) rocked several roles in this kid-friendly show. We loved our backstage tour, meeting a few cast mates, and dinner with him. If you are headed to NY anytime soon-this is a show to see. Greg and I also saw Waitress, which is not kid-friendly, and was excellent!

Joel and Tristan right outside vegan sushi place, Beyond Sushi. Tristan and I loved this place-the flavors were delicious!

We took a quick side trip out to Coney Island and it was a perfect afternoon. Not too hot, nice and breezy, we enjoyed the beach and the boardwalk before heading back to Brooklyn to meet up with friends at Drummer’s Grove in Prospect Park.

Sunday morning we had a delicious Blessings brunch with live jazz playing right behind us. We loved getting to see Kaylee’s neighborhood and the Gimlet Media office area. We also had a great dinner at Frankies in Brooklyn.

And our last stop was Rochester, NY for a Red Wings game (AA for MN Twins). We loved Rochester and would have loved to explore more.

What a beautiful day

It’s my birthday. All day. I still like my birthday. This morning I did a gray hair check and I still don’t have any, much to my husband’s irritation. I’m in the age range where there should be at least a few and it’s not like I’ve had a completely stress-free life. I’ve not. Family and financial problems are always near.

Here are a few things I’d like for my birthday:

1. Hydro Flask – In researching water bottles I decided stainless steel is the way to go. I’ve had several glass bottles and both broke within a short amount of time. I’m not a huge fan of drinking out of plastic but my Tupperware bottle from Target has lasted the longest. I like that stainless will keep my cold water cold just as my Cup of Joe stainless keeps my hot water + lemon hot for long time.

2. Black Dansko clogs – My last pair’s heel broke at the end of the school year which was really unfortunately. These are my go to shoes for just about any casual event or school. At some point I’d love to have a funky pair as well but for now I’m happy with the classic.

3. Birkenstocks – I’m on my 3rd pair and Groovy Teen is a recent convert. My black pair of clog style are really worn down and I’d like to trade them in for a brown pair of suede two straps. So comfortable.

As you can see my feet are very important and I’m happy wearing sandals well into September or October weather-permitting. Plus I like quality over quantity.

4. Pink cocktail ring from Sundance – I have two beautiful rings from Sundance and I’d like to add this one to my finger.

5. Books, Books, Books – I was able to browse today at one of my favorite bookstores, Politics an d Prose. Day is complete. I didn’t even buy anything for myself.

Except tonight we eat at Jewel of India so my day is far from finished.

I’m happy with hand made cards and hugs from my kids though. And considering we are on the East Coast visiting family I’ll happily take hugs from everyone.

July is almost over…

It’s been an amazing summer so far! It’s always hard to see summer melt away. And I’m one of the lucky ones in that I have days off to enjoy and sit in my hammock and read.

I met a friend at the farmers market this morning and I bought beets. She had a great time exploring-it was her first time at our downtown market-and she bought sweet corn, a huge tomato, and a berry pie. I’m sure they’ve finished at least half the pie by now. It looked delicious.

I met another friend at the library and we talked books for about an hour and a half. She’s also a librarian and she makes it to Book Expo so she is always far and ahead of me on what is new and great.

Book I finished yesterday:

Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson (2016): An excellent read about three boys who try to make their cancer-stricken teacher have a great last day before she leaves for treatments. Perfect for elementary and middle school.

In my bag now:

The Impossible knife of memory by Laurie Halse Anderson (2014): Recommended by a friend and I love Anderson’s work.

Bannerless by Carrie Vaughn (2017): Read about this one in an article about post-apocalyptic novels and after reading American War I decided this one sounded interesting as well. (RT update-I read almost the entire book in the car yesterday)

The Island of Dr. Libris (2015): Need to read for school, highly recommended.

The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill (2014): I loved Iron Hearted Violet and more recently The Girl who drank from the moon!

Recommended by my friend:

This is how it always is by Laurie Frankel
The stranger in the woods by Michael Fink
We were the lucky ones by Georgia Hunter
Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak
Small great things by Jodi Picoult

I’m excited to check some of these out from the library. After waiting and waiting for a copy of Alex and Eliza to come in at the library I finally downloaded it only to get a notice the VERY next day…#lessonlearned

July is starting off with a bang….

Literally. Fireworks are now legal in IA and it’s a horrible idea. It’s loud, sounds like gunfire continuously, just popping with no pretty after glow. At all hours of the day. I could be out back enjoying my hammock life, reading, dreaming, napping about mid-afternoon and pop, pop, pop; my peaceful moment is robbed. Tomorrow should be even more crazy. I have typed the word “chill” into my calendar for tomorrow so that’s while I’ll be doing no matter the sound affects around me.

Sweet Isabella

We did a tough thing today. We put our sweet Izzie to sleep. Toughest decision every. Many think we should have done it awhile ago but I think there is no right time. She wasn’t deathly ill, she was in pain and had trouble motoring around. The last few months she’d started this odd and consistent woofing that we thought was dog for “I’m not feeling like myself-can you fix it?” And we tried all her favorite treats and a round of pills but nothing seem to alleviate her pain. So we helped her along. Taking a page from the Dog Whisperer I treated her like a queen this past week. May she be romping pain-free tonight on some grassy knoll.

Between the fireworks popping everywhere and our sweet dog it’s been a rough beginning to the middle month of summer. I do have a delicious menu planned for tomorrow as we CHILL. Wild Caught Salmon, arugula salad, a raw corn salad, baked beans (Anton’s must have for any BBQ) and I’m making a strawberry rhubarb pie tomorrow. Groovy Teen and her quest to be dairy-free really misses ice cream so I’ve made her an almond milk version that I hope will turn out. It’s in the freezer as we speak.

Speaking of rough times-my Groovy Girl has requested in strong terms that I stop referring to her on this blog with that every so cute blog nickname. I call my other kids by their names but hers is unique and I like to hide her identity and she’s still under age. So I’ve been blandly calling her Groovy Teen in the last few posts. It just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Any suggestions…

A trip to bountiful…

We signed our young dancer up for a dance intensive in Madison and I have to admit it was something I was equally excited about it because I would have to spend the week there with her.

(James Madison Park)

We felt like we were in the land of plenty; surrounded by our people. Everyone seemed quirky, a bit earthy, polite, and healthy; bike riders and walkers were evident in every neighborhood. Traffic was expected to make way for pedestrians and bicyclists which was so refreshing. Plus we had many diverse cuisines to choose from. We made a pact to eat only local and found a lot of suggestions from this post. In order we ate at all these fabulous restaurants which showcase much of what Madison has to offer.

1. Maharana Restaurant: We found this gem after we stopped at Target to get a few things we forgot (like bread for her lunches-whoops) and through the magic of our GPS this Indian restaurant came up and it was just around the corner. She had Chicken Tikka Masala and I had vegetable somosas and a cup of coconut soup. At the end of dinner our waiter brought out complimentary ice cream. This restaurant, for the first night of our adventure, was amazing.

2. Monty’s Blue Plate Diner: This was number one on the list and after we left the dance studio it was POURING/HAILING on us and the Prius. We made it into this bright blue beacon and were greeted by friendly staff as we shook off like wet dogs. I had a delicious artichoke sandwich and the starving dancer had a roasted chicken, bacon, and herbed goat cheese sandwich. There were about 12 menu items I was interested in so I’ll have to go back and it shows what a diverse menu Monty’s offers. (I mean lots of vegan and vegetarian choices)

3. Ha Long Bay: Vietnamese and Thai combo in an eclectic neighborhood and it was packed on a Tuesday evening. We ate dinner almost every night right after dance class at 4:30; she was starving after a long day of exercise. We shared tofu spring rolls and two excellent main dishes. We both thought it was comparable to our favorite Ginger Thai here.

4. Fair Trade Coffee House: After three such amazing meals we opted for something smaller on Wednesday. Each day I hung around downtown or at James Madison Park, writing, reading, napping, exploring, walking, and researching our next meal but on this day I walked up and down State St. just looking in windows and checking the downtown scene. The smells from this shop lured me in and I sat and enjoyed an iced chai tea. On the daily chalkboard a chickpea curry soup was advertised and I knew that’s what I wanted for dinner.

5. Alchemy: Everyone picks a dud at some point. I read about this one and dragged her there and she was dubious-it wasn’t on our list and the name didn’t speak to her. I told her they had sweet potato fries and we agreed if she didn’t like anything on the menu we would just get the fries and be done. We had the fries, which turned out to be chips, and while the sauces were amazing, many of the fries were burned. I also ordered a cocktail here b/c it sounded refreshing (fresh blueberry kombucha mojito) and it sadly tasted watered down. We looked out the window and I spotted Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace that I’d also read about and we hopped over there instead. Groovy Girl had an amazing burrito and we know we’ll go back to the Taco Palace again.

6. Taste of India: We liked the first Indian restaurant so much but found this one and decided to give it a try. It was equally as good and by this time Greg had joined us for one night and he is a connoisseur of Indian food and he was thrilled they had Lamb Korma and Groovy Girl had another chicken dish. I tried the sauce for both and liked the spice. I was happy that both Indian menus had extensive vegetarian choices.

(Madison Public Library-downtown)

It was a great week of food and fun, living out of a suitcase with my favorite 14-year-old. I spent time enjoying the lakes, the views and the literary scene via the Madison Public Library and two bookstores, Mystery to me and A room of one’s own, all independent and thriving reading communities. After every adventure it is always wonderful to be back home, in my own bed, my dogs and my house projects to finish.

Goodness it's June

It’s hot and sticky; feels like August and yet it’s the beginning of summer. I’ve traveled twice to Indiana to work in the bakery. Fun but hot and sweaty and not as profitable as we thought. You win some, you lose some. The donuts were still amazing as was the strawberry rhubarb pie. I’m very happy to be home though in my own little abode with my relaxing backyard. I took a nap, a bath, and then read in the hammock in that order after I pulled into my driveway.

I’m making preparations for Father’s Day Brunch at my house for my husband. Kids will be here and I need to make a combination of vegan and non vegan food. So standard fare is pretty easy; scrambled farm eggs (I still have a good supply from a farmer/teacher friend) and bacon for the dad; grits, fruit, and vegan waffles for the diary-free, vegetarian crew. I also found a recipe for vegan cinnamon rolls so I’m thinking of making those also. With all that bread-iness filling the table I’m going to balance with lots of fresh fruit.

Of course, we are beginning the day with a Bloody Mary bar and so the meal will be necessary to combat all that vodka. How else do you really make fathers feel special than to liquor them up before breakfast? I know my handsome husband will be happy to enjoy this day of rest in his otherwise crazy busy schedule.

How is the beginning of your summer?

May Flowers

We’ve just returned from a lovely little road trip north to see my brother for his birthday. He lives in a suburb with a beautiful lake and today we went out in his boat for a long ride along the shore looking at the amazing architecture. I love being on the lake, the wind, the smell, the sounds, the feeling of skimming over the water. We saw a muskrat, a loon, and many sailboats catching the breeze. It was chilly so we were wrapped in coats, blankets and hats. It was a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning, communing with nature.

On Saturday night we traveled the few minutes to downtown for drinks and dinner. We parked near an old hangout of mine, Runyon’s, so we stopped in, had a drink, and watched the Kentucky Derby. Then we went around the corner for dinner at 112 Eatery. I’d never eaten here before but would go again. The food was delicious. I had a carrot and sweet pea risotto with Humboldt fog. I had to look it up but Humboldt fog is a cheese. The combo was amazing and I’m a little sad I left my to-go container in the their fridge. We also enjoyed the Tres Leches cake and a Key Lime Pie with coconut. Dessert is my favorite. Anton was with us and he enjoyed people watching and trying new foods/drinks with us.

I spent the ride home reading and sleeping. I started The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It’s been on a stack by my bed for a few years and now with the new series I picked it up right after I finished Zadie Smith’s The Autograph Man. I like Zadie Smith’s writing but I had trouble feeling anything for the main character, Alex-Li. The Handmaid’s Tale, on the other hand, has me reading quickly. It’s a bit creepy and a lot of back and forth to learn the past and the present of the story. I’ve also never seen the actual movie starring Natasha Richardson and Faye Dunaway. So that is on my massive to-do list.

Happy May everyone! Enjoy and celebrate the sun.

Recipes + Books

That’s what it’s really all about.

I made a lovely dinner a few nights ago after dance. I had extra ricotta cheese from our big shells recipe and after a quick search I found this Lemony Ricotta Pasta (from The Kitchn). Groovy Girl loved it. She is working on eating less cheese/dairy and certain items seemed to trigger more. Ricotta cheese doesn’t seem to be a problem. Pizza, though, huge problem much to her huge dismay!

I had to laugh today as I discovered this post from long ago (2014) as I searched for a pie crust recipe for my mother. Good to know we like what we like!! Do take a moment to click back; it’s worth it.

This was not a stellar reading month for me. Only two books. I did watch all of Season 1 and 2 of The 100, a dystopian drama series. I highly recommend it but it did get in the way of my reading.

1. Piecing me together by Renee Watson (2017)- What a gorgeous cover that is. I want to know that young woman. Jade struggles with the two worlds she is part of; one with her mother where there are never enough money or groceries at the apartment she shares with her mother and uncle. Jade attends a private high school on a scholarship and she pushes herself to take every opportunity to get ahead. When she is asked to be part of a new Woman to Woman mentor program she starts to see clearly what she wants from her life even as her mentor struggles with her own path. Jade’s character is strong with an artistic flair. Renee Watson has a few other books out that I am now interested in. Jade’s coming-of-age tale of friendship, survival, finding your own wings should be enjoyed by many.

2. The Autography Man by Zadie Smith (2002)- As I’ve carried this book around to dance classes, church, coffee shops, and brew pubs over the last few weeks I’ve had many ask me how I like the book. My answer has been the same; weird. The autograph man is Alex-Li Tandem and he is drifting through life, drugs and alcohol are his entertainment, and his friends are merely bystanders as Alex messes one thing up after another, including his long-term relationship with Ester. On a buying trip to NYC through a chance encounter he meets the woman of his dreams. She’s now 70 but he loves her anyway. As he makes plans to bring Kitty Alexander back to England with him, it’s unknown whether this will help him recoup the life he’s wasted. It’s an interesting journey. I like Zadie’s writing. I’m just not sure I feel invested in the autograph man’s story.

I’m really ready for May. And some warmer weather. Although after seeing this photo sent to me yesterday by a Colorado relative I’m glad I’m not there. It only feels like winter here.

It's a crazy time of year…

Work is crazy-good-but crazy. I have a new library assistant and it has been amazingly fun to work with her, train her, and watch her work and develop relationships with our students. I have 4 boxes of new books from Follett and several boxes from Scholastic to process and add to the collection. We’ve had several big school events that our group of leadership ambassadors have been part of and that just takes work from me to organize. It’s inspiring to work with them and pushes me in new directions but it’s challenging to add that to my already busy library tasks.

{Groovy Girl – 9th grade formal ready}

Home is crazy because dance is on extreme mode as we approach the end of May recital. We have costumes to attend to, tickets, pictures, makeup, pasties to buy. We also shopped for a 9th grade formal dress/shoes and that was a whole fun shopping night. We found beautiful shoes and an on-sale dress that matched and were perfect. Groovy Girl is going with a group of free-spirited girls and a few boys are tagging along with them. One (girl)friend will wear a suit of some sort, another a pair of sparkly Chucks with her dress, a few have dates, but most are just going to be together, dance, and have fun.

Home is also crazy because my husband has three different plays going on and is working with 1st graders at a local school. Plus he’s building a structure in our backyard to house a special new family pet. This enclosure has been time-consuming but it looks so beautiful. He had to take out our garden plot to build this so this year I will try gardening in the front yard plot plus some containers on the patio.

{Beauty uncovered}

We will soon celebrate Teenage Boy’s birthday-he’ll be 22 on Friday. No longer a teenage boy anymore but that lives on in my mind. We are celebrating together at an Italian restaurant in Marion. We will come bearing gifts fit for a 22 -year-old college student. He and his girlfriend took a quick trip, for a family wedding, to one of our favorite states-Colorado.

Anton is doing really well and has worked with a local organization that helps at-risk young adults return to school. He’s put in an application for Hawkeye Community College. That was a happy day. There is still a long uphill journey to go but at least we started out.

{Colorado Trip}

Tag: family