What I’m Into ~ Leap Day edition
“plie…chasse…jete…all day”
Leap Day. Twelve years ago today, God winked and gave us a Leapling. We’ve been into Leap Day ever since. Happy birthday, Madeline!
Food. I think the winter’s dark and cold brings it on, but I am into the culinary arts these days. Case in point: I find myself enjoying Food & Wine magazine way more than I ever imagined I would. I was given a year’s subscription but thought I’d have little time to read it. Much to my delight, I’ve found my moments tucked here and there, five or ten at a time–and am completely hooked. Love the pics, the articles, the recipes…a lovely way to dream a little during these sometimes drab winter months. I’m especially eager to try their Pork Chops in Sage Butter with Beet Puree and Swiss Chard for an upcoming Sunday dinner.
On the simpler side, Madeline and I were in Seattle recently and stopped in at DeLaurenti’s to grab some dinner-to-go. We loved their Sausage, Farro, and Kale Soup so much that I recreated it at home. Here’s my attempt, which Madeline agrees comes pretty darn close to the original, and–beauty!–it’s uber simple and good for you too.
Sausage, Farro, & Kale Soup
- 1 cup 10-minute farro
- 4-5 links Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 small (or 1 large) bunch kale, stems removed, leaves roughly chopped
- dash of thyme, salt and pepper to taste
- shredded pecorino-romano or parmesan for serving
- In a large pot, cook the sausage, breaking it up, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add everything else and simmer until the farro is tender, about 10 minutes.
- Top with shredded cheese.
[Tweet “What I’m Into: #LeapDay #NightDriving #FlightofDreams #WhereTheWindLeads @WorldVisionUSA”]
Books. Well, yes, I’m into books…you already knew that. But a couple to call out here: Addie Zierman’s Night Driving: a Story of Faith in the Dark releases this month and I’m in the process of swallowing my ARC nearly whole. It’s excellent, but since my review isn’t scheduled until next month, I wanted to give you a heads up. If you enjoy, as I do, deeply real memoirs about faith and hope in the midst of darkness, you’ll want to give it a look. Check out the book trailer:
Then there’s Ariel Lawhon’s Flight of Dreams. I was privileged to be on the list for an ARC without any obligation to
review, and as my plate is always full enough, I had originally intended to just give it a shout-out without a full review. But that was before I read it. Oh my. I’ve read an unprecedented number of great books already this year, and this is right up there. Friends, it is just SO GOOD, and my joy will not be complete until I tell you why. Look for my review this Friday.
Finally, there’s Where the Wind Leads by Vinh Chung, a memoir that’s been sitting on my shelf for over a year (a gift given to participants at a 2014 World Vision conference), but not until my Women of Vision group chose it as our first “book club” selection did I read it. We picked this one with the goal of educating ourselves on the refugee experience. It did that and more–it’s a fascinating story of rescue and redemption, and masterfully written. (I passed it along to my husband, who read it in less than a week.) A full editorial calendar restrains me from reviewing it immediately, but stay tuned. It’s coming.
After words: So that’s it for me. What are you into these days?
How fun to have a Leapling! We have a Half-Leapling–my daughter, Amanda, has a half birthday on Feb. 29th! My husband has always had a special time celebrating both of our daughters’ half birthdays, but the half-birthdays on the actual Leap Year date are extra-special.
We think it’s fun, indeed. Our family celebrates half-birthdays too, so on August 29, when we celebrate Madeline’s half, I’ll now by thinking of your Amanda, celebrating her whole! 🙂
Happy birthday to Madeline!
That’s fun that you celebrate half-birthdays, too! My husband decided that the real birthday was too full of parties and Mom-related fun, so he started the dinner and a movie thing for half-birthdays as just a special date for him and his girls. For sweet sixteen and a half, he went the extra mile and fulfilled a lifetime dream for himself in the process–he took each of them on a flight plane to Victoria and treated them to High Tea at the Empress!
By the way, speaking of Madeline, she and her friends might be interested in hearing about the contest going on right now for Sophie’s Quest. It’s a “Where in the World are Sophie and Timley NOW?” coloring contest, with entries so far from Florida, Seattle, and even Bulgaria! She can see how to enter at my website, http://www.sonjaandersbooks.com. It just started and will go through spring break trips until the end of April. She can win the sequel or even a cross necklace from the Holy Land!
Wow, your hubby goes WAY the extra mile! I’m impressed.
Thank you for sharing too about Sophie and friends. Happy to hear that her adventures continue. Will pass the good word along. 🙂
I think it helped that my husband was fulfilling a lifelong dream at the same time 🙂 .
What a great way to start my day. Happy Birthday, Madeline. Hope your celebration of you is a great one. I love farro so I can’t wait to try the soup. Then a bonus of 3 books that all made me just want to curl up and read all day. Thanks for what you do. <3
That makes my day to hear it! 🙂
I’ve always thought leap babies were special. Happy birthday to your beautiful girl! And thanks for the new book recommendations. So many books, so little time. 🙂
I so agree! On all counts. 🙂