feb '21 favorites
Small things that made my February just a little bit better.
Recipe
Don’t you think winter just hollers for soup? Warm and kind and snuggly. I’m not sure if soup should be described as kind or snuggly but I’m offering no apologies for highlighting another one this month. I’ll admit that I’ve only made the Crispy Chicken Khao Soi Noodle Soup 3 times but you have to understand I’ve only had Tieghan Gerard’s cookbook, Half Baked Harvest Super Simple a few months. I am picky about cookbooks but so far none of us are complaining about her delicious recipes.
If you do try the recipe feel free to substitute or add in kale. I have tried both rice noodles and egg noodles with great results. The only other recommendation I would make is instead of putting the noodles separately into bowls (per the recipe) I plop the noodles directly into the pot just prior to serving. One disclaimer: DO NOT make the mistake of putting the noodles into the pot and simmering for an hour as you will have a sticky mess….I may or may not know this by experience.
“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
Books
Historical Fiction:
Inspired by a thrilling true story Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon details the epic life of British spy, Nancy Wake. I’ll admit I do love a novel set in World War II but one with a brash and courageous heroine based on real life? Well, icing on the cake. Wake is so bold and unflinchingly brave that I couldn’t stop thinking, “I want to be just like her” the entire time I was reading. If you’re looking for a story with a narrative of prevailing against the odds this one is for you.
Biography:
The life of beloved children’s author Margaret Wise Brown (Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny) is detailed In the Great Green Room by Amy Gary. Biographies are another favorite genre of mine and reading about the life of an author made it all the more appealing. Brown was a talented, creative, and prolific writer who had written over 100 books before her death in 1952. Surprisingly she didn’t particularly care for children and yearned to write adult literature. Insights into her unconventional and tumultuous life make this book an interesting read. Her unexpected death at the age of 42 makes you wonder how numerous her books might have been.
Art Supply
The catalyst wedge is a tool I use almost every time I paint. (Top of the photo at left.) Similar to a kitchen spatula, rubbery and flexible. It spreads, smears, and makes marks in the paint. What’s not to love? My practice is to use the wedge on portraits to pull paint randomly across the face. It helps keep me loose and relaxed while creating unexpected colors.
“Artists give people something they didn’t know they were missing.”
From the Garden
The weather was rude last week when I dashed into the backyard to cut a sprig of parsley. Stopped short I found myself kneeling atop dead leaves, water seeping into my jeans lifting the Hellebore bloom. Its downward cast sheltering the pink petals. Fresh and happy. Maybe even radiant. Honestly, if that doesn’t give you hope for spring I don’t know what will. In my experience (here in Seattle) Hellebores are easy to grow and bloom for several months. Although I might suggest planting it in a more prominent location so it won’t be forgotten.
Discovery
This month’s big aha moment was unearthing the Enneagram. For those who haven’t heard of it-- basically, it’s a tool that breaks personality types into 9 categories. Although as individuals we each grow and change throughout life our enneagram number remains the same. It identifies your core attributes and weaknesses.
Technically this could’ve been in the book category since my discovery began with a book my daughter-in-law loaned me. But I feel like it’s deeper than a book.
Let me back up, I’m a former social worker so my interest in understanding people runs deep. My fascination for tools that offer clarity and insight into individual personalities might be greater than most
With that said my enneagram journey took me on a deep dive to learn all I could. Like, following Alice down a rabbit hole I was eager to explore and curious to understand. I find it all so interesting.
In this short time span, I am clearly no expert but if you want to gain a basic understanding without reading a book here, here, and here are a few places to start. You can also take a free test to learn your number here or here.
P.S. I’m a #2. If you know your number I’d love to hear it. You can leave a comment below or email back privately.
“What makes you different or weird—well, that’s your strength.”
I’m curious, what’s on your list of favorites?
