I’m really on a streak of great books. I enjoyed everything I’ve read lately, and that doesn’t always happen. But this time, let’s start with food! I’m going to rewind all the way back to Easter Sunday…
After all my complaining about how I don’t like Easter, I actually ended up having a nice day! We started the day off with pancakes. Special strawberry Easter pancakes for my daughter…
And for mine, I used a recipe from a website I won’t mention, because I don’t want to incriminate them. Let’s just say I made some substitutions, and my pancakes looked a little strange (but still tasted good!) If it were April Fools Day, I would have told my daughter that my pancakes were hers, ha ha…
One of the reasons I thought I would be feeling down on Easter is that I miss my son. But he texted me mid-morning to let me know the church service he was playing at would be live-streamed (all trumpet players have church gigs on Easter, even college students!) So I was able to tune in and see him- it was so fun! My sister also watched, and we texted back and forth during the service (‘Paul still has his beard!” “I wish there was more music!”) So I got my family time after all, thanks to modern technology.
In the afternoon, my daughter and I made carrot cake cupcakes, and it was fun to collaborate on a project.
Dinner was lasagna! I make a vegan lasagna using tofu ricotta.
Fast forward to this week. Suzanne posted about this chickpea bowl, and all it took was stopping quickly at the grocery store, opening a few cans, and we had this delicious dinner. At the last minute I remembered we had naan from Trader Joe’s to go with it.
Now for the reading portion of this post!
Exposure was a great book that I almost DNF’d halfway through. The story takes place during the Cold War in London, and a couple inadvertently gets involved in espionage. At about the halfway point it was making me incredibly anxious. I really cared about the characters and didn’t want what was happening to them to happen. I knew it was the mark of a good book- the story seemed so real. Luckily I kept reading, and when I realized that Lily was an incredibly strong woman who wasn’t going to let anyone walk all over her, I stopped being anxious and thoroughly enjoyed the story till the end. I want to read more Helen Dunmore.
This book probably isn’t for everyone. I think you have to be a real fan of mysteries to enjoy it. In the very beginning, the author lays out ten “rules” for mysteries: The solution can’t be anything involving supernatural agencies, or twins; the criminal must be someone introduced early in the story; all the clues must be available to the reader… as soon as I read that page, I knew I would enjoy the book. Yes, the story was a little convoluted, but it was a solid murder mystery and was entertaining to read. Once again, probably only recommended for true fans of the genre.
And, one last book that I’m re-reading. I read this book years ago and loved it. Scott Jurek recounts his biggest races, talks about his training, and explains his vegan diet. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE??? It was the first book I read about ultra running, back in 2012 when it was published. It’s a good book to read the week before my race. Although Scott excelled at 100 mile races, I can take some of his wisdom and apply it to my 50k on Saturday. Plus, I don’t know if I have the mental energy to read a new book this week, so a re-read is perfect.
What are you reading now?
Do you like Indian food? – If yes, try these chickpea bowls!
24 Responses
Ha – I read some of Vassos Alexander’s “Don’t Stop me Now” before my ultra – the morning of it, even, which was sent to me by our Cari and included him doing the full ultra I was doing half of! Lovely meals and how super you could live stream your son’s service and feel part of it.
Oops just wrote a comment then didn’t send it. So again: ha – I read Vassos Alexander’s “Don’t Stop me Now” the night and morning of my ultra -given to me by our Cari and included him doing the full version of the ultra I was about to do! Also, if you get invested in characters and worry about their fates, I recommend not reading The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa by Stephen Buoro which has just punched me in the gut!
I will definitely avoid that book! I do get extremely worried about the characters in books. But I will look for “Don’t Stop Me Now.” That sounds like something I would like!
I have been meaning to make that chickpea bowl since Suzanne first posted about it ages ago! And then I kept forgetting. I think this is a sign I need to make it, stat!
I am so glad you got to see your son play! Ah, technology. Where would we be without it?
I am reading The Body Liberation Project, and I LOVE IT. I heard the author speak on a podcast and I was intrigued, and this book does not disappoint. It’s really excellent. I just finished How Not To Drown In A Glass Of Water which was also really good.
I love the look of those cupcakes! Very festive!
Yes, thank you to technology and also Covid- I’m sure this church started live streaming during the pandemic. I’ll be interested to hear how you like the chickpea bowl!
Three days until your ultra!! How exciting is that?!
It’s a great idea to read an inspiring ultra-running book – I’m sure you will think of a few passages during your run on Saturday.
This week, I read a recap of Sean, who ran 200 miles race in Wales, UK. It’s a very inspiring read! Just in case you need a story about grit and bloody feet. 🙂
Here’s the link: https://trailrunningforlife.com/my-biggest-challenge-yet-taking-on-wild-horse-200/
Oh, I love stories about bloody feet (for real!). I’ll check it out.
I bet you are getting excited! I love chickpeas and Indian inspired dishes and chana masala is one of my favorite things to order when I am out! I often make a chickpea dish like that and add tofu or chicken too for some extra textures.
Scott Jurek is an inspiration and also I think he is a nice person! He is also quite tall! I actually ran into him at Western States last year and did not really think it was him. I told my friend, “that guy looked just like Scott Jurek!” and then I checked later and sure enough, he had been volunteering at one of the aid stations!
Yes, I heard he was volunteering at an aid station! I’m sure that caused a lot of excitement. And, I think tofu would be a great addition to the chickpea bowls.
Yum! I’ve got to make us some lasagna soon.
I can hardly believe my luck with the books lately. Last night my library hold for A Spell of Winter came in – a double rec from you and Engie. I’m not sure if I’ll get to it before next week, but I’m excited. I’ve got a credit for audible and I’m pretty sure that I’ll be redeeming it for Des’s book.
Ooh, I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Spell. And Des’s book- I’m waiting for my library hold on that one.
I’ve read several Scott Jurek books; he seems like a complicated personality but I really liked both books.
I just finished Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout; it was okay, but a bit disappointing since it won the Pulitzer Prize and I was hoping for “more.”
All your food looks sooooo good! I’m not a huge chickpea fan but make a vegan soup that includes chickpeas and tomatoes and aromatics, so it reminds me a lot of this chickpea bowl recipe!
The funny thing is, the author of that recipe also says they don’t like chickpeas, but they like them in this. So maybe you would like it?
I need to try that chickpea bowl. We love chickpea AND Indian food! Your Easter pancake does look pretty sad but I am glad it at least tasted good! And how fun that you got to see Paul play on Easter! I feel like Easter is a peak holiday for trumpet players because the music on Easter Sunday is extra peppy!!
I’ve heard good things about Everyone in my family. I think I will read it at some point. I’m almost done with “Jacqueline in Paris” which is historical fiction about Jackie Kennedy’s junior year abroad in Paris. It’s been a great read but also involves espionage and has been kind of intense/stressful at points!! Next I’m going to read “More Than You’ll Ever Know” which is about a woman who was living a double life and had 2 husbands, I think? I heard about it on a podcast but now the details are fuzzy.
Interesting- most books like that involve a man having two wives. I want to hear all about it. And if you like chickpeas and Indian food, I think you’ll like the chickpea bowls.
Oh, that chickpea bowl looks so delicious! I’m drooling over here.
Helen Dunmore is an interesting author. I still can’t get over how normal A Spell of Winter was until page 104 and then how normal it turned again!
Yes, “interesting” is definitely the word. I wonder if all her books are disturbing in some way?
Awww, so glad you got some quality time with your daughter AND got to see your son perform on Easter! That makes all the difference.
YAY for you liking the chickpea bowls! I have leftovers in my fridge and I can’t wait for dinner to eat them up!
“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” sounds so fun! I really want to read it!
I know you like mysteries, so I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the book. And… the leftover chickpeas are even more delicious than the first night- enjoy!
I’ve bookmarked the chickpea bowls, so thank-you. Good luck in your final preparations for your race.
Thank you Melissa! I hope you make the chickpea bowls and enjoy them as much as we did.
You’ve got me craving lasagna, too! Maybe I should try that for Easter dinner next year. I’ve been making ham balls & cheesy potato forever; it may be time for a change in menu (?). Good luck on Saturday!!!
Thank you Kim! I think this is the first year we made lasagna on Easter, but it might be our new thing.
The pancakes definitely look like the Easter Bunny!