The Nest

Strangely enough, despite all the purchased books to be had at Grandma's house, the one book I read cover-to-cover during my stay was a library book. The only sad part of the trip (besides leaving to go home) was seeing all the books Grandma isn't putting on Goodreads. I'm fortunate I saw A Northern Light on the table (and had the good sense to pick it up).


Here's my nest at the house, with A Northern Light, some snacks (which also abound at Grandma's house, as they should), other reading material, and my travel pillow.

This was the first time I took the pillow on a plane trip. Kind of a pain (since I had to stuff it in my bag along with my CHI iron and the requisite airport bagel w/cream cheese), but quite appreciated during my window-seat naps. Grandma, who made the pillow case, should be pleased to hear that someone at the airport commented on the lovely pillowcase. I told the admirer my mother had made it, to which she replied, "Moms are pretty nice, aren't they?"

Yes, they are.

Opportunities Abound

I popped in at home recently for Dad's birthday. It was a low-key event (I think "low-key" is a synonym for our family name), but I enjoyed myself, and I didn't hear anyone else complaining.

In an effort to travel light, I didn't take a book on the trip. I listened to The Language of Bees on the plane, and trusted that I would find something to read at the house.

Just look at all the choices! I managed to take only two books home with me (Fortune Cookie Chronicles and Freakonomics).

Worms!

You never know what interesting finds you'll discover at Grandma's house.

The Original

I posted earlier about Mississippi Mud Cake, and struck a chord with at least some of my readers. Here's the original recipe, from Mable Hoffman's Chocolate Cookery.

I just realized that this recipe shares a key ingredient with two of the other most worn recipes at Mom's house. Any guesses as to which two recipes those might be?

Just to Clarify

I think 90% of my readers already know, but I am not teaching seminary this year.

I would like to tell you that I am using the reclaimed time for all the reasons I asked to be released (getting the house in order, exercising, researching, etc.). As soon as I start doing any of that, I'll let you know.

School started here on August 10. I cannot fathom that under different circumstances, I would have already been teaching class every weekday morning at 6:15 for a week.

And this is totally unrelated, but how cool would it be to paper your entire office with Post-it notes?

Never mind. It wouldn't be nearly as cool as papering a car. Where have I been?