Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Summer Reading

Wow, I'm really taking this "unplugged" thing seriously! We have been busy and it has been good to take a little time away from the computer and spend it with my family. I have also taken the chance to do some summer reading.

These two books were a little present to myself. Flea Market Style by Emily Chalmers has long been on my wish list, but I don't usually splurge on "Eye Candy" type books. I am so glad I did, especially since I found it in a lovely local shop at a good discount. It has made for some day-dreamy afternoons in the garden over an iced tea.

Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day, was recommended to me by the owner of the same local shop. I haven't dived in yet to make any thing from it, but the pictures alone have my mouth watering, and reading some of his tips makes me think this might be a good one.

We have taken up travelling downtown every 2 weeks to the Central Library, a grand old brick place with marble stairs and 4 floors of books! I'm a library fanatic from way back, and to this day I experience a happy rush of anticipation upon entering those book filled buildings. The children's room of the Central Library is bigger than the whole of our neighborhood library, so Pony Girl thinks it's pretty great too.

Pictured: Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy and Savory Baking by Mary Cech

The library is a fantastic way to try out a craft or cookbook before purchasing. I have made some rather good choices this way and not been disappointed. It is also a wonderful place to discover hidden gems!

I am also enjoying an indulgence in magazine gazing lately. Loving Tree Fall's "Princess and the Pea" Doll pattern in issue 16 of Mollie Makes. A local foody mag is good for seasonal dinner ideas. Hmmmm...I think I may be starting to see a pattern in my reading material here.

Last but certainly not least, I ordered Action Pack Family Cooking edition 2012 and we are so excited to get cooking! We are definitely a family that enjoys cooking together and this issue looks fantastic with printable recipe cards!

I love Action Pack! Never heard of it? It is a downloadable magazine for kids (and the rest of the family) No ads, just great stuff! Put together by the multi-talented Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up, this series of magazines is awesome with a great range of topics! So, if you have kids, grand-kids, nieces, nephews, friends with kids, you should check it out.

So, what are you reading?

10 comments:

Wendy said...

Pony Girl is so lucky! The Central Library was on the top of my list of favorite places to go when I was growing up--the children's section had so many of the books I wanted to read that my branch didn't have. If I'd been able to go there every 2 weeks I would have been over the moon!

I've been getting more reading done this summer than usual--Two that I've renewed/checked out more than once so far are The Colette Sewing Handbook and Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson. I'm also waiting for a good chunk of time to get started on Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

Rachael @Mogantosh said...

Thanks for the Ation Pack link - my little magazine-and-food-loving Ted's birthday is coming up...perfect! Think I'll print and bind it for him. x

andrea creates said...

i love eye candy books ~ i try to get them at the library first to see if i really like them then if i keep renewing i splurge ;)
i love the flea market book btw-and mollie makes is so inspiring!!

vintage grey said...

Looks like some great summer reading!! The Flea Market Style seems like a great book! Mollie Makes are always so fun and inspiring! Have a wonderful week! xo Heather

Sherri B. said...

What a great post! I got a very generous Amazon gift card and have been making a list of books to choose from. The ones here are new to me so I will check them out and maybe they will make the cut.

I will also check out the link and pass it along to Kami as well.

I am never reading anything one thing in particular, but, if it has anything about food or decor it will be on my nightstand.

Thanks for all of the info! xo

Mare said...

Right now i am reading "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor Ph.D, and Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs-a Beginners Guide. On the Kindle-The Complete Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson. Also on the Kindle, getting ready to read-The Enchanted April-by Elizabeth von Arnim,(LOVED this movie) and King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I've been taking it slow(er) and have rediscovered reading in the process! Happy Reading to you too!

june at noon said...

Not so much reading for me right now, but that Flea Market Style--I might have to check that one out!

mybeardedpigeon@gmail.com said...

Those books all look so great- esp the French sewing one. I have just read Room by Emma Donoghue http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/01/room-emma-donoghue-review-fritzl I loved it.
I am trying to find more tiemto read at the moment as it forces me to rest a little and stop. I do love a good library too.

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

I'm trying at the moment not to buy any books so local library it is! Might put a couple of books on my Christmas list! These look good! Ada :)

Annie Cholewa said...

Reading: poetry, 'Lines: a brief history', and a couple of biographies. Nothing with eye candy I'm afraid. The French sewing book looks interesting.

You gotta' love libraries. And book stores :D