Ducks vs. winter. I love how valiantly they’re trying to take back the pond.
One of my internet kindred spirits, Leigh Kramer, does this great thing at the end of every month where she posts all the stuff she’s been into. It’s how I discovered we watched all the same guilty-pleasure shows and love the same music and that she’s got impeccable taste when it comes to book recommendations.
And you’d think that stuff doesn’t really matter when we’re talking about deep stuff like God and faith and love and Depression, but it kind of does. These little things, they’re the building blocks for the big things, I think.
So when I saw that she’s starting a What I’m Into Monthly Linkup, I decided I’m in.
I don’t do too many linkups around here. I like to keep things simple. But sometimes, I get a little tired of writing so deep into my heart. So today, I’m going to tell you about my November. Maybe we’ll find out that we have more in common than just our harrowing spiritual journeys.
(Note: Leigh usually includes here a linkup of her favorite blog posts around the internet for the month, but I couldn’t get my act together to do that this time around. Maybe in December.)
Things I’m Reading
My brilliant, young-adult-writer friend got me hooked on John Green this summer when she lent me The Fault in Our Stars on tape for my 5-zillionth trip to Chicago.
Since then, I’ve been on John Green binge. I read An Abundance of Katherines, which I liked, Paper Towns, which I really liked and now I’m halfway through Looking for Alaska, which has been a little harder for me to get into for some reason.
I’ve been working through a few nonfiction books too. Madeline L’Engle’s second book of The Crowsswicks Journals series, Kathleen Norris’s Acedia & Me, and Scott Russell Sanders’ beautiful memoir A Private History of Awe.
(Leigh introduced a great strategy for reading multiple books at once a few weeks ago, and I think I’m going to have to try it. I’m having trouble getting books finished lately.)
I’ll probably put it all on the side-burner though this Christmas and focus on Advent reading.
Mandy over at Messy Canvas put out a cool Advent e-book that uses a-word-a-day to focus on the season. It’s the perfect amount of structure for me: it gives me a jumping off place but doesn’t tell me what to do. I may or may not have started it early. (It’s available here for only $5.)
I also picked up John Blase’s Advent book, Touching Wonder, which I’m really excited about.
Music That’s Moving Me
Someone somewhere on the internet posted a link to this youtube video of Sara Watkins’ song “Take Up Your Spade,” and I downloaded it immediately and played it all day on repeat. It’s become sort of my anthem for the month. Also on my November Mix: The Lumineers, “Stubborn Love,” All Sons and Daughters “Rising Sun” and Sleeping at Last “Noble Aim.”
Speaking of Sleeping at Last, they’ve got a great, free Christmas album right now on Noisetrade that you should go download immediately. I also downloaded Over the Rhine’s Snow Angel album there, which I haven’t had a chance to listen to yet, but I hear is outstanding.
What I’m Watching
True confessions: I’m afraid you’ll respect me just a little less when you hear what an indiscriminate TV watcher I am. I firmly believe that each person is allotted a few guilty pleasure shows…but I’m pretty sure I’ve exceeded my quota.
My husband and I have been watching Revolution all season, and the jury’s still out for me on that. I find the main character vaguely unlikeable, and it makes me stress a little about the end of the world. I’d much rather watch Parenthood, which makes me cry, without fail, every.single.episode.
Among the shows that I watch alone on hulu.com while folding the laundry or doing dishes: Revenge, Nashville, Vampire Diaries, Grey’s Anatomy, New Girl, Happy Endings, and one other CW show that I’m too embarrassed about to mention here.
This Happened in Our Kitchen
I knew that I’d made a mistake by getting my husband the book Born to Run when he told me one day that he wanted to try eating like an ultra-marathoner for the month of November (until Thanksgiving). Which meant that he wanted to eat beans and rice and quinoa and vegetables and salad and chia seeds and legumes. He wanted to juice beets and kale in our $2 garage sale 1980s juicer.
If you know anything about me, you know that in spite of my glowy organic dreams, I am a Kraft Macaroni and Cheese person. A Diet Coke and chocolate person. A pizza and pasta girl down to my cholesterol-filled heart.
But because I love him (and because I thought it might be nice to drop a few pounds), we tried it. Here are the best and worst from the two weeks we managed to eat like ultra-marathoners, before we gave up and went back to our regularly scheduled frozen pizzas.
Favorite Three:
- The beet juice (juiced with apples, carrots and a little ginger) wasn’t actually that bad. It was my first juiced veggie drink ever, and I think I did pretty valiantly.
- I tried this broccoli by the Amateur Gourmet and really liked it. Yum.
- Really liked this zucchini herb casserole. We used way less cheese and added more veggies, but all in all, it was one of my faves.
Least Favorite Three:
- We tried my friend Micha’s favorite green monster blender drink, but I think I did something wrong. There were a lot of tiny itty bitty pieces of kale, and the texture just about did me in. What am I doing wrong?! (Fill me in, you green-drink makers. I know you’re out there.)
- Crock Pot Beans and Rice. I’m not going to even link to the recipe here, but I think it’s probably just generally a mistake to do rice in the crock pot.
- Two things I learned about quinoa: it’s pronounced “keen-waa” and from now on, I’m officially calling it “keen-BLAHH.” Not for me. But if you like quinoa, here’s the recipe I tried. At least it looks pretty…
Top Five Moments of the Month
- In preparation for the dental office party she’s organizing, my mother-in-law sent Andrew and I to the Mall of America to try out the photo scavenger hunt she created. It was a blast. This may or may not be us dressed as rappers.
- On November 10th, I had the honor of signing on with Rachelle Gardner as my new agent and then went underground with some major book edits. You can read my post about it here.
- My parents came through town on their way to South Dakota this month (my mom, a couple of days early to watch the kids while I worked on my book.) Watching my kids play with their grandparents always makes my heart happy.
- We hosted a small Thanksgiving, and it was a blast. Here’s a picture of my table. Eat your heart out Pinterest.
- Putting up the Christmas tree with the kids was awesome. Liam still doesn’t get it, but Dane was so much fun this year, putting his ornaments in just the right place. Looking forward to the Christmas season with this guy.
On the blog
- I wrote about that thing people say when you’re faced with an impossible decision “Just Pray About it.” Also about our new church and my decision to have an imperfect Christmas.
What about you? What are you into this month?
(Linking up with HopefulLeigh for her What I’m Into synchroblog.)
Beautiful, Addie. Loved this very personal glimpse into what rocked your boat this month. What a fantastic idea! It is only as we reflect back that we can truly appreciate the good things. It may not be as ‘deep’ as usual but this is still very much grace-filled and full of thanksgiving. Thank you
Thanks so much, Joy!
I like you. That is all.
I like you back.
Finally, someone else who thinks quinoa is gross. Everyone I’ve told that too is all ‘you’re just not cooking it right.’ No, it’s just not good. And I just added all of those books to my list. John Green looks like a fun read.
I just saw a “quinoa mac and cheese” recipe on Pinterest, and I’m thinking maybe it would work smothered in cheese. I don’t know. The texture was hard on me. I have two big bags in my cupboard though, so I don’t know. Gah.
The best I’ve had is in a burrito when it’s slathered with cheese, salsa, sour cream, etc. When you come back to Chicago, check out Protein Bar — they make it taste good!
Clicked to listen to Take Up Your Spade. Like it!
And your table puts any that I’ve decorated to shame. Nicely done. Fun way to get to know you better.
Oh, and we have two ornaments a friend made of my husband and I (out of dough or something crafty like that) and our kids love to turn them so they’re kissing. Good times on our tree this year.
That’s so cute about your kids and the ornaments. And thanks for the kind words about my Thanksgiving table! I had so much fun setting it up.
Oh, Addie! I love YA novels. I’m so happy you do too. John Green will be next on my list because I trust you completely.
Totally agree about Revolution. I’ve been watching it all season too. All alone because my husband thinks it’s lame. But I haven’t decided yet. But Nashville? I’m in love with Nashville. And of course I cry every week during Parenthood.
As for the green drink? A straw is a must. I can’t handle letting those pieces of kale touch my teeth. I’m wiling to extend mercy on that one. We can still be friends.
Also, love that you and the hubs went on a scavenger hunt at the mall! Best date ever.
I’m in love with Nashville too! I love Connie Britton and that cute little blond songwriter/poet is wonderful. It’s totally sucked me in.
I’ll your Green Monster drink another try…with the straw. Maybe it grows on you? It doesn’t help that I’m a seriously picky eater.
And yes, the photo scavenger hunt was so much fun. It’s so rare that we have to be creative together in that kind of specific way. Such a nice change of pace!
This is so fun. I love that rapper photo.
I love Scott Russell Sanders but haven’t read A Private History of Awe. I’ll have to give it a try. And that broccoli looks delish. I may have to join this linkup in the future!
Do it! So much fun. And yes, Private History is good. So far it’s a bit more…quiet and reflective…than some of his other stuff that I’ve read. But it’s SRS, so it’s brilliant, obviously.
First of all, I have the same classy taste in tv as you do! No judgement here. ; )
Second, don’t give up on quinoa so fast! Try mailing it with chicken broth instead of water. It gives it a smidge more flavor. Also, if you add it to things, it makes a nice filling. I like it with tacos, tuna, and dried cranberries (but not altogether…that would be gnarly – ha!).
I do have a whole lot of it left in the cupboard, so I’ll try it again. My husband kind of liked it. Someone recommended that I mix it with wild rice, which seems like a good idea. The texture was what got me, and that might disguise it a little?? I don’t know. I WANT to like it…
I love this idea! And I agree—”These little things, they’re the building blocks for the big things, I think.”
I know. Leigh is kind of brilliant. You’ll have to join the linkup next month!
Addie, what a beautiful Thanksgiving table setting! Did you have people write what they are thankful for and hang it on the tree? And I, too, have been watching Nashville. Sometimes I think the acting and story line are questionable but it keeps drawing me in. AND I just found out that the guy who plays Gunnar is actually British and the girl who plays Scarlett is Australian. What the what?
Thanks so much. Yeah, we came up with like 12 different questions and made it an activity throughout the meal. So for example, Write one food you’re thankful for. Write one television show you’re thankful for. Write one risk you took this year that you’re thankful you took. Everyone wrote their answers on the tags above their plates and hung them on the tree.
I liked doing it that way because it helped give some structure to the question. Sometimes just “what are you thankful for” feels so…vague…it’s hard to pin it down.
And the Scarett/Gunnar plot is my favorite plot-line of the whole show I think. They’re just so dang cute!
Ha, I love your honesty about frozen pizza.
I usually try to cook healthy-ish foods, but MAN sometimes you really just need to pop a disgusting frozen pizza in the oven. (“Disgusting” because I insist on buying the cheapest pizza out there so that it’s not AS much of a temptation. (Doesn’t really work)) Also, about the green smoothie? I had to start w/ spinach and work my way up to kale, because it’s a lot harder to disguise taste-wise. I’m still trying to figure out how to make kale taste good. :S
Good to know about the spinach to kale workup. Maybe I should give myself some time to work up to it…not just throw myself into the deep end of healthy eating. Clearly my taste buds are going to have to be warmed to the idea.
I’m so glad you posted this because ***Oh my gracious, how did I miss that you signed with an agent for that much-needed book!?!*** Delayed happy dance for you here, friend!
Thanks so much Annie!
Addie, sometimes I can’t even handle how kindred spirit-y we are. WHY DO WE LIVE SO FAR AWAY FROM EACH OTHER? I just needed to get that off my chest.
The Fault in our Stars was the first John Greene I’ve read and I planned on working my way through the rest of his work. But then I forgot. I’m going to go put some library requests in! Also added Acedia and Me to my To Read list last night. I listened to the Sara Watkins song as I read and I’m in love. I’m going to have to listen to whatever else she’s got. I think you’ll really like OTR’s Snow Angels album. It’s one of my favorites. If you ever get a chance to go to their Christmas show, do not delay. One of the best I’ve been to- and I’ve been to a lot of Christmas shows.
I love the categories you’ve added here! The gangsta picture is amazing. Thanks for linking to my book nerd post and for linking up today. You are the best!
Yes, Acadia is so good, but it’s a long read. Like I can’t just do big chunks of it at a time, and I can’t do it every day. It’ll probably take me a couple more months to work through it.
(So glad you hosted this linkup. LOVED doing it.)
Fun post! Over the Rhine’s Christmas stuff is great. Your table is great too, gorgeous and festive. All those green smoothie people have Vitamix blenders. We also have a $2 garage sale blender, so we can’t do the liquid kale thing. (We roast or saute it in bacon grease instead. Mmmmm bacon.) I’m going to check out those YA books. Have you read Megan Whaler’s Attolia books? And finally, I’ve had very funny confessions with girlfriends where we admit to watching CW shows that we are far too old to be watching.
I agree that Megan Whalen Turner’s Attolia books are awesome (though totally unlike John Green’s books which are also great). John Green writes a lot faster, though. : )
Adding Megan Whalen Turner Attolia to the list now.
I love that I can blame my mixer. Let’s go with that.
(And yeah…so way too old to watch the CW as much as I do. It’s a little embarrassing.)
“Acedia and Me” was, I think, a literal Godsend to me a few years back. I was wandering the stacks of the library and just happened to pluck it out, no idea who Kathleen Norris was, or anything. I get so excited when I find other people who have read it! It was so meaningful to me.
I’m going to check out some of that YA stuff. I love YA fic. Best book I read this year was “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.”
I can’t really do kale in smoothies either! *gag* Only with a straw, like another commenter said. Spinach blends up real smooth, though, with juice/water & soy milk or what have you. I blend up those ingredients first and then add fresh banana and frozen fruit. The banana is a must, too, because it covers up the sulfur taste of the green veg and improves texture. Hope that’s helpful
That’s so cool about how you stumbled across Acedia. It’s so wise and beautiful…and heavy. I can only read it in small doses.
And thanks for the young adult rec and the smoothie ideas. Good idea! Will have to give it a try without the kale…until I can convince my body that it can do it again.
Addie… I watch Nashville, too. Just downloaded a song from itunes yesterday. I’m so curious about the CW, btw.
Quinoa… I can’t do it either. I’ve cooked it with broth, herbs, spices and mixed it into salads, stuffings, etc. but there’s a bitterness I can’t get beyond. So I stick with barley and farro (my favorite). All grains are not created equal!
I’ve never even heard of farro! Will have to try it. And I didn’t know you could download songs from Nashville! Might have to do that. Love the stuff that Scalett and Gunnar do. They’re so dang good.
(And maybe, if we ever meet in person, I will confess my secret CW show. But not here friend. Not here.)
I know I always tease you about the Parenthood weeping
but this season has been brutal. I haven’t broken yet!
You are made of stone. I’m sure of it.
I must be doing something wrong. I LOVE quinoa. I also love what I call boxaroni and cheese too, so maybe I’m just a balanced person. ; )
A small note on what I’m into: I simply could not let go of baseball after the World Series, so I plunged into Baseball: The Early Years, which chronicles the origins of baseball through 1900. Mostly about owners and clubs and all the chaos of those times, but really, a must if you like old-timey baseball. FWIW.
Thanks for sharing about the baseball stuff. Might be good gift for some of the baseball fans in my life down the road.
Also, I saw on Pinterest the other day a recipe for quinoa macaroni and cheese. Best of both worlds?
Your Thanksgiving table looks amazing! I’m so excited about you signing with Rachelle. And you’re about the 14th person whose taste I admire to recommend The Fault in our Stars either directly to me or on their blogs this week. Point taken!
Thanks! I had so much fun getting it set up. With two little boys, we barely even sit at the kitchen table (breakfast bar mostly), let alone set it pretty. So that was fun.
And thanks so much for the kind words about Rachelle. And yes, read The Fault in Our Stars. The ending was a little sappy for me (I think I can say that without giving anything away), but the rest of it? Brilliant and beautiful.
I’m glad that I’m not the only who still isn’t sure about Revolution. I’m starting to find the main female character a bit taxing, so when she annoys me , I go read. I’ve heard such good things about The Fault in Our Stars…might need to go on ye ol’ reading list!
She’s just not all that likeable. Something about her. I need to believe I could be real-life friends with the characters in shows, and I just don’t get that vibe from her. (And yes, add The Fault in Our Stars to the reading list. Stat.)
Bought the John Blase book, thank you for taking the googling out of figuring out what I’m doing for Advent.
You really should go into rapping, so friggin hot….
And I didn’t even include the full-length version, in which I am wearing a gold miniskirt. (And my husband is wearing shiny silver pants.) Ohhhh yeah.