4 Things

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Hi!  Happy Sunday.  I hope things are warm, bright and sunny wherever you are.  Here in Minneapolis, we are getting there.  Here are some amazing things I've found on the internet this week.

It's May and May always make me think of commencement.  And what is commencement without a good speech?  George Saunders gave a wonderful commencement speech last spring at Syracuse University.  Among his wise words are,  "Do all the other things, the ambitious things — travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop) – but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness."  You can read the full speech here.

Have you started to think about your summer reading list yet?  Those books you plan to read poolside, on a plane, while you wait for a cabana boy to bring you your drink on a beach?  I just ordered "Delancey: A Man, A Woman, A Restaurant, A Marriage," by Molly Wizenberg.  Wizenberg has also written one of my favorite memoirs, "A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table."  She blogs at Orangette.

I have about a square inch of counter space in my kitchen.  Since my kitchen isn't my favorite, it don't spend a lot of time in there.  But I really want and need to cook more, so I'm going to keep a look out for healthy, easy recipes.  Ones that don't take a lot of counter space. This One Pan Chicken seems like a good contender.

I'm co-hosting Book Club tomorrow night.  Luckily, I only have to bring bread (that will be purchased en route from a bakery) and a salad.  This one looks perfect for spring! (And will only involve roasting a little asparagus, which is well within my skill set.)

Have a great week!

Happy Mother's Day/4 Things

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Happy Mother's Day!
I am not yet a mother but imagine that it isn't an easy journey.  Most things worth doing aren't.  I've been thinking a lot about my mom today.  And for all the gifts she's given me.  There are more than I could mention, but a few that came to mind...
-Faith.  Faith in God and in myself.
-A love of reading.  We were always visiting the library and bookstores.
-A love of color.  Red is our favorite!
-A love of beauty.  She'd make my dad pull over and pull wildflowers to plant in our front yard.
-Sewing.  And crafting.  And making stuff.  Which has shaped my life in ways I didn't think were possible.
So on this Mother's Day, I am so thankful. 

And now on to this week's 4 things:
-Here in MN, they say the state bird is the mosquito!  Lots and lots of bugs in the summer.  Instead of drenching myself in DEET, I might give this all natural bug spray a shot.
-I feel like I've fallen into a rut with handmade gifts.  Here's a new idea: snappy manicure wallet.  Would also be a great scrap buster!
-With spring finally reaching the upper Midwest, I can't help but think about picnics! 
-And on that picnic, how about serving the Best Snickerdoodles Ever!