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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

September 11, 2020

5 Must Read Books August 2020 Part 1

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August 2020 was a great reading month for me. Here are reviews of the 5 of the 9 books I read this month, all 4 and 5-star reviews, which is really unusual! Part 2 will be coming soon.

In August 2020 I read 5 books and they were all fantastic! Check out this blog post for in depth reviews and buying options for each book! #bookreview #bookstoread #mustreadbooks #August2020books #fictionbooks #newreleasebooks

Since the pandemic began, I’ve had such a hard time concentrating on books. I’m reading a lot slower than normal for some reason – I’ve heard this from so many other people so I know I’m not alone! I’m so thankful that in August 2020 I was able to finally really love some books I’ve read. If you are looking for some 4 and 5-star fiction books or memoirs, read below for full book reviews of each. Each of these books kept me more interested than other books have lately and I know there is a book or two in this collection that you will love as well!

picture of Libro.fm's homepageAlso, as I’ve shared in a previous post, the switch I made to Libro.fm for audiobooks has been the best.  I love that they share profits with local, independent bookstores. If you are interested in giving Libro.fm a try, simply click here to start a Libro.fm monthly membership for only $14.99 and you’ll get 2 audiobook credits with no expiration. You can also use code dineanddish at checkout for the same discount. 

5 Fiction Book Reviews from August 2020

 

The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones by Daven McQueen

Publisher Info: Wattpad Books June 2020 | #of pages: 312 | Length of Audiobook: not available on audio | Genre: Teen Historical Fiction | Source: Library

Direct Links:  📚Amazon or 📖Goodreads

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐| Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Publisher Blurb: It’s the summer of 1955. For Ethan Harper, a biracial kid raised mostly by his white father, race has always been a distant conversation. When he’s sent to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle in small-town Alabama, his Blackness is suddenly front and center, and no one is shy about making it known he’s not welcome there. Except for Juniper Jones. The town’s resident oddball and free spirit, she’s everything the townspeople aren’t―open, kind, and full of acceptance.

Armed with two bikes and an unlimited supply of root beer floats, Ethan and Juniper set out to find their place in a town that’s bent on rejecting them. As Ethan is confronted for the first time by what it means to be Black in America, Juniper tries to help him see the beauty in even the ugliest reality, and that even the darkest days can give rise to an invincible summer.

Daven McQueen’s Juniper Jones is a character for all ages in this sweet coming of age story set in 1950s Alabama.

My Review: Although The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones is categorized as Teen Fiction, I think it is a must-read for middle school and up. Imagine being a biracial child in the 1950s sent to a town where you found out the last black kid who had lived there was killed and hung in a tree. Obviously, the town Ethan Harper spent the summer was not welcoming…but there was one girl who found Ethan and took him under her wing. Juniper Jones and Ethan Harper made quite the pair of friends, living it up in this small, racist town.

Their friendship was one for the books…these two friends had a summer to remember, but as with any black child in the 1950’s south, life there was not easy. Have your tissues ready for this heartwarming, coming of age story about two great friends and their invincible summer.

Favorite Quotes: “She hit him in the best way, like a rainstorm after five years of drought, healing the parched earth with a gentle touch; and in the worst way, like an unexpected earthquake, leaving dust and debris in her wake. She was, in equal parts, a gift, and a natural disaster. Her name was Juniper Jones.”

Recommendation: If you enjoy fiction books that tackle tough subjects like racism in America, you might also like Ghost Boys and any book by Jason Reynolds. 

Cover of The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

 

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

Publisher Info: Ballantine Books September 2020 | #of pages: 448 | Length of Audiobook: 15 hours 47 minutes | Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Source: NetGalley EBook

Direct Links:  📚Amazon 🎧Audio or 📖Goodreads

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐| Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Publisher Blurb: Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She’s on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flashed through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband, but a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong.

Dawn, miraculously, survives the crash, but so do all the doubts that have suddenly been raised. She has led a good life. Back in Boston, there is her husband, Brian, her beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, where she helps ease the transition between life and death for patients in hospice.

But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a job she once studied for but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made…(click to continue)

My Review: I always love books that make me smarter and Jodi Picoult’s books always teach me something new! I’m always incredibly impressed with the amount of immersive research she puts into each of her novels. The Book of Two Ways is no exception.

The Book of Two Ways is a story about the path in life not taken – and how things would have turned out if we had the chance to take that path.

The main character, Dawn, is a former student of archeology as well as a current Death Doula. She has spent her adulthood studying death, whether it was through ancient Egyptian digs or guiding clients in hospice through the end of life. When her world is turned upside down, Dawn has the opportunity to discover what life would look like if she chooses her current life with her husband and teenage daughter or chose to return to Egypt and the man and life she left behind.

This book made me think a lot about life and death, and whether given the opportunity to choose the path not taken, would I want to return to see how it all would have turned out.

I highly recommend picking this book up. Jodi Picoult does it again!

Favorite Quotes: “Much later I would learn that when a plane crashes and the emergency personnel show up, the flight attendants tell them how many souls were on board. Souls, not people. As if they know our bodies are only passing through for a little while.”

Recommendation: Jodi Picoult is the master of thorough research on all of her books, so if you like to feel smarter after reading something, I recommend any of her books, but especially Small Great Things and Plain Truth.

Book Cover of The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

 

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

Publisher Info: Riverhead Books August 2020 | #of pages: 248 | Length of Audiobook: 7 hours 38 minutes | Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Source: Libro.FM/Netgalley

Direct Links:  📚Amazon 🎧Audio or 📖Goodreads

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐| Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Publisher Blurb: What does it mean for a family to lose a child they never really knew?

One afternoon, in a town in southeastern Nigeria, a mother opens her front door to discover her son’s body, wrapped in colorful fabric, at her feet. What follows is the tumultuous, heart-wrenching story of one family’s struggle to understand a child whose spirit is both gentle and mysterious. Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm, boisterous daughters of the Nigerwives, foreign-born women married to Nigerian men. But Vivek’s closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens—and Osita struggles to understand Vivek’s escalating crisis—the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom.

Propulsively readable, teeming with unforgettable characters, The Death of Vivek Oji is a novel of family and friendship that challenges expectations—a dramatic story of loss and transcendence that will move every reader.

My Review: Wow…this book absolutely broke my heart. It’s an extremely emotional, incredibly well-written book, about a young boy (Vivek) who identifies as a different gender. Vivek keeps it fairly well hidden from their family and most who knew them, however, they share their true self with a few select friends. 

When Vivek’s mother opens the door to discover her son’s body, wrapped in the colorful fabric of a woman’s dress, she begins to uncover the secret of who her son really was. This is a story of family acceptance amidst deep grief, complicated friendships, and learning to honor thy true self, no matter the consequence. I definitely recommend this beautiful, yet heartbreaking story. The audiobook narration is performed with such emotion, it adds greatly to the already moving story. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Favorite Quotes: I can’t remember the exact quote but it was something like “He’s dressing like a woman.” “No, he’s finally dressing like himself.”

Recommendation: If you liked The Death of Vivek Oji, I’d recommend A Woman is No Man.

book cover The Fixed Stars by Molly Wizenberg

The Fixed Stars by Molly Wizenberg

Publisher Info: Abrams Press August 2020 | #of pages: 256 | Length of Audiobook: 6 hours 21 minutes | Genre: Memoir | Source: Libro.FM

Direct Links:  📚Amazon 🎧Audio or 📖Goodreads

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐| Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Publisher Blurb: At age 36, while serving on a jury, author Molly Wizenberg found herself drawn to a female attorney she hardly knew. Married to a man for nearly a decade and mother to a toddler, Wizenberg tried to return to her life as she knew it, but something inside her had changed irredeemably. Instead, she would discover that the trajectory of our lives is rarely as smooth or as logical as we’d like to believe.

Like many of us, Wizenberg had long understood sexual orientation as a stable part of ourselves: we’re “born this way.” Suddenly she realized that her story was more complicated. Who was she, she wondered, if something at her very core could change so radically? The Fixed Stars is a taut, electrifying memoir exploring timely and timeless questions about desire, identity, and the limits and possibilities of family. In honest and searing prose, Wizenberg forges a new path: through the murk of separation and divorce, coming out to family and friends, learning to co-parent a young child, and realizing a new vision of love. The result is a frank and moving story about letting go of rigid definitions and ideals that no longer fit, and learning instead who we really are.

My Review: Anyone familiar with Molly Wizenberg and her blog, Orangette, has surely come to love and appreciate her beautiful writing style. There is something about Molly’s way with words that is so uniquely descriptive, it magically takes you to the place and makes you feel like you are right there…a witness to her story.

The Fixed Stars is not about food…something Molly knows and understands inside and out. Instead, this memoir is the journey of Molly discovering her sexuality and identity. As a married woman with a child, Molly is surprised to discover she has intense feelings for a woman. Blindsided, but intrigued, Molly and her husband work through her feelings and when she realizes these feelings aren’t going away, they agree for her to explore and pursue what she wants…to see if her feelings for women are true or just a thing. The only stipulation…don’t fall in love. 

Molly’s honest approach in sharing her story, which didn’t always show her in the best light, was refreshing. I think many people struggling with something similar will find respite in Molly’s words, which lets them know that they aren’t alone. Although not easy, coming out on the other side Molly has seen great maturity and growth in all of her relationships, and it shows. 

Favorite Quotes: “The stars in the night sky are a long way from the surface of the earth, so even the nearest seem to move little, if at all. They appear to be fixed against the firmament from day to day and year to year, permitting us to think them into shapes and symbols. But astronomers know that every star is in motion, that each moves along its own trajectory, according to its own properties. The constellations we see are temporary creations, our effort to draw order and meaning from a mostly unknowable universe, to tell ourselves stories, to guide our way home across oceans.”

Recommendation: If you are a fan of Molly’s Wizenberg’s writing style, you will also love her other two books Delancey and A Homemade Life.

Book cover of The Switch by Beth O'Leary

The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Publisher Info: Quercus April 2020 | #of pages: 336 | Length of Audiobook: 10 hours 11 minutes | Genre: Chick Lit | Source: Libro.FM

Direct Links:  📚Amazon 🎧Audio or 📖Goodreads

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐| Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Publisher Blurb:

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen’s house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She’d like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn’t offer many eligible gentlemen.

Once Leena learns of Eileen’s romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile, Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbors and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend within the city, stepping into one another’s shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected.

Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn’t as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect – and distractingly handsome – school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbors, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

My Review: Every once in a while a book comes along that is just the salve you needed. The Switch, by Beth O’Leary is one such book. As a big fan of O’Leary’s book, The Flatshare, I was eager to read The Switch and it did not disappoint.

This story chronicles grandmother (Eileen) and her grown granddaughter (Leena) as they “swap lives”…Eileen to Leena’s life in London, and Leena to her grandmother’s life in tiny Yorkshire village. The result is a charming and endearing story of two women facing new challenges, new loves, and unlikely friendships.

Unlike The Flatshare, I would say The Switch is less of a romantic comedy, and more of a family story focusing on two strong women gaining their confidence back in different areas. In addition, it touches on grief and how the loss of a family member truly can change the trajectory of a life, especially when no one is really ready to face their true feelings.

If you are looking for an easy and entertaining read/listen, definitely pick up The Switch. The narrator’s performance is spot on and adds so much to the story as well! 

Favorite Quotes: “When people talk about loss, they always say you’ll never be the same, that it will change you, leave a hole in your life. But when you lose somebody you love, you don’t lose everything they gave you. They leave something with you.”

Recommendation: If you are looking for other light-hearted reads, Beach Read and  The Happily Ever After Playlist are both great! (Also you can click here to see my book review of Beth O’Leary’s previous novel, The Flat Share.

Look for Part 2 of my August Book Reviews coming very soon!

What Books Have You Read and Loved Lately?

IF YOU LOVE TO TALK BOOKS, MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE DINE & DISH “READING NOOK” AND FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS. 

 

Disclosure: As part of Libro.fm’s listening squad, I receive audiobook credits and special discounts for Dine & Dish readers. In addition, this post may include Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Book Review, Previous Tagged With: book reviews, fiction books, reading

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New ink inspired by a quote in my friend @andiemmitchell amazing memoir “It Was Me All Along”. 

I tend to be an all or nothing person and look at long term and get overwhelmed instead of just taking things one day at a time. I’ve said her quote to myself multiple times a day for years. Now I’ll have a permanent reminder. 

The full quote: “Can you do it today? Can you make it through today without bingeing? Just today, and tomorrow we’ll reconsider?”

I need to go back and get a couple missed spots filled in but I love it. Thanks Rob at @irezumitattookc 🎉

#typewriterfonttattoo #tattooinstagram #inspiringtattoos #quotetattoo #gentlereminder #wordstoinspire #wordstoremember #wordstoliveby
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My snow and mountain loving, free spirited, book reading, laugh inducing, amazing friend @mountainmamacooks wrote a cookbook. It’s beautiful and just so perfect! I’m sharing all about it on the blog today and I also gave her Crispy Kahlua French Toast recipe the double dip treatment.

Find the recipe and get a peek into her book over on Dine & Dish! (PS I miss you tons, Kelley!)

#apresallday #frenchtoastrecipe #brunchideas #cookbooks #mountainmama #skiingislife
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Here’s a fun fact I heard on the radio several years ago…October 5th is the most popular day to be born (9 months prior is New Years Eve-ish). 🎉 

Happy birthday to all my many many birthday twins out there! It’s the big 4-8 for me…although this past year as a Covid long hauler I feel like I’ve aged 20 years in the past 1. But things are looking up! I’m excited for the next 365 days of my life. I’m blessed and so thankful to still be here, chugging along.

This picture is from last week when @kellykdoyle and I were visiting colleges in Colorado. If I have any followers with ties to @coloradostateuniversity or @cuboulder I’d love to chat! 

#october5th #birthdaytwins #gardenofthegods #birthdayweek #coloradosprings
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I love being a parent of teens...but I miss the days of parenting kids who loved going to school, who didn't struggle with major anxiety, who loved their bodies, and were confident about how they looked. I miss pre-covid days where lunch wasn't distanced, kids had the opportunity to connect and socialize at school, where mask-wearing wasn't even a topic, let alone one that divides. 

The past 2 years have changed my kids. They have gained so many positive things, but they've also gained a new kind of anxiety that wasn't there before. And I hate it for them. They've seen first hand how long haul covid has changed our family. They've seen the selfishness of others in ways they haven't seen before. They've had to grow up faster, worry about things they shouldn't have to worry about, and learn the hard way how this world can really be. And it hurts my heart for them. 

I have a new senior, sophomore and 6th grader here at home. Missing my sophomore in college a ton. I hope the world is kind to them and they are kind to the world. I want nothing more than for them to be happy and to be surrounded by good people who love and accept them for who they are and who also push them to live a full, rich and happy life. I pray every day for them - and for your kids...and pray that we are all raising a generation of empathetic and kind changemakers.

#loveoneanother❤️ #parentingteens #momofteens #anxietyawareness #backtoschooloutfit #changemakers #parenthood_moments
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These two small business owners had a successful launch day for their new clothing and accessory brand, @impatient.us I’m so proud of my daughter @kellykdoyle & daughter from another mother, @kyleemdunn for making the time and financial commitment to launch their dream brand! They’ve done it all so independently and have navigated starting a small business way better than I could have at 17! Thanks to everyone who sent words of encouragement and showered them with support. It’s means so much! 

Follow their journey at @impatient.us and shop the link in their profile!

#smallbusinesslaunch #clothingbrands #teenentrepreneur #launchday #launchparty #teenbusiness #shopsmallbusinesses #proudmoment
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I was a “houseplant lady” before the pandemic, but I think since the pandemic I get to add the word “crazy” to that title. So. Many. Plants. I’m not mad about it!

This weekend @kctinygreenhouse I picked up this beautiful Monstera Peru as well as a bag of Jeff’s Jungle Mix. You know when a new to you potting mix has you super excited, you’ve crossed the line into la la land 😂 Swipe to see how pretty it is!

What pandemic hobby did you pick up?

#plantmomlife #crazyplantpeople #houseplantlove #monsteraperu #pottingmix #plantobsession #plantcollectors #plantsmakepeoplehappy
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Yesterday we spent a few hours down in the West Bottoms visiting the grand opening of @kctinygreenhouse newest location . KC Plant fam, head there. Just trust me! Plants loved and cared for with the best good vibes, all ready to join your crazy plant person home. You’ll find goodies from local KC artisans as well, like @pigeoncandles 

Come for the plants, leave with a heart full of happy!

#westbottoms #tinygreenhouse #plantfamily #pandemicprojects #shoplocalkc #happyplants #plantvibes #summerofyes
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Last night in the suite @kcroyals ...I almost cried. Man it feels so good to be doing normal things. I’ll never take this for granted! Making this the summer of yes...I’m going to say yes to as many events/outings/opportunities as possible! Who’s in? #summerofyes
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Ella is 15 today! Those of you who have been with Dine & Dish since the very beginning have been a part of Ella’s life since the start too! 15 years sure does go by in a flash, both with businesses and babies.
Happy birthday @ella.r.doyle 💕💕💕 We love you!
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I want to live in the big city, yet also want to live in the country. I want to live by the beach, yet also want to live in the mountains. I either need multiple lives or multiple homes! 

#farmlifeisthebestlife #chickensofig #barnlife #iwantitall #hensofinstagram #citygirlcountrygirl
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I’m officially one step closer to reaching peak plant lady status! 🪴

I’m welcoming these plant cuttings from the Hello Kathy Plant Etsy Shop to my already booming collection. When I saw people rave about her “Mystery Box” of plant cuttings I knew I had to buy one. 2 things I love...mystery boxes and plants!

Now I need to figure out how to keep them alive. Any advice? 😃 🪴

#plantladyisthenewcatlady #plantladylife #plantcuttings #newplants #etsyshopping #shopsmallbusinesses #plantloversofinstagram
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Hi, friend! I Thought I’d just say “hey” and check in and add some pretty flowers to your feed.

We’re over here dragging ourselves across the school finish line...so close to done physically, but over done, mentally. Can you relate?

My coaching business is going great, I’m working with some truly incredible, inspiring women right now which makes me so happy! I’ll be launching 2 new group coaching  classes (for women and entrepreneurs) in a few weeks so be sure to follow @rockyourhappy if you are interested in being updated on those!

Jacob comes home from college this week and my parents are coming to visit for a couple of weeks as well. And it’s almost my favorite time of the year, summer!! 

How are things going with you? What’s going good and making you happy? Or what do you need a hand or listening ear with? Touch base! I’ve missed you!

#pinkflowers🌸 #happyday💕 #touchingbase #spreadhappiness #thursdaytherapy #lifecoachforwomen #springflowersmakemehappy
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Book Lovers Giveaway (read to the end)!!! ⬇️ ⬇️ 

Supporting my local independent bookstore @rainydaybooks looks a lot different than it used to these days. Temporarily gone are the days of lingering in store, browsing the shelves, walking out with an armful of books I didn’t expect to buy. The pandemic has made independent bookstores pivot in ways they’ve never had to before, but I’m so happy to say they are CRUSHING IT! And as we virtually celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, I wanted to share a way you too can help keep Independent bookstores afloat now (and in the future).

You know I’m a huge fan of @librofm , the absolute best audiobook alternative that gives money back to the independent bookstore of your choice with your audiobook purchases. Well, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, they are giving YOU a free audiobook! Here’s what you need to do…

Spend $15 or more at your bookstore between April 24th and 26th. Submit your receipt at libro.fm/ibd and Libro.fm will email you a link to your free audiobook by April 28th! Easy peasy, right?

Wait! There’s more! 🌟 I’d love to give one Dine & Dish follower the chance to win a 3 month @Librofm audiobook membership. To enter, simply tag your favorite independent bookstore here and tell me what you love the most about it! That’s it! Winner will be chosen at random on April 27th. Yay, books!

#indiebookstoreday #indiebookstore #bookstoreshoutout 
#booksbooksandmorebooks #bookgiveaway #audiobook #librofm #independentbookstore @indiebookstoreday
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Can’t believe we’re doing the college tour thing already with my second baby! 

So question for any of you who sent your kids to out of state schools or went to out of state schools...how did you do it? She wants to get the heck out of Kansas (I’d like to go with her!). We have money saved, she’ll most likely get a scholarship or two, she’s paying and has money saved as well...but even with that out of state tuition is a beast of an amount. So, did you just assume that student loans were going to be part of that life? And is that worth it to give your kids a shot at a new life outside of your home state? I wish I would have left Kansas for university, and have been here since I was born 😩. I want different for her if that’s what she wants but also just don’t have any experience with how people do out of state college! Any tips?

#collegetour #bestlifenow #outofstate #studentloans #junioryear #kansasstate #adviceneeded
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J is for...jam!
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My friend @wakschmale makes the best strawberry jam...and I completely forgot about a jar she gave me last year until this morning. Which then inspired me to make my favorite buttermilk biscuits. So so good. Are you a jam, honey, just butter or plain biscuit fan? I love biscuits allll the ways, except with gravy. I have super bad memories of biscuits and gravy growing up. 🤢
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I’m still slowly making my way through the alphabet for @kimklassen_innercircle a-z photo challenge. I’m bound and determined to finish. It may just take me a little longer than I originally anticipated 🤗.
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#homemadejam #eatcaptureshare #biscuitsandjam #homemadebiscuits #sundaybaking #easylikesundaymorning #foodphotograph #foodpics #slowsunday #breakfastathome #kimklassen_innercircle
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It took me 2 months to get this Crispy Chickpea Pantry Pasta recipe up on the blog. 🤦‍♀️But it’s there now! You can find the link in my Instagram profile.
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Also, just noticed Instagram took away the like count on posts. I kind of like that...what do you think?
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#pastarecipe #chickpeapasta #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #vegetarianrecipe #eatcaptureshare #slowblogging  #totallifechanges
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I is for Inspiration!
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The “long haul” effects of having Covid back in December are really presenting themselves lately. The continuous persistent headaches are taking a toll and the connection between the brain fog and word retrieval function of my brain has been extra challenging. I had no idea a couple months out, the cognitive effects would still be hanging around.
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With that said, when I get a burst of inspiration I’m grabbing on for dear life. I made our favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe yesterday and felt the desire to update the blog post photos from 2007! We make these cookies all the time, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so many years to give that poor post some new photos.
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If you’re interested in the recipe you can find the link currently in my profile. Enjoy!!
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@kimklassen_innercircle #kimklassen_innercircle #chocolatechipcookie #cookiestagram #foodphotography #feedfeedbaking #plateofcookies #cookiephotography #eatcaptureshare #recipeoftheweek
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H is for...high!
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It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
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I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
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 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
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G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
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F is for...food photography.
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This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
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Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
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#eatcake #eatcaptureshare #eatcakebehappy #lemoncake #cakecakecakecake #foodiegram #yahoofood #dessertsofinstagram #sweettooth #kimklassen_innercircle #fisforfood
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