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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

May 20, 2012

Connect Through Reading 2012 – 3 Book Update

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It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of my Connect Through Reading posts. I have three different books to share with you today! To keep up with what’s on my To Be Read list and to share book recommendations, make sure to follow me on Goodreads!

I listened to the audiobook of The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin while driving home from Spring Break. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to share this book with you, as I truly enjoyed it. This is a fiction book based on an actual person (Lavinia Bump), written as an autobiography.

Lavinia was a dwarf born in the 1800’s and she eventually was employed by P.T. Barnum (yes – the Barnum of the circus). This book is hard to summarize as the story is deep and takes the reader on quite the journey through her life, but it is fascinating to learn about what life might have been like for a circus sideshow performer back then. I found myself angry at Lavinia at times (she is a hard character to love during parts of the book) as well as laughing and crying as the story unfolded. It’s a great summer read, earning 5 Stars from me.

Grab your tissues for this one… Bloom by Kelle Hampton is a wonderful memoir about finding joy in whatever cards you are dealt. Kelle and her husband were surprised to find out upon the birth of their 2nd daughter, Nella, that she had Down Syndrome. If you follow Kelle’s blog, Enjoying the Small Things, you’ve become accustomed to Kelle’s raw honesty. In Bloom, Kelle takes us through her thoughts and emotions after Nella was born and allows us a glimpse into the life changing transformation of her family as they come to terms with what a future with a special needs child might be like.

Kelle’s writing flows deeply from the heart and grips you with such emotion, you can’t help but be drawn in to the special gift their family has been given. Full of stunning photography (again, exactly what you would expect from Kelle), Bloom is a must read for anyone struggling to count the blessings God has handed them. This is another 5 star favorite.

The Kingdom of Childhood, a debut novel by Rebecca Coleman, is a gripping story about a 16 year old high school student, a middle aged teacher and their journey to an extra marital affair that will change their lives forever. As disturbing as the premise of the book was, Rebecca Coleman has a gift of telling a complex story that would be very difficult to share in a way that keeps the reader riveted. I found myself completely disgusted as well as empathetic with both of the main characters and was anxious to see how the story ended. The Kingdom of Childhood would have received a 4 star rating from me, however I felt like we were lead along a very complex tale only to have the book end somewhat abruptly. For that, I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. I would still recommend this book as a good summer read and I can’t wait to see what Rebecca Coleman writes next. I think she is a very talented author and I hope we will be seeing more great things from her.

I am currently finishing up Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld and I’m looking forward to starting Defending Jacob by William Landay immediately afterwards.

I have plans to do a lot of reading this summer! Please share any books you’ve read lately that you’ve enjoyed in the comments section. I enjoy getting recommendations from  you all. Thanks and happy reading!

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Book Review, Previous Tagged With: bloom, book review, books, ffiction, kelle hampton, memoir, reading, tom thumb

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sneh | Cook Republic says

    May 20, 2012 at 11:03 pm

    Thanks for some great recommendations Kristen! I am always looking for new books to discover.

    • Kristen says

      May 20, 2012 at 11:26 pm

      Absolutely! I’m always looking for good books too, so if you have any you’d recommend definitley let me know 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.

      • Sneh | Cook Republic says

        May 20, 2012 at 11:45 pm

        I recently read The Help. Loved it! I am halfway through Tami Hoag’s Oak Knoll trilogy (easy read, though a bit predictable .. all crime). I am also reading Quiet : The Power Of Introverts by Susan Cain and it is quite brilliant!!

        • Kristen says

          May 21, 2012 at 11:05 am

          The Help is such a fantastic book. Someone shared a book with me recently and said if you loved The Help you’ll love this… now I need to remember what it was! If I do, I’ll let you know. Thanks for the other recommendations as well! Off to check those out.

  2. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

    May 20, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    Awesome- thanks for the recs. I’ll be doing a book post soon on my recent faves and on those I have tucked away in my Amazon cart for Summer reading!! I just added “Prep” to my cart, and Mrs. Tom Thumb sounds good too!

    • Kristen says

      May 20, 2012 at 11:27 pm

      I always enjoy your book posts. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for your post!

      Mrs Tom Thumb is so good – you’ve got to add it to your TBR pile.

  3. Lana says

    May 21, 2012 at 12:42 am

    I have discovered Goodreads through you and I will be eternally grateful:)
    I just finished reading another one of John Irving’s novels (I just adore him!), Until I Find You. My girls want me to read Hunger Games (I am leaving that one for my summer reading:) One of the best books I read this year has to be The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (it took me a while to get involved, but when it grabbed me, it never let go! )

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 11:10 am

      Don’t you love Goodreads? I swear I look on these posts and on what my friends recommend on Goodreads first and foremost before getting a new book. It is such a brilliant idea for a site!

      You’ll like The Hunger Games. I really liked the first one, thought the second was ok, and wasn’t as crazy about the third, but still am glad I read the series.

      I’m totally going to go check out The Shadow of the Wind. Thanks for the recommendation!

  4. Kathryn says

    May 21, 2012 at 3:48 am

    I read Prep last summer, I will be interested to know what you think of it. I really enjoyed The American Wife by the same author too. Have you read that?

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 11:13 am

      Oh I have heard a lot of good things about The American Wife. I didn’t realize it was the same author. I’ll have to make sure that’s on my list, for sure! I’ll let you know about Prep, for sure!

  5. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

    May 21, 2012 at 4:59 am

    All great picks! Adding some to my ever-growing list! You sure are keeping us all busy this summer 🙂

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 11:14 am

      That’s my plan! 🙂 My to be read list is so long… so many books, so little time!

  6. camille says

    May 21, 2012 at 6:39 am

    I’m pretty sure I read an advance copy of Prep back when I worked at a bookstore… can’t remember what it was about, though (well, beyond preps).

  7. Cookbook Queen says

    May 21, 2012 at 9:33 am

    Loved your reviews!! I have read the Kingdom of Childhood (and agree COMPLETELY…I really started losing my way towards the end. Can you say CRAZY woman?!) but have yet to read the other two, although they are on my list.

    I have read Prep. It’s very good, I like Curtis Sittenfeld a lot. Defending Jacob, however, is AMAZING!! Probably one of the best books I read all year (after The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. If you haven’t read, you must. Life changing. And I rarely say that).

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 11:16 am

      Are you on Goodreads? If you aren’t, you need to be! And yes – Judy was a looney lady, wasn’t she? That book was like a car crash you couldn’t stop gawking at!

      I’ve heard such great things about Defending Jacob. I can’t wait to dive into it. And thanks for the recommendation (The Fault In Our Stars) I just read a summary on Goodreads and it sounds amazing!

  8. Kristen M says

    May 21, 2012 at 10:43 am

    I just finished reading a novel called “Angelina’s Bachelors: A Novel with Food”. It was a sweet love story. A fun fact is that it was written by Brian O’Reilly, the creator & producer of Dinner Impossible (Food Network) and his wife created the recipes intertwined with the plot.

    I also recommend “Joy for Beginners” and “The School of Essential Ingredients” by Erica Bauermeister.

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 11:17 am

      Thanks so much for the recommendations, Kristen. All new to me and they all look great!

    • Lana says

      May 21, 2012 at 12:08 pm

      I loved “The School of Essential Ingredients”!

      • Jimi says

        May 21, 2012 at 2:02 pm

        I loved both of those by Erica Bauermeister. Wonderful, easy summer reading!

  9. Cookin' Canuck says

    May 21, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Bookmarking this one. I always look forward to some good summer reads, and I didn’t have anything lined up. I’ll be picking up a copy of Mrs. Tom Thumb very soon!

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 2:25 pm

      You’ll enjoy it! Amy Clark from Mom Advice has a really well written review on Goodreads about it too 🙂

  10. Pat Wogan says

    May 21, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    I have recently read, The Most Wanted by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Jacquelyn is from Wisconsin, but the setting of her book is South Texas. She seems to be quite familiar with the culture of deep south Texas. I enjoyed the book, although it was very dark in some ways. I have also just completed The Lake Shore Limited by Sue Miller. This was a book I kept reading in hope that it would get better. There were too many cliches in this book. I did finish it, tho’, and it didn’t get better. I have also read The Pact by Jodi Picoult. I enjoy Ms. Picoult’s writing, but this one was somewhat disconnected and rather hard to follow. On the Kindle, I recently finished Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. It is the story of a dysfunctionl family. The ending of this book was particularly touching to me. Yes, I have been reading a lot the last couple of weeks.

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 2:26 pm

      You have been busy! I still need to read Maine – I started it and was enjoying it but never finished it for some reason. I actually really liked The Pact (I think it was one of the first Jodi Picoult books I read).

      I’m jealous of the library you have down there!

  11. Jimi says

    May 21, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    I love your book posts! And I hope you added The Night Circus to your TBR pile. It continues to be on of my favorites from this past year.

    I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump. Just finished Calico Joe, John Grisham’s newest and Sue Grafton’s latest as well and started Kate Morton’s The Distant Hours (but having a hard time getting into it). I can read at work (lots of down time), but it’s hard to find a book that I can pick up and put down easily. Any other suggestions are definitely appreciated!

    • Kristen says

      May 21, 2012 at 2:27 pm

      Yes! The Night Circus is coming up – I need to just move it up to the top as I’m anxious to read it.

      Let me think of some books that you might enjoy. Are you on Goodreads? I can’t remember if you are or not…

  12. patsy says

    May 21, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    Great reviews! I’m adding MORE books to my reading list… I just downloaded Defending Jacob to my Kindle and hope to dive into in this weekend!

  13. Mel Debra says

    May 22, 2012 at 2:56 am

    Im pretty sure I read a part of the kingdom of childhood somewhere in the internet. I just cant find the link but it seemed interesting

  14. Sues says

    May 22, 2012 at 5:38 am

    Woo hoo! Looks like I have some books to add to my summer reading list 🙂 The only one of these I’ve read is Prep, but they all sound awesome. I’m hoping to get in lots of reading this summer, too, once all the wedding planning is done!

  15. Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says

    May 22, 2012 at 9:21 am

    I recently read Bloom, too, and I loved it. I felt like I could have written so many of the pages myself. I can honestly say that there truly is such beauty in the unexpected.

    I do most of my reading during the summer, and I am looking so forward to diving into some good books!

  16. Jen at The Three Little Piglets says

    May 22, 2012 at 11:19 am

    I’m currently working Blood, Bones and Butter as well as a book called Waiter Rant about all the funny things you encounter as a waiter!

  17. Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says

    May 22, 2012 at 11:56 am

    I needed some good summer reads, thank you! My current reading list is all food styling books though, haha…

  18. Amy says

    May 22, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    I read ‘Defending Jacob’ and it was EXCELLENT. If you are a fan of The Hunger games, I would suggest reading the Divergent series (book #1 is Divergent, book #2 is Insurgent–it’s going to end up a trilogy). I loved Bloom as well–the pictures were amazing and the story made me cry so many times lol. “Before I go to Sleep” by SJ Watson was also a really good read; “The Litagators” by John Grisham; “An invisible thread : the true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny” / Laura Schroff –very good; Happy reading!!!!

  19. john says

    May 23, 2012 at 5:32 am

    I love your Book posts , and I want to share you my books on my site , hope you like them

  20. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    May 24, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    What a great bunch of book recommendations, Kristen! Thanks for sharing!

  21. Lisa says

    May 28, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    Gah, I was hooked by the interesting cover-illustration of The Kingdom of Childhood book — I know, I shouldn’t judge by covers, but I was thinking, “Oh, how cute, a sweet little cottage in a setting such as that, I wonder what will this be about?” Eek! : )
    I did see a book you added to Goodreads and added it to my to-read list (I love that site so much) — it stuck out at me because the author’s name is promising in that I was hoping it to be a translation, and yay it is … I could construct this line of thought better, darn it, but now my brain is too fried from the heat to start over. 🙂 Anyhoo, what I’m trying to say is that I’m always looking to read more globally (not sure how to phrase it). May I ask, how did that book get on your radar? Are there any book sites you visit for good recommendations? Sorry for the boatload of questions, but this enquiring reader wants to know! ; )
    Love this post!
    xo

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    February 22, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blog
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Trackbacks

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    […] want my free time interrupted by having to cook. I mean really… I have things to do, books to read, places to go! I don’t want to spend my whole summer cooking. It’s on these occasions I […]

  2. June Reading List!! says:
    June 5, 2012 at 6:38 am

    […] decided to add The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb to the list on the recommendation of my friend Kristen, who listened to the audiobook and loved it.  Although the story is fiction, it […]

  3. Project 365 2012 - May 13 through June 16th - A Photo a Day Journey | Dine and Dish says:
    June 17, 2012 at 8:54 pm

    […] 14th: A precious site to this book loving mama…my son, deeply engrossed in a […]

  4. Connect Through Reading 2012 Book Review 3 Books | Dine and Dish says:
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    […] hasn’t happened as much as I had hoped this summer (in fact, my last Connect Through Reading post was in May! I’ve read three more since that post, and thought I’d take a moment to share my […]

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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!

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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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