The Bean Trees

Since I have a stack of books to read, I've been pulling them out at random, or more specifically whatever suits my fancy at the time. The Bean Trees is a shorter book than the ones I've been reading lately, so I decided to take it with me on my quick trip to Boise. It was a great book. I actually enjoyed this book more than any of the other books Barbara Kingsolver has written. Well, maybe I enjoyed the resolution of the ending more.
It deals with some issues hard to read about, and then hard to think about, topics, but she presents the material in such a way that you don't have to dwell on the horrible things that happen. I liked it a lot and I would recommend this book as a quick and entertaining read.

The Red Tent

I'm in love with this book. I mean, I'm in love with this book. It's so wonderful. If you haven't read this book, you must do it as soon as possible.

It is based on the story of Jacob, in the bible. But this time, it's not about the man. It's about the women. And, in my opinion, it is usually the story about the women that is much more entertaining. His only daughter Dinah is the narrator and from the introduction I was more than hooked, I was enthralled.

I have to admit that the women all sharing one husband seems at first to be such a horrible position for the women, while reading this book I feel like the relationships between the whole family was more important than the relationship between the couple.

I was enlightened to the fact that my life as a woman is touched just as much by my female relationships as it is with my husband. If I had "sister wives", Sarah would be the one who could sing all the songs, play all the games, and organize all the functions. Lisa would be the one who would keep us all in line, take care of the ones who needed taking care of and figuring out new solutions to all the problems.  As for me? We'd all be happiest if I was the wife who took over the cleaning, and organizing of our living conditions. I'd be the one who took care of the babies. Or at least that was my vision of how a life with one husband and many wives would look like.

And the Red Tent. Oh the Red Tent. How wonderful would life be if we were able to stop everything and sit back and relax in the quite for 3 days out of every month. It sounded so idealistic, but nice.

This is one woman's idea of what may have happened during Dinah's lifetime. I loved it.

The No. 1 Ladies's Detective Agency

I have always enjoyed a good mystery. Before I become a literature snob, I use to be so excited waiting for the next Kinsey Malone (Sue Grafton), Alex Cross (James Patterson) mystery. Now I find more enjoyment with books that may not be quite as suspenseful, but leave me feeling like I may be a better person for reading them.

Thanks to Stephanie, I found a nice mix of both. Alexander McCall Smith has written a series of books about a woman who decides to become a detective in Botswana. Mma Ramotswe's adventures are not only entertaining but even a little insightful.

I loved the resolution for the man who comes in wondering what his wife really does all day, and who is really paying for his son's education. I love the stories of people who live a simpler life and yet still need help resolving those ever present mysteries in their lives. I love reading about the lives of people living in Africa.

These are great books and I would recommend them for anyone that loves books about women detectives.

Christmas Quiche

I grew up having quiche for breakfast on Christmas morning. Quiche, made by my mother and homemade cinnamon rolls made by my grandmother. That's what we had EVERY Christmas. Scott does not like eggs. He actually refused to eat anything with eggs until my mom served him some one Christmas that we were in Boise. He ate it and actually enjoyed it.
So, I looked and looked and a couple of years ago found this casserole recipe. It is not too eggy, but it's enough like quiche that I feel my Christmas breakfast tradition has been fulfilled and Scott can't seem to get enough of it.

Christmas Breakfast Quiche

1 pound ground pork sausage, cooked

1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon Penzey's mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon 4 S salt
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups skim milk
6 slices Great Harvest Sourdough Wheat Bread, toasted and cut into cubes
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

In a medium bowl, mix together mustard powder, salt, eggs and milk.

Add the sausage, mushrooms, bread cubes, and cheese, and stir to coat evenly.

Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cover, and bake 45 to 60 minutes.

Uncover, and reduce temperature to 325 degrees F .

Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until set.

Oranges and Strawberries

I just finished Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris. It was a wonderful book that Molly recommended to me. I enjoyed the story line and the questions that worked themselves out throughout the book. The little girl's nickname is called "Boise" and being from Idaho I read it that way...even though I'm sure it's something else. We all struggle with remembering our pasts and thinking sometimes things were so much worse than they really were. I enjoyed reading about how she came full circle to accepting and being able to love her mother and daughter.

I also read Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson. This was a nice easy read. A story of two women learning to live again by learning how to care about each other. Some tragic things occur in this book. I can't relate, but I can enjoy the read.

Sarah's Double Cheese Crab Dip

I had some extra fresh crab and I couldn't let it go to waste. This is something that Scott doesn't like as much as I do...but it's delicious!!



Sarah's Double Cheese Crab Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
8 oz crab meat
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup sliced olives
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Use a pie plate and spread the cream cheese evenly in the bottom.
Sprinkle in half of the cheddar cheese.
Add the salsa and olives.
Spread the crab meat evenly over the top.
Cover with remaining cheddar cheese.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.
Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips or crackers.

Yummy Spaghetti

This homemade spaghetti dinner is what I started eating when I "went" healthy. This is so easy to make, and yet tastes so much better than anything that comes out of a jar. In fact not only does it taste better, but you get rid of any of that added sugar (check those labels, jarred sauce is HORRIBLE for you!!!) I love garlic, so I add a lot, but you can adjust to taste!

Rachel's Spaghetti

1 14.5oz can of Diced Tomatoes (I like fire roasted)

1 Tbl olive oil

2 cloves minced garlic

1 Tbl Penzey's Italian Seasoning

1 tsp Penzey's Sweet Basil

6 oz cooked Whole Wheat Thin Spaghetti Noodles

Feta or Parmesan Cheese

Put all ingredients in a saucepan.

Simmer over medium low heat, until heated through.

Spoon over bed of noodles.

Top with cheese.

I like to serve this with Great Harvest Sourdough Wheat bread and a big salad.