HELLO!
When last we spoke I was languishing during this region’s second hottest summer on record. You see, I’m not a “hot weather is great” person. Daily temperatures over 90ºF do me in, quickly.
BUT now that the weather in my part of the northern hemisphere has turned autumnal and cool and fresh + the final 2021 Mercury retrograde is over, I’m feeling more focused on getting my act together and doing things, good things, again.
At the risk of sounding cliche, I love the fall [except for pumpkin spice in coffee– that’s just wrong]. I’m feeling happy and agreeable, relaxed, and open to the idea that with some effort I might be able to become a better me.
It could happen.
Thus I’ve read three self-improvement books AND I made a delicious new-to-me pie. So without further dithering, and bless you if you’ve read this far, here are the books I read and recommend + the deets about the pie I made.
THREE BOOKS
• Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel
This book is filled with great advice, useful questions that prompt personal insight, simple worksheets, and a positive vibe that didn’t insult my intelligence, while nudging me to get to the heart of what matters to me.
• The Writer’s Process: Getting Your Brain in Gear by Anne Janzer
This practical well-researched book explains that there are two aspects to writing: the scribe and the muse. Each is your writing friend once you know how to engage with them, and therein is the crux of the book. Pay attention to which part of your brain you’re using as you write that which you must write– and you’ll make progress.
• Wake Up to the Joy of You: 52 Meditations and Practices for a Calmer, Happier Life by Agapi Stassinopoulos
This book, a compilation of short essays/personal stories + a meditation for each, focuses on 52 different aspects of life. The tone of the book is encouraging. It’s centering, quietly profound, without being icky inspirational sweet. [Hat tip to Nicole at GIRL in a BOY HOUSE for recommending this book.]
ONE PIE
In the photo at the top of this post [and isn’t it a cute one?], the wedge of pie the dragon is about to eat is called Atlantic Beach Pie. Last summer when I saw the recipe for the pie in Southern Living magazine [LINK HERE] I had to try it.
Had to.
It was easy to make*, tasty if you like lemon-lime flavor, but what makes this pie interesting is that the recipe calls for saltine cracker crumbs. You use them, not graham cracker crumbs, when you make the crust. Now how unusual is that?
AND IN CONCLUSION
Having said all I can think of to say I shall end this post by asking you, my gentle readers, a few simple questions– because that’s kinda what I do here.
Have you read any self-improvement books lately that you’d recommend?
Have you made any pies recently?
Have you discovered something unusual in your world?
Tell all in the comments below. You know you want to.
* If you make the pie I used whole wheat saltines, because that’s what was on hand, and I made 1/3 of the whipped cream which seemed like plenty. Wedges of the pie froze nicely, tasted great after defrosting at room temperature.