Summer’s wrapping up and a lot has been going on. We went to a mega-huge concert, are 99.9% done with the kitchen remodel we started over a year ago, and pushed through some big time family drama. But enough of that! Because I’ve been reading some really good books, watching some entertaining movies and tv shows, and cooking up some tasty meals.
Here are my finds for September.
What To Read
I tore through Chelsea Cain’s whole Archie Sheridan & Gretchen Lowell series in a matter of weeks. There are six, and they’re all good. I was so sad the series ended, but then I read her newest novel, One Kick, and I can tell this series is going to be just as good, so I’m not quite so sad anymore. Then I enjoyed Jessica Knoll’s Luckiest Girl Alive (you know, the book everyone’s been raving is “the next Gone Girl”). I also finished the last two of John Verdon’s Dave Gurney series of four novels. I love to balance my crime/thriller diet with quality nonfiction, and On Hearing Of My Mother’s Death Six Years After It Happened by Lori Schafer really helped me cope and not feel so lost during a recent tough time. And I just finished Jon Ronson’s So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, and it was ah-maze-ing — it’s a must read for anyone who uses social media even a little bit.
What To Watch
I’m so very happy Netflix picked up Longmire for another season, because that show just keeps getting better and better. Bonus–now that it’s on Netflix, the episodes are longer, and the show itself seems a little bit grittier, which makes it even better. I also binged on Grace and Frankie, which was very good. On HBO Now, I got completely caught up on Veep and my husband enjoyed Hard Knocks. Also caught Wild, which was just as perfect as the same-named book by Cheryl Strayed. I bought Dark Places, based on the same-named novel by Gillian Flynn, and while it was not as good as the book, it was very good. Then I finally got around on watching Amazon’s Transparent, and it was just as good as everyone’s been telling me. AMC’s Fear The Walking Dead has been a pleasant surprise, especially since I found the first episode boring. It’s nowhere near The Walking Dead, but then again, what is? And thanks to Hulu’s genius picking up of The Mindy Project, I don’t have to give up one of my fave sitcoms.
What To Cook
I’ve made this recipe for Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowls twice in the past few weeks. It’s so easy, and SO good (and it passed the husband test). I’ve recently been getting into meatball making. They’re pretty easy to make, and they’re the perfect addition to most meals–two or three can even make for a great lunch. My recent foray into meatball making started with a recipe for Green Curry Meatballs with Creamy Coconut-Basil Sauce. The whole recipe was wonderful, but next time I think I’ll skip the sauce (could be because I had trouble finding coconut cream so I used full fat canned coconut milk) and instead of noodles I’ll make coconut rice. I also spent the summer perfecting my granita technique. Watermelon isn’t in season anymore, so I’ve been researching winter granita flavors, so hopefully I’ll be able to continue my frozen treat streak.
Here’s to a fall full of good food, great books, and captivating TV shows/movies.
Farmer's Finds 