Great responses to Sarah’s Key! Not going to lie, I think I’m going to read it again now! Has anyone read The Shell Seekers? I think that’s the next book in line for me from the library.
So, today I slept in until 8:30!!!! I don’t even know who I am anymore but I like it. Last night I was up till midnight working, if that rationalizes it any. Plus, mornings here have been so cold and foggy…perfect sleeping weather.
Breakfast was more muesli (I.can’t.stop) and lunch was leftover kale salad from last night. I topped it with some Athenos feta and had a hard boiled egg and a plum on the side.
Pumped some iron, bought some new leave-in conditioner, did my laundry, threw Dexter his mouse a few times…..now I’m ready to write for the rest of the afternoon. Almanzo is coming over at eight for dinner and I don’t know what I’m making yet. Usually I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about these things but I just don’t know what can top mushroom crusted steak and biscuits. I just don’t know. Any ideas?
stephanie@Avocado Nation
July 28, 2010 at 2:05 pmI totally want to make that salad because it looks good, but I’m a little gun-shy around kale. Does the olive oil make it more tender?
jenna
July 28, 2010 at 2:26 pmyep! It softens up the kale a little bit so it’s not as tough…I think it’s technically called a “massaged kale salad” (seriously)
Michele
July 28, 2010 at 2:08 pmI made a delicious dinner last night… marinated some chicken to grill & made a homemade mango, black bean, corn & avocado salsa, yum!
Emilee
July 28, 2010 at 2:15 pmDoes he like seafood? I’m thinking scallops, maybe in a pesto sauce over whole wheat noodles with some parmesan cheese. Now I’m hungry!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
July 28, 2010 at 2:17 pmYou’ve made some pretty impressive shrimp dishes in the past that looked very tasty. The one I’m thinking of in particular involved diced tomatoes, garlic, and feta. Perhaps Almanzo would dig that?
I need to try kale salad one of these days, I always steam, saute, or roast it ala kale chips.
Katherine
July 28, 2010 at 2:22 pmhmmm…
home made mac n cheese?
chicken picatta?
black bean burgers?
Sarah (OC2Seattle)
July 28, 2010 at 2:25 pmThe steak’s going to be pretty hard to top, I agree with the others re heading to the seafood side of things. Scallops, farfalle with a classic pesto sauce on the side or maybe carbonara? A fabulous sauvignon blanc . . .
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf
July 28, 2010 at 2:32 pmMacaroni and Cheese!!
brianna
July 28, 2010 at 2:33 pmi second this!
Meg
July 28, 2010 at 2:50 pmI third this! 🙂 with biscuits, naturally.
Kris
July 28, 2010 at 3:10 pmAdd my fourth! You can add in diff cheeses, roasted veggies, etc. Yum!
jenna
July 28, 2010 at 3:15 pmoh my lord, what if I topped homemade macaroni and cheese with buttermilk biscuits? Would that be crossing the line?
Sarah
July 28, 2010 at 2:45 pmMake your chicken enchiladas. Those are awesome!!
Pam (IIN Health Coach)
July 28, 2010 at 7:09 pmThose enchiladas are a winner with the guys, my fiance made a special request the other day. Great recipe Jenna!!
Men seem to always want meat based dinners.
chelsea
July 28, 2010 at 2:52 pmHow about some pizza? I’m making some pizza tonight! Kind of time consuming, but it’s always good and worth it! 🙂
katie
July 28, 2010 at 2:53 pmI think you would LOVE The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy. It’s a compulsive read, and it’s historical fiction. I loved it! The cover of the Shell Seekers reminds me of Pursuit of Happiness’ cover, so I’ll have to check that one out too.
Betsy
July 28, 2010 at 3:02 pmVodka Pasta!
Jackie
July 28, 2010 at 3:09 pmYou should make paella. Tyler Florence has a really good chicken and coconut “paella” that my boyfriend loves. It’s really easy to find online, just Google it. I always mix in some yogurt with the rice at the end. Sounds weird, tastes awesome!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
July 28, 2010 at 3:11 pmThat lunch looks so good – simple – but so good!
Laura
July 28, 2010 at 3:12 pmThe colors in your lunch were so beautiful and rich! The dark purple and green just scream lush produce!
Kris
July 28, 2010 at 3:12 pmI remember reading the Shell Seekers years ago when I married DH, but don’t remember it now. I don’t think it was exactly my style. My MIL liked it and decided to read all of Rosamund Pilcher’s books.
eatmovelove
July 28, 2010 at 3:13 pmPIZZA!!!
What are you writing now? Still with editing? New book?!! Articles? Oh what I would give to write for my living…
jenna
July 28, 2010 at 3:14 pmWorking on the edits for my book, which will be out at the beginning of 2012. Nothing new yet…!
eatmovelove
July 28, 2010 at 5:29 pmI will be buying it!…as long as you buy mine one day if I can ever pay down my debt and stop working the job I so hate…meh, I’ll buy yours anyways…;)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
July 28, 2010 at 3:14 pmwhat about some authentic Italian…? i think that could be fun…change it up a little bit 😉
Alyssa @ bride to be fit
July 28, 2010 at 3:17 pmGirl, you set the bar HIGH. I have no clue how to even suggest something that would top those meals… Let alone actually prepare it!
aubrey
July 28, 2010 at 3:23 pmwhat about fish tacos? With some nice napa cabbage slaw and maybe mexican street style corn (grilled with a tiny bit of mayo, cayenne, lime and cotija cheese.
guacamola…pico…salsa…im making myself hungry.
Try making the tacos with salmon! It’s delicious.
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
July 28, 2010 at 3:30 pmWhat about a cabbage/curry stew? OH SHE GLOWS has that on her blog today and I think I’m going to copy her.
Alycia @ Fit n Fresh
July 28, 2010 at 3:32 pmI’m definitely looking up this new book! I want to join in on one of your book club conversations 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
July 28, 2010 at 3:40 pmMexican! That is out go-to when we aren’t sure.
Suzanne de Cornelia
July 28, 2010 at 3:44 pmLove the lunch photo–colorful, fresh food always so appealing.
I read ‘Shell Seekers’ years ago. About a refined woman reflecting on her life and magical times with her children who are now grown, complex and dysfunctional. At the time thought it was more a book for my mother.
Made Mahi-Mahi fish tacos the other night that were delish, esp with the addition of coleslaw. Very good clam chowder recipe:
http://www.suzannedecornelia.com/2010/02/california-girl-clam-chowder.html
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
July 28, 2010 at 4:03 pmYou guys are too cute, I love knew relationships. I’m glad you guys are so happy.
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
July 28, 2010 at 4:41 pmMaybe I missed it but can you tell us how you and Almanzo met??
eatmovelove
July 28, 2010 at 5:30 pmI was wondering the same thing!!! Please – story time 🙂 I’m a single gal and need to live vicariously through others….
jenna
July 28, 2010 at 5:34 pmHaha, y’all are funny. I met Almanzo last July when we both were finalists for the Murphy-Goode job. We both ended up moving out here, became really good friends, and then started to date.
Susan
July 28, 2010 at 4:42 pmmaybe make your scampi? yum! can you tell us again how you hard-boil eggs? yours look perfectly cooked and that’s a big challenge for me – not overcooking and getting that weird green line!
Sarah
July 28, 2010 at 4:55 pmHave you read ‘The Glass Castle’ wonderful, beautiful writing!
Lately my fiancé and I have been really into sandwiches… but not just your everyday sandwich… I’m talking huge, stuffed, gourmet deli style….
I have been soooo into Reubens on freshly baked rye, great quality or homemade Russian dressing, sauerkraut, loads of pastrami (or turkey or even tempeh! I LOVE tempeh Reubens), and local swiss cheese… I know you know what Reubens are but I’m starving right now and just needed to talk it out lol… maybe with some fresh pickles on the side and oven fries with rosemary.. drool 🙂
Can’t wait to hear what you decide!
sarah (this is it)
July 28, 2010 at 6:03 pmI second the Glass Castle!! Great book!
Kate
July 28, 2010 at 5:06 pmI loved The Shell Seekers, and I read it forever ago…I can still remember loads of it. I think you’d enjoy it!
Maria
July 28, 2010 at 5:32 pmIf you’re absolutely stuck, I’m going to go ahead and just suggest carry out from the tastiest Thai place you know – that’s what I usually do when I just can’t think of anything!
Maria
kaleandcupcakes.wordpress.com
kristen
July 28, 2010 at 5:37 pmLoooove the Shell Seekers and pretty much anything else by R. Pilcher! Have fun! 🙂
Lindsay
July 28, 2010 at 5:39 pmI read the Shell Seekers several years ago – probably when I was in 7th grade! It’s one of my grandmother’s favorite books and she recommended it to me. Can’t really remember much of it now, but I know I devoured it at the time and thought it one of the best books I ever read. Some might agree with an above poster that its too “mother-ish” (or “grandmother-ish”), but if I was able to enjoy it at age 12 or 13, I’d have to disagree! I hope you like it!
Trish
July 28, 2010 at 5:52 pmOh sigh! I would love to have a cool morning. It’s hot and crazy humid here in Florida. It’s like stepping out into a steam bath. It’s killing my motivation to get out of bed in the morning and go running. I mean, why leave the AC and my fluffy pillow just to go out and nearly die of heat stroke?
Anya @ Fitness & Sunshine
July 28, 2010 at 5:52 pmThe egg and plum look so beautiful together 🙂
Emily
July 28, 2010 at 5:57 pmThe Shell Seekers = awesome. I’ve loved most R. Pilcher books I’ve read, but her newer stuff has gotten weird…
Laura (Starloz)
July 28, 2010 at 6:13 pmI’m obsessed with baked beans, i must have them daily
Jenn
July 28, 2010 at 6:35 pmI love the Shell Seekers! I think I’ve read it a half-dozen times, and each time it’s like visiting an old friend!
The Wife of a Dairyman
July 28, 2010 at 7:00 pmFresh fish tacos!
Leanne
July 28, 2010 at 8:29 pmthat kale salad looks amazing..I’m a bit nervous bc I typically stick to collard greens or spinach but I think I have to try it.
Neen
July 29, 2010 at 1:55 amI loved the shellseekers, September is also good, and if you like these, check out Marcia Willet – Looking Forward, and there there are a further 3 books after that in that series! you’ll love them if you like the Shellseekers
Chelsey
July 29, 2010 at 4:30 amI just read the synopsis of Shell Seekers and it sounds really good! I love everything and anything set in World War II!
Don’t stop ’til you get enough (of that muesli that is).
Sorry, I coudln’t help myself. 🙂
britt
July 29, 2010 at 5:25 amroasted veggie couscous scented with sauted grape tomatoes, topped with asiago cheese, drizzled with a basalmic reduction and a side salad with pinot noir. Dessert expresso poured over a scoop of hazelnut gelato, with biscotti. 🙂
jenna
July 29, 2010 at 5:50 ami don’t much care for eggs…but that hardboiled egg looks really good…
I’m not sure what could top that steak the other night! it looked fabulous!
Dawn
July 29, 2010 at 6:16 amTotally understand the meusli love. For about a month I was on a total meusli kick – in this hot summer weather it was the only breakfast that seemed remotely tolerable. Enjoy!
Sometimes when I can’t decide what to make for dinner I play “Cook’s Challenge.” I grab something from the back of the freezer, something half-forgotten from the pantry, and something from the fridge that is a “need to use now” item. Then I wing it: no recipe hunting allowed. I find that these constraints make it easier to move forward on a meal. (And I think it’s fun – is that wrong of me?)
Camille
July 29, 2010 at 6:41 amI know I’m a bit late on the uptake, but I am for sure participating in your next book! You are like Oprah… only I don’t despise you… In fact, I quite like you. Oprah… not so much.
Corinne (breathe and savor)
July 29, 2010 at 7:24 ami hope you either made the suggested mac and cheese w/ veggies and biscuits or the chicken enchiladas or went out to dinner to ween (sp?) his mind off of the amazing steak dinner 🙂
Annie D. @ Annie's Simple Life
July 29, 2010 at 7:35 amIt’s good that you don’t know who you are anymore, but like it! I’m the opposite… I freak out if I lose track of myself. Maybe I should be more like you!!!!! 🙂
Scargosun
July 29, 2010 at 8:27 amI read some really great books over vaca; Blind Descent – it is a non-fiction about cavers that were trying to find the deepest cave in the world. An Island to Oneself – written my Tom Neale a man who went to live on an uninhabited island in the Pacific in the 50’s and again in the 60’s and 70’s. This a new soul-touching book for me.
BTW – sent out some thanks to you in my blog today for some inspiration.
Jaclyn
July 29, 2010 at 9:42 amPumping iron, buying leave-in conditioner, making lunch.. quite the productive day! 😉 Heh, he..
Like the looks of that kale salad, where’s mine?!
CHAND
July 29, 2010 at 9:44 amThe Shell Seekers is a wonderful book. I read it years ago.
theemptynutjar
July 29, 2010 at 10:29 amyou said before u had a new idea for your next book: novel? recipe book? can u give us an idea of the genre?
jenna
July 29, 2010 at 10:29 amLips are sealed! For right now at least. 😉
theemptynutjar
July 29, 2010 at 6:36 pmWhatever it is, I am sure it will be good.
AA
July 29, 2010 at 2:25 pmI love The Shell Seekers! A lot of the book is set in South West Cornwall, England where I live so it’s great that I can actually visualise where the book is based. The film was also made down here and is well worth watching if you have enjoyed the book. September is also another great follow on book from The Shell Seekers.
AA
July 29, 2010 at 2:25 pmI love The Shell Seekers! A lot of the book is set in South West Cornwall, England where I live so it’s great that I can actually visualise where the book is based. The film was also made down here and is well worth watching if you have enjoyed the book. September is also another great follow on book from The Shell Seekers.
Jan
August 17, 2011 at 3:28 pmI have read almost all of Rosamunde Pilcher books years ago. They are very good, about relationships. I have seen some historical fiction in your reading lists so think you might like MAISIE DOBBS by Jacqueline Winspear. Maisie is an investigator, nurse during and after WWI. I love your book reviews, etc.