What I Read for Fun :: various picture books

• Journey by Aaron Becker: 2014 Caldecott Honor book
• A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant & illustrated by Melissa Sweet: 2014 Schneider Family Book Award (for children ages 0 to 10) and 2014 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
• Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales: 2014 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award
• Year of the Jungle: Memories from the Home Front by Suzanne Collins & illustrated by James Proimos: 2014 Charlotte Zolotow Honor book
  
• The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney
• Toys in Space by Mini Grey

What I Made for Dinner :: Beef Stew

Yeah, yeah, I know I made stew yesterday too, but it's cold again today! 

The Pioneer Woman's Beef Stew

Don't be lazy. Brown the heck out of the meat in small batches. 

I cut the onion in two different sizes, hoping the bigger pieces would survive the two hours of cooking. No luck. Next time I think I'll add half of the onion part way through the cooking time so the onions don't all disintegrate. 

My recipe for mashed potatoes is similar to the Pioneer Woman's. The kale was simply sautéed in olive oil with some garlic. I used the lemon pepper from Trader Joe's to season it at the end. 

What I Read for Fun :: The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy

What I Read for Fun :: The Ring & the Crown

What I Read for Fun :: Stuff

What I Made for Dinner :: Chicken Tikka Masala and Mujaddara

http://honestcooking.com/mujaddara-recipe/

What I Made for Dinner :: Grilled Cheese with Roasted Onions, Mushrooms, Kale & Bacon

http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2013/02/mushroom-onions-gouda-grilled-cheese/

What I Made for Dinner :: Bacon Cheddar Waffles and Kale, Brussels Sprouts & Potato Hash

http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/10/crispy-kale-brussels-sprouts-and-potato-hash-recipe.html?ref=title

http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/01/bacon-cheese-and-scallion-waffles-recipe.html?ref=title

What I Read for Fun :: The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp

What I Made for Dinner :: Potato & Onion Egg Tortilla and Radish,Enoki, Tangerine & Avocado Salad

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/blog/2013/11/20/from-the-chronicle-kitchen-spain/

http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/01/radish-enoki-tangerine-and-avocado-salad-from.html?ref=title

I ended up making a Meatless Monday meal on accident ... and, lo and behold, the kids actually ate it!

What I Read for Fun :: Jinx

What I Made for Dinner :: Graupensuppe (German Barley Soup)

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Graupensuppe-German-Barley-Soup

What I Made for Dinner :: Crispy Chicken Tortilla Roll-Ups

http://www.lovewithrecipe.com/recipe/507.html

What I Made for Dinner :: Spinach Chicken Casserole

http://www.marthastewart.com/331834/chicken-and-spinach-casserole?xsc=soc_pin_2014_1_11_Food_QuickCasseroleRecipes_H&crlt.pid=camp.KvfdbeHxsyTw

http://www.marthastewart.com/859377/roasted-sweet-potatoes-and-bacon

As a side dish I made baked sweet potatoes with bacon, also from Martha Stewart. 

National Sleep Day

What I Read for Fun :: Kumohachi (くもはち)

What I Read for Fun :: Sailor Twain

What I Read for Fun :: Make Good Art

What I Read for Fun :: Fortunately, the Milk

What I Read for Fun :: Rooftoppers

What I Made for the Holidays :: Chocolate Caramel Crack(ers)