What I Read for Fun :: Vango: Between Sky and Earth

Vango: Between Sky and Earth
by Timothée de Fombelle
Candlewick Press, 432 pages
upper middle grade/YA, adventure, historical fiction, series

What I Read for Fun :: Roller Girl

Roller Girl
by Victoria Jamieson
Dial Books, 240 pages
middle grade graphic novel

If you liked the book, download a free e-book of the making of Roller Girl.

What I Made for Dinner :: Sausage, Potato, and Spinach Soup

We're a few days from April and yet there are very few signs of spring. The weather gods teased us with a 73 degree day on Thursday, but by this morning, we were in the low-20s with the wind chill.

I could eat soup year-round, but a hearty soup is perfect for an evening like today's. I found a few new soup recipes from Damn Delicious, and I tried the Sausage, Potato, and Spinach Soup. My prep time is always longer than what the recipe says, so I clocked in at about 50 minutes, start to finish. But here's why: I peeled all of my potatoes, and because I used half a pound extra, I let the soup simmer for a few extra minutes. I love lots of onion in my soups, so I cut two instead of just one. And because of the extra vegetables, I used 8 cups of chicken stock.

Considering its ease and the relatively short time it requires to cook, it's flavorful and filling. I'm definitely adding it to my soup rotation.

What I Read for Fun :: Manifest Destiny, Volume 2

Manifest Destiny, Volume 2: Amphibia & Insecta
written by Chris Dingess, illustrated by Matthew Roberts, colored by Owen Gieni
Image Comics, 128 pages
fantasy/alternate history graphic novel series (rated for mature audiences but would be of interest to YA readers)

What I Read for Fun :: Monstrous Affections

Monstrous Affections: An Anthology of Beastly Tales
edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant
stories by M. T. Anderson, Paolo Bacigalupi, Nathan Ballingrud, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Cassandra Clare, Nalo Hopkinson, Dylan Horrocks, Nik Houser, Alice Sola Kim, Kathleen Jenkins, Joshua Lewis, Kelly Link, Patrick Ness, G. Carl Purcell
Candlewick, 480 pages
young adult fantasy short stories about monsters, ghosts, vampires, aliens, spirits

What I Made for Dinner :: Japanese Fried Chicken Wings (手羽の唐揚げ)

http://www.saveur.com/article/recipes/japanese-fried-chicken-wings-teba-no-karaage-recipe

What Ian Made for Dinner :: Mashed Potatoes

Ian volunteered to help make the mashed potatoes tonight. It's one of his favorite foods so it's good for him to know how to make it.

What I Baked for Dessert :: Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

http://thekitchenmccabe.com/2014/03/07/irish-apple-cake-with-custard-sauce/

What I Baked for Dessert, Pi Day Edition :: Blueberry Custard Pie

http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2014/08/blueberry-custard-pie.html