Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Library Loot XIX


Library Loot is a weekly blog event that encourages bloggers to share what books they borrowed from the library that week. To participate, simply make your Library Loot post on your blog and link it using the Mr. Linky link at Marg's blog Reading Adventures or Eva's blog A Striped Armchair. This week's link up is at Eva's.


Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

I only checked out one fiction novel from the library this week and it's even a re-loot. I had this one checked out a while ago but had run out of renewals so had to return it a week or so ago. Last night I went back and borrowed it again. I actually started reading it the day before it was due, but didn't get more than 50 pages in or so. I'm promising myself to read it in it's entirety this month.

In non fiction, I'm getting inspired for the bountiful growing season that has just started up in my Zone 6 area. I love the abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables that late spring and summer provide whether it be from my organic co-op, farmers markets, local farms or my own backyard garden. These three books will give me food preparation and gardening inspiration for the next several weeks for sure.

Well Preserved by Mary Anne Dragan

The first book is actually another re-loot, but I had to have it again because tomorrow I'm going strawberry picking with my friend (the one who borrowed Lover Mine from her library for me last week)! ... and you know what that means? Strawberry Jam!


Seasonal Fruit Desserts by Deborah Madison

I have at least two of Deborah Madison's cookbooks on my shelf, so I know the recipes will give reliable results, be healthy and taste fresh and delicious. As per the author's style, the recipes are familiar yet with special and unique twists and presentations. I just love summer fruit desserts-- I can't wait to try some of these recipes. Don't those raspberry tarts look mouthwatering? Mmmm!


The Kitchen Garden by Alan Burkingham

I merely had to flip through this informative book to know that I needed to bring it home and study it. It has loads of beautiful, clear, and helpful photos throughout and is formatted month by month and details what to do for your garden at that time from sowing by seed, harvesting information, pest and disease identification, and so much more. I'm already a good two weeks late planting a few key summer vegetables, but I'm still going to tackle a vegetable garden this year. Although I can already say the deer are going to be a huge problem.



What's your favorite summer fruit dessert?

Mine is probably strawberry shortcake early in the season and any kind of berry tarts mid and late season. And my Oma's peach küchen for which I have no recipe, so it's just a favorite by memory alone.

What's your favorite summer vegetable to get fresh either in your backyard garden or at the farmer's market?

Nothing beats home or local grown tomatoes. I love the big, full flavored beefsteak tomatoes... cut in thick slices and sprinkled with kosher salt and all kinds and colors of grape and cherry tomatoes on salads or sauteed in a bit of olive oil. Sungold cherry tomatoes are one of my favorite varieties. I also love really good local corn on the cob. And lots and lots of basil.


12 comments:

  1. Oh, Ballad looks good. Enjoy your loot!

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  2. Tomatoes of any kind are my favorite during the summer! We have about 6 different varieties in our backyard. I like picking the cherry tomatoes while hanging out outside!

    ps. I miss the city. I miss getting a chance to hang with you more. :(

    Take care,
    Michelle

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  3. Hi Linda! :)
    I read the book that precedes this one titled LAMENT and loved it. Hopefully BALLAD will be just as good!

    Hi Michelle! :)
    SIX different varieties! Yummy! I like plucking and eating the cherry tomatoes in the yard, too! They're so flavorful when ripened by the sun and warm and sweet. Mmm.

    Aww.. you're sweet. I miss you, too! :) We'll definitely make more time to visit with each other next time. *hugs*

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  4. Ohhh Christine, can't wait to hear your thoughts on Ballad. My daughter bought it, read it and passed it on to me, so its on my TBR.

    I too looove fresh tomatoes and love them with a bit of olive oil and salt, or just plain. Fruit? I love tropical fruits, mangoes, pineapples and mandarines. Also "mamonsillos," I don't know what they're called in English! :(

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  5. I'm out of library books and you're making me twitchy. *G* Ooh, favorite summer fruit would be anything with blackberries! I want to try to make a tart this year, I've yet to make one. And favorite summer veggie? Hmmm, tomato's. I adore tomato's and will eat them sliced with just a hint of salt and pepper or in a salad or in a Southern style tomato sandwich. *G*
    Our garden is growing by leaps and bounds. I just wish we'd planted the squash plants with more room because they are HUGE.

    I hope you're having a terrific day!

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  6. Nice loot this week Christine.

    I'm one of those weird people that doesn't like raw tomato. It has to be cooked, and added to something (or made into a soup, relish or sauce). And that's why I grow them. Oh, Christine - I should send you the tomato relish recipe... I've made a note to do so. It's great with a bit of cheese and a cracker *grin*

    Oh, and I grow the Moneymaker variety of tomatoes - good size and taste IMHO :)

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  7. I have 7 books from the library and I can't wait to dive into them.

    I love cherries when summer rolls around.

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  8. This looks like fun. I think I might join up next week. Ballad sounds interesting.

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  9. LOL, you're so organized, getting these cookbooks to get ready this summer ;)

    Hmm, I like eating any fruits with cream LOL... blueberry, strawberry, raspberry :P Miam.

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  10. Hi Hilcia!
    You're daughter has become quite the little book smuggler lately! Did she like BALLAD? More books for us to discuss when you get around to reading it.

    Yes, tomatoes drizzled with olive oil... may as well top with a fresh basil leaf, too.

    I love tropical fruits too. I think pineapples might edge out mangoes by a wee bit in my book. I think mostly because it is so difficult to get really great mangoes around here, you know? Their quality is so inconsistent. I googled "mamonsillos"... I don't think there is an English word for them! They look and sound interesting. Can you buy them here?

    Hi Brandy! :)
    I love blackberries, too! Here they are in season in late August or early September.

    Now I'm curious. How is a Southern style tomato sandwich made?

    I can't wait to see photos of your squash plants again. And remember squash can practically grow over night, so check your plants often.

    Hi orannia! :)
    Both of my girls are the same way in that they do not eat raw tomatoes. Only cooked sauce, salsa or ketchup. I guess ketchup counts... LOL.

    I would love your tomato relish recipe. Sounds like it would make a great appetizer. Thank you!

    The Moneymaker variety, huh? I don't know if I've ever come across that one... I have come across a variety called The Mortgage Lifter. I wonder if they're related? LOL!

    I used to grow Celebrity tomatoes. But in more recent years I've been growing an Italian heirloom tomato called Costoluto Genovese. I think that's the name.

    Hi Dru! :)
    Oh cherries!!! How could I forget cherries??!? We LOVE cherries! I bought a cherry pitter back when my now 15 year old was 2 years old because I couldn't pit cherries with a knife and cutting board fast enough for her to eat them. LOL! One of the best kitchen gadget investments EVER--and only $12 or something. It makes pitting cherries for a pie or tart so fast and easy, too.

    Hi Rana! :)
    Definitely join Library Loot sometime! It's so fun to see what everyone borrows from their libraries.

    I love the writing style of Maggie Stiefvater--the author of BALLAD. She's got such a beautiful and poetic story telling voice. If you're interested in BALLAD, you may want to read the book LAMENT first.

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  11. Hi nath! :)
    I don't know if I'd use the word organized... maybe over ambitious is better. ;p

    I went to the grocery store tonight. I bought cream. :D

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  12. I was just kidding about the Southern Style. I think. *G* The big thing is sliced tomato's with salt and pepper and mayonnaise, but not any mayo, but Duke's mayo. *G* (Although I skip the mayo because I can't eat it anymore.)

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