Book Review: The Reason You're Alive

Five years ago, Matthew Quick published his book, The Silver Lining's Playbook. It was later turned into a movie that most people have seen. I AM NOT one of those people. 

My first experience with Matthew Quick was reading the book above, The Reason You're Alive. The main character, David Granger, is a grumpy old man who is misunderstood and often judged by his family. Throughout the book, you discover the many sides to Mr Granger and how true the phrase, "Looks can be deceiving", actually is. 

I think this is a great book for our current times. I don't know about you, but my media feeds are filled with angry people name calling and making assumptions about other people based on a single opinion. Maybe if we stopped trying to yell over one another, stepped back and listened to each other, we would make better progress than we are with all the rallies and arguing. 

Stepping down from my soap box, I definitely recommend reading this book. It is a fun read that made me both laugh and cry. I grew to love the grumpy old man and his family. By the end of the book, I was sad to have reached the last page, but happy with the outcome. 

Let me know what you think. 

Kristie

French Toast with Cream Cheese and Sauteed Nectarines

Today in Michigan, it is cold. Not like winter cold, but 60-degrees, dreary and windy cold. It's wonderful for those of us who look forward to fall weather. For my beach bum friends, it is a depressing state of affairs. The 2 week forecast that doesn't reach 80-degrees is not going to make it better, either.

My only problem with summer ending is the disappearance of the farmer's markets. I love visiting the small towns in my area and choosing fresh produce from the local farmers. July and August are prime for peaches, plums and nectarines. I picked up a half dozen of each the other day.

The plums we will probably just eat out of the fridge as snacks. The peaches will go into a pie. The nectarines were a bit of a wild card, until I got this breakfast craving; French Toast with Cream Cheese and Sauteed Nectarines. Don't knock it until you try it. It's fabulous.

French Toast with Cream Cheese and Sauteed Nectarines

Ingredients
8 slices of Texas Toast
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
2 nectarines, pitted and thinly sliced
2 TBSP sugar
4 TBSP butter
Whipped cream cheese spread

Directions

1. Melt 2 TBSP butter in a medium saute pan. Add the nectarine slices. Sprinkle the 2 TBSP sugar over them and saute until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside. 
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. 
3. Melt 1 TBSP butter on a griddle pan over medium heat. Spread it around the pan. 
4. Dip each side of the bread into the egg mixture and then transfer it to the griddle pan. (I cook these in batches of 4 at a time.) Cook over medium heat for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the bread and cook 2-4 more minutes. Repeat with the remaining for slices of bread. 
5. To Serve: Place 2 slices of French Toast on each plate. Spread an even layer of cream cheese across each piece. Then drizzle 1/4 of the sauteed nectarines over the top. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Per Serving	% Daily Value*
Calories 472
Total Fat 22.2g	29%
Saturated Fat 11.3g	56%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 208mg	76%
Sodium 681mg	30%
Potassium 236mg	5%
Total Carb 53.7g	18%
Dietary Fiber 3.2g	11%
Sugars 17.5g
Protein 14.2g
Vitamin A 32% · Vitamin C 6%
Calcium 9% · Iron 18%
*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

This is definitely not an everyday breakfast, but I definitely recommend the occasional splurge. Let me know what you think when you try it.

As always, thanks for stopping by, 

Kristie

Book Review: A Stranger in the Woods

So here's a little something you don't know about me: I am an HGTV junkie. I love seeing what people make on Flea Market Flip and I think Zombie Home renovations are inspired. I even watch the Tiny Home shows, although with a family of 7, there is no way I can do that. 

I envy them though, and their ability to go off grid. I think everyone thinks about walking away from the drama in the news and the hate in society. Maybe we are bored with our jobs and just want to get back to a simpler time. I personally would love a trip to the woods, filled with silence, yoga, hiking and book reading. I just don't think I could live that way forever. 

Christopher Knight had every intention of doing just that. In 1986, he simply walked into the Maine woods and disappeared from his life. He settled in a secluded area of the woods and lived there undiscovered for 27 years. Sure he stole food and necessities from area cabins, but in his mind that was the only way to survive and maintain the peace he had found. 

You may remember the headlines of this story from Christopher Knight's capture in 2013, but in The Stranger in the Woods, author Michael Finkel helps you to understand some of the logic behind that solo existence. What is the definition of a true hermit? Could he have truly disappeared for almost three decades? And how will he re-enter society now? Reading this book might not make you want to follow in his footsteps, but it will make you think about another way of life, and seeing the world from someone else's view is something I would recommend to everyone. 

Thanks for stopping by,
Kristie