Paperback Writer

From the time I was a small child, I have been a voracious reader. I loved being read to and reading on my own as I got older. Its something that I have worked hard to instill in the Little Man too.Reading opens doors and transports you to whole other worlds. Books can also change your life.

 

There have been five that did just that for me. I did not include any of the most obvious choices, like the Bible, because that didn’t just change my life-it framed it for me. I also did not include any fiction, since

 

The first one was Simple Abundance by Sarah ben Brethnact. It’s a daybook-you read one essay a day. Sometimes there are exercises to do, like creating a look book or reading something. Other times, its just a piece to read and reflect upon. I’ve been using this book for about 15 years now. Despite having read each and every essay dozens and dozens of times, there is something comforting about it. Its part of my morning routine. Its taught me valuable lessons. The first was developing an attitude of gratitude. One of the first exercises listed is to create a gratitude journal, which I’ve kept for well over a decade now. Another lesson learned is that of finding simple joy in things, and to look for beauty in each and every day.

 

The second book that changed my life was the Artist’s Way. Reading it was a revelation. For most of my life, I have been a creative soul. I write. I paint. I craft. I scrap. I do all sorts of creative endeavors. However, since I am an accountant and youth minister by trade, I never considered myself an artist. After reading this book and working through the exercises, I can call myself one now. I start my morning with my daily pages. When I skip it, I can tell. It helps keep the flow flowing. Another concept was the weekly artist date. I spend some quality time with my muse, and sometimes its creating something, other times I’m working my kitchen magic. Then there are other times I take a class or even just move.

 

The third was Ghost Hunter by Hans Holzer. I read over and over and over again as a kid, and its inspired me to pursue my paranormal interests. It introduced me to the concept that ghosts were real, and can be quantified. As I grew older, it encouraged me to get into the paranormal field and find like minded souls.

 

The fourth book was Restoring the Woven Cord. About 15 years ago, the associate rector of my beloved Trinity Princeton went on sabbatical to Iona, Scotland to study Celtic spirituality. When he returned, we had a series of adult forums and study groups to learn about it as well. My faith shifted, because this was a faith practice that was entwined in my soul. I “got” it. We used the book as a discussion guide and reference source. I have read it so much over the years that the binding on my highlighted and tabbed copy has broken. I don’t want to replace it just yet because its such a special book to me.

 

The fifth and final book may be a bit of a surprise, unless you really know me well. Scott Cunningham’s book, Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Since I was already interested in the paranormal, this was a natural progression. Wicca is loosely based on ancient Celtic and Britannic pagan traditions, but as a theology Wicca is relatively new. I thought it was fascinating how traditional holidays (ember days and holy days in the Christian calendar) became Wiccan Sabbats. It also is a terrific resource for herbal remedies as well as aromatherapy blends. I have to admit that this book was my introduction to those fields, and for that I am thankful.

 

Friday Reads: Strike a Pose

I started doing yoga when I was 17, when I took a class at our local community school. It was held in a gym, not a studio. There wasn't any bells and whistles, just plain yoga.
As a result, a lot of what makes yoga popular today is whipped cream to me.
My personal belief is that everyone needs to practice yoga-and if that happened, the world would be a much better place.
It was from this on the mat perspective that made me want to read Poser. I really wanted to like this book, I did. I wanted to. The author seemed like someone who would make a good friend.
I can totally relate to the wellspring of emotions asanas can release. I remember not that long ago, being in camel pose (you are kneeling and reaching in a back bend for your heels) and just wanting to sob. No reason, except muscle and fascia are tight in many people because of memory. You release that tension and so goes that memory.
There is a poignant vignette in Poser, where the author is in cobbler's pose and she recalls her daughter's birth and NICU stay. I have had instances where yoga reveals things to me I wasn't aware of or conscious of.
When my practice is strong, I am definitely more aware of my world. I feel more connected, grounded, with the whole universe.
I related to the mom-petion she endured. Although not as bad or blatant in south Dakota as in Seattle, there is still a lot of attempted one upmanship. Claire (since she could be part of my social circle) struggled to be the perfect parent and do it all.
I completely relate.
I did struggle with her retelling of her mother hooking up with Larry and destroying her childhood family. I struggled with trying to find her mother as a sympathetic figure, and to understand the motivation for what she did.
There were obvious repercussions for the daughter.
The other thing I found troubling was as the book hurtled forward, the more marginalized her husband Bruce was. He started off as a looming figure. Page by page, his presence shrunk.
The more I read, the more I realized the book was less about yoga and more about relationships. The subtitle of the book is "My Life in 23 Poses", which sums it up-life, with poses as a backdrop.

Photo of the author is from here: http://writingismydrink.com/2011/01/25/drink-sits-down-with-claire-dederer-author-of-poser/, which features a great interview with her!

Vegan Deelights 5/15 edition

Once a month I teach a vegan cooking class at a local museum. It's really exciting to share my passion and love for food with others. The added bonus is when those outside my family like what I cook!!
This month I did a quick spring dinner options. I have a confession to make: unlike on tv, real cooks have recipe fails. The falafel mix didn't combine the way it should have, so that was out.
Otherwise...super yummy

“cheesecake”

1 package silken tofu
½ c soy milk
½ c silvered almonds
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ c agave nectar

Crust
1 flour
¼ c water
2 tbsp oil

Preheat oven to 350. Mix crust ingredients together. Roll out into a pie shell. Blind bake 15 minutes. Let cool.
Mix cheesecake ingredients together. Blend the tofu and milk well until there are few lumps. Add vanilla extract and agave, blend until creamy. Pour into pie shell. Bake 20 minutes until set.
Added bonus?
Top with sliced strawberries.

Tabouleh

1 c bulgar
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 c chopped parsley
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
½ c diced onion
1 tomato diced

Cook bulgur in 2 c water. Let cool. Mix garlic, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, seasonings onion and tomato together. Stir in bulgur. Let flavors combine before serving.


Falafel

Falafel mix
hummus
Pita
Water

Mix falafel patties according to mix
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes

Salad

Lettuce
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Salt
Garlic

Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt together. Pour over lettuce.

Serve with salad, pitas and hummus

Want more great recipes? Check out my cookbook, Vegan Deelight, available at Barnes and Noble! http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vegan-deelight-dee-di-memmo/1107989173

If you need help planning meals and putting it all together, Deelightful Dinners is a great option! Available in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/mommychronicles?ref=si_shop

Moon River

I like very simple, plain jewelry. Some people like a lot of flash, but that's not me. I don't do gaudy well either. I like silver over gold. And I like it to have a personal connection.
My wedding ring.
My grandmother's pearls.
They are like a warm blanket of love.
Speaking of that warm blanket, when the little man was younger, one of our favorite bed time stories was Guess How Much I Love You. It is a story of how much a parent loves their child-and the child loves their parent. There is love as high as they can reach, down the lane, to the river, to the moon. As the little bunny falls asleep, the story ends with the classic lines:

"I love you right up to the MOON," he said, and closed his eyes.

"Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far."

Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night.

Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon - AND BACK."

Since he was 4, I have told my son each night as I tuck him, under a warm blanket, that I love him to the moon and back.
The Vintage Pearl (which has some beautiful things) has THE perfect mother's day gift for me: a personalized necklace saying I love you to the moon and back.
I don't normally covet, but this is inspiring me to covet big time. Check it out here and see if you agree with me:

http://www.thevintagepearl.com/products/iloveyoutothemoonandback_p16

Bliss is Here

Bliss is now available for sale! Click the link below for details:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Bliss/Dee-DiMemmo/e/2940013760134

And don't forget about Vegan Deelight, turning regular recipes into healthy ones!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vegan-deelight-dee-di-memmo/1107989173

Sweetest Thing

I've had so many blessings in my life lately and for that I'm incredibly grateful. The goodness is continuing with a new project coming out this Tuesday.
My new book, Bliss, will be available for digital download on the Nook (www.bn.com) for $6.99. It's a guidebook to following your bliss, which if you are a regular visitor to Mommydom, you know is my mission.

Everyday I Write the Book (part 2)

A while back, I mentioned that I was writing a cookbook on how to make some positive changes in your life. These are the same recipes I feed my family, and you can share them with your family too!

The book is available for download at Barnes & Noble, in the Nook format. Click the link below:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/dee-di-memmo

Paper back Writer

I have been a reader for as long as I can remember. One of my most prized possessions as a child was my library card. Favorite thing to do? Go to the library & load up on books! I was (and still am) a voracious reader. As I grew up, I began reading harder & harder books to the point I got my adult library card in the 5th grade. That was my passport to new adventures.
To this day, I read a book a week on average. When we moved here, I joked that they needed to add another librarian to keep up with my reading habits.
Then my mother moved here. She reads 6-8 of her silly little mysteries each week.
My mother in law, prior to getting a nook, had a suitcase dedicated to books.
The little man also loves to read. Each week, as part of his homework, he is supposed to read 100 minutes each week. Each week, he well exceeds it. It makes my heart sing that he can let himself be transported to a whole new world.
One of Friday night rituals is to go to Barnes & Noble, and enjoy the time looking at books & magazines. I go to the cafe, get a chai & stacks of my British magazines, crafting ones and a few cooking ones. Little man reads, and reads and reads. We usually leave with several books for his shelf, and I will never say no to reading.
Right now, he is obsessed with Captain Underpants, which is definately targeted at his demographic! You can read more about the series at Dav Pilkey's website:
http://www.pilkey.com/
Another series of books the Little Man loves are the Bad Kitty books by Nick Breul. We have our own Krazy Kat, whom would be right at home with Bad Kitty! More at Bad Kitty's corner on the web:
http://badkittybooks.squarespace.com/
Little Man is pretty much Star Wars obsessed. He loves the movies, the lego sets and the video game. Now we have started reading the books. There are a lot of novelizations out there-from the movie plot lines, to the clone wars and beyond. Scholastic has a great introduction to the books on their website, found here:
http://www.scholastic.com/starwars/
Even though we are beyond picture books on an ability level, there are some that are still pretty cool to read. The other day at Childs Play Toys, we found one such title: Punk Farm. Hilarious & artfully illustrated, it may wind up under our Christmas tree.
http://www.punkfarm.com/
The other series Little Man loves are the Bad Dog Marley. It is basically Marley & Me for kids, so it's obvious I was all over it. In fact, to this day, little Man's two favorite bedtime books are Bad Dog Marley and A Very Marley Christmas.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bad-dog-marley-john-grogan/1100239146
Little Man is also obsessed with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. He even told me about the new book coming out! I admit, I am the least intimately acquainted with these books out of all that he reads as the Big Man & he have their own mutual appreciation society.
http://www.wimpykid.com/
My son loves legos almost as much as he loves his hot wheels. We have several design encyclopedias, along with tons of legos in our house (he loves to build!). Now there is a new series that combines his two loves: building & books.
http://www.brickset.com/search/?query=brickmaster
My new favorite book for him are the doodles for dinner books:
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/doodles-at-dinner
It's always exciting for my son to discover new books and continue his love of reading!