Get Read.

"When we know better, we do better"
-Maya Angelou

I love that quote. The understanding that we act based upon what we know and the idea that we can leave our mistakes behind by simply learning from them.

How do you learn? I read. I learn best, of course, by doing but I get most of my ideas and inspiration from great reads. The better part of my day is spent with my nose in a medical journal, magazine, Internet article, blog, medical file, book club book, sewing pattern, text message....you get the point.

I thought I'd share my current list of must-reads........all books, because books are by far my favorite written form. These books are all equally beautiful, informative, weighty and tangible.

Eco-fying

Ecoholic Home by Adria Vasil
An absolutely amazing reference book for every home. It contains all of "the most up-to-date Canadian product and service info you need to eco-fy your private space".

Adria has been writing the Ecoholic column for NOW magazine since 2004. You can also catch her on Facebook, just check out her Ecoholic page!

Crafting & Creativity

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts by....The Queen of Crafts, of course!
My sisters gave me this book for my birthday last year and I have yet to put it down. The ultimate in crafting how-to. I have used so many of her techniques and ideas for gifts in the past year and have a long list of plans for the coming months. I have also recently been drooling over Martha's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts....but it will just have to wait.


The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule
I love love love this book. I love it because you don't need to be crafty or artistic to be creative. There are so many different ways to foster creativity in yourself and your children and Amanda's book is cover-to-cover FULL of ideas. I gift this book to the women in my life frequently: for weddings, baby showers and birthdays because this book celebrates the simple things that make life so beautiful - creativity, gratitude, family and togetherness. I can't think of a better present!

Gardening

From Seed to Table:A Practical Guide to Eating and Growing Green by Janette Haas

"Organic gardener Janette Haase offers a month-by-month guide to growing a significant amount of food in a small home garden." I think this book may be the key to turning my brown thumb green!

This winter I was invited to partake in a series of monthly workshops, led by Janette Haas, based on her book.

The series of workshops is called:
Fertile Ground - From Garden to Table
A Comprehensive Guide to Organic Gardening

"Each workshop starts with a meal made from local and seasonal ingredients, many of them from my own garden. We look at what foods are currently in season, menu ideas and recipes are provided. Then we move onto the garden with detailed instructions for all aspects of planting, growing, and harvesting an efficient and successful garden. Finally there is a discussion on a food related environmental issue, because there is far more to food than meets the eye!"

I couldn't join at the time, as I was already over committed, but I'm hoping to do it this coming year. Anyone else interested? I'd love to put a group together! Message me or contact her directly at: janettehaase@gmail.com

Raising Babies/Toddlers

Baby Hearts: A Guide to Giving Your Child an Emotional Head Start by Susan Goodwyn and Linda Acredolo

I read this book for the first time long before I was ever pregnant. I was interested in the development of "EQ", or emotional intelligence, in children. I loved the book then and recently "re-discovered" it when Winnie started biting/hitting/head-butting everything in sight. It's the most beautiful parenting book. Simple, to-the-point parenting tips that respect your child's "self" and strengthen your relationship.

Cooking

Three Sisters Around the Greek Table by Betty, Eleni and Samantha Bakopoulos.

Now, I know there is no ONE cookbook. This is just a current favorite. The photos are stunning, the food: simple and delicious. I met the 3 sisters, briefly at a book signing downtown in March. The authors were lovely, even when Winnie devoured most of their olive tapenade samples....

I didn't realize at the time but one of the sisters, Eleni, lives right here in Kingston! How exciting! We have so many great talents in this little city of ours....

Summer Chick-Lit

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
A Judy Blume novel for adults. The story of two women and the friendship of a lifetime, it is both nostalgic and refreshing. I read the novel every summer, typically in one sitting. It is un-put-downable. I don't think I've loved a girly novel so much since Are you There God? It's me, Margaret!