Tartine

By Elisabeth Prueitt & Chad Robertson

This is a book, that despite New Year's Resolutions, needs to be ordered. The cover alone was enough to reel me in hook, line and sinker....BUT WAIT! They show you how to make croissants inside!

I've lived in Kansas for 5 1/2 years and I give it a 99.8% and I'll tell you what the missing percentages are for.

1) No FRENCH BAKERIES! What's up with that? There was one, it went out of business for some shenanigans I won't go into.....Then I "heard" about another one, made a field trip....it had closed. Do you know the trauma of NEEDING a good chocolate croissant with a cafe creme and not being able to get a fix? Anyone seen the movie "It's Complicated" and died when they were at the bakery at night? I know you know what I'm talking about.

2) The other percent is because there are no TRADER JOES out here....yet. There are a group of us who write to them, okay, beg them to PLEASE open up a store. Heck, I'd drive an hour if it meant being able to saunter down the isle, stock piling on all their treats.

I'm order the book, it's happening today, and I am going to try my hand at baking croissants and will have to give you all a report once I do. It can't be any more complicated than rice crispy treats....RIGHT????? Raise your hand if you have braved the waters and made homemade croisssants? Cathy...did I see you raise your hand in Oregon? If so, we need to talk girl!

My New Favorite Author

You know when you buy a book, and after reading the first few pages, you can tell what sort of ride your going to be in for? If there is anyone out there that wants to be curled up in ball with streams of tears coming down your face from uncontrollable laughter, this is the book for you.

Maybe it's because there are so many things I can identify with, that make it all the more funny to me, but Bill Bryson has a way with words.

He has a hugely popular book called "A Walk in the Woods" with a picture of a bear on the cover, and I had a prejudice towards buying it for some reason. I always like to support the under dogs, the obscure writers who need help with their sales, that maybe have just written their first novel. Almost like refusing to buy music in High School, if I heard it on the radio way too many times, and knew there were other bands that deserved their time in the spotlight. I thought I would scream if I heard REO Speedwagon sing "I can't fight this feeling anymore" one more time, and therefore band them altogether.

This is different. I realize I now have been punishing myself by not allowing myself to buy a Bill Bryson book before, and know, without a doubt, just like when I discovered Peter Mayle, that I will in fact read every single book he has wrote or has yet to write. Yeah, he's that good!

Again, Dan-the-Man was passed out sleeping, thunderstorms, lightening and all, as I laid in bed in absolute hysterics reading and laughing so hard, I couldn't get my windshield wipers to work fast enough to get to the next sentence. After the first two chapters, I had to put it down, for the sake of my husband being able to get a good night's sleep. Just needed to share with you all, because nothing in the world beats a great book....nothing! Except for that lucky duck in South Carolina that won the Powerball last night.

Circle of Kindness

These books are the most wonderful, magical books I have ever read. I found the last one first when I was meandering around Borders one day. I really believe sometimes we are just drawn to things for a reason. Like we are being guided, attracted to something, even though we don't quit understand why at the time.

I don't even know how to describe the books...how to categorize them, except that you will become enchanted by them, and transformed by them. They are visually wonderful. They will remind you of when you were a child and were given a brand new pop up book. The excitement and anticipation of opening up the special contents within.

The stories themselves are enchanting. Making us realize the potential we have within ourselves. Gently reminding us that random acts of kindness and love are what life is all about.

You will be transformed into a lovely world that will bring out the goodness in all of our hearts.

I realize the photographs are small. The authors are Jana Kolpen and Mary Tiegreen.

They can easily be found on Amazon. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have and would be interested in hearing back from anyone who has read them.