Where are my cookbook lovers at? This round-up is for you.

There were so many incredible cookbooks released this year, however today’s list contains only the books I had a chance to cook from and read cover to cover. Hence, the recommendations!

There are dozens more that I loved, drooled over, and longing flipped through at the bookstore, but I can’t personally vouch for how the recipes work, so they are not on this list. (I’ll share my wishlist before we wrap up, though).

After the ice storm earlier this week, it’s finally starting to warm up around here and I couldn’t be more ready for sunshine.

Instead of our usual Sunday dinner, we’re planning a campfire for today – the first of the year. The kids are asking for my campfire mac and cheese and I can’t wait to cook – and eat – out in the fresh air. There isn’t a speck of green in the forest yet, but my rhubarb is popping out of the ground and that is the only indication of Spring I need for now.

In case you’re curled up with a cup of coffee, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite links around the web for this week. My boys decided to have a pillow fight at five-thirty this morning, so I’ve had plenty of time to browse and read. Enjoy!

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We’ve just landed back at home, travel-weary, but feeling revitalized after our winter adventures in British Columbia.

I spent the time offline, for the most part (cell reception on the side of a mountain isn’t exactly reliable), and that was a much-needed break. The rest, the immersion in the quiet woods, the thrill of hurtling down a slope on skis  – it all brought inspiration, and I have a lot of kitchen adventures in the plans. I’m eager to jump back into work this week.

For now, here’s a round-up of links I’ve been reading in the airports while in transit. There’s still a bit of the weekend left for us, and for the rest of you, consider this your Monday motivation. Enjoy!

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There is a landslide of school supplies taking over our family room floor. Classes start on Tuesday and it’s time to sharpen our focus for another school year.

I’ve never been the mum who gleefully abandons the beach pails and picnic baskets to greet the school bus with cheers. I adore having the children around all summer, despite the challenges of juggling work (me) and play (all of us) for weeks on end, so the end of August is rather bittersweet.

This fall will be extra poignant, as Clara – teeny, tiny, little Clara – will be heading off to kindergarten. It seems like she just turned one not long ago, but that goes to show how quickly they really do grow up.

It’s been an incredible summer though, hasn’t it?

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