Small Farm Big Life

Blog Posts

My Favorite Books of 2018

0 · · Leave a Comment

In 2018 I read 64 books. I was shocked at how many books I had read when I checked my stats on Goodreads. If you aren’t using Goodreads to track your reading and to-be read list I would highly encourage it. I love to look at my stats for the year. How many books did I read? What was my most read category? How many pages did I read? How did this year compare to other years?

These are the thirteen books that I gave a five-star rating on Goodreads. I think it’s a really good list of books!

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
I really liked this book! I saw the preview for the movie (which looks really good) and knew I had to read the book first. I loved how Kevin Kwan made note of the words and phrases he used from various languages and explained each one. This was such an indulgent read! I flew through the pages wanting to know what outrageous thing was going to happen next.

Greenglass House by Kate Milford
This is children’s literature, but I really liked it. I liked the characters and there was a twist at the end I wasn’t expecting. It occurs in a huge house on a cliff in a snow storm with a house full of thieves.

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Slightly South of Simple is southern novel perfection. Kristy Woodson Harvey does such a beautiful job of bringing us a family drama set on the coast of Georgia in a charming small town. Slightly South of Simple is the first book in the Peachtree Bluff series.
I can’t express how much I loved this charming book that explores the bonds of family and the things in life that bring us home. It is a must read!

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
I loved this book! I was so riveted and couldn’t put the book down at the end. I had no idea who had “done it” until the very last pages. I feel like that is rare. Usually I’ve guessed who it is and am just finishing the book. In this case there were a few suspects and I was surprised who it was. 
I can’t wait for the next Paula Hawkins book. She has definitely become one of my favorite authors after this book and Girl on the Train.

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
I loved this book so much. Alice Hoffman drew me in and I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in four days! I hope this book gets a movie so I can watch it as many times as I’ve watched Practical Magic. It’s just so good!

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
I loved Nevermoor. Jessica Townsend voice is similar to JK Rowlings. Even though this book is different than the Harry Potter series I liked it as much. I’m excited to read the next book when it comes out in September!

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Next Year in Havana is stunningly beautiful. I was mesmerized with this story from the very start. It is the first historical fiction I’ve read based in Havana and I loved it! Chanel Cleeton’s other titles appear to be romance novels, which is not my thing, so I was a little surprised to love this book. She should definitely write more historical fiction.

Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown
s always Brene Brown made me think about things differently and gave so much wisdom in this book. I love that she does so much research. These aren’t just some ideas she came up with, she has the studies to back them. I loved this book!

Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes
This is not a quick read, but it well worth the time. I love Frances Mayes writing and she doesn’t disappoint in this book. Her descriptions of Italy make me feel like I’m back there. This book makes me want to rent a villa and move to Italy for a year. Not likely to happen, so at least I can live vicariously through the characters in this book. 

The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey
The Secret to Southern Charm is the second book in the Peachtree Bluff series. If you haven’t read the first book, Slightly South of Simple, read it now. It is so good! Plus, it will help this book make more sense. The books follow the mother, Ansley, and then each of the daughters. The first book is every other chapter about the mom and then the oldest daughter Caroline. This book is every other chapter about the mom and the second daughter, Sloane.

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Something in the Water is so good! The writing reminds me of Ruth Ware, but the story is new and intense. I read this book in three days. I didn’t see the twist coming until the last few chapters of the book and couldn’t put it down until I saw what was going to happen. I also liked how the author tied up her loose ends and the book ended really well. 

A Well Behaved-Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Anne Fowler
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved Therese Anne Fowler’s book about Zelda Fitzgerald and was excited to read this book too. Even though this is historical fiction is felt so relevant for current times. Sad and amazing that a hundred years later we are still fighting for women’s rights. 

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
This story is heart-breaking and fantastic all at the same time. If you like The Nightingale, you will love this book. It is a similar story told from Milan Italy with two brothers as the main characters. This is such a well written book. I can’t recommend it enough.

December Book List

0 · · Leave a Comment

December brought a book that I loved, a self-help book that is super interesting and a couple of reads that just weren’t great. I finished the year with 64 books read. I will be following up with a post of my favorite books in 2018. There were some really good ones!

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher
4 Stars
I’ve read and watched a lot about the Kennedy family, but I had never heard the story of Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy the sister to JFK. The book starts pre-war and gives a bit of background into the Kennedy family living in London.

While living in London Kick was at all the parties and after-hour events. She quickly makes a group of close knit friends and falls in love with a British Protestant. Her family is all too happy to cart her home when the war starts with hopes of finding her a suitable Catholic husband. 

Kick is strong willed and determined to make it on her own. She is also very determined to make it back to London to her love. 

I will warn, that if you are looking for a book with a happy ending this is not the book for you.

True to Form: How to Use Foundation Training for Sustained Pain Relief and Everyday Fitness by Eric K. Goodman
4 Stars
This was an interesting overview of the Foundation Training method. I liked that there was a definition of the program to begin with and then the book went right into how to incorporate the exercises into your life. There was a full color picture of each exercise and a description of how to do it. There was even a section that showed various exercises you could do while doing everyday things like brushing your teeth or laundry. 

I will still sign up for at least 30 days of the program online to get videos to help me learn the motions, but at least I know what I’m getting myself into. I feel like these exercises will help me with the back strains and pains I’ve been having. Likely 20 years at a desk has taken it’s toll and now I need to strengthen some smaller muscle groups.

Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg
3 Stars
I liked the first book in this series, The Story of Arthur Truluv, so much better. This book seemed like a watered down version of the first. I found this story sad and a little bit boring. I wouldn’t recommend this book.

The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye
2 Stars
I just couldn’t like this book. I really tried. I made it about halfway through and then questioned why I was still reading. The Paragon Hotel has a high rating on Goodreads, so I kept thinking I was missing something or that the book had to get better. 

The narrators voice just wasn’t working for me. I understand that she is a con artist and changes into who she needs to be to suit the situation, but I found her voice hard to read. I typically love historical fiction, but this book wasn’t for me.

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
5 Stars
Something in the Water is so good! The writing reminds me of Ruth Ware, but the story is new and intense. I read this book in three days. I didn’t see the twist coming until the last few chapters of the book and couldn’t put it down until I saw what was going to happen. I also liked how the author tied up her loose ends and the book ended really well. 

I highly suggest if you like suspense that you should read Something in the Water.


November Book List

0 · · Leave a Comment

I think I read the fewest books in November that I’ve read in any month this year. I think the problem was that a few of my favorite tv shows came back and I was engrossed in them.

To be honest, I didn’t read anything I loved in November. I could have probably skipped posting about this month, but maybe this list will save you from picking a book that isn’t great. Because there are a ton of better choices out there.

Under My Skin by Lisa Unger
2 Stars
This book wasn’t so much suspenseful as it was confusing. I think there is a fine line between books that keep you guessing and books that you can’t understand what is going on. This book crossed the line into me asking myself, “What in the hell is happening now.” 

Maybe it’s just that there are too many books out there where the woman can’t remember what happened to her and there are others that do it far better (The Girl on the Train). In the end so much of what was happening didn’t even matter.

I will say that the very last couple of chapters of this book are good. There is just way too much to wade through prior to those chapters to make this book worthwhile. I was disappointed.

Simply Tuesday: Small Moment Living in a Fast Moving World by Emily P. Freeman
4 Stars
I liked this book. There are a lot of personal stories that are very relatable. I really like Emily P. Freeman’s podcast that gives similar stories and thoughts weekly. She also sends a newsletter that is a great read. I really enjoy what she puts into the world.

An Improbable Pairing by Gary Dickson
3 Stars
I liked this book. It was an ok read, but I kept expecting more. I kept thinking, “Here we go!” the author is going to add something interesting and it never showed up. I liked that it was set in the 1960’s. I envisioned an old movie and imagined Katharine Hepburn as the Countess. I liked the descriptions of the Countess’ outfits and the places they visited at the beginning but half way through the book the descriptions of every little detail got old for me.

This wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t a favorite for me. I finished the last page and felt very ho-hum. Unfortunately, this is not a book I will be recommending for anyone to read.


Gluten Free Apple Spice Cookies

0 · · Leave a Comment

I’ve been making batch after batch of these cookies using the apples from our trees. They are spicy, chewy and delicious. They are the perfect way to use up the abundance of apples we have this year.

Print

Gluten Free Apple Spice Cookies

Yield 24 cookies

Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups gluten free flour

1 tsp. xanthum gum

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 large apple, chopped (approx. 1 cup)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix brown sugar, butter and egg until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Add the apple and mix until completely blended.

I use a cookie scoop and put four rows of five on a large cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

0 · · Leave a Comment

I made this cake for my birthday and it was delicious. The cake it light and fluffy and the cream cheese frosting is decadent. I use a few different flours for gluten-free baking, but I think the best flour for this cake is the King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour. They aren’t paying me to say that. I just think their flour gives a light, fluffy texture where other gluten-free flours may make the cake too heavy.

I have been gluten-free for a few years now and sometimes I crave things that I used to make with regular flour. For my thirty-ninth birthday I was craving the snack cakes that we got as treats when we were kids. I really wanted a cake that had a similar taste and I think this cake really hit the mark.

I don’t love when things are too sweet, so I didn’t put a thick layer of frosting or frost the sides of the cake. For me, this gave the right cake to frosting ratio. If you love sweet things, then I encourage you to frost the sides of the cake. The recipe I use for cream cheese frosting makes plenty to frost the entire cake. I made t

Print

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

Yield 2 9-inch cakes

This moist chocolate cake has quickly become one of my favorites. I love to pair it with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Gluten-free flour (I prefer King Arthurs GF Flour for this cake)1 cup Sugar1 cup Cacao powder2 1/2 tsp. Baking powder1 tsp. Sea salt2/3 cup Avocado oil4 large Eggs1 1/3 cups Water2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9 round baking pans.

Mix oil, eggs, water and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Mix flour, sugar, cacao, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.

Pour flour mixture into batter 1/2 cup at a time until combined. Once all ingredients have been added blend on medium-high speed until a smooth batter forms.

Pour batter into the two 9 inch pans and bake for 30 mixtures or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Remove cake from oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pans and allow to cool completely before icing.

wo cakes using the same batch of frosting when I skipped putting frosting on the sides.

Print

Cream Cheese Frosting

Delicious and airy cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

2 - 8 ounce packages of cream cheese1 cup unsalted butter, softened1 tsp. vanilla2 cups powdered sugar

Cream the butter, cream cheese and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Blend on high until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Frost cake after it has completely cooled.

This is enough frosting to frost the entire cake or if you only want to frost the tops of each cake, this frosting will be enough for two cakes or a batch of cupcakes.