Early Birthday Presents

Nick is not the best secret keeper. Never has been and probably never will be.

Though he did surprise me with a perfect weekend almost three years ago. One that concluded with him slipping a lovely ring onto my finger.

Oh, and he managed to keep the news of Peanut quiet for almost two months. That was impressive.

So maybe he’s not terrible at keeping big, important secrets. But when it comes to the little ones … no chance.

I don’t mind, though, because it means that sometimes I get to open presents a week before my birthday.

These two books have been on my wish list for months. I’ve already started to thumb through Plate to Pixel, written by the fabulous Helene Dujardin of Tartelette. Her food photography is drool-worthy, and she offers really helpful tips and techniques for making your own dishes look as appetizing as they taste.

And as you read this, I am most likely sprawled out on the dock at Lake Anna, devouring The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball. Since I first heard about this book on NPR, I have discovered countless other connections to it. For example, Kristin met her farmer husband in State College. They fell in love, she quit her job in New York City, and they moved together to the Adirondacks to manage an organic farm. And just this week I found out that a friend of mine is going to upstate New York in a few weeks to write a story on the Kimballs. Needless to say, I am totally jealous!

While we’re on the topic of birthdays, want to know what else is on my wish list? A mini doughnut pan so I can make these and these. A GorillaPod. The Vera Bradley diaper bag in Blue Lagoon because, of course, my wish list includes things for Peanut. Oh, and the Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 camera lens … A girl can dream, right?

What’s on your wish list?

4 thoughts on “Early Birthday Presents

  1. The book looks good – I’ll def check that out (I’m also a fellow Penn Stater!)… and you’re not too far away from me this week – I live in Alexandria, VA… hope you’re enjoying your time off, AND that book! Perhaps you can do a mini review?

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