A sign of the times

Dear Kate,

Back in January, I heard a story on NPR called, “Average Joes Have Their Own Recession Indicators.” It was about how the rest of us (non-economists) have our own numerical measure of the economy. For example, for the newspaper delivery guy in the story, that number was the pages in the newspaper. As ad sales dropped, the paper shrunk and got thinner and thinner, making it harder to toss from the delivery vehicle to people’s front porch.

 I thought about that story for a long time after hearing it. What was my recession indicator? I figured it out about two months ago at DI. We’ve been going to DI pretty regularly for the past few years. Chris likes to check out the bicycles. And we especially enjoy browsing the book section.

Nothing thrills me like finding a good book in like-new condition for between 50 cents and a dollar. As a result, after a year of trolling around at DI’s, my shelf of to-read books, is embarrassingly full.

After a few recent visits to the local DI, I learned that my personal indicator is 3. As in $3. That’s the price that they’re now putting on most books—and I’m not talking about hard covers or textbooks but the paperback and soft cover books that I used to buy with the change in my coin purse.

In my case, it’s probably best that prices have gone up—I need to read what I have! But it saddens me a bit to think that the price increase is putting books a little further out of reach for others…

 Vanessa 

Dreams of Summer

Dear Kate,

I appreciate the comforts of winter, especially when they revolve around staying cozy and smelling the goodness of homebaked bread!

But, you know me. A summer girl at heart. Always!

My sister and I recently made plans to visit home together in just a few months, and I am really looking forward to spending time with my family and snapping up way too many pictures.

I made a project a while back after my last trip home. I thought you'd get a kick out of it.

Recognize it?















One year you gave me this great little desk calendar. Once the year was over, it was too cute...I couldn't bear to recycle it away. So when I got back from my last trip home, I took my favorite photo and posted it where the calendar used to be. And put it back on my desk. The photos always bring a smile to my face, and I love that I had the perfect solution for framing it.

Aloha,
Vanessa

Blizzard Baking

Dear V,

So it's been snowing...all day...blizzard snow. It started sometime during the night and it just won't stop. We spent some time playing outside in the perfect stillness of the clean snow, but most of the day was spent hunkered down in the softest blankets on the most comfy couch. Yum.

In our continuing effort to live more authentically...to live a simpler life, I've decided to bake our bread. Unfortunately, I am not married to a baker, nor do I play one on TV, so this is a learning experience for me. With my trusty book in hand, I dove in...today was the perfect day for baking.

My first loaf of French boule turned out surprisingly well.


And as you can see, it isn't going to last long. Fortunately, I have enough dough for three more loaves in the fridge.

After a large lunch, we enjoyed a small supper. Mine included fresh bread and a big cup of hot chocolate.


Perfect blizzard sustenance.

Tomorrow = sewing.

I hope your weekend is as relaxing as mine.

Kate