What I’ve been reading, watching, making, and otherwise doing for the past 3 months!
From March – May, I spent most of my time working. I presented at multiple conferences, wrapped up an important project, and have been just trying to keep my head above water. In my personal life, I spent most of my time reading and working towards my health goals with a new fitness program.
Books + Media
Finished
Books
- Book — Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding by
Daniel E. Lieberman, 2021 - Book — Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, 1995
- Book — Riptide by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, 1998
- Book — Thinner, Leaner, Stronger by Michael Matthews, 2019
- Book series — The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater, 2012–2016, books 1–4
- Book series — The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan with Brandon Sanderson, 1990–2013, books 11–14
Media
- Movie — My Cousin Vinny starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei, 1992
- Movie — Nuremberg starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, 2025
- Movie — Zootopia starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, 2016
In progress
Books
- Book — The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan, 2024
- Book — On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee, 1984
- Book — Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss, 2014
Media
- TV series — Mad Men starring Jon Hamm et al., 2007–2015
- Podcast — If Books Could Kill hosted by Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri, 2022–TBD
- Podcast — Stronger by Science hosted by Greg and Lyndsey Nuckols [formerly Eric Trexler], 2019–2024
Food + Health
Finished
Cooking
- Cookbook cook-thru project – Dining In by Alison Roman, 2017
Paprika-rubbed sheet-pan chicken; Quick kimchi - Cookbook cook-thru project – Baking Yesteryear by B. Dylan Hollis, 2023
Millionaire shortbread; Starchies - Cookbook cook-thru project – Methodist Morsels by the Cookbook Committee of the First United Methodist Church of Lamesa, Texas, 1983
Molded tomato salad - Magazine clippings cook-thru project
Greens-and-Gruyère mini quiches from Eating Well magazine, recipe by Carolyn Malcoun
Mango-hibiscus cooler from Food and Wine magazine, recipe by Paige Grandjean
Swiss chard gratin with gnocchi from Food and Wine magazine, recipe by Justin Chapple
- Baked macaroni and cheese from Ninja Foodi by Ninja Foodi [brand]
Dining + Drinks
- Beer – Berry Tough Like Thiago [Blueberry Agave Kölsch] from Schnitz Ale Brewery; Ohio
- Dined out — Dave’s Hot Chicken in Houston, Texas
- Dined out — The Great Greek Grill in Houston, Texas
- Dined out — Niko Niko’s in Houston, Texas
- Dined out — Acre 41 in Austin, Texas
- Dined out — The Carillion in Austin, Texas
- Dined out — Goodall’s Kitchen in Austin, Texas
- Dined out — Schnitz Ale Brewery in Parma, Ohio
Fitness
- Walking and stair climbing, 8.25 hours (27 miles)
- Strength training, 8 hours
- The Conqueror “Conquer 2026” annual challenge — 217 total miles
I took myself on a little nature walk for my birthday through the Houston Arboretum. The weather was perfect. I’m getting a little better at birding; I was able to identify several species without much trouble.
In progress
Cooking
- Cookbook cook-thru project – Baking Yesteryear by B. Dylan Hollis, 2023
- Cookbook cook-thru project – Dining In by Alison Roman, 2017
- Cookbook cook-thru project – The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-Alt, 2015
- Cookbook cook-thru project – Methodist Morsels by the Cookbook Committee of the First United Methodist Church of Lamesa, Texas, 1983
- Cookbook cook-thru project – Pirate’s Pantry by the Junior League of Lake Charles, Louisiana, 1976
- Cookbook cook-thru project – Cook’s Illustrated All-Time Best French Recipes, […] Hot and Spicy Recipes, […] Side Dish Recipes special eds., 2018
- Magazine clippings cook-thru project
Dining + Drinks
- Wine tasting project – Wine Folly by Madeline Puckette, 2015
Fitness
- The Conqueror “Conquer 2026” annual challenge
How have you been this spring? Tell me if you’ve read, made, or done anything particularly interesting!
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