My newest book, Milk Cow Kitchen, (due out June 1) is now available for pre-order from my farm’s website (MaryJanesFarm.org).

It comes autographed, kissed?, and with a free Have A Cow bumper sticker (doubles as a bookmark). With 400 pages and more than 1,000 photos, I’m still in recovery mode. Holy cow, this book kicked my dairy-air.

I hope you got the double meaning of sporting a Have A Cow bumper sticker on your vehicle. You know, HAVE A COW WHY DON’T YOU?! to that guy who rides your bumper.

And here’s the back story that goes with my book …

MaryJane Butters wants YOU to have a cow—that “pet” cow you’ve always dreamed about. You know, that gorgeous beau-vine you’ve seen grazing outside your “cow”girl kitchen window. Of course, you’ve wondered what it would feel like to bring a bucket of fresh milk into your kitchen and turn it into butter, your own yogurt, sour cream, and artisan cheeses like Manchego and Brie. MaryJane’s fifth book, Milk Cow Kitchen, is one part milk cow how-to, one part cookbook (75 fuss-free, farmstyle recipes, in addition to 15 step-by-step, super simple cheese-making recipes), and three parts play!

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” – Rumi

Most of us are familiar with Rumi’s quotes on love and life. I never tire of his visionary quotes. The fact that this poet and theologist from the 13th century has said so many things that resonate with little old me … well, intriguing. I was thrilled when the novel based on the woes of Rumi’s love, The Forty Rules of Love, by Elif Shafak, was picked as our recent book club read. Not only is Elif Shafak the most widely read woman novelist in Turkey, but the story of Rumi and his love completely intrigued me.

I’m always up for a novel based on an intriguing character from the past. In her novel, Shafak weaves two vastly differing narratives together. The first takes place in the 13th century when Rumi encounters his spiritual equal and wandering dervish, Shams. The book details how their relationship transpires and intertwines with the townsfolk and all of those who followed Rumi’s teachings. The other is of Ella in modern-day Boston and her encounter with a far-off author, Aziz, who writes of Rumi and Shams’ story. Both stories are about love and how it unfolds in unexpected ways: Rumi and his love for Shams and what Rumi is willing to do for that love … Ella and her love for Aziz and what Ella sacrifices.

I loved Rumi and Shams’ story. The characters were compelling, dynamic, and believable. Ella and Aziz’s story was less believable for me. That Ella—an unhappy, cheated-on housewife—decided to change her course was understandable (although permissible is another discussion). But for the worldly, spiritual Aziz to fall for her, was too far-fetched for me.

In the end, the paralleled awakenings of the characters in the novel were still worth the read, and the story of far-off lands and times and loves was so enjoyable, I happily read Shafak’s novel to the finish and would read another of her works. But I hope she leaves out the modern-day tie-in next time.

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.” What better way to celebrate Dr. Seuss than with a day of reading. 

In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2, students, teachers, parents, and grandparents nationwide will pay homage by reading book after book in honor of National Read Across America Day. Mia’s teacher is celebrating with their 2nd Annual Book-a-Bunga Day, and the kids are encouraged to wear their coziest pajamas and bring their favorite blankies, teddies, and books. The lunch ladies will even be serving up green eggs and ham for lunch! Mia has been talking about this author’s birthday for weeks. 

“Mom, did you know Dr. Seuss is an author? Do you what an author is? A book writer!” my Mia has said over and over in recent weeks.

Dictionary art prints by BluePoppyGallery

We know many of his stories by heart, read a particular pick every year at Christmas, and might own all the movies made from his marvelously rhymed works. But while they’re all such fun for an adult to read aloud, they address so many pertinent life lessons for children and adults alike.

“Don’t cry …” My favorite of Dr. Seuss’s reminders. If you don’t have a Dr. Seuss book nearby, pick up anything with words and honor an author. They matter.

“Love is in the air. Just as the New York Times bestseller Unlikely Friendships documented incredible stories of interspecies bonds, Unlikely Loves offers a heartwarming look at animals who have a deep, loving attachment to each other.”

Author Jennifer S. Holland interviewed scientists, zoologists, and animal caretakers from around the world. You don’t want to miss reading about the girl and the moose.

Or the hen and the pups.

Or miss a good happy cry when you get to the part about the Dalmatian who cares for a motherless newborn lamb.

With 43 stories, Unlikely Loves shows us that love means never having to say you’re different.

Here’s a recent find I’m wondering if I should add to my already sprouting spring to-read list …

Photo courtesy of GoodReads.com

“Daffodils signal new beginnings; daisies, innocence. Lilacs mean the first emotions of love; periwinkles, tender recollection. Early Victorians used flowers as a way to express their feelings—love or grief, jealousy or devotion,” writes author Mandy Kirby. “Now, modern-day romantics are enjoying a resurgence of this bygone custom, and this book will share the historical, literary, and cultural significance of flowers with a whole new generation.”

Periwinkle photo by Ulhaspa via Wikimedia Commons

As I mentioned in my geraniums post, 19th-century Victorians were smitten with flowers and employed them as a more complex form of expression than any known culture that came before.

A Victorian Flower Dictionary offers the lush, illustrated history of 50 beloved blooms, detailing the characteristics attributed by Victorian enthusiasts. It also contains suggestions for creating expressive arrangements, whatever your intention.

If you have this one in your collection, I’d love to hear your impressions.

Isn’t there something indescribably sweet about the rumpled hair of a sleeping child?

Sweet Dreams by Marianne Stokes, 1875, via Wikimedia Commons

In days of old, mothers (and, no doubt, grandmothers) attributed a bit of magic to the tousled tresses of sleepy little girls.

Sleeping Girl on a Wooden Bench by Albert Anker (1831-1910) via Wikimedia Commons

What might have been poo-pooed as the work of pesky pillows was instead fancied as the work of fairies, who were said to visit during slumber to tease and tangle the tresses …

Thus Your Fairy is Made of Most Beautiful Things by Sophie Gengembre Anderson via Wikimedia Commons

Hence, the term “fairy locks” or “elf locks,” referring to locks of hair tangled as if by sprites.

“Fairies, they say, tangled and knotted the hairs of the sleeping children as they played in and out of their hair at night,” tells A Child’s Book of Faeries by Tonya Robin Batt.

If only they weren’t so hard to comb smooth once again!