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Recently I embarked on trying to write out all of the recipes I know/love so that I can get a bit better at varying what I cook, because I always forget how much I can actually make. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut of repeating the same 3 or 4 meals. In the process, I made these little recipe cards, inspired by the super cute ones Rifle Paper make. Now before I start meal planning I can flick through the cards if I’m feeling uninspired. I thought I’d share them here in case anyone else wanted to get their kitchen, or at least their dinners, organised for the new year.

I’m also sharing one of the recipes I was most excited to write out which is an adapted almond version of Oh Lady Cake’s now iconic Lazy Girl Peanut Butter Cookies. I like to make a big batch of these at the start of the month if I’m feeling super together and have them as an afternoon snack at work. I can’t get through the afternoon without a snack, but these are way better for you than chowing down on half a packet of biscuits and they’re just as tasty as a hobnob, they’re also pretty protein heavy to keep you full.

Just in case you can’t read my writing, this is the recipe all typed out.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups rolled oats

10 medjool dates, or 15 regular dates soaked in warm water for 10 mins

4 tbsp flaked almonds, a little extra to decorate

1/2 cup peanut butter

6 tbsp almond milk (or any other nut milks you have to hand, you can use ordinary milk but the cookies won’t keep as long)

Pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS

  • Basically chuck it all in a food processor. More precisely, process the oats and almonds, then add the pb (I’d melt it in the microwave first if it’s not one of those super runny ones) and process, then the dates (all chopped up to help the blending), then the milk.
  • Once it’s all blended up either roll it out and cut into bars or make it into little balls then flatten them to make cookies. If I’m rolling them out, I sprinkle some extra almond flakes on top at the end then give it an extra roll to make them pretty.
  • This recipe usually makes about 20 little cookies for me, or 10 or so bars – so 2 weeks of afternoon work snacks.
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To keep my to my resolution of reading more books this year and inspired by the Lars Book Club and my new found love of Ariel Bissett, I thought I’d start a little bit of a book club. Every month I’m planning on writing a review of a book I’ve read this year, accompanied with a bit of design work, some food for thought, and further recommendations if you like what you’ve read.

I thought there was no better way to start than with the book I read at least once every year Too Loud a Solitude by Bohumil Hrabal. If asked I’m not sure I would say it’s my favourite book because I’m far to indecisive to commit to a favourite book, but it’s probably up there. At only 112 pages long it’s quick enough to finish in one sitting but complex enough to read over and over again.

Alternative book cover design for Too Loud a Solitude by Bohumil Hrabal

My alternative cover for the novel inspired by the crushing weight of the paper press and the texture of ink on worn paper.

Set in Prague at a time of communist censorship, Too Loud a Solitude is the story of Hanta an old hermit of a man who has spent his life compacting wastepaper and books. Hanta tells his own story in first person throughout the novel, meandering through his youth and minutiae of his day to day life. There’s a mix of absurd comedy and literary musings, as well as a political subplot that seems unavoidable given the book’s setting.

Hrabal’s story pulls you in as a pair open arms. On the one side, you have a human interest piece all about an old man struggling to keep up with a changing world. On the other, there’s a celebration of literature, of Hanta’s defiance to keep the written word alive in the bales and in his mind. In short, it’s about the mortality of man and the immortality of literature, and their unbreakable bond. If that sounds a bit too pretentious, it is also just a story about a weird old man.

I think this little book has a lot of appeal for almost everyone but particularly those who have an interest in all things literary or anyone who wants to learn more about a lesser discussed bit of European history.

SOME QUESTIONS TO PONDER AS YOU READ…

  • Hanta repeats the refrain “for thirty-five years now I’ve been compacting wastepaper and books” throughout the book, what effect does that have on your reading experience?
  • Hrabal’s style has been described as one of digressions, how do the wanderings of Hrabal’s style reflect the wanderings of an old man’s mind?
  • Too Loud a Solitude is both personal and political, did one message resonate with you more than the other?
  • Hrabal’s writing is very much rooted in a certain time and place, do you think that Hanta’s story can transcend that setting? If so how?
  • After reading about Hanta’s love of books and fight to keep them whole, how do you reflect on your own access to books and interest in literature?

    IF YOU WANT SOME FURTHER READING TRY…

    IF YOU WANT MORE BOOKS A BIT LIKE THIS THEN HAVE A LOOK AT…

If you’re planning on reading Too Loud a Solitude and need something to mark your place, you can download and print the bookmark above for free here.

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The last of my advent posts had to be a thank you card, not just because your mum is probably going to make you write a load of them on boxing day, and you really should. I wanted to post a thank you note today, to say thank you to you, anyone who has read my blog over the last few months. It’s been so much fun to see a silly idea I had to keep myself busy is now something people actually read. I’m going to take a little break over Christmas and New Year but I will be back at the start of January – I’m already stockpiling ideas

 

The card is here, sorry if you were just interested in the printable and not the ramble!

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If you’ve got a fiddly little something you’re struggling to wrap, this gift box is here to save the day. Just print out the pdf onto some card or thick paper, cut it out and fold the sides in. Then you can either stick the curved sides to the inside of the box or just tie it up with string so it’s super easy to get into. If you want you could even add one of the matching gift tags I posted earlier. Then you’re done.

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And here’s the printable box.