Author Archives: susanmsink@gmail.com

National Novel Writing Month

Posted on October 5, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

I wish Jon Hassler were still alive. That’s all I can think of these past few days as I’ve been rereading North of Hope, my favorite of his novels. Hassler lived in Minnesota his whole life, and taught at Saint … Continue reading →

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The Art of The Saint John’s Bible– complete!

Posted on October 2, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

I believe one of the very highest highlights of my writing life so far has been to open a book that I wrote (published last week), The Art of The Saint John’s Bible: The Complete Reader’s Guide, and read this … Continue reading →

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Eating the Garden

Posted on September 26, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

I am not a big garden journal keeper. At the beginning of the year, I try to record the dates that I planted everything, inside the house and out. I draw up my garden plan so that I can rotate … Continue reading →

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Veggie Love

Posted on September 25, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

Last week I went on a 3-day juice fast. I’d picked up some bad habits over the summer, including caffeine and, my real pitfall, sugar. It was time to reset and shrug off some of the sluggishness, and try to … Continue reading →

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Long Prairie

Posted on September 21, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

Today was one of those miraculous days during which things unfold again and again into the extraordinary. Today we went to Long Prairie. Long Prairie is a little more than an hour from where we live. You take the interstate … Continue reading →

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Moving On and Taking Stock

Posted on September 16, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

Today was the first of those misty mornings when steam is rising from the local lakes and ponds and everyone notices the sun’s low trajectory. There are tomatoes on the vine, a few final zucchini, and plenty of unripe peppers. … Continue reading →

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Chicken Tikka Masala and garden veggie sides

Posted on September 13, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

I often have trouble thinking of side dishes to go with Indian food. I don’t know why, as it is all about the dals and vegetarian dishes. I guess I mostly go to it for the lamb and spicy sauces … Continue reading →

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Salmon in Corn Husks

Posted on September 10, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

Even though we’ve got a pile of produce on the counter, I feel bad that we don’t eat enough corn-on-the-cob when it is in season. I don’t grow it, and it comes at a time when I’m focused on eating … Continue reading →

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Beans, Beans

Posted on September 6, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

One of my early ambitions in the garden was to grow dried beans. The woman to whom I occasionally go for a massage has these gallon jars up in her kitchen filled with different colored beans. I assume she eats … Continue reading →

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Life in African Literature

Posted on September 4, 2013 by susanmsink@gmail.com

The bulk of my summer reading was devoted to two novels set in Africa. The first, Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, was the better book and wonderfully told. The second, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, … Continue reading →

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