If you love Barefoot Contessa puff pastry recipes . . .

you might want to check out Martha Holmberg's cookbook, Puff.  Sample recipes can be found here, on the Relish magazine site, and at Project Foodie.

The recipes look a little more complicated than Ina's, but very tasty.

Miscommunication

Somehow, I don't think this is what Little S's ballet teacher meant when she asked her students to write their names on their ballet shoes.

Jitterbug: A great source for kindie rock!

Just heard about Jitterbug, a clearinghouse for kindie rock videos.  This site includes many S and Little S favorites including Recess Monkey, Justin Roberts, The Sippy Cups, Princess Katie and Racer Steve, and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.

Check it out!

Where Are the I'm-Saving-The-World Books Written by Women?

While I was in Ethiopia, I read some very trashy books (thank you, LB).  I also read Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood.  In the book, John Wood describes his decision to leave Microsoft and found Room to Read, an organization that builds schools and libraries and funds scholarships for girls in the developing world.

In many ways, the book reminded me of Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea.  In both books, a man visits the developing world and decides he needs to do more to help.  Both men found organizations, create opportunities for needy children, and write successful books that tell their stories and help raise piles of money for their organizations.

Inspired by the potential money and publicity a similar book could generate for Water 1st, I approached the Water 1st Executive Director, Marla Smith-Nilson, with the suggestion that she write a similar book.  She graciously declined stating that she preferred to use her limited time to work on water projects and fulfill her many other organizational duties.

Which made me wonder, is the decision to write a book touting your philanthropic works influenced by gender?  Are men more likely to choose a big, flashy solution to gaining more publicity and dollars?  Are women more likely to shun the spotlight, aim slightly smaller, and focus on getting the work done?  I'm not sure which option is better.  The book approach focuses on the personalities as much as the organizations, but the resulting publicity is amazing.  At the same time, Water 1st does great mission-focused educational pieces.  

Maybe I'm just craving more female role models . . .