A whole bunch of beans

Monday: Bean and rice burritos

I never made them last week.

Tuesday: Butternut squash ravioli

The only vegetable Poppy will willingly eat!

Wednesday: Eggs & veggie sausages

The kids have recently rediscovered their taste for scrambled eggs (as opposed to “Grandpa style,” aka fried). It makes me feel slightly less like I’m slinging hash at a diner.

Thursday: White chicken chili

I always think chicken chili would be really great when I see a recipe for it, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually made it.

Friday: Pizza

I enjoyed this book, as evidenced by all the exclamation points herein

Firstly, Ransom Riggs is pretty much the coolest name ever.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about his book. OK, so he’s written several, but I’ve only read one. And that one is “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.” If the name alone weren’t enough to make me pick up the book, just look at that cover. It’s a creepy little girl, and she’s levitating. Mission accomplished, book cover designer person, I am in.

This is the story of a 16-year-old boy with a grandpa who thinks monsters are trying to kill him. But he’s just a crazy old grandpa who’s losing his mind. Or is he? Spoilers! Grandpa’s not crazy! There totally are monsters, as our plucky teenage protagonist soon learns! Except he’s not plucky so much as kind of in those teenage doldrums. But then he goes to Wales! And much confusing mayhem ensues!

If you read this story — and if you enjoy things such as adventure, monsters, mayhem and peculiar children, you certainly should read this story — you will ask yourself a question at the end. That question will be: Will There Be a Sequel? Allow me to save you the Googling time. “Yes, There Will Be a Sequel.” I’m glad to know that, because this book was a blast to read.