Monthly Review: February 2026

Photo by Mitchell Allen

1.

All the moms in Dane

crowd the lot with Subarus.

Now where do we park?

2.

No giraffes, no seals—

under construction now, but

we’ll catch them next time.

3.

You’re a bird watcher;

I’m a bird watcher-watcher,

wondering when we leave.

4.

In a cluster of

goats, be the weird little one

meandering off.

5.

Silly polar bear

hops out of the pool, shaking

like a pup post-bath.

6.

Wisconsin winter,

but it’s fifty-five degrees.

Can we get ice cream?

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Here's what I read, cooked, and created in the month of February.

What I Read

• Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, Casey Cep (★★★★★)

• James, Percival Everett (★★★★)

• The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, Tim Keller (★★★★)

• Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, John Green (★★★★)

• Wild Reverence, Rebecca Ross (★★★)

  
  

If you want to hear the rationale behind my rating, head to my Goodreads for full reviews.

What I Cooked

• Sloppy Hot Italian Cheese Dip

  • Difficulty: ★★

  • Flavor: ★★★★

  • Keeper: Yes

This dip kept me company during the catastrophically boring Super Bowl. While it is no buffalo chicken dip, it reminded me of my favorite red pepper pasta, and even my red pepper-hating husband thought it was tasty.

• Olive Oil Orange Coffee Cake

  • Difficulty: ★★

  • Flavor: ★★★★★

  • Keeper: Yes

I just don't get tired of olive oil cakes. This one was so different and so delicious. I used Craisins in lieu of chocolate and liked it so well that I'm making it again this weekend.

• Small Batch Queso

  • Difficulty: ★★

  • Flavor: ★★★★★

  • Keeper: Yes

I think I may have found my perfect queso recipe.

• Brownie Pudding

  • Difficulty: ★★

  • Flavor: ★★★★★

  • Keeper: Yes

I love an indulgent Valentine's Day dessert, and after my best friend served me the Ina Garten brownie puddings at besties' book club last year, I knew I had to make them for myself. A half recipe made 4 Le Creuset cocottes. Be aware that these are tremendously rich, so a little scoop of mint ice cream to cool them down is a must.

What I Created

• The other part of an essay on envy for Commonplace magazine, where you'll find my writing all throughout 2026

• A few lines of a new poem

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May your days be filled with beauty, and may your heart be filled with the willingness to see and give thanks for it.