My “Small Measures with Ashley” post is up today over at Design Sponge. This week’s topic is all about my obsession with collecting cookbooks.

One of my favorite things to do all year is once again upon us! I don’t care how big and pregnant I may be, I’m going to go pick apples at Sky Top Orchard. There are goats there! And row upon row of apples! And outdoor play areas for the kiddos! And fresh cider! And hay rides! And hot apple cider donuts!

I make mention about my husband on here from time to time. Today I thought I’d highlight a little known side of him. Truly a renaissance man, hubs does it all. He cooks, he writes, he builds and repairs things, he’s well versed in art and literature and philosophy and religion and so very much. He’s exceptionally kind and exceedingly generous. Plus, he’s an artist. The images above he carefully, painstakingly, patiently rendered by hand.

The stack of books before you has made up the bulk of my momma-to-be reading. There were several others, as well, borrowed from my midwife’s offices and since dutifully returned.

First there’s the egg. Then there’s the free-range chicken. Then there’s the happy lady, eating said eggs from the above free-range chicken (that’s my gal Georgette, looking so fine!). It’s public knowledge to those of us living in the United States that yet another massive salmonella outbreak has occurred, this time with factory-farmed eggs as the offending party. Over 550 million eggs have been recalled so far, with nearly 2,000 folks in 17 states falling victim to the illness.