“On With The Butter” by Heidi Herman

On With The Butter! Spread More Living onto Everyday Life

Heidi Herman
Hekla Publishing LLC (2020)
ISBN 9781977233034
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (09/20)

Áfram með smjörið or “On With the Butter,” is an Icelandic saying that means carry on, keep doing what you are doing, and forge ahead. “On With The Butter: Spread More Living onto Everyday Life” is a guide that offers creative ideas to add more fun and meaning to your life. Heidi Herman was inspired by her mother to fully embrace life and live in the moment. The author shares some beautiful memories they made on some of their adventures.

Each chapter features different topics that offer suggestions on how the reader can take action to add more fun to their lives. The topics vary widely, so those who need baby steps can do so. There are also challenge checklists to go along with the ideas. In “The Challenge: Embrace Your Wild Side,” the suggestions, on a checklist, range from something as simple as wearing a color you usually avoid, to traveling to a foreign country. Depending upon one’s resources, something can be checked off on this list no matter what.

I really enjoyed reading “On With The Butter.” Heidi Herman’s infectious enthusiasm radiates throughout the pages. Both she and her mother seem like women that would be fun to know, and their spontaneity made me want to get up of the couch and go do something! This book is also a beautiful tribute by the author to the amazing woman who raised her.

The topics, checklists, and resources provided have given me a lot of food for thought. I can see that I do not have to wait until I retire to start living life more fully, but I also feel like it will be helpful to have a plan to start having fun right away. Having been locked down in quarantine for the past six months, I feel ready to start doing something other than just working remotely. There are a lot of suggestions in here that I can do. There are also places I need to visit that are nearby. One is a place called Salvation Mountain. Another is an International Banana museum. I’ve lived near both places for 20 years. Now is the time to do it. What a great way to start living spontaneously! In addition to receiving some wonderful tips to help make my life more fun right now, I have a lot of ideas for when I retire. Having friends who are going into the retirement phase right now, I think that this book will make an excellent retirement gift for them too!

I highly recommend “On With The Butter! Spread More Living onto Everyday Life” by Heidi Hermann for some amazing insight on how to live your life with zest!