Everything Sirious
OMG. Can I just say? OMG. That’s all I can say. Bring me back to visits to Parisian Patisseries when I was younger. This is SO good. SO rich. You don’t need much. Sounds intimidating to make but isn’t. Wowza. https://preppykitchen.com/opera-cake/?utm_source=whisk&utm_medium=webapp&utm_campaign=opera_cake
What a great story. A story of love, and hope, and character – of ambition and determination and beating all odds. Of helping to save the world.
Well worth a read.
Wowza is all I can say to this – this is such a moist cake that I want to use this batter for my go-to cake batter. The taste of orange, a slight touch of lemon, and the sour cranberries make it a delight in contrasts. I’ve made it twice now and it’s getting rave reviews from everyone. Recipe details on the blog here: http://www.apt2bbakingco.com/home/orange-cranberry-bundt-cake
Thinking I would make a cake filling, and being midst raspberry season, I tried this curd. While too thin this time around for a cake filling, wow, what an ice cream topper! This kept marvelously in a sealed jar in the fridge for several weeks and was A+ delicious on ice cream – bet it would be amazing on pancakes as well! Be sure to use fresh raspberries! https://bakesbybrownsugar.com/raspberry-curd/ (Photo borrowed from aforementioned website).
Being part British, I can’t help but love scones, though it’s not something I make that often. I have tried a number of recipes but this one takes the cake, er, the scone! It’s got a great taste (got to like cherry and orange of course), but mostly it’s got that dry but melt in your mouth combination that I find so difficult to achieve. A long chilling time is the key: I’ve done 6-10 hours for mine. https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/cherry-scones/
Good evening, this is The Howard Beakman at the Virginia Rescue Center in Locust Dale, enjoying some evening nibbles.
The food here is fancattic. You see, Meowm has become quite the kook. Every day it’s something deluscious. Tonite was the cat’s meow. Rum-tinged whipped cream. Yummmm. No one can say that life in the geeser ward is dull. We’re kared for well. Our needs re locked afta. Lyf s gud. Felin slippy.
An so we snoose.
Day 1:
I have just arrived at this Rescue place and am not quite sure which way is up, or down, but I know one thing – I’ve been booted out of my last place (guess I was a bit too squeaky) so my number one goal is to find me a new lap – asap.
I see they have a computer. As soon as these dang guardians give me a moment to myself (they keep saying something about “He needs to get to know us”) I will jump on and post a plea. The mouse is just waiting to be tapped.
(It wasn’t until about 3:30 am when I got a clear shot – from under the bed to stool to chair to desk to keyboard – whew, all that jumping, up came dinner – and then the gosh darn mouse refused to cooperate. Better luck tomorrow.)
Day 3:
I’ve had about enough of this, but am doing my best to fool them. I have to make sure that they don’t suspect my plan of escape. Some day soon my friends, my chariot will arrive! But for now – the food is pretty good here. I find that if I meow constantly I get what I want quicker – so I must continue to do this. These humans are pretty simple – easy to train, I must say. Life is not that bad.
Day 5:
They’ve wisened up to my computer tactics, so now I just lay on the keyboard every chance I get so they know who’s boss. Much easier to keep an eye on things, plus I’m purrfect level for scritches.
And the biggest news – I finally have privacy my friends – they purchased a hooded litter pan – and I just love it! No longer can anyone stare at me as I do my business. No idea as to what they were thinking with public toilet space; plus that awful woofer looking ever so interested in my productions. No wonder he has bad breath.
Day 6:
Meowmy heard from the next door neighbors today – I guess they liked the opera I was singing last night. This is something that I must continue to do because I thinks my singing is beautiful.
Day 7:
It’s been a week. Invitations are already rolling in; I will start interviewing prospective homes very soon. I will know immediately when the right Bean applies – must love the sunshine, taking naps, and have a solid girth so I know the chow is decent.
Reporting from confinement,
TiSan
A well, well done book taking place right here in Central Virginia – well written, great characters, good story. Just loved the fact it was set locally as well.
“Inspired by true events, A More Perfect Union is an epic story of love and courage, desperation and determination, and three people whose lives are inescapably entwined…
Henry O’Toole sails to America in 1848 to escape the famine in Ireland, only to face anti-immigrant prejudice. Determined never to starve again, he changes his surname to Taylor and heads south to Virginia, seeking work as a traveling blacksmith on the prosperous plantations.
Torn from her home and sold to Jubilee Plantation, Sarah must navigate its intricate hierarchy. And now an enigmatic blacksmith is promising her not just the world but also her freedom. How could she say no?
Enslaved at Jubilee Plantation, Maple is desperate to return to her husband and daughter. With Sarah’s arrival, she sees her chance to be reunited at last with her family—but at what cost?”
This is a strawberry cheesecake – a homemade graham cracker crust baked, then filled with a combo of whipped cream cheese and whipped cream, and topped with a fresh strawberry compote. You could add whipped cream on top but I didn’t think it necessary. Plan on 6 hours in the fridge prior to cutting but then it sliced beautifully and was absolutely yummy.
My parents screaming at each other so loudly that the cops came.
My ‘other’ dad taking me out to a German bakery for a piece of marzipan.
Crying in my bedroom until I was sick to my stomach.
My 6th grade Latin teacher always making sure to ask me how I was doing every day at school.
Being the only girl in my class who couldn’t afford a new dress for the junior high dance.
The lady who ran Bible Study giving me a hug when I walked in.
Being so embarrassed by my family I never once had a friend over to spend the night.
Sitting at a friend’s dinner table and being included in the conversation.
Having a boyfriend who thought it was funny to throw bullfrogs into the fire.
Having a male friend who called to check on me to make sure I was okay.
Getting dressed under the bedcovers since we had no heat and the inside temperature was just above freezing.
My aunt (who had nothing) sending me $5.00 to help.
My father borrowing the $5.00 to buy cigarettes.
My older girlfriend offering her home as a safe haven anytime I needed.
My mother trying to stab my father with scissors.
My French teacher seeking me out to make sure I was okay.
My parents shrugging it off when I was viciously attacked by a cat, sending me on to school.
The principal herself taking me to the doctor to get the blood all over my arms cleaned up.
You never know what goes on behind closed doors.
Be the light in someone’s life. Be the smile that makes their day. Be the memory that sticks with them even after 50 years. It only takes a second, yet can last a lifetime. It can be so very simple, yet it might be the one thing that keeps them going.
Thanks for the memories: Howard, Mr. Bemis, June, Molly, Michael, Aunt Lois, Suzanne, Mrs. Simmons, and Judy.