Everything Sirious
Well I almost put this down – not wowed by the title to start with, and then while we all wish we did, who has a talking dog? But this turned out to be a delightful story full of life lessons, warm feelings, a few chuckles and an occasional tear. Great job. An easy and enjoyable read. Can’t wait to read one of Ms. Crewe’s other books!
If you’re interested in history at all, and in particular Chinese history, the (horrible) treatment of women in the late 1500’s, and a great cast of characters, this is an excellent read. Loosely based on a woman physician in China during that time, I found it fascinating – not only a good story and as mentioned, great characters, but all the intricacies of life at that time. 5 Stars in my opinion!
Saw these and thought not much can go wrong with orange and cranberry, one of my favorite combos, and then add in cream cheese frosting – WELL. Sure enough, this is a five star bake! And it makes quite a bit, so if you’re looking to parcel off some pieces to thank the UPS Driver (see https://www.facebook.com/ChannellingKindness/ post of 12/11/23 ), these just might be your ticket! My one comment on the recipe is the 1/4 cup of orange zest can be, depending on the size of your oranges, quite a few oranges (took 6 for me), so keep that in mind before you get started. My bake time was also a little bit longer than indicated – closer to 28 minutes.
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/orange-cranberry-cookie-bars/
THIS! OMG on these cookies. If you like marzipan, if you like almond, if you like crunchy outside and chewy interior, if you like gluten free/cholesterol free, and if you like fairly easy, these are SO good. Truly in my top five cookies ever.
https://foodtasia.com/almond-paste-cookies/#tasty-recipes-6790-jump-target
Let me start with the realization in my 60’s that I always thought I loved apple pie, because my mother loved apple pie and I always made it for her, therefore I should love it. I like it, but it actually doesn’t fall into the love category. There are so many other flavors of pie I’d much rather have. (Kind of like NYC – I grew up there and always thought I loved it – until I visited it for the umpteenth time as an adult and realized that I really didn’t like it that much). Anyways, I digress. This dessert combines the goodness of the apple middle of apple pie with a cake like crust that keeps the middle moist and delicious but not loosey goosey. A Polish apple cake, it is just one more of the successes I’ve had in the Baking With Dorie cookbook (which I cannot recommend highly enough). And top it with homemade vanilla ice cream (flavored mine with brandy), and this is as close to heaven as it gets.
This was an interesting and eye opening book about the radicalization of a Muslim teen in California – well worth a read! I gave it five stars – well written, interesting, timely.
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
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.
Definitely a five star read here – set in Romania in 1989, this is a historical fiction about a teenage boy and his family and how living under Ceausescu’s dictatorship makes him question everything and everyone. Well written and great character development; it’s always an eye opener to read what’s happening elsewhere in the world as many of us in the US focus on minutiae. I have also read Between Shades of Gray and Salt of the Sea by Sepetys and rated both as five stars as well, so give her a try if you haven’t already and if you like historical fiction!
