recipe box Wednesday

This week's treasure pulled from the Recipe Box will give you a jump start on holiday baking! (I always find it important to try out at least 2 or 3 batches of a new recipe before I feel it fit for holiday giving, especially when there is rum involved...)

Rum Balls

1 c. crushed vanilla wafers

1 c. powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. cocoa

1/2 Tbsp. Karo syrup

1/4 c. rum or bourbon

Mix all together, form into balls and shake in powdered sugar.

Now what could be easier than that? Let me know if you give them a try!

In more food news, I just mixed up my first batch of dough from this book:

and will be reviewing the results once I bake up my first loaf. Is there anything better than the smell of baking bread?

Also in food news, look for my review of this cookbook: (which just hit #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list, how AMAZING is that?) in the next few days. It's a winner, and you definitely need to add it to your cookbook collection.

"Fall to Grace"

It was my great pleasure to be a part of a one-time only book club. I have never had a burning desire to join a book club, as much as I love books, and enjoy talking about them, the whole idea of being REQUIRED to read a specific book is not up my alley.

Fortunately, I was invited to take part in this very special book club, so I thought I would give it a try.

The book is "Fall to Grace" by Kerry Casey. He is a local author, in fact all of this came up as he generously donated five copies of his book, and the opportunity to have him attend your 'book club' meeting, at a recent school silent auction. When my friend Tracy won the package, the wheels were set in motion. We gathered last week, and the seven of us discussed the book and our favorite parts before the author arrived. Wine and treats always help facilitate lively ideas.

Kerry Casey is a delight, and we enjoyed hearing how he conceived of his characters, and how the process worked for him. He talked about the realities of self-publishing, and what his goals for the book were. And we were all thrilled to hear he is currently working on a sequel, so we can continue to follow our favorite characters.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. I found myself reading late into the night, with my tiny booklight attached, so as not to wake my slumbering husband. And then I would look at the clock, and three hours had quickly slipped by as I immersed myself in the story.

You can't find it at the big chain stores, you can occasionally find it at a small, independent bookseller. Your best option is to order it here, where you can learn more (and it's a really great website, on top of that!) http://www.fivefriendsbooks.com/

And then YOU will want to tell at least five more friends about it.

falling down the rabbit hole

I posted, a very long time ago, about how much time I can utilize (ie. waste) perusing the internet. I like to pretend that I am gleaning valuable information, that will help me in my life, but some of the blogs I regularly read have no redeeming value, whatsoever, other than to make me laugh. Some of them I read to keep up with friends and family, others I read for inspiration in the kitchen or in my 'studio' (the desk and shelves stuck in the corner of my bedroom where I would love to spend all day creating, which actually ends up being a very nice place to leave laundry or projects I plan to get to someday...).

Today I feel compelled to share some of these fabulous sites with you, my dear readers, in case you have some time to spare and need a laugh, or a new recipe, or a little inspiration. They fall into two categories, those blogs I check with every day, and those I check when I have some extra time on my hands.

DAILY:
http://www.sellabitmum.blogspot.com/ My friend Tracy's take on life at 40, with 3 kids and a wacky cat.

http://www.hansongirl2.blogspot.com/ My sister's blog-another way for us to stay in touch.

http://www.rachelleann41.blogspot.com/ My cousin's blog, we have reconnected after many years and I love learning about her family.

http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ I have been reading Ree for years, her blog is really everything I love about the internet, all rolled into one spot. I will be reviewing her new cookbook in a post next week.

http://www.cathyzielske.typepad.com/ A local graphic designer and scrapbooker, I love her site.

http://www.womenscolony.squarespace.com/ This blog has it all, I especially enjoy the writing in Derfwad Manor, and the man cake in the Cabana.

WEEKLY or so:

http://www.jessicasprague.com/ A scrapper I have taken on-line classes from.

http://www.downadowney.typepad.com/ Another scrapper/artist, who has a great on-line store where I have ordered fun things.

http://www.etsy.com/ (not a blog, a hand-crafted shopping site) I actually try to check this one just monthly, or I will spend WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. But if you are looking for unique Christmas gifts, this is the place to start.

http://www.tarawhitney.com/ An amazing photographer, I check out her site to figure out how to be a better picture taker.

http://www.rebeccasower.typepad.com/ Another artist-she also provides doses of inspiration.

http://www.bakerella.com/ The cake pops kill me, and are harder to make than they look....

http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ When I need a laugh.

http://www.cherrymenlove.com/ A British blogger, love her stuff.

http://www.gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/ I don't know the majority of the 'celebrities' they feature here (which makes me feel incredibly old) but the writing is hysterical.

And another morning lost to the internet... (I know I have shared some of these with all of you before, but I want to make sure everyone has the same access to wasting time that I do.)

autumn days

Ginger and cinnamon fill the air




A patchwork of leaves lay everywhere




Cold, clean mornings and an indigo dawn




Crystal frost on the emerald lawn




Golden apple cider and delicious pumpkin pie




These are the things I love at Autumn time




-Sabrina Bytheway





(found this in my stash of papercrafting, and had to share, I couldn't have said it better myself!)

a fine young man

We had the privilege to participate in an Eagle Scout ceremony a couple of weekends ago, and it was an amazing afternoon.

To attain the rank of Eagle Scout, a young man has to put in many hours of leadership, learning, commitment, and service to others. To achieve that rank at the age of 15 is pretty remarkable. Only two percent of scouts have achieved the rank of Eagle, scouting's highest award, since it's inception in 1911.

The ceremony honoring Austin Lane was beautiful, and meaningful. Charlie was honored to participate, as Austin is pretty much his adoptive big brother.

Mike, Austin's dad, has spent years helping build Pinewood Derby cars, serving as a Scoutmaster, taking Austin and his brother Alec on multiple camping trips, and fostering the environment to encourage his boys to succceed. Hats off to Tracy, the mom behind the scenes, who was always there for help with merit badges or making sure there were fresh cookies for the campout, and letting her boys know they could achieve anything they set their mind to. And a special honor, for sewing on all of those merit badges through the years (and she didn't cheat, and use a hot glue gun...)

Mike gave a beautiful speech during the cermony, and I found myself dabbing my eyes with my apron. What a wonderful bond those two have.

Tracy, being Italian, served a 'light lunch' that was of course a buffet that left everyone stuffed. Her sister Denise even made and brought Austin's favorite Porketta sandwich, all the way from the Iron Range!

It was a wonderful afternoon, and the Lane family did themselves proud.

Charlie really looks up to Austin. He 'hangs out' with Charlie when Mike and I have a rare date night, plays football with Charlie, and helped him through homesickness at scout camp this summer. Charlie enjoys all of the advantages of having an older brother, without having to deal with any of that sibling rivalry business.

And I can't imagine a better role model for my son to have.

Congratulation Austin, job well done.