Just finished the second book in my Summer reading pile.

The first was a cozy mystery featuring Beatrix Potter, "The Tale Of Hill Top Farm". It was the first in a series and I have ordered the second from my local independent book store. The setting was rich and the characters enjoyable. It was a quick, light read.

My second choice was very out of character for me, It is called "Graveminder" by Melissa Marr and I read a review of it at Booktribe. I had to read the book with my hands over my eyes, a difficult task indeed... as I do not like scary... not one bit.... I couldn't even read the "Twilight" books at bedtime. I read Graveminder in two days... even though I couldn't read it in bed. I enjoyed the book and even though it wrapped up at the end, I can see it being a series. I felt that there was more story to tell... the author left quite a few things open and a few of her characters unfinished, however I would recommend it. Had a theme of family and duty and a very different take on the afterlife. Most readers won't find it a scary book... I really didnt either. Just a little touch of the paranormal, but for me.... best read in direct sunlight

Cake Balls

Let me start with an apology for all the typo's and improper grammar in the last post. Details are not always my thing. And with that I will segue in to today's project.
Cake balls... Cake Bubbles... Truffles...what ever you want to call them. If you don't know what they are they are basically a cake, cooled then squished together with frosting till they can be formed into little balls, then dipped in candy coating. The are pretty simple and really quite tasty. There are many recipes on the web..including ones by Paula and Martha. Paula recommends using a mixer to whip them, but personally I found them a little to gooey that way. We preferred ours hand squished... they just had a better consistency
As I mentioned in the last post, Kallie is getting married... to the end...Mother of the Bride, DD, decided that we would make Cake Balls as favors. We made the actual balls a few weeks ago after the wedding shower. 790 of them to be exact, we got a little carried away. It was probably a good thing we made so many as one of the flavors was Funfetti...This turned out not to be the best choice as they turned... well...., sort of the color of flesh when they were done... we gave them a chance, but their super sweet taste, probably because of the candy chips,and their not so lovely color made them quite unappealing. But I digress... today the Queens gathered to dip the cake balls and then pack them into the favor boxes. Turns out we only need 125 favors so we only had to dip 375 cake balls. Dip makes the process sound very simple... let me tell you, it was anything but. Our 5 hour project involved heating pads, to keep the almond bark the right consistency, paring knifes to trim off the extra coating.A second dipping to make sure there were no cracks or unsealed areas and then a final artistic drizzle to make them pretty and then pack them away in their pretty little boxes. They didn't let me help with the last few steps, not my forte. Now all MoB DD has to do is put the labels on and transport them to the wedding.
We ladies got a little mushy as we worked......kind of like the cake balls. It good to have friends like these women who are willing to be at each others through all our little milestones............. God has surely blessed us.

Kallies Getting Married

Just on week till the grand caravan begins. BFF DD's daughter Kallie is getting married in the High Sierra's. Hubby and I will travel with the wedding cake... and the cake master LaReina. I am so excited, along weekend away.... good friends and the blessing of celebrating a milestone moment with the happy couple.

It's funny how fast life changes... seems like just yesterday DD and I were feeding our 5 year olds mac n cheese at the picnic table in the yard and now they are all grown up. I remember things would get easier the older they got..... now I wish for one more summer afternoon.

Ahh well now we'll look forward to it again with our grandkids