The girls’ book club met this week, and it was all about Christmas as we talked about Andrew Clements’ The Last Holiday Concert. It’s a great story about a boy who ends up in charge of his middle school’s holiday concert just as the music teacher is laid off. We had a great discussion about… Continue reading Girls’ Book Club: “The Last Holiday Concert”
Tag: baking
Book Clubbing on the Orphan Train: “A Family Apart”
This month’s girls’ book club selection was one I’ve had for years: about twenty years, in fact. We read A Family Apart by Joan Lowry Nixon, the first in the Orphan Train Adventure series. The story opens in New York City with an Irish family whose father has died. Ma is trying hard to keep everyone… Continue reading Book Clubbing on the Orphan Train: “A Family Apart”
How to Make a Volcanic Dinosaur Cake
Currently Our Little Man is a dino fanatic, and so of course he wanted a dinosaur cake for his birthday this year. I like to make their cakes as 3-D as possible, so rather than having a flat cake shaped like a dinosaur, I was dreaming of ways to make a gigantic T-Rex… Continue reading How to Make a Volcanic Dinosaur Cake
Whole Wheat Strawberry Shortcake
When I was a kid, I always dissected my shortcake. I could never figure out why anyone would want to ruin perfectly good berries with cake – and vice versa. Now, however, I love this combination! This shortcake is easier than most, and it’s pretty healthy, too. The texture is not quite as light as… Continue reading Whole Wheat Strawberry Shortcake
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’m a cookie fanatic. Really. There’s something wonderful about a small, snackable dessert – and even more so about this one. With whole wheat flour and healthy(er) oils, I feel better about making these for my family on a regular basis. These cookies are rich and decadent in spite of that, though, and you’ll never… Continue reading Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Springtime Strawberry Pie
We made a strawberry pie to take to church last week. It’s super simple but full of fresh flavor, and it’s even pretty good for you. Full of fresh flavor, this pie tastes like spring! We had a total of 45 minutes to get our church potluck offerings ready, and in that time we made… Continue reading Springtime Strawberry Pie
Chocolate Whoopie Pies
When I was a kid in Pennsylvania these were my favorite treat. My mom used to make big batches, wrap them individually in waxed paper, and hide them in tins all over the house. When she was at work, Dad and I would hunt for them. I distinctly remember finding a tin of whoopie pies… Continue reading Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Brownies
My Little Man and I made these today, and there are only a few left! We’ve been able to share some with friends, and some others with the people my husband works with, and we’ve eaten a few too many – we can’t seem to leave them alone! Fortunately, these brownies are fairly healthy and jam-packed with… Continue reading Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Brownies
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
This time of year, we want to share with everybody. My kids want to take cookies to the firefighters and their favorite librarian and the mailman and every clerk at every store they meet. While I like their giving attitude, that’s a lot of baking. And while I love to bake, during December I also… Continue reading Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Black Magic Cake
I think I’ve found a new favorite cake. When I saw this recipe over at My Baking Addiction, I knew that I had to try it. You can’t go wrong with Hershey’s! Moist and chocolate-y, decadent and rich, this is not your average chocolate cake. Made in several layers, it looks fancy enough for a… Continue reading Black Magic Cake