I just finished reading Sarah's Key which was recommended to me by my mom. It was a good book, very moving. It tells the story of a Jewish girl during the Holocaust from her perspective and the story of a journalist in present day Paris, France. The beginning half of the book was a very tough read emotionally. It was one of the few books and possibly the only book I've read where knowing what was going to happen before the character didn't ruin the story. It broke your heart to know what was going to happen and not be able to stop it. I highly recommend this book
I am currently reading The Help (Thank You Mrs. Mackichan for letting me borrow it) which was another recommendation from mother. It is a story from the perspective of two black maids in the South in the 1960's. And from one white woman, who you get the impression 1/4 of the way through is going to stir things up. So far, so good!
The next book I'm going to read is The Family.
On this rainy day all I can think about is a cute pair of galoshes. Here are a few that I’ve found.
I love zebra print, especially with a pop of color. Check out this collage of pictures from a Wild Thing Baby Shower. love everything about it. The bright color lanterns are so fun. All the baby items are super cute. Of course the sweets look divine too.
How cute are these animal print cupcakes. And with flavors like margarita, pumpkin roll and chocolate hazelnut they must be delicious.
We just found out that Kenny’s sister is having a baby boy in April. I wanted to share the sonogram because I think it is super sweet.
For Ashlyn’s 1st Birthday we made the Very Hungry Catepiliar out of cupcakes. It was super cute if I do say so myself.
I love over the top cakes that I still have a chance of making. Below are a few of my favorites from a Parenting Magazine (don’t ask) article on Incredible Birthday Cakes.
I am in love with all things Chalkboard.
The first picture is of chalkboard cocktail glasses. So instead of wine charms or solo cups with permanent marker you can write the names with chalk and erase for the next party.
These stickers are perfection! I would use them on everything. And if you want to purchase them for me they are available at Monkey See Boutique.
The third picture is my own creation. I took OXO Containers (which I love) and painted a section of chalkboard on each and then wrote in chalk what the container contained. I was constantly mixing up sugar and salt and powdered sugar and flour and my taste buds were angry. I tried post its but they kept falling off. Please I love chalkboards!!!!
Cupcakes for Thanksgiving Dinner, what a dream come true!!!! I saw all of these on It’s in the Details Blog and they make me want turkey and mashed potatoes.
The first set I saw Paula Deen making with the writers of Hello Cupcake! the other night. It’s supposed to be a tv dinner.
The corn on the cob is by the one and only Martha Stewart.
The third set were made by Kenna’s Cupcake Company.
I love the vibrant colors of the leaves in the fall. I love the smell of leaves falling and covering the ground. I love the taste of warm apple cider. I love the crisp cool air. I love snuggling in sweaters to stay warm. I love fall.
The first picture is of these amazing red trees at a home in Herndon. They are only red for a short period of time before all the leaves fall. They make me think of that movie Pleasantville when people discovered color in a black and white world. To me this is the beauty of color in an otherwise black and white world. I hope one day I’ll have a house with beautiful trees like these.
The remaining pictures are from the Skyline Drive. Kenny and I went to Front Royal two Sunday’s ago to see the beautiful fall leaves and hike. We had a great time! Next time we’ll have to go earlier to get more hiking in.
I love the last picture. It’s an invitation to walk down a secret path to find wonderful treasures.
Now days chocolate isn’t just your typical chocolate. Below are some “exotic” or “different” chocolates I have recently seen.
The first are Old Bay Crabs. Kenny and I discovered these one day in Ellicott City, Maryland at a chocolate shoppe called Sweet Cascades. We tried them and they are actually really good. The owner said they were made by accident when he thought he was grabbing cinnamon but instead grabbed Old Bay.
The second are Chocolate Covered Worms & Crickets. They are made by Hotlix and were recently featured on Food Network. They look DISGUSTING!
The third is a Chocolate Bacon Bar which I have scene recently in various forms by various companies. You can get this particular one at Vosges.
