A Tricky Treat for Halloween

Mmmm, looks like a yummy cake doesn't it?
But it's Halloween today and a day for tricks.


That's not just any ole cake - it's a meatloaf cake!
With mashed potato icing and candied carrots, shredded cheddar cheese and toasted pine nuts for decorations!


Wouldn't your kids just love you if they thought they were getting cake for dinner?
What a trick to serve it to them and it's meatloaf!


Here is what I did....
I used my favorite meatloaf recipe - it's something I've just kind of developed over the years.


Preheat oven to 350°

2 lbs of burger
1 lb of sausage
1/2 cup of buttermilk or sour cream ( I actually used vinegar in milk 'cause I didn't have either)
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
salt and pepper


I gently mixed this up in a bowl. The sausage I use has lots of spices so I have found that I don't need to add any more in my meatloaf. If your sausage is not as spicy you can add onion, garlic, thyme or whatever mix of herbs, etc. you might like.


Special sauce:


1 cup of ketchup
1/4 cup of brown sugar, packed
2 TBSP apple cider vinegar


Mix this together and set aside.

Take the meat mixture and divide it between two 8" cake pans.  Made a depression in one layer and put in about half of the ketchup sauce. Bake these in the preheated oven for about 1/2 an hour or until done. 


While the meatloaf is baking make a batch of mashed potatoes. I used 6 large potatoes so I would be sure to have enough "icing."  Leftover potatoes are easy to use. When they were soft I added about 4 TBSP butter and enough milk to the mashed potatoes to make them spreadable. You don't want them too loose or too stiff.


Make the candied carrots:  I took 4 fresh carrots and washed them. I cut them into slices about 1/4" thick. I mixed up 1 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1 TBSP honey and 1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar plus about 1/2 tsp salt and poured it over the carrots in a baking dish. I let them roast with the meatloaf layers.




Take the meatloaf cake layers out of the oven. There will be a fair bit of grease in the pans. Pour it off. You will lose some of the ketchup sauce but don't worry.

Put the sauce layer on a plate. Add some more of the ketchup sauce to the layer, about 3 TBSP.

Add the second layer. As you can see the bottom layer is a bit bigger than the top layer so I trimmed it to make it even.

I then "frosted" the meatloaf "cake" with the mashed potatoes. I put a pretty thick layer of potatoes on top. I then put the candied carrots around the top and filled in the center with grated cheddar cheese and sprinkled on a few toasted pine nuts.

The meatloaf was still hot when I cut a piece and served it to the hubby with some more carrots and extra ketchup sauce for his dinner. And this was after I made him come in and see the cake. He was looking for dinner! He got a good laugh out of it. I 


I told him that I would do this again for company and I am going to figure out a way of making a cake look like a meatloaf for dessert!

The cake held together through cutting our two servings for dinner and we are going to have it again tonight.


So there go! A trick that is really a treat for this Halloween!
If your kids don't like carrots you could use broccoli florets or even pieces of green bean to "decorate" the cake. Obviously imagination is key here.....

It's Babies vs. Puppies - Pick the Cutest!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's a war of the cute people!

Puppies vs. Babies

Can you believe it? I can't. I don't think it's really a fair fight if you ask me; no kittens, no goat kids! But since the war is on and it's puppies and babies I suppose I will have to take one side or the other. It's not going to be easy because both have big time cute going for them so let's break it down and see.

First, babies. Undeniably cute. Little bald heads, those precious baby smiles, that cooing sound that all babies make. How can one NOT like a baby? How can one NOT find a baby cute? Oh - that's right! The dirty diapers, the throw up, the crying. These things are not so cute.

Next we look at the puppy. Unbelievably adorable, right? Soft and fluffy, little puppy eyes, cute puppy barks. How can anyone turn away from a puppy? Oh yeah! The puppy piddle, the waking up in the middle of  the night, the whining. Again, not so cute.

But still, I think cute outweighs not cute but which is cuter - puppies or babies? I certainly don't know but guess what?  There is a Puppies vs. Babies online contest and you can help decide whether babies or puppies are cuter! The winning photo be it puppy or baby will win $5,000! How cool is that?

So head on over and vote - let me know in a comment if you would like who you are going to vote for - I'm curious. Personally I'm for the babies. Mostly 'cause dogs chase goats and I'm NOT in favor of that.

From the Garden: One Last Harvest

I was wrong.
I thought I was done with the fruits of the garden.
Stupid me.

WHAT is that, you ask?
I recognize that it does look rather like some bizarre form of alien life but it DID grow in the garden.
The goats even enjoyed the leaves it produced.


What is it?
Horseradish!


I used it to make well, horseradish and as an ingredient in Worcestershire Sauce.
It also cleared out the sinuses of anyone within about a foot and a half of the food processor.


Both will be shown in the next few days.
And you won't have to suffer the smell.

Blog Tour and Book #Review: Camp Nine by Vivienne Schiffer

About the Book:

The time of fear and prejudice following the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Arkansas Delta are the setting for Camp Nine. The novel’s narrator, Chess Morton, lives with her widowed mother in Rook, a town too tiny to have a bank, a library, a restaurant, or even a church. Chess’s days are quiet and secluded until the appearance of a concentration camp built to imprison thousands of Japanese Americans forced by military exclusion order to leave their homes on the West Coast.

Chess’s life becomes intertwined with those of two young internees, Henry and David Matsui, and that of an American soldier mysteriously connected to her mother’s past. As Chess watches the struggles and triumphs of these strangers and sees her mother seek justice for these people who came briefly and involuntarily to call the Arkansas Delta their home, she discovers surprising and disturbing truths about her family’s painful past.

About the Author:


Vivienne Schiffer is a novelist and screenwriter who grew up in Desha County, Arkansas, and has practiced law in Houston for many years.


My Opinion:


This book tells a fictionalized account of the interned Japanese US citizens during WWII. A camp was set up in Arkansas and our government moved law abiding CITIZENS to a military base simply because they were Japanese. It was one of the worst offenses post-slavery that this country had sanctioned.


Chess Morton is just a child when the Camp is established on land that was hers; her grandfather is guardian of her estate and he sells it to the government. She is of the "landed gentry" in the area and very protected. Her mother was born of immigrant parents and not at all what was expected in a wife for a Morton. Chess's father died young leaving her with a mother trying to what was best for her child in a difficult time.


Into their protected world drops Camp Nine, the Japanese internment prison. The colonel in charge of the camp is an old friend of Chess's mother and she becomes involved with him and the people at the camp. She starts teaching art classes and becomes friendly with one family in particular, the Matsuis.


Chess tries to remain ignorant of the camp but her mother forces her to acknowledge it. She starts going to the camp and she befriends the young Matsui boys, David and Henry. She learns that there is a whole other world outside of her pampered, Southern upbringing.


In spite of learning some harsh facts about the world at large Chess still remains in the dark about much that goes on around her until the conclusion of the book when a final meeting lays bare a past she thought she understood and exposes truths as lies.


This was a beautifully written book covering a horrible topic. Despite this, Ms. Schiffer has crafted a novel that I found to be one that I will keep and read again. I don't do this often. Chess is the focus of the tale, not the Camp. It is her story; as she grows and learns and finally discovers her painful past. All of the adults in her life wanted to protect her from the worst of life and I am not sure they did her any favors.


I think this is book that will be even better on a second reading. The foreknowledge of the ending will allow the reader to better appreciate some of the characters' actions. In spite of the awful topics - internment, racial hostility, the Klan - the book is softly written. I will look forward to further  writings from Ms. Schiffer.


Camp Nine is available at Amazon.com


You see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE

Disclosure:  I received a copy of Camp Nine gratis from TLC Book Tours. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

#Review and #Rafflecopter #Giveaway: Party Beans from Pricilla

I was given the opportunity to try out a very cool product. 
It was just so cool I could hardly wait to get it!
Look!

Pricilla's face on little Customized Gifts.
How cute are they?

Little tins full of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans.
And not just any flavor.
Oh no!
I could customize what flavors I wanted.
How cool is that?!




So guess what flavors I chose?
Just guess.
This is PRICILLA after all.

APPLE!
What else?!
Green apple and red apple.
Is that hysterical or what?
I LOVE it!


I also had the choice of M&Ms or mints but seriously, with the option of apple flavored jelly beans I really had to go that way. It was beyond perfect!


It was so very easy to create them on the Party Beans website too; you just pick which product you would like, upload a photo and boom! You are done. You can also add text if you want but I thought Pricilla's face was just right. She IS a Famous SpokesGoat after all.


You can also use the tins for Corporate Gifts or Personalized Holiday Party Favors. 


My personalized tins came super fast and well packed. I was so excited I was doing the goat dance of joy! And no, I do not have that on video.


FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 20% OF PROCEEDS FROM SALES WILL BE DONATED TO A BREAST CANCER RESEARCH ORGANIZATION.


So if you are considering purchasing, now would be the time! I have a widget on the left that you can click through and I will make a little $$$ if you don't mind.


I am going to giveaway a little Stocking Stuffer Prize Pack from Pricilla! She is a friendly goat that way!  It will include one of her new Personalized tins and two favor bars of her rich soap!


How do you win? It's easy!
Just jump click on "read more" and jump on the Rafflecopter.
If you are here by direct link the 'copter is waiting!

#Review and #Rafflecopter #Giveaway: My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software

I take a lot of photos.
Now most of the photos I take have goats in them but still, I love my goats and think they deserve attention. They are, after all my "kids." 


I am VERY new to using digital scrapbooking software but I must admit that I was OBSESSED with regular scrapbooking when it first came out. I had boxes and boxes of cute papers and little cut out thingies. But now I can have it all at the click of a mouse. No big boxes to have to haul out.


Boy am I slow to new things or WHAT?!


With My Memories I can scrapbook my little heart out - as soon as I manage to find that spare time stuff people talk about. Can someone please direct me to it so I can purchase some? I'm  willing to pay.....


Just look at this ADORABLE page in a kit available to purchase to add to the base scrapbook software

I am all about the Farm cats, you know?
That saying is so very true!


But I searched and there are NO GOAT layouts!
Can you imagine such a thing?!
I know what Pricilla would say - Harumph!


BUT there are thousands of possibilities for kids and families. I know you all have cute kids and families! Just look how pretty this one is and it's in the Free Downloads section

Isn't it precious?
The site offers a variety of sections with both free and for purchase packages. There is a blog/forum where you can go for support, community and challenges.


You can also use the software to make videos, photobooks and cards - with the holidays on the way how great is that?!

Look what I did! And I've only just begun....
It was easy to figure my way around the software, it was easy to upload my photos and it was very easy to add and remove embellishments and text.  Next I'm going to conquer adding music.


I know I'm gonna have lots of fun!


I also have great news for any of you that would like to purchase My Memories (retail $80) if you use the code:  STMMMS72735 you will receive $10 off of the software AND $10 in credit to use at the My Memories store. How cool is that? Just be sure to enter the code so you can get the discount. I get a little something too - that will help feed the goats. The goats are ALWAYS hungry.....


If you have someone who loves to scrapbook this would make an EXCELLENT gift!


Plus, one lucky reader will win a copy of the My Memories software.
Woo hoo!
How do you win? It's easy!
Just jump on the Rafflecopter!



You can find My Memories on Facebook
You can find My Memories on Twitter
You can find My Memories on YouTube








Disclosure:  I received a copy of My Memories gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free software. I received no monetary compensation for this post but will receive a credit for every software sold.

Christmas Wish List

One of the things I really want for Christmas this year is a spice rack. The one I have is rather old and plastic since it is a hold over from being in the trailer. Since I now have my spiffy new kitchen I think I should go shopping for spiffy kitchen spice racks.... don't you?


I am particularly fond of this one

It would look AMAZING in my kitchen and it would hold all of my spices.
I have a LOT of spices.
I really want a wall spice rack since I do have a fair bit of empty wall space in the kitchen.


But to tell you the truth any of the beautiful spice racks I saw would do. I just want a new one!
I will put together a wish list for the hubby and let him surprise me.
I LOVE surprises!

Life Insurance is Important

If you are young you might not think that having life insurance is important. But if you have a family or any assets to protect it really is an important consideration as you plan for the future.  If something, heaven forbid, should happen to you and you are the breadwinner of your family you could end up leaving them with a mortgage to pay and no income to cover it. So even if you think you can't afford it at least stop and look at either term life insurance or whole life insurance to cover those expenses.


Did you know you could get life insurance quotes online? Well, just like everything else these days, you can. Just be sure that you shop around and find a reputable company. You don't want to be giving information to just any old site. You don't want to be trying to protect yourself while giving away the farm to a bogus website.


You can always check out an Insurance Information Exchange to find out more. But whatever you do at least consider the possibility that you won't live forever - 'cause you won't. Sad as it is we will all go sometime.

Time to Tile?

As I was planning my tiling for the yurt I really, REALLY wanted to use glass mosaic tiles. I adore how they catch the light. But alas, it was not to be. My budget did not allow me to do what I wanted to do, BUT if I had been given free reign.....mmmmm, what would have been!


I so wanted to use stainless mosaic tile in the kitchen. It would have looked amazing against the red paint and black appliances. There was this tile that was 1 x 3 strips set rather like subway tile that I thought would have made the backsplash behind the stove a work of art.

Don't you think?
Modern, clean, and just a bit of shine.
Perfect for the yurt.
I was totally bummed.
But I am pleased with my black backsplash. It does add drama.


I did get to use some glass mosaic wall tile in my bathroom. I picked a pretty black/white/grey 1 x 1 mix to break up all the black from the ceramic. Just that little bit of glass made all the difference in the design of the tub and shower surround and I am super happy with how it came out.


I will say that while I found tiling not so hard and I would do it again in a minute I am NEVER grouting again.


NEVER!


I hated grouting. If I could just tile my little heart away and have someone follow after me to grout I would be a happy woman.


heh

Book #Review: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Click to purchase at Sourcebooks

About the Book:


Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?


About the Author:


Janet Gurtler lives in Calgary Alberta, near the Canadian Rockies, with her husband and son and a chubby Chihuahua named Bruce.She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says "eh" a lot.


My Opinion:


This is a young adult novel that deals with some very adult themes but Ms. Gurtler writes them in a manner appropriate to her audience. Jasmine, her heroine is a bi-racial teen living with her grandmother because her mother is well, a bit of a ditz. Her mother had her at a young age after a love affair with a football star in high school. His family does not want to admit that Jasmine exists as he has gone off and married "the right sort of woman."  Jasmine's mother is currently involved with another man, younger than herself and is pregnant.


Jasmine witnesses something devastating to her mother's happiness but when she finds out that her mother is pregnant she keeps the secret to herself.


The book covers inter-racial relationships, child sexual abuse, postpartum depression, blossoming love and several other deep topics. While that seems like a lot - and it is - they are all woven well into the storyline without being overly preachy or too overly heavy. This is a testament to Ms. Gurtler's skill as a writer.  But given those topics I personally would feel this book would be more appropriate for the older teen rather than the pre-teen. Maybe that is just this old fuddy-duddy, I don't know. I am most definitely of a different generation.


I did find the story compelling and I did find it real with lessons well taught throughout.  I have another of Ms. Gurtler's books to review and I am rather looking forward to it.


You can find Janet Gurtler on Facebook
You can find Janet Gurtler on Twitter

You can purchase If I Tell at Sourcebooks
You can purchase If I Tell at Amazon.com


Disclosure:  I received a copy of If I Tell gratis from Sourcebooks. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

#Review: Silly Candy from Always Fits

I am a kid at heart.

I like silly things.

It's why I married my husband.

heh

I love to shop for cute stocking stuffers and funny little gifts to make him laugh at Christmas and "just because." I also like to find inexpensive little treats for the nieces and nephews. I have found a new shop full of truly Silly Candy that fits the bill for these tasks perfectly. I chose to review Cupcake Gumballs...

I KNOW!

How cute is that?

They come in an adorable little tin that I am going to keep to store my business cards.

Look at how sweet they are (no pun intended)

OOOOPS!

I ate them all!

And they were, indeed, sweet.

They also tasted like vanilla buttercream icing.

I have the world's worst sweet tooth.

They were round and pink - you can envision round and pink, right?

The site also offers other funny products like

BACON TOOTHPASTE?!

and the World's Largest Gummy Bear.

Everyone needs one of them, right.

erm, I love gummies.....

There are some useful products too like a make your own rootbeer kit.

Mmmm, rootbeer. 

It's just a blast to surf around the site, I was laughing my head off.

They are having a contest right now where you can win $300 in candy and prizes. It's called the "Eat This" Video Contest. You can enter HERE

That would stuff a lot of stockings!

You can shop at Always Fits

You can find Always Fits on Facebook

You can find Always Fits on Twitter

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#Review and #Rafflecopter #Giveaway: Oransi Ionic Refrigerator Air Purifier

I cook a lot.
I can a lot.
This means I put a lot of semi-ready food in my refrigerator to await it's finishing time.
Lately that has been tomato sauce.
Tomato sauce full of garlic.


Mmmmm, garlic.


But that does not meat I want to open my refrigerator and have EVERYTHING in it smell like garlic.
Garlicky goat's milk on one's morning cereal is NOT mmmmmmm.

Enter the Oransi Ionic Refrigerator Air Purifier.
Now I must admit to a healthy skepticism regarding this little robot looking machine.
Seriously, doesn't it look a bit like R2D2? I said "a little!"


But I must admit to being AMAZED at what a good job it did.
I put in a 12 quart pot of hot tomato sauce in the 'fridge. Usually this means that when I open the door I get hit with "SPAGHETTI SAUCE" in my face. With the Oransi Ionic Fridge Air Purifier in there I got a big whiff of NOTHING.


What a delight.
Husband scoffed at the little thing but even he now admits it has definite merit. Although he might actually like garlicky goat's milk on his cereal......

And as you can see it hardly takes up any room at all in my very messy 'fridge.
Here are the details direct from the site:


1. Save money – for starters there are no replacement filters and nothing to clean.  The air purifier uses 2 AA batteries that require replacement approximately every 90 days.  Built-in micro processor controls the operation of the air purifier so it will cycle on and off to save battery life.

2. Silent – no fans.

3. Intuitive.

4. Effective in the removal of odors and bacteria to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh and your food fresher.

5. Conveniently fits anywhere in your refrigerator.

6. Attractive neutral color and cool contemporary design.

7. Easy operating instructions:

• Turn it on
• Freshen your refrigerator

8. Patented Piezo-electric technology:  allows for a high negative ion output to freshen your refrigerator without the harmful side effects of ozone that is found in standard ionizers.

9. Safety:  The Ionic Fridge air purifier has received safety certifications from GS and CE as well as the RoHS lead free directive.  Made of durable fire-resistant ABS materials.  Tested for ozone production by ITI (Industrial Research Technology Institute) and found to be 0.011 ppm which is 78% below FDA limits.

10. Operating costs: Ionic Fridge purifier average battery costs:  $1/month.


So there you go!
One lucky reader will win one of their very own.
How do you win?
It's easy! Just jump on the Rafflecopter!


But first check out all of the other great home products that Oransi has to offer. You can shop HERE







Disclosure:  I was sent a Purifier gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Blog Tour,Book Review and #Rafflecopter #Giveaway: Holy Ghost Girl by Donna M. Johnson

About the Book:

Donna Johnson’s remarkable story of being raised under the biggest gospel tent in the world, by David Terrell, one of the most famous evangelical ministers of the 1960s and 70s. Holy Ghost Girl is a compassionate, humorous exploration of faith, betrayal, and coming of age on the sawdust trail.

She was just three years old when her mother signed on as the organist of tent revivalist David Terrell, and before long, Donna Johnson was part of the hugely popular evangelical preacher’s inner circle. At seventeen, she left the ministry for good, with a trove of stranger- than-fiction memories. A homecoming like no other, Holy Ghost Girl brings to life miracles, exorcisms, and faceoffs with the Ku Klux Klan. And that’s just what went on under the tent.

As Terrell became known worldwide during the 1960s and ’70s, the caravan of broken-down cars and trucks that made up his ministry evolved into fleets of Mercedes and airplanes. The glories of the Word mixed with betrayals of the flesh and Donna’s mother bore Terrell’s children in one of the several secret households he maintained. Thousands of followers, dubbed “Terrellites” by the press, left their homes to await the end of the world in cultlike communities. Jesus didn’t show, but the IRS did, and the prophet/healer went to prison.

Recounted with deadpan observations and surreal detail, Holy Ghost Girl bypasses easy judgment to articulate a rich world in which the mystery of faith and human frailty share a surprising and humorous coexistence.

About the Author:


Donna M. Johnson has written about religion for The Dallas Morning News and other publications. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, the poet and author Kirk Wilson.


My Opinion:


This is a very open, honest tale of a woman's childhood as she lived it with tent revivalist Brother David Terrell. Donna Johnson's mother felt she was special; called by God. She joined Brother Terrell's traveling church as an organist and soon became his "wife" despite Brother Terrell already being married. Brother Terrell must have taken some instruction from the Bigamist's School on how to get a woman. Or two.


All snark aside this is an engrossing tale of what to me, was a frightfully neglected and sometimes abusive childhood. Ms. Johnson's mother, in her thrall of Brother Terrell, would just leave her children with random strangers and go off with him to "do the Lord's work." The children would not know where she was, when she was coming back or even IF she was coming back. Praise God.


Brother Terrell himself is quite the character; any showman such as he would be but he does not come off in this telling as all good or all bad. He just is what he is and the memoir unfolds with a pretty unbiased eye all things considered. Ms. Johnson shares the ups and downs as her mother stayed with Brother Terrell through his poor days and his rich days until a final betrayal and his moving on to yet another "wife."


The book is utterly fascinating and very hard to put down. In fact I read it in one sitting. The book is a revealing and honest look at a period of time in this country's religious history that has died out and moved on to television evangelism. It's one woman's story of growing up and away from a very difficult childhood, rebelling and yet reconciling with the people that hurt her.


Holy Ghost Girl is available on Amazon.com


You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE


One lucky reader will win a copy of Holy Ghost Girl.
How do you win? It's easy!
Just click "read more" and jump on the Rafflecopter.
If you are here by direct link the 'copter is waiting!

Broken Teepee Presents: From Kitchen to Table

November is going to be a fun month here at Broken Teepee! I have a month of reviews, giveaways and guest posts celebrating From Kitchen to Table! Just look at this line up:


11/1 - Make the Bread and Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reese review
11/2 - Omaha Steaks review

11/3 - Tropical Traditions review and giveaway

11/4 - Thai Kitchen review and giveaway

11/5 - My Frosting Designs review and giveaway
11/6 - Nielsen-Massey Extracts review
           Lemon Scent Simple Green review and giveaway

11/7 - Nonni's Biscotti Bites review

11/8 - The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy review

11/9 - Guest Post from Beverly's Back Porch

11/10 - review and giveaway of Senseo Stay or Go Coffeemaker

11/11 - Guest Post from King Arthur Flour

11/12 - Turn up the Heat Book Bundle Giveaway from Hachette Books

11/14 - review of Zippo Candle Lighter

11/15 - Guest post and cookbook giveaway from Octoberfarm

11/16 - review of Killer Sweet Tooth by Gayle Trent from Gallery Books
             review of teas from California Tea House

11/17 - review of silicon heart baking cups from Mastrad

11/18 - Guest post from Vicki at Orion Designs

11/21 - Guest post from King Arthur Flour

11/22 - Anderson Seafoods review

11/28 - review of The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry from Gallery Books

Amazing, right?!

And who knows there might be more added as the month moves along. That's how we roll here at the Broken Teepee. Life is always a big surprise.

And I am happy to report that my oven has been fixed!
James at Dacor customer service ROCKS!

I was not a happy woman without an oven.

But I am VERY happy about From Kitchen to Table!

Be sure to come back all throughout the month of November to check out the fun.

I will be posting recipes and definitely baking for the firemen.

Blog Tour and Book Review: Veronica's Nap by Sharon Bially

About the Book:


Veronica Berg has everything she needs to achieve her dream of becoming a painter including a charming home studio in Provence, a hard-working husband and a nanny who watches her two-year-old twins.  Yet instead of painting she spends her days secretly indulging in lengthy naps.  When her Moroccan-born, Sephardic husband grows impatient and challenges her to sell one painting, Veronica must find a way to break out of the seductive rut that’s overtaken her life.  Against the backdrop of the impending Iraq war, her journey reveals depression’s sunny mask and the dark side of privilege and security.  With a cast of Moroccan, Sephardic characters, Veronica’s Nap also gives a rare look at contemporary Jewish life in France.


About the Author:

Sharon Bially lived for twelve years in Paris and Aix-en-Provence before settling with her family in Massachusetts.  A graduate of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, she’s a public relations professional and leads seminars for the Boston-based, nonprofit literary arts center, Grub Street Writers.  She’s also an adult student of ballet and modern dance.

Her latest book is the contemporary women’s fiction novel, Veronica’s Nap.

You can visit Sharon’s website and blog atwww.veronicas-nap.com.

Visit her at Twitter at www.twitter.com/@sharonbially and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sharon.bially AND http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronicas-Nap/240292619323500.

My Opinion:


Veronica is a young woman who was told she had talent as an artist but never really sat down to pursue her art. It was always "when I have time" or "when I have a studio." She is bored in her job and thinks that taking a painting vacation to France will solve her problems. Still uninspired she falls for a French doctor and feels he will solve all her problems. He gives her a studio but she finds herself pregnant with twins. They now need a bigger house but he is not making enough money for what she wants so her parents step in and solve all her problems.


Veronica is a spoiled, entitled brat. Taking a long, long time to understand that the world does not revolve around her and her needs and that money does not come just because she needs it.


Fortunately Ms. Bially has a wonderful way with words because I absolutely hated Veronica. As a character I wanted to shake her and make her realize that life ain't so easy and she really needed to discover what hard work was. Then I realized that it was a talented pen that kept me reading and caused me to be so passionate about a fictional woman.


I can't tell you this is an easy read or even an enjoyable read but it was a worthwhile read. I loved the descriptions of Aix in France and the peaks into the Jewish traditions was very interesting. As for Veronica - she needs a kick in the pants.


Veronica's Nap is available at Amazon.com


Disclosure:  I received a copy of Veronica's Nap gratis from Pump Up Your Book Promotions. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.




See the rest of the Tour Schedule and read an excerpt HERE.