Oh My Oh Orangette

Oh my gosh. There's nothing like getting into a new book and discovering it's exactly what you were hoping for, and more.
I just started reading Molly Wizenberg's new book, A Homemade Life. It's so wonderful I had to stop and tell you about it.

Molly is the blogger extraodinaire known as Orangette . She quit graduate school and started blogging about food in 2004. She actually met her husband through the blog, when he emailed her after reading it. How cool is that?
Her writing is warm and homey, like talking to a best friend. Who also happens to be funny and an excellent cook/baker. The stories are touching and each one ends with a recipe.
That is my kind of book.

Aside from the fact that she is an extremely talented writer, published author and no doubt speaks perfect French (I would love to hear her say mignardise), Molly and I do have a few things in common.

She believes that anything is better with chocolate.

That cake is a perfect breakfast dessert.

She loves the spicy sweet taste of crystallized ginger, which happens to be one of my favorite ingredients. Especially when used with chocolate.

She has a monthly column in Bon Appetit.
I read Bon Appetit!

There are many, many delicious-sounding recipes. I couldn't decide where to start, so  started at the beginning, with Blueberry-Raspberry Pound Cake. 
It's rich and buttery, loaded with berries. I think it would be the perfect ending to a Fourth of July barbecue.

I can't wait to try the other recipes in the book.
Espresso Walnut Toffee, anyone?

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Candyland and Other Games

Last Friday night, the Senior Auction and Talent Show was held at the local high school.
And since my oldest is a senior, I, along with many others, put hours upon hours into the planning and execution.

Our theme was "Game On!". We used board games as decorations all over the gym.
Parcheesi welcomed the guests.

For a small fee, you could have your friends "arrested" and sent to a Monopoly jail.
Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200.

And the food area was, of course, Candyland. There were dinner offerings, but it was the incredible spread of sweets that drew the crowd in.

Homemade gingerbread men, made by Wendy, who organized all the food.

Sugar cookies, made to look like Monopoly cards and Scrabble tiles, from Cookies by Juju . This talented baker also moonlights as a middle school teacher.

Colorful pails of assorted candy.

And a very rich Cream Cheese Pound Cake, made by me! You can find the recipe for it here. 

I put a lime sugar glaze on it, with some lime zest. I highly recommend this cake - it's absolutely delicious and easy to make.

The auction was a great success - many thanks to all who attended and all who made it such a fun event. You know who you are.

COMING SOON... a new look for Mignardise! Watch for my redesign - it'll still have the flavor of Mignardise, but with more elegance and charm. Check back soon!