Farewell

My oldest daughter LOVES to read. I actually call her Rory (Gilmore Girls reference) sometimes. We have had the same conversation Lorelei and Rory had regarding things not fitting into a backpack because of multiple books. To say my daughter reads a lot is an understatement. She would love nothing more than to spend a day curled up and reading a book! She is in eighth grade this year. She has had two librarians in her life thus far and she has taken a shine to both.

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In the next few weeks our middle school/ town librarian will be embarking a new adventure with her family in another state. We are sad to see her go, but we wish her all the best! She has picked out numerous books for Kailee, as I am sure she does for many folks in our town and school!! Kailee loves that Audrey will search for just the right book for her, or be able to come up with a title at ease that fits just her style. Thank you Audrey for making our children feel special, and for knowing just what book to pick! The next librarian has some big shoes to fill – I hope they welcome the challenge and our kids with “open books.”

As a token of appreciation I made some chocolate cups for her. I mean, who doesn’t love to each chocolates while they read?!?

IMG_2006You can make the chocolate cups with a candy mold and tempered or compound chocolate, OR you can buy ready made ones at your local grocery store. I filled them with Biscoff Cookie Butter Smooth Spread and topped with dark chocolate ganache.

IMG_2005I also made ones that I filled with just the ganache and topped with a freeze dried raspberry.  I used my go-to ganache recipe.

These are super easy and quick to make because you don’t have to let the ganache sit before using it, as you might if you were piping or frosting a dessert, especially if using store bought chocolate candy shells. You fill them and are ready to enjoy!

The possibilities are endless – get creative!! These are a quick treat with big flavor!

 

Netflix Binge and Baking

I have a TV, however it is only hooked up to a DVD player – I don’t even get any basic cable channels. I also do not have internet. I do however have a smart phone with cellular data. 

I love watching cooking shows – eapecially ones with competitions. Cutthroat Kitchen is a family favorite! I recently became aware of The Great British Bake Off and I am in love!! I binge-watched all three seasons on Netflix AND the Master Class episodes, and I am completely not ashamed of it. It saddens me though that only three seasons are available. I believe their are seven total that have been filmed (come one Netflix – catch up).

The hosts, Mel and Sue, crack me up, and Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood are great. I absolutely adore the dynamic between them all, and love the old fashion and British recipes that come up in the series. I also love that their are three stages to each episode – and the techincal challenges are my FAVORITE. This show isn’t just about sweets either – they make savory dishes – but pastry, breads and sponges do play a big role in this show.  If you love to bake and/or watch baking shows – this show is a must see!

I decided to make Mary Berry’s recipe for a quick and easy chocolate mousse to fill my oreo crusted tart pans and top it with fresh and tart red rapsberries for our Memorial Day dessert. The girls had fun helping – Kailee made the chocolate ganache and Keianna helped make the Oreo tart crust. I wonder if we would get a Hollywood Handshake for these treats?