It’s bake sale time at Emma’s school again. I was suffering with mutant tonsillitis when the notice came home last week, so I had to wait till yesterday to do any kind of food prep. The idea for these came from this pin on Pinterest. When I followed the link I noticed there wasn’t much of a tutorial, so I thought I’d try to help avoid any future Pinterest fails.

Ingredients:

1 package Oreo Double Stuf

1 package white candy melts

1/4 tsp Peppermint extract

Candy canes, crushed (about 1/2 cup) for sprinkling

Additional Materials:

Lolly sticks

Waxed paper

1. Unwrap and crush your candy canes. (the kids were amazing at this part)
2. Assemble all of your ingredients so that they are handy. Line cookie sheets with waxed paper and make sure you have lolly sticks ready. You need to work quickly with the melted chocolate, it’s better to have anything you need nearby.
3. Pour candy melts into a glass bowl (mine had a handle, I highly recommend . Microwave in 15-30 second intervals, stirring in between. After first 30 seconds, add peppermint extract and stir. Continue with intervals till chocolate is melted & smooth.
4. Here is the secret, what makes this a Pin-Win instead of an epic fail. Heat the Oreos in the microwave before inserting the lolly stick. I found that 15 seconds for 2 cookies worked well for me. You might have different times based on your microwave. You want the icing barely soft, not melted. This way you can put your lolly stick in and not bust your cookie. (snicker)
5. Dip cookie into chocolate using a spoon to help coat.
6. Lay on wax paper & sprinkle with candy cane bits.

Game of Thrones life-sized throne from thinkgeek

I’m scared to see what the shipping would be to Canada.

Since yesterday was Thanksgiving here in Calgary, and you were the last thing I ate, I can only assume that the following was ALL YOUR FAULT. Why did you keep me tossing and turning last night? Aren’t you chock full of lovely tryptophan? After last night’s performance in the dream arena, I’m inclined to think you may be chock full of hallucinogens. Because of you Turkey, I had the following dreams:

1. I dreamed I joined the Army reserves, right now, at 35. I dreamed my drill sergeant made us run miles and miles to keep up (surprisingly I had no problem). Then the drill sergeant decided to demonstrate an upside down headlock on me. I held it together for a record 80 seconds, but then my nose filled up with snot and I couldn’t breathe.
2. I dreamed about elevators again. I do that a lot, but these were worse than normal. The elevators were open platforms that moved at high rates of speed. Awesome.
3. Then I dreamed I was in a strange land, forced to find fae objects of power in order to get out. I can kind of blame this on all the Karen Marie Moning books I’ve been reading..
4. There’s one more, it’s right on the edge of my mind, but I can’t quite remember it yet. Likely I’ll look at a pear while grocery shopping and remember the whole thing. I’ll update when/if that happens. UPDATE: I just remembered the fourth dream, ironically while composing my grocery list. I dreamed that one of my favorite shopping sites, Dealextreme, was smuggling drugs in the middle of giant novelty erasers. As always in dreams, I was the hero and I busted the case wide open when I found drugs in the middle of a hot-dog shaped eraser.

In addition to the nocturnal weirdness darling Turkey, I have aches and pains like the drill sergeant did in fact demonstrate a headlock on me, and my brain is having a hard time believing that we got any sleep at all last night.

In closing sweet Turkey, I plan to eat the hell out of you for the next few days. So if we could come to an agreement that you won’t disturb my dreams, that would be great. I mean you were already dead when I bought you from Sobey’s, I didn’t even swing the axe. Therefore I see no reason for you to haunt me. Also, you are delicious. In a sandwich. With mayo and salt and pepper.

Love,

Jackie

This week’s list will be long, because it’s actually 3 weeks worth of reading. So buckle in and grab a coffee.

All Jacked Up (Rough Riders #8) by Lorelei James

Keely McKay knows Jack—and Jack Donohue is a certified pain in her Wranglers. The lone girl in the prolific McKay family, Keely needs another man giving her orders like she needs a hole in her boot. What she does need is a restoration specialist so she can open her physical therapy clinic—and prove she’s left her wild-child days behind. That means dealing with buttoned-down, uptight Jack.

As usual, Ms. James does not disappoint with the sexiness  I did find Keely a little neurotic to deal with at times. I wonder if it’s just me or if I get frustrated because I’m the omniscient reader and I can see when they’re getting their knickers in a twist over nothing.

Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12) by Lorelei James

In Sundance, Wyoming, you can’t throw a boot without hitting a McKay cowboy, so Ben McKay is used to fading into the background. Except on weekends, when he’s Bennett, imposing Dom at The Rawhide Club, surrounded by a bevy of female subs eager for the attention of his long…whip.

As for the curvy brunette eying him from across the room? He’ll eat his Stetson if she’s the experienced Domme she claims to be. Bennett offers her a deal-he’ll let her call the shots for one night. But the next night he gets to prove to her how freeing it’ll be when he takes the reins.

This one was lots of sexy, I’m always worried that books with BDSM in them will be too kinky for my tastes. I should realise that the books with serious (read:disturbing) kink would likely be less mainstream. Also, by disturbing I mean animals, rape, disfigurement, bodily fluids that don’t aid in baby-making etc. Sorry, it just doesn’t flip my cookie.

Inappropriate Thoughts by Ian Dalton

Victoria Wilde’s best friend, Jillian, is a disillusioned divorcée and best-selling romance novelist who can’t write a chapter without her hunky male heart throb suffering ED, an STD, or even worse. Brian Nash is a tennis-obsessed, college senior who’s unlucky in love and the roommate and best friend of Jillian’s son, Rob. After Brian learns he’s being manipulated by a college love, Rob offers him a spring break escape to his home in Miami. There Brian meets the surprisingly young and also tennis passionate Jillian, and their shared interest quickly develops into an intense mutual attraction. As they struggle to fight their feelings, they develop a unique super-intimate, yet non-physical connection that provides Jillian with the inspiration to write again while erasing Brian’s brokenhearted funk. Will the lonely pair continue with this distinctive relationship, actually explore their passion or will they discover all of it is a really bad idea?

This book was emailed to me by the author simply for being a member of the Smut Book Club on Goodreads started by my sister-in-smut, Angie. If you’re not a member yet, you should be.  Back to the book. I have to admit, I was a little worried about boy-written smut. I equate it to a mechanic who’s never driven a car. I am happy to admit I was wrong. It wasn’t as detailed as Ms. James’ books, but the sex was hot, and I’m terribly intrigued by this Victoria Wilde lady and would like to read more about her. Thank you Ian!

Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell

Mixed martial arts fighter Reid Andrews’s chance to reclaim his title as light heavyweight champ is shattered when he’s injured only months before the rematch. To make sure he’s healed in time, his trainer sends him to recuperate under a professional’s care—Reid’s best friend’s little sister, all grown up.

Disorganized and bookish Lucie Miller needs some professional help of her own. She’d do anything to catch the eye of a doctor she’s crushed on for years, so when Reid offers seduction lessons in exchange for 24/7 conditioning for the biggest fight of his career, Lucie jumps at the chance.

Soon Reid finds him himself in the fight of his life…winning Lucie’s heart before she gives it to someone else.

This was a Smut Book Club suggestion. I pretty much agree with Angie’s review; it was a little predictable, but the sex scenes were nuclear-hawt and made the book a very enjoyable read.

The Fever Series: Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, Shadowfever (Fever #1-5) by Karen Marie Moning

In the blockbuster Fever series, Karen Marie Moning creates a darkly erotic and paranormal world, torn apart by the struggle between humans and Fae. Now in a convenient eBook bundle, here are the five thrillingly sexy novels featuring heroine MacKayla Lane: Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, and Shadowfever.

This is a re-read for me. It’s actually probably the 3rd time I’ve read this series.

This year.

Moning is the writer of the super smutty Highlander series, but this series, is not smutty. Well, it has its moments, and book #4 starts off super-smutty, but mostly it is action/adventure/fantasy-ish. I highly recommend reading this series. More than once if you are a re-reader like me

Do you have a book or series that you love to re-read?

I DID NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT FOOLING MY KIDS.

Not one bit. I watched them snarf their way through the cookies, giggling diabolically to myself.  Fast forward a couple of weeks, and I was scheming of another way to sneak more veggies into their lives.

My daughter is actually fantastic for eating her vegetables. She will eat a full-sized salad and ask for more, I have no issues with her veggie intake. It’s the boy. The boy will not let a vegetable pass between his lips. Occasionally I slip some through if they are covered in gravy, cheese or some other sauce-like substance.

So here I am, making a quick Monday night dinner. This time it’s hamburger helper, which is about a twice/year occurrence in my house, but it’s quick and the kids don’t complain about it. I’m staring at the Three Cheese Manicotti when inspiration strikes. It’s orange!! And Saucy!! THEY WILL NEVER KNOW!!

Hamburger Helper, pre-pumpkin

I wanted to prove to you all I really DID add the pumpkin

Post-Pumpkin

The pumpkin makes the sauce incredibly creamy and thick. Very thick. So thick you will want to add about 1/4 – 1/2 extra cup of water after you add the pumpkin, I just eyeballed it and stirred till it was combined. I also added about a 1/4 of mozzarella cheese I had hanging out in my fridge and a tiny bit of extra seasoning. I rarely make something JUST out of the box, I always customize. Also, I added frozen peas. It’s what I usually do and I didn’t want to tip anyone in my family off that something may be different

Final Product

Ok, so I know it’s not fancy and gourmet. But my kids downed it like I had starved them for a week and no one, not even Hubs had ANY idea that I added pumpkin. For a dinner under 30 minutes, I am cool with that. Maybe next time I’ll try one of the DIY Hamburger Helper recipes I’ve seen on Pinterest. But for now I’m wondering how many other things I can hide pumpkin in

Love this shirt. LOVE.

Quinn (Eve, Quinn & Bonnie #2) by Iris Johansen

As a former Navy SEAL turned cop, Joe Quinn has seen the face of evil and knows just how deadly it can be. When he first met Eve Duncan, he never expected to fall in love with a woman whose life would be defined by her dual desires to bring home her missing daughter and discover the truth behind her disappearance—no matter how devastating. With the help of CIA agent Catherine Ling, they make a shocking discovery that sheds new light on young Bonnie’s abduction and puts Quinn squarely in the crosshairs of danger.

This is the second book of the series I started last week. It continues telling the story of Eve, Quinn and Eve’s abducted daughter, Bonnie. This story is very compelling, but as with the first book, I didn’t find this an easy read. Not that it was too difficult, just the rhythm set by her narration made it hard for me to lose myself in the book. Normally, I can fly across a page with images dancing in my head like a movie. With Johansen’s book I found it was more work to visualize the characters.

Then there was the ending. Thanks for making a super abrupt cliffhanger to segue into your next book. I always feel cheated when writers do that. Especially if they skimped on the size of a middle book just to make a trilogy. Like you James Frey, a.k.a. Pitticus Lore.

*ahem* anyway.

Bonnie (Eve, Quinn & Bonnie #3) by Iris Johansen

When Eve Duncan gave birth to her daughter, she experienced a love she never knew existed. Nothing would stand in the way of giving Bonnie a wonderful life – until the unthinkable happened and the seven-year-old vanished into thin air. Eve found herself in the throes of a nightmare from which there was no escape. But a new Eve emerged: a woman who would use her remarkable talent as a forensic sculptor to help others find closure in the face of tragedy. Now with the help of her beloved Joe Quinn and CIA agent Catherine Ling, Eve has come closer than ever to the truth.

FINALLY the end. I was compelled through 3 books to find out what happened to Bonnie. But Johansen’s style just does not mesh well with my brain. I’m glad I got through it. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. Johansen did not disappoint, giving me a terrible twist in finding Bonnie’s killer. This was an intriguing story all the way through, but I won’t be putting it on the beloved re-read shelf. (err…of my iPad?)

Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6) by Lorelei James

As a walking advertisement for the tattoo shop she’s set up in a small Wyoming town, India Ellison is well acquainted with preconceived notions. Despite the odd looks, life is good. She’s clean and sober, dotes on her sister’s kids and, best of all, spends most of her free time with her best buddy, Colt McKay. Reformed bad boy Colt never expected three years of sobriety to lead to three years of abstinence. Curbing his craving for booze and random sexual encounters, however, is nothing compared to the ever-increasing craving for his hot-tempered, hot-bodied best friend, India. Too bad she’s his A.A. sponsor.

Mmm mmm. That is all.

I should read some other smut so I have something to tell you guys. I’ll give it a try for next week. In the meantime, hot cowboys, body piercing, sexy-time.

Once Burned (Night Prince #1) by Jeaniene Frost

She’s a mortal with dark powers…

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude…until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out…

This was a fun read. Lots of action and supernatural powers going on with just the right amount of smut. I laughed out loud more than once, especially when the main character, Leila, says that she would light Chris Hemsworth up “like a firecracker” if he walked into the room. I identified with her because while I may not be able to shoot electricity from my hands, I would do some dirty things to Thor if I ever came face to face with him  The only problem with this book was that now I have to wait for the next one.

I. Hate. Waiting.

Tied up, tied down (Rough Riders #4) by Lorelei James

The strongest bonds are the ones unseen Rough Riders series Businesswoman Skylar Ellison is firmly in control of her life. So getting tangled up with a sexy Wyoming cowboy-and conceiving a baby in the parking lot of a honky-tonk-wasn’t in her plan. Since it appears the daddy has taken off for greener pastures, the only thing to do is pull up her bootstraps and carry on…

I really can’t even say anything more. HAWT. As always. Mmmmmm…cowboys.

Eve (Eve, Quinn and Bonnie #1) by Iris Johansen

Eve Duncan’s mission in life is to bring closure to the families who have experienced the agony of a missing child. As a forensic sculptor, she is able to piece together bones, create a face, and bring an identity to a child who would have otherwise gone unidentified…maybe forever. Eve is brilliant, and driven, and tormented–because her own daughter, Bonnie, was taken from her years ago. And Eve has never discovered what happened to her.

This series is a stand-alone trilogy, but I found that it referenced (a lot) an earlier series by this author. I liked this story, but not so much the way it was written. It’s hard for me to explain, but I felt there were times when the author used redundant words to get her point across. This made the book feel like a longer read to me as I would re-read a line trying to understand what she said. In the end, I’m reading the second book of this trilogy, and will likely read the third (OCD about series, I know), so maybe I’m blowing smoke.

Thanks to PrincessJenn for the inspiration, and Vistaprint, for free previews.