August, 2009 | The Angel Forever

Monthly Archives August 2009

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Table Manners by Mia King

Posted on August 18, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The recipe for a great book includes characters that you connect with and a plot that you can believe in. When these ingredients are put together, you have a book that you will not want to put down. Author Mia King does just this in her new book Table Manners (August 2009). Table Manners picks up the story of Deirdre McIntosh that King introduced readers to in Good Things (2007).

Book Description from Amazon.com:

Her simple life is more complicated than ever.

Deidre McIntosh finally has all the ingredients for a perfect life. She has her own line of cakes and cookies, and the perfect boyfriend, Kevin Johnson, one of Seattle’s top bachelors. Creative, energetic, and loving, Deidre is the person friends go to when they need a helping hand.

But when Kevin’s ex-fiancée, the sultry and successful magazine publisher Sabine Durant, suddenly appears in Seattle, it’s Deidre who needs help. Already intimidated by Kevin’s glamorous, moneyed world–and his sister, who wants Deidre out of Kevin’s life–she knows she’s no match for Sabine.

Deidre turns to her friends for advice, but finds they’re having crises of their own. When her business begins to slip from her fingers, Deidre knows she must to do something to keep her career and her love life from imploding. Can everyone’s favorite go-to person save herself?

More about Mia King (from Amazon.com Biography):

Author Mia King

National bestselling author Mia King is the author of three novels, GOOD THINGS (2007), SWEET LIFE (2008), and TABLE MANNERS (2009). Her books have been printed internationally and are selections of the Doubleday, Literary Guild, Rhapsody and Book of the Month book clubs. Mia lives in Hawaii where she is currently at work on her next novel.

My Review:

Last summer, I kept reading review after review for the book Sweet Life by Mia King. I was intrigued by all of the positive remarks that people wrote. I decided to pick up a copy and devoured the book over two days. I even wrote about it since I was actually able to put my knitting down in favor of this book.

I was immediately able to call my self a Mia King fan and decided to read Good Things. King’s style of writing is captivating. You quickly transport ourself into the world of her believable characters. When I was finished reading Good Things, I wanted to continue on and know more about Deirdre McIntosh. What happened to her and Kevin? Would Deirdre’s life continue in a positive direction after her walks around the lake?

When I was given the opportunity to read Table Manners as part of a review for The Family Review Network, I jumped at it. Like a little kid, I stayed up late and read in dim lights reading through the book with delight. Each page brought me closer to finding out what happened to the likeable Deidre McIntosh. I absolutely loved this book. Seriously, the characters lives grew in depth as I read more about them. We watched as Deidre problem solved through several sticky situations and baked more amazing sweets (which inspired my need to bake). When I was finished, I once again found myself wishing for more. Rather than spoil it, let me just say that I want to know how life continues to play out for Deidre, Kevin, Marla, and Lindsey.

A special bonus in each of Mia King’s books, including Table Manners, is the section of mouth watering recipes included at the end. In Table Manners, the recipes were all of the items that were served at William and Alain’s Buffet. I can not wait to try some of them.

If you are looking for a great book by an author that knows how to connect to her readers, then I highly recommend Mia King’s latest book Table Manners. One suggestion, just make sure to read the introductory book about Deirdre McIntosh called Good Things.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Mia King, who supplied me with the book for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own genuine feelings.

Categories:
books Product review

Six today

Posted on August 17, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Today my big kid is six years old. I am in major denial. For some reason, NHL turning six has hit me harder than when I turned thirty. I am not sure why, but the fact that NHL is over half way to a double digit number is tough for me to swallow (Five).

Dear NHL,

Six years ago today the adventure began. You were born and our lives changed forever. Daddy and I became parents and we loved the challenges that came our way. Looking at our gorgeous little boy was worth every sleepless night.

Before we knew it you grew up before our eyes. Each year we would celebrate. . . one, two, three, four and, last year, five. This year has been quite the adventure with a five year old. It was a transition for not only us, but you as well. Soon after turning five, you went to full day kindergarten and began your adventure in elementary school.

Here is a look back at the last year of you life. After your fifth birthday, you were quite fascinated with croquet. Much time before kindergarten was spent outside with your new set from Nana and Papa. (August 2008)

With tears in our eyes we sent you, our kindergarten kid, off to school. (September 2008)

Dr. NHL had a lot of fun Trick-or-Treating on Halloween. To this day, we all joke that your fascination with all things medical may be a sign of a career in your future. (October 2008)

For Thanksgiving at school, you insisted that the Pilgrims try some matzoh balls made my Mommy. You gobbled them up and were so proud that JSL came to kindergarten to visit. (November 2008)

So many things happened at the end of 2008. We celebrated Chanukah, went to Disney on Ice and planned our first big family vacation. (December 2008)

During the cold winter months you, JSL and I had a lot of fun spending snow days home in our PJs. This was our time to catch up on watching different Disney movies before our trip in May. (January 2009)

For the third year in a row, you went to see Sesame Street Live. This time you were the pro and helped to show your little brother and cousin S the ropes. (February 2009)

As the spring arrived, you became excited about learning to ride your new bike (early birthday present from us), seeing your cousins for a weekend at the hotel/pool and getting ready for Disney World. You also showed your vulnerable side when you saw your brother taken away by ambulance to the hospital after another febrile seizure. (March 2009)

Along with kindergarten, this year began another part of your education. You went to Hebrew School and loved Israeli Dancing. Daddy went with you to your first big dance festival and you loved it. (April 2009)

When May finally arrived, you were beyond excited to take your first ride on an airplane and go to Disney World. You came home from that visit a new child. Not only did you love roller coasters/wild rides, you no longer were afraid of costumes at amusement parks. (may 2009)

In June, you rode a horse for the first time and graduated from kindergarten. At that moment, you were no longer my kindergarten kid and it was tough for Mommy. (June 2009)

This summer, we went back to Six Flags and you continued to show your love for rides galore. You had fun riding in the Big Red Cars with JSL, and of course the Bob Sled with Daddy and me. The best part, you wanted your photos taken with all of the characters at the park. Now if only you can get your little brother to be cool with them. (July 2009)

This month, you went to camp for the first time, tried a Super Soaker with Daddy, went to Home Depot and Lowes for kid building clinics, finished the summer library reading program (read over 60 books so far), and discovered your first wiggle tooth is almost ready to come out. (August 2009)

This year you have learned so much. You saw how important it is to take your medicine to control your allergies, even if you do not like it. Figuring out how to swallow a pill was much better than a lot of liquid medicine. Not only can you add and subtract, but you now write stories and can read books on your own. This was your number one goal that you told your teacher in September and you met it with flying colors!

You are my big kid and I am so proud of you. I can not wait to see what this year has in store for us as you turn six today. Know that I always love you, will be cheering you on, and will help you when you need me. I hope that you have a magical birthday today and know that I love you with all of my heart.

Mommy

Categories:
birthday Disney fun looking back milestone photos school Six Flags

Family birthday party – 6 yr August edition

Posted on August 16, 2009 9:28 am by TheAngelForever

Last year at this time I was fussing over a volcano cake for NHL’s 5th birthday party. He wanted a dinosaur theme party for the entire family. The problem was there were no decent cakes out there. I opted to make one for him. The end product was using my giant cupcake pan and sculpting the following:

It was not the best, but it was decent. This year we tossed together a quick party for family (still debating a friends party later on). His birthday kind of snuck up on us. Today is the day. NHL opted to have a Disney Car’s birthday theme. When we talked about different cakes he had several options: giant cupcake, regular cake, or cupcake cones. Care to guess which one he selected?

Last night we made the ones that he selected , and they (hint, hint) will be decorated after transport to Nana and Papa’s house. Here is what last year’s party looked like. Time to get ready to head out soon. More photos to come soon.

Categories:
baking birthday Disney looking back nhl

Toddler tantrums

Posted on August 15, 2009 9:55 am by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

Over the last week something has happened. My sweet, loving, cooperative and easy going two year old has disappeared. Suddenly you are expressing your desires via temper tantrums. It is wonderful that you are spreading your wings and trying to be independent, but this has to end. Yesterday, we were in a store and you had a wild one. First, you were mad that I would not let you buy a coloring book. That one was under control after your big brother helped you along. Then as I was checking out you were mad that I made you put a package of Mentos back. Thanks to that meltdown you made leaving the store next to impossible. I took your hand with you kicking and screaming. Then once we were outside you bolted off my hand and ran back in. I was shocked with what I saw you do. You threw yourself onto the ground, kicking, screaming and flailing every part of your body.

Please for everyone involved in the family, stop with these tantrums and be your old self. Nap time should not be the only peaceful moment in the day.

Love,

Mommy

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If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday jsl losing my mind milestone photos

To cheesecake or not to cheesecake

Posted on August 14, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The month of August is filled with many birthdays. First there is JL’s, then my Dad’s (Happy belated B-day on my blog Dad), and NHL’s. For JL’s birthday, he wanted to try a recipe that we found for a tie-dyed cheesecake like the one that we loved at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. The cake was decent, but did not live up to our expectations. We came up with modifications that we thought would improve the recipe. Since my father’s birthday was coming up, and he likes cheesecake, we offered to make one for him. Below is a photo of Disney’s cake and our original:

Pop Century Resort Tie Dye Cheesecake All that is left

Tuesday evening, JL and I baked another tie-dyed cheesecake altering the recipe in order to better replicate the cake from our Disney dream. Here is a look at our finished product:

JL wrote all about what we did with a lot of photos documenting the process on TechyDad. Head on over there if you would like to take a look at all of the fun we had.

So my question to you is inspired by our cheesecake baking:

What is your favorite type of cheesecake? If you are not a cheesecake fan, what is your favorite dessert?

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.