Would-be Wayfarer

Some years ago on Xmas Eve, I tried to recreate a dessert from a cookbook called Death by Chocolate: The Last Word on a Consuming Passion.  The recipes are crazy complicated and, as a complete novice in the beginning, I had some problems. Over the years, I've learned a few tricks and have definitely gotten better. But even now, I sometimes run out of time and end up with ganache that hasn't set and melts down the side of a cake to pool at the base. Not the best look, but still delicious! My experience with taking on recipes that are too much for an amateur is probably what makes the  hilarious Netflix show Nailed It! such a sweet treat for me. They've got a hilarious judges plus amateur bakers who are given complex artistic confections to create within impossible time constraints. I don't even think professional pasty chefs could get the challenges done in time, let alone the motley group of contestants they've got. Check it out! I think you'll lo

The holidays are just around the corner, which means it's time for Chick Lit Chat HQ's annual Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop and this year it's bigger and better than ever! 63 bestselling and award-winning authors in the Chick Lit and Romantic Comedy genres are participating in this fun-filled event and each one is doing a fantastic giveaway. Books, author swag, gift cards, and other assorted holiday treats are all up for grabs. But wait! There's much, much more. On the hop's Facebook group page, you can enter to win our Grand Prize —a large holiday gift box filled to the brim with a fabulous variety of holiday and winter-themed goodies (the darling, KitschNStyle gingerbread house apron, Snoozies! sherpa socks, Calvin Klein cashmere pom-pom beanie in petal pink, Too Faced sugar cookie eye shadow purse palette, Sally Snowflakes mug by Bella Pilar, Well Read Women: A Reader's Journal, and handmade chocolate soaps shown in the graphic below are just a few of the items