Winner: Confections of a Closet Master Baker

And the winner is....Deb, author of Just Short of Crazy 

I wish I could give every person who entered a sweet start to their week with Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado.

Unfortunately, my budget only allows for one copy. There were 21 entries and I used a Random number generator to pick the winner. The lucky number is 4.

I hope you'll come back and join me for my March giveaways which will be announced later this week.

Sunday Salon: Jelly Donuts, Tsunami and Books

 

It's been an interesting weekend with our tsunami watch on Kauai. We made jelly donuts to wait out the wave on Saturday. I know, no respect for the media who wanted us watching TV and boosting their ad revenues.

The county woke us up at 5am with a warning phone call and then hourly sirens throughout the day. We were concerned at first until we read a report from French Polynesia at 8 am; the wave was only 6 feet in the Marquesas Islands and a foot in Tahiti. 

That removed most of the concern for us but the media didn't pay attention and kept reporting: DANGER. Before the roads closed there was panic on the island with people flooding the grocery stores and gas stations. We stayed home and made donuts.

Here's a recap of my book news for the week:

Alice in Wonderland. When the roads re-opened at 1pm we headed to the beach. On the way I stopped at Hanapepe Library to see what was on their free outdoor bookshelf. I found a copy of Alice in Wonderland over 50 years old. This version was published the year I was born. I decided to give its well worn binding and pages a home in my library. I'm also going to read it.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. I finished just in time for my monthly book discussion group at Hanapepe Library. The book was given a thumbs up by most members including me. Look for a review this week.

The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron. I scored an ARC from Barnes and Noble's first-look program. We begin the on-line discussion on Monday. I'm on page 40 and need to take a few hours today and get further along.

Wishing all of you a week of Aloha and good books.

 

Weekend Cooking: Sorbetto in Grapefruit Shells

I have over a thousand grapefruit right now on my tree. That's a lot to pick. Some are going to neighbors and others are made into a wonderful sorbetto.

A few years back I found this recipe on VegWeb and it's become a favorite. It's minty flavor is refreshing on a warm Hawaii winter day. I make in large quantity and freeze to have on hand for guests. It's always a hit and looks nice on the table served in grapefruit shells.

Play by Play: I pick fresh mint and simmer on the stove with water and sugar. The flesh from the grapefruit is carefully removed so the shell can be used later. It gets sticky juicing the flesh but trust me it's worth the mess. The juice and mint syrup are mixed together and frozen until semi-firm; then blended until smooth and slushy. I spoon into the grapefruit shells and freeze. When I'm ready to serve, I take them out of the freezer 10 minutes ahead of time so they are easier to eat.

Recipe Alteration: When I make the mint syrup, I add grapefruit juice in place of some of the water.

What's your favorite grapefruit recipe? 

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads.

GLBT Mini-Challenge for February: People of Color

Our February GLBT Mini-Challenge is to read a poem or short story by or about a person of color. I selected a book from my home library called, Ceremonies: Prose and Poetry by the late Essex Hemphill.

The author died in 1995 at age 38 of AIDS related complications. His book was released in 1992 and received the National Library Association's New Author award. I was lucky enough to obtain a first edition last year on the now defunct Frugal Reader website.

I read his short story, Ceremonies, for our mini-challenge. Essex writes about his first sexual experience as a young black man when he was 14 years old and living in Southeast Washington, D.C.

"I had to carefully allow my petals to unfold. If I had revealed them too soon they would surely have been snatched away, brutalized, and scattered down alleys."

George, the man he gives himself to, is Caucasian and 44 years old. Due to age and fear of exposure, their love making is kept secret. Essex learns that other boys he knows have been with George too. These boys ended up mocking George later because they resented the recognition of their own homosexual desires.

"Ours was truly a fragile, stereotypical Black masculinity that would not recognize homo desire as anything but perverse and a deviation from the expected "role" of a man."

Essex laments that he and his friends could not, "...sexually explore one another in the same way that we all allowed George to explore us."

Essex is called a faggot, within earshot of his mom, when one boy sees him staring at another boy. To show he's a man and to be accepted, Essex stops his relationship with George and begins to look for "good girls" to date; "....pretending I was consumed by love--safe, by all appearances, from being identified as a faggot."

Ceremony can be defined as observance of an established code. I see that playing out in this short story. The code of behavior that Essex writes about is that Black men do not sleep with other Black men in order to be accepted by the community.

This mini-challenge made me realize that many of my GLBT books are written from the Caucasian perspective. I plan to change that and add more diversity to my collection.

For discussion purposes, what's your take on George? His age difference to Essex bothered me. I'm wondering if the boys thought it was more acceptable to have sex with a White man instead of a Black man. Since this book was published in 1992, I'm interested in how Black gay men are seen today by their community.

For other responses to the February mini-challenge, refer to the GLBT 2010 Reading Challenge website.

Ceremonies: Prose and Poetry, by Essex Hemphill. 1992. Plume. ISBN: 0452268176. Note before reading: the book is explicit in its portrayal of love between men.

Book Review: Confections of A Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado

"Every pastry has the potential of making someone perfectly happy, of momentarily stripping them of adult worries and baggage."

I know that's how I feel every time I bite into Gesine's espresso cheesecake. It's one of 18 recipes included in her book, Confections of a Closet Master Baker. I can't wait to bake them all. Each recipe is lovingly introduced like this one. Her grandmother in Europe used to save used coffee grounds for cakes. That inspired Gesine's espresso cheesecake with its base developed by her mom.

Gesine's mission in life is pastry. That was always the case but it took law school and a successful career as a Hollywood executive for Gesine to realize her true calling.

"When I baked, the gentle sweetness and soft spunge of a well-made sticky bun soothed my growing bitterness at God and humanity."

She threw in the towel (and monetary dough) for a sweet life in Vermont and opened her own bakery in Montpelier.

 

Her life's journey is woven around food and family. Gesine is brutally honest that owning a bakery isn't a piece of cake. It's a long day starting at four in the morning. Her advice to any home baker considering this journey is, "Don't do it!."

"I'll tell the home bakers with big pastry dreams, that it is possible. It may kill you, strip you of your sanity and finances, but it can also be rewarding."  

Gesine's story rang true for me which is why I enjoyed it so much. My partner was a Hollywood executive who worked twenty years with Michael Ovitz at Creative Artists Agency. He had enough of Hollywood and moved to Kauai where he happily bakes with me.

This is a book for closet bakers everywhere. It's a sweet tale of pastry, homemade goodness, and finding your life's passion. The recipes and story of a day in Gesine's bakery will have you in the kitchen before the last chapter.

"Please take this little pastry. It embodies my goodness and kindness together as one tasty treat." 

What secret desire is simmering in your closet?

Rob's Grade: 4/5

Author's Website: Click here.

I made Gesine's Espresso Cheesecake. Click here for my review.

Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado. Copyright 2009. Broadway Books. ISBN 9780767932684.

(FTC Note: I purchased my copy, and the one for my giveaway, from Barnes and Noble on-line).

Weekend Cooking: Espresso Cheesecake Review

 

I cleared my schedule on Saturday to make Espresso Cheesecake. It's one of 18 recipes included by Gesine Bullock-Prado in her book, Confections of a Closet Master Baker.

Why I chose this recipe: I hand roast my own coffee several times a week on a Coleman camp stove. It results in peak flavor with no rancidity. I was looking for a recipe to show off my roasting skills. Plus, I love coffee!

Play-by-Play: The recipe calls for a 9 inch springform pan to make an 8 inch cake (there may be a typo in the book). I have springform pans in many sizes except for 9 inch (does this ever happen to you?). The closest I found was a 9 inch cake pan with a drop bottom. It worked fine. Gesine wrote helpful tips along the way which made it easier. She said to grind the espresso beans to an ultra-fine texture (no crunch) before adding to the batter. The recipe calls for a cup of coffee and tablespoon of instant espresso. I decided to use a cup of espresso and regular instant (which is all I had). The batter was very thin which surprised me. I thought I had ruined the cake but everything was okay. With the leftover batter I made a miniature cheesecake for a friend. Today I'll be cleaning my oven because the pan leaked.

Prep Time: 1 hour (not counting roasting time).

Cooking Time: Anywhere from 2-4 hours. In my case it took 3 hours at 200 degrees. Once cooled, the cake needed 3 hours in the refrigerator before eating.

Results: OMG! Really creamy texture and over the top taste; bitter but just the right amount. We each had two slices and it took willpower not to go for a third. This is the best cheesecake I've ever tasted. Since coffee is a big part of the flavor, I suggest you use the freshest beans possible if you don't hand roast. (Hugh really missed out).

Recipe Note: Gesine wrote that the cheesecake base was developed by her mom and inspired by a famous New York brand. Even though Lindy's was not mentioned in the recipe there was reference to it later in the book.

This week I'll be reviewing, "Confections of a Closet Master Baker." I'm also giving away a free copy on February 28.

What's your favorite cheesecake?

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads.

New York: My Top 10 List

I'm participating in the New York City Reading Challenge hosted by Jill at Fizzy Thoughts. For February we're asked to share ten things about NYC. This is good prep for May's BEA and Book Blogger Convention (which I'll miss by two weeks).

One of my favorite islands is Manhattan. The best part of my life in Pennsylvania was driving into the city for long weekends. Now that I'm living on Kauai, my trips to NYC happen every other year. While the city can be expensive it also offers deals if you know where to look.

(1) visit the website Free NYC for a daily list of what's happening in the Big Apple at little or no cost...(2) stretch your legs with a joyous walk across the Brooklyn Bridge...(3) museums have days/times when no admission is charged; my favorite is the Frick Collection on the Upper East Side; on Sunday you pay what you want between 11am and 1pm...(4) favorite lunch spot is Tiffin Wallah in Flatiron with their all-you-can-eat Southern Indian vegetarian lunch buffet  priced at 7 bucks...(5) stop at Barnes and Noble near Lincoln Center for theater and book events; on my last trip I met the entire cast of Gypsy and Ms. Patti LuPone in person.

How's the list so far? I need five more items so let's go...

(6) TKTS never works for me because I hate to waste valuable time standing in line; I usually buy discounted Broadway tickets before I go using sites like Playbill Club or look at the Off-Broadway scene...(7) when I pass through Grand Central I stop at their fabulous food market and pick up pastries at Zaro's; on the Upper West Side it's H and H Bagels for me; I also love the farmer's markets scattered around the city.

Three more left....

(8) United Nations has beautiful art and offers a chance to leave U.S. soil (it's an International zone); plan ahead and have a VIP lunch at the Delegate's Dining Room. (9) skip the Empire State Building if the line is long. On my last trip it took over 3 hours for a short 10 minute stay on the top. (10) Central Park has a great website for planning your visit.

You're going to love the bookstores too. Strand is Mecca but also consider the Drama Book Shop off Times Square.

If this makes you want to visit NYC and experience the Big Apple, let me know. Where are your favorite places in the City? You can also read the lists of other book bloggers by visiting Fizzy Thoughts.

Free Book: Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado

When I read about Confections of a Closet Master Baker on Lesa's Book Critiques, it had all the buzz words to peak my interest: "German baked goods," "Pastries," "Vermont." I knew I needed this book even though I told myself I had too many already.

The luscious cover with its light dusting of sugar made me want to bake. I skimmed the book several times at my local Borders and each time felt proud to walk away. Unfortunately, Barnes and Noble sent me a discount coupon knowing my weakness. I melted like chocolate and purchased.

Soon I'll be reviewing the book and Gesine's recipe for Espresso Cheesecake. Here's a wild idea. I could blog about each recipe in the book and sell my story to Hollywood. The author's sister, Sandra Bullock, can play her in the movie. I think my celeb look-alike, Hugh Jackman, is perfect for my role. He can come over to my kitchen and bake to get into character. If there's no Hugh then there's no deal. Sorry.

While I'm waiting to hear back (it could take awhile) I've decided to giveaway a free copy of Confections of a Closet Master Baker. This is a new hardcover and my contest is open to readers internationally.

Just leave a comment on this post no later than 9:00pm, Hawaiian Standard Time, February 28. Be sure to include an email address unless you have one I can see on your profile.

Aloha from Kauai and Happy Valentine's Day.

Free Book Winner: The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet

My first giveaway ended on Valentine's Day when I got back from a day at the beach. The winner of a new copy of The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet by Myrlin A. Hermes is:

Mystica from Sri Lanka

There were 10 entries submitted for my first giveaway. I used a random number generator and it chose lucky number 8 as the winner.

Mystica has until Tuesday, February 16, 9:00pm Hawaiian time to confirm address or another winner will be chosen.

Sunday Salon: Books With Recipes On The Side

 

Do you think recipes added to mystery plots are a good thing? As much as I love to cook and play Martha Stewart in the kitchen, these recipes tucked away within the mystery have never tempted me.

It's taken an author by the name of Gesine Bullock-Prado to inspire me to try one. Instead of a mystery she's written a true story about her journey from (unhappy) Hollywood executive to a contented country baker in Vermont. 

This week I'll be reviewing her book, Confections of A Closet Master Baker. To write a thorough review with no pastry left unbaked, I'll include my report after trying her Espresso Cheesecake recipe. It's a sacrifice I make for my readers.

I chose Espresso Cheesecake because I roast my own coffee without any machine. Instead I use All-Clad saucepans on a Coleman camp-stove and hand stir the beans. The result is fresh tasting coffee with no rancidity.

I'll make an espresso roast for this cheesecake and finely grind the beans. The recipe calls for a cup of coffee too.

I'm having a sweet start to my week thanks to this book. 

In honor of Valentine's Day I've decided that my next giveaway will be a free copy of Confections of A Closet Master Baker. I'll post the entry form on Monday so be sure to come back.

Wishing you Aloha,

Rob

Book Review: The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet by Myrlin A. Hermes

To be straight or gay? That is the question in Hermes' classic deconstruction of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

There may be something rotten in the State of Denmark, but Hermes' writing in The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet is fresh like a bright summer's day. 

Packed between its covers are beautiful words that inspire love and passion. When the rough winds shake those buds of May, the love between Hamlet and Horatio lives eternally.

Horatio is, "all men and everyman" (p87) compared to Hamlet who is, "...greater and nobler and fairer than all the subjects immortalized by the great ancient poets." (p221). Their love transcends social status, beauty and age.

Entering into the mix is the not so beautiful Lady Adriane. A thorn in the sides of both men she encourages Horatio to write sonnets of his love for Hamlet. Both men are manipulated into her bed in a web of deception that includes a surprising entrance by rival poet "Shake-spear."

One of my favorite moments is when Hamlet, dressed as a woman in Horatio's play, kisses the male lead on stage. Horatio sees his deepest desires played out. 

"I would court him (Hamlet) as a lover, marry him if I could, if such a thing were not unspeakable. I had shown my love before the world, and all the world had fallen in love." (p.144)

In the end you'll have to decide if Hamlet was mad or gay. It's a joyous ride and one I suggest you take regardless of your sexual orientation.

Rob's Grade: A B C D

Don't forget to enter my contest for a free copy of The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet. Deadline is February 14 at 6:00 p.m., Hawaiian time.

(Note: I purchased this book from Barnes and Noble on-line. It's my February selection for the GLBT 2010 Reading Challenge).

The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet by Myrlin A. Hermes. Copyright 2010. Harper Perennial. 363 pages. ISBN 9780061805196.

Remembering A Secret Garden and Mom

What book did your mom or dad pass on to you that had been their favorite as a child?

In my case it was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. When I was a boy in the 1960's (doesn't that sound ancient?) my mom would read this book to me. It had been given to her by a teacher when she had polio as a young girl.

With my eyes closed I can conjure up images in my mind of the book's green binding and faded cover picture. It always seemed magical when Mom read it to me. I loved the idea of a hidden garden tucked away on a large estate in England. It was both Mom and The Secret Garden that instilled in me a love of books.

My Mom passed away in March of last year. When I was going through her belongings I couldn't find her copy of The Secret Garden. Wherever it is, I hope it's being treasured.

To remember Mom I'm planning to read The Secret Garden in March and post a review in her honor.

All of these memories came back to me recently when I left a comment on Page Turners hosted by Becky in Sydney, Australia. I saw that she had been a fan of The Secret Garden too. Becky was kind enough to give me her Blogger Buddie award for being her top weekly commenter. I hope you'll go "Down Under" and visit Becky's site. It's become one of my favorite daily stops.

If you're a fan of The Secret Garden or have a memory to share about a childhood book, please join the discussion.

Sunday Salon: How I Handled A Craft Book Failure

Last year Powell's posted on their Facebook page about a new book called re-bound. It suggests ways to make handmade books from recycled materials like hot water bottles. Immediately I started thinking about all of the possibilities I could use: plastic bags, Starbucks gift cards, old photographs and more.

I almost clicked "purchase" but decided to wait when I saw the Hawaii Library System had a copy. This was a good move because I forgot one important point:

I can't sew.

When the book arrived it felt like a piece of art. It was fun to hold in my hands and the pictures showed so many ideas. But then came the directions and patterns and the need for a sewing machine (which I don't have). After much debate I realized this was too advanced for me.

Rather than admit total failure I sent a comment to Iliana from bookgirl's nightstand. She makes books too and told me to start slower and perhaps take a class.

To satisfy my need for a handmade book, I ordered a beautiful Parisian themed beaded journal. It's made by Iliana and sold on her Etsy store. For thirteen dollars I save myself a lot of grief.

Do any of you have craft books on your shelf that were never used? Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Book Review: Walking The Gobi by Helen Thayer

Would you walk 1600 miles across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia? Before you answer there's more you need to know. 

It's going to be summer with temperatures up to 120 degrees during the day. You have no way of communicating with the outside world except at three designated intervals when a pilot flies in supplies. 

Oh, and right before the trip you were in an auto accident and have a hip and leg injury. It's going to take over 81 days to do the trek. Not too bad considering you're sixty-three and your travel partner is seventy-four years of age.

I think I'd stay home. What would you do?

Adventurer Helen Thayer took on the above challenge and lived to write Walking the Gobi. I found her book to be a page turner. This surprised me. At first when I saw it was written as a journal I kept thinking, "how interesting could it be reading daily entries about a walk across a desert?" I imagined each day to be a repeat of the previous sweltering day.

Oh, how wrong I was. The journal and day-by-day diary worked for me. I felt I was living the trek with them each day. Sometimes I could feel the sand in my face and my throat felt dry. Her writing was that good.

There were some hair raising moments along the way which kept me up at night. I wondered how they were going to get out of each situation and couldn't wait to start reading the book again. This included running into smugglers, coming too close to Border patrols where the motto is shoot first and ask questions later, and having a very limited water supply for seven days.

Accompanying them are two camels hauling supplies. Their names are Tom and Jerry. By the end of the book I had fallen in love with their personalities.

Along the way they met nomads and were invited into their ger (home) for traditional food. These meetings provided a beautiful glimpse into the people and culture of Mongolia.

This is Helen's book and her husband's voice is usually not written. It would have been interesting to read his journal entries too.

Walking the Gobi is a reminder to step out of your comfort zone and live life to its fullest no matter what your age. Baby Boomers have two new role models in Helen and Bill. 

May they long adventure. 

Rob's Grade: A B C D

(Note: This book was chosen for our January reading group at Lihue Library. I purchased my copy on-line through Barnes and Noble).

Walking the Gobi by Helen Thayer. Copyright 2007. The Mountaineers Books. 249 pages, ISBN 9781594851124.

Musing Mondays: Random Book and Free Naked Roommate

Today we were asked to choose a random book from our shelf and write about it. This was a tough task to do because I really wanted to cheat.

Instead of letting my eyes pick I let my right hand decide. The book it chose is The Naked Roommate by Harlan Cohen.

Okay you're probably thinking this is a walk on the erotic side of life. Actually, it's a college survival guide that I recently found at Hanapepe Library. 

If you're ever on Kauai, be sure to stop and see what treasures people have left behind here. There's an outdoor bookshelf that's open 24/7 and all books are free.

Why did I take The Naked Roommate home? Well, I was a college admission director for 20 years and then an independent college counselor. I decided to take the book and pass it on to someone with children in college or heading there soon.

Would you like this book or do you have questions on college admission?

1.  If you want my copy of The Naked Roommate, leave a comment saying so and I'll draw a lucky winner on February 14. This is a used book in great condition. It has a 2005 copyright and the cover is slightly different from the one pictured. I'll only be able to send this book to addresses in the United States.

2. If you have questions on college admissions, I'm more than happy to answer them if you leave a comment.

I think my right hand did a good job today.

**There were no entries for this book when the deadline passed. The contest is closed and I'll be listing the book on Paperback Swap. If you have any college admission questions please use the, "Contact Me" button at top of page. Thanks!**