Weekend Cooking: Strawberry Cream Cake

I think I have a sweet sense like some of the characters do in The Girl Who Chased The Moon. I love to bake cakes and share them.

When my partner was a kid his favorite treat was Strawberry Cream Cake from Canter's Delicatessen in West Hollywood. I decided to surprise him with one for his birthday a few weeks ago.

For this recipe I used the Cook's Illustrated version. Unfortunately, it's copyrighted and I can't publish it here. With three pages of instructions it would take up too much room anyway. Yikes! I about gave up when I saw how much work was involved but decided to take on the challenge.

My first stumbling block was running out of cake flour. I used the Internet to find a solution. The magic word was "cornstarch." Place 1/4 cup in a 2 cup measure and then add flour.

The next challenge was the cake pan. I had the required 9 inch. The problem was it fell short of the 2 inch height. This would be an issue because the single layer needed to be cut into three. For a quick fix I split the batter between three 9 inch pans.

In addition to the cake, I had to make a strawberry reduction for the filling, position cut strawberries between layers, and make whipped cream.

The cake didn't last long and was gone in a few days. The memory of it remains. Do you have a favorite summer cake?

Weekend Cooking is hosted at Beth Fish Reads.

A Giveaway: The Brontes Went To Woolworths

You were probably expecting my update this morning on Wuthering Heights. It's going to be a few days more. Emily (Bronte) knows what happened. We discussed the delay last night. Emily thinks it best if I get her trip to Woolworths out of my system first, before going back to Heathcliff. Her sister Charlotte agrees and hopes Jill (Fizzy Thoughts) will understand.

What's going on? A book, The Brontes Went To Woolworths by Rachel Ferguson, has taken hold of me this week. I'm not sure if I shall ever be the same again. Photographs talk to me. Hugh (you know who) keeps calling. My dreams at night have taken on a new fantasy as in a trip to Wonderland. I've become obsessed with this story of three sisters, and their make believe life, published in England back in 1931.

At first I cursed Library Thing Early Reviewers for sending the book to me. But then a strange thing happened. After so many bumps in the road, three restarts of the book until finally grasping what was going on, I began to love what I reading.

Later this week I'll be posting my review of The Brontes Went to Woolworths. This will hopefully get it out my system so I can return to my backlog of books.

In the meantime I challenge you to read this book and see what impact it leaves on you.

I'm giving away a new copy of 

The Brontes Went to Woolworths by Rachel Ferguson

To enter leave a comment with your email address.

Deadline is Friday night, May 28. 

UPDATE: THE WINNER IS DARCIE K

Dreaming of Manhattan on Kauai's North Shore

This morning I was supposed to wake up in the city that doesn't sleep nights. Manhattan. We've had tickets since last June but canceled earlier in the week.

Instead we got in the car for an island road trip to the North Shore of Kauai. It's been a relaxing four days near Hanalei at an oceanfront condo. Not too bad considering there's only so far you can drive on an island. We're 90 minutes from home but it feels far away.

My partner's Aunt (who raised him) is living with us now under Hospice care. As long as she's alive we can't go far from home. Even though NYC didn't work out, we needed a break from the last two months of caregiving duties.

I brought a book with me (of course) that looked like an easy beach read. How wrong I was. It's The Brontes Went To Woolworths by Rachel Ferguson. If any of you have finished the book I'd love to know if (and how) you made it through. I'm starting over for the third time.

The problem is that the characters are having conversations with people they never met or inanimate objects like dolls. It would be like me writing about daily chats with Hugh Jackman even though we've never met.

I think I should have packed a fun cozy. Hugh would have been nice too.

(Photo: Hideaways Beach directly below our condo with "Bali Hai" from South Pacific in the distance).

Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden: A Book Review

My own sister died when I was eight of a gunshot wound. That ended my idyllic childhood in Eastern Washington. My parents never recovered. I fantasized being somewhere else. Maybe rich and powerful too because I thought that would be a better life.

Author Wendy Burden also grew up in the same era I did, but unlike me, had connections to wealth. On the surface she was living my dream as a Vanderbilt-Burden. After reading Wendy's book, Dead End Gene Pool, I realized her life was not the dream I envisioned wealth to be as a child.

Wendy's father died of a gunshot wound when she was seven. The Burden family was plagued by alcohol and drug addiction. Her memoir meticulously captures with dry humor the pain of growing up in a rich and dysfunctional environment.

"My grandparents were into modern art and French wines...(and sleeping masks and prescribed barbiturates). My mother was into tans acquired in different parts of the world."

The rich may be different. In my childhood I played pin the tail on the donkey with a picture of one on the wall. In Wendy's childhood she played the game with a real donkey. 

I'm envious Wendy got the Easy Bake Oven for Christmas, "It practically screamed Crematorium." I wanted one too but got Creepy Crawlers instead. Wendy called it, "a control freak's dream set with a baking oven that could leave scars worthy of an acetylene torch."

The word, "survivor," comes to mind when I read this book. And the truth is we all carry some scars from adolescence. Some more than others.

Approach Dead End Gene Pool with an open mind and heart. The writing will sometimes shock you, sometimes make you laugh and leave you questioning what makes a life rich.

Rob's Rating: 4/5

For author information, visit Wendy Burden's website and Facebook page. She will also be commenting live on the website Books On The Brain, May 18, at 5:00pm, PST.

Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden. Gotham Books. 2010.

FTC: I received a complimentary ARC of Dead End Gene Pool from the publisher. 

Thanks, Lisa, for the chance to participate on my first TLC Book Tour. Be sure to visit the TLC site for a list of all participants.

Winner Announcement: Farm Fresh Murder

Thanks again to author Paige Shelton for providing a signed copy of Farm Fresh Murder for my giveaway. I told Paige I'm going to make her lemon meringue pie recipe soon for Weekend Cooking.

The winner of this contest through random draw is 

Molly from My Cozy Book Nook. Congratulations!

We had 25 entries for the book. Some of you received additional chances to win by sharing the giveaway on Facebook and Twitter (which I appreciate you doing).

I also gave an extra entry to those who wrote about their favorite Farmer's Market. Four people shared their experiences.

Vicki from Reading At The Beach loves her Sumter County market for fruits and veggies. Janel at Janel's Jumble is a fan of Michigan's markets with their themed events celebrating sugar beets, pickles and corn. Heather of Books and Quilts goes to the St. Jacob's Farmer's Market. Lois has no favorite market but loves the Jersey corn from Wegmans (I used to shop there too in Pennsylvania).

Two of my favorite markets are in Australia where I go yearly. I love the Salamanca Market in Hobart (Tasmania) and Eveleigh in Sydney. Normally I go to Australia in February so I'm able to taste summer fruit in my winter months.

 More contests are coming so stay tuned.

Book Review: Tea and Sympathy: The Life of an English Teashop in New York

There's a lot of Britain wrapped up in this tiny New York teashop. It's the tea version of Cheers. Longtime waitress Anita Naughton captures the atmosphere, including behind-the-scenes escapades, in her book Tea and Sympathy: The Life of an English Teashop in New York.

The only thing missing is the aroma of fresh scones baking in the oven. Not to worry. With over 60 recipes included (with notations) by owner Nicola Perry, you can be cooking up all your favorite Brit dishes in no time.

Written with wit and humor that inspires laughter and touching moments, I immediately felt part of the Tea and Sympathy (sometimes dysfunctional) family. The book follows its rise from obscurity to fame. This is the place where Brit's and teashop fans gather in NYC (and everyone knows your name).

With only ten tables the room is small, casual and noisy. You never know who might be sitting next to you. Anita recalls one time when a group of Buddhist monks walked in. It turned out to be the Dalai Lama.

When I lived in Pennsylvania I always included Tea and Sympathy on my visits to Manhattan. My former mother-in-law (a Londoner) thought it was the best teashop in the states.

On my last visit two years ago, I had a tea party there with Paperback Swap friends who swap tea with me monthly.

The teashop has rules for all customers to follow (which the book explains). It may seem off-putting to first time guests but stiff upper lip. Owner Nicola Perry says we all need boundaries. Well said.

Rob's Rating: 4/5 with recipes being 5

This year Tea and Sympathy is celebrating it's 20th anniversary. Be sure to visit their website for information on menu, prices, location and more. If you include Tea and Sympathy in your NYC plans, be sure to let me know.

I also have a list of my top 10 things to do in New York City which I wrote for the NYC Reading Challenge. Speaking of which, this book fulfills my reading requirement.

Tea and Sympathy: The Life Of An English Teashop in New York by Anita Naughton, with an introduction and recipes by Nicola Perry. G.P. Putnam's Sons. 2002. ISBN 0399149376.

FTC Advisory: I was promised all the tea in China for a positive review. Joke. I purchased a used copy of this out-of-print book from an Amazon seller.

Wuthering Heights, Chapters 10-15

We're back IN THE HEIGHTS for another installment. I'm reading along with Jill at Fizzy Thoughts and other friends. My reports are averaging bi-weekly so today I have six chapters from Wuthering Heights to share.

We have an interesting narrator in our friend Nelly the housekeeper. As she relays the facts I keep wondering about her honesty. Does she have something against Catherine? Who wouldn't?

Perhaps Catherine is a victim of her time. She chose social status over love (wasn't that the norm?) by marrying Edgar. And now her decision has come back to haunt her in the form of a new and visually appealing Heathcliff who is her true love.

Heathcliff has arrived at the ball like Cinderella (although he looks nothing like her). His childhood resembled hers as he was reduced to the role of a servant by Hindley, the ugly foster brother. Now Heathcliff's back after three years and looks like a fine gentlemen with money. I wonder what happened to change his circumstances?

If only Heathcliff had stayed long enough to hear Catherine express her love for him. Perhaps he would have swept her away in his arms and lived happily ever after. Happiness, however, is not part of the Wuthering Heights experience.

Edgar is not amused to have Heathcliff back and tells the delighted Catherine she must choose. She does what any good drama queen would do and becomes hysterical, taking on the role of "victim" (is there a shrink in the Heights?) and decides she's dying. Pregnant, yes.

Meanwhile Isabella becomes attracted to Heathcliff (not good) and they elope. Poor Edgar! I do feel sorry for him because he's the true victim (and Isabella too). Edgar takes care of Catherine when she would rather be with Heathcliff. And now Heathcliff has positioned himself as "brother-in-law" by eloping with Isabella. Oy.

Heathcliff also is getting even with Hindley and moves back to Wuthering Heights. He eventually becomes master of the house as Hindley has lost control through gambling.

As we end this segment, Heathcliff rushes back to Catherine and there's passion between them! Edgar comes home and Catherine urges Heathcliff to stay (why not?). Party time.

Joining me on the Wuthering Heights read-along are the following:

Literate Housewife

Vivienne (Serendipity)

Messy Karen

Victoria (Views from the Page and Oven)

Jenny (Take Me Away)

Ti (Book Chatter)

Lisa (Lit and Life)

Dar (Peeking Between the Pages)

J.C. Montgomery (The Biblio Blogazine)

Whitney (She Is Too Fond of Books)

JoAnn (Lakeside Musing)

Gentle Reader (Shelf Life)

Amy (New Century Reading)

Geri (One More Foggy Notion)

Trish (Love, Laughter and Insanity)

Jill (Fizzy Thoughts)

Book Review: Today I Am A Ma'am by Valerie Harper

 "I can still remember a time when one's value was defined by experience and ability." (Valerie Harper)

On the way to the beach Sunday, I stopped at Hanapepe Library to see what books were left on the free outdoor shelf. Waiting for a home was an ex-library copy of Today I Am A Ma'am by actress Valerie Harper (who channeled "Rhoda" for nine years).

Even though it's written for older women, I decided to take a look (as an older man) to see if I might learn something. I did. The trick to aging is deciding if you want to get old or older. There's a difference.

If you're tired of youth obsession and want a quick fix, Today I Am A Ma'am: And Other Musings on Life, Beauty, and Growing Older offers the remedy. There are laughs along the way (but watch those facial lines).

Valerie Harper wrote this book when she was turning sixty. She's now seventy and was just nominated for a Tony Award this week. At the end of the book Ms. Harper discusses her golden rules which include, "overdo it." I think she sets a fine example of just that.

With good humor Ms. Harper talks about women's fashion, diets, hot wax treatments and more. She asks questions along the way like the following:

"Why is a woman's important transition called MEN-opause? Are we pausing from men?"

In the end it's finding peace and acceptance with self. Each stage in life has something to offer. What's your philosophy on getting older?

Rob's Rating: 3/5 "Good" 

Today I Am A Ma'am by Valerie Harper. Harper Collins. 2001. 155 pages. ISBN: 0060199296

Sunday Salon: Day After Lei Day

Yesterday was Lei Day in Hawaii. It's a huge festival in the islands. We went to the 30th Annual Celebration at the Kauai Museum. I'm attaching a picture of one of the beautiful lei that won a ribbon.They also had a book sale too (wouldn't you know) and I purchased A Kauai Reader: The Exotic Literary Heritage of the Garden Island, edited by Chris Cook. (Hmmm..."Kauai Reader" could have been a good name for my book blog).

Right now I'm sipping my hand roasted coffee and taking a break from making preserves. You could say I'm channeling my inner "Becca" who is the protagonist in Farm Fresh Murder. She makes jam to sell at her farmers' market when not solving a murder. With the red stains on my hands right now, from pitting 20 pounds of Surinam cherries, it looks like I've been up to something bad.

If you haven't read my review of Farm Fresh Murder, this may be a good time. I have a giveaway for an autographed copy ending May 8. There are recipes included for making jams and preserves plus some tips on canning.

My reading this week has been slow with business obligations and care-giving duties taking center stage. I'm behind on the Wuthering Heights read-along and hope to catch up this week.

Recently I finished my first Sherman Alexie book. It's a collection of short stories titled, Toughest Indian In the World. The author grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation which is near my hometown.

This week I'm starting Tea and Sympathy for the NYC Reading Challenge and Dead End Gene Pool for the TLC tour.

Now back to the kitchen and preserves.