Baking With Cookie Molds by Anne L. Watson

Link to purchase Baking With Cookie Molds on Amazon.com

I am so happy to find this how-to book on cookie molds with detailed step-by-step instructions.  The author, Anne Watson, guides the reader through the proper types of ingredients to use, mold preparation, mixing the ingredients, and removing the cookie from the mold.  The purpose of the book is to enable even a novice baker to be successful at baking with cookie molds and enjoy this wonderful hobby.

Baking With Cookie Molds starts with a history and use of cookie molds.  There is an important section on the types of molds and which type of mold to use.  As soon as I received the book I ordered a Brown Bag Cookie Mold and gave her method a try.  

Here is the first mold I purchased:

Her secret for removing the cookie from the mold worked perfectly, and my first attempt was quite successful.  My skill at photographing cookies is a little lacking, but here is one of my cookies:

I can’t wait to try some of the many other recipes in the book. I have even purchased another mold.

The author’s love for sharing her knowledge about these types of cookies is obvious throughout her book, and I highly recommend it.


Also be sure to visit her website, Anne L. Watson  to read her monthly Cookie Mold magazine.  You will find more information on molds, photographs, and even more recipes. 

Fancy to Frugal by Kay Connors and Karen Earlywine

Link to Purchase Fancy To Frugal at Martingale & Company 

There are always new and modern quilt design books that stir our imagination, but there is nothing that says comfort to me more than the old fashioned traditional quilts.  Fancy to Frugal, Authentic Quilt Patterns from the ‘30s by Kay Connors and Karen Earlywine brings us those old fashioned designs.

Years ago local newspapers would print quilt blocks in series form.   The block patterns in this book are authentic quilt patterns from the 1930s and include actual pictures of the newspaper articles. Not only are there full sized patterns, but also included are the quilting motifs for the quilts and borders.  The instructions and diagrams are very clear and helpful.  There is a section at the end of the book with general quilting instructions. 

I especially like the Sunflower and Butterflies block.  Although the Sunflower block is an original old pattern, I have not seen one like it before and found it interesting. This is a great book for those who like traditional quilting and especially the quilts from the 1930s.  There are patterns appropriate for all quilt skill levels.

Thank you to Martingale and Company for providing a review copy.

The Social Media Survival Guide by Deltina Hay

Link to purchase The Social Media Survival Guide by Deltina Hay  

This is an updated edition of this book released with a different publisher and has many additions and changes.  Social media is the present and future of the Internet.  The Social Media Survival Guide is textbook style instruction for businesses and professionals on how to build a strong presence in the social media. 

Beginning with a brief explanation of terms and concepts, the book walks the reader through creating a strategy and preparation for creating a blog or website.  There is a good primer on using WordPress and for creating podcasts. 

Social Networking sites are cited and explained, as well as social bookmarking and media sharing sites.  I especially appreciated the chapter on using and creating Widgets and badges.  Even more important is the author’s look into the future of web presence with an explanation of The Semantic Web and Web 3.0. 

Included with the book is a resource CD with templates and forms. I highly recommend this book. Casual web users, bloggers, self-published authors, and self-promoting entrepreneurs would benefit from this wealth of information.  

Who Will Care When You’re Not There? by Robert E. Kass and Elizabeth A. Carrie

Link to purchase Who Will Care When You’re Not There?

The most powerful statement in the book is the simple question, “What would happen to your pets if you didn’t make it home from work today?”  It is our responsibility to make sure our pets are well taken care of, but we need to know what plans are appropriate for both short term and long term care. 

The book charts the length of life of different types of common pets and describes the need for young and old alike to prepare for emergency care and long term care of those who trust us most. There are lovely, and what I can only describe as peaceful, illustrations included in the book. 

Some of the important topics included are durable power of attorney for your pets and the scope of authority you wish to give and tax issues with trusts and how to set them up. There is also a nice section on pet grief with human loss and human grief with pet loss, with a list of resources for pet loss grief support. Quotes about animals and pets scattered throughout the book.

Who Will Care When You’re Not There? has very detailed information on the continuing care needs of pets and the best way to provide for those needs.  Multiple appendices provide additional information on state statutes for pet trusts, an emergency pet card and sign, and a pet trust drafting checklist.  I highly recommend this book for all pet owners.

The authors are estate planning attorneys practicing law as members of the Detroit law firm of Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker PLLC.

In the Belly of Jonah: A Liv Bergen Mystery by Sandra Brannan

Link to purchase In the Belly of Jonah

What an interesting story! Although the book started out a little more gruesome than I like, the creepy feeling as the story moves through the gory details creates the necessary feeling of the evil from the serial killer.

When Liv Bergen's former schoolmate and FBI profiler turns her home into a command post for the investigation of the murder of Liv's employee, she has no choice but to get involved.  This is a very suspenseful story that does well to introduce each character and develop the relationships throughout.  The character of Liv is a strong, smart, independent and likeable female character.

I loved that there were hints of a possible romance and enjoyed watching for the early developments between the two characters.  I can't wait for the next book in this series.