tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485288094700593102012-02-14T22:14:23.570-05:00A collection of my favourite recipes & reviews of the books I've read.Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.comBlogger6451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-72293114919254973362012-02-14T21:56:00.000-05:002012-02-14T21:56:20.188-05:00

Author: Jodi Picoult Genre: Modern Fiction Type: Paperback Pages: 532 First Published: First Line: "Everywhere I look there are signs of a struggle." Synopsis: Jacob is a teenage boy who has Asperger's Syndrome.  This means that he is unable to read social cues or to clearly express himself to others.  Although his AS symptoms hinder him socially they do not stop him from being brilliant in

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-40032793116609569842012-02-10T22:55:00.000-05:002012-02-10T22:55:02.744-05:00

What's the first thing that you think of when I say the words "Bran Muffin".  Be honest.  You think of some dry, tasteless muffin your Great Aunt Gertrude likes to eat, right?  A baked good that can barely call itself a 'muffin' since it doesn't have any chocolate chips or fancy crumble on top?  Honestly?  I think bran muffins have gotten a bad rap.  Yes, they're high in fibre.  Yes,

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-43969773901137004742012-02-05T22:23:00.000-05:002012-02-05T22:23:52.773-05:00

Another Super Bowl over and done with.  For me, the Super Bowl isn't about football, it's about the food.  The only thing I found 'super' was the fact that my belt didn't burst due to the amount of food I shovelled into my big old wazoo.  It's not a party until you're regretting that last bite.  Am I right? Just because it was the five of us didn't mean that we were going to hold back on food

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-83184212384298361842012-02-04T00:35:00.000-05:002012-02-04T00:35:19.958-05:00

Author: Janni Nell Genre: Supernatural/Paranormal Type: Kindle ebook First Published: 2011 Series: 2nd book in the Allegra Fairweather Paranormal Mystery series Series Order: Allegra Fairweather Paranormal Investigator (2010) First Line: "Thank God you're here." Synopsis:  After solving a paranormal case in Scotland, Allegra heads home to the US.  Returning home can often be hard for adults.

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-38846425811868733042012-02-01T21:13:00.002-05:002012-02-01T21:47:25.672-05:00

After a short hiatus due to a weather induced migraine I'm back!!  Nothing stops me in my tracks like a migraine.  I couldn't eat, watch TV or even .... read!! The kicker is that when I have a migraine I don't even want to drink my morning java!!  I know, right?!?  Utterly debilitating!  No coffee in the morning?  What am I an animal??  Sadly, I was but a lump under the covers for 12 hours. 

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-77651118442540727882012-01-29T00:57:00.000-05:002012-01-29T00:57:24.123-05:00

Author: Kathleen Grissom Genre: Historical Fiction Type: Paperback Pages: 365 First Published: February 2010 First Line: "1810 - Lavinia "There was a strong smell of smoke, and new fear fueled me." Synopsis:  On the journey from Ireland to America a young Irish couple dies leaving their young son and daughter orphaned and unable to pay for their passage.  When the ship arrives in

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-71127170020692205152012-01-26T19:54:00.000-05:002012-01-26T20:24:07.675-05:00

I don't know about you but I love a good salad.  I like a salad even more when someone else makes it for me but we can't always get what we want, now can we?  Since I don't have an in-home salad maker named Sven to make me said salads I like to keep my salads pretty simple, yet filling and oh so yummy.  On the days that I work I have to admit that bringing a sandwich just doesn't entice me

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-13537519776685258392012-01-24T11:52:00.003-05:002012-01-24T11:52:49.149-05:00

Author: Suzanne Collins Series: 3rd book in The Hunger Games series Series Order: "The Hunger Games", "Catching Fire", "Mockingjay" Type: Kindle e-book Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian First Published: August 2010 First Line: "I stare down at my shoes, watching as a fine layer of ash settles on the worn leather." Synopsis: At the end of her second Hunger Games, Katniss is immediately whisked

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-68183914525150341322012-01-21T23:26:00.000-05:002012-01-24T11:11:02.760-05:00

For a couple of months now I've been wanting to do some DIY wall art for Missy Moo's room.  I know I could have gone out and bought some art/pictures but she and I wanted to get our craft on and spend some time together (and I'm cheap frugal). So last weekend, whilst our men folk were out we took over the kitchen table armed with only our imaginations, buttons, scrapbooking supplies, my laptop

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-45358654421390674002012-01-17T20:25:00.000-05:002012-01-17T20:28:58.247-05:00

Author: Bonnie Lamar Genre: Supernatural/YA Type: e-book (Kindle) Series: 1st book in the 'Witch Fairy' series Series Order: 1) True of Blood, 2) Blood Prophecy First Published: April 17, 2011 First Line: "I have a television so I know what a family is supposed to look like but mine is nothing like that." Synopsis: For the past three years Xandra's life has been anything but normal.  Her

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-39212813506280722002012-01-14T15:58:00.000-05:002012-01-18T21:52:30.507-05:00

This appetizer has quickly become one of Brad and my favourite dips.  Brad and I are jalapeno popper lovers from way back and are kind of finicky about what makes a great popper. We don't like the cheddar cheese poppers, ours must have cream cheese.  The cream cheese balances out the heat from the jalapenos and the Panko/Parm topping is divine and gives it that popper coating that we all love

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-61520833690914512412012-01-11T20:55:00.000-05:002012-01-11T20:55:05.576-05:00

Author: Terri Reid Type: Kindle e-book Genre: Supernatural / Mystery Series: 6th book in the Mary O'Reilly paranormal mystery series Series Order:  1) Loose Ends, 2) Good Tidings, 3) Never Forgotten, 4) Final Call, 5) Darkness Exposed First Published: December 2011 First Line: "The bell pealed its final warning and two dozen high school students quickly rushed in from the grey

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-40069065322558230092012-01-09T22:00:00.000-05:002012-01-11T21:15:06.670-05:00

How many foods can you think of that are chewy, crunchy and light??  Ok, popcorn fits the bill but I have something better than boring old popcorn ... and you eat it slathered with butter too!  Bread!!  I realize that me showing some love for a loaf is as shocking as seeing a Kardashian on a magazine cover but this bread honestly knocked my proverbial socks off.  So much so that I've made it

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-12094419043162006312012-01-06T22:23:00.000-05:002012-01-10T17:07:56.629-05:00

I cannot believe that the Christmas /New Year holiday is almost over!!  The first week of the holidays was very busy with Christmas, heading to Great Wolf Lodge and hosting a New Years bash.  So for the second week off I wanted to take it easy and do a few things that I have trouble doing while I'm working.  Like hanging with my offspring and doing things like going to the movies, baking loads of

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-13381375973501505142012-01-04T22:54:00.000-05:002012-01-06T15:52:16.246-05:00

I hope that everyone has had loads of time to read, read, read over the holidays!  Luckily I have had a fair bit of time, especially in the evenings, to dive into several new books.  Sadly, my last couple of books of 2011 weren't stellar in my opinion but I have high hopes for 2012! Here's what I've been up to: Over the Christmas break I read "Heart of Ice" by Gregg Olsen.  Olsen is a new author

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-63952784804612082852012-01-01T22:28:00.000-05:002012-01-02T20:23:19.115-05:00

Happy New Year!!  2012 has come in with a bang around here.  New Years Eve we hosted a 'do' at our place which included 8 adults and 10 kids.  We had a great time with loads of appetizers, kids running around having a grand old time as well as a few Dance Party 3 challenges on the Wii (and yes, I totally rocked it with the highest score of the night!).   The kids were in bed by 1:30am that night 

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-51071184996710365142011-12-29T22:00:00.003-05:002011-12-29T22:26:22.486-05:00

 I know that you're all thinking that I either fell off the edge of the earth or ate so much turkey that I was in a tryptophan induced stupor for the past 10 days.  It's been a week and a half since I last posted but things like Christmas and family events kind of took a front seat ... as they should!  I hope that everyone had a lovely holiday with their family and friends!  We had a

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-53359509144739107772011-12-20T22:10:00.001-05:002011-12-24T00:05:09.644-05:00

I hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit!!  Sadly we do not have ANY snow here in my part of Canada.   Seriously, I'm sad.  It just doesn't feel like Christmas without a layer of fresh white snow covering everything.  In order to help kick off the holiday season in my house we typically make these cookies.  If you're a long-time follower of my blog you'll know that these cookies were

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-75532402241824838642011-12-19T21:41:00.001-05:002011-12-19T21:41:10.550-05:00

Author: Tahereh Mafi Pages: 338 Genre: Young Adult / Supernatural First Published: November 15, 2011 First Line: "I've been locked up for 264 days." Synopsis:  Juliette is a 16 year old girl who has been locked up in a mental asylum ever since her parents abandoned her years before.  There's a reason why Juliette has been locked up.  Her touch is lethal. Juliette spends her days alone

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-9531012912482630372011-12-15T22:00:00.002-05:002011-12-15T22:18:38.157-05:00

By now, my readers, you're probably pretty certain of my love for the mighty spud {with 25 potato recipes on my blog how could you not!}.  So it should not come as a total shock that I also adore bacon.  Potatoes and bacon go way back.  Mmmmm, I love me some bacon.  And cheese.  And Ryan Reynolds ... but that's neither here nor there.  My love for cheese and bacon may be great for the tastebuds

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-34245665000558171742011-12-10T23:20:00.001-05:002011-12-11T00:24:30.546-05:00

Author: Lisa Desrochers Pages: 365 Genre: Supernatural/Young Adult First Line: "If there's Hell on Earth, it's high school." Synopsis:  Frannie is living the life of a typical teenager ... until her senior year when Luc Cain enrolls in her school.  Unbeknownst to Frannie, Luc works in Acquisitions for none other than the devil himself.  Frannie has a secret power that Heaven and hell will

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-81874859881611614422011-12-05T21:10:00.001-05:002011-12-05T22:14:55.687-05:00

As I've mentioned in the past my family and I are raving carb addicts.   R-A-V-I-N-G!  Put us in front of a freshly baked loaf and a honking slab'o' butter and we're your bestest friends.  We admittedly (and quite happily) have no self control when it comes to freshly baked carbs.  So it should come as no surprise that I own not one but two bread machines.  Go big or go home! Bread machines are

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-26838306244155485502011-12-03T22:41:00.001-05:002011-12-04T20:39:41.797-05:00

Author: Marina Fiorato Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery Type: Paperback Pages: 540 First Line: "Florence looks like gold and smells like sulphur." Synopsis: Luciana Vetra, a part-time model and full-time whore, lives in fifteenth century Florence, Italy. When she is asked by one of her rich and regular customers to pose as Flora in Sandro Botticelli's painting called 'La Primavera' Luciana

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-79014235996296206072011-11-30T22:06:00.001-05:002011-11-30T22:13:12.714-05:00

Author: Darci Hannah Pages: 512 First Published: July 2011 Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Romance First Line: "Like a tenacious weed, the memory of that sunny spring eleven years ago, in the year of our Lord 1481, still haunts the recesses of my mind." Synopsis: Prepared to lay claim to her family’s magnificent ancestral fortress in the Scottish border country, Lady Isabeau

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-2295587818609604952011-11-27T19:30:00.001-05:002011-11-27T20:53:02.027-05:00

This was a wonderful weekend.  Why, you ask?  Not only did we get some family time together but we got some time apart.  Yes, I can attest to the fact that absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder.  My 12 year old was camping in Adirondacks (a wooden structure with three walls) with his Scout troop and my parents had the other two offspring at the cottage with a few of their cousins. 

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-77710181724841077812011-11-21T20:58:00.001-05:002011-11-24T21:10:40.710-05:00

Author: Matt Myklusch Pages: 470 Genre: Young Adult Type: Paperback Series: 1st book in the Jack Blank series Series Order: The Accidental Hero (2010) The Secret War (2011) The End of Infinity (Aug 2012) Previously Published as: Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation Synopsis:  Jack Blank is living at the depressing and horrible St. Barnaby's Home for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten and Lost.

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-51739513550150412362011-11-20T23:02:00.000-05:002011-11-24T09:40:18.289-05:00

As a food blogger it's natural that I want to put my best 'meal' forward.   I want my blog to showcase my favourite recipes in a pretty little blog package.  While I don't blog daily I do spend typically 1-2 hours making each post {hopefully} interesting.  But when I see all of these fantastic, fancy food blogs and start comparing it to my little slice of the blog universe I get that anxious '

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-40709882965356047022011-11-16T20:57:00.001-05:002011-11-16T22:43:49.817-05:00

Today was my day off so I decided to whip up a big meal complete with a loaf of crusty bread.  Ok, if I'm honest I wanted a rich pasta dish as an excuse to eat a loaf of homemade crusty bread.  If I'm going to help eat a loaf of bread I might as well throw in a pasta dish too, right?  This pasta dish features an ingredient that, until a last week, I didn't know I liked.  In fact, I was pretty

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-84105310690117511602011-11-14T21:11:00.001-05:002011-11-14T21:54:05.732-05:00

Here's my meal plan for this week.  I'm trying a few new recipes as you can see.  The recipe that I'm excited about the most is the Tikka Masala.  I really have never eaten Indian food (unless you count that one meal at my friend Fawzia's house waaaay back in Grade 10) and I'm eager to try it.  I'm not a huge fan of the smell of curry so when I saw that this dish didn't use curry I thought it

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-11534187131823023962011-11-13T21:14:00.001-05:002011-11-13T22:02:34.821-05:00

I know that you thought I had foresaken my blog.  It's been 5 days that I've been MIA and, quite honestly, I don't have a major reason except that I'm plain tuckered out.  Yup.  This bookworm just didn't have any get up and go after a busy few days.  Between work, a karate tournament, reading a great book, getting sidetracked in the wonderfully addicting world of Pinterest  and trying new

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-46313222575880817882011-11-09T21:15:00.001-05:002011-11-09T21:15:34.221-05:00

What an utterly exhausting day!  I went on a field trip with Missy Moo's Grade 3 class to our local pioneer village.  "You're going to a pioneer village, Missy Moo?"  Count this mom in!  I'm all for getting my Laura Ingalls on!  Is it odd that I enjoyed the field trip so much more than the kids?  Who doesn't love seeing an old historic home of a local family, a merchantile, blacksmith, farm,

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-85500062639970576442011-11-08T23:10:00.000-05:002011-11-08T23:17:21.237-05:00

Author: Tina Fey Genre: Autobiography/Humour Pages: 342 Type: Hardcover First Published: 2011 First Line: "Welcome Friend, Congratulations on your purchase of this American-made genuine book" Synopsis: Tina Fey is best known for her comedy sketches on the infamous and LONG running Saturday Night Live as well as being the leading lady and head honcho at her own show '

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-68778869841324289482011-11-07T21:39:00.002-05:002011-11-09T17:39:19.146-05:00

This is a dish that I made on my day off last week.  I was channelling Martha Stewart and decided to use my free afternoon to whip up a homemade meal for my family.  I made this casserole as well as a homemade round loaf of bread which was deeelish (and will be posted soon).   Nothing gets my kids to try a new dish like the bribery of freshly baked carbohydrates! Not only was this casserole a

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-63880742536785527162011-11-07T21:07:00.000-05:002011-11-07T21:07:52.716-05:00

When I started meal planning my weekly suppers two months ago I honestly didn't think I'd stay with it as much as I have.  I'm a total Type A personality but when it came to making suppers I liked to choose what we ate the morning of.  My taste buds led the way and I willingly followed.  Not anymore! Now that I've had a chance to play around with meal planning I have to say that I'm quite

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-47089410725596041922011-11-05T17:38:00.002-04:002011-11-05T17:38:43.237-04:00

Author: Josephine Cox Genre: Historical Fiction Type: Paperback Pages: 632 First Published: 2002 First Line: "Mary's heart was pounding as she hurried down the country lane." Synopsis: When Robert Sullivan is left on his own to raise his three year old daughter Nancy and seven year old son Jack he knows he's in over his head.  He decides to leave his children on the steps of an orphanage

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-15543089565326584202011-11-03T21:55:00.003-04:002011-11-03T21:55:29.501-04:00

You may be wondering why this delicious looking side dish is called 'Frexican' Roasted Potatoes.  It kind of sounds like a bad word but trust me, it's all good!!!  'Frexican' is the word that I came up with to describe a dish that combines the wonderful flavour of Dijon mustard (Bonjour, France!) and pairs it with the spiciness of cumin & cayenne (Hola, Mexico!) and makes them work together

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-91560045014053013022011-11-02T21:28:00.000-04:002011-11-02T21:28:08.609-04:00

So what has everyone been reading this week?  If you've been following my new posts you'll know that I read a Mary Higgins Clark book called "I'll Walk Alone" ... and didn't like it very much.  Apparently Ms Clark's earlier works are a lot better than her later books so I'm willing to give her another shot.  This book just didn't match with my expectations. I'm currently reading (and almost

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-41187134760598301012011-11-01T22:33:00.001-04:002011-11-01T22:33:55.203-04:00

Author: Mary Higgins Clark Genre: Mystery/Suspense Pages: 337 Type: Hardcover First Line: "Father Aiden O'Brien was hearing confessions in the lower church of St. Francis of Assisi on West Thirty-first Street in Manhattan." Synopsis:  Alexandra "Zan" Moreland has lived through every mother's worst nightmare -- her 3 year old son, Matthew, was abucted.  Now 2 years later Zan has exhausted all of

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-90219551535699673852011-10-31T21:32:00.001-04:002011-10-31T21:42:49.431-04:00

Happy Hallowe'en! I hope you're finished handing loads of candy to all of the little ghouls and monsters that came knocking at your door.  Around the Bookworm house we children dressed up as a large box of Smarties (made by Cub himself), a Mad Hatter and a witch. :)  Now that Hallowe'en is pretty much over (I say this as I munch on some mini chocolate bars) it's time to think about what we're

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-27105147259579553592011-10-29T23:03:00.001-04:002011-10-30T16:36:40.666-04:00

This afternoon the Bookworm family had our annual jaunt at the local pumpkin patch.  We got lost in the corn maze, saw some knarly squash and picked out a few mighty fine specimens of pumpkin to carve up for Monday night!  Get out the power tools, honey!  It's pumpkin carvin' time!  {Yes, Brad is known for his aptitude in pumpkin carving using various power tools.  He's Picasso with a power

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-67259053053065819152011-10-28T21:39:00.000-04:002011-10-28T21:41:56.697-04:00

                                 One of the things you should know about the Bookworm Family is that we love to eat and adore cooking together.  The other evening my 12 year old and my 8 year old decided it was a good night to bake donuts.  I couldn't think of a reason to not bake donuts ... so we did.  Can I just say that I LOVE baking with my kids!?!! One of the gifts I received last week for

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-52434723470719055962011-10-26T20:22:00.001-04:002011-10-26T20:22:53.382-04:00

I realize that I took last week off from 'Whatcha Reading?' Wednesday but I have two good reasons.  The first being that it was my birthday and I was focused on basking in my extra year on this earth.  The second reason was that I just didn't feel like it.  Yup.  I was plum tuckered out and took the week off.  So with an extra week I'm sure you all have LOADS of new reads to share, right?? So

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-81731558941153988512011-10-24T17:07:00.000-04:002011-10-31T21:33:43.252-04:00

Another week, another meal plan!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!  Missy Moo and I had an all-girls weekend filled with loads of crafts, 'bad for us' treats and shopping!  Girly bliss!  At least one of our crafts will be posted on the blog at a later date! This week I've planned a few new recipes and have brought out some of my 'must have kitchen appliances' to do some of the meal cookin'

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-39763496481084814882011-10-23T19:00:00.000-04:002011-10-31T21:52:22.336-04:00

A few weeks ago Missy Moo and I had an all-girls weekend.  We're talking Barbie movies, loads of sweet treats, shopping and .... we got our craft on!!  Oh yes we did! Our men folk were busy being all manly and buff at a Cub camp together so we took advantage of the testosterone-free weekend. As I've mentioned before, I'm a Type A kind of person which means it's hard for me to do something and

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-22930612455711683902011-10-21T22:24:00.000-04:002011-10-22T00:45:47.557-04:00

Author: Elizabeth Musser Genre: Christian/ Historial Fiction Type: ebook (Kindle) Series: First book in The Swan House series First Line: "Abby moved down to Grant Park today, and of course I helped her." Synopsis:  Mary Swan is a sheltered well-to-do teenager who has been raised in a "fine Atlanta family".  When her mother is suddenly killed in a plane crash Mary Swan's world is shattered

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-83751456263341860012011-10-17T22:24:00.002-04:002011-10-31T21:34:09.523-04:00

This is going to be a very busy and slightly crazy week for the Bookworm family because we're not celebrating just one but TWO birthdays (two days apart no less!).  Cub turned 12 years old today (how did that happen when it feels like he was a chunky little toddler just a couple of years ago??) and I'm turning "one year better" on Wednesday. :)  I even got a birthday gift early (I accidentally

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-58724587880631176012011-10-16T00:09:00.000-04:002011-10-16T00:15:30.090-04:00

Have you looked outside lately?? In my part of the world the leaves are starting to change and fall, the mornings are crisp and cool (if not utterly chilly!) and I'm getting the urge to change my closet over from tank tops, sundresses and flip flops to fall sweaters, jeans and hoodies. You know what that means!?!?! Fall is here!! Soon I'll be raking piles of leaves so my kids can jump in

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-65571645556028330632011-10-12T21:03:00.003-04:002011-10-16T00:12:32.398-04:00

I hope everyone had a great week filled with lots of wonderful new reads! This past week I started reading "Sister" by Rosamund Lupton but had to put it down. It was too slow and the author's method of having the older sister talk, journal style, to her missing younger sister was confusing at times. Was the older sister 'talking' to her sister or the police inspector who was standing right

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-35906610065622172772011-10-11T21:25:00.004-04:002011-10-11T21:43:04.840-04:00

Is there a real malady called a Thanksgiving Weekend Hangover? I'm not talking about imbibing too much alcohol with family and friends over the holiday weekend. I'm referring to the behaviour of sucking back too much turkey, mashed potatoes, casseroles, homemade bread and desserts PLUS being utterly exhausted by all the family time (which was amazing and wonderful but still utterly exhausting)?

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-71221532301550871412011-10-10T20:29:00.005-04:002011-10-10T21:33:28.735-04:00

I hope all of my fellow Canadians had a truly wonderful Thanksgiving! We had absolutely the best weather that I can remember for Thanksgiving. A high of 27C and sun, sun, SUN! Today we spent the day on a great hike at one of our favourite conservation areas for some truly stellar fall pictures and a wonderful way to end a great weekend. We spent the first part of the weekend at my parents'

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-82254165968278375102011-10-09T21:08:00.004-04:002011-10-09T21:20:38.505-04:00

Author: Glenn CooperGenre: Suspense/MysteryType: PaperbackPages: 410First published: 2009First Line: "David Swisher spun the track ball of his BlackBerry until he found the e-mail from the CFO of one of his clients."Synopsis: On the seventh day of the seventh month in the year 777, the seventh son of a seventh son is born on the Isle of Wight which puts in motion an age-old prophecy.Centuries

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-80807974644717023202011-10-06T21:52:00.006-04:002011-10-07T22:24:09.304-04:00

Last weekend Missy Moo, my parents and I made the two hour trip to my sister's house to celebrate my 5 year old niece's birthday. It was a great day! Not only did we get to spend the day with family (my men folk were busy being manly at yet another Cub camp) but my sister sent me home with a HUGE zucchini from her garden. SCORE!!This lovely zucchini sat on my counter and in my fridge for ....

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-73302321108002779072011-10-06T21:35:00.000-04:002011-10-11T22:02:19.904-04:00

Fall is here and I'm so excited!!! Ok, so Ontario is having unseasonably warm and sunny weather lately (20C/68F!!) but when I made this dish last week it was lovely and cool and totally Autumn-y!! Not only does the cool, crispness of Fall days make me want to cook up pots of beef stew, soups and apple crisp but it apparently also makes me get the urge to make up such words as 'autumn-y' and pass

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-83033306101254210712011-10-05T16:15:00.003-04:002011-10-05T16:25:06.181-04:00

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Fall day!! Here in Ontario we are experiencing gloriously warm, sunny weather. I'm talking 20C (68F) and totally sunny! This is going to be one amazing Thanksgiving weekend for me and my fellow Canucks!!I do hope that on this long weekend you get loads of down time (after stuffing yourselves with turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie, of course) to read,

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-18435039840833990172011-10-04T20:43:00.005-04:002011-11-14T21:00:06.810-05:00

Author: Terri Reid Genre: Supernatural Type: Ebook (Kindle) Series: 5th book in the Mary O'Reilly paranormal series Series Order: Loose Ends, Good Tidings, Never Forgotten, Final Call (READ IN ORDER) First Published: September 2011 First Line: "Jeannine Alden wiped the counter in the kitchen for the fourth time." Synopsis: After reading the first four books in the series readers finally get to

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-23646856180043206132011-10-03T20:26:00.003-04:002011-10-03T21:09:45.121-04:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I spent Sunday in the kitchen. It was wet and cold here in Bookwormville so I hunkered down and baked and cooked my heart out! I baked a batch of my Double Berry Bran Muffins as well as a HUGE pot of Kitchen Sink Chili. I have already frozen half of the muffins and half of the chili for future snacks/meals to help ease the stress of week night suppers.

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-22131429100864202922011-09-30T21:44:00.003-04:002011-09-30T21:50:59.323-04:00

This is one of those perfect week night supper ideas that's easy and tasty! You've gotta love a supper dish that you can easily and quickly prep in the morning while still in your jammies!! Just because I've gone back to work part-time doesn't mean that I want to skimp on the quality or nutrition in the dishes that I serve my family. I still want to create new dishes in the kitchen but I'm a

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-31885529717960090512011-09-28T20:55:00.003-04:002011-09-28T21:02:18.621-04:00

This has been a very successful reading week for me. Unfortunately right now I'm suffering from a weather induced migraine so I'm going to make this post short and sweet. Being a human barometer isn't all it's cracked up to be!!This week I read a supernatural/urban fantasy ebook on my Kindle called "Along Came a Demon" which I reviewed yesterday. Not my favourite read. Next I read the fifth

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-69635893635456965992011-09-27T20:51:00.004-04:002011-09-27T22:30:34.535-04:00

Author: Linda WelchType: Kindle ebookFirst Published: First Line: "There's a naked woman in the garden," Jack said."Synopsis: Tiff isn't your average female investigator. Ever since she was the victim of a violent act she's been able to see and communicate with the ghosts of people who have died violently. Not only does she deal with ghosts at her job as an investigator for the local police

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-40135864230970089032011-09-26T20:15:00.003-04:002011-09-26T20:28:27.460-04:00

Ok, week one using a meal plan went pretty well. I stuck to my meal plan each supper except for one night (Thursday - we went out for dinner). I like using a meal plan -- but I love cooking on the fly a lot more. But due to my new work schedule making meals 'willy nilly' isn't something that I have time to do anymore. I'll save my cookin' by the seat of my pants for the weekends. :)Soooo, here

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-12907719328978912992011-09-23T21:52:00.005-04:002011-09-23T23:16:04.585-04:00

Author: Jennifer DonnellyGenre: Historical fiction / RomancePages: 544Series: first book in the Rose seriesSeries Order: The Tea Rose (2002), The Winter Rose (2006), The Wild Rose (2010)Synopsis: Fiona Finnegan is a teenager living in the Whitechapel section of London in the late 19th century. Fiona is from a very poor family but the love of her boyfriend Joe and their dream of marrying and

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-52670379455196430372011-09-21T21:31:00.003-04:002011-09-21T21:45:27.485-04:00

First of all, I'd like to thank all of your kind comments and encouragement regarding me heading back to work after 12 years as a stay-at-home mom. So far, I've been able to balance home life with work and have really enjoyed having my own 'thing'. Not only do I like my job but I'm totally rocking the steel-toed shoes, safety glasses and ear plugs that I need to wear to get to my office in the

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-69199016829616108872011-09-19T20:38:00.004-04:002011-09-19T21:32:40.983-04:00

Since I'm back to work I'm feeling the need to be more proactive when it comes to meal planning. Usually I'm a carefree, by-the-seat-of-my-stylish-yoga-pants kinda cook waiting to see what flavours I want to eat for supper that day. It was one of the perks of being a stay-at-home mom for so many years. I had total control over the daily supper options and could decide on a whim what to make

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-11800222681603276022011-09-17T20:36:00.010-04:002011-09-22T23:09:44.981-04:00

Some people refer to this season as late summer or early fall. To my family and I we call it "Birthday Season". As I've mentioned before my family is smack dab in the middle of a three month period when all five of us celebrate our fetes. Yesterday my 'baby girl', Missy Moo, celebrated her 8th birthday with a gaggle of giggly girls at the local bowling alley. Nothing brings back youthful

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-36864955720612866172011-09-16T21:06:00.003-04:002011-09-16T21:24:45.024-04:00

Ok, so I admittedly dropped the ball on my weekly "Whatcha Reading?" Wednesdays post. With starting back to work this week, a 'meet the teacher' evening and the usual chaos that ensues in a house of three kids I kind of, well ... totally and utterly forgot. It happens people, more often than I care to admit. My mind can only hold so much information before it starts omitting facts. Currently

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-42285147894055485532011-09-13T21:28:00.005-04:002011-09-13T21:54:10.666-04:00

I know that I've been a little MIA on the blog front in the past few days but I have good reason. This past Friday I was offered a job that I couldn't turn down. Yup, after 12 years as a stay-at-home mom I decided to get back into the work force. I have many reasons -- extra money is always good, very flexible hours (I work 4 days/week and only when the kids are in school), it's a 2 minute

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-16085352632642797042011-09-10T08:35:00.005-04:002011-09-10T09:28:32.783-04:00

Author: Jael McHenryGenre: Contemporary FictionType: HardcoverPages: 272First Published: April 2011First Line: "Bad things come in threes."Synopsis: Ginny is a 26 year old young woman who has Asperger's Syndrome. Throughout her childhood and even into adulthood Ginny has been sheltered by her well-meaning parents who wanted to give Ginny a life free from negative labels. Although she is timid

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-92022642526316129572011-09-07T12:22:00.002-04:002011-09-07T12:35:56.709-04:00

The kids are back in school!! Can I hear a 'whoot whoot'?!? Don't get me wrong I loved having my little darlings with me for 2+ months but I think over the past week or so we've all been needing more of a schedule. I know that I've been craving time to get things organized (I totally nest in the early fall!!). I'm also looking forward to trying new recipes and even trying my hand at some DIY

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-46829192905571346842011-09-04T22:45:00.009-04:002011-10-11T22:02:19.900-04:00

With the approach of fall I've been hankering for dishes using pumpkin, apples and cinnamon!! I'm so done with summer and it's heat and humidity! Bah humbug! Bring on the crisp mornings, the crunchy leaves, sweater weather, the thick stews and soups! Can you tell Fall is my hands down favourite season? I just had to appease my craving for all things fall but with the heat wave we had here in

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-68830975588153861242011-09-02T09:20:00.004-04:002011-09-02T09:34:19.803-04:00

Author: Michelle Moran Genre: Historical Fiction Type: Hardcover Pages: 464 Published: February 15, 2011 First Line: "When she walks through the door of my exhibition, everything disappears; the sound of the rain against the windows, the wax models, the customers, even the children." Synopsis: Marie Grosholtz, who would later become Madame Tussaud, narrates this tale set during the French

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-27995174540222308542011-08-31T19:48:00.003-04:002011-08-31T20:41:36.610-04:00

I cannot believe that this is the last week of summer vacation. In years past, it seems like the summer lasts forever but this year it whizzed by! Due to all of our activities, summer camps, trips to the beach etc it should come as no surprise that my reading has taken a back seat to our summer'o' family fun. Truth be told, I also haven't had too much energy to even try new recipes. After

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-36620685568283087562011-08-28T21:30:00.005-04:002011-09-20T21:22:34.463-04:00

As you all know I'm a potato fanatic! I'm obsessed with the spud! When you're a tater addict like moi you've eaten them in so many different ways. Bottom line? It takes a lot to impress me. Wellll, let me tell YOU! This dish impressed me and made me almost giddy with the tater love!With the title including the words 'smashed' and 'loaded' you may have thought there was some kind of alcohol in

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-55415738056172324452011-08-26T22:47:00.000-04:002011-08-26T22:47:25.876-04:00

Author: S.J. Watson Genre: Suspense Type: Trade Paperback Pages: 358 First Published: 2011 First Line: "The bedroom is strange." Synopsis: Christine wakes up every morning not knowing where she is or why she's lying beside a man she doesn't know. She doesn't know what year it is, who her family is, or recognize the middle-aged face she sees in the mirror each morning. Every day her

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-25989097030343650512011-08-25T21:45:00.007-04:002011-08-25T22:56:07.404-04:00

Right now mushrooms are pretty popular around here. Not only do they house adorable little blue guys (and girl) on the big screen but around here Brad and I really enjoy eating them too! We love them on pizza, over steak, in salads, in soups ... the list is, quite honestly, endless. So it should come as no surprise that for the past week or so Brad and I have been on a HUGE mushroom kick.

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-19524366920771051292011-08-24T21:44:00.005-04:002011-08-24T21:57:40.634-04:00

It's that time again!! I hope you've had a great week reading. I spent most of last week reading "Before I Go To Sleep" by S.J Watson. I'll be reviewing that book tomorrow so I'll leave you in a teeny bit of suspense. This morning I started "Madame Tussaud" by one of my favourite historical fiction authors, Michelle Moran. She has an incredible way of describing France (and it's

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-87608990323115889242011-08-22T21:04:00.003-04:002011-08-25T14:43:53.052-04:00

I have a big confession. I've had a HUGE crush on lemon for quite awhile now. What's not to love?!? I always have at least 2 fresh lemons in my fridge and I guarantee that you will NEVER EVER see a bottle of that {gasp!} bottled 'lemon juice' in my fridge!! That stuff doesn't taste like the real thing in the slightest. I can't be the only person who thinks that, right?!! All I know is

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-46648620353442192962011-08-20T09:56:00.004-04:002011-08-20T10:14:27.094-04:00

Author: Kamala Nair Genre: Modern Fiction Type: Hardcover Pages: 305 First Line: "By the time you read this I will be flying over the Atlantic on my way to India." Synopsis: Rahkee Singh is engaged to be married but knows that she must deal with her haunting past before she can commit to her future husband. Rahkee leaves her fiancé with her engagement ring and a letter explaining why she feels

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-84760376829537537522011-08-17T20:31:00.004-04:002011-08-17T20:39:14.712-04:00

This past week I read and finished "The Girl in the Garden" by Kamala Nair. It was an interesting read. I'll be posting a review of this book once I get my head around what I want to write. It was good but not amazing. I'm currently reading "Before I Go To Sleep" which is the much talked about book by S.J Watson. I've heard a lot of hype surrounding this book which is about a woman who has

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-69064723391687908672011-08-17T09:48:00.005-04:002011-08-19T15:48:55.760-04:00

This week my youngest sister, "Jules", came home for a visit with her family to spend some quality time with us. Having all 10 grandkids together is always a treat ... and loud! Her youngest, my nephew "S", is only 2 1/2 years old and has severe allergies to peanuts and egg. I'm used to peanut allergies because of my oldest but baking without eggs is fairly new territory for Aunt Laurie. I'm

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-28892180472682134772011-08-14T21:39:00.008-04:002011-08-19T15:50:56.961-04:00

For some reason my stomach has a really good memory. I may not be able to remember my kids names all the time, remember where I put my car keys or remember what I was going to say next ..... uh, um .... oh ya, but my stomach makes up for my lack of memory. I call it "Gastronomical Recall". If I have a truly stellar and memorable dish that I eat at a certain occasion my stomach will remember it

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-7073334619984115852011-08-13T14:08:00.005-04:002011-08-13T14:24:38.597-04:00

Author: Terri Reid Type: Kindle ebook Genre: supernatural/mystery Series: 4th book in the Mary O'Reilly mystery series Series Order: "Loose Ends", "Good Tidings", "Never Forgotten" (read in order) First Published: 2011 First Line: "Idiots!" Synopsis: Mary O'Reilly was a tough Chicago cop until the day she was shot and killed. Given the choice to 'follow the Light' or return to her life with a

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-63590590479453877602011-08-11T20:39:00.005-04:002011-08-13T22:13:29.157-04:00

I'm sure we've all heard of a little dish called hummus. The scrumptious spread made of chickpeas, garlic, sesame, lemon juice and olive oil. It may be mighty tasty but, let's face it -- it definitely won't win any beauty contests. Truth be told hummus kind of resembles something you may have scraped off your shoe but I'm here to say that this is one of those instances where you shouldn't judge

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-1900296842511545432011-08-10T22:42:00.004-04:002011-08-10T23:06:30.147-04:00

Phew! I still have just over an hour to get my Whatcha Reading? Wednesday post in!! Soooo, what books have kept you up at night because you just couldn't put them down? Have you heard of any other great reads you'd like to share? I've had a good week. I finished "Mistress of Rome" by Kate Quinn as well as the fourth book in the Mary O'Reilly paranormal mystery series by Terri Reid called "

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-38460848812659215492011-08-09T22:55:00.003-04:002011-08-09T23:19:50.201-04:00

Last week I posted my Grilled Rosemary Balsamic Chicken Thighs recipe and promised a new, awesome recipe that uses the leftover chicken. Well, here it is!! Leftovers never tasted so good! It's not fancy but man was it deeeelish! Making this dish with the leftover chicken thighs made this meal very easy to whip together. It was a lot quicker since all I was really doing was reheating the

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-23389835485325327432011-08-08T18:24:00.005-04:002011-08-08T18:28:33.500-04:00

Author: Kate Quinn Genre: Historical Fiction Type: Paperback Pages: 466 First Published: 2010 First Line: "I opened my wrist with one firm stroke of the knife, watching with interest as the blood leaped out of the vein." Synopsis: "Mistress of Rome" tells the stories of two girls in first century Rome. Thea is a young Jewish slave who is bought for a spoiled and spiteful Roman teenager,

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-1615559083438494102011-08-06T16:08:00.007-04:002011-08-06T22:14:35.906-04:00

As the self-proclaimed world's biggest fan of the mighty potato I'm always on the lookout for new potato recipes. I have loads of tater recipes already so when I go looking for a new recipe it's got to have something special. A certain 'je ne sais quoi' if you will to jazz up my favourite veg!In the past few weeks the rosemary plant that I've been growing in my home veggie garden is flourishing (

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-7783200969846710322011-08-04T22:17:00.004-04:002011-08-04T22:39:45.194-04:00

This past Tuesday I needed to plan an excursion with my mini peeps. We've been hanging around the house and my parents' pool due to the ridiculous heat we Ontarians have been experiencing. All that family bonding time is a beautiful, beautiful thi ... frankly, we were going stir crazy and the nattering was driving me crazy. We needed a change of scenery!!! Fast! So I planned a mini/half day

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-48430722868583880152011-08-03T20:30:00.003-04:002011-08-03T20:43:51.736-04:00

I hope everyone has had a very fruitful book filled week of reading!!! As I mentioned on Twitter and Facebook I finally read ROOM by Emma Donoghue. It was a good read but was one of the longest and most difficult book reviews I've done. There were great parts of the book and parts I didn't totally love.I'm currently about a third of the way through "Mistress of Rome" by Kate Quinn. I picked

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-79757374806831527792011-08-02T22:13:00.005-04:002011-08-02T22:34:03.097-04:00

Author: Emma DonoghueGenre: Modern FictionType: HardcoverPages: 321First Published: 2010First Line: "Today, I'm five."Synopsis: Jack is a five year old boy who is adored by his mom. He's inquisitive, sensitive, loving, smart ... and has never seen the outside world. His world consists of a 11x11 foot room that is equipped with only a bathroom, bed, table and meagre cooking equipment. A

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-74424517835508869072011-07-31T21:16:00.004-04:002011-07-31T21:48:05.388-04:00

I hope all of my fellow Canadians have enjoyed their Victoria Day long weekend so far! Here in Ontario (at least where I am) we had spectacular weather! To add to this glorious weekend filled with cottage life I also got to see the last Harry Potter movie, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2". It's something that my boys and I have wanted to see together for soooo long. I know the

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-25242305470307691082011-07-28T13:03:00.006-04:002011-08-05T22:07:09.102-04:00

Everyone has a few recipes that are their favourite 'tried and true' signature dishes. You know what I'm talking about. The recipes that you can almost make by heart. The recipes that are much loved, much used and get rave reviews everytime.One of my favourite dessert recipes is my Black Forest Brownies. It's one of those desserts that's easy to make but really impresses at the same time. Win-win

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-52683365552445836222011-07-27T23:39:00.005-04:002011-07-28T22:06:33.814-04:00

Author: Annie SolomonGenre: MysteryType: PaperbackPages: 394First Published:2009First Line: "She came at night, creeping into town like a shade."Synopsis: Edie Swann returns to her hometown for the first time since her childhood with one thing on her mind ... revenge. Her goal is to get payback for her father's suspicious death that happened decades earlier. Equipped with only a list of local

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-83188820962054222012011-07-27T15:36:00.003-04:002011-07-27T21:01:34.000-04:00

I thought I'd quickly jot down what I've been reading this past week. Today has been one of those hectic 'can't remember if I even sat down' kind of days. A day filled with baking (Black Forest Brownies!!! Recipe to be posted later this week!), house cleaning, swimming with 9 kids and two other moms plus hosting a birthday party for Brad and 10 year old Karate Guy. I am pooped!With all this

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-21836916329456622122011-07-25T20:28:00.008-04:002011-07-25T21:17:27.095-04:00

When Brad and I built my vegetable/herb garden last year one of the plants I was excited to have was rhubarb! I hadn't had fresh home grown rhubarb since I was a teenager. Honestly, back then it was just a massive plant that grew like a weed that I totally took for granted. What was I thinking!?!?!So, last year one of the first plants I got for my beloved veggie/herb garden was a mighty, mighty

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-15377352878434125762011-07-22T20:26:00.005-04:002011-07-22T21:28:09.233-04:00

Author: Suzanne CollinsGenre: Young AdultSeries: 2nd book in The Hunger Games series (read in order)Series Order: The Hunger Games (2008), Catching Fire (2009), Mockingjay (2010)Type: Kindle ebookFirst Published: 2009First Line: "I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air."Synopsis: After winning the 74th annual Hunger Games

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-51949690495850854902011-07-21T10:16:00.004-04:002011-07-21T10:49:51.147-04:00

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!In order to beat this excessive heat wave that's been hitting my part of Canada (it's 40C (104F) with the humidity and it's only 10am!!) my kids and I wanted to find a refreshing treat to make. So off we went to find a recipe for my new ice cream maker. Yes, I have finally jumped on the homemade ice cream bandwagon!! Last week I was lucky

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-15973331916021864862011-07-20T09:25:00.002-04:002011-07-20T09:33:58.015-04:00

I hope everyone is successful at keeping cool this week! I can't remember when we've had such a long stint of truly H-O-T weather in southern Ontario! Yes, it does get quite hot here in the summer but this is ridiculous!!So, I hope you've been able to find a pool to swim in to beat the heat and managed to bring a book along to read in the shade! I've spent the better part of 2 weeks soaking in

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-44670467191071363992011-07-18T09:08:00.008-04:002011-07-20T21:31:16.415-04:00

A couple of weeks ago Brad and I took the kids to the beach for some sun and surf (can the shores of Lake Erie be considered 'surf'??). On our treks to the beach we always bring lots of sand toys, floaty things for the water and a cooler filled with food for a crowd. There's a little tidbit of info about me that you should know. I inherited the "make waaay too much food for family occasions"

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-1385687039833517002011-07-15T15:06:00.025-04:002012-01-01T21:53:35.662-05:00

Happy Harry Potter Day! It's probably not officially HP Day but since the final movie has finally been released into theatres in Canada today I thought it appropriate to showcase one of, in my humble opinion, the biggest, most creative and addicting series of all time. I am very proud to call myself a Harry Potter geek and have to admit to being a little sad that the whole HP experience is over

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648528809470059310.post-90881515044256468222011-07-14T21:14:00.005-04:002011-07-14T21:26:02.649-04:00

Author: Katherine StonePages: 297Genre: Modern FictionFirst Published: 2003First Line: "You're not going to marry her!"Synopsis: On a rainy night Claire Forrester, her beloved husband and in-laws are in a car accident that leaves Clarie's husband and parents dead and Claire in early labour.Thirty years later, Claire's daughter Paige is a talented doctor who goes above and beyond to help her

Laurie@The Baking Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678146631438774221noreply@blogger.com1