What Faye Loves Gives Back 2021

 YAY! So excited to announce that What Faye Loves reached $200 in total proceed donations for books bought in 2021.  That's all THANKS TO YOU!

*YOU'RE AMAZING!!!*

So if you purchased a What Faye Loves book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (online) or at the local Charlotte Fullwood Market or Park Road Books, please know how much we appreciate you!  Please also leave a review so others will know how wonderful the story is and help be a part of this wonderful community who gives back to local rescues.

This year, the local rescues included:

• Angela's Ark
• Billies Buddies
• Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
• C2CND rescue
• Carolina Animal Network
• Halfway There Pet Rescue
• Humane Society of Charlotte
• Lancaster SPCA
• Southeast Corgi Rescue
• Two Girls Lots of Dogs

We also did a local book signing at Pet in the City that gave back to Charlotte Black Dog.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!  Can't wait to see how much we can give back to local animal rescues in 2022.

If Books Gave Back

After publishing What Faye Loves, a children's story that follows Faye, a young corgi, through her day to discover what she does and does not love about her life, I realized something:

• Not enough goods give back

Yes, more and more companies are starting to do this: Bombas (socks), Toms (shoes), some local eateries (depending on where you live), etc.  But as a whole, this is not a common practice.  Even Jamie Lynn Spears tried to give a portion of her proceeds to a mental health charity (regardless of your feelings towards her and the Spears situation, this is still not a common practice).

What Faye Loves and any future books including Ein and Faye will do just that - give back.  A portion of the proceeds will go to local animal rescues!  I'm so thrilled to be able to do this, but I think it's time more authors and companies started to make this a practice.

• Goods and services should (at a minimum) give to a portion of all proceeds to a charity that does something represented by the book/good/service.  

I think if you're making a profit, you could do so much good for the world around you - and thank your customer base at the same time - by giving back regularly to something mirroring what it is your good/service provides.

What Faye Loves - October Kickstarter Campaign

 Hi everyone!

I am so excited to announce that my first children's book, What Faye Loves, will be available online soon!  While a portion of online sale proceeds will go to support local animal shelters, in October, we are actually running a Kickstarter campaign to jumpstart Book #2! 

What is Kickstarter?  It's crowdfunding with a twist!  Our project only gets the donations individuals pledge if we meet our goal...plus...those that pledge money can actually earn rewards!

For What Faye Loves, our rewards include:

• Signed copies of the book (paperback or hardcover)
• Thank you cards
• Digital prints

So if you or someone you know has little ones in their lives or is a dog (or corgi!) lover, please come to our Kickstarter page and support Ein and Faye in Faye's first children's book!

Help us reach our goal!  We appreciate your support!

Sometimes Gifts Come Early

My dad's birthday is in December right around Christmas.  Every year my brother and I connect with Dad and figure out what he wants because sometimes he wants one larger gift and it's best to combine, even though it's a historic downfall for those who have birthdays near holidays.

And this year it appears that gift not only got combined, but also came early.  Out of the blue I got a text from my brother.

Brother: We are getting dad a driver for his birthday

Me: Cool.

Brother: Shipping only takes a few days

Me: Cool.  Maybe there will be a sale for Black Friday

Brother: Sale now.  Arrives next week.

Me: *counting*....Sept...Oct...Nov...Dec....

Brother:  Yeah I know, but this way he can use it now and enjoy it.

Me: ....k....

Brother:  He knows and is excited.

Me:  Cool! Then totally on board.

And once we figured out the rest of the logistics, it turned out it arrived in a matter of days, Dad called, he's thrilled, and he is most elated to get use out of it this year.  

So, sometimes, a gift fits best off-season, and as long as the receiving party is on board, it can mean just as much if not more to have what you want or need when you want or need it.

A Well-Improvised S'more

 As someone who grew up in a home with electric stoves, I didn't think anything was weird about using the microwave to make certain things.

And then my husband decided he wanted a s'more, and he about fell over when I told him that instead of turning on the firepit at midday in 90 degree weather, he should just microwave it for 10-15 seconds.

Once we both finally picked his jaw up from the floor, I showed him by making my own.  I placed the graham cracker on a plate, the piece of chocolate on that and the large marshmallow on top.  I kept the top graham cracker in my hand and microwaved it for 15 seconds, watching it the entire time.  Mine only took about 11 before the marshmallow started ballooning and I knew it was time to pull it out of the microwave (b/c the marshmallow will basically explode).  Then I placed the top piece of graham cracker on the microwaved portion and handed it to him.

He, silently and looking at me strangely, took it, bit into it, and then lit up.  It had worked, he was elated, and he now had a means of making "s'mores on demand" whenever he wanted.

Hint: if you have a gas stove, you can 'roast' a marshmallow on the flame, but just be careful b/c it's an open flame in your home.

Enjoy!

Leaving Reviews

As an author, I can say reviews mean the world to me, especially ones that are thoughtful and well-considered.  Consumers look to reviews to understand value, especially as reviews become more and more commonplace.  

So as a gentle Public Service Announcement, if you have enjoyed my novels (especially from Amazon), please leave a review!  

Giving Back

There is something beautiful about the feeling you are filled with when you help another person/animal/organization.  My husband recently signed up for the annual Extra Life charity event, which donates money to Children's Miracle Network hospitals.  The event itself is in November, but registration is open, and this will be his fifth or sixth year participating, if I remember correctly.  He loves doing this because it combines his love of video games and connecting with friends with giving back to sick kids, as he is a childhood cancer survivor himself. 

For me, I find I'm partial to animal rescues.  There are a number of local shelters to whom I donate run by both formal organizations / humane societies and individuals.  The include:  Two Girls Lots of Dogs, Lancaster Animal Shelter, Humane Society of Charlotte, Billie's Buddies, Southeast Corgi Rescue, and C2CND, to name only a few.

The point?  Giving back not only helps the team that received the money, but it makes you feel good to.  It helps you see you're connected a community, to something larger than yourself.  So whatever your passion or heart, find a group to whom you can make a difference.  Because to them it will mean the world.

Juneteenth!

Congratulations to the USA for finally commemorating forever (as a Federal Holiday) Juneteenth!  It is the oldest national holiday commemorating the end of slavery.  For more information, visit www.juneteenth.com.

Mom's Recipes: Two-Egg Cake

 This weekend I tried out another inherited recipe from Mom's recipe box.  My selection was based on what I already had in the house, so the winner was:  Two-egg cake.

At the onset, it is simple enough.  Mix together ingredients, bake for 50-60 min, and finish with frosting if desired.

However, this simple process creates the most delectable and versatile dessert!  This is definitely going to be a regularly revisited keeper.

For variations, you could even do:

• 1/2 sugar for a less sweet bite
• add blueberries and bake in a cupcake tin for muffins
• remove vanilla, bake in a donut pan, and add frosting as desired for cake-donuts

I plan on also trying different variations to see if it can be translated into a chocolate cake option and a vegan option at some point in the future.  For now, it's gluten free and delicious!

Ingredients

• 10 tbsp butter, softened
• 1c sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 c milk (I used oatmilk and it was wonderful)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 3/4c flour (I used Gluten Free)
• 1/2 tsp salt (if you use unsalted butter)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Blend butter and sugar together until creamy
3. Blend in two eggs and vanilla until well-mixed
4. Slowly add in the milk to keep it well-blended
5. Mix dry ingredients and then add to wet ingredients
6. Pick your baking dish of choice.  Either line with parchment paper or grease thoroughly
• I used two small bundt pans
• You could also use one 9" cake ban or a 8x8 or 9x9 square pan
7. Bake 40-60 minutes, depending on the pan you chose.  (e.g. two small bundt pans in a convection oven took about 40 min)
8. Let cool completed before cutting or frosting

I did not add frosting to this cake.  I left it a stand-alone bundt cake, and it was devoured in 48 hours.  It keeps well in a cloche.  We put ours in our glass one on our counter and cut slices from it throughout the day to enjoy.  It is a little on the sweet side, though not so sweet it makes you pucker.  I tend to like desserts that are more buttery than sugary, so I might try it with 1/2c or 3/4c sugar the next time.  However, 10/10.  Absolutely wonderful.  Nicely done, prior family members!

Mom's Recipes: Dutch Crumb Cake

 So I realized the other day that we have gotten into an eating rut, where we just keep eating the same things over and over again, which ends up meaning that we just eat more.  I knew I needed to change something, so I started going back to the farmer's market.  Yes, I pay more for veggies, but they're fresh and I can get a variety.

But that wasn't enough.  I have this 'sweet tooth', and I use quotes because it's less like an "OMG FEED ME SUGAR" tooth, and more of an "I need something buttery and dessert-like" tooth.  That typically lends itself to home-baked cakes and cookies and the like.

So, I found my mom's old recipe box.  It's a precious moments box with all the recipes written on index cards that are now a solid shade of brown and smell like they've been forgotten for over a century.  I started looking through them to see if any caught my eye, and I realized that my mom never made any of these.  I recognized one or two from the whole bin and that was about it.  Even then it was "lemon chicken" and that was a recipe from our neighbors when I was growing up!

So I have decided I am setting out to "cook / bake my way" through the box.  I will re-write and keep the recipes I like, and I will graciously discard the ones that I do not.

And first on the list?  Dutch Crumb Cake

Two things I noted:

1. All these recipes used shortening, and I don't. So I had to look up a conversion chart for shortening-to-butter ratios.  It's basically "1-1 plus a little extra".  So in this recipe, when it called for 3 Tbsp of shortening, I used 4 Tbsp of butter.
2. The directions were awful.  The whole thing said:  "Mix like a cake."  I had no idea what that meant, so I mixed like ai was making cookies (in that order) and looked up how long to bake what I decided were going to bake cupcakes, and I crossed my fingers.

Luckily, they were AMAZING!  Pictures on pinterest: @sdcaprini.  Recipe below:

Ingredients: Cake

• 2 c flour (I used gluten free flour - like Cup4Cup or the like)
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (or about 4-5 turns of the salt grinder, if that's all you have)
• 3/4 c milk (I used oatmilk)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c sugar
• 4 Tbsp (=1/4 c =1/2 stick) butter - softened

Ingredients:  Crumble Top

• 4 Tbsp (=1/4 c =1/2 stick) butter - softened
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1/4-1/2 c flour (depending on how much crumble you will need.  I also used gluten free flour here, too)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F (i have a convection oven, so cooking times may vary slightly)
2. Make cake
1. mix butter and sugar
2. add egg until well-mixed
3. add milk SLOWLY, stirring as you pour
4. add salt
5. pour in flour and baking soda and mix slowly (fold) until completely mixed together
3. Pour in preferred pan and make sure it is evenly distributed
1. I used a 12-cupcake tin, lining the cupcakes with paper
2. You can also use two cake tins or a 9x13 pan, but be sure to spray it before adding batter
4. Make Crumble
1. mix butter and sugar together
2. add cinnamon
3. add flour
5. Evenly distribute crumble over cake
6. Bake for ~30-35 min 
1. Again, I used cupcake tins.  This time may change if you use cake pans or one 9x13 pan.
2. Remove when a toothpick comes out clean after being stuck in the middle

I highly recommend eating it warm, but it is completely delicious after being cooled fully.

YUM!  Onto the next one!

Needed a Good Show

Recently my husband and I have felt a little underwhelmed with the available show options.  Some of it is the result of having gone through a number of "hit and miss" selections lately.  Other parts is that there are so many to pick from and we neither know anything about them nor feel captivated by the trailer or blurb.  

So the other day I was perusing through all the apps and all the shows and remembered "oh! I should check Apple TV."  And as I did, I noticed one of the shows in our menu was "Ted Lasso."  I have always enjoyed movies that Jason Sudeikis has been in, and, yes, many of them are on the sillier side.  But something about it intrigued me, so I tried it.  I figured if it were a dud, I would have only wasted my own time instead of both of ours. Yet, within the first eight (8) minutes, I was hooked, and I knew my husband would be, too.

We have enjoyed it so much we have had to force ourselves to only watch 2 episodes a day so that we actually have something to watch and even look forward to.  Tonight will be the last two episodes, and we are so excited.

So if you need a recommendation, and if you have Apple TV, let me (be the first?) to recommend "Ted Lasso".  It's amazing.

Quick Polenta Snacks

As you all know, my husband is vegan.  I am not, but I do prioritize eating well both because I know it's good for me and because, as I get older, my body can handle less and less unhealthy foods.  It must be nature's way of reminding you to eat right!

So one of my favorite "go to"s is baked polenta slices.  It's supremely easy to make, requires minimal effort, and turns out yummy bite-sized snacks (or side dishes) within an hour.

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Purchase the roll of polenta.  I like the Italian Herb and Sun-dried tomato flavored ones the best, but they have plain and other flavors as well
3. Cut the polenta into slices.  For firmer snacks, cut slices closer to 1/4 of an inch thick.  For chewier snacks, closer to 1/2 an inch.  I have not ever done full 1" slices, but my guess is they'd be cooked but crumbly when handled
4. Place slices on a baking sheet.  I recommend using parchment paper for easy cleanup.
5. Take your favorite cheese (we use vegan cheese - gouda or cheddar) and place a slice on each atop each slice of polenta.
• if you're using pre-sliced cheese, I can usually use one slice of cheese for 8 slices of polenta.  I don't use precise measurements.  Instead I just keep folding the cheese in half until I end up with 8 slices.
6. Bake for 30-45 minutes, until your preferred firmness is achieved.
7. Remove from oven, let cool for 1-2 minutes, and enjoy!

Because We All Love Free Kindle Books

 The spring reading and summer reading lists are about to come out.  And people are starting to think of what they can do when they take their "staycations".  If you need a book to read and you have a Kindle, enjoy a FREE book!  

The Summer of 3 is a great summer read, and the free Kindle download makes it so you can read it at anytime and take it with you anywhere!  It's a good "easy" read, perfect for being poolside, or looking for something that helps you escape from the craziness of Covid-life.

So start planning.  Enjoy a free download!  And read-on!

Friday Inspiration

 Need a pick me up on Friday mornings?  Save the Fearless Friday Quote blog site and check in for your Friday inspiration.

Chewy Cookie Secret (and they're GF)

 Alright, confession - I have the Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip cookie recipe memorized.  Its the only version my mom ever made when my brother and I were growing up, and it became a staple not only in our house at the time by in my young adult life when I was battling bulimia.  Repetition breeds memory, I guess.

But that's not the point.  The point is, whenever I made them, people always asked me how they stayed so chewy!

Secret #1 - store in an airtight container.  I recommend a glass or tin container with parchment paper between cookie layers so they don't stick, but anything other than plastic bags should be fine.

Secret #2 - Add water!  It should be the same amount as the vanilla, and add it at the same time in the cooking process!  

It's that simple!

PS - if you're making them Gluten Free...

• Secret #3 - I like Cup 4 Cup GF flour most.  I also add an extra 1/8 to 1/4 cup flour to a standard recipe (standard calls for 2 and 1/4 cup flour).  If you don't add enough flour they spread and harden in the cooking process.

Also, one more confession...I like making a handful with just the dough.  No chocolate chips.  I use those a coffee-dunkers in the AM!

Enjoy!

Finding Joy in the Little Things

 Good morning, 2021!  As you may not have started out as we had hoped (some say it's just 2020 part 2), I have to admit, the continued work from home ability combined with the crisp chill of the winter has afforded me some time to realize how wonderful the little things can be.

Some of my favorites:

• Waking up to see the group in a beautiful frost (I now live south enough that we don't really get snow) and it reminds me how glad I am not to have snow anymore
• The warmth of a cup of coffee radiating through my hands
• Realizing that the days are inching towards getting lighter longer
• removing YouTube TV and swapping it for Disney+ and Discovery+.  I haven't missed the things on YouTube TV that I never watched in the first place
• Finding an organization to donate to, and realizing that I can continue to make a difference to animals beyond just the holiday season
• More FaceTimes.  I do love seeing people, even if i can't do so "in real life" in person.

Share some of your "favoring little things" that have brought you joy this year!  And may you continue to smile at all the little things.