Book(s) Review - A Twofer - Strange Sally Diamond and Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent

 Ok friends, I cannot remember who mentioned Strange Sally Diamond (Nicole, somehow I think it was you) by Liz Nugent but I cannot thank you enough.

After spending months on the waiting list for it at the library, I finally received it a few days ago and I devoured that book.  Here's the synopsis from Amazon -

Reclusive Sally Diamond is thrust into the media spotlight when she tries to incinerate her dead father, causing widespread outrage. Now she’s the center of attention, not only from hungry reporters and police detectives, but also a sinister voice from a past she does not remember. As she begins to discover the repressed memories of her horrific early childhood, Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, big decisions, and learning that people don’t always mean what they say.
But who is the man observing Sally from the other side of the world, and why does he call her Mary? And why does her new neighbor seem to be obsessed with her? Sally’s trust issues are about to be severely challenged in this “truly incredible reading experience” (Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

For the first couple of pages I was thinking this might not be one that would grab my attention; but it quickly did and I was hooked.  I'm reluctant to say anything other than that Amazon synopsis because I'm afraid I'd give something away (there is a LOT to digest).

After I quickly finished that book, I went to the library to see what else they might have on the shelves from this author and I discovered Little Cruelties unfortunately, that was the only thing they had to offer.  

I also devoured this book in less than 24 hours.  Again, with the Amazon synopsis (yes, technically cheating when I let Amazon dominate the word count in this post but oh well...)

All three of the Drumm brothers were at the funeral.
But one of them was in the coffin.
William, Brian, and Luke: three boys, born a year apart, trained from birth by their wily mother to compete for her attention. They play games, as brothers do…yet even after the Drumms escape into the world beyond their windows, those games—those little cruelties—grow more sinister, more merciless, and more dangerous. And with their lives entwined like the strands of a noose, only two of the brothers will survive.
Hailed by New York Times bestselling author Shari Lapena as “brilliant, engrossing,” and perfect for fans of breathtaking suspense, Little Cruelties gazes unflinchingly into the darkness collecting in the corners of childhood homes, hiding beneath marriage beds, clasped in the palms of two brothers shaking hands. And it confirms that Liz Nugent is truly “a force to be reckoned with” (Lisa Jewell, New York Times bestselling author) in contemporary fiction.

Liz Nugent appears to be a genius when it comes to creating stories about seriously dysfunctional family dynamics.  In comparison to the families she presents in these two books, my family looks positively normal (they are not, at all - but, boy howdy!, they aren't this bad!)

As I mentioned, this was the only title on the shelves at my library; but I will most definitely be requesting more titles from this author.

Puzzling

 I admit it, I'm usually a sucker for a puzzle.  But this particular puzzle?  I've despised from day one.

Let's back up.  I started this puzzle last year, prior to Christmas.  I never did finish, because Christmas snuck up on me and I had to dismantle the puzzle (I've got to invest in one of those mats that allow you to roll up with unfinished puzzle and put it away) in large sections (to keep from starting from scratch) so that the guest room bed would be accessible to the Newlyweds when they stayed over Christmas Eve.

Earlier this week, I finally pulled the puzzle back out and once again set out to finish the puzzle as I need something to pass the time (and, apparently, house keeping isn't it) now that I'm unemployed.  And guess what?  This time around, I hated this puzzle even more.

After much thought was given (while poring over the damn thing) I came to the conclusion that this puzzle didn't have discernable facial features (other than eyes) and the there was barely a discernable difference between the color variations.

In sum, it was frustrating.

So, I am happy to report that I finally finished the stupid puzzle....

Only to be faced with this...

A leftover piece that doesn't belong (or is a duplicate).  Infuriating.

I guess I now need to find a new, less infuriating puzzle to do.  Or embrace house keeping (which, quite frankly, needs to be done but still isn't ranking high on my list of quality "Passing the Time" list.).

Not a real post but THE Best Chocolate Cake Ever

The kids were coming over today to celebrate S's birthday...his 30th birthday - how did that child get so old??

So I decided to make a chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache.

Friends, that ganache had me worried.  There's something about heating cream (or milk) on the stove that makes me nervous.  I'd never made ganache before and I was seeing all these warnings about how finicky it can be.  Those people are liars.  It was super easy.

The cake itself I wasn't worried about because I've made it before and it has always turned out perfectly and today was no exception.

When I tell you this is the best chocolate cake ever; I am not even kidding.  It is the most moist and delicious cake that I have ever had the pleasure to eat.  In fact, I've seriously given consideration to giving up any other future cake endeavors in favor of this one (not really). 

So today, I figured I'd share the recipe.

Without further ado -

Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salet
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs - room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot freshly brewed coffee

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray two round cakes pans with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla.  Slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients just until incorporated.  The slowly beat in the hot fee until incorporated.

Pour the batter into the cake pans and bake for 35 minutes.

Original recipe found here.

I have made this cake with a peanut butter frosting (SO good), a raspberry cream cheese frosting and now with the ganache - and it hasn't failed me yet.  In fact, I'm already planning to use this recipe to make cupcakes for the cul-de-sac Fall block party later this month.  My only conundrum - what type of frosting.

This cake is so darn good - I even posted a
picture to Instagram (who am I?!)

Any suggestions for future frosting?  Do you have a fail safe cake recipe that has never let you down?  If not, you can have this one.

Western North Carolina - a horrific tragedy

 As many of you have surely heard by now; Western North Carolina was practically wiped out by Hurricane Helene.

The damage is mind blowing.  Who would have thought that a hurricane would strike up in the mountains that are at least 4-5 hours inland?

From what I'm hearing all roads in and out of the areas are closed - because they've either been washed away, are covered in mudslides, etc.

My bonus daughter and her partner live in the Asheville area - we've heard they are safe and fine; their house is undamaged but they don't have water.  And were told it may take three weeks to have the water restored.  Cell service is extremely spotty, so we don't always have a way to contact them.  We've told them to come here - if they can find a way out - but they are worried about leaving their house as the unsavory side of human nature has come into play as people are looting.

After several days, they were finally able to get to a grocery store so they have food.  But the one problem they have run into is they need cash.  None of the open stores are accepting payment by card (I assume because of lack electricity, lack of internet connections, etc.)  So that is something to tuck away in the back of your mind - when a natural disaster is looming (apparently now, no matter where you live) make sure you have plenty of cash on hand.  This would have never occurred to me before.

I read in the paper this morning that supplies are being airlifted into the affected areas and that supplies are also being brought in on mules.  Yes, you read that right.  The roads are in such horrific shape that only mules are able to pick their way through.

The thing is the news seems to be focusing on Asheville and other well known cities - but there are countless small towns that are completely cut off from EVERYTHING.  I was reading about one small town where the only way in or out is via a bridge.  A bridge that was swept away during the storm.

My heart hurts for all these people.  We don't even know yet if all the survivors have been rescued.

I saw pictures of the campus where my son went to college - the whole town was under water and there were sink holes all over the place.

Please keep the people in Western North Carolina in your prayers.  And, if you are able, please donate to the Red Cross to help them dig out and start over.