22 Comments

That was a fun party! Thank you so much for the books! My whole set is complete! I treasure them.

Also this weekend, between church and the party at your house, my friend Connie had an impromptu bonfire and marshmallow roast to pass that time together ❤️!

The simplest things... I praise God for the joy we find in these moments.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much Claudette! It was so wonderful to see you in person. xox I was happy to sit with Pastor Kim on the floor and thank him in person as well. We are so grateful for both of you and how you came alongside us during such a hard time.

Joy and trials...I honor them both.

Have a beautiful day.

Expand full comment

Nature was the featured guest this week end. Izzie “introduced herself” to a possum on our patio as we set out on our Friday night pre-bedtime walk. The possum was unamused. Izzie was a bit freaked out by the hissing mouthful of pointy teeth. Yesterday we happened upon a “Pond Slider Turtle” busy laying its eggs near the backyard pond.

Cookies or cake? Since I didn’t see the cookies a slice of the beautifully decorated cake will be greatly appreciated. Virtually… as should be most of my desserts. Warm thoughts to you and your family.

Expand full comment

Oh my goodness Gary! What a weekend indeed of possum and Pond slider turtles! So cool well as long as Izzie was safe.

Sending a virtual slice to you now. :) Enjoy your day Gary and thank you so much.

Expand full comment

It was absolute a cake day for me yesterday. Chocolate at church and marble at your party. Taking a break for now on cake… should last me quite awhile. We destroyed that beautiful and delicious book cake. Thank you for the party, so much fun and conversation.

Expand full comment

Oh wow! You sure got your cake for the year! :) LOL I'm happy you enjoyed it and came. The kids always enjoy seeing their Nana. Love you Mom.

Expand full comment

A meditative

Walk thru tree lined Shaker Heights

Three hours of pure bliss…..

Congratulations Jules on “ being” You.

I hope you take a break from the whirlwind to appreciate all you have accomplished and bask in some self-love. 🤗‼️

Expand full comment

Pure bliss indeed! Sounds amazing Clark. Thank you for sharing with us.

"take a break for some self-love." Thank you for the nudge Clark. I will.

Expand full comment

I had some brownies yesterday.

And eating books?

If they are always in cake from, then I'm there for it. Ha ha!

Expand full comment

Hi Olga!

Brownies can't be beat! :) YUM.

LOL...I would have loved to send you piece. :) Thank you for sharing today. I hope your week is off to a great start.

Expand full comment

Congrats on multiple levels: remission, author event, cake! This weekend for us on the dessert front: my new favorite plant-based apple cake (I modified an online recipe) with date caramel frosting, sooooo good that if we didn't mention all of it was plant-based (no dairy, eggs, butter, oil, sugar), no one would be able to tell. Have the very best week, Julie, to you and your family. 😊

Expand full comment

Thank you so much Mary and for sharing a bit of your weekend here with us. YUM! That cake is right up my alley! Where do I find the recipe? Enjoy your ride today!

Expand full comment

I'm just about ready to ride to work - I'll send you the links with my modifications this afternoon! Thanks, the ride should be super, btw. Perfect conditions - no wind!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much Mary. I look forward to making it. :) Perfect conditions...Yippee!

Expand full comment

Hi, Julie, here are the recipes with my modifications. (I make the apple cake and use the date caramel for frosting instead of the caramel drizzle from the apple cake recipe.) 😋

1 Bowl Vegan Apple Cake. https://www.noracooks.com/wprm_print/5912

My modifications: bake in a 9" round cake pan. I followed the apple cake instructions, just changed the ingredients. This is a super moist cake, so yummy with the date frosting! This makes enough cake for Jim and me to enjoy 3 nights running.

1 1/2 cup of diced apples (use your favorite baking apple)

1 cup + 2 T all purpose flour

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t salt

1/4 c maple syrup

1/4 c backstrap molasses

1/4 c unsweetened applesauce

optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

4-Ingredient Date Caramel (topping for the cake instead of the cake's recipe for Caramel Drizzle). https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/wprm_print/34362

My modifications to use as frosting:

16 dates, soaked until soft. I pour boiling water over the dates in a bowl, cover the bowl so the heat and steam stay in, and let the dates steep in the hot water for 2 hours or more. Chop the softened dates into a paste (no need for a food processor).

6 T of almond milk, stir in 1 T at a time into the date paste with a fork

Stir in 1 t of maple syrup until the frosting is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

Enjoy!!! 🍰

Expand full comment

Wow Mary! This sounds fabulous and delicious! I'm going to give this a go soon and will just change the flour to make it Gluten free. Thank you so much. I love the frosting recipe. yummy.

Expand full comment

Enjoy!!

Expand full comment

Wow, just wow!!! 'We loved the book so much we ate it!' - you're so adorable, Julie!

Such a BEAUTIFUL post! xxx

Expand full comment

LOL! You're so sweet! Thank you so much Rebecca. I would love to share a slice with you. Maybe next year? 2025 we head to England to visit my sister, how cool would it be to see you if only for a bit. :)

Expand full comment

Wonderful and beautiful packed into a package... Fabulous 🌞

Expand full comment

Thank you Jack. I hope you are healthy and happy on your end. It's great to get your message.

Expand full comment