Have Your Steak, and Eat Cake, Too! with the New Steak and Cake Cookbook by Elizabeth Karmel (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exhange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Have you heard the saying, "Have your cake and eat it, too!"? Well, after receiving the new cookbook by Elizabeth Karmel, I had to make a slight change to this saying, and add cake into it.  :-)  When it comes to favorite foods, my top two favorites are cake and steak, in no particular order. But, when you get to enjoy them both in one sitting, it really is a nice treat! And, thanks to the Steak and Cake cookbook, there are more than 100 recipes to make any meal a smash hit...letting you eat your steak...and having cake, too!

Buy now for only $22.95

More about this cookbook:

"Discover just how luscious and indulgent both steak and cake can be with Elizabeth Karmel, Southern baker extraordinaire and one of America’s leading pitmasters.
 
Let them eat cake—and steak! This unique cookbook shares more than 100 recipes that beg to be prepared, paired, and eaten with pure joy. How about a Cowboy Steak with Whiskey Butter followed by a Whiskey Buttermilk Bundt Cake? Or a Porterhouse for Two with My Mother’s Freshly Grated Coconut Cake? Or mix and match yourself—maybe an Indoor/Outdoor Tomahawk Steak paired with a Classic Key Lime Cheesecake?"

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Before you proceed reading my post, I hope you have a full stomach...if not, this will be a little painful, as the photos I will be sharing from this cookbook will definitely make your mouth water, and leave you wishing you had a tasty steak and slice of cake in front of you to devour.  Just be warned. :-)

OMG, OMG, OMG -- that is all I can say, as I was flipping through this cookbook by Elizabeth Karmel for the very first time.  I love steak, and sweets have always been a weakness for me with my sweet tooth. But, never did I think to pair them both together...that was until I was sent a copy of "Steak and Cake" to review.  Then, as I was reading through the cookbook and flagging recipes to try, I found myself thinking...this cookbook author is genius...she is pairing two foods most Americans love, and doing it in such a great way.  

I couldn't get over all the full color illustrations of the recipes in this cookbook.  As I flipped through the pages, I found myself flagging all of the recipes, as they looked so good in the picture, that I wanted to get in the kitchen and cook them all up for my family to enjoy.  Both the steaks and cakes were mouthwatering to look at in their full color pictures, and the way the recipes were laid out, they can be cooked up and enjoyed by even the most novice of cooks, making this a great cookbook to gift foodies and home chefs/bakers of any experience level, this holiday season.  My husband was all smiles when he saw me looking through this cookbook, as he knew he would have to help taste test the recipes I would be cooking up.  Tough job, right? :-)  

I have only had this cookbook for a few weeks now, and have tried about a dozen recipes so far.  Prior to Thanksgiving dinner, I had family and friends over and served up two takes on steak, and paired them with two oh so delicious cakes.  I wish you could have been in the room to hear everyone raving about how juicy the steak was, and how tasty the cakes were.  They found themselves wondering why they never thought to pair steak and cake before, but will definitely be doing this for now on. :-)  After talking to my husband the other day, we are going to switch things up this Christmas, and instead of cooking up turkey and all the fixings, I am going to make steak instead, and have a couple cakes on the dessert table, next to all the cookies the girls will be whipping up for guests to enjoy.  This Christmas dinner will mash together two of our favorite foods, and satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.  So, what is the on the menu?  Being a chocolate lover, I have to go with the following steak and cake pairing...





In addition to the roasted potatoes, I will also cook up Brussels sprouts, a side of marinated mushrooms, and sauteed onions, along with a homemade pan gravy.  And, as far a dessert goes, my girls are asking to make homemade whipped cream and strawberries in syrup to top the cake with, while my husband is asking me to toast up pecans to sprinkle on the top of this frosted chocolate layer cake.  Mmm, I am getting hungry just thinking about this holiday menu, and am counting down the days to Christmas like my girls. But, instead of waiting for Santa's arrival, I am waiting to sit at the dining room table to eat my steak, and cake, too!

If you are a steak and cake lover, or just love cookbooks, or know someone who does, then I highly recommend the "Steak and Cake" cookbook from Elizabeth Karmel  She sure does hit it out the park with this cookbook, and I haven't make a recipe from her cookbook that my family doesn't love!  You can learn more about this cookbook by visiting https://www.workman.com/products/steak-and-cake.

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exhange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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S'mores Lovers Will Love Taking It Up a Notch with This Recipe Book Containing 50+ Irresistible Recipes You'll Want to Try! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Does your family love making s'mores by the campfire?  My family sure does!  But, even though summer is long gone and winter is here, that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy a good s'more, while snuggling up on the couch under warm blankets, waiting for Santa's arrival soon.

Buy now for only $14.95

Thanks to S'mores! Gooey, Melty, Crunchy Riffs on the Campfire Classic by Dan Whalen, we are taking the classic s'mores recipe and taking it up a notch...think pizzelle s'mores, toasted coconut s'mores and even sweet potato filling s'mores.   With over 50 tasty recipes, you are sure to find a new s'mores recipe your family will love. We were recently sent this book from the kind folk sat Workman Publishing, and have been working our way through this s'mores recipe book, trying each and every recipe. 

Just yesterday we tried bacon s'mores and cannoli s'mores.  It is truly amazing how many ways you can make and enjoy a s'mores, beyond the basic graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow we are all used to making while sitting around the campfire, or cooking up in the microwave.  With this s'mores cookbook you can become a s'mores aficionado in no time.  My girls have been having a blast reading through the pages of the S'mores! Gooey, Melty, Crunchy Riffs on the Campfire Classic cookbook and flagging recipes to try, and then getting in the kitchen to make them, and offer them up for taste testing.  We have a little chart going on the wipe off board in the hall with our top 10 favorites, which we keep moving all around as we make our way through this book.

Here are just a few of the recipes we have tried and loved!...

If you are s'mores lover, or know someone who is, this book would make for a great gift idea this holiday season.  You can gift it with some chocolate, big bag of marshmallows, and maybe a few ingredients from the cookbook to get the gift recipient (or you) started on making some ooey gooey s'mores right from the start.  We are loving the S'mores! Gooey, Melty, Crunchy Riffs on the Campfire Classic by Dan Whalen, and I know you will, too!

You can learn more about the S'mores! Gooey, Melty, Crunchy Riffs on the Campfire Classic by Dan Whalen by visiting https://www.workman.com/. 

More about this book:

"Putting the more in s’mores!

While contemplating a traditional s’more, mad genius Dan Whalen, the recipe creator behind Tots!, asked a tasty question: What would happen if you kept the essential s’mores architecture—three layers of gooey, melty, and crunchy—but changed it up? The result? More than 50 playful, irresistible recipes that completely challenge the definition of a s’more. Riffs range from classic—Salted Caramel S’mores, Nutella S’mores, and Lemon Meringue S’mores—to crazy. Think Avocado S’mores, S’moresburgers, and the Elvis—bacon, banana, and peanut butter nirvana.
 
Enjoy your s’mores all year long! Every recipe is designed to be made in the broiler as well as over a campfire."


Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Kids Will Have Hours of Fun Creating Christmas Pictures to Display with the Paint by Sticker Kids Christmas Book from Workman Publishing (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

If you follow my blog regularly, then you have probably read a post or two about Paint by Sticker books for kids and adults from Workman Publishing.  I have shared a handful of these types of posts featuring these super fun paint by sticker books the whole family will love, for every day enjoyment, as well as holidays like Halloween.  

In all of my posts about the Paint by Sticker books from Workman Publishing, I have shared about how these sticker books have provided hours of enjoyment for my girls, and how I have loved sitting down to create a sticker scene or two with them...that is, if they let me! :-) So, when the girls saw the Paint by Stickers Kids Christmas book arrive in the mail a couple of weeks ago, they were all smiles, and couldn't wait to get their hands on this holiday themed sticker book to start making scenes with the peel and stick glitter stickers that are included in the book. Kids (and adults) can create 10 pictures with this particular sticker book...and, yes, all the stickers you need (which are numbered) are included, so you don't need anything else to enjoy this book.

Buy now for only $9.95

About this Christmas sticker book from Workman Publishing:

"It's hours of jolly holiday fun—including glitter stickers!
 
New in this bestselling activity series, Paint by Sticker Kids: Christmas includes everything kids need to create ten vibrant images, including Santa, a snowman, stockings filled with presents, and a dazzling Christmas tree—with glitter stickers that make the images shine.
 
Step 1: Pick an image. Step 2: Find the stickers. Step 3: Match the numbers. And watch your Halloween painting come to life!

 
Includes everything you need to create ten sticker paintings on sturdy card stock. Plus, all the pages are perforated—making it easy to tear out each finished work to frame and share!"

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My girls have been fighting a head cold the past few days, and have been laying around on the couch resting, so that they can be well for Christmas.  The Paint by Sticker Kids Christmas book has definitely come in handy keeping them buy and entertained while they rest and lay around.  I ended up buying another copy of this sticker book on Amazon so that they could each have their own books to do. The girls had a blast creating their glitter sticker pictures, that are now covering my fridge, and all over their bedroom doors.  The pictures are really cute and include Santa, a snowman, a nutcracker, a beautifully decorated and lit Christmas tree, as well as Rudolph, a gingerbread house and even a wreath.  

Kids will have blast adding color to the holiday picture scenes, which are on sturdy card stock.  On average, it takes my girls about a half hour to do one Paint by Sticker picture, as most have around 60 stickers to peel and stick. They love watching their pictures come to life and pop with all the colorful stickers they place.  And, when they are done, they can't help but smile, and want to show off their completed sticker picture, which they are so proud of.

What kid (or adult) doesn't love stickers?  I know as a kid, I loved collecting stickers in my sticker albums and trading them with friends.  If only there were Paint by Stickers books like this around when I was young.  I would have been asking Santa for them, for sure. But, at least my girls, who are also sticker lovers, get to enjoy these fun sticker books, and it keeps them busy, which during this crazy time of year is good when they are not feeling well, or are home on Christmas break from school.

If you are looking for a fun last minute gift idea for your kids, or unique gift to add to their Christmas Eve boxes this year, I recommend you checking out the Paint by Sticker books available from Workman Publishing.  They have this super cute Christmas book my girls have been enjoying, as well as so many others including dogs, cats, masterpieces, travel, etc.  

You can check out the full line of Paint by Sticker books available by visiting https://www.workman.com/brands/paint-by-sticker.  And, be sure to check out the new Paint by Sticker Cats Wall Calendar 2020 which is new.  

I just saw it while putting together this post, and bought it for my oldest daughter, who loves cats. Not only will she love having this fun cat calendar on her wall in bedroom, but she will have a blast adding color to the pictures with the Paint by Sticker stickers.

So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to Workman Publishing and browse their Paint by Sticker books available, and grab a few for your last minute gift giving needs.  Then, get ready to hear how great these sticker books are, and how your gift recipients want more!

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
 

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Meet 25 of the Creepiest Creatures from Classic Literature in "The Big Book of Monsters" -- A Who's Who of the of the Baddest of the Bad! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now in hardcover from Amazon for only $16.95

(Also available in Kindle format)

For many people, Halloween is their favorite holiday of the year.  They love all things spooky and creepy; and, the more scarier, the better!  One thing that makes Halloween so spooky are the different monsters and creatures that fill the pages of classic literature, including the bloodsucking vampire known as Count Dracula, to Frankenstein.  Each and every monster has a spine-tingling story to tell, and for those who want to dive deeper into each monster, have I got the perfect book for you!  Workman Publishing recently came out with "The Big Book of Monsters: The Creepiest Creatures from Classic Literature," written by Hal Johnson.  This books is collection of 25 of the creepiest creatures ever imagined, that shares not only their stories, but also explores the history and genre of each piece of classic literature.  

To do each monster just, the author share a full-size color portrait, to capture the appeal and essence of each beast, followed by gruesome details and brief retelling of their tales, that make them so well-known and popular, especially around this time of year -- Halloween.  Many of the monsters you will be very familiar with, including the headless horseman from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and Medusa from "The Metamorphoses," while others will leave you scratching your head trying to figure out who they are like Fafnir from the Icelandic classic, "The Volsung Saga."

While I am not big on creepy monsters, I did find this book really intriguing, as I am all about classic literature and getting the back story on why stories were written.  Each and every monster I read about had its own cringe-worthy history that makes them unique and horrifying, but at the same legends in classic literature.  These monsters and their stories have been around for years, some hundreds of years, and they continue to appeal to readers young and old.  My girls after attending the Legend of Sleepy Hollow theatrical performance a couple weeks ago, want to learn all about the Headless Horseman and his creepy tale.  While, my husband saw this book on the counter, and found himself not being able to put it down, as it was so unique and full of tantalizing tidbits of how these monsters came about and how their stories have remained relevant and are re-told year after year in books and even in movies.  If you are a lover of monster and all things spooky, then you will love this one of a kind analysis of 25 of the most frightening monsters that fill the pages of classic literature.


More about this book:

"Meet the monsters in this who’s who of the baddest of the bad!

Like those supernatural beasts everyone knows and fears—the bloodsucking vampire, Count Dracula, and that eight-foot-tall mash-up of corpses, Frankenstein’s Monster. Or that scariest of mummies, Cheops, who scientists revived after 4,700 years—big mistake! Or more horrifying yet, the Horla, an invisible, havoc-wreaking creature that herds humans like cattle and feeds of their souls.

Drawn from the pages of classic books and tales as old as time, this frightfully exciting collection features 25 of the creepiest creatures ever imagined, from witches and werewolves to dragons and ghosts.

Every monster is brought to life in a full-size full-color portrait that captures the essence of the beast, and in lively text that recounts the monster’s spine-tingling story. With sidebars that explore the history and the genre of each sourcebook, The Big Book of Monsters is an exciting introduction to literature and language arts."

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
 

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Paper Airplane Making Made More Fun with These Three Paper Airplane Books from Workman Publishing -- Great Gift Ideas for Kids and Kids at Heart! (Review) #paperairplanefun

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the publishing in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Do your kids love making paper airplanes? My husband taught my girls how to make paper airplanes years ago, and whenever they find themselves bored or with extra scrap paper laying around, they will usually turn them into paper airplanes.  Then, they challenge each over to see whose paper airplane can go the farthest.  Whenever I find my girls making paper airplanes, I find my competitive side kick in, and I join in the fun to make the coolest airplane, that I always tell them will go the farthest -- even though it usually does a few loop d loops before nose diving to the ground. :-)  Hey, I tried! :-)

So, when I was browsing the Workman Publishing website last month, I was excited to stumble across three paper airplane books that kids and adults would enjoy.  As you can see in the photo above, these paper airplane books come with step by step instructions and colorful and vibrant paper ready to be folded into super cool animals and birds, outer space flyers and even a Gargoyle.  I reached out to see about reviewing these books, and was excited when they arrived at my door.  I knew my girls and husband would have a blast making and flying their paper airplanes, and it would give me a excuse to practice my folding skills so that I could finally beat them all. :-)

The step-by-step instructions and tips on how to send your plane soaring in each book are perfect for both beginner and advanced paper airplane fans.  In a matter of minutes you can have a few paper airplanes ready to take flight.

My family had a blast  making all the different paper airplanes from these three books, and had even more fun flying the all around the house and outside.  While I didn't beat my girls, as their planes always seemed to keep soaring through the air, while my needed to make a pit stop and rest in the bushes or in the couch cushions, it was still fun spending quality time together, without cell phones or electronics.  One night we spend a couple hours just making the different airplanes and flying them all around.  

With the holidays fast approaching these three paper airplane books from Workman Publishing would make for great stocking stuffer ideas for kids and kids at heart who still love grabbing a piece of paper and turning it into a stellar aircraft. :-)  And, at around $8 per book, you can't go wrong with the price, as you get 60+ mini planes and paper with each book.  I hope that more paper airplane books are released from Ken Blackburn and Jeff Lammers, as I will buy them to share with my family.

Here is more about the three different paper airplane books, including links to Amazon where you can purchase them...

Buy now from Amazon for only $7.48

About this book:

"Welcome to the world of miniature aviation, intergalactic style. It’s entertainment on the fly for the office, backyard, classroom (don’t get caught!), or anywhere there might be a party, featuring 12 Lilliputian-size models that create 63 planes altogether.

From the Dynamo to the Alien Clipper, Cosmojet to the Spectre, these intergalactic flyers are vibrantly colored and gorgeously designed to resemble various spacecraft. 

This isn't your plain white paper airplane -- just look at the gorgeous colors above :-)

Fold up the straight-shooting Star Quest and an Aerobot that’s part spaceship, part robot. Includes step-by-step folding instructions and tips on how to send each plane soaring at its full aerodynamic potential. "

Buy now from Amazon for only $8.98

About this book:

"Welcome to the world of flying animals! It’s entertainment on the fly for the office, backyard, classroom (don’t get caught!), or anywhere there might be a party, featuring 12 Lilliputian-size models that create 69 planes altogether.

From the Dragon to the Stingray, Beetlebot to the Beach Bomber, these flying creatures are vibrantly colored and gorgeously designed to resemble animals that fly, both real and imaginary. 

Fold up an antennaed Scarab and the sharklike Predator. Includes step-by-step folding instructions and tips on how to send each plane soaring at its full aerodynamic potential."

Buy now from Amazon for only $7.48

About this book:

"Welcome to the world of miniature aviation. 

It’s entertainment on the fly for the office, backyard, classroom (don’t get caught!), or anywhere there might be a party, featuring 12 Lilliputian-size models that create 69 planes altogether.

From the Skyhawk to the Saber, Phoenix to the B-2 Buzz Bomber, these inimitable flyers are vibrantly colored and gorgeously designed. 

Fold up the Gargoyle, which excels at loops and dives, and the Concorde 500, modeled after the fastest passenger plane ever built. Includes step-by-step folding instructions and tips on how to send each plane soaring at its full aerodynamic potential.  "

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You can learn more about these and other fun activity and craft books from Workman Publishing which would make for great stocking stuffers, or even snow day indoor activities to keep your kids (of all ages) busy and entertained, by visiting https://www.workman.com/.  They even have some great planners and 2020 calendars available, that will help you get organized as you head into the new year. :-)

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the publishing in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Kids Will Love Decorating Their Journals, Binders, Laptops, Phone Cases and More with the Bestselling Sticker Book Series, EyeLike Stickers (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

When my girls weren't enjoying the Paint by Sticker books from Workman Publishing, they were creating fun sticker scenes using the 400 reusable stickers that came with the two EyeLike books we were sent to review.  The girls were recently sent the EyeLike Stickers: Kittens and EyeLike Stickers: Puppies, and have been having so much applying the reusable sticker to the colorful scene included with the book, as well as adding the stickers to their bedroom windows and our dry erase wipe off board for school.  

They were coming up with fun stories based on the scenes they created, to share with me and one another.  When using the dry erase board, I found them doodling more background scenes to make the cute kitten and puppy reusable stickers to life.  :-)

In addition to using the sticker scene in the book and our dry erase board and their windows, the girls went throughout the house to find other places they could place all their different cute EyeLike stickers.  The girls found that these reusable stickers stick well to journals, school binders, the back of my laptop, as well as the back of their phone cases.  Wherever I looked I found myself looking at the kitten and puppy stickers.  I couldn't get mad at the girls with these stickers, as they could be peeled off without tearing or leaving behind a sticky residue, like all the other stickers my girls have added to our walls and hardwood floors over the years.  If only they had owned these reusable sticker books before, it would have saved some of my walls and furniture.  But, at least now they know about the fun EyeLike Stickers books, and can't wait to get more of these books to enjoy time and time again.  

After heading over to the Workman Publishing website recently, I was amazed at how many EyeLike Stickers books they have available.  The Puppies and Kittens books are brand new, while the following are past releases, worth checking out...

• Ocean
• Space
• Dinosaurs
• Horses
• Animals
• Bugs
• Colors
• Christmas
• Baby Animals
• Pirates
• Trucks
• Wild Animals
• Easter
• On the Farm
• Letters
• Seasons

Seeing just how much my girls liked and got into the EyeLike Stickers Puppies and Kittens books, I will definitely be picking up the Christmas-themed sticker book to put away for them for Christmas.  

And, at only $6.99 a book, it is a real still as you get 400 reusable stickers, that will never dry out or tear, which I love!

You can learn more about the fun best selling EyeLike Stickers books available now from Workman Publishing by visiting https://www.workman.com/series/eyelike-stickers.

Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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