2014-2015 - Book 38

"Revived" - Nebraska

I actually rather enjoyed this book. It was an interesting look into a sci-fi type program run by a secret group who were developing a drug to bring people back to life. An Iowa bus crash with over 20 fatalities, mostly small children, was the launching point. The 21 "Bus Kids" that were Revived became the test subjects and this book focuses on one of them, Daisy. She was an orphan at the time so she is being raised by two of the program's scientists, or Agents. When she dies and has to be revived for the fifth time (she is severely allergic to bees) she is forced to relocate and assume a new identity . . . again. She meets new friends and begins to fit into her new Omaha high school but she is also discovering some unsavory aspects of being in the Revived program.

I liked most of the characters in this book and there wasn't really anything in here that was inappropriate (unlike some of the other books I read). The story was engrossing and it was fun to imagine a program like that actually existing. All in all, a pretty good read :)

My two recipes to share this week are both exceedingly tasty: Candy Cane Tree Meringues (Idea & sugar info / Other idea / Recipe) and homemade Chocolate Pudding.

First of all, these recipes complement each other perfectly. The pudding requires 4 egg yolks, and the meringues require 4 egg whites, so what are you waiting for? Go make both right now :)

These little trees were amazingly easy to make and tasted really good. I didn't even bother dipping them in chocolate, and for how much I love chocolate, it's amazing to say that I didn't miss it. These were perfect just the way they are . . . I will definitely be making these a Christmas tradition.

As for the pudding, I think that boxed pudding has given pudding a bad reputation. I thought that I loved pudding (Jell-O cheesecake pudding with mini chocolate chips on top is amazing), but this pudding is in a class all it's own. Mousse is supposedly the fancy thing to make for dessert, but once your guests take one taste of this homemade chocolate pudding, their ideas about pudding will be completely transformed. This was oh so rich and chocolaty and just plain yummy. We topped it with just a little whipped cream, and it was SO GOOD. Yes, it's pudding, so it's not the most impressive looking dessert, but trust me, use up those four egg yolks you have left from making the lovely meringues and treat yourself to some really amazing pudding.

That's all for now folks . . . hope you are all doing well :)