How Sweet It Is - Alice J. Wisler [94]
The rust-colored cabin forms a bold and happy presence on the edge of this mountain. To the right of the driveway, the pile of leaves I raked yesterday is no longer a mound, thanks to my aunt’s mutt. It doesn’t matter. In fact, piles of leaves must be for jumping in—why else would they make such a nice crunching sound? With the raccoon bowl in one hand, I leap into the scattered pile. There is nothing wrong, I tell myself as I lose my balance and land on my bottom, with acting like you’re five again. Smiling into the pale blue sky, I note how the clouds look like creamy vanilla pudding.
There will be plenty of opportunities in the days to come to rake leaves in my yard by my cabin.
Right now I have cake orders to fill.
And after that, a date to get ready for. Zack and I have been invited to Burger King for dinner and then to McDonald’s for dessert. The kids are all going to meet us there. They claim I need to expand my horizons.
Sometimes that’s just what the recipe calls for.
Chef B’s Crispy Potatoes
6 baking potatoes (Yukon Gold potatoes are tasty)
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp cayenne pepper
3 tsp garlic salt
Salt
Pepper
Peel the potatoes. Cut them into wedges 2 inches wide and about 3 inches long. Place the potatoes in a bowl of cold salted water for an hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Drain the potatoes and pat with paper towels. Coat them with olive oil. Add the cayenne pepper, garlic salt, and pepper and salt to taste. Spread the mixture on greased baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes and turn the potatoes with a spatula. Bake for 15 more minutes or until light brown and crispy. Serve to any hungry middle-school group or gathering.
Jonas’s Favorite White Velvet Cake
4 large egg whites
1 cup milk
3 tsp vanilla
3 cups sifted white flour
1 ½ cups sugar 1 T plus 1 tsp baking
1 T plus 1 tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
12 T softened butter
Mix the egg whites, ¼ cup of milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and blend on low. Add the softened butter and the rest of the milk. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and continue to beat. Add the egg mixture a little at a time. Mix for 30 seconds after each addition. Pour batter into two greased 9-inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes and then loosen the sides with a metal spatula. Invert onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting with buttercream icing.
questions
for
conversation
1. Have you ever wanted to leave a location and start over? If so, why? Where did you imagine you would go? If you have ever made a big move, did it solve any problems? Did it give you a new perspective?
2. Deena falls into the trap of focusing on outward appearances. Do you have any imperfections you try to hide? Have you ever wished you looked like someone else? Why do you think society places so much emphasis on people’s outward appearance?
3. In an uncomfortable situation, Deena resorts to the familiar. Can you understand her need to make a velvet cake after her first day of teaching? Do you ever feel like you have to prove to yourself you still have what it takes when things don’t go your way? What helps you feel better after a difficult day?
4. How does Deena handle the story of what has happened to Darren? Do you think her reaction is appropriate? Has child abuse impacted your life in any way?
5. Have you ever inherited something, big or small? What was it? Were you surprised to receive it? Did it affect the way you thought about the person who left it to you?
6. What did you think of Jonas? Do you know anyone like him? What was your favorite piece of “Jonas wisdom”?
7. A major theme of this novel is recognizing the need to forgive—and then following through. Have you ever found it difficult to forgive someone? Why are some people easier to forgive than