Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

Oh cinnamon and sugar,

how I love thee.

Hello, lovely friends!

Today I have an oh-so-wonderful treat for you.

Are you needing a little something for your sweet tooth?

Or are you having company over

and you need a quick and tasty dessert?

Maybe you just want a cinnamon roll with your cup of coffee,

but don't want to make a whole batch. . .

well, this delicious cinnamon roll coffee cake 

is just what you're looking for.

This cake is easy peasy to whip up,

and it's filled with ooey gooey goodness

that will make your taste buds thank you after you've eaten a piece.

Ingredients:

CAKE

½ cup butter, melted

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

3 cups flour

2 tsp vanilla

4 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

1½ cups milk

TOPPING

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp flour

1 Tbsp cinnamon

GLAZE

2 cups powdered sugar

5 Tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For the cake,

mix all the cake ingredients together in a large bowl

until well combined.

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan.

For the topping, 

mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl 

until well combined.

Spread evenly on the batter and swirl with a knife. 

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes

{the recipe says to bake it this long, 

but I had to bake mine for about 45-50 minutes}.

For the glaze, 

mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl 

until it is a consistency like pancake syrup.

While the cake is warm 

drizzle the glaze onto the top and it will set into a harder glaze.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serve this cake in the morning for brunch

or save it for dessert after supper.

And brew yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee.

Mmmm. . .

Mmmm. . .

Good!

Thanks for visiting, my friends!

I hope you have a delightful day!

Well, would you look at that,

someone finished off the cake and coffee. . . 

{{smiles}}

True Heroism

The brave die never, 

though they sleep in dust, 

their courage nerves a thousand living men.

- Minot J. Savage -

A man's country is not a certain area of land, 

of mountains, rivers, and woods, 

but it is a principle 

and patriotism is loyal to that principle.

- George William Curtis -

Have a blessed Memorial Day, dear friends.

Blind Betrayal - Book Review

Deputy U.S. Marshal Casey Sloane 

has worked at the St. Louis Marshals office for two years 

and is given a routine assignment to help transport a reporter to D.C. 

to testify before a grand jury. 

Valerie, the reporter, was writing a story about an up-and-coming environmentalist 

who suddenly disappeared and, she later discovered, 

whose backers purportedly have ties to a terrorist.

When the seemingly ordinary assignment suddenly takes a shocking turn, 

Casey is forced to put aside her own feelings 

about the unexpected reappearance of a man from her past as she 

and two other Marshals take Valerie on the run. 

And as it becomes dangerously clear 

Valerie's testimony has even bigger implications than they knew, 

they'll do whatever it takes to make it out alive.

My Thoughts

Blind Betrayal is book three

in the Defenders of Justice series.

You can find my reviews for the first two books

by clicking on the titles below:

Fatal Frost - Book One 

Dark Deception - Book Two

While Blind Betrayal had some exciting moments,

I have to admit that just like the first book

I found this one to be predictable and at times slightly unbelievable.

I found the plots to be repetitive, for example:

twice the characters are captured,

twice they are bound in a vehicle with their captors,

and twice they try to figure out how to escape the confines of the car.

There are 312 pages in the story 

and I feel as though the author's imagination could run wild 

with different plots, scenarios, and ideas.

For the most part I enjoyed the characters.

Casey, the Deputy U. S. Marshal was a likable gal

with a tough exterior, but a tender heart.

She has a few demons that haunt her every day

and throughout the book her "weaknesses" are exposed,

but in a good way. . .they make her stronger and better.

E. J., the man that Casey hates but loves shows up just before things go awry.

She can either turn her back on him and let things crumble around them,

or she can open up for them to work as a team 

in order to get them out of the mess they are in.

And then there is Valerie. . .the reporter Casey and E. J. are trying to protect.

She was probably my least favorite character.

She wasn't completely honest 

and at times her immaturity and cowardliness

rubbed me the wrong way.

Yes, there is suspense and maybe a nail-biting moment or two,

but not enough for me to give this book 5 stars. . .or even 4 stars.

I'm going to have to give it 3 stars.

I have always enjoyed Nancy Mehl's work,

but Blind Betrayal just didn't hit me in the right spot.

While Blind Betrayal is the third book in this series

I think it could be read as a stand alone book.

There are a few characters mentioned in the story

that were in the first and second books, but they don't play a big part.

** I was given a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for an honest review.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received. **

About the Author

Nancy Mehl is the author of 22 books, 

including the Road to Kingdom and Finding Sanctuary series. 

She received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. 

She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. 

Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, 

where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson. 

Visit www.nancymehl.com to learn more.

Just An Old, But New Pillow

Vintage means

pre-loved.

A little while ago I went through my pile of vintage linens

and came across this lovely lady.

She was originally made to hold clothespins,

but as you will see in the next photo she was showing some wear.

The sides were quite ragged and would only continue to unravel if used.

The lady herself is in excellent condition

and whoever embroidered her did a beautiful job.

I was going to sew her up into a tote bag,

but at the last minute I decided to create a pillow.

She looks delightful on my bed. . . 

And in my craft room

among my beloved quilts.

At the moment I have her resting on my vintage rocking chair

which is in the living room right by the fire place.

I have a feeling she will be traveling around the house.

You will notice I added 6 fabric yo-yo's

for the finishing touch to the pillow.

Of course I had to embellish her

{{smiles}}

Thanks for visiting, sweet friends.

I would love to know what you've been up to 

and what you're creating at the moment.

Have a blessed and beautiful day!

{{{hugs}}}

12th Tea Cup and Mug Exchange Reveal

Have tea
and let it be.

It's time, my friends!
It's time for the 12th Tea Cup and Mug Exchange reveal.
Oh, what fun we shall have today.
Feel free to brew yourself a nice cup of tea
or a delicious mug of coffee. . .
and maybe grab a cookie or two
because there are oodles of tea cup and mug pictures to scroll through.
Plus, at the end of this post you will find blogs linked up
sharing their treasures from the exchange.

Sit back.

Relax.

Enjoy.

One last thing,
during the exchange I had a giveaway
and today is the day I announce the winner
of the $25.00 Amazon gift card.
She is. . . 

Jacqueline Cooper
Congratulations, dear one!

Now let the fun begin!

* * * * *

To Kelly - From Maureen

To Janice - From Pam

To Bonnie - From Dixie

To Deborah - From Debbie

To Barbara - From Linda

To Wanda - From DeeAnn

To Tamela - From Erika

To Susan - From Beverly

To Nina - From Angie

To June - From Valerie

To Mary - From Kitty

To Teresa - From Margie

To Belle - From Bonnie

To Sofia - From Tamela

To Sarah - From Sarah

To Lily - From Joy

To Maggie - From Amie

To Tammy - From Lisa

To Sarah - From Rosalyn

To DeeAnn - From Elizabeth

To Lisa - From Kelly

To Kathy - From Bee

To Silvia - From Dawn

To Tricia - From Angela

To Dixie - From Lynn

To Sarah - From Elizabeth

To Bee - From Gretchen

To Beverly - From Linda

To Debra - From Dixie

To Karen - From Denise

To Emily - From Olivia

To Jeanette - From Abigail

To Lynn - From Marilyn

To Sam - From Debby

To Peg - From Cindy

To Adeline - From Silvia

To Susan - From Beverly

To Lynn - From Kaye

To Betty - From Tammy

To Judith - From Elizabeth

To Anne - From Susannah

To Elizabeth - From Maureen

To Karen - From Gillian

To Dorothy - From Nina

To Cheryl - From June

To Kathryn - From Nancy

To Joy - From Belle

To Emily - From Krishna

To Becky - From Diana

To Margaret - From Judy

To Diana - From Arilea

To Grace - From Paulina

To Mal - From Ashley

To Cheryl - From Cheryl

To Janae - From Paulina

To Peg - From Andrea

To Debbie - From Lynn

To Alyssa - From Angela

To Adria - From Judy

To Rosalyn - From Elizabeth

To Florrie - From Rebekka

To Adaline - From Jan

To Olivia - From Florrie

To Grace - From Susannah

To Marge - From Ella

To Sam - From Debbie

To Ida - From Bee

To Danielle - From Adeline

To Allison - From Anne

To Anne - From Karen

To Irene - From Grace

To Margaret - From Barbara

To Marina - From Rosalind

To Marina - From Sandra

To Kathy - From Ida

To LeAnna - From Brianna

To Maggie - From Olivia

To Sarah - From Rosalyn

To June - From Lea

To Jessica - From Gretchen

To Valerie - From Carolyn

To Joanne - From Tanya

To Jan - From MONTSE

To Karen - From Darlene

To Barbara - From Tonia

To Emily - From Danielle

To Lily - From Danielle

To Danielle - From Janae

To Ella - From Chevon

To Sylvia - From Alyssa

To Janice - From Adria

I can't thank each one of you enoughfor joining the exchange.

Many of you have become faithful participants

and your joy in joining the exchange brings a smile to my face.

I consider it an honor to host this event for all of you

and I'm incredibly thankful that you enjoy it so.

Thank you, friends, 

for it is YOU who makes this exchange possible.

And on that note. . .

at this time I will not be hosting another exchange.

Each one continues to grow and with close to 250 participants 

it's getting to be a "bit much."

And I must confess that with each exchange comes certain "issues" 

that are out of my control, but tend to make participants unhappy

which in turn bothers me deeply.

So for now I am saying "adieu" to the exchange. . .

maybe for a little while or maybe forever.

We shall see. . .

Have a beautiful and blessed day,

lovely friends!

Each cup of tea

represents an imaginary voyage.

- Catherine Douzel -