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I personally don't like the pic on the cover of the book, it looks a little old school. The book is very good and has some excellent cakes in it with easy to follow instructions. If you have the patience to bake, then I would recommend this book.

The Culinary Institute of America has come out with yet another beautiful and useful book: Cake Art. If you've ever had an interest in interest in creating dramatic desserts, this is a volume for you, although I wouldn't call this a book for beginners. It starts with an overview of tools and components that I found myself wishing had a bit more to it: more individual photos of each item rather than trying to discern elements in group photos, more explanation of what to do and how to do it, and more tips.

However, it's not a paralyzing shortcoming, as you can get some of that from browsing online retailers, stores, and catalogs. Where the book really shines is in the techniques and instructions. For example, on page 31 there is a photo with three spoons of meringue, one stiff, one medium, and one soft-peaked. There are formulas for both hard and soft ganaches (Books often don't explicitly set the two side-by-side, and there's a big difference in the resulting texture and use.) as well as modeling chocolate. You can learn to make ribbons and coverings of fondant. Pipe a flower from buttercream (with a tip on how to reconstitute the mixture if it separates) or mold it from molding chocolate, marzipan, or fondant. In short, there is a lot to learn.

And that might be the big problem for many would-be cake decorators. Some of these techniques require practice, and a lot of it. If you go directly to the projects and try to work your way backward into the techniques, the results are going to be disappointing. If you want to undertake a given project (each, smartly, tells you how far in advance - weeks in some cases - to start different parts), then read through, write down the techniques that are necessary, and practice well in advance. You don't really think that pastry chefs start on this level of work their first day of class, do you? However, if you are willing to spend some time, this book should be well worth your while.

This book has great pictures and really good instructions. I think that even a beginner could use this book to develop some great ideas. Its a must have for anyone who loves to decorate cakes!

This book is excellent. It has clear instructions, and perfect for a
novice cake decorator!

My 16 yr. old son has had me buy the annual edition of this book for the past 5 years. He loves facts and figures and literally dives into this book as soon as it arrives. It seems to have every bit of information in it that any NFL enthusiast could ever want.

The NFL Record and Fact Book is a must purchase every year. Anyone interested in the history of football will be pleased with the historical information that is included as well as the present schedules of each of the teams. I pick it up throughout the football season.

This book has the answer to any football question you would ever ask. It contains NFL records, Pro Football Hall of Fame information, Team information, Draft information and more. I bought the book last year and kept it right by my chair where I watch football for the whole season because I would thumb through it every Sunday. I have been waiting for this book to come out. Be sure to get it before the season starts.

This book provides a different look at football with stats and is very interesting reading and informative.

While the NBA and MLB have stopped publishing guides and record books,the nfl still publishes a great record and factbook.This book is loaded with lots of great info and history,and even scheduling formulas and rules.A must have for any die hard nfl fans.

Once again I am not disappointed with a cook book from Taste of Home. Very good book to have in your collection.

I've been cooking for 30+ years and am by no means a novice.
The recipes in this book are simple to follow, but definitely not health-conscious. You might gain a few pounds just looking at the pictures!
However, I am making this a part of my cookbook collection because of the proven, time-tested recipes. Full of the kinds or recipes "grandma used to make"

Great cookbook! I purchased this as a gift for my MIL and she loves it. I like to see pictures of what I'm cooking and there is a photo for every recipe. I Highly recommend it.

The title really says it all. Wonderfully put together, and filled with good home style cooking meals. This is no means a cookbook of sophisticated cuisines, but for everyday living which is so appealing to the average household. Great ideas for quick throw togethers when the day is too hectic, and many many pictures for those who insist they will only buy cookbooks with pictures. Not all recipes are 1st place prize winners, but they are nice incentives to try the dishes along with all the other mouthwatering dishes published in this winner of a cookbook.

what more can I say when I get to see pictures of tempting delights page after page? I love this book and I can look at this book all day just oohing over the tempting recipes. This is a must have book!

I was curious to know some of the obstacles that I might hit if I started a jewelry making business,and I was able to find them in this book. Some of the things that I wouldn't have thought of, for example taking into consideration the time spent on finding beads for a project, when pricing an item was a real eye opener. There have been times that I've spent hours looking for the color that was "just right" for the project but didn't take that into consideration when pricing my item.
Ms. Lareau shares her experience generously to help someone who might be thinking of starting this business.

if you are a beginner and have absolutely no clue of what you want to do with you jewelry then this book will be helpful....is a great intro guide...if you have some eyars doing jewelry and of course have thought of selling it and have seen other jewelry and how they are market then this will do nothing for you.

This is a good book if your just starting out. A lot of it is common sense but there are some good pointers. I would recommend it. Easy read. Also has some good resources.

I received this book really quickly and very pleased with it. I love the book and I couldn't wait to get it. The transaction was effortless.

I have purchased other similar books in the past that I skim, but never really take time to read. This book was not only worth the money, it was worth the time. Concisely written, clearly categorized, useful information. I only wish I had read it seven years ago when I first started selling my jewelry, as some of the lessons I have learned a much harder way!
My little company is currently turning into something much bigger and I am so glad I have the insight from this book to help me in negotiating and decision making.

This book is full of practical recipes for almost anything you need, and safe for the environment as well. I use it like a recipe book, whenever I need to mix a cleaner or make a product, I look up the thing that I need, and the variations of it, and make it with the basic supplies that I bought. I am really enjoying it, and feel like I'm making a small difference for the environment, and a big difference for detoxifying my home.

This is an absolutely great book for anyone interested in "greening" their home. Their recommendations are great for the enviornment, for your health, home and save you money!

It's amazing all the products you can clean with that are already in your kitchen and, more importantly, not toxic.

This is a great book. I got it not really thinking I would use it as much as I have. I use it for body creams, cleansers and moisturizers AND I use if for household cleaning, furniture polish, sachets, and more. And her explanations of how different ingredients work is also very helpful. I now buy very few commercial cleaners (Bon Ami, Ecover laundry detergent) mostly because I can't find washing soda anywhere locally.

This book is filled with natural and non-toxic cleaning products, personal care products and more. I have made a number of cleaning potions from Better Basics and am loving the way my house smells when I clean it! Meaning...instead of the old days using harsh chemicals, my home smells like almost nothing--just clean!

I was going to post a review for Annie Bond's Home Enlightenment: Practical, Earth-Friendly Advice for Creating a Nurturing, Healthy, and Toxin-Free Home and Lifestyle, but noticed it is no longer in print. Too bad, because it was good. However, if you want similar information, check out Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your PlanetBoth of these books deal with the next steps to take once your home is non-toxic, including ways to make your home your sanctuary.

If you're a good parent you won't want your kids to read these books. I heard good things about them, so I read the first two books myself. These are sick books. There is little character development and the plot is ridiculously repetitive and redundant.
Worse, the books contain graphic, gory details about murder, dead bodies, the color of dead bodies, using a syringe to poke a hole in someone and kill them, breaking glass to slit someone, kidnapping, polygamy (yes the actual word is even defined in this series.)

If you are an adult or teenager you need to get a life and read something more worthwhile. If you are a parent looking at these books for your pre-teen or younger children, please do not buy these. Our children need good examples of moral behavior in their reading. They don't need gruesome specifics about murder, dead murdered bodies, how to kill people, and all other sorts of evil and darkness.

My children are 7 + 8, a boy and girl, and they absolutely love it (almost as much as I enjoy reading it to them!) I can see it would be thoroughly enjoyable for boys and girls up until the ages of 12 or 13 and perhaps beyond. The stories weave through the terrible circumstances of three siblings giving snippets of Snickets own experiences with the fiendishly clever Olaf, who manages to conceal his identity (along with his cronies) from all the inept adults whose care the children are placed in. Using humor and a touching emotional depth, Snicket is consistent and colourful, unyielding, uncompromising and understanding. A must.

I bought the series for my 7-year-old daughter after she had seen a favorable review in a children's magazine. She read the first book in three days, the second book in two days, and is finishing the third in two days, as well. Aside from keeping her completely intrigued, it has spawned some very interesting questions and dialogue. I highly recommend the series for well-read 7-9 year-olds.

This is one of my favorite series ever! I couldn't stop reading them, and I finished them in 2 weeks. I'm reading them for the second time now!
Awsome books, great storyline, and a great author.

We purchased and read all 13 hard cover books in the series (as they came out) and were thoroughly engaged, although there was NO DEPTH to the characters at all. What kept us going was the entertaining writing style, and the challenge of trying to tie together the multitude of mysterious and interesting loose ends that teased the reader into trying to deduce the underlying fabric of the story that would explain everything in the end.

The last book in the series was entitled THE END. In THE END Snickett laid down his hand and showed his cards. There was nothing there. No Answers. [...]

Anyone who made it through to THE END, would have to be a sucker and fool to buy Snickett's next offerings, which are already hitting the market. My explanation for the high ratings for this series is that they were written mostly by people who never made it to THE END.

This is an absolutely stunningly presented book, and I would buy it just for the presentation, even if it didn't have any patterns. The pattern sheets are in a beautiful envelope pocket inside the front cover and are good and large - not the size one usually gets with a book. The book 'inside' the covers is spiral bound - great for referring to as you sew. But the pattterns and ideas are fairly simple, although I do love the idea of the Hanging Notions Organizer. As the name suggests, it is French style and to enjoy the book you must have a liking for this look.

This is a lovely book, inspiring whether you sew or just love simple French-style decorating. The projects, everything from totes, a berry-basket liner, a lavender-filled cushion or large sachet, an apron, napkins and various pillows to a scalloped tablecloth, bed skirt, shower curtain and more, range from beginner to advanced skill level, though the advanced don't even seem that difficult, and an envelope of patterns and iron-on embroidery transfers inside the front cover make things even easier. If you don't have a stash of old fabrics (and you certainly can use new), there are resources listed in the back of the book, along with notes on care of vintage fabrics and general sewing and embroidery techniques. Beautiful photos and clear directions.

Kaari's charming style blossoms in the pages of her new book! The look is flawless, simple European. With a little basic sewing you can bring a bit of French style to your own maison (home). You don't have to be an accomplished seamstress to get the job done, either. The projects vary from basics (sachets & napkins & bags) to floor pillows, throws & duvets, and Roman shades (and so much more!). There are even several cute patterns for items that would make great gift giving. Plus, resource guide listed in back and general techniques are included for beginners.

I sew quite a bit, so I can see making many of these projects. The patterns are adaptable and straight forward. You could easily use vintage French fabrics (find great fabrics at Meng's FrenchGeneral.com) or even go with contemporary patterns (think Amy Butler or Fresh Cut) to show off a different look. The book is spiral bound, which makes it easy keep open while working on a project. The pictures are inspiring, deserving of a French decor magazine themselves. Fun!

I must disagree wth the first review of this book - I found this book to be fresh, inspiring and exactly what I needed in my life right now. What a wonderful, comforting book French General has written. Interesting projects and crafts all sewn out of someones personal collection of fabric. Kaari not only gives all sorts of options and ideas on what kind of fabric to use, she gives away a wonderful list at the back of the book... resources which are both unusual and some of my favorites.
Thank you French General, for following your own unique style and creating a prettier world for many of us. I hear you are designing for Moda - I am over the moon!

This is a lovely to look at book. It is mostly pink in prints of antique French fabrics. Apparently these fabrics and antiques are for those people who like to collect unusual items. I bought the book because it is about sewing, but really it is probably more about collecting/displaying expensive fabrics and antiques. There are 30 plain and simple projects, mostly for things around the home like bed sheets and pillowcases, Roman blinds, bath mat and wash mitt, ottoman cover, pillow covers and scalloped tablecloths among other items. An inexperienced seamstress would have a VERY hard time putting these things together with the pictures and instructions presented. The diagrams are hand drawn. MANY other books with much better directions are already in print, but the items are pretty and might be inspirational for some of us. This book will appeal to those who have lots and lots of money to spend and not much experience sewing. French General: Home Sewn:30 Projects for Every Room in the House

If you are a teacher, from elementary to high school, you NEED to get this book. It is AMAZING.

A Single Shard is an excellent book for young readers and is equally enjoyable for adults. I will use excerpts from this book when teaching my high school students about early Korean celadon firing. The characters are believable and likable, the story line is gripping and well written and sprinkled throuhgout the book is fabulous information about the making and firing of some of the finest pottery in history.

My 10-year old daughter is a very reluctant reader, so when a list of books was assigned for summer reading, I picked the ones that either have been recognized by other people or have won awards. I have trusted "Newberry" medal for years, and it had never let me down. Until this time.

The book was boring, monotonous, with words just flowing pass you without leavin an impression. In order to help my daughter to get through the book, we took turns reading chapters aloud. When it was my turn reading, I was literally falling asleep because for pages and pages nothigh was happening in the plot. I guess, that would make this book a great good night story, your child would have no trouble falling asleep, just be careful that you are still awake by the end of the chapter.

We finished the book and searched the Internet for images of Korean pottery, because even by the end of it, we still had trouble picturing the artifacts described in there. With all those hunderds of words that filled page after page to talk about vases, we still could not understand how they looked like.

A Single Shard

I was reading this for my summer reading log. It turned out to be really bad. Not only is it boring, but it drags on. Don't read this unless you are obsessed with pottery!

My favorite part of this book is when Tree-ear must make a crucial choice between death and life. He chooses right and innumerable blessings come to his life and the lives of those he loves because of it. This is a well written book with a powerful message for both children and grown ups alike. Sometimes it seems everything is dashed to pieces. It may be some errand you are on, some thing you have responsibility for, it may be your life physically or spiritually, who knows what it could be. Tree-ear's choice to live is an excellent example of the most crucial kind of courage. Some people call this "coming to your own Gethsemane." Some turn away from this greater love and trade it for oblivion, while others walk the path to its source. Essentially he brings the broken piece of the vase to the Emperor's aide and, in a voice you can only hear with your heart, he says, "forgive the robbers, they knew not what they did."

This book is absolutely fantastic. Very worth owning and giving as a gift. I cannot praise it enough!

In his book, This Beautiful Mess, Pastor Rick McKinley shares his thought about what it might be like to live a faith that acknowledges that the "Kingdom of God" that Jesus proclaimed is not just something for the future but is here, in this messy and broken world, right now. In boiling down a good deal of complex theological thought into prose that is accessible to the average reader, McKinley shows how it is possible to live a life of faith in a way that moves beyond a "Jesus is coming back someday to take me home" sort of mentality to see God's saving work in our lives and our world right now.

There are two places where I felt the book spoke most clearly and movingly. The first was in the chapter ending "Voices" sections where the poetry and writings of individuals associated with McKinley's Imago Dei community are shared with the reader to look into the messy but profound lives of people trying to live kingdom lives. The other portion of the book that seemed to most clearly speak of this were the four or so chapters that form the third section of the book. In this section, McKinley discusses several specific applications of kingdom living by sharing the work of those who see the reality of God's inbreaking grace in this present world. These stories are powerfully encouraging.

In closing, I would recommend This Beautiful Mess to any person of faith who wants to see what Jesus might have meant when He said that "the Kingdom of God IS like.." McKinley's writing bridges between the academic discussions of an "Already, Not Yet" Kingdom and what it looks like to live in a way that knows the reality of God and His love in today's messy creation.

No wonder Donald Miller is such a great writer! He gets to listen to Rick Mckinley EVERY WEEK!
This book was an awesome read. The first two sections were really good, but they were just the appetizers for the real meat of the book, the third section. I had to readjust my whole Christian way of thinking! Well, not really, but I did learn some great stuff.
This book is well worth the small price! But it! Read it! Pass it on!

This book struck me as profound and unsettling at the same time. McKinley challenges the reader to transcend traditional Christianity and live out the gospel the way it was meant to be lived. I resonated with his "beautiful mess" motif in that the Christian life is messy--filled with mistakes and regrets.

Yet, the answer is not in abandoning historic Christianity. Rather, embracing the traditions of Christianity that God is working through, and developing a kaleidoscopic Christianity that appreciates every limb beneath the head of Christ.

Shameless plug--check out my new book Sex, Sushi, and Salvation: Thoughts on Intimacy, Community, and Eternity

This is so brilliant yet easy to understand. This world is simultaneously beautiful, because God created it, but a mess, because sin entered in and oh yes, because we live here and make mistakes.

I learned so much about the kingdom of God and the fact that we're living IN it, not waiting FOR it.

A really, really, really great read...see for yourself!

This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley is a book about living in the present world's mess in the way Jesus described the Kingdom of God. Rick is the pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland , Oregon and he challenges the reader to go beyond the traditional religiousity of churches and get down and dirty among all the people at hand and practice faith and gratitude every day and experience the Kingdom of God at hand in doing so, even in the worst circumstances and among undesirable people.

A different type of garden, designed for an area where real estate is invaluable, "The Vertical Garden: The Nature of the City" is Patrick Blanc's look at these creations that can be created in almost any urban setting. To the city they bring a visually pleasing image in an area where people only ever see is asphalt and concrete. The gardens can range from any height, from half a story tall to slowly growing up the sides of skyscrapers. Covering the history and skills involved in creating such gardens, "The Vertical Garden" is a must for anyone who wants to create a magnificent arrangement of plant life and doesn't have much horizontal to work with.