Marshmallow Madness

I will not order this book.

I will not order this book.

I will not order this book.

 

That's what I keep reminding myself every time I stop by Amazon, and Marshmallow Madness, reappears as a recommendation. See, the people at Amazon know me, and they know I buy ridiculous amounts of cookbooks, and books on confections and the like. They know this book is right up my alley, and it will be hard to resist. And, oh, those pastel puffs on the cover are just so pretty!

However, my husband says I tend to romanticize every single situation in life, including toilet scrubbing.

So, my version of marshmallow making goes something like this: I picture myself in the (clean) kitchen, with a beautiful, figure-flattering apron tied around my waist, hair tied up like Sofia Loren, effortlessly whipping up every flavor and shape of pillowy pastel marshmallow known to man, delivering boxes of my homemade confections to friends and family, perhaps a box to the school. Oh how lovely it would be!

But I'm afraid the reality would probably look more like this: I am in the (messy) kitchen, sticky gooey fluff stuck on every surface, spoon, bowl, pan and of course on me, fingertips to elbows, hair twisted like a rat's nest, cursing under my breath at the mess I've created, wishing the marshmallows would have actually turned out like the ones in the picture. Realizing they look like lumps of rubber and deciding that I love my family and friends far too much to deliver them such ugly treats. Since I can't give them away, I am standing there in my bare feet, eating more than my fair share and telling the kids their teeth will fall out so, no, honey, you cannot eat 15 marshmallows in 30 seconds like Mama just did. Do as I say, not as I do, right?

But, honestly, I do NOT need a book about marshmallows. Or do I? This is the dilemma I face every time the sugary-sweet cover image appears on my screen.

I will not order this book.
I will not order this book.
I will not....

P.S. If you have this book, let me know how it is, won't you?

P.P.S. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!

Comments

[Jessica]

Why, yes! You should buy it! I bought it. One look at that cover and it was clearly a must have. It looks really great, too. I haven't had time to make any of the recipes yet, but it's on my to-do list. :-)

Happy belated birthday!!!

XOXO
Jessica

[gabrielle messina]

Isn't that is the truth and very well put, my friend! Just for the fun, I'd like to hear the romanticized version or toilet scrubbing! I just remember I have a email drafted for you too....

[gabrielle messina]

never mind, I realized I sent it yesterday! I'm losing it!

[Jill Flory]

You need to buy that book. It looks just like your style. If nothing else it will look so lovely lying on an end table or propped on the counter or a shelf in the kitchen!

[tabitha]

BUY the book...other wise you'll start Dreaming about the book....it looks yummy

[hope]

A few things...

- I grant you permission to send me ugly confections anytime.

- I have not seen this book but have been meaning to tell you about this one for ages (it was just released): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607741849/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thesoulofhope-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1607741849

xox see you NEXT week! eek!

[Rebecca]

Buy the book. It's wonderful. (But if you're only going to buy ONE book on candy-making, I'd recommend SugarBaby. This one comes second in my love list, but it's a close second.)

I bought the book. I made the marshmallows. I did get some in my hair, but only when I was cleaning up. The way I figure it, marshmallow-in-hair is acceptable. Hair-in-marshmallow isn't.

Marshmallows aren't nearly as difficult as you think they're going to be, and all the "You MADE these? I didn't know you could MAKE these!" comments are more than worth the mess. (Well, in my world they are...)

But two tips:

1) Fill the pot up with water, put the utensils in it, and bring the water to a boil. That will clean up the gooey-sticky bits.

2) Keep your hair in the pony tail until AFTER you've cleaned up...

[Julie M ~ The Little Red Shop]

I think it looks very sweet.

: )

Julie M.

[vivian]

oh I think you should just buy the book and then take lots of pictures to post when you make them! but I love the two visions you have of making them. mine would be much like the second one too. It looks like a fun book to look at. I tend to buy cookbooks, look at them and never cook anything out of them!
xo
vivian

[Amy]

These visions evoked tears of laughter (and I think I woke my hotel neighbors with my cackles).... Glad I'm not the only one who has these debates. This book screams your name though and I too think you should go for it. George will appreciate the final product...or at least the kids will!

P.S. If I know you, your kitchen is anything but messy!

[sadie]

yes, I would be scenario 2. As proven yesterday. I was trying to make a marshmallow icing for some choccy cakes, but it didn't go to plan. I ended up using some ready made Betty Crocker instead, and had a 'fun' time chiselling off marshmallow gloop from all manner of utensils!

can see why you'd love the book though, it does look lovely.

x

[Vicki]

I live in a similar world of my "own" but frankly I like staying there!
The book looks delish!

[baju muslim modern]

Great post,I really like your article

[Cheryl]

Andrea,
Your scenario number 2 was hilarious, I laughed out loud because that is probably how it would turn out for all of us! Thanks for making my day!
P.S. Get the book, if anything it lovely to look at and you only live once!
Cheryl

[Jeni Carlson]

We are soul sisters for sure!!! You should most definitely order the book!

[rachel]

Keepin it real! LOL too funny. :)

[Anitra]

This post had me laughing hysterically! I find myself in similar situations and tend to break down and buy any book with even a hint of "Shabby Chic" goodness. Stay strong!

Anitra

[twitter.com/zelda1999]

Do what I do and get it out of the library. Then If I feel I can't live without it buy it.

[Kimberly Budash]

BUY THE BOOK, you only go around once and you mights as well have more books than you could ever use or read in a life time, lol!! I too do the same thing with craft books, magazines, etc., and I think that I will be able to make ALL of it in a snap. However, the reality is if I make just one item from each book that I have, I probably have enough projects to do until I am 105!! If you want it, buy it, thats what I tell myself. One little tip I do is if it is say a knitting book, which I have too many of those too, I look at the book and if there are at least five items in that book that I would knit, then I buy it. Buying patterns for knitted objects are expensive, sometimes a pattern can cost $12.00. So I say, $12.00 for one pattern, or $19.95 for an entire book of patterns. You decide which I/me/whoever should do??? Have a great day, AND GO BUY THAT BOOK!!!

[Susan Reaney]

I think you must buy this book. They are so pretty, I can hardly stand it!
That's reason enough in itself!
Hugs
Suz

[wholesale Polo hats]

Good Post. It is really very nice. Thank you!

[deborah]

The book is worth having just to display! It is beautiful!

I always picture everything too in this perfect, wonderful way, but it seldom is that way! :) Oh well-it's nice to dream!

[tee shirt homme]

I ended up using some ready made Betty Crocker instead, and had a 'fun' time chiselling off marshmallow gloop from all manner of utensils!

[snapback new era]

Ich habe immer alles vorstellen, auch in diesem perfekten, wunderbarer Weg, aber es ist selten so! :) Ach ja-es ist schön zu träumen!

[mbt chaussures]

Ich denke, man muss dieses Buch kaufen. Sie sind so schön, ich kann es kaum noch aushalten!