This school year, son number three is taking German at the high school. He's struggling because of his learning disabilities; however, he is trying. Yesterday was the day of Fasching - kind of a cousin to Mardi Gras, so we made mutzen for his class. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup flour 
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream 
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil 
• 1/3 cup milk 
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

And Oil for flying

​Pour all the ingredients together in a large bowl and mix well. Heat inch oil in a heavy duty saucepan. (We used a deep flyer instead). Take a spoon full of dough and slide into the hot oil. Fry only a few at a time to prevent crowding. Fry them golden brown until the swim to the top of the oil. Remove them with a slotted spoon and sprinkle with powder sugar. 

Note: I found a recipe online that recommended coconut oil and thought I would try it. This was the first time I had used coconut oil and I liked the smell and taste and the fact it's much healthier then vegetable oil, I think I will use more often, although it is on the spendy side. I also found this recipe to be very runny, so instead of round doughnut holes, the doughnuts came out looking more like fried drizzle, but still very edible, 

I really love the genre of science fiction especially television series and movies, but when it comes to books I am a lot more picky about what I like and what I don’t.  I often find the plot in science fiction books to be too cerebral for my taste and find it difficult to connect with the characters and/or the environment. Therefore, I don’t often put science fiction books as one of my favorite categories. Hence, I have to admit I was a little hesitant when a friend approached me about beta reading her novel, The Gypsy Pearl, especially with the setting taking place on not only a space station, but three different planetary worlds. However, my hesitation was unwarranted, as the story literary grabbed me from the very first page, just like the fanep who changes everything for the young heroine in the story. Lia London wrote a very gripping and exciting adventure. The character of Caz Artemus is a strong, likable young lady who grew up on a city space station all her life. After getting in trouble, she is sent to a reform school on the planet down below which she is happy about (much to her father and sister’s protest and disbelief),  because she will finally have a chance to explore something other than the stale environment of the space station. Through Ms. London’s writing the reader can feel Caz’s need to go forth and grow, which she does, as she meets new friends along the way and cycles the gypsy pearl, thus sealing her fate in the world. The story is fast paced, and the imagery very descriptive placing the reader smack dab in the middle of the believable fantasy world Ms. London created.  The characters are well developed and engaging, and I especially like how smart the heroine is, as often female characters are dumbed down, but Caz is not only smart, but strong and brave too. I am glad I had the opportunity to take this incredible journey and I highly recommend it to others as this story is suitable for all ages. 

​The Gypsy Pearl by Lia London is available to purchase on Amazon.