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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

November 11, 2012

Connect Through Reading 2012 – 4 Book Reviews

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I’ve been on a bit of a lull with reading lately… still reading but not reading as often or getting through books as quickly as I like. The 4 book reviews I’m sharing today are for a selection of books that are as different as can be, but all good in their own way.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn is a book I normally wouldn’t probably pick up, except it was by the same author as Gone Girl, which I really liked. Sharp Objects was shocking and dark, like Gone Girl, but took on a subject that I still haven’t quite figured out if I want to read about as the mom of 3 girls… young teenage girls spiraling down the path of drug use, hatefulness and sex. The relationships in this book are so twisted and beyond unhealthy, but Flynn crafts a story that despite all the reasons it made me uncomfortable, kept me wanting to turn the page and read more. I gave Sharp Objects 3 stars on Goodreads.

Once I finished Sharp Objects, I knew I needed something less dark, so I turned to a memoir by Theresa Weir titled The Orchard. I picked this book up on a whim at Target. Memoirs are one of my favorite genres, and I can happily say The Orchard did not disappoint.

Friends, this book will change the way you look at farming and the food you eat. Not in a shocking “Supersize Me” kind of way, but in a real, eye opening, kind of light. The Orchard is an honest and open look at how farms (particularly, orchards) were run in the 60’s and 70’s, and at what price there was to pay to get the “perfect” piece of fruit. You’ll think about organic farming in a whole new light and shudder at the glimpse of coverups and lengths farmers have gone through over the years to give us the food we eat today. This is a touching, raw and sometimes sad memoir of family life on the farm and the growing dangers surrounding what we feed to our families. I gave The Orchard by Theresa Weir, 4 stars on Goodreads.

I really enjoyed this next book… Shelter Me by Juliette Fay. This was a debut by this author and I’m anxious to read more as she does a great job with storytelling.

Shelter Me is about a young woman (Janie) with two children who became suddenly widowed when her husband was killed in a bike accident. Fay takes readers along the journey of how Janie endures her first year without her husband. The cast of characters seem so real, with tormented family dynamics, complicated relationships and all. Shelter Me made me laugh, ache, long, and cry… there were times when my heart actually hurt for the main character. I gave Shelter Me, by Juliette Fay, 4 stars on Goodreads.

How Lucky You Are, by Kristyn Kusek Lewis, was a “fluff read” compared to the other books I read this go around. Don’t get me wrong, it had depth and interesting characters, but the storyline was a fairly typical “chick lit” one surrounding three best friends and their various, completely diverse lives. You know how many times you’ve said to someone “You don’t know how lucky you are!”? Well, How Lucky You Are is about just that… three best friends who perceive each others lives to be easier and less complicated when in reality, they each have their own drama going on behind the scenes. I would recommend How Lucky You Are by Kristyn Kusek Lewis to anyone looking for a quick, easy and entertaining read. I gave How Lucky You Are 3 stars on Goodreads.

Up next for me is…

Carry the One by Carol Anshaw. I am actually almost half way through with this one and am finding it to be very interesting!

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten

And, at the glowing recommendation of my trusted friend Kate, I’ve moved The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman up in my To Be Read pile.

Now it’s your turn! What are you reading these days? Make sure to tell me and remember, you can always keep up with what’s on my bookshelf over on Goodreads as well as see what my latest read is in my sidebar. For past Connect Through Reading Posts, check out my Book Review category. Can’t wait to hear your current recommendations!

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Book Review, Previous Tagged With: book review, books, connect, fiction, goodreads, memoir, reading

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says

    November 11, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Love your book reviews. Life has been too busy for me to get much reading done but I’m reading Winter of the World by Ken Follett. It is the 2nd book in a trilogy and is set during WWII. Great characters and Follet’s books are always page turners for me.

  2. Kathryn says

    November 12, 2012 at 3:26 am

    Some really interesting picks; work has been so busy for me recently that I haven’t had any time to read but I’ve thought about picking up some other Gillian Flynn books after Gone Girl so it’s interesting to know what you think!

  3. Ali | Gimme Some Oven says

    November 12, 2012 at 3:26 am

    These sound great! Adding “Shelter Me” to my reading list… 🙂

  4. Nancy says

    November 12, 2012 at 6:15 am

    Just read Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. Unusual format for a book. Interesting. Very easy read.

    Started the Art of Hearing Heartbeats yesterday. Couldn’t hardly put it down! I’ve seen several good reviews of it and I think it may be one that I will suggest for my book club to read in 2013.

  5. shelly (cookies and cups) says

    November 12, 2012 at 6:37 am

    I am downloading Sharp Objects today!
    Just finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower..you need to read that one next.

  6. Mama B @ My Edible Journey says

    November 12, 2012 at 8:24 am

    I’m a big non-fiction reader. I don’t do a lot of fiction, really. That said, How Lucky You Are looks like something I’d enjoy. So currently I’m reading a book called Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, which gives some cultural background to the world of Jesus and to his comments and messages. I’ve also got a recent N.Y Times bestseller at the ready. A Year of Biblical Womanhood (How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband “Master”). It’s a thought provoking, often funny look at the notion of “biblical womanhood.”

  7. Emily B says

    November 12, 2012 at 10:20 am

    I LOVE your reading posts!! I haven’t had a chance to catch up on my reading list but I always seem to add more books after each of your posts. I’m a big crime drama fan but How Lucky You Are sounds like a perfect book to step away from the gruesomeness!! THANKS!!

  8. Desi says

    November 12, 2012 at 11:37 am

    I love these posts! Can’t wait to read about your next reads. I am definitely going to pick up Shelter Me. Thanks!

  9. Alysa (InspiredRD) says

    November 12, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    oooh, I definitely want to read The Orchard now. That is right up my alley! I have two recommendations. For nonfiction, I highly recommend “7” by Jen Hatmaker. It is an entertaining and deeply challenging read. For fiction, I love “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Marie Ann Shaffer. Kristen Howerton (who has amazing taste in books) gave it to me on our Ethiopia trip and I absolutely loved it. I’m actually looking for someone to pass it on to…I’d be happy to send it your way!

  10. Laura says

    November 12, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    In our homeschool this week, we just finished the last book of the Narnia series, so I’m trying to decide what to read next with them…

    Just heard Ron Hall speak last week, and picked up his book “Same Kind of Different as Me.” It’s next on my list.

  11. Bet Mercer says

    November 12, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Have you read Wendell Berry’s “Jayber Crow”? It’s one of his fiction works, but like most of his writing touches on farming and nature, similar to how you described “The Orchard”. A bit odd at times, it also serves up lines of pure poetry at times. Worth a read.

  12. camille says

    November 12, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    I’m rereading the collected novels of Flann O’Brien – right now I’m reading [i]At Swim-Two-Birds[/i] and while it might not be the most accessible type of story in the world – very self-referential, it’s a story about a guy writing about a guy writing about all these characters from Irish mythology (with a few regular Dubliners thrown in for good measure) – I still get a kick out of it anyway.

    Flann O’Brien’s is also the name of a pretty good pub around the way. I like the Brendan Behan better, though, and wouldn’t you know, I like reading Brendan Behan better too. But if you’re going to have a pub, you should almost certainly name it after an author.

  13. Aggie says

    November 13, 2012 at 11:43 am

    You’ll have to tell me how Saving Max is…have been wanting to pick up that one for a while. I loved The Orchard too.

    I like Carry The One’s cover 🙂 so that one may just get on my list too, need to update the library queue!

    I’m on my way to pick up Stephen King’s one that you read…the one with the “date” 🙂 Can’t wait to read it, have heard it come up in conversations a couple times since you told me about it.

    I have Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises on my side table, I have been interested in reading his books since finishing The Paris Wife.

    I also have Divergent on standby, it’s supposed to be “better than Hunger Games”…I keep forgetting to start it! Lol.

    And don’t laugh, but I brought home Lincoln from Costco the other day. I have a thing for Presidents, and with this movie coming out I was drawn to the book. However, it is HUGE. I need to hunker down one day and just read 🙂

  14. Roxanna@WholesomeHedonist says

    November 13, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    I always look forward to your book review posts! I’m putting The orchard and Shelter me on my list, thanks to you. By the way, have you read The Underside of Joy? It sounds similar to Shelter Me and is a real page-turner; it’s about a woman who moves in with a man and his two young kids, when the mother who abandoned them returns. I couldn’t put it down.

    Another one I’m reading lately is The Sisters Brothers – it’s completely not my kind of book (a shoot-em-up Western,) but it’s a multiple award winner and I can completely see why. It’s a fast read, but compelling and funny and engaging at the same time.

  15. fabiola@notjustbaked says

    November 14, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    I haven’t read any of these, but Sharp Objects was on my radar. Mostly for the title, strangely enough I do that sometimes. Although I hope to finish the mountain of books I have waiting for me, I am adding a couple of these to my read do list. it is funny, I go through reading periods, and then not so much. But I am always happier when I am reading more than my blogs, newspapers and such. I need books in my life always.

  16. The Single Nester says

    December 3, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    I love to see what other people are reading. Right now, I am reading “In the Merde for Love.”

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New ink inspired by a quote in my friend @andiemmitchell amazing memoir “It Was Me All Along”. 

I tend to be an all or nothing person and look at long term and get overwhelmed instead of just taking things one day at a time. I’ve said her quote to myself multiple times a day for years. Now I’ll have a permanent reminder. 

The full quote: “Can you do it today? Can you make it through today without bingeing? Just today, and tomorrow we’ll reconsider?”

I need to go back and get a couple missed spots filled in but I love it. Thanks Rob at @irezumitattookc 🎉

#typewriterfonttattoo #tattooinstagram #inspiringtattoos #quotetattoo #gentlereminder #wordstoinspire #wordstoremember #wordstoliveby
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My snow and mountain loving, free spirited, book reading, laugh inducing, amazing friend @mountainmamacooks wrote a cookbook. It’s beautiful and just so perfect! I’m sharing all about it on the blog today and I also gave her Crispy Kahlua French Toast recipe the double dip treatment.

Find the recipe and get a peek into her book over on Dine & Dish! (PS I miss you tons, Kelley!)

#apresallday #frenchtoastrecipe #brunchideas #cookbooks #mountainmama #skiingislife
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Here’s a fun fact I heard on the radio several years ago…October 5th is the most popular day to be born (9 months prior is New Years Eve-ish). 🎉 

Happy birthday to all my many many birthday twins out there! It’s the big 4-8 for me…although this past year as a Covid long hauler I feel like I’ve aged 20 years in the past 1. But things are looking up! I’m excited for the next 365 days of my life. I’m blessed and so thankful to still be here, chugging along.

This picture is from last week when @kellykdoyle and I were visiting colleges in Colorado. If I have any followers with ties to @coloradostateuniversity or @cuboulder I’d love to chat! 

#october5th #birthdaytwins #gardenofthegods #birthdayweek #coloradosprings
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I love being a parent of teens...but I miss the days of parenting kids who loved going to school, who didn't struggle with major anxiety, who loved their bodies, and were confident about how they looked. I miss pre-covid days where lunch wasn't distanced, kids had the opportunity to connect and socialize at school, where mask-wearing wasn't even a topic, let alone one that divides. 

The past 2 years have changed my kids. They have gained so many positive things, but they've also gained a new kind of anxiety that wasn't there before. And I hate it for them. They've seen first hand how long haul covid has changed our family. They've seen the selfishness of others in ways they haven't seen before. They've had to grow up faster, worry about things they shouldn't have to worry about, and learn the hard way how this world can really be. And it hurts my heart for them. 

I have a new senior, sophomore and 6th grader here at home. Missing my sophomore in college a ton. I hope the world is kind to them and they are kind to the world. I want nothing more than for them to be happy and to be surrounded by good people who love and accept them for who they are and who also push them to live a full, rich and happy life. I pray every day for them - and for your kids...and pray that we are all raising a generation of empathetic and kind changemakers.

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These two small business owners had a successful launch day for their new clothing and accessory brand, @impatient.us I’m so proud of my daughter @kellykdoyle & daughter from another mother, @kyleemdunn for making the time and financial commitment to launch their dream brand! They’ve done it all so independently and have navigated starting a small business way better than I could have at 17! Thanks to everyone who sent words of encouragement and showered them with support. It’s means so much! 

Follow their journey at @impatient.us and shop the link in their profile!

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I was a “houseplant lady” before the pandemic, but I think since the pandemic I get to add the word “crazy” to that title. So. Many. Plants. I’m not mad about it!

This weekend @kctinygreenhouse I picked up this beautiful Monstera Peru as well as a bag of Jeff’s Jungle Mix. You know when a new to you potting mix has you super excited, you’ve crossed the line into la la land 😂 Swipe to see how pretty it is!

What pandemic hobby did you pick up?

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Yesterday we spent a few hours down in the West Bottoms visiting the grand opening of @kctinygreenhouse newest location . KC Plant fam, head there. Just trust me! Plants loved and cared for with the best good vibes, all ready to join your crazy plant person home. You’ll find goodies from local KC artisans as well, like @pigeoncandles 

Come for the plants, leave with a heart full of happy!

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Last night in the suite @kcroyals ...I almost cried. Man it feels so good to be doing normal things. I’ll never take this for granted! Making this the summer of yes...I’m going to say yes to as many events/outings/opportunities as possible! Who’s in? #summerofyes
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Ella is 15 today! Those of you who have been with Dine & Dish since the very beginning have been a part of Ella’s life since the start too! 15 years sure does go by in a flash, both with businesses and babies.
Happy birthday @ella.r.doyle 💕💕💕 We love you!
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I want to live in the big city, yet also want to live in the country. I want to live by the beach, yet also want to live in the mountains. I either need multiple lives or multiple homes! 

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I’m officially one step closer to reaching peak plant lady status! 🪴

I’m welcoming these plant cuttings from the Hello Kathy Plant Etsy Shop to my already booming collection. When I saw people rave about her “Mystery Box” of plant cuttings I knew I had to buy one. 2 things I love...mystery boxes and plants!

Now I need to figure out how to keep them alive. Any advice? 😃 🪴

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Hi, friend! I Thought I’d just say “hey” and check in and add some pretty flowers to your feed.

We’re over here dragging ourselves across the school finish line...so close to done physically, but over done, mentally. Can you relate?

My coaching business is going great, I’m working with some truly incredible, inspiring women right now which makes me so happy! I’ll be launching 2 new group coaching  classes (for women and entrepreneurs) in a few weeks so be sure to follow @rockyourhappy if you are interested in being updated on those!

Jacob comes home from college this week and my parents are coming to visit for a couple of weeks as well. And it’s almost my favorite time of the year, summer!! 

How are things going with you? What’s going good and making you happy? Or what do you need a hand or listening ear with? Touch base! I’ve missed you!

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Book Lovers Giveaway (read to the end)!!! ⬇️ ⬇️ 

Supporting my local independent bookstore @rainydaybooks looks a lot different than it used to these days. Temporarily gone are the days of lingering in store, browsing the shelves, walking out with an armful of books I didn’t expect to buy. The pandemic has made independent bookstores pivot in ways they’ve never had to before, but I’m so happy to say they are CRUSHING IT! And as we virtually celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, I wanted to share a way you too can help keep Independent bookstores afloat now (and in the future).

You know I’m a huge fan of @librofm , the absolute best audiobook alternative that gives money back to the independent bookstore of your choice with your audiobook purchases. Well, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, they are giving YOU a free audiobook! Here’s what you need to do…

Spend $15 or more at your bookstore between April 24th and 26th. Submit your receipt at libro.fm/ibd and Libro.fm will email you a link to your free audiobook by April 28th! Easy peasy, right?

Wait! There’s more! 🌟 I’d love to give one Dine & Dish follower the chance to win a 3 month @Librofm audiobook membership. To enter, simply tag your favorite independent bookstore here and tell me what you love the most about it! That’s it! Winner will be chosen at random on April 27th. Yay, books!

#indiebookstoreday #indiebookstore #bookstoreshoutout 
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Can’t believe we’re doing the college tour thing already with my second baby! 

So question for any of you who sent your kids to out of state schools or went to out of state schools...how did you do it? She wants to get the heck out of Kansas (I’d like to go with her!). We have money saved, she’ll most likely get a scholarship or two, she’s paying and has money saved as well...but even with that out of state tuition is a beast of an amount. So, did you just assume that student loans were going to be part of that life? And is that worth it to give your kids a shot at a new life outside of your home state? I wish I would have left Kansas for university, and have been here since I was born 😩. I want different for her if that’s what she wants but also just don’t have any experience with how people do out of state college! Any tips?

#collegetour #bestlifenow #outofstate #studentloans #junioryear #kansasstate #adviceneeded
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J is for...jam!
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My friend @wakschmale makes the best strawberry jam...and I completely forgot about a jar she gave me last year until this morning. Which then inspired me to make my favorite buttermilk biscuits. So so good. Are you a jam, honey, just butter or plain biscuit fan? I love biscuits allll the ways, except with gravy. I have super bad memories of biscuits and gravy growing up. 🤢
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I’m still slowly making my way through the alphabet for @kimklassen_innercircle a-z photo challenge. I’m bound and determined to finish. It may just take me a little longer than I originally anticipated 🤗.
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#homemadejam #eatcaptureshare #biscuitsandjam #homemadebiscuits #sundaybaking #easylikesundaymorning #foodphotograph #foodpics #slowsunday #breakfastathome #kimklassen_innercircle
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It took me 2 months to get this Crispy Chickpea Pantry Pasta recipe up on the blog. 🤦‍♀️But it’s there now! You can find the link in my Instagram profile.
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Also, just noticed Instagram took away the like count on posts. I kind of like that...what do you think?
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#pastarecipe #chickpeapasta #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #vegetarianrecipe #eatcaptureshare #slowblogging  #totallifechanges
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I is for Inspiration!
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The “long haul” effects of having Covid back in December are really presenting themselves lately. The continuous persistent headaches are taking a toll and the connection between the brain fog and word retrieval function of my brain has been extra challenging. I had no idea a couple months out, the cognitive effects would still be hanging around.
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With that said, when I get a burst of inspiration I’m grabbing on for dear life. I made our favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe yesterday and felt the desire to update the blog post photos from 2007! We make these cookies all the time, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so many years to give that poor post some new photos.
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If you’re interested in the recipe you can find the link currently in my profile. Enjoy!!
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@kimklassen_innercircle #kimklassen_innercircle #chocolatechipcookie #cookiestagram #foodphotography #feedfeedbaking #plateofcookies #cookiephotography #eatcaptureshare #recipeoftheweek
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H is for...high!
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It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
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I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
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 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
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G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
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F is for...food photography.
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This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
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Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
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#eatcake #eatcaptureshare #eatcakebehappy #lemoncake #cakecakecakecake #foodiegram #yahoofood #dessertsofinstagram #sweettooth #kimklassen_innercircle #fisforfood
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