Under My Nose

by gabby1017

Edward Cullen turns thirty in six months and wants to leave the dating scene to find his "Miss Right". Leaving his restaurant behind, he drives a carriage in the French Quarter of New Orleans searching for true love. Who is it? And will he know, when he finds her? Or will she be right under his nose?

40. Chapter 40

Under My Nose

Bella Swan needs a change in pace, a slower groove to enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer her. She moves from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, from subways to streetcars, from nouveau chic to historically quaint, from a large Manhattan apartment near Park Avenue to a shotgun house with her eccentric aunt, in Mid City and off Canal Street. She's ready for love, commitment and that happily ever after, but does she have the patience to wait out her heart's desire? It's frustrating to be right, 'under his nose'.

A/N: Thank you to the readers who review every chapter. There are a handful of you. I appreciate the love, and I find your input very helpful. When we get into further chapters, I will send you another surprise. Again, thank you for your constant support.

Thank you to the readers who follow and favorite that I am unable to send a thank you PM.

Coming Soon: Chapters 42 and 43: the wedding.

Chapter 40:

BPOV: February into March

"I'm late, I'm late for

A very important date.

No time to say hello, good-bye,

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late."

Edward watches me as I rush around the bedroom, pulling up my jeans and throwing a T-shirt over my head and a cardigan through my arms. He leans back on the pillows, his muscular arms over his head with his chiseled, bare chest taunting me again. I stop in a daze and ogle with an oncoming drool.

"And you are rushing around, why?" He smiles broadly. Aww, he jiggles his pecs.

"Stop that, or I won't get anywhere," I snap.

He crosses his arms over his chest and chuckles. "You know you fucking want to."

"Damn straight I want to, but I have to get over to my mother's house in less than thirty minutes. She called with this emergency, wedding meeting. Something about invitations, your mom, and Alice does calligraphy."

"Yeah, Alice always liked doodling," he adds. "Is Sally coming to get you?"

I casually say, "No, I'll take my bike."

He sits up. "I can get dressed and ride with you."

"It's only a few miles, Edward, I'll be fine." I make a face. "Stop worrying. I'm not going to the West Bank."

"I know you can handle yourself." He shyly looks down and plays with his hands.

Okay, I'm guilty, and walk over to sit on the bed and grab his hands. "It's nice being cared about … by you."

He looks up with this devilish grin, hugs me and tosses me on my back, hovering over and kissing the hell out of me while tickling my sides. I giggle. "Staaaaaap!"

Yet, I kiss him back.

"Don't you have food to cook, Chef?" I scream, giggling.

"That's why I'm the fucking boss. I cook when I want, and have others to pick up the fucking slack."

"Aw, a slacker cracker who's a smacker," I rhyme.

"Don't start." His lips on mine immediately.

Deep … sexy … kiss.

I melt into him, mumbling, "Such a schmacker...''

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

It's a little over two miles to the mansion on St. Charles Ave, the pristine, white house that looks as though it's made from layers of frosting. I make my way to the back entrance and walk into the kitchen.

Mom gives me a stern look as she struts through from the dining room. "You're late!"

I blush, batting my eyes. "Edward had other ideas."

Her eyebrows do this crinkly thing, then she looks right into my eyes and I see her light bulb go on. "Oooooooo." She giggles. "Okay, you are forgiven."

I hear chatter from the other room. "Who's here?"

She stammers, "Esme, Alice, Jean, Ms. Evie …" Looking down, she mumbles, "... a few friends."

"What few friends? I thought we were going to keep this small." I put my helmet on the counter and cross my arms over my chest.

She stands up straight. "Ms. Evie has some clout. She thought a few of her friends could be a big help getting the ball rolling for you and Edward. Since you have a wedding date, and it's soon, she has invitations already made up for you."

I am speechless.

"Remember that beautiful picture Richard took of you and Edward? Well, Evie's friend, Neffie … who's an artist ... did this sketch from the picture. It's truly lovely in charcoal. Well, you'll see." She clears her throat. "She has a baker …"

"Oh no, I draw the line there. I'm making my own cake." I spout.

She puts her hands up. "Okay, no problem. Well, there is a slight problem."

"What?" I glare.

"Renee won't be able to attend, but she has expressed a desire to help in some way." She cautiously looks up at me.

"How did she? Never mind. Dad." I shake my head.

"We'll talk about her idea later, but let's go into the dining room. Everyone is waiting for you." She begins to walk.

"Mom?"

Sally turns with tears in her eyes, grabs and hugs me close. "I can't tell you what that means to me."

I pull away, and we are forehead to forehead. "Probably the same to me."

We walk into the dining room arm in arm. Everyone is at the table, eating finger sandwiches and drinking herbal tea. I make a face at Mom and she shrugs. "The cook made everything. I would have opted for pizza or corned beef on rye."

The long, mahogany dining room table that easily seats eighteen has Mom's antique, bone-white china and crystal, three-tiered platters filled with crust-off, tea sandwiches and tiny pastries. We call it all pretentious snobbery of the rich and richer. But her sterling silver tea and coffee set with large pots, sugar bowl, creamer and large tray outshines even the food. Damn thing costs more than my bike.

We sit at the table. Esme grabs my hand and we hug. Alice waves from across the table with Mama Jean, and three other women with Ms. Evie.

Ms. Evie starts in. "Bella, I'd like for you to meet Neffie King. She's my oldest and dearest friend. She does a lot of sketch work for Richard. We've got something to show you in a minute."

I nod my head and smile at Neffie who reminds me of Betty White, all prim and proper, a Golden Girl.

Mom hands me a plate of food. I pick up a sandwich and take a small bite.

Ms. Evie continues, "My oldest and dearest friend, Magnolia Soddengarten, but we call her Nolie. She's quite the florist."

She smiles at me with red lipstick that exceeds over her slim mouth, and greets me with a husky, 'hello'. Yeah, Glenn Close in Sunset Blvd, turban and all.

I smile. "Hi Nolie."

"And lastly, my cousin, Amelia, she's a baker, but she is amazing with the sugar. So, I hope you will take a look see at her portfolio."

Again, I nod and politely listen; shooting squinty-eyed, dagger looks at my mother and smiling politely to Ms. Evie's three friends.

The entire afternoon is an extremely, successful gathering, I must admit.

The invitations are beautiful. The charcoal sketch is a black and white headshot of Edward and me looking at one another with absorbed smiles. It's on white, textured, parchment paper with the heading in a black, wispy script font, "Edward and Bella stir the pot on April Fools!"

I read on. "Edward Anthony Mason Cullen and Isabella Marie Swan are roasting up a savory marriage on April Fool's Day. Please, join them as they whisk together as husband and wife a recipe for eternal, marital bliss. Expect anything, enjoy everything, and witness as they take their vows, step by step, setting their temperature and heating up a lifetime, side by side."

They have to go out tomorrow, because we are off the standard, six- week schedule for mailing out said invitations.

Yada.

Yada.

Yada.

Alice says she won't hand write each envelope. Thank goodness for modern technology and calligraphy fonts. She will also email the announcement of the snail mail invitation to each guest to get a head count. Esme and Mom are thoroughly becoming quite the in-law, best buds.

Cousin Amelia promises to create Japanese Magnolia flowers in natural spring colors of pinks, whites and yellows, all in blown sugar for my white, buttercream frosting. I couldn't say no to her pouty face.

I tell Esme that Carlisle is dead-set on tasting different cakes. He wants something to do for the wedding. He feels he will sacrifice an afternoon with me in the kitchen. It's the least I can do for him and his sweet tooth. Esme nods her head and rolls her eyes. "He'll do anything for some sugar."

Ms. Evie informs, "Look, a man who enjoys his sweets is passionate about his love making. Right, Esme?"

Esme giggles and plays with her hair. "I suppose so." She bites her lip and lightly rubs the side of her neck. "Carlisle can be quite attentive."

Ms. Evie taunts me, "Like father like son, Bella?"

I clear my throat, turn beet red, and smile. "I have no complaints." I steal a look at Esme. She gives me a thumbs up.

And my no-filter mother says, "Why do you think she was late?"

Ms. Evie smiles, "I knew that boy had it bad for you. Couldn't keep his eyes off her ass!"

Sally scolds her, "Ms. Evie!"

"Well it's true." Evie gloats. "He wanted to kiss her so bad."

I ask, "How did you know?"

"Oh sweetie, when you live this long, you see those things in a man's eyes or feel those things in the ease of his walk or you focus on the l tent he is pitching in his pants!"

We all laugh.

Once Ms. Evie and her entourage leave, the rest of us plan an afternoon of Bridal shop visits. Alice says she can sketch up my ideas, if I don't find what I want. Mom and Mama Jean are all too willing to create my gown and veil.

I also want to comb through the Net for ideas. I don't want anything frou-frou, but I do want lace and covered, round buttons in the back, and a sweetheart neckline that accentuates my curves. Once I have the dress, I can figure out the rest. No long trains, no long veils and it has to be pure white and pure as freshly, fallen snow.

The night before the wedding, all the females will spend the night at the mansion, while the men will stay at our place. "Tradition," Mom says.

"Can you spell horny?" Alice whines.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

I return home to find Edward on the living room sofa with a book covering his chest, snoring softly out like a light. I tiptoe carefully near his side, lay the box of invitations on the coffee table, sit, and watch his chest rise and fall to a steady beat.

I take in his long, dark lashes than thickly fan over his high cheekbones. The light scruff on his chin hides the blunt square-ness of his jaw and the wayward, but soft hair over his forehead flips to one side and another. My eyes follow the straightness of his nose, the few small freckles and the fullness of his lips.

Carefully, I remove the book, A Guide to Finding the Perfect Honeymoon Spot.

Aww.

His lashes flutter and open slowly. He breathes in deeply and expels my name, "Bella, when did you get home?"

"Just came in." I lean over and kiss his lips. "Did you find us 'the' spot?"

He smiles. "I saw a couple, but I want to get your input on where you want to go on our honeymoon."

I crawl next to him, hugging his waist and looking up into his sleepy eyes. "Wherever you are is fine with me." That earns me a kiss on the nose.

"Baby, I want to take you somewhere memorable. Do you like camping?"

I groan. "Not really."

He shakes his head, "Me, either."

"I'm open for anywhere you may want to go." I run my hand over his stomach. "But I have to run back out."

"Oh?"

"I just came to bring my bike back and get a kiss." I sigh. "Dress shopping."

"You know my only objective will be to get you the fuck out of it." He smirks.

"Oh, give me this girlie moment. I want to look pretty for you." I get up.

He sits up. "You always look pretty to me."

A quick kiss and I start for the door. "I hope you feel that way after six babies. And oh, I almost forgot."

I pick up the box, take an invitation out and hand it to Edward.

He looks over the drawing. "This is great." He reads the print and chuckles, nodding his head. "Fits us."

"Ms. Evie wrote it," I say with curiosity.

"She's funny, but she fucking pinches." He complains.

I bite the inside of my cheek and Edward pulls on it. "Did you want to kiss me when we were shopping for your Lafitte costume at Ms. Evie's?"

He is silent, looks at me and arrogantly rubs his chin. "Yeah, I wanted to kiss you, and grope your ass."

"Damn, Ms. Evie was right!" I mumble.

He frowns as I shrug. "Anyway, Alice needs a list of guests. I already gave her mine, so she needs yours, ASAP."

"I'll do it while you're gone."

"Such a good boy," I tease.

"So, what do I get for being so fucking good," he playful pleads.

I open the door, walk through, but turn and sing,

"Any way you want it,

that's the way you need it."

I close the door and sing loudly, "Ooh, all night, all night

Oh, every night.

So, hold tight, hold tight.

Ooh, Baby, hold tight.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

We drive to three different bridal boutiques in New Orleans, and seven shops in Metairie. I'm not a hard person to please, but this means so very much to me.

Renee calls, yes, she set up all the appointments, and I do thank her for her help and promise to visit soon. There is one last shop on Magazine Street that is right across from my home. Who notices such things?

We all drag through the doorway not very positive about a find. We are met with a pleasant sale clerk, but the same protocol repeats. The gown samples at size ten and twelve. When you find a gown, they measure you and give an estimate of time for delivery of around six to eight weeks, and you still need a fitting or two.

Mama Jean grabs my hand, pulls me out of the shop with Mom, Esme and Alice in tow. She cups my face in her hands. "Bella, we really went about this all wrong. Forget these shops. Alice will sketch out what you have in your mind, we'll go to JoAnn's Fabric and customize your gown. I can whip this up in less than three to four days.

"And while Jean makes your dress, I can make your veil, Honey," Mom pipes in.

Alice beams, "I'll talk with Ms. Evie's friend about all the flowers. So, there's nothing to worry about. Hightail your ass across the street and we'll handle the rest."

"Thanks." I smile at all of them.

Alice nudges me. "Go!"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Later on that evening, Alice and Jasper come by to pick up Edward's guest list.

We sit for a moment in the living room with a glass of wine, while Edward and Jasper go downstairs to go over the books.

"Alice, I wanted to ask you something." I take a sip of wine.

"Sure, what's on your mind?" she asks.

"Well, I spoke with my friend, BB, and she has a charity event she can't get out of, but she will arrive here right before the ceremony. I asked her to be my Maid of Honor." I see a flash of disappointment in Alice's face. "But Edward and I are not the typical couple. So, why should the wedding be anything different?" I take a breath. "I want you to be my Maid of Honor, too." She broadly smiles. "Well, if you want to."

"Oh Bella, I would love to." She gets up and hugs me. "Two Maids of Honor?"

"Well, it will go well with two Best Men since Edward couldn't choose between Jasper and Emmett." I smile.

Alice laughs. "Two Bests, two Maids, and a Flower Mule, yeah, this is no ordinary wedding.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Two days pass, and to her word, Mama Jean presents me with the wedding dress of my dreams, and veil to match. She enters the living room with a garment bag draped over her arm and boxes piled in her hands. I grab the boxes and we make our way to my bedroom.

"Your mother is downstairs parking her car and will be up in a minute." She walks behind me.

"Oh, I am so excited to try this on, Mama Jean," I squeal.

"You're going to look like a piece of heaven, Bella, if I say so myself. The dress came out perfect. It may need a few alterations, but I had all of your measurements, so we should be fine." She smiles.

Mama Jean unzips the bag and holds my dress up, and I can't say a word.

I just stare …

in amazement.

"Let me get into my strapless bra." I run into the walk-in closet.

Mama Jean calls out, "Now, don't worry about Edward coming up. I told him you were going to be trying on your dress for the first time and he needed to stay away."

We both slip the dress on, I hold the front as Mama Jean pulls up the zipper. "Now, Sally and I have been shoes shopping and we found six pairs to match the dress, so you can decide from a few choices."

"You both have been great." I giggle.

She pats my shoulder. "Okay, young lady, turn around for me."

I take a quick turn and Mama Jean raises her hands to her mouth. "Oh, Bella, you are just a dream."

The white-lace, strapless dress has a sweetheart bodice hugging the curves of my breasts and shaping my hips into an hourglass form. There are three, uneven layers that cascade into three, flowing skirts. The lace-covered buttons line up the length of the zipper, and by my waist to the left is a lace, flower brooch the size of my hand.

I can hear my mother walking down the hallway and shout out, "We're in here."

I turn and she stops dead in the doorway, carefully holding a garment bag in her arms. Her face grows into a huge smile as her eyes fill up with tears. She takes a huge breath and exhales. "Oh my God, you look so very beautiful."

She rushes to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, and coos to Mama Jean. "Jean, you did an amazing job. It fits her perfectly."

Jean nodding her head and cries, "I know." She blows her nose. "Let's get the veil on and start trying on shoes."

I want to wear my hair down so the veil's comb lies a little lower than the crown of my head. The white, bridal tulle flows in two layers with matching lace hrom the dress at the hems.

I choose a pair of white satin, three-inch heels with lace flowers over the backing of the heel, and over the front of the open-toe instep.

I stand in front of the full-length mirror staring at myself with Mom and Mama Jean peaking around from behind me. They both run their hands down my sides.

Mom says, "It fits her like a glove, Jean. The fabric worked out well."

Mama Jean agrees, "Yes, look how the layers lay nicely."

"I like what you did with the veil, too. The added lace at the hems matches everything up," she hums. "Her breasts look stunning, so full and ripe."

"You know I am standing right here you two. And what do you mean by ripe, Mom?" I glare.

She giggles."Oh, Bella, they look so fresh. You know, perky, ripe for God's Sake!"

Jean excitedly yelps, "Ooooo, I forgot." She rummages through the garment bag and pulls out another veil with a wreath of white and pink, Japanese Magnolia, silk flowers. "This is for Julia. It's for her head."

I hold the wreath. "Aw, this is great. She's going to look so sweet."

"We can also braid a few flowers into her mane. What do you think?" Mom asks.

"That would be amazing. I'd love that. Edward would get a kick out of that, too."

"What would I get a kick out of?" Edward shouts from the hallway.

Mom screams, "You can't come in here." She runs to the door, closes and locks it. "Edward, we told you not to come up here."

From the other side of the door, he sweetly says, "Baby, I just wanted to know if you are happy."

And I start to cry. "Edward, Jean and Mom did such an amazing job on the dress and veil. And they bought me shoes." I sniff. Yeah, I'm happy." I wail.

"How much longer, Bella?" he softly asks.

"Just a few minutes. Are your parents here yet?"

"He called and they will be here in fifteen minutes."

"Okay."

I hear his retreating steps, take one last look in the mirror and ball my eyes out. Mom and Mama Jean grab me in a hug.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Carlisle wipes his mouth with his napkin and announces, "That was a fine meal, but I'm here for my sweet daughter-to-soon-be sweets." He smiles. "Bring on the cakes." He claps his hands, shakes his fingers, grabs a fork and looks around the table. "What?"

"Really, Carlisle?" Esme pouts.

He looks at me. "You understand."

I smile at him. "Yes, I do. Cake tasting is serious business."

"I'm with Dad. Bella, bring on the cakes, "Emmett blasts.

Edward, Mama Jean, and I retreat to the kitchen, bringing out two cakes each, all frosted in white buttercream and place them on a serving cart. Edward loves buttercream, enough said.

"I didn't decorate with any designs, but you'll get the basic flavors of the vanilla buttercream and the different cakes and fillings."

I take the first cake, cut it into wedges and give everyone a small slice. "This is a Devil's Food cake with chocolate ganache, raspberries and the vanilla buttercream."

Carlisle takes a bite and hums through the entire slice. He says nothing, but then again, he doesn't have to. He raises his fork to Richard and they salute one another.

Alice and Jasper give me a thumbs-up while Esme, Mama Jean and Mom coo, licking their forks.

Edward kisses me while Emmett continues eating.

I serve a simple white cake with a raspberry filling and the buttercream, lemon cake with lemon curd, red and white velvet marble cake with a chocolate cream cheese filling, yellow cake filled with pecan caramel and chocolate ganache, and a hazelnut-almond cake with chocolate ganache and raspberries.

Hands down, the hazelnut-almond cake wins everyone over. Although Carlisle wishes to take the leftovers home for more consideration. Esme pokes him.

"Okay, the cakes have been served and voted on, now I want to see your dress," Alice announces.

"Me, too," says Esme.

All the ladies head upstairs while I watch the men have a drink at the bar. Emmett turns to Edward and gives him a bear hug. "Well, you're really doing this, man."

Carlisle raises his glass. "And I get cake for the rest of my life."

Emmett ribs Edward. "And you get the filling!"

Carlisle toasts. "To Bella!"

They all drink.

I smile and head upstairs.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Bella's handling the wedding planning with great support. Maybe I'll post pictures?

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A/N: Thank you to my Beta, Sunflower Fran. I appreciate her time, her proper grammar and quick pen. Another great find by PAD!

To Robseve and Postapocalypticdepository (PAD), my pre-readers that give their unselfish time and creative input. Both of these ladies are inspirations and true friends.

Now, let me rec Postapocalypticdepository stories, since she so graciously rec'd mine.

Skater Boy and Boarder Girl: 10137826

Never Judge by the Cover: 9056924

Boys Will Be: 8868006

Rude Awakenings: 8876785

It's a New Dawn, It's a New Year: 8862243 (complete)

And to: Midnight-Confessions 9182601 by ohgeefantasy

Careless Hearts 9881551 by ohgeefantasy

Pudding Cup: 10189248 (Entry in The Bad Boys of Twilight Contest. Awards: First Place Public Vote & Two Judges)

And to: Edward Cullen FBI Special Agent and Psychic 9626040 by Dinia Steel (complete)

Sequel: Edward Cullen & Friends - Down on the Bayou 10204063

And a shout out rec to: BURN 8999279 by compass54

Also, found this story: Finally in Phoenix 9987411 by laughablelamb

AND: A Crack in the Door 8874295 by jane-with-a-y

AND:New Beginning 10175667 by LadyBeck

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

And thank you to all the readers, whether you review or not. I enjoy every comment and suggestion. Yes, NOLA (New Orleans, LA) is an exciting place to live. And to combine the old world with the new is a challenge, but the humor is quite a serious business. My objective is for all of you to smile, after each chapter.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Recipes:

Tea Party food:

Ladybug sandwich

Dressing:

½ cup sour cream

½ cup mayonnaise

1 ½ teaspoon beau monde seasoning

⅛ cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon ground mustard

2 tablespoon dried dill

LadyBugs:

1 small container cherry tomatoes

1 can whole black olives

1 toothpick

4 dashes of balsamic glaze

24 tea bread slices

baby lettuce leaves

4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped

Mix all ingredients for the spread and refrigerate overnight for better flavor. Several hours before the party slice your small grape tomatoes in half (longwise), the olives in half for the heads so that you can then assemble them. Now, take the tomato and pierce with toothpick that has been dipped into the balsamic glaze to make your spots on the ladybug.

Watercress Tea Sandwich

1 cup watercress leaves, cleaned

⅛ teaspoon salt

8 very thin slices white bread

4 teaspoons unsalted butter, softened

In a medium bowl, toss the cleaned and dried watercress leaves with the salt. Spread one side of each piece of bread with the butter. Top four (4) of the slices each with ¼ cup watercress leaves. Arrange the watercress so it hangs very slightly over the edge of the bread. Top with the remaining four (4) bread slices. Carefully cut the crusts from each sandwich with a long, sharp knife. Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and then cut in half again.

Smoked Salmon Sandwiches on Pumpernickel

¼ cup good-quality mayonnaise

1 tablespoon minced green onion

1 tablespoon minced fresh dill weed

1 tablespoon capers, drained

1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

scant pepper

2 teaspoons butter, room temperature

8 slices pumpernickel bread

4 to 6 pieces (slices) Smoked Salmon

12 cucumber slices, sliced thin

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, green onion, dill weed, capers, horseradish, and pepper; set aside. Spread butter thinly over pumpernickel bread slices; spread mayonnaise mixture on each bread slice. Divide salmon and cucumber slices evenly over 4 slices of bread; top with remaining bread slices. Cut each sandwich in half diagonally.

Onion Sandwich

8 slices firm-textured white bread

Unsalted butter, room temperature

1 sweet onion, peeled and sliced into paper-thin slices

sea salt

mayonnaise

4 tablespoons parsley, finely minced

Cut breads with a 2" round cookie cutter. Spread one side of each bread circle with a heavy layer of butter. Place a thin layer of sliced onions over the butter. Lightly season the onions with salt. Assemble the sandwiches with remaining bread slices, pressing lightly to make them adhere. Spread some mayonnaise around the outside rim of each sandwich round. Roll the rim of each sandwich in the minced parsley to coat.

Artichoke Tea

2 (14-ounce) cans artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped

1 1/4 cups mayonnaise

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Coarse salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste

20 very thin slices white or wheat bread

In a medium bowl, combine chopped artichokes, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, and cayenne pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly over 10 slices of bread. Top each with the remaining 10 bread slices. Carefully cut the crusts from each sandwich with a long, sharp or serrated-blade knife. Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally.

20-Layer Crepe Cake

Crepe batter:

6 tablespoons butter

3 cups milk

6 eggs

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

7 tablespoons sugar

pinch of salt

In a small pan, melt the butter until lightly browned and set aside. In a separate small pan, warm the milk until steaming; remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

In a large electric mixer bowl, mix together eggs, flour, sugar and salt. Slowly add the warm milk and browned butter. Refrigerate in a tightly sealed container for several hours or overnight.

Pastry Creme Filling

1 egg

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon hot water

2 tablespoons heavy cream, whipped

In a small bowl, add egg, flour, sugar, and cornstarch; beat until smooth.

In a saucepan over low heat, bring milk to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and slowly whisk the milk into the egg all ingredients to saucepan, while constantly stirring (5 minutes), until thickened and brought to a boil. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and hot water; stir until dissolved into mixture. Set aside to cool and firm.

When cooled, fold into whipped cream.

Refrigerate mixture until thick.

Putting It all together:

Remove crepe batter from refrigerator, and let stand to room temperature.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Pour 3 tablespoons of crepe batter into a heated crepe pan, swirl around to evenly spread batter in pan. Cook one minute. With clean fingers, peel crepe up and heat other side for a few minutes. Place crepes on baking sheet. Do NOT place on top of one another.

Remove pastry creme from refrigerator. Whip 2 cups of heavy cream with one tablespoon sugar and fold into pastry creme.

Assemble:

Place one crepe on a large plate, cover crepe with a thin layer of creme. Cover with another dry crepe and repeat covering with pastry creme until you have twenty layers.

Refrigerate cake for 2 hours, let stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar.

Cranberry Tartlets

¾ cup butter, melted

¾ cup granulated sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon pure almond extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped cranberries (fresh or frozen)

¾ cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spray mini-pan muffins with non-stick spray,

In a large bowl, whisk together butter and sugar. Add eggs and almond extract, whisk until blended. Add flour, continue to whisk. Mix in cranberries and pecans.

Fill muffin tins ½ way with dough. Bake 15 minutes. Let stand, until cool.

48 tartlets.

Meringue Cream Torte

5 large egg whites, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons hazelnut-flavored liqueur or cold espresso

2/3 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread

1 cup whipping cream, divided

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate curls, optional

Preheat oven 350 F. Butter and flour 8" springform cake pan.

Beat egg white with cream of tartar on high speed of mixer, until frothy.

Continue beating at high speed, adding sugar a little at a time. Add vanilla.

Pour mixture into prepared pan, spread out evenly on top. Bake 25 minutes, until top is browned. Remove from oven and let stand 20 minutes.

Run a thin knife along the rim to remove from pan. Remove rim. Carefully invert meringue onto a plate. Flip again, onto another plate to get the meringue right side up. Cool completely.

In a bowl, whisk hazelnut liqueur into chocolate-hazelnut spread.

In another bowl, whip cream until it holds a soft peaks. Stir ¼ cup of whipped cream into chocolate-hazelnut mixture until peaks disappear. Fold chocolate mixture into whipped cream, then whisk gently, until a loose spreadable consistency. Spread mixture over meringue, top with shaved chocolate and chill for an hour uncovered. Then, cut in wedges and serve.

Mississippi Mud Cake

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 ⅔ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 ¼ cups hot water

1 tablespoon instant coffee

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup self-rising flour

½ cup cocoa powder

2 large eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Powdered sugar, for dusting

Whipped Cream: 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Beat it all together to form stiff peaks.

Preheat oven to 325 F. Prepare 9" square cake pan, grease and flour.

In the top of a double boiler over low heat, combine butter, chocolate, sugar, water and coffee. Stir until mixture is smooth and remove from heat. Cool for 15 minutes.

Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl of an electric mixer. Sift in flour and cocoa. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat together until smooth.

Pour mixture into baking pan. Bake for 60-75 minutes.

Remove pan from oven, let sit for 10 minutes on baking rack. Remove cake from pan and completely cool on rack. Cut into bite-size squares, and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with the whipped cream.

Gingerbread Tea Loaf

1 ⅔ cup unbleached all-purpose flour, sifted

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon cardamom

A pinch each of ground black pepper, ground clove, ground fennel,ground nutmeg, and ground star anise

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons crystallized ginger baking chips, divided

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

½ cup golden-brown sugar, firmly packed

½ cup sugar

2 extra-large eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

3 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

½ cup nonfat milk

2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt

Preheat oven 350 F. Prepare loaf pan with nonstick spray. Lightly coat sides and bottom of loaf pan with brown sugar.

In a large mixing bowl,combine flour, ginger, cardamom, all ground spices, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Mix in 3 tablespoon crystallized ginger baking chips and set aside.

In a large mixer bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and fresh ginger. Slowly add the spice/flour mixture. Then add milk and yogurt. Add remaining half of spice/flour mixture. Blend until smooth. Pour batter into loaf pan and sprinkle with remaining crystallized ginger mover the top, pressing gently.

Bake 50-60 minutes. Cool on rack for 10 minutes. Then remove from pan and cool on rack until completely cooled. Dust lightly with powdered sugar.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

And please, review … it makes me happy.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Next up: EPOV