Win With Civility

Did you know August is National 'Win with Civility' Month? It's true; the internets told me so.

And since we could all use a reminder from time to time that "polite is always right," I've prepared a few handy tips.

Civility Tip #1 - Always precede a negative comment with a positive one:

Civility Tip #2 - Practice an attitude of gratitude:

And maybe your spelling.

Civility Tip #3 - Instead of rudely pointing out the birthday girl's faults, try focusing on her accomplishments:

Or, if s/he has no accomplishments to speak of, then try complimenting a physical feature.

There! See how easy it is to be polite?

Now, you try!

Ok, well, that's not so much a compliment as it is a reminder of old age - which is never polite.

Why not try opening up, instead? You know, tell her how you really feel?

Um.

Ok.

Well, while I applaud your honesty, that's...not very positive.

Ok, new tactic: Is there anything you can congratulate her on? Something worth complimenting?

Ah, much better.

So remember, kids: polite is always right, and successfully kicking narcotics calls for frosted cheesecake.

Don't ask me why; it just does.

Thanks to Wreckporters Whitney M., Birdy, Susan K., Heather R., Andrea F., Gina G., & Janet S., who, for the record, have never had frosted cheesecake.

*****

P.S. Next time, let this fun "lift-the-flap" book say your goodbyes for you:

 Gotta Go, Buffalo: A Silly Book of Fun Goodbyes

Each page has funny farewell rhymes hidden under lift-up flaps:

 Super cute!

Sunday Sweets For Book Lovers Day

This Wednesday is Book Lovers Day, my friends, and I know *JUST* how to celebrate!

Assuming you can convince your guests these are actually edible, of course:

(By Cloud 9 Cakes)

Terry Pratchett fans, prepare to have your jaws drop:

(By DeviantArt member Barracude-Bruce's wife)

Or maybe you'll just make stunned sputtering noises, like I did. :) Look at all that detail! Disc World has truly never looked sweeter.

This stunning Les Mis cake has little barricades at the four corners:

(By Cup A Dee Cakes)

Show of hands: who else is humming the soundtrack now?

A fun library design:

(By Biscuiteers of London)

And another you'll never believe is cake, made for a Sylvia Plath fan:

(By Sweet Ruby Cakes)

I'm trying to imagine the time this must have taken - all those little keys! - and my mind is positively boggling.

Here's a classic:

(By Über Angel Cakes)

That Shakespeare portrait is hand-painted, and I'm loving the aged leather finish.

Or how about a more modern favorite?

(By Astonishing Cakes, featured here)

I admit it: I haven't read The Fault In Our Stars, because I'm allergic to sad. I know enough to appreciate the cigarettes and some of the sayings, though, and this is truly Sweet.

Can't have a book lover's post without a little Potter magic, of course:

(By TIER Luxury Cakes, who appear to be permanently closed)

I'm delighted that these titles are actually books within books. Very meta.

Another classic, done to perfection:

(By Celebrate With Cake)

I think I speak for us all when I say: thank goodness they went with a rose instead of a horse head. :D

And finally, of all the incredible Sweets today, this is the one I had the most trouble believing was actually cake:

(By Ron Ben-Israel Cakes)

Because wow. Such a brilliant touch with the butterflies, too; they add so much life and color!

Happy Sunday, everyone! Now, let's all go curl up with a good book.

*****

I found a baking book just for us, minions: