I imagine many of you are wondering about the name of this page, Double Ds. Oh, sure, it could be my bra size–but I'll never divulge that. Actually, the Double Ds stand for Dessert Dames. I've given this name to the fictional group of friends that I write about in Better Than Sex and More Than A Trifle.

If you are lucky, you have a circle of friends like my fictional Double Ds. These are friends you've had forever–maybe since grade school or high school. They've seen you through most of life's highs and kept you from drowning during life's lows. If you haven't seen them in a while, you still can pick up a conversation and jabber for hours without any hesitation or sense of unfamiliarity. My Double Ds may grow beyond the third book I've envisioned, but if I decide to move on to other topics, I know friendship will always be one of my underlying themes.

Why? Because my life has been blessed with very special friends. Some I've had since grade school, some I discovered in high school as my world expanded. I picked up a few in college and in the faculty lounge, or participating on boards or in professional organizations. Some I found as neighbors and some came to my life along with my husband. More recently, I've found kindred spirits in my writing group, Wisconsin Romance Writers. These people helped me through tough times, celebrated the good times with me, and consoled me in the sorrowful times. That's what friends are for and that's why stories of friendship are universal and enjoyed.

As someone once told me, we can't choose our relations, but we can choose our friends. This page will be about friendship.

BAKING WITH CASSIE

I'm working on Cassie's story now and one of her characteristics is she loves to bake, does it often and well. Her Double D friendship circle love to enter her home in the fall as the cooler weather inspires Cassie to bake. The scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves waft through her home. She often makes pumpkin based cakes and breads in the fall and sends them home with her friends and family.

Below is a recipe Cassie makes every fall. Her family and friends know when the leaves start turning and the days stay cool despite lots of sun, Cassie will be busy baking to heat her home, holding off turning on that furnace until the last possible moment.

PUMPKIN BUTTERSCOTCH BUNDT CAKE

1 package (11 oz) butterscotch flavored chips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup canned pumpkin
½ cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar

In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup butterscotch morsels on medium-high power for one minute. Check and continue to heat at 20 second intervals until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.

In a large bowl mix together melted butterscotch, pumpkin, oil, eggs and vanilla with a wire whisk.

Stir in flour mixture. Once combined, add remained butterscotch chips to batter.

Spoon batter into a greased 10 inch bundt pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 – 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean.

Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Remove from pan and sprinkle powdered sugar over top and sides.

Read Past Double Ds:

Puppy Love
The best antiques are old friends
Eat Dessert First
Dinner with the Double Ds