{the many faces of my links}

Melissa

Melissa is another one of my cousins that I didn't get to know very well growing up but I knew that I liked her as a child mainly because she was the daughter of one of my favorite aunts and the sister to some of my most favorite cousins. As we both grew to be adults, I realized a few things about my delightful cousin, Melissa.

Firstly, some of the members of my family have been blessed with dimples. My mother is one of those people but not a-one of her 11 offspring inherited that beautiful trait. Somehow, this cousin and Melissa got them and I have never stopped coveting them!

Secondly, Melissa is also one of those people who seems to always have the right thing to say. She is poised but still helplessly easy-going. She always has something happy to say and it's always a pleasure talking to her. Maybe it's because her dimpled smile is so noticeable that you just have to believe that she's happy. If she's just pretending to be forever in a good mood, then she's definitely fooling everyone.

Melissa is married to quite possibly the biggest tease on the planet. I believe I was a teenager when she married her husband and those years of insecurity and emotion did not go well with his incessant rib-poking, silly jokes and teasing of me and the other teenage cousins that I hung around at family parties. We all secretly thought that Melissa's husband was really cute (in an "older cousin way") and I know that I secretly wished that I could muster up the courage to make fun back. And all along, there stood Melissa who would occasionally let out a comment in her husband's direction to let him know that he better stop bugging us. It was always said very half-heartedly, and she would probably give him a little pat on the bum when she said it, but I remember thinking that I knew that she got the most teasing of us all - at home . . . and she must have a lot of patience and good fun in her. I was right. She does.

Another thing I've always admired about Melissa is how in shape she is. Keep in mind that all her sisters are tall and thin with no "behind" (if you know what I mean) but Melissa has made it a point to exercise and man - you should see the woman's arms! Wowsa! She is a babe. I couldn't find a great picture on her blog to display her arms, but just trust me.

Quite possibly the most important thing is that her sugar cookies are as good, easy and as fun to make as they look. I am NOT KIDDING. She is a baker-pro! It is uncanny how mean her cakes, pies and cookies are. She should look like Paula Deen but in reality, she looks like Heidi Klum.

Good luck trying to be as great as my cousin. If you want, you could try to snag some tips by heading over to her blog where she shares fabulous recipes, book reviews and more.