Move Over Alton Brown!

Make way for Tyler Florence!

   

Isn't he a cutie?  I love his show, not that I get to watch it often, but I love it when I do.  He cooks some yummy stuff.

I hate to say it, but he even be better than the Pioneer Woman.  Shhh!  Don't tell her I said that, or I'll never win one of her giveaways!

We made Tyler's Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars on Saturday for the Super Bowl.  They almost didn't make it until Sunday.  I cut them on Sunday after church and they almost didn't make it to the game.  They were to. die. for.  Seriously yummy.

 

They're so easy, too.  We have extra cream cheese, so we might have to make some more soon.

I didn't follow his recipe exactly---but then he tells you to "eyeball" the amount of sugar you put in, so I don't think he'll mind.  I didn't use the graham cracker crust because no matter how many times TMax and I reminded each other that we had passed by the graham crackers in the store and we needed to go back down that aisle to get them, we forgot.  Lame, I know.  But I think it was a happy mistake because my crust was way better than a dry old graham cracker crust!

I just threw about 2 cups of nuts into my food processor.  Eyeball it.  ;-)  I used half walnuts and half pecans because that's what I had, although I would normally use all pecans.  About 4T butter, a heavy dash of cinnamon (1/2 tsp?), and a handful of brownsugar (1/4 c?).  

See?  I like Tyler because he cooks the way I do---by handfuls!

Anyway....just blend it all together until it's grainy and press it into the bottom of the pan.  Soooo much better than graham crackers!

7 Quick Takes (Rain Edition)

~1~

Our families in Virginia are getting hit by a "historic" snowstorm this weekend.  Dh remarked last night that they're predicting snowfall in feet, not inches.  

I wish we could have some of that.  I think we're getting historic amounts of rain.

~2~

I think I've mentioned before that my basement leaks a little in heavy rains, so that leaky part is an unfinished storage room.  Well, there are new leaks in that room.  I'm trying hard not to think about the walls that are covered with (currently) drywall.

I don't think we had all these leaks last year when we had rivers in the backyard.

~3~

We're going on a field trip today.  In mid-town Atlanta.  In morning rush-hour traffic.  In the driving rain.  It's at the Center for Puppetry Arts, which is a fun place, so I hope we're able to forget about the rain for a while. 

Oh, wait, we're seeing a show about the RAIN forest.

~4~

We could still use your prayers on that job situation, if you don't mind.  

While you're praying, my brother seriously needs them.  He has surgery next Friday to remove his brain tumor.  He's scared, angry, tired, scared.  Scared of the surgery; scared of possible complications; scared that every headache or facial twitch means that this benign tumor might kill him before the surgery. 

~5~

It's been a hard week here, emotionally speaking.  That's probably why there haven't been any posts on my blog.  My life is good; it really is.   I'm continually amazed that God has given me such a good life, wonderful husband, and beautiful, amazing kids, but I'm finding myself turning inward, away from everyone else, to protect myself from the emotions and tensions that are everywhere.  I'm focusing on schooling, cooking, knitting, and working on my prayer life.  Trying to keep up with responsibilities with little energy to spare for anything else---like smiling or socializing.

I've got to work more on that prayer life, I think.  I have a strong urge to curl up in front of the fire and watch TV and relax, but I would prefer to curl up with Jesus.  As much as I love to knit and watch TV, it would be more satisfying and refreshing to spend the time with the Lord. 

Do you think He'd mind if I did it in front of the fire instead of the chilly living room where I normally pray?

~6~

I've been cooking a lot this week.  Well, I always cook, but I'm cooking large meals (well, I always do that, too!) and freezing half instead of using them for leftovers.  Since I'm planning to go out to my brother's to spend a week helping him after his surgery, I'm trying to fill up the freezer to make things easier for my family.  

My sister will be with Tod  and his family for the surgery itself and the first week.  I'll be going for the second week.

~7~

We're looking forward to the SuperBowl on Sunday.  Dh requested Super Nachos as one of the dishes.  We're looking forward to rooting for the Saints.  Mostly, I think we're looking forward to relaxing and not thinking about all the other stuff going on.  

~~~~~~

Stop by Jen's for more 7 Quick Takes!

Finished

The Little Princess Cardigan.

But I can't show you because, for some strange reason, when I go to upload the photos they don't appear in iphoto.


If I open iphoto alone, they are there in the folder where I put them.  But not if I try to add a photo to my blog. 


Weird.  If you can help, I'm all ears.

Amazingly enough, though, the sleeves turned out great even though I frogged 1/3 of them, down to where the shoulder shaping began, and made them larger.  Not knowing a single thing about writing a pattern and very little about gauge, I just guessed at how many stitches I would need to increase to get the right size.  I guess I guessed right since they're perfect---not too long and not too short.  And they fit into the armholes nicely.

I'm sad I didn't add another cable repeat or two to the body since it's only just long enough.  I don't have any hope that she won't grow in the next year. 

I'm glad to have that one checked off my list----and I started KT's socks yesterday.  I'm thinking of making them pedicure socks (makes my job easier!).  What do you want KT?  Toes or Pedis?

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  Another prayer to St. Joseph would be lovely, since you're here.  Dh has a big afternoon planned!  It's very exciting.  Thanks!

2.  Lisa has a post up about St. Francis de Sales whose feast day was the 24th (or today on the Traditional calendar).  She posted some of his quotations which struck me as rather personal:

“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly
 
“Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.”
 
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
 
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.”
  

 I need to read more of St. Francis; it's been a long time since I picked up The Devout Life.   I felt a strong urge to get Finding God's Will for You last year because I was struggling with that very subject.  I lost the book for months, and then when I had found it, I had evidently lost the urge to read it as well.

It's back now.  The urge.  And the book.

3.  We went to the park the other day to get some sunshine and exercise.  It was no fun.  The wind was cold, cold, cold, and some of us who were not moving as much as others were freezing to death. 

TMax was kicking around a football and managed to hyperextend his knee, so we limped back to the car after about 20 minutes.  He was miserable and in a lot of pain.  I wish I had a picture of him riding the Little Princess's scooter around the house the next day because walking was so painful.  

I'm happy to report that after 2 days of limping, he's mostly back to normal and can straighten his leg again.  

Who knew that being the kicker for the football team could be so dangerous?

4.  Last week I read The Kitchen Madonna by Rumer Godden on Melissa's recommendation.  It's a short, quick read, and it's very charming.  I liked it so much that I'm reading it to Pipster and Princess as part of their religion curriculum.  We'll be spending some time online today looking up icons.  We might even get around to making one.

I think I can read this book aloud without sobbing through it.  That makes it kind of hard.

5.  Knitwise, I'm working on finishing LP's sweater.  I hit a snag when I started putting it together.  The sleeves are not only too short, but they're not wide enough to fit into the armholes.  I had to lengthen the sweater because she's so tall and thin, but I didn't change the construction of the sleeves----other than try to make them longer.  But the changes I made in the body, made the armholes bigger and now I have to take out a good chunk of the sleeves and re-do them.  

I think I'll get there.  I'm going to try to get it done this weekend.  I haven't wanted to work on it, but I realized that winter is wearing away and it won't fit her next year in all probability.  So, it's now or never.

6.  My kids are having a blast playing with the Mac and it's photo capabilities.  I haven't the faintest idea how they do the things they do, but there are zillions of pictures that they've taken of themselves.

 

  

They're very creepy.

 

7.  We have the homeschool Spell-Off coming up on February 12.  It's the equivalent of a county spelling bee.  There will be 4 spellers.  Only 1 will be eliminated.  I'd hate to be The One.

Accordingly, TMax and I have been studying, and it. is. Hard!  I mean, I know most of the words and I'm a good speller, but there are certainly words that I haven't seen before.  Imagine being 14 and confronted with these words.

The booklet we're using for study has the words grouped by Language of Origin so you can learn how certain sounds are spelled.  It helps, but English must be one of the hardest languages when it comes to spelling!  There are so many words from other origins, and even then we don't follow all the rules, or we change the word to make it more like some of our other words.

It's interesting and educational.  I'm not sure it's Fun.  The kids that do these things with the intention of getting all the way to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC must love it.  Or they're forced into it by their parents.  

If you haven't yet, you've got to see Akeelah and the Bee.  It's about an inner city girl with a gift for spelling and her trip to the Scripp's National Spelling Bee.  It's not only a great movie, but it gives you a great look at what this competition is like.  Fierce.

~~~~~~~

That's it for now.  Drop by Jen's for more Quick Takes!

Too Much Late Night TV

Dh had a job interview last night at the unconventional hour of 9 p.m. and I kept vigil at home with my knitting and free reign with the remote control.

While you're here, would you mind saying that prayer to good St. Joseph?  =======>
I'd appreciate it.  Thanks.

He was out very late, and consequently I need a cup of coffee.


I'd like one of these:

But this one would be Out of This World:

One of the shows I saw last night was Unwrapped (I think) on the Food Network.  Did you know there is a Seattle Barista Academy where people learn this art form?  Latte Art.

Who knew there was such a thing?

Beginners start out with things like hearts.  You know, I'd be perfectly content to stop there----a nice latte made With Love.

So pretty and delicate.  Just amazing!

It's like a tattoo for your cappuccino!

I love this one with the delicate palm frond and the chocolate squiggles (that's a totally lame word for something so pretty!).

It makes me want to go out and buy a super-expensive coffee maker so I can make these at home!

All photos from LatteArt.org

Happy Day!

Another birthday was yesterday.  This time it was for our Little Pink Princess who turned 8 years old!

Where does the time go?

No heart-warming birth story for this one.  It was long and drawn-out and I felt used and violated by the time it was over because of the midwife (not the same one as last time).  I can't even tell the story without getting angry all over again, even though I have prayed many times over the years to be at peace about it and forgive.

I think it's a major reason why LP is my baby and there are no others.

All that aside, she wants to grow up and do things, but she still wants to be my baby and have me sing to her at night.  I'm happy to get to cuddle her for a while longer!

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  The news from Haiti continues to move me to tears----tears of joy for people who are rescued after many days, tears of sorrow for those who aren't, and tears because there are good people in the world doing heroic things.

2.  Today is a day of fasting and prayer, according to my Catholic calendar, to bring an end to the ongoing horror of abortion.  My kids occasionally ask questions about abortion and are shocked by the answers.  Children are naturally pro-life.  Why do adults have twist something so simple (killing an innocent human being) into a convoluted argument that gives people, mothers, the "right" to kill their babies?

3.  Bad news on the family front is that my brother has a golf-ball sized tumor in his head.  It's a Meningioma, which is usually benign, but it's still pretty serious.  He has permanently lost 90% of his hearing on the left side, and the surgery carries obvious risks along with more hearing loss and facial paralysis.  He'll be having the surgery in the next couple of weeks.  Please say a prayer for a successful surgery and quick recovery.

4.  All this tear-worthy news has me knitting like crazy.  I think I have an un-precedented number of projects on needs and the desire to cast on a couple more!  In my knitting bag I have LP's sweater, a new pair of socks for KT, a leafy scarf, and a hat for an unplanned recipient.  It might end up going to my brother----although he says he wants everyone to see his scar so they'll feel sorry for him.  He's keeping his sense of humor, thankfully!

5.  We have another birthday this weekend for our Little Princess.  I'm happy she's turning 8 (am I?  Really?), but I can live without a giant chocolate chip cookie cake.

6.   Some blogs that I read have music on them, which I generally like, although I read recently that they're bad!  On one blog, in particular, I used to play her "blog song" repeatedly because I liked it so much.  But just now,  as I was opening a whole bunch of windows on decorating to look at later, one of them started playing music.  Since I'm listening to a podcast, I had to hunt through all of them to find the culprit and turn off the conflicting music.

How do you feel about music on blogs?

7.  I watched the Massachusett's election of Scott Brown with interest, and a little hope (that's the normal kind of "hope", not "HOPE"!).  I'm anxious to see what comes out of this. 

Visit Jen's for more Quick Takes! 

You can find some interesting stuff out there!

Chicken and Egg Question

Which comes first?

Cranky, hormonal, homeschooling mommy?

Or irritable kids who cry at the drop of a hat?


I know what you're going to say....but I've got a simple, mindless knitting project in my hands (to keep me from killing someone! lol. ), and they're crying over every. little. thing.

It's driving me crazy and I really don't think I drove them to it.  At least not this time.



Is crankiness an airborne contagion?

You know what I just realized?  There has been a low-pressure system moving in all morning.  Maybe that's it.    Yeah, I know, or maybe it's just me.

Schoolroom Cleanup

My former schoolroom has become the dumping ground for everything crafty, schooly, or just plain not needed right now.  Sigh.

The table gets covered with scraps from sewing, pictures/projects that children have snuck in to do.

The desk gets covered with papers that need to be organized and more stuff that the children have left behind (which they're not supposed to do because I don't want them adding my mess!).

There are three stacks of boxes that dh removed from his old office and put there "for now".  They make it kind of hard for me to get to that bookshelf behind them!

The big green bin is the box of yarn that my friend Eren gave me.  There's lots of fun to be had in there!  

The closet is a mess and the fabric stash is overflowing.

More stuff piled against the wall on the right side of the door.  To be fair, the hulking black tower is a set of bins that I just bought at Tar-jay to help with the clutter control!

Meet my little helper!  She neatly folded all the things in those white bins on the floor.

We got rid of some of the clutter in the closet.  The stash is still a bit of a mess, but it's better.  The shelves whole my scrapbooking supplies and a box of photos for each of the children.   I will NEVER get to that long-held goal of an album for each of them!

Cleaned the trash off the sewing table and put everything away.  The stuff you see under the table is a stack of precious artwork that my mother did.  A few, semi-framed pieces, but mostly sketches and old canvases that have been removed from the stretcher-bars.

Clean desk.  Paperwork all in a neat stack to be dealt with still.  

New tower to knitting projects, more fabric, and knitting patterns.  The little tower on the right has a drawer for each child that holds their special certificates and little things that they might want in their scrapbooks.

I need help with that cushionless bench there.  It goes with LP's vanity, but the cane seat it used to have is gone.  It used to have a cushion that someone tried to attach with velcro, but it always came off and then so did the child sitting on it!  If anyone has ideas for that, I'd love to hear 'em!  Inspiration on how to fix it has just not come to me.

The boxes are out of the room!  There's a bump-out of sorts in the hallway, so we moved them out there.  They will be in nobody's way in that part of the house!

Then there's the laundry basket of things that didn't belong in the room.  And, yes, we put them all away!  I've gotten into a routine of cleaning up where I pile up things on the kitchen table (you know, the little things that kids leave all over the house during the day?).  I make a pile for each of them, usually their own stuff.  Then what's left over we all run around and put away.

It's so much better, now!  Whew.

First Confession

Yesterday was a Happy Day----Our Little Princess made her First Confession.

She was bouncing around in the afternoon, ready to go, conscience all examined, list prepared.

She was so excited when it was all over.  She's been waiting in the confession line with the rest of us for years, waiting for her turn.

Now she's done, and so are we.  Our Last First Confession.

It's bittersweet.  But so is the blessed life God gives us.