The Stockings Were Hung...

It's been a busy day on Dewberry Lane.  This morning we opened presents (I scored a beautiful Plume Necklace from Isabelle Grace!) and then had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, which involves going to whichever local Chinese restaurant is least crowded.    Now the children are nestled all snug in their beds and Bigboy and I are drinking decaf and getting our Lost fix.  Life is good.

I hope your holidays are as blessed as mine.

Merry Christmas.

They Said What?

ChaCha: Let's play dog-napper. I'll be the dog, you be the napper.
Tink: Okay, lay down so I can kick you.
ChaCha: Do dognappers kick the dogs?
Tink: I don't know, but it'll be fun.

HP TouchSmart Computer Review and Give-Away!

Totally Together Reviews: HP TouchSmart Computer Review and Give-Away!

Christmas Treat Cookery!

So, today, my agenda is as follows...fold laundry, keep the children from killing each other, and make treats!  Think I'll start off with some Pumpkin Pie Biscotti.

Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

Indredients
3 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. canned, mashed pumpkin
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 T. vanilla
2 T. butter or margarine
1 1/4 c. macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

Directions
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well.  Combine pumpkin, eggs, vanilla; whisk well.  Slowly add pumpkin mixture to to flour mixture, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened.  (mixture will be VERY crumbly, just keep working it)

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add nuts.  Cook, stirring constantly, until browned.  Remove from heat and cool completely.  Knead or stir into pumpkin dough.

Place dough on lightly floured surface, divide into 4 parts.  Shape each part into a 1"x15" log.  Place logs 3" apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. 

Bake at 350F for 23 minutes.  Cool logs 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temp to 300F.

Cut logs into 1/2" slices.  Place slices on ungreased sheets and bake at 300F for 15 minutes.  Cool completely on wire racks.  Approximately 8 dozen.

Wednesday's Writing Project

So, I've been pushing around an idea for a story series about two lizards (when ChaCha was younger, she claimed there were two lizards who lived in her head) who travel to different locations/historical areas.  I've started a very rough first draft.  Suggestions, comments, etc?

Rosabelle and Bonus are lizards. Medium sized green lizards. They are neither too big nor too small. They are neither too green nor too not green. In fact, they are just right lizards. They live in a cracker box in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Their cracker box is in the house of an unconventional lady named Madam. many ladies would mind having two lizards living in their house (or in a cracker box in their house) but not Madam. Madam has very tolerant views of lizards as roommates. As long as Rosabelle and Bonus keep their laundry out of floor and don’t listen to their music too loud, Madam enjoys their company.


Most days Rosabelle and Bonus dart around the French quarter eating the powdered sugar that drops off of people’s beignets and licking up drops of café au lait. They also listen. They listen to all the tourists, or people who are visiting New Orleans on vacation, talk about the places they’re from and all the wonderful things that can be found in those places. Occasionally, if the tourist’s homes sound very interesting, Rosabelle and Bonus will hop in the vacationers’ pockets and go home with them. The people don’t usually know the lizards are with them. Rosabelle and Bonus can be very discreet.

In this way, Rosabelle and Bonus, or R & B, as Madam calls them, have had many adventures. They have seen the Grand Canyon (which is both deep and wide), visited the horse farms of Kentucky (the grass isn’t really blue), been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in France (a very long climb for little lizard legs), and seen countless other marvels of the world (both foreign and domestic). After they’ve visited these exotic locales for a few days, they usually meander to the airport and find a person headed to Louisiana (that’s where New Orleans is) and hop in the traveler’s carry-on bags or pockets. When R & B get back to their cracker box, they have a nap and then spend time in their house. No matter how much they enjoy their travels, there’s no place like home.

On this particular day, R & B will not have to leave New Orleans to have a great adventure. It is the beginning of Mardi Gras, or the three day Carnival celebration, that leads up to Ash Wednesday, a religious observance that commences the Lenten season. Before Louisiana, and New Orleans within it, was part of the United States, it was settled by people from France. The French brought their traditions and festivities to the new territory with them. Rosabelle and Bonus have good reason to be excited; one of the most popular and most fun traditions the French introduced was Mardi Gras.
Imagine, if you can, the biggest, loudest, sparkliest, foodiest, most fantastic party you have ever been to. Then, combine that with parades, dancers, and lots and lots of music. If you do that, then imagine it ten times bigger, you might be able to dream of the adventure R & B are having.

As our lizard friends roam through the French Quarter, they are amazed by all the green, gold, and purple decorations. These are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras and stand for faith, power, and justice; three very important things.

Fall/Winter Creativity

So, here's a few things I've been working on...

Made this for one of ChaCha's friends' birthdays...

it was a big hit...who doesn't love a zebra bow holder?

Turkey Topiaries!

Mummy Pizza, anyone?

Or maybe a Witch's Hat cookie?

Tink asked me to "design a glamorous nightgown."

I want It!

How much would I love the HP TouchSmart 600 that MckMama is giving away over on her blog?  A lot!  Due to the recent death of Bigboy's laptop, we are down to one computer and let me be the first to tell you, it ain't going so well.  Check out the opportunity at MckGiveaways .  Register for your chance (but seriously, I hope you don't win, 'cause I want it!!!).

To Die for Bread Pudding (Even if You Don't Like Raisins)

Okay, y'all.  Here's the Bread Pudding Recipe.  Also, I would be remiss if, as a girl raised in Kentucky, I did not advise you on the proper way to select the bourbon for the Hard Sauce.  Bottom line--use Woodford Reserve .  Maker's Mark is a good second choice if it's all you can get, but for cooking, you can't beat the magic they make in Versailles (home of the WR distillery). 
Ingredients for Bread Pudding
4 beaten eggs
2-1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups dry bread cubes (6 to 7 slices bread)* ~
1/3 cup dried cherries or cranberries, or raisins (or a combination)
1 recipe Hard Sauce (optional)

Directions
1. In a large bowl beat together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, orange peel (if desired), and cinnamon. In an ungreased 2-quart square baking dish toss together bread cubes and dried fruit; pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture. Press lightly with back of large spoon to moisten all bread.
2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until puffed and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool slightly. If desired, serve warm with Caramel Sauce or Bourbon Sauce.
3. Makes 8 servings
*To dry bread, start with fresh bread cubes; place in a large shallow baking pan and bake in a 350 degree F oven about 10 minutes, stirring twice.
~You can use any bread, but for my money, you can't beat the taste when you use King's Hawaiian Bread.  I'm usually not a fan of this bread, but it REALLY works for a bread pudding.


Ingredients for Hard Sauce
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk, beaten
2 tablespoons water
3 to 4 tablespoons bourbon

Directions
1. In a small saucepan melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, egg yolk, and water. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 5 to 6 minutes or until sugar dissolves and mixture boils. Remove from heat; stir in bourbon. Serve warm over bread pudding.
2. Makes 2/3 cup sauce

Milgy Rogeen

Miles from you

In a valley so green,

Lives a hungry little girl

Called Milgy Rogeen.

Now Milgy’s not hungry

Because there’s no food,

But to try something new
She’s never in the mood.

For over 6 years,

She’s only eaten two things,

One is sponge cake,

The other ? Fava beans.

But finally, Milgy’s mother

Has shouted, “Enough!”

I can not and will not

Cook only this stuff!

Now listen closely, Milgy,

And heed me very well,

I will prepare different things

And try them you will!

I’ll make casseroles, jerk chicken,

Snow cones and Spam,

Creamed fennel, lasagna,

A rare roast leg of lamb.

To Milgy, these yummies,

Were not mouth watering.

Instead, the mere thought

Sent her pearly teeth to chattering!

“No, Mama, I can’t,

I shan’t and I won’t,

I’d rather go hungry,

Just see if I don’t!”

So for seven long days,

Milgy stuck to her word,

She ate zilch, nada, nothing,

Not a muffin, not a curd.

But finally one day,

Milgy could take it no more.

Her tummy was so empty,

Right down to the core!

So she screwed up her courage,

And parted her teeth,

She was brave, she was frightened,

But she swallowed some beef.

A delicious hamburger,

With pickle and cheese;

Milgy chewed and ingested,

A taste she couldn’t believe.

Why this was quite good,

Better than a fava bean,

Juicier than cake,

If you know what I mean.

“Yes, Mama, I can,

I shall, and I will!

Try something different

For each and every meal!

“I’m sorry I was stubborn,”

Tummy-stuffed Milgy said.

“Tomorrow I’ll try salmon

And berries of blue, black, and red.

So many scrumptious foods,

For me to explore!

Can I go with you tomorrow,

To the local food store?”

“Of course, said Mama,

Now run off to bed.”

Milgy went happily,

Visions of fruit in her head.

Dear Milgy learned a lesson,

Although it came slow,

If you don’t try something new,

You’ll just never know!

Miles from you,

In a valley so green,

Lives an un-hungry girl,

Called Milgy Rogeen.

Testing, Testing, 123

Trying out the email blogging...

Confession is Good for the Soul...

So, I have a shameful confession to make.  Today, for a brief, brief moment I had a powerful desire to return to the town of my youth (which, while an ok place, I never hesitate to ridicule) and live.  Truthfully, since it happened while reviewing Christmas party pictures on a friend's facebook, I think my sense of longing comes from the desire, or perhaps even the need, to belong. 

While I've loved moving around so much and have, in fact, instigated most of the moves, there is one big drawback...everytime I find a friend (usually about 18 months into the move) I relocate.  I'd love to be invited to a Christmas party, a wedding, a mitzvah of some type, even a baby shower (yes, I am desperate!!). 

Maybe what all this means is that I need to get out there and have my own party.  But, whenever I think of doing that, inevitably I think, but who would I invite? 

All this aside, I am pleased to report that all the gift shopping is done, all the grocerying is done (well except for grape tomatoes and that yicky Hawaiian sweet bread that makes amazing bread pudding), and almost all the crafting is done.  One more patchwork skirt, made using the http://www.polkadotchair.blogspot.com/ tutorial, and I'll be finished.  Here's a pic of the skirt I made for Tink.  I'll post the bread pudding recipe later...yum!!

So, Here we Go...

I've started a blog several times with the best intentions.  I'm usually gung-ho the first week and then the posts s   l    o    w down and eventually STOP.  This time I'm going to try to be better.  Even if I don't have any readers, I need to do this for me.  A place to explain what days spent on Dewberry Lane are like.  A place to write, show off my creations, air my grievances, and share ideas.  I don't know how many of my posts will include things about my girls (I have two, ages 5 and 7), because I have a great fear (maybe anxiety or worry is a better word) of internet pervs looking at their pictures and thinking horrid thoughts.  So, for your benefit we'll call them ChaCha (age 7) and Tink (age 5).  I'm married to a fellow we'll call Bigboy and we currently live in LA (that's Louisiana, folks.  not Los Angeles).  For the record, LA is the fifth state we've lived in in our eight year marriage...so, yeah, we get around :). 

If you've stumbled across me, don't expect too much.  If I've invited you here, it's probably to show you one of my creations...don't expect too much then, either. 

Now, my inaugural post must come to an end.  We're thinking of going to Galveston tomorrow for the Festival of Lights and I need some shuteye. 

Oh, and confidential to Bigboy...LEGUME!!!!