Another Evan

Tuesday was the birth day of another little Evan, born to my friend Jennifer. If you recall, we had a baby shower for her at work about a month ago. I got to visit with him for a little while this morning.

Weekend

We had a nice weekend visiting with Lois. We spent most of it at the cabin getting some R&R. We left early this am to get her to the airport and saw balloons rising
Deer were out for an early stroll

The view from my chaise lounge on the deck as we read and sunned yesterday

Lois working on pics

Peaches Kendall and I canned before we headed north

Birthday Bunko 2009

This weekend my friend Michelle and I hosted the second annual Birthday Bunko. Last year it was to honor 3 ladies who shared the same week and/or day for their birthday; this year we celebrated every ones birthday and did a fun card exchange.

Kathy and her 87 year old mother, Mary. Mary ended the final round by getting a Bunko.

Michelle ordered a Pink Champagne cake that was yummy and ohh so pretty.

6 Years!

We celebrated our anniversary by going to see Forever Plaid at the local dinner theater. Great show!

http://www.azbroadwaytheatre.com/index.html

We left town Thursday evening as a Monsoon Storm started. It was interesting to see the sun so clearly through the clouds

I was amazed by this sight of the sun reflecting on clouds. I guess I've seen it more from above the clouds than below.

Baby Shower

My co-worker, Jennifer, is about to have a baby. This is causing a happy stir around the office and we had a baby shower for her on Thursday.

I made the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

Gifts

I made little favors that included chocolate bars - the baby seems to love chocolate!

March Of DImes

Having a great time supporting the March of Dimes Nurses of the Year event. I was a recipient 3 years ago. A good cause and an opportunity to support worthy cause.

A Little Celebration

Balloons

Carrott Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Happy Birthday - What a Sweetie!

Happy Birthday to my terrific husband!

You don't look a day over 15!

Lazy Day up North

We went into town this morning to our favorite True Value Hardware store. They have popcorn on Saturday mornings and as much fun stuff for me as for Kendall. There is usually activity of some kind around the court house and today was no exception. It is cloudy and threatening rain so not much to do outside the cabin. We lingered momentarily to enjoy downtown - love these small towns! I didn't have the camera with me, so this is cell phone quality.

All generations singing & playing old country
The Lynx Creek Clod Hoppers

Julia Child

Julia Child would have been 97 yesterday had she not died about 5 years ago. The Smithsonian has her kitchen on display; take a look!

This morning Kendall and I went to see Julie and Julia. It has gotten some good reviews and I can see why. It's definitely worth the 2+ hours in the theater. Makes me want to cook!

Blueberry Focaccia

OK, we'll get to the Focaccia, but first we have to eat our vegetables. Here is a beautiful pea pod from the garden.One more and it could be my siblings and me :-)

this is a yummy Blueberry Focaccia that I found in a magazine. With so many fresh blueberries around I just had to try it. It is certainly best when it is still warm from the oven. I suggest it as a breakfast bread for guests - that is if you waken awhile before they do. It is a yeast bread and needs some rising time.

Happy Birthday Marge

Remember the Flat Stanley that went around the world with school children and their family and friends? Well, I'm also a Flat Debbie and still spend time with my friends many miles away. I'm so glad I was included in Marge's birthday breakfast celebration! I can almost taste the cinnamon rolls. Yummy. Thanks guys! The beauty of it all is that I haven't aged a bit in almost 6 years!

DC

I was in Silver Spring/DC this week for a workshop. Julie decided to join me Friday for a 24 hour vacation from Mommy hood. Urbane and Karen drove down from Baltimore to join us for dinner. Here we are at the Red Rock Grill. How fun to see Cakelove across the street! Julie, me, Urbane, Karen

Julie with camera in hand

Urbane and Karen

Looks like yummy cornbread

It was!

Cakelove!

And it was!

...and you could taste it

Our selections to take with us to devour

We hung out in downtown Silver Spring where there was music and kids playing in the fountain. The weather was beautiful.

Time to say goodbye. Urbane had a softball game in the morning and I had to go to work again. Julie on the other hand got to sleep until 0800.

Rainbows

The beauty of an early morning rainbow. We finally got a smattering of rain - a least enough to do a full arch of a rainbow. These are shots from our back yard.

Recipe for Julie

Cream-Filled Cupcakes

2 cups flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
3 large eggs

Filling & Swirl:
4 T butter, softened
1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
2 to 3 T milk

Glaze:
½ cup heavy cream
1 T light corn syrup
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Combine the buttermilk and vanilla.
Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time.
Add the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk mixture, starting & ending with flour mixture.
Divide the batter among the prepared cups. Bake until done, about 18 – 20 minutes.

Filling & Swirl: beat butter until light & fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar; add 2 T milk and beat 5 minutes until almost white, light & fluffy. Add additional milk if mixture is too thick. Spoon frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a medium-size plain round tip. Insert tip of pastry bag into top of cakes, about ½ inch deep & squeeze.

Meanwhile, make the Glaze: heat the cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips. Cover & let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Dip the tops of the filled cupcakes into the chocolate glaze. Place on cooling rack to set for 10 minutes.

Change piping tip for vanilla frosting to a smaller round tip. Pipe decorative swirls on top of the glazed cupcakes.

I wish I could remember the magazine I got this from so I could give credit where credit is due!

Harvest

The beginnings of harvest at the cabin gardenbasil, rosemary and chives
We also found a great little shelf for the end of the newly renovated kitchen cabinet

Sunday Guests

Doug and Jenell joined us Sunday for a visit before flying back to Illinois on Monday morning. A relaxing afternoon napping and watching TV
Homemade pizza for dinner

DIY Project

The project of the weekend was to make the galley kitchen of the cabin a little more efficient. We had to replace the fridge and this one is a little larger than the one it replaced. The effect was that the kitchen felt even smaller. "Before"
"During" Kendall had the bright idea to move the fridge further into the kitchen, remove the paneling and recess it into the wall.

He's so good to have around!

The final effect. We got a new counter top - try matching one that is 30+ years old! I gained an extra foot of counter space and it looks so much better. I love the under counter lights - an extra bonus feature.