Trying my hand at making a strawberry tart

Whew! I'm exhausted and I really didn't do anything today. I did decide that today was the day to try out a new recipe. I was on my feet a lot this afternoon. The recipe is a strawberry tart. You know, the ones you see in your grocery store with the fruit on top of a yellow-y creamy filling. Yep, I started from scratch. The crust was easy. Just your flour, salt, butter, sugar, some egg yolks and mixing that all together. As easy as, well, pie. The filling is another story. The jury is still out on that one. I'm actually waiting to see if it will thicken to the right consistency. It's still too hot to see if I was successful. The topping will be the easiest part. I'm going to cut strawberries in half and place them down on the custard. I will then gently heat some jam on the stove and use that to make a glaze for the top. I'm anxious to see if it all works out.....

Here is the crust with the sides taken away. I love these little tart pans. It's not the prettiest crust, but, hey I'm still learning!

A new week...

And what a difference. Kendall is sick and on antibiotics for a sinus infection. I have come down with a cold that I think I got from Kendall. The weather has been wonderful the last few days and it's great to have the house open. My kids have been playing outside everyday and watching less TV. Here are a few pictures from the weekend and Monday.

This past weekend Kendall and I went to a birthday party that was for a little boy in her preschool. Kendall was the only girl and there were only 4 kids including the bday boy. It was a cute party, however. She was to learn how to be a pokemon master. The mom made a hat for her and her name was Kendall-choo. She had a good time.

Un Buen Dia

Today so far has been a great day. Clayton and I went to the monthly MOPS meeting today at the jungle gym and it started at 9 am. We dropped Kendall off at preschool and one of the preschool moms brought her to the jungle gym after school to meet us there. A girl from school was having a play date after school for her birthday. We stayed until 3 pm. I think 6 hours at Fun Unleashed has to be a record!

We had a speaker today at MOPS and she spoke about Kindergarten readiness. So helpful! I'm really glad I joined this group.

Tonight, we are hosting a mom and her two kids for dinner. Both our husbands are traveling and it's nice to have company.

And we can't forget American Idol results tonight! Um? I wonder if Sanjaya will still be there after tonight?

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one more thing. My friend, Cheryl, from when I was in elementary school has this fantastic blog. We reconnected after 27 years and it's neat to see what she's up to. Anyway, she posts regularly and has regular 'memes'. This one is fun. It is a '0ne answer' meme. Here it goes:
1. Yourself? happy
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend? married
3. Your hair? graying
4. Your mother? irreplaceable
5. Your father? opinionated
6. Your favorite thing? travel
7. Your dream last night? um?
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream car? convertible
10. The room you're in? kitchen
11 Your fear? falling
12. What you want to be in 10 years? rich
13. Muffins? yes
14. Who you hung out with last night? kids
15. What you're not? tidy
16. Time? afternoon
17. What you're wearing? jeans
18. Your favorite weather? SUMMER
19. Your favorite book? Bible
20. The last thing you ate? hamburger
21. Your worst vice? nail-biting
22. Your best friend/s? sister
23.What you're thinking about right now? dinner
24. Your car? Subaru
25. Your life? busy
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OK this is the last "one more thing"
Today, I received an email from my friend that lives in France. I saw that it had just been sent, so I contacted her via the Internet with my camera. We were talking and catching up and Kendall decided she wanted to say something. "I can spell my name," she said.
"K E N D A L L." Clear as a bell. "I can spell my mom's name." "M zero M". I just love it. Diane said that was one I needed to write down........good night!

Short, but sweet.

My mother left today for Arkansas. Her flight was very early. It was a short, but sweet visit. While it was cut by a third due to her missing her connection in Detroit, we had a good time. She arrived Saturday around 3:30 pm.
One thing we accomplished this weekend was getting Kendall to try on some flower girl dresses. Mom's wants to buy the dress for my niece's wedding this summer. Kendall felt like a princess.

On Monday, we took the kids to McDonald's for lunch and then to the indoor jungle gym, Fun Unleashed. The lady at McDonald's gave us an extra toy. I love the toys right now at McDonald's. A neighbor gave us Glenda, the Good Witch. So, we only need two more to have a complete set. She caught a glimpse of my life. Not really exciting, but busy.

Today, I hosted play group. Whew! I'm exhausted.

It's been several days since I last posted. I worked Wednesday and, at the last minute, worked Friday. So, my week is a little off kilter. My mom was supposed to arrive last night around 10:30 but her first flight was delayed which lead to her missing her connection in Detroit. I hate it for her. So, now she won't arrive until this afternoon. Precious time.

I found out earlier this week that a woman that used to cut my hair was murdered Sunday. It was a murder/suicide with her estranged husband doing the killing. They had a 3 year old daughter. It is a strange feeling to actually know someone that has been murdered. I hope she is the only one. Things like that always bothered me in the past, but it is so different now that I have children.

And, lastly, I am so sick of George Bush! I don't know who I am politically anymore. This Republican administration does not represent me (and hasn't for years). It was said that Bush stated "we will not be in the business of nation building". That's for sure. We are in the business of nation destroying. And what about Wolfowitz? Misusing his position at the World Bank. I can remember when Clinton was in the office and the Republicans were wagging their fingers at him for his immoral behavior. My hope is that the Republicans in power will wake up and realize they are no better than the Democrats. Yep, they're all the same.

Ahhhh Tuesday

Well, today was play group day and it has evolved into more of a mom's day. It's great to hang out, drink coke zero (or coffee) and eat lunch and chat about whatever. Our recent topic has been about sending our precious first-borns to kindergarten. I have to admit I was a little disappointed when Kendall didn't get into the charter school that emphasizes foreign languages, but I think she will have a great experience at our local elementary school. We drove by it today and I pointed it out to her. I think she is excited about being a big kindergartner.

Some other stuff that caught my interest today was that, indeed, Larry Birkhead (sp?) is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's little girl. Duh! She looks just like him. I guess it is easy for me to say that now, huh?

And Don Imus. What a dork. Has he looked in the mirror lately? He really should watch what he says about people's appearances.

the end

Easter Sunday

So, the weather wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I realized that the kids had fun all the same. We woke up to snow and cold and the kids wanted their chocolate. After eating their froot loops, they began to eat their chocolate bunnies. I know they shouldn't eat chocolate so early, but Easter is only once a year. We got ready for church and went to Rich and Julie's for dinner. The kids enjoyed a jelly bean hunt. Kendall looked cute in her dress that Nanny and Poppy bought and Clayton was the handsome little man.

So, this is what I learned today. My kids take their cues from me. They didn't realize that it was supposed to be warm and sunny and they still had a wonderful day. I need to make an effort not to pass my bad attitude on to them. (especially about things I can't change--weather). It was a great day. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family. My husband is included in that.

Good Friday

Today started out with us waking up to snow on the ground. The daffodils did survive for now. We are forecasted to have cold weather the next week. I guess we have had it this long, what are a few more days?

Since it was Good Friday, a lot of the schools were closed. Kendall's preschool was no exception. She went to Music Together with Clayton and me and she got more out of it than her brother did. After class, we went to the grocery store and then home for lunch. It was a long day and I have to admit, I was getting grumpy at the end of the afternoon. I think I had my fill of kids after being at that music class.

After the dinner was in the oven, we colored eggs. It's not this memorable thing that I always think it is going to be. My mom must have been more into it than I. But, I did take some pictures.

So, hoping everyone has a wonderful Easter Holiday. It is the most meaningful holiday if you truly believe. "He is alive. He is alive, indeed!"

Baby, it's cold outside...

Today, the high temps were in the 30s. My daffodils are almost dead (if not all the way). I did work at the local hospital today and that was a plus. I can't remember the last time I worked--maybe in January? But, I am scheduled to work two more days this month!!

Other news. I registered my daughter for kindergarten today. She will be 5 in August and school starts in September. She can't wait to be a big kindergartner. I have to say, I am excited to see how her life will play out. I always loved school and being with other kids, and I think she is like that, too. Next year will be an adjustment, but in a good way. Maybe I will have time to clean my house next year! (Now THAT would be an adjustment!)

I should go to bed now. I was up early and tomorrow is a busy day. Looking forward to Easter.

You say Hello, and I say Good-bye

We were enjoying spring the last few days and now it looks like it is leaving us for a brief visit of winter. We are forecasted for snow tomorrow with highs in the 30's. I took a picture of my dafodils so I will have them in case they don't make it through the cold. Today, we are induring rain and dampness. It would be a good day for a nap!

Buddy was enjoying the weather yesterday, too.

Long time...

OK, I'm tired because I stayed up to see the final of the Men's NCAA bball tournament last night. As predicted, Florida won. Florida was the only team that made it to the final four out of my picks. I did think they would win, but WOW! did they ever. Tonight is the final for the Women's NCAA bball tournament with Rutgers going against Tennessee. And yes, I am for Tennessee.

We are getting back to normal after a few days with the in-laws. My mother-in-law has Alzheimer's Disease. We got out a bit and she did really well this time. She still forgets where we are going or why, but, all in all, no major incidences this visit. They even took us to our favorite restaurant, Zola-New World Bistro( www.zolabistro.com). My father-in-law attended a conference on Alzheimer's Friday and Saturday while we hung out with Joan. Our kids were great all weekend even though they don't understand the dynamics going on.