Summer Fun

Shiori is a water bug. She would rather play in the water than anything else - including eat treats. This last week we went up the canyon to the park and the highlight for her was the river (and throwing rocks in it). We also spent Sunday out at my parents' house and let her just play. Here are some pics and I will add the video later.

Gosh she cute!This is her at Rick's school scribbling on a lab sheet while we waited for the Mentos and Coke fountains to start.

12.5 Pounds of ...

Chocolate.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this precious artisan chocolate that has found its way into my home. There will be ice cream, a must, and I now have no excuse not to try to make mousse. I had this amazing mousse at La Grolla in New York several years ago that I dream about duplicating. I'm definitely making truffles as I've just learned to make Ganache. I guess this is the sign that it's time to break out the chocolate "cookbook" and make some of those amazing sweet treats that I've not had the guts or ingredients to make.

I'd love to hear some ideas for the chocolate.

A Father and His Girls

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there. Here is my darling husband, my sweet pea and the cat. Life is good.

Caramel Corn and tatting

I made Caramel Corn last night which turned out wonderfully. I also tatted last night which turned out, but was a pain in the butt.

I'll be teaching my friend Stacy to tat this week and I hope I don't confuse her royaly. I tried the other night, but it was a disaster. Not my trying to teach her, but that the evening was a bit crowded.

The DHs playing Axes and Allies in the same room, two daughters watching Toy Story who came in every commercial break to "check" on the parents, and a phone call of mild doom/Birthday wishes from the family. Did I mention it was my HD's birthday? Well it was. He at least got cake and ice cream. It's funny to me how plans never work out when it comes to things like birthdays, weddings, and funerals.

This weekend is suposed to be warmer and I've made no plans so it's looking fabulous already. Now all I have to do is find a Father's Day gift.

Birthday Cake

Today is my husband's birthday. He wants a white cake with fudgey frosting. So I attempted my first Ganache. I'm not sure it will turn out fudgey, but it'll be tasty. we'll have to see tonight when I put the cake together and we eat it...with home made chocolate ice cream.

Even if it's a failure it will be good. Why? Because I used 10oz of Madagascar Amano Chocolate. Yep that's right folks I finally gave in and used all of my Amano Chocolate stash in baking.

This is the best chocolate in the world. And Art Pollard (owner and master chocolate maker) is amazing. Now that there is a store in Orem,UT I will be going over to buy more bars (Order online HERE) . I have a plan to make mousse this summer. I'll probably go with the Montanya; although, I haven't tasted the Dos Rios and its description sounds gooooood. Yum yum yum.

Summer Time

The season of summer is upon us. With Rick being freed from the bonds of teaching we are endeavoring to take up some serious puttering. Utah once again cut teacher pay - proving that they stack'm deep and teach'm cheep and don't give a *BEEP* about livable wages, but that's a post for another time - the point is our summer fun will be limited to things like grilling up the canyon and walks in the park.

It's a good thing Boo likes playing in the sprinklers and flying kites. I also wonder if I can talk my Dad into a fishing trip to Farnsworth. At Boo's age it would have to be just overnight, but I've not been there in over 10 years and I hate that. When it is a favorite place it shouldn't be that long between trips. Living just above poverty level will have a damping effect on travel plans.

Best find some good hiking shoes for me and the Boo and a swim suit for Rick.

choo choo

A quick note about Boo. She is now into trains...and crayons. She's coloring on everything.