My early birthday present

My mother gave me an early birthday present. A Ronco Dehydrator. When I was younger, my mother, being the hippie that she was, made all sorts of yummy treats with her dehydrator. I've been telling her about these neat fuit leather strips that my boys love (Fruitabu) and she decided to give me a dehydrator to make my own. YEAH! So today I open it up and bought a bunch of apples, bananas and strawberries. I'm venturing to make banana chips, dried apples coated in sugar and cinnamon and strawberry fruit leather. I will tell you how it turns out, but as I type my house smells of apple spice with a mixture of a banana/strawberry smoothie. I can't wait!

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TAG- I'm it!

My friend, Nicole, tagged me. I guess you all get to read some not so new and non-interesting facts about me. Enjoy~

What was I doing 10 yrs. ago?

10 yrs. ago, I was a senior in high school, probably practicing for my scholarship audition for 4 hours a day (but I rocked that piano audition!). I was just months away from graduating. Months away from FREEDOM and starting college. Little did I know then, but I would reconnect with my now husband in September 98, and we would be married the next year.

Things on my to do list?

1. Have a Saturday fun day with my boys (going to the movies)

2. Decide what is for dinner.

3. Grocery shopping
4. Clean up the tornado left behind from a 2 year and 3 year old
5. Go to the library

What snacks do I enjoy?

Totally depends on my mood. If I want something salty, I make oyster ranch crackers (so yummy). If I want something sweet, my favorite treat is frosted brownies. Although, I usually end up grabbing an apple and some cheese or some ice cold big black grapes, or cherries. I love fruit and veggies!

What would I do if I was suddenly a Billionaire?

Maybe its just me, but I have dreamed about being a billionaire and have the money already spent. I would build the home of my dreams in NC and one in MI. I would get everyone in my family a new car. I would set up accounts for my children. I would go on a cruise with my family and then for my friends. I could go on and on with every little thing I would love to do, but will end with lastly, living the rest of my days worry free and comfortable with my closest friends and family close.

Places I have lived?

1. Millington, Michigan
2. Fayetteville, NC
3. Holly, MI
4. Brighton, MI

5. Dundee, MI

Things people don't know about me

1. I lloovvee to read. I have to read in my book before going to bed or I won't sleep.
2. I sometimes over anaylze why things happened the way they do. I'm a dreamer at heart!
3. At one point in my life, I could burn rice, but now I love to cook and have become very good at it (if I say so myself)
4. I hate to say it, but I'm "crunchy" when it comes to earthy, organic stuff though I try not to show it so don't start making fun of me about it.
5. I put make up on every morning. I may stay in my pjs some days, but rest assure my face looks good (you never know when the truegreen lawn guy is going to come or UPS or kids down the road selling crap)

3 bad habits

1. I shouldn't do it, but I judge from first impressions and I hold grudges way too long!
2. I exaggerate stories a tad- no comments Karen-ha!
3. I probably should discipline my boys more for things that others freak out about, but those things (like getting muddy or just plain filthy dirty, jumping on their beds, making a diaster of my living room with blankets they call tents) are just my boys having fun which makes me smile. "Cause sometimes all you can do is smile"...right?

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Grin & Bear it day!

6 hour round trip. "Garfield The Movie" playing on continue for all 6 hours. BLIZZARD CONDITIONS!! Driving a minivan packed full with 5 kids, 2 car seats, and luggage in every crevice. Did I mention Blizzard conditions? 1Mcdonalds drive thru run, 2 boxes of capri suns and 3 potty breaks. Wipers flapping full blast, splatter from 18 wheelers, screams, french fries being flung and a speeding ticket....it has been a GRIN & BEAR IT DAY!

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Just another day

The day began as most others begin. Breakfast, cartoons, showers, etc. Although today my house was preparing for my brother and his family from England. They were flying into Detroit Airport at 2pm. We were anxiously awaiting their arrival. Doing laundry, dishes, vacumming, and dusting. All the lovely things you do for house guests. I even went so far as to go to the car wash and vaccum out the rolling petrified french fry and drive through the washer. Fancy stuff! So I'm driving to the airport. Just myself and an empty van. I actually take the liberty of turning on the radio and listening to music (instead of Thomas the Train from the DVD player). I'm deep in thought and liking the 1/2 hour to myself. Traffic is heavy and the airport traffic is no better. I finally find where I need to be going and then the fiascial of finding a place to park begins. I drive around the parking deck for what seems like hours. Finally find a nice spot, then make my way into the airport. After asking 3 people where I need to be going, I finally make my way to the international arrivals. All this with 5 minutes to spare till they land. Boy am I good! As I find myself a nice seat facing the doors that all international arrival flights have to come through, I start people watching. This area is filled with people waiting for loved ones (or just waiting for people with signs of their names). Some hold flowers and balloons, others cameras and excited grins. Watching people has to be one of my favorite hobbies. Watching and wondering about them. Trying to read their actions and learning about complete strangers. Some people are begining to come through the international doors and it was especially fun to watch the lovers run to each other and embrace, or the foreign familes instantly start speaking their native tongue. As I continue to wait, I continue to people watch. My heart jumps a little each time the international doors open in hopes for my family, but also to see the show of anothers moment in time. I notice an american couple with both sets of grandparents. The couple are holding each other and whispering and obviously trying to calm each others nerves. The grandparents are holding stuffed animals and baby blankets and I'm wondering if what I think is happening is going to happen. I'm watching this couple pretty closely as they are standing just inches in front of me. Everytime the doors open, they tighten their grip on each other and step a foot forward. I too am beginging to feel anxious for them and somewhat forget about my own reason for being there. Then the moment happens. The doors open and through it walks a women wearing yellow with a name tag on, she is smiling and carrying a beautiful korean baby boy. The couple in front of me gasp first, then a small scream of joy and weeping escapes the woman as she rushes forward. The man puts his head down and his hands on his knees. I see tear drops fall from his face as he begins to weep. Being adopted too, I couldn't control my own emotions as I too began to tear up and feel the immense love of this couple and for their joy they were experiencing this day, right in front of me. I listened to them as they said hello to their new son. I bore witness to the first time these parents held their son and told him they loved him. As they stroked his cute little head and gave their new son his first stuffed animal. I was in amazement as I sat quietly witnessing such a special blessing of families. I was still crying as my brother and his family came through the doors. I gained an extra appreciation for adoption and familes today. Needless to say, I gave my brother the biggest hug!

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Wanting a Spring Break

In my quest for warmth, instead of heading outdoors, I head to the kitchen. Here I can feel the heat of the oven and close my eyes and pretend to be on a beach. I hear the water running from the sink and pretend its waves crashing on the shore. Can you tell that I'm wishing for a spring break? In any case, I wanted something sweet and something warm. I faithfully read the picky palate blog (http://www.pickypalate.blogspot.com/) and about a month back, she posted a blog about the best brownies ever. I had to try it out for myself. Let me just say that these brownies are like eating a little peice of heaven. In one bite, I was on the beach, listening to the waves and experiencing pure bliss. That was just the first bite...I won't even go into what the second and third bite were like. So I'm posting the recipe for all you to check it out. You will fall in love instantly!

Chocolate Mascarpone Brownies

1 Cup unsalted butter

3 ounces best quality semi-sweet chocolate (finely chopped)

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder

1/2 Cup Mascarpone Cheese- softened

3 Large Eggs

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 Cup All purpose flour

1/4 tsp Salt

Ganache:
6 ounces best quality semi sweet chocolate (finely chopped)

6 Tbs Whipping Cream

3 Tbs Unsalted Butter

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 9 x 13-inch square pan and set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and bring it to just below a boil. Place the chocolate in a large bowl. Pour in the hot butter and let stand for 30 seconds. Stir until completely melted. Sift in the sugar and cocoa powder. Beat in the mascarpone, eggs, and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Gently fold the flour and salt into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes while you prepare the ganache. For the Ganache: Place the chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Bring the cream and butter to just below boiling point in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour the hot mixture over the chocolate and let stand for 30 seconds. Stir the mixture until smooth. The ganache should be used for spreading while warm. Let the Ganache firm up before cutting. Its best to refrigerate them until quite firm.

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Happy Easter!

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Where is my Spring?

Spring is suppose to be green grass and sprouting flowers. Birds singing and cute rain coats. Where is my spring? Instead of troudging through soggy grass picking up plastic eggs filled with treats, we downed our winter gear (again!) and shoveled the drive and went sledding, drank hot cocoa and hoped the Easter bunny would still visit. So, I ask a simple question....where is my spring?

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