He is Born

Christmas Day.

Our day of celebration was spent at Jeff's townhome.

A few of us brought gifts, even though we never did an official grab bag or anything.  Jake bought Thomas a pack of Monster--and wrapped it in baby shower wrapping paper...

We got Mom a pair of (hopefully) comfy and warm slippers.

I bought Mom and Char a few goodies from work.

Mom got Dad this weird contraption that we all had fun talking about until she told us what it was--a finger massager.

Our traditional family Christmas picture! 

Merry Christmas to you!


Back to life,
Christine

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Pucker-Up Lemon Crumb Bars

I scrolled through my dessert board on Pinterest, reading the names of desserts aloud to Jake, who was the chooser of the dessert for Easter Sunday.  No was his continuous response until this one.

Pucker-Up Lemon Crumb Bars.

I love lemony things--lemonade, lemon cheesecake, lemon in water, lemon drop martinis; then there's lemon body wash, lemon shampoo...  The smell is amazing and makes me feel clean and spring-y, and the taste of lemons--whoa.  These lemon bars fit my palate to a tee!

I modified the original recipe, adapting it to the way I like it. I cut the amount of flour and oats because I found the topping to be dry--much of it fell all over our plates when I cut and served the bars.  I also used a combination of freshly ground whole wheat pastry flour and high quality white flour, as I usually do when baking (using all whole wheat tends to result in a more dense product).

Since I didn't take any other pictures (we were all too eager to dig in!), here's the recipe.  I will be adding more pictures soon, since I'll be making this dessert tomorrow for Danny's and Dad's birthday party in a few days!

Pucker-Up Lemon Crumb Bars

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup freshly ground whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup high quality white flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup cane juice crystals (or regular sugar)
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 sticks cold butter, sliced up

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
2 cans sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk!)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (I did this!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter/grease a 9x13 pan. Line with parchment paper, and butter the paper. This is for easier removal, but isn't necessary.

In a stand mixer, add oats, flours, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix briefly until combined. Add butter and mix until crumbly. Press half of this crumb mixture into the bottom of prepared pan. Set the other half aside.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or with a hand-held mixer in a medium/large bowl), beat cream cheese on medium/high speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well between each addition. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Add vanilla and lemon zest, mix until combined.

While mixing on medium speed, slowly pour in sweetened condensed milk. Beat for three minutes. Turn mixer to low and add lemon juice. Mix until well combined, scraping sides of bowl as needed.

Pour filling into crust and top with remaining crumb mixture. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until topping is a light golden color.

Remove from oven and let pan cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve with strawberries and freshly whipped cream (my favorites!) or serve plain, since they are amazing.



Back to life,
Christine

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Our 2015 Christmas

We anticipated a very simple Christmas again this year, with a quiet day spent with family at my brother's home.  Quiet = peaceful and calm, without any "rush of the season" or excessive gift-giving. 

At the beginning of the month, after we came home from California, I appreciated the simplicity of this year's Christmas season.  But, I really wanted a tree, simple yet beautiful to fill our home with a Christmas-y atmosphere.  And a few weeks before Christmas Day, Fernando surprised me.

"Let's go out and get a tree--right now!" he said one balmy afternoon.  We drove to a local farm which rents their space to a Michigan tree farm each year.  A friendly employee greeted us, and within literally two minutes we had found our tree--a little bigger than I wanted, but it had just been put out and was perfect.

Fernando and Joseph carried it in and got it set up.  This year, we located the tree stand first, before heading out to get our tree.  *Ahem*  It's much easier this way, than having to stand in the living room holding a tree while someone runs around searching for the stand, only to find it exactly where I thought I had put it (its logical resting place) the year before.

I collect ornaments, just one or two each year--snowflakes, leaves (my new obsession), and glass icicles.  I'm slowly adding beautiful pieces to my collection, until our tree will one day be covered with unique and memorable ornaments.

The weekend before Christmas, Fernando and I headed out in the car to see some local homes decorated for the holidays.  Here are are few of my favorites.

Christmas Day was spent at Jeff's; although he's a bachelor, he can certainly make his home look festive.

The day was spent playing together, eating (pretty much all day--brunch, snacks, more snacks, main meal, and dessert!), going for a walk, and lots of conversation and laughter.  Jake had to work, so he drove over mid-afternoon, and our little clan was complete.

My sister-in-law gave a goody bag, filled with sweet and salty treats, to the boys.  My parents gave each of the boys gift cards to their favorite restaurants, plus Andy's Custard (the lucky dogs!!).  I gave my Mom a Pampered Chef gadget she had wanted, and I gave Fernando tickets to see Brian Regan in concert next month!!  (Maybe that one was more for me than for him...)

After a fun- and food-filled day, everyone headed home.

We hope you had a beautiful, peaceful and calm Christmas Day with your loved ones!!


Back to life,
Christine

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2015.

First, I'm sharing this sweet picture of Joseph peeling potatoes the day before Thanksgiving--which is when I do most of my food prep work.  He peeled ten pounds' worth for me!!

Dad and mom hosted the holiday this year, with the entire family gathering together.

Relaxing while Mom, Char and I work in the kitchen.

I was so busy helping Mom get all the food ready that I didn't take a family photo, as I have done the past several years.  All I got was the table settings!

Fernando helped Mom pull the turkey out of the oven.  Mom had had a break last year--it was my first year preparing the bird and hosting Thanksgiving--so our 20-pound bird was a monster for her!  I think she's ready to give up Thanksgiving turkey-baking for good!

Mom didn't brine the turkey--purchased from our farmers Eric and Samantha over at Nature's Choice Farm--and it turned out delicious.  Yay for us!

After dinner, we cleaned up and spent the afternoon relaxing, playing, and sharing conversation.

I took the below for Dad and Mom to use in their Christmas cards this year.  :)

Thomas chillin' with his tablet.

Ping-Pong!  This brought back memories from my teen years, for sure.

Danny, with goofy face as usual.

Danny discussed computer monitors with Grandpa, with his Uncle Jeff looking on.

No one forgets dessert on Thanksgiving Day.  I had rolled out crusts for four pies, experimented with fashioning some creatively-edged crusts.  At the end, I had enough extra dough left over that I exclaimed, "Boy, there's enough dough here I could probably make another pie!"

Thirty seconds later, Joe appeared at my side with a pie tin.  "Here you go, Mom!"

"Um, I didn't mean..."

Then, "And I know just what to fill it with!"

Thirty more seconds, and he re-appeared with two cans of plums, gifted to us by my generous friend Heather.

He added, "And we already have crumble pie topping for it in the freezer!"

Hence, the 7th pie on the right in back--plum pie!  (Mom made two of these pies...)

The pies were enjoyed by all, with fresh whipped cream, and ice cream brought by Jeff.

The cherry on top of the day ended up being the Chicago Bears' victory over the Green Bay Packers--what a thrilling game down to the final seconds!!

Thanksgiving usually encompasses the four-day weekend, with leftovers lasting that whole time and me not having to cook, with pie being eaten at various times and for various meals, naturally.  This Thanksgiving, however, was tinted with sorrow at the passing of Fernando's Tia (Aunt) Dora.  Providentially, we were able to obtain last-minute free plane tickets to fly out to Los Angeles to be with his family, and what a Godsend it would be:  Fernando hadn't really visited his family in the seven years since his mom's death, and I hadn't been out in eight (when we visited with our boys).

We would miss a wedding over the weekend, but other than that our schedule was clear (more Providence!), our guys could take care of themselves (thank You for leftovers!!), and we had a ride to and from the airport.  Before we knew it, we were off and flying.


Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Cook-Off!

Saturday afternoon meant it was time for the Lake Bonaparte Columbus Day Cook-Off!!  Let the festivities begin!!

The pumpkin basket where we put our votes.

Tucker hanging out under the food table.

Bea and Terri.

I learned to take just a bit or two of each dish; otherwise, I'll end up stuffed after sampling the appetizers, then the main dishes, then the desserts.

Voting time for the main dishes.

My dessert entry:  salted caramel popcorn. 

My cousin Tom.

Tom announces the close of voting.

A baby!!

Terri and Rich are co-winners of the coveted apron and chef's hat.

All the winners!

Janet, Bea, Al, Aunt Bonnie, Tom, Rick, Terri, and Rich.

Back to life,
Christine

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