Pretty Pretty Princess

Remember this game? My girls all loved it. The board game came with lots of plastic beads, earrings, bracelets, and the all important tiara. Yesterday at work, my last day at The Homeschool Store for this summer, a sweet little 5 year old came in wearing flip-flops and a blue scrunchy around her little scraggly ponytail. But the most important piece of her attire? The princess costume! That’s right she was outfitted in net, tulle, and sequins from top to bottom. She seemed oblivious to the fact that she was the only bookstore patron in royal attire, in fact she was very comfortable with herself.
Katie tells me that Emmie loves her soft blankie, her satin lovey, and even her mommy’s silky pj’s. We probably have a princess in the making here too.
Lessons learned? Wherever you go, remember your “inner princess.”  And if wearing the outfit makes it real – go for it!
Love,
Renee

What all the latest dental extraction patients are eating…

The tour through my cookbook shelves continues. Since Kevin and Kristin had their collective wisdom teeth out on Friday, my kitchen is featuring soups this week. Here is a chilled number that promises some smooth sipping without being so rich that you feel like you’re drinking cream. Yes, it’s from The Peach Tree Tea Room Cookbook but don’t let the “T-word” scare you. This soup is girly enough to serve with a chicken salad on a croissant but pretty and light enough to go with something from your grill. (You dental patients just get the soup. Sorry!)

Note: I’ve taken the liberty of cutting the recipe in half for you. Unless you are going to serve this to an army, there’s no need to make such a huge quantity.

2 large ripe avocados, peeled and pitted

1 garlic clove

2 green onions, in pieces

small handful of fresh cilantro

2 t. pickled jalapeno juice plus 3 or 4 slices of the peppers

shake Tabasco

1 1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 c. buttermilk

1 box (32 oz.) chicken broth

salt to taste, garnish (sour cream, green onion, cilantro, etc.)

Mix all ingredients, except broth, in blender. Puree, adding broth as needed for consistency. Transfer to bowl or pitcher (if saving for later) and add the rest of the broth. Add salt to taste. Refrigerate until cold. Serves 6-7.