And Merry Christmas Dad!

Dear Dad,
What to get you for Christmas? I know you think that food gifts are for “old people” and you certainly don’t qualify on that front. You won’t be getting any jellies or candies or Hickory Farms cheeses from me. (Not that I’m opposed to giving you the odd sack of licorice when we visit. Your secret is safe with me.) I also know that you don’t need any more computer gear – at least not any that I would be able to choose! But I do know that when you emerge from your office that you and Mom can be found in the kitchen, cooking up one of your latest recipe finds.  I think you two were just waiting until all us kids were grown so you could turn into gourmet chefs!
So here’s my proposal: Mom is happy that I’m blogging again (I’m trying Mom! Three posts in one week!) and I think you and I need to start a father-daughter cooking project. To that end I’m sending you your own copy of the same book I just bought. Why this one? Because the very first recipe in there is for smoked bacon! And more follow – for sausage, boudin, cracklins, and tasso. No, the entire book isn’t about pork, and  yes, you are the best “Real Cajun” cook I know, but I thought it would be fun to keep our family “charcuterie” in business. (Plus I’m a sucker for books that speak rapturously of rice and gravy.)
And now I need to find out where to buy pork bellies!
Love,
Renee

Ten for Tuesday: Why I’m Glad I Live in Texas

10. Our snowfall lasted less than an hour and looked beautiful. That’s enough for me.
9. Neighbors don’t shovel your driveway, but they do share their generator during a hurricane.
8. I can look out my window and see these same neighbors boiling the head of a deer in their driveway…
7. …because their sweet little freckle-faced daughter shot her first buck!
6. And she’s a cheerleader. This is Texas and we know how to cheer. And shoot.
5. Our state capitol is so beautiful that we have an ornament from the same on our tree.
4. I can  go Christmas shopping without hauling around a winter coat.
3. Best homeschooling laws in the country.
2. Every person in our immediate family has a town with their name in it. Stephenville, Alice, Kyle, Katy, Cooper, Joy, and Kelsey. Oh, and don’t forget Mathis, Texas (pop. 5295)
1. George Strait’s “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas” (Sorry you other 49!)

Merry Christmas Mom!

The blog is back. In case your life has been lacking in that special something that only Add More Chocolate can supply, I’m here to help. I got a little sidetracked by reading something somewhere that says “your blog should have a niche and a purpose.” Umm…. Ok. So here’s my niche: For all you homeschooling, Christian, writing teachers who cook and are too young to be a grandmother – this blog’s for you! (And your friends, relatives, mother’s friends, etc.) Welcome aboard!
Oh, and my purpose? To post recipes, spout off observations, share family pictures and updates, and occasionally make you laugh at my foibles. Feel free to listen in. I can’t promise that I’ll be giving away Kitchenaid mixers to my thousands of readers, but even if Mom is my only reader – she’s worth it!
And here she is with her two GREAT grandbabies.
Hugs,
Renee

How Beautiful Are the Feet…

Actually the verse from Isaiah  reads “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace…”  Why not talk about feet for a bit?
Emmeline’s feet are now 4 months old and she is learning to laugh and roll over.
Kelsey’s feet are now shod in brand new volleyball shoes. (You can figure out where I’ve been spending most of my time lately as well.)
Mom was here for a quick visit last month and we hit the shoe sale at Macy’s. Great day!
Radley’s foot is sporting a lovely purple bandage. He managed to cut his paw open on something in the backyard (our best guess is a bolt on the gate) and now has stitches.
Kristin has a ganglion cyst on her foot – going to the dr. this week. Did you know these are also called “Bible Bumps” because treatment used to involve slamming a Bible on them to break them apart? Seeing as how we’re now back to Bibles and feet, I think I’ll just tiptoe away for now…

I have a new title

Today was a busy one here at the CIRCE apprenticeship retreat. All this learning, talking, planning, contemplating, and discovering can really wear one out (not to mention exhausting one’s supply of verbs!) My roommate Cindy Rollins and I are positively giddy over the fact that our presentations are DONE! She did an incredible job presenting metaphors to us this afternoon. Keats, Churchill, Wordsworth, Shakespeare…when she says words are a playground (hey! There’s a metaphor now!) she is not kidding. My lesson on comparisons was more or less a success. (Ha. Ha. Ha.) Actually, it went very well considering I was presenting two lessons at once. Jeremy, one of our first year apprentices, said I was the “perfect hostess of learning.” Wow. Can I wear an apron with that? Actually, that description describes exactly what I’m hoping to accomplish. I want to help you feel at home with new ideas and encourage you to try something you might have previously thought was “icky.” May I show you to your seat?

It’s All About Absorbency

A little glimpse from babies in the real world. Yes she’s precious, yes she’s adorable, yes I could just eat her up with a spoon, but…  Emmie is what’s known as “a spitter.” Look carefully at the picture below and note:
A. Her mouth. Watch out, she’s gonna blow!
B. The pile of bibs on the floor next to her.
C. The extra clothes, also on the floor.
Katie and Josh’s apartment is a whir of activity, washer and dryer activity that is! One little baby can sure make a lot of laundry.
But this picture has still more to tell. Note:
A. The smile on Emmie’s face. She loves to “walk” with Katie.
B. Katie’s hands, patiently holding up her little girl.
Life may have its little mishaps, and we all need some extra tools around for mopping them up, but when you have someone around to hold your hand and walk you through, it’s a little bit easier.

7-UP Pound Cake

I'm all recovered from VBS (and will NOT be posting pictures). Tonight for the church supper I'm bringing a 7-UP pound cake. When I mentioned this on Facebook (let's be friends!) someone asked first if someone had "passed" and second if I'd seen Jeanne Robertson on YouTube. No on both counts, but after watching the video clip, put me down as a fan. She's hilarious!

The recipe is pretty good too!

Cream together: zest from 1 large lemon, 3 sticks butter, 3 c. sugar.

Add 5 eggs, beating well after each one.

Add 1 t. salt and 3 c. flour, beating after each cup.

Add 1 c. 7-UP.

Bake in greased and floured bundt pan for 60-75 minutes (until tester comes clean).

Glaze when cooled with: 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar mixed with 1/4 c. melted butter, 3 T. cream, juice from one large lemon. Can thin with some additional 7-UP if desired.