Friday the 29th of October was a special day I have been looking forward to for some time. Holly had her 4th baby a boy named Gideon. Unfortunately I still don't have a camera so for pictures go to Team Beal blog. He is beautiful or handsome as the case may be with lots of very dark hair. He seems good natured and likes to just look around very pensive. Holly is fine thank goodness. The other children were very cute when they came to see the new baby.
Holly asked if I would come and stay with her Sunday morning while the family was in church. I can see why she likes someone in the room, when she has just had major surgery and it is difficult to get to the baby in a hurry. We had a nice time and I gave her the presents I had for her and the baby. About 5 min before I was to leave Holly noticed Gideon waving is arms all over the place. First she though he was just moving, but then realized he was in trouble. I was able to get to him fast and see he was choking and able to suction him out and get the stuff out of his throat. I can see why she wants someone in the room with her. I was so glad I was there. Always listen to a mothers intuition. Congratulations Holly and Jason on your latest addition.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
Hazelnut Biscotti
This recipe has a history. On 9/11 2001 I woke up about 8:30 am. My phone rang it was Jason who wanted to know if I knew where all my children were. As he talked the picture on my TV was beginning to make sense. A couple of hours later my niece Sarah Beal who had just moved to the DC area. Called she told me her room mate had been running near the Pentagon when the plane hit. They were both scared and Sarah wanted to know if she could come out and stay with me till we knew what was going on.
So Sarah and I watched all the horrible pictures together. After we had spent most of the day looking at destruction we decided it was time to do something constructive. So I suggested we try make these biscotti I had seen a recipe for in a new cook book I had just received. It is Italian Farmhouse cook book.
We made the cookies and decided we liked them. Initially I thought they were very dry and probably would not make them again, but they have a way of making you come back for more. I think people usually dunk these in coffee, but dunking in milk is also good. I have doubled the recipe because otherwise they disappear too fast.
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
12 TBsp butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs and 2 egg yolks
2 cups toasted hazelnuts skins removed coarsely chopped
Cream the butter then add the sugar and vanilla and beat till light. Add eggs and yolks. Now add the flour with salt and baking powder mixed in, mix in at low speed till just folded in. Now add the coarsely chopped nuts.
Preheat oven to 350F. Dough is very soft so handle carefully. Flour table and shape dough into a ball. Separate dough into 4 separate balls. Shape each peace into 12 in long logs. Slightly flatten them.
Bake for about 25 minutes or till slightly browned. Cool for about 10-15 min. Now slice logs diagonally into 1/2 in slices and place back on cookie sheets. With oven still at 350F bake the slices for 15 min and if necessary turn them over and brown other side. They should be a nice golden brown. If you make them too dark the nuts will get a bitter flavor. After they have cooled place in an air tight jar and enjoy.
So Sarah and I watched all the horrible pictures together. After we had spent most of the day looking at destruction we decided it was time to do something constructive. So I suggested we try make these biscotti I had seen a recipe for in a new cook book I had just received. It is Italian Farmhouse cook book.
We made the cookies and decided we liked them. Initially I thought they were very dry and probably would not make them again, but they have a way of making you come back for more. I think people usually dunk these in coffee, but dunking in milk is also good. I have doubled the recipe because otherwise they disappear too fast.
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
12 TBsp butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs and 2 egg yolks
2 cups toasted hazelnuts skins removed coarsely chopped
Cream the butter then add the sugar and vanilla and beat till light. Add eggs and yolks. Now add the flour with salt and baking powder mixed in, mix in at low speed till just folded in. Now add the coarsely chopped nuts.
Preheat oven to 350F. Dough is very soft so handle carefully. Flour table and shape dough into a ball. Separate dough into 4 separate balls. Shape each peace into 12 in long logs. Slightly flatten them.
Bake for about 25 minutes or till slightly browned. Cool for about 10-15 min. Now slice logs diagonally into 1/2 in slices and place back on cookie sheets. With oven still at 350F bake the slices for 15 min and if necessary turn them over and brown other side. They should be a nice golden brown. If you make them too dark the nuts will get a bitter flavor. After they have cooled place in an air tight jar and enjoy.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Old Friends In Texas
I just returned from a short trip to Texas. I have a friend there, The chair woman of my AFS exchange student committee. We have known each other for almost 50 years. So I thought it would be a good idea to get together before either of us run out of time.
My friend is amazing she will be 87 next month. She still helps run her family business. She drives a red Jaguar, and is interested in many things and people. The only concession I can see she has made to old age is that she walks a little slower, and takes a nap in the afternoon.
We had a couple of very busy days. The day I arrived we went to their Marina for lunch and later that evening we went to dinner at a very nice restaurant run by a real Italian. She belongs to a birthday club and instead of giving each other silly presents they collect a donation at each dinner. The money goes to buy clothes for needy students. It was a very lively group. I haven't been in Texas
for over 10 years, and I had forgotten how friendly and outgoing Texans are. The next day we drove to Dallas to visit the art complex. We made 3 different museums and had lunch. That evening we took in a movie: " Wall street 2".
My last day we went to a super senior recreation center at 6:30 am. It was beautiful and all on a Texas scale. A regular spa would be proud to own this place. Later that morning we went to Arlington to see the new Cowboy stadium. It was really worth a trip. I could not believe we were allowed to walk on the playing field. There were helpful guides all over to explain or answer any questions we might have.
Then we drove to Ft. Worth to see some of their art museums, but due to time restrains we only managed to get lunch. The museums were beautiful and we will have to see them next time I come down. We also drove by a theater that was rebuilt in an art deco style.
We ran out of time because I had to get on a flight and go home. I am really glad I went down there and renewed our friendship. I had a very good time.
My friend is amazing she will be 87 next month. She still helps run her family business. She drives a red Jaguar, and is interested in many things and people. The only concession I can see she has made to old age is that she walks a little slower, and takes a nap in the afternoon.
We had a couple of very busy days. The day I arrived we went to their Marina for lunch and later that evening we went to dinner at a very nice restaurant run by a real Italian. She belongs to a birthday club and instead of giving each other silly presents they collect a donation at each dinner. The money goes to buy clothes for needy students. It was a very lively group. I haven't been in Texas
for over 10 years, and I had forgotten how friendly and outgoing Texans are. The next day we drove to Dallas to visit the art complex. We made 3 different museums and had lunch. That evening we took in a movie: " Wall street 2".
My last day we went to a super senior recreation center at 6:30 am. It was beautiful and all on a Texas scale. A regular spa would be proud to own this place. Later that morning we went to Arlington to see the new Cowboy stadium. It was really worth a trip. I could not believe we were allowed to walk on the playing field. There were helpful guides all over to explain or answer any questions we might have.
Then we drove to Ft. Worth to see some of their art museums, but due to time restrains we only managed to get lunch. The museums were beautiful and we will have to see them next time I come down. We also drove by a theater that was rebuilt in an art deco style.
We ran out of time because I had to get on a flight and go home. I am really glad I went down there and renewed our friendship. I had a very good time.
Ode to Legos
Anyone who has been to my house with children know what an enormous amount of legos we have. Also most of my children have followed this pattern of giving legos to their children. If you have legos you will identify with this: You just finished picking up ALL the Legos and put the container away, and then you start to find them in different places. So after doing this one day I wrote this little ode to legos. Please keep in mind I have never had any instruction on how to write poetry, but maybe some of you will identify with my sentiments.
Legos those wonderful plastic blocks that come in all sizes, colors, and shapes.
Legos that help our children develop their creativity and imagination.
Legos the toy that keep children occupied for hours on end.
Legos that make parents spend hours picking them up and organizing them AGAIN.
Legos that get on the table and under the table.
Legos that hide in the furniture and under the carpet.
Legos in my bed and under it.
Legos in the laundry and in the wash.
Legos in the shower and in the tub.
Legos on the floor and under my feet - OUCH
Legos in the kitchen
Legos in the fridge
Legos in the car
Legos in my hair
Legos--- If I see another Lego today I will SCREAM.
Legos those wonderful plastic blocks that come in all sizes, colors, and shapes.
Legos that help our children develop their creativity and imagination.
Legos the toy that keep children occupied for hours on end.
Legos that make parents spend hours picking them up and organizing them AGAIN.
Legos that get on the table and under the table.
Legos that hide in the furniture and under the carpet.
Legos in my bed and under it.
Legos in the laundry and in the wash.
Legos in the shower and in the tub.
Legos on the floor and under my feet - OUCH
Legos in the kitchen
Legos in the fridge
Legos in the car
Legos in my hair
Legos--- If I see another Lego today I will SCREAM.
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