Labor Day 2010

A great success. Let's see if this slideshow of my day is as successful. Thanks to Bear for photo documenting the day.

Easter Wrap Up

Easter was quite delightful. Tottie made an appearance and the food was delicious. Unfortunately the dessert I made blew. This is not good, I don't understand the 4 forks rating. The white chocolate part was okay, but the lemon mousse was odd tasting. I probably just don't like lemon curd. My trifle bowl wasn't big enough, mussing up the layers and the fruit to mousse ratio. Oh well live and learn. These were very good. They cost an arm and a leg because you can only buy crab meat in a 1 pound can at Dixon's ($33.15/can). So I don't know if I would make them again because it was a lot of filler of cream cheese, panko, etc and when you spend that much on the crab you really want it to be the star. I made these two butters to go with the roasted asparagus. I really liked the horseradish one, and it will be great on leftover ham sandwiches. The Parmesan one is just okay. I don't think I would make it again. I only had 14 bucks a pound Parmesan in the fridge and it was wasted in this. By the looks of this menu the recession hasn't hit the Vanilla Bean Counter pantry. Really, I had already been to Kroger twice on Saturday when I realized I didn't have a tub of the already grated stuff. I just couldn't will myself to go back.

My youngest cousins are farm kids. Last year they were showing only pigs. Well this year they each have a goat. Oh my gosh the goats are freakin' adorable. I kind of want a goat. I am a dumb ass and didn't get any pics. I always forget I have my camera in the car. Google "Boer Goat babies" for the visual. Their ears are so fun. They seemed to have colds, they were sneezing and kind of snot/drooling all over. I hope I didn't catch Goat Flu or rabies.

It is Party Time!

My parents made many sacrifices so my sisters and I could go to college where ever we wanted and graduate with only medium debt as opposed to soul crushing debt. My baby sis graduates this spring so my parents are officially rollin' in the dough. Well not so much, but at least their children are done mooching off of them, and they can start losing their money in a 401k like everyone else. My dad did joke that they didn't lose their retirement savings because it is stored safely in our heads. Good luck making a withdraw on that when it is time to pay the State Home. I kid, I kid they are totally going to live in Bear's pool house; she is very patient. So as a gesture of our appreciation we are throwing them a party Sunday. What do you have at a thank you for putting your life on hold party, why the guests of honor favorite foods of course. So at this party we will be having:

Almond Shrimp via Kalofagos (subbed sorghum for wheat and added a bit more milk)
Southwestern Egg rolls (with wrapper courtesy of Gluten Free Gobsmacked)
Little Smokies with Bacon and Brown Sugar (Bear's contribution)
Hot Spinach Dip (Bear's contribution)
Cheese Ball (neufchatel cheese, Old English, Worcestershire, garlic and onion powders, so unrefined yet so delicious)
Onion Rings (soak rings in buttermilk and then toss in equal parts sorghum, tapioca, and white rice)
Chips and Santa Barbara Salsa (gotta support companies with clear gluten free labeling, Kroger's carries many of the varieties and all that I have tried have been tasty for jarred salsa)

Gluten Free Mommy's Sesame Chicken with Jasmine Rice and Broccoli
Snow Peas with Toasted Almonds

Red Velvet Cupcakes from Gluten Free Cooking School (made 1/2 batch into 12 cupcakes)
Gluten Free Mommy's Angel Food Cake (subbed in 1/2 cup of Splenda)

Bear also made a pinata shaped like a piggy bank. Tottie is bringing Little Puppy Maia. If the weather prevents me from driving up to the Quad Cities anyone local is invited over for a Sesame Chicken lunch. I cook allergy and special needs friendly.

Christmas Love

My mom sent me a Christmas arrangement! I love it. With the smell, it is like having a tree without having to have a tree. As always, Becks in Peoria did a fantastic job. Thanks Moogie!

Pre Birthday Fun Begins

My mom sent some loverly flowers, as she does every year. All members of the family were on the card, including my brother in law and my youngest sister's new puppy. This follows last year's ugly scene where the sisters were unceremoniously booted off the family card without their knowledge. Apparently their cheap asses petitioned to get back on. You can't really see it, but there is a gold bow around the vase. One more week until my Golden Birthday. Oh 27 on the 27th, I never really thought you would be here.

I need to send some love to Beck's Florist. They do an excellent job. My mom is in the flower biz and has very high standards and we have both been very happy with their arrangements for the money. I love the ritual of calling Mom as soon as the flowers arrive and describing what they sent and if I think she got her money's worth. The one year in Champaign when I had to tell her $30 bucks got her 6 lame carnations in an ugly green vase about killed us both. Too bad I don't remember the name of that florist I could do my first internet slam. They would deserve it. Seriously 6 carnations.