Camping, the results.

This picture was on Day 1. Still smiling. After a very quick and uneventful drive to Lake Texoma, we found our campsite - close to the restrooms, close to the playground, close to the neighbors. Seriously, lots and lots of neighbors. It was a DFW Refugee camp.

Without a boat, and not intending to spend $150 for a two-hour rental, we decided to make do and have fun in other ways. And I am proud to say, we did it. Geocaching (4 sites!), hiking, fishing (for about 10 minutes), making friends at the playground, skipping rocks in the lake and evading giant spiders took up the majority of our time. Cooking - lots of Dutch Oven usage - took up the other time. What didn't take up too much time: sleeping. Four people in a four-person tent is a little squeeze, but cozy. Things we could control were great. Barking dogs, car alarms and slamming car doors in the middle of the night, not so much. After getting into the tent at 9:45, and being rudely awakened almost every hour by the other refugees, the call of nature came early. It was pitch dark and (finally) quiet when the kids decided they'd had enough tent imprisonment. The day started around 5am. Interestingly enough, days seem to last forever when you start that early. Revenge is sweet, because our kids have never been described as "quiet." Take that, Dog.

Somewhere around mid-day, the idea was broached (I'll never tell by whom) that we shouldn't spend another night in the tent. After all, a selling point of this location is its close proximity to home. After toying with the idea all day, and the looming probability of more tent-dwelling, this time starting at 7:45 instead of 9:45 (the kids were wrecked after a full day), we told them that at night-fall, we'd depart. It's very telling how readily they accepted that proposal. Apparently the night really had been that bad. By the time we'd packed up the entire campsite it was full dark - around 8:30pm - and the kids were both whining, almost sobbing - "hurry up! I'm ready to get in the car and go to sleep!"

The neighbors may have thought we were crazy. We think we were pretty smart. After all, there's no place like home - and a bed that doesn't deflate around 4am.

Camping

Camping. Most people shudder when you say that word. Everyone I know, actually, except two people. My husband, and my son. They love it. Their "Campfire" scent is my Chanel.

I embrace Camping. It will not beat me, I will prevail. AND ENJOY. It's been suggested that my naivete contributes to the optimism. If so, it's ok. Ignorance is bliss, and anticipation.

Thanks to Walmart, I will cover the germy outdoor picnic table. The dutch oven liners - I applaud your innovation. I will use you, and no lurking bacteria (from the cast iron one must never use soap on) will touch this family. Marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers? Best. food. ever. What's not to like?

Fishing? As long as I don't catch anything that has to be removed from the hook. No worries there. Sleeping? Eight years without has prepared me for the worst. Bathrooms up the hill? The extra walk will burn off those marshmallows.

No problem!! (fingers crossed!)

Modern Marvels

Did you know that a suite of appliances can easily cost as much as one of the cars currently sitting in my driveway? And how in the H@$# did I get to a stage of my life where I covet, simply love, the feel of a cool stainless steel handle in my hand? Unfortunately, not in my house. This would be in the high-end showroom of yesterday's work. For instance, why brew coffee in a pot when you can have a built-in wall coffee machine, piped with water already. At the touch of a button and insertion of coffee, bing! espresso into your cup. Alas, the salesman lamented, you still have to add the milk fresh. Sorry. A good thing, I might add, because the refrigerator made to house said milk needs to be doing it's job to justify that whopper of a price tag!

Yesterday there was also some reverent stroking of the ice machine which is constantly filled with Sonic ice. Sonic ice!! There should never be another kind. That one little stainless gem cost more than my anaesthesiologist at the last c-section, and you know which one I would pick in a head-to-head contest. However, given an extra, luxury anaesthesiologist just hanging around...Sonic ice would be divine in my daily morning ice water.

One appliance I could do without - the guilt-inducing built-in rotisserie oven. How would Walmart make payroll without our weekly rotisserie chicken purchase? So not only do you have a constant reminder that you're NOT Barefoot Contessa, but you've just put some poor deli schmuck out of a job? No thanks. One that I can get behind is the steam oven. Would we actually eat more vegetables though? I'll let you know in about 20 years, when I've finally saved enough.

This one is the granddaddy of all stoves. The pinnacle, so to speak, of having arrived in the kitchen world. You know what? After playing with it, open doors, removing grates, adjusting shelves. Really not impressed. Although being able to pick your color is pretty cool, the price tag is not. Really, too hot to handle. But I pick "Brick."

DNA

DNA is a funny thing. I had no idea little girls come pre-programmed with fashion sense. Wednesday afternoon I told Gillian she and I would be going to the Moms Talk meeting at church on Thursday morning. Knowing how she gets nervous about being separated from me, I started reminding her of all the friends she knows that would be in the play room with her. She looked perplexed. Then, disgruntled. I kept talking, trying to bring up the mood, but it wasn't working. Finally I said "what's wrong?" The answer:

"But what will I wear??"

Mac and Cheese revolution

Sooo tired of feeding my kids junk lately. And I'm starting to put my foot down. Starting with the macaroni and cheese. How much of that can these kids eat before their muscles atrophy from lack of protein, their little bellies swell from the carb overload, and their teeth turn orange from that icky "cheese" powder? Gross. Last night - super fast, natural, 5-extra-minute mac and cheese was a big hit. Here it is:

Put salted water on to boil, and have 12oz pasta ready to pour in at the boiling stage.

Then, on the next burner, create the sauce:

3 Tbl butter

3 Tbl flour

Melt butter in saucepan, whisk in flour and continue whisking for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.

Then add:

1.5 cups milk

generous sprinkle kosher salt

dash white pepper - optional (my kids won't eat black pepper. it freaks them out.)

Whisk continuously as you pour the milk in to eliminate lumps. Continue to cook on low for 4-5 minutes, whisking occasionally, until thickened. While that's cooking, grate some cheese.

1 cup grated cheddar

When sauce is thickened, pour cheese in and stir to combine.

The pasta should be about 2 minutes away from finishing at this point. Drain when it's done, and pour into your sauce. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of grated cheese on top.

This took me 15 minutes from start to finish, and I didn't feel one bit of guilt at feeding them this, with a salad and apple slices. Somehow, it didn't feel like a give-up dinner, but it only took 5 minutes longer than a box mix. And YUMMY!

Back for another try

It's been what, 10 months since my last entry? Let's try this again. Talked to my friend last night about blogs and it reminded me that I actually have one. hmmm. Life intrudes sometimes. I've been pretty dizzy lately.

Yesterday was Halloween. Gabe was Harry Potter. Seriously, I have been waiting to dress him up as Harry Potter since he was 3. He's a dead-ringer. Gillian was a ballerina. (Thanks, baby, for making it easy on Mama. and you are a beautiful ballerina!) Marshall was a Chilean Miner. Hard hat, glasses, work boots and....escape capsule. I'm to blame and credit both. We thought it was uproariously funny when I suggested it, but was it tasteless? not sure. They were freed, in fact, not still trapped down there or anything. That would just be rude.

Craftsman Clever

Recently I got a question about "Craftsman" interiors. This can go by many different names, and usually they are just variations on a basic architectural style. Bungalow, Arts & Crafts, Stickley, Mission...people use them somewhat interchangeably, although they aren't, really. They do have some distinctions. However, for the purposes of today's post, we'll just say Craftsman. First, a tiny bit of history. (gotta put that degree to good use occasionally.) This movement which started in the mid-1800's with William Morris , among others, was a backlash against new industry and the overly fancy decor of Victorian England. One fear was that hand-crafted and artisan created items would be replaced by impersonal, mass-produced objects. (uh-huh.) There was a return to the organic, nature inspired interiors that eventually evolved into what we know of as the Arts and Crafts movement in America. That was very popular early in the 1900's, developed and promoted by Frank Lloyd Wright, Gustav Stickley, the Greene Brothers (family-friendly bungalows all over California.) While Frank Lloyd Wright's ideas were revolutionary for the time, he did put a huge stamp on Interior Design. (for a bit of insight on Wright as a person, and his controversial lifestyle, Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan is a good read.)

Now, on to the real post of the day. When handcrafted, stained wood moldings, cabinets and floors are not an option, you can still bring the warmth of Craftsman style into a modern home with a few adjustments. If you can paint a cabinet or built-ins, try a mossy green instead of the standard bright-white trim. Changing hardware, lighting, fabrics, bedding and furniture all can contribute to a cozy Craftsman feel. This style is notoriously family friendly, with warm, organic colors (hide dirt and smudges!), leather finishes (wipe those paw prints right off!) and simple, clean lines (easier to dust!) Choose metal finishes such as copper, bronze and wrought iron.

Lighting is an easy change to make. These are good, decently priced fixtures that would go a long way towards contributing an Arts and Crafts feel. No, there weren't ceiling fans like this in Wright's homes, but none of your friends are going to care.

The bedroom below is a great example for modern inspiration. The furniture is a rustic oak grain in that beautiful warm, honey finish. Although this furniture is great, doing a whole suite of furniture in this style is not necessary. Just pick one, a focal piece that will set the tone of the room, and really emphasize it. The drapery panels here are modern, on a nice wrought-iron rod. The paint finish in the room is warm yet bright. I love the art, both the colors and scale. It really works because it's not competing with patterned fabrics. Someone is probably very comfy in this room. I know I would be.

Choose fabrics that have prints depicting nature - leaves, for example, and are textural and inviting without being overly decorative. Nothing fancy, shiny or silky please. And warm colors. Here's where I contradict myself a bit. California Bungalow style is a lot lighter than Wright's Chicago style, especially in modern renovations. It's really just a matter of climate. So, change the depth of color according to your taste, but the tone of the color (cool vs warm) should be homey, cozy, warm.

I love this bedroom, and it's a really good adaptation of Craftsman style, just modernized. Note the leafy print fabric, the simple oak headboard and uncomplicated bedding. Now, see how there's a clean, modern lamp on that nightstand? It's the right hue, good scale, simple shade. Forget the stained-glass mission style lamp. Clean it up, made it modern and really usable, and you'll like it for a lot longer.

New Year, New Media

Moonlighting: projects completed when even the moon has gone to bed. However, I do have to say they are with fun clients (thank you thank you), which is why I even consider drawing someone else's utility room at 11pm. Heaven Knows how much mine could benefit from a little drawing.

So, thinking ahead to next year, and the next, I decided it was time to reorder business cards with current, correct info. after 5 years. Going down this road a couple of times in the last year, and being put off by price, lack of originality, general cheesiness of most business card companies, I haven't been able to push the "place order" button on any orders I've started. However - today - I did it. Finally found a company with original, adorable, whimsical, unusual designs with which I did some business. It was really hard to choose between all the different designers. AND they do greeting cards or postcards. Soooo cute!!

I went with the "Mini Cards," which are the same length as business cards, but only 1" tall. The originality just appealed to the Designer in me. Here are a few of my favorite designs. The pattern is on the back, and the front is the info you provide. Great for calling cards, unorthodox business cards, or gift cards. For the first 100 cards, I will be represented by the first collection. But I can't WAIT to use them up and choose my next collection!

MiniCards $19.99
Buy this on MOO.com

MiniCards $19.99
Buy this on MOO.com

MiniCards $19.99
Buy this on MOO.com

By the way, for 2010, I promise to remember I have a blog.

Thai Food Rocks!

I rocked a Thai kitchen tonight. Thanks to the random guy's recipe I found on the internet. It is awesome!!! I made a couple of small changes because I was trying to replicate a dish we've had before. One of our favorite Thai restaurants here in Dallas closed, and this was one of the things we usually craved of theirs. Luckily random guy cooks a lot like Star of Siam...Thanks, Random Guy!

Nam Sad (Thai Pork Salad)
Yield: 4 Servings with lettuce leaves

3 Boneless pork chops -- trim fat, grind - or use 1 lb lean ground pork
1/4 c Red onion -- chopped
1/4 tsp Red Cayenne pepper
1 Tbl Fresh ginger root -- about 1 " long
10 Stalks Cilantro - Chopped
1/4 c Peanuts, unsalted, chopped
3 Tbl Lime juice - from 3-4 limes
2 tsp Nam Pla (Thai fish sauce)
1 sm Serrano chile -- chopped fine
1/4 tsp Salt

crisp lettuce leaves

In a skillet, sauté the ground pork. Add peanuts when pork is almost cooked, stirring often. When pork is done, drain and discard the liquid. In a glass bowl, combine pork, peanuts and other ingredients. Salt to taste. Place lettuce leaves on serving plate and put mixture on lettuce. Garnish with cilantro.

Serve while Nam Sad is warm.

Nam Pla can be purchased in Asian food stores.

Mattress Mania

Never say we aren't efficient. It only took 3 store visits and about 5 hours to purchase a mattress this weekend/week. It took us less time to buy a car, or a house, for that matter. Craaazy. After one night of sleep (can you believe we had that sucker in our house at 8pm last night, a mere 8 hours post-purchase?) I respectfully reserve judgement. Marshall was not so tactful. How can a pair of very intelligent, practical people screw up something so simple? By overthinking. We should have gone with the less expensive one that we both liked, but that seemed, well, too simple. Instead we weighed the advantages of component materials against longevity, examined the fabric on the top for breathability, and stepped on the coil samples the salesman proudly displayed. And after an hour of discussion the 1" of memory foam in the less expensive one paled in comparison to the 2.5" of the one we ended up with. Which is why my hindquarters were a full 2.5" lower than the rest of my body all night, and Marshall woke up with "tingly feet." It will be an interesting 30 days.

p.s. we promptly encased that breathable, cashmere-infused fabric topped mattress with a stain-proof, allergy-reducing, heat-inducing cover. read: plastic. Is $119 too much to spend for one night with said cover?

The fun part of all of this is the imminent redecoration of our bedroom. Having gone from a queen to a king size bed, all the existing linens, and the bed itself, are history. Right now there's nothing but a set of white sheets on the bed. I'm so excited! A designer's dream is a blank slate. I do have some bedding on order, which, being blue this time, necessitates a full repaint, redrape and reaccessorization. WAHOOOOO!

Sparking It

In the ever-present phase of dieting, I'm (once again) loving SparkPeople. www.sparkpeople.com

It's been 3 weeks now, and I feel really reassured and confident that getting healthy (and smaller) is doable. I just input my foods, and voila, instant calorie count and nutritional info. I desperately need to enter in some exercise hours. Big, huge hole in the chart right now!! Soon to be rectified....

Now, on to fun things. Cookies for grandma. We're going to see Mema in a while and I think cookies are in order. (not that I shall EAT any beyond quality testing, mind you.) I find it ironic that my blog today includes both my dieting website and a cookie recipe.

Here's what I did.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chippers

1 cup oat flour (you may put oats in the food processor to get this if you can't find the flour)

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 sticks unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend (or 1 cup packed brown sugar)

2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup freshly ground peanut butter (be sure to use natural if it's jarred. you don't want any extra sugar and salt.)

2 large eggs

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325. Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Cream the sugars and butter in a mixer until fluffy, add the vanilla and peanut butter and mix well. Add eggs, beating after each addition. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture in 2-3 parts, beating well to combine. Stir in chocolate chips.

Because these cookies have so much flour, they don't spread. There are two ways to cook these. I tried both, and really like the appearance of the scoop method. #1 - Scoop with a mini scoop and place on cookie sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then press the cookies with the back of a spatula to flatten into 1/2" rounds. Continue to cook until brown. I like these better because they have a more uneven appearance, which is just overall more pleasant and interesting. They are also crispier on the outside and cakier in the middle. Method #2 will produce a crispier, flatter cookie. For these I rolled them into 1-1/2" balls and flattened on the cookie sheet before placing in the oven. They are uniformly smooth. To each his own...

Movie Night

Went to see Julie & Julia tonight. It was a blast. Although I'm an avid reader of Entertainment Weekly (who didn't love the movie) and I knew what to expect, it was still very enjoyable. Have to admit though, the Julia voice BUGGED. Found myself smiling just a little too hard at those parts...headache inducing smiles. Meryl Streep nailed the Julia. That woman is astonishing. The movie really restarted that cooking itch I get so frequently. It's been too hot and wild to cook lately. But it's about time again. Monday night I cracked open a jar of spaghetti sauce, boiled up some freezer ravioli and tore up some romaine. And my poor, sweet, deprived family actually gushed. M - "Thanks for cooking, honey!" G- "You made my favorite dinner, Mom." Gi- "Yum." Glad to know I haven't lost my culinary genius.

So, I've taken a little break from the blog lately. Just too, too crazy around here. Very ready to get back to it. I find myself composing little entries in my head, usually while in the shower or putting on mascara. For some reason mascara application is an introspective time for me. Gillian starts school next week, and Gabe the following week. In my delusional, end-of-summer frazzle I find myself wishing for the routine of the school year. I'll have to revisit this in 2 weeks and see if it holds.

What shall I cook on Sunday??

Baking, anyone?

So, yesterday and today I've fulfilled the ever-present urge to bake. After all, I will soon have a captive group of tasters. Instead of trying something new I went with the ole tried-and-true crowd pleasers.

Coke Cake: This is the ultimate cake for ease of transportation and bang for your buck. Plus it's amazing. This recipe came from my friend Mendy about 10 years ago, and it's been one of my go-to's ever since.

Preheat oven to 350-deg and lightly grease a 13x9 cake pan.

Combine the following in a large bowl.

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

Melt the following in a saucepan. When melted, pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well.

2 sticks butter

3 Tbl. cocoa

1 cup Coke

Add these ingredients to the bowl of chocolate heaven and mix very well.

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 beaten eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1-1/2 cup marshmallows

Pour into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Don't overbake! The success of this cake depends on it being moist!

Now, the icing. Towards the end of the baking time, combine the following ingredients in the saucepan and melt to combine.

1 stick butter

3 Tbl. cocoa

6 Tbl. Coke

Remove from heat and add

1 box of powdered sugar

1 cup chopped pecans.

Mix well, and pour this icing over the hot cake when it comes out of the oven. Let sit for about an hour. Every hour it sits only makes it better and better....

Second, Bran Muffins, sometimes called Six-Weeks Muffins:

Supposedly this mix will stay in your fridge, unbaked, for up to 6 weeks. I've never tried it and can't imagine our family could wait that long. These usually get scarfed up pretty quickly. However, it makes a HUGE batch. As in, the biggest mixing bowl you have might not accomodate this recipe. So plan to be creative. You could buy a giant plastic popcorn bowl, or I use a giant aluminum bowl that's probably 18" in diameter. You can find these at Walmart, Target etc.

1 15oz. box of Wheaties or Bran Flakes cereal, or use Raisin Bran if you like raisins.

1 cup vegetable oil

3 cups sugar

4 beaten eggs

1 quart of buttermilk

5 cups flour ( I use white and wheat combined, about 1/2 of each)

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients in your gigantic bowl. Add beaten eggs, oil and milk. Mix well and store in tightly covered bowl or canister. Bake at 400-deg for 15-20 minutes. This will make about 4 dozen smallish muffins, so it's perfect for brunches or showers.

Tomorrow we leave for vacation, so I won't be posting for a while, only eating and hiking and fishing and drinking. Ta ta!

Shutters are up!

No picture yet, I lost my daylight. Plus, I'm really hoping to get that door done in 2 weeks. That will be a much better "after" picture. (But they do look great!) We are exhausted from all the home improvements. I was thinking we were in terrific shape for laundry, packing etc tomorrow, then leaving on Wednesday. Then we actually talked and figured out what each of us wants to accomplish tomorrow, and the outlook is a tad different. I think I'm headed to bed right now, since there's a full day ahead tomorrow....

Rain delay

Well well...never anticipated RAIN. Shutters are moved into the garage and are drying, with the help of fans. Hopefully I can paint today after all. My back is killing me after priming yesterday, and painting the porch rail. Marshall fixed the fence too, so we were pretty productive!

Last night we went to the boat club for July 4th festivities. It was really fun. There was a bluesy band playing, and hot dogs and burgers and all kinds of pot luck sides. Out on the dock it wasn't too hot - at least there was a breeze. We caught fireworks from 3 different locations over the lake, plus all the illegal displays along the shore of the lake. After Gillian figured out where to look for the fireworks (over the tree line), she narrated each and every color, for every one of the 30 minutes we watched. Love the little voice, tired of the frequency sometimes. Today everyone is very tired. We had a meager breakfast of freezer waffles, as somehow we've blown through all the groceries this week lightening fast. I blame Gabe, who we cannot seem to fill up lately. Probably a foreshadow of years to come.

We're looking forward to Big Cedar! Every day Gabe asks for the countdown. He has taken to randomly announcing to strangers how "We're going to Big Cedar on Wednesday!" I pray none of those people have robbery in their hearts, 'cause if so we'll be cleaned out on Wednesday. Poor little Tucker will have to hold down the fort.

Before, Blah!

Drug the whole family to Lowe's tonight for 2 hours. Can't believe the kids hung with us. Got interior trim paint to touch up and repaint doors, spray paint which should look like hammered metal for the porch railing (we'll see - can't be any worse than what's already out there) and exterior paint in a rich, dark brown for the shutters and front door. My vision for this house has always been a creamy white trim with black accents, but after really studying it I went with dark brown. There's a ton of siding on the sides of the house that will need to be replaced very soon, so with the new trim color hopefully it will look much fresher.

We have already replaced the exterior lanterns with a larger, bronze style, and had the front steps redone. I have vintage round brass door knobs which are killer. They came off a giant mansion in Highland Park that was being demolished. I knew the person who bought the house and she said I could take them. They've been waiting patiently in the garage for 2 years. We are also removing those ceiling medallions some kook put on the doors, and dressing the doors out with a nice rectangle of panel moulding. Clean and simple. I can't wait to see how it all looks put together.

So...above is the "before" of the house (during happier landscaping times.) It's not totally offensive, just really boring. Blah. I said 6 years ago how the house needed contrast and have intended ever since to do something about it. We are such procrastinators! However - we are planning to wake up early tomorrow and get a start on those shutters. After picture to come, hopefully soon...

Wednesday=Friday

Today was my Friday equivalent. Hectic day, lots accomplished, and Saturday is tomorrow, right? Nope, just feels that way. No worky again until Monday. ahh, summer. I believe we have finally pinned down Client into committing to a few things. AND it only took 4 months. per fabric. whew. All our vendors are just trying to stay in business while Client vassilates wildly on which gold fabric is ideal for the fireplace chairs. Vendors have taken to calling, daily, essentially begging for an order. (so, so sad. bad industry to be in sales right now!) While in the grips of indecision, massively important design features (lovely onyx slabs) have gone away to other houses, never to be seen again. And the work starts over.

Not my problem. For 4 days I'll be playing with my family. Tomorrow, after a doctor checkup in which I fully expect to be spanked, I'll be free to play, read, and do laundry. Piano at 4pm, then pool at 5! Friday we'll gear up for some household projects, namely painting. M and I decided painting was the easiest and cheapest way to make a difference around here in a short time. He keeps saying "I have a whole week off to do home projects," when in reality Saturday is July 4th, Sunday is church, Monday I work so he'll be on kid-watch, then Tuesday is free. Wednesday we leave on vacation. Which one wall do you think will be painted on Tuesday?

Here's my essential paint list: shutters, front door, trim touch up (like, everywhere). I'd also love to prep the foyer for wallpaper but might just deal with painting away the stripes. That was a good idea in theory, just never finished it out. Update to come.

Wedding Weekend

Well, I'm still recovering from the fun and craziness that was Mendy's wedding. Yes, it's Tuesday, and I haven't posted in a long time, but hey. I think I only have 2 followers. No pressure. HA!

Just a few notes on the wedding before moving on to my gripe o' the day. Mendy looked radiant, despite the 107-degree Austin day. Yup, you read that correctly. I figure at 7pm it had dropped to around 105. Nobody fainted and Amy (maid of honor) stood still through the wedding with ants crawling on her feet. She gets a huge round of applause from me for that one. The Barr Mansion is lovely, but what made the wedding was the "ballroom" they have behind the mansion. It is timbered, with lovely paper lanterns and bell lanterns hanging from the rafters. White lights crept up all the columns. The wedding flowers mixed the ambiance of Austin-rustic with the elegance of a lovely wedding. Beautiful orange flowers were placed in various aluminum vessels, such as buckets of different shapes and sizes. Some tables had tall wrought-iron candelabras. All the tables had a covering of burlap bordered with the chocolate brown silk of the wedding party's dresses. It was an attractive, interesting mix. And the cake. Oh, the cake. yum.

So, gripe o' the day. My skin looks dirty. That #@%$ spray tan. My clients will think I cannot reach my toes to wash properly. Since my feet were entirely orange, any lessening of the intensity has created a mottled discoloration. ew. And lets not even talk about the area that was rubbed by my lingerie. Serious leprosy. So. The $7 Olay Touch-of-Sun gradual self-tanning cream was working out wonderfully for me, and I think I'll just stick to it the rest of the summer. Better to be white than orange. Maybe my husband can stop calling me Daffy now.

Drinks Database

Mojito

Here's a summer entertaining tip:

Esquire Magazine has a Drinks Database on their website. Search by drink name, alphabetically, by liquor ingredient, or just browse for fun new ideas!

www.esquire.com/drinks

Have one on me!

The Best Brownies Ever

I made brownies yesterday for Marshall (with Andes Mint chips inside, his favorite), but since I was down to one stick of butter I couldn't make my favorite recipe, the one below. Instead I used a recipe that calls for oil. They are ok. But they are nothing like THESE. These are stand over the pan with a fork good, don't stop eating until you're sick then come back for one more bite good. It's gotta be the butter, or the extra vanilla. These have a perfect crunchy crust on top, and a thick fudgey center which is positively criminal. I have made these for years to rave reviews. Don't be fooled by the mundane ingredient list, they're really, really special. and addictive.

Hershey's Deep Dish Brownies

(thanks to www.hersheyskitchens.com)

1-1/2 sticks butter, melted

1-1/2 cups sugar

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract (use the real kind!)

3 eggs

1/2 cup Hershey's Cocoa

3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350-deg. Grease 8" square pan. Combine butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Add eggs, beat well with spoon. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended. Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Often I add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, toffee bits, Andes Mint pieces, etc. Although plain is still my favorite, these additions are fun to play with.