Monday, July 4, 2011

On Independence Day

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with quirky parades and family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.  This is patriotism at its finest.  ~Erma Bombeck


A lot has happened since my last blog post. For one, we moved. Packed up and left the country for the city. It was pretty much a spur of the moment (albeit difficult) decision, yet that is how we roll--shoot first and ask questions later.  As it turns out, I love being back in the city; there are so many things I didn't realize I missed. The town we now call home is an amazing mix of big city life and small town feel. Our 4th of July Parade was a great example; it's quintessential small town in the big city, and patriotic to the tenth.


 No floats in this parade, just an assortment of cars, old and new, 
all decked out in red white and blue.

 Our neighbors invited Jaden to ride in the parade with them. He LOVED it, waving to the crowd and throwing candy, all the while yelling "Pork Chop." ???


It's days like today that not only am I proud to be an American, but I'm happy to find small town perks in the city. Now if I could just see the stars at night....

May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!  
~Daniel Webster
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!


Friday, January 21, 2011

Pie Dreams

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 
~ Mark Twain
I remember it like it was yesterday. The moment I knew I was destined to be a baker. My Easy Bake oven sat humbly on my grandmother's kitchen floor. She, my teacher and mentor of all things in the kitchen, was baking a cake for my Father's birthday. So was I, just on a smaller scale. I stood next to her and slowly, carefully mixed my cake batter, watching her with an eager eye. I slid the cake gently in the "oven" and stared through the tiny window, watching in awe as the heat from the light bulb magically baked my cake. 

Sometime in my adult life, I began to try my hand at pie baking. I was determined to create the perfect pie crust, and to create pies that would make anyone's day better.  I love everything about pie. From rolling the crust to concocting simple but delicious fillings.  Even one of my favorite movies, "The Waitress," is a favorite because it involved pie. 

So I guess you say I'm over the moon to be the the new "Pastry Chef" (humbly self taught) at a quaint location in the Hill Country of Texas. I am bursting with excitement, have my baking shoes on and am ready to roll. I hope to have time to chronicle my journey for you here...so stay tuned!