"Are You There God? It's Me, Beth."

The things I miss most about my pre-teen years? Pudding pops, Judy Blume books, and really bad 80s music. I always thought I was lucky to bypass the acne and braces, until now. Nope, didn't get a mid-life version of acne. I got lovely braces (Invisilign) yesterday, and I now feel like I'm twelve and karma has caught up with me. I feel like I should be eating pop rocks and listening to my old Rick Springfield album. Oh well, I always was a late bloomer. Regardless, now I know why some pre-teens are in such bad moods. Other than the raging hormones, those that wear braces have to deal with a day or two of mouth pain, which sucks.

I wish they still sold pudding pops.....sigh....that would feel so good right now.......

Ode to Austin Grill

I've been going to this restaurant since I moved here in 1992 and have been trying to perfect its salsa recipe since then. By 1996, I think I finally did it, so here's the recipe:

Beth's "Austin Grill - like" Salsa

2 cans of whole tomatoes
1 bunch of fresh cilantro
juice from 1 lime
one shallot
1 clove of garlic
1 jalapeno (large or small - depending on how hot you like it)
Stick everything in a food processor and blend together. Add salt to taste.

Enjoy!!!

I'm Just that OCD

I've been dreaming of the day when I have everything organized and all I have to do is click a button and all my digital photos are available online. Well, that day has finally arrived! Click on the link http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisbethKateCutler/ to see what's been going on.

Next project - recipe organization!

If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere.

This weekend was spent at Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia, where Chris grew up. He took me here when we were first dating to see Gilbert & Sullivan's "Iolanthe" in the outdoor theater. The place is so beautiful - it's almost like walking into a dream from which you don't want to wake. Check out the website at http://www.longwoodgardens.org.

The Next Anna Pavlova...Or Not...

Saturday marked another milestone in Kate's life - her first ballet recital! I honestly didn't think that she would pull it off - the dress rehearsal was less than stellar. I talked it up all week with her - "aren't you so excited? You'll get to dance with your friends on the stage! If you're a good girl, we'll go for ice cream afterwards," etc. Yesterday, it was 100 degrees here, and Kate had to wear a brown, velvet leotard with a brown tutu and thick pink tights. The elements were all there for a massive tantrum and I braced myself. I made Chris sit out in the audience, because if he were sitting with Kate, me and the rest of the students, she would've never gone on stage. Things got even more tense when Kate kept saying (loudly) backstage "Turn the lights on!" and proceeded to collapse on the floor before she and her group went on. Fortunately, Miss Sarah (her teacher), picked Kate up and held her during the first 2 minutes of the routine, then set her down on the floor where she started to spin. And spin. And spin. Jump. And spin. Bow.

I can see how this was nerve-wracking for my mother when Allyson & I were growing up and had to go through so many recitals (piano and dance). Hopefully, this won't be the last one......but I certainly can wait for the next.

Oh Happy Day!

Other than my wedding and the occasional funeral, I've never really cried in church - until now. My choir director Paul is Ukrainian, so we're use to singing Rachmaninoff, Gretchaninoff, and other Russian/Eastern European heavies. Although it sounds beautiful, it's like we're in a constant season of Lent. Today, that all changed. Paul chose a piece by Paul Halley, a British composer, who took the words from Song of Solomon and arranged it with a gospel twist. The words were beautiful and I've never heard Karen, our soprano soloist sing like that:

The Rain is Over and Gone

The rain is over and gone,
And the winter is passing by,
The time for singing has come,
And the clouds have parted from the sky.

Arise, my love, and come away,
For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone,
Over and gone, my love,
Come away, my fair one, come away.

We will rise and go to the city,
The city without any walls,
Where we can live in freedom,
To the new Jerusalem we're called.

Arise my love, my fair one,
For lo! the winter is gone,
The flowers appear on the earth again,
And the time for singing has come.

Sing of life and love and laughter,
Sing of freedom to live in peace,
And there shall be no more crying,
Only joy that will never cease.
****************************************

I think half of the congregation was crying after we finished singing.

Ya'll asked for it - Here it is......

For the fans of my latest dessert, here is the recipe. My mom has to get the credit here - she's made this for our family for as long as I can remember

German Chocolate Pies
2 uncooked pie crusts
11/4 cup sugar
1 stick butter or margerine
2 TBSP flour
1 bar German Chocolate bar
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup angel flake coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Cream sugar and butter. Melt chocolate over low heat. Add eggs to first mixture and mix well. Gradually add milk. Stir in remaining ingredients. Divide mixture into 2 uncooked pastry shells. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325. Bake 20 minutes longer. Let cool.
Great with vanilla ice cream or cool whip.

Yummmmmmmmmmm.........

OK, so the rule is, if I give a recipe, you need to leave one. I'll take anything - sweets, savories, etc. Just no broccoli!