Annual Blueberry Expedition

Every year, we go to the Missouri Highland Farm out on 179, outside of Jamestown, MO. The route we take brings us right alongside the river and we did see some flooding, though not extensive. Mostly some creeks leaving their banks and some low areas along the river. Sandy Hook and Marion are right on the river and experiencing mild flooding. NOAA would call it "moderate" flooding.

The farm hit upon hard times last year due to the late freeze, but this year they were absolutely swamped with blueberry pickers and the bushes hung heavy with ripe juicy berries. In all, we managed to pick about 4 gallons of blueberries and that was quite an achievement considering how many were eaten and thrown at each other.

Here, we see the fruits of our labor. Literally. This recipe came from Deborah Madisons "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone". Blueberry cobbler is always perfect with a scoop or two of vanilla icecream. The kids are really more chocolate hounds than cobbler eaters, but we did get Bryce to try some. He liked it. Milo got a little taste, too.

Nick Malgieri is my boyfriend!

I've discovered "Chocolate" by Nick Malgieri at my local library. I don't normally consider the recipe book collection of the sort that holds the best and brightest from the culinary realm, but this Malgieri must be an anomaly in that collection. He's apparently written a few other books, one called "How to Bake" and another couple about pastries and Italian desserts. I'll be looking for those, I'm sure. This chocolate book, however, is rapidly becoming something akin to a bible in my life. I've only worked through a couple of recipes, but I'm already in love.

The results have been perfect every time. I've coaxed a glossy boiled frosting from egg whites and sugar. I've baked a very basic French chocolate cake. In his recipes, he very matter-of-factly explains how to make things like brioche, chocolate "plastic", and gelato. All of it gloriously chocolate and amazingly simple. I leaf through this book and can almost taste these things as I read the recipes. It's like a very calm and relaxed Italian man suddenly arrived in my kitchen and began explaining all the mysteries of my deepest and darkest love, chocolate. I have ambitious plans to make the frozen chocolate mousse and the florentines very soon, before I have to return the book. My next paycheck may be devoted to acquiring "Chocolate" by Nick Malgieri. Nick, my friend, I adore you! You've given this chocolate gal a lovely gift.

Haaaappy...Faaaathers...Day...to...you...

I dedicate this post to my long suffering and loving husband who puts up with all the crying, shouting, pouting, puppy messes, and my occassional meltdowns, too. Surely the kids will look back on these days and appreciate all the careful removals of ticks from genitalia, the judicious application of band-aids, how you listen carefully even to the most obscure yu-gi-oh! trivia with great interest, your gentle way of reminding them to be good to each other. You've started to get the hang of raising a passionately independent little girl and I know it hasn't been easy for you. Overall, I think we're raising some sweet, smart, and beautiful kids together. You're my best friend, you keep me sane, and you make me feel like all the craziness is worth it. I am dreaming of the day when we are alone together in an empty nest. You'll be a daddy then and forever more, but I still want you all to myself again.

A plate full of chocolate buttermilk cupcakes with boiled frosting may not be precisely what you wanted or needed for father's day, but it was the best I could do today. I love you and I hope that you always feel how much and how well you are loved by all of us.

fluffy, orangey, luscious

Oh yeah, baby! Got my confectionary mojo working! You should see Olivia stuff one of these in her mouth. She clearly has her mother's hedonistic gene. These fluffy delicious babies happened early Saturday morning. The gelatin bloomed in orange mango juice and was whipped with the usual hot syrup. Toward the end of the brutal 14 minute whipping session, I threw in a teaspoon triple sec. Owwwch!

when life gives you rotten bananas...

Tomorrow is our monthly snack day at work and it just so happens I have a basket full of rotting bananas sitting on my buffet. So, I do just what any sensible woman would do and make banana muffins. I threw together a little glaze with key lime juice, powdered sugar, and a sprinkle of green decorative sugar for color. They're finally packed away safely.
They aren't much to look at, but the combination of lime and banana is quite nice. My husband keeps eating them! He's depleting my supply!