Tuesday's with Dorie: Banana Coconut Ice Cream Pie

This week's dessert, chosen by Spike of Spike Bakes, was very easy to make.  The only cooking or baking involved was browning the coconut in butter.  Usually I am a fan of coconut, but I thought it was really overpowering in this recipe.  Also, the addition of the banana mixed with the ice cream should be left out.  In my opinion, it made the chocolate ice cream taste funny.  Maybe that's why Dorie calls for lemon juice and rum to be added to the mix.  I left out the rum and used lime juice since  I didn't have any lemons.  I couldn't taste it anyway.  The bananas on top, however, were a great addition.  

To sum it up, if I were to make this recipe again, I would change the crust and leave out mixing in a banana with the ice cream.  My family and I still enjoyed it, but it wasn't one of our favorites.  

Please stop by Spike Bakes to see how her version turned out, and to get the recipe.  Of course, to get this recipe and many others, you can always buy the book Baking: From My Home to Yours.  I highly recommend it!

Arizona

I find it outrageous that President Obama, regarding the new Arizona law, said, “If you are a Hispanic-American in Arizona, your great-grandparents may have been there before Arizona was even a state. But now suddenly, if you don’t have your papers and you took your kid out to get ice cream, you’re gonna be harassed. That’s something that could potentially happen. That’s not the right way to go.”

That is not true.  A police officer can only ask for proof of citizenship if you are breaking the law (in another way, besides being here illegally).  Of course, as I heard someone explain it, there is some definite liberal-progressive logic behind the president's argument.  Since the president has described himself as a progressive, I'll just assume that this is what he was thinking:

Progressives are trying to outlaw unhealthy food like the bill in NYC proposing to ban any use of salt in restaurants.  The First Lady herself is concerned about childhood obesity and "food deserts".  So, in the President's forward-thinking mind, it will eventually be illegal to to eat at unhealthy, fattening ice-cream parlors.  In that case, the police would have every right to ask for your citizenship status.  See, it's perfectly logical!

Palmetto State Park

This weekend we went to Palmetto State Park with a bunch of  people from our old ward.  It's a nice place to camp and only an hour outside of San Antonio.

YouCut Vote Results

The measure to cut the 2.4 BILLION dollar (per year) welfare program that was reinstalled in 2009 was voted down 177-240.  The number of Republicans to Democrats to Republicans in the House of Representatives is 177-255.  

#1

#2

Both parties have been terrible spenders in the past, but it seems like the Republicans are starting to make an effort to listen to the American people and cut spending.  Although, I would still look at their past record before voting any of them back into office.  If you haven't cared about politics before, you need to start.  No matter which party you belong to, or if you are an Independent, you need to think of yourself as an American first.

#3

Please, please go to the YouCut website and cast your vote for a program that you think should be cut.  This opportunity will occur weekly.  It is so easy and it is a way for Congress to hear our voice.  If they ignore it, they should be voted out starting this year.  They are there to serve the people, not their own ideology.

Now about the pictures.  They do tie in, I promise.  I put them up there to hopefully increase your curiosity.  (I know lots of people shy away as soon as politics are discussed.)  Two of them were taken in Rome and one in Athens.  Unlike the picture I posted a couple of weeks ago of my family by the Great Wall of China, these pictures are real.  :)

Picture #1  We were on a tour in Rome, and I was really struck how this ruin was once a grandiose and beautiful palace.  Seriously, the place used to be HUGE and the halls were filled with marble.  As I touched the walls a scripture from the New Testament came to mind:  Matthew 6:20-21 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

All that wealth and they couldn't take it with them.  Now it is a ruin where people take tours.  The entire Roman Empire was once vast, wealthy, and well-run.  What finally brought them to ruin?  They lost their moral fiber, they became an indulgent and lazy people and (drumroll please) their debt.  Oh, the parallels are frightening.

Picture #2.  I just thought you'd like to see a "real"picture of Rome.  :)

Picture #3.   We went to Greece in December of 2008.  Just before we left, there were news reports of riots in the streets of Athens, and we were a bit concerned.  We decided we could chance it, leave the safety of our ship, and take a tour.  It wasn't bad.  We didn't see any riots, but...we did see a store, or rather, a hole where a store used to be before it was COMPLETELY destroyed by protesters.  Our tour guide acted nonchalant and told us that we (the Greeks) never agree and that it was just democracy--you know, people expressing their opinion.  What? That was just the beginning for Greece.  Look at them now.

Are we like the people on the Titanic saying, "This is the Titanic [America] she can never sink"? 1 It's time for us to realize that yes we can.  We need to be informed, get involved and, pray for help.

1 I believe I heard this analogy on the Glenn Beck radio program.

Milestones

Erik has begun potty training.  I was surprised to learn (for the majority of the time) he knows when he needs to go and he can hold it too.  He' growing up so fast!

Erik in his THICK training underwear.

Jonathan has reached a couple of milestones too.  He passed off his first five books:  Zac the Rat, Peg the Hen, The Big Hit, Mox's Shop and Gus the Duck.  He's also learning the Fry Word List.  I was pleased in church a few weeks ago when he grabbed a hymn book, opened up to a random page and started finding the fry words he had learned.

Our conversation went something like this:

Jonathan:  Look Mommy!  The! To! And! Of!  (Over and over.)
Me: That's right!  Good job!
Jonathan:  It's the words just like on the computer.
Me: You're right!

It was a big "ah-ha" moment for him.

He earned $.50 for reading each book on his own and $1.00 when he completed all five books.  Money is a big motivator for him.  He likes purchasing power money brings.  Plus, anytime he wants this or that  at the store I tell him how much it costs and that he can save his money for it.  The first thing he purchased with his reading money was a lock box that holds keys.  He is so obsessed with locks and keys!  

Jonathan also completed his first round of gymnastics.  It wasn't easy getting good pictures since he was in motion, and I am no photographer by any stretch of the imagination, but I want to post them anyway for memory's sake.

Stretching out 

Preparing to to a handstand

Preparing to learn back handsprings 

'

Handstand (his toes should be higher)

 

Forward Roll

Rings

Walking backwards

Getting his certificate of completion and ribbon from his coach.

Ta-da!

Tuesday's with Dorie: Apple-Apple Bread Pudding

Apple-Apple Bread Pudding just out of the oven.

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a scientist or an inventor.  I remember when I was about four years old, I took a piece of white bread and, determined to invent something, anything, I squished it into a ball.  Disappointed that nothing grandiose came from my work, I wondered how people invented things.

Now, as I am learning to bake, I marvel that the same basic ingredients are used over and over again to make new and delightful desserts.  Milk, butter, salt, vanilla, eggs, flour--these are stirred, mixed, cooked and baked in different ways that produce something that will make your mouth sing.  Sometimes less frequent ingredients enter into the mix like bread, for example.  

If I had only know early on in life how bakers combine these same ingredients in different way to create (or invent) new desserts, maybe by now I would be taking that same white bread that I crumpled into a ball and making it into my own, never-tried-before bread pudding.  

Instead, I am content to learn from Dorie and her vast array of dessert recipes how to make these treats.  No inventing for me.  Not yet anyway!

I'd have to say it tastes pretty good--kind of like French toast, but with chunks of apples.

Please head over to Elizabeth of Cake or Death to see the amazingly beautiful outcome of her bread pudding and for the recipe!

YouCut Update

I signed up on the YouCut website to receive emails so I could follow what was happening more closely.  I copied this next paragraph from the email I received today.


YouCut
Over a quarter of a million votes have been cast to reduce wasteful Washington spending since the launch of YouCut last week. Due to the unprecedented participation, YouCut voting for this week’s spending cut will be extended 24 hours. Cast your vote here:http://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut


Spread the word! I figure one of two things will happen: 1) a wasteful programs
will be cut or 2) the public will be ignored which will result in higher election turnout and politicians who do not listen to the public will be voted out of office.  Seems like a win-win situation to me.
GO VOTE!

YouCut: Vote!

Think congressional spending is out of control in this country?  Then take a moment to check out the YOUCUT website by clicking here.  Republican Whip, Eric Cantor, has given the public the option of voting on programs that they think should be cut.  At the end of the week, the votes will be tallied and the program to be cut will be submitted for an up or down vote.  Every week there will be new programs to vote for.  Here are the five options for this week:

1) Presidential Election Fund
2) Taxpayer Subsidized Union Activites
3) HUD Program for Doctoral Dissertations
4) New Non-Reformed Welfare Program
5) Eliminate Wealthier Communities from CDBG

Each program has a short description on the website.  All you have to do is click the VOTE button next to the program that you choose.  A window will pop up and you will need to enter your email address and click "Cast Your Vote."  It's that simple.   Now go do it and then spread the word!

San Antonio Zoo

On Monday, the boys and I went to the zoo with our friends.  The San Antonio Zoo is really kid-friendly.  

In addition to a petting zoo, the had this little building with activities like fishing, a play place and "beach" with a small stream.

At this zoo, they had a butterfly house.  I'd never been it one before.  It was awesome!

The butterfly below had beautiful, bright-blue wings on the inside.  When it flew, it fluttered its wings so fast it was hard to get a decent picture.  When it landed, it closed its wings and looked quite ordinary on the outside.

The rest of the animals we saw included:

Mr. Bear

Multiple Pink Flamingos

Birds of All Kinds

Monkeys

Oh, wait.  No, these are the monkeys.  :)

A Big Old Turtle

Down-under Kangaroos

Mr. "Friendly" the Hippo

and many, many more!  What a fun day it was.

Tuesday's with Dorie: Quick Classic Berry Tart

I've been looking forward to this post for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I had my eye on the Quick Classic Berry Tart thinking that I would make it sometime this summer even if it wasn't chosen because it looked so delicious.  Secondly, Cristine of Cooking with Cristine is the reason I joined this group.  I don't even remember how I stumbled upon her blog, but it was the week of the Dimply Plum Cake.  I was very intrigued as soon learned about the TWD group and decided to join.

If you haven't already been to Cristine's blog (she's on my RSS feed), you need to check it out.  We actually lived in Germany at the same time although our husbands we stationed at different bases.  I was always amazed that she consistently posted recipes on her blog daily even though she was busy with two young children (about the same ages as mine) and her husband was deployed.  That was always so inspiring to me.  Best of all, she always has something delicious posted!

Now, on the the tart.  It wasn't difficult to make, but I wouldn't call it "quick."  The part that takes the longest is the crust simply because it has to be frozen for 30 minutes, baked for another 30 and then cooled.  Add in actually making the crust and you are looking at at least an hour and a half.  During the freezing and baking, you can easily prepare the rest of the tart.

First prepare the crust:

Next, make the pastry filling:

Then prepare the berries and the glaze:

Assemble the tart--you can either enjoy it immediately or after it has been refrigerated.  Either way the tart is fantastic.  I actually prefer it after it has cooled in the refrigerator and has had a chance to settle.  It just seems like the flavors are enhanced after having a chance to sit.

Thanks, Cristine, for choosing this recipe!  Be sure to stop by her blog for the recipe.