Friday, April 9, 2010

Determination

I am going to plant my garden this weekend.

I am going to rescue my tomato plants... the ones which have way overgrown their peat pots.

I am determined.

If I don't... then... well... failure is not an option. I just will.


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Free Friday: On tax day, from 6-8pm, get free Cinnabon Bites from Cinnabon.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Successes Return

FaithButton

1. Lost three pounds this week (despite the pies, cookies, candy and other leftover Easter treats!). Praise the Lord!

2. Did our taxes. (a whole week before they're due, no less)

3. Thanks to my sister-in-law (I hate shopping... but I really hate shopping alone), I bought several new outfits. I tend to find something that works and get it in multiple colors, but each outfit has been noticed and praised by my dear husband. Happiness!

Check out others' small successes and share your own this week at Faith & Family Live!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Tax Hopes

 I simultaneously get a thrill and a terror-filled chill when I do our taxes.

I love how the programs for online filing will keep the running tab of payment/refund in the top right corner.

"$488" in the black. Woohoo!! Enter another W-2.

"$92" in the red. Ick. Enter a 1098-E

"$247" in the black. Yay! Enter another W-2

"$193" in the red. No!!

I have a few more forms to enter. And I'll wait with baited breath to see who wins the number ping-pong... red or black.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Kumquat Pie

Tasty Tuesday
Grab the button here and come join us, or just link to another site with a recipe you're going to try... or post a recipe in the comments!

We hosted Easter for my husband's family at our house this year. It was my first time hosting the whole crowd and I was a little nervous.

As a general rule I don't try out new recipes on guests. Kumquat Pie is a new one for me, but it was a risk I was willing to make.

What is a kumquat? As you can see, it's a really tiny orangey citrus fruit, consumed peel and all (though sometimes there are seeds). It's very tart, so the effect is kind of key lime pie-ish.

Where do you get a kumquat? Well... if you're my Aunt Penny you can go in your backyard and get 'em off the tree. But if you're not so lucky as to have a kumquat tree (bush), then they may or may not be in your grocery store (they certainly won't have a large display for them). Maybe you've never seen them before, but maybe you've never looked. If the grocery store has organic parsley, it probably has kumquats.

I made three pies (and asparagus, grilled beef tenderloin, grilled spareribs +family potluck for side dishes). Coconut cream pie, sweet potato pie, and kumquat pie.

The coconut cream pie was rich, decadent, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth amazing.

My piping skillz are mad.

The sweet potato pie was piled high with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon -- just the way I like it.

But the one still being talked about is the kumquat pie. So without further ado:

Kumquat Refrigerator Pie
Source: Adapted from Tasty Kitchen

For the crust:
  • 1 1/2 sleeves graham crackers
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 6 Tbsp. butter
For the pie:
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 3 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 8 ounces, Package Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
  • ⅓ cups Pureed Kumquats (seeded)
  • 14 ounces, weight Can Condensed Milk
  • 1 whole Lemon, Juiced
  • 1 whole Lime, Juiced
  • 1 whole Orange, Juiced
For the topping:
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 3 Tablespoons Sugar

1. Blend, pound, pulverize or otherwise crumb-up 1 1/2 sleeves of graham crackers. In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press evenly into a deep dish 9" pie plate. Bake in a 350 oven for 7-12 minutes, or until golden. Set aside to cool. (Or buy a ready-made one, but really... why bother? It's so easy to make).
2. Beat the cream and sugar with an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy, and holds its shape well. In a separate bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese, kumquat rinds, milk, and juices until well combined. Now add the fluffy whipped cream and beat until it is well incorporated. Scoop the filling into the cooled pie shell. Refrigerate overnight before decorating with the additional whipped cream and then serving.
3. Prepare to hear your sister-in-law say, "I think they serve that kumquat pie in heaven."

Monday, April 5, 2010

Confident Requests

Happy Easter!! He is Risen, Alleluia!

When your marriage has God as the foundation, the center and the goal, it does so truly image the love of Christ for His Church. I'm so often amazed by this -- learning more about God through my relationship with my husband.

There are a million diverse instances of this. It's so so beautiful I want to cry for joy sometimes. I'll take just one "for instance."

It was Holy Thursday. My husband was working hard on the farm and I was busily throwing last-second things together for the family-wide Seder (graciously hosted by my sister-in-law).

Call #1: "Sweetness, could you bring some extra chairs?" "Sure thing."
Call #2: "Dearest, can you pick up some wine for tonight?" "Absolutely."
Call #3: "Darling, we don't have any matzoh... can you pick some up?" "You bet."

It was then discovered that one of the family friends (who can't drive) had not been picked up. Everybody was coming from different parts of town and nobody particularly wanted to drive to get her.

With absolute confidence I picked up the phone:

Call #4: "My love, are you still at the store? Would you mind picking her up?" "Not a problem."

I never doubted for a second that he would say "yes" to every request. He has a true servant's heart. He truly loves me. He wants every good thing for me. He loves doing acts of service for me.

No griping, no complaining, no hesitation, no "do it yourself." Just a loving cheerful, "yes."

Just so does Christ love His Church. He died for her, He rose for her, He serves her, He loves her. We should pray to our loving Savior, confident in his generosity; that he hears and loves us, and that if it be His gracious will, He will say "Yes."