I Made Lemon Whoopie Pies!

I knew that there must be a way to make Lemon Whoopie Pies. However, when searching on line for a recipe, I only found one; and it didn't look like it would come out the way that I wanted. So, I compared the recipe to regular whoopie pie recipes and made my own recipe. The cookies were lemon flavored as was the filling. The first batch was a trial run and from the experience I was able to see which parts need some tweaking.

These did taste yummy, but I can do better- next time.

On my last post, I wrote about reading The Selected Journals of L. M. Montgomery. So far, I've read Volume II and I am reading Volume IV now and I have Volume V for later. The other two Volumes I haven't read only because I don't have them in my possession. I have yet to find Volumes: I and III in hardcover at a reasonable price. If you're a fan of her literature these are very insightful with regards to her inspiration. You'd also like to read them if you're at all interested in history.

What I like about these books most is not just the interesting parts from history but also it has the essense of "If I knew then, what I know now" sort of insight. The first journal begins when she was a teenager and the other volumes go on well into adulthood allowing the reader to see her emotional growth. When reading her journals, it's like sitting with an elder next door neighbor over tea and having them tell you about their experiences and learning from them.

When she wrote about the loss of a beloved pet, it made me feel like it was okay to mourn so deeply. So, in a lot of ways, I am grateful to have these books (as a fan) and even more grateful ( as a lady) that she had the insight to write so diligently throughout her life, with the intent to have her journals published.

Okay, in other news, now I am on the final stages of finishing a quilt that I'm building for a nephew who'll be arriving in the fall. When that is finished, I'll post a picture of it. Until then~ Toodaloo!

Merlin Is Depressed

Poor kit cat. I wondered how the loss of Brandy would affect Merlin. Just last week, he started acting peculiarly. I think it finally occured to him that our Puppy Love was gone. He kept sneaking outside ( he's an indoor cat) and into the attic or in the cellar. I think that he was searching for his pal. So, I gave him some treats today, and I am going to find some herbs at the health food store to sprinkle on his food. I researched online and found suggestions on how to alleviate his melancholy.
I was reading Volume IV of The Select Journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery in one of her first entries she wrote about the family dog having died. She and her little boy, Stuart, were heartbroken. She asked whether or not it was worth it to love creatures so much, if your heart could break so harshly ( I'm paraphrasing, here) . Then, she came to the conclusion that it was worth it in the long run, to had been able to know the dog, and play and love it at all was a joy. She wrote about her pet cats, she had a lot throughout her life. She loved her cats, dearly and often included cat- human relationships in her novels. As funny as some of her stories about her cats were, it was tragically heart wrenching to read her words of sorrow after the death of one of her beloved cats.

I think Merlin, will come around, with extra treats and kisses, he'll recover as we all must do. I believe, that in a few weeks time, he'll start to put on weight, and by October, he'll be a bit of a "butterball." I guess, I'll have to wait and see. Until next time~ Toodaloo!

Hot, Yucky, Hot!

I don't have a photo, because I am too hot to take one and too hot to load one on. However, I thought that I should post something since it has been a long time from my last posting.
it is hot in New England! I don't mind the heat, but the humidity is nasty! It's thighs sticking to vinyl hot and I'm not liking it! Also, there seems to be some sort of pervy conspiracy against women in the summer. Meaning, we're hard pressed to find moderately priced- weather appropriate clothing that doesn't scream "Hey, film Me on the beach at Spring Break for Girls With Low Self- Esteem!" ( I love the show Arrested Developement)

I mean really, yes I am hot (temperature wise), but that doesn't mean I want people to think that I am HOT or that I am trying to look so. Sometimes, the world makes me feel like some ditz popping up in the corn field, telling a corny joke a la Hee- Haw. When really, I just want to be comfortable. Instead, I have to exchange physical comfort for emotional discomfort. As a result, I stay home on those days; on hot days when I need to go somewhere, I wear skirts.

Unfortunately, since the weather has been so sweltering, I haven't done laundry. Now, I don't have weather appropriate skirts clean. So, I'm wearing shorts so short I could be in a 1970's Nair ad and I actually need to venture out today. I think that most people will understand the appropriateness of my garm, and not pay too much attention. Mostly, people have their own lives to worry about and since I am, otherwise, dressed conservatively, they won't notice me at all. I'll just blend in with all the other gals who were forced into the same predicament. I think that our culture should create a fair balance and force men to dress like Carrot Top; then I wouldn't be so annoyed. When the thermometer reads 72 degrees F. in the day time, I'll post again. Until then~ Toodaloo!

You Will Be In My Heart- Always!

One week ago, today, I experienced the greatest sadness of my life. My sweet puppy love, my "honey-child-sister-friend," passed away. For the passed six months, she wasn't herself and she was very elderly for a dog. To say that she was a loyal companion would not only be a huge understatement, it would almost be an insult to her legacy.

We adopted her when I was seventeen years old. Every day, when I came home from school, she was always there to greet me. Which helped my lonely teenage heart after having all of my siblings grow up and move out. When I packed all of my belongings up for college, I sat with her and another pup we had, then, and I explained to her why I was leaving. I told her where I'd be and that I'd always come back. I expressed how much I wished she could go with me, but that, she'd be unhappy living in a tiny dorm room. After the first week, I had a crying fit, because I was homesick for my puppy. Whenever I'd come home to visit, she was at the door to greet me. Sometimes, she even came for the ride to pick me up- she loved car rides.

When I had finished college, I lived at home again and she and I did everything together. I never went for a walk without her. Then, I went away for work and moved to another state. I missed her. A life without her involved in it made me homesick. When I did come back home, she was there to greet me. Then, I got very sick and she took care of me while I was home. Then I went away, out of state, to have surgery and to remain for treatment. I was homesick for Brandy those two weeks. When I came home, she was there to greet me. I don't think I ever saw her more excited, nor give me so many kisses as when I came home that day.

After that day, she never left my side. She slept with me every night. She closely guarded my bedroom door so that only she would allow those whom she deemed safe to enter in. She took me for walks and helped me gain my balance back. She was my physical therapist, in a way. She always knew when a walk was about to happen, even before I began the riual of preparation. She had an uncanny way of knowing what I was thinking.

When I began work again, I'd come home from school and she would be at the door to greet me. Now, she is in a better place. I take comfort in knowing, that I was there when she went; with the sun shining on her face, the soft grass under her belly and the fresh air and sounds of chirping birds swirling around her. I know she felt loved, and I know she loved me. Now, I am homesick again, but I feel that some day, when I come home, she'll be there to greet me. Until next time~Toodaloo!

It's Fathers Day!

I have not posted for a while, as life has been busy, dreadful, heartbreaking, and I've needed time to mend myself. I'll give more details and a proper post on certain subjects another time. Today, however, is all about Dad.
Yesterday was such a warm day here and I was rushing around getting things done, but still taking time to hang. I went with my Pappy to visit my grandparents; my Grampa cracks me up. I never leave his home without laughing. After the visit, I rushed home to clean the house before my sister arrived with her boys.
Then, I made a carrot cake, from a mix, to which I added freshly grated carrots and extra cinnamon. I used a store bought cream cheese frosting ( geesh, I should have added extra cream cheese to that). My Pappy loved the cake, and thought it was homemade- I fessed up though. We had a fun dinner with burgers, brats, and macaroni salad from a recipe that my Mom made when we were kids.
So, tonight, I'll make pizza from scratch and have a low key dinner.
Can I just say, I have really fantastic parents! My situation in life is very different from my peers, so the fact that I'm still at home makes perfect sense when the details are understood. I really do enjoy doing nice things for my parents on a regular basis so that they know how much I appreciate them. However, I do like to do more on holidays. It's nice when my siblings are able to be there too, it just makes it more special.
I've been extremely blessed when it comes to my friends and family. Not all of my friends have the same connection to their parents that I have with mine. My parents are funny, loving, forgiving, patient, and tremendously kind. They are both tremendously thoughtful too. Like I said, I'm blessed.
I like to think that because I have the parents that I have, I have the kind of friends that I have. The way that my parents raised me, made me to be the person who attracts the friendships that I've had for over a decade (or two). To have my friends and siblings is a huge blessing, but it's an even greater blessing to be a friend and a sibling. So, A Super Duper Fathers Day to You!
Until Next Time ~Toodaloo!

It's Sunny Outside!

So, I have not posted for a while. Everyday life and stuff has had me occupied. I've begun work on a quilt for my sister and I even managed to make a shoulder bag. I think that handbags are fun and cute, but they are not always practical. I saw my summer coming up before me and in it I saw myself running around to the park, the lake, the library, the store, etc. To be honest a handbag is something that once you take it with you, you're constantly aware of it, because you need to keep a strong hold of it.
So, I made a shoulder bag out of a few pairs of old corduruoy pants, an old shirt of my Dad's and a fabric package that some bed sheets came in. It is large, but not too large, it sturdy. With pockets, so everything is neatly organized. I have room to hold extras, like a book or a sandwich. Also, it has a front flap to cover everything up. Now, I have a bag that holds everything that I need and I feel secure with it. I know that it will stay on me. I won't need to constantly shift the strap/handle, and I'll never worry about forgetting it anywhere.
So, I am very happy with the endeavor. Soon, school will be coming to a close- so that is a time saver. For the most part though, I've been so busy that by the end of the day, I am whiped out! However, here's a delicious lemon tart....BBC America has been running old episodes of Doctor Who. So, my afternoons are very fun and relaxing. Also, the garden is starting to really grow and this year my peony has four flowers! Each year it gets bigger and produces more flowers. I can't wait for them to open, they'll be so pretty. When they do, I'll post some photos. Until next time! ~Toodaloo!

Wish I Was There!

Well, let me see.... a while back, when I was building my mothers quilt, my sewing machine broke on me. As I was sewing away, a wheel went flying rapidly through the air. I was bummed for sure; luckily, I was only putting on the edging. Hence, sandwiching the quilt. So, I was able to do the rest by hand. So, this weekend, I treated myself to a new sewing machine that was on sale. I purchased a Brother- Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine. It is nifty! I has all of these stitches that it can do, it embroiders, cross stitches, does automatic button holes, and it self- threads its needle! Oh, this new toy will bring so much fun to my crafts and I will not get as frustrated on this machine. My other machine, my trusty Singer, I've had since college. I was taking a costume design class, which required sewing. I got the machine as a Christmas gift and I've used it a lot over the years. I do hope that it can be fixed so that I have a back-up machine. At any rate, this summer, I hope to have fun with my machine.

I watched Hamlet the other night- it was FANTASTIC! Patrick Stewart was down right evil in this movie! It was very fun to watch.

Today absolutely must be a day of relaxation and pampering. I think a cappucino is needed as well as a good home manicure. On the plus side, it's sunny with cheerful birds chirping. Although, I do wish to be at the beach today, or rather on the coast. The salt air would do my heart some good. Puppy is getting older rapidly and she is having troubles which saddens me greatly. One some days she is terribly sick and depressed and other days she's her lively self. It's hard though, we're connected to each other like "Elliott" and "E.T."

So, a little sprucing up of myself and a treat from Ladytoesocks' cafe and I'll be fabulous! Until then~ Toodaloo!

Sunshine!

What a fantastic Spring morning this has been! It is so nice to open all of the windows and let the fresh air breeze throught the house. This morning, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and it is so easy to be in a great mood.
Today is Cinqo de Mayo, so I'll be having homemade burritos tonight.Today, however, I'll be making lemon bars. Last weekend, I made delicious coffee bars. Have you ever had those? It is something my mother used to make when I was a kid and I always loved opening my Cabbage Patch Kid lunch box after a Bewitched re-run and finding a coffee bar. The moment brightened my, otherwise, boring day at the babysitters. So, Saturday, I found a good recipe online and made some. Lately though, I've been craving a lot of citrus food. On Sunday, I made a lemon meringue pie. That is gone now, and so are the bars. So, today the lemon bars will do.
So, this weekend is mothers day and I'll be celebrating with my sisters and Mum. I'm making my traditional fancy pants meal and dessert. I'm making an herb garden as a gift for my Mum. I'm putting it near the back steps. She'll love that!
Also, here is something exciting! The other night, I couldn't sleep. So, while channel surfing in the wee hours of the morning, I stumbled on a man on PBS who looked like David Tennant- but didn't sound like him. I looked at him for a while and it occured to me that it was David Tennant. That it was Hamlet that I was watching. I remembered reading that he spoke with an English accent for the role. So, I watched it. It was fanatastic- he's a great actor. Guess who else was in it....Patrick Stewart! Yes," Cpt. Jean Luc Piccard" and "Doctor Who" as "Claudius" and "Hamlet!" I giggle, snort, and shift my glasses as I speak! Well, the movie was long; by 3:00 a.m. there was an intermission, and I hoped the show would be continued until another night. However, it kept going and I knew that if I continued on I'd be up until 5:00 am. So, at 3:30 a.m. I turned of the tv, defeated. So- I preordered it on Walmart.com and it will be arriving in a few days. When it comes, Brandy and I will lock ourselves in our cave armed with coffee, a bowl of popcorn and an adult diaper and we won't be seen until sunset. We can hardly wait! Until next time~ Toodaloo!

It's Raining!

So, yet again, it is raining. This season has had some rather, unusual weather. It makes me wonder what the summer will bring. I looked out the window to find that the trees now have leaves! I am not exactly sure when this occured, since when I took Brandy for a walk, just the other day, the trees were still budding. Perhaps, the buds were larger than I observed them to be. However, there are most certainly leaves on the trees. They are not completely open, and I am sure the rain is putting a damper on their progress. I forget how soon May will be here, so I guess it makes sense. I rarely go outside, so it's easy for me to lose track of time.

The birthday gathering came and went on Saturday. Kids were running around everywhere and the normal chaos that ensues with 10 year olds came my way. I did make a yummy hamburger cake, as promised.

I made the tomatoes out of gelatin and the shredded lettuce was tinted coconut. The sesame seeds were miniature marshmallows that had been cut in half. I used tinted frosting for the mustard and tinted strawberry jam was used for barbecue sauce. The bun was a butter cake and the burger was a devils food cake. It was yummy and it made me laugh everytime I looked at it. The kids got a kick out of it too!

I also made some yummy caramel apples. By the time I took this picture, the caramel had slumped off of the apples. I wish I'd taken a picture directly after I made them. Unfortunately, I was doing so many things that morning, in preparations, that taking a picture slipped from my mind.

Other than that, I've been working on a painting off and on since the weekend, and I hope to finish it soon. I may show a picture of it when I'm done, then again, maybe I won't? Until then~ Toodaloo!

Judy Blume and Other Things

'Tis late in the evening and realized that I neglected to talk about Judy Blume in my previous post, which is silly of me, considering. Then again, considering the title of my post, it stands to reason that I am a bit absent minded.
I should be sleeping, as I am tired and I have a busy morning ahead of me tomorrow. I felt that I needed to write about some of my favorite childrens book authors. For some strange reason, I have always confused Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. I'm not sure why that is, but to this day, I still confuse them.
I know that Beverly Cleary wrote the "Ramona" books, while Judy Blume wrote books like "Blubber." Perhaps, I confuse them because they both had young girls as the major characters and they wrote for similar audiences. However, I think that if you read their books as an adult, you'll find bigger differences.
I never read the "Margaret" book that Judy Blume wrote. In fact, I think that a lot of her books I shyed away from as a young girl, because I was a bit skiddish about the subject matter of them. Last summer, my library was having book sales all throughout the summer. During one of these sales I grabbed the book "Blubber" and after reading it, I really wished I'd read it when I was a young lass. I'm not sure why girls act like they, sometimes, do. I think that everyone should read the book. It is odd, the movie, Mean Girls shows how girls behave when they are put together. When you watch the movie, you're sort of glad that you're out of high school. Then, you turn on the tv, and Bravo has they're own version in the form of the series Real Housewives. Oddly, a lot of the women on the show are single and I'm pretty sure they spend more time at parties than at home. At least, that is the bulk of what is shown- parties, fashion shows, and cocktail hour with the ladies. I guess the kids are with the nanny. So, that may not be what they do when the cameras are gone, and I'm sure the show is editted that way. I guess somebody thinks that seeing cat fighting at a party is more interesting than seeing these women actually being housewives.
At any rate, it's hard seeing grown women behave that way, and I wish they would all get a copy of "Blubber." I think that it would make them be better people. Maybe it's easy to revert back to behaving the way we did when we were kids. However, when you're an adult, with an adult heart and you read that book- everything comes back to mind. All the awful stuff you endured as a kid. It's harder as a grown-up reading that book, because we've all been there. The thing is, it reminds even the kindest heart to try harder. That's my thoughts. Until next time~ Toodaloo!

Are You There Sanity? It's Me, Ladytoesocks.

This title has been whirling through my head for the passed few months. This week is vacation week. I am not going away for the week, exactly. Instead, I am going back to Me! Today, I have dedicated the day to cleaning. I mean, clearing away all of the laundry, dusting, wiping down dirty surfaces, sweeping and washing floors.

This doesn't sound like much of a vacation, I know. However, it is very uplifting to remove all physical and tactile debris in order to emotionally and mentally relax. The rest of the week will be free for me to do low maintanance work. That way, I can dedicate my week to doing what I love to do. I will read lots of L.M. Montgomery books, I'll paint, I'll make sculptures, I'll bake, and I have cappucino while watching Steven & Chris.

I don't have any particular images for this post. So, I'm showing some garden photos from my garden. I think these pictures are cheerful, and evoke the feeling of Spring and Summer.

Later this week, I'll be hosting a birthday party for my nephew. I'm going with a carnival theme. I'll post about that when the time comes. Until then.~ Toodaloo!