I made this beautiful tart today for lunch.  It was so gorgeous, I couldn't wait to tear into it. So, a piece is missing from the back.  I don't care. I left the rest to share with you all!

Yes, it was delicious.  And the crust was great too.  And i think it cost me $5 to make. And I think it would serve at least 4.  Not too shabby for a weekend delicacy. 

I also made Cowboy Sandwiches but, I didn't take a picture of that because it is sort of uggg-ly and ordinary.  But, they are an absolute favorite in our house.

How to make it!

Yummy Leek Tart

1 bunch of leeks (tender parts sliced thinly-half moons)

1/2 cup cream or half and half

1 pinch nutmeg

1pinch salt

1pinch pepper

1 tbsp flour

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp oil

1 pkg puff pastry

1 egg

1 tsp water

1. Preheat oven 400F.  Slice the leeks. Bring the pastry to the counter to come to room temp.  Prepare it by unrolling the sheets and laying them flat on a baking sheet.  Prepare egg wash: 1 egg yolk and a spoonful of water mixed.

2. Combine butter and oil in pan.  Add leeks and cook until soft and bright green.

3. Add in flour and cook for about a minute. 

4. Add in cream and stir until thick. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

5. Spread on the prepared pastry.  Slice the remaining pastry into strips and run them diagonally going in both directions creating a lattice crust. Or just do whatever you like!  Brush with egg wash.

6. Bake at 400F for about 15 minutes. 

7. Cool. Take a picture. Post it here. Then serve it!

What a day!!! Happy 1sts Day!

Day of 1sts:

Middle school for the first time.  Riding the bus alone for the first time.  Cell phone for the first time. No mommy for the first time.

School by himself for the first time.  First time to change classes during the day.

1st Professional Haircut. :oD
Before

During

After

Eat your heart out! My baby is gorgeous!  He charmed the composure right out of those lady hair dressers.  Got himself a whole lot of attention, as always.  Distracted them from their work.  And he LOVES his handsome haircut. ♥

Wordless Wednesday

Circus Acrobats/ Gymnasts

The boys and girl have been having personalized gymnastics sessions this entire week.  So when we went to see Ringling Bros this morning, it only ignited a small fire for tumbling and risk taking.  Here is what my circus acrobats were doing all afternoon. Action shot of somersaults and costume change. 

But, I have to tell you that I had not been to the circus in at least 30 years.  At least, the last I remember going I was VERY young and I can't remember my baby sis with me.  So at least 30 and I am stickin to that story.

Anyway, it was so much FUN! Outrageously expensive for concessions but, the show itself was GREAT! All the kids loved it.  I hope the boys don't try the flaming guy cannon ball or the high wire act. That could be a bad thing in this house.

I wish I had taken my camera but, I didn't know if they would allow it in or not. They would :( So I missed out on beautiful photos but, I did get to see the whole show. Yay!  This was the most fun I had all year long. I think the kids feel the same way.

Lunch Lesson

Kid3:If you are upset, you should eat something. Then you feel better.
Me:Yes, you do feel better if you eat but, if you are upset you should hug, pray, practice quiet time, or exercise.
Kid2:Because you should eat when you're hungry.
Me: Yes, and because if you are upset a lot you will have to eat a lot.
Kid1:And then you will get fat and be upset so you have to eat more. And end where you started.

I guess they don't need an emotional eating lecture. They have all got it down.

Healthy Pancakes?

This is what I made for myself this morning.  They are supposed to be healthy but, I don't know if they are or not.  They don't taste healthy (you know like cardboard with salt on top).  I loved them, not too sweet and super decadent for breakfast. I had two of these and they are so filling.  No syrup needed but, you can add it if you are drawn to maple syrup sin. :o)

There is no refined sugars. Minimal dairy. And lots of good stuff like whole wheat flour and raw oats, bananas, vanilla, an egg or flax instead (I didn't have any). I tried, I like them, my kids think they have too much banana flavor for pancakes. It is like eating a breakfast bar. The recipe says 3.5 pancakes is 400 cals but, I swear that 2 will be plenty for anyone. Gonna freeze the extras and eat them on my run days.

I will save some for my heart throb.  He left early today so he didn't get to try them.  ♥

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Snaps from our visit to HMNS. It was really a good time! Here is some of what we saw.

Don't you want to know what he was saying to little brother? Notice little brother stopping him? They had a discussion about this display. My little intellectuals.

The Four Most Important People

♥This is all I see.♥

Old Cherry Salsa

Every wonder what to do with those old cherries in the fridge that no one wants to eat because they are getting a little wrinkly? They aren't moldy or soft, they are just not show room shiny. They are like the middle aged cherry. :o( Okay, if you have wondered, then I have something you might like.

You guessed it.  I decided to make a salsa out of them. And you know that they are fresh and tasty and very satisfying in a salsa.  Go figure.  This is what it looks like once it has been lightly charred and whirred in the blender.

Hubby, please bring home some corn chips to eat with this.  I can't believe all I have in the pantry are those blasted Doritos. Ha!   There are all versions of recipes of salsas on line so I won't bother writing a recipe down. In fact, I think this one was a blend of 5 different web sites.  (I did put cilantro and tomatoes in it, I just didn't have any left over for the glam shot.) Salsa, is always done to taste anyway.

Isn't she lovely?

♥

 

Isn't she wonderful?

I'm thinking...I'm thinking...

Gosh I really wonder what he was thinking. I guess some things belong to the mind. Either way, I like this little snap shot of my big boy.  Right now he is pretty proud of his teeny tiny freckles.  You have to blow up the image to see them.  But, they are there and that makes all the difference to him.  That makes him unique and he likes that.

Congratulations!

Congratulations my Pink Princess!  Today I watched you walk across a stage into another phase of life. You always impress me and never cease to amaze.  It is nice that you look like me but, it is an even bigger blessing that you are as beautiful inside.  You are the girl I could never ever be.  I am so very proud of you.

Today is bitter sweet. I saw my daughter standing on these bleachers and I could imagine her as she graduates high school, college, grad school, etc. It all just flashed before my eyes.  Although, I see all that potential, I am glad to have her here and now. 

On a slightly sweet note.  Today, Pink and Beef Jerky crossed paths and she said hello to her brother.  According to brother, a couple of his friends said that his sister is really pretty.  And he replied, "Thanks, Yes she kind of is. Actually, she is pretty smart too." 

You always wonder if you are showing the kids the right way.  You wonder if they have good character.  And then, out of the blue, they let you know that you have nothing to worry about.

Thank you God (and genetics) for exceptional children.  Thank you for able learners and beautiful souls to surround me.♥

Garden Alive

I love taking pictures of my pretty flowers and plants.  I am always stunned by what I find in the garden and living around my house.  I am not usually pleased by wildlife inside my house. I, probably, will not be taking photos of any.

Anyhow, here are some photos of my garden and some things that are living in it right now.  I made these images smaller for the web but, there is still a great amount of detail to them if you look closely or zoom in.  

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I loved how this bug was just hanging out waiting to be shot at.  There are lots of critters in my garden that sit still for me to take portraits.  Actually, they are better at it than people, they don't get self conscious. They just let me do what I do and go about their business.

Zoom in on the lizard he is really a cool guy. I should have cropped in and zoomed. But, I didn't.

I also decided to put in some of my edibles. They can be beautiful too.

Did you like my garden tour? I wish I could just take pictures of everything that is interesting, ugly, beautiful, or creepy.  I can't though, I have little kiddies who need me! :0)

Ice Cream Parlor

A treat with the Scarboroughs. We went to our local Cold Stone Creamery.  The kids each got their usual and I took pictures this time.  I got my favorite too French Vanilla with Pecans. This one of our favorite remedies for boredom on a weekend afternoon.