National Blueberry Pie Day!

Today is National Blueberry Pie Day!

I love blueberries

and blueberry is the only pie I remember my mother ever baking, and it was awesome.

Makes me want to run home and bake right now.

Photo courtesy of TREAT -winnetka- A beautiful bakery on Chicago's North Shore.

Spring Friend

We finally got around to hanging the hummingbird feeders and within 15 minutes old friends showed up.

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful warm weather!

Youngest daughter snapped the above shot.

EB Saturday!!! Pure Bliss

I moaned about missing
National Eggs Benedict Day.

Usually I prepare this delightful dish for special events like birthdays and ALWAYS for Christmas Brunch. But sonners mentioned that I could still fix it for him! He was the only one here Saturday morning. His girls were at his in-laws for the week and he came here b/c I had already planned to watch the little girlees all day while they helped at a workday for Christy's bother, and he'd just meet them here. And Sweet Hubby was at the church elders retreat. So I got up and had this all ready when Jay trudged up the stairs yesterday morning.
I prepare Eggs Benedict differently than most.
I first prepared Eggs Benedict in college using conventional methods, in my Food Science course, was it the final?? I aced it first try! My roommate lucked out with fudge as her assignment and she still couldn't get it right after 3 tries. I digress, just braggin'.

So now, rather than the classic approach poaching the eggs on the stovetop, I microwave them. They may need to be turned after several minutes to set the other side. Just check 'em (and cover them):

(oops... I guess I need to wipe out the micro!)

I broil the English Muffins and the ham or Canadian Bacon (forgot to snap that step, but you know what it looks like, just imagine ham on the little well-used tray):
I also stray from tradition in that I ALWAYS prepare the Hollandaise in the blender. Sure I can make it in a double boiler, or even 2 saucepans if a double boiler is not available (been there - done that). But I find the blender quicker, easier, more consistent and easier to pour. I can hear the change in the whirring when the eggs have been cooked and the sauce has thickened. FYI: This batch was just for 2. Usually, I triple the recipe or more!

Plating awaits!!!

Awwww, the finished product. Just as we began, the girls showed up. Lucky for us, they had already eaten breakfast and we didn't have to sacrifice more than a few bites.
If you are afraid of fancy sauces, or yours always break, try mine! If your family hates Hollandaise (how sad, but that's the case of my eldest), prepare a single batch for your breakfast (just don't put H sauce on theirs) and then save the leftover sauce for your broccoli or asparagus or other delectable delicacy later. yummmmmmmm!

Blender Hollandaise
makes approx 1 cup

4 Egg Yolks at room temperature
1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick), melted
1½-2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
*Salt (only if you do NOT use salted butter. I'm lazy, I use salted)
Cayenne

• Be sure to separate your eggs and allow them warm to room temperature.

• Microwave butter until melted and just beginning to bubble.

• Whir egg yolks in blender.

• Add lemon juice to egg yolks (and salt if you use unsalted butter, just a shake)

• Reheat butter to make sure it is bubbling hot.

• Turn on blender, open the itsy bitsy cap in the middle of the lid and slowly pour the hot, melted butter into the mixture in a steady stream until all gone.

• Continue whirring blender until you hear the gearing slow down, which means the eggs have cooked and sauce thickened.

• You may let the sauce rest until you are ready to serve (maybe while you are poaching the eggs). Then give it one more whir to make sure it's well emulsified and pour.

To increase yield, just multiply recipe times 2 or 3. Any more than that and you might have to make separate batches.

I have only had this recipe "break" once in 35 years, so it's pretty tried and true. Can't say the same for the stovetop version. I'd say that my success rate is closer to 50%.

Let me know if you need to know how to poach eggs in the microwave.
Oh, yum!

National Eggs Benedict Day

Here it is time to go to bed and I find out that it's National Eggs Benedict Day. I feel so cheated. I could have made some for dinner, but NOOOOO. I don't find out until nearly 10:30 pm. I am going to bed and pout. 'Night all!

National Eggs Benedict Day

Heroes are Among Us

Yesterday a heroic rescue by the U.S. Navy Seals from modern day pirates took place in an ocean far away. I thought it timely to share the creed of the Navy Seals, the rescuers of that captain/hostage. This was in no way a romantic pirate tale-- lives were lost. These men are real heroes!

The Navy Seal Creed:

"My loyalty to country and team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans, always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own. I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. ... In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. ... I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight."

When we lived in San Diego, there was a member of our Sunday School class who was a Navy Seal trainer. Can you imagine training these guys?

In the words of Ronald Reagan, "Where do we find such men?" These heroes? We find them among us. "We are indeed, and we are today, the last best hope of man on earth." We find them in the USA!

Easter Pretties

Easter Sunday morning starts early!
The girls and parents are at Nana's house.

Something in my tummy before Sunrise Service:We're all tired:

But I'm still cute.

Got the hats on and off to church we go!Look! The boys are already checkin' out our cuties!

Watch out for Daddy, boys!

Oh Oh Oh! Look who else is here! Best friend Ellie! (See Samuel's little feeties?) Oh! I didn't even notice Daddy's mugging for the camera!

Fun together:

Come on girls!

Ring Around the Rosies!

Pocket full of Posies!

Ashes!

Ashes!

We ALL Fall DOWN!!!Quite a colorful breakfast after Sunrise Service!

Check out the dimples on those baby hands!

Goofy!

Picture time:

H:

Baby J:

Nana and baby are both tired:

Ooooooo! Easter Egg Hunt @ church:

Look at my haul!

Ohhh the joys of a Family Photo:

Here we all are! Thanks Saretta!

I'm cute:

Air Jordan?

Doll carriers instead of Easter baskets:

Oh look! Cheerios left over from this morning before Sunrise Service:

Easter Dinner DID take a long time to get ready!

Nana, come under here with me!

Time to frost the cake!

Ta Da!

Go Vanna!

Good Job!

Okay, it passes!

Sissy misses the cake decorating:

Bought this to try. It's basket grass imported from Germany and is made out of potatoes and sugar. But it tasted like stale, sweet, boring potato chips! (LJ put the mini cadbury eggs inside)

Hey! The cake turned out okay!I never bothered with the "Wilton" method!

And then on the other side of the country! Another Easter Egg hunt!

Looking!

Tink is helping!

Got quite a few!

Oooo! Look! I see two!

Oh! Look at that basket! Looks familiar! Did Nana make it?

Ahhhhh, the whole fam dressed up for Easter!

Happy Easter to all!