TWD~French Pear Tart

I'm Back! It feels good to be posting a TWD recipe after my two week hiatus. And this week's recipe is special because it was picked by none other than Dorie Greenspan herself. For those of you joining me for the first time, (prolly not, anyone, anyone?) Tuesday with Dorie is an online baking club I belong to where we (lots and lots of people) bake from a cookbook called Baking by Dorie Greenspan. Anyway, I love Dorie, I think she is an amazing baker and I love to bake alongside (blogside?) my fellow TWD Bakers.

Honestly, this French Pear Tart smells divine and tastes like Heaven! But putting it together was Hell! I don't know what my problem was, but I just felt like I was not doing anything right. My tart dough seemed too crumbly, my almond cream seemed to grainy and my pears where not so great. (I used canned to save time, Hey Dorie said it was OKAY!) I wasn't sure how to fan them out, so I just put them on there the best I could.

This was also really time consuming... lots of little steps. Plus I did not have a tart pan, so I used a springform pan, but it seemed to do the trick. I heard it would give the tart a more "rustic" look. Rustic indeed, RUSTIC CHIC!

Anyway, like i said, this tart was wonderful!!! I can't wait to share it with my co-workers! I wish I could share it with all of you though.

Winner Winner

I have chosen a winner for the Deceptively Delicious Book Give-Away. Natalie from What's For Supper is the lucky girl... which she said on the comments that she hates veggies, so here you go Natalie!
This is my last day of freedom before I go back to work tomorrow. Last year at this time I was dreading the BIG RETURN to work... This year, I don't mind it so much. Hopefully, everyone will be rested and less crabby and I'm not talking about just the kids. I heart teachers.
So yes, this is my last day... I was able to watch my favorite Sunday Morning show, titled appropriately, Sunday Morning. You know the one with Charles "I'll see you on the radio" Osgood. Does anyone watch that? I lurve it!
I was going to post some photos of some things I knitted over break, but I'm too lazy to go find my spare camera.
And im finally getting back to TWD with a French Pear Tart for Tuesday... mmmmmm.
Those will all be great blog posts awaiting your viewing pleasure in the next few weeks...
For now, I will enjoy these fleeting moments of peace and solitude.

White Christmas Spectacular!

Last night i was able to escape go see Irving Berlin's White Christmas Musical. I have been wanting to see this for years and so when the opportunity arose to go.. I goed. Plus it gave me a chance to get dressed up and out of my barn clothes.
Shannon, Cindy, Jaime & Ellen and I saw it at the Ordway Theatre and it was delightful! I mean that sounds cheesy, but the show was so amazing. I loved the singing and especially the dancing. It made me want to get up out of my seat and start dancing along.
Back in the day I used to be in musicals and golly gee did I have fun! Sometimes I think about heading back to the stage, but now I think I just enjoy watching instead.

Tap dancing my way out of the room, strait into your heart...

SabRo

No TWD (again)

I am not going to be able to make the TWD Cheesecake today. And I know I said I wouldn't be blogging, but plans have changed. What was originally going to be a leisurely week at my house. Turned into house sitting at my parent's house.
They live in the middle of nowhere...
...surrounded by corn fields
...and wide open spaces (did i just hear someone belt out some Dixie Chicks?)
...and lots of animals. LOTS. horses and dogs and cats Oh my!

So I will be reading and knitting, (one hat done!) and just chillaxin'.

I will be back next week, with stories about my winter break that will put hair on your chest. I don't know if that is true, but maybe I am enticing you to come back and visit my blog next week. :)

Happy New Year and Auld Lang Syne your little hearts out...

Merry Christmas

****disclaimer: this is not a picture of my tree... I have a tree similar to this, but this was my inspiration. I'm not that cool.****This is my tree, but it's taken from last year, with my Marius under the tree.

No TWD

I am taking a break from my regular TWD posting. I'm not a huge fan of butterscotch pudding, and I will be baking other things for Christmas. I won't be making the cheese cake next week either. So I will see you all in January!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Blog Worthy Return! I Repeat, Blog Worthy Return!

I know I said I wouldn't be blogging for 2 weeks, unless something totally amazing happened. Well something totally awesome and amazing did happen! Today I received a package from my secret Elfster pal. Tuesdays With Dorie did a card exchange through Elfster and I happily decided to join in the fun. Well.... The nicest thing happened today, I received a very cool care package, and not only is it just special because I got a flippin' rad package it was from one of my FAVORITE foodie bloggers, Michelle!!!! THANKS MICHELLE! Check out her amazing cooking\baking abilities at Sweet Sensations.
Oh did she give me the goodies! Christmas Sugar Cookie Set, Fun Socks, Christmas Pot Scrubbers (she must have seen my dishes piled high!) and a really yummy smelling lotion\bath\body set!! I feel like I just have won the lottery! Awwww!!! And the really funny thing was, when she posted that she sent her Elfter package, I thought to myself, Wouldn't it be so cool if she was sending it to me! Really, I thought (and hoped) it would be me!
Michelle is the best! She also has busy days coming up with a move to Texas where she will be at Fort Bliss to serve with the 1st Armored Division AND her hubby Malu is currently serving in Iraq. Be thinking of Michelle during this time, especially during Christmas when I'm sure she will be missing Malu!
I would take a picture of all my wonderfully awesome gifts, but alas, i lent my camera to my cousin Kelly, (who is currently on a plane to Cambodia as I type this!). BUT... I'm glad she did have my camera because:
a) she doesn't have to lug around her big monster camera
b) she called me from LAX today to tell me she got her picture taken with someone totally famous and awesome!
I won't give away who it was, but when she gets back it is going to be a sweet blog post!
Also as I am snowed in today with no thoughts of going out in this crazy weather!! Ick! I got a really funny phone call from Heather of the EO laughing and giggling and inviting me out to join her and friend celebrate being snowed in at a place called Grumpy's. (Isn't it ironic, don't you think?) I'm so happy that she is able to get out of the house, have some laughs and just have silly fun! 3 cheers for Heather!
And as much as I would love to join her, i am a big baby about driving in the snow. Plus I'm still in my pajamas and it's 6:30pm! HA!
So I will watch White Christmas, eat some chocolate and smile lots cause there are such wonderful people in my life! Merry Christmas!
And thanks again Michelle!!!! Big cyber hug to you!