Wordless Wednesday: Walking on the River
Waiting for biggest kid to get out of school we walked along the RiverTrail
but went left instead of our usual right…
but went left instead of our usual right…
and found the sculpture garden!
Molten Chocolate
The kids wanted those stupid Molten Lava Cakes that they get when we go out to eat sometimes. I told them we’d make them tonight. So easy!
I used Paula Deen’s recipe here. (Thank you Paula and the Food Network!)
Talk about bad for ya! Don’t think this on is on “Lose It.” I won’t be able to eat anything tomorrow!
Molten Lava Cakes
(Makes 6)
Ingredients:
- 6 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate
- 2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
*I didn’t have bittersweet chocolate, so I used chocolate chips and some unsweetened dark chocolate to equal 8 ounces.
- 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 stick) butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange liqueur (*I was out so I used good rum instead.)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Grease 6 (6-ounce) custard cups. Melt the chocolates and butter in the microwave, or in a double boiler. Add the flour and sugar to chocolate mixture. Stir in the eggs and yolks until smooth. Stir in the vanilla and orange liqueur. Divide the batter evenly among the custard cups. Place in the oven and bake for 14 minutes. The edges should be firm but the center will be runny. Run a knife around the edges to loosen and invert onto dessert plates.
Writer’s Workshop: Rules I’ve “Unlearned”
For MamaKat’s Writer’s Workshop this week I chose:
4.) List 10 rules you’ve unlearned (meaning 10 things you thought were expected of you or were the “right way” of doing things, but that you now ignore).
So, here it is,
Things I’ve “unlearned”:
1- Always tie your shoes. Yeah right. I never have shoes that tie or else I’m barefoot. My kindergarten teacher almost didn’t pass me because I wouldn’t tie my shoes until I had to.
2- You must have at least a master’s degree. I really struggled with this one. I finished my bachelor’s by the time I was 21, but then fell in love and got married. Now realize I shouldn’t waste the money if I’m not actually going to “work”!
3- Career first. I didn’t really struggle with this one. When the Foreign Service lost all the scores from the group I took my tests in I saw it as a sign. That was the only job I’d ever wanted. I never was able to find a “perfect” job to make a career before I had my first kiddo, and now they are my career.
4- Iron your clothes. Ha! My hubby won’t let me iron his clothes if that tells you anything about my superior homemaking skills.
5- Let a baby cry. Sorry, I honestly did try this with our first (and I cried harder than she did.) Just can’t do it. Plus, my kids are as stubborn as I am and wouldn’t stop crying for hours. Really.
6- You must have every food group with every meal. (humph)
7- Always be strong, don’t rely on someone else. This was an entirely self-inflicted rule. I realized a few years into our marriage that I could rely on my guy. I didn’t always have to be in charge or looking out for me to happy. We could look out for each other too.
8- If you can’t do something right, don’t do it. Who’d ever get anything done?
9- Always finish what you start.
10- 🙂
Click on over to MamaKat’s to join in on the fun!
On Earth Day
Some early Earth Day 2010 resolutions (because the kids are outside playing and I have to take advantage of it!):
I will really try to:
- Remember the bags in the back of my trunk EVERY time I go into a store. (I forget 1/2 the time.)
- Don’t buy the kids junk for lunchboxes that are individually wrapped anymore (even if they are organic.) This includes juices and milk. Check out these cute lunchboxes!
- Frequent close local businesses and restaurants, not chains.
- Try and eat out only twice a month. (This means planning my meals better.)
- Buy things that are only necessary, and first shop thrift stores or farmer’s market– then make sure I’m buying things that are local first, and have the least packaging possible.
I think I can manage that.
Some other easy steps to make every day Earth Day:
- Recycle! (There isn’t much you can’t anymore!)
- Compost if you don’t already. It’s easier than you think! We even have a separate worm farm that my hubby made out of some small plastic shoe boxes and scraps of wood! They love coffee grounds and junk mail!
- Think about your schedule and make trips that combine errands so you don’t waste gas. Carpool or share trips if you can!
- Make your own cleaners. They work better, are cheaper, and won’t hurt your health or the earth!
- When giving gifts, use reusable packaging (a pretty scarf, nice tote, etc.) Also, think about what you’re giving and why.
- Don’t buy new things unless you have to. Think “Do I REALLY need this?” Trade things with friends! Use Freecycle to give and get goodies. (We use this often- have even had an old garage taken down to be reused with it! No labor or cost to us!)
Mainly, just BE AWARE.
Aware of how what you are doing will impact the earth, (What garbage will this make? What is it made from? Is it toxic?)
Aware of what you really need, (Do I need this?)
Aware of how what you do effects others. (Who made this?)
We might try and check out our local Earth Day celebrations this year. Hope you have a great day!
Just Ducky
This was a curious scene I happened upon last night…
Three male mallards taking a nap in the middle of Kohl’s parking lot!
I got really close but my iPhone doesn’t zoom well. Don’t know why I thought it was so funny. Probably because there is a nice park across the street with a stream and lots of trees, and yet they chose the middle of this cement field to rest in. Must have been REALLY tired.