thank you & a few answers too

 

first of all i want to thank ya'll for being such a big encouragement to madison.

talking about weight loss & health issues can be such a sensitive subject.
i've watched her struggle and be frustrated for the last several years. when we were walking the other day i just couldn't help but be so excited for her and the progress she's made. slowly, without anything wild or funky or extreme. just old school philosophy of eating less and exercising more.
 funny how it all comes back to that.

but thank you for loving on her!!

secondly a few of you had questions

from the key lime pie post....

the measuring cups were a gift from anthropologie a few years ago

& i'm not sure if they're still available 

however,   they have some mighty cute ones available now

 

a friend sent madison the super cute apron & recipe book last year.

both also from anthro--not sure if the apron is still available

the recipe book is rag & bone 

and super cute!

here's a couple of cutie aprons too...

 

when i was looking for these products for ya'll

i couldn't help but fall in love with these little guys!

the little mustard poka dot plates were a marshalls score as were the napkins from years ago.

the multi colored silverware? maybe oldies from target or tjmaxx? again, years ago.

so sorry.

the pie plate is from williams sonoma

 the emile henry artisan ruffled pie dish

whew....glad i could help ya'll with something!

alrighty,

heading out tonight with our gen salaam team!

we'll talk soon

~~

matthew 25.37-40

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, 

or thirsty and give you something to drink? 

 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,

 or needing clothes and clothe you?   

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

  “The King will reply,

 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these

 brothers and sisters of mine,

 you did for me

key lime pie with my blue eyed girls

only during the lazy days of summer

would i feel it necessary to document the making of a key lime pie 

with no less than 74 images.

so i apologize in advance but i just couldn't help myself.

we're in a farmers market co-op & each month eagerly await the surprise

of what the "one who's turn it is to go" will bring home.

this month we ended up with a plethora of limes.

other than making margaritas for the neighborhood

i thought a couple of key lime pies would be the way to go.

madison & caroline are always up for a day in the kitchen 

so off we went for all the rest of our ingredients.

my girlfriend kasey recommended a couple tsp of lemon curd 

be added to our whipping cream

& that indeed was a fantastic tip!

& yes. 4 sticks of butter are involved when making 

not one , but two graham cracker crusts.

hate me.

she may be starting the sixth grade

but thankfully

she still stands on tip toes.

competition on who made the best crust.

their idea. not mine.

oops

didn't realize that our mini spatula might have lost a tiny little edge

in the food processor.

oh well. crusts were already baking by that point.

 a little extra fiber, right?

& ta-da

homemade key lime pies for dessert!

Key lime pie

Crust:

• 3/4 pound graham crackers
• 4 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 sticks melted butter
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt

Filling:

• 4 egg yolks
• 1 can (14 ounces) condensed milk
• 2/3 cup fresh Key lime juice
• 1 lime , grated zest

Topping:

• 1 cup heavy or whipping cream , chilled
• 2 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

To make graham cracker crust: Preheat the oven to 325°.

Break up the graham crackers, place in a food processor and process to crumbs. Add the melted butter, sugar and salt and pulse until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan, forming an even layer on the bottom, sides and edge. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool.

To make filling: While the crust is resting, in an electric mixer with the wire whisk attachment, whip the egg yolks and lime zest at high speed until fluffy, or 5 to 6 minutes. Gradually add the condensed milk and continue to whip until thick, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the lime juice until incorporated.

Pour the mixture into the crust and bake for 15 minutes, or until the filling has just set. Cool on a wire rack, and then refrigerate for 20 minutes.

To make topping: Whip the cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until nearly stiff. Evenly spread the whipped cream on top of the pie, and place in the freezer for 20 minutes prior to serving.

my favorite new dishes & chick food

 

my dan is not a big salad eater.

truth be told, he eats no salad whatsoever.

gasp.

if we have a night where he needs to be out at a meeting or an event

& it's just the girls and myself for dinner,

i'll declare it chick food night.

that usually gets a resounding amen.

they love light fare, salads & girly things that my meat & potatoes guy would rather pass on.

so the other day we served up the oriental cabbage salad that's been around the block & has a few variations.

i used radicchio & think i'll stick with the sweeter red cabbage

but it's still yummy nonetheless.

1 head napa cabbage shredded

i add in red cabbage or radicchio

5 green onions chopped

brown 2 oz slivered almonds

1/2 jar sesame seeds

pack of crumbled ramon noodles

with 1/2 c butter ( yeah, i know)

wisk 1/2 c sugar

1/4/ cup vinegar

1/2 c oil

1 Tbsp soy sauce

dress just prior to serving

 

 

a couple weeks ago i stumbled upon these fabulous dishes from Home Goods.

the smaller bowls i picked up last year at Heliotrope in Decatur for you local girls,

but the blues match perfectly.

the white plates are sorta asymmetrical around the border

& have a cute modern italian flare.

i pulled out my painting from melanie

a couple weeks ago. when i saw the plates i knew i had to add them to my collection.

i usually don't keep our place settings out but they're so cheerful

i couldn't resist.

i am loving my narnia sign that i commissioned tara & andy to create.

loving it!

if you have inquiries you can hop over here

alrighty my friends,

i hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend.

the weather has been fabulous.

i'm photographing 1 year old twins in the morning

& a senior session on sunday!

 

but first, i'm off to the dentist where i'm so exhausted

i might just sack out in the chair!

~~