Sunday, November 30, 2008

A new Recipe-Cardamom Biscotti

I decided to try this new Cardamom Almond Biscotti recipe for my sweet mother-in-law. I had never even heard of cardamom until I met her!
Let's see, I think I finally have everything gathered, after a 2nd trip to Wal-Mart for flour! Brian's calling me to come look at the fountain!Yeehaw! The cardinals don't come this close to the house very often. This fountain IS frequently full of sparrows frolicking in the water!(The photo is taken through a not very clean)
O.K. back to the biscotti. It is a large batch. I'm thankful for my heavy-duty mixer!

Bake, cut and bake again!

It is pretty yummy. I think I will make it again! (Especially after spending $10 on that jar of cardamom!)
If you would like to try it, the recipe follows!
Cardamom Almond Biscotti
1cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons almond extract
5 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 cup chopped almonds
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extract. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cardamom; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream. Fold in almonds.
2. Divide dough into fourths. On two greased baking sheets, shape each portion into a 15-inch log (two logs per pan). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to the touch.
3. Transfer to a cutting board;cut at 45 degree angle with a sharp knife into 1/2-inch slices. Place cut side down on greased baking sheets. Bake for 5-6 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in airtight containers.
Ya'll Come Back!
Lorilee




Friday, November 28, 2008

Family Time!

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my husband's younger sister and her family. Gramma and Grampa were also there. I wonder why when I point the camera at my kids, they clown around!
My niece and nephew smile nicely! It is probably to be blamed on upbringing!
Nephew, Ryan, was happy to begin filling his plate! We were all right behind him, no shyness here!

Yummy! Mixed Berry, Pumpkin, and Pecan pie!
This is China, one of three dogs they have. Her eyes are gorgeous!

She is a large dog. The male, Yukon, is ginormous! He also has those gorgeous blue eyes!
Ya'll Come Back!
Lorilee






Thursday, November 27, 2008

I've been tagged! The rules are simple...
Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you. CC at http://www.lacenribbonroses.blogspot.com/
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.


1. I love watching birds! As I type, I have Inca Doves,Whitewing Doves, house sparrows, a rufous hummingbird, and cardinals in my yard.

2. I can't carry a tune to save my life! This is not a good thing in a musical family!

3. My mother introduced me to embroidery and crocheting. I recently started doing Huck or Swedish Embroidery.

4. I am not an early-riser, yet I have been teaching at a school requiring me to be ready for children IN my room at 7:10 a.m. for 21 years!

5. I have not been out of the state of Texas as an adult except to walk across the border into Mexico for some shopping one time!

6. Thomas Jefferson is one of my favorite historical figures. I want very badly to visit Montecello someday!

Now who to tag?






oops! I guess I can't count very well!
Ya'll Come Back!
Lorilee







Wednesday, November 26, 2008

It's a good day to be a Chicken!


Us chickens are just thankful that we're NOT TURKEYS! cluck cluck!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Lorilee and the girls!

Back in time-with bagpipers!

One of our favorite things about the Faire is the presence of the bagpipers!

These young men are known as "Tartanic". They had quite a crowd gathered just outside the gates at closing time. They even had folks dancing with them!
It was hard to get photos because it was dark and they moved around so much!
The drummers are awesome!
Fare thee well til next year!

Lorilee





Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Back in Time-the family!

I sat outside a shop waiting for my men and watched this lad fishing in a mud puddle!
Here I am at the faire with my sons, Brian (13) and Dustin (23).

Brian and Dustin have seen something that interests them. People stopped us frequently to have their photos taken with all three of my men.

David and Brian doing their "dashing" look!

We attended the Renfest on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, David went more for comfort (i.e. minus weapons!)

I am wearing my first "purchased" costume! There are many shops that feature hand-made costumes!
Fare thee well,
Lorilee




Monday, November 24, 2008

Back in Time-the characters!

The family took a trip back in time to the Texas Renaissance Festival this weekend. The weather was wonderful! We didn't sweat a drop! (Remember, we are in south Texas). This lass was making brooms!

These lads are blacksmiths. (You could probably figure that out!)

I loved the way the faire goers would decorate the wagons and strollers for their lads and lasses!
Hmm, I think I see the friar.

This faery appears to be guarding a fallen swordsman!

Obviously someone of importance! Perhaps 'tis the Queen with her escorts.
Oh, my I hope the Barbarians aren't invading!
The bellydancers are very friendly with this Centaur.

Entertainers from distant lands.

Fan dancing!

Exotic performers.

What a treat! A "Cast in Bronze" performance. "The Spirit of the Bells" plays the only mobile carillon in existence! It consists of 35 bells weighing a total of 4 tons! (from http://www.castinbronze.com/ ) In 1480, a musical instrument of cast bronze bells was created and became known as the carillon. Located in lofty bell towers, the instrument and its players were hidden from sight, making the carillon one of the world's best kept secrets. Thirty-five years ago 35 bronze bells were placed on a mobile carillon frame by a Dutch bell foundry and sent to America.



The Mud Wrestling Beggars were hilarious!

This young fairgoer was a scene stealer!
The Falconers' Stage featured a delightful demonstration of birds.


I experienced camera lens envy when I saw this man! I'll share more of the music and merriment soon!
Ya'll Come Back!
Lorilee

Friday, November 21, 2008

Waiting on a Woman!



As usual, my guys are waiting on their woman! They are all packed and ready to go. I am almost ready! I have a good excuse. I had to iron a dress that required 7 yards of fabric to sew!The Trailblazer is packed and ready to roll. On Saturday,we will go back in time to Jolly Old England at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Of course, we made our customary turn around while still in the neighborhood to get something we forgot. This time it was my contact lens case! This is the first year in quite awhile that it is just the four of us going. It is also our 10th year to attend the Renfest!


I also just finished these little tags. I hung them with a small swag that I have had for awhile. I was inspired by www.joysofhome.blogspot.com . Her post titled Sign of the Season explained how she decorated manilla tags. Check it out!

Ya'll Come Back!
Lorilee

Thursday, November 20, 2008

More Adventures of Honey-from the Past!

Honey decided to play with a toad! They really do make dogs foam at the mouth! I don't think she's played with one since then!

Hmm, I wonder if this tortoise tastes like that toad? If curiosity killed the cat, I wonder what it does to dogs!



Ya'll Come Back!



Lorilee




Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Aggie Cotton!

While in Fredericksburg this summer, I purchased some plants at "Friendly Natives Nursery". This plant is called Aggie Cotton.
As the buds open, the flowers are a pretty rose color.

When fully opened, the bloom is white with a dusting of maroon.

After blooming, these pods form. Later they open as cotton bolls.

I wish the cotton, itself, was maroon! Even with plain white cotton, the plant is awesome! Actually, the white cotton really stands out against the maroon colored foliage!

Ya'll Come Back!

Lorilee