St. Patrick's Day

Three years ago I was sitting next to a good friend eating corned beef and cabbage and decided to send a text to the man who was becoming my friend; I didn't know with what joy he received it, how he showed it to his friends, and how he pulled up my website and said to his parents, "This is the girl I'm going to marry someday."

Three years later, we are making breakfast together, bumping happily into each other and waltzing while the coffee brewed. Our precious daughter kicks and coos nearby. We have three years of life lived intensely behind us and a whole lifetime ahead.

What a gift is true love, how rare, and how priceless. Dear M., I treasure you with every particle of my being and anticipate learning to love you more deeply every day for the rest of my life.

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!

Christmas Morning

Yes, it's beautiful. It's a home-made cinnamon roll, my family tradition for Christmas morning. Made even better by the kind forethought of my mother, who sent me home with a mound of dough all ready to roll out and slather in butter. Somehow it was my husband's first taste of this delicious treat, and he was an instant convert.

A Temporary Lapse

Due to the overwhelming necessity of focusing on our move, guests, family, and the holidays, I'm signing out until the New Year. Thanks for your support, comments, and interesting thoughts! I look forward to reconnecting once our internet works again and I have a few moments to call my own.

Many blessings in this season!

Emily

I will be:

Playing music with family

Eating way too much wonderful food

Baking Bread

And many more things including, but not limited to: packing and unpacking, trying to set internet up at the new place, moaning in frustration over the ineptitude of the internet company, watching movies with my husband, eating homemade French Onion Soup, and making music with family.

I'll look forward to resuming contact in a few weeks! Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Today I'm Thankful For... Peanut Butter Fudge

My mother-in-law has a secret fudge recipe. It's one of the reasons I love Christmas above all other seasons. Yes, she's given the recipe to me, but no, I won't give it to you. I will however describe the perfect piece of peanut butter fudge, a piece of which I just ate.

Creamy but with texture that stands a little tongue-probing. Nutty, yes, but caramelized and creamy, with overtones of marshmallow. Definitely impossible to stop with just one piece. Scary when considered calorically, comforting when considered with a sweet tooth.

Your peanut butter fudge is the best, L.!

Chocolate Oatmeal Pie

Oh, it's good! This pie is a rich,  caramelized, gooey delight, the fun of which is augmented by how easy it is to make! I brought one to our Thanksgiving meal--you could make this for Christmas, or for any special occasion.

Chocolate Oatmeal Pie

Mix together:

• 2 eggs
• 1 c. sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 c corn syrup
• 2 T melted butter
• 1 t vanilla
• ½ c coconut
• ½ c oats (quick or regular)
• ½ c chocolate chips

Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell and bake for ½ hour-45 mins or until surface looks uniformly set and overall color is golden brown