By lindsay on 8/19/2011
http://photos.dspencer.net/2011/Dog-Days-2011/18604723_8xRWH6#1437486535_5dJsLHq-A-LB
Amelia started kindergarten at Mark Twain Elementary and Will started preschool at the Brentwood Early Childhood Center on Tuesday August 16th. It was quite the exciting morning: Amelia was the first one up and very excited and ready, and after some first day of school pictures (see the Dog Days of Summer album) we all walked one block to take Amelia to school. She kept walking a little faster and a little faster as we approached. Her teacher gave out name tags and then they filed into school. It was a slower, more reserved walk home after we dropped her off. Dave mentioned that it was hard to see her start kindergarten, and I couldn’t answer due to the kindergarten lump in my throat.
Next I took Will to preschool. He was being as brave as he could and nodded when I said I’d see him after school. It went great! He has a wonderful teacher as well. When I asked Will about school he said “They don’t have a backhoe.” He said his favorite part of the morning was playing outside and that he didn’t play with any kids, just the dump truck. When Will woke up from his nap that afternoon he gave me a big, tight hug and said “I missed you at preschool”. I missed him too! I think two mornings a week is plenty for both of us.
Amelia is LOVING kindergarten. Every part is “amazing” and her favorite class is PE. She’s feeling pretty good overall because she told me that sometimes she makes mistakes but Ms. Tadrus said kindergarten is all about making mistakes. We are all looking forward to a great year.
Posted in News |
By lindsay on 8/14/2011
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
2 T light brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 firm-ripe peaches
2 T sugar
Make the shell: In a small saucepan cook the butter over moderate heat until golden brown, being careful not to let it burn, let it cool, and chill it just until it is no longer liquid. (The butter can be browned 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Let the butter soften at room temp before using.) In a bowl cream together the browned butter, sugar, brown sugar and beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Into a bowl sift the flour, baking powder, and salt and beat the dough until it is just combined. Chill dough for 30 minutes and press it onto the bottom and side of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim.
In a saucepan of boiling water blanch the peaches for 1 minute, drain them, and refresh them under cold water. Peel the peaches, halve them, and cut 3 of the halves into 1/8-inch thick slices, reserving the remaining half for another use. Arrange the slices decoratively, overlapping them slightly, in the shell, sprinkle them with the sugar, and bake the kuchen in the lower third of a preheated 375 degree for 30 minutes. Let the kuchen cool for 15 minutes. Remove the rim of the pan and serve the kuchen warm or at room temp.
Posted in Recipes | Tagged Dessert |
By lindsay on 8/6/2011
Dressing
1/4 cup lime juice
3 T olive oil
2 T minced cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
dash of Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1 15-oz can of corn or fresh corn
1 cup sliced radishes
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup thinly sliced celery
In a serving bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients. Add the corn, radishes, bell peppers, and celery to the bowl. Toss well. Serve at room temp or chilled.
Posted in Recipes | Tagged Salads |
By lindsay on 8/4/2011
For the press-in crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
8 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into small pieces, plus more for coating the pan
4 to 5 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
2 pounds ripe peaches, pitted and cut into sixths (about 6 cups)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped, seeds reserved (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract)
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 pints raspberries (about 12 ounces)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the streusel:
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon fine salt
4 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cut into small pieces
INSTRUCTIONS
For the press-in crust:
- Coat a 9-1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate with butter and set aside.
- Combine the measured flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and pulse 5 times to evenly incorporate. Add the butter and pulse until just incorporated (some large pieces will remain). Drizzle in 4 tablespoons of the ice water and pulse until moistened throughout, about 5 pulses. (Add the last tablespoon of ice water if necessary, but do not overwork the dough or it will become tough.)
- Turn into the prepared pie plate. Press with floured fingers or the back of a measuring cup dipped in flour until the dough evenly covers the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Place in the refrigerator to chill, at least 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400°F, arrange a rack in the lower third, and place a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil on the rack. When the oven is hot, pierce the base of the crust with a fork several times, line it with a piece of parchment paper, and fill it with pie weights or dried beans.
- Place the crust on the hot baking sheet and bake until dry to the touch but not browned, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, set aside the pie weights and parchment paper, and let the crust cool slightly on a wire rack. Return the baking sheet to the oven.
For the filling:
- Combine the peaches, sugars, vanilla seeds or extract, and lemon juice in a large, nonreactive bowl and gently mix. Add the raspberries and cornstarch and toss to coat. Transfer the filling to the crust and place the pie on the hot baking sheet. Bake until the peaches are just beginning to brown, about 30 minutes.
For the streusel:
- Meanwhile, combine all of the streusel ingredients except the butter in a medium bowl and mix until evenly incorporated. Add the butter and combine with your fingers, rubbing the butter into the flour mixture until mostly incorporated but some small pieces remain. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- When the pie is ready, remove it from the oven and reduce the temperature to 375°F. Sprinkle the streusel over top and return the pie to the oven. Bake until the filling is bubbly, the streusel is browned, and the peaches are fork-tender, about 40 to 45 minutes more. Let cool on a wire rack at least 45 minutes before slicing.
Posted in Recipes | Tagged Dessert |