Technology Bytes Bites?

I think my laptop is getting nervous. I wonder why?

Wow! Can I tell you that I am so excited to share what I have been up to! As most of you know my laptop took a dump on me and getting it repaired was an ordeal. But, thanks to my wonderful husband my laptop is as good as new again, or so I am told (fingers crossed). I have to admit it has been repaired for a while now. But, there have been lots of things going on around here and I cannot wait to tell you.

I am so in love with this little guy!

 I will give you a hint of things to come….his name is Bruno and is he adorable! He is up at dawn and stays up till the stars are high in the night sky. He is a snuggler too! Oh the things we do together….Well, you will just have to wait to hear all about it. I might even post some pictures too. Oh come on now, you know you want to see what is going on.

Summer is here and spring has silently gone out the back door and the produce stand down the road is keeping me busy. I have been baking and cooking up a storm! Got some “new to me” kitchen things and let me just say I think I have been channeling past cooks. “Mmmm…mmm!” is what my kitchen would be saying if it could talk. And let me tell you, you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

Lets just say yummy and you are going to love these!

When your nine year old takes a bite of something that she is hesitating about and lets out a very surprised “Mmmm…” you know it is going to be good! Either that or she has just been taste testing that particular recipe too long. Either way, I am back and looking forward to our journey together.

My latest cake creation. I think I even wowed myself.

The things I have been up to…? I have been working on quite a few things and am looking forward to sharing my view again real soon so stay tuned.  That is as long as technology is willing I know I am but, sometimes technology really does bite! So, as long as my laptop keeps up we are going to be sharing lots!

Love and hugs!

My New Year's Resolution is Going to be.....

“Sad for the moments that I will cherish forever are but distant memories. Good bye 2011. There is no whooping and hollering this year just thankfulness. May you find something bright in each day. Happy New Year! Hugs & love, Lorenda”

Why is it that you cannot go into a store after the holidays without being bombarded with storage solutions to problems you didn’t even know you had and how to become the thinner new you.  First of all I have no storage space so your cute colored coordinating storage bins are not really going to help me. Now if you can add a room or two onto the house then my problems will be solved. Second, I like myself the way I am. Oh, my waist is not as small as it used to be and there are more gray hairs then there used to be but I am ok with that.  What I need to change about myself is not going to be found in a store.


I don't think this is going to fix what is wrong with me either, but is sure tastes good!

 It seems odd to me that people are always making New Year’s resolutions to be thinner, happier, more successful, etc. I am the person I am because of the choices I have made. Now those choices that I have made may not have been the best but hindsight is always so much more clear. Last year I have made some great choices and I am happy about them. I like to look back at the year and see how much I have grown (and I don’t mean in my waist size either).

At the beginning of each year I get excited about all of the adventures that are going to come my way. I know not all of them are going to be fun or easy but I will learn something new about myself I am sure. I look forward to the many opportunities that are going to come my way and I am going to try harder at not talking myself out of them.  I guess you could say that is my New Year’s resolution I make every year.  This year I have lots of things planned but am looking forward to wherever I end up because I have faith I know it will be a good place.

As a mom I get sad about time passing because of course that means my children are growing up. Our oldest is going to be a teenager this year and the babies, well I guess they are not babies anymore they are going to be nine. This year I have seen them grow in so many ways and only hope that I can be just like them when I grow up. I am amazed everyday at what my children teach me, got to love God’s little messengers. Don’t get me wrong they make me crazy and there are days I want them to send me to my room, but I wouldn’t change a thing about any of them.

This is Spanoodi. She is just the cutest, but not always the sweetest.

As a wife I hug my husband a little tighter than I used to because each year he makes me love him so much more. He has been right there by my side during this adventure called parenthood and I couldn’t imagine a better person to call my partner, friend and husband.  I look forward to the year ahead and the many journeys we will take together.

This is Olivander also known as Olie.

Although I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions this year I am going to make an exception. I have decided that I am going to do something for someone else. Now, I generally don’t like to invade the privacy of others but again I am going to make an exception this year. I have two loved ones that are let’s say getting a little too “fluffy”. So,  my New Year’s resolution is going to be…(insert a drum roll here please)…a diet for my two kitties because I really love them and want to do my best to take care of them so that they will be around to be a part of the adventures.

So, while my cats were asleep and not stalking me in the kitchen for food, I made my first Key Lime Pie. I had one a few years ago for the first time and decided to try my hand at one. This is a simple recipe but I have to be honest that I will never and I mean NEVER make another one until I get one of those little citrus juice press thingies. I usually don’t like kitchen gadgets that are good for only one thing but my hand was so sore after juicing all of those little…..(sorry I had to sensor that).

Since, I don’t have one of those nice little tools after juicing about ten key limes and having nowhere near the 2/3 cup of lime juice that I needed, I decided there has got to be an easier way. I started rummaging through my kitchen drawers and found my garlic press. I have not used it in ages and almost threw it out last week when I was cleaning out the drawers. I go through my drawers at the beginning of each year and get rid of things that I don’t use any longer, others go through their clothes I go through my kitchen. I was amazed that it worked! My hands were a bit sore but having tendonitis it is to be expected. 

I really need to get one of these!

I love this recipe but would reduce the amount of lime juice a bit the next time. Now the recipe for the graham cracker crust will give you enough to make about three crusts.  I toss the extra in the fridge I know I will be using it and soon, there is a chocolate pie in my future(shhhh…don’t tell anyone).  I was surprised at how easy this pie was (except for the juicing part, it honestly sucked) and look forward to making it again. I just love how fresh limes taste, makes me think of spring or is it yearn?

I really hope you try the pie and look forward to our journey together in 2012. May it be full of bright moments that will become memories cherished. Happy New Year’s y’all! Love ‘n’ hugs….

It's sweet and tart, got to love it!

Key Lime Pie

·         3/4 pound graham crackers

·         4 Tbsp. granulated sugar

·         2 sticks melted butter

·         1/4 tsp. sea salt

·         4 egg yolks

·         1 can (14 ounces) condensed milk

·         2/3 cup fresh Key lime juice (I found less is better with the juice and zest)

·         1 lime , grated zest

·         1 cup heavy or whipping cream , chilled

·         2 Tbsp. confectioners' sugar

·         1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 325°.

Break up the graham crackers, place in a food processor and process to crumbs or if you are like me and food processor poor just get out a zipper freezer bag and crush away. Add the melted butter, sugar and salt and pulse until combined or just mix it up in a bowl. This recipe makes enough for about three crusts. Press a third 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.

While the crust is cooling, whip the egg yolks and lime zest until fluffy, at high speed with your hand mixer 5 to 6 minutes or get the whisk out and hope your arm holds up. 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. I must confess here that I don’t like tart flavors, I felt a little less juice and zest and there would have been a better balance of flavors.  I tried to use my Kitchenaid stand mixer with the wire whisk attachment, but there just was not enough in the bowl for the whisk to really do anything with.

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.

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.

I found this recipe on line, there are a lot out there that are very similar. If you want to see more of this recipe check it out.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/food/Mar-a-Lago-Key-Lime-Pie-Recipe#ixzz1jSTudAOs

Yes, I Did Say Gingersnap...

Whenever I see these I know it's Christmas.

Wow! What a crazy week! Christmas was great! We had lots of fun with the kids this week which is why I haven’t been around.  My husband has been on vacation this week too, so lots of family time. I promise to get back to posting a little more regular now that the holidays are over.


One of my sisters made this little angel. Love it!

But, the real reason I am here today is to say a big thank you to a longtime friend, Anjanette. She gave my blog some love. I am very excited about it and wanted to share it with y’all. Check it out…Did Someone Say Gingersnap??


Check out her recipes at Ma Belloni's Kitchen.  I am sure like me you will find something very tasty to make. The best part is her recipes have already been kid and husband tested. If you are anything like me that is a big plus to know that the kids are going to like it too! She also makes a mean BBQ rub, check it out here.

Remember that it is holiday time and we all love spending time with our families so be safe and don’t drink and drive. I want you all around next year to sit back and say “Remember when……

Just in case the spirits get you remember… AAA's Tipsy Tow Program offers free tows for drinking drivers in Northern California from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6:00 a.m. Monday, and from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. Jan. 1. Call 1-800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to 10 miles.

Hope y’all have a great New Year! Hugs 'n' love y'all!

Where Are You…

So, what says Christmas to you? What is that one thing that just gets you in the holiday spirit? These days it is so easy to get caught up in the shopping and all of the decorations that are mass produced. Who has more lights on their house or who has the most packages under the tree. Or my personal favorite, is it Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

I wrote a Christmas post the other night and thought that is it! I got it!  Yet here it is two days before Christmas and I am writing it all over again. I have gone back to my original post several times to make changes, but no matter what I have not been happy with it. It just does not say Christmas to me.

The other day my husband had told me he was having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. He told me he has been watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music to try and get him into the spirit. I had not really thought about it until he said something but for some reason this year it just isn’t happening for me either. Who knows why or what the reason is, it is what it is. I have tried baking, cooking, decorating, craft projects, you name it I have probably tried it.

The other night while out shopping I was listening to the other shoppers talk as we would pass by them. All I heard were people talking about how they are going to this place or buying that.  The stores are filled with people shopping for the holiday, but what does the holiday really mean to them?



Is this just not the most amazing place to watch the sun set?

My husband and I went to the beach the other night to watch the sunset before we made our trek into the stores to start our shopping. While sitting there watching these amazing waves crash to shore onto the rocks I thought what is Christmas to me?

Why is everyone in the spirit but me? Why couldn’t I figure out what Christmas meant to me? What did I look forward to every year for Christmas? Was it the gifts? Oh come on we can all be a bit materialistic at times, be honest. Could it be the decorations I looked forward to each year, like seeing old friends? Or was it spending time with family and planning the perfect practical joke to play on someone?

My family, many years ago.

Last night I was standing outside on the deck looking up at the stars thinking about Christmas. I was thinking about a woman traveling with her husband looking for a place to stay for the night out of the cold. I was thinking about how that little baby in her tummy was going to save us all. I went back into the house thankful that there was a warm fire to warm my cold self and that my family was all gathered around watching television, putting puzzles together and playing games.

I was no longer wondering where my Christmas spirit was. It had been here all along, I just needed to remember.

From my heart to yours I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love ‘n’ hugs y’all!

Want to enjoy your holiday a bit more check this recipe out and don't worry you have all the ingredients already. You have to trust me on this one, you are going to love it!

I Think Ginger is Going to Snap!

A few weeks ago I was doing what every mom does looking for something different to make for the kids lunch boxes. I was tired of the same old things, week after week. It was getting monotonous! Then I stumbled across a recipe for a cookie that I had been traumatized by as a kid, ginger snaps.

I thought who in their right mind would ever want to make those things. They are hard, really hard! A box would have tasted better and been softer. Ugh! They are awful! Did I mention they were really hard? These cookies did not bring back fond memories. These were the cookies that would stay in the back of the cupboard and only when there were no other alternatives for a snack would they be eaten.



All I need now is a cup of tea.



My husband had brought home some organic ginger snaps a while back. I reluctantly tried them, putting aside my childhood memories. These could not be the same cookie. These were soft and had the most delicate ginger taste. They were amazing! Could I really bake a cookie to compare?

I decided to give it a try. I was a little unsure of all of the ground cinnamon and cloves most recipes call for.  I didn’t want an overly spiced cookie. I wanted more of a delicate ginger flavor. The recipe I decided to go with is good just the way it is and can easily be adjusted. I usually cut back on the cinnamon and cloves for more of a lighter ginger flavor. I also make them a bit smaller, I use about a teaspoon of dough per cookie. 

These cookies will definitely snap if you want them too that’s for sure. If you want them crispy add a minute or so to the cooking time. I prefer them softer, I don’t like my gums shredded so I start checking them about a minute or two before the timer goes off. These cookies will harden as they sit so don’t be fooled by their softness when they come out of the oven.

I can remember coming home from school as a kid and after homework I would get a snack and watch television. I would always watch Gilligan’s Island in the afternoon while eating my snack. I was always impressed with how Ginger always looked perfect. She was so girly, how did she do it with no electricity?  I remember thinking every time I watched that show when is Ginger going to snap?

One of my sisters has been asking for my recipe and I have not had time to pass it on. So, my sister here it finally is, thanks for being so patient now you know why. Let me know what you all think of it and if you make any changes. Love ‘n’ hugs!



Ginger Snaps

1 cup packed brown sugar

¾ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/3 cup granulated sugar

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil, molasses, and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon and ginger; stir into the molasses mixture.  Roll dough into balls and roll each ball in sugar before placing about two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in a preheated oven or until center is firm. Cool on wire racks, good luck trying not to sneak one!

Hello, Martha...Sometimes Houseguests Just Don’t Know When to Leave!

For the last two years I have worked part time on the weekends. The first year I was home during the week I cooked a lot and took lots of naps. Then “she” arrived, hmmm….what to do, what to do?  There were so many things to get done and each day seemed to go by so quickly the lists just keep getting longer and longer. Argh!

First it was the laundry room, then the dining room, and the bedroom. Plans are already in place for the kids rooms. I have even organized the pantry more times than I would like to say.  I am no clean freak let me tell you, I will leave that to my mom and sisters. I like a house that is lived in, a place that you can put your feet on the furniture and not worry about it. Ever since “she” arrived it is work, work, and work! Everything has a place and every place has a thing. It can be cute and functional. When will it stop?





I just love my dining room!



Don’t get me wrong, I love that lots of things are getting done. She has been awesome around here. It’s just that, well………when is she going to leave? Really, I like taking naps and going for walks on the beach when the kids are at school. Really I do.

My house has not looked better in years. Oh sure it is not perfect but I would rather be having fun with my family than cleaning. There is always something that needs to get done, although my house has been really looking much better since she arrived.

I just want to know one thing…

When is she leaving?

Inspired By a Snapshot

As a kid my parents like to go for drives. I hated it! Ugh! Having to sit for hours in a car away from the television was torture for a kid. We would never get home before dark and it just sucked! I soon learned that at night you could see into houses with lights on.  I would see people sitting around watching television, families doing what families do, but best of all I could see inside of the houses. I could see how people really lived in a snapshot, a view into their life through a window. Life framed and seen through a piece of glass. 

I always wondered what it would be like to live in that house, was it a happy place? What were the people like that lived there? I had so many questions that I would have loved to ask them but never having the opportunity too. I am a pretty shy person anyone that really knows me knows this. But, I like to talk with people.  People are really fascinating. I love sharing stories, family and food.

Yes this really is my kitchen window. It's a little cluttered but I love the view!

As an adult I have found that most of us don’t know how others really live. We are only allowed to see snapshots into their lives. I decided I wanted a place to share a snapshot at a time of my life framed with a view from my kitchen window. I look forward to wherever this adventure takes me and hope that I finally get the answers to some of those questions I never got to ask. I hope to get the opportunity to see the view from your windows, whether it’s the kitchen window or the basement.