Strawberry Shortcakes

I have had a love connection with strawberries from as early as I can remember. I actually recall my mom and great grandmother loading me up in a blue Volkswagen station wagon (with rubber flooring and no air conditioning) and driving to an Amish owned strawberry patch near our home in Florida. We would pick fresh berries and tote them home in the little wooden fruit crates. My dad was stationed in Homestead Florida for a short stint and I have very fond memories of that time in my life. It's amazing the things I can recall. I can remember driving to the strawberry patch and seeing the Amish, maybe Mennonite people helping us. They also served AMAZING elephant ears and cinnamon rolls. I also remember loving the song Fly Like An Eagle by The Steve Miller Band. It must have been on the pop charts because it seemed like I heard it all the time. We would lay out in the sun by the kiddie pool (probably minus any sunscreen) eating our strawberries and I would wonder what the song meant... fly like an eagle... time keeps on slippin slippin slippin... I just know I liked it and still do. Great great memories. Okay back to strawberries. So my Grandma Sally always made the best ever strawberry shortcake. Really she made everything the best...It wasn't until adulthood that I truly appreciated her recipes. I'm not a fan of the traditional angel food cake or the pre-made round sponge cakes sold in grocery stores. I like a flaky biscuit soaked in fresh sweet cream topped with homemade whip cream and the sweetest strawberries ever. (because they've been soaked in sugar chilling in the refrigerator for hours before serving). My grandmother ruined me. She is the best cook ever and I can remember her serving up strawberry shortcakes on a beautiful plate and always with her best silver. I might be a food snob. So today, I lovingly served my family a favorite recipe and they will NEVER know how easy it is to prepare. They just know their mom is the best cook ever. (for today, that will change tomorrow) Hoot told me the meal I prepared today was EPIC... he even ate the shrimp. Maybe we are turning a corner.







Recipe:
1 package bisquick biscuit mix (prepare per package instructions)
fresh strawberries cut and soaked in sugar (i use Equal or Splenda)for at least 2 hrs
pour 1 pint half and half over the strawberries
spoon berries over biscuits and pour half and half mixture to your liking
top with fresh whip cream (sweetened)
Enjoy~

Blessed

Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.

It truly blesses my heart to see my children reading contently.  Hoot chose to read his daily devotional... (because it's short) and Libbie chose a Dr. Seuss book. She can't read yet... but she pretends. I love the stories she invents.








If I hear the "B" word (Bored) or "What are we going to do now mom?" one more time this summer... I'm going to throw myself off a bridge. It seems if we are not in constant motion, we are bored. Given this is my first real summer as a SAHM, I wasn't versed in summer mom responsibilities. I didn't know I was the entertainment director much like a cruise director. I've been appointed official cruise director of the Lambert family. Wikipedia describes me as this: "a high-ranking officer of a cruise ship with responsibility for all onboard hospitality, entertainment and social events, who acts as the public face of the company" Yes, that would be me. I think I deserve a badge and at least a few metals. My littles were highly offended that they had to tag along with me today for routine errands. Apparently getting the car washed and buying groceries was not checked on their excursions list when they boarded the SS Lambert Summer 2013. Once we boarded the ship (came home from grocery shopping) I gave them two options for afternoon entertainment...Read, or take a nap in their cabins.

We also went school shopping today for uniforms.... when does school start back? Ha!

Road Trip

"Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well"~ Gorge R.R. Martin  Summer with littles is the best. They are brown and pruney from the sun and water. We were in the pool from 10AM until 7:00PM only taking breaks for snacks and potty!   These are the days I hope to remember forever. The belly busters,  giggles that turn into full on hurt your tummy laughter, the smell of coppertone babies and sweet taste of watermelon.  Summer is fun and always fleeting. I'm already thinking of school supplies and uniform shopping. But for now... we swim and build Legos when are fingers are too blistered to swim any longer.

Summer Fun!!

It's HOT in Texas folks!! We don't have a swimming pool so we broke down today and went old school... yep.. daddy aired it up and this small inflatable provided 5 hours of summer fun. Add in water guns, goggles and watermelon... equals one fun day!!

Posting Frenzy!

Feeling Crazy~~~ I think now that I have 80 whopping followers I'm inspired to post... I don't know why. Tonight I made the best ever Asian chicken wraps. They were delish I could hardly stand it. Recipe at bottom of post. I was feeling overly domestic due to a recent late spring cleaning I did. I decided it was time to clean out and clear out and it feels great. Our family room felt crowded and cluttered and no matter how much I cleaned, it still felt un-kept. I think I had too much furniture/accessories in the room. what's a girl to do? get to work! I eliminated several treasures from the room and it feels much better. Lambert came home and asked where his ottoman was... so sorry. I decided that less can be more. And fresh cut flowers pull it all together without being over powering.(like the ottoman) After the cleaning... I pulled a favorite recipe book out (Peace Meals) a collection from the ladies of The Houston Junior League. A sweet friend gave me this book several years back as a Christmas gift. I usually pull it out around the holidays, but thought I would give it a looksy and found this wonderful recipe. My wraps didn't look as good as the picture in the book so I stole theirs. I even used the white butcher paper, but their pic looked MUCH better. Like I said I'm still working on my culinary photography skills. The finished product was delightful, but do you think my family liked it? I can tell you the answer is NO... I have the pickiest family on planet earth. It was fresh and crisp. The sauce was sweet and sour... Any my family just looked at me with sour faces. I finished mine and wanted seconds, but refrained. The rest of my crew went to Chick~Fil~A... I'm telling you if it doesn't come from a restaurant or box... they don't like. I'm trying to eat at home more often and prepare healthier foods for my family. My husband is the instigator. I think my littles would eat what I prepare (because they do for lunch) but when Lambert gives "the look"... they, almost on cue, turn up their noses. If it was up to me, I would make them eat it... How can a mom compete with ole Truett? So if you have a normal family that eats more than strictly box prepared full of preservatives food... try this one.

Enjoy~
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 large clove garlic-minced
1 tsp peeled and grated fresh ginger
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 lime (squeezed)
Flour tortillas
1/2 cup prepared hoisin sauce
3-4 green onions chopped
1/2 bunch green leaf lettuce chopped fine
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup peeled and grated cucumber

Heat the oil, red pepper and garlic in a large skillet over med. heat. Add the ginger and chicken. Saute' until cooked through and the juices run clear about 7 mins. Squeeze the lime over the cooked chicken and remove from heat. Warm the tortillas one at time. I heat mine right over the gas flame on my cook top... (its the best). top each tortilla with the sauce, onions, lettuce, chicken, etc... and roll tightly. Secure the wraps with tooth pics and cut on the diagonal to serve...

Lambert just asked me if I was posting the recipe for disaster.... Jerk. I think he forgot Father's Day is Sunday. I may prepare this for Father's Day Dinner!!

Painted Brick and Other Summer Fun

Over the years I have stored up quite a collection of images of painted brick and painted cottages. I don't know that I would have the courage to paint our brick given the fact that I really do like the color of our brick and I believe it's a "historic" whatever that means brick... I've been told by several older neighbors that the woman that built our house in 1959 was very particular and that our brick is "special"... if there can be such a thing... But look what a difference a fresh coat of paint can make.



Before









Painted Concrete... not too bad!!


And last but not least!! My stamp finally came!!! I've been using it for a few weeks now. Love. she is very talented!
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Sunday Supper

I'd been planning this dinner since Mother's Day. My mom was supposed to be in town, but had to have emergency surgery and wasn't able to make it for Mother's Day. She strolled in to town this afternoon after her doctor gave her clearance to drive. I'm not so great at food photography. It will be a new obsession that I will work tirelessly on until I master it! Dinner was delicious and the company was great. Lambert grilled steaks that were marinated in olive oil soy sauce garlic (very simple) and I made a wonderful strawberry walnut salad with home made poppy seed dressing (a new favorite) brown butter and thyme rice and Barefoot Contessa's Brussels sprouts with prosciutto ,garlic and syrupy balsamic vinegar. We are just about to dive in to the Lemon pound cake and then watch a movie. Littles are bathed and in bed watching a movie. Coffee and cake for me and then off to bed. Happy Sunday.