Cloud Bread

It's a day when I don't feel motivated to do very much. What I need is a simple, fun, creative project. So I decided to try baking Cloud Bread.

Four ingredients - simple enough. I had all that was called for, even cream of tartar (unopened).

I softened the cream cheese in the microwave for about 15 seconds. I then separated the eggs. I pulled out a baking pan, covered it with parchment paper, and set the oven for 350 degrees F.

I whipped the egg whites until they were very stiff and beat in the cream of tarter. 

With a separate hand mixer, I blended the yolks with the softened cream cheese and sugar until the batter was smooth.

Next came the gentle folding of the yolk mixture into the whites.

I mounded the batter into six rounds on the parchment paper and put the pan into the oven.

The recipe said to bake until firm and golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Good thing I stayed in the kitchen, because I began to smell the aroma after 15 minutes. I checked, and they were already done!

Perfect, warm from the oven with a little jam and a cup of tea!

Cloud Bread

3 large eggs, separated
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 oz. of softened cream cheese

1 tablespoon of sugar

Whip egg whites until stiff with added cream of tartar.

In a separate bowl blend cream cheese, egg yolks, and sugar until smooth.
Carefully fold yolk mixture into the whipped whites.
Scoop onto baking pan covered with parchment paper, 5 - 6 rounds of batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 30 minutes, until firm and lightly browned.

Recipe derived from allrecipes online.

Raspberry Fluff

My cousin sent us a Valentine card. In that card was a recipe for Raspberry Fluff. It looked easy enough and a good dessert that requires no cooking.

Today I'm expecting a friend for lunch. The Raspberry Fluff seems like a fun dessert to serve. I tweaked the ingredients a little and it came out great!

Raspberry Fluff

Mix together until well blended:
2 Cups reduced fat Greek yogurt
1 Sixteen ounce container of lowfat whipped topping
1 Four ounce package of sugar-free raspberry jello

Add:
4 cups of mini-marshmallows

Fold in:
3 Cups fresh or frozen organic raspberries

Prepare the night before, so the marshmallows soften. 

That recipe would make a lot of fluff! So I reduced the recipe by 1/2. I'm serving it with additional raspberries and a chocolate brownie on the side. (Who doesn't like chocolate with raspberries?)

I'm thinking this would be an easy, tasty, crowd-pleasing recipe for the next potluck.

Thank you, cousin!

Memories

I was looking through old photos. This brought to mind and heart many memories: Christmas trees and snow, weddings and birthdays, roses and sunsets, autumn leaves and holiday meals - thoughts of distant friends and those who are near, my husband and my family. 

Precious moments. Precious people. Much love.

Fluffy Snow Drive

Our daughter gave me a CD to listen to in the car. (Yes, I still occasionally use the disc drive.) I was on the road and began listening to the first song. To my amazement, it was a favorite of mine when I was young.

Along the roads I was driving, the fields and trees were white with light fluffy snow. The song really seemed to fit the scenery. Perfect.

Enjoy, and imagine light white fluffy snow.

Cheesecake Cake

It's been a long time since I've baked anything. I need to ease back into it. So when I came across a 5 ingredient recipe, I decided to go for it. Cheesecake cake.

I took a box of lemon cake mix and prepared it according to the directions. I poured the batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish, but I did not put it into the oven.

Next I blended 16 oz. of skim ricotta cheese, 4 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I blended it a long time until it was smooth. Then I poured it evenly over the cake batter. I baked it in a 350 degree oven for one hour. Perfect.

To serve, I topped it with pineapple. (I would've used blueberries, but I didn't have any.) 

Next time I'd like to try a white cake mix for the recipe, then top it with a spoonful of cherry pie fill.

So easy. So good.

Easter Sunday Walk

The temperature is in the high 40's and the sun is shining brightly. After Easter dinner (and pineapple cake!) I decided to take a leisurely walk along the roads in a four mile circuit near our neighborhood.

I took a "detour" on the rec path to see what Allen Brook looked like today.

I walked toward the school and then the Old Brick Church. One of the windows of the church:

I continued walking on the road across from the local golf course. (No one playing today.)

Anyone need a free chair? This one is for taking and seems to be in good shape:

Getting closer to home. I always enjoy this view of Camel's Hump.

My fitbit tells me I walked 3.80 miles. That little detour to see the brook shortened my walk. It's been a long time since I've gone on an extended walk. I am glad to be home again, and am so very glad I went.

HAPPY EASTER!

Just Tulips

I was looking at old photos and I saw a few of my favorite tulips. So I thought I'd gather them into one post: Just Tulips.

These were from a bouquet given to me by our daughter and her husband.

Here are tulips that were growing in our yard.

I planted a few of these. They are called Shirley Tulips!

And this one was a double - two blossoms on one stem! 

Today is March 16. It will be about two months before tulips in the yard will be blooming again.

Anticipation!

 

Maliwan Restaurant

Geo said there was a restaurant in a neighboring town he wanted to try - Maliwan Thai Restaurant. So that's where we went for lunch, and we enjoyed it so very much.

I started with the Yom Tum Soup, a broth with lime juice, lemon grass, tomatoes, tofu, and mushrooms.

We ordered the Shumai Dumplings to share. So good!

For an entree, I had one of the specials, a curry with red peppers, onions, cashews, and mangoes. Delicious!

We asked our waiter about the name of the restaurant. She said it is the first name of the woman who owned the restaurant in Thailand.

We like Thai food, and this restaurant is now a favorite. We'll definitely return.

Walk 10!

I drove to a local hair salon for a haircut appointment. When I left, it was early enough in the afternoon that I'd have time for a walk.The snow was melting and the sidewalks were wet. 

I turned right and continued walking along the curved road that led to a neighborhood.

I was surprised to see that if I would continue on, this walk would lead to the trail behind the school. That trail was the second walk I took in August. Because it was beginning to get dark, I turned around and went back to my car.

When I looked at my fitbit, I saw that today I walked almost one mile.

If I had not set a goal of walking in 10 places I had never been before, I would have missed out on the enjoyment of discovering these places, many which are very near to where we live.

I did it! Now it's time to set another goal...

Living the Dream

When I was in my 30's, I hoped to learn how to ski. The first time out on the slopes, however, I fractured my ankle. That was the beginning and the end of any attempts to ski.

It may be that because of that experience, I never really encouraged our daughters to ski. That is one regret I have, that I did not encourage them to learn to enjoy a sport that is so popular where we live.

Today our daughter sent me a video of our grandson on skis. Yes! Especially since I never learned, it is a sweet joy to see him go with skill and confidence.

                              He had one lesson, and there he goes!

No Excuses, Walk 9

After several gray days, today the sun is shining brightly. The temperature is in the 30's. No excuses. Today I'm taking walk number 9 in an area where I've never walked before.

I had no real plan, except I considered driving to a street behind our post office. I drove along the street until I saw this...

and in a nearby lot is where I decided to park.

I've driven along these winding streets, but never walked here. I often say, "You never really know an area until you've walked it." That is true for me today. I'm noticing businesses, buildings, and details I hadn't seen before.

If I worked in this office building, this is where I'd be taking my breaks, sitting in one of these Adirondack chairs and soaking up the sunshine.

I paused to enjoy a beautiful willow tree by the water. 

Today I wasn't as motivated, but I'm very glad I ventured out.

Walk 8

tt was a warm day on October 1 when I took walk number 8 to "places I had never walked before." 

My destination was Oak Ledge Park in Burlington, Vermont. Actually, I've been here many times, but never to take an extended walk. Along the shores of Lake Champlain, this is one of the most scenic of all the recent places I've been.

 

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I never noticed these rocks before.
 

Lovely flowers along the fence.

 Thanks for the warning!

Sit on the rocks and view the lake! One of my favorite places to be.