Lemon Curd

Ah lemon curd. It's one of those condiments that is incredibly decadent, and can make average foods like yogurt, bread, or berries taste divine.

On Easter my parents sent us home with this generously filled jar of this golden deliciousness, and all week I have been trying to find new and creative ways to use it.

Some of our favorites so far have been;

• Dolloped onto angel food cake with fresh whipped cream and berries (Easter dessert)
• Miked in with plain/honey yogurt (Clara's has enjoyed this one)
  
• Spread on french toast, croissants, dutch babies
• Blended into a blueberry smoothie
• On vanilla ice cream ( I haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds really good right?)

Ingredients

• 5 egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 4 lemons, zested and juiced
• 1 stick butter, cut into pats and chilled

Directions

Add enough water to a medium saucepan to come about 1-inch up the side. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, combine egg yolks and sugar in a medium size metal bowl and whisk until smooth, about 1 minute. Measure citrus juice and if needed, add enough cold water to reach 1/3 cup. Add juice and zest to egg mixture and whisk smooth. Once water reaches a simmer, reduce heat to low and place bowl on top of saucepan. (Bowl should be large enough to fit on top of saucepan without touching the water.) Whisk until thickened, approximately 8 minutes, or until mixture is light yellow and coats the back of a spoon. Remove promptly from heat and stir in butter a piece at a time, allowing each addition to melt before adding the next. Remove to a clean container and cover by laying a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Drunken Sailor

So.... flippin....funny!

Baby Trashes a Bar in Las Palmas - watch more funny videos

What a Difference a Day Makes.

Today I took a "sick" day. Not planned at all (shhh! don't tell my principal), but much needed. Since Kevin and I started back at school, we get home every friday afternoon, order take out, crawl into bed, and look into each others' eyes and say, "This has been the hardest week ever."

Unfortunately for me, this conversation happened last night, on a Tuesday. I won't bore you with the details, but as I woke up this morning, after reading a very frustrating email, I decided I just couldn't do it. Instead I chose to spend the day resting, and enjoying my favorite job, being mommy.

It was a great day, and just what I needed. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Snuggling in bed with Clara and watching Curious George, her favorite book, which is apparently also a T.V. show! Who knew?

2. Listening to Clara sing Jingle Bells (see video below), and her ABCs, over....and over.... and over again.

3. Watching Clara gobble up strawberries (her favorite), and still be willing to share a bite with her Mama

4. Introducing Clara to "flubber" at OMSI.

5. Getting the living room, kitchen, and Clara's room clean, along with 2 loads of dishes, a couple loads of laundry and vacuuming 2 rooms.

6. Working out AND making dinner...yes, I'm bragging a little.

7. Hugging my husband out of joy and not exhaustion at the end of the day, and then hearing Clara say "hug please" while looking up at Kevin and I with open arms.

Clara singing "Jingle Bells" She has never sang this before, and I had
know idea she even knew Jingle Bells until today.

Shopping at OMSI

Stacking toys, Clara's favorite thing to do.

Checking out the Wilamette River

Put a bird on it!

Portlandia has been running for two weeks now, and I can't get enough of this extreme, yet painfully true portrayal of Portland's oh-so-unique culture.

Check out this segment from last week's episode. Sooo funny (see below), and sooo true (see even farther below).

A lovely bird bag given to me by a student. You can get your own by stopping by Portland's Saturday Market, since this student's mom sells these bags, along with lots of other cool (bird and non bird) accessories and clothes.

Water Baby

Merry Christmas, but more importantly...

Portlandia....can't wait!