Another one bites the dust

I am a year older since my last posting. I don't feel any older. In fact, I feel pretty much the same. This photo says a lot, especially since I started going to my Core Body strength classes again. Don't laugh - I'm the oldest chick there but I keep up. I like to compare exercise to putting you head in a vice and turning the screw: not fun while you're doing it, but you feel great when you quit. Yeah, I know I'm right.

Can I just say that my iPhone is the coolest thing I've ever owned? And does anyone like Pandora more than I do? Here are my stations: Foreigner, Eagles, Journey, Led Zeppelin, U2, Eva Cassidy, Celtic Rock, Beatles, Adele, Aerosmith, Celtic Women, Loreena McKennitt, Stix, Queen. I'm taking suggestions for others, so leave a comment.

The Promise of Spring (click)

Tina the Tumor may not be with us much longer -- she is missing two key proteins (genetically speaking). That is the good news we've been waiting for. Why? Because it means she will respond to chemotherapy ("respond" = "shrink"). Then Ryan's life can go back to normal. We look forward to Ryan's chemo treatment, the birth of his new baby in July, and continued love and happiness in our family. Prayers have been answered. Thank you all who kept Ryan and Alisa in your prayers!

I start a new term at school on April 1st. This should prove to be an interesting term -- directing a musical dinner show. That task wouldn't normally be daunting; except the performers are all somewhere on the autism spectrum. Rhythm, pitch, memorization, vocal variety -- these are distinct deficits for most of my students. Neverthelss, we will press forward and post photos when the time comes.

March is Craft Month

I just finished two crocheted baby afghans, and I'm currently making two more. I'll post photos here. The Craft Tomb is a lonely place these days -- full of stuff and no one to organize it. Still waiting for carpet. Anyone want to donate carpet for two rooms and a staircase? No? Yeah, that's what I thought.

TGIF - more time to cook!

I spent my day off this week experimenting in my kitchen, in hopes of retaining my noble title of "Kitchen Diva." Biscotti -- the first batch was nasty (too little flavor, too long in the oven). The second batch hit the jackpot -- and much easier to make than most people would have you think.

Biscotti in an Hour
2 eggs whipped by hand to a froth
2/3 c sugar *
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 c white bread flour
1 cup of nuts **
1/2 c dried mulberries ***

Pour batter onto parchment-covered baking sheet. Butter your fingers and shape batter into two long logs (4" x 12"). If kept under 1/2" thick, the biscotti will be easy to cut when they cool. Bake 315 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Remove and allow to cool 10 minutes. Cut into biscuit-sized pieces and return to oven for another 10 minutes.

Tips:
* I added 1/2 cup of honey powder, because I was afraid they would be bland like the first batch
** I roasted pecans and almonds in the oven for 10 min to bring out the flavor before adding them to the batter
*** I've wondered for months what to do with these dried, flavorless nuggets and they proved to be the perfect chewy morsel for biscotti