Things

DSCN1770, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

We are constantly being talked into buying things. Radios, broadcasting their commercials, magazines, newspapers, our friends, relatives and neighbors. The most effective are the television commercials, whereby, merchants display their wares in quicksilver moments of time slots, which reach the viewers who are, and who are not, paying attention. We have been bombarded by media frenzy who’s goal is to get us to buy things.

From August through the end of the year the public is sending their children “Back To School,” readying everyone for the “Fall Collection” of fashionable clothes. Then there are all of the weekend sales beginning Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, After Thanksgiving Day, Winter Holidays, Religious Holidays and New Year’s Eve.

Only to commence once more with New Year’s Day sales!

We are constantly being shown different automobiles, lawn care products, housewares, rugs, flooring, linens and such. And were does it leave us? We the consumer are made to believe that we need it all.

I have learned a very valuable lesson, over the past few months. Something personal and a little mind blowing. Things can make life easier but what about the things we have accumulated? What about the things we have purchased and used once or twice? Was is all right to buy these items, use them a few times and then leave them on a shelf or in a closet to live their existence by gathering dust?

Why do we think we will feel better by possessing things? Especially when we do not use them anymore or they are no longer fashionable? Getting back to the lesson I mentioned earlier, I must confess to wanting things and then putting them aside after trying them out.

Apparently, I lose interest or perhaps it is the fact that they have become my possessions and that is enough. Just knowing they are waiting for me exclusively, for whenever I choose to pay them any mind. It sounds a bit callous, I know. I always believed myself to be caring and not of a greedy nature, but it seems I have flaws and this is a major one, indeed.

So, I am going to go through my things.  Routing things out and giving them to charities. I am going to keep only the things which I must have. The things I know I will use and the rest is going to find another home. No more stock-piling!

For those things for which I have a sentimental feeling, I shall only keep those things which can fill five large boxes. Everything else must go. I am determined to keep my things in sight and use them. No longer will I neglect my possessions. Everything has a place and a use. It must be productive in order to remain in my world. My world that is now to be lived in a minimalist way. I will be happier.

When I go shopping, I will ask myself whether or not I really want to use it or possess it. This will help me decide if I will pay for it or not.

Lady Fingers Chocolate Mousse and Ganache Sauce

Lady Fingers Chocolate Mousse and Ganache Sauce, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Prepare yourself for a decadent treat to swell in your mouth and surround your senses. Be sure to have a napkin at the ready for the ganache sauce is sure to ooze from the corners of your mouth. So good.

Brioche Parisienne Loaf

Brioche Parisienne Loaf, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Bread must be one of my all time favorites. The aroma of freshly baked bread is enticing and mouthwatering. This Parisienne loaf is ready to pull apart, that is what is was designed to do. Tear off a piece and spread it with butter or jam. I know I cannot resist the delectable flavor of brioche and it is also great with cheese and wine. The next day, you couldn’t go wrong making French Toast with the leftover slices.

Bobby’s In Charge

Bobby on Couch, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

My Daddy left me in charge of my Mommy, the cats and the whole big house. So It is my job to make sure everyone eats proper meals, plays lots of kitty games, takes naps and keeps Mommy from being lonely for Daddy.

My Mommy is pretty cool. She is pretending it doesn’t matter she isn’t traveling to London with Daddy today. She works very hard on her computer and taking care of us all of the time. So I decided to give her a few days of rest and relaxation. I am going to do everything she would normally do.

Perhaps later tonight, we will watch a funny TV show called 30 Rock. I couldn’t help but notice that there are TIVO shows which were recorded but haven’t been watched yet. Like Boston Legal, Men In Trees, Damages and Life.  That’s right, Ugly Betty comes on tonight, too!

We can play ring toss and I will run lots of times and bring the ring back to Mommy. Her face always lights up when we play this. I can bring the feather on the stick, so she can wave it back and forth.

My Mommy said she is going to buy me a stroller, like Daisy The Curly Cat has. Her sister Pixie is very sweet and they get to dress up and go for rides with their Mommy. That’s where we got the idea to go strolling.

Saturday, my Mommy’s sister, Mary is coming to visit. Maybe they will go to PetSmart to buy the stroller. I sure hope they do.

Tonight we will have chicken breast fillets for dinner. They should be easy for me to prepare and I will be sure not to cook the chicken too much. I have watched her prepare countless meals, so I have the basics down.

Well, I will check in later to let you know how my Mommy Sitting is going, and I will make sure she isn’t too lonely for my Daddy.

Madeleine’s

Madeleine’s, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Petit Fours Cookies

Madeleines

These cookies may be flavored and made so many different ways. The cookie is like a tiny mouth-sized cake. I cannot get tired of this delightful treat. The presentation possibilities are numerous. You can even make savory Madeline’s.

This cookie is so distinctive that it has its very own cookie mat, just like a muffin tin with special characteristics. They are shaped like a shell on the front and a hump on the back. After you prepare and pipe this batter, any leftover batter needs to be refrigerated. Take it out to use as needed everyday, for up to a week. Before piping the batter into the cookie mold, be sure to allow the batter to warm up first.

Grease the pans prior to flouring them. A very easy way to dust the tins is to put the flour into a bag and then insert the baking tin. Shake the bag about and then you need only shake off the excess flour, from the tin. Now Pipe the batter 1/2 to 3/4 full, using an up and back motion.

8 oz butter softened
8 oz sugar
1 t vanilla
1 t lemon zest
4 large eggs
1 egg yolk
12 oz AP flour
pinch of salt
2 1/4 t baking powder
Finish with 10 X sprinkled on top

1) Cream butter, sugar, zest and salt.
2) Sift baking powder and flour together.
3) Combine the ingredients.  Alternate the dry and eggs, ending with the dry.
4) Stir until well combined.
5) Pipe batter into mold with #5 tube about 3.4 full. Start at the base, go up and come back.  Refrigerate any leftover batter.

Bake 375º for 8 to 10 minutes. The will puff up a bit and be golden brown on the backside. Remove from pans immediately by tapping the mold and they will fall out.

Serve plain, with 10 X sugar, a lemon glaze or with tempered chocolate. Be sure to let the edges show. Serve fresh out of the oven in a warmed container.

Freezes nicely.

Hello World!

Daybreak wasn’t enough to make me crawl out of bed this morning. I actually awakened because of the impossible position I was lying in. Turning over, I freed my numb right leg, and wiggled my toes to get the circulation of free-flowing blood moving again. After a few moments, I decided to rouse myself to attend to the morning cleaning and relieving rituals. Upon returning to the bed, I straightened the clean sheets and covers, placing my blond teddy bear high on the top of my three pillows.

I called to Bobby to follow me downstairs and together, we stumbled into the kitchen to make coffee. Grinding fresh coffee beans and turning on the pot, the morning brew began it’s gurgling sounds. Pleased with my limited abilities to make coffee with one eye open, I turned toward the French doors, which lead into the studio. I was going to check FexEx tracking to find the whereabouts of my new iMac computer.

My original 1999 Raspberry iMac died at the beginning of September, and although I mourned her, I was without communication abilities for a whole week. A 2000 Blueberry iMac was given to us, to tide me through the waiting period, until I could order my new one. I certainly bless the computer for affording me the pleasure of surfing the Internet and posting a few stories and articles, but I was forced to slap it on its left side, many times, to restore the flickering screen. Thankfully, I do not have to do that anymore.

I had ordered my computer this past Saturday and told the customer service representative that I would phone back on Tuesday with the data to run the sale. I chose to have it FedEx’d ‘Overnight Priority’, to the steep delivery fee of $125.00. I wanted it so badly that I didn’t care about this extravagance. I figured it was worth it. I needed to give my creative juices the first opportunity to flow.

Yesterday morning, I could barely wait for the 7 AM alarm to go off. I got up, showered, and was dressed by 7:20 AM. For someone who has a hard time getting up, I was displaying a remarkable energy. I was going to get my computer today, I thought happily. I spotted the FedEx truck as it was coming down the court and flashing its left turn signal. I went outside and stood on my porch, pretending to fiddle with my roses. The driver was driving slowly and had, in his right hand, a map or manifest. I held my breath but he never stopped. He drove down my street and up around the bend. He’ll be back soon enough, I thought. It was only 9:45 AM and I had paid for guaranteed delivery by 10:30 AM. Not to worry.

I called the CDW representative to get the tracking numbers and the nice man said he would look it up for me. Well, I didn’t have long to wait before he told me the package was in transit, but was due to be delivered by 10:30 AM on Friday. Oh no. Friday?

Last night, just before midnight, I looked again and found that at 11:51 PM my packages were in Indiana. It looked to be Friday before I would receive my precious iMac. So you must consider my chagrin as I drifted off to sleep last night. My only consolation was the partial refund of the shipping fees. At least that was something.

When I entered the studio, what to my surprise did I see? My new Apple iMac 10.4.10 (YES!) already set up, in place of the Blueberry. I did notice the little guy sitting on the chaise lounge section, of my red microfiber sofa. Truth be told, the little old computer looked relieved. Thank you Blueberry and thank you Raspberry. They afforded me so many years, and hours of good service. They just couldn’t keep up with the new technology of 2007. My husband was delighted to have surprised me. Thanks Joe!

Bobby likes it too and we feel like kids at Christmas time. My sleek, thin, aluminum 20″ screen and fabulous keyboard is a dream. I will not need another computer for years and I am once again able to communicate with the world. What a smile I am wearing.