My Toy Truck

Here are some photos of my little toy truck.  Boyds Bears creates a nostalgic vehicle every now and then.

Danish Black Cherry Tart

Danish Black Cherry Tart, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

One of the finest ingredients used in baking is almond flour or almond paste. Prepared in classic French recipes it lends a delightful and delicious flavor and it’s name is Frangipane.  When combined with Kirsh Cherries, it reflects a beautiful balance. For those of you who do not know about these liquored cherries, they are immersed in kirsch and then they sit for a long period of time, at least a year. This enables the alcohol to be absorbed by the cherries and together, they produce a strong but exciting fruit.

Danish Black Cherry Tart

1 pate sucree 9″shell uncooked
1 cup frangipane
15 to 20 black cherries (graittes)
hot apricot glaze
rum 10X glaze
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

1) Press the sucree dough into the bottom and up the edges of a fluted tart pan.
2) Pan the raw sucree shell 3/4 full with the frangipane.
3) Top with cherries by gently poking them into the frangipane.

Bake preheated 350º oven 40 to 50 minutes. Do not under or over bake. Remove from oven and brush with first the hot apricot and then the rum 10X glazes. Sprinkle liberally with lightly toasted almonds and allow to cool before slicing.

Yields 12 to 16 portions

Stores nicely in refrigerator for two to three days.

Serenity

As a reward for saying at home whilst my husband toured Europe and the UK this past May, I decided I would purchase this painting of a beach scene.  I found myself drawn to the colors and the shading thereof, by the artist, which looks to be J. Holmes.  It is a bit hard to read the signature.  It sits up a little higher on the wall, above three tiered keyboards.  The upward tilt of my camera and my 5′4″ allowed me this slightly lopsided shot.  I did so wish to share my joy in the colors that I shrugged my shoulders when I noticed it wasn’t straight-on.

I find it easy to gaze into the sand and imagine the sound of the surf.  Perhaps I would enjoy a frozen drink and let the the ocean breeze cool me off.  Those cabanas look as if their occupants are sleeping off their party, from the evening before.

Happy Birthday Bobby … July 6th!

Hello there ... I came all the way from the Pacific Ocean.Bobby was gracious enough to allow Hannah to play while she was recuperating. Thanks Bobby!

I love my new toy!

Bobby opens his gift.  Wow it’s Buster Crab!  I love my new toy! He makes a nice chirping sound. Very cool.

Happy Birthday Bobby! Love, Pixie and Daisy The Curly Cats, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

About two weeks ago, sorry for the delay, Daisy and Pixie surprised my Bobby with a gift for his 11th birthday, which we celebrated on July 6, 2008. The UPS man delivered this package and we could hardly wait to open it up. Bobby thought, “I wonder what is inside.”

Look Where We Ended Up

 

Heavenly Destinations, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Being the open minded readers I know you all to be, I have formed an hypothesis or two, or three about the beginnings of the universe, God’s temper, dreams and His on-going attempt to straighten things out.

Could we be here because of an argument? Could we be God’s dreams and in many instances, His nightmares? Naturally He sleeps. We’ve worn Him out.

I do have the courage “to go there,” that place some might call irreverence, but I was, as were we all, made in His image. He is the one that gave me this insatiable inquisitiveness to ask “why?” He is the one who gave me my sense of humor. He is the one who planned it all out. Or … did He?

What if we just happened one day, because of His thoughts or an in the heat of the moment, stupid gesture or a display of bad temper? Who really knows, but it is something to consider.

Let’s say that one day God became bored and decided to create something he had daydreamed about. Namely us. Because He is everywhere, but He is always supposed to sit on His throne, He is not able to break free to experience things a weaker being might go through. Perhaps He had an argument and threw an object, which broke into many kazillions (now that’s a lot) of pieces, which revolved around His heavenly place, to become living vessels of differing colors and beautiful attributes.

One day … He manifested everything of which He wanted, thought about, dreamed about. He wasn’t bored anymore. No sirree. He could live out every conceivable scenario through all of His beings, plant life, the insect world, animals, fish, birds and finally humanoids. He would never become bored again.

But who knew that we would get to have free will? How would He know that we would become so hard to handle … so very out of control?

Of all of the worlds out there, you and I ended up on planet earth. Many believe in reincarnation and since it seems very likely, look at all of the places we can journey to and keep God entertained. Unfortunately … we make Him sad when we do not behave.

It is an idea that I have been thinking about for years. What if we chose to act right and please Him. He would have better dreams, better days. Why do we not consider His feelings for a change?

Special Gifts

  

Honey Bee on my very own Sunflower , originally uploaded by Theresa111.

My sister told me that a friend of hers sees God’s love for her in a cute way. Whenever she espies a bright yellow VW Beetle she thinks to herself, “God Loves Me!” This secret meeting of hearts usually takes place on the highways and streets, in her hometown of Washington, DC, and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Liking the idea, my sister decided to adopt this fun reminder which seems to brighten days, reminding one that one is not alone and a quiet touching of the soul, whilst traveling through the daily muck and drudge of everyday life.

Lately, I too have been seeing yellow VW’s and the same thought is allowed to permeate my mind and drift downward toward my heart. “God Loves Me!” It feels good and offers a ray of hope. These cars seem to drive by at opportune moments, or when I need an uplifting of spirits.

Really though, I enjoy these private messages and rays of hope. They remind me of the spiritual being that I AM and that even though this world seems topsey turvey … we are all being observed. All of our actions, deeds and thoughts … aren’t going unnoticed.

Perhaps ten days ago I noticed tall stalks growing beside my bird feeder. They seemed strong and pretty, so I asked they not be whacked down, the next time the gardener came by. To my surprise I saw the beginnings of a green bulb at the tops of the stalks and it gave me pause to consider the possibility of a flower.

One of my very favorite movies is, “Under The Tuscan Sun.” There is a brief shot of a field of tall opened sunflowers and it makes me want to run through them and hug them ever so gently. They seem so serene and peaceful.

Thus, I was filled with happiness when I saw the stalk and pod brought forth this perfect and expressive sunflower. She has a sweet little honey bee caressing her and the birds think I have made their eating area very chic. I didn’t create it, I simply didn’t destroy it.

I feel God has shared a beautiful glimpse into His soul, whenever I stop and absorb His majestic art. My husband calls it living art and aptly so. I would wish we would all see the special gifts and appreciate them.

Thank you Heavenly Father for this special gift. I love you too.

Happy Birthday Domestic Minx!

Glorious Roses of Lady Laura

 

Glorious Roses, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

During this long interim I have been taking care of everyday matters. I am about to redeem myself and Chapter Fifteen is in the works.

So thank you for your patience with my delay in the continuance of “Adventures of Lady Laura.”