Rules are made to be broken!

It is my here-to-fore inviolable policy not to put people pictures on the web.  Especially, when the quality is suspect at least, blurry at best, and obviously posed.  Even considering those things, I'd like to recollect a great two weeks with these "girls".  What a cast and crew.  And besides, they rock the t-shirts!  Sometimes, ya just gotta!  Know they and you are loved!

THE WOMEN recipes

Of course I'll cheat!  Some of these are posted on my web page--http://ezbzspeak.com.  Those are linked below, and the ones that aren't appear below!  I almost hesitate to share, because when you discover how easy they are, they might lose some of their magic!  Give 'em a try and know you are loved!

Lemon Bars
1 pkg. one-step angel food cake mix
1 can lemon pie filling
Combine.  Place in an ungreased jelly roll pan and bake at 350 for 18-19 minutes.  Remove and glaze while warm, with 2 cups powdered sugar mixed with the juice and the zest of one lemon.

Haystack cookies
1 pkg. butterscotch chips
1 pkg. chocolate chips (I like the dark)
1 bag chow mein noodles
1/2 jar dry roasted peanuts.

Melt the chips in the microwave until smooth and easily stirred.  Place the peanuts and noodles in a large bowl.  Pour the melted chips over.  Stir until completely coated.  Drop by tablespoons-full on waxed paper.  Allow to set and refrigerate.

Carrot cake--web page--Duplicate bridge 2008--I used mini-muffin pans, liners, and baked them for 15 minutes!

Fudge--web page

Stuffed brownies--web page-- Instead of symphony bars in the middle, try--
      1 pkg. dark chocolate chips and 1 pkg. Andes mint pieces
      1 pkg. dark chocolate chips and 1 pkg. Resses Peanut Butter chips
      1 pkg.  semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 pkg. butterscotch chips
      1 pkg dark chocolate chips and 1 pkg. butter brickle chips

Chocolate chips cookies

1 cup butter                               2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup Butter Flavored Crisco       2 tsp. salt

2 cups white sugar                       2-12 oz. pkgs. Chocolate chips

2 cups brown sugar  

2 tsp. vanilla             

4 eggs       

4 cups flour              

5 cups oatmeal         

2 tsp. soda   

            

Directions:

Cream shortening and butter.  Add sugars and beat until mixed.  Add eggs and beat until fluffy.  Add vanilla.  In separate bowl, combine 2 cups flour and 2 cups oatmeal.  Add 1 tsp. salt, soda, and baking powder.  Stir until well mixed.  Add remaining flour and oatmeal.  Add remaining salt, soda, and baking powder.  Stir until well mixed.  Add liquid ingredients and stir until blended.  Add chocolate chips and stir.  Using a small ice-cream scoop, place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

Only one requirement--ENJOY!

My double X's

I've facebooked about it.  I've blogged it.  I've cut.  I've staged.  I've learned volumes from my mistakes, and thankfully, tonight is the end of "I".  It's all about THE WOMEN. Based on rehearsals, the play should be retitled The Good Sports!  The only constant was change!

And now to the purpose of today's entry.  While I realize the import of private gratitude, this group deserves public praise!  Meet the cast:

Maylou--our narrator.  There hasn't been a rehearsal where her script has been the same, and that won't change tonight!  But does she complain?  No.  She reaches far outside her comfort zone and provides her audience the background necessary for understanding.  

Emily--a former student of ours, an adopted daughter, and an amazing talent.  Understated, realistic and well rehearsed, she adds an element of surety and calm to the cast.

Christine--another former student, and one of the busiest women I know.  She has taken time from an amazingly packed schedule to bring a believable level of hysteria to the stage.  She's over the top--exactly as her character demands!

Mary--a force with whom to be reckoned!  Her portrayal of the Countess is dead on to her own life.  Live it to the fullest and give gracefully and endlessly to those around you.

Tami--the newbie in the group!  We were in a pinch.  She said yes.  She brings vitality and excitement to her role AND the cast.

Cathy B.--as Mary Jr., she plays a petulant and stubborn child...the exact opposite of who she is in life.  We can attest to this opposition because she is our niece and our love.

Maria--The Sound of Music says it best..."Maria makes me laugh!"  Totally in control of her two different characters, her attitude and demeanor are spot on interpretations.

Kris--we go back a long ways.  She was one of the best interpers I ever had, and like Tami, filled a void in this show. She embodies a character that is so antithetical to her being, I marvel!  How do you politely tell an actor she makes a good slut?

Karen--if we do rename the play, she is the eponymous character.  Her roles have changed, depleted, and changed again!  Her willingness to listen and keep an open mind impress the bejeebers out of me.

Cathy--by now you all know what I think of her!  Her ability to see what I do not has saved my bacon on more than one occasion.  And I never thought I would say this, but what a great gossipy hairdresser she would have made!

Jill and Linda--who move the sets and set the stools and do the props...any director knows the theatre gnomes are the most important part of any show that runs smoothly.

Marlin--I know in legends, it was Merlin who was the wizard.  Not so with us.  Marlin walked in and in one day had us lit and ringing!  Amazing.

Judy--who recognized early that hearing cues was important and had to bow out of the production, but not out of the play.  Her enthusiasm as assistant director and support of the cast added immensely to the experience.

In life, if one is extremely lucky, our paths will intersect with a person or persons who profoundly impact who and what we are.  You have definitely done that!  To the cast and the crew, from this day onward, you will not be The Women...you will be MY women!!!  Thank you. Thank you.  Thank you!  You are loved!

Blessed be the pie that binds

So, in the quest for that PERFECT low carb pizza alternative, we have discovered the tastiest taste fooler to date.  The only thing is, it has just a touch of cheese in it, and if you have a similar digestive system to mine, cheese does not incite peristalsis.  Following the consumption of this meal, you may have to call Mayflower to instigate movement, but it is a tasty treat.  If you are low carbing it, give it a try.  We truly think it tastes and textures like real pizza!

7 cups mozzarella cheese
7 eggs
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil

Combine all ingredients and press into a lipped cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees.  Remove and cover with toppings.  We used a Chef Boyardee pizza sauce, fresh mushrooms, and pepperoni.  Since we bought the bag of shredded mozzarella that had 8 cups in it, I sprinkled the remaining cup over the top.  Bake for another 10 minutes.  Allow to cool slightly and enjoy.  And know that you are loved!

Sometimes, the very best words are...

Good night.  I love you.

Good night.  I love you!

It sounded like a good idea...

Individual carrot cakes!  I've done them before.  No problem.  For some reason, after frosting 150 of them, I'm not sure why I did it again?!!!  Maybe it was what transpired between the baking and the frosting?  Business.  A little of this, a little of that.  When it was time to frost, it was past my nap time.  Then of course, there was the matter of sugar.  Not enough of it.  Have you ever tried to stretch sugar?  Well, I did manage, and the lovelies are in the freezer.  Now, it's time for bed...or chair...or something.  The dishes can wait until tomorrow, right?  Take good care of you and know you are loved!

There's still some life in the old man

First swipe with the mower.  Snap.  The self-propelled cord snaps.  Darn (or words to that effect).  Don't have the time to take it to the shop.  Can't figure out how to fix it myself (go figure).  Have to finish the yard in the "oh my god this sucker is hard to push" mode.  This I can do.  Finish the neighbor's yard.  Notice a change in the weather.  Hear a change in the weather.  SEE a change in the weather.  But darn it, the lawn needs mowing, so up speeds Bill.  Now, not only am in in the OMGTSIHTP mode, I'm doing it at a clip that even a 60 year old would admire.  Just as I finish the side yard, I celebrate because the first few drops of rain start to fall.  That would the the last few drops of rain as well.  Seems as if it is a "widely scattered" rain storm and it's scattering somewhere else.  I needn't have rushed.  Oh well, the lawn is done and I'm off to play in the kitchen.  Know you are loved!