I've been trying to think of something "spectacular" to write about this Sunday…like I think everyone else is sitting around waiting for this blog post! A bit self indulgent I would say! Anyway, I've spent a lot of time on my other blog because I've felt it was necessary. Business is slow right now and it's discouraging…however, everyone I talk to says the same thing so I know I'm not alone! All of that to say…it's become easier for me to talk about design elements, pretty pictures, etc…instead of writing something from my heart! I've learned that if you get too deep…no one wants to read it! Atleast not the people that don't really "know" you! Can you blame them? I certainly can't! We read blogs to have fun…to maybe find a new recipe, etc…On my other blog we read blog posts to learn about the design world and what's going on in the world of retail, or who's buying what and who's going to market, etc….but we've also become friends…it takes awhile…trust me, but I've met a lot of wonderful people through my other blog and I've really enjoyed it! What I don't want to happen is to find myself appealing to what I think other people want to hear and not writing about the things that truly matter in my "real", everyday life!
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| If only this was really an "everyday" event! |
Once Layton arrived to swim today…I knew I definitely had something to write about!
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| Layton in the back yard of the house we rented in Hilton Head Island |
Once I was floating on a raft in my own pool at home with my husband and Miller and Sarah…and heard that precious voice call out "Nonnie…I'm here!" as she opened the gate to come in… I knew!
Once Jim returned home from playing tennis with Mitch…I knew!
Once Layton swam several laps across the pool thanks to swimming lessons this week…I knew!
Once Miller and Sarah took Layton to a movie this afternoon…I knew!
Once Holly called to plan our time next week in New Orleans…I knew!
Once Andrea called to see if we could come to Will's birthday dinner…I knew!
These are the sweetest things God could bless me with! Family...
These are the sweetest things God could bless me with! Family...
I could go on and on with examples of what touched my heart in small ways today…the ways that God showed me how much He loves me just through the simple, seemingly trivial things that I got to experience today!
One of the things I'm most thankful for and something that is definitely worth blogging about is the fact that our family just went to Hilton Head together! The memories we created…the laughs we shared…all helped to create a closeness in our family that I've truly felt has been lacking lately. I'm so glad that Mitch called his dad to play tennis…we never play anymore and it's something we used to love as an entire family! I grew up playing…my parents had a tennis court and it was so much fun to just stop by and play on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon. These are the kinds of things that I want to be a lasting effect from our vacation together. Now, even Miller wants to play and I think he and Jim are supposed to play tomorrow…Sunday! Now, that's Sweet!
On top of that, my precious hubby and I shared a nice date night last night at Bottega…our favorite!
We had a fabulous dessert…even though I said we didn't need it! Of course, I helped eat it and it was divine! I've been searching for a recipe that looks similar…I hope this is it!
Give it a try and let me know how it is! Or better yet…go to Bottega Cafe and order it for yourself! It's incredible!
Give it a try and let me know how it is! Or better yet…go to Bottega Cafe and order it for yourself! It's incredible!
Blueberry Tiramisu
4 cups berries ( blueberries)
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsps cornstarch
1 12 cups all-purpose flour
1 18 cups sugar (divided)
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
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4 eggs (separated)
12 cup water
13 cup vegetable oil
8 ozs cream cheese (softened)
12 cup confectioners' sugar
2 cups whipping cream (whipped)
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| 1 | In a bowl, combine berries, sugar and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Gently press berries; drain, reserving juice. Set berries aside. In a large saucepan, combine cornstarch and reserved juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Cool completely. |
| 2 | In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk egg yolks, water and oil; add to dry ingredients, beating until smooth. In another mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating on high until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Spread into an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30-38 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. |
| 3 | In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Split cake into three layers; place one layer on a serving plate. Spread with a third of the filling; top with a third of the berries and drizzle with 1/4 cup berry syrup. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. |
I hope you have the best Sunday ever! And I hope I can always remember to enjoy the sweetest things in my life…everyday!
One last thought…a dear friend and very special person to so many people left this earthly home last night to be with her Heavenly Father in her Eternal Home…we will all miss her so very much, especially her husband, children and family…I will never forget the time I saw where she said to someone who was complaining about getting older and she simply said, "Be glad you ARE growing older". That struck a chord in me like no other! I will never complain or take that for granted ever again and if I do I know that I will quickly remember the impact Laura Black had on my life! She definitely was a sweet, sweet spirit!
