Summertime Strawberry Silk Pie

Cool summertime desserts remind me of sun-filled afternoons where days wasted away under breezy shade trees. Stills of my Nana cooking in her sunny, yellow kitchen were photographed in time, tucked away in memories.  She'd slice strawberries over a metal bowl atop yellow speckled Formica countertops.  White eyelet drapes adorned the window above the sink, and there she spent many hours creating a beautiful mess. Outside the screen door small sparrows chirped their excitement over the possibility of catching some discarded pie crumbs.  The kitchen was warm, always warm, air conditioned only by the swamp-cooler in the adjacent living room.  A steady squeak from the metal fan accompanied the low hum of the window unit--these were the sounds of summer at the old house.  She busied herself inside that kitchen day after day, summer after summer,  baking fresh fruit pies, curating cold salads, and blending peach milkshakes made from homemade ice cream and fresh picked peaches: all delicacies worthy of praise. But my favorite goody was her Strawberry Silk Pie.  I'd wait hours for it to set, quietly opening the icebox, careful to make sure Nana wasn't watching, just so that I could sneak a taste.  I'd carefully dip the tip of my fingertip into the gelatin and hurriedly lick it off hoping that I didn't get caught. I'd try to cover up the evidence by holding each side of the pie plate and slightly shifting it from side to side to smooth the mark before scurrying away.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful lady as my mentor.  I learned the basics of cooking from my sweet Nana: as a little girl, I'd watch, mesmerized by quick hands, wrinkled and worn from love's diligent duties.  She baked happiness, authenticated by tastebuds.

At 104, Nana is no longer able to make these delights, but keeping with tradition, I attempt to bake happiness into summer, too. 

Nana's Strawberry Silk Pie:

Ingredients:

1- nine inch Baked Pie Shell

1- eight ounce pkg cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup of powdered confectioners sugar
Whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup granulated sugar

4 Tablespoons cornstarch

2 pints fresh strawberries

Directions:

1. Bake pie crust into a 9 inch pie shell. Because I'm not nearly as awesome as Nana, I cheated and bought the Pillsbury Pie Dough instead of making the pie crust from scratch.  Shhh, don't tell. ;) 

2. Blend softened cream cheese, confectioners sugar, vanilla, and whipping cream together.  Once pie crust has completely cooled, spread cream cheese mixture on bottom of the pie shell and set aside.

  
3. In a small bowl sift together sugar and cornstarch. 

4. Next wash and hull berries.  Divide the strawberries into two equal parts.

 

  5. Place "choice" berries on top of coated pie shell.

 

6. Mash and strain the other half until juice is well extracted. (Note:  I actually mashed and strained the berries, old school style.  Afterwards, it occurred to me that I could have used my juicer.  You just want the fresh juice from the strawberries--how you get it doesn't matter.)

7. Pour juice into sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Slowly stir in sugar and cornstarch mixture.

8. Cook slowly for about 10-12 minutes.  (This is the tricky part.  You want the mixture to thicken, but still be able to pour-ish over pie.)  Cool and spread over fresh strawberries in pie shell.  Place pie in refrigerator until pie sets and is very cold. Garnish with whipping cream over top.  (Use cool whip if short on time.)

Note: As you can see, my silk was a bit too silky. (Told you that was the tricky part!) The strawberry mixture needed to cook a tad longer.  This pic was taken from my first attempt earlier in the summer, but I made it again this week and it turned out much better. Practice makes perfect, right?   

Lazy Days of Summer?

Rolling into the hot, Texas dog-days of summer, I promise myself to make time to relax.  I mean really relax; my mind, soul, and body.  I'm fortunate to have my summers.  There is a reason educators are given this time off, and it has nothing to do with agrarian tradition! Spend a few days inside the classroom and you'll understand why, which takes me back to my point.  Project RELAXATION.

Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown Band, and other country artists sing songs for beach picnics and bbq dinners.  Those easy-going greats wrote summertime anthems for the weary to remind us of forgotten warm afternoons from days past.  "Bare feet on the dashboard," "swimmin' holes," a blown out "flip-flop," and "toes in the water;"  Now this group knows how to unwind.  Then again, they are not mothers.




So, where are these long-lost glory days of summer?  

Continually striving to become the perfect mother, wife, hostess, and decorator my days are filled with tinkering and fiddling, always busy.  My mantra, idle hands build an idle life.  My husband likes to watch movies at home, but I can't sit still long enough to enjoy one.  "Besides," I ask him, "why watch someone else's life when you could live your own?" So since June 6th, we have ventured inside the city to visit the JKF Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Arboretum, the Dallas Zoo; we've attended concerts and two firework shows, eaten at a variety of new restaurants, and perused the Bishop Arts District. I've read five books, cooked countless meals, baked a myriad of desserts, decorated the reading room, planted flowers, cleaned out the garage and deep cleaned the house.  On the side, I've continued my love affair with hair and coiffed some fabulous dos (pronounced 'doos'-as in hair) for friends.  I've engaged in countless conversations, catching up with old friends.  Madilyn attended tennis camp; Bella worked as well as prepared for her college friends to visit.  The days zipped by with all this busy-ness. My hands build life and I love it!  I eagerly embark on the day's journey.  I am Mrs. Dalloway but like her, sometimes I wonder why?  Woolf in her melancholy way reminds us of the question: what's the purpose in all this movement? When Mr. Walsh compliments her, calling her the perfect hostess she cringes.  She despises the simple classification and thinks it silly.  But later she remembers "...that a woman's gift, of making a world of her own wherever she happened to be" is extraordinary.  I agree. 

However, now is the time to rest. Next week I'm going to Seattle with Matt and I'm going plans-free.  I'll leisurely walk the streets allowing Fate's hand to guide me. I'm leaving space for Serendipity to work her magic.  When the bright sun warms my face, I'll pause to capture the feeling.  I'll enjoy the city without judgement, without agenda.  And though I won't have beach or sand,  I'll have adventure.  Adventure without the to-do list.  

~Truly, Cinderella

Teacher vs. Socialite

This past weekend I visited home, more so my friends back home.  Since we've moved to the big D, I haven't made new friends outside of work, other than the few gals who already lived here. I haven't had time.  I spend my days with students and fellow teachers, and although I enjoy imparting my vast knowledge and wisdom to young minds, the sentiment isn't necessarily shared.  Three words: eighth grade boys.  Enough said, right?  On the other hand, the ladies I work with are accommodating, nurturing, and amiable; we're comrades in the trenches, dodging middle school apathy and ducking helicopter parents.  We are the infantry of education, and we stand firm in our efforts to encourage the youth of America.  Our strategy: top secret but I can tell you that involves a dog and pony.  Our conversations at lunch revolve around which student needs more of our time and which administrative email needs answering.  And as exciting as all this may seem, I needed a weekender.  How bad was it? The destination: Lubbock, TX.  Yep, the dust bowl was calling and I came a tumblin'! 

Miles away from an urban heartbeat, my LBK ladies stay trendy, fashionable, and fabulous.  They could easily jump into an episode of the real housewives and hold their own--actually better.  They are classy and beautiful, INSIDE and out.

 These gals carry Louis and Tods and wear Ray Bans, Tom Ford, and Persol.   Their voluminous coiffure has just enough poof and their eyeshadow holds just enough sparkle. They may ride in private jets, build custom homes, and drive luxury vehicles, but they would give you the Tiffany off their finger if you needed it!  (Okay, maybe not their Tiffany, but definitely their John Hardy!)  They are fun!  No subject is off limits, and no laugh is too loud.  Over the years these women and I have supported each other through heartbreaks and heroes, blue skies and brown, and when calendar pages pass faster than phone calls, we catch up over Crown.  Nothing is better.

However, nothing is worse than a Monday three weeks before school is out.  Especially for someone like me, who is principled to teach my students until the very last day!  Yowzers!  As I wrangled students into Greek mythology and stove off questions about the relevancy of ancient gods post technological revolution, I wondered how my socialite friends would fare in this environment.  I remembered a story the divine Cheryl T. shared with me about the time she substituted while her own children were still in school.  The abridged version is as follows:

 Roy Gene was eating the paper strips that Cheryl had cut for students to use on an Easter lily they were constructing. She spanked him (because back then teachers did that) and he still wouldn't behave.  Meanwhile a frenzied group began running around the classroom.  She put them in the hallway, but when she returned Roy Gene was tearing up another little girl's creation.  The little girl was bawling, and Roy Gene was mocking her.  Cheryl marched down to the school secretary and said, "I'm done! You need to find someone to go up there because I'm going home to drink a Chilton, iron my clothes, and watch watch the Young and the Restless!"  She walked out the front door and never again accepted a sub job.

Contemplating the prior, if one of my women's club friends took a sub job, it might look something like this:

1. Arriving in her finest designer threads, Mrs. Socialite would carefully place her Marc Jacobs handbag beside the desk.  Two rowdy boys would scuffle too close to the desk, spilling red Gatorade all over said bag.  Still early in the day, she'd have tremendous patience thereby maintaining composure and tactfully reprimanding the boys, while cleaning off her purse with paper towels.  "It's okay, the dry cleaners can remove the stain," she'd say to herself taking a sip of coffee.
2.  Once the bell had rung, she would take roll, meticulously checking each name.  The students would have tried to switch seats, moving out of assigned desks to sit next to friends, but Mrs. Socialite is too deft for such trickery.  She'd double check the seating chart and firmly but nicely ask those students to return to their assigned place. 
3. Once settled in she'd instruct the students to read the short story left by their teacher.  Re-directing a few off task students back to the reading passage, she'd finally sit down to catch her breath before time to administer the vocabulary quiz. Luckily, she would have brought a small snack for such a moment.  She'd quietly eat a few dried pomegranates to calm her nerves.
4. Then the real crazy would begin. Kids would begin texting, snapping, and instagraming selfies right in front of her!  She would politely remind them to do their work. One boy might shout, "I don't have to!"  She would ask him, "Don't you want to grow up to be a successful man just like my husband?"  He might answer, "I want to live in a cardboard box and work at McDonalds!" Most likely she'd respond by telling him that he most definitely does not want to live in cardboard because it's really not a durable recyclable and McDonald's does not offer gluten-free.
5. Surviving until lunch, she would probably call her favorite catering company to bring lunch.  They might tell her that ordinarily they don't take such small orders but because she is such a treasured guest, they'd make an exception.  Thirty minutes later they'd arrive, just as the bell rings, signaling that lunch is over.  Defeated, she'd sadly take her lunch up to the room, hoping to eat once the students took their quiz.
6. Forty-five minutes later, she would eat a soggy, cold meal.
7. Two hours later, after being told that Mark Twain is trash, Shakespeare is a douche bag, and school sucks, she quite possibly would reach for her most prized item inside her purse, kept there for such an occasion.  Juice box wine--totes school apropos!  After all, the students told her to "turn-up!" 

Truly, 
Cinderella?

Duchess Kate

Who doesn't adore Duchess Kate? She defines classic-modern style. She exudes grace and beauty.  She is a lady inside and out.  Just this past week she and William celebrated their third anniversary. Hard to believe that three years have passed since the world watched the idyllic fairytale wedding take place.

http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/

The divine dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen captured her simple yet elegant presence, framing her place on the royal scene.  With each appearance, the public falls more in love with the stately duchess.

   If you too enjoy peeking in, glimpsing from time to time into the grand life of Catherine Duchess  of Cambridge then visit http://hrhduchesskate.blogspot.com for continual updates.  You'll find tons of photos as well as up-to-date info on recent outings.  One trip you won't find on the site is Kate's visit to Memphis this weekend, only William and Harry went.  Sad news for someone like me--I was looking forward to seeing the outfits she'd wear to the "Birthplace to Rock 'n Roll."

  So, as not to feel disappointed, I imagined styles the princess might wear.   First she would arrive in the city embracing the country/rock 'n roll style in something like this:

Kate's Arrival to Memphis by marsi-hubbard featuring studded shoes

Alice by Temperley knee high dress
net-a-porter.com

Frye studded shoes
amazon.com

Buti leather shoulder handbag
forzieri.com

Carolina Bucci gold plated bracelet
net-a-porter.com

Marco Bicego 18k gold jewelry
$785 - harrods.com

The Row thick glasses
farfetch.com

Helen Kaminski raffia hat
saksfifthavenue.com




For the rehearsal dinner, she might have worn this:
 

Kate's Rehearsal Dinner Dress by marsi-hubbard featuring high heel pumps

Fendi blue dress
$660 - yoox.com

Manolo Blahnik high heel pumps
nordstrom.com

Tory Burch clutch
toryburch.com

Blue Nile 18k white gold bracelet
bluenile.com

Cathy Waterman drop earrings
barneys.com

Eva Fehren white gold pave diamond ring
modaoperandi.com



For a day's outing to tour the sites like Graceland, she probably would have adorned classic Southern style and might have worn something like this: 

Kate's Saturday Afternoon in Memphis by marsi-hubbard featuring a v neck cocktail dress

Ted Baker v neck cocktail dress
$285 - repertoirefashion.co.uk

Mulberry patent leather pointed toe pumps
mulberry.com

Tod s zip top tote bag
mytheresa.com

14 karat gold jewelry
overstock.com



Finally, to attend the wedding of Lizzy Wilson, granddaughter of Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson, and club owner Guy Pelly she may have worn something like this:
  

Kate Attends Wedding by marsi-hubbard featuring christian louboutin handbags

Issa formal evening dress
matchesfashion.com

Jimmy Choo peep toe shoes
bergdorfgoodman.com

Christian louboutin handbag
christianlouboutin.com

Ileana Makri gold diamond earrings
$5,225 - brownsfashion.com

Studded bracelet
cartier.us

Monique Péan 18k ring
marissacollections.com




But, we'll never know. Instead we are left with images of what might have been. 

Easter @ UF!

   

Spanish moss cascading from a tree at UF. Beautiful.

Blessed.  I spoke the word inside my head, but kept my mouth closed in slight smile.  My daughter sat next to me, both of us relaxing in massage chairs indulging in our foot rub.  Only two chairs were anchored in the private nail spa room, which felt nice compared to those nail factory shops whose sanitation practices are questionable.  In a moment of quiet mediation I drifted back to a time when I was a young single Mama living on a prayer that my girls would have better opportunities than I; that they'd make better choices than their mom.  I glanced over at my Bella and my heart sung out with pride.  
   "Which color would you like?" The "girl-next-door" nail tech with an angelic face said, breaking the silence.  
   "What' trendy right now?" I asked. 
   "Pink is popular for spring.  Do you like any of these?" she handed me a nail color wheel.
    I tilted the colors and held them up for Bella to see, "What do you think?"
    "They're all pretty."  
    "Hmmm. I can't decide. You choose," I told the sweet blonde sitting in front of me. 
    "Okay," and she did and it was perfect. 
   
   Saturday afternoon we left Cloud 9 Spa of Gainesville feeling rested, relaxed, and ready for lunch.  The roomies came to pick us up and we headed to Adams Rib Co.  
    "Have y'all heard of it?  This place has great ratings on Yelp," I asked Bella, Ali, Sarah R., and Sarah B.
    "Isn't that the place with Comic Sans font?" Ali asked.
    "Weird detail to remember.  You should definitely change your major to marketing Ali."
    Arriving, Ali confirmed the Comic Sans font.  The girls then voiced their concerns due to the appearance of the exterior.  Other than small rectangular windows positioned at the top of the square building the place looked devoid of light and all together sketchy.  However, I remained positive. "Look, the parking lot is full.  That's a good sign."

 Ali poses below the unique ceiling mural @Adams Rib Co.

    Circling round to the back we met a dilapidated rusted old car that wouldn't go without comment from within. "But that car is not a good sign," Bella retorted.  
   "Bell, you know better.  Don't judge a book....and look at that nice, cute couple leaving." I said rounding out to the other side. 
   "Who wears pearls to eat BBQ?" remarked Bella noticing the girl's accessories.
   "Uh, your mother.  And that just means she's classy, which means this place is gonna be great!"
   "Classy eats Comic Sans, too," Ali quipped and the group giggled.
    The verdict: BEST ribs I've ever had and that's coming from a Texas girl.  Those folks at Adams know how to make BBQ.  
    That afternoon Sarah B., Bella, and I shopped storage places to house their furniture over the summer.  Once reserving a unit, and upon leaving the facility, we stopped in an adorable boutique, Pink Narcissus, that carried Lilly Pulitzer.  Here's the deal.  If you don't know or haven't figured it out, Bella is not a girly-girl.  So Lilly's bright pastels and busy patterns appeal not to her sensibilities.  Nonetheless, Sarah and I dove in with energized enthusiasm and forced Bell to come with. We could have left her alone sifting through clothes like one might pick for lice, but we wouldn't be so cruel as to leave her isolated on the yuppy island.  Instead we were quite kind, begging her to try on a pair of adorable seersucker scalloped shorts and begrudgingly she obliged her mother.  The moral of the story:  she found a pair she liked!

  Saturday evening we went to the theater to see the Disney film, Bears.  Considering Bell is a Natural Resource Conservation major minoring in Wildlife Ecology, watching these annual DisneyNature movies has become tradition for us. If you've seen one you know that the filmography is amazing and the observation to detail is fascinating, but that the applause stop there.  The storyline is fair, and if you zone out for a scene you can zone back in just as easily.  Ali and I sat next to each other, which made for a bad combination.  We talked loudly and incessantly and remained totally obnoxious throughout.  When the cub was lost and the audience thought he was killed, Ali and I held on to each other.  Sincerely upset I said, "He can't die.  This is rated G.  He can't die," I kept repeating. 
   "Mom, this is nature.  If he died in the wild, then he'll die in the movie," Bella answered.
   "I can't do this," I said and followed with an indignant, "I'll tell you what,  I would not let my four-year old watch this!  It's rated G, but there has been terrible violence!"  
   "Really Mom? You don't have a four year old,"   Bella said rather matter-of-factly.
   "If I did, he wouldn't come to see this movie!"  I have a flair for the dramatic, which irritates Bell; therefore, I amp up my dramatics just for her  :).
  "Mom, it's fine.  Watch the movie," she told me sounding more like the mother than I.
   Well, Ali and I took the role of rater and ran.  When the bears ripped apart the fish and crimson blood spewed from the flailing scales I said, "Horror and gore!  Can't believe it's G!"  
   When another bear missed the fish, smacking him across the jaw, Ali cracked, "He just got fish slapped!" Yep, we lost all composure at that one and the girls shushed us.  
   Moments later Ali whispered, "Nudity too.  Those bears aren't wearing clothes!" and that sent us back into hysterics. 

Ali, Sarah B. and Bella before service.

  Sunday morning I met the girls in front of their dorm to walk to a campus Easter service.  Sarah R. went to mass and Sammy went to Mormon service.  We'd convinced Ali, Bella's Jewish friend to attend service with us.  "Go for the experience," I said,  "gives you a reason to wear a cute dress!  Bella can go to synagogue with you sometime,"  I said without considering the possibility that non Jews may not allowed to attend.  I actually have no idea.  Hmm, I should look into that.
   Sarah B. interjected, "Except Ali never goes.  I think her parents told her she was Jewish, but she doesn't really know what that means!" 
   Mouth opened in protest, Ali argued, "I do know! I went to..." and she told us about a couple of events she had attended this year
   "I don't know Ali.  You said that you eat pulled pork at the BBQ pit in Georgia," I said. 
    "But only in Georgia," Ali rebutted. 
    I carefully replied, "I feel like Jews are supposed to eat Kosher at all times, right?" 
   Ali's face lit up and she chuckled lightly without comment.  

Easter Service 2014

   Walking through the gorgeous University of Florida campus in our Sunday finest, we arrived to a venerable sanctuary on the UF campus to enjoy a service by Greenhouse ministries.  The historic building was packed, and we quickly shuffled behind streams of college students climbing stairs to procure balcony seats.  All seats full, we stood at the back with many others until the minister asked for the gentlemen in the congregation to kindly sit on the balcony stairs so that the ladies could have a seat.  We generously thanked them and quietly moved to the front row balcony chairs.  Chivalry lives on!  Oh, how I do LOVE the South. 
   The pastor's sermon was engaging and his presence dynamic.  He spoke on Christ's love and forgiveness, and I found myself praying prayers of gratitude.  I peered around the large space and saw a handful of parents in attendance but droves of college students were present this glorious Easter morning.  Inevitably during these great times of joy, sorrow creeps in.  It is then that I dwell on past mistakes, and think of all the decisions and moments I would change over the course of my life.  I  will ride the pity train and zip past morose monstrous memories that haunt my present.  I begin with the "why didn't I" move to the "if only's" and usually end up in despairing regret.  But the train came to grinding halt, and the Lord spoke to my spirit.  You are blessed.  You are sitting here at a fine university, next to your beautiful daughter and her remarkable friends.  Your other daughter is thriving in spite of moving to a new city and a new school, and your step-daughter is a sweet girl who just made the high school dance/pom squad.  Your husband is kind and loving and generous and handsome (okay, that part might have belonged to me.)  Above all, know that I have been with you every step of the way, even when you made mistakes; mistakes are part of the journey.  I will always be with you.  You are blessed. 

Ali, Bella, Sarah B., Sarah R waiting for brunch.

   Moved nearly to tears, I thanked Him for revealing his kindness to me yet again, and prayed that my girls would always know His grace and love.  After service we enjoyed a delightful, delicious brunch at Peach Valley. If you go, I recommend the apple fritter appetizers!  Yummy!  That afternoon I said goodbye to the girls and wished them well until July.  (All five are coming to visit!  Can't wait!) And on the drive back to the airport, I basked in blessings, interrupted only once by a wrong turn! 





  
   

  

A Birthday for Bella

A six am flight into Atlanta, a quick layover and sandwich from Jersey Mikes, a rental in Jacksonville, plus an hour and a half car ride, I'd finally arrived in Gainesville, Florida at 3:40 pm to wish my daughter happy birthday.  

    Back in March my Bella called, missing home, and expressed her sincere disappointment that she would spend her nineteenth birthday away from me.  Living a thousand miles away with rare complaint, I felt proud that she had made it seven months without a homesick spell.  If she wanted her mommy there for her birthday, then by George, I'd be there.  After discussing the trip with Matt (after all, I'd miss Easter weekend with him) and gaining his approval, I booked my flight! 
    A solid steady rain greeted me in Jacks and I was sans umbrella. I called Bell to ask if she'd like to go with me to buy one.  "I left mine at home!" I explained when she answered. Then I thought for a moment and asked, "You still have one, right?" 
    "No, mine bent and broke from the wind during the last downpour on campus," she answered.  
    "You could go with me and we'll pick out a new one for you!" I said.
     She paused for a moment and then said, "Mom, the girls (the dorm-mates) really want to see you."
    "I want to see them too, but first why don't you run with me to Target and then go with me to the hotel, so that I can check in?  They are going to eat dinner with us, right?"
    "Yeah, they are." The line went quiet for a moment. "Okay.  Sounds like a plan.  How far away are you?" 
    "Twenty minutes out; I'll call you when I'm close to campus.  Just run down and meet me, k?
    "All right.  I'll get ready.  Love you."
    "Love you more.  See you soon!"

    I circled in front of East Hall, a dull exterior that matched the grey skies, but a little rain couldn't spoil our weekend.  In fact, pelting raindrops had been replaced by a cool mist that felt refreshing.  Bella rushed out to the car.  With car window down I hollered, "Bella-Loo!  Love the glasses!"   
    Bella smiled brightly and popped into the seat.  "Really?  Do you like?" she asked.
   "Love." I said. 
   "I bought them last night--I'm diggin' the whole hipster look."
   "Me too!  You look adorbs."  I told her.  

Hipster Fab!

    We seat hugged, then she gave me directions to Target. 
    She and I had a ball perusing the aisle's and we found a geometric maxi skirt that was just her style.  I held up the skirt to her waist and exclaimed,  "I'm so jealous! You'll need a smaller size, skinny B! You've definitely lost weight"  I joked with her and she giggled and flashed her sweet smile. "You looked great before, but really, you look amazing. 
   "Thanks Mom."
    After trying on a few items, she decided on the skirt and a couple of v-neck tees.  Next we meandered to the umbrellas.  Bella picked out the cutest umbrella hanging on the rack. Ruffled edges framed the black and white polka dot design.  I opened the large umbrella inside the store and knocked on wood to counter the bad luck associated with opening one indoors.  "We're probably going to get dirty looks, but we have to see how it looks when opened.  Poof.  Our little corner had transformed into a scene out of My Fair Lady. Bella twirled and said, "I feel like I belong in Singin' in the Rain. I've never owned one that looked like this." she said.
   "No, you haven't had a parasol before, but you sure do look good standing under it." She closed it and dismissed the Proper English Lady act, quickly returning to her typical tough girl persona.  Pointing the sharp end out she said, "I can also use it as a weapon!"  
    "Absolutely.  If anyone on campus tries to bother you, stick 'em with that thing!" 

   "MARSI! MARSI! The girls ran out to meet us, smiles as big as Texas.  Sarah B., Ali, and Sammi piled into the back seat.  "We've missed you!"
   "I've missed y'all!  I'm so excited about our weekend!  Bella's decided on BJ's for dinner-- Good?"  I said as if Bella wasn't sitting in the car beside me.
   "Pizookie!!  Yes!" Cried Ali.  

Sammi, Bella, Ali, and Sarah B.

   At the restaurant the girls made me laugh, sharing wacky dorm stories, while scarfing down spinach-artichoke dip appetizer.  Seriously, we practically licked the bowl.  We giggled at the half dressed college girl at the table behind us because she seemed to be "advertising," yet she sat with her parents and little brother. Oddly enough, she wouldn't find what she was looking for at B.J.'s.  Also, new to me was the heavenly dessert served in house. Pizookie...ah, sinful Pizookie! (At B.J.'s Brewhouse a Pizookie is a cookie baked in a skillet with ice cream on top.  Delish!)  

Salted Caramel Pizookie

     
The girls tried to get me to order them drinks, but failed in their efforts.  However, Bell did get a sip of my Makers and Diet. "You've got two more birthdays yet." I said taking the glass from her before she drank more.
   "And then you're taking me to Vegas?"  
   "Me too?" chimed in Ali.
   "Yes, of course.  How else would we spend a twenty-first birthday!"  
   And on that note, we sang happy birthday!

  

 
  Back at the dorm the girls doled out presents.  Ali sent her on a scavenger hunt (true to Ali's style she wrote the clues right before the hunt while we all sat in the dorm room and waited! LOL!) Bella discovered a Texas shaped James Avery necklace at the end of the game, and earlier Ali given her the Demi Lovato's inspirational book.  Sarah R. gifted the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's record, Sarah B. presented her an adorable miniature Volkswagen Hippy Bus and Sammy gave her a super cute graphic tee.  Ali started this thing where she gives a "mean" gift to the girls on their birthday, so Bella's was a music box that played Yellow Submarine by the Beatles.  (Apparently, she missed the clue from Ali during a game of Taboo and hasn't been able to live it down.)  I gave her a wall hanging, a mosaic Gator head (made by Chad Walker--a talented artist from work), which the girls went crazy for.  

Sammy, Sarah B., Bella, Sarah R., and Ali

  
    Bella put away her gifts, and I could tell she treasured them all as she carefully placed them in sacred places. Next we played a competitive round of Taboo.  Sarah B. Sarah R. and myself vs. Bella and Alli.  (Unbelievably, Sammy snoozed through all of ruckus!) On my turn, I got "blind-date" and used the 2 word tactic.  My clues went something like this:
Me:  First Word:  Um, um...he's an African American singer.  
Sarah and Sarah: Michael Jackson! Drake!
Me: No! NO!  Moves his head like this.... (I begin to swing my head back and forth)
Ali: Stop!  That's cheating!  NO MOTIONS!
S&S: What?
TIME!!
Me:  Blind, and I was trying to think of that guy, you know...
Bella: Ray Charles?
Me:  Yes.  
Sarah: Really?  Really? You could have done--two words. 1st word: blank Side. Or, don't look at the sun or you'll go blank. 
Me: Oh sure. It's easy to think of clues when you aren't under pressure.  

    We played deep into the night, and around twelve-thirty am, I regretfully dismissed myself and the girls moved onto another game. I dragged myself back to the Hilton at the University of Florida and called it a night.  We had a spa day planned for the next morning and I needed by beauty rest. :)  

Visit my blog tomorrow to read about barbeque, bears, and an Easter Jew!

~Truly, Cinderella

     
  

Blood Moon and Palindromes

Palindrome: a word, phrase, sentence, or number that reads or means the same thing forwards or backwards.

Blood Moon: a moniker for a lunar eclipse that gives the moon a warm red appearance.

http://i.space.com/images/i/000/005/941/i02/reddened-moon-lunar-eclipse-101221-02.jpg?1292951155

     On 4-14-14 my student blurted out, “Mrs. H, did you know that the dates this week are all palindromes?  

    To which I responded with kind euphemism, “Tucker, please raise your hand if you have something to share and let’s keep our discussions relevant to the novel,” code for shut your mouth, that was random, and don’t interrupt me!  (NEVER would I say aloud.) However, as all good educators know, our students teach us, too.  Intrigued, I casually meandered to his table, and quietly asked him to explain more.

      “Tucker, when I write out the date, 04-14-2014, I don’t end up with a palindrome.  

       He responded, “No, you have to write the dates like this, 4-14-14, 4-15-14,… See? Now you have a set of palindromes."

     “Cool,” I replied, and nodded my head while muttering, “How interesting.”  

      The next day, inspired by palindrome dates and apocalyptic eclipses, I told my students to write a poem over the “blood moon” using 8 palindrome words.  If you missed all the moon hype, here is a link to witness the spectacular sight.

 http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/15/tech/innovation/blood-moon/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

     Figuring I ought to implement what I instruct, I wrote a poem using palindrome phrases. 

Murder for a jar of red rum
Now do I repay a period won?
Was it a bat I saw?
Nurse, I spy gypsies, run!
Too hot to hoot,
Too far, Edna, wander afoot.
Was it a cat I saw?
Toot! Toot!
Mad? Am I madam?
4-16-14
No omelet did tele moon! 

    A poem devised of palindromic phrases proved harder than I thought, thus I borrowed heavily from: http://www.cs.arizona.edu/icon/oddsends/palinsen.htm

  

  Anyway, next time you trip acid, while watching the moon eclipse red, feel free to recite my cryptic poem, shouting it into a vast black interminable sky! (Disclaimer:  JUST SAY NO!  I do not condone the use of illegal drugs nor does this blog.) 

Let the ever eclectic fairytale continue...

~Truly, Cinderella