It is very easy for me to say good bye.
Good bye 2013.
Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.
2013 has been the actual worst year of my life.
There have been good things though. Glimmers of brightness that got me through each hit.
This was the year I saw SBean sit up… crawl like the wind… take her 1st steps (on Christmas Day!!!) and lean in to give me a kiss. Oh My God. When she is happy her smile can make you want to sing everything like Mary Poppins J or Maria VonTrap. Apparently I equate happiness with Julie Andrews… Well that’s oddly disturbing now that I think of it lol… And when she is really happy she leans in for so many kisses. Eekkk she is way too cute.
I always ask HBear “Too many kisses?” and she says “NEVER too many kisses!” LOL
I used to have a magnet up on our fridge that said:
When I am good
I am very very good
but when I’m bad
I’m even better
Yeahhhhhh If I was making a magnet for SBean it would read:
When I am good
I am very very good
but when I’m bad
I’m even better… than my Mommy!
This was the year HBear became a little girl. She grew up into a reasoning, precocious J, well mannered and confident little girl.
She is a funny person. She makes me laugh. A LOT! She says the most clever things. She thinks about things so literally. Yesterday when we were changing her microphone batteries I went to the wine cabinet to get little screwdrivers (I put them there from our Xmas crackers).
When I got back she kept asking “Can I have my thing-a-ma-bobs? Can I have my thing-a-ma-bobs please? May I have my thing-a-ma-bobs? May I have my thing-a-ma-bobs please?”
OMG HBear what are you talking about? Oh the screwdrivers.
“Yeah they’re mine may I have them? I got them from Grandma’s Xmas cracker… so they are mine, right?”
Well, yes but these are a adult tool.
“Oh.
Well I got to wear 1 of your purses today when we went to the store.”
So….
“Well I even used 2 monies to buy my Kinder Surprise Egg all by myself.
From my purse….! (You have to picture the dramatic drawn out expression it was LOL)
So I guess that kinda makes me almost an adult so may I please have my adult tool thing-a-ma-bobs now please?”
My Mother is on her ass laughing at me right now.
This was the year that could have tested my marriage but instead strengthened it. Ninja is such a good man. He is the backbone of our family and keeps sanity when everything is spinning out of control and into a tornado of emotions spiraling towards disaster.
I did mention that I have the crazy gene right? J
Sometimes I can see the think bubble pop out of his mouth and then he sucks it back in and says nothing. He is quicker to give hugs than opinion, and man, does he still look good doing it!
I know pretty great hey?
PLUS there was Reign.
I know right? Part of me… the part that has a degree in history wants to vomit and then smack her head into it over and over again.
But, there is that other part, the part that has been reading historical romances since most of her friends were reading The Babysitters Club or SVH. BTW… shut all your young ass mouths dear sweet cousins LOL I Knooooow you have no idea what I am talking about right now LOL Look it up these are my generations classics LOL
Anyways… that part wins! LOL for no good reason. For the pure guilty pleasure of it. That is 2013’s secret…
I LOVE REIGN… seriously it is Gossip Girl at actual court!?!?! LOL YEAH!
I mean, they are torturing history and they are in the French court and not one of them speaks a lick of French or even has an accent. Hilarious! annnnndddd…
I. Love. It.
Yeah, so there was that.
This was the year my niece was born. Although she is at a distance in so many ways… I see videos and pictures and my heart sings. I know how loved she is and what a special girl she is and I smile.
This was the year my S.I.L prepared to have her world altered. She is going to be an amazing Mom. She is so great with kids and she is always learning and getting better, she is a true athlete in spirit and in her heart. She always strives and works hard. She is going to be great. Her husband is too… he just doesn’t know it yet I’m sure! LOL I remember the first time he held HBear. He melted.
I can’t imagine the sap he is going to be for his own son. Eekkk sooo excited for them!!!! It could be today! Tonight! She is due today J J Plus she has an amazing Mom there to help her. I know what a help she is for me so she will be such a huge asset to her in the coming days.
I’m kinda jealous because I can never have that feeling again. My Mom was awesome for both my children’s births. I never in my life felt closer to her than those first few days home from the hospital with HBear. I am so grateful.
This also makes me feel heartbroken because my sister missed that opportunity.
And this was the year my I-Laws moved here. It is wonderful having them so close. I am loving getting to know them even better. She is funny and smart. I mean… smart. She would be intimidating if she was so nice and genuine and straight forward. And he is a big teddy bear that is more kid then adult LOL You should see him with the girls! LOL It is pretty special to be able to share holidays or just an everyday with them… and my Dad.
Ahhhh Dad. This was the year I saw my Dad and thought wow. You are such a strong man.
He is going to be ok.
There are tough days, bad days. But most are good days. The girls love being with him and he loves being with them. He actually read to HBear up until the last 5 minutes of that awesome Canada/Slovakia game yesterday.
Seriously… that’s big. LOL
This was the year I made new friends and reconnected with old ones. This was the year my brother and his wonderful girlfriend bought their 1st house. This was the year my B-I-L took his family on a Disney Cruise to spend quality time with them once we found out my nephew’s cancer is back… and not going anywhere L This was the year I made special connections with 3 very special Aunts.
Many great things happened this year. I just need to remember that!
I am going hopefully into 2014.
With that said being said, today we are going back to Christmas dinner and my Dessert J
This was extremely rich. I think with more practice it could be a showstopper. It was very decadent and I am pretty sure it goes against ANY or possibly all my New Year’s Resolutions LOL
Chocolate Cream and Salted Caramel Tart
Adapted from LRF
For the crust:
2 and 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup powdered almonds
2/3 cup butter, cold, cut into cubes
3/8 cup sugar
1 egg
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch powdered vanilla
For the salted caramel sauce:
3/8 cup sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon butter
pinch of salt
For the chocolate cream:
2 cups heavy cream
12 oz dark chocolate chips
For the whipped cream:
1 cup heavy cream, very cold
2 tablespoons icing sugar
Shaved chocolate
Prepare the crust. Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse into a dough. Wrap the dough and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll out the pastry and line a deep 24-26 cm tart dish with it; patch any holes if crumbly.
Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Roll out the pastry and line a deep 24-26 cm tart dish with it; patch any holes if crumbly.
Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375. Prick the tart shell all over with a fork and bake about 25 minutes.
Transfer to a rack and let cool.
Prepare the caramel sauce. Place sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Look for the caramel to turn a rich amber color, then remove pan from heat and whisk in butter, salt and cream (the mixture will bubble up, so be careful!).
Pour caramel into cooled tart shell and let cool slightly; refrigerate 1 hour
Prepare the chocolate cream. Bring heavy cream to boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Put chocolate into a medium bowl and pour in the hot cream.
Let sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth.
Pour ganache evenly over tart and refrigerate 24 hours .
Before serving, prepare the whipped cream. In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream with the sugar until firm. Spread the whipped cream on top of the pie and shave some chocolate on top!
Ninja added some bling lol
Ninja added some bling lol
On Christmas Eve Day Dad, Grandma and Grandpa went out for a walk with HBear, letting SBean nap and Ninja and I to make this amazing meal…
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On Christmas night we went to my I-Laws and opened presents and had an amazing turkey dinner!!! She made her Brussel sprouts better than I have ever had them before… and I really like Brussel sprouts. We even had Christmas pudding for dessert. Yummy! Before we went though we took a drive up to visit Mom and Nana. We got little bottles of Bailey’s in our stocking and Dad, Ninja and I poured a little out for Mom and then shot it back with a cheers to 2 amazing ladies. L.O.V.E.
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| SBean in a box lol The ONLY gift needed 🙂 |
Happy New Year’s to all my readers. My family. My friends… new and old. Be safe, be warm and have fun!
May 2014 bring you all peace and happiness!
