Raspberry Curd Tartlets and a Wedding Shower!

THANK YOU JESUS!!!! We finally married my brother off to a delightful woman that we all adore. I really wish they had gotten married sooner as I kept thinking that she was going to back out before they actually said “I do.” I know the boy ain’t easy to live with, trust me!

I kid, y’all. Angela is fabulous and I am so excited that they entered into that beautiful union. Shannon looked fabulous and Angela was stunning in the low-key family centered affair.

I got the opportunity to help with the wedding shower back in March. I will say the food was FAB! These tartlets were the bomb dizzle. Shannon is very picky, if you couldn’t tell from previous posts. If you follow me on twitter or facebook you know about his many “quirks.” (I remind you of the STRAWBERRY-GATE incident…. That boy!) Anyway, I just shoved one in his mouth and he loved them so they have the Shannon Waters Seal of Approval. James also ate them so anyone should.

Without further ado….

Raspberry Curd Tartlets

• 1 12 oz bag of frozen raspberries, thawed (any berry would work with this)
• 1 recipe of Lemon Curd
• ¼ cup sugar
• Phyllo shells
• Toasted coconut

Puree the raspberries until smooth in a blender. Then pour puree through a sieve to remove the seeds. You may have to use a spatula to push the puree through the sieve.  Mix this berry sauce, in a large bowl, into the lemon curd while the lemon curd is still warm.  Cover the curd with plastic wrap, letting the wrap touch the surface of the curd. Refrigerate well, at least 2 hours.

When this is almost cold and thick, prepare the shells according to the package directions.  Take a teaspoon and fill the shells with the berry curd. Sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired.

 

 

Chocolate Chip Challah

Recipe to come…

 

My Lenten Promise

Let me start off with, I AM NOT CATHOLIC. I am Methodist. I love my church and the family there. However, the new family I work for is Catholic. I try my best to do the things they do to show the kids what to do. Lent is one thing I have done for years though. An old friend of mine introduced me to the practice of giving something up for Lent, the period of time between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, each year when I was in 9th grade. My first year was Macaroni and Cheese. 8o what was I thinking. That was the hardest 40 days of my life, at least pertaining to food. Over then years it has been various things. This year, I made the decision to double up. NO meat and NO fast food.
I LIVE ON FAST FOOD. Disgusting, yes, but that’s how I roll.
I also love meat. All of it. So this year has been tough. I fell off the wagon for meat on my birthday when my husband took me to a fantastical steak house for my birthday. But to this day, 29 days in, I have not had fast food. I have been limiting my meat consumption and I feel great. I am still cooking it for the skinny husband, but I really don’t eat it as much.
So, I have been doing well. No fast food. Limited meat. I feel great.
I hope you all have been doing well also.
~Casey

 

Requesting the honor of your presence at a tea party for Princess Ansley!

Last night was amazing.  Friends gathered to welcome the newest member of our social circle.  Ansley Elaine will come into the world in a few short weeks.  She will be welcomed with love and a few extra sets of Aunties and Uncles.  I can’t wait to meet the new bundle of joy.

We had a tea party in honor of Ansley and Mommy (Kara).  It was a refreshing break from the traditional baby shower.  A small group of friends, we are, but we can definitely throw a party.  Here are some pictures from the evening.

We had a ruffle cake, rosette cupcakes, strawberry shortcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate mice, chicken cordon bleu twirls, sausage stars, pizza rolls, mini quiches, and cucumber sandwiches.  It was delicious and everyone brought stuff to share.  We had a fantastic time!

 

 

Sad Day and Weight Watchers 5 point Individual Cheesecakes

Today, I woke up, I thought, “What a glorious day to be alive.  The sun is out, the temps are going up and it is just beautiful out.”  Then the black clouds gathered and the day came to a crashing halt.  Last night, a dear friend and family member took his life.  He didn’t know what a glorious day today would be and didn’t have the strength to stay on this earth one more day to see it.  He walked away in the prime of his life, he left the stage in the middle of his song.  He couldn’t bear to be here with his family and friends.  No matter what decisions he made, mistakes he made, choices he shouldn’t have chosen, I loved him and will always love him.  The farm is quiet today, as quiet as a farm can be, as we all think about a lost comrade and pray that he got to where he needed to be, and in death got the help God promises.  I will never forget him, no matter how long I go, no matter how far I go.  The boy will always be missed.  As it is so aptly stated in a Rascal Flatts song “Whoever told you life wasn’t worth the fight, they were wrong.  They lied.”  Life is always worth living.  Life is work, and life is hard.  But in the end, I would rather not remember you as the boy who took his own life, but as the boy who lived a long life.  Now we will never know what could’ve been in yours.

Before the news of this untimely death hit this morning, I wanted to try to make diet cheesecake.  I had all the ingredients so I thought, why not?  I have files to organize and who wouldn’t want to do that with a big ol bite of cheesecake?  This is an adapted recipe from the Weight Watchers One Pot cookbook.  I have changed some things and tweaked it a tad.  I hope you enjoy as much as we have.

5 Point Cheesecakes

• 2 packages 1/3% less fat cream cheese, softened overnight
• 1/2 cup reduced fat nilla wafers crumbs, about 15 cookies
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tbsp egg substitute
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup 100% fruit spread

Preheat the oven to 350* F.

Mix the crumbs and butter.  Put 2 tsp in each cavity of a 12-cup muffin tin that has been lined with foil cupcake liners.  Top with 1 tsp of the fruit spread.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

In a stand mixer,beat the cream cheese until completely smooth.  Add the vanilla and lemon zest.  Make sure that throughout this process you scrape down the bowl and mix in the zest well.  It has a tendency to clump up.  Now add the sugar, egg substitute and egg white.  Mix for 7-10 minutes on medium speed.  Scrape the bowl often.

When mixed, use an ice cream scoop to measure out the filling into each prepare muffin cup.  Place in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes until the outsides are set and the inside of each cup is still a tad bit jiggly.

Refrigerate AT LEAST 4 hours.  These are fantastic topped with fresh fruit.  Seriously, trust me, I know. I ate one at lunch.

 

So peeps, if you can and will, please keep my friend’s family in your prayers tonight as you lay down.  Hug your kids, tell your parents you love them.  One sentence, one call, one time reaching out, it can help someone.

 

3 point Breakfast Smoothie and a Valentine’s Challenge

So,  I have been cooking healthier and loving it.  I’ve actually been cooking so healthy that James has lost 55 pounds.  It’s fantastic, really.  My cooking really hasn’t had anything to do with it.  He is just amazing.  And so good-looking.  He has really impressed me with his stamina (with his jogging) and will-power sticking to this diet and exercising.  He is my hero!  On a side note, I am participating in Women Living Well’s Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge.  It is challenging me to find something positive and encouraging to say and tell James everyday for the next 4 weeks.  I know I can because his positive traits out number the negative.  I really love ”that boy.”  I encourage you, if you are married, jump over to her site and read through the article.  You can find her at www.womenlivingwell.org

Here is a smoothie I started making when we started on this weight loss journey.  It is 3 points and keeps me full until AT LEAST lunch.  I can often go longer if I have one of these for breakfast instead of cereal or oatmeal.  I love this beverage/meal.  It is so customizable.  If you don’t like a certain fruit, switch it out with something you like.

Breakfast Smoothie

• 1 5.3 ounce container light greek yogurt, vanilla
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 banana, chunked and frozen
• 1/3 cup blueberries, frozen
• 1/2 cup peach slices, frozen

Place all items in a blender and blend until smooth.  Enjoy with a colorful straw and a smile, knowing it has only 3 weight watchers points plus points!!!

 

A day of quietness and reflection.