3 on Thursday - Act Your Age. Kinda.

Hey there, ladies!  I'm really growing to love Thursdays.  It gives me such a thrill when people play along with the questions that Andrea and I post each week.  {Have any good topic ideas?  Let us know!}

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This week's topic:
Things you like best/worst about being your age.

I know, I know.  This week's topic isn't quite as light and airy as last week.  Sometimes, you learn more by asking a quasi serious question!  So keep an open mind, please. :-)

To make things fair - I'll break from the three format and give you four.  Two things I like best and two things I like the least. And yes...I cheated on the "best" list!
Best:
Confidence and perspective.  I'm still a pretty shy person.  But with age has come the confidence that I really am as smart, funny, and lovable as some fabulous people have told me.  Honesty, I'm a heck of a lot smarter than some people have given me credit for.  Just because they have advanced degrees does NOT make certain people smarter than me.  Education does NOT equal intelligence.

Freedom.   I'm sure that all adults appreciate the ability to make their own decisions and only need to justify their purchases, TV shows, cooking taste, etc. to only themselves or their partner.  :-) How many of you said  during your teenage years "Just wait until I'm an adult, mom and dad!"?

Bonus: Being my age puts me in the position that I can cook some great meals, know how to check my car oil, speak intelligently about politics {amongst other things}, and best of all be able to be active in dog rescue. 

Bonus again: I look young enough that I get carded {most of the time} and don't get called "ma'am"; look old enough that I get taken seriously.
Worst:
Being alone.  I'm thrilled that all my friends and family have found their mates!  Getting to see the family {either blood or chosen family} grow is wonderful.  It's equally joyous getting to help welcome the kids into the world.  I love almost all of the kiddies in my life! Seriously!!!!  But, I'm still single and don't have kids. And sometimes the mommies and kiddies get together and I get forgotten.  Or I get invited but feel a little awkward because I can't contribute to the "aren't the toddler years the worst" convo or the "wow, you have 11 month old twins and are pregnant with another set of twins stuff". I absolutely know that people accept me for who I am...but I've always wanted to be a mom.  I really feel like I'm missing out on a big chunk of life... *Note: I'm kind of sensitive about letting people know that I feel sad about the lack of a husband and kids in my life.  Please be nice.*

Bills. Really, why are there so many freaking bills?  As you go from your twenties into your thirties, the bills seem to multiply!  Mortgage, property tax, home insurance, car insurance, cable, electricity, etc.  Dear companies, please do us all a favor and don't increase your rates this year! Ha!

 You're turn! While you're at it, drop by and show the love to my fabulous co-host, Andrea!

Wordless Wednesday - Puppy Pics

Hey Mom, Paisley's collar is really tasty!

Is this my best side?!?!

A rousing round of bitey face!

Momma, I'm pretty and ALL the toys are for me, right?!

Tuesday At The Table - Forgotten Kisses Meringue Cookies

Happy Tuesday!  I hope everyone is having a good week.  Things are still busy in my little house.  Having two new puppies in the house is exhausting!  But, in a good way!
This week I'm sharing an Emeril Lagasse cookie classic.  These meringues are so light and delicious.

Forgotten Kisses Meringue Cookies

2 large egg whites, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

2/3 cup superfine granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or finely chopped semisweet chocolate

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until fluffy but not at all dry. (Be careful not to over beat.) Add the sugar gradually, about 3 tablespoons at a time. When 1/2 of the sugar has been added, add the vanilla extract. Continue beating and adding remaining sugar in batches, until all of the sugar is dissolved and the meringue is very shiny and tight. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Working one teaspoon at a time, push a teaspoonful of meringue from the tip of 1 teaspoon with the back of another teaspoon onto the lined baking sheets, leaving 1-inch of space between cookies. Place baking sheets in the preheated oven and turn the oven off. Leave the cookies (undisturbed) in the oven for at least 2 hours and up to overnight, or until cookies are crisp and dry.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

New Pupster!

My long awaited new pupster is here!  I'm so excited! 

Meet Paisley Skye.  Isn't she gorgeous?  She 14 weeks and long-haired.  She a little love.

Now, you really astute people will notice that she looks nothing like the pup I showed you a few weeks ago.  And you're right.  You see, Dixie was lucky enough to have a few of us fall in love with her.  Her new mom is a lovely lady who I happen to think is pretty cool and I graciously stepped away. 

It's actually a blessing in disguise.  Paisley (formerly known as Destiny) was the first girl I picked up and for some reason we didn't connect right away.  Well, she now puts her paws on my face and gives big kisses. She is sweet and patient and has quite a personality! I do truly feel that she's the one that Meadow, Beckett and I are meant to have join our family. 

Oh...and a little more news. 

Meet Brady.  No, he's not mine.  But he is my VERY FIRST foster pup!  He's one of Paisley's litter mates. Brady boy isn't on our adoption website quite yet...but he will be soon.

Prepare for a litany of puppy pictures in the coming weeks.  I apologize in advance!  {No, I actually don't apologize... Heeheehee!}

Also, if you have any tips on best practices to acclimate existing fur-kids with new fur-kids, I'm all ears. Meadow and Beckett are behaving well, but I could always use some sage advice on how to make the transition easiest on all of us!

3 on Thursday - Summer "Musts"

Hi Ladies!  Sorry I'm not my usual posting over-achiever by getting the post up by midnight.  Wednesday was a busy day in my tiny household.  I got my new puppy and my very first foster puppy!  Official announcement complete with pictures on Friday.  :-){Note: Andrea is having a busy spell as well, so she won't be co-hosting this week. So do a girl a favor and make me look good by linking up!}

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Anywho...this week's topic is:
What are your 3 summer-time must do things (trips, family traditions, etc.)?

First, it isn't summer without a trip to Peaceful Meadows.  Seriously the best ice cream on the planet!  I really think getting to see the cows that the milk comes from make the experience that more special.  Just um...do yourself a favor and if you're going into the cow barn to visit the cows...go early enough that the barn doesn't stink yet.

Fireworks!  I love 'em.  My dogs hate them.  I can understand why...but they're just so darn pretty! I've gone into Boston to see the fireworks a handful of times and it's quite the experience.  There's a reason that our city's celebration gets televised every year...that's for sure!  However, I'm just as happy with a really small display that friend or family organize. :-)

Whale watching. I'm blessed enough to live very close to water - and have a natural affinity for it.  I just love boats, the beach, lakes, etc. The whale watching off of Plymouth is some of the best in the country in my opinion.  There never seems to be shortage of majestic whales just waiting for the tour boats!

What about you?  What's on your summer list?

Tuesdays At The Table - Strawberry Poppyseed Cake

Happy Tuesday!  Despite all the rain in the last few days, my strawberries are growing like gangbusters.  This may sound like smalltime news to you - which I totally understand - but this is my first year growing strawberries, so I'm so excited!

I've found a bunch of great recipes for strawberry breads/cakes in my mom's recipe drawer, and I think this is the one I'll be trying first.

In other news...the new puppy will be joining my family Wednesday night.  I'm so excited.  There's a chance that I'll have a foster pup to show off to you all too!

Strawberry Poppyseed Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons poppy seeds

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

FILLING:

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

GLAZE:

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons 2% milk

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and lemon peel. Combine the flour, poppy seeds, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition.

Transfer to a greased and floured 9-in. pie pan; spread batter slightly up sides of pan, forming a well. Combine filling ingredients; spoon into the well. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and milk; drizzle over cake. Serve warm.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

May Book Club - Before Ever After

Rumor has it, that I wasn't the only one that read this month's book.  *Fingers crossed*, that's true.  I know that so many of you read - and I WANT to make this book club work.  Below is a list for the June book.  Please give me initial feedback and I'll put a poll up to make our way to a final choice.
If you did read this month's book and are linking up, I officially love you.  Seriously!

Three years after her husband Max's death, Shelley feels no more adjusted to being a widow than she did that first terrible day. That is, until the doorbell rings. Standing on her front step is a young man who looks so much like Max; same smile, same eyes, same age, same adorable bump in his nose; he could be Max's long-lost relation. He introduces himself as Paolo, an Italian editor of American coffee table books, and shows Shelley some childhood photos. Paolo tells her that the man in the photos, the bearded man who Paolo says is his grandfather though he never seems to age, is Max. Her Max. And he is alive and well.

As outrageous as Paolo's claims seem; how could her husband be alive? And if he is, why hasn't he looked her up? Shelley desperately wants to know the truth. She and Paolo jet across the globe to track Max down; if it is really Max and along the way, Shelley recounts the European package tour where they had met. As she relives Max's stories of bloody Parisian barricades, medieval Austrian kitchens, and buried Roman boathouses, Shelley begins to piece together the story of who her husband was and what these new revelations mean for her "happily ever after." And as she and Paolo get closer to the truth, Shelley discovers that not all stories end where they are supposed to.

1. Did you like the book? Why/why not?
I got about 50 pages into the book and had a few moments of "Oh, crap.  How do I get out of reading the rest of this book?!" Something about it just didn't click for me at first. But, I pressed on.  The more I read, the more I liked it.  By the end of the book, I was quite emotionally engaged with the character of the main plot and sub-plots. I genuinely wanted to know what came AFTER the author's chosen end to the book.

I will say that this book led me to think a bit on immortality and reincarnation.  Is it something that I would willingly choose? Would I want my family, friends, etc to know that I'm still alive as they age/die/lose their health or mental faculties? How many lifetimes would it take before I got it "right"?

2. Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to them/ do they remind you of people you know?
Shelley and Paolo seemed quite real and believable.  Shelley's grief at certain points was palpable.  Max (in all his incarnations) was funny, sweet, entertaining and quite fascinating. These characters don't remind me of people I know in real life...however, I've met some real characters while traveling and I can just imagine running into this crew!

3. Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not...and how would you change it?
As a romantic, I did enjoy the ending. Shelley never wanted to be immortal - she just wanted her happily ever after with Max.  I can understand that.

4. If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?
I'm a history buff and could easily wander through Europe like they did, all willy nilly.  I'd like to know what stories though history sparked this novel.  Did the characters of Shelley and Max come first - or did the history come first and the characters just kind of showed up?

5. How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? If so, how/why?
This is the hardest question to answer.  Max doesn't change per se...but we learn all the lives he led before this. The parts of history that made him "Max". Getting to wander through his different identities was enjoyable and when added together made for quite an interesting man.

June book suggestions:
Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow
The First Day of the Rest of My Life by Cathy Lamb
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
How I Planned Your Wedding by Susan and Elizabeth Wiggs
The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston
Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse Book 12) by Charlaine Harris
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee