Last Day of Summer in Judi World

I know it's not officially the last day of summer, but in my world, it is. The last day of August...I've been waiting three months for this!

St. Wayne and I spent eight days in July in Oregon and Washington this year and last. It has changed my view of the world. I used to think those pictures in magazines of summer parties in the yard were either staged in a studio, airbrushed, or a figment of someone's imagination. In Oregon and Washington, one really could have an outdoor party in the summertime. In fact while we were there, we spent several nights at our friends' Jennifer and Peter's house in Vancouver where we ate every meal al fresco on their patio and slept without air conditioning (and under down comforters). We come back home to South Texas asking why do we live here where it's hotter than it ever needs to be???

The picture above is our backyard. The squirrels think we placed that table and chandelier under the trees just for them because we hardly step outside the back door after May. But now that September is tomorrow, I just might spend a little time out there, if the squirrels will allow it. Okay, in actuality, I won't even attempt it until October and maybe not until November. But in my mind, I know I could if I wanted to...if I were naked...if the water sprinkler was on...if I had a cool drink in my hand...ah...come on crisp fall days...I'm ready for you!

Wedding Wrap

Here's wrapped gift we gave as a wedding present last month. It was easy and quick and pretty. I used wallpaper...the kind that has a very deeply embossed texture and is paintable. It has a name, but I never get it right. You can find it anywhere paint and wallpaper are sold. I got this on a roll at Home Depot or Lowe's once on clearance and it cost $10. It's lasted forever...so make sure you like it.

It's very thick so it makes really pretty creases and folds. I then wrapped double-faced white satin ribbon around it and tied a bow. I then added another piece of ribbon on top of that and tied another bow. Then I hot-glued a silk gerber daisy and a couple of leaves to the top to cover all the knots and attached an enclosure card. It turned out sweet and pretty...just like the wedding Laura and Andy planned so meticulously...right down to Andy singing her a love song. A stellar evening!

Easy and Delicious Desserts

Here are two dessert recipes. The first is a Lemon Tart. At least that's what I call it. It's a Lemon Squares recipe that was given to me by my friend Jeannie Talley many years ago and has always been a favorite. I prefer to bake it in two smaller tart pans. If I use a round pan I call a Lemon Tart and if I use a square tart pan it is called Lemon Squares. So you do it the way you want. It always comes out delicious no matter what the shape. And the good thing is I usually have all the ingredients on hand.

The second is a Cream Puff Pie. Again, the original recipe calls for a 9 X 13" cake pan and is called a Cream Puff Cake, but I like to make two smaller ones in spring form (cheesecake pans) and call them pies. Besides, "Cream Puff Pie" is more fun to say. And that way I can serve one and give one away. If you like cream puffs, this is the dessert for you. It's probably my family's favorite of all time. It's a little more involved, but I promise, so worth the effort. This one came from a tea room in Salado.

Lemon Tart

Crust:
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix together and press into the bottom of two pans. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling:
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
7 tablespoons lemon juice

Beat together and pour over baked crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar. (For this cute little finishing touch, lay a plastic fork and spoon on top before sprinkling with powdered sugar.)


Cream Puff Pie

For the cream puff:
1 cup water
1 stick butter
1 cup flour
4 eggs

Boil water and butter. Remove from heat and add flour and mix well with an electric mixer until ball forms. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Spoon mexture into two 8 or 9" spring form pans that have been sprayed with Baker's Joy. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. (If it's puffed up really high, smash it down with the back of a spoon.)

For the filling:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cup milk
2 large packages instant vanilla pudding
1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip
1 jar Smuckers Hard Shell Chocolate (found with ice cream toppings)

Beat cream cheese slowly and add milk, beating until smooth. Add the two packages of vanilla pudding mix and beat for one minute. Let mixture stand approximately 15 minutes. (It will be very thick.) Spoon into crust. Spread Cool Whip over the pudding mixture and then dribble entire jar of hard shell chocolate on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

So there you have it...cool, refreshing desserts for the last draggin' hot days of summer. Enjoy!