Play Like You Mean It

Today is my hubby's birthday. Somewhere in the middle of the Canadian nowhere, he is having the time of his life on a cat skiing trip with a bunch of guys! While there are a million things I love about Dean, his energy and enthusiasm for life has to be right at the top.

And there is nowhere Dean has more fun than on top of snow covered mountains with a pair of skis attached to his feet! Like a teenager, he caresses his way through bumps, powder, corduroy, whatever the mountain dishes out. He passed on his love for skiing to every one of our children...especially The Red One. Dean teaches us all how to play like you mean it!

           
                   Sundance 2013 HDTV from Lisa Garlick on Vimeo.

And lucky for The Garlick Press he creates amazing videos to document the fun. Sundance Ski Resort frosted with feet and more feet of fresh fluffy white stuff a few days ago was the setting for his latest ski video. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Birthday Dean...I'm so pleased to be sharing this life together with you.

Filthy Fifty #4 Friday-Pie-Day

Filthy Fifty #4 is all for you, my faithful readers. Based on your requests for my recipes...once a month I'm hosting Friday-Pie-Day. Although Dean suggested I have Pie-Day-Every-Friday. The plan is to share 10 pie recipes with you throughout the year. I gave myself December off because I already made TOO many pies during that month.


First up...Coconut Creme Pie, oh yes! I have been making this pie for a bazillion years. You are going to love it.


Combine in a medium saucepan
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tbl Cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt


Gradually stir in 2 cups milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened.

Now you can use 1% or 2% milk if that's all you have. But if you REALLY want a velvety delicious pie then you should make a trip to the grocery store and buy yourself some good old Vitamin D whole milk. You really can taste the difference.


Beat 3 egg yolks until thick and pale.

See the color of those eggs...nearly orange. Those are farm fresh eggs supplied by Mother Clucker, Red, and Nuggett in the Garlick Press coop.

Gradually stir about 1/4 of the hot milk mixture into yolks tempering the eggs; add to remaining hot milk mixture...stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring constantly. And I mean CONSTANTLY. This is important unless you like chunks of burnt custard in your pie.

Remove from heat.

Stir in 1 cup coconut, 2 Tbl butter, and 1 tsp vanilla.


Spoon into 1 baked 9 inch pie crust. Don't worry I'll cover pie crusts in one of my next posts.

Beat 3 egg whites, 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla at high speed of an electric mixer until foamy.


Gradually add 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbl sugar, a tablespoon at a time, beating mixture until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (2-4 min).

Spread meringue over hot filling, sealing to edge of pastry crust. Sprinkle with coconut.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25-28 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Now if you'll excuse me...Izzy and I have a slice of pie to eat but we do hope you enjoy this recipe!

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

Knock knock!

Who's there?

Ada!

Ada who?

Ada lot for breakfast!

That's who!

Poor poor Izzy...no one ever gives Izzy any breakfast.

A quick sleepover trip at Olivia and Henry's house turns into an early morning of fun and giggles before heading out to ski the two feet of fresh fluffy white Utah powder.

The more I see these two together, the more they remind me of each other. Cass even calls little Henry "Bud" just like I have always called Chet.

And every time I hang out with these little people, I have to pinch myself to remind me that I'm not dreaming and really am Nana to two beautiful grandchildren. I am truly blessed!

Holiday Images

Admittedly, I let the holidays just slip away, barely posting any photos. I took a few...but just a few. I was in that place where I sometimes go.

Today I opened up my Lightroom catalog and began peering through the few images I did take during the holidays.

What I found made me smile and remember...

The cookie exchange party that was so incredibly beautiful.

I felt as if I had stepped into a Martha Stewart scene

and was invited to stay for lunch.

It was easy to remember the teenage boys who waited at our door, eager to devour those seven dozen cookies.

I remember how absolutely perfect I wanted this gift to be.


How I fretted and planned and worried about it more than all my other Christmas gifts combined.

I remember her grace and overwhelming gratitude...

that brought puddles of tears for both of us.

I remember my friend Leisa modeling her "Birthday in a Box" gift...how sweet is that!

I remember how this little one couldn't wait to meet Santa. Though just two years old, Olivia was brave and confident...she snuggled right up to the chubby old elf.


I remember when Henry and Santa looked into each other's eyes and loved what they saw.

Of course, the annual Children's nativity was an image not to be forgotten. Sweet little Piper played all the animals in the scene one by one. And Grandpa Owen just beamed with pride watching his great grandchildren reenact the familiar story.

Dorothy the puppy had a hard time waiting for Christmas...she kept finding her hidden present under the tree and couldn't help herself from playing with it. We eventually gave in and let the clever pooch have her gift early.

And then when she thought no one was looking...Olivia sneaked a treat for Sami dog.

These images of Christmas 2012 are priceless.

Twenty years from now, we are going to laugh uproariously at Chet's Beard-all.


We will likely remark at how much Henry looked like his Mama in those days

and giggle at all the candy Olivia consumed Christmas Eve.

But most of all these images of Christmas 2012 remind me that every single photo I take has a story to tell. Innocent, raw, emotional, joyous stories lay just ahead. And that's why I climb out of that place I sometimes go...and am instantly drawn to my camera.

Happy New Year to you all...may you have a wonderful and blessed 2013.

Filthy Fifty 1,2,3

It's such a busy time of year. Parties, gifting, skiing, decorating, crafting, New Years-ing and Filthy fifty-ing! Which truly has been put on the back burner. However, I'm finally reporting on the first accomplishments of my Filthy Fifty list.

Filthy Fifty #1

iPhone pics are so handy sometimes

I entered Anthropologie with neither husband, girlfriend, or kids...just me. And I exited an hour later with several bags filled with evidence of my shopping spree. I love that store...from the window displays to the dishes to the shoes. I have to stop myself from twirling ridiculously with glee while in the store.

Filthy Fifty #2

Photography has become one of my loves. I've taken about a million zillion photographs and they're all filed neatly and expertly on my hard drive. Filthy Fifty #2 is to get those photos printed. I have wanted to create a gallery wall with some of my photographs for several years. Now I'm looking forward to filling the empty wall on the other side of the hall.

Filthy Fifty #3

One of my favorite Christmas memories growing up revolves around visits to The Christmas Village in my hometown.

Since before I was born, the city has been decorating downtown with mini buildings, replicas of the city's original buildings.

I couldn't wait to share this tradition with Olivia...

and Henry too.

This toy soldier Christmas decoration has been around since 1962...I'm almost certain I remember him marching around town when I was small.

Only a few of the houses are original from 1962...like this toy store.

With vintage toys, dollies and games filling the little house...there are even original Clue and Scrabble board games.

The grand babies were instantly attracted to the penguins in this one,

and the reindeer...which they insisted on calling goats.

Ah...we found a hidden spot that definitely wasn't here when I was a kid.

I can hardly wait to bring the babies back here during summer months for more photos.


Olivia found Santa's castle, quickly trying the door to see if the big guy was home.

Sadly, the original Santa's castle is gone. But the little people didn't seem to care.

But you can still mail a letter to Santa here.

Also...Olivia's boots light up and sparkle when she walks. I wish they came in my size!

The wonder of childhood. I hope Olivia and Henry will remember this place. The magic of my Christmas traditions now passed along to another generation. Next year maybe we will get brave and visit during the evening when the Christmas Village is illuminated with lights and glistening with snow.

Time to go...little tummies are hungry and ready for lunch. We're having pasta...in case you are wondering.