My First Try....

at macarons. My guide to entering the world of preparing these french delicasies was, I Heart Macarons by Hisako Ogita. I learned about this how to book from Anne Marie, of the famed Na Da Farm. Anne Marie shared a post about her first batch of macarons. Since I am the queen of do it yourself, I had to get my hands on the book. And i did! :) I finally got around to making the sweet morsels for the special occasion of my son's wedding rehearsal dinner. I had heard they were quite difficult to make so if they didn't turn out well I would have to have a plan B. Hmmmm

The first pan!!!!

The most important factor that determines a successful macaron is the "pied" or foot that forms at the base of the macaron.... I did a little happy dance around the kitchen when all the macarons on the pan had their tiny feet.

Voila! Green colored macorons with a green apple marshmellow filling!

Made forty of these babies to use as favors for my son's wedding rehearsal dinner. I was so relieved that I could actually make these! Even better they were super yummy, if I do say so myself.

After eating quite a few of the miss shaped misfits....

p.s. Why so much green you may ask. The color theme for the wedding was classic white and black with a green apple accents. I just love a theme!!!!!

Goody, Goody Gumballs!

850 green apple flavored ones to be precise. What in the world would one do with sooooo many gumballs? What would you do with that many gumballs?

I actually do have plans for all these gumballs. Would you care to venture a guess on what those plans might be? In the mean time I'll be seeing green and counting gummy orbs of goodness to fall asleep instead of sheep! LOL

Gifts

"One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach---- waiting for a gift from the sea."
said Anne Morrow Lindbergh in her book, Gift From the Sea. Each year I like to read this highly, introspective book, along with taking a trip back to Florida to spend some much needed time at the beach. My gifts this year- shells! Most of these shells were collected from the beach where my husband and I honeymooned years ago.

My other gift, new memories to add to many others...

the beach baby to the right of the gentleman is me, the gentleman is my father and the other beachbaby is my older brother...this is one of my favorite pictures; taken in 1960...

" The waves echo behind me. Patience-Faith-Openess,

is what the sea has to teach"

Anne Morrow Lindbergh