Mexican Stars

I bought these 3-D stained glass stars in Mexico when we were visiting Pat's parents in Yuma. That was probably 3 or 4 years ago. They have sat in a bowl gathering dust ever since. A couple of them were damaged a little on the way home, and I finally asked my brother to fix them a few months before he went on his mission. He did, then they went back in the bowl and sat for a while longer.

I finally got around to hanging them in my window, which was the plan when I brought them home so long ago. The butterfly is something my sister made in junior high and gave to me. They make my kitchen a little happier. I just hope the cats don't decide to play with them.

Christmas Cheer

Damage just wanted to tell everyone Merry Christmas!

Eclair Pie

I had a couple requests for the Eclair pie recipe, so here it is:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 
  
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 4 cups milk
• 3 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• 
  
• 2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons hot water
• 
  
• 1 pint whipping cream
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• 1/4 cup chocolate syrup

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a large heavy saucepan, heat butter and water to boiling over medium-high heat. Add flour and reduce heat to low. Cook and stir until it forms a ball and pulls away from the pan. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg.
3. Spread in bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan (also can use 2 9-in pie pans). Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 35 minutes (about 20 minutes for pie pans). Cool completely.
4. For the icing, melt the chocolate and 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in 1 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until icing is smooth and has reached desired consistency. Remove from heat, cool slightly, and pour into baked shell.
5. To make the filling: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and milk and beat until smooth. Add pudding mix and beat until thickened. Spread over chocolate in cooled shell.
   
6. Mix whipping cream, confectioners sugar, and vanilla until peaks form. Spread whipped cream over filling.
7. Drizzle chocolate syrup over the top.

Christmas Decorations

I told myself I wasn't going to put up Christmas decorations this year. I spent all my birthday and Christmas money in California, and Pat got a fancy SLR camera. That was Christmas. We knew what we were getting, so getting all my decorations out didn't seem worth the trouble.

Then while shopping the last week I found some ornaments I liked. The only ornaments we've had in the past are ones we made as kids. To be perfectly honest, some of them are pretty ugly, and they've all seen better days. So I bought the new ornaments (plastic, so the cats won't break them). Since I had new ornaments, I figured I had to put Christmas up. (See Dad, I'm not a Scrooge!)

I didn't pull out EVERYTHING, but I did put up the tree and stockings. Pat put up the outside lights. Only half as much as we have done in the past, but it works.

That was going to be it, but then my sister gave me these cute glass things that are supposed to be candle holders, but are really just giant bowls on stems. I remembered this post from Thrifty Decor Chick a while back, and how cute all of her "glass things to put stuff in" looked. I decided to put mine out and spruce them up for Christmas, and this is what came out:

Pictures

I just realized it's been a week since I posted last. I'm trying not to be a slacker - just busy lately I guess. I promised photos of our California trip, so click here to finally see them.

Also, here's a photo of the Christmas apron I received in my swap:

And a picture on the apron I won from KnittieBitties:

And finally, a picture of the eclair pie I made for Emma's birthday:

Bookworm Tag

Playing along with Musings of the Mindless Banterer today.

Here is how to play:

1. Open the book closest to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment.

2. Turn to page 56....

3. Write out the fifth sentence, as well as the two to five sentences following.

"Chameleon and the mare Imbrium are here for advice," the Gorgon said deferentially. "You have them on your calendar."

"I never pay attention to that bit of paper!" the Good Magician grumped. "I'm too busy." But he looked at a chart on the wall. There, in large letters, was the note FAIR & MARE. "Oh, yes, certainly," he grumbled. "Well, let's get on with it."

I cheated a little and added an extra sentence. It was the last one in the paragraph, and it looked so lonely! This is from the book I am currently reading, Night Mare by Piers Anthony.