Chocolate Chocolate Chip Waffles

Special days call for special breakfasts.  15 years ago WD came quietly into this world.  He came quietly - I was screaming my head off, threatening murder if someone didn't give me some drugs.  He had a pneumothorax and it took a little while for his lung to inflate.  It was the last time he was ever that quiet.  I can't believe that this guy flying the sand plane, is only 1 year away from driving my car.

I asked WD what he wanted for his Birthday Breakfast, and he responded waffles, but like I said before special days call for special breakfasts, so this morning we had Chocolate Chocolate Chip Waffles. 

I modified my basic waffle batter that I shared here.  I substituted the 1/2 cup coconut flour for 1/4 cup almond flour and added 3/4 cup cocoa.

Fold in the egg whites and 1 cup chocolate chips.  I used semi-sweet.

Pour 1 cup of the batter into your hot belgian waffle iron, and flip to the other side.

Remove after 4 minutes.  Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Add one newly minted 15 yr old(who's not happy that I'm taking his pic.)

45 seconds later the plate has been hoovered.

Thanks for popping in and having breakfast with us.  I'm linking this up to Gluten-Free Homemaker's Gluten-Free Wednesdays.

Lemon Meringue Cake

Bonnie at City Home/Country Home posted a delicious sounding Lemon Meringue Cake the other day, and I just knew I had to make my own version of it.  Lemon Meringue Pie is CG's favorite pie, so I knew this would be a hit.  This past weekend was the perfect time to try it out, since we were heading up to the cottage for WD's birthday and I love to bring dessert.(WD requested an ice cream cake, so this was not a birthday cake, just a cake.)

I modified my basic yellow cake recipe for a slightly denser cake.  I wanted it to be able to hold it's own against the lemon curd.  I whisked together 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup white rice flour, 1/2 cup potato starch, 2 tbsps baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.

In my stand mixer I beat together 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 cup sugar, 4 eggs & 2 egg yolks, and the zest of one lemon, beating each addition until fully incorporated and the mixture was light and fluffy. I then mixed in the flour alternating with 1 cup sour cream.

I lined 2 cake pans with butter and parchment paper,

and divided the batter between the 2 cake pans.  Bake these at 375 for 20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Meanwhile I made the lemon curd and swiss meringue frosting.  I like this Ina Garten lemon curd recipe.

I shared my swiss meringue recipe here in my Almond Macaroons.  To make Swiss Meringue frosting, I beat in 1 cup powdered sugar to the swiss meringue.

When the cake layers had baked and cooled, I assembled my cake.  I spread half the lemon curd on the first layer, then topped it with another, plus the rest of the lemon curd.

I spread out the frosting, pulling my offset spatula away from the cake to create fun spiky peaks.  I garnished the cake with some candied lemon.

To make the candied lemon, I made a simple syrup of 3/4 cup sugar, and 3/4 cup water heated until the sugar dissolves.

I sliced half a lemon into thin slices,

and simmered in the simple syrup for 15 minutes.  After removing the lemon slices and arranging them, you can save this lemony simple syrup for a fantastic limoncello martini.

Thanks for popping in and baking with me. I'm linking this up to Gluten-Free Homemaker's Gluten-Free Wednesdays and Bake with Bizzy.

Goodnight Irene

We spent another weekend up at the cottage.  This is probably the last time we'll be up for the summer, and what a weekend it was.  We were celebrating WD's birthday and Saturday was spent boating, swimming, and jet skiing.  But then Irene made an appearance.  I've posted several pictures of us enjoying the lake before, but just in case you need a reminder here's the lake before Irene.

The lake on Saturday - calm and great for swimming.

And here it is after she'd arrived.

There were big whitecaps.

The waves were jumping the breakwall and landing in the bay.

The wind was so fast that you could do a trust fall into it, and not fall at all.

We only caught the very edge of the storm, and my heart goes out to everyone who suffered through damage and heartbreak all up and down the eastern seaboard.

Thanks for popping in and checking out this weekend's before and after, a little different than my typical before and after post.  I'm linking up to Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday.



Yard Sale Treasure

Last week the entire town of Wolcott was having a yard sale.  Main street was table after table, and you couldn't turn down a side street without stumbling across 3 or 4 more.  I promised to show off what I picked up yard saleing the other day, so here it is.  A basket in a neat urn like shape, an ice cream bowl set, a segmented skillet with wood handle, a cut glass candy dish,

and 10 toucan napkin rings.  I know what you're thinking.  They're absolutely absurd.  I agree, but they had to come home with me anyway.  And now I'm thinking up party theme ideas to use them.

All that stuff came home with me for $2.  We saw some other terrific stuff while out yard saleing, but I have enough on my plate right now without bringing home random pieces of furniture that needed work.  It pained me to leave the $5 harp-backed chairs, but I really need to finish the projects I've already started before filling up the garage with more cast off furniture.

Thanks for popping in and yard-saleing with me.

BBTT#6 - Ottoman Empire

It's time for another monthly Before Blogging Throwback Thursdays party.  Today I'm sharing the ottoman in the sitting area of my bedroom.  I had found some animal print upholstery fabric in the flat fold red-tag section of the fabric store and had to bring it home.  This is a project that grew out of my need to use the fabric.  It turns out that it's Socks' favorite place to nap. (Don't look to closely, both the ottoman and the rug need a vaccuuming.)

I used pineapple fence post finials for legs.

The ottoman was constructed with 3/4" plywood, 4" foam, some quilt batting, and about nine million staples.  I pre-drilled where I wanted the tufting to go, and covered some buttons with the upholstery fabric.  I didn't bother with ribbon or fabric to pretty up the bottom, because if you're crawling around on my bedroom floor, you're probably beyond judging me.

I'd like to say that I put my feet up on this all the time, but I wouldn't want to disturb the cat.  What do you think, will she ever forgive me if I slipcover it in linen?

Alright, Let's Party!  Grab a button and link up your posts showing something you bought / did / created Before Blogging.  I'm sharing this at Fireflies & Jellybeans Show off Your Stuff Party, French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday, and A Glimpse Inside's Catch a Glimpse party.

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Cottaging

Once a year CG's family converges on the cottage for a day of family, food, and fun.

It's a time when the cousins can all spend some time together.

Here's SB's favorite cousin, The Bossy Girl(he likes bossy girls in general, but this is The Bossy Girl.)

The weather cooperated, and everyone was able to get out on the lake for a swim.  The kids all took turns on the jet ski.

When offered up the chance of heading out on the boat, I declined and stayed on land with a few of the older generation.  I think it was a good choice because I enjoyed several hours of adult conversation, while the adults that went out with the kids looked exhausted when they got back.  I even was able to sneak away for a bit with one of CG's aunts to do some yard saleing.  I'll share my treasures in another post.  The only kid to stay back was the newest one, seen here with the family matriarch, his great-grammy.

It was a terrific day, and so nice to see some of the family that we don't see as often.  The next day was a bit cooler, but we were still able to get out on the water.

WD showing that he can walk on water.

Up above him, high on the bluff, was this eaglet.

This is what it's all about.  You spend all winter dreaming of a day like this.

We'll be back up to the cottage this weekend for WD's birthday.  We've taken a few of his friends up to the cottage for his birthday weekend for the last few years.  Hopefully the water will be just as inviting.

Thanks for popping in and spending the weekend with me.

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