Mama Sharon's Helpful So Cal tips for a fun 4th

Happy 4th of July!

*When showing up to a picnic late, don't eat the cole slaw that's been sitting out for 2 hours.

*If you are planning to go to Downtown Huntington Beach, make new plans unless you enjoy spending your holiday with 150 thousand people.

*If you are going to bar-b-que, be sure your propane tank is full BEFORE you start cooking.

*Don't get angry that the people on your street are still lighting fireworks at 2am. It's nothing new, you should expect it by now!

*If you decide to go see fireworks at the last minute and realize you drove around too long and missed all of them, don't worry, go the next night to Downtown Disney or park outside of Knotts. They have fireworks every night of the summer.

*Want more tender chicken before you grill? Soak it in buttermilk overnight.

*Please be safe and don't drink and drive!

Angel Flop Cake

Well I guess I will only be making the chocolate chip pound cake for the fair this year. The angel food cake is just not working out. While it's always my favorite cake, the weather is not permitting me to make it. Such a delicate cake need air conditioning and not a house that gets 10 degrees hotter then the temperature outside.

I made the pound cake 3 times already and I have to admit, this is probably the best cake I have EVER baked. The glaze is awesome. It's a rich espresso glaze and it compliments the chocolate so well. I think I have a "fair" chance for 1st this year.

Wish me luck!

And now it's Summer

Holy Smokes it's HOT outside! This past week Jonathan graduated from Kindy and we sat outside in 100 degree heat. Dave was burning pretty bad. I don't burn like that so I was o.k. Just really uncomfortable.

Anyway, summer is here and it's time to "chill" a little. All of Jonathan's activities are finished until September. All he has noware his swim lessons on the weekends. School starts for him on August 11th so he needs to enjoy his summer while he can.

It's also O.C. Fair time and you know what that means...CAKE COMPETITION! Whoo Hoo! The last 2 years I entered I made cakes that were kinda fruity angel food cakes. The 1st year was a cranberry-orange angel food and last year huckleberry. Did I come in 1st place? No! All because of chocolate. I was beat by chocolate cakes both years. So this year it's chocolate time. And, I am entering 2 cakes instead of just one. I Am entering a chocolate-raspberry angel food cake. I LOVE the combination of chocolate and raspberries. I am also entering a chocolate chip pound cake with espresso glaze. Oh My Goodness! I made the pound cake last night and brought it to a barbecue we went to today. It was a hit. It really is a great cake. I'd say good enough for best of show! :-)

Anyway, stay cool no matter where you are. If your in Australia, stay warm. :) I have dinner on the stove so I have to go. I'll post my recipes here on my blog if they place at the fair in July.

Toodles!

Wow is it really spring?

As I watch the news I see the weather report from all over the U.S. Snow, rain storms, hail, etc. You would think that mother nature forgot that today starts spring.

When I was little in Hopewell Jct.,NY I used to love the air in the spring time. It was chilly in the morning but just enough for a light sweater or jacket. The winter coats were put away. The air even tasted good. It was crisp and there was always a light breeze. Once the flowers started blooming the air smelled a bit sweet in spots. And of course the birds were singing again and the deer started to venture out. Sounds like a movie, huh?

So here in Huntington Beach, CA it's about 51 in the morning and gets to about 73 during the high point of the day. Perfect! We have that light chill but then it's warm enough to enjoy. Much better than hot.

Spring has always been my favorite season. Happy Spring!

My little kitchen helper

One of the best things about Jonathan growing up is his interest in helping me in the kitchen. He loves to wisk and to stir. I let him chop soft food with his safety knife too. I really don't know how I ever survived in the kitchen without my little helper!

As If!

So Mattel should just be so embarrased. They had millions of toys recalled due to high amounts of lead levels and that can be very harmful for a child. And all of these toys were made in the good ol' U.S. of A...NOT! If they were there wouldn't be such a recall. They were all made in China. CHINA! When are the manufacturers going to learn that parents will pay a little more for QUALITY. We already pay for the crud that hits the shelves of the toy store. It's just so sad that it's come to this. Where is the common sense? Where is the trust in our country to make the items here? Yeah, Yeah, polution. Open factories and you have the United States destroying the ozone again. What IS the answer? Toothpaste. No no, toothpaste is not the answer but did you know Crest is made in the US and was not recalled this year. All toothpastes made in China were though. You Toms of Maine users were safe too.

So lets see there were toys recalled, pet food recalled, cars (mercedes benz) recalled, tires recalled, Sony recalled cameras. So what next? AS IF!

I really don't use this blog for my views like this but I am so sick of things being so tainted because they are made in China. It's just gross.

I know he's growing-up a bit, that's what kids do!

Jonathan started kindergarten. He gets up in the morning and puts on his khaki uniform pants or shorts and his green Page Private School polo shirt. He is no longer a toddler. He is indeed a little boy. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So where has the time gone? He's a size 7 and in shoes a 1. He grew out of "T's" a while ago yes. You know, 3T, 4T... but where has the time gone?

He now asks questions like, mommy when I'm a teenager can I date? Not really knowing what to say I answer simply...sure. He responded with a YES like he just won a game. Too funny.

And music is getting to be different. Good-bye Playhouse Disney, Hello Radio Disney! He has his own play list in my iPod. I put it on for him while he's doing his homework. He gets homework every Monday and it's due back on Friday. Also I put it on when it's time to pick up toys so he can dance and pick-up at the same time. It makes it less of a chore that way and the room get cleaned up way faster. So anyway his playlist consists of Aly and AJ, Corbin Bleu, Music from HS Musical and HS Musical 2, Miley Cyrus aka Hannah Montana, The Jonas Brothers and other pre-teen artists. So crazy! But yes, he still has some Wiggly songs in there too. He said last night that he still loves The Wiggles. He watches an occasional Wiggly DVD every now and then but he never watched the shows anymore. I guess I'll keep the plates on my car a while longer. hee hee

So what's next for my little pre-tween? Well I'm taking him to see HI-5 Live tonight. That should be fun. Google it if you have no idea who they are. :)