Doppelgänger

I have been entertained lately by the celebrity look-a-likes that friends have been posting as their profile pictures on Facebook. I thought about posting one but this celebrity is not well known in the States and she's the only celebrity that I've ever been told that I look like. Sam can attest to this since he was there with me. Anyhow, I wanted to share the story since it was a sweet experience.

In '97 I went with my dad to pick up my brother, Sam, from his mission in Ecuador. One day in Guayaquil we went to the Mercado Artesenal for some souvenirs. I wasn't dressed up fancy...worn jeans and a white t-shirt. My hair was almost waist long and frizzy with the humidity. While shopping and browsing a few kids started following me around. I think Sam noticed first and figured that it was normal for the kids to follow foreigners. However, the number of kids started to increase. Finally, a young girl approached me while the other kids hid behind a corner and asked if I was Gaviota. I started to notice the stares from the kids with their eyes wide open. I was at a loss and didn't know who they were talking about. Sam and I asked the kids about Gaviota and found out they thought I was the Colombian singer Margarita Rosa de Francisco. Gaviota is the name of one of her more famous songs which you can view here, it means seagull. They were disappointed, I'm sure, but I was flattered.

Psych Party

I have had a pre-Psych party for the past, I think, 4 premieres. It's fun for me to gather my friends together that are just as crazy about Psych as I am. We eat pineapple treats and watch episodes from the previous seasons. This premiere I feel like I went a little overboard with my cookies, but you have to admit they are cute and very clever. Thanks Donna for the idea of the letters! I hand cut and decorated the pineapple cookie myself (something I'm very proud of).

Cranberry Orange Bread

This bread is good, but not my favorite. I couldn't find my other recipe, so I had to scramble to find another one.

Cranberry Orange Bread

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 cup orange juice
grated peel of 1 orange
2 Tbs melted butter
2 Tbs hot water
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 cup walnuts

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. In another bowl beat egg, add orange juice, orange peel, butter and hot water. Stir in dry mixture till moistened. Fold cranberries and nuts. Spoon into 9x5 pan. Bake for 60 minutes. Cool.

I think that I shouldn't have cooked it for the full 60 minutes, maybe 55 and it would have been better. The flavor really is good, though.

Pineapple Bars

I had another Psych party and needed to find a pineapple recipe. This is the one I found. The bars are pretty tasty.

Pineapple Bars

1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 Tbs cornstarch
1 Tbs butter
1 cup water
3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 2/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups oats

Prepare filling first: mix 1 cup crushed pineapple and juice, sugar, cornstarch butter and water in saucepan. Cook until thickened. Cool.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in rolled oats. Press and flatten half of mixture in a greased 9x13 pan. Spread pineapple filling over bottom layer. Sprinkle remaining mixture over the top and pat down. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. While warm cut into squares and remove from pan.

The only change I made was using butter instead of shortening.

Family Fun

I love having people over! Last week the Broadheads were over for dinner. I always worry about having room for everyone. However, now that I know that Donna and all the Broadheads can fit onto the couch comfortably, I don't think I have to worry about having room. :-)