Princess Festival 2013

Since the princess thing seemed to be more than just a phase, Grandma L decided to take the girls to the Princess Festival this year.  They got to go on quests, watch a magic show, dance with Tinkerbell, eat snowcones and ride in a horse drawn carriage.  They insisted on sleeping in the Princess Festival shirts that Grandma got for them.  Thanks Grandma!

Tato's Birthday (and a few other stories)

Tato and Grandpa shared a birthday party at the park last month.



For some reason I'm unnaturally proud of this card I made for my father-in-law.

Daily Dora the Explorer.

Tato has come up with quite a few excuses for why she can't stop sucking her thumb yet. This is the best one I think.

Terry: Tato try to stop sucking your thumb ok?

Tato: But daddy, if I stop sucking my thumb then the spiders will get in my mouth. : O

Beautiful Princesses. They are obsessed with princesses of all kinds. Every day they have a new favorite.

One day Tato looked really sad so I asked her what was wrong. In the most depressed voice I've ever heard she replied, "Mommy, I wish I was a princess." Me too honey, me too.

Tato loves helping me cook. Here she is making pudding.

One day we were making cookies. I like to make her feel involved even though she can't do much yet.

Me: Ok Tato, read me the recipe. What do we put in next?

Tato: One Tablespoon.

Me: One Tablespoon of what?

Tato: Hmmm, of cookie.

And the post wouldn't be complete without an Olie story. The other day while they were brushing their teeth before bed, I ran to the kitchen real quick to get a glass of water for them. When I got back to the bathroom, Olie was dunking her toothbrush in the toilet over and over and over again. She is so mischievous. Thank goodness I had spares.

Blackberry Tarts

Well, I was going to put up the cutest video of Tato, but for some reason none of my videos will upload, so you'll have to deal with another recipe.

This recipe came about because I was desperate for some sort of dessert, and this uses ingredients I happen to have on hand.

First I have to say that I lifted the creamy filling for these tarts directly from here, my favorite site ever, Our Best Bites. I better give credit where credit is due. Oh and the blackberry topping is modified from the raspberry sauce in the Betty Crocker Cookbook.


Blackberry Tarts

Crust
1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs (about one sleeve of crackers)
1/4 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling
1 8-oz. package cream cheese at room temperature (light is fine)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. packed light brown sugar
1 c. heavy whipping cream
1/4 c. powdered sugar

Topping
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
10 oz frozen blackberries (it was about 3/4 of the bag that I had, it doesn't have to be exact)

Preheat oven to 375. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press it into as many cupcake liners as you can. (Believe me, you will want a lot of these) Press into the bottom of the liners and up the sides. Put them into a muffin tin and bake in preheated oven for 4-5 minutes. After they have cooled for a few minutes you can cool them in the fridge while you do the rest.

In saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water and blackberries. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir one minute more. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes on the counter while you do the next step, then let it cool in the fridge until desired temperature. (it is good warm, cold, room temperature . . . seriously)

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. In a separate large bowl, beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar until medium peaks form. Add about 1 c. of the whipping cream mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth and well-combined. Add the remaining whipping cream mixture and mix until just combined. Pour/spread into cooled mini crusts.

Top with blackberry topping and enjoy! These are still delicious the next day too!

And here are the girls after trying them. I kid you not, these were taken directly after eating Blackberry Tarts.