Franny woke from her nap and wanted to wear her cowgirl boots

I love this. It wasn't that long ago that she couldn't express preference for clothing (if she felt it), not to mention back when she didn't even know they were her feet.

Burrell, my pie crust instinct is sort of vague and hard to articulate. I know what it feels like when it's about to be just the sort of flakey I like. Today wasn't it, but at least it didn't decompose like some of my terrible failures have. It should be fine.

Keep the cold things cold, and don't work it too hard, is the basis.

Aw. Happy monthiversary, Frances!

I ate some laughing cow cheese. I guess that'll do.

Pie crusts? I buy them. Tried a few times. Too much work for too wimpy product. Or at least for me and my impatience.

My cousin sent out a yearly letter. Her absolutely freaking adorable 3 year old daughter (think spiral gold-redhead imp) has changed her life career from veterinarian to cowgirl. Complete with the outfit. So dang cute!

Hopefully, I'll see her in March. There is a family reunion/50th-anniversary happening then. (Dear god, one of my aunts had been married 50 years!) I'm told that one of my cousins, who I don't know that well but for the reunion 5 years ago, is really really looking forward to seeing me. As in, flying in despite her extreme flying phobia. So I gotta go. It's weird, because she's all overacheiver-that-I-was (she's a law student now) and me, slacker and spinning wheels extraordinaire, is someone she's really hoping to see? Dude, must work on my self confidence. I'm flattered, but wondering WTF!

I know what it feels like when it's about to be just the sort of flakey I like.

There, see? I have no idea what it ever feels like.

I am eating apple pie my mother made. She did not make the crust. My grandmother made great piecrusts, but we didn't seem to inherit the gene.

I realised, as I was out shopping for apples to put in the pie (why do I always end up with at least one apple's worth of excess, even when mounded hugely high?) that I had a pie crust in my fridge. But I only use the shop stuff for quiche. Quiches are supposed to be quick, pies mini-labours of love.

But I do not hand knead my bread. My sister thinks I'm kinda slack. I think she shouldn't question water baths for custard-type desserts.

Sneakers is cool. I'd forgotten how much.

Best piecrusts I ate were from the local (and only) grocery in Cloudcroft, NM. Apple (several different kinds, depending on what was in season), blueberry, pecan, mince (before known as raisin, apple, pecans and other stuff) and um...cherry! That was it. All local produce. But the raisins. So damned good. Even scraped off mold once to consume one at one point (so we'd left it on the counter too long.)

Talked to mom. She has someone to walk with her some mornings. She's not ready for me to suggest that she either borrow neighbor's dog or get another yet. Poor mom. The cats are being evil and revelling in the absense of dog. Typical cats.

Sneakers is cool. I'd forgotten how much.

I love that movie.

Thank heavens I did not inherit my grandmother's touch with pie crust. Her's were very soggy. My mother was the expert with a flaky crust. I'm somewhere in between. I can make an adequate one, but I've found that Pillsbury refrigerated crusts that you unroll are an excellent shortcut. I used one to make Deb's mushroom pie and my family thought it was a homemade crust. Hee.

Also, I've had three pieces of Dutch Apple pie so far. I'm contemplating a fourth.

The card is for an invite for Allsyon. That's not really the actual product; it's just a sample to see how hard it would be to make.

ita, Ellison die cuts are a big thing among teachers and now among scrapbookers. You can mass produce (to a certain extent) shapes quickly. Cutting 80 palm trees took about 20 minutes.

The one I bought is a Sizzix machine. It's for home use, but it'll be good for classroom stuff.