Tiny Pastel Hamburgers.

Makes 35 macaroons

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 2 large egg whites, room temperature
• Pinch of cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
• 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam, for filling
• MACAROON VARIATIONS
• Chocolate: Substitute 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder for 1/4 cup of the almond flour.
• Coconut: Substitute 2 tablespoons desiccated unsweetened coconut for 2 tablespoons of the almond flour, and add 1/2 teaspoon rum; sprinkle with additional coconut before baking.
• Peanut: Substitute an equal amount finely ground unsalted peanuts (peanut flour) for the almond flour.
• Pistachio: Substitute 1/2 cup finely ground unsalted pistachios (pistachio flour) for 1/2 cup of the almond flour, and add 2 to 3 drops forest-green gel-paste food coloring.
• Raspberry: Add 1 tablespoon fresh raspberry puree, strained, plus 3 to 4 drops dusty- rose gel-paste food coloring.
• Vanilla Bean: Add 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use.

• SUGGESTED FILLINGS FOR MACAROONS
• Chocolate: Chocolate Ganache
• Coconut: 1 cup Swiss Meringue Buttercream, mixed with 1/3 cup angel-flake coconut.
• Peanut: Chocolate Ganache, or store-bought dulce de leche, jam, or peanut butter.
• Pistachio: 1 cup Swiss Meringue Buttercream, mixed with 1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios.
• Raspberry: 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
• Vanilla Bean: 1 cup Pineapple Buttercream , 1 cup Swiss Meringue Buttercream, or 3/4 cup store-bought jam or preserves.

Directions

1. Pulse confectioners' sugar and almond flour in a food processor until combined. Sift mixture 2 times.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and whisk until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low, then add superfine sugar. Increase speed to high, and whisk until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Sift flour mixture over whites, and fold until mixture is smooth and shiny.
3. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip, and pipe 3/4-inch rounds 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets, dragging pastry tip to the side of rounds rather than forming peaks. Tap bottom of each sheet on work surface to release trapped air. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake 1 sheet at a time, rotating halfway through, until macaroons are crisp and firm, about 10 minutes. After each batch, increase oven temperature to 375 degrees, heat for 5 minutes, then reduce to 325 degrees.
4. Let macaroons cool on sheets for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. (If macaroons stick, spray water underneath parchment on hot sheet. The steam will help release macaroons.)
5. Sandwich 2 same-size macaroons with 1 teaspoon jam. Serve immediately, or stack between layers of parchment, wrap in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Helpful Hint

Piping the perfect macaroon takes a little practice. Treat it as you would a rosette, bringing the pastry tip to the side of the circle, rather than forming a peak, to finish.

Maybe.

Sometimes I get my head in a dilly
Feeling so lost ticking you off
Now boy, You know me well
Said, I'm that kinda feeling
That kind of soft
That kind of silly

But when I'm in doubt
I open my mouth
And words come out,
words come out like

Baby there's a shark in the water
There's something underneath my bed
Oh, please believe I said
Baby theres a shark in the water
I caught them barking at the moon
Better be soon

High in the sky
the song that I'm singing
A sweet little lie
A cry wolf cry
Rather have you lie
So thats why I'm bringing
some tricks up my sleeve
for noticing me

Oh yeah

I wouldn't cause you any harm
I just want you in my arms
I can't help
I can't help myself

Baby there's a shark in the water
Theres something underneath my bed
Oh please believe I said
Baby there's a shark in the water
I caught them barking at the moon
Better be soon

Better be soon

Right is right
Rules are rules
This is more like april fools
I'm just winding you up, oh

Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Please don't make to much of it
It aint that serious
oh ohh ohhhh

Baby theres a shark in the water
Theres something underneath my bed
Oh, please believe I said
Baby theres a shark in the water
I caught them barking at the moon
You better get here soon
Baby theres a shark in the water (x3)
I caught them barking at the moon
Better be soo

Cheese Weasle Day

Cheese Weasles!!!!
They make your email work again. They fix your computer when it crashes. They made your website look good. They politely answer technical questions they have heard 100 times before. They make you famous on Facebook and Twitter. They make your site friendly to search engines. They attract traffic to your blog. They made your favorite cell phone application. They understand how to make the copiers and printers work again so you can get your report in on time. It’s time to say thank you for all they do! It doesn’t cost anything to say thank you, but you can make Cheese Weasel Day a special event just for them. Why not? It’s fun!
Cheese Weasel Day is a real holiday that started on the Internet sometime in the early days of the web in the 90’s.  Like most holidays, CWD is filled with traditions that many celebrants may not understand. Like, “Why cheese?” and “What’s up with weasels?” But most people realize it doesn’t matter, since they don’t know what USB and URL stand for either. The holiday is just like the technology we use, some kind of magic. Magic that freezes up or crashes right when you need it most–which requires most of us to make a fast call to those IT wizards in our lives. The people we take for granted all too often.
The Legend of the Cheese Weasel

Cheese Weasel Loading up for CWD

Until recently CWD, has been celebrated quietly on April 3rd by many around the world as a fun day dedicated to saying thanks to all the good little boys and girls in the high-tech industry. Legend has it (and the internet has many legends) the Cheese Weasel (C.W.) travels the world, leaving a bit of cheese under keyboards or mouse pads of good techie boys and girls. The type really doesn’t matter though Kraft Singles often is the cheese of choice. However, depending on how often you look under your keyboard, the C.W. might place a wedge of cheddar instead. And if you’re lucky–some cheesecake might appear near your computer! That’s all you need to know about CWD, just go with it and have fun!

The Cave

It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you've left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's hand

So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be

And I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

This is my favorite Mumford and Sons song.
you should check it out (here is the video link http://www.youtube.com/embed/x6rYPHmSzcE)

Lately

Some things that I have been watching & reading lately:

Never Mind the Buzzcocks - British television series, popular music quiz. 1996-present.
I have gotten through the first 16 seasons on YouTube. I think that a few years ago, they re-ran them on american television VH1 channel.
Series 1-17 are the ones hosted by Mark Lamarr, who I think was excellent, but you can tell towards the end that his heart has gone out of the series, he still does an amazing job, I mean he is still hysterical, and gets a laugh, though you can tell, its in his demeanor-  it seems that the 'years' have taken their toll, he is a music encyclopedia, and a comic genious. He tore the guests apart with his sharp wit, and made quite a few people uncomfortable, but I dont think that he is a mean person.
 Simon Amstell was funny in his own right, but a little annoying - it became more about the comedy parts, and less about the music...which is what attracted me to the series (the well-know to the obscure, and often hilarious, band/artist trivia)

another web sieries, I got hooked on is:
The Guild
 http://www.watchtheguild.com/
if you like RPG's and online gaming, then this is the series for you.
Abby showed me Making Fiends by Amy Winfrey  I laughed soooooo hard, it is about a little green girl named Vendetta who make monsters, and terrifies the whole town of Clamburg - and then, along comes  a little blue girl named Charlotte who just wants to be friends with everyone ! including Vendetta, much to her dismay !
An independent web cartoon and now a tv show on Nickelodeon. This fiendish animated series is by Amy Winfrey, the creator of Muffinfilms.com, Big Bunny and Squid and Frog. www.makingfiends.com


Flame & Citron^[1] (Danish: Flammen & Citronen) is a Danish drama/action movie from 2008.  It is a fictionalized film, based on fact, about two Danish Resistance fighters in 1943 and '44.
I liked this film, it was kinda sad, but really well acted and beautifully shot.

I have read all of the Steig Larsson Millennuim Trilogy, and I wanted to watch the films, in the original swedish (which means I also read all the films too !!!) so I got them out of my public library. I think that the last one is the 'slowest' but it was very well done (not as full of action and violence as th eprevious two films, but it gets the point across)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest (2009) - IMDb  www.imdb.com/title/tt1343097

there are rumors that an american version of the Girl With films are to be made, and Daniel Craig will be playing Blomqvist, and Rooney Mara, Lisbeth Salander - I am not sure if I will like it, but I will go see it ~

The Mermaid Chair - Kim Basinger (based on the book of the same title by Sue Monk Kidd)

it was almost like watching a book, if that makes any sense, it was like I was reading it and seeing it at the same time.

Taken - with Liam Neeson
I love the plot of this film, the message, the limitless love of a father for his child.
It brings to mind another great love, the Love that God has for us, and the determination with which He chases us, the Grace that he extends to us. It makes me smile, and I feel so safe, secure and Loved - knowing that like the father in this film, My Heavenly Father - will come find me, and do anything to bring me back to Him.

Zen Shorts, Zen Ties, and Zen Ghosts (by Jon J. Muth) childrens books. about a group of children who meet Stillwater, a panda, who is a Zen master. really cute, and the watercolor illustrations are beautiful.

Shadowspell  by Jenna Black- sequel to Glimmerglass
it wasnt the best fairy fiction I have ever read, but it was well written, and a easy read.
I look forward to the third book coming out in July 2011

Fodor's England 2011 - with The Best of Wales
I am thinking of taking a trip to England, and I wanted to gather some information, useful, or otherwise, about where to stay, and the cost of things, and it is quite a nice travel book (Fodor's series in general are excellent guides)

Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
A book on art history, and a woman who sleeps her way through the perils of the art world, and auction houses. it was a little slow in oarts, and extremely perdictable, slightly annoying as I had no clue what year they were actually in (he kept going back and forth, and it took me a while to figure it out, so I just ended up reading words on a page, that really dont amount to anything, but become something with which to kill time.

The Punisher - Thomas Jane & John Travolta (comic based, excellent adaptation - little less violent than the comic though)

Empire Records - I would love to work in a record store with that bunch of rejects !!! (like Warren - though, dont think that I would go about stealing, or trying to shoot anyone ! lol)

Kisses - an Irish film. very well done.
(quite a bit of swearing though)

A Red Herring Without Mustard - A Flavia De Luce Mystery by Brandley C. Alan
the third in an award winning series, about an 11-year old supersleuth.
I enjoyed them all, read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
                                                                &
                                          The Weed that Strings the Hangmans Bag.
which are the first two in the series :)

Human Target - Season One.
Based on the DC Comics character created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino.
(I have read the graphic novels as well.)
Action, Action, Action. !!!

I am watching Freaks and Geeks - which is really boring, and not at all funny, but James Franco is adorable, and I think that John Francis Daley is funny as a little kid :) so that makes it almost worth the hours [wasted] watching it.

Nevermind The Buzzcocks

I have been watching this show off and on for three weeks now (you can located episodes on youtube if anyone is interested)
It was kind of funny to watch it from start to now, as it was the late 90's, and seemed that it got a bit sillier as the years passed, meaning the host was kind of serious at the beginning, and while there were jokes and punchlines, it seemed that they took the game a little more seriously. Now (I am in season 16) I am not even sure how they manageto come up with an answer between all the snarky comments, and goofing on guests and team captains. I mean, Mark is very quick witted, and that amuses me (his laugh when, its genuine is like a hiccup - it makes me laugh)
I will say though, that I adore Mark Lamarr as host, and I was sad when he wasnt on anymore, replaced by guests and then Simon Amsell - who is funny in his own right, but it seems like the show went from a quiz about music to a 30 minute comedy routine with some music thrown in. But I guess it makes sense; if the British are anything like Americans, they have a 7 second attention span; if you arent being entertained, you change the channel

I do enjoy music, and I wish that I had a sadellite radio (to listen to any station in the world, in real time, in my home)

I am also thinking of traveling to England, and trying to get a job there. Maybe I will do stand-up, or bartending, or researching. *laughs*
And while I am at it, I am going to locate Mark Lamarr and put him in my pocket.

How I used to feel

'These four walls feel more like a prison
Instead of paradise I couldn't wait to live in
So I just drink myself to sleep
Again
Can't escape my mind
This ain't like a movie
It's getting hard to hide
The more it's doin to me
Don't know how long I can keep
From going
Crazy all the time

Chorus:
So this is the life they talked about
This is the I can't live without
When the real world crashes down
Oh if they could see me now
When all the dreams are all your own
Turn to nightmares all alone
It hits you right between the eyes
This is the life
This is the life'

I am not going to dwell in the past, I am not going to let the mistakes I have made, limit what I become - I dont care about ' bodies in positions' I want to matter, I want to make a difference, I want to be pivital, someone who cannot be replaced 'what would we do without you' and all that.
And with God, all things are possible, so watch out world, God uses unlikely people, and I am for sure and certain, an unlikely person. :)

Time

Time is now something I have alot of. And the one thing that I dont know what to do with the excess. Its killing me, the unknown, no idea want the future holds for me, and if I will be able to go on.
I know that I definatly cannot afford my part of the rent, or bills, or groceries, or well, anything really.
It is in God's Hands - I need to let it up to Him. Just let it go. Not dwell in the past. Stay on the Sunny Side and all.