Chocolate Mousse

During the month of March Dad decided to perfect a chocolate mousse recipe.  The first recipe was wonderful, and our favorite so far.  Here is that recipe:

Heavenly Chocolate Mousse
8 (1ounce ) squares semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup water, divided
2 tablespoons butter (no substitutes)
3 egg yolks
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/4 cups whipping cream, whipped

In a microwave or double boiler, heat chocolate, 1/4 cup water and butter until the chocolate and butter are melted.  Cool for 10 minutes.  In a small heavy saucepan, whisk egg yolks, sugar and remaining water.  Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees F about 1-2 minutes.  Remove from the heat; whisk in chocolate mixture.  Set saucepan in ice and stir until cooled, about 5-10 minutes.  Fold in whipped cream.  Spoon into dessert dishes.  Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

The second one we made tasted more like a pudding. We served it with strawberries and it tasted fine.
We'll keep you posted if we find a better recipe.  Enjoy!

Oscar party

To celebrate the academy awards we had a little party.  We started out the evening with pot roast and ravioli and filled out our ballots.  Dad went for True grit where ever he could, Joey went for Toy story,  the rest of us just winged it.
Than I passed out Bingo cards to fill out during the broadcast.  The spaces on the bingo card said things like...Orchestra cuts off winner speech...Gwyneth Paltrow sings....Tom Hanks sighting...Winner has a beard...etc...
I had prizes, movie candy and dollar bills.
Dad and Thomas tied for the first bingo.  Emma and Joey got a bingo.  Emma got the most right on her ballot and so she got to choose two prizes. I got the least amount right.

Our treats were "sweet hamburgers, and fries" 

They were made out of yellow cupcakes cut in half with a brownie in the middle. 

The fries were made from sugar cookie. 
We had popcorn balls, crackers and cheese, and sparkling cider.
Congratulations to all the winner!

Seattle

We started our midwinter break with a trip to Seattle.

We went to Pike's Place Market.

(Do you see the ferry in the background?)

They say when you go to the market you must see the gum wall.

I do not agree... I just think the wall is gross.

The hammering man is very big.  It was a beautiful day.  Seattle looked good.

We visited the troll under the bridge.  ( See the full size vw bug in his hand?)  Watch out when you drive over the Fremont bridge, he just might grab your car.

This was Joey's favorite place we visited because he could climb all over the troll.

We drove through the University of Washington campus.

This is the view down the the other way.  Looking toward husky stadium.  I can't figure out my camera so it is an overexposed picture so you can't see Mt. Rainer in the background.  The UW has a beautiful campus.

We went to Archie McPhee's in Wallingford.

We ended at UW village and had Chicago style stuffed pizza.
It was a great day!  During this trip we focused on some of the public art that Seattle is filled with.  I didn't take a picture of all  of it.  We can't wait to go back to Seattle  when the weather is warmer.

Happy Birthday Bill !

We celebrated Bill's Birthday !

For his birthday he requested an icebox cake. 

We made one out of chocolate chip cookies and mocha whip cream.

It was good.

We later had chocolate fondue with strawberries, angel food cake, cookies, bananas, etc..

We played Clue!

Dad won!!

Happy Birthday, Bill !

Happy Valentines Day

I love my valentines both here and in far away places.

And treats for those who live here....

I hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day!!

Great swim season !

Here is the picture that the Issaquah press photographer took of Thomas during his 500 fly race.  This is one of the races he won.

He had a great swim season this year.  He qualified for kingco in the 100fly.  He raced and took another 3 seconds off his time.  We are already excited for next year.

We are really proud of him.  It was so fun to watch him swim. 

  Good Job Thomas!!!

Super bowl

We had a great super bowl party. 
We started with placing our bets.

Coin Toss......heads or tails
dad
Joseph
Emma chose tails.

Thomas and I chose heads......we won!

National Anthem .......longer than 1:54 or shorter?
Thomas, mom, Joseph and Emma said that it would go over.
Dad said under.....The national Anthem was 1:53.......Dad won!

Game winner.....steelers or packers?
Joseph and Emma chose the steelers.
Thomas, dad, and mom went with the packers...winners.

Total points scored....more than 50 or less than 50?
Dad, Joseph and mom said less
Emma and  Thomas chose more...they won.

The prize was a dollar for every one we guessed right.  Thomas won the most...unfortunately Joseph only got a dollar for his participation, because he didn't guess one right.   He's hoping he'll make up for it during our Oscar party.

Our Menu:
We decided to served different dishes each quarter.
First quarter....Paula Deen's Cheese ball, hamburger sliders, fruit salsa and cinnamon chips.

Second quarter.....Sausage chicken gumbo (Emeril) crab dip in sour dough bread, pretzels and chips.

Third quarter cinnamon popcorn, brown sugar smokies, m&m almond, m&m pretzel and m&m plain.

Fourth quarter.....Texas sheet cake

We were stuffed!!

We kept track of each of the new commercials and voted on which one we liked the best.  Here are the five top vote getter:
Audi......Escape luxury
McDonalds......report card
VW.....using the force
Eniem....Detroit
Chevy.....rescuing Timmy

Up next.....Dad's birthday!!