Grammy's sweet boys!! After a fun girl day with friend Kathleen, I get to return home to sweet baby snuggles & smiles. Little Miss Ariana was also here,sitting up all by herself.These baby days are going fast!!!!!

What's Cookin'

I know,I know -it's really the babies you're always hoping to see. Dan came home & was once again lured by Thumbelina's baby charms!! Gavin & I are sharing some early morning snuggles-thus, my early morning messy look!!!! Hey, at least you know I'm real -no photo shop going on here!!!!

The girls were here for lunch yesterday & I made a VERY SIMPLE but good lunch.It's simply cooked pasta,I happened to use linguine, with cottage cheese & a smidge of butter if you've got it!!! I cooked up the whole pkg. so I could have linguine with clam sauce for supper,which is as follows- Saute some chopped garlic in olive oil & butter. Add parsley,a few grinds of pepper,a squeeze of fresh lemon & a bit of white wine. Add 2-3 cans of chopped clams with some of the clam liquor.You'll want to taste before adding all the clam liquor.Or go ahead, live recklessly add it all & then adjust seasonings.Salt , if needed, to taste. Here's a little tip you might not know-don't boil the clams-they get tough& bouncy,like chewing little superballs.If you must boil your liquids, by all means do so (I did), but do so BEFORE adding your clams. Without having the life boiled out of them, they'll stay tender little succulent morsels from the sea!! Having my pasta pre-cooked makes this a 5 minute meal to cook & it's so good!!

I'm back-but who knows for how long?!! What have I been up to??? Hugging babies most especially.Feeding babies.Rocking babies. Holding babies.Changing babies-, just sometimes!!! Ahh,the great reward of grand parenting!!!!

In our free time,we collectively collapse in differing vegetative states in front of tv or computer screens. That new glazed look we're wearing means if you ask us anything,we will answer without thinking & we will not remember what you asked;when you asked;why you asked nor what we answered. Bedtime is the most exciting time around here!! It is looked forward to with great anticipation-by all but the twins, some nights!!!!

Soo,since I'm obviously not writing,creating,sewing or anything where is the creative outlet?? In my cooking & baking.Since we still have to eat, I'm loving trying new things in the kitchen.....

WHAT FAB FOOD IS HAPPENING IN MY KITCHEN:

A really good sandwich you've got to try!!!

Get a really good sourdough bread & brush slices with olive oil,bake in a 425* degree oven for 5 minutes each side. Spread each side of the bread with a mix of equal parts mayo & pesto mixed together.Layer on turkey,sliced mozzarella,thin tomato slices & fresh basil leaves. Let your creativity go on this one-how about ham,monterey jack cheese,marinated artichokes instead of turkey, mozz. & tomato? Vary the breads,meats,cheese,veggies,the changes are endless & all very tasty I'm sure! Let me know what you come up with!!!

ANOTHER GREAT THING: Chipotle in adobo sauce ,the one I use is by Beano,found with the sub sauces.I mix half mayo(I use low fat),half chipotle sauce. Dan & I LOVE this stuff.Great on sandwiches of all sorts, & especially good on a hamburg with sauteed onions & mushrooms.

DESSERT FOR TONIGHT:

Little mochaccino puddings in espresso cups with fresh whipped cream!! Here's the recipe:

2 c. milk

1/3 c. sugar

2 TB.cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp. instant coffee

1 Tb. cocoa
dash salt

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate,,broken up

1 1/2 tsp.vanilla extract

1/2 c. heavy cream

1 Tb. confectioner's sugar

Whisk milk,sugar,cornstarch,cocoa,instant coffee & salt together in a saucepan.(What I like to do is whisk my dry ingredients together to mix them thoroughly,then whisk in my milk.Does this make any difference? I suspect not ,I just FEEL like it does!) Bring this mixture to a boil over med.high heat,stirring frequently to make sure none sticks to the bottom of the pot.

Let boil for 1 minute,you should feel the thickening as you stir.Stir the whole time it's boiling,then remove from the heat.Stir in the broken chocolate pieces & vanilla until chocolate is melted & mixture is smooth & creamy.

If you own a cute espresso cup & saucer set now's the time to use them!! Pour mixture into 6 cups.Cover & refrigerate at least 1 hour so it has time to firm.Put mixing bowl & beaters in fridge also.

When it's time to serve- Remove bowl & beaters from fridge.Beat whipping cream & confectioners sugar until soft peaks form. I sometimes add a little vanilla also,not always,just sometimes. Add a creamy puff of whipped cream atop the rich chocolate-y little cups & garnish as you wish.

The recipe is very good but I would make it a little sweeter next time by using all or some semi-sweet chocolate instead of the bittersweet. I compensated for this by replenishing the whipped cream as I ate every delicious bite!! Let me know if you try it!! Or better yet-request me to make it the next time we get together!! Enjoy!!!