Eli's cake

Eli's cake
Originally uploaded by pizza on earth.

Beautiful Eli's birthday was Tuesday, August 21. I could just squeeze those chubby little legs.

Strawberry Memory

Last night I had a spoonful of strawberry gelato as it was coming out of the freezing machine, and my mind exploded with memories of my Grandma Pete's strawberry icecream. As a little girl, I spent strawberry season at her house, where we picked the berries in the hot field, and then swam all afternoon at the pond. We ate strawberries at least 3 times a day, and made jam every other day. I had forgotton about the ice cream until the taste memory came rushing back last night. I remember peeking into the refrigerator where the custard was cooling, and wondering how that could possibly turn into ice cream. There are some vague memories of going to the ice house with my grandfather to get a big chunk of ice, and then chopping it up and putting it in the hand crank ice cream maker, and taking turns cranking until our little arms couldn't move the crank any more. But the taste of that ice cream is the most vivid recollection of all, smooth but with the little seeds and sometimes a little chunk of red, and pale, creamy pink swirls. Not surprisingly, Jay's strawberry gelato tastes just as good.

Cake for Helen

Cake for Helen
Originally uploaded by pizza on earth.

My mother in law, Helen, loved coconut cake with lemon curd filling, so for her memorial party last weekend, I made a special version. After a wonderful meal which included her meatball lasagna and Mann salad( don't ask), all the family enjoyed the cake while we remembered Helen and her special spirit. We toasted marshmallows and sat outside until the bugs got the better of us. She would have loved it.

Hong Kong

This week I am in Hong Kong working on a special project. During this week, I have been in China 2 times, have seen more people than I have seen in the last year and a half, and have seen more tall buildings than I ever wanted to see. A world away from you, but there is a Starbucks in the mall attached to my hotel, and a McD's just about everywhere. In Shen Zhen, China, I even saw a Pizza Hut. Luckily, I have been treated to traditional Chinese luncheons, with fresh leechees which are in season now. I will post some pictures when I get home.