Secret Shame

I guess this won't be so secret after I post it for the world. We don't frequent buffets because Aaron thinks they are pretty disgusting. However, I have been DYING for a potato bar my entire pregnancy. I just didn't want to go to all the effort of creating one at home. So last month I was finally indulged...twice! The first time I went with my friends Rhiannon and Annie during the Priesthood session. The next time was a few weeks later for my birthday. It was delicious.

While I was there with Aaron, the family at the table next to us got into a big fight. The climax was the grandma telling her grandson, "I wish I wasn't your grandma." Good times that just reinforced Aaron's poor opinion of the GC. It's just part of it's charm! The problem is, I'd love to go back again, but Aaron says the only way he'll go is if I'm overdue. Evil.

Craving Chronicles: Strawberry Pie

As promised, here is a picture of the delicious strawberry pie I made a few weeks ago. I've made one more since then, but I wasn't too pleased with the recipie...and I ruined the crust. Since, this is a long weekend I believe I'll try this again and see if I can get it to be a little less jello-like.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons package strawberry flavored gelatin mix
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 quarts strawberries, hulled
1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, combine water, sugar and cornstarch. Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the strawberry gelatin. Allow to cool slightly.

Arrange strawberries in the pie crusts with the tips pointing up. Pour gelatin mixture over, covering the berries.

* In this pie I actually did a cream cheese and powder sugar mix to put at the bottom of the crust so it wouldn't get soggy. It turned out alright, I'm still playing around with what could have made it better.

** You also can't eat this pie without whipped cream! Unless you have dairy allergies...or just don't like it. :)

Update

It's about time I updated this bad boy. Usually, I have posts mulling around in my head, but then I forget to actually post them. By the time I remember to post they feel like old news.

Things are going well right now. Baby F is still very content having me as his host. It's good to know that he's doing well. My fingers are crossed that he'll make a timely debut and not be fashionably late. We feel pretty prepared for his arrival...essentials have been purchased and we just finished our prenatal class. Here's me at 34 weeks.

Aaron has been really busy with work lately, which leaves me with a lot of time by myself. I'd like to say that I'm being really productive with that time, but I'm not. Right now I'm listening to "Showtune Saturday Night". Don't worry, I know that makes me a geek. I'm not allowed to exercise right now, so sometimes I get around that by going to "float" in the pool at the gym. Most of the time, however, I watch movies.

Last night I watched Lars and the Real Girl. It was very different than what I expected. The premise was what would happen if we treated episode of mental illness with compassion instead of shying away from those who suffer. Has anyone else seen this movie? What did you think? I'm still trying to form my thoughts on the subject.

20 Things I Love Right Now

1. That human pregnancy only lasts for ten months. Poor elephants have to suffer for twenty-two!
2. Chicken Curry...I admit that I've had some every day since last Thursday.
3. My Mando for coming down to have a Girl's Day!
4. Tulips are officially blooming everywhere. Hooray for spring.
5. Strawberries being abundant so I can continue to perfect my pie-making abilities...post coming soon!
6. The fact that I bought a Cinco De Mayo shirt from Old Navy and will be wearing it with pride on Monday...even if it doesn't fit correctly.
7. The idea of not having to do my hair for the next few weeks. Braided extensions are the best.
8. The fact that Aaron is excited about Baby F and is the one who pushes me to prepare for his arrival. He does most of the work...I sit in the rocking chair and oversee.
9. Reconnecting with old friends.
10. NPR
11. That I will not be at work for 3 months after the baby is born.
12. My one-hour prenatal massage tomorrow!!!!
13. Fruit slushes and frozen lemonade. I should just say Happy Hour at Sonic.
14. Aaron...He's a pretty good guy.
15. My heating pad
16. The Office and How I Met Your Mother.
17. Weekends
18. Reading blogs
19. The fact that I have finished most of the Thank You notes from my shower.
20. I only have ninety minutes left at work.