Just Call Me "Preghan"

 Brendon, Liam and I are happy to announce that we are expecting a new bundle of poop, puke, JOY in mid-September.  

As of today, I am 8-weeks along, feeling great (yeah... I said great), and ready to start this beautiful journey all over again. 

Hard to tell, but I promise it says "Pregnant"

Liam is THRILLED as well.

{A little story to back-up that assertion}:

When I went to pick him up from daycare last night, the teacher came up and said "Is there a congratulations in order?" 

A very perplexed me turned beet red and asked why she was asking.  "Oh, well Liam has been telling each of the teachers separately today that 'my mommy has a baby in her belly,' and once we all realized that he had told more than just one of us, we figured it must be true," she says. 

Um, thanks Liam!!  :)  He couldn't help himself... he just HAD to spill the beans!

He does make it very, very clear though that I am only allowed to have a girl.  He desperately wants a little sister, and desperately does NOT want a little brother.  HA!!  Let's hope I can live up to his expectations!  :)

So yeah... giddy-up!  And be prepared to hear ALL about this pregnancy.  

I am quite the extrovert. 

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Key Lime Pie--- entirely homemade

I am not sure I need an excuse to bake.  But I make them anyway!!  All.the.time. 

~Oh!!  The hub would love to have fresh blueberry muffins for breakfast for the week.  Done and done!!~

~While I'm at it, I might as well make a streussel.  Because, you know... whatever.~

~Did someone say cupcakes?~

I have been making this particular Key Lime Pie recipe for years now, and it never disappoints.  And this time, I really DO have the perfect excuse.

[Husband]:  Will you cook a Key Lime Pie for my mom's birthday dinner? (My amazing in-laws will be over on Saturday for a feast).

Yes, Brenny.  I shall make the sweet treat you've requested on your mom's behalf.  And it shall be gloooooorious!!!

Thought I would share the process with ya'll, and torture you with unfair pictures.

The Recipe: Key Lime Pie

Ingredients:

The Pie Crust

It's easy peezy, trust me.  And it makes a HUGE difference.

1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs-- you could crush them in a food processor or by hand.  OR you could buy them pre-crumbled... just sayin'

6 tbsp. butter-- melted

3 tbsp. granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

Pinch of cinnamon

The Filling

1 tsp. lime zest-- zest the limes before you cut and juice them... it is WAY easier that way.

1/2 c. fresh lime juice-- preferably with key limes (or so "they" say).  I use regular limes and they have never failed me.

1 8oz. can of sweetened-condensed milk

5 egg yolks

The Whipped Cream Topping

1 c. of heavy whipping cream

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. of vanilla extract

Pinch of salt-- because salt is gooooood.

The Process:

1- Preheat your oven to 325

2- Combine all the components for the crust in a large bowl and stir with a fork until thoroughly combined.  It should resemble wet sand.

3- Press into a pie dish.  You want to be careful the crust doesn't have any cracks in it.  The best way to ensure it stays in tact is to press it with a glass measuring cup. 

Like so...

4- Once preheated, throw this bad-boy (the pie crust) into the oven for 15 minutes.  Then remove and let it cool to room temp.

5- While the crust is baking, assemble your filling.  Combine your egg yolks and lime zest and whisk until smooth.

6- Add the sweetened-condensed milk and lime juice to the eggs and zest, and beat until it thickens slightly.  Once the pie crust has cooled to room temp, pour in the filling and put the pie back into the oven for another 15 minutes.  The pie is done when the filling has set but still jiggles in the center.  Let cool to room temp. again and then pop it in the fridge to cool for at least 3 hours. 

7-  The whipped cream is pretty easy as well... 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of sugar into a large bowl with the vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt.  Use an electric mixer to whip the cream... real good  ;)  You'll see soft peaks form... and you'll see it look like... well, whipped cream.  Go figure, right?  Put this is the fridge too, until you're ready to serve/devour it. 

Last but not least, in the least....

8- Make sure you taste the whipped cream with the finger test.  This is very important, for the simple fact that you deserve it!

Hope you try it, and I hope you enjoy it!!!  :)

i'm sowwwie

We sit and ring our hands, thinking of ways to feel better.  What could we say?  What could we do?  We hurt someone... how can we come to terms with that?

We used our voice to intimidate and we showed them what we were made of.  Now if only we could stop thinking about it.  If only we could figure out how to move on from the anger we feel and the offense we took.

Maybe we could take it out on someone else... continue the chain of destruction.

Perhaps we could yell or scream... release some of the confusion out loud.

Maybe just try to forget about it... pack the frustration away for the next battle.

Or... we could be brave enough--- we could be big enough--- to apologize. 

We could choose to look at our own behavior as a contribution.  We could face ourselves and hold ourselves accountable for our part in things.

And then we could let out a collective sigh and begin again...

...with dignity and a smile.

This can be our choice.