Lexi-isms II

After arriving home from pre-school one morning, Lexi shouted as we entered the apartment, "Tigger! Pooh! Everybody! I'm back!" (Presumably to all her stuffed animals she had been playing with that morning).

At our weekly church playgroup, one little girl showed up in fancy silver-sequined shoes. I said to her, "Those are cute shoes, Mabel!" She just smiled, but didn't actually say anything in return. Lexi then instructed me, "She didn't answer you. You have to say it louder!" (That explains why when I don't answer Lexi right away she repeats herself over and over and louder and louder until I do!)

While riding home on the train the other evening, Matt caught Lexi picking at her chapped lips. The following conversation ensued:
Dad: Stop touching that, Lexi (referring to her chapped lips).
Lexi: Don't talk, Dad (frustrated with the parental instruction, no doubt).
Mom (laughing): Well, she told you (to Dad, who then laughs as well).
Lexi: You better write that down, Mom!

While waiting in line at the Giada De Laurentiis book signing, Lexi overheard 2 women talking about a "Heather".
Lexi: They're talking about Heather, Mom.
Mom: Who's Heather?
Lexi: The lady that goes with Desmond Jones. (aka. Lexi's friend's mother)

On Quaker Instant Oatmeal: "If you don't cook it in the microwave it won't be good. It will be nasty."

After dinner, one of Lexi's jobs is to put the leftovers in the fridge. Here is a conversation we had about this:
Mom: Can you put this in the fridge for me?
Lexi: Yes, sir!
Mom: You can say 'Yes, ma'am to me."
Lexi: Why? Are you a man?
(I guess my pronunciation wasn't clear enough)

After spotting a Poland Spring Truck: "There's water in that truck!"

"I have to brush my hair for everyone to say 'She's so pretty!' That's why I have to finish" [brushing her hair].

"I love the elevator. And my favorite color is red. That's all the words I know."


We always take our shoes off when we come home, so I was a little surprised to see her still wearing shoes a while later:
--"Why are you wearing shoes in the house, Lexi?"
--"Because the flies will kill my toes and eat them!"

Many times after we say a blessing on the food at dinner, Daddy will give Mommy a kiss before eating...
Lexi: You kissed your lips together!
Mom: Yep. That's what mommies and daddies do sometimes.
Lexi: I do that, too.
Dad: (jokingly) But you can't do that till you're a mommy.
Lexi: (emphatically) Don't tell me that, Dad!!

Birthday Cake

I am not much of a baker. In fact, my baking is pretty much limited to brownies from a box and chocolate chip cookies. Oh! And cinnamon rolls. But I basically NEVER make cakes. I don't even have any cake pans besides the springform one I use for cheesecakes (which are a once a year concoction). But, I saw an episode of America's Test Kitchen where they made this Strawberry Cream Cake and I have been craving it ever since. I just needed a good reason to make it. What better reason than my dear mama's birthday?!

Here is the recipe in case you'd like to attempt this sumptuous dessert as well.

Strawberry Cream Cake

If using a cake pan, you will need one with straight sides that are at least 2 inches high; otherwise, use a springform pan. The cake portion can be made ahead of time, wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap, and frozen; thaw the frozen cake, unwrapped, at room temperature for about two hours before proceeding with the recipe.

Serves 8 to 10

Cake
1 1/4 cups cake flour(5 ounces)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup sugar (7 ounces)
5 large eggs (2 whole and 3 separated), room temperature
6 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted and cooled slightly
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Strawberry Filling
2 pounds fresh strawberries (medium or large, about 2 quarts), washed, dried, and stemmed
4 - 6 tablespoons sugar
Pinch table salt

Whipped Cream
8 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
1/2 cup sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon table salt
2 cups heavy cream

Building Strawberry Cream Cake

1. FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour round 9 by 2-inch cake pan or 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and all but 3 tablespoons sugar in mixing bowl. Whisk in 2 whole eggs and 3 yolks (reserving whites), butter, water, and vanilla; whisk until smooth.

2. In clean bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat remaining 3 egg whites at medium-low speed until frothy, 1 to 2 minutes. With machine running, gradually add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form, 60 to 90 seconds. Stir one-third of whites into batter to lighten; add remaining whites and gently fold into batter until no white streaks remain. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then invert cake onto greased wire rack; peel off and discard parchment. Invert cake again; cool completely, about 2 hours.

3. FOR THE STRAWBERRY FILLING: Halve 24 of best-looking berries and reserve. Quarter remaining berries; toss with 4 to 6 tablespoons sugar (depending on sweetness of berries) in medium bowl and let sit 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Strain juices from berries and reserve (you should have about 1/2 cup). In workbowl of food processor fitted with metal blade, give macerated berries five 1-second pulses (you should have about 1 1/2 cups). In small saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer reserved juices and Kirsch until syrupy and reduced to about 3 tablespoons, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour reduced syrup over macerated berries, add pinch of salt, and toss to combine. Set aside until cake is cooled.

4. FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM: When cake has cooled, place cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Reduce speed to low and add heavy cream in slow, steady stream; when almost fully combined, increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture holds stiff peaks, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes more, scraping bowl as needed (you should have about 4 1/2 cups).

5. TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE: Using large serrated knife, slice cake into three even layers. Place bottom layer on cardboard round or cake plate and arrange ring of 20 strawberry halves, cut sides down and stem ends facing out, around perimeter of cake layer. Pour one half of pureed berry mixture (about 3/4 cup) in center, then spread to cover any exposed cake. Gently spread about one-third of whipped cream (about 1 1/2 cups) over berry layer, leaving 1/2-inch border from edge. Place middle cake layer on top and press down gently (whipped cream layer should become flush with cake edge). Repeat with 20 additional strawberry halves, remaining berry mixture, and half of remaining whipped cream; gently press last cake layer on top. Spread remaining whipped cream over top; decorate with remaining cut strawberries. Serve, or chill for up to 4 hours.

Step-by-Step: Building a Strawberry Cream Cake
1. With serrated knife, use sawing motion to cut cake into 3 layers, rotating cake as you go.
2. Place sliced berries evenly around edges (they will be visible once layers are assembled).
3. Cover center of cake completely with half of pureed strawberries.
4. Spread one-third of whipped cream over berries, leaving 1/2-inch border. Repeat layering.
5. Press last layer into place, spread with remaining cream, and decorate with berries.

Dying Eggs

This afternoon, Nanny led us in a egg-dying session- Lexi's first time attempting such a project.

Happy Birthday, Nan!

After the Easter Egg Hunt, we went out to lunch with Nan (aka Grandma S) & Allie to celebrate Grandma's birthday! Happy, happy birthday Nanny dear! We love you!

First Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt in Ft. Tryon Park

Today we went to Fort Tryon Park to participate in Lexi's first Easter Egg Hunt. There was quite a turnout and it was FREEZING cold, but we still had a good time. All the eggs were laid out on the big lawn, and the kids (in appropriate age groups) were told to "GO" and all ran down the hill to pick up as many eggs as they could! Lexi had the help of the wonderful Aunt Allie and was able to pick up 4 eggs & a hacky-sack ball before the fun was over. It all happened pretty quickly- guess that's how it goes when there are 30+ 2&3-year-olds vying for the same loot. Good times!

Click on the photo above for all the shots we took of the event.

Everyday Italian

So, if you didn't already know, one of my "hobbies" is cooking. When we cancelled our cable several months ago (in an effort to cut some expenses) I almost cried that we lost the Food Network! That channel is where I discovered Giada De Laurentiis, one of my all time favorite "celebrity" chefs. She has brought some of the easiest and most delicious recipes to our table. I own all 3 of her books, 2 of which have been personlized by her. So yes, I have met her twice now. The second time was tonight at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square. Her newest book was just released today (Everyday Pasta) and Matt, Lexi & I schleped down there to meet her and have her sign our book. As we neared the table, Lexi turned to the B&N staff and asked, "Is that Giada?" Giada seems as nice in person as she does on TV. She saw Lexi and said, "Hello, sweetie! Aren't you just a beautiful little girl!" And Lexi just stood there, smiled & nodded. Hope my family is in the mood for lotsa pasta, cuz we're gonna try lotsa recipes!

Play Ball!

Went in to check on Lexi the other night and found that she had apparently gotten out of bed, found her Yankee cap, and put it on before falling asleep. Guess she's as ready for the new season to begin as the Yanks themselves...