Emma was so cute, like a jubilant little foal, jumping, racing, and tackling. It's so fun to see a preteen set down the cell phone and let loose a little.
Emma and Joe are so sweet together. There's something very special about the bond between a father and a daughter, isn't there?
The trees are bare now, so the trunks looked absolutely stunning against the blue sky. We were trying to identify this white-trunked tree stand. They aren't birch because the leaves are maple-like. Anyone know what it is?
As we walked, I'd see a lone tree and feel compelled to stop. These single, now-dormant living things prepared to withstand our ridiculous winters always strike me as powerful.
It was also Joe's birthday, and in a fluke of scheduling, I ended up making two gluten-free, dairy-free birthday cakes for him. Here was Friday night's concoction, which was a huge hit with the family. It has very low sugar content and they ended up eating the leftovers for breakfast on Saturday morning.
Jean's GF/DF Berry Custard Tart
Prepare this GF pie crust or use another type of crust. Press it into a greased springform pan and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
Whip together:
3 T DF cream cheese
2 T DF sour cream
2 t sugar or agave
1 egg
Pour the custard mixture onto the hot crust and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Combine:
1 c mixed berries
1/2 c fruit juice
2 T arrowroot powder or cornstarch
1 T sugar or agave
Bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly until the sauce just thickens. Set aside to cool.
Pour the fruit sauce over the custard. Garnish with additional berries. Once everything is completely cool, remove the edges of the springform pan to serve.
Here was Saturday night's birthday cake, a GF Banana Cake with Truffle Sauce:
For this one, I actually followed a recipe, a novelty for me. I switched it up a bit by substituting DF sour cream, then melted truffles over the top and sprinkled it with powdered sugar. This one is obviously a lot more decadent than Friday night's celebratory food item, but as well-received.
It was a great weekend, but now I need to buckle down and prepare for my upcoming classes at Ladybug Beads in St. Louis. Hoping the weather holds for my drive down!
Looking for some beaderly inspiration? Check out what my beadblogging pals have been up to:
A Bead A Day
It's Arts & Crafts Week on Lisa's A-Bead-A-Day Blog! A different craft product is featured each day with ideas for incorporating them into jewelry pieces. Stop by and share your ideas!
About.com Jewelry Making
Make it merry with holiday jewelry and crafting ideas.
Art Bead Scene
An Art Bead Scene first - the December sponsors collaborate on a special set of art beads for the December monthly challenge prize!
Barbe Saint John - New Treasures from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe is the last link in a Necklace Round Robin, Check out the finished pieces!
Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses a leather button to make a wearable collage.
Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
Cindy has developed a new line of jewelry to remind us all to live life slowly and enjoy what we have. First in the series is "Grounded."
Jean Campbell
Jean describes what it's like to edit someone's book and shares her thoughts on Marcia DeCoster's latest, Beaded Opulence.
Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi is giving away a copy of Ronna Sarvas Weltman’s unique polymer clay book called "Ancient Modern". Come and get in on this contest!
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Liver of Sulfur is finally in Lorelei's repertoire of jewelry techniques.
Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done!
jean is amazed by the treasures you find in Cynthia Thornton's spectacular wonder of a book, Enchanted Adornments!
Strands of Beads
Melissa trys out Friendly Plastic (and likes the results).
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew adds new pieces from Hawaiian artist, Candice Wakumoto, to his shop.







