Blueberry Cake, ala Rose

Rose made parts of this recipe up while we were walking home from school. I'm so proud of her! She wants to be a baker like mommy and a soldier like daddy.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Dash nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup blueberry jam
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted

Preparation:

Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pan. Heat oven to 350°.

In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices; stir to blend. Clean blueberries and gently stir into the dry ingredients.

In a mixing bowl whisk eggs with the blueberry jam, milk, vanilla, and melted butter. Stir in the dry ingredients until well blended.

Spoon into the prepared pan; sprinkle blueberries over the top of the batter

Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester or pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on a rack for 20 minutes.

Use your favourite filling and frosting

Oh My Maker, I Found My Diary

A few weeks ago, got home from picking up my beautiful Rose at school and there was a package waiting for me. Smallish box, return address...The Coruscant Children's Home (The orphanage where I was raised.) When I left a few years ago, I had thought I'd taken every paltry item that I owned. Apparently not. Picked up the box, took it upstairs, put it in the closet, and forgot about it. Yesterday, I found it again while clearing out some of my clothes to make room for maternity wear. (Yes, its that time. My regular clothes don't fit. And you know what, I don't mind and Echo doesn't seem to mind my tummy getting big.) Took the box out, put it on the bed, and opened it. At first, I was glad I was alone. Didn't know what was in the box. The first thing I found was a letter :

Dear Disco,
      In cleaning out the storage closets at the home, I found this box of items that belong to you. They appear to be papers, books, and some clothing. I hope I was correct in sending them on to you.

Sincerely,
Mrs Charles

She was never one to be verbose.

There were papers, drawings...bad ones, and there at the bottom was my diary. I had received it as a gift on Christmas one year...I was 15, I think. Some rich people decided to do a good deed and donated gifts to the orphanage.That sounded catty. I'm sure they were nice people who wanted to cheer up a bunch of orphans. I think I got the diary because it was the only gift appropriate for my age. A few diaries for the older kids amongst a bunch of toys. I wanted a toy.

When Deliah Blue walked in I had just started flipping through and reading my excruciatingly bad poetry. Don't know why i even tried.  I must have thought that if one had a diary, one had to write things that were deep and meaningful. Luckily, I trusted Blue to let her read some with me. Oh, we had a good laugh. Think tonight I'll start really reading it. See what 10 years have changed, besides the married, mommy, pregnant part. And living in a castle instead of an orphanage, and having friends, and a family...and my own TIE Fighter.

3-Day Old Flaxseed Muffins

For Darth Vader

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c   Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 c    Ground flax seeds
3/4 cup    brown sugar or evaporated cane juice
1 Tbsp     baking powder
3/4 tsp     nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp  cinnamon
2 cups      milk
1              beaten egg

Prep and Cooking:
Pre-heat the oven to 350°. 


Mix all dry ingredients together. 


Beat the egg in a separate bowl, then add the milk. Pour the combined liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until moistened.

Spray muffin tins with non-stick spray or use pan liners. Fill the tins 3/4 full. 


Bake at 350° for approx. 20 - 25 minutes. Muffins should be lightly browned on top and nicely browned on the sides when done. 


Remove and put on cooling racks.

Let sit uncovered for 3 days

The Twitterverse Playlist

Throughout the history of the Star Wars TwitterVerse, there have been songs that speak to us as characters, couples, and situations. What follows is a partial playlist of these songs. Please leave comments letting me know which I've missed and I will update the playlist. An Official TwitterVerse Soundtrack CD is in the making, once I have all the songs.

Bad Romance-Lady GaGa (Dark Luke's song)

Love Game-Lady GaGa (Disco's song)

Let's Get it On-Marvin Gaye (Vader's theme)

Bennie and the Jets-Elton John (Obi's theme)

I Swear-All-4-1 (Echo and Disco's song)

Bad Influence-P!nk (Deliah_Blue's song)

In da Club-50Cent polka (Vader's torture song)

Undisclosed Desires-Muse (Kitiyari and Anakin's song)

Sex and Candy-Marcy Playground (Kitiyari, Anakin, and Obi-Wan's song)

Yellow-Coldplay

Bad Things-Jace Everett (Obi-Wan, Kitiyari, and Anakin's theme)

Closer-NIN
...Only Prettier-Miranda Lambert (Sarah's theme)
You are Beautiful-Christina Aguilera/Damon (Barb's Song)

Last Thing on Your Mind-Lights
Love is a Battlefield-Pat Benetar (Luke and Barb's song)
She's a Lady-Tom Jones (Lady Everon's theme)
Cross My Heart-George Strait (Han and Leia's song)
Your Song-Ewan McGregor version from Moulin Rouge
Lady Marmalade-P!nk, Mya, Xtina, Lil Kim (Vader, Disco, Kit, Ani's Karaoke)
So What-P!nk (Mist's theme)
I'm the Cute One-Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen (Sarah and Siege's theme)
Welcome Home-Coheed & Cambria (Vao's song)
Vode'an-Jesse Harlin (Bik's theme)

I would really love to include everyone's songs. If space on the CD is an issue, songs not affiliated with characters or couples will be taken out...ie the 50cent polka (don't know if i can get this on itunes anyway), Coldplay, Poker Face...Please leave comments with your songs as well as the artist and who's theme/song it is. I don't want to leave anyone out, but if you don't give me your suggestion, I can't include it.

Thank you!

Disco

We're Back!

We're home! Echo, Rose and I arrived home to the castle Wednesday night. It was sad to leave our little piece of heaven, but it was time. Fingers crossed we can afford to keep a vacation home there! I'd love our children to grow up both on Coruscant and on C...oops! can't tell that part. I think that based on Rose's love for it, our other kids will love it too. Echo seemed to enjoy our time there too...*blushes* and I enjoyed all the time he spent with his shirt off.

On our way home we had a delightful surprise! Our little Lily Blue kicked for the first time! I'd felt her moving about inside me--kind of felt like bubbles, but this was a definite kick! Echo put his hand on my tummy and felt his "little soldier" kicking away. The look on his face made me fall in love with him even more.The kicking makes her so real...not that the months of morning sickness didn't feel real, but she's in there...kicking away everyday now. And each time, its as exciting as the first. I hope I never get used to the feeling.  Echo talks to her at night. Lying in bed, he puts his head on my tummy and listens to her heart beat and tells her all about her sister, and me, and him and tells her all the things we're going to do as a family. I know that she can't hear him yet (books say at about 7 months the baby can hear outside noises) but I like to think she can.

I had my first encounter with Vader since the day in the infirmary. I went to Navaar's re-marriage ceremony to Bikoura and he was there. I thought we'd be awkward around each other, and worried that he'd try to persuade me to marry him. It wasn't awkward...except for the hug, but that was because he didn't know if he should or not. I felt very comfortable with him. We want our friendship back to where it was. I really think it will work, especially now that he's promised to not come between me and Echo. Not that anyone or thing could! Seems he realizes that whilst pursuing me, he should've been pursuing another. Someone who is free to love him. So, he's let me go. He seems to love this other woman very much...its just awkward for me as the other woman is DiscoGryff. I kind of was her for awhile...and like most things in my life, I am confused by it. I told Echo that night. I think he was confused too. But as long as it means Vader won't try to make me fall in love with him or interfere with our marriage, Echo's fine. My Echo is a wonderful and understanding man. I have no idea what I did to deserve him, but I'm never letting him go.

rose's butterfly ice cream sandwiches

I created these for my Rose...She seems to love them!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon non coloured almond extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Edible Color Markers
• Sprinkles
• Vanilla or other favorite flavor ice cream softened

You will need:

*butterfly shaped cookie cutter

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In large bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Beat in egg and extracts; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture 1 cup at a time; mix well after each addition. Do not chill dough.

Divide dough into 2 balls. On floured surface, roll each ball into a circle approximately 12 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick.

Dip cookie cutter in flour before each use. Cut into butterfly shape.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 7-8 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Remove to cooling rack; cool completely.

While cookies are cooling, spoon softened ice cream (about 1/2-inch thick) onto small cookie sheet; freeze until firm.

Decorate cooled cookies with edible food markers as desired. Cut butterfly shapes from ice cream using cookie cutter

Place between cooled cookies; dip edges of ice cream sandwich into sprinkles. Serve immediately or freeze until ready to enjoy.

In a State of Vader Confusion

We're going home! This week, the Gryphon clan returns to Castle Cade and all of their friends. Echo needs to go back to work, Rose needs to go to school, and frankly...I need to bake something! Its been two weeks, and I haven't so much as baked a cookie. As excited as I am to see Blue, Cade, all my friends...especially Kitiyari...there's still this 'thing' hanging over me. That thing, is Darth Vader.

Two weeks ago, while chatting with my dear friend, Lord Vader, a confession was made. He told me that he 'covets' me. In my understanding, 'covet' means to want to possess something you can't have. To Vader, it means he's in love with me. I was shocked. It wasn't something that I had ever considered. The man is my friend. Not to mention, very married...to 10 other women AND has a girlfriend who he adores. More importantly, I'm married. To my soulmate. The love of my life. My Echo. Didn't know how to react to Vader's proclamation. I think I said "I...I...wha...what...?" and I left the room...as fast a pregnant woman can waddle. So, I got home and told my dear Deliah Blue what happened. She then proceeded to rip Vader a new air hole. Fast forward, Navaar's ship med bay...the next day...woke up from my unconscious state--long story!--and there Vader sat. It was so kind of him to come to see me. But when I tried to explain my feelings and let him know that while I was flattered (I mean, come on, the man has all these beautiful, confident, exotic women fawning over him, and he falls in love with me?) and loved him as a friend, I was in love with my husband and wouldn't ever leave him, betray him, or hurt him. He offered to treat me like a queen...Echo already does. He calls me his 'curvalicious beauty, his Greek Goddess.' Force, I love that man...

So, Vader and I argued. He argued his case to a deaf judge. I was very calm and specific about my feelings, but he only heard what he wanted to. Some of the things that he said I said...have NO idea where they came from! Its like my words went into the mask, got jumbled about, and interpreted as the complete opposite of their meaning and intention. He stormed out, my blood pressure elevated, and unconsciousness took over.
Echo was there when I woke. He'd 'spoken' to Vader and now we were going into hiding with Rose. He'd do anything to protect me, Rose, and our little Lily Blue. In hiding, I was free from Vader's reach. Admittedly, I did comm him to try and talk to him more rationally. Ever try to reason with a Sith Lord? I don't recommend it. He wanted me to come back. I gave him the rules. He said, OK. We'll see if he keeps to this agreement.  I'm not holding my breath.

The thing is, I really do care for Vader. As a friend. I don't want him to go away. He is always so kind and complimentary to me and I really think he is a good man. My concern is, did I do something to lead him to believe we had a future, or that I was in love with him? This is something that I need to know so that I won't do it again. I don't want to hurt him. I care about him. No matter how much he frustrates me, he's charming and endearing...in a very odd way. My hope is that someday we can reach a place in our friendship where we can forget this happened and be Vader and Disco again. Where I'm not guarding my words and actions.

Gotta go pack. Hopefully get in a little snuggle time with my Echo. A little mommy/daughter time with my Rose. Can't wait to get home and see everyone.

Banana Cupcakes...created for Kitiyari by Disco

I created this recipe for my best friend, Kitiyari, because she loves bananas!

What You'll Need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas mashed
• 3/4 cup sour cream

Prep and Baking

Preheat oven 350°F. 

In large bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. 

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Add eggs, vanilla and banana; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with sour cream; blend thoroughly but do not overmix. 

Pour into prepared pans. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

Cool 10 minutes in pan on rack; remove and cool completely before decorating.

I recommend a chocolate buttercream, or a white chocolate buttercream,  frosting for these cupcakes

When Disco Met Rose

Lovely day today on C...umm, the planet where we are vacationing. I think Rose is finally had enough of swimming! Never knew Echo and I raised such a little glimmerfish! But then, we didn't raise her...or we did, but we haven't yet because i'm still pregnant with her. This whole situation still confuses me at times.

On my birthday a few months ago, I was accosted by Governor Tarkin. Some nonsense about taxes. Lord Vader rescued me by performing his patented RFC-Reverse Force Choke. It enables him to bring people or objects to him. So, Vader RFCs me to his ship in order to save me from arrest. But something happened that no one quite expected, and Vader needs a warning label on the RFC-Warning! The RFC should NOT be performed on pregnant women! When I returned to the shop, via shuttle (that RFC is disorienting!), my best friend and business partner, Kitiyari was waiting for me. Sleeping on the sofa in the shop was a little red-haired girl, about 7 years old. So beautiful and peaceful. Then the bomb dropped, the shoe fell, the bottom fell out of my reality, and other such cliches for surprises. Kiti explained that the little girl came into the shop and asked Aunt Kiti where Mommy was. Mommy being...ME. Well, she did have my red hair...and she referred to herself as Rose Gryphon. Ok, that was the name we were planning on giving her...and Gryphon was a suggestion for our last name, as Echo didn't have one. As the little one opened her eyes, my heart burst open. She had Echo's eyes. Those same wonderful, kind eyes I fell in love with, looked at me sleepily and then smiled, said 'hi Mommy' and gave me a big hug.  Instant love. I knew she was mine. I knew she was Echo's. And I knew that I never wanted to stop hugging her. I asked her how she got here. Rose told me that she was playing outside the shop after school when she saw a flash of light (we assume this was due to the RFC). She came into the shop and saw her Aunt Kiti and asked for me.

Thank goodness for Kiti! She took care of my Rose and called Echo. When he walked in, his little girl said, "Hi Daddy!" I wish I knew what was going through his head at that moment. Was it the same things going through mine: how? what? when? Then I remembered that I was pregnant. Or was I? Rose was standing before me, but I was supposedly pregnant with her, and only about 6 weeks. Did this mean I wasn't going to experience her moving and kicking inside of me? Giving birth to her? The first smile, steps, words? Little panic attack. Mental note...make a doctor's appointment as soon as possible. We took her home. Desperately trying not to confuse her any more than she was, but looking at each other with a "What the kriff is
happening?" look in our eyes. We explained as best we could when she asked why things like her room, and Daddy's uniform were different. Rose took the explanation in stride. Kids are resilient and amazing beings.

There are days that I cry thinking about what we've missed with Rose. We don't have the memories of those wonderful milestones. We don't have baby holos. I don't know what her first word was, but I try not to dwell on what I can't change.  There is a rule, we don't ask Rose questions about what she remembers from 'her time.' Kiti explained to her that she can't tell us or it will cause a paradox...or as Rose says a 'parrot ox.' Well, the baby is still inside me and starting to move around. Rose named her Lily...we like the flower names. So little Lily Blue Gryphon will be here soon. Even though, technically, she's Rose. We'll raise her as her own person. And Rose will be a wonderful big sister.

Someday Rose may ask us, "Daddy, Mommy...how did you have me 7 years before you even met?' and hopefully, by then, we'll have an answer.

Disco's Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookies

1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon each salt and baking soda
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup r shortening
1 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 bag (11.5 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1/3 cup each chopped peanuts and quick cooking oats

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper; set aside. 

On another sheet of parchment paper, combine flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.

Beat peanut butter, shortening, and brown sugar in a large bowl on medium speed of an electric mixer until well blended. Beat in milk, vanilla and egg just until blended.
Add flour mixture gradually to creamed mixture; beat at low speed until blended. Stir in chocolate chunks, peanuts and oats. 
Drop by heaping tablespoons onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie slightly with the back of a spoon.
Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are set and edges start to brown. 
Slide parchment with cookies onto a wire rack to cool.
Makes 36 cookies.

When Disco Met Echo

So, today while fishing of the boat, Rose asked Echo and I how we met. I guess seven-year-olds are very curious, so we told her. I had to start, as Echo still didn't know why Rex introduced us.
Shortly after my split with Cade, my dear friend Biddy dragged me from my bed for retail therapy. I was not a shopper at the time, so the effectiveness of this plan was not very well thought out. Biddy loves to shop, I went along. Halfway to the shopping place...which I have learned is called a 'mall' or 'galleria,' Bids informed me that we needed to go visit her fiance, Rex, at the base. Great way to get over a breakup...a military base full of good-looking clone troopers.
I decided to stay in the hall as Bids went to play kissy kissy with her man. Sitting and staring at the ceiling...waiting...waiting...then CRASH! Datapads everywhere, and a poor trooper on his knees trying to gather them. I decided to help him...hey, that's just the kinda girl I am. When I handed him his datapads, I noticed the blue handprint on his armor. Looked up, and there were the kindest, sweetest eyes I had ever seen. Forget what they tell you about clones being all alike...this one had soul. He barely looked at me, said "thank you. Ma'am" and walked away. A bunch of shineys called after him, teasing him about his clumsiness, and having his nose stuck in a manual. That's when i learned his name...Echo. Clones usually have numbers, I'd only met a few who had been given, or had given themselves names. I liked his name. Biddy returned, reverie broken. Much shopping and exhaustion caused me to mention to Biddy that maybe it was time to date again.
She mentioned my interest in Echo to Rex...a few days later, Rex appeared at the door with Echo. My Force, I was nervous, and later learned that I never stopped smiling. Don't remember much of the conversation we had. Something about books, parties...no clue. Echo filled Rose in on most of those details. The man has the memory of a droid! He asked if he could call me. That, I will always remember. Well, that, and jumping up and down on my bed after he left that day.
That's the beginning of the love story of Echo and Disco. 99.9% of which is yet to be written. (But that .1% has been pretty spectacular) Rose seemed to love the story. Thankfully, she didn't ask about the first dates, or why Mommy was with Uncle Cade...I'm not ready for those conversations.

Disco's Red Velvet Cake

You will need:

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 1/2 oz red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1 tablespoons vinegar

Preparation and Baking:

Cream shortening; beat in sugar gradually. Add eggs, one at a time; beat well after each addition. Make paste of cocoa and food coloring; add to creamed mixture. Add salt, flour and vanilla alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Sprinkle soda over vinegar; pour vinegar over batter. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Bake in 3 8-inch pans or 2 9-inch pans for 30 minutes at 350°.

January 8, 2010

Well, we're still not sure if we'll be heading home soon. I love it here, I really do...its just that I miss Kiti and Blue so much. They're my best friends, my sisters...Rose misses school and Allana, but she's having such fun living on the houseboat.  Maybe Echo and I could get a place here for vacations. Its expensive though. Talked to Darth Vader today. He doesn't seem to understand that I can't come back until he agrees to leave me alone. I feel so bad. I didn't know how he felt. I thought we were friends, but I think I hurt him by not returning his feelings. I just don't have romantic feelings for him. I laid down the ground rules for my return and he hasn't agreed to them.
1 Don't pursue me in a romantic way
2 Don't tell me you love me
3 Don't put down Echo
4 Don't try to get me alone at any time
5 Respect my marriage
I don't think these were outrageous! But, he's STILL trying to get to me.

Kiti is back to being a girl. So happy for her. I miss her so much. I worry that my fear of Anakin will tear us apart. I'd never badmouth him, or try to convince her that he's a bad person. He makes her happy. That's all I want for her. I just can't be around him. His anger frightens me.

Blue is all alone at the castle. Well, there are the hoojibs and the puppy...oh! and the penkwins! Don't know where Cade has gotten off to, but i hope he returns soon. I hated leaving her, but it was necessary.

peace, love and cupcakes