Friday, August 15, 2008

The Olympics......yeah baby!!

How cool are the Olympics? I just love it when they roll around....and I especially like the Summer Olympics. I have never been one to enjoy the snow and cold....maybe that's why...I think that's part of being a California girl too.
I find myself every night totally addicted to them and cannot turn off the television! I never have the television on during the day, it's too distracting (and that's the last thing I need....another distraction). But at night....I try to hang on to see the swimming results and then the gymnastic results.....and then see if I can catch a glimpse of the softball, or their results.

Speaking of softball......Monica Abbott who is one of the pitchers for the USA team grew up in Salinas, California and played ball with my youngest daughter. They played against each other in High School, and had quite a rivalry against each other (when they pitched against each other for the division championship......I am super duper proud to say that Cassie was the winning pitcher), even the local television stations and newspapers covered their game. They continued to play together on the same traveling team all through high school and we traveled throughout the state of California and went to the National Championships more than once near Chicago. They also had the same pitching coach....who I am sure is quite proud to have been a contributor to Monica's success. It's very exciting to have someone you know be a part of the Olympic team.....as a parent of an athlete...it's what everyone dreams for...and I know the time and money that is spent to accomplish that goal. GO MONICA and team USA !!

Oh and I have to say something about Michael Phelps.......isn't he just perfect?? What an athlete, what a body......whew.....ok....that's all I can say about that.....

How about a recipe??
Caramel Dumplings (a recipe from my Mom, who I miss dearly)
1 c. sugar (separated)
5 T. butter (separated)
1/ tsp. salt
2 c. hot water
1/2 c. milk
1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium hot iron skillet (or heavy skillet) carmelize 1/2 c, sugar (stir with wooden spoon while heating until light brown in color), then add 1 c. sugar, 3 T. butter, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 c. hot water. Stir together, and cook stirring constantly ntil most of the sugar is dissolved. This is the sauce
Mix the dumpling....in bowl mix 1/2 c. sugar and 2 T. butter to a creamy texture, add 1/2 c. milk, 1 1/2 c. flour, 2 tsp. baking powder and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix well. Drop by heaping teaspoons into the hot sauce....cover and cook for exactly 12 minutes over low heat (do not raise lid while cooking).
Serve warm or cold with a sprinkling of chopped pecans.
Careful.....this dessert is very rich! Enjoy!!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

yummmmmm carmel dumplings. r those the ones nana used to cook for breakfast? those sound so good. i think im gonnna try to make them on monday.... LOVE YOU

Anonymous said...

yummmmmm carmel dumplings. r those the ones nana used to cook for breakfast? those sound so good. i think im gonnna try to make them on monday.... LOVE YOU

Anonymous said...

yummmmmm carmel dumplings. r those the ones nana used to cook for breakfast? those sound so good. i think im gonnna try to make them on monday.... LOVE YOU

lanelle17 said...

Wow Cass... Do you post every minute?

If you make these, you better take pictures!! Just kidding.

Love you!!