R.I.P. P.Y.T.

I wanted to acknowledge the passing of Michael Jackson, but haven't because everyone else is talking about it and talking about it and talking about it. I'm pretty sick of it. I mean, he was an amazing entertainer and made great music, but really, is there nothing else going on in the world?

But I don't want to blame Michael Jackson for the stupidity of the media, so I had to say farewell and thank you to him. I thank him for giving us some of our favorite family dance sessions. Our favorite Michael Jackson dance tunes, Wanna Be Starting Something, Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, and P.Y.T. We love our family dance times so much that we put an integrated stereo system into our new house. I can't wait for our first session with our favorite tunes.

But I also want to thank him for my kid's very favorite video to watch on YouTube, Leave Me Alone. Here it is:



I wonder if everyone had left him alone if he would still be here today? I guess we'll never know, but Michael can rest easy knowing that this family with be dancing to his tunes after dinner until the kids think it's stupid.

Maybe even after that, just to torment them. Who ever said parenting isn't fun?

Summer Sandwich Cookies a.k.a Satan's Oreo

A few years ago I found a lime shortbread recipe in my Martha Stewart Everyday Food magazine and thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was amazed that such a rich, buttery cookie could have so much summery flavor. Then, a couple of years later, Everyday Food topped it by putting in lemon instead of lime and sandwiching two cookies together with lemony cream cheese frosting. Genius.

It's no wonder Martha rules the world.

My sister Angela was visiting this weekend and asked me for the recipe. I told her I'd put it up on my blog so she could have it, but I really wanted to share it with the world. Trust me, they are that good. They are so good that my friend Matt dubbed them "Satan's Oreo" when I took them to a barbecue a couple of years ago. In fact, these are my very favorite homemade cookie, far better than the heroin cookies in my opinion, but I guess all the addicts out there may differ with me.

Enjoy.

Lemon Sandwich Cookies

16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
2 table spoons granulated sugar, for sprinkling
Creamy Lemon Filling (below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter, confectioner's sugar, lemon zest, and salt, until combined. With mixer on low, add flour dough will still be stiff); finish mixing with a wooden spoon.
Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, pat into a disk about ½ inch thick. Wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour (and up to 3 days).
Unwrap dough; place on a lightly floured piece of parchment or waxed paper. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough about 1/8 inch thick (if dough cracks, let it warm up slightly).
Cut out cookies with a 1 1/2-inch round cutter (re-roll scraps once, chilling of too soft). Place 1 inch apart on two baking sheets; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until barely beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Form sandwiches: Place about 1 teaspoon Creamy Lemon Filling between two cookies, sugared sides facing out; squeeze gently.

Creamy Lemon Filling

4 ounces bar cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1 to 1 ½ cups confectioner's sugar

In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and zest until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup confectioner's sugar, mixing until smooth. Mix in remaining sugar as necessary to create a firm but spreadable filling.

Pie & Pinball

Last night we found ourselves in Salt Lake at dinner time, and that can only mean one thing to Steve and I: The Pie. It was one of my favorite college hangouts, and still has the best pizza around in my book. We always get the Xtreme Veggie Pizza, but we decided to introduce the boys to The Pie's version of a calzone, The Zappi. At first Jack just wanted pasta, but we insisted he try The Zappi. He was not disappointed.

After dinner we found a great pinball machine and the boys had to play a game or two (or five):

Did you know you become a better pinball player if you stick your tongue out?

I ♥ The Pie.

I Think They Might Be Playing Too Many Video Games

Lately Max and Jack have been a little bit obsessed with the Lego Batman video game. They've had it since Christmas, but ever since their friend stayed over last weekend and showed them how to get to a new level, it's all they want to do, 24/7. I'm pretty strict on how much they play, but I've let things get a little more lax because it's summer vacation.

I did get a little disturbed the other day when I made them turn it off, and they started play-acting scenes from Lego Batman. I figured that it was better than sitting in front of the TV playing the real thing, so I didn't worry about it too much. That is, I didn't worry about it too much until Jack wanted Max to stop running and he said "Max, stop." No reaction. He said it again, "Max, stop." Nothing. Then, at the top of his lungs he yelled "Max, PAUSE!" and Max stopped dead in his tracks.

I'm thinking it may be time to tighten up the video game restrictions again.

I ♥ Paris In The Winter

A couple of weeks ago, while I was sitting at watching the kids at swimming lessons, Steve called me on my cell phone. I figured it was yet another call about some house menutia, but instead he said "So, how would you like to live in Paris for three months in the winter?" My reaction: "Uh, yeah." Then he went on to tell me that he has been asked to be the director of his University's Paris Study Abroad program next year from January until April.

This means we are going to get free air fare, be set up in an apartment just off the Parc du Champs de Mars (walking distance to the Eiffel Tower), and get to experience it all. We can't wait, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. To celebrate, I thought I'd share a little Doris Day.



I'm not so crazy about the part about in the winter when it drizzles, but in my opinion, it's better than in the summer when it sizzles.

Now I just have to dust off my rusty French and take a class so I won't get slapped in the face.

Up, Up, And Away!

For the past few years we have gone to the local Fourth of July festivities, which include a hot air balloon launch. We have to get up super early to go, but it's always totally worth it. Check it out:

Filling up the balloons. I never get over how huge they look on the ground and all the color.

Taking off.

All of us enjoying the show.

The rest of the day will be spent staying cool watching a movie and setting off fireworks. Long live summer!

Happy 4th of July!

Now That's One Big Wedding Cake

Look who got married. Well, actually, they were already married, but just had a huge reception in Japan complete with three wardrobe changes, ballroom dancers, Tae-Bo demonstrations, and well, just about everything else, including the biggest wedding cake I've ever seen.

This story just keeps getting better and better.