Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Broke Out My Zester

A few months ago I purchased a microplane zester. I very rarely need to zest a piece of citrus fruit, but on the two occasions in my life where I have, a microplane would have come in very handy. Otherwise, you have to deal with a box grater. If you're anything like me, you're more likely to grate your knuckles than the fragrant zest of a lemon. And let's not even discuss the task of retrieving the zest and cleaning the box grater afterwards. Kinda makes you not want to make lemon bars.

Actually, it was baking a batch of lemon bars that prompted me to buy the microplane. So, with great anticipation and a laundry list of citrusy creations on the to-bake list, I bought the zester. Which, despite my great intentions, has been collecting dust in my kitchen gadget drawer ever since.

However, I whipped it out today and very quickly and effortlessly zested two lemons for the lemon chess bars I'm making for Craig's workmates tomorrow. Let me tell you, the microplane is a miracle worker. My knuckles are band-aid free, which, is a true testament to the microplane's greatness.

One of Craig's civilian work mates is moving on up to a different job. In true government fashion, a pot luck will be held in Bobby's honor. A pot luck, provided by yours truly. I've never met the guy, but I'm pretty sure he's the one who kindly offered me one of his kidneys should I ever find myself in need of one. I think he also said that one of my baked goodies nearly made him fall out of his chair. I like him. Too bad he's leaving Craig's office.
He chose pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and some sort of dessert. Since I have a stack of dessert recipes as tall as me, I chose one that I've made before (cream cheese swirled brownies with heath bar) and one that would enable me to christen my microplane (lemon chess bars).

There's nothing like baking to put me in a good mood. Which, I'm quite thankful for, because I've sort of been in a foul mood the past couple of days. I think it has something to do with my desire for the school year to begin. Not that I don't love my kid, or anything, but she's been sort of cranky herself the past few days. Yesterday, tired of Caroline's friends (who are sisters) bicker with each other and really annoyed that Caroline has been crying over trivial matters like she is three again, I found myself, frustrated, hopeless and defeated, in front of the calendar. The countdown has begun. 27 days!!!

However, I did get a greatly appreciated break today. For the past three days, we've entertained Caroline and her friends in our house almost exclusively. It's been hot, really hot, so the kids have stayed inside. We also made a trip to the pool each day where I proceeded to sweat to death while the kids swam and then devoured the snacks I brought during break time. Today, it was another mom's turn to tame the wild rugrats. It's nearly 5pm and the kids are just coming to our house to play. Yep, from 9am until 4:45pm, Caroline has been otherwise occupied at someone else's house.

That's what I call a good summer day.

2 comments:

Sissy said...

Wow, you live one state to the north and school starts almost a month later there. We start next Thursday.

I don't want to go back either, but I understand how moms are cheering in their homes that they will have peace and quiet soon.

Alison said...

Yep, they don't go back until after Labor Day. But, their last day of school was on June 18th. The nurse who administered Caroline's test at Walter Reed lives in Maryland, just on the otherside of DC, and her kids start in two weeks.
I know teachers aren't happy to be going back to work, but moms (most, anyway) are counting the days.