Peach Muffin Recipe, a note on Lady Gaga, an Orange Manicure & Touchup, & A Ballet Recital.

PEACH MUFFINS

 I've made peach muffins before (last summer), but this time around, they were delicious- irresistable, really. Before they were out of the oven, I was already visualizing one of them crumbled over vanilla ice cream. As soon as they were cooling on the rack, I hopped in the car (in the middle of the night), drove to the local grocer, and bought that ice cream. Rick and I thoroughly savoured every bite of our peach cobbler-like dessert! I imPLORE you to try these. They're worth the effort. Keep in mind that I used can peaches and was very generous about my estimation. I cut up more than what looked like a single large peach. And I doused the tops of the muffins with sugar crystals before sliding them into the oven!
I posted them on Facebook with my little story and had people drooling for them. In fact, I'm baking a double batch tomorrow to sell at the farm, as well as to share with friends on Saturday. (RECIPE at end of post)

An Orange Manicure

 My favorite manicures are the plain, simple ones with a decoration or two to accent my fingers. I chose this Pure Ice Hot Tamale because it screamed SUMMER! to me, and I added a couple 'decals' to my thumbs and middle fingers for accents.

A quick peek at the growing belly (36.5 weeks)

Nobody was around to take my weekly photo, and I didn't brush my hair or put on makeup that day, so NO one was going to see a full picture. LOL

CAR WASH!

 A friend in New Jersey inadvertently inspired me to allow my daughter to wash my car. No, it didn't get cleaned and yes, there were serious smudges and marks and lines and LOTS of dirt still left behind. But she had a blast playing in the water and rubbing my car with hand soap. :o)

1st Ballet Recital (getting ready)

 Her first ballet recital was this month, and she was so excited to put on mommy's makeup and dress in her costume. During dress rehearsal the night before, she enjoyed the whole process and wanted to leave the makeup on "all night and day". So when it came time to get ready for the real thing, she was exuberant and amped to go! First, we put her hair back with gel and water, bobby pins and hairspray.

 Next, we put light powder, blush, brown eye shadow, a highlighter eye color and mascara (as instructed by the handout).

 Then we took pictures with Papa and put on our full costume.

 No cameras were allowed during the actual recital, so these are all taken during dress rehearsal. Here she is starting the routine to the song, "On the Good Ship Lollipop".

 At the actual performance, Tori was very well composed, until our three greek friends from NJ (who were sitting on the front row with us) waved frantically and excitedly at her until she noticed them. At that point, the routine went out the window, and Tori showed her true colors- she improvised and performed her own little monkey show in between choreographed steps, making faces and gestures with her arms and hands.

 I considered getting her attention to tell her to follow the routine when I realized that she's just being herself. We told her to finish out her ballet year with a good attitude, do a good job in her recital performance; after the recital, she could choose a different activity for the next year. I'm actually glad shegirl showed her  true personality (that of a Lazo, my family, really). And I'm glad no one corrected her for her performance. It just proved to us that she truly is making the right decision in looking elsewhere to develop her talents. Let her find an activity that isn't so disciplined, structured, and.. uh, let's say.. girly. :o) I'm proud of my girl. She enjoyed the spotlight on her terms, obeyed her parents instructions to follow through, and she had fun at the same time!

 And the exit...

 The whole class performing...

 Three of the girls caught in a priceless pose.

 Four of the girls taking a group photo.

ORANGE MANICURE TOUCHUP

My Hot Tamale manicure didn't even last a day, what with all the baking I've been doing for the farm. I wash 3-5 loads of dishes when I bake daily. It really tears up a cheap polish. So...

 I (unwisely) chose Pure Ice Best Friend for the tips and...

 Sephora by O.P.I Traffic Stopper Copper to add a glitter to the tips

 My Sally Hansen Diamond Strength top coat was old and thickened, so I bought and used Nutra Nail Speed Dry Top Coat (with green tea and antioxidants).

 Sad to say that this one didn't even last an hour because I sold an unexpected amount of muffins that morning and had to bake yet again. I sit and type this blog with nasty, shameful looking nails and cannot wait until my five batches, four salads, and dishes are done tomorrow so that I can FIX them!

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Lady Gaga's new perfume created using blend of human blood, semen, and poisonous extractLearn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036311_Lady_Gaga_perfume_blood.html#ixzz1z7DFAfG5

Is US government setting stage to outlaw Vitamin D like raw milk? Mainstream media attacks nutritionLearn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036303_vitamin_D_outlawed_nutrition.html#ixzz1z7DVlQ79

Supreme Court's Obamacare decision hands federal government unlimited power to force you to spend 100% of your paycheck on things you don't even wantLearn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036329_Obamacare_Supreme_Court_economic_freedom.html#ixzz1z7DfvpAR

PEACH MUFFIN RECIPE

Ingredients

2 C flour

1 T baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/3 C firmly packed sugar

1 C milk

1/2 C vegetable oil

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

1 peach (pitted, peeled, chopped)

[or the equivalent in canned peach-about 8-10 oz]

1/2 C pecans

sugar crystals

Instructions

preheat oven to 400F. Combine milk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. STIRE DRY INGREDIENTS INTO WET MIXTURE just until moistened. Fold peaches and pecans into batter. Fill muffin cups 2/3-3/4 full. Top with sugar crystals and pecans for presentation. Bake 20 minutes. Let stand in pan 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack.