Chocolate Tart

I saw this on the Today Show-- maybe around New Year's-- the chef was a hoot.

Anyway, I skipped making the crust and just bought a vegan one (I don't go for the lard...)

This is SO easy and delicious.

It is supposed to be served warm, but I really like it chilled:

1 crust (bake it 10 mins)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup milk (I used rice milk)
8 oz semi-sweet chips
2 eggs, beaten into submission

Heat a pan and add milk & cream.
Once it boils, take it off heat and whisk in the chips till totally melted and mixed.
Add eggs and completely mix in.
Scrape into pie shell and bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  (If it's giggly in the middle and you want to serve it warm, bake longer-- if you want it chilled, allow it to cool, then chill at least 1 hour.)

My Laundry Solution

So... I have no problem washing clothes... but between three part time jobs and two children under the age of 5, after it's clean, it usually sits in round, clean mounds.  Forever.

So, I got an idea yesterday.

My 4 year old is a great sorter.  And-- she has learned to read all of our names!

I bought a separate basket for each family member, wrote their name on it--and now, the laundry comes out, and my 4 year old sorts it!  This way-- MAYBE it's stay in clean mounds, but:
1. At least they are contained
2. They are SMALLER + sorted mounds

Let's see if it works!

(I also offered her 25 cents to fold her little sister's clothes and she did!!!! )

Eye Patch for Little Girls... no elastic needed!

My 4.5 year old daughter has astigmatism, and at her annual exam Monday, we were told the left eye needs a stronger prescription.  GAH.  This girl had to wear glasses at 3 years old and now they aren't even improved!?  No matter.
The doc said we need to start patching her right eye 45 min per day and the left 30 min per day.  She needs to color, string beads, writing--any hand-eye coordination.  (Using the mouse on the computer, anyone?)  ;)
Anyway-- I went to Target to find a patch at the pharmacy--- $6 for a pack of 20 disposable!  I'd read moms who say kids HATE these because they really hurt coming off.
So, Google.
I found this woman who made a pair for her daughter that goes RIGHT on the glasses!  No annoying elastic to fiddle with--and best of all---she could make it fun and pretty looking.

I just finished making one for Zoe and she was all about it.

You can use the same patch for each side--just turn it upside down.  Love this!
And it cost me $1.89!

Need:
1 piece each:  black, hot pink, green, pastel pink felt + 1 button, thread, needle, scissors

CREDIT:  I followed this woman's blog post to make this:
http://lucykatecrafts.blogspot.com/2008/02/eye-patch-tutorial.html

Cheesy Veggie Chowder

Got this one from Pinterest, but made it vegetarian-- so good!

Only thing is because it is REAL cheese and not "cheese product", you really have to keep it simmering or it congeals immediately.

Original recipe:
http://luluthebaker.blogspot.com/2011/09/cheesy-vegetable-chowder.html