Summer is for ice cream!

Oklahoma has only 2 seasons...winter and summer.  It seems there is no middle ground.  The other day, my body was telling me it was hot and time to get my first ice cream of the season.  I ignored it for days until it grew into a huge craving encompassing my every thought.  I was out running errands and decided that when I finished I'd reward myself with a visit to Oklahoma's own iconic ice cream establishment, Braum's.  Errands were done, and I was getting so excited I could hardly wait to get there. I hurry in, step up to the counter and place my order, "One chocolate cherry on a waffle cone, please."  The lady replies, "Is that one scoop or two?" and before I could even contemplate the question, I blurted out, "TWO!" I even surprised myself and looked around thinking, "Did I say that?" I anxiously watch her fill the cone and she just keeps adding more and more ice cream.  By the time she finished, it looked like a  bouquet of tennis balls on a cone.  I knew I was in trouble when it immediately started to run down the side of the cone.  I rush to pay, grab a handful of napkins and go to work as fast as I can.  The ice cream was a little faster that me.  I was a bit angry at myself for doing such a dumb thing, but decided I would be victorious!  I went to work as fast as I could go devouring the monstrosity!  First attack from the top, then the side, back to the top until finally it was finished!  I was ready to go home, but the entire evening I was in sugar OD mode.  I didn't think I'd ever want another ice cream cone.  Then one week later, Emily was out with me and suggests Braum's.  Yes, I was ready again...single dip this time.

Mother's Day

A day to celebrate mothers everywhere. At church this morning, all mothers were recognized.  I wasn't the oldest mother, youngest mother or the mother with the most children,  but I wouldn't change anything even if I could.  It was a great, relaxing day at the Lawson home with beautiful flowers and family. I think we should have Mother's Day once a month!

First Editing

I got the official word today that my book has moved into step one of production (copy editing).  It will move to the next step in June. This is my first book I am  amazed at how lengthy the process is.  The book may not be available in stores until Nov/Dec, 2011. I am still super excited about it all!

Cupcakes, Cheesecakes and Cookies!

I guess I become a little obsessed with things.  Most of what I do is self taught.  Last summer, I had a cookie from the bakery.  Then I began to wonder how they made their cookies so large and thick and all a uniform size.  So the quest was on to bake the perfect cookie.  I did a lot of research online and started with my all time favorite cookbook (Hersey's Recipe Collection).  I must have baked dozens of cookies and although they were not perfect (since I am a bit of a perfectionist, the perfect cookie could never be achieved) I did turn out some really good cookies.  After that, I turned my thoughts to cheesecake.  At one time, I had three different cheesecakes in my refrigerator.  I don't know how many varieties of cheesecake I made before I was satisfied that I could make a decent one.  Now months later, I have to admit I've joined the cupcake craze.  I am working on gourmet cupcakes.  I have even gotten my daughter Emily on the bandwagon!  We've made devils food cake with raspberry filling and raspberry cream cheese frosting.  Then French vanilla cake with orange cream cheese filling and orange buttercream frosting.  And white cake with strawberry filling and strawberry cream cheese frosting. Emily's favorite and she actually made this one on her own...banana butterscotch cake with brown sugar frosting. We've so far made about 5 different types of cupcakes.  Remarkably, they have all been pretty good.  As Emily says, the presentation is everything so we've been working on the appearance as well as the taste. Thanks to all the folks who gladly test our creations...my coworkers, Tony's coworkers, Emily's college friends, and our church congregation!