Busy days

After 2 weeks of constant cold weather storms, finally, the sun emerged bringing summery days.  Shoving my stark limbs into cutoff Jean’s and light T-shirt, I ran outside to bask in the warmth.

While sequestered indoors, we painted the buttercream yellow walls a light contemporary gray and I was all too happy.  Yellow has never been my color, bringing out a shallowness in my skin.

Warm weather projects put off by winter, called and Clay and I began the demolition of the 1970’s benchseat deck railing.  My design thought is clean lines, modern with opened views.  The old flaking red paint the previous owners used must go!  My vision is white post and rails with lighted corner posts, black balusters and grey decking.  My vision put on hold.  It’ll be next year before the treated wood will be aged and dry enough to recieve paint!  At least it’s already a huge improvement of what it was before and safer to boot.

 

My mother coming for a long over due visit was a pleasant interlude to our work days.  She had been dying to go fishing since we moved here and thankfully the weather was favorable.  The next four days were spent in relaxation mode, not a stitch of makeup permitted, no hair rollers, (yes the woman still does that!) , fishing from our dock and bass boat ( With me reading a book. Lol).  Our evenings spent reminiscing  while sipping wine on the deck.

 

While she was here, I made a sugar free Banana Split Cake  to prove to my diabetic mother that she can actually enjoy sweets without being such a terrible diet cheater!  She enjoyed the cake but it’s doubtful she’ll be good…she’s a rebel.

When mom left, it was back to work.  Clay had put decking down on the cruiser and the the name we chose for it had finally arrived so we went over to the marina to officially name our boat and ready it for summer visitors.

Amid all the projects, I became an Editor!  Who knew?  I have no idea where so many got the idea that I’m the one for that job.  Suddenly, everyone wants me to proof read, edit and beta test, their work.  I have a stack of poetry,  stack of short stories, the first chapter of a book in progress and the first draft of another book, setting before me.  Every extra moment has me with my nose between pages, my mind between worlds.   Just a note:  If you want to run a piece of work by me, email it but try to keep it in doses of 500 words or less, lol.

It’s back to work for me but remember friends, take time to enjoy the simple things, each other and memories that last.

Sugar Free Banana Split Cake (Low Carb)

• 3 cups almond flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup low carb sweetener
• 1 cup butter melted

FILLING:

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup low carb sweetener add more if needed
• 1 cup butter melted

TOPPING:

• 2 pints strawberries sliced
• 1 banana chopped (can be left out and banana extract added to filling)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons low carb sweetener
• Nuts optional
• Chocolate Sauce optional

INSTRUCTIONS

• Cover bottom of 9×13-inch pan with crust ingredients and press into crust
• Mix cream cheese and confectioner’s sweetener and add melted butter until smooth.
• Spread on top of crust.
• Mix strawberries and banana in medium bowl with lemon juice.
• Spread strawberries and banana mixture over cream cheese mixture.
• Make  whipped cream with heavy cream along with vanilla extract and sweetener at the end of beating into whipped cream. Cover top with whipped cream mixture.
• Top with chopped nuts and chocolate sauce if desired. I made mine by microwaving heavy cream to boiling then adding sugar free chocolate chips.