Exploring traditional male-led, DD, D/s relationships in a modern world. We believe in building on and within our core values of communication, reciprocity, grace and balance.
In light of Cat's latest post Answers it seems the perfect time to publish this (We have had it in the can for a lil bit). Cat, we love and respect you, and want you to know that we value you and your kindness, sweetness and genuineness in this community.
*******************
I just wanted to take time to say a great big thank you to Cat, for all the things that she gives to our community. She gives us a place to go and have a laugh when we feel like crying...
She always visits our posts and gives words of support and encouragement...
When we are attacked, she stands with us...
She has never been less than gracious...
Thank you, Cat for all you do. I am honored to call you friend...
HIS POV: Cat, it is a true privilege to call you a friend, your kind words of encouragement and solid advice have always inspired June and I. We just wanted to take some time to recognize your kindness and friendship, it is a true treasure!
Prepare
an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper with the edges of the parchment
hanging over two of the sides. This allows you to remove the bars
easily once cooled.
Combine
the melted butter, sugar, salt and zest with a fork in a large bowl.
Add the yolk and again combine with the fork. Add the flour and stir
with a heavy spoon or your hands and combine the dough until it is well
combined. Place the dough in the prepared pan and press down evenly with
your hands until the pan is covered. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to one
hour. Remove and bake at 350 for 25-28 minutes, until very lightly
browned. Allow to cool while you are preparing the caramel.
In
a heavy bottomed pot, such as enameled cast iron, combine all caramel
topping ingredients save for the extract and bean paste. Bring to a boil
and stir until sugars are dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
Using a candy thermometer, watch for the goal of about 230 degrees.
Allow to boil at this temp for several minutes, until it begins to climb
over 235. Stir continuously. Remove from heat and stir in the extract
and paste. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes, then pour over the
shortbread base. Once chilled, top with melted chocolate and sprinkle
with sea salt.
Notes
For
chocolate topping, melt 1 cup dark chocolate chips and 1/2 tablespoon
shortening in the microwave. Heat at 30 second intervals, stirring
after each. When smooth, use as directed.
June's note: I would probably lessen the amount of salt in the caramel. Frankly it was a lot of effort and a disappointing result as written. We won't be making this recipe again
Cookies:
In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an
electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3
minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the
ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in
the dry ingredients.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2
tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15
minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and
let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.
Glaze:
Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small
bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie
and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for
about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.
SERVES: 44 (PER COOKIE); Calories: 113; Total Fat 3.5 grams;
Saturated Fat: 2 grams; Protein: 2 grams; Total carbohydrates: 19
grams; Sugar: 13 grams Fiber: 0 grams; Cholesterol: 20 milligrams;
Sodium: 76 milligrams
June's note: MAKE THESE COOKIES!!! They are awesomesauce! I can imagine all kinds of variations, making with lime, or orange, or orange and CHOCOLATE CHIPS - YUMMO!!!!!
Ward's note: MAKE THESE COOKIES!!!! Your life will seriously be better!
We're closing in rapidly on Thanksgiving here in the US (our Canadian friends celebrated 10-8-12), so naturally thoughts turn to the things for which we are thankful. OFM had a lovely post last week, Stardust Exposed by an Attitude of Gratitude, in which he talks about how to develop an attitude of gratitude.
I have always tried to be that way. I'm the odd one who calls to say - Hey, I just got great service! Or - Wow, that was the best meal I had in ages! I think people complain a lot and forget to give thanks. So, many years ago, I made the decision to recognize things that brought light. I also try to remember that while I don't have abundance, I have more than a lot of people.
When I want to grumble because I have to do another load of laundry (seriously, the stuff breeds! I can finish three loads a day, pull the last load from the dryer, turn around and the hamper is full again!), I instead give thanks that I have clothes to wash, our own washer and dryer (2nd hand but they work!), and a house to keep the clothes and appliances in. When I want to complain about cleaning, I remember instead to give thanks that I have a house to clean for my family. When I don't want to cook, I give thanks for the food, the cookware and the fuel that allows me to feed my family.
Our children have SPD, they are sometimes difficult to manage, overly loud, and melt down quite a bit. But they are beautiful, smart, they have smiles that light up the world, possess laughter in their souls that bubbles over like exuberant, refreshing water over river rocks, and brings joy and laughter to Ward and myself. And despite the challenges, and sometimes the downright discomfort they experience, they are the personification of joy, and our family would not be the same without them. They were my first experience with unconditional love. I give thanks to God for them- two of my three greatest gifts, because of who they are and because they came late in life with an ease that was a blessing. And they continue to bless us every day.
I thank our children for bringing joy and laughter into our lives. I thank them for teaching us to look at the world through fresh, unencumbered eyes. I thank them for showing us beauty in the mundane. I thank them for teaching me how to shed my inhibitions and just BE in this single moment of time. I thank them for teaching me that I know how to love with all of my heart and without fear. I thank them for teaching us patience, and for making us better people.
I give thanks that my God saw fit to bring Ward into our lives. I thought that I was destined to a life alone. Then came this man who loves me so completely, who doesn't ask me to change for him, but instead takes my hand and says "Come, grow with me."; this man who sees into my soul, and gives me what I need even when I don't know what I need. I thank him for loving perfectly imperfect me.
I thank my Ward for the simple things he does, every day, going to work, sitting down next to me and grabbing clothes out of the basket and helping me fold, taking the dishes out of my hand and saying - sit you cooked, for giving me a little bit of time every day to relax and have mommy time, for the occasional girl's day out, for taking time with the boys every single day, for massages (never had one before Ward), for foot rubs and for painting my nails, for doing the grocery shopping with me and helping with the bags and the putting away, wrapping his arms around me every night, for never letting me forget for one single moment that he appreciates the little things I offer him, and that he loves me fierce.
I thank my Ward for being everything that I need and more. I thank him for making me strong, and finding more in myself than I ever imagined I had inside. I thank him for his hand in mine. I thank him for loving me enough to provide discipline and correction to purge all that does not belong between us, for providing us with a clean slate and for his grace and forgiveness. I thank him for showing me the good inside myself and teaching me that I deserve love, and acceptance. I thank him for the gift of laughter. I thank him for the genuine joy that he brings.
I thank him for loving the children I brought into our relationship as if they were his own, and for the light I see in their eyes when they are with him, and the example that he provides to them, how to be a strong, valorous, compassionate, honorable, loving man. I thank him for the family that I have always longed for, and thought would always be just outside my grasp.
I thank my God for the richness of friendship in this community. I thank Him for wealth that goes well beyond the material. I thank Him for enough - we may not have a lot - but we always have enough. I thank Him for a full heart, and love beyond imagination, I thank Him for light, and for lifting me up and letting me find my home.
We wish you peace and blessings today and every day.
HIS POV:
I am so very thankful for the opportunity, privilege and blessing to have such a beautiful family. I agree wholeheartedly with June on making it a point to thank people and services for exemplary service and attention to their craft. I have so much to be grateful for so many blessings that it is hard to begin.
- Our children light up our world and even with their exuberance, they are such a beautiful and bright part of our world... I love them as they are... they are my sons, and I love the opportunity to be a dad again. (long story, perhaps I'll post about it someday).
- Our love is a blessing beyond what I could ever ask for. I know that I don't deserve June, but the Lord's grace and abundance abound, every day is richer and brighter and I thank June so much for letting me be a part of something so beautiful that it defies words.
- I thank the Lord yet again for the depth and richness that we share that is a world unto itself. June, I thank you for being the one to draw me out into the light, and help my heart heal so I could love again. I am thankful for every moment that we have shared along the way and I'd do it all again. A man could not ask for more than the gifts that you have given me.
We are truly blessed and we want to thank each and every one of you guys that read and even our lurkers, for sharing the journey and much needed insight along the way! Thank you one and all and we wish the Lord's many blessing on you and yours!
