I Want A Dyson!

I have gone through SO many vacuums in the last 10 years that I wonder how there could have ever been any dirt on my floor, but I know there was/is/always will be tons of dirt. So I vacuum and I vacuum and I vacuum again. I keep noticing that my vacuum loses suction within a couple of days of replacing the filter and it just never seems to work properly for more than a few days. So I have been checking out vacuum cleaners and I really, really like the Dyson. There are no filters to change and so no loss of suction. They carry a competitive warranty and I have a friend that has tried one and really enjoys hers. She swears she will never go back. I just wonder though, without a filter, what is it kicking up into the air from my carpet? Hummm..... the decisions, the questions.... maybe I'll just tile the whole house!

Do you love your Bluetooth?

I have been looking at Bluetooth speaker phones lately. I am thinking it would be really nice to have one for my cell phone, but my dad got himself a Bluetooth headset about 6 months ago and he hates it. It won't connect for him when he wants it to and sitting in the car, right next to it, it will disconnect for no reason. I am wondering if they need a little more time to work out all the bugs before I look to much further into getting myself one? Does anyone else have any experience with them?

Party Time!

I am not of Mexican descent so La Quinceanera's are a new concept to me. I was completely surprised when I found out everything that goes into this "coming of age" ceremony for daughters turning 15 years old (I believe). My sister was asked to make Quinceanera invitations for the sister of a co-worker. She was telling me about all that goes into these celebrations, the wedding gown type dress, the cake, the boys! It's a lot like a wedding, with out the groom and instead, eligible boys she might be interested in. There's food and fun, it's a big party and one of the biggest events in the girls life. It sounds like so much fun.

Deep Chocolate Tart

You all know how much I love chocolate, especially soft, rich and creamy chocolate. But this is a doozy with more than 390 calories per serving, even diet pills can't help you here. But you will enjoy it so much you won't care! This tart is absolutely fantastic! It is a recipe that I have had around for quite a few years. I don't know where it came from at this point, so if you know, please feel free to let me know. I would love to give credit where credit is due. And this deserves lots of kudos! It is the perfect end to a summer time lunch.

Deep Chocolate Tart

1/3 cup Butter or Margarine, softened
1 cup All Purpose Flour
1 Egg
1 tablespoon Butter or Margarine
1 14oz. can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 12oz. bag (2 cups) Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Whipped Cream if desired

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In medium bowl cut 1/3 cup butter into flour until mixture is moist and crumbly. Add egg and mix until a firm dough forms. Press dough firmly and evenly into the bottom and sides of a 9" ungreased tart pan with removable bottom. Bake for 12 to 15 min, until golden. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. In 1 qt. sauce pan melt 1 tablespoon butter over low heat. Add Milk and Chocolate Chips, melt over low heat occasionally stirring slowly until chocolate is melted. (To protect the integrity of the chocolate, use the lowest heat possible) Once melted, add the Walnuts and Vanilla. Spread into baked and cooled crust.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until edge is set but center appears moist. Place on wire rack and cool completely (approx. 1 hour).

Top with whipped cream to serve.

My Neighbor is Leaving!

I am so sad! My wonderful neighbors are leaving! Their parents found out that in order to avoid a HUGE tax payment, they had to get rid of their second house, the one next door to me. So they started getting ready to sell it. Before they had even gotten it ready and listed, their sister found a family that was looking for property in our area and before we knew it, it was sold! They have to be out by the 31st of July. I will really miss them! They have two darling little boys that my kids LOVE to play with and the cutest little girl that happens to be Baby's best friend. I love talking to her and I will really miss sitting and chatting while our kids play. But I am floored at the fact that her house sold for what it did and as quickly as it did! It sold for nearly $80K more than I bought my house for 6 years ago and they are identical houses! Yikes! But then the Wilmington real estate, or all real estate for that matter is really going crazy. But it really does make me consider selling my house, at an $80K profit, who wouldn't!?! I just can't imagine our little cul-de-sac without my wonderful neighbors.