Well, I don't really call myself a "pastry chef" per se, because I didn't attend culinary school. I started out years ago with a simple cake decorating class from a local crafts store. I tend to become a bit obsessive when I form an interest in something, so I continued my self-education by reading all that I could, and practicing the craft often for family and church functions. Before I knew it, people were calling me for cakes, strictly from word-of-mouth advertising. People were talking about my cakes, and I was getting calls from strangers who'd heard about me in town. When our town was about to get it's first "real" restaurant, the owners called me to ask if I'd do all of their desserts. I didn't feel qualified, but they pretty much told me that they'd rest on my reputation alone, and would give me complete freedom to bake whatever I wished, however I wished. They also offered me pretty good $ :001_smile: That was a couple of years ago, and though the restaurant has struggled over the past year or so, my best friend is now managing the daily operations and is in the process of buying the restaurant. I still get to keep my great job, with the same freedoms. So, I make whatever strikes me as decadent and yummy. My job is WAAAYY fun!

You've got it Sharon! I don't know what I was thinkin'....raspberry *confit* :ack2:

We have a winner!! :D I couldn't believe it when I saw what I'd written, and I couldn't believe no one caught me at it! Yeah...I'm skipping the duck fat in the desserts. :tongue_smilie:

Well, I'm not against firearms at all, I just think that detail means very little if we're talking about a possible molestation. You've got to try and think clearly about this, and I know that's going to be difficult, but *you can do it*. I'm not very clear about the classes of sex crimes, but one thing I'd want to know was if there was any force involved. If not, I would certainly go through with purchasing the house. You will just have to have frank discussions with your dc--I'm sure you already have (right?). Your dc are of an age to clearly understand the danger and stay far away. If you find out that there was force involved, there's no WAY I'd move close by. Can you delay the closing on the house until you can find out more? I understand where you're coming from, I think. I've always been troubled by the fact that I was molested (though not hurt) as a child by a neighbor, and never said a word to my parents. I still wonder if he's escalated and is out there somewhere hurting someone... At some point, you've got to trust God to take care of your dc, whatever path that may take. None of us get through life without hardships, though because of your past experiences you're more scared of molestation than, say, disease, etc. I'm sorry, but it does sound like you might have a bit more work to do in dealing with your own past. It sounds like your fears may be affecting you in a more negative way than you think (just my opinion, of course!) These are just my rambling thoughts...you can take them for whatever it's worth...

LOL! It's ridiculous how much we miss that "I Voted" sticker. My dh saved them all and stuck them on the backside of the sun visor in his farm truck. We really REALLY miss the stickers!

I wish I could...you all have offered me so much support over the years! Second-best, but if anyone would like a recipe, I'd be glad to share. Most of them are embarassingly easy to make. :001_smile:

Lol! WA isn't that far from CA, right? I could make it in a couple of days... I think the spiral thing would make me a little dizzy though. HEY! I've always thought "Julie in CA" was WAAAY boring. Maybe I should change my board name to "WTM Dessert Fairy". Hmmm.....:lol:

I layer the graham cracker crust in the Key Lime Parfait, too! It wouldn't be the same without the crust. :)

Darla, We serve the raspberry confit well off to the side (just in case someone doesn't like it)--so you're safe either way!

Since y'all didn't like being limited to just selecting between apple pie and peach cobbler, it's clear I'm going to have to allow you to order off the full menu! :D Let's try this with the full selection... I do other things seasonally, but I'm not "goin' there" in this poll--you only get to choose from what's on the menu right now! (The peach cobbler/apple pie thing hasn't been resolved yet though) ETA: Ok...just realized I typed the wrong cooking term...no one called me on it? Free samples to the one who catches what I typed in wrong! :D

I usually do a medium slice, and then cut them in half the other way too--so they're not really a full slice, but they're not diced either. I usually put a crumb top, but I like the one that's a tiny bit crunchy, and cinnamon-y too. :001_smile:

Yep! I'm already making a *mean* New York Cheesecake. :)

Granny Smith apples are my faves. I always use them for apple pie! :)

I'm already making chocolate lava cake with fresh whipped cream and raspberry confit garnish. :drool5:

Well, yeah! Is there really any other way?! Ok, I know there's other ways, but warm with vanilla ice cream really is the best, and I like it with a drizzle of caramel. :)

I rotate the desserts according to what's in season, or what I feel like baking. :)

Remember, I said the desserts were great! (I know, because I make them daily) ;)

Yes, I know there are other choices on the menu, but if you *had* to pick one of those two things, peach cobbler or apple pie, which would it be? :001_smile:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding :lol:

We loved that movie here!

How could I have forgotten Mr. Deeds?! It's one of the funniest movies for sure!

I thought Along Came Polly was really funny too! Oddly enough, I learned a character lesson from that movie too. It really got me thinking about being more "authentically me".

Waterboy was VERY funny! I also think Happy Gilmore is one of the funniest movies ever. :D

I tried to write something about my Netflix "queue" in my original post, but gave up because I couldn't remember how to spell "queue"! Generally speaking, my spelling is pretty good, but every now and then...

Gosh, I truly laughed out loud in the theater when we watched Get Smart! It's definitely on my short list of funny movies.