Joy and Rupture

The meringues are way in the
back in the large white bowl.

For my 30th birthday, I threw myself a party.  An all-out fantastic do.  Streamers, balloons, lanterns, and ribbons hanging from the ceilings; fresh flowers and freshly polished silver; Italian sodas; four of my favorite cakes (yes, four) and my traditional Valentine birthday treat; lots of friends.  It was grand.

As it turned out, my gift to myself on my 30th birthday was to gain about 30 pounds.  Seriously?  Not all at once, mind you - there's my annual winter insulation contribution, too - but ungh.  I guess that kind of party is something to do only once every 30 years.

So I've started "working out" again.  Which is actually "working in", because I do it in my living room.  Today is Day 3 (with days 1 and 2 being sometime about a week and a half ago), but I'm teaching a lesson tonight on being active and taking care of our bodies.  So I'm pumped and ready* to be a good example.
(*"pumped and ready" = "feeling guilted into being")

Feel free to keep the encouragement coming.  Anyone want to make me a star chart?  With cheesecake as a prize??


Meringues
Lia's traditional birthday treat
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Preheat oven to 250⁰.

Beat to soft peaks:

•         4 egg whites
•         ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

Add:

•         ¾ cups sugar

Pipe shapes on parchment paper lined baking sheets (traditionally hearts in our house for Lia’s birthday).

Bake 1 hour: cool 30+ minutes in oven with door slightly cracked.

Fill with beaten mixture of:

•         1 cup heavy cream
•         2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Add fresh berries (traditionally strawberries) of choice and serve.

Store in a DRY place – humidity will make them gummy.