Maybe I Need to Get a Life

There are some things that should probably remain private.  Like, if you give yourself a Brazilian (ouch) or google your mother. 

But hey, we're friends here, so I will come clean.  YES, I GOOGLED MY MOM.  Arrrrggghhhhh, did I really just tell you that?

I'll set the scenario for you.  It was around 11pm and I was sort of tired, but still  hyped up from a busy day and a brutal TurboKick class.  I wasn't ready to climb into bed, so I hung out at my computer for awhile, trying to make myself tired.  C'mon, tell me you haven't done the same thing.

Nothing interesting or new on Facebook.  Nothing going on in the news.  Any blogs I follow were already posted.  I'd snoop around on my kids' Facebook profiles, but they were smart enough not to friend me.  I don't want anything too intense.  What to do?  Oh, why not google my mom?

I've no earthly idea what possessed me.  I mean, the woman is in her eighties and doesn't use a computer.  What was I thinking?

What I wasn't thinking was that she would show up on the first hit.  In a video, no less.  On Science Nation.  WTF????????????????????

Of course I watched it, then called her immediately.  At that late hour.  I was laughing so hard I was barely coherent.  Then I sent the link to several family members (including her grandsons) with the statement "Mom.  Online.  In a video, no less.  Sometimes she scares the hell out of me."

Here's the link.  It's a hoot.  If you don't know her, she's the second one interviewed, the one talking about arthritis in her hands.  Haha, she may look sweet and unassuming but trust me, she's one feisty lady!

http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/robotbutler.jsp

I cracked up when I saw they were drinking coffee.  Are you kidding me?  These are the ladies who drink wine - copious amounts of it - even if they have to smuggle it into their bingo games because they live in an apartment community run by a religious organization.  I've said it here before - Go Mom!

I've also told you she's a good cook.  Here's her recipe for what she calls Fudge Pie.  It's simple, basic and well, pedestrian.  It's also delicious, ridiculously easy and a good weapon to have in your recipe arsenal if you need to make dessert on five minutes notice. 

BABA'S FUDGE PIE

4 oz. unsalted butter (1 stick)
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan over medium heat.  Remove from heat, then add sugar and whisk to blend.  Add egg yolks, one at a time.  Mix in flour, salt and vanilla.

Beat egg whites until they hold soft peaks and fold into chocolate mixture.  Pour into a buttered 9-inch glass pie plate.  Bake in oven preheated to 350-degrees for 25 minutes.

Serves 8

This is good on its own, but I personally think it's better if you serve it warm with some good vanilla ice cream, drizzled with caramel sauce.  You could also add a dollop of fresh whipped cream if you really want to take it over the top.

CARAMEL SAUCE

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place sugar in a heavy saucepan and add water.  Swirl pan to combine but do not stir.  Cook over medium-high heat until sugar is combined and mixture starts to bubble.  Continue to cook, watching constantly, until mixture turns golden brown, swirling pan occasionally.  Remove from heat when caramel is golden but not too dark (it will continue to cook after you take it off the heat).  Slowly add cream and stand back (mixture will bubble up and sputter) then add salt and vanilla.  Place over medium heat if needed to smooth out and melt any lumps.

Yield:  approximately 1 cup

Oh, and about that Brazilian?  Well, I'm not sayin'..........