The View From Mrs. Sundberg's Window

I'll put down my wooden spoon. You've got my attention.

June 1, 2010

Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. All the way over in Washington D.C., and that got me thinking. The kids have never been to Washington D.C., and that's something of a pity. I've never been there myself, either, but then I've never been most everywhere else. My family never traveled much when I was growing up, and Mr. Sundberg travels so much for his motivational speaking job that he isn't in much of a mood to go anywhere once he gets home. For him, vacation means a week at home pruning rose bushes, reading the paper, and visiting the local supper club once or twice. Thing is, with all the kids' stuff going on, a trip to Washington D.C. right now is pretty much out of the question, and one day down the road we'll squeeze a trip in.

To be honest, the trip I'd like to take is one I don't think anyone else would much enjoy. I saw a picture once in a coffee table book of a wheat field in Umbria, Italy. I had never seen anything so beautiful. I know, I know, it was just a wheat field. But there was something about it that has kind of stuck with me ever since, and I think if I won the Publisher's Clearinghouse deal, that's what I'd do. I'd set money aside for college for the kids, I'd buy a new car for Mr. Sundberg, and I'd get myself a plane ticket to Umbria, Italy. I'd stay for a week, maybe two, and I'd eat nothing but bread and cheese and maybe some pasta, and I'd drink a little wine, and I'd spend every day walking along those wheat fields. I'd sleep there if I could do it without getting arrested.

They say the most simple questions are the most important: Who are you? What are you doing? Where are you going? I'm thinking geography is like that. Tell me you've been to Washington D.C., to Novosibirsk, to Tokyo. I'm impressed. Sure. And that you've actually been to Graceland, and to the headquarters of the FBI, and to the Vatican. Hmm. You're a real humdinger. But tell me you've walked through a wheat field in Umbria? I'll put down my wooden spoon. You've got my attention.


Raspberry Pudding
If you think about it, pudding is a strange form of food, so don't think about it. Just make it and enjoy it, especially this lovely sweet and tangy treat for a warm summer day.

3 T sugar
1 1/2 T cornstarch
pinch of salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla
12 lady fingers
1 pint raspberries
fresh mint (for garnish)

Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a double boiler. Beat eggs, add milk. Cook over boiling water until mixture has thickened. Refrigerate.

Whip cream until peaks form. Add almond and vanilla and whip a little more. Fold whipped cream into the first mixture. Line decorative sherbet glasses with the lady fingers. Fill with the pudding.

Top with crushed raspberries and garnish with fresh mint.

Enjoy!

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