THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL: Lemonade Pie

We just returned from a long weekend in the Dallas area, a leisurely trip where we rekindled old friendships, attended the wedding of a gorgeous young bride, and spent hours and hours haunting the old neighborhood and places we loved during the years we lived in the area. As a matter of fact, it's where two of our boys were born, and we still have many friends there who've become like family. Sadly, we don't visit often enough, but as we drove around, we'd have flashes of recognition. So and so lived on that road. Remember when we did this? I wonder what happened to the ones who lived there? Since our boys spent most of their formative years there, the memories flowed like sweet nectar.

Our old house looks good, dwarfed by the maple and pear trees we planted in the front plus the additional trees the new owners have nurtured. The live oak in the back spreads its branches from one side of the yard almost to the other. The gazebo is gone, but the wisteria still rambles across the back and up on the roof. The funniest thing, though, was the fort Max built for the boys more than twenty years ago. A sturdy, two-story structure, our boys would bail from the top of the fort onto the trampoline and catapult into the backyard pool (an above ground, which makes it seem not so dangerous). The fort is now a bright purple and appears to be just as strong as the day it was built. Fun.

And in typical Texas hospitality, the heat and humidity met us at the border when we crossed the Red River. Sweltering heat that penetrates right to the core. A perfect example of why today's Cafe Special was so beloved during those interminably long Texas summers. It was and is Max's favorite summertime dessert, so with Father's Day just around the corner, I'm heading to the store this week to get the ingredients for Lemonade Pie. Tart with just a touch of sweet in the crust. Ice cold and refreshing. There's nothing like it to beat the heat. So here's the version we've come to prefer after experimenting over the years.

LEMONADE PIE

1 small can (6 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 large Cool Whip (at least 12 oz.)
3 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1 Keebler graham cracker crust, the extra serving size

Blend the thawed lemonade concentrate with the cream cheese using a wire whip. When smooth, fold in the Cool Whip gradually to blend the flavors evenly. When thoroughly mixed, scoop into the graham cracker crust. Freeze until ready to serve. Allow to thaw about half an hour before serving. Best if still slightly frozen. Food coloring may be added if you like. Garnish with a mint leaf or a plump fresh strawberry.

Enjoy. Guaranteed to please the dad in your house. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

CHRISTIAN BOOK EXPO

Last week, I packed up and headed south toward Dallas to attend the first ever Christian Book Expo. Plenty of people have blogged about its less than stellar success in attracting people from the public. I won't go into that here. However, I had a great time.

First of all, just crossing the Red River from Oklahoma into Texas always does something to me--it's almost like coming home. I grew up in Texas and spent quite a number of years there as an adult. Two of my kids were born in the Metroplex, so as the hulking view of Dallas loomed before me, memories washed over me. People we've known. Places we frequented. The pulse of the city. Texas is a state like no other, and I love returning there for visits.

About the book expo. For me, it was a time to meet new friends and reconnect with those I already know. I spent quite a bit of time at the ACFW and the Barbour booths because I knew people there. Waving to my new friends who were gracious enough to hang out with me--Mindy Obenhaus, Kellie Gilbert, and Lynne Gentry--what fun we had plotting mischief.

Mindy Obenhaus and Rebecca Yauger (who ran the ACFW booth)

Lynne Gentry and Sandra Glahn

Kellie Gilbert & Me with Zondervan/Mt. Hermon contest finalists sign

Congrats to my dear friend, Susan Meissner, whose book The Shape of Mercy won the Fiction Book of the Year award at the ECPA banquet. An amazing book from one of my favorite authors.

I did quite a lot of star-gazing as well. I attended a panel where Mary DeMuth (Daisy Chain) and Donald Miller of Blue Like Jazz fame spoke with a couple of ther panelists. Delightful. On Friday evening, I attended the evening session where Max Lucado, Liz Curtis Higgs, Henry Blackaby, and others spoke. Some really great music that night as well.

One of the highlights for me was the Christy session on Saturday where a celebrity panel answered audience questions. How often do you have the opportunity to hear Terri Blackstock, Mindy Starns Clark, Jerry Jenkins, Beverly Lewis, Robert Liparulo, Bill Myers, Davis Bunn, and Jeannette Oke on stage together. Inspiring. At the end of the panel discussion, the Christy nominees for 2009 were announced. I whooped with glee that dear, dear Mary Connealy was nominated in the Historical Romance category and Shelley Adina (a friend from Mount Hermon last year) for the Young Adult category. I'd heard or read many of the other authors, so it was a delight to be there. For the complete list of Chrisy nominees see my last post.

So, for me, it was all a matter of perspective. I know the publishers weren't thrilled with the turnout, but for the record, some of us had a great time. Here are a few pics I took. Enjoy.

Susan Downs, Mary Connealy, and friend

Bryan, Amanda, & Susie Davis

PREMIERE EVENT

The first Christian Book Expo takes place in Dallas on March 19 - 22. This is an important event for several reasons. It's a great resource for what is happening in Christian communities across the nation with some of the country's leading speakers: Henry Blackaby, Don Piper, Max Lucado, Donald Miller, Liz Curtis Higgs, Randy Alcorn, Mary DeMuth, and many others.

It's also an author event with more than 200 Christian authors signing throughout the three days. On Thursday night, my friend and amazing author, Susan Meissner, is a finalist for the Fiction Book of the Year. So, whether you're a writer, reader, or involved in ministry, this should be a very worthwhile few days.

Right now, I'm planning to go. Max will get a couple of golf days, and we're anxious to visit some long-time friends in the area. What a deal! Spending time with writers, great friends, and my husband in a wonderful city.

How about you guys? Any great getaways planned?