Jul 31, 2012 |
Well, we did it. We finished our Wilton Cake Decorating Course. As has been the standard for the last four weeks, Dot’s cake, well, took the cake. She always has the other students and the instructor oohing and ahhing over her gifted artistry.
In the four-week course, we learned
How to properly bake a cake and how to level a cake
How to fill cupcakes and how to fill a layer cake
How to make out own icing in stiff, medium, and thin consistencies and when to use each one. We learned how to color icing
How to ice a cake and how to later smooth it
And we learned how to decorate. Did you see me smile when you read that? Try again:
We learned how to decorate!
We learned tips and icing bags and angled spatulas and piping gel and color and consistencies and flowers and leaves and pom poms and writing and roses and more.
And these are our Final Projects.
Dot had a plan, but when we got to class she scrapped it and went freestyle. Have I mentioned how gifted she is? I couldn’t toss out a plan and come up with something this gorgeous on the spur of the moment!
I thought up a Summer Garden. I’m disappointed that I didn’t color enough icing for the cake; it’s a bit thin in places. But I forgave myself: I’m a beginner. And it turned out well for a beginner.
Dot’s cake was German Chocolate with a coconut-pecan filling
Mine was a lemon cake with a raspberry preserve filling
And we’re not sorry we cut into them.
Not.
One.
Bite.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 24, 2012
Michele D., I hope you’re reading this because due to lack of response from our first winner, YOU ARE THE NEW WINNER OF THE ROUTE 66 GIFT PACK GIVEAWAY!
Remember, folks, you can win but the prize is only good if you contact me with a proper mailing address.
Michele, I look forward to hearing from you and hope you’ll stick around for upcoming giveaways!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
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Dec 25, 2011
Will Power was excited. It was the time of year when the world was abuzz about winter, Christmas, and Santa Claus. Will Power had heard about Santa Claus and looked forward to meeting him.
He sat down to write out his wish list.
But he soon found himself overwhelmed.
In this season of good cheer and gift giving, it didn’t feel right to ask for so much for himself. But the world said it was okay.
He was at a loss.
Everywhere he turned, there was always something more to want. The world kept telling him so. He needed this and needed that. He must want everything, and if he didn’t want or need it, he certainly should know someone who did.
There was so much glitter, so much shine, so much of so much… he felt like this Christmas was just a Carousel going ’round and ’round and he wasn’t sure how to make it stop.
He just knew there had to be more to Christmas than getting gifts, and went in search of it.
He found a Christmas Tree. It was tall and beautifully decorated. It urged him to “believe”, but he still wasn’t sure what to believe in.
He needed help. He found himself wandering, wondering; and hoping for help.
Soon he came upon a gathering. It was a simple display. The kind that invited attention through its lack of fanfare. There was something very special. Very special, indeed.
He studied. There were no great light displays. No special sales or advertising or promises of ease and comfort. It was quiet. It was peaceful. And it was the most personal Gift he could ever need.
And in the peace, and quiet, and humility of a perfect baby being born in less than perfect conditions to a less than perfect world, Will Power understood.
It’s not about the gifts you get. It’s about the Gift that was given.
He raced home as fast as he could to finish His letter. But instead of asking Santa for anything, he had a much better idea in mind:
From our house to yours, a very Merry Christmas.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 24, 2011
It’s not Christmas Eve yet. Not for me.
I’m writing this a day early because even if I have time to write on Christmas Eve, I don’t want to have to write on Christmas Eve. This is my gift to my family: to not behind my laptop during our time together today.
And what a time it will be!
My daughter is taking me to the local movie theatre this afternoon so that I can see one of my favorite movies on the big screen: Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”. This is a really big deal to me. This is not my daughter’s favorite Christmas movie, so I only watch it when she’s not around. Except this year, I haven’t had a lot of time to myself unless it’s sleeping. So, obviously, I’ve yet to watch the movie.
So when I saw the marquee poster for this, I squealed in girlish delight and embarrassed her by loudly announcing, “This is what I want for Christmas from you!” To which she agreed. Her presence in the theatre, for a movie that means so much to me, with no joking or comments. Just her, me, popcorn, jalapenos, and Jimmy Stewart. Joy to the World!
Now, the movie is a before-and-after marker. Because ever since we agreed to go, everything we talk about has been qualified with “Before we see the movie…” and “After the movie is over…” Things like, call her Uncles who won’t make it to town. Bake cookies. Go to church. Eat dinner at In-n-Out. Watch “Scrooge” (the musical with Albert Finney). Pack for Christmas Eve. Mix up a chocolate martini. And enjoy food. Lots of food. And whatever else we can fit into the Before-and-After categories.
That’s what my Christmas Eve Day will be; at some point or another. That doesn’t include visiting friends the day before, or arriving at my mom’s that evening.
Even though we only live a mile apart, we’re keeping up with the tradition of sleeping over at my mom’s house. There’s only been one year in my entire life that I haven’t spent Christmas Eve night at my mom’s house. It was about ten years ago, in our apartment when Dot and I thought we’d wait for Santa at our place. Considering once he stopped at our abode, he also left instructions to find more loot at Grandma’s, it definitely wasn’t a restful night.
Ever since, it’s been back to Grandma’s for some Family Togetherness. The kind that makes our family glad these events only happen once a year. But the kind we look forward to nonetheless.
Once Dot goes to bed, my mom and I will stay up and talk about the beauty of her tree. We’ll listen to music, or watch Christmas shows on the TV. We’ll talk about the weather back east and wish we had a White Christmas. When we’re sure Dot’s asleep, we’ll put out her stocking. Then I’ll go to bed.
Somewhere around 3 a.m., Dot and I will wake up and sneak into the living room. We’ll spy where our stockings from Mom are, and see what other small goodies she’s hidden around the room. We’ll try hard not to giggle loudly, we’ll avoid touching anything that makes noise. Then we’ll make our way back to our beds and try hard to fall back asleep.
Enter Christmas morning: we somehow manage to all wake up around the same time. Mom will have the coffee ready, and orange danishes will be baking. Once we grab our morning snack, we’ll meet again in the living room and open our stockings. I’m excited because this year I was able to put together a stocking of goodies for my mom as well as my daughter. I’d tell you what she’s getting, but she reads this so I can’t. Yet.
Then we’ll open a few presents. After a short time, we’ll break for another danish and refill on the coffee. Then we’ll open the One Gift: you know the one. The One that’s saved for last. The Big Hurrah. The One that is bound to render the receiver speechless. That One.
It will be over too soon. It always is. But we’ll sit back, sip the cider, and enjoy the day. Before and After will take on a new meaning as Christmas comes to a close. But we’ll always have the memories we make.
I think that’s the best gift of all.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote.
Dec 12, 2011
One of my favorite channels is, of course, the Food Network. And my favorite shows are “Food Network Challenge” and “Cupcake Wars”. I love seeing how other chefs create tastes and presentations.
I never intended this Blog to have a focus on recipes. I always thought it would be just me. Getting through life. And sharing my ridiculous stories with whoever cared to read them. But when some of those stories began in my kitchen, I noticed something. You paid attention.
I love cooking. I love baking. Creating. Decorating. And you like hearing about me setting off the fire alarm with my blackened salmon or spilling the chili all over my foot … okay, I haven’t shared those stories with you yet, but I will…
My point is, my writing and cooking don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And You figured that out before I did. So thank you.
My life-long friend Lisa sent me a great Christmas gift: two boxes of food for my pantry. How amazing is she?! And as I opened the boxes I started singing to myself. Loudly. Lisa lives in Florida. It’s been 30 years since we’ve seen each other. But we’re still friends. And she knew what she was doing when she sent this to me. Because this gift is more than just food. It’s the chance for me to create a menu and play with my food. And then write about it.
With the ingredients she sent me, I’m going to plan out some great meals for January. And I’ll post them here. Some will be old recipes. Some will be trial and error. I’ll share them all with you here: the good, the bad, the tasteless.
[Except the homemade cookies. We’re gonna eat those like yesterday!]
IN THE FOOD BOX:
Canned Mandarin Oranges
Canned Pineapple Chunks
Boxed Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
Boxed Sugar Cookie Mix
Packaged Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
Packaged Sugar Cookie Mix
Packaged Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
1 Jar – Peanut Butter
Boxed Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Bag Stuffing Mix
2 Cans – Pot Roast Soup
1 Can – Diced Tomatoes
3 Cans – Tomato Paste
2 Cans – Meatless Chili
2 Boxes – Onion Soup Mix
Dried Beans – Pinto
Dried Beans – Great Northern
Dried Beans – Navy
Dried Beans – Green Split Pea
I’m looking forward to my own little Food Challenge. I have no idea what I’ll create. But I’m pretty sure I’ll have fun creating it!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Eat!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
