Monday, April 27, 2009
A quiz you can't fail at
Haha! I found this little quiz through a friends site and thought I'd share my results. She was a faerie. I so wanted to be a mermaid. Oh well. A dragon is just as cool.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Strawberries!
It's strawberry season! How do I know this? My latest issue of Rachael Ray told me so, and I googled. Mid-April to late-May. After the lemon, a strawberry is my favorite fruit. I was at Costco and saw the huge 64 oz carton of strawberries, it was too monstrous to pass up. But what to do with all these strawberries?
Cook!
And since my sis has recently undergone a blog make-over, I don't feel comfortable posting my recipes over there, so ya'll will just have to put up with me. She has too many followers now that I feel I'll be deceiving them.
First up: Strawberry Icecream. Recipe from May 2009 Rachael Ray mag, which I am too lazy to go look up a link, but not that lazy I won't type it out for you. I'm backwards, I know.
I loved, loved, loved this treat. I didn't even have to double churn it to get to freeze hard like real ice cream! And there is ONLY 4 ingredients!!!!! Simple, quick and delicious to boot.
Strawberry Ice Cream *printable recipe here*
makes 1 quart
2 cups hulled and halved strawberries
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 pint half-and-half
2 large egg yolks
1. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries and 1/4 cup of sugar; mash with a fork. Put bowl in refrigerator.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring the half-and-half and remaining 1/2 cup sugar to a simmer, stirring occasionlly, over medium heat. In a heatproof bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then gradually whisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat until steaming hot and frothy.
3. Strain the cream mixture into the bowl with the strawberries. Let stand, whisking occasionally(which I never do!) until the mixture is cool. (I put the mixture into the refrigerator until cooled.)
4. Process the cooled mixture in a icecream maker, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze.
I topped my first bowl of it with my sisters wonderfully sweet strawberry syrup. I love strawberries!
What is that you ask? It's sugared strawberries. A whole bowl full of them! I wanted to get those into my stomach so fast, but I couldn't. Ultimately they were for an actual recipe. I got two of them though. They were covered in a thick layer of sugar that cracks when it hits my tongue. Sugar is a food group in my mind. I needed to juice those puppies for every ounce they were struggling to hold onto. I was making...strawberry lemonade.
According to my nephew, Hunter, I prefer strawberry lemonade to lemonade. Not true. I mostly drink homemade lemonade. Strawberry lemonade(forever more SL, I'm lazy to fully type it out) is reserved for when I go out. I think I have had everyone's SL. Let me tell you who's I like and a few that I drink but they're eh.
Tops-
Iggy's Sports Bar and Grill
Eh-
Please feel free to comment on where your favorite is located and maybe I'll try it out. Since I've had so many SL I thought maybe I should attempt making it. I didn't even google a recipe I just played it by ear. I can't go wrong with strawberries and lemons. I've made lemonade so often that I just make it. I like my stronger and sweeter. So that means lots of sugar and more juice to water ratio.
Strawberry Lemonade(last time it'll ever be written out fully!)
1 1/2 cups halved and hulled strawberries
1. In a bowl combine strawberries and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Mash with a fork. Set aside for about 10 minutes.
2. In a pitcher, stir the hot water and remaining 2 cups of sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the fresh squeezed lemon juice, stir well.
3. Add the strawberry mixture, juice and all, to the pitcher and chill.
If you don't like strawberries in your lemonade, just strain the strawberry mixture into the pitcher. So you are just getting the juice. You may need more juice to add the flavor you want. Its a very forgiving recipe and you can easily adapt it to your tastes. I know I do.
Cook!
And since my sis has recently undergone a blog make-over, I don't feel comfortable posting my recipes over there, so ya'll will just have to put up with me. She has too many followers now that I feel I'll be deceiving them.
First up: Strawberry Icecream. Recipe from May 2009 Rachael Ray mag, which I am too lazy to go look up a link, but not that lazy I won't type it out for you. I'm backwards, I know.
I loved, loved, loved this treat. I didn't even have to double churn it to get to freeze hard like real ice cream! And there is ONLY 4 ingredients!!!!! Simple, quick and delicious to boot.
Strawberry Ice Cream *printable recipe here*
makes 1 quart
2 cups hulled and halved strawberries
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 pint half-and-half
2 large egg yolks
1. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries and 1/4 cup of sugar; mash with a fork. Put bowl in refrigerator.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring the half-and-half and remaining 1/2 cup sugar to a simmer, stirring occasionlly, over medium heat. In a heatproof bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then gradually whisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat until steaming hot and frothy.
3. Strain the cream mixture into the bowl with the strawberries. Let stand, whisking occasionally(which I never do!) until the mixture is cool. (I put the mixture into the refrigerator until cooled.)
4. Process the cooled mixture in a icecream maker, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze.
I topped my first bowl of it with my sisters wonderfully sweet strawberry syrup. I love strawberries!
And then I made.....
What is that you ask? It's sugared strawberries. A whole bowl full of them! I wanted to get those into my stomach so fast, but I couldn't. Ultimately they were for an actual recipe. I got two of them though. They were covered in a thick layer of sugar that cracks when it hits my tongue. Sugar is a food group in my mind. I needed to juice those puppies for every ounce they were struggling to hold onto. I was making...strawberry lemonade.
According to my nephew, Hunter, I prefer strawberry lemonade to lemonade. Not true. I mostly drink homemade lemonade. Strawberry lemonade(forever more SL, I'm lazy to fully type it out) is reserved for when I go out. I think I have had everyone's SL. Let me tell you who's I like and a few that I drink but they're eh.Tops-
Iggy's Sports Bar and Grill
New York Cheesecake Factory
Sweet Tomatoes
Eh-
Sizzler
Village Inn
Quizno's(technically it's raspberry)
Firehouse
Chili's Bar and Grill
Please feel free to comment on where your favorite is located and maybe I'll try it out. Since I've had so many SL I thought maybe I should attempt making it. I didn't even google a recipe I just played it by ear. I can't go wrong with strawberries and lemons. I've made lemonade so often that I just make it. I like my stronger and sweeter. So that means lots of sugar and more juice to water ratio.
Strawberry Lemonade(last time it'll ever be written out fully!)
makes 1 gallon, to Mary's tastes
1 1/2 cups halved and hulled strawberries
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice(about 10 lemons)
7 cups hot water
1. In a bowl combine strawberries and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Mash with a fork. Set aside for about 10 minutes.
2. In a pitcher, stir the hot water and remaining 2 cups of sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the fresh squeezed lemon juice, stir well.
3. Add the strawberry mixture, juice and all, to the pitcher and chill.
If you don't like strawberries in your lemonade, just strain the strawberry mixture into the pitcher. So you are just getting the juice. You may need more juice to add the flavor you want. Its a very forgiving recipe and you can easily adapt it to your tastes. I know I do.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
One week and three things
My nephew has been blessed with my awful teeth. The poor thing had to go have probably more surgery on his teeth, in one sitting, than I've ever had to endure. This was him about 1 hour after being released from the hospital. They came to see me at work and I think it was more so I could cut his hospital bracelets off. Those three nephews absolutely hate having things attached to them.He looked so "eh." about everything. He started perking up a little but not really to where I felt he was truly himself. It reminded me that I loathe surgeries, hospital stays, etc. I think I started to get nauseated just looking at how pale he was and everything that he would've gone through.
My mother made me proud this past weekend when she completed a 2 mile walk. It was supposed to originally be a 5K(3.1 miles) but once she got there and got a look at the route, a decision was made to just do the shorter race. Nonetheless, I am proud! I just wish I could've been there. I also missed a friend, and a boss, run his personal record for a marathon. Which made me just as proud, although i guess it should just be happy, seeing as how he is not related to me. I've just known him so long. 4 hours and 4 minutes! Congrats to both of you, you deserve it!
And mom don't be upset that I posted a picture of you, just revel in your glory. Besides it's a small picture anyways and one from a distance.
And last, but certainly not least, Hunter was made into the happiest little boy when he finally got to drive the motorized shopping cart at Target. I am quite surprised that the Target employees didn't make him stop, they must all be friends with the gramps. Luckily his mother stepped in and commandeered the vehicle and rode with him. I think they both were quite excited about it. I sure hope they didn't cause someone who really needed it to not have one. And I sure hope Hunter doesn't think he gets to use each time he goes to Target.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
11-20 of the things I've done in my life
In an effort to show up my sister, which lets be honest-both our blogs are purely a contest to outpost one another, I have to update tonight because she updated tonight. After this list though you'll be begging for me to not post again. I'm boring!
11. Bungee jumped - Does Lagoon's skycoaster count? I don't think it does, so no. But I have jumped off a childhood home porch with a homemade parachute.
12. Visited Paris - In Las Vegas and it was okay.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea -Not that I recall. But if someone has is it supposed to be beautiful or downright frightening?
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - I believe everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten, so no. Plus classes are so so so informative. I just wish no one would take them but me. I don't like it when others take up precious time by asking, deemed stupid by me, stupid questions.
15. Adopted a child - Wrote a paper about how adopting would relieve the over population of the world.
16. Had food poisoning - I think most people mistake "the 24 hour flu" as food poisoning. I don't think food poisoning actually happens that often.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - I've never even been to New York. The farthest east I've ever been has been Pennsylvania, west Pennsylvania.
18. Grown your own vegetables - No, but I do want to try, and succeed, at some point in my life.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - Somehow, the Mona Lisa wasn't in the Paris I went to.
20. Slept on an overnight train - No, but apparently it might be happening this summer or sometime soon.
I didn't do a single thing on this list!!! I hope I fare better on the next ten.
But I don't want to end on a boring note. Did you know only 9% of the entire worlds population is left-handed? I heard this tidbit of info on NCIS, but I had to know if this is the widely accepted percentage. So I googled. Which of course led me to Wikipedia, one of my favorite sites. I don't know why I just don't start there? And indeed, it corraberates the statement. One of my sisters is left-handed, so-way to represent that 7-10% of the population!
I never realized how I take being right-handed for granted. Knives, computer mouses, guitars, pianos and cameras are all items that are easier used right-handed than left. Of course you can get left-handed versions of most of these, but at a higher cost. Thank goodness I'm right handed.
11. Bungee jumped - Does Lagoon's skycoaster count? I don't think it does, so no. But I have jumped off a childhood home porch with a homemade parachute.
12. Visited Paris - In Las Vegas and it was okay.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea -Not that I recall. But if someone has is it supposed to be beautiful or downright frightening?
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - I believe everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten, so no. Plus classes are so so so informative. I just wish no one would take them but me. I don't like it when others take up precious time by asking, deemed stupid by me, stupid questions.
15. Adopted a child - Wrote a paper about how adopting would relieve the over population of the world.
16. Had food poisoning - I think most people mistake "the 24 hour flu" as food poisoning. I don't think food poisoning actually happens that often.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - I've never even been to New York. The farthest east I've ever been has been Pennsylvania, west Pennsylvania.
18. Grown your own vegetables - No, but I do want to try, and succeed, at some point in my life.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - Somehow, the Mona Lisa wasn't in the Paris I went to.
20. Slept on an overnight train - No, but apparently it might be happening this summer or sometime soon.
I didn't do a single thing on this list!!! I hope I fare better on the next ten.
But I don't want to end on a boring note. Did you know only 9% of the entire worlds population is left-handed? I heard this tidbit of info on NCIS, but I had to know if this is the widely accepted percentage. So I googled. Which of course led me to Wikipedia, one of my favorite sites. I don't know why I just don't start there? And indeed, it corraberates the statement. One of my sisters is left-handed, so-way to represent that 7-10% of the population!
I never realized how I take being right-handed for granted. Knives, computer mouses, guitars, pianos and cameras are all items that are easier used right-handed than left. Of course you can get left-handed versions of most of these, but at a higher cost. Thank goodness I'm right handed.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
"I'm curious....what would you do if someone dared you to eat food?"
"You're always curious."
If anyone is in need of chocolate cream cheese frosting tinted black, I have plenty. I always grossly overestimate the amount of frosting I'll need for a cake and end up with so much I throw it away.
My mom asked me to make, her co-worker and friend, a twilight themed birthday cake. Which I have to do for 3 reasons: This co-worker scored us an advanced screening when the movie first came out. I love the books so I love the thought. And its my mother! Who tells their mother no? Of course, being my mother, she had given me plenty of notice(the end January, for arguements sake) but of course, being myself, I squandered all that notice on nothing. So then two days before the cake is due I am trying to do all this elaborate stuff.
My first plans had me making a meadow on the top of the cake and creating all these gumpaste accents, like Edwards "Be Safe" note and such, to really drive the theme home. Well you can't make, paint and dry all your gumpaste two days before. I so need to stop doing that. If I really want to open a bakery/cake shop, then I need to learn the art of orginization and planning. Colin's, the next cake on my cake calendar(I don't include my own because I don't decorate it), will definately be planned. I'm counting on ya'll to stay on my hind, telling me to keep planning.
Anyhoo, here is the twilight cake. Its red velvet(d'uh!) with chocolate cream cheese frosting and chocolate accents. Its really simple since I had to scrap my elaborate plans. I downloaded the fonts used for Edwards handwriting, which is the Birthday salutation, and the book cover fonts, which is twilight.
If anyone is in need of chocolate cream cheese frosting tinted black, I have plenty. I always grossly overestimate the amount of frosting I'll need for a cake and end up with so much I throw it away.
My mom asked me to make, her co-worker and friend, a twilight themed birthday cake. Which I have to do for 3 reasons: This co-worker scored us an advanced screening when the movie first came out. I love the books so I love the thought. And its my mother! Who tells their mother no? Of course, being my mother, she had given me plenty of notice(the end January, for arguements sake) but of course, being myself, I squandered all that notice on nothing. So then two days before the cake is due I am trying to do all this elaborate stuff.
My first plans had me making a meadow on the top of the cake and creating all these gumpaste accents, like Edwards "Be Safe" note and such, to really drive the theme home. Well you can't make, paint and dry all your gumpaste two days before. I so need to stop doing that. If I really want to open a bakery/cake shop, then I need to learn the art of orginization and planning. Colin's, the next cake on my cake calendar(I don't include my own because I don't decorate it), will definately be planned. I'm counting on ya'll to stay on my hind, telling me to keep planning.
Anyhoo, here is the twilight cake. Its red velvet(d'uh!) with chocolate cream cheese frosting and chocolate accents. Its really simple since I had to scrap my elaborate plans. I downloaded the fonts used for Edwards handwriting, which is the Birthday salutation, and the book cover fonts, which is twilight.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
April Fools Joke and a Birthday
I got played, or at least they think, several April Fools day jokes. Personally, other than the tape over the mouse light(oh, and the monitor doctoring, which came only in retailation to my packaging peanut fit) the rest were more just annoyances rather than jokes. Someone tell me how is placing over 30 hockey pucks all over my desk a joke? I rounded them up and if you look closely, the overhead door is slightly ajar from the packaging peanuts they stuffed in there. Luckily, I spotted those before opening the door.
Either way, somehow I love working with my fellow employees. Sometimes I guess I don't show it enough to them but they really do make work day. My sister keeps a text I sent her, saying how much I do love them and when I start to complain about them, she resends it to me.
After all the jokes were played we celebrated my nephew's 8th birthday! He wanted a jazz bear cake. I so desperately wanted to make him a dinosaur cake. I think I'm not giving them the choice anymore, they just have to take what I want to make. Crystal and I spent all day, after the Egg Dive, decorating this jewel. Unfortunately, she didn't bring extra frosting to the park because his jersey cracked and we could've fixed that! She'll claim I'm a perfectionist but as I discovered decorating with her, she is the one obsessed with details.
We spent his birthday at Dinosaur Park in Ogden. I loved running the Ogden Marathon, that I highly suggest that marathon over any other I've done, and they run you right next to this park and I just thought it was one very cool kid joint. I loved walking around and seeing all the dinosaurs. This one is my favorite scariest one. He was massive!!! I can't remember which one he was now. The gap his mouth creates could probably fit an 8 year old.
Also at the park is a small museum that has robotic dinosaurs. The younger nephews have been scared of them, but this year we got one in!! He sat with his older brother and older cousin right next to the cage. They all thought it hilarious when I pretended to be shocked by the high voltage fence and wanted to do the same, so they came up closer and we all just stayed sitting there. I am so proud that Zach came all the way up. He kept asking me, "What are they saying now?" each time the dinosaurs roared.
Either way, somehow I love working with my fellow employees. Sometimes I guess I don't show it enough to them but they really do make work day. My sister keeps a text I sent her, saying how much I do love them and when I start to complain about them, she resends it to me.After all the jokes were played we celebrated my nephew's 8th birthday! He wanted a jazz bear cake. I so desperately wanted to make him a dinosaur cake. I think I'm not giving them the choice anymore, they just have to take what I want to make. Crystal and I spent all day, after the Egg Dive, decorating this jewel. Unfortunately, she didn't bring extra frosting to the park because his jersey cracked and we could've fixed that! She'll claim I'm a perfectionist but as I discovered decorating with her, she is the one obsessed with details.
We spent his birthday at Dinosaur Park in Ogden. I loved running the Ogden Marathon, that I highly suggest that marathon over any other I've done, and they run you right next to this park and I just thought it was one very cool kid joint. I loved walking around and seeing all the dinosaurs. This one is my favorite scariest one. He was massive!!! I can't remember which one he was now. The gap his mouth creates could probably fit an 8 year old.
Also at the park is a small museum that has robotic dinosaurs. The younger nephews have been scared of them, but this year we got one in!! He sat with his older brother and older cousin right next to the cage. They all thought it hilarious when I pretended to be shocked by the high voltage fence and wanted to do the same, so they came up closer and we all just stayed sitting there. I am so proud that Zach came all the way up. He kept asking me, "What are they saying now?" each time the dinosaurs roared.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)