Ladies & Gents

I've got a new job! You're looking at the new Craft Designer and Guest Service Rep for Nothing Bundt Cakes! I'll be learning a lot about the business side or running an operation and I'll be able to build my resume and the income will help build my portfolio by making cakes outside of work. How funny, I'm basically my own competition now - haha.

School has been crazy, beautiful! <3 I'm doing well in my classes! Staying ahead and trying to make sure I understand everything I do and come by. Three cake orders have already showed up at my door! One this week, two deliveries back home next week! And a Thursday night with some very wonderful people! I can't wait to be back home only if it's for a couple hours its being around people you love/like that matters.

Speaking of, love life still stinks. Slowly moving past what once was, trying not to think too much on what could have been but rather on what still is to come! Other than that, school and a new job, not too much going on in my life. Our New Yorker has gone back to NY and it's sad, missing her very much but only a few months and we will be flying up there for New Years! It's going to be outstanding!!!

"i used to think the moon followed me around and that made me special...

'if your not special then why is the moon still following you?'"

School again.

So before we get into school again let's chat. July has already been full of some really awesome memories & events! The first weekend of July the Boston Red Soxs played the Astros and I made EVERY game! July 1st was also Canada Day! We went out to this awesome Canadian/Hockey bar, drank and had a good time. Almost rumbled with some guy that spilled my own beer on me because he grabbed it up trying to be funny. I ended up meeting the non-drunk him last week and he is really nice and bought me a replacement beer and of course apologized - haha. Saturday & Sunday were both great days & wonderful weather for baseball. I got to see the behind the scenes of the ballpark which was neat and I'm HOPEFULLY getting an autographed ball from Pedroia and Reddick, two of my favorite Red Soxs players. Monday was the 4th of July - Happy 4th (late) Everyone! I just relaxed over at my friends by the pool, ate SHARK for the first time - that was good! Tuesday was the Zoo, it was HOT but it was fun. Since then it's just been a relaxing week. Our New Yorker is about to leave us so we threw her a Going Away Party! And it was a pretty big hit! I also decided that in a year I may go to A&M and get my event planning degree instead of nutrition. It's something I love and it goes hand-in-hand with being a Specialty Cake Designer. Tomorrow we say Goodbye to our New Yorker, taking her to San Antonio then Austin for one less fun day as the three of us. Can't wait to HOPEFULLY go see her in December after we both graduate!

So that brings us to school, I'm starting my second to last quarter. Expected to graduate in Dec 2011 and I can't wait. I'm attempting to put together the resume so I can get a real bug kid job since well I am currently jobless. I left the spa I couldn't take it anymore! It's not profession and I don't have to be treated like that by people younger than me and less intelligent! So I left! And you know what - I'm poor & the HAPPIEST I've been in SUCH a long time! I know it's time I find a job because that always helps but at least I have found happiness again! This quarter I will have pictures and recipes for everyone to have! I'm in a European Cakes & Tortes class, it's my only lab though the rest are finance building classes and management classes. I do have a wine class though and hopefully I'll be in the Pastry Club - if all hours work out!!! Well I need to start getting my knife kit together for class Wednesday.

Speak again soon.

Meaning.

The meaning to life is what you make it. It is dependent upon the choices you make and that chances you take, whether they be mistakes or miracles. Every action we take is a step down the path we choose and has been chosen for us. And every step can be a new chapter when we take the most from it!

I'm starting to realize that the only way I will overcome the things that are holding me back is to stop and put my guard down a little and brush off the dirt I pick up when I hit the ground. I have plenty of people in my life who will stick out there hand to help me and help me brush off the dirt and clean any wounds. They are the biggest part of my book, my family & my friends. We can't erase the past or parts of it we don't like, as much as well all deep down wish we could. Just try thinking about how much of a stronger person it has made you.

Okay so that's my deep thought for the day. The real story behind has been the past few weekends with my friends! Last weekend we hung out at a house of one, had dinner with the family and laid by the pool. I once again got pushed in and I don't see it ever coming to an end. This weekend definitely topped it! Last night was My Friends 22nd birthday, we decorated my apartment for her, made a cake and bought some cute little things as a present but what she doesn't know is we are trying to surprise her with a really awesome trip to the Riverwalk for an awesome girls weekend! So anyways, we watched a little Rugrats while we waited for everyone to get here, man Rugrats are still awesome - don't hate! Then it was off to the baseball game and WE WON - it was a birthday miracle for sure! After that we drove to the bar street, changed in an alley way (haha) & headed to the bars! $5 parking, 80's music singing at one of the bars, then we run into the funnest group of people, they took us to a fun bar bought a few rounds then jumped on a party bus and headed to a shot bar! Taxied home & ready to have the same amount of fun the rest of the weekend!

I Love my girls & so fortunate to have them in my life! And I think we all showed up in each others lives at the exact right time!

"Love what you have & be thankful for what you had"

<3

Army of Minions

I got to make an Army of cupcake Minions for the three cutest kids! I took vanilla and chocolate cupcakes decorated them in Italian Buttercream colored blue. On top to act as the minions I used twinkies for the body, m&ms for eyes, licorice for hair and decorated the features in icing. They turned out to be a huge hit! And I'm so very proud to have been given the chance to make them. And of course like always I have included a great picture of the army! I hope you enjoy them (:

Left: Vanilla cupcakes, Right: Chocolate cupcakes // Italian Buttercream // twinkie bodies // m&m eyes, decorate features

Let me see, as for everything else, just working on gluing my life back together. I thought by now I would slowly be getting over the guy I had been with but it's harder than I thought. I know he is probably already past but he was the first real awesome guy I have been with in a long time! I would never trade the memories but I wish I could move past them. I've covered the photos and hidden the things I can't bare to see right now. If anyone has advice to overcome this please, please let me know!

Other than that most things are dandy, my mom is deploying in December that's the least favorite news. I'm great other than that, my job is coming to a close as work comes to a start again and now I'm trying to put together a resume for getting a job at a bakery or cake place. It's hard when you have no real professional experience but without a challenge whats the fun in finding the job your destined to find.

<3

Weekend time

It's the weekend now! I delivered a cake Friday morning, took my last final, then it was off to Holland to enjoy a break.

The cake turned out so beautiful the buttercream gave me hell so that's something I'm gonna have to work on. It's a pain but thanks to some Internet research I was able to finish it by 2 am maybe 3 so I went to bed and finished it completely in the morning. I'll attach the picture at the end.

Tonight is the Cornfest dance but earlier we went to the street fair stuff and sat with some really awesome people, one of which was a jolly giant he was really nice, they all were. It's always great when you can sit down with people you've never met and have a blast and wonderful conversations. The lady was a fire cracker like my mom, so I miss her.

She's been having some fun going rock climbing in jeeps and dirt races makes me envious wish I could be with her. So I can't wait to see again!

Not too much else, just going out the dance tonight and then headed to my dads tomorrow for some quality family time and Fathers Day, don't forget.

Office Party - Sharon Lang

2 layers chocolate // 1 layer vanilla // white chocolate buttercream // topped with chocolate covered strawberries // drizzled with chocolate // non-edible red ribbon around the bottom.

Live for the moments you have, remember the ones you had, and never miss out on the ones you'll regret!

iPhone 4

Today I got an iPhone 4g it's been interesting learning how to adjust to a touch screen but I've downloaded tons or apps and I'll be able to update you all with school and better photos since now I can do this on the go. It's going to be an interesting ride readers I hope you'll bare with me till I figure this out. It'd be great itd be great I'd blog spot came out with a free APP that made this easier for me to do. (Come on Blogspot(: Anyways time for bed, nothing too exciting for the day, Made some cakes, white chocolate buttercream and cookie cakes. Plus went to school and did that thing! Enjoy your night <3

Days.

School is coming to a close for this semester and after 11 weeks full of long days standing on my feet between both school and work, I'm VERY ready to sit down and relax. There are many adventures taking place in the next four weeks that will consume my LAST summer as a college student, at least for my first degree (been thinking about going back for a second)

The one and only Holland Cornfest starts Friday night! I'm packing my bags Friday morning for a fun-filled weekend of laughter, friends & family! I'm leaving Friday night when class is let out, driving three hours in the dark, which is a fear so I'm being brave! Saturday morning making breakfast for my loved ones then off to the creek to begin a weekend well DESERVED! So you won't be hearing from me till I get back and I'm not sure how I'll post pictures since the phone is dead, maybe tomorrow I will buy one!! (Any suggestions for AT&T? - I'd love something I can even do my blog on!)

Anyways next week is only full of more, plenty of girls nights to be had with my friends! And I've got a cake delivery this week (Friday) and next week too (Saturday)! I need some dang business cards! But I need a logo first! All in due time but it would be great to have at least a few by Friday, if not no big deal.

Quote of the day:

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost to reach out eagerly without fear for newer and richer experience

- Eleanor Roosevelt.

Cakes!

I'm back in business and I've finally picked my domain & store front name!!! I will announce it once I have bought it though so it can't be taken. Things are really starting to turn around for me and look up again. I have surrounded myself with people who support my talent and skills, who let me enjoy life, who let me make my mistakes while still being there to help me up! Thank you everyone. Now I have a name & goal, I just need to figure out where I want to locate myself after school... any suggestions I would really love them. I would prefer something up north and a little less humid.

As for right now I'm baking from home! Today I delivered my first cake in a really long time, it was a Mardi Gra themed birthday cake for two of my friends celebrating together. (I'll also be doing their wedding cake in December!) This week I have another order & the following week one more!!! I really need to get some business cards made, even if it's just a basic one for now.

2 layer Confetti Cake// 1 layer Chocolate icing// 1 layer Vanilla icing

Purple, green & black fondant make the mask

Non-edible feathers & beads as decorations

The couple - Layne & Alex, celebrating a combined Mardi Gra themed birthday & both very big Saints fans. I hope you both & your guest enjoyed the cake as much I did making it.

Ahh;

So obviously we all know that I'm not very good at keeping up with this anymore. Well let's update a little of the past month that I only found time to write once. But don't worry I have gathered all my recipes together and I will be able to leave one a day for the remainder of the month. Today starts my finals so it's been crazy busy getting ready for those!

Chocolate class has been interesting. I have been making some really neat things and loving the class. It's been teaching me patience and that it's okay to screw up because normally I give myself such hell over things that go wrong. Also I have not had a partner in the past couple weeks. She decided to not help me with production one day and well a friend of mine started yelling at her then I got some in because it really is a pain to work with chocolate alone. So she left for Kansas and never came back to chocolates, I'm not complaining I work better now than I ever had been with her. But things have been going great, we've been working on some amenity chocolate stands and today is our FINAL! We each create a replica amenity stand of the one Chef drew for us. Then we are producing two sets of truffles to be displayed on it, pictures tomorrow I hope. My camera did break a few weeks ago at a friends house.

Another update, new roomie from the Big Apple, all our friends have been calling her New York. She's really awesome though. We've been taking her out showing her the South, took her to the beach over Memorial Day. Went to a really neat Art Car Show in downtown it was really awesome too, so many hippies around -haha. And we are planning a few more in the near future before her and my roommate start working the games everyday! And some more Texas baseball, Red Soxs will be here the first weekend of July and I'm super pumped about it!

Well time to get ready, sorry there aren't any pictures for the day I've got to go on a new camera search before next quarter. Ohh one more thing, my cousin graduated high school and it wasn't till I was sitting in the stands that I realized I was a high school graduate in a few months I'd be a college graduate! It's amazing the times we realize we really are growing up.

Off to take my final, wish me luck! <3

Cool down

Now that things in life have started to cool down a little bit I can update. I don't have a lot of recipes to give anymore other than a few bread ones which I will post sometime. For those who know I was coughing like crazy and feeling like poo, I'm almost 100% better! It was just allergies kicking my butt!

April was a crazy month! May should start panning out a little better with "me" time! I am slowly starting my business and baking from home, I've got birthday cakes, wedding cakes and grooms cakes being asked for. I LOVE IT! It's like realizing your dreams are slowly coming true and waking up to the reality is still unreal! I've been making some really neat things in class and I love it. I've also been learning how to calm down and take it as a learning experience and realize that I can't always be as perfect as I'd like to be the first time. I take my curves as learning now and helping me grow to not make those mistakes. I'm studying as much as I can too.

Let's talk a little politics now! 5/1/2011 forever remember the soldiers who have fought for us, those who have passed for us, and the families who have raised these great men and women! I have a lot of friends and family that are soldiers and I want to thank them for everything, they have called me their Sunshine on a cloudy day but they are the ones who deserve the glory! Welcome back to those who are returning home, you have been incredible missed and loved beyond words. My last statement is "Thank a soldier, not obama, he wasn't the one fighting, he was the one cutting budgets to soldiers who saved the country"

So today was great and productive! Tomorrow Midterms start!!! I'm nervous but I've been studying so I think I've got this, I need this for my grade, Big Time! Just two more quarters then it's time to wear my second cap and gown! WH11P!!! I've got 6 weeks left in this quarter, 12 hours next quarter then my last quarter of 15 hours! To even say I graduate this soon makes my heart skip a beat and my stomach fill with butterflies!

I hope all is well with my readers! I love you all for the support you send me, your my sunshines and the reason I keep writing. I promise to get better.

-xoxo

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."

— Dr. Seuss (Oh, the Places You'll Go!)

CRAZY right now!

Holy Moly has life gotten extremely CRAZY since I've been back from Virginia! I've gone from barely having one job to having an awesome full on job working at the Tanning & Spa place! It's been really great, I'm getting the hours I need and making a pretty good amount, plus perks are great and the people are better! And big time bonus the rising gas prices don't phase me right now because I'm less than half a mile from work I can see it from my apartment window! Pretty ballin'! As for the job that barely gave me hours I'm quitting this week I love the people I work with but it's not as fun and as rewarding as it once was. And of course my biggest job right now is School! I'm taking two lab class, Chocolate Confections & Centerpieces and Artisan Breads! Both are really awesome classes! I have 4 recipes for you today from the Chocolate class, TRUFFLES! They are really good too! I plan on attempting to make some this week for the girls at work. I will give you bread recipes tomorrow. I say that but I'm going to try really hard between school and work my only free days are Sundays, Wednesdays (some) and every other Saturday. Sunday is the only day I have nothing to do which is nice I just do chores that have piled up like homework and homework that has piled up too. I'm also in a club called The Great Chef's Club and we just had a really awesome dinner Saturday night! The chefs did an amazing job! And the people I got to serve were really excellent people!

Eventually I'll get around to being completely organized it's only Week 2 so I've got at least another week to get organized and figure out a gym schedule since I don't need to be anywhere until 9AM on some days and later than that on others.

As for Baltimore and Virginia! HOLY words don't explain how great this trip was! I was nervous at first meeting all these new people and seeing my friend again that I haven't seen in probably 5+ years! But there was nothing to be nervous about I fit right in like we had known each other for years! In fact we are organizing two more trips this year, one is me going back there for a middle school/ MIZZOU/ Baltimore reunion and all of them packing their bags to come down here in the fall to stay with me. I think we are going to the coast and renting a house there and just having a blast. It'd be really awesome if every year we tried getting together again at least once! One of the girls has already said she is just going to move in because I was studying at the pool yesterday and she was inside studying. And we have a master awesome plan for her visit too! We are redoing a 90s music video! Ohh man that's gonna be fun. So I believe my next investment with either be an Xbox 360 w/ kinect or a video camera, dang I wish it could be my birthday again! shucks.

Well now it's time for your recipes and photos of the final product I hope you enjoy!

Chai Tea Truffles

6 oz heavy cream

2 bags of tea (i used orange spice)

2 tsp vanilla extract

milk - as needed

2 oz glucose syrup

12 oz milk chocolate, chopped

1 oz butter, very soft

milk chocolate - as needed for precoating and coating

dark chocolate - as needed for filagree

Coffee Truffles

6 oz heavy cream

1/2 oz coffee ground

2 oz glucose syrup

14 oz dark chocolate, chopped

1 1/2 oz butter, very soft

1 1/2 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlua)

dark chocolate - as needed for precoacting and coating

chocolate - as need for chocolate curls garnish

Amaretti Truffles

5 oz heavy cream

11 oz milk chocolate, chopped

1/2 oz butter

1 1/4 oz amaretto liqueur

dark chocolate - as needed for precating and coating

roasted pine nuts for garnish

Rochers

500 grams (g) slivered almonds

20 g liqueur

50 g powdered sugar

70 g melted cocoa butter

100 g tempered milk chocolate

H

Control

We can not control our lives sometimes, the events that happen, that change us, that shape us, we can only look at them as positive thing even though they may hurt. Last month I lost a really great guy due to my stupid past and things I can't change. Last night I lost the friend that helped me through that hard time. I'm not sure where all this is going next but all I can do is keep my head up and moving forward. It's like black & white movies, we see dull colors but when we really look between and we imagine, it is then that we see the beauty within. I'll find my colors again and even though this really hurts I am still having a wonderful life and enjoying every minute. I feel a little better now too talking about it, thanks for reading. And thank you for continuing to follow.

Today and tomorrow are full of work and preparations for my flight Thursday! Cleaning everything I can today, getting a new ID, then working till 9PM. Tomorrow finishing the cleaning, finally checking in at the airport, work, BumbleBee Choir and ending it with an AMAZINGGG game of baseball between the Astros & RED SOXS!!! Still need to find 2 more people to take, my friend was able to get 4 tickets! Super amazing! Thursday I leave at 330PM! Can't wait to head up North, I hear they got a little snow so that may be cool to see, as long as it goes away after the first night haha. Plan on bringing this gorgeous Texas sun with me.

For todays recipe I went back to my old recipe book from before school, it's really good!!!

Banana Fudge Marble Cake

All purpose flour 2 1/2 cups

Sugar 1 3/4 cups

Baking powder 2 1/2 tsp

Milk 1 1/3 cups

Butter, soft 1/2 cup

Vanilla extract 2 tsp

Eggs 2 or 3

Bananas, mashed 1 cup

Water 1/2 cup

Frosting:

Banana Instant pudding mix 1 package

Whipped topping 1/2 cup

Milk 1 1/4 cups

Banana 1

Lemon Juice

Good Morning

Morning Readers. Goodness isn't it a wonderful morning! It's my "Spring" Break and I got to wake up 8AM, made my self two fried-hard eggs, two slices of toast & a glass of orange juice. I'm not in any rush because I don't work till 11AM either, only day "killer" is I'll be working 11-5 at my first job then 5-8 at my second... did I mention I have to drive in 5 o'clock DOWNTOWN traffic to get to the second, yuck! That's an update you might not know, I now have Two jobs, still at McAlister's but now at Planet Beach Contempo Spa [& tanning]. The new one has been pretty nice, the owner is MIZZOU graduate so that's cool and he isn't as intimidating anymore because of this, since that was my first pick for schools.

So I passed my pastry final, got an 85%, I'm a little upset because I know I should have done better and so does my Chef but I still got an A- in the class. Thursday we had our final for American Regional and I passed but the scariest thing happened... my Chef Spit out my food! I nearly wanted to cry until he started laughing and saying he forgot to mention the crawfish was freezer burnt and the bad taste was just from that. The dish itself was good between the rice and the seasoning, I made Crawfish Etouffee. But at least now I know how it feels to have your food spit out and that's a reaction I NEVER want to happen again!

Since I have been a bad blogger I'm going to aim for every day this week until Friday when I won't be back until Monday. I'll be taking my first flight [alone] to Virginia to spend 5 days with one of my best friends since 7th grade. I may have the chance to cook with a Chef at the bar and I created 4 menu items plus a dessert for them with help from the guys in class. We are also going to go buy Charm City Cakes in Baltimore because that's where I'll be flying in. But until the trip I have work today till Wednesday! Included with a new military ID today, Spa Day & checking-in at the airport tomorrow, then my BumbleBee Choir on Wednesday followed by free tickets to the exhibition game between the astros and BOSTON RED SOXS! Yes I do pick the soxs over the 'stros, sorry Houston fans.

All in all it's going to be an awesome "spring" break! I already spent this weekend in ATX to see my bestie before he moves to Kentucky, and who knows when I will see him again. I never made it to 6th St. with them though because my 'nap' turned into sleeping until 130AM, so needless to say I just watched a movie and got to see all the drunks come home it was still fun.

Time to finish breakfast & start getting work ready. Make yourself a good breakfast and have a good day!

Recipe for Angel Food Cake, a wonderful springtime treat

Cocoa Powder 1 oz

Warm water 2 fl oz

Vanilla extract 2 tsp

Sugar 12 oz

Cake flour, sifted 3.5 oz

Salt 1/4 tsp

Egg whites 12

Cream of tartar 2 tsp

Add some strawberry sauce and strawberries, or another fresh fruit and enjoy!

Favorite Things

My favorite thing about life: having the wonderful people I know in it. Thanks for all the pick-me-ups you have all blessed me with. Today proved that through Darkness there comes Light. It was raining horribly almost all day! But three o'clock came around and the sun started peering through, by four PM it was Gorgeous! The sun was out, the breeze was cool and the birds sang. I got to see one of my VERY good friends who I haven't in a long time. We went and buffed up our nails and ate some Johnny C's! [my birthday present from her, wonderful!] It's amazing to think about what God can do with darkness, and I hope that in the time to come my dark cloud because a ray of sunlight again!

My other favorite thing is paying bills and doing it with peace! When you can open that check book and pay the bills and still see dollar signs! I am blessed. Every little thing helps right now and I'm hoping to get my small dessert business up and running by the summer, so like June! If you need em let me know! I'm also still trying to come up with a Name. I've thought about Cakery but still unsure about it; AHhh! Any help would be WONDERFUL!

Another favorite thing - MOVING! I graduate in December of this year and I've decided I will be looking into different apprenticeships... in EUROPE!!! I want to study some more in chocolates and/or sugar art. I will be in a chocolate/centerpiece class and a sugar art club next quarter [about a month from now] so I will be able which I would like to do, if not both. Not sure how long I will be there, my plan is fly out in Jan or Feb of 2012 then work/live/eat there till I want to come back. Then I'm either going to the Northeast or Colorado, apparently my nonpolar bear self wants to live in a colder climate haha!

As for everything else, TOMORROW is my FINAL in Pastries! I am absolutely, positively NERVOUS! I got to see how it would be today and I will succeed tomorrow! I have no fear just butterflies! [keep your fingers crossed] So school is great, work is work it may be changing or becoming two jobs but that is still undetermined. And as for the life in general I'm finding new happiness but I'm still lost in the past trying to figure the things I could have changed. A very good friend of mine doesn't speak to me anymore, I've asked if I have done something and still no reply. It hurts so bad, I want to apologize even if it solves nothing I just want that person to know I'm very sorry for whatever it may be and hope that we can still go grab that drink. No more sadness talk! Virginia in almost TWO weeks! Before I leave I will try having all the recipes out for my lovely [&handsome] readers! I appreciate your loyal following!

Going to see KISS in concert with my DADDY-O & Lil' Bro tomorrow!!!

Have a great week Loves!

About time...

for me to finally post! So things have been great and things have been rough but I'm slowly getting through it all. Let's just start with the good. I'm finally 21! YAAA! March 1st was my birthday and I went to the Zoo with my wonderful roomie. A friend & her fiancée were supposed to be with us but they got there before me and it took me 40 minutes to park! So by the time I did she was having to leave for work, lame. But there are plenty more first Tuesdays we can go! It was a lot of fun and I got a toucan! He is adorable, and sadly not real. After we went to dinner with a group of my friends I got some bath stuff [bubble bath, whoop!] and a bottle of Disaronno, can't wait to try that and see what I can cook up with it too. My mom also got me a bottle of wine and a wonderful wine glass to go with it! Roomie got me a French press, coffee glass and four AWESOME I Love Lucy shot glasses because let's face it, I do. I got wonderful birthday cards [thanks family] but that's all I can currently think of, sorry if anything has been left out. I got myself an awesome present [other than coloring my hair] I bought my first plane ticket! It was NERVE racking and exciting and I'm still excited every time I think about it.

anywhos After dinner which was the worst service ever! I wrote our names on the hostess list and my friend got our menus BUT there was a gay fight that got the cops called so that was pretty spectacular to see. So after, we went to a bar where the night starts to blur but I had to friends helping me walk out at the end of the night so I hear that means it was good, and it was I have pictures and videos and stories! Ohh man! Thanks everyone who came! I did cry some over that someone but go figure I still miss him and wish he could have been there. The next morning, brutal! Then I had choir that night and felt a lot better!

So that all sounded great and wonderful. Thursday night I enjoyed my first legal beer at my favorite restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings and it tasted better not looking over my shoulder and worrying about getting caught. Friday went to a pretty cool Irish bar with a friend and had a fun time there new experience and the stares were great people did not think I was legal, the door guy said I only looked 13, yeah not so much. I just replied nope I'm 14!

And now Saturday, where things got a wee bit sour. It was Beerfest! And round two for my celebration. I went back home to party with friends there but lets get back to that. Changed my brakes with my dad pretty fun experience then we went to Beerfest. That was so cool my dad was teaching me about the difference between beers and everything in between awesome experience. The band playing was a Journey Tribute band so that was really cool but the night got Cold so my roomie & her bf & I went to the bar avenue to get pizza before everyone started coming out. My favorite pizza place! Quesadilla pizza YUM! I also got to sing Bennie & the Jets standing on the chairs at this pizza place! Such a great time.

The sour events, received text from people who were bailing out! In fact all but one, not including my roommate Bailed. For the second time my birthday plans back home FELL through the floor. WOW! Makes me reevaluate the people I want to be hanging out with. But my roomie had friends come and eat with us then we went to Spoons Yogurt & decided I was going to bail on my own plans and make the best of what I had, two people I had just met. We all went and played pool and had a wonderful time!

I'm still pretty hurt by everyone who said they would come or who lied about why they couldn't or whatever be the reason. I'm the type of friend/person who would jump threw hoops! Or not matter how exhausted I would be there. So yesterday really sucked I couldn't stop thinking about it then he came back into my head and I hate that I lost him. But one day, soon I hope, I can be okay again. With the support of the good people I still have in my life.

And now for today! It's "pre" finals week!!! Which means today in BP we did a production lab, made the Chiffon Cake, Eclairs & Swiss Buttercream for our final next week. I take my Tuesday and I steward for two girls on Monday. Chef said I was one of the strongest that's why I get to do double the work, I'll take that as a compliment! Tomorrow we have a practice day, we get to choose some things to make that we need to work on or didn't do so well on previously. Haven't decided what I'm going to make yet other than pastry cream since I messed that up at home and it's part of the final next week. Other than school, a nap and work. Just the usual routine but I'm home and my homework can wait for Wednesday when I will get hopefully it ALL done! If not half is better than none. But I'm going to sleep early tonight I only got 4 hours last night.

I hope tonights post wasn't terrible Debbie Downed. But this is also where I am free to say anything I just hope you can accept that and maybe even give me some advice to get through the rough spot I'm currently in. Now off to my crossword puzzles/wordy gurdy/jumble/sudoku/&bed.

Night Loves.

Almost there!

So every time that I go more than a day without blogging I truly feel horrible! I'm sorry readers and I know I'm behind on the American Regional recipes but I will sit down and write them all out for you! Heck school will be ending soon then what will I have to share besides the recipes I create at home. It has just been so busy around here, from school to work and straight to sleep. I picked up a shift Saturday then had a movie night and started my homework, it's almost done. I got a little side tracked tonight I watched "You Again" such a great movie! I recommend this one, pretty darn good chick flick, I think you guys could handle it too.

Well the birthday is quickly approaching, Tuesday the 1st! Holy moly I can't believe I'm finally turning 21! Almost there. I don't know if I'm more nervous or excited. I think I'm excited for it but I'm nervous it's just going to wind up another disaster, hopefully not. And I'm not trying to think it will, trying to think positive and just stay happy and enjoy myself. Also Tuesday is payday and that will be real nice to have on the birthday day uuuuntil I pay bills, all well. Just remember "Work to live, don't live to work." And just me I don't want to!

Well now that it's a little later and Criminal Minds has me even MORE sidetracked from my journal homework I'm going to say Goodnight to all. Enjoy your night.

I don't have a good quote for the day nothing I found really fit. If you can find one let me know it.

Streaks.

Well just 5 more WONDERFUL days until my birthday! The big 21! So today I did the first step to party preparations - Hair color! I didn't change my color just added some low lights, blonde! WOW! It's blonde! She said it would fade which is good but I love the cut and the color and it was just $57! You aren't misreading that! Love my new streaks.

I also did a little shopping before the appointment, trying to find a birthday outfit for the Zoo and bar Tuesday. Then Beerfest & the bar strip Saturday night. AND Virginia! I'm found some super cute shoes that if I don't get for the bday I'll be buying with my student loan, that needs to really get here! Ohh and something for St. Patrick's day! Ohh man March is PACKED of fun fun fun activities! So back to the shopping - I found two really cute shirts and I broke down and bought both because I couldn't decide and they were both on sale for like $12 well I got one for a PENNY and the other for $12 all together I spent $14 it was a GREAT deal. I'm still looking for some things but I figure I'll go drive around this big town on Saturday and find somethings.

Other than a wonderful ending to my day, I cleaned my apartment - minus the dishes and my room but the rest looks Great. I did however miss my Choir class with my little Bumblebees :( I was really sad about that and I feel like a Jerk for missing it. I hope they forgive me when I see them next week!

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go."

-Dr. Seuss

If you haven't discovered it already he is my favorite author to quote! (:

Flights

And now it's Tuesday! I have a few recipes for you from the Woodblock [pastry lab] but we will get to those soon.

Monday.

Class was great I was in charge of making the plated dessert, Angel Food Cake with stewed berries, crispy, chocolate decor & chantilly cream. I also got to take the left overs home and it's still super good! My friend even agreed it was good! We had it with blueberry sauce in class and raspberry sauce at home. Sadly I only have one left so I'm debating on when to eat it, ha! Also made a Nobilis Torte and Puff Pastry Dough, wasn't a very full day but it was good.

After class short 45 minute nap then work. Wasn't too bad got done an hour early went home and watched a movie [& ate that angel food cake] We watched Red, if you haven't seen it I don't recommend it. If you have, did you like it? So Monday wasn't the most eventful just long hours standing on my feet. But here are Day One recipes.

Monday Recipes:

Angel Food Cake: Cocoa powder 1oz, water-warm 2 fl oz, vanilla extract 2 tsp, sugar 12 oz, cake flour-sifted 3.5 oz, salt 1/4 tsp, egg whites 12, cream of tartar 2 tsp.

It's recommended to cut the recipe in half.

Puff Pastry: salt 0.5 oz, water-chilled 10.5 fl oz, AP flour 20.5 oz, butter-soft 4.5 oz, butter-cold 1 lb, AP flour 1 oz

You do not have to proof this dough so you can make it at home. It is the dough used for the Apple Strudels too.

Nobilis Torte:

Hazelnut & Cherry Meringue Cake: Cake flour-sifted 4oz, hazelnuts-toasted/chopped 8oz, hazelnut flour 3 oz, powdered sugar 7 oz, dried cherries-chopped 5 oz, egg whites 16 oz, sugar 1/2lb

Hazelnut Cream: Traditional french buttercream 1lb [if you need the recipe again let me know], hazelnut paste-creamed 6oz, sheet gelatin-softened 11 grams, heavy cream-soft peaks 2 cups

Cover with an apricot glaze & toasted almonds.

[Plated dessert and the Nobilis Torte. The Nobilis wasn't finished until Day Two though.]

Now it's Tuesday.

We had a lot to do in class so we weren't able to plate any desserts, we were preparing desserts for the Chinese travelers coming tomorrow, they may be ambassadors, not sure what Chef said, just that they were important and we had to make sweets. We finished the Puff Pastry dough to make a Napoleon, scrapes made Palimer cookies [so good], finished the Nobilis Torte & boxed it. Financiar, Blueberry Muffins I got to make them YUM with streusel, which is what starbucks does so HA! I don't need to buy my favorite muffins anymore. And a Petite Apple Tart. I'm also posting a picture of a boxed portion of the Sacher Torte from last week.

So I made the muffins and holy crap they looked so good! It's making me hungry thinking about them. We couldn't take any because they were made for the visitors as was everything else except the Nobilis Torte. The Palimer cookies were really good, they are supposed to be cooked so that they caramelize which makes them look burnt, the darker the better. Chef's favorite is the burnt burnt ones.

Once again after class, nap time it was about an hour this time, then off to work and as an added bonus I got to be there an hour longer than scheduled. Now I'm home! And tomorrow is Wonderful -HumpDay- Wednesday! No work, no school & birthday preparations! I'm getting my haircut [finally!] then getting a couple new clothes, probably not much never find what I really want but I do know what I want, so wish me luck! And now Day Two recipes!

Tuesday's Recipes:

Cream Filled Napoleons: Puff pastry 1lb 14oz, grand marnier or rum 1.5 fl oz, pastry cream 2 lb, sugar -as needed, powdered sugar -as needed

If you need the pastry cream recipe again let me know.

Palimer cookies: Puff pastry and sugar

Financiar: Powdered sugar 12.5 oz, almond flour 4.5 oz, AP flour 4.75 oz, baking powder 2/3 tsp, vanilla extract 2 tsp, brown butter [burne noisette] 6.75 oz, egg whites 12

Petite Apple Tart: Puff pastry, apples-thin sliced, ground cinnamon

BlueBerry Muffins! AP flour 8 oz, sugar 5oz, baking powder 2 tsp, salt 1/4 tsp, eggs 2, milk 8 fl oz, butter-melted [substitute Oil] 2 fl oz, vanilla extract 1 tsp, blueberries 5 oz, lemon zest 1/2 Tbsp

Streusel: AP flour 1lb, cinnamon-ground 1 tsp, salt 1 tsp, brown sugar 5.5 oz, sugar 4 oz, butter-cold 12 oz.

The streusel is topped on the blueberry muffins before baking. It's just like though $4.00 Starbucks muffins, but home made and DELICIOUS! And cost less to make and you get MORE!

[Napoleon, Palimer Cookies, Financiar]

[Petite Apple Tart, Blueberry Muffins with Streusel & Boxed Sacher Torte]

Ohh and the title Flights comes from the excitement I have to be taking my first plane ride by myself! I'm going to Virginia to see a very old friend of mine. We haven't seen each other for more than a day in more than nine years. It's going to be a blast! I fly into Baltimore then hopefully Day Two I'll be making my way to Charm City Cakes! Cross you fingers! That's all for now.

Buona Notte

Family

So I haven't posted since Wednesday but I had a lot to do before my family got here Friday afternoon. My mom came up from El Paso on a long 11 hour drive and my dad brought my brother up so he could spend time with us too. As well as the family dog and my cat, so there was quiet an apartment full this weekend! But it was great to be surrounded by the ones you love and love you back. We didn't do a whole lot of going out. Friday my mom came up to work and we ate there then I had to work a little. My brother got here about 730 so we went and rented movies and picked up some pizza and sat down as a family. It was really nice since that hasn't happened in a long time with my mom being stationed so far out. Saturday I made Eclairs for a friends party and brought my mom and little brother. They were worried because most of the people were going to be mid twenties but they fit in well and seemed to have a lot of fun. Plus as an added bonus my Eclairs were a HIT! Both of which made me really happy. Now we are just relaxing, they are starting to pack up, I have to finish my journal before heading to work, then movie night back at the neighbors. It was a great weekend too short when you spend it with family but I'm glad I got to! Definitely what I needed after the last month I had and all the happenings in that.

Just eight more days until my birthday and I'm getting more and more excited as I count them down. And another bonus! I have been talking to an old friend from middle school who I've remained friends with through the years and with his family, and the end of March I'm hopefully! flying out to Virginia to spend the weekend there! And I fly into Baltimore so hopefully Friday morning I can swing by Charm City Cakes and meet those wonderful people and maybe talk about an internship! I'm probably going to order a small cake too if I can pull it off.

I know you're probably wondering where the recipes are for American Regional but I don't have them but when I get them, you'll get them.

"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." ~Erma Bombeck

Yogurt!

I've discovered that ending Church nights with frozen yogurt is the way to go! I was in the music room tonight singing with the kids which really makes me happy. Love my little BumbleBees. Today was just church, chores and homework, pretty lazy day but I really enjoyed sleeping in until 12:30, that felt so good!

I know I didn't write Monday or Tuesday but in class we only did preparing on Monday and finishing on Tuesday so I was going to post Tuesday but I didn't get to it. Kind of had a rough night after work. I went to pick up my pan and bowl from his house and I thought I could handle it but turns out I wasn't yet ready. Found out the tears were only hiding but in time it will get easier and I'm okay with that. So back to talking about school and not the "love" life.

Monday was a prep day for Tuesday when the pastries would be completed. I figured it'd be easier to combine both the days recipes for everyone. I brought my A game both days and knocked my danish dough out of the park! We made the dough on day one then made the danish pastries on day two, cream cheese and raspberry filled, Chef got pulled away from the oven so my snail spun danishs sadly burnt he felt really bad because they were really good looking. We had to roll then out and twist them then spin them into snails, eyeglasses and "S" mine were coming out really good too! We also did a Sacher Torte, which was more experience working with chocolate. And our plated dessert this week was a delicious Apple Strudel with caramel sauce, ice cream and a crispy. There was supposed to be a sugar decor with it but Chef wasn't able to make it because too many people kept calling him away. The plate still came out good, I did two just for fun!

Danish Dough

Ingredients: Instant yeast 1 oz, Water 14 fl oz, All purpose flour 2lb, sugar 4 oz, dry milk powder 1.25 oz, vanilla extract 0.5 fl oz, eggs 2, butter-soft 3 oz, salt 0.6 oz, butter-cold 1lb 6 oz

Cream Cheese Filling

Ingredients: Cream cheese 12 oz, sugar 2 oz, eggs 2, vanilla extract 0.25 fl oz, lemon zest-grated fine ½ tsp, pastry flour 1.5 oz

French Ice Cream base

Ingredients: Whole milk 10 fl oz, heavy cream 7 fl oz, egg yolks 3, sugar 3.5 oz, corn syrup 0.5 oz, ice cream stabilizer 1 tsp

Apple Strudel (filling only)

Ingredients: Apples 1lb 8 oz, lemon juice 0.5 fl oz, sugar 8 oz, cinnamon-ground 1 tsp, butter-melted 4 fl oz

Sacher Torte

Ingredients: All purpose flour 10 oz, cocoa powder 3 oz, butter-soft 12.5 oz, sugar 18oz, egg yolks 14, hazelnuts-toasted/ground 3 oz, egg whites 14. Filled with apricot jam, topped with apricot glaze then Ganache

[Left to right: Snail Croissant, "S" Croissant, Eyeglass Croissant]

[Plated Dessert]

Not a whole lot going on right now, just going to school early in the morning, taking a nap for about an hour, then off to work till about 8. Then sleep and repeat. Mom is coming this weekend and my little brother too so I can't wait for that! I could really use some hugs from my mommy! They give the best hugs and I really need that right now. Friend are wonderful but they can't always give you what your family can. Making Eclairs for the dinner party on Saturday at a friends apartment, also a neighbor of ours, should be a good time! Well tomorrow is the Texas Region in American Regional. Ohh and just TWELVE more days until my birthday! That is less than two weeks! So looking forward to a bottle of champagne, the zoo then the bar that night with wonderful people!

Until we speak again, have a wonderful night and day!

Cupcake War & Pictures

So they are a day late but here are the pictures from class on Monday & Tuesday. I made the Mousseline Torte & the Classic Chocolate Truffles. The Croissants were absolutely DElicious! And so was the White Chocolate Buttercream, white chocolate is my absolute FAVorite thing!

[left to right: Mousseline Torte, Mousseline Torte, Classic Chocolate Truffles]

[left to right: Croissants, Chocolate Croissants, Chiffon Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream]

Next are the posted pictures from my Midterm in American Regional. Where not only did I pass, but I plated my main dish with a burned hand. Yup! I got my second injury of this quarter. I was frustrated with the amount of room we had to cook, twelve people on five stoves! I had two burners & maybe five pots to work with. I just wasn't thinking clearly and went to turn the handle on the table and burned my left hand, from my thumb up my index finger along with the second and third. I was pretty proud of myself for still continuing and plating, it's amazing what drive does.

Now TODAY! What a GREAT day! I went to CoupleCake Wars with three friends! CoupleCake Wars is a new annual event that donates to the Food Bank here in town. They donated $10,000 to it and 100% of the profits on one of their cupcakes went to the Food Bank as well! It was such a great cause. Seven couples competed for the title Cupcake Couple 2011! They had to write letters on how they met, come up with a valentine's day theme & a display. Also, they earned points playing the "Newlywed Game" it was adorable. After the long 15 minutes of decorating the judges did the judging and the couples explained the story behind their theme, some stories brought a warm feeling to my heart. I thought a theme I would have done if had the chance, it's a pretty cute one too. But I got to meet Candice Nelson, the founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes & the judge on Cupcake Wars. Well now I'm watching Cupcake Wars with my roommate & after meeting her it's pretty crazy to watch her! She is really tall by the way! So we had a great time, the "Rascal Flatts" couple one, they met on Match.com, so their theme was a box of matches, that said the perfect match. They had some really awesome cupcakes, CHICKEN & WAFFLES! It was topped with a ChickfilA nugget, so cool but I didn't get a chance to try it, sounded tasty though.

Pictures will be posted when my roommate post them, because the one I want to show it Aggie Cute! LOVE IT! Just went to work after that and now it's journal writing time.

Updated

Let's get updated once more! I have the recipes from Monday/Tuesday and it was MIDTERM week! We took a written midterm on Monday morning & there was a math portion! EEK! Luckily I had some previous help doing the conversions from the Guy, so I would like to Thank him! I did miss 5 on the question portion of the test, I think I passed all the math part but not sure yet, I'll know tomorrow or Monday! *Cross your fingers* The AWESOME thing that has happened this week has to do with the once again EBOOKS! [ahhhh] Well I walked in to the bookstore to get a Red Bull and there on the counter sat the On Baking book I want to own not in Ebook form. It was being sold back by a dad whose son had dropped out! His loss, my gain! I just feel bad for the dad because he was really nice and our books cost quite a pretty penny. So I asked if he may have the American Regional book too - and WHAM! He sold it to me for $20! And the lady in the bookstore was able to take the $20 off my account! Holy Crap! Thank God I wanted a Red Bull! -it was delicious by the way.

And Wednesday night was great too! It was the first night of volunteering at the Church! I'm with the PreK choir/music kids right now and they are cute. It's the BumbleBee group so all these little ones were dressed up, so adorable! Not much other than a little excitement here and there. I did fight with a friend and I apologized because I was in the wrong & I jumped the gun before I should have. Hopefully it's all worked out and we are back to before then.

Tomorrow I will post the pictures of the desserts from Monday & Tuesday because the camera is still in the car. And I'll post them with the dishes I make tomorrow for my American Regional Midterm. Today was awesome by the way because since we didn't have to cook we went to a different lab and made breakfast! It was so awesome I LOVE SCHOOL! And I perfected my biscuits! They were MUCH better this time! And now your recipes from Day One & Two!

Day One:

-cut the Mousseline Torte from Week 4 platted and boxed.

-cut the Cheesecake

Classic Chocolate Truffles (this is really easy & really good!)

Dark chocolate 1lb

Butter 1/2lb

Heavy Cream 1 cup

Brandy/bourbon/liqueur 2fl oz

Pipe the truffles and refrigerate until Day Two.

Croissant Dough- this is a laminated dough and pretty tough but the result is all the worth!

Sugar 4 oz

Salt 1 oz

Dry milk powder 1 oz

Egg 1

Water, ice cold 18 fl oz

Vanilla extract 1 tsp

Instant yeast 1 oz

Bread flour 2 lb

Butter, soft 2 lb

Day Two:

-Rolled out and cut the croissant dough and rolled in

-Plain

-Chocolate

-Ham & Cheese

-Finished Truffles

-Rolled into balls

-Tempered chocolate, then coated truffles in two coasts

-Made a Chiffon Cake (Orange Zest Chiffon from a previous week)

-with White Chocolate Buttercream

Granulated sugar 1lb 14 oz

Water 8fl oz

Egg whites 9

Butter, soft 2 lb 6 oz

White creme de cacao 3 fl oz

White chocolate, melted 8 oz

There wasn't much these two days due to the Midterm! But still a great week for playing with chocolate! But again cross those fingers, I need to get this "B" back to my "A." Also got my classes for next quarter! Chocolate confection & centerpieces AND Artisan Breads.

Feeling Better

So Friday wasn't the greatest day there could have been, but it happened and now it's over time to dust it all off and start a new trail. The weekend was rough so I was glad to get to school this morning. Although it's midterm week! AH! I was up until 230AM working on my homework and trying to study but there was no use my brain was fried. We did some pretty cool things in class this morning but I'll have to give them to you tomorrow, they are in the car again! Sorry readers. Other things today work was long and boring!

But the end of the night was fun, a friend came over we watched Breakfast Club, LOVE IT! And he did a couple magic card tricks, they were really cool! BUUUT they startle me so much! But now it's time to go to bed because I have to get up early again and do the same thing tomorrow, up early, school, nap [maybe], work, SLEEP! Can't wait for Wednesday relaxing half the day then Church Choir for kids! Finally getting plugged into the church!

Ohh & Betty White is on TV, I hope she lives forever! LOVE HER!

Goodnight.

Mend.

No school today. No snow today. No ice today. Why was school cancelled? LAME! Surprised that someone is actually upset over missing school? Well it's my favorite thing. Umm nothing really to say, did my homework except one journal. Rented movies with the Roomie & now I'm a Glee fan, sorry haters! It's an art thing.

As for everything else. The Question has been answered, & a heart will mend in due time. I had the best times and times I will never forget! Thanks for showing me things and being here for me.

This may confuse some but that's okay I just needed to write it so it's not beating on my chest.

"There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning"

Snow...?

I WAS PROMISED SNOW! AND REALLY WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN!!! It could be a pretend White Christmas!

So we had classes this morning unlike a lot of the schools surrounding us. Did it snow? No. Did it even sleet [aka Texas Snow]? NO! Was it cold? Yes! That's it! Luckily work got cancelled for me, so I have THREE days off! Which I need, I still have a pile of homework sitting on the table and plenty of relaxing to catch up on. Just hoping to get that Student Loan check in [aka monopoly money] so I don't have to worry about rent too much. And I'm also looking into Study Abroad, choices are Summer - Beijing, China or Orvieto, Italy in the Fall. If I take the Fall I will either not walk at Graduation since I'll be coming back from Italy or I will have to push my graduation back one quarter... I will take either of those two options because I would absolutely LOVE the chance to see Italy! The only downfall I wouldn't be able to make a wedding cake from a friend of mine but she told me she would rather I go to Italy. So cross your fingers!

As for school today we have reached the Central Plains, that's all you readers from Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Nebraska, & a few others. We made a whole lot but I don't have the recipes for many of them because the menu that was set for today we didn't do since there is a chance of not having class tomorrow. Here is the list of what we DID make today and if you want the recipes just comment and let me know that you want it. I will however give you the recipe for Brownie Pudding Cake that I made and everyone really liked! So the things we made were: Corn & Wild Rice Cakes, Kansas city Style Ribs w/ Steak Fries, Brussel Sprouts & Mushrooms & Macaroni, Deep Dish Pizza, Beef & Barley Soup & the DEEELICIOUS Brownie Pudding Cake. However I do have a pictures of the Soup and Cakes. It was a wild random day in class today! Chef just wanted to get as many things cooked as we could today AND bonus he bought everyone a drink from the Deli to go with our meal! Super awesome Chef - I think so! Just wait till you see the picture of him at the end! He wore the coolest hat but took it off because of haters in the hall!

No work today because there is a chance we won't be open tomorrow so I would be prepping for nothing and just wasting food. So I got to take a really long nap then watched the telly, absolutely nothing seemed to be on today and I didn't do any homework HA! I will knock it all out tomorrow, it's my next day off. Hopefully I can just stay focused long enough. I did however make my famous Cookie Cake! YUM. Tomorrow night finally talking about the past three weeks & making the next move. Not sure how the night will go but I will take whatever happens as a lesson and hold my head high and stay positive. I trust God and His plan for me, my faith is in His hands. Until then enjoy the recipe [I highly recommend this cake too it was SO GOOD!] & the pictures!

Brownie Pudding Cake:

All-purpose flour 1 cup

Cocoa powder 2/3 cup

Baking powder 3/4 tsp

Salt 3/4 tsp

Sugar 1 cup

Butter, melted 6 Tbsp

Heavy cream 1/2 cup

Eggs 2

Vanilla extract 1 tsp

Water, boiling 1 1/3 cup

Brown sugar 3/4 cup

[Beef & Barley Soup. And Corn & Wild Rice Cakes - they look nasty but if made correctly aren't too bad]

& this is our Chef in his AWESOME hat! If you're hating you should probably stop drinking your Haterade and recognize! ;)

Recipes from last week!

Happy Groundhog Day! Hope you aren't suffering from the rolling power outages or cold winds! Glad it's my day off, I'll only be leaving to get a few groceries and some aspirin, if I decide to face the wind! So you know I haven't been able to get you the recipes from my American Regional class last week due to EBooks being one of the worst things invented! But now I have the new version updated and the books back so NOW you CAN have the recipes from Week 3, Cajun & Creole week! This was such a DEEEELICIOUS week too! You'll get the recipes and right under a picture of it so that there is no confusion! Enjoy!

DAY ONE

Chicken & Andouille Gumbo:

Seasoning:

Salt & pepper 1/2 tsp each

Cayenne 1/2 tsp

White pepper 1/2 tsp

Paprika 1/2 tsp

Garlic powder 1/2 tsp

Gumbo:

Chicken thigh meat (1in dice) 2 cups

Onion (1/4in dice) 1 cup

Green bell pepper (1/4in dice) 1 cup

Celery (1/4in dice) 3/4 cup

All-purpose flour 1 1/4 cup

Vegetable oil - as needed

Chicken stock 7 cups

Andouille (1/4in dice) 1 1/2 cups

Garlic, minced 1 tsp

Salt & pepper - to taste

Fried fish in Pearly Meal Remoulade:

White fish fillets 4

Cold milk 1 cup

Deep frying vegetable oil - As needed

Yellow corn flour 1 cup

Yellow corn Meal 1 cup

Salt 1 1/2 tsp

Black pepper 1/4 tsp

Cayenne - Pinch

Romaine lettuce 1 cup

Remoulade Sauce 1 cup [recipe to follow]

Remoulade Sauce:

Green onion 4-5

Celery 1/2 cup

Parsley spring 2

Creole mustard 3 Tbsp

Paprika 1 Tbsp

Salt 1 tsp

Black pepper 1/2 tsp

White wine vinegar 1/3 cup

Lemon juice 1 1/2 Tbsp

Basil, chopped 1 tsp

Olive oil 3/4 cup

Green onion (1/4in dice) 1

Celery (1/4in dice) 2 Tbsp

Parsley, find chopped 1 Tbsp

Basic Boiled Rice:

Long grain rice 1 cup

cold water 2 cups

Salt 1 tsp

Butter 1 tsp

This is the center of the Crawfish Etouffee'

Crawfish Etouffee':

Butter 6 Tbsp

All-purpose flour 1/4 cup

Onion (1/2in dice) 1 cup

Green bell pepper (1/2in dice) 1/2 cup

Celery (1/2in dice) 1/2 cup

Garlic, minced 1 Tbsp

Crawfish tale 1 1/2 cup

Crawfish fat/butter 6 Tbsp

Salt 1 tsp

Black pepper 1/4 tsp

Cayenne 1/4 tsp

Lemon juice 1/4 tsp

Green onion tops (thin sliced) 1/3 cup

Parsley, minced 1 Tbsp

Fish stock 3 cups

You can also make Okra to top off the entire plate

Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce:

Bread Pudding:

Milke 1 cup 6Tbsp

French bread 2 cups (needs to be set out for a day, 1 1/2in dice)

Egg, beaten 1

Sugar 1/3 cup

Vanilla extract 1 1/2 tsp

Cinnamon 1 tsp

Nutmeg 1/4 tsp

Brown Sugar 2 Tbsp

Butter 1 1/2 Tbsp

Whiskey Sauce:

Butter 1/4 cup

Confectioner sugar 1/4 cup

Egg, beaten 1

Bourbon 1/4 cup (we added double that)

DAY TWO:

Red Beans & Rice:

Red beans 2 cups

Onion (1/4in dice) 1 cup

Green onion, chop 1/4 cup

Green bell pepper (1/4in dice) 1/4 cup

Parsley, minced 1 Tbsp

Ham (1/2in cubes) 1 cup

Bacon (1/2 in cubes) 3/4 cup

Ham hock 1

Salt 1/2 Tbsp

Black pepper 1/2 tsp

Garlic, minced 1/2 Tbsp

Cayenne - Pinch

Red pepper flakes - Pinch

Bay leaf 1

thyme 1/2 tsp

Basil - Pinch

Water or Stock 1 1/4 qts

[photo not of our teams]

Creole Jambalaya:

Vegetable oil 2 Tbsp

Chicken 1

Onions (1/2in dice) 4 cups

Green bell peppers (1/2in dice) 2/3 cup

Green onions, thin slice 3/4 cup

Garlic, minced 1 Tbsp

Parsley, minced 2 Tbsp

Baked ham (1/2in dice) 3/4 cup

Lean pork (1/2in cubes) 1 1/2 cup

Smoked sausage (1/2in slices) 3 cups

Salt 2 tsp

Black pepper 1/2 tsp

Cayenne 1/4 tsp

Chili powder 1/2 tsp

Bay leaves, crushed 2

Thyme 1/4 tsp

Mace 1/8 tsp

Rice 1 1/2 cup

Chicken stock 3 cups

Fried Oyster Po'Boy

Oysters, shucked 24

Salt & Black pepper - To taste

All purpose flour - As needed

Egg wash - As needed

Bread crumbs - As needed

French bread (6 inch sections) 4

Iceberg lettuce, shredded 2 cups

Tomato, sliced 2

Lemons 2

Vegetable oil - As needed

Remoulade Sauce - From Day One - As desired

We also made Pecan Pralines and since one of our girls on the team is from Louisiana we decided to use her recipe not the books because Chef said the books really wasn't all that grand. And I also found some Peach & Blueberry Cobbler in the class fridge so I made Country Biscuits from scratch, they were SOOOO GOOD! I love that we are allowed to cook whatever we want sometimes! I love school and my team and my Chefs and my classes! So I know this was a lot of information for one blog but we are now officially all up to date on recipes! If you have any to share with me please go ahead and let me know I love trying new things, whether it's food or dessert! And the last picture is of my car remember how I said it got post-it note attacked, well it wasn't a full on attack or anything but it sure got hit.

Have a wonderful day everyone! I'm going to finish some homework, just THREE journals left! I'm almost caught up! Then it's movie/game night with some friends.

Bon Appetit!