Saturday, January 31, 2009

be fearless & bake me happy

Many of you readers know that I love to cook, bake and enjoy fine cuisines, and that my cupboards are full of kitchen gadgets. So it should come as no surprise to you that since I have more "free time" on my hands, I've been getting my hands dirty in the kitchen whipping up new dishes and treats.

Recently I got together with my longtime friend Erica (no this isn't a typo) for a day of fellowship and baking. We set out to make Biscotti (Click for link{in bold} to the recipe. We used the almond extract version & added sliced almonds). This was my first time EVER baking Biscotti. We were so pleased because they turned out perfectly. I must say they are divine when you dunk them in your coffee. Biscotti was much easier to make than I anticipated. In fact, now it's become my "new thing" to bake.

Here's a picture of the first batch of Almond Biscotti I made at home on my own as a treat for my in law's travels; they turned out deliciously.
Below are a few pictures of the batch I made for my bible study, a new recipe, Chocolate Anise Biscotti from Giada De Laurentiis's cookbook Giada's Family Dinners.

Biscotti logs cooling before slicing and baking them for a second time.
Everything ALWAYS tastes better with chocolate!
Between my time with Erica, watching cooking shows while being sick at home this past week, and reading Julia Child's biography has lit my passion for cooking. Perhaps you'll be lucky and have the honor of trying my treats.

In the words of Julia Child in her book My Life In France, " This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook-try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!"

So... go, be fearless!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Welcoming 2009

It seemed like we barely finished opening gifts and it was time to ring in the new year. The saying is true that the years come and go more quickly when you're older. Looking back on the year, 2008 was an amazing year, filled with both joy and sorrow. Highlights include attending Lobby Days in Sacramento, having the medical scare, completing my thesis, finishing graduate school, having our first camping trip, attending church woman's retreats for the first time, saying goodbye to Yia-Yia, celebrating 5 years of marriage, joining a bible study after six years, Jay's camping trip with his family, having visits from those out of state and out of country, joining Jay's family in Oak Glen apple orchards, enjoying Thanksgiving with family, our wonderfully white snow day, and stretching out our Christmases to three. If you think you've missed any of these things, just view the archive list to your right.

We rung in the new year with our dear friends Neil and Katherine and their dog Gracie. We enjoyed our tradition with them of having dinner at Yard House and then playing games at their home until after midnight. Gracie also entertained us because she was convinced there was something behind the media unit that was going to get her. Once we realized we were fooled, we spent the rest of the time cracking up!

Wii makes you jump

"Jay I'm tellin you, there's something behind there."

"Let me at it!"


We anxiously await what God has planned for 2009. We hope that this new year you will be blessed in many ways!

Friday, January 9, 2009

It's A Wonderful Life

Well this year since Jay worked a lot we had to be more flexible with traditions. We ended up having three Christmas's. On Christmas Eve we joined my family for our traditional breakfast of baked eggs, but non traditionally had it for dinner! We also opened presents and went to my parents Christmas Eve service. On Christmas Day I spent with my family while Jay was at work. He then picked me up, just when Christina (Bryan's girlfriend) showed up, so we got to have her open our gifts. Then we headed to spend the rest of the day with Jay's family. We had a wonderful turkey dinner, opened presents, and enjoyed another tissue paper snowball fight. The following day, Jay & I had our own quiet Christmas together. I made a favorite Greek pasta dish (Myzethra) and we opened our presents to one another. Then the next day we headed to my family for a leftovers and game party. Although we had to do things a bit differently, we did enjoy ourselves and feel truly blessed. Enjoy all the sideshows of pictures.

In all our Christmas's the award for best reaction to a gift goes to....Sue/Mom! To her surprise I had been designing a blog that features her pottery. She wanted me to create one, but she had know idea that I already had been working on it.

What is this?
Actually, it's a web address to your own blog!

Picture of the year award; mom seriously had her mouth open like this for like three minutes!


A little choked up


Click on Treasures of Clay to view her blog or click on Sue's Treasures of Clay in the links column to the right.

On The First Day Of Christmas

On The Second Day Of Christmas

On The Third Day Of Christmas

Leftovers & Game Party

Just click on a picture to ENLARGE.