Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Back to School
IKF starts fall semester today. It was all I could do not to pack him a PB&J in a Smurf lunch box.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Weekend at the Drive In
To further celebrate IKF's birthday, on Friday we went to the Drive In movie theater he's been wanting to go to for months. Between our friends and family we had 7 cars and 15 people. So fun.
I think that I will always see movies this way in the future.
The Van Buren Drive In has the best carne asada burritos I can ever remember experiencing. It's a much more laid back atmosphere than a regular theatre, you can talk and laugh all you want without fear of bothering anyone. You can bring treats without having to sneek them in.
I think that I will always see movies this way in the future.
The Van Buren Drive In has the best carne asada burritos I can ever remember experiencing. It's a much more laid back atmosphere than a regular theatre, you can talk and laugh all you want without fear of bothering anyone. You can bring treats without having to sneek them in.
The movie we saw was The Other Guys. I had mixed feelings about it. There were some hilarious moments, like the explosion, made funnier by this clip of course. But several of the jokes took a turn for the dirty humor, which may have bothered me less if my parents and in laws hadn't been there... sorry about that.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart
When I asked IKF what he wanted for his birthday cake he said chocolatey chocolate covered in chocolate.
So I found a recipe for Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart with Chocolate Crust. I was a little wary, having never tried something like this before. My track record with any recipe including whipping cream is sketchy at best, despite my mad baking skills. However, this thing was easy enough for me to pull off and it turned out spectacular.
Therefore, in honor of my raging success at Chocolate Tart making, I give you..... the recipe (courtesy of epicurious.com).
Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Farenheit.
The Crust
- 9 Chocolate Graham Crackers ground to dust (about 1 cup)
- 5 Tbps. unsalted butter, melted (not burned, like my first try)... my crust was a little dry, I might up the butter a tad next time.
- 1/4 c. sugar
Mix the ingredients together in a medium bowl, preferrable with a wooden spoon, then press into a pie pan along the bottom and up the sides. (The original recipe calls for a fluted tart tin, which I do not possess, so I used a 9" glass pyrex pie dish and it worked just fine.) Bake for 10 minutes, allow to cool for 15 minutes.
The Filling
- 9 oz. bittersweet backing chocolate, chopped up (I used 56% cacao, which was perfect)
- 1 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
In a small sauce pan, bring the cream to a boil, then pour over the chocolate. Let it sit for 5 mins, softening and melting the chocolate. Meanwhile...
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Whisk together eggs, vanilla and salt in a small bowl.
When the cream/chocolate mixture melting time is up, stir gently until it is smooth, then add the egg mixture and stir again until smooth. Pour into cooled crust. Bake for 20 - 25 mins until firm around the edges. If the middle is still jiggly that's ok, it will set on its own. Let it cool for 1 hour on a wire rack.
The Glaze
- 1 3/4 oz bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped fine
- 2 Tbs heavy whipping cream
In a small sauce pan bring whipping cream to a boil then add the chocolate. Stir gently until smooth. Then add one at a time...
- 1 tsp. light corn syrup
- 1 Tbs warm water
Stir gently until smooth and pour over the cooled tart. Let cool on a rack for 1 hour.
I highly recommend it served with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.
{Original recipe, without my notes, available here.}
So I found a recipe for Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart with Chocolate Crust. I was a little wary, having never tried something like this before. My track record with any recipe including whipping cream is sketchy at best, despite my mad baking skills. However, this thing was easy enough for me to pull off and it turned out spectacular.
Therefore, in honor of my raging success at Chocolate Tart making, I give you..... the recipe (courtesy of epicurious.com).
Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Farenheit.
The Crust
- 9 Chocolate Graham Crackers ground to dust (about 1 cup)
- 5 Tbps. unsalted butter, melted (not burned, like my first try)... my crust was a little dry, I might up the butter a tad next time.
- 1/4 c. sugar
Mix the ingredients together in a medium bowl, preferrable with a wooden spoon, then press into a pie pan along the bottom and up the sides. (The original recipe calls for a fluted tart tin, which I do not possess, so I used a 9" glass pyrex pie dish and it worked just fine.) Bake for 10 minutes, allow to cool for 15 minutes.
The Filling
- 9 oz. bittersweet backing chocolate, chopped up (I used 56% cacao, which was perfect)
- 1 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
In a small sauce pan, bring the cream to a boil, then pour over the chocolate. Let it sit for 5 mins, softening and melting the chocolate. Meanwhile...
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Whisk together eggs, vanilla and salt in a small bowl.
When the cream/chocolate mixture melting time is up, stir gently until it is smooth, then add the egg mixture and stir again until smooth. Pour into cooled crust. Bake for 20 - 25 mins until firm around the edges. If the middle is still jiggly that's ok, it will set on its own. Let it cool for 1 hour on a wire rack.
The Glaze
- 1 3/4 oz bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped fine
- 2 Tbs heavy whipping cream
In a small sauce pan bring whipping cream to a boil then add the chocolate. Stir gently until smooth. Then add one at a time...
- 1 tsp. light corn syrup
- 1 Tbs warm water
Stir gently until smooth and pour over the cooled tart. Let cool on a rack for 1 hour.
I highly recommend it served with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.
{Original recipe, without my notes, available here.}
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Raising Sand
I don't post very very often about music, but that may change. Because I think about it a lot. It's just difficult to get it across on a blog, you know?
In 2007 Robert Plant and Alison Krauss collaborated on an album called Raising Sand, for which they won a Grammy for best album of the year.
It is spectacular. I find myself listening to it over and over again.
This is actually a great video that features brief commentary and interviews interspersed with snipets of the songs.
In 2007 Robert Plant and Alison Krauss collaborated on an album called Raising Sand, for which they won a Grammy for best album of the year.
It is spectacular. I find myself listening to it over and over again.
This is actually a great video that features brief commentary and interviews interspersed with snipets of the songs.
Just a hint of wallpaper
I love the idea of wall paper, but in practice, I often find that it overwhelms the room. Give the choice I'd usually go for clean, light colored walls to make the space feel airy and bright.
However, I love this idea of doing one small wall in wallpaper, particulary at the end of the hallway.... Enough to give it character, but not so much that the space feels closed in.
This especially works because the background color of the wallpaper matches the paint of the hallway.
{via Abbey Goes Design Scouting}
However, I love this idea of doing one small wall in wallpaper, particulary at the end of the hallway.... Enough to give it character, but not so much that the space feels closed in.
This especially works because the background color of the wallpaper matches the paint of the hallway.
{via Abbey Goes Design Scouting}
Gold Bar Clutch
Why didn't I think of this?
$99 seems a bit steep to me. I mean I know it looks like a gold bar, but its not.
$99 seems a bit steep to me. I mean I know it looks like a gold bar, but its not.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bob Dylan
I have a confession. I'm not a Dylan fan. I love his lyrics, I don't care for his voice. But, if he had been a poet instead of a musician, would anyone remember him?
I'm allergic... No you're not.
IKF is allergic to cats. This is his primary argument against owning one.
I say what's a little sneezing when you can one of these little balls of love curled up on your chest?
This week IKF had an appointment with the allergist to get tested and then treated for allergies. My first motive in encouraging this is to help my husband feel better and live sniffle free. My second is to eliminate the primary barrier between me and my future little fluff ball.
I say what's a little sneezing when you can one of these little balls of love curled up on your chest?
This week IKF had an appointment with the allergist to get tested and then treated for allergies. My first motive in encouraging this is to help my husband feel better and live sniffle free. My second is to eliminate the primary barrier between me and my future little fluff ball.
Yay for Birthdays!
Tomorrow is IKF's birthday.
Considering my festive nature and the natural excuse of a birthday to celebrate, I am having a difficult time restraining myself from hiring a bounce house and pony rides. I am SO excited for tomorrow. Possibly even more excited than I would be for my own birthday. I will not divulge my plans here, for fear of discovery, but this much I can assure you...
There will be cake, oh yes, there will be cake.
Considering my festive nature and the natural excuse of a birthday to celebrate, I am having a difficult time restraining myself from hiring a bounce house and pony rides. I am SO excited for tomorrow. Possibly even more excited than I would be for my own birthday. I will not divulge my plans here, for fear of discovery, but this much I can assure you...
There will be cake, oh yes, there will be cake.
The Boys
Today my brothers started school.
For Sam this is the beginning of his senior year. For Seth this is his first day of high school.
Not to be sentimental or anything, but geez. I watched these little guys grow up, you know? I'm 10 and 13 years older than them. I was there for the start of Kindergarten, when their lost their first tooth, I made them mac n cheese and put on Dumbo for them to watch over and over again.
It is even more fun to know them as grown up people though... To watch them develop personalities and accomplishments and trademarks all their own. They are remarkable people. Impressive in every way. I'm so proud of them.
Good luck guys. Love you.
For Sam this is the beginning of his senior year. For Seth this is his first day of high school.
Not to be sentimental or anything, but geez. I watched these little guys grow up, you know? I'm 10 and 13 years older than them. I was there for the start of Kindergarten, when their lost their first tooth, I made them mac n cheese and put on Dumbo for them to watch over and over again.
It is even more fun to know them as grown up people though... To watch them develop personalities and accomplishments and trademarks all their own. They are remarkable people. Impressive in every way. I'm so proud of them.
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Good luck guys. Love you.
Pardon my absence
Pardon my absence dear blogosphere.
I picked up a nasty cold and its done a number on me. I have spent the better part of the last three days clutching my water bottle and asking my dear husband to make me soup. I love that man.
In better news I think I can breathe again! Which means I might also be able to type. Stay tuned.
I picked up a nasty cold and its done a number on me. I have spent the better part of the last three days clutching my water bottle and asking my dear husband to make me soup. I love that man.
In better news I think I can breathe again! Which means I might also be able to type. Stay tuned.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Interior Barn Doors
IKF and I both agree that we want just a little bit of country in our lives.
I think these barn doors are genius - a little bit rustic, a little bit chic, a suprising design detail AND a space saver.
{Photos via you are my fave}
I think these barn doors are genius - a little bit rustic, a little bit chic, a suprising design detail AND a space saver.
{Photos via you are my fave}
Paper Lanterns
The giant paper lanterns in the front room of our apartment are one of my favorite design details. Ours are just the plain white spherical ones, although they come in three different sizes.
I love this collection with all of the different shapes of paper laterns. Note to self: Try this when I someday have a house with a staircase.
I love this collection with all of the different shapes of paper laterns. Note to self: Try this when I someday have a house with a staircase.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Moustache Mugs
Fun, fun, fun.
For years I've been wanting to throw a moustache party. Everyone would wear fake moustaches. We'd play pin the moustache on the face, we'd have an amazing moustache memory game. This is a fairly elaborate plan that I've concocted.
And these have inspired me even further. Perhaps as party favors?
For years I've been wanting to throw a moustache party. Everyone would wear fake moustaches. We'd play pin the moustache on the face, we'd have an amazing moustache memory game. This is a fairly elaborate plan that I've concocted.
And these have inspired me even further. Perhaps as party favors?
Commitment Is Liberating
Let me start by acknowledging that I've been married for a whole big solid two months now. I am infantile in the ways of the eternal relationship. My husband and I have shared a few raised eyebrows over who makes the bed in the morning, but we have not born children together, faced illness, conquered great trials or risen to heights that we never thought possible. Those things will come, I have no doubt, but for now our relationship is founded mostly on hope and faith. Faith in each other, faith that we made the right choice, and faith that God will see us through. Hope for our future, hope that we will rise to the occasion and hope that the changes we experience will be changes for the better.
Sometimes people ask me how I like being married. I enjoy it.
Sometimes people ask me if its been a big adjustment. I suppose it has, though it was an adjustment that I was ready for.
I was reading an article today, however, that encourages men to stop "hanging out" and start dating more. One of the arguments that the author made was that commitment is liberating. The ability to forego transitory flexibility and to focus on the person or the task at hand allows you enormous freedom and an increase of capacity. This sentiment rings true for me.
That is the biggest difference that I feel being married. There is a stability and a profound sense of peace that is not confining, as you might expect, but liberating. There is a foundation of trust and love that expands and broadens my life rather than limiting it.
Commitment is liberating. That's how I feel about marriage.
So here we are at the very beginning. And on we go...
Sometimes people ask me how I like being married. I enjoy it.
Sometimes people ask me if its been a big adjustment. I suppose it has, though it was an adjustment that I was ready for.
I was reading an article today, however, that encourages men to stop "hanging out" and start dating more. One of the arguments that the author made was that commitment is liberating. The ability to forego transitory flexibility and to focus on the person or the task at hand allows you enormous freedom and an increase of capacity. This sentiment rings true for me.
That is the biggest difference that I feel being married. There is a stability and a profound sense of peace that is not confining, as you might expect, but liberating. There is a foundation of trust and love that expands and broadens my life rather than limiting it.
Commitment is liberating. That's how I feel about marriage.
So here we are at the very beginning. And on we go...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Circus Animals
I used to love these pink and white cookies as a kid. LOVE. And what's not to love? Bright colors, fun animal shapes and rainbow sprinkles.
When I got to work this morning there was a bag of Circus Animal cookies in the kitchen. They are gone now. Apparently I'm not the only one who loves circus animals.
When I got to work this morning there was a bag of Circus Animal cookies in the kitchen. They are gone now. Apparently I'm not the only one who loves circus animals.
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