New Adventure

Over this past few weeks I have started to crotchet a dragon for my eldest. In the process I have gained a new love of crocheting. So that is why I am going to start crocheting purses. I know a crazy thing, but I think that it will actually be something that I will enjoy.  A revised sample coordinates the mod wallet.

First Signs of Spring

Taking a break today meant looking out the window to the pussy willow tree. Seeing the little flowers gave me hope that snow is surely gone for now until next winter. Will it or is there another blizzard on its way again. You can never get your hopes up too soon. But oh the promise of spring is here. 

My next baking adventure is going to bring on loaves of rye and wheat breads. Will let you know how those turn out.

Smell of Autumn in the Air

The smell of the fallen leaves and the crackle of the fire- are these the smells that remind you that the weather has officially changed into Autumn. Or is it the smell of apple cider being mulled?
 I know for me today as the weather is growing steadily colder today, I have a apple cider candle burning and bread dough rising in the bowl. 

Fondant made Easy

This week we celebrated my youngest child's first birthday. And instead of going to the store, purchasing the fondant, only to have it end up on the plate not eaten. I decided to make my own. I know something that most people would decide would be crazy to even try... but I did and it turned out wonderful. It was Marshmallow Fondant.  With only 4 ingredients being used it was so easy... Marshmallows, Powdered Sugar, Crisco for your hands, and 2 tbs of water.
Here is the link to the recipe that I found. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm

- A Sweet Tooth Break -

With all this writing, I thought it might be a good idea to grad some sugar and enjoy something sweet. If you have a favorite dessert go ahead and post the link. Always looking for something new to try.

this is the dessert that I made for Easter this year. Took the basic cheesecake recipe, changed, re-arranged, and livened it up a bit. Hope you enjoy the end result as much as I did.

Marble Cheesecake

Crust
9- whole graham crackers - broken into pieces
3 Tbs granulated sugar
6 Tbs unsalted butter- melted
1 tsp cinnamon

Filling: 
5 eggs
24oz cream cheese- softened
1 Tbs vanilla extract (used imitation, for that is what I have)
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 tsp table salt
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (I use Pensey's spices for all)
+ 5 Tbs hot water

For Crust:
on the next to lowest rack preheat oven to 325F. Spray or grease sides & bottom of 9" spring form pan. Pulse crackers, sugar and cinnamon in processor till you have crumbs. If not you will have to smoosh them to get it. Mix in butter. Spread by hand and spatula till smooth onto bottom of pan. Bake till fragrant and browned, about 15min. Cool.

For Filling 
In standing mixer, beat cream cheese till smooth, adding sugar into sections scraping sides as you go w/ spatula. Add extracts and juice to the bowl, stirring till mixed in. Add eggs one at a time until incorporated, then you add the cream, just till mixed. THEN you divide the mixture in half.
Separate bowl mix hot water and cocoa powder forming paste. In one of the batter bowls mix in the chocolate paste, mixing till smooth.

Assembly
You will have 2 different bowls of batter and will need two cups to use for scooping out the batter
Alternate starting in the center of the pan with each of the batters, will start to form rings like a tree, do this till all the batter is used.

Baking
Wrap pan w/ foil- double layer and place in a water bath (at least midway up the sides of the spring form, a roasting pan works great ) Bake till center is slightly wiggly will be about 1-1 12 hours. Keep in water bath for another 45min while it continues to cook. Take out of bath and let cool some more for about 3hrs. Then you wrap it in plastic wrap till chilled.

Well there you have it. Nothing for the dieters or faint of <3 . As a garnish I

added Blackberry compote to the top.

For the Blackberry Compote, used Cooks.com for the recipe. But left a cup of berries whole to be able to have a difference in texture.

When Life Throws You A Loop

When life throws you a loop, who do you turn to? What do you do to get through it?
Do you turn to the drink?
Do you turn to your God?
Do you just hope that everything turns out okay in the end?
Do you turn to family or the ones you love?


Since my newest nephew has just been born 11weeks premature, that is the thought that is going through my head. I know who I turn to. Myself, I turn to my God to listen to my prayers. I hold my own children closer, thanking God that I am able to enjoy their company even just one more day. 
When stress gets so bad in life, yes I do see why people want to numb everything so that the pain would go away. Who wants to have to deal with what life throws at you sometimes. To be able to just tune out the bad. 
What does that do to help with the situation though? How do you over come those obstetricals when you are not really all there?
Its one thing to numb the initial pain and shock, but to go from there, what is there?


Like in the case of my new nephew, thinking that the most intentional thing that my sister could do is make sure that the baby gets all the care that she can, become the advocate for her baby.  Making sure that he gets the best care that he can get. Not taking no as an answer unless all of the options have been exhausted. 

What does it mean to live intentionally

Have you ever heard of Dr. Randy Carlson and Intentional Living? I have and here and we are going to start living intentionally. Join me as we explore how to change the way we think about things. 

So sit back and lets figure this out together.