Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas cookies

Family and friends is a large part of Christmas for many of us. We share times of laughter, we share food and we share love between one another. One past time that most of us remember and see in movies often are the memories of baking cookies. I have also taken up this tradition a few years ago and in this season of giving I would like to share a recipe for Coconut Macaroons. This year they were by far my favorite in the cluster of cookies that I assembled.

Coconut Macaroons:

Recipe courtesy Glenn and Lisa Marie Van Dyck, changes made by Nadia Chernichenko

1 lb. 2 oz. Semisweet Chocolate, Chopped
9 oz. Unsweetened Chocolate, Chopped
9 Egg Whites
2 1/4 Cups Superfine Sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. Vanilla
12 cups coconut,
* I used half unsweetened and half sweetened

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line sheet pans with parchment. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

Beat the egg whites in a standing mixer to soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and beat on high speed to stiff peaks. Mix in the vanilla. Turn the mixer down and slowly incorporate the melted chocolate.

Pour chocolate mixture in a large bowl. Fold in the coconut. Use a 1 inch cookie scoop to portion onto the sheet pans.

Bake for about 12 minutes, if you over bake them they will be really dry. Be Careful.

Well, I hope you still have time to add these to your plate and if not I am sure that Santa would be grateful.

Cookies and Milk, hope.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

It's a fact


It's interesting to me that when I hear an educated person say the same thing I believe in, it makes more sense. It's as if my thoughts turn from an estimated guess to an actual fact. So the fact of the matter, is that I have been believing that the beginning of the week is the best time to be the most productive in the tasks that are most important. On a scale of priorities, my home needs to be clean and somewhat organized and free of clutter in order for me to function better. I have known this and have been cleaning my home on Mondays for years and only this week did it turn from "a thing that I did" to a "proved fact" that I heard on the radio this week.

So ladies, pick your priorities and do them in the beginning of the week. "You will feel more relieved, less overwhelmed and likely to have more free time for the things you enjoy". It turns out, that it's a fact.

Being Wednesday already, I am excited to finally tackle my creative side. First off, I ordered my Christmas Card online and finished my letter for my stocking. Next up, were those DARN shirts. It took out a large chunk of my day but putting away the sewing machine was the best feeling so far. One deep breath could finally be taken.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Walking on Clouds


"Walking on Clouds" is when a person is so happy (or maybe so in love) that you seem to float/not care/not pay attention to anything else around you. This is what I felt like on Thursday.

Due to my previous commitments I baked my heart out in the shape of puffs. There were cheese puffs for a ladies breakfast and sugar puffs for a Friday lunch. Intently, I concentrated on filling, coating, and decorating the sugar treats. So much so that by the end I thoughtlessly put them out in the garage. The problem was that it has been extremely cold, and a little creature created a home under the warmth of our lawn mower. I could honestly say that God showed up for me in a time when I was JUST.NOT. THINKING. It's as if he laid a shield of protection over my two foot tower of perfection and while one got saved the other dessert got eaten. It definitely got my attention in both ways but I had no mercy for that little mouse.


Weekends are different for me, in comparison to the rest of the week. It's a time when I stop scheduling and just let things come and go as they please. Saturday was my Christmas party and it was the perfect day for it too.


The turn out was great and after eating a breakfast of "Caramelized onion waffles with smoked salmon and eggs in a lemon cream sauce" we were ready to open gifts. The theme was Scarves, in light of a season when they become such an accessory.

Soon after that it became a little more casual and laid back. Some had to leave and some had no other place to be. Chatting away (as most girls do), I shared my hair ideas on them.




Well, I made it to Sunday. It was a filled day of Christmas shopping with my time-deprived kids and having company over but at the end of the day,when I watched the movie "Julie and Julia" I realized that while people were relating to Julie, I was relating to Julia Child's. She was different then the rest and she knew it, she was collected, driven and excited about it. I was both touched and inspired because the movie proves the very point of what I believe and that is that "our efforts aspire to something".

Believing, hope.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

One set at a time

One step at a time, one foot in front of another was the motto for my day. And even though I have not done anything yet I took a large portion of my day just to think. Thinking and writing gets my thoughts in order and when things are in the right order, seldom can they overwhelm.

Creatively though I made the letters for my stockings. It was relaxing and I enjoyed the peace.

The next few days will be hectic, but the fun kind where your surrounded by people and laughter. I feel like have a lot going on and am trying to keep my mind focused on today's priorities instead of tomorrow's.

Hoping for enough time and self motivation.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Autumn Fever

Just in case you are staying a little more indoors lately, there is a recipe for that.

For the days when you stand by your window with a hot cup of coffee and hold it ever so tightly as you watch the leaves swirl in the wind. The cool air is almost felt through the threads of your shirt and the thought of a sweater feels comfortable.

This kind of day, was yesterday and the idea of enjoying some home made pancakes sounded good to me. But not just any kind of pancake the oatmeal kind, with apples, walnuts and warm maple syrup to bring the flavor of fall from the outside to the inside. I just had to share them with you.


My favorite Oatmeal Pancakes

2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup oatmeal (quick oats)
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts

Pour milk over the oats. Add the oil and eggs, then the remaining ingredients. Using a 1/4 measuring cup pour the batter onto the hot griddle and place the apples and walnuts on each pancake. Flip over and let the pancake finish off cooking and browning the walnuts.

Note: I usually make an extra batch to store in the freezer. For easy and fast enjoyments, just
pop them into the toaster.

Autumn, hope.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Do the Twist


This is a simple hair idea I came up for the days when my hair has not been washed. Despite that, errands still need to be done and things need to be taken care of so for those days in my life I have this to fall back on.


It kind of explains itself but for those who need details, I parted my hair to the side that best suites me and teased it along the top of my head to create volume. I did a twist to on one of the sides, continued it along the back and all the way to the other side. I continued to twist it around and wrapped it to make a bun. My hair is light enough to pin with bobby pins, but you can play around to figure out something that works for you.

Do you have a hairstyle that you rely on? Share your ideas.

Hairspray, hope

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Crepe Stacks

My friend, Jess came across this great idea for serving Crepes. In this particular magazine, Crepes were spread with filling and stacked on top of each other. This was a very different approach in comparison to the traditional method of folding the filled crepes. Being a carb lover I like it when my crepe can to stand up to the filling and to play the same importance on the plate. Aside from that it is also a great "make-ahead" meal that can serve a crowd. It is easy, breezy and beautiful.


Crepe Recipe:

3/4 cup flour
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
melted butter

Sift together four, sugar and salt into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, then add milk and mix well. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture, mixing until the batter is smooth.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Brush pan with butter. Raise the pan off the heat and pour enough batter (3/4 of a laddle full) to coat the pan, swirling to spread the batter evenly. Cook for about a minute and then flip and lightly brown the other side.

Filling:

1 container cottage cheese
1/2 cup sugar, more or less depending on desired sweetness

Place the cottage cheese and sugar in a food processor and blend until it has the consistency of cream. Note: Chopped nuts, dried fruit and/or chocolate can be added to the mix.

1 jar of jam, I choose apricot
1/4 cup water

Place the jam in a now clean food processor and blend with water so that it has a better spreading consistency.

Assembly:

In turn, spread cottage cheese in a thin layer on the crepe. Add another one on top and spread evenly with the jam. Continue until all the crepes are used up, and bake covered for 15-20 minutes in a 350 F oven.

This recipe is definitely safe, but as I continue to experiment with different fillings I will try to keep you posted....

Stacked up, hope.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

BIrthday wishes


Walmart is another place where their wanting little eyes meet my affordability. Going shopping with Jenny reminded me of what being a kid meant. She wanted chocolate coated bananas, candy apples, jello cups along with the cake for dessert. She enjoyed pigs in blankets, ants on logs, bagel pizzas and peanut butter jellies. Food was definitely a part of her birthday and we had a blast just shopping for it. With the food and cake prepared the party was able to get started.



Monday, October 12, 2009

My littlest pony

Every princess needs a pony and every girl who pretends to be a princess wants what they have. My daughter was no exception and her little desires became her birthday wish. So with the shake of my spoon I attempted to make her a "pony cake", because after all she is our little princess.



Unfortunately, the head fell off later on in the day and as I struggled to attach the fondant mess melting in my hands I had to make a quick decision and find a new position for it. One fixed problem revealed a new one and because there were sticks holding the head up there were places where the fondant tore. I was quite upset at this point and completely exhausted so I covered up the mess with a porcelain plate. No one will see what they don't know.

Damaged, hope

Monday, October 5, 2009

Picture Potencial


Pictures. Paintings. Drawings. Scribbles. Art.

If your kids are at all like mine, you can relate with me that papers stacked with sweet "I love you's" are not always the ones to keep. How does one decide between the relatively similar pictures neatly piled on your desk? Of course, you could make the child choose one and file it away. You could frame it for a period of time until a better one comes along. Or, there is my option of buying a big. fat. sketchbook.

When ever one of my kids want to be an artist, they can take out the book and pour their creativity onto the pages of potential. This book will now contain the lives of my kids, their interests, their uniqueness, and of course their individual creativity. So, for me that was one problem that was solved and honestly, made me feel about twenty pages lighter.

Lighter, hope

Saturday, October 3, 2009

On top of my world


It was my birthday on the first and if there is any day that can make some one feel purposeful, this would be the day. The telephone rang the whole day, my message button blinked urgency and I must say it was nice to hear each persons voice. Presents spoken from distant hearts. Distance in miles is only a number for some and even in her chaotic stage, with a borrowed car and three kids my friend drove for hours to make it here for me. She looked exhausted but her face showed compassion and I love her for that. Of course, extreme measures don't always ring the loudest. Small gestures can exceed grandeur. Thoughts, cards, comments, hugs and the classic birthday tune make any one feel like they belong. Like they are needed. Like they exist.

Before all of this, when I just moved to Portland. I was alone. This created a great deal of pressure on my dear "Genius" but I figured if any one at all cared that I was born, it would be him. This year, he did what he does best. Building me some bedroom furniture was on top of my wish list, in addition to his hard work he took a day off to devote himself in making me happy. One of my favorite moments was on the roof-top of an Eco building. We discovered a area that we have never been on before, a place with a fire, chairs and a view of our favorite places downtown. It was around four-o'clock and conversation was becoming small-talk. Eager, I found a new way to create conversation for us when none is left.


Looking at the people below, I saw a lady carrying a florescent piece of paper and it began with that. Objects can remind us of our lives, that paper reminded me of the time "Genius" went to our daughter's class for a breakfast date. Apparently, the teacher Mrs. Lo made the best pancakes EVER, so much so that he asked for the recipe and made it for us the following week. I smiled at the memory but also envisioned the pink sheet of paper the recipe was written on.

"Genius's" memory went back to the year 2001, when we were dating. He was flying-in to meet my family in Canada and in order for him to know where we were my youngest brother wore a florescent yellow, Gap, fleece sweater to the airport. "Highlighted" there was no way someone could miss it, or even forget. Little did "Genius" know that a day would come where that sweater would be the trend of the season. Laugh it up, I said, you have one!

It went from fun to business, from work to family, from life to balance and from priorities to pleasure. We were above everything else, seeing memories and sharing time at the top of a building....I loved it!


Birthday, Hope.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall....

I have a friend who mentioned one time that if she had a chance she would hang up a mirror on every wall to reflect every once of light passed into her home (She's from California, so this explained her need for sun light). I on the other hand, wanted something new to look at on each wall. To have pictures, paint, photos, collections and mirrors working together to form interest. It took some time to realize that mirrors create there own interest depending on where they are hung. They can bring symmetry to a room, add drama and enhance spaces to places that light has never seen. Oprah's design team uses mirrors as table clothes on tables so that each sparkle on the plate shimmered more, each candle burned brighter and every piece of silverware illuminated itself. Mirrors have more potential than I gave them credit and I know that incorporating more of them in my home will come easy.


Last week, I ordered up a square mirror to hang over our sink. We have many windows in the kitchen by the table but none on the walls of the kitchen area itself. By placing a mirror there I was able to see the rest of the room and get some light in from the windows on the other side. Big thanks to my friend who saw the vision before I did, I couldn't have done it without you!

Note: If you like this idea and want to add it into your kitchen we used a kitchen caulking glue to set in on the tiles. Keep in mind that the only way to remove the mirror would be by breaking it and peeling off the glue. This is only for kitchens that have tile on them already, other wise use regular hanging methods.

Reflect, hope.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Friendly Food

One of my friends moved away about three years ago. I wish I could say that "we keep in touch", or that we have "gotten closer" but miles apart are strongly felt in our relationship. When one makes the effort to call, the conversations are amazing and I always wish that she could be back here, back from where I knew her, met her, hung out with her and woke her up in the mornings to say a bright hello. Its been a while now, but she always makes it a priority to come and visit for all the important things going on in each of her girl-friends life.

During one of our rare conversations, we talked about food. She was excited about a show she had just seen where the chef prepared a delicious, decadent, chocolate indulgent dessert. It was hard not to want it. I think I craved the very words that she used to describe this mouth-watering treat. Feeling like we needed to spend some time with each other we made a phone-date. We planned on face booking the recipe online and baking it together over the phone.

This Wednesday we did just that. It was easy to prepare so we chit-chatted over the noise of our kids and later when the pudding set for an hour in the oven we took that to our advantage and had a more serious conversation about life, love and God. Their were struggles in each of our lives and our hearts poured out concern. Let me just write that nothing cures concern better than warm, melting chocolate with amaretto cream and toasted almonds so the ending was sweet and pleasant.


Chocolate Sformato with Amaretto Whip Cream
Courtesty of Everyday Italian

Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk, divided
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 packet gelatin
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 (12-ounce) bag bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 tablespoon almond liqueur (recommended: Amaretto)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of the milk, the sugar, and vanilla. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle the gelatin over the remaining 1/2 cup cold milk and let dissolve for 2 minutes. Combine the cold milk and gelatin with the hot milk and sugar. Stir to dissolve the gelatin, about 5 minutes. (Heat the milk gently if the gelatin is not dissolving easily.) When the gelatin is dissolved combine the eggs with the warm milk, whisking constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or small pitcher.

Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over a double boiler. When the chocolate is melted gradually combine the milk and egg mixture with the melted chocolate, stirring between each addition to create a smooth chocolate mixture.

Pour the mixture into a buttered 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with the almonds. Place the casserole dish in a larger dish or roasting pan. Add hot water to the outer pan until the water comes halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Bake until the sides are firm and the center is jiggles slightly, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes.

Just before serving, whip the cream to soft peaks in a medium bowl using a whisk or electric hand mixer. Add the sugar and almond liqueur and whip to combine. Spoon the sformato into individual serving bowls and dollop the top with the almond liqueur whip cream.

Deep, sweet and always a treat. Hope.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Bottling up Potencial


The Nines is a ritzy, expensive and very luxurious hotel located in the center of down town Portland. Of course I am probably one of the thousands of viewers who have been awed by their website and as I looked through their photos, a particular one caught my eye. The room was called "The Pantry". Rows of shelves were lined with canned jars, lighten up they surrounded an island in the center of the room. They invited me in with their familiarity. The memories of my mom canning vegetables for the winter seemed so fresh in my mind and I decided to attempt the very thing that scared me. I have never canned nor had any interests regarding this hobby and as far as I was concerned it was on my list of things-I-don't-care-about along with quilting and scrap booking. Little did I know that a well-taken picture, along with a modern take on displaying jars would be an inspiration to me.

I proudly set my jars on the shelves, in my kitchen. Looking at them I saw more then pickles and tomatoes, I found potential. Potential for a cheap decorating idea, I saw empty bookshelves being filled with substance because sometimes old-fashioned just needs a chance to be updated. The ninth did that for me. A new take on a soon to be trend? Don't bottle up your thoughts now, give me some feed back or just check the site http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/photos/index.html?propertyID=1757#photo_section_5Link I am sure you will find some kind of inspiration.....

A new take on, hope.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Life Journal


I got the Life Journal
http://store.lifejournal.cc/ a little over a year ago. Little did I know that I would be actually be changed. The road to change is a road of struggle but I have heard that struggles build up people and I believe in that.

Life Journal

You help me see a different side of myself, a person no one else knows but God. Bringing me down to my knees as a sinner that I am. I become exposed but I am grateful for your abrupt and direct honesty that holds nothing back. This leads to anger, mostly at myself but ironically I value your words and admire your emotion. I have known you to be understanding, to be patient and through the year your strength astounds me, frustrates me and challenges me. Most of the time I don't understand myself. You tend to impress me, confuse me and then stir me up. By the end I am all rattled up because the things I thought I knew become the things I don't. I know that only you can do this to me and my weaknesses are strongest when you are around. Words are written with the purpose of letting everything go and holding nothing back from you. I am waiting for change, making the time and hoping for everything.

Struggling, hope.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Finger-licious

I try to make a new type of cake once a year. Its a small enough commitment to keep so it has worked well for the time being. I enjoy making something new because new things push me to be better.

Birthday's seem to be a great opportunity for that but I stay away from over decorating because my daughter's birthday is three week's away so I save my creative efforts for her. It seems that "Genius" just wants something sweet to eat and our daughter wants a cake to shine brighter then the sun. She wants sparkles, candles and anything that has glitter. Despite their differences they both want a frosting that you can like your fingers to and I think that this cake does just that.

"Gentle" Cake
Courtesy of my Russian Friends

Cake:
8 tbsp butter
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp honey
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp vinegar
2 cups flour
Canola oil

Melt the butter in a small pot. Add 1 cup sugar and 2 tbsp honey to the pot. Simmer the mixture on low for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, Beat 2 eggs for 2-3 minutes. In a separate small prep bowl dissolve the baking soda with the vinegar and stir it in with the eggs.

Add the butter mixture to the eggs, once it is incorporated add the flour. It will be thick and sticky. Divide the dough into 8 balls.

Take a square piece of foil and tape the corners. Brush the rolling pin and foil with oil. Place ball and roll until its thin and large enough to trace a 9-10 inch circle using a large stock pot lid as a cut out. Un-tape the corners and place the foil with the dough on it in a preheated 350 F. oven for just a few minutes until it browns. Take out and place it on a plate, removing the foil when it is cool enough to handle. Continue this with the rest of the dough but keep the scraps to make the ninth one to use for crumbs.

Cream:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8oz.) can of condensed milk
1 (8oz.) pkg. of cream cheese, softened
1 (8oz.) pkg. of cool whip, frozen and divided into 6 equal sections.

In a medium mixing bowl beat the butter until fluffy. Add the condensed milk and continue beating. Once incorporated add the cream cheese. Beat until combined and add in the cube of cool whip one at a time, beating well before adding more. Once all are in, beat for an extra minute so it can thicken.

Assemble the cake by taking a layer and adding cream to it, be careful not to add to much. Continue with all eight layers and frost the top and sides, decorate with crumbs and fruit.

Gentle, hope.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Olive Garden

Every time we go over to Olive garden I always pay attention to there photos that hang on the wall. I see people who enjoy their lives surrounded by food, wine and laughter. As I sit and wait for my meal I can't help but wonder if Italy is like the pictures hanging on these walls. A place with age, realness, authenticity and tradition. Captivated by their expressions I hoped to recreate the same atmosphere in our home for my husbands birthday this weekend. Take a look.


Of course there were moments out side of the table too....



My pictures are ready to be hung on the walls of dining area but sadly I need a lesson(or two) on "table setting time". I started on the right track, I did buy a few platters (Costco had a set, I couldn't help but buy) but I soon realized that I overestimated myself and even my plastic covered table had to be done with help. Despite my efforts I couldn't have a beautiful table to show you, so another day and another time. I need some learning to do.

Learning, hope.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Do the Doo

Check out the new doo. I was inspired by a friends hair and called to ask for directions for this big wave. Of course I think it looks much better on her, but that's because she owns this look. Me on the other hand will need some practice. Will you do the doo? Tell me your thoughts...


Doo, hope.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Charlotte's Web

A few months ago I read something inspiring to add to my life. A blogger wrote, "If you think that when I look through my window I see the same thing, think again." In that moment I realized that if each and every day is a new day, what new things do we see? I haven't even looked out my window in years, let alone see something different. Don't you think that if change can not be seen we can't build up our hope? Here in the Northwest it is hard to see beyond the rain so this will be a new direction for me.

Stepping through the door yesterday, to pick some herbs from our garden it was easy to spot the spider. My emotions always come late but the sound of my heart not beating was easy to notice. I felt my breath quicken as I ran to the garden which by now had become my hard earned, very deserved oregano.


Back at home I looked through my window, I knew I needed a execution plan and I contemplated the part where I hit it with a broom. It seemed that the chances of him getting me were too high in comparison to him leaving its web and entering our home so I decided to wait for "Genius". Yes, he will just have to deal with the intrusion made by our new guest.

Only this morning did it hit me that in "Charlotte's Web" the spider came to the farm to save it. Well...could it be, could the spider have picked me? I know it sounds like a fairy tale, but I was open to anything. I went to the door to see if she was still there and as I opened it my Charlotte was there. In that moment it took a "Charlotte" to realize that each morning there is change in something or someone. No day is the same and that there is hope for me today because I survived yesterday.

Good-day to you, hope.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Beeten down and tossed around


This is one of "Genius's" creations. To you it may just seem like a spinach and beet salad but from the comments that have been made it became a favorite repeat to our guests. Recently, some one even called to ask for the recipe. It definitely had enough hype to make it "blog worthy" so I want you to either try it, make it, love it or hate it.

3 lg. beets
Marinated in love

Slice the beets into rounds, about 1/4" inch thick. Generously toss them in olive oil and balsamic vinegar according to taste. Add chopped herbs like cilantro, parsley and basil (any will do, that's just what we usually have) Add 3 cloves garlic and sprinkle with salt and pepper also according to taste. Keep in mind that this is also the dressing so you want to have extra so don't hold back.

1 bag spinach
Tossed with onions and feta

Toss together and place on the grill, keeping the marinade in the bowl. Grill for about 15 minutes or until tender and place on a cutting board. Cut the beets into strips as soon as they are cool enough to handle (you will need them to wilt the spinach) Meanwhile add the spinach, crumbled feta and sliced red onions to the bowl with marinade, add the beets with any accumulated juices and toss.

Toss around, hope.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

From the pages of a magazine

Today was the first day of school for my seven-year-old, I was up early making sure he had everything he needed to send him on his way though the open doors of education. Feeling inspired, I decided to step forward and finally get some education on table-setting at a book store. This new desire came from a baby shower that I attended, where the table looked like it came from the pages of a magazine.

I realized that moment that if people can, I would be on a hunt to learn. The problem that I noticed that I do not own any "serving" dishes. Besides my soup plates, dinner and dessert plates I have a few mixing bowls but nothing else. No wonder my table looks thrown together....usually it's because it is.

So my visit at the store was unsuccessful. It turns out that Borders does not carry any books on tables so you and I are alone on this one. Regardless of my misfortune. I was there with both of my children, and story time was in an hour so I was willing to stick around and look through the pages of impossible.


Let me just tell you that I feel for all of you out there that don't have a clue about cooking or baking. I seemed to grasp that concept over continual practice but tables...that's this story. The story of assembling your creations to your guests appeal and as I flipped the pages of the book, I began to be overwhelmed by their ideas. By their work. Both creative and delicious.


Applying pictures, that seem impossible to become real in my kitchen would be my first step if I were writing a book. If I were to make the pages of the magazine be the pages of my food then I needed their visions to become my time. I now know that I can make my food appealing enough, now I just need the second part. A dish for the delish.

This is the beginning of my journey on serving so if you have any suggestions to make my life a little easier that would be awesome, other wise come along for the ride because the recipe for these is coming soon.

Serving, hope.