Friday, December 31, 2010

Toes in the sand! (day 2)


Yesterday was a wonderful, sunny day! I finally got to wiggle my toes in the warm, soft sand! This is one of my favorite things about the beach! We stayed at the beach all day! I love laying the warm sand, soaking up the sun rays until you can barely stand the heat! Then you run to the refreshing ocean and jump in! Awesome! Yesterday was wonderful, but I was drained and exhausted and went to bed early and slept wonderfully! Here are a few beach pictures!














Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Hawaii here I come!


It’s finally here! I’ve been waiting for this day to come! My parents left for Maui (ya that's right, Maui, Hawaii!) on the 23rd. my sister, Erika, and I joined them today for two weeks of wonderful relaxing, fun filled weeks of sunshine, barbecues, sunsets, and just plain laying in the soft sand doing nothing!!! I’m sooo excited! some of my friends are going to be with us, and that sweetens the pie just perfectly!


To start our trip off , Erika and I began at a little train station way out in nowhereville!I’m telling you, it was like I’d been stuck in a twilight zone! It was so neat. Imagine you walk in from the rain , tugging your luggage. Complete silence, except for the pitter patter rain outside and the constant tick of the clock. You walk up to the counter , and, behind the glass there sits and elderly, sweet, old man wearing a conductor’s hat. Are you there? Well, after sitting doing nothing for about half a hour, You hear a loud train whistle. Everyone ( all ten of them) rush to the platform, ready to get aboard the huffing puffing engine. I loved it!


DSC00170 DSC00168 DSC00174




After two and half hours of stopping at every little town between olympia and Portland, we finally made it to our destination! Our very nice friends picked us up and generously let us spend the night at their house, (which was soooooo fun!) and then drove us the airport! Thank you Feliciano's!!! DSC00184 Our flight started boarding at 8:00. So we got to the airport around 7:15. We had a very easy time through security surprisingly! I was really tired because I barely slept the night before:)! So the plane ride seemed really short!DSC00183


Erika was having fun with her camera! Hence the picture! Well, anyway my parents picked us up from the airport! I didn’t realize how much I had missed them and Ronni and Dylan until I saw them! Dylan was soooo sweet, he kept wanting to give Erika and Me kisses and hugs and just hold our hand! I love him sooo much! So that was pretty much our first day! I already miss everybody but I’m sure I’m going to have a great time anyway!:) DSC00187 This is the view from our condo! I’m pretty blessed!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Red Velvet Cupcakes!

I don't know what it is about these single serving sized, cute and delicious cakes, but, in my personal opinion, I think cupcakes take the cake! My favorite is red velvet with cream cheese frosting. YUM! There is something about this dense, velvety, chocolaty, cake smothered in creamy, buttery frosting that just makes you close your eyes and want that wonderful feeling of happiness and perfect contentedness to linger for just a few more moments. I can taste it right now! Well, any way, back to earth!


I will post my recipe for red velvet cake. I've tried a couple and most of them tasted plain and ordinary, but then a good friend of mine gave me her recipe, that she got from a friend years ago, who got it from her mom (those recipes are always the best!). This recipe really is good! You should try it... Red Velvet cake is suppose to be very moist.


Red Velvet cake is said to have originated in the early 20th century and is traditionally a southern dessert. However, it really became popular in the 40's during war time. Bakers used boild beets because food coloring was scarce, to inhance the color of their cakes. Red velvet is normally serve with a creamy white frosting, cream cheese being my favorite hope you enjoy the recipe!

Red Velvet Cake

1/2 cp crisco
2 Tbs cocoa
2 eggs
1 1/2 cp sugar
2 1/4 flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs vinegar
2 oz red dye

1 cp butter milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp butter flavoring
1 tsp baking soda


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In the bowl of a mixer, cream together the shortening, eggs and sugar. In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa and food coloring. Add the paste to the shortening mixture. Sift the flour and salt together . Add to the batter alternately with the buttermilk in 3 additions. Add the vanilla extract. Fold in the baking soda and vinegar. Pour the batter into 2 greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let cool on a cooling rack. Invert the cakes from the pans.































Thursday, December 9, 2010

Schools Out!!!!




Hello Everyone, It's been a while! Well, My last class for this quarter was yesterday! Whew!!! Although I enjoyed school very much, it was extremely taxing mentally. Not just the homework... I have learned a lot though, and now I can actually start baking! Hurrah! I probably won't be starting the program till Spring, though. This will give me a little break.

I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite cookies for the season; The Almond Bonbon! a soft butter cookie filled with almond paste, glazed in a sweet almond frosting. These make perfect presents, and a fresh warm plate of home baked cookies is always an excellent way to let someone know you're thinking about them.

Almond Bonbons

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 package almond paste

Almond Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
4 to 5 teaspoons milk

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. In large bowl, beat flour, butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons, milk and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Cut almond paste into 1/2-inch slices; cut each slice into fourths.

2. Shape 1-inch ball of dough around each piece of almond paste. Gently roll to form ball. On un greased cookie sheet, place balls about 1 inch apart.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set and bottom is golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4. In small bowl, mix all glaze ingredients with spoon until smooth. Dip tops of cookies into glaze; sprinkle with sugar crystals.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

An Amazing Autumn.....

Autumn is my favorite season! I live in Washington and I actually love the rain! I know I'm weird but I love walking in the pouring rain! It is so refreshing and rejuvenating! One of my very favorite things in the fall is driving in the afternoon when the sun just reflects the brown, red, and orange colored leaves, leaving a warm glow on everything. You roll down the window to a fresh, crispy breeze. So nice!! Well, this fall has been rainy, but today the sun broke through and made a lovely day for the kids to rake leaves. Dylan didn't do much raking but he sure did love the leaves!


Dylan having fun in the leaves!




Wednesday, November 3, 2010

School Update.....


I've been off in the world of business math for the last hour! Wow! My brain is exhausted! I'm seeing SOTD- n x (n+1) / 2 when I close my eyes! I'm learning all about loans and interest! Very interesting! If some one takes a loan out at 7.2% if you make installments instead of paying it all off, you are actually paying 14.4 %! Interesting huh? Well, enough about math!
I made my first Informative speech on Monday, Nov 1st, which was All Saint's Day. Which was very appropriate seeing I did my speech on the great Reformer, Martin Luther. Exactly 493 years and one day before this, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five thesis on the church door in Whittenburg, Germany. This type of speech is strictly factual and can in no way be persuasive.It went very well! I'm learning out to outline speeches and analyses my audience. You need to know who will be listening to your speech so that you focus your speech toward that group of people. I'll let you know my score when I get my grade! The whole class analysed each speech.
In my sanitation class we are learning how to do a health inspection. My chef, walked us through the school cafeteria today and showed us how to go about doing a health inspection. It was very enlightening. School has been hectic but fun!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Fantastic Fall recipe #2......




When I think of fall dinners, I think of delicious, comforting soups, chowders and stews. And when I think of soups, chowder, and stews and I can't help but think of homemade, flaky, warm buttery rolls! So here is a recipe for one of my favorite rolls, Parker house rolls. I like to brush them with butter and sprinkle sea salt on top before I bake them.




Parker House RollsIngredients
¾ cups water (warm)
¼ cup butter, plus more for brushing
1/4 cup sugar
1 TBS. Yeast
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Heat water till warm, stir in the butter and sugar and Dissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit until foamy. Combine water mixture, eggs, salt, and 1/2 of the flour and mix until smooth. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and stir until a smooth. Remove from the bowl and knead by hand on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk. On a floured surface, punch down the dough and shape into desired shapes. Cover again and let rise until doubled.
Preheat the oven 350 degrees F. Brush with melted butter and Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Fantastic Fall Recipes......

Over the next week I decided I will TRY to post a "fantastic fall recipe" everyday.


To start off I have a delicious recipe that has to be at every thanksgiving, atleast in our family! the Pumpkin roll! It is sooooo good! Years ago someone made one, I think my aunt, and ever since then Thanksgiving isn't thanksgiving without a pumkin roll! Here's the Recipe!











Pumpkin Roll


Ingredients
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)



1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions




FOR CAKE:PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.



COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.



BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.



FOR FILLING:BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.



COOKING TIP:Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.




Easy, Healthy Dinner Ideas.......



This is one of my favorite dinners! It's easy, it has protein and nutritional value! But It also tastes amazing! I thought I'd share it with you!





[ GRILLED CHICKEN BRUSCHETTA ]
Sun dried tomato salad dressing (we used Kraft brand)

8 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Bruschetta
4 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
Purple onion
1 tbs. Garlic
½ cup Olive oil
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese1 small pkg. fresh basil, chopped

Marinate chicken in sun dried tomato dressing ahead of time.about an hour ahead, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and dressing (as much as you desire; we did about 1/2 cup). Place large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half of grill grate; preheat grill to medium heat. Grill chicken on uncovered side of grill about 6 minutes. Turn chicken over; place on the foil-covered part of the grill, cooked-side up. Top evenly with bruschetta mixture. Close lid. Grill an additional 8 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. ( If you can't grill, I've also done it on the broiler in the oven, it was just as good) Enjoy:)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Brown Paper Packages!!!!!




Don't you love it when unexpected packages show up on your door step? Well, I sure do!!!! I knew that my brother had bought be a birthday present, ( way back in August), but, He is very busy and lives on the east coast. So, since I had forgotten about it, I was thrilled, to say the least, when I pulled up into my drive way yesterday. For there, in front of my maroon door, there stood two gorgeously plain brown packages beckoning to me! I was so excited! I'm like a little kid when packages get sent to me! I rushed to the front door, and to my delight they both said "to Marie Price-From Jared Price". I eagerly hurried into the house and sliced open the packages. It can't be. It couldn't be! But it was!!!!!!!


My very own Ice cream Maker!!!! I had wanted this all summer! I love home-made ice cream, Gelatos, sorbets, and frozen yogurt! I was soooo excited!


So, who can guessed what I did today?! I made ice cream! I made the best coconut ice cream you've ever had! Believe me!!! It was delectable. Creamy! Melt in your Mouth! WOW! I also made a pomegranate Gelato with blackberry swirl in it! AMAZING! And, for the chocolate and peanut butter lovers, a milk chocolate ice cream with Reese's cups in it. Is your mouth watering yet? Have any favorite ice creams? I'm wild about trying crazy ideas!! One chef in "Iron Chef" did an asparagus ice cream. crazy, huh? Well Let me know, I need some more ideas! Good night!!!

Oh, by the way he also got me a MP3 player! Thanks, Jared!!!!

Dinner made easy!


Sometimes when things really pick up, I don't really have time to make an elaborate dinner. So I have been experiencing the power of the slow cooker!
You can make an amazing beef chuck roast with carrots and potatoes or slow cook a pork shoulder for barbecue sandwiches. It make stews easy and delicious. On these busy, cold Fall evenings it is perfect. I can just put everything in it before I leave and turn it on low, and when I get home there is a delicious home cooked meal waiting for me!!!

Monday, October 11, 2010

What is Communication?


Hello Everyone! It's been awhile! Things have begun to snow ball for me, but I really like it! I started a new job on Thurs. It is in Customer Service and my public speaking class really comes in handy.

For the last week we have spent our Public Speaking class defining the word communication. What is communication? one definition we came up with in class is: Communication is a transactional process. It is ongoing, not-static, but dynamic and ever changing.

Communication requires a sender and receiver. The sender encodes a message for the receiver to decode. It is the receiver/listener's job to retain and reply.

A very important element to communication is being where you are at! Where ever you are-Be there! We miss so much everyday because we are thinking about where we should be instead of drawing all the wealth knowledge and experience out of the moment we are in!

Communication is an exchange. It is not only verbal. We are always communicating a message whether it be through our stance, face, or what clothes we choose to put on in the morning!

Communication is a constant element in our everyday life. We should know how to communicate efficiently and effectively!
Talk to you soon! Have a great day communicating!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A Fabulous Flan.....


As many know, my favorite dessert in the world would probably have to be creme brulee. Every time I take a bight of the delicious, creamy, thick custard, the world around me disappears, and I find myself sitting at a small cafe in Southern France, on a warm morning, smelling the warm fresh bread coming from the oven, hearing the distant toll of the village church, and watching rolling green hills.
Yesterday I made a caramel flan which is also a custard dessert. It was soooooo yummy. Here's the recipe and a picture of mine. (the only thing i change was i used a real vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract. I boiled it with the milk!) Enjoy
Caramel Flan
Caramel:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
Flan:
2 cups milk
2 cups half and half
8 eggs
4 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Make caramel by combining sugar and water in a medium saucepan and cooking over moderate heat swirling occasionally until color begins to turn golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn heat to low and continue cooking and swirling constantly until color is dark brown and mixture smells of caramel. Remove from heat and pour into a 9-inch round cake pan. Using a towel or hot pad, tilt pan and swirl caramel to coat the bottom and sides well. It will need a few minutes to cool down in order for about 1/4-inch of caramel to stick to the pan. Then pour excess back into the pot it was cooked in and add 2 cups milk. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, to dissolve excess caramel into milk, about 3 to 5 minutes. Strain warm milk and caramel mixture in a bowl and add cold half and half. Mix well. Add sugar, eggs, yolks and vanilla. Whisk custard to mix and strain into caramelized pan. Set flan into a roasting pan in the oven and pour boiling water into roasting pan until it rises halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until center feels just firm when pressed gently with the fingertips. Set aside to cool for about 1 1/2 hours then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 4 days.


To serve, run a knife along the inside edge to loosen. Cover with a platter and quickly invert. Carefully drain excess caramel into a small sauce pitcher and reserve. Serve wedges of flan on dessert plates topped with extra caramel sauce.





Thursday, September 23, 2010

Back 2 School!!!!



Monday was my first day of College! I graduated from high-school in '08. Back to homework every night! I don't mind it though. It's rather fun. My favorite class right now is Public Speaking! My instructor is a very educated and animated teacher. I like listening to him speak. He makes everything sound important and interesting. I made my first speech on Tues., my second day! The Topic- "Me" Time- 1 minute. I have another speech on Mon; Topic-"My Home Town" Time- 3-5 minutes. Today in class we defined the word "Attitude". I've been learning the many different elements to speaking, and how important your poise and stance is. Did you know you communicate 93% Non-verbally? Only about 7% percent of our communication is verbal!

My sanitation is very practical to working in the kitchen, to say the least. (On a side note! A little tip I learned today! If your brown sugar ever tends to clump up and get hard, stick a piece of bread in it! Funny, huh?) Well, back to sanitation! I'm learning a lot about safe food handling! Soap doesn't sanitize anything, just to let you know! After you scrub with soap, you are suppose to kill anY germs with some kind of sanitizer. For instance, bleach! (1 tsp mixed with COLD water, hot water deactivates the bleach, cold keeps it active longer.)



Well, everyone have a great weekend, and I'll talk to you later!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Wedding Cake.......















I had a very fun, and eventful weekend! One of my friends got married on the twentieth, and I was privileged, with a couple friends, to get to make her wedding cake . It was absolutely delicious and beautiful, if I do say so myself! Here are some "behind the scenes" pictures!!! Enjoy!


























Saturday, September 4, 2010

Oregon Adventures day 1.....

Hello, Everyone! We made it safely to our first destination; Eagle Crest Oregon. After a early and long morning of driving, we greatfully arrived at our destination. After settleing ourselves in our lovely condo, we ventured to the nearby pool for a funfilled afternoon! Here are some pictures.



the drive!


Ronni's and my room!


Fun at the pool.....

Friday, December 31, 2010

Toes in the sand! (day 2)

Posted by Marie

Yesterday was a wonderful, sunny day! I finally got to wiggle my toes in the warm, soft sand! This is one of my favorite things about the beach! We stayed at the beach all day! I love laying the warm sand, soaking up the sun rays until you can barely stand the heat! Then you run to the refreshing ocean and jump in! Awesome! Yesterday was wonderful, but I was drained and exhausted and went to bed early and slept wonderfully! Here are a few beach pictures!














Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Hawaii here I come!

Posted by Marie

It’s finally here! I’ve been waiting for this day to come! My parents left for Maui (ya that's right, Maui, Hawaii!) on the 23rd. my sister, Erika, and I joined them today for two weeks of wonderful relaxing, fun filled weeks of sunshine, barbecues, sunsets, and just plain laying in the soft sand doing nothing!!! I’m sooo excited! some of my friends are going to be with us, and that sweetens the pie just perfectly!


To start our trip off , Erika and I began at a little train station way out in nowhereville!I’m telling you, it was like I’d been stuck in a twilight zone! It was so neat. Imagine you walk in from the rain , tugging your luggage. Complete silence, except for the pitter patter rain outside and the constant tick of the clock. You walk up to the counter , and, behind the glass there sits and elderly, sweet, old man wearing a conductor’s hat. Are you there? Well, after sitting doing nothing for about half a hour, You hear a loud train whistle. Everyone ( all ten of them) rush to the platform, ready to get aboard the huffing puffing engine. I loved it!


DSC00170 DSC00168 DSC00174




After two and half hours of stopping at every little town between olympia and Portland, we finally made it to our destination! Our very nice friends picked us up and generously let us spend the night at their house, (which was soooooo fun!) and then drove us the airport! Thank you Feliciano's!!! DSC00184 Our flight started boarding at 8:00. So we got to the airport around 7:15. We had a very easy time through security surprisingly! I was really tired because I barely slept the night before:)! So the plane ride seemed really short!DSC00183


Erika was having fun with her camera! Hence the picture! Well, anyway my parents picked us up from the airport! I didn’t realize how much I had missed them and Ronni and Dylan until I saw them! Dylan was soooo sweet, he kept wanting to give Erika and Me kisses and hugs and just hold our hand! I love him sooo much! So that was pretty much our first day! I already miss everybody but I’m sure I’m going to have a great time anyway!:) DSC00187 This is the view from our condo! I’m pretty blessed!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Posted by Marie 3 comments
I don't know what it is about these single serving sized, cute and delicious cakes, but, in my personal opinion, I think cupcakes take the cake! My favorite is red velvet with cream cheese frosting. YUM! There is something about this dense, velvety, chocolaty, cake smothered in creamy, buttery frosting that just makes you close your eyes and want that wonderful feeling of happiness and perfect contentedness to linger for just a few more moments. I can taste it right now! Well, any way, back to earth!


I will post my recipe for red velvet cake. I've tried a couple and most of them tasted plain and ordinary, but then a good friend of mine gave me her recipe, that she got from a friend years ago, who got it from her mom (those recipes are always the best!). This recipe really is good! You should try it... Red Velvet cake is suppose to be very moist.


Red Velvet cake is said to have originated in the early 20th century and is traditionally a southern dessert. However, it really became popular in the 40's during war time. Bakers used boild beets because food coloring was scarce, to inhance the color of their cakes. Red velvet is normally serve with a creamy white frosting, cream cheese being my favorite hope you enjoy the recipe!

Red Velvet Cake

1/2 cp crisco
2 Tbs cocoa
2 eggs
1 1/2 cp sugar
2 1/4 flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs vinegar
2 oz red dye

1 cp butter milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp butter flavoring
1 tsp baking soda


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In the bowl of a mixer, cream together the shortening, eggs and sugar. In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa and food coloring. Add the paste to the shortening mixture. Sift the flour and salt together . Add to the batter alternately with the buttermilk in 3 additions. Add the vanilla extract. Fold in the baking soda and vinegar. Pour the batter into 2 greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let cool on a cooling rack. Invert the cakes from the pans.































Thursday, December 9, 2010

Schools Out!!!!

Posted by Marie 3 comments



Hello Everyone, It's been a while! Well, My last class for this quarter was yesterday! Whew!!! Although I enjoyed school very much, it was extremely taxing mentally. Not just the homework... I have learned a lot though, and now I can actually start baking! Hurrah! I probably won't be starting the program till Spring, though. This will give me a little break.

I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite cookies for the season; The Almond Bonbon! a soft butter cookie filled with almond paste, glazed in a sweet almond frosting. These make perfect presents, and a fresh warm plate of home baked cookies is always an excellent way to let someone know you're thinking about them.

Almond Bonbons

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 package almond paste

Almond Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
4 to 5 teaspoons milk

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. In large bowl, beat flour, butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons, milk and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Cut almond paste into 1/2-inch slices; cut each slice into fourths.

2. Shape 1-inch ball of dough around each piece of almond paste. Gently roll to form ball. On un greased cookie sheet, place balls about 1 inch apart.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set and bottom is golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4. In small bowl, mix all glaze ingredients with spoon until smooth. Dip tops of cookies into glaze; sprinkle with sugar crystals.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

An Amazing Autumn.....

Posted by Marie 1 comments
Autumn is my favorite season! I live in Washington and I actually love the rain! I know I'm weird but I love walking in the pouring rain! It is so refreshing and rejuvenating! One of my very favorite things in the fall is driving in the afternoon when the sun just reflects the brown, red, and orange colored leaves, leaving a warm glow on everything. You roll down the window to a fresh, crispy breeze. So nice!! Well, this fall has been rainy, but today the sun broke through and made a lovely day for the kids to rake leaves. Dylan didn't do much raking but he sure did love the leaves!


Dylan having fun in the leaves!




Wednesday, November 3, 2010

School Update.....

Posted by Marie 1 comments

I've been off in the world of business math for the last hour! Wow! My brain is exhausted! I'm seeing SOTD- n x (n+1) / 2 when I close my eyes! I'm learning all about loans and interest! Very interesting! If some one takes a loan out at 7.2% if you make installments instead of paying it all off, you are actually paying 14.4 %! Interesting huh? Well, enough about math!
I made my first Informative speech on Monday, Nov 1st, which was All Saint's Day. Which was very appropriate seeing I did my speech on the great Reformer, Martin Luther. Exactly 493 years and one day before this, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five thesis on the church door in Whittenburg, Germany. This type of speech is strictly factual and can in no way be persuasive.It went very well! I'm learning out to outline speeches and analyses my audience. You need to know who will be listening to your speech so that you focus your speech toward that group of people. I'll let you know my score when I get my grade! The whole class analysed each speech.
In my sanitation class we are learning how to do a health inspection. My chef, walked us through the school cafeteria today and showed us how to go about doing a health inspection. It was very enlightening. School has been hectic but fun!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Fantastic Fall recipe #2......

Posted by Marie 0 comments



When I think of fall dinners, I think of delicious, comforting soups, chowders and stews. And when I think of soups, chowder, and stews and I can't help but think of homemade, flaky, warm buttery rolls! So here is a recipe for one of my favorite rolls, Parker house rolls. I like to brush them with butter and sprinkle sea salt on top before I bake them.




Parker House RollsIngredients
¾ cups water (warm)
¼ cup butter, plus more for brushing
1/4 cup sugar
1 TBS. Yeast
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Heat water till warm, stir in the butter and sugar and Dissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit until foamy. Combine water mixture, eggs, salt, and 1/2 of the flour and mix until smooth. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and stir until a smooth. Remove from the bowl and knead by hand on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk. On a floured surface, punch down the dough and shape into desired shapes. Cover again and let rise until doubled.
Preheat the oven 350 degrees F. Brush with melted butter and Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Fantastic Fall Recipes......

Posted by Marie 1 comments
Over the next week I decided I will TRY to post a "fantastic fall recipe" everyday.


To start off I have a delicious recipe that has to be at every thanksgiving, atleast in our family! the Pumpkin roll! It is sooooo good! Years ago someone made one, I think my aunt, and ever since then Thanksgiving isn't thanksgiving without a pumkin roll! Here's the Recipe!











Pumpkin Roll


Ingredients
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)



1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions




FOR CAKE:PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.



COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.



BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.



FOR FILLING:BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.



COOKING TIP:Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.




Easy, Healthy Dinner Ideas.......

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This is one of my favorite dinners! It's easy, it has protein and nutritional value! But It also tastes amazing! I thought I'd share it with you!





[ GRILLED CHICKEN BRUSCHETTA ]
Sun dried tomato salad dressing (we used Kraft brand)

8 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Bruschetta
4 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
Purple onion
1 tbs. Garlic
½ cup Olive oil
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese1 small pkg. fresh basil, chopped

Marinate chicken in sun dried tomato dressing ahead of time.about an hour ahead, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and dressing (as much as you desire; we did about 1/2 cup). Place large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half of grill grate; preheat grill to medium heat. Grill chicken on uncovered side of grill about 6 minutes. Turn chicken over; place on the foil-covered part of the grill, cooked-side up. Top evenly with bruschetta mixture. Close lid. Grill an additional 8 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. ( If you can't grill, I've also done it on the broiler in the oven, it was just as good) Enjoy:)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Brown Paper Packages!!!!!

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Don't you love it when unexpected packages show up on your door step? Well, I sure do!!!! I knew that my brother had bought be a birthday present, ( way back in August), but, He is very busy and lives on the east coast. So, since I had forgotten about it, I was thrilled, to say the least, when I pulled up into my drive way yesterday. For there, in front of my maroon door, there stood two gorgeously plain brown packages beckoning to me! I was so excited! I'm like a little kid when packages get sent to me! I rushed to the front door, and to my delight they both said "to Marie Price-From Jared Price". I eagerly hurried into the house and sliced open the packages. It can't be. It couldn't be! But it was!!!!!!!


My very own Ice cream Maker!!!! I had wanted this all summer! I love home-made ice cream, Gelatos, sorbets, and frozen yogurt! I was soooo excited!


So, who can guessed what I did today?! I made ice cream! I made the best coconut ice cream you've ever had! Believe me!!! It was delectable. Creamy! Melt in your Mouth! WOW! I also made a pomegranate Gelato with blackberry swirl in it! AMAZING! And, for the chocolate and peanut butter lovers, a milk chocolate ice cream with Reese's cups in it. Is your mouth watering yet? Have any favorite ice creams? I'm wild about trying crazy ideas!! One chef in "Iron Chef" did an asparagus ice cream. crazy, huh? Well Let me know, I need some more ideas! Good night!!!

Oh, by the way he also got me a MP3 player! Thanks, Jared!!!!

Dinner made easy!

Posted by Marie 1 comments

Sometimes when things really pick up, I don't really have time to make an elaborate dinner. So I have been experiencing the power of the slow cooker!
You can make an amazing beef chuck roast with carrots and potatoes or slow cook a pork shoulder for barbecue sandwiches. It make stews easy and delicious. On these busy, cold Fall evenings it is perfect. I can just put everything in it before I leave and turn it on low, and when I get home there is a delicious home cooked meal waiting for me!!!

Monday, October 11, 2010

What is Communication?

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Hello Everyone! It's been awhile! Things have begun to snow ball for me, but I really like it! I started a new job on Thurs. It is in Customer Service and my public speaking class really comes in handy.

For the last week we have spent our Public Speaking class defining the word communication. What is communication? one definition we came up with in class is: Communication is a transactional process. It is ongoing, not-static, but dynamic and ever changing.

Communication requires a sender and receiver. The sender encodes a message for the receiver to decode. It is the receiver/listener's job to retain and reply.

A very important element to communication is being where you are at! Where ever you are-Be there! We miss so much everyday because we are thinking about where we should be instead of drawing all the wealth knowledge and experience out of the moment we are in!

Communication is an exchange. It is not only verbal. We are always communicating a message whether it be through our stance, face, or what clothes we choose to put on in the morning!

Communication is a constant element in our everyday life. We should know how to communicate efficiently and effectively!
Talk to you soon! Have a great day communicating!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A Fabulous Flan.....

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As many know, my favorite dessert in the world would probably have to be creme brulee. Every time I take a bight of the delicious, creamy, thick custard, the world around me disappears, and I find myself sitting at a small cafe in Southern France, on a warm morning, smelling the warm fresh bread coming from the oven, hearing the distant toll of the village church, and watching rolling green hills.
Yesterday I made a caramel flan which is also a custard dessert. It was soooooo yummy. Here's the recipe and a picture of mine. (the only thing i change was i used a real vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract. I boiled it with the milk!) Enjoy
Caramel Flan
Caramel:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
Flan:
2 cups milk
2 cups half and half
8 eggs
4 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Make caramel by combining sugar and water in a medium saucepan and cooking over moderate heat swirling occasionally until color begins to turn golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn heat to low and continue cooking and swirling constantly until color is dark brown and mixture smells of caramel. Remove from heat and pour into a 9-inch round cake pan. Using a towel or hot pad, tilt pan and swirl caramel to coat the bottom and sides well. It will need a few minutes to cool down in order for about 1/4-inch of caramel to stick to the pan. Then pour excess back into the pot it was cooked in and add 2 cups milk. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, to dissolve excess caramel into milk, about 3 to 5 minutes. Strain warm milk and caramel mixture in a bowl and add cold half and half. Mix well. Add sugar, eggs, yolks and vanilla. Whisk custard to mix and strain into caramelized pan. Set flan into a roasting pan in the oven and pour boiling water into roasting pan until it rises halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until center feels just firm when pressed gently with the fingertips. Set aside to cool for about 1 1/2 hours then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 4 days.


To serve, run a knife along the inside edge to loosen. Cover with a platter and quickly invert. Carefully drain excess caramel into a small sauce pitcher and reserve. Serve wedges of flan on dessert plates topped with extra caramel sauce.





Thursday, September 23, 2010

Back 2 School!!!!

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Monday was my first day of College! I graduated from high-school in '08. Back to homework every night! I don't mind it though. It's rather fun. My favorite class right now is Public Speaking! My instructor is a very educated and animated teacher. I like listening to him speak. He makes everything sound important and interesting. I made my first speech on Tues., my second day! The Topic- "Me" Time- 1 minute. I have another speech on Mon; Topic-"My Home Town" Time- 3-5 minutes. Today in class we defined the word "Attitude". I've been learning the many different elements to speaking, and how important your poise and stance is. Did you know you communicate 93% Non-verbally? Only about 7% percent of our communication is verbal!

My sanitation is very practical to working in the kitchen, to say the least. (On a side note! A little tip I learned today! If your brown sugar ever tends to clump up and get hard, stick a piece of bread in it! Funny, huh?) Well, back to sanitation! I'm learning a lot about safe food handling! Soap doesn't sanitize anything, just to let you know! After you scrub with soap, you are suppose to kill anY germs with some kind of sanitizer. For instance, bleach! (1 tsp mixed with COLD water, hot water deactivates the bleach, cold keeps it active longer.)



Well, everyone have a great weekend, and I'll talk to you later!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Wedding Cake.......

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I had a very fun, and eventful weekend! One of my friends got married on the twentieth, and I was privileged, with a couple friends, to get to make her wedding cake . It was absolutely delicious and beautiful, if I do say so myself! Here are some "behind the scenes" pictures!!! Enjoy!


























Saturday, September 4, 2010

Oregon Adventures day 1.....

Posted by Marie 2 comments
Hello, Everyone! We made it safely to our first destination; Eagle Crest Oregon. After a early and long morning of driving, we greatfully arrived at our destination. After settleing ourselves in our lovely condo, we ventured to the nearby pool for a funfilled afternoon! Here are some pictures.



the drive!


Ronni's and my room!


Fun at the pool.....