Redeeming Dessert

Adam's birthday is on Valentine's Day. We could spend some time talking about that, but I have another thing to say. My sister's birthday is also on Valentine's Day and growing up she always got a homemade heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake. I don't think I was ever jealous of this b/c I looked forward to this cake and I loved it. So, naturally when Adam and I started dating I made him one for his birthday (homemade & heart-shaped). Come to find out, he doesn't want that for his birthday cake. Instead he wants a strawberry cake. (ps...I've never been a fan of fruit cakes) We had a delicious one at a friend's birthday in August and since then Adam has been talking about this strawberry cake. I get the recipe from my friend and prepare for the big day!!! I got up early to bake this thing that had fresh strawberries in it, along with Strawberry Gelatin which should have been a red flag (no pun intended) for me. The icing was mostly sugar...with fresh strawberries. Let's just say it started out bad and never got better. It was BRIGHT red (think Strawberry Shortcake the doll) and was sweeter than anything I've ever encountered. The sugary icing was oozing over the top, dense layer of cake. I thought if I put it on my cool antique cake pan with fresh strawberries it would be better. Nope not even that worked. I took some with us to Asheville and we ate some. Adam was a great husband and tried it and even said it was good. But we both knew the truth. I am really embarrassed about this, but I feel like you all should see what I mean. Here is a picture of the poor thing. (there was even an error in uploading it)



So, where is the redeeming part you ask? TIRAMISU. We both absolutely love tiramisu and are self-proclaimed experts on this Italian delicacy. I made it once when we lived in Louisiana and it was awful (too much brandy). So, this was my chance at redemption. Redemption from that alcohol soaked dessert and redemption from the sad strawberry birthday cake. I found the recipe in a Cooks Illustrated Magazine that I bought for 8 bucks at Earthfare. (realized it later and was annoyed) I made sure I had all the right ingredients and on Thursday I embarked on a fabulous journey of making this homemade tiramisu. The excitement built as I tasted the cream and it was delightful. I assembled various sizes of the tiramisu and put it safely in the refrigerator to set. Oh, I just knew it was going to be amazing. Friday night was the big night...the unveiling of this wonderfulness. After the first bite I was swept away to a happy place; maybe even an Italian Cafe in a small village. It was absolutely amazing!! And it only got better!!!
Adam loved it. We both needed this after the birthday cake incident. I will spend the next year perfecting Strawberry Cake, so that next year for his birthday, it will be as perfect as the Tiramisu. (if you have a recipe, share it!!)

i'm at a loss

i'm not a writer and i don't claim to be. so, anyway, i haven't really been inspired with this blog lately. i often struggle with what is appropriate to blog about and what really is worth reading on a blog. i've just decided not to write anything. but, there have been a few things that come to mind during my day. here goes:
1) you should always take your shopping cart back to the store or to one of those shopping cart storage places. it drives me absolutely mad to see them scattered throughout the parking lot or halfway up on a curb. urgh!! so recently i was at Costco and this old man drops his cart off on the curb (the half-way deal) and all of a sudden this other man starts yelling at him to come back and get his cart and take it to the storage thing (what are those called?). so, he did. and i was amazed! i loved that this guy was willing to tell a stranger to take his cart to the appropriate place. not me, i just stew over it and get annoyed with people.

2) i love Amazing Race!! i was so excited for the new season. and i'm in a pool with other fans which is so fun...one year we won first place and got $75. i'm hoping for that again. but, watch it b/c it's such a fun adventure!! adam and i would love to go on the race...wouldn't y'all love to see the Patwa Team on it?!

3) driving...is it "defensive driving" or "aggressive driving"? i get so annoyed when people can't drive...which is often!!!!!

4) Dark Chocolate Peppermint Jo-Jo's from Trader Joe's. Let the pictures speak.


I usually think of random stuff (or soapboxes) that I think are worth sharing as I'm driving. By the time I get to the computer, it seems silly. I will have stuff to blog about soon...like a trip to San Francisco with Adam!!!! stay tuned for those goodies!!

dolphins

i absolutely love swimming. i grew up swimming and have the most incredible memories of swim meets. swim practices, not so much, but i loved the meets. and i was actually pretty darn good. i think if i could go back and change something, i'd go back to swimming. with the craziness (and awkwardness) of junior high, i quit swimming year around. sometimes that makes me sad.
getting back in the pool totally does something to me. it's the one (probably only) sport that i can do. it's as if i was made for the water.
here are some fun pics from the "glory days."

me when I swam in Charleston. that's me, not a boy, in case you were wondering.
me and my sis at a swim meet. pretty stinkin' cute, huh?

my sis, and old swim buddy and me at the pool...every day during the summer!

most people have hobbies or crafts or other gifts. swimming is mine. i don't get in the pool enough, but i have to say that the 30 minutes i spend in it take me to a simpler time. it reminds me of my childhood and the fun that we had traveling around south & north carolina going to swim meets, eating carbs, hanging out in sweats, and cooking meals in hotel rooms. gosh--it was fun. can you believe that going to the aquatic center uptown once in a while totally does this to me?!

stories

I am a big fan of NPR. I love just about every program. One program that always gets me is Story Corps. It's a super quick interview between two people; friends, mom & daughter, son & father, vice versa, and really anyone. I find myself drawn to each one and inevitably tear up. I realized this morning as I drove in for my early coffee date with girls that Story Corps comes on about 6:25am. Since I'm not always in the car during that time (or even up) I miss it. I get so excited when the person says, "and now a story from Story Corps." I was trying to get a clip or two posted, but couldn't. You can click on the link and have a listen.

green goddess

i've never been one for jumping on bandwagons. there is a little bit of a rebellious spirit about me that makes me want to go against the norm. and i've come to realize that i've probably missed out on some things because of this. one thing i've jumped on is the GREEN thing. i've always had a "hippie" spirit of recycling & saving the dolphins, but now there are just more opportunities to take care of what God has given us. i've always loved the outdoors and probably would love to live more minimally. but, i'm also a pack-rat b/c i hate wasting. hate it. i'm learning to let go and give more stuff away. i just wanted to share some of my favorite green products:
- Reusable Grocery Bags are by far the best thing ever!! we no longer have this ridiculous collection of plastic bags growing in a corner of our apartment. i've collect these bags from a few places...WFAE with a donation, Baggu Bags which has a huge variety of colors and even produce bags, and Flip and Tumble which are probably my favorite and the easiest to use b/c they just wrap up in a ball. the most important thing about using these bags is remembering to bring them with you, so stuff them in your car or purse or backpack!
- Bath & Body Products are a great way to not only go green, but to take better care of one's skin. skincare products have a ridiculous amount of chemicals and things that just aren't needed. A few brands that are sure to be paraben and chemical free are Avalon Organics (i love the lavender), Aubrey Organics (great swimmer's shampoo), Earth Science's amazing lavender & tea tree oil deodorant as well as many other products listed at the GreenerPenny site. Another thing i've taken to do recently is make my own perfumes and i love it!! it's simply using natural essential oils (sandlewood, patchouli, lavender, and many more) mixed with filtered water in a mister or with jojoba oil in a dropper.
- Green Resources such as National Geographic's Green Guide, Seventh Generation, and Reusable Bags are just a few of many many online resources for simple ways to go green at home, work, and play.

i don't know about you, but i usually feel like i have to do everything at once...you don't. use cloth napkins instead of paper, use glass storage containers instead of plastic ones, use a REusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones, recycle trash, clothes and household products, and shop at thrift stores!! Visit Restoring Eden for more information on how we can be good stewards of the beautiful place God has created for each of us to enjoy.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

for old time sakes

this is just so funny and worth watching over and over. enjoy.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

we the people

i don't remember ever watching a Presidential Inauguration. but tuesday was different. it's been different for a while and honestly, pretty exciting. i literally got chills during the whole thing.
i read some "letters to the president-elect" on sunday in the paper and the one from Franklin Graham really struck me. there was something about "God choosing you for this" and i think that's true. we often forget God's hand in things. and i'm so thankful that God's "perfect and pleasing will" surpasses any thing we could ever imagine. President Obama is NOT a savior and i don't expect him to be mine. (Jesus is)
how exciting that we have a president like him...someone who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get dirty, or who is other-centered rather than self-centered, or who has spread a sense of hope and excitement across our nation and among all sorts of people.
i am constantly thinking about the "issues." and i think that most christians compartmentalize and rank things as being worse than others. i found a file where i wrote down my "political thoughts" and i came across these two verses: "all they ask was that we should continue to remember the poor" Gal. 2:10 and "there will always be poor people in the land. therefore i command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward poor and needy in your land." Deut. 15:11. i often hear christians say stuff like, "i hope he's not going to start giving hand-outs." that got me thinking...was God sending his only son to die on the cross for my sins a hand out? that's just one of many things that get me thinking.
i will continue to seek God's will and i will continue to pray for my new president and his family. i was truly excited the whole day on tuesday. and i am excited that my bi-racial nephew will grow up with a president that looks like him. that's pretty damn cool!!