Cowboy Christmas Breakfast

Check out this recipe on my companion blog. Cowboy Christmas Breafast - 4 of 5 stars. Definitely worth trying once!

Would this be possible?

I completed the Project 365 project in regards to taking one picture a day and posting it on FB. A lot happened that year that was chronicled:

• got married - my husband, my best friend
• was laid off from my job - it's okay I hated it anyway and I planned a career change plus I got unemployment
• went on my honeymoon to Australia for a month - That was brilliantly fun
• my mom went in to the hospital - I went to visit her often because I was unemployed and she still seemed okay. We began preparing our hearts.
• our offer on a foreclosure home was accepted by the bank - though tedious and awful process we got the house of our dreams
• I started graduate school for a career change - put those career change wheels in motion immediately
• mom passed away - was there with her in the end and we had many conversations about the house (which we got) and my career change to teaching. She was informed of everything upcoming in my life. And I was grateful K and I were there with her in the end.
• we moved into the new house - glad to be rid of the scarry, narrow apartment quarters.
• Kevin totalled my car - no one was hurt and we will get another

And I was compelled for my sanity to do the Gratitude Journal for 365 days (beginning in February) and the Project365 (began at the end of August) with photos. For my food interest, would it be conceivable that I could eat something new every day (or week). I'm inspired by many of the food blogs and I enjoy those readings. I've been to so many foreign countries and I think I could do well. But would one new meal or technique be too much to handle? I suppose I could always try. This would need to be a photo journal to be best served in the future. Maybe a facebook album?
 

One Year Anniversary breakfast!

Look what Kevin made for our first anniversary! Totally adorable. The second pancake was a "K," handy for both of our names :)

Kyoto, Japan: Kaiseki meal

This restaurant had phenomenal food! Yum yum

Latte art at Cafe Dolce in Missoula, MT

Got to love the latte art at cafe dolce! Aunt Kathy's favorite cafe in Missoula.

Banana Chocolate Loaf

Made with love, by Karla

Happy Easter!

Look at my pretty table arrangement! Isn't it lov-er-ly? :))

Pico de Gallo, Jalapeno Poppers and Breaded Chicken

I learned a very VERY valuable lesson today. Never Never Never

Never

never

cut jalapenos with your bare hands. Your hands will burn for HOURS. I'm just thankful I didn't wipe my eyes! Otherwise, very very delicious!

Recipe: American Flag Cake / Fourth of July Cake

This recipe was inspired and adapted from recipes created by Cristina Ferrare and Ree Drummond. It seems like it's a real crowd pleaser and this version seems trifle-like.

Ingredients

• 6 to 8 packages of ladyfingers
• 2 boxes lemon or vanilla pudding mix
• 1 quart fresh whipping cream
• 1 T. sugar
• 1 T. vanilla
• 3 quarts fresh strawberries, rinsed, stems removed and cut up
• 2 quarts fresh blueberries
• 4 packages fresh raspberries
• Rum, optional

Directions
Make the pudding according to package directions, cover with plastic wrap and bring to room temperature. Add sugar and vanilla to the whipping cream and beat until stiff. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use. Split open the ladyfinders and line the bottom of a 9x14 glass baking dish with the rounded side down. add a layer of pudding mix and spread all over the top of the ladyfinders. Add a layer of cut-up strawberries over pudding. Add another layer of ladyfingers, also rounded side down, and repeat the same process until you have 4 to 5 layers.

At this point, if you want to add a sprinkle of rum over the top for a bit of added flavor, go for it. (Do so sparingly!) Spread a generous portion of the whipped cream over the top of the cake evenly. Make 5 rows of 10 using blueberries to represent the 50 stars in the flag.

Fill a pastry bag with the remaining whipped cream with a tip to make ridges for the stripes, leaving about 1 inch between stripes. Do all the stripes. Take the raspberries and add them in between the ridges in a neat row close together to form the red stripes. Voila! You have your own yummy, edible American flag.

Peaches and Cream "Little Fellas" Cheesecake minis

Recipe and images to come :)

My Bridal Shower

The whole bridal shower gang!

Gorgeous cake! Black and baby blue are my wedding colors :)

Second view. Just amazing! Raspberry filling and lemon white cake inside!

The beautiful bride and her matron of honor, Amanda!

Nick and Amy's Wedding

Amy, Nick and I

Lovely cake. I think it was buttercream frosting. Very delicious!

This didn't go over well. Nick got cake up Amy's nose and she smeared it all over his tuxedo :(

St. Patties in Portland

Guinness makes me happy :)

Irish car bombs yucky! Hi Doug!

Jess and I saluting the Green Holiday!

Review: Black Lion Bar & Kitchen in Tokyo

One of Kevin's friends recommended we check out this bar. Has many an English speaking bar maid, so lots of fun was had over darts and lager!

Not very sober!

Review: The Blue Bayou in Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland :))))))))))))))

The Blue (Bayou) Lagoon in Tokyo Disneyland

My yummy dessert in the restaurant. I'm like a kid in a candy store – I ♥ Disneyland :)

Tokyo Disneyland Cinderella's castle

Fresh Sushi in Tokyo

The fish stalls, after all the work has stopped. Fisherman come VERY early to unload the cargo, so naturally does everyone who wants fresh fish!

Me in front of the sushi restaurant we ate at.

Fresh unagi. I could practically feel it slithering down my throat!

The view from behind the counter :) Num num num

Pepper Lunch in Tokyo

This was something that Kevin and I HAD to learn how to make. Now we can make a fair imitation of this god-worthy dish. All it is: raw shabu shabu meat (paper thin sliced red meat), white rice, corn, scallions placed on a ribbed, fajita-like cast iron skillet and served hot. The heat from the skillet cooks the meat, carmelizes the rice and it's all together the best thing you've ever tasted. Here's me (totally jet lagged) enjoying my first helping!

Edward 40 Hands

Ahh, a good college trick. You tape two beers to your hands and laugh! Good luck going to the bathroom :)

I'm a cheater. I just have two normal beers taped on. I also thought I was not in this picture.

Adam and Lisa's wedding

Adam and Lisa. They look lovely!

The cake is so pretty and ... purple.

My Silly Barbie Birthday Cake

Destroyed a Good Will Barbie to make this cake. Totally worth it! The mold was from a baseball cake mold. It kind of looks like a tiered-dress. Not spectacular but it tasted happy :)