Sunday, December 16, 2012

Boterkoek/ Buttercake

“If you're afraid of butter, use cream.” 
Julia Child



Well this was a list item that was simple, learn how to make a dutch treat that I always enjoy, but probably never would find the time/ the recipe to make it.  I wanted to make Boterkoek, I know it's so easy.  I heard that a lot when I mentioned this idea, but I am not master in the kitchen and especially baking... being precise is not my strong suit. So, I found myself a great teacher and got to work! It was pretty easy too :) 

Here's how the lesson went:  Photo Credits go to David and Kara, don't mind a few heads cut off I think they were being artistic!

My Teacher, Jonna Lemstra ( We had some helpers too, Kasey & Kara)

 Let's start with the recipe:
Putting it all together: With your hands no less, well just one hand works best.  I found that out after!



Then split the dough and spread it evenly in a pie pan... See it's so easy.





 Here's the cream part.. I never would have guessed. Smooth the top with cream then bake:


 That's it! Thanks Lemstras, I had a great time!
 Eet Smakelijk and Good night

Monday, December 10, 2012

Tuesdays with Kara




I'll let the pictures do the talking on this one.... As you can see, I have been cooking, usually on Tuesdays :)  Slowly becoming that Pioneer Woman.  Note the slowly, there were some disasters, mostly on the angel food cake. I apparently didn't whip it enough or something, but I did sift the flour 7 times ( with a strainer, ha) . I would say that actually makes me more of a pioneer woman, improvising!














Sunday, December 9, 2012

Status Update

PURPLE means CHECK!

BLUE means WORKING ON IT!


1. Do a tough mudder/ 5K
2. Snow ski and water ski in the same day
3. See the Grand Canyon (on a donkey)
4. NOSing
5. Go to a concert ( I am not picky)
6. Do a Bike race
7. Sing Karaoke
8. Go the Kentucky Derby ( ok, any horse race will do)
9. Learn how to bake boterkoek!
10. Go Camping
11. Learn to Salsa
12. Apply to a reality TV show
13. Figure out this blogging thing
14. Read the entire Bible
15. Visit Stars Hollow
16. Ride a Horse
17. Cook through an entire Cookbook
18. Put $100 on a hand of Black Jack
19. WILD CARD Friend's Choice
20. Leave the Country
21. Learn Spanish
22. Breakfast on the Beach
23. Do A Random Acts of Kindness
24. Paint
25. Crash a Wedding
26. Eat Authentic Spicy Indian Food
27. Shoot a gun
28. Volunteer a Day
29. Ride the Fastest Roller Coaster in CA ( 2nd fastest may be ok too)
30. Vegas

Traveling Plans

I really do enjoy traveling! Some, who know me well, would look at me with a puzzled expression and ask really? You?  I have enough traveling mishaps to write a book; and this last planned trip to Canada adds another chapter.  Although my trip did not go as planned, as I was not able to cross the border into Canada, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great trip site seeing Seattle and the surrounding area.

So, why didn't I get to go to Canada? Well, because I left my passport at home.  I know that was dumb.  I even packed it in my purse the night before, but in the last minute shuffle of ' getting things done' before I left that morning I took it back out and left it on my desk.  Because obviously taking my passport back out was not in my memory as I was trying to retrace my steps in hopes of locating it before we got there. When we got to the BART station I called all the stops we made on the way to the San Fransisco Airport. I finally came to terms with my mistake just a few minutes before we got to the Hotel I accidentally booked for the previous night.  HA, luckily they had room for us, so we did get a room, and they had a bar next door!

The rest of the trip went great! We had an amazing Thanksgiving  dinner thanks to my Aunt Judy and just relaxed and ate way too much food! Friday Melanie and I explored downtown Seattle, checking out some fun restaurants, Pikes Place Market, the Seattle Space Needle and the Chihuly Glass Museum.

The Chihuly Glass Museum was my favorite, here is a link for you if you're interested in learning more about his work.

Saturday we took the ferry to Friday harbor .... We got so close to Canada ahhhhh.  A ferry ride is always enjoyable and it was great afternoon of shopping and eating seafood!

Hope you enjoy my experience through these pictures too!



Excited to get on the BART and head downtown and then... I realized I did not have the passport :)
Our thanksgiving table! mmmmmmmmmm


Pikes Place Market

 
The Space Needle!

Chihuly Glass

Friday Harbor