The DESSERTS... what else is there?

These are the desserts I made for my graduation party...

*Vanilla Cheesecake*

*Lemon Bars*

*Chocolate Toffee Pecan Bars*

*Chocolate- Espresso Roulade with Ganache*

The Roulade

( The French way of saying roll-up. Its sounds more fancy so we'll just pretend we speak French!)

A Graduation...

The CHAMP Class of 2008

Yesterday, May 24th, 2008 I officially finished highschool. I can say I did survive the business of the last couple weeks and I even survived my graduation speech. Wow, talk about do hard things! 3 months ago, if you would have asked me if I could write a speech, deliver it in front of around 200 people, and have many people compliment about how much it meant to them I never would have thought it was possible! BUT, I serve a powerful God who can and does give me the strengh to do ALL things.Hopefully the graduatio ceremony was a testimony to

all who were there of our love for the LORD.

Those silly caps and gowns

(someday someone will figure out a way to get around them- they will be my hero!)

Run your Kilt off!

Well, did I run my kilt off ? I am not sure about that - ( I wasn't wearing one!), but I did run and I ran well, I might add. This expression pretty much sums up what I was feeling when I finished...

For this particular 1/2 marathon it is a 2000 foot ascent and descent, which basically means STEEP up and STEEPER down! I finished first in my division with a time of 1 hour 54 minutes and 39 seconds. That's slow for me to run 13 miles on flat terrain, but great considering the conditions. My running coaches told me not to expect to finish faster than 2 hours 10 minutes - I told them be at the finish line before 2 hours - I'll be there! That was the best part of the whole race ... totally proving them wrong. Sorry Dad and Hector, you weren't right this time!

The next 1/2 marathon is scheduled for May 17th. God-willing I will do as well in that one, too!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention my prize: a whiskey flask. Why, I don't know but let's just say this race is not necessarily for the sane!

Preparation for the BIG Race:TOMORROW!

In preparation for the race tomorrow, I dressed up in a

~big floofy dress~

&

~creamy white heels~

had my big sister take over

~300 senior pictures~...

I should be ready to zoom-zoom-zoom tomorrow!

13.1 miles: completed!!!

I did it ... last night I ran a 1/2 marathon... wow, I didn't really think I could do it ... 1 mental hurdle down for the race ... thank you Dad for making your behind incredibly sore after sitting on your bike for so long!

Here is the the link for the Baguettes or crusty bread I made earlier this week. The camera still isn't working... too bad I don't have enough money right now to buy one for myself! I made some Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies from foodaphilia last night - they were pretty good but the cream kinda ooooozed all over the place when you took a bite. I might try making them again but make the cookies bite sized this time - wouldn't that be fun- little poppable cookies. It sounds like something my nephews would enjoy!

Yes, I am still alive and yes, I am still cooking and baking. BUT, when the camera is being impossibly stupid( and what is a recipe without the picture?), apologetics class is always looming close ahead, and craziness of my own doing - training for the 1/2 marathon, posting gets put to the wayside. Some of the things I have baked in the last couple of days are:
~ Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
~ Tow Mater cake
~ Crusty Bread

I made the carrot cake for the same lady I did before (remember my first post?), but this time her son wanted it in the shape of Tow Mater . Since I can rarely tell someone no, and I like challenges, I decided I would make her a carrot cake that wouldn't compromise any deliciousness ( since it was her birthday) and make a separate Tow Mater cake. Let's just call it an adventure in fondant. What tasteless, nasty stuff that is! I found a recipe after the fact for a homemade marshmallow fondant that might not be too bad. I'll have to try it and let you know how it works. I'll post some picture if I can get some.
The crusty bread I made is from Martha Stewart Living, January 2008. I tell you, the Europeans KNOW what bread is supposed to be like. To think I have gone 18 years and never tasted bread so good! I am sorry but America has ruined the meaning of bread. Even homemade regular bread ( regular to American standards) is lacking true substance and flavor - and NO crusty crust. Americans don't even know what crust IS! OK, I'll stop ranting now, but this bread is really good and I just might break down and use Martha's picture and post the recipe so I can let you in on what bread is supposed to be.
Tomorrow I make some Amish Friendship bread from the starter I have been babying for 10 days now. Pretty good stuff... to bad I can't send you all some of your own starter!