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!

Praying for you Sis'!

...as our whole family grieves the loss of this precious little one... I am praying for you Katie! Lots of love from all of us!

update: Aunt Gracie misses you so much already, Ellie Rene!

The best way to end one thing is to start something else... this last week my highschool sports career officially ended. This may seem really frivolous, but this is the saddest thing that has ever happened to me. Sports means so much - it means spending time with my friends, developing life skills by working with my team, having long strategy discussions with my daddy. It may be the end, but my team ended it in the best way possible - the league championship. That would be SIX in a row to be exact. ( oh, and by the way, volleyball championships would be six, too!) Our team has had the best coaches! Thank you Amber(VB) and Dad(BB). Thank you teamates... Beth, Melissa, Annie, Vanessa -- it takes so much hard work for those victories! Those days are over, but with the promise of greater things to come.

So now, to begin something else... I'm training for a 1/2 marathon - " the toughest 1/2 marathon in the northwest". I will be joining 2332 participants as we climb over 2000 ft., followed by a 2000 ft. descent. Sounds like fun right! I am so excited for this. It means a new goal.It means change, but change is good because I have a God that walks beside me every step of the way!
Although I have this one plan for my near future, the rest is so unclear! The future looks so uncertain and I feel so helpless which direction to turn. I would so appreciate prayers for guidance, through these times of change!

~The Lord will fulfill his purpose

for me; your love, OLord, endures

forever.~

Psalms 138:8

Cheese Balls and other savories!

Did I tell you about the open house I was catering? I can't remember so I'll tell you again. I had to come up with savory things for this open house, and savory things are not necessarily my cup of tea. BUT, it was very successful. The menu was:

~ Cheese Balls, Goat Cheese w/ Scallions and Cheddar w/ Craisins and Pecans

~ Cheese Tray, Hickory Smoked Gouda, Parmesan, Extra Sharp Cheddar

~Tea Sandwiches, rosemary-cranberry-pecan chicken and tuna

~Vegetables with cream cheese-ranch Dip

~ Mini Vanilla Fruit Tartlets ( yes, I managed to slip in something sweet, and I think they were the favorite)

I didn't have time to take pictures of anything because I was so rushed for time, but, I did have some people contact me after the open house that wanted me to make them cheese balls, so this time I got a picture before they left the house!

~Cheese Balls: Goat Cheese with Scallions & Cheddar with Craisins and Pecans~