The Race, My Kids & Vanilla Cake Balls!

I just had to sign on this morning to announce that not only did I finish the hilly 6 mile scenic run around Falmouth yesterday but I didn't do too bad either especially for my first race ever. I ran just over 14 minute miles-not bad for a girl whose not as young as I used to be (or sometimes still think I am).

Each of my three children were very supportive of my acceptance of the race challenge. Nathan asked me what my goals were in the morning and wished me luck, Bella who ran in the race too put a great play list together for me and Sophia told me to "just have fun, Mom!"

I made a batch of cake balls for a Banquet my son attended for Basketball last night and I almost always make the chocolate ones because I feel those are always a no fail treat. This time I decided to bake Vanilla Cake Balls dipped in semi-sweet chocolate then drizzled with white chocolate. I was simply too tired last night from the run to actually attend the banquet myself but from what I hear they disappeared quickly.

As for Bella's run-she did amazing! She ran with a good friend of hers and they finished within seconds of one another. I knew she would cross the line before me and yet I am so happy we were able to share this special event together.

Seagull Six, Yellow Cake & Dinner Party!

For some strange reason I signed up to run in a six mile race around Falmouth tomorrow. My daughter and her good friend are doing it and at the time it sounded like a fun challenge. The race website lists the two fastest runners with a time of around 30 minutes--and I am thinking is this even possible?
Yesterday a long time friend contacted me to say she was making her son a special cake for his birthday but she misplaced the cake recipe she usually uses. I know how that is. There are many times where I will want to make something I haven't made in a long while and simply can't find the recipe. That is one benefit of putting my recipe book together because when I am baking I use it too. A few of my favorite recipes are committed to memory but for the most part I count on my recipe book. Anyhow, I sent her the Cook's Illustrated Encyclopedia version of the Yellow Cake that I use for her to try. It should be delicious.
Then next friday I have decided to host a small dinner party at my house. I am making sweet potato fries with a garlic aioli, sun-dried tomato and basil tarte and a fresh leafy green salad. I am still choosing between fresh fruit and creme fraiche or that yellow cake with a butter cream and coconut frosting for desert.
In the meantime wish me luck on the race!

My Kitchen, Movies with the Girls & Cookies!

On Sunday the only way I managed to get my house full of sleepy heads up and out of bed was to go into my kitchen and bake banana bread and cheddar cheese & feta omelette's.
Sophia and I make a great team. She helped set the table and when the food was just about done she went around to let everyone know that breakfast was ready. Her sweet smiling face and the smell of the good food got everyone moving.
Over the weekend we finally gathered for book club and saw Shutter Island. It was pretty good. It was hard to tell though how well I would have followed the plot had I not just read the book. Afterwards, we gathered for wine and appetizers to chat about the movie. I brought a fresh batch of mini chocolate chip cookies to share. It's fun having a group to discuss a common book with. Next up on our reading list is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett-I feel lucky this month because that is the same book my work book club is reading.
I met up with a woman my daughter Bella and I are friendly with from Church and surprised her with a spring gift-a package of cookies and a signed copy of my recipe book. She enjoys baking so I thought she might like to give some of my recipes a try.

Happy, Daughters & Book-Club!

Last weekend the family that I made the cross shaped sugar cookies with personalized labels for was very appreciative. The father explained to me that one of the things that means the most to their large extended family are things that are personalized because it makes things more special. I'm happy they liked the cookies and I told him that I could relate to that because I try to create things that are meaningful.

Tonight my older daughter and I snuck out for some one on one time. We've both been extra busy lately and I felt we both could use a little one on one mother daughter time. We ended up at Peking Palace on Main St. in Falmouth and I think we both really enjoyed the chance to reconnect.

As for my book-club, we just finished reading "Shutter Island". And ya know, that is a book I wouldn't have necessarily chosen myself and yet I did enjoy it. It had a super strong plot with a totally surprise ending!
We've been trying to come up with a time that we can all meet up to view the movie version and it hasn't been easy trying to coordinate all of our schedules. Hopefully, we'll get together soon.

On the Go & Bravo!

I've been on the go so much this past week between teaching, completing a baking job and making sure I get a good walk or run in each day since the weather has been like spring!

I baked 30 packages of cookies from my Nana's No-Fail Cookie Dough Recipe and rolled them into the shape of a cross-covered them in blue sugar, placed in a clear bag and tied with a blue silk ribbon.

I also made decorative labels that have the name, place, date and event done in blue ink to place on the outside of the packages for a Confirmation party this weekend.

And a Bravo goes to my son Nathan who received a Coaches Choice Award last night in Falmouth for playing on the Freshman Basketball Team this winter.

Some of the Fruits from the Day's Labor!

The pictures are an update from blog post earlier today.

I enjoy baking-it's obvious by my ongoing accounts of it here and yet I have to admit the house was too quiet today with Sophia off at Kindergarten. I miss my little baking buddy now that she's off to school! Good news: Sun is scheduled to make a grand appearance on Cape Cod this weekend!

Lemon Cake, Sugar Cookies & Come Back Sun!

My new semester of teaching has started again this week and I haven't given much thought to my oven-except for the delicious sour cream and green sauce enchiladas I baked us for dinner last night. I am at home today and since we have not had the pleasure of the sun's company in over three days I've decided to start a fire in the kitchen fireplace.
I am baking my delicious lemon cake and sugar cookies for an annual dinner party tonight with my writing group.
You can't really tell from the picture but it has been snowing constantly for at least two days! It's not really amounting to much because even though the sun hasn't been out it's really not that cold-just gray and wet!
They say the sun will be returning tomorrow for a few days at least--maybe Sophia will get a chance to play on her play set again soon and I'll be happy because I really miss the sun.

Having Company, The Blues & Sugar Cookies!

The kids Grandma and Papa came to visit us this past weekend. It's nice to have company-and it gave the kids a chance to connect with relatives they don't see very often. On Friday Papa made his special home-made spaghetti sauce, meatballs and hot sausage. It was delicious-come to think of it I wonder if he will share his special recipe?

I think one of the best ways to invite people into your home is to try and make them feel as welcome and at home as possible (especially those you hope will visit again). Right before we sat down to eat I built a fire in the kitchen fire place--after dinner we played a fun game of Taboo. We had a few good laughs.

On Saturday, we popped in and around Falmouth-they are big puzzle people so we stopped by Kaleidoscope Toy Store and added a few pieces to the ongoing 18,000 piece puzzle, the Library (Falmouth has a beautiful remodeled one), lunch out and of course a trip to the Famous Christmas Tree Shop.

Later that day just about everyone napped in the living room and we built another fire--a fire makes everything so cozy! It reminded me of that awesome kids book- 'The Napping House".

For dinner, I baked a maple glazed roast and a big pot of mashed potatoes and a special batch of Garlic topped Italian Bread. In the evening we all went to a Cafe to listen to a super fun local Blues band called Flipside-the lead singer is actually a friend of mine from my writing group and my youngest Sophia has a special bond with her.

I didn't forget about baking altogether-over the weekend I accepted an order to make Decorated Sugar Cookies in the shape of a Cross for an upcoming Confirmation party!