Sweet Table

This was my class two weeks ago, advanced baking techniques, but it really was a decorating class for bite sized buffet table desserts. These pictures are from my final. The main point was to decorate everything really small and fancy. It was very intense and took FOREVER! I got an A! We presented our work at a buffet and invited family and friends to try everything. It was pretty exciting :) I'll try to give some details under the pictures....

Ok, from left to right peanut butter truffles, traditional petit fours dipped in dark chocolate, almond macaroons, meringue with lemon and raspberry, and amaretto cheesecake.

Starts with heart window cookies filled with raspberry jam, chocolate peanut butter pie, almond tuiles dipped in chocolate, and operas.

My two buffet platters to be presented to our guests.

Traditional petit fours, and peanut butter truffles...

The focus is here is the white meringue puff filled with lemon filling, a raspberry, and red bubble sugar.

The focus below is amaretto cheesecake bites with a roasted almond on top.

These are the traditional petit fours dipped in dark chocolate with white chocolate streaks.

The focus here are the operas. They are cakes soaked in coffee liquor and French buttercream topped with opera glaze and ganache. I used a white chocolate music note decor.

This is Feuille D' Automne which is meringue disks wrapped in chocolate mousse and dark chocolate strips... very yummy.

Well I am getting really hungry this morning writing this, so I am going to go eat some leftover pad thai for breakfast :) Byebye....

My Niece

So freakin cute....

The Sunset

I just thought this sunset tonight was gorgeous and wanted to share it with all of you! My camera does not do it justice since it gets the reflection of the window, but it is so wispy and orange and pink... I love my view!

My Christmas Tree

Tis the season.... Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is almost here.... I can't believe it!! I am so happy and can't wait to come home and see everyone!! I have a couple of pics of my mini tree I put up in my studio. It is only 2 feet tall, but with 250 sq. ft, what else would fit? If you were wondering, I will be home Dec. 22 through Dec. 30 in H-town, so I hope to see all of you!! Here's my tree :) It's in front of my mirror wall, so it looks like two trees.

Thanksgiving

Well I had my first ever Thanksgiving at my own place without my family... but it wasn't sad because I had the wonderful company of Ryan's family. We had 7 of us in my apartment for Thanksgiving dinner and it went way better than I could have expected! We made the traditional menu of turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, etc... Ryan's mom, dad, and sister drove in from Nebraska and his other sister and brother-in-law flew in from DC. We went to the Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade and it snowed perfectly all morning! Just light flakes, it was like a movie :) We went to the Christmas Tree lighting at Daley Plaza where they light a 90 foot tree, kinda like New York, but not as big. Anyhoo, it was a great holiday and here are some pics of everyone!

Me and Ryan in front of the big Christmas tree!

Me and Dean, Ryan's dad, at the parade!

Me and Katie, Ryan's youngest sister...

Katie and Anna, Ryan's mom!

Me and Amber, Ryan's younger but not youngest sister....

Amber and JJ, Amber's hubby!

My New Baby

Move over Ryan... I have a new love in my life! I finally bought myself a KitchenAid Mixer!!! She is just beautiful! I got her on sale at Target for $169, which if you know anything about mixers that is a good deal. She comes with an attachable paddle, whisk, and hook and makes my life SO much easier. I am not sure what to name her yet... I would like your ideas, so after looking at the pictures of her below, please help me decide a name that best suits her. I kind of like Rosa, or Lola, or maybe something having to do with the color white such as Blanca. It does not have to be of Hispanic origin... I just like those names :) Just respond to this post with your ideas!!!



Isn't she a beaut?!?



So much power!!!!



Let me know what ya think!!

All My Visitors

First of all I have turned a quarter of a century Years old last week since my last post! It feels weird. I am now in my mid twenties. My sister even told me that I am almost over the hill. Wow. It feels like I was just at A&M being a college student. Anyway, weird. I want to say that I feel old, but I am worried that some of you may get mad at that :)

So onto my visitors! My sister came two weeks ago and stayed at my studio with me. We had a good time, but I don't think Chicago is the place for Erynn. Too many people and too much walking. I can see that. We went shopping ALL day on the Magnificent Mile and went to Navy Pier on an architecture boat tour. We met some crazy drunk women at The Cheesecake Factory that were in town getting drunk away from their families. We talked to them most of the evening. It was fun! Here are a couple of pics from her trip...


The park in front of Navy Pier... that is a brass or some type of metal couch....


Front of Navy Pier


In front of the Hershey's store with Mr. Kiss


I think this one is obvious


Ow, OW! Hot Mama!


My next visitor was Ryan's sister, Katie. She hung out with me and Erynn, but all our pics were crappy... sorry Katie, but I think you would agree :) Katie and I went on an extreme boot hunt Sunday afternoon.... but no luck :(


My dad came the following weekend and we went to the beach for some pics.... very windy that day!


Ryan was here the week after my sister while my dad was here for his fall break. My dad took us to the Government Mule concert where we rocked out.


In front of the John Hancock building.




At Navy Pier in front of the lake. This couple asked us if we were on our honeymoon... ewwww! A compliment for my dad, but what does that say about me??


I don't have any pics of it, but my Uncle David and Aunt Donna came to Chicago and took me and Ryan out to a very nice dinner! It was great to see them!

Finally, I went home this past weekend to attend Lynlea's baby shower! I will update more on that once I get some pics!

All in all, it has been so nice to have all my family and friends close why I am so far away. Thank you all, it means so much to me!!