Pavlova

This past Thursday I ended up making the Pavlova. It turned out great but it's a little sweet, even for me. If I make it again I would probably cut back on the sugar in the meringue.

It's a definitely a different dessert, texture and all. The Pavlova was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Some chefs in Australia and New Zealand wanted to make a dessert for her that was as light and airy as she was when she danced. How flattering! :)

Part of the reason I wanted to try this dessert was because of the egg whites and whipped cream. I hadn't tried either one of those things with my Kitchen Aid yet. Can I say it was a breeze! I was completely amazed! It took like 3 minutes to whip the egg whites into meringue! I was super dooper impressed.

Fresh out of the oven, crunchy on the outside, foamy and chewy on the inside!

Finished product!

Not quite the Barefoot Contessa

I'm not sure if it's the start of a new school year or fall approaching, but lately all I've wanted to do is organize, bake and do crafty projects. Don't get me wrong, I haven't completely changed. I didn't say I "liked" cleaning but I do appreciate things being organized. I hope this is the beginning of a new habit, but only time will tell. My hubby affectionately told me the other day to "Slow down, before you burn yourself out" ;) Point taken, will do!

Yesterday, while I was sorting through our desk (bills and receipt's galore) I was watching the Barefoot Contessa. On that episode she made some Irish soda bread. While I was watching I thought "hmmm, I've never had soda bread, it seems an odd thing to make, it doesn't sound super appetizing" But it did look delish and was super easy with a Kitchen Aid mixer. So, today I thought I would try my hand at it. I did switch up a couple things in her recipe. It calls for orange zest which I didn't have and buttermilk. Side note: you can actually make your own buttermilk by adding white vinegar to regular milk but I was out. So I just used half and half and milk. Also, it called for currants, which I've heard of but didn't really know what they where. After looking it up tonight I believe they are really tiny Zante grapes that originated in Greece. I didn't happen to have any lying around so I kicked it eastern NC style with regular raisins.

This was before! (Beware the dough is SUPER wet and sticky)

This is after! I laughed when I took it out because it was so tall and cracked on the bottom half. Not quite the Barefoot Contessa, but it still tasted great!

Tomorrow I may try my hand at a Pavlova which is a dessert made out of meringue, cream and topped with berries. Yummmm. At Sam's this week they have had 12oz containers of organic raspberries for $3.47! That is a steal! I remember they did that last year too. I've already bought 3 containers and I'm hoping they still have them when we get paid on the 1st so I can freeze some.

And just in case you wonder what Isaac has been up to here is a picture.

Wearing his ECU beads and shoes Mama D bought for him for next year.

Isaac's new favorite snack, frozen peas! Who knew? A family friend told us about it last week when we had dinner with them.

Weeee're Baaack!

Hello there! I know it's been a while. It's been a really busy summer. There have been a few times I've wanted to post and not been able to because of Internet access. Anyhow, we are back in Greenville now and it feels great. I think since June we haven't been in town for more than 3 days at a time!

This summer we went to Texas, met up with some of our ministry partners, got a few new partners, I spent a couple of weeks with my mom, Blake went to VA for a week of school, we went on vacation, Blake had surgery on 2 hernias, Blake went to Harvest Institute in Raleigh, led summer VCM and we went to 2 weddings! I think that pretty much catches us up ;)

This past weekend we went to the Outer Banks for Joel and Hilary's wedding. It was so much fun! It was truly one of the best weddings we've ever been to, and we've been to a lot! ;) I can't wait to see what Jesus does through their marriage!

Blake and Joel at the reception.

The beautiful bride!