Happy Sunday one and all it is the last day of January 2010 and I am finally breaking down and doing a new blog posting. Things are changing and rapidly. I survived cakes class which there will be some pics to come -- my friend Stephanie from class has this amazing slr digital camera that she has been letting me use to take pictures of my stuff....and my pictures are now more my quality "edgy" type photos of food that my cybershot was just not equipped to take. But I still love her.
Now where are these delicious photos you say?
That's just it, they are on her camera as I keep forgetting to bring a flash drive to school for her to put them on. Hence why it is the 31st of January vs. the 1st of January that this update is occurring-- I was waiting for the pictures....and couldn't wait any longer!
I went to Houston for Christmas to visit my brother, mom & brother's girlfriend-- visiting the family was the highlight of the trip and I also got a special visit to the emergency room to get my lip stitched back together the night before christmas eve....it made two boys cringe if that tells you anything of the looks of it & the doctor even had quite a face about her when she looked at it :) The fun part of that, and if you've ever had stitches in your face somewhere you know they cover you up so you can't really see BUT it's one hell of a puppet show let me tell you! It was so hard not to laugh as she was stitching me up because it was such a cliche` hand shadow with a needle & thread in hand. Awesome. So after eating soft solids for two weeks I had lamb to celebrate on New Years day & it kicked some tail.
My return to Portland was great and I didn't get near what I wanted to accomplished before being thrust back into the hustle and bustle of 4:30am rise and shine followed by anywhere from 9 to 13 hours a day at school/work :) So if you're ever wondering why I forgot to send a birthday card or why I didn't call back....take a peek at the schedule and you have your answer :P If you require in detail a mad hatter spread sheet it could be yours... but only upon request.
As for classes-- they're going well. Crazy, but well. Cakes was a bit stressful & we are on to plated desserts now.
After one hellacious week of things going a bit south both in & out of class, I feel this morning I have the attitude of "it's sunday-- a new day, in a new week & tomorrow is a new month in the new year...so lets make the best of it."
Happy New Year Everyone! Hope your February is a great one & all the months that follow only get better :)
Pictures to come soon, I promise :)
yours in cake,
Court oxo
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Finally A REAL break in classes!
Thanksgiving and the month of November have vanished and December has arrived and is not slowing down. 
Here we are after the Martha Stewart Dinner that Phil, Megan & Ricki prepared. Ricki's sister & Megan's brother, as well as fello P & B student Hiro & his wife were among the guests.
Only 5 days until a two and a half week break from classes. The intensity of this last week and the week that is to come make me long for the break desperately. The days seem to be blurring together as of late in a crazy way.
I've learned so many different things and am thrilled to be making president's list in all of my classes! Below are just a few of the fabulous things made as of late.
Charlotte Royal
Pecan infused Creme Carmel with Carmel garnish
Another version of the pecan creme caramel...
Apple Turnovers with passion fruit coulis & creme anglaise garnish.
And Brioche...
We're doing mousse cakes and frozen desserts next week so more pictures will come. I'm happy to say I will be going to Houston for a week over christmas to see my mom, brother & (practically sister in law) Melissa. I can't wait.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Ok OK I know.....
So I'll admit I've been slacking....let's face facts I haven't been putting "blogging" at the top of my priority list. For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis I do apologize, but the truth is School. is. crazy.
I am deep into my 3rd term and very proud that I have a 4.0 average....yay me! I will toot my own horn and be proud of myself darn it! to give you the run down my life is about to get even busier once I find my second job.....however FIRST I must get a driver's license.
...one might think this a simple task and ask "Courtney what can possibly be the problem?"
The problem is this my friends... I am in class from 6am to 12pm then I work until 3pm....some of you may still fail to see what the problem is, but there's this teensy weensy thing about the fact that they stop testing at 4pm and when it takes me 15 to 25 minutes to get there depending on traffic both walking or otherwise and then I have to take a number and get called before 3:59.
...I have been to the DMV 3 times this week playing the crapshoot that is the "will I get called in time lottery" right up there with the "how many hours can I waste at the DMV this week lottery?"
Needless to say the nice lady at the window as I'm holding back tears of utter frustration actually was extremely sympathetic and told me that there were two offices that did testing on saturday....unlike the ass hole I delt with on wednesday....LOVED him! He wasn't there today so he's probably the reason my number didn't get called today since they were short handed....
SO tomorrow morning, bright & early I will be heading to the DMV for the fourth time this week...La-ti- freakin-da......
You may ask, what's the big deal, not having a license--you don't drive, you have a bus pass....well folks would have loved to witness me being asked to leave a drinking establishment last friday because my license expired on my birthday.....mortified and frustrated were the feelings that bubbled to the surface....Great day let me tell ya.
Also until I have said license I can't apply for another job.....PROBLEM....So there you have it. That is probably the most exciting bit of drama that has presented itself as of late.
Looking forward to Halloween--my favorite holiday. Minnie Mouse, just in case you're wondering, is my costume of choice this year.
Am also looking forward to hiking in Government Camp on Sunday! yay snow! wooo!
Until next time, Same foodie time, same foodie channel.
ox
ox
I am deep into my 3rd term and very proud that I have a 4.0 average....yay me! I will toot my own horn and be proud of myself darn it! to give you the run down my life is about to get even busier once I find my second job.....however FIRST I must get a driver's license.
...one might think this a simple task and ask "Courtney what can possibly be the problem?"
The problem is this my friends... I am in class from 6am to 12pm then I work until 3pm....some of you may still fail to see what the problem is, but there's this teensy weensy thing about the fact that they stop testing at 4pm and when it takes me 15 to 25 minutes to get there depending on traffic both walking or otherwise and then I have to take a number and get called before 3:59.
...I have been to the DMV 3 times this week playing the crapshoot that is the "will I get called in time lottery" right up there with the "how many hours can I waste at the DMV this week lottery?"
Needless to say the nice lady at the window as I'm holding back tears of utter frustration actually was extremely sympathetic and told me that there were two offices that did testing on saturday....unlike the ass hole I delt with on wednesday....LOVED him! He wasn't there today so he's probably the reason my number didn't get called today since they were short handed....
SO tomorrow morning, bright & early I will be heading to the DMV for the fourth time this week...La-ti- freakin-da......
You may ask, what's the big deal, not having a license--you don't drive, you have a bus pass....well folks would have loved to witness me being asked to leave a drinking establishment last friday because my license expired on my birthday.....mortified and frustrated were the feelings that bubbled to the surface....Great day let me tell ya.
Also until I have said license I can't apply for another job.....PROBLEM....So there you have it. That is probably the most exciting bit of drama that has presented itself as of late.
Looking forward to Halloween--my favorite holiday. Minnie Mouse, just in case you're wondering, is my costume of choice this year.
Am also looking forward to hiking in Government Camp on Sunday! yay snow! wooo!
Until next time, Same foodie time, same foodie channel.
ox
oxThursday, October 8, 2009
Sorry!
A quick "I'm sorry" to my dedicated reader pool of 2. My schedule has been a little more hectic & life in general has been a little more social.
Yay!
I got my first term grades and am so extremely happy to say that I have an A for the first term of classes and am hoping that I will do just as well for the second term :) I am enjoying many things....one of them at this moment is some peach, macadamia nut & ricotta cheese foccacia bread that kylee made in lab for her project next week....mmmmmmmmmm. The other has been numerous restaurants & what not.
Myself, Megan, Ally, Brooks & Raleigh went to Departure for my birthday last friday... it was amazing & the company was too! The dancing that ensued after dinner was ruccous & wonderful and my 29 year old body felt every inch that of 60 after sleeping on Ally & Brooks' apartment floor with Megan... ouch. Se` la vie!
The weekend was filled with pickling at the Alberta house where good food was eaten, friends laughed and then....we attempted to go dancing AGAIN. Not nearly the fun of friday & we were all tired on sunday as I awoke at yet another slumber party....this one much more comfortably arranged :)
I am currently in Bread class.... I have made 3 baguettes a day for the last 3 weeks.....that's almost 50 baguettes....as well as approximately 4 different kinds of bread everyday for the last week and 1/2.....lots o' carbs....grrrr.
but yum!
Next week we get to choose our breads so I am going to attempt some gluten free masterpieces that will hopefully be scruptious and wonderful. Wish me luck!
Pray to St. Honore` for me!
Yay!
I got my first term grades and am so extremely happy to say that I have an A for the first term of classes and am hoping that I will do just as well for the second term :) I am enjoying many things....one of them at this moment is some peach, macadamia nut & ricotta cheese foccacia bread that kylee made in lab for her project next week....mmmmmmmmmm. The other has been numerous restaurants & what not.
Myself, Megan, Ally, Brooks & Raleigh went to Departure for my birthday last friday... it was amazing & the company was too! The dancing that ensued after dinner was ruccous & wonderful and my 29 year old body felt every inch that of 60 after sleeping on Ally & Brooks' apartment floor with Megan... ouch. Se` la vie!
The weekend was filled with pickling at the Alberta house where good food was eaten, friends laughed and then....we attempted to go dancing AGAIN. Not nearly the fun of friday & we were all tired on sunday as I awoke at yet another slumber party....this one much more comfortably arranged :)
I am currently in Bread class.... I have made 3 baguettes a day for the last 3 weeks.....that's almost 50 baguettes....as well as approximately 4 different kinds of bread everyday for the last week and 1/2.....lots o' carbs....grrrr.
but yum!
Next week we get to choose our breads so I am going to attempt some gluten free masterpieces that will hopefully be scruptious and wonderful. Wish me luck!
Pray to St. Honore` for me!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Learning Jewish Traditions....
So some of you may know I work odd jobs picked up at the career services office in addition to my swank, very valued job at the library. Most recently I have been working for two rabbi's who run services and ceremonies out of their home.
This in itself is daunting, I personally cannot imagine having large sit down gatherings at my home every week that involve food, dishes and all the preparation. But the Rabbi's are wonderful people and like my work so they are going to use me for a regular basis....how regular is up in the air but I already have another 3 or 4 days set up tentatively already :) yay!
I was beginning to sweat finding some regular side work to fill in the gaps from the library paycheck....
Right now I'm sitting in the gazebo in my Auntie's back yard enjoying this beautiful day & wearing a sweatshirt ....a warm one... which makes me ever so happy! It is sunny & the sky is blue.....couldn't ask for a better day really. I am going to the library at some point to return books, but other than that things have been pretty well thrown between work, sleep and school.
Thursday we went out to the Rougue Brewery since Meg had friends in town and I must say you know the P & B is definately beginning to get to you when you begin to pipe in public. Yes that's right we made Ali & Ricki made paper piping cones and were piping mustard or whatever was available onto plates....I only wish we'd had more paper....
on that note completion of the week of cakes was not as successful as hoped but all finished products came out beautifully. Breads are next, it's our last week of Baking 102. I can hardly believe how quickly the 6 weeks has gone by!
ttfn. xo
This in itself is daunting, I personally cannot imagine having large sit down gatherings at my home every week that involve food, dishes and all the preparation. But the Rabbi's are wonderful people and like my work so they are going to use me for a regular basis....how regular is up in the air but I already have another 3 or 4 days set up tentatively already :) yay!
I was beginning to sweat finding some regular side work to fill in the gaps from the library paycheck....
Right now I'm sitting in the gazebo in my Auntie's back yard enjoying this beautiful day & wearing a sweatshirt ....a warm one... which makes me ever so happy! It is sunny & the sky is blue.....couldn't ask for a better day really. I am going to the library at some point to return books, but other than that things have been pretty well thrown between work, sleep and school.
Thursday we went out to the Rougue Brewery since Meg had friends in town and I must say you know the P & B is definately beginning to get to you when you begin to pipe in public. Yes that's right we made Ali & Ricki made paper piping cones and were piping mustard or whatever was available onto plates....I only wish we'd had more paper....
on that note completion of the week of cakes was not as successful as hoped but all finished products came out beautifully. Breads are next, it's our last week of Baking 102. I can hardly believe how quickly the 6 weeks has gone by!
ttfn. xo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
