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

p.s.

Today was better than yesterday.....but could have been better! It is friday however & I can start allllllllll over again on monday :) Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I am creme caramel-ed out! ....but I could go for another dish of my vanilla pecan creme brulee....

Ugh...

So today I woke up on time & thought to myself "It's going to be a good day today, this morning just feels good"...HA well then I got to class. After blundering my infusion (not really but I didn't do it the way I should have) then somehow screwing up my creme brulee ( we'll find out how bad tomorrow) then ALMOST having to make my pastry cream all over again, first because the dumb flavoring compound burnt to the bottom and then because it almost oozed out every edge of the plastic wrap, I didn't get my creme caramel started so I put my strained pecans from my infusion into sugar and spread them out to put them in the oven to caramelize & toast for the top of my vanilla pecan creme brulee.....well someone changed my timer and didn't inform all the people in the oven....hence oh what's that smell? yes that's right the nuts were smoking in the oven....sigh...I thought at least I can get my muffins done with everything being mise en placed yesterday......I'm melting my butter & as I am pulling it out of the microwave it slips every so delightfully from my hands and onto the floor.....Ta da! my day!
bon appe-friggin-tite!

Hood River & More....

Friday was a day of great relief. First test. First practical. First time I've stayed out until 1:30am in a loooooooooooooong time. Oh what fun however.... Ginger pale ale at the MASH Tun mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

These are the crazy folk I spend much of my free time with in the two pics above from left to right are.... Raleigh, Natalie, Ricki, Megan & Phil....and we've all aquired nicknames....we'll leave it at that.

In the world of baking this week:

Practical & first test go swimmingly! Peanut Butter cookies dipped in chocolate....chocolate sabotage slowed me down but I kicked tempered chocolate butt!

Also made tarts!

Fresh Fruit Tart with Apricot Glaze & a Pate Sucree Crust

and

Almond Creme Tart with a Pate Brisee Crust

Also as a note.... I know I promised yummy recipes & I will try to share, but they are all formulas, not recipes ie. the ingredients need to be weighed in oz. or g. Sorry....but keep reading I'll adapt them someway!

The Wild wild west.....not really just a busy schedule...

Ah the weekend how I do miss thee....A splendid Saturday was spent in the Rose garden near Hoyt Arboretum....I say this because many people call where the trailblazers play "the Rose garden" I am referring to the international rose test garden....oh the scent of roses on the air and the sun in the sky.

I got some color to boot! I was joined in this adventure by Megan, Ricki & Chewy (Natalie got called into work unfortunately)

Not sure if the roses were good enough to eat, but the picture makes for good rose garden fun! We did get hungry though & eventually went out on my maiden sushi voyage...in THE NORTHEAST...

I got to try a number of things and even the seaweed salad was yummy, unusual, but yummy. Usagi or Eel is what I chose to try and it was yum-a-licious if I do say so. The edamame however was quite yummy to with its pods of salty goodness. I tried a roll of some sort with avocado & salmon (raw) the avocado and rice were yummy the texture of the salmon however... not to my particular liking.



Sunday was filled with laundry, ironing and work followed by COOKIE-palooza in class this week in class. Byselkex, Peanut butter dipped in milk chocolate, Straussburg with apricot jam & hazelnuts, Lintzer cookies, Biscotti & Almond Macaroons.....
Here's a few pics with more to come!



Happy Eating :)