Hooray!!!!!!

Silly as it may sound "I survived!" ....you're probably wondering, "what could possibly be so horrific?" worry no longer I will gladly regale you with a brief synopsis of the last 3 weeks of school. Unfortunately I have no amazing photos to accompany this post as there was no time. I have been putting in 15 hour days Monday through Friday in an attempt to be the over achiever I strive to be by taking 3 classes.
Instead of the usual, 1 - 5 hour class, I was scheduled for 1- 2.5 hour class....well this was just riddiculous in my opinion and I had.

What I was going to do with all that extra time???

I found something to do! I found 2 more classes that I needed that were offered in the afternoon! great right? Well in theory the plan was genius because I finished 3 weeks sooner, putting my extern start date at July 6 instead of July 23. It's a good thing I was in math because apparently things weren't adding up to 15 hour days to me....once it did I thought it's only 3 weeks right?

And I thank god for that! I honestly don't know if I could have done it another week without some sort of breakdown. Said breakdown was narrowly avoided earlier today but only a short spritz of waterworks and I was composed and refocused... I amaze myself sometimes just what I'm capable of and strive for so much more--I just hope I can get there.

I have my resume in to the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado in the hopes that they will find me amazing and want me to come work for them. I am putting out calls to The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs and am also looking into one of the local gluten free bakeries here in Portland. Also in case anyone didn't know-- I went completely gluten free about 3 weeks ago. I was diagnosed in July with Hashimoto's disease and have been reading numerous books & articles about the subject since.

Many of them indicate that people who have removed gluten from their diets have had great success with alleviating their symptoms or eliminating them completely and about a month ago my symptoms felt completely out of control. My mental acuity and focus were frustrating me completely as well as being exhausted.

So when Spring break came I decided after that, No More Gluten for this girl. I have only had one bad slip up-- one of my co workers brought calamari that they'd made in class into the library and I didn't think twice about snapping it up and into my mouth... it was at that moment that I realized--it's breaded with panko--"shit!" (pardon the language but that's pretty much exactly what I said...) Oh world of breaded treats you elude me forever...or until I can come up with a yummy gluten free alternative.

There are lots of things that I haven't eaten in weeks simply because convenience foods are much harder to come by, though I have been reading that Trader Joe's has quite a few gluten free items and there is one 3 blocks from my house. So as soon as pay day gets here I'll be heading there to sample some things. Also since my schedule is returning to normal I plan to spend lots of lab time in the kitchen's working on my regular baking but I really want to work on some gluten free goodies too :) I've been craving chocolate chip cookies and am at a complete loss....Did I mention I've lost like 9 lbs in 3 weeks.....slightly crazy but I'm happy to say that I lost the extra 25 pounds I was carrying around when I moved here! yay! my pants fit again! When I had to break down and buy new pants it was slightly depressing but that's totally off subject now...

So that's all for now, my days will be returning to normal on Monday, meaning I'll be home by 4:30 instead of 8:30 Monday, Wednesday & Friday & by 6:30 on Tuesday & Thursday-- I never thought I'd miss that schedule but "baby I missed you" :)

until next time- happy eating & if you're having bread...eat some for me :)

My slacker ways....

So to my dismay I have not held up my most earnest of promises (Sorry Aunt Kris!!! I know you're a diligent reader :) oxo) to keep up on my blog writting, but to be completely honest--it may be slight laziness but mostly it's I value sleep and homework time versus staring at the computer trying to come up with something great and unique to share with my viewing pool.

I have been sick approximately 5 times since the beginning of january with various forms of a cold & one nasty virus which I actually stayed home and slept for 19 hours--not fun. I also had a visit to the ER a few weeks back when I was innocently doing dishes and a very large pot fell off of its hook & landed squarely on top of my head making me dizzy & nauseous so I was promptly sent in a taxi to the Good Samaritan Hospital right in the middle of finishing my first Wedding Cake.

Looks Lovely doesn't it? It's really not exactly how I originally envisioned it unfortunately but I didn't have the time I originally expected -- my fault for not getting it clarified at 7am when class started vs. 9:30 am when chef said 'why don't you turn it in today at noon--you can work thru clean up.' Envision several mor white lilies with more slivery blue & some other accents in silvery blue on the icicles & the icing design on the bottom.... Or more like my "practice cake" below.

In hindsight I think I would have forgone the crystal legs & set the cake flush on the square. I will note draping a square cake is uber challenging, but I did a pretty kick as job for my first time :)

Also I entered a scholarship contest with a friend. Soup & Bread was the name of the game and though we didn't win...I think we got a pretty awesome soup recipe out of the deal. We did a seafood chowder & pretzel bread below are a few pictures of documentation of our practice runs...
We couldn't decide between a Lamb & Vegetable Soup or the Seafood Chowder so we made both to decide...

Raleigh taking a break while things were simmering....

Our friend who joined the soup.... he came to a crushing end...haha bad joke sorry... there were also mussels, nova tidbits, leeks, carrots & potatoes in the chowder.

I also went to my first wine club gathering at Rex Hill with Megan, Phil & Raleigh...
We got to try the AtoZ fresh from the case less than 2 days in its bottle--I was geekily excited by this fact :)
After trying 5 different wines we headed out to lunch & then home....Traffic was kind of heavy & Phil & Megan didn't make it 20 minutes before they'd passed out cold in the back seat--viscious being that I am with a camera, OF course I took photos :)

It was just a short week later that I experienced my very first professional NBA game :) I went with Ricki, Meg, Brooks, Raleigh & his friends Heidi & Jared. An AMAZING display of antics & fabulous basketball--even if you don't like basketball I feel someone could be completely entertained by all of the antics going on between periods. Who knew?! they don't show the in between stuff on tv! But here are a few memorable moments from that day...
me, ricki & meg
ricki, meg & brooks
Raleigh
Heidi & Jared
Mascot Mania- it was "Blaze's" Birthday apparently so all of his buddies came to the party i.e. the LA Laker's Mascot, the Oregon Ducks & Oregon Beaver's Mascots & various other pro NBA team mascots...What a hoot!


Celebrating our win! ...no portland isn't #1 but we came out number 1 at the end of this game :) 102 to 79

....Did I mention they put these crazy skits up on the board at random times? Hilarious!

I also took a little weekend adventure in early march to get out of town and see some things that I had yet to in the beautiful pacific northwest....it is amazingly gorgeous btw my pictures don't really grasp the entirety of it. I began in portland with my cute little Ford Focus rental...silly me I didn't take a picture, I'm usually not so thoughtless when photo documenting but many photos were taken while driving...:) I started by driving to Tillamook on the Oregon Coast and then proceeded to drive North thru Manzanita, Cannon Beach (where the movie Goonies was filmed) I made sure pictures of Haystack rocks were taken. I then drove thru Astoria and decided then to drive to Seattle to visit my long lost friend Kim... It was delightful! we went to an amazing Spanish Restaurant called Taberna del Alabardero had some small plates & temparnillo plus we got a fireworks show from across the river that was an amazing treat. Let the slide show begin!

This is me on my merry way to Tillamook. I stopped at the Cheese Factory & bought cheese :) Then proceeded to drive north along the coast. The Estuary where the Columbia river meets the Pacific was my first stop & I stopped at random other picturesque spots in Manzanita, Hug Beach, An amazing pulloff Lookout point just before Cannon Beach & lots more....

Hay stack Rocks & my delicious turkey sandwich with cranberries & cream cheese in Cannon Beach....

The Astoria Area.....The Bridge from below....

The View from me driving over the bridge....

Just the walking path below the bridge in Astoria....

Horseback riders on the beach in Washington....

A nifty mural in a small town just past Astoria in Washinton...

And the finish! Seattle :) there are a few more pics from this trip that I'll add at a later date :)

Well that's all for now and I'll make my best efforts to add a little more later as there is but I'm running out of time! Need to do some homework :)

A New Year!

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

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!

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.

oxox

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!

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 :)