Breakfast Breads

I successfully graduated from Baking Arts I and continued on to Breakfast Breads with my cooking partner, Saadia.  So far we learned how to make brioche, cinnamon buns and croissants.   This class is very different from the 'beginner' class.  Chef is very strict and has rigid time lines.  I guess it's good discipline for those going into the industry but most of us do this for fun and don't need the army like environment.  Luckily she has a nice assistant who does not hesitate to help out where needed.  Pictured here is our chelsea bun.  It was oooey, gooey, good.  A little birdy (Grandma) told Grandpa all about it so I had to bake one especially for him.  The look on his face after his first bite, and after his third cinnamon bun, made waking up every Saturday morning worth it.

Another Kris Kringle

We finally put our Christmas tree away but not before having yet another Kris Kringle with my high school buddies.  Brian took us back in time and played some old reggae and classic house music.  It took everything in me to not get up and bust some TriUnity moves.  I did, however, do a little Notre Dame cheer as requested by my fans.  Gosh, it's been so long. Luckily I did not attempt the 'russian' otherwise I am sure I would be in the hospital with a torn something or other. Anyway, just wanted to thank my Kris Kringle for my Indigo gift card.  And thanks for waiting for me to come back so I can celebrate Christmas with ya'll!

Baby Harper

Congrats to cousins April & John who had a baby girl on January 2, 2009.  My little cousin April and I grew up together in South Carolina. I know, she's no longer little (although she's still shorter than me) but I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of her.  I know she will make an amazing mother and I hope to be a wonderful Aunt, even though I'm far away. I cannot wait to meet little Harper Haralson.  Hopefully I can take a trip out to Houston for a quick visit.

Kris Kringle

It seems that Christmas is never ending. I guess that is partly the reason why my Christmas tree is still up. Friday night we gathered together for our annual gift exchange - white elephant, so you can imagine the stealing and dirty looks everyone was giving each other.  In the end, I think everyone ended up happy.  I got a recycled wine bottle cheese platter.  Thanks Di! Instead of cooking, we ordered Chinese food. Everything was delicious and now I'm back to where I started. I guess I'll have to Spin that much harder.

Old Friends

When ever I go home, I always try to meet up with my old friends. This is Bobbie Jo, my BFF in 5th grade.  We were inseparable.  I would attend all her soft ball games, we would take hours getting ready for school dances, we would buy the same outfits but in different colours and she told me all she learned in sex ed class when my Grandpa refused to let me go.  It's been more than 20 years and yet it seems just like yesterday.  

Go Tigers!

We decided to start the new year in Jacksonville, FL for the Gator Bowl:  Clemson Tigers vs Nebraska Huskers.  I'm not really a football fan but the excitement is contagious when you're surrounded by 70,000 screaming fans.  Our tailgating experience was interesting. Parked beside us was a family of 6 all crammed in an old Chevy. Imagine three big Americans in the front seat, and three in the back. As they got out, they quickly set up their folding chairs and started eating fried chicken.  It was just as I'd picture it but even better. The game itself was an emotional roller coaster as the teams took turns in the lead.  In the end, the Tigers were defeated but the orange sea of fans still sang loudly as the Clemson band played the school song.  After the game we had a quick bite to eat and headed four hours north back to South Carolina.  

Orlando, FL

After a quaint little Christmas in SC, we drove south to Florida for a mini vacay.  Since we've been to the Disney parks before, we decided to forego the long Disney lineups and instead enjoyed our vacation home that was equipped with an inground pool.   As predicted, Norm was the first one to jump in the pool followed by my uncle.  Soon there were a couple of us in our pajamas who were pushed in the pool, myself included.  The option to heat the pool was available at $35 a day but the weather was so nice that it was not needed.  No wonder Canadians flock to Florida during the winter season.  New Years Eve was fun as we played cards and drank champagne as we rang in the new year. I look forward to 2009.