Stefanie’s Baby Shower Cake!

But first…..

The Looonnngggg run

This morning I got an early start because I wanted Shane to come with me for part of my long run.  It was cooler this morning so Shane had an easier run.  We did 7.13 miles then I continued on for another 7.87 miles.  Total 15 miles today. 46.85 total miles this week.

I had a banana with 1 TBS PB to fuel the run.  I took water with me plus some Sports Beans which I didn’t end up eating. It wasn’t warm enough and my sweating was only minimal.

From miles 1 to 7.13, Shane and I made two water stops.  Average pace = 9.51

I had a Cliff Shot (mocha flavor) when I took Shane back to the house, then immediately set out again for the rest of my run.  Stop time at the house, about 5 minutes.

Miles 7.14 to 15, I was on my own and had a sip of water when entering the golf course.   There were a lot of people out this morning, runners and walkers.  I followed two girls through the switchbacks until eventually passing them.  As I came out of the golf course I met up with the Boilermaker training group.  It was like being in a race, there were so many of them.  

I had some left foot pain when I started out today. The outside edge of my foot. Then it went away and during the last 1/2 mile, was back again.  As I pulled into the driveway the bottom of my foot began hurting.  I’ll see how it feels as the day progresses. Not sure I need to tell the trainer at this point.

Average pace during the second half of my run, 9.34. 

POOH RAY!!!

My niece has her baby shower today.  We know it’s a boy and his name is Dylan.  Stefanie is due on August 10th.  Her theme is Winnie The Pooh.  Could ya tell?!

I finished decorating this cake last night which of course was Friday Happy Hour at our house. Ted was playing golf so, as much as I hate to admit it, I drank ALONE….

This was a wonderful Chardonnay and it really helped me decorate the cake.     In case you’re wondering, the wine was not the reason for the bee flying in a hap-hazard pattern. 

Stef wanted a chocolate cannoli cake.  It’s a chocolate cake with cannoli filling.  A butter cream frosting tops the cake. 

My sister decided on the wording.  So cute! 

Congratulations Stef and Dane, Dylan is on his way.

Like cake?  More tomorrow for Josh’s graduation.  Sorry Bonnie, no chocolate overload this time, only cake.     

What’s your all time favorite cake, filling and frosting? or….do you prefer pies?

Fun things that happened over the weekend…

Here’s a photo of the cake adorned with candles sent to me from Bonnie during the birthday celebration…

A recap:  2 Vanilla Cream Cakes.  One filled with vanilla frosting and French Vanilla icing.  Elmo was the star on that cake.  Surrounding the Elmo Cake (not pictured) were the Easy Cake Truffles (see below for recipe). 

The second cake was filled with strawberry mousse, iced with French Vanilla icing.  Chocolate covered strawberries topped the cake.  A chocolate scroll “Edible image” was placed around the cake.  Surrounding the cake were Cheesecake stuffed strawberries (See Below).

We made HURRICANES for A Taste of Utica CNYEats.

We raked leaves.  A LOT OF LEAVES!   Now you know why we needed the HURRICANES!

How To Make Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries (Photo Courtesy of Bonnie)

• 1 pint LARGE strawberries or how ever many you can eat.
• 1 ready made cheesecake with a graham cracker crust
• good quality chocolate, melted *To Temper Chocolate, see HERE.

Wash the strawberries and dry thoroughly.  You cannot have any moisture on the berry when you dip it in the chocolate.  Put the cheesecake into a bowl and mix it around so it is all blended together…yes, the graham cracker crust as well.  

Cut the strawberries in half.  Scoop about 1 tsp of cheesecake mixture and place on one half of the strawberry. Place the other half of the strawberry on top of the cheesecake  as if you were putting the strawberry back together again.  Place into a muffin cup and coat with melted chocolate. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

How to Make Easy Truffles From Cake Trimmings

You have to level a cake when double layering.  The bottom should be nice, straight and even and so should the top layer.  But what to do with the pieces you cut off the cake?  Here’s the solution.

• Trimmings from the cake or cakes you have leveled.
• Enough cream to just moisten the cake trimmings
• 1 tsp or to taste of maple syrup  or other flavor. *Optional – you don’t need any extra flavor
• Good Quality Melting Chocolate…see above.

Place the cake trimmings in a bowl.  Moisten with the cream. You don’t want the cake trimming mixture soggy so just add a tiny bit of cream at a time.  Stir the mixture and as soon as it holds together, stop adding cream.

Make about 1 1/2” round balls from the mixture.  Melt your chocolate and dip the “truffles” into the chocolate.  Allow to set and ENJOY! 

MOVIE REVIEW!!!!   “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ 

Denzel Washington as a Subway Dispatcher and John Travolta as the leader of a gang of criminals determined to hijack one of the city’s trains.  The language is bad but the movie is good. There is constant action and the acting is superb.  It’s another psychological confrontation that Travolta and Washington are so good at.  Definitely worth the rental.

UPDATE:  FOR FAMILY THANKSGIVING FUN, SEE “FUN PICS” page, “Family Thanksgiving 2008″.  Where to begin..where to begin?  I’ll start with this morning and work back to an exciting night. But first…HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

My mind was racing this morning at 4:30 but I absolutely refused to get up because we stayed up last night to watch “The Hulk” dvd.  It wasn’t bad. I was the only one who didn’t “cat nap”.  So I tossed and went through thousands of thoughts before finally getting up at 6 AM.  Ted got up as well and we were able to get the big bird in the oven in no time. Shane and I then embarked on our own personal “Turkey Trot” of 3.5 miles.  Up to this point, at 9AM, I have got the rolls rising, the biscuits waiting to be baked, bread being prepared in the bread maker, noodles for lasagna cooked.  …. and she’s still going! 

I thought I better sit, have some cream of rye with 1 tsp apple pie spice and 1 tsp raisins. I also finished off Shane’s peanut butter and added that as well.  He has the all natural kind, nothing but roasted peanuts:

The rest of the agenda today is: 1. Make the salad for Sue and Sam’s and take all baked breads up to their house for the big dinner. 2. Assemble the lasagne and refrig. for cooking tomorrow. 3. Make sourdough stuffing and refrig. for tomorrow. 4. Defrost desserts and finish for tomorrow.

So Friday AM, I can take it easy and at about 10 AM begin cooking and warming! Easy- breezy!

Now, I am SO excited to let you in on last evening.  As you know, I did the Run for Safety. Well, SURPRISE! Shane and Ted met me down there.  In my excitement, I cut Ted’s head off.  Guess who else we met up with?!  Remember the Valley View GC experience with the dog Randy?  Well, we introduced ourselves to Linda – Randy’s owner! 

Look how reflective I am!   Linda said they actually found Randy in the Golf Course as a stray and she’s a good dog. 

The run itself was great in spite of it being a wet and cold night.  As we began, there were no lights, so I attached myself to the group in front that were carrying a flashlight. They ended up going the wrong way for about 1/4 mile – it was too funny!   So we all played catch up and soon were in the front again. 

The lights were beautiful!  Here are only a few and there is NO WAY you can appreciate their illuminations by my poor picture taking, but try to get the idea: 

THE HERO LIGHT

Now this is the Hero Light which C-Flex contributed to in honor of our employee, my stepson, Ted and Johanna’s dear son, Pam and Angela’s brother who is currently serving with the Marines in Iraq.

The Hero Light for Teddy

It was beautiful. The flag was made to “wave” with the lights.  

So, what a GREAT run and what major fun! 

When  I got home, it was rush, rush, rush. I had to finish the baked goods order and get it to Bonnie before going to dinner with Richard, Debbie and Eddie.  Here is the finished product and I will be posting a separate page to take you through the steps  I use for cake decorating. You might really find it interesting and surprisingly easy. 

A Bountiful Thanksgiving Cake

Finishing off the package

Now a little about this cake. It is a chocolate cake with Cannoli filling.  It is partially basket weaved in 4 places on the sides with “plaques” offering different Thanksgiving Wishes.  The top is covered with chocolate covered strawberries (I showed you the other night), chocolate and candied leaves, cake truffles, and any gaps were filled in with brown/white frosting.  I’m calling it my “MARISSA CAKE” because the young daughter of the family who places numerous “Apple Crumbles” orders, enjoys chocolate covered strawberries. I wrote “Happy Thanksgiving” in candy chocolate coating in the box.

Following that bit of rushing around, we were able to meet Debbie and Eddie at Ventura’s Restaurant. 

A family meeting

Ok… I still had “runner’s do” because I didn’t have time to wash it – please forgive?!”

I had the broiled seafood platter – minus the FROG LEGS, thank you very much!  They put some truly hormonal mussels on the plate – just way to big for me to eat (gross!).   I had a side of steamed broccoli and a glass of Pinot Noir – not the best but it hit the spot. Ted had “Veal Ventura” with a glass of Chianti….he had 2 glasses!  Debbie, unfortunately had to send her trout dish back and decided on shrimp scampi instead. They were very accommodating and apologetic at the restaurant.

So that’s a wrap!  … and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! See you guys later, after our bellies are full.