Cherry Blossoms and Chocoflan

This week has been full of ups and downs. My sinuses are full. I keep blowing and blowing and gallons of stuff...gross stuff comes out. I breathe for about 2 minutes and they are full again. Even as I write this morning I have a small mound of tissues aka snot balls. My life is so gross. I have hope that I am almost over this cold. But I guess there is the allergy component. Oregon has had a really warm February and the cherry trees are in bloom, daffodils are up, tulips are nigh upon full bloom. It is wonderful to say the least. I am enjoying the spring blooms and the freshness if it all.

This is all that remains of the chocoflan I made Wednesday night. My friend Kym is the dental assistant at my office. she loves flan. I saw this cake on a blurb on food network. I downloaded the recipe (link here) and decided to make it. I buzzed around the kitchen and whipped this cake out in less than 30 minutes. While it was cooking I read the reviews and the panic started....

This cake is a tricky cake. I did not know. You place the chocolate cake into the bundt pan first followed by the milk and egg mixture for the flan. But when it cooks the flan somehow sinks to the bottom and the cake raises to the top so when the cake is turned out it looks like this. I must be a master chef because I followed the recipe...kinda and it worked wonderfully. Dr M and Kym loved the cake. I loved the cake. I gave most of it away to the office so I would not be grazing on it all day today.

The disasters of this cake involved cooking for an extra hour, having a lumpy cake because the buttermilk and flour were added at the same time (which I did), not having ingredients at room temp (I did not I pulled them out of the fridge and mixed it up), turning the cake out before it was cool and the flan was not set and it melted all over the place. There were endless disasters about this cake but I honestly had no problem. I did not do anything fancy I just pulled the stuff out and made it. The recipe said to refrigerate for 24 hours before serving. I laughed at that. Like anyone can wait 24 hours before trying this cake. I tried a piece the second I turned it out of the pan. It was still slightly warm. It was good. I had one yesterday and it was wonderful. I agree. If you can handle resisting this wonderful cake it is honestly better the next day.

I am off for my final blood draw. I stuck myself with a needle at work before Christmas. I have only done 3 SRP patients in this office and one of them I was being an idiot and held the cap with my left hand and poked my finger. I felt like such a dork. What a nightmare this whole thing has been. I am sure I am fine. I have been so far and the patient is fine so I am sure I will be also. And then I will eat a piece of cake....

Another Veiw

I know I have mentioned that I work at 6:30 am on Thursdays. I love it. I get off at 2:30 and usually have the weekend ahead of me. I am a morning person. I love the am. But the hardest part of working so early is the darkness. In the depths of winter it stays dark for 2 whole patients. It is hard working half the day in the dark ha ha ha.

This Thursday I noticed that light was breaking up the darkness during my first patient!!! I was so excited I ran to get my camera after dismissing him. I chose to get a view from the Dr opertory. I am sure you are sick of my view. There is still a slight pink to the mountain...that mountain is Mount St Helens. Notice how blunted the top is.

The other land mark I want you to notice is the red metal bridge. Every day I look at this bridge and admire the flag flying proud and strong. I love the bridges of this city.

As the day progressed the day got more beautiful. They sky was clear and blue, St Helens looked wonderful and of course the red bridge. Honestly real life is so much better. The human eye captures the emotion and buzz of the city and the calmness of the snow covered volcano. Spring is definitely coming.

I went to Seaside today. I parked on the beach and pulled out my camp chair and my book are read for about 4 hours. It was a marvelous day. The waves were soothing and comforting. Many families came out to enjoy the day. It was fun to share the beach with so many sun seekers. I opted not to take any pictures. But trust me it was a beautiful day with the waves coming and pounding the sand.

I spent some solo time today. I would like to say that I chose to be alone but it was kind of forced on me. I miss my support system of family and friends in Utah. They were so great to me and if I was alone it was because I chose to be. I was never lonely. Oregon is beautiful and lonely to me right now. But my life is what it is. I need to focus on the best parts....the red bridge and the beautiful sunshine.

Spring is Slowly Coming

I was walking home from the train on Thursday and I was in my own little world as usual; but for some reason I paused. This tree was trying to tell me not to get gloomy, spring is coming. The closer I looked I noticed there were buds all over this tree. and it was not the only tree to sport these blessed buds. I am so glad. I am ready for spring. I am ready to shake of the winter dull drums and get outside and hike and play and picnic. It is coming. It is.

Today I tried a new recipe. It turned out so pretty I had to show you. It was a pasta, asparagus, pine nut, prosciutto dish. I loved it. I find asparagus so springy and I cooked it perfectly. Happy Valentines Day to myself.

I promptly sat down on the couch and turned on the winter Olympics. I love speed skating and I love the biathlon. I mean those athletes cross country ski and then shoot these rifles with such skill while breathing heavily amazes me. I am quite jealous of their skill. Plus their guns are tricked out so that the triggers respond to the lightest touch and then the bolt action is so fast. I just want to shoot one!! Too bad they dont let chubby girls into the olympics. I am sure it is because I would look so good in those skin tight clothes ha ha ha!

I Love My Family

I spent the weekend in Utah. I arrived in SLC on Thursday night. My brother Daniel, Brent and his wife Jenni came and picked me up. We went to The Melting Pot for dinner. It was our first time....

Brent and Jenni are the cutest people in the world. I love them so much. I cannot tell you how much because Jo Ann and Lori (my sisters) reads this blog and they would be jealous to learn they are not the favorite ha ha ha. Just teasing. I love all my sibs very much. I mean look at the pic of me and Daniel. who else would stop texting to skewer fight?

Here is Daniel enjoying his shrimp. He loved it so much. It was super fun watching him enjoy each bite. The kid is a machine. I love him so much.

Jenni and Brent took me to Delta. Jenni was tuckered out after getting up early to go to work while the rest of us slept in, so we let her sleep in the back seat. Her dog Lexie joined her. I love these two so much! I cannot even express how much I miss them already!

The next day was my nephew's baptism. It was wonderful. We had a good meeting and a great lunch after. Then we went rabbit shooting. We did not find any rabbits...could be because we were talking more than spotting ha ha ha.

Daniel konked out. He was super tired but could not resist getting the day off work to come hang out with us.

Brent and Jenni are shooting. They are such a fun couple. Jenni is hilarious and is now officially a Jones! She teased my dad and joked with everyone! I guess what I am trying to say; in case you have not figured it out-I love my sister in law. She is wonderful! And has lovely raspberry nipple cream!!!

What a stud with a beer can. I love this kid! and he is single everyone ha ha ha

Jo Ann and Jenni were evaluating boys shooting abilities. They are wonderful sisters! I am so lucky to have a wonderful family. I love them dearly. Maybe they will come see me...