Monday, June 28, 2010

who needs cherry garcia?

Still in my cherry obsessed state and putting that cherry pitter to good use.  
Here is the most recent addition to the summer....


Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream 


recipe:  (sorry, this is kind of long!)  

2 cups cherries, pitted then quartered
1 huge milk chocolate bar (i don't know how many ounces it is, but you know which one I mean)  
1 1/2 cup vitamin D milk
1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 cup heavy whipping cream 
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract **
1/2 tsp. pure almond extract 

Pit and quarter the cherries.  Add the almond extract to the bowl of cherries and give it a nice stir.  Set aside.  

Combine milk and sugar in a medium saucepan.  Heat over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edges.  Remove from heat.  

In a small mixing bowl, wish the egg yolks thoroughly.  Very slowly, add small amounts of the hot milk mixture to the eggs, while whisking constantly.  Keep adding small amounts of milk until the egg mixture temperature is raised.  Then, slowly, add egg mixture to the milk and sugar, keep stirring constantly.  Be careful not to add the eggs to fast, otherwise you'll scramble them.  Add the whipping cream.  Over medium-low heat, stir constantly, until the custard mixture is thick, or 160 degrees.  You will know it's ready when you can run your finger down the back of the spoon and it leaves a track.  

Once ready, remove from heat and add cherries and vanilla.  Put this mixture in the refrigerator and chill completely.  This may take a few hours, so sometimes it's nice to make this custard a day ahead so it can chill fully.  

Once it's cooled completely, add it to your ice cream maker and let it churn.  Churn for about 25 minutes.  

While the ice cream is churning, begin grating the chocolate bar.  (I like to freeze the bar before I grate it so that it doesn't melt in my hand)  Using a microplane, grate about half of the chocolate bar.  Cut the rest of the bar up by gently chopping large pieces until they are the size chunky that you like.  

In the last five minutes of the churning, slowly add the shavings and chunks to the ice cream maker.  

And Voila!  You'll love this ice cream!  

**I have some Tahitian vanilla beans that I got on our honeymoon, so instead of vanilla extract I cut off a very small piece of the vanilla bean and add it to the initial milk mixture.  I use a tiny piece because it's so potent.  If you have vanilla beans, I recommend this.  It's SO yummy!  Just make sure to remove the vanilla bean before you add the cherries.**



Sunday, June 27, 2010

the ultimate biker babe

This little lady wanted to go for a ride on the Hog.  We got her 'suited up' and I asked her to strike a few "Biker Chick" poses while she waited for her chariot to arrive.  

This is what I got. 
 Amazing.  


Two happy riders.


And they're off!


What a woman.  I love her spunk and playful attitude.  And now she's a certifiable biker babe.  


The Mommas and The Poppas

were in town.  I love when they visit.  We do lots of hanging out, relaxing, talking and happy houring on our patio.  They took me out for belated birthday sushi dinner.  We didn't have any fun, and hardly ate any sushi.  As is evident by these pictures.  








Ever had revolving sushi?  Ever had it at Kaiten-Sushi Daichan?  This place is incredible.  And personally, my goal is to stack up enough plates to get on the wall of fame!  I think I can do it.  


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

official

I finally went to the DMV and made it official.  I've taken my husband's last name, but it just took me a while to get there.  As you all know going to the DMV is one of the last things you want to do with your day off.  But I went, I suffered through it, I came out smiling...and a Kaufman.  

HOWEVER...

What did they do to my face?  It's not like my previous picture was amazing, but now I am an oompah lumpah!   Seriously, WHY am I orange?  I have never been in a tanning bed in my life, wouldn't know that by looking at my new id.  


I guess this just means that I have to start blogging in rhyming poems.  




Monday, June 21, 2010

sneak peek...

 decided on the bright blue.  i've been busy styling it up, but here is a little sneak peek....


Thursday, June 17, 2010

just a bowl full

of cheerful, deep, red, juicy, delicious cherries.  



I am currently in a cherry obsessed state.  I can't go to the grocery store and walk past them without adding them to my cart.  Even bought myself a cherry pitter.  I mean, have you ever tried to pit cherries without a pitter?  I used a chopstick and it looked like Dexter Morgan had been in my kitchen.  Blood red juice EVERYWHERE.  Thinking that this little gizmo is going to be the best ten dollars I've spent in a while.  

Since I want to use them in everything, I made this for breakfast... 

Cherry and cream cheese stuffed french toast.  Mmmm.  

Can't really share a recipe, because I made it up on the fly.  French toast, warm cherries, cream cheese...you get the idea.  

On the docket for tomorrow is cherry and chocolate chip ice cream.  Stay tuned...cause I might be unstoppable with this pitter in hand!  


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

thinking

...of making a major change in our apartment.  Thinking...blue.  

bright blue.

 or maybe peacock blue.


it excites me.  it also scares me, which is exactly why I think I'm going to do it.  
 

Monday, June 14, 2010

a girl and her boots.

I'm back and feeling SO much better!  Thank goodness for antibiotics, wonton soup and lots of juice.

After three days of sleeping I was thrilled to get out to Malibu and help put together the most gorgeous vintage, shabby chic wedding.  I can't wait to post some pictures from it, it was breathtaking.

By Sunday, it was time to get out and about with the hubs, and my boots.  That's right, I've got boots.  Back in May, we took a trip to visit some wonderful friends who live in Dallas.  While we were there I decided that I wanted some real cowboy boots.  I love them more than I ever thought I would.

Sunday Funday with my man and my boots...a perfect re-entry from the world of sick.  


aren't they SO pretty?


a happy girl 



Thursday, June 10, 2010

102.4

Sounds like a radio station right?  Wrong, it was my temperature at Urgent Care yesterday.  This blogger is SICK.  

Might be taking a few days off to hydrate and get better.  

I'll be back with some fun photos, a few recipes and some inspiration boards.  

XO

Monday, June 7, 2010

patio goodness

I do not have a green thumb.  My garden patio is mostly dead and very sad at me right now.  But there are two things out there that I adore and that love me back (without needing water...watering plants is hard!).  


This little guy and I have been in love since 2004.  We met at a market in Prague where he bounced right into my backpack and continued to travel through Europe with me and B.  He lives on the patio and he loves it out there.  Can't you tell?  



There's nothing as good as your nephew building and painting a birdhouse for you.  Makes for the best Christmas present, ever.  This little treasure also lives on the patio.  It brings me such joy.  



Who needs plants on the patio?  



hello photo.

I got a very delicious birthday gift from my husband this year.  My first birthday as a wife and I was given something I've been coveting for a long while...  


I am beyond excited and so grateful!  This blog is about to get a photo face lift!  I still don't know exactly how to use it, but I've been reading my manual and playing with it as much as possible.  I've been taking pictures of anything that's sitting still.  I know that I have a lot to learn (thinking: take a class maybe?) but I love it already.  

I thought since I took nearly 100 pictures of pretty much nothing this weekend, I'd show you my birthday weekend in pictures.

Enjoy!  
  

Adam decorating the cake he baked for me.  Most beautiful cake ever.  Love it.  


Incredibly thoughtful gift from the lovely B.  She remembered how much I love this place.  


BALLOONS!  


balloons = happiness


all that's left over from a wonderful weekend

XO

Friday, June 4, 2010

My Baby Got A New Toy

My husband has had a dream since he was nine years old.  Well, he's had many (like throwing a football with Brett Favre) but he's had one in particular about a certain sort of man-toy.  As long as I've known him, he's dreamt of owning a Harley Davidson.    


And now he does.  



The boy is VERY happy!  And I say boy because he has been acting like a little kid at Christmas since he got it.  It's wonderful to see him so enthusiastic about something he's wanted for so long.  He worked his bootie off, saved his money...and made his dream come true.  I think that's inspiring.  Life often gets in the way of things like this, but my husband is nothing if not determined. 
  

I talked him out of the motorcycle jacket with the flames on it.   Yes, I said flames!  I'm very supportive about this motorcycle dream, but I cannot get behind a jacket with flames up the sleeves.  I'm terrified for his safety, but I'm trying not to think about that and just be a badass motorcycle chic.  Trying very hard.  

Maybe there will be some pictures of the badass motorcycle chic soon.  
   

Day of Birth.

Yesterday this little girl turned 29.  


It was a magical day.  
All morning spent at the spa with my favorite lady.  Playful afternoon, homemade cake and a special dinner with my best friend and true love.  

I thought I wanted an old fashioned birthday party...but what I've realized in my "wiser" age is that simply time spent with those that you're closest to is the perfect way to celebrate your birthday. 
  
Baking and drinking mid-afternoon is the only way to make a birthday cake! 


Here's to an amazing year ahead.  

XO, 
the child of 29 years



Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Wedding Wednesday - Shower Time


There are a few factors at play that are inspiring me this afternoon.  

My best friend is getting married.  My other "best friends" just came out with a new movie.  I didn't love the movie, but it did leave me feeling inspired to throw a Moroccan themed bridal shower.   


How fun would this be?  Sitting among big fluffy pillows surrounded by handsome men serving you delish food and drinks?  Ok.  Sign me up.  

Here's my translation from movie magic to Bridal Shower....


It's warm, inviting, fun and fresh.  It's the perfect party for a wonderful Bride.