A Brand New Chapter

A new year is underway and as always, it provides a perfect time for reflection, introspection, and cleaning out the cobwebs so to speak - the act of taking inventory of all the STUFF taking up residence in my mind and on my calendar and letting go of what doesn't need to be there to make room for the things that really are important. Last year, my motto was "stop the glorification of busy" - you can read about it here. Also, it was approximately one year ago that my husband made the difficult decision to leave his stable university teaching position in Texas to move our family back home to Oklahoma. He was prepared to walk away from teaching altogether and this move was a complete and total leap of faith. You can read more about it here.  I've never fully followed up that post with an extensive update about how it all turned out thus far. Two days after we moved into our home here in Edmond, I received an email regarding a vacancy at the University of Oklahoma. We moved here without any real prospects and the Music Man hit the ground running looking for employment before we completely ran through our savings. I can't fully explain how everything fell into place without giving a little back story....

Years ago, D's very first teaching position was as choir director at Monroney Jr. High in Midwest City. He earned "rookie of the year" right off the bat, and his beloved mentor teacher was his counterpart in marching band. We love her to this day. In fact, just last weekend we had the honor of being present as she was inducted into the OKMEA Hall of Fame - a truly dedicated teacher. So it wasn't a surprise to receive an email from her this past June right after we moved in. It was, however, largely unexpected to learn that just that morning a member of the choral team at the University of Oklahoma had resigned from his position. Just that very morning! She forwarded his resignation to me and asked me to pass it on to my unemployed Music Man. Several people assumed that we already had the OU position lined up before we moved and that we simply kept it a secret. That is not the case at all. We had already moved, I was shopping for the perfect cake studio space, and David was feverishly sending out his CV. Needless to say, it all came together and we are so very grateful for HIS faithful provision. 

Now, I sit here at the beginning of 2014 quite frankly in a state of shock and awe at all that has happened over the past 365 days. Overwhelmed with gratitude and at the same time filled with anticipation for the next 365. I would be lying to pretend the past year was without struggle, or turmoil, or a sufficient number of heartbreaks, but the positive always outweighs the negative...if only by choice. 

As I reflect and contemplate the changes that need to be made for 2014, I realize more than ever before how valuable and fleeting my time really is. There is a constant struggle to maintain a flow between work and family while continuing to date the most perfect man for me. I think any artist can appreciate the mentally draining task of creating new work, while trying to perpetuate some level of originality and integrity. The life of an artist is equal parts stimulating and draining. All things considered, I find myself drawn to a simplified 2014 - more than ever before. To rekindle a love for feeding my soul with books never-before read, places never-before visited, hikes never-before climbed, foods never-before eaten, and quiet time with my heavenly Father.

I'm So Bleu I Don't Know What To Do

I sat down to write this post two or three...okay six...times. I've never officially been diagnosed with ADHD, but it's quite obvious I am burdened with chaotic focus and I think that's pretty much the same thing. "Chaotic focus" being in and of itself an oxymoron I know. Regardless, I sometimes always get distracted. Amazingly, I do get plenty of things accomplished though often in roundabout ways. *SIGH* It really is mentally draining to live in this skin. 

We are quickly approaching an event that beckons for girlfriends to get together, put their feet up and enjoy a night filled with girl talk, fashion, champagne, and laughter. The Golden Globes. And then a few weeks later...The Oscars/Academy Awards. Any party isn't a party without yummy hors d' oeuvres to munch on and great music. Here, I give you the first of a few appetizers I plan to share in the coming weeks for your partying pleasure. 

When I was actively catering, these bleu cheese stuffed tomatoes were a huge favorite. Since laying aside the catering aspect of my business over a year ago, I'm finally becoming comfortable with the idea of parting with a few of my prized recipes. Oh there are some you will never see on here - like my red sauce, or coconut cream pie, or ganache brownies. But bleu cheese stuffed tomatoes? I can share those for the sake of salivating cheese lovers everywhere...

Begin with cherub tomatoes. Cut off the top of each tomato and use the small end of a melon baller to scoop out the insides. Don't worry about getting every last seed out of the center, just a small scoop allowing enough room for dose of bleu cheese cream in the center. 

I then turn them over onto a rack or cookie sheet in order to drain out the excess juice. They don't need to be completely dry, but leave them to drain at least 30 minutes or so.

Now for the fun part. Place in a bowl:

1-8oz package of cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup mayo (or miracle whip, either will work though miracle whip is sweeter)

1/4 to 1/2 cup crumbled bleu cheese. Begin with the 1/4 cup and add more depending on your taste and if you like bleu cheese. I happen to love it, so I go all in with 1/2 cup (maybe even more...I really do love those little tantalizing bleu nuggets of tastebud awakening).

1/4 tsp salt and a dash of pepper

3-4 Tbs. of finely chopped fresh basil (must be fresh! don't try to skimp and used the dried stuff, it won't work)

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Mix everything together on high speed until well combined, scraping down your bowl at least once to make sure all of the ingredients have married nicely.  Fill a pastry bag fitted with a start tip with the cream cheese mixture and pipe the creamy goodness into the prepared tomatoes. I hope you will try making these for your next gathering! Enjoy!

Photo Friday # 46 - Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen

Show Stopper, Bow Topper

I created the below gum paste bow tutorial over three years ago. THREE! I know, I am waayy overdue for sharing this. I was preggo with my youngest child at the time and shot the entire thing three cameras ago when all I had was a pocket Canon Powershot G10 - unbelievable when I think about it now. I had zero knowledge of shutter speed (hence, the occasional blurry photo) and even less knowledge of photoshop. It is what it is. 

While I'm a big fan of tylose and cmc powder for sugar flowers, I am a firm believer that the bow stands at attention and holds shape best when created with gum paste. If a picture truly is worth a thousand words, than no narration should be necessary. However, I do have a fully printable .PDF file including written instructions/tips and if you would like a copy, please email me at: andrea@andreahowarcakes.com and I will email it to you. Please include in your subject line: Cake Tutorial. 

Happy Caking!  

Back to Basics

I've found during the hustle and bustle of life in general that menu planning is tremendously helpful. Not only does it alleviate the daily stress of feeding the crazies family, it saves $$ too. Combine that with occasionally making a couple of recipes at the same time, especially when they use the duplicate core ingredients, and the fridge is stocked whether I'm home or away working my fingers to the bone doing what I love.  Here are a couple of kid-friendly favorites - just in case you are among the five people in America who don't already know how to make chili and shepherd's pie (ha!). 

Both recipes begin with:

2 pounds of ground meat

1 onion and 4 cloves garlic

For Shephard's Pie add 2 carrots and 1 stalk celery (chopped)

Brown the beef, drain...

Return to pan and add 2/3 cup flour, stir to combine.

Add to cans of beef broth, 1 tsp. of ground thyme and cook over medium-high heat until thick and bubbly.

Spread the meat mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan

I'm always looking for a way to sneak more veggies in for my two toddlers and while traditional shepherds pie does not include green beans, I sneak a cup of frozen veggies in at this point. Sometimes we use peas or even corn.

You will need six cups of cooked mashed potatoes. I boil them with the skins on, drain, return to the pan with 1/2 cup butter, 2 tsp garlic salt, pepper to taste and one cup cheddar cheese. Mash well. 

Spread potato mixture onto the top of the meat filling...

And bake at 375 until hot and bubbly. I usually place under the broiler for about five minutes at the end just to brown the top a little. 

For the chili - begin with the same three core ingredients: ground meat, onion chopped and four cloves of garlic….

Brown the meat, drain, and add to it: 2 cans chili beans, 2 cans chili-ready tomatoes, 2 cans tomato sauce (do you see a pattern here?) and 1 can dark red kidney beans. Stir together and add 2 tsp. chili powder, 1/2 tsp. pepper and 1 tsp. salt. Cook and simmer for 20 minutes to allow flavors to combine. 

Happy cooking!!

xox,
A