The Huber Family

I am lucky to have some pretty awesome friends here in Germany and Ms. Dena Huber is among my favs.  We met 1 1/2 years ago at PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel bible study) and I was immediately drawn to her fun charisma and tell it like it is personality.  It was a refreshing dose of reality which I was desperately needing at a time where I was trying to figure out where I fit in as a new mom on a new base in a new country.

Despite the fact that we have boys around the same age, it took a good few months to finally ease into a friendship.  Promised get togethers, canceled play-dates,  or life just getting in the way, we tested the waters before we settled into one of my best friendships on this side of the world.  Our sons seemed to share a parallel friendship and like us,  took awhile to be the best pals they are now.  Jack is like Dena, a little more talkative, carefree, and energetic while Jude and I are listeners, regimented, and reserved.  I like to think we bring out the best in each other. 

Dena's husband Kevin, is one of the sweetest guys you will every met.  He's more quiet than Dena but you can see how wonderfully their differences work to maintain a great marriage.  They are both fantastic parents to Jack and to their newest addition Audrey who is a perfect addition to a pretty fabulous family.

I had the pleasure of taking newborn photos of her a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised with the results of the impromptu session.  A couple of weeks after that I was even morre excited with I was asked to take photos of the entire bunch.  I pretty much ran a mile chasing Jack to capture his energetic personality, adored moments between mother/son and daddy/daughter, and caught some beautiful moments between a couple who love each other as much as they love their children.

Dena, you are a wonderful friend and mother.  Thank you so much for letting me share this moment in time with you. 

Without further ado, The Huber Family:

Simply Baking Disasters

The past few posts I've shared have been, as my husband has described, tooting my own horn.  Yes I am proud of my accomplishments and excited about my new hobbies, however, I don't want to come off as someone who always has my $#*! together.  Guess what readers, I am not perfect.  Gasp!  Shocking, right?!  It's a wonderful thing about the online world.  You can filter yourself so that people have a certain perception of you.  Well, you'll rarely hear me use this phrase in person (I'm just not that cool), but my online ego wants to say today "I'm keeping it real".

Why did I decide to come out of my "Martha Stewart" shell today?  Well, because Ladies and Gentlemen, I have had not one, not two, but THREE baking disasters....in.a.row.  That is NOT a good thing.   Oh, and these were not labor intensive, crazy difficult, having to search the corners of the earth for the best ingredients desserts.  No, these were 2 child proof (with adult supervision) recipes and 1 box cake mix.  Yes, only two  months after I shared my new found passion of cake decorating in Simply Beautiful Cakes and shared a fabulous recipe in Raspberry with Champagne Cupcakes I have been humbled enough to realize that yes, I am still going to make mistakes.  Instead of hiding behind them, I am going to share them with you.  Hopefully in turn, it will encourage you to continue pushing on with what ever hobby you are trying to embark on because as the old adage goes, practice makes perfect. 

Baking Disaster #1

 

Looks can be certainly be deceiving.  I made these "beauties" for my niece's 5th birthday party, which also happened to fall on one of the most stressful days of my life.  Apparently, I am not cut out to be an emotional baker and should stay away from the oven while in the process of hearing back about a business agreement (aka Dream House).  The baking powder may have been a bit dated but regardless, my Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes tasted a bit more like muffins.  Thankfully, 5 year olds only care about the  frosting..which was delish.

Baking Disaster #2

My friend and I wanted to throw our neighbor a baby shower.  My friend arranged it, hosted it, and prepared the dinner.  I was in charge of the cake.  I made strawberry cake (from a box) and made a strawberry butter cream frosting.  I didn't account for an unseasonably warm weekend unfortunately which resulted in the icing all over the counter. They tasted great, the guests were understanding, and if I learned anything from this "experiment" it was that wine glasses turned over make fantastic cupcake stands.

Baking Disaster #3

 My little family and I went apple picking last weekend.  As usual with apple picking, you get all caught up in the fun of it but are then left will all of these apples that you have to do something with.  Today I had my friend's two year old daughter Sarah over for the day and she loves baking.  I thought it was only appropriate to turn those apples into something extra delicious.  Apple Muffins were in our game plan for the day.  Yesterday I made apple sauce that was extra sweet so I thought it would make a great substitute for oil and sugar to make our treats a little healthier.  I should have known something was off when it looked more like dough than batter.  My two two year old helpers and I were left with what I can only describe as Apple Biscuits. The cupcake liner clung to these dry little suckers.  My helpers seemed to enjoy them as they gobbled down 1 1/2 for dessert.  I did have to smile as Sarah (the articulate child she is) began recalling all of the ingredients that are supposed to go into muffins to make sure we didn't forget anything.  I guess she was as confused as I was at our creation.  Jude, didn't really seem to notice....

So there you have it.  I am not perfect.  You know who else isn't perfect, my husband.  Although he does come close at times and this amazing Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cherry Filling topped with Dark Chocolate Shavings he made me for my birthday was indeed perfection.  Apparently we can only have one decent baker in the house at a time and this month, he took the cake. 

Polite Society

I’m excited to announce that I can add freelance writing my list of new found hobbies.  In all irony, this month’s issue of Polite Society is on "Time", and considering this crazy energy of creativity I've been wanting to engage, the timing couldn’t have been better to have been asked to contribute to this fabulous lifestyle magazine.  

I was introduced to Polite Society about a year ago by the famed Jessica Ceason of Jessica Ceason Photography (check her out, especially if you are in the Washington State area).  She was named Lead Photographer for the magazine and was using some of her photos of clients to be added into a few issues.  I was beyond flattered when she wanted to take a few more of me for specific articles (what girl doesn’t like to play model for a day).  

 A couple of months ago, the theme being "Treasure", readers were asked what was our most treasured item was when we were young.   I was immediately drawn to walking down memory lane to write about Mr. Doggy, my favorite childhood companion.  Here’s an excerpt on what I wrote:

"Mr. Doggy" was my friend and a part of my nightly ritual for years. He's surpassed countless other toys and stuffed animals and has been with me through overnight camp, my new home in Iowa in 8th grade, and through my first year away at college. He's comforted me during family trials, fights with friends, break ups with boyfriends, loss of family pets, grandparents, and the loss of my brother in my early 20s.

Being the perfectionist I am, I submitted my comment, and then resubmitted it an hour later after I noticed some errors in my writing.  While I thought this would have made me seem flaky, I was pleased when one of the editors, Christy, wrote me back a few weeks later saying she appreciated the fact that I took the time to compose my answer.  She then asked if I would be interested in writing a few articles from time to time.  I am beyond ecstatic to add to my creative energy that’s taken place these past few months.

The issue was to be about Time, I scrolled down to the few topics still needed to be filled and my eyes landed on Culinary Fare.  Writing about food (specifically fall food) and revolving it around the central theme was more than doable.   Most of my fondest memories involve sitting around a table chatting with dear friends.  Even the last piece I wrote was on that very subject.  I was able to incorporate my love of cooking and photography into one piece that I’m not only proud of but also something that I’ll forever hold dear to my heart due to the very nature of the article.  

I hope you take the time to brew some tea (or grab a glass of wine), register on the site (for free) and skim through this wonderful magazine.  My article can be found under Culinary Fare but there is so much you are sure to enjoy.   

Without further ado Polite Society

Going Green...ish

When you think of Texas, images that typically come to mind are of cowboys, gigantic gas guzzling vehicles, hormone induced giant plates of BBQ, and George Bush.  Hippies, endless bike paths and pedestrian trails, naturally grown local food, and Al Gore enthusiast are usually at the lower end of the spectrum.  While the state has one of the most recognizable slogans for keeping Mother Earth clean (Don’t Mess With Texas) it doesn’t get credit for being pro Green.

This time next year, we will be moving to Texas in hopes of being settled for more than a 3 year commitment.  My husband, a Texas boy who goes by the motto “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got there as quick as I could”, was offered an amazing opportunity near his home town.  We’ll be saying Auf Wiedersehen to Germany and the military and Howdy Ya’ll to Fort Worth Texas.  I’m looking forward to this new adventure not only because I adore Fort Worth (the art scene is amazing) and I’m blessed to have amazing In-laws that will be in the area, but also because we get to buy our first home.

Actually, we aren’t just buying, we’re building.

With building comes designing which is something I’m crazy passionate about.  My roommate in college once asked if the only reason I would want to own a home was to be able to decorate it (this was after the umpteenth time I rearranged our apartment).  She was absolutely right though.  No more restrictions of painting, adding appliances that makes life a bit more convenient,  and second guessing adding shelving that may or may not leave more than a nail hole size in the wall.   I get to play interior designer.

A trend that I’m very interested in now is Green Design.  Like many people, I’m always trying to be a good patron of the Earth… in moderation.  I am diligent about recycling, I buy local and fresh when possible, I used canvas market bags, I prefer the natural light to artificial, I use “green” cleaning products, wash all of my clothes in cold water, among other things.  Of course, I haven’t completely converted my lifestyle.  I didn't get on the cloth diaper band wagon for our first child and I just traded in my moderate size crossover for a larger SUV which was not very green…I do intend to do a lot of carpooling though.  Every little bit helps and I’m always looking for more ways to improve.  

When building a house, you get to start from scratch.   I can implement my passion for interior design and green living into one project.  Everything we do can not only help the environment but also save us money in the long run.   One of our inspirations is The 2011 HGTVGreen Home.  It could have very well been built with my husband and me in mind.  The clean cut German-esq modern lines, the rich colors of yellows and slate, the gourmet kitchen.  It was enough to make me want to pack my bags and move to Stapleton, CO right then and there.  

Of course, we are finding that we don’t need a full design team to make a Greener life.  We also found small steps can make a big improvement.  There are endless tips and ideas to make your space a little greener while also saving you money.  Here are a few links we’ll be using to assist us in the process.

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/green_building/

http://www.dreeshomes.com/energystar

http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/

http://www.hgtv.com/green-home/index.html

On Saturday we’ll be heading to Texas to visit family and to also start looking at properties.  Over the course of the next year, I’ll share with you the process of building our home, Green improvements we decide on, and fun design ideas we come up with.   I would love any insight and tips you have for a Greener Life and I hope to share some new ideas along the way.

Champagne with Raspberry Cupcakes

I love the story of how I met my friend Britney.  It’s one those “it’s such a small world” moments.  Britney had posted an ad for her babysitting services on our Wiesbaden military community Craigslist-esq site.  I was in the market for a babysitter and inquired.  Of course, being the cautious mommy I was, I went to Facebook to see if I could get an impression of her before we met.  Turns out we have a mutual friend.  Not a mutual friend here in Wiesbaden but a mutual friend from Iowa.  We both contacted our mutual friend Emily and soon discovered that we grew up in the same town, went rival high schools and were a year apart.  Even crazier she now she lives directly across the street from my Stairwell 10 in Stairwell 9 with the same apartment number 1.  Weird.

 

We arranged to meet and I knew I would either have a new babysitter or a new friend.  My attitude was in “mom” mode when we met just in case it turned out to be the former.  She came by, I had Sesame Street music on in the back ground and I offered her a cup of coffee or tea like the good Southern Girl I was raised.  After chatting with her a bit and reminiscing about good ol’ Des Moines, I felt that I set the stage all wrong.  Instead of Sesame Street and Tea, I felt like turning on some 80’s dance music and popping open a bottle of champagne.  Not because we are alcoholics wanting to drink at 10 in the morning, but because she is that much fun.  I liked her immediatly.  

Britney has this bubbly, rock star, but genuine personality.  Her business profile for BB Design Photography, states “there is glitter in my veins”.  She has a passion for all things creative and makes things that I wouldn’t be shocked to see at a local boutique.    We share interests in photography, design, Audrey Hepburn, Glee, among other things yet our personalities are very different.  While I can’t say the same for her, I adore her Summer Brights personality to my Autumn Neutrals.  

When Brittney sent out invitations for a house warming party with a request to bring something delicious, I had a mini panic attack.   I wanted to bring something tasty yet something that reflected her.  I searched the biggest recipe box known to man (Google) and combined a few different recipes to create this fabulous. sparkly, and bubbly creation below.   Serve these with a bottle of champagne on your next girls’ night in… and don’t forget the glitter.

Champagne with Raspberry Cupcakes

1 Box White Cake Mix

1 ¼ cup Champagne (cheap is fine, save the Dom Perigon for drinking)

1/3 cup Canola Oil

3 Egg Whites

2 tbsp Seedless Raspberry Preserves

Champagne and Raspberry Frosting

1 cup butter at room temperature

6 TBSP Raspberry Preserves

4 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup Champagne

Heat oven to 325F.  Place cupcake liners in regular size muffin tins.

In a large bowl, mix cake mix and champagne.  Add oil, eggs, and raspberry.  Use and electric mixer and beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes.  Divide evenly into muffin cups.  Bake about 20 minutes turning halfway through for more even cooking.  Cool for about 10 minutes and remove from pan to cool completely before frosting.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter and raspberry preserve to a smooth consistency.  Add champagne, mix, and then add powder sugar one cup at a time.  Beat with mixer until smooth*

Put frosting in a bakers bag or large ziplock bag with the end snipped off and frost cupcakes.  Add pink sugar, silver glitter sprinkles, pearls, and a raspberry garnish.  Enjoy!

*The raspberry preserves seemed to separate slightly from the frosting bind.  I’m not sure if this was the cause but I discovered that the preserves I used were “sugar free” and made with Splenda.  While it didn’t affect the taste and added a neat shimmery appearance, I’ll use 100% raspberry preserves next time.

Simply Beautiful Cakes

I have a new hobby.  I bake cakes.  Actually, no, it’s more than that.   I bake cakes, make them look pretty, photograph them, and spend the next week eating them.  It would be a regular hobby if I didn’t spend the following week cursing myself as I stare furiously at the scale’s proclamation of a few unwelcomed pounds.  *sigh* Such is life.

Anyway, I bake cakes.  Nothing fancy, but I add just a simple additional touch.  I do have a friend who creates masterpieces with cakes and should really start baking more and blogging about them so that she can market herself and eventually open up her own business…ahem, Tammy.   

Regardless, despite the simplicity of it, it did not come naturally for me.  I’ve had quite a few cake (and pies and cookies and…) disasters.  There was the You Might As Well Be Sucking on a Lime, Key Lime Pie, the Shredded Carrot Mash Adhered by a Cake Texture, Carrot Cake, and of course my infamous Three Tries Is Not a Charm, Resorted to a Box Mix, Forgot an Essential(very expensive) Ingredient and The Homemade Icing Hurt your Teeth, Chocolate Cake.  My poor husband was the recipient of all of these disasters (two birthdays and a Valentine’s Day).  It’s the thought that counts, right?!

You can imagine my excitement when YouTube became popular and professionals would actually have a tutorial on how to make cakes look pretty AND taste good.  The whole crumb layer thing was pure genius.  Even better, was April 2011 issue of Real Simple had an article on how to make and decorate cakes like pros…simply.   I loved this magazine before, but I so love it even more now!

I would practice here and there for special occasions and was amazed at how easy it was and how much better I got at decorating.  I even found a solution to the cake itself.  As another equally inspiring friend told me, “why mess with something that’s been perfected”.  So yes, I use good Ol’ Betty Crocker to assist me in the kitchen…for most recipes anyway.  There is just no substitute to homemade carrot cake (as long as you follow the directions of course).  More on that another time though.

My icing is usually homemade and has been (almost) perfected.  One ingredient that I love right now is Mascarpone.  It’s a less tangy, creamier and more decedent cream cheese.   It’s fabulous and simple. It's so fabulous that I had to write a post about my new found hobby just so I could share with you.  Loe and behold, below are a few recipes that I’ve adapted to make a simply fabulous icing.  Remember, simple really does go a long way.  Enjoy.

Mascarpone Cream Frosting

Adapted from JustJENN

8 oz Mascarpone

½ cup Confectioner’s Sugar (I like a little less than recommended)

Pinch of Salt

1 TBSP Vanilla Extract (I like a little more than recommended)

1 ½ Cup Whipping Cream

“In a medium bowl combine mascarpone cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Stir together until smooth, and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form – don’t overdo it, the last thing you want is for it to curdle. Then fold the whipped cream, into the mascarpone mixture until combined. If you get it just right, you will get a nice sweet fluffy frosting.”

Independence Day Cake: Lemon Cake with Mascarpone Cream Frosting, Topped with Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries

Chocolate Mascarpone Icing

Adapted from Real Simple’s Chocolate Sour Cream Icing

12 oz Semi Sweet Chocolate

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature.

2 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar

1 cup Mascapone

Pinch of Salt

Preparations As Directed by Dawn Perry:

1. “Heat the chocolate in a double boiler or medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water, stirring often, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool, 10 to 15 minutes.”
2. “Using an electric mixer, beat the butter on high until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add the sugar and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the chocolate, sour cream, and salt and beat to combine.”

Yellow Cake with Strawberry filling topped with Chocolate Mascapone Icing and Fresh Straweberries

DannBecke

I met Dan and Becke a year ago through, what we believe, was Divine Intervention.  Before I met them, I was into my 3^rd month of single parenting thanks to my husband’s deployment.  While I loved my son and loved spending my days with him, I longed for something else to occupy my time.  I needed something that was for me, but also something that would be for the good of the community.  I found myself praying to God about this before PWOC one day, and my prayer was answered when a mutual friend announced they were looking for volunteers for a Youth Coffee Shop.  Dan and Becke, Youth Ministers in our community, had a brilliant idea to establish a place for teens to come during the week get a free drink, relax in a safe environment, and in turn, would branch out to more teenagers looking to connect with God.  As a former Barista and management focused college courses, it was a wonderful opportunity.  I love how God brings people together.

Quickly, I learned that these are two of the least selfish people in the world.  They spend their life spreading the word of God to some of the most difficult people to reach; teenagers.   It was so neat to see how their different personalities were able to connect to the youth.  Dan has a relatively calm personality but is always saying something incredibly insightful.  It's a gift of his to be able to have a collected conversation with an adult and then be able to relate to any teenager like he's the fun big brother.  Becke, is full of artistic energy and the sweetest person ever.  I love how she uses art as an outlet to understand God and His teachings.  Both are amazing inspirations.

Today, Dan and Becke are in the process of adopting siblings from Ethiopia.   They are preparing a package to send to the orphanage to show the kids who they are.  I was flattered when they asked if I could take pictures of them.   I didn’t feel comfortable charging them since I still have a long ways to go for that, I thought  it was time to take what I had learned through my few workshops and classes and put it to the test.  

I am thankful I had them as my first clients as they were so easy to work with and extremely patient with me.  They both lit up in front of the camera and were naturals.  Their love and affection for one another was apparent as they laughed, joked around, and shared many kisses.  Even though our session was cut short due to a downpour of rain, I am very happy with the results and hope they can use a picture or two for their journal.  

  

If asking for photos wasn't a gift in itself, a fun thing happened after Becke contacted me for portraits. I found God working through them again as I began to receive more emails for photos sessions, more creative opportunities presented, and a new artistic endeavor that I so badly needed.  Thank you, Dan and Becke, for everything.  You two are going to make wonderful parents and I wish you nothing but the best.