Me and the Black Dog

The Black Dog and I went out to the Wincopin. Three days in a row I was greeted by something being torn apart for sport so it was clear she needed more space to run about than the trails around the house. In the woods I can let her off leash to blow off all that steam - and that's just what she did.

 

For the most part she was well behaved. She jumped in the water much to my chagrin though I can't say as I blame her. It was a beautiful day and she was probably pretty hot by that point.

This being a rest week I didn't run long, but otherwise I'm up to 13 minutes of pain-free running. It's time to start looking at 5K's and put a plan in place. :) I don't want to get too optimistic, but I think this is a good pace for me. So far.. so good.

 

(BTW - people keep asking if I'm irritated in the pic above... no. I'm tired and hungry and my dog stinks but not really feeling negative emotion. And she's not the kind of dog that likes to have her picture taken so we have to do this "I'm not looking at you" thing. I kinda like the look on her face. Her eyes say it all... I've come to believe BD has an old soul.)

 

 

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Big Green Tractor old-school

Food Glorious Food

As I've said before, culture's all about food. I can't think of the Holidays without thinking of food.
For Thanksgiving we make appetizers with a theme. Like last year we drew states in the union and made something from that state... Since popcorn is the official snack food of the great state of Illinois and Cracker Jack was introduced at the World's Fair in Chicago, I made caramel corn (still looking for the pic...).
Ha! Found it!!

Those who know anything about Hawaii know SPAM is a big deal there. I did some research an apparently a new favorite at luaus is corn chowder... so I added some SPAM. :) Who knew?
I took second and third place in the Thanksgiving cook-off. :) I can't remember which was which... Later in the day we did eat a full Thanksgiving dinner and I was so full I could barely move.
Christmas brought more food. :) I made a chocolate torte. Having never made one of these bad boys before, I didn't know what to expect and let me tell you, those recipes don't tell you everything. First off, that whole "gently fold" is a crock. How are you supposed to "gently" mix hot chocolate sauce with air-whipped egg whites... until "incorporated?" Gently. Yeah. I know.
So, you bake it and it looks awesome.

Then...

Like a souffle, it falls. And it's supposed to I found out after I googled the issue in a panic. However, the plan was to pour a sexy ganache over it. Now what?

That's right - I flipped that sucker upside down. :) I made a strawberry puree reduction and whipped cream. This cut the richness of the torte and chocolate ganache. It was awesome. I might have baked the cake a little long as it was a bit crumbly - but no one complained. :)
If I do it again, I will make a mousse and fill the middle (keeping the torte right side up). I would do the puree reduction again as that was a great addition. I love making the ganache... but I found another use.

As it turns out, people rather like to receive chocolate truffles for Christmas. I covered them in toasted walnuts and coconut, powdered sugar, cocoa and cinnamon.
This holiday season was hands-down one of the best I can remember. I was with those I love and who love me... and I cooked.