A Slush Run

Sounds like a post about an impulsive run to the local quickmart to get a slushy drink, doesn't it? ;)

It's actually in reference to a really great run I had the other day at the park after we had that snowstorm last week. Since we can't leave my father-in-law home alone anymore, I had asked my husband to come home two hours early the other day to watch over his dad so I could get the girls to a 5 pm appointment, and he surprised me by coming home even earlier than I asked so I had a few extra hours to myself. Awesome! So what did I do with that time? Go running, of course!

I headed to my favorite running spot to check out the trails, not sure what condition they'd be in only a short day or two after the snowstorm. This is what I found:



A lot of the paved trail is covered with soft packed snow or slush and a few patches of ice.

Sounds crazy to run on, I know, but wow was that fun!

I started out walking cautiously on the hard packed or icy spots, but found that it was actually really fun to run on the soft packed stuff. Almost like running on sand, which is more work than running on pavement, that's for sure.

My pace turned out to be pretty slow. I ran 4 miles in 51 minutes. Ugh. I probably shouldn't even admit that in a public place!

I'm sure I was so slow because of the extra caution I was taking on the mixed conditions, but it was almost like interval training, in a way, as I frequently changed my pace depending on the conditions underfoot. Either way, fast or slow, it felt so good to be out there. The temperature was in the mid 30s (around 0 C), the sun was shining, the sky was so blue, and I was loving it! The run was both exhilarating and relaxing. And what pretty views, too.

Speaking of pretty views, here are a few photos I took of the yard during last week's snowstorm.

This is the side yard where my feathered friends dine on berries and hide from the mean hawks. This was taken a few hours into last Wednesday's snowstorm. Six inches down, eleven more to go.

This photo was taken maybe two hours after having just shoveled the first 6 inches off the cars, driveway and sidewalks and it was still coming down strong.

The next morning, my husband took this photo of yours truly, finishing up the third shoveling in under 24 hours. I love the smell of the air and the clear blue, sunny skies the day after a snow storm.

It was snowing again last night into this morning. I took this is a photo the backyard this morning when I ventured out to the compost pile with an overflowing bucket of a week's worth of kitchen scraps. You'll see and read more about my compost pile in the coming weeks and months because I started an experiment this morning. I'm sure you're all dying to know more about it. ;p

The house looks a lot different now compared to back then, huh? Or even then? Or wow... way back then!?

I mentioned the other day in my Snow Day Chili post how much I love snowstorms and snow days. How magical it is to watch the landscape outside turn into a glittering winter wonderland. Well, just so you know, that prettiness lasts about two days, if you're lucky. Soon all those piles of snow along the streets and sidewalks become so dirty from mud, pebbles, street grime, piddled yellow from dog pee and children's snow sculptures start to keel over, and it all looks like such a big ugly mess. Lucky for us, though, it snowed another 2 inches last night to cover all that ugliness with a fresh, clean white coating. The beauty of it is that this snow isn't sticking to the pavement. Except by some cruel intervention by mother nature, because our driveway is the only one in the whole neighborhood on which the snow stuck! As I drove my youngest to school... NOT ONE other driveway or sidewalk in our neighborhood had snow stuck to it! What the heck is up with that? Even my neighbor called out to me as I was shoveling and said, "Hey, looks like it only snowed over your house last night." Followed by a laugh! What the HECK? I know I said I actually enjoyed shoveling the snow, but COME ON!

Anyway, while I'm on the subject of fun in the snow.... are you watching the Olympics? I love watching the Olympics, both summer and winter, but I think the winter games are my favorite. Maybe because my husband and I were big time skiers back in the day B.C. (before children). Now we are lucky if we go once or twice a season. Or at all. :(

My husband and I vacationed at Whistler Blackcomb ski area back in 1993. I know that sounds like a long time ago, but it feels like just yesterday for me. Anyway, such a beautiful place with some really great skiing.

So we've been watching the games every day and night. When I was a little girl, I absolutely loved the figure skating. Now I enjoy watching it, but it's not my favorite. My favorite events are all of the ski and snowboard events. The freestyle ski and snowboard events are so fun to watch, as are the cross country events, the combined events, and the races. Oh, and I like to watch the speed skating. Curling is an interesting event, too. I'm going to try to catch some of those events on t.v., too.

What's your favorite event?

One more thing. If you have an iPhone and you're into following the Olympic games, you need to download the free NBC Olympics app. It gives you access to just about anything you want to know about the games including the daily schedule of events, what's going to be broad casted on television or online and when, the medal counts, stats about the athletes and countries, news stories, and so much more.

I think that's all the snow talk I have for now. I hope you're enjoying whatever kind of weather is in your corner of the world. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you a day of love, laughter,

and happily ever after.

Snow Day Chili

I love snow days. I loved them when I was a kid and I love them now. There's something so exciting about anticipating being snowed in and watching the landscape transform into a winter wonderland right before your eyes. I don't even mind shoveling. Honest.

So today was a snow day in my corner of the world as we got about 17" of snow in the last 24 hours. My girls and my husband were home today for the snow day and while the girls will be home for another snow day tomorrow, unfortunately my husband will be trekking in to his job tomorrow.

In anticipation of the snow storm, I made a big pot of chili that we had for dinner last night and then again for lunch today, which was very satisfying after that first round of snow shoveling. This recipe is really easy to make and very tasty, too!

Snow Day Chili

1 tblsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef sirloin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tblsp. tomato paste
3 tblsp. chili powder
1 tblsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tblsp. blackstrap molasses
1 35 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained.
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large dutch oven or sauce pot.

Add onion and garlic and saute until onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes.

Add ground beef and cook until browned, stirring often.

Add salt, pepper, tomato paste, chili powder, cocoa powder and molasses. Cook for 1-3 minutes, stirring often.

Add tomatoes and beans, stir to combine.

When chili begins to boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season with additional salt to taste, if needed.

Serve in bowls with rice, tortilla chips or my favorite, corn bread and your favorite toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, and sliced jalapeno chilies.

Enjoy! :)

German Chocolate Ganache Cake

Remember the iCake I made for my husband for his birthday last year? If you missed it, click over ... it was one of a kind. It was a lot fun to make, but what a labor of love rolling and cutting all that fondant to make the Apps!

This year, I made him his favorite cake-- a German Chocolate Cake, but with a twist. Normally, German Chocolate Cake is made with layers of chocolate cake that are filled and coated with coconut pecan frosting. This sophisticated version that I made today still has two layers of chocolate cake with a coconut pecan filling, but instead of having the coconut pecan frosting coating the outside of the cake ... the cake is drenched in chocolate ganache. Ooo la la.

The cake, coconut pecan filling and the chocolate ganache are all made from scratch, so this cake turned out to be more labor intensive than the iCake! But he's so worth it. ;)

Happy Birthday to my sexy, smart and fun husband.

I love you.

Recipe adapted from the Martha Stewart Living recipe for Inside-Out German Chocolate Cake.

German Chocolate Ganache Cake
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Coconut-Pecan Filling
1 fourteen ounce can sweetened condensed milk
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
2 cups shredded coconut

Chocolate Ganache
12 oz. package semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups heavy cream

To prepare the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Place butter, chocolate chips and cocoa powder in a heatproof bowl and set bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water.


Stir the ingredients frequently as mixture melts.

Stir until smooth and remove from heat.


At this point, you may want to dip a spoon into the chocolate and butter mixture to taste. You know... a girl's gotta make sure her ingredients are top quality and oooh mmmmm so good, right?

Cut parchment to fit two 9" round baking pans.

Butter the bottom of the baking pans, insert the parchment circle and butter the top of the parchment paper as well.

Sift flour and salt in a small bowl.


Combine sugar and egg in a large bowl.


Beat until smooth.

Add vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture.

Isn't that pretty? It looks like splattered paint. That you can eat.

Mix on low speed of your electric mixer.

I love this part!
Look at the pretty swirls...

mmmm doesn't that look yummy?


This is the part at which you ask yourself how I managed to hold the mixer in one hand and focus and shoot the camera in the other hand.

Add the flour mixture to the batter.

Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until combined.


Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 20 minutes or until the cake tests done.

Let cakes cool completely before removing cakes from pans.


Set cakes on wire racks until filling is prepared.


To prepare filling:

Chop pecans and measure 1 1/2 cups.


Combine condensed milk, vanilla extract and butter in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until butter is melted.


While milk mixture cooks, place egg yolks in a small bowl and beat with a whisk until smooth.

Continuously whisk the egg yolks as you slowly add a small amount of the milk mixture (about 1 cup). If you don't whisk constantly, the hot milk mixture will cook the egg yolks, solidifying them, which you do not want. Eww.

Now add the egg yolk and milk mixture into the pan with the remaining milk mixture and continue to cook for 5 more minutes, stirring constantly


Remove mixture from heat and gently stir in the chopped pecans and coconut.


You may want to taste the filling at this point. You know... for quality control. You need to make sure it tastes perfect.

Let filling stand to cool. Store in refrigerator if not assembling cake right away.

Place one cake layer on a piece of 9" cake cardboard. If you don't have one, make one from a cut up cardboard box covered with parchment paper like so:




Spread filling evenly over top of the cake.

Carefully transfer second cake layer on top of filling and press gently.

Set aside until ganache is ready. Store in refrigerator if you're not preparing the ganache right away.


To prepare the ganache:

Place chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl.


Note: Do you see how the chocolate in the photo has that dull, white or chalky looking hue to it? This just means that the chocolate has been exposed to a shift in temperatures. For example, if you store your chocolate in a cabinet along an outside wall of your house, believe it or not, the seasonal shift in the temperatures outside your house are enough to make the chocolate develop this change in color. Be assured that the taste of the chocolate is not affected and it is perfectly fine for eating, baking and candy making. When heated or melted, the chocolate will regain a smooth, dark hue.

Heat 2 cups of heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium hight heat until it boils. Watch it carefully so it doesn't boil over.

Pour cream over chocolate chips and let stand for 10 minutes.


Gently fold and stir the chocolate and cream to fully melt the chocolate chips.

The cream may curdle a bit when combined with the cold or room temperature chocolate and look like this:
See the white lumps?

If that happens, simply use a whisk to whisk mixture until smooth.
Voila! Smooth chocolate ganache!

More taste testing would not be frowned upon at this stage.

Place cake on a wire rack over a rimmed cookie sheet.

Slowly pour some of the ganache over the cake, allowing the excess to drip over the sides, coating the cake completely.

Let the ganache set for several minutes and then repeat with more of the ganache to fully coat the cake.

Transfer the cake to a large serving plate.


The cake is dense and rich, so can serve up 12-15 people a 1 inch slice.

We've been eating the cake since Saturday evening and everyone loves it. It is rich, but not sickeningly sweet. The cake layers are a similar density of brownies, but are not fudgey like brownies, but have the more subtle chocolate flavor of German chocolate cake.

The ganache is amazing.

Ooo la la.

The end.

Enjoy! :)

I have about 1 cup of ganache left over, maybe more, that I've been storing in my refrigerator. I'm thinking of using it for a special Valentine's Day dessert, but I'm not sure how just yet. So help me out...

What would you do with a cup of leftover, decadent ganache?

REVIEW: The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

The Spellman Files is the first book in the very fun and quirky Spellman Family mystery series by Lisa Lutz. Nath and I picked up and read The Spellman Files last fall and finally wrapped up a buddy review that's posted today over at Breezing Through. Click over and check it out HERE! :)

Psst! While you're there, be sure to also check out the awesome Anti-Valentine's Day Romance Giveaway the gals at Breezing Through have going on. You can win your choice of several different romance novel prize bundles... three books in each bundle! The hard part is going to be deciding which bundle to choose from!


You can learn more about Lisa Lutz and the Spellman books at http://lisalutz.com/. In fact, I dare you to read the overview of The Spellman Files that you can find HERE, and if you're still not interested in checking out at least the first book in this series... there's seriously something wrong with you! LOL. Kidding! No, actually I'm not. ;P

Seriously, though, this series is adorable and amusing and also has some very serious elements. You're going to think these characters are wacko, but I assure you, they will grow on you and you'll become emotionally invested in each one of them in no time. Okay, maybe not David. Nah, you'll like David, too. But Isabel will definitely worm her way into your heart without you knowing it. At first you're probably going to think she's odd, obstinate, and perhaps a tad immature. You're going to want to shout at her through the pages of the book and say things like, "Nooo! Izzie! That's a bad idea!" or "Uh oh, Izzie. You're gonna regret that." or "Izzzz-iiiie" and roll your eyes. But I'm telling you, you're going to love her and root for her and want to read the whole series just like I did. The series just got better and better. Really fun stuff.

The Spellman books are currently available in hardcover and have recently started to become available in trade paperback and mass market paperback as well.

The fourth book in the series, The Spellmans Strike Again will be released on March 16, 2010 in hardcover.

AND! There are plans in the works for a movie based on the first book in the series! Yay! So exciting!

I want to thank Li at Me and My Books for recommending this series. Thank you, Li! :)

I want to thank Michelle at red headed book child for sharing the love of this series with me in comments and emails as I read all three of the currently released Spellman books AND for sharing her ARC of the fourth book, The Spellmans Strike Again that will be available on March 16, 2010. I'm so lucky! Thanks, Michelle! :)

I also want to thank nath at Books, Books and more Books --and Breezing Through, of course, for inviting me to do the buddy review with her over at Breezing Through. Thanks, nath!! It was a lot of fun discussing the book with you and I hope to do it again sometime. Maybe for Curse of the Spellmans. ;)

Library Loot XI

Library Loot is a weekly blog event that encourages bloggers to share what books they borrowed from the library that week. To participate, simply make your Library Loot post on your blog and link it using the Mr. Linky link at Marg's blog Reading Adventures or Eva's blog A Striped Armchair. This week's link up is at Marg's.

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

I wanted to read this historical romance immediately after reading Hilcia's review and when I read Phyl's equally encouraging review shortly after that, I was impatient to do so. It turns out that the book was just being processed in my library, so I quickly jumped on the hold list and was second in line.

The only work of Mary Balogh's I've previously read was her short story contribution to the Heart of Christmas anthology, "A Handful of Gold" back in December and I enjoyed it very much, so I'm looking forward to reading this latest release. It's only a two week book, and I know there is a waiting list for it, which prohibits me from renewing it, so I'll read this one very soon.

Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris

Shakespeare's Trollop by Charlaine Harris

Lily Bard Mystery Series

These are the first two books in the Lily Bard Mystery series by Charlaine Harris. I had read such glowing series reviews from first Danielle at ALPHA Reader back in early November and then shortly after that from Angie at Angieville, both of which prompted me to make a mental note to look for these books. And then never did.

Recently, I discovered a section of shelves in my library that holds numerous romance, mystery and thriller paperbacks that are not catalogued in the system, so I've been browsing them each time I visit the library to see if there's anything of interest to me. I'm not really sure why these books are not barcoded so I can search for them with the online library catalogue, but at least now I know this section actually exists so I can search the good old fashioned way. Lucky for me, I spotted the first two books in the Lily Bard series in this section and immediately checked them out. Within pages I was strongly attached to Lily. I finished reading Shakespeare's Landlord yesterday and already started reading Shakespeare's Champion. I have a feeling I'm going to plow through this series quickly. I already checked the online catalog and the library actually has the rest of the series in hardcover, hence it's catalogued. I think I may suggest that they catalogue the first two books so they get shelved with the rest of the series. I wonder if they have the same appreciation for having a whole series catalogued and shelved together.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordin

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordin

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordin

Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Book 1, 2 and 3

I have been meaning to read this series for at least a year now, and my interest was recently renewed in this series after seeing that a few of my book blogging friends picked it up and read the first book, compounded by the fact that a movie based on the first book is coming out in theaters later this month. After waiting a week or more for one of the four copies of the first book that my library has to become available, I finally brought The Lightning Thief home to read. I encouraged my ten year old daughter to read it and at first she declined the book, but said yes to see the movie with me. Her preferred genre is chick lit for middle school age girls. Lo and behold, I caught her halfway through the book a few days later! LOL! This week alone she has also read the next two books in the series, Sea of Monsters and The Titan's Curse, and I believe I promised her a trip out to pick up books 4 and 5 tonight! Hey, when a girl's gotta have her books, a girl's gotta have her books. I get that. ;)

In the meantime, I've read the first chapter of The Lightning Thief, but am determined to finish it before the movie releases. Harry Potter is just going to have to set aside for Percy Jackson for a week or so, as that next film doesn't release until later this year.

Elements of Freedom by Alicia Keys

I love Alicia Keys and this album is really fantastic. Remember how much I loved her duet performance of Empire State of Mind with Jay-Z? Well, her solo version of the same song, "Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" is equally amazing. All of her songs on this album are R&B style; very poetic, soulful, emotional, and romantic and oh so good. One song, "Put It In A Love Song," features guest artist Beyonce and is a bit less R&B and more energetic and pop-like.


I've only recently started paying attention to the music section in my library. I don't know why I've always passed by it in the past, but it will become a regular section for me from now on, I'm sure.

Do you borrow music from your library?

Have you read any of these books from my Library Loot this week?

REVIEW: Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel & RECIPE: Pomegranate Sherbet

I know what you're thinking. What are a review for a romance novel and a recipe for pomegranate sherbet doing in the same post, right? Well, it's quite simple really. I was invited to read Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel and participate in a group discussion with Lea (Closetwriter), Renee (Renee's Book Addiction) and Carolyn (The Thrillionth Page) --three smart, articulate and fun women. While reading the novel, I was inspired by the wonderful descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of the exotic setting to create a recipe for pomegranate sherbet that was served and eaten in the story. So naturally, I'm posting about the book and the recipe at the same time.

First things first, the book. Indiscreet is a fantastic read. It's an historical novel that takes place during the regency England time period, but nearly all of the story takes place in the exotic location of Turkey. Indiscreet is very romantic and the characters and their stories are incredibly well written and hence very believable. The author expertly articulated the exotic setting of Turkey and which, for me, added a layer to the story that just captured my senses and made this story even more memorable.

To read more about what I and my Indiscreet cohorts thought about this novel, visit our group discussion on Lea's blog HERE, where she's also giving away a copy of the book!

For a second chance to win a copy of Indiscreet, visit Renee's blog HERE!

And if that isn't enough, visit Carolyn HERE where does an interpretive dance of Indiscreet. What?! We're just going to let anything go with Carolyn over the next several weeks since she's probably quite beside herself in excitement and distraction as her debut novel Mind Games comes out in 50 days. So yeah. Interpretive dance at Carolyn's place!

Finally, my inspired recipe for Pomegranate Sherbet. Several of the main characters in Indiscreet, including our lead couple, Sabine Godard and Edward, the Marquess of Foye, bump into each other in a hot and busy marketplace and indulge in sherbet. I loved the way everyone chose orange, yet Sabine chose pomegranate. It's such a small detail, even somewhat irrelevant, yet to me, it somewhat asserted her character. She's strong, independent, and confident in her individuality. Or maybe I'm reading way too much into that and she just prefers pomegranates over oranges.

Fruit sherbets are generally easier to make than ice creams as they're usually a simple blend of fruit juice, sugar and milk or cream, and I'm very pleased with the results of this recipe. The sweet and tart of the pomegranate is nicely balanced and it's very smooth and delicately creamy. Very delicious. I hope you give it a try.

Pomegranate Sherbet

2 large pomegranates
OR 1 1/2 cups commercial pomegranate juice
1 cup granulated sugar
1 pint half and half
2 teaspoons vodka or Grand Marnier, optional

Note: The alcohol has a much lower freezing point than the juice and cream, so it helps keep the sherbet creamy and not icy. It can be omitted.

Juice your pomegranates. And uh.. good luck with that. Not such an easy task. ;)

Combine pomegranate juice with sugar, half and half, and the vodka or Grand Marnier, if using, in a large bowl, stirring with a wire whisk until well blended and sugar has dissolved.

Refrigerate juice mixture until very cold then process in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturers instructions.

Transfer sherbet into an airtight container and freeze for 1-4 hours until more firm. Then scoop, serve, and savor.

Enjoy! :)