Picture My World

A Scrapbook Layout

I managed to find some time to do a little digital scrapbooking this weekend. It was great! Here is a trip from 2006 that I forgot to scrapbook. Or at least I think so. I was looking through my photos and didn't remember doing a layout. I looked and looked and couldn't find one. But no worries, now I have one! I'm trying to use everything I learned from Cathy Zielske, particularly the need to incorporate more "white space" into my layouts. 

Supplies: Brandie Valenzuela (Scrapgirls.com): Vegas Kit; Ali Edwards: December Daily Templates; Kate Pertiet: Sanded Overlay

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

 

Digital Design: Heidi Larson

Picture of the Day - Tuesday, December 23rd

This measuring cup was my grandmother's. As long as I can remember, it was used for one thing, and one thing only--frosting for "The Cake." This is what you see in the picture. "The Cake" as my family calls it, is the best cake you've ever had in your life. Although Ingrid's mint chocolate cake is a close second. Made completely from scratch, you actually first make the frosting (seen above), a portion of which is then used for the base of the cake. Needless to say, we are having it for Christmas Eve dessert, and I'm confident everyone is looking forward to it. My mom passed on the reins for baking this cake to me a few years ago. And then just last year, she finally felt comfortable giving me the measuring cup as well. I mean really, The Cake just isn't The Cake unless the frosting is made and stored in my grandmother's measuring cup.Now all is good again.

And, in the name of quality control, you can bet I licked this...

Picture of the Day - Monday, December 22nd

The San Francisco War Memorial Opera House just before we entered to see SF Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker. The performance was amazing, especially since I was treated to BOX SEATS. It was great. Can't wait until next year. Is it too late to take up ballet lessons again?

Picture of the Day - Thursday, December 18th

The Melting Pot in San Mateo celebrating Lisa's birthday.

Picture of the Day - Wednesday, December 17th

Sorry for the blurry nature, but it was because I was probably shivering. Note the 34 degree temperature. It was freezing (almost literally) last week. If I wanted to live in weather this cold, I'd move to Chicago or New York. Fortunately we are now back in the mid-50's where it belongs. Phew!

Picture of the Day - Saturday, December 13th

Fake It Truffles

I hate to divulge secrets, but I can't resist. My department holiday party was 12/13 and as a past winner of various company baking contests, I was asked to bring something for dessert. So I brought what I am calling Fake It Truffles. People loved them. They were devoured! Many people asked me for the recipe. Which I'm including below. They are seriously addictive. But so easy!

1 8-oz package of cream cheese. You have to use regular, the consistency of low-fat doesn't work. It's the holidays, you are allowed to indulge :-)
1 package of Oreos. I used Trader Joe's Joe Joes which are like Oreos with  candy canes. Yummy!
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 package regular chocolate chips.

Mash up the Oreos. Mix with cream cheese until completely combined. You don't want to see any marbling. Remember these are called "Fake it" it needs to look like real truffles. Mix in 1 cup mini chocolate chips. Roll into small one-bit balls and put on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. I recommend trying one--you know, quality control and all. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Melt a package of chocolate chips. Use a deep bowl as it is easier to do. Using a fork, drop each ball into the chocolate chip mix to cover completely and put back on cookie sheet with parchment paper. You could top with a nut (but I wouldn't understand why you would want to ruin the chocolate with a nut, but I know some people like that), chopped up candy canes, red hots, anything. Chill at least an hour and then serve. Watch them disappear!

Oh and if you are wondering how I did in this year's baking contest, well, they didn't have it! Can you believe it? I'm not sure why. Perhaps cost cutting, but I'll pretend it is because they are worried I might just win again :-)

Picture of the Day - Friday, December 12th

These are the best donuts ever! No seriously, the best! Just ask anyone who has had them before. The secret is that they use their own Apple Cider. Not the crappy stuff you get here, but the good stuff made from apples they pick in their own orchards. They don't call it Delicious Orchards for nothing! And they are worth the shipping which is more than the cost of the donuts. The perfect Cold Snack ;-)

Meeting Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin

Before Lisa and I headed to Erin's cookie party (see yesterday's POTD), we stopped by Omnivore Books in Noe Valley to meet Eric Ripert from Le Bernardin in New York City.  I had heard of him and his restaurant before, but he is most familiar to me from his appearances on Top Chef. It was so great to meet him. He spoke for 40 minutes or so before signing his new book. He has a great website with recipes and party ideas. You should definitely watch the videos, because his accent is so awesome.

I'll also give Omnivore Books a plug. What a great bookstore! It just opened in early November and it is a cookbook book store. It offers both new and antiquarian books. It is quite possibly the cutest bookstore I've ever been in. It is well lit, well laid out and cozy enough to want to spend hours looking through the books. Ironically, the space was a butcher shop back in the day and you can still see the scale and other tell-tale signs of its history. There were too many people at the Eric Ripert event to get the chance to browse, but I look forward to going back very soon!

Without further ado...Eric Ripert...

Picture of the Day - Thursday, December 11th

My friend Erin M. had a cookie party and these are my creations! As always, Erin was a great hostess and the food and friends were fabulous!