Lost For Words

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Afterall, a picture is worth a thousand words. :o)




Although my spirit was brought down these past two days, have no fear...Renee was there. Thanks to Renee, my weekend could not have started out on a better note.

First we had sushi at Seito in Celebration. Sushi is Savitre's comfort food...it never fails to make me smile and heal my soul. Mmm....mmmm :o)

We then hung out on the rocking chairs overlooking Town Center Lake. While chatting the night away (since it was a gorgeous night out), we waited patiently in hopes of spotting an alligator. Did we see one?....We sure did!! My first alligator spotting in Florida! Woo Hoo!!!

Check out the other creatures we saw too :o) I love these Floridian wildlife...so fun to capture with my camera!

Anyways, I would love to do my posting on my night of "Discovery" but my bed is calling me now...so please stay tuned for the day the shuttle launched!

Three Tiers...Three Teams

Crazy Krazy Kraazeeee!!!

Wedding cake unit has come to an end. What are my feelings? There was a lot of sleep deprivation and a lot of gum paste flower making but it was definitely a unit that I enjoyed. Actually it made me miss Wilton A LOT!! Let me present to you the three team wedding cakes.

VOILA!!!

Kiku and Reggie

John, Elena, and Isamarie

Drum Roll Please....

Me and Christina

...and because Christina and I don't have anyone to take our delicious three tiered red velvet cake home to...here's what we did with the cake!! *laughs*

This was the MOST fun we had with this project!!! GO PASTRY PRINCESSES!!!! :o)

Piece of Cake

As we head into the last two days of the Wedding and Specialty Cake unit, Elizabeth Hollabaugh takes on the challenge of teaching her peers (us) how to pipe icing, roll out fondant, torte a cake, and make gumpaste flowers.

Elizabeth recently graduated from Notter School of Pastry Arts in June. Amongst her classmates, she took first place in the cake competition held at school which awarded her to be in charge of designing their class' graduation cake.

The most exciting part of this course for me so far has been carving cake into a shape of a purse. Most of my classmates airbrushed their colorful gems. I, on the otherhand, strayed from the norm (as usual). *sigh*

Why oh why must I ALWAYS do this to myself??? *shakes head* For some bizarre reason, I thought that making a zebra patterned purse would be a great idea. Though my classmates liked it, I think I would have preferred to airbrush mine to add to the collection of brightly colored purse trend. La dee da...there's always next time! :o)

On Thursday our individual occasional cake project was due. We were each given a different swatch of ribbon and had to design a cake utilizing the ribbon as an inspiration. My ribbon:Before I show you MY cake, let me show you my classmates' cakes:

Anyways, the first thing that came to mind with all the stripes on my ribbon was a child's birthday cake. Blah Blah Blah I thought to myself. There had to be other occasions out there besides weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. After recovering from a brain hemorrhage from thinking long and hard for an idea...the little light bulb in my head went off. DING DING DING!!!...I hit the jackpot!! *claps in excitement*

Everyone always gets a cake for celebrating something...be it a religious event, graduation, anniversary, etc.

I love cake!! I always want cake!! Cake makes Savitre happy!! :o) But you know what just dawned on me the other day? While people get cake for huge accomplishments or milestones in their lives...I NEVER once got a cake for the four marathons I completed. Was running a marathon not considered a huge accomplishment? Was it not a milestone in my life? OF COURSE IT WAS!! Although I was not able to get a cake for it then, did NOT mean I could not get a cake for it now! Tah Dah!

So to all those of you who have shed many tears, lost many toenails, but still crossed that golden line we call "the finish line"...I present you with my high ratio chocolate Many Miles in a Marathon Cake! (okay, so it's really just me running along the Chicago skyline...but hey, it's the thought that counts, right)? *cheeky grin*

I had so much fun making the cake come to life after sketching it out on paper.

If this cake isn't the epitome of Bake Cake and Run...then I don't know what is *shrugs* :o)

Finally, I got my airbrushing kick in by painting these really nifty looking sneakers. :o)

For the next day and a half, my partner (Christina) and I have to put together a three tiered wedding cake. Stay tuned to see how that turns out. Don'tcha just love cliff-hangers? :o) Dum Dum Duuuuum *tee hee*

Shotts of Chocolate Makes It Better

Why?!?!? Why did it happen to me?!?!?! That wretched day!!!

The morning was dark, quiet, and still. Not a sound to be heard for miles away.

Was anyone else awake? NO!! Just me!

There I was, surrounded by an unsually fowl odor.

But what could it be?...

...and then IT happened!!

THUMPTHUMP

THUMPTHUMP

THUMPTHUMP

Okay, okay, enough of the dramatic opening... :o)

WARNING: I'm just being me in my silly mood again...so if this post makes absotutalootly no sense whatsoever...my apologies to y'all.

It's been a pretty insane 2 weeks...but I don't know if I would exactly go as far as to say "wretched" :o)

Last Thursday, as I headed out the door, there was definitely a strange smell in the parking lot. I didn't think anything of it, until I started driving off. I almost made it to the gateway of my community, when I heard a funky sound. I lowered my windows and turned off the AC...sure enough it was the sound of a flat tire. "Gosh Darn It", I thought. I pulled the car over to a spot near a street lamp and got out to check. Yup, front driver's side, flat as a pancake.

Normally, I would be able to change the tire myself...however, since my car is new, everything was bolted down ridiculously tight. I swear...I know how to change my own tire...I just didn't have the muscle power that morning.

So who comes to my rescue???? Are you ready for this??? You're NOT going to believe this!!!!...Definitely not AAA....Is the suspense killing you yet????...

Okay...okay....Answer: CHEF NOTTER!!! *my hero* :o)

Yes, I called the school to let them know that I was going to be running late. Fortunately for me, Chef Notter answered the phone and seemed very concerned to help me in my desperate time of need. Faster than you can say Notter School of Pastry Arts and Car Repair, Chef Notter pulled up next to my car and in the blink of an eye, my tire was changed. (Wish I had gotten a picture of this...but I was more concerned about helping him get the tired changed...*ho hum*.)

He was quite surprised that I had gotten most everything ready for him to go. I said "Mise en place" with a huge grin on my face.

- a French term meaning "everything in place". It is normally used in a professional kitchen to refer to the ingredients and other components that a cook requires to prepare during their shift.

Yes, Savitre doesn't fail to make Chef laugh...even during the most stressful times!! :o)

ANYWAYS, to make a long story short (too late, right?):

The spare flatted (is that a word??) by lunchtime.

Reggie filled air in the spare just so I could get to the dealership.

Waited at the dealership for 2 excrutiating hours.

When the car was done, major rain/thunderstorm began.

Traffic moved like molasses.

Finally made it home into my nice, warm, comfy bed :o)

Ahhh...then begins my weekend of FUNness!

It's been quite some time since I've taken a weekend class, so I was extremely excited.

This time it was Artisinal Bonbons and Confections with Andrew Shotts.

We got some awesome recipes including yummy marshmallows, Baja popcorn, and about a gajillion different types of bon bons.

Day 1: Helped scale ingredients and watch Chef Andrew make tons of ganache.

Day 2: Savitre burns 1 cup worth of popcorn and supposedly broke the microwave. I can't even pop popcorn properly ...what am I doing here?!?!?! *sigh* Just wasn't my day, I guess.

Day 3: Taste tested every single product made...sometimes had to taste them several times just to be sure *wink wink*. Boxed up all the products in cute little packagings that Chef Andrew provided for us. Got him to sign my copy of his book. He's so silly, his signature autograph is "Shake Your Bon Bon" :o). Anyways, heard you were going to be at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival...maybe I'll see ya there Chef :o)

All in all, what started out to be a no good, very bad day ended up in the most delicious weekend ever! Another round of Shotts please! :o)

Happy Hunniversary

This post is dedicated to YOU...Hunny Boo!!

Last weekend, Kobfa and I spent a day on Disney Property at the Grand Floridian. So, what did we do? We enjoyed several hours in their fitness center of course!! I loved their gym...they had the most high tech treadmill I have ever seen. You could hook your Ipod up to the treadmill...how cool is that? *in awe*

After a nice long workout, we enjoyed a relaxing couple's massage at the Grand Floridian (fitness center was part of the package deal), followed by dinner at Swan's Kimonos. More Sushi = More Yummers!!!...then a night of my butt getting kicked at putt putt in Disney's Winter Summerland. *sigh* You know I let you win, right? *wink wink*

Anyways, with us, it's ALWAYS been such an adventure. But why wouldn't it be? Afterall, we did meet through skydiving! Check out the brave soul to jump out FIRST!!! *Eeeek!*

Did cupid have plans for us to meet?...DEFINITELY!!
Although we didn't know each other as kids (even though we were just steps away from each other), I'm so glad we crossed paths again!

Thank you for all the laughter and great times we've shared.

I would've added more pictures if my computer hadn't crashed and destroyed all our precious memories...but of what has been saved, may the pics speak for itself :o)

HAPPY 3 YEARS HUNNY BOO! :o)

Miss you...can't wait to see you soon!

Just "A Notter" Day

OKAY!!! I MUST DO THIS!!! I MUST UPDATE MY BLOG!!!!

I had such a fun weekend....I can't wait to do the posting on that. However, before I get to that (which will be another night's project), I would like to catch you up on the happenings at school.

Last week, we wrapped up the Candies and Pralines unit! WOW!! I never knew how much fun it would be!!!...okay, who am I kidding???...we're talking about CANDIES AND PRALINES!!!...not budgets and financial statements (no offense to those of you who enjoy it...but it's just not for me). *shrugs*

Honestly, I feel like I ate more than we made in class (if that's humanly possible). YES YES...I definitely need to get back on track with my long runs. *sigh* I was doing so well too....hahaha unfortunately this weekend won't help because I will be taking a weekend course with Andrew Shotts (more bon bons and confectionary comestibles). *mini claps*

So, what did Chef Notter do? He made little candy elves out of us. We were busy casting molds. Just let me say...it is NOT an easy thing. If you see people do it and it looks easy...it's probably because they've had years of experience. Of course the first day I did it, I dropped the mold into the vat of chocolate....GO ME!! :o) However, for my practical, I was able to do it flawlessly (BUT I must credit Christina for being the guinea pig and risking her mold for the good of our group...WE HEART XTINA!!!!)

By 9am on some days, you could tell that some of our classmates had ONE too many rum truffle. *lol* RUM and CHOCOLATE for breakfast?!?!??! SERIOUSLY...Check out the side effects!!!!!

The day before our practical, we were sending all sorts of goodies through an enrobing machine. That was surely a fun day...but it took us a lot longer to set up the machine and break it down than the time we spent playing with it. Oh well...add that to my list of more toys I want to buy (I swear...I'm going to have to live to be a thousand to have Santa get me all the fun contraptions I've seen in school). *grin*

Anyways, I would DEFINTELY have to say that the BEST part of this unit (minus eating and eating....and eating) would be having Chef Notter as an instructor. I must admit that the night before our first day with him, I was extremely nervous. I didn't know how strict he was going to be or how critical he was going to be with my products.

However, it didn't take our class long to fall in love with him.

CHEF NOTTER:

loves what he does

is BEYOND GREAT at what he does

is extremely fun to joke around with

is one of the most personable instructor

doesn't want you to settle for mediocrity

enjoys showing you how to do it (right) *laughs*

wants students to respect the food and equipment

hates it when you show up to class late or don't show up at all

is what makes going to Notter School of Pastry Arts all worth it

Some of my most memorable phrases that he said were: "May I show you?", "Make a break.", and "Funny, Not Funny." Okay, so maybe that just sounds weird, but you just had to be there!!!

I was quite sad to see this unit come to an end...but this isn't the end of Chef Notter. He will be back to teach us Sugar, Pastillage, and Chocolate Showpieces (I hope). *crosses fingers* Until then, it's off to the Wedding Cake unit...

Wilton: I will try my best to represent you well! (if I don't, it's because I haven't touched cakes since February) :o)

Flickday Friday

Life in Orlando just doesn't get any better when Kobfa's in town *looking at him with dreamy eyes*. Today we had plans to just enjoy a day at the movies. So....what does Savitre decide she wants to go see? G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA....NOT!!! :o) (not that I have anything against G.I. Joe)

However, in theaters today...Julie & Julia!




I normally don't frequent theaters just because I hate paying the overpriced movie tickets...but this movie was going to be special. Growing up in my generation WITHOUT Food Network, one can truly appreciate Julia Child along with:

JEFF SMITH

JUSTIN WILSON

GRAHAM KERR

and of course... MARTIN YAN

So, there we were at a Regal Cinnema in Winter Park. It was me, Kobfa, and a theater full of elderly ladies (those whom also appreciate the classic cookings of Julia Child). I have a short attention span at theaters and have even been known to fall asleep at some (must admit...I fell asleep through The Matrix). This time it was different...this time I had my tray of nachos (with cheese and EXTRA jalapenos *Ooooo-we*!!!)...and a super mega big gulp of lemonade on hand (a surprise I didn't have to take a bathroom break in the middle of the movie). I never once took my eyes off the movie. *two thumbs up*

Meryl Streep did an excellent job of portraying Julia Child. She was drop-dead hilarious. If you don't already love Julia Child...this movie will sure make ya! However, what interested me most was Julie Powell's blog. No doubt that when I got home, I had to search for her blog site.

TA DAH!!!.... here it is The Julie/Julia Project.

It made me wish I had a purpose to my blog. Some people blog about running, some people blog as a form of therapy. Me?!?!?....I blog for the sake of rambling on...hahaha (it's what I do best). I wish I had a mission...I wish I had a purpose for my blog...I too wish I had a "project".

So, if y'all out there have any ideas for me...please send them my way...please? :o)

Until then, I thank you avid readers for continually reading my blog...glad I can entertain! :o)

After Julie & Julia, Kobfa and I decided to pay Christina a visit at Gurtzberry. She looked so cute in jeans (it's AMAZING how people look so different out of their chef uniform). Usually when people say they work at a yogurt joint...I think...TCBY. But NO!!! Gurtzberry was definitely not a TCBY...their yogurt actually tasted like yogurt! It was DELISH!!! :o)

The establishment was tres (French for "very") cute as well. I loved the color scheme, fancy light fixtures, and IKEA-esque furnishings...very hip and modern!

BUT WAIT!!!....THERE'S MORE!! (told you I like to ramble on) *lol*

As the night grew darker...Kobfa and I drove to 1 Walmart and 4 Walgreens in search of a Redbox to rent some scary movies. I ALWAYS love a good scare (as long as I know I'm in a safe environment). $1/night for movies...where you can pause, go to the bathroom or replenish your drinks, or rewind because you couldn't understand what they were saying...now THAT'S my kind of moving going! WAIT!!...just remembered....we actually got these movies for free (clearly I'm a big cheapo)...if you plan to rent from Redbox...look online for coupon codes. Why pay a buck when you can get it for free? *wink wink*

Anyways, we ended up getting Dark Secrets and The Uninvited. Dark Secrets wasn't scary *bummed*....it was more of a mystery solving...I don't know what. But The Uninvited?!?!?....now THAT was good!! I love movies with great endings (and pizza from Papa Johns aint bad either)!

Now that your eyeballs have fallen out of head from reading this long post...I'll stop boring you until the next post! :o)

As Julia Child would say..."Bon Apetite" :o)