drowning in Ohiopyle July 1, 2008

This past weekend my dad and very good friends went rafting on the lower youghiogheny river! But no thank gosh- there was NO drowning, only good times!

My dad is super kayaker and so he was wonderful enough to be our rudder in the huge raft! We headed out on Friday night and got to partake in some campfire deliciousness and had some good eats on Saturday too!

Above is one of the many smores that were devoured! Yay for sticky chewy messy and gooey things! and thank you Erica for bestowing the smores goods on us!

beach sweets!!! June 26, 2008

Ah the classic sweets of a summer beach visit…

First and foremost is a ritual in my family and Stephanie’s - Fisher’s Popcorn. Now you can see the popcorn is all gone, but believe me! It is FANTASTIC.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Tart! June 17, 2008

This was the last of the desserts on Saturday and boy was it yummy! The entire tart was promptly finished off on Sunday with my pops.

The recipe comes from Miss Mary at Alpineberry! My tart pan was a little smaller than hers so I cut the recipe by a third! (my measurements listed below have been adjusted!)

Raspberry Couer a la Creme June 17, 2008

Here is another dessert from my girlie party on Saturday! It comes from Mrs. Ina Garten and even though it looks like a white mass of something…it was delicious! (with minor adjustments…)

I am submitting this to another one of Mike’s Table Food Challenges!

Raspberry Chocolate Souffles June 17, 2008

This my friends is what I like to call heaven in a handbasket.

Now that makes no sense, but that’s okay. I made three lovely soufflés on Saturday for my delightful friends-Megan and Kim, and myself!

I love you french chocolate food. I really do.

see recipe below!

Birthday Black Bottom Pie June 7, 2008

My godmother’s birthday was on Friday and in addition to a homecoming/graduation party with the WHOLE fam (sans laurita, sorry laurita), I brought this for her as a birthday cake!

This recipe comes courtesy of Cook’s Country!

Daring Bakers Challenge: Raspberry Opera Cake! May 28, 2008

I am so thankful to be a member of this amazing amasse of baking adventurers! Viewing the seven pages of directions did cause me to be taken aback a couple of weeks ago, but once I saw the expression on my family’s faces after tasting this creation I am so thankful I was given the challenge!

Here is my raspberry opera cake, complete with lots of pink food coloring and pieces of raspberry between the layers!

And thank you to Becca Berlow, my honorary daring baker, who helped me a ton with this challenge this weekend on her vacation!!

“Memorial” day of eating May 27, 2008

Sissy, Mom and I went to Chestertown on Saturday for my 10 mile race and we had a great time being foodies afterwards at the festival! Check out our lemon with peppermint sticks!

lots more fun things to see…

there ain’t nothin more american… May 19, 2008

than good ol` apple pie! I visited my friends Meaghan and Jeff with Erica this past saturday night for Jeff’s 30th birthday celebration! I neglected to take a nice sunny day photo of my creation, so this one was taken at 8:00ish pm in the giant food parking lot on rt.3 in fredericksburg (oh how i miss thee college town..), va! This was my addition to the festivities.

The recipe comes from my well tested standby, New Best Recipe cookbook!

Dark Chocolate & Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies May 16, 2008

I am visiting my favorite professor this weekend on my trip to Virginia and I was trying to think of an awesome cookie recipe that incorporates chocolate (her honest to God addiction) and was cute and kid friendly (for her 4 year old Nadia!!)! I remembered these cookies from my childhood!

Here is the recipe my lovely mother typed up for me.