Matteo and Tiramisu

My first Colorado bestie turned 30 recently. Of course there was a little shindig for him because he should be celebrated. I was asked to make a cake or cupcakes for the dessert portion of his party. I obviously said yes, because, Uh hello....it's for Matteo!! I wanted to make him something special and came up with quite a few ideas. Then it came to me...Matteo's Italian and he loves his Italian roots. So it had to be none other than tiramisu cupcakes. I thought that would be a great way to honor him for his special day.

Now I like baking. I like cupcakes. I like tiramisu. However, I have never made tiramisu in full cake form; yet, I decide to embark on 3 dozen mini ones. Yeppers. Why do I do this to myself? I know not. I look up recipes and try to find one that will be delectable and not overly hard to make. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was hoping to find something I could make on my first try. Let me tell you that Tiramisu is a daunting and a time stealing baking endeavor. But in short, and via photo, it went a little something like this....

First you have about a million ingredients. Yes, I'm prone to the dramatic. Below is just a few of those ingredients.



Then you start the cake portion....



Again...mixing with the hand mixer. That Kitchenaid is so elusive in my life. So sad!!



Plus you need to have a handy dandy assistant. Love you Jenn! Look at her separate those yolks and whites.



Once all the mixing is done you get this yummyness. I could have eaten the batter on its own. Yeah, I said it. Deal.



Then you put your batter in the pans and bake.



While the cupcakes are baking, you begin the decadence. The icing. Which the primary ingredients are marcapone cheese and heavy whipping cream.



On to the mixing of the icing....again, using that hand mixer. When all is said and done, you come up with this sweet, delectable, oh my gosh I'm going to eat this whole bowl icing. Just look at that photo. I was proud of myself. And mind you, I used a hand mixer. It was a hard task, but I managed. It was so yummy you would have to pause and ponder the goodness of it all.



Once the cupcakes have cooled and while your amazing, i'm going to eat the whole bowl and not feel guilty, icing is chilling you layer on the kahlua, rum and espresso mix onto the tops of cupcakes.



After that you pipe on the to die for icing and then garnish to your liking. I chose chocolate shavings and a chocolate covered espresso bean to top it all off.

Ta da....!!




These cupcakes, I can confidently stay, were fan-flippin-tastic. Everyone loved them and I felt accomplished and proud of myself--and Jenn, my patient helper. But apparently, I'm much more relaxed than I used to be. At least Jenn noted that from my easy response from when we had a few mishaps. I believe with the first problem, instead of freaking out, I said..."Uh, Houston, we have a problem!" And when Jenn appeared, she saw that the ease of how I stated my sentence was not in accordance with the disaster brewing in the oven. Note to you and to self: when you are getting a recipe from a random stranger, sometimes they leave out very important facts about how much tiramisu can rise. Yeah!! (insert the roll of my eyes right here!) But I handled it with gusto and calm, then we began again with baking..this time modifying to what we knew would happen. Overall it was a great experience. Most importantly, Matteo loved them.

That's all that matters, right?! Right.

Is it always cold in Estes? Or is it just me?

Recently, I was in Estes Park for Memorial Day weekend. I went camping, er rather I mean, campering*, with my Y Besties at Hermit Park. Yep, that was indeed the name, Hermit Park. No, there weren't any hermits hanging around; at least not that I saw. However, now that I think about it, there were some rather strange noises in the middle of the night. Hmmmm? But I digress, Hermit Park....the views were spectacular, the company was almost perfect...long story, no need to go into it....and the evening was full of bonfire and yummyness. But the sleep. Oh the sleep. It was freakin' freezing. Not kidding, fuh-a-reezing. And I mean, F.R.E.E.Z.I.N.G. Did I mention it was freezing? Even poor Tobey, the adopted Greyhound of Ellyn and Rhonda's, had chattering teeth that kept us up in the middle of the night. So sad. Freezing aside, I had a blast and was able to forget about the world around me and just relax, play games, take naps and enjoy the great outdoors. That rarely happens my friends. 93.5% of the time I feel like the world is riding heavy on my shoulders and I have no way to escape it; but campering this past weekend was a blast and I was able to do just that....escape. Well, for the most part anyway. Certain company only likes to talk about the Y; but we were able to muddle through it all. It was just what I needed.

We went in to Estes Park to stroll the art fair since we were so close to the beautimous mountain town of Estes to find reprieve from the strong winds that kept me sneezing all freakin' weekend. Yay for allergies. As I was strolling Estes, I took a walk down memory lane and was remembering the first time I visited there many many years ago with my friend Karey. It was cold and in the middle of February. But I loved it....cold and all. Often when I would visit we would grab our cameras and go explore. I loved it. I would do whatever I could to get the most perfect photo. As Ellyn, Rhonda, Tasia, Angie and I were strolling, I came across the infamous river where Karey and I have one of my favorite photography stories.

Picture it....winter in Estes Park, 1997ish.

Karey and I were on a photography adventure. We were by the above river that ran under this large bridge coming into Estes. I decided that for the perfect photo I needed to walk across rocks on the ice in the river under the bridge. Yes. Call me brilliant. Call me crazy. Call me adventurous. But, that's what I needed to do for that perfect photo. And trust me, I was after that perfect photo. During this photo excursion I was using one of Karey's nice 35mm film cameras. Very expensive for 1997. It's sorta like the digital big daddy of today, the D90. And as I was scaling the ice and turing my body into a pretzel on the rocks on the ice in the river under the bridge I got the perfect shot. After the shot, I turned around to get off the rocks on the ice in the river under the bridge and then....my graceful self, slipped. I slipped off the rock, onto the ice, in the river, under the bridge. As I slipped off the rock on to the ice I had a mini moment of relief because I did not breakthrough the ice into the freakin' freezing water. Again, I only had a brief moment of relief and then heard the infamous...crackle, crackle, crack!! And I went through ice. My only thought was, "oh shit, I have Karey's camera!" As I was going into this freakin' freezing water I kept my hands in the air with the camera above my head. Thankfully it was only deep enough to mid thigh. You can't even the sense of relief I had that the camera didn't get dunked in water. And then I realized I was freakin' freezing, I had no extra clothes and we had many hours ahead of us. As I was wading out of the cold water with the camera above my head, Karey came running to check on me. As she was peeking under the bridge and she noticed I was in the hypothermia water, her first words to me were...."Is my camera alright?" Really? Really? Thats your concern? I mean I get it. She's a photographer and loves her camera. But I was in the freakin' freezing water in the middle of winter in Estes Park. I had chattering teeth and no clothes to change into once I got out of the water. And we still had hours of exploring ahead of us before we would head down the mountain and head home to Thornton. Now I realize that at the time her camera was my concern too; which is why I made sure that I kept it out of the water at any cost. But, I was hoping that there would be a little concern that I slipped off the rocks onto the ice which crackled open and landed me in the freakin' freezing water under the bridge. Did I mention that the water was hypothermia cold? Yes, it was. I froze for the rest of the day. Actually for the rest of the winter season. I don't think I warmed up until I was in the middle of the hot Oklahoma summer. Once my feet get cold, that's it for me. I'm done for. I'm finished. I'm cold until I can find a way to warm back up. It was such a funny moment. When I think back on it, I always giggle at what that must have looked like...the shock of it all and Karey's concern for her camera. Yeah, I'll never let her live it down. It's locked in my memory bank forever.

All this to say, anytime I'm in or near Estes no matter the season, I'm cold in some form which always makes me think of my plunge into the freezin' cold water. Actually, now that I think of it when Shauna and I took a walk in RMNP she thought it would be great to walk around the lake. It was warm nearing summer, but still snowy up in RMNP. As we were walking we lost the trail and I knew that I knew we were on the lake, but Shauna wanted to push on forward, saying something like..."It's fine!" I hesitantly went ahead with her until my foot went through the snow and into the lake. Again, cold. Not hypothermia cold, but cold. What is it with me and Estes and the cold? Whether it be taking photos, enjoying a stroll or campering. It's always cold at some point. I'll just resign myself to bring a parka anytime I head to Estes.

Yep. That's all.

*Campering: when one goes camping, but does not use a tent and sleep on the ground; but rather partakes of the joys of a camper. I don't think I have it in me to be a tent sleeper anymore. I did it as a kid when I would dance in powwow's. I'm over it now. So...I go campering, not camping. ;)

Blog Challenge

I've decided, and I know i've said it before, but I'm going to try really hard to blog everyday. It's my own personal challenge. I'm sure it will be nonsensical and absolutely random and more than likely full of nothingness...but I'm trying to train myself to write again. I've quit journaling, blogging and anything else that has to do with the written word. So my goal it so write something everyday.

Obviously, this post is the post of nothingness. But I'm challenging myself by putting it on here on the blogosphere. Is that a word? And I totally expect my loyal reader(s)...ahem that's you Liz--my faithful follower...to hold me accountable.

Speaking of the lovely Liz. She has inspired me to think of my bucket list. Hopefully, you'll be seeing that here soon.

So...yeah. That's my post for today.

Ugh!!! It. has. been. a. day.

note to self: please refer to June 2nd blog

Rewind: 35th Birthday

2 months ago I had another birthday--the 35th--and had many mixed emotions about this particular one. Happy, sad, strangely adult and still overwhelmingly young and behind on "my plan" for my life.

I know, I know. I'm such a mess.

All that aside, what I want to focus on here is that fact that I was able to celebrate plentifully; first with my Utah Lovelies and then with my Colorado Lovelies. I feel adored and blessed by all of the amazing people the Lord has placed in my life. Seriously ADORED!!!

My Utah lovelies always make me feel so special, loved and like I belong. My life has been extremely blessed since I've started taking my trips to the Great State of Utah. And, lets be honest, I just can't get enough of the Seevinck lovin' that I receive. I feel so at home and safe when I'm in their presence. Plus, I laugh so much and always come back with new insight into life. They just have a way of doing that to me; most times without even saying anything. It just happens.

Love, love, love you all!!

My Colorado Lovelies are fan-flippin'-tastic!! I went to the Rio on my birthday; then had a slumber party with the Y Besties; and just when I thought it couldn't get any better I was able to have a wii bowling party with the lovely ladies that hold me up, inspire me and remind me of God's love everyday. I would be lost without these ladies.

One of the things that blessed me the most from my birthday was some of my friends wrote "35 Things We Love About Raelynn" in honor of my 35th birthday. I ran across it again tonight when I was straightening up my room. So I thought I would share it here because I love it so much.

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"35 Things We Love About Raelynn"

From Jenn

1. Her generosity and giving spirit

2. Her creativity

3. Her love of shoes!

From Gayle

4. How she can make me laugh effortlessly

5. How she faces life straight on...whatever comes her way

6. She pursues her passions

7. She has worked with that personal trainer! I would have quit a long time ago.

From Natalie

8. I love that Raelynn's heart is steadfast with hope and that she keeps trusting even when she doesn't understand how things will work out

9. I love Rae's shiny black hair and deep brown eyes--she's such a beauty!

10. I love that Raelynn can dive the depths of conversation and have your rolling with laughter

From Carol

11. I love that Raelynn honors and values family in truly Biblical ways...living life in community, loving, serving and always showing deep devotion

12. I love that Raelynn is a friend to ALL!

13. I love that Raelynn brings me overflowing joy and laughter in my life

14. I love that Raelynn loves some Strawberry FANTA baby!!!

From Liz

15. I love how she loves kids. She has an amazing way of connecting to them and making them feel special and important

16. I love her passion for her heritage

17. I love that she uses her voice to teach and bless on the worship team and with the kids

18. Her sharing at the CME about dreams

19. Her blogs

From Jacki & Jill

20. Her honesty

21. She is an encourager

22. She is always humble

23. Her gift of wisdom

24. She has such integrity and compromises for no one

25. She is full of grace and the first one to forgive

26. She has endless compassion, even for those who have hurt her

27. She is completely reliable

28. She is a warrior and intercessor for her family no matter what

29. She honors her spiritual leaders

30. She likes cheese tortillas

31. She is sacrificial

32. She loves Jesus, but is willing to admit that sometimes she is pissed at Him too

33. She is willing to share the knowledge the Lord has given her even if she is out of her element

From Shauna

34. I love her passionate fire for the Lord and people

35. I love the overflowing joy and laughter that she brings in every situation

From Halen

Bonus 1. Raelynn is inspiring in her tenderness to the Lord

Bonus 2. I LOVE that her love language includes chocolate bars

Bonus 3. I love that her love for others is accompanied by action

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Hello!!!

Can it get any better than that?? I don't think so. I keep this list in my journal and when I start feeling lost or in doubt about who I am...I read this list again. It always helps me find my way back and erases the doubt that is plaguing my mind.

This list is truly one of the best gestures of love I have ever received.

Where's Raelynn-do?

Man, I have not been on my sweet little bloggy blog bloggerson page for a few weeks now. As I ponder why I've been absent from you few that are loyal to me, I have come to the realization it is because I have been in the trenches. In the depths. Wading through the daily yellings. Surviving the formidable. Trying to stay a conqueror when the crazies have been coming at me like vicious spider monkey's on steroids. Basically, I've been in summer camp registration HELL, er, I mean FUN!!!

There's so much for me to share with you in my life. But it still must wait.

Hang tight, friends, I'll be back soon. Before you know it!!!!


HOPEFULLY ANYWAY!!

Warrior?!

I have a little over 3 months to find my inner warrior. I know it's in there somewhere. I just need to dig deep and pull it out.

::Insert tiny RAWR here:: Are you intimidated yet?

A few friends and I will be participating in the Warrior Dash. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Basically, it's 3.27 hellish miles (their wording) up and down a mountain full of running (yuck!) and obstacle courses (yay!).

You can check out the Rockies Course, here!!


Let the warrior training begin.*



*Actually it starts this Saturday when Jill, Jacki, Carol and I will be meeting to run every Saturday morning at 7am. Boo!!