Invites for Couples Bridal Shower

Cupcakes, Sweet Treats and Little Smiles

Could it possibly be June already?!? Spring term is almost finished and boy am I happy about that. I am seriously looking forward to a week off before I start back at it...SUMMER TERM. I hated it last year and promised myself I would never do it again but here I am all registered to start at the end of June. The only bonus to it this year is that when I am done in August, I will officially be a college degree holding citizen, Associates degree that is. 

  

In between staying very busy with Branches and school, I still manage to find time to bake...one of my favorite pastimes. Here's 2 of my favorites:

Salted Carmel Cupcakes

Makes 15 Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line muffin tins with papers. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Cream butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until pale fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated.  Add vanilla.  Mix and scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and beating until combined after each.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each about halfway full.  Bake for about 25 minutes. When done, transfer tins to wire racks to cool 10 minutes; turn out cupcakes onto racks and let cool completely.

Salted Caramel Filling:

1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons salted butter cubed
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoons heavy cream, at room temperature

Melt the sugar over medium  high heat in a large pot.  Whisk the sugar as it melts and cook until it becomes a deep amber color. Add the butter and stir it in until melted. Pour in the heavy cream (mixture will foam) and whisk until you get a smooth sauce. You may have some lumps but keep stirring until they have melted.  Remove from heat and let cool slightly.  

Cut a small round piece out of the tops of each cooled cupcake and pour in 1 teaspoon of caramel.  Replace the cake piece and set cupcakes aside.

Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting:

1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 stick salted butter
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

In a saucepan, stir together granulated sugar and water.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Cook without stirring until mixture turns a deep amber color.  Remove from heat and slowly add in cream and vanilla, stirring until very smooth.  Let caramel cool for about 20 minutes, until it is just barely warm and still pourable.

In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and salt together until lightened and fluffy.  Reduce speed to low and add powdered sugar.  Mix until thoroughly combined.

Scrape down the side of the bowl and add the caramel.  Beat on medium high speed until light and airy, and completely mixed (about 2 minutes).  Mixture should be ready to use without refrigeration.  If your caramel was too hot when added, it will cause your icing to be runny.  If this happens refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. 

Top caramel-filled cupcakes with frosting.

 

 

Dutch Babies or German Pancakes

(A Gallaher Family Favorite) 

 

3Tbs Butter

3/4 cups + 2Tbs of flour

2/3 cup of milk

dash of salt

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Put 3 table spoons of butter in a cast iron skillet or deep pie pan. Put in oven to melt as oven is heating. Meanwhile, mix flour, salt, milk and eggs with wire whisk or beaters. Once butter melted, pour batter in pan and cook for 15minutes. Best served with lemon juice and powdered sugar.

I have a great crew of taste testers. Andy, along with my 3 nephews that live right across the street and will often times drop in unannounced (which we love!) and be treated to whatever is baking. Here is Darius paying his neighborly visit and playing with our camera.

 

 

 

3 New Things

1. We got a cat! A couple from church were looking for a loving home where this cat could have a lot of attention and that is exactly what he is getting. Choosing a name for this guy wasn't too hard. Andy wanted to go with a wizard name so we googled 'wizard names'. I choose Merlin (it was either that or Saraman.)

At first, I wasn't too keen on getting a cat but this guy has worked his way into my heart. I would have never called myself a cat person (and still wouldn't) but I do really like this guy. He is very friendly and loves to be around people.

2.Cupcakes! The more I get to know Andy, the more I learn about myself. At our resort in Mexico there was a dessert buffet every night. I knew that I always enjoyed dessert but Andy has pointed out how intense this this passion for sweets really is. I would load up a plate from the dessert buffet before the dinner buffet...every single night!

One night last week, I was board so I decided to bake. I am not a big cupcake fan because the frosting always seems way too sweet. I found a recipe for pound cake cupcakes. These things are delicious! I then frosted them with whipped cream frosting that was amazing. Not too sweet but just made these cupcakes great. I knew these were a winner when Andy sent me a text that said, "Babe. Your cupcakes are the best I have ever had!" A big complement from a non cake, non dessert lover.

This same night I also made cream cheese filled chocolate cupcakes that were equally as delicious.

You might be worried that we ate all of these but not to worry,  took them to a worship night at our church.

3. St. Patrick's Day! In honor of the great Irish holiday I made corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes for date night this week. It is actually a fairly easy meal to make as long as you have a big pot to boil everything in.

I think this has been Andy's favorite meal that I have made since we've been married. Speaking of being married, it's been 2 months since we tied the knot! We are definitely learning a lot and figuring out this married thing together!

A Winter Rewind

The name of this blog is "Tryin' New Things" and something new I have been trying lately is marriage. It's been about 8 weeks since the wedding and my oh my...it has been crazy, stressful, time consuming, yet very enjoyable!

Let's recap back to December. Mid way through the month was my one and only bridal shower. I was so happy to only have one. My sister had 3 and I was adamant that we only have one. It was on a Saturday afternoon a week before Christmas. In my head I was thinking this idea of a bridal shower was a very bad idea and that I was not going to like sitting up on stage, opening presents with all eyes on me. Much to my surprise, Andy made a video that played during the present opening time. He told the story of how we got together, dating and the engagement. It was actually very sweet and a few ladies in attendance had a few tears in their eyes.

In December, I also spent my first Christmas with the Kangas family. Words can't even begin to describe the wonderful day I experienced with my "almost" family.

The first few weeks of January went by extremely fast. My bachelorette party was a huge surprise and a ton of fun! Paige planned the night and did a great job. We had dinner at Old Chicago Pizza in downtown Portland and had dessert at Papa Haydn's. Then it was off to the Hilton Hotel to end the night and well, start the next day. We had the brunch buffet at the hotel in the morning and then came home.

The week of the wedding was filled with last minute errands and MOVING! I have now successfully moved 3 times in less than 2 years.  (I think I am going to stay where I am for a while:-)

January 13 finally arrived. I was so excited yet very calm. The weather that day was gorgeous. I couldn't have asked for better January weather. Clear blue skies with the sun low and shinning bright.

There's not a lot I remember form the actual wedding but I do remember turning the corner and hitting the white isle runner walking arm and arm with my dad.

I remember looking deep into Andrew's eyes as we vowed our lives to each other.

I remember having more fun dancing at my wedding then I have ever had dancing in my life.

And I remember walking hand in hand with Andy through the gauntlet of people to our car where we drove off....

After staying a few nights in Portland, we came home opened our presents and had dinner with family. The next morning we flew to Mexico where we enjoyed the sun and laid on the beach for many hours a day.

This last winter has been the most memorable of my life. I have got to catch up with old friends, meet new ones and ultimately, commit my life to Andrew Kangas. In everything, I am finding God's fingerprints. He has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Music A Go Go

I woke up this morning and felt as though it was Christmas, granted it is August 2, 80 degrees and the summer morning breeze was flowing through my window. The mail truck pulled up to my house at 7:30am to deliver a package from Amazon.com! In that box was 3 new CDs that I have been looking forward to feasting my ears on. As you might have figured by now, the rest of this blog post will be me raving about and rating this new music! 

The Head and The Heart (Self Titled Album)
I first heard this band because of an In Tune Tuesday card from Starbucks. I really loved the song but never went and bought the record. That was until I researched this band. They are from all over the country and have very different backgrounds. In 2009 they all converged on Seattle, WA and met up at an Irish Pub (and here is why I like this band, being part Irish myself, I really enjoy the flavor that they bring with Irish seasoning). Their sound is very laid back and chill, much like Portland born Blind Pilot. I would say that The Head and the Heart is perfect for Spring/Summer and Blind Pilot can rock Fall and Winter.
Stars: 4.5

Foster the People (Tourches)
A perfect album for summer listening/dancing. It is really hard to listen to any of the songs and not start to move. So this is precisely why I love them. I love music and I love dancing. Very much more upbeat compared to The Head and the Heart but they pair nicely together on a hot August afternoon.
Stars:4.35

Vampire Weekend (Contra) 
It is hard to find words to describe this one. Definitely a new music experience for me. It combines a very candy type pop with an Afro-European beat. You'll just have to try it and see if it rocks your socks off like it did mine. Disclaimer: Sitting down to listen to this entire record at one time is not recommended. You may go a little crazy. The songs are great for adding to a few play lists to add some flavor.
Stars:4

This last CD was given to me about a week ago and it totally for the musical at heart...
James Last (Hammond A Go Go)
This is an all instrumental album. Here's the name breakdown: Hammond refers to an electric organ. A Go Go is french for galore or in abundance of. So let's put these together...there is an abundance of an electric organ. Yes folks, this is a true treat. The songs are all very recognizable and catchy. It's a good CD to enjoy on your way to the beach with the windows down or relax to after a long hot day.
Stars:4.25

If you only were going to buy one of my recommendations, I would say go with The Heart and the Head. You won't be disappointed and you will know this band before they become an overplayed afterthought of yesterday on the radio.

Summer Lovin'

I used to think fall was my favorite time of year. Spring was to wet, Winter lasted way too long, summer was too busy to enjoy, so fall was where it was at. That was until this summer. I have been so incredibly enjoying this season. Since I bought this awesome bike and now ride it EVERYWHERE, I have really been just loving this time of year.

Scappoose has so many places to ride. There is the grocery store, friends houses, my sisters house, you know just around the small town. The really great places to ride is down to the river. There are so many great trails and roads and just open air. If I would have known that owning a bike would make life this fantastic, I would have got one a long time ago. 

Sneaking Away, Moving Away, Flying Away, GETTING AWAY

Tuesdays are my only day off during the week where I don't have any commitments. No school. No church. Just time to do whatever my heart pleases. Typically, Tuesday becomes my recovery day. I sleep half the day away, make a to do list for the week and do homework. Between doing all those things, there is not a lot of time to just do whatever I want because Wednesday comes awfully fast.

On my run today it started pouring down rain. It's July and I was in a downpour of Oregon rain. Not exactly what I expected but it was kind of nice. I was on a secluded trail by a stream and I decided to pretend that I was in Hawaii because it was warm out but raining a ton. This was fun for a little while until I really got thinking about going on vacation. I would so totally love to get away right now! I don't even need Hawaii, the Oregon coast would do just fine! (side note: I love watching the ocean, I could spend hours watching the waves crash against the shore.)  So as my run continues, I start scheming this get away in my head, what days I could go, who I would take with me (if anyone), where I would stay, how long I would stay and what I would do. Then this little summer get away becomes this thought of 'What if I just move away? After all, things have been pretty crazy, people have been getting on my last nerve and I just feel kind of like sneaking away from it all would be kind of nice.'

And I stop this thought right there and ask myself it that would really be the best thing to do. Of course I come to the conclusion that running away from things when they get tough and people get annoying is not the best option.

When I started working at Branches, I was given a model airplane. It was the kind that came all boxed up and shrink wrapped. The kind that I have to build, something I have never done before. This plane was supposed to be symbolic of when things get rough, our tendency is to want to fly away but it is worth it to stay and fight the good fight. My boss explained this to me and I didn't really think anything of it at the time. I took the plane home and just let it sit on the shelf for a while. I eventually got around to building it and it didn't turn out half bad! So now here I am on this dreary afternoon, just a little while after this plane was given to me, contemplating what it would be like to just fly away. 

But then then I am reminded that I am not the only person in the world to have ever felt this way and instead of sneaking away, moving away, flying away, what have you; the best option would be for me to stay and fight the good fight and possibly book my self a hotel at the coast for a night!

Oh, and here is what my plane turned out like! Bombin', I know!