Friday, September 23, 2011

Where has the time gone?

It is so embarassing to realize how much time has gone by without posting on this blog, but it's been a very busy few months and this will be an attempt to catch up.

Early August found me headed to Michigan to spend a weekend with my 5 sisters; sister Beth's partner, Dorrie, who is like a sister to me; mom, daughter. aka Honey Girl, and Kennedy, my granddaughter. It was a blast and the photo below is my favorite from the entire weekend. My two youngest sisters, Suzy (laughing), and Maggie with her.  It was heartwarming to be with all of these people who inspire and put up with me.

 Suzy and Maggie


Me and granddaughter, Kennedy


From there I traveled with Honey Girl to her home in Indiana where I met up with Mr. Man and we watched over Kennedy and Jake while my daughter and son-in-law traveled to Seattle on a business trip. There is a reason young people have babies....oh my goodness!  We were exhausted for weeks after those 5 days, but boy did we have fun with the grandchildren!


Jake and I baked a cake and cookies and like all kids he wanted to lick the spatula when I was finished mixing.



Between the traveling I've been baking cakes and still attending culinary school. Below is a Sweet 16 cake I baked for the daughter of a girlfriend.

 

And I'm getting more practice baking wedding cakes......


and Groom's cakes.


They are very rewarding, exhausting, frustrating and exciting, all at the same time. Tomorrow will be a tasting for yet another future bride and that wedding is in a few weeks.


Professionally, it's been a very up and down time for me between school, existing business and my desire to grow and succeed in the world of baking / pastry.  I have built one business but that started 18 years ago and for some reason I felt no worries, no anxiety, no fear at all doing it. This time is different. This time I am walking away from a career and from hundreds of people who know me as one type of business person to start fresh. Start anew. Start over.  All by my choice. 

And it's scary.
And thrilling.
And exciting.
And fascinating.
All at once.

Gulp!

My new baking business will have a new name.

Zenzero.

Pronounced, Sen-Sero. It's Italian for 'ginger' ... a nod to my Italian heritage and to my grandpa Clervi who taught me how to bake bread..

I hope to make him proud.

In a short while I'll have a new website and I already have a new logo, thanks to my dear friend, Andrea Levendusky, with The Organic Bird. She created the logo below for me.  

Be on the lookout for more news from Zenzero.  I think I've been avoiding my blog because I'm a little scared. So bear with me as I move forward in a new direction.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The best things in life...

I think that one of the greatest gifts we've all been given is our ability to love and to be loved. As the years go by I find that instead of traveling to far away places for adventure, I would much rather be with family and friends.

This past weekend I was fortunate to be able to spend the weekend in Ft. Wayne for the Baptism of my granddaughter, Kennedy. The weekend was made all the more special because Steve and Jackie (son and daughter-in-law), were also in town for the event, as they are the God-parents.

We had a lot of fun and of course, baked a cake with the help of Jake who measured and poured the ingredients into the mixer.


He really enjoyed decorating the cake and was quite proud of the finished product.

I can't believe that Kennedy is already 3 months old and growing quickly.  Can that girl rock a bow or what?
Before you know it, she'll be the one in the kitchen with me. I'm looking forward to those times.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Groom's Cake

When a friend recommends you, it's wonderful and stressful. Wonderful because it shows that they believe in you, and stressful because you don't want to let them down.

This Groom's Cake was delivered on Saturday and thank goodness the reception hall was super cold because it was a scorcher of a day.


It was a busy weekend for weddings and cake balls with a Hawaiian theme were ordered as well.  Half where raspberry flavored with chocolate and the other half were almond flavored with white chocolate.




The flowers on top of the cake balls are made of Royal Icing.

And last, but not least, our Nephew, Michael, graduated from High School and his mom asked that I send cookies for the occasion.

Congratulations, Michael James!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

IM Texas Race Report

Nearly three weeks have passed since the race so I’m already in that stage of “it wasn’t so bad”, but haven’t crossed over to the “I’m ready to sign up for another,” stage either. True to the vow my sister, Maggie, and I made around mile 20 of the marathon, never again. That’s it.

First off, the ‘why.”

I signed up for a number of reasons:

• My best friend, Carla Hoffman, finished her 2nd IM last summer and being competitive I couldn’t have her doing more than me
• I’m turning 50 this year and I needed to know I still had ‘it’
• I needed to get rid of 10 lbs. and this was the easiest way for me to accomplish that goal
• My youngest sister, Maggie, and good friend, Mary Lessor, signed up so I wouldn’t be training alone
• I could no longer stomach the thought of being a 1 hit wonder.

None of them very valid reasons, but reasons nonetheless.

We knew it was going to be hot; Texas in May, how could it not be? The continuous wind since early March ensured that it would be a windy day. What I didn’t count on was the cold during those months of training that kept me on the Computrainer for all of my rides and out of the local lakes until 3 weeks before the event. Like the majority of runners turned triathletes, the swim is the part I fear the most.

Race morning – up at 4 am after a great night of sleep, and my husband, Rick, went down to the lobby and brought back a bagel and peanut butter for me. I’m not someone who can eat much solid food first thing in the morning so that bagel only grew in my already dry mouth and I set it aside and opted for a banana followed by a carton of Boost. Maggie and my brother-in-law, Craig, were in the room next door and we had the adjoining door open between our rooms. Maggie fixed my hair in cute braids (a girl has got to look good, right?), and then by 5 am we were out the door and on our way to transition. Loaded our bikes with gels, water and energy drinks then it was time for the 30 minute walk from transition to the swim start. Thousands of athletes and their support crews walked pretty silently; you can pretty much count on the fact that the mass swim start has just about everyone concerned about getting kicked, elbowed or smacked at some point.
Before the race. We're doing our best to remain calm. 

There wasn’t much time to think about what I was going to do. A quick goodbye to Rick, Mary was into the water before I could say goodbye to her and Maggie and I kissed one another good luck and then headed to the ramp where athletes were getting into the water before the start. The song “Ironman” began to blare through the speakers, the gun went off and Maggie turned to me and said, “Start your watch.” We were both still on the ramp.

Mass start of 2300 competitors
Into the water and my heart is pounding. Free-style for about 25 yards, flip over on my back and back-stroke till I can consider putting my face back into the water. This happens about 4 times before getting comfortable and then I’m heading to the right outside part of the crowd and getting into my grove. One-two-three, breathe, one-two-three, breathe, one-two sight, one-two breathe, one-two-three breathe, and this is the pattern I follow till seeing the first red turn buoy. Round the buoy, and then aim for the next red buoy and then make another left. My friend Alma had mentioned that she was possibly going to be in one of the canoes during the swim so I’m kindof keeping an eye out for her. The swim feels somewhat long, but I’m feeling good and wondering when the canal is going to appear. Really? Not yet? During the swim I’m sending up prayers to God to watch over me and wondering if He’s able to hear me because you know every athlete is doing the same thing. I finally know He’s hearing me when I look up to sight and there’s always a clear space in front of me. Into the canal and now I know what a salmon heading upstream to spawn feels like. If I don’t keep myself together laughter is going to overtake my ability to breathe and swim. I see people on the side of the canal but don’t hear anything; one guy in a wet suit tries to climb over me and I yell at him to “Go, just go, because you keep running into me.” That’s a first for me.
Swimming up the canal
Final buoy and next thing I know I’m at the steps running up the incline saying something to another athlete who is heading up the ramp with me. Then I hear “Ginger!! Stop talking and go!” Yup, there’s my girl Alma.


Grabbing my 'bike bag.'  
Grab the bike bag, helmet is on my head before I hit the changing tent and off to grab my bike. My name is announced as I leave T1 and unbeknownst to me, Maggie is just ahead. We later find out that we are within 1 minute of one another. On the bike and I’m thinking, slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Heading out for the 112 mi. bike segment

Within 1 or 2 miles, on my left is a flash of white and a huge smile; it’s my sister, Maggie, and I quickly follow. This is when the fun of the day begins and what started in a panic for me turns into one of the very best days of my life. The 112 miles ahead disappear and I’m riding with my sister in what feels more like a rally than an Ironman. I stay as far behind as I can without letting her get too far ahead, we coordinate our bathroom stops (only 2), and really provide that emotional energy and inspiration to one another. It’s a long time on the bike, made bearable by being with one of my dearest friends; someone I trust and respect and admire. I’d love to report that the ride when quickly, but 112 miles is 112 miles no matter how you slice it. I was more than ready to get off that bike and onto the run.

The turn into “The Woodlands” was deceiving and that last 5 miles seemed the longest yet. My right hamstring was hurting and I can’t even talk about the pain in my left shoulder without thinking about how it felt like a knife stabbing into the muscles between my shoulder blades. Finally it’s over.

6:40 later, I'm so ready to get off the bike; Maggie is all smiles
Into the changing tent, we are pulling on socks, shoes, Maggie runs to the port-o-let while I slather the bus-driver fat under my right arm with body glide and shove Enduralites and Sport Beans into my pockets. Out of the tent and I do a quick assessment of my ‘parts’; everything feels good, including the hamstring.

 Mary Lessor waiting for us to begin the marathon

We see Mary on the side, cheering us on. Find out later that she had an enormous blister on the bottom of her foot, caused by her bike shoe. It’s tougher to pull out of a race when you are doing well than it is to keep going and Maggie and I just keep moving. We’ll see her several times during the 3 loop run.

We see Mary on the side and both ask "what's up?" 
Focusing on the aid stations is the only thing that keeps me moving forward; that and knowing that Maggie pulled me through the bike and now I need to be there to help her with the run. She had been sick with a bad sinus infection and although she got through the swim and bike, the run is a different matter, indeed. We keep a good pace through the first loop, grabbing ice, water and Perform and walking through every aid station. There is a good mix of sun/shade on the run and before you know if we are nearly through the first loop.

Again….”GINGER!!!” OMG, the girl is going to scream up a lung. Alma is cheering and as we start running by I see Carla, Paul, and Diane Proud. Oh my gosh; they drove from Dallas to Houston to see the run. I give Carla a big sweaty hug and we waste no time chatting but get on with the run. Maggie turns to me “Who was that girl?” Not referring to Carla but to Alma. That gave me the biggest laugh of the day. You gotta know Alma to appreciate her cheering and screaming. Knowing they were all there kept me moving forward.

 Alma

My reaction on seeing Carla, Paul and Diane
Cruelty at a long event comes in the form of a second and third loop passing by the finish line. Torture, but it was also inspiring. We kept moving, thinking about the “spectacular” finish promised in the pre-event literature. Maggie had been questioning the “spectacular” part of the event because she had only Red Man (in Oklahoma, notorious for its desolate course), as comparison. I had assured her that the finish would indeed be ‘spectacular’ as only a Ford Ironman finish can be.

After the first loop Maggie told me that she couldn’t continue at our current pace. I was feeling good, she wasn’t and it was a tough decision for me. I really wanted to break 14 hours, but I wanted to finish with her, but I wanted to do my very best, but she had helped me through the bike, but I wanted to beat Carla’s time, but I was never going to do another IM with my sister, but…. You get the picture. It was difficult. She cried. I hesitated. But my Type-A need to do my very best won.

On the run
We said our goodbyes and I began running. Well, I didn’t get too far till I needed to stop at the aid station, use the port-a-potty and then do it again at the next. Wasn’t feeling too good so I forced Propel, Coke whatever they had. Had also been stuffing my hat with ice, putting it down my back and into my jog bra. As disgusting as it sounds, the ice in the bra was the very best thing because from aid station to aid station I could reach in there, pull out some ice and my mouth never got dry. Yeah…gross, especially since my once white bra was brown from the lake/canal. Try not to think about it.

Saw Rick around mile 12 and let him know that Maggie wasn’t doing too good and then saw Craig and told him that Maggie was having a tough time. He gave me a look that said “what are you talking about?” and then said “She’s ahead of you.”
I’ll be. There she was. I jogged to her and from that point on we were together. Thank God. Away went any thoughts of a PR, or of beating Carla’s time or of any other expectation. We were going to finish together and we did. One foot in front of the other. Walking the aid stations and having fun. We flirted with other racers along the way, enjoyed the cheering crowd and knocked out those miles aid station by aid station.

On that last loop we could hear the announcer and the crowds. Our pace picked up and before we knew it we were in the chute smiling as big as you please. Maggie started getting teary eyed, I turned to her…”Pretty spectacular, huh?” It was. As only an Ironman can be.

We crossed the finish line holding hands. It was everything I had anticipated it to be and so much more.

After crossing the finish line we found a place to wait for our husbands to find us.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Pushing the limits

"Oh my gosh, really?", she asked, with a stunned look on her face.  About twenty potential replies run through my head, then I reply, "Well, I'm turning 50 this year and thought it would be a good way to fight the aging process, or at least prove to myself that I'm not 'old'."  And, I continue, "my best friend did onet last year and I can't have her doing 2 and my having only completed 1."    There are handful of other quips I've used over the course of the last several months to try to explain to the non-triathletes of the world why I would sign up for and train to complete one of the most grueling one day organized events.

The Ironman.  It consists of a 2.4 mile swim, followed by cycling for 112 miles and then you finish by running a marathon.  26.2 miles.  A distance of 140.6 miles in one day.  Crazy, huh?

That's what most people think, my mother included.

What makes some people do things that others would never even contemplate doing? Skydiving. Climbing Everest. Earning a Ph.D. Sailing around the world.  Hiking the Appalachian Trail. Completing a marathon in every state.  Getting a pilots license.  Those all sound incredibly daunting to me and yet people do them all the time.

For me, it's the challenge and the desire I have to become the very best version of me that I possibly can. It's also about living life to the fullest, not being afraid to push myself and the sense of accomplishment that comes with having set a goal and then following a plan to complete that goal.   As I try to explain to Mr. Man, when I die, I want people to say "She lived!"

When faced with a difficult situation, something in life that really tests me, I can stop, close my eyes and say to myself  "You can do it. You completed an Ironman for crying out loud, you can handle four days alone with a 3 year old!"

To me, that's the 'self-esteem' the self-help guru's talk about.  The ability to look deep inside and to know that when the rubber meets the road you have the stuff it takes to get through any difficult situation.

That's why I do it.  Well, for that and also knowing that if I have an extra cookie I'll still be able to fit into my skinny jeans.


IRONMAN TEXAS
MAY 21, 2011


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Introducing Miss Kenedy Claire!

Ta Da!



Here she is...quite possibly the cutest little girl on the planet, at least in my eyes.  My very first Granddaughter. Miss Kennedy Claire arrived on March 29th and we are so blessed that she is healthy and happy and growing so fast. Already 4 weeks old. Where does the time go?

Big brother, Jacob, was so excited to meet and hold her for the first time.  By now I think some of the novelty is wearing off, but he's certain to be an excellent older brother as they grow up.


It all begins when two people open themselves up to love and to be loved.

. They make a commitment to stick together, to grow in their love, build a life and become a family.

It's a beautiful thing that I never tire of.

When people ask "What are you most proud of?", I think of my children. The people they have decided to be, the spouses each of them were fortunate enough to meet, and the choices they make.


It's nothing that I did, but I did have a small part.

The choices were theirs, and the fact that I'm their mom and they include me in their life, well, that makes me proud.

Of course, I had to bake a cookie to commemorate the birth of Kennedy...it's just what I do.


Welcome Baby Girl!  Proud, Proud, Proud to by your Gigi!

Friday, April 22, 2011

New Cookie Cutters

My obsession with iced sugar cookies has reached an all-time high and I came to this conclusion while frantically searching cabinets to locate one particular cookie cutter and was having a difficult time.

On to the counter went all of the cutters and the pile was significant. Time to categorize:

Baby stuff
Christmas (this took 3 gallon sized Ziplocs and one plastic tub)
Halloween / Fall
Hearts (yep, a full bag just for hearts!)
Animals
Stars / Spades / Diamonds
Easter / St. Patrick's Day

and my favorite....."Fun Stuff"

That one includes things like Crowns, a cupcake with a candle in it, a house, lollipop, dogbone, wedding cake, football helmet, a martini glass and one of my favorites, a John Dere tractor.

9 gallon sized Ziplocs total.

Crazy, huh?

So, you know what happened next, right?

Had to get out the sprinkles and dye,


And just went all kinds of crazy...





 Is he cute or what?  More on him later.



 Happy Birthday to You...


Poor Mr. Man....the kitchen was a complete disaster.


Next time?

Martini's and tractors.

Happy Baking!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Chicks and Ducks

If I had all time time in the world at my fingertips, with no responsibilities or deadlines, every single day you would find me in the kitchen baking to my hearts content. 

There are millions of recipes out there just waiting to be tested and so many ideas running around in my head that there aren't enough hours in the day to bring them all to life.

So I must be content doing what I can in the time I am given.

After completing my orders last week, I had extra cookie dough and decided to surprise a few of the children in my life with Easter sugar cookies.


I ordered the little candy eyes online and they came in a box of 1,000.  It's been fun to use them; they make such a difference compared to how the bunnies looked last year.


Hi Mr. Easter Bunny.


The best part was that I got to deliver this package myself.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Red Velvet Cake

When you come across a great recipe, it's a good practice to give credit where credit is due.

This Red Velvet cake recipe is out of the book, Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia: Cake Boss written by Buddy Valastro from the TLC TV series.  It's wonderful and very moist.

Makes two 9-inch cakes or 24 cupcakes

1 1/4 cups vegetable shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
4 1/2 teaspoons (2 tubes) red food-coloring gel
3 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting pans
1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
3 extra-large eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Unsalted butter, for greasing 2 cake pans (about 2 tablespoons); non-stick cooking spray or vegetable oil may be substituted

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put the shortening, sugar, cocoa powder, food coloring, cake flour, salt, vanilla, baking soda, and vinegar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Paddle, starting at low speed, then raise the speed to low-medium and mix about 1 minute. Add the eggs, 1 at  time, mixing for 1 minute after each is absorbed into the mixture. Add the buttermilk in two stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl between additions.
3. Grease two-9-inch pans with the butter, and flour them.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans, using rubber spatula to scrape down the bowl and get as much obattar as possible out.
5. Bake until the cake begins to pull from the side of the pan and is springy to the touch, 35 - 40 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour. The cake should be at room temp. before you remove it from the pan. Put a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, top with sugar, dump onto parchment; the sugar will keep it from sticking. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to decorate.