Easter

Ah, Easter. ♥

I love spring therefore it's logical that I love Easter! I wish I had had the time and energy to decorate (crochet pastel eggs, make an Easter tree, grow some wheat grass decor, dye a million eggs), but alas, this just wasn't my year!!

I did make some really tasty food... and these narcissi torment me daily with their beauty... It's like they're yelling "take more photos, take a million more!"... is it just me who hears flowers begging to be photographed? LOL!

So here is the picture tour of my Easter... and we're off!

Appetizers were corn bread (gluten free) with boiled eggs. I tried dying them with carrot tops, but only got this light green color... I need to do more research! 

 

Lunch was lemon garlic chicken with oven roasted potatoes and carrots. Um yes, delicious! 

 

Oh! And the salad! I made a vinaigrette and tossed the salad in that. Perfect! 

My mama brought over those super cute little green hens... Love them! 

 

Dessert was this carrot cake (gluten free)... However, shortly after snapping this picture, I cut the cake up and tossed it in a bowl... 

I was a bit dumb-dumb and totally forgot the even the cake out before stacking and filling etc... I baked this in a 9x13 inch pan because I don't have a circular cake pan (wooot?!) and I just cut it in half and layer to make a 2 layered square cake. Sounds about right, right? Well, wrong when you aren't thinking things through! Argh, the cake ended up being so unstable that it was either cut it up and make a "trifle" or just chance it falling all over the floor when moving it... Trifle it was!

Note: when looking for a recipe to use for the cake, I found this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker. She had a mishap with carrot cake and made a trifle. I stole the idea shamelessly, but in my defense, I think reading about it jinxed me!

That black stuff there is called mämmi, it's a Finnish Easter tradition. I like it with vanilla cream sauce. 

What Easter could be complete without jelly beans?!

 

Ah, Easter, wonderful! 

How I make meringue

I thought this would be a nice thing to share, since I ramble about my love for meringue all the time. Teeheee.

I realize, especially amongst my friends, that meringue is totally under-rated. That makes me sad! Therefore, to fix this misconception about meringue, here is how I do it!

The recipe I use is an adaptation of Joy the Baker's pavlova recipe. Basically, I halved it. :) 

If you want to be successful with meringue, check and double check that your bowls are NOT greasy or wet. Any speck of either and you fail! I have heard that metal or glass mixing bowls are best for this reason, but I use plastic all the time and just make sure I wash and dry them really well before I make meringue.

Also, don't bother making this if you don't have an electric mixer. I loooooove meringue in every shape and form but I would never-ever-ever-EVER make it by hand... and not just because I'm lazy! Lol!

YOU WILL NEED:

2 large egg whites (about 1/2 cup, google says 1.18294118 dl), room temperature!!
pinch of salt
pinch of cream of tartar (or use vinegar, perhaps a 1/2 Finnish tsp)


3/4 cup sugar (2 dl)
2 1/4 US tsp corn starch  (2 1/2  Finnish tsp)
about 1 tsp vanilla, depending on your taste

(food dye gel)

Note: I use granulated sugar, but in an ideal world I would use extra fine sugar. I am just too frugal to spend the extra few cents. Lol! The granulated sugar leaves the meringue a bit gritty, which doesn't bother me. If it bothers you, try Martha's method of warming the whites with the sugar over a double boiler, that is supposed to melt the sugar down. I tried it once and thought it was a hassle, but that's just me.
Also, I use vanilla sugar (yes, it's in an imitation vanilla sugar bottle), because I like vanilla sugar more. However, it has black specks which might be displeasing to some...so then just use the imitation kind! Same goes for the US folks who use vanilla extract. I have used pure vanilla extract before and it tastes delicious but gives the white meringue a tint... I've read on some other blogs that they use clear imitation vanilla extract to avoid this.

DIRECTIONS:

In a CLEAN and DRY bowl, add egg whites with a pinch of salt and cream of tartar (or vinegar). In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, corn starch and vanilla.

(before egg whites)

Start beating the egg white mixture on a low speed, increasing slowly to mid-speed. Beat until soft peaks form...Basically it was a minute or two after this...

Next start slowly adding in small increments the sugar mixture, increasing speed gradually as you go. Once all the sugar is mixed in, increase speed to max if you aren't there yet. Beat until the meringue is very stiff, like this:

It should hang like so from the whisks and you should see really well formed trails as you are beating the meringue. I think I could have gone for stiffer yet, but I am always concerned about over-doing it. This is already really thick!

Now, you can go ahead and pipe the meringue now, or make really delicious pillowy mini-pavlovas. (serve with fruit and whipped cream).

OR you can go the extra mile and divvy up the meringue into bowls, dying them with food gel and mixing VERY carefully.

I used pink and green in honor of Easter.

Then I take a plastic baggy and fit it with the large star tip, cutting off a very small end of the bag to fit. I use the plastic baggy because I don't have a piping bag and I am too lazy to wash the decorating set I have. What floats your boat, ya know. 

Then fill the baggy from the corner and gently push the air out of the top and close. Now you are ready to pipe!

I didn't get a picture of piping since I needed both hands, but to make a kind of "star drop" like in the picture, you just pipe a bit of meringue and apply more pressure as you push down and pull up quickly stopping the pressure. If you like rosettes, here is a video for that!

Then bake in a 275 F or 135ish C oven for about 30 min, taking care not to bump or open the oven. Keep an eye on it to make sure it isn't browning, if it is, turn the oven off. If all is well after 30 min, Turn the oven off and leave for several hours or even overnight to dry.

And voila! You have beautiful meringues! :)

I would really appreciate any comments if anyone makes this... I would like to hear if you thought it was/wasn't easy and if it worked out for you!

Me thinks an Easter wrap-up post shall be next... Just gotta finish uploading the pictures etc.

Thanks for reading, see ya next time!

Blizzards, cake, and pups

WOW!

We had a friggin' blizzard yesterday!! It snowed ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT... a total of 25-30 cm by this morning apparently. RIDICULOUS! 

 (early evening)

 

I guess Mother Nature didn't get the memo about it being April! She's making up for the lost time last fall and our not white Christmas, I guess. 

(Night... and yes, the bunting is still up! Lol! Oh, and this is the sixth floor for those who didn't know.)

 

Let me tell ya, walking the dogs in dunes last night was no picnic for any of us... Manta had to be carried out to her favorite pee spot and after doing her business she came back over to me practically asking to be picked up. Being about 20cm tall is not fun in that weather, poor thing! ...And this morning...! Oh word! I walk to the hospital I'm doing my clinical training at (going surprisingly swell so far btw!) and some parts of my journey I had to trudge through knee-deep snow!! Thankfully, the trek back was a lot easier and the glorious spring sun is shining down, trying its hardest to melt the 30cm away. Lol! 

Going back in time... Here are a couple pictures of a walk I took on Saturday. 

Here is a view of the cute colorful summer cottages. It's a little cottage community (aka garden allotment?) in town, where they have these tiny cottages and gardens to cultivate (wikipedia info here). I want one! SO CUTE! 

And spring pussy-willow.

I baked this delicious coffee cake on Sunday. My good friend was coming over for coffee and was bringing her Frenchie, Elvi, for a play date. 

This is a bundt version of my late godmother, Cookie's, famous lemon bread.

I tweaked it though and used orange instead of lemon, it's just what I had on hand at the moment!

This is a contender for Easter brunch (the real deal lemon bread) so I think I might jot the recipe down here to share, too. 

I think Cookie would have been tickled. :)

(And no, her name wasn't really Cookie, it was Louise, but she was big into cooking and baking so you get the idea of her nickname I'm sure..)

Here the "kids" are, having a grand old time being wild. 

And Elvi is forever my photography challenge. I love when she comes over and I manage to get a picture of her that isn't blurry, under/over-exposed etc. You teach me so much about my camera, Elvi!! Thanks!

 

struggling to find time

Oh time, why can't we be better friends? You know, take things slow, enjoy our time together... I once again had a whirlwind week: three more interviews (only half of one trancribed so far, blah), surprise visit from distant family, one test, lots of walking to and fro, and now I have stumbled upon the wonders of Tracy Anderson, workout guru to the stars, and something evil but wonderful that she calls a "post-pregnancy workout". 

Ok, yes, you can laugh. I know I haven't had kids yet, but man, that workout is intense!! I have already seen a change in my abs...and I'm hooked. Lol!

Add to all of this eating and cooking... my week was over before I knew it!! And unfortunately, I haven't even had energy to crochet...or finish the paper bunting! 

Amazingly, I have found moments that I was able to capture via Canon, my love. 

So I guess I'll just cut to the chase and show you some pretty pictures!! :) 

This was last Saturday. We had snow. It melted during the week. This morning, we had snow again! It's melting as I type. I am surprised that I don't mind the snow we are getting (still!), as long as there isn't any snow in a couple weeks... My fingers are itching to garden! :)

Dear Baby Luke and his parents,

I finished your gift last Saturday, but haven't had time to make it to the post office! Will try harder next week! Hope you are well!

Love, Anneli

p.s. Kissa can never stay out of my pictures!

This is made with soft, fine 100% merino wool. Brand: Viking Baby Ull. I love it. I want one!!!

Since Kissa seemed willing to be in photos... I obliged.

Pretty Kitty Grill.

New to our home: St Paulia. I'm in love, hoping I can keep them alive, and trying to keep Kissa from eating them.

Another flower found... This is from THIS plant from last autumn. I thought it was a goner, but nope! I kept it around just to have something green and I swear, it died a couple times of thirst... Yet it seemed to have survived my haphazard care and even produced this single flower!! WooWoo!

 Here are the meringues I made last Saturday... The rosettes were to show my friend (for her wedding) but I had so much meringue left over that I made those pink and light blue ones... but let me tell you, I need to just halve my recipe because baking two tray of meringues makes for ugliness seen in the back there. Cracked, browned, and ugly ugliness all thanks to the hot air not having a free flow with too many pans. :( Lesson learned. Again.

Here is the bunting flags all cut out... They are just waiting to be attached to string and hung. Time, will you at least help me on this one?

I loved the little shreds of paper left. So pretty. 

This deliciousness was enjoyed two nights in a row for dinner. Toasted pitas filled with homemade hummus, bell pepper and cucumber. One night we added chicken to it, too. Um yeah, delicious and nutritious!

Carrot sticks proved to be amazing dipped in the hummus. 

I recommend this!!

More delicious food this week was consumed... Homemade "Chinese Chicken" with (fresh) mushrooms and broccoli. Shwing! I made the sauce with a winged-version of this recipe to guide me.

I've been taking pictures of these babies all week. They are GORGEOUS! I have taken so many pictures that I am going to have to dedicate a whole post to them... This one is already so picture-laden and long as is!

There are some flea market/thrift store finds this week by myself and my mama. 

She bought me this beautiful blue pot. One of my St. Paulia fits in it perfectly. 

She also picked up these beautiful crocheted trivets. Love!

And now I finally have something Pip Studio!! Thanks Mama!! 

I found some pretty pillowcases this week, and this yellow teapot! Can you say "crocheted teapot cozy"? :)

Ah, what a blessed life. I am so thankful for this blog. It always reminds me, especially when I am feeling busy/stressed/tired etc, that I am so lucky to have such beautiful things in my life!

Thanks for reading, see you next time with a GAZILLION tulip pictures! :)

Enjoy your weekend!

the meringue obsession continues...and so on.

Oh hey hi there!

I have finally started the come-down and re-boot from what feels like a very busy and draining week.

 Lord almighty.

It finally ended this gray and rainy Saturday morning at about 9 a.m. when I finished transcribing my last interview from yesterday, for yup, my bachelor's thesis. 

I thought 3 interviews would be a piece of cake and thought my teachers were a bit dramatic when they said I'd be exhausted...but yeah, I hate to say they were right! 

Add a few days of intensive CPR and resuscitation practice (also somehow exhausting)... I'm pooped!  

So now that I have the last interview done, I'm not thinking or doing anything thesis related until Monday when I interview again! 

Which essentially means that I am going to spoil myself and only do things I want to do! 

I am going to eat well. 

Not that I haven't been, lol!

People wonder how I stay relatively thin despite all the chocolate and nonsense I seem to be continuously shoving into my mouth...

Well #1, I try to walk everywhere. And I usually end up competing with myself, which means breaking a sweat. When no one is around, I walk backwards. I also clench my stomach muscles especially up hills, it's a killer ab workout if you add a twist. (I am so weird, lol!)

#2, I eat "stupid" meals like this sometimes when I am either too lazy to go to the store or just feeling picky. This is a fridge raid!

It was delicious though, and looking at I am getting hungry! 

So now that you see all that beautiful red and those yellow yolks... Look at this!

Remnants of chocolate pudding (the second one I made this past week, shhh).... 

And since pudding requires yolks, I had egg whites. And where does my mind go when given egg whites? No healthy omelets here my friends, but meringue!! Soft, sweet, pillowy but crunchy, marshmallows-eat-your-heart-out meringue (recipe linked)!!

Ok, so I am a little obsessed. 

Today there will be some more meringue business going on... making a sampling for a friend whose wedding is coming up in June and has asked me to bake something. Of course I can't resist a challenge, and it's for such a good cause and happy occasion! :) I've also been asked (and volunteered) my photography "services". Oh experience how I look forward to gaining you! :) 

Anywho, I want to make some pretty rose swirl meringue cookies for her to test. They are a great dessert for a bit event like that since they are milk-free (--> lactose free), as well as gluten-free. Food allergies and the like are pretty big here in Finland, so it's good to have something for everyone!

Yesterday on my way home from interviewing, I stopped by a little craft shop and picked up some paper... Bunting paper... Atelier bunting paper... 

So obviously that is on my list of weekend stuff.

I've also been working on little Luke's gift. It's going to be a semi-surprise (maybe), but let me say (esp. compared) to the last project I 

a) love it!

b) love the colors!

c) love the 100% merino wool!

d) want one for myself, lol!

Once this gift is done (probably today), I can resume work on those gray border grannies. Yaay! I've kind of missed them! If I remember correctly, I am up to 70!

Hmmm....what else.... 

Well, the usual boring stuff like cleaning... Let me tell you, having a 90lbs dog is no picnic during spring shedding!! I feel like I'd have to vacuum daily to stop these tufts, and we all know I am not the daily-vacuuming type! In fact, this week we've vacuumed already multiple times, yet the hair balls just keep on keepin' on. 

(Would it have been weird if I had taken a picture of our vacuum and added it here? lol)

So, I suppose I am off! 

Thanks for reading... You know, I think once the bunting goes up, the last thing to do before I launch my atelier is pick up my easel from the parents. 

P.S. Isn't it funny how life builds up and gets really busy all at once? I feel like the week before last was a breeze...and the week after next will be a relative breeze, too. It's just these two weeks that I know are SO busy and SO exhausting!!