Happy Halloween!!

I was asked to make a cake for a silent auction for the sixth graders fundraiser for their annual fieldtrip... They always put on a Halloween carnival and silent auction and it is usually a huge success. I made the cake above for the auction and also gave a gift certificate for a cake order up to 100servings. Not sure what happened but the auction was definately not as successful as it was last year, it seemed there were less people and less bidding. The Halloween cake went for $17... and the certificate for $40. I'm trying to tell myself it is ok and it went to a good cuase, but hurts alittle when I realize I know get to do a large 100 serving cake and the money earned for the school was only .40 a serving.... oh well, at least I can use towards my charitable contributions on my taxes...right? Anyhow, I was pleased with how the cake turned out.

Asian Fried Chicken

I made dinner for a friend the other night and I was feeling kind of at a loss as to what to do. Chicken is always a good affordable bet but I want to make it special and of course super tasty. This is the recipe I came up with and it was GOOD!

Asian fried Chicken
10 thin cut boneless skinless chicken breast
2 cups flour
2 T ground Ginger
1 1/2 T ground Nutmeg
1 T garlic powder
1 T corn starch
2 tsp salt
2 tsp Ground black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 T paprika
5 eggs
3 T water
1/2 inch veggie oil for frying

Heat the oil in frying pan. Combine flour and all the spices in a dish. Combine eggs and water to create an egg wash. designate one had your wet hand and one your dry (this makes you hands less likely to become globs of the flour and egg mixture) begin in the flour covering the chicken with the spiced flour mixture, then dip in the egg wash, then again in the flour, again in the egg wash and finally in the flour.  Place in the hot oil and fry for about 4-5 minutes per side till cooked completely through.

Honey soy glaze:
In a small sauce pot combine

1/2 c honey
4 garlic cloves minced
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 scallion sliced
1 tsp pepper

Heat to simmer and allow to simmer for several minutes. Drizzle over the cooked chicken or on the side as a dipping sauce.

My one and only girl so far Emery Jade turned three yesterday! It seems like yesterday we were welcoming her into our home full of boys! Here are some fun facts about Emery:

• She was born prematurally at 35 weeks, but went home with us right away, just had to be in a car bed cause she was so tiny!
• She is GIRLY!! Which I completely encourage and love! We will see how long it lasts with all these boys!
• She LOVES to eat, her favorites are noodles and chicken, corn and cheese. She is not picky and eats very well!
• She loves babies and playing mommy.
• She LOVES her "boys" she always is asking when her boys will be home, she loves her brothers and is so kind and loving to them.
• She likes to think she is also the mom when it comes to her boys.
• Most pictures of her have the freezed mid word of Cheese grin. As pictured below
• If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she always replies a Mommy
• She wants to go to Preschool SO bad, and she is ready!
• She loves the Lion King and Mickey Mouse and all things princess.
• Her favorite dress is the one my mom made her for Miranda's wedding because, one it is big like a princess dress and two because Grandma made it.
• She is SO silly, she says the funniest things and does the cutest most silly things!
• She sounds like a cartoon character. 

one year old

And now three...freeze cheese grin!

 

And finally a pretty one. We are so very blessed to have this beautiful daughter in our home. She lights up our home. We are so proud of her and happy for her third Birthday! We love you Emery girl!