Tuesday, February 28, 2006

So long friend...

Since the Lenten season is upon us, I've decided to set a lofty goal of giving up something that I very much enjoy, and something that I partake in way, way too often. For the next 40 days, I am going to try my very best to give up Starbucks coffee.... lattes, mochas, americanos, cappuccinos, marble mocha macchiatos, cinnamon dolces, everything that is Starbucks (or Seattle's Best, or Tullys, or Caffe Ladro, or the drive through little hut at the bottom of the hill). It will be a challenging time. I'll keep you all posted on my progress.

(Oh and I'm not even Catholic. So there is nothing really riding on this for me except to say that I can do it!! :-) Posted by Picasa

Mardi Gras King Cake


A few years ago, we've began a tradition in the Brenne family of celebrating the end of Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday by having a dinner of pancakes followed by King Cake for dessert (not a very healthy well balanced meal, but it's only once a year). King Cake is a long-standing Mardi Gras tradition . This ring-shaped treat is decorated with green, purple and gold, the colors of Mardi Gras. Baked into the cake is a tiny plastic baby. Whoever finds the plastic baby will have good luck throughout the year. Campbelle was so proud to help sprinkle the cake and Christian was so thrilled to eat it!! The recipe makes a huge cake, so Leif can celebrate with his co-workers tomorrow.

INGREDIENTS:
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup butter, melted
5 egg yolks
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon multicolored candy sprinkles
DIRECTIONS:
I1. n a large bowl, dissolve yeast and white sugar in warm milk. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Stir the egg yolks and melted butter into the milk mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, nutmeg and lemon zest. Beat the flour mixture into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
3. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Mix well. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons milk. Mix well and set aside.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out into a 6x30 inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling across the center of the dough. Bring the two long edges together and seal completely. Using your hands shape the dough into a long cylinder and place on a greased
baking sheet, seam-side down. Shape the dough into a ring press the baby into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough. Place a well-greased 2 pound metal coffee can the center of the ring to maintain the shape during baking. Cover the ring with a towel and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5.
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove the coffee can and allow the bread to cool. Drizzle cooled cake with lemon/sugar glaze and decorate with candy sprinkles. Posted by Picasa

Bust a Move

Christian has really become a huge Wiggle fan and he's really quite a good little dancer. Posted by Picasa

Everyday is a Dress Up Day

If I leave Campbelle alone in her room for any length of time... I am certain we'll be having a fashion show when she comes downstairs. Campbelle loves to dress up, especially from all the great clothes she gets from her cousin Madison! Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

V-Day

Happy Valentine's Day from the Brenne kids! Posted by Picasa

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Weekend Fun

The weekend was wonderful - beautiful sunny weather with lots of chances for getting outside to play. On Friday we spent some time at the neighborhood park, and unfortunately Campbelle realized first hand why you should always walk around the swings when other kids are swinging. She was hit pretty hard, but only has a bruised chin. The trauma was not lasting though, she wanted back on the swings within seconds.

Friday night, the Brenne household entered an Olympic frenzy - as I get an hourly update on the medal count between US and Norway. I have to give credit to those Norwegians - they certainly know their winter sports. For a relatively small country - they have a huge presense at the Games! Go Norway! (That was for all you Norwegian readers out there!!! :-) and of course USA!

Saturday night, Gina babysat the kids when Leif and I went to have a New Orleans themed party at the Albertson house. It was fun to relax and enjoy time with great people and some fantastic cajun and creole food.

Today was another gorgous day so we all went for a walk, and stopped by the local Starbucks for a treat. Now picture this priceless moment: Campbelle sitting outside basking in the sunshine, with her leg crossed like an adult, a Starbuck cup in her hand and saying "Life is good isn't it??" So true, my sweet girl, so true!!

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Breakfast Time

Christian is officially out of his highchair and into his new one from Farmor and Farfar. He does good except when he thinks he's funny and pushes away from the table... but then sadly realizes he can't get himself back to his food! Posted by Picasa

I think she's certainly outgrown this one! Posted by Picasa

Monday, February 06, 2006

Sunny Days are Here Again!

 Posted by Picasa

Finally we are having some nice weather - what better way to spend a sunny day then being outside with all our buddies! Posted by Picasa

Playing Trains

They got a few minutes of playing nicely together before Christian "The Destoyer" started to creatively 'rearrange' the tracks. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Book Club



I met with my book club gang this week to discuss our latest book "Everyday Sacred, A Woman's Journey Home" by Sue Bender. It was a great book and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for inspiration and self discovery. The publishers have this to say:

Returning home from the Amish, Bender struggled to apply the peaceful wisdom and simplicity she learned from them to her hectic life. Then one day she heard the story of the begging bowl and instinctively knew it had much to teach her: each day a Zen monk goes out with an empty bowl in his hands; whatever is placed in the bowl will be his nourishment for the day. So, too, Bender discovered, if we approach each day afresh, with our bowls waiting to be filled, we will find at the end of that day that extraordinary things - some so small we may be tempted to overlook them - have come our way. Everyday Sacred is filled with the stories, the people, and the experiences that filled Bender's bowl - a "connect-the-dots record of my search for the sacred in everyday life." From the simple act of clearing off her desk to enjoying a perfectly prepared cappuccino to realizing she can only do three of the thirteen things on her to-do list, Bender finds that each step along one's journey is a place to learn.

Next month's selection, "Vanishing Acts" by Jodi Piccoult.