Halloween.

I started listening to Christmas music today. I borrowed a bunch of Christmas CD's from the library to load up before everyone else wanted them, and I just couldn't resist it, sitting there on my recently added playlist...What I have to say about the issue of the "right" time to start listening to Christmas music is, I believe that the Spirit of Christ is needed in this world and the sooner it comes with Christmas, the better. Sure, I'll save the "Jingle Bells" and "Chestnuts Roasting" for December. But Christ is welcome anytime, even before Halloween. That's my theory on it anyway.

Tomato + Chocolate

You wouldn't think so, but tomatoes do amazing things to chocolate. The following is a documentation of a chocolate cake with tomato soup in the ganache and the batter itself. 

These are the ingredients for the ganache. 

This is the ganache that sits for several hours before you can spread it like frosting, and it hardens almost like the outside of a candy bar.

Ok, so cocoa powder, tomato soup and eggs looks kinda gross. But add it to the flour mixture and some butter and...

This is the cake batter. It is the consistency of butter cream frosting. You really could stop here and just eat it. It's incredible.

This is the finished product, two layers of cake covered with the ganache and surrounded by Piourette cookies.

A little frosting on each cookie seals the fortress of chocolate with flame!!

See, doesn't that look FANTASTIC?! It is, I promise. I will share the recipe with you as long as you promise to share some of the extra moist, deeply rich chocolate cake with me.

Fall Break.

How is it that with an entire week of opportunity to do exactly as you please, that you end up only doing partly what you planned? Fall break needs to be two weeks, not one.

Another Status Update.

Sometimes all it takes is a few words and people run wild. The following was a facebook status and the subsequent replies.

People are like recipes.

• They don't work well without the baking powder?
• Some of them are kinda greasy?
• Many of them don't work out? 
• Some of them are so delicate that you have to tiptoe around them to keep them from collapsing?
• One wrong ingredient, and everything goes terribly wrong?
• Some of them don't taste very good?
• Some of them are better for you than others?
• Some are hot?
• Sometimes the finished product isn't the best part?
• Some are deep, dark family secrets, kept under lock and key?
• You never know where you are going to find a good one?
• Some require alcohol to work properly?
• Some are kinda chunky?
• You never know what you are going to get when you combine them?
• Some require rather specialized or exotic equipment?
• Some make you want to cry sometimes?
• The best ones require lots of butter?
• Some, no matter how closely you follow the book, just don't turn out how you expected.
• Even when you set them aside for many years they are still amazing.
• I have several books full of them?
• I keep my eye out for the good ones.
• When you move far away, you miss some of your favorite ones?
• You read a lot more then you actually get to experience?
•  They never look the same on TV as they do in real life?
• They're better with a grain of salt?
• They both burn if they're in the oven too long?
• They can be manipulated according to the desired outcome?
• Certain ingredients can be substituted if they are too fatty??
• If you don't follow the instructions correctly you could end up with something really disgusting??
• Some are sweet, and some are nutty?
• Some go together as well as butter and honey. Others as well as Ramen and peanut butter. 

I am grateful for...

Home Teachers.

Even though I am in a single's ward, I have been blessed with good men for home teachers. Because of the fluid nature of a single's ward, the men assigned to me changes often. There have been times I have called my home teachers for blessings, and they are always ready and willing. The men are honest and worthy Priesthood holders who are able to perform a Priesthood duty at any moment. The message they bring is always carefully thought out with questions and personal experiences that fill my home with the Spirit. I am grateful for the worthy men who are willing to serve the Lord. I am grateful for their sincere interest and love. Thank you good home teachers.