Reeses Cheesecake, anyone?

I love a good cheesecake, and Matt is obsessed with Reeses...so here's a good union.

I found this recipe on Pinterest, but it looked a little TOO rich. That's the tricky thing about sweets...I love them but often they are just too rich. I decided to tweak this recipe a bit to see if it would make it a little less sweet. Instead if a brownie crust, I went with a traditional crumb crust made from Oreo Cookies. I undid the cookies, scraped out the icing, and then I crushed them in my handy dandy food processor. I used about 2 c. crumbs and mixed in 3-1/2 Tbsp. butter, melted.

Before you add crust to pan, I wipe butter around the bottom and edges of the pan. When I put the crumbs in the pan, I press firmly so that it's really packed in there and goes up the edges about 1/2-1 inch.

I put the crust in the oven at 350* for a few minutes. After taking it out of the oven, I sprinkled a package of Reese's minis onto the crust.

At this point, I wrap my pan in tinfoil and place it in a water bath. That means that you place your cheesecake pan wrapped in foil into a larger pan, such as a lasagna pan or roasting pan, then add about an inch of water. I don't really know why we do this, but it's what I was taught and I keep doing it because my cheesecakes have all turned out delicious.

Then I prepared the batter. Is that what you call the inside of a cheesecake? 

I used the filling recipe from Pinterest.

2 lbs cream cheese, softened

5 eggs

1-1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. Creamy peanut butter

1/2 c. Heavy whipping cream

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

Put crm chiz in mixer, mix til softened. Add one egg at a time. Add sugar, then pb, then cream, and lastly vanilla. As you go through those stages, it is often an odd consistency, but as you continue to blend, it smooths out. Then pour into the pan (we're using a springform pan, as always).

Bake at 325* for 90 minutes...yep, that's a long time! 

After you take it out, let cool for about an hour. You can then run a knife around the edge to separate the cake from the pan. I often don't have to do this step, as it kind of shrinks away from the pan as it cools.

I removed the pan and let it cool in refrigeration over night. The next day, I made the topping. Again, I didn't want it to be too rich, so this recipe makes a ton! Heat 1/4 c. Heavy cream, add 1 c. Choc chips. Allow chips to soften in cream and whip it up! Drizzle over top of cheesecake! Then cut 7 Reese's in half and dip raw edge in topping and place around edge. 

When it's all done, it looks like this! 

Yummmmmy!

Colorful Chairs & Valance

COLOR!!!

Reupholstering / Painting chairs

Made a new quilted valance to match the bright décor! I had long curtains but they were essentially null and void because of the buffet/counter top I have right in front of the window.

I love sewing/ redecorating. It's my therapy and it's LOTS cheper than therapy! I should know! 

New Kitchen Table

I just joined our community's Buy Nothing Project--a way to give freely things you no longer need and express your needs to see if someone in the group has it to give. My first find is this table and chairs!

I built a table a few years back, but it was my first major carpentry project and it had some quirks. I have been wanting to fix it/ make it a little sturdier. But to add more robust legs was going to cost a fortune. So, I jumped on this table and set out to refurbish it to suit our set-up.

I found this idea on Pinterest. {http://brittaswiderski.com/2013/09/refinishing-101-used-to-modern-dining-table/} I LOVE it. And I already had most of the supplies on hand! Win-win!

I changed it up a bit though. Here's what I did:

Step 1: Clean and Sand (top)

Step 2: Stain (top) & Step 3: Seal (top)

Note: between these layers, you can snd lightly and clean. I put 2-4 layers of polycrylic sealant.

Step 4: Clean and Prime legs

Step 5: Tape and Prime Table

Step 6: Paint!

Let it dry over night.

Step 7: Assemble!

Step 8: Set Up

Voila! Love it! Now for some chairs to match...

Superbowl!

It's official! The Seattle Seahawks are the champions! 

Eight years ago, they took a trip to Detroit to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. There are lts of opinions about the outcome of that game. This isn't a rehashing, but I still (probably will forever) have bitterness about that. I was living in Panama, and I had one friend who cared about the Superbowl that year. I missed out on the hype. It was such a bummer.

This year, I watched or listene to every game. I rooted to the players, not because they were on my fborite team but because I love the story of overcoming tht this team represented this year. It was exactly like my fantasy team! I was told I had a crappy draft and pkayed through a season of injuries to become the champion. It was sweet, sweet redemption. I loved being included in the energy of the region this year rooting on our beloved team!

Check it out if you missed it!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uRhHWiiWigU&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuRhHWiiWigU

Christmas Card 2013

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

It seems like just a few days ago I was making last year's Christmas Cards.  The years seem to tick past us quicker and quicker as we grow older.  This year has been wrought with challenges, but we are also constantly reminded of how blessed we truly are. Here are just a few:

• Christina turned halfway to 70 and it was a pretty difficult birthday to swallow. :/
• We connected more with our church and community and have grown to love where we are planted!  Matt has some great fishing buddies and Christina feels pretty loved on.  We look forward to being able to bless those people as well.
• Matt also coached with the same group of guys that he was with last year in Bothell.  His team didn't fare as well this year, but the coaching staff is awesome and we look forward to spending a few more years hanging out with them.
• Christina took on quilting as a hobby.  If you are reading this blog, you can see most of her works here as well.We did some minor traveling--visiting family mostly. Probably one of our favorite weekends was spent at Samish Island, up in the Puget Sound, near the San Juan Islands.  It was a weekend filled with friends, good food and wonderful R&R!
• Matt was laid off in October and has been diligently looking for new work (work that would be stable, predictable and better supply for us financially). 
• Christina continues working as a therapist at the Seattle's Union Gospel Mission with women coming out of domestic violence and addiction.  If is completely rewarding and she loves it.
• Matt and Christina are beginning the process of fertility treatments.  In November, they held fundraiser events in Port Angeles and Bothell and have been overwhelmed by the financial blessings from people close to us.  Thank you for your continue prayers about that.  It can be a pretty stressful process and we will need your continued prayers. 
• Matt and Christina both did excellently in their Fantasy football leagues.  Christina took the TOP honor (after the league told her she had the worst draft?!?) and Matt came in second in his league. We have so much fun watching football and learning about all the players around the league rather than just our beloved Seahawks!

We pray that this season has been filled with blessings and lots of love and laughter and that more than anything you are reminded of why we celebrate Christmas--the gracious birth of Jesus!

Love,
Matt and Christina Konrad (and Saben)

SAMISH ISLAND

I think Matt and I might have a new favorite place!  We were invited to spend the weekend with our Goode friends in early August at Nathan's family cabin in Samish Island, near the San Juan Islands.  We had a lot of fun, but I think Saben had the most fun!

While we took walks, Saben went fishing.  She really enjoyed finding oyster shells.  She was the happiest medium-sized puppy out there!

We checked out a Whiskey Distillery.  Interesting tidbits learned: A small whiskey barrel costs about $200.00 and they only use it once.  That's crazy! 

We ate this DELICIOUS cheese!

We walked around this little town called Edison.  I loved this pic because of the afghan hanging in the window at the top.  It reminds me of my great grandma, Elma Mydland.  She was a precious little lady.

I just liked the name of this store and the fact that there was a huge nest on it's sign.

 
And, you can't forget to have ice cream!  Yum! 

We also ate a lot of CRAB that weekend.  This is us going to throw out the pots!

 

Beautiful, Washington summer sunset.  Love me some ocean and sun!

New Years!

We had a fun day exploring new campsites, walking around in the snow and watching our puppy have the best time. You could tell she was grinning from ear to ear!

Saben is 2!

The 4th of July/ Fireworks Stand

Well, this 4th of July was different than any other I have experienced as an adult.  First, I am working a job where I don't have vacation days let alone the whole summer off, so it was weird to not be on vacation.  

But, we also were deeply entrenched in our church fundraiser fireworks stand.  We unloaded all of these from 4 semi-trucks, organized, unpacked, priced and sold all of this stuff.  It was insane, but pretty fun and a great fund raiser!  We spent most of the weekend before the Holiday here working away for the Lord.

On the actual holiday, we went to Bothell's parade and then had a BBQ with our good friends, the Dockters.  Here is a pic of us gals at the parade.

And, Matt and I here at the parade.

This was Matt's favorite firework.  It was a 500 gram cake that had lots of fun shots and color.  I don't feel like the "redneck ruckus" name was justified.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did...

Sound Transit is not so "Sound"

Today, I rode the bus and train to work.  It was my first time doing so.  I have to cross through two zones, but countless municipalities to get from home to work.  Driving takes me at least and hour...sometimes two. 

Normally and last time I rode the bus, there were always "tranfers" (free rides for subsequent trips within a 2-hour window) and I always only had to transfer once.  Mind you, I only ride the bus for sporting events to the stadiums because I am too cheap to park, and a couple times to the airport.  And, then I traveled within one zone.

Anyway, this was my first time since they implimented the new and improved sound transit/ light rail here in Seattle!  Here in Seattle, we do not have good public transportation...at least not compared to other major cities like New York or London, but I would say it is better than the Diablo Rojo.  It is always a guessing game as to when and how much you will have to pay.  Sometimes you pay when you get on the bus, sometimes when you get off.  Anyway, they did away with the "transers" so now you have to pay for each leg of your trip is you pay cash.  If you have the ORCA card, then you get a discount, but then it says if you use a monthly plan you get the discount and if you just put money on the ORCA card, it is treated like cash if you don't use a monthly plan.  SO CONFUSING. Anyway, when I got to the landing to board my train (the third leg of my commute), I did not see anywhere to pay for the train.  I only saw a thing that said swipe card here.  (This made me think that there must be hundreds of people who had no clue what was happening because I have a master's degree; come on people, I'm no dummy here!)  I had nothing to swipe.  I saw no where to buy something to swipe.  Thus, I proceeded onto the train, thinking that you must pay when you get off, like some of the busses.  However, when I got off the train, it only said to purchase your tickets prior to boarding...it did not tell me this in Westlake. 

Was I supposed to then purchase the ticket for the ride I had already taken?  I was so confused!  We have a totally depraved-of-"sound"-transit-transit in the Seattle area!

Ignorant bliss,
Christina

Annual Camping Trip

I love traditions and Matt and I have not really created a whole lot of our own.  This year for Memorial Day, we decided to have a big family camp out and start an annual family fishing derby.  We made reservations, divided up the meals, pitched some tents and despite technical difficulties, we had a lovely time cooking over the fire, taking walks and playing games.  

We stayed at Lake Wenatchee State Park, just outside of Leavenworth.  It was a beautiful weekend.  No rain, lots of sun, wonderful scenery and lots of fish caught!

  

Matt's family, my family and the Gagnons were all there (13 humans, 5 dogs, and many a dead fish).  We made trips into Leavenworth and Plain, WA.  You can't miss Shocolate in Leavenworth!  Delicious!

The derby was won by Abby who caught a 4 lb. 1 oz. Rainbow Trout from the dock!  All the rest of us caught maybe one-pounders and we were out in the boat in the deep, cool waters.  

We are looking forward to next year!

What happens...

...when you leave the puppy alone in the house?

This does! All the couch cushions awry, Kleenex box chewed up and strewn about the place, lotion bottle chewed open and a nice moisturizing layer on the couch and red pillow, Matt's new glasses case chewed to pieces and the glasses a bit damaged, Matt's planner shredded and the contents of the recycle bin chewed and strewn about.  There is evidence that she may be a hoarder as it was mostly in a pile on her blanket.

The good news is that she did eat her real food, didn't chew the remote controls, didn't go potty in the house and isn't barking outside since I put her out when I got home.  Obedience training is a must in the near future!

We weren't sure how it would go and I needed to go run an quick errand so I thought I would give her the chance to be responsible.

She didn't handle it well! Yikes.  She is grounded and for sure will be going to the kennel when we leave.

Our Newest Family Member!

Matt and I have been talking for a LOOOOOOOONNNNNNG time about getting a dog!  Well, we finally did today! 

Meet our girl, Saben _______ Konrad (named after the notorious Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide and needing a middle name). 

She's a rescue pup and we don't know a ton about her.  What we do know is that she's about a year old, she's about 50 lbs., she has the most adorable line down her face and a white tip on her tail and spotted paws, she's very calm but can be playful, she's part Hound/ part Shar Pei, she jogged with me tonight and she chases ducks!  She also came from Spokane!