Henderson Park Inn

Sunday, October 18, 2009

We recently took a week long rest-cation to the Henderson Park Inn in Destin, Florida. This is our second experience with a Bed & Breakfast and I have to say it’s leagues better than a hotel. Every morning there was a full breakfast buffet with a chef making made-to-order omelets and waffles, plus a boxed lunch (you pre-ordered the sandwich type the day before) from Honeybaked Ham. It was a definite change of pace from the last vacations at Disney World and the cruise a couple years ago. While we both loved the do-nothing itinerary we “planned”, I still had thoughts of Space Mountain and Epcot in my head. Maybe it’s because I get bored easy :) It was a much needed time to relax - here’s a few pictures from our week.

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By Lauren in Life

Parkour Parkour!!!1!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Watch this…(or at least the first minute or so)

Now watch this…

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By Lauren in Funny

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Friday, September 18, 2009

I first tasted this cake when our Nana made it several months ago. Every bite I took I let out a “MMmmm!” - so you know it has to be good :) I really like anything chocolaty, but THIS cake is by far my favorite chocolate dessert. I don’t have a good picture - I made it two days ago, but it fell apart in places (I didn’t get the sides of the springform warm enough to take it out). It basically looks like (and is a similar consistency to) a cheesecake, except chocolate :)

8 Large Eggs
1 lb. Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup Unsalted Butter, cut in small pieces
1/2 cup Strong Coffee

Preheat oven to 325F

Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper (I used wax paper), wrap the outside of the pan in foil to prevent leaks. Prepare a pot of boiling water and set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs until double in volume - about 5 minutes.

Melt chocolate and butter with the coffee in a double boiler (I simply used a big pot on the bottom with boiling water and set a smaller sauce pan inside with the ingredients) stirring occasionally. Fold in the whipped eggs in 3 additions, mixing only enough as is necessary to incorporate, then pour the mixture into the prepared springform. Place the springform pan into a deep roasting pan and place on the lower middle rack of the oven. Pour enough boiling water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up on the sides of the cake.

Bake about 25 minutes until cake rises slightly and has a thin, delicate crust. Thermometer inserted in the center should read 140F - it will still jiggle in the center. Transfer the springform to a wire-rack and cool to room temp. Refrigerate overnight. Before serving, warm sides of the springform with a hot towel to loosen, then pop open, cut with a hot, wet knife and dust with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.

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By Lauren in Recipes

Any Takers?

Friday, August 21, 2009

I’m cleaning out my guest bedroom closet and realize there’s a few things we can live without. Our bedding from our last house is still packed up in the original bag and has sat there for over a year. We got it from Kohls for between $100-150. Does anyone need a king size bed outfit? It’s a silvery tan-ish type color with four shams and a couple of pillows (one not pictured). Here’s a picture of our bedroom in the last house. Let me know if you could use it and you can have it! I remember washing it before I packed it up and it’s in pretty good shape.

Oh, and I’m in a cleaning mood, so I may end up posting something else :)

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By Lauren in New Place

Bored Birdies

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I think this might reflect my attitude this afternoon. I was so busy with projects up until a week or so ago and I’m experiencing a slight lull in work. I’ve been freelancing on my own now for over a year (13 mo) and history proves there will be weeks like this. So, instead of sulk about lack of work this afternoon I decided to do a quick painting. It only took about 20 minutes. I penned the lines and birds in prior to painting the sky. I found out quickly that it was a mistake…ink bleeds when you put water on it! You can see a few places where I got too close, but I wasn’t really in the mood to be too precise. I definitely like the look of the black ink and watercolor over it. The birds on electric lines concept is overused, but I think it was a good starter project for this style.

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Look at the birds of the sky: they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? - Matthew 6:26

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By Lauren in Design, Faith

Yellow Pepper

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I’m still in the VERY beginning stages of watercolor painting. I’d love to just create some massive landscape or do a really cool portrait, but I’m taking baby steps. I’m getting better at shading and figuring out which color to lay down first. I’m also learning patience. Letting certain areas dry before adding more color…or knowing when to go ahead and let the colors bleed together for a clean gradient.

Any of you have a request for me to paint? An orange, a plane, chimpanzee, Eric’s nose?

Yellow Pepper

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By Lauren in Design

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