Movin on Up

I have decided to start using Blogger to host my blog since it is easier to update using my phone. I will leave this blog up for a while but I will start posting to the new blog as of now…

Please update your rss feeds, bookmarks, etc to http://jemailaduffy.blogspot.com/

See you there 🙂

Pastry Family Day

Here’s what we made for family day this quarter,

Apple-Walnut Crostada:

Peach Parfait:

Molten Chocolate Cake:

Pastry Practical

I finished my midterm practical in pastry class yesterday with a score of 92… in a three way tie for the highest grade in the class!

Here’s what I made:

3 mini napoleons

a mini croquembouche pyramid (think eclairs but dipped in sugar instead of chocolate)

two pâte à choux swans on a crème anglaise lake

Overall, I feel like everything came out well… aside from a few nasty burns from the molten sugar 🙂

Bailey’s Toys, Inc.

It seems like Bailey is trying to go into business for himself making dog toys.

He just dropped his new invention (two toys put together) in my lap.

Either that, or he’s trying to tell me he’s bored with the toys he has and I need to buy him new ones 🙂

One Down, Two To Go…

I did my final practical today in my American Regional Class. Everything turned out pretty well- even though I cut my finger right at the beginning 🙂

I got a 99 out of 110 so I was satisfied with my effort. The practical is the cooking portion of the test so now I only have written finals left to do. Here’s what I made:

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Frisee Salad w/ With Apples, Cranberries, Walnuts, and Raspberry Vinaigrette

Roasted Pork Loin w/ White Wine Sauce, Sauteed Snow Peas, Sweet Potato Puree, and Glazed Pearl Onions

I have my American Regional written test and my Math final on Wednesday. Then I have a math presentation and kitchen deep-cleaning on Monday before I head to Columbus for a visit.

I can’t wait for a break!!!

He’s Finally Here!!!

Meet Elijah Duffy Caldwell born at 7:59pm July 7th, 2009. He’s 7lbs 11oz and 21 inches long with a beautiful head of hair!

He looks just like his Papa, too 🙂

Mom, Dad, and Baby are all doing fine…

I’m the proudest auntie!

Shower Time!

Jenna’s baby shower was a big success! We had lots of fun watching her opening presents of the cutest clothes and reminiscing about the books we all loved as kids. We especially liked decorating onesies for Eli to wear later. Here are some photos I took:

Patio Party!

Tom, Kris, and I started work on a patio in my backyard.

Dad and Tom dug out the grass a couple of weeks ago and the gravel was delivered on Wednesday.

We wanted to separate the sand from the bigger rocks so we seived it one wheelbarrow load at a time.

It was hard work but doesn’t it look like fun?

The pavers should be delivered this week so it won’t be long now before I have a great outdoor space to go with my great indoor space! Here’s a preview of the final shape:

Don’t worry- Bailey didn’t escape. He’s not fast enough to get by me 🙂

Wanna See What I Made in School Today?

Today was the first day we made a full meal so I thought I’d post a picture!

We made roasted chicken, sauteed green beans, glazed carrots, and croquette potatoes… nothing fancy but it was nice to see a real meal rather than a plate full of potatoes 🙂

Birthday Dinner at Noble’s

Tom and Kris treated me to a birthday dinner at Noble’s- my favorite restaurant in Charlotte!

My apologies for these terrible pictures… I had to use my phone.

I had the Pig Cheek with Mushrooms, Celeriac Puree, and Beef’s Blood. It was so delicious and tender!

Tom and Kris had the Strip Steak with a Field Pea Cassoulet which was also delicious.

Strawberry tart and walnut ice cream rounded out a fantastic meal!

I should turn 28 more often 🙂