Where have I been? Hard to believe it's been a couple weeks since I posted. Harder still that another year is gone. Lately, I've been behind and on top of my refrigerator. (Really.)
I decided it was time--exactly one year after selecting a color and purchasing the paint and supplies--that it was time to paint my kitchen, which was still builder's white 4+ years into our time here. So, I resigned myself to no cooking for a couple days, and set to taping. And taping. And taping. (Did I mention, I hate painting?)
If I never have to get behind or on top of my refrigerator again, it will be too soon. I also sealed the countertops (granite always seems like a good idea, until you have to do this...). So, the kitchen was cleaner and shinier than ever. Here's the finished product, a cheery yellow.
No, I don't normally have fresh flowers either, but they helped cheer me up after taking down the Christmas decorations. It always feels so bare.
For Christmas dinner, I made this Hot Chocolate Cake with Homemade Marshmallows. I saw this several weeks ago on a different blog, but can't remember where (if it's yours, please post the link in comments). I used a different marshmallow recipe, sent by Chef Christine, and finally found a use for the candy thermometer I bought several years ago. Making marshmallows really is easy, if a bit sticky.
Thankfully, I made all the pieces a day ahead, and just assembled them on Christmas. Otherwise, we may have eaten dinner at midnight. Aside from the buche de noel I learned to make in cooking class a few years back, this is by far the most impressive cake I have ever made. (I'm working on it, but am just not great at cakes... yet.)
Look how tall it is - three layers!
I probably should have noted that the recipe says it feeds 16 before making it for 3 people. We're still working on it. And, as I'm still on vacation for a couple more hours, I'm going to log off and kick back with a book and my new Snuggie. Laugh if you will, but I dare you to try one...
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