Project Life, Week 1

There was a time when we thought biological parenthood was going to be something we would not get to experience. Not for lack of trying, but due to some complications. At the time, the only option we were aware of was adoption...and we were somewhat accepting of that option. But the thought left us feeling incomplete.

 A little research led us to the reproductive endocrinology clinic at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. We scheduled an appointment, and found out there was an option for employees to get assistance. Jackpot! We were anxious to sign up.

A long process ensued... a journey including many appointments, a barrage of shots, a retrieval procedure, and a "transplant" procedure. Then anxious waiting and hand wringing, culminating in the conception of our first son. Once he neared his second birthday, we decided we'd try again... and were successful in the conception of our second son. They are 27 months apart in age.

Elation is truly an understatement. I honestly feel like I am walking on clouds every.single.day.

I don't just believe in miracles blindly, I have physical evidence they exist. I get to watch two of the most amazing miracles grow and explore their world. Any amount of time I spend with them is cherished... and I love being their playmate. They are literally the best things that have ever happened to me. For them, I thank God every single day.

Life's greatest miracles are beheld in the sending of God's angels to dwell among us.

Disney Cruises are like....

I often joke with friends that going on a Disney Cruise is the only time you walk into a situation reluctantly and walk away needing a 12-step program for recovery.

Flash back to 2006. My parents had planned a family vacation to Walt Disney World. We were all excited and happy to be getting away together. After a few weeks, the trip had morphed into a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas followed by playing at the parks for a few days.

Wait, what? I don't want to be on a floating vessel for any amount of time. Isn't it dangerous? Will I get sea sick? The barrage of questions ensued as our brakes were applied. We'd gone from ecstatic to a feeling of instant trepidation.

We were gently encouraged. My parents kept telling us all would be ok. "You'll love it." They'd say. "You'll see."

So, begrudgingly, we packed our bags and were off for a stop in Orlando on our way to Port Canaveral.

We got on the ship... the Disney Wonder... still leery. We didn't know what to expect, but we were sure, at least in the back of our minds, it would be riddled with thousands of small children and the adults would be bored to tears. Because Disney is geared toward families and children, after all.

By the night before disembarkation, we were excited to go to the Magic Kingdom... but we were also sad.  A looming dread came over us as we knew we would be disembarking the next morning. We were genuinely bummed.

As soon as we got home, we were in search of our next trip. Longing to be on the cruise ship again... searching for the smell of the ocean as the wind blew through our hair. Having flash backs to one of the greatest vacations we'd experienced to date.

Yep... we were addicted.

Now, 9 years and 6 cruises later... we are hopelessly addicted to the DCL fleet... longing for our next cruise like an addict longs for their next hit.

Seriously... there should be a 12-step program to help with the withdrawals. But, then again, if you participated in a program, the objective would be to get over the experiences ... and that would be impossible. So... how about signing up for our next adventure instead?

Project Life

I have decided to delve into a project of sorts.
A few years ago, I purchased a project life binder. I have every intention of completing it one day... when life slows down a little bit. However, in the mean time, I have decided to try to do an online version.

I will be sharing details... photos... and perspectives of day-to-day life... giving a glimpse of what life looks like for a working mother of two.

So... let the fun begin!

Once-a-Year Cheesecake Ice Cream

6 ounces cream cheese, preferably preservative-free, softened but still cool
¾ cup superfine sugar (I used 1/2 cup of granulated fructose)
1 cup cold sour cream
1 cup cold heavy cream
Pinch of coarse (kosher) salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract


Chill a medium mixing bowl and the beaters of an electric mixer. In the bowl, beat the cream cheese at medium speed until soft and smooth. Gradually add the sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the sour cream and then the heavy cream. Add the salt, lemon juice, vanilla and beat the mixture just until thick and smooth. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or until very cold. Wash and dry the mixer beaters and chill again.

Using the chilled beaters and gradually increasing the mixer speed from low to medium, beat the cold ice cream mixture until loose and creamy, about 3 minutes. Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Serve immediately, or pack the ice cream into a covered container and freeze for up to 24 hours. Allow the ice cream to soften in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

In order to fill the container in the photo, I had to do two batches - essentially doubling the recipe. I mixed the batches separately so that I wouldn't have extra sitting around. It took the ice cream about 35 minutes to set properly. Once it set, I mixed the second batch - pulling the ingredients directly out of the refrigerator and skipping the step where you're supposed to cover and refrigerate until very cold - it didn't affect the texture of the finished product at all doing so.

Between the layers of ice cream, I placed ground up cinnamon graham crackers and chocolate teddy grahams crackers. You could also put chopped up berries of your choosing, but I skipped that to allow more flexibility. It goes well with cherry cobbler...

For those who are sugar conscious - whatever the reason may be - I substituted the granulated sugar for granulated fructose. I have an exchange list for the measurements if you're interested - just let me know.



Recipe from Food & Wine Magazine

The Ice Cream Project

I scream... you scream... we all scream for ice cream!! I had seen some different recipes for Chocolate Stout ice cream on the 'net... so I decided to give one of them a try...

First, we collected the ingredients....



Next we made the custard slurry...



After about an hour in the ice cream freezer... and a couple of days in the regular freezer... we had yummy ice cream.



I do think the next time, I'm going to make an effort to tweak the flavors a bit... it is REALLY rich ice cream. Good, but rich.

The recipe:
Ingredients
3.5 oz milk chocolate, finely chopped
3.5 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
pinch of salt
4 large egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup chocolate stout
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place milk and bittersweet chocolate bits in a large bowl and set a mesh strainer over the top.

Warm the milk, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.

Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. Pour the custard through the strainer over the milk chocolate, then stir until the chocolate is melted. Once the mixture is smooth, whisk in the cream, then the chocolate stout and vanilla. Stir until cool over an ice bath.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.