Pastry Wednesday: Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake from Salt Lake Roasting Company

You may have noticed that our Pastry Wednesdays as of late have revolved around our usual fall-backs: Tulie Bakery and Gourmandise Bakery. Both are wonderful and we have found them to be consistently good.

So, when Mr. Blenderhouse brought this Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake from the Salt Lake Roasting Company, we were all pleasantly surprised and pleased!

Just look at how beautiful those chocolate shavings are!

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake from Salt Lake Roasting Company

These beautiful shavings will need to be removed when cutting though, because they will shatter and make your table a lovely mess.

Cut carefully!

But what lies beneath--a rich chocolate mousse--is worth it.

Delicious!

It is not overly sweet, but you'll easily need a glass of milk (or soy milk for us lactards) to wash it down.

You can't see it well in this picture, but there are layers to this cake. There are cake layers alternating with mousse layers. It also seemed like there were bits of chocolate shavings atop each mousse layer, because there was a little bit of crisp texture every so often.

We all loved it, but be warned that it is rich and decadent!


Salt Lake Roasting Company
320 E. 400 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah

In the Salt Lake Public Library
200 E. 400 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah

Project Life 365: Week 2

What a fun, full, and frenzied week!

January 6: I made this Russian cake, the Medovnik for a Russian Christmas party. It has 8 layers of cake, but traditionally can have up to 15 layers. It was pretty close to what I remember it being in Russia, so I say it was a success!

The frosting is made with whipped and sour cream--lovely!

January 7: Making dinner with Lee. Unfortunately, I didn't realize we didn't have a lot of pasta, so there are three types of pasta in this pot with three different cooking times. Don't worry--it worked out!

Spaghetti, angel hair, and fettuccine!

January 8: These are our decorative pillows on our bed. Lee was smitten with the lime green pillow, so we bought it. I'm not sure if we intended it to be grouped with our current pillows, but it does make me smile when I make the bed.

Soft pillow!

January 9: I usually stop buying Cuties in January because they don't taste as good. This one, surprisingly, was very sweet.

I love Cuties!

January 10: Winter Storm Gandolf rolled in to Utah in the afternoon, but I didn't get off till 5. Let's just say my bus commute home was 3 hours. At least I was warm and safe on the bus!

The Walker Building weather tower was indicating snow. I could have told you that!

January 11: We had our neighbor kids over for an iPad date. They love our iPad--it was their first ever exposure to technology months ago, so they are loyal to the iPad. We also made pizzas together, then played on the iPad.

Yes, they are both smiling for me in this picture.

January 12: Winter Storm Gandolf dropped a lot of snow on Thursday, Friday, and half the day on Saturday. Lee and I were out for 3 hours shoveling and snow blowing at the apartments.

I've nicknamed this snowblower--Zoomeroom.

Have a fantastic week, friends!

Marriage Tip #12: Work Together

Lee and I got married in mid-December four years ago. We got married, then Christmas happened, and then we went on a family ski trip over New Year's.

We arrived home, coming off of a high from all the excitement and the fun of our wedding and the holidays. 

Then it snowed. And snowed. And snowed some more.

Utah snowstorm this year, Gandolf

Lee and I are responsible for some of the maintenance at the apartments in which we live. I knew when I got married to Lee that we'd be pulling weeds, shoveling snow, and billy-goating (aka industrial vacuuming).

So when it started to snow and snow and snow that first winter, we shoveled.

And shoveled. And shoveled some more.

From the wee hours of the morning...

I love shoveling early in the morning--it's quiet and peaceful!

...to late at night.

We shovel whenever we need to shovel.

Ice melt time

I didn't realize it was going to be snowing so dang much that first month of our marriage!

But all that time together was awesome.  I had never done apartment work before, while Lee had been doing it for years, so I learned a lot of things, like what kind of gasoline is used to power a snow blower, how to start a snow blower, and how to efficiently throw ice melt (like you're bowling).

Early morning picture after shoveling

So our marriage tip for the day:

• Find a project and work together: You can learn a lot about how you work and how your spouse works. You might find out that your work styles don't necessarily match, but hopefully you'll also learn how to creatively compromise to get it done.
• Divide and conquer: When you're working together and especially if your work styles aren't the same, split up the work tasks. I really am not very good at working the big snow blower (I'd get dragged by that thing!), so Lee takes that one while I shovel the stairs.
• Don't keep score: A lot of resentment can build up when you start tallying up what you've done and what your spouse has done. You are both going to be naturally better at certain things and may do things faster than the other person. I'm pretty good at weeding, and Lee is definitely better at billy-goating.
• Don't be lazy: Work hard. Period. It's good for you and your spouse will think you are the bee's knees.
• Compliment each other: High-five one another after you've accomplished your work project together.

It is so satisfying to see the fruits of your labor--I love cleared walks!

What we've seen outside lately--lots of snow!

So in light of Winter Storm Gandolf rolling in last night, we'll be shoveling this weekend...together!

Free at last!

Dear friends, we are proud to announce that we are debt free.

Finally!

It's reason to celebrate...with a pinata!

Celebrate being debt free with a Dora the Explorer pinata!

We paid off our last student loan at the end of December 2012 and we are floating on Cloud Nine.

When we got married 4 years ago, one of my good friends and former mission companions gifted us The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey on CD. We didn't listen to it right away. In fact, I think I finally popped it in to my computer a whole year after we received it.

Read it!

I listened to it and got so excited--this was new and simple! it blew my mind. When I was younger, I wasn't really taught about financial stuff.  I knew how to work hard, but I didn't know that I could work hard then SAVE enough money to buy something outright. The only thing I knew was that I could put it on a credit card.

So in college, I racked up a lot of debt. Credit card debt, student loan debt, car debt, random debt--I had it! When we got married, I had to tell Lee I had this whole lot of debt. And between the two of us, we had over $80,000 worth of debt (yes, most of it was mine and most of it was school debt!).

Lee agreed to go with me to Financial Peace University (FPU), a series of 9 lessons, where you learn the Baby Steps and beyond. I think Lee was a little hesitant at first since he hadn't listened to the CDs, but then he got into it as we went each week.

We graduated FPU and we were committed and for the next couple years, we "lived like no else, so later we could live like no one else." We always paid our tithes and offerings first and aggressively paid our debts and bills next.

And now we have no debt. Nada. Nil. Zip!

Kicking for joy--we're out of debt!

We entered a contest recently through Zion's Bank telling about our experience and we won the regional contest and $100.00 (which immediately went in our emergency fund)! This was our essay:

When we got married four years ago, I was ashamed that I was a financial idiot and brought credit card and student loan debt to our new life. We were beginning with a dark cloud over us. Fortunately, we received the Total Money Makeover for a wedding gift--turned out to be the best gift we got! We graduated FPU, living like no one else. At the end of this month (usually known for spending), we will pay off our last loan and will be debt free! Not having that dark cloud will be the best anniversary and Christmas gift.

Okay, so we are only done with Baby Step #2, but that was the step that seemed the most insurmountable. Now it's all easy sailing from now on, right?!?  I'm sure that will not be the case, but it honestly seems so much easier already.

If you are struggling with debt, you need to check out the Financial Peace University and/or the Total Money Makeover--it will change your family history!

Russian Christmas Celebration and Medovnik Honey Cake Recipe

One of my dearest and oldest friends, Christina, invited us over for a Russian Christmas Celebration yesterday.

Yay for good friends!

We both served church missions in Russia and Belarus--she in Novosibersk, and I in Moscow and Minsk. We had taken Russian together in high school and often worked together on projects and competitions.

The best parts of the party were:

1. All the other people who had also lived/served missions in Russia at the party (Christina's brother and sister-in-law, a neighbor, an old mission companion, and Lee);

Christina and her brother and sister-in-law

2. Two young ladies who were recently called on church missions to Novosibersk (congrats!). We had fun telling them and their families what it was like in the Motherland; and

They were listening so intently!

3. Eating Russian food. Because we were trying to tell them what it was like in the Motherland, we had to make and bring a lot of Russian food to share that I haven't had for so long! Borscht, pelmini, blini, zimni salat, gretchka, and the best juices you'll ever have.

Looks very pink, but it's so good!

I wanted to bring a dessert to this little party, but I'm not a big fan of most Russian desserts since most things end up dry and not terribly favorable. The only one I loved was the Medovnik Tort or the Honey Cake. It's a multi-layer, honey cake that is actually moist because it has soaked up all that delicious creamy frosting between each layer, and is encrusted with crumbs and walnuts. 

So I made it and it was pretty close to what I remember.

It was so yummy! 

Look at all those layers! I got 8, but you can go up to 15 layers.

Lee did a great job slicing each layer

Russian Medovnik Tort (8-layers)

(adapted from Atlantic Kitchen)

Honey Dough:

3 large eggs

Pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

4 tbsp butter

4 tbsp honey

2 tsp baking soda

2 1/4 cups (550 gm) flour

Filling:

1/2 lb sour cream

2 c heavy whipping cream

3/4 c powdered sugar

1/2 c walnuts

14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk

Cake:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Beat eggs with salt and sugar until creamy in a stand mixer. On stove top or microwave, melt honey and butter together. Cool this mixture, then add to egg mixture, beating till incorporated. Add baking soda and mix thoroughly. On low speed, add flour in batches until a thick and soft dough.

Cover a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Spread the dough evenly and to the corners of the pan if able. Occasionally wet your hands/fingers with water during spreading. This will prevent the dough sticking. Bake this layer for about 12-15 minutes, till golden brown.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes in pan. Lift the layer out of the pan using the edges of aluminum foil, and allow to cool completely on a rack. When cooled, peel off aluminum foil.

Filling/Frosting:
Beat whipping cream with powdered sugar till you have stiff peaks. Fold in gently the sour cream till incorporated. Refrigerate till assembly.

Assembly:
On a large cutting board, lay out your layer of cake and trim the edges so they are straight. Save the edges. You will be making rectangular shaped cake, so cut into fourths in a cross pattern so you have 4 large pieces. Being very careful, slice each layer horizontally, in half with a long, serrated knife. Each original piece will yield 2 layers, giving you a total of 8 thin pieces.

Place the first layer of cake on a serving tray. Spread a spoonful of sweetened condensed milk over this layer. Next layer a spoonful or two of the cream/sour cream mixture and spread over the cake. Place another layer of cake atop this and repeat the cake, condensed milk, cream layers. After placing the top cake layer, do not put a layer of condensed milk. Frost the top and sides of cake.

In a food processor, coarsely chop the trimmed cake edges and walnuts. Cover the top and sides of cake with this mixture.

Tent and cover the cake with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 6 hours; for best results, refrigerate overnight.

Enjoy!

Project Life 365: Week 1

Lee jokes that he's married to a Chinese tourist, because I'm always walking around taking pictures of everything.

It's true--I take pictures of everything.

Ever since my dad bought me a Nikon film camera at a garage sale, I've been hooked. My dad was always taking pictures to document his family's life too, I'm thinking it's a genetic thing.

All of us (except for the youngest sister) in Hawaii

All last year, I was intrigued by all the people that took a picture and posted it every day of 2012, but I kind of joined the party late. I thought to myself, "I take lots of pictures. I could do that too." and vowed that I would do it in 2013.

So here I am. I am hoping that participating in Project Life 365, I'll take pictures of the little things about our daily life that I forget to write about or photograph. I am also hoping that my photography skillz get better with each picture. And lastly, I'm hoping to actually stick with at least one resolution for the entire year!

Without further ado, our life this week, Week 1, a great and grand week:

January 1: Having appetizers at Roosters Brewing Company before going to do iFly in Ogden.

At Roosters Brewing Company in Ogden

January 2: Lee made mabo tofu for dinner. It was delicious--I think he makes it better than I do.

Great protein-packed meal

January 3: Lee was wearing this outfit when some guy hit on him in the men's bathroom. That's my husband looking good! By the way, he's trying to be a hipster in this picture.

Yes, Lee is holding a snowman mug--he's such a hipster.

January 4: We have colorful shoes. My favorite are the red patent leather ones--every girl should own some red shoes.

These shoes rock!

January 5: We gave a glass flower-making class to my cute artist sister-in-law for Christmas, so she and I went down on Saturday. This is the hot glass on the end of rod being rolled in violet glass bits that will be melted to create colors in the flower.

Don't touch--hot!

Have a gorgeous week!

Marriage Tip #3: Compromise Creatively in Certain Areas

When we first got married, we heard a lot of of marriage advice.

The one that seemed to be tossed out a lot is "Compromise, compromise, compromise."

I personally don't think that's a good idea across the board, because if you compromise what's important to you or your values or anything that would make your marriage better, then I think you're going to end up with a crappy marriage.

We don't want a crappy marriage.

We want an awesome marriage.

One of our respectable engagement pictures

However, we have learned how to compromise in certain things--things that aren't deal breakers and/or red flags.

Like on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

My Zumba teacher, Teresa, was getting a Zumba party together for 11:00 pm on New Year's Eve and I really wanted to go and I wanted Lee to come with me.

But he refuses to dance in any sort of class. He'll bust a move at a concert, but his dancing is free and impromptu. None of this stay-on-beat-and-step stuff!

I was a little sad, but I knew it would be a losing battle. He even said, "I'll go to Zumba if you come skydiving with me."

Heck no! I am afraid of falling and skydiving is falling. No thanks.

But I really wanted to do something with him, so we could kiss at midnight. I asked him if he would go and hang out while I did Zumba, then at midnight we could kiss when it was the new year.

He agreed he could do that. Yes!

He then asked me if we could do something if he went to Zumba. Oh great, I thought, Please don't ask me to skydive!

But he asked me if I would go indoor skydiving at iFly in Ogden. It simulates skydiving by a wind tunnel.

Lee at iFly

Okay! I can totally do that! That's not falling!

So that's what we did and we had a great New Year's Eve and a great New Year's Day.

Lee hung out while I danced the last hour of the year away and we kissed at midnight! Our teacher even had noise makers and some sparkling apple cider to toast in the new year.

And as promised, we headed up to Ogden to iFly! It made me nervous, but gosh, it was sure fun when I actually did it!

Looking down into the wind tunnel fan. There is a grate that will prevent you from falling down there!

It's really windy in there! Lee was so good at it--he'd be a natural at skydiving!

Can you see his goggle marks?

The kid in the wind tunnel is totally freaking out and flopping around!

So get creative. You don't have to do everything your spouse wants to do, but you can compromise and find a way to support each other!

Resolved...for only 30 days

I've said this before, but I love this time of the year--the beginning of the new year. I love setting goals and thinking about what I'll learn and experience and do in the coming year. I've been thinking about 2013, and I've got a feeling that 2013 is going to be epic.

I would even go so far as to say legen--wait for it--dary! (I just had to throw a HIMYM quote in.)

Unfortunately, I have this habit of making all these resolutions--like way too many resolutions.

Then, as the year progresses, I get overwhelmed and give up, and there goes most all my goals, out the window. I did pretty good on this goal, but kind of failed on this one. We just got too busy!

So this year, in order to prevent that discouraging failure, I am trying something a little different this year. I am only going to resolve to do something for 30 days.

Huh?

Watch this TED talk by Matt Cutts and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Yeah, I know. Doesn't that sound awesome? I can totally do something for 30 days.

My 30-Day Challenge for January will be to do yoga everyday for 30 days. I feel like I need the physical and mental benefits of yoga right now. (Don't worry, I'll also be taking some time in January to figure out a couple long-term goals I want to tackle in 2013.)

And in 30 days, I'll report back and tell you what the next thing I'm going to try. Anyone want to join me sometime for a 30-Day Challenge this year? I'd love a 30-Day Challenge buddy!