Crazy...but a GOOD crazy!

I've had a crazy couple of weeks.  My friends and their friends were here on there way to, and from, Burning Man.  My brother and his family overlapped with that group.  My husband and I did a couple of nice training runs and took in some Aces games...after we did enough yard work to deserve the reward.  Tonight we're having dinner with our adorable neighbors.  So things have been crazy, but a good crazy.

HOME:  We had between 6 and 8 houseguests at one time.  We thought it was silly to buy a bigger house when we moved to Reno.  After all, we'd be farther from family and friends than ever before.  But we've had more guests than ever and we love it!  To prepare I did the usual dusting, bed-making and vacuuming.  I also did a sod patch in the yard.  My first attempt at that.  The test bed seems to be taking.  We'll try some of the larger areas that need help now that Todd is home to run the shovel!

If you're looking to buy or sell real estate in the Reno area, let me know!  I've learned through my own experiences and those of my clients that the house you put on paper in a wants/needs/hates list often has nothing to do with the house you purchase.  Contact me to discuss where you are in your real estate needs and we'll figure out the best fit for you together.  www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

RUN:  Todd and I have upped our average run length and, delightfully, also improved our pace(s).  We are still hoping to go to Lompoc to run the Valley of the Flowers half marathon later this month.  As I mentioned in a previous post we are waiting to hear about our niece Ariel's surgical needs.  After additional conversations with her medical team there is a possibility that she may not have to have the surgery and radiotherapy may resolve her problem.  We just learned today about a local 5k that is held the same weekend as the Valley of the Flowers so if we don't do the half, we have a backup plan.

RECIPES:  Since we couldn't be entirely sure when the Burners would return from the desert or who would be hungry we made a taco bar.  We eat a lot of tacos in our house.  Because they are delicious!  And I had promised my best friend and his brother that I would make a carrot cake.  When I love a certain food I keep trying recipes until I find the exact version I'm looking for.  I've found it in this recipe!  I found this on www.food.com and I promise you it will be the best carrot cake you've ever had.  Don't let the word "buttermilk" scare you...it is actually a delightful caramel glaze with a boost.

Blue Ribbon Carrot Cake (with Buttermilk Glaze)

Buttermilk glaze

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup butter (one half stick butter)
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 3 1/2 ounces shredded coconut
• 1 cup seedless raisin
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Frosting

• 1/4 cup butter (1 half stick butter)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel

Directions:

1. For Buttermilk Glaze:.
2. In small saucepan over high heat, combine sugar, baking soda, buttermilk, butter, and corn syrup.
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
6. Set aside until cake is baked.
7. For cake:.
8. Preheat oven to 350.
9. Generously grease a 9x13 baking dish or 2 9" cake pans.
10. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together.
11. Set aside.
12. In large bowl, beat eggs.
13. Add oil, buttermilk, sugar and vanilla and mix well.
14. Add flour mixture, pineapple, carrots, coconut, raisins and walnuts and stir well.
15. Pour into prepared pan.
16. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
17. Remove cake from oven and slowly pour over buttermilk glaze over hot cake.
18. Cool cake in pan until buttermilk glaze is totally absorbed, about 15 minutes.
19. For Frosting:.
20. In large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
21. Add vanilla, powdered sugar, orange juice and orange peel.
22. Mix until smooth.
23. Frost cake and refrigerate until frosting is set.
24. Serve cake chilled.

My advice is to pay special attention to steps 9 and 18.  I not only well-oil my pan, I also use a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the cake pan.  On step 18 I recommend you get that glaze-soaked cake out of the pan as quickly as possible.  Go NO longer than 15 minutes or it can bind the cake to your pan and you'll be eating from the pan with a spoon.  Not that that is the worst thing that could ever happen to you...but the presentation is less than ideal!

HOME-RUN-RECIPES:  The Reno Aces baseball team is headed to the playoffs!  Their final home series against the Tucson Padres was great.  You can check their web site or my previous post about them for photos and details.

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com