spring ketchup

Oh it's been so long.......will you forgive me if I offer you cake?

So much to catch up on......but where to begin?

the kids: Jonah turned 9....NINE! WHAT? WHY? WHEN? HOW? 

we are on a 5 week count down until they are out of school for the summer......hurry hurry hurry.

Easter Sunday, aren't they the cutest?

spring: spring is finally, just a teensy tiny bit deciding it's here. It's been cold and blustery these past few days, but the earth is slowly warming and coming back to life.....thank goodness.

running: I am finally back to running again. I hurt myself snowboarding back in January and didn't run for TEN weeks.....I think that is the longest I have gone with out running in.....like 12 years.....I thought I might die. But now the trails are dry, and life is good, and I didn't die.

chickens: the girls are back to laying daily now that spring is here.
as much as I wanted more babies this year.....I really didn't want them in my house again. So I think we are going to pick up a few laying hens to add to our flock. I didn't realize how much I would love this whole chicken farmer business...it really is so much fun.

school: I turned in my final papers this last week!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!! I never want to write another research paper again. I am sooooooo close to being done with this semester--I have 3 finals next week and then I've made it! I seriously cannot wait.

reading: these past four months of school I have read and read and read.....but it's almost time for me to start reading for fun again--woohoo!! I ask this all the time--but it's because you guys give the best suggestions--
What are you reading? 
What is on your MUST READ list for summer?  

blogging: It's been a good break these last few months, but I'm anxious to get back to sharing again--I've had lots of ideas brewing in my brain...

caking:

I think I have posted angel food cake 100 times (give or take a few) but it really is one of our favorites. we had this with our Easter feast last Sunday. 

Angel Food Cake

recipe for angel food cake by alton brown

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups sugar 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 cup cake flour, sifted 

12 egg whites (the closer to room temperature the better) 

1/3 cup warm water 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar 

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°

In a food processor spin sugar about 2 minutes until it is superfine. 

Sift half of the sugar with the salt the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside. 

In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar. 

After 2 minutes, switch to a hand mixer. Slowly sift the reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed. 

Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. 

Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated. 

Carefully spoon mixture into an ungreased tube pan. 

Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry). 

 Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.

Homemade Whip Cream

2 cups whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla

Top with whipped cream, berries, and enjoy!

try it with chocolate whipped cream HERE

Happy Weekend!

blogged 1 year ago: not your mama's ruby red juice

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come find me on Instagram @_sheenarae for a peek at our day to day adventures