Deep Thought

I am a person who loves to kid around and have fun, but I also love deep conversations that get the thought process going. About a month or so ago I shared my hurt and pain about my little sister with a couple of co workers. I hadn't told anyone. One of them I told because she is a teenager who I know is dealing with some of the same things that my sister is. She is a curious, insecure (beautiful) girl who is searching as is my sister. I wanted to know her thoughts. The other co worker is a deep thinker and I pick up on her, and to be honest, most people very easily. They both shared. I got the "lump" in my throat listening. But it was good getting it out and actually talking with girls that understood. Anyway, about a two weeks ago I was having a "situation" and needed someone to talk to, I confided in the one co worker that I know wouldn't say anything. To anyone. She gave me her advice, I listened. As she turned to walk away, she told me her secret. Said that her husband is the only one that she's ever told. I felt honored and at the same time I wanted to tell her that I understand and that I would never tell anyone. And that I would never judge her. I wanted to know more. I wanted to tell her my thoughts as well. And I don't want her to ever doubt the fact that she confided in me. I want her to know that I do not look at her any different. I want her to know that I respect her more now than ever. I have no idea why she confided in me, we've only known each other for a couple of months. And only talk twice a week at work. This, is why I feel so honored.
~T

Again, can't remember what this is, but it sure tasted good!

Another view.

Julianna. My favorite item! Although I do not like to temper chocolate! This day I realized my love for hazelnuts. WoW!

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Fun to make. The best tasting cake, EVER! Loved it. Hands down. The best cake.

Can't remember what it is called.. But it tasted pretty good!

Orange Chiffon Cake with Italian meringue.

One of my favorites to make. Didn't taste.

Alhambra cake. Didn't cry. Very nervous. 185/200 (Test day) Tasted good.

Angel food cake. Didn't taste.. ??

Banana Cake with chocolate ganache.

Fun to make. Did not taste. Did I mention sour cream ganache?

Pineapple upside down cake. didn't taste.

Polenta cake. Very good. Most people didn't like it.

Mocha Cake. Also fun to make. Looks so much better than it tastes.

Yule Log. So much fun to make. One of my favorites.

Almond Pound Cake. Simple. But good.

Boston Cream Pie

Black Forest Cake

Day one of European cakes

This was an awful day for me. I had so much trouble icing this cake and even writing on it. I thought I knew how to do both. But I guess I was so wrong! Note to self: DON'T CRY! ~T

My last confession was only like, three months ago..

Where do I begin? So much has taken place since October 3, 2006. I have gotten older, and I'd like to think a little wiser and a whole lot less quiet around my not so new co workers and classmates. Seems to me like a lot of time has passed, school has gone by faster than I ever expected it to. It has been better than I could have ever imagined it to be. This many months later, I am still in love with it. Don't get me wrong, I have had a few really not so good days. One of those days I even cried. Yep. Couldn't hold back the tears. Dropped a test item on the floor directly in front of my chef instructors and completely lost it. Tried very hard not to, but it was over for me at that point. A friend in class tells me almost daily "there is no crying in pastries". There is when I am involved. This is something that I just can not seem to control. And I do not like it when I do not have control over that emotion. Anywho, I have had atleast one day worse then that day and it took everything in my being not to just give up and cry. But I didn't give up. I didn't cry. I held it together enough to turn in my test (practical) and since, I have improved so very much. And all of this have happened in the last six weeks that are now OVER!! I made it through! And the funny thing is that today was the final practical of the six weeks and I got 200 points out of 200 points on my practical and 100 points out of 100 points on my portfolio. And my chef instructor said "wow T, this is good "when he tried my final cake. AND, I heard him tell another chef that my cake was his favorite! I couldn't believe any of those words coming out of THE pickiest chef's mouth. What an awesome way to end what was a very rocky six weeks. To here my chef instructor say perfect, I was the happiest girl around! And my cake did not last very long! Here is a description of my cake: We had to come up with a 9', three layer cake that included atleast two different types of icings/fillings. I chose a sacher cake with a Godiva simple syrup, milk chocoalte ganache with toasted pecans in between each layer and a caramel buttercream to ice the cake with and marzipan pecans on top of each rosette to garnish. And toasted pecan pieces to hide any of many mistakes on the icing of the cake!! LOL. That is one of the many problems that I had early on in this block, icing a cake as well as writing on the cake. I will explain more as soon as I upload and show each picture. Until then.. Sweet Dreams. ~T