Cheesecake and Pizza

For cheesecake friday this week, or last week I s'pose, we decided to preface our dessert with a little pizza creation! March Madness is one of Evan's favorite times of the year. So we got a cheese pizza, then some toppings and decorated in honor of some of the teams lucky enough to make the sweet sixteen, and monopolize Evan;s thoughts. We used pepperoni to make the Ohio State "O," Orange peppers to make a "T" for tennessee, Olives for Duke's "D," and french's fried onions for Baylor University. It was lovely. We took pictures, then re-decorated so that the toppings were spread all over. Baked it and ate it! And can I say- French's Fried Onions are GREAT on pizza!

The we moved on to the Oreo Cheesecake. Evan was looking for something a little closer to classic cheesecake. We were torn between the Classic, Vanilla, and Oreo. I finally decided Oreo was it.

It was everything a classic cheesecake slice should be, plus an Oreo crust and some chunks on top. Perfection in Simplicity!

We are back!

It all started early in the morning, traveling by car, plane, bus, train, then car again. Here is us at the train station in Tacoma. Pretty, no?

Saturday morning I took Evan for a hike up Beacon Rock. Beacon Rock is really not a rock, but a lava plug. Apparently, a long time ago, some volcano erupted and this is what was left of it. Some guy bought it early in the 1900s for ONE PENNY and constructed a trail up the side. I is now a very popular hike for people living in the area. It's pretty short and easy so a lot of families go when the weather is nice. This is a picture of us partway up, it was pretty windy that day, but then being in the gorge, and up a couple hundred feet made it even more.
After Beacon Rock, I took Evan to the fish hatchery and the Bonneville Dam. The dam is hydroelectric and uses these monstrous turbines to make power. We learned it takes something like 96,000 gallons of water per second to keep these turning 75 times a minute. CRAZY! The hatchery is nearby, where they grow lots and lots of fish, then release them into the river. Back in the day, the salmon population was pretty big in the river, now they are trying to keep it regulated since building the dam hurt the salmon population quite a bit. Here is Evan under an old turbine. They just finished replacing the old turbines and put this one on display outside.

Sunday was our big party. We played a 'how well do you know each other' game. Every time we got a question wrong we had to put a piece of gum in our mouths. We didn't do se well! I think we ended up with 8 pieces of gum each in our mouths. I gave one of mine to my assistant Mia. It was her job to unwrap the gum and make sure I ate it. After about three pieces I told she could have one. She politely said thank you and took one for the team! The last couple pieces were hard to get in! Evan was able to blow a bubble with his, I couldn't quite get it to happen.

We were dressed in toilet paper wedding dresses along with my cousin Kurtis and Mia (4 1/2 ad spunky!) Mia won the competition. She had the other kids at the party dressing her and they took it very seriously. She made a great model and a beautiful bride!

I really did enjoy our trip, but I am also glad to be back. There is still a lot to do and just over 60 days left to do it! Plus all of the work and school we both have going on at the same time!

Craig's Crazy Carrot Cake Cheesecake

Yes, even while 3,000 miles from home, we stuck with our tradition of eating one slice of cheesecake on friday night. And oh the adventure it was!

First off, I had never been to the cheesecake factory out here so I had to look it up. It didn't look too bad, only about 20 minutes away. So off we set! And as we are driving we begin to remember it is Friday afternoon. And I remember what traffic looks like coming out of Portland in the afternoon... so we know it will take much longer to get home than to get there.

We take a series of highways and freeways and finally get off in the Tigard area. We start driving on another highway, looking for our next turn. Oh mapquest, why are you so wrong sometimes! We could see The Cheesecake Factory, but we just could not get to it. FInally after some fancy maneuvering and many wrong turns, we made it. We spent a few good minutes walking around Washington Square Mall, and then headed home with cheesecake in our hands.

And on the joy of standstill traffic! It was just lovely. And then I thought to myself, Hey, maybe if I go this way I can get over the river faster and just go home that way! Smart right? WRONG. We just took a long loop around. It took about the same amount of time as just sitting in traffic. Except we drove through some crazy small town. Then, we got spit out right back on the crowded freeway. Oh well!

We finally made it home three hours after setting out on our journey. Evan threatened to not share the cheesecake. he thought I deserved punishment for my bad sense of direction. Lucky for me, he changed his mind after dinner :)

And we feasted on a beautiful slice of cheesecake infused with carrot cake. It was splendid! Still not on my favorites list, but pretty darn good! The carrot cake was much stronger than the cheesecake, so it mostly tasted like carrot cake. I love carrot cake though, so it was all good with me!

Planes, trains, and automobiles.

We have officially started our spring break and did it start off quick! Evan's parents took us to see Wicked on Tuesday night which was fabulous. And so much fun. Ah! It was awesome. There really just aren't words to describe how beautiful it was.

Wednesday we woke up early (4 am early) and went to the airport. Our plane left at 6:30 and then we spent the rest of the day traveling. We took two planes, then a bus, got lost, took another bus, got to the train station, took a train (and sat next to a guy that packed his own six pack of Corona and drank the entire thing) and finally arrived in Vancouver, getting home about 6:30 pm. That's 12 hours right there. Now, factor in the three hour time difference. Yup, we gained three hours so, 15 hours of traveling. If you want to really sympathize, you can add those extra two hours of being awake, plus not getting home til after midnight the night before. Plus we both still had to pack. It all just made for one of the longest days ever. But totally worth it.

Today, I went dress shopping AND found THE dress. It is absolutely beautiful. And a great price. AND beautiful. My mom also helped me make a mock up of my bouquet. Everything has just gone so smoothly with her near! Mother's are so important! I love mine!

Evan got to meet Debra (one my besties from high school) and get a little mini tour of the east-end, downtown area of vancouver. Then we made dinner for the family, which turned out well, and then Evan got to talk to someone about sports finally so I think he is pretty content with that!

We are both so exhausted, I hope my rambling wasn't too crazy! Off to bed, another busy day faces us tomorrow!

Not quite cheesecake Friday

Okay, cheesecake #8 (is that where I am now?) was not actually cheesecake. It was sitting next to the cheesecakes and looked delicious, but it was not cheesecake. Am I disappointed? No. We agreed to the entire dessert menu so we would have eaten it anyway at some point. AND. It was delicious.

Friday night we were joined by some friends. We met up, had dinner at Vietnam 1 (delicious) then snuck some cheesecake into the Byrd and watched Up in the Air. The lemincello cream torte (not cheesecake) made the movie much more enjoyable. The movie was fine on its own, but the cake was even better.

We pulled it out shortly after the previews started and I took a bite and thought, "Mmmm.". Then I took another and thought, "Oh yum." Then Evan took a bite. Then I took a third bite, realizing I still hadn't hit cheesecake. WHOOPS. Still worth it. I thoroughly enjoy lemon flavored cakes and this one was exceptional. About on the same level as that Olive Garden one that I like but will only remember with the menu in front of me.

In two days I am taking Evan to meet my family. EXCITING! We will be flying into Seattle, then taking the train down to the 'Couve where we will be greeted by food (hopefully). And hugs (more likely). I am really happy I get to take Evan to my hometown and show him around and let him meet everyone!

Cheesecake #7: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

No picture :( BUT I will describe it!

Close your eyes, well don't cause you won't see this. But imagine- A slice of cheesecake with chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough mixed in. Now, top it with walnuts and whipped cream with chocolate chips.

Sounds delicious right?

For the first time since starting our Cheesecake Friday tradition, Evan and I said, "Hm, I've had better." While it was by no means bad, or gross (it is cheesecake factory after all) it was not the best on the menu. Cookie Dough plus cheesecake is just one example of too much of a good thing (Meanwhile, Evan is repeatedly beating an obnoxiously large bug that had the nerve to land next to me and not die).

An Evanism

"Biggest mistake in academy history." Referring to the fact that Robert DeNiro did not win best actor for The Awakenings.

I am also supposed to remember that on March 2, 2010, he gave me permission to pull the plug if he is ever near brain dead. Grey areas are not worth the wait for him. This was all inspired by The Awakenings, which was a great movie, so go out and watch it if you get the chance.

Time is flying away!

We are at 87 (well, 86, today is pretty much done for) days left until the wedding and we have gotten a lot done, but it is never enough! At least we have the big stuff done. Well, except for my dress. I have plans to go do that soon though. With my mom. I'm taking Evan home to meet my parents (eek! and Hooray!) and other important people. We are very excited for the trip, but I am worried it will go by too quickly and then I will be back in Richmond and the wedding will be be happening!

Either way, I am anxious to have everyone meet my Evan and see everything I love about him. I am also for him to see where I come from and meet my important people. Looking forward to the trip!!