Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
This past Saturday was Hubby’s birthday. Hubby loves apple pie a la mode and the least I could do was make him something he loves after he made this cake for my birthday. (It was so yummy, Hubby secretly is amazing in the kitchen when it comes to baked goods!)
Sour cream pound cake with white chocolate mousse/whipped cream/berries
Saturday was a tough day, but keeping busy in the kitchen was about the only thing I could do to keep myself together. I busied myself with peeling and chopping apples, grating zest, and buttering ramekins. We had a bit of a hot spell last week, so I opted not to make a pie (for fear that my butter wouldn’t stay firm enough for crust), so I made the next best thing…..apple crisp.
Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp (adapted from Barefoot Contessa Parties!)
Ingredients:
- 5 pounds McIntosh or Macoun apples (I used Granny Smith, I couldn’t find the other varieties in my local market at this time)
- Grated zest of 1 orange
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x14x2 inch oval baking dish. (I used six 3×3 ramekins and also filled a separate 6×6 dish.)
2. Peel, core, and cut the apples into large wedges. (Since I was using ramekins, I cut my apples into smaller square pieces.)
3. To make the topping, combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and cold butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low-speed until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is the size of peas. Scatter evenly over the apples.
4. Place the crisp on a sheet pan and bake for 1 hour until the top is brown and the apples are bubbly. Serve warm.
Beautiful Green Granny Smith apples
Ramekins ready for the oven
Served warm with vanilla ice cream. My latest obsession Talenti gelato!
Ready for eating
Hubby and I had a nice birthday dinner at Cafe Lago in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood. We talked about our unsuccessful first round of IVF and how we will move on. Then we came home, curled up on the sofa and enjoyed our apple crisp a la mode. We felt some comfort at the end of a tough day and knew that tomorrow would hopefully be better.
Another Day
I feel like yesterday didn’t happen, like it was a dream……a fog……I wish that were true.
Yesterday I went to SRM for my hCG blood test to see if the IVF cycle we just went through worked, in hopes that they would tell me I was pregnant. Unfortunately, they told me the test was negative. “Discontinue your meds and call your Doctor when you are ready.”
This past Thursday I started some light spotting and on Friday it was increasing. At first I was really nervous, but then some people online said that spotting could be good and that it could actually mean I was pregnant. I got a little bit excited. Saturday AM before my blood draw (at 11 AM) the spotting was getting heavier and more red in color…..I wasn’t feeling good about it, but still trying to be hopeful.
But then the call came and I realized my biggest fear had come true. Hubby wrapped me up in his arms, wiped away my tears and told me he wanted it to be positive as much as I did. He asked what he could do for me and I told him I just wanted to keep making the Apple Crisp I was baking in the kitchen (yesterday was Hubby’s Birthday-my RE said we didn’t have to have the test yesterday, but we didn’t want to wait another day). I just wanted my day to go on as normal, but it wasn’t exactly normal….tears periodically dropping. Numb….sad…..numb…..sad……
We still went out to dinner to celebrate Hubby’s birthday and I had a cocktail.
I’m going to call Dr. Thyer this Monday to set up my consultation. Unless she thinks doing another round immediately is going to better our chances, I want to wait. I can handle the needles, the abdominal injections, the surgery, being laid up, but I can’t handle the emotional drain, not yet……
I want to do it again, I want to be a Mom, but I’m scared, scared it won’t work and facing this feeling again. My biggest question is WHY? Why didn’t it work? Was it just not the time or is there something in my body that isn’t right? Hubby and I felt like everything went as well as we could have imagined. We are glad we chose to participate in the Attain program and glad that we put 2 embryos in. We don’t have any regrets. We just hoped and prayed for a different outcome…….
Texas Sheet Cake
Sometimes you want cake. Sometimes you want A LOT of cake, like the size of Texas! Last week we had our Annual Night Out block party and I wanted to bring a dessert. A dessert that would be easy to make, portable and big enough to share with all of the great people who live on our street.
Bestie Alex at yumsandloves has made her chocolate Texas sheet cake for work parties and book club and she inspired me to make my white cake version for the block party. When I read the recipe below I was most excited about the addition of the almond extract.
White Texas Sheet Cake (adapted from allrecipes.com)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 4 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar (I would start with 3 cups and check the consistency, 4 1/2 cups yielded a very stiff frosting)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 cup butter and water to a boil. Remove from heat, and stir in flour, sugar, eggs, sour cream, 1 teaspoon almond extract, salt and baking soda until smooth. Pour batter into a greased 10x15x1 inch baking pan (jelly roll type pan)
2. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 22 minutes, or until cake is golden brown and tests done. Cool for 20 minutes. (I would recommend only cooling for 10 minutes.
3. Combine 1/2 cup butter and milk in saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Mix in confectioners’ sugar and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Stir in pecans. Spread frosting over warm cake.
Batter on the stove top
Chopped Pecans
Warm cake out of the oven
Frosted and ready to go
I received many compliments on this cake and some neighbors even asked if I was from Texas. Definitely not from Texas! The cake had a moist consistency with that wonderful essence of almond. The frosting was slightly stiff, so like I said above, I would modify how much of the confectioners’ sugar is added.
When you have a gathering with lots of people, remember this dessert!
Embryo Transfer
Two of our beautiful little embryos are in! Yesterday was my embryo transfer at SRM.
Here is how the day went:
What do you think?! Do they look like me? Or maybe more like Hubby?! I have to have some humor because now it’s a waiting game and possibly the toughest part of this process. I’m continuing to be hopeful and taking it easy, trying to stay off my feet as much as possible for the next couple of days. But, I’m hoping to get back to my kitchen soon, keep my mind busy-more food posts to come!
Six Little Embryos
I am feeling very blessed these last few days. I don’t want to get overconfident, but thankfully our IVF cycle has gone as planned so far.
This past Saturday morning Hubby and I went to the fertility clinic (SRM) for my egg retrieval surgery. Going under general anesthesia always makes me a little nervous and to top things off-I was nervous about how many eggs my reproductive endocrinologist (RE) was going to be able to retrieve. I put on my lovely hospital gown and cap, kissed Hubby and went to sleep for what felt like two seconds! When I woke up, I was back in recovery and Hubby’s face was the first thing I saw.
My RE was able to retrieve 9 follicles, more than she anticipated, but did let us know that she had to go through the endometrioma on my right ovary to retrieve some of the follicles.
Hubby drove me home and was the best caretaker a girl could ask for. He made sure I was comfortable, made sure I ate and ate what sounded good (more importantly). We had a wonderfully lazy day filled with movies, pizza and Olympics. It was a glorious sunny Seattle day and Seafair was happening down at Lake Washington, but I was perfectly content to sit in our cool basement and relax. I didn’t even have to take the pain medication that was prescribed, which I was thankful for.
Sunday we got the call from SRM-all 9 of the eggs inseminated and of those 9, 6 of them had fertilized! We took this as wonderful news!
Monday we were told all 6 were still holding on-four of them given a “good quality” rating and two given a “fair quality” rating. My nurse told me I was a candidate to have the 5 Day embryo transfer. Again…..I was so happy I almost cried.
Today is Tuesday and I’m letting my type A personality come through. I was pretending to be that relaxed, laissez-faire kind of girl over the weekend, but today the internet was calling. The internet is the worst thing for hypochondriacs like me-if I read it, I will have it! After a mini-meltdown and an email to my nurse, I was reassured that my ride on the stationary bike at home was not going to cause ovarian torsion or worse-decrease my chances for pregnancy. But, she did remind me to take it easy and prepare for my transfer happening this coming Thursday. She also said all 6 of our little embryos have a “good quality” rating today.
Thursday we hope that we have 2 perfect little embryos to transfer in and that my body lovingly accepts them, as my mind has already done. I’m taking the day off work to return to my place on the couch and hope for the little ones to stick. I know we are still not in the clear and won’t be for a long time, but I feel hopeful and positive. When I look at Hubby, I know that he is going to be a wonderful Dad to our children and it makes me want it to happen even more. We are very blessed and this would be the ultimate blessing in our lives.
Egg Retrieval Tomorrow
I’m filled with both hope and excitement today. But, also feel extremely nervous for our long-awaited egg retrieval for our first IVF cycle happening tomorrow morning.
To recap, Hubby and I have been trying to conceive for two years, we’ve done the natural thing, I’ve taken my basal body temperature, used an ovulation predictor kit and done several inseminations. Last month we were suppose to move forward with our first IVF only to have it cancelled due to oversuppression of my ovaries. Well, here we are exactly one month after we had anticipated egg retrieval for July on the cusp of retrieving my eggs.
On July 25th I started my stimulation medications-300 IU of Follistim and 75 IU of Menopur. On my sixth day of stimulation meds I added Ganirelix (an antagonist to prevent ovulation). I started with 16 follicles (good for me, but pretty low on average) and yesterday had approximately 11 follicles but only 6 of those being of mature size (15+ mm). Again, these are much lower than average numbers (hence, the nervousness), but it only takes one good embryo. Right?!
After my blood draw and ultrasound yesterday, we got the call that we would be doing our hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) shot and be ready for egg retrieval on Saturday morning, August 4th. The hCG shot signals the follicles/eggs to do their final maturation and signals the chromosomes to line up.
Hubby did an excellent job giving me my hCG shot last night, I was worried because unlike my stimulation medications (which are given subcutaneous), the hCG shot is an intramuscular injection. The needle was VERY long and I was worried it was going to be uncomfortable, but surprisingly, it was better than my last couple of days of stimulation injections.
Today I’m relaxing-trying to get caught up on a few things around the house since I’ll be laid up much of tomorrow. Hubby will be taking care of me tomorrow and we’ll be making a trip to the video store later today to pick out some movies to watch. Hubby has already said that I can’t pick a bunch of Indie films (which I usually do) since I might be out of it anyway.
Again….I’m excited, hopeful and pray that this will work for us. But, I do want to approach with caution since there are so many factors and everything needs to align perfectly. My type A personality needs to let go and realize that there is nothing I can do but be positive, be good to my body, and hope for the absolute best outcome.
Black Bottom Cupcakes
You know how some desserts make you think of your childhood? This is one of those for me…..yet, I’ve never made them. Eaten plenty of them-yes, but created them in my own kitchen-never. I love the sweetness of the chocolate cake contrasting with the slightly tart cream cheese and the two textures coming together….heaven.
Black Bottom Cupcakes (adapted from allrecipes.com)
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper cups or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray
2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate chips and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Make a well in the center and add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin tins 1/3 full with the batter and top with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
Makes 20-24 cupcakes.
Ready for the oven
After baking
Ready to eat
Fun papers to reflect the black/white theme
I baked these in the afternoon and had to step up the willpower to wait and enjoy these for dessert with Hubby. Luckily, my bestie at yumsandloves had shared a mini banana bundt cake with me, so I had that to satisfy my sweet tooth. I think she’ll be posting about it soon!
Here We Go…….
Even though this past Monday was gloomy in Seattle, I felt the sun shining. Monday morning I went back to SRM for a blood draw and ultrasound. I was on Day 33 of my cycle and wasn’t sure what would be determined at this appointment, but according to my nurse, it was scheduled based on Dr. Thyer’s recommendation.
I had a new ultrasound technician at this appointment and she looked at the images for longer than the other technicians. Was she seeing something wrong? Or was she being extra thorough? I’d like to think the latter. She counted…….7 follicles on the right ovary and 9 on the left ovary. Sixteen follicles! More than I’ve ever had in the past.
I left feeling pretty happy but still didn’t know the plan. My day at work wore on and around two o’ clock, I got a call from my nurse. “Things look really good, you will start your stimulation medications on Wednesday.” What?! I went from thinking we had no idea what the plan was to starting in just 2 days.
Next month this road to conceiving will reach its two-year anniversary. Two years of hoping and two years of disappointment. It’s been a rollercoaster and I’m still a little afraid of feeling complete hope and the possibility of being pregnant (I think I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.) But, today I’m feeling excited, happy and hopeful.
Here is the upcoming protocol:
Day 1 (today)-Start stimulation medications 300 IU of Follistim and 75 IU of Menopur
Day 3-Blood test
Day 5-Blood work and ultrasound, evaluate for start of antagonist Ganirelix.
Day 8-Blood work and ultrasound
Possible retrieval August 3rd-August 6th
Possible transfer August 8th-August 10th
This weekend I will stay at home to have tests done, Hubby will travel to California to celebrate my brother-in-law’s graduation. I will be sad to miss the festivities, but happy to know that things are beginning. A friend of mine said, make travel plans and then things will happen. This time…..she was right.
Fruit Tart
Good morning! It feels good to sit down and be here at my computer, feels like I’ve been away for a while and gone from the kitchen as well. I’m feeling a bit melancholy, it’s already July 23rd, where has this summer….or year! gone? The sun is in hiding again in Seattle and all of us are wishing for its return.
One thing that always makes me think of summer is fresh fruit, especially fresh berries…..blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, you name it, I love any type of berry.
This dessert highlights the beauty of fruit, the vivid colors and different shapes. It looks impressive but is relatively easy to create.
Fruit Tart (recipe from my dear co-worker, Kathy)
Crust:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup softened butter
- 1 1/2 cup flour
Mix and press into tart pan (I used an 11″ tart pan with removable bottom). Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Second layer:
- 8 ounce package of cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Whip and spread onto cooled crust.
Fruit layer:
- Sliced fresh fruit (canned pineapple-save juice for glaze), berries, kiwi, oranges, blueberries, grapes, etc. ***Get creative!***
Glaze:
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup fruit juice (I used lemonade)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Heat to thicken. Cool, spread over fruit. Refrigerate. Serve same day.
Crust after baking
Cream cheese layer
Fruit layer
Beautiful berries
With glaze
Ready for serving
This tart holds up well and is easy to cut for serving. The addition of fruit really lets you get creative and make a design out of the fruit. Choosing a variety of fruits can give a lot of contrast with colors, textures, and shapes.
Enjoy this dessert with the people you love and showcase one of the best things about summer…..fresh fruit!
Be Your Own Health Advocate
Yesterday I had my follow-up ultrasound and blood draw after my IVF was postponed last month. I was in a bit of a daze the day I left the office after my suppression check to find out I only had 4 follicles, and didn’t really question why my next appointment was scheduled when it was. I just knew that my doctor wanted me to return in 3 weeks.
I arrived at SRM and immediately had my blood drawn. I asked “what are you drawing for today?”, the medical assistant told me “E2 (estradiol) and Progesterone”. Ok, fair enough.
I was taken into the exam room and had a new sonographer this time. She called out a bunch of measurements for my still present cysts and I could detect that there was a new “simple” cyst. After we wrapped up the ultrasound she told me I would meet with the nurse.
While waiting for the nurse, the sonographer came back and asked “You are on cycle day 2, correct?” I replied, “No, cycle day 23”. She looked confused and said that they would likely have me back tomorrow. Cycle day 24, it didn’t make sense. I told her I had a question for the nurse about the Lupron and she said she’d go get her.
It was actually my doctor/RE who came out to answer my question and said that they thought I was on cycle day 2 and that we would need to get the results back before we could figure out the plan. I asked if I needed to come back tomorrow and she said no. Then she says “You are on the luteal Lupron protocol, right?”. I didn’t know if this was a question or a statement, afterall, she is the doctor and I am the patient. I said “I guess.” Then she told me I would take Lupron for the upcoming IVF (when it happens) and was unclear for the SECOND time that I had already started Lupron before my last suppression check.
So…..if you are reading this and you are confused, I’m right there with you.
The nurse did call yesterday afternoon and told me to reschedule another ultrasound and blood draw for July 23rd, 10 days from yesterdays appointment. I asked, “If I start my next cycle before then, should I call in and make sure I’m coming in on the right day?” and she replied “Yes, that would probably be best.” Makes you wonder if they actually know what the plan is.
So, my advice to you and for myself is “Be your own health advocate!” Don’t assume that you are like everyone else, because you’re not, and you need to look out for your own health and well-being. You are unique! I hope and pray that we can move forward soon, I know the team at SRM is very experienced in the IVF realm, but please READ MY CHART and make me feel confident in your hands.
Blogs I Follow
Liebster Blog
Bakin’ Friends
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hopefulandhungry 