Monday, January 24, 2011
Hiking and Baking!
Where did the weekend go? We knew the illustrator was going to have to work, but we made a plan to go hiking again this weekend. The plan was to stay close to home and go hiking around the lake. Then we got a call from our friends asking if we would like to go hiking on Saturday. So, it was a plan and there was no backing out since we included other people. They actually suggested where we talked about going, so it really was the perfect plan.

It was beautiful that day and a great outing. As big of a baby as I am about the cold, I love the cool fresh air. It feels rejuvenating.


The hike was close to 5 miles since we ventured over to the dam.


I tried to get a shot of the boys together...Max felt like standing next to each other would be too much.





I don't think Mr. Miyagi would be too impressed with either of these moves from the boys.


This was not an easy hike. I now realize that the boys have about a 3 mile limit to heavy hiking. There were quite a few steep inclines on this one. I loved it, but by the end I was pushing Jay up the hills!


Before we left, we put on a crockpot of beef stew (a recipe I am developing for a client).  I am so glad we did that since we were all starving when we got back.


I had some of the illustrators vegetable stew in the freezer that I had pulled out earlier in the day for me. It was perfect over steamed cabbage with some extra chili sauce on top!


I spent yesterday baking. Literally, I had baking on the brain until I had no choice but to just do it. 


I baked more gluten free bread changing a few things for the better!


Another loaf of gluten full bread changing more for the better!


Quality control...I had to taste both.


This may surprise most of you, but I am afraid to bake pies. Yes, I have baked pies before, but I am more of a cake person. Not to mention now I have to deal with the gluten free thing. Well, yesterday...I overcame the fear by making a gluten free dairy free lemon meringue pie.


I even toasted up the top of it! I was so stinkin' proud of myself. This one would make my mother-in-law so proud! I will share more on this adventure tomorrow...


Are you a cake or pie person? What is your favorite flavor of either? Now I am ready to bake more pies!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 2:55 PM  
25 Comments:
  • At January 24, 2011 at 3:01 PM, Anonymous Heather (Where's the Beach) said…

    So glad it was a nice day to get outside and enjoy the sunshine finally! I'm more of a pie girl and that looks like a professionally baked, expensive pie my friend. High 5's to you! Hope you are having a good Monday so far.

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 3:02 PM, Blogger Jen said…

    Oh boy, I'm a pie person all the way and I can't wait to hear more about this one! Great pictures of the boys and the outdoors!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 3:24 PM, Blogger Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said…

    I love lemon meringue pie! I'm def. more of a pie person, but I don't like pie crust. I'm a pie FILLING person. hahahhaha.

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 3:33 PM, Blogger Megan said…

    That sounds like I great hike! I enjoy hiking, but unfortunately live in a completely flat state :( We always hike when we go to Colorado though!

    And I'm a cake person! I think because of the frosting :) I don't like lemon, but your pie is still gorgeous. Good job!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 3:34 PM, Blogger Stephanie P said…

    I'm a pie person! But you knew that. :P

    Your pie looks dericious!

    Hey, I was telling Laura while we were hiking that I thought Tony had posted about going hiking and we were wondering where you went!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 3:36 PM, Anonymous Evan Thomas said…

    I'm usually a cake person unless the pie has a firm filling and not much crust in which case cut me a slice. That lemon meringue would have been right up my alley

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 3:43 PM, Blogger Averie @ Averie Cooks said…

    omg the meringue on that pie looks...PERFECT! you need to be a professional...seriously, looks PERFECT :)

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 4:00 PM, Blogger Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said…

    Heather, I was totally high 5ing yesterday. I was so shocked...it gave me the pie baking bug! I want apple now!

    Thanks Averie! That was really sweet. Well, I am still paying for culinary school. Maybe some day someone will pay me for my treats!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 4:09 PM, Blogger Emily said…

    I'm so envious of your hiking adventure! It looks like so much fun. I can't wait to get back out there in the spring.

    Your pie looks AMAZING. I'm scared to bake in general and so pies are almost terrifying. Hehe. I should face my fear!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 4:32 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Perfect springy peaks! I am an equal opportunity pie and cake lover, with yellow cake and chocolate icing being my cake of choice (a birthday staple growing up in my household!) and a tossup between blueberry and peach on the pie front! Your breads look amazing and give me hope, I may venture into the GF bread baking arena this week!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 4:49 PM, Anonymous Kate (What Kate is Cooking) said…

    Your pie looks delicious! Even better that it's gluten free. I am terrified of making pie crusts!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 5:06 PM, Blogger Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said…

    When I was making the tempeh "bacon" my husband walked into the kitchen, asked what I was doing, looked at the tempeh, said "this is weird and gross," and walked out. His loss!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 5:29 PM, Anonymous Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said…

    Ahhh, your pie is beautiful!!!! Look at that mile-high meringue!!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 5:32 PM, Anonymous Amy B @ Second City Randomness said…

    Quality control is important. I think I overcompensate with it because I believe it's THAT important.

    I'm more of a cake person when it's cake vs. pie. Unless it's pecan pie- then I'll eat the whole pie on my own. And scoff at buttercream...

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 5:36 PM, Anonymous MelissaNibbles said…

    What a beautiful hike. I can't believe it was warm enough not to have to bundle up. Nice!

    I'm team cake. Frosting baby!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 6:04 PM, Blogger LifeasKristina said…

    Love that the kids were up for a hike-and 5 miles....they're troopers! I'd love for the weather to be nice enough to go for a long walk!!!!!
    And....ok...that food?! Bread, Pie, etc-YUM!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 6:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Yuuummy beef stew!

    Love that you guys went hiking! That's so great. I wish my family had done more things like that together when I was growing up. Good for you guys! :)

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 8:08 PM, Blogger lynn said…

    i'm petrified of baking a pie! i'm so impressed!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 8:27 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Isn't it funny how whenever a fear is conquered, it's all you want to do? That was how I was when tackling bread after having past bad experiences. Now I realize how easy it is - nothing to fear!
    The bread AND the pie look amazing. I'm not sure which I prefer, but probably pie! Especially your lemon meringue pie, I'd bet ;)
    Love the pictures from your hike - so beautiful! Glad you guys had fun. Oh, and I loved reading your random facts!!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 8:59 PM, Anonymous Lauren @ Spiced Plate said…

    oooh...i'm interested in your GF bread recipe modifications...
    i'm more a healthy-cake sort of person, although I love pumpkin pie! This past sunday was national pie day...fun times!

     
  • At January 24, 2011 at 10:15 PM, Blogger Tip Top Shape said…

    All those desserts look delicious!! I wish I lived somewhere that I could hike. I'm not a huge nature girl, but I think I would enjoy all the scenery and stuff with hiking. Plus, it's probably a killer workout!

     
  • At January 25, 2011 at 8:59 AM, Anonymous Holly @ couchpotatoathlete said…

    I love pie more than cake, but I too am scared of making it. Cakes are easier to me -- just mix, dump in a pan and bake. Pies seem so much more difficult than that! But yours looks beautiful!

    Your boys are hilarious -- I can see me and my sisters being the same way and not wanting to be in the same pic :)

     
  • At January 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM, Anonymous Madeline - Greens and Jeans said…

    Haha, I think when my brother and I were the same age as your boys the only pictures of us together are us glowering at each other or me with Marshall in a headlock... We're best friends now though! :)

     
  • At January 25, 2011 at 10:12 AM, Anonymous Alexis @There She Goes said…

    cake!

     
  • At January 27, 2011 at 5:22 PM, Anonymous Heather said…

    Wow, your pie looks fantastic! Definitely something to be proud of!

    I am more of a pie person! Pumpkin is my fave!

     
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Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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