US Men’s Soccer Team Plays in St Louis

Lately, every year come November Busch Stadium has been hosting a soccer match in the baseball crazy town of St Louis.  I went to one of these games over 2 years ago; Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Argentina.  It made my youngest sister a Messi and Argentina fan all in one night.  And since St Louis is home to nearly 70000 Bosnians it made a lot of sense.  I must be honest I was surprised to start seeing so many soccer matches around town.  It was around the time of this game that I first was interested by soccer.  

When I was living in France, it was rugby that was popular not soccer.  Toulouse has a decent soccer team but a fantastic rugby team.  So it wasn’t until a few years ago I started watching professional soccer.  

This year I was so excited because the Men’s US team was going to come to St Louis!  That is just the kind of thing that doesn’t happen often.  I was even more excited when I saw that the tickets could be bought at a reasonable price.  The cheaper tickets went from about 50 to 100 dollars.  Just enough for me and my baby sister, Becca, who really isn’t a baby anymore, to go.  

We were definitely high up in the stands but in my own opinion I like being farther away in soccer so I can see the whole field.  I must say it was an amazing game.  We started by giving away a goal but dominated the rest of the game.  

St Louis is really a beautiful place with the Arch and our newly done Busch Stadium.  We saw a lot of good plays and the excitement that is at a soccer game is really unmatched to any other game I’ve ever been too excepting maybe rugby.  Between the chanting, the screaming, the drums and the excitement.  When you are at a soccer game everyone is friendly and like family.  You all scream together at a big goal, you chant together, you stand together when the excitement becomes to much and you groan at the errors and bad calls.  And like all good soccer games there was at least one injury escorted off of the field.

St Louis is slowly becoming known as a great soccer town.  There were 43,333 people at the stadium that night.  The largest game in the state of Missouri ever!  

It was a great game.  And as we left I took a couple of great shots of downtown St Louis at night which is quite beautiful.  

The night ended by us going to Insomnia Cookies, which is you ever have a sweet tooth they have the most amazing, huge, perfect cookies ever!  

I hope St Louis starts hosting more and more of these events.  To end I have a video of the American Outlaws chanting near the field. The drums, chanting and cheering always remind me of a heartbeat. Everyone working together as one unit.

French Solidarity Manicure

It’s been two weeks since the attacks in Paris which I believe has brought many questions about ISIS, the western world, the media, terrorism and immigration.  Not only did many terrible things happen in the world that week but on a political level the G20 Summit and the Democratic Debate in Iowa.  (Note the manicure design in support of France is at the bottom of the page) 

I don’t often like talking about politics because I believe it is a personal choice but I see the world going in a direction that feels very WW2 to me at this moment.
 

I want to say that I know France isn’t the only place that has suffered this week from attacks or even this year.  I know about Kenya and Beirut.

 Is it unfair for it to get so much media? Yes I believe that is true but I believe in finding the silver lining and that at least some real attention is finally being shown on what has been happening in the world at large.  In America our news stations show us cutesy high school sports teams because you wouldn’t want to show something heavy to the American public but now is the time for us to educate ourselves.  Luckily with the internet we literally have the world at our fingertips.  If you don’t know what has been going on I will advocate reading the papers online and keeping ahead of current events both in our backyard and abroad.

 I feel very sorry for France.  I lived there for a whole year of my life.  I may be American through and through but having lived in another country, studied their language for half of my life and love their culture and lifestyle as I do; I am French at heart.  I get excited when I hear La Marseillaise, or when I see the French flag and I love watching the French march into a stadium for the Olympics, soccer or rugby games.

 I am sorry for Japan, Beirut, Kenya and other places that have suffered atrocities.  I will not comment on the religious aspect of what is going on just that for thousands of years humans have waged war in the name of God.  And for the next thousand I’m afraid that will always be the case.  Just because they are waging war for their God doesn’t mean that all Muslims feel that way.  I support the American ideal; the right to practice your own religion.

 I am also deeply saddened by my own countrymen who are against letting the poor Syrian refugees come to America to stay.  America is a rich, huge and resourceful country and I believe it is our duty to help those countries and people who are displaced and possibly in danger.  Lately, it seems both sides think it is better to not welcome the Syrian population with open arms.  I'm not saying to let them through without clearance but America has a very intense program for letting refugees in.  Let's use our program the way it was meant to be handled.  Its that program that protects us from dangerous people.  But often refugees do not want violence.  They want to escape it.

 At the same time America is not perfect.  We may have very well made matters worse in the Middle East by our presence.  Who is to say that we may not be some part responsible for what is now happening there.

 I hope that America’s politicians will see this as an opportunity to change our current trajectory and to move beyond prejudice and racism and towards humility and generosity.

 As such I painted my nails in a French design to show my own solidarity to a country I love like my own.  So in the words of Charles De Gaulle, « Car la France n’est pas seule! Elle n’est pas seule ! Elle n’est pas seule ! Elle a un vaste Empire derrière elle. Elle peut faire bloc avec l’Empire britannique qui tient la mer et continue la lutte. Elle peut, comme l’Angleterre, utiliser sans limites l’immense industrie des États-Unis. »   France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone!  She has a huge empire behind her.   We are here for you. France has an empire behind her. With England that holds the sea, she can block and continue to fight.  She can, like England, use without limits the immense industry of the United States. (Please note this is my own personal translation of the quote.)

 And hopefully so does the rest of the world.  Enjoy my little manicure design. 

 You will need a base coat, blue, red and white nail polish.  I have a striper that I used in the different colors to make application easier. Also a top coat, nail file and nail polish remover. 

 First you will paint the base coat.  I got mine at the dollar general and I love it!

Then you will stripe a red curve

Followed by a blue curve

And lastly by a cross in white and there is the symbol so often seen to represent France during this time. 

I painted my pinky and thumb in this design

Then I painted my three middle fingers the colors of the French flag: blue first then white and lastly red. 

Finish with a top coat for a good shine and a lasting finish.

 

*{{Source|Charles de Gaulle, ''{{ws|Appel du 18 Juin|Appel du 18 Juin}}''}  https://fr.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Appel_du_18_Juin&match=en  Accessed 11/24/2015.

 

The Ultimate Hybrid: The Pumpkin-Pecan Pie

As we all are aware.  It is that time of year.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, parties and carbs carbs and more carbs. 

I feel like for this time of year it is the time for pies.  Pumpkin pies, Pecan Pies and Sweet Potato Pies.  Two of my absolute favorite pies are Pumpkin and Pecan.  But Pecan is just so sugary.  Its delicious but ever since I was a little girl my Dad would make this Pumpkin-Pecan Pie recipe.  

One year it even resulted in one of the pies catching fire!  But no worries I have devised an easier way of cooking it so that you won't need a fire extinguisher in your kitchen!

I know this is not a new recipe to many people but it is my all time favorite pie.  And a classic family recipe.  So I wanted to share it with everyone.  I recently made this pie for my workgiving and it was thoroughly loved.  Be sure to have some whipped cream or cool whip as it is the perfect compliment!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

You will need a pie shell, 4 eggs, Sugar, whipping cream (or half and half or milk), maple syrup, Pumpkin puree, pecans, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 

In one bowl you will mix 

• 2 eggs
• 15 oz of pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/3  cup of whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg

I always double the cinnamon because I love it but feel free to use less.  

Then mix well

Poor into prepared pie shell and then pinch the edges of the pie for a nice homemade effect.  You can use a fork to do this.  But I love the way it looks when I just pinch it shut!  Makes me feel like Snow White. LOL

Now lets prepare the filling:

Mix together 2 beaten eggs, 1 cup chopped pecans (again I did slightly more and mine was more of a rough chop because I love the big chucks on pecans.  It will look really nice!), 1/2 Cup of sugar (or brown sugar if you like a deeper richer flavor) and a 1/2 cup of maple syrup.  

Then taking a large spoon you will gently spoon the nut mixture over the pie.  DO NOT DUMP IT IN!  If you do that you will have all pecan in the middle and it won't look as nice or get that nice crust on the top of the pie.  Also your pie will dry out during the baking time.  

Then you will ever so gently take it to the oven.  I recommend putting a parchment lined cookie sheet underneath because your nut mixture bubbles over and spills.  And nobody has time for that!

Cook for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F and then for another 40 at 350 degrees F until done.  

Volia!  Your pie is done and bring it with you to your event or Thanksgiving.  It makes a great winter time pie.  I love it around Christmas time too!  

Please let me know what your favorite pie is in the comments.  

A Sticky Situation: 10 Tips to Making Marshmallow Fondant

I love trying out new and fun recipes and this past Halloween I tried to make some fondant for a cake. I have never made fondant before in my life. Generally I just ice my cakes with frosting. But I wanted to try and make a certain cake and got excited at being as glamorous as my favorite baking shows such as Cake Boss. I heard that Marshmallow Fondant is an easy and cheap way to make your own fondant. (or at least that is what several YouTubers told me!)

So I went out and bought the supplies for this recipe. I will say this recipe calls for a large amount of powdered sugar. I will recommend wearing a mask so that way you do not get the powder into your lungs like I did. Baker’s asthma is real life people so be safe! This is especially true if you already suffer from allergies (like me) or asthma already.

This was a really fun recipe and I did discover little tips and tricks that will help you bunches so let’s get mixing!

TIP 1: Make it the night or day before because the fondant really is supposed to sit in the fridge for 8 hours.

Above is the ingredients you will need. Mini Marshmallows, Powdered or Confectioners’ Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Food Dye, a couple tablespoons of water, microwave safe bowl, spatula, and cooking spray.

1. Place about half a bag in your bowl and add two tablespoons of tap water.

2. Then microwave your marshmallows for 15 second intervals. Stirring in-between.

TIP 2: The next trick I have is to spray your spatula with the cooking spray and stir your marshmallows until they are smooth.

Warning: You can burn the Marshmallows in the microwave so make sure you aren’t microwaving them more than 3 times. Sometimes just stirring will help break down the last few lumps.

3. Then once you have a smooth shiny consistency. You can add your food coloring.

TIP 3: Be sure to make the color darker than you want because it will be lighter in color once you add the sugar.

TIP 4: It is easier to add the color now though. If you add it later it will stain your counter tops.

4. Spray your spatula again

5. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Or if you are like me just dump some in a little by little. WEAR YOUR MASK!

6. Then start mixing it really well.

Be prepared this is when things will start to get sticky!

TIP 5: Be sure you do not try to knead the fondant until it is very pliable and not sticky at all. If you try to take it out now you will have the biggest mess you have ever seen on your hands.

TIP 6: If you begin to have trouble mixing the mixture start using the spatula to knead it by pounding it with the spatula and making sure all sides of your fondant are being well incorporated. Good thing to get your frustration out on.

7.  Once your fondant pulls and snaps away from the rest of the mixture it is ready to knead.

8.  Now spray your hands with the cooking spray and grab a small amount of fondant and roll it into a ball.

9.  Do this for the rest of the fondant.

TIP 7: This will make sure the fondant is able to be handled without sticking to your hands during the kneading process. Keep your cooking spray nearby as it’s a good un-sticki-fying tool.

10.  Then combine all the balls of fondant you have make and start working it with your hands making it less sticky and easier to work with. Think shiny playdoh!

11.  Then you will need to sprinkle your work surface with powdered sugar. Put that mask back on.

12.  You will knead the fondant like you would bread. Working the last of the powdered sugar into it making it less sticky.

13.  Once you have a good consistency you will roll it into another ball.

TIP 8: Again you want to spray down the fondant to get the rest of the powder off of it. And to make it shiny.

14.  Get your Ziploc bag ready.

TIP 9: Do I even have to tell you to use Ziploc over Saran wrap. Way less mess way better airtight seal.

TIP 10: Spray the inside of the bag

15.  Then once you have sprayed the inside of your bag you can put your fondant inside and work it into a log so you can squeeze the air out of it.

16.  Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

BUT KATIE . . . WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT DAY?!

The steps for the next day are simple.

1. Take the fondant out and break it off and start working it in your hands. It will be HARD.
2. Once the desired amount is soft you will roll it out with some more powdered sugar.
3. Then you will apply it to lightly iced cake.
4. TIP FINAL: You want the icing to be a thin consistency. No thick icing please!
5. Then you will press it firmly onto the cake so it doesn’t slide off.
6. Then cut off the excess and spray with (you guessed it!) cooking spray or a melted butter for a shiny look.

Voila! A beautiful cake with your own homemade fondant!

Let me know if you have as much success as I did. My fondant was beautiful but I may need more classes on art!

Comment below on any experiences you have had with fondant. (Do you like it? Any other tips or tricks. Disastrous failures.)

* All images and from my own disastrous kitchen. ;)

Fire and Wool: A Story

So I know I promised my first post was going to be about fondant but I have a small little story from this past weekend. It seemed too funny not to share. And so much like myself.



This weekend was beautiful with blue skies and fall leaves. My friends and I had a little fall party. It was fun lots of food, alcohol and laughs. We finally built up this little bonfire, thanks to the hosts of our little party. The most that I really did was collect sticks and barks to burn because lets be real here for a minute there is no way this city girl could ever get a fire going solo. At least not without a lot more practice. Isn’t that what Dads are for? Even in my backyard barbeque pit I’ve never managed to maintain any kind of fire from either wood or coal. Thank god for Firestarter packs! And little sisters who can manage to BBQ. I’ll stick with mad baking skills and indoor cooking.



We had a beautiful fire going and slowly more friends showed up after the sun went down. It was 35 degrees out so needless to say we were freezing! I had my bright red wool coat on (it has the most adorable hood! A clearance item from Forever 21 a couple years old.) and my huge Berkshire blanket (these are amazing btw go by your local Bed Bath and Beyond because they are incredibly warm). I had cocooned myself in both the coat and blanket and believe me I was still cold. 35 degrees is no joke!



We sat around drinking a concoction that tasted like butter beer, also thanks to the mad skills of my host. We all discussed our lives joking at the craziness of it. You know the usual: new apartment, school, future vacations and babies. Somehow this is the weird point my life is at. Some people are having babies and settling into these long term relationships and others are still at my level, which would be the having fun day by day and wondering what the hell we are going to do with the rest of our life. I’ll catch up eventually or you know be single forever. No pressure or anything!



While talking embers were flying all around us in your typical bonfire fashion. Suddenly my drinking making master of a host starts freaking out yelling, “Katie oh my god you are on fire!!!” He runs over and starts beating on my lower left leg where some small embers were making friends with my Berkshire blanket.



So I get up and we keep beating it all around! Laughing so hard. I mean only I would catch on fire from a basic fire. Please see said example of fire size below. Really sometimes these are the things that only happen to me. I’ve never heard of anyone catching fire at a party. Maybe a kitchen catching on fire but surely not a person.



Now we simple remember the night by saying . . . remember that time Katie caught on fire. . . sometimes I wonder about myself.

 

 



Bienvenue Chez Katie!

Welcome to my new Lifestyle and Entertainment blog.  

I hope to do many things with this blog.  Firstly, to go over lifestyle choices such as favorite makeup, clothes, products, and things I do to keep my life as fun and healthy as possible.  

I will be writing about entertainment such as book/movie reviews, festivals around town and just fun information about me and the crazy stuff that keeps happening to me.

I am the oldest of four girls which believe me is ammo aplenty for humor but to this I will say that my parents are very much like the Pride and Prejudice characters Mr. and Mrs. Bennett.  I have a fun job coordinating interpreting assignments.  I get to talk to people from literally all over the world.  I graduated with an Education degree and have lived in France for one year being as such I am fluent in French. I am newly single out of a long relationship and live my life in a very Bridget Jones style!  Wine, journaling and crazy friends.   I am your typical crazy girl trying to balance the fun of life with the reality of it.  

My goal is to post at least once a week with perhaps a few little surprises as things come up in my life.  And believe me there is plenty that is unplanned!

I hope you enjoy my blog!

Please look forward to my first post on my experience making Marshmallow Fondant! Sticky was only the beginning!