мороженое

I have mentioned a few "life in Russia" moments, so it's only fair I throw in a little Russian from time to time.  The title of this post, is ice cream. Allow me to express my immense love of ice cream...it does not matter how full I am after a meal, how cold it is outside, or the fact (unfortunately) ice cream is not calorie free.  I love ice cream.  If I was forced to choose a food to consume in a eating contest, ice cream would be my choice, and I do not want to brag, but I would probably finish in the top three, if not first place prize.  Luckily for me, Ryan loves ice cream as much as I do.  Rarely, our freezer is without ice cream.  Funny, at this moment, I do not believe we have any ice cream, but it may be because we are in a slight detox.  We have feasted on ice cream cakes for the past couple weeks.

My first ice cream cake creation was for Ryan's birthday this year, and ever since then, I feel like Ryan's ice cream cake "themes" have been a frequent topic of discussion.  While I was in the States this summer, I made a red velvet themed ice cream cake.  Ryan was saddened that I was not able to share with him, nor bring a slice back to Russia.  No need to worry.

Carrot Cake Ice Cream Cake
I cannot leave this out, and I am certain you will believe when I say, there was a major celebration dance done by me, all through out the kitchen when I finished this cake. 

  I learned a few things from this ice cream cake.  A bowl turned upside down makes for a perfect cake stand, carrot cake freezes extremely solid, and cream cheese frosting does not freeze as solid as I would have thought.  So, if you have the desire to make this cake, be prepared to take the cake out of the freezer with plenty of time to thaw before cutting.  Our tastebuds were too impatient, and we had quite the workout slicing the cake the first time.

A layer of carrot cake, a layer of vanilla ice cream, another layer of carrot cake, and covered in cream cheese frosting.  Dried coconut and pineapple for decorations.  

The second ice cream cake was inspired by a purchase I made for Ryan while we were in Moscow a few weeks ago.  Ryan is a fan of Snickers and while at a bakery, I saw a Snickers cheesecake.  I bought him a slice, and he greatly enjoyed it.  I took that cheesecake and turned it into an ice cream cake.  

I learned a few things with this cake, patience is critical with ice cream cakes.  Not letting each layer set before adding the next causes layers to mix.  The look did not alter the taste, and I believe the bubbles of chocolate ice cream coming through the caramel only adds to the decor.  Oh, and caramel topping does not freeze very well, or it takes much longer than I allowed.  Either way, this was one ooey-gooey, oh so yummy ice cream treat.  

Bottom layer of peanut butter cookie, chocolate ice cream,
topped with caramel and slices of Snickers.

Finally....

It only took two and a half years, but we finally have "decent" internet. We no longer have to wait almost an entire day to download one movie on the iPad. We are able to stream shows online.  And, finally, we are able to use our Slingbox player!!  Finally...

The time difference means I watch Good Morning America while cooking dinner. 

I will admit, I did not miss ESPN, not at all.  But, Ryan is so happy to have ESPN on while eating breakfast.  It may seem like a trivial thing to celebrate, but finally, good internet!  

Just call me Starbucks....

I have said it before, I will say it again, I love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  They are not only tasty, but they help ease my tantrums when warm, summer weather turns into cold, fall weather.  I hate cold weather.

After our return from Spain and Portugal, I spent the week in Moscow.  Ryan had meetings to attend, so I decided to change my return flight to Novorossiysk, and stay in Moscow.  We planned a night at the opera (loved it), and I enjoyed a few more days in a city before returning to Novo.

A Krispy Kreme donut shop recently opened in Moscow, so one day, when the weather was not too cold, and the sun was shining, I walked over and bought a few donuts for Ryan.  A couple other days, I started my morning with a yummy, non-fat, extra hot, hold the whip cream, Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Thank you, Moscow Starbucks, thank you.  Hello, western civilization in a handy to-go cup.

Ryan greatly enjoyed the Krispy Kreme donuts.  It was the least I could do after he sat through the opera.  Unfortunately, he never got to enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  No need to feel sorry for Ryan, he found the perfect solution: challenge!  I was challenged to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte, at home.

Just call me Starbucks....

Making the Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Trying to filter out the spices.  Big, fat FAIL.
My (lack of) patience did not like the slowness of the coffee filter (right) and Bounty paper towel really is super absorbent (left).  I did my best, but most of the spices stayed in the syrup, but luckily sank to the bottom of the bottle. 

Chocolate oatmeal cookies pair extremely well with Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Coffee + milk + Pumpkin Spice Syrup + Whip Cream + Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie
= Pure Happiness 

What happens when you multitask while multitasking?

Simmering Pumpkin Spice Syrup on the stove, chocolate oatmeal cookies baking in the oven, getting a new baking sheet of cookies ready to go in the oven, and cutting vegetables for that night's dinner....

Celery gets thrown in your cookie batter....

If you are reading this in America, or any civilized city with a Starbucks, and you have a craving for a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Drive, or walk to your nearest Starbucks, order a tall Pumpkin Spice Latte, non-fat, extra hot, hold the whip cream, and have a sip for me.  Or, if you are feeling very adventuresome, book a flight, obtain a Visa, come visit us in Russia, and I will make you a Pumpkin Spice Latte!  

The Birthday Girl....

Happy Birthday, Macy!

Yesterday, October 2nd was a day for celebration.  

Our little punkin turned three years old!

In honor of Macy's third birthday, I decided to make a batch of Pupcakes! I found a recipe for puppy friendly banana cupcakes with peanut butter, banana frosting.   She loves bananas and peanut butter! 

Lunchtime snuggles.

I found her "birthday girl" cape from last year, and for gifts, I brought out a few toys I bought her this summer and had been storing for her birthday.

Let the eating (inhaling) begin.  I had all intentions of feeding her with a fork, something my Mother started last year, but with the camera in hand, and her love for food, I did not have a chance.  It started with a second of sniffing the plate, then a glance at us to make sure it was ok for her to eat.  We told her to go ahead, she licked the frosting a couple seconds, with an encouraging word from Ryan, she grabbed the cupcake and took off running.  The cupcake never stood a chance.  

After an intense birthday treat, it was playtime with the new toys, and a bit of rest for the birthday girl.

Happy Birthday, Macy!

What went out three times yesterday (maybe in honor of Macy's third birthday) and ruined my first batch of Pupcakes?  The electricity.  Just another "life in Russia" moment. 

The Algarve Coast...

We made it to another month, happy October first!  Now, for more reminiscing about what we did in September.

My super cute husband driving us. 

The remaining days of our Spain and Portugal trip were spent on The Algarve Coast in Portugal.  Ryan's colleague owns a place in Burgau.  It was the perfect location for what we wanted to do, rest and relax (along with work on a nice tan).  The town was perfect.  The beaches were not crowded, everyone was very nice, the food was delicious (I was very happy with all the fresh seafood), and it was very nice to stay in a home rather than another hotel room.  We enjoyed breakfast on the patio each morning, grabbed our beach towels, and set off for another lovely day at the beach.  Perfectly restful, perfectly relaxing.  Now the only question remains, when can I go back?

One morning, we did change up our routine.  We grabbed breakfast at a local cafe, then set off for Lagos....Portugal not Nigeria.  I read about a kayaking tour along the coast.  The pictures looked great on the pamphlet, the company had great reviews, and I am married to a kayaking machine, so we went kayaking.  I like to think I am in good shape, I work out daily, have a bit of muscles, but when it comes to kayaking, I suffer from muscle atrophy.  If Ryan stops paddling, and I continue to paddle, I can keep our kayak from being swept away to sea, and may even progress an inch or two.  Ryan starts paddling again and it's like we are on a speed boat, the wind blowing through my hair.  We make a great team! :)

I wanted to get pictures of the coastline, but a kayak in the sea is not a good environment for a camera.  I was pretty bummed about leaving my camera behind, but the vey nice man that was in charge of driving the power boat that followed us around offered to take the camera on the boat and snap some pictures.  It was perfect!  Not only did I get a ton of awesome pictures, but Ryan and I also got some awesome pictures of us (him) kayaking.  

If you are experiencing cold October wether, and you wish to escape to a bit of sun, sand, and sea, click on our photo album, The Algarve Coast.