Edges//two firsts

Happy fall! I can hardly believe it and I am still begrudgingly embracing it. 

Tomorrow I take one of my students to her very first test session! And it's my very first time doing this as a coach! Seriously I'm more nervous than her I'm sure, and more nervous than I was at my first test session! I honestly hardly remember my first test session as a skater. All I know is that I felt like I had no idea what I was doing and I passed three tests! She is so ready though! I know she's going to do great! I guess I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I do have to say as a skater I used to think how much easier it must be to be the coach, just sitting there relaxed and watching! HA! I guess I'll find out tomorrow if it's really that easy! 

Wish me luck and more importantly my student!

Ciao,

Rachel

P.S. Sorry if this is a terrible format my computer is down, and I'm posting from the blogger app.

A little summer goals recap

I am almost afraid to say it because then it won't come true. But I have the feeling that my life is going to be changing soon. I have no idea in what way but I feel like I need to cherish every moment. Be happy where I am at right now, because one day I might miss the way my life is right now in this very moment. Maybe nothing will change but either way I think it's good for me to realize that I need to love my life right now, it's a constant struggle people.

~~~~~

A mini summer recap!

The blast of a night spent with my cousin watching and making goofy videos!

A day spent by the pool is basically the best day ever in the summer!

A picture from one of two bike rides this summer.

A glorious trip to Duluth! I need to post these pictures!

Around here lately:

A lot of working. I looked back at my post from the beginning of summer and I honestly didn't do very well. As you can see from above other fun things did happen though!:)

~ I did drink less coffee and more iced tea! 

~ I didn't do yoga once. I am seriously thinking about finding a way to fit in one yoga class per week at a yoga studio here in town.

~ I didn't get to a Twins game.

~ I didn't run the Brat Trot in less than thirty min. I had girl problems and felt like I was going to pass out. I don't feel bad about that one though, I'll try again next year.

~ I didn't make it to the vineyard to sit outside and enjoy the sun. There is still hope though for this fall!

~ We did have a few beautiful days in the pool!!

~ I sure as hell didn't find the one ha ha. Excuse my french.

I did have a fabulous summer despite not accomplishing most of the things I hoped to. I really hope it's a nice warm long fall! Bring on sweaters boots apples and pumpkin/squash everything!:)

Ciao,
Rachel

Raspberry white chocolate scones // Bread & Wine

Bread & Wine

Today I want to share one of my favorite recipes with you! I have been craving scones lately, I don't know if it's because they remind me of an adorable cafe that I visited while in Ireland or that they are flat out delicious!? This recipe is amazing, light flaky and moist it's delicious with a cappuccino or a cup of tea! I love making these scones when I have overnight guests, because I can pop them in the oven and have fresh warm scones for breakfast!  

The scone that I had at cafe "Ard Bia" in Galway Ireland

Raspberry White Chocolate Scones

8 T. grated butter

11/2 C raspberries (if fresh freeze them if frozen don't defrost them)

1/2 C milk

1/2 C sour cream

2 C unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 C sugar

2 t baking powder

1/4 t soda

1/2 t table salt

zest of one lemon

1/4 C white chocolate chips

2 T melted butter and vanilla sugar to sprinkle on top

1. Preheat oven to 425. Grate frozen butter with a cheese grater and place in the freezer while you prepare the wet and dry ingredients. Melt 2 T of butter and set aside.

2. Whisk the milk and sour cream together in a bowl and place in the fridge.

3. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt and lemon zest together in a large bowl.

4. Toss frozen grated butter into flour mixture and add the milk mixture to a well in the center of the flour butter mixture. This part can get messy I usually end up using my hands. Put the dough out unto a floured counter and roll the dough into a 12X12in square. Fold into thirds like a business letter and thirds again the opposite direction to form a 4 in square. Place the dough unto a lightly floured plate and chill in freezer for 5 min. Try not to handle the dough too much or the butter will start to melt. It will be a rough sticky dough.

5. Forming your scones and adding the filling:) Place dough unto the floured counter again, roll it into a 12 X 12 in square again and sprinkle the raspberries and white chocolate on the dough. I press the filling into the dough. Then fold the dough into thirds like a business letter again so that is forms an approximate 12 X 4 in log. A bench scraper can be helpful at this point if the dough is sticking. Using a sharp floured knife cut the log crosswise into approximately 6 - 7 equal rectangles, then cut the rectangles diagonally to form two triangles. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

 6. Brush melted butter on the scones and sprinkle with vanilla sugar. Bake for 18 to 25 min. The tops and bottoms should be golden.

I love this recipe because you can also make them ahead and refrigerate them overnight or make a double batch and put half of them in the freezer! For freezing: after brushing with butter and sprinkling with sugar place them in an air tight container and place in the freezer! Another nice thing is that you can make them with any fruit you want! I have also used blueberries. I think that I want to try plain and top with butter and jelly! YUM!

Baking instructions for frozen scones: preheat oven to 325 and extend baking time to 25 to 30 min. You don't have to let them thaw.

Today I am linking up with Rachel @ Oh simple thoughts for the bread and wine project. Click over to her blog to find some more delicious recipes!

Ciao,

Rachel

Week's end

Oh what a weekend! I feel like it flew by and I never stopped. It was productive and fun though! 

1/ My pumpkin soufflé candle has been burning almost every day! The smell even lingers into the next day when I arrive home from work! It makes my place feel so cozy! 

2/ A friend and I went to dinner Saturday night and afterwards instead of spending money on a pedicure we did them at home! It was a really fun relaxing girls night in! I think this needs to happen more often:)

3/ Sunday I attended a Figure Skating seminal up in Minneapolis. It was an excellent conference! The speakers were so knowledgeable and had some VERY impressive backgrounds in figure skating. It was incredibly helpful to me I gained some great tips on how to become a better coach! It also made me realize just how much more I have to learn and grow as a figure skating coach! My brain was tired by the end:) 

Also on Saturday I also had Tae Kwon Do testing! It was physically demanding but fun all at the same time! It was a packed weekend but great for sure!:)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Linked up with Oak & Oats

Ciao,

Rachel

So long summer

Oh sweet summertime is coming to an end. I can hardly believe it! It was a bit of a disappointment I'm not going to lie! It was not nearly hot enough for me and there were hardly any pool days. It's always bittersweet because I love fall but can't stand to see summer go. Our last summer weekend was fantastic though! We had a mini party with the people who weren't able to make our usual annual fourth of July bash because one of them got married that weekend. Since they are all from the same circle of friends it took out half of our usual guests. So we figured a little make up party was called for!

There was SO much delicious food! I made sangria, and drank a little too much! whoops I just make it too good I guess;)

The girls being adorable as always:) 

Enjoying time with her Godmother! Precious.

This one is one of my favorites from the day! She looks like a little aviator!

Of course we had to play bean bags and all loose to my eldest brother....(The one in the red swim trunks) his head is getting too big I need to beat him more often. It has been done just not often enough! He's a gloater about it too ha ha!

 That face and her smile! Adorbable!!!!

 There was lots of talking and sipping while grilling!

Then there was the after dinner party of a bonfire and hide and seek! I generally kick butt at this one!!:) We (my two Goddaughters and I) are always the last ones to be found!

It was a packed day and so much fun being with family and friends! 

Happy Friday!

Ciao, 

Rachel