Doris

Doris

It has been a great struggle for me to complete a drawing. I start them and at some point, leave them unfinished (or make only a  sketch) even though I see things/people who I would like to draw. On of them being Doris (a former pupil). I loved the reflection on her glasses and I thought to try.

Tartu Olympirc run and Narva Energy run

After completing last year`s Estonian City Runs I though I would participate in 5 runs this year (Tartu, Narva, Rakvere, Tallinn and Paide-Türi) but decided against it because Narva is so far. It was last December when I paid for the competition fees and came to that conclusion. So that was it.

So first competition this year was .. well actually Paide-Türi spring triathlon where I ran 2 km.

After that came Tartu PAF Olympic Run on 24th May. I ran 10 kilometres in terrible heat. I know it was the same for everyone. I was well prepared as I wrote previously, apart from that shin injury the week prior but I had been able to run and train without injuries the entire winter and spring. I was determined to improve my bersonal best but failed :( Maybe the heat got to me. But I have had trouble with motivation. I have never been a particular fighter, if someone passes me, I just let them. I ran with 48.39, last year with 48.41,2 and was 296th, 34th woman (last year 461st and 75th woman) but unsatisfied with the result.

Next competition this year was supposed to be Rakvere Night Run in August. But to my utter surprise I had an email four days before Narva Energy Run stating I had successfully registered for the run and a memo for the participants. As it came out, I had paid for that competition as well. So off to Narva. Narva Energy Run was held on 15th June. I ran 7 kilometres with 30.25, improving my last year`s time with approximately two minutes (32,56), came 81st and 12th out of women (6th in my age group). Last year 104th and 24th woman (12th in my age group). I had no feeling before the run, I was able to enjoy the track without feeling exhausted this time. Happy.

Next will be 1500metres in Viljadi on Sunday.

Up to now

Saw a picture today that got me off guard. Someone who meant a great deal to me and claimed not wanting to be in a relationship with anyone had stated his FB status to taken. Anyways.

Tomorrow is the second competition of this year, Tartu Olypmpic Run. 10km. Had a serious scare last week. I have been training hard, not being ill (I missed so many trainings last year due to having a sore thoart etc) and managed to hurt my shin really bad a week ago. But more on the subject of running tomorrow after the race. In the warm weather. Probably warmest that I have competed in.

And two drawings. Emma Stone and Mari

Emma Stone

Mari

Back from Kuopio. My baking blog

Where does the time go? Once again I find myself wishing (as I am sure many people do) I had more hours in a day. So much I would like to get done and have some time for doing absolutely nothing at all.

I decided to start a separate blog for food recipes I have tried. Mainly cakes :) Right now they are in Estonian, though when I find time (hah) I am going to add them in English as well. Nothing fancy, just making myself a reminder if ever I need to make something again.


Our street

As for the title for this blog. I had an oppurtunity to visit Kuopio, Finland, two weeks ago. I was a part of our school`s project team and acted as a translator. Kuopio is a nice city, approximately 400km from Helsinki. Fortunately we had a wonderful group of people in our tiny bus. Arrived there on Sunday. On Monday we were shown our host school. Tuesday and Thursday consisted of seeing practical lessons.

Our street

Kuopio cathedral

Morning run

Wednesday was the crazy day. I did translate every day but on Wednesday I spoke non-stop from nine to three. I used to think synchronic translation is hard :D I did not feel the best due to my dizziness and for some reason had a hard time concentrating and remembering the first part of the texts. So by Thursday it was no problem to translate while a person was speaking :)

Not to mention that dizziness lasted for two weeks.

Orthodox church

We stayed in Jahtihovi hotel, lovey place with a good location. Went running before breakfast, something new. Tried different food. And enjoyed wonderful company.


Tom Riley vol..? and Blake Ritson

Tom again. I actually do not know how many times I have drawn him. Found this interesting photo with Blake Ritson from Da Vinci`s Demons.


Tom Riley & Blake Ritson

Sweetness vol2. Sõbrapäeva red velvet muffin, brownies & keedutainas

Sõbrapäevaks tegin seekord red velvet muffinid ja Sassid (eelmisest postitusest). Red velvet muffinite retsepti võtsin siit

Esimene kord kasutada toiduvärvi. Selle saamine oli ka omaette teema, siin poodides ei müüda. Proovipartiid tehes mõtlesin, et õnnestub looduslikult toonida. Peedimahl andis ainult õrnalt roosaka kooriku ja kõik. Aleksandritel vahel jõhvikamoos, peal punasesõstra-suhrkuvaap.

Järgmine nädalavahetus tulid brownied. Olen juba kaua mõelnud, et võiks proovida. Retsept. Šokolaad pidi olema tume aga ma kasutasin pähklitega piimašokolaadi.









Sellel nädalavahetusel siis keedutaina esimene katsetus. Sellega jäin väga rahule :) Kuju on selline nagu on, suurem tordiprits läks katki. Aga siiski väga õnnelik.












For Valentine`s finally made red velvet cupcakes. And Aleksander shortbread cakes (from the previous post).
It was my first time using food colours. Getting the red colour was a bit tricky, since it is not sold in our local shops. Had to order it. Making the sample batch I wondered if I would manage to use natural colours. Though beet juice only gave the cupcakes slightly pink crust.

The next weekend I finally tried making brownies. Followed this receipt. Though I used milk chocolate with nuts instead of the dark one and nuts.

And this weekend came a time for puff pastry. Really happy with the result :) The shape is somewhat funny but I really do not care.

Sweet weekend: pontšikud ja Aleksandrikook

Magus nädalavahetus.

Ema leidis vanakooli pontšikute retsepti. Proovisin loomulikult järele :) Olen korra pärmitäignast teinud aga need siis kohupiimaga. Esimene ports jäi natuke nätske (söödi ikka hetkega ära) aga edasi oskasin küpsusastet natuke paremini jälgida. Pärmitaigna omad valmisid kiiremini.

No ja kuna järgmine reede on sõbrapäev ning mul plaanis magusad kingitused ja aega proovimiseks rohkem ei ole, siis sattusid kaks küpsetamist samale päevale. Red Velvet cake muffinid (ilma punase värvita) proovisin juba järele. Nüüd punane värv olemas. Aleksandrikoogikesed. Retsepti võtsin siit.
Praegu lihtsalt proov, järgmine nädalavahetus tuleb õige välimus.

Aleksandrikoogikesed

Pontšikud

Sweet weekend.

Mom found a recipe for old school doughnuts.  I have made them before from yeast dough but these are with curd dough. First batch was a bit doughy (eaten in a heartbeat nevertheless) but after that I had a better understanding how to observe doneness.

And since next Friday is Valentines and I intend to make sweet presents and the time is running out to make a try-out batch both were done during the same day. Red Velvet Cake cupcakes I have already tried out (without the red colour that time). Though I have the red colour by now. Aleksandricake. Recipe. They do not look as they are going to yet ;)

Resolutions

A new experience each month.
Doing something that terrifies me each week (with my anxiety not that difficult to find the things to do. My anxiety pisses me off so bad each day but I have left so much undone because of it)
Help others. Not a new goal.
Train :)
52 books. I do not dare to aim higher but I`ll see. Goodreads Reading challenge 2014 here I come.

Oh, cuteness overload. A friend had his granny knit me gloves :)

My 2013

Summary of my 2013.
Training. Ran 1300km. 500 km less than previous year, but did not prepare for a marathon this time. Still, not quite satisfied. Few hours of aerobics.
Made 21 drawings. Less than last year (and at the end of 2012 intended to manage more this year).
Visited 2 coutries. Russia (only St Petersburg) and Finland (twice. Round trip and Helsinki).
Saw 3 concerts. Example for the second time. Green Day and Robbie Williams.
Completed my Goodreads reading challenge of 50 books. Really happy with this.

New experiences in 2013.
January. Running 8 km barefoot. Learning plastering.
February.
March. Learning tiling.
April. Deep frying meat pies.
May. Digging a grave.
June.
July. Organizing a foreign trip.
August. Half marathon. (Yeah, I know. Backwards. Full marathon last year :) )
September. Starting work at a different place.
October.
November.
December. Driving inside a BMW :D

Not as happy with things in general as I was a year ago.

Individual cherry and chocolate cake

I was watching My Kitchen Rules season 3. My take on individual cherry and chocolate cake. Receipe
Used half of everything, got 3 cakes.