Rich Chocolate Icecream

Today, I made up a batch of chocolate ice-cream.  It's my first try, but it came out nicely, so I wanted to share.  I completely changed the original recipe I used as reference, so this is my own recipe.

Ingredients:
2.5 ounces of semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
2.5 ounces of milk chocolate, finely chopped
2.5 cups heavy cream
1.5 cups milk (I only had 1%, so that's what I used, but I'd recommend whole milk ideally)
1/2 C + 1/6 C of raw sugar
2 Tablespoons of pure vanilla extract
2.5 ounces white chocolate chips, whole
1/2 C walnuts, broken into large pieces

Finely chop the semisweet and milk chocolate together in a food processor.

Combine cream, milk, and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook until mixture almost boils and chocolate is melted. Reduce heat to low.

Add in sugar and vanilla extract. Cook over low heat until slightly thickened and mixture coats the back of a spoon.

Allow to cool on counter for around 20 minutes. Allow to cool in fridge for 30 minutes. Then, allow to cool in freezer for 30 minutes.

Stir gently and pour into frozen ice-cream maker freezer bowl.  I use a Cuisinart ice-cream maker.  Turn the machine ON and let mix until mixture thickens, about 30 minutes.

Add white chocolate chips and walnut pieces and continue to mix for 5 additional minutes.

Transfer ice-cream to an airtight container and place in freezer until firm, about 2 hours.

Here's a photo. Happy eating! 

Recap of my weekend in Upstate NY

My weekend in Upstate NY turned out to be very successful. I spent quality time with an old friend, saw part of NY I never had the time to see during college, and rested up on sleep. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, I flew in on Friday, saw RPI (my college), met the animals of Five Goats Farm, and had a wonderful steak dinner with Anthony and his summer roommate Tyler. Tyler is an art student who is working at BARD College this summer-- and helping Anthony to take care of the animals. 

Anthony has 5 goats, a dog, 2 llamas, 2 ponies, honey bees, and many chickens - plus a cat he's cat sitting. He rarely gets to go away, so I'm glad I could stop by for a few days. 

It should also be noted that this year is the year of the 17-year cicadas. This was something new that I learned. Apparently these flying bugs stay underground for 17 years and then come out and eventually die- once every 17 years. This phenomena is specific to the area of Upstate NY where Anthony lives. My guess is that there may be other areas that also experience something similar, but I don't know. 

Anyway... On Saturday, we drove to take a tour of a historic home called Olana. The house was very interesting and we had a wonderful tour guide who appeared to be in her late 70s or early 80s. For dinner, we had fresh oysters and a risotto made with homemade bacon, corn, and shrimp. Not only was this good, but it inspires me to want to learn to make bacon. 

On Sunday, we visited the town of Red Hook and another neighboring town. We went to the farmers market and ate tons of great food all day long. For lunch, I had mac and cheese at a gastro pub. Dinner was at an Italian place that served fresh pasta - one of my favorites - and bread with a homemade olive oil that was by far the best I've ever tasted. 

Yesterday (Monday), we took another driving tour and visited Woodstock and a few other places. I had seen the sign for Woodstock many times, but had never stopped by. It's just about what you might expect- a sleepy little alternative town. Last night, I participated in Mexican Monday with Anthony and Tyler, eating enchiladas in front of the TV. I may have to adopt this tradition as I've been making Mexican food quite a bit lately myself. 

Today, I slept in and after a nice breakfast of fresh eggs, Anthony dropped me at the Albany Airport for my flight. Luckily, I made both of my flights. I'm now heading back to Memphis from Charlotte. 

I am hoping that tonight I will get to spend time with my friend Dan W who is moving to DC tomorrow after being accepted into medical school (congrats!!). I will miss Dan W, but I'm happy for him. And I'm sure he's ready to get his life in motion after a long stay in Memphis for grad school. 

I'm a bit nervous to get back to it this week. There are so many things going on the next few days that its going to be a challenge to keep up. Hopefully, I will find a little time here and there to relax and check out my pool. It's a luxury I haven't been able to enjoy yet this summer. 

Last but not least, I will have information soon about an online auction for Memphis To Moore. A few of the items arrived after the event, so we will be using the opportunity to create an online sale. Stay tuned for more details and let me know if you have an item that you'd like to donate for the auction. 

My friend Mark

Just posting a quick hello to my friend Mark. He has been going through chemo in Memphis and now he's in Nashville, fighting even more. 

While I was traveling, he followed my blog. And in turn I followed his blog on Caring Bridge. When I was in Sydney, I picked up the little guy below for Mark. It seems fitting. I hope that Mark is staying strong on his journey to Nashville and that he will be back to Memphis very soon. 

Here's Mark's blog: www.caringbridge.org/visit/markduncan/journal. I commend him for sharing his experience with everyone. 

Change of scenary - my trip to New York

Just after I knew what the date of the Memphis To Moore fundraiser was, I booked a flight.  I knew that after two and a half intense weeks, I would want to take a break for a few days.  Yesterday morning, I headed to Upstate New York to visit my friend Anthony.

I was scheduled to fly on US Airways.  I woke up yesterday morning to two voicemails from US Airways saying that my first flight to Charlotte was cancelled and that I would miss my flight to Albany.  My first thought was that the entire day was about to become a disaster.  (My college roommate Adam used to always say that he hated to travel with me because something would always go wrong on my trips.  He joked that I had bad travel luck.) 

Fortunately, just the opposite happened.  US Airways booked me onto two Delta flights.  When I got to the Memphis airport, I approached the priority counter to ask that they add my frequent flier number to my tickets.  This was the best decision I made all day because it resulted in me being upgraded on both of my flights to Albany.  Delta is no longer serving meals in first class for the flights I was on, but they kept my wine glass full and brought me wonderful shortbread chocolate chip cookies all day. 

On my second flight, I sat next to a man who had to be in his 90s.  He was mentally very sharp and shared his entire life story with me.  He had been married twice and both of his wives died.  His first wife had breast cancer in the 70s before there was advanced technology.  They had 5 children before she died and he was left to raise them all.  In the 90s, he finally remarried to a woman who eventually developed dementia.  He was left to care for her for 7 years before she past away 2 years ago.  He not only has a lot of grandchildren, but he also has great grandchildren and was on his way to one of their high school graduations.  He lived his entire life in New York state, but recently relocated to Nashville to be near one of his children.  The thing that struck me as a bit funny was that he was very unsure about my age.  He would say things like "I'm not sure if you are old enough to remember this movie..." (and I would think to myself "I'm not as young as I look") ..."it starred Clark Gable."  But of course, I'm not that old.  Clark Gable died almost 20 years before I was born. :-)

There was also a terribly cute family on one of my flights.  The parents had four small children.  The mother obviously liked to sew because they were all wearing outfits made with the same fabric.  Here's a photo:

I made it to Albany safely and on time.  We drove through the RPI campus and past my old house in Troy where I used to live with Adam.  It looked very much the same, although different at the same time.  The school has built a new digital technology building that looks very modern compared to the rest of the landscape.  The house I lived in looks about the same too.

After our tour of Troy, we headed an hour away to Red Hook, NY where Anthony lives and maintains his Five Goats Farm.  We had a great steak dinner last night with the intern who helping out with the farm.  This morning, I got to meet the animals which included 5 goats, 2 llamas, chickens, and bees.  Here's a photo that I took of one of the goats.

As you can see, it's been a total change of scenery.  What a nice way to unplug for a few days!

My first post on Vine

Lauren Squires has inspired me to finally try out Vine.  Here's my first (test) video.

Alright, I promise to stop posting about the Memphis To Moore event very soon. But, tonight I sat down for the first time since the event and saw all the amazing posts on social media.

So many friends, supporters, and Memphis news reporters posted great things about the event everywhere from Facebook to Twitter to Vine to their personal blogs. I'm so impressed and feel gratitude toward everyone for getting on board. Yet another reason why I love Memphis.

Here is a Twitter feed of some of the nice things people were posting during the event with the hashtag #MemphisToMoore.

Here are two videos that Lauren Squires shot during the event. For each one, if you click on it, you can activate the sound.

Enjoy! :-)

Here's the crowd at the event chanting "We love Moore." (yes, chanting).


Here's The Super 5 in action.

Memphis To Moore Slideshow

RedRover put together a great slide presentation that was shown at the fundraiser on Friday night.  I wanted to share for those who couldn't make the event.

Memphis To Moore - Thanks from Moore

Moore, Oklahoma sends this message back to Memphis.  It's a thank you to everyone for all of the hard work that went into the event, resulting in $34,000 of donations.

Thank you to Chris Newsom from Oklahoma for shooting, editing, and sending this video of Moore residents.

I feel especially happy because the new Moore Public Schools superintendent, Robert Romines, gives thanks to Memphis on the video. Hether Little (our Moore teacher who visited Memphis) and Rebecca Baisden also say a few words, along with Coach Mancillas' grandchildren who went to Plaza Towers Elementary. 

Check it out. Thanks Memphis!

Mempis To Moore Program Video

For those who missed it, Kim Garmon put together a little recap of the Memphis To Moore fundraiser.  Thank you Kim!

Check it out below, and if you feel compelled to donate, we are still taking donations at www.MemphisToMoore.org.

Thanks!

Memphis To Moore results in the Memphis Business Journal

Big thanks to the Memphis Business Journal for highlighting the results of the Memphis To Moore fundraiser.  Click here to read the entire article.


Memphis to Moore fundraiser pulls in cash for tornado victims
By Michael Sheffield 

The Memphis to Moore fundraiser that was held June 14 raised $34,000, more than doubling the goal of $15,000 organizers set when they put the event together.

Memphis to Moore was organized through a collaboration between Angela Copeland, who grew up in Moore, but lives in Memphis, The Westin Beale Street Memphis, which hosted the event and Red Rover Sales & Marketing.

The Westin donated food, drinks and parking, and the event sold 200 tickets, with all of the money raised from ticket sales going to the Moore Public Schools District’s tornado relief fund. Local businesses also provided items for a silent auction and sponsorships. The district, which is the third largest in Oklahoma with 23,000 students, saw 20 of its 36 public schools destroyed when a tornado hit the area in May.

In addition to the money raised from the fundraiser, Karen Wilder, a local fitness coach donated $18,000 worth of gym equipment to Highland East Junior High. The school’s gym was completely destroyed. However, the event’s organizers are looking for shipping and delivery assistance to move the equipment.

“The spirit of giving in Memphis is nothing short of extraordinary,” Lori Turner-Wilson, CEO of RedRover, said in a statement. “With the help of countless residents from across the city, a mere 17 days from when Angela Copeland conceptualized the idea, the Westin Memphis ballroom filled with supporters rallying for the teachers and kids of Moore. It reminded us all just exactly why we love our city.”

Adventures in Pesto

Now that things are starting to get back to normal, I went to my garden for the first time in three weeks.  There were a ton of weeds to pull and plants to cut back.  But, best of all, there was a lot of basil that had grown in while I was working on the fundraiser.

Today, I harvested my first batch of fresh basil.  It was a small grocery bag full.  I then headed home to turn the fresh basil into pesto. 

You may not know, but cooking is one of my favorite hobbies.  While I'm growing my garden this year, I will try to post more often about what I'm making. This is my favorite pesto recipe:

Ingredient
Fresh basil, stems removed                   4 oz.
Pine nuts (not toasted)                           1/2 cup
Garlic gloves                                          6
Freshly ground black pepper                 To taste
Extra virgin olive oil                              1/2 cup
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese            2/3 cup
Salt                                                         To taste 

Steps:
1. Place basil, pine nuts, garlic, and pepper in food processor.

2. Turn on the food processor and add olive oil in a thin stream. Process until a puree has been obtained.

3. Remove the mixture from the food processor and combine with cheese in a mixing bowl. Taste before adding the salt.

4. Store in a refrigerator or freezer.  Serve on pasta or as a dip or spread.

Below is a photo of the pesto afterward.  This is two recipes worth of pesto.  I put a tiny bit of olive oil in the top of each container before sealing it and freezing it.  It will last quite a long time and is easy to thaw out when you're ready to use it.

Hopefully, the basil will grow back in just a few weeks, so I can make a second batch. 

Thank you again for making Memphis To Moore a huge success!

Dear Memphis, Moore, & friends from around the world who supported "Memphis To Moore",

The final tally is in! 200 Memphians rallied at the Memphis to Moore event (raising money to help rebuild the Moore Public Schools damaged so badly from the May 20th tornado) and raised $34,000 in cash and in-kind contributions!!! The generosity of this great city we call home is remarkable. Big thanks to you, The Westin Memphis, RedRover, and our other sponsors and donors who worked together with me to pull together the event in just 17 short days. What an incredible journey.

Our post-event press release, and interviews about the fundraiser can be found here.

Videos about the event can be found here.

Photos from the event can be found here. 

THANK YOU!! :)


Here are a few of my favorite photos from the event.

Karen Wilder Fitness donates to Memphis To Moore

I owe a huge thank you to Karen Wilder Fitness for donating $18,000 of gym equipment to Moore Public Schools!  The equipment will be used at my junior high school, Highland East Junior High.  They lost their gym and gym equipment in the recent May tornado.

I worked out with Karen for almost 4 years and can attest that she is by far the best personal trainer in Memphis.  If you are looking to increase your fitness level, learn more about nutrition, or healthy lifestyle, Karen is who you need to talk to.  Here's her website: www.KarenWilderFitness.com.

Here's a video from My Fox Memphis about our next project - getting the equipment to Moore!  We'd love one of those big logistics moving type companies here in Memphis to lend us a hand. Know someone who can help? Please let me know.  Thanks!

Memphis To Moore on My Fox Memphis

Huge thank you to My Fox Memphis for coming out to the event on Friday night!  Here's the news story that ran just before the Memphis To Moore event.

Thank you for making Memphis To Moore a success!

A huge thank you to everyone for making Friday night's Memphis To Moore event a huge success! We raised over $34,000 in cash and in-kind donations!
200 guests attended the event at The Westin Memphis Beale Street and had a wonderful time listening to Grace Askew from NBC's The Voice, listening to great music from The Super 5, and taking awesome photos in the Amurica photo booth!

To check out your photos, visit www.MemphisToMoore.org.

If you missed the event and would like to donate, it's not too late! Visit www.MemphisToMoore.org to donate today!

Thanks again to everyone for your support and for lending a hand to the Moore Public Schools.

Sincerely,
Angie

Memphis To Moore on WMC-TV

Huge thank you to WMC-TV and Lauren Squires for your support of the Memphis To Moore event!  Lauren will be our emcee tomorrow night!


Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis To Moore on WREG News Channel 3 Memphis

Huge thank you to all the folks at WREG News Channel 3 here in Memphis for having me on Live at 9 this morning!

To purchase your ticket to Memphis To Moore, visit our website at www.MemphisToMoore.org. 

See you there tomorrow!

Memphis Business Journal Article

Big thanks to the Memphis Business Journal for the great article about the Memphis To Moore event.

Read the article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2013/06/memphians-step-up-to-help-schools.html

Memphis To Moore: Tribute to Moore Teachers

Check out this amazing video that Moore native Kristy Sinsara put together as a tribute to the teachers in Moore.

Join the fundraiser this weekend. Buy your tickets or make a donation here: MemphisToMoore.org

Make sure your computer speakers are turned on...and (disclaimer) the beginning is hard to watch.

She felt like it was important to show the reality of what the kids and teachers went through during the tornado...so now you can see just how brave they all really were. Truly amazing human beings.....

HUGE thank you to both Kristy Sinsara and Chris Newsom for your help with this video.

Share, watch, "like" and post on your own page for us...get the word out. Support Moore Schools!

 

Memphis To Moore in the Memphis Daily News

Huge thank you to Andy Meek for the wonderful article about Memphis To Moore in the Memphis Daily News. 

Click here to read the entire article. Below are a few excerpts.

The Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel is hosting a bash this week organizers are calling “Memphis to Moore,” an event that will raise money for the rebuilding effort in an Oklahoma community devastated last month by a mile-wide tornado.

...

The event in Memphis will be held Friday, June 14, starting at 7 p.m. and will raise money for the Moore Public Schools Tornado Relief Fund. Backers of the event include Memphian and Moore native Angela Copeland and RedRover Sales & Marketing.

 ...

Tickets for the event are $50 in advance, available at MemphisToMoore.org, and they’re $60 at the door.

Money raised is intended to help students, families and staff of Moore Public Schools, the third-largest district in Oklahoma. Copeland said a significant amount of property the school district owns was damaged, so they have a big need of funds for rebuilding efforts.

“It’s going to pay for food, clothing, after-school care and school supplies,” Copeland said. “I actually grew up in Moore. I attended Moore Public Schools from kindergarten all the way up through 12th grade and graduated from Moore High School. I had an amazing experience there. I think here in Memphis when the tornado hit, people were really struck by the heroism people were showing in Moore. We saw many cases on TV of teachers laying their bodies across students to try to protect them. I wasn’t surprised, because those are the same kinds of teachers I had in Moore.”

...

Click here to read the entire article.

Memphis To Moore: The Countdown Begins

Memphis To Moore countdown: 4 days remaining. Get your tickets online & save $10: http://memphistomoore.eventbrite.com/

Here's a little excerpt from our press release today: 

Memphis' very own celebrity entertainer, Grace Askew from NBC's The Voice and The Super 5 will be performing LIVE at The Westin Memphis, in support of rebuilding damaged and demolished schools in Moore, OK. The Westin Memphis has partnered with RedRover Sales & Marketing, and Moore-native, now Memphian, Angela Copeland, for the Memphis To Moore fundraiser to benefit the Moore Public Schools Tornado Relief Fund, on Fri., June 14, 2013, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Westin Memphis Ballroom.

 

 

Mempis To Moore - Amurica Booth!

In related awesome news, the Amurica booth will be at the Memphis To Moore event, so that YOU can send your positive wishes back to Moore!

We are so excited!

To purchase your tickets, visit http://memphistomoore.eventbrite.com/

Memphis To Moore - Entertainment Announced

I have wonderful news to share! Grace Askew from NBC's The Voice, and The Super 5 will both perform during the fundraiser on Friday night. I hope you'll join us!

To purchase your tickets, visit http://memphistomoore.eventbrite.com/

If you can't attend in person, but would like to donate to the Moore Public Schools Tornado Relief Fund, visit http://fundly.com/memphis-to-moore-fundraiser

Grace Askew from NBC's The Voice

The Super 5

Free Texas BBQ for those in Moore - Spread the word!

My friend Jolie contacted me today from Texas to get the word out - her friend David is coming from Texas to Moore and he's bringing BBQ!

David Sheehan with Sheehan Farmer's Insurance is bringing some of Texas' best BBQ from Clark's Outpost outside of Denton.

He will be this Saturday between 11:30 AM and NOON at the Moore Community Center (301 S. Howard Avenue).

David anticipates being able to serve about 300 people.  Definitely stop by and say hi to David if you can.  And if you do, be sure to tell him that Jolie says hi! :-)

Moore Public Schools Photo

I wanted to share a photo that was taken at the all teacher and staff meeting in Moore that happened just following the tornado on May 20th.

Memphis To Moore Fundraiser

The Memphis to Moore fundraiser is just around the corner.  I hope you will join us!

To learn more about the event, visit MemphisToMoore.org. 

To buy your tickets now, visit http://memphistomoore.eventbrite.com/

I have also received questions from a number of folks who cannot attend, but would like to make a donation.  If you would like to make a donation to the fund, please visit our Fundly campaign at http://fundly.com/memphis-to-moore-fundraiser.

I've also received a number of questions about what to wear to the event.  The event will be fun, but not formal.  Dress like you might dress to go out to dinner downtown, or to see a show, or any other fun weekend activity.

I've seen a number of tweets this week about the event with the hashtag #MemphisToMoore.  Thank you for your support!

Thanks to everyone for purchasing tickets and making donations (and to the Westin Memphis & RedRover for helping to make it possible!).  I look forward to seeing you at The Westin Memphis on Friday, June 14th at 7 PM. 

Memphis To Moore Fundraiser

I'm re-posting this information in case you missed it on Saturday---

I've partnered with the The Westin Memphis Beale Street and RedRover Sales & Marketing on a fundraiser to help rebuild the schools in my hometown of Moore after the recent devastating tornadoes. Tickets are $50 in advance and can be purchased online at MemphisToMoore.org. There will be live music, a silent auction, and fabulous complimentary food and cocktails compliments of Bleu Restaurant & Lounge. 

Funds raised will go to the Moore Public Schools Tornado Relief Fund.  The fund helps to remove obstacles that stand in the way of teachers being able to teach and children being able to learn by providing them the basic educational materials and support they need. This could include food, clothing, shelter, after school care, and school supplies.

If you'll be in Memphis the weekend of June 14th, I hope that you'll join us!  It will be a fun time for a great cause.  If you can't be here, please click through to MemphisToMoore.org and consider making a donation.

Date: Friday, June 14th
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
Venue: The Westin Memphis Beale Street
Tickets: $50 in advance, $60 at the door
Dress: Dressy Casual 

free valet parking
live entertainment
free food & drinks compliments of Bleu Restaurant & Lounge

Cleanup in Moore

Jaclyn Allen showed the cleanup efforts in Moore.  Below is a video of her tour.

Memphis To Moore Fundraiser

I can finally share what I've been up to over the last week--

I've partnered with the The Westin Memphis Beale Street and RedRover Sales & Marketing on a fundraiser to help rebuild the schools in my hometown of Moore after the recent devastating tornadoes. Tickets are $50 in advance and can be purchased online at MemphisToMoore.org. There will be live music, a silent auction, and fabulous complimentary food and cocktails compliments of Bleu Restaurant & Lounge. 

Funds raised will go to the Moore Public Schools Tornado Relief Fund.  The fund helps to remove obstacles that stand in the way of teachers being able to teach and children being able to learn by providing them the basic educational materials and support they need. This could include food, clothing, shelter, after school care, and school supplies.

If you'll be in Memphis the weekend of June 14th, I hope that you'll join us!  It will be a fun time for a great cause.  If you can't be here, please click through to MemphisToMoore.org and consider making a donation.

Date: Friday, June 14th
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
Venue: The Westin Memphis Beale Street
Tickets: $50 in advance, $60 at the door
Dress: Dressy Casual 

free valet parking
live entertainment
free food & drinks compliments of Bleu Restaurant & Lounge

To purchase tickets: MemphisToMoore.org