Here are just a few pictures from my going away party. Tricia and Scott were kind enough to host it at their house. I'm so thankful that I have such very good friends who braved lots of wind and rain to see me off.


Christopher, Douglas, Gerardo, Clanton and Jerry-- he's making a face because he's bitter that I get to leave the country and he doesn't.


Jim and Evan are sensitive to one another's need for personal space.


This is my sister. She's pretty fabulous.


Iowans tend to stick together at parties...and, apparently, laugh at the same things.


Jim, Andrea, Amy and Jen humor me when I stick a camera in their face.


This is Bao. Run right now to Cafe Lily and have the Lemon Sponge Custard thing (not its official name) that he makes. It's completely lovely.


Fatema came from DC just for me.


As long as Michael has a shot, he's not being a smart ass.


What does D see that Marie and I are missing?


As things wind down, Evan and Cyndi take a break.

Here are some picture of where I'll be living in Switzerland. It doesn't seem to suck, really. Then again, what hotel is going to put ugly pictures out for all the world to see?

On Thursday we had our final practical exam for my class (Advanced Baking and Pastry 1). Just a written final and piping skills test on Monday and I get to concentrate on Switzerland! Below are some pictures of the things I made for Thursday. They were 2 types of danish, a strawberry-coconut entremet, rustic bread, a decorated dough piece (the bowl that the danish are in) and a plated dessert-- caramelized apples in phyllo crisp with mascarpone mousse and dried cherry sauce.