Maple Anniversary Cake

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Rae

I made this two-tier cake for my grandparents’ 50th anniversary last week. I was going for a woodsy theme as we were spending the weekend in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Maple is a favorite with Gramps hence the frosting is a silky, rich & earthy, maple buttercream.

Before leaving my Grandparents’ house for the Hills, I made both an 8-inch and 6-inch vanilla cake for the special occasion. Working all day before we were to leave, I finished the cake’s most important components, leaving just the assembly to be completed at the cabin.

Simply put, this anniversary cake is compromised of rich vanilla cake, maple buttercream filling and frosting, and candied pecans sprinkled between each layer and atop. It was a huge hit. We enjoyed this cake together while watching slides of different events and snapshots of Gramps and Grams’ married life (including Gramps’ time serving in Vietnam)

B1 Airstrip

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Rae

We had the great privilege of visiting the Ellsworth Air Force Base last week during our trip to the Black Hills. Through Grandpa’s clearance, we were able to enter and discover a little bit about their life as a military family. My Dad was a life guard at the base pool when he was around my age, he told us about what he and his brothers would do for recreation, shopping, etc.

I love the fact that Dad’s childhood was similar to ours in the way that he and his family were also constantly on the move. As a military kid, Dad lived in more than 8 states before he went to college.

While at the Ellsworth AFB, we had the opportunity to see some active B1 Bomber air crafts. What an awesome experience this visit was for us kids.

Reunited in South Dakota

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Rae

After our vast assortment of flight itineraries and travel plans, we all (finally) made it to my grandparents house in South Dakota. One of the main reasons that we returned to the US this summer was to celebrate my Grandparents fiftieth anniversary- congratulations Grandma and Grandpa! A couple of days after arriving in SD, my Dad’s two brothers and their families joined us for a family get-together in the Black Hills to celebrate this milestone in the Headrick family.

While in the black hills we drove through the beautiful Custer State Park- spotting buffalo, prairie dogs, and deer on the way. We also enjoyed many river-side picnics, mountain hikes, and campfire s’mores together throughout the weekend on top of visiting Mount Rushmore for the first time.

The night of their anniversary, my Grandpa unpacked his slide projector to show us some photos of his time in Vietnam where he served as a pilot in the Air-force. I’m thinking we have a hidden photographer in the family because his photos were exceptional! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture some of the best shots, so these will have to do.

On the six-hour drive up to our cabin at the beginning of the trip, I had the opportunity to listen to Grandpa’s stories of his life as a pilot in the Vietnamese war. I am so honored to have had this chance, hearing about his life at that time is such an honor.

The Last of the Season

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Rae

Grandpa sent Megan and I out to pick the last peonies of the season late yesterday afternoon. Unaccustomed as we are to caring for garden-grown flowers in China, I took full advantage of this special opportunity. Snipping away joyously, Megan and I carefully chose the prettiest blooms to gather for dinner’s bouquet.

Since arriving at my grandparents house in the beautiful, Eastern South Dakota region, I’ve noticed how good it feels to live in a place where nature is rich and vibrant. There is a comfort in growing your own fruits and vegetables, which my grandpa faithfully continues to do each spring. I hope that one day when I have my own family, I might be able to do the same.

After peony picking, we gathered in the kitchen for some rhubarb crisp and vanilla ice cream. yum.

The Beach Trip

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Maddie

During our visits in Houston the whole family (including aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents) took a trip down to the beach. We packed up the RV and got on the road. After a whole year away from the beach we were ready for some sun.

While at the beach we got to go on a boat ride with Pop (our grandpa) where we saw dolphins (notice the fins on the top picture)! Although at first I wasn’t too excited to go on the boat ride, after we started to pull away from the dock, I immediately started to enjoy my ride on the water.

It was great spending time in the sun and just hanging out by the water for a few days. The beach trip was a perfect way to spend some quality time with the people I love♥.

garham

On Site: Old Town Alexandria

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Rae

Michael, Jessie, Maddie-

Today Christine and I headed over to Old Town for the afternoon. We had such a nice time together. I will try to let the photos speak for themselves.

Making my mark at the Torpedo factory-transformed into an art center- in Old Town.

Fully satisfied my ice cream craving at this vintage ice cream parlor.

Temporarily occupying the local Anthropology while sleeping on their beyond comfortable beds and reading Kinfolk magazines.

Enjoyed this street performer while walking. He played the Star Wars theme song which reminded me of you, Jessie!

Oh, and since I arrived in DC, I’ve been to the grocery store twice! If only we could transfer one to China, baking would get SO much better.

It Just Hit Me

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Jessie

Dear Rachel:
Today it hit me that next year I will be sleeping next to an empty bed – that when I wake up you won’t be in the kitchen making me a tea latte – that our tea parties will be short one very important person. I cannot imagine life here in China without you! I must admit that I did not fully prepare myself to say goodbye to you in China. Now that the reality is settling in, I don’t want to look at your baking drawer, or your bed, or your closet because they just remind me that next year you will not be here.

Rachel you have blessed me in so many ways. The Lord knew how much I would need an older sister – and He gave me the very best one! I know that you will be just as much a blessing in Carnegie Mellon; I envy all the new friends you make – that they will get an encouraging, pretty, cake-making, faith-filled friend like you!

Love You!
~Jessie

First Days in The US

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Maddie

Jessie, Michael, & Rachel,

Hey! It’s been over a week and I can’t lie, I have been loving my time here in America. So far I’ve shopped (and spent too much money), swam (numerous times), gone on a boat ride, taken many a golf cart rides, eaten a little too much junk food and spent a lot of time with family. It’s been a great vacation but I sure am missing each one of you :(. I feel like it’s been weeks since I last saw all of you guys.

Jessie, I miss all of our crazy hugs and funny conversations about school. I can’t wait to spend long car rides together talking and hanging out.

Rachel, I miss your delicious cupcakes and your amazing planning skills ;). I cannot wait to show you my new clothes and swimsuit I got this past week!

Michael, I just miss chatting with you! We are going to have a blast this summer enjoying a break from work, aren’t we?!

Here is a peek at the fun I’ve been having here!

Bucket List: Malaysian Lovers

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Rae

This afternoon Michael, Jessie, and I made our first proper meal all week! With just three of us in the house, full meals are not necessarily a priority- we’ve been eating sandwiches and lattes everyday for a while now.

My Southeast Asian meal is definitely checked off the bucket list with this lunch consisting of Malaysian curry, stir-fried bokchoy, and Chinese tea (普洱茶).

Bucket List: Celebrating Local Friendships

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Rae

Maddie-

We missed you this evening at our get-together with the Chin family. With an aura of celebrating relationships felt throughout the afternoon, I dearly missed you.

I was invited to share some baking techniques with Sister Cai and her husband to give them time together and a shared pursuit. I so enjoyed teaching and guiding them through the process of making chocolate cupcakes.

After a successful turnout, we topped the freshly baked cake with dollops of whipped cream. You know I love it when a sweet treat is thrown together in a completely natural way.

What started out as a cupcake-baking lesson turned into a Chinese cookout with our Uncle and Auntie Cai. We grilled meats of all shapes and sizes: lamb, shrimp, and fish skewers, grilled beef steak, and even a delicious rotisserie chicken in the oven!

We made a huge dent in my bucket list today. What fun.