I feel like I'm in survival mode right now. Perhaps that is why I haven't blogged in over a month, it's not really on my mind. Don't get me wrong, I don't plan to make this post full of complaints. i just realize that I have been so focused on work and school and not failing statistics, that I have put almost everything else on the back burner. However, there is hope. The evening of May 3rd I will take my final final! I will have completed my Master's and I will be free. Then life will probably get crazy in all sorts of other ways, but I just can't wait to have my evenings and weekends and days back.
Even now, I'm just at a loss for what to write. Any thoughts that seem to make sense simply drift in and out of my head. By the time I'm ready to catch them, they have flown away. I'm left grasping for words and coherency.
The thing is, I know that from now on there probably won't be a time in life when I am not busy. When school is done I hope to find a job, from there maybe kiddos, and then who knows.
Wow, this is a bummer of a post. I think I've been a bummer to be around. Ok, that's it! Let's get some happy talk on this page before I drive everyone else away!
Happy thoughts, think happy thoughts.
Even though I have been terribly busy, life has been really good lately. I find myself falling more in love with my husband every day. In fact, over spring break we have decided that it is finally time to take a honeymoon. So, while all of you Hoosiers will be freezing your patooties off, I will be laying on the beach next to the best husband in the world.
God has been teaching me a lot about patience, trust, and forgiveness. I'm really grateful for that.
Today was warm. It was amazing. I went outside without a coat... it's amazing what going outside without a coat can do for your mood :)
I bought a new purse today. It is the first purse I have purchased in like 2 years. It's yellow. Yellow makes me smile and feel all sorts of warm inside. Now, I get to take yellow with me everywhere. Happiness in purse form.
This summer will be great! I already have a job possibility for the summer, and I plan to do lots of photography and lots of sewing!
Ok, I'm rambling. I need to go find stuff for the clothing exchange tomorrow!
Goodnight
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Only 5 weeks late
Boy, have I been busy. Lets recap my Christmas break thus far:
I finished my final papers
We took a mini-vacation to Indy
We packed
We went to Fort Wayne for 3 days
We saw 4 families in 2 days
We came back
We packed
We moved
We unpacked
I started my new assistantship
Now that Ive had a moment to breathe, I finally decided that I would post those pumpkin sugar cookies that I was so excited about.
Enjoy!
Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
3/4 C butter1/2 C pumpkin
1 1/3 C sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 tsp baking poweder
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pies spice
1.In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in pumpkin. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until incorporated.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir into batter.
3. Cover and chill overnight or at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 400* F
5. Roll out dough on floured (or you can use powdered sugar for a sweeter cookie) surface 1/4-1/2 in thick.
6. Bake 6-8 minutes
Cover with your favorite sugar cookie icing and enjoy!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
chex mix, sleet, and thankfulness
Well hello again! I know I promised pumpkin sugar cookies. I promise they are coming...as soon as I find some time to post those pesky pictures.
Today is the day before thanksgiving. This morning on my way to my elementary school I was just overcome with thankfulness and a glad heart. God has really been stretching me over the past six months and I am finally beginning to see some fruit. Here are some things I am thankful for.
1. God's provision. After 5 months of waiting not-so-patiently, God has begun to provide for Greg and I. This week alone after nothing but leads for 5 months Greg has 2 contracted listings and a potential buyer. Not only this but he agreed to start working part time as a property manager which is some guaranteed income! During this same week or week and a half I was asked to talk about a possible assistantship for next semester. I think God is showing off, and I really appreciate it. I am so thankful for his promised provision.
2. If number 1 wasn't enough, we found a cute little house outside of battleground and will be moving in December. Still renting, but definitely an answered prayer!
3. I am so thankful for thanksgiving time. This time of year is so precious because we get to spend time with family and friends that we don't often see.
4. My grad program. Wait, did I really say that? I am learning to be thankful for all of the quality instruction and time in internship. I hope God uses me as an elementary school counselor someday.
5. My husband. Simple as that. He is truly a great man to be married to and I couldn't be happier to call myself his wife.
6. Our church and the people within it.
7. My family and friends. I so appreciate the people God has placed in my life to lift me up, encourage me, and sharpen me.
8. My elementary school kids. They crack me up, give me hugs, and teach me so much about life, love, and faith. quote from this morning "Deck the boughs with balls of holly fa lalalala la la la la" A little girl sang this as she walked through the halls. Other fun quotes. "quiz me on Justin Beiber" "Good luck on being a counselor"(written in a note that he gave me after a classroom lesson) "How old are you? 20?" "Mrs. Smith, you have a good thanksgiving too!" I love them.
As I sit here typing, watching the snow/sleet/rain mix drizzle outside, I am just so happy. We don't have a lot of money or a lot of time but we are so very blessed. Now my thankful heart and body are gonna go make some yummy chocolate cinnamon bread for the family and see a dear friend for a bit tonight.
Today is the day before thanksgiving. This morning on my way to my elementary school I was just overcome with thankfulness and a glad heart. God has really been stretching me over the past six months and I am finally beginning to see some fruit. Here are some things I am thankful for.
1. God's provision. After 5 months of waiting not-so-patiently, God has begun to provide for Greg and I. This week alone after nothing but leads for 5 months Greg has 2 contracted listings and a potential buyer. Not only this but he agreed to start working part time as a property manager which is some guaranteed income! During this same week or week and a half I was asked to talk about a possible assistantship for next semester. I think God is showing off, and I really appreciate it. I am so thankful for his promised provision.
2. If number 1 wasn't enough, we found a cute little house outside of battleground and will be moving in December. Still renting, but definitely an answered prayer!
3. I am so thankful for thanksgiving time. This time of year is so precious because we get to spend time with family and friends that we don't often see.
4. My grad program. Wait, did I really say that? I am learning to be thankful for all of the quality instruction and time in internship. I hope God uses me as an elementary school counselor someday.
5. My husband. Simple as that. He is truly a great man to be married to and I couldn't be happier to call myself his wife.
6. Our church and the people within it.
7. My family and friends. I so appreciate the people God has placed in my life to lift me up, encourage me, and sharpen me.
8. My elementary school kids. They crack me up, give me hugs, and teach me so much about life, love, and faith. quote from this morning "Deck the boughs with balls of holly fa lalalala la la la la" A little girl sang this as she walked through the halls. Other fun quotes. "quiz me on Justin Beiber" "Good luck on being a counselor"(written in a note that he gave me after a classroom lesson) "How old are you? 20?" "Mrs. Smith, you have a good thanksgiving too!" I love them.
As I sit here typing, watching the snow/sleet/rain mix drizzle outside, I am just so happy. We don't have a lot of money or a lot of time but we are so very blessed. Now my thankful heart and body are gonna go make some yummy chocolate cinnamon bread for the family and see a dear friend for a bit tonight.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Coming Soon!
Get excited, their coming! Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are on their way!
Tonight was a momentous occasion for me. I jumped, I giggled, I laughed, and I scolded my husband when he wouldn't take a good picture of me.
Tonight, I created my very first baking recipe. I have always been terrified of trying new things with baking. It seemed that steering off the yellow brick road of baking recipes would only lead to disaster. Boy, oh boy, was I wrong.
Next stop... cookbook!
Haha, just kidding. Well, maybe ;)
This post is just a teaser, full post with pictures, and the finished recipe coming soon!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Fall in love with fall
I adore fall. I don't even know if the word adore captures just how I feel about fall. I am ecstatic about it. Hot tea, colorful leaves, sweaters, fall spice desserts and baked goods, football, cool breezes, and the crisp autumn smell in the air are just a few of the things I love about fall. Just imagine this: your taking a nice stroll through a park holding hands with your husband. You look around and see hues of orange, red, brown, and yellow. As you walk the leave rustle about and crackle underneath your feet. You snuggle into your husband's side as you walk thanks to the slight chill in the air. Ahhh, that's autumn.
In honor of kicking off the fall season I had to bake! I think bakerella is going to start seeing a trend if she ever looks at my blog, considering I keep making what she posts. I cannot take much credit for this cake, but boy was it amazing. I think I will have a little leftover piece for dessert tonight.
Easy Apple Cake
first you will need ingredients.
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
I added 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups oil (next time I'm using 1/2 applesauce, 1/2 oil)
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups diced apples (I used gala)
1 cup chopped dates rolled in flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
Then you need to make it!
I am kind of sad I forgot to take pictures of it with the topping. Oh the topping, I am surprised I didn't go into a sugar coma!
Mmmm, who doesn't love apple cake with a caramel like topping on a cold day :)
Not only did I make cake to celebrate fall, but I finally made a wreath! I have been wanting one for a couple of years but they are so stinkin' expensive (80 at hobby lobby!) So, I decided to put my flower arranging class to good use and made my own for a whopping $23! I could have probably even gone cheaper than that. Now, I love walking in my front door :)
In honor of kicking off the fall season I had to bake! I think bakerella is going to start seeing a trend if she ever looks at my blog, considering I keep making what she posts. I cannot take much credit for this cake, but boy was it amazing. I think I will have a little leftover piece for dessert tonight.
Easy Apple Cake
first you will need ingredients.
3 cups flour1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
I added 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups oil (next time I'm using 1/2 applesauce, 1/2 oil)
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups diced apples (I used gala)
1 cup chopped dates rolled in flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
Then you need to make it!
Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and cinnamon with a wire whisk and set aside.
- Combine sugar and oil using a mixer until blended.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Add flour mixture and mix well.
- Stir in nuts, dates and apples. The batter will be very thick.
- Pour into a greased and floured 9 X 13 pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until done.
- Cool cake and using a skewer, poke holes in cake.
- Cook topping ingredients on stove until mixture bubbles.
- Pour topping over cake letting some (ha… more if you like) seep into the cake.
I am kind of sad I forgot to take pictures of it with the topping. Oh the topping, I am surprised I didn't go into a sugar coma!
Mmmm, who doesn't love apple cake with a caramel like topping on a cold day :)
Not only did I make cake to celebrate fall, but I finally made a wreath! I have been wanting one for a couple of years but they are so stinkin' expensive (80 at hobby lobby!) So, I decided to put my flower arranging class to good use and made my own for a whopping $23! I could have probably even gone cheaper than that. Now, I love walking in my front door :)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Two for One
Today you get two recipes for the price of one!
Initially, I had thought of posting these two yummy creations in two separate posts. However, I decided in the honor of brevity and simplicity I would just combine them. I mean, c'mon, who doesn't like cake and pizza! (Well, i guess my husband doesn't like cake, but he likes this one!)
Lets start with the pizza. Although, you should be thinking about the cake. Oh, the cake. Ok. Pizza first.
This recipe came from Emi, one of my friends. We went over to their house for dinner one night and she had set up an area for us to make our own pizzas. I thought it was so clever that I had to steal the idea!
This weekend my mom and brother came down from fort wayne and it gave me a great excuse to make these pizzas. I prepped the dough, set out the toppings, and we made our own special little creations! It was actually really fun. Each pizza reflected each person. I'm the healthy eater so mine was loaded with veggies. My mother loves cheese, and made that clear with her pizza. Hubby loves his meat and he made sure he put a lot on. My brother loves simple cheese, mushroom, and pepperoni pizza.
I forgot to take pictures, but here are the end results!
Recipe for the Pizza Dough:
Whisk 3 3/4 C flour with 1 1/2 tsp salt.
Make a well and add 1 1/3 C warm water, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 packet yeast
When foamy mix in 3 T olive oil/
Do this all in your kitchen aid mixer with the dough hook attachment. Knead on low to med low for 3-5 minutes or until the dough looks smooth and has come together in a ball. Brush with olive oil and cover with a wet towel or napkin in a bowl. Let rise until doubled (about 1.5 hours)
Divide into 2 1 pound balls. Use 1lb per pizza. (If making personal pizzas I think you can get away with using 1/2 lb)
Top with desired toppings and bake at 500 on a preheated pan for 15-20 minutes.
Now, what you've been waiting for. Yep, it's time. Cake!
I fell in love with this cake in college. It was a shoemaker staple and all of us women looked forward to the days that we would get this delightful treat.
I do think I ought to warn you all. This cake is r-i-c-h rich! It probably has about 1000 calories per slice, but it is oh so good! So good in fact that it has a pretty funny name.
Better than Sex Cake, let me tell you, it may not be better than sex, but it's pretty close!
Here are some pictures. You've been warned.
Recipe:
1 box chocolate cake mix (I use devils food)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar caramel topping
1 C heath bar topping
1 container cool whip
Bake the cake according to package directions. While it is still warm poke a bunch of holes in it. I used a chop stick, a toothpick doesn't get them big enough for all of the goodness to soak in. Next, pour on the sweetened condensed milk.
Once that has some time to soak in, its time for the next step. Pour the caramel sauce all over the top. Stare in amazement.
Refrigerate until cool. Then before serving top with cool whip and heath bar pieces. Try not to eat it, wait... you need to share it, right?! Serve up cold and yummy!
Initially, I had thought of posting these two yummy creations in two separate posts. However, I decided in the honor of brevity and simplicity I would just combine them. I mean, c'mon, who doesn't like cake and pizza! (Well, i guess my husband doesn't like cake, but he likes this one!)
Lets start with the pizza. Although, you should be thinking about the cake. Oh, the cake. Ok. Pizza first.
This recipe came from Emi, one of my friends. We went over to their house for dinner one night and she had set up an area for us to make our own pizzas. I thought it was so clever that I had to steal the idea!
This weekend my mom and brother came down from fort wayne and it gave me a great excuse to make these pizzas. I prepped the dough, set out the toppings, and we made our own special little creations! It was actually really fun. Each pizza reflected each person. I'm the healthy eater so mine was loaded with veggies. My mother loves cheese, and made that clear with her pizza. Hubby loves his meat and he made sure he put a lot on. My brother loves simple cheese, mushroom, and pepperoni pizza.
I forgot to take pictures, but here are the end results!
Recipe for the Pizza Dough:Whisk 3 3/4 C flour with 1 1/2 tsp salt.
Make a well and add 1 1/3 C warm water, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 packet yeast
When foamy mix in 3 T olive oil/
Do this all in your kitchen aid mixer with the dough hook attachment. Knead on low to med low for 3-5 minutes or until the dough looks smooth and has come together in a ball. Brush with olive oil and cover with a wet towel or napkin in a bowl. Let rise until doubled (about 1.5 hours)
Divide into 2 1 pound balls. Use 1lb per pizza. (If making personal pizzas I think you can get away with using 1/2 lb)
Top with desired toppings and bake at 500 on a preheated pan for 15-20 minutes.
Now, what you've been waiting for. Yep, it's time. Cake!
I fell in love with this cake in college. It was a shoemaker staple and all of us women looked forward to the days that we would get this delightful treat.
I do think I ought to warn you all. This cake is r-i-c-h rich! It probably has about 1000 calories per slice, but it is oh so good! So good in fact that it has a pretty funny name.
Better than Sex Cake, let me tell you, it may not be better than sex, but it's pretty close!
Here are some pictures. You've been warned.
Recipe:
1 box chocolate cake mix (I use devils food)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar caramel topping
1 C heath bar topping
1 container cool whip
Bake the cake according to package directions. While it is still warm poke a bunch of holes in it. I used a chop stick, a toothpick doesn't get them big enough for all of the goodness to soak in. Next, pour on the sweetened condensed milk.
Once that has some time to soak in, its time for the next step. Pour the caramel sauce all over the top. Stare in amazement.
Refrigerate until cool. Then before serving top with cool whip and heath bar pieces. Try not to eat it, wait... you need to share it, right?! Serve up cold and yummy!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
New Camera
It's been a long time coming, but its finally here! My new camera arrived a couple weeks ago and I have loved playing with it. The day I got it I acted like a little girl. I jumped, I laughed, and I probably even danced a little. My old camera was great, but getting a little worn out. It was beginning to act its age and we knew that if I wanted to keep photography as a side business that I would have to upgrade.
Here are some pictures!
Here are some pictures!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)