Have you ever felt restless?
Or like you haven't accomplished anything?
Well, I feel like that sometimes.
It's sometimes strange being out of school, where I spent the majority of my years. I'm really good at school. I'm book-smart, so it was easy for me to excel. I also like tests. I like being graded. I like when I'm told when I've done well.
But I don't get grades anymore, and I stay at home most of the time, and my house is usually a mess anyway. So sometimes I forget that I'm good at things, and that I do still accomplish things.
So, I'm going to make a list of good things I've done since graduating, so whenever I feel like I'm not good at anything, or that I don't do any important, I can look at my list and remember that I've actually done quite alot since graduating.
Since I graduated, I:
(In the general category)
-Got married
-Bought his wedding ring with my own money
-Made every centerpiece and bridesmaid accessory for the wedding
-Had an apartment for the first time
-Made the biggest purchases of my life with Colton (TV, couch, dining room table, bookshelves, bed. Yikes!)
-Paid my first bills
-Was the production designer/art director/art assistant on four short films (and I have another coming up this month!)
-Moved across the country to Los Angeles
-Made two cross-country road trips
-Made new friends
-Learned how to parallel park (Well... mostly. Sometimes it still takes a few tries.)
-Learned how to drive in LA without freaking out
-Learned how to ski
-Learned how to use Garage Band
-Learned how to use photoshop way better (Thanks, Colton!)
-Chose a church in LA and joined a small group
(In the home)
-Made a cleaning calendar that I've (mostly) stuck to
-Hosted several parties
-Figured out how to use the gas stovetop/oven without being afraid it's going to blow up
-Learned how to cook using wine/cognac/brandy
-Chose and installed curtains and a big rod (With a drill!)
-Perfected my own chicken pot pie recipe
-Perfected my own green beans recipe
-Perfected my own iced coffee recipe
-Perfected my own pancake recipe
-Perfected my own chili recipe (And won 2nd prize at a chili cookoff!)
-Broke, then repaired the garbage disposal (Note to disposal owners - you're not supposed to pour coffee grounds in there, and also check for little spoons that may have fallen in before you turn it on.)
-Made weekly meal plans and grocery lists, (usually) sticking to a $100 budget
And you know what? Looking over this, I feel good.
(If you're interested in any of my recipes, or want to know more, I will be more than happy to share.)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Colton and I watched AI last night. So sad, but so good. What you think of Spielberg?
I'm a big fan, but I think he sorta missed the mark with War Horse.
Anyway, once we were done, Colton says, "Do we have any cookies?"
I say, "Um..."
He says, "Chocolate Chip Cookies?"
"Well, we could make some."
But only on the condition that he helped out. I love cooking with Colton. Colton doesn't love to cook. But he agreed this time :)
I've been on the hunt for the best cookie recipe. This time we tried the Martha Stewart version, found here.
Colton was in charge of stirring and measuring, while I chopped up the chocolate. (We didn't have any chocolate chips, so I had to use some Godiva gems left over from my Christmas stocking.)
He pointed to the butter in the bowl, which I had creamed a little already.
"What's that?"
"That's the butter."
"All of that is butter?"
He stirred in the sugars.
"I think I'm going to taste this." He tastes it. "Oof, Youch! This is like death in a bowl!"
He also tastes the vanilla extract. "Blech!"
"Colton! You tasted that last time! I told you it wasn't good."
Later, I told him that he was a good stirrer.
"I know. That's why I'm here. I'm good at everything I put my hands to."
Our cookies turned out pretty good.
I'm a big fan, but I think he sorta missed the mark with War Horse.
Anyway, once we were done, Colton says, "Do we have any cookies?"
I say, "Um..."
He says, "Chocolate Chip Cookies?"
"Well, we could make some."
But only on the condition that he helped out. I love cooking with Colton. Colton doesn't love to cook. But he agreed this time :)
I've been on the hunt for the best cookie recipe. This time we tried the Martha Stewart version, found here.
Colton was in charge of stirring and measuring, while I chopped up the chocolate. (We didn't have any chocolate chips, so I had to use some Godiva gems left over from my Christmas stocking.)
He pointed to the butter in the bowl, which I had creamed a little already.
"What's that?"
"That's the butter."
"All of that is butter?"
He stirred in the sugars.
"I think I'm going to taste this." He tastes it. "Oof, Youch! This is like death in a bowl!"
He also tastes the vanilla extract. "Blech!"
"Colton! You tasted that last time! I told you it wasn't good."
Later, I told him that he was a good stirrer.
"I know. That's why I'm here. I'm good at everything I put my hands to."
Our cookies turned out pretty good.
 |
| Image from marthastewart.com |
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Heaven on my toast!
Sometimes, I need something indulgent.
Sometimes, I need something creamy.
Sometimes, I need to make something that seems fancy.
If you sometimes need these things too, then have I got the answer for you.
Ricotta.
Now, don't get me wrong - I've never really been a huge fan of ricotta cheese. I'll eat the heck out of some good lasagna, but I've never been one to use ricotta as a spread, and have certainly never been tempted to eat it with a spoon.
But that has changed, my friends.
With this recipe. Thank you, smitten kitchen.
Apparently, making simple cheeses in an apartment is not only doable, but easy-peasy.
I just heated up some milk and cream til it boiled, added a little lemon juice, then poured it into my straining contraption.
(Technically, you're supposed to use a strainer and a few layers of cheesecloth, but I don't have either, so I used a mixing bowl, a dish towel, and a lot of clothespins. It worked beautifully.)
After about two hours of straining, I found myself with a heavenly cloud of something that resembled a richer, creamier version of the ricotta I was used to - more delicate in flavor, and somewhat reminiscent of creme fraiche or a stiff whipped cream, but with more body.
I immediately made a few french bread toasts and smeared them with the cheese, then drizzled on some honey and some freshly ground black pepper for a little kick. Colton should feel very honored that I ignored my greedy thoughts and shared with him.
Do yourself and your family a favor... head on over to smitten kitchen and see what she's got cooking.
Sometimes, I need something creamy.
Sometimes, I need to make something that seems fancy.
If you sometimes need these things too, then have I got the answer for you.
Ricotta.
Now, don't get me wrong - I've never really been a huge fan of ricotta cheese. I'll eat the heck out of some good lasagna, but I've never been one to use ricotta as a spread, and have certainly never been tempted to eat it with a spoon.
But that has changed, my friends.
With this recipe. Thank you, smitten kitchen.
Apparently, making simple cheeses in an apartment is not only doable, but easy-peasy.
I just heated up some milk and cream til it boiled, added a little lemon juice, then poured it into my straining contraption.
After about two hours of straining, I found myself with a heavenly cloud of something that resembled a richer, creamier version of the ricotta I was used to - more delicate in flavor, and somewhat reminiscent of creme fraiche or a stiff whipped cream, but with more body.
I immediately made a few french bread toasts and smeared them with the cheese, then drizzled on some honey and some freshly ground black pepper for a little kick. Colton should feel very honored that I ignored my greedy thoughts and shared with him.
Finally, for dinner, I decided to make stuffed pasta shells. I made a stewed tomato-meat sauce, and mixed the ricotta with some grated parmesan and basil which I stuffed inside the shells, then baked with the sauce until everything was hot and gooey.
My goodness!!!!! Easily the best pasta dish I've ever made.
(Good for the heart, not so good for the thighs. Not that I care right now.)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Southern Night
Well, we've been back in LA for about a week now, and it's nice to hang out in our own place.
We had a really great time visiting our families in Alabama and Tennessee - including our driving time, we were gone for almost a whole month! I discovered that our place in California feels like home... I really started to miss it, our friends here, and our church.
Tonight, though, I decided to bring a little of the south into our apartment. The easiest way to do that, of course, is dinner!
I made country fried steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and sweet corn bread muffins.
Talk about being stuffed. I am sitting on the couch, and I don't think I'm going to move for at least an hour.
Are there any comfort foods that always remind you of home, no matter where you are?
We had a really great time visiting our families in Alabama and Tennessee - including our driving time, we were gone for almost a whole month! I discovered that our place in California feels like home... I really started to miss it, our friends here, and our church.
Tonight, though, I decided to bring a little of the south into our apartment. The easiest way to do that, of course, is dinner!
I made country fried steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and sweet corn bread muffins.
Talk about being stuffed. I am sitting on the couch, and I don't think I'm going to move for at least an hour.
Are there any comfort foods that always remind you of home, no matter where you are?
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Leather Shorts
Ralph Lauren Collection buckle belt
$250 - net-a-porter.com
I got a Polyvore! I think I love it.
That being said, what is your view of leather shorts?
I am a fan of almost any type of short, particularly high-waisted versions.
I would most certainly wear this little ensemble I put together.
$250 - net-a-porter.com
I got a Polyvore! I think I love it.
That being said, what is your view of leather shorts?
I am a fan of almost any type of short, particularly high-waisted versions.
I would most certainly wear this little ensemble I put together.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Shearling Trimmed Beauties
I'm back in good old TN, visiting my family for the holidays. I haven't been shopping for ages, so I was delighted to go out with my mom for a few hours. I ended up getting a few votives on sale for 50 cents at Yankee, but that's it.
But I almost bought these babies.
I've been wanting a pair of brown lace-up ankle boots with shearling trim. These are a bit higher than I was thinking, but they're quite comfy. Lucky Brand, on sale for a little under $90. I don't think I need to buy them. But I'm tempted. Imagine them with something easy and casual, like this...
But I almost bought these babies.
 |
| Vince Chunky Cable Open Cardigan |
 |
| L.K. Bennet Lydia Blouse |
 |
| Levi High Rise Skinny Jeans |
I live in plaid. All the time. I don't think I'll get these boots, but I'll enjoy the idea of them :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)