Twas The Night...

Twas the night before Christmas,

And all through my house

We were keeping tradition, 

Not skimping an ounce.

 The table was full,
As though there were more.
When, in reality,
There were only us four!

 Memories were shared of times of old,
When parents and children arrived in tenfold.

 Tonight on our couch we were seated,
While by movies and tastes we were treated.

 Dalmations of Indy played on the screen,
Laughter and enjoyment all in between.

Tourtiere and wings,
Mini weenies and dips,
Candies and sweets,
Even cookies made out of chips!

After our movies,

All was a buzz.

For Scattergories was next to turn our brains into fuzz !

 The clock ticked onwards,
Forcing us into bed.

 Awaiting the morning...

When Merry Christmas could be said!!

7 Days of Baking- Days 2 and 3

Apricot Loaf

This gleaming loaf of delicious?

Oh, it's just my Nana's apricot loaf.

And by "just" I totally mean "It's the best loaf of apricoty goodness your mouth will ever enjoy."

Secret ingredient?

I'm pretty sure she sneaks in some essence of awesome as she bakes...because nothing is like hers!

She's an amazing woman, what can I say!

These mini ones my mother made are incredible though.

Just not quite as incredible as the real deal ;)

Don't worry, I'll be giving you the recipe...but don't be surprised if you feel like its missing something.

Because that something is my Nan's touch.

• 1 cup apricots and 1 cup raisins boiled in 2 Cups water
• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour

1. Preheat oven to 275
2. Cream butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla
3. Add eggs and mix well
4. Mix in flour and baking powder
5. Blend in apricots and raisins
6. Pour into loaf pans

You can use mini or one large one!

Stick them in the oven for two hours, or until they are cracked and the toothpick comes out clean!!

 I hope you enjoy these as much as we do in our house.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

For the third day of baking I chose simplicity!

My trick to these salty sweet sensations?

I trace them with the chocolate rather than dipping.

I put my melted chocolate into a plastic bag, seal it, and cut a little tiny corner off.

It's a makeshift piping bag!!

Just another thing that my bakery job has taught me =)

Sidenote: Lately, it has taught me that I am a human. Who makes mistakes.

Lots of mistakes.

Such as (but not limited to):

Forgetting half of an order in the fridge

Making ugly treats

Cutting myself with my own thumb. Not the scissors I was using.

Etc. Etc.

But I still love my job, and hopefully it loves me.

Humanity and all ;)

Seven Days of Baking-Day One

Here is a preview of what is coming =)

And an idea to what my day consisted of.

Creating, eating, enjoying!

Today, though, the focus is...

Shortbread!!

Whipped up,

Melt in your mouth,

Pure heaven.

They are the little wreath in the center of the picture ^^

And they are also an incredibly simple recipe.

• 1 Cup butter (softened, but not melting at all)
• 1/2 Cup cornstarch
• 1/2 Cup icing sugar
• 1 Cup flour

• Cream the butter--really well. Really really well. It's super important to the "melt in your mouth" situation previously mentioned.
• Once its creamed, add in all of the other ingredients, and beat until fluffy.
• Either put them in a cookie press an pop them out, or drop by the spoonful. Your choice.
• I suggest spoonful...they are touchy little guys in that press...

• They should look probably a little less misshapen than mine. I had to do some emergency wreath creating. As shown with the poor little fellow in the bottom left corner...
• Now, bake them in an oven at 325 for 15-20 minutes (mine took 18)
• And they should come out golden and delicious!

• DO NOT try to move them for a while. They will disintegrate. Tragically.
• Once you can move them, though, you can drizzle. Or devour. The decision lies with you.

Enjoy!!

Home Again

This is the breakfast of champions.

By champions, I mean those who have:

Passed all of their final exams.

Come back to their home.

Cooked multiple meals in few days.

Started back at their job at a bakery.

And are about to go back to their ballet studio.

Do you know any of those champions?

Yeah...I only know me ;)

College vs Home

Sandwiches

College

Vs

Home

See the difference a real fridge and food make?

My taste buds sure did ;)

Give Thanks

I know, it's a little late.

But better late than never, right?

Deviled Eggs

Macaroni and Cheese

Cornbread Stuffing

Deep Fried Turkey

The Master Carver

They knew something tasty was happening...

Turkey!

Green Bean Casserole

Sweet Potato Fries

My Plate!

Our leftovers...

Dessert!

I don't really think more words are necessary at this point ;)

Where The Heart Is

Home sweet home.

There really is nothing like it...

I was a little nervous that upon my return I would feel like a visitor.

But within moments of arriving, I knew I was home.

Also, within a couple of hours, 

I was already in the kitchen!

Mexican Munch was the product of my elation over the availability of a kitchen!

 Smiley face bowl, I've missed you too.

A Pampered Chef recipe...naturally.

One which I made last year too, I believe.

My mom and I are obsessed!

Can't keep our fingers out of it!

Mexican Munch

Adapted from The Pampered Chef

• 1 (4-ounce) can shoestring potato sticks
• 1 (3-ounce) can French-fried onions
• 2 cups Chex type cereal
• 1/2 cup Cheerios
• 1/2 cup sweet oat squares
• 1 cup rice noodles
• 3/4 peanuts
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds
• 1/3 envelope taco seasoning
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (not packed)
• 1 tsp garlic and sea salt
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 250

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl

Mix it up!

The face is necessary for the flavor to be right.

It should look like this when you're done!

Pour half of the butter over and mix again.

Repeat with the rest of the butter.

Now pour all of it into a deep pan and put it in the oven!

Bake for thirty minutes, stirring every ten.

When it comes out, let it cool completely.

Then store and enjoy!

The one thing that being home has reminded me?

This is where I belong.

Not quite Longview, just with my family.

Thanks isn't enough to give when it comes to these people!

Waiting

I am just impatient.

Currently cannot wait for Wednesday.

Because I am so ready to go home, its crazy.

These next two days couldn't go by fast enough!

But, in the meantime, I've been trying to keep busy.

I've had a good weekend.

Doing the college thing...

You know,

studying ;)

Went to a game yesterday,

The last home game of the season!

Hook 'Em Horns!

Even though we lost, every game is so much fun!

Just an indescribable experience.

I've also been relaxing a lot.

They really weren't lying when they said you nap more in college than in preschool...

I swear, not having nap time is like the coming of the apocalypse!

My bed and I have really become closer in these last few months...

As have my teddy bears and I!

Paws Up.

See that bruise on my knee?

Fell down some stairs.

I'm a graceful ballerina, you know!

All around, it's been a great weekend.

And tonight, I got to eat at one of my favorite places on the Drag.

Rasta Pasta!

Tess and I shared a delicious ravioli dish.

Doesn't my phone take great pictures?!

Called Dreadlock Ravioli.

Yes, everything at this restaurant is Bob Marley themed.

So fun. Moderately cliche.

Altogether delicious!

This was ricotta filled raviolis in a marinara sauce with jerk chicken.

Ahh, how I love having someone to split these delicious dishes with!

Tess is as adventurous with food as I am, which is a total blessing.

Now, I'm about to watch Princess and the Frog.

And be nice and cozy.

In my stuffily hot room!

Seriously though, 80 degrees in November?

It's not right at all.

Hopefully this week fixes this weather weirdness!

New week, clean slate, and only two days of school.

Let's just hope that time flies!

Wednesdays

For some reasons, Wednesdays are always my worst days.

Maybe it's because they are the hump day.

Maybe the fates just don't look in my favor on those days.

Whatever the reason, they always seem to be a little darker than the rest.

And this Wednesday started out no different.

But in the end? Definitely one of the best!

Two girls in my nutrition program, Danielle and Jessica, and I went out for dinner.

At Sandra Bullock's restaurant, no less.

It's called Bess Bistro and is on Sixth Street.

Did you know it existed? I didn't either until earlier this week!

But let me tell you. Yum.

Classy too! 

That dark, comfortable vibe just filled the restaurant.

The type of ambiance that makes you feel fine about spending around 2 and a half hours at dinner.

And that it is perfectly acceptable to order two desserts.

=)

Anyway, enough words.

Time for some food porn.

Chop Salad

Danielle had the Chop Salad.

With turkey, avocado, tomatoes, hard boiled egg.

And it's supposed to have bacon.

But, like I would have, she opted out of it.

Asparagus and Macaroni

Jessica had the Macaroni Au Gratin.

And Asparagus side.

Both of which were phenomenal.

So many cheeses in the mac, and the asparagus was perfectly cooked.

I would know, because I ate half of those veggies...

And what did I order?

Spinach and Fried Egg Salad

The Spinach and Fried Egg Salad!

By fried egg, I mean the egg is that fried ball on top.

And next to that ball?

A good ole' smear of goat cheese =)

You know me, and my adoration for that bitter taste.

It was such a decadent salad, with so many aspects to its flavors.

I loved it!

And before you think that we Nutrition girls don't eat fun foods,

Just keep scrolling down!

Cherry and Apple Cobbler

Affogato Chocolate Brownie

That's right. We had two.

And not at the same time.

We ordered the cobbler.

Devoured it in moments.

And deemed the brownie a necessity!

Both were delicious, but I would definitely recommend the cobbler.

Oh, it was good.

The whole meal was!

And those girls?

Let's just say I can't wait to spend at least the next four years of my life being graced by their company =)

Danielle, Me, and Jessica

What can I say?

The best remedy to a bad day:

Good friends, good food, and good times!

Take Five.

It's true what they say, you know. 

Taking a few minutes each day just to breathe and appreciate what life has given you is really good for you.

And I feel like it's important all the time to do so.

Not only around Thanksgiving!

And so, today I am appreciating Whole Foods.

Once again!

My ability to bike to it, to buy myself treats, and to experience such variety of quality foods.

I went yesterday.

And it sure was a good trip.

With the beautiful backdrop of...sheets. Yes it's classy.

The trip itself was another break I had taken.

You see, I have a bio test today.

And a presentation for a research inquiry.

Both of which I've been prepping for diligently over this past week.

But it's not a good thing to just cram cram cram.

The real world does exist, and its just a few steps away from my laptop!

Momentary ventures out are very necessary.

And very satisfying.

This time, I bought a couple of things which I haven't tried before.

Mmm carbs. Carbs carbs carbs!

You could say I was feeling adventurous.

Or just curious.

Or just satisfying my cravings.

Either way, I'm a happy girl!

I also tried Maple Pecan Sorbetto...which was decadent.

Delicious.

Delightful!

All around a perfect afternoon treat for a little me.

And if you're wondering where I put all of this food in my cupboard of a room?

All of that food belongs to Marianna!

Don't worry, I had an empty half of a fridge!

Which is now plenty filled.

As it very well should be.

I only bought enough for about a week...because in just one week I get to go home!

I cannot wait.

Too bad I'll be studying...as always!

Before I leave and go back to work though, I'd like to take a moment to appreciate my lunch today.

It's peanut butter jelly time!

If I could explain the way I have been yearning for peanut butter, you would think I'm crazy.

But the fact that I just referred to it as a yearning for such a common item...

I think it's already obvious that I am insane!

But oh, I was so happy when I came in today from dance.

Soaking wet from our morning monsoon, I might add.

Got all dried up and clean.

And got to enjoy some peanut buttery goodness =)

Dip it, smear it, whatever. I totally made a mess of my desk!

And now, I must leave to make a final presentation.

And take my last bio test before the final!

Wishes of luck are much appreciated!