Be Mine

I never know how to feel about Valentines Day. This year, I think I have my feelings figured out.

Growing up, Valentines day is like another Halloween. You get to give out valentines (some more awkward than others, because you have to give one to everyone in your class), you get to make crafts and eat lots of sweets and candy. It was just a good day.
Then, when these days of valentine requirements is gone, and the idea of actually 'competing' (like the Hunger Games, but for men instead of your life), comes up, Valentines sort of lost its appeal. The Hallmark-ness seemed to hit in, and even now- it often seems like Valentines day is a day for women to be pampered by their men, and show the world how much their husbands can do for them.

We all know the story of St. Valentines.
Okay, maybe we don't. But we have some sort of idea, or have heard rumors.
It didn't end pretty, that is where I will end that one.

So what I don't get, is why does Valentines day have to be isolated to the person we are romantic with? I mean, all year long- I tell Joe I love him, and I think it means even more to him (I know i do) when he does romantic gestures that are NOT on intended romantic holidays. We have our anniversary. And then we have 364 (sometimes 365) other days of the year to rave about how much we appreciate and care for each other.

So, really, shouldn't valentines day be about LOVE? Not for those who we may share a bed or home with- but those who impact our lives for the better? Our capacity to love should not be limited to the ring on our finger. It should be only limited to how big our heart is.

I love Joseph.
And I really do like Valentines day, because why should anyone hate a day that is meant to show our love for each other?
I love Sariah, and my family, our furry animals, and all my friends and those wonderful teachers who have helped me, encouraged me and taught me along the way.

So, to you all,  HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

I can't help but to laugh at this as I scroll threw my Facebook feed. =]

Read More

Ash Wednesday

I have a strong attachment to Ash Wednesday. Something I will never do anything about probably, but one day- I hope I can.

No, this picture really has nothing to do with the post. But I didn't know what picture would be appropriate for this post...

I am not Catholic, and I do not know a lot about their religion, faith, or traditions. So I do not want to demean this day for those who hold it sacred. But my dad grew up Catholic, and I was born in a Catholic hospital.
This is the way I understand my birth:

I was due on February 14th.
I was two weeks late (the only of all 4 kids, and I was the youngest). I ended up being born in February 28th. Which also happened to be ASH WEDNESDAY.

My dad was coming up to my mom's room in the elevator, and *insert joke here* ran into a priest. After hearing the good news my dad had to share, and noticing no ash- the priest blessed my dad and marked his forhead. So when my dad entered my mom's room, being Latter-Day Saints, she was a bit confused to see the ash on his head.

No, not a funny spectacular story- but it has always been special to me. Birth stories are always special, and we all need something that sets ours apart. This day, does it for me.

Plus, I was born on a Holiday that allows me to still retain all the glory =].

Read More

It's the most favorite COOKIE of the year!

Today I made my all-time favorite cookies.
Now, I know that I mentioned over in this post that Chocolate chip cookies were my favorite, and that is mostly true. Like how Westley was mostly dead. But not.


So, my favorite cookies- are my favorite. But, they only come once a year. Okay, maybe twice- depending on how many times we make them, but they are only made during Christmas time. They are STARLIGHT SUGAR CRISPS.
We would make these cookies at least twice a Christmas, and they are a family tradition and a favorite. No Christmas is right without them.

And oh my, they are amazing. And flaky. And vanilla-sugary good. And have NO SUGAR (Okay, I feel a bit fake saying that- it is true that there is NO sugar in the dough, but they are rolled in sugar- like instead of rolling them out on flour, its sugar. So, still pretty healthy, right? Right).

But, I will admit, they require some work. And I do admit, they don't seem like much at first. But trust me, they get addictive fast. Apparently when my dad first tried them (the cookies come from my moms side), he described them as a sort of mexican pastry.
I just call them CHRISTMAS.

(Also, I forgot to take pictures while I was actually making the dough. So sorry. But that is the easy part- the hard part is actually rolling them and making them part. So there you go!)

STEP 1. 

(Again, sorry- no pictures).
Make the dough. Basically it entails combining flour, salt- then cutting in butter. Then blend eggs, sour cream (shocker), vanilla and yeast (that you do need to prepare before). And you mix it all. See recipe bellow.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Step 2.

(This is where it gets tricky).
Make sugar/vanilla mix (see recipe below)

Step 3

(This is where it gets REAL tricky)

 Divide dough in half.
On a board/counter/surface of your choosing, spread 1/2 c. vanilla sugar. Roll out one half of the dough to a 16x8" rectangle.

My mom always used a regular school ruler. But, I didn't have one on hand. So, to the sewing machine I went!

Don't be too worried about it being a perfect rectangle. It get's more even as you fold and roll more times.

Step 4. 

Sprinkle rolled out dough with 1 Tbsp of vanilla sugar.

Step 5

Fold the dough into thirds. 

Make sense? Kinda like a letter.

Step 6

Turn 1/4 way around and repeat steps 2-6 two more times. (Aka roll out and fold two more times).

Like I said, by this time your dough will be getting pretty rectangle by its own- but will also get harder to roll out!

Step 7

For one last time, roll out the dough to another 16x8" rectangle, about 1/4" thick. Cut the dough into 4x1" strips. 

I know not all these are cut through, but you get the idea, right?

Just make them all separate strips.

Step 8

Twist each strip as best you can and place securely on an un-greased cookie sheet.

Notice all those layers? That is what you want!

I am very proud of this picture. I am working on my photography skills- and so far, this little guy is the best I got.

We always packed them tightly on a sheet. They will rise/grow and touch- just be careful and remove them quickly after taking out of the oven.

Step 9

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. 

Or, you can store the cookie dough for up to 4 days in the fridge. 

Makes 5 dozen twists.

Starlight Sugar Crisps

1 pkg dry yeast in 1/4 c. very warm water

3 3/4 c. flour

1 c. butter

1/2 c. sour cream

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 beaten eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Vanilla Sugar

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Sift together flour and salt in mixing bowl. Cut in butter until particles are size of small peas. Blend in eggs, sour cream, vanilla and softened yeast. Mix thoroughly. Cover and chill at least two hours.

Combine sugar and vanilla.

Roll out half of chilled dough on pastry cloth or a board that has been sprinkled with about 1/2 c. of vanilla sugar. Roll out to a 16x8" rectangle. Sprinkle with about 1 Tbsp. more vanilla sugar.

Fold one end of dough over center. Fold other end over to make three layers. Turn 1/4 way around and repeat rolling and folding twice, sprinkling board and dough with additional vanilla sugar as needed.

Rol out to a 16x8" rectangle about 1/4" thick. Cut dough into 4x1" strips. Twist each strip 2 or 3 times. Place on un-greased baking sheet. Repeated with remaining dough.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden brown.

Read More

Christmas Time is here!

I am linking up with a bunch of other bloggers to talk about Christmas.

Because it is a FANTASTIC time of the year.

I have officially commanded that all radio stations be stuck on the Christmas channel.

Well, just our household.

Okay, well I haven't old Joe. It's a given.

But, anyways. For the last 2 days they have been having a radio-a-thon for the "adopt a family" program. It made me happy when they would report that all of the families of 8 had been adopted, or when all the elderly people had been adopted.

I was driving to the Children's Museum and had to turn the radio off when they announced that all they had left were 4 families. It made me happy. I wish people were this giving all year long. But I am happy that people still care.

Tonight we officially kicked off the Christmas season with our first festive event. The Lincoln's Children Museum had a "Holiday Spectacular" that included Christmas story readings, Ginger bread house making, and Santa!

In all reality, you had to pay for most things or get there really early to get a ticket.

But still, Sariah loves it there.

Except it was SUPER packed. And hot. And the toddler section that is meant for kids under 3 was filled with obnoxious 8 year old boys running around throwing balls everywhere.

Sorry, this is supposed to be a Christmas post.

By the way, Sariah wants to be a vet.

Anyways. It was a great evening, and it was wonderful to be together as a family doing something for Christmas.

Read More

Orange you going to say banana?

When you really come down to it, the thing is, I don't like fall.

As simple as that.

I am astounded at the overwhelming amount of blogs, Facebook status's, cute pictures and pin's I am seeing on the web about peoples overwhelming love for the season I deem as the "Monday of seasons" or "Armpit of the seasons". 

I was thinking about why I do not like this season, and really, it makes a lot of sense.

1. I was born and raised here

Doesn't make sense? Well, this is the central coast of California. A place where we boast of our perfect 70 degree weather all year long. Where the winters are short and the summers and longer. Its perfection. Seasons rarely exist. So I am not one to favor a change in temperature, let alone the constant varying in degrees that fall inevitably brings- one day it will be cold, the next warm, then rainy. But growing up, I could depend on the weather to be "nice".

2. Fall is the Monday of seasons.

Fall is really like Monday. It means school is back in session. It means colder weather, an end to summer festivities like beaches, and endless days of sunlight and playing. It is the season you have to get through to get to Winter (which I love because 1-Christmas, and 2-my birthday. Along with the fact that there are LOTS more Holidays), then you deal with Spring, then, joy abounds with SUMMER once again, the true weekend of the seasons.

3. Leaves.

Growing up we had two LARGE trees in our front yard. In california, at least where I lived, leaves din't turn pretty colors. They went from green- to on the ground dead. And being the youngest that I was, had to rake them up. What seemed like every day. So, my memory of leaves and the relationship that we have ends at raking. 

4. Clothes.

I hate the idea of layering on and off clothes just to enter buildings and go outside. The only good things Scarves do is protect me from potential vampire threats. And Gloves are just hard to function in.

5. Pumpkins.

I am not a pumpkin fan. Honestly, for as much as people "CLAIM" to love chocolate- they always seem to opt out for Pumpkin pie instead of Chocolate when it is offered. I, on the other hand, will stay a true fan. 

6. Halloween. 

Ya, just not my thing. As a kid it was fun- but now I just find it pointless. And black? Totally not my color. I am a bright and cheery sort of gal and choose YELLOW anytime. 

7. Soup & Hot drinks

I LOVE THIS. But I do NOT understand why people classify them as "Fall foods" and not "Winter foods". 

So, there you have it.

I am a rebel.

I am the devils advocate.

I am different.

And I like it.

I mean, don't get me wrong- Fall can have some perks. 

Like, growing up we went every year to Avila Barn area to get apples and apple cider. I LOVED that. 

And I love the smells and scents that come out in candles and such (But more so because they signify the Holiday season, not Fall). 

I love the idea of decorating and crafting- so I will still do that. I just don't look FORWARD to it. I look forward to Winter, and Summer. And that is that.

Read More