Yesterday I wrote this rather hilarious (if I may say so myself) but probably slightly offensive blog post all about resolutions.
I decided not to post it for the latter reason (and also due to insecurity about the fact that I'm seriously not as hilarious and I believe myself to be ;) ).
Anyway, I can't decide if I love the whole New Year's Resolution hype, or if I find it a little silly.
Either way, I made two resolutions for this year.
1. Wear more lipstick
2. Have better posture
Yes, I am 100% serious :)
All of those other eating better, exercising more, being a better person things I like to work on and evaluate year round, or at least try to.
So for me, the New Year is just a refreshing moment where the whole world seems to push the reset button.
And it seems to put everyone in an incredibly happy mood.
For the past few years there's always been this special place in my heart for the night of Christmas Eve.
When the kids are in bed, milk and cookies have been set out and eaten up by Santa, when presents have magically appeared, and all of the adults settle in to get as much sleep as possible before the kids wake up with bright eyes and anxious bodies.
This is when I read the account in Luke chapter 2.
When I get to think about the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and what that means for me.
When I think about His ministry, His example, and how I can reflect that in my own life.
When I think about the atonement and what a blessing it is in so many ways.
This is when everything slows down.
This is when I have this special time to remember the real reason for the season, and how grateful I am for every way that I have been blessed.
This reflection and application of the Christ in Christmas changes Christmas morning.
While opening each gift and watching gifts I've given being opened, I remember why we show our love by giving.
It's symbolic of something more... of what we can give of ourselves to others and to the Savior because He gave such an incredible and priceless gift to us.
"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
I stopped posting and made my blog private after going back to school and feeling like I hardly had an exciting thing to write about, BUT, I am back.
First things first,
I have some pictures to share from earlier this summer.
My parents and I went on a hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
It was a gorgeous day.
Next...
While I was still living and working in Utah before heading back up to school I was able to go to a few of the different temples in the area.
I was most anxious to get to Mount Timpanogos because it's been my favorite for years, even though I had never seen it in person.
Let me tell you, it lived up to all of my expectations, and more.
Guys... this picture ^ is straight out of the camera.
You can't tell me that isn't stunning.
I'll be getting married there :)
Lastly in this little mini-photo update, Rexburg had some freezing rain on top of snow on top of freezing rain.
That was complicated, wasn't it?
I'll just let the pictures do the talking.
Needless to say, that storm really did make me feel like I was living in a winter wonderland.
Now, with that catch up post that transitioned us from summer, through early autumn, and to winter, I can appropriately post about Christmas later this week :)
I tend to try a lot of new recipes during my summer vacations, and there's nothing better than finding one that goes directly in your recipe box to be used over and over again in the future.
I woke up this morning anxious to try a brand new breakfast recipe.
I went straight to my "Breakfast" board on Pinterest hoping to find one that would catch my eye.
The second I saw this one I knew it had to be done :)
I made them for my mom and dad, and they were definitely a huge hit.
We had them with bananas, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon inside, with maple syrup drizzled on top.
I highly suggest that combination!
I really loved these because they were easy and incredibly delicious.
They have the same texture as crepes but are slightly thicker, which I really enjoyed.
Here is my slightly modified and more detailed recipe:
Banana Pancakes
Makes 6 pancakes
Pancakes:
1 ½ cup
all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Butter for
greasing (1/2 tablespoon melted before each pancake)
Maple syrup
Chopped
walnuts/cinnamon/berries/whatever else for filling along with bananas :)
Banana
Filling:
6 bananas (1
per person per pancake) peeled and sliced
4
tablespoons melted butter (adjust if you’re doing less bananas, otherwise there
will be too much better to allow for them to brown)
Method:
Most important step: Turn on Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" and happy cooking!
Sift flour
into a bowl and add eggs, milk, and sugar. Mix and beat well and set aside.
Heat melted
butter in a pan (adjust for less butter if you're using less than six bananas!), add the bananas, toss until coated, and cook over medium heat
until the bananas start to soften and brown. Make sure not to overcook the
bananas. Dish out and set aside.
Melt a little
butter (1/2 tablespoon) in a non-stick frying pan (can be same as one bananas
were cooked in) and pour the pancake mixture into the pan and cook over medium
heat until the edges and underside are beginning to golden. Turn the pancake over and cook the other
side. Transfer to a plate and immediately fill the pancake with the banana and whatever
filling you may want (we did chopped almonds and cinnamon). Fold in half and drizzle maple syrup
on the pancake!
Once upon a time I set out to find the perfect homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe.
It's no secret that I'm a chocolate chip cookie lover, and let's be honest, there really isn't anything better than a fresh-out-of-the-oven, ooey gooey, need-a-big-glass-of-milk to follow it up, chocolate chip cookie.
I began my venture nearly three years ago, and I am proud to say that as of June 16th, I accomplished my goal.
I had given up on believing pinteresters claims that they held the secret to the best cookie recipe, so I found two that looked promising, did a little tweaking, and voila, I ended up with cookies that my father claims "are better than Mrs. Fields."
(I'll be honest, I don't think I've ever had a Mrs. Fields cookie. Shocking coming from a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, I know, but I take that as quite the compliment :) )
Baking just feels wrong without a cute apron and some Frank Sinatra
Now I'm no food photographer, and I don't pretend to be, so be nice.
And they actually stayed that fluffy!
Even hours later when we came home from a concert they were just as soft and delicious as they had been earlier that afternoon.
My mother will attest to the fact that I was the happiest girl alive that day.
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