Sushi Night!

November is speeding right along taking the sunshine and good times with it. I have so many papers piling up and I am beginning to think that my efforts to get them done before Thanksgiving will be in vain. I do keep this thought in mind, however, that each time the semester speeds up and I think that there is no possible way to get all my assignments done... I do. Somehow, despite the height and depth of my procrastination I get it all done (all praise be to God, He really is too good to me :)).

Anyway, amongst the endlessness of homework, papers, and tests I am given small, beautiful opportunities to do something fun and new and out of the ordinary. This week's fun has been brought to me by my incredibly thoughtful sister-in-law and brother. They sent me a package containing almost everything I would need to make sushi for the first time! And make sushi I did. And it was awesome.

I was somewhat nervous about the whole process, but I was able to skype Alisha, my sister-in-law, and she talked me through it. I have to say that I had so much fun! It really isn't hard once you get the hang of it. I love it because there are so many different options to go inside the sushi. I made mine with cucumber, avocado, carrot, cream-cheese, green onion, and salmon. It turned out to be very tasty and even my boyfriend, Sam, liked it (and ate a lot of it). I made enough to share with Sam's sister and brother-in-law. It was really great to just hang out in the middle of the week and eat some delicious sushi. Moments like that are kind of nice; the time when one can just take a break and enjoy good company and good food. It clears my mind and is good for my soul.

So I want to send out a special thanks to Alisha and Rob for completely making my week and giving me a chance to take a break from the monotony and grind of school! You guys are seriously the best!

Twenty-One on the Twenty-Seventh

This past weekend I celebrated by 21st birthday! There were so many great moments, it's hard to know where to begin. Friday night my sister and cousin arrived to spend a couple nights with me at Andrews. It was so much fun to see them both and I wish they could come visit more often! I was determined to make Michigan/Andrews University look good to LeAnne because I want her to come to school here, instead of Union College. Making this state look good is hard. BUT, I think I was somewhat successful in taking them to St. Joseph on Saturday afternoon. It's a very cute touristy town, only twenty minutes from campus. We walked on the pier by Lake Michigan and went to the ever-delicious Chocolate Cafe. LeAnne had the local "Lake Effect Coco" and Kristin had a pretty intense piece of turtle cheesecake. I enjoyed the "Chocolate Chai" and it was amazing. Chai is always amazing; no matter what shape or form it takes.


Saturday evening was when the party began. My wonderful room-mate Marlyn planned an all girls party. The night would consist of bowling in our best dresses, followed by some DE-licious chocolate fondue (yes, I had my fill of chocolate last weekend). Getting to go hang out with all my girlfriends was seriously the most fun I have had in a long time. The nice thing about an all girls party is you can dance and dance and not feel stupid. This was my twenty-first birthday party and Marlyn made me where a ridiculous party hat and feather scarf. Most of the people who asked how I old I was didn't believe me when I told them I was turning 21. Except one exceptionally short gentle-fellow who offered to buy me a drink. It went something like this: Gentle-fellow: 21?! What's your favorite drink?
Me: Uhh I don't know any drinks...
Gentle-fellow: Ok, ok, well what's your favorite flavor?
Me: I don't know... strawberry?? But you really don't have to--
Gentle-fellow: No, no I'll be right back with a drink.
Leah: You realize you're gonna HAVE to drink it since he bought it for you, right?
Lucky for my he didn't end up coming back. I have imagined what it would be like to be bought a drink for my 21st birthday... I didn't imagine it like that.

On Sunday, my actual birthday, Sam made me turkey bacon and eggs for breakfast. And that night we went to Papa Vino's Italian Restaurant. It was tasty and delicious as usual. I got to wear my birthday dress again, with heels this time instead of boots. I also have to add that I bought those heels on sale for, wait for it..... $11! Originally $60, thankyouverymuch.

So my twenty-first birthday was a complete success!! I have the best friends, family, and boyfriend anyone could ask for. I'm a pretty lucky girl.

My 2010 Christmas List

Here it is; a (tentative) compilation of all the things I would be happy, nay thrilled to receive for Christmas this year (in no particular order). Feel free to add some of these items to your own. I know you'll want to.

1. I really love rice. I would love to make rice in my dorm room. This one is pretty and it's the perfect size!

2. So far, this is my favorite piece of Medieval Literature. As an English major, I feel the need to start collecting some great literature and I can't think of a better one to start with. What can I say, I'm a sucker for courtly romances.

3. I don't consider myself to be an environmental nut BUT I do think that plastic bottles are completely bogus; a waste of money and resources. I would love one of these water-bottles (can't decide which one) because they're stainless steel, so they won't taste like plastic, and they have a "big bite valve"... for some reason I hate open mouth water-bottles. Oh, and they look awesome.

4.This fluffy lil guy because honestly, who doesn't want to unwrap a puppy on Christmas morning?

5.The most epic way to drink coffee.6.Probably the prettiest computer I've ever seen, and the thought of being able to fit in my purse makes me smile inside.

7. I know it's bad to judge a book by its cover but how georgeous are these?! A classic book that looks this good is definately something I want sitting on my shelf.

6. Another book. But this one is truly magnificent; 10x better than the movie (and I really love the movie).

The Sweetness

I don't have much going on at this point in my life. I'm home for the summer, and my mom is laid off for the summer. Today we were very productive. We baked. French bread to go with our fresh bruschetta and sweet rolls. Both turned out tasty and delicious, but the sweet rolls were especially amazing. I think it's safe to say they're the best I've ever had (please don't tell my grandmother). So here is the recipe, I strongly suggest you try it the next time you crave more than cereal for breakfast. It comes from what has been my favorite cookbook since I was 12, "Let's Bake, The Robin Hood No-Sift Way" copyright 1964.

Basic Sweet Dough:
4 1/4- 4 3/4 cups flour1/2 cups warm (not hot) water
2 packages (2 Tb) active dry yeast
3/4 cup lukewarm milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt*
1/3 oil
2 eggs

Soak yeast in 1/2 cup warm (not hot) water 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of flour, milk, eggs. Add another cup of flour followed by the oil, salt and sugar. Add remaining flour.
Knead until dough becomes smooth, elastic and no longer sticky (5-10 min). Place in lightly greased bowl, grease top of dough. Let rise until doubled. Punch down.

Sticky Bottom's:

Melt 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of butter, 4 tsp of water. Spread across bottom of pan.

Roll out sweet dough. Spread melted butter across, sprinkle with brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Roll the dough up, divide it and place it in your pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 25 min.

Pull from oven, flip the rolls over onto a plate or pan cover.


Frosted Sweet Rolls:

Roll out dough, spread melted butter over it.

Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Roll the dough up and divide into equal parts.

Place rolls into greased pan.

Bake at 375 for approx. 25 min.


The Most Amazing Frosting You Will Ever Eat:
1/2 stick of butter
2/3 stick of cream cheese
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Blend together and slather onto cinnamon rolls!

Hungry for Change

I just finished watching Food Inc. It was sad, disturbing, sickening, and infuriating. It was shocking but not completely surprising. All I can say is watch this movie, read the book (I plan to) and know what you're eating. Here's some links to find out more.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-issues.php,
http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php

Here are Ten Simple Things you can do to help change our food system

1.Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages.

You can lose 25 lbs in a year by replacing one 20 oz soda a day with a no calorie beverage (preferably water).

2.Eat at home instead of eating out.

Children consume almost twice (1.8 times) as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home.

3.Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.

Half of the leading chain restaurants provide no nutritional information to their customers.

4. Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.

Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have tripled in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years.

5. Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week.

An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals.

6.Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.

According to the EPA, over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the U.S.

7. Protect family farms; visit your local farmer's market.

Farmer's markets allow farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer.

8.Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.

The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to your dinner plate.

9.Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.

Each year, contaminated food causes millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths in the U.S.

10. Demand job protections for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and

other protections.

Poverty among farm workers is more than twice that of all wage and salary employees.

Not The Time

Today my family and I went over to my Aunt Corinne's house. It was a great time with family, as it always is. We ate (burgers, hot dogs, watermelon; all that amazing summertime food), we talked, and everyone mooned over the new baby in the family.

On the drive home we took the long way, through all the towns and places my parents grew up and spent their teenage years. It was a long day for the little one. She was tired. Tired of sitting in her car seat. She screamed endlessly (besides the five seconds between when she found her thumb) until we finally arrived home. I am thoroughly enjoying the time I'm getting to spend with my ridiculously adorable niece, but if nothing else it makes me realize that I am no where near wanting one of my own. As I see the selflessness my brother and sister-in-law possess, it makes me see my one selfishness. There's a time for everything and I have no doubt that when that time comes I will have what it takes to be a loving selfless mother; but I feel like now is not that time.

Tuesday we are headed to Noah's Ark Waterpark. I have a feeling the baby will stay at home.