Presents

Well it’s official. I’m a liar. Here I was promising you lots of posts while exams happened… and instead I pretty much just disappear. My apologies. I have been out there reading blogs (somewhat, I did take a break when I went to Whistler for three days which was AMAZING.) just not posting any myself.

Yesterday I met up with a dietitian who has a job that is pretty similar to what I’d love to be doing. We just had coffee and chatted and it was fun and gave me lots of food for thought.

I also went Christmas shopping and bought some of my friends their gifts. Can you believe yesterday was the first official day of me Christmas shopping??? Yeah, I know, most people are finishing…

But for some of my friends I did a little DIY project.

Way back during Angela’s Project Food Blog, she made some Blondies in a Jar. I loved the idea, but know there was no way I’d have enough of all the ingredients (or be able to find big enough jars!) to make that for my friends.

Instead I stuck with Hot Chocolate in a Jar.

Directions

1. Make Hot Chocolate Mix as you like it (mine is probably 1 cup cocoa powder to 3/4 cup sugar [white & brown} with liberal amounts of cinnamon sprinkled in).

2. Get your jars (mine were $1.50 at the dollar store, then I just cleaned them).

3. Split evenly, leaving room for marshmellows.

4. Experiment with different wrapping techniques.

5. give to friends.

Overall, they turned out quite well. The cards had little directions for making the best cup of cocoa. And that was that. I often find myself making gifts for people every few years, I love the hands on feel of DIY projects.

Well I’m off to do… NOTHING!!! I love being done exams and school, I have a good ten days of freedom now. Though I do have some Christmas shopping left to do…

That Time of Year

It’s that time of year.

Where there’s ribbons and bows, and candles.

We celebrate with friends, classmates, and co-workers; Happy Holidays! Another year comes to an end.

Where frost is on the ground, and leaves have fallen down.

It’s that time of year where procrastination becomes an art.

Be it baking, photography, or internet surfing.

It’s that time of year that I’d much rather be outside walking around.

Then cooped up in here, hovering over my textbook.

But if I want to pass, I guess I should get to work.

So goodnight blog world, I’ll see you again tomorrow!

PS The Ginger cookies are a vegan recipe I’m working on, it’s not quite ready, when it is, I’ll let you know.

Christmas Eating Recap

Hello! Sorry for the long break! What can I say? Without a schedule I get really bad at actually doing stuff I need to be doing. I work much better when I’m busy.

So what have I been up to? Baking. Cooking. Eating. More eating, and lots of TV watching. I’m pretty sure I haven’t watched this much TV in… well, probably since summer after my first year. But for once I’m sort of enjoying the total lazyness.

So when I last left you I was about to get into some baking. Oh boy did I.

May I present some Orange and Almond Biscotti:

The next day I made supper. At least I think it was the next day, they all blend, so maybe it was a couple days later. It was a delicious Acorn Squash and Coconut Curry soup. It was soooo amazing. The coconut milk made it so buttery. I didn’t follow a recipe at all. Just cooked it up from what I knew about squash, and curry spices. Yum.

We had Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve. My brother is an aspiring speed skater, so he had training early today. Watch out, one day he just might be in the Olympics (not this year though, he’s still young for a skater, and isn’t quite on the national team).

On the Menu:

• Turkey (not for me)
• Wild Rice stuffing
• Brussel Sprouts with Mushrooms
• Mandarine Orange, Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad
• Mocha Cake and traditional Coconut and Pecan Icing.
• White wine (few too many glasses)

Sorry about this marathon post!

I’m off to do more Holiday-like things (already did a little Boxing Day shopping, done with that for today!) and I’ll post more later.

Merry Belated Christmas!

Home For the Holidays

Well it’s been awhile. My how time flies when you’re not in school.

Thursday I tried to do my chirstmas shopping. But unfortunately I didn’t quite finish. Dang it. Holiday shopping = not fun.

But now I’m home. Upon getting  home friday I set my sights on some candy making. Fudge!

Here it is cooling. OMG, did that take forever!

This fudge was like WAY too sweet to be honest. Makes my teeth hurt. And yet can’t stop eating it.

Yesterday was super busy. First I went and got groceries. My parents were up late doing Operation Red Nose (driving the drunks home.) and these days you have to hit the stores early to avoid the horribleness that is holiday shopping. Plus I LOVE grocery shopping and when I’m home I use my parents money to indulge in a few things I totally wouldn’t on my own.

Then it was off to the Christmas Tree Farm!

Our tree!

We’ll be setting it up later. After the tree hunting (I did the chopping, hard work!) we went to a little coffee chain Cowboy Coffee for some treats.

Raspberry and Pistachio biscotti. This was delicious! Usually I’m sorely disappointed by store made biscotti. But this was really good.
My mom knows about the blog (I don’t know if she reads it) and upon seeing me photographing my treat, pushed hers in front of my camera…

Pumpkin pecan loaf. Also really good (I had to have a bite!). And then so my dad wouldn’t feel left out I snapped a quick shot of his raspberry muffin:

After this I went to meet my friend for a little catch up and shopping. I had a pita from Extreme Pita but I didn’t take a picture. I still didn’t finish my shopping, all I accomplished was getting my self  a hat.

I went for a run last night, which is slightly dangerous as Kamloops is a valley, and I live at the top of the hill, so all the running is up or down. But I was careful, ran in lit places and watched for icy patches. It was so nice to run around and look at the Christmas lights. Made me all warm and fuzzy.

The night ended with a trip out for some fun and dancing. When we left the bar it was snowing! So far I’ve seen snow and sun in Kamloops. Love it! Even the cloudiness seems brighter then Vancouver.

Alright I’m off. I think I need to do some baking. Hmmm, something yummy. I’m honestly leaving to some biscotti… with an orange and cloves plus cinnamon flavour? Hmmm, think I’ll browse the net before I settle on a final plan.

The Last Shop

Dun Dun Dun.

Well I survived the double examing today. Barely, but I’m alive. Let’s just say… I don’t even want to think about it.

I’ve taken the afternoon/evening off. Watched TV, napped. And went for my last grocery shop here in Van! Until January that is. Yep, I’ll be leaving in one week exactly! This time next friday I plan to be home sweet home.

The Loot:

Yep. Look at that kale! So nice and green. Last week I had my first Kale Chip experience, and I think a repeat is in order for this week. And lots of other healthy snacks. Picked up some dried mango, which I’m munching on right now. And a little chemical treat, aka coke zero. Sometimes a girl’s just gotta indulge!

On the agenda for tonight. CLEANING!!! Yay! Yes I’m looking forward to cleaning. See I love neatness. But I’m a total clutter bug. It’s funny to go home (to my parent’s home) because when I first arrive it’s usually nice and clean, then these little piles of paper, or my computer, or like other random junk just end up everywhere!

And it’s the same here. Seriously, my s*** is all over the place. I don’t know how my parents put up with me. Guess I’m just so lovable.

Want some before pictures? Hopefully soon they’ll be after pictures. (though it’s going to be one of those, clean while chilling evenings. aka the tv will be on.)

Man. look at that junk! Those bags in the corner are full of hoodies that residents bought…

And the bedroom: Ok, is my giraff print housecoat not fabulous? It was a rando Christmas present from my mom last year.

And the other corner of the bedroom:

… I have no excuse.

Well, I’m off, and I’ll be back later, with some after pics.

Night internet folks!

Because Food is for More then eating!

I was bored last night so…

I took an orange:

And some whole cloves:

I poked some wholes in that orange, inserted some cloves, and 45min later lookie what I had:

A pomander!I had no idea that’s what it was called. When I was little I had this craft book that had this in it. I’ve wanted to make one forever! And I finally did. It smelled soooooo good in here last night because of it.

This evening I had a super late supper (9pm! That’s late for me…):

Some sort of Smoothie Green Monster in a Bowl. Yum. With some cereal and some raisins mixed in. (thanks Kath and Angela and Liz! lol

Why was supper so late?

I tried out for a musical today!!!!!

So crazy. I don’t usually do this sort of thing. I don’t even know why I did it. I’ve always been interested in musicals and stuff… so I thought, why not? I just want a small part, but it will be fun to be involved! And if I change my mind… I change my mind, but it’s better to at least try then not and regret it. 

LOL. We’ll see. I’m more worried about whether or not I’ll have time, you know? A girl can only take so much on her plate before she collapses. Right now though I’m on the sort of high you get from pushing your boundaries.