Mint Brownies

I've been craving a chocolate mint combo, so figured brownies were a good place to start. This was actually my second choice of how to do this, but it won out due to laziness. Good thing it was a success....even though Henry thought they were cinnamon flavored. I think his taste buds were just confused.

Mint Brownies

2 eggs

1/2 + 1/8 c cocoa powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbs vanilla extract

1 stick of butter

1 1/8 c sugar

3/4 c flour

1/4 c chocolate chips
1 c chopped Andes mints

• Preheat oven to 350* and grease your brownie pan (8x8).
• Beat the eggs, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla until smooth.
• In a separate bowl microwave to melt the butter, add the sugar, and stir. Microwave a little longer until hot. It should become shiny as you stir. Heat once more (about 1 min) - this will create a shiny top crust on the brownies.
• Add the hot butter/sugar mix to the chocolate concoction and stir until smooth.
• Mix in the flour (in three parts), chocolate chips, and Andes mints.
• Pour into your greased pan, and bake for 35-45 min.

Gone before lunmch = win

"Then I Got Biblical With It"

Marshall had painted his room white and splashed glow in the dark paint on it. He turned the lights off to show me and it kind of looked like a crime scene that also included the phrase "To the window, to the wall." He then pointed out the paint above the doors and windows and said that he "got biblical with it" in reference to putting blood above your door to protect the first born...wonder if he realizes that he's 3rd born? Anyway, it cracked me up.

Let's cover most of my trip with bullet points shall we? (we shall)

• I had made plans with Dad two weeks prior to my arrival. When I showed up at his house for dinner he looked surprised...he totally forgot I was coming. Seriously?
• Went to la Espanol with Dad and his family. Turns out Dad is pretty weird and put honey all over his enchiladas and beans. Who does that? I tried it and it was alright, but I prefer to keep my honey on sophapillas.
• As I was sitting in the living room with Dad's family he told me that Chris (stepbrother) had some news for me. I thought he was going to announce that he'd gotten into the Navy because that was his plan at one point, so I was bracing myself to give an encouraging response...then he drops the bomb that he's going to be a dad. My response? "Ohmygawd? Ohmygawd. Ohmygawd! Ohmygawd. Ohmygawd. Congrats?" Dad: "Jes seems really shocked by this." Umm, yeah, because you totally didn't mention this when we talked on the phone.
• Spent two days baking with my gma and considered retiring so we could do that everyday. Weirdly they didn't want to pay my student loans or car payment, so that dream died fast.
• Ran a last minute 5k and got 2nd in my division. Oh, the perks of small town races. Even when you have your slowest 5k ever  (like ever ever) you might still place and feel like an undeserving champ.  The air is so cold and dry in Dalhart that I feared my insides were going to completely dry up and mummify me from the inside out (I don't think that's how mummies are made...whatevs). My insides burned and my kidneys hurt - first time for everything? I hope it was just the air, but I guess I'll test it out when I get back to Houston.
• Saw one of my best girls get married!
• And had the best date there.
• Spent some time with my Mom. And we went to DQ! Well, what else are you going to do in Sunray?
• Spent my last supper roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. perfection.

• And my grandparents made me a roasting chair - seriously, the perks of living far away.

• donuts.donuts.donuts.

Awesome & Awkward Friday

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving break!

Linking up with From My Grey Desk to share my fave five awesome & awkward things from the week!

Awesome

• Amanda, Sven, and Stacy introduced me to tactical laser tag. New fave thing!
• the soreness I felt after my Monday weight sesh. It burned so good! I might have to force Stacy to stand by me more often because I felt like she did push my weights in a few areas.
• Short week!
• I've been immersed in music all week. Breaking Dawn pt. 2, Lana Del Ray, and Nikki Reed & Paul McDonald have been my soundtrack.
• Got an unexpected black friday deal on TVD season 3!

Awkward

• I've been having bad dreams/nightmares for many days in a row...after watching Dexter they stopped for a few nights. What does this mean?
• My furniture sales guy called me baby instead of using my name. Yeah, I'd been into the store 3 times, but don't act like you know me. It's fine if you forgot my name, but don't call me baby. It's creepy and disrespectful.
• I bought The Office season's 6 & 7. As I opened season 6 I realized that I already have it. ugh. Soooo does anyone want season 6? Seriously, I'll mail it to you.
• I guess I'm pretty fun to stand in line with for over an hour. But should I be concerned that he noticed where I parked?

• I have watched Breaking Dawn 3 times. It's been out for a week. 

Fall Bark

Candy corn and peanuts are this totally random combo that goes perfectly together. The salty helps to offset the basically straight sugar that is the candy corn. The first time someone told me about this I thought they were crazy. Then I went to my grandma's house and she had a bowl of candy corn mixed with peanuts. And I told her she was crazy....until I tried it.

Fall Bark

18 oz (9 pieces) vanilla almond bark

1 bag candy corn (7oz)

1/2 c dry roasted peanuts

• Cover a large cookie sheet with wax paper.
• Melt the vanilla almond bark in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until smooth, and pour out onto the cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle the candy corn and dry peanuts on top.
• Once hardened (you can stick it in the fridge or freezer to speed up the process), chop into pieces and eat!

Should We Be Concerned That I Book Travel For My Company?

Back in August I booked my flight for Lindsey's October wedding. I was considering flying down Wednesday night but after looking at my calendar I remembered that I would miss the last class before pole graduation. Conundrum? Not really, I just booked a flight for early Thursday morning.

Or so I thought.

October 17 comes around (Wednesday). I get up to snooze my running alarm and notice that I have a text from the airlines letting me know that my 7:10a flight is on schedule. In my sleepy confusion I first thought that it was nice that they are letting me know 24 hours in advance that my flight is on time. Then I realized how odd that was, opened up my email to check my flight details (because I didn't read the reminder I got on Monday)...yeah, totally booked my flight a day early and didn't notice. I managed to get it pushed to the afternoon flight for a fee of $75, so disaster partly diverted.

I popped out of bed and started packing while mentally making a list of everything I had to get done at work in half the time...and how to tell my boss I'm dumb.

I still don't know how I managed this. Part of my job is booking travel, so you would think that I could handle booking my own flight since I know what I want.

As we pulled into Sunray at10:30 Wednesday night, Mom told me that I got to help Marsh with his homework that night. Great! Actually I don't mind helping with math, but I was not down with the science arts and crafts situation he had going on. I don't even know what we were making exactly, just that it involved 40 circles that slightly vary in size. I got through about 30 circles, became way too frustrated with the perfection and accuracy it was lacking, and told Marsh he could finish the last 10 and make it work. He then cut the most deformed circle I've ever seen. I looked at him and asked "Seriously?" I hate that I can't always turn down my perfectionist side, especially when his level of craftsmanship was clearly below mine.

We got it done, I double checked his math (which was actually fun), and then I called it a night because it was way past my bedtime.

Beer Taster Extraordinare

Adam brews his own beer. It's pretty cool.

B and I went over to his house when he was starting the process for his Sumpin' Pumpkin a while back. I probably asked a billion questions, and some of them were fired right after the other. I also touched about everything in his kitchen and his house. Probably weird and rude but I wouldn't mind if he did that to my apartment, so I just went with it. I'm kind of nosey.

Anyway, the science of beer brewing is rather fascinating. I wish I could tell you more, but my memory has already faded...

Once his beer was ready (many weeks later), he invited me and B over for a blind taste test.

You must know that I actually don't like beer. Like at all at all. He knows this, but asked me anyway. I was honored, and curious if I could actually taste a difference between the 5 beers in the taste test (all beer usually tastes the same to me, which is bad).

I showed up late (stupid Wal-mart line) and he got my taste test ready.

5 half filled glasses, pen, and a blank sheet of paper sat before me. I was instructed to take notes of the flavors, then rank them 1-5.

I picked up the cup on the left, took a whiff of the scent, then took a sip. Another smell, then another sip. Wrote down my thoughts and repeated 5 times.

Adam commented on seriously I was taking it. I told him that I wanted to make sure to give him the best feedback I could because this is something that he made, and that's a pretty serious sitch!

Really, only the first beer tasted good...because it turned out to be a cider. After that it was all about ranking the order of badness.

My notes were something like:
1. juice
2. beer + red wine. ewwww.
3. brown sugar
4. beer
5. Christmas

His ended up being #3. I didn't rank it well...but then again it was dark beer and I'm already not a beer lover. BUT it did smell delish! I should have known it was his because he did have an awful lot of brown sugar out when I went over to see the brewing process.

Of course his beer was a hit with actual beer lovers. I'm so impressed and am already insisting that he switch his expertise to sparkling wine...or sparkling grape juice.

Awesome & Awkward Friday

Today I'm enjoying a day off...since I seem to have hoarded some of my holiday time.

Linking up with From My Grey Desk to share the highlights of my week!

Awesome

• I only have 16 working days this year!
• Our office got to leave at 4 to play kickball. My team won, and I got to home twice!

setting up.

• I made this:

• Kari's surprise bday dinner!

• Breaking Dawn. I loved it. Great interpretation of the books.

Awkward

• "You need to tell your coworker (insert name) that her incompetence is jacking my shit up." I hated to go Momma Bear on the hotel, but it's not my fault that the morning girl misquoted rates and didn't actually extend the reservation like she said she did. I did tell the girl that I was sorry for being rude because it's not her fault that her coworker can't handle simple tasks. Needless to say, I did get the rates that I had been told and stayed in budget! Booking travel is so much fun.
• When you realize you might actually be getting old. After the few sprints I ran in kickball my body was hurting the next day. Long runs and short bursts sure do have different effects on my body. I feel like I need to oil up my hip socket.
• Marina sent the office a breakdown of the kickball teams and left me off. I replied all "I feel like I didn't make a team. This is elementary school all over again." I could hear the back office laughing when they got it...it's only funny because it's true.
• B and I went to use up our remaining Studio Movie Grill Groupons on an 8p James Bond showing. I feel asleep twice.
• There was a part during Breaking Dawn where I may have said (out loud) "This is the worst movie ever!" I take it back...and am going to see it again tomorrow.

Open Pole Sesh

So I had this genius idea that instead of doing a Vup from the ground that I'd climb the pole, do the the v-kick and turn it into an invert. You know, since I was having trouble doing it from the ground.

Now I realize how much of a less than brilliant plan that was, but it seemed to make sense at the time.

I just figured that half the battle was won since I would already be supporting my body weight from the start.

After open house I stayed for open pole and explained my master plan to Honey and asked if she wanted to help. She figured it was a good plan and that they really are the same difficulty level, it just looks more impressive when you do it from a climb. I'm all about looking impressive, so I got pumped on my plan.

I grabbed the pole to climb, and paused while I worked through the process in my mind to make sure there wasn't any possibility of me losing grip with my hands. In that pause Honey thought it looked like I was praying so she started to get nervous for me. She said that if I died doing this that I'll ruin pole for her forever, but didn't even mention about how much she would miss me. WTH Honey? That's so ratchet!

So I spun into my climb and positioned myself to the left of the pole, panicked, yelled that I can't do it, and spun down.

Honey pep talked me, so I made another attempt. As I threw my v-split I was reminded that I actually really suck at that when I'm already up the pole, so I didn't have enough ab power to get it up enough to flip it. Devastation.

So then Honey came up with a good plan. She said that I should do the roley poly, add a vsplit, then pull the invert. She made it look so easy!

The first time I attempted it wasn't graceful, but I ended in an invert...maybe a foot off the ground. Yeah, I need to be a lot higher than that. So Honey said to pull myself up when I roley poly instead of doing it in the normal spot. Easier said than done. Usually we are wrapping around in fetal position a little below shoulder height, but I need to manage to pull myself up to about head height. I did it once but it was not impressive looking at all.

It's def a work in progress. I've started attending the ab class at the gym twice a week, so hopefully that'll help me get my ab strength back up to par. I really don't remember when or why I got lazy and stopped working them properly. WTF Jes of the past?

Reese's Brownies

The girls and I had our 2nd annual pre twilight movie release marathon. Since there are about 8 hours worth of movies to be watched we def needed some sugar to keep us going. Insert super delish Reese's brownies.

The brownies were a hit, and so were the movies. Now that the girls are up to speed (even though they didn't all read the books per my recommendation) we are def stoked for our Breaking Dawn Part 2 movie date tomorrow night!

Reese's Brownies

1 stick of butter

1 1/8 c sugar

2 eggs

1/2 + 1/8 c cocoa powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tbs vanilla extract

3/4 c flour

1/2 c chocolate chips
20 miniature Reese's cups (unwrapped)

• Preheat oven to 350* and grease yo brownie pan (8x8).
• Beat the eggs, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla until smooth.
• In a separate bowl microwave to melt the butter, add the sugar, and stir. Microwave a little longer until hot. It should become shiny as you stir. Heat once more - this will create a shiny top crust on the brownies.
• Add the hot butter/sugar mix to the chocolate concoction and stir until smooth.
• Mix in the flour (in three parts) and chocolate chips.
• Place the unwrapped Reese's in the brownie pan, pour the batter on top, and bake for 35-45min.

Pole: Open House

Pole La Teaz had an open house and I managed to get 4 people to sign up! Well, Stacy ended up getting sick and Ashley had to work, so that left me with 2: Jess and Amanda.

There were cookies and mimosas so we could mix and mingle for the first 30 min. I was anxious to get the show started because I didn't know what we would be working on this day and couldn't wait to find out!

We have a new instructor that just transferred from the Atlanta location and she led about an hour of chair dance. Sounds easy, right? You are wrong. Very wrong. Dance is fun, but it starts to burn when you are in 6 inch heels and having to drop it low and keep it low while hip rolling over, and over, and over. And when we were on the chair we did bicycles and crunches. I was sweating so much that when we took it to the floor my legs were sliding all over the place = huge bruises on my knees.

The teacher did have good enthusiasm. I don't think I've been told I'm a sexy lady so much in my life. And she yelled owww every few seconds. My fave part is when we were on the floor and she yelled "Surprise!" as she did a v kick. It was so funny.

After a quick break we transitioned into pole dance. We spent about 30 min learning a mini routine that included the fireman spin.

After open house was over I showed Amanda and Jess a lot of my spins, my pole climb & dismount, and invert (still a work in progress). This was the first time that I had shown my friends in person any of the things that I've been working on, so I was pretty nervous. Between the nerves and the effort of the spins my pulse was racing.

I had so much fun, and I think the girls did too since Amanda ended up buying some PLT worthy heels the next week! They aren't as striptastic as mine, but they are still pretty hot with their peep toe and spikes.

Absolutes

Recently one of my friends posted on facebook "Buckeye fans are just as bad if not worse than tech and texas fans." This friend is an Aggie.

source

I graduated from Tech and am pretty ride or die about it. I can get pretty fired up when people start to classify all Tech people under the same category.

Our main negative stereotypes are that we're all a bunch of assholes, the worst fans ever, alcoholics, and have the raider rash - you know, because we're all super slutty.

It really gets on my nerves because I'm not any of those things. Yes, I know people from Tech that meet each of those things, except the raider rash - I don't know anyone with that, but I think that all schools have people that are also those things.

So I commented on my friends status how I'm going to try and not take offense to his Tech comment and how the last time I went to a game at Kyle field the Aggie fans were rude too.

Naturally some people commented about how terrible tech is and gave specific examples...some of the things they said I had never even heard of, but were probably true.

I did hold my tongue because I'm not about to get into a facebook sparing matching, I am 26 and not 13. But I considered telling them that they are right, and that when we receive our acceptance letters to Tech they also include a Code of Conduct on how to be an asshole, so we are all like that all the time. But I figured that might just fire them up more because sarcasm isn't always appreciated.

The point is, don't classify us all the same way (especially when we are supposed to be friends and you know I'm not like that and I'm pretty sure you aren't kidding around). Just like I don't consider all aggies to be overly arrogant, even though some of them are.

Side Note: Croc will give me a hard time about going to Tech but he does try to throw in there that he's just joking because he knows how I really am. And that's why I never want to get all stereotypical and throw an elbow to his face.

Awesome & Awkward Friday

This week was way better than the last, especially in the work area. Oh, and I may not be homeless when my lease is up at the end of the month! Yay. If you have to be homeless, then I suppose Houston isn't such a bad place to live outside since we have mild winters.

Linking up with From My Grey Desk and The Bargain Blonde.

Awesome

• Vampire Diaries. I'm really loving the opening scenes, and I am always expecting them to end it with "You think you know, but you have no idea."
• Boy Meets World. So excite!
• When Dad tells me I don't have to remind him why I'm so great because I'm his baby girl. Thank you parents for only giving me brothers and not sisters.
• How presh is my baby bro in his Jr. school pic? Presh to death!

• Reese's brownies. Yum!

Awkward

• Feel asleep on the couch with the remote in my hand for a few min. Had a dream where I was jumping, so in real life I threw my arms forward to grab onto whatever I was jumping to and threw the remote across the room. The sound was so loud that I scared myself awake, as well as B.
• May have overreacted while watching one of my fave OTH scenes. You know, the one where Nathan wins the game by making the free throw without even looking at the basket. Swoon. I def was cheering and clapping. And then he ran to Hayley and she jumped into his arms? I.die. I still love that show wayyy too much.

Pumpkin Bread

Last month I went home and spent two of the days baking with my grandma. One of the things on my list was bread. She makes an assortment of breads all the time so I figured she was just the person to show me the ropes.

I gave Dad one of the loafs and he said it was so delish that I should know that he also likes banana nut bread.

Pumpkin Bread
Slightly adapted from St. Anthony's Catholic School recipe book

4 eggs

1/2 c water

1 c oil

2 c pumpkin
3 c sugar
3 1/2 c flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp soda
2 tsp cinnamon

• Preheat oven to 350* and grease 2 bread pans.
• In a large bowl mix together eggs, water, oil, & pumpkin.
• In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients: sugar flour, salt, soda, and cinnamon, then add to the large pumpkin mixture.
• Pour into the two pans and bake for 60min, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Macaruined

I love macarons. I made them with Jess once before and they turned out delicious! It was a little involved, but I figured I was ready to do it again and add flavor!

So this is how it goes:
Step 1: you need three day old egg whites.

Easy enough...since I remembered to set the eggs out on Friday and was baking on Sunday.

I have broken and separated egg whites for years. YEARS! I think you see where this is going. Sunday I picked up the first egg, break it, separate the white, pierce the yolk on the shell, and the yolk runs into my egg white bowl.

Three days of waiting all for nothing! I only set out three eggs. Next time? I'm setting out extra just in case I have another egg yolk issue.


---------------------------

NEXT TIME
Next time was a bust. Turns out I can't read. I don't know how I managed to make them so great the first time. I've decided that maybe Jess is my lucky macaron charm and must be in the kitchen while I'm making them.

I ended up with only lonely macaron sandwich thing. #Heartbroken

Awesome & Awkward Friday

This week was unusually stressful at work. I felt like I was going to have a panic attack 3 out of 5 days. Luckily it's ending better then it started! Super excite for Friday and my weekend activities to get started!

Linking up with From My Grey Desk and The Bargain Blonde.

My current total of Hunger Games converts? 3. 3 more people that will hopefully understand the references.

Monster Mash 10K

Halloween Cupcakes

Halloween BodyJam. That awkward (yet awesome?) moment when you are the only non instructor dressed up. Dedication. (Me, Amanda- her pic, Stacy)

 The short lived return of Wild West Wednesdays.

Source

Finally got a replacement phone! After three awkward mishaps in one week it was time to trade that m effer in. 

1. Tried to loop conference call the person I was already talking to...about 5 times. The only way to make it stop? pop out the battery.
2. Tried to text someone, my phone decided to call them instead. I panicked and it wouldn't let me end the call, so I had to pop out the battery again.
3. Last Weekend it turned off...and proceeded to fake dead for a few days. WTH?!?