Cooking Bug

If you have, by chance, wondered where I've been for the past two weeks, I've been in the kitchen.

At first it was serious cooking... (out of this fun cookbook!)

But lately I've just been messin' around, mostly. 

I ran across this really cool healthier desserts blog called Chocolate-Covered Katie... 

So far I've tried two recipes from it:

The Chocolate Bar Pie 

and 

Cookie Dough Dip.

Both are good, but I would have to say... I'd alter them a little bit if I were to make them again. 

For one thing, I used semi-sweet chocolate in the pie when I think milk chocolate would be better, 

and I used white kidney beans instead of garbanzo beans in the dip... BIG mistake.

I, personally, think the chocolate bar pie is really, really good for being "healthy," even 

when it is made with semi-sweet chocolate. 

Probably a 7.5 on the yummy scale. Milk chocolate would probably make it an 8.5 or 9.

(by the way, I used an oreo crust for the pie... so much for healthy, but all the same, yum!!)

As for the dip... I'm not sure if it's good, but I think I'm going to give it another try soon. 

With garbanzo beans this time. :)

Hooray for experimental cooking! 

I love it!!

P.S.  Valentine's Day is around the corner... Yay!!

Lots of people my age dislike it because they're single, but I still like it even if I am single!

For me it's pretty much just Romance Appreciation Day, and when I think romances worth appreciating, 

I think of... 

well, you'll have to hear it from me on Tuesday... that is, if I remember to post.

But in case I forget, one of my favorites is:

Anne Shirley & Gilbert Blythe

They're adorable!!

The reason why I mention them, of all couples, is because I just listened (yes... I listen to books more than actually read them... I like to multi-task!!) to Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island while commuting half an hour almost everyday for the past month. I was mostly holding out till Anne finally admitted she was in love with Gilbert.  And hey, come on--that's why we finish half the books we read! (ahem... Hunger Games Trilogy?)

Workin' like Mary Poppins

I'm back!!

But this time...

 rather than living in Rexburg and going to school, 

I'm back home and working to earn some money for next semester.

Fact #1: 

 I have a job.

Fact #2:

My job consists of 

nannying two two-year-olds (twins) and a six-month-old.

Talk about busy!!

But don't get me wrong, I really do love it. 

I started on Tuesday and it's great! Lots and lots of fun working with little kids!!

My only challenge = not feeding them all at once... 

otherwise, it's mayhem.

Yesterday lunchtime was so bad, I came home with the "badge of motherhood," as my mom calls it,

(a.k.a. spit-up, drool, food, etc. all down the front of your shirt)

and I wondered how people like Mary Poppins and professional nannies come out of those situations without a spot. I guess it's part of being a pro. 

Or keeping a change of clothes in your bag, which I might do at some point.

Really though, this job is a blessing.

 I don't want to brag, but I think it might be the best in the world.

1. I'm getting paid (hooray!).

2. I have something fun/rewarding to do all day, every week day.

3. I am learning sooo much about how to manage little kids/babies.

4. I have my evenings & weekends off.

Now for the downside...

I come home from work

So. Tired.

So all I want to do tonight (and have wanted to do the past two nights) is sit around in my pajamas, eat chocolate, and watch old classic movies.

I may need some intervention... I am on my way to eating a whole half of a Toblerone bar.

DONE.

I'm done with finals!!

WOOHOO!!!!!

I'm so excited I want to run round and scream my head off.

But...

it's time to celebrate by crocheting and watching movies based on British Literature!!!

I can't believe it!

This semester has gone by so fast. 

And, in just four days, I'll be out of here for another three and a half months!

Woohoo!

As much as I love going home, though... I'm going to miss it here.

As cold as Rexburg can be, and as stressful as school can get, I really love BYU-Idaho.

What a blessing this place is!

I've learned so much and I've made so many friends. 

After this week though, it's time to catch up on some sleep... until April. 

I can't wait to come back in the Spring!!

It's that time of year...

Merry Christmas!

I hope your celebrations of the most wonderful time of the year are going well.

But before we can celebrate, we need to recognize that it's also...

...Finals Week!

I actually had my first final today in Book of Mormon.

I got a 95%.

Success!

Since it is the infamous finals week, most people I've talked to have mentioned stress, anxiety, and an eagerness for the semester to reach its impending end.

However, I have felt very little finals-related stress. 

I feel like I should feel like this: 

(minus the beard)

But I feel more like this guy:

(As tacky and cliched I think cute kitten pictures are, 

this is the picture that best describes my current mood.)

Kind of carefree. 

Yep, I'm one of the little freshmen that has only two finals that require studying for.

I'm enjoying it while I can, since I know future semesters will not be so easy.

Oh, the joys of college!

Don't get me wrong, though... I love it here and I'm going to miss it so much!

Thanksgiving

"...worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."

-Alma 34:48

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I hope everyone was able to eat lots of good food today {especially pie!}. 

But more importantly, I hope everyone was able to reflect on what they are grateful for. 

Here are a few things of mine that I'm grateful for:

The Church,

My Family,

Temples,

My Friends,

My comfortable living conditions,

My education,

The beautiful earth we live on,

All of my many blessings! 

I heard someone once say,

 "Count your blessings, not your worries."

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, and don't forget what this weekend was about too quickly in light of Christmas preparation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Angela

Divertido!... with swivel chairs.

As promised, I am posting a post {...?} about this past weekend.

This weekend was lots of fun! The most adventurous activity involved playing with swivel desks in the Clark building with friends Amanda and Katie after our ward party. 

We had lots of fun. :)

Aren't these desks cool?

We make an attractive group, I know.