(Healthy?) Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

I was first drawn to this recipe because I was curious how strawberries and oatmeal would taste together. I read the instructions through a few times before gathering the ingredients and I wasn't sure whether or not I would add the glaze on top. They are advertised as 100 calories each, but that is only if you cut them into 16 squares (I did 9) and if you don't add the glaze (I ended up adding it). I went in expecting them to be 100 calorie breakfast bars, when in reality they're probably at least 200 calories and taste more like a dessert.

I was talking to a friend from school last night and when I mentioned all the cooking I've been doing (which is not particularly usual for me) she remembered me posting pictures of these bars and commented on how good they looked. She wasn't wrong. I think these look so, so tasty, but I was kind of disappointed by them. I'm not sure if I added too much glaze or something, but they are very squishy and fall apart easily. I think that I was confusing oatmeal and granola's unique consistencies. I have eaten the bars alone, but mostly have been adding it to my oatmeal each morning.

I may end up making these again sometime if someone mentions that they'd like to try them, but I don't necessarily see them as something I'll be craving in the future.

- rl

Banana Bread, Round Two

Less than a week after my first banana bread endeavor, I made a second loaf! I was looking forward to trying a different recipe shortly after making my first loaf, but was disappointed that it was a result of my first loaf growing mold after I had been gone a few days. Just as I was going to pull up Pinterest to look up a different recipe, my mom suggested I try one that had only a few ingredients that she had in one of her cookbooks. She couldn't find the exact recipe she was looking for, but we found another one and I started gathering the supplies.

This loaf felt very different from the start because of its use of Bisquick. Then, when I checked on it a few times while baking, I saw that it was huge, definitely bigger than the previous loaf, the bread starting to go over the sides of the pan, whereas the previous batch barely reached the top of the pan. Then, before even cutting into it, the removal of the bread showed how crumbly it was. This batch was definitely more dry than the previous one, which was disappointed because the moistness of the first batch was my favorite part. All in all, I don't think I'll be making this recipe again.

Today I am watching Building off the Grid: Big Sky Ranch and about to head into work for the first time in three weeks. I took the last two weeks of the semester off to finish up homework and get packed without that added stress, then the first week of summer so I could get some cleaning (and apparently an impromptu trip!!) out of the way. Now, however, it's back to work, which will be good for me. Having so much time off has been weird, but good.

- rl

My Disney Experience

One week ago I could not have guessed that just a few days later I would be flying to Florida, going to Disney for an afternoon, then driving all day Friday from Orlando to Dallas with one of my best friends. That's what happened, though. Those two days were probably the most spontaneous days of my life thus far and I loved every second of it, except for maybe the hotel room where the air conditioner didn't every really turn on, despite the humidity that is Florida.

Thursday morning my sister took me to the airport at 5:30 for my 7:30 flight to Orlando. By 11:30 that morning I was in Diana's car on the way to the parks where she has been interning all semester with Disney. Crazy, y'all. She was able to get me into the parks for free so we spent all afternoon going from park to park. If you're familiar with Disney, you can tell from the order of the photos that we went from Animal Kingdom to Hollywood Studios, then Epcot and Magic Kingdom. This rapid succession of events was a nice refresher for someone like me who would happily plan out the exact route I would take in each park if I had all the time in the world to see everything. Because this was not possible, however, Diana planned it all and I just followed.

Favorite ride? Either the Star Wars or Peter Pan one, although there were several others that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Favorite food? The rolls at Mama Melrose's in Hollywood Studios or the hot dog with pork and coleslaw on top from Casey's Corner in Magic Kingdom. OH! Or the mango sorbet (on a cone!) from the France Pavilion in Epcot.
Favorite park? Epcot. For those that don't know (like me, one week ago) Epcot has over ten 'pavilions' (largest pavilions I've ever seen) that are like different countries. They literally brought in architects from the various countries, have food, etc. from that country, and all cast members that work there are from that country. If I could only return to one park, it would be Epcot because there was so much to learn there.

I've always said that, while I wouldn't mind going to Disney, I wouldn't want to pay for it, so I'm very thankful that I got to experience this. I did spend quite a bit on food and water, but no where near what most have to pay to even enter the parks for a day.

Our drive back went quickly. We took turns driving the 16 hours so we could do it all in one day. Florida had a lot of rain and Mobile, AL has awful traffic. We listened to a lot of music and several hours of comedy. By the time we got to Dallas at one in the morning we were both exhausted, yet were able to get home safely.

Thank you, Diana's mom, for encouraging this trip and helping us along the way.
Thank you, Diana, for spending your last day at Disney (for now!) running me around the whole place and then trusting me while driving. (;

- rl

Banana Bread

Growing up, when someone asked me if I liked a particular food I would automatically say that I didn't, even if I hadn't ever tried it. Stupid. Since going to college, however, I have met people that have challenged me to try new things. I also realized that I feel like a total jerk for denying something I haven't even given a chance. Because of this I've tried a few odd things (mainly fish ice cream from my Alaskan bestie).

Freshman year the life group leader on our floor frequently made banana bread. At some point, I decided to try it to be nice. Honestly, I cannot remember if I liked it or not, but I obviously didn't hate it because when I saw bananas beginning to brown at home the other day, I automatically thought that I should make bread out of them. After a little bit of browsing on Pinterest, I found this recipe from Simply Recipes and decided to give it a try. Guys, it is so good. It was so, so easy and I'm enjoying cutting off some slices between meals. Here's to hoping I'm not the only one in love with it and that I can remember to keep the supplies for it in my dorm next year for all those bananas I tend to forget about.

- rl

Roomie Date in River North

Tonight we had what was probably our best roomie date yet! We went to a place called Blaze Pizza that has decently cheap thin crust pizza. So good! The best part is that we both only ate half of ours so that we could eat the second half for dinner tomorrow night, which is the only time a meal isn't served on campus. This will definitely be a place to bring people when they come to visit! 

After that, we ventured to Eataly, an Italian restaurant and shop that is my go-to for a treat: sorbet! However, when we got there the line was longer than I'd ever seen it, which is really saying something. We opted instead to just walk around the store a little bit and get a little info on the shape of cheese before heading back into the nightlife of River North in Chicago. Ally got frozen yogurt and then we stopped by my Chick-fil-A so I could say hi to coworkers and get a drink. 

After getting back to campus we had to go to the library to get a DVD for children's church in the morning. We ended up spending some time catching up with one of the guys on our brother floor. The three of us eat breakfast together several times a week, but we're not super talkative at 7.30am. 

Overall we had a great night! We did so much in a matter of a few hours, and it felt great to walk around the city being a little dressed up and avoiding spiders in that one window display...ew! It was almost as fun as playing in the park this afternoon with Ally and her little man (the boy she nannies). The little guy thinks the three of us should be best friends because our birthdays are all in successive months, yet he hardly spoke a word to me.

- rl

p.s. two weeks until I go home! I talked with my mom while on my break at work today. Thirty minutes of feeling at home. It was lovely! I miss my mom's voice just discussing the day's events, and I'm excited to hear it for three whole months!! 

Movie Snacks

Tonight I adventured to Wal-Mary with Cassidy, one of my friends down the hall, She got some Nerds, and when we got back to the floor and were settling in to watch a movie, we decided to mix them with Skittles. It was about perfect! They were the perfect sweet treat for a sad movie like Remember Me. Sorry if it broke your heart, Cass. (:

- rl

Basically the Worst Blogger Ever

How does one go from blogging daily for an entire year, to not blogging for a month? And I did that twice this year. Aye! Now that I sit here typing, however, it feels good. I PINKY PROMISE I will try harder to blog more often. I know my parents and loved ones will appreciate the effort.

Pictured above is Ally and I's roomie time yesterday. We made orange chicken and jasmine rice. We also did some knitting while watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It's nice to be roommates in similar fandoms!

- rl

Thoughtful Gifts

This picture shows some pretty thoughtful gifts from loved ones! On top is the care package that came in the mail today from one of my managers at my store in Dallas. We had a girl's night at her house the week before I left. Jenna and I just made bookmarks, but she asked me to make a list of sewn goods for her to make for me. A few weeks later and I have a few flannel pillowcases, a set of hats and gloves, and animal crackers to enjoy! I'm not sure Diane will ever end up reading this post, but thank you!! I can't wait to learn to sew from you this summer!

In the background is the blanket Ally, my roommate, crocheted for me!! Yes, really. She started it last semester in front of me, but she told me it was a purse. I didn't think it would end up as a purse, but I didn't expect it would be for me either! She had it on my bed when I came back, and it's pretty much been here ever since. I love it so much, Ally! I'm so thankful we're roommates!

Founder's Week started here at Moody tonight. I wasn't able to go because of work, but I'm looking forward to attending as the week goes on! The part I'm looking forward to the most, however, comes Friday morning when my mom's boss, Dr. Ramesh Richard, is speaking. I've known this evangelist for the 15 years my mom has worked for him, and I'm looking forward to hearing him speak in this place I now call home. I'll be assisting at his book table after his message, which should be fun as well.

Here's to a week of sermons, knitting, and trying to get motivated to work on this New Testament Reading Report due next week!

- rl

A New Year's Day

After the shortest work day since I've been back, the family got out and continued our New Year's Day tradition: Babe's Chicken for good food and black eyed peas. Because we were so close in Carrollton, we stopped by Vitruvian Park in Addison to see the lights, and it turned out to be the last night of them! We went nearly two weeks ago now, and I was so happy to have my camera with me this time.

Speaking of the last two weeks, I have not blogged. That will all change tomorrow, though, when I catch up on my day off. I've been working a lot of hours since I've been back, and I'm excited to have some time to get myself organized!! I think I have my goals for this year laid out, but I'm making these with the knowledge that life changes.

1. Read 12 new books, in varying categories.
2. Take a picture every day and upload it to Flickr.
3. Blog as much as possible.
4. Knit/crochet/etc. with a purpose.
5. Apply the things I learn.
6. Take better care of myself.

I'll expand on these at some point, but for now I need to apply #6 and go to bed!

- rl

Christmas Day

359/365

Ah, Christmas Day! Probably my favorite day of the year. This year was especially wonderful because I got a ball winder + scale for yarn, which means things are about to get a whole lot more precise in my world! Jenna put a bow on her head, too, which means Christmas was complete. Also, how cool is our Christmas tree? It switches between white and LED lights, which is a fun twist!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Christmas Eve

358/365

Christmas Eve, after work and the candlelight service, looked a little like this: delicious soup made by mama, catching up on Advent, and snacks while watching our Christmas Eve tradition, It's a Wonderful Life! Also, how cute is my baby boy while peeking over my book, begging for a piece of our snack, Texas Trash.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

What I Imagined

354/365 (photo by little sister)

As I've dreamt of coming back home, this is basically what I imagined: relaxing nights at home with  my family. After a day of work, there is nothing better than coming home, eating a meal made by my mother, and expressing some creativity through a puzzle.

It's such a bummer every night couldn't be like this.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Final Day

350/365

Today was my last day in my little single dorm room! I enjoyed my semester here, and will miss the sweet set-up Leslie helped me with before Missions Conference. You better believe I'll be suggesting the same layout to future occupants, which will be easy because, when I come back in the spring, I'll be hauling all my things into the room right across the hall!

Only a few more hours until I head home now! I can't wait!!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Friday Night in the City

How do I spend my last Friday night in the city before Christmas break? Stay in the dorm, of course! (Not pictured) Marika and I watched Gilmore Girls, then, because I was feeling sleepy at 9pm, I watched some YouTube and knit:

while making mac and cheese:

Followed shortly by popcorn (day nine of mater's presents!) with Leslie while watching Sherlock:

and working on a tad bit of homework/consuming candy:

346/365

Sherlock season three, y'all. It's been too long since I watched this season and I had ALL THE FEELS. Best show ever, for sure.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)