Birthday Girl

Veinte OCHO!!

I am grateful to still be in my 20's. I'm pretty sure I will be sad turning 30. When Todd asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I think he was a little taken aback by my answer. My reply was, "A sheet cake with buttercream frosting and roses on top." Yep, it's sort of a Ross family tradition (especially my Granny) to have that kind of cake, and it's been ages since I've had one. Because we don't have kids, we don't hit too many parties with this kind of cake, and I've been craving it forEVER. When we were in Guatemala and Brazil, I CRAVED buttercream! So, I was quite thrilled when a gorgeous, delicious, sugary confection appeared in my kitchen on the evening of my birthday :)

I was also presented with cake pops and a Hazel Hill apple, so either my husband doesn't mind if I gain 20 pounds in the next week, or he truly knows the way to my heart is through my stomach :)

Oh, and you'll notice a new fashion accessory :) On Wednesday night, the Mia Maids and our advisor, Shenai, showed up with a cake, music, and feathers :) So, I now have a hot pink feather in my hair, that I quite like. And yes, I DID wear it to parent teacher conferences...I'm that kind of rebel :)

Capping off my birthday is a wonderful four-day weekend that is almost half over already :) Yes, I am counting down to the end of this school year and we are anxiously awaiting to see how our future here in Topeka goes!

My New Roommate

Sometimes when I come home, Chuck and Todd are hanging out.

This is just a temporary living situation.

Chuck is okay, occasionally he is funny, but most of the time he talks about things that are kinda over my head and boring. I usually just try to ignore him when he's being boring and I'll read or get on Pinterest or something.

Occasionally, Chuck brings a guest over and lets them do all the talking. They aren't as interesting as Chuck, so I really prefer him over any other "roommate."

While I don't mind having Chuck here, because it means Todd stays here and hangs out with Chuck, I won't be sad when he's gone. He only has about 2 more weeks (HOPEFULLY), so I only have to put up with him until the end of February.

He is really into Kansas. He knows a lot about Kansas stuff, especially legal stuff (see why he would be boring?) But, sometimes he talks about these crazy legal situations that are hypothetical, but you know he is talking about them because they happened! That is what is scary about this world! People do crazy things, Chuck (and the news) remind me of this all the time.

Oh Chuck. You are so smart, and I like you, but I'll be glad to see you go.

Thank you BarBri, for bringing Chuck into our home.

Baking Failures and Triumphs

Of the things that I am good at, cooking isn't really one of them. I call it a work in progress--I'm not as bad as I used to be, but I could always be better. Here is are some pictures of my latest failures and successes:

These cookies were a result of overly softened butter :) Oh, and too many butterscotch chips. Todd said they tasted really good, but they were so ugly I couldn't bring myself to eat any :)

These were today's success. I used a recipe for the frosting off the internet, and stuck to it as close as I could...apparently sticking to the recipe is important or something. I also used a trick to keep frosting from going all over the frosting bag AND I tried a trick that gives you that swirly effect in the icing. I do have a sugar headache, but they came out pretty good. Finally a success!

Scripture

We read this scripture in church today and it really helped me feel more positive. When all I want to do is kick my trials into the dirt (and jump on them a few times), I remember that Heavenly Father is watching over me.

This is D&C 84:88 :)

I've drafted several blog posts this month, only to send them to the "unfinished" pile in Blogger.

I can't finish any of them! Too many things going on in my crazy head in these crazy past few weeks.

Waiting for this crazy train ride called Jan/Feb. to be over!