Biscotti

If there is one thing that relaxes me and puts me in a good mood---its baking! Since I'm self-diagnosed as an emotional eater-I've avoided baking too much since we've been married. My solution: bake and be happy, and then send the sweets to the ravenous engineers at Nick's office! :) 


I had some plain biscotti dough in the freezer that I made a few weeks ago.  I threw in some craisins, walnuts, and dipped the ends in white chocolate.  They were fantastic! 

I've never claimed to be a good photographer...so don't be a hater. Next time I'm gonna try soaking the cranberries in fresh OJ maybe? they were a little too firm for my liking. 

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (vegetable oil is gross.. i dont think i used all that it called for.)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 c. craisins (less if you want)
• 1/2 chopped walnuts
• 1 11 oz bag of white chocolate morsels 

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
   
2. In a medium bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, sugar and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the egg mixture to form a heavy dough. Divide dough into two pieces. Form each piece into a roll as long as your cookie sheet. Place roll onto the prepared cookie sheet, and press down to 1/2 inch thickness.
   
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When The cookies are cool enough to handle, slice each one crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes on each side. Slices should be lightly toasted.
   
4. Let cool.  in a double boiler, heat chocolate chips-stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes shiny. remove from heat and dip biscotti, let cool on cookie sheet.  

viola! Delicious treat for your coffee... they're about 150-200 calories per piece (depending on the size).. yikes! good thing I sent them away. 

New Journal

Journaling has been a part of my life since Middle School.  I wanted to be just like my sister, Amber, who was an avid journalist at the time.  My first few entries at that age, were more "diary-like" than anything else, but I considered it worthy, nonetheless.  

Since my prepubescent days of Middle School, I've used journaling as a cathartic way to express myself and share my thoughts with God.  It has been habitual in my personal devotions for years now! I love looking back at the many years of struggles and victories and seeing how my relationship with God has evolved.  Before I start a new journal, I find a solid verse to memorize and write on the front page.  I don't make decisions very well, so this takes a lot of prayer and consideration.  

The journal I just finished had the verse: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed.  For his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "the Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for Him." Lamentations 3:22-24.  My first page was written in August of '09 and I expressed how happy I was for a new chapter of my life! I had a strong family, great friends, an amazing boyfriend, and I was on the way to finishing my degree! The whole entry was full of joy! The verse inspired me.  However, within the week, the journal entries became more dark.  I found out my Mom had cancer and the Nick and I went through a breakup with no intention of getting back together.  The irony struck as I went back to read the passage in Lamentations.  

Starting a brand new journal is so refreshing.  God has molded me so much since the beginning of my last journal.  I know that I have not been consumed because of His love for me. He had a purpose, and I know that my Mom is rejoicing, knowing that her testimony changed my life forever. I can honestly say that I have never seen the love of Christ more deeply than when looking in to the eyes of my Mom before she passed.  She saw her purpose. Her joy came from knowing that she would soon be with Jesus.  It has all never made as much sense to me as it does now. 

This post is a lot more personal than my initial intention of the blog.  I've missed my Mom a lot lately, and feel like I owe it to her to continue telling her story when the opportunity presents itself.  More fluff posts to come. :) 

Bandwagon

Well, we did it! Nick and I hopped aboard the proverbial blog bandwagon.  Our biggest reservation in blogging was appearing narcissistic about our new life together.  After three months of living in small, patriotic town who's primary claim to fame is the Lincoln-Douglass Debate, our reservations dissipated.

However, we do realize that our close friends and family will enjoy reading about our small adventures including hiking excursions, trips to Chicago, and the overall newlywed lifestyle. Nick and I are more in love than we've ever been and want to share it with the world!

I created the blog the first week we moved to Ottawa, but was too shy to post anything.  My courage has since been revived! So, here's a few pictures from the passed few months of married life:

We went to Chicago within weeks of living here! Its a great escape from the confines of small town USA

Here we have a caffeine addicted husband. :) Brett and Renee got us this custom coffee that had our picture on it! Such a great gift! 

Home sweet home. :) Its great for our first place together. 

We've taken the 6 hour trek back home a couple of times and this photo is the definition of the entire state of Indiana! Two trucks next to one another...going the same speed...on a two lane highway. 

Check out this stud! I told him... "look excited for our date".. and he made this weird stance-I had to capture it.

Well, that's all for now.  The pictures are not great quality since they're from my phone. Nick has to show me how to work his fancy camera so I can get better photos.