Bakin' and Bowlin'

Heyyyyyy thuuurrrrr

I always like to pretend I'm best friends with whoever's reading this.

Update with Grace&James

Today at school, the first half of the day I worked on my doll for my worksheet (two blow-drys; one directional and one round brush. Then I did a shampoo set. In case you wanted to know) And then for the second half of the day the whole school went to the park! The Learning Leaders wanted to reward us for some excellent funraising (yes, they make sure we know it's call funraising, not fundraising). So they barbecued us some yummy hot dogs and hamburgers and everybody brought a side or dessert. Then we played some kickball where the bases were little kiddie pools filled with water. It was pretty sweet and I got a great tan! This week it's finally been consistently warm in Rexburg and even reached 95 today! WoOt.

So the only documented things I've cooked are these:

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk. So good, so easy, and surprisingly tastes exactly like the stuff in the can. I use it a lot more in desserts cause it's so dang irresistible.

Recipe:

4 C. Whole milk 

(I didn't have whole so i used 1% and heavy cream)

1 3/4 C. sugar

In a large (very large) pot, bring the milk and sugar to a boil over medium heat. It's important that it's medium heat so that the ingredients can slowly immerse together. 

Turn the heat down to low and let the mixture simmer, very gently, for two hours. (yeah, I know.)

Give it a stir every 5 minutes or so so that the milk doesn't form a "skin" on top. 

(I was preparing and cooking dinner on the side while it simmered so it wasn't a hassle to stir it every 5 minutes.)

Then remove the pot from heat and let cool. It'll thicken up a lot as it cools.

After that, store in jars in the fridge and it's good to go! It makes about 16oz and it's cheaper to make than buy! 

On our honeymoon cruise to Cabo, there were these delectable chocolate melting cakes on the menu when we went to the fancy, dress up dinners (I know, I'm so classy.) and afterwards I searched online for the recipe and found it. A chef on the Carnival cruises had posted it so I decided to give it a try. Here's the second time I made it:

They may look like regular baked cakes but the inside is delicious ooey gooey goodness. I added the link below. Just a warning though, it says to cook it for 15-20 but don't. you. dare. Or you'll have a fully cooked cake. Bake it for 10-15 TOPS

http://www.ehow.com/how_5205252_make-warm-chocolate-melting-cake.html

        James has put his car up for sale; we love the stylish gas-guzzler to death, but we both know it would save us a lot of money to get a cheaper car with better gas mileage :( He's kind of attached to it so it's been a journey on deciding whether to sell it or not. I kind of promised him that when we're more settled and can afford two cars, we can get him the same car, but the latest, coolest version.

Speaking of the future, I've noticed that it's really fun to dream. I know that sounds funny, but starting out new with the person you love, it's almost as if the possibilities are endless and it's so much fun to imagine all the adventures the two of us are going to embark on together. The current ones are (Just so you know, they're not always exactly...practical. They're just hopeful dreams. Remember that) going to Europe when I graduate, going to Disneyland for our one year anniversary, being able to afford tickets for me to visit Arizona every once and while just for funsies, and having a wee little one as soon as... well I don't know about that one. Anyway, James is set and determined to save up and take us to Europe (mainly Holland and France; our dream places) I want him to experience it like I did! They're such incredible places. And I'll admit Disneyland will most likely not happen this year because we're set on having enough money to go to Ohio for Christmas {fingers double triple quadruple crossed!!} I'm really excited to get to know my in-laws better, as usual.

We're both doing well and James has found other, better job opportunities so we're excited to see how they'll play out.

I was asked to be a model for a photo shoot by one of the girls I go to school with. It's a huge competition and she asked me! I feel super honored and a little surprised. You can be a pretty girl but that don't mean you know how to model.. So I'm a little worried. Also, they were asking girls to try out as models for a huge Paul Mitchell event in Las Vegas where there's a runway fashion show and then the big Paul Mitchell hair guru's cut your hair on stage. So if I'm picked, (They pick 10 out of about 100) they're going to give me a edgy bob... crazy right? In all reality though, I tried out for fun and cause everyone was encouraging *cough, pressuring* me to. I don't expect to be picked.

We went bowling for FHE one night and it was actually a lot of fun. I hadn't been bowling in over a year and  I had a blast with James. Love that guy.

There's no such thing as an angry kiss, right? Wrong.

Just kidding.

And yes, we wore matching shirts we got in D.C that say "Ben's Chili Bowl", so we thought we'd trick people and make them think we're on a bowling team and we're that good.