Happy Halloween!

It only took us until the day before Halloween, but we finally got a pumpkin carved! We weren't feeling too inspired (plus we had a laundry list of other things to get done), so we just went with the classic jack-o-lantern face. I'd say it turned out pretty darn good--and the forecast is looking nice for tonight so we might actually get to put in on our front step and light it!

I've got a few pumpkin/fall-related posts to get up this week; if I were on top of things I would have posted them last week before Halloween--but then again, if I were on top of things we wouldn't have been carving a pumpkin the night before! It's the thought that counts, right?

Hope everyone has a happy (and safe!) Halloween!

"Safe" Cookie Dough

If you doubted me when I said I was going to make cookie dough (to eat raw, mind you) last night because I was having a long week, then you've got a lot to learn. Of course, making cookie dough isn't my standard fall-back or anything (I'd need to spend a lot more time at the gym if it was), but I was doubly inclined to make cookie dough last night because I found this recipe that I've been anxious to try. Because unlike most cookie dough recipes, this one is egg-free. No salmonella risk here. Now, that probably means it wouldn't work very well to bake, but who needs to waste time with that step?

I'll be honest--I was a little doubtful of the authenticity of the taste in this recipe, but I have to say it is pretty spot-on. Darrell commented that it seems like it's missing something...or has a little something extra...but I couldn't really notice. The original recipe includes directions for making these into truffles, but in my mind that just another step to get in the way of the ultimate goal--eating cookie dough! (Now, I could easily be talked into adding this into some ice cream. But that would require us to have ice cream at our house.)

Egg-Free Cookie Dough
(I don't have a picture, but we all know what cookie dough looks like. And I found the recipe here, but I made a few modifications)

1 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 package (3.4 oz) vanilla pudding mix
1 tbsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars. Mix in dry pudding mix. Add vanilla and milk; blend until well combined. Slowly add in flour (1/2 cup at a time) and baking soda. Stir in chocolate chips and enjoy!

One of Those Days (err... Weeks)

Maybe it's because it's a Wednesday. Maybe it's because the weather is starting to drop and that ominous word "snow" is starting to pop up. Maybe it's because I have Friday off so this week seems like it's dragging by even slower than normal. Maybe it's because Darrell and I will have dinner together, at the house, a total of two nights this week. Whatever the reason is, I've been having an off week. Can't get out of bed in the morning, sluggish feeling at work, tired and ready for bed by nine at night, forgetting to do things that I'm usually super on-top of.... And then this happens. I realize that, for the past year and a half, I've been wearing a pair of pants that still have the security tag still attached. I kid you not.

Good thing that little "warning" on there doesn't really mean anything; I can't begin to count the number of times I've washed and worn this pair of pants with that tag on them. And it's only fitting that I would discover this during this week and make myself feel more useless and incompetent. It's settled--I'm making cookies tonight, and I'll be surprised if any of them make it into the oven.

(And for my readers out there with over-active imaginations--no, I'm not pregnant. That's not one of the possibilities for why I've been feeling tired and lethargic. Just want to get that one out there before anybody gets too excited.)

New Kids on the Block

Remember back in July when I got all excited that people were finally building on the weed-infested empty lot next to us? Well, it won't be long now until people are actually living on the property!

We haven't been able to get inside as of late (yes, we walked around the house during the building process--just like our neighbors have admitted to doing to us) because with the doors and garage doors on the place has been pretty well locked, but we assume they have to be getting close because they broke ground about the same time of year that we did, and we were moved in by Halloween (and we were supposed to be in by Native American Day, but a stupid fluke snowstorm set it back). I keep waiting to see the official moving signs--trucks, stuff piled into the garage, lights aflame at night--but nothing yet. And you can bet that when it does start to happen I'll be over there with a plate of cookies like any baking-happy old-fashion inspired neighbor should be. We do know that the homeowners are a young couple with a two-ish year old son; and no, I haven't actually met them, I just know that because I'm snoopy perceptive.

Oh, and do you notice the one glaring omission from the back of the house? There is no deck back there. But not because they don't have one; it's actually situated to the north of the house behind the garage. It's kind of an unusual layout, and while it has all the bells and whistles (raised ceilings, tile, arched entryways, etc), square-footage wise it's definitely on the small side. Which I thought was a little strange because Darrell and I had the mentality of keeping our square-footage high by minimizing other costs (who really needs six-paneled doors for every interior door?), but I guess everyone has different priorities. And I am just a little jealous of the space they have for a built-in fireplace; I've been trying to convince Darrell since the day we moved in that we need to put an electric one in our basement when we finish it. We'll see how that battle pans out.

Here's to hoping they're good neighbors--although anything is better than the empty lot we had before!

A Trip to the Farmer's Market

Fact: I have a tendency to make things into a bigger deal than they are. That cricket in the basement? Not going to jump at my jugular, bite through my skin, and kill me. There's no need to drag Darrell downstairs to kill it for me. That super unique shirt that I just have to have because I don't own anything like it? Yeah, there's a reason I don't own stuff like it. Back to the store it goes. Dragging Darrell out of bed on a Saturday morning to go to the Farmer's Market?

Really not worth it. I'm not sure what I was envisioning it to be, but it wasn't near as spectacular as I thought it would be. Sure, there were some weird vegetables that we'd never seen before, and plenty of vegetables that we don't really cook (hello Brussels sprouts), but as far as the stuff we would actually use, it really wasn't all that different from what we get in the store. And yes--I get the whole "farmer's markets are supporting local economy" thing, and I'm sure the produce is a little bit fresher and better tasting--but definitely not worth the drive to the north end of town. Especially when we can get most of the same stuff at our local grocery store (which is employe-owned and a local chain, just for the record), and most of it at better prices. Maybe when we have kids I'll feel differently about buying local stuff from a farmer's market, but for now it's suffice to say we'll stick with our grocery store. I guess it goes back to the old adage--If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Lesson learned.

But hey--I am a little bit glad we went, because now I can cross it off our 101 in 1001 list!

Awww....

Can I hear a collective sigh over how cute this is? Not to brag or anything, but this sweet card showed up in the mail (with a stamp and everything!) the other day for me from my dear husband. And I'd be lying if I said that this card didn't accurately mirror our morning routine, which makes it totally perfect (and totally the reason why my current fitness "plan" hasn't been happening in the least). I feel like this habit is going to get harder and harder to break as the temperatures continue to drop....but I suppose there are worse habits to be wrapped up in.

Happy Friday! (Finally!)

Iced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm beginning to think that my mom likes my joy of baking more than I do. It seems like any time she is attending or hosting an event, she readily agrees to bring a dessert, then casually asks if I would want to make the dessert for her. She knows I'll say yes (because I can't really turn down an opportunity to bake and try new recipes), and she ends up with something to contribute without any work on her end. Actually, I don't know why she wouldn't love this situation.

If I sound like I'm complaining, I'm not. Darrell and I don't really hang out in the social circles that do dinner parties and the such (although I would seriously love it if we did), so my dessert-making is often limited to recipes Darrell and I will be able to eat through before they spoil or things for the few and far between family events (or once-a-year Soup and Pie Supper at church). And, if it weren't for the potluck my parents are going to tonight, I may have never gotten around to trying out this recipe that I've had bookmarked for at least a year. I just wish I had tried them sooner--they are pretty darn sweet, but the flavors are super rich and they stay wonderfully moist.

Iced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
(delightfully borrowed from here)

Cookies:
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Icing:
3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350*. In a large bowl, cream together the sugars and the butter. Add the pumpkin, vanilla, and egg; stir well to combine. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing well. Stir in the chocolate chips and drop by rounded tablespoon full onto a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes and allow to cool before icing.

For the icing: Heat the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Heat until bubbling and thick. Cool ten minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup milk and then add the powdered sugar and beat until creamy.

My only issue with these cookies was that the icing never set well enough for me to be comfortable stacking them; I was too concerned that it would stick to the underside of the cookie on top of it (or to the wax paper if I put that between my rows). I did rush through the frosting a little bit though because I was in a hurry to get them to my mom's before it got too late, so that might have been part of the issue. And really, if you want to bake them to take someplace but are worried about the frosting making a mess, just leave it off! They certainly don't need the frosting, but I think it makes them look fancy unique, and the caramelized brown sugar is a nice flavor addition. Enjoy!

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

My initial praise for this book is going to sound a little similar to my praise for Diane Chamberlain's Secrets She Left Behind. I absolutely loved the way the author was able to capture the voice of the autistic narrator. Everything about the way the narrator spoke and acted was consistent with his autism and personality. While I know that it is impossible to "lump" all autistic people into the same behavioral group and expect that what works with one will work with another, I feel like I'd have a better understand of how to work with an autistic person after reading this book. And maybe it's because I'm a math nerd myself, but I absolutely loved the character's quirks.

The book itself centers around this autistic child trying to solve the mystery of a dead dog in his neighborhood. Because of his autism, he can't understand some of the idiosyncrasies of society that get in his way of solving the mystery or identifying clues (such as why the police aren't more concerned about a murdered dog or why a divorced man living next to a divorced woman should raise some eyebrows). But his dedication is inspiring--and at times, humorous, because we are able to see things from the rational, worldly perspective that doesn't necessarily exist for him.

Another fun fact about this book? This was my first e-book! We have e-reader capabilities on our computers at work, and the library has been working to expand their e-book collection, so I decided to give it a try. And you know what? I actually kind of liked it! I'm not sure I could completely give up my tangible books, but I'm starting to think that maybe a Kindle or a Nook wouldn't completely be the worst idea ever. Maybe :-)

Oh, and definitely check this book out if you get the chance. It's really engaging, enlightening (for me) from an autism perspective, and a pretty light, quick read. Although maybe I just flew threw it because I was enjoying my new e-reading capabilities--who knows!

I Could Do With More Weekends

My weekend? Lots of time with this guy:

It would have been better if it weren't for a sub-par performance from a key football team (I'm looking at you Georgia Tech), but I'll get over it (probably a lot faster then Darrell will--although he will be the first to admit that with the way their defense has been playing Tech did not deserve the ranking of 12th in the country). We sandwiched the game between a little bit of clothes shopping for me (and no, I don't make him hold my purse when we are out, but he did carry some of my clothes) and dinner at a Guatemalan restaurant in Sioux Falls, so it was a wonderful Saturday in my book. Sunday was our last soccer game of the season (sad face!), and we followed it up by meeting my dad and brother to watch the Vikings game. At least the first half. They were both so upset by the way things were going at halftime that they pretty much just up and left. Which was totally fine by us; we were both exhausted from soccer and crawled under the covers as soon as we got home (and yes, it was 9:30. Don't judge).

Thankfully, this upcoming weekend is panning out to be more of the same (just hopefully with a different football result--and maybe some pumpkin carving thrown in!), and I'm majorly looking forward to it. Now if only I can just get through this Monday (and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday....)

Fitness ADD

I had a surprising revelation the other day. When it comes to fitness, I have major ADD. Perhaps this stems from the fact that I spent the majority of four years in college being told when to work out, what to do, and what kind of shape I had to be in, but I'm not sure. All I know is that I've dipped my toes in a lot of things over the past few years--and not a one has been very consistent. Maybe it's because I bore easily when I don't have someone telling me what to do? Who knows.

The first "fad" I tried out was a few months before graduation. I'd been out of soccer for a few months and enjoying the lack of required workouts, but I was starting to feel lazy. Because it was winter and cold and I didn't always feel like biking (or driving) to the gym on campus, I bought an DVD of abdominal exercises. And I used it diligently for about a month. I'm totally clueless as to where it is now.

As the boredom started to set in with the ab workouts, word began to spread on campus about a water aerobics class at the fitness center. I was all over that; I love me some water. For about two months I didn't care that the only class I could make was the 5:45 AM class. But then graduation got closer, nights got later, and water aerobics fell off the table.

It was about eighteen months later that I picked up any type of fitness routine again. I was never one of those brides-to-be who went on some crazy diet/exercise regime to get in shape before the wedding, but I realized I should probably do something. Since my two jobs were eating up the majority of my time (and I was still very anti-AM workouts because of my college days), I bought a set of 10-lb weights and set up a schedule of exercises to do in the 30 minute break between jobs. And it worked great!--for two months at the most. I tried to get a few runs in before the wedding as well since I had talked Darrell into running a 5K on our honeymoon, but really didn't work too hard at it (as evidenced by my near 35-minute time. I tried blaming the hilly mountains and thin air, but let's face it--I was massively out of shape).

After the wedding I was super excited to get on Darrell's gym membership because his work gets a discount at this awesome gym. Well, that didn't happen until August (we got married in May). I did nothing over the summer months, but once I got that gym membership I was a serious gym rat. They schedule a few free visits with a trainer to check your fitness levels and set up a workout plan, and I followed that to a tee. For like a month, maybe two. I've used the excuse that I stopped because I got busy at my two jobs, but really--I got bored and lazy.

In December I decided to try the 100 push-up challenge. It was only a six-week program; I figured I could handle that. And I was pretty good about it--but only got to 33 pushups because I wasn't really that good about it (see full recap here).

But I gave up on the push-ups because I was heading full-on into my next fad--5Ks. I talked Darrell into running one on St. Patricks Day, and I vowed to improve my failed honeymoon attempt. So I made up a training schedule, incorporating lifting and core and speed work and long runs. And things went so well (minus the awful race-day weather), that I decided I wanted to run more 5Ks! I ran three more over the course of the summer (one in downtown Sioux Falls, one for Jazz Fest, and one with my Asian friend). The only one of those that was even acceptable was the first, because I actually trained for it. The other two were pretty terrible because my training was inconsistent at best (I was getting bored with running), but I still ran them because I'd committed to them.

Since that last 5K in July, though, I think I've maybe gone running twice. Maybe. Apparently, that ship has sailed (although I'd better get back on it next spring if I've ever going to cross that 10K off my 101 in 1001 list!). However, because I knew that I'd have a hard time continuing my running once my two jobs started up again at the end of August I decided to get a Pilates DVD. And I loved it. It had short little 10-minute segments that I could get up in the morning and do, and after about a month the exercises became pretty automatic.

About the time they became automatic, though, they also became boring. And my jobs got busy. And the snooze button started to look more and more enticing. So working out stopped happening. Until now. I'm back at it--and this time with strength training. But nothing that requires me to go to the gym (sometimes I wonder why we bother keeping our membership...); nope, I'm focusing primarily on body-weight exercises like squats and push-ups (supplemented occasionally with the 10-lb weights that really haven't been used since before the wedding). I'm spacing out days of my leg, ab, and arm exercises, and so far (I started this week), it's been going great. I'm actually feeling muscle soreness that I haven't felt in a good long while and I love being able to adjust the workout to the amount of time I have.

However, I'm realistic. I don't really expect this to last. I told Darrell last night that I'd be happy if I keep this up until Christmas, although I'm sure I'll get bored of it before then. I've heard great things about P90X and Insanity and some of those other exercises programs because they constantly mix things up and keep things interesting--but I just don't have the time to commit to those kind of things. As long as I can still fit into my pants, though, I guess I won't worry too much about changing the status quo!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Let's not waste any time beating around the bush on this one. This fudge is delicious. So so good. I've tried fudge a few other times, but never with this kind of luck. In fact, if I ever want to make any fudge variations, I'll probably base them off of this recipe. Not that there's really any need to change this recipe; it's seriously that good. Just be sure to cut the pieces small because it's plenty sweet.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
(from bakerella.com--love this site!)

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips
7 oz jar marshmallow creme
1/2 cup peanut butter

Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, 6 tablespoons margarine and 1/3 cup evaporated milk in a medium pot. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling for four minutes, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate pieces until melted. Add half the jar of marshmallow creme and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Beat until well blended. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan (I used glass and it worked really well). Repeat steps with the remaining ingredients, substituting peanut butter for the chocolate and spread over the chocolate layer. Cool at room temperature and cut into squares.

I promise you won't regret making this, and the best part is that in a 9x13 pan the recipe makes enough for you to share with friends/family/co-workers--and they'll all love you for it!

Oh the Places We Live

These past few days have kind of turned into a tribute to the college days, so I guess I might as well continue the trend. And I suppose the timing is fitting since it is Homecoming for good ole Wartburg College this weekend--not that we'll be attending, but we can still Be Orange!

So, with that in mind, I'll commence a photo-tour of some of the "significant" places in our Wartburg lives.

This would be where the magic started. Wartburg is pretty strict about having students live on-campus all four years, so they have a variety of housing options available beyond the traditional "dorm". This is Ernst manor, which is in a square of four manors, and each building has twelve rooms, six for each gender, with a commons area in the middle (and self-contained washing/drying machines. Score!). Plus, each room is joined to another room by a connecting bathroom, so there are only four people sharing each bathroom. My sophomore year (Darrell's senior), I had a room in the upper left-hand corner while Darrell had a room in the lower right (I did count at one time--I think it was 56 steps between our rooms). Anyway, maybe I'll do a full recap of how we met some other time, but for now I'm just chatting about the places.

This bridge was located about five blocks off campus, and it was really tucked away into a residential neighborhood so there was very little traffic around it (it's really only there because the area generally floods, so they had to raise the sidewalk a little). Darrell and I used to walk here All. The. Time. It was great. We'd go for a short little walk, stop at the bridge, and just talk (usually until one of us--most of the time me--got too cold). In fact, we were down in Waverly one weekend after having been dating for four years, and Darrell faked a proposal on the bridge. I was quite the unhappy camper to say the least.

I'd post a picture of the dorm-area I lived in my junior year, but really, it'd be a waste of a picture. I was kind of having a falling out with the one roommate that I'd lived with since freshman year, and I didn't really know the other two girls, so I spent the majority of my time here. Darrell discovered toward the end of his senior year that he was actually a quarter-credit shy of graduating, so my junior year he came back to Wartburg to finish his degree (he randomly took a sign-language class) and work part-time. He lived on the upper floor of this house with one of his friends (later his best-man) and his wife. It was kind of sketch; the landlord who lived downstairs was Seventh-Day Adventist and had some really strange beliefs, plus there were always random people moving in and out of the lower "apartments", in addition to like 20 stray cats that were regularly having kittens (some of which I may or may not have befriended against Darrell's better judgement). But, it got the job done, and it was pretty close to campus so I could easily bike over there.

My senior year some soccer teammates and myself were able to get permission to move off campus, so we moved into what is fondly called "The Green House". We had five girls in this house, and it was marvelously affordable. And even closer to campus than the house Darrell was living in--I put a lot of miles on my bike in college (when it wasn't getting stolen). Darrell spent the first half of my senior year living in the brown house he was in before (only now with the world's dumbest roommate--but that's a whole different post), but then his job ended and he had to move (he ended up coming up to Sioux Falls to live with my sister because he couldn't find a job right away).

I could post an equal number of photos of homes and apartments that we've lived in in the Sioux Falls area since graduation, but that's a post for a different time. And thankfully, we're finally settled in a place with steady jobs and no prospect of moving (at least not until we decide to head out East). It's kind of a nice feeling to be able to sink our roots into a place.

A Mini-Vaca

After a couple of rough weeks at work and very minimal time together, Darrell and I headed out of town over the weekend for a much-needed getaway. We didn't go any place spectacular (and spent more on gas than we did anything else), but it was still great to get away--and of course to visit a place very near and dear to our hearts:

Nothing like a weekend back in the good ole college town to take your mind off the stress of being a gainfully employed member of society. And like every good Wartburg Knight would do, Darrell and I had to make a stop at the local college bar, Joe's Knighthawk, in addition to stops at both of the other bars in Waverly. Go big or go home!

If you look closely at the sign, you'll see the real reason why Darrell and I went down to Waverly. Wartburg Soccer has always prided itself in being a "family", and there's no better way to celebrate that family than to host an event for the alumni (and, of course, buy them a free keg--guaranteed way to get people to show up). We spent a gorgeous afternoon at the soccer games, during which the alumni in attendance were introduced at halftime (women's alumni during the women's game, men during the men's game).

I should also mentioned that this was the first year that they've done this event, so things were a little unorganized. Hence the awkward standing around in the middle of the field after being announced. And unfortunately, one of the 2007 female grads got married this same weekend, so a lot of alumni who would have been in attendance were at the wedding. But, it was still good to see everyone who was there (and fewer people meant more free beer for the ones who were there--oofta!), plus we got to see both teams come away with wins (although the women took a nail-biting game into overtime, only to score the golden goal a mere 40 seconds in!), so all in all it was a great weekend. A much-needed great weekend.

Now, I'm off to enjoy my day off (the perfect end to the weekend)! Happy Columbus/Native American Day!

In Retrospect...

Things Darrell probably wishes he knew before he married me:

• I'm secretly a girly-girl

Remember when this guy showed up in our house? 

I pretty much freaked. I was totally not okay with it, and absolutely refused to walk down the hallway until Darrell did something about it. However, chances are, four years ago I would have knocked that bugger down myself and killed him. What changed? Well, four years ago I was living in a house with four other girls. and when I'm in those situations, I tend to be more inclined to suck it up and be a man (because I refuse to let the bug sit there with no one doing something about it). But when Darrell is around... All bets are off. (Arm me with a can of Raid, however, and I have no fear against wasps.) I still do well when camping though; bugs have never really been an issue there. Maybe it's because we're outdoors and I'm not surprised when bugs turn up? Who knows.

• I have this weird thing with sheets and bedcovers

Image credit here

So apparently in the military beds have to be made so that the sheets are so tight one could bounce a quarter off of them. I secretly strive for that. I've never actually tried, but man, I sure pull those sheets as taut as I can. And that's usually how I make the decision to wash our sheets; not because they are getting gross or anything, but because they are getting too loose (and yes, I have actually pulled the corners of the bed sheet tighter when we've stayed someplace where I deemed them too loose). 

And when we're cuddling under the covers, the comforter has to be pulled up evenly. If I have my side pulled up, then Darrell's side has to be pulled up (but only when we're cuddling). And I certainly don't like when the ends of the comforter bunch up on the sides of the bed; comforters are meant to hang over the sides of the bed, and that's how they shall be in my bed. Sometimes when we're cuddling Darrell will mess the comforter up and move it all around, and it weirdly drives me crazy to the point that I have to fix it or I can't relax. I have no idea if I've always been like this or not, but it kind of drives Darrell a little crazy (so he compensates a messes with things to drive me a little crazy).

• I'm kind of like a gorilla

Photo by Hermann Vollmer

Apparently I have this knack for identifying stray items on Darrell's clothing and body. Rouge hairs, small fuzz, food in his teeth--you name it, I see it. So, my inclination is to pick it off (yes, I have picked stuff out of his teeth when he doesn't have a mirror, but no, I've never eaten any of it like a gorilla would). Well, apparently Darrell doesn't care for this, especially because he thinks that when I'm looking at him when he talks, I'm not really listening but instead looking for ways to groom him (which isn't the case, I promise). He also doesn't like when I just start reaching toward his face to grab a stray eyelash or piece of fuzz tucked behind his ear; apparently it makes him startled or something. But, if it's any consolation, I totally don't do this just to Darrell. I've actually picked a stray hair off someone in front of me at church before (don't worry, they didn't know), and my sister and I constantly pick each other for stray hairs. 

I'm sure there are plenty of other items that could go on the list, but I'll leave it at these for now (and save myself any more embarrassment). Maybe I'll make a running series out of this; I could easily rack up a list of things I wish I had known about Darrell before we got married :-)

Flashback

Check out that hot couple! That's the hubs and I, circa early 2006. And yes, for the record, that stocking cap rarely left my head that winter--indoors or out, winter coat or not. Apparently I was gangsta--and proud of it (Darrell? Not so proud. I lost that stocking cap in the early spring, and part of me suspects that Darrell had something to do with it).

It was about this time six (!!!) years ago that I first met Darrell, and by October 25th, we were dating. The rest, as they say, is history. Good, great, wonderful history.

Toasted Coconut, Pecan, and Caramel Pie

Every fall our church holds their annual Soup and Pie Supper. These kind of events are very popular around here; I'm not even kidding when I say Darrell and I could go to a different church in like a thirty mile radius at least 20 days this month to hit up a "fall festival" dinner and/or craft bazaar of some sort. Aside from a few years when I was in college, I've pretty much always gone to the event at our church (and when Dad is offering to buy the ticket, why wouldn't I go?). However, the past few years I've started to give back and actually help out with the event by baking some pies. I think I ended up making four last year because they were anticipating being short, but this year I only had to make two. Which was fortunate, because the event kind of snuck up on me and I ended up making the pies the morning of the event before church. But, with this recipe, it wasn't an issue at all. I actually think this is the 3rd year I've taken this pie to church for the supper, and I assume people must like it because there are never slices lingering around at the end (what might end up in the trash, though, is beyond me. So I'm just going to pretend like people like it). It is definitely a little sweet, and our church is certainly not afraid to cut their slices large (obesity epidemic anyone?) so I ended up needing to help my mom finish her piece, but that was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Plus, the recipe makes two pies, so it's great to use for an event like this!

Toasted Coconut, Pecan, and Caramel Pie
(umm.... I probably found this in a magazine somewhere? I've been using it for years, so I apologize for not remembering the source)

2 deep dish pie shells, baked
1/4 cup butter
8 oz package flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
8 oz package cream cheese, softened
14 oz container sweetened condensed milk
12 oz container whipped topping, thawed
Caramel ice cream topping

In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add coconut and pecans. Toss well, and saute until coconut is lightly browned. Set aside to cool. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk and mix until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon one-fourth of the cream cheese mixture into each pie shell. Top with one-fourth of the coconut mixture. Repeat layers. Drizzle with caramel topping. Serve chilled or frozen.

Getting ready to layer!

I should note, the layers can definitely be modified to your own preference; I personally like to include a little caramel tucked into the middle layer of the pie (and sometimes I like to put all the coconut in there so it's like a surprise!). However, I have found that it's a good idea to make sure to have the coconut layer on the top when you are bringing this pie to an event like a church dinner so people know what kind of pie they're getting; coconut is definitely one of those things that you either love or hate!

Love the One You're With

When I saw this book at a used book store this summer I was very excited to scoop it up. We were at the beach, and it seemed like a perfect light read to enjoy while soaking in some rays.

Well, I never did read it while we were at the beach. In fact, I didn't read it until a few weeks ago. And light though it was, it just wasn't something I loved. The premise of the story seemed enjoyable (and believable) enough: newlywed woman has a chance encounter with an ex that she hasn't seen in years and old feelings get stirred up. Totally plausible. And, truthfully, I was curious to see how the author handled the situation because I think it is one a lot of couples run into.

I guess I'm not sure how I had expected the situation to be handled (especially in a literary novel), but I was not a huge fan of how things panned out. In fact, I got so annoyed with the way the characters were acting at times that I couldn't even get caught up in the "suspense" of the plot. I disliked the primary female character because she was stupidly (and intentionally) flirting with the line of an affair. I disliked the character she was border-line having an affair with, because he was pretty much encouraging the behavior even though he knew she was married. And, although I thought the character of her husband and her whole husband's family was enjoyable overall, I thought her husband was a little too, well, perfect, especially in the way he handled things at the end.

When it was all said and done, though, the book did have one redeeming message: every relationship and every marriage is unique, and in order to be successful over the long term it is important to have open communication and be willing to compromise when issues arise. Even if it means not following the path of the status quo. So I guess if you haven't figured that out yet, then maybe this is the book for you. Otherwise, you could probably pass on it.