VOTE!

If you live in Wisconsin today is Supreme Court Election Day!

I went to the debate in Madison over Spring Break.

 Look up the candidates.

Educate yourself.

Then vote.

We all know what happened last time people didn't go out to drop a ballot in a box.

*Cough* Walker *Cough*

So go.

Make your voice heard.

Dreaming

I took a little walk today.

I let the wind whip around me and bring the rose to my cheeks.

 All day I have been admiring the blue of the sky from the wrong side of my window,

afraid of the chilling winds that had whipped me around the few times I went out.

 I braved it after I went to supper to find the breeze had died down.

...

I was sketching out some randomness yesterday during a lower campus blackout.

The hearts came from a Valentine card from my grandpa.

I figure I'll use them on a page sometime soon.

(Look for them.)

The more my mind wandered the more I thought about all the things I would love to bake.

I am so excited to have six weeks left!

Six weeks and I can have a kitchen on a regular basis once again.

I'm excited to see what I can cook up with all of the fresh ingredients Nature will provide!

...

I can see the end of the hockey season.

It is approaching fast and I don't want to see it end.

But I think it's fun to see how the standings are shaking out,

and which players are starting to shine.

(I want it known that I had faith in Gerbe and Enroth from the start!)

~Always an Adventure~

Kokie

PS Check out Claire's new blog!

Thoughts From a Thursday . . .

Yesterday started like most Wednesdays.

At somewhere between 7 and 7:30 depending on the motivation.
A cup of tea and some cold wind add to the bad attitude to the two hour class I have in store.
I finished up with classes for the day though, and I released something.
I had no pressing homework.
I could take it all at a leisurely pace and at the end of the day
(6 o'clock on the dot)

I could stop and watch what was to be an exciting hockey game.
Then I got a voicemail.
I was on babysitting duty for some friends.

A few hours later I was sword fighting and running around with 3 boys.
I had the time of my life.
I was a little reluctant.
The Sabres were playing the Rangers!
(You would be too-really.)
But I made it happen.
I danced to Baby Mozart,
raced a video game car
(crashed would be a more accurate statement),
won a pillow fight,
lost another one,
and loved every minute of it.

I didn't grow up with boys.
They're gross and have coodies.
But I guess there are the occasional few
who put Clone War decals on their wall,
know the finesse it takes to jump up and down to classical music,
and understand the finer points of sword play,
and those guys are the ones that are all right in my book.

Thanks for a great night.

~Always an Adventure~
Kokie

PS Sabres won and we're tied for 7th!

[Source]

Way to steal my heart Enroth.

Scrapbooking Break

The Buffalo Sabres game two-page-spread.

Not the most artsy,

but defiantly the most fun!

Jambalaya and a Cookie Feeling

Supper tonight was Brown Rice Jambalaya

(via Big Girls Small Kitchen).

This was the first time I've made it,

also the first time I've ever had it.

Mark my words-

It will NOT be the last.

I love it.

I love my people.

We decided over supper that Katie and I will take vacations together.

We will go to places like

Paris,

Ireland,

New Orleans,

pretty much the world.

Super excited!

Also, while setting the mood for the meal I put on The Princess and the Frog soundtrack.

If you haven't seen this yet, do.

Rent it,

stream it,

whatever you must do.

It's awesome!

Claire came home after work and I fixed her a second supper.

Off the cuff buttered noodles with tomatoes and parmesan.

I also got the cookie feeling.

I love that making chocolate chip cookies is no longer an activity.

It's a feeling,

an emotion.

I looked at Katie,

both of us still full from supper and said,

"I feel like we should make cookies."

Her reply was the best ever,

"YEAH!"

And that's why I made cookies.

No other reason.

Just a feeling.

Chocolate and Banana Love

Another TasteSpotting recipe.

This one was much easier.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins.

YUM!

Let the Adventures Begin!

I'm home.

Which means I'm baking!

=)

I found this really cool website

and I've been stock piling recipes in preparation for this week.

First up,

Earl Grey Cupcakes with Citrus Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting.

They

were

DECADENT!

The cupcakes weren't too sweet and were a little dry just on their own.

Paired with the frosting and it was perfect!

The frosting wasn't thick,

often a problem I have with cake toppings.

(Thank goodness for meringue!)

I picked the recipe thinking it would be interesting to try.

They were quite a lot of work,

and introduced me to the art of meringue making,

but it was all worth it!

Next up, dinner.

I made the one-dish chicken that you might remember me swearing against.

I tried it again.

This time under more guidance and with a better oven.

Much better results!

I've got to attend to the Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins in the oven.

Have a great Monday evening!