day 22.

day 22.

a website.

www.ostate.com this is the rivals website for oklahoma state. it keeps me posted on everything oklahoma state athletics related. recruits, commitments, rumors, etc...it's wonderful. if you love osu sports, you need to check it out :)

day 21

day 21.

a recipe.

this recipe has been passed down/around in my family. we make these cookies, which can be very elaborate, or very plain depending on how special the occasion or how much free time you may or may not have :) no matter how you fix them, they are DELICIOUS!! oh, by the way, i don't know who mary is, that's just what we call them, i'm sure she was someone's aunt or something :)

Mary's Sugar Cookies

Cookies:

1 cup butter at room temperature

1½ cups powdered sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

½ tsp almond extract

2½ cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

Icing:

1 lb powdered sugar

1 egg white

a pinch of salt

½ tsp vanilla

¼ tsp almond extract

enough milk to make spreadable

Cookies:

Combine butter, powdered sugar, egg, vanilla and almond extract in a large mixing bowl until smooth. In a separate large bowl combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Fold a little at a time into the butter mixture until all ingredients are combined. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Bake for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Icing:

Mix together powdered sugar, egg white, salt, vanilla and almond extract. Add milk 1 “cap” at a time until the icing is spreadable. Be careful not to add too much milk, this will make the icing to difficult to work with.

day 20

day 20.

a hobby of mine.

something that i love to do, and definitely consider a hobby...refinishing/repurposing old furniture. i love to take something that is old, unwanted, unattractive, not being used to its full potential and making it something that people love! i am the kind of person who will take on the project and actually see it through to completion...just for the joy of seeing the before and after :) i didn't have a before picture of this little table, except from when i used it for keller's 4 week pictures, so here as an example...

before....(ignore the precious little naked guy)

after

day 19

day 19.

a talent of mine.

well, this kind of started because i made a cake for my sister maggie's 20th birthday party...at the time i thought it was a really pretty cake, looking back it was pretty bad. anyway, it prompted me to start making cakes for certain occasions. nothing serious, i've done a few birthdays, baby showers and wedding showers. i really enjoy it and would LOVE to own my own specialty bakery someday. if i ever live in a town that could support such an endeavor i will open one...until then i'll be thinking of a cute name for it :) this is a birthday cake for a 13 year old, the theme was 70's, peace signs, tie-dye etc. the sides said "peace, love and 13"

day 18

day 18.

whatever tickles my fancy.

okay, so right now i am completely OBSESSED with oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and the dough. i have been working out and eating healthy since a few months after keller was born, but all the sudden i can't get enough of these!! i do use splenda in place of sugar so that makes me feel a little better about eating 6 dozen of these at a time :) give them a try, they are better than regular chocolate chip...so much better!!!!!!

day 17

day 17.

an art piece.

can you call it art if it's something you made? i painted this picture of chris and keller for chris for father's day. it is one of his more favorite gifts i've ever given him. this is a little skill i picked up from one of my art classes at oklahoma state...and of everything i learned while earning my degree, i think this is something i've used most :) i really enjoy painting, and gift giving :)

day 16

day 16.

a song that makes me cry (or nearly).

okay, so i know this is pretty lame....but about 9/10 that i sing the star spangled banner, i get all choked up and my eyes start to water! i will get goosebumps and everything. i know i know, it's so stupid, but i can't help it! i don't really consider myself a patriotic person but something about that song just makes me feel so statesmanlike.