After Blizzard Regrets

Ok ready for this?
I was part of the 2011Crazy Big Deal Huge Blizzard in Chicago.
Also, let me remind you that I own a camera.

Who in their right mind would be part of one of the biggest natural disasters so far in 2011and NOT take photos?
It's a no -brainer. This is prime time for photo taking.

Duh.

Are you putting 2 and 2 together?
Well,
Don't.

That's right.
I had the opportunity to take some of the most beautiful photos yet. Everything smooth white. All things covered with this beautiful, cold stuff.

So, how did the pictures come out Evie?!?
Well friends, they didn't.
I sat inside like a chicken in the warmth of my home.

Pathetic, I know. Sadly though, it's true.
Here are the few I captured from my window:

To be honest, from the pictures I've been seeing, this is nothing compared to some other areas.

The digging begins

Apparently, once you've worked most of the day digging out your car,
you are allowed to claim it with chairs until you return. Makes sense.

Our neighbors dug through and found our sidewalk!

After the digging, this is a view of the sidewalk and some dug out cars in front of our building. 

Don't worry, my plan is to go out tomorrow and take pictures of the remaining mounds of snow around the city. I'll let you know how it goes. 

Happy Super Bowl Weekend!!

Nature + Awesome

Ok, so lately I have been into nature.
I have been noticing new things about trees, bushes, grass (or lack thereof), etc.
Like I mentioned before, I am just now, 25 yrs later, getting the opportunity to experience seasons.

I love them.

Sure, it's COLD. Freezing actually.
And yes, I miss the warm Florida sun.
But honestly, I don't think I would go back.
It's just too AWESOME.

Awesome is a word I use A LOT.
Not sure if you all noticed.
But I think this word is one of the most often used in my vocabulary.

awe·some [aw-suh m] - adjective
1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight.
2. showing or characterized by awe.
3. Slang. very impressive : That new white convertible is totally awesome.


I really think that this work best describes the things I think are awesome. I have used every definition of this word when describing awesomeness.

I think God is awesome.
I think Ruben is awesome.
I think family is awesome.

I think friends are awesome.

I think creation is awesome.

I think food is awesome.

I think photography is awesome.

I think art is awesome.

I think acts of love and service are awesome.

Sure, I may need to broaden my vocabulary a bit, but I just wanted to let everyone know that when I say something is awesome it might be because of my limited vocabulary, OR it could because I really mean it.

I'll leave you with some nature photos I took recently:

Have a great weekend!

Hot dogs for Breakfast

Ok so this morning Ruben and I were like, "What should we make today so we can have something different?"

So Ruben was like, "Let's make scrambled eggs and bagels."

And I was like, "What if we use the hot dogs we just bought too?"

Ruben was like, "Hot dogs with eggs? That actually sounds good.. I used to eat that when I was little."

I was like, "AWESOME! Let's do it!"

THEN, I was like, "Should we use hot dog buns instead of bagels?"

Ruben was like, "Good idea!"

Then, Ruben was like, "Oh! I'm gonna melt cheese on top of my eggs, do you want it on yours too?"

And I was like, "OHHH!! WHAT IF WE MELT THE CHEESE ON THE BUNS FIRST AND THEN PUT THE EGGS ON IT!!?!"

So, that's what we did, and it was AMAZING!!!!

You can't tell that the hot dog buns were stuffed with the egg/cheese/ hot dog mixture cause I took the pictures too late, but you have to believe me that it was SOOOO GGOOOODDDD!!!!! 

I will make sure to take photos before eating almost the entire thing next time :)

Ingredients:

2 Hebrew National hot dogs (seriously, the best brand I've ever had)

6 eggs

4 slices American cheese (the real kind, not the processed cheese food slices)

2 hot dog buns (we had pretty big ones with sesame seeds on top)

Directions:

Cut the hot dogs into small pieces. Fry them until you are pleased. I prefer mine almost burnt. :) Once your hot dogs are how you want them, add in the eggs. Wait till they cook a little before you scramble them in the pan. Meanwhile, get your buns ready by putting 2 slices of cheese on each bun and microwaving them for 40 seconds each so that they cheese is perfectly melted. Finally, add your egg/hot dog mixture to your buns and enjoy!

How to Coffee Press

Um, Evie.. You already had a post entitled coffee.

I know, I know. Don't fret though (as if you were really worried..)!

This coffee post is not dedicated to my profession of love for this delightful caffeinated beverage.
It is, however, dedicated to me showing you how I do my thing with our coffee press.

Ok so, a little background:
-I broke our old coffee press.
-Ruben surprised me with another one.
 Complete with travel press.
-We no longer use our coffee machine, ever.
-I have coffee daily. Yum.

Phew. Now that that's out of the way, I'll get to the process of how I go about making this yummy drink.

Things I use:
+Filtered water
+Electric Kettle
+Whole bean coffee
+Grinder
+Plastic spoon
-Creamer (optional)
+Coffee press, of course :)

Note:
-You don't have to grind your own beans, but it does make it more tasty. Up to you though.
-Same goes for filtered water. Not totally necessary, but will provide a more delightful cup of joe.

Let's go on..

Step1 : Filtered water. Again, not necessary, but better.

Start the boiling in your kettle.. now.

Step 2: Coffee beans.

Whether you are grinding them yourself, or using ground ones, this is where you measure out how much you're putting in your press.Make you coarsely grind the beans so they don't seep through the press. I use 3-4 scoops depending on how strong I want it that day.

Step 3: Add water.

Once you have done all of this your water should be boiled or close to it. Add the water to press leaving an inch from the top.

Step 4: Stir.

Use either a plastic or wooden spoon/utensil , but NOT a metal one.

  

Step 5: Place cap on press.

Make sure you do not press the plunger down yet!

Set a timer either on your microwave or phone for 4 minutes.

For a stronger cup do 5min. For a weaker cup do 3min. 

Step 6: Press down, pour and enjoy!

When your timer goes off your ready to press the plunger down.

Do this slowly and evenly until you reach the bottom.

Step 7(optional): Extra goodies.

Once you have completed steps 1-6 you're ready to enjoy your hot delicious beverage. If, however, you're like me and you don't often drink your coffee black, this is when you add in the extra goodies. I prefer French Vanilla creamer, but you can use anything you want. (Whip Cream, Sugar, Milk, etc.)

I also added some cookies I made to the mix.  

You can add anything. Get creative. :)

Hope you all have a great week!

Spring 2011 semester starts tomorrow. 

I'll keep you posted.

Here We Go Again

That time is here again.
The beginning of the new semester has arrived.

My feelings? Dread, Self-Doubt, Fear.
My hope? Anticipation, Confidence, Success.

I can't explain my dislike for this process of education that I'm going through.
I wish so badly that I loved school.
I wish I loved tests.
I wish I loved studying.

Instead, I love people.
I want to be with people.
I want to hang out with people.
I want to eat with people.

Ultimately, my end goal will be working with people.
I'm sure this grad- school thing will be worth it in the end.

This year, just like everyone else, I plan to start new things and stick to them. Let's see how well I do..

Here is a list of things I am going to work my hardest to improve on in 2011:
+Cooking.
-Photography.
+Studying AHEAD of time for exams.
-Starting papers BEFORE the night before they are due.
+READING textbooks and even non-school books at the SAME time!
-Looking for the positive in every situation.
+Making as much hand-made decor as possible.
-Getting people gifts for no reason.

Happy New Year!

A cocktail I learned to make to start off the New Year! :)