When I grow up I want to be a...

Cherry Ames. Did you guys (most likely girls) ever read her books? I did, and I loved them. When I was about twelve I wanted to be a nurse so I could wear those cute little outfits, as Miss Ames is wearing on the left. Also, because I thought it would be sooooo romantic to care for a wounded soldier and fall in love. Yeah, I was quite a romantic...well I still am. However, I have discovered that nurses don't get to wear those stylish outfits...nor is the possibility of me caring for a hot soldier very likely. Nevertheless, I still want to be a nurse.

I haven't always thought that nursing was for me; there were times when I thought I should major in History, Sociology, Global Studies, Communications...and I changed my major each time. I almost enrolled in Culinary School too! Whew! Finally, God led me back to Nursing. I was searching for a career that encompassed everything that I love and would help me accomplish my purpose for this life. Nursing was the answer. Well, except for baking...but I can do that anyways!

One lady that has had a large impact on my decision for becoming a nurse is dear Mrs. Robinson. She has been practically like a grandmother to me, also my Latin teacher, and a great friend. She was a missionary nurse in Guatemala, Honduras, and many other places in the 1940's and 1950's. (Not sure of the exact dates). She would, and still does, tell me stories of her delivering babies in huts in the middle of the night, and sometimes in the dark! I love hearing her talk of all the things she did, people she encountered, and the amazing works of God that she witnessed. Her stories and the example she has set is so inspiring! I hope someday I will have the opportunity to be a nurse on the mission field.

Anyways, I just thought I'd let you all know how excited I am to become a nurse!!! I know I have a long way to go...but today I got into the final class that I need before I apply to the Nursing program! That means this fall I'll apply for the Spring semester! I know the chances of getting in right away are slim...but I also know God is in control, so I'm not going to stress about it. He helped me through this last semester, and I know he will get me through the ones to come.

And now to close with a quote from Florence Nightingale, since we're talking about extraordinary nurses.

"And so is the world put back by the death of every one who has to sacrifice the development of his or her peculiar gifts (which were meant, not for selfish gratification, but for the improvement of that world) to conventionality. [1852]"

Midnight Madness

So last night I got really inspired and tried my hand at cake making! I've been wanting to make one for a while now, and since I volunteered to make the cake for my brother's graduation party, I needed to get some practice in. I started with making the fondant with a recipe that uses marshmallows and powdered sugar, then made a chocolate cake from a box (one of these days I'll try one from scratch), and finished by making chocolate cream-cheese frosting. I started this whole shin-dig at around 9:30 last night and finished around 4:00 this morning. Luckily, I had the Decemberists and the Killers to keep me company. By the time I was done, I was covered in powdered sugar, exhausted, but also extremely satisfied with my masterpiece :) Here are the pictures for evidence.

Rolling the fondant out. Man, bakers must have some amazing muscles. My arms are sore!
That's my thumb. I was very thrilled to get the fondant on the cake without it braking.
The finished product! What do ya think?

Candace and I tried it this morning. A healthy breakfast for sure.

This cake kind of reminds me of a coral reef or something from The Little Mermaid, but I don't really have a name for it. Did I mention that it tasted wonderful?! A lot of fondant cakes that I have tried usually have a weird taste but the marshmallows and powdered sugar give it a sweet, fluffy flavor. Well it has been quite a lovely experience baking this cake, and I'm already thinking of new ideas for another cake! So until then, Bon Appetit!

Better than a boyfriend...WHAT???

One of my favorite things to do is bake. I like to bake when I am stressed (which is often), when I am angry (not quite so often), or when I am with people I love (more often), because I like to see people enjoy what I make. For the past few days I've been throwing around ideas in my head for a new cookie recipe. I always make chocolate chip cookies- I have a recipe that never fails me- but I decided that I want to invent my own recipe! I also decided that this summer I'm going to experiment and try to make a few of my own recipes.

So now for the reason I'm writing this post: I finally came up with my first cookie recipe!

They are called Better Than A Boyfriend Cookies (like the name?) and here is the recipe if you want to try them out. When I bake I kind of just throw things in without measuring, so for your sake I tried to come up with exact measurements so I hope they are correct!

Better Than A Boyfriend Cookies

In a large mixing bowl. Slowly mix the following ingredients in this order:

½ c. butter (not margarine!)

½ c. Crisco

¾ c. sugar

¾ c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 ½ tsp. vanilla

2 c. flour- you might add a little more or less.

1/3 c. dark chocolate cocoa powder- or until dough is dark brown; you might need more.

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips- or more if you are like me and really love chocolate!

Chill dough for about 20-30 minutes

In a separate bowl mix:

¾ c. cream cheese

½ c. powdered sugar- you can add a bit more- it just needs to be sweet!

½ tsp. vanilla

(I didn’t really measure these ones out but if you need more just add more. Consistency should be thick.)

Ok, heat oven to 350°, and once dough is chilled drop about 1- 1 ½ inch balls on ungreased cookie sheet. Poke a hole in the middle of each ball and add a little of the cream cheese filling into each cookie. Cover the hole up. Pop in the oven for about 9-10 minutes or until cookies are kind of firm. Be careful not to cook them for too long. Then take them out, cool for a few minutes and Enjoy!

I hope they turn out! If not, you can blame me for not using the precise measurements, but I’m pretty sure I got them right.

Well, Ill be experimenting some more so maybe I’ll be able to post some other new recipes in the future!

A wrap up.

With the semester winding down (my last final is tomorrow!!!), I've been thinking about things that I want to do...or need to do with the free time that I shall finally have.

Here they go:

~Wash my car...I believe it was only cleaned once this semester...yuck.

~Hunt for a cheep desk and get Hillary to help me re-do it. She's an expert. :)

~Paint my room. Baby blue has got to go.

~Go on a road trip.

~Find a church.

~Hunt for a job.

The last one is what I am dreading the most. Last summer I tried to find a job in Riverside and it was torture. It also proved to be impossible. So lets just pray I find a good job soon! If you hear of anything in Bakersfield please let me know.

Well...that's all for now.

Only one day away from freedom :)