How Does the Favorite Work?

I've always wondered how a child chooses the favorite belonging. I can still remember my gray, love-worn bunny that rattled in the belly. I can even recall the names of my college roommate's dearest childhood stuffed loves (General and Super Bunny). I know, that's kind of a random thing to not forget...

As Blakely grows, I often wonder which of her many lovely treasures will become favorites. And do parents help children choose unintentionally? Is there some kind of subconscious bias? Does anyone else ponder this?

Lately Blakely has shown her first fascination and commitment to an item. And of all things, it's a book! Yay! That warms my heart. Not that she can read it or even know it's a book, but still...

I couldn't help but steal some quick vids this weekend to document her first real attachment to something inanimate. B will literally hold this book in her sleep. Go figure. Enjoy. And much love from me and Blakes (and Timmy).

Had to Share: Chocolate Biscotti

Just the other {Tuesday} morning, I was craving something baked. I didn't have any muffin mixes in the house, but I did find a devil's food chocolate cake mix stashed in the back of my "pantry" (I wish it were truly a pantry). I also spied the yet-to-be-loved Cake Mix Doctor on my cookbook shelf. I cruised the index and found just the thing! It was fast, easy, and surprisingly delicious. I took some pics along the way so I could share the biscotti love!

The lowdown:
Makes: 18 biscotti
Prep time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 35 minutes/first baking, 15 minutes/second baking, & 40 minutes resting time in oven

What you need:
Cookie sheet or baking pan
1 package devil's food cake mix
1 stick of butter (8 tablespoons)
3 large eggs (recipe calls for 2, but 3 helped the flour come together)
1 cup whole wheat flour (recipe calls for all-purpose, but I'm a sucker for whole wheat)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (recipe calls for macadamia, but I used almonds and cranberries since I had it in the house)

The goods (doesn't take much! *eggs not pictured here)



I love my Pampered Chef pan--it worked perfectly for the biscotti.

Bake away:

1. Place oven rack in the center of oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Recipe suggest that you line your baking sheet with parchment paper--I didn't do that because I didn't have any.

2. In a mixing bowl (I used my KitchenAid), mix cake mix, melted butter, eggs, flour, and nuts. Blend it up! At first I tried to stir it, but it did not all clump together. I had to use the electric mixer (which is what the recipe suggests). This is especially true because I used whole wheat flour.

Melt the butter in the microwave and pour it in!

  

I added chopped almonds--I think any nuts would be terrific!

I forgot to mention, flax seed kicks it up a notch too.

3. Keep blending! The dough should come together into a ball.

Let the mixer do the work.

4. Transfer dough to your baking sheet (the recipe suggests you flour your hands--I didn't do that).

5. Shape the dough into a rectangle, about the size of your baking sheet. You can mound the dough so that it's slightly higher in the center.

6. Bake your biscotti rectangle (don't cut it first) for 35-40 minutes or until it feels firm when lightly pressed with your finger and when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Let biscotti cool about 10 minutes or until you it's not too hot to slice. Cut biscotti on the baking sheet. Slice the rectangle on the diagonal into 1 inch thick slices.

Almost any knife will work

8. Turn slices on their sides using the knife (don't burn your fingers!).

9. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake biscotti for another 10-15 minutes at 350. Finally, turn the oven off and let the biscotti remain in over until crisp (another 30-40 minutes).

10. Let cool and enjoy! I recommend dipping in your morning coffee!!

Blakely baking her own cookies!

Credit: The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn (can find on Amazon with fantastic costumer reviews: linked here).  

The Wrap: Kickball, Pill Box, & Pork Chops

It's late in Hawaii. And if it's late in Hawaii, well, it's late everywhere else in this country too (even later). I hope you aren't reading this now! I hope you sleeping soundly. Monday is just a few short hours away--again. ;)

I played this weekend! Yay!

We did church on Friday, a surprise kickball party on Saturday, and The Pill Box hike in Kailua today. But, I sorta feel like whatever comes up, must come down. So, after all our escapades, I had to zip home today and start my online University of Phoenix work.

This made me realize--again--that I really dislike bringing work home. I love teaching for so many reasons, but I'm sometimes envious of a job where work is at work and home is at home. I feel blessed to do some of my work from home, but it's also stressful. I feel pulled a lot of different directions and I rarely feel "done." Ya know? :) I'm not good at finding a stopping place. Somethings gotta give though. Tonight it was dinner prep. I just couldn't wrap up my online work fast enough to make those dang mashed sweet potatoes. Tim, bless his heart, bbq-ed our yummy pork chops, but I couldn't pull through on my end. I hate that feeling.

Anyway, I did make the mashed sweet potatoes much later this evening. At least they are in the fridge for later. I just used Okinawan Sweet Potatoes from Costco, Simply Apple Juice from Target, and I Can't Believe it's not Butter, Butter. My KitchenAid did all the hard work. I guess I made up the apple juice part. I figured natural sugar is better than me scooping it in. And sweet potatoes are best when they're, well, sweet! It's a perfect family dish--Blakely, Tim, and I all dig the potatoes.

Well, here's to finding that balance between work, play, love, and Jesus! Cheers. Happy Week! ~Some pics below~

Rachel planned a clever and perfect surprise birthday for her hubby, Nick.

 Nick was surprised! Let the games begin!

My pep talk from Blakely!

Blakely's first hike. I can't believe we waited so long!

Ten months old! (Pill Box Hike in Kailua)

Grammar with Kate

Hello and Happy Friday!

My mind has been locked on grammar lately. I teach a communications course for Axia College (of University of Phoenix) and I have this fabulous group of students right now. They are so interactive--digitally--and they ask phenomenal questions.

Since I love the English language and I love to "communicate" (talk--haha ;)), I thought I'd share a few tips with you and one sassy blog post (someone else's blog--you're gonna love it).

Here goes...

• Use commas!!! You need them!

For example: Let's eat Grandpa vs. Let's eat, Grandpa. Yikes! Please don't eat your dear, sweet grandfather. However, feel free to share a meal with him. ;)

• For goodness' sake ((*apostrophe may or may not be needed--depending on how you interpret the meaning of the aforementioned idiom): capitalize i when it's a pronoun.

Unless you are ee cummings or desire to flex your artistic freedom, please don't forget to capitalize the pronoun, I. I promise, it won't take but a nano second.

For example: It's Friday night; im so glad! vs. It's Friday night; I'm so glad!

• Semicolons are stronger than commas! This is how it works in my mind anyway. A comma is a simple guy. But, a semicolon has that extra dot on top, which gives him extra strength. Where a comma cannot join two independent thoughts (because he's weak--sweet guy), a semicolon can!

For example: wrong: Blakely has red hair, she's quite adorable. vs. right: Blakely has red hair; she's quite adorable. Of course, you could also add a conjunction to strengthen the well-meaning, ol' comma--right: Blakely has red hair, and she's quite adorable.

• Don't use an apostrophe when you are just making your noun plural--por favor and mahalo!

For example: wrong: Amy Grant has many amazing album's. vs. right: Amy Grant has many amazing albums.

Okay--I really hope this post doesn't sound grammatically arrogant! I certainly don't mean it that way. The beauty of my specialty (teaching English) is that I'm in no way a pro. I'm constantly learning right alongside my students! *In fact, I just spell-checked my post--yup, lots o' errors. ;)

Sometimes I see the same errors all the time. I figure, hey, why not share some easy tips. Maybe I'll copy this blog post into my online classroom sometime! I already taught my high school kiddos how to blog in digital media--perhaps they'll stumble across these notes just when they need them.

Now for that worth-your-time blog I mentioned: click here.

I don't know this blogger, but my friend Carrie passed this humorous, word-lover post on to me.

Check out the pic below--alot being a fuzzy monster because if you wanted to care about something a lot--let's say you care about Oahu's West Coast (which is currently contaminated)--then you'd say, I care about that a lot. Right?! Right. So check out the link--it'll make you smile and who can't use a quick grammar lesson every  now and then?!:

McBesty

I meant to blog this exactly one week ago--on Yasmin's birthday. You see, Yasi Girl turned 30 years old one week ago today (Jan. 12th). I just cherish her. She is so dear to me. If you know her, then you know why.

I'm not sure what to make of this year. I turn 30 in just five short months. I'm glad Yasi could break in 30 for me. I'm thinking it's gonna be fabulous. Mostly because I don't know what else to think and I refuse to be sad. I already did the whole "quarter-life crisis" thing like six years ago. Anyway, life is good. It always is.

One example: Gchat (gmail chat). I literally sat down at my computer 15 minutes ago with every intention of creating this post and then falling in line with my already sleeping husband. I was just sidetracked by the little green icon in the lower left of my gmail. The glowing light alerted me that Yasmin (two hours away--time zones that is) was also online. Aw, nothin like a silly chat with my long-time friend to end the night. Funny thing is that I was just thinking about her and pumped to dedicate this post to her. Words can't express what kind of a friend she is to me.

Okay--because I know your time is limited. Let me share a couple pics of this very-does-not-look-30, beautiful girl with you. Then I'll copy/paste the toast I wrote for her wedding. It just about sums up who she is to me and so many others. Finally, I'll link you to her fabulous photography page. Enjoy!





Yah, we are suckers for matching anything--even deodorant. This was probably around year 2000. ;)

 



Yasi's amazing, touching, 3-page toast ;) at my wedding!



My toast at Yasi's wedding--check for it below!





Aunty Yasi with newborn Blakely <3




Loved



  For more about Katie and Yasi--check out my narrative/toast:

My mind spun with memories. I felt so honored to be sitting in my living room dreaming up the perfect words to share with my dearest friend and the love of her life. Problem was that the "perfect words" I dreamt of were entirely unattainable. How was I ever going to do justice to my feelings and desires for this most incredible couple. After staring at my blank computer screen for several long minutes, I decided I needed a little background music and Starbucks coffee. I shuffled through my old school CDs and popped in Rose Blossom Punch. Of course, I had to run down the street and pick up my venti, extra hot, non fat, vanilla latte...decaf this time.

Back on my couch, I closed my eyes and replayed the first day Yasmin Khajavi started at Tigard High School. Her energy, her wild dark hair, her bright eyes, and her free spirit made her unforgettable. Her optimism: contagious. When she started talking at lightening speed, I knew we were destined to be the best of friends. Memories flooded my mind as I cranked up Rose Blossom: Mr. Bailey's math class, TP adventures, prom dates, Yasi's 18th birthday bash, rollerblading to Plaid Pantry, and Shari's after our all night grad party. I smiled to myself and thanked God again for my beloved friend. I tried to start my toast. After all, the wedding was just days away! But alas, the memories kept coming. I replayed some of our deepest conversations--most taking place on those overstuffed brown striped Coffee People chairs. Gosh, I love Yasmin. She has been there for me in my hardest moments. She gets me. My mind reeled through our times at OSU and life after college! I grabbed a photo album off my shelf and flipped through pictures of Yasi and me with her Tri Delta girls. I thought about how true of a friend Yasmin is to so many. She touches our world one life at a time! As I reflected on more than a decade, it seemed so fitting that she's going to marry this remarkable man, Aaron Poresky. I knew I may never have the "perfect words" but I could try to do justice to my thoughts--cliches and all. I began clicking away at my keyboard. And ever-so-carefully wrote my toast.

Dearest Yasmin and Aaron,

I could not be happier for both of you today! I am beyond honored to stand with you as a witness for your commitment to each other.

Aaron, your steadiness, patience, and independence drew Yasmin in. I watched as you loved my friend so purely and unselfishly. You brought out the best in Yasmin. In the past few years some of her undiscovered passions have come to life: photography and her love of books being just two. You encourage her to be the best possible version of herself she can be. I have seen more joy and fervor in Yasi since your lives have unfolded together! And that's saying a lot because she's always been an exceptionally vibrant person! I'm so thrilled that today you call Yasmin your wife. You are an amazing person and you complement Yasi so completely.

Yas, you are the most refreshing person and you never run out of love for others. I so admire your compassion and depth. I can only imagine the amount of love you have for your new husband today!! Mother Teresa said this: "I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love." Yasi--you love like this...through all obstacles and so unconditionally. Aaron is blessed to know this depth of love from you. I am proud of you Yasmin. I love you dearly....as a sister. Please know that I promise to support you and Aaron in your marriage for the rest of our lives. I will always pray for you both.

Here's to the beautiful, authentic love that Yasmin and Aaron share. May you always love each other more each day!! Cheers! I love you both.
 
For more on Yasmin's Photography, please visit ykvision.com. Her tenacious spirit and artsy gift are precisely woven together for spectacular photography. You've gotta see it.
 

Family Is

Hello There!

I'm about to crash after a long day of working online (University of Phoenix). I have a love-hate relationship  with Tuesdays. I stay home from school, which is wonderful since I get to see Blakes all day long, but I also have to stay motivated!!! I try to get through all my online grading. I was semi-successful today. I took some breaks to jog and talk to a dear friend turned new mom! Yay! (Congrats, Erin!). I also made Blakely a green bean-tofu-nutritional yeast-flax seed puree. I hope she likes it (I made lots of it).

Anyway, before I do fall in line next to my sweetly-snoozing hubby, I wanted to share some brilliant photos of Tim's side of our lovely family. My dearest Yasi, of ykvision.com worked her magic with our PDX side. This past December we all gathered together to celebrate Jesus Christ, the passing of Tim's Grandma, two babies, one engagement, and our blessed life!

Yasi--you mean the world to us and we are so in love with these treasures. Thank you for what you captured! (p.s. check out Yasi's photography blog to the right in my blog list!)

Thank You--to you!

There is so much I've wanted to blog about in the last month! I started this blog almost a year ago now. Just on a whim. I was inspired by some of dearest girlfriends who blog about their darling families and best not-so-kept (well, they were kept until they were blogged) secrets for an abundant life! I didn't know who would read my blog, and truthfully, I still don't know who reads my blog...

So--if you're reading--know that I'm honored to share this slice of time with you--even via cyber space! I must say, I like blogging even more than I expected. My co-worker just shared this quote about blogging with me...it's kind of funny, but not-so-inspirational. It may make you smile, but don't worry--I don't really think this (at least not about the blogs I read ;)).



Never before have so many people, with so little to say, said so much, to so few.
credit: http://www.despair.com/blogging.html

 Please...pick up on my sarcasm! I share this because I truly am humbled that you are reading my rants and dreams! I know there are many incredible blogs out there--and that's just cyber space! There are also boundless literary options for the few moments in your day in which you can quietly feast your eyes on the written word. So, I digress, and I want to say mahalo from my heart for choosing my words today!

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New Year's Eve came quickly this year (doesn't it every year?!)--and we weren't expecting to be in Oregon, but as life (more appropriately, God) would have it, we were! And we were blessed!

Luciena, my darling sister-in-law, initiated a fun game of guessing resolutions at our family New Year's Eve party! I'm a sucker for resolutions. I love the start of anything new: mornings, Mondays, the 1st of the month, and especially a new year! If you know me at all--you know I'm also a freak for games! So when Luciena explained the rules, I was shocked to realize that I had yet to choose my perfect resolution for 2011. I was pumped to play the guessing game so I channeled my sincerest desire and jotted down my resolution on the fly.

Work less, read more, write more

Surprisingly (or maybe not)--the room full of people easily matched me to my resolution. Maybe because I complain about working too much. Or maybe because English teacher = literature (of which I don't read much of these days). Or maybe because I'm a new blogger-addict. Anyway, this truly is my goal for 2011.

And by work less, I mean at the job I'm paid to do. I'm loving working around my home, yard, church, etc...but, I really want to write more, and not just on my blog. I'm so ashamed to say I don't read much! I need to!

Clearly, I can't just cut back on my school work--I'm paid to do it and I'll do it well. But, I am hoping my days as a full-ish-time employee are numbered! I LOVE teaching, but I love being with Blakely even more ;).

My friend Kaitlin recommended a book called, Living with Less so your Family has More. I haven't read it (yet), but it's on my mind. In fact, I can't get the title out of my head. 




credit: amazon.com



I reclaim my priorities

• Jesus
• Family
• Friends
• Community
• World 

Just for fun...here are a few pictures of Blakely from our impromptu New Year's Eve party. I know I must have looked like a crazy mom, but I really wanted to ring in the new year with my baby love. She was ready to sleep around 11pm (well, 9pm Hawaii time), but I figured she was so close to midnight--so why not stay up! She wasn't really feeling the midnight thing...



10:30pm

10:45pm



11:00pm



midnight! Happy 2011, Blakely!

Mahalo for joining me as I blog in 2011. Feel free to get in touch with me anytime you'd like. I extend much love and many blessings to you and yours. Happy New Year! Praise Jesus! xoxo