Cooking a Kitchen Frenzy

My little apartment smells SO heavenly right now.  Why, you ask? Because of what you will find in my oven: Homemade Granola.  Oh. My. Goodness!!!

Since moving to California, a lot has changed.  Instead of working a stressful full-time job, I am now a student!  With my studies online, it has given me so much flexibility to discover new interests, such as cooking!  I haven't ever been into cooking, like...ever.  I'm telling you, I was the girl in college who ate cereal for every single meal.  Not even kidding.  I rationalized that I didn't have time and I just wanted to go out and socialize.  So cereal it was!  To be REALLY honest, I think my problem was that I didn't really know HOW to cook.  My mother really never taught me how to cook.  I'm not blaming her, I'm just as much at fault, as I had plenty of opportunities to ask, but never did.

Now, at the ripe 'ol age of 29, I am finally cooking, and I love it! I plan on sharing some of the dishes I've made recently and dive a little more into this new found love of mine. But for now, please enjoy these pictures of my homemade granola, adapted from cookieandkate.com, which really, is like cereal, so consider this an ode to my college days.  Just kidding. I'm still in college.  But I promise you, I AM cooking now.

Excuse me, but I must go and eat some more granola now. Adios!

The Story of the Gemstone and Magical Fairy

Dear Caitlin,

I wrote Callie today.  I found myself writing her a story.  Lucky for you, I remembered to copy/paste it so you could enjoy it as well.  Don't judge to harshly. I wrote it off the cuff and whatever flowed from my fingers hitting the keyboard.  The result? Well...you take a look:

Once upon a time there was a girl who wished to remain anonymous for the purpose of the story.  But we shall call her Callie S. No, no, C. Stay.  Yes, that's better. So C. Stay decided that she wanted to become a penguin and swim the the arctic.  She decided that it was just much to hot in the desert of Utah and it was time to cool down.  So she set out on a journey to find a magic gemstone that just might grant her very wish of turning into a penguin.  She searched high. She searched low.  She looked under boulders, looked in every nook and cranny, and even under the shake machine at JCW's.  But she had no luck.  After many days of searching for her beloved gemstone, she decided it was time to give up her search and resort to the fact that she would never become a penguin and head to the North Pole. Instead, she would just have to suffer the heat in the intense desert which is called Utah.
"If only I knew where that magic gemstone was!" She lamented.  Then one day, a magical fairy approached her.
"Hi!" said the magically fairy.
"Uh, hi?"  asked Callie. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm a magical fairy! I'm here to help you!"  replied the magical fairy, brandishing her shiny, pink wand.
Callie looked the fairy up and down.  "Not to be rude or anything, but you don't look like a magical fairy."
"That is rude." replied the fairy.
"Well, I'm sorry, but it looks like...well, you look just like my sister. Caitlin." Callie replied.
"Gasp! I would never!" replied Caitlin, err...the magical fairy.
"Well, look at your wings.  They are made of fabric...and you accidentally left the price tag on your wings."  Callie went to rip off the "fairy's" tags.  Before she could do so, the "fairy" spun quickly, avoiding the grasp of Callie. (Did I say Callie? I meant C. Stay.)
"I AM a fairy, thank you very much.  I just earned my wings! I don't like removing tags on things very much.  Please don't touch my tag NOR my wings thank-you-very-much!" Caitlin brushed off her wings.
"Now," Caitlin the fairy coughed, starting over again, "I AM a magical fairy and I AM here to help you. Now, rumor has it, you are after a magical gemstone. Am I correct?"
"Yes!" C. Stay replied. "How did you know."
"I am a magical fairy." Caitlin replied simply.
"Okay...so, where is it?" asked C. Stay tentatively.
"Well, I have some news for you.  There isn't one.  There is no such thing as a "magical gemstone" so you shall never turn into a penguin and escape the heat of the Utah desert." Caitlin responded.
"Erm...what??" C. Stay responded uncomfortably.
"Yes. No gemstone. So no penguin. BUT! I do have some good news for you.  It doesn't stay hot forever.  In fact, this very month, fall begins and the heat will go away and soon snow will fall in this valley and you can bask in it as IF you were a penguin.  Will that do?"
"Yes!" C. Stay responded excitedly. "That will do!"
"Alright then! My job here is done! I must go now.  Farewell, C. Stay! May you always remember me!"  Caitlin the magical fairy turned away from C. Stay as if to leave, but paused, shuffling her feet.
"Is there something the matter?" C. Stay asked, wondering why the fairy didn't take off in flight.
"Erm, no.  But do you mind turning around and closing your eyes? I don't want you to see me go. Oh! And, count to one hundred." Caitlin responded.
C. Stay did as she wished, and as soon as her eyes were closed, Caitlin dashed away, as quickly as her two legs could carry her before C. Stay would open her eyes. After all, Caitlin really didn't know how to fly.  Just run. Fast.

The End.

Sick Days

Dear Caitlin,

Would you like to come bring me some soup? You see, I have this terrible cold/allergies/whate'er-the-heck-this-is and I think soup is always a good idea when you are sick.  More so, it would just be lovely to see your face!  Sometimes, I hate being so far away.  It makes seeing your face super hard.

Don't worry, I'm not SUPER sick.  Just a small dosage of sick.  But just enough to decide that I am going to be lazy today.  Sick Days=A whole lotta Netflix.  Goodbye school studies!  I really should be studying...I need to pass my Science test ASAP! But it's just so hard to want to study when I feel SO tired and my sinuses KILL. But I digress.

Come visit me? Pretty please? Sick or not, a visit needs to be in order. I keep finding recipes I want to make with you! Plus, we need to go shopping.   And go eat a cupcake or something.  Hiking? Music? Anything.  Let's just do it all!

Love,
Erin

Falling in Love

Artist: Us the Duo

Song: Falling in Love

Er-eeeeen, 

Please listen to this song. I think you will find yourself quickly 'Falling in Love' with it! :)

Love,

Cait-ee-lin. 

The Day I Had Too Much Stuff

Moving from one place to another makes you realize just how much junk you really have.  I was appalled at how in just three years we seemed to have accumulated so. much. stuff!!! We didn't even have any furniture, but we somehow had boxes and boxes of odds and ends.  Now that we live in a tiny apartment, these things can no longer hide in rooms untouched or boxes in the garage.  With limited space, those boxes are visible, taunting me and reminding me that they are there, waiting to be made known.

I picked up the book from a friend called "The Life-Changing Magic of Tiding-Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organization" by the world-famous Marie Kondo.  Have you heard of it? I found it rather insightful and helpful as I've tackled these boxes and surveyed exactly what I own and WHY I own it.  I love her idea of asking yourself, "Does this particular item spark joy?" If it doesn't, get rid of it.  Simple as that, right?  The idea is to have a home filled with the things that bring joy.  If it doesn't bring joy, it isn't doing its job.  Of course, the book goes into much more detail, but I recommend the read.  I've been wanting to develop a more minimalist approach to life, and I think this book helps take those steps forward.

So now I must go! I must do ALL of the tidying and conquer the clutter within my apartment! If don't hear from me in 24 hours, call the police.  My odds and ends may have taken me prisoner in retribution for never using them.

When You Wish Upon a Star

Lesson I learned this week: 

Magic 8 Balls may lie but you can always trust a shooting star. ;)

Ode to St. Sebastian

St. Sebastian was the best of trailers.  His big bones (he is not fat, mind you!) carried all of our stuff across the country from Florida to California.  He is as mighty as the ox, but much better looking of course!

St. Sebastian was there when we played "20 questions game" and we couldn't guess Callie's brilliance of choosing a "billboard".  He was there when we got lost in Wyoming and we were hangry and about ready to curse out every Wyomingan we would come across (luckily there were none, because WHO LIVES IN WYOMING??).   He even joined us as Caitlin displayed her ability to be very naughty as she poked and prodded the innocent.  (Rude!!!)

The best part of St. Sebastian was the secret.  Mother dear did not like St. Sebastian.  If she would have known that he joined us along for our cross-country road trip, she would have fretted, and worried, and lost all of her fingernails due to her nervousness (and she doesn't even bite her fingernails! But she would have, if she only have known!).  So we did not tell mother dearest about our newfound friend.  Any picture taken of St. Sebastian we managed to edit him out so not to give away his surprise arrival.

Spoiler Alert: We got away with it.

Caitlin being naughty. This was a picture we COULD send to Mom.

St. Sebastian in the back. Obviously could NOT send to Mom.

Packed tight!

Lookin' good, St. Sebastian!

We're awesome.

Never Trust a Magic 8 Ball!

Dear Magic 8 Ball,
It was very rude of you to lie to me on Tuesday and I find your behavior utterly unacceptable. Please make right what you did wrong.
Un-Affectionately,

Caitlin

 On Tuesday, I went grocery shopping with Bethany and Kaeley. We were at LoLo's when we stumbled across a Magic 8 Ball in the clearance section. It was only $1.50!! Bethany of course bought it and we asked it tons of questions. We were convinced it was correct in all of its fortune telling abilities. Bethany and Kaeley asked the ball a very important question, and it told me that the answer was 'YES DEFINITELY". It may have been in regards to a date I was going on that evening. And it may have been in regards to a certain boy who was taking me on that date. The question also might have mentioned hand holding. Well let me to you! Beware of Magic 8 Balls they lie! But in all honesty, I am okay with the outcome. I would rather wait to hold his hand until he is 100% ready. I can be patient. I guess. ;) The date was still fantastic despite the lack of inter-digitation! ;)

Ps. Maybe I should catch up all the uh...20 readers of this blog, who most likely already know this, but just in case you didn't. I broke up with my dear friend John over a year ago for many reasons. I have been going on dates with boys here and there since then but nothing too serious has happened with any of them. The boy in the Magic 8 Ball story is very charming and sweet. We were set up on a blind date and we have gone out quite a few times since our first date back in June. I will keep you updated if anything progresses in that department. :)

Yes, I Remember

Dearest Caitlin,

I do remember that time we started a blog together.  In fact, from time to time, I glance at its pages thinking how they need to be filled.  It has been over a year since we last wrote, and as you recalled, so much has happened within that time frame.  Many accomplishments, dreams fulfilled, and new life adventures have happened, yet never recorded here.  Let's repent and start again, filling its pages, even if it is just for our own amusement.

Also, remember our secret project? THE secret project that we swore to secrecy? I picked it up again today.  I think we should get working on it again.  Yes?

I miss you terribly.

Lovest,
Erin

Remember When?

Dear Erin,

Remember when we started a blog together?

It was before you got married, moved to both Florida and California, and before we both went to Europe. 

It was great.

What about our many other adventures in the future?

We shouldn't let this end. 

Love,

Your partner in crime, confidant, and loving sister, Caitlin

June Bug.

You know what?

June is over.  That's it.  Good bye, June! Helllo July!

Things I'm looking forward to in July:

-MY DADDY COMES!! Then we get to play at Disney World together! I cannot WAIT!

-I get to see Lindsey and her babies!!

-4th of July.  Yeahhhh fireworks!

-Days at the beach.  And the pool.  And then the beach.

-S'mores. Mmm...s'mores.

-MY DADDY COMES!! (I still can't get over this!! I really am just TOO excited!!)

June, you were good to us.  But July, I'm hoping for some more sun and happy days ahead.

In the meantime, highlights from June:

-I turned 28! AHH! Only two more years until 30 which totally freaks me out.

-We got to see Brian Regan.  It was hilarious.

-We went to Georgia to see some of our favorite people we met while on our cruise!

-Relaxing weekends

I love summer. Even if summers here in Florida tend to be sticky. I still love you, summer.

Goodbye May

May, you've been a good month.

Caitlin is experiencing the tastes of Italy and me and my handsome man got to relax on a giant ship with sunshine galore.

Caitlin, I'm sure, will update you all on Italy, but without further ado, I shall show you a glimpse of our wonderful cruise in pictures.  Behold! Our relaxing vacation!

By the way, I'd like to point out that the photo above marks the very first (and probably the last) time I have ever beaten Ryan at Chess. It was a proud moment.

Mixed Tape to Italy

Dearest Caitlin,

You are going to Italy soon.  What a beautiful adventure! Every adventure deserves an epic soundtrack.  If I could make a mixed tape, I would. But tapes are now, apparently, outdated.  Forget the vintage, and download these tracks (or at least check it out on Spotify!):

Lakehouse by Monsters and Men
Ghosts The National Parks
Hot Air Balloon The National Parks
As We Ran The National Parks
Hello My Old Heart by The Oh Hello's
Cello Song feat. Jose Gonzalez by The Books
Don't Let it Break Your Heart by Gavin Mikhail (cover from Coldplay)
Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars
Harmony by Susie Suh

Feather in the Wind by Susie Suh

The are light, airy and the perfect music to reflect and ponder the beauty of life.  As you sail above the Atlantic towards your destination, put in your headphones, play, and sit back and start feeling nostalgic and ready for adventure. I am oh, so jealous.

Love, 

Erin

Never Trust a Bird!

Erin sent me this card the other day! I hope it is okay that I am sharing it with everyone, Erin. 

To the infamous (Gasp!) Caitlin Stay,

No, it is not your birthday. You can breathe. I am just writing to say "Bonjour!" the ol' fashioned way? Isn't it just better this way? Anyways...I've had these cards sitting in my drawer for like , ever  and decided to put them to good use. I wish I could fill it with silly stories, but alas, I have none. I'm a boring person. EXCEPT!!! I made a beautiful dessert for Relief Society the other day-It was a chocolate souffle (very fancy, I know) and everyone who laid eyes on it ooohe'd and ahhh'ed...until a bird landed on it, did its business, then flew away. It was tragic and I burst into tears. But don't worry! The story ended happily! Only tow or three others saw and they were nice enough to not say a word, so we still served it. The others just thought the "droppings" were a delicious decoration, and the LOVED it! Day saved! But let this be a lesson to you...never trust a bird! NEVER!* I hope you are doing spectacularly well and that this card finds you in happy health. My best wishes and hugs and kisses will be traveling with this card to you. Love always, Erin E. Novak

*I lied...you really CAN trust a bird! ;) (just use caution!)

(Front:)Adding to my misery: no one here thinks I'm funny
(Inside the card:) What is WRONG with these people?

Short Hair! Ahhh!

I chopped over half my hair off yesterday! I was an emotional wreck that night. John was so entirely patient with me as I cried for a half hour in his car while we drove to a concert he was playing at. He knew exactly how to lift me up in gentle sweet ways. As he drove me he said a prayer for me and then played Where Can I Turn For Peace?. I cried and cried. Not the pretty type of crying either. Nope, It was the UGLY type filled with mascara running down my face and loud gasping noises from my sobs. I don't think I was really crying about my hair. Well, maybe a little. I had a rough day working at my call center job which stressed me out a ton! Luckily, I put my two weeks in so I won't have to worry about it for much longer. I was also feeling super hormonal and I had a really bad headache at work, which I know was caused by stress. By the end of the night, I was feeling wonderful and happy again thanks to John and the prayer he offered on my behalf.  I feel incredibly blessed to have people that uplift me on days when I completely lose it. Thank you John for cheering me up and loving me even when I have days where I cry over things of no major consequence.

John looks so washed out in this photo. He is an angel! Hooray! (Also, this picture was taken today when I wasn't in such an emotional disarray.)