Ho, Ho, Dough

Happy Christmas Eve! It's shaping up to be quite the white Christmas around here. It has been snowing all day! I still find it hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas, but what else should I believe? All the signs are here though: Good food, good company, feeling exhausted, snow, wrapping presents, holiday movies, and so much more. Sounds like a recipe for Christmas, right? Okay, I'm convinced. 

How perfectly festive is this tomato quinoa soup? The addition of pesto is 100% necessary...and 100% perfect. 

 I caught John in his chopping glory. 

Chop, chop, chop.

 Sauté, sauté,sauté 

 Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without dough balls! At least that's what I'll say next year, since this is the first year with the balls. Might I say, they photograph so well. 

 Dough in the snow.

So there you have it. Christmas Eve has been a delight, thus far. Now it's time to relax and enjoy the company. I wish you all the happiest Christmas yet. Enjoy being with those you love. Enjoy being with those who love you...because they do. 

          Best,
                 Anne

Forecast: Blue skies with a Wedding Shower

I can't believe how Christmas is creeping up and will be here in no time. I think this happens every year, but I still continue to say it and believe it! 

Another big day that is creeping up? My beautiful sister's wedding day. We are nearly 3 months away and I thought we were 8 months away still! This means that wedding showers are starting and it's time for Meliss to feel overwhelmed and nervous---but you'd never tell behind that smile! 

Lauren and her mom hosted the most wonderful shower for Melissa yesterday. Wonderful might be an understatement. All of those near and dear to Meliss were there to celebrate. There was food, an incredible amount of gifts, a brilliant quiz about Meliss and Brad and their crazy last names, and so much love. 

 Meliss, Monet, and I. 

 Vurdelja ladies. 

 Visiting time!

 Lauren put out pictures of Meliss through the ages. I made sure to give her this one, just to capture the better looking years. 

A couple of angels. 

 This is one good-looking family!

Their wedding will be here in no time and last a lifetime.

So if Christmas is only five days away, March will be trailing close behind...

           Best, 

                  Anne

What gives something meaning?

I'd like to begin this piece with a joke from the Archives of Anne. 

What do you call people who accumulate appetizers?

Hoarder'oeuvres. 

Speaking of, I'm glad I'm not a hoarder. People who collect so many "meaningless" things without ever getting rid of them. I do believe it can get out of hand but what may be meaningful to you may not be meaningful to me and vice versa. Our brains work in such different ways (thankfully), so why judge? Okay, I guess we can judge if people collect garbage. That just not sanitary. I think collections are pretty neat. Everyone has their own reason and meaning for collecting trinkets. There are funny collections, touching collections, strange collections, accidental collections, and random collections. 

Last night I could not sleep. I'm sure I got a handful of sleep here and there, but I thought about the collection downstairs that has been in our living room for years. I thought about how I started this collection and how I think it's beautiful each time I return home. I collect mini mugs from different states or countries. I wish I could say I've been to all of the places that are written on my mugs but the truth is, I don't think I've been to 90% of these places. Even still, I owe the increase of my mug collection to many trips by my dad and other members of my family that found the mugs and brought them back for me. Most can be found at the airport and there isn't a time that goes by when I'm at the airport that I don't check for a mini mug. They are hard to find now. Apparently they have been ousted by something called the "shot glass?"

Mugshots: 

 As I've aged, I've been able to say that I traveled to some of these places! Oh, Canada!

 Thanks for going to Japan, Emily!

 Ironic that my favorite mug has always been the Seattle one? Maybe. 

It's right next to my second favorite mug from San Francisco. Foreshadowing?

 A small cup of coffee is not going to cut it anymore, huh? 

I love my collection. It's meaningful to me and I cannot wait to find a place for it somewhere in my home when I'm older. It's fun to collect things. I hope you already know that. It's a shame my recent collection has included Anatomy textbooks...

         Best, 

                Anne

Sleigh balls.

Ugh, I've done it again. I just cannot say no to these dough balls. I wish I'd never seen them, but that would mean I'd never live. Let's get festive!

Christmas Cookie Dough Balls

Makes 15-20 balls

• 3/4 c. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
• 3/4 c. powdered sugar
• 1/4 c. organic sugar
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
• 1 c. unbleached organic flour
• 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
• 1-3 t. non-dairy or organic milk

 I've branched out and made sugar cookie dough balls with some great sugary items to roll them in. 

 Holiday balls galore. 

 You bet. 

What perfect packaging for these little treats!

And on that note...

            Best, 

                   Anne

Dough Balls

I hope you aren't busy right now because you need to head straight to the kitchen. This is important. Awhile ago, I discovered this recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Dough Balls. You won't believe me when I tell you they are just about the best cookies ever, so you'll have to bake them immediately to "prove me wrong." It's just a shame I'll be right. 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Dough Balls

Slightly adapted from Mama Pea

• 1/2 c. non-dairy margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
• 3/4 c. natural peanut butter
• 1/2 c. organic brown sugar
• 3/4 c. organic powdered sugar
• 1/2 t. vanilla extract
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 3/4 t. salt
• 1 and 1/2 c. unbleached organic flour
• A few splashes of almond milk
• 1/2 c. natural peanut butter chips and 1/2 c. non-dairy chocolate chips

Combine the first five ingredients in a mixer and mix until they form a nice paste. 

In a separate bowl combine the baking powder, soda, salt and flour. 

Add the dry ingredients to the mixer. 

Add the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet). 

The mixture will be dry so I incorporated my own touch of almond milk until the dough wasn't crumbly and was more smooth. 

Chill the dough for 30 minutes. 

Use a small ice cream scooper or your hands to make little dough balls and place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
They will look like they aren't cooked all the way but never fear! They can cook for a minute or two once they are out of the oven. Let's not forget that they are called Dough balls, here. 

They are amazing right out of the oven and amazing at any other time. In fact, I'm off to grab another one! 

Nice and mixed. 

 Saved by the Almond milk! (That's not the first time I've said that)

 Dough balls---ready for heatin!

 They have to be better than this fruitcake...mystery. 

 The second batch came out a little rounder but even still, they taste phenomenal. 

So, please, GO MAKE THESE NOW!

Or you can give me your address and I will send you some. 

          Best, 

                 Anne

What one may do...

...when they are nearly done with finals and nearly home.

1. One may think of any reason to stop looking at epidemiology notes (just for a few minutes, at least).
2. One may think that the wind and hail storm is God's way of saying, "today probably won't be your favorite."
3. One may think that listening to songs about home will "help the studying process."
4. One may eat cereal and copious amounts of almond butter and jelly sandwiches until one can open the refrigerator door at home and see fruits and vegetables in abundance.
5. One may not get more then four hours of sleep each night and one may also receive an eye twitch for a week due to this.
6. One may walk into a teacher's office to discuss a paper and start bawling after saying two words.
7. One may leave said office feeling a little better, but looking like a blotchy, red-eyed monster. Tired monster.
8. One may need to take deep breaths in order to realize that things need to be done and one must do them!
9. One may realize how delirious one is and thinks there is no cure.
10. One may realize the only way to cure being homesick---going home.

These are my thoughts....hypothetically speaking, of course.

See ya from Illinois.

             Best,
                    Anne

No time.

 

               Best,
                      Anne

Phalanneges

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Despite the presentations

Despite the research, 

Despite the lack of sleep, 

Despite the lack of free time, 

Despite the studying, 

Despite the memorizing, 

Despite the messy room, 

Despite the messy life, 

Despite the fact that it gets dark at 4:30,

and despite the anticipation...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am one very happy girl. 

Why? I'll be home soon...and by soon, I mean 5 days. 

You can count that on one hand. 

That's pure excitement right there...

...high five.

       Best, 

             Anne 

P.S. I don't know where this obsession with adding my name into words that have "an" in them came from but I cannot stop. Really...it's like I have a quota to live up to and when the name fits, I cannot help myself. I would not worry, but you actually might want to worry a little. I'm sure I'll have to see a doctor or physicianne at some point. 

I can't hide my feelings.

I like December an awful lot. 

I like the anticipation. 

I like the smell of freshly cut pine trees. 

I like the boots and the scarves and the hats and the gloves. 

I like the promise of spending time with loved ones. 

I like the lights on houses and trees. 

I like the cookies sprinkled with love. 

I like the reason for the season.

I like the bustle of the hurried world. 

I like the deafening silence of the world when snow falls to the ground.

You might even say I love December. 

I'd like you to introduce me to a person who does not like December. 

Speaking of things I like about December, I do like the Food Network. They always have Holiday-themed episodes full of goodies. Why can't they make these foods for me? With the exception of Paula Deen, I'd enjoy almost all of the Food Network stars to cook for me over the holiday season. Tyler Florence could probably be there for every meal. I may not have a chance to make all of the meals but I will stare in awe as they tell me how great it smells. 

Sometimes I just don't have turmeric or saffron or tarragon leaves in my spice cabinet. Sometimes I don't have pre-sliced seasonal fruit to just add here and there. Sometimes I don't have a table scape for every meal. Sometimes I get told I look like Guy Fieri....

But I don't see the resemblance...

            Best, 

                    Anne

A weak week.

This week:

I did not see a concert I had a ticket for in Vancouver.

I did not go because of this white, sleek, snow....mixed with wind...and ice. 

I did not get to see my beautiful friend, Teresa, because of said snow. 

 I did not ace my tests like I had hoped.

 I did not go to Target at 5am on Black Friday.

 I did give thanks. I gave thanks that all those near and dear to me are safe. I gave thanks for my family and friends for staying near and dear to me. I gave thanks for having the life I have, no matter what speed bumps I hit. In the end, I won't remember the things I did not do, but I will remember all the memorable things I was able to do. For that, I am most grateful.

             Best,
                    Anne