Red Velvet Cookies

Mom sent me this recipe yesterday and I talked her into making them for me.  Oh wow, they are incredibly delicious!  I think I ate 4?  Oops!  We followed the recipe except we didn't have the two hour chill time, so we put them in the freezer for a few minutes and went from there.  So, so good!  Too bad they're all gone (because I shared with others); otherwise, I'd be eating some for breakfast.

• 1 (8 ounce) brick cream cheese , room temperature
• ½ cup butter , room temperature (1 stick)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 (18 ounce) box red velvet cake mix
• confectioners' sugar , for rolling and dusting

1. 1
   In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. 2
   Beat in the egg.
3. 3
   Beat in the vanilla extract.
4. 4
   Beat in the cake mix.
5. 5
   Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls.I've chilled batter overnight and it comes out fine.
6. 6
   After batter has chilled and you're ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F.
7. 7
   Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar.
8. 8
   Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
9. 9
   Bake 12 minutes. The cookies should remain soft and gooey.
10. 10
    Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.
11. 11
    To make these devilishly rich, I also top the cookies with cream cheese frosting, which is simple to make. I use Bev's Cream Cheese Frosting (Cream Cheese Frosting), but double the vanilla. Or, if I'm making them for people I know have more of a savory tooth than sweet, I'll triple it to a full tablespoon.  {we didn't do this and they were still awesome!}

Men in tights

Since the last time I posted about volunteering at the local middle/high school, things have gotten much better!  I hang out with my 8th grader friend, "DK" and we work through math problems (my favorite) or learn social studies.  He's a sweet, well mannered boy and I really enjoy our time together.  Today we were learning about Nationalism, Napoleon, and the formation of Italy and Germany as states.

DK:  Napoleon wore tights (making a strange face).
Me: Yes, but that was in fashion back then; all the men wore tights.
DK: Oh... really?  Um...I don't feel comfortable wearing skinny jeans...
Me: That is perfectly ok.

I found it pretty hilarious.

Couch to 5k

slash couch to 10k training is going surprisingly well.  Just 9 weeks until the bridge run!  Maggie told me about podcasts that tell you when to do what.  I gave it a whirl tonight for the first time and I have to say, it really helped!  The less I have to think about when to run, the better.  Check them out:

http://www.kissmyblackass.org/podcasts/couch-to-5k/

Yes, it's true.

One month from today, I'll be in Nicaragua!  Flying into Managua; spending most of our time in Chinandega.

highs and lows.

Low.  Yesterday was certainly a day of highs and lows.  It was a struggle to be at work -- just hard and almost had me in tears at times.

High.  I went walk/running after work.  Early February, yet 75 degrees.  Running along the Battery reminded me, once again, that I live in one gorgeous place.  There are reasons why Charleston has been deemed the best city in the country and the world.  

Low.  The dude in this car below had a much worse day than I did.  He threatened to blow up his car on the Ravenel Bridge.  Thus, the bridge was closed for hours.  People re-routed around the peninsula, and were stuck in traffic for hours.  I was supposed to go into Mt. Pleasant, but never made it.  They caught the fella but had to clear the cars that were evacuated on the bridge.  After driving around for a while, I peaced out and headed home.  Thank the Lord, no one was hurt; I hope this man is able to get some help.



High.  Since my plans in Mt. Pleasant were foiled, I treated myself to a Kashi frozen pizza, a light beer, and lots of homemade cookie dough.  Then, I ended up going to small group with Marifrasier.  It was a cool and challenging time together.

Yesterday reminded me of this quote by Rick Warren: 

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

interview link: http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/17891.htm

Groundhog Day

I don't care what that little animal says, I'm hoping for a continuance of this spring-like weather.  It is currently 71, bright and sunny outside, with a high of 75 degrees.  This bodes well for me and current lack of SAD.  This also bodes well for my Bridge Run training.  I actually ran last night for 8 of 30 minutes.  Today there should be more running...such a challenge for me.  Yet run/walking in great weather in the beautiful city I call home is about as good as it gets.

Oh so different.

I talked to my brother the other night as I was walking around my neighborhood. We had a good time catching up and somewhere along the way this happened:

Me: How cold is it there (Chicago)?
Nathan: Not too bad...
Me: So, like 20 degrees?
Nathan: I don't know; I'm not wearing gloves and my hands are alright.
Me: You know what's ironic?
Nathan: You are wearing gloves.
Me: You got it!