February 10, 2015

Facing Fear

I, like many others, have set several goals that I want to achieve in 2015.

The first of which has a deadline.

That deadline is almost here and I have, at this point, successfully pumped myself full of self-doubt.

The self-doubt has become so great that I subconsciously and unknowingly self-sabotage. Bad decisions, terrible internal voices that tell me I am not ready, lack of motivation, lack of confidence, inadequate feelings, the almighty “oh, you still have time” and then even worse “maybe this goal you just won’t make… try again next time”.

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I don’t want to try again. I don’t want to miss this first goal I set for myself.

I had plenty of time to prepare. I knew this was coming since November of last year. I have had more than enough time to hone my craft.

So, why is it that I am no where near what I had in mind as being “ready”.

Doubt

Self-sabotage

Lack of motivation

Comparison

Fear

I know I am being vague when it comes to the goal itself. That’s the thing…

There are a total of 5 people that know what it is.

It is that scary for me.

End of February.

Goal 1.

It’s there. It isn’t going anywhere. It is up to me to really figure out if I am ready for it, if it’s self-doubt or if I just need a little more time.

Whatever it is, I need to remember…

Goal 1 might be a failure – but I am not.

Cheers

February 9, 2015

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

I spent 8 hours in my kitchen last Wednesday. No joke. My work closed due to the snow so I had a full day to myself as my permanent roommate (… read that somewhere last week and thought it was hysterical) and his crew were out working. Snow days are a perfect time for me to bake a bunch of goodies! I made three loaves of banana bread, 4 batches of cookies and a 3 layer cake with buttercream frosting. All from scratch, folks. None of that boxed crap going on in this household.

And for the record – ALL of that went home with Clint’s crew minus one mini loaf of bread and a bag of cookies that stayed with us and the layer cake that went to work.

So, about these cookies.

Coconut Oil replaced the butter and cooking oil and Truvia replaced most of the white sugar, leaving these cookies slightly better for you than your typical choco chip cookie. You could even use whole wheat flour for an extra nutrition boost!

As for the baking time, when I say that you must pull these cookies out of the oven when the centers still look not quite done, I am serious. Take them out. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a bit before transferring to a cooling rack.

Oh, who am I kidding? I don’t own cooling racks. I just place the cookies on a sheet of foil or parchment paper and call it good. Let’s be serious. How many people really use a cooling rack? I am betting the percentage is pretty low.

Don’t lie to me. You don’t use one either.

I suppose, if you are all about the crunchy cookie, leave them in the oven a bit longer. But, if you like a slightly crunchy cookie that still has a little melt in your mouth softness to it, then yank them out of the ol oven early.

Enjoy!

February 6, 2015

Clint’s 40th Birthday Weekend

Recap Time.

Clint’s 40th

Clint’s birthday was January 29th. Sadly, I was out of town on a business trip so was unable to celebrate with him that day, but if you recall, I left him a few decorations to get him by until I returned. 🙂

He was able to meet his mom, stepdad and son, Kyle, for dinner that evening which made me feel so much better about being gone. I was excited to get back Friday evening so he could open his gift from me! This gift took me days of research you guys. Seriously.

The anticipation… what is it? Even Champ couldn’t wait to find out!

THAT, my friends, is a moonshine still. I picked one out that he gets to actually solder together himself. He is totally stoked. Watch out, folks. Pirtle Moonshine, coming right up!

Friday evening we chose to stay low-key because Saturday was a whole other story! We traveled to Des Moines, IA where we met up with a group of friends that came in from all areas. Clarinda, Cedar Rapids, lake of the Ozarks, Omaha … even VEGAS! The look on Clint’s face when Cole walked into the bar we were at that afternoon was priceless. Sadly for me my iPhone was being stupid and I didn’t catch it on camera.

We had a ton of fun walking around downtown Des Moines, even during the snow storm. All that snow turned the men into 10 year old adolescents again. I can’t even tell you how many snowball fights were had while we walked from bar to bar. Priceless.

SUCH a fun night!

I think we all had a blast….

Until the drive home the next day.

Interstate was a bit sketchy…

Slow and steady won the race!

Cheers!

January 29, 2015

Happy 40th Birthday, Clint!

This stud muffin, aka my HUBBY, is 40 today!!!!!

And you know what else? You guys are getting to see the fun decorations I have left behind for him LONG before he even thinks about getting out of bed today. I am on my way out of town for two days (bummer) so decorating the house for him to wake up to is my way of ensuring he starts his day off special. ❤