Whimsy

I've been sick for three days now. Tonsillitis. It sounds so dramatic, doesn't it? I feel like a kid again; having Mom make me noodle soup and staying indoors all day, wistful of the beautiful weather outside. Let me tell you, this is not a summer-friendly illness. All home remedies say to drink tea and gargle warm salt water, which is pretty miserable when it's eighty degrees outside.

It makes me long for all the adventures I've had in the past few weeks. Some days my roommate will have an unexpected day off and whisk me off to the beach. We ran up and down sand dunes, almost got trapped on the wrong side of the beach by the incoming tide and had our very first adventure with just the two of us.

Sand surfing: better in theory than in practice. 

Other days I go on bike rides to Sebastopol for sandwiches or ice cream. The local ice cream shop, Screamin' Mimi's, has a ginger flavor. It is heavenly. The horrible tummy-ache I got after (I'm lactose intolerant) was not. I've also been trying to walk my mom's dog at least once a week. She really enjoys going for walks and doesn't get much exercise in the day. Plus, I could use the exercise as well.

Jade is the best.

June is birthday month. I've already made two birthday cakes (one was for combined birthday), which really allows me to show off my baking skills. The first one was a Guinness chocolate cake (pictures and recipe will come in future posts) and the second was lemon with strawberries and whipped cream cheese frosting.

I used the same recipe as my Lemon Cupcakes and added heavy whipping cream to the frosting. I also layered the center with fresh strawberries. This time, however, I used actual buttermilk and lemon extract. The cake was moist and super light, almost like an Angelfood cake. This may have been the best cake I've ever made. I know my sister loved it.

I even decorated it! 

It has been a good first month back in my home town. I am loving the weather and  being around my loved ones.

I do miss my brother though.

                                                

Life

Three days ago I was finally able to break through my creative block and write for the first time in a month. It was like living in some sort of dream sequence, not being able to express my self through words. As if I was living in some other life. 

Moving back to my hometown has really messed up my daily routines. For the first time in a while, I actually have people to hang out with during the daytime. I definitely blame my new-found social life for not being unpacked. It has almost been a month and I am still living out of boxes. I'm sure no one is really surprised. 

I know I'm not. 

Who would stay home and sort through boxes when you can watch friends get epic Adventure Time tattoos or go to the $3 cinema? 

Exactly.

My new niece is a spectacular distraction as well. Every day she does something new and even more ridiculous. I can't even count how many pictures I've taken of her in the two months she has been alive.

Look at her! She could not be any more perfect. 

I think the best part about moving is getting to see her whenever I feel like. It is impossible to be sad around her; especially when she crosses her eyes and sticks her tongue out. 

So now that I've spent more than enough time with all my friends and family, I can finally start organizing my life. That means unpacking my stuff (at least my clothes and books) and finding a job. Not having any money got old a while ago. 

In the meantime, I will continue finding delicious recipes and trying them out. 

This week was Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies.

I don't even want to tell you how much butter I used.