Donuts

There is something about starting a new work week after Christmastime, and hating my job, and feeling like I'm going to freeze to death due to winter that makes me 100% preoccupied with eating donuts. I think about them all the time.

To be clear, so you don't judge me, I don't actually eat them constantly. I just think about them constantly. Annie's Donuts, Coco Donuts, maple bars, buttermilk bars, cake donuts, etcetera etcetera etcetera. They're just so soft. And sugary. And joyful.

Today at work I kept telling one of my coworkers that we should go get donuts. Over and over. And she kept on laughing like I was kidding. Kidding! About donuts!

So, after getting one too many travel requests and getting bossed around by too many people that aren't actually my manager, I had to take matters into my own hands. Due to the near-death winter conditions here (which really means temperatures in the 30s, but I'm so weak!), I had to go to Fred Meyer's a block away instead of the legit donut shop four blocks away. And I bought two donuts. And to be honest, they were really dry and Fred Meyer-y and not soft and magical. But I walked around the block and ate both of them so no one at work would judge me. And then I  marched back into that bloody office and owned the rest of the day.

I should go get more donuts right now. I'll take one dozen! To stay!

Update: I was just browsing my iPhoto pics trying to find a new Facebook cover photo (important work!), and I came across this picture. I had to post it. Look at those beauties!

Autumn

Autumn is here, people! I bought pumpkins. I went to a corn maze. I have a "Harvest Welcome" scented candle burning 24/7. I made a pumpkin roll. I'm drinking cider daily. And I'm getting mentally prepared for the best Halloween weekend ever, which I'll be spending in Provo. Delicious.

Autumn pictures from my photo excursion to Catherine Creek!:

The Panel

Guys, I just couldn't bring myself to go to FHE tonight. I've mostly sort of been really good about going for the last couple months. But tonight I was feeling tired from work. And, most importantly, I heard it was going to be a dating panel. I have only been in this ward eight months, and I have been to no fewer than three FHE dating panels. They are all the same. And they all make me furious.

We all know what went down. First, someone gave a generic speech about the importance of dating and marriage. One of the bishopric members told a story about how they started dating their spouse and how they had an awful first date, but then their spouse's sass and hair flip won them over. Insert additional offensive gender stereotype here. Then someone asked for positive dating experiences. Someone told a story about how they went on a double date where they made pinwheels and then ran around a park waving them. It was so simple and so cute. Then someone told a story about how they went out to ice cream on a Thursday night. It was short and sweet (no pun intended!!!). The discussion leader then asked the women directly, "What could the men do better?" And the women responded with comments like "ask girls out!" and "open car doors!" and "be honest!" And someone asked the guys what they think about girls asking them out. Half the guys responded with "If I like the girl, it's cool and flattering," and half the guys responded with "Girls who ask me out are weird--it's my job!" Then there was an extensive conversation about how men and women communicate differently. Some woman said something like "Men are so dense and can only speak in grunts." Insert additional offensive gender stereotype here. And some man said, "When a woman asks you to roll the car window down what she really means is that she wants you to pull over immediately and get her a drink of water! You just have to learn how to decipher their language." Insert additional offensive gender stereotype here. At some point, someone said something about how going to a movie is an awful first date. And someone mentioned something along the lines of "I know looks aren't everything, but . . . " 

And the conclusion? I will happily remain single. 

Good thing I skipped FHE, got a milkshake from Top Burger, and watched a Little League baseball game in Camas with a friend. Summer is coming. Delicious. 

Chicken Pot Pie

After watching dozens of episodes of The Barefoot Contessa, I tried my first BC recipe today: Chicken Pot Pie. This picture is the result of a good two and a half hours of chopping, boiling, mixing, and waiting. Worth it. 

Cedar Creek Grist Mill

This morning I went with some friends to the Cedar Creek Grist Mill for their annual cider press. The unwelcome sound of my alarm at 7:30am was almost enough to make me stay in bed, but I'm glad I went. Apparently this is a well-known event in the area--the place was absolutely packed with people and cars. They cleaned the apples in this fascinating contraption and then pressed them with hand presses (maybe? I don't really know, but that sounds quaint). The cider was absolutely delicious. On the way home we stopped at a small bakery that had the most amazing donuts. They rival Provo Bakery. And I don't say that lightly. Good morning.

Pumpkin Pie

Delicious. (My dad was in charge of the whipped cream :))