Makes Me Happy 005

Chocolate-covered pomegranates from Costco make pages and pages of financial accounting much more enjoyable. Especially when served in a small bright red bowl.

Makes Me Happy 004

The weather here has been rainy all week. Every day, I have been able to enjoy either a thunderstorm, pouring rain, relaxing patters, or any mixture of the three. I have been wearing long sleeves, vests, and socks. I'm normally thrilled with one day like this, but a whole week? Heaven.

Makes Me Happy 003

Today, I wore a warm wool vest that Grandma knitted for herself a long time ago. Combined with plum skinny jeans and metallic gold accented sneakers, the vest made for many happy moments.

I love this vest.

Btw, more on vests to come.

honorary afternoon

Yesterday was my Grandma's birthday, so I dedicated my afternoon to her, the wonderful woman whose example and love influences me every day.

I did so by baking my first of many traditional cakes in honor of her birthday. This was my first layer cake, along with my first attempt at making White Mountain frosting. Though a daunting task, these were both staples in Grandma's repertoire, and I considered it fitting to begin my development of my own "skills born of experience" on her birthday.

Sadly, the cake layers had difficulty releasing from the pan, and my first go with White Mountain frosting was a disaster, but end result was satisfying. I felt a little blue that I wasn't able to share the cake with anyone who knew my Grandma personally, but I loved sharing my cake with roommates and neighbors and telling them a little about CJP.

While I baked (which involved extensive scraping of hardened sugary syrup from pans and bowls and mixers) I listened to the recently broadcast General Relief Society Meeting, which reminded me of the love and beauty that was such a part of her. I also turned on some instrumental jazz in her honor.

I think that Grandma would have enjoyed the afternoon in my kitchen. I know I did.

I have also enjoyed many snacks (and a lunch) of cake since yesterday. So delicious.

Makes Me Happy 002

Last Friday, the first happy day of October, I took my auditing midterm (the last of the week) stopped by the gas station for a drink, and then ate freshly made popcorn and M&Ms for lunch while watching "Pushing Daisies."

Seriously, what more I wish for an afternoon to be? It was bliss.