Makes Me Happy 007

Spending the last two weeks working on a tax case for the "xTAX" (short for Extreme Taxation) competition sponsored by one of the accounting firms doesn't sound fun to some, but I loved it. When I first signed on, I had my doubts, but went with a good feeling I had about the whole thing. It ended up being a memorable, challenging experience, and one I'm so grateful I had. It also helps that my team rocked the competition and came in (a very close) second place, winning $250 cash each. What's not to love?

This was an extracurricular activity, so it meant a lot of extra pressure, but I loved working with my team putting together a kick-butt result.

(In case you can't tell, we're making x's. It was my idea.)

Makes Me Happy 006

Pie.
x Two. Making. Smelling. Eating.

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.

a new tradition

On the phone today, Mom and I talked about what we were doing for Grandma's birthday tomorrow. It turns out that we have the exact same plans in mind, and we also decided to invite you all to join in!

For all those who knew CJP and benefited from wisdom, love, and culinary talents, feel free join us in the new tradition of baking a cake on her birthday, October 5.

I'm going to make chocolate cake with White Mountain frosting, which is what she made for my birthday many times.

Makes Me Happy 001

I'm taking up Miranda's "Makes Me Happy" series because I love October and I have a great deal to be happy about.
Today, I'm happy that I don't have classes and that I get to study in my apartment while a thunderstorm rumbles outside. Sheets of rain are pounding down, the sidewalks are flooding, but I am inside wearing fuzzy socks and enjoying a mug of chicken noodle soup.

happy autumn!

I spent last Saturday morning here:

If I could, I would move here for as long as it remains a paradise of autumn air and colors.

For now, I'll settle with eating fall colored M&M's. Delicious, though not nearly as magnificent and wonderful.

new digs

Almost exactly a month ago, I moved into my new apartment, and, much like my new major, I love it! Financially, I'm better off, saving significantly on rent. Esthetically, I'm much better off, with a big kitchen, big bathroom, and big windows in both the living room and kitchen. Seriously, I love my current home. My roommates know how to clean and value such a state. I get to come home each night to a clean, bright, cheerful apartment, and it is wonderful!

Do you see this counter space? Notice all the cupboards??? Yeah, this is my kitchen. And it's in apartment right across from campus.

Depending on the angle at which I'm sitting on the couch, I can look out at the greenery on the side of campus and pretend that I'm in the mountains. Nice, eh? Further, how do you feel about our apartment guard dog? One of my roommates brought this home a couple weeks ago, and he now sits in our window, alert and creepily life-like.

Stylistically, the couches leave much to be desired, but they're comfy. That's all I can say for them. And what doesn't say style like a camp chair with built-in foot rest? I'm learning quickly that college is the time for style compromise when it comes to furniture. But in no way else, to be sure.

The kitchen window is one of my favorites. Further, my roommates don't mind that I keep Grandma's last cake picture in the corner above my flour/sugar canisters. I love having her with me in the kitchen.
This presents the perfect time for a great story! Two weeks ago, I found myself working across from Grandma's picture making Poppycock, a family recipe for kettle corn. I called home from the recipe, and since Mom was away, John read it off the card for me. The recipe seemed simple; all I had to do was mix sugar, Karo, and other stuff together until "hard ball." It was this particular instruction that caused me some trouble. I was puzzled over how, if I stirred sugar and Karo syrup together over heat until it formed a hard ball in the pot, I would be able to then pour the mixture onto popcorn. But who am I to deny recipe instructions?

As I stirred over the stove, waiting for the mixture to form a hard ball and not entirely trusting my interpretation of these instructions, a memory popped into my mind. When Mom and Grandma would make caramel corn, they would always test some near the end of cooking by putting a sample in a cup of ice water to test for its consistency. They would test for hard ball stage!!! (epiphany!)

At this very moment of clarity, I tested my own candy mixture, and though it had not formed a hard ball in the pot, it was definitely at hard ball stage. Grandma saved my Poppycock. :)