Festive Friday

Thursday was nothing special.  We just did school/work and then came home and had some dinner and I watched Grey’s Anatomy and Project Runway.  I am SOOOOOOOO SAD that Anthony got sent home!  He was by far my favorite person (but not necessarily favorite designer) on the show.  The stuff he says cracks me up.  I am going to miss him (it sounds as if I personally know him or are best friends). LOL!

On Sunday it’s Mary’s birthday, so we wanted to celebrate today (plus we always love a reason to have treats).  We got her this Edward’s turtle cheesecake, and it is insanely good.  I could have easily eaten half of it by myself.  It has little pockets of liquid caramel heaven speckled throughout the cheesecake and is simply divine.  I felt bad we didn’t have candles for her to blow out, but we still sang to her anyways.  I’m so glad I get to work w/ her, b/c she is so fast at getting her work done and does a good job.  It’s nice to work w/ competent people.

Autumn & I got home and I noticed that the moon was out already and it looked so cool up in the bright blue sky as a backdrop to these pretty pink blossoms on my neighbor’s tree.  Spring just brings me so much joy.

I finally broke down and bought something I have been wanting for a year.  I splurged and spent $10 on these oval shaped measuring cups and ice cream scoop (it’s awesome to use in order to get perfectly shaped cookie dough balls and then your cookies always turn out the same size).  When I first moved into the house, I just bought the cheap $1 plastic measuring cups and they worked just fine, but the handles broke off.  And I have been eyeing these oval shaped ones.  Having them just makes me feel like a Food Network star for some reason.  Isn’t it silly how such a small and simple thing can have such meaning and symbolism and bring such happiness?  I can’t wait to use them.

I packed up a few things and headed over to Mom & Dad’s.  Mom is going to watch Autumn for me in the morning while I go to the temple, so I figured it would be easier to just spend the night.  We got to Mom & Dad’s, and we had a package from our WUNDERBAR neighbors in Germany.  Oma, Opa, Melitta, & Patrick had sent us an Easter box.  It was full of Kindereggs, other chocolate treats, and it was packed w/ these vibrant Easter napkins.  They are so incredibly sweet and thoughtful. 

I am eternally grateful that we were able to have them as neighbor’s while we lived in Germany back when I was 8.  We couldn’t have had better neighbors if we got to pick.  They were so good to us then and are still good to us now.

(These pictures are from when we went to visit them after I finished my mission in Slovenija).  Oma makes the most amazing cheesecake and Melitta taught Mom how to make some of my most favorite food on Earth…rouladen.  Friendships were born that will last an eternity.  DANKE, PATZOLDS!

I wanted try making this yummy blueberry cake that Liz brought into work the other day, but Mom didn’t have all the ingredients.  So, Dad & Autumn went to WalMart to get them.  They also came home w/ two movies from the Red Box.  We made the cake and let it bake while watching the Princess & the Frog.  I was pleasantly surprised and really liked the movie.  The music was awesome and made me want to get up and dance (which I did for one song and danced w/ Autumn).  The bad guy was a little scary for Autumn, but she seemed to enjoy it.  It was a fun evening.