May 17, 2012

mother's day + graduation


on Mother's Day, my little sister graduated from college. Probably one of the best mother's day gifts ever so I don't even know how I'm ever going to top her gift (smile). I'm excited to see her start the next chapter in her life... move across the country, make new friends, start new classes, find a new home. As the older sibling, I rarely take risks. (Maybe it's not because I'm the oldest... likely it's just my personality.) And when I do take risks, they are minimal. I admire her for forging a new path and starting somewhere new and fresh. I can admit that I don't think I could ever do it. 

Congratulations little J! 

"You have one life, you only get one. You can spend it generously... but don't spend it carelessly" DessaUniversity of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts,  Spring 2012 Keynote Commencement Speaker








yay! you did it. 


May 15, 2012

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Sugar Bars

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Sugar Bars
adapted from Betty Crocker

1 (1 pound 1.5 ounce) pouch sugar cookie mix
1 package French vanilla instant pudding
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
3 egg yolks
2 packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon caramel, and more for drizzling
Sprinkle of sea salt

Mix cookie mix, pudding mix, brown sugar, melted butter, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and 1 whole egg in bowl, until soft dough forms.
Press dough up the sides and bottom of a 13x9-inch pan. Should be about an inch ½ thick and thinner on the sides.
Beat cream cheese, sour cream, flour and sugar in bowl until smooth.
Add remaining eggs, egg yolks, vanilla and caramel; beat until smooth. Pour and spread over crust.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.
Turn off oven and leave in oven for 15 minutes.
Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle sea salt.
Cool 30 minutes.
Refrigerate about 4 hours or until chilled. Store covered in refrigerator.



Definitely would make these again. There are a few things I would do differently like thin out the crust on the sides more and cream the cream cheese better so it's smooth. But the taste was there and it was delicious!

May 13, 2012

graduation

happy graduation little sister! 
your four years of undergrad have flown by and now its off to UCLA for some law school. 
when did you become such an adult? 
either way, congratulations! this is a proud big sister moment and 
i cant wait to spend the day with you (we haven't done that in some time!)

cheers! 

May 5, 2012

cheers to...




1. pretty flowers. these were from a while ago but what a beautiful bouquet.
2. staying up late and watching silly speed stacking videos on youtube with the boyfriend. did you know this was a sport?
3. laundry being done. it's been piling up in our apartment and i finally folded every piece of it. i even matched all the socks (my least favorite part). just in time for some more laundry this weekend (smile)
4. dinner with good friends this weekend. and coffee dates!
5. storm watching. the weather has been muggy and warm and perfect for some big thunderstorms. mother nature, please make it rain, thunder and lightening! 
6. unexpectedly sweet texts from boyfriend. he's not one for cheesy so when a cheesy text comes around, its a wonderful surprise!
7. being patient. things will fall in place when they are suppose to and when it happens, it happens.

happy weekend!

May 1, 2012

Over the Weekend








it was just one of those crazy, fantastic weekends that remind you how amazing the people in your life really are. we spent the weekend celebrating! celebrating relays, a birthday and even an engagement (congrats John and Emily!). so glad i got to spend some quality time with my best friends.