Tuesday Tidbits

1. Reading history in bed this morning
2. Spanish class outside
3. Beautiful weather which means it's Jack Rogers season
4. Can you spy all three cockapoos?

• I stayed home from school today and found myself getting so much work done. I'm proud to say that I stayed home today, even though I wasn't sick. I accomplished 100% more work than I would have if I would have been at school today
• I hate the SAT, the format, the breaks, everything. It ruined my weekend too and left me completely exhausted on Saturday. Thank goodness I liked the ACT!
• I am one month away from the last day of school. One. Month. 
• These last few weekends have been so jammed packed with school that I haven't been able to find time for myself. I will be getting a manicure and pedicure this weekend. I will! 
• I am loving Pure Barre, I find that I love it more and more after I take a three day break. My fears of shaking like a twig after a break have been debunked!
• The nice weather we have been having is incredible. I don't ever want this gorgeous weather to stop! I'm so excited for the rest of spring and then summer! See 2 & 4 above!
• I'm dying for the scalloped shorts from Lilly Pulitzer but am curious if you think they will stay in style for long. Timeless or just a trend?

Not Airy or Flaky

I made Martha Stewart's Buttermilk Biscuits from her Baking Handbook. I love this cookbook and found that anything I make out of it comes out perfectly! Up until this time, these did not turn out too well. I think I know where I went wrong, over-mixing. I looked up online what could have gone wrong and that seems to be the culprit

Buttermilk biscuits seem to be a honed skill and maybe I should ask the queen of Southern baking, Paula Deen, for the perfect biscuit!

I hoped these would be a delicious breakfast treat and I know that they can be!

What are your tips and tricks for the perfect biscuit?

Find a similar recipe here.

A Trusted Favorite

I began baking banana bread in my dad's rental house throughout my parents divorce. I would bake a batch of banana bread every weekend I was there for months and I knew that they enjoyed it. 

As a baker I always struggled with finding a recipe that consistently turned out. I loved baking but was tired of putting in so much time and effort into a recipe that didn't even turn out. In comes Grand Central Bakery's Banana Bread (the President visited them this summer!). I have made this dozens of times and every single time it has come out wonderfully.

Granted there were times when the ripeness of the bananas effected the recipe but never did it turn out to be in-edible. I love it. It is a true recipe that I love. For so long this recipe was how I entertained myself and stayed busy, one day I won't even need the recipe anymore!

With every mash of the bananas to the whirring of my mixer I feel at peace with this recipe. It makes me think and makes me grateful for how far my family and I have come.

I encourage you to buy their cookbook where you will find this delicious recipe! I'm currently in California, so I am unable to post the recipe for all of you. If you would like the recipe and are not interested in buying the book, please comment and I will get you the recipe! This is the best banana bread I have ever had and I'm sure it will become a treasured favorite of yours too!

ACT Worries

I take the ACT tomorrow and I am beyond nervous. I keep on worrying about what will happen and what could go wrong, when it really is only a test. Looking back years from now, my worrying won't have changed my scores at all. My worries are more likely to hurt my scores than help them. I truly hate standardized tests. They're pointless and don't accurately gauge a students abilities. 

Today I'm trying to find peace wherever I can. I made Pioneer Woman's Lemon-Blueberry Pancakes this morning and they were absolutely delicious. The perfect Friday treat! I recommend you make them this weekend, you won't regret it! I made the batter earlier this week and made them today, such a fun treat to start the day with!

During these times of stress I find such comfort in a God that knows me so well and knows what tomorrow will bring. That He knows it will all be okay, the most reassuring part though? That He has provided me with everything I need. Everything. As I trust in the Lord, I hope that you all find peace this weekend and joy in the positive things we do have! I cannot wait to read Bloom since I finished I've Got Your Number yesterday. I am so blessed that I even have the opportunity to take this test, worry should be the farthest thing from my mind!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Phil. 4:6-8

Hello, Spring Break

I cannot believe that today is here. My two-week spring break is finally here! Yesterday it was hard to believe that the break was finally here. 

My pre-calc test is done, my Convincing Argument is turned in and I have two weeks with no homework. I'm not sure what to do with all this time as I spend the first week at home then the second in Palm Springs! I'm taking the ACT on the 14th and will be spending some time every day working to get myself prepared! Other than that, I will be baking, knitting, going to Pure Barre and taking the dogs on lots of walks! Any good book recommendations? I'm trying to read Bloom and Heaven is Here! Have you read either?

Happy Easter weekend everyone!

He has risen!

Mark 16:6

Stop. Watch.

Please, no matter what you are doing in this moment take 29 minutes to watch this video. Know what is going on in the world today and that you could make a difference. Stand up for what you believe and make a difference. Hit play, you won't regret it.

Hello, Sunshine.

I'm in Palm Springs for a three-day weekend and thoroughly enjoying the extra sunshine!

What I am not enjoying is all the work I have to do, even though it's a three-day weekend. Long gone are the days where we don't have any homework over the weekend. There is always something that needs to be done and it is wearing me so thin.

Being stretched too far has left me in a funk, almost in the mindset of "just keep swimming." I'm trying to stay afloat throughout this crazy thing called Junior year and I don't know how on earth I am supposed to do this! Anyone have any tips?

The only escape for me at this point is exercise and I cannot wait to get back to Pure Barre classes when I get home. These classes are quick, 55 minutes, and I love the difference I'm already seeing in myself. I'm glad I have one positive thing to show from putting in all this work! I definitely feel more comfortable in a swim suit now than I did before. Here's to hoping that I can find a way to snap-out of this crazy, overwhelmed funk!