Guess what I made today?

BAGELS!

Well, I actually started them yesterday, because they have to retard in the refrigerator overnight. I followed a recipe I found on www.SmittenKitchen.com. Since I don't like raisins (and don't have any!) I left them out and just used cinnamon. These are definitely something I want to keep in my arsenal. They do take some time, but they're good.

I do have to say that they aren't quite the same texture as the ones you can buy in a bagel shop. They're a little more chewy. From the recipe though, I learned that these are textured more like the original bagels. And regardless, they're good. I had one for lunch plain. The only thing I would do differently is to add a bit more cinnamon. But that's not a bagel thing; I add extra to everything I use it in!

Anyway, here are some pictures.



Just out of the fridge, right before I boil them. There's a total of 14.

Boiling. Each one boils for a minute on each side.

Here they are after boiling. It made them swell a little and get nice and soggy!


And finally, the finished product! They're nice and golden brown!

I saw people last night!

The hardest thing for me about getting married has been that I moved to a new place where I don't know anyone. I'm lonely. That's what it boils down to.

But last night? Oh, it was wonderful! I saw so many people that I've missed. I saw people that I haven't seen since December. I got the chance to hug some of my best friends.

AND...I got the chance to sing. With people, and not just in the car. I got the chance to worship with people I've sorely missed worshiping with.

I also got to make a late night trip to Waffle House with some of my favorite men. It's been way too long since I ate a chocolate chip waffle after midnight, and boy was it amazing!



And so I crashed last night when we got home. Hardcore crashed. Only to be awakened this morning by the smell of spray paint. In the house. Because my dear husband was painting the refrigerator. So now our house smells like paint, and I can't get it aired out. At least the fridge looks nice, right? He's too funny!

25 random things about me...

I know most people that read this know me, but random things are always fun. So here are mine!

1. My favorite color is yellow.
2. NCIS and House are quickly becoming two of my favorite shows.
3. Criminal Minds will always be #1 though!
4. I haven't had a full glass of soda since May 2006. (This excludes punch with ginger ale).
5. I hate getting up early, or staying up too late.
6. Animals make me happy.
7. Except chickens. They terrify me. It's a long story.
8. The only thing scarier to me is fire; I have an irrational fear of house fires and being burned alive.
9. One day, I want to pursue my PhD. I plan to write my thesis on prisonization (the study of the socialization of institutionalized inmates).
10. Right now though, I just want a job.
11. I'm slowly developing my creative skills; I'm really loving photo manipulation and such right now.
12. Knitting is one of my favorite activities, especially in the winter.
13. Even though I never thought I would, I really enjoy running.
14. And baking and cooking. Making food makes me happy.
15. Automatic cards aren't nearly as fun as manuals to drive.
16. I miss my best friends every day. I wish I could see them more often.
17. Marrying Sean was the best thing I've ever done.
18. Cleaning is one of my least favorite things to do, but I do it anyway. A lot.
19. I'm really trying to eat a little healthier; namely, I'm sticking with fruit.
20. I pretty much only wear three pair of shoes: clogs, flip flops, or running shoes. Except for church.
21. I really want to adopt a couple kids.
22. Sean keeps telling me that I'll be a good mom. He's sweet like that.
23. I miss having fish. I think I'll try to set up a fish tank next month. Probably one of my small ones. (What, you don't own 5 fish tanks in varying sizes??)
24. I'm the reason my best friend and her fiance are together.
25. Finally, GOD IS MY LIFE. Any questions?


So, what about you? List something random about you in the comments! Let's all get to know each other!

Hot weather? What?

What just happened? It's been so nice, and today the high is in the mid 80s. I'm going to Kings Mountain, and the high right now is 90*. And it keeps going up.

I've decided that my ideal temperature is in the 70s for hanging out, and 50-60 for running. I can't take it too hot or too cold. It's ridiculous. This is April. We've had snow this month, and now this?? I want it to make up its mind. I want to wake up and be able to pick out clothes based on norms, not on anomalies. I don't like it.




(Mainly, I'm not used to running in hot weather anymore, and it's frustrating me. I need to work on that!)

Test

Just testing my new signature! :)

Boston

I've been watching the Boston Marathon all morning. I can't even begin to explain the emotion I have, the way it feels to watch the world's elites run so hard, so fast. The women started 28 minutes before the men. As the gun sounded, I found that tears were welling up in my eyes. Even just watching the start, hearing the crowds, seeing the focus, brought so much to me.

I want to run a marathon. I know that I'll never be fast enough to run Boston (well, maybe?). And yet, I think I could kick out 26.2 miles. Obviously not tomorrow, and probably not this year. But it's doable. And there's no reason for me NOT to do it. It's time to push. It's time to man up and try. It's time to quit living a life where I just do what is comfortable.

And yes, I know it's weird that I gained this insight from watching people run on my computer screen. But there's something about seeing people cry for finishing third, about seeing people give so much that they collapse at the finish, that's inspiring. It's about ambition, drive. It's about me growing as a person.

For me to grow, I need to run. And I need to run long, and hard. The end.

Ouch!

I've been battling shin splints. Some days they hurt worse than others. Yesterday was one of the bad days. Sean being the sweetheart that he is did find me some ibuprofen to take since I couldn't sleep. Doesn't it just figure that I would start having issues when I'm finally starting to feel stronger?

In all seriousness, I know I just need to stretch more. It's just so hard to motivate myself to. I have to take care of myself. I have to. There's no excuse not to. I don't need to damage myself because I'm stubborn.