Awkward Truths

"i can kill some fried chicken"

tried to hit the main food groups

"i wonder if they  have shrimp cocktail up in this joint" 

we're the fun Bible study

-bRob

Sophisticated Situations

Yesterday, the department treated all the senior girls and a few of our favorite professors to an afternoon tea at a local inn. It was precious. I dressed in my floweriest girliest sundress... Sophistication may not be my forte. To be fair, though, I think this sort of tea is every little girl's dream come true. I should have taken more pictures.

When we sat down, there was a menu with at least twelve types of tea available for selection. I chose a tea called "Tea of Good Tidings" [...seriously] that was a mix of spices and ... other leaves. I chose it because it had rose in the description. 

Our waiter [it should be noted that he had a soul patch] spoke in an extremely affected tone as he described the intricate steeping process for our teas, served in individual tea pots. Chill out,  I'm pretty sure I've been making Lipton tea since I was in the womb. Same thing. 

Full disclosure: I snickered when our waiter brought out our "sweets & savories". His affected manner was just too much, and also I am incredibly appropriate.

I definitely enjoyed the food - perhaps a little too much. When one of the others didn't want her sandwich [excuse me, "savory"], I was quick to snag it. But don't worry, I was super classy about it.

superb photography

I really loved our tea, and I thought it was a great idea. How lucky am I to be part of a close-knit department that celebrates with its seniors?

As much as I enjoyed it, however, I am starting to think that I might not be the most sophisticated person you've ever met. At the tea yesterday...I spilled the tea. At last week's endowment dinner, I threw my roll across the room [mostly...entirely on accident]. And when I tried to joke with the grad student next to me about using the wrong fork, he just gave me a look [...grad students, amirite]. At tonight's department dinner, I told the underclassman next to me to switch seats [i'm a senior, i've paid my dues...] so I could sit next to Steph and keep a running commentary during the speeches.

I'm not sure my loud and obnoxious schtick always translate in sophisticated situations. Also I feel like the fact that I call sophisticated situations sophisticated situations suggests that I am not perhaps the most prepared for sophisticated situations.

But if you ever need someone with whom you can go on a cupcake run, hit me up. This morning I woke up dreaming about cupcakes. Then I went and got a cupcake for breakfast. None of that is a joke.

-bRob

Doing Cute Things with Cuter People

Oh hai, Webs.

 I promised my buddy Stephanie I'd get some pics up and posted of our recent adventure downtown. And by adventure, I mean we went out to eat. But Stephanie doesn't eat vegetables, and as a general rule, I don't park downtown, so it was puh-retty crazy for us, if you know what I mean [of course you don't, that made little to no sense].

Also, two things. First - I have a pop quiz tomorrow. The reason that it is a "pop" quiz is because I didn't figure out that we have a quiz until today. Obviously, I decided blogging would be more fun than studying. Secondly - Because my blogging has been somewhat sporadic [amen?], I've decided to make this post somewhat of a disjointed photo-dump. I'm sorry for all of you readers who come here for the consistency and fluidity of the posts. 

Episode 1: Pie Birds [the downtown adventure]

Oh, I see. They're birds. Like Pie Bird.

Chicken Pot Pie. Just like momma makes. Except better.

Full disclosure: The Chicken Pot Pie was not actually that good. But the honey sea salt pie made up for it.
PS - Steph in the neon yellow. In case you've forgotten what I look like, I'm sporting the hobo-casual wardrobe on the left.

 Episode Deux: My Wall Decorations

I was just really proud of the fact I did something artsy like hammer up an empty picture frame (...).
The bird's really cute, only you can't tell that it's a bird because some artsy person can't figure out her point and shoot.
Also, did you like the nice segue from Pie Bird to fake ornament bird?

Episode Drei: Lady Darcie D. Gets Married in the State of Co and bRob and Monica Come to See

the wedding I mentioned...in February. bRob's a little behind.

Bachelorette Party. Sad though this may be, none of us actually had alcohol at this point.
L-R: Darcie, bRob, Monica

For reference, this is us four years ago (not in the same order...obvi).

My first cake pop!
Full disclosure: Tried to make some cake pops the other day. They stunk.

Darcie's craft yarn is so colorful.

pretty girl

haha look at the flower girl trying to check out Darcie's makeup

first kiss!
maybe photography is my spiritual gift...

you might not be able to see through the blur, but that's Mr. and Mrs. B!

monica is as lovely as she is sweet.
and yes, that's my face.

-bRob

PS - getting more pie tomorrow. <3
PSS - I've started running [read: jogging] again, so it's ok.

The Fruits of My Not Laboring

Hey Webs.

I should be studying for my a test tomorrow. I went out and bought:

- 4-pack of Starbucks Bottled Fraps 

- an Energy Drink (...my first ever...)

- a bag of gummi worms

- pizza rolls

- a microwavable cookie dish

- soda

...

and I still haven't worked up the motivation to start studying. [I did, however, crack open those gummi worms.] So I figured I'd use my studying time efficiently and blog instead.

Today is one of those days where I feel slightly sad, for about a billion different reasons. Last week I got a test back - a test on which I thought I'd done well. I received the lowest test score I've ever received before. When I went to talk to the professor today and ask questions about it, he asked me what I'd gotten on the previous test. It was also remarkably low. The professor shook his head sadly and gave me a look of pity - whether because I'm a forecasting/inventory control imbecile or because I'm doomed to failure, I'm not quite sure. Then he said, "Well, I hate that." Oh for SOMETHING's sakes! You hating my horrible test grade on my behalf is like me hating how bald you are for you. It's stupid. Let's just both leave one another with our dignity and not mention how sad it all is. 

That may have been a dumb analogy.

But as I left the professor's office, I broke down in tears. TEARS. Over a test grade. Or two horrible test grades, rather.

It's just one of those days where there isn't  much fight left in me, you know?

And I was thinking about that - about how just mundanely sad I'm feeling right now. Not just about tests or mosquito-bitten legs or the fact that I haven't done my taxes yet [...]. Just a little pathetic-ly sad.

I read Psalm 55 earlier today:

⁴ My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. ⁵ Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. ⁶ I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. ⁷ “Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness.  

David's got it. Some days I just want to pick up my stuff and head west. 

There's a small [big] melodramatic part of me that wants to stop there and just be like, yeah. YEAH. Headed west, losers.

But I don't think that's the point. Psalm 55, again:

²² Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. ...But I will trust in You. 

God is good, guys. God. is. good.

-bRob

PS: My buddy E came to my front door and brought me a cupcake. Whatttt? That girl so bomb. snarked it down in two seconds flat.

Southern Comfort

I had turnips for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and I'm crazy about them.

I have broken my 20-something-year vegetable fast and eat these all the time now.

I made myself a nice dinner of turnip greens with salted pork and some sweet tea the other night.

Sometimes I fancy myself a southern girl.

And in that spirit, here's one of my favorite Loretta Lynn classics:

I want to be her best friend so badly. She's so saucy.

Do you have any old school country favorites?

-bRob

Some Awkward Truths

Approximately half of the lights on my car are working right now. Typical.

I wore the same pair of jeans four days in a row this week. Depending on how I feel tomorrow, they may make a fifth appearance.

Let's get serious here, I'm probably going to see how long I can get away with my burnt out car lights. [Unless you, dear reader, are a traffic cop. In which case I'm only trying to be funny.]

My diet this week has consisted of macaroni & cheese and chicken nuggets.

Probably the one successful dish I've ever made, practically from scratchish. Find the recipe here.  ;) I added the bacon bits! This is coming from a girl who screwed up a baked potato.

Partially because I hate folding laundry and partially because this week's been straight outta crazyville, I slept under two loads of laundry dumped haphazardly on my bed. [I was almost too embarrassed to tell you that one...]

Also, spell-checker had to correct my misspelling of the word 'embarrassed'. Embarrassing.

Despite my vociferous protests against all forms of the pantsless pandemic...I'm currently wearing leggings. I know, I know, hypocrisy is strong with this one.

I decided getting this week's free cupcake was more important than getting to class on-time. [...I still do. Unless my parents are reading this, in which case I'm only trying to be funny.]

canadian maple bacon
believe it or not, one of the best cupcakes i've ever eaten.
the maple frosting was almost as delicious as the bacon baked into the cupcake.

What are your awkward truths of the week? I'm all about some full disclosure.

-bRob

Applying My Education To Real Life Scenarios: Making My Parents Proud

Have you noticed Domino's new delivery tracking system? You can see what's happening in REAL TIME.[ish]. I'm going to have to email my automated manufacturing professor and tell him that this is a perfect example of a real time system - much better than my previous example of a pacemaker.

Look at all that education bein' put to good use.

You can even see who's making your pizza. GO DAVID GO! 

Also, there's a special place for specific delivery instructions when you order online. I entered, "sing loudly upon arrival." I'll let you know how that goes.


-bRob

The Last Time I Do Anything Domestic Ever

Ingredients

6 Medium Size Potatoes
2 - 3 Cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
30 g Butter
Maldon Sea SaltFreshly Ground Black Pepper

Recipe and photo: Seasaltwithfood via pinterest

Bless my little heart, I tried cooking again. This doesn't look too hard, does it? It's a glorified baked potato, for crying out loud.

Somehow, I managed to mess it up...badly.

First off, cloves of garlic? Who do they think I am, Buffy the Vampire slayer? Why on earth would I have three cloves of garlic just laying around?  My potatoes will be smothered in garlic powder, and they will like it. And Sea Salt? Name one college student who stocks up on sea salt...That is not any kind of go-to staple item. Potato, you will be sprinkled with regular cheap-y salt. And finally, freshly ground pepper...

As. If.

I was hoping, against the odds and every single other cooking experience I've had ever, that this potato might still somehow manage to be delicious. 

But now, as I reread the recipe, I suddenly notice why it took about 3 hours to cook one measly potato. The directions say to place the tater in the oven at 220 degrees...

celsius.

I ignored the Fahrenheit part right there in parentheses.

That potato was doomed from the get-go.

It's a good thing I have engineering and my good looks to fall back on, because I simply can't cut it in the world of domesticity.

(Believe it or not though, I've actually gotten really good at making the toast with the egg in the middle!)

-bRob

When We Were Young

Oh, those were the days.

When we were younger.

When it was 25 degrees warmer outside.

When we had cupcakes.

sunshine [and cupcake]

someone doesn't understand what "be candid" means...

 

ah, the lightheartedness of youth [with cupcake]

 Pictures from last week.

To be young again. 

But mostly to be warm again. 

I'm typing in wool socks and a zebra-striped snuggie.

-bRob

Good Morning

Good morning, Webs.

via

BSS | Breakfast Interrupted from Bruton Stroube Studios on Vimeo.

I bet your breakfast feels largely inadequate now, doesn't it?

-bRob

A Montage of the Important Things in My Life

sunshine cookies/diabetes in a carton

a tie advanced cookie - courtesy of the roommate

Behind the cookie-baking scene: terrorizing our kitchen and dropping dough everywhere

chili cheese dogs and potato stixxx

cherry limeade cupcakes, and the icing is cream cheese-based.

Not to get on a soap box, but everyone raves about the downtown cupcake shoppe. Well, I'll say it...their cupcakes are dry. Just because the girls working the counter are adorably trendy and hipster doesn't mean the cupcakes are anything special. Gigi's [the chain cupcake competitor] are super moist and have as much icing as cake. Seriously, every time I take a first bite out of one of their cupcakes I get icing up my nose. It's awesome.

I'm all for supporting local businesses, but not if their products are mediocre.

I'm so passionate about quality cupcakes.

Roomie had a coupon for chocolate-covered fruit.

Another Gigi's cupcake.

littleJ's Gigi's cupcake

I'm up to 3 stamps on my cupcake club card ....

Jaclyn and Molly taught me how to make sunshine toast. Yummmm.
Take that, Julia Child.

-bRob