Orange Bundt Cake of Bliss

When I saw "Mom's Orange Olive Oil Cake" in thebestcookbookgiftever,  I was all, "Woah, woah, woah, woah...woah...woah...woah...woah.  Lois...this is not my Batman cup". 

Name the show.

Random side note- I found out in baking this that one of my least favorite things to do, like, ever, is beating egg whites to a stiff peak.  Longest. Process. Ever.

But worth it.

Ok, anyway, where was I...I don't think anyone thinks anything delightful when they see Olive Oil as the main, like big time main, ingredient in a cake.  It just doesn't sound right.

But if this isn't right, I don't know what is.

Let's try that again.

Happy Monday!

Feel free to read about my issues.

Since I don't know how to wittily preface this, let's just jump right in here and get this out.

Since early November, I have made myself just actually stupidly sick over a decision to go back to school or not.  I sort of just jumped in, made a plan, went for it, and then I was sick about it for months.  I just couldn't decide it if was right, if it was wrong, if it was selfish, if it was stupid, if it was even what I wanted to do.

So I prayed.  Like, a lot y'all.  When I would open my eyes in the morning, this was the first thing I thought about.  I thought about it all day.  It consumed me.  How dumb, right?  For something so minor to consume me so much.

But the thing was, I couldn't, like, figure it out.  For as long as I could remember, what I would be going to school for was actually what I had always wanted to do.  So, to test the waters, I prayed that God would take that desire away from me if it wasn't right.

Sometimes he works overnight.

My heart was totally changed and I had a list of reasons why this would not be the right thing.  But, I also kept getting plenty of pushes to move forward.  Financially, it would have been a piece of cake...as in it would have been free.  Online classes would mean not so much time away from my man.  People were ironically put into the picture that kept making me think maybe this is okay.

So I took lots of steps toward this.  Signed up for classes.  Bought books.  Eventually I told important people in my life.  And I kept thinking the more I jump in the more comfortable I will be with this. And to top it off, it would mean only one more year in my job.  Glorious.

But deep down in my Holy Hunch, I knew that while this would be a good thing to do, it wouldn't be the best.  Because what God has planned for us is the best, not the plan we have for ourselves.  And I could not shake the feeling that He does indeed have something else for me, and to go to school would totally mess that up.

And so here I am. Same job.  Same place I was 2 months ago when I started all of this.  And that can be a little discouraging.  But I think there are big things to come.

And if, in a year, we're still sitting here together and nothing has happened, I guess you will need to take that up with the Man in charge...I think I'll be okay with it.

And on a lighter note!  We just got Netflix and plan to milk that this weekend!  Anyone seen anything good lately??

Happy Weekend, Friends.

1.13.11

Dear husband,

Last weekend, you met your 15th man crush when we met up with our pen pals.  I am okay with all of the man love you have to give because all of said man crushes have the potential to bless your face off with good friendship.  We are running a marathon (read: 26.2 miles) two weeks from this Saturday.  This morning, I asked you if you are up for running 26.2 miles.  You told me you do not plan to run it, but do indeed plan to traverse 26.2 miles with can include one leg hopping and crawling.  The only way we will finish this run is if God wants us to.  As of late, I have been wearing your vest to bed because my body makes no heat, and every time, you shout, "RUN FOR IT, MARTY!"  You have been unrealistically patient with me for, oh about 2 months now, while I go back and forth trying to make a big life decision.  For this I showered you with man treats such as Mount Everest documentary, spaghetti and meatballs, not making plans this weekend, and doing your chores.  Whatever this year brings, it's on like Donkey Kong.

Team C fo life.

Wife.

Ever used a parsnip?

 

I don't think I had ever heard of them.  Or, it's possible that it was one of the ingredients I would skip over when I looked at a recipe thinking it wouldn't matter if I had parsnip or not.  In fact, if alone, I may have looked for parsnip in the bulk spices first.

This is me being transparent about my grocery retardation.

We based our delish cassoulet off of this recipe and added a few things of our own along with 2 different kinds of sausage and many more spices.

Perfect for the burr weather!

Like a cow patty...in a good way.

  

They're called Cowboy Cookies.

They are my first recipe to bake from this.

They have things like oats, pretzels, dark brown sugar, espresso...

And they taste like NOTHING I have ever had before. Friggin' yum.

Devin had 3 before I could even put money on how many he would eat.

I think my Baked cookbook and I are beginning a very beautiful friendship.