is this the real life? is this just fantasy?

can't you just tell today is going to be a beautiful day?

it's fall, there isn't any snow yet (knock of wood), i slept in, i'm going to ride my bike to d.i. today, and watch football, and make FALAFEL! i don't know if it really can get any better...

we started the weekend yesterday with a date. (yes, i actually did get a date... if it is only the one date that i get of the semester, i will consider my dating life a success!)

here's the crew:

and yes, it was a masquerade.

aren't those guys studly?

can you believe we got those at walmart?

they have reaffirmed my belief that they really do carry everything.

for dinner, we had fajitas - which we absolutely amazing. and that was followed by what we lovingly refer to as a "cookie monster"... which i have seen other places called a "pizookie." 

they were the cutest things that i've ever seen!

we each got out own individual cookie that was in a skillet that was about the size of the top of a mason jar. oh my lanta - i think i died and went to heaven!

(and it even came with the cute little hot pad for the handle!!!)

i want.

and when i do get some... cuz i shall!

this is what i'm going to be making. 

and then it is going to go for a very looooooong swim in an ice cream bath.

right before it all ends up in my tummy.

oh happy day!

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 egg

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 10″ cast iron skillet lightly with vegetable oil. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

In another medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Beat about 2 minutes.

Add in the egg and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes longer.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until well-combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Press the dough into the skillet as evenly as you can.

Bake about 40 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.

Transfer the skillet to a wire rack to cool. When ready to serve, cut into wedges. Add a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top while it’s still warm!

if i might quote my idol, rachel ray...

{YUM-O!}

do you ever feel like your cookie-cutters are under-utilized? 

i mean, the poor things get to shine only once a year when you decide to make sugar cookies!!! it is a sad, sad existence if you ask me. 

so i think it is time to let the cute little cookie cutters out of their stereotypical role as a "cookie" cutter (here and here) 

i think that would make an interesting movie plot...

"the cookie cutter that wouldn't cut cookies."

i mean, they've got to run out of ideas for movies eventually...

today i love:

sweats after wearing a dress all night long

showers - since i ran out of time yesterday... (and yet my hair doesn't look that bad!)

farmer's markets. i caved and bought a honey bear. (my last one suffered a very horrible death in the microwave.)

writing. stuff. (no you don't get to see it yet!)

food. i'm currently soaking chickpeas for falafel for a picnic this afternoon!

going to school. and not having to worry about real life. yet.

dish is de end.

now that finals are done:

that's a good way to think right?

sweet freedom!

now on to the cleaning.

the end of school is always fun, because you have the combination of multiple stresses, namely:

huge tests that you haven't studied for

having to pack up everything you own in boxes and put them in storage for the next 5 months

having to decide what you are going to need during those 5 months

packing all of your crap in the car

leaving all of your friends

cleaning (because if you don't, the apartment complex will charge you $20 for dirty baseboards...)

having no food left, and refusing to go to the store

trying to remember everything before you leave...

and having it snow on your birthday!

(yes, today is my birthday.)

(and yes, it did decide to snow. for the second year in a row. and yes, it is april.)

so, now that i've done a stressful list, i think it is only fair to include a list of things that i love right now.

1. cupcakes.

and i recently discovered a new way to eat them.

2. my friends

we have had many crazy-awesome adventures over this last year...

and even though i know that they are coming to a close (for now) it doesn't mean that it is the end!!!

by the way jess and carissa... i'm still planning on our oregon coast road-trip/excursion!

you aren't going to get out of this one!

3. my family

cuz they are just plain awesome.

we had all 3 of us girls up here at school this weekend, and it has been sooo much fun!

definitely not the last time this is going to happen.

i just couldn't resist putting this picture up. (i love super young, awkward pictures...)

if you wanted to know what a mane looks like on a person... i have the proof right here!

4. cupcakes!

acutally, just baking in general.

if you haven't noticed yet. ;)

i think these are SO CUTE!

i have to try them.

5. green apples

i don't know why, but if i had to eat a food for the rest of my life, this would be it.

they are a big part of my purpose for living.

i think i'm gonna go grab one right now.

6. cleaning.

bizarre?

yes.

i feel like i'm getting ready for war.

but i love cleaning.

it relieves my stress... but don't get any ideas.

if you paid me, i would come clean for you, but i don't do it for free!

7. psych

please tell me you have watched it.

if not i might cry.

8. broadway

i've seen les mis (in london!), which was probably the highlight of my life...

but i have a bucket-list of broadway plays that i have to see before i die.

phantom of the opera

jane eyre

wicked

the scarlet pimpernel

jekyll and hyde

(and that isn't all!)

9. my church

i belong to the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints.

everything that i am, i owe to my church.

it is the best part of my life.

10. music that makes me happy :)

you got me - colbie caillat

shine - laura izibor

spending all my time loving you - aaron fresh

just the way you are - bruno mars

brand new day - joshua radin

rhythm of love - plain white t's

smile - uncle kracker

eh, eh (nothin else i can say) - lady gaga

i look so good (without you) - jessie james