first installment: things I learned this week

Hey there amazing sisters,
I decided that I need something to get me motivated to blog semi-regularly. So I decided to have a series I'll title "Things I learned this week." And it will be just that... everything from the random, to the (hopefully) insightful, to the funny... etc. Hopefully it will be fun. And hopefully we will learn something. And most of all, hopefully I will post at decent intervals. Plus... I am much more apt to post something of bullet-point style rather than paragraphs. Because sometimes my randomness really is not cohesive...and at the end of the week I have difficulties being poignant. But we shall hope :)

So, things I learned this week: 

• Coconut milk does not froth well for lattes and cappuccinos. Don't get me wrong, it is absolutely delicious, and Silk did a good job creating it... but my cappuccino was un-frothy and sad today. Delicious, but sad. Lesson learned: buy skim, almond or soy milk, and all is happy and frothy again. 

• When baking cookies (from an amazing Levain Bakery copy-cat recipe) and intending to post about them on an blog you share with amazing sisters, take pictures of them BEFORE you even start eating them. Otherwise they will be devoured by your-chocolate-craving-self everyone in your apartment and studio before you can clickety-click with your camera. But no worries, those cookies will be made again. They were epicly good. And that's saying something. I have recipe ADD... I'm always looking for a different one. Making the same one twice (unless it's Grandma's recipe) is a rarity.

• A strong Christian community is one of the best and strongest bonds you can have. Find one, make it yours, develop it deeply, and it will shock you with strength and love at the most random lovely times and the hardest times. Amazing. 

• You can make your own dry shampoo pretty easily. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks pretty fantastic. And dry shampoo is such a life-saver.  http://hookabledesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-dry-shampoo-spray.html

• Pride and Prejudice is always good. Especially on rainy days when you are permanently chilled to the bone and have a couple hours to sit, "work" on your project, wrap yourself in a giant comforter and drink tea. Need a pick-me-up? I'd recommend that. 

• Lavender soda is delicious. It sounds crazy, but it's superb. 

• My favorite feel-inspired-be-happy blog of the week is designlovefest. She's darling, a great graphic designer, and all-around cute person.   

• Of Monsters and Men just makes me happy. Case in point. 

• Throwing hot water, spices, spinach, chickpeas, and cous cous into a tupperware container before you run out the door provides a great lunch in the middle of the day when you have no moolah and you just want fresh yumminess. Thank you cheap, quick, college food. 

• Biking up all the hills of Troy in a little one-speed bike is a great way to get tired really quick attempt to get into shape quickly. But hey, at least my bike still looks cute at the top of the hill to make up for me looking sweaty and exhausted :) 

• Minnesota does thunderstorms better. 

That is all! Happy Sunday! 

- Angie