How about some prose...

(by yours truly)

Freshly fallen snow lay soft and beautiful
sparkling, shimmering and dancing in the sunlight.
Once darkness and shadows lingered here,
But with the morning comes new hope.
Pure light permeates the room and soaks into my skin.
I am lifted.
My Spirit feels free.
I rush through the house to allow every room to transform.
Transform me.
This feeling is cherished,
Where for a moment I feel peace, serenity and light touch my soul.

for the love of brownies

Besides my unfailing love for Pepsi (as you read last week), those who really know me know that I have another true love. It's brownies. Especially "my" brownies, which I of course make from scratch. I have a killer recipe that is pretty much unbeatable.

However, I have been known to mess them up a time or two. Tonight was one of those times. Bummer. I was really looking forward to overindulging myself in the yumminess of brownies. Really, I have made these loads of times, so you would think that I would never break the cardinal commandments of brownie making:

#1
Thou shalt not use a box. Some box brownies are "alright," but the best ones are from scratch.
#2
Thou shalt not melt your butter in the microwave. It can't be frozen, but it also can't be accidentally melted in the microwave either.
#3
Thou shalt use the best cocoa. Sorry, but Hershey's is the best.
#4
Thou shalt not over mix. Overmixing brownie batter makes the brownies cakey. Not fudgey and ooey-gooey, like they ought to be.
#5
Thou shalt use a Pampered Chef stone. I know, I'm a Pampered Chef brat, but they really bake the best.
#6
Thou shalt not overbake. The center can't be batter, but it has to be a little wiggly.
#7
Thou shalt use frosting. Of course brownies need frosting! The only time a brownie doesn't need it is when you are eating one with ice cream and hot fudge.
#8
Thou shalt not put the frosting on prematurely. I don't know why. Trust me. It just makes them weird. Make sure the brownies are completely cooled.
#9
Thou shalt lick the brownie batter clean off the bowl...and spatula...and Kitchen Aid mixer thing. Salmonella? psh. I think someone made that up.

and finally...
#10
Thou shalt not let Danny cut out his own brownie. If you do, then this is what will happen - see photo below. (Actually, I'm a little proud—at least he used a spatula, and furthermore, he knows the center is the best part. I taught him well.)

Dear Pepsi

Dear Pepsi,

We've been seeing each other for a long time now. It started when I was young, and it's been quite the love affair ever since. I know there have been times when I have hurt you. I have chosen to be "on a break," but I always come back to you. There is something about you that I just can't get enough of. I can't imagine life without you in it.

I wanted to take a minute and tell you some of the ways you have changed my life. You lift me up. You know those really crappy days when you're sad, tired, worn down, sad, frustrated and did I mention sad? Yeah, I have had quite a few of those. When I bring you into my life on those days, you can lift my spirits and help me cope with the crap. I love you for that! Your bubbles. There is something about the way it feels when your bubbles slide down my throat. It's euphoric. Come on, everyone—you know what I'm talking about! You taste so good. I don't know what special ingredients make you tick, but whatever they are...it's totally working for you! And me too ;)

BUT...

As most love affairs do—ours has moments. Moments when I am mad at you. Moments when I want to flush you down the toilet. It's not always bliss (despite what you may think). Sometimes you make me feel like crap. Like yesterday. I bought a 32 oz. fountain of my secret dirty combination of Wild Cherry and Diet. So good. Then I go to dinner and order more. I'm sorry. Too much of a good thing isn't good. I felt terrible when I left the restaurant. Thanks for that. You drain my wallet. A little here, a little there. If I could, I would count all the money I have spent on you. I could probably go buy a car. You are an expensive relationship! You make me bloat. It's true. My stomach is always flatter when I'm "on a break." I care about my body, yet you don't help me maintain it. Don't you care about me?

What's a girl to do?

After much deliberation I have come to my present conclusion. Despite the things about you that drive me crazy, I can't leave you...yet! I love you too much!

So, here's to our love-hate relationship! Cheers!

Love Always, B-la

PS. Now where can I find me a Max?

What is Christmas Spirit?

I've never struggled so much in getting into the Christmas spirit as I have this year. Christmas is only one week away, and I am still struggling to find it. I think it's just not going to happen this year. Maybe there is a reason for this. Maybe not. Regardless, this is not normal.

Usually I am super fussy about getting the Christmas tree just right. I let the kids help, but when they aren't looking, I move things around until I am perfectly happy with the tree. This year I didn't get out my favorite ornaments, I let the kids put all the ornaments on the tree, and I didn't adjust anything. I also usually put out the Christmas village. I didn't do that either. Lights on the house. No. Stockings hung. Nope. Christmas music. Not a chance. Garland. You guessed it. I didn't do any of that. It was all I could do to get out a few decorations.

The one thing I have done (that I haven't forced myself to do) is my holiday candy making. Go figure. Suckers, fudge and caramels. And trust me—I have eaten my fair share.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is giving gifts to my family and friends. Despite my lack of spirit, I have wanted to keep giving. However, I have felt like I have had little time to buy anything. My mom's been staying with me for the last few days and will be here through the holidays. Since I had done very little shopping, my mom practically forced me to shop ALL DAY LONG yesterday. It was good to have her push me along, because I think it is the only way I would've finished my shopping—for teachers, friends, family, the people I care about most. So, thanks mom, for kicking my butt in gear!

Maybe I don't have all the decorations out like I usually do. Maybe I am not really feeling it like I usually do. Maybe I didn't throw my annual all-out-super-awesome-ladies-night Christmas party like I have for the last six years…but I still think it can be a great Christmas. I can't wait to see my kids on that morning, and I hope the gifts I will have given to everyone will be meaningful. After all, that's all I have to offer this year!

MIA

Here I am...three weeks without a post. This was not part of the plan. (But when does anything go according to plan?) I promise I have a good explanation. I just can't write about it. Maybe someday, but not today. Emotions are running raw, and I simply don't trust myself not to write something I would regret later.

Honestly, I shoudn't write today. I think I am going to stop.

CHICAGO

London. Barcelona. Zurich. Jerusalem. Cairo. Sydney. New Delhi. Bangkok. To name a few. I have been around the world and visited amazing cities with rich history and culture. Funny thing is I have not been to most of the great cities in the United States. In September I had the opportunity to visit Chicago. My work took me to the burbs, but I had a couple hours one morning to visit the city.

I missed the train. Being entirely unfamiliar with the area and the way things are done, I missed the express train into the city. I had to wait about an hour for the "slow" train. This cut into my precious Chicago-time in a big way. Luckily, I had conversation with a nice local man who taught me how to ride the train, how to get a cab, and how to get back to the train station where I had parked my rental.

I arrived in Chicago and was immediately overcome by the buildings and excitement of being in a city. However, I was on a mission. My boat tour was leaving in T minus 5 minutes. I grabbed a cab, and he promised we could make it to the Pier on time. Well, my driver was dutiful in getting there no matter the cost (to me or others around us). I jumped out of the cab, and they held the boat for me while they looked up my reservation. PHEW!

The boat tour was AWESOME! A few people had suggested that was the one thing I should do while in the city. They were right (even though it was cold and overcast). The tour took us through the rivers and around the buildings to teach us history and architecture of this great city. I knew nothing about Chicago but left enriched and educated. It was well worth the cost and time.

After the tour I only had one more hour. Since the dock was next to Navy Pier, I decided to walk around there and have some lunch. I bought a few souvenirs for my kids and ate at Bubba Gumps. I ate shrimp, of course! My server was friendly and flirty and addressed me as "baby" and "mama" the whole time. He sat down with me and quizzed me on Forrest Gump trivia and kept my Pepsi full :) I grabbed another cab and headed back to Union Station. My cab driver from Djibouti took me on the underground roads, which was super cool. He also was mumbling to himself the whole time (...unless he had a bluetooth in, and I couldn't see it).

Do you know what happened next? I missed my train. Again. I quickly walked up to it, but the doors has just shut. I swear like 3 seconds before that moment. The guy inside was looking at me through the door window, shrugged, and was like, "sorry." WTFreak! I swear it left 4 minutes early. I was so mad. I had a plane to catch, and the next train didn't leave for another hour. So, I cried in a corner.

Just kidding. I enjoyed the little extra time I was given. I left the station and walked around a bit. I discovered I was a block from the Sears Tower (oh sorry, Willis Tower). I walked into the lobby, sat on a bench for about two minutes, and walked back to the station. I wasn't going to miss another train.

I came back to a parking ticket on my rental. Are you kidding me! The parking instructions were awful, and I didn't understand how I was supposed to pre-pay for my parking...not pay when I left. Whatever. Turns out I would have made my plane by only about 7 minutes. Luck was a little on my side though, and my flight was delayed an hour.

Overall, it was a crazy and whirlwind of a day I spent in Chicago, but I loved every minute. I love cities. I love them! I am convinced I would have a flat somewhere in some great city if I weren't a mom. Maybe someday when I get older and my kids are on their own, I will buy myself a one. I can't wait to go back to Chicago and really get to explore and see more things, because 3-4 hours was not enough.

I had a "view" from my hotel room














CHICAGO!














I'm pretty sure this is the Trump Tower


















Some building I though was cool














Navy Pier














This is one of the only pics on me in Chicago (I took it myself!)














Heck Ya! My meal at Bubba's. Delish!














Random shot in the river (one of my favorites, for some reason)


















The Willis Tower


















I like this photo because of the shapes and space the buildings make next to each other


















I had to add this video for fun! Holy cow! These are awesome! I love that I don't have to touch a thing, and I know my butt is sitting on something clean. These were in the train station and at the airport in Chicago! I need one at home :)

I did it. I joined Twitter.

Yes. It's true. I am now a tweep. I have resisted for quite some time now. It seems like I am on a 5-year delay in social media. Facebook launched February of 2004. I joined in 2009. Twitter was launched for public use in July 2006. I just joined. My only exception is Google+. I actually beat the public launch in September of this year. (However, at this point, it is the social media tool I use the least, and it might die anyway.)

So what made me cave and join yet another social media network?

Peer Pressure. I have always been able to stand strong under immense peer pressure throughout my life. So, why would I cave? I don't know. Partly because of my industry. It's pretty expected for a designer/writer/marketing "expert" to belong to almost every social network. I would get all the time, "You're not on Twitter?!" Followed by strange and unnerving looks. I guess I care about my image and don't want to be considered a weird-o. Now I can say, "Yeah, I'm on Twitter. Follow me, dude." That makes me super cool.

Help Clients. How can I teach businesses and clients how to use Twitter if I didn't even know how the heck to use it. Yeah, that's been a problem. However, it is like other social media networks - if you're not going to use it and maintain it, then don't bother. Be cool and update your tweets.

I'm Getting More Informed. Turns out Twitter is much more than a massive whine session, like I thought it would be. Unlike Facebook, people generally share valuable information. People are mostly posting and sharing links to articles and sites. And the great thing is you only have to follow what you want. I'm getting my news headlines tweeted to me, getting updates on my favorite brands, design blogs, and I'm following my friends (oh, sorry...tweeps). Pretty freakin cool.

Sure. It's a game. But at least this one is a little fun!
So, follow me on Twitter, because now I'm cool. Like Travis.