an example...

I walked into my last class of the day just a little bit late because I had been chatting with a friend. Tuesdays are my long days. I have class straight through with no (real) break from 9am to 5:40... I sat down in my assigned seat- front and center-because the very first day of that class started off bad (another story). I suddenly realized that my contract that I turned in the other night was up on the big screen. I wanted to walk right back out. He was discussing that assignment. I had given the contract assignment my best effort and then turned it in a few hours early. It was due by/before midnight. I turned it in at 6:30pm- done. Finished. I hopped I passed the assignment and never wanted to look at it again. Now it was being used as an example. Ugh. My worst nightmare. As I sat down the professor said that he had removed the name of the student because in earlier classes people complained that it was too embarrassing. Thanks for making me anonymous. I was still horrified as I tried to nonchalantly stare at the screen looking at red text, blue text and highlighted text. I saw squiggly red lines underlining text. The paper I turned in was all in black. I really wanted to giggle. I kept my calm- though I am sure my face was red. Only the professor could see my face. I tried to cover it partially with my water bottle as I took many drinks. Then he said, "I only use examples that are A's". Still though, the time going over the contract was way too long.

He told me he said no.

Happy Valentine's Day

Paris and I made cupcakes- she and Emilia decorated them.

Do you have a bike?

In Jr. High dumb boys would ask that to anyone on the bus. I had a bike but I knew better than to answer.

I didn't have a bike for a long time. Then I bought a gorgeous traditional british bike in New Castle. It was step through, black, 6 speeds and very elegant and simple. I got Richard to make the drive with me. It was a long day and we saw Hadrian's wall. I hardly rode the bike due to bad weather, but when I did ride it I loved it. I was sad to sell it when we moved. However, I have been riding a bike since September and am LOVING it. When I ride I think, "I'm on a bike"...Think Andy Sanberg singing "I'm on a boat"... Hopefully you get the picture. I love my bike. It is my second- still a Townie Electra, but this one is cream and it has a million speeds. I use 3. The color is better than my last one and almost everyday I get compliments on it. It is like having a baby as an accessory again. When I had my babies I was always complimented on their cuteness. I missed it. Now with my bike they are coming back.

Today during my ride through the park (Golden Gate Park) to school I was thinking of all the funny things I see everyday when I ride- exotic dogs, incredibly indescribable people, other bikes (yesterday a lowrider passed me- the bike was low and trimmed in gold. On the back it had a spare tire also trimmed and spoked in gold- I really wish I had a camera around my neck to take a quick photo) and then I saw a man running backwards. Jogging backwards. I started to laugh. Then I saw another man waiting for a park shuttle. He was wearing a knee length skirt, had a baby carrier/carseat, a mesh shirt and the darkest, hairiest beard for a man wearing a skirt and holding a baby carrier. I smiled. He smiled. He complimented me on my bike. OK no he didn't compliment my bike, but my smile- too many funny thoughts and it was a funny moment. It could only happen riding a bike.

Celebrate

I don't make New Years resolutions. I make weekly, daily, sometimes half daily resolutions... I can always be better. But, I have resolved to celebrate life more. I tried to do this last year and the year before... ok, so that is why I don't make resolutions. I hate failing. This year though, in the right month, just not the right day (6th of Jan), I made a gallette du roi. A kings cake to celebrate epiphany. Leif got the bean. He was king for a minute. The cake is super easy with frozen puff pastry. I have made it three times during the month of January. The kids love it. Think almond filled croisant. delish. There are a ton of recipes out there. This is the one I used and I don't remember where I got it: Gallette du Roi
Ingredients:
1/4 cup sliced raw almonds

1/4 cup almond paste

1/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

pinch of salt

2 eggs

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 tablespoons flour

1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

glaze (1 part water, 2 parts sugar)
Procedure:
1) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. 
2) Butter a large baking sheet (not dark metal).
3) In a food processor, puree' the almond paste, almonds, sugar, butter, and pinch of salt until smooth.
4) Add 1 egg, vanilla and almond extract and puree' until incorporated.
5) Add flour and pulse to mix in.
6) On a lightly floured surface, roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11 1/2 inch square.
7) Invert an 11 inch pie plate onto the square and cut out a round shape by tracing the outline of the plate w/ the tip of a paring knife.
8) Brush the flour from both sides of the round and place it on the buttered baking sheet, then put in refrigerator to chill.
9) Repeat the process w/ the second square of puff pastry, but leave it on the floured work surface.
10) Beat the remaining egg and brush some of it on top of the second round. Score decoratively all over the top using the tip of a paring knife and make several small slits all the way through the pastry to create steam vents.
11) Remove the first round from the refrigerator and brush some of the egg in a 1 inch border around the edge. Mound the almond cream in the center, spreading slightly.
12) Place the scored round on top and press edges together.
13) Bake the galette in the lower third of the oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until puffed and golden. Remove from oven and brush w/ egg a second time.
14) Return galette to rack in the upper third of oven and bake for an additional 12 to 15 minutes or until the edge is a deep golden brown. 
15) While galette is still on the oven rack, brush it w/ the glaze mixture, then transfer to a cooling rack.