brownies

we decided to buy a box of brownie mix after dinner + i "spontaneously" baked what might be MY VERY FIRST BATCH OF BROWNIES.  it wasn't my dessert of choice (husband's request, mine would be this), but if i am going to bake more, i have to start somewhere right? ... even if it's a not-too-gourmet-betty-crocker-triple-chunk-brownie mix. ;)

ta-da!! 

husband's messy portion ... 

this is why he got the messy portion ... it kinda fell apart.

my little bit + pellegrino w/ orange slices

our dinner

i finally baked the macaroni grill rosemary bread ... i think it turned out pretty good (for being the first ever bread that i baked. ever), but i can't say that it was exactly the same as the fresh and warm rosemary bread that you get at macaroni grill.  it's very similar.  maybe it's because i cheated and didn't wait for it to rise for a full 45 minutes the second time around (i cut the time to ummm .. about 15).  either way. it was worth trying.  now i am not intimidated by the idea of baking (again, i love to cook, and i'm learning to bake.)  my next goal?  these delicious chocolate chocolate chip cookies (the name uses chocolate 2x and that's why i'm baking it).  can't wait!

mixing the dough in my never-been-used mixer. 

they have risen!

ta-da! all done. 

gunna be making these

i am determined. 

this. will. be on. our. dinner. table.

tonight. 

{photo via here}

it's monday.

it's a very gloomy monday morning here in southern california, but i am loving this gloom. it makes me think of my short time up in washington and how amazingly fast time goes by (it's already august eighth!).  

some things on my mind:

1. how incredibly delicious fresh biscuits and fresh-whipped cream are together. (see picture above) 

2. god has been so good and so wonderfully present in my life.

(i am always amazed by his love. always. it never fails me.)

3. i would LOVE to have acres of land and my own vegetable garden, chickens, barn, and all that good stuff ... someday. lord willing.

4. coffee is such a good friend.

5. jesus is an even better friend.

6. amazed that texas had their day of prayer + fasting initiated by their governor rick perry. (god bless that man)

7. so thankful for my husband. for his hard-work.

8.  really tired of going through this season of disconnect in my soul. god knows where i'm at.

9. friendships can be so fragile.

10. this artichoke flower. never seen one before. gorgeous isn't it? 

11. grace, truth, love. needing more in my life.

12. jesus. yea. i'm really thinking about Him. a lot.