I've Moved! (My Blog that Is)

Hi Friends!

I just wanted to let you know that I am rerouting my blog to:

www.emilyblaylock.wordpress.com

On the right side of the page you will notice category titles. I've tried to categorize my posts as:

1. Living:

As I live 3,000 miles away from those I love the most, here I will update you on life. I have a deep passion for simplicity, so I'll share the highlights like NYC, Yacht Fundraisers, and White House Tours here. You'll probably hear much about baking and reflecting as it consumes much of my living as well. Here I will express how Life Is. I will continue try living as it is.

2. Baking:

These are a few of the recipes that I get to enjoy testing in any free time I have. While these are mostly recipes there is much living and reflecting expressed in each of these posts. Hope you enjoy the story, picture, and expression of food here as much as if I were sharing a table with you enjoying it hot from the oven.

3. Reflecting:

I am a thinker. Sometimes I just wish I could sit across from C.S. Lewis over a cup of coffee or glass of wine and ponder the workings of life, the magnitude of grace, and get lost in imagining heaven. While I am quite the dreamer, I am committed to living life as it really is. Every moment. One wise man, Charles Swindoll, put it this way: "God's wisdom equips us to handle life as it really is." Oh, how I depend on Him. But look for my many reflections on life here :)

I hope to keep you updated on living, baking, and (of course) reflecting.

Love,

Emily

Fresh Baguettes, a Simple Comfort of Life

I love food. I find myself going to Food Blogs and opening Cookbooks far more often than I ever hit CNN.com or flip through the Washington Post. I should feel ashamed, and I do at times--especially living in Washington, DC. I am a little slow on the news intake, but food...I got that. Not just the eating part, but I love the creation, the science, and the composition of food. Most of all I love watching people enjoy food and enjoy one another’s company. Ok, ok, I’ve shared this already.

On a more personal note with food, I am a dessert girl. I, in an unhealthy manner, turn to anything involving chocolate for those times of comfort. Yet while I have a seemingly unquenchable sweet tooth, my real “comfort food” (aside from popcorn, apples, and chocolate) is fresh bread.

I find comfort in the process. I enjoy the investment of time, the smell steaming from the oven, and the chewy crunch. Just like any nerd, I enjoy that when yeast reaches the perfect warm temperature it begins to swell, and grows as you add sugar. I like kneading. Even though my Kitchen Aid sitll resides in Oregon, I honestly don’t mind kneading for the necessary 10 minutes. I enjoy that as you leave it to set over night it develops a deeper flavor. I anticipate the hours before baking as it doubles in size and is punched down. I really like the flour.

(Have I bored you yet?) I do like flour and how there is specific bread flour that makes bread taste soooo much better! And I like the feeling of flour in my hands and dusting it on top of the loaf before it bakes. And homemade bread is always delicious! And who doesn’t enjoy eating fresh bread? I love the gift of homemade baked goods, especially bread. Fresh bread is also one of two ways I will actually eat butter (on real popcorn as well). And, oh, do I love melted butter on a good piece of bread.

I started falling in love with bread baking Winter of 2009. One of my favorite men in the world, my Grandpa, was extremely ill Fall 2007-2008. He was unable to enjoy some of his favorite foods for almost a year. (Can you imagine?) Among many, one of his favorites is fresh bread, especially artisan bread. At Thanksgiving 2008 I told him that I was going to find a recipe to make him the bread that he so dearly loved from Fred Meyer. That is what began my hunt for the perfect Artisan Bread Recipe. I’ve tried many and was blown away with Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes--I used that recipe for almost a year. I’m not sure if there is anyone I enjoy feeding more than my Grandpa. I guess I’ll know I’ve found the right man for me when he enjoys my baking as much as my Grandpa does. Anyway--Christmas 2009, when I was home from college and could not fall asleep, began this recipe at 2am. It is now my favorite go to bread recipe. A few weeks ago when my friend came over for dinner after church, we had the joy of breaking this bread together (I don’t have a bread knife, so we literally broke it).

Please check out this Recipe. It is now my favorite :) P.S. I am now working on my slim photo skills.

Friday the 13th + Red Velvet Cupcakes

Story Time:

Friday morning I woke up at 5:30 AM, a tad bit later than I desired--I had things I needed to accomplish before 8AM. The night before, I came home to a refrigerator full of Red Velvet cupcakes, about fifty or more (I refuse to count, because then I will have to come to terms with how many I ate...).

I baked them the day prior for a Friday night party with my co-workers plus friends. My plan for Thursday evening was to: 1. Frost cupcakes and 2. finish up a project for work. Much to my dismay, I was without WiFi (its in and out) and spent the whole evening making frosting, eating frosting, decorating with frosting, and eating frosting. Thus I needed to get up early Friday, finish work, and go for my morning run (which was essential after the mass sugar-cream cheese-butter consumption the night prior...my poor little heart).

Back to my 5:30 wake up call Friday morning--I was able mooch off the local WiFi, finished up some work, laced up my new running shoes, and headed out by 6:15AM. The weather was perfect. The day before we had crazy (seriously, CRAZY) thunderstorms. I was getting ready to leave for work and realized it was dark outside still at 7:30AM. I opened my blinds to see what was up just in time for lightning, gusts of wind, and a torrential downpour (later predicted to cause flash floods). Thus Friday morning, I was quite content to find cooler temperatures and a bit of a drizzle (reminded me of my Salem runs). I was off--in my new shoes to bid good morning to Lincoln, with cupcakes at home ready to take to work. As I rounded the Washington Monument, I was content to think, “today has the potential to be a really good day.” As I headed back toward my apartment building I stepped in a puddle. In my new shoes. Wet sock and all. Next thought: “Uh oh, could this be the point in which this day turns for the worst...?” Maybe. (I’m a tad bit dramatic sometimes...but only sometimes) :)

I headed about 4 more blocks in my wet shoe.

Walked into my apartment building and there was a man standing in the stairwell on his cell phone.

I smiled politely, dripping in sweat, wanting to move quickly by him so I could take off my wet shoe and get started for the day.

He looks at me, slightly panicked, and says Don’t go down there.

My face never learned the art of concealing my thoughts, so it was clear that I was confused and not buying his instruction.

He continues, No, there’s a burglar down there...

My face was clear: Excuse me, a what?

There’s a man dressed in black...I’m on the phone with the police... Jose (our maintenance man) trapped him...

I move further from the stairwell. Surprisingly calm. I guess, moving to the city, I knew things like this were possible. (I really don’t live in the sketchiest part of DC, promise). In fact, I’ve already had experience with burglars and guns--16 years old, Redmond OR, Coffee Depot.

So I just stand by. Let the man talk to the police and trying to glean some information from him.

Once the man with the cell phone got off with the police. He explained that: Jose, our maintenance man, saw the man dressed in black on the bottom level (where I live). I don’t think the man actually got into anyone’s apartment. But Jose was able to chase him outside where there is a fenced off area by our garbages. He thought he trapped him. From there he began to head down the stairs to check on Jose and meet the police. I walked with him and slipped into my apartment to get ready for the day. I tried to eavesdrop as much as possible when the police came...but...I really don’t know much.

As I was trying to listen through the door, my friend forwarded me the DC Weather Alert message: which let all of us know that the crazy storms would not be a part of our Friday. The e-mail subject read:

“Happy Friday the 13th.”

Hah! If I were superstitious my morning would have been explained. Instead my first thoughts were, “Oh, this will make a great blog post.” (Actually, my first thought was, 'Oh, no, how am I going to tell Mom?') It also makes me think of sovereignty. Had I not gone for my run, this commotion would have been happening in front of my door. I think this would be quite a different post had that been the case. I think the Lord knew I needed to be out of the building when this was going on. Just another reminder of His constant grace in my life.

So I got ready for work. Packed up my cupcakes. And headed in, uncertain as to which way the day would be headed after that start.

I am happy to say that it was a wonderful day. I was able to feed my coworkers (but had to say good bye to our remaining Summer Associates...). The regular cupcakes were a hit with the M.org staff. Maya asked me to make Red Velvet Cupcakes for her wedding in May! (OF COURSE!!) Looks like there will quite a bit of testing to find that perfect recipe between now and then. I also took about 40 (ish) mini-cupcakes (also referred to as vitamins) to the party that evening. Oh, what joy I have in feeding people desserts!

The workings of a small baking side business may be a brewing. Emily’s Edibles...Le Petite (mini cupcakes?)...just a few thoughts. For now I’ll just share this recipe with you + a few thoughts:

-------------------------------

Red Velvet: via Spork and Foon

½ cups cake flour (not self-rising)

¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

6 tbsp red food coloring

4-6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

1½ tsp vanilla extract
1½ tsp salt
1½ cups buttermilk

1½ tsp cider vinegar

1½ tsp baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting

12 ounces cold cream cheese (I used 16oz, makes it a bit firmer)

1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) butter, firm but not cold

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 pounds (1 1/2 boxes) powdered sugar, sifted (I didn’t sift it, and may have used more or less sugar)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour 2 cupcake pans (24 cupcakes).

To make the batter: In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well.

In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overbeat. In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.

Divide the batter among the prepared pans. Arrange the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and bake the cupcakes, switching positions of the pans halfway through baking, until a tester comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the pan 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a rack before icing.

Frosting

Combine butter, salt, and cream cheese in mixer and beat on medium speed 2-3 minutes.

Add sugar until just incorporated. Don’t over mix. It should be thick but not fluffy.

Add vanilla. If necessary, add milk to thin.

-------------------------------

Since I will be baking these for the wedding, there will be several posts figuring out which are the best. This one calls for butter, but tomorrow I will be trying out a recipe that calls for oil instead. Don’t worry...you’ll see pictures...and hear my thoughts. Of course. But here is my confession: I don’t really get the big deal with Red Velvet. I mean, there’s chocolate in it, but you can’t taste it. There’s so much food coloring, that I am convinced I’m poisoning myself (yet I eat them anyway). I honestly think the entire purpose of a Red Velvet Cupcake is to eat CreamCheese Frosting. And oh, boy, this frosting is TO DIE FOR!

Changing the World Through Muffins (Cookies, Pies, Cupcakes, Bread, etc)

Hi, my name is Emily, but I’d like to be a food blogger and change my name to Julie.

Yes, I am movie-crazed and obsessed. I am speaking of Julie Powell from Julie and Julia, of course. I don't really want to change my name, I've become quite accustomed to "Emily" or "Em" for those I actually like :) But hear me out. I’m sure as you’ve read my blog not only have you gotten a taste (no pun intended) of my love of simplicity, living life, enjoying relationships, DC, Oregon, and of course...FOOD! I’m pretty sure my most detailed descriptions are of the food I’ve eaten or the restaurants I’ve visited. For any of you who braved to read my novel of a post, I’m pretty sure I mentioned that I was getting my kitchen things in the mail, oh, about 4 times. Which is far too many times for one blog entry :)

Ok, so I subconsciously (and even consciously) have a deep love for food and making food. You would think that it began as a child. Most people that love to cook have a typical story about how they grew up in the kitchen at their mother’s (grandmother’s, father’s, aunt’s, etc...) apron. They were never truly taught how to cook, it was just a way of life. While I come from a long line of amazing cooks, I am not privileged to have such a story. For those of you have spent any time with my family, it really only takes about...oh...30 minutes or so with the Blaylocks before you hear one of the Emily-in-the-kitchen stories. Nope, these are not flattering in the least: forgetting to add water to Campbells soup, almond extract rather than vanilla, and my mom’s ultimate exaggeration: “Emily wouldn’t even go into the kitchen to get a glass of water.” Not true, Mom, not true. Although, I’m sure I was just fine if someone else wanted to assist me in quenching my thirst, I had the whole tap water thing figured out. Although I was (and still am) Queen of spilling water. I think that has more to do with being the ultimate clutz than with my cooking/baking/kitchen skills. Seriously, I think that my scars, scrapes, and bruises are another blog in and of itself.

While did not obtain any cooking skills, etiquette, etc through osmosis, I did whip up some prize winning cookies at the Deschutes County Fair. Molasses cookies, anyone? Yup, first prize. I sure could stir. But other than making cookies, I’ve always had a love for eating. This is when my life begins to parallel Julie Powell and Julia Child. In the scene where Paul Child, asks Julia, “What is it you really like to do?” and she replies “Eat!” Somewhere between Julia’s love for eating and Julie’s need for a creative outlet, is my love for baking. There are two main reasons (oh...maybe three) that I see why I am drawn to baking (rather than cooking):

1. It requires precision. This accounts for both my creative side and my love for math/science. With cooking you don’t have to use measurements 1+3 does not have to = 4 in cooking, but in baking you have to get all your measurements and temperatures and timing precise. There’s not a lot of leeway. I like this. I was one of those AP Calculus nerds. I like math. The end.

2. I have a true Blaylock sweet tooth. For the most part I am a health nut (granola cruncher, whatever you want to call it), except when it comes to dessert (and french fries, again, another story). My Dad’s side of the family would probably eat dessert for every meal. I remember vividly the night we had doughnuts and popcorn for dinner at Grandma and Grandpa B’s. They try to tell me it was because we had “dinner” after church and that was the Sunday evening snack. Whatever, we ate doughnuts for dinner and popcorn (my 2nd favorite food). I’m sure we ate brownies and cobbler for breakfast too. Sweet tooth is in my genes.

3. Baking is not necessary. You have to cook. But you never have to bake. Cookies, cobblers, pies, cakes, bread...they are not necessary food items. I think that when I began baking (and even as I continue to bake), it is the one thing in my life that I choose to do just because I want to, not because I have to. As much as I love my morning runs, there’s an element of necessity (gotta run off those baked goods). As much as I love writing, again, there’s a bit of obligation to tell my story or to remember and reflect on life. And again, I love chatting with my mom, but if I didn’t, well...you know... (love you, Mom). Baking=desire. Nothing more, nothing less. For someone who has let duty and obligation dictate most of her life, this is quite significant.

I love searching for the perfect the recipe, measuring sugar, melting chocolate, dusting flour, and whisking eggs accompanied by a Pandora station. Yet the joy would be incomplete without the end result. No, not just eating it. In fact, I may even forgo eating it altogether so long as I can see it bring joy to another person as it touches their taste buds. This is where my life and love for baking encompasses a second movie: Stranger Than Fiction. One of the main characters (the one who receives a box of flours that I mentioned in my Novel Post), she was headed to law school to go and change the world, but then falls in love with baking. She opens a bakery and decides that maybe she can change the world through cookies. As much as my heart identifies with this line, my intellect rolls its eyes. How in the world can you change the world through cookies? Really?! But as I work at Mobilize.org (which I really do enjoy, and think I am starting to develop a real passion for the work), I am surrounded by people in the office and in the non-profit field who have a deep passion for their work. At first I felt so behind (and I still do sometimes...ok...a lot of times), but then I began to think: what is it that I am so passionate about that I want to spend even my spare time doing it. It comes back to baking. Not necessarily baking, but feeding. I love to bake things that are challenging: I can make french baguettes, peanut butter chocolate cake covered in ganache, red velvet cake truffles, homemade fondant (that actually tastes good), but barely know how to boil an egg. I think I like the challenge, but I especially like being able to feed someone something unique. Something that is made with fresh, healthy ingredients (yes, I am the one who uses non-fat yogurt and whole wheat flour) that you may not have known could be made at home. I love to see people enjoy food from a kitchen, rather than out of a plastic bag or box from the grocery store. I think baking may be my passion...maybe...but only if there was a way to change the world through cookies...

Last Thursday, Mobilize.org along with NCoC and ServeNext went to volunteer at DCKitchen. This place really is changing the world through cooking. They have been around for about 20+ years and have been feeding the homeless people of DC. They also have a school in which they teach previously incarcerated people to cook. They then becomes the cooks at DCKitchen. They also recently received a $10,000 grand from Top Chef (anyone watch Bravo?). Their founder, Robert Egger, whom I was privileged to meet (would love to sit and chat with him for a few hours), also shared that they were recently selected to make made from scratch meals for the DC public schools! Oh, and final thought on this amazing organization, they buy all their food from local farmers. All the produce that is still good, but less than perfect, is bought to make all these meals. Seriously, an incredible organization. I guess I share because they really are changing the world through cooking.

Maybe I could bake unique treats for those who could never have it. Like baking Birthday Cakes or Cupcakes for children who never would receive one. I guess that is something I can do now. Hmm... just thoughts.

So, now that I have my own place, my own kitchen, and YES my own kitchenware (it all arrived on Friday!) I’ve had the opportunity to bake! On Sunday I made Lemon Blueberry Poppyseed muffins. Then Nick and I made homemade pizza which was incredible, but unfortunately it did not photograph well.

We ate it while watching Julie and Julia--I swear I was giddy the whole time, I just love that movie.

I must add that while I love baking, the manner in which I bake, I believe is an authentic reflection of my personality (all masks put aside). I realize that I am not as detail-oriented as I think I am. I don’t mind making a mess, I will clean it up (but I sure would rather someone else did). I also can never, ever do something right the first time. Ever.

Lemon Blueberry Poppyseed Muffins:

Adapted from For the Love of Cooking

• 2/3 cup of white sugar
• 1 large lemon, zest and juice
• 1 cup of whole wheat flour
• 1 cup of flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 cup of low fat sour cream (I used yogurt)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 1/2 cups of fresh blueberries

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a muffin tray with cooking spray.

Mix the sugar with the lemon zest with a fork until the zest infuses with the sugar. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda with the sugar, mix well.

In a separate bowl combine the eggs, sour cream, cooled butter, vanilla and lemon juice, mix with a beater on low until smooth and creamy. Combine the egg mixture with the flour mixture until well combined. Add the poppy seeds and 1 cup of blueberries and gently mix, making sure not to pop the blueberries.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin tray. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of blueberries to the top of each muffin.

Place in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and a tester inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the tray and let cool on a rack. Slice, slather with butter and enjoy.

----------------------------------

I followed the recipe almost word for word. I did double this batch, though. That is why I have two lemons, four eggs, two sticks of butter, etc. I also made them in the mini muffin pan. They only take about 10-ish minutes to bake. But don't take my word for that. I didn't actually time them. I also did not think they had enough lemon zing to them. But that may have been because I didn't follow the directions precisely (Like I said, lack of detail-orientation [word? I dunno...] and my method of mistake first, then get it right by the third, fourth, sixth...or never time).

I decided to make a lemon glaze to zest it up a bit. Since I was going to bring them to our staff meeting on Monday morning (yep, I proudly walked twenty five minutes with my pyrex dish full of 30 or so mini muffins...my arms were sore by the time I got there though...), and I didn't have time Sunday evening (pizza baking, movie watching night). I decided to go to Giants earrlllyy before work and get another lemon and some powdered sugar.

So TA DA: one lemon and some powdered sugar did the trick. Lovely lemon glaze. And I got to feed some happy coworkers on a very early Monday morning. Love baking :)

Ok, it apparently doesn't matter how long it has been sine the previous blog. I still manage to write a novel. There will be another coming soon. Potentially food related: Red Velvet Cupcakes ahead.

:)

My 25 Day Blogging Hiatus

Excuses, excuses...I have 25 days worth of excuses as to why I have not been blogging. Worst part is that I started this blog with 17 days worth of excuses...and it has no grown to 25. These are not necessarily in order of importance, but are more chronological with a little leeway here and there.

25. Whirlwind trip to Oregon

In case you didn't know or I didn't mention it, I was able to come to Oregon for in an insanely quick trip. I left DC at 5:00PM Thursday evening and flew back from PDX at 1AM Tuesday morning. I was "privileged" to sit next two children on both legs to Oregon. I do love children, but not these ones. I could not have been happier (and grumpier) to see my parents after getting off the planes! We spent Friday in Lake Oswego at my Aunt and Uncle's house. Went into Salem to the La Perla to have dinner with just a few of my incredible friends. It meant so, so much to me to be able to have the time together even if it was so short! I had the best transportation anyone could ever ask for my Dad at the wheel, my mom in shot gun in our Subaru. And I drove for the first time in 6 weeks. I don't really miss it, I'm not one who is incredibly fond of driving. I really could care less. We spent Friday night in Lake Oswego, then Lindsey and David Baumer drove me to Eugene Saturday AM, was picked up by my parents Sunday afternoon and headed to Redmond for a night and came back to Lake Oswego for an evening and PDX that night to DC Tuesday and straight to work. Whew! It flew. But so glad to be graced by blue skies, the Cascades Mountains, cooler temperatures, and yes, even Juniper trees.

24. Ford Scholar Conference

The whole purpose of me coming to Oregon was to go to my last Ford Scholar Summer Conference. The scholarship that has been monumental in shaping where I am today. If it had not been for this scholarship I never would have been able to go to Corban University and get my degree, meet some of my dearest friends, or have landed the job I have with Mobilize.org. If you ever want to hear a lloonnnggg "ironic" story just ask me about the Ford Scholarship. I would not be the same person had I not received this scholarship. That said, I was able to spend two days with incredible students, speakers, and members of the Foundation. We ate great food and I got to spend time with one of my dearest friends, Eli. Oh! And I can't forget, we got pretty "awesome" Ford Scholar Rings. Check 'em out:

23 Hanging with Family

In the midst of the whirlwind I did get to spend a little time with my favorite people doing my favorite things. I was able to spend a great chunk of time with parents (although in the car, I crashed (as in slept) every time, but they were patient with me). I was able to shop with my cousin Laura, I wish she was doing her residency in DC :( My Uncle Kevin made me coffee each morning. Baked cookies with Aunt Gail.

Had dinner with my sister, bro-in-law, Grandma, Grandpa and brother.

And of course was able to see one of my second moms, Donna, at one of my favorite restaurants CrossCreek Deli. And yes, as some of you may note each of my favorite things did have something to do with food! My second favorite thing would’ve been to hike but there was just no time... As I type this I am shocked that it was only two (now 3...wait...4) weeks ago. It feels like months. Yet at the same time I’ve been in DC for over two months now and it feels like i just got here yesterday. If my concept of time can be compared to my hand eye coordination...well, I think you are catching my drift (even if I can’t catch anything). It was lovely to see family and today I miss them more than ever.

22 Church Community Group

I think I’ve mentioned that the church I’m going to has Community Groups that are kind of like Bible Studies. I’ve been going to one that is about a 15 minute walk from my the place I was living on Capitol Hill. We meet every Tuesday night and I’m realizing (especially today) what a blessing it is to be a part of a community of believers. I arrived in DC at about 11AM on Tuesday form OR, went straight to work, after work dropped my things off at my house, and headed straight to community group with a storm brewing overhead. I was definitely riding on the adrenaline of being awake for 24+ hours. I am so glad I chose to go though. I knew I needed to be with people that night. We studied the Scripture, pondered Grace, prayed for one another and experienced intense thunder, lightning, and a torrential downpour. It was AWESOME!

21. Red Eye Hangover

If you’ve had one, there’s no need for explanation. I was not able to embrace my true exhaustion from the first Red Eye with the obnoxious children because I was too busy with places to go in Oregon. But after the second Red Eye, I had no option. It embraced me. I was tired...and even slightly delirious. Hence, no blogging was accomplished. I had to pour every drop of sanity I had into work and preparing for Maya’s travel schedules which when compared to my busy-ness makes me feel like a complete and total wimp. I don’t think I’m made for that pace of life. Had I never been forced to learn to rest and embrace silence, I think I would love the fast-paced, busy, scheduled life. Now I find myself resisting and seeking balance within the two. Have not begun to master it (clearly!)

20. Laundry

Yep. When you’re folding laundry you just can’t type. Lame, very practical excuse. I mean...I have to have clean clothes. I wish I didn’t...but....I do. Its like showering, I feel like it is a waste of time, but I have to do it. The end.

19. Brooklyn Nights w/ Ms. Rachel Brown

Yikes, it feels like this happened a decade ago. But oh-my-goodness, it was an incredible weekend! I went up to NYC after work on a Friday night. Its about a 4 hours bus ride (mine, of course, took 5--thank you Friday night traffic). I met up with Rachel, who I had lived with from Aug-Dec ’09 in Salem. We hadn’t seen each other or even really talked since January. I do love the way that people are able to bond (or re-bond...ok, maybe reconnect is the better word, or an actual word at best) when they are thousands of miles from home. There’s just something so good about seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar world. We went back to Rachel’s place in Brooklyn (she has the cutest apartment and the sweetest roommates). I wanted to just move right in, but I don’t think I’m quite the New York type and the commute would be quite the stretch. Friday night we went to this “members only” club...bar...I’m really not sure what to call it. All I really know is that it was in an incredible building and that Rachel’s friend from Bible Study is friends with the DJ who put our name on a list (ha, that sounds movie-like). It was quite an authentic NYC experience and probably nothing like what you are thinking, and I am lacking descriptive words right now (5:57AM).

We got home at like 3AM and slept in late. It was the closest I’ve had to a vacation since Christmas break and even then I was still in bed early and up early. We then went to the Metropolitan Art Museum, checked out Picasso for awhile (sigh...). Headed to Central Park to hang out with some more of Rachel’s friends. Had great conversation, enjoyed the beautiful park + city.

We then headed to...wait...for....it...Serendipity! Ok, I love that super cheesy John Cusak film (it is an “I’m sick in bed and want a cute movie” movie.) I never realized that it is a REAL place (pardon my ignorance). You have to have a reservation or there’s like a 2 hour wait in order to have one of their famous frozen hot chocolates. Next time, Ms. Rachel Brown. We are doing it!

[P.S. just found out this morning that DC is getting one!! So excited, its nerdy!]

We then went to a house warming party for one of her friends. This was an authentic NY experience for me anyway. We sat out on a terrace near Central Park, under the stars (they’ll never compare to Central Oregon, though), surrounded by city, eating good food. Loved it.

Sunday morning we met a friend in Brooklyn for brunch at Egg. I love that there is a restaurant just called Egg. Maybe I want one called Apple. I’m not sure that it would necessarily be the best name for a bakery, but I just love the class and simplicity of those one words. And I love apples... Oh! I know, I’ll call it “Flour.” (Keep reading, you’ll understand)

We then walked around and saw some of Brooklyn and just took it easy.

While all the things we did in NY were so great and relaxing, it was definitely the people that made the trip wonderful. It was so good to be Rachel, who has shared some pretty significant life experiences with me. It was refreshing to be around other believers as well. Rachel is definitely surrounded by some pretty incredible people (I am not discrediting the great people placed around me, promise). It was a joy to spend some time with Rachel and her friends.

18. Completing some lasts with our Summer Associates

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this in my blog and if not I’m sure you’ve seen each of these individuals referenced on my Facebook or Twitter (oh, yes, I am quite social media savvy thanks to M.org). We have the most incredible summer associates. Unfortunately, two left last Friday and the next three are leaving the 13th. They started at M.org just a week after I started. I think the newness of our positions definitely bonded us, plus they are incredible workers and incredible people. That said, I’ve been spending time soaking in those last moments with each of them. P.S. Why did we never take a picture of all of us? What were we thinking?!

17. Baking

Yep, I spend one evening baking Kelsey Shield’s delicious brownies. After work I went to three different grocery stores with Nick and Kendal (summer associates) in order to bake for the fundraiser happening the next night. I made brownies and Nick made the spinach artichoke dip, which I apparently have the recipe memorized now. Makes me feel like a real cook. We scrounged for dishes in their temporary apartments. It worked out (surprisingly). But I am so excited to get my kitchen things on Friday because this whole baking without measuring cups or proper utensils is a pain.

16. Working

Excuse number 16...working... it does keep me from writing, so I think I’ll pull it out as an excuse. Even if it is a lame excuse. Update though: I really love my job. I had my first ever job review yesterday, but strategically planned to take over Tuesday Treats and feed her cobbler pre-review. I wish I could say that I had actually thought of that strategy...but I totally didn’t...

15. Sleeping

Since I filled up every evening since my trip to Oregon, I crashed. Its that typical “go-go-go-crash” pattern. I think I spent the last four years trying break that pattern. I feel like I’m surrounded by people where that is the norm “go until burnout.” But they are so much faster and better at it than me. As much as I like those extremes, I don’t want to. I want to be ok with saying “no” (which I do, quite often). I want to value time spent and experiences had. Which I really think I am doing. That said, I spent an evening catching up on sleep.

14. Inception!

I had just been complaining about not seeing a movie in forever, and a friend from my Community Group posted a “I need to see a movie, who wants to go?” type update. I took him up on it. We went to see Inception. If you haven’t seen it, go! It was an incredible movie. We went to Arlington and enjoyed a beautiful evening. There was a full moon and you could even see some of the stars. Really nice evening. It had finally cooled down from the crazy 105 degree days we were having. (I believe that this July was the hottest one DC has ever had...did I ever mention that summer is my least favorite season? I’m ready for jeans and sweaters!!)

13. Baltimore, MD with the soon-to-be Mrs. Leah Weybright

I then headed up to Baltimore to visit Leah Simmons, friend from high school, to celebrate her last weekend as a Bachelorette. She just got married on the 31st in Oregon. It is her mother-in-law who I had been renting from. With all those references made, we spent the day chatting and getting coffee and talking about life, marriage, and weddings (of course!). We then headed into Baltimore and met two of her good friends. We had amazing Italian food at Ciao Bella in Little Italy. This place is incredible. It is just like Italy, the whole time I was there I was just trying to figure out what I can cut out of my budget in order to save to get to Italy ASAP. I miss it...I’m ready to go back...tickets are only like $700 in November (seriously considering it...). We then walked around the harbor before going to the second restaurant: Valarios. And of course, amazing. Had a chocolate dessert that was absolutely to die for. More important than the food, we were able to celebrate Leah. I hope she felt loved, because she is. I’m ready to see those wedding pics (anytime...anytime...)

12. Ironing

This is where my original list of excuses was coming to an end. While it is so lame, I have to put on. You just can’t blog while you iron. I never really did mind doing laundry or ironing before. I could put on a movie or just sit on the couch and fold shirts while chatting with my mom. But when I’m itching to blog and have to do laundry it is stripped of any intrinsic joy. Therefore ironing definitely makes this list. Err...thinking of it now just irks me.

11. Catching up with my Mom

This is a good excuse and won’t trade it. While I love to blog, I love my long conversations with mom. This time difference has really messed us up. While it is only 3 hours, we are morning yackers. But I can’t really call her in the AM, I don’t think she’d be quite up for chattiness at 3 or 4 AM. By the time she is up I’m already working. After work she is working and after she’s done working I’m grumpy. End of story. On the weekends, she wins over blog. Simple as that.

P.S. Mom, could you please hurry up and visit now? Thanks, Em.

10. Craig’s List Addiction

Hi, my name is Emily, and I’m a Craig’s List Addict. Or I was. Searching for apartments in DC is not like searching for apartments in Salem. While you have to be quick, you can still call on apartments that were posted a few days, or even a few hours back and still have a legitimate chance. Not here. As soon as an ad is up, be ready to call. Then be ready to view the apt with an application and deposit in hand all within hours of each other. This is not conducive for this competitive personality. I just want to find the place, and although my criteria was very limited (inexpensive + safe) it was still a high standard. My “quick” checks on Craigslist were never quick enough.

9. Finding an Apartment!

I will say that my Craig’s List Addiction did pay off! I found my first ever studio last week! And it meets the above criteria and I LOVE it. I am about 20 minutes walk (or less) from everything: work, the Mall, groceries, church. I was the first to e-mail, first to call, first to view and first to get my application in. It definitely satisfied my competitive spirit for awhile. For someone who is naturally competitive, but is lacking any hand eye coordination, I’ve got to be more creative in what I compete for. Ya, I know, I sound ridiculous. I found the place on a Monday, got the call on Tuesday that it was mine, and started moving in on Saturday.

8. FroYo

This is not a real excuse, but I just need to tell you about this place. I love frozen yogurt (or ice cream of any sort). If you remember, Costco frozen yogurt is on my list of things I love (I’m seriously a cheap date). This place you grab a cup, then there is this wall with like 15 different frozen yogurt flavors. You fill your bowl as much as you like with as many flavors as you like. There is then a counter with toppings (same process: you add). They then weigh your cup and that is what you pay for. It rocked my world. Seriously. Chocolate, banana, and birthday cake with hot fudge. Delish.

7. Screen on the Green

Mhmm...you guessed it. Old movie shown on the Mall, right in front of the Capitol Building. I went down a little bit early that day and just sat on a blanket, against a tree, with my journal and just wrote and people watched. It was perfection. Then I met up with a couple friends from church and a co-worker and enjoyed an absolutely spectacular night. We watched 12 Angry Men, the Capitol Buillding in the background, a full moon, and there was even a shooting star!

Behind us was an orange sunset and the Washington Monument. There were friends and families crowded on the grass on blankets with their own picnics. It was one of those times where it just seemed like it was the way things are supposed to be. People were enjoying the company of others all in one place. I was so content that evening. I look forward to having a family to share those moments with.

6. Nats Game

Each month the Mobilize.org staff does a different activity. This July, we went to a Nats game. My first baseball game that was not in Seattle. The Nats played the Braves and to be honest with you that’s about all I know from the game. I do remember the conversations had, too many french fries eaten, and laughing with Femi!

1. I just think baseball is kind of boring (sorry, Peter). I just do.

2. I get soo distracted at sporting events! There are the people sitting next to me to talk to, the people in front of me to look at, then the people walking by, the different things shown on the screen, and I swear the higher up you are (and we were definitely in the nosebleed section) the more things between me and the actual field. Its the ultimate distracting event! But I did learn about the distinctions between Major league baseball...but...I can’t really remember any except that the Nationals are in the National league :)

5. Packing

I spent all Friday evening and very little of Saturday morning packing up all my belongings to head to my first apartment! Packing to move across town is much better than packing to move across the country. This time I had no airport regulations. My bag could be as big or small as I wanted. While there are no dramatic stories to share about my packing experience, it is still an excuse as to why I was not blogging.

4. Ikea!

I still remember when Portland first announced getting an Ikea. I had no clue what it was, but I do remember being at my Grandparents house and the news going on and on about traffic being backed up near the airport for the first month of Ikea being opened. It seemed crazy. But then you go, and you get it. Ikea is AMAZING. I could spend an entire day there just looking--oh, wait, I have done that! It is the best place to dream...and dream...but this was the first time that I got to BUY! My apartment is a full blown Ikea studio. I went Saturday evening with the most detailed list of what things I needed and budgeted to a T. To be honest with you, I really don’t like being that organized. Its sickening. But I knew that in order to get what I really wanted I had to stay on budget. And after 3 hours, Swedish Meatballs, and incredible friends (Nick and Maya) we packed the ZipCar full of Ikea furniture. It was intense!

Ikea Mess:

3. Apartment, apartment, apartment!!!

The most obvious consumer of my time is my new apartment! Have I mentioned I’m excited about it? And that I love it? And there’s absolutely no way I could have done it without the amazing people in my life? Seriously...Nick (one of our summer associates) not only drove the ZipCar, kept me sane at Ikea, he also put together all my furniture for me. Maya sold me her extra bed, drove us to Ikea, helped pick things out at Ikea, and coordinated a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” Brunch for me. So quick story, Maya and I now live two blocks away form each other. She was wanting to get rid of the bed in her spare room, which is the exact same bed that I was wanting form Ikea. After brunch on Sunday we decided to recruit the guys to move the bed from her apartment to mine. While Maya swears that they didn’t have to take it apart to move it into her place, they were unfortunately not so successful in moving it to mine. The guys worked incredibly hard trying to get it out and then walked all the pieces two blocks to my new place. Can’t thank them enough!! And two blocks is one of those things where it too close to actually drive something, but just far enough that you look ridiculous carrying a bed.

So I spent Saturday-Sunday moving. I will be getting my boxes full of kitchen things on Friday and I am so excited. There are three more pieces of furniture to be put together and decorating to be done (and potentially some painting w/ chalkboard paint!). All that said, I am soo excited! And even more excited to have some visitors: please hurry up!

2. Screen on the Green

The last night of Screen on the Green was on Monday. Not quite as beautiful of a night as the week prior. I was also suppeerrr tired after moving all weekend. But me plus coworkers and church friends were there. I watched only the first half of Bonnie and Clyde, before heading back to my place. I’ve never seen it before, but apparently it is a true story! And oh..my...it had to have been so sketch in 1967! I blushed, more than once.

1. Tuesday Treats: Baking

While I really wanted to be at the last Screen on the Green of the summer, it wasn’t that difficult to leave because I was headed back to my apartment to bake for the first time! On my way home from work, I stopped by Whole Foods to pick up ingredients to make a berry cobbler. Again, my ambition was a bit larger than my resources. I lacked time, measuring cups, and a recipe. But I made a strawberry-blueberry cobbler with oatmeal topping at midnight on Monday for our weekly Tuesday Treats in the office. Worth it? Always! I love, love, love feeding people--especially baked goods! To be honest, not the best cobbler. My make-shift measuring cups were wine glasses. Yep, I’ve had water, coffee, yogurt, and granola in these glasses...but still no wine. Who does that? Really? I do. Therefore I think there was a tad too much sugar and flour. Kinda sweet, stiff Shari’s-like pie. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it though, which is what really matters. Or they were afraid to hurt my feelings, either way Friday I get all my kitchen stuff FedEx-ed to me! Excited? Oh ya! I’ve only mentioned it like 3 times already.

I was explaining to a few of my coworkers about the scene in Stranger than Fiction when Will Ferrell brings the girl he has fallen in love with a box of flours (yes, that’s right the baking ingredient, I didn’t spell flower wrong). I was expressing how I know that I will have found the one when he brings me a box of flours (yes, plural!). They looked at me so strangely, they didn’t know there were different types of flour. So I am determined to make them bread with bread flour and cake with cake flour!

I, of course, have a million more things to say about life, and love, and the Lord but I’m going to close this novel of 25 days. But I’m done making promises, because I hate breaking them. So I will blog, I will, I will, I will...

:)