Apple Picking in Julian, California

Over the weekend, we went apple picking with some friends at Calico Ranch Orchard in Julian, CA. Julian is a cute little town in the mountains and is the home of several apple orchards. I was very excited to drag my Fall boots out of the closet. Yahoo weather said that the high temp for the day was going to be 70, but it was definitely 82 degrees. I had to lose my scarf!

Trying to get on Duke's shoulders. Haha!

I. Can't. Reeeeeach!

The product of our apple picking. Yummy applesauce!!!!!

Here's the recipe for the applesauce I made. It was so easy and delicious. There is no Fall season here in California, but it sure smelled like it in our house while this was cooking all day!

Riding Lesson #11

Yesterday, I had my weekly riding lesson. It's been hard for Duke to get photos because it is starting to get darker earlier, and I want Duke to be able to come to my lessons when he gets off of work.

I am very excited to move back to NC, but I will definitely miss riding at the barn. It has been a great fit for me. Artie has given me confidence over the jumps, and my instructor is super awesome. I know that I still have problems with my equitation over the jumps, but I have no fear of jumping, and I have no trouble jumping a course.

This is huge for me.

My work schedule is going to be weird for awhile (when we move back home), and I am really hoping to get back into lessons ASAP as long as we have the funds.

Here are a couple of pics from last night:

I love Artie.

One Minute Cookie

I've been seeing these "one minute" cookies all over the place. So, it made me curious....

Duke has duty today, so I've had the house to myself. When Duke is on duty, he is gone for over 24 hours, and it can make a gal surf the 'net. A lot. So, what better time than to make a one minute cookie....

Here's the deal:

Find the cutest little cup, mug, or ramekin that you have in the house. Even a small plate will do, but you'll have to mix the ingredients before you put them on the plate.

Soften 1 tablespoon of butter in the microwave.

Mix in 1 tablespoon of white sugar and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Mix it until it all becomes creamy and a bit fluffy.

Add in 3 drops of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

Add 1 egg yolk. 

Now add 1/4 cup of flour (or use whole wheat flour instead, I did). But I'm extra nutty like that.

Finally, add 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips to the dough and stir it all up.

Now stick it in the microwave for 40 to 60 seconds. Mine was in a small custard cup, so I had a thicker cookie, therefore, had to cook it longer (1 minute). Be forewarned that the cookie will not look crispy and golden like it would in the oven. This is for a soft cookie.

Here's mine:

 
It was the perfect size for a sneaky little snack. It was certainly not the best cookie I'd ever had, but it satisfied my sweet tooth.

And. Duke. Will. Never. Know. Mwahahahahaaaaaaaaa.....

Point Loma, California

Today, we went to Point Loma to see the lighthouse, Cabrillo National Monument, and the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

It was beautiful and amazing.

Here's the view of San Diego from Point Loma.

Amazing, right? See the Clipper (ship).

Point Loma lighthouse

Inside the lighthouse.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Frustrated.

That's how I feel right now. Me and Duke are heading home in less than one month. Yes, it's exciting. But it is also making me sad. I love it here. And I am stressed. Life is stressful. I am 24 years old. Why is it so hard for me to figure out what I want to do for my career? And is your career even really as important as everyone makes it out to be? Yes, I obviously know having a good job is important. I have habits. Horseback riding is really flipping expensive. So I need a good job to do the things I love, right?

Can someone please hire me as their personal butler? Because I swear, keeping a house is the only thing I am good at.

Well, that's not true. I'm a darn good vet assistant. But, that is not what I want to do forever. Picking up heavy dogs all day. Seeing animals sick and hurt. Getting bit and scratched. It takes a toll on a person. I'd like the work at the zoo, but isn't that basically the same thing? Ugh.

This is one of those nights where I feel lonely. Duke has his friends over and they are having "dude talk." My neighbors are antisocial. And I need some girl time. Guess I'll hug my dog. Ha. And watch Aladdin.

I feel like someone should just tell me what to do with my life. And I'll do it. Whatever it is. I just want to know what I'm supposed to do.

Whiny and dramatic post over. Sorry about that.

Cheesy Potato Snacks with Bacon

Duke was working out in the garage last night, so I knew we would have a late dinner.

Well, this girl got hungry. So I made a snack. Duke loved them.

What you need:

1 large red potato (per person, so I used 2)
shredded cheddar cheese
crumbled bacon slices or bacon bits
salt and pepper (to taste)
100% canola oil spray
aluminum foil
bowl of cold water

How to make:

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Peel the potatoes that you will use (or don't because red potato skins are tasty!). Cut the potato into about 1/4 inch thick slices. Stick 'em in a bowl of cold water until the oven is heated.

Now, spray the baking sheet generously with the canola oil spray. Stick the slices of potatoes on the sheet (make sure they are not overlapping) and spray them generously with the canola oil as well. Bake for about 10 or 15 minutes and flip them over. Bake for about another 10 minutes or until both sides are starting to turn a yummy golden color. Pull the potatoes out of the oven. Add a bit of salt and pepper to each slice, then top with cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Put back in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Delicious!

Hollywood & Burbank, California

Ok. Here is comes. The most exciting news of all. Me, Duke, my friend and her husband all went to the Ellen Degeneres Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ellen is such an inspirational person and I have been watching her show for years. I was SO, SO, SOOOO excited to get to watch her show in Burbank. Whoa. I still can't believe we went. Such an amazing experience. We stopped at Hollywood on the way. Traffic was horrendous in Hollywood. We were all pretty stressed out and just ready to see Ellen! Here are some pics:

Warner Bros. Studio. So cool.

Our giveaways from the show. LOVE New Girl!

EEEEEEK!!!!! So excited at this point.

Is this really happening!!!???

Hollywood Blvd of course.

Walk of Fame.

Chinese Theater