Another day, another injury...

It amazes me how quickly the weeks pass here... I feel like I just moved and getting through orientation. In reality I am in the thick of final papers and projects, with my final showing for my dance tuesday. AHHHHHHHHH how did that happen?

This week I was nursing a strained left hamstring which was an interesting challenge for me. I learned how to modify and take care of my body while still completing everything and never stopping. I also had a really good day friday (to a certain extent). 

Friday I woke up to Ross still being awake. He had just gotten home from work and was getting ready for bed. For some reason being able to talk to him before I started my day made me so happy. I smiled like a school girl throughout my day. I had Contemporary 3 with Gwen and my hamstring was almost back to normal so I was feeling pretty good (plus that boost of love still radiating). During the combination she approached me and said that I'm doing a great job of blending all my training in class and exploring and experimenting really well. Then she said she realized she never really gives me much feedback and that I was doing a good job and she is happy with my work (that made me feel better, even though I still greatly desire feedback). 

In grad sem later that day I was working through the problem of the ending of my dance (still has problems). Sara could tell I was more than the normal flustered, luckily we stopped working and she just talked to me and had me explain what I wanted to accomplish and the obstacles in the way. To be honest - right now I'm not sure if I hate my dance or if its acceptable. Unfortunately, if I do hate it, it's too late to really change it now...

oh well

So this weekend I wanted to make myself feel good... so I made pumpkin bread! Then I made rosemary muffins and turkey, bean, leek, and butternut squash soup (and I bought popcorn and a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream).

Pumpkin Bread

recipe

For the muffin and soup recipes read on...

Blizzards, Lights, and Beef Stew

What a strange week it has been... Starting with the fact that Sara Rudner wasn't there all week because she had a show in the city.  I got A LOT of feedback about my dance and ended up changing and shifting the whole thing. Ross got his gift on wednesday and loved it (thank god!). His phone was being weird all week though and I never heard from him on monday or tuesday really until late that night. 

Tuesday night I also found out about a very close friend and mentor is not doing well physically and it's serious. That was a huge hit to my heart and all day wednesday I was filled with a sadness and heavy heart for her. But I danced in honor of her, she is a huge supporter in my life and encouraged me to follow my passion and apply for Sarah Lawrence. When I found out I had gotten in she was one of the first people I told when I kept it on the low down from most of even my closest friends. 

So to my favorite badass... I will dance in honor of you with my whole heart and spirit!

Friday I had tickets to Fall for Dance program 1 at City Center in NYC. I saw Mark Morris, Lil Buck, Trisha Brown, and The Joffrey Ballet for the first time ever. Let's just say I want to dance for Trisha Brown SOOOOO bad. Her piece was so beautiful and made me extremely sad to see it end. 

Saturday was really the most crazy day of all my days here so far...

At 11:30 I hopped on the train to the city with Bailey to go to the Performing arts library at lincoln center. As I started walking it began to snow... like REALLY SNOW. At noon we got to the city and began to trudge through a few inches of slush and snow. 

Lincoln center was awesome and I found the amazing book by a man in Boise all about Basque Dancing. After working at the library for 5 hours we headed to a pub on 46th and 11th to meet Dawn and Caroline for food and a drink before Sara's show. It was so nice to talk with Bailey, Dawn and Caroline outside of the SLC world. I was able to talk to them on a more personal level which I desperately needed. 

Next was the Show at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. It was AMAZING! An hour long work in complete silence (except a few soft chats and songs by the dancers) based entirely on the lighting. There were so many surprises and funny and thoughtful moments. I was so happy the entire time and at the end I was desperately wanting more. 

After the show I had 2 plans: 1)If the trains were running one of the undergrads was going to give me a ride home from the station. 2) if the trains weren't running or I couldn't get a ride I was going to go with Bailey to her friend's house in Brooklyn til sunday morning. 

luckily the trains were running and Patrick could fit me in his car. 

Sunday Morning I awoke to this:

 Read more for Spiced Pear Muffin and Beef Stew Recipes

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companion cubes make the best assistant bakers

my new companion courtesy of Ross...

and my halloween decoration...

and my new coffee maker...

I spent 3 hours yesterday morning working on Ross's anniversary package and once he receives it I will post the details on here... be excited because I tried new and scary things (keep you mind out of the gutter!)

This week's baking project!!!!

Feta, Red Pepper and Onion Scones (Lauren’s adaptation)

▪                2 cups all-purpose flour (I like using whole wheat flour)

▪                1 tbs baking powder

▪                ½  tsp salt

▪                2 tbs granulated sugar

▪                8 tbs unsalted butter, chilled (in freezer for like 5-10 mins before adding to mixture)

▪                4 tbs Grade B Maple Syrup (if you leave this out, add 1 more tbs of sugar)

▪                3/4 cup heavy cream, chilled or 2%milk for less fatty version (Usually 1 cup milk)

▪                2 red peppers and 1 small onion chopped and sauteed and cooled

▪           4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese

Baking Project Part 5: Carrot Muffins

This weeks Baking project is savory because I realized I really don't want something sweet during my break. I want something hearty and substantial. So I saw a recipe for carrot muffins, a less sweet version of a carrot cake. I have adapted this recipe only a little, I used 100% whole wheat flour in stead of half wheat half white. I also switched vegetable oil out for olive oil. Next time I would like to add a little bit of nutmeg to the recipe as well

I also had an epiphany that is probably my most genius idea of the week by far... yesterday at the store there was a manager's special on a loaf of plain goat cheese (my favorite!). 

So I HIGHLY recommend putting plain goat cheese on the muffin instead of butter or cream cheese and let it melt a little and arm and I promise it will be the best breakfast of your life.

 continue reading for recipe and photos

One by one the seasons change and peanut butter begins

I woke up yesterday morning to Fall. It seems like Mother Nature woke up Saturday morning and realized it was October and needed to cool things off a bit. Walking to the grocery store and back home brought back so many memories of France. In many ways I am living a parallel life to my time in France. However I don't have the luxury of having Laine here as a piece of home to hang out with and comfort each other. 

This week went by SO fast! I can't believe it. I'm excited for the next 2 weeks to pass as quickly so I can be home for a few days soaking up the SLO life. Until then I must really dig in and get a lot of work done. 

Yesterday while looking at kittens up for adoption at the local shelter I happened to look up the band The Acorn to see if they've done anything lately. It seems they have put out a new album and allowed me to fall in love all over again!

Images from the week...

Monday I woke up to fire trucks on my street

I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

Click on Read More to see my recipe for Peanut Butter muffins with jam centers for an easy to go version of a PB&J.