Wrapping Up October

Time for the monthly wrap up, because for some reason, November starts tomorrow. I have no idea where this month went. Or where the entire year went.

Person of the month: I will give this to Rachel, my office mte, because she managd to defend her master's thesis and turn it in this month. I have so much respect for her because of this accomplishment. I honestly do not believe that I have it in me...either the passion for the research or the motivation to finish. But she does. And that is awesome.

Moment of the month: Crying during the father daughter dance at Matt and Patricia’s wedding showed me how much of a huge sap I can be at weddings. I am scared to see what I do at my own wedding. Warning: I am a super emotional person. I do have my awkward moments and sometimes do not know how to react to things. So sometimes when I should be sad, I will laugh, and the other way around.

Outing of the month: Going to Austin for the science and engineering festival last weekend was amazing. I had no idea it would go so well or that I would have so much fun.

Book of the month: Name All the Animals. This book is the only one that has sucked me in and has kept me reading. I am almost finished with it, and I honestly can’t wait to find out how the author chooses to leave me. She writes about such a sad subject in a very detached, yet touching way.

Movie of the month: It’s Kind of a Funny Story was the best movie I have seen in a while. I am still thinking about the movie and the themes and messages 2 weeks later. If you hven't seen it, see it.

Accomplishment of the month: Interviewing for a job that I actually want. Now hopefully good news comes tomorrow... Also, the Austin science and engineering festival was an awesome accomplishment. I don't often take on leadership positions, but when I do I think I do an awesome job. For some reason I can trust the process much more easily if I am in charge of that process.

Restaurant meal of the month: The Republic. Even though I was slightly disappointed with the portions, the taste of the food was incredible. And it was a pretty phenomenal dining experience. Thank you, Stephen.

Beer of the month: The beer of the month is NOT Shiner Octoberfest. It was the most disgusting beer I have had in a long, long time. I didn't drink it. I actually could not drink it. So beer of the month, as in: worst beer of the month, is Shiner Octoberfest.

Cooked meal and dessert of the month: Tonight's dinner has to win this. It was a lot of work, with making tostones, homemade tortillas and then baking them into tostadas, cooking fish, setting up the toppings, etc. It was also incredible. Absolutely delicious. Dessert is definitely carrot cake with apple pie in a very close second. Stephen's favorite was the apple pie.

On to today's food, and some extra fun.

Breakfast was oatbran with banana, peanut butter, and ice cream on top. Yes, that is a little scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It is Sunday and Halloween. I am allowed to have ice cream for breakfast!

I decided to make lunch today. I always enjoy my own sandwiches more than those at any of the local restaurants. I know, I am a bit picky with sandwiches.

I made sausage sandwiches with red peppers, onions, mozarella cheese, and bbq sauce.

Grilled up and absolutely delicious.

I tackled a new dessert today. It is a German Chocolate Brownie Cake. I am not going to share the recipe, because I am still deciding whether or not I loved it.

The coconut and peanut topping. This part was delicious.

The brownie cake.

The topping on the brownie cake before baking.

The topping after baking.

It looks pretty delicious out of the springform pan.

And even more delicious cut up.

The brownie cake is from Dorie's book Baking: From my home to yours. I was expecting a more moist and rich cake, because I think I was expecting it to be more brownie than cake. Nope. It is very much more cake than brownie. I think I like it...I mean, I finished my piece. But I don't think it is my favorite dessert ever. Stephen enjoyed it, and I didn't hate it. So I guess that is something!

I found a praying mantis today! One of my favorite bugs! I am not a bug person, but I adore these guys.

I made Stephen his breakfast bars this afternoon. I always make these on Sundays, but I rarely post them on the bog. Here they are! These have dates, peanuts, raisins, dried apples, and cinnamon.

Dinner time! Fish tacos.

The condiments laid out on a large plate. I really need to get a nice platter.

Yummmm, avocadoes and tomatoes. Salted and doused in lime juice.

Tostones. I will never grow tired of these. In any form. But especially in this form.

Tilapia coated in sour cream and onion chips.

Served on tostadas. I ove assemble your own meals. It is fun and messy. It is also far too difficult when sitting on the living room floor. But it is very much like a picnic, which makes me smile. One day we will grow up and have a dining table that we actually eat meals on. Maybe...

And now I will leave you with a bite of your very own. I am off to get ready for a night out for some Halloween fun!

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