Chocolate Chip Puff Pancake

Do you remember months ago, when I posted about making apple and lemon puff pancakes? Well the other day I decided to make a chocolate chip one! I used mini chocolate chips, as I thought regular size would be too big and not melt the right amount. This was really, really tasty. I added some chocolate chips to the batter when I put it in the oven, and some on top after cooking. You can sprinkle with powdered sugar or use maple syrup. I've included Naomi's recipe, which I alter a little, below!

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup flour

dash of salt

dash of cinnamon

     + dash of nutmeg

     + splash of vanilla

1 tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.

While the oven is preheating, melt the butter in a pie pan or 9 inch square pan.

Pour the batter into the hot melted buttered pan.

Bake 10-12 minutes (or until the pancake is firm and has puffed around the edges).

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Christmas Wish List

image via

Here we go:

Fossil watch- I'm not generally a watch person, but I don't like using my cell phone for a clock at work. not super professional.

Calendar

Skull Necklace

Pittsburgh Tote

pencil pouch

 Batman, Avengers, The Office- for us both

shopping pad

I also might like a new bag since my school bag was stolen in San Antonio, but I haven't decided on one yet. 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Christmas Break To Do

With the completion of my one final and a 100% score on my final paper, Christmas break is officially here! One quarter of the way done with grad school, hooray! Kyle and I will be going up to PA in a couple weeks to spend Christmas up there, and we'll be back here for New Years. I wanted to spend the holiday down here, but oh well; whats four more days spent driving between TX and PA again (with unhappy cats). School starts back up the second week of January; I am anticipating a tougher semester than this last one (which was not tough). But anyway, I want to try to make the most of my winter break, by doing the following!

- Hopefully spend some time in the Pennsylvania snow!
- Go for walks to see the neighborhood lights
- Bake and cook
- Read! I'm starting with rereading The Hobbit to prepare for the movie release on December 14. After that, I may take recommendations from this list.

- See The Hobbit! and Les Mis. ouiouioui
- Watch some Christmas films! Love Actually, you're up next. (/the only Christmas film I own)
- Send out Christmas cards and mail gifts
- Figure out and order wedding photos
- Research internships for next year
- Eat at some State College favorites (The Waffle Shop)
- Try to sleep enough
- Blog more

photos from Christmastime, last year

What are you up to this holiday season?

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Suomi

Is it ridiculous to be obsessed and in love with a place I haven't been in five years? 

Not when it's so beautiful and awesome, ALL THE TIME, says I!
Your houses are so cool, and your food delicious, your saunas (rightfully) so important, your people so nice, your music kinda weird, your seasons so distinct, your top-of-the-world test scoring children, your language surprisingly sensible, your reindeer plentiful.

Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää, Suomi!

Happy independence day, Finland!
Love ya. 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Travel Bug

My most recent wish is to get to live abroad and have a baby. But what are we here doing instead? I'm 1/4 of the way through grad school and husband is in the US Army. Living in Texas. Ah well; we are still young (though sometimes 24 seems really old) and there is still time. In the meantime, photos, memories, and Pinterest (for the baby thing) will have to suffice.

way up in the North of Finland

Venice, Italy

somewhere between Sweden and Denmark, I think

Toronto, Canada

Brussels, Belgium

Paris, France

Finland

Washington, DC

Riga, Latvia

Verona, Italy

Lido, Italy

the Alps

Annapolis, MD

and a Christmas tree on the ferry across the Aura river in Turku, Finland :)

My favorite place of all.

You can see more of my travels here or here!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

New Rug

After buying a series of different smaller, cheaper rugs for our living room, I finally ordered us a big 5x8 foot rug, for 75% off + free shipping in November from RugsUSA.com. Amazing, right? I love it, and the cats do too. It makes the room more homey and complete, fits the space perfectly, and maybe it will prompt Kyle to take his shoes off at the door, rather than leaving them all in a pile under the coffee table. :) I broke in the rug by folding Kyle's laundry on it while listening to Christmas tunes! I see some Christmas gift wrapping happening here in the near future...

see, three other rugs in the vicinity

- Mrs. M

The Week in Photos

Hux on Kyle's dresser, $3.01?!?, tree at Baylor SSW, treats on the last day of class

class lunch on the last day, soldier and star, tea on a cold romp outside, blue lights across the street

dotty case, Child Abuse Conference, Kyle made the best chili

clearly a healthy food day. breakfast on the last day of class, bringing leftovers to Kyle, crazy soda machine, penny table

 cute movie, D, Starbucks on December 1st- too hot out for a hot drink

Settled in here for 3 hours to watch the Pitt game, early morning glow, text from sister

Texas eggs displaying Texas egocentrism, brunch, working on my last assignment! sleeping on my bag from the conference

morning hair drying, Hux like Christmas, decorating a stocking for kitties, tea and The Hobbit :)

- From the desk of Mrs. M

December is Here

doing just a little more Christmas decorating around here...

the cats have been enjoying it.

- From the desk of Mrs. M