Manifest Destiny

So, even though I don't update this blog all that much...I decided I wanted another one too. Thats pretty greedy, huh? Oh well. The new one is for crafts/wedding planning. Just in case, you know, I have a sister who lives far away that I want to show things to and get feedback on. I called it Tulips and Roses, 'cause I couldn't think of anything more creative. So, enjoy it--and let me know what you think :) Click here.

Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us together today.

Last weekend Cory decided it was time to get down to business. After 6 months of dating, he'd had enough. So, he took me up to a rooftop at FSU last Saturday, and proposed to me in the rain. He did such a good job of finding a ring that I absolutely love! I'm so excited to be marrying such a sweet, thoughtful, handsome, silly guy!

Lara snapped a picture of us right after it happened. I'm on the phone with my mom:

Here's the ring Cory chose, resting (ever so gently) in some roses Cory brought over:

The only help I gave him was my vague desire for "fancy metal designs" and "pretty." He did amazing, all things considered. I've never really been the type looking to get married at age 20, but I guess sometimes I even surprise myself. We've set the date for July 2nd, in the Orlando, Florida Temple. I just can't believe it!

As Promised

First order of business: I told a few very special people that I would post the recipe for delicious, fresh, and all together amazing homemade fresh Salsa. I learned to make this from my roommate Kristen, who learned it from her previous room mate, who is rumored to have learned it from mouth of Martha Stewart herself. I later saw a super cute recipe notecard for the almost same exact stuff in Becca's super de duper cute recipe cards, so I'll post that for you and note the variations I made.

(Isn't that the cutest little card you've ever seen?? And she has dozens of them! Dozens! Check out The Renfroe Scoop for more of her amazing recipes, stories, and opinions. If you want. I don't wannna be pushy.)

You can use 2 cans of Rotel in place of fresh tomatoes, and leave out the onion entirely if it makes you sick. Its really up to you, dear. I drain all of the ingredients, 'cause I don't like it too runny, and I've never used black eyed peas before. I use way more cilantro...I really love cilantro. And I've been known to use lemon juice from concentrate. And leave out the avocado if you don't have any on hand. Do whatever you want and everyone will love it. Promise. Eat it with chips, in tortillas, or just...you know...plain. I won't judge you.

The Aforementioned Other Adeventures

I forgot about the other adventures. Whoopsie. One of the things I miss about living in tiny little Marianna was the annual National Peanut Festival. Last Wednesday I found out via some old friend's FB status updates that Wednesday was LADIES night at the ol' nut fest. I found this fact out around...4:30 P.M. At 5:00 Cory asked me what we were going to do that night--he informed me we could do "whatever my heart desires." Mistake number 1, my friend. I told him I wanted to go to the Peanut Fest, and he said, "Sounds fun." By 5:30I had convinced Lara that skipping her nightly responsibilities was completely acceptable, and by 6:15 we were all in the car! Woo!

It was so beautiful.

Cory and I wait in the loong line, while Lara takes a constant stream of pictures:

Mistake #2: Greasy corndogs and clubs of meat

After eating greasy corndogs/giant clubs of meat, and riding those sketchy rides we didn't feel so good. We decided to take it easy on the Ferris Wheel.

Yea. That happened. She leaned over the side of the cart and naile

d the top of a semi-truck. This started a chain reaction. I made it off of the ferris wheel okay, but by the time we got to the Lemonade Stand I lost it. One moment I was standing there, waiting for Lara to get some napkins...the next I was saying hello and goodbye to my gross corndog for the second time. We left shorty after that. It was a pretty random Wednesday, but those are the best kind :)

Halloweenie Roasting and Other Adventures

I like this time of year. Everyone does. I mean, really. Show me someone who doesn't love cooler weather, carving silly pumpkin faces, dressing up in silly costumes, making pie, cozy fires, hot chocolate, stuffing your face, new episodes of your favorite TV shows, planning special, budget friendly presents for the people you love...Who could hate such things? You don't have to love it, but you can't tell me you don't enjoy at least one small part of it.

That being said, I hate this time of the semester. This side of a month and half feels like eternity. Popular Culture theories are muddled up with Shakespeare, and dinosaurs with psychological disorders are all running amok in my head. But schoolin' aside, we've had some pretty good times these past few weeks.

Halloweenie roasting and pumpkin carving was the first amazingly fally activity of the season.

Gene, Lara and Jesse are all super pumped about the pumpkin carving to come:

We started a little fire in the backyard for roasting marshmallows and weenies...when Gene saw what we had lit on fire he informed us that cooking over a chemical log is a bad idea, butonly if we want children someday.We decided that children, someday, would be desirable. And then hunted down sticks and such from the backyard. For some reason, it burned pink.

Jesse cleans the crap outta that pumpkin. The spoon is there..for scale.

Pumpkin innards were strewn about EVERYWHERE!

Here they are! Gene's, Lara's and Mine/Cory's:

You want a closer look? I thought so.
Jesse took a different approach to the whole thing...It actually turned out pretty well:

Appropriately enough, the nose piece to Jesse's pumpkin kept falling off. Just sayin'.

Artsy Fartsy

We've moved. Again. We're three for three now. My first year in Tally was spent in an expensive 2 bedroom apartment. I'm not sure what we we're paying for but it definitely wasn't higher security. After the shootings, we decided it was time to move. I wish I was exaggerating. We moved up to a townhouse then. 5 girls to 3 bedrooms. It was a fun year, but we really wanted a little house. 4 bedrooms later, and we've got our little home of love. We took a risk and decided to paint the walls. That was an adventure full of tears, paint fumes, and less than 2 hours of sleep. Also, my backseat is now sporting a fun filled shade of "yellow slide". It really captures the imagination and playfulness of youth. Anyways, we had a lot of paint leftover, and decided it was time for some crafts. the beauty of making art out of the same paint that's on the walls is not having to worry about it matching. Saweet!

Kristen wanted a pretty blue flower. I tried my best.

Our bathroom is painted light blue and blackish gray. One of my most favorite color combos ever. The spot over the toilet really felt like it was needing some action...
Other stuff happened. School started, we got a puppy, I'm helping plan a stake activity for 300 people...more on that later... maybe. I was mostly excited about the painting.

I <3 NY

Jesse decided to work as a tech for a security system company in New York for the summer. Long, lonely, pressure filled days awaited him there. For that I am deeply sorry, Jesse. But it really worked out awesome for me! I decided to visit him, and one of my best friends in the whole wide world came with me! And then, just 'cause we're spontaneous her little sister came with the both of us! We drove many miles made difficult by the challenges of road rage, wobbley tires, GPS systems, and sibling rivalry, but we conquered all and made it to the "Big Apple." But nobody really calls it that. Anways, I have some sweet pictures. And it was great to see my brudder!

Behold--the Statue of Liberty! As seen from the Staten Island Ferry--a very cost effective mode of transport.The view of Manhattan at "dusk" from Brooklyn:

Oh yea--we went there. We were trying to avoid "touristy" things. We were driven by some urge to look cool and local. But then we realized we had to be true to ourselves.

Our adventures in China town! The legality of our adventures here fall into what some people would call "gray area". Sneaking into hidden rooms to barter for Gucci bags and Chanel earrings is an everyday thing for these people.

Central park seems nice. This is about all we saw of it.

The Brooklyn bridge has some very scenic angles.

Exhibit A:


Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

(This is the Manhattan Bridge, as seen from the Brooklyn Bidge)

All of us at the end of our 1.14 mile trek across the Brooklyn Bridge. We're pretty hardcore.

The Museum of Modern Art. They have art. And they have a sampling of the average height of today's humans. Which is also art, apparently.
We're cute:

This is about the time we stopped trying to fit in. The combination of self timing camera's, steps and us is not a wise one.

This is all we need:Times Square:

Bikes are fun:Our first official New York street vendor fare:They don't really show you this side of New York in all those sappy romantic comedies, or sassy career woman flicks. But this is the truth:

After a few days of the dirty, busy, exciting city we decided to take a break and relax on Fire Island.The journey to the lighthouse took longer than expected. I had to forage.

We FINALLY made it to the top of the lighthouse. See the random guy bringing up the rear? Lara, Claudia and I were chatting with him for a while. Then Jesse walks in and it turns out they go to the same ward! Trippy, I know.

Our reaction to the news that we're now going to have to listen to the 80 year old tour guide speak:
Beach fun:

Sexy has never looked so good:
We were a little shocked to find out we went to a nude beach. Whoops.