Walk by Hello: Rows of neat little boxes

27 June 2008

Rows of neat little boxes

Okay so I finally pushed myself to start a blog after much dragging of feet. I have always been a very private person and honestly as I approach 30 I have realized it is something I want to change. I planned to post once a week just to update on the kids of course. But now I find I look forward to the quiet around me and the sound of clicking keys and finally emptying my cluttered mind after a LONG but satisfying day.

Whew! Sometimes I forget what it feels like to have only one central thought on my mind. Usually it's such a myriad that I can hardly focus on one task. Enter the handy whiteboard that I have now installed in my kitchen which offers a daily quote such as; "People do not lack strength, they lack will" (hello crunches I'm all over you), and a row of neat little boxes which I must check after I complete the following tasks. Often this board is the bane of my existence, screaming at me that I have not completed more than one or sometimes none of the list I had so eagerly formulated that morning.

But other days like today I feel on top of the world because just about every box is checked. It's amazing what a difference it makes to feel that you have accomplished even one small something like making an appointment or changing the AC filters. I start with an easy task so I can make a check early in the day and it starts me on a good rhythm.

My next quote will be helpful for the day when none of the boxes are checked. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on" (FDR).

2 comments:

Rachel said...: yay, you did more than one post! I am so glad you have decided to blog too! You have such a way with words, you put my "layman's language" to shame! Love you guys, hopefully soon I'll get a webcam so we can see each other that way and I can see the kids too.

Have a good day!; June 28, 2008 at 7:37 AM
Deanna @ oneagleswings said...: I agree with Rachel. You do have such a way with words, which is why I have read each of your 2 entries several times. I am with you on the need to feel like I'm accomplishing something, with my little checklists and all. I love the quotes, by the way!; June 30, 2008 at 6:41 AM

Pecan Cream Cheese Icing:

8 ounces cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter 3 (9-inch) cake pans with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, and beat. In a medium bowl or on a piece of parchment, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the eggs, beating well after the addition of each. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add the carrots and beat on medium speed until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Fold in the nuts. Divide between the 3 cake pans and bake until set and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest in the cake pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, remove from the pans, and let cool.

For the Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, beating constantly. Add the vanilla and pecans.

When the cake is cool, place 1 cake layer on a cake plate or stand. Spread the top with cream cheese frosting and top with a second and third cake layer, spreading the icing between each layer. Spread the icing around the sides of the cake and let harden slightly before serving. To serve, cut into wedges.