The Great, GREAT White North

You know what's interesting to think about? The territories of Canada. Tomorrow is Canada Day, and how often do we forget those lovable, most likely frozen, friends in The Yukon, The Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

I was looking into it a bit tonight, and have decided I want to add that to my bucket list. Granted I probably won't want to spend MUCH time there, but it would definitely be something to visit.

Although, I do love my Nova Scotia.

Today was Fat Friday. On Monday. Which makes for an even worse Monday. Tried going for a run with my pal, Jeremy, but it did not go very well. Where is all my endurance?! Oh, I have none. Starting tomorrow, it's time to buckle down! 

Gotta be in tip top shape for those territories, eh? 

My BTS Cake was a smashing hit at work, too. SCORE! #accomplished #hashtaginblogs #whoami

Lauren's BTS Cake

I'm not one for the domestics. My cooking/baking skills extend to that of easy mac and.... easy mac. ( I literally just sat there for five minutes and couldn't think of any other single thing I know how to make.) I've tried multiple creations, failed at some, and had no repeats. My family recalls the quinoa-spinach salad I set on the table of Thanksgiving. Huh, well, I guess it never goes over well when you try to push your wannabe organic/healthy lifestyle on others. Lesson Learned. Quinoa is gross.

BUT TONIGHT! In preparation for tomorrow's Loock family dinner, I got to work on a Dessert. What I made is my personal twist on "Better Than Sex Cake". I took parts of other recipes I found online, plus one i was taught from an Ex-boyfriend's Mother, and created a masterpiece!

Ingredients Needed

1 Package of Oreos

3 ish tbsp Butter

1 Devil's Food Cake

1 (8 ounce)  Cream Cheese

1 Cup Powdered Sugar

1.5 Cups Whipped Cream 

Chocolate Instant Pudding

*(Whole Milk)

*The whole milk is technically needed for the pudding, however, I found myself using it here and there through out the process. Turns out it's pretty good to have around. 

1. Take the Devils Food Cake Mix, and prepare accordingly. It's important to start your cake from the get-go so it's all ready to go by step #4. 

2. Take the Package of Oreos, and place them in a plastic bag (I used a gallon size, reusable one).

Now, you're going to crush the crap out of the Oreos until they are just crumbs! You may find it's easier to crush a sleeve of Oreos at a time. Once they are pulverized, place the Oreo crumbs in a bowl with the 3(ish) tbsp of MELTED butter. I say "ish" because I ended up adding a little more to make sure the consistency looked correct. In fact I added a touch of the whole milk, as well, until the Oreos were suitable to make the crust of our creation. Then you will spread it evenly on the bottom of the pan. 

  3. Take the package of cream cheese, combine it with the powdered sugar, and beat those together. Now, I REALLY whipped it so that it was as smooth as possible, because, well you know how cream cheese can be. Once those two are smooth as you feel is ok, take the whipped cream (I just used cool whip) and gently stir it into your mixture. Soon you'll have cheesy, fluffy, creamy delight. Take your concoction, and spread it evenly across your Oreo crust. 

4. By now your devils food cake should hot out of the oven, or close to it. Allow it to cool plenty. Now, this is the real complicated part.... Take that cake apart, however you may choose, and place it generously as the next layer of your cake. Simple. As. That. 

5. Using the whole milk, make your instant pudding. The instructions on the package will most likely to tell you to mix it steadily for 2 minutes, and then allow it to hang out so it will set up. BUT! This is where your agile, cat-like skills need to come into play. Spread the pudding, across the cake, before it sets up in the bowl you originally mixed it in. Having it set up as part of the cake layer will only help with the love this dessert will dish out. 

6. Top off that puppy with plenty of whipped cream! Just slather it. Then garnish it with leftover Oreo Crumbs, or if there is another candy that tickles your fancy (crushed butterfinger, skor, heath) go ahead and let your creative juices flow. 

And TA-DA! You have Lauren's version of BTS Cake. It's really rather easy to make, albeit, messy. The several parts that it takes to make up the creation tends to leave several bowls and spoons in the sink IF you know what I mean. Be creative. Re-use bowls. Plan Ahead. 

For best results, allow your cake to Chill a while before serving. Mine will be chilling over night and for the better part of a day, but the better part of an hour will do, too. Or, dive right in! You can't go wrong with this one. 

Bon-Appetit! 

 *I'm curious if a Blondie version would work. I'll probably try it someday. Yellow Cake, Vanilla Pudding, Golden Oreos, and the rest the same. Could work?

Long-Winded...

Alright, I wanted to write this post for a couple reasons...

The first reason is, like many bloggers before my time, the resolution to write more. I don't write enough! It really shouldn't be so hard. I have things to say, eh? Not that you all neccesarily want to HEAR what I have to say... nonetheless, it's still in my head. Especially during these summer months, as work tends to slow down a bit, leaving me with plenty of internet-perusing time. I'm going to try to make the most of it.

Besides, welcome to the new age, totally public journal of our time. Someone, somewhere down the line, will read my words.

Now, for reason number dos. I need to write less... "But wait, Lauren, you just BARELY said, up yonder, that you don't write enough!!"

Aww, I see how you could be confused, my young wannabe Canadians. I've found that when I sit down and start typing... I DON'T STOP TYPING! Something pops into my head, then something else, and before I know if I've written a novel to rival Les Miserables! If any of you are like me, you get distracted by the 3rd paragraph, which, in the case of my writing, sucks because all my profoud wisdom comes in at the end. I don't blame ya. I don't want to strain eyes, or make brains hurt.

Is Type-O-Holic a word? No? It is now. And it is me.

So, yeah, I'm going to write more, yet, less. You understand.

Oh! And! Fat Friday is in FULL swing today... when is my 10k again? Oh right. Less than a month. Get with it, Larbar.

 

(See! This post wasn't TOO long.)

((I need to stop typing))

(((Like Now.)))

The Tail of Tip

I think it is time I tell you the "tail" of Tip. As most of you know, Tip is a loveable black mutt who has turned me into a crazy dog lady- someone I swore I'd never be. We had a little bit of a rough start...

All my life, growing up, I wanted a dog. Sure, I had a dog... Our family Jack Russel Terrier, Rusty. He was always a great little dog, but made himself my Mom's companion. I wanted my own dog; one that would follow me around, sleep on the end of my bed, and be my own, personal canine companion.

However, there was one minor, major problem with that. My Parents said "NO!" They never were one for family pets and were good to put up with the several we'd talked them into up to that point. A second dog was out of the question, and the rule was that I was to wait until I had a place of my own.

I didn't listen. And THAT was the one thing I've felt worst about all my years.

I would often look at the puppies on KSL, and find ones that seemed like a good fit, but never good enough to get on my parents' bad side. That was until I came across this ad:

                                      

Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler Puppies. 80 dollars. Herriman, Utah.
 



My heart throbbed at that adorable little puppy face. That's when I knew that this was the one.

The next day I hopped in my car, drove out to Herriman, met with the lady, and held this little black puppy in my hands. He looked at me. I looked at him. "I'll take him!" And with that, I was passing her 80 dollars in cash, and driving away with my new little adventure. I was happy, but also terrified. My heart sunk at what I had just done, and I knew my parents would disapprove.

I considered the idea of hiding him, and seeing how long that would last. However, I tend to not hold my guilt well, and decided it'd be best if they knew from the beginning. So I called my Mom as I stood outside petsmart, holding my new puppy. I told her I'd gotten a dog, and the disappointment in her voice broke my heart. After calling my Dad, she called me back and reminded me of our deal that I was to not get a puppy until I moved out, and since I'd did things backwards... I'd better find a place of my own.

It sounds a little rough as I type it out, but I do not blame them for their stern attitude towards me. I had disobeyed them. And I knew I'd done something terribly wrong.

I remember crying, holding onto this little dog, rummaging through petsmart when an employee came up to me, asking me if I needed any help, and through my ugly cry, I replied with "I JUST NEED SOME PUPPY CHOW! OK?!"

Our beginning was rocky, to say the least. My 8 week old puppy and I moved in with my Aunt, bless her heart, and struggled to figure out what we'd do next. Several of my family and friends approached me to take the dog back, or take him to the humane society, but I had become extremely stubborn and refused to do so. Somehow, I knew we'd make it work.

Bit by bit, day by day, things got a little better. I would arrange to go up to my house and talk to my parents, which usually were very spirited and emotional conversations. With a lot of discussion, regarding my actions, I was able to live at home again. With my puppy.

Things were still pretty rough as I got a wake up call as to what it means to have a puppy. Waking up several times a night, potty training, and more. The dark cloud over me and folks didn't help.

By this point i'd decided to name him Tip, and I chose this name for a couple reasons. 1) I thought it would fit because he had the cutest white TIPS on his paws (which he has since grown out of) and 2) Growing up, my Grandpa Loock's favorite dog on the farm was named Tip, and he would often tell me stories of him. Who knew dog names could be generational.

I read that puppies, when first taken away from their mom and siblings, would often miss them, and that would be a big reason of their whining. When Tip would cry for his Mom, or so I decided, I would hold him in my lap, and let him suck on my finger until he would fall asleep. I loved that.

I think that was probably when I truly become a crazy dog woman. He had basically become my child. And, what do you know, he had been adopted by me, just as I had been by my parents! We were practically soul mates...

Tip grew quickly, and our bond even quicker. I began to get on good terms with my parents, and even caught them playing with the puppy more than they'd like to admit. I finally had MY DOG. He was all mine. I couldn't have picked a better, more loyal, more playful companion.

That was a long story. The story is continuing on, but I wanted to share our start. Now, for my take on it all.

I was a naughty girl. I did a bad thing by going behind my parents' back and buying a puppy they told me not to get. If I could do it over again, would I? Probably not, because I still, to this day, recall the disappointment that hung over me. However, do I regret doing it? No. And this is why...

 

Tip saved me. I know it sounds cliche, and I know that there are plenty of people who will make fun of me for saying that, but it's true. I would say i'm not one who easily rides along with change, which makes things difficult since there has been an AMPLE amount of change in my life the past 3 years. Tip was the constant. He stood by me as, one by one, my friends moved away. He supported me as I met my biological parents. He let me cry in his fur as the days of depression struck hard. We've run together, played ball together, hiked together, swam together, and grown up together. I can't imagine life with out my best friend/child/companion/therapist/exercise buddy/ everything but JUST a dog.

Although I've always been an animal lover, Tip is the mutt that turned me into a crazy dog woman, and I am sorry to those who have endured us... we seriously are disgustingly adorable together.

There were days he was what I lived for... because, who would take care of the mutt if I were gone? I wish everyone had a howling greeting when they come home, a dropped tennis ball on your face, a wuss who hides behind you, soaking wet clothes near any body of water, and the ultimate feeling of unconditional love as I do. What a character!

He's more than just a dog. I'm more than just a dog owner. And that's just our little-long story.

 

Admit it. We're adorable.

 

3.3 for 3...

There I was, sitting on my bed, perusing my phone, and minding my own business. That's when it hit. The earth became raged, and in one swift movement, sent a blast of PURE FURY rippling across the Wasatch Front. The dog's head jolted up, and I watched as my home, my sanctuary, shook up and down. The ceiling fan shook, the windows rattled, and the dog barked firmly as the wrath came upon us. I waited for it to stop shortly, holding tight to the idea that perhaps a big truck drove by, or maybe some late night construction was under way.... but I knew it was more than that. The shaking started with a boom, and came in 2 short, yet fierce, waves.

Could it be true? Had I just been in my first earthquake?!

My emotions were that of confused, and of curiosity. I shook with my nerves. But how could I be sure of what I assumed just happened? With a quick jump to Facebook, I watched as post after post poured in with my friends and family proclaiming they, too, had felt the earth's movement.

Gasp. It WAS true. A smallish, yet very real earthquake had hit just east of dear Centerville, Utah. And I had been fully aware, feeling the entire thing... all 3 seconds of it. 3 seconds of a 3.3 magnitude.

I always imagined what it would be like to feel one, and now I didn't have to anymore. My take on it is simple; it wasn't as bad as I imagined. Granted it was a pre-teen of a quake, but I was glad nothing more happened. No damage, no injuries... nothing. However, now this once imagination I had had suddenly become real. We live on this  unpredictable planet, and we need to be prepared for anything. It's beautiful out there, but it's also dangerous as all get out. Isn't that the case with most things though? Relationships; beautiful and dangerous. School; beautiful and dangerous. Work; beautiful and dangerous. THE KEY is being ready for both ends of that ever so changing spectrum.

So yeah! My first earthquake is out of the way! I survived it!

I wonder where the safest, SAFEST place is to be during an earthquake... oh wait... it's an airplane. Stupid flying death traps. :/

Until our next dangerously beautiful adventure, Mama Earth, let's leave those fault lines alone :)