So here in Utah it is snowing so freaking bad. All day today it has just been snowing. I seriously cleaned the snow off of my car about 5-10 times and this is it after just a few hours.

Reason's to Love

A few day's ago my mom asked me why I love my boyfriend Steven. It took me a little bit, but today I finally came up with the reasons:

1. He makes me laugh without even having to try.
2. Whenever he calls or texts me I can't help but smile.
3. He trusts me with his secrets, therefore, making me trust him with mine.
4. I've seen his vulnerable side.
5. I don't think about trying to get another guy's attention.
6. I miss him when he's not around.
7. He make's me feel beautiful even when I feel self conscious.
8. When I'm with him It's like I'm the most important person around.
9. He's not afraid to kiss me in public.
10. We don't have to talk all of the time. We can be sitting in the car together, completely silent, and it's not uncomfortable.
11. I don't feel the need to send him a text constantly like I have with other guys.
12. I can be my complete self when I'm around him.
13. He loves that I love food.
14. We can tease each other knowing that there wont be any offense. 
15. His kisses cause butterfly's to erupt in my stomach.
16. He tells me I'm adorable when I do something stupid.
17. He loves music and theater, performing, and I love to watch it.
18. He tells me he loves me at random times.
19. He's not afraid to be himself.
20. He isn't jealous. Instead he tells me that he know's he's lucky, because I guess that sometimes guy's check me out.

Those are just 20, but I'm sure that if I really thought about it that I could come up with some more reason's.

It's amazing once you realize that you are in love with someone. With my first boyfriend he told me that he loved me, and I told him that I loved him. But the thing is, when you really love somebody, you don't check other guy's out when you're alone at the grocery store. Sure you maybe window shop a little, but that's it. To be honest, I did miss him (my ex) a little bit when we weren't around each other, but it's not like how it is with me and Steve. When I'm not with Steve I think about him constantly until the moment I see him again. I have dreams with him in it every night. 

I had a dream a few nights ago where I overheard Steven saying to one of our friends that he was going to propose to me on Christmas. We've only been going out for a month, but it has moved very quickly. In my dream I was going to say yes. Wow, I know what you're thinking, Is this chick for real? But it's like what they say. When you know you just know.

I may only be 18 and he's 22, but this relationship just feels right.

Change in a Month

So I've had a bit of writers block for a while now, but a lot has happened to me in the last few weeks (which most people wouldn't know because I rarely post about my life).

About a month ago I met this guy. His name is Steven. When I first saw him, my initial reaction was, "Oh, he's cute," to "Oh, he's short." For a girl his height would be fine, but for a guy....not so much. He is an inch shorter than me, so that is why my reaction changed so quickly.

How we met was we were at a friends house. This friend of ours, Jared, had met me the same day that I met Steven. What happened was I was sitting on one of the couches in the hall of the P.E. building at UVU (and whoever doesn't know, this is Utah Valley University) reading, when this guy, Jared, comes up to ask if he can sit down. I say yes, and then we start talking. I think that he's pretty cute and he starts getting excited about this MLM company that he works for now, Vemma (look it up, it's a great product), and say's that there is a promotional meeting for it that night. He asks me if I want to come, I hesitate at first, but then think about how cute he is, and say yes. He then asks for my number and then calls me later to confirm if I am going to still come. I say yes, and he gives me his address, and then about a half-hour later I am in his living room.

That is just the beginning.

One of his roommates, Clinton, starts talking to me more about this whole Vemma thing. I obviously don't know what the crap he's talking about, but I listen to him anyway's. I'm not going to get into a lot of detail, but basically there are a lot of different drinks that they sell that are natural and healthy. Their most popular being, Verve, which is a natural energy drink. It's been on The Dr. Oz Show a few times. Anyway's, you should look it up because it's awesome.

They have an L-shaped couch, and I sat in the corner of the couch, waiting for whatever we were supposed to be doing for this "amazing" promotional thing for the product. I was, in all honesty, still there because of Jared because I thought that he was cute. As I was waiting and talking to a few girls that were sitting next to me, that were just as new and confused as I was, Steve walked in. This is where my first two reactions came into play, especially once I saw him standing next to Jared.

A few minutes later, Jared sat next to me and this girl, Taylor, and said that me, her, Steve, and this guy Matt were going to be riding in his car with him. Yep, apparently we were going to be going up to West Jordan, which if you don't know this, is about an hour drive from Orem, which was where we were.

I am still surprised that I stayed there to go with them.

We got into Jared's car, which is a tiny little car, one where you have to move the front seats forward to let people in the back. Taylor rode in the front while I sat behind Jared, Steve next to me, and Matt next to him, us all getting nice and cozy in the back.

The first thing that Steve say's to me is, "You want a mint?" Offering me an icebreaker's. Well, I guess that's one way to break the ice. Ha ha, get it? Because of the name? Yeah, never mind.

"Sure." I said back to him. "Probably a good idea in this close of proximity."

I asked him what his name was, and I don't remember what he said, but for humor's sake, let's say he said, "Johan."

I gave him a look that said "Really?" The kind where you can see the sarcasm.

He laughed. "No, my name's Steve."

"Oh okay. Malarie." I smiled.

We talked for most of the drive, and found that we have a lot in common. We both love The Lord of the Rings, Brian Regan, and several other things. He kept on awarding me with "brownie points" that were non-redeemable. He made me laugh, so I began to think that his height probably wasn't that big of a deal. Wow, I think I made another pun there. Laugh if you think it's funny, but if you don't think it's funny then I guess ignore this whole sentence.

We were finally at the place; or so we thought. We were standing out in the cold for a few minutes while Jared was talking on the phone with Clint, asking where the crap it was. He got the wrong directions, and Clint ended up being really terrible at giving directions. For about five minutes, but what felt like longer, we stood out there. I started complaining a little, but not terrible complaining. Just the kind that you do when it's cold or hot outside, you understand. I wasn't expecting anything, but Steve took off his jacket and offered to me, even going so far as to help me put it on. Isn't that cute?

We got back in the car, and then about a half-hour later we ended up to where we needed to be. We got inside and I started to thank Steve for letting me borrow his jacket, and started to take it off, but he stopped me, grabbed the edges, and pulled it closed.

"I have an extra jacket on, and we're going back outside in a little bit."

"Thanks." I said, a little surprised, and getting me to like this guy a little bit more.

We were there for about the last twenty minutes of the meeting, most of which I still did not understand but was intrigued, and then mingled a little bit, and then left.

On the ride home, Steve handed me his phone, the area to enter a new number all ready.

"You want my number?" I smiled.

"Yeah." He laughed. "You're pretty cool."

I put in my number, and then he texted me right after so that I had his number.

On Sunday that next week, I was hanging out at Steve's, and we were in his room. He had his arm around me and we were talking. Then he turned and looked right into my eye's and said, "You know, I'm a sucker for a girl with blue eyes?"

"Oh yeah?" I replied, but that was all I was able to get out before he kissed me. While we were kissing, which quickly led to making out, I was thinking, Is that what you say to all of the girls? because let's be honest, that was a pretty perfect something to say. While we were kissing, and stuff, he whispered that he loved me. I wasn't sure that I heard him right, but he said it over and over again. I didn't say anything, because what do you say when you know you can't say it back? At least not yet. We had barely known each other four day's before he said that.

That night when I had gotten home, I was bold and texted him asking him:

Me: So what are we exactly now?

To which he replied:

Steve: You want to be something more?

Now I am not the kind of girl who can kiss a guy and it doesn't mean anything. I get attached really easily, that's why I've only kissed three guys, Steve being my third. Basically I told him that I wouldn't do friends with benefits, because that's what my best friend went through. I know you might think, "Is this chick for real? They just made out, it's not like anything else happened." Well....

But I wanted a relationship, and I think that he did too. I told him that I didn't care if we were in one or not, because we had only known each other a few day's, but I wasn't going to just be doing casual things with no meaning behind it. That Saturday he texted me:

Steve: So theoretically speaking, what would

you say if I asked you out?

Me: I would say that I would love to go out with you?

:)

Steve: Haha awesome. But I'll ask you in person.

Me: Sound's good. :)

On Sunday, the very next day, he asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend, to which I of course replied yes. I hope that he didn't do it because of what I said, but at the same time I do. I don't know, I'm weird. Man, I'm writing this as if it were an engagement.

So yes, the short guy is my boyfriend. 

Now skipping a couple of weeks.

About two weeks ago me, Steve, Jared, and a bunch of our other friends (which are my new friends, but all feel like family to me) went up Spanish Fork Canyon to the hot springs there, at night. It was cold, but the heat from the springs helped a lot of course. Before that, Steve said that he couldn't wait until I could feel the same for him as he did for me. I had told him that I didn't think that I could say it to him yet, but just to give me time. Anyway's, those feelings came quickly. I was waiting for the perfect time to tell him, and I found it. We were surrounded by our friends and people we didn't know, but that didn't matter. The stars were so bright, and the scene just so beautiful, I leaned over to him and whispered, "I love you."

He didn't move for a second, as if in thought, then turned to me and said, "I love you too." He kissed me right there in front of everyone under the stars, and it was amazing. I am glad that I had waited for that perfect moment because it is one that I will never forget. 

We have moved very quickly, I understand. But it's just like what they say in the movie's, when you know you know. I honestly can see me spending the rest of my life with him. All of our friends say that we are such a cute couple, and I can't help but agree with them because we are pretty freaking adorable. :)

Here are some picture's of us:

He doesn't like the way that he look's here, but I thought that I looked cute, so it's okay. Oh, and I am sitting on a chair, that's why he looks so much taller than me.

Now here I don't like the way that I look because I think that I look like I'm about to cry, but whateve's. This was when we were hiking up to the hot springs.

This I think is a really hot picture of him, but that's just my opinion. Crap, now I've gotta find a pic of me that looks super good.

There we go.

So that is us in a nutshell. Glad I could share it with whoever is reading this. :)

Paying Attention

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE


It's Sunday morning, 8:35 a.m. to be exact, and whoever is texting me at this untimely hour, better have a good reason for it.

I check it. It's Elijah.

Elijah: Hi.

Me: Hi back.

I put my phone back on my dresser and lay my head back down to just rest my eyes. What feels like one minute, but was actually five of my quick rest, is interrupted by my phone vibrating again. I check it, expecting another text from Elijah, which I did get, but the one right after his is from Jeremie. I open Jeremie's first.

Jeremie: Hi. How are you? I saw what happened

at the dance. You okay?

Me: Yeah, thanks for asking. Me and Eli

had a good time once that part was over.

Jeremie: ...that's good. I'm glad you had a good time.

Me: Thanks. :) Wait. You were at the dance? 

I didn't see you. Who did you go with?

Jeremie: Alicia asked me.

Me: Alicia asked you? What? Me and her, are like,

best friends. Why didn't she tell me? I mean, it's

not a big deal, but it's kinda weird too.

Jeremie: Hmm....

I never know how to reply to those "Hmm...." one liner's, so I open up the text from Elijah.

Elijah: Sooo.... what's up?

I'm still kinda bugged that he woke me up at 8:35. He should know that I need all of my rem sleep in order to function. (Which is a scientific fact. I found it on Google.) Especially since we didn't get home until late, and I didn't get to bed till a little after 2:30 in the morning. So I reply with,

Me: The sun.

Elijah: Ha ha. :) Did I wake you up?

Me: ...... I don't know.

I'm one of those people who will be passive aggressive about something to show someone their wrong's, but I usually don't want to tell them. That just seems too much for me. 

Luckily, Elijah get's me.

Elijah: I think I did. Do you want me to let 

you go back to sleep?

Me: Maybe. Sorry. How are you awake this

early anyways?

Elijah: It's fine. :) And my mom made me

get up to help her do some stuff in the 

backyard. Now go back to sleep. :)

Me: K.

The conversation has ended, and I just barely close my eyes when I hear the obnoxious vibrating noise again. I thought that we went through this already; I need my sleep.

But when I check my phone again, it's not Eli, its Jeremie responding to my nonexistent reply.

Jeremie: Can I ask you something?

Me: (Sighing inwardly.) Sure.

Jeremie: Are you and Elijah going out now?

I thought that it was pretty obvious, so I'm curious, why is he asking?

Me: Yeah. It's kinda new.

Jeremie: Oh....

Me: Why do you ask? :)

It seems to help to put a smiley face at the end of a text when you're not sure if the person would be offended or not by your obvious query. (I used a big word.) That's one of the problems with texting. Other than the fact that it takes away face to face contact. But who am I to talk? I clearly do it all the time.

Jeremie: Just wondering.

Me: Okay.

Jeremie: Hey, you know when you told me

that I could tell you anything when I was 

ready?

Me: Yeah.

Jeremie: Well, would you be okay if we met

up and talked for a bit, because I think

that I'm ready to tell you.

Wow, forget sleep. If he needs to get something off his chest, than I don't just want to leave him alone. He is one of my friends now. A very attractive friend, but still a friend.

Me: Yeah. Where do you want to meet?

Jeremie: How about Cascade Park?

Me: Okay. Be there in a few.

I put my phone back on my dresser, do all my bathroom needs, and then change and put on makeup as fast as I can.

***

"Thanks for meeting me here." Jeremie say's. We're sitting next to a giant pine tree, the shade enveloping us completely.

"Yeah, no problem."

He's quiet for several minutes, seeming to be putting his thoughts together. He opens and closes his mouth a few times. Finally he starts talking again.

"So.... Something happened not long ago...in my family. Do you promise not to tell anyone?"

"I promise."

"Well," he starts, but then I see his eye's start to redden, and little tears start to pool."

"It's okay. Just take your time." I say gently.

"You know, you are one of the truest friends I have ever had?" A tear escapes his lower lid, and he wipes it away quickly.

I smile at him in response. 

"Anyway's..." He continues. "In my family. I don't really know where to start, I just know that I need to get it off my chest, and I can't talk about it with my family anymore because they all know what happened, so there's really no change in air where I can just vent. So..." Another tear falls. Again, he wipes it away like it never happened. "Three weeks ago my cousin committed suicide. I haven't felt like I could tell anyone-" He stops, his voice catching as more tears flow. He takes a few deep breaths before continuing. "I haven't felt like I could tell anyone, because I don't want the weird looks, and awkward silences, you know? I just want someone who will hear me." At this point he is staring past me, at the surrounding trees.

"I hear you." I say, and move so that he is staring into my eyes. He looks surprised, as another tear falls down his cheek. He doesn't do anything to wipe it away this time, so I reach up with my right hand and dry the tear with my finger. Neither of us moves, and we just stare at each other for a minute. He lifts up his left hand and presses my hand to his cheek. I never would have expected him to be this vulnerable before, and it makes me like him a little bit more. It takes me a minute, but I remember that I have a boyfriend now, so I quickly remove my hand and look down at my lap.

He looks away, clearly embarrassed. "Well, thank you. The two times that I have tried to tell someone, they've acted really weird and awkward about it. It's like if someone dies some other way than the people offer their condolences, but when its suicide, its like they don't even think that the same thing would be nice. Thank you... for being normal." He looks up and smiles at me.

"No problem." I smile back. "Everyone deserves the same respect."

We stay there about two more hours, just talking, until mom texts me asking me where I am. Oops. Guess I forgot to explain where I was before I left. Oh well, she'll understand.

"I'm sorry, I've got to go." I say, reluctantly getting up, my butt sweaty now.

"Yeah. Thanks again." 

"Yeah." I smile at him again before I go.

***

"So where were you?" Mom asks as I enter the door.

"Sorry," I say. "There was this emergency with a friend of mine, and they needed to vent about some stuff."

"Oh?"

"Yeah."

I think that that is that, so I begin to walk up the stairs when she calls my name.

"What?" I say.

"I think that we need to talk about something." She nods for me to follow her out to the backyard. Oh crap, what did I do? I don't think that I've done anything bad lately.

When we're out on the back porch I ask, "Did I do something wrong?"

She gives me a confused expression. "Why would you ask that?"

"I don't know. Why do we need to talk?"

She sighs. Its a few seconds before she begins talking. "Why aren't you eating?"

"What are you talking about? I'm eating." It's true. I had a whole apple before I left. 

"You're not eating as much as you should. Look at you," She points at my stomach. "You're getting too skinny. You need to eat more."

"Mom, I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me."

"That's exactly what an anorexic person would say!" She yells, and we're both silent. I cover my stomach self-consciously.

"You need to control yourself, Samantha." Wow, she only uses my whole name when she thinks it's serious.

"Mom, I am under control, can't you tell? I've lost weight and I am controlling my eating habits. I would call that a success."

"It's not a success when it starts to become noticeable that you only eat a few bites of food when we have dinner."

Man, I thought that I was eating enough bites to hide that.

"Mom, do I look anorexic to you?"

"Not yet, but I can see that you're getting there."

"Mom, I'm fine." I say as calmly as I can. This is really starting to become annoying.

She gives me a wary look, but I make it so she can't say anything else as I turn on my heal and walk back inside.

Oh, and sorry for the words. I don't really know what happened there.

War on Syria?

So if you haven't heard lately and been living under a rock, Obama thinks that it is a fantastic idea to go to war with Syria. Why? Well apparently they have a whole lot of weapon's there, and one other thing that I can't quite remember, but it seems that the weapon thing is the biggest reason. Well I for one think that its wrong to go to war with them.

In an article that I briefly read, by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, it say's that Obama announced:

Syria has become a threat to the United States, he said, "by violating well established international norms against the use of chemical weapons, by further threatening friends and allies of ours in the region, like Israel, and Turkey and Jordan, and it increases the risk that chemical weapons will be used in the future, and fall into the hands of terrorists who might use them against us."

K, might. And that's only if we provoke them more. The article continues thus:

 It is unclear how the use of chemical weapons in Syria is a threat to the United States.  The national security of the United States does not appear to be at stake.  If our national security is at stake, President Barack Obama needs to tell us why.

President Obama has not consulted with Congress about waging war against Syria, so it appears the Obama Administration has no legal justification to begin a war.  What would the House of Representatives do if Obama started a war without involving them?  There is no courage to impeach Obama or to even bring Obama before a House select committee.

We don't want to go to war with Syria, it's stupid. America keep's on trying to go to war with a country to tell them how to fix their problems, but you know what? Until we actually start seeing a threat, I think that we should just back off.

If we go to war again, then what happens? We kill innocent people on their side, and lose innocent people on ours. Also, we become more and more in debt. That doesn't make sense! If we are already in the red, than we should just come back to home and analyse our problems, which might be, oh, I don't know, debt! China already owns everything we wear, do we want them to own our lives by borrowing even more money from them?

Also, I think that it makes more sense to keep our troupes here (if there is a threat) because then we could be more protected. Otherwise we are left wide open. 

Obama is taking away our weapon's and, essentially, throwing them in the trash. If Syria does have an overload of chemical weapon's then why would we want to fight them? They could easily destroy us. Just back off Mr. President, and focus on what really needs to happen. 

If anyone disagree's with me, that's fine, I don't care. But let's be real. Why go to war with them? Why?

Okay, for whoever is reading this, when I said a while back that I was going to be posting my recipes to Oooh....YUMMY, that was correct, but I just realized that that is just the title of my thing. I tried to change the title of the website for my blog, but I couldn't because I'm not a big computer nerd. So it's actually called creatingwithapen.blogspot.com, from before I changed it into this one. But when you put it the address it should take you straight to that blog. So yeah, there you go.

My Dream Maze

CHAPTER FOUR

Wandering the white expanse, nothing looks different in the least. The only thing that they all know for sure is that they are farther and farther away from what they know, and closer and closer to something entirely unknown. 

"Did you hear that?" Kendra whispers. 

Steve didn't, but now he is more aware, trying to heighten his hearing.

Then he hear's it. 

"There's only one way out." A harsh voice hisses in his ear. He starts, whipping his head around. He see's no one there, but an unsettling feeling passes over him. 

"You heard it, didn't you?" Kendra whispers again.

"Yeah." He replies.

"Only one has ever made it out. That's how you got the key. The other's turned."

Steve hears a soft sniffling and see's that now Kayla is the one who is crying. 

"It's okay. We're going to make it out." Hunter coo's. 

But what if we don't? Steve thinks to himself just as he see's a small prick of color that only get's bigger as they get closer. The color has grown so that now they all see is a doorway that is a chipped brown. Beyond that there is a dirt floor, like what there was before they entered this place, with big tall walls of ivy that stretch up about ten feet, starting at the doorway, the same width as it, enough for two at a time to walk through. 

"Here we go." Steve mumbles.

***

Slowly Steve and Kendra take the lead, Kendra reluctantly releasing her sister's hand. They exit the fog and enter into the new room for what would appear to be a maze. The room is instantly humid, the ivy leaves adding to the claustrophobic feeling. A golden light is cast around the maze by torches hung five feet up, each one twelve feet apart. It's like someone had been expecting them the whole time. 

Steve looks around, looking up in the process. The ceiling of the place is rocky, as if the interior of a cave. He squeezes Kendra's hand, and she presses his back in return, and they continue walking down the long corridor until they reach the end that comes to a point with the option to turn either left or right. They slow down until they come to a complete stop, and Steve glances back at Hunter and Kayla. 

"Right or left?" Steve asks.

"I don't know." Hunter replies. "How about you make the choice? If we come to a dead end, then we just go the other way, right?"

Steve nod's. Continuing the lead, he turns left, the lights seeming to dim until its almost too dark to see. He takes his flashlight out of his back pocket and turns it on. The others do the same, seeming to follow his every move since they got down here. The light sets a path for them, until their light, too, dims until it is gone. They all stop short, their breathing getting heavier, as if the air around them tightened around their lungs. Scratching sounds echo down the corridor, turning Steve's stomach. He feel's Kendra's other hand grab his upper arm and then bury her face in his shoulder. His arms wrap around her instinctively, listening for any other sounds, but the same scratching continues down ahead of them, approaching the group.

"Okay guy's. Other way." Steve whispers, not wanting whatever is making the scratching noises to notice them, slowly turning his and Kendra's bodies around. 

The group slowly walks unsure steps in the darkness, Steve and Kendra occasionally bumping into Hunter and Kayla's back's, the sound growing steadily closer. Now they are finally near where they began, lights steadily appearing before them.

They all let out a sigh in unison, relief filling them all. Steve can feel a nervous laugh bubbling up inside him from the situation, that is cut short by a deafening screeching. Steve looks around just in time to yell at them to duck just when a small creature fly's over their heads, a whistling sound reverberating. It lands on all fours just ten feet ahead of them. The creature is small, about two feet tall, with webbed hands and feet, with slight human features, except where its nose should be are just two slits. Short, black hair sits on top of its head, while spikes, with a green hue to them, poke out of the creatures spine. The only thing that resembles clothing is a small lion cloth that hangs around the thing's hips. It looks at them with giant black eyes that resemble orbs, and hisses, sharp teeth showing just how menacing it is.   

It crawls back and forth, eyeing them. It stops after about a minute, then looks as if it's going to turn around and leave them, but does just the opposite, jumping up into the air towards them screaming as it does so, throwing itself to Kayla, but, at the last second, Hunter jumps in front of her, creature landing on his chest with a thump. He lets out a surprised breath, then lifts up his arms and try's to push the creature off of him, but it doesn't seem to notice his attempts, opening it's mouth, and then burying it's razor-sharp teeth into his neck. Hunter let's out a cry, trying as he may to get the thing off of him.

Acting out of desperation, Steve grabs the only thing that he has on him; his flashlight. He pulls it out and attacks the creature with it, hitting it's left eye. It let's out a painful squeal and releases Hunter, and jumps off of him, hissing at them before climbing like a monkey into the ivy walls.

Hunter sinks to the ground, holding his neck. Kayla has one arm around his back, keeping him in a sitting position. Steve rips off a sleeve of his shirt, and bundles up the blue material, removing Hunter's hand to press it to his wound.

"We can't stay here. If we do, than what's going to happen to him?" Kayla say's, looking up at Steve, desperation in her eye's. "We have to at least go back in there." She points to the doorway where the white mist seeps out. "I know that we have to keep going, but what's going to happen if we do? We gotta-"

The door shut's loudly, startling them all.

"Obviously we can't." Steve say's, matter of factly. "We keep going."

Kayla has tears in her eye's. "But-"

"Hey," It's Hunter. He lifts the hand that isn't holding the cloth to his neck, and places it on her cheek. "Hey, it's okay." He smiles. "That clearly was a dead end." He tries to joke, but none of them laugh, and his smile fades almost immediately.   

Happy Wedding!

This is a poem for a card that I wrote for my friends that got married not that long ago:

Happy wedding to both of you,

I hope you’re very happy.

The gift I have prepared

For you is in no way, sappy.

I have $6.50, all in change,

I wish I could give more;

But sadly no, I cannot,

For I am very poor.

So buy yourself some ice cream,

Or some other sweet thing,

And prove to each other why

You gave the other a ring.

But that’s not all

I have given more!

Some Dum Dum’s and some Chew’s,

So when you see me you will

Know, that I have a little clue.

I hope you will enjoy this gift

And what I can provide,

So have some fun through this one

Amazing thrill ride.

I'm good, aren't I?

My Dream Maze

CHAPTER THREE (I think that I'm just gonna start labeling these as chapter's now, because they are, don't you think?)



As they follow the stair's down further, a dim light seems to glow softly ahead. Steve has an uneasy feeling about the whole event, but continues his course anyway's.

After about five minutes, a creaking sounds, coming from somewhere upstairs. They hear a slam, and they all jump. Steve turn's, shining his flashlight into the mysterious void.

Up ahead, the door is shut. Steve is sure that he left that open. He run's up the stairs, two at a time, and when he reaches it, he tries to open it, but its locked. There's no way out.

"It's locked!" Steve shouts down to them.

"What?!" It's Kendra, her voice sounding frantic. She run's up to meet him. "B-b-but how can that be? It's just the four of us here."

Steve stares down at her, blankly.

"Wait, it's locked?" Hunter's voice sound's as he approaches the two, Kayla's hand in his.

"That's what I just said, isn't it?" Steve reply's, irritation and panic molding in his voice.

"That can't be!" Kendra yell's again. "W-w-we-"

"Hey." Steve say's, half forcefully, half gently, setting his hand's on top of her shoulder's, bending down to try to look her in the eye's. "Hey, we obviously can't get out. You can try the door, but in the mean-time, we need to study the rest of this place out if we're ever going to find an exit. If there's an exit."

"Wow, nice words of motivation." Kayla say's, wrapping her arms around the nearly panic induced girl.

"I'm just being realistic here!" Steve shout's. His voice echoes through the dark place, a laugh floating back to them, something Steve know's he didn't do.

"Okay, I am officially creeped out." Hunter say's.

"Come on." Steve say's, taking the lead of the group, going down the stairs, the others following suit.

Kendra's sniffling and Kayla's soft consoling is the only sound Steve hear's as they go back down, now further than they had been before. Slowly they go, Steve keeping alert for any other strange noises, but doesn't hear anything else.

Suddenly when he's about to take one more step down, his foot crashes to floor, causing him to look down and see that both feet are on a rough, dirt floor. He lifts up his hand to motion for the other's to stop, just at the same moment that Hunter fall's into him, sending them both falling to the ground, Hunter landing on top of Steve.

"What the-" Hunter starts. He look's around. "We're at the bottom." He say's gravely.

The girls, standing on the second to last step look, not at them, but passed them. The boy's follow their eye's and see that ahead of them is a misty light, the whiteness making them squint. The light is coming from an open door just five feet in front of them.

"I don't know about exit's, but I have a feeling that this is an entrance to somewhere." Hunter say's quietly.

"You know," Steve say's. "I think that I'd have to agree with you."

***

Hunter and Steve stand up, brushing the dirt off their clothes quickly. Steve takes the first step. 

Hunter grabs him by the shoulder. "I don't really think that this is a good idea."

"Yeah, well, I think that I was the one who was saying that from the very beginning. But now we have no choice; we've got to go on." Steve continues walking, turning off his flashlight, and stepping into the white mist, that is turning more into a thick fog, the others carefully walking into the unknown.

Ten steps in, Steve hears Kendra's soft voice. "Steve?"

"Yeah?" He replies.

"Were are you? I can't see anything but whiteness."

"Here." He looks behind him and see's a slight movement of dark brown. She's right though. There is nothing to see but the inevitable fog that hangs. He shuffles toward's her and grabs her hand, which is cold in his. Now that they are right next to her, he can see her, her big blue eyes staring at him with fear.

"Don't worry." He say's. "If we stay together, we'll be alright." He hopes. He continues walking, her hand in his now. 

"I'm sorry." She say's.

"What?"

"I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have come down here in the first place. Now we're all trapped, and it's all my fault."

Steve can't help but agree with her, but still doesn't want her to feel that way. "No, no." He stops, turning to her. "Listen, we all chose to come down here. None of this is your fault."

She doesn't say anything, just stares at him.

"Come on, lets keep going." He say's.

All of a sudden Steve can't help but think how their fellow friends are being rather quiet. He looks around, but doesn't see anyone else.

"Hunter? Kayla?" He ask's, hoping for a reply, but get's nothing. This time he call's, but still no reply, except for the echo of his own voice. Steve feel's Kendra tense up beside him, obviously aware of the problem.

The fog seems to thicken, constricting around the two as their fear rises. Kendra's small hand tighten's around his, and he squeezes back, anxiety etching off them.

"Where are they?" She whisper's.

"I-I don't know."

Then, as if sensing their worry, they hear a faint call, both of them turning their heads, searching for the owner. It comes again, louder this time. They start to walk toward it. Then-

"Steve! Kendra!" It's Hunter, calling for them. They continue following the sound until they see two figures coming their way.

"It's them!" Kendra lets out a breath of relief, her body relaxing a little, but she continues to hold Steve's hand, which, at this point, he's fine with. He doesn't want to lose her like how they almost lost Hunter and Kayla.

"I was beginning to think we'd never find you." Kayla say's, relief filling her voice as well.

"I thin that from now on we should all hold hands so we don't get lost." Steve say's.

"You know, dude, usually I'd laugh at you for saying something like that, but I have to say that I would feel more comfortable doing that too." Hunter replies. At the same time Kayla grabs her sister's hand so that Steve and Hunter are on the outside.

"On from here?" Hunter say's.

"On from here." Steve replies. Wherever here is. 

Nannying

So I have this part-time job, early in the morning's, as a nanny. What I do is at 7:30 a.m. I get the kids up and ready for the day, sending the two oldest ones to school, and the two younger one's to the neighbor's house.

Well today, the youngest, Elyse, who's three, wanted to wear her swimsuit. So I let her put it on, then suggested putting her clothes on over top. She was adamant that that was NOT going to happen. So then I said that I would just put them in the diaper bad to take with them when they go to their neighbor's house.

"No, no, no, no!" She had screamed at me. "No clothes!"

I continued to put the clothes in there anyway's and she just started freaking out at me, crying over putting her clothes in the bag. I patiently waited for her to stop while she looked at me like I had brought the plague to even consider doing that, and cried, "You!" pointing her finger as she did so.

It was hard to keep from laughing at that, but then I succeeded and said, "Me?"

"You!"

"What about me?"

She had just continued to point at me, staring down at me from the top of the stairs, tears streaming down her face, shouting, "You!"

"Me?" I had said again. "Is it my fault?'

She had sniffled, then nodded.

"Are you mad at me because I put your clothes in your bag?"

"Yes." She cried, glaring at me as she did so.

I just thought that the whole thing was pretty funny how she was upset about that. Especially how she just yelled "You!" to me several times. I don't know if it's something that you just had to be there fore, but I thought that it was funny. :-) 

Beautiful Sunset

I live in Utah, and it's rare that you see a sunset this beautiful. Well in the valley anyway's. I'm so glad I got to get a picture of this.

My Dream Maze Part 2

They were off, the four of them, looking for an unknown lock that this ancient key would fit into.

Steve tried lock after lock, the other three crowding around him to see if it would fit. It, of course, never did.

"You haven't tried that lock." Kendra say's, pointing at the last door down the main floor hall.

"And I don't think I will. This is stupid guys. This isn't, and hasn't, fit in any of the locks."

"Well you can't really say that until you try the last lock." Kendra say's looking up at him, her blue eyes soft and beautiful. She snatches the key out of his hand and walks toward the door.

"Look's like you just whipped." Hunter whisper's in Steve's ear as he passes him, holding Kayla's hand all the while.

Steve sigh's then walks over to them. Kendra is struggling with the key, trying to force it in. He has to look away so that he doesn't have to think about how she just might be ruining an antique.

"Kendra, I don't think that's gonna fit." Kayla say's over her shoulder.

"No, no! I almost have it. Just a little more - Ah! See!"

Steve did see. He saw how a cute little girl got a key stuck in a lock. But -

"Wait, is it just me, or does the door itself look a little different to anyone, or is that just me?" Hunter say's.

"No, no. I see it too." Steve agree's.

They stand back to study the door. A hazy glow etches off of it, creating a soft glitter to settle on it, like what you would read in story books or see in fairy tale movie's.

"Open it, Kendra." Kayla prods.

Kendra hesitates ever so slightly, but just enough for Steve to notice as she lifts her arm.

"I don't know if that's the best idea." Steve interjects.

She looks up at him questioningly. "Why?"

"Well just with my experience with reading books and watching movies, these are the kind's of things that get the character's into trouble of some sort."

"Oh, come on man." Hunter slaps him on the back, smiling. "Stop being such a downer. Here, I'll open it."

"But-" Steve's comment is cut off when a sudden gust of wind blows on them, dust covering them from head to foot in a matter of seconds. The wind quickly ends, and they stand there, no one moving, Kayla coughing slightly to clear the dust from her lungs. Ahead of them through the door way is a stairway heading down, even though Steve is pretty sure that they don't have a basement. Kendra is the first one to step up, poking her head through, dark brown strands falling into her face.

"Do you see anything?" Kayla asks.

"No." She replies simply. "It's dark and all I see is wooden stairs, and wooden handrails. Can we go down?"

"I don't think that would be such a good idea." Steve say's skeptically. "I mean, I know that this house doesn't have a basement, so that fact this door has opened to stairs going down, I'll have to be honest, that kinda freaks me out. What sort of magical or demonic thing is this? Whatever it is, I don't want to mess with it."

"Oh come on. Nothing is going to happen to us." Kayla say's letting go of Hunter's hand, taking the one step toward her younger sister.

"Guy's, come on." Steve warn's.

"I think that you're beat, man." Hunter claps him on the back again. "Now I'm going down with them. If you want to stay here and mope around, that's your choice. But I am just as curious as they are." He say's, walking away from Steve, leaving him to stand alone in the hallway, watching as they walk down, disappearing into darkness.

"But if you are going to stay up there, could you get us some flashlights? It's a little dark." Hunter call's up.

Steve doesn't reply, just walks off to get some flashlights, and then comes back, turning on one of the flashlights, going down the steps.

"So does that mean you're coming?" Kendra ask's, smiling.

How could he say no to that face? "Yeah." He say's after a second. "Yeah, I'm coming. I can't just leave you two with this guy. Who know's what your fate will be at the end of the road." He tries to joke, but it's difficult. He can't help but feel like something terrible might actually happen.

"Oh shut up." Hunter punches Steve in the arm, and they continue their descent, the other's flashlight's turning on, one by one.

Appreciate

Appreciate the faults

the weaknesses within

that's in ourselves, and in our hearts,

we are all full of sin.

Appreciate the faults we carry

for we all know it's true

that when we succumb to what's there

we can see a beautiful view.

Appreciate the faults in the world

we all know its there

and change the perceptions in your mind

to see a new kind of air.

Appreciate the faults in others

they can't always be as they should

and try not to judge another 

for we're all trying to be good

Love everyone equally, 

no one deserves shame

for do you think that you should be

the product of another's game?

l

So just so you know, I am going to be posting my recipes and pictures on my other blog, Oooh.... YUMMY! So you wont be seeing any more on this site. I of course will be keeping this blog updated, but just not with recipes. 

Amish Church Spread:

Yields: 2 Cups

INGREDIENTS-

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. corn syrup
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup marshmallow cream
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

DIRECTIONS-

1. In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine sugar, water and butter and bring to a boil.
2. stir in corn syrup, reduce heat to low and simmer 1 to 2 minutes; remove from heat.
3. Add peanut butter, marshmallow creme, and vanilla and stir until blended. Store in a container in refrigerator.

I love this stuff so much. It's delicious! 

Navajo Fry Bread:

INGREDIENTS-

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. powdered milk
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup water
• Vegetable oil for frying

DIRECTIONS-

1. Sift flour, powdered milk, salt, and baking powder into bowl. Add water and stir until a large lump forms. Using hands, mix dough, but avoid kneading. Cut dough into 4 pieces. Using floured hands, shape and stretch the dough to form a disc, about 5-7 inches in diameter. In a deep heavy pot or large skillet, heat vegetable oil to 350F. Gently place dough into the oil and fry for 3-4 minutes each side. Place bread on a paper towel. 

Paying Attention

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO (Just so people aren't confused: I realized that a while back when I was putting a chapter down, one that was supposed to be chapter eleven ended up as chapter ten, so I have two chapter ten's, so bare with me here.)



We dance the night away, arms up in the air, feet losing ground jumping in the air. By the time we go outside when the dance is over, to my car, the chilly night air is a welcome relief to the hot, stuffy gymnasium. We are both carrying our jackets, his left arm circling my waist.

When we get to my car he kisses me before we have to separate.

"I had a really good time tonight." He say's, leaning his head down so his forehead is pressing against mine.

"Even including the account with Daniel?"

He chuckles a little. "Well I could have gone without the whole guy kissing my girlfriend, but overall, yeah. It was a little fun to punch him also."

I barely hear the rest of his sentence. Girlfriend?

"I'm your girlfriend?" I can't keep the smile off my face.

He doesn't say anything for a moment. "We-well yeah. I mean..." He trails off and looks away. "I mean, only if you want to be."

I've never seen him nervous like this. It's adorable.

"Of course." I say, and place a kiss gently on his lips. When I pull away he's smiling down at me.

"You know Sam, I've liked you for a really long time."

He has? "You have?"

"Yes. I thought that it was quite obvious too."

"Well considering me," I say. "I can sometime's be a little slow at picking up on those things."

"Really?" He laugh's.

"Really." I reply, and then I unlock the car doors and we are inside, pulling out of the school parking lot.

*** 

"You're home late, I see." Mariah whispers to me as I step into my room. It's about one-a.m. now. Me and Eli had been busy making out a little.

"Yup." I say as nonchalantly as I can. She raises her eyebrows at me.

"Hmm."

I walk into the bathroom and she follows me. "Why aren't you in bed?" I ask.

"I'm not tired." She replies quietly.

"Oh really?"

"Nope." She stands there next to me, and expectant look on her face.

"What?" I say.

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Well, tell me what happened!" She whispers loudly.

"I'll tell you in the morning. I'm tired." I lie. There is absolutely no way I'm getting sleep tonight. I'm wired from all of the things I have to think about.

"Liar. Come on. Spill."

I sigh. She's not going to leave me along until I say something, so I tell her about how me and Eli kissed a bit (I didn't want to tell her that we made out, that would just be weird, but I think she figured it out.), and then when we got to the dance and Eli went to get drinks, how Daniel had kissed me, and then, when Eli got back, how he punched Daniel. I told her everything until she was left gaping at me.

"Daniel did what?" She say's, then lower's her voice. "I mean, he actually tried to shove his tongue down your throat?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that..." I trail off. That's exactly what he tried to do. "Um, well, yeah."

"What a jerk."

I don't say anything, just nod. I don't have words anymore. I am completely confused, my mind beginning to feel the edges of fatigue.

"Sooo." Mariah sings.

"Sooo?"

"So you and Elijah. Are you guy's, like, a thing now?"

I look down at my hands, a smile growing on my lips, heat rising up my cheeks.

"Ah!" She squeals. I shush her to make her quiet down. "I'm so excited. I knew, you guy's had a thing for each other!"

"Shh! You might wake mom and dad up."

"Well if they do wake up from this, I doubt that they will be surprised." She say's, but does as she's told, and lowers her voice.

I shake my head smiling. "Now go to bed. It's nearly two-thirty."

"Oh fine. But it is about time that you two got together." She whispers as she steps out of my room.

Was it really that obvious? It wasn't for me; not until now anyway's. And now I can't help but think about how good we are together.

That's what I think as I drift off to sleep.

I think that I'm just going to stop titling these post's because I'm going to be posting a lot more pictures of food. But here's a new one.


South African Milk Tart:
INGREDIENTS-

• 1 9-in. pie crust
• 3 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 cup cake flour (or if you don't have cake flour, substitute all-purpose flour for it, using 1 cup minus 2 Tbsp.)
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 4 cups milk
• 3 egg whites
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp. sugar

DIRECTIONS-

1. Preheat oven to 375F. 
2. In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg yolks and beat until light and fluffy. Sift in cake flour, baking powder, and salt and stir. Mix in vanilla and milk.
3. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites to stiff peaks using an electric mixer. Fold into the batter. Pour into pie crust and top with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 25 minutes, then reduce oven to 325F. Continue to bake for 25 minutes.

My Dream Maze

So a few nights ago I had this really cool and interesting dream. It was where me and a few of my friends were in this house. We found this door. I don't remember why we went into it, but we did. It's a dream, you can do anything you want. And when we went through the door we went down into a basement. The basement led down into this huge labyrinth where there was huge walls of dark green hedges stretching way up high. The basement had the feel of the outdoors, but indoors at the same time, where the ground was dirt, and the ceiling was like a cave. As we worked our way through we would face obstacles along the way. A witch would stop us, an ogre would appear, the fairy tail stuff. At the end, when we finally made it through, was a giant treasure, full of gold and silver, and all sorts of precious items. It was incredible.

And then I woke up.

But I just wanted to share that with you because I thought that it was a cool premise for a fantasy. It's like Theseus meets Alice and Wonderland.

Here is just a brief excerpt of what I was imagining for a story:

"Hey Hunter. We should do something."

"We will in a sec, Steve. Let me just send this text to Kayla." Hunter say's while lying on the living room couch, his feet propped up on the arm rest, and his head bent, looking at his phone, giving him a double chin.

"Seriously? You come over to my house wanting to hang, and all you do is text your girlfriend. When was the last time you saw her? Two hours ago?"

"Hey, not my fault that I have a girlfriend and you don't."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Steve replies, irritably. 

"It mean's that you are jealous that I actually have a girlfriend, and you don't. It's as simple as that."

"You know, you're really buggin' the crap out of me right now, so I'm just going to leave. You can go and hang out with your girlfriend for all I care."

Hunter doesn't seem to hear him because he remains on the couch, his eyes glued to his phone.

Just as Steve open's his front door, two girls stand there in front of him. The taller one with long curly blond hair and blue eye's is Kayla. He doesn't recognize the girl standing next to her. The shorter one has shoulder length dark brown hair, and bright blue eyes that pop out. She look's about seventeen.

"Kayla." Steve say's, trying to hide the irritation that is creeping into his voice. "What are you doing here?"

"Hunter said that it was all right if we came over." She gestures to herself and the other girl, both sets of blue eyes staring at him. "This is my sister, Kendra," She continues. "She said that she didn't feel like being left alone today, so she asked if she could tag along. That is okay, isn't it?"

He takes a deep breath. "Yeah, sure. Come on in." Ugh, it always bug's Steve how Hunter invites people to his place, without even asking Steve if that's okay with him.

The two girl's walk in past him, Kendra eyeing him as she goes by.

"He's in the living room." Steve say's, but Kayla is already there, leaning down to kiss Hunter.

Kendra and Steve stand next to each other awkwardly as they both deliberately look at every thing but each other or the couple in front of them.

"I don't know which is worse. Watching them make out here, or at my own home." Kendra say's, the sound startling Steve. Her voice is soft, and pretty. The difference between her and Kayla astounding.

"I think that either way you're going to end up hearing them suck faces, so there is no good escape."

She laugh's a little.

"Hey, I heard that." Hunter say's, finally sitting up, him and Kayla snuggling together.

"Good, you were supposed to." Steve replies. "So what are we supposed to do? Just sit around? Because I know that that is what you've been doing all day today, Hunter."

"Whatever." Hunter say's, seeming un-fazed. "I don't know. We could watch some TV."

"How about we actually do something?" Steve say's, his voice getting angrier by the second."

"Okay, chill. I was just giving an option. What do you want to do?"

He just stares at Hunter, not really knowing what to do.

"Do you have any board games?" Kendra's small voice wonder's.

"Um, probably somewhere in the house. I don't know where though."

"Oh come on Kendra. Board game's are for kid's." Kayla say's.

Kendra just ignores her. "We can make a game of it then. First one who finds a game wins. And then we get to play that game. It's a game in a game!" She smiles, genuinely loving the idea.

Steve smiles. "Yeah sure. Why not? You two up for it? Or has the couch sealed your butts to the cushions?"

"Fine," Hunter say's getting up. "Might as well." He puts his arm around Kayla once she get's to her feet, guiding her out.

"What? You're not doing it individually?" Steve asks.

"Hey, as the song say's: two is better than one." Hunter replies.

"You could be with me?" Kendra's sweet voice say's to him.

"Yeah, okay."

He lead's Kendra through the kitchen and into the storage room as Kayla and Hunter head up-stairs.

"So where are your parents?" Kendra asks as Steve look's around can's of food.

"They're in Colorado right now for a business meeting."

"Business meeting for what?"

"They're consultants for this big firm, and so they go from state to state every so often for big meeting's or seminar's." He grunts as he looks over the tallest shelf.

"Oh. Doesn't that get lonely?"

He hadn't really thought about it much, but when he did he would ignore it. He's eighteen, it's the summer, and he can take care of himself. "No."

"Hmmm." She didn't seem to believe him, but she let it go.

He heard her from the opposite side of him start to move things around, looking for anything. He knew that there was nothing here, but it was a good way to get away from Hunter and Kayla.

"I don't think-"

"Hey, what's this?" Kendra's voice rang out to him.

He turn's his head. There she was, holding an old rusted key. It looked like one of those old ones that you saw in those old 1920's movie's where the person lock's someone else in, and you can see through the keyhole. 

"What is that?" He ask's.

"I don't know. That's why I asked you. It's kinda cool though." She smiling, a mischievous look on her face.

"Yeah, it is." He say's, taking the key from her and inspecting it.

Kendra begin's walking out of the room.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Come on, let's go show them." She smiles again, making the side's of his mouth perk up.

"But it's not a game."

"No, but I bet that it's ten time's better than whatever they found. If they found anything."

He nod's knowing that it's true, and follow's her back through the door. They are just about to head up the stairs that are down the hall when Hunter and Kayla come flouncing down.

"Did you find anything?" Steve asks, even though he know's it would be impossible for them to have found a game. Him and his parents don't like games.

"I found a piece of gum, and Kayla found a penny, along with a few other unmentionables. You really should start cleaning your room, it's disgusting. What about you? You two find anything?"

"Well..." Steve starts.

"Yes!" Kendra pip's up. She takes the key that Steve had been fiddling with, out of his hand and holds it out to them. "See?"

"Hmm, that's cool. Where does it open up to?" Kayla ask's.

"I don't know. I've never seen it before until now." Steve replies. "Beside's, it's not like we have any lock's for it. This thing is ancient. My house is ten year's old."

"Well we'll never know until we find out." Kendra say's, excitement oozing off of her.

"She's got you there, man." Hunter say's. "There just might be a door that you've never tried out."

Steve only think's for a second before he say's, "Okay." 

So that is where it starts. Who know's what will happen from there.

Here's yet some more food I've made

Greek Shortbread:
Yield: About 20 cookies
INGREDIENTS-

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• scant 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus extra for dusting. (That would be powdered sugar for all those who don't know. I didn't know one time, and I totally botched a recipe because of it.)
• 1 small egg yolk
• 2-1/2 tsp. brandy (I didn't use brandy, because I don't buy that stuff, substituted it for milk, and they still tasted really good.)
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder

DIRECTIONS-

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Place the butter and confectioners' sugar in a large bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and brandy and beat until the mixture is smooth. Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture and beat until combined, then, using your hands, knead  the dough until smooth.
3. Roll small pieces of the dough into smooth balls, then place them on the baking sheets, spaced well apart, and flatten slightly with your hands. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until firm to the touch and pale golden brown. Meanwhile, sift a layer of confectioners' sugar into a large roasting pan.
4. Let the shortbread cool for 2-3 minutes on the baking sheets, then place in the roasting pan in a single layer. Sift more confectioners' sugar generously over the top and let cool completely.

Snickerdoodles:
Yield: About 40 cookies
INGREDIENTS-

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped

Cinnamon Coating-

• 1 Tbsp. superfine sugar
• 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS-

1. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat together until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. Sift together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt into the mixture, add the pecans, and stir until thoroughly combined. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. For the coating, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Scoop up tablespoons of the dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon mixture and place on the baking sheets, spaced well apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.