Necessarily Deliciousness

So...

I was just thinking about something that I am going to make for a friend of mine that helped me out this weekend.  She requested Chocolate Caramel Bars and I have been debating if I should share this recipe, or be a selfish hoarder and keep it to myself.  I decided it was really weird to be so protective and creepy to be so obsessed with a treat.  But really...I have problems letting my baby out into the world.  Here goes nothing.

But first, a little background for you.  I got this recipe when I was 19.  It was in...get this...The Essential Mormon Cookbook.  Cheesy as all get-out right?  I thought I would make them in the morning and then take them to class.  Then, because this was before everyone texted (makes me sound so old), my friend Kristi CALLED me.  People actually used to talk to each other on the phone!  Anyways...She was crying and said, "I'm not going anywhere today!"  I didn't go to class without her unless it was a life and death matter or if she promised we would go to Wendy's.  I'm a sucker.  I told her that I would come over and we could talk things over.

I got her a little plate of my newest found creation ready, and headed over.  I got there and she was just having lots of things go wrong.  Then I asked her, "What started all of this?  Why are you so sad?"  While I was asking her this, she took her first bite of a CCB.  She said, "Shut up.  Don't ask me anything.  Answer this:  Where did you buy these?"

I said, "Oh...I just made them this morning.  Why?  Are they gross?"

Side story:  I have this weird habit.  If I've never made it before I want people I love to try it first.  Not to torture them or anything.  Just a tradition, I suppose.

She said, "What are these?"

"They are called Chocolate Caramel Bars...for the Bishop.  Are they okay?"

"And YOU made these?"

"Yes.  Anyways, why are you having such a bad day today??"

Then it happened.  Honest to goodness.  She looked at me and smiled and said, "I can't even remember why I was having a bad day.  These are delicious!"

I said, "Holy crap...I gotta try one!"

"UH...NO!  This in MY plate.  Get your own!"

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

I took some later to my friend Dusty's house for his birthday.  His wife called me an hour later and said, "I ate most of those treats.  Can you give me the recipe so he doesn't know?"  HAHA

After that, I went home immediately and tried one.  The results are horrifyingly good.  Okay...maybe I"m over selling them.  But not really.  You know that quote "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"?  Well...I haven't made these in six months and I might die of happiness today just thinking of making them.

Weird.

Abnormal.

Obsessed.

So I took more over for his birthday and we ate and drank so much milk with them I thought I was going to be sick.  But it turns out, I was just sick about how much I love them.

I'm a freak.

So, here is a piece of my heart and soul.

Chocolate Caramel Bars
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease the crap out of a 9x13 pan.  
Brace yourself.

Mix in a medium bowl:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Smush (that's right) half of this sticky mixture into the 9x13 pan.  Throw or gently place in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

Now for the caramel mix:

Melt together on LOW heat stirring constantly:  (Don't you dare let it sit, or it will burn and be gross and hard to clean.)
14 oz bag caramels, unwrapped (this part is super annoying, unwrap all of the caramels found in a 14 oz bag.  Don't eat them.  Just unwrap them.  Don't leave them wrapped.  If you do that I just don't know what to tell you.)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream  (if you are poor like I have been, milk is fine too.  It will be thinner, but its not a big deal.)

Once that is done melting, your sticky mix in the oven should be about ready to come out.  Take it out and pour caramel mix on top.  Then, sprinkle (that's right) a 12 oz bag of MILK chocolate chips over the caramel.  Finally, carefully place the rest of the sticky mix on top.  Throw it back in the oven, bake for another 10-15 minutes and relax.  You will need to let it cool for about 20 minutes unless you want to burn your tongue to the point of inhuman pain.

The final requirement is milk.  Delicious with the bars and makes you feel like at least you are getting your calcium in...

Or something like that.

I could eat the entire pan.  But instead, I like to think of who has been best to me recently and shower them with baked goods.

And like I said, I just might die of happiness thinking of them.

Happy trails to you.

Janalee

Awkwardness

Dude.

Hi.

I just wanted to say a little sumpin sumpin.  I need to get a few things off my chest and of course, this is the place not to do it.

However, I wanted to address the issue of my dating life...

Some people say, "You are so cute!  Why aren't you married?"

Or...some people say, "Are you EVER going to get married?"

And...others say, "You need a man!"

Others say to my mother, with a look of sorrow, "I feel so bad for her.  Is she so lonely?" 

(Side note:  I know it all with good, kind intentions.  But still.  Its like asking someone who can't have kids why they don't have any.  Or asking someone if they are pregnant when they just have a belly.)

Here is what I answer to all of these questions:  I'm happy.

Does it matter if I'm married or not?

And let me tell you why I'm not married:

I'm not in love with anyone.
 
How is that for an answer?

Shocking?

But really.



True, I want to get married eventually.  But I also feel like worrying about it and wishing and hoping just makes you feel like you are crazy, or may just make you crazy.  And I am determined never to settle for less than what I want.  I don't want to fall in love with someone just to have them leave me.  I don't want to marry someone because they are "good enough" or they'll change.  I want to marry someone that I'm in absolute love with.

Sounds crazy doesn't it?

And it makes me sound like a romantic.  But I'm not.  I just have seen so many people who are married to people who are jerks, liars, creeps, abusive, etc, and even just people who don't treat them bad, but don't really treat them good either.  If I'm going to "take the plunge" so to speak, I want to have someone that loves me despite my flaws, and who is going to treat me well and help me be happier, not sadder.  I would rather stay single for the rest of my life than marry someone and be miserable.  Life is tough.  Its tougher if you are stupid.  Or married to stupid.  Or whatever.  It makes me want to say this:

Anywho, just in case you were one of the people who have asked me any of those questions, I'm not trying to be mean.  I just want people to know you can be happy no matter what your circumstance or situation may be.

Just to be clear, I believe in marriage.  I think it can be a great thing.  And I am a proud supporter of smart marriage decisions.  One day, maybe I'll even be married.  But as for now, I'm happy being married to my single life.

And dating gives me a ton of stories...dating men who like to pretend they are not gay when they really are...things of that nature.  Or liking someone that is a total jerk.  And to be perfectly honest, I'm really glad none of my relationships have worked out yet.  I feel like it will happen when its supposed to.

Bored out of your mind yet?

Me too.

So in a nutshell, here is what this post is about:

Happy hunting.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Janalee

Happiness

So...

I am 6 days in to my happiness project.  It is going good.  I have found that putting a star on my chart for each goal, each day makes me ridiculously excited to get more...WEIRD?  I know.

I struggled on Friday to do all of my goals.  It was just one of those days that I have sometimes.  But, every other day I have met my goals and THAT makes me happy.  And when I got sad the other day, I went walking and that really boosted my attitude.

Zumba has been a fun exercise too.  At first, I was totally embarrassed, but went because it was a fundraiser for a friend of mine.  Then, my sisters who love it kept inviting me.  Now I am into it more, but I still look like an idiot dancing around.  Oh well.  It makes me happy to be drenched in sweat from a fun exercise.  Endorphins are awesome.

I have been getting things done that have needed to be done for a long time, but I've been putting off.  It is such a relief to cross them off the list.  Again, I know its weird.

On day one of my happiness project, my boss came to work with a huge surprise... I GOT FULL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I could not be happier.  It definitely made my life so much happier just from that!  I didn't believe him at first...and I told him if he was just teasing me I would cry.  HAHA.  But he was serious.  I am in LOVE with my job and the people I work with.  I couldn't be more blessed.  FANTASTIC NEWS (right, Katie?)

Anyways, so far so good.  I like having  goals that make me happier.  I have been struggling with the "need/want" stuff, but I am going to get that through my head if it is the last thing I do.

Here's to your happiness and mine,

Janalee

Friends

Change sucks.

And sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things don't work out.

But it will be okay.

Someday things will work out.

And you'll be happy.

And yesterday, I was sad about changes that were taking place.

But then, I went to Zumba class with an awesome instructor and afterwards got to talk to my best friend.

Life got better.

I think that God gives us people in our lives to help us.

And no matter what, friends make everything better.

And if they don't, they are really friends.

I wanted to write a word, but spellcheck keeps telling me that "Shopkeeper" is the closet word.

Whatever.

My point is this:  Life sucks and its difficult and sad and all that crap.  Friends turn bad situations/days/weeks into good learning and hopefully, if you have a great bff, they will talk crap out with you and talk crap about whatever is bugging you. 

Things will work out.

I think.

I hope.

Whatever.

"Heartbreak is more common than happiness.  No one wants to say that, but its true.  We're taught to believe not only that everyone deserves a happy ending, but also that if we try hard enough, we will get one.  That's simply not the case.  Happy endings, lifelong loves, are the products of both luck and effort.  Call it God's plan, but we are all at its mercy.  And sometimes, God doesn't seem so merciful." - Jane Austen Ruined My Life  (now, there are a ton of great quotes in that book but the ending blows...just fyi)

So here is to wishing myself and yourself lots of luck and effort so we can get a happy ending :)

Until next time...

Janalee

Triple Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Yo...

Some people say that zucchini doesn't belong in cake.  I say if you eat a piece of this cake, you can count it as a serving of veggies.  Whatever.  To each their own.  I'm just saying that I don't love cake...but this cake is enough to make me rethink that.  It is super soft and so chocolatey.  They said it only serves 12 people, but it has served WAY more than that the two times I've made it.  I got the recipe for Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake from Tasty Kitchen and tweeked it both times to be more chocolatey.  For their recipe click here.

I made it last with my niece, Savannah, and she has been asking for more even though that was on Sunday and its Thursday now.  Guess its just that good.

Ingreds:

1/2 cup margarine, mostly melted
1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 bag (or more if you want) MILK chocolate chips


So you mix the first six together, then add everything but the zucchini and cchips.  Mix really well.  Now throw (literally.  Just kidding) the zucchini and cchips in and mix some more.  Pour into an extremely well greased and floured bundt pan.  Throw in the oven for 62 minutes (just depends on how gooey you like it) at 350 degrees.  Cool it.


Icing Ingreds:


1/2 cup margarine, completely melted
2/3 cup baking cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 or more cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla


Heads up:  I could eat the icing without the cake and be okay with it all.


Melt the marg, then add the cocoa til its mixed good.  Mix in one cup of sugar at a time.  Then the milk and vanilla.  Beat it baby.


Let the iced cake hang out in the fridge.  Be prepared with a glass of milk or a huge scoop of ice cream to go with it.  Or not.  Whatever floats your boat.


Welp...Enjoy.

Goals...for August

So my quest for more happiness is underway.  I bought a pedometer, made a poster to put my star stickers on, and I am trying to start practicing for the new goals I have made.  So far I can see that Sundays are my least productive day and I'm okay with that.  I think I will save Sunday as my day off on most of the goals I have.  So six days a week, I will be trying to boost my energy (body and mind) by:

• Walking 10,000 steps.  Did you know that 10,000 steps a day makes your heart happier and healthier?  Yeah...I didn't.  I've been working on this one already and it is AWESOME.  Love this goal.
• Exercising 30 minutes a day.  Whether its Zumba, which is hilarious and a good workout, or Taebo at home, or just walking, this makes me feel better about myself.  Good ole endorphins!
• Sleeping for 8 hours, bed by 11, up by 7.  Most people need 8 hours of sleep to feel positive and if you aren't getting enough sleep you get sick more frequently.  I have an awful habit of staying up way late and then getting up early.  Thus, I am tired and I have no energy to do anything that I want/need to do.  And sleeping is one of my favorite things to do. 
• Writing down my meals and activities through the day.  This way, I will try to only eat things I want to write down
• De-cluttering my apartment...this one will be awesome.  I will use the five minute rule, so anything that takes five minutes of less gets done.  I will also be doing the evening tidy-up.  I like waking up to a cleaner home and so this will be great.
• Not drinking soda pop.  Ugh.  This one with be my demon forever.  I love soda pop.  I do.  I'm not ashamed.  In fact, it is not that bad.  There are a lot of worse things in the world...but nevertheless...I am going to give up my soda for the time being.  I did it for Lent this year and did great.  I lost ten pounds by doing nothing different other than not drinking soda.  Its not a healthy habit...Sound like I'm trying to convince myself?  Yes.  I am.  In fact, as I type this, there is a Coca-Cola with lots of ice keeping me company.  Jealous?  I will be too when I read this in 15 days.
• Doing things!  Okay, I have been putting LOTS of stuff off so this month I will do one of those things each day and get crap done!  That way I'll stop worrying about them and just get them outta the way.

The end results I'm looking for?  A happier home.  Healthier choices.  More motivation.

So as the end of July closes in, I'm drinking all the soda I can, walking more often, trying to get to bed earlier and focusing on my new goals.   Gretchen Rubin came up with 12 commandments for her happiness, so I thought I would too for me.  Some of mine are the same as hers.  My 12 commandments are:

1. Let things go.
2. Breathe.
3. Wants and needs are different.  You don't NEED people to love you.  (This one is because I often only like myself if other people do.  But that is not the way it should be.  Whether people love you or not doesn't affect your worth.  Or at least it shouldn't.  This one will be a tough one for me, but I'm ready for the challenge.)
4. Look for the positive in each situation.
5. Do it now.
6. Be fair.
7. Enjoy the process.
8. Read.
9. Pray.
10. Let yourself feel how you feel.
11. Laugh.
12. Worrying helps nothing.  (Even though I'm PRO at it.)

Welp...
I guess that is all for this post.  Wish me luck!  But I don't NEED that so nevermind.  Ugh.

Janalee

Happiness

Welp...On the 4th of July, I went to get a book for the CC Library Book Club, A Midsummer Nights Dream.  But after I picked it up, I saw a book that I have been wanting to read and putting off for 2 yearsish.  The first time I saw The Happiness Project was in SLC with my best friend Chelsea.  We were in Anthropology and while she tried on pretty clothes, I looked at books.  So Wednesday, I thought about which one I would rather have and The Happiness Project won.  Sorry Shakespeare.  

It has made me think, if life is about being happy then we should be really good at that, right?

If you have not taken the time to define what happiness means to you, what have your spent your whole life pursuing?  Bo Bennett 

Ugh...what indeed?  I made a list of the daily things that make me happy.  Here are just a few:

music - not a day goes by that I'm not jammin.

work - I have the best job ever.

my kiddo friends - their phone calls, calling me Gramma, etc.

friends - absolutely necessary.

food - I love making it and eating it and giving it away. not always in that order...

crafting - its amazing how you feel when you create/recreate something.

reading - give me a book and my day will get better nearly every time.

Gretchen Rubin wrote the book and takes each month to add new goals.  My first happiness month will be August, so I'm just in the prep stages, but I'm so excited that I've started some of my goals already.  I even made a chart to put star stickers on for each day I succeed in my quest for being happier.  Silly?  Lame?  Don't I know it.  But if it helps me to find more happiness, so be it.

I have been focusing on more external things thus far in my pursuit, but it should be the Internal that I focus on:

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.  Denis Waitley

I agree.  And I believe that God wants everyone to be happy.  No matter who you are or where you are in your life, that is what we're here for...Right?  Can I get a witness?

Some days you might feel like Robert Mapplethorpe when he said, "Happiness?  No.  Its not there for me."  But keep your chin up and work for it and maybe it'll come to you.  Or maybe you are meant to be sad all the time.  But I don't think that is true for anyone.  Except maybe Oscar the Grouch.  Its in his name not to be happy.

So.....Here's to beginning the quest for happiness.  Join me?  Okay fine.  Don't.  Whatever.  You know what?  I just remembered this quote:  "If you expect another person to make you happy, you'll be endlessly disappointed."  So there.  HAHA.  I'm crazy.

Welp...Happy Trails to you!!!