How I Brought Bread Into Existence

I learned how to make bread today! I was about to make my amazing carmel rolls, had the yeast done [i still don't always get it to rise properly] and had the milk scalded. Then, the unfortunate happened. There were no eggs in the fridge! I had checked all the ingredients aside from the obvious things a kitchen should have before I started, because well...let's face it, there isn't a grocery store for at least 30 miles. I frantically searched for two eggs. I dashed to the fridge downstairs with hopes high. No eggs. I called neighbors looking for donors. [really i just dialed my aunt but she wasn't home sadly] I resumed my quest for eggs. Oh, how I wish we still had chickens!! I even looked in the freezer. By this time, I was mad with cooking fury.

Then I gave up. Took the pot off the burner. Went back to boring dishes. "My day is just RUINED," I thought. What a terrible way to start the day! But then Betty Crocker started whispering ideas to me. I looked up bread recipes. I had never made bread before. Rolls, sure, but BREAD?! How intimidating. All I could think of was Grandma's Bread and never being able to measure up to that standard. But I was desperate. What could I lose? I already had the yeast done, and the milk scalded. Might as well put it to good use.

And VOILA!

Two loaves were born.

I promise it was two, but I didn't take pictures until after the boys got back from school and basketball practice. I'll let you in on a little secret. Teenage boys like to eat. A lot.

Makeover!

Since junior high I have had the same paint on the walls in my room. I realized this summer that I will be a (super) Senior in college. And since, I am in fact, a brilliant college student, I conceived the idea that it might be a good idea to change a room every ten years or so. Thus, I decided to take matters into my own hands (after someone else bought the paint) and give my room a make-over.

I was getting a little high off of the paint.....

i got this AWESOME recruit :)

Andrew's method consists of putting paint EVERYWHERE in hopes that it will look like more work has been done ;)

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360 tour of my new room:

notice the beautiful mac on the bed (that is actually made)

i LOVE books!

some of my final prints from my film class

i *might* have encouraged some of those stains ;-)

Denium Apron

So I've been on a sewing kick lately. Interesting, since I haven't done it before. But after coveting longingly looking at aprons on etsy, I decided to make one for myself. So I took an old pair of jeans that don't fit anymore that I have outgrown, random fabric that was intended for a skirt that never happened, and a shirt in the goodwill pile. Put it al together and VOILA!! After four years of crocheting I finally learned how to sew. The shirt made an awesome belt, and jeans backwards make awesome pockets.

               

Thoughts on Slavery

Here are some of the final images from my portrait project. I came across many different people—differing political backgrounds, opinions, accents, and living situations. I took the majority of the images by the Hershey store in Chicago and told people that the Hershey’s company uses slave labor for much of their products.

I just asked their opinion about it and if I could take their picture. Some did not let me take their picture, one didn’t speak English and the first person I asked about it just didn’t know what to say and laughed it off.

As for these people's opinions....

• The man on the top left--"Well, I'm against that."
• The man on the bottom left (pardon his 'French')--"That's bulls--t"
• The couple--"Well, I obviously don't approve of anything with slave trade."
• The man on top right--"I wasn't aware that Hershey's did that...capitalist."
• Charles--"I'm a Democrat. I do not shop at Wal-Mart because they are products from slave labor entities. I do not eat chocolate."

During crit yesterday, one of my professors commented on how I could have taken the picture first and then asked their thoughts. I want to continue going into Chicago and asking people, and I'm going to try to remember to take their picture first. And I have to remember to be more assertive of moving the subject so they are in a better composition and lighting situation. Truthfully, I was so nervous and out of my comfort zone on Saturday, that it was hard to remember.

Did I mention I got lost for about an hour?

Charles

This picture is part of my project for my Portrait Project due on Monday. [I'll post pictures soon, either here or at my photo blog]

I didn't ask this guy his name, but I'll call him Charles. Well I asked Charles if he knew that Hershey's employs slave labor. He said he didn't and that he didn't actually eat chocolate. His father was a WW2 veteran and much of what they ate was stale crackers and bitter chocolate, so growing up they weren't allowed to eat chocolate.

I do not shop at Wal-Mart because they are products from slave-labor entities. I do not eat chocolate.

Charles said he was shopping [I was just outside the Hershey's store downtown] for his wife. He then mentioned how he was a Democrat and would obviously not support slave labor (or something like that). He was quite surprised to find out that I am a Republican and asked if I was 'anti-business.' "Well, not anti-business, I guess, as much as anti-slavery," I replied. It was an interesting experience. I think I need to go to Chicago more often.

It's finished!

During fall break, I finally finished crocheting my scarf that I have been working on forever. But it's finally done! YAY! I used the whole thing, so it's really long! :) And, yes, I did intend it to be wavy. ;)

I'm done?! Now what?!!

I just don't know!

Helicopter

This post is a little late, on account of the fact that I forgot about this picture. Anyway... my youngest brother and I worked on this helicopter one evening during Christmas break -- it took us awhile, but we persevered. :)