Winter Boots

So, I got some winter boots for Christmas.  They were one of those gifts that I picked out.  I didn't think of blogging them until now.  My mom and I were thinking that I probably need some boots - especially for walking around campus in the middle of winter.

At first, I was thinking I wanted to get some Bean Boots from L.L. Bean.  But, before Christmas they were on backorder until March.  Being aware that I needed some boots, I paid much more attention to the boots girls were wearing campus.  It ended up coming down to either getting a pair of Aldo or Sorel boots. 

I ordered each to see which one I liked better.  The Sorel's were really warm, but a bit more chunky.  The Aldo's fit me a bit better, in that they weren't so bulky, and were easier to walk in.  I wasn't sure that they would keep me as warm as the Sorel's though.

I ended up keeping the Aldo Zylia boots.  I love them!  They have definitely been warm enough and they are supper comfy... and cute!  Now, these winter boots aren't ones that I would go play in the snow in - they are more on the fashionable side.  And, I think they look kind of Norwegian (I love my Norwegian heritage!).

I am glad I decided to go with these!

Valentine's Day 2015

This last weekend I was able to go home, and it just happened to be Valentine's Day.  I hadn't been home yet this semester.  My mom and sister, and one of my sister's friends, did come down to visit me.  We went to the Winter Jam Concert in Des Moines, mostly just to hear Francesca Battistelli, stayed the night in a hotel, and did some shopping the next day.  It was great!

The last couple weeks I have been feeling a bit down.  I couldn't wait to go home this weekend.  

It was so refreshing to be at home this weekend.  My mom picked me up as so as I was done with classes on Friday, which was noon.  We picked up some sandwiches from the deli at The Cafe to eat on our way home.  The Cafe is my mom's and my favorite place to eat in Ames... so yummy.  That evening I made Curried Chicken and Coconut Rice for supper (yummy!), I have been needing some food with a little spice to it, and made granola to bring back with me!

Valentine's Day was spent hanging out at home, relaxing, and doing lots of baking... I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast... we exchanged valentine's... and then a friend of mine came over for supper. 

I made tomato soup and grilled sandwiches for lunch.  For my sister and her friend, I made the sandwiches heart shaped.  For me and my parents, I used sour dough bread that we got at The Cafe.  I made the life in grace tomato soup recipe.  Actually this was my first time making tomato soup.  I haven't ever had real, homemade tomato soup.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  But, this soup was so good - of course, with a grilled sandwich!  I used gorgonzola cheese in the soup because that is what we had.

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My mom had just picked up these pink roses before she got me.  THEY ARE SO PRETTY and made the day even more better!

I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for an afternoon treat.  Cookies and milk have been my comfort food lately.  So good!  I was going to blog the recipe, but I ran out of time take take any good pictures.

On Friday evening, I got a text message from my friend Liz, from my home town.  She was wondering if I would be around this weekend.  She was going to be going off to Wyoming for a job that she just got (she is taking a year off from school) and will be there for 6 months.  This job just came up and she decided to take it!  Liz ended up coming over for supper.  I had been making a beef stew all day to have for supper and my favorite honey whole-wheat bread.  But, the stew wasn't done by supper time.  So, we ended up having left over curried chicken and coconut rice.  It all worked out.  For a little dessert, I made rice krispie bars.  My mom, Liz, and I sat around talking, hearing about Liz's new job (I am so excited for her!) and then we ended up playing Ticket to Ride.  This is one of my family's favorite new board games.

On Sunday, my whole family came to bring me back to college.  We left so that we would be able to go to Cornerstone, the church I go to here, in time for the second service.  We went out for lunch at The Grove.  It was our first time trying this place.  It was a traditional, small town,  family-run type of restaurant.  I hope to try all the local restaurants here in Ames before I graduate.  The Grove is known for their "World Famous Pancake," so that is what I got.  To tell you the truth, I don't think it was super spatacular.  After lunch we did a quick Target run before my family dropped me off.

It was so nice to be home this weekend.  And, I am so glad that Liz thought of asking me if I would be around and if we could get together before she left.