I wish I had a long list of things to tell you all that we've been up to. Things have been quiet around here, for the most part. Neo, The Toyota Matrix, is down for the count at the moment and we're ready to get him back tomorrow after about three weeks being sans car. To cope with this temporary loss we've been eating our feelings with:

Lattice Apple Pie from Annie's Eats

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Sing For Your Supper

and

Homemade Cheez-Its from A Bird and A Bean

Truth be told, we'd be eating all of this even if Neo was in good health. At least we've shared these treats with friends at dinner and a house guest.

No, not that kind.

Happy Valentine's Day from the DeJongs! We celebrated early on Sunday because Andy has evening class on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admittedly, we've never been big on Valentine's Day. In fact, last year was the first time we ever celebrated. The only thing we did this year was get each other a smallish gift and bake Red Velvet Whoopie Pies from Brown Eyed Baker together.

1. Croissants
2. Donuts
3. Royal icing on cookies
4. Bagels
5. Baguettes
6. Focaccia
7. Cannoli
8. Lattice topped pie
9. Ravioli - completed 1/10/2012
   
10. Pierogi
11. Pot stickers/dumplings
12. Fruit based scone - completed 1/22/2012
13. Ice Cream
14. Fried chicken
15. Whoopie Pies - completed 2/12/2012
    
16. Truffles or cookie balls
17. Eggs benedict
18. Pretzels - completed 2/5/2012
    
19. Chicken cordon bleu
20. Graham crackers
21. Homemade oreos
22. Cheddar crackers
23. Gnocchi - completed 1/7/2012
    
24. Tomato sauce 100% from scratch
25. Flour tortillas - completed 1/25/2012

Last Sunday I did something I hadn't done since before college. I didn't plan a single activity for the day prior to that day beginning. I woke up on Sunday and just did what I felt like. It. Was. Amazing.

In case you didn't know me well pre-college I was a very relaxed person. I didn't worry much about school and I was spontaneous. Maybe it was getting into Hillsdale and wanting to do well there to prepare for my career that made me change in the completely opposite direction. Still, you know you need to relax when everyone you know tells you to relax. Sunday was exactly what I needed.

So, being all spontaneous-like I decided to make soft pretzels. I figured I had everything on hand and that I enjoy cooking and baking so I might as well. They ended up being our lunch. I'm so glad I made extra and froze them because they are amazing. They weren't terribly difficult either so it could be a fun party dish.

Recipe from Annie's Eats