Instagram My Top 38

So... Facebook bought Instagram for 1 billion dollars.  Billion. 


I say that's a good buy, because Instagram is awesome.  Once the app for the elite iPhone users, now put out there for everyone.  I'm coming to terms with it. 


I will get all hipster on everyone and say that I used/liked/loved Instagram way before it was cool.  Thanks to my co-worker showing me it's beautiful editing features and fun social aspects, I was an instant Instagramer.  I'm a real OI (Original Instagramer). 


And so, here are 38 of my favorite Instagram pictures. Yes, 38 because a normal "top" number wasn't good enough. And considering I have 248 pictures on my Instagram, I narrowed it down quite a bit. 


Enjoy.
And follow me on Instagram if you want to see more of my pictures. 
P.S. They are in so specific order because Blogger chooses to be like that. 

All of these pictures are owned by Me.  If you choose to use them in any way, asking my permission would be preferred. If you don't feel the need to ask my permission, please at least cite the original source and include a link back to Second Friday.  

Pi Day!

Ahh today is March 14th. 3-14...  3/14...  3.14 ohhhhh. Pi Day!! Yeah, that's right. So in celebration of Pi Day, I decided to make a pie. I got my recipes from Cook's Illustrated & Cook's  Kitchen, both from America's Test Kitchen. So it's bound to be delicious.  I'll include the full recipes at the end of the post. 


So let's make the crust (I made the crust after I made the filling... I should have done it the other way around). 

Ingredients: Flour, sugar, salt, vegetable shortening, unsalted butter, and ice water. 

 First, using a food processor (Cook's Country's fool proof way) combine the flour, sugar and salt. 

 Both the butter and shortening should be chilled. I measured out the shortening and put it in the freezer. 

 Ohhh you like that angle, don't you?! You scatter the shortening over the flour mixture. Process this until it resembles coarse sand, about 10 seconds. 

 Then add the butter, which was cut into small cubes. Use short pulses to process this mixture until it resembles coarse crumbles.  It took about 13 pulses for me, Cook's Country says 10. 

 Have the water waiting in the fridge until this point. It has to be cold. Add 6 tablespoons and start to mix the dough until it comes together. If it isn't coming together, add another tablespoon. And so on until it comes together. 

 Mixin' the dough...

 Split the dough in half and wrap each dough tightly in plastic wrap. Put them in the fridge for about an hour. 

Take one disk out, put it on a good floured surface. 

Roll it out to at least 12 inches.  This is for a 9 inch pie... My pie pan is 9.5 inches. This bottom piece was slightly too small, but it all worked out. 

Roll the dough around the rolling pin and transfer to the pie pan.  See how it doesn't really hang evenly over the edge? That's lame. Put this rolled out half back in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. 

Now for the filling! Apples (6-7, although I should have used more), frozen cherries (story on that later), orange juice, corn starch, cinnamon, salt, water, an egg white, and sugar.

So. Cranberries are painfully out of season right now. I searched long and hard for them. At one store. I'm dedicated. I decided to substitute frozen cherries. So put two cups of those in a sauce pan.  Once again, should have used more, because those suckers cook down. 

Add the 1/2 cup of sugar.

1/4 cup of orange juice, 1/4 teaspoon of both cinnamon and salt.  

Bring this to a light boil.

Let 'er go for about 15 minutes. That's a light boil right?! Even on low this won't stop boiling. 

Cut, core, peel, and slice your apples in the mean time. I wish there was a quick way of doing this. 

After you've let this boil for about 15 minutes, it should be thick enough to where you can scrape the bottom of the pan and it leaves a trail. Now just set it aside and allow it to come to room temperature.


(While typing the recipe below I realized I didn't add the water to this. I was wondering why there was water sitting on the counter. Oh well. Mystery solved.) 

Back to the apples... After you have thinly sliced them, throw them in a bowl along with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cinnamon and salt, and 1 tablespoon of corn starch. Toss it all together.

Make sure the bowl is microwave safe. On high, microwave this for 3 minutes.  Stir the apples, and continue with 3 minute increments until apples start to turn translucent and the liquid is thick and glossy. Mine went for a total of 9 minutes.

Glorious!  Also set this aside to let it come to room temperature. 

Now, after the crust has chilled a second time, put the room temp cherries in the bottom.  They may have gotten VERY thick by now. Considering like 2 hours have passed if you're like me. I just put them on the stove for a second. Don't let them get too hot though. Spread this around the bottom.  

Uhhh then put the apples in. I was sidetracked by the fact that my fillings barely filled up the pan. Trim the edges (if any). Tuck the edges under, as shown in this blurry picture. I also didn't show the top crust being rolled out.  It turned out a lot better than the bottom.  

 Flute the edges using one finger and two fingers from the other hand. You  know what I mean... 

 Cut four venting slits.  Brush the egg white over the top, then sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar. 

This is where things get nerdy. And awesome. And Pi-y! You can do whatever you want for the top.  You could even do a lattice top. Or just the slits. Or a pretty flower design. Doesn't matter. 

Oh. Your oven should have been preheating to 425 degrees, with a baking sheet in there while preheating. When that's all set, place the pie on the preheated baking sheet.  Bake this for 20-25 minutes.  Lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees, and rotate the sheet. Continue baking for another 25-30 minutes, till the crust is a beautiful golden brown. 

When it's done, put it on a cooling rack and let it cool for 2 hours. 

And there you have it! A pie on Pi Day! 


Double-Crust Pie Dough from Cook's Country actually can be linked. 


Apple-CranberryCherry Pie - 


2 cups fresh or frozen cherries (or cranberries)
1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for top of pie
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/4 cup of water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 1/2 pounds sweet apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 egg white, beaten lightly


1. Bring cherries, juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Cook, stirring occasionally and pressing cherries against side of pot, until berries have completely broken down and juices have thickened to jamlike consistency (wooden spoon scraped across bottom should leave clear trail that doesn't fill in), 10 to 12 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in water, and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 


2. Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cornstarch in large microwave-safe bowl; add apples and toss to combine. Microwave on high power, stirring with rubber spatula every 3 minutes, until apples are just starting to turn translucent around edges and liquid is thick and glossy, 10 to 14 minutes.  Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 


3. While fillings cool, adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on oven rack, and heat oven to 425 degrees.  Remove one disk of dough (This is where the other recipe comes into play) from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured work surface to 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick.  Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhang.  Ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Leave dough that overhangs plate in place; refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 minutes. 


4. Transfer cooled cherry mixture to dough-lined pie plate and spread into even layer.  Place apple mixture on top of cherries, mounding slightly in center; push down any sharp apple edges. 


5. Roll second disk of dough on generously floured work surface to 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick.  Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll over pie, leaving at least 1-inch overhang on each side. 


6. Using kitchen shears (or a knife), cut evenly through both layers of overhanging dough, leaving 1/2-inch overhang.  Fold dough under itself so that edge of fold is flush with outer rim of pie plate. Flute edges using thumb and forefinger or press with tines of fork to seal. Brush top and edges of pie with egg white and sprinkle with remaining tablespoon sugar.  Using sharp paring knife, cut four 1 1/2-inch slits in top of dough in cross pattern.


7. Place pie on preheated baking sheet and bake until top is light golden brown, 20-25 minutes.  Reduce oven temp to 375 degrees, rotate baking sheet, and continue to bake until crust is deep golden brown, 25-30 minutes longer. Transfer pie to wire rack to cool at least 2 hours. Cut into wedges and serve. 


I just hand typed this whole thing. Please use it, someone.  

I'm falling apart.

This post is not for the faint of heart. This is your warning. If you don't like seeing really cool/disgusting burns and rashes/cuts, then don't read. 










But this was my train of thought yesterday... I saw the good through all my ailments. 

Yesterday morning, I swiped my hand on my curling iron.  It resulted in a semi serious burn. It's a lot darker today, but doesn't hurt. Thank goodness.  But in return of getting burnt, I had a really good hair day. It was full of volume and wonderful.  Beauty is pain. 

Last week, I cut my ankle shaving (yes, I'm like a 12 year old girl who just learned how)... Since I had a bandaid on it for apparently too much/long, I am having some weird reaction to the adhesive. Fantastic. It's been there since Sunday... Last night I put Neosporin on it and kept it open.  It blistered up. And got to the point where I could not walk on that foot without being in complete pain. I even cried a little. Today, it is better... Scabbing over. But yesterday, even though I had this painful rash/cut on my leg, I wore my adorable Gianni Bini flats. They make me feel so good. And sparkly. Please ignore my stupid shoe liner things showing. 

The whole left side of my body is just falling apart. 

*Update: My burn is a lot darker, and starting to slightly scab. NBD. My ankle on the other hand... Oh boy. It's a solid 10 times darker than in the picture above. And the dark color is spreading. I would say there's a slight chance I could die. Although my very caring mother is making me take some vitamin/superfood powder stuff that smells like chicken feed. Just thinking about it makes me cringe. Hopefully all the vitamins will help my body be like "Hey! Go away!" to all my boo-boo's. 

This is my prayer.

I swear. 


I'm as free as my hair. 

Except when my hair does this. Then I actually don't enjoy being as free as my hair. 


I know I reference this song a whole lot. It's because it's the ultimate stand-up-for-yourself-and-be-who-you-are song. That's what I'm all about. 


Oh you see that picture in the corner/background of my picture? That's a picture of me on my 21st birthday. Yep. I love looking at pictures of myself. I also enjoy making myself laugh. HA! 






I am my hair. 

My school story.

I have this fear of people being judgmental towards me and my life.  And I truly believe that it's pretty darn easy to judge when you don't have the whole story. Heck I do all the time. It's something I really need to work on - being less judgmental and jumping to conclusions about people, especially when I really don't know the person enough to judge. So I'm going to spill out my whole story about school and my life in the past four years. I don't care if not a lot of you read it, just as long as it's out there for people to see. THEN you can fairly judge. 


So I graduated in 2008 from high school (ohhh gross, it's been four years).  As a senior, I was planning what I was going to do after high school, like most kids do. ASU was an option, U of A was an option (yes I was/am a fan of the school), even community colleges were an option. Out of state colleges were only kind of an option... They were more like dreams  - like "Oh yeah! It would be so much to move to California or North Carolina and live with family and go to school!" Looking back now, that would have been a much worse idea than what I finally decided. Eventually I decided on Brigham Young University - Idaho. Yep, up in Rexburg, Idaho. The cutest, smallest college town ever. All the details worked out for me to go up there the fall after I graduated. My parents drove me up, moved me into a dorm, then left me there alone. I got to visit my sister who lives in Salt Lake City a couple of times, and came home for Christmas break, but overall spent an entire school year away from my family and natural habitat (AZ).  Now as I say "school year", I'm like really that wasn't that long. But at the time... IT WAS FOREVER. 


I did okay in school the first semester being there. The second? Not so great. Not even a little bit. I had like a 1.7 GPA at the end. Not joking. Being completely honest with you all. I don't know what it was. I LOVED my roommates. They are all still my best of friends to this day. I still talk to all 5 that I had over the two semesters. (Roomies for life!) We were tight. I also met a few other people up there that really impacted my life (Kev, Brett, Jacob, Braden).  If I listed you, just know that I still value the friendship we share/d.  I think what it boiled down to is that I was having too much fun. I did not put enough focus on my studies. Blah blah blah. It was definitely a life and learning experience. Without a doubt. 


I look back on that year and wonder "who was I?" I have no idea, guys. All I know is that I am not the same person now. But in a good way. I just needed to grow up a little lot.  And you know what else I learned? I can't live without my family. No matter how much they drive me insane, and no matter how many times I think "I want to move out", I still want to be around them all the time. 


Plus one of the biggest blessings that came out of that year being a total bust is that not more than four weeks after being home, Sky and I started dating. It was a whirlwind romance. Kind of. It is a love based on many years of friendship. True love, really. Anyways... This change was probably the one thing that changed me the most - for the good. I won't drag this out with those details, but I couldn't be happier with where I am with Sky & in my life in general. 


So that takes care of ONE year out of high school. I am now almost four years out. So the past three school years (school years is how I base my life. Not regular years... school years) I have been at MCC. I hate it, btw. I've obviously had some great classes/teachers, but the way they run that school... blegh. I've switched my major about 1,000,000,000,000 times. Just kidding... more like 6 times. I think. Possibly more. 


So here we are to now. In May I'll finally be getting my Associate's degree.  That year at BYU-I didn't count academically for me at all. So I would say three years is pretty good for an Associates. If you're friends with me on FB, you probably saw the picture I posted of my "Congrats" from ASU saying they accepted me. So yay! That's the final step. Two years there and I will have my Bachelor's degree in Speech & Hearing Science. Then I will feel truly accomplished and I will be able to let out a humongous sigh. 


So maybe I didn't do it as quickly as most. But you know what? There's nothing wrong with me being really proud of myself and how hard I have worked. It's not my family or very very very close friends  (Alixx) that I worry about judging me. I know they are all incredibly proud and supportive. It's all the people that don't truly know me... You may be in my life, but do you really know me? Probably not. I know I shouldn't care at all. School has always been, and always will be a struggle for me. I'm not a naturally awesome student. I work very hard. And I deserve everything I work for. K, thanks. 

Valentine's Day.

I actually like Valentine's Day. I enjoy having an excuse to make my BF some goodies and a homemade card. But do you see me talking about this ALL OVER Facebook? No.  


I'm sorry, but people on Facebook make me so angry on Valentine's Day (actually all holidays, but that's a different issue). You people literally make me a cynic of love. It's all you mushy-gushy braggers that make me look at my computer and just wonder "why." That's all though. Why. 


Here are some things I read on Valentine's Day, and what I assume you all do - try to one-up everyone else: 

• A giant teddy bear was waiting for me this morning!  Mine got me a freaking lion. Suck on that.

• Oh just a dozen red roses were waiting for me when I woke up! Best significant other ever!   Yeah, well 3 months ago, my significant other found a field, bought said field, planted the entire thing with red rose bushes, and this morning he woke me up early to drive me to the field. This beats your dozen.

• Just got a call from the significant other!! Couple's massage and wine by the fire! I don't even have anything to fake trump this. It just makes me put my this-is-dull-face on and be disgusted. I don't want to know that.

Then there are those that really are cynics and hate love. You annoy me as well. 

• Ugh. Alone again! Singles Awareness Day! I just have never been one of those people. Even when I was single. As my good friend Alixx says "I'm single, but I'm not celebrating Single's Awareness Day. I celebrate V-day. I'M LOVED!" So my peeps, get a better attitude about it like Alixx. She's awesome.  

I could just go on and on about this. I don't hate V-day because stores monopolize on sales of V-day crap, I don't hate it because I'm alone (which I am obviously not, and haven't been the past 3 years). I hate it because you all ruin it for me.  And it is NOT because I'm jealous (which I'm sure is your main goal). Words couldn't even describe how excited I was yesterday to just go home after a 12 hour work/school day (including an insanely tough Anatomy lab practical) and just hang out with my BF. But why do I have to tell you all that on Facebook? I don't. I'm going to keep my day of love to myself. Because that's the point of it. 


I don't care if you're loved. I don't care if you love love. I don't care what you get/give. I DON'T CARE. It's days like these I seriously consider deleting my FB account. Rant over.