Chocolate Berry Protein Shake {Vegan}

Death. 

It's a factor in life.

 You know it will happen to everyone and everything eventually, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you are prepared for it. We've been at the ranch for almost nine years now and in that time I have been able to see the miracle of life many times, but also come to know the heartbreak of death. Earlier Saturday afternoon, my mom and I went to the vet to put Hedgie to sleep. A few months after I got Hedgie, he got cataracts which took his sight and I noticed that he seemed to be having what appeared to be seizures. The last 2 weeks though, I knew something was wrong because he stopped eating, was shaking, and seemed really lethargic. The vet looked him over and said by the state his teeth he was much older than we were aware of. Since the vet and most of the other staff had never seen or treated a hedgehog, he became quite popular even in his sickly state.

He's 4lbs heavier than her yet he likes using her as a pillow.

Gus Gus also has a vet appointment since he hasn't seen a vet in his little life and he also has a little wheezing problem that I first noticed a few months ago. It almost sounds like asthma except he doesn't wheeze all of the time and acts like a normal spoiled kitten, but just to be safe him and Charlie will be going to visit to vet tomorrow afternoon. I doubt they will appreciate it, though.

My mom's birthday is tomorrow so she is treating herself to a 2 hour massage. She isn't the biggest dessert fan besides cookies and sometimes apple pie so she just asked for some cream cheese filled strawberries that I'll dip in chocolate. I'll probably post a pic on instagram.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake

I have been wanting to publish some new recipes, but the weather here has been anything, but pretty. The days have been switching between 70 to the 40's, raining off and on, and the last few days have been extremely foggy which is not a good thing when needing natural light for photos. My mom actually bought me a inexpensive indoor lighting set, but I need to put stronger bulbs in and I haven't really put the time into experimenting with it lately. 

The fog makes everything look a little creepy.

  Last week my spring class started, but it wasn't until Thursday that I could actually do some work since the online site was having problems and both students and teachers were locked out for several hours. I've been spending most of my time printing and going over specific instructions for each class, compiling all of my due dates into my Iphone calender, and working on a few simple first assignments. Work has been going much better thankfully and I can also start taking my laptop to work on school during my lunch break or it I finish work projects early. Since the new system is up and running, I have been organizing and scanning customer information for my mom along with helping some other coworkers organize their paperwork and help with projects.

I used my Canon 430EX II Speedlite. 

It's Snowing Again + Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

I passed my Wintermester class with a B!

 I decided to work most of the days this week before my Spring classes start next Tuesday. I got a message from my mom saying that if I decided to bake something and bring it to work that her coworkers would happily dispose of them. 

hint taken.

 The only rule was whatever I made could not contain nuts of any kind since a few people were allergic. Plus the dessert had to travel well and didn't need refrigeration since the fridge at work is always packed full.

Blackened Chicken & Lime Quinoa

  My life has been pretty much focused around studying and exams for the past few days weeks which is why I haven't posted anything in 9 days a while. I have been making good grades on my exams and projects so my mom took me shopping to Cavender's where I got 2 new pairs of boots and 2 belts which brings my total of cowboy boots I own to 5 pairs. I still have to take my final exam, complete my final project, and send in my extra credit all before the 10th before I'm officially finished with this class.
  I originally though I would have about a 2 week break between finishing my wintermester and starting my spring classes, but  just noticed that it is actually only have 8 days. In those 8 days, I am planning on spending one day with my grandma since I've been putting off due to classes, trying to finish some of my crochet and knitting projects that have been almost forgotten, and to make & photograph a few recipes to have saved up for later.

This dish that proves healthy food can be delicious and fast to prepare!! 

This is my new favorite dish. 

Original Post I wrote a few months back: