how did I get here?

One year ago today I went to church. Well, not one calendar year ago... but one church year ago. I think of this day as the last official act of my Godfather because on Ash Wednesday 2011, he passed away. And, on Ash Wednesday 2011, I went to church for the first time in quite a long time.

I am feeling somewhat fortunate that not many people probably remember me slipping in and out that day because I was probably the strange new girl who looked like she was on the verge of tears. Not a great first impression to make.

But, I went again the next Wednesday for Lenten services... and the next. And soon, people started to notice and talk to me. In June 2011, I transferred membership from the church I grew up in, which I no longer live near, to this one. It had only been about 10 or 11 years since I've lived there. Perhaps I "lost my way" for a while, or didn't find what I was looking for. But, for a good amount of time, I went when I was visiting my parents, and that's about it. And, today, I'm probably a work in progress. Aren't we all?

When I joined, Pastor and I had a conversation and after getting me up to speed, he asked if there was any feedback I wanted to give. I think he was a bit surprised when I told him: "Honestly, the only reason I came here in the first place was because your website was up-to-date. This was the first I found (and one of few) that had their Lenten service times posted... and that's when I first came." I told him that I appreciated it because, maybe it's a generational thing, but I am not going to call and ask about service times. If I can't find it online, it doesn't exist.

So, when they needed someone to help with the website, I offered to help because it was something that was important to me. And, it gives me another way to help without singing in the choir. Trust me - that would be helpful to no one, or their ears. And, when they wanted to start a Facebook page, another woman and I offered to help, so now we manage that.

So, here I am, a church year later. Attending regularly and finding ways to participate that match my talents and meet their needs. And, having a few small-world moments with people I've met.... and a number of really small world moments with one family in particular to the point that it's almost weird now. (In a good way - I enjoy them. *wink*)

And, on March 9, we will be one calendar year later. Thanks, Lavaine, for being my Godfather and for your last official act. Well-played. And, I miss you.

things that make me go hmm... #6

I don't know about you, but I must have popcorn when I go to the movies. Over the years, though, I've come to realize that I don't need to have the jumbo, so when I was at the concession stand on New Year's Eve, I didn't. And the interaction with the cashier made me go hmm...

Me: I'll have a medium soda and a small popcorn. (this was pre-2012 goal of 1 soda/week max)

Cashier: It's actually cheaper if you get the medium soda/medium popcorn combo.

Me: Oh. Well, I don't want that much popcorn. Can I get it in a small bag instead of a medium?

Cashier: We have to use the medium bag.

Me: (I look at him oddly... I guess for inventory purposes, maybe he can't) Ok, well... I don't want to waste the popcorn. Can I get the medium bag and not have you fill it up all the way?

Cashier: So, you don't want a full bag? (looks at me oddly)

Me: No, I won't eat that much. So, if I can't do the small bag, I want a partial medium.

Cashier: OK, I guess we can do that. Do you want butter?

Me: Yes, please. 

Hmm...  so what I heard was that they can charge me less money for more product. Or, they can charge me more money for less product. I found this perplexing.

So, when I went to a movie on Friday night this weekend, I had a similar, but somewhat different (shorter) with the cashier. 

Me: I'll have a small popcorn and a small soda. (this is the first soda I've had since new years. more to come on that.)

Cashier: You can actually get the medium popcorn/medium soda combo for the same price.

Me: (thinks... oh geez, here we go, again) I know. I don't want that much. Thank you, though.

Cashier: OK. (looks at me oddly and smiles)

I get that the cashiers are supposed to up-sell... but is it really an up-sell if they aren't getting more money? I guess the theaters aren't really supportive of the fight against over-eating, huh?

Hmm... your thoughts?

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For more things that make me go hmm... check out: #5 (I didn't believe in Santa?), #4 (Nook vs. Nuk), #3 (people seriously get upset about that?), #2 (what did I look like before?), #1 (thanks for making me feel old).

microwave cake

A while back, I was looking through a church cookbook and, wouldn't you know, they have a "microwave" section in it. Ah, modern appliances. What I didn't expect is that I would find a cake recipe in there.

Fast forward a few months. I'm having a craving for something sweet and there's pretty much nothing in the house. It's cold, and I don't want to go outside. And I remember: microwave cake! I wonder if that's real...

So, I pulled out the trusty church cookbook, and gave it a whirl because it was all normal stuff I have on hand in my baking box.

I find the recipe and it turns out it's actually called "Mug Cake." It says:

In a large mug, mix well:
4 Tbsp. flour
4 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa

In a separate bowl, mix:
1 egg
3 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. oil (I used canola)
chocolate chips (optional)

Add egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring constantly, making sure everything is incorporated. (I used a palm of chocolate chips. Also, I did not stir constantly while adding the egg mixture... I dumped it in and stirred until it was well combined.)

So, I did that. It looked like this:

It then says to microwave on high for 3 minutes, then let cool. I don't know how to turn my microwave on high, so assume that normal is high. I set my microwave for 3 minutes and hit start.

I am skeptical that in 3 minutes, that bowl of goo is going to turn into magical cake that will get rid of my sweet tooth craving.

And, you know what? Microwave cake is real. It looks like this:

I didn't cool it, though, as the instructions said because, well, I lack the fine skill called patience.

The result? It did satisfy my sweet tooth. That being said, it's not the best cake in the world... but definitely worth the 5 minutes of my life it took to make a cake from scratch and it was certainly edible. It's pretty dense, but was moist, and if I would have had some vanilla ice cream, it may have even moved into really yummy. And, it's for sure dangerous that I now know a way to go from no cake to cake in 5 minutes flat.

Have you tried this before? Ideas for other microwave desserts?