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Ten things I’ve learned this semester:

13 Mar
[I hope you’re not expecting academic or theological revelations.  You probably should read a different blog if that’s something you crave …]

1.  Margarita salt is essential on rim of said drink’s glass.  [I’ve thought otherwise until recently.  But this also isn’t to say that I drink these daily.  Or weekly.  Simply occasionally.]

2.  Reading for class really is optional, even if the professor says otherwise.  [Ask nearly any of my senior classmates about the amount of reading they do.  Seriously.]
3.  One box cake mix will yield 35-38 cakepops with the large Pampered Chef cookie scoop.  Recent experiments look promising with use of small Pampered Chef cookie scoop.  Yield average pending.
4.  Happy hours on Thursday evenings highlight one’s week.
5.  I’d rather clean than do schoolwork.
6.  Dogs are expensive.  [Learned in research of labradoodle and goldendoodle puppies.  I want one when I get my first call.]
7.  Professors are people too.  [I’ve gotten to know many professors this year beyond the typical student/professor interaction.  It’s been enjoyable.]
8.  An occasional Saturday night of quilting and watching Lord of the Rings is not at all overrated but rather necessary and lovely.
9.  An iPhone is a regular treat, especially using the Carcassonne app to play the really nerdy game with my friend, James, while he’s on internship in SD.
10.  Watering an indoor plant using an ice cube will prevent that sudden rush of water from the bottom of the pot, as the ice cube will melt and gradually soak in, a trick I use with this guy to the left.  [I haven’t killed it off [yet], Karen!]  

cakepop competition.

10 Mar

Have you heard?
Cakepops are now being sold at Starbucks.
The novelty of cakepops will be lost.
But I’ll keep making them because mine will taste better.  Right?
Here’s your job.  Both tomorrow and Saturday, from 2pm – 5pm, Starbucks is giving away free cakepops with the purchase of a drink.  I think you should go.  (If you can.  Sorry, Dawson folks, to tease.  I know your closest isn’t too close!)  THEN, please comment with your reactions, whether you’ve had one of mine or not.

My first reaction from a friend was that the coating is too thick, they’re a bit dry, and too sweet.  Second reaction: “I just ate one.  Yours are way better.”  Okay, okay.  I’m feeling a bit better about this … I went after class to snatch one and taste the competition, and … yeah.  I think mine are better.  [Naturally.]  But I’m still curious to hear what you say!  
Since we’re talking cakepops, want to see another Cooking Pastor cakepop video?  [If you don’t, simply don’t click play.]  I planned and taught a group lesson in my mission practices class this afternoon.  Since the class is taught by the same professor who asked me to make the original holiday Cooking Pastor, we thought this would be a good way to kick off our presentation.  [But please know that we realize the metaphor doesn’t work.  It’s a joke, people.  And, this may be another video where if you’re not in seminary, it might not be funny.  Play at your own risk for boredom’s sake.]

fashion modeling.

8 Mar
There are days when I feel completely overwhelmed with ideas and stories to tell you, with pictures to paint with words.  
Today is one of these days.  
In such a good way.
But I try and pace myself.  As much as I feel overwhelmed with words, I don’t want to overwhelm you.  We’ll start slowly.  Here.
I want to tell you how I suddenly feel such a great part of this community at seminary.  I’ve honestly never really felt like I’ve belonged here … I’ve treaded water trying to find my place.  People use a lot of big words I don’t understand.  Sometimes, I don’t get the religious jokes and I feel too … not church nerdy? … to belong.  Most of the time, I seem to worry more about how other people are perceiving me than simply being myself.
I’ve reached a place where I feel like I belong.  I feel wonderful being a part of this community and I feel like I’m a part of this community while being myself and not someone else.  [Just as I’m about to graduate and leave, she yells and stomps her foot.]
Tonight was the Luther Seminary Variety Show.  [As a professor noted in an email to a friend, you’ll notice it’s called a ‘variety show.’  Not ‘talent show.’]  Always held on Fat Tuesday and preceded by a community meal and silent auction, it’s one night when students and professors alike turn out to laugh and celebrate our community.  I love seeing the professors and seminary staff members present with their spouses and kids.
Of the three variety shows I have been present for in my years here, this was the first one in which I was involved.  
As a fashion model.  
Come again, you say.
My pal, Cassie, is the talent behind this fashion show, writing the script that pushes and teases at seminary student types, and gathering the models and needed costumes.  My role?  I played the ‘fFU.’  The fresh from undergrad seminary student.  This typical student is one who wears the sweatshirt of their college and flipflops, carrying a backpack and acting a bit aloof.  [Video of this event does exist and I will share once the link is posted so you can watch me in my runway debut.]
The variety show pokes polite fun at students, professors, and the systems we go through.  Norwegian sweaters also had their fair share of mention tonight.  There are many-a-professor here at Luther who wear a Norwegian sweater daily.  It’s. awesome.  Equally – or even more – awesome?  My pal, Kevin [whose real name is Joel], wrote and rapped a song about the sweater tonight.  He continues to amaze me.
There is some awesome talent at seminary, beyond the preaching and teaching confirmation.  Erm, I mean variety.  There is some awesome variety at seminary.  And I’m glad to be a part of it all.
An aside story: I donated two dozen cakepops to the silent auction.  The rule was that I bring a display of cakepops and then take a special order from the winning party.  Since the cakepops were near the “Wine tasting for 12 with Karoline Lewis” auction item – which my friends and I bid on, watched like hawks, and then won – I was able to watch the bidding.  I watched Professor Schifferdecker’s kids eye up the cakepops, her youngest grabbing and wanting one.  Once the bidding was over [the winning cakepops to be made and delivered to Karoline for her boys who have tasted their goodness and wanted them badly – this might make cousin, Hannah, jealous], I took the display.  I passed Professor Schifferdecker on the way with her three kids and offered each of them one.  They were super excited, so much so that her eldest daughter threw her arms around me and said, “You’re the best!”  
Hugs from kids are great.  It was the best.

a cakepop comedy.

27 Feb
Like Adam and Eve in the garden, good things can turn towards evil ways.
Cakepops are causing problems.
I went home this weekend, recalling that I owed cousin, Marissa, and her family a dozen cakepops.  (Remember how cousin, Connor, begged for cakepops on facebook?  Cousin Marissa commented later and requested the same.  I aim to please.)
Sister Emma and I undertake the cakepop endeavor Friday night upon my arrival home.  (One funfetti and one yellow made with strawberry jam.)  Emma mistakenly wrote on facebook her activity for the evening.  Cousin Connor commented.  Cousin Connor asked to come join in the cakepop fun.  I agree that he can come over.  Remember – I aim to please.
I told cousin Connor that he must check with his siblings, Molly and Sam, to see if they wanted to come too.  Cousin Connor did so half-heartedly and halfway, not contacting Molly who was visiting a friend a few houses away.  Molly came home, realizing Connor was gone constructing cakepops, and was utterly cross.  She was angry at brother Connor.  
I sent cakepops home with Connor as a peace offering to the missing cousins, Sam and Molly.  I aim to please.  Their older brother, Brent – who bought a house across the street but still walks over for food when his girlfriend is working – happened to be there.  He enjoyed a cakepop.
Were I ever to open a cakepop business – which Connor thinks I should, sticking to the name ‘Holy Balls’ – older cousin, Brent, would have a quote on my business card.  His mom told me the next day that Brent said the following upon eating a cakepop –
I know I can’t – but if I could – I mean, I know we’re related – but I would marry Lindsay for these.

Mighty high praise for cakepops.  And hilarious, especially if you know Brent and his sense of humor.  
But people might interpret it in a not-so-funny way were it actually on a business card?  Maybe?

“Cakepops.  So good you’ll want to marry your cousin.”

cakepop madness.

12 Feb
I’ve talked about them before – cakepops.
Here they are again, in full force.
First, I sent conversation cakepop hearts to my mom and sister.  My sister wrote a thank you on my facebook wall, leading my dear cousin, Connor, to comment in this manner:
“Yeah, Lindsay, thanks for the cakepops, o wait.  I don’t think I got any.  I’m expecting them in a few days!  O by the way, chocolate on chocolate.  Thanks in advance.”

It doesn’t take much to make me feel bad and it takes little to force to me to make cakepops, so these were sent out early last week.  Cupcake bites.  For cute.  I sent them in an egg carton for shipping protection and added cute factors.  I told Connor he had to share with the rest of his family.  Share, he did, but not before eating seven of them himself.  That’s a lot of cakepop.  [Photos courtesy of my iPhone – an app with fun photo edits.]

More cakepop wonderfulness has ensued.  I’m on a team of seniors planning a dinner/party/worship for the evening of the 23rd – the night we receive our regional assignments.  I’m on the food committee with Kevin.  In addition to catering in Pizza Luce, we’ll be serving up cakepops.  

Today was the day the creating happened.  Well over two hundred cakepops – baked on Thursday, rolled on Friday, and dipped today.  Phew.  A crew of seven of us melted, dipped, sprinkled and wrapped.  I now have five galloon-sized ziploc bags of cakepops in my freezer, waiting for the night of the 23rd.  I don’t want to see another cakepop until then.

the cooking pastor.

7 Dec
Here it is, friends.  Get your frozen cake balls from the freezer and melt that coating chocolate.  Enjoy!
Fun fact: This was actually the first time I’ve worn a cleric – the pastor collar.  I’ve avoided it to this point but – of all reasons – I put one on for the artistic purposes of this video.  But don’t worry – I just borrowed the shirt.  I still don’t own one …

[ The background story?  I made turkey cake pops for Thanksgiving.  I happened to sit at a lunch table, they became the subject of conversation, one of my Children, Youth, and Family professors was present and saw the pictures that were shared.  An activity was needed for the CYF Christmas Tea this coming Friday.  I can’t be there in person so this video will be the substitute as it leads them in their own creation of winter cakepops. ]

fifth annual bake-off.

2 Dec
Oh my goodness.  I’m just realizing that I never wrote about the fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Bake-Off!  How could I forget?  No worries.  I’m here now with pictures and the whole story …
The fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Bake-Off was planned by my cousin, Connor, and I.  We hold all power in the bake-off as the ones born on December 8th.  We decided on the rules for this year’s bake-off and let the baking begin.  (Please find the official rules at the bottom of this post.)

The day approached.  Tensions grew high.  Who would win and earn the honor of wearing the apron?  


Eh.  We don’t really know.  We never really voted. 


But my grandma said I won.  And who’s to challenge Grandma Julie?



I think Connor was disqualified.  His version of a bird was clever – humor points given – but he did not follow rule number five.  His pie was grabbed from the freezer.  His mom had bought it.  I call his entry not valid.  


What will happen next year for the sixth annual bake-off no one knows.  But I can pretty much guarantee Connor will enter with the hopes of finding another clever way out of actually putting forth any culinary effort. 










The fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Bake-Off participants hitherto agree that they will —

1. Bring their entry to Thanksgiving (Location: TBD.)  Entries should be carried/packed in any type of container.  (Previous years prove that the ‘undisclosed’ container and paper bag rules are not followed – let the chaos ensue.)
2.  The entry, brought by the participating cousin, must be a dessert.
3.  The dessert must bear some resemblance to a bird.  (Bonus points if it’s a good-looking turkey.)  In other words, make it into a bird.
4.  The dessert-that-looks-like-a-bird may not actually include any poultry.
5.  Participant must bake/create said bird dessert by oneself.  
6.  Though the theme of this year’s bake-off is presentation-heavy, the taste of the dessert will still be judged.
7.  The winner, in both presentation and taste, will win the honor of having his/her name written on the very official bake-off apron. 
As always, participation, rules, and any day-of clarifications are governed and decided by those born on December 8.
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