6 Currently Digging

Having My Parents Back in Town!

My Dad's new job involves a bi-annual 6-10 week banquet tour. My mom gets to go with him, which is great! But that means my brothers and I don't get to see them for weeks at a time (when we usually see them at least once every week). I missed them a lot on their first tour, so I'm super excited to have them back!

The Library

I'm still reading like crazy and I've been getting more and more books every time I visit the library. Right now I have every John Green book on hold because I'm really enjoying The Fault in Our Stars so far, and since I've heard good things about the rest of them, I figured I'd try them all. 

Pumpkin Hazelnut Bread

It took me a couple batches to get the mix for Monday's recipe post right, so we've sort of been swimming in pumpkin bread over here. I'm not complaining (and neither is Josh)! It's been quite the indulgence, and we'll probably be better off without eating so much of it, but it was certainly fun while it lasted.

@fatmumslim's Photo-a-Day Challenges

Chantelle over at Fat Mum Slim hosts monthly photo-a-day challenges under the tag #fmsphotoaday. I decided to jump back in for May. I've enjoyed playing along this month! If you're interested, I'm sharing my pics on instagram @krftaylor and twitter @keenertaylor!

Ryan Gosling Won't Eat His Cereal

So apparently this guy Ryan McHenry was watching a Ryan Gosling movie while eating cereal one day, when he was struck with this hilarious idea. More clips here. I don't know why this cracks me up so much but it does. Oh, it does. *note: if you turn on the sound, one of the clips curses. However, you don't need to hear the sound to appreciate the humor of the clips. 

What are you currently digging?

9 My favorite tweets from the last week. (5/10-5/16)

@mkwiles If everyone liked it it wouldn't be worth making.
— Mr. Matt Enlow (@mrmattenlow) May 10, 2013

Yes. @blimeycow made our yearbook. �������� #GreensboroHomeEducators #TrendsPage twitter.com/TheDoctorSus/s…
— Susannah Wares (@TheDoctorSus) May 10, 2013

I don't know what a ranch-style house is but it sounds delicious.
— sammy rhodes (@prodigalsam) May 10, 2013

Girl are you an owl city song cuz you're kinda weird but I like you.
— Owl City (@owlcity) May 11, 2013

I don't really know anything, I'm just cute and fun to watch. - Shawn Hunter
— Girl Meets World (@Girl_MeetsWorld) May 13, 2013

Sometimes I read online customer reviews of laptops like @bigheadkid1. "I could NOT even control my SCREEN because Windows 8 is STUPID!"
— Alexa Jenkins (@AlexaJenkins13) May 13, 2013

You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood. Hobbes : What mood is that? Calvin : Last-minute panic.
— Daily C&H Quote (@CalvinandHobb3s) May 14, 2013

The front of most 18 wheelers look like Darth Vader's mask. Coincidence?
— Phoebe C Deffenbaugh (@PhoebeCryarD) May 14, 2013

OK. I'm giving in and watching Doctor Who. Kelli likes it so it cant be that bad, can it?
— Big Head Kid (@BigHeadKid1) May 15, 2013

@mkwiles Sometimes a run-on sentence conveys more emotion also ALL CAPS
— Ashley Clements (@TheAshleyClem) May 15, 2013

The first tweet from M K Wiles about reading comments is totally me (when it comes to YouTube videos - our own and others'). I wonder why I even bother reading because they just get me frustrated. So the response by Mr. Enlow is a good thing for me to keep in mind, I think. I also love the Calvin and Hobbes quote! My creative spurts are definitely like that.

Are you on twitter? Follow me @keenertaylor!

Which tweet is YOUR favorite?

5 Mid-May Progress Report

Continue preparing for BCAN (Blimey Cow Audio Network)
This is going quite well!
Including, but not limited to:
*figure out the physical studio situation
*buy/learn to use audio equipment
*record Thank-Yous
*send off the rest of the kickstarter rewards
*schedule/keep skype dates

Make a Summer Bucket List
I've got a rough draft written out - just need to trim it up and create a fun graphic to share!

Juice Cleanse
We've been way too busy to do this. I'll need to be able to stay home and rest.. I know from experience that I won't have the energy to be out and about the first and second days of a juice cleanse.

3 Blog Posts/Week (at least)
Chugging right along. Having a couple weekly recurring features helps a lot.

Read 2 Books
I've actually read 4 already, and I'm halfway through my fifth! Definitely bumping that goal of 25 books this year up to 40!

Daily Journaling
Again, I'm not doing great at this.. I only think about it every few days. I guess that's still more consistent than I was before. However, I'd like to get back in the habit of taking a few minutes every day.

How are your goals coming along this month?

11 Tuesday 'Tubes-day: Sad Cat Diary

Okay, this is hilarious. My family has had cats since I can remember, and this is so accurate. Whoever narrated this was perfect!

Sad Cat Diary by zefrank1 on YouTube

9 Pumpkin Hazelnut Loaf

I know it's not even close to pumpkin season right now, but I had a can of pumpkin puree in the pantry that's been taunting me all month! So I finally caved and made this sweet bread. It is so good. I took a (secretly) gluten-free version to our small group last night, and it got a great response! There was even a fervent request demand that I make it every week. (Keep dreaming, Ryan!)

This loaf is dense and moist, and sweet-but-not-too-sweet. The hazelnut topping is toasted slightly during the baking time, leaving you with a beautifully buttery, roasted-nut flavor.

Click here for the gluten-free recipe.

Pumpkin Hazelnut Loaf
Inspired by a recipe on the back of Pamela's Gluten Free Baking and Pancake Mix. 
This definitely-not-gluten-free version slightly adapted from examiner.com.
(click here for the gluten-free version)

FOR THE LOAF:
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 c pumpkin puree
1/4 c veg oil
1/4 c applesauce
2 large eggs
1/4 c water
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger)
optional add-ins: 1/2 c chocolate chips and/or chopped hazelnuts

FOR THE HAZELNUT TOPPING (optional):
2 Tbsp butter or butter substitute, melted
1/3 c packed light brown sugar
1/2 c chopped hazelnuts (or other sliced/chopped nut)

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda. 
3. In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin, oil, applesauce, eggs, water, and spices.
4. Add wet mixture to flour mixture and stir until just combined (do not over mix).
5. Pour batter into greased 8x4 loaf pan.
6. Mix hazelnut topping ingredients well and smooth evenly over loaf, to the edges. Gently pat into the top of the batter.
7. Bake 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out almost clean.
8. Let cool 15-20 minutes in the pan before removing. (note: while not impossible right out of the oven, slicing is much easier once it's cooled to room temperature)

Enjoy!

I'd love to know your thoughts if you make this!