But one of my favorite parts was when Ryan and I went apartment hunting together Sunday afternoon/evening. We've had our eye on a couple places around Salt Lake City, and wanted to do a drive-by, if you will, to see the surrounding neighborhoods and feel the vibe.
(I almost threw up in my mouth typing that.) Feeling the vibe? Mondays are so weird.
Anyway, back to the hunting: I'm pretty sure a requirement for the newer apartments must be to use every dang color in the crazy blinding-color-spectrum on the outside of the buildings. There are some pretty bright yellows, oranges, and greens all over the place - lined up like a freaking rainbow. It's insane.
Also, the newer apartments don't even seem like apartments at all - they're more like some place you'd stay during a vacation.
In fact, I think some of them labeled themselves as such: apartment resorts.
Why? There's a spa, large pool area, giant park for the kids, tanning beds, basketball courts, nail salons, yoga places, a full gym, and even a private cinema area you can rent for your family. What ever happened to a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, covered parking, and call it good?
Either way, we still have a couple more months before deciding. It's still fun to look around, though, and get excited about a brand new chapter in our lives.
- - -
These. cookies.
Although I'm all for the traditional smash-the-peanut-butter-cookie-with-a-fork deal, I wanted to do something unique. I grabbed my set of Wilton Daisy Cut Outs, and used the back of the smallest one to press the shapes into the peanut butter cookie dough. It kind of gave them a little springtime vibe.
There we go with the vibes again.
Oh and for the record, making marshmallow from scratch tastes a thousand time better than that crazy marshmallow fluff stuff you see on the shelf at the supermarket.
It does take a little more effort that twisting off the lid, but hey, you get to learn how to make marshmallow. You can take that skill right to the bank.
or the gym.
or whatevva.
It tastes amazing.
makes about 12 sandwiches or 24 small cookies
Ingredients:
cookies:
1 C natural peanut butter, creamy
1 C sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 t vanilla extract
marshmallow frosting:
5 large egg whites
1 1/2 C sugar
Method:
1. heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease baking sheet. - or cover it with parchment paper, you hippies.
2. To make peanut butter cookie: Mix all ingredients in a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment - on low until fully combined. Roll dough into small balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoon). Flat cookies with the back of a flower cookie/fondant cutter or a fork. Bake cookies about 10 minutes until golden around the edges. Rest cookies on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooking rack.
3. To make marshmallow frosting: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine egg whites and sugar - just barely. Remove metal bowl from mixer, and place over (not on - just like bain marie style) simmer water. Heat mixture to 160 degrees - whisking constantly. Transfer bowl back to stand mixer, fitted with whisk attachment still, and beat on medium speed until mixture cools, doubles in volume, and forms stiff peaks, about 10 minutes. Add powdered sugar if you want to add more substance/sweetness, but it shouldn't be needed.
4. To assemble cookie sandwiches: Pair up cookies according to size and shape (to make a more matching cookie). Fill piping bag with frosting and pipe filling onto one of the cookies from the pair - place other paired cookie on top to form a sandwich. Store in airtight container.
recipe source: Bakers Royale
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