52 weeks of baking: 7 - oatmeal cream pies

This weeks baked treat was picked by Mr. Hogan. I let him decide the treat of the week and he picked oatmeal cream pies! He LOVES those Little Debbie snack things. I can't say I remember what they taste like, but I'm not huge on packed super processed food. That nonsense really isn't allowed in my house. So of course, challenge accepted, lets make some from scratch that blow the fake stuff out of the water.

I used this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction, which was the first thing that popped up when I googled "oatmeal cream pies". The recipe was simple, had good ingredients, so I went for it. And it was pretty perfect. Way to go Sally.

Channeling my inner Twilight cover what?

This week I had a baking assistant!

John Cena! But really, it was this kid:

These are probably some of the best cookies I've ever made. The cookie part is way good enough to stand on its own. It's a pretty perfect oatmeal cookie, so soft and thick and awesome. The icing is really just... icing on the cookie? Ha! The icing is actually great, creamy and fluffy, and delicious between two cookies. The sandwiches are monstrous and rich and I had one for breakfast this morning.

Brendon and I made these on Valentine's Day after our little feast at home. What did you do for V-day? Anything exciting? I worked for almost 12 hours and Brendon had school all day so we decided to spend a low-key evening at home. We stopped by Central Market and got some ridiculously yummy tuna steaks, portobello mushrooms, and our new favorite German beer (can we just go to Bavaria already?) and cooked us a fancy feast at home. And then made these cookies! Pretty good Valentine's Day if you ask me.

Last night we got fancy and went to Ballet Austin to see the Rite of Spring. It was great! Except that it started at 8 and that's when I'm usually getting in to bed. I was so tired! Matinee performances are probably a better bet for this girl. But regardless we had a blast and I was transported back to my wee stint as a ballerina.

It's been a long long long week that I am ready to see the end of. Coming back to reality after a vacation is always rough, but I came back a little sick (it always works like that doesn't it?) and the antibiotics I'm taking made me feel horrendous for the first few days. You win some you lose some I guess.

And to wrap up the week and this loooong post, because I'm rambling at this point, here is an unflattering picture of me, doing what I do best:

That is why I bake; snacking on cookie dough, cake batter, and icing off of spoons, bowls, and beaters. Also, hello ugly Walmart sweatshirt, I never should have bought you.

Insta-week

One of my fav bloggers and fellow Austinite, Jenni, has started a Sunday tradition of sharing your week in instagram pics. And I dig it. So even though my week was a little uneventful (aside from v-day), here are a few moments from it. Actually this is mostly pictures of me and my grey feline buddy. Cat lady problems.

Arts and crafts time with my girl Sophie.

 Valentine's love.

 Roses from the hubby. There were also chocolate covered strawberries, but you know I inhaled them.

 

The best way to start your morning is with a cat sleeping on your head.

 

I repotted a couple of our plants and we planted some Forget-me-not seeds.

 

More arts and crafts!

Sleepy Greggo on my very messy desk. And a photo-strip of us in like... 2008?

Sundays off with your hubby are bueno. Even if he does have to spend most of it studying.

Today Brendon took me to see the Vow, because I whined about wanting to see it forever. It was cute, but if you've seen the preview for it, then you've seen the movie. That's basically it. It's set in Chicago, and it made me want to go back and visit badly. Chicago is such a cool city! And homegirl is an artist, so I can relate. Not really, seeing as how that hasn't panned out so well for me (yet). I'd kill for her studio space though.

Hope you guys had a good week. It was a little bit of a rough one here for the Hogans, but we survived as always. Brendon had four tests and is gearing up for three more. So I just worked a lot and missed my man. One more week of pharmacy school down, one gazillion to go! Really though, this semester is flying by and I am so down with that. Before we know it, it will be summer vacation! And 200 degrees outside again.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy love day to all you lovers (and haters) out there! I love Valentine's Day! Mr. H is spending the majority of the day at school, but will be home later this evening so we'll have a little low key celebration at home before he has to get back to studying.

So far today has been really wonderful. Because Valentine's Day is about celebrating all the people you love, this morning I drove down to NB with some flowers to surprise my momma at work. And I think I was pretty successful! I love surprising people, surprises are the best! I took her out to lunch and we had some yummy Mexican food! It was super relaxing and fun and exactly what I needed after a rough week/weekend. Hanging out with my mom is the bomb. We went to the Adobe which was my favorite tex-mex restaurant back in the day. It is still pretty damn good. I needed a siesta afterwards, I was so full.

Once my mom went back to work I headed a little farther south and surprised my dad at work! He gave me a little tour of their new warehouse/offices and I've got to say, they're pretty dang fancy. It is the biggest Sysco in the entire world. Literally. It was neat to see it all put together. We went to the ground breaking ceremony in 2010 and this past spring we meandered around while it was being built. It opened this December and they're finishing up combining the San Antonio and Austin offices this week. I'm happy for Sysco! Plus now the trucks I see in Austin will have come from my dad's work!

Ground breaking. My dad's the goon in plaid. Can't you tell we're related?

All finished!

I was pretty impressed. And all the fork lifts they use in the warehouse run on hydrogen. They have like a little hydrogen pump where they all fill up. How cool is that?

Back on topic, today is the day of love! So let's talk about my sweet man. This is the point where you navigate away from the page if you are not a fan of mushy-love stuff. Jk, it won't be that bad.

He left this sweet card on my computer for me to find when I woke up (I like how he knows where I go immediately in the morning).

If you've ever used construction paper you'll recognize those little stencils. He might not be much of an artist, but I love his cards. They are hilarious as well as adorably wonky. And of course sweet as hell. AND as always, our cats are involved in everything.

I love this man a lot. He is the weirdest person I know, and also the best. He treats me like a princess and 99% of the time I don't deserve it. Even if I feel like crap, am in a bitchy mood, and refuse to decide what to eat (erryday y'all), he is always patient with me and endlessly kind. I can't imagine being married to me, but I'm sure it's frustrating constantly at times. I am beyond thankful for Brendon and so glad he wandered into my little world. Life without him by my side would be lame. Not only would I be even more of a hot mess, it would be hella boring. Being married to him is a blast. Everyday is an adventure and we are laughing all the way, mostly at fart jokes (kidding...or am I?). So thanks Mr. H, for yet another Valentine's Day together, our first as husband and wife. Can't wait until you're done with your test tonight. And although I am very grateful for it being in our lives, pharmacy school is not on my love list.

Early Valentine's Day

A few weeks back, Brendon insisted that I ask for the 7th off from work, without telling me why. Obviously I knew something was up, but I went with it. So when yesterday finally rolled around, I was ready to find out what was going on. He told me that I should probably fix my hair (the first time I've actually styled my hair since November...SAD). And that's about it. When he got home from school he decided that there was nothing he wanted to eat at home and that we should probably just go out for dinner. And then he gets dressed up all cute and fancy and says I should do the same. He discusses our dinner options of McDonald's or Burger King and we head out. I knew we were going somewhere special, just not where. And I hate not knowing what's going on. We ended up downtown and roll up to the Melting Pot! I love me some fondue. I didn't even know there was one in Austin! We have been going there for anniversaries and Valentine's days for years, it's kind of a little tradition. And it is so good.

So the sneaky husband surprised me with a night of some yummy fondue. And we feasted. We ate entirely too much food. I thought they were going to have to roll me out afterwards. But it was delish. The cheese is my favorite for sure.

Going to town on some cheese. And keeping it classy with a bud light.

Dang look at that cutie! And downtown Austin is so pretty, I'll never get used to living in the city.

We did our V-day celebration early this year because on the actual day Brendon has school all day and a test that evening, and I will be at work all night so we wont see each other. I think Brendon's secretly relieved, he's not a big fan of Valentine's day. He's one of those "it's a made up, greeting card holiday" people. But I love it! Any excuse to celebrate love is fine by me. Plus pink and red hearts are so cute! But beating out the crowds and avoiding the stress of making reservations on Valentine's Day sure is nice.