Ollld Towwnn

My mother and I went to see Old Town yesterday. I didn't really buy much (mexican goods just aren't as good if they can't be haggled down), except for at Joann's and Barnes & Noble later, but it was good.



On the trolley. [:



There were some gorgeous views out my mom's side...



I often stared at a wall, so I got bored and took pictures of myself.







If it wasn't a wall, it was often this. Still pretty, though. [: Look at that blue, bluuueee sky!



:D My faaav stop. hehe. It had the nice B&N.



Welcome to Old Town!



An uber cool, uber twisted tree. :D



It was all decorated for Christmas. [:



Some of the foliage.



These are cool flowers. Bird of Paradise, right?



Day after Christmas, and there are still daisies in bloom. That, honestly, is the best part of California.



Today is one of my last days in California. We're going to the beach. That is one of the only things I really wanted to do on this trip. I want to see it, feel the sand, collect a few shells, and touch the water. I want to see the other coast! Feel different waters, you know? I'm sure through the water cycle I've probably drank it before, but... I wanna see it.

All that aside ( really, if I don't get to go today, I will go during spring break, it will be no big deal [: ), I just wanted to say I really am going to miss California. I feel like I'm wasting good weather, just by how blue the sky is and bright the sun, but I don't have much to do. I can sit on the balcony and read, yes (which, I'm going to do that after I shower :D), but not much to do yet. That's the issue. If I don't live in a place, I don't know what there is to do, exactly.

Oh well, oh well.

My movie is almost done (I'm watching The Terminal), so I'm going to get ready to wrap up on here. I'll make a better text post tonight (probably. I have to pack and sleep tonight).

A Valkyrie Christmas

My family and I went to see Valkyrie on Christmas Day.
So, this is my Christmas post, in other words.

In California, everything is BLUE



That is the lumberjack hoodie that I got from my parents for christmas. :D

Beyond that, I got Elliott Smith's self-titled album from my older brother, and Jason Mraz's latest album from the younger bro.



Apparently, I was full of giggles on the way in.



Afterwards, my little brother and I were locked out until Brent got back with my older brother (and his key). Mom had had to take Dad to the emergency room before the movie started. ]:

He's doing well now, though!

Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. [:

Ice Cream Pie!!

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!!

Today started off with a crazy shopping trip to a two-story Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, and then to Ikea.



My mom and I!



The Starbucks that's about a three-minute walk from our apartment.



Pretty blue sky [:



THE ZIGGURAT!!



Getting nervous about the two-story wal-mart...



After we went to Wal-Mart & B&N, we needed a break. So, we ate at Panda Express. I also got coffee at the Star Bucks across the way. haha.

My fortune cookie read "Accept the next proposition you get..." in bed!!!



TIME TO MAKE ICE CREAM PIE!!

Haha This is what I got interrupted on the phone so many times with Scottie for (okay, just once when mom called during our chat, and then when they got home from the Von's nextdoor).



Mom washed dishes while I crushed cookies.



"this is kinda gross"



YEAH! First pie is done!! This is the original recipe; Mint.



Alllriiiight. Second Pie is done!
(I doodled that for about the last ten minutes of my phone convo with Scott)



The second pie!! It's a variation for the non-mint lovers of my family. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. :D

Mint Ice Cream Pie

1 bag of mint milano cookies, crumbled
roughly a quarter-stick of butter, melted (use your discretion)
1 half-gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened (I probably only used half of this, though, but who doesn't like leftovers?)
Whipped Cream of choice, for garnish.
Candy Cane, crushed, for garnish.
Chocolate syrup, for garnish.
1 8-inch pie pan

Crush bag of cookies into a medium-sized bowl (or whatever you'd like to mix it in!). Pour in melted butter, a little at a time. Mix in butter. When at a good molding consistency, pour into pie pan. Spread crust. Spoon in softened ice cream. Smooth top with back of spoon. Cover with tin foil and re-freeze!

You may need to let it sit out before you serve to be able to slice it really well.

Decorate plate as you wish, with the suggested list of garnishes. [:

And, of course, it's possible to make up variations, as seen with my second pie! I used plain milano cookies and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream for that.

Let me know if you ever make this, and how it turns out!