thebabyperks

On Monday, I spent my lovely day off school going back and forth between doctors offices. First I went to the dermatologist, I won't bore you with those details. Second I went to the orthopedist. My left knee has been bothering me off and on since last June but being the stubborn person I am, I dealt with it and moved on. However, swim pre-season has kicked off and we started running a lot more. We had jumped from a mile, to two miles and then we ran three miles. During triathlon season I was running two-three miles but recently I have not. The day after running three miles my knee was KILLING me and my right hip was compensating for that. We made an appointment with a orthopedic doctor. Come to find out, I have patella tendonitis (when the tendon in your knee rubs against the bone and aggravates it). She said I needed to rest. This means no cardio. I can't swim, bike, or run for 2 weeks. There is a problem, two weeks from Monday is SWIM TRYOUTS. The only good thing about school is swim team. So I can't run or do anything besides core and upper body, which I need, but I want to run so bad. Well, happy Halloween! I'll post some more of my festivities tonight!

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson:
I have a few favorite books of mine, which I will post later, but this book might be in the top contenders. My favorite parts of this book is that Matson is able to describe my perfect dream. A road trip with a boy all summer, what is more perfect than that? Obviously the storyline isn't that simple, from the start there is a conflict between Amy and Roger. Their whole scenario is just plain awkward but in a way that I thrived on. The pairs development from the start of the road trip through all the detours is so incredible. I felt like I was in the back seat along for the ride. I would, highly, highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an adventure. Roger and Amy go on a journey not just together, but individually, that makes them both reevaluate who they were and who they want to be.

I decided that in order to become more outgoing and free I would do something new. This is a shocker to myself because I never do anything new or different because I like routines and schedules. I've been doing a lot of new(ish) things recently. So to add to this I purchased a "Wreck This Journal". I saw this out of the corner of my eye at Target but passed it up. The more I thought about it the more it interested me. My mom was heading back up to Target to pick up some other stuff and I asked her if we could stop by the book section. There they were! I debated on black vs. red and ultimately picked the black one because it looked more sleek? Just to inform you, I'm a 100% rule follower, so when I opened up this journal and I read the warning at the beginning I became hesitant. Also there are some rules they want you to follow, which I then feel forced to follow. And lets just say some of the stuff in there is a little weird... not bad just strange. Long story short this could either go well or ehh not so much. The only thing I'm holding on to is the fact that it said I can interpret what each page says for myself, and take it beyond what it says. Meaning if it says take my book on a walk, I could "walk" around my house not around the mall.
      I feel like this could be good for me for a few reasons. One of which I could slowly break out of my shell. Second, it's something different. I'm not doing the same "dear diary" I've been doing since I was eight. Third, it should be fun. Spitting into a page, tearing things out of a journal on purpose seems entertaining. Especially with the stress of school, hey, who knows!! So I'm going to take this on as my November Challenge. Maybe you can join me??

My family and I spent our Saturday at Thierbach Orchards (http://www.thierbachorchards.com/index.html). Our drive there was incredible. The photos below are from our drive!
Inside the barn is a little country store that is so adorable. It's so quaint and country-ish. I love how the place is family run and the whole property is just breath taking. 
 My first apple that I picked! Isn't it beautiful??
 All the apples left on the ground. How many pies could I have baked!!?!??
 I love pumpkins!!!
Apple-Cider Cake Donuts (my brother started eating it before I could take a picture so this is what I got...)
 More pumpkin pictures!

 I love how unique the tan and white pumpkins were. I think they add a lot of character.

 My brother and I bought goat food for 50 cents and we fed the goats!
This baby goat was off by itself and we kept trying to feed it but then the big goats would come over and the baby would run away. Awwhh it was so cute!
 The big goat that I fed. They would lick your hands and it was really weird but it was kind of sweet. As sweet as goats can be?

Hey everyone it's Taylor. Hopefully you all enjoy this blog. I have a lot of series planned out for this blog and will hopefully be starting YouTube soon. Make sure to keep checking in! *with school I'll mostly be updating Friday-Sunday* Have a good rest of the week!

Do you usually sleep with your closet door open or closed? Closed
Do you take the shampoo and conditioner from hotels? No, those don't work on my hair
Where is your next vacation? Key West, Florida!!
Who do you think reads this? Hopefully not creepy old guys???
Do you have a calendar in your room? Nope
What's your plans for today? Finish all my journalism homework
Are you reading any books right now? YES! Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Do you ever count your steps when you walk? When I'm running I sometimes start counting to give me something to do but then I get distracted so that ends fairly quickly
Do you ever dance when there isn't any music? No, I'm a terribly, awkward dancer
Do you chew your pencils and pens? Yes, it's a nervous habit
What is your "song of the week?" I honestly don't have a clue
Is it okay if a guy wears pink? Yeah
Do you still watch cartoons? No, there aren't any good ones anymore!! :(
What do you drink with dinner? Water or iced tea
What do you dip your chicken nuggets in? ketchup
What is your favorite cuisine? I love Mexican food (burritos, taco salad, nachos)
What movies could you watch over and over again and not get sick of it? High School Musical
When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? The last I remember was to one of my friends, just rambling about my life and problems. We've kind of gone our separate ways which is sad but for the better.
Can you change the oil on a car? Heck no
Best thing to eat fro breakfast? Cinnamon rolls hands down
What is your usual bedtime? I try to go to bed at like 9:45 but the past two nights it's been 11
Are you lazy? On the weekends, yes, during the week it feels like I'm always doing (or supposed to be doing) something.
Afraid of heights? I'm going to say no... but I guess it depends on how high
Occupations you wanted to be when you were little? Teacher like my mom
Hot tea or iced tea? Hot tea in the morning, iced tea for dinner
Tea or coffee? Tea usually, but I'm starting to drink more/different kinds of coffees
Favorite kind of cookie? Chocolate chip or sugar
Can you swim well? Yep, I'm a swimmer....
Can you hold your breath with out holding your nose? Yes
Who do you want to see right now? My bed counts right??

Ugh, that is the perfect word to describe this week. I had the PSAT, the Plan ACT test and so much more. I literally had one of the worst weeks I've had in a while. The only thing going for me was the fact that I had the weekend as well as a four day week next week. My school's football team won the last home game of the season 27-10. This also meant that I sat in the rain and 40 degree temperatures from 7-10. The senior night (honoring the senior football players, cheerleaders, dancer, band kids, etc) made it worth it. Overa
 My grandma came over today while my parents celebrate their anniversary. We spent the day baking bread from scratch as well as making cinnamon rolls for tomorrow. I got the bread recipe from one of my favorite blogger's: Cannella-Vita. She has an amazing blog so go check it out!!! Anyway here are some of my pictures from the week!


                                                                 (rollin out the dough :) Laughing at my own pun....)

OREO CAKE BALLS!!!!

One word, yum.
My day has consisted of YouTube and reading books. I live a productive lifestyle....

My parents went out and what did I do, I baked. I see something seriously wrong with this picture.  This actually happens every weekend. I sit at home while the rest of my family does fun things. Why, might you ask? I always feel out of place in situations. I just feel unwanted and other things. But, I made the choice to not socialize so it's okay.

Anyway, the Oreo Cake Balls:

1 package of Oreos
A package of Vanilla Almond
8 oz Cream cheese

I took this recipe from multiple different sites and interpreted them for myself.

1) Crush up the Oreo's with a food processor, blender, or by hand. I used this product called the Ninja which is just a food processor. With the food processor, add the cream cheese with the Oreo's.
2) Pulse until well combined
3) Roll this mixture into small-medium sized balls
4) Put the balls on parchment paper and refrigerator for one hour.
***DO IT FOR THE WHOLE HOUR. I have made plenty of cake balls and I always get impatient and pull them out before the hour. Don't do it because I tried to then cover them in the Almond Bark and they crumble apart. I actually completed this whole hour of waiting and they turned out SO much better, if that makes sense. They dip so much smoother****
5) A few minutes before the hour is up, melt the Almond Bark, around 3/4 of the package. Melt it on 30 second intervals and stir after every thirty seconds to a minute.
6) Use a bamboo skewer or toothpick to dip the balls into the candy mix and place them back on the wax paper
7) Let them firm up and enjoy!


 And that was how I spent my Saturday night! I think they turned out pretty well!! ^^^

I also got my first Salted Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks, yay!!! I got the Grande, some people I know get Venti's, how is that possible!!?? That is a lot of Starbucks! Anyway, if any of you have any questions feel free to ask below in the comments, or if you have any suggestions for what I should bake next?!

I don't know about anyone else but I love good Puppy Chow. However, it isn't the most healthiest for you. At all. So today I decided to switch it up and try something that could be a tad bit healthier.

Ingredients:
-  1/2 c. Natural Peanut Butter (I used Kirkland Signature Natural Peanut Butter Creamy)
-  2-3 c. Fiber One 80 Calorie Cereal (Chocolate)
- 1 c. powdered sugar ( I used Baker's Corner Confectioners Sugar)


1) In a medium microwaveable bowl heat the peanut butter for 15 seconds
2) Gradually add cereal to the peanut butter and mix
3) Pour the powdered sugar into a large plastic bag (gallon sized). Spoon the peanut butter cereal mix into the bag, seal it, and shake the mix until all combined.
4) Scoop the mixture into a container and enjoy!

*I stored mine in the freezer*