First Quarter.... DONE!!!

Hello family and friends!!!  I hope everyone is having a great holiday season and isn't too stressed out!  This is my favorite time of the year and it doesn't hurt that I have 4 weeks off, either...  =)  I am officially done with my first quarter of baking and pastry school, which is a great feeling and really solidifies the fact that I am actually doing this!  I am happy to report that I got 4 A's!!  I am really anxious to see how the "real" classes are structured once I'm in the kitchen and get to make stuff.  Next quarter I will be taking Baking and Pastry (BPA) 111 and 112 which are basic baking technique classes.  I will be learning things like: identifying baking tools and equipment, proper weighing methods, and preparing flat and crusted breads, puff pastry, and other basic starters for future advanced classes.  I cannot WAIT to get started!!  I may never buy prepared bread again!

So, I have been home for about a week and have already done some really fun stuff!!  First, I went to visit my awesome friend Jess in Louisville, KY.  It was my first time really exploring the city and seeing her and Rickey's place, so it was really nice to be somewhere new.  Their house is so awesome and we went to some amazing restaurants and shops!  I tried to help Jess narrow down a bridesmaids dress... I hope I helped!!

Here we are at a Christmas party hosted by Rickey's boss

And here are Jess and Rickey... so cute!!

Then, I went to visit my cousin at UT (Toledo) for her graduation weekend.  I went out and kicked it with her at the college bars (yeah, it was a little weird!!) and she had two different ceremonies.  Here are some pictures...

Can you guess which one of us has been tanning?  Take a minute...

Our pedicures for our cruise.  Did I mention that I am going on a cruise to the Bahamas after Christmas??  Woohoo!!!!

Here's the graduate!!

From Toledo, I went to stay with my sis for a night and visit with Abby and Johnnie.  I saw the progress on their new house and it is looking fantastic!!!  We went out for some Christmas beers and amazing food at Deagan's Kitchen & Bar in Lakewood (check out the menu!!).

Cheers!!

I made everyone wait to eat until I got a picture!!  The top choice of the night was Johnnie's Chicken and Waffles (in the back with powered sugar)-it was insanely good!!!

I am done with all of my traveling and spending time at home making cookies and planing our Christmas Eve dinner with my mom and family.  I will post all of the goodies soon!  Have a great Christmas everyone!!!