Loaded Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies

I've decided that...
1. This is my blog and I can do whatever I want
2. Everyone knows I'm obsessed with baking
3. I've always wanted to post my creations/ have a baking blog

So what the heck! Here we go! I'm no photographer... So this is going to be a challenge.
But like they say- "practice makes perfect"


So without further ado, I introduce you to the....

LOADED CHOCOLATE CHIP PRETZEL COOKIES

• 1 C. butter softened
• 1 C. Brown Sugar
• 2/3 C. White Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tsp. Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
• 3 C. Flour
• Chocolate Chips
• Butterscotch Chips
• Rolos
• Pretzels

1. Cream butter and sugars together (2-3 minutes)

2. Add eggs and vanilla

3. Then add flour, salt and baking soda. Don't forget to scrape down sides of bowl!

4. Add roughly 1/4 c. each of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and rolos. And about 1/2 C. crushed pretzels. You can add more or less of either. Add what you like! I would love to try Peanut Butter Chips. Or Caramel Bits. Also- this batch I used pretzel chips because that was what we had lying around the house. But I think the texture would be better with pretzel sticks all crushed up. But still tasty either way!

5. Scoop out balls of dough. Roughly two tablespoons. And place on baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Or if you like 'em a little more crunchy 12 minutes.

6. Enjoy. 

Yields about 3 dozen cookies. 

The Big Return

Well hello readers!
It's been a long time...
You know just like 18 months or something like that.
Well more like 20. Because I've been home for two months and haven't written a single thing!
You could blame it on a lot of things like adjusting to technology and modern life. Or having a job.
But the important thing is I'm back! And so happy to be home!

So many people have asked a few questions since my return from siberia.
And I'm here to give a couple answers.

Question #1

How was your mission?

Answer:
What kind of question is that? haha. My mission was good? That's usually how I answer. Something along the lines of "It was great! I loved it!" But it's so hard to even begin to describe how my mission impacted me and what it was like. I figure those who really care- read my emails. And those were a pretty good description of what it was like. For those of you who haven't read my emails. I'm posting them here For the future posterity to read and all others interested : )

Question #2
What was Russia/Siberia like?

Answer:
ummm. Cold. Awesome. Different from America. Again another loaded question. Super hard to describe. But I do have some sweet pictures on my pinterest board here And will be loading some on the other blog.

Question #3
Was it cold in Siberia?

Answer:
Well duh! It's siberia! The coldest it got was -42 F. Winter lasted from October to May : )
But summer was a nice 75-80 degrees!

Question #4
Was it hard learning Russian? How long did it take you to learn it?

Answer:
Umm. No- it's super easy learning to speak and write in another language that has 33 letters in a completely different alphabet.
HAHA. Jokes.
It was rough. It came easier for me than some other missionaries- but I never felt completely fluent. I could understand what people were saying to me- but I'd make grammatical errors. But I'd say half way into my mission- I felt comfortable. At least with teaching and interacting with people. Going to the doctor and things like that.... I'll probably never know how to communicate!

Question #5
What is the biggest thing you learned on your mission?

Answer:
I learned that I can do hard things. I can do anything I set my mind to. I learned that I was pretty lazy- and now I know how to work hard. Set goals. Manage my time. But also- to just love everyone and to go with the flow.

Question #6
Has it been hard adjusting to "regular" life?

Answer:
NOPE. I heard that I would be crying myself to sleep for two weeks and all these other horror stories. But honestly it's been great. It feels like I never left. Lots of things have happened of course. But the people who are really there for me-are still there. Life is pretty great : ) Of course I miss Russia every once in a while. Especially the people. And hearing it on the streets. But all is well.

Question #7
Now what are you gonna do?

Answer:
Well I'm still trying to figure that out! I want to finish college. Get a degree and a real job. But most of all I want to get married and start a family. I'd also like to bake some cupcakes and have a couple dance parties.

Turns out I got kicked out of BYU while I was gone for not completing my "deferment" application or whatever. So that was a bummer. But I reapplied and am waiting to hear back. But another thing I've learned from my mission is that God is in charge. And apparently I need to be in Montana for a while. And so I'm making the best of it. Being with my family has been freaking awesome. I'm working. Trying to socialize. And be the best version of me possible. I've got some goals and some hobbies. So things are staying busy and staying pretty great : )

Farewell

Four months ago I was sitting on the blue couch in North 6 chatting with Anna and Cassandra about life. About boys. About love. About school. About church. and about everything. Cassandra was curled up on the love sac drifting off to sleep. Anna was busy away on her laptop editing photos.

And then I said it.

"Guys. I think I want to go on a mission...."
And then proceeded to list all of the reasons why I shouldn't go.

But then they both proceeded to list reasons why I should go. Or things to make my excuses invalid.

And then I kind of realized they were right. That I would put it to the test. Get my feet a little wet and figure out if I should go. If I could go.

And here we are four months later. The night before I get set apart. Packed and (mostly) ready to go.

Headed to Novosibirsk Russia. A place I had never heard of. A place you probably haven't either.

I will be learning a whole new language. With a whole new alphabet. A whole new culture. A whole new experience.

But most importantly, a whole new life. I have a whole new life ahead of me. A new me. Sister Carling.
Not entirely different. But new.

A life dedicated to my loving Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. A life working hard and meeting new friends and new acquaintances bringing them into this glorious gospel as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I'm so grateful for these last four months. For all of the love and support I've received from friends and family. And I'm so eager to see what is in store for me in my new home in Siberia.

Stay posted friends. Many new and exciting things to come.

RUSSIA

Once upon a time I opened my mission call...
It was April 11th 2012. And one of the best days of my life.
It was the last day of classes and it was full of fun and friends.
I returned from work at approximately 1:00 in the afternoon to wait at the mailbox. I checked and nothing was there. Cassandra and I noticed our friends at the TAJ just chillin' on the hammock so we sat and chatted for a while.
Then I saw her. The mail lady. With her little truck and her pouch filled.
I ran towards her and asked if she had a mission call per chance. She said Yes! For who? I told her my name and she handed it to me. I screamed and held it close and then sprinted back to the TAJ.
We took turns feeling it. And guessing what it said. But did not open it.
I proceeded to text my entire contact list and let them know it was finally here! And I'd be opening it at 8:30.
Then I sat and wondered. And dreamed and got nervous. So what do I do when I'm anxious and stressed?
I bake.
So I made some chocolate chip cookies and lemon cupcakes with strawberries on top.
Cassandra made a nice little poster and we started writing down people's guesses.
It was the longest day of my life.
I stayed fairly busy but time just dragged on and on and on and on...
At 8:30 all of my friends and family in Provo came to my apartment and joined the celebration.
My parents and siblings were all at home on skype and then the moment came....
I struggled opening the call (of course) and tears began to stream down my face.
I tried to read it one line at a time but my eyes immediately found it.
The place I'd be serving in for 18 months.
RUSSIA
Novosibirsk
I'll report June 6th to the Provo MTC
It was all surreal.
Russia NEVER crossed my mind.
I didn't even know how to pronounce it!
Luckily we had a fellow Russian speaker Tyler help me.
The next few days were a blur. Of googling Russia. Not sleeping well. Dreaming about the snow.
And trying to read the Russian books from Tyler.
But there it is folks. I've been called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Novosibirsk Russia.
The third largest city in Russia. Located right above Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The mission covers a HUGE area about the size of the United States and all located in Siberia!
I seriously cannot wait and am still shocked that heavenly father wants me to be there and thinks I'm capable of learning Russian and surviving the arctic winters. But I know this is the right thing to do and the right place to be!

My good friend Anna Gleave is a photographer and took some wonderful pictures of the night.
So enjoy : )

Mental Dance Party

I am in desperate need of a dance party. I'm sitting here in the wilk trying to study for my 3 finals today, (eeks) but I can't stop listening to these songs and resisting the urge to stand up and shake it. So if you are in the mood to dance, join me and have a dance party in your head.









Now, wasn't that fun!?

April Fools

Three days ago, tomorrow, on the 31st of March,

Four girls got together and they were super parched.

Right then the clock struck midnight, april fools was now in sight.

Their minds began to wander about pranks to pull that night.

You see these four girls live outside what they all call “town”

With center and south doors unsurveillanced, something had to go down!

They got fish line, yarn and scissors to pull of this prank, 

but when they walked through town at one, their four hearts all sank.

Lights, computers and tvs were on, but how could this be?

They realized the best prank ever now had a little fee.

As they sat and waited for their victims to finally rest their heads,

these four lovely ladies put puzzles together and avoided all their beds.

Finally at three a.m. they traveled back around.

Everyone seemed to be asleep-they scattered across the ground.

With all of their materials in hand they zig-zagged to and fro,

and once the knots were sturdy they could finally go.

So to all who kept accusing and asking throughout the whole day,

we are the ones who did it-Sorry April Fools was yesterday!

I hope you all had a great april fools day!

This one will live in infamy. Just like the icy hot in 8th grade.

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission...

Once upon a time, I turned 21.
And became eligible to serve a mission for my church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
(AKA The Mormons)
Growing up I never thought I'd go. It didn't appeal to me and the thought of taking a year and half off of school and life didn't sound great.
But then something changed...

The thought popped into my mind. And I was like "Oh hey! I could go on a mission!"
But then I was confused. Should I go? Should I finish school? Should I go on a study abroad? Should I, should I, should I. blah blah blah.

So I prayed about it.
Hoping that I would feel something. Hoping I would receive an answer. Because I know that God listens and answers my prayers. But sometimes we don't get those answers right away. Or in the way we want. I was hoping I'd get a whopping "YES!" or a NO! but I just felt confused.

Sometimes, God wants us to make our own decisions. Sometimes either option is a good option. Sometimes he wants us to take a leap of faith and make that decision.
After we make that decision we figure out if it was right.

And this decision was right.
I started filling out my papers. I talked to my parents and I talked to my church leaders.
And it felt really good.

I don't know how to explain it. But I felt happy. I felt good about that decision.

There are still times when I freak out. And think.
OH MY GOSH I"M GOING ON A MISSION.
OH MY GOSH. I'M GOING TO BE GONE FOR 1.5 YEARS!
OH MY GOSH. I COULD GET SENT SOMEWHERE CRAZY!

But then I remember how I felt after I made the decision.
I felt happiness.
I felt love.

Then I remembered how going to church makes me feel. and how reading my scriptures makes me feel.
And I feel happy.
I feel joy.
I feel love.
I feel peace.




I'm going to be spending the next year and half teaching others about this church that makes me feel happy. That makes me feel loved. I'll be teaching others how to have those same feelings and draw closer to God. And that's when I get excited.

So it's official. I've turned in my papers. And in 2-3 weeks I should get my call. I have no idea where I am going. It could be anywhere. So place your bets and make your guesses. And I promise the second I receive my call I'll let you know.

I'M GOING ON A MISSION

*Also, If you have ever had questions about my faith or what mormons are all about, please feel free to ask me. Or check this out *