Negligent

Sorry. I've been negligent about blogging. It seems school has taken over my life. The fact that I'm taking 4 classes this first half of the semester and trying to get my thesis done isn't helping the blogging or the baking. Also the fact that STATA is consuming my life due to my projects for Economics of the Family are grueling. But I guess I shouldn't be complaining that much as I haven't started my data analysis for my thesis as my clients (The NCCCS) haven't gotten me my data yet. Still, I have to write out my different specifications and justify why I'm doing it that way. Hopefully it will pay off and I can get it published if I find interesting results.

Talking about that, I have thus far applied for 5 jobs, oddly all in DC. Jim is thankfully checking in with my client to see if he may have a job for me come June as I would love to stay in Durham for another year. But I'm also looking at applying for this two year fellowship in Winston-Salem. Should be interesting. I have to pump out a cover letter this weekend for it.

Oddly, this job hunting is just making me be thankful that I have a fun hobby that my pay check can support! So let's get to describing what I have been up to.

First, I need to mention that J makes a mean black bean soup. We also made potato's au gratin and some cornish game hens for dinner this past weekend. As for other cooking I did make a beef and barely soup which I think came out great. I currently have a version of it in my crockpot. I'm worried that the barely is going to over cook, but it seems so much easier to cook it in the crock pot compared to on the stove.

As for baking I do need to mention that Bethy got me Dorie Greenspan's Baking From My Home To Yours for Christmas. So for dessert last weekend I made a lemon custard. I do love custard and Dorie has such an easy recipe. It is definitely a keeper and often maker. I've also made a lemon poppy seed loaf with a bourbon whipped cream topping.

I'll share all these recipes this weekend as I should get to bed soon as my PMF test is tomorrow at 8 and I have to complete my Economics of the Family data project by 5 tomorrow. But just wanted to share as I have been negligent. Sorry I haven't taken pictures to share.

This weekend I'm hoping to make some lemon curd and scones and also the cookie mix jenny's mom made for me. I'm also hoping to experiment with Dorie's chocolate chip cookie recipe to make a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie!

Wish me luck!