Dear Santa,

So I know it is now the wee-early-hours of Christmas Eve, but I wanted to write to you and say thank you. I realize the gift I requested (someone miraculously paying off all my student loans) may take some time and I must be patient (a talent I am willing to work on, though may be doomed to fail). But as I was driving home to Vernal this holiday season, I realized something Santa--I still believe!

The belief in you provides me hope and that is the greatest gift you could ever give me. This year has been rough (and I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself). As my friends tell me, I need to believe in myself and the accomplishments I have made this year. Though I might not have achieved all I would like in the world, I'm working on it.

And Santa, I just want to say... you rock. I will be listening for your sleigh bells as I do every year. And maybe if this year you can't provide the Christmas miracle of student loans being paid in full... well, maybe you could give each and every person a little more hope. Keep all our hope strong by allowing us all to hear your sleigh bells once more--as you let me when I was six.

A very Merry Christmas Santa. Safe travels.

That adult that will be a kid forever,
Denver

P.S. I know this isn't the typical method for letter delivery, but you being magical and living in the 21st century, and having elves that search for these things, I figured you have a way to find it.

P.P.S. Also, I was wondering if you could possibly get Danielle a pony, seeing as she really wants one. A Unicorn would be even better but I know those are hard to find. Thanks again Santa.

All Ablaze

There have been a few storms in my life as of late (personal and literal). As I continue to try and figure out my path the weather seems to be telling me, "Be prepared for anything."

On Sunday a huge wind storm blew through the Salt Lake area and when I got home late in the evening I found the wind decided to topple a portion of the fence that blockades my little duplex from the neighboring apartment. I wasn't too excited about this as there is one man that I find to be a bit crazy that lives in that apartment area, and I try to distance myself from him. But then last night the first snow storm hit and as I was cooped up in my bedroom at midnight when the annoying sound of my doorbell shock the whole house in multiple pounds.

Not knowing who would be ringing my bell that late at night, I tentatively walked down the stairs and sneakily looked out my doors window: Crazy man on my porch with cigarette in hand and I backed away, not wanting to open the door, wanting him to leave and leave me alone, I tried to pretend I didn't hear. But then the bell rang through the house again and I had to open the door.

What I saw was his face echoed in all his wrinkles and maddening eyes by the burning fire that was coming from the tree right next to my home. His comment, "You might want to move your car the tree is on fire." This was an under statement, as I ran to get my keys the light of the fire stretched through the windows and was flickering it's light to hit the surrounding houses and make the blanket frosted sky glow as if lightning bugs had overtaken the area.

My thought--get the cats, move the car, and hope for the best.

The snow storm helped and quickly put the fire out as the firemen sat in their truck staring at all of us watching the embers continue to fall from the tree and cascade upon the toppled fence. Power company arrived and it seemed all had passed, and as I woke this morning to the sound of chainsaws chopping the poor tree to pieces, I have to say I guess the crazy guy isn't that crazy after all.

Tasty Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Onion
1 Clove Garlic (Large)
1/2 c. Italian Bread Crumbs
1 6oz can Tomato Paste
1 egg
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (lean)
salt and pepper

Chop pepper, onion, and garlic, add to a big mixing bowl. Add ground beef and tomato paste and mix together. Top with bread crumbs and egg and use hands to form together. Place the mixture into bread pan and squash down to fit. Place in 350*F oven for 1 hour or until fully cooked.

White Chocolate Cheesecake

One of my favorite desserts is cheesecake! I am always looking for new ways to adapt the classic recipe. So here is one that I came up with that my coworkers and I couldn't even wait for it to cool before eating. Sadly, no time to take a photo.

Crust:
1/3 c. Almonds (crushed)
2 c. Chocolate Graham Crackers (crushed)
3 T. butter melted

Mix together ingredients and press firmly to the bottom of a 9 x 2 3/4 spring form pan that has been greased. Allow the crust to cover a small portion of the sides of the pan. Bake in a 325*F. oven for approximately 10-15 minutes. Pull from oven and allow to cool while preparing cheesecake filling.

Filling:
3/4 c. white chocolate chips (melted)
5 8 oz. cream cheese packages
1 c. sugar
3 T. flour
1 T. vanilla paste (you can get this any cooking store and it works wonders, a bit bolder than extract)
1/2 c. sour cream
4 eggs (add one at a time when blending)

Center:
1/3 c. Raspberry preserves
1/4 c. white chocolate (lightly melted)

Begin filling by slowly melting the chocolate chips. With and electric mixer blend cream cheese, sugar, flour, and vanilla paste. Slowly added cooled melted chocolate while blending, then add sour cream and eggs one at a time). When the mixture is blended well add half the mixture to the crust in the spring form pan.
Take the Raspberry preserves and melted white chocolate and blend together. Dollop this mixture into the half of the filling poured into the spring form pan, top with remaining filling.
Place in oven at 325*F. for 45 minutes to an hour. Allow to cool and refrigerate for 1 to 3 hours (or over night). Cut and serve.