The Scales of Justice

Starting this week I will begin my civic duty of jury duty. Everyone dreads jury duty and I have been no different - until lately. 


In early August I received juror summons for selection for 2 trials. Just seeing 'Juror Summons' on that blue piece of paper made me groan. Jury duty? Really?? I've actually never known anyone who has been on jury duty, so I really didn't have anything to base my groaning on aside from what the general feeling is. It doesn't pay well ($20 per day!!) and you have to sit in a courtroom for who knows how long. Not exactly a fun thing, but while many people were suggesting I act crazy (a la Tina Fey aka Princess Leia on '30 Rock'), a part of me was really quite interested to see how the process went and to be a part of the justice system.


While I won't be talking about the trial I am on (not that I'm not allowed, but because it is not my place to write about it), this experience so far has made me think about my situation. With all the groaning and moaning about spending weeks in a courtroom, I hadn't really thought about the fact that I would play a role in the persons future. As I was sitting in the juror box after my selection it finally hit me. Whatever my fellow jurors and I decide will have a direct result on this persons future, whether they go to jail, have community service or are innocent. I always knew that jurors play an important role, but once I was actually selected the true meaning and importance really sunk in.


It is going to be an experience but I look forward to it. 

Looking for some cooking...

Growing up I loved to cook, but when cooking became a requirement it no longer holds the inspiration that I used to have. Since I was 'required' to cook (aka moving out of mum & dads 7 years ago) my creative cooking has gone downhill. Waaay downhill actually! Not only am I very very rarely creative with what i want to cook, but I also seem to get stuck in food ruts. I used to have such a passion for finding new recipes and creating my own, but that is no more. Now when I actually do feel creative, more often than not my cooking adventures usually end up getting take out because my dish is so horrible (even with a recipe!). What happened to my cooking genius that I used to have (and if you doubt, my sister can attest to my great cooking!)? My new goal now that the wedding is done is to try a new recipe every week. I'll post about the results after I'm done and we can see how many hits I get out of this experiment.


To start things off, I thought I would show some of my successes from recently. I seem to be having better luck baking so please enjoy the glory that is my blueberry banana muffin tops and apple pie.

Blueberry Banana Muffin Tops

I was actually really impressed with my pie baking skills since I am not a pie person. At all. I can turn down pie any day of the week but usually can't walk away from cake :P My husband loves all things dessert but apple pie is one of his favorites and had been asking me to make him one since we started dating (5 1/2 years), so I figured I would finally make him one now that we were married. Good things come to those who wait :)


I must admit thought that the pie was not actually perfect. It looks good and tasted good, but it was more of an apple sauce pie than an apple pie. Now i know not to cut the apples so thinly!

J's Apple Sauce Pie

Hope these made you hungry because I can't guarantee the quality of future postings :D

I guess I should start....

Well I created this blog a few months ago but my indecision kicked in again and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to start blogging, or even what topic I wanted to start writing on. Man I can make things much more complicated than necessary! So, to at least get me started and in a 'blogging' mind-frame, I will start by introducing myself and that kind of thing.


So who am I?
Well I'm Laura. I am a 27 newlywed (married in July), living in Victoria (born and raised). My husband and I have a 4 year old puggle who actually runs our lives. He's my first dog and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect dog.


So what do I currently think I will write on?
Well, lately (especially since the wedding) I've developed an interest in couponing. I know it sounds super dorky, but I really do enjoy it. By combining coupons and savings at stores, I've proven to myself the value of putting in a bit of effort. My current record for savings is saving $99 and spending $101. That in my books seems like a good amount to save. But don't worry, I'm not an extreme couponer and don't really have a stockpile. I just enjoy knowing that by a bit of couponing and effort, I can save a few dollars.


I also used to love cooking and am slowly (and randomly) finding my passion for it, so be prepared for food and recipe posts when I cook something that impresses me.


Those, along with my puggle, married life, work and just life will all factor in my posts. I can't guarantee that I will be a regularly posting blogger, but I will definitely try for once a week, perhaps more or less depending on what is going on in my life. So once again, proving how indecisive I can be :)


With all that said, I hope you all enjoy my posts and that I can be at least a teeny bit interesting and not bore you all to death :)


Laura