Hey friends!! I’ve been in Mobile for almost a week helping get everything ready for the 57th NATIONAL FINALS FOR DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMEN!! I am beyond thrilled for the girls to arrive in less than 48 hours. Let me give you a recap of what I’ve been up to:
Wednesday we began our quest around Mobile to film promo videos with our National Sponsors. I got to ride a green Regions Bank bike all around town and thank all of our supporters for everything they do for our program. While riding the bike at Master Boat Builders, the director says, “That’s great Nicole, now try it again and this time come a little closer to the camera”. Well I took that comment a little too literally and the next take consisted of me biking straight into the camera. whoops! 
Then they let me go all the way up into one of the ships and as we were standing at the railing (I was planning on pulling an epic Titanic stunt and stretching my arms out into the wind) Mike told me not to touch the wet paint and I, of course, place my hand directly on the railing, in the wet paint.
We had lunch at Chick-fil-a where we saw everyone and their dog, including a member of the Alabama State Government and the owner of the Chick-fil-a franchises in Mobile who graciously treated us to Peach milkshakes. My favorite! YUM. 
The rest of the afternoon consisted of riding the green bike around downtown Mobile and trying not to get hit by cars. They hooked a GoPro up to the bike and let me ride around a little; it was really thrilling. After that long day, I came home to my sweet host family and Creath made HOME MADE CHICKEN AND DUMPLINS!!!!! I have never had them home made before and they were to die for. I was in Heaven. That night my host sisters and I baked Nutella Poptarts (recipe at the end of this blog) and had a kitchen dance party to Disney music.
Yesterday we shot with the county commissioner and Mayor Sandy Stimpson. I assisted the mayor in taking his first set of selfies and I must say we were both pretty proud of our little photo shoot. We finished up shooting at Encore Rehabilitation and then at Wintzell’s Oyster House. I met Willie Brown who has been shucking oysters for 43 years. He was such a fun, genuine man who provided constant moral support as I slurped down an oyster on camera and smiled at the end. 
Today we completed our sponsor series at Alabama Power and then I had a fitting for some dresses at “Something New” Bridal store. We enjoyed a nice lunch at Chat-A-Way Cafe and now I’ve just been resting up for the big arrival on Sunday!
To follow all the events at Nationals make sure to follow not only me, but also Distinguished Young Women on Twitter and Instagram! This year we will be streaming the program LIVE at www.distinguishedyw.org on June 28th! Be sure to tune in to see who will carry on the legacy of the Distinguished Young Woman of America. Thanks for reading and here is the recipe for the mouth watering Nutella Poptarts.
Me: Twitter: @DYWofAmerica Instagram: nicoleerenard
DYW: Twitter & Instagram: distinguishedyw
Take a moment and think about everything today that’s good and then let your self enjoy it and appreciate it. God carefully planned that in your day to bring a smile to your face. 🙂
Love always,
Nicole Renard
Nutella Poptarts
Ingredients:
-2 Cups Flour
-1 tsp. salt
-1 Tbs. Sugar
-1 Cup butter (cut into pieces)
-2 eggs
-2 Tbs. Milk
-Nutella
-1/2 cup melted white chocolate
-Chocolate sprinkles
Directions:
1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Work in the butter with a pastry blender or fork until pea-sized lumps of butter are still visible, and the mixture holds together when you squeeze it.
2. Whisk one egg and milk together and stir them into the dough, mixing lightly. Knead briefly on a well-floured counter if necessary.
3. Divide the dough in half and roll it into a rectangle about 1/8″ thick, large enough that you can trim it to an even 9″ x 12″. Repeat with the second piece of dough. Set trimmings aside. Cut each piece of dough into thirds – you’ll form nine 3″ x 4″ rectangles. (basically cut medium sized, equal squares or rectangles)
4. Beat the additional egg and brush it over the entire surface of the first dough. This will be the “inside” of the tart; the egg is to help glue the lid on.
5. Place a heaping tablespoon of Nutella into the center of each rectangle, keeping a 1/2-inch perimeter around it. Place a second rectangle of dough atop the first, using your fingertips to press firmly around the pocket of filling, sealing the dough well on all sides. Press the tines of a fork all around the edge of the rectangle. Repeat with remaining tarts.
6. Gently place the tarts on a lightly greased baking sheet. Prick the top of each tart with a fork; you don’t want them to explode.
7. Bake them at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until they are a light golden brown.
Top with melted chocolate and sprinkles if desired. Makes 9 tarts. Keep in a sealed container.
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