Sand Display

A few years ago Kyle and I started traveling and I decided that I wanted to collect sand from all the beautiful beaches that we have been too as a little keep sake.  When I told my Mom about my new collection, being the crafty thoughtful Mother she is, she sent me this pic of a fun way to display my collection.

So I found some great little spice jars at Bed Bath & Beyond which were the perfect size to display.  I spray painted the white caps silver and that was that.  Well, a few years later I still hadn't put them on display the way they should have been, they were just thrown on a shelf  with a few other odds and ends that we have collected in our travels.  Recently my Mom just bought a new fun little Cricut and offered to let me use it to have vinyl letters cut to put the names on my jars, in place of the black sharpie I had been using.  Once I had that done I knew I finally had to display them the way they should be.

(Sorry there's no before pics... I'll remember to start doing that eventually.)

I think it turned out pretty good, not exactly what I envisioned but it will work it's self out over the years.

My Famous Mama

Today my Mom had her 15 minutes of fame. She was on the local TV show, Studio 5, showing off her mad rug hooking skills. I think she did a bangin good job. I just hope she doesn't forget about us little people.

Finally Furniture

Kyle has been a busy man.  Four months ago kyle decided he was goig ot build me a bedroom set out of scratch.  He plained every board, glued them all toegtehr to make a sheet of wood, the made the furniture out of that sheet; a lot of work.  Finally, he has finished the night stands.  I think they turned out beautiful, i just hope the bed and dressers go a little quicker.

Holiday's Update

I thought I'd finally get around to updating you all  on our comings and goings this holiday season.  This Christmas I would have to say was the least hectic we have had in a few years. We spent all Christmas Eve with Kyle's Dad, his whole family came up to eat dinner.  We had tons of fun playing games and stuffing our faces.  We spent Christmas morning with my Mom and Dad, we got to eat out traditional Christmas quiche and opened presents.  Kyle gave me a beautiful diamond ring.  We also got the best present of all; we got to talk to my brother Paige who is on a mission.   We didn't forget the traditional Christmas day movie, Sherlock Holmes.  After the movie we headed up to Kyle's Mom's were we opened more presents, played games, and ate some of Roger's delicious food.  All and all it was a very good, but very long day.

 

We spent New Year's Eve with our friends Matt and Erin.  We rocked it out most the nigh playing Guitar Hero, which we definitely have yet to perfect our skills.  Matt grilled us up some delicious steaks, which we ate while we watched a couple movies.  We did manage to remember to watch the ball drop with about two minutes to spare, at which time I gave my honey a big ol' smootch!

New Years evening my family came over to celebrate my Mom's Birthday.  I made her B-Day dinner request which were some tasty chicken enchiladas and sweet corn bread.  Then we spent the evening playing games and just enjoying each others company.

The next day of the New Year I spent most all the day making a wedding cake for my cousin's wedding reception.  I think it turned out good, don't you?,/span>

and that my friends... is the last few weeks in a nut shell.

{Family Fun}

Recently my parents had decided that we don't get together enough as a family so we are starting a new tradition, every first Monday of the month we'll get together for a good ol' fashion Family Night.  This Monday was our first, Mom wanted to go to This is The Place Park in SLC to see the Christmas lights, but after the snow and wind we decided that it was going to be too cold.  Instead we decided to stay in and make gingerbread houses.  It was tons of fun watching 6 grown adults make these houses and munching on candy that none of us had had in years!

Thanksgiving

I have finally found the time to write about my Thanksgiving now that it's the official Christmas season.  This Thanksgiving i was given the assignment to bring an appetizer and a dessert.  Now i haven't quite perfected this cooking thing but for this Thanksgiving i decided to go all out and try things that i had never done before and cross my fingers that everything turned out okay so i didn't have to run to the store last minute to buy something pre-made,  I found a quick and easy recipe for a spinach artichoke dip which turned out so good i thought id share it:

1-Stick Butter (melt in pan)

1- small onion (mince and saute in pan of butter)

1- pkg frozen chopped spinach (thaw and drain excess water, add to mixture, keep heat on the whole time)

1- 8oz pkg Cream Cheese (add to mixture, stir until melted)

1- Cup Sour Cream (add to mixture)

1- Can marinated artichoke hearts (chop & Add to mixture)
3/4 C, Shredded Parmesan cheese (add to micture, stir until melted)

1- cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (add to mixture, save a little to melt on top)

crushed red pepper flake (to taste, optional)

crushed garlic (to taste, optional)

Serve with a toasted baguette slice, corn chips, or french bread.

I also decided i would try my hand at making a homemade cheesecake since my sister is the pie queen in the family.  I discovered that cooking those just right is a little hard, the middle stays wiggly the whole time so i didn't know it was done until it had cracked.  It tasted delicious though. 

The day after thanksgiving Erin and i went shopping, but not too early with all those nutty's,  I was actually very disappointed with myself, we shopped for like 6 hours and i only got three presents done.  Oh, well i guess that just means i have to go again and again.

I'm grateful for all my blessings, for my wonderful husband who is always so thoughtful and willing to help anyone with anything, for my parents for raising me to become the woman i am today, and for our jobs and all the comforts they provide us.  This year im especially thankful for my grandpa Burton; who recently passed away, for all the stories, lessons, and love that he shared with me.

Happy holidays everyone! 

 

ALOHA...

Kyle and I have reluctantly returned home from our island paradise. I tell you I could get used to the island life. We visited the beautiful island Oahu for 7 blissful days and 6 relaxing nights, in which we crammed in as much fun and relaxing as possible.

We visited many beaches along Oahu's beautiful coast line including the ever famous North Shore where Kyle and Matt enjoyed attempting boogie boarding with the big boys; as well as Waikiki Beach. We visited the Stadium Swap Meet and bought a few trinkets. Took a hike up Diamond Head, visited the Hawaii Temple (closed for renovations), and furthered our knowledge of the Polynesian Island at the Cultural Center, and visited Pear Harbor.

Needless to say we're sad to be home.

Quote of the Trip:

"Augh, there's sand everywhere!"-Erin Read @ Waikiki Beach