let it dough

...

 see the whole story here

really though click and read through them all, its CUTE!

Digital Nativity

Ok...perhaps this goes a little too far, but I gotta say: it cracks me up. :) Enjoy!

holiday jams

here's my 2010 holiday playlist 

(post yours so we can share)

last christmas wham cover by glee cast

christmas by leighton meester

winter song by sara bareilles and ingrid michaelson

have yourself a merry little christmas by christina aguilera

all I want for christmas in you by mariah carey

mistletoe by colbie caillat

ill be home for christmas by josh groban

frosty the snowman by fiona apple

all my bells are ringing by lenka

baby its cold outside by dean amrtin

let it snow by michael buble

rockin around the Christmas tree by jessica simpson

grown-up christmas list michael buble

I saw mommy kissing santa claus by Jackson 5

The first noel by sarah mclachlan

check out my personal blog to hear the songs if you want

TIS THE SEASON

Just One Bite

I think this is wonderful because:

1. I don't like macs. They are poisoned apples to me.
2. I think Snow White is under appreciated.
3. Anything Disney Princess related is wonderful.
4. Think of all the conversations you could start with this!

Via Be Different Act Normal

tights quest

here's an idea, what if they made tights somewhere in the world that were comfortable??!!!

Ive yet to find any that I didn't a. have to wear past my belly button or b.rolled around my waist making a 2 inch thick rope instead of a waist band...

anyone with me on this? wear can i find tights that aren't miserable to wear?

the perfect gray

If you have been looking like I have for the perfect gray nail polish look no more. Buy yourself number 696 chinchilly from Essie.

You will not be sorry!

Keep your hair healthy amidst the dry & brittle weather!

So we all know that with lovely winter comes dry skin, HAIR, and nails. I am not an expert in too many things, but hair is one of my specialties. From Paul Mitchell, to Warren Tricomi (nyc), to Byu-ti Salon (santa monica). I swear I have tried every hair product out there. I was forever on the hunt for a deep conditioning treatment that actually worked and lasted. One that really penetrated deep into my hair and actually fixed the problem. Well I found it!

1. Pureology Hydrate HydraCure hair masque (purple bottle) use on thin/regular-thick hair

2. Pureology super smooth relaxing hair masque (pink bottle) use on coarse/ really thick/ frizzy-curly hair

3. Pureology Shine max- one of my very favorite styling products I use it on ALL hair types and love, did I mention love it. It helps with frizz and shininess. I use it on damp hair before I blow it out and a few drops when its dry to seal off my blow-dry.

how to use: Shampoo your hair, ring out water with hands, apply masque, comb through to make sure it is evenly dispersed. clip up hair and leave on for as long as you can. 10 min, 1 hour, or some of my clients even sleep in it and rinse it out in the morning. The more you use it, the better results you will see. Every single one of my clients is addicted to this product. See if you can get a girlfriend who does hair to buy it for you at the supply store. We can get it for half the price of what they sell it in stores. Also, it will last you forever, it took me 8 months to go through one jar. Hope you enjoy!

Halloween Wreath

I'm a huge fan of ribbons--and wreaths---so I thought I'd share this cute idea from Tatertots and Jello

Usually I like very harvesty decorations:

pumpkins, gourds, leaves, you know--"natural" decorations. 

But this wreath is just so bright and happy!!

To see how to make this darling wreath, check out this link

I haven't made one yet...but I'm considering it for the 

4th of July--red, white, and blue with '76 instead of 31.

What do you think?

Done with Frizz, please!?!?

Every winter, my hair becomes a nightmare of static. I love living at the base of the mountains in Utah, but I LOATHE what it does to my hair.

My sister solves it by not washing her hair every day. I, unfortunately, inherited the yucky genes; if I don't wash it every day, I'm stuck with dandruff (eww!) or oily scalp (eww again!).

So ladies--I seek your help. I am still a starving college student, so I need an inexpensive solution: what do you/did you do to get rid of frizz?!? Do you have any magical shampoo/conditioners that you love? or a home remedy?!

L.O.V.E

how cute is this lipstick (estee lauder) i just got?

{clearly i think it rocks i just did a photo-shoot of the dang thing}

 with the LOVE going up the side... i mean come on, the second i saw that i knew it was coming home with me. i don't even want to use it bec the letters will disappear. haha.

quick someone teach me how to not be so girlie! 

xoxo

k

gifts to dye for!

http://www.dana-made-it.com/2010/10/fall-dye-bath.html

this is a great shower/gift idea for all your newly prego friends! or even if you already have some kids it's a cute/ cheap way to make onsies interesting and chic.

good one

A friend of mine posted this as her status on Facebook today, and I thought it was incredibly inspiring. ‎Thought I'd share:

 

"We are face to face with our destiny and we must meet it with a high and resolute courage. For us is the life of action, of strenuous performance of duty; let us live in the harness, striving mightily; let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out." -Theodore Roosevelt.

yeah for new posts

speaking of good books.  a dear family friend of ours from california wrote this book. i've heard movie making is even in the works. 

its a really light easy read (in the twilight genre)

young and fun

try it out, see what you think 

xoxo

The Goose Girl

If you haven't read this yet, you probably should. It's an incredibly easy read, full of girl power, and introduces a charming love story.

 There are 3 other books in the series, but I haven't read them yet. But I hear they are equally fantastic. :D So...if you are looking for something light, charming, and even the tiniest bit inspiring, check out The Goose Girl.

Shannon Hale also wrote The Princess Academy, which is another fantastic read.

This website will save your life/dinnerlife

www.foodgawker.com

should i keep these?

I can't decide if I should keep these. They were cheap but I feel like I could find a cuter pair... what do you think team.

ps its insane how long we have gone without bloggin on here ladies. lets not let this happen again!

Revamp Ikea

I like Ikea. Call it what you want, it works, especially for city dwellers. There are not many places where you can buy stuff that doesn't look too terrible and have it be as cheap as Ikea is. However, sometimes, the ol' birch veneer just doesn't quite cut it. I am going to attempt this weekend to repaint one of our Ikea bookcases and found this handy little how-to guide online......if you care to join me in my attempt this weekend....I will let you know how it goes.

How to Paint Ikea Furniture

"Painting is a great way to add some personality to your furniture by hiding the cheap, Swedish, utilitarian vibe. Ikea's material of choice is usually particleboard covered in a faux-wood veneer, so getting the paint to stick is your biggest challenge.

The required supplies are cheap and available at your local hardware store.

-Rollerbrush or paintbrush

-Paint Tray

-Plastic drop cloth (newspaper will work fine if you're painting outdoors)

-Water-based primer

-Indoor hi-gloss latex paint

1. Disassemble your piece as much as possible. I chose to makeover my little birch BILLY bookcase.

2. Hold on to all your hardware. Remove the nails securing the back panel, then slide it up out and out of the track along the frame's edges. Use a damp sponge to wipe the dust from all the surfaces you'll be painting.

3. Use your roller to coat each side of the shelves, frame, and back panel. Stand the frame upright and you'll be able to reach all sides. You'll only need to paint the front of the back panel, and the shelves can be turned over, and edges painted after one side of the shelf has dried for a few hours. Let the whole thing dry overnight.

4. Cover each side with a coat of latex paint. Let dry 4-6 hours before applying another coat. 4-6 more hours and another coat should be all you need (although you can skip that third coat if you're lazy like me).

5. I chose to paint the back panel a bright blue to stand out against the stark, glossy white of the shelf. The idea is to have the whole thing blend in with the white wall, with a peek of the blue back panel over my books giving an unexpected splash of color. If you really want to give your bookcase a unique look, use wallpaper to cover the back panel. Bright geometric patterns look best, but anything will work.

When you've given all pieces ample drying time, reassemble the unit. If yours is a little wobbly like the BILLY I've dragged to 5 apartments in the 7 years I've lived on my own, you can take this time to reinforce everything. Hammer in nails to keep particleboard pieces from chipping away and losing their grip on other parts."

You Go Girl

I saw this on a friend's blog and had to share. It's wonderful.

Kaitlyn Ruth.

Kaitlyn Ruth Ray

Today I wanted to take time to celebrate and honor one of my beautiful and wonderful best friends--the one and only Kaitlyn Ruth♥. Kaitlyn has always been an inspiration to me, in SO many ways. Her generosity, her kindness, her intelligence, her dedication, her friendliness, her goals, her warm spirit, her joy in life, her love of others..basically she is just AMAZING! I know Kaite hears this all the time and already knows the many wonderful traits she has, but I wanted to remind her on this day how special she is. So here is a little list of things I love about her:

♥Her desire to always choose and DO the right

♥Her sweet disposition in all situations

♥Her zest and enthusiasm for life

♥Her perfect smile--and she's ALWAYS smiling!

♥Her love for Jordan--seriously it's inspiring

♥Her crafty creativity

♥Her encouragement of others--she's the most AMAZING friend!

♥Her support of others

♥Her generosity

♥Her love for her family

♥Her beauty and grace in all she does

♥Her dedication to others and her responsibilities

♥Her happiness for others

♥Her style--always the most fashionable and beautiful in our group

♥Her testimony

♥Her energy and excitement in life

♥Her photography

♥Her strength

♥Her willingness to help and give to others

♥Her ability to think of others

♥Her fun and friendliness

♥Her thoughtfulness

♥Her laugh and ability to laugh with others

♥Her friendship.

Love you so much Kaitlyn, thank you for being in my life and being the most amazing friend!! Happy birthday!!!

quick... are these cool or weird??

Hopefully Mormon

I wanted to share this wonderful site with you all. A friend of mine is one of the creators, and I have found it to be an incredible, daily inspiration. In a few words, it is a site where people can share the wonderful, happy things about being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For those who are not LDS, it is a site where they can see what LDS people feel, think, and believe when it comes to the church. It's a wonderful, testimony building site. Hope you all take a chance to look at it, and maybe even contribute. :)

Hopefully Mormon

the knot wedding of the year

WE GOT NOMINATED!!!!! Pretty please go and vote for us.

{the knot}

voting ends april 4th

If Pride and Prejudice were on Facebook...

...it would look something like this.


"Pride and Prejudice" News Feed

Charles Bingley is checking out real estate in Hertfordshire.

Mrs. Bennet became a fan of single men of good fortune.

Kitty Bennet has a cough.

Mr. Bennet is tired.

Nine of your friends are attending The Meryton Assembly.

Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley are now friends.

Fitzwilliam Darcy is so over this.

Elizabeth Bennet is tolerable, but not tempting.

Mr. Bennet politely requests that, next time, Bingley sprain his ankle after the first dance.

Mrs. Bennet joined the group Insulted Mothers Against Pompous Paramours.

Elizabeth Bennet would streak Meryton before she'd dance with Mr. Darcy.

Jane Bennet is attending A Girls' Luncheon at Netherfield.

Jane Bennet removed "riding horseback in the rain" from her interests.

Elizabeth Bennet is walking to Netherfield.


Fitzwilliam Darcy likes what exercise does to the ladies.

Elizabeth Bennet is tired of social niceties.

Elizabeth Bennet poked Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Fitzwilliam Darcy poked Elizabeth Bennet.

Fitzwilliam Darcy added "feisty girls with crazy families" to his interests.

Caroline Bingley wishes the earth would open up and swallow Longbourn whole.

Lydia Bennet is SOLDIERS SOLDIERS SOLDIERS!!!

Mr. Collins is looking to change his relationship status.

Elizabeth Bennet and George Wickham are now friends.

George Wickham is a fan of slander, but he's totally not intimidated.

Fitzwilliam Darcy is attending A Ball at Netherfield.

George Wickham is not attending A Ball at Netherfield.

Elizabeth Bennet would have preferred streaking Meryton.

Jane Bennet tagged six of your friends in the note "How to Go Out in Public Without Humiliating Your Family."

Charles Bingley changed his relationship status to "It's complicated."

Mr. Collins thinks his cousin's modesty adds to her perfections, and is thus by no means discouraged.

Mr. Collins needs a new place to crash.

Caroline Bingley will not be looking back on her way to London.

George Wickham is making excuses.

Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins are engaged.

Jane Bennet thinks London might make for a nice change of scenery.

Charlotte Lucas created the event Please Visit Hunsford Before I Strangle My Husband.

Elizabeth Bennet is on her way to the parsonage.

Colonel Fitzwilliam wonders why Darcy is dragging him to Rosings.

Mr. Collins is *thrilled* to be dining at Rosings, bathed in the generosity of her ladyship's spirit.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh must have her share of the conversation!

Fitzwilliam Darcy's heart is arm-wrestling his common sense. And it's winning.

Elizabeth Bennet joined the group Consider Civility in Declarations of Love.

Fitzwilliam Darcy tagged Elizabeth Bennet in his note A Faithful Narrative.

Elizabeth Bennet just is.

Lydia Bennet is following the SOLDIERS to Brighton!!$%@#!

Elizabeth Bennet is touring Derbyshire.

Elizabeth Bennet became a fan of Pemberly.

Fitzwilliam Darcy is hopeful.

Elizabeth Bennet is uncomfortable.

Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are now friends.

Lydia Bennet changed her relationship status to hahahahaha-wheeeeeee!!

Jane Bennet tagged Elizabeth Bennet in her note Come Home!

Fitzwilliam Darcy joined the group Gentlemen Against George Wickham: The Sequel.

Mrs. Bennet is a fan of overwrought weeping in bedchambers.

Lydia Bennet and George Wickham are now married.

Lydia Bennet Wickham removed "keeping secrets" from her interests.

Mrs. Gardiner tagged Elizabeth Bennet in her note He's Not Just Doing This Out of the Goodness of His Heart.

Charles Bingley is headed back to Netherfield.

Mrs. Bennet wants nothing more than for Bingley to shoot her birds.

Elizabeth Bennet wonders why the silent, grave and indifferent bother to show up at all.

Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy are attending Dinner at Longbourn.

Mrs. Bennet invites you to hang Kitty.

Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley are engaged.

Elizabeth Bennet removed "meddling aunts" from her interests.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh doesn't understand when people refuse to bow in the face of her awesomeness.

Fitzwilliam Darcy added "meddling aunts" to his interests.

Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy walked on without knowing in what direction.

Seven of your friends joined the group "Lizzy and Darcy are Getting Married!"

Mr. Bennet is quite at leisure.

CarrotCake Cheesecake

Are you searching for the perfect Easter Dessert? Search no further... Last year i made this Carrotcake Cheese Cake, and it turned out to be just as delightful as i had hoped! Happy Easter!

Ingredients:

1 2-layer-size carrot cake mix

1 cup water

1/2 cup cooking oil

6 eggs

1/2 cup Sun Maid® Raisins (I left these out)

3 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

Nonstick cooking spray

2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. water

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (I left these out too Since Dev hates nuts!)

1 cup powdered sugar

3 to 4 tsp. milk

Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch springform pan; set aside. In a large bowl combine carrot cake mix, water, oil, and 3 of the eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Fold in raisins. Pour into prepared springform pan. In another large bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in granulated sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in remaining 3 eggs just until combined. Slowly pour over carrot cake layer. Use a thin metal spatula to gently swirl the batters. Place cheesecake on a baking sheet. Bake for 70 to 80 minutes or until top is set except for a 1-inch circle in the center. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen the cake from the sides of the pan. Cool for 30 minutes. Remove sides of pan; cool cheesecake completely on rack. Cover and chill at least 4 hours before serving. Line a small baking pan with foil; lightly coat foil with nonstick spray. In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, the water, and cinnamon. Stir in walnuts. Spread in an even layer in the prepared baking pan. Bake in a 325°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until nuts are lightly toasted, stirring once. Cool completely. In a medium bowl combine 1 cup powdered sugar and enough of the milk to make drizzling consistency. Cut cheesecake into wedges and place each wedges on a serving plate. Drizzle each serving with some of the powdered sugar icing. Break up walnuts and place atop cheesecake wedges. Makes 16 servings

with.love.d.lynn

mormon mamma

 I promised I would post this really easy and yummy busy day recipe. We affectionately call it Mormon Mama dinner, but it is really a taco casserole.
You can cut it in half for two people. Gravel is pre-cooked hamburger that is frozen ahead for easy use. Cook up a batch of lean hamburger with chopped onion and what ever seasoning you like. Then freeze it on a cookie sheet. After it is frozen, break it up and put it all in a Ziplock bag for future use. You can use a little in soup or spaghetti sauce or what ever you need for taco salad, enchiladas etc. Of course, you can cook up fresh hamburger for this recipe too.


Cover the bottom of a 9 x13” baking dish with a layer of crushed tortilla or corn chips (Fritos)
Follow with a layer of hamburger gravel, then a layer of chopped tomatoes, and then a layer of chopped lettuce
Cover the lettuce with two 16 oz. cans of chili (with or without beans) the chili spreads more smoothly if it has been removed form the can first and slightly warmed.
Then top the whole dish with shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes

Great with fresh fruit or corn on the cob and warm rolls!!
Enjoy!
Love,
Kare/mom

good reads

I'm looking for some good talks/articles to print and read on my flight tomorrow. Pretty please if you see this comment your favorite or make a suggestion! I'd really appreciate it.

Love you ladies!

does anyone know??

the best place to publish your blog {ya know have it printed up into a book}

how cute are these?

From littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com

Who has more cutie spring/easter ideas???

Eat your veggies....then have chocolate

How do you feel about beets? I have never been a fan until I tried this salad. Oh.My. It is absolutely delicious. I still keep the beet count a little light as I like more sweet potato than beet, but all combined it is delicious and so pretty! I brought it to a party and it looked and tasted good, so I felt that it should be shared. 

 

Chop the pears, sweet potatoes, and beets into nice bite size chunks

If you don't wear gloves you will stain your hands. I'm at peace with it.

After an hour of roasting, the aroma is divine.

Sweet Potato Salad
2 lbs sweet potato
1-2 beets
2 pears
10 Fresh Sage leaves
10 fresh Tarragon leaves
(if you don't have the fresh herbs, it tastes just fine with sage/tarragon from your spice rack)
Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 375
Chop sweet potatoes, beats, and pears into similar size chunks
Spread vegetables out on a roasting pan
toss the vegetables with some olive oil
Add chopped Tarragon and sage
Cover dish with foil
Bake for about 45-60 minutes or until the vegetables are soft

THEN, because you ate all your vegetables you can eat as many Cadbury mini eggs out of your candy jar as you want.

quote boat

I believe that each person is entirely to blame for their happiness or unhappiness. Matisse echoed my feelings when he said
"Il y a des fleurs partout pour qui veut bien les voir."

which means

"There are flowers everywhere for those who want to see them."

so look for flowers.

speaking of quotes...

“How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.” - Oscar Wilde

made me laugh

“I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor” — Joan Rivers

be prepared

ok so i'll start by prefacing this post with a story.

yesterday i was jamming to my ipod thinking about how much i love the city when I looked out the window of the bus i was on and realized i had totally missed my stop. I was only one ave down so I jumped off quickly and started up the street. When i rounded the corner to my street I reached into my bag to garb my keys... When I got my new job I splurged on a Marc Jacobs key chain/mini wallet that I could carry my work pass and metro-card in. Today I had put some cash in it as well as my debit card. So in total it contained: both house keys, the only mailbox key, my work ID and security pass, my debit card, cash, my flash drive, my gym pass, me monthly metro-card and my flash drive. so anyways, I reach in my purse and its NOT THERE! then I remember it was on my lap in the bus and I jumped up since I missed my stop. It must have fallen on the floor. so I jump in cab and tell him to head up Amsterdam (even though the bus runs parallel on riverside I thought we could catch up to it taking the faster street)After about 10 blocks I just guessed about how far up the bus had gotten and tell the driver to cross over to Riverside. I told him I left my wallet on the bus and to look for a bus ahead of us and then catch up as fast as he can. When we turn we see one a few blocks behind us but I think no that can't be it the bus I went on would have been further up. So we head uptown and we are racing down the street and no bus in sight. Then I think maybe it is the bus behind us, great, by now someone has def taken it and Ill have to wait in the cold 20 mins for that bus to catch up to where I am now to even see if it's there. Just as we are heading to 116 st and I'm about to give up we see a bus! The taxi driver tells me just to jump out and look on the bus before it drives away. So I do. He honks at the bus so it doesn't leave. I jump in the bus and tell the driver I need to look for my wallet. I go to the back where I was sitting and the woman there says "oh someone found it" a had woman picked it up and was asking for the owner but she just got off the bus. ON THE LAST STOP. I missed her by 4 blocks. The people on the bus said she was really nice and they thought she would find me, but I knew there wasn't anything in my wallet that would help her unless she was really aggressive. So I gave up hope. When I got to work the next morning I was knew deep in canceling my cards and getting replacements. I was trying to reach our super about the keys when my personal line rang from an outside number. Which never really happens. When I answered a sweet woman said "Hi my name is Krystal I found your wallet on the bus. " I was so happy! She said she had tried everything, looking my up on facebook, calling the gym, and the bank. She was afraid if she left it with the bank or with the bus driver that it would never get back to me, or only half of it would. She said finally she thought to Google the name of the property management company on my work ID, which was a long shot because Boston Properties owns A LOT of BUILDINGS. However they were able to give the office directory and told her to talk to Ken. (who works in my office) But when she heard my name she just dialed my directly. TA DA.



Now I realize that was a long painful story for most of you who don't care about my little tragedy turned triumph, but there is a bigger picture! There are two actually. The first is Karma. Even in the big city there are kind strangers who will do the right thing. If you do the right things people will do them for you too. The second of course is protect yourself. Check you have everything before you get off the bus, keep your purse zipped,and even if you live in Rexburg lock your door. This morning I made a list/copy of everything important in my wallet so if I ever lost it I'd know what was gone and what to cancel/replace. Here's tips from a good article I read about protecting yourself before your wallet gets lost:

1. Step 1

Have contact information for all of your accounts stored in a safe place.

Having quick access to your account numbers and contact information for the issuing institutions may allow you to cancel your accounts more quickly before the thief is able to do his damage.

2. Step 2

Have your work contact information printed on your checks.

This is safer than having your home address listed on your checks. You don't want a thief to pay a personal visit to your home to rob you. Also avoid printing your driver's license and social security number on your checks.

3. Step 3

Get a non-debit ATM card.

If your ATM card should be stolen, the thief would be able to use the debit function of your card for purchases unless you have one without this feature. Most banks automatically issue ATM cards with debit capabilities. Ask your bank for a non-debit card instead.

4. Step 4

Make a copy of everything in your wallet.

Make a photocopy of everything you carry in your wallet and store it in a safe place .If your wallet should be stolen, you'll have this important information handy to report to the different credit agencies as well as the police.

5. Step 5

Always have an emergency credit card at home.

If your wallet is stolen and you have to cancel your credit cards, you'll need a credit card available to make purchases. Although most credit card companies can issue a new card for you quickly, most can't provide same day service since the new card has to reach you by mail. If you have a separate credit card account, you store your reserve card in a safe place in case you need it.

6. Step 6

Minimize the number of items you carry in your wallet. If you carry business cards in your wallet, the thief will have instant access to where you work and what you do. Likewise, if you carry your social security card in your wallet, they'll also have knowledge of your social security number. Try to minimize the amount of paperwork and documentation you carry in your wallet on a daily basis. If you must carry your business card with you, store it in a separate area. Another option is to have a separate smaller wallet with just the essentials. You can use this wallet when you're going out on the town or into a situation where the risk of having your wallet stolen is higher.

polka dot plate

I ran across this just a few min. ago and thought it was sooooooooooooooo cute!!! So, I thought I would share... To get directions to make it go HERE
Another cute blog for fun ideas is HERE

ENJOY! Love you girls!

posted by da bergs

ta-ta-ta- tasty- tastyyyyy

there are no words. just joy.

most of the women reading this have probably eaten a Ben's cookie in London or gone to what is now called bear country cookies in SLC, but for those of you who haven't good news. I just found this little treatie mc treaterton.

I'm going to see how close I can get the recipe to taste like the real thing this weekend, but the best news is if if doesn't work I can buy a box for 20.00 and let me tell you that is a steal. no one believes me when i say these are the best cookies ever made, until they try them. I'm telling the truth here people they will CHANGE your life. I think I might buy the cookie mix too...

omg, I'm pumped!

Happy St. Patrick's! (Almost)

St. Patrick's is always a fun holiday at my house, as it is also my mom's birthday. Tradition requires that we have corned beef and cabbage: traditional Irish food. She makes this fabulous dinner and we all shower her with love and presents--I'd say it's a good deal.

This year, Derek and I will have dinner at my parents and enjoy the lovely Irish heritage meal. But I realized today, that I have NO idea how to make corned beef! So, my goal this year: to learn! What am I going to do with my own kids when my mom is far away? I have to be self-sufficient, I suppose.

St. Patrick's also means the coming of green. I am a huge fan of winter, but I must admit-those first signs of spring, snow drops and crocuses, make me feel giddy for a change. I'm looking forward to green on the trees, carpets of green on the ground, and fabulous springs colors in my wardrobe (yay!).

So, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Emergency Situations

Kaitlyn just added me and this isn't even a really fun post, but something I was thinking about today.

This morning while I was in half awake/half sleepland I noticed the bed shaking a little. I sat straight up and panicked because I thought maybe my husband was having a seizure or something. He wasn't, just scratching his belly apparently, but it scared me and prompted me to look up what to do if something like that (a seizure, not the belly scratching) happens. So I share this with you:

What to do if someone is having a seizure:

• Loosen clothing around the person's neck.
• Do not try to hold the person down or restrain him or her, this can result in injury.
• Do not insert any objects in the person's mouth; this can also cause injury.
• Reassure bystanders who may be panicking and ask them to give the person room.
• Remove sharp objects (glasses, furniture, and other objects) from around the person to prevent injury.
• After the seizure, it is helpful to lay the person on his or her side to maintain an open airway and prevent the person from inhaling any secretions.
• After many seizures, there may be confusion for a period of time and the person should not be left alone.
• In many cases, especially if the person is known to have epilepsy, it is not necessary to call an ambulance. If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or if another seizure begins soon after the first, or if the person cannot be awakened after the movements have stopped, an ambulance should be called. If you are concerned that something else may be wrong, or the person has another medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes, you should contact a doctor immediately.

The whole article on What to do about Seizures can be found HERE. 

It also got me thinking about other emergencies that I "sort of" know how to react to. One thing that scares me is choking. Especially when I have children. I looked it up and found an in depth article, complete with visuals, that can be found on WebMD. Click Here to read.

I would encourage everyone to freshen up on their first-aid training. the firstaid.webmd site is really helpful. It talks about Burns, Poisoning, and Dealing with Emergencies. You never know what could happen tomorrow, so it is always best to be prepared. I think I'm going to go home today and get a small 72 hour kit together that I can put right under my bed in case I need to grab it really fast someday.

Good question

I have been pondering this very question a lot lately, as my life with two little boys gets busier and more demanding. It reminds me of Stephen Covey’s question about who would attend our funeral if we died and what would the eulogist say. Kind of a morbid question, but great for really making us think about how we want to be remembered. Lately, I have been struggling with balance. My husband works insane hours, so I feel often like it’s all up to me. Do I fold the 4 loads of laundry or play Mouse Trap with my son? It seems simple here as I type it, but it’s complicated and I am beyond tired. At the end of each day, I come back to the very question that Kaitlyn posted about – how will I be remembered? How will my kids remember me (and their childhood)? Was I the warm mom who gave them lots of love and attention, or was I frazzled – never getting to things and always responding to their requests with “in a minute” (while that minute never comes)? My resolve – balance better and be better, starting today – stop and really see these two darling boys in the moment every day.

I am so inspired by all of the women on this blog. Often I am reading the posts at midnight when my house is quiet, but it gives me a lot of think about. I don’t post often, but I think about it and I write posts in my mind.

Kaitlyn, you are amazing. I loved what you wrote about me. It actually made me cry. If I had read it without my name, I wouldn’t have known you were writing about me – so obviously, I need to work on some things. But somehow, knowing that you see me that way pushes me to be better, more like your kind words described me. I needed to read those words this week.

kaitlyn is… spreading love and light where ever she goes, literally. and, she is the most memorable babysitter - as evidenced by the fact that Lucas still talks about her - almost two years later. she loves kids and they know it. she is always smiling, and when she talks to you, it is like you are the only person in the world at that moment.

Mackenzie (http://dougandmackenzie.blogspot.com)