I Finally Made it to Hollywood!

I finally made it to Hollywood!  The town that normally chews you up and spits you out, actually showed us a great time this weekend.  Mike and I went on a quick trip to LA this last weekend for a fun little get away without the kids. 

 

Our first stop, and always one of my favorites, the Mad Greek in Baker California.  This is a fun and crazy destination restaurant smack dab in the middle of nowhere, with wonderful food. 

 I had a blast grossing Mike out with my favorite Calamari Greek Salad, Yum-o!!

Then we were off to Hollywood, for a whirl-wind getaway to see "Wicked"  a show than is near and dear to both Mike and I.  We have been listening to the music for years and have wanted to see the musical more than we should really admit (especially Mike!) We made it to LA just in time to head to the hotel, freshen up, and head to dinner.  The place of choice was the Fabiolus Cafe on the famous Sunset Strip.  

It's a quant little italian restaurant, with wonderful food, cozy atmosphere, and of course dinner with a TV actress!  I have been a long time ER fan and was pleasantly surprised to be seated next to Yvette Freeman, the actress who portrays nurse Haleh Adams on the TV show.  It just feeds the fantasy that you will run into all kinds of stars while hanging out in Hollywood.  I get star struck rather easily!! 

After Dinner, we headed to the famous Pantages Theater to see the Show!  Magical, may be to corny of a word to use, but it's true.  I have been to shows before, where I have built them up in my mind so much that by the time I actually get there, I'm disappointed.  Not this one.   The talent of the performers was amazing!  I envy people who have that kind of talent and have the opportunity to do things like that for a living.  Only in my wildest dreams would that ever happen for me.  I am such a goober,  I even got misty eyed in my favorite song, it was just that powerful.  So needless to say, if you have the opportunity to see this show, take advantage of it.  Even if you don't think you are a musical type of person, you'll love it!  

The next morning we took a little time and went down to the Santa Monica Pier and walked around a little, found some trinkets to take home to the troops, and headed home.  Now, I would like to say that my favorite part of the trip was the show, I am happy to say that my favorite part was the long drive with my cutie of a Husband.  To be able to reconnect with him for just a quick 24 hours without kids was priceless.  We actually had about 8 hours in the car together and we didn't even turn the music on (just ask my parents, that's a big deal!)  We were having so much fun talking with each other, without the constant interruption of kids.  Don't get me wrong, we love our kids, but to be just a "couple" for a little while was wonderful!!

Here We Go!!

I am officially joining the band wagon.  Several of my friend's and my sister are all trying to lose weight right now.  I however, have been a little reluctant.  I am so tired of all the ups and downs.  I'm tired of the disappointment.  I am tired of always having to think about what I am going to eat and what I can't have.  I'm tired of the slow progress after practically killing myself to get there.  I'm tired of sitting at parties and watching every one else eat.  I'm tired of being grumpy because I am hungry.  I can go on forever!  

The bottom line is, I still need to do it.  I know I will feel better and have a much better quality of life.  So, I am making the leap.  And not only am I making the leap, I am making the leap publicly. I am actually in a good place right now and I am ready for the challenge!  Now, what is a challenge without a goal?  My goal right now is to lose 15 pounds by my birthday, which is June 22nd.  That gives me eight weeks.  Let's see how I do!

Well, Who Wouldn't Love a Blushing Leprechaun?

The other night we had and Elder's Quorum activity that was Desert View Ward's very own "Iron Chef!"  The secret ingredient was APPLE. 

 

Now, I am not much of a baker.  Rachel Ray and I are in the same boat in that respect (by the end of this post you will realize how much I watch the Food Network! It is my secret escape, weird I know.) although I can make a mean pie.  But when you think of apple, everyone naturally thinks of pie.  I needed a secret weapon, a virtual A-bomb if you will, and pie wasn't going to do the trick.  My weapon of choice was my, Blushing Leprechaun. What is a Blushing Leprechaun you ask?  Well, for those of us Mormon, non-drinkers it is a virgin Sour Apple Martini, or you can call it a Sour Apple Spritzer.  It's a fun drink that I made up for my family for St. Patrick's Day this year.  And the recipe is as follows:

• 3 parts Sprite, 7-Up, Ginger Ale, Sparkling Soda or anything clear with bubbles.
• 1 part Sour Apple Mixer
• Maraschino Cherry for Garnish
• Sour Apple Sugar for the rim

Enjoy!

Ah, the Simple days!

I was reading a friends blog today (thanks Andrea!  Click here to see her entry) about how her kids had a wonderful time just playing in the water in the gutter in front of their house Something so simple, and it got me thinking.  What were some of the simple magical days that I remember from my childhood.  A couple things popped into my mind, and the funny thing is that none of them cost any money (something I need to constantly remind myself of!) 

One of my most magical days, was a snowy day in Colorado.  I was probably between eight and nine.  Old enough that it was alright for me to play out in the snow by myself, but not too old to miss the magic of the moment.  My parent's home had a row of tall bushes in a row in front of the house with a little bit of room between the bush and the house.  A perfect little walkway for someone of my size.  When it would snow a lot it would create some pretty neat drifts that would ride up the bush to the roof of the house, leaving a magical snow cave.  I remember one day going out there after a really big snow storm and discovering this little phenomenon.  By the time I found it all of the other kids, my sisters and other random neighborhood kids had already gone inside to escape the chill.  So this wonderful little treasure was all mine.  I remember climbing back there and finding a joy that I seem to be chasing to this day.  The snow bank blocked the wind and because it was right up to the brick of the house the little cave was rather pleasant.  I remember staying back there for quite some time, creating a little world for myself.  The funny thing is that it was a solitary experience that didn't require any toys, no friends, I was all by myself with my imagination.  I don't remember what I pretended to do or create, but I do remember the feelings that I had.  The feeling of total happiness.  

My husband once told me that he felt like those experiences that we have like that when we are children are what help us learn how to find our way back to our Heavenly Father.  They help us to remember what we came from and who we really are.  Thinking back on that time in my snow world, I think he is right. 

Most of my simple joys as a child came from discovering the wonderful world that the Lord created for us.  I remember walking home from school one day, again by myself.  It was raining lightly and I had a brand new umbrella.  I remember walking slowly watching all the earthworms coming out of their grassy homes and covering the sidewalk, carefully walking as to not accidentally squish one.  I had also discovered that it was so mush more fun to flip the umbrella over to see how much of the rain that I could catch in it.  I'm sure that my Mother really appreciated that, but I sure thought it was neat.  Another rainy memory was up at Rick's College, and again was a solitary experience.  It was conference weekend and all of my roommates had gone out of town for the weekend and for some reason I decided to stay behind.  I think after living with five other girls in a very small living space I was looking forward to some time alone.  I remember opening my dorm room window and turning on the radio to listen to conference.  It had been lightly raining all day and the smell from the new spring world was something I will never forget.  Laying there on my bed with the light breeze, the amazing smells and the wonderful spirit from  the conference talks were intoxicating.

 

After listening to Elder Ballard's talk, Daughter's of God, (click on the title of the talk if you would like to read it.)  It reminded my that I need to take the time to remember the precious moments. Now that I'm older they are a little different.  One Saturday our family was working together on getting the house into shape, and everyone was working with a smile on their face.  That was a special "moment."  I know that they are few and far between and I am grateful that I was able to stop and recognize that it was a special moment.  Another time was when we were on vacation as a family at Redondo Beach, California.  The day was perfect, we found a great parking spot, the beach wasn't crowded, and the weather was perfect.  For lunch we found this little closet of a restaurant that served authentic Mexican food, and I mean authentic. They even served all of their sodas in the old fashioned glass bottles.  I think strait from Mexico, because I haven't seen that kind here forever.  My favorite souvenir from any trip so far, was the Squirt bottle that I drank from that day.  Weird I know,  I have it sitting on my kitchen counter and every time I see it, I remember that day.

I have had many more like these that would count as my top memories, and for journaling sake I am going to try and record some of them from time to time.  Thanks Andrea for the little push, It was a fun walk down memory lane.

We're Open for Business!!

So no, I haven't died or dropped off the face of the earth.  I have been slightly obsessed with my new adventure.  Melinda and I have been feverishly working on our new site BloggerCouture.com and we can finally say that we are OPEN FOR BUSINESS!  If you have a moment please check out are site and let us know what you think.  And by all means send all of your family and friends!  

I Think I'm Finally Getting It!

My Mom was really good at doing things with us girls, like cooking & dishes and stuff.  She had, and still does have a wonderful way with children.  I on the other hand did not inherit much of her talent.  I am more from my father branch of the tree, a perfectionist!  My need to be totally in control hinders the way I work with my children, unfortunately.   I watch my Mom and friends work with their children in awe, wondering how do they do that without their blood pressure reaching new heights?  Well, finally after 10 plus years of mothering I finally did it.  Sad I know.

Emily and I made Split Pea Soup together.  Emily cut the celery for me. I realized that a few cents of extra celery really isn't that big of a deal. We had a wonderful time, and I had an "Ah,hah" moment.  To celebrate we shared some Ants on a Log.  One of my favorite childhood snacks.  It's amazing how something so little can turn into something special.

Big Announcement!

Well, we've finally done it!  Melinda and I have started our own blog design business, bloggercouture.com. We still have many things that need to be done before we officially launch, but I thought we could give everyone a sneak peak!  Go check out our site at www.bloggercouture.com and then let us know what you think.  Real opinions please!  If anyone would like to have a free design for your blogs let me know.  We need to have a few sites that we can use as our portfolio, so let me know.  We will have to limit it to the first ten people, so let us know soon.