The Adventures of Hylan & Emily

Pink Day!

2012-02-13T08:41:00.020-07:00

For many, Valentine's Day is red. For me, it's PINK!

I was in Hobby Lobby on Saturday and saw these dishes.

Now anyone who knows me knows how fanatical I am about flamingos. There are still small evidences of this obsession in my home today, though admittedly there are many more evidences in my childhood home.

It all stems from a 1st grade cereal box report on flamingos. Our teacher passed out National Geographic cards and we cut and paste fun facts and pictures about our animal on a blue paper covered cereal box. I just can't imagine who I would be today if I would have been assigned something like rhinoceros. Oh, how drab and boring my life would have been. HA!

Miss Glamingo! Ha ha. So adorable, I can't stand it.

Over the weekend, I also experimented with a different sugar cookie recipe. Now, I've made tons of cookies in my lifetime. With sugar cookies, I feel like I've made some good ones (that had been my favorite recipe) and some okay ones, but if you're looking for the ultimate soft, pillowy, bakery-style, thick, soft sugar cookie recipe, I have finally discovered it.

Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies from two peas & their pod

Umm, yes, I can be very girly when it comes to some things like baby pink heart sugar cookies with mini pearl sprinkles.

This so typifies Emily.

I highly recommend that sugar cookie recipe and the buttercream. It is divinelicious!

By the way, if you live close by, I still have a counter full of these cookies all plated up and I would be happy to make some special deliveries. Don't be shy.

Iron Infusion IV Therapy: My Story

2012-02-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

I write this simply because I had no idea what to expect when I went in to have my Iron Infusion IV Therapy. I tried to research it on the net, but didn't find any helpful info beforehand.

The day before the first procedure, I managed to ask the nurse what to expect and was told to plan on about an hour or more and that eating breakfast was okay. That was it. I guess it's a fairly "routine" kind of a procedure, but how was I to know until I experienced it for myself?

I know I'm a bit behind the curve on some of these things because I've never had an IV before in my life! Like I said before, I hadn't even been to a doctor in 5 years (I don't count the dentist or eye doctor). When I had my wisdom teeth out 9 years ago, I got some sort of happy gas that put me out. I was awake for my eye surgery two years ago. Other than a few x-rays, a broken ring finger, routine physicals, and trips to the doctor as a kid, I haven't had too many personal medical experiences.

So, here's my IV experience.

I entered the American Fork Hospital on Friday, February 3rd at 8:00 am. I made sure to wake up with enough time to eat breakfast because I dislike being hungry for any extended period of time. Luckily, this is a small hospital and the The IV Therapy wing was directly off the main entrance, so I didn't have any trouble finding it.

When I "phoned in," they unlocked the door and sat me in a small room with a smooth blue chair. The nurse asked me some questions and did some routine paperwork, because it was my first time, and then proceeded to poke me with a needle, twice! Ouch.

As you can see in the picture below, the first vein she tried didn't "thread," so she moved to a spot lower on my arm and told me I was too young to have veins like that (whatever that meant?! gee, thanks!) I felt like saying something snarky about her age but I didn't.

But in all seriousness, a little pinch (or two in my case) and then the needle was "threaded." At this point, she hooked me up to a 100 mg drip of some sort of reddish brown iron saline solution. The nurse offered me a drink and a blanket. I asked for water and declined the blanket.

Drip, drip, drip, while I planned my shopping list for our Super Bowl menu (see previous post), and checked Facebook and Twitter updates a little too eagerly.

The IV didn't really hurt, though it was mildly uncomfortable, so it was a relief when after about 45 minutes or so (the time seemed to go fast), the drip was finished and the beeper went off.

Unfortunately, due to a new policy, the nurses hold you captive in the room for "observation" for 30 minutes after the procedure. Everyone seemed annoyed by this policy, but since it was my first time and the policy had been clearly explained to me beforehand, I wasn't too annoyed. That's when I pulled out some paperwork I had brought with me from my classes at UVU which helped me to get to know my students a little better.

Anyhow, after the "observation" was complete, I clicked my heels and excitedly skipped out of the hospital with a "new lease on life" armed with extra iron as I reentered the normalnohospital errandrunninggrocery world. On the drive, I started to wonder what if the solution I was given wasn't iron and was actually Adamantium. Would I be able to grow bone claws like Wolverine? Those could sure come in handy.... Ha. Ha. Ha!

But in actuality, I did feel slightly different almost immediately. It felt kind of like my blood vessels were dilated, or that the blood in my body was "full." I could feel it mostly in my head. I didn't develop a headache, nor did I have nausea, which I was grateful for. But during the entire day afterwards, I just felt internally opened up, if that makes sense. I imagine my body was going through something akin to how a thirsty plant reacts when it receives a healthy dose of fresh water. The roots soak it right up and distribute it to the rest of the plants cells! My blood soaked that iron right up and immediately began regenerating and circulating!

I didn't however, have an immediate energy boost (maybe a temporary thisisadifferentfeelinghigh), but that was to be expected because building up an energy supply certainly takes time!

All the while, I have also been supplementing my supply of iron by ingesting it in various liquid, pill, and food forms. Controlled, mind you.

Funny story alert: The day I told Hylan about my blood work, he dropped off a medicinal 5 Guys burger for lunch. We joked about how I need to eat more meat like him and he needs to eat more vegetables like me. Silly us.

One thing I have noticed during this past week is that when I exercise, the characteristic reddish flush has returned. This must certainly be due to plumper red blood cells and better oxygen flow! I can't believe that as much as I exercise and sweat, somewhere along the way, I lost that blush. In fact, the week before I had my initial blood work done--when I almost passed out teaching a strength class (okay, that happened more than once)--I saw this deathly pale look in the mirror. Sheesh, for someone who teaches about being "in tune" with one's body, how did I go so long not recognizing these signs? I suppose I brushed it off as normal--I've always looked like Casper the Friendly Ghost, especially during the winter!

Another thing I have started to notice is that I don't crave ice chewing anymore. I'm not sure why, but it used to be so soothing for me. I believe the medical term for this kind of craving is called "Pica." Even though I've known for a long time that this is a sign of iron deficiency anemia, I seemed to brush it off as normal because I've loved chewing ice for a long time! But seriously, lately, chewing a big cup of half melted ice seems cold, jagged, and quite frankly weird. Weirdo!

So, back to the therapy. I went in for "round 2" on Friday, February 10th at 8:00 am. This time, the dosage was increased to 200 mg. I had a different nurse this time as well. This lady stuck me in my hand and told me I looked too young to teach classes at BYU and UVU. She said she would have guessed 18 or 19. (Wait, didn't I verify my birthdate with you a few moments ago? I guess she didn't process the number with my face.) I responded with a casual, "I get that a lot. I'm 29."

But internally, even though I am so used to this rhetoric, it still irritates me a little. The way I see it is that I've earned the fine lines around my eyes and the ones forming on my forehead, at the brow, and around my mouth. I've also earned those years of schooling, work, and life experience that you don't see when you look at a teenager, but I guess there are worse things in life than being thought of as young!

So, let's see, I'm turning 30 this year, but I look 18 or 19...in approximately 10-12 years, I will catch up with my age! I guess I shouldn't complain about that. :)

Wow, that's like the seventy second tangent of this post!

This dosage took longer to drip in, about an hour. Good thing I was armed with stuff to do like planning a stability ball Pilates class, reading a Sunday School lesson, and also again too eagerly checking status updates on my phone. My hand felt pinched during the drip, but felt even more sore after the IV came out.

Overall, the feeling was similar to the prior week, though I didn't feel as iron parched and quenched as before, but that was probably because I knew what to expect this time around. I probably still have lower iron, but it is most definitely no longer in the scary single digits, to be sure.

Hopefully, my energy will increase more in the upcoming weeks because I'm anxious to feel what it's like to not feel tired or drained most of the day. That sure would be swell.

Be well!

Super Bowl Food Menu

2012-02-04T08:56:00.016-07:00

Yes, the Super Bowl is an excuse to eat lots of unhealthy foods. No, I will not feel guilty about it. Not one iota!

Here's our menu:

1. Bacon Wrapped Lit'l Smokies*

2. Homemade Soft Pretzels* with Cheese Dipping Sauce

3. Double Chocolate Oreo Football Truffles

4. Guacamole*, Tortilla Chips, and Pico de Gallo

5. Vegetable Crudites

6. Garlic Pepper Wings from Rocky Mountain Wing Shak

7. Home Fried Fresh French Fries

8. Fruit Kebabs and Dips

The recipes with an asterisk are ones that I've tried multiple times and LOVE! The last three menu items will be brought by the great Lynntelligent.

Sigh. Too bad this marks the end of football. Not too worry though, MARCH MADNESS is just a month away! Besides, this was kind of a terrible season for Eagles fans anyway. May the best team win (since it's not possible that both can lose). Represent NFC East, Giants.

Thanks to various websites for letting me steal pictures.

And yes, admittedly, I will probably still fill up on tons of vegetables and then eat a little bit of everything else. Either way, no guilt!

Second Request Cupcakes

2012-02-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

I wish I had photographed the moment where my nieces (ages 5 & 6) patiently sat at the kitchen island after dinner longingly staring at these cupcakes waiting for the adults to finish up dinner so they could eat their cupcake treat. Adorable.

I made these special for a belated birthday dinner for my five year-old niece. Hence, the pink. I love girls!

I couldn't decide how to frost them, can you tell? I think the swirls and pink sprinkles looked the best.

Anyway, the reason I'm posting is because everyone was enamored by how delicious these cupcakes were. I made these Biscoff Cupcakes from Picky Palate and used this Perfect Frosting from Our Best Bites.

Hylan is a self-declared cake hater, and yet, he managed to down 3 of these and also requested them for his upcoming birthday on Feb 26th. Yes, they were that good!

The cupcake batter utilizes Biscoff Spread--you remember my desire to try it from this post. Since then, I have enjoyed this "treat spread" on apples and in even tried this recipe for Biscoff Blondies (though, I personally thought the blondies turned out too sickeningly sweet, Hylan's family didn't seem to complain). I have actually seen Biscoff Spread in many of my local grocery stores lately, so it is becoming more popular and available. The Biscoff seems to give these cupcakes a subtle sweet, hint of cinnamon, and a sort of delicate nuttiness that is not too overpowering in flavor but adds just enough "hmm, what is that?" factor. And the crumb texture on these basic cupcakes is perfectly fluffy: not too dry or too moist or too dense or too chewy.

As for the frosting on these cupcakes, I didn't use the recipe for Biscoff Buttercream from Picky Palate because I only had enough Biscoff Spread left for the cupcake batter, and also because I didn't want to use 2 sticks of butter for 12 cupcakes!

I had previously heard about an alternative technique to making buttercream that requires cooking flour and milk together for the base of the frosting. It only takes a few minutes more of your effort to make than traditional buttercream, but the result is well worth those few minutes! It is less tricky than my all time favorite favorite Swiss Meringue Buttercream, and the end product is similarly silky, not cloying, and perfectly light and fluffy. So, I highly recommend trying this Perfect Cupcake Frosting. It only has 1 stick of butter (and by the way, skim milk does work just fine).

In closing, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you try these recipes:

Biscoff Cupcakes

Perfect Cupcake Frosting

Each is scaled for 12 cupcakes which was perfect for a dinner party of 4 adults and 3 children. I especially loved that I had all of the ingredients in my pantry and fridge to make these recipes! (So, next time your out grocery shopping, look for that Biscoff Spread so you can make these anytime you want).

They were a hit, so I will definitely be making them both again.

Please let me know if you try either recipe!

"Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News..."

2012-01-30T09:50:00.009-07:00

The doctor called me this morning and told me "we have a big problem with your blood work..."

Unalarmed, I patiently waited to hear the news that I suspected but wasn't completely sure.

"Well, your iron level is severely low. You should be at 150. Guess what yours is? It's a 2!"

"Oh, umm yeah, well I mean I always feel tired, but I just figured that was normal."

Blah, blah, blah, yackity schmackity...

He wants me to go in to have an IV to get a quick jump start and then of course supplement with iron daily.

Guess that explains why I almost passed out teaching powertone last week.

It probably also explains why I almost passed out hiking Timp a couple years ago.

And why I'm so ghostly pale right now too.

Or, why I run so slow. My fastest 5k time is around 32-33 minutes. Yah, pathetic, I know, but I figured I was just too lazy or had too much lower body weight, or just too weak, or something.

But hey, if I can finish a half marathon on low iron levels, then think what I will be able to do with normal iron levels!

I really should know better. I eat quite healthy, but I rarely eat red meat, not because I'm opposed, I just rarely eat it. I was severely anemic in high school. I remember the doctor said my hemoglobin should have been at least 12-16 and I was at a 6. That was 13 years ago.

I tried to donate blood back in 2004 and they turned me away because my iron was too low. I stopped trying to donate blood--I figured that was one thing I needed to be selfish about.

So, I guess the moral of the story for me is to regularly supplement my diet with iron! And not to wait 5 years between visits to the doctor. Oops. Yeah, it had been awhile. And to have my iron level checked annually!

I've got to beef up my red blood cells, like I'm trying to beef up my muscles. I suppose we're going to have to frequent 5 Guys and Texas Roadhouse a little more often as well. :)

At least my problem is solvable. I just wish I wouldn't wait so long to figure out that tiredness isn't normal. Silly me! I could have been a much better athlete and much nicer, more energetic person. Oh well.

Here's to better health in the future.

And in good news, my cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, etc. is all perfect. At least I'm doing something right.

To learn more about iron deficiency anemia click here.

Does anyone recommend any particular iron supplement that is gentle on the body?

The Warmest New Year's Ever!

2012-01-06T08:54:00.014-07:00

Hylan and I had the opportunity to take a quick road trip to San Diego, CA with my parents. We had some great family fun time in gorgeous weather with my brother's family who lives in San Marcos and another brother's family from Maryland.

We went to La Jolla, saw the seals, visited the top of Mt. Soledad, ate at Soup Plantation, I visited the "world's largest Lexus dealership" with my brothers, and we ate pizza (with fresh veggies, of course). We watched the BYU and Utah bowl games (great wins!), admired the sun going down on 2011, ate at The Fish House and watched "The Christmas Carol". We went to church, ate pork and sauerkraut (PA Dutch tradition for good luck!), and played a Wii Smash Brothers Tournament for my nephew's cub scout project. Oh yeah, and this cute little dark-skinned girl in the hallway of our hotel called me a princess. Melt my heart! :o)

All in all, I'd say it was a great time, except that both Hylan and I returned home sick. Too bad. But it was worth it to hear Belle and Marie say, "I love you Unckie Hylan" and to watch this video of them dancing (you have to view it on my facebook page, sorry.) So cute and funny!

I should have taken more pictures, but I only captured the New Year's Eve sunset from this cool park in San Marcos.
Soaking up the views.

"Rock" climbing!
Auntie had fun climbing the rocks and ropes and snapping pictures.
There goes 2011. Those are clouds, not the ocean, by the way.

Going...
Going...
N'oubliez pas la lune dans la ciel!
Going...
Gone!

Now, let's get over this sickness, because it's back to business next week and my new teaching schedule! I'm adding Powertone and Pilates to Yoga at both UVU and BYU. Funny how I had to quit working at BYU to work at BYU. I like my hours now much better than before.

Happy New Year to all!

Here's to Christmas Sugar!

2011-12-27T10:26:00.004-07:00

I can't even keep track of how many things I've made (and eaten for that matter - yum!) over the past couple of weeks. Here are a few more highlights:

Russian Tea Cakes. They are like a shortbread nut cookie coated in powdered sugar.

My brother attempted and succeeded at making a Buche de Noel at my house. I'm a fan of the natural decorations. It was very tasty too.

We had a wonderful simple, quiet, and leisurely Christmas morning at our house. We got up around 9:30 or so, made breakfast, and then opened gifts. My favorite part was when I sent Hylan on a Christmas Gift Treasure Hunt through our house to find his 15 lb dumbbells. After that, it was off to 1:00 pm church.

I have really enjoyed the entire Christmas season this year. It has been so nice just to spend time with family, bake, cook, eat, exercise...and not have to go to work so much! Ah, la dolce vita. :)

Another delicious dish I made yesterday was Carla Hall's Groundnut Stew. I thought it was awesome, so I'd recommend trying it. It has kind of a Mexican and Thai feeling to it with the nuts and spices, but if anything, it's actually quite African.

Another highlight of Christmas Eve dinner, was Carla Hall's Cranberry Ginger Soda. It's not cheaper than buying soda at the grocery store, but I thought it was so festive and tasty!

If I get started on food, I won't stop, so I'll just leave it at that. Here's to a wonderful, Happy New Year, 2012! Ringing it in this year in sunny San Diego. Cheers! :o)

Christmas Fun

2011-12-23T08:05:00.004-07:00

I've sure had a fun and yummy Christmas season this year!

I made a quick Buche de Noel for a Sunday dinner. Hylan contributed the woodland creature.

Since my parents are in town, we had to continue the gingerbread sleigh tradition. My nieces and nephew were quite excited to help (well, Brigham was just excited to eat treats all day long).

A completed sleigh. Notice the mountains of candy in the background. Those we would turn into Christmas trees. Check it out:

So festive!

At home, I had to breed some more reindeer for my reindeer brigade! (Notice they are all Rudolphs!)

And finally, I found a bearded polar bear at Target. Ha Ha! He likes egg nog and peanut butter cups but not carrots and celery sticks.

Great times this season. Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season for Orange Marmalade

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

I had leftover oranges from Thanksgiving that I decided to turn into Orange Marmalade a few weeks ago.

This was my first time ever making it and I think it turned out quite delicious. I found this recipe really straight forward and easy to follow. I would recommend the cold plate trick especially in Utah because the altitude messes with the candy temperatures--the marmalade never made it to 222 degrees, but it was definitely ready after many minutes of stirring and boiling.

Love that mandoline!

Love that microplane!

Lots of sugar! Sheesh. I have a food scale, but I think 3 lbs 12 oz translates into about 7 cups. Because marmalade includes the rind and pith, it does need a lot of sweet to counteract the bitter.

Okay, so I need canning equipment. My stockpot only fit 3 in the bath without touching--I was concerned about the glass breaking so I was careful not to let the jars touch each other or the bottom of the pan (dishtowel on the bottom of the pan).

I was worried they weren't sealing, but , with a little patience, they all sealed up even though they didn't make that classic popping sound.

So pretty.

Taste test.

The gifts. I sure hope it was appreciated!

Now I can cross off something else on my culinary "to do" list. I will probably be making this again, once I have the proper canning equipment!

Jolly Good Man, I say

2011-12-12T14:29:00.006-07:00

And it goes a little something like this:

One day you'll be off teaching your evening yoga class at a local University, doing your thing, just like any other normal Tuesday or Thursday. When your husband gets home from a long day of work, he'll miss you and wish you were around, so he thinks up a fantastic scheme. He'll go and do something almost unthinkable and open up his computer's Internet browser to the blog that bears his and your name.

Perhaps, he considers, I'll discover something interesting about our"adventures." Or, at least he'll accomplish his goal of feeling a bit closer to you so that the minutes pass by quicker until you return.

He reads fantastical tales of boats and holidays, food a-plenty, and he even one about a handsome guy with multiple domestic skills. That sure looks like me, he smiles while staring at the screen, looking up for a moment to remind himself he's still alone.

After the smile fades, a few concerning thoughts whirl around his mind like a vortex: it's not that I doubt he can do this...I'm still waiting on that shelf for our washer and dryer...it's only been over a year.... He simply can't shake the nagging feeling of a project undone and a wife dissatisfied, so he rises from the couch, looks heavenward and shakes his clenched fists above his head in agonizing digust.

If she really thinks she "won the lottery" when I picked her, then I must prove it!

...

So, the next day at work, he finds out about some office furniture that would be disposed of if no one one wanted to claim it, so he quickly devises a plan to modify some cabinet drawers for his wife's laundry closet. "Brilliant!" he gloats to a fellow employee.

Bad-a-bing, bad-a-boom. He builds it, reinforces the support, and impressively uses his own brute strength to hoist those incredibly heavy machines. What an awesome surprise to his wife and a gift she will forever cherish as long as they both shall live in that home!

The End.

I don't know what else to say but that I really love that guy. He has been full of completing projects lately. I especially appreciated this past Saturday when he took our cars to get washed and detailed.

I also admire some of his other skills--you know the ones he hones outside the home.

Recently, he put some of his knowledge and experience into an inspired little budget book that is quite worth the 17-page read, if I do say so myself, and I do because I just might have put on my editing hat and helped with the process too. (English degrees do come in handy!)

Anyway, Wealth With Any Income: The Paycheck Plan is available on Amazon here and soon to be formatted for e-books.

And that concludes the advertising portion of this blog.

Disclaimer: I take full credit for the over-dramatization of the story about a guy shaking his fists at the heavens in disgust of himself for not building his wife some shelves to put her washer and dryer on. Any characters or events from the story may be uncoincidentally linked to real events and real people. Reality may have been altered for a comedic moment, but, to be sure, no pets were harmed in the writing of this story. This blog was brought to you by the editor of Wealth With Any Income: The Paycheck Plan. More shameless self-promotion. What are you going to do?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Apple Butter

2011-12-01T11:42:00.010-07:00

Now that it's December, I will officially allow myself to feel Christmas. I haven't been turning on my Christmas trees since we set them up because I just didn't feel like it, but now I want to enjoy them! Here are three more reasons it should feel more like the season for me:

1.) I've ordered my 3-D Santa's Sleigh and Reindeer cookie cutters.
2.) We went to the first Christmas party of the season last night.
3.) Christmas tunes are now allowed to be played in my car.

But first, to wrap up Thanksgiving, I made apple butter in the crock pot with some leftover Thanksgiving apples! Yum. Apple Butter is kind of like caramelized applesauce with extra spices. There is no butter in it, but it can be eaten as a spread on top of fresh baked bread, muffins, etc. It would also be good baked in to muffins or cookies as a butter/oil substitute!

APPLE BUTTER (This isn't really a recipe - it's just the approximation of what I had and used this time around.)

9 apples, cored and chopped but not peeled (5 large, 4 small, jonagolds and unknowns)
1/2 lemon, juiced, and 3 slices of peel
Sugar (I probably used about 3-4 Tbsp), sprinkled over apples in layers
Cinnamon, sprinkled over apples in layers
Allspice, sprinkled over apples in layers
Cloves, sprinkled over apples in layers

All of that made only about 3 Cups of apple butter when all was said and done. Here's what it looked like:

The beginning! I cooked it on high for the first hour.

Cooked for about 4 hours total: 1 on high, 3 on low.

Cooked for about 9 1/2 hours total. Maybe it doesn't look incredibly appetizing, but it sure smelled delicious all day!

I tried to blend it with an immersion blender, but it wasn't quite deep enough to get it smooth.

So, I tried the traditional blend method, though the Magic Bullet's blending capabilities are a bit limited.

So, I also had to strain out the peels, because they didn't puree. "Butter" should be smooth afterall!

That's what was left of the peels.

I decided it would be better to freeze in 1/2 cup portions for use later. The jar was for immediate consumption.

Freezer ziploc for extra protection.

Spread on toast the next morning. Yum!

Thanksgiving Highlights

2011-11-28T16:40:00.009-07:00

I'm just not feeling Christmas yet.

Anyone else out there feeling the same? I mean, we've decorated our house (even put up two trees this year), hung and staked our new outdoor lights, did a smidgen of Black Friday shopping (which was only to purchase new Christmas tree, lights, and decorations), and I've also watched a couple of cheesy TV Christmas programs (though Hoops & YoYo was a disappointment, right?), but it just doesn't feel like the season yet. It still seems too early!

With that said, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Most of my pictures turned out blurry--could it be because I was more focused on making a delicious feast? Yes, I think so. Nonetheless, here are a few pics:

The menu! I couldn't have done it without my lists!

Last of the shopping list--took me 3 grocery stores just to get everything on this list: Costco, WalMart, and Fresh Market, but it was worth it!

The table(s)! I tried not to break the budget buying fancy new tablecloths and centerpieces, though I wished I could have! It's okay though, because food is the most important!!

My sister couldn't be with us because baby Tessa was born on Monday, November 21st, but her family came for some gobble gobble and I sent them home with a pile of leftovers so she too could enjoy a Yankee feast.

I kept the Hors d'oeuvres simple: crudites: celery, carrots, cucumbers, red bell pepper and dip; crackers: Ritz and Wheat Thins, honey mustard pretzels (my latest obsession--made by Snyder's, a PA company!), whole grain pretzel sticks, and hummus for dipping; as well as sweet pickles, olives, and roasted nuts. Brigham sure loved those "cracks." :)

For some reason my rolls were photogenic. Fresh baked Thursday morning and delicious, if I do say so myself, and I do!

Sure looks like the kid's table. I guess now the adults were all getting their food. Oh and Martinelli's Sparkling Cider on the table, in case you're wondering. ;o)

This was my plate.

Hylan's plate is quite pretty, don't ya think? I'm so proud of him for eating sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts--I'm making a new man out of him, I tell ya!

Wow, and that's about the best pie picture I have. Too bad. You'd think he'd be happier since he's about to eat some delicious Pumpkin and Chocolate Cream Pies. Haha! He was...just not quite as thrilled to have his picture taken.

Shameless self portrait.

I just love Thanksgiving so much! :) The only thing better is Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania.

So, what do you do all day?

2011-11-20T09:30:00.007-07:00

One of my favorite questions to get asked is, "so, what do you do all day?" As if to say, not working full time equates to boredom and laziness. Well, if there is one thing I've discovered about myself it's that no matter how hard I seek to not be busy, busy-ness seems to find me!

For example, during the past two weeks I have taught fitness classes galore. The grand total was 20 in two weeks. That is a significant improvement from the typical 4 in two weeks. In preparation for those teaching weeks, I attended almost as many of those same classes as a way to refresh my Pilates and Powertone skills and get a few extra yoga practices in! I must admit that a schedule like that requires much stamina and I admire Deni for maintaining that kind of rigor semester after semester! I sure slept well too, though sore muscles do make it even more difficult to roll out of bed.

Additionally, a regular part of my life includes almost border-line obsessive cleaning. I know it's just me and Hylan, and we spend significant amounts of time away from home, but I simply must scrub my entire house clean from top to bottom at least weekly regardless of whether or not one may still see vacuum lines in the carpet from last week's cleaning, or already spotless mirrors and sparkling fixtures. It's habit! Not to mention, it's easier to clean a clean house. HA! I'm also a bit obsessive about keeping the laundry piles to the barest of minimums, so as soon as one of the itemized labeled laundry baskets fills up enough for a load, it gets washed, dried, folded, and put away! Yes, it does get exhausting to try to maintain a perpetual state of clean...and yes, I may have to modify my obsessive tendencies when children enter the home, but I simply must have order in my house or my brain goes berserk!

During the past few weeks, I have also tried to improve the quality of the furnishings in our home. We finally have an entryway with convienent shoe, coat, and hat/purse storage for guests, but that's about as far as we've taken it. I have been on the hunt for an entertainment center and am currently liking the IKEA build your own the way you want it with tons of storage idea, but it has been difficult to let go of our hard-earned pennies to make large-scale purchases. Plus, Hylan is convinced he can build me what I want from scratch. It's not that I doubt him, because I know he can! It's just that I doubt that he has the time to do this. I'm still waiting on that shelf he was going to build to put my front-loading washer/dryer appliances on top of. He was supposed to complete that before we moved in and had those appliances delivered over a year ago! So yeah, you be the judge! Anyway, slowly but surely, we will be able to outfit and organize our space better and actually acquire decent furniture. But for now, we'll continue our fact-finding missions for the best prices and pieces that best fit our space.

These poor quality pictures are from a few weeks ago and represent the roll reversal night we had when I built the entryway furniture and Hylan used my delicious meatballs marinara to make ravioli.

Of course, oftimes spare moments in my days are quickly filled up with cooking or baking experiments (as well as watching recorded episodes of "The Chew" - I love that show!) I've made some winners lately too, but I've also realized that as my freezer fills up with more and more baked goods and leftover meals, perhaps I need to curb my enthusiasm just a bit and eat what we already have instead of continuing to make more! Ha! Nah! Thanksgiving is coming up and I'm hosting, so get ready for a busy week of prepping and cooking ahead!

This week will prove no stranger to busy-ness, to be sure, but it is a much anticipated fun sort of busy-ness, precisely the kind I like! I love Thanksgiving with a passion and will try hard to bring a little bit of Pennsylvania to Utah this year! It should also prove to be a joyful kick-off to the rest of the holiday season, as my sister is scheduled to be induced to have her baby girl tomorrow. That means I should get to spend some priceless moments with my nieces and nephew too.

Now, if only I could figure out how to do more frequent shorter blog posts, so that each post is less wordy...

Oh well, snce I didn't really have great pictures to spice this post up, I'll conclude with this delightful shot of the one I call husband! How could I not love that face?!

Until next time!

H 2 the Cruise-O

2011-10-21T11:15:00.012-06:00

I realized on our vacation that I really appreciated the opportunity to escape the world of cell phones and the internet. It was actually quite refreshing to be in the middle of the Pacific on a giant boat with no one but Hylan and nothing to do but eat, sleep, and be entertained. I can't believe I even doubted for a second that it would be worth it. Well, it was!

We flew in on a Friday morning to spend time with my brother's family in San Diego until we got on the boat Saturday afternoon. Among other things, including good food, we visited a fun historical spot in Old Town that tells about the Mormon Battalion and their connection to helping settle San Diego. You get a free picture when you go--sure wish the cruise line would have offered the same generosity for all the pics they took of us! Oh well.

Thanks to Erin, I was able to get a few more pictures of the San Diego experience. Here we are "panning for gold."

Marie and Belle love their Uncle Hylan. Marie even cried when we were dropped off at the port.. My sister-in-law snapped this proof, though Marie managed to hold it together enough to eat her chicken nugget!

So, now we skip ahead to the cruise. Because of a hurricane, we were unable to sail to Puerto Vallarta. Darn! Instead, we spent our first day in Avalon on Catalina Island (Los Angeles County, CA). It was actually quite a fun little island town. We took a bus tour of the city to learn more about it's history with Mr. Wrigley, etc. This picture makes our boat look small, but make no mistake about it, a town of 4,000 is bustling when a cruise liner of almost 2000 guests docks close by.

Okay, so even if you anticipate cute towel animals, it's still a picture moment.

We sailed on to La Paz, Pichilingue, Mexico. Hylan and I spent a few hours there (dang, it was HOT) and got back on the boat to swim and enjoy the boat. There really wasn't much to this quiet beach town. This is our after-dinner sunset moment. I just think this picture of Hylan is hilarious.

Goodbye Pichilingue. You weren't that pretty anyway. I'm just saying. Dry and desert-y with cactus, but at least they have beaches and gorgeous sunsets.

A bit breezy because we're moving, but I believe this was taken just before we saw dolphins jump alongside the boat. A definite highlight!

So then we cruised some more and stopped in Cabo San Lucas. This is definitely a party town with lots of tourist stuff. I didn't really liked being haggled by every single person we walked by, so we didn't spend that much time here either, because we're cheap and didn't do any excursions. Put me back on the boat with a vacant pool and ship and free food and I'm just as happy as the clams.

I did manage to snap this picture, though it was so bright, I obviously couldn't see well enough to get the entire fish. My one regret is that we didn't take a picture with a lion cub. There were a couple of booths set up right around the dock, one right by this statue in fact, where you could pay $25.00 to take a picture with a real live lion cub. Oh my gosh they were so darned cute. But $25.00, really? Apparently the proceeds went to some wildlife/zoo federation/preserve or something. Too bad we were out of cash. Hylan was going to make me do it because I was smiling so big, but the ATM was down, so we passed it up, which was probably for the better anyway if we wanted to keep our bank accounts safe. I'm just saying.

Goodbye Cabo. I enjoyed your weather and swimming on the Oosterdam.

Gorgeous Mexican sunsets!

Some other highlights of the cruise included the dessert extravaganza display (though oddly enough, we were disappointed with the taste, but I did discover delicious coconut ice cream).

Orangutan! This was our last towel animal which I thought was definitely blog-worthy.

Other curise highlights: the evening "pool party" where we line danced, playing ping pong with Hylan, falling asleep to a movie in our cabin every night, and winning the marriage game. Yeah, we're awesome at being married. :) Too bad our prize was champagne which we gave to another couple. We also got Holland America travel mugs as participation prizes. And of course, obviously the food, service, entertainment, and swimming were also among my favorite highlights!

By the time the following Saturday rolled around, we were done with the motion of the ocean. We had about 6 hours to spend with my brother's family, so we drove around and went to Cabrillo Park. It was quite a neat place with fantastic views of San Diego and an old lighthouse, among other things.

These pictures were taken just below the park near a beach.

Me and Belle. Goodbye fun vacation times. May it not be another 5 years before Hylan and I can do something as awesome again. :o)

By the way, I would recommend Holland America if you're looking for a relaxed cruise line, with fantastic food, great entertainment, and wonderful service. There were probably only 10 kids on the boat, so if you're looking for an adult cruise and don't mind lots of "older" people, this one is for you.

Hylan the Homemaker

2011-10-05T16:30:00.013-06:00

Sometimes Hylan's skills amaze me.

It's not that I'm amazed so much at his ability to figure out to sew something or even his creativity, though that is still impressive, it's the fact the he had an idea and had the desire to bring his crafty sewing project to fruition (pun definitely intended--see below).

A couple Saturdays ago, on Hylan's suggestion, (this is no joke folks!) we made a stop at Hobby Lobby to pick up some materials for a stuffed strawberry idea he had. When we got home, Hylan got to work right away on the design and cutting fabric. He was so excited about his project that we had to immediately make a trip out to his parent's home around 8:00 pm to make use of their impressive sewing equipment and facilities.

I sit and watch (well, really check facebook on my phone and read the Sunday School lesson I'm supposed to teach the next day) in awe of what takes place.

Hylan busily sews together the "petals" of his strawberry whilst his father sews black and white fabric squares together to begin a quilt. I mean, talk about "Kodak moment." Glad I had that phone with me!

I am 100% confident this scene would not occur in my family with the menfolk. I just don't think many sewing thoughts have ever crossed my dad's or any one of my four brothers' minds. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

So, this is what Hylan finished that night which he later dubbed "the prototype." The plushy strawberry which could easily double as a pin cushion (though I prefer to use it to play toss with inside our house) is about the size of a fist.

You know Hylan couldn't stop there with his mini plush strawberry. He has big ideas, I tell ya. Big! He wanted a stuffed strawberry to rival the size of a two or three year-old. So, guess what we end up doing on Sunday night?

Only, this time he got a little help from his mama, an expert in the sewing field!

I don't contribute much to this project because the extent of my sewing knowledge is how to make a pillow, easy cross stitch with pre-printed patterns, a blanket stitch for felt Christmas stockings (which I learned how to do at a work staff retreat), button sewing, and a single crochet chain to put fluffy edges on blankets (which I will post about later because someone will receive a gift soon. I also learned how to do this from a friend at work!). That's about it. Sewing doesn't really excite me too much, though I can see how those skills would be useful for instances like hemming pants or to make matching dresses for the pets and daughters I don't have. HA HA. Anyway....

This is Hylan's finished giant plushy stuffed strawberry complete with stubby legs and "potato sack" feet. I think there were plans for arms and hands, but that got scrapped when the project was taking too long. Also, the legs were originally longer, but they were chopped off because of a batting shortage. Tragic.

Okay, so if that wasn't enough...

This past Saturday morning, as Hylan was leaving for work, I told him that we should get a cat and name him "Kit Kat" (I know, right? I'm so clever!)

Now, of course when I say things like this I'm mostly joking, I don't think I really want a cat, I just like cute wittle kittens a lot. Sometimes I google "cute kittens" just because it makes me smile inside and out.

Anyway, when Hylan got home early, I was walking on the treadmill upstairs (to try to keep myself from falling asleep during general conference). He informed me there was a surprise waiting for me downstairs regarding something we had talked about earlier. I have to admit, my first thought was sweet, he got me some apples because he knows I want to make applesauce! But we hadn't talked about that that morning, so I had to think back to the cat conversation.

It took me about an hour before I went downstairs to see my mysterious cat surprise, which I knew for certain was not a a real live kitten with a bow around its collar in a basket floating through a rainbow, because well, I'm convinced I will probably NEVER have pets inside my house. But, I digress again...

And so this is the scene I walk in to.

It's Hylan's special quintuple-knot tie blanket. Yes, he went to Hobby Lobby again (on his own, might I remind you) and bought some soft cushy fleecy kitten fabric and then proceeded to make me a nice big cozy blanket to snuggle up with just because he wanted to do something nice for me.

Aww. Melt my heart. I will keep him.

This is a picture of the blanket draped completely over our love seat.

What a guy, I tell you. What a remarkably talented guy! I must have won the lottery when he picked me.

(Fo)odds and Ends

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

The retired life is good, I tell ya! It is also delicious. I have had the time to cook up so many things during the past week that I'm having trouble remembering it all. A few examples include: Lasagna, Banana Crumb Muffins, Roasted Broccoli, Turkey Cranberry Paninis, lime kiwi fruit leather, Mulligatawny Detox Soup with homemade croutons, Mulligatawny Shredded Chicken over brown rice, guacamole, Crustless Quiche...

I could make a comment about each of those foods and how much I or Hylan has delighted in them, but I'll spare you (but you should really try the banana crumb muffins--they have been one of my go-to recipes for the past 10 years, literally. The date on my recipe shows it was printed in 2001. Hylan strongly endorses these muffins. I've made variations with whole wheat flour that have turned out delicious as well.)

Today, I gave myself the task of using up a giant zucchini from my mother and father-in-law's garden. Instead of picking between two recipes, I made them both. I was surprised that both were blog-worthy and well worth the two hours it took me to make them.

I present you with Italian Zucchini Pie.

(The top slice in the book is the one I made)

If you can't read that, I'd be happy to send you a better photo of the recipe if you're interested.

The zucchini pie was surprisingly delicious. I was skeptical at how the pastry would turn out because it uses olive oil instead of butter, but it was flaky and tasty, just as it should have been. The filling was as simple as zucchini, garlic, eggs, ricotta, and provolone cheese. Also, I had to substitute fresh parsley for the basil because that's all I had on hand, but basil would have been good too. It had a great garlic flavor and a creamy texture. Hylan said it tasted better than he thought it would, but I think he's just weirded out when I make recipes with lots of veggies. I would definitely make this recipe again. We had it for dinner but it would also be perfect for brunch or a lady's luncheon. It's certainly another fantastic use for your bounteous zucchini harvest!

And now I present you with Carrot Zucchini Mini Muffins.

By the way, I took these pictures with my phone because I'm not a food blogger with a super sweet expensive camera, but what the pictures lack in quality, I can assure you was made up for in actual tastiness. You can take my word for it, or come over for samples.

These muffins happen to be gluten-free, though that has nothing to do with why I made them. I just love Giada's recipes, and they just looked and sounded delicious. And now that I've made them, I highly recommend. I love the nuttiness the almond flour lends, the moist crumb texture from the zucchini and carrot, the bright cinnamon flavor, and subtle amber sweetness from the maple syrup. You can make a quick frosting with whipped cream cheese and honey to make the muffins kind of cupcakey, but the cream cheese I had was getting a little old, so I chose to forgo the topping and enjoy them plain.

A side note: I kind of love muffins a lot, especially when they tend towards healthy! :)

On another topic, I've recently noticed quite a few intriguing recipes using Biscoff spread - you know, that delicious cookie served on Delta Airlines made into a peanut butter-like spread. I have to admit that each time I've ever eaten biscoff cookies, I marvel at how much I enjoy them. Anyway, biscoff spread is going around the blog circuit, so I looked up where to buy it and of course, good ole reliable Harmons sells it (I miss living within walking distance of my favorite grocery store). I bought a jar to sample and I can assure you it is as delicious as the crunchy airplane treat. Just so you're aware. You're welcome. Ha! Perhaps, I will have to try one of those foodie blog recipes.

Anyway, um, how is it that I never knew snickers ice cream bars are now sold in in miniature size? Yes, those delicious chocolate covered caramel peanut ice cream bars that I haven't eaten probably since I was a teenager come in a perfectly portioned 90 calorie size! I'm so happy to have (re)discovered these. It's perfection.

So, happy eating delicious foods to you and to me! And if you want to invite yourself over for dinner, Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays work well for us. Just let me know. But you might end up eating more vegetables than you're used to, just so you're prepped, okay? Ha! Don't worry though, I'll still pump you full of meaty protein and sugary sweet treats.

Reflections on Transition

2011-09-15T11:57:00.009-06:00

The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Right now my life is in transition. I’ve decided to leave my full-time job working at BYU for a variety of reasons, but mostly so that my schedule is freer to pursue other interests which include and are not limited to just food, fitness, and home! In fact, in anticipation of this departure on Friday, September 16th, I’ve already made a 3 ½ page list of “projects” I need to work on. Yes, friends, I do know how to keep myself busy!

There is certainly a mixture of emotions that run through me, ranging from excitement to sadness. I'm mostly happy and anxious about this change because, after all, this is what I've wanted for as long as I've had the job. Don't get me wrong, the job has been good. It has been needed on so many levels, more than just financial, but there's something so emotionally and physically draining to be chained to a 8-5, M-F schedule year-round. I know many are struggling to find employment and I was fortunate to be hired at BYU during an especially difficult "frozen" period, but the winds have changed. The tides have turned. The frost has lifted. The road has diverged! And it is finally time for me to move on.

I'll miss my co-workers and the wonderful atmosphere of BYU, but I won't miss the grind--the waking up at 6:00 am. The busyness of going from one job to the next and the wearing of so many different hats. I will continue to teach yoga and hopefully a few more classes in the future, but for now, it's time to return to a different sort of life.

And just in case you were wondering how Hylan is feeling about this, he's on board! I'm not sure he'll complain too much when I once again wield my knife skills in the kitchen and he actually gets a home-cooked meal more than 3-4 times a month. HA! I'm very much looking forward to cooking (and not just assembling) a whole lot more often!

In fact, other than more gourmet meals, I'm already scheming to have a Pumpkin Pie Tasting Party. Some day in the next two months I want to bake up at least 6 different kinds of pumpkin pie recipes (including varying crust recipes) and invite a whole bunch of people over to fill out evaluation forms to rank the best pies. I'm salivating just thinking about it. That just sounds so delightful to me.

Anyway, I think the Frost poem captures the sort of melancholy feel of transitional periods. It's not so much a matter of which path is taken, just that a decision is made, and later in a reflective moment, that decision will be looked at as one that "has made all the difference." I certainly look back on the "fork in the road" decision to go back to full-time work as one that has definitely made all the difference!

There are many more forks and bends and dips and hills yet to traverse, but I can say that I feel at peace with this particular road choice. Not to mention, I plan to find more literal serenity in a beautiful fall yellow wood soon, because I just may be able to make time to resume hiking! Oh, how I have missed those times!

From The Mixed Up Mind of Mrs. E.M.W. Harper

2011-09-02T14:10:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I have random thoughts that I would like to voice. If you’re next question was, “like what?” You’re in luck, because I was just about to share some of them with you.

A few days ago, I noticed a daddy long-legger on the stairs outside of work. It prompted a question in my mind, what are female daddy long-leggers called? Mommy long-leggers? No, no one calls them that. Therefore, due to my inability to tell the gender of spiders by looking at them, I issue a formal public apology to all the female daddy long-leggers of the world for incorrectly labeling you male. I, for one, would certainly not want to be identified as a “daddy.”

In the interest of not grossing you out, here is a cartoonized version of a daddy long-legger.

Whew, glad I got that one out.

Next up, inadvertent car honks. Don’t you wish there was a “car horn cancel button?” It could raise a little white flag over your car or allow you to project your voice to the cars around you with something like: “terribly sorry sir/m’am, I didn’t mean to beep at you” or “please excuse the inadvertent car honk.” You know, some way to ease the irritation that inevitable happens when someone feels they are being honked at for no good reason. Maybe you don’t care or you don’t feel sheepish like me when an accidental honk occurs, but I, for one, wish there was some way to communicate my apologies better.

Side note: good thing this situation doesn’t really occur all that often.

Third, I’ve seen brown rice crispy cereal granola bar and snack recipes on the internet lately and have only recently discovered for myself that these cereals actually do exist in regular grocery stores. Most of the time they are made by smaller health food companies and there is usually a limited supply.

So, I wonder to myself why doesn't Kellogg’s make this a mainstream trend. There is plenty of interest in healthy foods these days. Thus, here is my plea:

Dear Kellogg’s,

Please develop and mass market Kellogg’s Brown Rice Krispies cereal. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Emily

P.S. Cocoa Krispies do not count as “brown.”

Is that really too much to ask? I, for one, would buy them. Would you?

Last of all, I just have to say out loud that one of my favorite smells in the whole entire world - that I like probably even more than freshly baked bread (but only because this particular smell is rarer) - is NEW TIRE SMELL. I just love it! I love walking past the tire department at Costco. I love when people buy new cars and you can smell the fresh rubber. The other day while walking on my lunch break, I could smell brand new tires on a truck and it made me smile. Seriously, I smiled out loud. It was awesome! In fact, that was what prompted this entire blog entry. That is how impactful it was.

Ah, I just love the whiff. Is that really so weird?

Side note: there are plenty of other great smells in the world, and as much as I love new tire smell, I would not want that made into a perfume or candle. I’m perfectly happy experiencing that particular smell in the proper place like in tire stores and on cars.

There you have it, a glimpse into my mind. Thank you in advance for not thinking less of me for my quirky thoughts.

My Big Fat Summer Family Post

2011-08-28T18:30:00.013-06:00

I finally got some of the summer fun that I was looking for when lots of family was in town last week! It was a whirlwind and I loved it. Here are some highlights (please forgive the wacky spacing - I've spent hours trying to fix the codes, etc. and it keeps resorting back to chaos):

Tuesday, August 16

Dinner at PF Chang's with Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mark

Justin Giles and SoulEscape dance concert (my gosh, my cousin is talented!)

Thursday, August 17

Dinner in Santaquin with my sister's family, mom, grandma, and Aunt

Friday, August 18th

Dinner in the park and DanceFest at the Scera Shell with my brother's family of 6 from San Diego, sister and her girls, sister-in-law and her boys, mom & grandma from PA, and Aunt and Uncle from SC. Four numbers with SoulEscape, but the special treat was seeing Justin (and Lindy, his wife) dance because his male dancers had to go home. So perfect! Why don't you perform more?! Martin & Erin with Winston, Lincoln, Belle, and Marie spend the next 3 nights and 4 days at our house

Saturday, August 19th

BBQ up Santaquin canyon with Mandy, Devin, Madeleine, Annie, Brigham, Martin, Erin, Winston, Lincoln, Belle, Marie, Yahnghui, David, Joseph, Mom, Grandma, Emily, and Hylan that got rained out after we all arrived. Moved to a park with a pavilion in Santaquin and then almost got blown away by the wind. The kids played on the playground for hours!

Made Hersh ey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake for Lincoln, Devin, and Grandma's Birthdays

Church with Martin's family, Aunt Nancy & Uncle Mark

Hylan entertains our neighbor and niece

Thanksgiving dinner with everyone mentioned above in Santaquin.

Monday, August 21st

I took the day off and spent it with Martin's family

Dinner with Mandy's family, Martin's family, Mom, Grandma, and Hylan at the Pizza Factory

A gift for those hosts. Thanks for the Costco cash, Chinese pastries, and flowers! Come back any time.

Wednesday, August 23rd

Lunch with Mandy, Mom, Annie, and Brigham at Zupas

By Thursday, everyone was gone. What a fun impromptu trip! Not a single person who travelled here had decided to come more than 2 weeks before they came!

The End.

Slides & Sun Dials

2011-08-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

One of the things I wanted to do for my birthday was go to Park City and do the Alpine Slides! (For my Lancaster friends, Park City is not the mall, it's a ski town in Utah.) We didn't have enough time to get up there on my actual birthday, but we did make a trip the very next weekend.

The experience begins with a long wait in the hot sun (long enough that I went and bought sun glasses and sunscreen while Hylan stood in line) to get on the ski lift, but it's followed by a relaxing scenic ride up to the top. Ski lifts or gondola rides in the summertime will never get old to me. I love it!

Once you get off the lift, you drag your heavy awkward sled on a pebbled path to the slides about a quarter mile away. Then you listen to a quick safety lesson by the slide monitor before she lets you go. Each slide is equipped with a hand break that allows you to control your speed, so you can go as fast or slow as you like. Hylan and I went down side-by-side, but we did not race, because it is discouraged, and because I don't need competition to enjoy my experience.

It's quite fun and quite expensive and was something I hadn't yet done in the 11 years I've lived in Utah. Holy smokes, Batman, have I really lived here that long?

Anyway, next time, I want to "buck up" and do the Alpine Coaster (click for video), which is quite a bit more expensive, but most likely worth it.

Later, we took a drive over to a shopping plaza where Hylan showed me a project he worked on several years ago when he was involved in the granite business. I kind of remembered him talking about it, but it was like 3+ years ago...

Let me be clear that he did not build the sun dial, but he did help place the granite on it with a couple of his business partners at the time. The red granite is called "Red Dragon" and it would be beautiful in a theater room!

I think the whole thing is actually very cool. See how the shadow points to a plate on the ground.

Maybe you can't see it very well, but it says, "July 1 3:30." It wasn't July 1st, but it was about 3:30. I don't think they had plates for every day of the year, just the first day of the month and the time in 15 minute increments.

I was impressed. It really is quite a beautiful piece and I'm glad Hylan showed it to me.

Good times. I wish I could say we've done lots more fun stuff like this all summer long, but we are work slaves, which is why I am still so pasty white. *sigh.

Another Awkward Emilyism

2011-08-14T10:27:00.005-06:00

Last Thursday was graduation at BYU. That means for my job, since I work in the advisement center for the Bachelor of General Studies, we have a party for our graduates. You know, just like we did in April. You'll remember Cosmo came last time and we took pictures with him. He came again this time, only he was taller. Weird. Anyway...

After the party was over, we were eating our lunch before cleaning up and heading home a little early.

During our lunch we were sitting at a table chatting. One of my coworkers asked our director what her favorite story was from talking to our graduates. I thought she said, "that's like asking what's your favorite chocolate?"

So, I said, "dark."

And everyone looked at me funny.

What?

So, I explained my favorite chocolate is DARK!

"No, I said, that's like asking who's your favorite child."

Uh...oops! "Yeah, I still say the dark one."

And then I pronounced the situation awkward. We all had a little belly chuckle and then moved on to more serious topics.

Is it that subconsciously I really think about chocolate more than children? Hmm...

HA HA! I tell ya, I don't know where I come up with these things. Silly Emily!

Birthday Weekend Review

2011-07-11T12:00:00.001-06:00

You know how sometimes you feel like no one in the world cares much about you and your life is dull and blah blah blah...

But then you have a birthday and between facebook comments, text messages, phone calls, emails, and snail mail cards over 70 people acknowledge your existence! It sure gives you a boost! (By the way, those were real people, actual friends as varied from lifelong friends, elementary/junior high/high school/college mates, former teammates, old neighbors, new neighbors, roommates, church friends, coworkers, and family members, to name a few. Additionally, I also got at least a dozen token birthday cards and coupons from various businesses. So far, I've only managed to use Noodles & Company and Rodizio, but I'll have to use at least one of the Maggie Moo's/Cold Stone/Dairy Queen/Basin Robbins coupons before they expire. Don't know if I'll get around to Texas Roadhouse, Winger's, Red Robin, Tucanos, The Happy Sumo, or Mimi's Cafe in time, but we shall see!)

Wow, I mean for the sheer acknowledgement alone, I think facebook is awesome and someday I will convince Hylan to join too! But, he's "an old man" and doesn't "have time for it." Perhaps he just pretends not to care, or maybe he really doesn't. I think he just doesn't know what he's missing.

So, that's why birthdays are neat. And by the way, it's July (my favorite month!) so I wasn't really feeling like nobody cared about me, but someday when I am feeling down, I'll remember weekends like this past one!

No pictures of it, but we sure enjoyed our dinner at The Tree Room on Saturday night. SO GOOD! Everyone remotely close to Sundance should save their pennies and eat there several times in their lifetime.

My coworkers threw me a fun work party with an exercise/MyPlate theme on Friday.

For my present, Hylan bought me a new set of dumbbells. He gave them to me on Friday because I asked him if it was a gift I would want to use on Saturday. And I did use them, only I made the mistake of trying each and every exercise, maximum reps, doing cario intervals on the treadmill in between each set. Needless to say, two hours later, I was worked out! And it felt great. :o)

Sunday, my actual birthday, was a normal church kind of a day with phone calls from my Mom and two of my brothers, as well as checking facebook and text messages. I took a picture of the delicious and creative breakfast I made in the morning but I forgot to save it on my phone, so just imagine beautiful sweet potato pancake/latkes with maplehoneybrownsugarcinnamonbuttersyrup, bell pepper/onion scrambled eggs with cheese, and a honeydew yogurt smoothie. It was good. Even Hylan who disdains sweet potatoes, ate it up! It's always rewarding for me to cook from my brain instead of a recipe.

Anyway, I hope I have sufficiently thanked everyone who has wished me well on my birthday. Now it's time to live it up for the last year of another decade.

Old Birthday Pic

2011-07-07T10:00:00.001-06:00

Three days shy of 19 years ago, I celebrated my 10th birthday with my cousins at Myrtle Beach.

Emily, Justin, Brandon, and Nick!

Dang, we're cute. Notice how white I am compared to their tanness.

How is that I haven't changed very much in that many years (minus the permed hair)? Ha Ha! The rest of them sure look different, though. Wasn't Justin's work on SYTYCD great last night? Ah, so talented!

Here's to turning 25 for the 5th time! ;o)

So You Think You Can Dance

2011-07-06T11:26:00.004-06:00

I already posted this on facebook, but if you didn't get the memo:

Watch So You Think You Can Dance tonight and let me know what you think of Justin Giles' choreography! He's my cousin.

If the producers like his work, he'll be back to do more. I'm so excited for he and his wife, Lindy.

By the way, this explains my annual pilgrimage to South Carolina in May to watch The Southern Strutt dance concert. That's my Aunt's studio and where Justin (and his siblings) grew up learning how to dance. I love the Giles! :o)

Giles Family (Justin and Lindy seated in the middle)

Good luck, cuz!

No-Bake Cashew Brittle Bars

2011-06-29T13:44:00.007-06:00

Just thought I'd share a favorite recipe of mine.

I was reminded of these sweet bars when I saw the unopened bag of cashews in my pantry, so I decided to whip up a batch on Sunday night. And they turned out even better than I remembered from the first time I made them. (Yes, they are a favorite and I've only made them twice.) I think it's probably because I didn't have molasses the first time around, so I recommend using it if you have some leftover from gingerbread making during the holidays! Molasses lends a dark, rich flavor that complements the cinnamon and other sweeteners in the background of these bars.

I've been snacking on these all week at work.

Hope you enjoy too.

No-Bake Cashew Brittle Bars (courtesy of marthastewart.com)

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup (about 5 ounces) salted cashews
1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Directions

Line a 4 1/2-by-9-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 1-inch overhang on each long side.

Toast oats and cashews in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, until aromatic and just starting to turn golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.

Add butter, sugar, cinnamon, corn syrup, molasses, and salt in the skillet, and cook over medium heat, stirring, until butter melts and mixture bubbles, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour hot mixture over oats and cashews, and stir to combine.

Transfer mixture to loaf pan*. Using a spatula, press mixture into an even layer. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Remove chilled mixture from pan using plastic, discard plastic, and cut into 1-inch thick bars.

*I pressed mine into a 8 inch square baking dish and cut into about 10 bars.

I consider these healthy because they are homemade and they have oats and nuts in them. I bet they are better than most commercially made pre-packaged granola bars anyway.

Extra Extra!

2011-06-21T16:20:00.004-06:00

Fantastic news! You know that little blurb I wrote about MyPlate, well the editors decided to publish it in The Daily Universe. You can read it here. It's only minorly changed from what I already posted, but still, it always feels good to be published, ya know? Even if it is in BYU's mostly student-produced newspaper.

Incidentally, the opinions published in that newspaper on Tuesdays and Thursdays are hilarious. I highly recommend, especially during the Fall and Winter semesters where people talk about shorts being too short, the inequities of co-ed intramural sports teams, or one student was upset because she thought too many people were worshiping Jimmer. The slew of responses that came after that were sheer genius. Anyway, it can be very entertaining.

On another topic entirely, I am grateful for flu shots! I haven't been sick at all since I received mine last October 4th and I whole-heartedly believe it is because of the flu shot. Before that time, I had never had a flu shot, but since my insurance was offering free ones, I signed Hylan and I both up because I figured a free flu shot was better than no flu shot at all. Now I don't think I'll let another season go by without receiving one!

Of course healthy habits like frequent hand washing, nutritious eating, sustained sleeping, and regular exercise have helped my ability not to get sick (knock on wood!), but I think the extra boost has helped my body fight off any germs before they blossomed into the full-on acheys and coughies.

So, now I'm a believer. Highly recommend! (Even if it does make your arm sore for a bit afterwards. Still, it is worth it.)

Random, I know, but I'm just grateful that I've been healthy this past year! I've needed the strength to meet all of the responsibilities I've had and still have!

I'll have MyPlate and eat it too!

2011-06-15T07:30:00.002-06:00

I wrote the following as a response to this article and to a student who I overheard in the hallway of the conference center (BYU campus) saying how she thought MyPlate was dumb. I would have written more, but I had to keep it under 250 words, so enjoy my soapbox rant:

~

The anti-MyPlate responses are really starting to bum me out.

MyPlate is much clearer to the average food consumer, young and old.

The Food Pyramid served its purpose, but when compared to MyPlate, it was more complicated! For example, how many of us actually counted our 6-11 servings allotment of the Bread, Cereal, Rice, Pasta group and adjusted for our body size, condition, fitness goals, as well as studied labels to understand portion size and then consumed accordingly?

Most Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables! This new food plate clearly shows that a balanced meal includes half of a plate full of fruits and vegetables. Most Americans also eat way too many refined, over-processed, nutrient-void grains. Carbs can and should be our friends, but the recommendation is that at least half of the grains consumed should be whole grains. Eat lean protein, drink lean milk, limit high sodium foods, avoid oversized portions, and drink more water—MyPlate isn’t overly simplistic; it is revolutionary because of its simplicity.

There is genius in simplicity! The principle of Occam’s razor seems to apply well here. Both the Food Pyramid and MyPlate are useful daily food guides, but the simpler explanation, MyPlate, is better because it is a more useful teaching tool. Because it is easier to remember and understand, it has a greater power to help us to make smarter food choices.

The Food Pyramid just wasn’t getting the job done.

~

I read this article written by Jillian Michaels after I wrote the above response. I didn't particularly care for it. Here was my facebook comment about it:

Emily Marie Woolstenhulme Harper
But if you resent the implication that Americans are stupid, then aren't we smart enough to use MyPlate as our springboard for making better food choices? Those who could care less about nutrition may at least be able to make a small change with MyPlate, and those of us who are more nutrition-conscious are smart enough to empower ourselves with the further knowledge needed to make the best food choices. The government is not responsible for forcing us to make better choices, though sometimes I wish I could force my husband. ;) See More
Yesterday at 2:05pm · LikeUnlike · 7 people like this.

Yes, that was a whole seven people who liked my comment! Ha ha. I think Jill did have some good points, but I didn't really agree with most of it.

I have more to say on the matter, but who wants to read long blogs? Not me.

For the record, I like The First Lady's approach to encouraging more activity and better nutrition, particularly among kids. I especially liked her commercials about playing basketball that ran during the NBA playoffs. Made me smile inside!

The end.

Reactions?

Lucky Streak Continues

2011-06-05T08:50:00.015-06:00

I think people who say, "I never win anything" either don't try hard enough or are just looking for some attention. That, or they are forgetful.

Lately, it seems most of my "wins" involve food. My most recent win, for example, is a strawberry cookbook from the California Strawberry Commission.

Because I'm a little bit obsessed with strawberries, one day I decided to "like" their page on Facebook. I've mentioned this before, but we get THE BEST, big, fat, juicy California strawberries at Costco. I just can't get enough! Anyway, all I had to do was comment on a post on their page to win. It only took a few seconds and a few tries and then:

California Strawberries...The winner of today's cookbook giveaway is Emily Marie Woolstenhulme Harper! We hope you enjoy the cookbook! Please send over your mailing address to info@calstrawberry.org.

And a week or two later, this showed up in my mailbox. I love cookbooks! I love pretty food pictures. I love strawberries. Man, I am so lucky!

I'll tell you what isn't lucky, though, thinking you are going to fly out of the Salt Lake airport on a Thursday morning at 8:30 am only to sit in the airport the entire day until 6:00 pm only to go home thinking your entire trip to South Carolina has been cancelled. Fortunately, by some luck, it worked out and we were able to arrive in SC a mere 22 hours after we were supposed to on Friday afternoon, but it wasn't without many tears and feelings of disappointment.

But back to the strawberries. Here are some recipes I've been hankering to try.

Chocolate-Strawberry Thumbprints

Strawberries-and-Cream Cheesecake

Strawberry-Shortcake Cookies

Too bad I'm on a strict eating regime and exercise schedule because I'm still trying to lose that blasted 5-7 lb weight gain from the half marathon. Obviously I need to do something different the next time I get the bright idea to run long distances.

So, for now, I'll eat my strawberries plain or with a little yogurt, thankyouverymuch!

Good luck trying to be lucky all! And do tell me if you make any of these recipes. I probably will eventually, because cookies don't make me fat, overeating does, so I'm being a tad dramatic here.

Real Life Kung Fu Panda Bear

2011-05-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

I found this gem of a video several days ago and emailed it to Hylan. For some reason the panda bear reminded me of him. He watched it and responded with this:

Emily:

I can't believe you caught me training! I didn't think anyone
was watching.

Hylan

See for yourself here. It won't let me embed the video in this blog, so click here and then come back and read the rest.

Ha ha! I love it. The best part is when he starts doing somersaults, don't you agree? Roly Poly Panda.

Speaking of Pandas, remember when I made these the first time I got to be on GTU? Hylan has a pretty sweet beard in one of the pictures from that post.

They look a little amateurish, so I think I'll have to try my hand at them again. After rereading that post, apparently they were my first trial version, so I maybe I got better on the next round. I'm pretty sure I used this chocolate cupcake recipe with this Swiss meringue butter cream icing.

To make the faces, I piped out all of the features of the face in melted chocolate on parchment paper. After it dries, it's kind of fun to create a face, Mr. Potato Head Style, on each cupcake. I bet kids would like it. I'm a kid, so I like it.

Favorite Things

2011-05-19T12:00:00.008-06:00

In the interest of time, my list will be simple and very much not all-inclusive.

In no particular order of preference or interest, currently, these are a few of my favorite things!

The middle click scroller ball button

Do you want to know why? I bet you do! I recently learned that if you point your mouse over a link and click the middle click scroller ball button (that's the condensed name, mind you) a new tab will automatically pull up in your browser. Genius. Try it by clicking this link to go home...err...to go to my home. Shameless home promotion.

And if you already knew this trick, tech geeks, please help me inform the rest of the world.

The Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese Spread

The free sample lures of Costco done roped me in on this one. I just noticed that the container says, "A French Favorite," which also makes me quite happy since I ♥ France and french things, even though I've never been there, but someday, my pretties, some day!

Anyway, I love these little 35 calorie wedges (not that the calories are THAT important to me) but they spread well on rosemary crackers, wheat thins, pretzels, bagels, crostini, etc. Not too mention they make a great spread or dip for crudité (veggie platter of sorts--just had to throw out some french, mais oui). I just really love having this convenient snack, especially at work, and as a pre-workout (little bit of carb + protein) snack. There are endless creative recipe possibilities if you practice your new found clicking skills here.

Scooby Snacks

I've been a little bit obsessed with these since I had them at a party while I was home in November. These little graham cracker bone-shaped treats were served with a delightfully fluffy pumpkin dip that I still need to get the recipe for from my Aunt. And if by obsessed, I mean that I've bought two boxes and consumed both in the past six months, maybe I need to work on my obsessive trait. Ha!

In any case, I don't know why these little treats make me so happy but they do. Just get a box and eat a few. They are just so darned tasty. And if you have kids, they will love them. I promise. I think. I don't know why they wouldn't, but I haven't practiced them on any kids yet. You could dip them in pumpkin dip, peanut butter, yogurt, or just eat them plain. Most of the time that's how I eat them, 9 at a time (that's a serving size).

Yakisoba Noodles

Again with the Costco products. I don't know the brand of these because we throw out the box in order to fit them in our freezer better, but these yakisoba noodles with veggies are so delicious. Hylan even loves them. You can see snow peas, mushrooms, red pepper, carrots, asparagus, edamame, broccoli, and the sweetest nuttiest chewy soy/sesame/Asian goodness noodles ever! Look for them at your Costco. They do not disappoint.

And since I have no time for cooking, these are heaven-sent. I often add an extra serving of peas or edamame (shelled soy beans) to the bowl and some type of protein like chicken or shrimp. Sometimes I'll even sprinkle sesame seeds or sunflower seeds (for a little crunch) on top, and always a healthy dose of freshly cracked black pepper just because I love it and I add pepper to almost everything. But even without any of these additions, YAKISOBA is great on its very own!

Sweet Potato Chips

Yes, thank you Costco again for expanding my delicious food intake. These chips are addicting! Don't believe me? Just try them. A little bit of sweet, a little bit of salty, and a lot bit of crunchy! I remember serving these at a family gathering and despite a few initial quizzical looks, people kept coming back for more with sighs of "mmms" and "yummies." Before we knew it, the giant bag was entirely consumed, even before the regular bag of potato chips (which we all know there is no such thing as "regular" because if you live in or near Pennsylvania, you have access to the best potato chips in the world--Stehman's, Utz, Herr's, Martin's...I mean seriously people, the chip aisles in PA grocery stores are ridiculously overflowing with local snacks...and don't even get me started on pretzels...).

Sorry about that digression (and PA love fest), I just had to prove that I'm not a traditional potato chip hater. Costco also has a really good Kirkland brand (I believe) gourmet kettle cooked crinkled potato chip, but this is about SWEET POTATO CHIPS. I especially like these chips because it's kind of nice to get a smidgen more of nutrition while eating a salty snack with your sandwich.

So, if you have a Costco, look for these golden orange chippies. Your first bite, you may not be wowed, but then you'll find your hand reaching back for more, and you'll be hooked.

That concludes my favorite things post. Apparently, this post was brought to you by Costco and Pennsylvania. Two more of my favorite things.

Thanks for reading!

Run and Smell the Tulips x 13.1

2011-05-01T18:00:00.006-06:00

I honestly cannot think of the last time I've had so much anxiety. Every time I thought about running the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon, I felt sick to my stomach. I waited until the last possible day to register for the race, because I was having commitment issues. Even though I completed 12 miles on the treadmill the week before, I just wasn't sure.

I tried not to tell to many people I was even thinking of doing this race because I was embarrassed. Let me go on the record as saying, I'm not a runner! Hylan and I bought a treadmill in November of last year because I don't have time for a gym anymore, and cardio fitness classes don't always work into my busy schedule. Yoga and strength training may make me strong and flexible, but it doesn't help me walk up the 3 flights of stairs at work without feeling winded.

So, after Thanksgiving, I took advantage of our at home treadmill. I only have three days a week that I can even use the treadmill: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. That's it. Tuesdays and Thursdays I get home late after teaching and Fridays are always out of the question. So, although progress would be slow, I could at least commit to that. My first goal was to complete a treadmill 5K (3.125) in 35 minutes. Yes, lofty goals people (I aim for attainable goals)!

Since I've actually recorded my stats, let me share something with you. In early December, it took me 52 minutes to do 3.2 miles. WOW. Just five "runs" later I was already down to 40 minutes 30 seconds. Improvement is always encouraging! With a few significant milestone in between, a mere thirty-one "runs" later I finally met my 5K goal and came in under 35 minutes at 34:45. (My current fastest treadmill 5K is 33:26--I know that's like your slowest time ever when you were pregnant and sprained your ankle, but that's my personal best).

So perhaps it was around this time that I thought, hey I have exactly enough time to prepare for a half marathon if I just increase my Saturday mileage by one mile each week until April 30th. If I did that, I knew I'd at least be able to finish 13.1.

Now I've known some very cool people in my life, some very awesome marathon-loving people who can literally run twice as fast as me. I admire your 7:00 minutes mile paces, or even your 10 minute mile paces. My apologies to you for my lack of competitive spirit, but like I said, I'm not a runner. I just like exercise. I like to do things I've never done before. But all I wanted was to finish this race and not be last. That's it. Another lofty goal, I know! Ha.

After I finally committed myself to this race last Wednesday, I still couldn't shake the pre-race jitters. I would be sitting at work thinking about the race and start to feel nauseated. I was embarrassed to talk about it. I really didn't want anyone to know about the race because then I knew I would have to face the dreaded, "what was your time" question. I was scared by the weather forecast. I didn't know what to wear. I was just nervous because it was a new world I was stepping in to. One filled with gels and gummies, carb-loading, gait-proper footwear, runner's tights, and timing chips. I was out of my comfort zone!

Friday rolled around and I was angry. I love women and I love BYU but I HATE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE. It took me 1 hour and 40 minutes to get home from work. That night I had to pick up my race packet at Thanksgiving Point by 8:00 pm (good thing I live so close now) and make sure to eat a decent meal and get a good night of sleep. Thank you women's conference traffic for stealing 1 hour and 10 minutes of my life from me.

Anyway, moving on, Saturday I woke up at 5:15, ate a blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese and half of a large banana. I looked out the window and unsurprisingly saw an inch of snow on the ground. This is what it looked like at Thanksgiving Point.

For the first time ever, I clipped a timing chip to my sneaker.

I decided to wear my moisture wicking tank and shorts underneath a jogging suit and gloves (thanks Allison, good advice on the gloves). The headband was an afterthought. I thought I would just wear it before the race began, but decided not to take it off, which turned out to be a great decision because I hate cold ears and mine would have been without the coverage. Clothing wise, I think I made the right choice because I actually felt quite temperate throughout the entire race, despite the cold temp. It would have been nice not to have so many layers, but c'est la vie.

I had some PowerBar raspberry gummies in one jacket pocket and an ipod in the other jacket pocket. Then I had my key fob in my back pocket, since Hylan wasn't going to be at the finish line because he was working, so I'd have to drive myself home.

Okay, now I'm a little excited.

This is me playing with my ipod. Oh, oops, I grabbed the earbuds that only pipe sound to one ear. Dang it. I was going to hand it off to Hylan, but I thought maybe sound in one ear was better than nothing. MISTAKE. The ipod bounced around in my jacket pocket making me feel like I needed to go do the bathroom. I tried to switch it to inside my shirt, but by completion of mile 1, the sound went out completely. So much for the bulky Ipod Nano. I shoved it into my back pocket and it stopped bouncing around, so then it didn't bother me. I don't know why I brought it; I didn't need the music anyway. The scenery was so beautiful, it was enough distraction for me. At home, I distract myself by watching recorded episodes of Chopped or Cupcake Wars.

And we're off. I bet Hylan was too because he was wearing flip flops and a t-shirt. Crazy man.

The race itself I thought went pretty fast actually, despite how slow I am. At one point I heard some girls who were keeping track of the mileage say "9.5, woohoo." I wanted to tell them to be quiet. I don't need to open the oven door every minute to know whether my cake is rising or not. I chose not to wear a watch or pedometer or anything else. Each mile was posted clearly and time was irrelevant to me. I just wanted to enjoy the journey!

Miles 3 through 6 went through the gardens. I was totally enraptured by the comical looking thousands of multi-colored snow-capped tulips (dappled, to say the least!) There is such an irony to spring, especially Utah springs. The pansies looked like clusters of cauliflower. The earth smelled fresh. The brooks babbled. The waterfalls dazzled. I even saw a couple of grizzly bears a long the way (statues). It was so delightful. All I could think about was Wordsworth and Austen and Thoreau. I get why Wordsworth would walk for inspiration. I imagined that this was the very world Austen thought of when she envisioned the grounds of Pemberly. This is why Thoreau experimented living the simple life in nature. And it's precisely why I jogged slowly and walked fast throughout the race. I just wanted to take it all in. You know, "stop" and smell the tulips, or something like that.

After circling out of the gardens, we wound through the golf course. There weren't as many pretty colors, but there were still some breathtaking vistas. The first couple of miles of the race we ran on the road and battled snowflakes on our nose and eyelashes (not a few of my favorite things while running a race), but around this point of the race, there was a clear sky and even a bit of sunshine. The earth looked clean and pure. The mountains looked strong and majestic with a fresh coat of snow. And I'm just happy that Dr. Hoopes gave me back eyes to see it all without contacts!

The course was a little bit hilly. I actually heard some girls say, "who would have thought we'd run up the hills and walk down them." I thought they were silly and here's why. Some of the best advice I've heard is to lengthen your stride on the down hills and your legs will carry you fast without wasting energy (thanks Bridget--I read your marathon posts like 3 times!) I also heard that walking up the hills is a good way to conserve energy (thanks Allison, for sharing that tidbit). So every time there was a downhill, I'd lengthen my stride and speed down the hill, always passing a ton of people without getting winded. Then on the steep uphills, I put my head down and walked, probably faster than I would have jogged anyway. So when I heard those girls say that, I wanted to help them understand that their strategy was all wrong, but then what do I know, I'm the novice!

So, like I said, I actually thought the race went fast even though I'm so slow. I always smiled and thanked the people, especially the cute kids, at each aid station. I took water and power aid intermittently. Had I known there would be gel packs handed out, I wouldn't have carried a pouch of gummies in my pocket. I only ended up eating three of those. I took a gel pack near the end of the race because I figured if it was free and they were offering, so why not try it. I got a strawberry banana one that didn't have caffeine. I didn't want caffeine, so I figured it would be safe. It wasn't bad actually. I liked it. I just may prefer the "goo" over the gummies because the gummies are a bit too big and hard for me to chew and dissolve, but the goo went right down and also packs more of a caloric punch, so it's needed less often.

My legs started to burn during the last mile and a half. We were back on roads at this point, so I was bored by the lack of visual spectacles. I noticed that there were two guys, a pair of girls, and a girl in purple jacket around me and we each took turns passing each other as we walked and jogged to the finish.

I eventually passed all of them, including the pair of girls. I had a great kick at the end and was able to sprint fast through the finish line. Makes me wonder if I stored up too much energy in the tank.

The clock is deceiving because obviously it's not my chip time. I smiled the entire race, but maybe I smiled bigger at this point because I didn't expect to see Hylan at the finish, and there he was in his suit taking pictures. Now that's a good husband. I was going to be mildly irritated with him for not being there, but he found a way to make it back! Yay. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had a photographer.

And now I've got the medal to prove it! As for my time, okay fine, I will reveal it because you could look it up on their website anyway. I finished ahead of exactly 100 people, so it turns out I reached that lofty goal of not being last. Okay, okay, here is the stupid time: 2:46:43.1, making it a 12:44 pace.

In the end, this race was fun. It was beautiful and scenic. I'm quite sure that hiking Timp is a much more difficult feat (and I've done that 3 times), so maybe there will be another "half" in my future, but probably not anytime soon. I've got other things I want to turn my attention to and other fitness goals I want to accomplish. Besides, running makes you fat! I've gained over five pounds and trust me, it's not muscle! Running makes you hungry!!

But at least now I know I CAN do it. I'm quite sure I can do it faster too, but there won't be any sub 10 minute mile paces in my immediate future. I'll leave that to the serious-minded runners, because I'd rather tiptoe through the tulips, dance with the daffodils, meander through meadows, and stop to smell the roses.

And how did I celebrate? Well, I came home and spent 3 hours cleaning my house and doing laundry. Guess I was feeling pretty good post-race. But that's just what you have to do when there is no other time to do it.

Congratulations if you actually made your way through this entire post. I bet you feel like you just ran a half marathon, don't you? Haha. Welcome to the finish line. Give yourself a medal.

Party Party!

2011-04-23T15:05:00.017-06:00

I can't complain too much about this week. On Thursday, I got to meet Cosmo the Cougar during our grad celebration at work. We're number 1!

We were being such gawkers, so I decided we needed to take some pictures. I graduated 7 years ago and never took a picture with Cosmo, so dagnabit, I wanted a picture with Kitty!

Tight squeeze! My awesome, beautiful coworkers, Allison above and Emma below.

On Friday, we had some friends and family over for our "Take it to the Bowl" Mac & Cheese party. I didn't take the best pictures, but it was fun to have everyone over.

Thanks Noodles and Company! You should patronize their establishment because they have the best Asian dishes. I love all of them, especially the Thai Curry Soup that a former coworker of mine got me hooked on! (Thanks Cristina!) The American and Mediterranean dishes are good too (try the Pesto Cavatappi). No, I was not paid to say that; I said it because I genuinely love their food and because they provided the food for my party!

I love it when Hylan wears his BYU Sports and Dance Camps shirt. He graduated from the U and never looked back...because he married me! And I bleed blue! HA.

So does Allison, she and her husband, Eric went to the BYU baseball game after joining us.

Sorry I didn't get a picture of Lynn and Nick (and Nick's awesome beard). I still love you guys too!

Oh, and I was craving some of those Easter Egg Krispy Treats with M&M's inside. So I made them...with strawberry marshmallows, though I couldn't really taste much difference, but they were pink and pretty.

And Hylan just told me he hates Rice Krispy treats, "because they taste like Styrofoam." Well, I think he's crazy, so please leave the treats for me, Hylan, thanks.

C'mon, adorable, right?

We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on April 13th. Hylan turned the big three uh-oh on February 26th and my parents were in town the first week of April, but alas, I have no pictures of any of those things. Just thought I'd mention them.

That's all.

Ward Chili Cook-Off

2011-04-17T07:18:00.012-06:00

There's just something about a cook-off that stirs a little bit of excitement in my soul. So, when I found out my ward (church) was having a chili contest, I signed up.

For the contest, I wanted to go very classic and very good. Not just the typical dump a bunch of seasoning, tomatoes, beans, and ground meat in a pot and simmer. Anyone can do that. I wanted something more authentic, full of flavor, and outside the norm of Mormon family go-to meals.

So, I turned to one of my best cookbooks, "Cooks Illustrated, American Classics" and found a Chili Con Carne recipe that looked appealing and slightly challenging, but completely rewarding. The recipe included toasting and grinding Ancho and New Mexico chilies, something I've never done before, but something I will definitely do again, because it made my house smell like a casita. I also toasted some whole cumin seeds and ground those up, added lots of Mexican oregano, and that was the spice base for the chili.

So as not to bore you with any more cooking details. The recipe also included a large chuck roast, jalapenos, 1 itty-bitty can of tomato puree, onion, garlic, bacon, and well you can read the recipe in the picture if you're interested. Out of about 15 pots of chillis, my chili got a bit of recognition.

Although I didn't win the coveted best-tasting award, (by the way, the judges were pulled from the crowd and probably took about 5 minutes to taste and pick awards, so it's not like it was that official) I did receive a few awards...that I found amusing.

And no, they didn't try to find an award for every chili, so actually I was quite proud that I got recognized twice, but I did think it was weird/funny that I got an award for "most unusual." So, authentic chili flavors are unusual these days, huh? And then, "hottest?" Well, I didn't think I made a five-alarm chili - it was medium spicy. Perfectly spicy actually. Not too hot, but with a little kick. I mean, on a scale of 1-10, I ranked it a 4, but whatever. What it really means is that the chili stood out and somebody appreciated the one habanero I snuck in there because I only found 3 decent looking jalapenos at the grocery store the night before.

Too bad I didn't take a picture of the silky scarlet concoction, but next time I will, because that was some darn good chili that I will definitely be making and consuming again...but on the second day, because chili is even better the next day!

No, I'm lucky!

2011-04-10T19:00:00.001-06:00

Seriously folks, I can't make this stuff up. When I say "you're lucky" in response to "thank you" instead of "you're welcome," (see post below) I should be saying, "I'm lucky!" A few weeks ago I got an email from Noodles & Company about their "Savory 16" contest. Since I love their restaurant, and since I like contests, I entered it, not really knowing what the prize was or how the contest even worked.

The contest was set up like the Sweet Sixteen bracket. To enter, you had to pick a team from a list that included such names as: Noodleheads, Ciabatta Buns, Crunchy Salads, Team Pesto, The Pennes, MMMeatballs, Team Cheesy, The Currys, etc. I tried not to think too much about it because my thought was that it would be better not to pick a name that sounded too clever because everyone would pick that team then. So I picked team "Hot Soups," generic enough and not too appealing, I thought to myself.

Turns out the method behind my madness didn't really matter because shortly thereafter I received an email informing me that each Noodles team name was actually associated with the colleges in the real Sweet Sixteen (Men's) tournament. I looked at the bracket to discover that "Hot Soups" was UConn.

I was mildly disappointed because I found out that "The Currys" was BYU and because I was not at the time thinking UConn was going to advance much more in the tourney, let alone win the whole thing. (In my original bracket, I had picked Ohio State which we all know that didn't fair so well.)

Anyway, I completely forgot about all of this contest stuff during the actual tourney games, being too consumed with the excitement and disappointment of the BYU Florida game and then the craziness that ensued with teams like Butler and VCU.

So then, Thursday, April 7th, 2011 rolls around and just before the close of the work day, I checked my email before heading off to teach yoga. From Noodles & Company, in the subject line it read, "Congratulations are in order for you..." And then I read this:

You have been chosen as one of the 255 winners* of the Noodles & Company "Take It To The Bowl!" Savory 16 Tournament / Mac Bar Contest! There were nearly 20,000 entries so you should feel very special.

What? I ask myself. Oh yeah, wasn't the team that I picked in that contest linked to UConn. And didn't I just watch that atrocious UConn Butler game on Monday where Kemba and UConn came out on top? And then I clicked on a link that showed me this:

This is awesome. What the heck did I just win? Umm, dang it, it's 4:59 and I need to get out of here. "Hey, I think I just won something," I exclaimed to my coworkers and then left in a haste, forgetting my gym bag under my desk because I was consumed by my phone trying to read the contest's fine print.

What did I win? Well, a Mac & Cheese party, of course! Some day before April 30th, I will call up my local Noodles and Company and arrange to pick up a tray of each of the three flavors of their promotional Macroni and Cheese which includes: "Bacon, Mac and Cheeseburger," "Southwestern Chili Mac," and "Truffle Mac with Baby Portabellas." Noodles & Company will also supply my party with a large bowl of salad. In all, it's about $100 worth of food and should feed 20 people.

So, thanks UConn and Noodles and Company for giving me a reason to invite some people over for some delicious macaroni "on the house." Who are my friends now?

Sheesh! Last year at this time I was in O-town for the Pillsbury Bake-Off! What a lucky foodie life I live.

Awkward Emilyisms

2011-04-05T16:31:00.009-06:00

I've said a couple of ~~funny~~ awkward things in both of my jobs recently.

Last Thursday, during my yoga class at UVU, instead of ending our practice with a simple, "Namaste," I started to say, "In the name of..." and then stopped myself wondering where I was going with that one. I suppose the closing of a yoga practice is kind of like closing a prayer, but not exactly. I think it caught the students who got the reference off-guard, but they politely laughed. Oops. It probably would have been even ~~funnier~~ more awkward if I would have said it at BYU.

Tangent: For those who may be curious, "Namaste" basically means "my light salutes your light." I could write a dissertation on the wonderful implications of that meaning, but suffice it to say, it really is a beautiful way to end yoga.

The second ~~funny~~ awkward Emilyism happened yesterday during a phone conversation I had with a lady during my day job at BYU. After she said, "thank you," I said, "you're lucky." Err, I mean, you're welcome and good bye. Haha. Or, maybe I did mean, you're lucky for getting to speak with me and that I took all that time to clarify a few things for you.

That's all. I suppose I could have said worse things.

HOOPLA

2011-03-19T22:00:00.000-06:00

"Football, you know I love you, but Basketball, you'll always have my heart!"
-Emily Harper

On Valentine's Day morning, Hylan slipped me an envelope with tickets to the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament and 3 nights of hotel stays in Las Vegas. BEST VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT EVER! Yes, I meant to shout that. I have not been that excited in a long time!!!

Well, the JIMMER did not disappoint. On Friday, March 11, I got to witness this:

But that wasn't good enough, so #32 did this...

...and we cheered, "You got Jimmered!" I mean, he is that good. If he doesn't win NCAA hoops player of the year, I will be angry. And I don't really get angry.

Haha! Awkward celebration pose, but who cares? "Fredette about it!" "Teach me how to Jimmer!"

Yes, finally got that dang New Mexico "monkey" off our backs! Good to see B.D. there celebrating with the team.

Just an electric atmosphere in the Thomas and Mack Center. I don't think I've ever witnessed a player score 33 points in one half, let alone 52 in 0nly 40 minutes of play. I mean, I remember the days of the NBA Jordan, but this is college ball, and I was there in person! Amazing.

Even the New Mexico coach had some love for Jim-Jimmery-Jim-Jim-Jaroo.

"Jimmer Me Timbers."

Thanks Jimmer for putting Cougar B-ball back on the radar. And thank you Cougar teammates for stepping up to the plate and COUGARING Wofford and Gonzaga.

Sweet Sixteen, baby!

So, if you wonder where I've been for the past little while. I've been caught up in the HOOPLA along with everyone else.

I love my Alma Matter and employer! BYU COUGARS! :) I love March Madness!

Princess Party

2011-02-21T14:40:00.004-07:00

It was all Hylan's idea--to have my sister's kids over for a Princess Party sleepover. After he extended the invitation, I figured I could have a little fun with it. So we hung the decorations, invited the cousins, built a castle in our living room, and watched Beauty and the Beast on Blu Ray last Friday night.

It wasn't actually anyone's birthday, but Hylan came back from Wal Mart with this appropriate cake. It pained me that I couldn't make the treats myself, but honestly, when would I have had time to do that?

Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty came to the party.

Hylan's magnum opus. HAHA. He got some free refrigerator boxes at Lowe's and had this beauty assembled in about an hour. Crafty.

Wait, how come so many boys were at this princess party?

And I promise I fed them more than grapes.

It must have been a fun time because the only tears shed were when 4 year-old Annie saw her parents through the window coming to pick her up on Saturday morning. "I don't want to go home," she cried.

Perhaps there will have to be more parties at Auntie and Uncle's in the future.

Pizza Pretzels on YouTube: shameless self promotion

2011-02-05T16:23:00.004-07:00

I just saw this on facebook...umm weird and very awesome. :)

What's a Sweet Gal to do in Las Vegas?

2011-01-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time Emily said to Hylan, "why don't we just up and go to Vegas this weekend." ...And so when Friday night came, after getting home from work around 5:45, we quickly packed our bags and took an impromptu trip to Sin City, Nevada.

Now I've lived in Utah for over 10 years and only once drove by Las Vegas en route to San Diego, but I've never had the Vegas experience. Hylan and I have talked about going there for birthdays, Presidents Days, Memorial Days, random days, but for whatever reason we've always talked ourselves out of it. This trip was supposed to take place for Hylan's big decade birthday on February 26th of this year, but somehow I knew we'd probably talk ourselves out of that as well. Thus, spontaneity was required for this trip.

I must have been feeling a little bit daring this trip--what with my newfound spontaneity and all--because I even agreed to try In-N-Out Burger, which happens to be right by our entrance to the freeway in AF. Gasp. How daring! So, burgers are burgers and I'm rarely in the mood for them. Theirs were fine and definitely a good bargain, but the fries were disgusting and never worth repeating. I see the appeal of the establishment, but it's not really "my cup of tea," because these kinds of places always leave me wondering, where are the vegetables?!

Anyway, back to Vegas. So as not to bore you with unnecessary details or un-crafty quips, here's a cliff's notes version of some of the story.

Friday: 10:15 pm: Motel 6, St. George, UT.

Saturday: 8:00 am: Bear Paw Cafe, St. George. Belgian Waffle with strawberry topping!
En route to Vegas, bid on 5 star hotels through Priceline for a more "reasonable price" than $350 per night. We are winners! Thank you newfangled-way too expensive-"smart phone."

by 11:00 am: Checked in to the bejewelled Trump Tower Hotel, admired the poshness, bought Cirque du Soleil "O" tickets through concierge, left and parked at the Bellagio for some hotel touring and started walking around.

blah blah blah, refer to pictures to fill in the blanks. I kept looking at my watch thinking it's really only that time? It feels later. That extra Pacific hour was nice.

7:30 pm: "O." INCREDIBLE/UNBELIEVABLE/AWE-SOME/INSPIRING--I want to be in Cirque du Soleil in my next life. This is a must-see.

Sunday: 11:00 am: church in Washington, UT (oops, we visited a Seniors branch--haha. We literally picked a random LDS church building off the freeway. And yes, that was my idea not Hylan's. I felt bad for missing Stake Conference back in AFville.)

4:30 pm: home in time to see the Jets beat the Pats.

So, Vegas must have rubbed off on me a bit because I did something I've never done before...I ordered a COKE with my dinner at Noodles in the Bellagio. Double gasp. Who is this new Emily? I don't know. I never order drinks (except water with lemon) and I can't even tell you the last time I've had a Coca-Cola. Must have been persuaded by the Coca-Cola store, although, I also wanted to make absolute certain I'd be awake for "O", since it was expensive and I was on Utah time, and I do usually fall asleep around 9:30/10:00 pm these days. And you know what? It tasted good.

Anyway, looking back, I'm feeling nostalgic about this quick trip and can't wait to return, (though that's probably the burger, waffle, and coke talking) but truthfully, after we got home neither one of cared all that much to go back anytime soon. Maybe that's why Hylan hadn't been there for 9 years and we found excuses not to go there over the past 5.

I have to say, I would have enjoyed the experience a whole lot more if I wasn't accosted by clouds of thick cigar/cigarette smoke every time I went inside a building. I also would have appreciated it more if I wouldn't have had to dodge the minions of flyer flippers (seriously, every 10 feet. really?) every time we walked down the sidewalk. The "strip" is no place for children, that is for sure. So, if I couldn't admire the cool hotels from the inside or outside without being annoyed by something, then perhaps downtown Vegas isn't the place for a sweet little gal like me. But Trump Towers was definitely worth it and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. It was clean, non-smoking, non-casino, but beautifully luxurious and welcoming. Thanks Donald.

It really is a shame how downtown is treated, though, because there is some spectacular architecture and art to be seen and admired there. Oh well. And "O" was "oh my gosh," breathtakingly good. Like, oh my gosh, I will have to return to see it again, good, even if I have to wear a gas mask and blind goggles to get to the theater!

So, perhaps I will return to Las Vegas and stay at Trump Towers, but do some of the more family-friendly activities outside of the "strip" like Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, or hiking Red Rock Canyon! Afterall, it is my grandmother's birthplace. Though I don't think the 1923 desert quiet version can compare to the craziness that is now considered Sin City.

That's my version of the story and I'm sticking to it.

And they are currently living happily ever after in a quiet and clean home in the UT. Well, actually working most of our life away, but whatever, if we work then we can play.

The End.

Calling all Creative Cooks

2011-01-14T13:32:00.004-07:00

I really wish someone would have told me about the giant shadow on my face. Oh well. And my hair looks red-ish. Weird.

Assuming you are an amateur cook, and that you don't get paid to write food blogs or whatnot, or that you or your family members are affiliated with any of the sponsoring companies, you too can enter the Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest.

Check out the contest rules and eligible products at the website and maybe we can spend a few days in O-town in 2012 together. Doesn't that sound like fun?

I'm already busy concocting and experimenting in the kitchen--no successes yet, but some good starts and intriguing top-secret ideas are brewing! In fact, the ideas started flowing on my plane ride home from last year's competition. Gosh, I had so much fun. I definitely want to get back there and be a part of the excitement again! :) So, I'm working on it.

Who else is in?

The Dyson

2011-01-03T07:00:00.002-07:00

A couple months ago I was in the market for a new vacuum cleaner since we didn't like our Red Devil and decided to toss it in the can when we moved.

If you don't know my personality, I'm a bit meticulous when it comes to finding and purchasing the best products, so I definitely had to solicit some opinions. Thank you internet. (Should I be thanking Al Gore too? Ha ha!)

My coworker, Allison, swore by her new Dyson ball and encouraged me to get one. I also asked my facebook friends what vacuum cleaner was best and so many responded with a resounding DYSON is AMAZING, DYSON BALL AWESOME, GET ONE, I ONLY USE DYSON, etc. Almost entirely across the board were good opinions of the Dyson.

So, we decided to purchase a refurbished one from Overstock with a coupon. We got a great deal and I have a new best friend.

Here is my new pet.

I was so excited the day we got him. I went and vacuumed the whole house top to bottom including the stairs. New houses are kind of dusty, ya know.

Here's proof. That's all from one round of vacuuming.

Sure glad I won't be inhaling that stuff.

And so easy to clean out with a push of a button

I have since used this vacuum cleaner weekly and am still obsessively in love with its suction power, all-surface cleaning, long cord, and easy maneuverability. Vacuuming has become more of an enjoyable chore as of late. And I didn't think I would ever get another bagless vacuum, but this one is so much cleaner and much easier to replace the filters.

Thanks Dyson for inventing fantastic vacuums.

And a word to the wise--I definitely recommend refurbished products on Overstock. They are still brand new products, just cheaper. Do your research. We're pleased with ours.

WICKED

2010-12-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

During our trip to PA for Thanksgiving, my mom, sister, aunt, cousins, and husband took a little trip to the Big Apple. Here we are catching a train in Jersey.

We went on Black Friday. While the rest of the crew went shopping (they already had tickets to see Elf that night), I had one objective. SEE WICKED.

So, we went to the theater and tried to "win the lottery." Two and a half hours before each Wicked show, you can put your name in a tumbler. If your name is called and you are present, you get to purchase front row seats for about $25.00. Cash. By the way, always have cash when you're in NYC.

We tried for the matinee. Failed. We tried the cancellation line. Wasted an hour of our lives only to be turned down.

We walked around Times Square, ate food, not to mention Crumb's cupcakes, visited my freshman roomie who lives in Manhattan, walked through Pop Tart World, M&M World, Sports stores, etc. Boy, we sure did some walking in the city. We also made a pit stop to "enjoy the go" at the Charmin bathrooms. So, yeah, if you're ever in NYC and want a clean bathroom--this place is purely dedicated to clean bathrooms--like after every use. They even make it "entertaining." I'd say it's definitely worth it if you're in the Times Square area.

Wasn't that cold in NYC, a bit windy though. Quick get the classic Times Square picture with your phone. Don't wait for the husband to turn around because he won't.

I digress...

We returned to the Gershwin Theater with high hopes of winning the lottery for the evening show. At this point, I'm still feeling lucky, ya know, with the awesome year I had with Pillsbury and winning other random things. But alas, there were hundreds of people and the odds were against us, so no win. This time we were a bit more savvy to the process so we marched right in to the cancellation line as soon as they announced the last person and within 15 minutes, we had incredible orchestra seats for 1/3 the cost those seats normally go for. FINALLY. I was ecstatic.

So after meeting up with the rest of the crew for dinner, we returned to our beloved theater for the fourth time in one day with our prized tickets and saw the best show on Broadway (I think Aida is still my second all-time favorite). Sheesh. Sure did take me long enough to see this show.

Yes, we are THAT close to the stage

Yes, Hylan is excited to go to OZ

I don't think I could have been any happier. SO WORTH EVERY HARD EARNED PENNY!

The only sad part was that the experience ended. After it was over, I wanted to see it one more time!

Glinda and Elphaba are my new favorite characters.

South Fork Canyon in the Fall

2010-12-22T11:14:00.009-07:00

My nephew was born during a blizzard two years ago today. And here is a cute pic from September 2010. Happy Birthday Brother Brigham!

My brother Micah was born xx years ago today. He probably wouldn't want me to post a pic, but Happy Birthday anyway.

These pictures are from our family fun time in South Fork Canyon in Provo when my parents were in town in September. It was so beautiful.

Daddio and Me

Me and the Pops

Me and Mommy-Dearest

Just roasting a weiner

Taking a picture of my mom taking a picture of us.

And this is the actual picture I took. Ha ha.

Glad Hylan finally decided to show up. That was probably the weiner I roasted for him.

And the rest of the album.

Like Sands Through The Hourglass...

2010-12-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

I miss posting things on my blog. I’ve written countless blogs in my mind over the past 5 weeks, but when have I had time to put those thoughts to keyboard? On the priority list, blogging seems to fall to the bottom. And since sleep is too precious to cut from my life, blogging gets the boot.

I do plan to catch up because my camera is full of boring, poorly-taken pictures that you probably don’t want to see, but nonetheless will serve as a great reminiscences for me.

Our home is mostly put together, though lacking in the many finishing touches I have in mind. I had grandiose expectations of buying brand new Christmas decorations to festivize my house to the max, but instead we chose the economic route and pulled out our already owned décor (still pretty much looks like that just in a new place). Note to self, don’t wait until December 4th to try to buy a Christmas tree from Costco. But since we were gone until December 2, and I have trouble thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving, that’s just the way the cookie crumbled this year. Not to worry, we still have our anorexic 4 foot tree trimmed with small colorful sparkling balls, so whatever.

As for Christmas cards…HAHA! LOL! If I could get some pictures from our family reunion from last summer, or Thanksgiving this year, or quickly snap a picture before/after church, maybe I’ll put together something. I guess I still have time to ask Hylan to help me write our top ten, but we’ll see. Don’t expect anything in the mail though, that’s for sure (ouch—that kind of hurt to type. Sorry).

I’m just looking forward to life slowing down a little bit next week. Some family time. Couple days off work. Cooking/Baking. Watching movies. Just spending time with Hylan. Oh yeah, and definitely some more Eagles victories!

So, there is much to look forward to, blog world. I am not lost. I’m just so busy living life I don’t have much time to reflect. I’m looking forward to a simpler time in 2011, but we’ll see where the wind blows us.

Here are some things I might blog about:

Awesome Dyson Vacuum (heart, heart, heart)

American Fork restaurants (not to mention red velvet ice cream!)

Thanksgiving PA trip (with the whole famdamily-oh my!)

Here's a pic my cousin Heather took of me and my cousin Tawney, Thanksgiving day--It's just the only picture from the last two months of my life that is accessible at the moment, so whatever there you go. And yes, my shirt says "Gobble, Gobble."

NYC/Wicked (Elphaba and Glinda are officially my new favorite characters)

Munchkin Sitting & Gingy Cookies

New Ward, talks, etc.

My new fitness goals (treadmill/room dedicated to fitness = Happiness!)

Oh yeah, and did I ever mention that horrid Timp hike in August? No? Oh, I remember why.

Hylan’s fitness goals!

And much more HylanEmily-(but let's face it mostly Emily) related stuff!

Only in Utah

2010-11-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

Yes, it would be nice if the church that is located a stone's throw distance from our new home was actually the building we met in, but alas it is not. In fact, it’s not even in our stake! Only in Utah do you pass multiple Mormon Church buildings to get to the one you actually attend. Only in Utah can you have a lovely view from your very own window(s) of a church meetinghouse that you don’t even get to meet in. Dreams of walking to church have been shattered. Nothing short of a tragedy, I tell you.

This East Coast girl continues to be culture-shocked by my adopted state of 10 years, but when you grow up in an area not populated by many Mormons, and the stake center is only a 45 minute drive away, I guess you have a lot to learn from the Beehive State of mind.

I’ll count my blessings that I have a view of the Provo Temple from the building where I work and that I see the Mt. Timpanogos Temple on my commute home. Yes, High on a Mountain Top Utah, you do still impress me.

Provo Temple

Mt. Timpanogos Temple

And for my next installment of "Life in Home-land," I will discuss my delight with the Dyson.

Many Thanks

2010-10-30T08:29:00.004-06:00

This post is way overdue. I have too much to say and too many people to thank. I'm sitting here in my new place, still amidst chaos. I dislike disorganization and clutter. It makes my neurons rapid fire like a machine gun creating chaos inside my mind. I need to make sense of this new space, but my week was full to the brim, just like every other week. I'm feeling overwhelmed and so desperately want to apply President Uchtdorf's words about slowing down, but I don't have time to. All I can do is close my eyes (unless I'm driving) and practice yogic breathing.

But I don't want to complain. I live in a beautiful new space. And I'll try not to feel guilty about spending a few minutes Saturday morning blogging, instead of getting to work because I do have 18 things on my "to do" list.

On the forefront of my mind has been a need to express gratitude to all the wonderful people that helped Hylan and I move and clean. These friends are awesome and exemplify the Christ-like qualities of caring and service. I made a list but have decided not to post it because I don't want to leave anyone out, but if you are reading my blog and offered to help in any way, please know beyond what I've hopefully already expressed that your kindness has brightened and enriched my world tremendously. I will especially miss our way too awesome for us ward family. I can't think about them without becoming sad.

We couldn't have survived our move without help. We certainly couldn't have done it as efficiently as we did. Special thanks to our friends who also went above and beyond in helping us move out of the old and into the new, went with us to dinner and fed us, and have continued to offer further organizational assistance. You friends know who you are and I appreciate you and acknowledge your many kindnesses. And thanks also for helping even though I had to cut out and go teach a yoga class. (I know, really, who does that during a move?)

So, on now to making further sense of my life and space. Maybe at some future point in time, I'll be able to live a little slower pace. If only I could take a few sick days to take care of my "sick" house. If only I had some organizational fairies to put my stuff away in its perfect place and help me decide what new stuff I need to help prettify and to conceal. You know, kind of like in Enchanted--except I don't want rats and birds helping me, I want fairies more like Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty. But then, I also want to know where I've put everything, so I guess I'll just have to do it, even though it will happen at the same pace I hiked Timp--slow like molasses.

Have you heard our news?

2010-10-08T17:30:00.002-06:00

Hylan and I are “moving on up to the east side!” Actually, we’re leaving the east side of Orem and moving on up to the North, to American Fork, like to a house. TO A HOUSE! Yes, after 3.25 years of living in a basement dungeon apartment and after several bajillion disappointments (yes that is somewhat over exaggerated but not much), we are finally entering the next phase of life. It’s finally time to turn the page and start a new chapter and we are as happy as clams (link to where that phrase comes from).

In no particular order of importance...

Things we’re looking forward to:

About 90 seconds to Chik-fil-A
M O R E S P A C E (like 3-4 times more)
Our own temperature control
LIGHT (brighter inside and we will actually be able to see the sun and thunderstorms through real windows)
Even closer to the temple
A staircase with a lit garland down the banister during Christmastime!
A front door (as opposed to a “front” back door)
No more shoveling a four car driveway plus an elongated path back to said “front” back door.
A GARAGE! My poor car has been homeless since it moved to Utah.
No more hauling stuff/groceries/dry cleaning through the elements
No more hearing scraping chairs or dropped items above us
A gas range.
The new appliance we bought.
A laundry room
Room for a treadmill (we have wanted to buy one for over a year now but didn’t have the space for one)
2-3 minutes to I-15

Things we will miss:

Our wonderfabulous RR2 ward family (especially the youth and primary kids :(
Hiding out around back where few can find us. :)
Not having to pay extra for utilities or cable (we had a one check fits all kind of deal).
Provo canyon. sniff, sniff
Harmons (no matter how over-priced, I can find the best gourmet cheeses, breads, etc. there).
Proximity to BYU and UVU (I’m not looking forward to a longer commute, but oh well.)
The smell of freshly ripened peaches on a warm September day (gonna miss those orchards for sure!)

Basically we'll miss the location location location (I love our neighborhood/area so much!) but even more importantly, all of the awesome friends we've made in said area. We are so sad to leave those young men and young women and cute primary kids and their parents. We've felt so welcomed and appreciated in that ward and can't imagine finding any better.

BUT, we get to call a house our home! And since that has been our goal since we got married, and since that was part of the purpose of Hylan starting his own business, which the economic climate didn't do us any favors, but since we learn from trials and adversity and will appreciate what we have so much more, and since I went from a low stress, no jobs, cooking-filled, gym faring life to an intensely busy, nay, hectic life filled with multiple jobs and demanding/competing responsibilities vying for my sparse amounts of free time, and Hylan has been able to ramp it back up at the Chase machine, and since it's just finally the RIGHT TIME for us...methinks this is a good thing, a very swell, superific, dandiful, awesomeful thing. So please try to see it in context for us.

Any friends wishing to view photos of our new digs, post a comment or email me and I'll send you a link. I prefer not to publish my entire private life for the public eye to see, but I would be happy to invite you to our brand new unoccupied house picture album, or to our actual house if ever we do find time to pack, move, unpack, settle, decorate, organize, cook, and then actually invite you over to a house-warming party or something.

It's Just That I've Been Busy Living Life

2010-09-18T16:51:00.009-06:00

I haven't had much time to record the many things we've been doing. Here are a few highlights from the times I actually took pictures. My family members can view the whole array of images on our private Woolfam blog.

We went to lovely Victor, Idaho for Labor Day weekend with my parents and my sister's family. I love this place. So peaceful. It's my dad's hometown.

Maybe I would have gotten better pictures if they weren't out-the-window-while we were driving snapshots.

We stayed at this lovely cabin. Delightful accommodations.

We went to various places like the Victor Emporium where we just had to get a huckleberry milkshake because it's tradition. I also stocked up on huckleberry jam and chocolates because, yes, I love me some huckleberries. East coast folks, please educate yourself on the huckleberry!

We also went to Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming (Victor is in Eastern Idaho after all) for a ski lift jaunt up the mountain for a perfect view of the Grand Tetons! Love me some Tetons.

Just a funny picture of Hylan and Devin.

Yes, the Tetons and a kiss. LOVE.

We also indulged in s'mores made with homemade graham crackers (yes, I did) and GIANT marshmallows.
Yum.
The next weekend we had good old fashioned hot dog roast and s'more s'mores over a fire in South Fork Canyon (above Vivian in Provo Canyon). It was delightfully perfect.

Other fun things not pictured included going to the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot, watching BYU get beaten up by Air Force at my place (okay, the beating was not fun), making raspberry jam, eating Sunday dinner at Sister's (still mad at the Eagles for losing), etc. Too bad my parent's trip was too short and I had to work too much.

When I'm not working at BYU or teaching at UVU, I spend my bountiful free time with some awesome young girls from church doing various weeknight and Sabbath Day activities/lessons. This night we made lasagna to give to a wonderful family. Yes, they decided to put a smiley face made out of cheddar cheese on top. Clever. Girls after my own heart, ya know. Aren't we cute? I still look 13, don't I?

So, there's a brief explanation for my absence. Maybe someday I won't be so busy living (working) life that I'll actually maintain a real blog! Probably no time soon. Oh well.

I Still Love Pillsbury!

2010-08-22T20:50:00.007-06:00

Pillsbury just keeps on giving. Love those folks. Hope to work with them again in the future...if I get lucky again! :)

Here are some pro pics they sent me, two of which I don't think I've ever posted. Aww, happy memories.

SO YUMMY! :)

I think this was the one that was published in the newspaper and I love it!

Yeah, so big mistake with my arrangement of the pretzels and having the sauce right in the middle. Oh well, I was a rookie. By the way, this is not what I served the judges--this was just for photos.

I'm sad that my face is half-shadowed in this picture, but I'm quite sure I'm the only one who cares, so pauvre petite Emily. You can find me on the right side a couple rows back.

Am I INCREDIBLY mean...

2010-08-18T21:11:00.009-06:00

...for serving my husband this?

It's INCREDIBLE HULK MAC 'N' CHEESE: fortified with spinach puree, chicken, crunchy green bell pepper, sweet corn, a variety of spices, and all mixed up with your standard blue box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

It was actually quite good. But it just might turn me into this.

Ha Ha. Hello Kitty Hulk. :)

I just have to find a way to make a not so healthy meal more nutritious, don't I? Don't you just love how I barely cook anymore? Oh well. At least I can take frozen salmon or chicken out of the freezer and put it in the oven. Sometimes I even roast broccoli or cauliflower. I've done all of those things this week. WOW. It's nice to have some "normalcy" in coming home and actually eating dinner before 8:30 and with my husband.

Too bad the madness in the evenings begins again...teaching yoga Tuesday/Thursday, Young Women on Wednesday, and attending a cardio class Monday/Wednesday. I'm getting tired just thinking about it.

August is going by way too fast!

HAPPY 200th POST! OMIGOSH.

Because It's Funny

2010-08-16T17:50:00.000-06:00

Meet Luntik, the Jedi Cat.

He's Russian.

And awesome.

And you can read more about him here.

Goodbye July

2010-08-05T18:23:00.004-06:00

Sniff, sniff. Please give me a moment to get over the passing of another July.

...

It was another fantastic July, but let's be honest, July is always FANTASTIC! I love my birth month and I will miss it for the next 11 months. Good thing August is still in my top 5 for favorite months.

So, I'd recommend registering with a few websites for lots of free foods during your next birth month. This time around I got organized--each restaurant is listed with what the coupon is worth and when I had to use it by. As you can see, I managed to check everything off the list but Happy Sumo. Seeing as how I'm not a huge Happy Sumo fan (I've only been there once), I wasn't at all disappointed.

I think Cold Stone and Tucanos are my favorite birthday coupons. Free ice cream. Free buffet. You can't lose!

Oh July. You are so good to me. Two holidays. Lots of food. Lots of hot weather. Lots of reasons to celebrate my birthday over and over again. Please come back soon.

Here's the list (sorry if it's a bit Utah-specific, but I'm sure you can find lots of great deals in your area too):

Cold Stone

Baskin Robbins

Dairy Queen (and yes, it did take me 5 days to finish the midnight truffle blizzard)

Happy Sumo

Tucanos

Sky Room (not sure, but you may have to be affiliated with BYU for this one)

Mimi's Cafe

Noodles & Company (first coupon I used because I love this place so much)

Red Robin (after reading the nutritional info on these burgers, I FORCED Hylan to share with me and eat a salad for an appetizer. Seriously, who needs 1000 calories in just a burger alone--then add fries and a drink and a dessert and you've got a complete day's worth of calories in one sitting. YUCK.)

Anyone got any other clubs I can join for next year? I'm all about the food quest.

Fudgy Berry Chip Muffins, healthified

2010-07-31T12:00:00.003-06:00

I had a serious craving for some chocolate muffins Thursday night, but didn't get around to making them until I had some time Saturday morning. This recipe is one I found on allrecipes.com when I was a teenager around 12 years ago. Yes, I have been using the Internet to find recipes for a long time! It was the first time I had used applesauce in a baked goods recipe--and it did not disappoint. It makes theses muffins "fudgy" and moist. I have gone back to this recipe time and time again since my teenage baking days.

This time around, I decided to adapt the recipe for high altitude (because I live in Utah now, but obviously I didn't do that in Pennsylvania) and make absolutely certain I didn't over bake them. Also, I wanted to add a little more nutrition, so I substituted half wheat flour for the white flour. Finally, I wanted to add an additional dimension of a sweet, tart textured chew to these already perfect muffins, so I added mixed berries (from my freezer--Costco has the best blend--raspberries, blueberries, and marionberries! YUM!)

So satisfying! I ate two and was left wanting more, but after all they are "healthified," not necessarily "healthy," so I decided not to overindulge.

Here's the recipe with editorial notes and modifications in RED.

Ingredients
1/2 cup applesauce (that's one individual cup, if you buy the six pack version)
1/4 cup butter, softened (original recipe calls for margarine but I NEVER bake with margarine, ick.)
1/2 cup white sugar (minus 1 Tbsp, *high altitude variation)
1/2 cup light brown sugar (minus 1 Tbsp, *high altitude variation)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons milk (approximately, I used skim because that's what I had; it just needs a touch more moisture, *high altitude variation)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (today I used Hershey's special dark cocoa)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (1/4 teaspoon, *high altitude variation)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional-not optional, I add 1/4 teaspoon (not really measured) more; it's a perfect compliment to the chocolate and applesauce)
1 cup (-ish) semi-sweet chocolate chips (didn't measure and probably used a little less because of the added berries)
1 cup frozen mixed berry blend, no need to thaw
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (optional--no, not optional; it dresses these muffins perfectly!)

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups (foil works too).
2.In large mixer bowl, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk until well blended. (Works way better if all ingredients are room temperature.) Add applesauce, blend well.
3.In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and cinnamon, if desired. Add to butter mixture, blending well. Stir in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with batter.
4.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 22 to 26 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. (Very important to pull them out as soon as the tops spring back and the toothpicks come out almost clean--careful not to confuse the batter with a chocolate chip--you don't want to dry these out.) Cool slightly in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle muffin tops with confectioners' sugar, if desired. Serve warm with a cold glass of milk! And yes, they are delicious warm.

Sometimes I freeze these in a Ziploc freezer bag for a fresh chocolaty breakfast anytime I want. Otherwise, store in some Tupperware for snacking later on. Oh, and I usually store them in the fridge just so they keep fresher longer. And I kind of like them when the chocolate chips are hard again--I freeze cookies fresh out of the oven just to harden the chips again--is that weird?

And now here's a baker's tip:

I was very embarrassed to share this picture of the freshly baked Fudgy Berry Chip Muffins, healthified because look out disgusting my muffin pan is getting. By the way this is a Wilton pan and Cooks Illustrated rated it as the best and I have to agree. Anyway, I thoroughly scrub this pan (or wash in the dishwasher) after baking, but sometimes those brown sticky (usually from Pam spray, etc.) just won't scrub off. Well, want to know how to get it off?

Take a crumpled up piece of foil (homemade steel wool) and vigorously--and I mean put some elbow into it--scrub the pan. Then wash with a soapy sponge.

And voila, it really does work. As you can see, it does take some scrubbing and I probably could scrub just a little more on that right corner, but that really is the same pan! Not too shabby, eh?

The Most Awesome Birthday Event

2010-07-11T16:42:00.020-06:00

"Hey Hylan, I know what I want to do for my birthday. I want to go to Tuacahn in St. George and see CATS."

And that email was all it took.

So, we took off work on Friday and road tripped on down to HOT St. George.

We saw lavender fields along the way (and I want to go all the way to France to see lavender fields. Silly me.)

We stopped at Cove Fort and learned how friendly the early Saints were with the Indians as well as how resourceful. They built this fort out of lava rock. It was a stopping point for road trippers of yester-year as well as a place to hook up the telegraph. It was in operation about 20 years.

I thought the Renaissance Faire in Cedar City might be fun, but really we walked around for five minutes snapping a few pictures and called it. Nothing too exciting. We ate Subway for lunch and then continued on until we got to our beautiful hotel. Two nights of very pleasant accommodations.

Then we headed out to get some frozen custard upon the hotel guy's recommendation. Yum yum in our tum tums. There is actually a Nielsen's in Salt Lake and St. George, fyi. It's just as good as my favorite Orem spot, Coneys. Hylan had a maraschino cherry "concrete." I had the flavor of the day on a cone, roasted caramel cashew.Then we went to tour Brigham Young's St. George home. What a guy. What a place. Too bad we missed the fresh figs by a week. It was neat to see his "lion chair," cane, and hat box. The whole home felt like a blessed, spiritual place.

After that, we went back to the hotel and Hylan got his swimming on, but I refused to get in because of the children count at the time and our impending dinner out. Dinner was some more yummy yums.

Chipotle Philly Cheese steak with roasted garlic green beans and Hylan with his clam chowder, Caesar salad, salmon, and ribs. It was very good.

After dinner, it was relaxation time at the hotel. A couple episodes of King of Queens and I was out like a light.

My birthday morning was one of the most perfect mornings ever. TRULY. I couldn't make these things up. To start, we had a wonderful continental breakfast in the hotel lounge. Then we got our exercise on in the hotel gym, 30 minutes of interval training on the treadmill and 30 minutes of strength training. Hylan even joined me. Then we enjoyed the pool. After all the kiddy kats left, it was blissfully relaxing and quite.

Conveniently, my memory card had an error in the hot sun, so this is the only evidence of our poolside party.

Next stop, lunch at the next door Island grill for some delicious tempura battered food. I ordered a salad but you wouldn't know it with all of those crispy strips on top. Truthfully, I had to push almost all of them to the side to get to the lettuce, but once again, it was quite the delicious tropical meal! Hylan had tempura vegetables, pork bbq, and sweet potato and regular potato fries.

After lunch, we headed over to the St. George temple for a photo opportunity as well as the Jacob Hamblin home in Santa Clara. Jacob was a missionary for the LDS church to the Indians back in the day around 1854 when nothing else existed in southern Utah.

Then it was time to reconvene and relax in the air conditioning at the hotel until the main event of the trip.We left early, got there early, and consequently had quite a bit of time to drive around and take pictures at Tuacahn.

Double ice cream sundaes for my birthday pre-show dinner, yes I do. I never do that and I still regret it--because I was sure full. Now I remember why I hate feeling that way. One was tropical, the other brownie, by the way.

We did have some incredible seats. Thank you, Hylan.

At intermission, Hylan got to meet Old Deuteronomy.

I loved the show. It was hot well in to the night, but the dancing and singing was first rate. I even noticed that the guy who played Macavity had danced with my cousin's company, SoulEscape.

To "get" Cats, you have to know that the whole thing is one giant metaphor for human life, and knowing that makes it all the more enjoyable, since there isn't really much of a story.

We went "home" to the hotel and crashed. Woke up to another fabulous hotel breakfast and took a much quicker, non-stop drive home.

And that was more or less of the story of my most fantastic birthday extravagant weekend trip ever. I really wish blogger would make picture uploading and arranging easier. Now I know why I normally do slide shows.

The End.

I Love Exercise

2010-07-06T21:14:00.007-06:00

I love yoga! Tonight I felt powerful and strong and dare I say it, energetic! That last post was depressing, so you know what I did about it? I ate and slept my way out of it! Thank you Sunday naps. Thank you 4th of July holiday fun and sleeping in. Thank you fresh vegetables, fruits, and vitamins! Thank you cute nieces and nephews for making me smile.

I feel like I'm back to normalcy.

And who wouldn't be excited when they get to celebrate the 28th anniversary of their birth watching this:

At this lovely place that I've never before experienced:

With this delightful person:

Yup, not much to complain about today. :-)

Love/Hate

2010-06-30T19:31:00.012-06:00

This is poor, pathetic, exhausted me

Don't you hate workouts when you're sick, afflicted, or just plain exhausted from your overly busy life? I do. I mean, I love exercise. I teach exercise. But I also hate it too. I hate that when your forced to take a break from it, it becomes hard all over again. Especially cardio. Sometimes I think cardio is evil.

I mean, exercise should be hard. It should be work, or else how would you benefit? I just wish I had more time for it. Not now, though. There's just too much on my plate!

So, right now I hate exercise, because it's mean to me and kicks my butt. But I need it. I have to have it, or I just get even more cranky. I don't have time to be cranky right now.

I want to be more like her.

I miss the days when I took 2-3 hour long hikes, or even 1 hour. I miss the days when I'd go to more than one group fitness class (not just on Monday when I'm feeling up to it). I miss going to the gym and going from machine to machine just because then I didn't have to think about which exercise to do to target which muscle. Ahh, well. I guess there's more to life than just exercise, right?

Like food.

I also miss having the energy to cook more frequently. But that's another story. Another blog. I'm done. Probably go to bed in an hour 'cause life is just too much right now. Anyone got some energy to loan me?

Cheesiest picture I could find.

End.

because I'm tired of looking at food...

2010-06-25T15:17:00.000-06:00

...and I'm full of randomness today.

Hi, we're the Harpers. And this is what we looked like a few weeks ago at my coworker's wedding.

Yes, I still like him a lot. :)

By the way, cops in Nephi are meanies. Just ask Hylan.

And for the record, not only have I never received a ticket, but I've also never been pulled over. Knock on wood. I guess it's that--try to obey traffic laws because I don't like negative consequences--tendency in me.

To conclude, I'm just glad it's Friday because this was one long exhausting week!

I love leftovers!

2010-06-21T20:44:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we had a delicious Father's Day grilled feast with the Harpers. I took home some grilled steak and corn on the cob and turned it into this heavenly salad.

Think fresh mixed greens from the neighbor's garden topped with crunchy coleslaw mix (not dressed), thinly sliced bbq steak, corn cut off the cob, green goddess dressing, a little salt and pepper, and all topped off with crushed tortilla chips and mango peach salsa. SOOO YUMMY. The only thing that would have taken it to the next level was a squeeze of fresh lime juice, but I didn't have any. Pretty good for a Monday meal after a double workout. Fresh, fast, and flavorful!

And then I couldn't let the blueberry buckle I made yesterday sit in my fridge any longer--too yummy to resist. Served warm, nay, hot and bubbly with cold creamy vanilla ice cream.

Too bad Hylan is at Scout camp and couldn't enjoy my late dinner with me. Now, if only I could get me some photo skills, but as it was, I had a fork in one hand and the camera in another.

By the way, didn't love "Catching Fire" as much as "Hunger Games"--this one was a bit predictable, but nonetheless, it was a pleasurable read and I'm still looking forward to book #3 due out August 24.

And my 4 month post-op appointment with the eye doc when brilliantly. 20-15 vision. No scarring. Not much change since the last appointment except that I don't use eye drops anymore. Ahh, life is good. And Mondays still aren't so bad. :)

Catching Fire

2010-06-16T07:20:00.000-06:00

Thank you Borders for sending me a 40% off coupon - sometimes it does "pay" to give your email address to businesses and join their rewards program (but only when you don't have to pay anything to join).

Anyway, thanks Borders, because now I own a copy of book #2, "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins. I reserved my copy online through borders.com and then walked up to the front register of the store, picked it up, and paid for it with my coupon. A beautiful experience, if I do say so myself. It's the little things that make my life easier, ya know? Makes me happy.

Since Comcast is--what's another word for retarded that's more politically correct--and our cable has been out the last few days (missed game 6 of the finals, boo), at least I have had my book. Now, if only I could morph my hour lunch breaks into entire afternoon lunch breaks, then I could find a hammock, or a poolside lounge chair, and slather on the sunscreen, put on some shades, sip natural lemonade lightly sweetened, and read my book. Hmm, maybe next summer....

The Hunger Games

2010-06-13T17:13:00.003-06:00

I'm kind of a pitiful excuse for one who earned a B.A. in English because I don't really read that much. I mean I read a lot, but not books. Not like used to. But then, I don't have all that much time in my day, so I'll cut myself some slack.

Anyway, thanks to the gentle prodding and pure enthusiasm of my co-worker who recently read "The Hunger Games," I was able to borrow it. I got the book on Thursday and were it not for life getting in the way, I would have finished it even before I did on Sunday.

In short, this is a great page-turner. I was totally captivated by the world that was created. The characters. The plot. I didn't want to put this one down! My co-worker, Allison, also wrote about it, so go on over and see what she said.

Just go out and get this book! You will not be disappointed. Even as I described it to Hylan, he wanted me to finish it, so he could hear what happened next. The best part is that now I can read book #2 and book #3 conveniently comes out in August. Rumor is the movie will be released in 2011, so methinks I will be excited when it does.

Oh yeah, and don't be turned off by any summary that claims it's a sci-fi young adult fiction book. Categorizing this book in such a silly way does it a disservice. Neither of those genres appeals to me, but I loved this book. So just trust that it's good because I said so.

I Love My Eyes

2010-06-09T17:00:00.001-06:00

As many of you well know, I had PRK surgery this past February. Although the recovery from this procedure did take a few months, I am loving my "new" eyes.

If any are considering having eye surgery, you shouldn't wait. In fact, you should have done it yesterday. Use your flexible spending money. Finance it. Save up for it and pay it off in cash beforehand. Whatever it takes! I highly recommend it. And if you're in Utah, there is only one place to go: Hoopes Vision. They are absolutely the best!

One thing that has been made much easier has been traveling. No need to worry about carting a big bottle of saline solution and taking an extra pair of contacts, just in case. No dry eyes on the airplane for me. The other best part has just been revealed to me as I have spent the past two days home sick from work. Since I didn't have a current prescription of glasses, wearing contacts was my only option, and let me tell you, waking up in the middle of the night and trying to watch TV or napping on the couch was certainly made quite a bit easier this time around by not having to deal with contact lenses. I have yet to try my new eyes out in the swimming pool, but I can't wait to open my eyes under water for the first time in a long time and not suffer from the sticky, itchy red eyes syndrome that occurs when contacts get in touch with water.

Because of a 10 year habit developed with contact lens wearing, many times since my eye surgery, I've had to resist the urge to take out my contacts and place them in a saline-filled lens case as part of my bedtime routine. Now it's wash the face, lotion the face, brush the teeth (and sometimes floss), say my prayers, and go to bed. It really is a shorter process night and morning.

I'm just so grateful that I was able to have this surgery. The investment will probably pay for itself over time, but the years of precise vision given back to me truly is priceless (insert cheesy television commercial here)!

Now I Really Love LARABAR

2010-06-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Do you remember when I gushed over these fantastic healthful packaged wonder-bars? Well, I wasn't doing it for any personal gain; I just really like their product and have genuine excitement for them. In any case, a rep from the company contacted me...and look what I found in the mail just a few days later!

FOUR FREE LARABARs! These are flavors that aren't even available in stores until July, but will be available on their site soon. The flavors are: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Brownie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Carrot Cake. C'mon, some of those must whet your appetite, no?

I was so excited about my free "treats" that I went to the store and bought every flavor they had that I've never tried (I've only tried 3).

These flavors are: Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Coconut Chew, Lemon Bar, Pecan Pie, and Banana Bread.

What can I say? I'm a sucker. I can't wait to sample each one!

Someday I will be a real food blogger...when I have more time and can do it right. That is now my life ambition (beyond other more eternal weightier matters).

Do or Do Not; There is No Try

2010-06-01T18:34:00.003-06:00

If you've been around the food blogger's block, you will have already heard or seen these Star Wars beauties that can be found at Williams-Sonoma. I just couldn't resist their inherent awesomeness, and when we ended up at said store (which is blissfully 3 minutes from my home!) Hylan said, "get something," so we (he) justified the $20.00 purchase for 4 cookie cutters and I just had to make some for our Memorial Day get-together (how patriotic)!

We (Hylan) discovered the dip and flip method worked the best to "frost" the cookies. Piping was too time consuming and I didn't really have the right tips or the right consistency of royal icing, as you can see below.

I only made yodas because I didn't want to deal with more than two colors of icing. The best part of sharing these cookies were the reactions from those seeing them for the first time, especially my nieces and nephews. Don't these yodas just make you smile?

I'd recommend they make at least 4 more cutters: C3PO, R2D2, Chewbacca, and an Ewok.

There is at least one person in my family who I know should own a set of these and his birthday is in two days! Perhaps I should tell his wife! Happy Birthday Martin!!

I Like Mondays

2010-05-24T22:00:00.000-06:00

If you know anyone who lives in Utah, then you probably have heard about our snow storm on Monday, May 24th. Not little flurries--a full on wet spring snow--enough to cover the entire lawn! This spring has been very exceptionally un-spring-like. We have had a mere handful of mild, sunny, beautiful characteristically spring-like days. In fact, I've had to go to on a couple trips to Florida and South Carolina in the past six weeks to find out that other parts of the U.S. are currently enjoying gorgeous warm weather, even HOT weather, whilst here in Utah, I have lost count of how many times I've noticed snow-kissed tulips.

But a snowy morning can turn into this gorgeousness. These mountains of ours are really quite breathtaking and I just love the view we have of Timp from our current residence.

La Lune. My favorite celestial body to look at.

This is Mount Timpanogos covered by clouds

I don't have pictures to document the white-out wet mess that was this morning, but here is evidence of the beauty of our "blossomed-rose" desert.

There is nothing like driving home from a long day of work and Monday night's Zumba and Pilates classes with this picturesque landscape as the backdrop.

This is why I don't hate Mondays, even snowy/wet ones. And even though my step count for the day isn't stellar, it's also not half bad at 11,515--well above the 8,000 for our wellness challenge at BYU, and above the 10,000/day I've heard recommended by fitness experts.

Life isn't bad, ya know? Don't we need to be reminded of that sometimes? Especially during those times when were are patiently waiting and working towards promised blessings. Yes.

Today, I find it hard to complain.

Professional Pillsbury Pictures

2010-05-10T12:30:00.000-06:00

More pics posted from this fun memory. I keep having dreams about Disney World--I think I need to go back to Orlando soon.

Ha Ha! Look at those mishapened pretzels--don't worry, they baked up just fine. By the way, the recipe was never meant to be fussy, just fun!

What a good sport.

LARABAR Loving

2010-05-07T12:30:00.001-06:00

A little while ago on The Biggest Loser, Bob and Jillian promoted a packaged bar product called LARABAR. It sounded like a uniquely healthy product with a short list of ingredients, so I put it on my mental list of things to try in the future.

Last week at Costco as I was searching to replenish my usual stock of Fiber One, Kashi, and/or Nature Valley bars, I happened upon a box of these.

Only, my flavors were: Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, and Peanut Butter Cookie. Sounded good enough to me. The price tag was a bit hefty, but I figured they were made with dried fruits and nuts, which aren't usually terribly cheap.

Well, the verdict is out and I am in love with LARABAR. I think that I just may have to be a loyal customer for life and maybe even experiment in inventing my own recipes. The first one I ate, peanut butter cookie, was soft, sweet, and perfectly peanutty. The ingredients? THREE! Dates, Peanuts, and Salt. I can pronounce that--even say it in one breath. How can those three ingredients combine to taste like a delicous peanut butter cookie? I don't know, but eat I will.

These products are great for all kinds people who have (or choose to have) dietary restrictions. They boast of being:

GLUTEN FREE * DAIRY FREE * SOY FREE * NON-GMO * VEGAN * KOSHER

But more importantly (because I happen to like gluten, dairy, soy, and meat), they are delicious. I'm currently eating "Cherry Pie" and hope to try each and every flavor in the near future.

Some more tidbits from their company:

Our Food Philosophy: Simple. Pure. Delicious.™
LÄRABAR firmly believes that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat. And what you eat is healthiest and most satisfying when it's in a whole, natural state.

As a sometimes packaged food-shunning, label-reading snob, but also one who is on-the-go and turning orange from eating too many baby carrots, I can wholeheartedly endorse this product as a quick, easy, tasty, and healthy snack. Yay for whole, simple, natural, delicious foods--especially ones that I can conveniently slip in my purse or stash in my snack drawer at work!

Please tell me if you have tried/like/want to try LARABARs and which flavors are your favorite.

2010-05-03T13:43:00.010-06:00

What do you do when you're given these hometown chocolate factory treats?

Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

And your husband buys this cereal?

You create these!

Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

And you enjoy eating them because they are tasty (and ingenious if I do say so myself) and eating them reminds you of childhood (if your childhood was like mine and you got to eat sugary cereal for breakfast all the time :).

Now for my soapbox diatribe...

I have to admit I'm growing weary of hearing people associate strong negative emotions to foods of any sort. Eat well--mostly whole grains, lots of fruits and veggies, lean proteins, etc. in portions suitable for your body's needs. AND ENJOY YOUR TREATS (not the whole box, pie, cake, or 5 scoops of ice cream, but savor a sample.) And stop with the guilt, please. Your thighs did not just get fatter because you looked at a brownie or even because you ate that Oreo cookie. If you overeat on the total amount of energy (calories) your body needs, then yes, your thighs will get bigger. But can't we all just learn to eat a little healthier and live a little happier?!

Get out and walk. And do some push-ups, lunges, and squats while you're at it. But please don't hate yourself if you "miss a work-out" or if you haven't worked out in weeks/months/years. Just get back in the saddle and do it!

Why do we wallow so much in self-pity? Why are we such control freaks? Why do we believe junk science articles? I don't know. I just don't understand the unhealthy relationships we have developed with food and fitness. I don't understand the unnecessary feelings of guilt.

Let's break free from it all!

I feel lighter already.

More Pillsbury Bake-Off Details and such

2010-04-21T12:20:00.002-06:00

My Bishop called me at work to tell me he enjoyed reading about me and my Pizza Pretzels over breakfast. You can read the story HERE. It was published in the Deseret News by Valerie Phillips who we spoke to both in traveling to Orlando and various times during the Bake-Off contest. I think she did a really great job capturing the moment and some of my memories.

I have to admit, I kind of liked being in the limelight a little bit. Coming back to life and my jobs and various responsibilities is so much less glamorous. I teach 12-13 year old girls at church. I teach 18-30+ year olds at UVU. I advise 22-85+ year olds at BYU. A lot of people depend on me. So, I'm just saying it was kind of nice to have the tables turned a bit and have people treating me like I was some kind of special or something. The unofficial youngest one of the contest. I liked that role. I liked representing Pizza Pretzels.

As a direct consequence of coming back to "reality," I have tons of recipe ideas currently being milled over in the "research and development" area of my and Hylan's minds. He's so nice to listen to all of my babbles and offer some good feedback and some ideas that further spur ideas in my mind. He may even submit a few recipes for the next Bake-Off.

Just so you know, when you submit a recipe to the Pillsbury Bake-Off contest, your recipes are given a number and no other identifying feature is attached. The whole batch of tens of thousands of recipes are sent to an independent company who stews over them and checks for originality and creativity and then sends a list back to Pillsbury. So, at that point Pillsbury receives the hundreds of recipes and narrows from there, but again without any other identifying feature--just the recipe itself.

And as far as the judging of the contest goes, the panel of judges are selected from an independent agency (Pillsbury does not make any awarding decisions after selecting the finalists) and they are told not to read anything about the contest for a year prior to the event. They don't know anything about us as contestants and are solely judging the recipes as they are received on contest morning. If you want to know more, you can read this article posted by one of the judges from the 44th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest held in Orlando, Florida.

So, there you have it, if you were curious. I thought it was kind of cool to be in the know.

The Pillsbury Bake-off wrap up

2010-04-17T09:18:00.006-06:00

It's over! After an entire year's worth of excitement, planning, preparing and baking, the competition came and went.

I can't say enough good things about Pillsbury overall and all of the wonderful staff and finalists I met while in Orlando (and since I'm still sitting in an airport for another 5 hours, I will).

The Hilton at the Bonnet Creek resort was pristine and grand. We had a lovely 3 nights there and wish we could have stayed long enough to glide down the lazy pool river on a tube.

Florida was green (I told everyone it was still winter in Utah because it was when we left) and warm, mostly sunny, although a bit windy a good half of our trip.

As for the Bake-Off itself. Well, since I already posted the itinerary, you sort of know what I was doing. On competition morning, Monday, I ate too much for breakfast, wondered about the bathroom break they promised, smiled for the cameras, and clapped my way down the aisles as we paraded to our range number. The second batch of pizza pretzels was perfect enough to send to the judges. I sent some over for display and photography. I was swarmed when I finally put out my "please sample" sign and all the while I smiled, danced, and winked at Hylan in the distance during the three and a half hours I was on the contestant floor. Oh, the lights. The attention. The drams. And all of the great positive feedback. It was an experience never to be forgotten and one to be repeated if ever I can come up with another clever recipe.

Although it was disappointing not to win any additional awards, 92 other contestants and I can say we still had a good time partying it up on the dance floor Monday night. We were treated like royalty the entire time. How can you complain about that?

I'm leaving a myriad of details out because I think long blogs are hard to read and if you're that curious, you can always ask me. But this much I will say, it sure made me feel good when the president of Pillsbury talked to me and told me how she and the staff were making bets (literally) on who would win the entire contest and she picked my recipe! :) Too bad it was up to an independent judging panel of mostly food writers. She was extremely complimentary and kind to me and I think that made my whole experience. That combined with the director of the bake-off saying she made my recipe for the 4th of July at a family function and that her grandkids loved my pretzels. She sat with Hylan during the awards ceremony and also expressed how much she hoped we'd be back for the next one. All of the Pillsbury people were so great--even asking me if I was "okay" despite not winning. Yes, I was fine, perhaps a little disappointed, but I had 5 days left to go spend with Mickey at Disney, so I couldn't be too unhappy. I was sad that it was such a short amount of time that we spent with everyone including Pillsbury staff, media, food buyers, hotel staff, the other finalists and their guests.

But that's life. Here are some pictures from the event and from Disney. Thanks to Hylan for taking most of the pictures. They also gave me a disposable camera at my range, so if any of those are any good I may scan and post them later.

If you want to see other pics, go to Valerie Phillip's blog on desnews.com and the pics on Pillsbury's blogs

And here are some Disney pics.

Goodbye Orlando.

You asked for a Pillsbury Itinerary

2010-04-09T12:15:00.002-06:00

Just for Lynn and any other interested readers:

Sunday, April 11, 2010

8:30AM - 3:30PM* - Hotel & Contest Check-In
10:00AM - 3:30 PM - GE Appliance Orientation
11:30AM - 1:30PM - Lunch
3:30PM - 5:30PM - Contest Orientation & Group Photo (Finalists Only)
7:00PM - 8:30PM - Welcome Dinner
8:30PM - 10:00PM - GE Appliance Orientation (make-up session)

Monday, April 12, 2010

6:30AM - 7:30AM - Breakfast and Remarks
7:30AM - 7:35AM - Breakfast Dismissal
7:45AM - 8:00AM - Line up for Grand March
8:00AM - 12:00PM - 44th Pillsubry Bake-Off® Contest
11:30AM - 1:00PM - Lunch
1:00PM - 1:30PM - Finalists Awards Program Orientation (Finalists only)
6:00PM - 11:00PM** - Cocktail Reception, Dinner and Awards Program

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

6:30AM - 8:30AM - Breakfast
8:00AM - 2:00PM - Departures

*We're actually arriving on Saturday and I hope to go to dinner with my parents and cousins that night.

**If I win my category (the 4.3% chance thing) I'll have to fly to Chicago Monday night to get ready for Oprah on Wednesday. Hylan would fly out on Tuesday. If not, I'm going to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Kennedy Space Center, and the Orlando temple for the rest of my vacation (Tue-Sat).

Any other questions?

This may be the last you hear from me before I get back, because I'm not sophisticated with an iPhone or Droid or whatnot, so I won't be connected to the cyber world.

If I don't win my category, still watch Oprah on Wednesday, April 14th to see if I'm in any footage. LOVE YOU ALL. Wish upon me lots of love, luck, and lollipops!!

Sorry if you're tired of hearing about Pillsbury

2010-04-08T16:00:00.001-06:00

And yet another article

2010-04-07T17:35:00.002-06:00

Thank you Deseret News for running this article. Yeah, I'm the second picture. I just found out from the food editor, Valerie, that they ran this today. This is all so dramatic. I wasn't nervous about any of this until the big Oprah announcement.

What a life.

Pillsbury and Oprah

2010-04-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

So, last week there was some breaking news on the Pillsbury front. Wanna be in the know?

For the first time in the contest's 60-year history, Oprah Winfrey will announce the winner of the 44th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest live on her show, Wednesday April 14th.

That means if I win my category (4.34% chance), I will immediately fly to Chicago to be on the Oprah show.

Whoa that was big news, Emily.

I have to admit that kind of freaks me out a bit. Rest assured, if I don't make it to Oprah, I am still enjoying my sunny Florida vacation. So it's a win-win. You can be happy for me either way... and so will I.

Hoppy Easter Food

2010-04-06T07:00:00.002-06:00

So, I had some time this weekend to dedicate to cooking. Yum. I made several items to take to our Easter feast at my sisters. She supplied the ham, potatoes, and home. And these are the items I brought.

Can't go wrong with Rice Krispy treat eggs (use an actual plastic Easter egg to shape and voila!
Call it a crazy Pennsylvania Dutch tradition--I don't know where it comes from--but we ALWAYS had pickled beets and hard boiled eggs at our Easter feasts growing up. I'm sorry if beets offend you, but really, they are delicious. Have you ever tried a pickled beet? Then don't hate.
I tried out this recipe for "pickled asparagus" as well. It's just asparagus marinated in a vinaigrette and it was tasty. I would recommend using pencil thin asparagus--they just didn't have any at my grocery store at the time. They were still bathing at the time of this picture (sorry naked asparagus.)

And then there were these beauties--homemade crescent rolls (sorry Pillsbury--I had to demonstrate my true domesticity). Wow, if I do say so myself. Shots are pre-oven and post-oven.

My strawberry pie didn't turn out beautiful because the fluted edge toppled on to the bottom of the crust while baking (and it was supposed to be no fail crust!), but the deliciousness still reigned supreme. And who doesn't like to top it off with a little homemade vanilla whipped cream with tangy cream cheese? Who, I ask you? This recipe is from Cook's Country (America's Test Kitchen), which I can't link because it's a paid recipe site, however, I bet if you google it, you'll find it somewhere--and believe me, it's worth finding somewhere. And the crust was delicious (butter, cream cheese, flour, sugar, salt--no ice water needed) pressed into the dish instead of rolled, I just didn't get the pretty edge attached well enough. Lesson learned. Sometimes food doesn't have to look pretty to taste pretty.

So there it was. By no means perfect. By no means the prettiest. But I sure had fun getting back to my roots in the kitchen. And with that I take all the lessons learned because there was a slight flaw to all the recipes I made. The eggs could have been cooked a minute longer and peeled better. The asparagus should have been thin. The crescents got an extra dose of sugar because I halved everything but forgot when I was dumping sugar--they weren't overly sweet and no one complained, but I knew they could have used a little less sugar and a touch more salt and left to rise overnight instead of refrigerated. And then, well I already discussed the pie.

That's that. Maybe someday in the future when I'm not working two jobs I can be a real food blogger and get a fancy camera and take fancy pictures of all the awesome stuff I make. And also, perhaps not have as many mental errors when making new recipes. But not yet. For now I'll just savor the few moments I get to have in the kitchen...experimenting...creating...ahhh...those are the things I dream about.

In Eons

2010-04-05T18:02:00.003-06:00

I'm in desperate need of a blog. Today is the first day in eons that I've actually come straight home after work. I even had dinner at 5:30pm instead of 8:30 or 9:00pm. What a relief?! The craziness that is my life will settle a little this week before I'm off to O-town this Saturday.

Expect more blogs this week. There is a HUGE Pillsbury announcement coming--and I mean BIG. Like, Oprah show big. So yeah, just stay tuned for more excitement to come!

PIZZA PRETZEL TV

2010-03-24T12:21:00.005-06:00

I have a quick second before I have to go back to work. So, the segment on GTU was fun and short. The funniest part of the day is when I came home to drop some some stuff off and eat lunch before heading to work. I wondered what I should eat...well, duh I still have 7 pizza pretzels. Even though I thought about it eating a salad instead, I decided why not. Isn't that why they were made? TO BE ENJOYED!

And dang, those pizza pretzels are actually quite delicious. Just thought I'd remind myself that not only are they a novel concept, but quite tasty too! Just follow the recipe found on bakeoff.com.

Here's a link to my story featured on Good Things Utah, ABC4's website. It has more details on "my story." I'll post a link to the TV clip (you can look for it here--I don't know when they'll put it up) if I find another "quick second" in the next few days. Don't forget to READ ME!

Ladies, start your TiVos/DVRs

2010-03-21T18:31:00.004-06:00

I'll be on Good Things Utah on Wednesday, March 24 on ABC4 at 10:00 am. The segment about the Pillsbury Bake-Off will air live at 10:45 am. Aren't you just so excited? I'll try to be lively and personable, but I can't make any promises that I'll be witty and likable, or dramatic. Isn't that what they like on TV these days? Hmm....

Isn't Florida like 3 weeks away now or something? Gee, life has been so busy I can't believe March is nearing its end.

By the way, is anyone else doing well on their bracket? I thought I was doing fine until KANSAS LOST!! BOO! Oh well, I got it right last year.

Ode to a Strawberry

2010-03-18T18:01:00.004-06:00

I'm a fruit lover. Fruit is nature's candy. Quite honestly, if I had to give up candy for fruit, I could, except that I don't believe in complete annihilation of any food from one's diet excepting in the case of religion, allergies, training for an athletic event, or insert other good reason here.

Strawberries are a perfect fruit. If I could pick one dessert to have for the rest of my life, it would be chocolate covered strawberries. They always make me smile! I'm never grumpy when I'm eating one (note to self, eat more chocolate covered strawberries when feeling depressed, dark cholate = even better!).

I love tuxedo berries. They will always be in fashion to me. I don't care if it's cliché to have chocolate covered strawberries at your wedding. I had them. I specifically requested them because I love them.

There is nothing better to me than eating a freshly picked strawberry from the patch. I'm dreaming of the strawberry patches I will once cultivate when a more permanent yard is obtained.

Strawberries, strawberries, strawberries. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH STRAWBERRIES.

Thank you Costco for getting the best California 'berries ever in the springtime. The manager of the Orem Costco (who used to be Hylan and my Bishop) once told us that Orem was the strawberry-selling leader for all of Utah. Isn't that funny? Uh, maybe it's because I shop there! :)

I think my obsession all began with her. She is on the baby blanket that was made by the young women for me when I was born. I love Strawberry Shortcake. Her. The real one from 1982. I still have that blanket (I don't sleep with it anymore, but I'm not going to lie, I did until I got married. And what?)

The berry end. Sigh.

Thank you UVU for having a spring break so I don't have to teach yoga tonight and can go to our ward Relief Society birthday party.

Skinny Cow Milk

2010-03-16T14:04:00.005-06:00

Yesterday Hylan was told by a nurse that nothing good comes from a cow but skim milk. Does anyone know where I can find a skinny cow?

I'll keep the rest of my opinions about cows and red meat to myself (but if there is any doubt, I'm pro-meat).

Hopefully Hylan doesn't make any more trips to the ER...ever!

Radio Interview (sure wish I weren't a liar)

2010-03-10T10:00:00.004-07:00

Or, never mind that wasn't a live interview. Totally anticlimactic and not worth my morning being nervous over. Have I mentioned how awkward I feel talking on the phone? I've NEVER liked the phone, unless I'm talking to family.

4 minute interview and some confusion about how the contest actually works. They thought Utah could help vote me there. Nope, should have helped me back in August. Too bad. But I did make it and now it's up to the official Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest judges to award me.

At some point, I would guess KODJ/94.1 will air the interview and feature my recipe on their website, so good luck finding it, but I understand if you don't care as much as I don't.

But Good Things Utah WILL BE LIVE and is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24 at 10:45 am. Yay, I like those girls.

shew.

Oh, and want to check out my CHEESY (pun definitely intended and it really is cheesy) story that Pillsbury posted. I'm embarrassed to admit that most of it is my actual wording. Go here and click on Dinner Made Easy and scroll over until you see this picture.

Radio Interview

2010-03-08T22:02:00.003-07:00

Have you ever heard of Harman and the Breakfast Club? Yeah, me either.

I don't listen to much radio and we never have and never will listen to radio at work, but in any case, if you live in Utah and want to tune into this station KODJ/94.1 around 9:45 am on Wednesday, March 10th, you might just here my pretty little voice talking about pizza pretzels.

I'll remind you about my GTU appearance on March 24th when it gets closer.

Oh, my life is too crazy.

And ...I liked Alice in Wonderland...a lot...it wasn't as good as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but still liked it...especially Ches(hire) Cat. :)

Grinning Anticipation

2010-03-05T07:20:00.001-07:00

Cheshire Cat

One of my most favorite characters of all time.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE* THIS MOVIE!!!!!

If this Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collabo is anywhere near as delightful as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," I'm gonna love it.

*I'm going to "see" it this weekend, but I may have to see it again when I can actually see better. But my eyes are healing and getting better!