I may not have noticed

Ok, so this is a bad confession but every once in awhile I like to hit the tanning bed. I really try not to go very often because I know it's not good for my skin, but sometimes when my skin is bad it helps to clear it up. So since I only go a couple times a year I manage to get burnt every time. Anyway, my bad skin habits aren't the main topic of this post, the main topic is the stupid people that look at you when you're burnt and say "Wow, you're burnt". And what I'd like to say to these people is, "Oh, well by golly, look at that. I am burnt. I must have somehow managed to not notice the fiery sensation radiating from my skin for the past 8 hours, or the bright red face that greets me everytime I look in the mirror. Thank you, thank you so much for pointing that out to me because I may not have noticed otherwise."

Sorry, does this annoy anyone else?

On a lighter note, we leave for NEW YORK tomorrow. I can't wait!!! You probably won't hear from me for the rest of the week, but I'll be back with all our fun pictures next week!! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and a great Labor Day weekend!

House

It honestly amazes me at how fast they can build a house these days. Our entire house is already framed and the plumber and electrician have been through. We are getting so excited. We picked up some decorations at Hobby Lobby and The Garden Lodge (which is going out of business and everything is discounted) this weekend. Only a couple more months at the in laws and then it should be done. Here are our most recent pictures.

So So Yummy

Posting about that food on Friday just made me want to cook more, so I sucked it up and tried out a couple recipes that have been calling my name. The main course was a recipe I found in a BHG magazine, Chicken with Olives. I was a little skeptical on making it because I don't even like olives but the picture made it look so yummy. Turns out, it was one of the best dinners I've ever had. If you want to try it out (and you really should) you can access the recipe by clicking here. Then for dessert I just had to try the baked peaches with rasberries and vanilla ice cream. And that was REALLY good too. You can find that recipe in my Friday post. If you try out any of the recipes I've posted, let me know what you think of them! Happy cooking!

Longing

Oh how I long for my own kitchen. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed cooking until I couldn't do it much. I mean I could cook at my in laws and occasionaly do, but it's so hard trying to find the stuff I need in their kitchen. And it's kind of expensive cooking gourmet meals for 6 people. I'm kidding, I'm not really a gourmet cook but sometimes I pretend I am. But there have been so many yummy recipes that i've wanted to try lately so I thought I'd include them on here. Maybe someone else that has a kitchen can cook them up and let me know what I'm missing out on.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and scraped, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 firm, ripe peaches (1 to 1 1/2 pounds total), halved and pitted
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 package (5 to 6 ounces) raspberries
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large, shallow baking dish, combine butter, lemon juice, sugar, and vanilla bean (seeds and pod). Add peaches, and turn to coat with butter mixture; arrange, cut side down, in a single layer.
Roast until peaches are tender and cooking liquid is syrupy, 15 to 25 minutes, brushing with cooking liquid halfway through. Serve peaches (warm or at room temperature) with ice cream and raspberries; drizzle with cooking liquid.*martha stewart living
1 1/2 pounds small chicken cutlets (8 to 12)
Kosher salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups pints grape or cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
4 scallions, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves, chopped

Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to plates.Add the tomatoes to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until they begin to burst, 2 to 3 minutes.Add the wine and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the scallions and tarragon and serve with the chicken. *RealSimple


2 cups purchased chocolate cookie crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1-1/2 cups chocolate-covered peanuts, chopped
1 quart chocolate ice cream
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Sauce
Chocolate-covered or plain peanuts, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl, combine cookie crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press crust mixture onto the bottom and 1 to 2 inches up the side of a 9x3-inch springform pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crust is set. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Freeze for 30 minutes.
2. Let vanilla ice cream stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to stir vanilla ice cream just enough to soften. Spoon softened ice cream into frozen crust, spreading ice cream evenly. Sprinkle with the 1-1/2 cups chocolate-covered peanuts. Freeze about 1 hour or until firm.
3. Let chocolate ice cream stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to stir chocolate ice cream just enough to soften. Spoon softened chocolate ice cream on top of chocolate-covered peanut layer, spreading ice cream evenly. Cover and freeze for 4 hours.
4. Using a thin metal spatula, loosen crust from side of pan; remove side of pan. Let ice cream cake stand at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes to soften slightly.
5. To serve, cut the ice cream cake into wedges and top with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Sauce. If desired, sprinkle with additional chocolate-covered peanuts. Makes 12 servings.
6. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine one 12-ounce jar fudge ice cream topping and 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until heated through.
7. Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare ice cream cake as directed. Wrap in moistureproof and vaporproof wrap and freeze for up to 1 week. Loosen cake from pan and remove side of pan. Let stand at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes to soften slightly. Cut into wedges and serve as directed. *BHG

1 8.8-ounce package cooked brown or white rice
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 pound chicken breast tenders, halved crosswise
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1/4 cup bottled stir-fry sauce
Packaged oven-roasted sliced almonds



1. Stir peas into rice pouch. Heat in microwave according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and stir chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until no longer pink. Stir rice mixture into skillet. Stir in stir-fry sauce; heat through. Sprinkle each serving with almonds. Makes 4 servings. *BHG



And I REALLY REALLY want to try these cupcake pops. These I definitly have to have my own kitchen for, but I'm so excited to try them out. The recipe is too long to put here but if you want to give them a try you can get to Bakerella's blog by clicking here.

Suggestions

I can't believe it but we leave for New York IN A WEEK!!! Yep August 27th (which is also my birthday) we head out for The Big Apple. I'm so excited. I've been dreaming of going here for so long. We aren't there for very long but I wanted to get suggestions from anyone who's been there. What was your favorite thing to do? See? Favorite restaurant? I would appreciate any ideas.

Pirouette

This is my super cute niece Alyssa. I had these tutus’ custom made by my awesome friend Hannah for my two nieces. Isn’t it adorable? She loved spinning and posing in it. I remember being just like her when I was little. Loving anything pink and frilly, and posing away for the camera. Well who am I kidding, I still love these things. If you’re interested in tutus or other baby products check out Hannah’s’ Etsy site by clicking here.

Airport Spying

While Darin was away hunting down innocent unsuspecting animals I hopped on a plane and went to Vegas to visit my mom. Did this weekend feel faster than most to anyone besides me? I used to fly every other weekend by myself when I was little from my mom to my dad. But it's been quite some time since I've flown alone. And the one thing I've perfected from childhood is my great ability to people watch. I'm sure everyone knows the airport is the best place to do so, I mean why wouldn't it be? You have such a broad range of people from all over the world. Let's talk a little bit about some of the people I encountered.

The Loud Cell Phone Talker

This woman recently went to the Galapagos Islands on vacation because she had a friend that asked her and her husband, Dave, to go and was more than willing to pay for their entire vacation as long as they bought there own airfare. They agreed to go and thought it was a good time but wasn't the best vacation ever. She's traveling from Vegas to Utah where she'll spend a few days, then on to Chicago and Atlanta and then on to India for work. (Here she proceeds to crack a lame joke about how it's a "long drive to work" and then insists upon laughing so loudly that I literally thing she's going to start slapping her knee, or maybe break into song and dance) How do I know all these things about this traveler? Because she insisted upon talking so loudly on her cell phone that everyone seated at our gate most definitely heard her. I'm not sure if it was because she had a bad connection or if it was because she was using one of those headseats with the microphone on the hanging wire, which I also have never understood because the caller more often than not is holding the microphone up to their mouth. Why not just hold the phone to your ear? I thought the point of a headset was to be hands free. I could be wrong though. Pretty sure she just likes to hear herself talking.

The Rude Businessman

This man can almost be put into the Loud Cell Phone Talker category but is so obnoxious he just has to have his own. Picture this. Balding man, early 50's, glasses, business attire. He's sitting there with his lap top opened, talking on his cell phone to some poor soul. (At least he's not using the dangly wire headset because that would push him into the category of People I'd Like to Kill) He's typing away at his laptop, screaming into the phone "Well did you think to get me the HTML code? NO!?!? If you're ever in doubt just get me......HELLO? I can't hear you....I CAN'T HEAR YOU, GET TO A PLACE I CAN HEAR YOU!!!!! Do you understand? If you're EVER IN DOUBT get me the html code and we won't have to have this problem." He is being so rude to his caller that I honestly think I am going to start crying from pure fear and anxiety, and he's not even my boss.

The Mom with the out of control Kid

Cut to the mother sitting in the chair, bags under her eyes, hair disheveled, 5 year old running around screaming at the top of his lungs. Not only does she have complete lack of control, but she doesn't want the control either. She just sits there totally spaced out while he runs around causing complete chaos. And if he asks her a question she does one of two things. Snaps a two word answer at him, or just doesn't answer at all in which case I have to hear him ask the same thing 10 more times.

The Fashion Nightmare
This girl was my favorite. Could be anywhere from 17 to 25, not quite sure because of her ensemble, which was the best part about her. 5'8" 200 pounds. Wearting a hot pink and black plaid mini skirt 3 sizes too small for her larger frame. And when I say mini I mean mini. Her pink strappy bridesmaid sandals were a definite match to her skirt. Too bad she couldn't walk in them to save her life. Her long brown hair was put up into an extravagant updo of.....pigtails. I really actually felt bad for this girl. When I looked around the gate I saw that at least 3 groups of people were making fun of her. But honestly, why would you leave the house looking like that? She wasn't even a very unattractive girl, she just chose to wear things that were very unflattering for her body type. I did see her on the trip home too and her outfit was a little better, but she still had the pigtails.

So, readers, who are your favorite travelers to spy on?

As far as my trip goes, it was a good time. I always love spending time with my mom and wish I could do it more often. We did dinner, pool, a little gambling (yay for nickel machines). The next time I see her my house should be done. That's an exciting way of looking at things. I'm so lame though I didn't get any good pictures. The only time I remembered to get my camera out was to capture these photographs of the sky the first night I was there. These pictures really don't give it justice either. The moon was so full and bright that it lit up all of the clouds in the sky. The first picture was a cloud covering the moon but it looks like a heart. It was neat.

Bunco Part Deux

I can't believe it's been a month since the last bunco party but it rolled around again last night. And I won!! 25$ dollars cash. I was so excited! It's fun getting together with the girls and I'm sure Darin doesn't mind, because he gets to go golfing.

More House Pictures

I know you're probably all so sick of seeing pictures of our house that isn't even really even a house yet but it's just too fun. They poured the cement in the basement and garage and when we stopped by yesterday the wood was there!!! That means they're going to start framing today. So the pictures I post from now on will actually be of a house. YAY!

The Great Outdoors

So I read Alli's blog about how they went "camping" for the night and decided to heed her advice. We went with some friends up big cottonwood canyon and just found one of the picnic spots. We just sat around the campfire and talked, made mountain man dinners and smore's and just relaxed. I do like camping but it was really nice to just get out for the evening without all the hassle of putting up a tent and wasting the whole weekend. My cute friend Janeen is 9 months pregnant and was a really great sport about everything. It was just a great way to "get away from it all" without really getting away from it all.

Here are some pictures of our house. They're still just working on the foundation but should start framing this week! I can't wait to see the house go up!

8.8.08

There are a few times when you just really feel a sense of pride for being a part of our great country. The Olympics is one of those times for me. It's so great to see the World come together and celebrate with beautiful shows, performances, and a little healthy competition ;) I think it's so incredible that we were able to host the winter Olympics right here in Utah, and watching parts of it on TV really bring back great memories of those games. I think I'll always remember this. Our beloved Prophet Hinckley carrying the 2002 Olympic Torch. Here are a few pictures of Ni Ling lighting the torch. So beautiful!! I hope everyone enjoys the Olympics. GO USA!!!!

*UPDATE
I just watched the part of the opening ceremony where they play the drums, and all I can say is WOW. It was seriously amazing. Google it if you haven't seen it.

It's a Bugs Life

I seriously got nauseous writing this post, but just had to share. We've been living with Darin's parents for about a month and a half now. We're very grateful they've let us stay with them while our house is being built. What I'm not grateful for, is the myriad of visitors I've had in my bed. No, I'm not sleeping around. I am trying to sleep though but half the time can't because of these little guys that I've found on my pillow, under the sheets, crawling up my arms. Here are some picture of my new little friends.

No, these are not just pictures of bugs to make the post look better. These are actually the type of bugs I have had in my bed. I don't know how I'm surviving this. I just need to keep thinking of my brand new house. Just a few more months.

Deal of the Month

It’s time for a new blogging deal of the month. There are a few changes in the mortgage industry that I’d like to mention before
I reveal this month’s freebie.

A housing bill has just been passed that will prohibit buyers from using down payment assistance programs. This law becomes effective October 1, 2008. You may still be able to receive grants from the city or gifts from family members but after October 1, 2008 you will no longer be able to receive down payment assistance from the seller. If you’re a first time homebuyer then now is a really great time to purchase a home. It’s still a buyers market and with this program leaving, it will be next to impossible to get into a home with no money out of your pocket!

With that being said, let’s move into this month’s freebie! Summer is a super fun time of year but can sometimes be a little draining with all of the fun activities. Relieve a little stress with this nice treat from The Spa Lounge:

The Classic Package

One Hour Swedish massage
Classic European Facial
Out the Door Pedicure

This package is valued at $180.
Visit www.Spaloungedayspa.com to view
their awesome facility.

Now remember this gift is free of charge to you if you do a purchase or refinance loan through me in the month of August! And again, I don’t tack on hidden fees or charges for this. Let me know if I can help you out!

Cupcake Cuties

I found these cute little things on Martha's website and just had to share. I can't wait to have my own kitchen again so I can experiment with new recipes and fun desserts.

back to my happy place

Oh how great it is to be back into the twilight world. I picked up Breaking Dawn Saturday morning and have hardly been able to put it down since. I'm about 3/4 the way through and I must say Mrs. Meyers does not disappoint. I won't give anything away but I was not expecting half of what has happened. It's so great! What have you thought of it so far?

Our Weekend

We had a fun filled weekend! Friday we went through some of the parade of homes. There was only one I really really liked but I did get a few cool pictures.

This pool was just plain amazing. Rock waterslide, and that cute little cabana!

I know this room is a little juvenile for me, but it was SO COOL. Pink plantation shutters!?! It's genius. Even the bathroom sink was pink! Not to mention that both rooms downstairs had doors out to that amazing pool. Now that's livin!

Saturday we went to Darin's summer work party. Omniture rented out half of Thanksgiving Point and did a cArNiVaLe!! They had a ferris wheel, clowns, and lots of fun things for little kids to do. Not to mention all the churros, popcorn, sno cones, and cotton candy you can eat!!!! It's always fun participating in the company tradition of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Omniture has givin 2.5 million dollars worth of prizes away just in rock, paper, scissors over the last 10 years. It's so awesome! They are such a great company.

Our friend Hannah with their son Caden. I think he was a little leery of the clown at first but he warmed up to him after a minute!