Weekend Birthday Celebration

Friday:

It began Friday with a handful of friends who joined me for a craft-a-thon from 10am-10pm. There was lots of chatting, and a little bit of crafting. We were lucky enough to use the church so we could each spread out on our own 8ft table. Ned's Krazy Sub was brought in for lunch and of course we had a bunch of treats to snack on throughout the day. For dinner we went to my beloved Gecko Grill who closed the next day after 12 years, sigh. Even though I planned a bunch of projects, I only completed a new church bag for myself, but catching up with girlfriends was the best! I love my girlies and they spoiled me with hoards of fabric and generous gift cards!

Saturday:

I forgot to mention that our friends from Utah drove down with their 3 kids (a 3 year old & 18 month old twins) to surprise me for my birthday! I feel so special! My mom made us all biscuits and gravy (my fave) and we "tried" to watch general conference. We didn't get up and moving till about 2 in the afternoon. We decided to get a pizza and go have a picnic on temple grounds. We rushed back so the boys could get to priesthood in time and they could see their friends (who live here too). Their friends joined us for my birthday dinner at Olive Garden along with my mom and Tim. I was spoiled with a shopping spree, pedicure, dinner, hotel stay, and Time Out For Women tickets from my mom to enjoy in November! And Phil scored major brownie points by getting me a Kindle along with 30 coupons that can be used 30 times (like back tickles, foot rubs, fabric and scrapbooking supplies). I was also informed that I have more in store next weekend! Wow!

Sunday:

Again we "tried" to watch conference, but I think we'll just have to watch it on DVR or read it when it comes out. We had another relaxing day and didn't get ready until about 3! We headed over to my grandmas house to have a nacho bar and celebrate with cake! Our friends 3 year old helped decorate it and blow out the candles. Too cute, right?! We chatted it up with family, then headed home to play some games since it was our friends last night. After a blessing over a sick and coughing little boy, we headed to bed in the wee hours.

All in all, turning 30 didn't kill me and I'm looking forward to doing everything on my 30 List! Thanks to everyone for making this birthday so memorable!

Scrumptious Sundays

Jambalaya

2 tbls butter

1 medium bell pepper, chopped

2 tbls sugar

1/8 tsp pepper

1 can Italian stewed tomatoes, blended

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp cajun seasoning

4 chicken breasts, boiled & cubed

3 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb sausage link, sliced

1 1/2 tsp minced garlic

1 chicken bouillon cube

1 tsp cilantro

2 cups rinsed rice

Melt butter and saute onion and bell pepper in a large frying pan. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until rice is tender.

The List...

Lose weight

Start our family

Graduate

Vacation out of the country

Get scrapbooks up to date

Visit all the temples in Arizona

Read the Book of Mormon

Plan a date to do random acts of kindness

Make and send 10 cards to old friends

Learn a piano piece

Try Thai Food

Be debt free

Clean and back up our computers

Organize my cookbook

Finish all my to-do projects

Make baby blankets to donate

Have Christmas shopping done by December 1st

Read and watch the Harry Potter series

Read The Work and The Glory series

Make birthday calendars for family members

Get family pictures taken

Fit into my wedding dress again to reminisce

Sing in the ward choir

Mail out Christmas cards by December 1st

Learn photography skills

Read in pajamas for an entire day

Have money in savings

Tip someone 100%

See Wicked the play

He's 34

I wasn't the best photographer on his birthday, but my hubby got spoiled! Lots of books, new mountain bike + accessories (after his other was stolen), a new cell phone, money from family, and art supplies (the only thing I did get pictures of him opening). He has begged me forever to buy a canvas and paint to just see what he could create, so I indulged him! I love this guy, even if he rocks bed head like nobodies business (in his defense he had just woken up)!

Now That's A Hamburger!

Scrumptious Sundays

Butterfinger Balls

1 lb candy corn

1 (16 oz) jar of peanut butter

1 bag of Hershey's milk chocolate chips

Melt candy corn in the microwave stirring every 20-30 seconds. Add peanut butter and mix thoroughly. Let cool in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Line a cooking sheet with parchment paper and place a cooling rack on top. Form balls from the candy corn and peanut butter mixture. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 15 second increments. Dip balls in chocolate and let set on the cooling rack allowing the excess chocolate to drip through onto the paper. Place in the fridge until hardened. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

1 Year Ago

1 year ago today...

Miss Shelby gave us a dozen beautiful puppies!

Which means 1 year ago today, Liberty joined our family!

Happy Birthday Liberty!

We can't imagine life without your spunk!

We love you!

St. George

We ran away to St. George last weekend for roughly 36 hours! It was short and sweet, but the weather was oh so worth it! It was overcast and about 80 degrees the entire time (sure beats 110). We were able to see my cousin and his family, go to a little swap meet where my hubby bought me 2 cute necklaces and earrings, see Grease at Tuacahn, and spend time with Phil's parents and one of his brothers and his family swimming, playing games, and relaxing. We had a great time!

We Remember...

Friday Favorites

Gel Booties

by Earth Therapeutics®

I am a flop flop lovin' gal and cracks are just inevitable...until I was introduced to these booties! I can't believe the difference one night makes! I lather my feet with lotion, slip these booties on (not gonna lie, it feels weird), and the next morning my feet are practically doing a happy dance! Soft and no cracks!

Price:

$20

Where Can You Buy It:

Bed Bath & Beyond

Camping = Success

We found a little hidden treasure this past weekend!

My Thoughts on 30

Once upon a time I had this ambitious idea. I knew I was struggling with the thought of turning 30. It not only sounds old to say I am out of my 20's, but some days I feel like I have nothing to show for it {i.e. no kids, no home, no career}. I figured if I thought of 30 things that I wanted to do and accomplish before I turned 30, then I'd be all right with my inevitable birthday. So I started with an enthusiastic banner for myself! 30 before 30 was my catchphrase!

Then the obvious happened. I was super excited, but the list became more of a chore than something I wanted to accomplish. Then I felt guilty, then I wanted to give up. I laid awake one night {annoyed at myself} when all of a sudden I had an "ah ha" moment! Why in the world do I have to do it before my 30th birthday?! I am going about this list like I am about to die. Instead I decided to CELEBRATE my 30th year by doing 30 things while I am 30 to prove to myself that 30 can be great. So I jumped out of bed at 2:27 am and fixed my inspirational banner to reflect my new catchphrase. 30 while 30!

I am happy to report that this does make me look forward to being 30! I know all you nosey people want to know what's on my list...but I won't be sharing it until my birthday because in an odd way, it is a gift to myself! So stay tuned because October 1st the list will be up! I will use my blog to journal items as they happen so you can see them get crossed off {plus it makes me accountable}!

Scrumptious Sundays

Cabbage Stew

2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 small onion, diced

1 cup carrots, peeled and diced

3 beef bullion cubes

Cover with water and boil until vegetables are tender.

Add:

1 pkg smoked sausage link, sliced

1 head of cabbage, chopped

Continue to simmer until cabbage leaves soft.

*Serve with warm cornbread.

Friday Favorites

Painterly Paint Pots

by MAC

This stuff is rad! It creates a perfect base on your eyelid before applying eyeshadow.

Price:

$18 {but it lasts forever}

Where Can You Buy It:

Dillards, Macys maccosmetics.com

I'm Gettin' Sneaky!

I ran into the library today to get a book I had on hold and return a movie. I decided to quickly browse through the cookbook section in my efforts to eat better. I saw an intriguing book that I figured I understood the concept of, so I grabbed it. When I got home I started looking through the book and an hour later I am in LOVE! It was exactly what I thought it was about...and so much more!

I am totally trying these awesome recipes because making anything healthier, whether I am being "sneaky" or not, is better than what I'm {not} doing right now!

Scrumptious Sundays

Pretzel Hugs

1 bag square pretzels

1 bag Hershey Hugs

1 bag plain M&M's

Spread (unbroken) pretzels out onto a cookie sheet (do NOT line with foil). Unwrap Hugs and place one on top of each pretzel. Bake at 200 degrees for 8-10 minutes (or until Hugs are melted). Quickly place 2 M&M's on each Hug. Stick the pan into your freezer for about 30 minutes to harden. Keep refrigerated.

This was photographed in February, hence the Valentine colors. My favorite is at Christmas time when Hershey's has their peppermint kisses! They are so yummy, and topped with red and green M&M's it looks so festive. P.S. I've tried the mini M&M's and I think I like the regular ones better.

Friday Favorites

Spray Wax

by Lanza

This stuff rocks hard core because it adds texture to my hair and it smells super yummy too!

Price:

$15 - $20

Where Can You Buy It:

Amazon

Keepin' It Real

I'm not going to lie...today was a hard day.

I don't talk about my miscarriage from 2005 {like ever} on my blog {although I have opened up to people in conversation}. Take this with a grain of salt because really, it's just a {5 minute} pity party I'm throwing myself.

If I had have carried that baby to full term, that child would have started kindergarten today. It's bitter sweet of course. I had quite a few friends who had children around the time I was supposed to be due {June 10th}. It's fun to see their milestones and today was no exception with all the cute "first day of school" pictures.

I ended up going to lunch and shopping with my mom this afternoon because I just needed to be off the internet {you know Facebook and Blogger}. I am okay, really. No tears, I promise!

Someday I may have the courage to share my {short but sweet} story. For now, thanks for letting me throw my pity party.

Friday Favorites

Purity {Made Simple}

by Philosophy

I am in LOVE with this facial cleanser! It makes my skin feel soft and completely moisturized.

Price:

$20

Where Can You Buy It:

Ulta, Sephora, Amazon

Scrumptious Sundays

Fajitas

This meal originated because I was out of my usual Costco/Sams Club uncooked tortillas. We loved it so much, that now it is how we serve our fajitas!

1/2 red bell pepper, julienned

1/2 green bell pepper, julienned

1/2 onion, sliced

2 tbls oil (I use extra virgin olive oil)

1/2 bag fajita meet (see picture below)

1 can Original Rotel

angel hair pasta

Cook pasta according to directions. Saute bell peppers and onions in oil. Add meat for the last 5 minutes. Add Rotel. Drain water from pasta and add to fajitas. Mix well.

This meat can be found at your local grocery store but you get more bang for your buck at Costco/Sams Club.

Ruffled Clutch

I snagged this fabric a while back because it totally reminded me of my cousin Dakin and how much I miss her (she lives in England now). I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it. I followed THIS cool tutorial that I've been dying to try and although my first attempt isn't perfect (sorry Dakin), I am glad I made it!

(The inside has a divider and 2 card holders)

Spreading Hope

I've mentioned a few times how I LOVE getting involved with Craft Hope! Well for family night (FHE) a few weeks ago, I used one of their projects to teach a lesson about charity. We sang "Love One Another" and read the definition of charity in the bible dictionary. Then we found Russia on the map and we played a numbers guessing game about the statistics Craft Hope had on their website. Then we made these bracelets for the orphans. It was a simple activity, but a fun way to make a small difference.

Coolin' Off

50 Miles

My hubby and the girls went with the scouts on a {crazy} 50 mile hike! Here are a few pictures from the week, including ones from the terrible fire that forced them to come home a day early {but don't worry, they still got their miles in}.

Kindle Sleeve

Last time I was at my friend Molly's house, I noticed that she didn't have anything to protect her Kindle. Naturally I just HAD to whip her up this fun sleeve for her birthday! I made sure to use minkee fabric on the inside to protect the Kindle, but I was super excited when I found this fun fabric line for the outside! I didn't really know what I was doing, but she liked it haha! Happy Birthday Molly!

164 More Days...