a shower to remember

Last Sunday some close friends and I held a baby shower for one of the most important couples in my life. As many of you know from this blog and in person but I am not a designer by any means. I would say I am more of a chaotic balance of social and analytical but not creative.

After meeting with the sisters and mother of the soon to be mama we had all kinds of ideas! The couple had selected Shel Silverstein's, "The Giving Tree" as a theme for the nursery and we went with that for as many of the details as possible. From apple appetizers, to papers trees from floor to ceiling, and tree stumps as décor, we made sure to work the theme into every area possible.

There was something about the inspiration that these women have that threw me head first into planning mode. I decided to make personalized party favors and cake bites! It was a lot of fun, and work but mostly fun. Sometime it is hard for me to just relax and enjoy what I am doing but this was for someone (and husband) that I love so much I was able to really focus.

For the party favors, (idea adapted from, ABM) I found restaurant supply coffee mugs and personalized them with the first letter of everyone's name using Sharpie markers to dot sporadically around a sticker. Then removed the sticker and baked the cups in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. I then took hot chocolate mix and marshmallows and tied them in plastic wrap with ribbon and added them to the mugs with a candy cane. They turned out so much better than expected! Big thanks to ermae for all of her help with this task, 29 mugs equate to many, many dots!

                                                       

 



 

For the cake bites, (recipe adapted from StyleAtHome) I wanted to give the new mum a few of the things she has been craving since her favorite cakes were carrot and german chocolate, I decided to do both!

I baked both cakes as indicated on the box (feel free to make yours from scratch), I then let them cool for a whole day, lightly covered with a dish towel. I then crumbled the cake and added about 2/3 of a container of frosting to the crumbs using a metal spoon and then made them into small balls. I then let them set in the fridge for an hour. I then melted candy coating (available in my regular grocery store baking isle) and used two forks to coat them and set them on wax paper. The forks allowed for extra coating to drip away before placing them down to set. I then let them set in the fridge over night. I decorated the tops with more candy coating in a squeeze bottle and sprinkles.

These were a HUGE hit from my own kids to all the friends at the shower. Although they take time they are work the effort!

                          

                                                                   

 

 And because I can't resist showing some pictures of the shower too here they are!

 

DIY table time

We don't own our own home, yet... Mostly because we don't plan to live in Utah for many more years, which means that although we have a place that we call "home", it isn't ours.

To combat these "home hungry" feelings that we have we decided to start buying items that we like and making them something that we love. Something that we can't buy in a store, something uniquely us.

You would think we would start small with a refinished bookshelf or TV stand but no we decided to go all out. I think there was a part of us that realized if this didn't go well that we wouldn't want to do anything else like this so we wanted to put all of our energy into this. We choose to buy a simple couch table used online and then stain it. Then we built up the top ledge to create a recessed table top. We created our own decorative drawer spaces to place baskets. Next, we cut glass beer bottles of our favorite label and hand broke them into smaller pieces. We placed bottle caps in the corners of the table and then poured resin on top in one inch layers and let it dry in 12 hour increments.

The end result was perfectly, imperfect. And most importantly it is ours and no one will ever have one quite like it.

The best part of this project was that we made this together and we can't wait to start our hutch for the kitchen next! Now get out there, be creative, make something you will love and always treasure!

Make some memories.

Because sometimes you just need to write

Friends, family, fellow bloggers, new readers - WARNING, I have no idea what this post will be about :)

Sometimes I just want to write. This is more than 1/2 of the reason that I started this blog. Contrary to popular belief I have not always been social. There was definitely a time in my childhood and early adolescence that I was shy. (quiet down all you laughers, I know it is hard to believe now) Writing has always made me feel more at peace and been a great recourse for my emotions. I wouldn't say that I am a highly emotional person, but I have my moments. My biggest issue is that I tend to hold everything in, so when something minimal happens it might be my last straw, IE. an episode of   "Parenthood" that makes me cry for 2 hours. (Side note: Bless Ian, he really is a great man) Anyway, my point is that sometimes I just need to write things down because it gives me a way to free all of this information in my mind.

Are any of you ever amazed when a man (or I guess another women) tells you that they are literally thinking about nothing? This NEVER happens to me (with the exception of sex), I mean really nothing? I have a hard time keeping it to just a few things most of the time. I do realize that I have a strange inability to just do nothing. My entire adult life has been full of doing things at 100% all of the time; work, kids, school (mine and theirs), parenting, after school events, karate, art classes, relationships, friends, family.... this list never ends. But there is something in me that just can't stop. I mean for God sake I have raised two children, (nearly on my own, thank you Ian... again) graduated from college, maintained a full time job and for some reason I always feel like I need to do more. When I went back for my Masters Ian made me promise that after this I would find a hobby. HA HA HA HA HA. I am pretty sure that is because my education addiction will cost us roughly $100,000 when said and done but he is right. I do need to find a hobby, I mean what am I going to do with all of these degrees? Blogging is definitely a hobby and thanks to all of you, this blog had 300+ page views last month!!!! But I will definitely need something else as well, or I will drive you all insane.

I'm seriously thinking about the guitar, thoughts? If you think I should try something else let me know, I'd love to hear from all of you!

be grateful

For those of you that actually know me and don't just read the blog, know that I came from a very normal family and went through very normal things growing up. However, being loved and surrounded by positive things is not a failsafe for staying on the right track.

I will not go into details in this forum because no one needs to hear them, but lets just say there was a period of my adolescence where I tested the limits. It took a teenage pregnancy and a whole lot of personal strength to overcome my demons.

I'm going on a decade of the, "straight and narrow" and I make a choice everyday to stay this way. For any of you that are personally addicts, recovering addicts or have a friend or a family member that has dealt with any kind of addiction you know first hand that life is no longer easy.

So many people judge others. One of the things that I despise hearing from people is, "Why don't they just quit? It's simple." All that I have to say to that comment is, "Don't attempt to understand something you have never experienced." If any addict could just STOP, believe me they would. An addiction is about so much more then the substance you choose to abuse. It is about the person that it makes you, the decisions that you make, the judgment that you have and more importantly the way you currently feel about yourself. Quitting is scary because it takes away the one thing you think you know and can control.

This is a part of my life that I don't usually delve into, especially in a public format but I was recently made aware of a situation that makes me wonder if I had been more open if I could have helped someone else. For the person that this is about, know that I love you and I am here for you when you are ready to talk, I won't judge, I won't argue, I will just listen.

For the people reading this, if you know someone that you think needs help or has a problem and is ready to deal with it try to listen to them and point them in the right direction. These things are not easy to do alone, but they can be done. Every addict is different. there is not a "one size fits all" approach that will work across the board. But there are so many options available to meet each person at a level that they are comfortable with. If anyone needs helping finding a place to start please comment on the blog and I will be happy to help you.

We only get once chance at this life and it can be taken from us in an instant. I am here to tell you that life is worth living but getting back to a place where you can enjoy life is the first step. Recovery is a long road, full of obstacles and victories. Every day sober is a win. Be grateful for the life we have been given and never stop pushing to be better than you are right now.

I'll never forget the things that have made me who I am today. Remembering where I have come from keeps me motivated to help change what could be a different ending for someone else.

Oh My Instagram!

As many of you know this blog was the first, "social media" step I have taken in the last 3 years. My days of Facebook ended along with my marriage and the stress of worrying about who was reading what simply wasn't worth it to me. What I have missed most about keeping in touch with people in this way was having a look into the lives of people that I care about.

So a few weeks ago I was talking to some co-workers and they were all talking about Instagram. I had heard about it but never looked at someone's profile or really understood how it works. I decided to take the plunge and created an account.

And.I.Am.Hooked!

I love seeing pictures of my friends and their families and sharing a little piece of my own day sometimes probably more often than my friends care to see :)

It has really made a huge impact on me and I just can't say enough about it.

If you have an Instagram feel free to look me up my user name is the same as the blog :)

Happy Instagraming!

a little bit of this and whole lot of birthday

I have worked at my current place of employment for almost two years. And, I really like my job. Not like most people say, "Oh, I love my job!", no I really mean it. I like it. Allot. I enjoy what I do, I manage people. Specifically, really, amazingly, talented people. But above all else the reason that I like my job so much is the people that I get to be around every day. I work with people that impress me on a daily basis. My boss is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. My fellow leaders are nothing short of incredible. My peers are unique and quirky and ridiculously smart. And with all of that going on, we never, ever forget a birthday. Not really what you thought I would say huh?! But it's true. We enjoy celebrating the day that each of us came into this world. When I absorbed my team members from the previous leader I wanted to do something special for all of them, so I created a white board and at the top of it I wrote my own name and my favorite treat - cupcakes. This one step took over on its own. Before I knew it the whole team and half the department had written their names and their favorite tasty treats. I has never taken that board down or wiped it clean. It hangs by my desk and every time I get a calendar reminder that it is someones birthday I set out on a blogging adventure to find a new recipe to try that will incorporate their favorite treat.

Friday marked another fabulous birthday :) This particular birthday was one I knew I would have fun with as the celebratory individual is pretty much game for any sweet treat. So what did I make you ask? Well I simply couldn't pick so I made two - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes and Salted Chocolate Caramel Shortcake.

Good Lord - what a hit these both turned out to be. I should take a moment here to mention: I don't bake. Yep, you heard me right. I have always been the cook but never the baker. I just never really got into it. I don't like measuring, I'm more of a cook to taste kinda girl. Turns out, this whole time I've been saying things like, "Oh my boyfriend bakes, I cook", but now that's not true. For over a year now I have been baking all kinds of things. But these two gems really take the cake, so to speak.

But what good is all this chit chat without some pictures?

Yum, now I want some more!

Both of these recipe's were adapted from things I found on some of my favorite blogs. I made a few changes so I feel that they are worth mentioning here.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes - a creation inspired by beautyandbeard

Are you up for a little time consumption before your sugar consumption? If so these are worth both the time and the effort...

The inside of these are filled with gooey delicious homemade caramel sauce and I think making it ahead of time really cuts down on the brunt of the work.

Caramel Sauce

In a heavy bottomed sauce pan add 1 cup of sugar to 1/4 cup of water turn the stove to medium heat. You can ensure that the sugar is covered in water but try not to stir it. Once every minute for 5 minutes stir the sugar water mixture and knock up the hit a tiny notch until you are at medium high. Around the 5th minute you should notice that the sugar is starting to turn light amber. At this time add one cube of butter to the mix, continue this adding a full stick of butter until all the butter seems to be melted. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1/2 a cup of whipping cream and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla, a few pinches of kosher or sea salt. Lightly stir until combined and immediately transfer the caramel sauce to a container to store it in.

Cupcakes

You can make your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe OR pick up a box mix and whip up some chocolate cupcakes and then let them cool completely.

Caramel Frosting

Start with 1 stick of butter at room temperature and slowly add 2 cups of powdered sugar. Start with a little mix it through and then keep adding until fully combined. Then once incorporated add 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce that you made previously. Stir together and then chill in the refrigerator. 

To complete these little delights, take a cooled cupcake and cut a 1/2 inch square out of the center. If you made moist cupcakes you will want to take a dab of frosting and place it in the hole you have created and then drizzle in the caramel sauce. If you made a more dense cupcake you can just drizzle the caramel sauce in. Then take your frosting and place an even thin layer on the top and add whatever sprinkles or toppings you care for.

Take a bite.Smile.Take another bite.

Once you have recovered from that try these remarkable little bites

Salted Chocolate Caramel Shortbread, adapted from traceysculinaryadventures

These are decadent to say the least a 1X1 inch piece is enough to curb any sweet tooth, so a 9X13 pan full feeds a crowd!

Shortbread Layer

To make the shortbread preheat the over to 325 F. Mix together in a small bowl, 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.  In a large mixing bowl combine  2 sticks of butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Once the sugar and butter are combined add the dry mixture in a little bit at a time until combined. Remove the dough and hand press it into the bottom of a 9X13 pan. Bake for about 18 minutes or until lightly golden all over. Remove from oven and let sit to cool completely.

Caramel Layer

To make the caramel layer combine 1 stick of butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons light corn syrup and 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk over medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved turn the heat up until the mixture boils and then reduce to medium low and let cook for 10 minutes or until the caramel mixture is a amber color. Pour this gooey mix over the shortbread and then chill for at least 2 hours or over night.

Once the caramel is hardened some you can make the chocolate layer.

Chocolate Layer

In a double boiler melt 8 oz of chopped dark salted chocolate, 1 stick of butter and 1 teaspoon of light corn syrup. Once this is fully melted and glossy pour over the caramel layer and let chill for an hour or so. Once it is hardened, sprinkle some kosher or sea salt on the top and use a clean dish towel to press lightly into the chocolate.

I would suggest keeping this refrigerated until about 30 minutes prior to serving, then remove and cut into small pieces.

Nibble.Nibble.Gone.

At the end of the day on Friday this was left on my desk :)

(We have a little game going on at work between a few of us, if you are a lefty you leave notes using your right hand and if you are a righty you do so with your left hand.) This was one of those notes :)

This birthday goes in the memory book for sure. :)

mesmerizing yellowstone

When I was a little girl my father used to take me camping and those are some of the best memories I have from being a child. I didn't mind getting dirty or playing in a creek, eating what we caught for dinner or learning how to shoot a bow and arrow. It was a bond that we had and it was always a lot of fun, it's always been a part of me.

Last May, we took our girls camping for the first time and.... it snowed, well actually it hailed but it was a really rough introduction for them. Luckily, at that age a few s'mores and a camp fire fixes all, whew, crisis averted. 

This year we had the opportunity to go to Yellowstone. 

WOW.INCREDIBLE.SURREAL. MAGICAL.INVITING.COMFORTING.MESMERIZING.

I'm not sure I can truly put into words the impact that this place had on my soul. In the middle of a national park, in the middle of, "Be Bear Aware" country, I felt, at home. More importantly, the whole family was invested in having a great time and making the best of the days that we had there. My oldest daughter, still with her father for the summer, wasn't able to attend and that is the only thing that I wish I could have changed. We went to national landmarks, made good ol' camp food, sat around the fire and learned about each others lives and became even closer than we already were. Camping, the out doors and the love of fresh clean air are things I am glad my children have an interest in. This was the first of many trips like this and it is one we will always remember.

The way to party

Last Saturday, we hosted a Leadership dinner for my co-workers and their spouses (or +1's). My boyfriend is a party planner by nature, (I think a lot of that comes from his Momma!). He took the menu and the setup to a whole other level then what I would have been able to do alone.

We started our get together with drinks, (served from our new industrial ice coolers, rocking the Red Bull and Rockstar logos) kimchi quesadillas and homemade guacamole and chips. This was followed by a main course of smoked whole chickens, cedar plank sockeye salmon, spicy prawn orzo, and  a spinach walnut cranberry salad. We finished off the meal with dark chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries and mint.

But the star of the event were these adorable and scrumptious mojito jello shots that a friend showed me on another blog.

Look at them! Don't you want to eat them all up?!

I made a few changes to the recipe that we found. I highly suggest these but give yourself lots of time.

Mojito Jello Shots - Adapted from A beautiful mess

16 whole ripe limes
1.5 cups of sugar
1.5 cups of water
3/4 cup of fresh lime juice
3 packets of unflavored gelatin
1 box of sugar free lime gelatin
3 stems of fresh mint
1.5 cups of rum (optional)

Cut all limes in half. Juice all of the limes into a measuring cup until you have 3/4 of a cup. If you have more feel free to add it in the next step or discard it. Use a small sharp knife and a spoon to remove the lime flesh from each half. Set these in a container so that they are all holding each other as straight as possible.

Simmer water until just under a boil. Add sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir is one packet of unflavored gelatin at a time until combined into the sugar/water mixture. Then stir in the lime flavored gelatin as well. Add in the fresh lime juice and stir together. Take 2 mint stems and place them into the gelatin mixture and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Remove mint stems and add in rum.

Poor the gelatin mixture into the pre-scooped out lime cups. Place the limes into the fridge for at least 3 hours or over night. If possible place the jello shots into the freezer for an hour before you serve them. Prior to serving, cut each lime cup in half, this will give them the segmented look in the picture. If you want fresh lime on top, cut remaining mint leaves and sprinkle on top. Serve. Enjoy.

It was DELICIOUS! I honestly can't take a lot of credit. Although, I was very impressed and slightly amazed at how smooth the whole preparation of the event went. I never felt stressed or frazzled and I was able to enjoy all of our company.

There are few things in this world as wonderful and amazing as close friends, great food, and intense laughter.

This will not be a night quickly forgotten.

The things kids say

My youngest daughter and my youngest nephew are about 2 years apart. When they were younger my daughter always referred to my nephew as, "the baby". At the time, I was more then done with having children and she latched onto any baby thinking it could be like a little brother or sister. I used to think to myself that she would make such a great big sister.

Being around someone younger has made her realize what her older sister feels towards her. She tells me things like, "I can't do anything alone!", "He says he wants to play, but only the things he wants to play!". I can't do anything other then nod for fear I will loose it with laughter. There is a big part of me that hopes this is good medicine for when she sees her big sis at the end of the summer.

WAIT - it gets better...

Today was an especially amusing day to me.

This afternoon while playing in the pool with the younger kids I was talking to my daughter about why she can't play mermaid with her cousin. She made of a myriad of reasons which ended in a disagreement with me where her only argument was, "I'm SMARTER!". Every time I wanted to ask her a follow up question she would take herself under water not to answer.

It makes you think. Smarter huh? Based on how much she already knows I am sure she will be smarter than I am. But I am definitely not ready to admit that to her. However, I can already tell that every argument I ever had with my mother will be nothing in comparison to what this girl will come at me with.

Post "I'm smarter!", we came inside to get ready to go pick up my sister and her husband. I suggested that the kids should bathe. My nephew looked at me, asked for his clothes and then said, "I'm taking a bath." So I ran the bath and then realized he wasn't wearing any clothes, I told him to go into the bathroom and wait for me. He said, " Ya, Mommy says you can't be walking around the house naked!". The only thing I could come up with was.... " Good advice buddy". I walked into the bathroom doing my best not to laugh on the outside as much as I was on the inside.

Kids are amazing. When we have the time to really hear what they are saying and just enjoy the moments of the day with them, they are HYSTERICAL.


A great day to remember...

Where it all begins

Three days ago, I told my sister I thought I should start a blog. Her comment was, "About what? The boredom of staying at home? :) ".

I follow that question up with one to my boyfriend who is currently 700 miles away. "Would you be ok with me starting a blog?". He made a comment that sealed the deal for me. He stated that it wasn't any different then me keeping a journal, with the small exception that anyone in the world could read it.

So, here it begins...

For the last 9 days I have been staying in my second childhood home keeping en eye on my nephews while my sister takes a vacation with her new husband. I am the only adult here and I consider myself to be a relatively social person, so I'm going a little stir crazy. Don't get me wrong, the time off work is nice. The time with my youngest daughter and my two nephews is amazing. But, I just don't know what to do with myself.

Even in the span of a few days I have already created a schedule. Wake up 6 AM, make coffee, look at my online masters program work (nothings ever new, since I completed it a week ago), check my phone, feed kids, play with kids, read a book, take the kids swimming, feed the kids, play with the kids, feed the kids, swim some more, feed the kids, make sure everyone showers, put kids to bed, PASS OUT!

A few things I have discovered.

#1 There is a reason that I work. Bless every stay at home mother in this world because I am not made for it. I love my children, I love my family, and I also love my time at work.

#2 Boys eat more food than anyone could possibly imagine. I have two girls. They eat 3 meals a day and snacks. These boys, and I am including several pre-teen boys in this number as my nephews friends are here frequently, never. stop. eating. I have ran the dishwasher 2 times a day for the entire time I have been here. It is literally incredible the amount of stuff they can pack away. Those tiny metabolisms zapping every calorie.

#3 Cleaning is an up hill battle. I decided to do my normal Saturday cleaning tasks; bathroom, kitchen, vacuum, floors. First of all, my house is not this big. Second of all, with this many kids by the time you finish you feel the need to run around behind them cleaning up, again. I now understand why some of my stay at home friends vacuum every day.

#4 You learn to laugh a lot. In my house we have two young children in school, two adults in school and working full time and all of the normal kid stuff, soccer, school events, and day care in the summer. We are pretty maxed out. Our life is very structured. We try and make time for game nights and movie nights and park time but it doesn't always happen. Staying here is the middle of all this kid chaos has taught me to embrace it all. It's good for me to have to let go a little.

With everything that has happened and all that I have learned in the last week, I'm excited to head home soon. Even my daughter who loves spending part of her summers here is ready to get back to her room, her friends, and her Buddy.

This has been an experience to remember...