Playin with paper

When plans change 3 to 4 times within a matter of days...I have found myself with some free time.  Here is what I did with it.

I played with the paper from sale a bration 2012.  My ribbon is so obviouly crooked...Dang!  Oh well

This is the summer smooches paper that will be in the new catalog.  I love the bright colors.

This is how sweet Riley spent the free time.  Smart Dog!

Headed to dinner with some friends. 

Ta Ta for now.

A Visitor From Across the Sea

We got a message about a week ago from one of my cousins over in the UK.  There was a neice coming over to the US for a visit and could we please "house" her for a couple of days.  No problem.  We get treated so well when our family travels to the UK, I had to return the favor.

I have taken a couple of afternoons off of work to spend time with her and take her around to see some of the sites in SLC as well as do a little bit of shopping.  With the exchange rate, it is definitely to her benefit to buy a few things over here. She spent two mornings around temple square, the church office building and campus, and city creek shopping center.  I think she even made it over to the conference center.  It has been fun for me to see these things that I see everday through a first timers eyes.






Yesterday we went to This is the Place Park.  They were having baby animal days at that time, so we got to see baby chicks, ducks, turkeys, pigs, goats, and rabbits.  We even got to hold one

They had a couple of Highland cows. Who knew you would have to travel across the ocean to catch a glimpse of this little lady named Penelope







We have introduced her to deep fried dill pickles which really weren't a hit for her. American sandwiches which seem to "house a hole meal in a bun".  She has also tried tacos, sausage gravy and biscuits, peanut butter cups, grape flavored crystal lite and cake bites.  All of which have been a hit.  We keep a supply of Lucky charms for breakfast which happens to be a favorite.  A friend is picking her up tomorrow evening and taking her to Gunnison.  Not much there to see, so I hope they have some fun activities for her.

We have thoroughly enjoyed having her with us.

On a side note...Riley got a new bed, which he loves.  He tried it out before we even got it up the stairs.

Ta Ta for now

  

I got a tan

So today has been a great day.  I spent the morning with my stamping friends working on the projects for the month.  Want to see?  I am going to show you anyway. 

This is the Petite Purse Bigz die that Stampin up is selling as part of their Summer Smooches promotion.  It will also be in the 2012-2013 Catalog.

This little cutie will hold 4 hershey nuggets, 3 ghiradeli squares, a tube of chapstick...the list goes on. Who wouldn't want to get one of these?

Paper - Rich Razzleberry, Summer Smooches DSP, Whisper White
Accessories - Dotted scallop ribbon border punch, itty bitty punch pack, pearls

The next project used the Diagonal Score plate Stampin UP has added to their Simply Scored tool.  We made the back ground of the next card with it, but it can be used to make all kinds of goodies.

Paper - Whisper White, So Saffron, Bashful Blue
Stamps - Easy Events
Ink - Stazon Black, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, More Mustard
Accessories - Pennant Bigz die (circle doily), 1 1/2 circle punch, blender pen, diagonal simply scored plate, white gel pen

And last but not least a design I swiped right off of pinterest.  Isn't it cute?!  I think Patsy Waggoner was the original designer, but was posted by her upline in Stampin UP (gotta give credit where credit is due)

Paper - Island Indigo, Summer smooches DSP, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight.

Ink - Island Indigo, lucky limeade
Stamps - Summer Smooches, Sweetheart
Accessories - Summer Smooches Brads, 1in circle punch, large oval punch, Modern Label punch, Blossom punch,dimensionals.

So here is the part where you wonder why I got a tan??? We went to the spring Red & White game at the UofU Stadium.  The last day of spring practice the team splits and plays a quick game of football.  We took our nephews Monkey's #2 & #3.  We went to Chik fil A by request (what happend to the fruit, veggie high fiber thing???)  Then we went to the stadium.  The day was gorgeous and the boys are not into sports.  They have picked their Utah alliegences, but didn't seem too interested in what was going on.  They were bored and complained about how hot is was and how much longer we were going to have to sit there. 

They made it through and we stopped and got an ice cream and cold drink for the drive home.  Actually they were pretty good kids to hang out with.  By the time we got to their house, they were covered in ice cream, but completely happy to be squirted down with a hose.

Ralph headed to the garden to help get a few things done and came home with a whole bunch of rhubarb.  I  can't wait to see what gets made with it.  I love spring!


Ta Ta for now,

Let's make a deal

Do you ever do that with yourself?  If I do this...then I get this.  If you do...are you disciplined enough to keep it?  Do you promise yourself rewards if you keep up with your exercise schedule or scripture reading?

So... I saw these shoes down at the City Creek Shopping Center.  I was just wandering around during my lunch hour and I saw these little beauties.

Not only are they wedges, but they were canvas with red cherries.  How could I pass them up?  Well, I did.  The next day I couldn't get these way cute shoes out of my mind, they were affordable and I really wanted them.   So I told myself that if I ate healthy lunches brought from home for the rest of the week, I could have them.  Let me tell you that I love french fries.  I was having a serious craving for chicken strips and fries. (This is the part where Ralph laughs)  I bought the shoes - so now I had the reward before the commitment from me was even finished.  I have to say, I have stuck with it and honestly earned my shoes and I love them!   I guess the real funny part is - would I have eaten healthy lunches all week without the shoes?  Probably.  Just an excuse to justifying buying cute shoes.

Hmmm - what could I find as a reward for next week?  LOL 

Here's to veggies, fruit, lean meat and high fiber grains!!!!



March Madness, General Conference, and some good food.

It always includes food...right?
This weekend is one of my favorite times of year...why you ask?

It is the LDS general conference, which means, comfy clothes, lots of lounging, being spiritually uplifted, and a little bit of rest.  I really look forward to the messages and the excuse to sit and work on projects quietly.  Riley is also much happier when he can sit and snuggle his bum up against a warm body and take a nap.  We should also be getting a rain storm this weekend which is the norm.  Conference and rain.

It is also down to the final 4 in the NCAA tournement.  At best, I can place 3rd  - which isn't bad out of 20 brackets, but I still want it to be #1.  (stupid Missouri, stupid Duke)  Go Kentucy Wildcats!

With it being Friday and things are a little slow around the office, my friend Allison and I decided to try a different place for lunch.  We have heard good things about the Garage on Beck.  Let me just say it is a bar, but as you head north it is before all the nudie places.  It has received high recommendations from the SLC magazine as well as other news articles from the area.  They weren't wrong.  Allison got a mushroom swiss burger which looked to die for, I got their fried chicken - so very tasty!  No thick batter, nice crispy skin and juciy meat.  Their fries are fresh cut and crispy fried and their side salads, acutally have decent fresh greens.  Definitely planning a trip back.  The owner of the Garage also owns Stoneground which is super yummy Italian food.

With half the office gone this afternoon, it is mighty quiet.  Here is to a relaxing weekend!

Dementors have attacked

Isn't it funny how one little thing can go wrong and you feel like all the joy in life has been sucked out of you.

I have been following an item on ebay - watching for a super good price.  I bid and purchased the item for a decent price - at least cheaper than most people were purchasing it.  Supposedly delivered on Monday...I never got it. STINK!  USPS claims it was delivered and someone stole it from our porch.  (I don't believe it)  I have been really wanting this item and we live on a tight budget.  So it will be a while before a repurchase can be made.

I went to one of my favorite stores to purchase a couple of holiday decor items and DANG IT the store is closed for good.  They always had the cutest and nice quality items.  Hopefully the one in Holiday hasn't closed.  Now I just have farther to drive.

My favorite craft store has closed down for good and I am constantly reminded of how much I miss it when I go to the only local store around.  Can't ever find what I need and the selection of what they do have is awful.

So...I had my yearly review and a got a decent percent increase.  When all is said and done and the government takes what it thinks it is owed, money to retirement...guess what...it equates to a $15.00 increase to my take home.  What gives?  That doesn't even cover the increase in gas and groceries. 

So...if I remember correctly the cure for a dementor attack...

The dark chocolate ones are especially good !
Now that I have had a few bites of chocolate....

Spring is here.  I love it and the warm weather.  Now I just need to get a little color on my legs so that I don't look so pasty white

Spring football camp has started

Look at those arm muscles

Wynn looks great.  Coach Whit says he now has guns for arms instead of a #2 pencils.  With all the coaching changes - I will be anxious to see how things shape up.  We got our season ticket renewals in the mail. (at least that wasn't stolen).  We plan on attending spring scrimmage.  I love good weather and football.

I get to Zumba tonight with the young women in our ward.  My niece Angela was generous enough to come and work with the girls and teach them a few tricks of the trade.  Should be fun. 

On that note - Have a great day!
Ta Ta for now

Peeps, Basketball and a nap

Busy weekend - but fun!  We packed it in - in no particular order...

• Went with Chris and Em to Back East Philly cheesesteak place for lunch.  They weren't too bad, but I am still partial to Great Steak and Potato philly cheesesteak.
• Spicy pulled pork dinner with Richard, Stef, and the 4 little monkeys.
• If you want to see a grown man turn into a giggling teenager just watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail with them.  They are more entertaining the the movie.
• Made two sheetcakes with Em for the RS B-day Party.  It is a quite involved recipe.  Chocolate cake, cream cheese filling, coconut pecan frosting, candied nuts and choclate drizzle. (all from scratch)
• Made my quinoa salad for the RS dinner.  Used mangos instead of tomatoes.  It was a hit.
• Went to the library to pick up a few reserved books.
• Had a dinner date with Ralph - superb!
• A much needed two hour nap with my doggie.  He kept me warm while it snowed/rained outside.
• Worked on my cross-stitch project.
• Put up some more of the Easter decorations -



Did you know there were this many colors of peeps?


• Watched my March Madness bracket picks go down the tube. Thanks Duke and Missouri.

Ta Ta for now