Gifty Christmas

I know that I raved about pinterest in my last post, but I have to give a shout out to this awesome website! It has provided me with cute Christmas gifts for my fun co-workers. I absolutely love them!

 This little nifty "To-Do" List frame is handy for your home or work space. Place lined paper - or create your own - behind the glass, adhere a bow and include a dry erase marker. I found some fine tipped multi colored markers that had an eraser attached to them. So cute and very budget friendly.

This little gem is perfect for just anyone - teachers, mailman/woman, hair stylist, co-worker, neighbor, etc. So easy and cute!

 

Thanks Pinterest; not really sure how I lived this long without you!

Ugly Sweater & Christmas Shenanigans

This post is going to be kind of a hodge podge of randomness of my life in December thus far. First I have to say that I am quite fond of instagram and have just recently decided that I need to take more advantage of it's easy and quick picture editing features. I love how it can transform my so so Christmas tree picture into this delightful and pleasing to the eye image! 

 

As a side note, this picture shows my old blinds. I had new blinds put in about a week ago, but that will be saved for another post.

 

Yes, my friends, this is what 10-12 inches snow looks like. We were hit with a bunch of snow last weekend and this was me trying to walk back to our trash can so we could get it out to the street. Needless to say, after 30 minutes and super human strength, we were able to push the can up and over a 5ft mound of snow and successfully take it out for pick up.

Well, Pinterest has done it again. I often find myself spending more time than I care to admit browsing through the fun crafts, cute apparel, and delicious looking recipes. I pin way more than I actually ever prepare or make, and the few things I have tried, don't quite turn out the way I had hoped. That aside, I was on the Christmas committee at work and was in charge of decorations. I found this little gem and thought it would make a cute table decoration. I was unsure how it would turn out, but I must say that it exceeded my expectation. We had 3 jars on each table and they were a hit. Pinterest's version did not include a ribbon, but I personally think it adds to the gloriousness. Well, that and the fact that we used cinnamon pine cones and real pine boughs which smell absolutely delightful. Overall, very pleased with this pinterest project.

 

For the work Christmas party this year we had an Ugly Sweater Contest. I decided to add these little elf shorts to the mix and though I did not win, I sure did get a lot of mixed responses from these little beauties. Fun times had by all!!

Haunted Half

So many things have happened lately and so I am just now getting to post about this. On October 26 my brother and I ran our first half marathon. I had not prepared for this like I should have, but decided to go for it anyway. The first 6 or so miles was a breeze. I felt good, the weather was nice, the slope was downhill, and the scenery was beautiful. Come miles 7 and 8, I started feeling a little sore in my legs. My pace slowed and by mile 9 I was in complete pain in my hips, back, legs, butt, shins, and feet. I honestly felt like quitting several times, but pushed through and finally made it across the finish line to collect my medal.

I am very proud of myself for having gone out there and completed it. I never thought in my life that I would ever do one, as I have not really ever enjoyed the thought of running. I can't say I absolutely love running, but I can say that I understand a little of what runners say about it growing on you until you end up entering into so many races. I am excited to say that I am going to sign up for a 5k on Thanksgiving at Thanksgiving Point. Stay tuned....

Grandma

 

 

February 1919 - October 2013

 

 

My dear grandma passed away exactly one week ago. It seems so weird not to have my grandma here with me in person. After all, she has always been in my life and it is a new experience not having her there. I treasure the time I had with her, and was very fortunate to have a grandma who was a major influence in my life. I know she struggled on earth these last few years and I am grateful she can now be at peace and can be re-united with, Jean, her daughter whom she has missed for 49 long years. I am grateful for the things I have learned from her and will continue to live my life so that her light can shine through me. I will miss you grandma, but I know we will see you again!

Chili Verde

I love chili verde, but have never made it. I usually just order it when I go out for Mexican food, but being that Utah is slim pickins' when it comes to ethnic dining, I am always looking for ways to make my favorite dishes at home. And, thanks to pinterest and my friend Marilyn, whose lovely garden supplied me with some anaheim peppers, a yummy chili verde meal was had by all. Here is what it looked like while cooking:

Most recipes don't use the crock pot, but since I got a crock pot for Christmas last year, I decided to alter the recipe just a bit. Besides, there is something divine about setting the crockpot, letting it cook while I'm gone, and then coming home and not having to prepare anything. In addition to altering the cooking method, I also altered the recipe a little bit and I think it tasted delightful! So, here is the recipe I used:

2lbs Pork (Chopped into chucks)

Chicken Broth (I used a whole carton which is 32oz I think)

2 Sml Cans of Chilies (diced)

1 Anaheim Pepper

1-2 Jalapenos (depending on how hot you want it)

1/2 Onion

4-5 Garlic Cloves (Or, I cheated and just used a couple spoonfuls of diced garlic)

1 Tsp of Olive Oil

1-2 Tblsp of Cumin

1-2 Tblsp Garlic Salt

1 Tsp of Salt

Black Pepper to taste

Throw all this in the crockpot and let cook on high for about 6-8 hrs. You may need to thicken it up with some cornstarch mixed with water. We transferred it to a large pot and let some of the liquid boil off and then added the cornstarch mix. Once it is thick to your liking, eat up and enjoy with some cheese, salsa, sour cream, tortillas, and/or chips. Delicious! 

A Little Bit of Halloween

I have always had a very high love for Halloween. I am not really sure where this stems from, but it goes hand in hand with my love of scary movies. I guess it has something to do with the thrill. Or maybe it is the array of adorable decorations that the stores so successfully display to entice me to buy. It also could be that this time of year is my favorite. I love the smells, colors, and the weather. Yes, I am one of those crazy people that enjoys cold and snow. I love my scarves, boots, sweaters, and gloves.

So, in order to really get in the Halloween spirit, I spent the weekend getting my home decorated. I even have some fun orange lights on either side of my garage which are pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself! 

This year is super fun for me because it it my first year being put up my own decorations in my first house. I was out on my own last year, but had just closed on my house right at Halloween and couldn't put anything up. Yay for Halloween! Now if I could just decide what to dress up as.

5k...No Biggie!

So I have run my very first 5k. I was a little apprehensive about it as I am not a runner and have really not been doing so good at training for my half. However, upon completing my run I must admit that I really enjoyed it. That is a huge accomplishment for me. Those that know me know I am not at all into running....like not at all. I finished in just under 40 min and felt great! It actually makes me a little more excited for my half coming up next month. I must get outside though and train my lungs to like the cold air. That was the only thing that kept me from running the whole thing. Anyway, here is before...

during....

and after....

Probably helped that this run was a fun run...it was a lot of fun getting blasted with color as we ran. I am definitely ready to do more runs and am excited to participate in my first half...I shall let you know how that goes!

Run as Fast as You Can!

Some time ago you may recall I set out to do a marathon with a co-worker. Yeah...that never happened.  I kind of gave up on it not long after I declared I was doing it. I hadn't really given it much thought until one day at work a friend of mine asked me to run a half marathon with her (not the same co-worker or employer). Mind you, I am not a runner but for some crazy reason I decided to go for it. Time passed and I kind of thought this might end up like the last time. You see, I am motivated by competition; if I don't sign up soon after I decide to do it, then I probably will lose interest and not do it. That and the fact that I am cheap and wouldn't want to pay for something and then not follow through. So my logic was that we would actually need to find a half and sign up so that I would feel some pressure. Again, more time went by and I was only half heartedly preparing. Well, progress has been made people! We both registered and paid last Friday and I have since been going full force with training. I now have until Oct 26 to get ready for the Haunted Half! I even bought this little number so I would have no excuses...

I am bound and determined to finish this!! Here goes nothin'

Quite the Project!

Howdy friends! Wow, where has the time gone??? I have neglected my blog for too long. To fill you in, not too much exciting through the beginning part of the year and then May was spent with two back to back business trips to Kansas City, MO and then to Orlando, FL. Yes, Florida was very pretty and I was excited as I have never been. Sadly, I did not get out much to enjoy my surroundings as I was in meetings all day. Sadness.

In other news, I have taken on the task of finishing my backyard. When I purchased my home in October the backyard was not finished but I figured I could easily handle it on my own. Fast forward to spring and boy did I severely underestimate the amount of work this is going to take. I have gotten a few bids and rather than pay the exorbitant amount they want to charge, I have resolved to doing it myself...with the help of Mom and Brother! This my friends is what I am working with...

Oh, and this is not even the worst. We had weed whipped the weeds quite a bit at this point. These pictures also do not show the rocks mixed in nor the receding ground where dirt has run off and slipped between the rock retaining wall on the other side. But, isn't my puppy cute? I should mention I got her in April and she is a cute little handful of crazy!

 



Anyway, I am hoping that I can soon fill you in with pictures of the completed project. Maybe this year, maybe next. Only time will tell!! 

Firey Red Roxy

 Meet Roxy...

On Jan 1 I decided to trade in my Rav4 for this cute little red Jetta! I did so because my little Rav was just costing too much money in gas due to poor gas mileage. I am in love with my new car and especially love my heated seats when it's 4 degrees out!

New Home

Ok, this is super super late but I figure better late than never. I am going to try and make a more conscious effort to document my life so I can always remember the little things that each year brings. So, without further ado:

I was finally able to close on a home in West Jordan in October after months of looking and 2 other failed escrows. I was so relieved to finally have found something. I am absolutely loving it and feel so blessed that I am able to do this on my own. Below are are some pictures of my new place. Enjoy!