New Food

I love to make new food! There are classics from my mom and the neighborhood cookbook that are here to stay, but sometimes you just need a new dish. Some people would prefer to go out, which I do- but its hard on the wallet, so I turn to new recipes instead.

They usually turn out delicious...and then there are times when you know you need to throw that recipe away. I usually look through Real Simple for new recipes, Epicurious.com, Cooking Light magazine, or FoodNetwork.com...and if it has a good picture-that is what will motivate me to make it. Here are a few things I've made recently that I've really liked:
spinach frittata
barley risotto with asparagus and parmesan
chicken piccata &
lemon risotto

another fav I made, but can't remember where it is from is for a mango shake (I'd like to consider it a mango smoothie since that sounds better when eating it for breakfast)
1 mango
1 peach or banana (my personal addition)
1 cup soy milk
1 cup ice
1 cup vanilla ice cream
YUM!


...and right now I have the Lionhouse classics Chocolate Cheesecake baking in the oven for my sis Liz's birthday tomorrow!...I'll let you know if that one is a keep or not. And please share if you have any good recipes you've made and loved lately!

All your photographic needs!!

A call to all - if you or anybody you know has need of some sweet photography skills (wedding, reception, bridals, engagements, family portraits, events, etc) definitely let me know. We are offering referral incentives for those who refer peeps to us. For example, if you refer someone and we shoot their wedding, then we'll give you $150! That's right - 150 bones. So help us out and we'll make it worth your while for sure. Also, be sure to check out the website too - dreamphotodesign.com

Fall times

Have you had or made any changes in your life lately? Like what?
I love how the seasons inspire change. I walked out my front door today around 7am. I could feel it. I could smell it. Fall is coming. Its that smell that you remember when walking to elementary school or walking around campus during college. Fall has inspired me to:
-Drink hot chocolate while reading a good book
-Think about snow
-Wear sweatshirts even if its not cold enough yet
-Look at re-decorating my house (I need some serious help!)
-Wake up and run early while I can (doesn't get light until 6:45ish now)
-Make pumpkin pie
-Take walks and talk with Mark

New nephews

We love being an Aunt and Uncle to the cutest kids ever. The newest editions are
baby Benjamin right (Mark's brother Tom and wife Heidi's) and baby Alex left (my brother Justin and wife Kerrah's).
They are the best and we love them so so so much!

Smellytastic

A girl in my ward recently had a Scentsy party. "Scentsy what?" you're thinking...they are wonderful smelling warmers (also make sprays and car freshners). The cool part is, the wax doesn't evaporate into the air like candles do, and aren't hazardous like candles...and come in tons of cute colors/prints and a jillion different scents. I just got the oatmeal cookie scent and my house smells like yum x10! (If you're interested in getting one, just let me know).
Scentsy goodness

Laboring for those who have gone ahead

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many. Labor Day became a federal holiday by Act of Congress in 1894.

We just returned from doing a session in the San Diego Temple. It was a sunny day, which means the sun streaming through to the inside of the temple was beeeyoutifull! If you are ever in the San Diego area you must visit them temple inside or at least the outside. We were so glad that they had the temple open today (unusual for a Monday and a holiday)!

Imagine the California sun...

Sweet beats here on the Pacific Coast and it's too bad that all of you aren't here with us. As can be expected, this has been an unforgettable experience visiting Carole & Aaron in San Diego. You know when your back, neck, and ribs ache from ten solid hours of surfing that it has been a good trip. If that wasn't enough, we were lucky enough to score sweet seats at the Padre's game against their in-state rivals, the Dodgers,
as they posted another 'W' on their stat sheet.

Don't worry, that's not all we are doing down here - we still have in our upcoming schedule some mean time in Disneyland with Mickey, Goofy and the boys, some beach smores, more surfing, homemade shakes, possibly Sea World, Maggie Moo's, surfing, and a hoard of other things. Sweeeeeeeeetttt!!!

Let's get it started!

We are finally up to speed with the blogging craze and have set up our own family blogger - the THACK SMACK. Check us out for the latest in family updates, excursions, diversions, feuds, fights, and bites.