Thursday, December 23, 2010

Deliciousness

As my FB said last weekend, I was baking and cooking up a storm!  I love reading about people cooking so I'm doing a little ditty about mine, b/c I don't think many people would make this... but it's DELICIOUS!!

Roasted Green Chilies, mmm
I got 7 lil green chiles at the grocery store and washed them
Put them on a grill (can't remember what these thingies are called) on a cookie sheet
 Turn your oven on to Broil and the shelf to the top
Put your chilies in for about 2 min, then turn them w/ tongs about every 1 minute for about 10-12 total.  
Only 60% should be blackened
Promptly put them in a ziplock and let them steam for 15 min.
 Then the skins will loosen and peel them off, chop off the top.
You can freeze, refridgerate or eat then
I put mine in the fridge w/ the seeds in them so they'd be a little spicy but you can remove the seeds when you peel.

Then I put them on a plate w/ cheese on top and broil again till toasty.  Top w/ a spoon of greek yogurt & fat free sour cream mixed, mmmm.  Sooo yummy!  You can eat w/ chips if they are too spicy, healthy, YUM!

I also made these chocolates Katie brought to me, mmm, pecan chocolate clusters!  

4oz German chocolate( broken up)
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
2 lbs white almond bark( broken up)
3 cups pecans

Place all ingredients in crock-pot, put almond bark in first, German and then semi sweet; cook on high for 45 mins to one hour do not stir.
After one hour stir in pecan and put crock pot on low for 45 mins stirring every 15 mins. On wax paper, spoon out chocolate and let set. ( you have to watch it on the second half so it does not burn.) 

I should have taken a pic, they made like 56 spoonful size, watch out, it's HOT do drop on wax paper.  loosen wax paper w/ a spatula underneath. 

I had to do the TPI gifts and Primary teacher gifts... for Primary I found these cute short rolls of wrapping paper and did cute tags about being 'wrapped' in the love of our Savior.  CUTE.  For work, I did these cute boxes w/ homemade carmels by Blue Ribbon Carmels!




FUN!  I loved delivering them to clients! 




Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Good-bye Emery

SaD FaCe!!!
Em is moving to Florida to be w/ her fam.
This is happy but sad too.
Of course she wanted to do a photo shoot w/ Dix.  LOL.
Brunette Mommy is a VERY good Mommy!
Hers loves Dix soooo much. (said with face scrunched.  ha)





I love this that we are SO cheesy.  HA!

Em & I have loved the Nosh for YEARS!!!  It's 'our' spot!
(do you love my fabulously sick pants!  people hate!  ha ha)

Em's farwell party was like... 4 girls and 100 guys!  Whoot!

Emery, it's been lots of laughs, videos, pics, crys, Casey's & triumphs!

Emily wrote this SWEET blog post about her time in AZ and said such cute, sweet, nice things about be/us!  :)  I've only taken exerps, but It's goood!  :)  

My parents moved here in the summer of '04.  I was without a plan at that time, having just completed my Associate's Degree at Florida College in Temple Terrace, FL.  I did not want to stay in FL and had no idea where to finish my degree.  Finally, by default I found my way to Mesa, AZ in the loving arms of my parents.  I had no friends and felt a little discouraged by the dirt and lack of green.  

It was at Red Robin I met Chelsa Knight.  Chelsa and I had an instant connection.  The first time we ever hung out was on the road to San Diego.  She invited me to her friend's wedding and I said yes!  I had never been to San Diego.  I remember on that trip I had felt like we had been friends forever instead of just a week at work.  I do remember as I was giving her the directions in the passenger seat I kept saying to head toward La Jolla, and pronounced the L's every time.  I moved in with Chelsa in an apartment in Ahwatukee, AZ.  In this little corner of Phoenix I started to become more independent than I had ever been.  I painted my room light purple and had a zebra striped bed spread....what was I thinking??  My favorite memories were going to Bagel Nosh on 48th St. and Warner and talking for hours with Chelsa.  I am a bagel freak if you didn't know.  Chelsa is unlike any other spunky blond girl I have ever met.  She loves crafts and is amazing at them.  She makes quilts and jewelry and the list goes on.  I had no clue when moving in with her that she had such a huge storage supply of holiday decorations! No matter what holiday, V-day, St. Patty's Day, etc. our apartment was decorated.  She inspired me to wear giant earrings and actually caused me to want expensive purses...I will never forgive you for that Chels.  She inspired me to do new fun things with my makeup instead of the same ole same ole.  I had never spent 100 dollars at a makeup store until I went to MAC at Fashion Square with her.  She always had the best smelling perfumes and coolest hair accessories.  I have always prided myself on being fashionable, but she brightened my life with new ideas and new options.  She has added so much girly fun to my life.  She is a girl who can talk in every single accent possible.  I remember laughing till I cried when she would bust one out in public and it sounded so authentic.  She has a way of being the life of the party and always makes others laugh.  She does what shy people wouldn't dare to do.  She is the biggest flirt and good at it.  Chelsa, I will never forget your unique style and individuality....never!  Even if I live far away, you will be a part of me and I hope we can stay in touch although we are both terrible at it. 

I moved back in with Chelsa this time in Gilbert, AZ.  Although I fought her on this and begged her to move to Scottsdale, she was set on getting a place in Gilbert.  I actually learned to love Gilbert and met CH.  C-Horn you were so kind and attentive and just so good to me.  You have such a zest for learning and growing.  I am a huge fan of tattoos now, and roadside engineer construction workers!  I miss you Kid!  It was in Gilbert also that I fell in love a 3rd time, but this time with a chihuahua.  I never thought it was possible but I fell in love with a dog that resembled a squirrel.  Chelsa, Dixie, and I were a tight unit.  Blond mommy and Brunette mommy loved their little baby Dissie Gouhl!  She was the apple of our eye.  Luckily Blond mommy is such a good mommy and although it was hard to leave, I know Dixie is in good hands.

I feel it is time to move on.  My parents moved to FL and reunited with my 2 older brothers.  When I lived in FL years ago I was really close to my brothers and my sister in law.  I miss them.  Now Brian and his wife Devin have two adorable little boys.  I long to be a part of their lives.  I feel a little left out now that my whole family is in FL.  I am excited to create a new life for myself there.   I have to be strong and lean on God to guide me and make everything beautiful in His time. 


**end note, today I went to the Nosh and they were CLOSED!  outta biz since Em left**
*more sad face over no veggie nosh*

Monday, December 20, 2010

The belle of the ball

Patty's wedding was EXQUISITE!

look at her HaPpY HAPPY face!!

The Sands of looove, combining their lives...


Mr. &  Mrs. Venza
(what a great name right?  I've always had near fatal almost last names)

Laurine & Chris, Patty's coworkers and my Friends!  Thanks to Auntie's fun parties.
Patty is GORGEOUS!!!! 


Patty has SUCH good taste, her Dress was amazing!  The rectangle rhinestones were so different and beautiful!  Everyone was DECKED out, which was so fun!  Her black & white style... damask table toppers, gorgeous black sweetheart neck bridesmaides dresses made each bridesmaid VA-VA VOOM!  Beautiful girls!  :)  Delicious full buffet dinner, happy hour w/ appetizers while they took pics.  The DJ was SO fun and played a diverse array and EVERYONE danced!!!  I had a blast!  So did Patty & Brian, which I think MAKES the wedding much more memorable!  The party rocked till past midnight and WOW!  What a great EVENT.  Chris & I couldn't stop talking about it the next day!  
CLASSY

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Christmas City

The 1st weekend of December is the annual 
Prescott Christmas Parade!!!
 Prescott is like the Christmas city of something and it's basically a little square in the middle of town w/ shops around and the BEST PIZZA EVER!!! 
 Literally, we eat there every DAY we are in Prescott!  mmm.
Ashley, Olivia & I ventured up to the cold.  I was sad all the snow had melted but it was still chilly!

We met this guy while waiting for the parade to start.  He was SERIOUSLY 7' tall!  He was looking for someone to take his pic b/c he was IN the parade.  We asked what float he was on, he said he was JESUS.  At the end of the parade before Santa.  hmmm.  So, this was him...
JESUS, in a cloud or heaven or SoMeThInG... hands outstretched to Mary & Joseph, to delivery the babe...  isn't this the most WEIRD thing you've ever seen....We LAUGHED so hard!  Only his hands showed! 

Luckily Olivia's Dad has a cabin up IN the mountains!  It's so cozy and fun to watch movies.  In the summer we camped when all the nieces & nephews we sleeping in the attic/loft.  THIS cabin ROCKS!
The kitchen, where we saw a mouse run across the log and couldn't find him in the kitch.

The snuggle bed and bark-a-lounger, if you have good eye-site you can see the tv from here.

The family room.  This couch is adorable, I'm sure Anne apholstered it, it's TINY!  HA!  fit's like, 2.

This is the cabin!  There is an apt in the basement but we only like the cozy upstairs cabin!  

Good Times have been had here!  Can't wait till Bryn get's home to go again!
It's good to have a little Mountain break in this dessert Desert!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

AWKWARD

Why... when you go to the pharmacy... and you have to wait in line... does the line extend down the 'protection' aisle. ? Why ?  So you're standing there, waiting, bored, glancing around... and your eyes are AWKWARDLY assaulted with Trojans, KY jelly, pregnancy tests, magnums, glow in the dark & multi-colored Condoms... AWKWARD!  Always this aisle.   

Just look straight ahead, at the back of the person's head in front of you.  OR, text. 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Elf & Christmas Baking

I'm always the elf.
Why?
Because I'm single.
LOL!!!
My Mom has this ELF costume that she (tries to) makes me wear for our family Christmas party  - for my million cousins and their million +1 kids!  b/c I'm the only single one!  Entertaining the kidlets may be my specialty and now, I think Elfery is my other Christmas specialty.

For our ward party my friend Cara decorated in grand fashion, GORGEOUS white drapings from the ceiling w/ lights down the middle, a HUGE white 3 panel hutch that read, "Santa's Sweet Shop" with cupcakes, pies, jars of colorful candy and WOW! 

Whe asked me to help w/ the pics w/ Santa, 'entertain the kids and make them smile, I have an Elf hat for you!'.  hmmmm.  Yes - singing, moving, blinging bells, dancing hat.  Well, they smiled alright. 
 It WAS really fun :)

Friday night Patty invited me over to see what her and Amberlyn had BAKED... holy baking!  Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, oreo clusters, Sugar cookies that we decorated up, pie - mounds of BAKED GOODS, mmm!  They must have been baking for like 6 hours!  We gossiped and decorated cookies, FUN!

Saturday Glenda the Mean Witch of Gilbert made me get up at 5:30 AM!!!  What the?!!  
HIKING
Our Quest... was to see the sunrise and get around this ridge in 4 hours.  But whyyyyyy so early?!
There was serious rock climbing involved!  But...
 In the cave. 
It was... BEAUTIFUL!
Totally worth it!
SO fun!There is a cave up there!! Waaay up there!

Good times Lori, Stacy & Glenda!  :)  :)  :)
And it only took us like 4.5 hours.  Not to mention my knee was spazzming at the end going down the mountain, and my calves have burned for 2 days.  

Here is a preview of my Mom's Christmas card... hilarious photo shoot in front of Mar's house.  LOL.
Sunday, I had to make tags for our Primary teacher gifts AND do sharing time.  I was a mad-woman!  The second I sat down, I think I passed out.  However, it was WONDERFUL to hear the children singing Christmas songs - my little heart grew big! (like in the Grinch)

Suz called and asked if I would help her finish a Chrismas Craft.  mmm, but of course my dear!  We looove it!  I'm kinda having advent calendar envy :)So she came over w/ this cute advent calendar idea, each day magnetizes to a muffin tin and you put a treat behind it.  Man, the creative juices were FLOWIN!  My fav is the snowman  on #17.

It turned out crafty on steroids!   Katie, Suz and I watched 'The Holiday' and crafted.  It was a DrEaMy Sunday evening (with too many delicious chocolate treats they brought me!)!


Monday my cheffery friend Kirsten hosted Gingerbread house night!  She does this EVERY MONDAY in December!  Remember, she's kind-of a single Mom w/ 4 kids?!  yeah, she makes ALL the gingerbread and hosts 5 families (and one single gal).  This is my 2nd 'gingi' house ever!  

A lake of course, my favorite, where the marshmallow gingerbread lovers probably waterski in the summer.  3 Snowman friends, a flower garden, green apple licorice roof, gummy berries along the roofline, Santa peeking out from the back and my fav... NERDS for Christmas lights all along the roofline!  aah ha ha ha ha!!

I'm kinda proud!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Turkey Lurky

Oh what a FABULOUS Thanksgiving weekend!

So HAPPY my parents drove through a snowstorm to be with ME!  It's so nice to come home to them in my house!  They are so willing to take Dix out all the time and take her on little walks.  So cute!  My Dad is still... nervous someone will break into his car and steal his coats if he leaves them locked in the car.  duh!  This is AZ, no one wants your coats... they want your electronics, or guns or something.  Ha!  The parents moved all my furniture and rented a carpet cleaner and shampooed all my carpets!  Dreamy, SO clean!  Dix can't sniff any sort of hoo-haa to get up on.  THANKFUL for them!  I got to sleep on my couch all week and fall asleep watching tv, nice.  Good thing my couch is great!  Birthday dinner at Brio w/ Auntie & Dad for their TWIN Birthday, DELICIOUS!  We made our little Thanksgiving dinner and of course, ate on the porch - at high noon... so we all had to wear sunglasses. 

And later, Glenda & Chuck & Kirsten's fam came over for PIE!
Katie's fam invited us to Tucson to see artistic Indian (with a feather) delights,
the parentals loved it.
We even found this SWEET picture perfect spot...
look how awesome the pic I took is... symmetrical...

Look at what I get... door frame chopped off, uncentered, UGH!

Sunday lunch at my Aunt & Uncle's was HOTT!!!  Green hatch chili's w/ melted cheese & greek yogurt, yummy and smokin hot!  My face was red.
Then this hodge podge soup...
Amazing & SPICY!  (like me)  Dude!  ha.

Best of all, my Dad helped me clean and de-junk 5 HUGE garbage bags of clothes and decor from my room & garage!  We even got it out and donated it!  I feel SO free!  
Happy Day!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Spirit! Indeed.

I've found the CUTEST crafty Christmas ideas online!

Wrapped gifts... 

This cute frame, WITH a tutorial!


 Cute neighbor gift!  
I had licorice covered chocolate in NZ, yum!

This dreamy WREATH!  easy, cute (has a tutorial)

These DREAMY stockings!
which I probably won't get around to making

This polka dot garland I DID make...
In cute Christmasy colors, out of felt.  I like it.

And my favorite item I've purchased this year... 
That I just made Glenda buy, ha!

This square HEART ring w/  your personal quotes!
Morgan & I found at the Tempe Arts Festival in April.
Mine has this heart on one side, peace sign on the other, 
"Live Love Leap" on one & "Fear Less, Hope More" on the other!
Handmade in AZ, AWESOME!  
Click HERE to get one!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Freak!!! Christmas shopping is HARD!

So, I can't find my NEW camera plug that offloads pics, MAYDAY!!!
UGH!  I have good stories and am so bugged.  

However, my frustration this week is... my bro's Christmas gifts.  Ok, I don't have a man to buy for, I love my brothers a heap and I want to get them good stuff.... they are hard.  Stylish little suckers.  I decided on shoes, shoes for EVERYone!!!  I spent HOURS selecting the perf, stylish shoes.  HOURS!  Then, when I decided, I couldn't find them in their size!!! Blasted size 11 1/2 feet.  QUINN!  ugh. Here are my brilliant ideas...
for Quinn
For Austin
 For Holly
For me.  HA.  j/k  I love these! 

I'm open to suggestions, HELP!

And what about O Holly Knight... artsy or clothes or what?
She's particular too.  Me, I think I'm easy. 

I love THESE for Holly's windows!