all things considered (2009)

I made it my new years resolution to follow my new cookbook- All Cakes Considered, to make a new cake every week for all of 2010. But I am second guessing that one. Almost everyone I know has the resolution to eat less, meaning next to zero cake. So a whole cake every week just for Danny and I? Nah. We would end up wasting a lot of cake. So- I dunno, I am gonna have to think about this one a little longer.

I have a few other resolutions, but if I tell you, I won't do them. Even a little bit. See, I am kinda strange with stuff like that. When I decided to quit smoking, I didn't tell anybody until I had quit for over a week. And I quit cold turkey, and haven't smoked since. So see, it works for me to keep those goals a secret.

(I have been meaning to do this since the 31st (!!) but I have been a slave to my new Zelda game. Which I am frustrated with at the moment (I absolutely hate that train!) so I am working on this here post.

Here is a photo essay of 2009:

January: Ginseng Peppermint Tea to keep warm...

February: Wedding in Vegas- I wore a pencil skirt, heels and red lipstick. I was cold, my feet hurt, and red lipstick is really limiting. I realized that I had to limit my facial expressions, lest I have old lady/reporter lipstick teeth.

March: Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes. And it finally felt like spring!

April: 1 year Anniversary! I love my bearded fella!

May: Loo loo's Birthday with the Singing Homer Card.

June: Garlic Buttercream Plane Cake Fiasco, haven't made a cake since.

July: My Beautiful Sister Maloree and her baby kitten Iris, photographed on our super old, rusty, paint peeling, not-so-steady anymore swing set.

August: Danny's Birthday and Calvin's Funeral. This year, the birthday part will rival my own Amazing 30th Birthday Bash, I promise.

September: Painting (most of the walls), Moving (upstairs- gained a bedroom, lost a bathroom, gained a driveway and garage) & The Pie (for dinner, and lunch, and dinner again...)

October: Sandy Gauze...

& Beetleguise.

I loved making my ladybug costume, and working on Halloween with all the adorable kids and parents during the candy parade at Foothill Village. And Loo-loo got to hand out candy- it's her new favorite place to greet trick or treaters!

November: Olives on fingers, must be Thanksgiving! It was so much fun to have dinner with all the family in the new kitchen!

December: Best Birthday Ever, I love love love my new lens, Christmas with family, and Sleepy Cow takes a test run yawn on the new chair.

Happy New Year!

adventures in grocery shopping

I was brave (only cause I was a little scared) and went to the new Winco Foods today. With Albertsons gone, and my refusal to shop at Maceys or Reams for low prices, I decided to drive all the way out there (it really wasn't that far) to check it out. And I have to say that I was impressed.

Impressed by the prices, not the store itself.

If you ever went to Food 4 Less back in the day, then you will have deja vu when you walk into Winco. I found most of what I usually buy on my 2 week food trip, so that was nice. I always have to go to multiple stores though. But that is mostly because I am picky, and not because the store's selection sucks. (example: I only like King's Basmati Rice. And the only place to get it is at Smith's Marketplace. Silly, silly me.)

A few things to take note of if you choose to try them out- They take debit cards and cash only. (I think I heard the guy behind me being mad when the cashier told him no checks. But I may of heard wrong.) You have to bag your own stuff, which is fine, but next time I will organize my cart better so that I can bag quicker. I love my reuseable bags even more now that I have to do it myself! And if you are looking for a very lame and kinda ugly pinata, they are in the soda aisle.

Here are a few things that I always buy every time I go grocery shopping, and the price differences between stores.

• Coconut Milk: Dans $2.49, Harmons $3.19, Winco $1.98

• Eggs: Target $2.89/dz large Eggland's Best, Winco $1.89/dz large Oakdell's organic vegetarian fed (when I used to only buy this kind before I was trying to save money, they were usually over $3! This one really surprised me. Yea! We get organic eggs again!

• Philly Cream Cheese: Albertsons $2.49, Winco $1.48

They did not have: Horizon brand organic milk, Land o' Lakes butter, One A Day Prenatal's (yes I am taking them, no luck yet)

Their bulk section is amazing. I haven't seen a bulk section like that since Wild Oats first opened. (in Utah) I used to buy a lot in bulk when I was vegan, and only cooked for myself. So if you are baking something wholesome, no need to buy a huge bag of whole wheat flour, you can just buy it buy the cup. But they also had pastry and cake flour too. Oh, and fructose. So if you want to use something better for you than sugar, try that. (I think it's better for you, anyway.)

They have a huge spice bulk section- I am so refilling my bottles from now on! Of course they didn't have everything (like smoked paprika) but they have all the basics.

And, they have a TON of candy in bulk! Remember the Candy Barrell? Not as nice, but they had quite a few things that I haven't seen in bulk since forever. They even have cheetos rip offs in bulk. Gross.

I usually go to Dans & Target for most of my list, and I go to Costco once every 2 months or so.

I like buying ground beef at Target because they come in completely sealed, 1lb packages. So easy to freeze and defrost with no bloody gross juice to deal with. I also like to buy my shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, soap etc, and prenatal vitamins at Target. At Albertsons, Dans, and Smith's Marketplace, One A Day Prenatals are around $19.99. At Target, they are $14.99, and thier Up & up brand that has exactly the same ingredients is $10.99.

I like Dan's produce the best. And the sheer convenience of working right next to it. And they have Horizon organic half & half and heavy whipping cream. Organic dairy products taste better to me and they have a longer shelf life.

So I will still be shopping at 3 different grocery stores for my bi weekly list, but I really do think we will save some cash shopping for most of it at Winco. Now I totally understand why Albertson's fled the state, and why Associated Food Stores are shaking in thier boots. I am a little sad to not be supporting a local business, but for those prices? Even if I have to drive kinda far, saving that much cash is worth it.

christmas goodies

We had an amazing Christmas this year! Here are some highlights...

Our tree, with mostly new ornaments, and all of my ornaments from my childhood.

I made the skirt, I think it needs some improvements- for next year at least.

Our cute presents under the tree.

On Christmas Eve, we went to Danny's grandma's for dinner, stories, and our annual ornament exchange.

Story time.

Amber played a violin solo, and the other kids played piano solos.

The ornament exchange. I finally got a good one this year! And I had #2- I just hid mine under my chair so nobody would steal it.

After dessert, (my famous gingerbread men and christmas tree cookies) we went to Danny's dad's house and had our present exchange. The girls (his sisters) loved the kitty pillows that I made for them, and Danny loved the HUGE jar of pistachios that he got!

Then we went home, and Danny opened his gifts from me. They were all boring- just clothes and socks, except for this one...

Space Invaders ice cube tray. It's pretty awesome.

After waking up very late, we went to my parents for Christmas brunch and of course, more presents! (I don't have any pics of us, my dad took them with his camera so I don't have copies quite yet)

But I do have this one of Loo-loo in her apron. I made her hold a gingerbread cookie and it was her idea to add the rolling pin- isn't she adorable!

Here are a few of the gifts that I got...

The new Zelda game for the DS (Actually, I got this one from the New Years Eve Panda*)

This really cool frosting decorating set...

..and these awesome cake decorating tools.

A Gorilla Pod for my camera...

...and this is what it does! It looks really strange, but it is so freakin cool!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday season! And I do believe 2010 will be a great year!

*the new year's panda is an idea from the book Be Prepared. It's for parents or spouses or whomever that can't quite get all the presents that they needed for their loved ones by Christmas. They can go to the after christmas sales or just go shopping with a chance to not wait in crazy lines or have the possibility of being trampled while shopping for the perfect gift. So if your kid wants that certain unattainable toy that is going for hundreds of dollars over retail on ebay, you can tell them on Christmas morning to their cute little disappointed faces that the New Year's panda will bring it to them instead.

And that is how I got the new Zelda game. Danny went to Best Buy today and picked it up for me. No lines, no craziness. He also got gifts for his sisters today. Better late than never, right?

thirty years and counting

So today, I am officially 30.

When I was young, I always thought that by the time I was 20, I would be "grown up".

Then I turned 20, and didn't act or feel "grown up" at all.

I lied to my family about everything.

I dated and befriended evil, manipulative, and opportunistic thugs.

I went to rehab.

I lost all my "friends".

I had to claim bankruptcy.

I lost my house.

Then I turned 25. Back then, I was grateful I even made it to 25. And 30 seemed so far away.

I have been sober for almost 5 years.

I treat my cats like they are people. Like they are my children.

I have perfected sugar cookies, cupcakes, and cheesecake.

I am married to my soul mate.

My parents and my siblings are now my best friends.

I have never been happier in my life...

Do I feel "grown up"?

No.

Do I look "grown up"?

Not sure. I hope not too much.

But if this is what "grown up" feels and looks like...

Then yes, I am.

Finally.

happy birthday to me!

I had a Birthday party earlier this evening. And I do have to say, that it was the best birthday I have ever had. In my life.

I was dreading 30. Not nearly as much as 29 though. Why? Seriously, I don't even know. As I have gotten older, my life and my happiness has gotten greater. Every year that I get older, I get happier. So whats to dread? Nothing, apparently.

It started when I got home. I came in through the side door, and Danny came running and said "No! you have to come in the front door!" I said "No, it's to cold outside. I'll close my eyes ok? Lead me." I pretended to come in the front door, and when I took my gloved hands away from my eyes, this is what I saw...

Hello Kitty and twirly "30" decorations hung from the ceiling, everywhere. I almost cried. See, I had this small, little wish that my house would be decorated for the party. I am turning 30, damn it! I wanted a party. And there are always decorations at a party! Anyway, my husband heard my heart's secret wish. And it filled me with joy.

And for my Birthday Cake...(drum roll please) Cheesecake Factory's 30th Anniversary Chocolate cake & Cheesecake cake. Layers of cheesecake in between layers of chocolate cake. The best cheesecake I have ever had that I haven't made myself. And it was their 30th anniversary special edition- for my 30th birthday! Perfect!

Here is a little video of me and the Loo-loo opening presents...

(I have no idea why I am looking up and not at the camera.)

The stash: an automatic car starter and key less entry (yes! yes! yes! no more cold car!) a UV filter for my new lens, some lip gloss pots that are shaped like adorable little cupcakes, my new lens of course, a cupcake cookbook, 2 more cupcake ornaments, some money, and the cutest cupcake pillow- did you see it? Oh I love it!!!

Lindsay begged to play with photo booth for a bit...

(I can't stop laughing when I look at this one!)

(doesn't my brother look like Mr. T?)

And to end the night just right, we got a new chair & ottoman...

Loo-loo had to try it out first.

And then my adorable husband.

And then Matilda...

And then the littlest cow...

And finally, me. I am blogging from my new chair, in my house full of party decorations, cheesecake, Dr. Pepper, and cat hair.

I love my life. I am so lucky...in so many ways...

Best Birthday Ever.

(they really do!)

i love lazy snowy sundays

Well, only the lazy sunday part. The snowy part sucks, but it does give me an excuse to not leave the house.

Last night, Danny and I (well, mostly Danny) set up the tree. We got a 6 ft tree this year. He gave the trunk a fresh cut, and cut off the bottom branches so it would fit into the stand. In the past, we have only gotten small trees- I didn't expect so many freaking needles to fall off- and trail through the house!

So today I got up and cleaned up most of the little messes around the house, so that I could have the rest of the day to decorate the tree and most importantly, be lazy!

I got all new ornaments this year for the new big tree that's going in the new big living room with the huge window to put new big tree in front of, so new ornaments were a must!

As we were decorating, we were not watching Food Network Challenge: Edible Ornaments. 2 normal people and 2 crazy people were in a tree decorating contest. It was stupid- but it made our tree look really, really good!

(I tried to take photos, but I don't have enough light in my living room- I will try during the day- cause I am SO excited for you to see my tree! And so that I have proof that i'm not always a grinch.)

Oh, and I made some amazing dinner- Think Massaman Curry...I got the recipe from my friend Kim. Find it here.

california comes to utah

Last Sunday after going to Ikea, borrowing a truck and picking out a Christmas tree...

Heaven?

(If Heaven only requires a 30 minute wait in the drive thru and $12, I'm totally in.)

(more please!)

meow ow ahhhow meow (happy holidays)

"If we don't get a cat house like this for Christmas, you will be DOOMED!"

(Matilda)

"Mey llamo!!!!"

"Chut up!"

(Kobe)

"Mommy got a new lens for her Birthday/Christmas, can't you tell?"

(hey, at least I'm not dressing them in dolls clothes like I did when I was little.)

Speaking of, I need to find those photos!

And of course, thanks so much to Danny for buying me such an extravagant gift! Best Birthday/Christmas ever! How ever are you going to top yourself next year? (can't wait!...)

buffy vs dracula

Have I ever told you about my favorite show? Buffy the Vampire Slayer? (BTVS to all the hardcore fans)

I LOVE IT!!!!

(season 2)

And I have been watching it again recently. I have all 7 seasons on DVD. So I started with season 1 (fashion is terrible, story lines are weak, but the writing and character development make it all worth watching- again and again.) Season 2 is all right, Season 3 has some good episodes and the characters get better, but I absolutely hate Faith.)

(season 5, I love that Joss is in the photo)

And Season 4, my personal favorite. We just finished it a few days ago. Buffy and the Scooby Gang are in college, and their characters are perfectly formed, in my opinion. So many hilarious moments, I don't think I will ever get sick of them. Joss Whedon, the creator and his writing team are amazingly hilarious.

Seriously, a show about a girl named Buffy and vampires? S-T-U-P-I-D! (that is what I thought for the longest time. I refused to watch it. My best friend watched it, and I would leave the room. Then I moved into my own apartment, and until I could afford cable, the only channel I got was FX. And they had mini Buffy marathons on daily. So I got into it. And realised just how amazing it was.)

I Netflixed it, and got through Season 5 in record time. (Season 6 wasn't out yet, and Season 7 was almost over.) When they all finally came out on DVD, I asked for the whole set for Christmas one year. And that is all I got. SO worth it!

I really like Season 6 too- but Danny hates it. Hated it so much, that the first time we watched it together, he wouldn't finish the season. And so he never even saw Season 7, which I have only seen once, and didn't really like it. So we will see how I like it this time around.

If you want a good taste of Buffy to see if you will maybe like it, I recommend these episodes:

Nightmares (season 1)

When She was Bad (season 2)

Band Candy (season 3)

Something Blue (season 4)

Hush (season 4)

Restless (season 4)

Buffy vs Dracula (season 5)

Once More, With Feeling (season 6)

Tabula Rasa (season 6)

Storyteller (season 7)

Yeah, I know. That is a bit more than a few. What can I say? I think everyone should watch this show. It makes me laugh, making me not focus so much on the dire in my life. Dire? Do I really have dire? No. That is just me being dramatic of course.

(I could only find clips on the first two. Sorry!)

And, I love how freakish some of the hardcore fans are! They constantly make their own Buffy Concept Art (see below)

Seriously? Buffy never had a sword like that. (geek alert) And Angel & Spike on a rocky island behind her, with swords of their own? WTF!? HA! I love it! So entertaining! (click on this photo just to see just how bad the details are. You'll laugh too!)

I just had to add this photo. It's one of my favorites. Spike and Giles, the 2 english blokes having tea. Well, blood for the vampire and tea for the watcher. Perfect.

red handed!

Do you know what I think is hilarious? And kinda pathetic. And I can only think it's hilarious and pathetic because I am guilty of it too.

See, everyone has people that they don't like, usually they are people that we have had a history with. Glad to not have to see or interact with them ever again, yet...

I blog stalk them. Just to see what they are up to. Just to make sure of...what exactly? I'm not sure. But I do it, and I really didn't expect that they were doing it too. Until today, when I was blog stalking, and I decided to look at what blogs she reads to see if there was anything good that I might want to read, and I saw that this particular blogger has links to my Recipe Blog and my Rag-a-muffin blog!

I was taken aback- we hate each other, right? So why am I reading her blog and why does she read mine? So of course I just had to laugh-there I was, spying on my so called enemy, and she follows 2 of my blogs. In that moment, and now as I type, I have been humbled.

When I first started my blog, I really felt like I was in a bubble. That nobody could see or read my blog unless I told them about it. Unless I invited them.

But I chose for my blog to be public. Because I want to share with whoever wants to read.

Even if it's my arch nemesis doing the reading.

Kinda flattering too, I suppose. And underneath my stubbornness, I have to admit that I am way too dramatic for my own good. Arch nemesis is a really juvenile name to call her. And quite honestly, looking back on all the really horrible people I have had friendships with in my life, she actually doesn't rate evil enough to be my Arch Nemesis. She never hurt me like some nameless jerks have, our personalities just clashed. So that leaves me with only one thing to say...

"I'm sorry I was so mean to you. But you were kinda mean to me too, you know. And I do believe that we can co-exist in the blogging world. Let us continue blog stalking each other. It's kinda fun, don't cha think?"