A Little Bit of Spring

So, when it looks like this outside...what should you do? Decorate your fireplace mantel with something light and colorful, to try and bring some Spring into the house, because it most definitely does not exist out doors. That's exactly what I did a couple weeks ago during a crazy snowstorm.

Now, I know it's not much, but this is the beginnings of my Spring/Summer mantel. And I LOVE it. 

 I scored this cute little ceramic thing at Hobby Lobby for 88 cents. Yeah, it was on 90% clearance because it has a slight chip on top which you can't even see unless you're looking for it. Awesome.

 And these little birds are my new friends. I love the colors. Lately, I've been really drawn to cute bird decorations and I just can't help myself!

 Ahhhh, so refreshing. I'm really starting to focus on this front sitting room in our home. I have a chair in there that I'm planning on reupholstering/painting in the next week or so. And I also have plans to paint the hutch that is sitting in there also. I'm so happy for Spring and warmer weather that I can enjoy, whether it be by doing house projects, working in the yard, or exercising. Hope you're all enjoying it too!

Laundry Room Remodel

 I figured it was high time to show you our updated laundry room! We hadn't planned to do some work on it for a few years, but it seemed like a perfect time when we were getting our "ancient" hot water heater replaced. Michael planned everything perfectly so that the hot water heater would be removed on Friday, and we could spend the weekend re-doing the floor and painting before the new hot water heater would be installed on Monday. It was an incredibly busy weekend, but well worth it because it's so nice to now do laundry in there!

 Say goodbye to yucky old hot water heater that was made in 1992. I was so glad to get rid of that icky brown/beige color combo.

We also bid farewell to linoleum which was original to the 1976 home. It was a beast to rip out, then we spent hours scraping the old glue off the cement. I'm so glad that is over with!

 You can't really tell from these pictures, but there used to be huge shelves that partly covered the window and that we ripped out, knowing full well we would never put them back in. They just made the room feel incredibly small and cramped. There were also really cheaply made shelves on the other wall above the washer and dryer, which we also ripped out. 

You can see our new windows that were installed around the same time. We decided we like the laundry room without blinds, considering it's in the basement and we need the extra light more than privacy.

We have plans to build wooden pedestals to put the washer/dryer on, and which will be a place to house laundry baskets. Also, we want to build a nice shelf above the washer and dryer for random detergent/cleaning storage. Add some baseboards plus a new light fixture, and we're golden. I know that the laundry room isn't completely finished, but I figured the huge transformation warranted a post, or else who knows when I would have posted about it?!?

 

 New hot water heater that works incredibly well and isn't filled with pounds and pounds of compacted sediment. I can now resume my ritual of taking a nice hot bath on Saturday nights. Yay!

 I LOVE black and white checkered tile floors and have been dreaming of a laundry room with them for years. Now my dream has come true!

Concert Bucket List

So, I have this "Concert Bucket List" that I've never written down, but I've kept a tally in my head for years, just hoping to catch certain performers whenever I can before I (or they) die. I'm sure you're not surprised that I would have such a list, because, let's face it...music makes my world go 'round. 

A few weeks ago, I was able to cross off another one of those concerts on my list. It was seriously a dream come true. I went with my mother and one of her friends to see George Strait on his "Cowboy Rides Away" tour in downtown Salt Lake City. Not only did I get to cross off George on my list, but it was a super bonus that Martina McBride, another amazing country singer opened for him!

 She was beautiful and sounded wonderful as she always has.

But I have to give you some history involving me and George Strait before I show you more pictures. So, growing up in Louisiana, makes me a country girl. I lived in the country and in a decently small town for most of my growing up years, so that basically makes me a country music lover by association. You really can't avoid it when living in the South. To this day, I want to listen to country music whenever the sun starts shining and it warms up a bit in Utah, because that genre of music is what I associate warm weather and sunshine with. 

If you don't know, George Strait made this movie called "Pure Country" back in the 90s. It's cute, clean, and filled with LOTS of good music. I grew up watching this movie. Well, the first time I ever watched it was when I was young little girl (about 5, I think). There is this one scene where George is scraggly, unshaven, and has a long ponytail...then he sees an old fashioned barber shop and goes in. Cut to next scene: George walks out, clean shaven and with a short hair cut. Apparently, it was at this moment that I leaned in really closely to the TV, turned around to my mother, and said, "Mamma...he's pretty!" 

Enter my lifelong love for George Strait. Not just looks, but music, mind you.

 I am happy to say that I was able to see George on what he announced to be his farewell tour. I knew this would be my only opportunity to catch him in concert, so when I found out about the tour coming here to Utah, I requested a ticket from my mother for my birthday present. We sat in nosebleeds, but I didn't care!

I am also pleased to announce that his voice was just as clear and true as it sounds on the radio now, and over 30 years ago when he was just starting out. The man is an amazing performer, and to have a gift like he does, that lasts for as long as it has, is something to note. Good clean living really makes a difference!

 It made me miss the South to see all these cowboys in the arena and in downtown SLC. Only for a George Strait concert would something like that occur and was it a sight to behold!

Here's him singing "Amarillo By Morning" which I cried pretty much throughout the entire song.  Please excuse the poor quality, I was using our little point and shoot to take video. And it takes about 18 seconds before he starts singing.

George sang other classics like "All My Exes Live In Texas", "Heartland", "King of Broken Hearts", "Where The Sidewalk Ends", "Ocean Front Property", "Check Yes Or No"...and many more. He has 50 number ones to choose from, so every single song was a winner. There was even some Johnny Cash and Roger Miller thrown in there for fun. 

So, with that being said, I leave you with my bucket list (which changes almost everyday) in hopes that it will motivate me even more to cross certain performers off by attending concerts. It really is so fun to see someone perform live. The thrill and rush leaves me on a high for several days after!

1. Paul McCartney - check
2. George Strait - check
3. Sting
4. Elton John
5. Michael Jackson - died before being able to accomplish
6. Joshua Bell - check
7. Josh Groban - check (although, I don't really love his music anymore)
8. Dave Matthews Band
9. Jamie Cullum
10. Harry Connick, Jr.
11. William Joseph - check
12. Michael Buble
13. The Hush Sound
14. Jason Mraz
15. Josh Turner
16. Alan Jackson
17. U2
18. Matchbox Twenty
19. Emmanuel Moire

Instagramming Food

I figured since I've been making quite a few yummy things lately and haven't taken the time to do proper blog posts about them, that to remedy the situation, I'd just use my instagram photos and link you to the sources for my awesome culinary creations.

And you're supposed to pronounce that "Keew-lin-ehry Kree-ay-shuns". But roll your "r"s. It makes it sound super cool.

 Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

A new take on my Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies. These were made for a neighborhood Christmas Cookie Exchange. Oh what a night that was!

 Crème Brûlée

Simple and easy recipe from Allrecipes. Just make sure to follow the "most helpful review" written by a professional pastry chef. This recipe made me giddy like a little kid. I can now say that I own a blow torch and I know how to use it. :)

Open-Faced Garlicky Shrimp Avocado Sandwiches

Bless you annieseats. That woman knows how to make tasty food that is also incredibly beautiful. 

Spiced Pumpkin Scones

A knock-off of Starbucks. I've made these twice already. And they are gone by the end of the evening. They are THAT good. Definitely inspires me to try my hand at making a bunch of different types of scones in the future.

Resolutions

Well, 2012, as you all know has been quite the year for me and Michael. We've accomplished many things and feel so blessed to have done so. But, it's on to 2013 and thinking about what this year will hold. As usual, I've made a list of things I would like to focus on for this year, and I'd like to share some of those with you today. As they always say, writing things down makes them all the more real (and helps to add responsibility into the mix).

(Remembering 2012 and moving into 2013)

Love more, judge less

This is a joint goal for me and the Mr. We have found ourselves getting caught up in others' lives and finding ways to judge them when we feel like we would make better decisions in their shoes (crazy, I know, but it's SO easy to do). Totally not who we want to be or become. We want to focus more on loving, forgiving, and supporting those we love and care about without all the extra baggage.

Get back into exercise routine

Cliche', I know, but it's true. We've both gotten out of the exercise habit and it's not pretty. I miss the adrenaline and endorphin rush, and feeling stronger. I miss running...a lot. Shame that it's so cold and bad air quality here in the winter, so outside is not an option. But, we're going to start exercising again, anyway that we can. I see training for some races in my future.

Observe the Sabbath day more fully

I always remember going to friend's homes on Sunday and the homes that I loved spending the most time in, were the ones where the family really made a special effort to make Sundays different. I want to wake up early enough so I can turn on some spiritual music (MoTab is a must) and truly prepare myself for church services (at 9 am this year!). Then, I want to focus on reading spiritual books, the scriptures, and conference talks to bring my focus more on the Saviour. 

Read more, watch TV/surf Internet less

I find myself wasting too much time on the internet and Netflix, and not enough time reading. I LOVE reading and good books, and it's a shame that I let facebook and other media outlets get in the way. I've already started re-reading one of my favorite books, so I'm off to a good start. I still want to budget time for important things like blogging (which I'm determined to get back into, seeing as it's our family journal of sorts). Just more of the good, and less of the not so good. 

Step more out of my comfort zone

The video below was my short 5-minute inspiration for this goal. I've started to feel, as I've been out of school and my life is not measured in semesters anymore, that I need to find new ways to motivate and educate myself. In ways, I miss the school schedule and the prospects that a new semester would bring. So, I'm resigned to dream big and do new things that maybe I had never thought of before. Keep learning, try my hand at something that maybe I've always wanted, but have never had the courage to try. In music, in work, in family, in cooking, in home, in friends, in marriage.

My favorite quote from the video: 

"If you want something you don't already have, you have to do something you haven't already done."

The basic goal for 2013:

Focus on what is MOST important. 

Find balance in life. 

More of the best, instead of just settling for what is good (and comfortable).

{DIY} Homemade Baby Onesies

Some dear friends of ours recently announced that they are pregnant with their first child. And we are so excited for them! This blessing couldn't come to two better people, in our minds. They actually live all the way on the other side of the country from us, so we don't get to see them too often. But, we were lucky that they have family who live here in Utah, and they came to visit for Christmas and New Year's!

We decided that the perfect Christmas present for them would be to decorate baby onesies! Well, truthfully, we really just wanted to get them a cute USU Aggie outfit for the wee babe to come, but they were astronomically expensive and we knew we could do better. So, we bought a 5 pack of onesies, some fabric paint, and created our own stencils from pictures on the internet, and voila...cuteness was created! 

I think we spent about $10 overall. Which is NOT bad, considering some websites wanted to charge us almost $20 for a measly onesie with a teeny embroidered "A" on the front!

We really had so much fun making these. It's too early to know the gender of the baby, so we tried to stay as neutral as possible in our designs. And let's face it, slap anything on a onesie, and it's cute. I was just gushing the entire time painting these. You can ask Michael, I kept saying, "Awww" and squealing. I couldn't help myself. :)

And a closeup of the designs. 

My Favorite: I Heart Snuggles

Michael's Favorite: The Aggie "A"

Our Friend's Favorites: The Aggie "A" and Boston Red Sox

Needless to say, they are big Red Sox fans, and just about died when they unraveled that last one. It was the most detailed and difficult one to make, but totally worth it for the reaction we received! I foresee making many of these in the future for friends and for our future little ones. And no announcement here, we're not expecting. Just dreaming of the future. ;)

Christmas 2012

 Photo unload about to happen. We had a very nice Christmas filled with 25 Days of Awesome-ness for Michael and myself to enjoy. Time was also spent with dear friends and family in the celebration. There was lots of hot chocolate, eggnog in sugar-encrusted glasses, cookie decorating, seeing reindeer and ice sculptures at Thanksgiving Point, admiring the pretty lights and decorations around us, and, of course, window shopping at City Creek, with a stroll through Temple Square. 

Loved seeing Michael and Natalie Rougeau when they came for a visit. Although, wish we could've spent more time with them. I foresee some strictly sibling fun in the years to come, because once a year is just not enough! They are cute and perfect for each other. It makes me happy to see them happy when I am also so happily matched myself (paraphrase from Jane Austen's Emma)!

 Model walk.

 I think it was safe to say that Nat, that Southern girl, was a bit cold here in Utah. :)

 Our beautiful Christmas tree. Not real this year, but hopefully next year will turn out. We do not need a repeat of the ugly tree excursion of 2012. Gives me the willies just thinking about it. ;)

 Keeping France always close to our hearts.

Made a bunch of these ornaments for my family members and myself. Different colors and seashells to reflect each family. They are a bit of Florida, back in Utah. Still need to put a picture in ours!