Popcorn Balls

This weekend has been fun! On Friday night, I made dinner with friends and caught up on our favorite shows we had missed throughout the week. We also watched the new show Grimm.

I am pretty sure it will be tradition for Mindy, Amanda, and I to all watch it together on Friday nights because there is NO way any of us would watch that alone! Super scary! I thought it was really good though... perfect for a Halloween weekend!

On Saturday I did one of my most favorite things... cook with my Mom! We carried on tradition and made my Gram's popcorn balls for Halloween. They are so yummy and one of my favorite fall treats. I think they beat any old Halloween candy.

We also went to my Aunt Sandy's house for a fun Halloween party with Katelynn and Jake. There were all sorts of creepy food and cute costumes.

Today has been a day of homework, housework, and cooking. I am studying for my big Praxis II exam coming up in less than 2 weeks. Yikes! I am really nervous. I also have some Italian chicken bubbling in my crock pot. Thanks, Savanna for the recipe! It sure smells good!

I also had a wonderful 25th birthday. Thanks to my friends and family for making it so much fun! Justin got me these super cute boots that I am in love with...

I hope everyone has a happy Halloween tomorrow! Hunker down, Thanksgiving is right around the corner!

Viva Las Vegas!

In celebration of my 25th birthday, a couple of friends and I went to Las Vegas for a girl's weekend. I had so much stinkin fun! We did Vegas up right with blackjack, slots, no sleep, Fremont Street, shopping, shows, and the Strip. OK, first of all... the people in Vegas are absolutely one of a kind (ha, no pun intended). I love people watching in Vegas. People just never cease to amaze me. Here is one guy I saw who was awesome!

We left Thursday night and got to the Luxor at about 8pm. We checked in, ate, and wandered the hotel, then went over to the Excalibur. The next day we shopped until we almost dropped, walked a TON around the strip, and went to see the Jabbawockeez. They were nothing short of amazing. Their dancing and comedy was spectacular and I had a TON of fun... minus the drunk lady next to me that was making weird hand gestures all night to the music. Whatever!

Saturday was the M&M store, the Coke store, Fashion Show Mall, the Wynn buffet, and Fremont Street. I got some fun souveniers at the Coke store, Mindy bought some cute Halloween M&Ms. I spent most of my time at the Fashion Show mall at Forever 21. That store was completely overwhelming. I have never seen so many clothes in one store for women in my life. And they have 132 dressing rooms. Crazy! Then we ate at the Wynn which is spendy but pretty much the BEST FOOD EVER.

 Halloween M&M's

 Fountains at the Bellagio

 Me being a goof and making the same pose as the cowboy...

The last night was Fremont Street. Mindy turned me into a blackjack queen! We played at a table in Fitzgerald's until about 2 in the morning. I love Fremont Street because the tables don't require big bets and you can play on just a little money for a long time. We played until about 2am and then had to drag our tired butts back to the hotel to pack and catch an airport shuttle at 5am. No sleep for us!

Haha, there I am rocking my giant McDonald's Diet Coke next to the cocktails at the Blackjack table.

Fremont Street was full of people in costumes for Halloween, scary bands, freaks, and an awesome light show. I had a great time in downtown. I almost think it is more fun at night than the Strip.

I had a TON of fun and can't wait to go back to Vegas again! Maybe next year!

Nice Week

I have had a really nice week. It is fall time and beautiful outside, I have had a short break from school, and I also have spent lots of fun time with friends and family. Yesterday my brother and sister in law were in town to visit. Justin's parents had dinner and then a little birthday celebration for my brother in law, Erik, and I. Oh, here's an interesting factoid for you... my sister in law, Emily's birthday is on the 23rd, mine is on the 25th, and Erik's is on the 26th of October. Fun! Anyway, we had lots of fun playing Nerts and Mario Kart and catching up. 

My cousin, Darcy, had a purse party with family and friends last night. I just love my family. They are hilarious! 

On Friday, my friends Savanna, Mindy and I went to this "What Today's Women Want" expo at the Shilo. I love looking at crafts and jewelry. They had so many cool things there! Savanna got these nail stickers in a chevron print that were pretty much the cutest thing ever. They are this new thing called Jamberry and they have a ton of cute designs. Speaking of nail designs, I am working on a new blog post with all my nail designs I have painted over the last few months. Stay tuned!

My friend Jessi called me on Thursday to chat. She moved to Spokane a little while ago and I sure do miss her! She broke the news that my other BFF Lizzie got engaged that night!  So of course, I immediately called Lizzie. Lizzie answered the phone casually and I said congratulations. Then I said, "Wait, am I interrupting a date or anything?" She replied, "No. We are just watching Cops." Ha! What a thing to do on the night of your engagement! I am so excited for her and Clayton. I have known both of them for a long time and they are absolutely perfect for each other. I am so honored and humbled she has asked me to be her Maid of Honor and that I will be able to share a part in their big day. Cheers!

On top of all those fun things, we also took the time to snap a few pictures this weekend in the fall leaves. 

I love weekends! 

Birth Month!

Huzzah! It is finally my favorite month... October! I share my birth month with my Mom, whose birthday is coming up on Tuesday. We celebrated this last weekend with ice cream, brownies, presents, and my wonderful and fun family. My dad and I got my mom a Kindle and I don't know if I have ever seen her so excited about anything! She is loving it and now I want one too! On a funny side note, my grandma has no idea what a kindle is and could not figure out why she was so excited to get a candle.
Anyway, my my 2-5 is coming up next. I am ringing in the quarter century by going on a quick Vegas trip with some friends. I love the people, shopping, buffets, and sightseeing - can't wait!
To my friends and family... here are some gift ideas (I know it seems ridiculous to make a list but everyone always asks me, so here you go!):

1. Kindle Fire
2. Riding Boots
3. Sweater Dress
4. Scarf
5. Tom's Shoes (size 8)
6. Cash or Gift Cards - I always love getting this, then I can buy whatever I want! FYI, my favorite places are Sephora, Amazon, Old Navy, and Maurice's
7. Argyle Knee Highs (to go with my riding boots if I get them : )

I love, love, love Fall! One of the many reasons I love Fall is because some of my favorite fruits and vegetables are in harvest: peaches and zucchini. I have really turned into Suzy Homemaker lately. This last weekend I tried my hand at freezer jam. It was so easy! I made three batches: peach, strawberry, and peach strawberry. They are all yummy but peach strawberry was the favorite. I made a low sugar variety but it was still plenty sweet. Here is the recipe:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/peach_jam.html

I also made refrigerator pickles. That was easy, too! In 4 days I will have yummy bread and butter pickles. Refrigerator pickles and freezer jam... where have you been all my life?!

Has everyone heard of pinterest.com? If not, you should get on it! This website is consuming my life and I think it is responsible for my domestic mood lately. There are so many great ideas for the home, fashion, crafting, you name it. I also love that I can follow friends kind of like facebook, but better!

Finally an Update!

Wow! It has been a really long time since I updated my blog. I guess that goes to show just how busy my summer was! I haven’t had a break from school since I last posted and I have had crazy events back to back to back to plan at work. But Hallelujah! I survived and now Autumn is on its way! This time of year is my absolute favorite. It just feels so new and exciting! Its back to school time, plus tons of cute clothes in beautiful colors are on the racks at my favorite stores. And let’s not forget the Fair! I spent a good share of my 4 day weekend in Blackfoot with family and friends going to the Fair to eat yummy food and see the sights. Here are some of my favorite things about the good ol’ Fair:

• Seeing people I know
• Looking at the photography, quilts, and cakes
• Eating scone nuggets, ice cream cones, pronto pups, hamburgers piled with onions, and drinking frozen lemonade
• Trying to find Kenny Rogers with Jessi Weaver (HA!)

Maybe it is just the Blackfoot in me… but I do LOVE the Fair : )

I enjoyed the summer blockbusters! I went to a lot of movies over the summer. Here were my favorites:

Here are a couple of photos from my summer fun. We went to Vegas for a much needed vacay, camped in Island Park, and had lots fun with family and friends.

Good Advice

This week was Audrey Hepburn's birthday. I thought this advice I read from her was really profound:

“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives and the passion that she shows.

The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years."

Happy Mother's Day everyone!!

Some Things I've Learned...

It has been a rough week. But I feel like I have learned a lot about myself... here are some things I have been pondering...

1. We have to take the good with the bad in life and roll with it… and try to focus on the good and not dwell on the bad.
2. Patience is something I don’t have and am working on.
3. Do not compare yourself to any other person… ever.
4. Harry Potter, Jack Bauer, Sex and the City, and caramel popcorn make me feel better… weird combination, but true.
5. John Mayer’s “The Heart of Life” and “Stop This Train” are amazing and incredibly relatable for me.
6. I am looking forward to a much needed vacation.
7. My husband is absolutely amazing. He makes up for my lack of patience and has so much love for me. He also loves my parents, which really touches my heart.
8. Heavenly Father always provides a silver lining.
9. Life is short.
10. It is heartbreaking to see a parent cry for the first time…and not be able to do anything about it.
11. I will miss my grandmother. She was strong, insightful and loving all in her own special ways.
12. Take things one step at a time. I have learned that I can’t plan out my entire life on a calendar. I need to just let some things happen to me. All my life I have done everything the exact way I am supposed to… and I think it is okay to say “what the hell” once in a while (Thanks, Avril Lavigne... lol).

There hasn't really been anything too exciting going on in my life; Just the normal, everyday stuff. I have been cooking some fabulous things, though! The other night I made crepes with a lemon cream cheese filling that turned out pretty amazing if I do say so, myself. Last night I made white chicken enchiladas that were also spicy and fabulous. And I’m losing weight whilst eating all this delish food, which is even better! I noticed I haven’t posted a book review for a long time either! I am still reading Uglies by Scott Westerfield. It really is a quick read, but I’m just slow! I have been really busy with school lately. And when I’m not doing that, I’m cooking, exercising, or watching 24. Jack Bauer has consumed out lives. Best. Show. EVER.

I went to the Aluminum Show the other night at the Colonial Theater. In the description of the show, it compared to Stomp and Blue Man Group. I don’t know if I would really compare it to that, but it was certainly interesting! I don’t really even know how to describe what it was…. I guess you could say dancing and lots of aluminum tubing and lights? It was unique and entertaining though!

I also had to do an observation this week for school. I visited a kindergarten class, which was pretty cool. The thought of teaching kindergarten was always sickening to me, but now I’m not so sure. Those kids are so sweet and genuine at that age. I really think I might dig teaching kindergarten. Those kids really brightened my day!

I’m still loving Zumba. My friend, Mindy, and I went to a Zumbathon a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty fun and a good workout as always. And on a pretty exciting note, I took third place in our Lighten Up Challenge at work! I lost 13 more pounds in about 8 weeks, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but it was sure a lot of work! But I feel better and look better for sure. I won a $75 gift card that I think I will use to buy some summer clothes since none of mine from last summer will fit me! I need some cute things for our trip, which I am VERY excited for!

And most of all I’m really ready for Spring to be here! I want a tan and to see something green outside for a change!

Thank you, Mr. President

I have had a pretty good week! Last Monday, for Valentine's Day, Justin and I went out for a nice dinner at The Sandpiper and spent some time together. We agreed to just get eachother a card this year. I got Justin a hilarious card that he totally loved, then he handed me my card. It was seriously 3 feet tall and the largest card I have ever seen! Oh, and it sung a silly song when you opened it. Justin: "Well if all I was going to get you was a card, I had to get a good one!" I love Valentine's Day!

Thanks to President's Day, I had a long weekend! It was pretty fun. I took in a couple of movies this weekend. My friend, Mindy, hadn't seen Harry Potter yet, so we went to see that at the cheap seats. It was just as good the second time! I'm a total Harry Potter NERD. I love it!

I also saw I am Number Four. It was good! I really enjoyed it!

The rest of my lazy weekend was filled with reading, shopping, laundry, exercise, and tv. Justin and I started watching 24 on Netflix because there was nothing on TV. We are SO hooked on that show! I just can't get enough Jack Bauer! I highly recommend it! I like when I find a good series that is actually out on dvd. I always know I have something to watch when I get bored.

Superbowl Ads!

This weekend was a lot of fun! On Saturday, Justin and I went to see "Season of the Witch."

That movie was not what I expected! When I saw the preview, I thought it looked a little spooky, but nothing really scary. I jumped right out of my seat about a dozen times! It was a really creepy movie!

Yesterday we went over to my friend, Mindy's parent's house to watch the big game. We ate a lot of good food and enjoyed the game, commercials, and Glee afterward. These were some of my favorite commercials:

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=716dc1fe-c8ff-485e-88f0-001b39cd4b3d" target="_new" title="">Best Buy: Ozzy vs. Bieber</a>


<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=9f4c2bed-868f-4309-8f18-a9fdadf772f0" target="_new" title="">Volkswagen Passat: Young Vader</a>

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=cd9e0c27-e59f-4acd-9c8a-893a13580490" target="_new" title="">Snickers: Lumberjacks</a>

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=b0c7ddeb-b729-4e83-992b-40f34f7ab861" target="_new" title="">Teleflora: Help me Faith</a>

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=156f2dfc-2c36-482f-89a0-29dd93f89893" target="_new" title="">Bridgestone: Karma</a>

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=7723f2de-85cf-42f9-8ff8-a27709041d70" target="_new" title="">Target: Peanut Butter</a>

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=92bf7e1a-0ed9-4305-97b5-8ab0b40faf2f" target="_new" title="">Doritos: Healing chips</a>

Has it EVER been this cold?

Yesterday morning I woke up, groggy eyed and FREEZING. I knew I needed to wake up and get ready for work, but I didn't want to get out of my warm bed so soon. I reached over to my nightstand and grabbed my iPod. I was shocked when I looked at the weather report and it was -4 degrees! I was cold ALL day. WELL... this morning I woke up, and out of curiosity, reached over to the nightstand for my iPod again. The temperature read -20 degrees! Absolutely crazy! Now keep in mind, the video below comes from a place where it is only 8 degrees colder.

This time of the year is hard. All I want to do is be outside and soak up some vitamin D! Oh, well. I can't believe it is February already. At this rate, spring will be here soon. Especially since Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow today! Happy Groundhog Day, everyone!

So, in lieu of the bitter cold, I decided to stay in and do my taxes. I am probably one of the only people that enjoy doing them! But truthfully, I want my money! It is a great feeling having them complete well before April 15th!

Just to report back on my 30 day shred progress... I'm on day 6. I have taken a couple of days off due to soreness and just life getting busy! Someone at work said I looked skinny today : ) I think I am looking more toned already. Plus, I've noticed the push-ups and bicycle crunches are actually getting easier! Hooray, I will be ripped by day 30... haha, maybe not really... but better for sure!

Recent Happenings...

I haven’t blogged in a while because… well, I just don’t really have anything interesting to write about! I think I am in a funk… the winter blahs. It is so ugly around town right now. The roads have deep potholes, the snow isn’t crisp, clean white anymore; more like grungy grayish brown from the cinders the City puts on the roads. But anyway, here are some things I’ve been up to:

A couple of weeks ago I took my Praxis I exam at ISU. That was crazy! The security in the testing center is crazy, privacy basically doesn't exist. I had to empty all my pockets in front of someone and I was on camera throughout the WHOLE test. I also couldn't go anywhere within the testing center, i.e. the bathroom, without my driver’s license on me at all times. It was an interesting experience. Apparently, people have found some clever ways to cheat. Anyway, long story short, the test was like 4 hours long… but I passed! Hooray! I have also finished up another class since the beginning of the year; Legal and Ethical Issues in Education. I really liked the class! I learned a lot about how teachers need to conduct themselves as well as how to protect myself from any ethical or legal problems.

I’m still going strong with my Zumba classes, too! I got the Zumba game for my Wii, which is pretty fun! I have also been to a few classes since the start of the New Year. I just love Zumba, it is the best workout and so much fun! Hopefully it will help me meet some goals I have for myself in 2011.

I went to see Burlesque with my friends Elise and Mindy last week and that was a lot of fun! I liked the movie quite a bit! The music and costumes were amazing. However, Christina Aguilera should stick to singing… not so much acting. But other than that, it was a great movie! Burlesque was actually a lot like Coyote Ugly… but with racier costumes and better music!

We also started a “Lighten Up Challenge” at work. I am pretty excited about it because it keeps me motivated! Ever since my doctor put me on a new diet, I have dropped about 12 pounds. I have taken my Holiday pounds off and I’m ready to get going full force again! I ran last week a few times (which I kind of loathe) and that seemed to get my metabolism going, but I think I want to try something new. I have this fitness DVD that I love, its called “Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred.” It is only 25 minutes long, but it is seriously the hardest workout EVER! On the DVD, it claims you can lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days and re-shape your body. I generally use this DVD just on days that I don’t want to go out to the gym. However, I think I’m going to give it a try for 30 days. Well, 40 actually. I’m going to allow myself a few days for a break just in case I am so sore I can’t move or want to go to Zumba instead. Plus, exactly 40 days from today, our Lighten Up Challenge is over. I will report back when I am “shredded” haha.

Also, I wore a skirt to work today for the first time in months… and now I remember why I don’t!My legs are freezing…

City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 3 of 5 stars






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The Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was so, so, SO good! For sure my favorite of the VA series. I just didn't want it to ever end! This book is a rollercoaster. I was never bored, just constantly wondering what was going to happen next. This is surely a book I will pick up in a while and read again.

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