I Did It!

After months of equal parts worrying and preparation, I had the opportunity to present at BYU Women's Conference in April.  Knowing about the topic and assignment months in advance is both a blessing and a curse as it was all I could think about since I got the assignment after Christmas and the weight of presenting to a large group of people was very heavy on my mind.  During those months I learned a lot about service and what it means to be willing, which was a great thing for me.  The day of the event, Melinda was gracious enough to come along and help by my escort as we got to park in a special parking lot for speakers that was roped off . . . until I showed my swanky "Presenter" badge and then they held some waiting cars, moved a few barriers and we were in.  One drawback to Melinda hanging backstage with me in the "green room" was that she got asked to say the prayer at the start of the session too.  I was overwhelmed at the support that was shown to me.   All of the adults in the family had arranged to be there front and center - something that has never happened for me.  The lovely ladies I serve with in the Relief Society had gotten their tickets months in advance.  And, some surprise neighbors, former young women, and other family members arranged to come as well.  Not to mention the texts and messages of love and support I received from many who were thinking of me on that day.  I appreciated the support so much!  After it was all said and done, we enjoyed a lovely meal at Magleby's . . . who has the best chocolate cake by the way.  And, one of my favorite parts of the whole experience . . . a Women's Conference tote filled with goodies for the presenters!  I have coveted these bags when I've been in the past and didn't break down to actually get one . . . so it was the perfect gift. 

Shhh...It's a Secret!

Julie will be the first to tell you that we love a local secret. And I think I stumbled onto a good one last week. Kristen had casually mentioned that she had heard that there was a Banana Republic outlet at Jordan Landing, but I did not believe it since a) there are no outlets at this location, and 2) it’s Jordan Landing! Who goes there? Well, I was so intrigued that I went there, and sure enough, a local secret was found!

It’s especially secretive since they are re-constructing Bangerter Highway, and the store itself is wee and hard to find. But I tell you, once I got there, it was all I had hoped for. The outlet store in Park City is always crowded and picked over as a result. This location had just enough people, nary a pretentious ski bunny, and a huge selection of career wear. Heaven! If you need to find me, I'll be the one wearing the snazzy new career pants!

75 Things That Make Me Happy

(in no particular order)

1. Coming home after a long day
2. An unexpected compliment
3. Getting absorbed in a good book
4. The season's first strawberries
5. Hot rolls right out of the oven - with butter and raspberry jam
6. When I'm sunburned and I can peel my skin off in a big patch 
7. The feeling I get after a good run
8. Eating a treat I don't get very often - like Christmas fudge, or a Ben's cookie
9. Sausage for breakfast
10. Watching a campfire
11. Waterfalls
12. Travelling to new places
13. People-watching
14. Sitting behind a baby in church - especially when they stand up on the bench and give me a toothless smile
15. A tall cold glass of milk with dinner
16. Cold cereal
17. Good TV
18. Long weekends 
19. Days/nights when I have no obligations
20. A tidy house
21. A big hug from my nieces or nephews 
22. Discovering new music
23. The feeling I get when I've rendered a good service
24. Remembering how I would rest my head on my mom's arm in church - or laughing when one of our voices would crack while singing a hymns
25. Getting a back rub from my dad (he gives the best ones)
26. Wearing shorts
27. Summer - long nights, the smell of chlorine and fresh-cut grass, and BBQs
28. Long hot showers
29. Christmas time
30. Re-reading my favorite books
31. Buying a new outfit
32. Getting a good deal
33. Temple Square
34. When I first realize birds are chirping after a long winter
35. A good night's sleep (also naps)
36. My electric blanket
37. When my bed is the perfect temperature - but I am under no obligation to get up
38. The Price is Right (Bob Barker days)
39. When I know the answer to Final Jeopardy! (this is rare)
40. When I can finish a NYT crossword puzzle (also rare, and only towards the beginning of the week)
41. A sense of accomplishment
42. America's Funniest Home Videos, The World's Strong Man, and similar shows on TV
43. The Olympics
44. Rooting for the underdog
45. Watching a soccer game on a summer night
46. Going out for breakfast
47. Beating people off the line in my car
48. Getting new magazines in the mail
49. Getting packages
50. Getting hand-written notes
51. Finding money in my pocket
52. Good hair days
53. Being able to see the alarm clock without glasses (thank you, LASIK)
54. Playing "lightning" on the basketball court
55. Getting BINGO
56. Singing along to the Carpenters
57. Getting new insights - or what Oprah calls "aha" moments
58. Makeovers
59. Feeling so comfortable with someone that you rarely run out of things to talk about
60. Wearing a  new dress
61. Pockets!! (also secret pockets)
62. Catching on to something
63. Four words: chocolate chip cookie dough
64. Wearing sunglasses
65. Rolling down the windows, blasting some music, and hanging my arm out the car window
66. Figuring out what someone's vanity license plate says
67. A good stretch
68. Dry wit
69. Sitting down after a long time standing, or standing up after a long time sitting (see: rest hymns in stake conference)
70. Magic shows
71. Those puzzle books you buy in the magazine section (my fave puzzles? Crostics)
72. Opening a new can of tennis balls and hearing the whoosh of the air come out
73. When the whole family gets together to do an activity
74. Running into old friends
75. Swings

Chip Taste Test

I love trying out new products.  When we were in London, Kristen introduced us to Walker's Prawn/Shrimp chips which were surprisingly good.  So, when I was at WalMart recently, they had these intriguing chips from Herr's that I was tempted to also try. 

Kristen and I used to dip our potato chips in ketchup.  Okay, we may still do this.  So I got the ketchup potato chips to test and they aren't bad.  There is lots of ketchup flavor and you get to lick the red stuff off of your fingers.  I couldn't do the Hot Sauce flavor and I thought the Hot Dog flavor was just plain odd - but I did read a review that the ketchup/mustard combination was quite good.  And the checker at the store said that her kids would love them.  Where do they come up with these things?

Pure Terror

Let's be clear: I do not like bugs.  I do not like them near my face, or crawling around my windshield.  On the inside. While I'm driving on the freeway.

In this case it was an ant (see here for a terrifying moth experience).  I don't know if you know this, but ants are crazy hard to smush!  I tried to smush it, and thought I was successful, but then he peeked out and started crawling around again.  After about 10 minutes, he finally got in a position where I could push him out the window.

I'm telling you - pure terror.  

Stuff I'm Liking Right Now

THIS SONG:

SKINNY COW DARK CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS - HOLLA!












KIMBRA'S WHOLE ALBUM
Check out this song to start.

HOMEFRONT ON YOUTUBE
Julie! Someone (MoonTigress07 to be exact) has painstakingly put all of Homefront's episodes online. No, they're not great quality - but I miss this show so much, I don't really care. I watched the first episode over the weekend and was delighted anew. Also: Kyle Chandler!!

TV FINALES
I so love my TV finales.  I thought the Castle finale was great, and I cannot wait for Revenge tomorrow!  Also, turns out I am still watching Hart of Dixie. No idea why!

ALTON BROWN ON NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR
I do not like Alton Brown.  Do not.  But I have to admit, he is winning me over on NFNS.  I think he's the most involved with his team and gives the best advice - he cares!  I also love both Bob Tushman and Susie Fogleson.   Giada and her hand-talking will always bug though.

THIS BLOG:
www.iowagirleats.com.  I like her recipes, I love how chatty she is on her blog, and I also love her Friday Favorites...check this one out for a good idea of what they're like.

THIS BOOK:

Spoiler alert: I'm an introvert.  So's most of my family.  So are 1/3 to 1/2 of people.   People assume that introverts are automatically shy (though that's often true) - but it's really more about where you get your energy from. Introverts are energy-sapped by the large group gatherings where extroverts strive. Some introverts can turn it on in front of large groups so convincingly that people are surprised to learn they are introverted - until they disappear afterwards to get some much-needed alone time. It helps me understand why I've always needed to "unwind" when I get home. Check out the rest of my Goodreads review. 

Posers

I'm kind of a nut with the camera and love taking various pictures.  You never know what may end up on the family calendar at the end of the year.  Recently, Melinda, Kristen and I found a genius way to stand in pictures that we think will be our new thing.  As we lean forward, there is less risk of a double chin, you don't see our middle area, our legs look smaller and skinnier and our faces are the focal point.   What do you think?  We're pretty sure that our Dad thinks we are ridiculous as we ask him to take these photos of us.  

Taste Takeout

I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting lunch options.  Sometimes I bring my lunch, but it doesn't take long before I'm ready for a change . . . and to get out for a few minutes.  Luckily, I now work close by several yummy restaurants and it's been fun to taste test them.  This one is a classic, however.  Who doesn't love the soup, salad and breadsticks from the Olive Garden?  Well, it's even better when you get it to go.  Since Olive Garden does typically have slower service, calling in a take-out order is genius and it's always ready for you at the bar.  They have the salad in these custom made containers that holds the dressing, croutons and  the mints are even tucked under the croutons.  That, plus my favorite pasta fagioli soup and a couple of breadsticks and it's a great lunch.  And don't forget the plates and silverware which they are always happy to provide as well.  Delicious!

What Women Want

When thinking about Mother's Day . . . what do women really want?  A BREAK!   Our cute Dad treated all the ladies to an overnight excursion away - which we are pretty sure needs to be an annual tradition.  We were close enough to grab a blender to make Holli's famous Pina Coladas and far enough away to enjoy being somewhere else. We started with dinner at the Brick Oven and then enjoyed time at my new favorite Hyatt House hotel swimming, playing games, eating and watching a movie.  In the morning, we were treated to a hot breakfast at the hotel and more swimming.  Thanks to our Dad for always taking such good care of us.  He also took the boys to dinner too.  We are grateful for the great Moms in our lives.  We have a great one and we are so appreciative of Lisa and Lilli and the incredible women they are and feel lucky to have them in our family.   They have awesome kids and we are glad that we get to be a part of their lives too. 

Behind Door Number One...

I was helping to clean the church a little while ago and found myself in the kitchen.

There was a small door next to the oven.







I opened it.

Yep...a wheat grinder!











With its original instruction manual.













Now how long do you think that's been there?

Utah County Favorites

I was filling out a survey of the Best Things in Utah Valley and realized that I've lived in Happy Valley for over five years. Even though I still tend do most everything on the north side of the Point of the Mountain, there are a few favorite destination spots that I love.  Of course, most of it's food and treats with a few extra spots mixed in. 

 The BYU Candy Counter.  It's the place for the best chocolate covered peanuts and chocolate covered cinnamon bears.  They are also famous for their homemade fudge . . . . yum!  I like to get a dollars worth of this or that.  So fun!

We blogged about going to the restaurant, Communal, a while back, but it is seriously yummy. We've been wanting to try the monthly demonstration dinners that they do and also sample the breakfast  options sometime soon.

And, from the same group that does Communal is Pizzeria 712.  It's kind of hard to find at first, until you realize it's just south of the giant yellow unfinished yellow office building on State Street, then you know right where to go.  They always have creative toppings on their pizzas and the desserts are oh so scrumptious.

The Happy Sumo . . . now I know there are other locations, but this is the one that Melinda and I occasionally lunch at and all you have to know is . . . Bacon Crunch Roll.  It's not to be missed.

Brian's kids introduced me J Dawg's - a place that apparently everyone knew about except for me.  The way they score the hot dogs and cook them on the grill as a vehicle for their special sauce is just divine.  It's a cheap meal that's fun to eat outside.  And, now they have another location right by the University Mall.  It's a local secret that's not so secret.

In our quest for good Mexican food, we have always enjoyed the chips and salsa and the classic chicken burrito at Los Hermanos in both Provo and Lindon.  Lindon is a little easier to get to with all of the road construction.

The breadtwists at the Pizza Factory are awesome.  You can get them made savory with herbs and garlic.  I, however, like them plan and served with a gooey cinnamon sauce that you dip the bread in.  So good! There are lots of other locations for this as well, but it's nice and convenient across from the Lindon Los Hermanos. 

The Provo Beach resort has really spiced up the Riverwoods shopping center with indoor surfing, bowling, golf and lots of other activities available. 

Scrooge and Marley's in American Fork is my destination spot for cute knick knacks for my house.  And I've learned to shop early in the holiday season as they only a few of each thing that that they offer. 

Smart Cookie is also conveniently located in American Fork - and Fort Union.  Smart Cookie started near the BYU campus, but then got even smarter and moved away.  :)  I love a sampling of lots of different cookies - from red velvet, to cinnamon, to lemon with fun holiday variations throughout the year.  Their sugar cookie is delicious and the frosting is the best.

Thanksgiving Point - from Cooking Classes to the Labor Day Luau - they offer a lot of great activities.  When I was there recently, they are currently in the process of building a large spa which I think will be my duty to test out.

And, now my new favorite road . . . the 2100 North exit.  It drops right into Saratoga from I-15 with only just a few traffic lights and even better - no smell of mink.  It's quicker than Bangerter . . . not to mention, they have a great park-n-ride lot

Local Secret: Johnny Kolaches

The boys at work introduced me to these little gems a few years ago that are so yummy - and since I'm enjoying eating one right now, I thought it should be recorded and shared.  A kolache is a traditional Czech pastry that has a variety of fillings baked inside - like a little pillow of deliciousness.  Johnny Kolaches on 900 South and 248 West in the SLC serves up savory breakfast kolaches with cheese, bacon, ham or sausage with eggs and even jalapenos for some kick.  There are sweet ones available with a variety of fruit fillings like cherry, apple, cherry and blueberry.  And, I haven't made it over for lunch, but hear that the pulled pork inside is not to be missed as well.  You have to hurry for these treats as they are only open for breakfast and lunch and they typically sell out every day.  We usually call ahead to make sure we don't miss out. 

Off my Game

This past week, I:

• Lost my debit card...for a week (found it today!)
• Put my electronic car key fob through the washer
• Texted my home address, directions, and "see you soon!" to the wrong phone number 

Not my best week.

Random Reality TV Sidenotes: 
Know what I think is mean?  When shows like The Biggest Loser show contestants falling, and they shake the camera so it makes it seem like the ground shakes on impact.
Also: Tony over Katrina Parker on The Voice?  Really, America??