Self-Medicating

The other day I was a little deflated from events that happened at work. Usually the hour plus drive home helps me to unwind, but this particular day, I had some hard things to do in the evening as well. So, in between both . . . I self-medicate with an In n' Out strawberry shake and the world looks a little better after that. Love that it's so convenient at my American Fork Main Street exit . . . sometimes a little too convenient.

Happy Birthday, Acquaintance

It's another person's birthday on Facebook, and it's hard to know what to say when 30 people have already wished them "happy birthday" before you. Do you try and stand out by writing something witty? Or just go with the standard (albeit boring) "happy birthday?"

I have the same stock birthday joke, something along the lines of how they should feel so much wiser now, but I end up wishing I had come up with something more creative.

In the end, I went with - wait for it - "Happy happy birthday!" You see, by throwing an extra "happy" in there, I spiced it up a little.

It was the best I could come up with.

Sometimes I write, "hey, at least you're not as old as dirt." It's really my own private joke because it's from an obscure scene (one of my favorites) from "The Cosby Show." Please enjoy:

Have you Heard This?

Julie, $50 says you love this song:*

*I do too

Hootie Hoo!

Have I mentioned that I love birthday month? Because I do. But let's back the bus up a bit. So one of my favorite shows is Top Chef, because you know, it's about food. Which I enjoy. A little too much. And one of my favorite chefs on that show is Carla Hall:

Doesn't she look fun? She is one of those people I would totally hang out with if I were to ever meet her in real life. One of her signature expressions is, "Hootie Hoo!" Fun, right? Why don't you try yelling it out right now? You feel better all ready, don't you? In addition to that, her food always looked amazing on the show. She has a small catering company and has just launched a line of teeny, tiny cookies, made of all organic, yet delicious products.

Well, my thoughtful sister, Kristen, decided to get me a surprise birthday present, and ordered a whole tin of these little delights to try! And because the company is so efficient, they came early. Hootie Hoo!Don't those descriptions sound amazing? Well, they were! So we of course had to have a taste test, and they did not disappoint! My favorite turned out to be the pecan shortbread with, wait for it, vanilla salt! Yes, please. Birthday month is off to a great start! However, if you want to sample some of my wee little cookies, you will have to come and visit me within the week, as they will be gone by Friday. Believe that.

The Return of the Grass Whisperer

My Dad takes great care of me and anything I need help with at my house. Dad somehow knows the best way to take care of my lawn too. In early March, he came out and spread fertilizer over my lawn - and it always seems like he knows the perfect time to do it. This week, I took this picture. Can you tell which lawn is mine? I hear comments from my neighbors that they wish their lawn looked this good. And, Dad, who happens to work with one of my neighbors down the street, even heard from her this week that she was coveting my nice lawn. Thanks, Dad, for always making me look good.

#23: Read the Harry Potter Series: DONE!

Check off one item from my 30 before 30 list: read the Harry Potter series. That's right, folks - I am one of the few people in the world who has never read them. Or make that had never read.

4,176 pages later, I don't know if I would recommend reading them all at once. There was a low point about midway through Book 5 where I thought surely I was nearing the finish...but at 400 pages in, I was only halfway through the book.

But that's a minor quibble. I thought the books got better and better, and loved #6 and #7. I even managed to stay mostly spoiler-free and actually gasped out loud at a certain plot development at the end of book 6.

1 down, 29 to go!

Salad Tips and Tricks

I love learning tried and true tips and tricks from other people. The first trick I learned years ago from my co-worker, Damon, is the miracle of Brianna's Poppyseed Dressing. It is great on absolutely everything. Through the years we have had this for baby and bridal showers, for dinners when we need something quick and easy, on sandwiches, green salads, really anything. In March, we had a Laurel Mother/Daughter activity and for dinner we had make-your-own pasta salad and topped it with this dressing. It's great when people can choose what they want on their salad. For the pasta salad, you cook your favorite pasta - we like the twisty ones and bow ties. Then you add whatever meat and cheese you have. We always like chunks of ham and turkey and sometimes crab and shrimp. And then chunks of whatever cheese you have. Then the veggies. This is great for cleaning out whatever you have in the fridge. We love tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, red peppers . . . really anything goes with it. Then top with the poppyseed goodness . . and voila you have a great meal. After I heard from my girls that several of their Mom's bought the dressing after the activity, I knew it was another hit.

From this same co-worker, I learned to love broccoli years ago. He brought to work this amazing Broccoli Salad that he got from his Mom in California. I got him to have the recipe sent to me and it has since made it into our family cookbook as a staple. It's all about a yummy dressing to make veggies taste amazing.

Damon's Broccoli Salad

Mix together:
4 quart bowl of cut broccoli flowerettes
1 large red onion, chopped

Add:
2 to 3 pounds bacon, cooked and cut in pieces
1 pound sliced almonds
1 pound raisins (do not use the whole package) . . I actually use Craisins now and love that

Dressing:
4 cups mayonnaise
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar

Mix the dressing ingredients in a separate container and add to the salad mixture when ready to serve.

This recipe makes enough for a small army, so we usually half or quarter the recipe . . . but never add less than a pound of bacon, because that just wouldn't be right. I also love getting the broccoli in the big bag from Costco and trimming it. Much easier than getting several bunches from the grocery store and wasting the stems.