Goodbye Blogger

After a long while of feeling unfulfilled with my blog host, I will be trying out a new one. Please visit me elsewhere and enjoy a little change in scenery.

a day in my life
Love you all, see you soon.

All Aboard!

Another successful Redondo 1st Ward Activity! We hosted a "Loveboat Cruise" for our activity last Saturday night. Preparations involved giant porthole painting and scanning hundreds of stock photos for 'old school' cruise photos for advertising. We had tasty appetizers of vegetable platter/ranch, hummus/pita and chip/salsa/guacamole. The food was "international," ranging from spicy enchaladas to cheesy lasagnas and creamy stroganoffs. Salads, warm fresh bread and punch were served as well. Our new Bishopric put together a great video to honor the previous Bishopric, we had a karaoke contest and limbo and there was also a Valentine decorating table. The soundtrack included The Banana Boat Song (think Beetlejuice 'Deo'), The Girl from Ipanema, Copa Cabana, Loveboat theme and more! If you are looking for a very fun activity, I highly recommend this. Resort attire required!!! (Check out my lovely "leisure suit" or is it a prison jumper? HA!)

Hollywood Glam!

Last Thursday night in the pouring rain, my friend, Melissa and I found our way up to Beverly Hills. We arrived at the *GORGEOUS* SLS Hotel on La Cienega. It was an event hosted by "Hostess with the Mostess." We had delicious hors 'd vours of fine cheese, delicate meats and crackers, fizzy drinks (non-alcoholic for us), and ended with a creamy white chocolate hot cocoa. We mingled, and photo booth-ed and listened to demos on party planning and drink mixing (not so useful for our kind!). We left with a posh black goodie bag in hand (with a beautiful raspberry OPI and a thick-bottomed votive holder). We visited the little girl's room on the way out (AHHHHH! It was completely walled with mirrors). We came out to rain and valet and a kind gentleman shielding us with an umbrella. It was such a lovely night. Thanks to Melissa for coming with me! She's up for almost anything!!!

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

The last week of January, we held our Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. It was a fantastic event, filled with fast cars and fabulous food. The boys all did a great job shaping and painting their cars. Quin made his a sharp shark mouth and sleek silver paint job. It wasn't the fastest in the group, but it did win best paint job! We served warm, buttery popcorn to all spectators and cotton candy to all "winners" at the end of the night. Thanks to all who helped make this derby the best in a long time!!

Create

In the past week we have been making a lot of "things." I thought I would share them with you. First, I knit a small bag for a good friend's daughter. She was getting baptized and I thought it would be something nice to tote her little necessities in. I knit the little bag and lined it with an adorable floral print. Added a button and a glittery lip gloss. Included a sweet sentimental card and viola!

Next, I made some delicious agua frescas for the party after the baptism. I made a watermelon lime and a strawberry cantaloupe. I made them with sparkling water and lots of crunchy ice. They turned out refreshing and fizzy and wonderful.


The beginning stages of our Pinewood Derby car. This is Quin, sawing the block of wood. Tim is brave to hold the car for him. Quin is making a shark/Lamborghini. The race is tomorrow and I will post some pictures of the finished car. A big thank you to Tim for helping Quin so much, but also for allowing him to do MOST of the work and design. You are a great teacher and a wonderful father.

And finally, the one you have all been waiting for! This is our new/old TV stand. We refinished this great old piece of Thomasville furniture. It took three weeks and about $400, varnish remover, stain and polyurethane, hours of sanding and Tim also converted a few of the drawers to be hinged and hold our electronic components. I love it. Thank you, Tim.


I'd love to read about what you are creating. I'd love to see some pictures. I'd love to be inspired. Have a great Wednesday and go find something wonderfully creative to do!

Coraline....Karalea

Just trying to creep you out. I can't wait for this movie. I love Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride and even the claymation of Wallace and Gromit. So it is right up my alley....just my cup of tea. The website for this movie is fantastic and fun and a little spooky. Check it out!Anyone brave enough to go with me? February 6th!!!

Up

What have I been up to? Time for some pics after a few pic-less posts.

Finding a great old piece of Thomasville furniture from 1965 at the thrift store, to refinish and use as a TV stand/storage center. Most of the work is by Tim (bless him), but I am his muse.



Finding time to run every day. Signed up for the "Mud Run" at Camp Pendleton. It is a 10k. Tim signed up too. Along with 4 other couples in our ward. Tim's designing shirts for us. We are thinking "Dirty Saint" or "Mud Therapy" or "Camp Pendleton Day Spa...Mud Mask, Please" or "Don't tell the kids!" Wish us luck! Will post pics (June 6th is the day of event). This is Ewan and I down by the beach. We have a great running/biking trail at the edge of the sand and it is marked for mileage. We did a good 45 minutes that day! Ewan is a great bike rider. No training wheels for this four year old!




Today we went and saw a screening for Inkheart in LA. We went to the Majestic Crest Theater in Westwood. I subscribe to "Kids Off The Couch" here in LA and from time to time they have these great movie screenings. It is totally free (you buy the popcorn) and the theater is really fantastic and old. We had such a great time today. Thanks KOTC!

So that's me. I have been having a great time. Getting things in line for a great year. Trying to do things that are fun and healthy and economical. What have you been up to? I'd love to hear about it.

Answer to "The Transfer"

My favorite book from 2008 was the long awaited "Breaking Dawn." The anticipation for the end of the Twilight series and the knowledge of the upcoming movie made it especially great. It was a summertime read that found it's way into my beach bag. So, not only was the book great, I was laying on my beach towel in the warm California sun, surrounded by good friends while reading it. Bliss.

I'm Interested

I'm interested to know about food, friends. I'm interested to know what you love. If you would take a moment and let me know. I would greatly appreciate it. I'm interested.

I'll start. Here are some of my favorites.



1. Favorite all-around type of food: (American, Mexican, Thai, Italian, etc.)

While I have recently been having a small affair with Thai food, I'm going to have to say that my long-time fave is Mexican food. I don't especially love places like "El Torrito," which is, in my definition actually American fare. I like the real, nitty-gritty down-south Mexican food. Here in LA we have EBJ, Carlsbad was Juanitas, and of course if you drive just 45 more minutes down the coast you can cross the border and get some of the authentic stuff. A good roadside taco stand can't be beat, especially after a day in the ocean surf. If you haven't experienced that, put it on your list. I also like homemade Mexican food, from right here in my kitchen. Fajitas, tacos, enchaladas, quesadillas, carne asada and carnitas, a squeeze of lime...mmm....all good things.



2. Favorite breakfast:

I love eggs benedict (thanks to my dear husband), but my waist does not like eggs benedict. So I am going to have to say that Special K Red Berries with FF milk and a cup of herbal tea would be my current fave. It is quick and easy and crunchy and a little sweet and that is what I need right now.



3. Favorite Dessert:

OH! Where to begin....I can not choose just one. It is a close race between creme brulee and tiramisu. Those are my two all time faves.



4. Favorite snack:

Veggies and hummus OR fresh ww bread with raw honey OR farmer's market trail mix.



5. Favorite candy:

I love the York....but I can't leave out grape Laffy Taffy.



6. Favorite restaurant:

This one is hard, because now we have lived in a couple different places, I have my favorites from each location. Right now, here in South Bay, I would have to say that Dragonfly Thai is my fave, but I am still searching....suggestions?



7. Favorite drink:

I'm a Coke girl from birth, but I know it's not good for me, so I drink water...and lots of it! Every now and then I will treat myself to a good 'ole Coke, but that doesn't happen very often. Fresh homemade lemonade is really delish too. On a hot summer day....mmmm.


Okay, let's hear it people. Share. Vent. Be interesting...because I'm interested.

The Transfer

It's time to transfer lists of books read. In 2008 I read these books:

* Marley and Me (Dec)
* Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons (Dec)
* The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (Nov)
* The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (Oct)
* Tallgrass (Oct)
* The Last Lecture (Oct)
* Friday Night Knitting Club (Sep)
* Custom of the Country (Sep)
* Midwife of Blue Ridge (Aug)
* One Tattered Angel (Aug)
* Breaking Dawn (Aug)
* The Shack (Aug)
* The Revelation (Jul)
* The Prodigal (Jul)
* The Sacrifice (Jul)
* The Betrayal (Jul)
* The Covenant (Jun)
* The Glass Castle (Jun)
* The Thirteenth Tale (Jun)
* The Host (May)
* The Secret Life of Bees (May)
* walking in circles before lying down (Apr)
* My Sister's Keeper (Apr)
* The Invisible Wall (Mar)
* The Boelyn Inheritance (Mar)
* Water for Elephants (Feb)
* Peony in Love (Feb)
* The Mermaid Chair (Feb)
* The Constant Princess (Jan-Feb)
* These is My Words (Jan)
* The Girl with the Pearl Earring (Jan)
* The Other Boelyn Girl (Jan)


Thirty-two books for the year. Almost three books per month. Most of them I LOVED (btw, I am not super picky and usually can get something of value out of most things I read). A few were not worth my precious time. If you have a question about any of them, I would love to share my opinions with you. Let me know. Hip Hip Hooray for a new year of reading!

Resolutions

In truth, my New Year's Resolution for 2009 is to journal (on Sundays..two Sundays per month will be considered a success..four Sundays will icing on the cake). I'm curious if you made a resolution this year. What is it? And how do you plan to keep it? Got a plan?

That said. As I looked at the first few pictures on my camera in 2009, it would seem that my resolution is to:




Make silly faces as often as possible in all photos taken of me....

Happy New Year. Here's to resolving to be better, or at least funnier....

Final

One final post before 2009. I woke up this morning to a beautiful misty fog. I flipped on my fog lights and drove to the market at 645 this morning for a few last minute purchases before tonight's big party. Have I told you before how much I love the beachy fog? Well I do. When we moved to California three years ago, from Arizona, I was so thrilled to have some real weather; foggy, misty weather. I hope that the new year brings us things we love. So here's to a wonderful 2009, full of the things that you love....even if it is something as menial as fog.

Positive Report

Positive report for the whole Christmas "thing." Christmas eve we went to Ruby's diner and ice skating up in Palos Verdes with our good friends, the Kirts. Did some last minute shopping and then it was time for white bean turkey chili and chocolate chip cookie baking for the big guy. Off to bed for a fitful sleep, before awaking to presents galore, excited little boys, funny dog and sleepy eyed parents.

Christmas dinner was an Argentine dish called "Matambre," which I believe means "to kill the hunger." Flank steak that is butterflied and filled with blanched carrots, fresh spinach, provolone, Italian sausage and roasted red peppers...then roasted and sliced. Ta Da! It was really great.

I goofed and didn't capture EVERY handmade gift that I made and gave this year. Here is ONE that I made for my sweetie. I knit him this ribbed beanie in dark brown Blue Sky cotton yarn. I wrote a little poem to go with it.

Dear hat keep him warm.
Keep him safe in the storm.
He is my tap & drum.
He is my peek-y bum.

Dear hat keep him sweet.
Keep him “vested” complete.
He’s my owl late at night.
He’s my snuggle up tight.

Dear hat keep him strong.
Keep from working too long.
He’s my bathroom serenade.
He’s my new nickname made.

Dear hat keep him strange.
Keep him wonderfully deranged.
He’s my dance on the bed.
He’s the odd voice in my head.

Dear hat keep him smelly.
Keep him cologne, mouthwash, gel-y.
He’s my water un-plain.
He’s my gummy insane.

Dear hat keep him thinking.
Keep him big feet so stinking.
He’s my facial hair change.
He’s my laundry to hang.

Dear hat keep him moving.
Keep him musically grooving.
He’s my leg always shaking.
He’s my low-cut sock taking.

Dear hat keep him real.
Keep him where I can feel.
He’s my lover and friend.
He’s my beginning, my end.

Dear hat keep him warm.




I hope that your Christmas was wonderful. I hope that sentiment won over commercialism and I hope that you are revving up for a great year in 2009.

Sugar Rush

Prepare for a sugar rush. I promised more pics of homemade treats from this Christmas season and here is the first installment. This lot of pics is mostly goodies (with the exception of the Advent), but next time I will post some great handmade products. I have two days to finish crafting and I am both excited and feeling the pressure of time constraint. It's all going to be grand, of course! No stress!




This little make-shift clothesline was our Advent calendar this year. I simply took a length of turquoise satin ribbon and strung it on my sweet 50's "slat window" that separates the front room from the kitchen/tv room. I used safety pins to secure different little containers for the goodies and I printed numbers on turquoise cardstock. After the Christmas cards started pouring in (thanks so much to all who sent them, they're wonderful...ours are coming...had to send it two batches...envelope shortage) I simply pulled out the handy dandy clothespins and secured the cards on our line. Viola!


It's all about the packaging! Well....not really, I do like to open a pretty package to find something delectable inside, but I also REALLY appreciate some good packaging. I snagged the tins at Michael's and Big Lots. I picked up the red boxes at Walmart (of all places) in the craft section. It is a Martha product and I think they were so perfect, with their little compartments and polka-dot tissue paper. Thank you Martha, thank you.

Spiced Mango Chutney and Cumin Buttermilk Crackers to be sent to my diabetic daddy!

Time for candy! Pull out your trusty thermometer and watch it carefully!

Aunt Dani's hard tack candy. This year I let the boys choose the flavors. We got bubble gum, root beer, peppermint, orange creme, lemon and strawberry. Delicious!

Hard and salty sweet golden caramel chews. These are to die for!

Classic sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles (for Cole's class).

Iced gingerbread snowmen (again for Cole's class).

The French Yule log, Buche de Noel. White sponge cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. Isn't it grand. It turned out so well. This was also for Cole's class, they did a Christmas around the world and I volunteered to do most of the baking.

Merry Christmas to everyone, bless you and your families with good health and homemade goodies. Cheers!