tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305942353728954872024-11-08T07:09:09.240-08:00Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-64052059689600756582013-07-28T12:01:00.000-07:002013-08-05T12:15:15.770-07:00

Yesterday was a great day! Both Worf and Tasha were able to get baptized yesterday morning. It was a long wait for Tasha and a lot of hard work on her part (her mother was totally against it for years), but it happened! They were both SO excited. We had quite a few hiccups: my sister found out that her tire needed to be replaced right before their 2 hour drive out here  my parents had

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-39311641151513300792013-07-26T23:21:00.000-07:002013-08-05T12:25:52.526-07:00

After 4 and 1/2 years, several jobs and lots of plans falling through, we finally manged to take a day trip as a whole family! (I know, shocking right? Don't worry, it wasn't THAT earth shattering as Riker was still working for most of the drive there). Even better, we were able to include my parents, my grandma, and my sister and her family. We went out to the Bay Area to a place called Tilden

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-89005667897821726962013-07-19T13:04:00.000-07:002013-07-19T13:04:16.556-07:00

That would be my awesome Geordi helping unload the u-haul So much has gone on in our little family over the past few months that I feel like I am completely behind in EVERY area. The biggest issue has been the fact that we moved in April. Now, we didn't just decide to find a place, pack up and move. Nope. We were told that our landlord was moving back in, get out. Our lease had been up for a

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-10374588186152015722013-05-11T22:05:00.000-07:002013-11-01T11:37:42.154-07:00

I have been seriously neglecting my blog. Ugh. I have had so much going on over the last few months that I'm surprised I even know where my computer is to blog! I keep meaning to get back into it, but I don't. I'm lazy like that. However, I have quite a few things in the works for my family over the next few months (not the least of which is unpacking from our move last month!) so I am hoping to

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-58650168093290520922013-03-16T10:36:00.000-07:002013-03-19T10:39:10.514-07:00

My friend Julia started a modest clothing business a while back called Whimsey Lane Apparel. She makes dresses, accessories and the cutest swimsuits ever! Now, she is doing a giveaway at Happily Domestic for her Ava Dress, in Black Midnight. The dress comes in teal, lipstick red, black midnight and snow white and are on sale for $59 if you want a different color. The giveaway

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-62200765815302713492012-10-03T10:03:00.000-07:002012-10-04T10:04:58.695-07:00

The goal I set for myself last month (technically the end of August) was to lose 4 lbs of fat. Unfortunately, I didn't even come close. The begining of the month was bad all over the place. We had 4 birthday parties and a wedding in the course of 3 weeks (that was a whole lot of cake...). I still struggled with getting my workouts in on a regular basis. About mid-September, a friend of mine

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-86313886005382696592012-09-24T21:13:00.000-07:002012-09-26T23:19:28.502-07:00

Let me start off by saying that I am rather embarrassed to show you this photo. This is one of my all-time favorite shirts. It is 100% bamboo cotton and feels so amazing. It is light weight and breathable and works great for layering. One problem: Yep, that's right. The dreaded yellow pit stain. I have an excessive sweat problem (no, really, I sweat ALL the time, even when I'm cold...) and,

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-22173518253583113072012-09-18T21:19:00.000-07:002012-09-18T21:20:46.205-07:00

Egg Salad Sandwiches Adapted from allrecipes.com  Serves 6 12 eggs, boiled, peeled and chopped 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 teaspoons barbeque sauce 1 tablespoon mustard 1 dash chipotle pepper 12 slices whole wheat bread 6 oz cheddar cheese 6 pears, sliced Peel and chop eggs. Mix mayo, barbecue sauce, mustard and chipotle powder in separate bowl. Add eggs and stir to combine. Serve on bread

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-39657901705530160942012-09-18T21:14:00.000-07:002012-09-18T21:14:21.070-07:00

I made this recipe for dinner tonight and I can't get enough of it (honestly, that happens every time I make it). It is SO good! It is adapted from a recipe found here. Tomato Basil Quiche with Whole Wheat Crust Serves 6 1.5 cups whole-wheat flour 1/2 cup melted butter1.5 cups milk 5 eggs, beaten large handful fresh basil, chiffonade (fancy word for chopped in strips) 15 grape tomatoes (I

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-31268541018697198932012-09-17T10:21:00.000-07:002012-09-18T10:22:14.421-07:00

I got a great deal on a dresser/mirror set for Tasha several months ago (by great deal, I mean the neighbors were getting rid of it and let us take it for free) and figured the easiest way to update it and hide the stains/scratches/etc was to spray paint it (I tried gel stain first and it was a depressingly utter disaster). I know, I should have taken before and after pictures and I fully

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-53026499478423701272012-09-15T15:15:00.000-07:002012-09-19T10:42:28.995-07:00

This one is my favorite so far Anyone that is friends with me on Facebook has seen all the cute hairstyles I have done on Tasha's hair over the last year or so. What they haven't seen is the massive amounts of hair accessories that have taken over my bathroom (mine included!). All that girly-ness has been grating on Riker, although he has kept it to himself for the most part. Luckily, he

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-11218635150270653952012-09-12T18:16:00.000-07:002012-09-12T18:16:37.328-07:00

I love granola and just about everything I can put granola on. I DON'T love how high in calories it is. I make my own in an effort to limit the calorie intake (and to ease the strain on my wallet from eating so much granola!). Granola (adapted from 100daysofrealfood.com) 5 1/2 cups rolled oats 1 cup raw almonds 1 cup raw walnuts 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-32272122706794804992012-09-11T09:08:00.004-07:002012-09-11T09:08:57.660-07:00

Growing up in an LDS ward in Utah, there were a lot of Pancake Breakfasts at the church. I mean a LOT. For many years, I had to choke down the nastiness that is Krusteaz pancakes. (ugh I still shudder). Luckily, one of my parent's friends hated them as much as I did and set out to create a large bulk mix that wound up being used at every church breakfast since (that was over a decade ago). I have

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-87526889658764211412012-09-04T14:25:00.001-07:002012-09-05T11:39:36.710-07:00

I have a confession to make: I LOVE Alton Brown. I think he is funny and he has so many great food tips. If you don't know who he is, you should definitely watch this (or at least the first 2:22): I have yet to have a single AB recipe let me down. The best thing about Alton is that he heavily promotes making everything yourself. And I mean everything! In fact, my mayo recipe is based off of

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-42584550215772912242012-09-04T13:46:00.001-07:002012-09-04T13:46:31.547-07:00

I came across this blog post one day that really opened my eyes to the ickyness that is microwave popcorn. I have never really cared for microwave popcorn (especially that nasty "butter" crap) and really liked using the air popper I had, until my ex made off with it in the divorce (in his defense, it was a present for him). I considered getting a new one, but didn't want to store yet another

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-38186035254542455842012-09-04T13:25:00.001-07:002012-09-04T13:26:24.766-07:00

This recipe is a SUPER easy hot breakfast that everyone (except Riker, but that is a different story) likes. I buy my cereal in bulk at my local WinCo, but you can also find it in the cereal aisle or baking aisle in smaller bags like this: Thanks to this techno-age we live in, you can even buy it online in a myriad of places in nearly every quantity. 4 1/2 cups water 1 1/3 cups cereal mix 1/2

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-57572108069843042632012-09-04T11:37:00.000-07:002012-09-05T11:38:43.644-07:00

  When I was in college, I had the opportunity to go to Paris for an exchange program. The first time I ordered a turkey sandwich, I was a little weirded out by this light yellow stuff they were slathering on my precious Parisian bread. I was so worried that it was some weird mayo/mustard mixture (I hate mustard!) but I really wanted my sandwich so I decided I would choke it down anyway.

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-5527519692982959792012-09-02T22:20:00.001-07:002012-09-02T22:24:31.551-07:00

Our lesson in our women's organization at church today was on a talk Elder Robert D. Hales gave in this year's April General Conference titled Coming to Ourselves. The sister who taught our lesson did a great job with this talk, but I kind of felt like another sister and I (unintentionally) dominated the discussion portion. This was a topic that is rather dear to me and has been a big part of my

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-48037343804387834922012-08-31T10:30:00.000-07:002012-08-31T10:30:02.100-07:00

Clear back in March, I promised to get our family photos posted. It has been quite the rollercoaster to even get them myself, but here they are. I love them! I have such a cute family!!     This picture sums up our family perfectly       I love this man SO much!  

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-5279109607974622542012-08-29T10:21:00.000-07:002012-08-29T10:21:00.053-07:00

This week I was looking back at when I first started posting my weigh ins and looking to see how much progress I have made. It is nowhere near where I wanted to be more than a year later, but it IS progress right? So here you have it:              July 13, 2011            &nbsp

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-37243189221067761282012-08-28T10:50:00.007-07:002012-08-28T10:50:00.161-07:00

  1 T ranch spice mixture 1/2 c sour cream 3 c cooked chicken 6 flat bread wraps 1/2 head lettuce 1 c shredded cheese 6 pears 1 1/2 bunches of celery, washed and cut into sticks Mix spice mixture and sour cream until well blended. Spread on wraps and top with lettuce, cheese and chicken. Serve with celery sticks and pears

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-23569628160206249782012-08-28T10:35:00.000-07:002012-09-05T11:39:53.446-07:00

Chicken Salad Sandwich With Homemade Mayo   1 c mayo 2 1/2 c cooked, chopped chicken 1 c celery, chopped 1 c red seedless grapes, sliced 1/2 c sliced or slivered almonds 1 T dried parsley 12 slices bread 3 apples, halved 9 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks Combine mayo, chicken, celery, grapes, almonds and parsley in a large bowl. Serve salad on bread with carrot sticks

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-82625439451028301222012-08-28T10:13:00.000-07:002012-09-26T17:29:50.408-07:00

My kids cannot get enough Ranch Dressing. (Seriously, they'd eat it on everything if I let them). The problem is that it is not terribly healthy and is PACKED with preservatives, including MSG and a whole bunch of disodium whatsitcalled. See for yourself: Luckily, I found a couple of recipes to make it myself at $5 Dollar Dinners and another one at One Good Thing. So much better for my kidlets

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-47374701851432498522012-08-22T11:13:00.000-07:002012-08-22T11:13:00.099-07:00

Last month, I decided that I was having a difficult time staying motivated and accountable for my workouts. (I finished the entire first month of Insanity, and didn't even post on my blog!) Plus, I had been having some shoulder issues since Thanksgiving and was getting frustrated with not being able to do normal daily tasks, let alone my exercises. So, I talked it over with Riker and

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830594235372895487.post-19972597362294017872012-08-19T18:00:00.000-07:002013-08-05T12:45:54.638-07:00

When reading through the scriptures, I have noticed many occasions where the prophet at the time explains why he is writing the particular records he has chosen. Nephi writes the things of his soul; Jacob, the things which he considered most precious; and Moroni writes of his testimony of God, the Eternal Father. The most interesting explanation I found was a small comment by the prophet Mormon

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09925741393826360731noreply@blogger.com0