Names have been changed to protect the innocent...and my husband...and me...but not the dog. His name is Dexter.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Easy Patriotic Wreath!

My door was looking a little barren and I figured it could use a little pick me up for the summer.  But of course I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a decoration when there are swimming lessons to be paying for!  While I as at the dollar store picking up a few end-of-the-school-year supplies, I decided to see what I could figure out for our door.

First I found a wreath and then picked out a garland that we all liked.  The garland had to be agreed upon by the decorating committee which consists of Lolly, Babs and myself with CG being our greatest financial benefactor. 
I simply removed the tags and wrapped the garlands around the wreath tucking in the ends so that they wouldn't stick out.  Then I used some ribbon I already had (actually layered 3 separate pieces of ribbon) to make a cute hanger for it.  Here is the final product.
The cost for the project was only $3 and the time spent making it was about 10 minutes.  But the happiness it brings to our front door is priceless. 

Monday, June 25, 2012

A Random Little Collection of Thoughts

Since it is a fairly well known fact that I'm one of the many poster children for adult ADD, I have a gazillion different thoughts floating in and out of my brain at any given time.  Although each is completely random in it's own right, they probably couldn't carry an entire blog post on their own.  So instead I'm offering you up a combo pack of my random thoughts to enjoy on the hot summer day.  Please feel free to add your own random.  It always makes me feel better to hear that I'm not the only one that does that.
  • I'm still doing the couch to 5k program.  Tonight's run is the last of week 3.
  • Since starting this exercise program and maintaining my 1400 calorie diet I have gained 2 pounds.
  • Don't be too jealous.
  • Rumor has it I run funny but it's okay because almost everyone looks funny when they run. 
  • My girls are in swim lessons.
  • My life is consumed by swim lessons.
  • I have chatted with 3 other mom's at swim lessons, all of whom have a daughter named Sarah.
  • I have this weird thing about how the radio cannot be on FM 100 if I ever get in a car accident because for some reason I don't want anyone to know I listen to the occasional song on that station.  
  • Maybe sharing that with you will make me slightly less neurotic about it.
  • My hair is falling out at a disturbing rate.  CG said that I'm just losing my winter coat in preparation for the hot summer.  Ya know, like a dog.  
  • Babs had both peanut butter AND pieces of sucker in her hair this morning.
  • I'm hoping the chlorine took care of that.
  • Lolly is turning into the book nerd of my dreams.  I actually had to tell her to put down the book and come eat lunch today.  Graphic novels are an especial favorite.
  • Babs is loving the reading thing too and I think has read all of her beginning reader books at least twice.
  • We are a family of happy little book nerds.  Or word nerds.  I like both phrases.
  • I'm still obsessing about my garden.  I think it's a healthy obsession.  
  • Last night I made the first 2 batches of pesto this season.  
  • I think basil might be my favorite herb.
  • But don't tell my other herbs that.  I don't want it to hurt their feelings.  
  • I'm trying to reorganize my kitchen.
  • It's not working out too well.
  • My hope is to move on the rest of the house after the kitchen is done.
  • My house may never be organized at this rate.  
  • I can't believe that June is almost over.
  • I better get going on all those awesome summer plans I've made.
  • Or maybe just make some summer plans.
  • Just kidding.  I have a few tricks up my sleeve.
Well, I guess I really should get back to my kitchen organization project.  I've given the counter plenty of time to clean up it's act but it just does not play well with others.  **sigh**

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Fine Chocolate from Caputo's Deli

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a Fine Chocolate tasting class at Caputo's Deli in downtown Salt Lake.  My oh my, it was a fabulous night!  Matt Caputo taught the class and the things that man knows about chocolate must make him a very popular guy.  And the fact that he has to eat 1/4-1 pound of chocolate a day for his job makes him the envy of all. 

We got to try quite a variety of chocolate throughout the class and it was so fascinating.  There were some chocolates that had a distinctly fruity aftertaste to them while others had different flavors.  They provided us with quite a bit of information that was simplified by an info-graphic you can see here on the Caputo's Deli blog. 

One of my favorite chocolates was made by the American chocolatier named Patric.  Plus I liked the packaging....very Warhol-esque.
Amano Chocolate were also very good and if you like buying local, this may be your new favorite chocolate.  This lovely chocolate has won multiple international awards and is made in our very own Orem, Utah.
Domori Chocolate was also another favorite.  I had the Domori Rio Caribe Venezuelan Dark Chocolate and it was divine.
Caputo's not only offers one of the finest selections of chocolate from around the world, but they are offering you, my lovely readers, 25% off any online order of fine chocolates.  Just tell them in the message box that you read about the discount here and they'll take care of you.

Caputo's Deli is an amazing place.  They have a wonderful selection of chocolates offering over 300 different varieties.  They also carry an amazing selection of meats and cheeses.  They even have a cheese cave...one of the few in this country.  I've never been in a cheese cave but something tells me I really should try it sometime.

Just remember, when you're ordering your fine chocolates, mention this blog for your 25% discount.  And if you're feeling really generous, feel free to send some to your favorite blogger.....or me.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Less Words Wednesday-Thanks Teacher!


Lolly's Last Day of First Grade
*sniff*

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tip Tuesday-Keeping Cut Basil Fresh

Last year was my "learn the hard way" year of growing basil.  It was obviously also my first year of growing basil.  And my first year of making pesto.  It was a good year. 

Basil is a sensitive little herb that does well being given a lot of positive reinforcement and pruned frequently.  The only problem with that is it tends to wilt quickly so you have to be able to use it quickly.  So I turned to the Internet for some basil wisdom. 

It turns out you can keep basil in water (like cut flowers) on your counter top and it will keep for several days.  I decided to give it a try since it is possible to get very bad advice from the Internet.  Crazy, I know. 

This basil was picked six days before taking this picture.  I have used it as I needed to and it has stayed fresh and lovely.  Plus every time you touch the basil it makes the kitchen smell like fresh basil from the garden.  Yum!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Actually running a 5k?! That's crazytalk...or is it?

I'm no stranger to 5k races.  I use the term "race" very loosely.  I've walked 5k's in the past but have never actually ran them.  Because....well, I'm not a runner.  I'm a spinner.  Occasionally even a cycler.  And I'm a big  fan of yoga.  But definitely NOT a runner.  

Enter The Dirty Dash.  I was talked into participating in The Dirty Dash during a Twitter chat for the Breathing Space Retreat a while back.  I warned the Dirty Dash tweeter that I just don't dash and he suggested that I just come and wallow.  Now how could I resist that?  Wallowing it would be.

Or would it?  Dun, dun, dun.....

Now, I wouldn't be me if I didn't have some sort of random, often impossible to accomplish, goal that I'm working towards.  Lately I seem to be going for more physical goals since I've almost completely lost hope on ever getting my house organized.  Although I have been told recently that a label maker will change my life.

I've heard a bit here and there about the Couch to 5K program.  I wouldn't consider myself a couch potato but I'm so NOT a runner that I thought that would be a good place to start.  If it can get a couch potato running a 5k in 9 weeks than it should be able to get a spinner/walker/yoga-er running in 9 weeks...or so.  Right?!

To make it a bit easier, I downloaded the NHS pod casts for the program.  It times the running/walking intervals, plays music and gives instructions in a British accent.  The perfect trifecta for success really.  Technically I've only completed the first two workouts.  I was waylaid on Saturday by a mild head injury for both of my children and a poorly timed virus for Babs.  Instead of getting stressed and/or giving up if I'm  not able to keep up exactly on the weekly runs, I'm just going to do my best and realize that life still happens even when I'm trying to learn how to run.

According to the program I'll be able to run for 30 minutes after nine weeks of training, which is often about 5 kilometers.  I'm a pretty slow "runner" so I figure that I'll do the program and then work towards running the 5 kilometers after that.

Now you may be asking what my motivation is for doing this training and exposing myself to possible public humiliation/failure via blog posts.  Back to The Dirty Dash......on September 22, 2012 you will find me in Midway, Utah not just wallowing in the mud, but running through it in order to RUN my first 5K.  Ever! 

Public humiliation can be a great motivator. 

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