no bake cookies

i've gotten quite good at makin these little yummies.

when you have no oven, and you want cookies... these are your answer!

this recipe comes from the one and only lori sanders who i love like another mother. she affectionately and appropriately calls them gorilla poops. (mekena and kirra loved that name) and yes, i just said poop on my blog, and i'll probably say it again, sorry if that bothers any of you....

no bake gorilla poop (see i said it again) cookies

2 cups sugar

1 cube butter

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup cocoa

3 1/2 cups quick oats

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

melt butter, milk, sugar and cocoa. bring to low boil. remove from heat and all all other

ingredients. scoop onto wax paper and let cool.

(see, easy and delicious. let me know how you like them!)

the awaited phone call

it's been a process now, but it was worth it because...

i got the job!

i'll start wednesday as a part time preschool teacher, and i'm excited to spend the day with little munchkins. even if it means i come home covered in snot and tears (theirs, and probably mine too) with a throbbing headache. it's going to be worth it. i'm determined it will be worth it.

please remind me it's worth it!

i'm excited for this new adventure to begin. out in the work force making my mark. haha just kidding, i don't know how much of a mark i'll be making. but it will be good, if for nobody else but myself, it will be worth it.

so, wish me luck for my first day... i'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

(i know yesterday i mentioned i'd be sharing my no bake cookie recipe today, but that will be here tomorrow....so come back then! trust me, you'll want to try it- something easy and delicious! you don't want to miss out on that! xo)

yesterday, today and tomorrow

yetserday:

• my spiritual cup was filled at church
• i took a much needed sunday nap
• i made yummy no bake cookies
• hubby and i delivered no bake cookies to packer people
• played hot potato with the little packer people

today:

• i get to sort and wash laundry- yay, my favorite! (so not my favorite.)
• i'm waiting for a phone call
• admiring the beautiful flowers jeffy brought home to me
• looking forward to a visitor arriving
• i will attempt to tackle the crazy tornado of a mess in my office... key word: attempt

tomorrow:

• mommy comes to town! woop woop.
• my laundry will be done. hopefully. fingers crossed.
• i'll share my no bake cookie recipe
• i will have a clean house
• i'll know the outcome of above mentioned phone call. again, fingers crossed.

friday favorites: auntie amy adventures

i love my nieces. absolutely adore them to pieces. (haha i rhymed.)

i took each of them on an "auntie amy adventure" this week. they chose the journey, i just provided.

kirra wanted to go to the park, so to the park we went. we didn't last too long because it was so hot! but, it was fun and she enjoyed pulling silly faces for the camera. then she chose to go to chic-fil-a to play in their little play area and eat ice cream. which by the way, if you haven't had their soft serve, it is pretty darn tasty.

i picked kena up from school and she chose to go to McDonald's for chicken nuggets. she was so excited to eat them! i had so much fun just watching her be happy and trying to figure out the shapes of each nugget. then she too chose to go to the park. once we were there we hopped on the squirrel and the horse and took a journey to nicaragua- it was a long one!

we had lots of fun on our adventures. these girls make me so happy! they are two of the cutest and best friends a girl could ask for and i'm lucky enough to be their aunt- wow, seriously- lucky me!

honest amy

my cute sister in law, Rachel tagged me... and now i'm supposed to list ten honest things about myself.

so, here we go:

1. i probably stay in my pjs all day long at least once a week. i'm home cleaning and organizing or making more messes and i'm more cozy in my pjs so that's how i roll. jeff might not love that so much, a big baggy shirt and his old pajama pants aren't very flattering, but he loves me... pjs and all.

2. i love a clean house but fight with myself to get it clean. for example, my kitchen floor has been needing to be mopped for quite some time now. i've spent so much time wishing i didn't have to do it and stressing over the fact that it needs to be done that i've made it a huge battle to tackle... silly me- the kitchen is not very big at all, it might take 20 minutes. but, now because i've put it off for so long it's going to take longer because it's caked with dirt. (ok, not really- that'd be gross) and thanks to my mom i was taught to mop like cinderella... hands and knees with a bucket and rag- i know no other way.

3. i love lists. i love the satisfaction i get when i can draw a line through a "to-do". sometimes, i even write the task down on the list after i've completed it just so i can check it off. and sometimes i will write something on my list and then transfer it to 6 other lists before it actually gets done... so i'm working on just doing it instead of writing it down. try it- it's nice.

4. i enjoy tv. i do... i know it's not the most productive use of my time and that there are many other things i could do to grow my brain- but i enjoy it. i especially like when i see older shows that crack me up like "reba" and "what i like about you". seriously, if you haven't ever watched either of those you should- they are the kind i literally laugh out loud on my couch and ziggie looks at me like i'm crazy, but they are hilarious!

5. i'm a procrastinator. i always have been. and i've always tried not to be. the more i fight it, the more difficult it is to overcome. (like the whole mopping the kitchen thing) in 6th grade i would spend 3 hours on my homework every night. if i colored outside the lines of a map, i'd have to start over. (which i could, because i would make copies of my assignments in my dad's office in case i messed up... maybe i was really setting myself up for failure all that time when. oh goodness)

6. i have a box of projects i've started, but yet to finish. (reinforces the whole procrastinator thing, doesn't it?!) i have good intentions, really good intentions. but you know what they say about good intentions... (who is "they" anyway? and why do we care what "they" say??) i will proudly admit i am getting through that box, slowly but surely.

7. i'd rather spend my friday night's at home cuddled up with a good book or watching Jack (Mr. Bauer.... he's amazingly quick. and doesn't ever need much sleep, food or the use of the bathroom... interesting, no?) than out on the town.

8. i can eat a whole pint of ben & jerry's by myself, in one sitting. and end with a smile on my face. (although the stomach ache is sure to come quick.... ice cream isn't really my stomach's best friend. just mine.) back in the day i could eat a whole large little caesars pepperoni pizza by myself too. gross, i know.

9. i do not like escalators. they make me nervous.

10. i like to think that if i were rich i'd donate all of my money. but the real truth is that i would love a house with a wrap around porch, a movie theater, a pool, a giant playroom with ping-pong and a pool table, a library with walls and shelves covered in books with a giant ladder (beauty and the beast style), a personal masseuse, fresh flowers in every room, and a walk-in closet with all the clothes and shoes i could dream of. nice, right?

{what's honest about you?}

silly things that bug me & silly things that make me happy

-when people post an ad on cragislist without including a picture.

-when it's the mom of 3 with grocery bags covering her arms that helps the mom of 5 open the door and balance kids... instead of the man sitting right in a chair next to the door.

-when you type a word like cajun into a blog post and spell check says you should capitalize it... Cajun? really? why is it so special?

-when people leave their grocery cart in a parking spot instead of walking it to the cart return

-waking up with a headache.... not a good way to start the day.

-when you haven't been to blockbuster for quite sometime, and there are still no good movies you want to see.

-when i'm craving an orange and go to the fridge to peel the nice juiciness... to find we are all out.

-when you get asked "would you like to include gratuity?" instead of having the option to fill it in the receipt on your own. makes me want to tip less. see- isn't that silly for that to bug me? i know, but it does.

{i don't like to be negative... but some things you just have to let out there, so thanks for letting me get those things in the open, now i wont let them get to me as much. or carry them around in my pocket with me. (i saw that somewhere last week... and i can't remember where, if you know what i'm talking about will you remind me where it was? thanks.) and i don't mean to offend any one, so i apologize if i have... totally not on purpose. i also included some of the silly things in life that bring a smile to my face...because i like to smile a lot more than i like to be bugged. don't you?}

*walking into a clean bathroom with organized cupboards.

*when a good movie is about to start on tv just as i'm sitting down to take a break.... even if i've seen the movie 10 times. (like catch and release... i love that movie.)

*clicking on the "hits and misses" icon on yahoo and guessing before i see what the pros say.

*when ziggie follows me around the house and sits at me feet or jumps on my lap to cuddle.

*when i have cute little plants in my house that stay alive! (i do not have a very green thumb... although, i wish i did. maybe someday i'll get better at it when i have some place in my yard for a garden. because that's another thing that would make me very happy... to eat my own grown veggies!)

*fruit snacks.

*when i can hear the thunder, see the dark clouds in the distance and then watch the rain roll across the sky.

*when my body decides to spontaneously bust out in dance. (that darn silly body of mine. don't tell me you've never been caught doing the electric slide in your kitchen by yourself. oh, you haven't? yeah- me either.)

{what bugs you? and what makes you happy?}

mountain memories

i loved living in utah, and will someday be back. i miss utah a lot.

especially this time of year when i can picture the leaves changing into their autumn shades.

i loved to watch the seasons transform.

jeff and i started to enjoy hiking in the canyons. they are so beautiful. the streams, the trees and flowers, the animals, the waterfalls.... mostly the crisp air and freshness of it all.

i just happened to find these pictures on an old camera i was about to get rid of, glad i checked it out first. these are from october 2005 in the ogden canyon.

here we are, we reached the waterfall.

here i am in all my dorky glory... proudly sportin' the layton lancer shirt.

(funny thing is i put that same tshirt on the other day to go for a bike ride)

i am most likely celebrating the end of the hike in this picture.

don't get me wrong, i said i loved hiking, and that is true...

but i didn't always and my body doesn't love it, so i do what i can.

but then of course there's my husband.... a non stop energizer battery must power up his heart. he's crazy for the outdoors and exerting all his energy. i walk slowly behind and snap photos of him running instead of actually joining in on the running.

see, don't you think it's beautiful?

don't worry utah, i'll be back in your canyons at some point of this life!

{i think i'll always be a utah girl at heart... }

the beauty of hope

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today,

because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ,

we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book

of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

i saw a link to this video here, and had to check it out.

i was excited when it started to see that it is part of one of my favorite talks.

it is a short, but powerful and inspirational message that will change your day, please watch and be uplifted.

{click here to read a complete copy of the talk}

friday favorites: tutorials

I love learning new things and being inspired to create.

This blog world and internet land are full of inspiring, creative, talented folks.

One thing I love most, is when these talented folk are kind enough to lend a little assistance to us who are admiring their masterpieces. I love finding tutorials.... finding something I would love to create and seeing some information on how to make that possible, so nice!

So, I thought I'd share with you a few of the tutorials I've come across. The minds behind these creations amaze me. Take a look at a few of these beauties...

{modern mural}

{pillow with rosette clusters}

{decorative balls}

{composition book art journal}

{adorable pillowcase apron}

{glass etching}

{modern bird baby mobile}

{envelope gift bags}

{messenger bag}

{entertainment center turned kitchen}

is there something you're dying to create?

tryin' to stay healthy

jeff and i have been trying to eat healthier lately. we've never eaten horrible, but we could afford to cut back.

i love food. really, truly love it. i am not one of those people who has enough self discipline or desire to stick to a diet. i believe food was created to be enjoyed and that is what i am going to do. but, with that love i have to set some boundaries, i am aware of that. i know if i put myself on a diet, i'd constantly be trying to find ways around the system.... so, instead of dieting i try to eat well balanced, healthy meals.

don't get me wrong, i still help myself to a "Five Guys" burger and cajun fries (extra crispy) every once in a while, and i don't skip out on dessert, i just try to eat a smaller amount. (but who am i kidding? that usually doesn't work out so well...) after all, dessert is the best part of every meal. (okay, so i don't eat dessert for every meal, but i wouldn't have a problem with it...)

snacking has always been a challenge for me because i love to snack. snack foods are one of my favorite food groups. oh, wait- snacks don't have their own group? shoot. better get on that one... seriously though, i love snacks. do i cut them out? no, actually i add them. i just make healthier choices at snack time.

i wish i could say i ate great and healthy every day, but that would be a lie. and i don't like to lie. truth is, i try to eat great and healthy every day- and usually do okay. (by no means am i a health expert. i'm just sharing a few things that have worked for me and my body to make me feel good!)

i truly believe a good breakfast has a huge impact on my day. i know in high school there were so many days i didn't eat breakfast, i spent the extra 10 minutes hitting the snooze button instead. shame on me, i know. today, if i don't eat breakfast- you better steer clear. i once read somewhere eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a pauper and dinner like a college kid. it made me laugh, but then i realized it made total sense.

i have to say, i love cold cereal. a giant bowl of kix and/or trix in the morning makes me happy. but i know that's not the healthy option. we've been trying out some new cereals lately, so instead of the sugary choices i try to reach for the healthier option. 'fiber one honey clusters' is becoming a favorite. milk doesn't always love me, so instead of regular milk we've tried a variety of options and have found almond milk to be our favorite. we buy it at the same place we buy the majority of our other groceries so it's not an extra trip. is it more expensive, yes. i have found it is true that eating healthy is more expensive... personally, the extra $20 is worth not gaining the extra 20 pounds. (okay, so i may be exaggerating.. but you get the point) and i've also found menu planning to be more important, but that's another day.

ok, back to eating- breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. yes, i told you, i love my snacks. you are probably thinking holy moly she eats a ton. yes i do, i eat a lot of food but the portions are smaller.

lots and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is a big part of what i eat. i love fruit and vegetables and they are great snack options for me. fresh and raw is always best (health wise) but however you get it, as long as your getting it, you should be okay.

i also make sure i'm drinking plenty of water. i hardly ever drink anything other than water. i love herbal tea and will drink that occasionally and i'll take a sip of good ole' Dr. Pepper when i have a migraine (he's the best dr. around), other than that i'm all about my h2o. being properly hydrated makes a huge difference for me... it keeps the headaches away, helps keep my skin clear, and i don't have the need to eat as much when my body has enough of the water it needs.

one of my favorite bloggers posted about a book that i am going to be checking out from my library as soon as it gets on the hold shelf for me. she posted about it here, "Eat this, Not that". something i look forward to diving in the pages of. just like we've been trying to do around here, reaching for the healthier option. (although, maybe i'll be upset to realize i'd be better off eating a butterfinger instead... sometimes ignorance truly is bliss. we shall see.)

when i'm craving something salty, i'd often like to reach for these:

but, i don't buy them because i know i could eat them all by myself. so, instead i eat these:

tostito's multigrain chips are one of my favorite snacks ever... truth is i'd probably grab these before those fritos- but that wouldn't make the same point now, would it?!

other salty, healthier options we like:

(i usually buy the "rold gold" pretzels, "snyder's" were on sale so i bought those instead, we'll have to have a taste comparison... which is something i'd love to do with lots of things- again another day completely)

i also like to snack on rice cakes, nuts and the 100 calorie mini popcorn bags. yum, i'm making myself hungry.

now, when i get a sweet tooth... which happens more than i'd like, i try to grab a sweet orange or juicy peach to give me some sugar and cut the craving, but sometimes i know that's just not gonna cut it. so, instead of eating this whole thing by myself:

i give myself a scoop or two of "publix premium frozen yogurt" which is actually quite delicious. i've seen the commercials where the freeze the yoplait yogurt for a sweet snack, haven't tried that yet- but sounds yummy. also, as a recommendation from marci i purchased these little guys

she buys the oh so delicious "naked" juice and freezes them for wonderfully healthy coldness. i haven't made any yet because we drank all the juice before the popsicle molds arrived, but i plan on purchasing more "naked" juice and trying them out. (i couldn't find popsicle molds in any store around here... isn't that weird? i thought so. i found mine at amazon. and as soon as i use them i'll give you a review)

if you're still with me after all this food talk, good for you. go reward yourself with a dove promise. hehe

really though, i feel sooo much better when i eat healthy. so i'm working on finding lots of yummy, healthy recipes to cook up in the kitchen and to keep reaching for the healthier options.

any healthiness you'd like to share?

thieves and suns

i just finished this book. the first i've read by markus zusak, but i am now interested in reading another. i've heard this is one of his serious ones and that his others are funny. and yes, this was a serious book. it took me a minute to get it... but then it grabbed me.

it's written in an interesting view point, one i've never read from, and one i can't imagine to be too common...death.

i can't decide if it's a happy or sad book. the majority of the circumstances and experiences shared are sad and pull at my heart, in a way mostly because i've never had to experience wars and separations or losing a sibling or best friend.

and remembering the time of hitler and his power trip- this books gives the source of his power in a way i hadn't thought of... words. any time concentration camps were mentioned in school i automatically felt ill. the thought of the suffering and torment turns my stomach. in school, not a lot was said of the other people. the other people being the ones not suffering in a camp or causing the suffering.

and this is another reason i liked this book. it brought a new vision to my eyes of what it could have possibly been like. and although so many trials are faced- they are overcome, and there are happy moments and memories made that make this a happy story.

i give this book 2 thumbs up- 9.8 out of 10 stars.

(there's some language that i don't care for....)

i have also recently read "A Thousand Splendid Suns". Once again, a book that tugs on my emotions. I haven't ever given much thought to the life lived in Afghanistan, and after this book i feel a compassion towards the women there i didn't know i had. constantly living a life in fear and uncertainty leaves much to be desired, a life i can not imagine.

this book has quite a few sections that were very hard to read, honestly, quite graphic. i'm quite a softy so i can't take a whole lot of that stuff. and the language isn't very clean either... but even with that, i would suggest this book to anyone, especially women. this was a thought provoking story that inspired me to live a better life. 8 out of 10 stars

i enjoyed both of these books because they helped me open my eyes to the world around me. sometimes i fall into my little bubble and sit all too comfortably... actually, i would say most of the time. i don't watch the news- it makes me too sad. i know there are awful things going on all around me, but when i think about it all it does is make me want to cry. and then i think what difference can i make, i'm only one person? well, that's something i need to stop thinking. i might not be able to cure cancer or stop bombs and find homes for the hungry and needy.... but i can be grateful for what i have. i am so blessed. sure, i have my little challenges life hands, but we all do. and if we all sat back and thought i'm only one person then we wouldn't get anywhere. that's why we have to work together, share our struggles and lift each other up with the strengths we can lean on. share our gratitude and rely on the joy in each day. one person can make a difference... helen keller, rosa parks, the old man who smiled at me at publix. one by one is how we'll change this world, one by one we unite and build each other up, make each other a little better every day. one by one we can make a difference.

when you wish upon a star...

the birthday fairies will make it happen.

and that is just what they did...

remember this?

well, guess what?

i'm going to spark!

i am soooo excited. super duper crazy excited. you have no idea.

#1- i get to feed my creative soul

#2- i get to feed my creative soul in utah

#3- i get to feed my creative soul in utah and spend time with my family

#4- i get to feed my creative soul in utah and spend time with my family and eat yummy food

#5- i get to feed my creative soul in utah and spend time with my family and eat yummy food

and meet one of my favorite bloggers.

#6- i get to feed my creative soul in utah and spend time with my family and eat yummy food

and meet one of my favorite bloggers and i can't wait.

any of you out there in blog land going to spark?