Tag, You're It!

I was tagged like three and a half times so finally I'm getting you all back!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I'm not this totally mysterious person, so most of you will probably know these things about me.

1. I wish I had long thick hair. Seriously, my hair grows overly slow (I think) and when it finally does reach that past the shoulder point it's just unhealthy. How I envy my cousins ans sisters for their lucious locks!

2. I am a really annoying person to go to restaurants with because if I really like my meal I will tune my company out to try to figure out what is in it and make it at home.

3. I love to go fast! Roller Coasters, Boats, Cars, Planes, Skiing, Blading, Ice-Skating, you name it...the more fast, the better!

4. I love movies but when I watch them at home I am lucky to make it through the credits without falling asleep. When the lights go out and I am cozy on the couch somehow all the sleep I haven't had catches up with me and my eyes are shut before the show even starts.

5. I have always wanted to go to India to see the Taj Mahal, but will only travel there with the man that I marry since the story of the palace is one of the most beautiful love stories that I've heard. That's REALLY cheesy, but true.

6. I dislike text messaging. Maybe because I haven't mastered the art of it yet or because I rather hear a voice and think it's quicker to just call someone. It does have international advantages, but other than that I rather someone just call.

7. There are a lot of things that I sort of do that I wish I did well. I sort of can play the piano and the guitar, I sort of know how to draw, I sort of can write a decent poem and I'm sort of good at frisbee etc. I'll have to just keep on trying, but where's the time to practice?

Okay that's it! Ashley Aguirre, Ashley Lawrence, Elizabeth, Jai, Levi, Ruby, Veronica and Wendy...Tag...you're it!

Famous Dave!

Uncle Dave is amazing at so many things, but he's particularly famous for his after dessert treats! The Harris Family Nativity Sing-A-Long this year was no exception. He has brought Twizzlers licorice to every family function in a variety of flavors since the 90's. Wow, did I just say 90's?. Strawberry, Cherry, Chocolate and Black. But this year...he went WAY overboard and busted out the "Extra Long" Twizzlers. They had the whole family oohing and ahhing and once open, they were gone in seconds. Uncle Dave, your a star! We love you and love that you bring licorice to our lives!

Home For The Holidays!

There's no place like home for the holidays!I had an amazing trip to Salt Lake this weekend! It was jam packed with Temple Square, Lights, Concerts, Sledding, Parties, Friends and Family and of course everything revolved around Christmas. Music and the Spoken Word at The Confrence Center, The Girls Party and the Annual Harris Family Nativity Sing-a-Long, and sledding were definatly the highlights!

I had the opportunity to bring my friend Lesego Makhubela from South Africa with me. We met at church my first time in Pretoria in 2004. He's been an amazing friend to me since and has been my personal tour guide each time I've returned. It was fun to show him the church sites and to have him meet my family. He probably thinks we're weirdos cause we have some crazy traditions. How many families do you know who alter Elmo masks into Wise Men Costumes? Thanks for comin' Lesego! Le a go rata!

Below are pics that highlight my trip!

Legs!

I went to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall with Jessica last week! My mouth is still hanging wide open in awe at how these ladies can kick like that in high heels. I even tried it at home in my room. K, that's embarrasing! Anywhoo, The frolicking feathard females are actually very talented and I enjoyed the show! The Rockettes are part of New York and so is their "Christmas Spectular Show". Thanks Jess for coming with me and getting the tickets. Next year maybe we can try out!

Plastic Death!

I've had a smile plastered on my face (as well as a really sore rear end) since Saturday! Several years ago we started a tradition of going sledding up Parleys Canyon. Instant Gratification is plentiful in this stellar sport. This years ever popular sled-the Saucer! The benefit to the saucer is in the spinning. No matter which angle you pick to start out on, you are bound to end up backwards. We tried several formations and chains this year including the "V" and the arm-linked circle. The highlight was definatly Camille hitting the barrel of hay, sending Aaron flying off the sled and the rest of us landing on top of each other. Or was that after the monsterous jump? In any event, sledding is pure bliss!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Eat Cupcakes!

I have missed my friend's from Salt Lake more than toilet paper on a camping trip, more than popcorn without butter-and that's a lot! I love planning parties (seriously, I would have one every weekend if time allowed) so naturally on my trip home, my college friends and I got together on Saturday for a Christmas Party at my Mom's House.


Chocolate Peppermint Cup Cakes-My favorite!

Recently I decided that I needed a signature food that I bring or make for parties. I've officially decided on Giant Cupcakes. I ordered the pan for them on-line. I'm not ambitious enough (or rather don't have time) to make the batter from scratch, but Betty Crocker comes through for me flawlessly everytime. Kevin, my super nice brother-in-law crushed candy canes with a hammer and my mom made the frosting this time, cause she makes the BEST butter cream frosting. Thanks for all your help Mom, you rock!


The MOST Amazing Women in the Universe!


Cedar, Jackson, Annie, Amelia, Eli and Lucy-So Delicious!


The Menaces (If you are going to be a menace, you should be as cool as we are!)

Mostly, I just want to pay tribute to my girlfriends and thier delicious babes. Seriously, I have the most unachievably talented, most beautiful, graceful, lovely, intelligent girlfriends in the world and I don't even know why I'm privleged enough to hang out with them. Elizabeth, Jacey, Becky, Julie, Camille, Cary Ann, Jessica, Ashley, Shelly, Mindy, Wendy, and Krist-it was so fun to play catch up with you and see your adorable kids. Those of you who are mom's, you inspire me. My sensational friends who are menaces like myself...no one is worthy! I love your guts!


Who doesn't love a cute gift bag?

Christmas in the City!

City Sidewalks, Pretty Sidewalks...Manhattan is such a magical place to be in December! 5th Avenue becomes a mecca for tourists who like to shop. Although I have to say that I never shop there because everything on 5th avenue costs a pretty penny, and let's be honest, nannies are not that rich. However, the window shopping is delightful. The window displays are simply amazing at this time of year, I think the stores even compete for a prize. I love the carriage rides and ice skating in Central Park.







My most favorite thing in New York at Christmas is Rockerfellar Center's famous Christmas Tree. Year after year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree appears as surely as December, and Christmas in New York wouldn't be the same if it didn't. In a city of superlatives, it is the biggest, brightest, most famous Christmas tree of them all; as venerable and beloved a tradition as the World Series, Fourth of July fireworks and New Year's Eve celebrations.

It is, quite simply, a crowd-stopper. Skaters swirl beneath its branches and shoppers stop to stare. Carolers serenade beside its branches, their voices climbing to the shining star on top, and sightseers are held rapt by the thousands of lights that blanket its limbs, glistening like fresh snow in the moonlight.

America has celebrated Christmas around the Rockefeller Center Tree since 1931. Below you will find a pic of the 2007 tree. I love it. Christmas in New York wouldn't be Christmas without it.



I heart Christmas, and I heart this city at Christmas Time!

Hanukkah-Festival of Lights!

The Menorah on the First Night of Hannukah. The middle is called the Shamash and is used to light the other candles.


Potato Latkes, served with Sour Cream and Apple Sauce. So Yummy!


Dreidels and Chocolate Gelt

Since I live and work in a Jewish Home I wanted to share a little bit about the holiday we've been celebrating this past week. Hanukkah started on Tuesday evening and lasts 8 nights.

Here's a little background. Long ago, King Antiochus and the Syrians ruled over the land of Israel. The king tried to force the Jews to give up their religion. He seized the Temple and put out the great seven-branched menorah. But the Jews, led by Judah Maccabee fought back and won a long battle against the wicked king. The Jews cleaned the Temple and made it beautiful again. Then they tried to light the lamp. But there was only enough olive oil to light the lamp for one day. A miracle happened, and the oil lasted for eight days. This gave the Jews enough time to make more oil. This is why Hanukkah is referred to as the "Festival of Lights".

It's been a unique opportunity to celebrate with the cute family I nanny for. We made Latkes (potato pancakes) on Tuesday evening and lit the menorah and the kids taught me how to play dreidel. Since there are eight nights of Hanukkah we recieve and give a gift for each of the eight nights. Now you know where my salary goes at the end of the year. I've loved the gift giving though and each year I try to make something so it's a little more personal. Last year I had my mom make blankets...This year I was a little more ambitious and made a scrapbook of all our fun nanny outings. Pretty much I'm married to my job...but it's cool!


A peek at my Hanukkah gift!

Private Chef Gig

I finally got the chance to do what I've been waiting for...cook for private parties! I had an absolute blast planning, preparing and even eating the meal. I cooked for 8 people which was perfect! I didn't even know what to charge for this type of thing since I haven't had chef training...yet.
I served Teriyaki Salmon over Coconut Rice with Asparagus and a wild Musroom Sherry Sauce. Yes, LDS friends...I cook with alchohol sometimes! It burns off! The coconut rice was my personal favorite-sweet, rich, and filling! It complimented the salmon nicely. I'm still mastering the garnishing and some of my sauces but for the most part it turned out to my expectations. The next step...cooking my way out of the nanny world and into the food world! Bon Apetit!