so friday night I hosted the annual

easter basket exchange

if you know me you know that I heart my girlfriends to death. I got the idea to have an Easter Basket Exchange from my friends in Connecticut last year, so I decided to throw a little Easter party for my friends in Salt Lake. It turned out fabulous, mostly because of my lovely guests. We ate, laughed our heads off as we always do and exchanged easter baskets with one another! Shelly gave me the cutest basket in the form of a stuffed yellow purse, perfect for spring! Thanks Shell! I seriously can't emphasize enough how much their friendship means to me and how lucky I am to know each one of these ladies. They are stunning! Can't wait till the next party!

 

You can find the recipe for this Strawberry Shortcake here!

 

And for the Traditional Italian/Grecian Easter Bread here!

 

(Kristien, Kristen, Julie, Wendy, Jacey and Amy…we missed you! We'll catch you next time!)

let’s talk about this cake for a minute…

Last weekend my adorable friend Shelly turned 30. We had a little bash for her and our friend Ben offered to bring the cake!

Um…not really sure what he was going for with this red headed rendition, but hey…it still tasted delicious!

happy birthday peggy ryshelle!

We love you to all the way to the moon!

zumba, my newest favorite

Oh my goodness gracious, I can't even tell you how much I dig Zumba. My friend Sarah and I decided to try this out at my gym last week. First of all let me clarify, I am not a dancer and I generally have issues moving my hips like that. But…This class was the most fun that I have had working out in a really long time! It's a form of latin dance in exercise and seriously, no one is really good at it so I didn't feel like a nerd in the class…it was just fun to get my groove on to be honest! If you have it at your gym, you must must must try it! I'm in LOVE!

i’m so proud

of my niece Kaylee who made the choice to be baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Kaylee is a special little girl with a sweet demeanor and the desire to help others. She loves animals and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Mostly, she is such a blessing to our family . Seeing her baptism was a very spiritual experience and reminded me of the covenants I made with my Heavenly Father at the age of 8. These covenants are easy to take for granted from day to day, but I wanted to thank Kaylee for making this choice and giving me the opportunity to have my testimony of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost renewed and strengthened. Kaylee, you are wonderful and we are so lucky to have you as a part of our lives.

girls day out

My nieces Emily, Kaylee and Megan were in town this week so I decided that I must fulfill my aunt duties and take them for a girl's day out! We had a lovely time at the Nail Salon, eating lunch at the Olive Garden, and seeing a movie at the $1 theater. I am proud to be the aunt of such darling little ladies and I can't wait until they come in town next so we can do it again!

another super weekend…

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I absolutely am one of the luckiest girls in the world. The reason this week being that I have the most amazing friends all around the world, but in this point in time…Salt Lake. We kicked off the weekend by heading to Camille's debut concert. She did amazing and I was so proud of her as she belted out song after song with her band on the stage! We ate a late night dinner at Friday's and giggled like crazy as we told bad date stories. I love my girls! Saturday was a clear blue sky day and my friend Molly from Charlston was here on business so we decided to take a ski. The snow was absolutely perfect and aside from being a little rusty it was one of the best times I have ever had skiing. Highly suggest the two for one passes at Costco for the Canyon's. Afterwards, Molly and I did a little shopping in the Park City outlets (ok a lot of shopping). Just when the day couldn't get more perfect we headed to a reunion party for my friends in college. This is where I really get to boast about friendship. It was like we hadn't skipped a beat and really, everyone was amazing five years ago but now, seeing their families grow and everyone who has turned into such phenomenal people just makes me grateful that they were put in my path and I have the opportunity to share my life with them. We played Guitar Hero way into the night which is no secret one of my favorite past times. Friends, I heart you and we must do it again soon! You all make me feel lucky to know you!

I’m taking a stand

Alight people, enough is enough. I think it's time to say a little something about technology and communication or rather lack of verbal communication because of technology. Tonight my visiting teacher's came over and we were having a discussion about this and I've decided that something needs to be done. Since when does writing on wall's for Facebook take place of the birthday card? Since when do we text message our condolences for the loss of a loved one? And most annoying of all…since when do we get asked out on a date over a chat on msn messenger? Next I will be proposed to through a blog comment, (don't get me wrong, love the comments so keep them coming) but seriously, enough is enough. Technology has made it way too easy for people to be lazy in their communication with others. I am guilty as charged and want to change it. I can't understand why we pay for phone service if we don't ever actually pick it up and use it. And I miss the days when we used to head over to the neighbors to ask for a play date. Not to mention, all these mediums of technology suck up your free time that you could have otherwise been spending visiting a friend in person over a piece of cake and hot chocolate (how many hours have you spent browsing friend's profiles this week?), let's be honest with ourselves. I am frustrated that most of my relationships involve me and a computer screen, and embarrassed that I get most of my updates on people's lives through blogs or chats so I am putting my foot down. Call me old fashioned but real cards will be sent in the mail! Phone calls will be made! And Gosh darn it if that boy wants to ask me out I better hear a voice next time! Does anyone else relate to this or should I just accept it that this is 2009?

picture tagged

I was picture tagged by my friend Jai this week and I thought what the heck…nothing to lose by posting something new!

Here are the rules.

• go to your my document/my pictures
  
• go to your sixth file
  
• go to your sixth picture
  
• blog about it
  
• tag six people
  

This picture was taken in May of 2008 on a boat in Bankok, Thailand. Camille, Christine and I visited there after running The Great Wall marathon in China. You might be able to notice how tired I look, I had spent the night in the emergency room for heat stroke the day before. This brings back amazing memories of adventure, triumph and friendship in the Orient. What I wouldn't give to be back in that heat again, despite the illness! Spring, hurry up would ya?

And now I tag: Melanie Francis, Lisa Padilla, Becky Henson, Jacey Faulkner, Elizabeth Vincent, and Nadine Padoa.

an early valentine (sort of)

Well, I was browsing You Tube this morning, cause somehow I thought I could justify the time, oops. But anyway, I came across this video of one of my favorite songs of all time. And, I want to dedicate it to…

you

Yes…all of my blog readers, friends, family, children across the world who I miss each and every day! I am loving being closer to friends and family here in Salt Lake but there are always a number of people that I have left behind as the seasons of life change and I miss them terribly. I miss the wonderful families I have been a nanny to in New York and Connecticut. I miss my brilliant campers from all over the world. I miss ambitious friends from college. I miss my lovely South African friends and the delicious orphans I worked with there. Sometimes, I even miss a feeling that I had at a particular place in a particular time in my life. I won't dwell in this, but if you are reading, and I know you, and you are far away…chances are that you have touched my life in some way and I am missing you more than you think. I am very blessed to have so many people to miss. I can't imagine what life would be like if I never loved enough to feel a longing to see someone. I have also been very fortunate to reunite with different people at many different times over the years and it was amazing! Like the time I met up with my campers Kaisa from Finland and Salim from Turkey in Paris because we all happened to be vacationing Europe at the time. Or visiting my Marine friend Josh in Texas. Or more recently, getting in touch with my friends Suzie and Scott from high school. It's a small world and I just think it's important to let people know how you feel, so…this song pretty much sums it up. I heart you all!

Happy Valentines Day!

(a little early)

 

extreme makeover

Remember this?

I am proud to announce that the peach barf room exists no more and has now been turned into a Holly oasis of sorts. I am loving it! It's big, it's clean and it's perfect to study and relax in. Last week we even put up a projector on one of my walls and watched a movie. It was a fun and grueling project and boy am I glad it's over! Most of the furniture is hand-me-downs from friends and accessories and bedding from IKEA and Target. Can't say enough about how much I heart those stores. The Chinese lamps only cost me $3! My cute interior designer friend Amanda told me that you can never get enough pillows and I couldn't agree more.

My most favorite part about my room is my roommates/the best landlords in the whole wide world. Bryce, Mindy, and Dale have been so helpful and pleasant and fun during this entire transition and I am so grateful to live with such an awesome family! They just announced that they are having a baby in July and I can't even wait. It's been such a pleasure to watch their family grow! They have also done an incredible job fixing up the house.

Take a look!

saturday night live (acoustic) in park city

If you know my friend Camille, you may have a small inkling of how really random her life is. So, last night she gets a call from some guy from L. A. asking if she'll come play music at his dinner party in Park City. Camille released her CD on Tuesday and he had heard her music on MySpace and decided to call her up. Pretty cool right? Also pretty random! Anyway, E and I (aka, the groupies) joined her at her the dinner party gig and it turned out to be quite a stunning evening. The guy (Jeremy) who was hosting the party had invited some other artists from California to come play and my goodness they were talented! First we heard Cameron Rafati. His voice is like butter! After dinner Camille played four acoustic songs including the new one she wrote this weekend, yeah…she's pretty much amazing! Then, we were privileged to hear a couple of song writers who were also professional skiers. Super cool guys and extremely talented. I didn't catch their names (so bad I know) . Mostly it was just fun to see Camille show off her talent a bit and to meet other musicians. Thanks Camille for letting us come with, we had a lovely time!

unforgettable

No matter what your take on politics, inauguration day was one I shall always remember. To be honest, for the first time in a long time, my heart is full of hope for America. If you didn't get the chance to hear the new President speak, you can watch it here.

bon appétit

it has been brought to my attention that I am slacking on my recipe blog, so…i have decided to kick off january with nine new favorite recipes. nine! can you believe it?

you will find them when you click on,

Sweet. Savory. Spicy. Saucy

happy cooking!

***side note. jacey, now you have to share that salad dressing recipe you said was so divine.

my word for 2009…

I stole this idea from another blog of course, but some people just have such neat ideas! Instead of setting resolutions this year, I have decided to pick a word that will become my theme for the year and to work on. So, without further adieu, my word for 2009 is…

 

l e a r n

 

There are so many things that I want to learn about and to do this year. To name just a few…

I am excited to go back to school and learn how to teach high-school students. In order to do this though, I need to learn how to build a curriculum, more about the subjects I will be teaching, how to pass state exams and how to interview and work with administrations. I also need to learn more about teenagers in general…that's an overwhelming start.

I can never learn enough about the gospel, but in particular this year I want to focus learning more about Jesus Christ, His life and The Plan of Salvation. I don't think I can ever know enough of this.

I really have the desire to learn about biking and swimming and to make both forms of exercise a part of my life. My cousins are on this triathalon kick and I would love to join them.

I'd like to learn how to make lots of new recipes of delicious goodness to share with friends and family, especially things to bake since I have focused more on cooking in recent years.

I don't really have the desire, but since I have to for my schooling this year I will learn how to sew. Wish me luck on this one!

I want to learn about a new culture, and place this year. Maybe South America or India or a Polynesian Island…we'll see what opportunities present themselves with school in the way. Best way to learn about them is to travel there, but I may have to settle for an internet special from afar!

I would also like to focus my learning to relationships with self, family, friends, and acquaintances. I want to learn more about the people that are already in my life.

I definatly need to learn more chess moves. I keep getting beat by all the kids I work with, that's embarrassing!

Lastly, I plan on learning from the many mistakes I am sure that I will make this year and to take advantage of second chances and new opportunities.
 

 

inspiration...

I couldn't be more excited about the release of
Camille Nelson's
CD, "First Words"

Camille and I have been best friends for over ten years now. We've traveled the world together, taken classes together, started a non-profit together and have discussed our dreams endlessly. Camille has always accomplished everything that she has set out to do, from marathons to missions to master's degrees and finally her masterpiece…music! This CD is worth buying and listening to over and over and over because I truly believe that she means each word that she sings and I have seen her in action! She wrote all of her own lyrics and guitar parts and her voice sounds just lovely! I am so lucky to have such inspiring and talented friends! Thank You Camille for your drive and constant push to follow dreams. You really are one of my heroes and I am so proud of your newest accomplishment!

To sample some of Camille's songs go to Camille's my space page

The official release date is Tuesday January 20^th and you can purchase the CD at the official Camille Nelson Website

You can also pre-order it on Amazon.com, and iTunes. How cool is that?

If you are in the area, Camille's will be performing and promoting her CD on Friday February 20th at 7pm, at the Fort Douglas Theater in Salt Lake. Tickets are $5 and CD's will be sold at a discount price for concert goers! Get tickets on her website or at the door! Bring your friends!