I can do hard things

There was a post on Bakerella's blog about a 14 layer cake. It looked amazing. If you go to her blog its dated Feb.15th. I saw this and wanted to make it. Now all I needed was a reason. Thankfully my friend Allison had a birthday, so I made it for her. It took a whole Sunday to make and instead of a 12 layer cake it was an 11 layer cake due to a malfunction in the kitchen (I dropped one layer out of the oven). So here are some pics! The first one is from bakerella but the rest are of the one I made. I really am starting to think maybe once I graduate and get a job, maybe I will look into cooking schools! Who knows.

Life's little treasures

So on another friends blog they made a list of their 10 favorite things. Here are mine in no particular order. I added 11 b/c I couldn't decide which one I wanted to remove so there's 11. deal with it.

1. Blue Bell.
What I wouldn't do for one of these, but filled with Blue Bell ice cream. I searched and search the internet but couldn't find the exact picture. Oh what I wouldn't do for an Orange ice cream filled Blue Bell popsicle, or a Banana Blue Bell popsicle. Blue Bell is the BEST ice cream. It makes everything else melt away.
2. Clorox Bleach/Wipes.
3. Hershey's Hugs. I love white chocolate and I love Hershey's. I am not a fan of the high priced foreign chocolate.
4. Skintimate Moisturizing After Shave Gel Raspberry Rain. They don't sell it in the stores here anymore but I wish they did, its a great moisturiser.
5. Carmex lip balm Original.
6. DownEast Outfitters long sleeve t-shirt. SO comfortable.
7. KitchenAid Mixer. I got it for Christmas a year or 2 ago and it has been the best purchase ever.
8. Old Navy flip flops. By the end of the summer season I usually have a pair in every color and at least 2 black pairs. They are so comfortable.
9. Kirklands home decor store. I could live there forever.
10. Real Simple magazine. It has plenty of easy recipes, crafts and great organizing tips.
11. Semi-Homemade by Sandra Lee. I have only tried making a couple of deserts, they turned out great and its an amazing time saver.

Mardi Gras @ Kelly's

Monday we all went up to Kelly's for a party. We had Jambalaya, bread, meat pies, king cake, and all sorts of good stuff. We made masks and had a parade. It was pretty awesome. If you want more pics go to Libby's Blog.

Josh

Jake dressed up

Right before Sammers grabbed Kelly's still wet(glue) mask

Manda making her mask

Jared with a pre-made mask

Kelly helping all the kids with their masks

(pre)Mardi Gras

So to get in the mood for

MaRdI GrAs

I thought I would decorate my place. You wouldn't think it would be that hard to find stuff, but I guess Mardi Gras isn't a big deal in Utah, my home-teachers didn't even know what it was.


This is the King Cake I made from SCRATCH.- I'm thinking Culinary Arts school after I graduate.


Dining room


On top of the entertainment center

Centerpiece for the table

Once I explained what the holiday Mardi Gras is for they asked, so are you Catholic? haha. I think if you are going to celebrate the funness of Mardi Gras then you should celebrate Lent and give something up for 40 days. Last year I gave up Mt. Dew and every time I grab one I never understand why I liked it in the first place and so I end up never drinking it. So in a way I am healthier because of Lent. I haven't decided what I am going to give up this year, I still have 11 hours- any suggestions? Included are some pics. Tonight is the real party at Kelly's.

In & Out

In & Out is coming to Utah and Salt Lake County! (Draper and American Fork) Even though I hate huge crowds and stupid people(they seem to go hand in hand), I am excited for In & Out! I know these two stores will ALWAYS be busy, but its worth the wait. I wonder what kind of profit they would make if they put one in Provo!? Yikes.
linka, linkb to news stories.

2009 St. George Parade of Homes

This past weekend Cindy and I went to PoH. We left at 6am Sat morning and thought about turning around several times due to the horrible snow storm, but we didn't. We were able to see all but 7 of the 26 homes. It was sunny and warm (high 50s). We were in long sleeve t-shirts. It was WONDERFUL. I did kinda miss it there, who wouldn't miss warm winters? But being there made me realize how fortunate I am and has given me the motivation to make 09 my year. Why am I sitting around waiting? I realized how much I missed those feelings. Here is a link to the pics I took.

St. George Parade of Homes

Super Bowl XLIII

The best part of the Super Bowl are the commercials. Companies pay way to much money for 30 seconds of advertising, but in turn hope to make a memorable commercial and boost sales. This year was nothing less. In between 100yr touchdown plays, to last 30 seconds of the game touchdowns were countless funny and not so funny commercials. There were many applicants but only so much time available. Featured below is one of the commercials that didn't make the cut because it was 'too political.'

What is the world coming to? I know I say I don't like politics, and I don't unless there's something happening that I don't agree with, then I voice my opinion. I love how this positive commercial didn't make the cut but commercials from GoDaddy.com were all over the place. There are practically naked women all over the place, the might not be nude, but very little is left to the imagination. I guess sex does sell. And it being the Super Bowl and ad about Pro-Life really wasn't going to influence the male demographic watching, like a half naked woman would.
But, enough about that lets move on to greener pastures. I really enjoyed Jennifer Hudson's rendition of the National Anthem. She stayed close to the original song and didn't screw it up by adding her own ending. There's something about hearing that song, seeing football players cover their heart with their hand and the fly by of the fighter jets that just sends chills up my spine.