Saturday Yard Work

Mike's been unable to do the work himself. So we, and Mike's 4 brothers came to help out.


So the morning started, with lots of weeding.

I really wish I knew what Jon was saying here.

Dave worked hard too! And took all of these great pictures.

Mike seemed to be enjoying his morning with us.

Before we knew it we had 30+ volunteers show up! What would have taken us all day took us a matter of hours. I can't explain how touched we were by their hard work. It was amazing. The love of the ward for Mike & Derin was incredible.

All of these volunteers gave us a chance to rest!


All the brothers, like Tim, couldn't keep from goofing off.

After it was all over & the brothers left for their homes, Mike found this: his brother Rob's work boots (which Mike had been complimenting all weekend) with a sweet note saying "hope they fit." It was just an amazing weekend, filled with thoughtless service from those around us and family love.

Surprise!

My friend posted this on her blog and I couldn't resist so here it is:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. (I'll try to get it done soon)
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!

*Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!*

Wonderland

Today I watched a film called "Phoebe in Wonderland." I feel like I am always intrigued by those make believe worlds created in books and movies. While they take me to other places, I always feel enlightened and wiser when I leave. In Alice In Wonderland they ask,

"Do you ever run so hard only to stay in the same place?"

Yes. But you still grow stronger from the running. Sometimes you feel so lost, so disconnected from who you wanted to become, you feel the hope that you will accomplish your dreams slip away from you. Yet somehow I always remember that the running makes me stronger. I'm not in the same place. Not really.

One of the biggest themes in Alice in Wonderland is "who are you?" Obviously, I am Savanna. But the bigger question is, who am I? And I think its safe to say that none of us really know who we are. Yet daily we decide what our actions are, we decide what decisions to make, we utilize the agency that truly makes each of us unique. How beautiful the world is when we embrace the opportunity to decide who we are.

I drew this about a month ago, thought it was appropriate.

Welcome Back Sunshine

Jon & I have been going to the park everyday and playing soccer together. I just love the sunshine and being outside and even exercising a little. I'm really not very coordinated, luckily they don't ban klutz's from the park. Yesterday when we were playing there was a birthday with a pinata and they were grilling hot dogs. I love parks, and living less than a block away has been a blast. We even played laser tag with 6 other people in that park last week. Its best in the dark.


Today we also went to watch our adorable niece Isabel play her last team soccer game. She's honestly the tallest girl on her team, and the best kicker.

Last week Anna came over to see me and we caught up on all of our freshman year together. We were laughing at our pictures and Jon got my camera and secretly took pictures of us. Aren't we cute.



On Thursday Jon & I made some delicious food! We had buttermilk battered chicken & Garlic Roasted Eggplant Mashed Potatoes, they're SO good! Jon also made a really good sauce for the chicken.


On a separate note I made my 3 neices, Emma, Rachel, & Abby shirts for them to take on their Disney trip. They were Sleeping Beauty, Tinkerbell, and Cinderella. Their mom made their adorable skirts for them. Its so fun being an aunt.

My husband is an Amazing Chef!

Sunday night my husband made delicious salmon, I made yummi rosemary potatoes, Derin made delicious garlic spinach, and Jon put all of these on top of his own apple reduction sauce. It was delicious. I am seriously spoiled. All this hearty food is making it difficult to get my tight & fit "summer bod". lol.

Tonight I made a Ginger Carrot Soup. Sounds weird, but honestly was a good subtle soup. Jon especially liked it. Its supposed to simmer for 3 hours, we didn't have that kind of time, so I'm sure it just gets better.

This is what Jon made! Shish-ka-bobs! Steak, peppers, cheese, and mushrooms. Beneath the ka-bobs are GRILLED PINEAPPLE! Jon smothered the pineapple in vanilla and brown sugar, which gave them a perfect caramelization on the sweet fruit. Mike especially loved that.

Tonight Dave is spending the night, and we are going to "Par-Tay!" I gotta get back, we're watching a Street Fighter cartoon. Woo-hoo. I'll post how the partying went tomorrow. See ya!

Face Painting Fun

Saturday was my adorable nieces 7th birthday, and she asked if I would paint her & her friends faces! I had such a blast! It was a fairy themed birthday and each of them had a different butterfly painted across their cheeks and noses. Isn't my niece just beautiful? I know! The blue eyes are piercing! Not only that but she is tall, skinny, and gorgeous. I just know Isabel is going to be a heart breaker!

I used to paint faces at birthday party's and ward events when I was in high school. I had forgotten how much fun I had. If anybody is interested, I don't mind doing these more often. I can paint pretty much anything from dragons to kittys to dogs. Seriously though, kids are the best. They were so appreciative of the paint and it made me happy to see them feeling so pretty.

Haircut!

I was brave yesterday. I cut off a good 8 inches off of my hair resulting in... BANGS! My hubby just loves it, which is good because I was very nervous.

Food Glorious Food

Jon & I have been eating quite well lately.

On the menu:

Mexican Soup with Sour Cream & Cheese

Aubrey came over and taught us how to make a delicious hearty soup. Complete with tomatoes, onions, garlic, beans etc.



Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl

Disney's own recipe. This was the first time Jon had ever seen what a clam actually looked like, and the first time I had ever had home made clam chowder. We bought $4 bread bowls that were so big nobody could finish them.


It was fun how many people associate places with clam chowder. Mike, Jon's dad, couldn't help but sitting in a cafe in San Francisco eating a bowl, while I grew up eating it on the corner of New Orlean's in Disneyland, and my mom always had it in a little eatery at Pismo (a little beach town in California).

Chowder, like so many types of food, bring people together I think.

Goat Cheese Chicken with a Beef Tomato Sauce

Last night Jon realized that we had frozen chicken breast in the fridge and made us this amazing dinner. We didn't eat till about 9 and I was so hungry I just chowed down without really tasting the food at first. Jon pointed that out and said, "so what did you think?" how rude of me to just eat and not be grateful for the hard work my husband had put into it. And just for the record, it tasted sublime!


*Note: I always write this blog and Jon tells me I haven't named it right. So, in most cases its just my best try :) So please excuse the food titles!

Easter & Zombies & Dinner?

Happy Easter
I woke up on easter morning & found... SNOW?
Dave got a chocolate bunny & was so excited to eat it. Then he did something that surprised us all: he microwaved it! ha ha!

These two hardly pay any attention to Conference when they are together.


So I have started reading a hilarious book: Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. O my goodness, who could have thought such classic literature could be adapted like this? I will let you know what I think, but thus far I kind of enjoy a head strong, sword yielding, zombie beheading version of Elizabeth Bennet.

Tonight, Jon & I made an amazing dinner! Well, Jon made an amazing dinner. It was Honey Maple Pork Chops with a Nectarine Glaze. We also had a Mushroom Cream Orzo with Spinach, and Quartered Red Potatoes... Fried! It was so good. I really loved frying the potatoes. Pretty much frying anything. Like when I fried our chicken for the sesame chicken a couple weeks ago. There is something so nice about that sizzle of oil. I'm sure my thighs are appreciating my fascination with food cooked in oil.
This is my husband... I know you ladies are jealous.

The Alchemist

The best book I ever read was "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. It inspired me, calmed me, and made me remember why books are a blessing. Just a few of the quotes that moved me....



The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And, if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity.


The future belongs to God, and it is only he who reveals it, under extraordinary circumstances.


Everything has been written by the same hand.


When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.


Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You've got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense.


One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.


The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect. God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of this wisdom.


All people who are happy have God within them.




I think the reason I was moved the most was his simplicity in explaining that our existence was for our learning, enjoyment, and to ultimately get us closer to God. How beautiful to find a piece of literature which invites us to search for the Lord & believe in ourselves, so we can endure the hard things, because we know that eternity is waiting.
Please share some of the books & quotes that move you

Sunday - Tuesday

Sunday:
We met Lola, the cutest little lab puppy ever. Only 7 weeks & a total tub. Gotta love that face though. Jon was especially sweet with her, he cuddled up next to her under the table. Say cheese honey!

Monday:
Happy 25th Birthday Michael!
We went laser tagging at LAZER ASSAULT next to the grocery store with Michael & some of his friends. It was a blast (haha, no pun intended) except that my gun would only hit somebody if I was right up on them. Lame. O well.
We bought Michael 4 lovely steaks for his grilling & devouring pleasure. My brother is actually pretty easy to buy for: food or blue ray dvds or remote control toy. Really not to complex.

Tuesday:
We've had to move our special dinner nights to Tuesdays for a while, but thats ok. Tonight we made...
A Cumin Seared Salmon with Garlic Potatoes & Carrots. It was amazing! I don't even really like fish & I loved the way my husbino made this one!

Friday & Saturday

What a horrible blogger I am. And what an eventful past couple of days to update you on:

Friday:
Jon & I had an "Office" marathon with our cousins Dan & Aubrey. Lots of candy, chips & salsa, root beer floats, the works. And, I laughed like crazy! I think because I work in a call center, above a warehouse that deals with paper (we make paper products, like books, cards, & posters) I can often really relate to the show. However, I think my office is full of a lot more normal people, who I enjoy working with (unlike Creed & that red-headed lady, they're weird & the show could lose both of them & I wouldn't care).

Saturday:

This is a day to remember! Its a Hindu celebration of some sort where all they sing is 3 words: "Hare Krishna Rama." Everybody throws colored & perfumed corn starch on each other after the bonfire is lit. I don't even really think I need to comment on it either. The pictures pretty much say it all.

Wednesday Dinner!

Last night we made this amazing almond chicken & ham friend rice! Jon made a marinade for the chicken to soak in for 1/2 an hour, while I made the batter & the sweet & sour sauce. The sauce was basically honey, sugar, ketchup, & vinegar. (Who thinks of that kind of combo?) The chicken was cut into smaller peices, then dunked in the batter, then we boiled that in oil.

I felt so amazing. I have NEVER really felt like a cook, my handsome husband is going to culinary school & he has always been the chef between us. But last night I helped make something truly beautiful & tasty. Its weird, but I felt so accomplished making the chicken, watching it brown in the oil, pulling it out, coating it in warm honey sauce I'd made, and then as I ate it think to myself "this is better than my favorite Chinese Buffet."


Am I a chef? No... I don't think so, but I really enjoy food. I mean I really enjoy it. Its beautiful, its satisfying, and I appreciate those who work so hard to make it for others. Am I a chef? No, but I am an amazing recipe follower! And not to shabby of a "su chef" (I don't know if that's how you spell it) for my husband.

Disney Dinners!

Taking note from the film Julie & Julia... Jon & I have set some cooking goals! Jon received this cookbook last year for his birthday, filled with recipes from Disneyland, Disney World, & the Disney Cruises. So, once a week we're going to be creating one of their recipes.
Yesterday, we made the famous White Cheddar Soup. It had onions, celery, bacon, beer, white cheddar, flour, chicken broth, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and milk. It was delicious, but we've modified it a bit so next time it will be even better (no Tabasco or beer).
I was really excited to buy the beer, having just turned 21 this past Sunday I was really excited to have someone ID me, the newly legal girl. Sadly though, no one checked my ID, apparently Jon's bald & bearded took away all inklings that we were under 21.

Weekend with Disneyland!

This is the man who let me listen to Disney music to my hearts content, stood in line with me for 45 minutes to ride Peter Pan, and took me to dinner at the Blue Bayou: resulting in the most wonderful birthday weekend ever!


I love how it allows you to be like kids


And makes you feel little again


But sometimes I worry what we are teaching our children?


Return of CAPTAIN EO! Michael Jackson you live on in our hearts! Exactly as it appeared in 1986!

"Hold onto your hats & glasses folks... cuz this here's the WILDEST RIDE IN THE WILDERNESS!"


Brandon learned the hard way that the one in the front seat gets soaked... and everyone else remains mostly dry, minus their shoes & socks.


Yo ho Yo ho A Pirates Life For Me!
*Fun Fact: It was on Pirates of the Caribbean that Jon asked me to marry him*


The Siblings!


"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"


I love Disneyland! So very much!

Happy Birthday To Me!

So this Sunday is my birthday! And in celebration Jon & I are going to join Mike & Brit for their Disneyland Day tradition! (Every year Mike & Brit are going to Disneyland on the second weekend of March with their family & anyone who wants to is invited) So we're going! And last night Jon gave me my present early!!!!!!!

A beautiful, compact, RED camera!

He gave it to me early so that I could practice my digital photo taking skills before we get to Disneyland. I have the most thoughtful husband in the world! I was cranky last night, complaining about the T-shirts I had made for Mike, Brit, Jon & I. I've put Wall.e on Michael's, Eve on Brit's, Scar on Jon's, and Maleficent for me. You see I made them and didn't account for the size of my breasts and (because I wasn't thinking) placed Maleficent right over my left boob. When I put it on I about screamed at my stupidity. Jon said it didn't look so bad from his angle, but I don't want anybody looking at me there from any angle! So I was angry at the world, and that meant my husband got most of it. And instead of getting angry he said that the shirts were still beautiful and I should take a picture of them for my blog. Angrily I said "no way!" So he sweetly pulled out my little camera!

Why are husbands so amazing? Instantly I realized I was being childish & cranky and realized I had someone who loved me more than a stinkin villain shirt with the character over my chest. Thank you Jon!

I will keep you all posted on our Disneyland adventures!

Heritage Makers

So I work for & LOVE heritagemakers.com! I work in Customer Support & love talking to people all day & helping them create these amazing scrapbooks, canvases, & posters. In fact, I make lots myself. I don't necessarily print them, but I have a blast creating them. This week I created two 8x8 canvases. I think they would look adorable as a "His & Hers" artwork in someones home. Or even as like bathroom mounts for Mens & Womens. However, I cannot print them. Maybe some other month when I have more monies :)

Here they are:
His
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1247908&productId=38
Hers
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1238186&productId=38