Sorry

Jon & I got back from our Super Fun California trip and we have LOTS to do. We're moving, due to the addition to our family (we love you Gia) and so we've got to pack... by today! Sort of crazy! So I apologize I have been unfaithful in my blogging. Once things slow down a bit again I'll post about our fun trip.

This is Tank & Gia. Tank is Mike (my brother) & Brit (my sister-in-law)'s teacup chihuahua puppy. Gia is our boxer baby. We weighed them and Gia is 8lbs while Tank is barely 5lbs. Can't wait to take a picture in a year to show you their size difference. Haha.

Disney Fun

Hidden Mickeys

So I am going back to Disneyland, and decided to look up some of the hidden mickeys around the park, so we can find as many of them as possible. In my internet browsings I found this:


About 20 miles from Walt Disney World, just off the 27-HWY exists what must be one of the world’s largest Hidden Mickeys. Since this is in Florida, I imagine these are orange trees. But it’s hard to tell for sure.

I can't wait to look for more of them. Check out this link to see a list of some of the hidden mickey's located around Disneyland! http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/disneyland/

Life is Full of Little Gifts

So life is wonderful. Simply full of lovely little surprises that make the world brighter & better.
Last week Collette, a girl from work I just adore, brought me a beautiful lemon meringue pie, home made people!, for my gift from her blog. Please see entry "Surprise" It was just so sweet (haha, pun intended) of her, and made me feel special that day. Luckily everyone in the office was willing to have some of it, because I wouldn't be able to eat that on my own.



This week, Jon & I decided we're moving apartments, which you may not think is much of a gift... but that was just the prelude into something better: a puppy! That's right! we're getting a little fluffy bundle of joy! We picked her out this weekend, paid the deposit, and in 1 weeks (once she's 7 weeks old) we get her! She's a little brindle colored boxer! We only saw her for a little, but we've already named her: Gia! She's adorable, and already so obedient. She doesn't quite understand the commands "sit, stay, come" but she tries.

One More...

Snow White's Scary Adventures

Disneyland Book

Through heritagemakers.com, my work, I've been making myself a HUGE book to fill up with pictures from the happiest place on earth... DISNEYLAND! I am slightly proud of this, and there are more pages to come. It's going to be kind of enormous when I'm finished. But here ya go, first look at it!

Main Street Page

Indiana Jones

Jungle Cruise

Toy Story

Soarin' Over California

Pixie Hollow

Haunted House Page Spread

Astro Blasters

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.