Monday, October 27, 2008

Random

Well, I've decided I must've scared everyone off with my ANTI-FUR post last week. No one is commenting anymore. OH well:) I've decided I'm DEFINITELY doing an Etsy Shop. I'm SO EXCITED! I plan on officially opening shop December 1, 2008! I get my serger November 4th- so that is when the sewing will begin! It's actually perfect timing because I just got a JoAnns flyer in the mail with one of those 10% off entire purchase! YES! I am sooooo excited I can hardly stand it! Oh- also, the reason I'm not opening for a month is because we are going to Lizzie's for Thanksgiving, and she will take the pics of all my stuff.

I am on Etsy...literally all day long looking at different products- what sells, what doesn't...looking at Martha...getting more ideas...basically I am way excited, but way nervous as well. Don't worry- I'm not going to go spend a billion dollars on this...I'm just going to make probably 7-10 items to post up front and then see how it goes! I am pretty nervous that I get all excited, and then it BOMBS! Yikes. That would stink. BUT, it is very very easy to see that happening. There are over 170,000 etsy shops right now. Crazy right? So whose to say I'd make it? No one. Anyway- look forward to December 1st because that is opening day!

Onto other business. We are moving this week! SO EXCITED! We are basically irking to get out of this place. Everytime I hear our neighbors or hear music in the ballroom, I think...thank goodness we are leaving!!! I have officially packed all our random wall and shelf decor. Thats....it. We really don't have much to pack. So- it won't be a big deal at all! Clay packed books and most of his electronic stuff. The great thing about this move is- I am pretty much going to have my sewing/craft room ALL to myself. Well, what I mean is- an entire room dedicated to just that. Clay can hang there if he wants:)

I can't remember anything else I was going to say. School is good. I think I find out my midterm grades tomorrow...I think...hopefully they're good..............................

Oh yeah- friday we are going to the Leslies for Halloween. The girls will play the piano in their little recital, and Rebecca and I will make homemade donuts and we will have a spooky dinner and everything! I'm way excited:)

Thaaaaaaaats it! Love to you all:)

Friday, October 24, 2008

Etsy

So I am thinking of starting an Etsy Shop. I am picking up some mad skills in my sewing classes, and am becoming more and more inlove with sewing every DAY! Since I'm soon getting a serger, I figured I could put my new found skills to work! So my question to all of you are- should I do it? I really don't know a WHOLE LOT about Etsy...so for any of you who know people who have an Etsy shop, or shop on etsy, or whatever- please just tell me ANYTHING I need to know. Especially- do you know how likely it would be that I would make profit? Is it hard to use? Things like that. I am actaully really really considering doing this soon. Ideas I have of things I would make are really endless...but I think I would start with 1) Pillowcases (boring, I know- but they are so pretty...you still haven't seen them- but BOTH Clay and I love them) 2) Cloth Napkins (Amy- I still don't know why YOU haven't started an etsy shop). They are simple, I know that I am able to make both of those items to be quality, and...........yeah. That's about it. I of course, would love to eventually expand my inventory BUT, I figured I'd probably just take it easy until I see if I could actually be successful at this. BUT, we are getting ahead of ourselves. PULEASE! Give me anything you know about Etsy. If you read my blog, have never commented- and know something about etsy- PLEASE SHARE! Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies (revised)

SERVINGS: 24




INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup white flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Beat together room temperature butter, brown sugar, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Mix in baking soda and salt. Add flour all at once, beating until just incorporated, no longer! Then add chocolate chips by hand or quickly in mixer and roll into balls onto cookie sheets or use cookie scoop.

Bake at 375 for 11 minutes.

If frozen, cook for 18 minutes at 300.

When I first adjusted the recipe, Clay said, "Mm! These are good! It's a really good combination of chewy and crunchy." :)

Monday, October 20, 2008

Just call me Pheobe Buffay...I'm takin a stand!



So basically today in my english class we were practicing researching and looking at all sides of things. My teachers tarted off with us reading an article from PETA. Those who don't know what PETA is- it's People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. They are people like in the movie "It could happen to you" (with nicholas cage and that bratty wife) when the wife comes out with that big fur coat and they come and splash her with red paint. Anyway- I read the article and was HORRIFIED
! However, I was a little skeptical about some of the things they said, thinking- probably a lot of things were the rare exception. Yet, I was still a little disturbed, and it got me thinking...

THEN, to oppose PETA, our teacher had us read an article from the IFTF (International Fur Trade Federation). This article focused on the industry and how much employment it creates, and the good environment it creates for these animals.

So obviously, I would need to do a little more research to really believe whether or not animals are treated fairly in these farms. However- I don't think I care (obviously I do- I don't want these poor animals gassed and then wake up while they're being skinned--it happens)...what I mean is- either way, I still don't want to wear fir and don't support the fashion. The scriptures talk about not using animals for anything that we don't need- and they also say that all living things have spirits. I just feel like fir is not a necessity in any way shape or form (at least in america- I understand if some countries are cold and need warmth and HAVE to skin animals for warmth) and there is no reason to excessively kill these animals so that we can look like this-

or even-


I know most of you are probably thinking- Danielle, you are crazy! What has gotten into you?!- Well, maybe being married to my husband has softened me up, maybe this has always been lurking inside me just waiting to come out:) I think it's honestly a combination of the two- but I just think that animals shouldn't be killed when it isn't needed- and I acknowlege the fact that animals ARE needed at times. But not to the extent that a lot of us think we do.

I know I will probably get all these comments with facts about factory farms or scriptures or what EVER about how it's okay, or they treat animals okay, and probably people telling me about a billion things I have used or worn that are at the expense of animal lives- but the point is- even if they treat these animals like gold...they are killing them in the end for fashion. And yes, I know I do a lot of things wrong- like I probably shop at places that make kids suffer in foreign countries or something...but I am just taking things that I learn and trying to go one step at a time. Right now, I just so happen to be thinking about animals and how sweet, innocent, and pure their spirits are. So...that's what I'm talking about. I'm not trying to change the world with one big swoop- I am just taking things as they come to me, and trying to do something about it!



I know, I know...I'm a freak! And...of course, my true hippie roots are showing. But, whatever- I just wanted to let you all know, and encourage anyone who might read this to not buy fir. By the way- I'm not judging anyone that does- and I still love you. Please don't act like I am pretending I'm high and mighty for thinking this way, or judging others. I feel that my last controversial topic like this(vegetarianism) was completely misunderstood.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Chef Danielle

Well, I've come up with a grand idea (for me personally, at least). Since Clay and I have been married, I have really wanted to create my own cook book. I have wanted a cookbook filled with recipes that I actually make and LOVE. I have a lot of GREAT recipe books, but I want one that is personalized with what I actually make. SO- I had a great idea to create a blog called "Chef Danielle". I am going to slowly put recipes on there- probably like every night or every few days when I make something, I'll put the recipe. I want day to day recipes that I use. Then, once I have a lot of recipes, I will use the blurb book resource to create a real hard copy cook book! I am SO EXCITED! And this way, it wont take hours upon hours to put together my recipes. I will just do it day to day as I actually USE the recipes, ya know? So I know I have Dinner on Janus Street, which I love- but I wanted one that only I contribute to so that I can put the recipes that I, myself will actually use- ya know? But I've made it open to the public for commenting and viewing...because really- wouldn't the be selfish of me not to let you in on all these great recipes?! (I'm only half joking...this is one of the many flaws I have- I am very prideful about my baking) Anyway- I am SO excited about this! I put the link on this blog so you can visit if you like! You don't have to, obviously. Who knows how often I'll update- probably regularly...hopefully anyway. Well, love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Moving....AGAIN!

Well, that's right. We haven't even been married 3 years yet and we will have lived in 3 different places!

If you are wondering why...go ahead and read the previous two posts.

We are moving into a small house- the owner calls it 2 bedroom, but we call it 3. One of the bedrooms we count is considered a laundry room...but it's as big as a bedroom (and we don't have washer and dryer). It's very spacious, has a front and back deck, an entire yard, and TONS of storage. It is more expensive than this place (we'll be spending probably about 100 more each month) BUT- we've come to the realization that the price we pay right now, is the quality we will get...anywhere we go. So we are okay with paying a little more for a LOT better quality of life:) Down-side is it is about 5-10 minutes from school (as opposed to our 1 minute away right now). So I won't be able to walk everywhere like I usually do. That's okay though. It's winter anyway, so the walking would definitely be less. We move November 1st! Pretty exciting. I don't think our managers are too happy with us, BUT- it's their problem they never renewed our contract with us. We were done with our contract in July!

Just thought I'd let you all know. We will be very equipped for visitors now!!! Everyone come!

PS- the house is old, but not old like this crap hole we are living in right now. We feel right about it, and feel right about the Landlord.
PSS- Clay is excited that we wont have neighbors (wall-to-wall neighbors) because now we can finally BLAST our sound system with all those action flicks:)

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Small update on the bathroom issue

1) Our entire apartment smells like a toilet. I'm not even exaggerating.
2) We used the toilet anyway because Clay said when the son was here, he flushed it, and surprise surprise, it flushed just fine! So Clay claimed it was fine for us to use the toilet, so we did.
3) Clay says last night when I'm walking in the bathroom, "I don't mean to scare you hun, but just be careful around here because if the ceiling of the bed place fell in, I'm sure that means this area isn't that stable. So if you feel unstable or see the floor cracking, get out of the bathroom". Yeah, do I really need to explain my reaction to THAT?!
4) Sorry for all male readers- but I have just started my period. Isn't that lovely? Right when something is wrong with our bathroom and we will have men coming in and out all day today, and I'm scared out of my mind to put even a square of toilet paper down my toilet--I have a heavy, crampy, oh so lovely period.

That's it. If you don't understand these strange points- just read the post below.

Friday, October 10, 2008

And you think your apartment/house is bad...let me tell you...

Remember my posts...long ago, when I talked of this amazing deal of an apartment that was way cool, way hip, and just so unique and awesome?! Hm...let me tell you a little story.

Tonight I thought, "hey, I'm going to clean the kitchen and make a nice dinner. Italian Skillet Chicken. Oranges. Perfect." I am just about done making dinner, and BANG! BANG! BANG! Clay goes to answer the door and...what the heck?! His socks are wet. He looks and our entire bathroom is flooded a couple inches and the toilet is overflowing. Who's at the door? The Bed Place (the store we live above) person comes barging into our apartment strait to our bathroom, turns off the water, and begins to tell us that the entire store is a lake. We are like...uhh what the heck happened? We were so confused. She calls Jim, the lanlord, and he is hours away from Rexburg, so he says, "I'll call my son"- WHAT?! MY SON? Well- okay. Of course a mid-twenties dancer (yes, he is a dancer) would know how to fix a flooded store and apartment and figure out what happened. Of course. Does this man not understand WHY THIS HAPPENED?! Maybe because he is always REFUSING to hire PROFESSIONAL help! He just has his son or himself fix everything- temporarily! Never quality, never timely, never ANYTHING. So the lady from the Bed Place tells us they have tiles on their cieling and they fell through, bursting with water. She thought a pipe burst or something. Well, Eric--the son tells us that this all happened because we clogged our toilet. OH REALLY! Well, we didn't exactly have any floaties on our floor, or toilet paper, and OH YEAH- we didn't even flush the toilet and have it clog. I think that is something we would notice, ya know? OH YEAH- how could us clogging our toilet, cause the roof of the bed place to FALL THROUGH?! So they tell us- "we turned off your toilet, but you can use the one in the ballroom" Hm. Okay. So in the middle of the night, or early in the morning, when I am not exactly decent- I'm supposed to go in the creepy, dark ballroom- in the creepy I am legend-like hallway to go to the bathroom? Where nasty teenagers go all the time? I think not. We wont have a toilet until tomorrow, when Jim gets back. No big deal. And then there's also the fact that we (and when I say we, I mean Clay--he is such a sweety) had to bleach clean our entire bathroom as well as hallway floor. And then there's the fact that we can't control our heat, WHATSOEVER. And then there's the fact that I can't seem to ever get the hang of my 50 year old oven, even with a thermostat inside, because at some heats, I have to do it 25 degrees below what I want, and some I have to do it 25 degrees above. And then there's the fact that every single light in our apartment has a short...so anytime the upstairs neighbors...well...WALK, we experience BRIGHT light, or an outage. And then there's the fact that we take cold showers all the time, and have a kitchen sink that gurgles the upstairs neighbors leftover water. And then there's the fact that I could go on and on and on FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is $375 a month really worth all of this? I thought so at one point, but now I'm wondering...I know we wont move though because we will be moving in april. That is just too much moving for my taste. I don't mean to be a whiner...but...well...maybe I do mean to be. I just thought you should know- when you have noisy neighbors and think, ugh, these apartments suck- or you have a minor but annoying quirk to your place- just remember Danielle and Clay, and the marvelous memories they are making in their apartment.

New Trailer

Okay- you can't deny the fact that this looks good!!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

From my blog to God's ears...seriously.

So I'm hoping that didn't sound disrespectful or anything (the title)- you will see what I mean by it.

So you know how in my last post I talked about how I would ask my sewing teacher how often they replace surgers? WELL- the very next class after I wrote that, today, I walk into class and what do I see? ALL NEW SURGERS AT EVERY DESK! What?!?!! The first thought was- "OH my gosh, I am too late! I can't believe I was late by A WEEKEND!" Well, my teacher comes in and I ask, "Sister Lammons, what does the school do with the old surgers?" She says, "They sell them at the surplus sale. I think they are selling for around $300" Holy smokes! So I get the name and info and stuff. The surgers are less than 4 years old, it's a Janome MyLock 644D for anyone who likes to know the specifics, and mother approves as well as my sewing teacher (who, by the way, is buying one for her sister...which of course she wouldn't do if it was a bad deal!). So basically- this is all meant to be. WHY?! Because just 4 days ago I sold my laptop for EXACTLY $300!!!!!!! No Joke. I am blessed. Clay tells me to not get my hopes too high, just incase something goes wrong. I tell him: TOO LATE! I am soooooooooooooooo excited! YES YES YES! I just had to share with all of you. BY the way- if any of you have been wanting a surger, and there is some way you could pick it up or I could bring it to you- I'd totally be willing to get one for you. One of the sewing teachers said she is pretty sure they are selling for $275. We'll see. Anyhow- TOTAL GOOD DEAL! Lizzie- I tried calling you to see if you were interested...just got voicemail. But anyway- just let me know! Here's a pic:


Love you all!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Quit Work...andddd other randomness

Well, I realized today it's been about 2 weeks since I've posted! That's probably a record for me! I'm sure you figured out that I quit work from the title! Well, it's true. It was Clay's idea actually. I really haven't been getting to work that much- we only get paid of there is work to do. It's not exactly hourly. We bill companies, so if we have no work from companies, I don't get paid. The thing is, we weren't getting any work! But I was still going to work, hanging around waiting to see if work would come, to just go home and have wasted a few hours doing nothing. Even with coming home early, I was majorly stressed because my life became: school, work, homework, bed. Over and over again. It was getting to be a little stressful. So, we decided the best thing would be for me to quit! I am so happy. Now I have time to really focus on school, AND have time to keep up the house and do some things for myself!

School: it's going great! I think. None of my teachers think that telling their students their grades is cool or something. I swear. I have no idea how I'm doing in most of my classes because my teachers have simply not let me know! Usually they have grades posted online, or hand back assignments or tests or whatever! But nothing! Oh well. I think I'm doing well. I am enjoying all my classes. I feel like I'm learning a LOT, which is good. I am loving my sewing class. All we've done is made a pillowcase and we are almost done with pajamas. But the thing I love is that it is distilling in me good habits that mom always taught me whenever we sewed something-but I was always too frustrated and never quite believed her that I had to iron everything, or had to pin everything before I sewed it. For some reason I believe it now, and I really really enjoy sewing! Sorry mom, I hope that doesn't hurt your feelings. I know your an amazing seamstress, and I've always known that- and my teacher is teaching me EVERYTHING the same exact way you taught me, but for some reason (probably because I was just a rushed teen, and you are my mom) I never really got it until now. But now I want a surger SO BAD! I am going to as my teacher how often they replace the surgers in the classroom (because they have really updated stuff I think) and see if they sell them when they replace them. Anyway, it's great fun.

So I've mentioned this before- but it's official. Both of our cameras DIED! At the exact same time! How do these things happen??!! They were both working absolutely fabulously, and then suddenly died when the batteries were fresh, or fully charged, and after we'd taken like 5 pictures. Seriously. So Clay, my tech mastermind husband that he is, found that Circuit City will buy electronics from you for the parts. So we wont be getting MUCH for them, but at least we wont be trashing them in the dumpster for NOTHING! I was so happy to hear that. BUT, my whole point here is to say- we have no camera! Which is very unfortunate because I need to show you guys so many things! My pillowcase I made, Bruce, and everything else in my life! Oh well. Someday we'll have one.

Weekend:

So Patty and Paul took some time off to go to this awesome cabin in Island Park, which I will discuss in a bit, for a few days. They didn't want to leave Makayla alone, so she came and spent the night with us! We showed her around campus (we showed her the little statutes where we officially became engaged and many other places), got pizza, and saw THE DARK KNIGHT! Yowsa. Was that a ride. So I was a little nervous to see it. Clay absolutely LOVED IT! Of course. Why would I ever think otherwise? I....well...lets just say, I'm not exactly looking to see it again. There's no doubt that the acting was absolutely SUPERB, and the action and actual movie was just plain well done. However, it was just kind of wierd. I'll put it this way- when i went to bed that night, and yesterday and today, I think about it alot, but I don't get scared. I'm not scared at all that the joker or two-face is going to come and kill me. I just keep thinking, what did all that mean? It was just a lot of random creepy/wierdness. I guess I'm still processing it. I would never recommend it to my sisters or my mom. Also, it wasn't so much disturbing images (don't get me wrong- there were some of those) but just disturbing dialogue. The theater was PACKED! It was friday night, and it was the first night it came to the cheap seats--so...you know, the college kids were all over that. In front of us were two girls that every time batman did something cool, they squeeled and clapped a couple times. It was kind of annoying. Then there was some guy pretty close to us, that was quite the opposite. Everytime the JOKER did something cruel and unusual, and killed a lot of innocent people, he yelled, "YEAH, THAT WAS AWESOME!" No joke. The entire crowd was silent everytime he did this. I wondered if he was some distant relative of the joker.

Anyway- the next day we went to the cabin that Patty and Paul were staying at with Patty's sister and husband. The cabin was crazy cool. The woman hand painted EVERYTHING! Walls, ceilings, toilets (yes, toilets), columns- it was awesome. There was so much detail- incredible. Words and pictures really can't describe it. While they played Wii, Makayla and I watched My best friends wedding in one of the bedrooms, and then we all watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Oh, how I love that movie. I've decided I need to rent and see all of those old timey musicals/dancing movies. I don't know how many of you know this, but I kid you not- White Christmas is probably in the top 5 for my all time favorite movies. I LOVE that kind of singing and dancing. By the way- AMY- the whole time we were watching 7 brides for 7brothers I kept thinking of you- especially the scene where the brothers are singing in the snow and that one brother is swinging around the axe almost chopping off is foot. I was laughing so much....Well, anyway- then we came home...hung out a bit, went to bed...and had a relaxing day. I made peanut butter swirl brownies, to die for.

Well- if you've made it this far...I know it's not always easy or fun to read big long posts with no pictures. I don't expect you all to read. I love you all! I hope you had a good conference weekend. I didn't get a chance to hear the second session of saturday. I am going to watch it tomorrow. I am so excited. I don't know how many of you read my blog, and I know that I read many people's blogs that dont' know I read them (that may sound stockery- but I promise it isn't) so I wouldn't be surprised if some people read mine without my knowing it. That being said, I want everyone to know that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the truest church on this earth. I know it is Christ's church and I know it's teachings are true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true and living prophet and that he receives revelation from and speaks with God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and I know that if you read it, and follow Moroni's instructions at the end of the book, you will know it's true. I also know that the Bible is a true book. I know that prayer works and that Heavenly Father listens to everyone. I know that Christ lives and I know that He atoned for all of our sins, big and small, and that if we repent, and lean upon Him, we will be forgiven and feel of His love for us. I am imperfect and have so many things to work on in this life, but I know that as long as I keep trying, I will be okay. I do not say these things lightly, I really do know these things from many, many experiences that have shown me these things. I am not saying this to be preachy, or sound arrogant, or any of those things. Simply, I feel it would be selfish not to share what I know with anyone that reads this blog in case it could help them come to the same knowledge. If by any slight chance anyone reads this and has questions about any of it- go to mormon.org. You will find many answers there. I love you all! That is why I shared this. If anything has made me happy in life, it has been because of the gospel.

Goodnight!