2012 will be our year

 Wintery Ocean. It was rainy all but one day while we were there, but it was still so pretty! I love the ocean. 

So I'm super excited for the new year to start. Here's why...this year, I'm going to do the following (hopefully):

Get in remission with Lyme Disease

Get pregnant

Only eat gluten and sugar on birthday, easter, 4th of july, clay's birthday, thanksgiving, and christmas (except for after I get pregnant, no gluten/sugar until the baby is out)

Exercise lots!

Cook more

Grow a garden (just a small one)

Get a 3 month supply of food storage in my basement

Be a CPA!

Well, I know that looks like a lot...but really it's not. The first four are all kind of connected with my 2012 word "HEALTHY". Remember my 2011 word was "ATTITUDE"? Well I really think I stuck true to that cause I'm at the end of the year and my attitude is great! 

Clay's main resolution is to work out. I am so happy for that! My big change in feeling better started when I was able and determined to work out. He got this awesome weight bench for Christmas and a bunch of weights, so it'll be awesome.

The other thing I want to do more in 2012 is be more aware of others and just...love more and reach out more. I feel like it's been so hard this past year to do that just cause I've been trying so hard to get better. This year, I will try and be more focused on others. 

I always pile on a lot for the new year, but I just can't help it. It's my clean slate start and something in me gets all revved up when the new year starts. 

I really am so excited for this year! Clay and I just KNOW it will be a good one.

My mom's Christmas Tree! So beautiful.

Christmas was great! Great presents, great company, so much fun and relaxation. LOVED it. Now today we get to go to Clay's parents and have a super fun time with them playing games, having a late Christmas (yay!) and eating some goods probably. I'm excited. Not to mention I haven't seen my sweet Dante yet! We got home at 2 am, so he just stayed at their house till we go over there today. Clay's still snoozin. 

Clay in his new hat and shirt! We were on our way to the aquarium. Something funny about Clay- never been to the Swamp exhibit before, and he was teaching us all about each of the animals/fishy things. He knew the most random things.

To end, 2011 has been a great year too. I'm so happy! Clay and I had a HELL of a 6 months there at the beginning. My word. Sometimes I forget how it was so poopy...but it was! We were both so tired, sick, and depressed. We wondered if we were ever going to get better. It was a rough uphill battle that we didn't understand fully. Our doctor told us to keep going, our family told us to keep going, and we have had so many people praying for us. We kept going...and some sort of change happened a few months ago. All of a sudden, we felt better. We were happier. We realized...holy smokes, this is working! I realized that I was super unhealthy and had just gotten used to it and forgotten what healthy actually felt like...cause once I felt better, I couldn't believe how good I felt! Clay too. We both have just made so many improvements we can't help but be grateful and happy. Clay actually said, "I can't wait to start my new pills"...which basically has NEVER been an attitude of his. Thank you, thank you, and thank you...for praying for us, boosting us up, and sending good things to us. We have had family members just surprise us with packages and family fasts and help in so many ways, I just don't know what we would've done without all of you. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. Even you strangers that have popped in here every so often. 

Life is good. Sooooooooo good. 

One last thing- I got to snuggle my sister's new baby a LOT this week. I think my heart has grown 3 sizes, just like the Grinch.

Merry Christmas! 

I have been eating way too many sweets. My grandma made basically enough for a candy store and said, "there's not too much of anything"....the amount of candy and sweets she brought fills an entire countertop. Plus some in the fridge (cheesecake...heavenly cheesecake). 

Dante's with his grandparents and aunt. That picture above is their doing :) He looks really happy about those antlers huh? 

Anyway, GREAT Christmas. Just you wait till you see the most gorgeous shoes I've ever seen in my life that Clay surprised me with! I keep putting them on my feet just to look at them. 

The ocean is beautiful, and my newest niece is beautiful too. Madison Danielle is just the sweetest thing...I keep saying, "I just love her"...or "She is so perfect". So inlove. 

Alrighty...time to make a shake and get some sort of nutrition in this body of mine. 

Oh- PS...our doc appt went really well. We are right on track, and Clay got the okay to go back to church! YES! It's been over a year since he's been. 

Hope everyone is having a happy time :) Already thinking about my new years resolutions.

Sugar Free Gluten Free CINNAMIN ROLLS

Made these this morning...pretty tasty. For anyone interested, I replaced the flour the recipe called for with 1/2 my gluten free blend, and 1/2 sweet rice flour. Also, I used coconut sugar for the rolls, and agave for the filling and frosting. I'll post the recipe once it's perfected (which it ALMOST is!), it's just slightly more grainy than the average person would want. I totally ate two of these already...so they are really quite good! But yeah, my whole goal here with these recipes is to make them so basically EVERYONE would enjoy them. Not just gluten/sugar free peeps like me. But seriously- if you want to step in a good direction when making normal cinnamon rolls...replace the sugar with coconut sugar, and make the frosting with agave! So much healthier than normal sugar and powdered sugar. And it tastes JUST as good. 1/3 cup agave + 2 tbs cinnamon for the filling.....1/2 block cream cheese + dash of vanilla + agave to taste for the frosting. I'm NOT even lying. The flavor/taste is JUST as good as any cinnamon roll I've ever had. I'm just perfecting the bread consistency to be less grainy :)

Need a quick present for someone you just haven't been able to figure out anything for? Look at last post.

Need a last minute Christmas Gift?

My co-worker is doing this as a gift for some of her good friends/neighbors. She got them each a frame, and printed each of these prints, and is putting them all one behind another in the frame for each person to have so they can rotate throughout the year! SUCH a fun gift. You can get them printed in 16x20, 11x14, 8x10, or even smaller if you really want! I print them as 16x20's for myself, and my coworker printed them as 11x14's for her friends.

Does this sound like something you want to do? Go to my etsy shop, and buy the digital files, and print each one for about 5 bucks at Costco or Sam's Club (or Walmart...wherever). You could have the present printed, put together, wrapped and under your tree by TONIGHT! So easy. If that's too much of a hassle and you want ME to print it, I can do that too...you just need to order the prints SOON cause if I ship past Tuesday there's no way you'll get it by Christmas.

Want to see one of the prints in an actual house setting?
My sister Lizzie has all of my prints and just switches them out in that same frame.

Woohoo! Just thought I'd throw it out there incase anyone was in a bind for gifts. Also, I have some other stuff on there that if you order, I can get shipped out on Monday or Tuesday and priority mail gets there 2-3 days later. Merry Christmas!

Gluten Free, Sugar Free Brownies

Say what?

Yeah...I have made MANY batches of brownies that were NAST-AY. These ones actually were GOOD!


Brownie Recipe

3/4 cup butter
1 3/8 cup cocoa
1 1/8 cup coconut sugar

Melt butter, and stir in cocoa and coconut sugar. Set aside.

3/4 cup of gluten free blend (see my favorite blend here)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp xanthan gum

Mix flour, baking powder, salt and xanthan gum. Set aside.

1 cup coconut sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mix coconut sugar, eggs, and vanilla for 4 minutes. Add chocolate mixture and mix until combined. Slowly add flour mixture until combined.

Grease 8" square pan and pour batter in. Cook for 30-35 minutes in 350 degree oven. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.

The mint frosting was kinda crazy. I just kinda made it up randomly and ended up putting way too much agave. So then I tried adding a bunch of stuff and didn't keep track...so I'll have to try that again sometime to come up with a solid recipe. It basically consisted of butter, milk, agave, cream cheese, and some corn starch! :)

WARNING- These brownies are RICH. That's why I decided to put some mint frosting with it to lighten it up a bit. I had a small square and was like...WOAH. But they are pretty tasty! I am thinking I am gonna try and tweak this a bit to not be so so so rich. But, it is pretty darn good as is. BY FAR the BEST gluten free/sugar free brownie I've ever tasted. Clay even said this was the best textured brownie I've ever made- which says A LOT for gluten free/sugar free. Seriously, thats the mondo problem normally...is the texture is nast.

A note on my gluten free blend. These brownies? Though they don't include much flour...the flour that is in them contains lots of whole grains like sorghum, millet, amaranth, and buckwheat. These all have lots of nutritious values that say...white flour that you normally make brownies with doesn't! Also, coconut sugar has lots of health benefits. It is rich in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron...as well as many b vitamins. So basically what I'm saying is...its pretty easy to convince yourself that these brownies are actually healthy ;)

If you don't want to go through the deal of all those flours...you could probably substitute in wheat flour. Don't know for sure though, as I haven't tried it. YUM!

A note on living sugar free

Okay guys. I am going to go a little silly here. But I just can't keep it in.

I have been sugar free and gluten free for almost 3 weeks now. And seriously? I just feel SO GOOD. My body feels clean, I have more energy, and here's the big one...I am HAPPIER.

I have heard people say that when they go off of sugar, they are happier. I have even read of people struggling with depression that went off of sugar...and suddenly they weren't depressed anymore (coming from a family with major depression type histories, I know this isn't the case for everyone. And I'm NOT advocating dropping sugar and then dropping meds. Consult your doc please.) Anyway...the point is. I just have been feeling REALLY happy lately. And the one common thing I can think of lately since I've been feeling happier is that I haven't had any sugar or gluten! I seriously believe in this. Sugar is POISON to your body. It's the truth. Your body is ROBBED of nutrition in order to digest it! Your body is also ROBBED of energy when you consume it. And I think the reason it can wear people down emotionally is...when we eat sugar, we get this short term boost. But it DOESN'T LAST. After your immediate emotional reaction, your body is overwhelmed with the sugar that is stealing nutrients...and then you lose energy and just feel bad.

I know, I know. Half of you are going to say, "Moderation in all things!" but...seriously? That is such a cop-out. I really admire you if you can seriously have like a couple cookies once a week or something. But I really think most of us can't do that in life. Anywho...I've kinda decided that I am only gonna partake of sugar/gluten on the holidays. I just feel too good to not do it!

Good news- I made gluten free, sugar free brownies tonight. With a mint frosting. And the crazy part...they are GOOD! I'll be posting the recipe tomorrow with some pics.

Tonight I did it again. I made dinner, cleaned the kitchen, made BROWNIES, cleaned the kitchen, worked on Christmas presents, and even ran an errand. Life is so good!

The best way to spread Christmas cheer....

Is dressing festive as the holiday draws near :)

I've been a bit obsessed with dressing all Christmasy lately. I love it! It makes me happy.

Well, I am so proud of myself. I worked, came home, made dinner, and...DID THE DISHES. All of that! Seriously, I'm celebrating. Not too long ago...I really couldn't handle that! I'm not exaggerating. Life is good.

Well, there are 6 presents under our tree!!! None of them are for me yet...(hint hint...my love). But I do have to say- its been so fun getting everyone's presents put together and stuff! I love gifting. However, I kinda go crazy like a psycho woman with gifts as well. I think of the perfect gift, LOVE IT, and then all of a sudden when its finished and everything...I have these majorly anxious feelings that the person will either HATE IT or already have something like it or think its stupid or whatever.

I have been off of sugar and gluten for over 2 weeks now! THAT is cause for celebration! I've gotta say... I feel good. My body feels clean inside. I like it.

That's all for now. Till next time :)

OH- PS...I read "Divergent"...and I really really liked it a LOT! It's so funny cause my sister Lizzie read it at the same time and she kinda hated it. But anyway- it's basically a dystopian theme that is really popular right now...society is supposedly perfect...even though its pretty messed up...rebels...some love...blah blah. I know I'm not selling it very well, but seriously- its a pretty good book!

I slept 12 hours

When was the last time that happened??!! I have no idea. Seriously. I am not much of a sleeper-inner. This morning it just felt so good. So I let myself just stay in bed till I felt ready, and it turned out that was at 11:30!!! I don't even feel like I've wasted my day. Cause I feel so good. I think I needed to catch up or something. But, on today's to-do list...I have plenty of things. I just don't know what I want to do...I kind of decided I don't want to pressure myself to get TONS done. It's too stressful and disappointing when I don't get everything done! Here's what I NEED to do:

Dishes
Our bathroom
Chocolate pie
School work

Yep, Chocolate pie is on my need list. Did you know I haven't had sugar or gluten since November 27th? I am holding strong. The goal is set until Christmas Eve. However, I'm even starting to doubt that I even want to cheat then. Just cause I am feeling so great without that stuff in my body. I know that I definitely want some rolls though! We'll see. But I have a chocolate pie recipe that I'm going to make today that will be sure to blow your mind. Sugar free, and gluten free...and yummy? Yes. Yes. and Yes.

Oh, and before any of you say things like, "Wow that is really impressive if you can get all that done" or something...remember I don't have babies...its just me and Dante.

Well, I better get my shake- which by the way I added a HUGE amount of spinach to yesterday and it still tasted lovely. I just love that. Adding healthy deals to your food that you don't even notice a change in taste.

I will end on this note: I am so thankful for my body. I'm so thankful that I am not in worse shape than I am! Zumba was last night and I just love that place (besides the fact that I appear to be allergic to the middle school it's at...I always leave sneezing, with sometimes a swollen eye). There is a routine they do to the song "I'm a survivor" by Destiny's Child...and my friend always jokes, "it's your song!" cause I told her it's how I get my aggression out. The reason I said that is basically most of the song we are punching it out and crunching our abs and stuff. Anyway, now...its not so much aggression, but this will sound so cheesy...as I'm punching the air to pieces, with the words, "I'm a survivor, I'm not goin give up, I'm not goin stop, I'm goin work harder, I'm a survivor, I'm gonna make it, I will survive, Keep on survivin" I kinda get this mindset like...look at what I'm doing with my body? I am beating this Lyme down, and I will survive! I told you it was cheesy. But seriously, it boosts my spirits every time. I just am intensely reminding myself that I can survive anything, including this danged Lyme Disease, and I'm working hard, and I will continue to work hard till it's out of my life. Yay for Zumba. And yay for my body, being capable and all.

Alright, time to get crackin on that list :)

Saweet and Annoying things...

I got a poinsettia at work and they put this bow on it...and the poinsettia was pink. No no. Not attractive.

So guess what? Clay went to the chiropractor because he threw out his back when playing football during thanksgiving...and HOLY SMOKES. His lower back and hips are MESSED UP! It's so crazy cause it makes us so happy. Here's why...this past year both of us have made major improvements with our health since being treated for Lyme Disease...however, Clay's joint pain just seems to stick around no matter what! We started thinking that he would kinda just have that his whole life...it was permanent damage or something. Well, all of a sudden this is all making sense because HELLO? His lower spine is twisted, AND curved, and his hips are tilted...as in not straight like normal...plus a bunch of other junk. So it kind of makes sense why his hips hurt ALL THE DAY LONG DAY. And haven't gotten better. Of course the Lyme probably contributed to it just cause you know...when your body is taxed and you aren't functioning well anyway, other things are bound to slack off too...like his back. I dunno. Anyway- we are so freaking happy because he is going to go to the chiropractor and get adjusted over and over and over until its good as new. Can you believe it?! And this is bound to just make the Lyme treatment go better too, since his body wont be working so hard to make up for his bad alignment.

So I have this new dream and I'm totally motivated. I for REALS want to make a cookbook that is ONLY sugar free/gluten free treats. TREATS ONLY. There are lots of cookbooks out there that are gluten/sugar free but they are mostly meals. I saw one gluten/sugar free TREAT cookbook out there but I read that there aren't really any pictures that go with the recipes...which basically is not okay. So...this is my new dream. I think I could do it. I am crazy, because I'm really picky and gluten/sugar free treats are tough. But seriously? You probably don't realize this...but this could save so many people. I've been on Lyme forums and SO many people struggle like me with the diet...cause they love treats so much! And there are SO many gluten-free treat recipes...and there are SO many sugar-free recipes...but both? Not so common...especially yummy tasting ones. This would seriously help lots of people. Also, it'd help me! That's how I really was thinking about it originally cause I just feel like I am kinda stuck with this diet for life if I don't want Lyme babies. Which you know...I don't! So it's time to get some super sweet recipes that make it not so hard. We'll see how it goes. I just may end up compiling some recipes for myself...but I really would love to have a legit cookbook out of it. OH- and I plan on having pictures for every single recipe.

Did you know I'm taking online classes right now? They are so annoying. It's like...I have to do these random assignments that help my life in no way...I'm so annoyed.

That's pretty much it. So excited for the weekend. Hoping to get all my Christmas gifts done. We'll see....

New layout

After a ton of begging, clay redid my blog for me and I LOVE it! So pleased. Thank you my love. You are a genius of a man.

Got back to Zumba tonight. Boy do I feel good :)

New Skirt

So I found this sweet red velvet dress from a thrift store for a couple bucks....and immediately had a vision of this:

This is what it looked like at first:

PAHAHAH- Clay and I laugh our heads off everytime we see these pictures...depicting me as a giant.

Now it looks like this!

Inlove! I love it so much. One of my favorite skirts now. All I did was cut off how long I wanted it (just kept the hem it came with), and then I used a waist band from a pattern I had. Then I gathered the skirt part and attached it to the waist band! YES! So festive! You may not be able to tell, but I am wearing olive green tights in those pictures. I felt so Christmasy and happy.

One of my fav breakfasts

Blueberry Smoothie

This is so easy, so healthy, so tasty!

Blueberries
Plain Greek Yogurt
Agave

That's it. Of course you could make it even more healthy by adding random stuff...but I have found that simple is key for me. 3 ingredients. Easy enough to make myself do it and not feel like its a big deal.

Yum.

PS- Have you not hopped on the agave band wagon? Well...a word to the wise. It has been researched and found that xagave brand, is superior to all others. There are a lot of agave brands that are processed so much it's basically no different than corn syrup...no bueno. Xagave (you can get this at Winco!), is the actual healthy version. If you don't know anything about agave, it's basically a really great alternative to sugar. Natural and guilt-free like. And I'm allowed to have it! The little Lyme buggers don't eat it like they eat sugar :)

PSS- Did you know about Greek Yogurt? How it's like...super high in protein? The first time you try it, it might be a little strange. It's got a different taste than regular yogurt. But now I think I may even prefer it.

Deck the halls!

Well, my house is FINALLY decorated. I've never waited this long before! Seriously...I've just had the worst of luck lately. Lets start with a month ago...I had a week long HORRID cold. Quickly after that I THREW OUT MY BACK. A week later, STREP THROAT! I am just getting over that. Anywho, I am happy cause I put some spicy scent in the scentsy thing, decorated, and am finally done. I forgot how many decorations I have. And I bought more last year after Christmas! I seriously have never been more happy with my tree. I think its so gorgeous. I love Christmas decor!

Of course, I was in my Santa apron the whole time :)

Want to make one for yourself? Buy the pattern here. It's soooo easy to follow, and so festive!

I am pretty much inlove with garlands. I finally got lights on all of them this year. (They are basically in every location possible upstairs)

Interested in a Christmas Word Art Print?! I just made a new one.

Buy the digital file for $4, or I could send you an actual print for $15. Go here, if you are interested.

Well, I have so much to do. But I just couldn't do anything until I was all decorated. While sick and wishing I was dead (not kidding...I had like 103 degree temp and I just kept saying, 'this isn't fair')...I watched lots of ABC Family Christmas movies on netflix! There are a couple that were kinda silly. But I really loved 'Mrs. Miracle', 'Holiday in Handcuffs', and...this one wasn't ABC Family, but Santa Claus 2 was pretty cute. I don't think I've ever seen that one all the way through. One to skip would be 'Christmas Cupid', and maybe even 'Snowglobe'...that one was pretty silly :)

Till next time, have a good weekend!

I'm such an old lady...

So, somehow I threw my back out...or something? All I know is my back has been in pain for a while now (but this isn't very unusual for me), and last night at Zumba, all of a sudden BAM- I felt like if I moved wrong I would BREAK MY BACK! Yeesh. So anyway...went to the chiro this morning and he adjusted like...EVERY PART OF MY SPINE. No joke. I usually only have to adjust upper and neck. This time he adjusted tail bone, lower back, upper back, and neck! Talk about craziness. It's better but I've been icing/heating it off and on as well as doing these super sweet stretches that would be really embarrassing in public.

While I was icing/heating... I watched Miracle on 34th street! 1994 version. With cute Matilda. I don't know her real name...anyway- it just put such warm fuzzies in my heart! I'm so excited for Christmas time.

"What else did you ask for Susan?"..." A baby brother...cya!"

Well, we are going to Cali soon and I can't WAIT! Hopefully my back recovers quickly.

Alright, till next time. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving print in the shop

This new thanksgiving print is in the shop! You can buy the digital file for $4, or a 16x20 print for $15. I'll be adding more stuff this next week to the shop. Stuff that would be great for Christmas presents! Yippee! So be sure to keep checking in.

My new favorite outfit

Yippee! I got this dress at a thrift store a while back for like 3 bucks. I never wore it cause I wanted to alter the chest area to fit more properly:) Pretty soon it became apparent that I'd never do that...at least not for a while. SO I just decided to wear it today and I love it! You see that waist with the buttons?! Inlove... I just had to share. Clay just updated me that I look like a 90 year old woman. Oh well. Ill probably eventually shorten it and take the chest in so it looks less 90 year old:)

I'm pretty much inlove with those shoes I'm wearing. Got them from Kohls a while back when I had like...2 or 3 coupons? I don't know all I know is I got them for cheap. I wear them all the time now.

Yesterday Clay and I raked and raked and raked our leaves. Paul came to help and we still raked and raked and then put the leaves in the truck which took a while! Deary me, it wasn't fun. But, at least our lawn wont be soggy/nasty in spring time. It's so chilly these days, its going to snow and stay anytime now.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for these things:

family
friends
dog
house
agave
iphone
music
decorations
talents
fashion
crisp air (but not cold)
brain
internet
church
book of mormon
zumba

Obviously there's lots more and obviously that is not in order of most thankful :) But you know, those things are kinda big in my head right now I suppose.

Welp, I'm off. Have a happy Sunday!

Back in the game

Well, I think I'm finally getting better from my danged cold! I feel like I've been such a loner and pathetic person for the past week. Actually, like...month...ha! Cause for a while I was just so focused on the exam and studying, then quickly after I took the exam I got this horrid cold and have been bummin around for like a week. FINALLY, I am feeling better. Still got a snot nose...but I can deal with that.

It's funny how when you don't work out consistently, you don't miss it. But when you DO work out consistently, you miss it! I have been itching to get back to Zumba... and Clay even told me today, "maybe you shouldn't go...your still not completely better", but I just felt like I needed it. BOY do I feel good. I'm so glad I went. Zumba for me is good physically AND emotionally.

I'm so excited to go to California in a couple weeks! I talk about it daily. It's just gonna be great. And then a month later we'll go to Oregon! What a happy holiday season. I'm trying so hard to resist the temptation to decorate for Christmas early. I just am so excited. I LOVE christmas decorations. Thanksgiving decor is boring :(

I have so many sewing projects its out of control. Not to mention some of the christmas presents I have to make. I have a couple I'm really excited about! Yippee!

Have any of you been watching the news lately? Seriously, I think I realized this week why I love celebrity gossip/news so much...its not DEVASTATING like real world news. This is of course, in regard to the Penn State scandal. I seriously think that if a man molests a child his penis should be cut off. I know that's graphic...but seriously. It's just one of those things I can't comprehend. Also, did you know that over 90% of pedophiles who are released from jail get arrested again for another offense? In my opinion, the other ten percent probably just don't get caught. This is when I think our justice system is messed up. These are the people that deserve LIFE in prison...without a penis :)

Can I tell you how happy I am to be done with the CPA exam? I'm still amazed that I even passed. And so grateful.

I'm probably going to have to get my wisdom teeth removed...which basically sucks. I keep thinking...are we ever going to have a phase in life where we aren't paying all our money to doctors? Of course after we are done with Lyme Disease, we will start paying baby doctors...so you know, it probably will never end!

Well, to end on a happier note...tonight I made a yummy soup and ate it with Clay at the kitchen table, cleaned the entire kitchen, and went to Zumba. To me, that is such a productive day! I am very pleased.

OH YEAH- last thing...Clay and I have been watching Wonder Years before we go to sleep, and it is so fun. We both laugh so much. I love that show. If you want to giggle a lot, or SMILE a lot...watch that show on netflix. When we are watching, I'll realize I am smiling really big, and I look at Clay and so is he :) Just cause the characters are all so sweet, and so funny, its hard not to smile!

Alrighty- that's all for now!

Passed

I PASSED THE CPA EXAM! I'M DONE! I'm sick at home right now, and so when I saw my score I was in my living room by myself jumping in circles screaming. No joke. Now I need to lay down to recover from that spout of exertion:) I'm so relieved, happy, and proud of myself! YAY!

Happy happy things

So this is a super yummy breakfast.

Sweet Brown Rice

2 cups sweet brown rice
3 1/2 cups water
pinch of salt
2 heaped spoonfuls of coconut oil
1/4 cup agave

I make this in my electric pressure cooker. If you don't have one- its so worth it. Get it! Put rice, water, and salt in pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure 12 minutes. Let it naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes. Open and add coconut oil and agave. Top with fruit/berries. YUM! This is soooo healthy and tasty. It's a chef brad recipe.

Lately it's been chilly, and so I put on my super comfy fleece pajama top, and these long johns from back when I first came to Idaho! Then I put my super attractive fuzzy socks ontop of those...and I'm just so snuggly I love it.

A couple halloween decorations I made that I never shared.

Candy Corn garland

Fabric Pumpkins....don't mind that there's no stem on top!!! One of those things I always meant to get to...never did. Oh well, maybe next year.

And then there's Dante :) Right now he's cuddled up next to my computer chair as close as he can get. Little cutie.

This is random, but I saw it on my camera and realized I never posted it. My dad has never been much of a dog person, but when him and my mom came to visit, him and Dante had quite the bonding time :) My dad was always petting him and saying, "Danielle, I think he likes this". It was fun. These aren't the best pics...but Dante would seriously always be going to dad to get some loves. It was cute.
This one looks funny, but Dad learned that Dante really likes to be scratched under his chin....and Dante will often get really relaxed and yawn when you do that.

Lastly, I got a fortune that said, "You will soon get something special because of your charm." I love these kinds of fortunes! And seriously...my fortunes almost always come true.

New Hair and stuff

So, I died my hair! Well actually, my sister-in-law Makayla died my hair! She is in beauty school, which is really great for me :) This is definitely NOT the best picture...since it was taken with my iphone front-camera, in my office. Whateva, it'll do.
It's basically black- and pretty shocking at first, but I LOVE IT! I really do! I think it's beautiful, fun, and awesome.

Have I told you how much fun my Zumba class is? Well, I'm gonna mention it again. It's fun cause you know...it's Zumba. But it's also fun cause the two sisters that teach it are awesome. They decided to have a Zumba Halloween Party, and told everyone to dress up. So I made myself this little tutu, which I plan on wearing to work on Monday with a witch hat and witch tights. The girls and I decided to be witches!
Here are the basic instructions of how to make this. Buy black elastic the same length as around your waist. You want it to be a bit tighter than your waist. Buy 10 yards of tulle. (It's 1.49/yd at Joanns and its not on sale right now...so if you use your 50% coupon, this all turns out to be less than 10 bucks). Cut tulle into 4" strips. I kept the width of the fabric (which was about 54" or something). Take the strips and make a slipknot around the elastic. I took two strips at a time to do this. And that's it! The strips don't have to be perfect, cause it's so puffy and all over the place, no one will notice:) Hope these instructions made sense. I thought about making a tutorial...but I just didn't have time. I made it in about an hour. It was really quick!

Nothing much else is going on. Just work...and stuff. My sister and one of my best friends both had the cutest baby girls this past week! It sure helps my baby hunger issues :) Thats okay though, seriously I am just so happy for both of them. It makes me SO EXCITED to have my own babies and makes me so motivated to get better and able to have kids. My goal is that this time next year I'll be pregnant. Yep! I said it.

Did I tell you that I am the young womens secretary? Happened last month I think. The asked me to play the piano for their Sacrament Meeting performance and I'm scared out of my wits. Oh well.

Well, I think that's it! Tomorrow I don't work, meaning I'm going to sleep in, meaning HEAVEN. Till next time...

Combining of blogs

So...like I've mentioned...I am sick of updating 3 blogs. Hello? I'm a busy woman.

So I combined them. It's still a work in process...but I have transferred everything from my other two blogs to this blog- and linked tutorials and recipes there on the side. I'll be working on it day to day to get to my liking...but for now it's kinda silly looking in some spots. That's okay though.

Took my exam today. I'm hoping that's the last CPA exam I'll EVER TAKE! I'll find out in a few weeks if I passed. There was a guy there taking the same test as me and it was his second time taking it, AND he said he has taken all the other ones twice and hasn't passed yet. Yikes.

I have NO idea how I did, so don't even bother asking.

Alrighty. I'm off.

Tag

So, my sissy Amy is sick of the lack of posts in the blogsphere...so she made this tag up and is expecting me to do it :) So here we go!

words you always mis-spell typing: i OFTEN do something like this- "i didn't wan tit"...it's pretty embarrassing :)

words you don't know how to spell: honestly...i'm an exceptional speller :)

Things that really annoy you: people who think they know it all. But they really annoy me when they tell me something and I know for a FACT what they said was incorrect. Ew.

What's that meal you can always eat over and over again? chicken fried rice from "Mings"

Do you brush your teeth at night? No. I also haven't been to the dentist in over 5 years...

Dumbest movie ever: Ummmm tie between Dumb and DumberER (the second one...horrid), and Remember Me (remember my post on it here?)

What's a song that you would be embarrassed to admit you really like? You and I by Lady Gaga. It isn't a song that most people would be embarrassed about...but I seriously have bashed Lady Gaga so much- even on this blog! It's kind of embarrassing that I really really REALY like that song.

Are you capable of eating an entire bag of candy in one sitting and not feeling THAT sick? yeah...Clay always says I have a second stomach for sweets. I can be SO FULL from going out to eat, and as soon as we get home be ready for a treat.

Do you love sea food? EW NO! I've never loved sea food in my WHOLE life- but somehow my entire family continues to marvel at it anytime I remind them of it when I visit home.

When you fix meat, are you anal about what you've touched, and sanitize alot? Not too much. I mean, I just keep track of where everything goes. And I clean that. But like...I'm not to obsessive about it :-/

Do you put your leftovers in the fridge after dinner in fear of it spoiling or can you wait? I can wait...but I do it pretty soon after. I'm not like, the type that lets it sit overnight...

Do you use a sponge or rag to wipe your counters? Rag. Sponges are gross.

What's your favorite Holiday? Christmas. I seriously think of it basically everyday by the time July rolls around.

What's your favorite pie? Apple. I could eat an entire pie myself. I love it so much.

What's your favorite candy bar? Cadbury Milk Chocolate Bar

When you pick something up at the store and change your mind, do you put it away? Usually not. But a lot of times I'll just give it to the cashier and say I don't want it.

Do you like raisins in your Cinnamon rolls? This is one of those things I have NO idea how it came about. Like...why would ANYONE consider putting raisins in your Cinnamon Rolls? The two just don't belong together.

Do you shower every day? Yes- I don't always wash my hair though.

Are your dreams scary? Yeah. Every once in a while I will have a TERRIFYING dream. Like...TERRIFYING. Where I'm scared to shut my eyes. But I RARELY even remember my dreams so it's not that bad.

Do you like scary movies? Do I like Satan? No.

Do you like roller coasters? LOVE THEM

Do you have a fear of needles? NEVER did until this whole Lyme business. My veins have suddenly decided to hide from the world and so I have to be poked a TRILLION times before they can get a vein. Don't like that. So...drawing blood is a DEFINITE fear these days...shots not so much (I give myself a shot twice a week)

What's your guilty pleasure TV show? Ummm...a better question would be which tv show isn't a guilty pleasure? Deary me. Definitely bachelor pad...sometimes grey's anatomy when I'm in the mood.

What is something you're really stuck up about? Treats...mashed potatoes...

When you're at a restaurant, can you ask questions about the food? yeah simple ones...

Are you a lake or a river person? Lake

Are you a good swimmer? No. In fact, I am pretty sure one of my scary nightmares was that I was stuck at sea or something and had weights on my arms and legs and couldn't swim fast enough to get away from whatever bad guy was chasing me. I probably had that dream cause I basically only doggy paddle.

Do you like to camp? BOOOOO! I hate uncomfortable sleeping, I hate ticks, I hate spiders, I hate being cold, I hate eating dinner out of foil cause i always seem to end up eating foil, but I love fires and I love smores. Not enough to be worth it for all of the other stuff though.

Do you like rodents? This made me laugh cause like...does anyone like rodents? I am of the opinion that the only reason they exist is to try and test us on earth :) AND cause mice are really good for doing research on.

Are you afraid of spiders? Yes. Just ask my mom- when she was visiting I opened the window and in the window pain there was a HUMONGO spider and i hurried and slammed the window shut and back up towards the door squeeling. I HATE all insects and spiders and snakes. Another trial in my life.

If you could be an amazing singer or dancer, which would you be? Dancer. My goal is to someday look as cool as my Zumba instructors :)

Happy things

1. Just got back from Seattle and don't have to go back till basically Christmas- SWEET! We are continually on the up, and she is pleased with our progress and I'm just very happy! Before we know it we'll be rid of this BEAST of a disease.

2. I take my LAST section of the CPA exam this Weds the 19th! Send good energies and prayers my way! If it goes as planned, I will be DONE with the exam and I will be smiling and saying, "WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" for like a week straight.

3. We are having some friends come visit us soon and it will be FUN!

4. We are going to Lizzie's for thanksgiving, and my parents for Christmas- and those two things are enough to keep me excited through the first half of winter! Yay!

5. I've been doing Zumba, and it's been GREAT! I know I keep mentioning it, but it's really been great for me.

6. I am just very blessed! I'm so grateful that I have so many great support systems in my life and that when I look at the big picture...it's all really okay.

That's all for now! Tomorrow I'm getting the new iphone. I'm pretty excited since my phone has been SUCKING it up the past few months. AND cause the new iphone pretty much rocks, from what I hear...online:)

Peace out.

Smells like Christmas

This morning about 10am, it started snowing. It stopped for about...an hour or so around 6. And then hasn't stopped since!

It's okay though. Clay turned on the heater before he left for work so the house was toasty warm when I came home for lunch. I switched my ballet slippers for boots, got out my coat, and mentally planned to make yummy soup.

Then I made soup after work and it didn't turn out as well as I'd imagined. But it was still aight. I know I've said this before, but...this year I plan on embracing winter :) We'll see how that goes.

Clay didn't work till midnight tonight! YIPPEE! He's getting some much needed sleep right now though. He's been working hell hours. I can say that cause it's true. Poor guy. He's worn out.

Did Zumba tonight and we learned the "thriller" dance! It was super fun. I've gotta say- Zumba is awesome! I get such a good workout and such a good high from it.

Pretty excited for these next two weeks to pass. I take my last exam in less than two weeks. I better pass! I'm sick of this studying business.

Well...that's all for now I suppose. Sorry if my posts are lacking in the next couple weeks cause of the whole studying thing I just mentioned. BOOOO. It will all be worth it, right? Right.

Are you ready for Halloween?

I almost am:) I've got some fun things though!

Do you need a spooky apron to wear while cooking your spooky dinners? I have the answer for you.

The Skeleton Apron! I know I did it a bit backwards with introducing the Santa Apron before the Skeleton Apron, but you know...I'm human. If you want to make it yourself, go to my etsy shop (featured on the right side there), and purchase for 8 buckaroo's.

Here's another thing I made:
A cute little halloween words sign. I happen to love it! If you're interested in having one of these in your house too, I'm selling the digital file. Meaning, you can buy that and pay $4 instead of spending hours and hours trying to figure out the right fonts and such, and go print it at your local print shop. There are different colors available too!

You can't have halloween without fake spiderwebs!

Made these little blocks years ago.

Here is my painting. The box shelves are a work in progress.

Well, I hope you all have a good conference weekend!

Well, that's embarrassing...

So I have been having horrendous allergies. HORRENDOUS! I tell you. The worst.

I have been taking Zyrtec. Let me tell you what- NOT WORKING!

So I go to Zumba tonight, and my eyes are pouring out waterfalls basically throughout the entire thing. So I'm rubbing and wiping, but nothing feels unusual.

I get home and look in the mirror and BAM! I look like an alien! Not joking! My nose/eye area is SWOLLEN and I am DEFORMED looking. Oh my. How embarrassing! I'm just glad that I complained about my allergies to my friends. That way they probably made the connection but were kind enough to just pretend I looked normal.

Wanna know something else that is embarrassing? This note:
Yep, stickin to our door when I got home from work.

You'd think I'd be embarrassed for myself. But no. I'm not. The fact is, we are on great terms with our neighbors to the right. Neighbors to the left, not so much. We wave, they pretend they didn't see us. They park their truck in-front of our mailbox, things like that. Whatever, we don't really care...there's just no actual relationship there...no problem. But the point is, our backyard DOESN'T stink (Clay even just went outside and smelled it), and we "pick up" Dante's poop in a perfectly proper and timely basis, EVERY week. If they HAPPENED to be outside when Dante actually let poop freshly fall to the earth, then yeah...they may have smelt it. But this is life in suburbia. People have dogs, who poop in the privacy of their OWN BACKYARD! It's not in the front! My goodness. Do they expect me to follow my dog outside every time he goes out there with a baggie in hand? No thanks. And I love how they tried to keep anonymous when it's very clear who it is. Especially when looking at the spelling errors. Sorry. But it's true...our other neighbors wouldn't misspell those words. I decided we probably shouldn't pick up the "po" for a few days. I know, I still live in junior high world.

But...Clay is at a whole other level. He said, "If they say one more word about this I am going to take this note, wrap it around Dante's poop, and put it on their doorstep. And then I'm going to put 'NO TRESPASSING' signs all along our fence ONLY facing their house".

And as he let Dante outside, he said, "Go poop Dante!"

I seem to talk a lot about dog poop these days. I'll try to keep it at a minimum from here on out.

One last thing- they have dogs on all 3 corners of their yard. Meaning...they might be smelling someone elses dogs poop! Especially since the neighbors behind us completely neglect their dogs...leaving them outside for HOURS and HOURS. They bark incessantly.

New Goals

It doesn't have to be January to make new goals, so I am stepping up and making some new goals...and I HOPE you'll join me. Here is what I am doing:

1. Zumba twice a week (1 hour long sessions)

2. Walking Dante everyday I'm not doing Zumba

3. No sugar until Thanksgiving

4. Drink at least 64 oz water a day. I think. Basically drink at least one of my big water bottles a day, which I think is 64 oz...cause it's ginormo.

5. Eat lots of vegetables and fruit. Lots and lots and lots.

Yep! I am going to be so healthy. Here's the deal- I know I shouldn't be having sugar anyway...but this whole cheat day business is no good. It makes it so I crave it still and cave multiple times a week. This is NOT okay. AND, I know I swore off sugar a while ago! But I caved and said, oh I'll keep my cheat days. Cheat days turned into multiple days. Anywho, I feel like I am much better at reward systems. So, if I stay off of sugar until Thanksgiving, I will feel ZERO guilt during Thanksgiving, and eat as much sweets as I want! I know some people are against this method, but a light at the end of the tunnel is much better than bitter darkness that has no end :) And I'm thinking I will probably do the same thing after Thanksgiving- no sweets till Christmas. We'll see.

Zumba! My friend invited me to Zumba and I went on Monday and it was this intense hour long deal and I totally did it and felt great! No joint pain...I mean, I was definitely WINDED...but that's cause I'm out of shape. So I'm gonna go with her twice a week and it'll be great.

So here's the deal. I have found it's a LOT easier to do something hard...when someone else is doing it with you. So who's with me? You don't have to do ZUMBA, but I'd say some sort of exercise each day (whether it be walking or weights or dancing)...except on Sunday's, more fruit and veggies, more water, and most of all NO SUGAR till thanksgiving! If you want to choose one- I suggest the sugar one. Seriously, it'd be so great if a lot of us were doing this! We'd all be so much healthier...and you KNOW how hard it is to get through the halloween season with candy everywhere. If we make this commitment, it will be SO much easier. This may not work for you guys, but I decided everytime I see candy or sweets, I will think the word "bugs" in my head. Cause it'll remind me of the bugs in my body feeding off of the sugar. For you, maybe it'll be "death" or something. hahaa.

Well! Wish me luck! I'm really hoping and praying I can stick to this cause I think it'll really help me get better faster. Woohoo!!!!

Santa Pattern for sale!

So I'm doing something I've never done before, and I'm selling a pattern that I made:) Go check it out on my etsy shop. It's super fun and cute and anyone with beginners sewing skills could do it! The pattern has step by step instructions, with color pictures to go with them! The pattern is $8. Enjoy!

Passed!

Yipee!!! I passed Regulation, the third exam I took. I officially only have ONE test left to pass! YIPPEEEEEE! I am planning on taking the exam October 19th. And I definitely WILL take the exam that day cause it's the last day I can without having to reapply and spend a bunch more money and stuff. I think I'll be ready.

I honestly was pretty surprised when I found out just cause this morning I woke up and had a bad feeling. I just felt like it wasn't going to be good. Well, it was for me- but my co-worker and friend took the same exam about a week before me and she had me call in to get her score, and she didn't pass. UGH. It was the hardest! I think my bad feeling this morning had to do with her. I just feel so awful. It's hard to be too happy about passing when my friend didn't. It's such a hard exam...

My last exam is on Auditing, which happens to be the subject I learned least about in school. My review course is SUPER good though- like super super good. I feel like I'm learning a LOT. So hopefully it is good enough for the exam!

I honestly haven't posted for a while just cause I have been so nervous about the exam and whether or not I passed. But, I have a super awesome thing coming up that I'm excited about. And nervous about. I'm going to take a stab at selling a new kind of product in my shop, and it may totally flop, but you know...I'm just gonna go for it!

I'm so stinking excited for the holidays. I already have my Christmas tickets booked and Christmas presents are being worked on, and I'm just so excited! It makes me want to decorate more for Halloween and Thanksgiving just cause...I mean...I'm so excited for Christmas if I DON'T decorate for those ones, I might go psycho and decorate way too early.

I have decided to stop getting the IV's. I really wish I could, but my body just isn't fit for it. The last time I went they had trouble again and after they couldn't get my veins I just decided I should be done. Clay has wanted me to stop for ages. But I just wanted to keep trying. I still have sensitive bruises from last time which was over 2 weeks ago...and I just think it's not worth it- especially when I can get better without them. Maybe just a titch slower. I'm grateful I went and was able to do the IV's as much as I could, cause they definitely helped...but I think my body is telling me I need to stop! Clay will keep going, but I'm just not going to be able to. It's too bad, but I choose to look at the silver lining which is: I get to sleep in on Saturday's and have more time to get things done, and we will spend less money!

Well, I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of fall. I'm trying to focus on the great weather currently, instead of fearing the weather to come! :)

Hush Hush

Okay- this book was crazy intense! I haven't read a book like this in a long time. It kinda reminded me of twilight ONLY because there is a lot of mystery...you know- how like in the first twilight Bella is so confused because Edward is so different, and she knows something's up...but quite can't put her finger on it until SHE KNOWS. This book is a lot like that!

The basic premise is...Nora becomes biology partners with Patch. (Okay...this is sounding even more like twilight now...they start as biology partners? Hello...familiar) He seems kinda dark, and dangerous. She doesn't like him at all...except there's something about him that is just really hott and awesome and she wants him. He seems to show up everywhere and could he be stalking her?! Could he be trying to...KILL her? Or maybe he just wants her too? Who knows?

This book is a MAJOR page turner. I read it in like two days. And there are a few twists at the end that I really didn't expect! It IS a little on the dark side...sometimes I was like, 'hold up, what?! That's freaky!'...so I do feel the need to caution those who may be feint at heart. AND I do gotta say, sometimes Nora, the main girl...was so FOOLISH. I'd be like- what are you thinking? Don't you know some bad guy could be over there about to kill you? Yeesh. Overall, pretty stinking good book and I'm super excited for Crescendo, the next one to be available at the library!

Beastly

Beastly is a book that is basically a modern day Beauty and the Beast. It's set in New York, and starts out feeling REALLY immature. As in, the characters are from high school and the main character, who turns into a beast, is a super horrible person. At the beginning I thought, 'egh...I dunno if I'll like this...he's so freaking annoying'. But THEN, he changes...and it all starts becoming good. It's a really easy, fun read- and I would totally recommend it! It's really sweet and I liked it a lot. OH- and it was definitely better than the movie! And I even liked the movie! (But I love cheese-ball moves...really I like them more than quality acting movies a lot of the time)

God is good

Church was wonderful today. A couple spoke on the Atonement, and the woman who spoke said that she knew it wasn't a mistake or coincidence that they were asked to speak on the atonement on September 11th. At first, I thought- I don't get it...how do the two connect? But of course, I just am not quite as spiritual as some and forgot that the Atonement is really in everything. I'm pretty sure her talk was prepared specifically for me. She talked about how we all go through tragedies and crisis in our life. Each of us have moments where something happens that will change us the rest of our life. In that moment, we have a choice. We can move down and further away from Christ and become bitter, angry, sad, and heavy. Or, we can move closer to Christ and become healed. Whether that means literally healed from an illness, or problem, or whether it means gaining strength and understanding to bear something. She reminded us that though we may feel alone and like no one in the world understands, there is one person who will ALWAYS completely understand. He does not turn away anyone who searches for Him. One thing I loved is she said that the chinese character for the word "crisis" is the same chinese character for the word "opportunity". In every single thing that happens to us in this life, comes an opportunity. An opportunity to come closer to Christ and become a better person, or an opportunity to become a worse person.

I went to the Temple with Patty on Friday, and I'm SO GRATEFUL I did. It's amazing the peace that can come when within the walls of the temple. My sister has told me numerous times that after her painful divorce, going to the temple once a week is what healed her. I'm so blessed to have a temple so close.

Clay and I were listening to NPR yesterday on our way home from Pocatello, and there were a bunch of interviews of people who lost family members on 9/11. It was so interesting...because I was surprised that a lot of them seemed quite bitter about the media attention the anniversary was getting. One interview in particular stood out to me. She said that she struggled with the tagline "Never Forget", because all she wanted to do was forget that horrible day, when she lost her husband. Of course, I will never understand the pain or struggling anyone in that position would be in...but I couldn't stop thinking why I never will forget, and don't want to forget that day. Every year, I think of the day I was 13 years old, at the beginning of 8th grade, and came downstairs to read scriptures with my family...to see the news on. I think of how I was watching the news when the second plane hit and I was horrified. I think of how I went to school that morning and asked my "best friend" if she saw the news. I told her what happened and that thousands of people were dying and she said, "Yeah...my parents aren't that into politics" and I was sickened as she continued to laugh and joke around with other kids. Every year, I am grateful that we haven't been attacked again. Every year, I am grateful that I live in such a country that I am safe, and not worrying about being attacked or killed on a daily basis, as many people in other countries are. Every year, I am grateful that I am free and that I'm an American. Every year, I remember that I need to be kinder to strangers and a better citizen. Every year, I am reminded that things can change in an instant...and I should keep perspective on what's important. No...I will never forget. And I don't WANT to forget.

I know a lot of this is probably boring. I don't always read blogs that have just tons of "personal insight" or whatever...but I just have all this stored up in my brain and want to remember it. Cause I know I'm human and will forget or lose perspective and will need to regain it sometime. Hopefully re-reading this sometime will help me when I'm struggling.

Life is hard, but good. It really is all about perspective, balance, and love. ha! If only it were so simple :)

Matched

Okay okay. I know I said it was super boring, but right after I said that...the story picked up quite a bit! I still stand by my stance that the first HALF of the book was very...dull. This is what the story is about:

Cassia lives in a future world where everything is...."perfect". Society has found ways to live without disease, and "match" people perfectly so that they are happiest with their mate, along with bearing the most optimal children. But what if you are matched with someone, but find yourself falling inlove with someone else?

My final opinion on the book:

Beginning- boring, because everything is perfect and dull.
Middle to end- REALLY good! I really enjoyed the last half. And I am SUPER excited for the second book! It comes out in November, I believe.

Next book: Beastly.