Kids & Treats

Ryan and I team teach the 9-10 year old class at church. Our first few weeks I noticed our kids weren't bringing their scriptures on their own. We created an incentive plan, that if they brought their scriptures (or went and got some from the library) without us asking, for 4 weeks in a row, then they would get a treat. Seriously, this little idea worked like a charm. We are starting month 4, and all 9 of our kids bring their scriptures each week.

This week, I decided to make them sugar cookies. Don't ask me why I decided to embark on the most time-consuming treat in the world, but I was determined to make cute little eggs, bunnies and duckies to hand out to our kids. Needless to say that I ran out of time to really decorate them cute, but at least they were tasty and festive for the upcoming Easter Holiday.

As Ryan was eating the last of these delicious cookies last night, he mentioned he was sad there weren't a few more for him.

"They are just so good" he said.

I smiled and told him that I would gladly make him some more. His response? (Probably the most MBA-like thing I have ever heard)

"Well, I don't know. I think theses cookies get the least back on ROI".

He explained that he watched me work on these bad-boys for at least 5-hours (between mixing the dough, letting it get cold, rolling it out, baking them, and then frosting...). I guess he is right. They do take forever.

I said "they are such a great treat though, so good".

He said "Yes, but your peanut butter chocolate chip cookies definitely get a better return on investment. Less prep time and just as good".

Well there you have it, folks. Here, why don't I share my fabulous cookies electronically?



ps. I know I'm the worlds worst froster. I'm working on that.

I'm learning a lot from working from home.

1. I email my husband a lot. He is like my co-worker, but not. He is the one I can rant and rave to, because, most people have a co-worker bff that they can do all this complaining to, but I don't really have that luxury. I guess I could talk to Lily, my plant, but she doesn't always respond. Sorry, husband, I hope you don't mind.

2. I love that I get to watch the day happen. The sun wakes me up as it beams through my office window, and then in the afternoons I can take a little lunch break and sit in the sunlight that comes in through my bay window and watch all the little kiddos walk by my house. Some people are in office buildings and don't get to see the day at all. I am lucky.

3. I talk to myself a lot. This goes back to numero uno above. I don't have anyone else to talk to, so I talk to myself. They are mostly pep-talks. I forgot how hard it is to start a new job. Any new job. Its just hard to learn everything and not be hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Well maybe you don't make mistakes, but I do.

4. I need a better routine. Right now I just get up and get working. I'll wait to get ready till the end of the day. But then if I'm tired or have no reason to get dressed up, I won't. Sorry, husband, I hope you like me in my sweats.

5. Quick runs in the afternoon really get me going. Working through lunch so I can take 30 minutes to run around my cute little town is one of the best things about this work-at-home gig. I just have to make sure I take the time to leave my desk and go do it.

So, basically, I'm learning a lot on the job, and I'm learning a lot about myself. My body and brain get tired from all the learning. But when we learn we grow, and when we grow, we become better, right?

I hope so.

Ranunculus

I have these gorgeous flowers blooming on my dining room table right now. They make me smile every time I think about them. Love love love.

I don't usually like to get political on my blog-- but this is such a big deal and has such vast consequences, that I wanted to post something on the Healthcare bill. Its not even my own words, its good 'ol Mitt Romney, but I thought he put it well:


"America has just witnessed an unconscionable abuse of power. President Obama has betrayed his oath to the nation — rather than bringing us together, ushering in a new kind of politics, and rising above raw partisanship, he has succumbed to the lowest denominator of incumbent power: justifying the means by extolling the ends. He promised better; we deserved better.


He calls his accomplishment “historic” — in this he is correct, although not for the reason he intends. Rather, it is an historic usurpation of the legislative process — he unleashed the nuclear option, enlisted not a single Republican vote in either chamber, bribed reluctant members of his own party, paid-off his union backers, scapegoated insurers, and justified his act with patently fraudulent accounting. What Barack Obama has ushered into the American political landscape is not good for our country; in the words of an ancient maxim, “what starts twisted, ends twisted.”


His health-care bill is unhealthy for America. It raises taxes, slashes the more private side of Medicare, installs price controls, and puts a new federal bureaucracy in charge of health care. It will create a new entitlement even as the ones we already have are bankrupt. For these reasons and more, the act should be repealed. That campaign begins today."
Governor Romney 3.22.2010 on House passage of the healthcare bill.

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY!

Wow, I don't know if I have ever enjoyed St Patricks Day so much!! The weather was perfect for a spring day in Minnesota! 60 degrees, I laid out on my deck for a few minutes this afternoon and then headed downtown to Main Street for the St. Patrick's Day Parade So many people out wearing green and their top hats, and beads, it was so fun to see so many people celebrating! The parade was so much fun, I think I will make it an annual event to attend! If I do, I will have to be better prepared next year with green beads and maybe a top hat! With my green scarf I felt under-dressed for sure.

Downtown Hopkins Parade


Don't worry-- Hopkins has a mascot, the Raspberry!


What parade is complete without a fire engine?


And Miss Ireland, herself, was here!


Ok, so maybe not. But she sure was cute!


Just a shot of downtown



We considered going to get cornbeef and hash for dinner, but since Ryan had it for lunch we hit up LIONS TAP for dinner. The 2nd time around was even better than the first, I think we may have a new hamburger favorite for Minnesota!! For dessert, we're having Irish Soda Bread that I picked up at a local bakery :)



Isn't it fun to be festive?

I LOVE HOPKINS!

Why is it the coolest city in the world, you ask?

1. I can go for a quick run and hit up the Bank and the Post Office in one quick swoop.
2. The neighborhoods are just so dang cute.
3. I found a Mercado downtown that sells tacos...look for a future blog post to see if they are legit or not (at least the Mercado looks legit).
4. The Movie "The Convincer" is currently being filmed here.
5. St Patricks Day Parade downtown on Wednesday!!

Spring is upon us!!

Want to know how I know?? It's not the date, and I live in Minnesota so its definitely not the weather, its when Cadbury Mini Eggs come out onto the shelves!



Seriously, these things are my FAVORITE Easter candy. I swore I would only buy one bag this year (um yeah right!). Too bad I've already gotten through one bag (at least it took me a week or two to finish it off...) and I need to go get more, I think.

I forgot about adapting to a learning curve when you start a new job. Things are going good, but I am always so hard on myself for making even the smallest of mistakes. My answer for this? Eating more eggs. I know, I will probably gain weight and then have to lose it for Ashley's wedding in June, but that is still 3 months away, so I have time, right?

Ok, I need more eggs.

A Very Very Un-Iversary to me, to me.
181 days
25 weeks
4344 hours
260,640 minutes
15,638,400 seconds
Or... 6 months of marital bliss!!



Wow, I can hardly believe its been 6 whole months that I've been married. Time really does fly by when you're having fun!! It's been amazing -- I am the luckiest girl in the whole wide world to be married to such a smart, kind, patience, funny, incredible man.

Music

Isn't music such an amazing thing? With my new job, I think I need some new music to listen to and be inspired by ... but I need some tips. I am so out of touch with the music scene. I really do like all types and forms of musics, so lay it on me.

What are you favorite songs/artists you are listening to right now?

Saturday is a special day

After being on the road for 3 weeks, Ryan and I decided that we should probably get some things in order. So, we started our Saturday with a big bowl of oatmeal and then hit the gym to get pumped for the day.

We came back and decided on the divide and conquer on the house. It took us a while but we finally had our house spit-spot-clean. It felt so good! The sun was shining, our house is clean. What a great Saturday so far. We made lunch (yummy grilled chicken salad sandwiches) and then decided a nap was in order. After that, we got ready and went out to run some errands. Aren't Saturdays great?

After a busy day we decided to stay in and watch the Mens Volleyball game & this weeks' episode of PSYCH! Ryan made amazing chocolate oreo milkshakes to go along with our tv-watching.

Just another Saturday, getting lots done to prepare for Sunday and for this upcoming week. Although it seems pretty uneventful, sometimes these days are my favorite because its a full day spending time with my husband. These are the types of things we didn't get to do together when we were dating because of the whole Long-Distance thing, so I cherish every errand I get to run with him, holding his hand (and sometimes skipping) as we go!

Love letters & Lavendar

I went home to California a few weeks ago. My older sister, Tarin, and I, hosted a beautiful bridal shower for our little sister, Ashley. She is getting married in June to her high school sweetheart. Ashley's colors are an eggplant purple, gold and green. The couple is currently in a long distance relationship, and with their both serving full-time missions for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; their relationship has been centered around a theme of writing letters, emails, etc. Between Ash's colors and this theme, her Bridal Shower theme became Love Letters & Lavender.

We had beautiful tulip arrangements and rosemary (fresh lavender was out of season) on the tables (lavender is out of season) and the gifts for the guests were letter openers with the Claddah on top (another tradition of the fiance's family). For a game, we had the guests team up and write love letters to/from the Bride and Groom-- they were so sweet and funny, I loved it!

Lunch was served with croissant sandwiches and an assortment of salads, and Tarin made a fabulous cake! It was such a fun shower with great company and a great reason to celebrate! I can't wait for the Wedding! June 5, 2010.



the tables


tables 2


the food.



beautiful cake



the beautiful cake-maker



The GURLS



Tri Fam


Gma & Favorite Aunt Jani


Besties


The Happy Bride to Be!!