Culinary Inspirations

I often tell my mom that I need a wife. She usually laughs, especially now that I am one. I try to explain to her that with working full-time, teaching dance, and every other thing Matt and I seem to be busy with that there is no time to cook a decent meal on a regular basis. There are so many nights that one or both of us gets home way past dinner time and so we just scrape up whatever is quick and easy. I tell myself I will do much better on the weekend, but lack of planning ahead usually results in a less than perfect meal. This is one of the main reasons I hate grocery shopping. I write a list for a few regular purchases, but usually end up wondering, "What am I going to make?" as I wander up and down the aisles. I have great aspirations of being one of those wives and moms that plans my menu out for 1 or 2 weeks at a time and then shopping for the needed supplies. Baby steps are imperative though. I came across a great website and hopefully it will help out some. I know planning is key, but there will still be nights where that may not be possible. Enter Supercook. I still need to try it out, but the idea is to make a list of ingredients you already have in your kitchen and Supercook does the rest. It compiles recipes, from various websites, that can be made with your ingredient list. Why didn't I think of this? It's genius. And I'm sharing it with all of you. And if you check my sidebar you will also see a couple of other links for cooking websites/blogs that have inspired me or been recommended by others. Any others I should know about?

My parents are both wonderful cooks and I would like to think that someday my future children will say the same about me. As it stands right now, all they have to go on is chocolate chip cookies, a great recipe I found for homemade macaroni and cheese, and great tastes in restaurants. It's a start.

Pomp and Circumstance

It's official, Matt is a college graduate! Working hard and doing 4 years of school in only 3, Matt received his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from the University of Utah. I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished. He now has his eyes on an even bigger goal of getting his Masters degree, but one step at a time.

Matt's mom was able to come visit from California and spend the weekend with us. It was a busy few days but we enjoyed the visit and she had fun seeing the sights of Salt Lake City. As well as a few of our favorite restaurants. Luckily I had a chance to cook on Sunday so she knows we don't eat out ALL the time. But special occasions call for a meal prepared by someone else. Also thanks to my mom and dad, and Jack and Patty for traveling to share in Matt's great achievement.

In addition to graduation last week, check out my personal blog to read about an exciting announcement about our growing family.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

For the last 3 years, Matt has been growing his hair out. Partly because he could, but the eventual plan was to always donate it to Locks of Love. Matt's friend, April, who is a stylist in San Diego happened to be in town this weekend so it was off with his hair.

So now with 4 fresh ponytails to send off to the charity...
I introduce the new Matt. I like what I see. Meow!

As for the pornstache he is sporting. That's temporary. He just likes to find new ways to provoke me. It usually works but I love him anyway.

A Bunny and a Bike

The Easter Bunny found our house...Yay! Matt is great to humor my love of holidays and there is no reason why we shouldn't wake up to baskets filled with goodies too. Since I doubled as the Easter Bunny it wasn't much of a surprise for me but it was fun to shop for baskets and put it all together. Those buckets cost me a whopping $.89 at Target.

Like most of you, Matt and I enjoyed spending some time with our family over the Easter weekend. Matt has been busy getting trained to become a motorcycle safety instructor. He had class most of the weekend so we went up to Logan after church to enjoy dinner and steal candy from my nieces and nephews. It is a great plan, they do all the work finding the eggs and we find ways to convince them to hand some of it over. I am so good with kids!


In more exciting news, we also bought a motorcycle for me!! Matt has been riding for years, we met on the bike, so it was only fitting that eventually I would get my own. Since I have no riding experience sitting on the bike for a picture is about as close as I have come so far. But next month I will be taking the safety course and getting my license. Watch out!

Will blog for spa treatments

The Sego Lily Day Spa is holding a contest to be their official blogger for the next year, and I have officially entered. If I am chosen as a finalist you will all have the opportunity to leave your comments and vote for me. I am using my new blog to post my entry for the contest. What? You didn't know I had a new blog? Well then let me introduce you to....SUPER Speak!

I am going to continue using this blog for updates on Matt and I, so continue to check in. But if you also want to be entertained by the musings of my mind, be sure to check out my new blog.

Wish me luck!

Domestic Goddess

I think that Martha would be very proud of me this week. Not only did I make lemon bars, twice, I also made a blanket for my soon-to-be-born niece. The potential has been there along. I guess it's like my mom always said, "You just need to apply yourself." Dang, I hate when she is right!

Look at that smile! My sister-in-law, Tiffiney, is showing off what is clearly her favorite baby shower gift.

I now have a request from my sister to make her daughter a blanket too. I best get on it, not sure how long my domesticating is going to last.

My 15 minutes

As an addendum to my last post, I have some exciting news. I am now semi-famous. I knew it would happen sooner or later and thanks to my friend Sarah, who writes a weekly column for IN Utah This Week, I got a mention in her latest column. Read it for yourself!