The House Challenge

House#1

House #2

As some of you might know, I have an obsession with home architecture. After helping to design and build our current home, I have a gnawing desire to design another one. Yes, our housing project was a cruel task but the design part was very rewarding and fulfilling to me. So, with our current market, I'd say that builders are hungry and I'm thinking that they will probably need work. So, I am trying to go through the process of eliminating the styles that aren't right for us and trying to decide what is right! So once I have the "perfect" new style ready, I can bring it to our architect and we can start designing! We love our beautiful home but we need to down size a bit and try to be more reasonably situated. So what I ask of you bloggers is to give me your opinion. One house will win but first I need to give you options. Each week I'll post two houses. You vote for the house you like best or think suits us and then I eliminate the loser and give a new house to go with the winner the following week! Now, there are no guarantees that this house will be built due to the economy and the fact that we have to sell our house first and find a good lot! But this is the first step while we're waiting to see what happens! Here are the first two!

Edward + Italy=

I followed the making of Twilight last year and told myself I wouldn't this year but then I saw this in my email this morning from my friend Erica and, well, I got excited for this coming November all over again! Doesn't Edward look GOOD! Had to put it on my blog! Enjoy!

Sprinkles

When I think of cupcakes I think of children's birthday parties, box mixes with store bought icing and maybe, just maybe, some fun sprinkles on top! There is nothing prettier than a well decorated cupcake. They are usually pretty on the outside so it makes you want one of these "mini cakes" but then you bite into it and it's just...so so. A disappointment. A waste of fat grams as I like to put it! So, I typically don't indulge in such a dessert, leaving it all for my sweet addicted children to devour. BUT...have you ever heard of Sprinkles Cupcakes from Beverley Hills? OH BABY! They are not your normal cupcake, no sirree. They are special. Made with the best ingredients, with a wonderful homemade texture, they are good enough to have seconds on! Well, you are probably wondering how you are going to get to Beverly Hills to try these but have no fear. Williams Sonoma sells them in their baking area-yes in a cute canister, but soooooo good! Vanilla is my favorite and I am not a vanilla kind of a gal. So, think about it next time you want to make cupcakes but these are the kind you will want for YOUR birthday party, forget the kids! Makes a great gift too!

The BEST Gift

Sunday night during dinner with my parents, I mentioned that I had made raspberry jam last summer and that we ate through it all in a few month's time. Kelly was talking about how much he loves my mom's canned peaches when we were talking about food storage (which my mom is a pro at). Kelly said to my mom, "All I want for my birthday (Mar.24th) is a jar of your peaches." Well, I was extremely surprised when the door bell rang the next day with my mom standing on the front porch holding a fresh loaf of homemade wheat bread (the BEST, I'd pay $ for it!), a box of canned peaches, and about 8 containers of her raspberry freezer jam!!! Wow! I told her to take some back home with her but she insisted and you DON'T argue with my mom! So, that was yesterday, today the loaf of bread is gone, 1/2 a container of jam, and a jar of peaches. My kids are all happy and full and Kelly almost cried when he saw it all! My mom lives in Layton so to come all the way just to drop off those things was an added effort. We are sooo lucky to have such a good and talented Grammy! I told her next time she makes bread, I need to go help her so I can learn the art! I HATE yeast breads! They are tricky and take so much time! So I am determined to get a BOSH this year and get it right! That is my baking goal for 2009. Wish me luck!

Tender Moment

Last night Bailey came to me after finishing the book "Marley, A Dog Like No Other" and she was in TEARS! I held her in my arms and rocked her while she told me how sad she felt, like when Grandpa died. She said, "Mom you HAVE to read this book! It is the best book ever! But it was soooo sad!" She gave it 5 stars on Goodreads! It was so sweet to see her break down like that. She is a tough cookie and holds a lot inside. She HATES to see me cry and if I even rub my eye she is quick to say, "Mom, are you crying?" I love my little book worm!

Fictionist

Yesterday was the Access Development 2009 kick off party and their theme was "Access Rocks!" So as a treat to all the employees, the CEO, Larry Maxfield, treated everyone to his son's band, Fictionist! I had the pleasure of being invited and took my sister and her husband along with me! What a great night! I love their style and sound! These guys are so talented with numerous instruments, percussion, and vocal that they are truly enjoyable to listen to! Stuart Maxfield has a music degree from BYU and started as a violinist back when he was a young boy. He is the lead singer and guitarist. Their sound is described as a mixture of classic, art and indie rock. Their new album is called "Invisible Hand" and I am enjoying it in the car today as I drive the kids hither and yon. Bailey is going to want this on her ipod!

Mom, "Thanks for holding the door for me!" Jenna, "I'm a gentleman!"