Christmas Tree!

Last Friday Steve and I planned for our date to go get our Christmas tree. I was raised on the real deal. As a family we would bundle up and hunt out our perfect tree at a tree farm. Dad would cut it down with a saw and we would all "help" carry it back to the car. Even though it was freezing, your hands got sticky with pine sap and we would run off like crazy through the Christmas tree forest, it was one of the things I loved about the beginning of December. Sometimes we even went on my birthday!

Steve wanted to get a fake tree this year. I told him this is something I would NEVER compromise on. Fake trees just don't smell like Christmas-no, not even when you put those car fresheners on them.

So living in Utah, the closest tree farm was in Ogden. No thank you. We went to a lot across the street from Target. Steve is so funny because he doesn't really care but in the end he gets really into picking out one with just the right shape and height.

We brought it home and it fit perfectly. And even though it is skinny, I love it! Plus I like how you can see the ornaments. Last year they were kind of hidden in the bushiness of the tree-plus our tree was so big we had to cut off the back half so it would stand even with the wall.

We used gold, silver, red and green ball ornaments in different textures and levels of shininess. Also I made us an advent calendar-finally. I really wanted one last year but by the time I got around to it, it was Christmas. So this year, with a little inspiration from martha, although I think I made it much better, I put together these 24 tiny stockings out of fabric scraps and felt.

I even cut out all the little numbers and ironed them on. It took way too long but what are Sunday afternoons for? So each day has a stocking and each stocking has 2 pieces of candy in it, one for each of us. I love the way they turned out and they really help fill up the tree.

Birthday!

So I turned 26 on Monday and it was wonderful. You know, I have never really minded getting older. I think it is because I am happy with my life and the things I am doing. It is sad to see the marked passage of time though.

I woke up to a wonderful surprise of donuts from Steve and diet coke-as some would say, the breakfast of champions. I had to go to work but when I got there, my co-worker Julie had baked me the best carrot cake. It was so sweet of her considering it is my favorite cake. Literally it is amazing and even though I had already had a donut for breakfast, I had a slice. If you can't pig out on your birthday, when can you? I think the cake recipe is making it to my Christmas goodies plate-in miniature form of course. After the cake I went through a slight sugar shock but pulled through.

So for lunch I ran errands and had planned on eating at Taco Bell. Taco Bell? You might ask. Yes, Taco Bell the best fast food there is. And I did. Hey it's my birthday.

During the day I got lots of well wishes and a particularly excellent phone call. Thanks everyone!

After work I came home and opened presents. Steve got me the best bag and a few books I had asked for. (Too bad I'm stuck in War and Peace and won't be able to read them anytime soon. Maybe they will motivate me to get my butt moving.) I got some books from my parent's too and the best eyeliner brush EVER, a subscription to Instyle magazine, and a gift card to go shopping. Steve's mom got me yummy Williams-Sonoma peppermint soap and lotion and this gorgeous necklace from Banana.

After presents Steve took me to the Chef's Table for dinner. We had a nice romantic table by a window and could see all of Provo lit up with lights and Christmas lights. We could even see the temple. Dinner was good but not blow my mind away, the service is really what makes going to a place like that special. And I tried scallops for the first time, I am not a seafood buff. And for some reason I loved my dinner salad (it was perfectly dressed and had this amazing cheese shaved on it) and the dessert the best. We got this cinnamon chiffon cake with mascarpone frosting. Heaven. I got a gift card last Christmas from Icon and had yet to use it so we did, I'm glad we did because it saved us $50. And of course I didn't take one picture.

After dinner, we saw Four Christmases. I had been looking forward to this movie since I saw the trailer and I have to say, I was disappointed. It wasn't as funny as I thought it was going to be and Steve really didn't like it at all. Oh well.

Overall it was the best birthday I have had in a long time. Thanks Steve (and everyone else) for making it so special.

Lauryn's Wedding

Over Thanksgiving weekend my dear friend Lauryn got married and I couldn't be happier for her. They had their reception on Friday night and then got married in the Salt Lake Temple on Saturday afternoon. The sealing was beautiful and it was really wonderful to be there. Of course Lauryn made a beautiful bride. I know her and Jonny are going to be so happy together! Congratulations you guys!

Whitney, Lauryn and I outside the SLC Temple.

Gratitude

Steve and I have been asked repeatedly to substitute in primary. I think one of our neighbors needed a last minute sub one week and we have been asked a lot since then. There are people called to be the subs-maybe we should find out who they are. Regardless, it is usually a pretty enjoyable time and a nice break from sunday school and relief society.

Last week we had a sharing time about being thankful. The kids were asked to say what they were grateful for. Some kids said appropriate things like Jesus and church, some said funny things like deer and pizza and thanksgiving. I know as a child I was definitely not thankful for deer. Since we had a lesson about Jesus in our class we decorated these hand turkeys.

So in the spirit of the season, I am grateful for... (in no particular order-except the first 2)

-My wonderful husband who is the best thing that ever happened to me. I am so happy I said yes to that second date.

-The Gospel

-My job. I am so grateful I got out of Icon Security before it went under, what a blessing!

-My creativity. I love how it spurs me into action.

-Diet Coke. Steve has said that I love diet coke more than him-thats a lie...

- My friends, especially all my girl friends, you know who you are. (Whitney, Lauryn, Lexi, darbie, Sarah and Natalie) Thanks for being the best roommates, shopping companions, late night chatters and double feature movie goers.

-And of course FAMILY! I totally forgot to put this on here. Its one of those givens. But I am truly grateful for all my family.

So for thanksgiving we ate dinner at Whitney's and it was great. She made a yummy turkey and some of the best homemade stuffing I had ever eaten. There was plenty of food, some Wii action-which let me tell you, it is probably not smart to enter a foot race on a crazy full stomach and some football. Of course I didn't have time to take a pre-dinner shot so this is the aftermath.

I was in charge of a couple of sides and an apple dessert. I made this tart which turned out really good and it looked impressive too!
Hope all your thanksgivings were great!

Lime Goodness

If you subscribe to Martha, then a particularly inspiring issue is en route to your mailbox. I love baking and I love cookies and this issue is packed with wonderful ideas. I used to be way more into Martha than I currently am but I do have to say, her ability to inspire people into action is wonderful. I am a big fan of projects, hobbies and creativity in general and Martha embodies all of these things.

Anyway, a couple of years ago I found the recipe for these lime meltaways and they are perfection. Buttery, powdered sugar and lime. They are great with diet coke (or milk). And they are easy to make.

Lime Meltaways

So when the recipe for these came I was excited to try it and since key limes are like 20 for $1 I jumped on board. Well mine turned out not as pretty as these (Steve said I shouldn't even try to compare myself because Martha probably takes a whole day to make cookies) but they were yummy. The recipe has you make way too much filling so half it but they might be worth a shot. I think I am going to continue using the meltaways for my christmas cookie plates though

Yummy Key Lime Thumbprints

Happy Baking!!!

Girl's Night

Ever since I got married my friends and I have tried to have a girl's night every week or so. Its a fun way to get together, eat good food, see good (and sometimes not so good-House Bunny) movies and enjoy being together like when we were roommates.

Since Lauryn is getting married this week we thought a specal night was necessary for the occasion. We ate at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point and it was fabulous. The food was good and the service was even better. Go eat there. If you live in the valley and are tired of Beto's and Cafe Rio, its definately worth the drive and the money.

Then we went to the theater there and saw Twilight. I have not been a huge contributor to the mania surrounding this series. I haven't read the books, I didn't stand in line outside a Barnes and Noble for one, I didn't even think I would see the movie but I am glad I did. It was great. I actually really liked it and as I was talking with a co-worker this morning, I realized just how much I enjoyed it. I might even consider reading the book now.
If you haven't read the books, you'll be fine. They spell everything out pretty clearly and I loved all the Washington State shots. Also if you want to read something pretty funny about Twilight, read this.

I feel bad for Thanksgiving...

Conversation while driving home from the library in North Orem:

Beckie: Did those people really already have christmas lights up? WHY would you do that before Thanksgiving?
Steve: Because they are excited

Okay people, I am excited for the holidays just like everyone else. But how can you feel good about celebrating Thanksgiving with a Christmas tree set up in your living room? I think we need to give Thanksgiving a chance too.

Poor Thanksgiving, its like the red-headed step child of the holiday family. (Okay except maybe for Arbor Day)