Perfect Summer Salad!

So, you may have noticed I put up lots of food posts!  I love food, trying new things, plus I can forever and always find the best recipes and stick it in one place...  My blog!

This time I have found a great refreshing salad that can be used for any time of day, and any occasion.  Plus its super, super yummy!

Waldorf Salad (Source: 1st Traveler’s Choice Internet Cookbook)

Ingredients


5 red and yellow delicious apples, diced (unpeeled)
One 8-ounce can pineapple tidbits (drained)
1 cup seedless red or green grapes cut in half
1 cup chopped walnuts
For the Dressing:
1/2 cup sugar (or substitute with Splenda)
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup cream or evaporated milk
2 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon flour
One 8-ounce carton Cool Whip whipped topping or favorite whipped cream

Directions:
Mix sugar, flour, cream, butter, and juice. Cook until boiling. Cool and then refrigerate. Fold in whipped topping or whipped cream. Mix with fresh fruit until it covers to suit your taste. Add nuts just before serving to avoid turning fruit dark.

Enjoy!  

I am a fruity person.. ha ha sue me!  I could eat fruit in anything, anytime, anywhere.  This is one of my favorite of all time.

Good munching!

... I wonder...

Maybe Justin feels this way about me sometimes...

Prove me wrong!

This recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies is the best!  If you doubt me, try them.  You will become a believer. :P  (or prove me wrong)... I dare you!  

Do you have a better recipe?  If so, lets make it fun!  Give it to me, and I'll try it out.

 Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cooks Illustrated  from Ourbestbites.com

2 C plus 2 T flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
12 T butter (1 1/2 sticks) melted and cooled until warm
1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
1/2 C granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 t vanilla extract
1 1/2 C semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions. Mix flour, salt, and baking soda together in mediumbowl; set aside.

Either by hand or with electric mixer, mix butter and sugars untilthoroughly blended. Mix in egg, yolk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients;mix until just combined. Stir in chips.

Take about 1/4 C dough and form into a ball.  Break ball in half and place dough on cookie sheet with broken edge facing up.  (Or just use a standard sized cookie scoop). Bake until cookies are set around outer edges start to hardenyet centers are still soft and puffy, 13-15 minutes.  Cool cookies on cookie sheets. Serve or store inairtight container.

April 2011 Conference Weekend

This post is a long one, but it really was an awesome weekend with our little family!

 Watching daddy work so hard

 Getting ready to put in grass.  Can't wait to have all this dirt covered with green!

 Watching Tangled with the cousins during the Priesthood session of conference.

 Making colored eggs

 After working outside in 70' weather.  We knew it was supposed to rain but never thought it would get cold enough to snow.  Surprise!

 Loves the cape!  "Mom no pictures!"

 Homemade cinnamon rolls.. rising..

 ... with homemade cream cheese frosting!  Delicious!!

 Konnor and his beloved cookies..  Just can't get enough

 Playing together as always, and loving every minute of it

 My little brother Hunter spending conference Sunday with us..  

 Finally able to get a picture of my man.  Honey you look good, now get over it!  Love you!

The boys and I just before dinner.  Love these two to pieces

Well, in the past two days a lot has happened for us, and we enjoy our time together and take it whenever we can. On conference weekend, we especially love it, because it brings us closer together as a family, and closer to our Heavenly Father.  All the great talks given during the 5 sessions this conference has really given us the chance to remember, grow and try to do better in our daily doings, whatever they may be.   

Bryn Alexandra Interiors

BRYN ALEXANDRA INTERIORS

http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/

is hosting a giveaway from

10 stacks on 5 one yard pieces of fabric.  (shown above)

For more info, go to her website.  Again its  http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/

She is an amazing interior decorator.  See for yourself

Fabulous Giveaway..

Many giveaways from http://littleblueprints.blogspot.com/ including this one. 

 How amazing are these pillows?  Great fabric and colors!  It's like fate!  These are the colors in our bedroom.  These amazing pillows are from http://www.etsy.com/shop/woodyliana  She opens her "doors" this spring with amazing stuff.  

Aren't they adorable?

My baby boy!

 Sleepy

Curious 

Growing so fast, and loving every minute of it!

LA Lakers @ UTAH Jazz Game

Justin had an opportunity from work to go to another Jazz game.   Always great seats, and to think that this is not the best seat he has sat in.  I'm glad he has a chance to enjoy some time for himself with "the guys."

Love you babe!  To bad the Jazz lost at home.  But a Laker/Jazz game?  Cool!

searching...

Searching for a new car sucks!!  Just appear and be the right one already!

Projects for the near future..

I have been trying to find ways to spice up our boring wall, and I think I have found my answer!  These pictures I have found are the techniques I will be using but not in these colors.

This first picture, you can see part of the ceiling.  This is a stencil which creates a damask type pattern.  This particular person used it on her ceiling.  I am taking this idea and going to do this in our master bedroom.  since we do not have vaulted or high ceiling, the color will be more neutral so it doesn't make the room seems shorter.

This is a close up of the pattern.  The one I have chosen will not be so busy, but a little modern.  I will be saving that pattern for the end.  

This picture is kind of hard to see if you don't really know what to look for.  This is what I want to try and go for.  Okay, on the wall behind the headboard, you can see they have painted a very subtle horizontal stripe pattern.  I will be doing this in my hallway and bathroom.  I know many, many people LOVE the crisp clean white, but for some reason, I can't.  I feel cold.  Plus with having boys, I think a taupe will hide there cute little prints a little better.

 I don't know for sure whether I will be doing horizontal or vertical stripes yet, but I am excited either way.  (My loving hubby and I have yet to agree with some details :)  )

I have yet to convince Jb that it won't look weird or close up the hallway, but I think once it happens he will okay with it. 

Leave opinions, thoughts or judgments or any kinds...  The input is great!

12 week plan to "happiness"

I have decided to start running.  I have some ladies in my neighborhood that have been running together, so I figure if I am going to run with them.  I have to actually start running.  One of my friends has amazing book with this week plan carefully made and tested to make running easy by building up.  They swear by it so I decided to do it.  Wish me luck!    Oh, and I swore I would not become one of those crazy psycho chicks that does zumba religiously, but I will be starting zumba on Wednesdays, going once a week.  Just away from the kids, some music, some friends, and an hour of exercise all in one.  

Week 1

Session 1 (36 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 12 times.

Session 2 (27 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 9 times.

Session 3 (33 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 11 times.

Week 2

Session 1 (44 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 11 times.

Session 2 (30 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 10 times.

Session 3 (40 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 10 times.

Week 3

Session 1 (50 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 10 times.

Session 2 (36 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 9 times.

Session 3 (45 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 9 times.

Week 4

Session 1 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 8 times.

Session 2 (28 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 7 times.

Session 3 (35 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 3 minutes.  Do this 7 times.

Week 5

Session 1 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Session 2 (30 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Session 3 (36 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 9 times.

Week 6

Session 1 (48 minutes):

Run 5 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 8 times.

Session 2 (36 minutes): 

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 12 times.

Session 3 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Week 7

Session 1 (55 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 5 times.

Session 2 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Session 3 (48 minutes):

Run 5 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 8 times.

Week 8

Session 1 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes. Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 2 (32 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 8 times.

Session 3 (42 minutes):

Run 5 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 7 times.

Week 9

Session 1 (58 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 20 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Session 2 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 3 (48 minutes):

Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 3 times.

Week 10

Session 1 (61 minutes):

Run 30 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 30 minutes.

Session 2 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 3 (47 minutes):

Run 20 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Week 11

Session 1 (61 minutes):

Run 40 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 20 minutes.

Session 2 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 3 (47 minutes):

Run 20 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Week 12

Session 1 (50 minutes)

Run 50 minutes.

Session 2 (33 minutes)

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 3 times.

Session 3 (47 minutes)

Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Week 13

Session 1 (40 minutes)

Run 40 minutes.

Session 2 (33 minutes)

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 3 times.

Session 3

Event:  See you at the finish line.  Or run 60 minutes.

I will be writing randomly for my own benefit, to keep me motivated, or remind me why I never started running.  We shall see...

If only, If only!

I think I have said this before, but I would kill for a walkout porch that leads to this...

  One wonderful thing that Justin and I have in common.

One day...

Another sick day

With baby getting over his sicknesses, and Jack getting what he had, Justin and I have had our hands full this weekend.  But with everything that has gone on, we are still able to get some cuddles in every now and then.

Konnor finally taking a nap. I couldn't help but take a picture of our lil' chub

My boys, gotta love it when they need you. 

Peace...

Life Happens

Well, so far we have been liven and lovin the life we have been so blessed with. Our 2 sweet little boys are growing up to be not so little. Jack is a little over 3 and KC has just turn 7 months. Time flies and sometimes It feels like you have missed it.
With being in Utah, we have to deal with the weather, which means little time outside to play because the tempuratures can get so low. So with the time we can to chill in our house, we try to make the best of it, and have loved the time we've had to spend with each other. Now if we can only pray for the winter season to pass, we can start our more exciting adventures outside.
Our computer has had some difficulties, so no pictures yet. Once we resovle our little problem, I promise there will be a slew of post of us and the kids. Meanwhile, we are alive and well. hope everything is well with all ya'll everywhere else and hope to hear from everyone soon.
Love, US

Valentines Day!

I have recently been put into young womens as the beehive leader, which means activities!!!  I am loving YW, and I get to do girly things none the less.  For our class activity we have planned to do something for valentines day, and one of my friends found this:

We are totally doing this!  If you have any girls, this would be the cutest activity you can do with them.
http://onecharmingparty.com/2011/01/19/valentine-gumball-necklaces/  Check it out!

Okay.. Here's a post!

So, I have been told by many that I need to get another post on my blog.  Well, for the last little while I have not had a camera, but life still goes on.  Its saddens me to have no camera no take pictures of my sweet little boys.  Konnor is 6 1/2 months old now, and I have no idea where the time has gone.  When Jack was born, I had taken seriously a thousand pictures a month, and with Konnor I am lucky enough to get ten.  Poor little guy.  Anyway, a lot has been going on and many things have happened in the past month. 
This is the sum of the past month has been the most tiring, saddening, happy, confusing, upsetting, exciting, relieving, and most of all In Love.  I am not going into detail about alot, but all I know is that I have never thought that so many inportant and life changing things can happen all at once.  I have definetly lost some of my streak, but have gained alot more courage. 
I love my baby boys and especially my sweet husband. 

Well, until I have my camera, I will not be able to put up any pictures.  Sorry :(

Message From Santa Claus!

Jack recieved a message from Santa Claus this year!  He has been such a good boy, that Santa thought he was special enough for a person message from the big man himself.  Jackson loved it, and was totally happy when santa talked to him.
If you want to do this for your kids, go to portablenorthpole.com
Check this out!!!
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/ZrrEFE9ZxxX24pq7TIOT3w
Merry Christmas!
Love from The Gillettes

Family Pictures Oct 2010

We got our family pictures done for the first time since we have been married!  I am so excited that they turned out really well, considering the whole time we were getting our pictures done, the boys were whining the whole time.   Here are some of my favorites!  Thanks Jess!

Pictures were taken by:

Jessica Lang Price

jessicalangpricephotography.blogspot.com



Question for everyone...

So, I am so sick of my pantry.  The shelving is to deep to high, so I have so much unfinished space that I wish I could use.  I have been trying to figure out what to do to use the space more efficiently and how found some ideas.  I would love for some impute from anyone that may have some solutions.  Anything you can give me will help me figure out what to do.  Thanks for reading and Please leave a message if you can help me, or have any ideas on the matter. :)

Thanks again

Halloween 2010

I am so bad!  I did not get any pictures of our pumpkins lit outside on the porch, no pictures of Justin, Konnor and I on Halloween, but it was fun. 

 This was Jacks costume this year.  He was a Caveman/Viking (off of how to train your dragon)/Bigfoot.  I can't remember the other names people thought he was. There was a last minute switch, because the King Julian costume ended up being "to scary"  the day before.    I was just happy he went out in a costume and it kept him warm during the crazy weather trick or treat night. 

Playing the part.

...and again

We carved 2 of our pumpkins this year.

(PAC man and a witch face)

The haze of sugar!  Luckily, Jack doesn't care to much for it.  But me on the other hand, I think i may have a problem.  Good thing we just did a quick stroll down the street and back.

After the kids went to bed Justin, Forrest, Rachel and I stayed up playing "the T word" game till 1:30 am!  CRAZY! I haven't done that since Jack was born seriously.  Well, its been a long time.  Good times, and glad that's over for another year.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

my babes

These little guys are my world!  We were playing in Jacks room before church, and all Jack wanted to do was make Kc laugh.  Which, by the way was a mile stone in Konnors life, because he now laughs when you try to tickle him.  Cutest thing in the world.  Can't record it because the second that kid sees a camera of sorts, he goes into daized mode and does nothing but stair.

Best buddies

(love Konnors look on his face)

a slight fetish..

Okay, maybe a huge fetish!  For some reason, every few weeks/months I get on this cooking high and can't help but cooking things that I have never had before.  Which brings me to this post.  This post is for me personally, but chime in when you want.  I am setting a goal for myself today.  I am in love with cooking at the moment and love feeding my hubby and my child (when he eats) new dishes!  I have recently come across this website ourbestbites.com and have tried some of their recipes for a few occasions.  Fabulous and hold up their end of the bargain by actually putting on good food!  I have cooked from some other sites and have been so disappointed that I guess when I found one, it actually made me happy. I figure, why not try more!  So, I am going to be cooking many recipes from this site.  Not only to satisfy this yummy fetish, but to broaden our taste buds and further my cooking skills.  Wish me luck!

Here are two things I have cooked thus far:  (keep in mind, I'm not a photographer)

Baked Potato Soup

With hot crusted bread, it was the perfect meal for a cold rainy day.

 Chicken Ceasar Salad

not on the site, but it was fabulous.

From this site you have to try:

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

I made these as well and I have to say they were a big hit.  Possibly my fav. cookie recipe!!!

Good Luck Me!

Engaged!!

These two love birds got engaged over conference weekend after they attended a Saturdays session at the Conference Building in SLC.

Soon to be Nicole and Richard Housley

Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Another shot of our clan...

Ha, I just had a baby, and I already want to make our family bigger.  I can't appreciate enough how wonderful my family is and how much I love the life I have with my hubby and two adorable boys.

The Man Of The Hour

October 10, 2010 Konnor Clarke Gillette was blessed by his daddy.  He was the perfect baby the whole day, almost like he knew the whole day was for him.  We had lots of family and friends share this day with us.  We are very blessed to have Konnor be a part of our family.

  One Happy Family!

(The most current family photo)

Long over due... July 4th 2010

In no particular order are these pictures.  I just received these pictures from family, and why we didn't take our own pictures is beyond me.  I just really wanted to get these pictures up (for myself especially) because these pictures were taken while I was pregnant with baby KC.  I feel so bad for not taking many when i was  pregnant with him,which now I regret so much.  Luckily pictures keep popping up randomly, so I am accumulating them slowly but surely. 

Anyway, here is our 4th of July 2010 at Thanksgiving Point. (5 days before our little baby was born)  We were almost sure they wouldn't set off the fireworks because of how windy it was, but they did anyway.  Lucky us!!

Yeah!  half prego picture of me

 Watching the fireworks

(yeah, a whole prego picture this time)

 Everyone chicken fighting before the fireworks began.

Of course, we had to have some football going on while we were chillin.  Jack takes the lead..

 what a stud!

 Some of the girls..

Me, Tabi, Nic and Jess (bucks GF)  :)

We were lucky he didn't hurt anybody with that thing, because

believe me he tried fighting with it.. 

...And of course Nicole doing here infamous back flips

We love our Nic

That was our absolutely positively fun family/friends 4th of July..

Should have gotten a group picture, the turn out was awesome!