emma the joy

valentine pinspiration.

2012-01-27T07:00:00.003-07:00

valentine's day is one of my very favorite holidays. i love any excuse to put on a pretty outfit, make pink treats, and go on a romantic date with my lover boy. oh, and throw a party! i've decided to stop hating winter and embrace the upcoming february 14th. thank you pinterest for providing me with lots of inspiration.

let the planning begin! and somebody make me those waffles stat. isaac!!!!

all images via my pinterest.

one last birthday dinner.

2012-01-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

i really took advantage of every opportunity to celebrate my birthday this year - even if it meant celebrating two weeks after the big day. it was awesome, i highly recommend it to all. we went to dinner at my favorite mexican restaurant, got my favorite treat, and hung out with our favorite couples. birthday 2012 is officially over. boooo.

---

you guys, i think the january funk is finally hitting me. i just feel so blah all the time. i need some sun! i live an hour away from my work and i get so stressed worrying about whether or not it's going to snow and if the roads will be okay or not. i.hate.the.snow. unless i can stay inside all day and drink hot chocolate...then i like it. but then and only then.

alright, i'm done complaining. i need to start making some weekend plans! nothing cheers me up like having the weekend off. after 3 12 hour busy day shifts in a row, i'm ready for a looong break.

i die.

2012-01-25T07:00:00.002-07:00

my little brother dallin's birthday is next week and we have been in full birthday prep to try and make his birthday extra special while he is serving a mission in brazil hundreds of miles away. and part of that prep included my mom buying party hats for the sole purpose of putting them on cricket and having a little photo shoot. dallin is going to love them, she is the funniest dog. she is totally giving the stink eye in the last photo. i can't get enough!

yep, we are those people.

guess who i met last night!

2012-01-24T07:00:00.002-07:00

baby quinn, fresh from heaven! i am in love. she was the cutest, squeakiest little thing. last night malorie and i took katie and her cute fam dinner and we spent a few minutes enjoying the sweet little babe.

after meeting quinn and taking care of the cutest baby at work last week it is safe to say i am most definitely baby hungry...that is until i take care of a baby that screams all night. that always makes me want to wait just a liiiiittle bit long. ha!

ilovebabies. the end.

sunday night baking.

2012-01-23T07:00:00.004-07:00

i love sundays. they have all of my favorite things fit into one day: time spent with family eating delicious food, time spent at church, time spent cuddling my hubs, time spent taking an afternoon nap, time spent baking, etc. and since i usually have to work 2 sundays a month i have really learned to appreciate my weekends off. they are heavenly.

yesterday i tried the mini donut maker my mom gave me for christmas! i loved it. they were so easy and they turned out so cute, but the recipe could definitely use some perfecting. don't worry, i'll share the recipe once perfected. everyone needs a mini donut in their life.

p.s. isaac posted his best of 2011 on his blog last night...you must check it out. he has excellent taste. plus it has lots of my favorites from 2011 on it as well!

pretties.

2012-01-20T07:00:00.008-07:00

hi cuties. this week, was l-a-m-e. highlight of my week - going to costco to load up on the necessities and getting a berry smoothie. see, lame. but yummy. i worked almost every day this week and i am so tired. today is my last shift for a few days and i am so so happy. i need a break in a big bad way. isn't my dresser so cute?! it's filled with christmas and birthday goodies - including the print my sister in law made for me for my bday, my mint green birthday cake stand {i can't handle only bringing it out when i have treats to put on it!}, and the anthropologie egg crate i filled with my favorite jewels. i am very happy with the way it turned out! i am on an organizing kick. i can't wait to get to target and buy like 10-15 different storage containers. i have been bit by the organizing bug. i really wish we had a container store here. i would go nuts in there.

tgif my friends, t.g.i.f. we have a fun weekend planned full of catching up on our favorite shows, going out for one last birthday celebration to my favorite mexican restaurant with our favorite couples, and hopefully i will get to meet baby quinn!! she was born last weekend and i am dying to meet her.

okay, this is the end of my friday rant. i hope you all have a lovely weekend!

p.s. thank you for all the sweet and encouraging comments on my last post, it meant so much to me!

yes i can.

2012-01-17T07:00:00.006-07:00

25th birthday girl.

this weekend i finally had time to write down some of my goals for the new year. i am a list maker, and i accomplish so much more when i write everything down {like last week i really really really needed to clean our house, so i wrote down every little task that needed to be done because i knew my ocd self couldn't leave any items unchecked- yep, i'm nuts}.

my list of goals includes a lot of the same things i worked on last year - exercising consistently, saving - this year for our first home!, developing my spirituality through more study and prayer, etc etc etc.

but this year i wanted to focus on something that i really struggle with. i am always telling myself that i can't do things - that things are too hard, so i never even try. i hate that about myself! and i think now that i'm 25 years old it's high time for me to stop that awful habit.

i'm going to start telling myself yes i can.

yes i can start selling my cupcakes and treats. yes i can become a little more crafty and make my own valentine's cards and other diy projects i find on pinterest. yes i can take care of really, really sick patients at work. yes i can go back to school if and when the time feels right. yes i can bake french macaroons. yes i can pull off colored skinny jeans. yes i can start dancing again.

this year, if there is something i want to try, i'm going to do it. who cares if it turns out to be an utter disaster! no more saying i can't.

here's to the year of yes i can.

birthday ice skating, two thousand twelve edition.

2012-01-16T06:12:00.002-07:00

i honestly don't know why i love ice skating so much because every time we go i am so terrified of falling. the first few times around the rink are so scary, but then we get the hang of it and it isn't so bad. plus i love holding my hubby's hand as we go around and around. he always holds my spazzy self up when i'm about to eat it. he's a winner, that isaac.

this year we did a little double date with my bff and her new man and it was so much fun! we started the night off at hire's big h drive-in {best burgers & onion rings} and ended it at hatch's for some hot chocolate. it was my kind of night.

2011 birthday ice skating here.

2010 birthday ice skating here.

hey, i'm wearing the same coat i wore in 2010. and isaac wore the same coat last year! we're so green.

hello friday.

2012-01-13T07:00:00.007-07:00

you guysssss. birthday week is over. i am super bummed. i went back to work yesterday and i got off to a veeery rough start. as in i woke up at 7:15 when i was supposed to be to work by 7...and i was 1 hour away. let's just say i had a minor panic attack and raced off to work. luckily i have fabulous coworkers who were so understanding and took care of my patients until i got there. from now on i set multiple alarms! my ocd punctual self cannot handle another incident like this.

anyway, the end of birthday week was super great. i made the cupcakes pictured above, just because, and they were yummerz. i love yellow cake and chocolate frosting. and the fact that they look like valentines makes them even yummier. we also got to go see sherlock holmes with isaac's company and i really, really liked it! it was so funny. i didn't see the first one, which i heard was terrible, but this one was actually really good.

soooo yeah, now it's the weekend!! unfortunately i will be working four shifts in a row...but it's cool. i will fit in something fun between shifts, i'm sure of it.

happy weekend!

katie's baby shower.

2012-01-12T07:00:00.004-07:00

last week the girls and i threw katie and baby girl quinn a baby shower and it was so much fun! we all know i jump at any chance to make and eat cupcakes and mint brownies. oh, and to get together with my bffs. we all showered her with some of the necessities she will need when her babe is born, including lots and lots of baby gap clothes. which are the cutest by the way. baby quinn will be here any day now and we can't wait!! we need another girl to attend our get togethers.

a little missionary update.

2012-01-11T07:00:00.004-07:00

my brother has officially been gone for two weeks and i think i am over the weeping, crying stage of missing him like crazy. of course i still miss him so so much, but since we got a letter/email from him i feel so much better. especially after i saw this picture of him and all his new friends in the brazil missionary training center. doesn't he look so happy! love that little turd.

learn more about what my brother is up to here.

happy twenty fifth to me!

2012-01-10T07:00:00.004-07:00

birthday weekend was a huge success. huge! the fun started the night before my birthday and went all the way until last night - with a brief interruption of the fun so i could put away my christmas decor {depressing}.

highlights included:

getting together with my bff and her new man, more photos to come...

lunch with my fam at the cheesecake factory. i love their chicken taquitos {on the appetizer menu}. yum.

treat yo self cupcakes from isaac! he is so dang funny and thoughtful. they were delicious and from the sweet tooth fairy, my favorite. i highly recommend the toasted coconut one.

isaac took me to some of my favorite places - one of them being orson gygi's, where i found this gorgeous mint green cake stand.

we went to see the movie my week with marilyn. it was a-mazing. one of my new favorites for sure. if you are local you must go see it at the broadway in downtown salt lake city. i will go see it again with you i loved it that much.

birthday night dinner at the copper onion. i've gone on and on about how much i love this place {see here and here}, and it was fabulous yet again. it was one of the most delicious meals i've had in a veeeery long time. for my birthday dessert we had their homemade cinnamon custard pie topped with freshly whipped cream. drooool. we are going back for valentine's day and they better have that pie again...{the only bad thing about having your favorite restaurant be a place that serves fresh, locally grown food is that they change their delicious menu all the time. aka they get me addicted to something and then i never get it again. sad huh.}

we spent the night downtown in the marriott and it was perfect {thanks to my hubby's hard work he was awarded a free night}! the next morning we got up and had a birthday brunch at market street grill {i never shut up about their food either}. so so good.

sunday birthday dinner with isaac's family - which included delicious food, a pink birthday cake, and very thoughtful gifts.

and the best surprise of all - isaac bought me a plane ticket to go see my bff amanda in california! i am sooooooo excited. i've been wanting to go see her since she moved there our second year of college {it's weird how long ago that was...} and i'm so happy to finally be doing it. california here i come!

isaac planned such a great birthday for me, i am so lucky to have him. 25 is going to be one great year, i can feel it.

more birthday fun to come...

treats of two thousand eleven.

2012-01-09T07:00:00.001-07:00

1. cookies and cream cupcakes

2. flutternutter and chocolate cookies

3. coconut cupcakes

4. cadbury mini egg cookies

5. buttermilk syrup

6. reeses pieces egg cookies

7. tres leches cupcakes

8. s'mores cookie bars

9. churro cupcakes

10. lemon crinkles

11. homemade funfetti cupcakes

12. angel food cupcakes & creamsicle cookies & chocolate mintie brownies

13. chai snickerdoodle dooos

14. better than whatever cupcakes

15. oreo cheesecake cupcakes

16. caramel pops

17. homemade peppermint marshmallows

whooooeeeee!! that is a lot of sweets. my love for baking grew even more in the last year, i can't wait to see what i bake up this year! i got a lot of baking goodies for christmas {including a silpat baking liner, a mini donut maker, a cupcake batter dispenser, and a few really fabulous cookbooks} and i can't wait to get using them!

one of my resolutions is to be more adventurous in my baking and cooking this year. i still would like to learn to bake bread, my own pizza crust, and homemade donuts...just to start.

see my 2010 treats here.

i am turning twenty five.

2012-01-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

twenty. five.

yep. it feels weird, but i'm okay with it. birthday week has begun and we have a really, really fun weekend planned. i can't wait! i know most people start to hate birthdays the older they get...but not me. i'm going to love them until the day i die.

books of two thousand eleven.

2012-01-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

one of my resolutions last year was to read 12 books {1 per month} and i read 18! go me. i loved every single one of these books...but i would have to say my top 3 favorites were:

unbroken by laura hillenbrand.

these is my words by nancy e. turner.

all that is bitter and sweet: a memoir by ashley judd.

i think my goal for this year will be to read 24 books...after all i do have list of 35 and counting on my to-read list on goodreads...

what will you be reading this year?!

our new years eve.

2012-01-03T07:00:00.003-07:00

was spent eating of course. i worked all day new years eve and had to go back in the morning so we decided to keep our new years eve pretty low key. my little brother dallin {who has been gone for one whole week today...longest week everrrrr} gave us a cafe rio gift card for christmas and we decided to use it. the food was yummerz, as usual.

you guys. my 25th bday is coming up and i'm excited. this is the theme for my bday week. yep...week.

treat yo self.

goodbye two thousand eleven.

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

oh, 2011. you were one crazy, amazing, fun, sad, challenging year. i learned this year that i am capable of handling very hard things. it really was a great year - i am so happy and feel so grateful for my hubby, family, best friends, and fabulous job.

i am so excited for what 2012 will bring!

2010 recap here.

2009 recap here.

bestie christmas and thoughts on the last year.

2011-12-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

i can't finish up my blogging about christmas without including this photo with some of my very best friends in the whole wide world. we had the best little christmas celebration together which included yummy food, a terrible terrible waiter, and very thoughtful gifts.

this year we went through one of the worst things that anyone can go through together - loosing a best friend. i think about and miss brynn every single day. we as friends have all grown so much closer and through brynn's death i have learned never to take a single moment for granted. it is so important to take advantage of every opportunity you have to try something new, spend time with friends and family, and make time to help others.

this weekend i will be taking time to decide what my resolutions will be for next year. i set some last year and looking back in my journal to see what i accomplished made me feel so good. i can't wait to see what 2012 brings!!

see you next year!

homemade peppermint marshmallows.

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

oh my goodness you guys, homemade marshmallows are so much better than the ones you buy at the store. i can't wait to make these again...and dip them in chocolate. they will be perfect for valentine's day.

ingredients:

nonstick cooking spray

3 {1/4 ounce} packages unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

2 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract {or 1 teaspoon vanilla if you don't want peppermint}

confectioners' sugar, sifted, for coating

directions:

line a 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 2 inch overhang on all sides. spray with cooking spray; set aside.

in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water; let stand for 10 minutes. in a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water. place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil; boil rapidly for 1 minute. remove from heat, and, with the mixer on high, slowly pour the boiling syrup down the side of the mixer bowl into gelatin mixture. add salt and turn mixer to medium-low and continue mixing for approximately 12 minutes.

add peppermint extract {or vanilla} and mix until well combined. spray a rubber spatula or your hands with cooking spray. spread mixture evenly into pan using prepared spatula or your hands. spray a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and place, spray side down, on top of the marshmallows. let stand for at least 2 hours - or overnight for best results.

carefully remove marshmallows from pan. remove all plastic wrap and discard. cut marshmallows into 2 inch squares using a sprayed sharp knife. place sifted confectioners' sugar in a large bowl. working in batches, add marshmallows to bowl and toss to coat. marshmallows can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.

recipe via martha stewart. if you want to see how she makes them go here to watch a clip from her show. also, to see some photos on how to swirl in some pink {or any other food coloring}, go here.

enjoy!

the holiday of all holidays: christmas 2011.

2011-12-28T07:00:00.001-07:00

christmas this year was extra special because my brother was leaving on his mission and we had to make it the best ever!!! and it totally totally was.

1. dipped treats in christmas tins for my bffs.

2. games and dessert with my cousins on christmas eve.

3. i unexpectedly had the day off before christmas because my head was about to explode {i haaaaate head colds}, but it provided for some extra time to make last minute treats for christmas eve, thank you dayquil. i made homemade marshmallows {recipe to come}, which were amazing and were so cute all packaged up.

4. i adore my cousin's daughter josie. she re-taught me how to play a christmas hymn on the piano and it made my night.

5. all the presents from santa!! something that made this year extra special was that we all slept in until 9, had a delicious christmas brunch and headed off to church. it was nice to spend time singing christmas hymns and really taking time to remember what christmas is all about. after church we scurried home while i yelled at everyone to change as fast as they could so we could share presents.

6. my favorite hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow. wowza.

7. the ridiculously warm slippers my mom gave me. they keep my icy feet warm warm warm. they also have a rubber sole so don't be surprised if you spot me at target in them.

8. my husband spoiled me big time this year with so many thoughtful gifts. he knows me so so well.

9. cutie brother collin before the gift opening began.

10. my missionary brother dallin. he is now in brazil as we speak and i just can't believe it. he is going to me so amazing. we has such a fun christmas together. one of my favorite gifts was the card he wrote me, i'm going to read it every day until he comes home.

see! christmas 2011 was the bomb.com.

goodbye elder dallin.

2011-12-27T08:00:00.002-07:00

today i have to say goodbye to my brother for 2 years! 2 whole years! he is leaving to serve a mission in brazil and i am so so proud of him.

if you see me in the next few days and my face is tear streaked and my nose is bright red, don't be surprised. i am very emotional and weepy.

p.s. more about christmas to come...it was so magical!

our christmas card.

2011-12-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

yep. we went there. and we loved it. highlight of the holiday season was taking these photos. my husband is so funny.

merry merry christmas!

caramel pops.

2011-12-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

i absolutely love caramel popcorn but i've never ventured to make it because it seems really hard! so when i tried these easy caramel pops {my mother-in-law always makes them} i knew i had to make them for a christmas treat. last night my besties and i all got together to celebrate christmas and i included a little bag of these as part of their gift.

caramel pops:

8 oz bag of barrel o' fun corn pops

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

preheat oven to 250 degrees. place corn pops in a large roasting pan. mix caramel ingredients in a 2 quart sauce pan and cook for 2 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. remove from heat and add one teaspoon baking soda to cause foaming {this will allow for proper coating of pops}. pour caramel slurry over corn pops and stir until pops are properly coated. place in oven for approximately 45 minute stirring every 10 minutes. remove from oven and pour onto wax paper. break apart {before pops can cool} to desired piece size.

these are so yummy and addicting! if you double the recipe {i used the big 15 oz bag} it makes quite a bit and they are perfect for friends and neighbors.

---

you guys, i've caught the nasty bug going around - my throat is killing me and i feel like my head is about to explode. ugh, it's the worst. ricola natural herb cough drops are my only saving grace right now. luckily i'm done with all my christmas preparations and can just relax until saturday, but dang it! i better be feeling better by saturday! being sick on christmas is the worst.

are you all ready for christmas?!

christmas date night, 2011 edition.

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

getting together with friends to celebrate christmas is one of my very favorite traditions - especially when it means we get to eat yummy food, go see the lights on temple square, and drink my very favorite winter treat in the world - hatch's hot chocolate.

oh, and i got to wear the hat i bought at forever 21 in october. so it was a win-win.

i honestly can't believe christmas is this weekend!!! we celebrated christmas with isaac's family last weekend and i seriously got so sad when it was over. we had so much fun! but then i remembered that we get to have a whole other christmas celebration this weekend and my blues went right away. bye bye post-christmas blues...until december 26th.

lots and lots of christmas cupcakes.

2011-12-20T10:34:00.007-07:00

yep.

my mother-in-law and i made and decorated over 100 red velvet, vanilla bean, and chocolate cupcakes for a family party this weekend. we started early so it was fun, not stressful {you do not want to see me when i'm short on time and my baking isn't working out --- meltdown city!} and we had a lot of fun getting creative with the red/white/teal theme.

i've said it before and i'll say it again, i love cupcakes. sometimes i think i need to move on with the next trend - you know, to cake pops or whoopie pies, but i just can't do it. i love mini cakes covered in frosting way too much to turn my back on them.

you guys, i need a life. really bad.

this and that.

2011-12-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

image one: our goofy little tree. we procrastinated getting a real one this year {see last year's here} so we just borrowed this one from my parents. i think it has character. ha!

image two: the glittery pine cones my aunt made me.

image three: my baby tree and sparkly garland in our bedroom. i love it.

christmas is in full swing around here people. this morning i made over one hundred cupcakes with my mother-in-law for a family party tonight. yes, over one hundred. i am one tired lady. i would give anything to lay down and take a little nap but i must get our place ready for some family to come stay with us this weekend.

listen to how lucky we are: we get two full christmases this year! my brother and sister-in-law are going to florida for christmas so this weekend=the westwood family christmas, next weekend=the russell family christmas.

you could use the word excited for how i'm feeling right now. i can't wait to give them their gifts!!!

chocolate pink peppermint cupcakes.

2011-12-15T08:21:00.029-07:00

during the holiday season i take every opportunity possible to make pink peppermint frosting because it is so dang delicious. i simply can't get enough of it. and when it is combined with chocolate it is pure heaven.

you can find my mint buttercream frosting recipe here {be sure to use peppermint extract} and one of my favorite chocolate cupcake recipes here {or if you're short on time just use a duncan hine's devil's food cake mix - seriously almost as good as scratch}.

don't forget to sprinkle them with crushed peppermint! happy holiday baking!

it's a christmas tradition.

2011-12-14T05:52:00.000-07:00

last year we attended the mormon tabernacle choir christmas concert on temple square and brunched at market street grill afterward and we l-o-v-e-d it. so this year we did it again except this time the whole family came! it was so great. the hot chocolate and eggs benedict are to die for. i would kill for some right now. and the concert was the perfect reminder amid all the hustle and bustle of the season so slow down and remember what christmas is all about. i already can't wait to go next year! a christmas tradition is born.

yesterday i started a 12 days of christmas activity {thanks for posting kylee!} and i just know it is the spiritual uplift i need to prepare for christmas. now all i need is a little snow. i love me a white christmas.

---

in other exciting news, my gf megan shared some fabulous news about the instagram app being developed for android!!! i nearly jumped up and did a little dance in the middle of my night shift at work when i read it. if you read this post you know exactly how much i've been wanting to participate in the instagram fun. it's a christmas miracle. read the article here.

a very sweet weekend.

2011-12-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

this weekend was greatly needed, i am now fully in the christmas spirit!! on friday i spent the day baking and dipping my first round of treats and i loved it. there is something about baking that really relieves so much stress for me. i had a fun lunch date planned with my sister and cousin the next day and i packaged them as seen in the second photo. cute right!? i love the gift tags i bought from fifth & hazel at the bijou market. now i only wish i had picked up more...i have recently become so obsessed with cute gift wrap/greeting cards/treat bags/gift tags, etc. i love wrapping everything pretty.

anyway, on saturday we met for our cousin/sister christmas lunch at the grand america hotel and it was so much fun! we dined in the garden cafe and got macarons in their beautiful bakery la bonne vie. it was so much fun to catch up and eat sweet treats. how was your weekend?!

a charlie brown christmas.

2011-12-09T08:00:00.006-07:00

i loved this little charlie brown scene at the hospital so much i just had to snap a photo - not much can make me as happy as spotting this did while walking into work at 7 am on my 6th 12 hour shift in 8 days. two words: burnt out. but i can't complain, i've taken care of the sweetest kids this week and i am going to miss them when they aren't there when i go back to work next week.

have you seen this commercial yet? i saw it on my lunch break yesterday and i wanted to cry. i love being a pediatric nurse. and the little girl's name is emma! johnson and johnson really hit the nail on the head with this one.

i love it.

but needless to say, i'm ready for the weekend. life has been so busy! between my shifts at the hospital i've been running lots of errands, planning christmas dates with friends, designing our christmas card {oh my gosh you guys, you are going.to.die. it is so sick. and by sick i mean ridiculously hilarious, i can't wait to share it with you}, and stuffing my face with cadbury christmas balls and chocolate orange sticks. yep, i'm healthy.

now, it's time to get my christmas on. i hope your weekend is lovely!

brynn's tree.

2011-12-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

on thursday night i met up with two of my bffs to go see brynn's tree at the festival of trees. it was magnificent!!! her family did such a great job representing brynn - i especially like the thoughts they placed on the gifts. "live your life on purpose" and "life begins at the end of your comfort zone" are going to be part of my new years resolutions next year. brynn lived such a fun, passionate life and i want so badly to be more like her.

i miss her every day, especially during the holidays. it just isn't the same without her! she has inspired me to try my best to make this holiday season stress-free - i just want to soak up all the fun times with my family and friends.

now, instead of laying around all day {which i really really want to do after working so much} i am going to put on a christmas movie, tidy up the place, and start getting ready for christmas!

one of my very favorite places in the whole wide world.

2011-12-05T04:38:00.000-07:00

orson gygi's!!! i could spend hours there, looking at all of their cooking/baking/candy making supplies. i went a few days ago to stock up on chocolate for dipping, sprinkles, cupcake liners, and baker's twine for the holiday season. i am now ready to get baking baking baking.

i was recently looking back at some of the treats i made last holiday season...if you need a easy, delicious cookie recipe to take to a party or cookie exchange try my homemade pink peppermint oreos. they are so pretty and festive. yum.

let the holiday baking begin!!!

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can i just say how happy i am it's monday?! after working the last 4 nights in a row i am in serious need of a break - and with monday comes just that. thank goodness. i am going to sleep all day and then get up and go on a little date with my hubs to my work christmas party. i'm excited for him to meet all my fabulous friends at work, and vice versa! this is our first of many holiday parties to come and i'm pretty excited to officially start celebrating christmas.

just some photos from the last week.

2011-12-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

1. me and the hubs before breakfast on black friday. he was looking good in some of his finds from the night before. our family always goes to the eating establishment in park city and it is deeeelish. i love black friday!!!!!!! so much that that statements deserves seven exclamation points. yep.

2. funfetti cupcakes for kalie girl's bday!

3. this picture of isaac and cricket makes me laugh so hard. i am so mad it's blurry!

4. malorie and baby jude on his blessing day. he looked so cute in his baby gap sweater outfit and booties.

5. some of our bffs at jude's blessing luncheon.

6. cupcakes for baby jude. he really liked them...he told me so.

7. an intense game of jenga. we played it at my sister-in-law's bday on sunday and it was so much fun! i forgot how much i love that game. my lady fingers are reaaaaally good at it.

8. brynn's tree at the festival of trees!!! i love love love it. this is just a little preview...i took lots of pics so more to come...

i hope you have a fun weekend. i am working nights all weekend so i took a quick trip to pick up my favorite christmas treat...cadbury christmas balls!!! they are going to keep me company on my long nights at work. yesssssss.

a christmas wish list.

2011-11-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

homegrown monogram mugs

pretty earrings

pink pop herringbone toms

just a few of my favorite things this holiday season!

thanksgiving 2011.

2011-11-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

thanksgiving 2011 was one big party. the 4 day weekend started off with dinner at my aunt christie's gorgeous home {so dang delicious}, heading up to park city to see a movie, shopping at the outlets {the deals, oh, the deals!}, and spend the night in a cozy hotel - only to get up and eat and shop some more. thanksgiving weekend really is my favorite weekend of the year.

i now have 99% of my christmas shopping done and it feels so good. there is nothing i hate more than fighting those last minute crowds. now i need to figure out exactly what i want for christmas...i think some gift guides are definitely in order.

oh, and i put up my christmas decorations yesterday. our place looks so festive! now all we need is a tree.

pleeeeeeeeeeeease don't make me go back to work tonight. please! i wish i could take the whole month of december off. how fun would that be?!! this girl needs to start saving up her paid time off for next year...

gratitude.

2011-11-23T05:53:00.001-07:00

i have always been big on holidays, but thanksgiving is one of my favorites. not only because i get to eat all of my favorite foods, spend time with my family, and shop like crazy, but because it gives me the opportunity to really think about how blessed i am.

here are a few little things that make me terribly happy:

corn dogs during night shifts

my never grumpy hubby

nail polish

cookie dough

butter

snow tires

fuzzy slippers

my polariod app

brynn

parks and recreation

the library

pretty cupcake liners

heating pads

laughter
cricket

dancing

the opportunity to work with children

hot chocolate

my best girlfriends

artichokes

cozy scarves

chapstick

photos

babies

pebble ice at work

naps

a family who loves me

buttercream frosting

so many things to be grateful for! i have had a lot of hard things happen this year, but so many good things as well. i hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving. i have been working like a maniac the past 5 days and now i get 9 days off to relax and enjoy the holiday. we have so many fun things planned.

happy thanksgiving!

bijou!

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

the holiday bijou market was such a hit {as it always is!} - i got so many good finds! i did my best to stick to finding christmas gifts, but of course i found a few things for myself... i really have a problem not doing the whole "one for me, one for you" thing while shopping for gifts. please tell me i'm not the only one!

highlights of the market include catching up with my friend nicole {we bonded when she took my beautiful wedding photos}, looking at all my cousin's fabulous art {i snatched one of her holiday cards but i am not giving it away, it is too cute}, and shopping and lunching with kat+baby jude. love them.

i love bijou.

dear dad...

2011-11-18T14:41:00.001-07:00

happy birthday!!!

i am one lucky girl to be your daughter.

i love you!

wanted.

2011-11-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

i am usually quite content with the phone that i have {i call it my mini computer}, but when i see everyone posting cute pictures on instagram i get really jealous and wish i had an iphone...just for that one app. silly i know. but now i have another reason to want one...this glitter iphone case!!! it's so pretty and christmasy. i just got an email in my inbox for jcrew's very merry gift guide and it is magical. i will take everything on the gift guide please!

oh, to be rich. and to have a glittery, instagram compatible iphone. the silly daydreams of emma...

and i want isaac in this sweater on christmas morn. the end.

two things that made my day.

2011-11-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

1. the new marcel the shell!!! nothing makes me happier. "treats and snoozing, snoozing and treats. that's it." pretty much describes my passions in life...she got me...and that dog. ha! i hear there is a book and i really want it. christmas isaac?!!

2. i got put on call this morning and i don't have to go in to work until 1!! hooray! normally i would hate this but i had such a crazy last few hours of my shift yesterday that i was exhausted. that extra three hours of sleep this morning did me good.

brynn bash.

2011-11-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

when amanda was in town we all got together before brynn's bday bash {we went to sing karaoke, which was her favorite, but unfortunately a terrible cover band named peace and quiet ruined our karaoke dreams - so rude} to go to dinner at blue lemon. it was delicious. i love that place. and i love spending time with my friends. it is always so fun to get together and reminisce on all our hilarious memories of brynn.

---

also, i really need to tell you about the milkshake i made last night after dinner. i used dreyer's slow churned vanilla bean ice cream {1/2 the fat and tastes the exact same}, milk, and stephen's candycane cocoa mix {the best hot cocoa mix everrrr}. it was sooo yummy. i highly recommend you try it next time you whip up a milkshake. you're welcome.

a cozy weekend.

2011-11-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

the pretty fall table my mother in law set for sunday dinner.

our weekend was very mellow, just how i like it. we spent some time with friends, did a little christmas shopping, and i took a nap on both saturday and sunday afternoons. i love my naps. i was also able to finish my current read - better: a surgeon's notes on performance. it was incredibly interesting and even though i'm not a surgeon {i just work with lots of them!} it gave me lots of ideas of how i can do better as a nurse. if you are at all interested in medicine and public health, you will enjoy it.

now i'm on to a slightly different book...the young adult novel matched, which i hear is really good! that is what i love about reading - you can read and learn about so many different things. it makes me feel like even though i'm not still in school, i am still learning something new every day.

how was your weekend?

holiday bijou market. are you going?

2011-11-13T08:00:00.004-07:00

it is time again for the holiday bijou market and i'm so excited! there are always so many fabulous vendors there and i always find such unique, fun gifts. and my amazing cousin dallas will be there selling her art! please look at these handmade christmas cards she will be selling...

aren't they fabulous? i can't wait to get my hands on a few.

you guys, i love christmas.

the end.

five things.

2011-11-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

1. last night my 19 year old brother told me i need to get a hold of my hair. aka start "doing it". yikes. you know it's bad when your brother has to tell you to get it together. i need a change.

2. i'm attending a 10 hour workshop at work today. let's hope i don't fall asleep. i don't know what it is but lately someone starts lecturing and i start struggling to keep my eyes open. i am a tired gal.

3. i hope you have fun weekend! ours is almost completely open {minus a game night with friends} so the possibilities are endless!!! love that feeling.

4. i know i've asked this before, but i'm going to ask again. are you on goodreads? if so, let's be friends! i love good book recommendations. and friends.

5 . today is 11/11/11. i like it.

adios amigos.

just a few fun facts...

2011-11-10T07:22:00.002-07:00

about me!

this little a-z list has recently been on some of my favorite blogs and i thought i would follow suit. i usually don't do little surveys like this...but today i'm feeling like a copy cat.

age: twenty...something.

bed size: queeners.

chores that you hate: washing dishes by hand! it's the worst. and mopping. ick.

dogs: i grew up being a non-pet person, but i'm a changed woman since my family got cricket.

essential start to your day: breakfast. i can.not.function. if i don't eat. i usually have some cereal and a banana before going to work/exercising.

favorite color: pink of course! and teal.

gold or silver: silver.

height: 5 feet 7 inches.

instruments you play: none. i learned to play the piano when i was younger but all my skill is looong gone. my mom is pissed.

job title: registered nurse.

kids: i will admit it, i am getting verry baby hungry{thank you baby jude}. but it just doesn't quite feel like the right timing for us yet, so we're waiting.

life: isaac, my job, family, food, traveling, best friends, fitness, and cooking/baking.

mother's name: laurie. love her.

nicknames: emma jemma, chuckles, grumpelstiltskin {all courtesy of isaac!}, grandma joy {i was on the drill team in high school and we all got ready together after practice...the short story is i walked around the locker room with curlers in my hair, wore a lot of cardigans, and i love all of the same things old ladies do} and emmie.
overnight hospital stays: zero.
pet peeves: terrible drivers, loud breathers, people who talk on their phone while grocery shopping in a very busy store {like costco! i could kill some people}, and having my toes popped {isaac!}
quote from a movie or tv show: we are obsessed with parks and recreation. this is a recent favorite: "sir are you aware that there is waste in your water system?"
please watch:

right or lefty: lefty.
siblings: i am the oldest of four. one younger sister and two younger brothers.
time you wake up: if i'm going to work: 5:15 am. if i have the day off: usually 9 am.
underwear: white.
vegetable you hate: mushrooms.
what makes you run late: hitting the snooze button a few too many times and not accounting for traffic.
x-rays you've had: just of my face/teeth for dental purposes.
yummy food you make: where do i begin?! we all know i love to bake/cook. my favorites are in my recipe index.
zoo animal: penguins! i love penguins. i recently read about people knitting sweaters for penguins affected by a massive oil spill {article here} and i thought i was going to die when i saw this picture. so dang cute.

now you know a little bit more about me that you did not really need to know. lucky you! not.

oreo cheesecake cupcakes.

2011-11-09T08:00:00.005-07:00

this picture has me drooling. i made these for our family dinner on sunday and they were a hit. i forgot how much i love cheesecake!! they were so easy to bake - i can't wait to make them again.

ingredients:

3 packages {8 oz each} cream cheese, softened

3/4 cups sugar

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

24 oreos

8-12 additional oreos, chopped

whipped cream {optional}

mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well blended {make sure the cream cheese is room temperature or your mixture will have little chunks}. add eggs, one at a time, and mix well. stir in chopped oreos. line cupcake pan with cupcake liners. place an oreo at the bottom of each liner and spoon the cheesecake mixture on top of the cookie. bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. refrigerate at least one hour for cupcake to set. serve topped with whipped cream if desired.

this recipe can easily be halved or cut down to a third. i cut it down to a third because our family is small {and i didn't want 16 cheesecake cupcakes lying around my house...deadly} and it worked out perfectly. enjoy!

recipe via pinterest.

amazing thoughts from brynn.

2011-11-08T19:50:00.001-07:00

the cupcakes i made {and munched} in honor of brynn's bday.

today has been hard, i really really miss her. her dad posted some thoughts that brynn wrote down after attending a friend's funeral just two months before she passed away and they were so inspiring i just had to share them. {and also put them on my blog so i can always go back and read them when i need some inspiration from brynnie}.

What I learned today: Garrett Smith's Funeral

“You are only in a race against yourself”

Have PASSION

Live the Dream

You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do

Be Yourself

Stand out from the crowd

LOVE

BELIEVE in something

Nature- respect and enjoy

Kind to all

Sincerity

Tell people how you feel before it’s too late

Life is but a moment

Be extraordinary

Make a difference

Family

Friends-make everyone feel like they are your best friend

Mentor- help others

Look for the light in places, people, things

Humor

Felt truly inspired by this man. Felt a spiritual connection to life and how fast it can be taken from you. He and his family are blessed to know that they will be together again forever. It was such a positive peaceful loving ceremony. Such joy, such LIFE. Makes you want to LIVE to the end of lifes limits, love as much as possible, and do as much as you can in this short amount of time we have here. I feel truly blessed to be able to have met this person. This funeral is a pivotal moment for me. I have not had a spiritual connection for a long time and I felt it so strongly today. It makes me want to change for the better. I want to believe in something. I want to live my life in a way that he did and at the end have a peace about it. I will make a life motto to live by. I will take the steps I have been too afraid to take due to being scared. It is time. Life is too short to sit and watch it pass by. I have such a great life and it is time to put it all in my control. BB

---

isn't she amazing! she had so much wisdom at such a young age. i want to live my life like she lived hers - full of passion, love and fun. i feel so grateful to have known brynn.

happy birthday brynn!

2011-11-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

17 year olds all ready for our junior prom.

today brynn would have turned 25, and i can't let the day pass without saying happy birthday! she has been gone for 5 months and we are really feeling her absence. i miss her so dang much. i know she is doing karaoke and singing her heart out in heaven to celebrate her big 2-5. isn't she gorgeous in her white prom dress? some people gave her slack because apparently you are only supposed to wear white on your wedding day, but she wouldn't have it and wore a white dress anyways. she looked perfect.

happy birthday brynn, we love and miss you.

a weekend full of friends and snow.

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

my bff amanda came into town this weekend from california and we had so much fun! on friday night we celebrated our dear friend brynn's bday {more to come} and saturday morning we met friends for brunch and shopping. on saturday morning we woke up to the first big snowfall and it looked so pretty! i was especially excited because my new coat had just come in the mail. but...the big bummer of the snow is driving in it. on our way to brunch our car got caught in a patch of slush and slid right off the freeway. it was so scary. luckily isaac was driving and knew just how to handle the situation and we {and our car} were okay. needless to say we headed to costco for snow tires right after our meal.

minus the snowy car scare, it was a great weekend with lots of time spent with my hubby and bffs.

my two best friends...

2011-11-03T09:40:00.000-06:00

...when i have a massive headache, which is right now. my bed buddy sinus pack {aka the only relief i get for like 15 minutes while it's still hot, then i have to beg isaac to go heat it up again - which he always does, such a good hubs}, and my snuggie, which i'm currently wearing right now {and in the photo where i'm wearing it in all my 23rd birthday glory}.

these, my friends, are my secret weapons. i also love a little excedrin migraine, but when taken in the morning it reaaaaally hurts my stomach {even when i eat before!} and almost isn't even worth taking. barf.

guys, having headaches is the worst. but i guess it's better than most things, right? how exciting is my life right now? blogging about headaches. i'm cool.

i hope you have a fabulous thursday! i have some christmas ideas that i really want to get started on today {i'm nuts i know}, so here's to hoping the excedrin kicks in soon.

hello november.

2011-11-02T12:42:00.000-06:00

hello november! i have finally come to terms with the weather turning cold and i hopefully won't have another stent of seasonal depression like i did when it snowed in october. utah actually had a lovely fall and i think i'm ready to face winter. my coats and boots are out of storage so i'm prepared now. plus there are so many exciting things coming up! i am trying not to jump directly to christmas, because i love thanksgiving just as much. and guess what, by some miracle i have them both off this year! hallelujah!! i can't wait.

photo

happy halloween!

2011-10-31T11:21:00.000-06:00

i hope you have a spooktacular day!

saturday afternoon.

2011-10-29T15:32:00.000-06:00

i dipped these halloween treats yesterday, festive huh? i have little bag of them over on my dresser but i'm feeling too lazy to get up and get them. where is isaac when you need him?!!

today on this lazy afternoon i posted some of my favorite fall recipes over on just cook already, go take a looksie if you need something to make on halloween night! having chili and cornbread on halloween is one of my favorite traditions.

my new winter coat.

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

every winter i love to get a new coat - especially when i find one for a sweet sweet deal. and this my friends, was a fabulous deal. isn't it cute?!! we all know how obsessed with teal i am.

let me break it down for you.

old navy - on sale for $40

the code onsave25 for 25% off {until 10/30}

...and i also had a $10 reward card

$20 bones!!!

i love me a good puffy coat. now that i have something so cute and warm to wear i'm a little less bitter about winter creeping in.

---

i hope you all have a fabulous halloween weekend! i'm working {of course!} but we have some fun plans tonight with our bffs {mexican food + a football game + baby jude} and lots of treats to bake. i'm looking forward to it...especially the treats.

little brother is growing up.

2011-10-27T07:00:00.001-06:00

you guys. time is flying by. flying! it seems like just yesterday my brother dallin opened his mission call to brazil...and then all the sudden we were attending the temple with him. it was a very spiritual, special day for our family - we are so proud of him. he leaves for brazil in 2 months! it is going to be very bittersweet to see him go.

brain dump.

2011-10-26T09:02:00.000-06:00

does this soup not look delicious? found via pinterest of course. someone come make it for me. i'm to sick/weak/lazy.

i've been home with a nasty head cold and i'm hating it. not only because i feel like crap, but because i feel like i'm missing out on the last few days of fall before winter creeps in. and as much as i love laying around watching tv/movies, reading my book {currently reading miss peregrine's home for peculiar children - not quite sure how i feel about it...have you read it?}, and napping all day - there is only so much this woman can handle. i'm ready to get back to my regular days off schedule - exercising, meeting isaac for lunch dates, running errands, cleaning {yes! i even want to clean!}, spending time with friends --- you know, the usual.

i need to get my hands on some zinc. i hear that stuff makes you feel better in no time.

one more thing...

i want this infinity scarf. i may already have it in cream, but i'm really loving it in the rose berry. so pretty for winter.

now please excuse me while i crawl back in to my warm puffy sheets. it's time to doze off again...

weekend summary.

2011-10-24T06:00:00.003-06:00

photo taken of me and my lover boy last week by my dad.

isn't my hubby a handsome man. he surprised me yesterday by coming up to my parent's unexpectedly {i've been working nights and i sleep at their house in between shifts} and it was the best surprise! i hadn't seen him since wednesday and i was missing him like crazy.

this weekend = work. i did manage to fit a few fun things in - saw footloose {looooved it!}, lunched at kneaders, and made a trip to world market for some frames/ribbon/baking supplies. they already have their christmas stuff out and boy oh boy am i getting excited. i think i might start my shopping even earlier than normal this year...

but besides that i was either working or sleeping this weekend and i am glad glad glad it's over. i've been struggling big time with headaches and i.have.had.enough! working with a migraine is literally the worst.

oh, and today i have the worst sore throat. grrr. at least i have the next few days off to be a sickie in bed. hello monday!

happy birthday mom.

2011-10-21T09:53:00.000-06:00

last week we celebrated my mom's big 4-0. jk...she is a little bit older than that, but you can't tell can you!! she is lookin' good. all i've gotta say is i better look as good as she does when i'm her age.

today is the start of my work weekend. boo. i have had a nice few days off though, so i'm not complaining. before i start work tonight my mom and i are going out for a little lunch/movie date. footloose here we come! so glad she will see girly movies with me when isaac would cringe through the entire thing {he always goes and sees whatever i want, but sometimes it's just too painful to put him through it}. ha! hope you have a fab weekend!

bake sale goodies.

2011-10-20T11:18:00.000-06:00

they turned out pretty cute didn't they? cellophane wrap is my new favorite. i'm going to stock up for the holiday season. gimme gimme gimme.

also, today is my bff amanda's bday! if only i could ship her some cupcakes to california to celebrate. i guess i'll have to make some when she visits in november. can't wait!

happy birthday amanda!

pumpkins from kalie.

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

after a particularly icky day, i opened my front door and found these adorable pumpkins with a sweet little happy fall note. it completely made my day, and has made our basement so much more festive {especially since all my halloween decor is in storage, boo}. i love having creative, crafty friends. thank you kalie!

now i just need some white pumpkins.

and a few mini ones.

and a big giant one to carve.

...and a pumpkin cupcake. yeah...i love pumpkins.

highlight of my weekend...

2011-10-17T17:05:00.000-06:00

...was cuddling this little babe. yes, we had a fun night out with his parents, but holding him was just the best part. i wish we lived closer so i could see him {and his parents} more often. i can't wait to move back up to slc.

can't. wait.

now that the weekend is over it's back to busy busy life. i feel like october is flying right past me! there are so many fun things i want to do before the month is over. i better get planning so we fit it all in. frightmare's anyone?!

a fire still burning.

2011-10-16T08:00:00.004-06:00

i know this video is going around the internet like crazy, but i just had to share it here on my blog. i love the killers and think it is so awesome of brandon flowers to share what he believes. there has been so much talk about what mormons believe in the media lately and i can't believe how much false information is out there. if you truly want to know what we believe, please visit mormon.org. it is the perfect place to learn the truth. the reason isaac and i have such a happy, happy life is because of what we believe.

enjoy the video, i hope you have a lovely sunday!

baby brother turns 16.

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

this week has been birthday week. on monday we celebrated collin's 16th! i can't believe he is already 16. watch out ladies!

we had a fun night eating at his favorite restaurant {the old spaghetti factory}, enjoying delicious birthday cake, laughing at the hamster card i got him {i love it so much!}, and tricking him by giving him an old nokia brick phone like the one i had in high school. he tried so hard not to show his disappointment...he had no idea it was a joke. it took my dad like 10 minutes to actually give him the real phone he got him. haha such a mean joke. i'm excited he has a phone now, i'm going to text him 24/7. get excited collin!

a sweet deal.

2011-10-11T08:41:00.001-06:00

just picked up a pair of these jeans for $10.50 last week and they fit like a glove. i think i need a pair in every color. they fit perfectly inside my knee high boots. oh how i love a good deal. thank you forever 21, thank you.

photo happy.

2011-10-10T07:00:00.000-06:00

just a few photos from my phoners.

1. sister's birthday cake. yum.

2. cricket girl.

3. self portrait at one of my favorite spots near our cabin.

4. fall!

5. a picture one of my patient's drew for me. isn't it awesome?! i love their lips.

6. i would give anything for another slice of that pumpkin bread right now.

7. look what i found outside our window!!! my first thought was "hamster!!!!" but unfortunately it was just a little mouse. i sat and watched it munch on leaves for a good 10 minutes. i like her as long as she's outside...

8. i bet this place is covered in snow by now. so sad. i can't wait until next summer!

---

it has been a crazy weekend. i worked three nights in a row and i am exhausted. not easy people, not easy. that means for the past 4 days my life has been work, sleep, eat, work, sleep, eat, work, sleep, eat. it's cool. it's worth it to work 3 looooong shifts in a row and then have a good chunk of days off. one of the biggest perks of being a nurse - 4 days off a week. lucky right?

weekend update.

2011-10-08T05:16:00.000-06:00

instagram love.

this week has been a rough one for me. i've been struggling with lots of headaches {grrr} and have been feeling a little down. but the thing is, i have no reason to feel down! this week has been great - i got to go on lots of lunch dates with my hubby, work is going well {i have been an nurse for a year! i can hardly believe it}, i spent time with my favorite new baby&mom, i got my teeth checked by my fabulous dental hygienist student/bff, and i've had plenty of time to read/exercise/do as i please. so why have i been feeling so down? well, i finally figured it out...

the weather!

it snowed on wednesday and i have been in a funk ever since. i need fall to last just a little bit longer - winter can come when thanksgiving and christmas does. ugh. but for now i'll do my best to come to terms with the fact that winter is just around the corner.

i just looked up the weather report and it says it will be back in the 70s next week. i feel better already.

the cabin in the fall.

2011-10-06T10:29:00.000-06:00

as it is rainy and gloomy outside i can't tell you how glad i am we made one last trip up to the cabin this fall. it was gorgeous! we had such a wonderful time - filled with yummy fall meals {including pumpkin snickerdoodles and zuppa toscana soup}, long drives, and warming up by the fire.

oh, and three different times we had to stop beacause of sheep/cows herding. so so funny. we loved it.

the ultimate pumpkin bread.

2011-10-05T07:32:00.000-06:00

4 words.

best. pumpkin. bread. ever.

for realsies. this bread is amazing. remember when i posted about kneaders pumpkin bread? yeah, i'm going to say this is better. bold i know. but true. soooo true. okay, i will share the recipe now.

ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup butter, really soft, partially melted

3 large eggs

1 15 ounce can pure pumpkin

preheat oven to 350 degrees. spray two medium or three small loaf pans {i bought the disposable pans so i could give one away and it was enough for three} with nonstick cooking spray. in a medium bowl, mix the flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, set aside.

in a bowl of a stand mixer, pour in the sugar. take the butter and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds so that it is partially melted. pour in with the sugar and add the eggs. cream these ingredients together on medium speed for about two minutes or until fluffy. add the pumpkin and combine well.

in three batches, add the dry ingredients and mix gently until each batch is just incorporated. scrape the sides between each batch. pour a third, or a half of the batter into each of the pans. bake side-by-side for 50-60 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean and the the tops are golden.

yummerz. to mix it up you can add pecans or chocolate chips to one or all of the loafs. so far, this is my favorite pumpkin recipe of the fall. enjoy!

recipe via streaming gourmet.

current read.

2011-10-04T09:34:00.000-06:00

one of our favorite parts of spending time at the cabin is having lots and lots of time to just sit by the fire and read. this trip i started room {a little hard to get in to but once i figured out some basic details i was hooked...} and hubby was reading superfreakanomics. we spend hours doing it. i love time away from technology!

i sure am wishing i was still sitting by that fire, it is pretty gloomy today. i guess i'll just have to settle with my comfy bed...which i'm thinking about crawling back into. i think it's going to be a lazy lazy day...

hello october.

2011-10-03T10:11:00.000-06:00

we had the most relaxing weekend at the cabin, i can't even begin to tell you how much we needed it. after listening to general conference i have a renewed sense of who i am and exactly what i need to be doing. i feel completely at peace. i wish we could have spent more time up in the gorgeous mountains, i don't want the weather to change!

how was your weekend?

date night at the state fair.

2011-09-30T09:33:00.000-06:00

a few weeks ago we went to the fair with our besties and it was one heck of a time.

people make fun of the fair...you know, because of the carnies, but i ate it right up. we loved every minute of it - the rides, the cotton candy, the big yellow slide, the deep fried goodies, the giant pigs, the crazy-eyed cows, the kettle corn, and even the carnies {please go watch this video of the snake woman on isaac's blog, kalie and spence paid to see her and looooved it - see why here}. so soo funny.

---

i hope you have a great weekend, we are off for a nice weekend at the cabin! we will be listening to our church's general conference, enjoying the changing leaves {i've never been to our cabin in the fall!}, and enjoying some yummy food. i think i'll bake something with pumpkin...yes. i think i will.

happy birthday biotch.

2011-09-29T08:00:00.001-06:00

another year has come and gone and now my sister is 22. 22! i can't hardly believe it. ugh, isn't she just stunning? i mean, look at those cheek bones.

happy birthday jenna! you are one stylish, fabulous woman and i'm lucky to call you my sister. love you!

better than whatever cupcakes.

2011-09-28T08:00:00.002-06:00

another delish cupcake recipe coming right at you...{i hope i never run out of cupcake recipes to try!}

ingredients:

chocolate cake mix {use duncan hines devil's food!}

heath toffee chips

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 can sweetened condensed milk {you only use a tiny bit, so buy the smallest can}

bake cupcakes according to the instructions on the box. let them cool completely. beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. gradually add powdered sugar and mix well. drizzle a small amount of sweetened condensed milk on top of each cupcake. let the cupcakes sit for a few minutes before piping on the frosting {i made the mistake of piping it on right after it slide riiight off, so wait a few, trust me} and sprinkle with toffee chips.

yummy right? recipe via little girl in a big world.

p.s. if you're wondering about the cake version of this recipe {my favorite}, you can get the recipe over on just cook already.

and, if you're wondering about the cookies in my last post, you can get the recipe here.

you're welcome.

do i have a problem??

2011-09-26T08:00:00.001-06:00

there are a few things we can decifer from these photos...

1. kneaders pumpkin bread is fan-freaking-tastic. i'm on a search for a copycat recipe. if you have one, send it my way.

2. why must i have such a sweet tooth? i want so badly to truly get "shredded" or "ripped", just like my jillian michael dvds promise, but i can't lay off the sweets. i guess i'll have to settle for just kinda "shredded". cookies, and all other sweets, are just too good to give up.

3. a costa vida just opened up near my parent's house. we're all pretty excited about it.

4. cricket is the cutest little dog. she sure loves that ball {i just had to throw this one in here to mix it up a bit...}

5. husband is turning into quite the waffle king. he made me the best waffles two sundays in a row! i hope he goes for a third...

so yeah, pretty much the highlights of my life {you know, the ones i deem picture worthy} are all food related. i'm cool like that.

food even dominates my dreams...let me share with you my latest nightmare...

i was in this delicious little ice cream shop and i told the lady what i wanted and she began scooping my ice cream while she just kept talking and talking, not giving it to me. i sat there for like 2 hours with her holding my cone while she gabbed away. i woke up in a sweat. i really wanted that ice cream cone! i'm sure if i hadn't woken up when i did it would have ended with me jumping over the bar and shaking her silly until she gave me that cone. i'm still mad about it.

yeah...

a new favorite.

2011-09-23T08:00:00.001-06:00

you guys. you guyssss. i have become a woman obsessed. i cannot put this book down! seriously. i even passed up watching some fall premieres of my favorite shows to read. yep. i only have a few pages left and i'm pretty sad about it.

have you read it? unbroken is definitely going on my top 10 favorites list. sooo good. buy and read more about it here. and if you're a library girl like me, hop online and request it asap. i waited all summer for my copy, so get to steppin'.

now i'm off to repaint my chippy nails...

the white party.

2011-09-21T10:04:00.000-06:00

the end of summer has proven to be super fabulous. we have done lots of fun things - including being lucky enough to attend kalie's second annual white party! it was magical. my favorite part? dessert. my sweet tooth loved the raspberry sorbet topped with whipped cream and a wafer cookie. yum.

hopefully there are more professional pictures {megan!} coming soon. i, of course, forgot my camera and resorted to my phone, which i do too often these days. but we all know i love a good phone polaroid. it makes everything look sooo dreamy.

my fall picks: forever 21.

2011-09-20T10:32:00.000-06:00

margaret woven coat.

polka dot skirt.

cheetah lined blazer.

mixed panels top.

mesh & tulle skirt.

i am loving these inexpensive fall looks from f21. my wardrobe could definitely use a little boost. now here is the big question...order online or head to the store? just one of the many tough decisions i will have to make today...ha!

also on my fall must have list: a plum lip color, just like the one in the first image. anyone have one they swear by? thankyousomuch.

one year ago.

2011-09-19T05:01:00.000-06:00

blah, this weekend was a hard one for me. i keep expecting to start feeling a tiny bit better about the loss of brynn, but i'm not! i almost feel worse. we got together to celebrate kari's bday and it was really good. i love seeing my best friends and spending time with them but something was clearly missing, and it was so obviously brynn. she always made everything so light and funny. goodness i miss her.

i find myself struggling the most during long drives in the car {which i do frequently} and working night shifts. there is just too much quiet time to think think think. i love this photo of us, it was taken last september at malorie's birthday dinner. everyone looks so pretty!

okay, that's enough sad stuff. sometimes it just feels good to write down exactly how i'm feeling. on a happier note...isaac posted some really funny videos on his blog yesterday that you really must see. i just watched them again and they cheered me right up. they will make your monday infinitely better, i promise. watch them here.

mister rockie.

2011-09-18T06:48:00.000-06:00

i just love this picture of my brother & sister in law's dog rockie. he is the funniest dog. second to cricket, he is my favorite. i love how his paw is resting on my arm. we had just taken a very cozy nap together while the boys watched football.

i hope you have a nice, peaceful sunday! i myself will be sleeping all day after a loooong night shift, and then heading back into work for another night. sometimes i wonder how i work nights, but i always manage to do it. i think the key for me is a good long nap before night 1, lots of snacks, and a good book to read when it's quiet. yes, that is my night shift recipe. oh, and pinterest. gotta love the pinterest.

meet baby jude.

2011-09-16T08:00:00.001-06:00

our dear friends kat and tyler are parents!!! they had the most precious baby boy on monday and we are so excited for them {and slightly jealous, he is perfect!}. on wednesday night kalie and i planned a little dinner and took it over to their fabulous new home. i could have stayed all night holding baby jude. i love these pictures of isaac holding him! i can't wait until he's my baby daddy. ha!

of course i took pictures the only time he was a bit fussy, he slept almost the whole time we were there. i love how in the last picture he looks like he is trying to punch isaac! so cute. we are so happy to welcome him to our little group. congratulations kat and ty!!

chai snickerdoodle dooos.

2011-09-15T11:36:00.000-06:00

the other day a recipe for these cookies popped into my inbox and i was in the kitchen just hours later baking them up. i love me a good snickerdoodle and the thin, crunchy on the outside/soft on the inside texture was perfect.

cookie ingredients:

2 1/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, room temp {i only had salted butter, and they turned out just deliciously}

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

chai sugar ingredients:

5 tablespoons sugar

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon cardamom

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees. in a medium bowl, combine dry cookie ingredients. set aside. in a small bowl, mix together chai sugar mix. set aside. in a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. add eggs, one at a time. slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and mix until combined.

form dough into large balls {about 2 tablespoons each}, roll in chai sugar mix, and place on baking sheet. leave space for cookies to spread {i did 9 cookies per sheet}. bake for 14 minutes and allow cookies to rest for 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

these are the perfect cookies to start off your fall baking if you ask me. now i'm off to the store to stock up on some pumpkin, i'm getting an early start this year!

recipe via the novice chef blog.

someone!!!

2011-09-14T08:40:00.000-06:00

buy me this skirt now! ahhh, such a dream. it's on sale. yep. snatch it up here.

via anthropologie.

malorie's 25th bash.

2011-09-13T09:52:00.000-06:00

for malorie's birthday we celebrated in style. jelissa's new backyard was the perfect place to have an outdoor party. we had yummy food {cupcakes included!}, caught up with old friends, and showered malorie with love. plus, i got to wear my new anthro skirt i found on sale. two thumbs up.

on my mind...

2011-09-12T07:44:00.001-06:00

aren't these flowers pretty? they were the perfect ending to a nice afternoon at the provo temple. i was feeling really sad and missing my friend brynn and the only thing that made me feel better was visiting the most peaceful place on earth. i immediately felt better afterward.

i had the weekend off and it was fabulous. we slept in, watched football games, attended a magical party, read our books in bed, and had a quiet sunday. it was just what i needed. oh, and i also have the next 3 days off! i honestly don't know what to do with myself. at the top of the list is cleaning our house, but that just doesn't sound fun. good thing i have a brunch planned with two of my favorite friends from nursing school this morning.

two words. jillian. michaels. those of us who have tried her workouts have a love/hate relationship with her. she is so annoying and blunt in her dvds, but somehow it motivates me to keep.on.going. that jillian. i just started her ripped in 30 dvd {after completing the 30 day shred} and i love love love the way i feel after. such a good burn. try it.

after brynn died i really learned how important it is to cherish every moment you have with your friends and family. this summer has been hard. life just isn't the same without her. but i feel so lucky to have such wonderful, supportive people around me. i have the greatest husband, friends, family, and co-workers ever. i love going to work not only because i love my job but because i have such great people to work with every day.

speaking of work, on friday i took care of a teenage girl who had been in a terrible atv accident {one summer as a nurse was all it took for me to hate those things! never let a child/teen drive an atv! never!} it was a challenging day to say the least. she broke multiple bones in her legs and pelvis and was in so much pain. it was awful. one of the most rewarding parts of my job is actually helping my patients feel relief from their constant pain. sometimes it isn't always the pain medication that does it {although it does work wonders!}, but the time i spend talking and getting to know them - distracting them from how much they hurt. sometimes i stop myself at work and think "i'm really here! i'm a nurse, working at an amazing pediatric hospital. i actually did it!" feels good.

soooo yeah, that's what has been on my mind. how was your weekend?

if all my pinterest dreams came true...

2011-09-09T08:00:00.002-06:00

i would live in this house...

wear this outfit...

and my hair would be amazing.

a girl can dream, right? love you pinterest.

yellowstone via phone.

2011-09-08T11:05:00.000-06:00

just a few more photos of our summer vacation taken by my favorite app. highlights include the fabulous cabin we stayed in - it was huge and we were really wishing our friends were there to share it with us, the homemade ice cream we ate in west yellowstone - it was amazing!!! i got a double chocolate orange cone each day of our stay. miss piggy, i know. i can't pass up a yummy homemade treat. oh! and those stairs! we went down and then back up like 400 really creepy stairs on a mountainside to see an amazing view of a waterfall in the grand canyon of yellowstone. it was hard work, but one of our favorite parts of the trip.

oh yellowstone, we love you.

birthday cupcakes for my sweetie girl.

2011-09-06T05:19:00.000-06:00

today one of my dearest friends turns the big 2-5. a quarter of a century! i have been lucky to call her my friend for 10+ years, i don't know what i would do without her. last weekend we got to celebrate her in style {more photos to come} and of course i just had to make cupcakes for her party. aren't they pretty? i wish i had one in my hand right now...

happy happy birthday malorie, i love you so so much!

the baby shower of all baby showers.

2011-09-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

guess who threw her first baby shower?! and by threw i mean i made all the food/treats...sweet kalie did everything else. i was super nervous because i had never made all the food for something like this before but i have to say i'm really happy with how everything turned out. thank goodness for my bff malorie who came over and helped me get everything ready, i couldn't have done it without her!

it was such a lovely evening. i am so excited to meet kat's baby boy. and for him to wear all the onesies we made him. he will be here any day now! i just love newborn babes.

a busy girl's best friend.

2011-09-03T10:10:00.000-06:00

i prefer to bake from scratch, but when i'm in a pinch and need to whip up a bunch of cupcakes in a flash i always use my favorite duncan hines cake mix. seriously, it is soooo much better than any other brand. it's my secret weapon. so for all you aspiring bakers, i give you one of my baking secrets.

happy saturday!

yellowstone photo overload: part one.

2011-09-02T10:09:00.001-06:00

didn't we see some sweet animals?!!! we loved loved loved this trip. the only thing missing was good food in the park {we almost barfed after one bit of our food at the old faithful inn} and seeing a bear!!! i wanted to see one so so badly. but of course we saw everything else yellowstone had to offer...we saw geysers, hot pots, paint pots, yellowstone lake, old faithful, the grand canyon of yellowstone {our favorite!}, gorgeous waterfalls, and walked a million miles to see it all. we were very tired at the end of each day. but it was oh so worth it. isaac was in heaven, he loved every bit of yellowstone. it was the perfect trip to end our summer.

all photos taken by my one and only.

a fabulous summer wedding.

2011-09-01T12:06:00.000-06:00

a few weeks ago we were able to attend the most fabulous fabulous wedding. the bride and groom looked stunning and that cake!!! isn't it gorgeous?! we ate the most delicious crepes, had a great time with friends and i even convinced isaac to dance with me. i loved every second of it.

oh and hello first day of september!! i couldn't be happier to see you. i just love autumn. i'm already planning a little fall get together...