My new hobby

I have a few hobbies. Sadly, baking is one of the hobbies I like the most. Unfortunately, that doesn't do much for my waistline. So, in an effort to keep myself out of the kitchen so much, I have taken up sewing. Luckily, a dear friend of mine is and incredible seamstress. She has been guiding me. Here is my first attempt:

He's Official

Kevin was sworn in last night officially as a police officer for Cottonwood Heights City. I got to pin the badge on him and everything. He has worked really hard and we are very proud of him. Way to go, Officer Smith!

Shark Attack Tri

Well, we did it!  We finished our first triathlon! Without any trips to the ER!  It rained almost the entire time and I about drowned in the swim, but other than that it was great!   We came home and Kevin immediately started looking for another one.  Anyone want to join us????

Okay, I lied . . .

Okay, I lied, the previous post wasn't my last post.  This is probably my last one, but I just had to pass this along!

I remember in high school, they gave out awards like penny candy.  We all got them: ribbons, certificates, medals, trophies, etc.  Well since then, my awards have been few and far between. Well, I am here to say that I've officially been an adult for going on 14 years and I've finally received an award!  My sweet childhood friend,  Amy O., chose me, yes, me of all people, to receive one of her "lovely blog" awards.  Which, is so incredibly sweet, being that I have not been feeling like any of my posts have been exactly "engaging" lately.   Anyway, blah, blah, blah! I need to pass this sweet little award on.   There are so many of your blogs that I adore reading, I get a little kick of excitement when my blog list says you've posted something new.  These are just a few that my usual friends and family may not be aware of.  So here it goes, in random order, please don't be offended if you're not on the list, I just got sick of typing:

My lovely blog awards go to:

1) Two of my most favoritest (just learned that word from my friend Melanie) blogs are, sad for all of you, private blogs.  My friend and previous co-worker, Hadley, has the most charming blog and is an incredible writer.  Next, my dear bosom buddy and "there-is-no-one-more-like-me-in-the-world" mission companion and trainer, Emily, has another favorite blog of mine.

2) My Kitchen Cafe  My darling friend Melanie has the best food blog.  At least, the best I know of.  You would think she would weigh 400 lbs with all the fabulous recipes she posts.  But no, she is a skinny little adorable thing.  I make her recipes all of the time and am frequently cursing her name when I get on the scale. (wink, wink!)

3) Winterholler Photography  My sister just started into photography and has started to build up quite the little business for herself.  She has been gracious enough to take our family pictures a couple of times already and has captured my kids just the way I like them captured:  Ian being funny and Meg being feisty. 

4) Julie Berryhill Julie just started blogging a few months ago, and I was so delighted to reconnect with her.  We were both at BYU together and instantly had a connection.  Julie is one of those incredibly beautiful, extremely intelligent, "got all her ducks in a row" kind of people.  It's really sickening.  But, very inspirational.  So, if you want to be sick, but inspired, go to her blog.

5) Bakererlla  let's be real here.  I am WAY too impatient to make anything from this website.  But, golly, the things she does are so adorable.  Cupcake pops, anyone?

6) The Wray Family  My darling cousin Ashley.  Who, whenever Kevin hears her name, he starts talking as fast as possible just to mimic her.  We ADORE Ashley.  She is full of life, laughs and fun.  I love reading her blog.

7) Billings East Stake Relief Society  This is pure unadulterated nostalgia for me (reading all these posts from ladies back home).  My mom is the Secretary in the Stake Relief Society where I grew up.  She suggested a stake blog.  I just adore it.  She is in charge of the posts for this month, so look out for some crazy cool stuff.

Well, there.  Some lovely blog awards.  Thanks Amy for the sweet gesture.  Now, you all need to pass this little award along!

My last post

Well, this is probably my last post.  Kevin and I are doing our very 1st Triathlon on Saturday.  I'm probably not going to make it.  So, farewell . . .

Mayfair

If someone could figure out a way to hook me up to an IV and pump toasted coconut through it, I would be a happy woman . . . . . . 

When my mother-in-law was here a couple of weeks ago, she mentioned how much she loved macaroons.  So, in my never-ending quest to become the favorite daughter-in-law, I decided to try out a few recipes that I could take to our family reunion in Tahoe next week.  When I was in college, a roommate of mine made these coconut macaroons with cherries and chocolate.  Yes, cherries and chocolate (my favorite Sees candies are the Mayfairs, which are undoubtedly the most delectable thing you'll ever taste, full of cherries and chocolate).  Anyway, I found a decent coconut macaroon recipe, made a few changes, added cherries and chocolate and Voila!  The perfect "Mayfair Macaroons". (Can I get sued for naming them after the Sees candy??)

Mayfair Macaroons

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

5 1/2 cups flaked coconut

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoons almond extract

1 10-ounce jar maraschino cherries, chopped, with all the juice squeezed out of them

¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or, as much as desired)

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

 

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, coconut and salt. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and almond using your hands until well blended. Use an ice cream scoop to drop dough onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about golf ball size.

 

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until coconut is toasted.

Lumberjacks

Kevin decided our front trees needed some trimming.   And, we all know how men are when they get a chainsaw in their hands.  I couldn't stop him!  He just kept chopping and chopping!!


The little lumberjack . . .


Before:
After:
Now, I'm headed to the nursery to find some large shrubs and groundcover for the base of our lonely tree!  What do you think, should we cut down the center tree, or leave it?

Golf Camp

Our week has been busy with Ian's golf camp.  He is quite the little link-ster!  We (along with 300,000 other parents of little golfers) think that he is the next Tiger Woods.  Just take a look at the video, I am sure you'll agree.  If you need any help with your swing, Ian is offering private lessons.  All he charges is a trip to Baskin Robbins!