em-il-ie

a midnight exchange

2012-01-30T09:01:00.001-05:00

They lay in the still, quiet, darkness - almost asleep.

She found his hand in the covers and held it.

"I love you so much. You make me so happy." she whispered.

A moment passed.

Then he placed her hand over his heart.

"You made my heart race." he said.

Still in love.

They Deserve an Oscar

2012-01-29T00:01:00.003-05:00

The Oscar Noms are in and that means time to weigh in. These are my pics, NOT necessarily me predictions. To see the full list of nominations click here. Here goes!

BEST PICTURE

The Artist

LEAD ACTOR

Brad Pitt for Money Ball

LEAD ACTRESS

Viola Davis

(although I have not yet seen 'My Week with Marilyn')

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christopher Plumber for Beginners (he was AMAZING)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Melissa McCarthy for Bridesmaids

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Rango

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

A Separation

ORIGINAL SONG

Real in Rio from Rio

Only has TWO nominations? 'Man or Muppet' and 'Real in Rio'

I think if a Muppets song was going to be nominated it should have been "Life's a Happy Song'.

Sunshine Saturday: Advanced Style

2012-01-28T00:01:00.007-05:00

This week's SUNSHINE SATURDAY is a highlight of a blog I recently heard about called Advanced Style. It is all made up of women aged 70 and above (up to 100 years old!) who are committed to being stylish and showing personal flair through clothing and accessories.

Holy Awesome.

Here are a few of my favorites from browsing the site this week (click to enlarge).

Also, make sure to check out the section called "I'm proud to be _____ years old".

These women do charity events, pilates classes and lead active, amazing lives. I swear, if Matt dies first (which I will be very sad about) I am taking whatever retirement money we had saved, moving to Manhattan and becoming these women.

Are you as inspired as I am?

Have you ever....

2012-01-27T02:09:00.002-05:00

stayed at the Olive Garden

until it was a full 30 minutes

past closing because you were having

too much fun with your girlfriends

at Book Club to go home?

I have.

Thanks girls.

P.S. Sorry about the severely unflattering picture.
But the mid-laugh joy was too much for me to pass up.

random thought thursday

2012-01-26T01:03:00.001-05:00

i finally got all of

the negatives from my

humanitarian trip to Africa

put onto a picture CD.

it only took 11 years.

* * * * * * *

Bianca is 50/50

walking and knee-walking.

progress.

* * * * * * *

i feel like i should apologize

every time i beat someone

in Scrabble or Words With Friends.

* * * * * * *

our Christmas tree is still up.

super-pathetic.

* * * * * * *

Evangeline:

"We believe in God, the maternal otter
and in his song, Jesus Prize,
and in the scary ghost".

Close, little Mormon girl. Close.

* * * * * * *

if this isn't the cutest

valentine's day photo shoot

i don't know WHAT is.

* * * * * * *

on a related topic:

will i ever have a boy?

* * * * * * *

have you seen my

Plucky Momo shop?

because it's filled with

super-cute Project Life printables.

i'm just sayin'.

* * * * * * *

something controversial

2012-01-25T02:43:00.008-05:00

UPDATE: I am closing the comments on this post. I guess I didn't realize just how fired up people might get. I really found Kristin's comment insightful. Make sure to read it since it's one of the only times I have heard the "other side". Just something to consider.

So, remember this post about Ted Kennedy? When he died some called him the greatest senator ever and the like. I was interested because he did something pretty awful. Basically he drove a car into a river with a young female passenger inside, whom he was suspected to be having an affair with. He swam to the surface and then let the woman die...not reporting the incident for nine full hours.

(photo by Associated Press)

So, here's the thing. Joe Paterno passed away this week. Of course, you know that. But he is not really being mourned or remembered for his good contributions outside of Pennsylvania. Here, people are hurting and mourning and remembering. Our news is filled with tales of his good deeds, philanthropic work, inspiring students, helping the needy. But elsewhere?...not so much.

In making my own judgement about the recent scandal and his part in it I have concluded that I do not think he did his due diligence. I think he should have gone straight to the real police. I think he should have done more. However, is that worse than driving away from a drowning woman in a car? It seems to me that the timing of this scandal has made a world of difference in the public opinion following Joe's death.

Is it because Kennedy had time after his scandal to continue to do good and therefore repair his broken public image? Will Joe Paterno's good deeds, which I believe outweighed this scandal (especially since it was a sin of omission) be overshadowed and forgotten by the general public? Wouldn't it be horrible to be remembered this way? Is it fair?

Weigh in.

swoon!

2012-01-24T00:49:00.000-05:00

is anyone in the entire world

hotter than old-school Paul Newman?

i think not.

*img src unknown

war paint

2012-01-23T00:01:00.006-05:00

Every day it's the same. At some point (usually in the rear view mirror while waiting for a child to get on the school bus) I apply my war paint. I'm one of those people that looks MUCH better with make-up on. Like, when I don't wear it, people say, "Oh my! Are you sick?!" Ouch.

I whipped this up for my Project Life 2012 and thought I would share it here. Boring? Maybe. But whatever. You'll note what a cheapskate I am when it comes to make-up. Oh well.

In my Make-up Bag: (1) Foundation (2) Retractable Blush Brush (3) Blush (4) Eyebrow powder (5) Heated Eyelash Curler (6) Waterproof Eye Liner (7) Vanilla Eyeshadow (8) Waterproof Mascara in Black (9) Lip Gloss in Wine Shine OR (10) Long Lasting Lipstick in French Roast

At the end of the day? These amazing cloths take it all off. A vital necessity since I seem to wear make-up suited for underwater diving. I've tried ALL of the make-up removers out there. Just trust me, this is the best. Not oily like Mary Kay or stingy like Neutragena. And yes, better than Baby Wipes.

from this week

2012-01-22T13:15:00.000-05:00

Evangeline at Pre-school.

I caught her coloring intently with her tongue stuck out.

Working Hard through Difficult Times

2012-01-21T14:36:00.000-05:00

A dedicated marine biology student at a Long Island High School learned she was named one of 61 finalists for the $100,000 Intel Science prize just days after her family was forced to move into a homeless shelter.

Garvey's parents fell behind on their bills and rent after a February car accident left them injured and out of work for months. They also had to shoulder unexpected funeral expenses for her maternal grandmother.

Samantha Garvey's intensive 6-years of research on mussel ecosystems led to her invitation to the prestigious national science competition and the worldwide attention on the fact that she and her family of five moved into a homeless shelter after their eviction on New Year's Eve.

"I want to show other people that even though you're going through something bad...there's a brighter side to everything." Sam said.

purely for spite

2012-01-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Bianca totally walked around my friend Amber's house.

Like a gazillion steps.

And then I brought her home.

And she wouldn't take a step.

Not even one.

Recipes that Rock: Chicken Tikka Masala

2012-01-20T00:01:00.006-05:00

My husband LOVES Indian food. And I love SOME Indian food. Overly spicy yellow curries are not for me, but what IS for me is Chicken Tikka Masala. Oh man...it is GOOD! You could make this with any protein and maybe even with....gulp...tofu?

Pin It

I wanted to share the recipe here since it's a great starter recipe to get to know Indian food and flavors since it's not too strong or unusual in taste. Our kids LOVE this stuff. We had it this past week for Matt's birthday dinner. Even baby Bianca ate two helpings and smacked her little lips...a lot.

Note: Garam Masala is an Indian spice which can be found in the regular spice section of most grocery stores. It is pure magic.

Printable version w/out photo CLICK HERE

Printable version with a photo CLICK HERE

4x6" Recipe Card - click img below to enlarge.

Then right click and choose "Save Picture".

random thought thursday

2012-01-19T00:00:00.003-05:00

Guess what I received in the mail
over Christmas break?
The publisher saw my post and
offered to send me a free copy.
How could I refuse?

* * * * * * * *

If you're wondering why I went blond

here is your answer:

I felt I had to do it to offset

the hair dying universe after

THIS major event happened.

I always coordinate my look
based on what the Biebs and I discuss.

* * * * * * * *

After our home reaching

"Hoarders" status we are now

implementing some new household rules.

Starting with a mega-clean.

Hopefully we don't find too many

flattened cat carcasses.

* * * * * * * *

I actually don't think you're allowed

to be featured on an episode of

"Hoarders" if you don't have at

least two and a half dead cats under

your piles of filth.

* * * * * * * *

My friend, Christie, is amazing.

* * * * * * * *

If I haven't already told you

about THIS site.

You need to go check it out.

Like now.

* * * * * * * *

Now that I know there's

a photo booth at our local

movie theater I may

be going there a few times a month.

Not to watch movies.

Just for the photos.

* * * * * * * *

If I post my amazing recipe

for Chicken Tikka Masala here

will anyone even use it?

Would YOU make Indian food at home?

* * * * * * * *

If Mondo doesn't win the current

All Stars season of Project Runway

I may boycott. His previous 2nd place

finish was a complete farce.

Gretchen Smetchen.

* * * * * * * *

Have you seen the trailers

for the Hunger Games movie?

More importantly, have you seen that

my celebrity crush is playing Cinna?

Things just got HOT in District 12.

* * * * * * * *

Our cell phone won't hold a charge anymore.
Add one more stupid expense to the list.
Bleh.

* * * * * * * *

no regrets?

2012-01-18T00:54:00.004-05:00

there's no cliche i hate more than "i have NO regrets
because everything i did led me here."
really? NO regrets? in your entire life?

i regret
saying things that hurt other's feelings,
not stopping that day when the woman was on the side of the road,
not licensing our car on time,
eating that quesadilla at midnight,
barking at my kids yesterday,
not doing the dishes more often,
not speaking out about abuse sooner,
letting my emotional eating habits continue,
buying those red shoes that were so cute, but left a permanent scar on my big toe,
wasting time on stupid guys in college,
getting that perm in high school,
not finishing college when i had the chance,
i mean...i could go on and on.

a life with no regrets? baloney.
what do YOU regret?

birthday boy love

2012-01-17T15:35:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was the Hubbs' Birthday. He's SO adult now that he didn't tell anybody at work it was his birthday. Crazy Old-Man.

We had our family shindig on Sunday. Matt requested CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA for his special dinner. Yes please!

After dinner we sang and opened presents. New ties and a new belt sander. Very manly indeed.

Monday night we had a date. Out to fancy dinner at Subway. Yes, THAT Subway. And out to a man-movie: Mission Impossible 3: Ghost Protocol (oll....oll.....oll...)

Oh...did I mention I am blonde now?
Well, I am.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Matty-Pants. You're pretty cool and stuff.

Golden Globes 2012 Fashion Wrap-Up

2012-01-16T01:09:00.008-05:00

I know you've been waiting for it! So here it is:

THE GOOD

DIANA AGRON usually dresses too old and severe, but this dress was young, interesting and fresh. I love the ruby red up by her face and the red lip to match. NATALIE PORTMAN scored again in this chic pink gown with perfect, subtle hair and make-up. HELEN MIRREN you are amazing. Gorgeous, age appropriate and sexy like crazy, you old broad! Well done.

MORE GOODNESS

BRADLEY COOPER was in an immaculate tux. I fit like a glove. Now shave that weird facial hair and meet me at the Motel 6. VIOLA DAVIS looked fan-tastic. Who knew her body was so slammin'? Everything is modern and gorgeous. EVAN RACHEL WOOD wore a risky choice in a deep green with layers and feathers at the bottom. I loved the risk and I loved the entire look.

LOVING THE NUDE

I know. I have disparaged nudes on this blog before, but when it's done right...it works! CHARLISE THERON was best dressed of the night. I usually don't like odd appendages coming off gowns in the form of bows or flounces, but this totally works. And I just loved the jeweled headband. JESSICA ALBA carried this nude sine it is not too close to her skin color. It's so soft and feminine and fits perfectly. JULIE BOWEN...stepped it up! Her hair is so 'Old Hollywood' glam. Adore.

FUNNY-LADY CURSE LIFTED?

Wha?! Has the funny lady curse lifted?!! MELLISSA McCARTHY finally gets it right. The gown is fancy enough, the right material and fit well. I am not a huge fan of the hair, but it's not a deal breaker. TINA FEY has never looked so good. There's still room for improvement, but this is totally in the right direction. And AMY POHLER was perfection. Look at how young she looks! Her Emmy look was severe, hard and aging and this is exactly the opposite.

THE BAD

ANGELINA JOLIE has this weird red stripe along the top of her gown which was really out of place. And the gown itself was full-on satin. Not a good fabric to wear on the red-carpet. JULIANNA MARGULISE looks like she is in a lavender straight-jacket. When everything is too covered up you look like you're choking. Remember when Amy Adams did this at the Emmys? CLAIRE DAINES paired too many hard lines and elements. With a gown as angular and contrasting as this she needed soft hair and makeup. Oh and her shade of coral lipstick was killing me.

THE UGLY

AMANDA PEET looks like she stole a lace doily of her Grandmother's table and sewed it into a flouncy, unflattering mess. Sheesh! MERYL STREEP. You're insane. A western shirt with nude cut-outs and a super-wide and hip enhancing skirt? Are you sure?! CONNIE BRITTON dressed for a fourth grade Valentine's dance, not the Golden Globes.

BAD NEWS IN BLUE

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR looks insane in a tie dyed dress. It's a shame because the cut and fit of the dress isn't bad. It doesn't look young and hip...just nutso. JODIE FOSTER wore a bridesmaids dress from 1984. See you can wear them again! KELLY OSBORNE from the blue hair to the massive blue dress to the pointy shoulder-pads this was a Smurf's delight. Seriously...why is her hair blue?

All right bloggies - weigh in!
Am I insane?
Agree? or Disagree?

Sunshine Saturday...on Sunday.

2012-01-15T15:09:00.001-05:00

I have a hard time watching the news. Because the stories, trends and images which come into my mind each day act as a barometer of the state of the world. And even though it's not an accurate barometer, I often finish watching the news and lament about the state of things. Robberies, wars, killing, sadness and evil. But then, once in a while, you see or read something glorious. Something that reminds you that the world is filled goodness. That human beings care for each other for no reason at all. And for just a moment I forget the overwhelming news casts. And then the moment passes. Well, I want to stretch those moments out.

So I present:

Yep, it's a new blog series. Each Saturday I will share a story, video or experience that reminds us that within these imperfect packages that humans come in, lies the divine.

And yes, it is SUNDAY, but I am starting today. This blog and video is so inspiring. Ashley has cancer. She is choosing joy. Read her post here about shaving her head as she goes through intensive chemo.

( img src )

The video at the end of the post struck me for a number of reasons. No crying, just smiles, love and happiness. Towards the end you will see Ashley's Mom in the video, who shaved her head to lessen the blow it would be for her Granddaughter to see her Mother's shaved head. Amazing.

NCAA Final

2012-01-15T01:24:00.002-05:00

My NCAA Final equivilent is tonight.

Yep, the Golden Globes.

Bring it, Ricky Gervais.

Bring it, Red Carpet.

Bring it, Fashion.

And you KNOW what's coming on Monday.

Right?

Gwyneth & the Vegenaise challenge

2012-01-14T07:45:00.004-05:00

The thing about really healthy people is...

they are always lying and saying that ____________ tastes just as good as full fat version.

As in: "I replaced my regular pasta with 12 grain, whole wheat pasta and it tastes exactly the same!" and "You should try snacking on edamame! It's exactly like munching on Cool Ranch Doritos...no wait...it's BETTER!"

Listen, you can like those alternatives, but don't pretend they're identical taste twins. That's just baloney.

So when I read Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook where she talked about Veganaise (a vegan version of mayonnaise) tasting even better than real mayo (You'll never be able to tell the difference!") I cried foul. But then, a few months back, I was in our local Mennonite Grocery store and spotted a jar of Vegenaise on the shelf, beckoning me with it's promise of mayo taste with 1/4 the fat per serving. I bought it on a whim.

Now listen, I'm not going to pretend that it tastes exactly the same. It doesn't. However, it DOES taste more like regular mayo than Miracle Whip. Seriously.

You could probably taste the difference in a dish where mayo was prominent, like Devilled Eggs, but spread on a sandwich or mixed into a casserole and your kids would never know. I'm a believer. Note: It DOES cost about $8/bottle. But it's much healthier so I think it's well worth it. Goodbye Hellmans!

*To find a store near you which sells Vegenaise click here.

BASC: thoughts on weight

2012-01-13T00:01:00.047-05:00

I'm starting a new Blog posting series called 'Begging for Anonymous Snarky Comments' (or BASC for short) Here's one of them.

After this post I got some great comments about weight/health. I thought I should clarify some things I feel about weight and fitness. Just so you know, I am currently "Morbidly Obese" based on the US Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.

FOR THE RECORD:

- I started really gaining weight as a child when things at home got very difficult. I learned to use food as a coping agent. However, I am now an adult and have no excuse for letting that emotional eating continue.

- I am not 'big boned'...I'm just seriously fat.

- I do NOT believe obesity is a 'disease'.

- I believe the only fix for obesity is eating healthy and exercising.

- I do NOT think that what I weigh is okay or acceptable. I feel I am abusing the gift of a potentially healthy body given to me by God.

- I am not healthy. It would be literally impossible for me to be healthy at this weight. Impossible. Even if I were running marathons weekly (which.......c'mon), carrying around this much excess weight is a strain on my body and heart.

- I think being fat is a poor choice I am making. No excuses.

But, having said that, I want my children to always feel worthy of love and happiness no matter their size. Maybe at some point they will struggle with their weight (don't most women?) and I want to make absolutely certain that they know they are beautiful and worthy no matter what. But I will be devastated if they struggle with weight the way I have my entire life.

MY CHILDREN:

- Have never had sugar cereal at my house.

- Have never had Kool-Aid or Tang.

- Do not eat Ramen.

- Know that we do not buy packaged products with a cartoon character or tween star on them because that means those products are generally unhealthy.

- Do not have a dessert as a regular part of meals.

- Do not drink soda

- Are not allowed to have Otter-Pops in the Summertime, but have frozen, low-fat yogurt instead.

- Are never given treats as a reward for potty training.

- Have a strict amount of fruits and veggies they must eat at a given meal.

In those ways and more I am fighting the chain of obesity (which is rampant in my family). But I have failed them in the respect that I am not a good role model of those healthy habits. And isn't example the most forceful teaching tool? I will admit that I feel like a horrid hypocrite every time I tell them to eat their vegetables.

TEASING - When I said in the aforementioned post that Jeremiah 'needed to change' I said that because:

1. There will be things about my children they will be teased about that they cannot change in the moment. Whether they have glasses, zits, braces, a stutter or are overweight - it is still never okay to be teased. Never. That's why Jeremiah needs to change.

2. Moms are embarrassing. Matt's mom has always been thin and pretty and when he was young the other kids in school teased him because she was older than the other Moms. My mom was thin and pretty and kids at school teased me because she wore a scarf on her head when she came to school one day. The point is, if I were thin and beautiful Jeremiah may have teased her regardless.

So, I stand completely by what I said to Ella. However, that does not mean that I believe that my weight problem is okay and not dangerous.

random thought thursday

2012-01-12T00:01:00.004-05:00

My work space:

3D oxen Baptismal font project,

empty chocolate wrappers,

comb, pen,

Plucky Momo business cards,

debit card,

package of extra-fine sharpie markers.

Just another typical day.

* * * * * * *

You should really watch this video.

It's beautiful.

* * * * * * *

I am making a quilt for

Emily Foley.

Check out the plan here.

Isn't it cool?

* * * * * * *

Come back tomorrow for a blog post

with my thoughts on weight issues.

It's gunna be a good one.

* * * * * * *

this song always makes me cry.
and the Spanish version is
even more beautiful somehow,
even though I don't know Spanish.

* * * * * * *

I am currently catching up on
all of C. Jane's vlogs.
So funny!

* * * * * * *

The Bachelor - Episode 2

2012-01-11T00:01:00.006-05:00

TPE (Tears Per Episode)

Two really profound things happened in this episode:

1. Blakeley, a former Hooters waitress (shocker), wore this delightful....ummm....onesie on her group date with Ben where they worked closely and performed in front of small children. Small. Children. Then scored a rose and a compliment on the outfit by Ben. Way to reinforce male stereotypes, dude.

2. The Blogger meltdown. No one was more coo-coo than the most insecure and fragile professional blogger in history. (BTW - I checked out her blog. It's not really a blog at all. She just posts entire articles from other websites). Why was she crying and flinging herself into a bed over....ummm...nothing too serious?

It's like they say, "If you can't stand the mildly warm temperature, stay out of the kitchen".

The exit interview on this Jenna woman was epic.

Did YOU watch?

Chic Friend Alert

2012-01-10T00:01:00.002-05:00

You remember how I have really chic friends?
(even though I am only chic in theory?)

I simply had to share a creation made by one of my chic college friends: JEANIE.

Jeanie was fearlessly fashion forward when I knew her at Brigham Young University. She was soooooo unbelievably cool. I knew she was going places and boy, did she ever! After college she interned for Kate Spade.

(I'm going to give you a second for that to sink in.)

Kate. Spade.

In 2008 she started her own art and stationary line called The Paper Nut. I have purchased two of her prints to date and the newest print I spied from her this week is destined to become the third....very soon.

Is that not freakin' adorable?
Check out here Etsy Shop here.
And read her blog here.

oh, dude.

2012-01-09T01:54:00.001-05:00

Me: If you could change one thing about Mommy, what would it be?

Ella: That you would be less fat.

(slight pause)

Me: Why do you say that?

Ella: Because kids at school tease me about it.

Me: What? What do they say?

Ella: Any time you come to my class, when you leave, Jeremiah says 'Ha ha! Yor Mom is FAT!

Me: Hmmm, that's not very nice to say.

Ella: No.

(longer pause while I feel guilty about being the cause of teasing in my child's life. then I realize...if it wasn't fat, it would be something else because Moms are embarrassing. period.)

Me: Do you think I should change or Jeremiah should change?

(pause to consider)

Ella: HE should change.

Me: Yep. Because there are all different looking people in this world. And we all can't change the way we look, but we can control how nice we are to people.

(but inside...I still died a little)

beautiful things

2012-01-07T11:16:00.001-05:00

beautiful quilt

( Baby Lattice Quilt )

beautiful art

( Lizzy's Alphabet )

beautiful dress

( Geneva Dress )

beautiful words

beautiful craft

( Cute Winter Mia Doll )

beautiful hair

( Messy Bun )

beautiful life
mine.