Presents from Debbie

My future Mother-in-law is the best. She is always thinking of others and is so genuinely sweet. She makes some of the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. Bakes delicious pies, cooks amazing meals and is always so welcoming to guests in her home. She is beautiful, smart and fun to be around. 

Last weekend, she took us out to dinner and surprised me with some darling things for our new house.

Fat Cat Creamer & Sugar Set

Fat Cat Salt & Pepper Shakers

Aren't they the CUTEST?!?! I absolutely LOVE them!

She also gave us the most darling throw pillow and blanket for our living room. Which, I STILL need to take pictures of the house now that we are moved in! So hopefully I will get my butt in gear and take pictures of our new home!

Menu Board

This week Mom and I made a super stinkin' cute menu board for my kitchen. We have been trying to be really good about planning meals and packing lunches the last couple of weeks and I hope that this board helps! 

The Scarlet Pimpernel

My grandpa Max gave Tom & I tickets to The Scarlet Pimpernel on Tuesday night. It was a fantastic show. Thanks so much for the tickets Grandpa!

Candy Corn Cookies

Megan, Kenzie and I made the cutest Candy Corn Cookies. Ok... They weren't as cute as the picture on Pinterest, but they were still pretty cute.

Shut the Front Door!

Tom saw this on one of my Pinterest boards and he really wanted to do the same thing to our house.

So we pulled out the cricut last night and got to work.

Even Mufasa wanted to help. 

This was our final product. I think it turned out pretty stinkin' cute! We didn't have as much space to work with as the original, but he liked it, and that's all that matters!

Officially Official

Tom popped the question!!! We are both so excited to get married. Not sure on a date... or any details for that matter! We will keep you all posted as the details unfold.

Better After?

This is a dining room set I purchased at DI for a whopping $35. Pretty good deal, right? It may not look like much, but I had plenty of ideas and paintbrushes. I think it turned out way better after I got my hands on it. 

Before

Before

Before

 Drum Roll please!?!?!

After

After

What do you think? Is it Better After?

Tom's New House

Tom is buying his very first house! The house is an older house that has been remodeled. It is absolutely darling! I can't wait to help him move in, maybe he will even let me help decorate! I took some of the pictures from the original listing. I hope the previous owners don't mind that I am posting their darling house on my blog! Can't wait to post pictures of the house after Tom has moved in.  

Isn't it sooooo cute?!?

The backyard is HUGE!

The great room. 

The kitchen.

My mom and I have been shopping at DI and on KSL to find furniture that we can redo. We have been having so much fun with our DIY furniture. Before and After pictures to come!

Documentary

ok.. so i wanted to watch this later, but couldn't save it to my computer. i did figure out how to save it to my blog, so don't feel obligated to watch it. It is a video about the Sioux Indian tribe.

WSU Video OnDemand

sad news Bakerella edition

My most favorite blogger in the world hasn't posted in over a month. I've been waiting every day for a post and today, got one. I assumed she was out on a book tour or busy baking cupcakes. My heart broke when I saw her most recent post. Bakerella has been in the hospital because of a Kidney infection. Her 18 year old kidney transplant is struggling even with dialysis and she won't be coming out of the hospital until she gets a donor. SO SAD. I can't even believe it.
My thoughts are with you Bakerella... Get well soon.

drug problem in america

I've been in a Drugs and Crime class this semester and I thought I would share some of the fun stuff I've seen and learned!

I thought this was a pretty great cartoon.

ok.. so fun and games aside... Here's the lesson...

Prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic in our country. 

They are NOT A JOKE.

They are extremely dangerous, and just because they are "legal," doesn't make them safe. 

They are a controlled substance for a reason and we need to be more careful with them.

Keep all prescription drugs out of the reach of kids and teenagers.

Don't ever give your prescription medication to another person.

And remember that you need to be careful when it comes to any prescription you are taking.

writing???

Last night I was talking to my dad and told him how interested I was in studying the history of crimes. I said that there probably weren't any jobs that support that interest, unless I became a historian like the ones on the history channel or a writer.

He said "why not be a writer? Anyone can write."

so... After his encouraging words, I'm seriously considering compiling some academic papers on historical crimes, just for fun. Maybe one day I will be a famous crime writer.

Beef Stroganoff

Last night for dinner I made Beef Stroganoff. I borrowed Paula Dean's recipe and changed it a little bit. 

I also borrowed this picture, because I forgot to take one...

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds stew meat
• 1/4 tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tablespoon Pepper
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup beef broth (water + bouillon is great)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• Cooked egg noodles

Directions

Season the steak strips with salt, pepper and garlic powder, then dust with flour. In a large skillet, quickly brown them on both sides in the olive oil and butter. Remove the steak from the pan. Add the onion slices and mushrooms to the pan with the drippings. Saute for a few minutes, until the onion is tender. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon flour. Put the steak back into the pan with the onion and mushrooms. Add the mushroom soup and beef broth. Cook over low heat for about 30 minutes, covered. Stir in the sour cream the last few minutes, right before you serve. Serve over cooked noodles.

2.28

Last but not least...

Tom 

I know it is hard to believe that this is the best picture I have of him, but it is. Tom is my last favorite thing for the month of February. He is such a great friend and I am so happy that he is part of my life. He is a great listener and is very intuitive to others needs. He is extremely nice to me and goes out of his way to do nice things for me. I have had such a blast dating him and love how much we learn from each other. 

Tom, I'm sure you will read this after my mom shows it to you, so I just want to say that I love you. Thank you for everything that you do for me. I am so happy when I am with you and I have enjoyed every second together, even if it is just watching Criminal Minds or making dinner together. Thanks for being such a great friend and loving me unconditionally. 

So I guess that's it for the month of February. It's been fun making this list of my favorite things. Thanks for reading.

2.27

Summer.

It is my favorite season and I am READY for it.

2.26

I love to read

2.25

Tiffany and Colton. The most dysfunctional functioning married couple. I love them! They are so funny and happen to be two really good friends! i love them!

2.24

street tacos.

love them!

mom is picking some up right now!

2.23

virtual bakeries

2.22

apple products.

I'm a junkie. 

I'm not technically savvy, so naturally 

I love how user friendly their stuff is.