I have internet... kinda. At least I have enough to blog. So here I go.

My new job is going well. Still working on meeting people and remembering names and faces, but overall really good. I enjoy menu planning and working on new projects and hopefully getting a few more kids to eat fruits and vegetables.

Mainly my life right now involves driving to Pocatello every weekend and wedding plans. If you want more of an update than that keep reading, if not you can stop now.

Engagement pictures... done. And although it has gone back and forth I am 96% sure which one is "the one."

• Reception location...booked. I am really excited about this place and it's potential.
• Temple time... booked. And I think we only changed the appointment twice. A big thank you to David who is very willing to make phone calls that I don't want to :)
• Wedding dress... in the closet. So far I have resisted the temptation to try it on. (part of that might have to do with the fact that I can't get it on or off by myself)
• Address collection... IN PROGRESS. If you have one that needs to be added to the list, feel free to post it as a comment. I am resisting the urge to make a facebook group.
  
• Announcement design... also in progress. I met with the graphic designer last week and the first set of proofs should be coming this week.
  
• Favors... bought. I am still amazed at David's great luck with these and the awesome price we got. There will still be some assembly, but we have some time.
  

With 89 days left to go, I think we are doing good. This weekend was a little break from wedding stuff and I got to see David take first in his Judo competition. I am so excited for Whitney to come this weekend and tackle a few more wedding items.

Please excuse the mayhem while my life (and this blog) are under construction.

I just thought I should post something before I move and may not have internet for a while. No one could have predicted how crazy this summer would be, certainly I didn't.

As of Aug 28 I am engaged to David Scott, planning to be married on February 11, 2011 in Salt Lake. I was offered a position at the Ogden School District on Aug 25th and accepted the position and gave my 2 weeks notice on Friday the 27th. My last day of work at EIRMC was last Thursday the 9th.

So, now I have a week to move to Ogden before starting my new job on Sept 20th. Lucky for me I found a place to live last weekend, so I won't have to live in my car :) Also lucky is my wonderful fiance who is always wanting to help me do things. He is amazing!

Since I know very few people read this, and most of them already love me. I will post the first picture of David and I together. Taken while hiking in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I am still somewhat amazed that he wanted to see me again after seeing me like this for 4 days.

My summer

Now that the summer is more than half over I finally got around to making my shirt. When I named my summer I don't think I could have ever predicted how applicable the theme would be. One thing I had never done before is make the delicious ice cream sandwiches pictured above. While on a 4 day long hike in AZ (another first) someone asked me what my favorite dessert was. I carefully pondered the question and decided to make chocolate cookie ice cream sandwiches when I got home. After a few sick days I did make them and they are definitely up there on my list of favorites.

Sometimes the label says it all...

This made me think of my brother in law, who actually thinks that everything should taste like bacon.

Happy Moments

On my google homepage I have a weather box that features the temperatures of 3 cities: my current hometown of Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, and where I grew up Wellington, Florida. All winter I was tormented by the high temperature in Florida and the ridiculously low temperature here. As spring came I would feel a surge of joy every time I noticed that the temp in Idaho Falls was the same, or higher than that in Salt Lake.

Today, June 29th, will go on record in my personal almanac as the day Idaho Falls was warmer than Wellington, FL. This afternoon when I checked, the temperature reading was 83 degrees in Salt Lake and in Wellington, and 87 degrees in Idaho Falls. I know that it feels hotter in Florida with the humidity (and I think the high there today was in the 90s), but I am so excited to be warm, and even hot. I know that before I know it the days will be cooler and shorter, so I am going to enjoy each and every HOT day!

p.s. Even with the hot weather I am still sunburn free. We will see how long I can keep this up.

"I've Never Done This Before"

I thought of a name for my summer a while back and just returned from my first big adventure. I left Friday June 11th after work and spent the weekend in Lehi/Provo before traveling to the Havasupi Reservation in AZ. Turns out that it is probably not the best idea to not sleep for 3 nights then drive 12 hours then hike 50+ miles in 3 days and then drive for 16 hours straight. My body is still a little mad at me, but it was wonderfully worth it. Pictures are still coming (if you must you can find some on facebook, there is a rather unfortunate one of me in the car), but here is a little of what I learned while doing something I've definitely NEVER done before:

• Rock Climbing is easier when it's the only way up
• Repelling is faster when it's the only way down
• Both of the above are less scary when you have a harness :)
• I have absolutely ZERO desire to jump off of cliffs
  
• You never know who you are going to meet (and how they will surprise you)- After hiking to the Colorado River we met 3 fellow hikers who gave us some really good laugh

I had tons of fun and laughed a lot, but I am also happy to be back in my bed. Now off to plan my next adventure- let me know if you have ideas of things I've never done before, I'm up for anything (well, not anything).

Rainy days and Mondays

Today is May 24th, and not only was it rainy and cold, but it was snowing! The day seems to have turned around now and the sun is out, so hopefully the week will turn out well.

Yesterday Jami and I had some people over for dinner and I made a chocolate angel food cake and served it with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. I meant to take a picture of it before we ate, but it didn't happen and by the time I got around to it this morning, well, you can see for yourself.
I used one of my new favorite ingredients to turn a regular angel food cake recipe into a chocolate one.I am off to plant the strawberry pot that my sister gave me for my housewarming present, wish me luck! We'll see if I get any freaky strawberries like this one.

This Summer

We got our first glimpse of summer this past weekend. I broke in my hiking shoes on Saturday and don't tell my mom but I may have a touch of a sunburn. On Sunday I walked around the neighborhood park and talked with one of my best friends. This summer is going to be great. My 4th nephew will be here in July and there are sure to be lots of good parties and even more delicious food.

Two summers ago a friend and I read an inspiring article entitled, "Every Summer Needs A Name" and we decided it is true. So, I need to come up with a name, hmm... Based on the rain/ wind that today brought I think I still have a week or two to brainstorm.

Where did I hear that?

Lately I have been hearing quotes all over the place and I find myself wishing I had brought a pad and pen to random places like the movie theatre. Case in point:

"How can I help you if you don't even know who you are, stupid girl."

"Good judgment comes from experience, experience comes from previous bad judgment."

"Sometimes your whole life comes down to one insane move"

"You were right!" response-"Even a dead clock is right twice."

2 of these are from doctors, 2 from movies- any guesses?

Confessions of a Registered Dietitian

1. I ate a package of Oreos at 10:45 this morning. I don't know if I didn't eat a big enough breakfast, or what, but I saw them in my desk drawer and exercised ZERO self-control.
2. I had exactly 1 serving of fruit and 1 serving of vegetables today (2 fruit if you count strawberry yogurt - I don't).
3. I was talking to a patient at work today and he referenced my husband, just FYI for those of you who don't know me (in which case I'm not sure why you're reading this, but feel free to continue) I don't have a husband. The commend caught me off guard, but because I didn't wish to continue talking to this patient I just walked away.
4. I have dinner group tomorrow and instead of planning a complete meal as I was carefully taught to do in school, I am just making things I feel like eating, so I hope that everyone else feels like eating Spinach and Chicken Calzones and Golden Raisin Scones.
5. I want to hire a dishwasher.
My new pans are beautiful, but not necessarily low-maintenance. Anyone want the job?

Nearing the End

I am just about finished moving, for the second time in the last 30 days! And I decided yesterday while hauling boxes up the stairs the moving is not one of those things where practice makes perfect. Granted there are some things to learn, but for me more moving tends to lead to increased fatigue and frustration as opposed to knowledge. It's probably my attitude. Let's just hope it's over for at least the next month.

Thank you Benson (and Kim) for my housewarming gift- a strawberry pot
Thank you Rob for moving all of my big furniture and heavy stuff that I am afraid of

At least it was "a beautiful day" yesterday!

I love reading!

I love that when I am not feeling good, or when unanticipated stumbling blocks cross my path I can escape to somewhere else for a little while.
Right now I am reading a book by Jon Krakauer called "Into Thin Air" and if you are at all adventurous you would love it. In fact right now I want to pick up the book and escape to Everest, but alas, sometimes we have to face our problems... maybe in a few hours.

I love food...

... but lest you think that I am a very boring person, let me explain that I do love other things as well.
I moved. I would like to blame the fact that I have not posted in a few weeks on that fact. This evening I was unpacking my books and found myself going through old scrapbooks and journals and student planners and reminiscing about the great opportunities and experiences I have had. I love my friends, and I have had some really good ones!
I love to travel, whether it is all the way across the Atlantic, across the country (in a car with my sisters), to Boise for Valentine's Day, or just to Salt Lake for a fun-filled weekend adventure; I love going to new places and seeing new things (and eating new food!).
I love the rain, but NOT the snow.

I love lots of other things, but those are the ones that come to mind today.

Food group round 3 is up tomorrow with spaghetti pie, homemade bread sticks, steamed broccoli, and no bake cookies.
Oh, I also love my new counter stools. I'll be honest and tell you that I didn't know "counter stools" existed, but they do and they are wonderful.

I made a mistake.

I said (out loud) that I didn't mind PDA. Fatal error. It has been following me around like my shadow. You would be surprised with all of the places that people have decided to be inappropriate while I was watching.
To name just a few: Wandering around the grocery store, walking on the treadmill (I bet you thought this would be impossible, I'll be your witness), institute, etc.

I stand by my ground, that subtle and G rated public displays of affection are ok, but this has got to stop.

Also, just let me know so I will not be out of the loop. In Idaho did the fast lane switch from the left lane to the right? I didn't get the memo, but apparently EVERYONE else did.

In food related news, I have my second meal for food group on Tuesday, any suggestions?

Dear Dove Chocolate,

After having recently been disappointed with your product I have come across some other products that seem to offer what yours has been lacking. Perhaps these could help get you back on your feet.

1. Inside a Raspberry Chocolate Bar

2. I opened a fortune cookie to find this (I thought I tucked the fortune in my pocket, but now I can't find it, luckily I can always remember good fortunes!) "A bold and dashing adventure is in your future within the year."

Dove, please take note. I anticipate that I will continue to consume your product and I am hopeful that you will continue to offer me love advice in the future.

Passionately Yours (name that movie)

I am so tired!

Today was the longest day at work, which is weird because I didn't go in until after 8 and I was home by 4, but I fell right into my bed. I am exhausted!

This may be why:

- I have started exercising, really exercising. I think this is the first time in my life that I can run three miles and not feel like dying. I am losing weight, slowly but surely. And, I have taken up Spinning on Thursday and Saturday which is really fun, but I think it may directly correlate to my current state.

- I have been apartment shopping for the past month and yesterday I found it, I am going to sign for it later tonight. The thought of moving makes me even more tired, but this new place is going to be worth it!

- I joined a dinner group. It has been really fun and it is good to socialize with people, but it is also another thing to fit into the mix and makes for some late nights at the gym. On the up side, I made chicken enchiladas on Tuesday and everyone seemed to enjoy them.
Side note: one of the members of the group doesn't like onions and I had heard that he usually picks them out of the dish. In my ridiculous efforts to please everyone, and to see if I could get away with it, I cooked some diced onions with my chicken until they were nice and soft and then folded them into my enchiladas. Ha! He didn't even notice and I felt very accomplished. See, everyone likes onions, just not everyone knows it.

Well, I am going to fit in a nap before I have to do something productive. Wish me luck making it to the weekend.

p.s. I almost forgot to mention that my first use of my new pans was cooking the chicken for the enchiladas. It was wonderful.

It's only Wednesday

...but so far not too much to complain about this week. Here are a few of the highlights.

~ No work on Monday!
~ A haircut that turned out a little shorter than expected, but I really like it and it makes me feel ready for spring.
~ My tax return, oh the possibilities :)
~ An hour spent roaming the BYU bookstore and reading random Speeches and cookbooks.
~ Left over Valentine's Day chocolate.
~ New friends to share food with (I will admit that after last night's AWESOME Chinese food, I'm a little nervous about what I will make on Tuesday).
~I never thought that 40 degrees would feel warm, but it does and it is so nice!
Hopefully the rest of the week follows suite. March is turning out to be pretty great! I'll keep you posted on my tax return goodies, I think there is a set of Calphalon Stainless Steel pans out there with my name on it.

February

It is the shortest month, so it's okay that I feel like I have been in whirlwind the whole time... right?

A few highlights of the month:

1. My AWESOME Valentine's Day dinner party. Everything turned out well (miracle) and I think everyone had a good time.
It's a miracle what a few hours in the oven can do.






2. My mom is the best mom in the whole world and even though her Valentine's Day package didn't get to me until 10 days after the fact, I still think she's great.

... which leads me to number 3...

3. I am sorely disappointed with Dove. I have already been let down by Martha Stewart, but it has gone too far.

I LOVE Dove dark chocolates and when I eat them I want a love related fortune, not this:

4. To counteract all the chocolate I rediscovered cross-country skiing and had a blast. (and the soreness that I felt helped me appreciate those Olympians who literally fly across the snow.)

So, overall a short, but fun-filled month. I am hoping that March will bring some slightly (or not so slightly) warmer temperatures.

At a loss for... food?

The Superbowl is on Sunday, and I happened to be invited to a party which, oddly enough, led me to a predicament that I did not expect- What kind of food do you bring to a Superbowl party? Not only do I have to admit that I have never attended a Superbowl party, but I cannot remember ever even watching the game.

Help!

Only 18 more days!

I want to make another cake, so if you have any suggestions I'm open to new ideas.

Pink Lemonade

A friend asked me a question recently that I thought I could address here: "Where does pink lemonade come from, because I have never seen a pink lemon?"

Well, Bryan, first off let me inform you that pink lemons do exist. The Eureka lemon has yellow skin, pink flesh, but clear juice- so no luck with the pink lemonade there.

After some quick (and might I mention, not so scientific) research, I have discovered that Native Americans first made "pink lemonade" from the Sumac plant. Now a days pink lemonade is made with red juices, grenadine, or just good old food coloring.

I hope that answers your question.

I found an interesting article in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition this past week, so if I remember to bring it home from work I will enlighten you all! Happy eating.

A really cool gift

One gift that I received this holiday season that I love is "The Panera Bread Cookbook." before it gets into any recipes there is a very interesting foreword and then 2 chapters all about the art of making bread. I still haven't found 3 hours to try out the recipes, but I read through the text on the plane, here's my favorite part:

"Dietitians know that people in this country are not obese because they eat bread.... Americans aren't obese because they eat too many burger buns with their shakes and fries at fast-food restaurants, or too many bagels with their cream cheese schmears."

True story.

If you're pregnant....

Check this out. I think some of the food options that they chose are rather interesting. I would have never thought to compare the size of a fetus to say a turnip, rutabaga, or Chinese cabbage.

I spent the last 2 weeks in Florida and for once, food did not predominate my vacation, but I'll post more about that later. For now I am working on regaining my routine and getting back to the gym.