Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Our Nativity Play 2013
This year was a little different. Lesley and I usually make-shift costumes out of peoples scarfs and coats like we do for our silent movies, but this year my mom ordered some awesome costumes online. There is an adorable Mary and Joseph costumes, a star costume, a regal wiseman, shepherds with crooks, and the angel has a set of feather wings.
I think the real costumes got the kids more excited/ more willing to participate this year.
Posted by alli at 9:12 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Our Version of the Nativity 2013
We made a silent movie of the Nativity.
Merry Christmas!!
Posted by alli at 6:20 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 23, 2013
Happy Christmas Eve Eve 2013
We are spending Christmas Eve Eve wrapping presents, cuddling with our kitties, and watching My Cat From Hell Helliday Special.
Posted by alli at 7:11 PM 0 comments
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Post 90 out of 103 in 2013
I'm getting so close!! Only 13 more posts to make my goal of 103 blog posts in 2013.
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Playing in the Snow at the Cabin
Posted by alli at 8:00 PM 0 comments
Making Christmas Treats at the Cabin- Turtles
Toasted pecan halves
Pretzels
Rolos
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Place pretzels on a baking tray
Place rolos on pretzels (1 rolo for 1 pretzel)
Place in oven for 3 minutes. Make sure to keep your eye on them as they can burn easily.
Take out of oven and immediately place a toasted pecan half on each melty rolo and squish down slightly.
Yummy!!
Posted by alli at 3:36 PM 0 comments
Making Christmas Treats at the Cabin, Peppermint Fudge
It is 1 bag of chocolate chips and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk.
Melt together in a double boiler and spread in a foil lined (and thoroughly baking sprayed) square cake pan.
Sprinkle crushed candy cane on top while still warm.
Refrigerate for 2 hours to speed up firming time (we just stuck ours out on the porch here at the cabin).
Posted by alli at 3:29 PM 0 comments
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Work Party
Tonight is our work Christmas party and I am SO excited!!! They sent out the save-the-date back in September/October and, at the time, December 20th felt so far off in the future but here we are. Boy, time can fly by quickly.
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Thursday, December 19, 2013
A Can of Peaches
So I figured out what made me sick. Apparently you're supposed to refrigerate canned fruit right after you open it and are not supposed to eat an opened can of peaches for breakfast that has been sitting out all night on the kitchen counter. Oops!!
I make bad decisions at 5 AM.
Posted by alli at 10:07 PM 0 comments
Post 80 out of 103
Getting so close to my goal of 103 post in 2013
Sent from my iPhone
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Sick Days
Today was a pj wearing, kitty cuddling, ABC Family Christmas movie watching day.
Sent from my iPhone
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Wednesday, December 18, 2013
I have issues...
My issues with public restrooms have been well documented on this here blog over the past 8 years. Today I did something in a public bathroom I never ever wanted to do, get sick. Without going in to much detail, it hit me hard and all-of-sudden and I went home early from work (by an hour).
I don't what I'm more traumatized about, getting sick or doing it in a public restroom (in a very crowded mall food court, at lunch time, with little kids looking under the stall at me as I'm kneeling on the floor).
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Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Today is a Good Day
Today is a good day but I can't fully explain why. Do you ever get a simple gut feeling that tells you "it's gonna be a great day!!" Or "you should've stayed in bed because today is gonna be awful"?
I'm not sure if it is intuition or a self-fulfilling prophesy but like my blog header Jenny Holzer Truism says, A Positive Attitude Can Make All the Difference in the World.
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 10:15 AM 0 comments
Monday, December 16, 2013
A Good Sister
My sisters are so lucky to have me :)
Not to brag but I'm a pretty awesome sister.
Right now, at this very moment, I am waiting for my sister's car to be serviced at the dealership. I traded cars with her at work and drove her car to get serviced. It's already been an hour and they said I probably have another 15 minutes to go but I'm happy to wait, because I am a good sister.
I love having sisters!! We have lots of fun together. I loved when we were teenagers and my two eldest sisters were living at home and going to a singles ward. It was a challenge to have 4 girls sharing a bathroom but I loved helping them get ready for dates and then hearing all about them when they got home. I'm SO lucky!!
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Good Morning
I snapped this photo right when I got out of bed this morning. They were totally asleep in mirror image of each other and the flash woke them up. Love them!!
*Fiona is on the left and Millie is on the right.
Posted by alli at 5:25 AM 0 comments
Sunday, December 15, 2013
RIP Joan Fontaine
My all-time favorite movie is Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca. It stars Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier and it is brilliant. Joan Fontaine died today and her brief obituary on people.com just made me adore her even more, especially the end when she told an interviewer how she thought she would die at the age of 108 on stage playing Peter Pan and her older sister Olivia De Havilland would have sabotaged the flying wires. So funny!!
I saw this on PEOPLE.com and thought you would be interested: Joan Fontaine, Oscar-Winning Best Actress, Dies at 96 http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20766598,00.html
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 10:28 PM 0 comments
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Christmas Light Heaven
I had so much fun driving around town with my friends and telling funny stories and sharing memories of Christmas pasts.
This is such a wonderful time of year when you're not working retail :)
Posted by alli at 12:10 AM 0 comments
Friday, December 13, 2013
Free Facials Make Any Day Better
Thanks Lush!!!!
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Thursday, December 12, 2013
My History with Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Now tonight, I get to see Deborah Voight and John Rhys-Davies!!! To be honest, I'm more excited to see Sahla and Gimbli than hear a famous opera singer. Les and I were watching Raiders of the Lost Arch a few weeks ago and it just then clicked for her that John Rhys-Davies played both characters. So funny!!
Anywho, I love Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!!
Thanks Andrea for getting us tickets!!
Posted by alli at 10:53 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Naughty but Nice
For those not familiar with Kath Kidston, they are a London based design company that sell printed handbags, housewares, clothing, and all pretty things all in pretty floral and graphic prints. We saw SO many knock-offs while we were in China 2 years ago and I wish I had purchased more than one Kath Kidston there. It has been the best travel/weekender bag ever!!!
Happy Christmas to me :)
Posted by alli at 10:02 PM 1 comments
Monday, December 09, 2013
Confession no. 3
I un-friend people on Facebook who consistently use poor grammar.
Posted by alli at 5:20 PM 0 comments
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Teaching Relief Society Today
I'm teaching relief society today and I'm a little nervous. I love this calling so so much but every once and a while I get a lesson that I just can't seem to get discussion questions for and that makes me way nervous.
The lesson today is about the Prophet Joseph Smith and President Lorenzo Snow's stories and personal testimony of the Prophet. I love Church History so I always enjoy hearing people's personal experiences with other Church History figures but I'm struggling coming up with thought/discussion questions other than "isn't that a nice story? How does that make you feel?".
What I do like about this lesson is Lorenzo Snow's repeated proclamation that he knew Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God not because he knew him personally but because the Holy Ghost had confirmed that truth to him.
This is my last lesson from the Lorenzo Snow manual. I'm excited to find out which president of the Church we will be studying next year and I hope I can continue teaching relief society for a long time. It seriously is my all-time favorite calling!!
Posted by alli at 10:34 AM 0 comments
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Reign, Frary Forever
If you aren't watching Reign (yes, on the CW), you are totally missing out on great, original entertainment. I am obsessed with the show!!! Gorgeous costumes, great acting, and not your typical CW cheesy eye-roll inducing drama but truly good storytelling.
For those that are skeptical, please give it a chance. Megan Follows (from Anne of Green Gables!!) plays the "villain" where she is delightfully deceiving and cunning and you totally love to hate her. She alone is worth watching an episode.
Tonight's episode "Left Behind" was extra good!! I am totally shipping Francis and Mary, aka Frary!!
Frary Forever!!
PS: Yes, this show does turn me in to a squealing girl. No, I am not embarrassed to admit it.
Watch Reign!!!
Posted by alli at 10:47 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 02, 2013
Festival of Trees 2013, part 1
Posted by alli at 8:25 PM 0 comments
Sunday, December 01, 2013
51 Posts in 31 Days
Get ready for some serious blog overload...
Sent from my iPad
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My Heart
Posted by alli at 11:30 AM 1 comments
Retail during the holidays :(
I have gotten the stomach flu every late November for the past three years but I am happy to report that I did not get sick this November, hooray!!!!
It was probably the anxiety and stress of the holiday shopping season that weakened my immune system to get sick in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Christmas is still stressful but this year it's not a do-or-die, work 60 hours a week, end up with swine flu and strep throat on Christmas Eve situation, like in 2009.
Retail is awful so I'm hoping we all can be nice and considerate of the sales assistants, shop girls, and cashiers that are only trying to do their job this holiday season.
Posted by alli at 11:26 AM 1 comments
Friday, November 29, 2013
Confession no. 2
It drives me mad when people always post every photo on Facebook AND Instagram. Yes, I know it is very convenient to share your Instagram pics on Facebook but that doesn't mean that every photo you post needs to show up on social media twice; it makes them less special.
Sent from my iPhone
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Thursday, November 28, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving 2013
I have plenty to be thankful for this year (and every year).
1. My eternal family
2. My job
And
3. Millie and Fiona
Posted by alli at 5:16 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Confession no. 1
Whenever I feel really fat and ugly, I go buy new lipstick.
Posted by alli at 3:17 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
58 Posts in 36 Days
So I had a goal to post 100 blog entries in 2010, 101 in 2011, 102 in 2012, and 103 in 2013. I accomplished the goal in previous years but I fear I may fail this year. This is my 46th post of 2013 and we only have 36 days left in the year. So if my math is correct, which it most likely is not, I have 57 more posts to go this year.
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 12:37 PM 0 comments
Kid's Silent Movie- Robin Hood
Whenever we get all the nieces and nephews together, Lesley and I help them make a silent movie of some sort of fairy tale or story they all know. So far we have silent movied (see that, I turned a noun in to a verb... Yup) Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and now we have Robin Hood. All of these fabulous productions are on my YouTube channel if you want to see the full catalog.
Robin Hood took the most effort we've ever put into these movies. We have costumes (AKA Aunties' college wardrobe), and we actually had to rehearse a few times before I finally gave up and shot it. We usually just yell directions at the kids while we film because the finished product is silent so you won't hear our screams.
It's fun and a great way to create memories.
Without further ado, here is a link to Our Version of Robin Hood
http://youtu.be/P-4Z4sO2bas
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 11:57 AM 0 comments
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Day 6: Epcot, part deux
We ate, we walked, we rode.
The weather was amazing and even a little on the chilly side (love!!!).
The. Perfect. Day.
Posted by alli at 7:30 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Day 5: Hollywood Studios, part deux
Posted by alli at 4:37 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Day 4: Magic Kingdom
Lesley's is rather clever and represents all 4 parks (look closely and guess in the comments). Mine is a simple Mickey silhouette but the fabric has Hidden Mickey's all over it.
It was sweltering hot today. The high was around 92 with like 100% humidity. Luckily the crowds were really low and we got to do almost everything, outside of meeting characters. We were there to open the park at 9:00 AM and we reluctantly left when they kicked us out at 7:00 PM.
Posted by alli at 5:55 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 21, 2013
Day 3: Pool Day and Downtown Disney
Posted by alli at 7:31 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Happy Halloween 2013 (almost)
Posted by alli at 3:17 PM 1 comments
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Testing... Testing... 123
I really have fallen out of the habit of blogging since the demise of Google Reader and I apologize to myself most of all.
I am drafting a post on my thoughts about the current wildfire in Rockport and threatening our beloved cabin but until I'm fully ready to write about my feelings on this emotional week, here is a newspaper clipping on an interesting fact about cats. Meow
Posted by alli at 8:13 AM 1 comments
Friday, July 26, 2013
Wauwen
Auntie Alli: What is your name?
Lauren: Wauwen.
Auntie Alli: Wauwen?!
Lauren: No! My name is not Wauwen, it's Wauwen!!!
Posted by alli at 10:54 PM 0 comments
Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Trailer!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7li5eZ3JZbA&sns=em
Sent from my iPhone
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Saturday, July 20, 2013
The Cookie Beggar at Evan's Party
*hint* It was me!!!!
I LOVE being an Auntie; it is without hesitation the best role in our family. I thank my Heavenly Father every night for allowing me to have these hilarious, adorable, sweet, thoughtful, clever, imaginative, strong, awesome, wonderful treasures in my eternal family.
Thank you to my siblings for making me an aunt, I couldn't have done it without you! Ha ha ha!!
Posted by alli at 7:36 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Goodbye Google Reader
I'm quite heartbroken about the demise of Google Reader today. I have been a huge fan of Reader since 2006 and it feels a little like my third best friend has died.
I know there are other feed sites I can use but I'm still mourning the loss of MY Google Reader.
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 8:13 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Much Ado About Nothing
This is my new favorite movie (almost of all time)!!!
I laughed, I cried, it was lovely.
It is pure, simple, and honest storytelling at its finest.
https://www.facebook.com/allidaw/posts/10201483639122123
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 11:17 PM 0 comments
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Spoiled Resume
I am totally exhausted from the past 7 days of work moving locations. Moving is always stressful but moving a retail location on a 48 hour deadline is off the stress charts. But we did it!! Whew!!! There are still some little things to finish up and adjusting to the new space will take time but all in all, I am very excited and pleased with the finished product. It is gorgeous, light, and in the perfect spot (right at the east "entrance" in to City Creek).
I love my job. I love the company I work for. I love the people in the company; I trust their vision. I feel so blessed and lucky that I get work here.
Posted by alli at 10:26 PM 2 comments
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Mother's Day!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ4Rnba85o8&sns=em
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 11:45 AM 0 comments
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
One Day at Walt Disney World
Here is my favorite picture today, it's me and A outside Rock'n Roller Coaster this morning.
Loves!!!
Posted by alli at 12:03 AM 1 comments
Friday, April 26, 2013
DCL Sail Away Party 4/26/13
Hooray for vacation!!!
I love Ashley's face and true, pure excitement; it is what vacations are all about.
Keep up to date on our adventure by following me Instagram.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtuM7Sp3YBw
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 3:34 PM 2 comments
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Call me Tooth Fairy
Posted by alli at 6:18 PM 0 comments
Saturday, March 23, 2013
She Passed!!!
She has worked tirelessly since September to become a tech; she gave up every weekend, most week nights, and a ton of time and energy into learning and studying. I am so proud of her for accomplishing this goal that her employers asked her to reach, and she did it in only six months. Well Done!!!!
Posted by alli at 9:40 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
COOL WHIP Frosting | Mistreated Cakes Commercial
What do women love? Frosting
What do women hate? Animal Cruelty
This commercial is BRILLIANT!!!
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZAIJAmPn44&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 8:19 PM 2 comments
Saturday, March 09, 2013
A Special, Long Awaited Day
Today, we went to the Logan LDS temple and did my great aunt Shirley's work and sealed the Burke family for time and all eternity. It was amazing and so special to witness an eternal event and be proxy for dear, dear deceased family members.
My Aunt Shirley died a year ago and was preceded in death by my Uncle Gil and cousin Sherry, and Michael who died as a baby. I miss Sherry so much it hurts. The Burke family were always so nice to Lesley and me and we may have been the only kids they actually liked. JK!!
Uncle Gil always had M&Ms to give us, made us big bowls of Snelgrove Canadian Vanilla ice cream with Hershey's chocolate syrup and all the 7-Up we could drink, and he probably got a kick confusing us with his potato pancakes (are they potatoes or pancakes?!).
Shirley let us sleep on the pull out couch in the TV room and I'll never forget when we stayed with them in 5th grade and she did my hair for school; the teacher actually had to re-do for me at recess but I was so proud my aunt had fixed my hair.
Lesley and I were talking about how great Sherry was to us and we figured she was more of our "auntie" than a cousin. She taught us how to color in the lines, watched Sesame Street and Mr. Roger's Neighborhood with us, took us to the Cottonwood Mall where she introduced us to cheese sticks from Hot Dog on a Stick and gave us 10 cents to get swedish berries at ZCMI while she used the phone to call for a ride home. She took us swimming at Jan's and taught us how to use public transportation. She loved to point out how much I looked our mom and Lesley looked like our dad even though we are identical twins. She was like our first adult who was a friend. We would spend hours with Sherry and she never got angry or upset with us when we were probably a lot to handle for someone in a wheelchair. There was nothing Sherry couldn't do.
I am so happy that they are now an eternal family and can have the blessings of the temple if they choose so. My Aunt Sondra (Shirley's baby sister) said something to the effect of "my mother has been waiting a long time for this day" and it hit me how true that is and how much effort has been made on the other side to make this day possible.
I am grateful every day for my family and for the promised blessing that we will be together for all eternity, and that my dad's death is only a temporary separation. It was such a privilege to be in the temple with some of my family members and witness this long awaited, blessed day.
Posted by alli at 10:40 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
1 really good reason to shave your legs in winter...
Posted by alli at 9:39 PM 0 comments
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Saturday Seething, part 63 of a 444 part series
Around mid February is when I start getting tired of Winter. I'm tired of scraping snow and ice off my car. I'm tired of wearing dark colors and choosing my footwear based on how many inches of the white stuff (well really by this point it is a yucky brown) I have to trudge through. I'm tired of being wet and cold.
Now to clarify, I really do enjoy Winter but it seems to drag on and on. I feel the same about Summer come late August.
I love having all four seasons in Utah but my favorites by far are Spring and Fall and they always seem to be crowded by Summer and Winter. I love sweater/light jacket weather. I love wearing a pair of flats without socks. I love the colors of the newly leafing trees contrasted with the brown of the bare branches. I love when the leafs turn colors and blow in the wind.
My favorite months of the year are April, May, September, and October.
I do love Winter and Summer but they are examples of having too much of a good thing. The "blizzard" today has just pushed me over the edge. I'm going to try to stay positive and March is just around the corner. A few more snow storms are left and then it will be early Spring where it snows in the morning and then it all melts by the afternoon.
Stay Warm!!
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by alli at 11:33 PM 1 comments
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Saturday Seething, part 62 of a 444 part series
Not much to seethe about today other than really tired feet and a sore throat.
I'm one week in to my new job and I love it so far (yay!!!).
I thought I did a lot of standing at the gallery but I did have a stool to lean against so my feet aren't as prepared to stand 8-9 hours a day as I thought. The trick is going to be wearing different shoes every day. I wore Lesley's danskos yesterday and they were fine except for the bruises they left on the top of my feet. I wore the danskos when I worked at Eat a Burger without any problems (other than rolling my ankles occasionally). Today I'm wearing Lesley's Simples and they've been good so far.
Now, without further ado...
The Top Five Things I Love About My New Job:
1. I love being downtown at City Creek Center.
2. I don't feel the pressure to "make the sale".
3. I love being cheerful at 7 AM and surprising people :)
4. I love the all you can drink soda (FRESCA!!!)
5. I love feeling a part of a team rather than a lone reed.
Posted by alli at 2:12 PM 0 comments
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentines Day 2013
Today is my "saturday" and I have a super bad sore throat and headache so I got to cuddle with my cats all day. Millie and Fiona are such great sources of love and happiness. They have magical powers to make you feel better no matter what. They are a miracle and blessing in my life. I feel so lucky!!
Posted by alli at 8:24 PM 0 comments

