We had the great opportunity to visit the LDS Ogden Temple Open House this morning. Thank you Haley for the tickets!!

This renovation has been a giant transformation and it is one of the most ornate, gorgeous temples with stunning details. STUNNING!! The dome in the celestial room literally took my breath away with its beauty.

I felt so very blessed to be there with members of my family and whisper my feelings about the temple in my nieces's ears as we moved from room to room. I love the temple. It is a place where heaven and earth intersect. It is the place where we make covenants with our Father in Heaven and where we are bound for eternity with those we love most. There is power, peace, and clarity in the temple.

Some of us went to Maddox in Brigham City after the tour and we had an amazing lunch. Seriously, the best way to cap off this great experience.

I love my Heavenly Father, I love my family, and I love the temple; combine them together and we are one.

We had the great opportunity to visit the LDS Ogden Temple Open House this morning. Thank you Haley for the tickets!!

This renovation has been a giant transformation and it is one of the most ornate, gorgeous temples with stunning details. STUNNING!! The dome in the celestial room literally took my breath away with its beauty.

I felt so very blessed to be there with members of my family and whisper my feelings about the temple in my nieces's ears as we moved from room to room. I love the temple. It is a place where heaven and earth intersect. It is the place where we make covenants with our Father in Heaven and where we are bound for eternity with those we love most. There is power, peace, and clarity in the temple.

Some of us went to Maddox in Brigham City after the tour and we had an amazing lunch. Seriously, the best way to cap off this great experience.

I love my Heavenly Father, I love my family, and I love the temple; combine them together and we are one.

Note to Self (no. 1)

Purple eyeliner makes your eyes look bruised.

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Bedtime

Is 6:30 PM too early to go to bed?

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Hold

You know you've been on hold too long too frequently when the music playing in your head as you try to fall asleep is the hold music.
Easy Listening will drive you to insanity!!

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Happy Pioneer Day 2014!!

My First Post as a Contributor to Stroked to Life

http://strokedtolife.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/a-pebble-in-my-pocket/

I wrote an article today on the blog Stroked to Life. I wrote about my feelings of grief on the 30th anniversary of my father's death. Regular readers of Art History Alli know how much I miss my dad even though I have zero memories of him. 

If you choose to follow the link, I hope you read my words with the hope and gratitude they were written in.

 

I tried to pretend this day was like any other day, and it worked until I took my lunch break and got on Instagram. My amazing sister posted an adorable photo of herself as a baby with my parents. They all look so happy and young. I am so grateful to her for posting that sweet memory. 

I struggled the rest of the day to not cry and then I had an amazingly inspired conversation with my boss, which I talk about in the article. She asked if I was going to his grave tonight, which is something I didn't think of doing. I stopped by there after work and even though it was over 100 degrees, Dad's grave is shaded by a beautiful tree. I sat there next to the grave and wrote my post for Stroked to Life. I felt loved and inspired and like my dad was cheering me on. It is an honest post of how I have dealt with grief my entire life. 

Grief is a process and a constant battle but I am grateful for what it has taught me. We are not victims of grief but champions of hope and perseverance.

 

Happy Independence Day 2014!!!

I didn't get a lunch break today...

So I ate a box of Milk Duds instead. #healthychoices

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Green Smoothies are Delicious...

... If you like drinking salad.
Maybe it's an acquired taste I have yet to acquire.

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I Heart Summer

We started the day with a 5K and ended it with an 80s dance party with my BFF and her family. Life is wonderfully fun!!!! I ❤ Summer!!

A Great Way to Welcome Summer!! Color Me Rad 5K #doradstuff

If you don't like the weather...

... wait a few minutes (or days) and it will change. It's hard to believe how cold it was just 5 days ago when it's 95 degrees today!! Happy First Day of Summer 2014!!!

46 Degrees in June

Today is June 17, 2014 and it is 46 degrees in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is pouring rain, the streets are practically flooding, and I don't want to get out of car and run the 50 feet to my apartment. Sad thing is I kept a rain coat in my car for emergency but I took it out just last week thinking "it's Summer!! No need for a back-up coat any more!!"- ya right!! It's snowing in the mountains!!

Boo... 46 Degrees... In June...

Silver lining: this will help with the drought and fill up our reservoirs but...




... I can see my breath

Saturday Seething: part 66 of a 444 part series

I can't stand it when people waste ice. When I'm at 7 Eleven, it drives me nuts when I get behind someone at the soda fountain who takes forever filling their Super Big Gulp cup full of ice, dump almost half of it out, then fills it with a little bit more ice. What?!! Are they scientifically measuring it? Are they counting exactly how many cubes of ice they have?! Agh!! Do they not realize it takes FOREVER and a line of people starts to form as they are filling, dumping, and filling again? Maybe it's some sort of sick ritual.
And it's not just at the Sev, it happens where ever there is a self-serve soda pop fountain (Cafe Rio, Crown Burger, Maverick, and even at VRx).
I don't understand these people!! It is super simple to get the right amount of ice the first time- you stop filling it when your desired amount of ice is in the cup. If you do get a little too much, dump a little out, but please don't go back for more.

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The Last Day of May

On this the last day of May 2014, I have found a recipe for a great afternoon: watching the mini-series North & South while cuddling with my purr-fect kitties.
I used to watch North & South almost constantly while I was in grad school and watching it today has brought back so many memories.
I'm always sad when May ends even though I love Summer. May is my favorite month of the year with its nice weather and general Spring-time frivolity. Now it is time for Summer and time for fun!!

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My Last Day in My 20s

Today was a pretty good day with a fabulous afternoon/evening with my beloved mother.
She met me after I got off work at City Creek Center and we window shopped. With how busy my work and life seem to be, it is so easy to forget how good it feels to spend time with my mom. She is brilliant, visionary, and can see beauty in so many forms. Walking through Anthropologie with a creative person (like my mom) was really fun as it is a creative store for creative people. I kind of threw a fit when she wanted me to try on clothes, I am really unhappy with my body and buying expensive clothes is the very last thing I want to do. So we left and headed to one of my favorite fancy stores... Tiffany!!
My mom was so nice and bought me a pair of gorgeous, classic, timeless earrings and I will cherish and think of this afternoon every time I wear them. I am so grateful for such a generous gift. Mom knows that I love memories more than "stuff" and nice jewelry gives me both!
We then went across the mall and looked at the Rolex store. I have never understood the appeal of a Rolex watch, until I actually saw one. It's no secret that I love designer knock-off shopping so I have seen quite a few Faux-lexes but they really cannot compare to the real deal. Expensive but stunning.
Lesley met us after she got off work and we went back to Tiffany and she got a pair of earrings too. Lesley and I may be extremely similar in likes and dislikes, but our Tiffany tastes are vastly different. She picked out some earrings that I didn't even take notice of when I has been there earlier this afternoon, and yet I totally love them and think they are perfect. This is why is much more fun and helpful to shop in groups; each person sees something different.
After we finished shopping, we took Mom to Pizzeria Limon for delicious caprese pizza. It was the perfect way to end our day.
I'm not sad to be 30 years old, but I am sad this chapter of my life is over. My 20s are over.
I am 30. I am in my 30s. Does this mean I am an adult?
I received this "fortune" in my Chinese lunch I had this week. All I can think of what I will think of 10 years from now is "Dang, I'll be 40 in 10 years" and that is way scarier than being 30 years old.
Cheers to a new chapter!!!

Last Week in my 20s

I turn 30 years old 1 week from today.
This is actually not as bad as turning 28 (that was awful!!) and I've been lying and saying I am already 30 for a few months now.

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Peep Show, Easter 2014

This is so wrong that it's right, and by right, I mean hilarious!!

Today is the Day...

Today, Wednesday April 9, 2014, my allergy season started in full force.
I knew it was coming but I kept hoping this would be the year where they won't be so bad and I can avoid the stupidity inducing medicine.
After one day, I surrender.
Farewell brain cells, I will see you back here in June.

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I'm a Part-Time Tooth Fairy

It is no secret that I love pulling teeth. I pulled out ALL of mine and Lesley's in one night while in the second grade. We were toothless monsters for years!!
As a teenager, I pulled the loose teeth of the kids I would babysit.
Now as Auntie, I have pulled at least 1-4 teeth of all my nieces and nephews, minus LaurieLoo and Lady Cate. Jackers was the last hold out. He never would let me even get close... Until tonight (insert evil laugh here). The whole family is at the cabin for LDS General Conference Weekend. I went to bed earlier than everyone else but I was awoken by sweet Laurie's voice, "Auntie, Auntie wake up! Jack-Jack has a tooth you can pull out!" and I was instantly up. She led me upstairs and Jack was there at the top with his mom. His front tooth was just hanging by a thread and it was an easy job. He was so nervous that his mom had to hold him down. He kept curling his top lip around his teeth and crying out in his deep baritone voice. Two pulls and it was out!! We all cheered and Val and Ash both got it on video.
I know I'm a freak about teeth but I am SO happy that I have been able to help my nieces and nephews in these big moments in their life.

I helped Val pull out her front tooth at Leatherby's.
I pulled out Ash's front tooth right before a family photo.
I pulled out Evan's front tooth at Aunt Nancy's BBQ.
I pulled out Aaron's front tooth at Grandma's house.

And now we will forever remember the time Auntie pulled out Jack's front tooth at the cabin on General Conference Weekend.

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1st Ever LDS General Women's Meeting

It was fun to witness and be a part of history today.
Today, March 29, 2014 was the first ever General Women's Meeting for the LDS Church. Women gathered at the Conference Center in SLC and LDS meeting houses around the world with women ages 8 and above invited. The womens choir at the meeting ranged in age from 8 to 80 and they sang beautifully and with great spiritual power.
As this meeting was such a big deal, my wonderful mother organized and cooked the most delicious light meal, invited us over for dinner, and then we all (mother, sisters, niece) went to the local stake center to watch the meeting via satellite. I ran in to one of my dearest childhood friends in the parking lot and met her 3rd child (!!!) born 6 weeks ago, and saw a lot of the women that touched my life growing up.
The meeting started and I literally had tears running down my cheeks throughout the entire meeting. It was so amazing to join with my sisters in the Gospel all around the world, all daughters of our Heavenly Father.
The feminist in me was gitty with the historical importance of the event, an international and intergenerational gathering of women, while the covenant keeping disciple in me was over come with the love of God.
We are all so very loved and The Lord sent us here with each other so we can help each other return home.

Saturday Seething: part 65 of a 444 part series

Why is it that a dog lover is totally socially acceptable and yet there is still the stigma of the "crazy cat lady"? Don't people realize cat lovers run YouTube and own the Internet?

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Yes, I'm a Baby Hog

But I can't help it when the world's most beautiful baby is around.
I had the best day cuddling with Cate!!!

Wise Words for a Friday Morning

In Summer- Our Version of Frozen Lip Sync

We finally got all of my nieces and nephews in one video!!! They all did an A+ job

http://youtu.be/CdS3vfTfj48


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Catherine The Beautiful

I love my baby Cate

Bonding Time

Baby was awake and alert for a good 30-45 minutes last night and it was so fun to interact with her. She would hear her mom's voice and she would turn her head slightly and move her eyes to follow the sound of her mom's voice. I have never seen a 12 hour old baby do that before!
She has a round face with chubby cheeks and gorgeous lips. She is the most beautiful nameless baby ever!! It is safe to say that I'm pretty much enchanted by her.

Being an Auntie Never Gets Old

2/20/14... A good day to be born

My 5th niece was born this morning. I am dying with anxiety to see her but I'll have to wait to head up to Ogden after work this afternoon.
Lauren has been calling the baby Rainbow Diamond for months and since the baby has yet to be named-

Welcome to the World Rainbow Diamond!!!!
You are already so very much loved!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day 2014

My mom gave me the most perfect valentine ever!!! It is of two kittens in a Victorian tea cup which perfectly matches the flowers I got at work today.
Best Valentine EVER!!

January 2014- Book of the Month

I finished a book for my resolution to read 1 book a month. I read "Blackmoore" by Julianne Donaldson.
I didn't love this book as much I loved the author's first "proper romance" "Edenbrooke" but it was still a quick, entertaining read.
February's book is TBD so I'm taking suggestions. I'm leaning toward "Divergent".

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Saturday Seething, part 64 of a 444 part series

I haven't Saturday Seething in nearly a year, partly because I tried really hard to be positive in 2013 and because I couldn't really come up with something clever. Well brace yourself, because here I go...
What is the deal with rude people keeping their headphones on while going in a retail store?!!
I work early mornings and I have some customers that come in to get their morning drink and totally ignore me when I'm trying to greet them, tell them their total, hand back their change or advise them to "follow the instructions on the pin pad", and wish them a good day. I know I shouldn't take it personally but I really don't like how disconnected our society has become from one another. We barely even look each other in the eyes; it is truly a sad deterioration of our civilization.

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Crystal Hot Springs

So fun and so salty!!!
It must be my Scandinavian heritage but I sure love hot tubs, hot springs, saunas, etc.... Especially in when it's freezing outside. :)
We went with our cousins to Crystal Springs tonight. The springs are in northern Utah, just north of Brigham City.
We all went there once as kids on a summer camping trip with our grandparents in their motor home. I remember going down the watersides so much we wore holes in our swimming suits!
Tonight we pool hopped to find the hottest one and once we were thoroughly mineral soaked and pruny, we left and headed to grab a late dinner.
Lots of fun on a Saturday night!!

"Slow Jam The News" with Mitt Romney (Jimmy Fallon)

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/7HTJaJuA0Gw


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Oh Be Still, My Cat Loving Heart

I saw this on PEOPLE.com and thought you would be interested: The Daily Treat: Born Unable to Walk, Stockings the Kitten Is Now on the Move http://www.people.com/people/pets/article/0,,20779493,00.html


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TGIF

It's FRIDAY people!!!!

I remember a cheer/chant/song from Girl's Camp:

Friday, Friday, Friday is my favorite day

Monday's a bummer

Tuesday's just fair

Wednesday's getting better

And Thursday's almost there

But Friday, Friday, Friday's my favorite day. Hay!!


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Mid-January 2014

It is already the middle of January 2014. What?!!! How did that happen?!!
I'm already falling behind on my resolutions to read a book a month and blog twice a week. I like to think that it's okay because a least I still remember to think about them and thoughts lead to actions, right? So by that logic, maybe if I think about them enough, then they will happen.
How are your resolutions going?

It's Juan-uary!!

I will be having Family Home Evening with Juan Pablo for the next few weeks.

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First Sunrise of 2014

Beautiful start to a new year.

Post 103 of 2013

I did it!! Wahoo!!!! I posted 103 posts in 2013.

The last few hours of 2013 have been spent making music video/lip syncs to the Frozen soundtrack with my nieces. The nephews got in on the fun for "Let It Go".
Only 15 minutes left in 2013!! Time to party!!!
Bring on 2014...

An Accounting of 2013

Top 5 Movies:
1. Frozen
2. Much Ado About Nothing
3. Star Trek Into Darkness
4. The Hunger Games Catching Fire
5. Austenland

Favorite Song:
Treasure by Bruno Mars

Favorite Book:
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Favorite Meal:
Cafe Rio Pork Tostada

Favorite Drink:
Diet Mountain Dew

Favorite Vacation:
Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise to Bahamas

Favorite Color:
Mint

Favorite TV Shows:
Cougar Town
White Collar
The Pioneer Woman

Favorite New TV Show:
Reign

Favorite App:
Vintagio (silent movie app)

Favorite Fashion Trend:
Statement Necklaces with Collared Shirts

Things to look forward to in 2014:
- My 30th Birthday
- Watching Valerie's Cheer Competitions
- Frozen coming out on DVD (my nieces suggested I write that)
- Traveling















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Happy New Year from Millie and Fiona

Goals for 2014

1. Read 1 book a month (I have attempted this goal for the past 3 years but really think I can do it this year).
2. Learn to handle stress better, like actually take a class to learn, not learn by experience.
3. Be vegetarian (no beef or chicken) for the month of August.
4. Post 104 blog posts in 2014 which breaks down to 2 posts a week.

What are some of your goals?

Post Christmas Blues

Does anyone also get gloomy and feel sad right after Christmas?
I'm sure I'm not the only one.
We plan and plan and anticipate Christmas, then after a brief 24 hours it's all over; back to regular boring life.

Relaxing Christmas Day 2013

We had such a perfect Christmas Day!! Well, perfect for me at least.
We slept in and woke up to Eggs Benedict with eggs from my mom's chickens. We exchanged gifts with my parents which was lovely, then we got ready for the day and headed to Red Stone to see Frozen. Frozen is such a great movie!!! I loved every minute of it.
Then we went back to the cabin and made dinner. I say made but really we just heated tortellini soup (our traditional Christmas soup my grandma makes that we all die over. It has Italian sausage, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, and tortellini. Yumm!!!). Then we finished off the night was delicious peppermint bark cheesecake. We ate it yesterday as Dave's birthday cake and we had leftovers. I love me some cheesecake!! The we packed up and headed home since both Lesley and I are working tomorrow.
I loved having a relaxing day full of good food and good movies and good people.

Goodnight Christmas!!

Christmas Question:

Did Dean Martin record all his songs while he was drunk? I mean his slurring is endearing but kind of sad.

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Merry Christmas 2013!!

It is a glorious day here at the cabin. I feel so very blessed!!

Our Nativity Play 2013

Every Christmas Eve, after dinner and before presents, Lesley and I help the kids put on a nativity play. Most of them are still too little to say lines so we usually have an adult read from Luke 2 and the kids walk out in front of the fireplace, or "stage", when their character is mentioned.
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.

Christmas Eve 2013 Dinner at the Cabin

Our Version of the Nativity 2013

We made a silent movie of the Nativity.

Merry Christmas!!

Silent Night, Holy Night

Good night from me and Millie

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.

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.

Playing in the Snow at the Cabin

I was helping my mother put lights on the railing around the deck of the cabin. The kids followed us out in their snow clothes and made snow angels and threw snowballs off the deck. It was windy and snowing, well I'm not sure if it was snowing or the wind was just blowing it around. The cabin is always fun but even more so at Christmas time.

Snow Angels...

... On the deck of the cabin!!

Making Christmas Treats at the Cabin- Turtles

This is another Pioneer Woman creation, or her friend created it and Ree shared it.
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!!

Making Christmas Treats at the Cabin, Peppermint Fudge

We got this super easy recipient from The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. Lesley and I love her show on the Food Network and I have been a follower of her blog for years.
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).