Gingerbread House...or Whatever!

Okay, so for FHE (a few weeks ago) they had a big Christmas dinner. But while we waited they had us all make different kinds of Gingerbread houses. It was soooooo much fun! The different kinds of houses were things like; a Swiss Chateau, an Igloo, Teepees, a church, a stable, a windmill, a train station, a bird house, etc. The bestest of them all is the one I got to make with my friends. I was the one that did the actual construction (I knew I should have gone into contruction) and they handed me the materials and helped with the planning of it!
While we were making it we had so many people walk by and start laughing and say it was the best gingerbread house in the whole room! They also said it looked so life like...if only they were little enough to use it!
Have any idea what it is? If you haven't guessed what it is yet maybe this will help!


Isn't great? I think I should be a professional Out House Builder! AHAHAHAH!

Here are some other shots I took of it...for your enjoyment. Pay attention to the great deails! The ptiched roof, toilet...including a seat(mind you it's down and not up!), the toilet paper roll with a holder, the moon on the door, the door handle, and the air pipe on the back. I know it looks like it was made with actual poop, but it's just icing...don't worry! Prett ironic that they gave us icing that color for that Gingerbread House! Teeheeeee!







I think each Christmas I want to make a different kind of Gingerbread House. Who wants to do it with me? We could do a little Gingerbread Club! I think it would be fun to get together and just create some fun stuff! Who's in?!

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Festivities!!!

Things have been so busy around my house that I haven't had much time to sit and blog. I don't really know how many people actually read this but I thought maybe it is time to post some pictures of what I have been up to. Other than stressing out at the beginning of the month and deciding to take back my life instead of letting work rule my life!

I have had so much fun with the whole "Cake Pop" thing that I decided to make some and take some pictures of them. So they are now part of my "Favorite Things To Do"! I love taking photos (though I'm not very good at it) and making cake pops/balls. I like other things but these are up there on the list!

These cake pops were so fun! I actually got my mom involved and it was a BLAST! It not only allowed me to the opportunity "de-stress" but it allowed me to get into my creative element and share some time with my mom! I love that! I now also have found a yummy kind of cake that I really like, RED VELVET! The one I used is by Duncan Hines(?) and the best part is that it DOESN'T HAVE MILK IN IT! Yea for them! They know how to make me happy! The coating on these is dark chocolate MINT! woohoooooo! Now, if you haven't had these you are so missing out! They are amazing and I got all excited about using SPRINKLES! THEY ARE SO CUTE!

Take a look at some of them with the cute background! Now rembmer these were done at night and in a room with my moms favorite color...YELLOW! It doesn't help with the way the photos turn out:)!

If you ever want to get together and do them, let me know, I am all for it! I LOVE making them, I'm not kidding! It is a blast! My hands get really dry from doing it but I love it none the less!


These are actually some Pops from a batch I made for a Christmas thing for work. I loved how the chocolate got all swirly! Don't they look cool with Santa and Mrs. Claus kissing in the background?!


These are 3 of my favorite pops from the batch for work! I love the background, seriously! So cute! I saved these 3 for me because I love the design the candy coating made. Don't they look better than the ones I made for Halloween?! I think so!


Okay so these are the ones that my mom and I did. They were a blast to do together! What a great bonding time it was!
This picture makes me think of the movie "ELF". YOu know when he is describing the places he had to travel through to get to NY? The cand cane forest, the gumdrops, etc. This is the forest of Cake Pops! Not only are they cute, but they taste so YUMMY!


I tried doing double pops for the snowman effect...didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to but they still look fun...right?! My niece loves them. She even screamed at her mom when she tried to take it away from her so she could feed her dinner (so cute)!


These were the cake balls I made. I don't know what the deal is, but everytime I try to make them they turn out looking like a plops of candy poop! I don't know how to get them to be smooth like the cake pops. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them. I need help. I am helping make some for a bridal shower and I want them to turn out better than this.
OH, the candy coating I used for this is candy cane candy coating. It was so yummy, and with the red velvet cake it was absolutely DELISH! My mouth is watering like crazy right now!

So what did you do for your work parties or neighbors for the holidays? Anything fun you want to share? I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment, I really enjoy hearing your insights!

Wow, it has been a while since I have been on here! I don't have any pictures of me! I don't want to make you throw up! But I have found a new and fun project that keeps me going and has me so excited that I have to share!

Now the first batch of this lovely new stuff totally BOMBED! I didn't do it right, I was completely guessing on the amounts for the recipe. NOTTHING worked and like my kids said...the icing smelled like playdough! YUCK! I won't be using that kind again!

For those who read this and work with me, you already know what it is! I made CAKE POPS! They are so fun to make...when you do it the right way, they taste YuMmY, and they look adorable! I found out about them from a website about food blogs! The lady who created them is so adorable, she goes by Bakerella! I can't get enough of these. I am putting the cake mix business in even more business! And my wallet in severe trouble! I just need to work on making them lactose free!

Now, when I made my second batch (the ones that turned out a TON better) they tasted amazing! But, I'm still working on getting them to look cute! So bear with me! Here are some pictures of the end product! I was so proud of myself..but as I get better I will feel more confident!



Sorry about the dirty wall behind the pops. That is what I get for taking pictures in the kitchen and on the stove! Next time it will not be that way...I hope! If not, oh well!

Hey, I would love some more imput on the taste! Any takers!?!

Brownies!!!!!!

Last Sunday I was in one of those moods! I WANTED BROWNIES! I am not eating sugar during the week and so on Sunday I was going nuts for some chocolate nutirents! Since I am not able to have dairy I was at a loss for how to fullfill this one craving...since most brownies have dairy in them. My darling sister informed that she had come across a recipe for brownies that I could try. So I did! I had to alter it a wee bit by leaving out the chocolate chips, but oh well it should still be so delicious! Here's how it went...I'll let ya know how they tasted in a minute!


This here is the yummy looking brownie dough...is that what it's called? I'm not sure!


Here's the flowered pan I poured the yummy mixture/dough in. MMmmmmmm!


Here we go...into the oven my lovely! Bake away, bake away! I can't wait to cut you up and devour you! Ooooh-la-la!


Here is what the oven popped out! A pan full of lovely, gooey goodness! No burning, no sagging, no unkindly wierdness! I am drooling just thinking about them! Oh I can't wait to eat them, WHERE'S THE KNIFE AND A PLATE?!


And for your viewing pleasure....the gooey goodness! Flaky on the outside and a moisture rich center! The steam rolling off the top, the smell of baked yummies, and the grin of a child about to shove the entire thing in his/her mouth...is the discription I am going to give as I end this post and tell you they are YUMMY! Simply DEEEEVINE!

Here is the recipe for my tiny audience! If you try them let me know of your reaction or feelings!

Speedy Brownies By: Diane Heier.......Altered for better eating by Sara Johnson
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon salt (I didn't put the full amount in...it's not necessary)
5 eggs (I know it's alot but well worth it!)
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used a new product I found that is vanilla in powder form and tastes a TON better and it is better for you)
*Diane adds 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips but I left those out for two reasons. One, I can't have them. Two, they would have made the brownies WAY to rich. I personally loved them without the extra calories! You can add them if you wish!

In a mixing bowl, combine the first seven ingredients: beat until smooth. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack (or eat imediately!). YIELD: about 3 dozen.

Happy baking!

SCHOOL, AHHHHHHHHHH!

It is almost the end of August and if you have kids you know what that means! Or if you watch tv, shop, or talk to others you probably have heard! SCHOOL IS STARTING and I am so not ready. I think I am going to cry!
I think all the responsbility of teaching these young minds and the old minds (other teachers) is a little overwhelming! I'm scared I won't measure up to my standards or the standards of my principal. If the kids start crying on the first day I KNOW I will be right there with them bawling and screaming for my....mommy!
I could use a few words of comfort and guidance! HELP!

For those who read my blog you are about to learn a very fun and easy way to make a scrub for your hands. Now, I haven't tried it anywhere else, but I am really excited to try it on my elbows. They are so dry and callused that I think it will be a great way to moisturize them and make them soft!
I got the recipe from a great site I only recently found. I fell in love with it, Stephanie (it's her website) has some of the most amazing ideas! And to boot, she is a very sweet lady! Honest, she said I could copy some of her ideas! If you are looking for something to do or want to get a spark going in your life for crafting YOU HAVE GOT TO CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE!
It is: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

I made her "Lemon Sugar Scrub". It is deeeeeevine! Here are some pictures of what I did. Now I wasn't prepared to take photos of the actual making of the scrub, but I did show you what I did to the jar and other pictures! I had a blast making it in the heat of my kitchen and with my niece crawling all over the kitchen! It seriously smells so good. I added a little extra lemon scent to make it pop so you can do the scenting to your liking like Stephanie says!

Here are the pictures I took! Let me know what ya think!



Here is the "bowl full of jelly", no just kidding! This is what it looked like when it was all mixed up! I thought it looked like playdough...but not the right consistency!



I found this jar at DI (a second hand store). I thought it was a little plain, so I took it to my craft corner and decided to apply some rub ons. I didn't have enough of the same flowers to go all the way around so I found something that I thought would go together.



I just put the scrub in the jar and thought it made it look good! But there was something missing! So.........



I thougt a little ribbon and a spoon so the person I give this to will be able to get the scrub out with would be appropriate! Tell me your honest oppinion. What do you think? I would love some feedback!

Happy Crafting!

Manti Pagent 2010

On Saturday, June, 26th I went to the Manti Miracle Pagent with 2 of my bestest friends and 3 boys! Leah and her hubby Presley came, Bariann and her 2 handsome boys David and Jacob, and of course...how could I forget Mindles (Mindy). It was a severe blast!
Friday night I spent the night at Leah's house...on the couch. Oh of course we had to watch a scary movie in the dark (Drag me to Hell). I won't be watching that EVER again soon! Then we sort of collapsed into bed (me on the couch...silly)!
Saturday Leah and I had to go shopping for a skirt for me so I could go to a very special baby blessing for Cher! Her adorable little girl was being blessed on Sunday! I was so excited she invited me to come! She and her family hold a very dear place in my heart. OHHHHH, there I go again getting off subject. So Leah and I went to the mall and I had the hardest time deciding if I should get a skirt that Leah told me I looked adorable in. I hated the way I looked in it and she said I looked way cute! I wasn't so sure. I hate my legs and normally refuse to wear anything higher than mid calf in length! So in the end I caved and bought the skirt (it has a green top that is WAAAAAY too big)! I got some compliments but I was totally self concious! UGHHHH!
As soon as Presley got home from work we got Leah's sister and were on our way! We went to Bariann's house where we changed (some of us) and I had to show off my recent purchase (that was a total embarrassment). Then we all headed off to Manti for the funnest night I've had all month! I'm not kidding!
We saved our seats, parked the cars at B's brother's house and then walked to the church for the bestest dinner I've had in months! We had green beans, mashed potatoes (from potato pearls), gravy, salad, a brownie or carrot cake, and the star of the plate was......MORONI TURKEY! It was so delicious I savored every single bite!
After dinner we walked around and ended up getting shaved ice and upon eating it started freezing! It was so fun! Then B's sister in law came with 2 of her boys and they finished off B's ice and another one that wasn't finished by one of her sons! Yeehaw!
Then the Pagent started! It was amazing! It was such a spiritual experience! The stories told in the Pagent strengthened my testimony and brought the spirit more wholly into my heart. I stirred some emotions and feelings within me that only can happen in or on Sacred ground! I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is TRUE! I know that the Book of Mormon is TRUE and I know that FaMiLiEs can be together FoReVeR!
Those who were in the Pagent I give a round of applause! They were amazing! GoOd WoRk!

Here are a few pictures of us in our grandest moments! Yeehaw! I do reccommend going if you haven't ever or if you haven't been in a while!






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I found a great website that has some really GrEaT gift ideas and the best part is you can have them individualized by monograming them with cute things!
They have a weekly give-a-way and this week they are doing sterling silver bracelets and rings. They are so stinking AdOrAbLe! Check them out at: http://blog.swaggergifts.com/2010/06/new-sterling-silver-plated-jewelry.html
Let me know what you think!

The Countdown Begins....well....

As of today, I have 19 days of school, not including the week I have to do assessments on all 27 students! This year has been a wild roller coaster and I have learned so much about my profession and myself (both personally and as a teacher). Lets just hope I can make it to the end!
Thanks to you all for being there to offer support and guidance!
Happy Mothers Day, Memorial Day, and Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Biggest Loser

I am sitting here in my workout clothes watching The Biggest Loser. I am having some mixed feelings as I watch it. I don't know about you but I am really connecting with these people.
I am especially connecting with Victoria and Andrea. I don't feel like I am worth it to lose weight, to be happy, to be successful, or to have friends. I feel like my family deserves a better person, a more beautiful person than me.
As the contestants were mentioning these things they really hit me....straight in the heart. I have tried to hide those feelings and mask them...hence why I am where I am. It sucks and I am still working on figuring out how to deal with these feelings and where to vent my frustrations, stresses, and all my emotions. Instead of eating them away or just holding them in I need to find a more constructive way to get them out so I don't implode.
I guess you could take this as a cry for help or just complaining. I thought I would share my feelings about what was said on the BL.
I want to be proud of myself and I want my family to be proud of me. I want to have friends!
There are alot of things I need to work through and I think these things are the weights holding me back from being happy, healthy, and allowing the thin me to shine.

Be the best you can be!
(I guess I should take my own advice!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

On the eve of St. Patrick's Day I want to wish you luck on NOT getting pinched...unless you want to be pinched! I don't know why you would want to!
Also I want to share the Luck O' the Irish!

GO GREEN!

Love ya'll!

5 Year Old Reader

Something that happened today impressed me so much that I wanted to share it with everyone that decides to read my blog...which is not many!

Today during centers one of my students was eyeing my Dr. Seuss books and so I walked over and told him, "you can read those". I didn't think he really would, but lo and behold when I looked over he was sitting next to my blue chair reading a book. I didn't think much of it at the time because at this age (5-6) they usually just look through the pages finding words they recognize. So I went back to my assessments.

After about 3 students I looked over and my aid was standing by him listening to him and I got even more interested than before in what he was doing. I took a closer look and heard him reading sentences. I almost started crying (I don't know why, but I have been emotional since Sunday morning). It was the greatest thing I had seen in a long time...it was actually BEAUTIFUL!!!

When it was time to clean up I walked over to him and he had THE BIGGEST SMILE on his face! He couldn't wait to tell me what he had just done and I could not only see his excitment...I could definitely hear it in his sweet little voice! I couldn't hold in my excitement I had to announce to the class what he did. I had to work so hard not to just grab him and give him a huge hug...so I settled for a "High 10"! I was seriously shaking with excitement and happiness!

To sweeten the deal I (in my total excitement) told him he could take one of my precious Dr. Seuss books home with him to read to his family! He was now even more excited! What a great way to begin the ending of the day!

I am still in awe at what this student did, I mean he is only 5 years old and I know that at my school there are many students that are in 2nd grade or even 6th grade that can't read this book and he did it all on his own. I mean I read about 4 pages last week...but it has been about 5 days since I read it and picked it up and was reading it on his own. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I am so pleased with him, his reading, and his progress! He was reading should and would with NO help! When I opened the book to a random page he read those sentences with no help AT ALL! When he got stuck on the word would, he looked back at the previous page where he had seen it before and was doing a quick read to figure out what the word was. He used a skill I hadn't taught him...I am near tears just thinking about this! I am so ready to keep pushing him in the right direction so he will keep up the motivation and successes! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Honestly this story is why I teach...and continue to teach regardless of the things going on in my life (at home and at work). He proved to me that I am making a difference in my students lives and that I am a good teacher. I lose sight of that often and I am torn down constantly by so many....but it is the kids that totally change those negative things in my life! I also know that there are other powers out there rooting me on and to them I am eternally grateful! That includes my family! Love ya guys!

Happy reading!
AHHHHHHHHHHHH, I still am totally loving it!

There's Gonna Be a Wedding Soon...

Ha, Ha, Ha! Not mine but my BFF's (yes I still have those and I am as old as I am)! I was invited to go and take some pictures of her for her bridals. I learned so much...like how I am soooo not even a good photographer! Actually, some of them did turn out rather cute! For those of you that don't know her, she is a great gal that I was roommates with at Snow and SUU. We have been friends ever since and I rather fond of her! She has my back and I have hers! Now she has man that has her back and I .... am still.... Well, that's hole nother box of Cracker Jacks, we won't go there!
We were downtown and I was experimenting with my new Cannon Rebel. I love it, but I am not to sure about aperture, ISO, and all the other stuff that needs to be altered for awesome pictures! I will keep chugging along though and soon will be more comfortable with it!
So without further ado HERE'S LEAH!


This next picture was by the "Reflection Pond" and the sky was overcast...not condusive for good photo taking!


This picture is one of my favorite...well it is my favorite and was also a pain in the rumpus to edit! But look at how cute it is and how beautiful she is!


Leah was such a good sport, it was cold and windy but she looks amazing. I took this picture of her leaning over the railing at the Conference Center. I personally think she is adorable!


And last but not least, I got this picture of Leah holding her black flower. It's not for a funeral, it's one of her colors! I tried to get a good look at her ring, but pictures don't do it justice! I was there with her when she found it, I am glad she picked it...and not her nose! :)


Time has flown by and I am going to miss her. I am going to miss hanging out with her and our staying up late watching scary movies and chick flicks while sleeping over at each others places! She will be hitched on March 6th. I'm sooooo excited! I think I will bring........treats!
Happy February!

YOGA!

Well I am part of a weight loss club called the BLC. I absolutely LOVE it! Anway, the ladies on there were having a tough week and I was joking around trying to lift their spirits! Well I suggested that they go out in their front yards and do yoga in front of all their neighbors. They all laughed, well as far as laughing can go online! Anyway, one lady asked me/dared me to do it in the snow in capris at my house. I accepted the challenge and here are the pictures to prove that I did it.
Now I really did it in the snow and I froze! My hands were frozen and snow got in my shoes! I had to kneel in it and so my knees got cold too, but it was so fun!
So here ya go, here are the pictures of my doing "Snow Yoga"!


I almost slipped and did the splits when doing this move and the next move. They look smililar but are different...as my feet are in different positions! That is so I don't fall over!


HA HA, I almost fell over sideways when doing this one!


This is me greeting the sun. The sky was partly cloudy but I was finally able to see the blue sky. I was so happy! We have had about 2 weeks of really gross air because of the lack of storms. I hate inversions! This pose got my knees cold and wet and my hands hurt after putting them in the crusty and cold snow! But it was fun, my abs really got a good workout!


This is the last pose. I don't know the name of it and I know I am not doing it the right way, but hey, I tried! I get points for that! Lisa my sister was taking the pictures and she said I look like a ballerina. I agree, I look like a fruit cake! But hey, it gave kicks to my friends that were having a rough week and that was the point! Lisa was laughing at me and so I know that was worth it! In fact I bet that there were others like my grandparents (that have passed away) were shaking their heads and getting a kick out of my dorkiness! Oh well, that is how I work!

Dreams...

Well lately I have been having some pretty weird dreams! No, nothing about what sex my baby is going to be. I'm not even pregnant, there are things that have to happen before that can come to pass...if ya know what I mean!;)
My dreams aren't about me falling from a cliff, being chased by a crazed fan or something weird, getting a house, a new car, traveling, or anything like that. My dreams have been about being kidnapped and falling in love with the FBI agent that did the alleged "kidnapping". WHAT THE....
Why do my dreams need to tourture me so? It's not like the guy is ugly in my dreams. In fact he is tall, dark, mysterious, HOT, caring, supportive, sensitive, funny, strong, HOT, tall, smart, and HANDSOME! I mean these dreams keep popping into my head all day long. It's not like I don't have other things to keep my mind occupied throughout the day, but the happenings of the dreams keep shoveing their way to the forefront of my thoughts.
I have found that my dreams don't mean much in the way of them happening in reality but this one could be a good one to live through! I might even have the rest of the dream tonight...now that would be nice. I would love to know if this "falling in love" becomes anything more than that. It would be great if he takes it a step further and makes us get married because of the situation and because of the "falling in love" mess.
Do you believe in the dreams you have? Have you had any weird, cool, or other wise mentionable dreams lately? Let's share!
Sweet Dreams!