better days

I'm working at least 4 days a week.

It's a joy to work around so many beautiful things.

(a lot to juggle these days... but I really like working there)

Last week I made lots of pumpkin dessert squares, mashed potatoes & gravy & several batches of stuffing!

YES Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away!

I am so excited for Thanksgiving! It is Brett's favorite holiday so I try to make it extra special. This evening I put up the Thanksgiving decorations - I have a few - and we are expecting 25 people for dinner this year.

 I love that.

Today after work & lunch at home with the family

Brett & I went out on the town down to City Creek to the new 

West Elm store.

West Elm is really fun-

 a Gorgeous store & fantastic addition to Salt Lake City. 

It's a sister store to my work place and one of my favorite friends from work moved over there 

(Hi Emily-- miss you!) 

so I've been dying to get over there & visit.

Finally made it today-

Afterwards we headed to Kneaders for treats & to work on our Christmas list.

We've got a good start!

Actually I hate to brag but.... I've already sent off two gifts- impressive, I know!

Mr. Messer, thank you for being my date today.

I like it that you always open doors for me & carry packages.

I like that you like to see me get excited about things like a new store in town & bakeries.

I just like being with you.

Meeting Bakerella

On the 14th of this month there was No School.

I was thrilled that I didn't have to take my girls out of school to meet her...

the One & Only

Bakerella!

We were absolutely delighted when she announced here that she would be coming to Salt Lake City on her book signing tour. I had pre-ordered her book... you know on that day... and YES it is worth it!

It's an amazing book- even if you don't bake- it's worth buying just for the photos.

Here is a copy of the photo of the four of us.

It's the photo of us that she put up on her blog post about Salt Lake City.

I was stunned that she chose our photo to go up- the girls & I have been walking on cloud nine ever since.

We got to Williams Sonoma an hour early.

Ready with our book- we would have bought three... but then- no job = one book.
We picked up our number- #36 then looked around the shop for a bit.

I realized just after we arrived- that my camera card was in the computer at home. Oh my gosh, I nearly had a heart attack. These photos are all taken with my IPhone.

Bakerella - or Angie- her real name, was absolutely delightful.

She was darling & sweet & has a bit of a southern accent. Her mom came with her & she is the one who took that great shot of us all.

I asked her if she has been able to quit her day job. She said- no. I am so thrilled to see such a talented blogger go big, even if she hasn't been able to quit her full time job yet. She is so talented she absolutely deserves the book deal & every bit of recognition she is getting & more.

I found her blog just after I started mine over three years ago & it's a family favorite.

It was an absolute thrill to get see her success- buy her book- meet her in person & have her sign it!

After the book signing we topped off our special day with lunch here at Elizabeth's bakery & tea shop just north of Trolley Square in the big city.

It's a delightful little bakery/tea shop with true English originals.

A friend of mine- who seved a mission in England says it's the real deal.

Authentic as it gets here in Utah.

We had a (top left to right) a bacon cheese puff, cheese & onion pie, cucumber sandwich & blueberry tart.

We sat among these lovely pillows & just as we were being served the owner came over & told the girls they were so lovely that the looked like they belonged in the tea shop!

We finished off lunch with scones, English butter & jam.

It was such a GREAt day.

I still can't believe our picture is on her blog!

Thank you to all of you who left messages here yesterday to tell me about the photo- I was so thrilled to see you recognized us.

seriously- there's nothing going on here...

So- my lack of blogging is just because there is nothing to say...

Until yesterday when I had the thrill of dropping the dogs off at the groomer.

(hello, that was sarcasm)

The grungy mutts were dropped off & I ran downtown to do a little shopping!

I wanted to get this
but they were sold out.... dang- that apple is so cute!
I ended up getting an orange apron with an embroidered pumpkin on it.
happiness


On the way home I couldn't help myself-
I stopped off at Tulie Bakery & in honor of Michelle
bought one of these...

HolY COW!!!
It was so good- It was buttery & crunchy on the outside & sweet & moist on the inside with almond flavoring... oh my. I was only going to have a bite... I ate half then called my sweetheart & offered to bring him half at his office. He didn't even act excited & could care less about the best ever croissant of my life. What? I took it home & ate the rest a couple of hours later. He was not croissant worthy- no, no, I do not get excited about all baked goods- this was exceptionally fantastic & we are going back- me & some bakery enthusiastic person.


On a positive note:
I am still working on Christmas projects & slowly making progress. I wish I could post them all over the place. I am so happy about how my projects are turning out!

Another positive note:
some bloggers are meeting for a creative day here today!
YEs- something to blog about

Another positive note:

did you see nie nie on Oprah!!!? she was gorgeous & inspiring & I love her for making me feel like being a better wife & mom. Hooray for NiE!

** are you a bakery enthusiast?

he just doesn't get it

While Megan went to lunch with an old friend -

I picked up this guy & headed to the scout office, yep tonight was pack meeting...

We drove past the Olympic torch- love that- just had to take another photo

We made it to the office & I picked up some sweet stuff-
I volunteered to pick up everything since I needed to get something extra special.

See that white box?

Inside is Jack's Eagle.

Yep- Jack's Eagle-

Everything is in & it's all done!!

Very exciting
We are not planning on having his Eagle court of honor until summer. His good buddy Seth should have his by then & we will celebrate together. So more on that later.

Secretly... shh-

{outside the Tulie Bakery}

I had other motives to go to the scout office.

Remember last month when I discovered the bakery on the way home?

Oh the joy- I had a real reason to go back, heck I was driving by!

I was so excited to take BRett.

I kept telling him- this is going to be life changing- LIFE CHANGING

YOU won't BelieVE HOw GooD It is!!

Just look at this fruit tart

- STUNNING-

We got the chocolate mousse & a sugar cookie to share. We headed down the street, me driving because he was still on the phone with business-and I took a little bite of the cookie.

I. HAD. TO. PULL. OVER.

then- before it was gone- I had to take a photo!

It was the best sugar cookie I have ever had.

I paused & explained to Brett how the chocolate mousse has ity bity shards of Scharffen Berger chocolate in it that melt on your tongue-- so eat it slow & take it all in. With a dumbfounded look in his eye he asked if,

"I was missing little shards of something?"

He took a bite of the cookie- agreed it was the best sugar cookie ever- but ya so what?

the chocolate mousse...? ya -pretty good. Pretty good??

Later in the day I commented on his lack of enthusiasm- he apologized & promises next time to scream & immediately wet himself when we go to a bakery.

He Better

unexpected blessing...?

I had a bunch of errands to run today-

lots of good mail to sendAnd a scout patch to pick up.

I am officially nuts over scouting. Brett went up to turn in Jack's Eagle papers (hurray!!) earlier this month & they didn't have the patch I needed. Someone inexperienced tried to give him the WRong patch... I called today, they said they had it in- I went to get it myself- instead of putting it on the list for the cub master. I was worried they would give him the wrong patch... you just don't promise boys a patch- then bring the wrong one. Am I right?

So off to Salt Lake City I went this morning.

{AFter dropping off Hailey's homework, which she left in carpool & after I made her promise to pick up the upstairs bathroom EVEry morning this week as payment for bringing it- (what a sweet deal!) She crossed her heart, hoped to die, stick a needle in her eye. So she better do it. I would hate for her to be blinded. In our house this commitment is binding & serious.}

I was on my way to a restaurant supply store to pick up something for Janae - since I was already downtown- & look what I happened upon.

OH my- a bakery I had never seen before!

Tulie Bakery

in case you didn't know...

I have a thing for bakeries

Which is obvious when you see my backside- or front side for that matter.

I wasn't going to stop- no- no.

But then, something just came over me.

I made a u-turn & went inside. Let me just say...

My life has been changed for the better.

It was wonderful!

I didn't take my camera in for fear of having to explain myself, but I really wish I would have. Look at what I bought.

Chocolate mousse & a cookie for Janae.
The chocolate mousse was
ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE!!
i WISH you all could taste it.
It was seriously the very best I have EVEr had
It had three layers:
A thin layer of dark mousse on the bottom
milk in the middle
sweet cream with a hint of orange on top.

I'm not sure I will ever be the same.
I will have to drive in to Salt Lake all the time now.
My rear end is in real trouble.
Maybe I should have stayed home today :)

a little bit of this week

I haven't been blogging much- you know the blogging funk & all. But here's a little bit of what I'm doing these days. The newlyweds came up & we went out to dinner with Grandma & Grandpa. I forgot to take a picture at the restaurant?? We had a great time. It was fun be out downtown & sharing so much food & fun at one of my favorite places Biaggi's. We were so big they put us in a dark private room off to the side- blah. I love the main restaurant it is so pretty & modern- if that ever happens again- I'm asking for a regular table in the regular dining room.

I can't wait to go see meg & tony's new apartment. Grandma is here having some medical testing done at the U of U & we just don't have time to get down there this week, so next week when the kids are in school I'm going down on my own- SCORE! Hey jill, maybe I could meet you for lunch?For about 10 seconds we thought hailey was taller than megan- but no- it was just her shoes. Darn it for hailey- she was so excited- then so disappointed. They are exactly the same height 5'1". I'm 5'4" so I wonder how tall Chloe will be?
I'm taking my turn this week driving my three days of ballet. these girls are precious. We stopped & got cookies on the way so we had to really hustle to be on time today- it was worth it. Once a month I clean out my care & wash the inside/outside windows etc. while waiting the 1.25 hours for ballet to get over. I also sent a good mail package & read some of my book. It was so hot today I was burning up- hence the red cheeks. Man I love a clean car!

I found out that my favorite bakery sells gourmet miniature cupcakes now! wow- I didn't try one- no way! the strawberry cream puffs with fresh whipping cream are worth walking 10 miles through a snake infested forest of glass- so why even bother?

While waiting in the waiting room for brett's mom I finished this book. I mostly loved it- so much so I decided to read it again- this time with a colored pencil to highlight my favorite parts. Okay- those of you who know me well are fainting right now. I am only recently a reader. So to be reading a book over again is- YA - unheard of for me. It's that thought provoking to me. Jack continues to spend his nights in an Olympic hyper trance with many friends. They are sometimes here sometimes at other's homes. I have to say- these Olympics are absolutely spell bounding!! Did you see the Women's Beach Volleyball win?- man, they're nearly naked but so cool. Normally it would be so offensive to me... especially white suits... I mean come on?! White suits?- geez people- who are your stylists? No wonder Jack & his friends stay up every night watching the Olympics? (that's not cool)


I took this picture of my favorite house to stalk near ballet. I like to see it in all four seasons. Someday I am gonna get up the guts to drop off a little gift & bribe the owners to let me see the inside... does that sound like a good idea? maybe I need some advice on that one?

Trent went with me to run several errands this morning & to swear in my first local PTA president! I sure like alone time with this guy, especially in the car- great conversation time. Here he is talking on the phone with his dear friend lily. Trent is not what you'd call a "phone talker" this conversation lasted - oh about 3 sentences- even though he really misses her. She is visiting her aunt & not back until Sunday- oh the misery! We have the greatest conversations. I frequently wish I had a tape recorder with me. He is so funny & animated when he gets a goin'. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about Transformers- again. I also stopped counting how many times he said "why" after 15... ya it's exhausting but when I laid down next to him last night he said- You know why I like you so much, mom? me- no why? trent- you're a real sweetie pie!
Gotta love that
So it's a wonderful life - this week anyway-
*do you think I should "drop" in at that house?
*do you like whipped cream?
*do you like to talk to your kids while driving in the car?
*are you surprised I'm 5'4" & my girls are only 5'1"?

summer field trip

Today we went on our first of hopefully many summer field trips.

The Beehive House.

I love the Beehive house & have taken my kids here before. I remember visiting here as a kid when we were in Salt Lake. It's really fun.

We took Caroline & Lily with us. Brittany & her roommate met us here.

First off we went into what used to be Brigham Young's office & saw his tools! Trent was pretty excited about that. It was neat to see his initials carved into them BY. Cool. I think Brett should start carving his initials into his tools BM. Of course brother Brigham made his tools & our tools are frequently found out in the lawn covered in snow or rain....

This desk was made by him out of a covered wagon that came across the plains!

His secretary had the first typewriter in the valley.

This lovely art work is also in the office. It is really different. The women used to comb their hair at night then save the hair & yep... make this flower art work. Hmmmm.

Here we are waiting for the tour to begin.

The rooms were magnificent. This home is so beautifully restored. Every detail is fantastic.

This is the music room. I think it was my favorite. At night the adults & children would play music. Kind of like we do, instead of watching TV. That was sarcasm.

This is the kitchen. Brigham's wife Lucy kept a pot of soup on at all times for stop in guests. She was really a super mom with seven children.

This picture is fuzzy but it's the the play room. It was right next to the school room & by far the kid's favorite. The little toys are so cute.

This was another favorite. His oldest daughter Clarissa's room. This dress is her wedding dress.

She was tiny. Her foot was a size 3. Above the wedding dress is another flower hair art piece. Those pioneers were hard workers & had some serious time on their hands.

These are our two fabulous sister tour guides. One was from Minnesota the other Australia.

At the end of the tour they give everyone a lemon drop. That was something Brigham Young always did. I remember getting to choose a lemon drop or piece of horehound candy after taking this tour as a kid. Fun times.

Of course the grounds are spectacular. Everything is so green here from all the rain we are getting.

We watched a photographer taking photos of a bride & groom. We were so lucky to have such great weather on Megan's big day!! It wasn't raining at this moment, but this poor couple had to be cold & wet.

We went upstairs at the Joseph Smith building to take in the view!

This is the best view in town.

I am so amazed at how much fun we had today. Mostly in part because Trent was so good! When he was little we stopped taking him places for a short time, then started back up but always with a back up plan. Outings have always been so hard for him. But, not today! He was PERFECT.

I am so relieved- there is hope- all our hard work is starting to pay off.

I hope I didn't just jinx myself....

Brittany & Sue stopped here The Garden Restaurant for lunch. If you are ever in Salt Lake City it's a must stop for lunch or dinner. The food is fantastic, be sure to ask for a table near a window- the view is breathtaking!
We on the other hand went to my favorite bakery. Everyone picked out a treat!

Trent got a plain croissant. What?? I know I have failed as a mother...

Caroline got this yummy chocolate hazelnut thing. Oh my it was delicious.

Chloe had a cream puff with strawberries. I was seriously jealous.

Lily a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse. She just started piano & there's a treble cleft on the top- how fitting!

I had bread pudding. I am in love with bread pudding.

Next we dropped off over 450,000 pop tops at the Ronald McDonald House. It's just down the street. Our school collects these all through the year. It's a great project. The kids count & sort them in their math lessons then I drop them off in the summer.

Thanks to Lily & Caroline for going with us.

It was a great field trip day!