Christmas season 2013

This year for me-

Christmas meant extra hours at work.

Which frankly I was very grateful for.

Still- I have deep regrets for not getting my education. 

My constant lecture to my two sweet girls at home: get an education!

Education is power- it's freedom.

Freedom to choose what you want to do with your time.

Don't get me wrong- I LOVE my job- I really do!

I just don't love the pay- and I am not free to choose what I would like to do.

I know there are always exceptions, etc. But the facts are the facts & women need an education.

Apologies to my dear parents who offered it to me and... I didn't take the opportunity.

now I am old with too much responsibility to go back to school - women need something to fall back on- I wish I had more legitimate skills.

end of the lecture- feel free to move on

I set up a hot cocoa bar- thank you pinterest-

just after Thanksgiving.

It's so pretty under the microwave I think I will leave it up all winter.

I honestly don't drink hot cocoa- don't like it- but the kids do and I love this display.

I love our Christmas tree- I love that Chloe & Trent put most of the decorations on with Jack, Cory & Hailey. It was so much fun & I didn't take pictures of people putting on the decorations... oh my goodness. 

At work we started a Cooking With Kids series & it has been VERY successful.

I have been teaching it once a month on Saturday mornings- corporate had this big idea to do the same thing every Saturday in November- so we jumped on board of course. It was really fun. Then in December we decorated cookies & gingerbread houses. We have a pretty good following now. I gotta say- it's so fun when the kids run up & hug me. My own at home Cooking with Kids classes start up again next week. I have a full - cooking with kids schedule! I'm always looking for ideas for things- parents want kids to know- so feel free to comment with suggestions.

The down side- I am always wishing I was at home doing this with my own kids & grand kids...

I just can't seem to find balance right now.

I love snow in winter.

It's been so pretty here!

Our chickens our surviving since Brett digs them out & makes them a walk way. 

They are down to only producing one egg a day- one egg between the two of them?

Don't really know why & I haven't made it a priority to figure it out.

We continue on with medical tests AKA: waste of money- no one knows what to do for him-- for Jack. warning: DO NOT SEND ME SUGGESTIONS.

 I am up to my throat and about to drown in them-

thank you very much.

 We are working it out- not really- but we are trying- do not send me your ideas or give my number anonymously to anyone. Sorry but really- it's that bad. I don't want to know what super healing power you got from eating chicken soup or oil pulling. I hope all those things are successful for you -I really do- and I am not opposed to nontraditional medical ideas- I am opposed to getting them from people at this point. Truthfully- I swear- SWEAR - I've heard it all.

Jack & I on this day went in for a hydrogen breath test & MRI for his migraines. 

He is on leave from work & misses classes on a regular basis now. Thank goodness for understanding & wonderful professors. AND- it's not that bad because he got all A's

ALL A'S ON HIS FINALS!!

this kid- gotta love him- or be amazed

What I do love to hear from people- is that they are praying for him & for us to figure it out.

I know that prayer will probably be the key to this. 

Grateful for a loving Heavenly Father & for this Christmas Season.

More on Christmas to come.

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.

I didn't mean to go so long without posting...

I've had so many great post ideas this week- but then I would run out of time.

My work schedule was different & it just threw me off.

So this post is just a little bit of everything.

What my phone looks like.

The wallpaper? A photo of Jack & Brian the night before Jack left for Brazil.

I made a delicious baked spaghetti that I found on Pinterest one night for dinner.

I've thought of making this before, it's really easy & there in melted cream cheese in the noodles. YUM

(my view walking into work)

Last week at Trolley Square they were filming a movie for ABC Family.

It's a Christmas movie. It was so strange to have Christmas decorations going up everywhere. Customers would come in & ask why they hadn't taken down the decorations yet. Um -- these are new. So weird, since Christmas was like... yesterday, wasn't it?

(my view of filming on my way out from work)

Does the blond girl look familiar?

It's Tori Spelling. 

It's so interesting to watch filming- the sound is all off. The dub the sound in later. 

  

There were loads of "extras" standing around & a Kraft Services truck. 

At work we were wondering if they would've let us slip in line for lunch?

Of course, we were too honest scared to try that! Ha- it was so slow at work with all the commotion- I don't know how other businesses did but it really slowed things down for us! sad

I made buttermilk biscuits & broccoli cheese soup for dinner-

 after we got 5" of snow.

It's been a snowy week!

On Dr. Seuss's birthday, a sweet 5 year old friend of Chloe's made her these "Lorax" inspired trees.

Chloe made two different compound butters to go with almond encrusted French toast for dinner Friday night. Oh boy.. so good.

(almond encrusted French Toast with honey pecan butter)

The highlight of the week was having Johnny come visit!

This is Johnny & I playing on the floor.

(I mopped this week- my least favorite household chore)

Isn't he cute!

He's starting to look like a kid, not a baby- wow. 

He was so much fun & made me even more excited to have the boys (Charlie & Joey) here soon!!

They will be here 5 days before jack gets home & for over a week after. 

Today: I went to sacrament meeting then off to work to teach a class on cooking with citrus. I made this & a few more things... it was so good. You should try this recipe while oranges are still in season. Can I say this week-- I am grateful for my job, that I love it. I am grateful for health insurance- we had several doctors appointments. I am grateful that Megan's kidney stone is out, yes she had a stone & now she is recovering- I wish I was there to help. I am thankful for my sweet heart! we got to meet for lunch one day. Good week.

jinxed

I may have jinxed myself with all my work enthusiasm in my last post.
today was...... miserable.
tired me + crabby shoppers + demonstrating prime rib + long hours = a headache

To make matters worse---
I saw a young mom with three young daughters. Three daughters with bows in their hair.
I got all teary & had to walk into the back room for a second.
Oh how I LOved to do my girls hair... sigh.

Somedays I just miss being a mom at home with my kids.
Little kids- it was so hard, but so fun at the same time.
Why did it go so fast? Why didn't I do more, enjoy it more, I still have some time right?

It was just a hard day.

very exciting work day

Wednesday I was at work... just a workin' along. Demo-ing a french finishing sauce (piccata) over chicken & rice and... working at the cash counter.

WHEN LOW & BEHOLD

 I LOOKED UP

and there she was!!!

KELSEY NIXON

THE KELSEY NIXON from the Cooking Channel. THE KELSEY NIXON from Kelsey's Essentials. THE KELSEY NIXON that my girls & I ADORE, tape her shows, protect them on our DVR so we can watch them over & over (and we do!), THE KELSEY NIXON that Megan introduced me to on her adorable blog (she has the coolest wedding video.)

Ya- I was just a little excited.

I walked right up

without even hesitating

said:

are you KELSEY?

she said

yes

I started gushing.

 I'm pretty sure I embarrassed myself... and my co-workers... ya-- pretty positive. She was so kind to offer to take a picture with me. My IPhone was in the back- the store was really busy- she did write a little note for Chloe though. NOW-- I WANT TO DIE-- because I am so stupid!!! I should have gone & got my phone & taken the picture!!!!!!! dang it.

She was just as adorable in person as on TV. SUPER nice about my gushing... and so sweet to write a sincere note to Chloe.

She says her new season starts in January & she should have a cookbook out soon!

REally excited- but really wish I could have a signed cookbook. Did you know I LOVE signed cook books- and collect (well, I'm working on it) them? I DO!!

WEll- except for NOT TAKING A PICTURE & SOUNDING LIKE AN IDIOT... it was a pretty, darn, good, work day.

intimidation

(picture courtesy of betty crocker.com)

Today was a big intimidating day for me...

I taught a class at work. I've taught several classes, but this time it was much more intimidating. This time I was almost scared. I taught how to roast the perfect turkey.

Roasting a turkey for Thanksgiving is so personal- so important! I have made Thanksgiving dinner for our family at least 20 times-- (I've tried to count, but I'm not sure.) Everyone seems to have a secret for roasting a turkey- that's what I mean by personal. Thanksgiving is special (it's Brett's favorite holiday) it only comes once a year-- and like one of the attendees at my class said, "It only comes once a year, so if your turkey's not right you have to wait until next year to do it again!" So true. Sure you can make a turkey any ol' day of the year, but Thanksgiving - it's important!

Before the class started I found myself just pinging about... trying to be as best prepared as possible. WEll-- it's over.

It went great! I taught how to pick out & buya roaster & a turkey. How to clean, brine, truss, stuff, roast, glaze, and baste a turkey breast (I hate cooking turkey breast alone.) I made pan gravy & gravy from our store's gravy base so they could taste the difference. I made mashed potatoes, stuffing &served them all (small bites) with cranberry relish. It was so satisfying that everything turned out. AND.. YEs I was so very intimidated & nervous, but hurray it is over & I am breathing a bit easier.

Now-- I only have to think of something to make for dinner tonight?

For more information about getting ready for Thanksgiving go here-- or here!

today

I'm behind on blogging... again. Life- it just takes over & gets all busy. I've been working & working.

The store is all pretty & ready for Thanksgiving.

I love it.

I walk through work & nearly have to pinch myself.

I LOVE MY JOB- the hours are perfect- it's a creative outlet- I work with very nice people & I'm surrounded by beautiful things.

Today I made pumpkin squares, peeled & roasted butternut squash with Herbs de province & french sea salt. Samplers raved over them.

Then I took the scenic route home.
good day

(then I came home threw on jeans & a sweatshirt & crashed on the couch- didn't get my chores done & didn't make dinner- still a good day)

clubbing

Last night, Brett & I went on the very funnest date ever!We went to the Cookbook Club at Williams Sonoma. The Cookbook club is a class/dinner at Williams Sonoma where they clear off the cook top area- set it for dinner- then prepare dinner out of the featured cookbook for that month. It's always four courses - it's always Delicious & you always get to take the cookbook home afterwards!
This months featured Cookbook- Bobby Flay's Bar Americain- titled after one of his award winning restaurants. It was just released yesterday & guess what? OUR BOOK CAME WITH A SIGNED NAME PLATE! I am so thrilled to have it!! Oh My GOSH this was so fun!
Kelley was our chef/teacher- he was charming & delightful. He is such a great chef & the food was out of this world- it was so good! Did I tell you yet, how fun this was? Cause, sister Sue--- It was a blast!

This was the first course-

Warm Lentil Salad with Roasted Beets & Goat Cheese.

oh mama-

Let's be upfront here people: Brett does not like beets... frankly neither did I. (Brett even thought about not trying them - oh my?) But, as with most things- it's all how you cook them. These were prepared perfectly & we both LOVED it! mmmm good.

Well after that- the picture taking went down hill. I was taken away with the wonderful food & company... & that was my last picture. darn it.

Next up- Chicken Cutlets with Brie, Prosciutto & Arugula. This is Bobby's take on Chicken Cordon Blue. Now, I can bread chicken, but Kelley taught me something new here! It was breaded perfectly.

Served with the chicken: Creamed Kale with Crispy Shallots-- move over green bean casserole- who knew Kale was so good cooked?!

and for dessert: Thin Apple Tart with Cinnamon Creme Anglaise. oh gosh, golly, mercy me.
I just cannot express how fun it was to go to this class. It wasn't just a class- it was dinner, entertainment, & fun. I want to go back!!

*Have you ever done anything like this?

~You can find the class information here p.s. it says all classes are $75 but that's not the case. It depends on the class & the book so check your local store.~p.p.s. Depending on the book- the class can only hold 8-10 people. There were only 4 of us last night- so nice. I think a date to a class like this would be such a fun Christmas gift!

real life for a working girl

At work- there is this girl
(well, she's at least my age?)
who doesn't like me.
I'm not making this up or exaggerating here.
she doesn't like me.
I'm a hard worker, I'm extremely positive, I'm nice.
I'm good at selling stuff- really I'm not bragging- I've just been successful for a new employee.
I'm not super good looking or skinny.
what the heck?
***
I know she doesn't like me because-
she rolls her eyes when I say something.
She corrects me all the time- which I'm fine with, I want to learn! But once she corrected me then explained that, "she is the manager & it's her job to correct me & I shouldn't be embarrassed." I said it's good, I'm not embarrassed- to which she replied, "well, I know you were because your faced turned red."
okay?
***
I asked her last week (she's a seasonal assistant manager, there are 4 of them) what the chances were I would stay on permanent? She was very short & said- they haven't had time to decide but that she didn't think anyone was staying on!
I was bummed.
Really bummed.
I was shocked.
I've worked so hard & it was going so well.
I'm sure she could see the disappointment on my face.
***
YEsterday I was on call.
I called in & guess who answered...? Yep.
I asked if I needed to come in-
she said no.
Then she said-
"Last week you seemed really angry. Was it something I did or said? You just seemed so mad, really furious, when you left? I hope I didn't do anything to offend you?"
I was dumb founded. I couldn't think of anything- I said- gee, I'm a pretty positive person. I don't think I was mad? She insisted I WAS MAD.
Okay?
***
Gosh darn it- am I back in jr. high?
no thank you
***
The only thing I can think of is-
She made a rude comment about my religion to another employee & I heard it. She made eye contact right after & was not happy, I could tell.
I don't care- she wasn't talking to me.
I tried to look like I didn't hear that.
She's a negative person & those kind of people don't usually like me.
***
One time another employee asked me how my missionary son was?
I told her that I had been worried about him because he has worms.
The mean girl- turned around & said- your dog has worms?
I looked her straight in the eye & said- NO My son has worms.
He's a missionary in Brazil.
The look on her face-
hahahaha

working girl

I got a job.

Yep- I did!

Can you believe that?

Remember last month when my girls & I went here to get our book signed?

Well.... while I was waiting in line I spent some time talking to various employees - then the District Manager (I had no idea she was the "district manager" I just thought she was an employee.) I told her how I love the store & have always wanted to work there... but the time had never been right- yada yada. She told me that they only hire people seasonally. Everyone who works in their stores- starts during the holiday season. She also said in this store (the Salt Lake City store) they were still going to hire 4-5 more people. We talked on & on about different stores around the country- the store in Megan's town, in NY, & my favorite the San Fransisco store. I introduced her to my girls... we got to be kind of chummy - then- she introduced me to the assistant manager- who gave me an application & asked me if I could come back THAT NIGHT for a group interview. It was their last set of interviews.

I was in shock.

I haven't been on a job interview for 25 years.

did you read that... 25 years?!

I went home- super nervous & filled it out.

Brett helped me & I added a page of "experience" that I put with the application. All of my "experience" was volunteer work, except for the little bit of work I have done in the past at my neighbor's catering business.

I listed all of my P.T.A. work etc. I know it really helped.

IT was a full page, I could have written more. It felt good.

So- ya- I got the job.

It is just seasonal but I have loved it. It's so much fun to "talk" cooking all day & frankly I feel like a kid in a candy store! I work days from 10-2:00, 3-4 days a week. The extra money will really help- if I can help from spending it all! I get a fantastic discount- especially if I wait for things to go on sale!! wowza!
I can't even tell you how many times I have explained how to Brine a Turkey - or what's so great about the Le Creuset cookware. Not to mention how fun it is to walk around looking at gourmet cooking & food products all the time! Being in the back where everything is store is absolutely heavenly...

Today I even helped pick out a gift for someone who wanted to know-

what to get someone who wants to bake cupcakes!!!

How great is that?!

Now I'm home getting ready for the big Thanksgiving Day.

I just put two pumpkin pies in the oven.

Boy, are my feet tired.

Even though my painted floor is all scraped up & dirty...

doesn't my new kitchen towel look pretty?

I'll clean the floor in the morning.