10 years ago
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Pass the Drill please
In an effort to save money and have something to do that I enjoy doing for my "Me time", I am making this...
I have really enjoyed making this TV stand. All I have left to do is paint! I am leaning towards white with a light sage green on the back wall to match the book shelves I am going to do next!!!
With a few encouraging and supportive words and a few words of advice from my engineering husband I did this! I am so pleased with my work and the fact that I made this all by myself and used a drill for my first time!!!
You can make something amazing too! ana-white.com
I have really enjoyed making this TV stand. All I have left to do is paint! I am leaning towards white with a light sage green on the back wall to match the book shelves I am going to do next!!!
With a few encouraging and supportive words and a few words of advice from my engineering husband I did this! I am so pleased with my work and the fact that I made this all by myself and used a drill for my first time!!!
You can make something amazing too! ana-white.com
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Everythings BIGGER in Texas...so they say
The Lord is mindful of us and has a plan for the Simmons. About a month and half into Spencer's new job at Crimson Trace in Oregon he flew out to Texas to
interview with an anviation company. Two weeks after that they offered him a full time position working on the cool planes. Of course we jumped at that offer and 3 weeks later here we are...
Movers came in like a whirl wind and packed up all our belongings, even our car. The next day we were on our way to start our newest adventure and chapter in our life.
After traveling all day we finally made to Texas! We hit the ground running, looking for a place to live in Fort Worth. This was frustrating, time consuming, emotional, and way more difficult than I thought it would be. It was hard to look for a place when you dont know the area and the 'area' is really really big! Where are all the nice neighborhoods? The beautiful shopping centers? Well, I guess that is just the California girl in me. I have been spoiled by beautifully kept streets with maintained buildings.
I was starting to get discouraged and feeling like I would have to sacrifice many luxuries because their just weren't many options. BUT one thing Spence and I both felt we could not give up was our safety and if I felt safe in a place alone during the day. That was hard to come by. (This really isn't as bad a place as I am making it out to be, hopefully, I think I was just going through some culture shock. It's not that I lived in Utah too long because I felt safe in Oregon too.) After a few sketchy, a few decent, and a few we didnt even dare get out of our car to look at, we decided to look at a more upscale (...more than we wanted to spend a month) luxury apartment that my Aunt had recomended. WOW! I was like a little girl getting a Barbie Dream House! Spence says I had this innocent gleeful smile on my face, the first one the whole day. It had everything we could ever ask for and more! We had been looking in all the wrong price range! Silly us! This changed our whole strategy. Lets search for Luxury Apartments! We found the creme de la creme of Luxury Living. AND the best part is I talked them down on price to match an offer we got for a smaller place with less amenities!!!BOOYA!!! I'm in heaven!
We move in Tuesday, more pictures to come!
interview with an anviation company. Two weeks after that they offered him a full time position working on the cool planes. Of course we jumped at that offer and 3 weeks later here we are...
Movers came in like a whirl wind and packed up all our belongings, even our car. The next day we were on our way to start our newest adventure and chapter in our life.
After traveling all day we finally made to Texas! We hit the ground running, looking for a place to live in Fort Worth. This was frustrating, time consuming, emotional, and way more difficult than I thought it would be. It was hard to look for a place when you dont know the area and the 'area' is really really big! Where are all the nice neighborhoods? The beautiful shopping centers? Well, I guess that is just the California girl in me. I have been spoiled by beautifully kept streets with maintained buildings.
I was starting to get discouraged and feeling like I would have to sacrifice many luxuries because their just weren't many options. BUT one thing Spence and I both felt we could not give up was our safety and if I felt safe in a place alone during the day. That was hard to come by. (This really isn't as bad a place as I am making it out to be, hopefully, I think I was just going through some culture shock. It's not that I lived in Utah too long because I felt safe in Oregon too.) After a few sketchy, a few decent, and a few we didnt even dare get out of our car to look at, we decided to look at a more upscale (...more than we wanted to spend a month) luxury apartment that my Aunt had recomended. WOW! I was like a little girl getting a Barbie Dream House! Spence says I had this innocent gleeful smile on my face, the first one the whole day. It had everything we could ever ask for and more! We had been looking in all the wrong price range! Silly us! This changed our whole strategy. Lets search for Luxury Apartments! We found the creme de la creme of Luxury Living. AND the best part is I talked them down on price to match an offer we got for a smaller place with less amenities!!!BOOYA!!! I'm in heaven!
We move in Tuesday, more pictures to come!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Burlap Pillows
I am on the Enrichment committee and Fab Friday is coming up! This is my craft to teach. They are super easy to make and Burlap is really cheap! ...very Pottery Barn-esc.
I was hungry
Little munchkin is so smart! While I was driving she reached for her biscuits in her diaper bag right next to her and dumped the whole box out in her lap!!!Sunday, September 12, 2010
Multnomah Falls
My Dad came to visit for the weekend and we went again to Multnomah Falls and this new one, Horse Trail Falls. It was so fun to have him. Makayla gave him a kiss when he left, not even prompted to do so! She loves her "T. Daddy"!
Multnomah Falls is one of the tallest year-round water falls in the country...maybe even the world. It was a magnificent sight!
"Knock-off Wood"
This is so cool! It was originally called "knockoffwood"- she makes wood funiture that looks like pottery barn and other expensive stores. She gives you the plans, shopping list, cut list and everything! I want to make everything! Check it out!
http://ana-white.com/
http://ana-white.com/
help! i want a cute blog too!
ok, so i am not blogger savvy. my 'template' and 'background' are all messed up, my list of friends are gone and everything else that i previously had. the 'add gadget page' i cant find anymore...did they change things? can someone help me?
i want a cute blog too!
i want a cute blog too!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Lumberjacks are cool
At the State fair there was a Timbersports competition. It was so crazy! ...and it was on T.V and Makayla got her first T.V appearance!
The Pole Climb
The Pole Climb
Oregon State Fair
Lots and lots of animals to see at the Fair...everything is "dog" to Makayla. (that is her 3rd word) 
"That one is just my size!"
"That one is just my size!"
The little piglets were so fun to see!
Of course I had to get a pic with this sheep!She can what!?
While in Cali my mom watched Makayla while we all went to a Dodger game. They had a fun time together shopping at Toys R Us and playing with Makayla's new toy...a Dinosaur walker/trike. Makayla loved zooming back and forth in the living room. She would shriek and giggle with excitement as she cruised across the floor with her singing Dino! 
After one day she was moving on...
...Yup, our little girl is walking at 9 1/2 months! And did I mention she started to crawl just 2 days before!!!
After one day she was moving on......Yup, our little girl is walking at 9 1/2 months! And did I mention she started to crawl just 2 days before!!!
Bubba's Home!
My brother Daniel just got home from his mission in Tacoma, Washington. We went out to Cali to welcome him home and introduce him to his niece! He adores her so much and she had so much fun with him and all the rest of the family. My whole family was there for week together! It was so nice to all be together after such a long time!
Bubba & Makayla in their element!
They both love the water!
Bubba & Makayla in their element!They both love the water!
We went to the beach several times, a Dodger game, the pool almost everyday,
and BBQ every night!
and BBQ every night!
peace and quiet
This little guy is king of my parents yard now that the dogs are gone.He is loving the peace and quiet.
(click pic to see larger image...see the squirrel?)
Its called the Coast...
We made it out to the "Coast" as everyone around these parts call it, I call it the beach. It was the most beautiful drive through lush green wooded 'mountains' (more like hills to Utah standards) and then all of a sudden you are at this cute little beach town! Seaside is such a cute little town, reminds me of a small version of Santa Barbara! The sun was shining and it was hot! It was the best day they have had in weeks we heard! Perfect! 
Makayla had so much fun her 1st time at the beach...I mean 'coast'.
So gorgeous!
I imagined the "coast" to look like that hill...I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is sand, and it is softer sand than Malibu! So, it is a beach!
Makayla had so much fun her 1st time at the beach...I mean 'coast'.
So gorgeous!
I imagined the "coast" to look like that hill...I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is sand, and it is softer sand than Malibu! So, it is a beach!
Monday, August 9, 2010
New in town
We are now in Wilsonville, Oregon! We love it here in beautiful Oregon! Spencer got a job here at Crimson Trace making Laser grips for guns. The first Sunday here we went to walk around the Portland Temple...so gorgeous!!!...and only a few exits down from us!!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Another Domestic Diva moment
This is the start of my "Herb Garden" (parsley, oregano, basil) with Sunflowers and another pretty flower I can't remember, but it was pink!I got these cute little pots with seeds and 'soil pellet' in the dollar section at Target!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Domestic Diva-ing: Strawberry Freezer Jam
I had bought a couple cartons of strawberries on sale one day, just because they were one sale, but we couldn't eat them fast enough. So before they could get mushy and moldy I washed'em up, sliced'em up, and stuck'em in the freezer. Later that week I got the idea to make Strawberry Freezer Jam! Of course, like many of my recent ideas, I had never made it before or have ever seen it done. And this is what happened...
This recipe is so simple and does not take long at all! (I was able to make all during one of Makayla's 'short' naps)
"Sure Jell" is the stuff to get! It has all the recipes you need for every kind of jelly and jam!
Stir in mashed strawberries with sugar and let sit for 10 minutes.
(Strawberries and sugar getting all yummy)
In sauce pan combine water and Sure Jell, bring to a boil, boil for 1 min.
Remove from heat and stir in with strawberry sugar mix.
Stir until sugar is dissovled, about 3 min.
Pour into freezer safe containers leaving 1/2 inch at top for exapansion during freezing.
Let set up at room temp for 24 hours before freezing.
Yield: Six 8 oz cups
I got these cute cups and funnel at Walmart.
Stick one in your fridge to enjoy now and
freeze the rest for up to a year! (they will disappear before then!)
This turned out so yummy!
It will be made again soon, and every spring from now on!
This recipe is so simple and does not take long at all! (I was able to make all during one of Makayla's 'short' naps)
"Sure Jell" is the stuff to get! It has all the recipes you need for every kind of jelly and jam!
4 cups Sugar
2 cups mashed Strawberries
1 box Sure Jell
3/4 cup water
2 cups mashed Strawberries
1 box Sure Jell
3/4 cup water
Stir in mashed strawberries with sugar and let sit for 10 minutes.
(Strawberries and sugar getting all yummy)
In sauce pan combine water and Sure Jell, bring to a boil, boil for 1 min.
Remove from heat and stir in with strawberry sugar mix.
Stir until sugar is dissovled, about 3 min.
Pour into freezer safe containers leaving 1/2 inch at top for exapansion during freezing.
Let set up at room temp for 24 hours before freezing.
Yield: Six 8 oz cups
I got these cute cups and funnel at Walmart.
Stick one in your fridge to enjoy now and
freeze the rest for up to a year! (they will disappear before then!)
This turned out so yummy!
It will be made again soon, and every spring from now on!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream with Banana Wontons
YUMMMMM!!!! Have any of you ever been to PF Changs and had this dessert? It is incredible! It is one of my new favorites!
Well, for those that know me, I love to cook and bake and make new things. So, I decided I could figure this one out! I tried it out the other night and it was just as good!
So here it is...
*Haagen Dazs Pineapple Coconut ice cream (very hard to find, go to their web site and do a search and they will tell you what store just had a delivery that week!) This is a must have! It is what makes the dessert!
*Wonton Wrappers
*Bananas - about 2 inch slices
*ground Cinnamon or Cloves
*Caramel Sauce
*Fresh Berries
~Lay out the wonton wrap like a diamond, place banana at top corner, sprinkle with cinnamon or cloves. Roll the wrap down to the middle, dab the corners with water with your finger, fold them over, then roll to the end and wet the tip again (the water helps seal it).
~Deep fry the wonton wrap in hot oil for about 30 seconds or until it is golden.
(I did mine in a pan and just flipped it after about 20 seconds. Make sure the oil is hot enough, you do not want to cook it too long cause then the banana gets mushy!)
~Plat your dessert by cutting the wraps in half (hamburger) and setting them with cut side down. Put a big scoop of Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream in the middle with the wraps all around it. Drizzle with caramel sauce and put the berries around the outside.
(I am big on presentation, it makes everything taste better, but this is good no matter what!)
~Enjoy!
Well, for those that know me, I love to cook and bake and make new things. So, I decided I could figure this one out! I tried it out the other night and it was just as good!
So here it is...
*Haagen Dazs Pineapple Coconut ice cream (very hard to find, go to their web site and do a search and they will tell you what store just had a delivery that week!) This is a must have! It is what makes the dessert!
*Wonton Wrappers
*Bananas - about 2 inch slices
*ground Cinnamon or Cloves
*Caramel Sauce
*Fresh Berries
~Lay out the wonton wrap like a diamond, place banana at top corner, sprinkle with cinnamon or cloves. Roll the wrap down to the middle, dab the corners with water with your finger, fold them over, then roll to the end and wet the tip again (the water helps seal it).
~Deep fry the wonton wrap in hot oil for about 30 seconds or until it is golden.
(I did mine in a pan and just flipped it after about 20 seconds. Make sure the oil is hot enough, you do not want to cook it too long cause then the banana gets mushy!)
~Plat your dessert by cutting the wraps in half (hamburger) and setting them with cut side down. Put a big scoop of Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream in the middle with the wraps all around it. Drizzle with caramel sauce and put the berries around the outside.
(I am big on presentation, it makes everything taste better, but this is good no matter what!)
~Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Enchanted Bebe
This month I have been having fun working on my new project! These are my fancy wipes clutches for the trendy mom! This is just a sneak peak of what I have created. To see more visit my store enchantedbebe.etsy.com
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