I MISS YA TRE..

Hi Trevor... are ya having fun in St. George? Wish we were there too- I'm still sick! I'm glad you are down at Grams & Gramps with Tanta and family! I love you and miss you! It's weird not having you home, but I'm glad you got away... you needed it bud

I love these travel totes..

Great little waterproof terrycloth travel tote for bikinis and such.  Pottery Barn!

I love this for toting jewelry and all those little things... Pottery Barn & ON SALE!

Another great travel idea for jewelry!  Pottery Barn & ON SALE!  I'm going to order one, let me know if you want one Mom, Brittany or Julia and which color!

I shop when I'm sick or bored...

The following 3 posts are a result of laying in bed for 2 days sick with the flu... so this is how I entertain myself, so please forgive me.  They are however, beautiful things!

Rooms For Rent

I think I'm going to buy this and hang it on my front door... jk

Photography

These are beautiful photography books Boo... great coffee table conversation. On sale at Pottery Barn!

Scrapbook Frame

I love this scrapbook frame from Pottery Barn.  You can change it as often as you want with personal pictures and souvies from wherever life is taking you.  I love displaying personal, meaningful things in my home.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FAMILY & FRIENDS!

My honey took me to Sego Lily Mind & Body Spa last night for a massage for my Valentines surprise.  Ladies... I must strongly encourage you to go see Josh.  I've NEVER had a massage like the one he gave me.  I am also quite sore today... but it feels awesome because I don't have any more pain in my neck and shoulders!  This guy has the massage thing figured out.  Don't go anywhere else... he's worth every dollar! This place is also so elegant and beautiful, more than any of the other local places.  For a special occasion this is the place.

Photography 101

Boo and I are taking a Photography 101 class in March so we can start our own photography business together. She is amazingly creative. I cannot wait to see the beautiful work we will get to share together.

Aaah... Louisiana wild shrimp

This is another perfect dinner. Add some rosemary crusty bread from Costco and voila.

Smoked Salmon on Pumpernickel

Ok... here's a tasty little treat. We made this for dinner a few nights ago. It's all we needed and it was so tasty. Tracy told me about this... yummm

Pumpernickel Bread

Cream Cheese (i buy whipped)

Smoked Salmon

Purple Onion... sliced thin

Capers

(any other veggie you like is optional, like sliced cucumbers)

Andrew's Address

Please write him letters...

Andrew English

SO #299625

Salt Lake County Correctional Facility

3415 South 900 West

Salt Lake City, Utah 84119

Andrew Letters

I received a letter from Andrew recently that has touched my heart... I want to share it it with all of my family and close friends.

"Mom, I hope you enjoyed yourself down in St. George. I've been thinking alot about Grandpa's surgery and I really hope it went well. I said my prayers for him every night. I've also been thinking alot about our last visit. There was something special there and I feel like we were brought alot closer somehow. I was able to get my power of attorney signed and notarized, so you now have full legal power of me... lol... but I will send it out with this letter. I've been continuing to study the Bible and I feel more at peace with myself everyday. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I miss my family more and more by the day and I would have to say that this is the hardest thing for me to endure. I was reading the scriptures before I wrote this and there is one I read everyday that helps me feel the love from my family. I'd like to share it with you... "And now abide Faith, Hope, and Love, these three, but the greatest is Love. Love never fails". I know everything will be ok when I read these words for I feel the love of my family that will never fail. Mom thank you so much for all the blessings you have given me. I'm so thankful that I have had the opportunity to live back at the house. In a weird way, jail has brought us closer. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday's. You and the family are always in my prayers and always will be. Tell everybody hi for me and do tell them to please write. Thanks again for staying with me through the hard times. Keep your head up!

With All My Love,
Andrew

Williams-Sonoma

I found this princess spatula on Williams-Sonoma website. Now I'm just going to have to get it for Livia so she can help Mommy frost cupcakes!

Happy Valentine's Honey

I am making these desserts tonight for my Hubby Dear... this is his Valentine from "Me" ... the cake is a Black Russian Cake passed down from my dear Grandma Madsen. I think you all know now what the 2 secret ingredients are... right? Do we need to talk?

Dan's Retirement Party

Oh Danny Boy... you have the perfect life now, or... do you? Let's look at your new schedule that Julia & Clark put together to lend you a hand with your new busy life.

(click on the photo to see your new life!)

My new hot date every morning at 6:00am

Tracy & Eric....thanks for the motivational talk you gave me to get to know this sweet machine... now I love him! Thanks Al for making the big purchase... I don't have to try to be a gym rat anymore.

I got me a new ride... i'm so happy i'm so happy

So now... which one is my new car?

Like... a perfect dinner

This is just about perfect for me, missing um, that really good beverage of course.

My Luscious Liv

Can u possibly stand it? I just melt when I see her.

Landon meets Shantel

Landon met Shantel, a very cute and spunky girl in his biology lab at UVSC. He brought her over for Sunday dinner yesterday. She is a DOLL! I feel like I've known her forever.

These 2 have invited me to go skydiving in March.... say what? S-K-Y-DIVING? I'm actually thinking about doing IT..... aaaaghh!

St. George Parade of Homes

I sooo love St. George. In fact, I really want to live there. Like soon. Al & I, Trevor, Erin and John, Jules & Clark are all going down to see Mama & Papa for the long weekend. Can't wait. We do this annually this time of year because of the awesome Parade of Homes that is held. I will pick out my new home this time and send you all a picture of it, ok? I want a patio home on the golf course with a swimming pool and firepit / outdoor kitchen entertainment center for all our fun get togethers. Do I hear anyone oppose? Good. :)

Try this one for dinner tonight...

Recipes : Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry : Food Network

This one is soooo good.... I also added fresh mushrooms and asparagus, yum yum.

Beverages.. they are so divine and I want these

Honey....

Honey, may I have all of these for Valentines Day?

Liv Stories

We had our beautiful Liv this past Friday for a sleepover. I had a plan all set in place to make homemade chocolate chip cookies with her - yes the REAL ones. So I went to the store on my way home from work to pick up all the needed items to make a LOT of cookies, plus of course had my normal shopping to do. I come home and Poppa (what Liv calls Al) goes out to get the groceries. I, of course, doing my nighttime ritual after work, go right into the bathroom for a moment. While in there, I hear all this banging and Al's muted voice coming from somewhere. I assume everything is under control by "Poppa" - so, no worries. A few moments later I come out and Al tells me a good story. Yes... our precoscious Livia locked Poppa out in the garage while he was trying to come through the door with groceries - (he had every bag on his arms and in his hands, a bit heavy). He yells through the door for Liv to please please open it. She yells back at him "just use your key Poppa!" Trying to exert some patience, he yells back, "Liv, I don't have my key with me".... please the groceries are heavy so open the door". Liv... the trickster that she is, says "Oh Poppa, just use your key". Now Poppa is getting a bit frustrated and starts kicking and banging on the door to get my attention - but me, busy in the ladies room am assuming all is well out there with Poppa in charge. HA! So Liv finally opens the door - Poppa comes in a little wound but "relatively cool headed" wanted to tell me the story. We had a little chuckle. Later in the evening, Liv goes out to the garage chasing the puppy, and Al jumps up, runs and locks the door. She comes to the door banging and knocking and Al yells, "Liv... just use your key". Being the spunkly little 3 year old that she is, yells "Poppa, I don't have my key with me". Al plays this game for a bit and succumbs before panic sets in. He opens the door, Liv comes in, and she looks at Poppa and says, (a bit bewildered) "you were tricking me weren't you"? Moral to this story... she really knew he didn't have his key... little smarty pants WAS tricking Papa!