Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Don't Hate Me
How Great Photos are Made

Sunday, November 1, 2009
Once Upon a Halloween
Friday, October 23, 2009
Autumn Leaves
What Mommy Says...
HIT: "Sweetheart, you wanna go home and plant some bulbs? Ok, let's go plant bulbs." (awww)
MISS: "Sweetheart, I tell you twenty times... stay. by. me." (after a frustrating trip to Target)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
WINNER!
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
6
Timestamp: 2009-10-22 04:31:16 UTC
CONGRATULATIONS to lucky #6, JenSwen! Yippee to my cute friend who lives just up the street (so I save on postage... I ask: who's the real winner here?!), who said:
"I know I read that book when I was a kid but I can't remember what it was about. My favorite memory is when you got me addicted to Spoon Me when we were both in our first trimesters of pregnancy. It tasted so great at the time but I can't eat it anymore because it reminds me of pregnancy nausea!"
THANK YOU to all 16 of you (don't the rest of you wish you commented?!) who entered my silly little giveaway. I thought by asking for memories, I was setting myself up for really random embarrassment. Instead, your messages were actually very touching. Funny thing is, I think without realizing it I really needed each one of your sweet messages.
And so, in short and unworthy response:
JONI: I was so thrilled to introduce you to the world of luxurious relaxation!
LAURA: I can shut my eyes and still imagine you doubled over whimpering as our prisoner escaped. You are my childhood.
LANEY: That night definitely sticks out to me. Seems so long ago! Michael loved the reminder of his "chick" comment. We're so happy you've found your way to UT.
TAMMY: Oh my gosh, why were you even friends with me at all?!
KELLY: I know who not to tell my secrets to... (just kidding). Thank you for inspiring me.
JEN: Thanks for going to Spoon Me with me, even though I'm old. That smell, that taste, also reminds me of early pregnancy!
KING LADY: Let's be dear friends. If you are in any way connected to Annie, I admire you. And my husband doesn't do Olive Garden, either.
JANIE: A Mormon Mom acting more drunk than the guys at the hotel bar... that's a winner of a memory.
MEGAN: Go and make me cry, why don't you?! You, my sweet little girl, have a special piece of my heart. A big ol' chunk, actually. Sometime soon, we need to dress you and Sophie in matching overalls and take your picture by the bell tower.
GINA: Ri can have my juice any time. Thanks for letting us take naked pictures of you (for other readers... it really wasn't like that). Lucky to have you. Loves.
MARIANNE: How come you're good at, like, everything? And you do it with such flair, such style. I want your skills.
ANDREW: First, the opposite sex flirting with me? Um, you're ridiculous. And second, you're absolutely right... nobody stood a chance next to my all-star. So glad we could share that time of our lives together, and have continued to make memories with our families, from girls weekend to Sophie's first date!
KATIE: You know those friends that are just meant to be somehow? You're mine. And I love you. Hope you don't mind.
JENNY: Why don't we do more sporadic hangouts? That day felt so good! You've been just what I needed to adjust to a new life in Utah. Thank you for your friendship, and celeb tidbits.
LAURA AGAIN: I don't remember your relatives, but honestly... I will NEVER forget "I Saw the Sign!"
Love,
AL
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Giveaway: Happy 100 to Me!
100 is my favorite number. Oh, wait... besides 7, which I consider lucky. And 14, my junior high soccer number. But today we're talking about 100.Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Spooks at Gardner Village
Friday, October 9, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Favorites: Food
- Mini Babybell cheese singles: they have the full-fat kind in bulk at Costco. If I'm at the grocery, I buy the light variety. Easy to grab and go, just don't leave the little wax wrapper in your car in the summer...
- Carr Whole Wheat Crackers with Brie cheese: I know, more cheese. My friend turned me on to this and I CAN'T GET ENOUGH. These Carr whole wheat crackers come in a small box; search the cracker aisle. These wheat crackers, of all things, feel like a luxurious treat. Trust me, they're so yummy yummy.
- Dried Apricots: I get the big bag at Costco. That particular brand (Mariani, I think) is the softest I've had.
- Trader Joe's Tempting Trail Mix: for those lucky enough to have a TJ's close (I hate you). It has a dark angel on the label... what does that mean? A supersweet mix of several nut varieties, dark chocolate or carob chips, dried cranberries (or are they cherries), and peanut butter chips. I think I'm going to make this mix as my Christmas neighbor gifts this year.
- Pineapple: I know the chopped up stuff at the grocery comes with a premium price tag. At the rate I eat pineapple (I often get sores in my mouth), I finally bucked up and bought one of those special pineapple cutter thingies at Williams Sonoma.
- Berries!
- Oven Roasted Asparagus: Ok, do this and you'll be hooked. Snap the little icky hard part of the stems off your asparagus, throw the yummy remainder in a baking dish, drizzle a little EVOO, sprinkle some kosher salt, then roast in the oven at about 425 for approximately 10-15 minutes. Holy mama, good stuff.
- Old-fashioned Oatmeal with Chocolate Chips: When we were kids, my exasperated mom convinced us to eat our hot oatmeal by topping it with chocolate chips. I bet she had no idea that at (ahem) 30, I'd eat my oatmeal every morning with semi-sweet chocolate chips on top.
- Creamies! I think these frozen treasures, lower fat ice cream bars on a stick, are only available in this region. You'd think chocolate would be my favorite, but our household favors banana. Orange is truly like a creamsicle. There are lots of other flavors, too. Perfect hammock treat.
- Teryaki Salmon: I soak my fillets in a pretty equal mix of Worchestire Sauce and low sodium Soy Sauce for just a few minutes, then grill or pan fry until flaky.
- Tilapia Goes Nutty: I put tilapia on a cookie sheet, lightly brush with butter, sprinkle with Tony Cachere's Cajun spice mix, and cover with extremely finely (almost dusty) chopped nuts (my fave for this recipe: pistachios). I bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Viola.
- Shrimp with Bay Seasoning: My mother-in-law turned me on to Bay Seasoning. Add vinegar and Bay Seasoning when you boil shrimp (note: get the de-veined shrimp if you know what's good for you. I'm not your mom, so I'm not going to explain what that means).
- Ginseng Peppermint Tea Latte from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf: The Mormon Newsgirl's Coffee Substitute. This creamy, sweet herbal tea is only available through the franchise based in California and Nevada. On a previous visit, we bought the dry stuff, so now I can make it at home. In the cooler seasons, I drink this at night while I watch fall TV. Cozy.
- Real Limeade is fun in the summer, particularly blended and mixed with sugar and strawberries.
- Williams Sonoma Shaved Hot Chocolate. Darn my sister-in-law for gifting this to me one Christmas! I'm hooked, and it is only available during the holidays! Imagine melting the richest, darkest chocolate shavings into warm milk. Intense. Go for the mint, and plan on diluting a little... unless you want a hot chocolate heart attack.
Friday, October 2, 2009
"The Great Hamster Race '09" or "The Things We Do"
These...
I couldn't take any photos during the actual melee. I was runnin' and gunnin'. You see, they opened the doors promptly at 10, and the first of us in line started in orderly. All of a sudden, desperate lame-os in the back of line sent their KIDS running past all of us! So of course, with the ante raised, we all started hoofing it. Michael grabbed as many as he could, but one was snatched right out of his hands by some lady. Grrr. His dad and I didn't get any at all. Even carrying my baby, I was getting pushed around. Insanity.

With our crew, we could have snagged four each for a total of 20. We ended up with seven (thanks for your donation to our cause, poor Grandpa Guy). But with only two toddlers between us, why on earth would we need so many hamsters? KSL, I say. They're going for three times their value online at the moment, and it is only October. I wonder if I'm savvy enough.
See you next Friday morning...
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Just Our Week
I LET OUR CAMERA BATTERY DIE. Yeah, so you're going to get lots of non-picture events, and a couple of fuzzy iPhone photos.
I'M A PIG. I personally ate 3/4 of the aforementioned apple pie.
PLAYLAND ISN'T ALL FUN AND GAMES. Don't even ask me how we ended up at the McDonald's Playland a few days ago. But there we were, watching Sophie eat her chicken nugget kids meal. Post-Happy Meal, the Kiddo ditched her Converse and started climbing through the maze of tubes, waving from the bubble windows on her way up to the top of the slide. Then, at the most unreachable spot, she f.r.e.a.k.e.d! Our friend happened to be there, and sent her kid in for Sophie Recon, but he failed. She was screaming so painfully, it was down to Mission: Parent Rescue. I offered, but Michael was wearing less new clothing, so he squished and wiggled through the twists and turns to save his princess. When little kids met up with him, they slithered through his arms and legs! It was a hilarious show for all of the lunch-hour parents seated below.
I don't know if you can tell from this photo, but that is Michael's body in the windows. He's coaxing Sophie.
Finally near the end!
They made it! Soph acted like there was never a problem to begin with. Michael actually came out all smiles, and I saw a small glimpse of Kid Michael. I honestly think he had fun crawling around in there!









