Les Mis & Treasure Hunting Trip!

Eric and I took an overnight road trip to Cedar City this week to see my most favorite musical, Les Miserables!
 

I'm a history junkie, so we stopped in Fillmore at Utah's first capital building.  I didn't even know the state capital was in Fillmore before it was in Salt Lake!

We also stopped in Beaver at the cheese factory and got ice cream cones!

Before the play we went out for fabulous sushi at a little restaurant called, Ninja.  I wasn't expecting much since it's in a small town, but the sushi was so delicious!

I love, love, love sushi!

The play was phenomenal!  They did just a good job of it at the Shakespearean Festival!  It was Eric's first time seeing Les Mis and even though he CLAIMS to hate all musicals he LOVED it and even cried three times...

The next day we had yummy diner food and treasure hunted at thrift stores all the way home... We spent hours checking out random small stores and buying up things.  Even though it was a quick trip, it was a blast!  Eric is so fun to travel with!

Since I've been home I've already listed like 70 items in my etsy shop and I'll be listing another 50 or so in the next couple of days!  Feel free to check it out!  I love vintage treasures!

Delightful Steak Dinner and Redneck Week!

I love setting a pretty table!  Eric and I have had the opportunity to have a few "just us" dinners so far this summer while our kids are spending time with their other parents.  Eric has now had the chance to eat on china... for the first time ever!  Crazy, huh?  The first time he ate on china we used my great-grandma's dishes... it was perfect for his first time.  Now he's getting used to a "fancy" table *grin*

Mason jars, old fashioned stripey straws and sparkling lemonade are a perfect match for a summer meal!

Delicious chocolate covered strawberries not only work as a great summer dessert, they look beautiful on the table!

I love strawberry season when I can get a 2 lb container for a little over $1!

Mmmm.... Steak is fabulous when marinated for a full day and grilled over charcoal!

 Homemade spinach dip using fresh spinach and served on french bread is one of my faves!
 
Spinach Dip

10 oz fresh spinach
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mayo
1 c. shredded Italian cheese
6.5 oz jar artichoke hearts, drained (if desired)
4 oz can diced green chilis (if desired)


Cook spinach in a covered saucepan with a small amount of water until done. Drain well. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan or microwavable bowl and cooking until hot and cheeses are melted. Serve on french bread (my fave), bagels or with tortilla chips.

 Chunk hashbrowns make a super easy microwaveable side dish!

Cheesy Potatoes

4 cups frozen chunk hashbrowns
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup milk
paprika
shredded cheese

Mix all ingredients together and microwave on high until hot and bubbly and potatoes are done.

 Dang!  I'm drooling just uploading these pics!  I love me some grilled meat in the summer!

We had a really fun redneck week a couple of weeks ago... we went to car races on Memorial Day, a country concert one day and a demolition derby another!  Every now and then my redneck roots show!

At the races!

Charley Jenkins!

Chris Cagle!

Having fun at the concert!  I love concerts!

Rockin' my Camero shirt for the demolition derby!

Nina had to babysit, but the rest of the kids went to the demo derby with us!

Caleb and Caleb

If you've never been to a demolition derby, you're missing out!  You can't go wrong with cars crashing into each other!

It was a really fun week!

Now for a not-so-fun little end note...  

We've had to postpone the wedding.  It's still on and there aren't any problems between Eric and I, but we've had to postpone for other reasons.  I'm really sad and frustrated, but it's out of my control.  I'll keep you posted on what's going on.  I've also deleted my facebook for a while.  I'm going through a lot and need a little peace and quiet.  Last time I deleted my facebook I had a hard time wanting to activate it again... I like quiet!

Eric and I could really use some prayers right now... (((hugs)))

Somebody's Getting Married...

I said yes!

It's me! It's me!  My weekend was pretty eventful!  I had a hot birthday date (Cafe Rio & shopping at Rue 21), a birthday party with lots of family (Happy 33rd Birthday to Me!) AND I got engaged to the most incredible man I've ever met!

2012 has been filled with some pretty crazy ups and downs, but all in all it's been amazing!  The rest of the year is going to be harder and better at the same time!  I can't wait!

birthday date!

 All seven kids are excited for the upcoming wedding!  I found out Nina and her best friend had already been planning out the reception!  My kids' friends love Eric as much as we do...  I've had comments coming in from all over the place that I should marry Eric from the first day we met.  It's happening!

We've set the date for Saturday, June 30th in Provo, Utah.  It's coming up quickly!  My kids leave for the month of July and August always gets crazy with back to school stuff, so June it is!

We really want this to be a big old fashioned event for everyone to enjoy, so please let me know if you'd like to be invited!  We'd love to have you be a part of it!

being silly at the party!

I have so much planning to do!  Dress, cake, decorations, music, food, getting my house ready for five more people to move in, etc, etc... YIKES! 

I'm going to have to get REALLY organized!  Menus, budgets, calendars and filing systems are all going to become a part of my life very quickly!  But right now I get to happy dance!  ERIC & I ARE GETTING MARRIED!  Did I mention that we're in love? *wink*

Eric, a cookie and me :)