My First Creme Brulee!

Yummy! I know this is not my food blog...but everyone has a recipe for creme brulee already! It is officially my favorite dessert, and I have never, ever made it before! The first time I had it I was on a date with my Mom and we went to Enzo's. (For those of you not from Billings, you are missing out!) It was for a birthday dinner, and they brought us a free creme brulee. After the first bite I swear...I FELL IN LOVE!! Ever since then I have LOVED this dessert. My wonderful mother bought me a kit for Christmas, and it has taken me this long to get around to it! ahh! (probably because I spend all of my time BLOGGING!) Anyway, it was so, so yummy! I did a brown sugar topping, per my husbands request, and it was to die for! Of course, I have some improvements to make next time, but all-in-all, my first time making this delicious dessert was a success!

Maya Angelou

My mom sent this to me today, and it just got me thinking. Thinking about things that wouldn't normally cross my mind. Thinking of the friends that I can laugh and cry with. Thinking of things that soothe my soul. It made me grateful for the wonderful people that I have in my life. The amazing examples that I get to be in contact with daily. The outstanding way that I was raised, the love that I felt daily. The things that I aspire yet to accomplish, and those before me whom I can look to for guidance. To the women in my life, you have all blessed me beyond compare.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. 
one old love she can imagine going back to...and one who reminds her how far she has come... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... 
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... 
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... 
a youth she's content to leave behind.... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... 
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... 
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... 
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... 
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her 
family... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... 
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored... 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... 
a feeling of control over her destiny... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
how to fall in love without losing herself.. 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
HOW TO QUIT A JOB, 
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER, 
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.. 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
whom she can trust, 
whom she can't,and why she shouldn't 
take it personally... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
where to go... 
be it to her best friend's kitchen table... 
or a charming inn in the woods... 
when her soul needs soothing... 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...a month...and a year... 

The #1 Weekend...

Okay, so we had an amazing weekend!

We went to Las Vegas and stayed at the Bellagio...sooo nice! The bathroom was humongo, the bed was a king size (more roomy than our queen!) and our room was cleaned 3 times daily! (Which, I have to admit, was actually annoying! They came at 8:30 am, not too cool, and they seemed to always come during my naps! But, overall, the hotel was great. We learned quickly that our favorite place to eat was "Jean Phillipe"...amazing, amazing, amazing. They had this Mango Gelato that couldn't have tasted more fresh!

They also made pastries, muffins, brioche, and crepes-any way that you like them! We ordered breakfast crepes, dinner crepes, and dessert crepes! This was the chocolate one...to die for! It had chocolate syrup, chocolate chunks that literally melted in your mouth (and believe me, I am not a fan of chocolate chunks of anything!), powdered sugar, whipped creme, bananas (which I added because I am addicted), and chocolate shavings...

It was so neat, the ladies made them right in front of us...it is mesmerizing to watch!

I also had a 'rose macaroon'...to die for! It was raspberry flavored with cream and fresh raspberries in the middle, it was great!

We also at ate a Steak house that we had to pay $44 for a 10-ounce steak...WHEW! Talk about pricey...but, that steak did taste dang good! Overall, our food experience was topped off by Jean Phillipe and the world's largest chocolate fountain. There was both milk chocolate and white chocolate in it, and it had to be 20 feet high, it was awesome.

The best part about the food was...Cody went down and got me breakfast, I didn't even have to go and get it myself! He spoiled me so much, he treated me amazing, I LOVE him! I honestly felt so spoiled, and I loved it!

We went to Phantom of the Opera, it was SPECTACULAR! I cannot even explain how wonderful it was. Each of the actors was exactly on cue, the music was outstanding. I think that I had chills the entire show. We were in the 8th row...yes...the eighth row! We were so close...I can't even tell you what my favorite part was. Everything was so real...it was beautiful.

We also went to STOMP! It was hilarious! We had so much fun trying to replicate what they were doing on the stage. They truly are talented at pounding on things!!! Hehe! They used brooms, basketballs, boxes, rubber pipes, keys, newspapers, bananas...everything that you can think of! We were so entertained the entire time, I HIGHLY recommend it!

And, of course, we walked....and Walked...and WALKED...!! It is crazy how tired you get of walking around in Vegas! The first day we were go...go...go...the second day we relaxed a little more! Cody found an awesome Tiger Woods belt, and I got some Privo shoes that I LOVE! We definitely had our share of fun.

Thank you, honey, for a much-needed weekend of pampering.

American Idol

For all of you American Idol addicts like us....

Yes, 17 year old David Archuleta is LDS! They say that he will do for Mormons in Pop Culture what Mitt Romney has done for Mormons in Politics! (Okay, so that is a little steep...) But, I thought it was neat when I heard this and wanted to share it with you all!

LOVE

I LOVE it when it snows.

Something about it makes me feel peaceful...

Something about it makes me feel pure…

Someday I would love to have a picture like this, FRAMED, in my living room of my house.

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?

I also love…

Having someone to run with

Sweets

Our pillow top bed

The Temple

Nieces and nephews and their "firsts" (counting to ten, talking, crawling)

Sisters

My juicy couture pants

Green

Laughing so hard my abs burn

Being tickled to death by my husband, even though I scream bloody murder while he is doing it.

Amaretto flavoring...in anything at all

Blogging

Reading with Cody next to me playing video games

Family to love us, care for us, and give us advice

The movie 'The Notebook'

Praying to our Heavenly Father

Hearing Cody whistle at the most random times

Pictures

Cooking

That one day every once in while when I can cry for no reason at all

People who are uplifting

Music-it truly is therapy sometimes

Quotes...they build me up

Feeling sore after a killer workout

My 'Book of Mormon for families'

Friends who I haven't seen in forever that I can call and it seems like we talked yesterday

Doing my client's hair

My husband's obsessions

Those Saturdays when the only things to do on my list is nothing

A prophet to guide us

Oil of Olay soap

How it feels outside right after it rains

Taking baths

The more I realize how many things I have to LOVE in this life, the more I realize how much I take for granted...don't we all?

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

That's RIGHT!  I got a big old surprise today.... Cody is taking me to LAS VEGAS!!!! I am so dang excited!  We are going to stay in the Belagio, go to Phantom of the Opera, STOMP, and eat tons of food. (And, SHOPPING, of course!)  

I can't wait...we are going to leave on Saturday morning and come back on Monday.  That gives us a nice break from the Laundry Mat! (Thanks Ash for taking care of it for us!)

I love that man so much.  I have needed a break for a long time, and he knew just when to give it to me.

As my mom said, "O...you can fall in love all over again!"  ( I quickly informed her that it has only been EIGHT months!!! hehe)

Anyway, be watching for next weeks post with some amazing details!

I LOVE BOB!!!

YES...BOB HIMSELF IS POINTING AT YOU!  GET OFF YOUR BUTT!

Okay, so finish reading my post, THEN get off your butt!  This is the new light of my life...I love BOB!  Yes, I LOVE BOB! No worries, hunny, you are still my number one...especially when you are encouraging me to keep on working out!

It has officially been one week since the beginning of the workout plan, and I HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL!  I am so excited, and loving every minute of working out.  Katie and I have ran 3 times together, and Bob and I have worked out 2 times!  This is the best DVD.  I was honestly sweating and breathing so hard when I was done!  Not to mention the day after...whew!  MY LEGS HAVE NEVER BURNED SO MUCH!  But I love that feeling, it makes you feel like you have actually been doing something, ya know?  I have only done the first week's workout on the DVD, which is the simplest...I don't even know what the second and third will be like, but I can't wait!  

Okay, now the part where you GET OFF YOUR BUTT!!!!!  Go and buy this DVD, it is only $10 and it will change your life!  It is so fun, but it is stinking hard at the same time.  TEN DOLLARS people!  If you can't afford that, let me know, I want you to spend time with Bob each morning like I do!!!