Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Trip to TX

Tomorrow we are headed to Texas for my sister's wedding.

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Isn't she beautiful? My other sister Tiffany took this gorgeous photo- and captured the classic face scrunch that is Elizabeth. We weren't planning on going to Texas until next Christmas but I guess we just couldn't stay away.


There are several things I hope to do while in Texas (aside from attend Elizabeth's wedding):

  • Shoot guns
  • Spotlight for deer
  • Night vision at my grandma's house
  • Fishing at Baffin Bay
  • Eat meat right off the grill
  • Indulge in Mexican food
  • Dinner with Meg
  • Breakfast with Avery
  • Lunch with Lloyd
  • Ride horses
  • Doctor animals
  • Kings Inn
  • Family, family, family
There's no place like home~


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Schools out~

I can't help feeling like I should have quit a long time ago! No sense of accomplishment. Maybe that comes after I walk?

Over the break I plan to get mucho organized and do yoga until my legs fall off.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Devotion to good~

"Yoga is the promise you make to yourself. You go to the Yoga mat because of all the things you have ever been, and the experiences that shape who you are and who you want to become. You come to the mat every day to keep your promise to yoga and, in keeping that promise, you infuse the future with hope." and then "Always, the universe will give you what you ask for. So seek the highest, in every moment. Sometimes change happens in leaps and bounds, but most of the time, it is a step-by-step process of cultivation and growth. Learning to maintain positive growth, to hold the change, to keep the promise is far, far harder than simply having good intentions." Christina Sell.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Is this called "Cheating"?







These modern beauties just found their way into my inspiration files.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

art from Deb~

I told my mom I'd take pictures of the artwork she got me for Christmas a looong time ago, I didn't.



Nevermind the Anthropologie bag on the table... (what? I had a bad day last week)... and try not to focus on the computer on my dining table.
soon it will have a new home on a desk right here. It should be coming in the next couple of weeks.

Just got this...

new furniture is fun.
still working it out.

but I love the crate- it's made from reclaimed pine and reclaimed hardwood.


This is my favorite part. Hubs found this cute bird's nest in our satellite dish on Thursday and had it waiting on my new cart when I got home from school. Perfect end to a horrible day...love him.

I. Love. Lamp.

I've made a habit of taking anything I don't want,


to Emilie Jane, a local consignment store. I've taken all kinds of things.

I've been looking for a lamp lately- I budgeted $300 to find THE ONE.

But I found this sweet little lamp at Emilie Jane.


and I got it for free, with my some of my store credit.



A new one of these and I think it will be perfect ~

New to the "Wish List"

Tyan, do you remember that sweet lady who ran the phone booth in Castigleon?

She was from Morocco.


And so are these.

With Love from Morocco~

How far we've come

You remember this...

No, it's not winter grass. This is May!

Hubs did such a great job with the lawn this summer- after putting in three new sprinkler lines, re-seeding the entire yard, $200 worth of weed killer and fertilizer and re-doing all the sprinklers in the flower beds, we have some really nice grass.

And I'm really grateful for all that spinkler work because it enabled me to have lots of fun planting pretty flowers.



And nothing can beat the view from our door step- loving Utah summers~

Be well.


Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Why Grow Corn?

It takes up a TON of space. Yields 50/50 at best...


It's this worth it!
Just about the cutest thing alive~

Saturday, August 21, 2010


You may remember
this post about native plants.

Where we identified Joe Pie Weed


as an appropriate native Utah plant for big hard to fill spaces.

Well, I noticed some- growing "natively" this week.
In the yard of this abandoned house I drive by every day.

And it's growing natively, alright. No help at all- I can't believe I didn't notice it sooner.

Because it's right next door to my house.


Blood, Sweat and Tears



What are you willing to do for this:



Or this?


Are you willing to do this?

Or this?










I'm not.















He is.










only to later find this:











uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggggggg!












Translation:
Everything in this picture = a waste of time.

Put the lime in the Coconut

and...
~Voila~


These cookies were divine. Absolutely heavenly. I made cookies for the ladies I visit teach last week. I always make chocolate chip cookies, and since I'm sick of them- they have to be too right?


I was torn between this Coconut Lime cookie and this Pumpkin Snickerdoodle cookie. I love pumpkin, and I love snickerdoodles- how could that be wrong? I was leaning towards the pumpkin cookie because I don't particularly enjoy the texture of coconut- I try to steer clear from it.


FORTUNATELY, Dan's Market was out of pumpkin so I was blessed to make this delicious treat. You must make these, today. Thank me later.

Coconut and Lime Sugar Cookies:
Adapted recipe by Lindsey Shumway
Original recipe by Two Peas and Their Pod
  • 2 cups of whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/4 cup of flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 t. Mexican Vanilla
  • Zest of one lime
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 cup of coconut
  • Bowl of white sugar for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat mat.

Combine the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Using a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy.

Slice the vanilla bean down the center lengthwise without going all the way through the underside. Take your knife and scrape out all of the seeds from inside the bean, place the seeds into the sugar mixture. Add the egg, lime juice, and lime zest to the mixture then beat until well combined. Gradually add the dry mixture and the coconut to the sugar mixture and mix until combined. Don't over mix.

Roll dough into small balls then place the balls into a bowl of white sugar (about 1/2 cup); roll the balls in the sugar then place on the lined baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool on a baking rack. Enjoy.

The changes I made: brown sugar instead of white, split white flour for 1/2 white 1/2 wheat, increased total amount of flour by 1/2 cup.

Will you love this? I think so.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Black Bottom Chocolate Pie





We had a fun group get together last night for a little dinner party and I had several requests for this pie recipe. Well, Doug did.

That little weasel told everyone, that he made it! It took me about 10 times of hearing people commenting to HIM before I asked, "Did you tell them that you made it?"

Sorry dude, you may have stirred and pressed start on the microwave- but you did not create this beauty.


Oh, I didn't tell you? No whisking in a sauce pan- this is all microwave.

Black Bottom Chocolate Pie

1 package fudge filled oreo cookies
½ C. Chopped Pecans
1 C. White sugar
1/4 C. Corn Starch
¼ t. Salt
3 C. Milk, divided
4 Egg yolks, beaten
4 oz bitter sweet chocolate chips
½ C. plus 1 T. Cocoa
2 T. Butter
1 ¼ t. Vanilla

Crush enough cookies in a food processor to create a crust at least a ¼ inch thick. Sprinkle with pecans and bake until pecans become fragrant, ten minutes or less. Combine: sugar, cocoa, corn starch, one cup of milk and salt in microwave safe bowl and microwave for one minute. Add an additional one cup of milk and microwave one minute at a time (stirring between minutes) until mixture is thick with a fudge consistency. Stir in chocolate chips. In a separate bowl beat together yolks and one cup of milk and temper into chocolate mixture. Do this by whisking three table spoons one at a time into the yolks mixture. Then pour the yolk mixture into the chocolate bowl. Microwave one minute at a time stirring well between each for three additional minutes. Add butter and vanilla and mix until homogenous. Pour into cooled pie crust, cover and chill over night. Top with whipped cream and your choice of chocolate syrup, shavings, pecans or caramel.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Our Birthdays

are coming up. It's that time of year again, when we both turn a year older and celebrate our anniversary within three weeks. You may have noticed my not so subtle wish list to the right- my sweet husband who loves when I open presents got me a three part facial series. Love him.

I scheduled the first appointment today. I love all things skin care, mostly because I have horrible skin~ I also got a subscription to Cuisine at Home magazine, the most fabulous present! It is loaded with recipes- delicious ones. I'm going to one out asap!

I eluded to other exciting things in my last post- and I'm happy to say that I'm teaching yoga. I am teaching a class on Tuesday mornings at 6:30 am and have set up to teach additional classes in the fall. yay!

I still have 100 hours left to complete my certification but teaching has really helped me implement many of the things I've learned over the last few months. So excited.

Husband opened a present last night too, he several pairs of shorts and a belt. Not nearly as exciting.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Feeling Optimistic

A dear friend and I are discussing a little yoga project. Details to come ~

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Summary of the Yoga Sutras

I wrote the following summary for an assignment related to my yoga immersion.


enjoy.


Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras outline the expectations of a yogi in relation to body, mind and spirit. The content then, by its nature, is weighted heavily in the mind of an aspiring yogi. My limited understanding is presented in the following synopsis.


Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Book 1


This chapter defines yoga and its purpose; a journey to transform the way we see ourselves and the world. A life engaged in faith, courage, contemplation, wisdom and remembrance is almost universally accepted as positive but the sutras do more than list attributes of a yogi. The Sutras provide methods and suggest awareness as a practice of thought to become more aware of our true nature and establish greater devotion to God. Respectful dispassion and master over desires of the mind are necessary for progression along this path.


The qualities of God are listed as, 1) a distinct form of consciousness untouched by suffering, actions, the results of actions, or subliminal desires, 2) limitless omniscience, 3) being unsubjected to time, and 4) being the teacher of even the earliest teachers (or in other words, the teacher within). The sacred syllable (Om) is used to represent respect and consideration for the divine qualities present and inspire one to look inward and find the true self. Naturally there are obstacles to this progression and the sutras suggest how to overcome those through recognizing them and stilling the mind to overcome distraction.


Tranquility and peace can come through controlling the mind, mediation and peace from our dealings with others. The sutras outline that our dealings with others should include a loving heart, compassion, goodwill and acceptance. Tranquility can also come from unattachment or indifference towards vice. I think this has been one of the most poignant topics for me during my first time through the sutras. Accepting things we cannot change is a common thread through self-help books but the idea of unattachment towards expectations and outcomes expanded upon the idea and has been applicable for me at this point in life.


Through this practice our mind can become pure and fully engaged in allowing our identity to shine through and become a main object of focus.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Book 2

The second chapter of the Yoga Sutras introduces the methods of yoga that reduce suffering and allow the mind to move from a state of distraction to one of attention.

The basic ritual actions (kriyas) of yoga are self study according to scriptures, disciplined ascetic practice, and surrender to a higher force. These methods increase clarity and reduce suffering.

Afflictions act in a cause and affect relationship to demonstrate the nature of existence. Patanjali defines five afflictions (kleshas) that cause suffering. The first ignorance allow for the other four: ego, clinging to life, desire and aversion. Meditation is suggested to reduce the affects of the kleshas and provide greater enlightment.

The remainder of the chapter discussed the five of the eight limbs (ashtanga) and how they can lead to a more complete life. The five limbs covered are the yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama and pratyhara. These limbs are very intricate and I don’t fully understand them all.

Asana helps us to create appropriate posture and replaces negative habits related to posture and breathing. Pranayama is the component of breath and through is we can drawn energy in and direct it through our body.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Book 3

The third chapter of the Yoga Sutras is primarily about practicing samyama, the “perfect discipline” in which the yogi directs the mind into dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (complete union) with a single object of focus. These are the final three limbs of Ashtanga (8-limbed) yoga, and they concentrate the energy of consciousness.

Samyama practice causes mental fluctuations and distractions to diminish, allowing subliminal imprints of tranquility to develop further light and knowledge. The broad applications of samyama can improve life and awareness at all states, stages and planes. The concentrated practice allows the yogi to transcend conventional constraints and acquire deep knowledge in the areas of focus that lead to freedom. As the yogi acquires knowledge inhibitory feelings such as attachment, price egotism and new cravings can impede further progression. The yogi must maintain samyama to reduce distraction and maximize benefits of life.

The yogi must become so well aquainted with his ming that he can distinguish from perceptions, ming and reality. Discrimination becomes key and a perception tool to benefit concentration and samyama.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Book 4

The path for a yogi seems endless, chapter 4 describes the goal of serene liberation unaffected by worldly turmoil. Our tendency is to feel separateness and even seek to find differences from ourselves and those we share the world with, negative energy arise from these feelings and cause violent thoughts to emerge.

When we understand ourselves, and the nature of negative thoughts we can remove these obstacles and cleanse our mind of them through meditation and the other 8 limbs of yoga so that our mind and attitude remains pure.

The sutras discuss the three gunas: rajas, tamas and sattva. These relate to the 3 A’s in Anusara yoga and stand to show that as perception changes and the mind is influenced by the gunas the spirit remains the same. Our goal should be, then, to develop the unchanging spirit; communicate with it to learn truth and never rely on perception. The mind is a tool to organize the spirit and can lead us to greater enlightenment. Distinguishing between the mind and spirit is a difficult task that requires practice, this is the practice of yoga. The yogi must humble himself and seek for the pulse of his own heart and follow with actions that are pure. This pattern will lead to supreme knowledge. Therefore, it is within our own practice that the ability to attain divinity exists.


seek to be happy, sweet friends.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Schools out


for the week. I look forward to a weekend of yoga and beauty. I have (very obviously) been thinking of nature and gardening. I found these plants that are native to Utah- maybe you'll see them pop up here more often...maybe?

This is Price Aster- I think it's a great plant. It had great reviews, and I think it would do really well to fill some of my spots.

This is the Sego Lily, Utah's state flower... it's pretty but I'm not quite sure what the foliage looks like. I couldn't find good pictures.



This is the Desert Purple Sage... I like it. It think this could fill corners or odd spots really nicely.


This is the mountain Hollyhock. I don't like the foliage, and it looks horrible when it dies, but it get's so big and pretty it's hard not to fall in love!

This is Pineapple Sage. I've heard it's great to cook with, and the flowers are beautiful. I also so countless comments about the sweet fragrance, even when not in bloom. I think I'll need a couple of these.
Savory...a vine? Not sure. Herb and hearty- I like that.

Rosa Rugosa, beautiful native rose bush... prettier than cousin ->

Rosa Glauca, native flowering bush in the rose family. Grows...large. Flowers all summer.

This one is called Penstemon Utahensis. The red flowers are cute, but it's not very leafy. I could be happy about this- under the right circumstances.

Witch Hazel! It's a shrub that can grow to look a lot like a tree. I think it would be a good backdrop maybe in the back corner?

Gaura Blaze- this is nice. I think it is also a great filler.

Fens Ruby, also a nice shrub- and relatively small, filler perhaps?

This one is the Purple Beautyberry, and I think it would be a lovely shrub to go in my beds. I've actually seen these a lot.

This one is Joe Pie Weed, and I've heard it's just that...a weed. I could use a few weeds that look like this though- it's so big and pretty.

I'm on a gardening obsession these days. Balance: renting vs. creating paradise = struggle!

Enjoy sweet friends~