Mother's Day Gift Idea

Cute, cute, cute! I've always had a thing for miniatures and when I saw this on Martha's blog, I fell hard. A tiny little drawing in a necklace, with such vivid, pretty colors! Ahhhhh

Hanbok

I love hanboks (Korean dresses) and I love that my BFF Stacey H. would send a link with pictures of wedding hanboks to me! I love my BFF's most of all.

These, of course, are not your traditional hanboks, but more modern versions for today's Korean girl. The ones without jackets are not super modest, but you can get the little jackets to go with them. So so so beautiful, no?!

I remember when I was little at my grandfather's 60th birthday, we all wore our traditional clothing, even my very American dad. My mom had to have his specially made because he was so much bigger than any of the other people. He looked really funny and my parents still have the formal photos displayed in their living room today. He's a full head taller than everyone else and about 3 shades peacher... It's like, "One of these kids is not like the others....". Hilarious.

Yuck.

I'm sick, like flu, sore throat, swollen eyeballs, fever, boogery, achy kind of sick. Why am I blogging?, I don't know. Delirious I guess. Yuck. I hurt all over.

I don't like this at all!

I wish I had some Pink Pills for Pale People because I won't accept a substitute.

I'm going to bed now feeling very sorry for myself.

Easter Crafts

I just saw this on Lori's "Be Different Act Normal" blog, and am going to try to make them for J and my April visiting teaching treats. They're very cute!

Here's the original blog with a tutorial: www.emilyburnette.blogspot.com

(This photo is taken from her blog as well)

Why I Love my Vitamix

Is it just me, or does it seem to take longer and longer to spring back into shape? I used to be able to exercise for a couple days, eat healthy and BAM, just like that... I was my old self. Now I just feel old. I'd like to blame it on my potassium levels (this is my new obsession), but no, deep down I know it's also the lack of activity and extremely poor diet (resulting in low potassium levels) I've subjected my body to over the past four months. Why do I do this every year?!!!

So anyway, I am now trying to get back on track, eating more fresh veggies and fruits. Does this get old?, YES IT DOES. It's only been a week and I cannot stuff another pepper, apple, banana (high in potassium) down my throat or eat anymore nuts (also high in potassium). This is why I LOVE MY VITAMIX.

Vitamixers make life better. I'm not exaggerating! I can throw a tomato, carrot, grapes, bananas, yogurt, spinach and strawberries into the thing and within seconds I get a super healthy, no preservative breakfast that is delicious. Zero white sugar and zero table salt. You can also chop vegetables, heat soup, make ice cream, etc in it, and there are no blades to clean... it is self cleaning!, well, sort of.

Here are two of my favorite recipes:

Shrek ice cream:

1 C of ice

1 banana

1 handful of spinach

1/4 lime (rind on)

1/4 - 1/2 container of white grape juice concentrate (I use frozen grapes instead)

sprig of mint

- Whip all of the ingredients together and your kids will love the bright green color. It tastes like lime sorbet!

Orange smoothie:

1 C of ice

1 orange (peeled and quartered)

1 tsp orange peel

1/2 C orange juice

2 big spoonfuls of Greek yogurt

splash of vanilla

1 banana

honey or again frozen grapes to add a little sweet

-Whip it all together and it is a fantastic breakfast or lunch. Very refreshing!!!

You can add other things too like protein powders or flax seed. I tried adding coconut once, but that wasn't good. Trust me.

www.vitamix.com

Catching Up

-I haven't bought a camera yet, but I've pretty much decided on the Canon s95. Later, I'd love to get a Rebel, but for now, this will be great. Plus it's got that miniature video feature.

-I've been sewing a lot lately, but mostly altering other people's stuff. I bought some fabric the other day and hope it turns into a beautiful pencil skirt, magically, by itself. Alterations are so much easier!

-I think these photopots are really cute. A fun gift for a more eclectic relative or friend.

-Scott and I saw two good movies recently... "It's Kind of a Funny Story" and "Hereafter".

-I get uncomfortable when people say "Shut the front door!" instead of "Shut the .... you know, you know". Not that I'd rather hear the other, because it's lame to say either one, but I'm expecting a super offensive expletive to come out of the person's mouth (vs. the semi-offensive kind?) and then I'm confused for a second. And then I don't know how to react because the person seems so smug and proud of themselves. Awkward.

-All of my outdoor plants came back and look good.

-I went to prom, well not really, but I helped drive to prom and even got to take care of a wardrobe malfunction. I like feeling useful.

-I'm about to order curtains for our master bedroom. It's been 4 years, so it's time. I'm sure my neighbors are sick of the ugly paper treatments.

-We've switched from Direct TV to Dish and things are so much better! Love the DVR feature and Korean TV. I still have to read the subtitles though.

-We also switched to an Apple computer and are happy with this as well!

-We went to the aquarium in Chattanooga over Spring Break and then drove down to IKEA!!! I wasn't able to pick up much though, because of the space issue with all the kids. So, I'm itching to go back down with some friends. Which leads me to...

-My schedule is driving me crazy. I'm tired of running, but there is no relief in sight. Trying to schedule an IKEA trip is insane or any other trip/activity. Frustrating.

-I'm a butterfly magnet. I don't know why, but if you do, and it's because of something gross like they're attracted to things that have a weird smell, please don't tell me.

-I really like the Ross Dress for Less stores. I found 2 dresses there last week for under 20 dollars. Bonus: They both fit.

-I voted last week too, and can't understand anyone not taking the opportunity to vote as well!!! Seriously, I try not to be judgmental on this blog, but c'mon, it takes like 10 minutes.

That's about it. I'm sure there is even more boring stuff that I could share, but I've got to get stuff done now.

Bulls On Parade

I love a teacher who is filled with so much enthusiasm for their craft, that their students can't help but love it too. These kids are rocking it out and talk about no fear!!! This is so good. I love that girl in the red.

So Happy Together!

We're new members of the Subaru family and it makes me smile, really hard. Think psycho eyes and lots of teeth.

Thankful Thursday

A Few Reasons I LOVE Having Kids

1. Teenagers keep your music current. My oldest makes me the BEST Cd's and keeps me from becoming an old fart.

2. When I was in High School there were a couple of years I tried to be athletic. TRIED.... not so much successful. Now that I have athletic kids, I enjoy so many different kinds of sports and even understand them a little better. That's pretty cool.

3. They keep my reflexes sharp.

4. Scripture study can be difficult some nights with kids, but then after years and years of trying, one day they beg you to keep reading because THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. Where did those plates come from and all of those bones?!!!!!

5. They tell you when you're getting out of shape. Yes, this is a good thing.

6. You can't be a hypocrite. Well, I guess you can, but you'll get called out as a horrible example.

7. They ask great questions and if you're like me, you go straight to Google. I've learned a lot.

8. Theme dinners. IRISH TONIGHT of course! I'll tell you all how that goes later.

9. They can reach really high when they are teenagers. It's very helpful.

10. While moms' kisses can heal serious booboo's, kids hugs can heal broken hearts and remind a tired mom just how important what she does is. So so SO IMPORTANT.... and hard.

Comfort Food

This recipe is called, "To Die For Blueberry Muffins" and the folks at allrecipes.com weren't lying. I tried it and I love it.

1. Preheat oven to 400 and line muffin pan.

2. Combine 1 1/2 C flour, 1/2 C sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder.

3. Mix in measuring cup, 1/3 C vegetable oil, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla and enough milk to equal 1 cup.

4. Add wet mixture to dry and fold in 1 C of blueberries.

5. Fill 12 muffin cups with the mixture evenly. Then top with THIS:

1. Mix 1/2 C white sugar, 1/3 C flour and 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Cut in 1/4 C of butter cubed.

Bake for 20 -25 minutes and enjoy!

Infinite Power of Hope

The news coming from Japan is so sad. I cannot even imagine what those families are going through right now and my prayers are with them. I'm going to hug my family a little more today and tell them how much I love and appreciate them. Sometimes all a person can do in the face of tragedy so far away is count their blessings and be grateful for each day we have to make the world a little better!

Thai Chicken in Red Curry

I love Thai food, not as much as Korean food but close. So tonight I threw together some Thai chicken in red curry and it was DELICIOUS! Completely unauthentic, but delicious and easy:

*Heat 2 TBSP cooking oil in a large pot and add:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin and lightly salted

*Cook until the outside of the chicken starts to turn white. Then throw in:

3-4 small potatoes, chopped

*Stir that up until it's nice and hot and add:

2 TBSP or so of Thai red curry paste

*Stir and cook for about 5 minutes, then throw in the:

1 red bell pepper sliced

1/2 green pepper sliced

1 large onion sliced

1 zucchini chopped

1 container of small white mushrooms

*Cook until the color of the veggies get nice and bright. Stir in:

1 can of coconut milk + 1/2 can of water

a couple drops of fish sauce

2 spoonfuls of brown sugar

*Cook on medium heat with the lid on until the potatoes are just done, under 10 minutes and salt to taste. Serve over rice (never use Minute Rice, use a good, authentic, sticky Asian rice) and top with a little cilantro and/or basil and garnish with a lime. It's good, try it!

Canon PowerShot S95 Miniature Effect (Intersection)

So I'm still obsessing over cameras. I know it's a little crazy, but cameras cost a lot of money and I want to make sure I get the just right, perfect one. It's difficult to navigate through all of the various capabilities and gimmicky stuff the companies advertise as must have. I try to see through that stuff and not be a sucker, BUT here is one effect I think I might not be able to live without. It's the "miniature effect" or "time lapse effect". Incredible!!! It makes everything look like a toy and leaves me wanting more. I wish my eyes could see like this all the time.

You got me Canon, you really got me.

March is Looking Good!

Aaaah, February is OVAH and March is so here to stay! Well, at least for 20 something more days. I can't lie, February is my least favorite month of the year. Cold+Dark+a mediocre holiday= a Debbie Downer.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting back outside. There is only so much inside the house a person can take, and my garden beds are looking mighty shabby! St Patrick's Day is way better than Valentine's Day too. I happen to love cabbage, so that helps as well.

The World's Most Typical Person

I saw this earlier and thought, "Huh, go Han Chinese". Asians are typical, very interesting.

Calling All Photographers

One of the best things about blogging is being able to pick the brains of my very creative friends en masse!

We are trying to pick out a new camera for everyday use because our normal camera and video camera are both breaking. Unfortunately, I have no idea what I'm looking for and had no idea how many different kinds of cameras there are. There are TONS by the way! I only know a pretty picture and that's what we want.

So I started emailing people individually and then realized how dumb that was when I could just ask right here. WHAT DO YOU THINK? I want a camera that can take good pictures and records videos all in one. Is there an advantage to the slr's if you're not going to change out the lenses?

Canon Rebel vs. Nikon vs. Sony point and shoot vs. whatever??????

I know, this is a really hard problem to have, right? Please help me.

Goodbye February

Because you were so cold and gross, we had no choice but to stay inside and

make lots of treats,

enjoy fantastic Valentines from sweethearts and friends like this one from Grace's bff "E".... candy ipod with Reese's ear buds (brilliant),

sew a baby quilt,

give and receive cute haircuts,

and spend TONS of time together!!! We'll miss you, but we're ready for Spring now.

(And after all those sweets, stay tuned for "Goodbye Muffintop", coming soon!)

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for this message because I've been struggling lately and needed to hear it. As a mother I'm thankful for the eternal principle of losing ourselves in unselfish service to others. Sometimes I forget and my priorities get messed up and sometimes it's just really hard to be a mom... but I know it's the most important work for me on this earth and I will keep trying!!!

Removable Wallpaper is the Best Idea EVER!!!

I saw this tonight and had to share! Jordan Ferney of "Oh Happy Day (parties and pretty things)" blog put her removable wallpaper to the test and it was indeed removable. Not only that, she has a friend who wants to reuse the pieces in her house. Brilliant!

http://jordanferney.blogspot.com

So So SO Awsomely Bad

For some reason I've had this annoying song in my head all day, so when I got home I thought it'd be funny to look it up on YouTube with the kids. What we saw took our breath away... between the tribal makeup, shirtless guys wearing bow ties and dookie pants, I'm stunned. I wonder what it was like on the set of this type of production. How many people busted out laughing mid, "Ohwayohway"?

I didn't think there was anything worse than Jefferson Starship's "We Built This City", or Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart", "The Safety Dance" or Wilson Phillips in general but I was wrong. Who knew?