christmas already?

I know it's not even November yet, but working at Tai Pan makes you think about Christmas. All of their Christmas stuff is out, and it's getting me in the mood. Morgan and I have been married for 5 years now, and we have NEVER had our very own Christmas tree. We have always been away from home for Christmas, and have therefore never justified getting one. However, now that we have crazy Gwen, and considering the fact that she's almost 2, is has gotten us to thinking. We need a Christmas tree this year. Gwen, I'm sure, would love it (love knocking it down and breaking the decorations). So with the Tai Pan discount, we are planning a purchase. We are going to buy a tree. Yes it's fake, and for all of you real Christmas tree types, I'm actually one of you, but my mom said that last year they paid $75 dollars for a real live tree. What? So, even though I'm a believer of having a real Christmas tree, I'm also what you could call CHEAP (that's the nice word for it...tight ass might be more appropriate). So, we're going for the fake artificial one. It will be way worth it. Pre-lit, and with the discount...it's too hard to pass up. We have already bought a bunch of ornaments (just the balls - all different sizes) and are working on the details. I just can't resist. So to all of you "Merry Christmas!" Tis the Season!

blank

So Gwen has recently discovered the joys of having her very own silky soft blanket. We've had this blanket since she was born, but she has just now decided to take a liking to it. She drags it around and asks for it constantly (so it's a good thing I have come to know the difference between "bink" and "blank" in Gwen language). Gwen is currently screaming because we are at my moms and forgot the blanket. I've tried to trick her, bribe her, hold her, etc. She just gets more and more furious with each attempt at distracting her. As I write, she is throwing her sippy cup around the room and screaming. What fun. I've just sent Morg home to fetch the blank. Good thing we only life a few minutes away.

heart felt

Heart Felt Designs

So these are my newest creations. I started making these for Gwen a couple of months ago, and people keep asking me where I get them, so I've decided to try to sell them. I'm in the process of getting a little card set up so I can take them to a couple of baby stores/boutiques. The problem is that I don't know how much to charge. They are totally hand sewn (mainly because I don't know how to use a sewing machine) and are made of felt. What do you guys think?
This is what I'm thinking for the card they would be on. I don't really know if this will happen or not, but thought I'd give it a shot. If you guys have any connections, or know of any neighborhood boutiques that I could participate in please let me know. Thanks for listening.

a recipe just for mandy

This is a recipe I discovered a few years back. It's super easy and Morgan loves it, which is surprising considering he doesn't like anything. Try it out. Mandy...happy cooking. I love you (more that Edward loves you even)

Martha Stewart's Asian Pork Chops

5 T. soy sauce

2 T. Hoisin sauce (found close to soy sauce in grocery stores)

2 cloves garlic (Morg doesn't love garlic so I put in less)

1 T. honey

1 T. sugar

Mix together and marinate pork chops (or chicken...and you don't really even need to marinate if you don't have time.) Place pork chops on cookie sheet. Broil for 4 min. rotating once. Flip and cook an additional 4 to 7 minutes. (spoon sauce over when flipped)

Cooking time depends upon thickness of pork chop. Just keep testing it. This is also really good on the BBQ grill. I serve it with rice (and save some sauce for the rice).

tag.....I'm it

I don't know about all of this tagging business, but because Sharon tagged me and told me to do it even if I thought it was stupid, I'm going to do it just for her. Here goes.

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1.Graduating from high school (Cottonwood) My reunion was this summer....not so fun.
2.Thinking I was fat (wish I could go back to that weight)
3.Painting a lot (wish I still did it. I need some motivation...and something to paint. Sharon-have you found a picture for me to paint yet?)
4.Joining a sorority (drinking games...now those were fun! Or not. It was an LDS sorority)
5.Realizing that dating and kissing weren't so scary after all.

5 things on my "to do" list for today:
1. Clean (not fun)
2. Attempt making Gwen's Halloween costume (I'll get my mom to do that)
3. Get Gwen to take a nap so I can read New Moon
4. Watch Americas Next Top Model (I'm obsessed)
5. Pack for our trip to Sun Valley (35 degrees = not so SUN Valley)

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. brownies (the kind from the box)
2. my moms carrot cake
3. diet Dr. Pepper or Fanta
4. slurpees
5. candy from Spain....can't find it here in Utah. Oh I am so depressed!

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire: (I'm totally a budget freak, meaning I'm super cheap. I think I still would be pretty conservative on certain things.)
1. Buy a house (not too big...just big enough)
2. Go back to Spain (or travel in general. I would love to go to South America, back to Roatan, Hawaii, Galilee, Italy, Greece etc.)
3. Hire a trainer to kick my fat butt into shape (and a chef to cook me delicious food) Can I include get a makeover (by Oprah)?
4. Get a nanny (not full time, but for times I wanted to go shopping, or travel, or workout, or be alone.)
5. Invest
6. Buy Morgan a car so he wouldn't have to drive the '97 Honda Accord with no air conditioning. I'd buy him his dream car....a Ford Focus.
7. maybe get Internet

5 bad habits:
1. Swearing...damn it!
2. eating my fingers
3. not cleaning on a regular basis
4. neglecting Gwen when I'm doing this...or reading
5. not working out

5 of my favorite toys: (um this could be hard. I don't own toys)
1. my dream DVR (don't have one, but would LOVE one...if I was only a billionaire I could maybe justify it)
2. Phase Ten
3. Powerbook (photoshop, illustrator etc. - making my own invitations, announcements, etc.)
4. xbox Shrek Super Party (mothers day gift this year....thanks Morg)
5. the Internet (that I don't have at my house)

5 people I tag: (DO IT!!!, even if you think it's retarded...or whatever)
1. Amber
2. Kari
3. Susanna
4. Talia
5. I don't have enough friends. Do it if you want to.