it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

...at our house!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

sunday drive

we were disappointed on our sunday drive up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. no wildlife to be seen...until our way down! we spotted about 5 deer right at dusk! this one got away from the hunter, but was left with an arrow right in his back. seriously. if you are going to shoot at it...make it count. don't leave it like this, poor thing.

artsy

I decided I don't often enough take advantage of the awesome arts that Logan has to provide. Zach and I have been to two holiday events so far...

The Forgotten Carols

Katie Thompson wasn't the star this year (even though her voice is the best), but we still laughed at all Michale McLean's corny jokes. Gotta love it.

Since that was my pick, Zach chose the next event which was...

The Nutcracker

Who would have known he would choose the ballet?? I didn't! But, everyone has to see at least one version of this classic during their lifetime. We went to Ellen Eccles Theater and they did a decent job...but maybe next year we can go to Ballet West?

More artsy fartsy stuff to come!

pretzel attempt #2

i tried again. new recipe (that didn't require kneading - i'm in!)
outcome: tasted WAY better all around


tips for next time:
- spray the stinkin' pan. none of these pretzels you see have bottoms. they were left behind on the cookie sheets. ugh.
- the recipe called for dipping the formed pretzel into a baking soda/water mixture stuff before baking. no. don't listen to it. the egg solution brushed on from the last recipe is way better!

i am not done with this task. i must keep trying until i'm successful.
next week. third time's the charm.

need some ties?

Need some new ties? Got your Christmas shopping done? :)

My friend Kip sells TEN DOLLAR ties - you can't get a deal better than that! You can check out his website, give him a call and choose from hundreds of awesome ties. He will hook you up. You can get multiples (like for a wedding), or just buy singles (for a new missionary or for christmas gifts).

check it out!

my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty

life in democracy lately seems so divided...when as americans we really should be united. no, i did not vote for obama in this election. but, i just want to declare that i will support him as president. america is america and we should be standing together. unfortunately, it seems there is always one side that isn't happy.

i just hope we can all continue feeling patriotic and support obama, and all of the many people that work with him in keeping our country free and striving to be united. i was grateful for the closing speech given by mccain, and disappointed at all the people who were 'booing' everytime he mentioned obama's name. the election is over. america has spoken, and even if it didn't go your way, we still live in a free country and should be grateful for that.

that's my two cents. take it or leave it.

pretzel attempt #1

Zach works in the mall right next to the famous pretzelmaker. Every mall has one or two. During a shopping trip, we have all given into the delicious smell of freshly baked preztels and wasted $3 for that small treat. He smells that everyday, all day...tempted. "How hard could it be to make them at home?" he thought.

So, I looked up a recipe and we made our first attempt. Yeast, flour, and lots of kneading later, this is what we got.



They look good, right? Well, looks aren't everything, my friend. They weren't very good.

Tips for next time:
-white flour
-let rise longer?
-try new recipe!

Anyone else every tried to make soft pretzels? help!