Avatar

So Steve and I both were part of the group of people that thought the previews for Avatar looked really silly. In fact, they showed so many previews of Avatar I started getting annoyed. Then it comes out and everyone talks about how great it is. And to top it off, one of my cousins and his wife said they felt the same way we did, that it looked silly. But they got talked into going with a group and really enjoyed it.

So last weekend we decided to take the plunge and spend 3 hours in an IMAX theater. I have to say, it was definitely better than expected. And I didn't even fall asleep, which I have been known to do in the past. Movie candy helps. But it really was a decent movie. Very predictable, and I'm not promoting it or anything, just saying that sometimes even really dumb looking movies can actually turn out ok. Twilight is not one of those movies.

Anti-Wrinkle Cream and Turning 30

Ok, somewhere along the line I heard it said that every woman should start using some kind of anti-wrinkle cream by the time she is 30. Seeing as that number is just around the corner here in 2010 for me, I went out and bought some night cream and have been using it for about a month now.

Holy cow, why did I not try this stuff sooner?! I don't know if it helps keep the wrinkles away (I didn't have many to begin with), but it sure does make my skin all nice and and soft and smooth! And it really helps keep it moisturized through the night, without being too oily.

Anyone out there have any aging secrets I wish I'd known about sooner?

2010 Winter Olympics

Anyone else getting excited about the Winter Olympics? I can't wait! My favorites are figure skating, luge, bob sleigh, short track, and ski jumping. But mostly figure skating. My Tivo is going to be so full next month, can't wait!

Did I really make these by myself?!

Now, I am not posting this to brag. I am posting this because I am so incredibly proud of myself for taking the time to make hazelnut turnovers. I made my puff pastry from SCRATCH (huh?!) and actually used real hazelnuts IN THE SHELL and had to husk them and everything. My fingers still hurt. None of that fake Nutella stuff here. And it worked out! They are delicious!! Nice and flakey and crispy outside and yummy, gooey hazelnut chocolateyness on the inside, yum! And it only took like 5 hours :) But I did it! So not like the me of the past but I am really enjoying my kitchen here and all my new kitchen toys I got for Christmas. It's very exciting. Don't make fun of me.


Now, anyone want to come over and help me eat all these?

Blackjack Roasting by an "Open" Fire

Sometimes he'll lay there so long he starts burning up and panting. We have to turn the fire off and force him to get some water. Funny dog.

I'm Bothered

That's how I'm feeling right now . . . bothered.

Bothered by the judgements of others.
Bothered by their ignorance and close-mindedness.
Bothered by their self-righteousness.
Bothered by the way they think they know what is right for others.
Bothered by those who think others are less than they are because they have chosen a different life.

Bothered by those that don't believe us when we say we're truly happy.
Bothered by those that talk about us behind our backs and spread their judgements as if it were truth.
Bothered by those that can't just accept that we are intelligent beings who made the right decision for us.

That's it. I just couldn't keep it in anymore. I'm feeling too BOTHERED.

What I Wanted / Got for Christmas

This KitchenAid Mixer!!!

I've already used it more than a few times and love it! I even made my first loaf of french bread today from scratch WITHOUT a breadmaker. Steve knew I wanted one but I had decided I didn't really NEED it, it was more of a want. Which is why he decided to get it for me because he knew I wouldn't get it for myself.

I got me a nice husband. Or at least a husband that wants me to bake more goodies for him. You got it babe!

Pretend Christmas at the Curtis'

A few days after Christmas we headed over to Steve's parents house for a late Christmas celebration. Several of Steve's sisters were in town so we went to hang out. Blackjack LOVES Grandma Curtis! She'll sit there with him forever and rub his back or belly and feed him treats all night.


We brought Blackjack's stocking for him to open while the nieces and newphews opened gifts. He loves his new toys and he hasn't chewed apart any of them yet! He's growing up so fast : )

White Christmas

We drove to Utah for Christmas and ended up with snow almost every day. And apparently we were so lazy we forgot to take many pictures so there's not much to share here.

We're not used to having to scrape our windshields, we're way out of practice. Pretty though, huh?

We drove to Reno the first afternoon and stayed the night at my brother, Larry's house. He and Chantelle were gracious enough to let us stay the night with Blackjack in tow. The kids had a blast, it sure was funny watching them chase him around. My 6 year old nephew, Adam kept thanking Blackjack for eating all the crumbs off the kitchen floor because that meant Adam didn't have to do his chore: sweeping the floor!

The next day we made it to my sister, Bethany's house in Saratoga Springs where we stayed the next two nights. Her boys are so funny. And she's expecting a 4th one in March! We hung out, talked, played games, and ate good food. Oh, and figured out that my molasses sugar cookie recipe does NOT work in the Utah altitude! And adding extra flour just makes them too cakey.

Bethany's youngest, Dallin, being crazy. This kid makes the funniest faces!

And lest I forget the most important part of staying at Beth's . . .
She got her ears pierced!!! The day she found out she was having a 4th boy she decided she needed more feminine stuff in her life so she took the leap. It was just about exactly 10 years ago my "evil" cousin, Krista, took me to get my ears pierced at the age of 19. My family thought I was scandalous and my grandmother called our ears "mutilated." As you might remember, at our last Sisters Reunion, Tearsa went for it and finally got her ears pierced. Beth was the final sister, the four of us are now complete in our mutilations. Just think, what would grandmother say if she found out I have a belly piercing and a tattoo?! (that's a JOKE, by the way!)

We headed off to my Aunt Nancy's house the next night out in Elk Ridge. They really put us up well, it was like a posh hotel room! Nancy and Julie made us dinner and then we watched the Las Vegas Bowl together while Blackjack got all the attention he wanted from them. They are really dog people, Blackjack had a great time, as did we!

Blackjack exploring the snow in Nancy's backyard.

The next day it was off to my mom's. Mom isn't a dog person so Blackjack stayed at a local kennel the next few nights. It was great to just hang out and take it easy for the holidays. Christmas Eve afternoon we all met at Beth's house for a big family lunch which was great fun. Lots of food, lots of dessert, games, and great company.
Family lunch at Beth's.

Looking back, we didn't really DO all that much while in Utah. We mainly just hung out with family and ate at all the places we miss not having in California. Those places would be:

JDawg's (Best hot dogs ever!)
Burgers Supreme (Fry sauce, yum)
Cafe Rio
Paradise Bakery
Shirley's Bakery (The rolls are so soft and delicious! We waited in line 40 minutes and it was worth it.)
Creamery on 9th (Nowhere else gives you that much creamy fatty ice cream for so cheap. The Utah/Mormon addiction. For some it's alcohol that poisons the liver. For others it's ice cream that clogs your arteries and ruins your heart. It's all the same really.)

We had a nice relaxing time but it's good to be back home where it's a few degrees warmer and there's no ice to scrape off our windshields!