Chefs In Training Cooking Class

We had our second chefs in training cooking class last night and I was the lucky host. We made
Whole Wheat Bread Pudding, Chicken Stir Fry, and Chicken Pot Stickers. Matt loves Pot Stickers and whenever I make them, he eats 10-15 of them for a meal , instead of as an appetizer. The stir fry calls for zucchini and carrots, but you can really use any vegetables. It was a lot of fun, so Thanks to everyone who came and participated! You can get the recipes on my food blog, on the side bar here, or in this post!

My Parent's Anniversary

Yesterday was my parents 34th anniversary. I wasn't sure if they would celebrate by going out and doing something, so I took it upon myself to make them an anniversary date.
When Matt and I went to Park City for our anniversary last year, we ate at one of the best Restuarants that I can remember. The Riverhorse on Main
The atmosphere was very romantic and beautiful. They had live music, a man playing a guitar and singing, and you could make requests. He was actually very good. We sat at a nice table, that had a view, and the food was delicious.
So, I called the restaurant and made my parents a reservation. Then I sent my parents an evite for their anniversary dinner so it would look official.
This place is a little bit pricey, but I warned them in advance and told them just to enjoy it.
I had to recommend the Macadamia Nut Encrusted Halibut to my mom and she took me up on it. Funny enough, my dad ordered the Surf and Turf, exactly what Matt ordered when we went.
My mom called me this morning to report and told me that they had a good time, the food was excellent and they enjoyed the beautiful sunset they were able to watch out the window by their seats.
So, if anyone out there has a special occasion coming up anytime soon, and wants to have a great overall eating experience, try The Riverhorse on Main. It is worth the drive and the money to have a special night with someone that you love!

Sneezy Does It:Cute Tissue Box Craft

Once in awhile, we do a cute and easy craft. Parents Magazine always seems to have crafts that are doable for me, since I am not a very crafty person!

The pictures above showcase, first what the craft is supposed to look like and second, our version, a liitle bit modified, but fun none the less.

This was a great one for this time of year, because now everyone has their own box of kleenex to use (we have runny noses at the moment!

Check out this link- Sneezy Does It- to do the craft

Chick-fil-A, Cake Stands, and an Idea for Bookshelves

We finally took the kids to the only Chick-fil-A in Utah that is not located in a mall. I am still trying to figure out why there aren't more Chick-fil-A's around here. It is closed on Sunday, the food actually tastes good, and the employees end every conversation with "My pleasure". What more could you want in fast food restaurant? We weren't watching for a moment and then noticed Savannah was coming down the slide with Jonah. He then demonstrated how he helped her climb (he lifted her) up the step-like tunnel things and helped her go down the slide. Quite interesting.

Here is a picture of a cakestand I have been coveting. I have been searching on the internet for it and have had no luck.

This weekend I found this cakestand at Target. It was kind of similar to the one above and probably less expensive. I think that pink cake will look pretty on it.

My friend gave me an idea about how to arrange books on a bookshelf. She said to group the books together according to the spine color and that it would look pretty. So, I rearranged the books shown above and I think it looks good. It is a little bit funny that I started with blue on the top shelf because when I was looking at the bookshelf later from a distance, I noticed that Jonah's globe is on top and it is mainly blue. I wonder if I subconsciously noticed that color and started from there?

These were so good, I had to post it here too

Finger Food Party
We went to a going away party for someone that Matt works with tonight and it was all about the finger food.
I made deviled eggs, mainly because Matt loves them, and because I was eager to pipe the filling into the egg half, now that I know how, and I also made a delicious, bite-size, easy dessert that I got from a friend's blog.

Deviled Eggs
6 Hard Boiled Eggs*
1/4 cup mayo (I use fat free)
1 tsp yellow mustard
1tsp vinegar (white)
salt and pepper
1 tsp fresh chives, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
paprika, or fresh herbs for garnish
Cut boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks and mash with a fork in a bowl. Add mayo, mustard, and vinegar and mix until combined. Add remaining ingredients and fill egg halves or pipe with a star tip into egg halves. Garnish with paprika or fresh herbs.

* Boiled Eggs
Place 6 eggs in a single layer on the bottom of a saucepan. Fill with cold water, 1 inch above eggs. Bring to a boil over high heat and then cover and reduce heat to a little less than a simmer for 15 minutes. Drain immediately and place in an ice bath or under cool running water. Gently tap on the countertop and roll between your palms. Then begin to peel at the large end.

If the yolk has a greenish ring around it, then you overcooked your eggs. If the yolk is bright yellow and mushy in the middle, the eggs are undercooked. A perfectly boiled egg will have a yolk that is all the same shade of yellow.

Gayle's Peanut Butter Balls
12 graham crackers, crushed
4 cups powdered sugar
2 cups peanut butter
1 1/2 cubes butter (my brother uses 2 cubes), mostly melted
Crush graham crackers in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until texture is fine. In a bowl, combine graham crackers, 2 cups powdered sugar and all of peanut butter. Add butter and remaining 2 cups powdered sugar. Form into small balls, place on cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes. Melt 1 bag of Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips in the microwave (30 seconds, stir, another 30 seconds), and drizzle with a spoon over balls. Freeze for 30 minutes. PB balls taste best cold. Store in fridge or freezer.

Check me out, I am famous!

j/k not so much me, but something I made.
Check out this link to Cupcakes take the cake. They posted the cupcakes I made for Jonah's b-day!

My Favorite Room

My friend wanted to post about something besides the daily happenings, so she posted a pic of her favorite room and asked everyone else to participate. This is my favorite room right now. It is our dining/ partly living/ kitchen area. We spend alot of time here and I like our couch because it is the only piece of furniture that we have ever bought and I got to pick it out. Also, some of my cookbooks are nearby and it is a nice open space where the kids play, do crafts, read, and I can watch them while I cook. ( You can't see the kitchen, but it is over by the table).

Which Disney Princess are you? The results are in..

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

Take the quiz- Which Disney Princess are you?

Have you ever wanted to...

Make cool shapes with pancake batter?

I have and always just got a gloppy, big mess.

Until now.

Here is the solution. I read somewhere that if you put pancake batter into a dispenser, like the one above, then you can make letters and whatever shapes you want. I tested it out and it is true!

So if you are bored and want to easily impress someone, here is a simple way to do so.

My kids were very impressed with my skills.

zucchini muffin taste test and weekly menu

Check out my food blog for our lastest taste test and this week's menu!

Our 7th Anniversary Trip

Rivendell Bed and Breakfast- where we started our anniversary tradition


The Beckstrand Homestead in Meadow, Utah- a short detour enroute to our anniversary getaway




My Grandfather's headstone in Meadow





This past weekend Matt and I celebrated our 7th anniversary and also went on our 7th anniversary trip. Every year we get away, at least for one night, to celebrate our anniversary.


This started with our first anniversary when Matt surprised me with an overnight getaway. Jonah was only a week old and grandma Beckstrand was staying with us, so she kept him overnight. Needless to say, it was the best sleep I had gotten in awhile. We decided then that every year we would take turns planning our anniversary trips, keeping them a secret from the other person, until we reached our destination.


1st- Rivendell Bed and Breakfast, Oconee County, Georgia
2nd- Asheville, North Carolina
3rd-Savannah, Georgia
4th- Salt Lake City, Utah (it counts when you don't live in the state! j/k)
5th- Charleston, South Carolina
6th- Park City, Utah
7th- St. George, Utah

Matt always tries to trick me when we are driving to our destination by driving on confusing back roads or taking wierd routes. This time we went the back way to St. George and had the chance to stop in Meadow, where my grandfather grew up and where I spent many holidays as a child. We stopped for a little while and I showed Matt around the house and cemetary. Then we headed on to St. George.
Our hotel was really nice and new and right across the street was Cracker Barrel. We ate there the first night we got there and enjoyed some southern food. The next morning we took a run outside and it was so neat because the Virgin River was right by our hotel and there was a really nice path that led for miles following the river.




We went to the St. George Temple

And didn't have to worry about hurrying back to check on the kids.

We went shopping at the outlets and ate at a real yummy restaurant.

We always try to eat at a local seafood restaurant on our anniversary and we found a really great one. The Steak and Seafood Co.
was really great. It had a wonderful atmosphere and the food was delicious!

We found it in a local magazine and decided to try it out.

The next day we went to Zions National Park to hike and explore.

Unfortunately it was a little bit colder than we had expected but it was still beautiful and so great to enjoy the outdoors and breathe fresh air.

We hiked Angels Landing- which was very icy at the top and when we got to the very narrow part at the top, Matt went on ahead without me. There was fair warning that it was not for those afraid of heights! (me)

Looking back on the trail

We stayed one more night and came home yesterday morning. By then we were both ready to see the kids and had enjoyed our three nights away from home. I got enough sleeping in to last me another year and we really just enjoyed each others company. I really encourage anyone who hasn't had a getaway in awhile to take one, it is fun, rejuvenating and exciting!

No longer in high school.... and happy about it

Matt is the athletic trainer at a local high school. I hadn't really gone to any games, except one, to which I took the kids, and so I really wasn't that invested in any of the teams. The girls basketball team was really having a great season, so I went to the first round of their state tournament, which was at home. I left the kids at home and I was hooked! The girls were so good and it was fun to cheer for someone. It was electrifying because they won and the crowd was going crazy! There were news cameras there taping it and asking people questions. It was really quite exciting. Matt had told me about the players and I felt like I knew them and wanted them to succeed.




The next week was the state tournament and it was only 35 minutes away, so I decided to go! I really wanted to be there to cheer them on to victory. Then, it all came rushing back. The viciousness of people and how sports brings out the worst in some people.

As I was sitting in the crowd, I realized I was sitting by some of the fans of the opposing team.

It got really heated in there. I was two rows away from a potential throw down and I found myself thinking some pretty ugly thoughts about the opposing team, the referees, and the fans!

I took myself back to when I was in high school, playing in the state tournament in a college arena and wondered what horrible things the people in the crowd were thinking, saying, and yelling about me, my teammates, etc. I felt a bit of shame for my thoughts and criticism of the opposing team, and reminded myself that they were just a bunch of young girls, who were fragile and probably filled with self-doubt. I also reminded myself that most of the people surrounding me were just human too, and I decided to give everybody a break and keep my mouth shut!

When it was all over, unfortunately we did not come out on top and I was just so glad that I have gotten past that stage in life and moved on to what I am involved in now. The pains of being a teenage girl (just look at some of the facial expressions on these girls -sheesh!)

As a side note, our team is really young and really good, so I am looking forward to next year!

(All you bulldog fans- notice the Georgia G- it is quite famous around here)

10 Fave Recipes from Jan/Feb

This is really hard for me to do because I really like all the recipes I have posted, but here are the top 10
Caesar Meatball Salad

Mini Cheeseburger Salad with Yellow Mustard Vinaigrette

Pan-Seared Tilapia

Mixed Bean Chili with Tofu

Carribbean Pork Tacos

Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

Ginger Chicken Soup (Maple Walnut Biscuits)

Spinach Pesto Manicotti

Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Chicken with Mango Salsa, Edamame, and Coconut Rice

Lunch ideas

I posted some lunch ideas on my food blog . So look them over and try some out!

Jonah's 6th Birthday

Jonah turned 6 yesterday! On Saturday we had a party with his friends and went with the Diego theme. Matt hid stuffed animals and toy animals in the basement and they had to rescue the animals in trouble. We had a pinata, ate cupcakes, and opened presents. It was fun!





Jonah taking a whack at the monkey pinata



Savannah enjoyed the food too

The all boy crew

Jaguar cupcakes

On Sunday, we had a family dinner, Jonah chose homemade pizza(the recipe is on my food blog), broccoli, strawberries, and ended with a yummy monkey cake for dessert. We are so glad Jonah is in our family.

More Sugar Waterfalls!

Now we have animals helping with the sugar waterfalls!

Post Valentine's Day Fun

Yes, we are still dancing to our Spirit soundtrack, but now we are using our Valentine's Day balloons as props! (notice Jonah is only wearing a necklace this time)

You can't get enough of me (tagged again)

1.Best thing I cooked last week? whole wheat bread pudding

2. If $, time, and babysitting were no object; where would you go and with who? to Europe- with Matt of course. I want to see it all- first the baltics, then france, italy, spain, netherlands, greece, etc.

3. Last time I cried. monday night- I was watching Matt talk on the phone to a friend and I was touched by how much he cares about people, his sensitivity, and how he reaches out to people that others ignore, becoming a real friend.

4. 5 things I was doing 10 years ago.

a. attending utah state

b. watching titantic, over and over again in the theatre

c. skipping class and going up the canyon with Heather

d. eating way too many generic cocoa puffs

e. freezing

5. 5 things I was doing 5 years ago.

a. running

b. finishing up at University of Georgia

c. getting ready to celebrate Jonah's first birthday

d. loving my hubby

e. living in Athens, Ga

6. 5 things I was doing 1 year ago.

a. counting the days until Matt graduated

b. holding Savannah day and night

c. losing my mind!

d. getting ready for a valentines date

e. wondering where we were going to move when matt graduated

7. 5 favorite hobbies.

a. cooking/baking/cake decorating

b. running

c. reading

d. thinking

e. loving my hubby

8. 5 places I've been.

a. Estonia

b. Cancun

c. Riga, Latvia

d. Vilnuis, Lithuania

e. Niagara Falls

9. 5 favorite foods.

a. Fresh fruit- watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, asian pear, etc.

b. veggies-edamame, red peppers

c. red lentil soup

d. my mom's potato salad

e. warm homemade bread

10. 5 favorite memories.

a. my wedding day

b. my mission

c. the birth of my children

d. the day I met Matt

e. our anniversary trips

I tag- anybody who wants to play-!

My new food blog

I started a new blog all about food and fun. It will allow me to post all I want about recipes and not take up the space here for my family. Check it out at Food and Fun. Enjoy!

Cool Kids

For some reason, Jonah has become obsessed lately with looking and being "cool". I guess maybe he has picked it up at school, but he wants to wear a hat backwards, a necklace, and sunglasses almost all the time. We recently purchased the movie Spirit, because Ryanne is obsessed with horses. I had never seen it because I really didn't think it could be that great. Well, I was wrong. It is actually a really good show and I like it alot. The best part about it is the fact the Matt Damon voices the main character, so it is like hearing Jason Bourne in the body of a horse. It threw me off at first, but now I can handle it. Anyway, we love the music, (even though it is all sung by Bryan Adams, who I don't like), so we bought the soundtrack. The kids love singing to it and dancing to it. You can dance "cool" to this music, so that is an advantage. The kids favorite song is " Get Off of My Back" (of course, some one posted it on you tube. give it a listen!) Pretty entertaining to hear Ryanne singing that at the top of her lungs while she is twirling around with her eyes closed!