Good News

I'm starting a business!! Ok, just kidding actually. Tyler and I were just talking about it at dinner. He wants me to open up my own restaurant...ya, no. So I was wanting to make these Spinach Turkey Burgers that Ty's cousin made that sounded so delicioso; however, when I approached my kitchen I found that my stock of ingredients required was about nil. But, I decided to improvise and we think they turned out fantastico! here's what I did (super easy, super healthy, so try it).

Ingredients:
meat patties (of whatever variety)
red pepper flakes
season salt
canadian steak seasoning

onion, diced
garlic, crushed
oregano
season salt
fresh spinach

mozarella cheese
tomato
ketchup
whatever else

Directions:
I had some left-over pork burgers (because they happened to be cheaper than ground beef or beef patties at the time) and we grilled them on our lean mean grilling machine! then I added some season salt (special recipe from my gma) with some red pepper flakes and canadian steak seasoning.
While those were grillin, I sauteed the onions in a fry pan with some spray in a can olive oil and the fresh crushed garlic clove. I then added the salt and oregano. After onions are all sauteed up, add the spinach, just until wilty.
When the burgers are done, slap on some mozarella cheese, a slice of tomato, and then the spinach creation. It has a bit of Mediterranean flavor to it, but a great way to make a burger healthy and use up left overs.

So Tyler's idea for my restaurant name is Culinary Creations...Anyother ideas??

What you do when you don't know what to do

I have been babysitting this week for my parents while they are having a splendid time in New Zealand. Our week has included playing Sorry Sliders, watching Robots, and doing fun girly things too. Tonight we did Spa night and used the following recipes for a spa experience at home:

Hydrating Milk Bath
1 cup dry milk
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup dried lavender sprigs (we pulled some off our lavender bush in our yard:))

How to make it: Combine dry milk and corn starch in a bowl; pour mixture into 96-101 degree running water. Once tub is full, scatter lavender sprigs in water.
Why it's good for you: Milk contains lactic acid, a natural exfoliant that softens skin by dissolving rough patches. It's also loaded with moisturizing proteins and vitamins. "Cornstarch soothes skin and gives bathwater a silky feel," says Melanie Valliere, spa director at White Barn Inn and Spa in kennebunkport, Maine.
Best time to soak: When your skin is dull and flaky, or right before bed to encourage a pleasant night's sleep.
This recipe is found in this month's Health magazine

Another one I want to try is a Skin-Smoothing Citrus Bath:
1 navel orange
1 cup whole cloves, divided
1 cup pulp-free orange juice
1/2 cup soy milk
2 teaspoons lavender essential oil

How to make it: Cut orange into even slices; insert 1/2 cup cloves into slices. Fill tub with 90-95 degree water; add oranges, remaining 1/2 cup cloves, orange juice, soy milk, and lavender oil.
Why it's good for you: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, citrus0fruit acids are natural exfoliants, says Suzanne Holbrook, spa director at the Ritz-Carlton Spa in Orlando Florida. "They soften skin and prevent free radical damage, too." Circle a washcloth over your body while soaking to slough off dead cells loosened by the fuit acids. Cloves enhance the sensory experience.
So if anyone tries it, let me know how it is!!!

While we soaked we used an amazing Oatmeal mask! I LOVE FACIALS and this was a great substitute for at home. Here's the recipe:
Mix 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1/4 cup hot water, and 1/4 cup honey in a food processor. let cool, and apply. Wait 10 minutes and rinse.

So there's some spa fun...enjoy:)
Oh and for those of you who have never seen my family, here they are:

don't know how to title this one

Well, I was doing some reading this morning and thinking about an experience I had yesterday that I thought I needed to write down. I have this friend that I have known since high school and over the years our families have become good friends. Although his family is religious, we have not had many conversations about the gospel. This is partly my fault because in high school I didn't fully realize the importance of sharing the truth, and partly that his family has not accepted our invitations to know more about the church. Well, yesterday marked an important time in our friendship because I gave him a Book of Mormon. It already was kinda weird because he still doesn't know how to react to the fact that I'm married.
What prompted me to write about this was the talk by President Monson in last conference that is titled "To Learn, to Do, to Be." Specifically this passage:

"In this vast throng are priesthood power and the capacity to reach out and share the glorious gospel with others. As has been mentioned, we have the hands to lift others from complacency and inactivity. We have the hearts to serve faithfully in our priesthood callings and thereby inspire others to walk on higher ground and to avoid the swamps of sin which threaten to engulf so many. The worth of souls is indeed great in the sight of God. Ours is the precious privilege, armed with this knowledge, to make a difference in the lives of others."

To finish the story, my friend didn't jump for joy when I presented him with the Book of Mormon, he actually made some wry comment about his theological collection. But, I know that it is the word of God and who am I to refrain from sharing it? Anyway, I hope he reads it...even down the road in 5, 10, 20 years, at least I can say when we get to the other side I gave him the opportunity.

Elyse and Andrew have this on their blog, so I just had to do it!!! Our baby from VW Routan Babymaker 2009:)

garden of the gods

Yesterday was surprisingly warm, so Tyler and I decided to head up to Garden of the Gods park in downtown Colorado Springs...

Erin's Wedding

Erin's married!!!! go see her blog!! So here's a few shots from the happy day:

Tradition

This Christmas vacation has been tiring!!! Right after we finished finals we flew to Colorado for my sister, Erin, to receive her endowments in the Denver temple. It is a beautiful temple!
then we enjoyed a very fun Christmas with Tyler's family. It was the first time I had had a holiday away from family and so everything was new. They have some really fun traditions:
Christmas Eve morning we went bowling at Miracle Bowl with the Rasmussens and I bowled a lucky 80. (I must confess, bowling is not one of my strengths, nor an interest. I think Elyse and I share in that. It was fun though to be competing against the fam.) The rest of Christmas Eve we spent finishing shopping and preparations for the next day.
My family always had the tradition to watch "The Nativity" that the church made many years ago, so Tyler and I watched it. Then we met up with the rest of Tyler's immediate family and we went to eat at Macaroni Grill. Kristin and Tim came down with their three kids and after dinner we all went back to Ty's parent's house where we played games and stuff. Their tradition is to have everyone sleep over and then wake up really early Christmas morning. (This is something my family DOES NOT do. We sleep in as late as we can, even the little kids). Anyway, speaking of traditions, watch this clip:

Tis the Season to be blogging

O Christmas Tree

Here's our Christmas tree:



Just kidding:) that is a beautifully decorated tree in the library at BYU. That is how I would like my tree to be decorated. Really here is our tree
Looking nice all decorated...With the lights on:)

This is not our Christmas tree, but it is Ty's parents. We went over there Sunday night and helped decorate the beautiful tree. I have one more picture to share, and it goes with a story.
I wasn't really sure when his siblings decided to play this trick, but

Tyler was walking around for a very long time with an ornament hanging from his pants. Everyone was laughing hysterically, but so was he!! He had no idea what hit him. It wasn't until I said "honey, don't sit down" that he figured it out. Turns out, this was a joke he used to play on his siblings EVERY Christmas and so this year they decided to get him good. They did!! In the car on the way home, Tyler told me that he didn't even think about doing that to anyone this year...maybe marriage is better than we thought:)

Long Overdue

Even though I keep on trying, somehow the days just go on by without me posting. I've been doing really well at taking pictures though:) I was in the Nutcracker and did 4 performances. 2 Matinee and 2 night ones. I was cast in 6 different roles: Party Parent for the opening party scene, Ladies in Waiting to introduce the Sugar Plum Fairy, Chinese dance, Russian dance, Snowflake in the snow scene, and a Flower in Waltz of the Flower. It was my first performance on pointe and it was SOOO fun. There were some tragedies along the way, however, first my toenail. I was going to post a picture, but it's too hideous. The first weekend of rehearsals were so intense that both my big toes got blood blisters. Well I babied my left toenail for months to try and keep the nail on so I wouldn't be dancing and irritating the new skin that would be exposed if I lost the nail....but alas, after my Tuesday night performance it was gone. That left me with two performances to go without a toenail. I am happy to report that it didn't even hurt me that bad on pointe, only when I was in flat shoes because I was putting the top of my foot on the floor instead of dancing on top of my toes.
I was so happy to be done and I'm so grateful to everyone who came to support me!!! I love my family!!! Here are some of the pictures

These are our Snow costumes. You probably can tell how illfitting it is on me:) but you can't see the loads and loads of glitter we have on!!

Dancing on stage for the snowflake. My phone doesn't take really good movement pictures, and there's no flash:)Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

After the show in my Chinese costume with my hottie of a husband.

Our Russian troupe:)