Moments like these

Earlier this week during a Young Women's activity we are chatting it up about all kinds of teen topics. I'm desperately trying to keep up. The whole conversation was spurred on by the Tuesday night Taylor Swift concert here in SLC. One of the other leaders, who is cute and hip and glowing pregnant, was throwing out facts about Ms. Swift and the Jonas Brothers like these details were common knowledge. Because I guess they are. The girls were totally impressed, as was I. Until DeeDee started recounting her experience at the No Doubt concert in Vegas just recently. I joined in, raving about how amazing I think Gwen is yada yada yada. The girls just stared at us blankly before one wearing a Taylor Swift t-shirt said, "What's No Doubt?"

It is moments like these that make me feel old. Luckily, the girls did know about Gwen Stefani. After some amount of explaining.

Do you think Kingston even knows how ridiculously cool his mom is?

Ripped this vid from my girl Mindi at wordtoyourmother.

freshly

Planning some big summer projects including Operation: Pantry Makeover. It's time. Our pantry has long been neglected and we're ready for battle.Eating BERRIES. Of all kinds. I can't leave the grocery store without a basket full of more berries than we could ever eat. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries. I can't stop. Listening to Relator {single from the album Break Up} by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson. Such a fun, quirky beat. Is it wrong to buy music because you think someone is beautiful?Giving up my eyelash curler. If God intended my eyelashes to stick straight out of my eyeballs in a very unruly manner, then that's how it's gonna be. I'm terribly excited to have retrieved those lost 7 seconds of my morning.
Reading The No. 1 Ladies Detective Club. Actually, haven't cracked it open yet because I have more pressing getyourselfoutofthisfunk reading on my night stand. But I'm so excited about all the rave reviews. Anyone read it?Recommending Maria Bonita to all my UC friends. You probably drive past this unassuming Mexican restaurant once a day and have never thought to go in, like us. About 2 months ago we ate there in a pinch, then ate there again a few weeks later, and honestly I'm a little grumpy that we haven't been back. {Sorry for the horrible "street view" pic}Spooning Haagen Dazs Five. I was beginning to think ice cream couldn't get any better. I would now like to retract that thought from the record. I've tried all flavors, however Brown Sugar and Vanilla Bean are the standouts.{Definitely not} tearing up over this video. Even if my hubby's life depended on them, I would never get misty over bicycle helmets. Ever.

Memorial Day Weekend Wrap-up

BD and I had a very low-key, yet action packed Memorial Day weekend. It was so very nice. The long weekend involved our favorite take-out and a red box {or three}, a sweet baby girl's one-year birthday bash, the all-time best nap, getting my best time up Little Mountain on my bike, and roasting marshmallows with friends up the canyon. Our little canyon bbq was somewhat crashed by a schizophrenic {no, seriously} homeless man. We thought if we fed him he would merrily be on his way, but alas he stuck with us all night until we were rained out. He even offered the blessing over the food, and nailed it actually. BD raced in the Sugar House Crit on Saturday and then we were both treated to lunch and gelato with his Dad.On Sunday we met my family {the diligent ones at least} in the Heber Valley to visit the family graves in Heber, Midway, and Center Creek. This is a tradition that my family has been doing ever since the dawn of time, or somewhere around there. I remember charting the graves with my sweet Grandma, now we go to put flowers down for her. My mom recites the great family stories from our strong pioneer heritage as she traces the lines back. She gets choked up when she recalls stories about her dad romancing her mom or memories riding in a horse drawn sleigh while visiting her grandparents in the winter. I've always loved my great-great-grandfather George Muir's epitaph, which reads:

"Upright and just he was in all his ways, a bright example in degenerate days."

Wow, if my great-great family thought that 1831-1908 was degenerate times...I can't imagine what they think of the world today. It must be shocking. I'm a sucker for family folklore and next year I hope to video my mom telling stories. I think it's important that we never forget where we came from and I'm so grateful to have had a day off work in order to do so.

Love List 5.20.09

I love the month of May. I love it when BD grills buffalo burgers for Sunday dinner. I love getting my hair cut and colored, it makes me feel like a new woman with a new purpose. I love having my bff snip my hair in her kitchen, even when she's exhausted. I love spring. I love having a bowl of fruit and yogurt on my balcony on a peaceful morning. I love the green of spring. I really love new shoes. Especially when mailed right to me and {voilà} fit perfectly. I love spending a late late night with a bestie from out of town. I love her dearly. I miss her more and more. I love coming home late to find a sweet treat and heartfelt note on my door from a lovely friend/neighbor. And I loved eating it, too. I love adult acne. Just kidding. I love it when BD folds laundry, while I nap. I love little surprises like that, even if I don't notice right away. I secretly love getting caught kissin' in the elevator, even though it's hugely embarrassing. I love white teeth, but I do not love the bleaching of. I love it when I remember things that I usually forget; I love thanking God in those moments. I love seeing people heal, and move forward a better person. I love it when the underdog wins. I love it when things work out. I love Dijon mustard. And chocolate milk. But not necessarily together. I love g-chatting with BD. We keep tabs on each others work day and sometimes that alone ensues the most hilarious conversations. I love you in French, which is the best I love you, by far.

Print from theloveshop.

Cycle Salt Lake {almost} Century

BD and I hit up the Bike Bonanza on Friday night and on a whim decided to register for the Cycle Salt Lake Century the next morning. Since I haven't actually been out on my bike yet this season, we didn't expect to finish the full 100 miles. Even if my legs could take it, I knew my butt wasn't prepared for 7+ hours in the saddle. No amount of chamois butter can save you in those situations. I've concluded that organized rides are a dream because they shut down the roads to traffic, provide feed stations along the way, and support vehicles if you happen to get a flat. In the end, we rode 73 miles total. It was a good thing we didn't go for the 100, because my legs were screaming like firecrackers those last 10 miles.I loved spending 4.5 hours of a beautiful Saturday on my bike with BD at my side making me laugh so I didn't notice the miles tick by. He's so patient and doesn't care how fast we're (not) going, just as long as he's on a bike. Really, he's that easy to please: Bike=Happy. I'm looking forward to completing my first full century in June for the Bike MS: Harmons Best Dam Bike Ride (check your inbox because you'll probably be getting a fund raising email any day now!).

Marci's Granola

For my last birthday my sister Marci gave me some homemade granola in a clear bag tied up cute with a bow. It would appear to be just regular old granola, but let me assure you...this is not. BD and I fought over the last three crumbs of that bag. I couldn't stop thinking about it for days and so I begged her for the recipe. BD especially loves this granola because it is packed with carbs, protein, and good fats. Now that he has begun training for Lotoja, he is burning heaps of calories and requires energy packed food. He loves to eat a big bowl of this homemade granola with goat's milk every morning. Since I'm not burning near that many calories, I prefer to eat a smaller portion sprinkled over fresh fruit and plain yogurt. Anyway you like it, I guarantee that you'll love it.

Marci's Granola
2 cups oats
1 cup coconut (big flake)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup chopped cashews
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tsp. cinnamon
-----
1 1/2 cups all natural peanut or almond butter
1 cup agave nectar
1 tsp. vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Heat peanut butter and agave nectar in the microwave for 1 minute or until warm and melty. Stir together until combined. Add vanilla. Pour peanut butter mixture over nut mixture and combine. Spread granola into an ungreased half sheet pan. Bake granola at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, toss and transfer to another sheet pan to cool. Store in an airtight container.I hope you try this recipe! It's fast becoming a staple in our kitchen and makes a wonderful gift. Thanks for letting me share Marci!

I could cry right now, but instead I just want to win

My heart skipped a beat when I saw this pretty blue bucket bike via Swiss Miss today. And then my heart actually went into v-fib when I saw that this is a local SLC company. I'm obsessing, which is a clear sign that I spend way. to. much. time with hubby these days. I can think of a half dozen people who would want one of these just as much as I do. Madsen Cycles is giving one away in July to those who are helping spread the word about their coolest cargo bike. Thus, spread that word I shall. Help direct traffic from my page by clicking on the Madsen buttons. If I win, I'll give you a ride! But you might have to squeeze in with my groceries.

Spring Cleaning

The novelty of this will probably wear off before I'm done typing this post, but for now I'm completely fascinated watching these guys repel down the building like Spider Man with sudsy appendages.And he totally busted me taking his picture. That's not embarrassing or anything. Happy weekend! And Happy Mother's Day to all the great mommy's/would be mommy's/and soon to be mommy's out there!