It's just not FAIR!

I have to take a minute this evening and write about my little sob story.
I've known for a long time now that life isn't always fair, but COME ON!

Tragedy number one. My favorite drink in the world...yanked off the market without warning. No one can say if or when this fizzy delight will ever return to the shelves.




Tragedy number two, I just learned about today. While trying to order my favorite fragrance in the world online, I see the words out of stock...fine. I resort to my brother who lives in New York City. Yay he got me one of three bottles left on the shelf, Boo Karma is being discontinued...FOREVER!



This madness leaves me wondering what is next!

Spread the love!

I have come across this recipe...it is simply too good not to share. Over the summer I fell in love with Mango's, I couldn't get enough of them (until I started buying the ginormous ones from Costco), and then I didn't know how to get rid of them. Luckily I stumbled onto this baby... a dessert that I could never quite replicate until now! Enjoy!!

Thai Mango Sticky Sweet Rice

1 cup uncooked sticky rice (Jasmine or sushi rice works)

1-2 ripe mango's, cut into slices

1 can coconut milk

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp coconut flavoring

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp water

Prepare the rice as directed on the package. In a saucepan combine the coconut milk, brown sugar, salt, coconut flavoring, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. (Don't bring to a full boil or you will loose the good coconut flavor) Add the dissolved cornstarch and stir until thickened and smooth and then remove from heat.
To serve, spread a layer of rice on a plate. Pour coconut sauce, and top with sliced COLD mango's.

On the road again!

This year (the year of 2010) I was looking forward to having a summer that was made up of simplicity and stability...last summer was amazing...I would love to, am planning on, and can't wait to do something on that grand of a scale again; however, it was nice staying close to home and letting our roots have a chance to take hold. There is one week during our summer though, that is particularly popular for everyone in the household, and this year was no exception. Mike and I send the boys packing to Overton, NV (my dad's house...they LOVE and look forward to it) and Mike and I go on a trip for about 10 days!! Year one was Italy, year two was Alaska *kids in tow, and this year we chose Colorado. Weird I know...Indonesia or Colorado hmmm that's a tough choice...but yes, Colorado it was;)
Mike and I went on a short road trip there about four summers ago, and spent a few days exploring ghost towns, hiking around the Maroon Bells wilderness area etc.. If you are into checking out old mines, beautiful scenery, breathtaking views, and soaking in the Alpine fresh air, Colorado is in abundance, and so we decided it needed to be revisited and we needed more than just a couple of days. Other things were on the agenda as well, such as Mike's favorite childhood restaurants Casa Bonita and Beau Jo's pizza, his uncle Bob, the infamous Crystal Mill, the Delaware Hotel, our now second favorite city in the U.S.(Leadville which got beat out by Silver Plume while we were visiting), and the chipmunk feeding frenzy.
We explored, visited, revisited, ate, and hiked our brains out while we were there. Colorado is interesting, historical, beautiful, and has the best summer thunderstorms (which are a rush when you are in a tent, alone in the mountains!) My favorite spot is definitely St. Elmo. I could spend hours sitting, adoring, and feeding the swarm of cute, greedy little chipmunks that will jump in your hand, on your head, and in your bags to binge on sunflower seeds. *Beware of the evil squirrels...they are aggressive and they bite hard! We had a great vacation...most of which felt like a vacation.
Rejuvenated and recharged I am anxious and ready to bid farewell to summer and welcome the fresh breath of change that fall brings.


*Most beautiful/grueling hike to date

A room with a view

This past Thursday we(Mike, Kristen, Creighton, friend Daxton, Karac, cousin Parker, and Caiya) hiked Mt. Timpanogos. Just for the record... it was HARD! I thought I was pretty close to being in the best shape of my life, and what really happened was I think I got my rear end kicked! That's OK though, because it was beautiful, the wild flowers were in full bloom, we hung out with the mountain sheep, and my boys got to experience something that hopefully will become a cherished memory for them, (when they are older, much older) even though they both said they hated it and will never, EVER do it again.
I was excited about this hike and very much looking forward to it. I can only now assume this is because I did this same thing about three years ago and what stuck in my memory, is a state of grace and a feeling of immeasurable accomplishment. How valuable it is to be reminded... Just as with many cherished memories, most of the fine details get lost with the gift of time (i.e. the pain and suffering we sometimes must endure, to reach most of the world's and life's summits). Time performs it's magic and what we are left with are warm fuzzy feelings, and great photo's that give us wonderful happy memories!





(Notice the thrill and excitement displayed in their expressions)


(View from the restroom is fantastic!)

The Countdown!

I'm not sure how I feel when I say this, but in approximately one month, summer as we know it is over and it's back to school for Creighton, Karac and I. Where does the time go?! This summer has been extremely chill if you compare it to last, but in our household, "chill" doesn't mean we are lounging around the house eating otter pops in front of the t.v. As I am writing this, I feel a sense of urgency... we have to get our game faces on, and prepare for some serious adventure before all some of us have to look forward to is textbooks and homework;( (I really love school though and am a little excited to get back into my studies.)
We had a blast in Jackson (Mike nailed that trip in his blog), the boys and I spent a week in Garden City (Bear Lake) with my madre, brothers/sister/nephews and niece. Bear Lake entails 1 large house, somewhere around 16+ tenants, puzzling into the wee hours of the morning, boating, biking, more puzzling, rope swinging, motorcycling, and so on.
Although it's only mid summer, sadly the end is in sight. Luckily Mike and I still have our "big trip of the summer" coming up in a couple of weeks, and enough overnighters planned, to appease that ever insatiable appetite for adventure...for now.