14 weeks of Summer n' Kettle Chips!

Starting this week there are 14 weeks left of what I consider summertime. Yes, I know that the official first day of summer isn't until June 21st, but I've always felt that summer begins right after the end of May. Coincidently, there are also 14 different flavors of Kettle Potato Chips....do you see where I am going with this?


Yes, beginning this week I am on a mission to rate ALL of the different flavors (that's one flavor per week) of Kettle Potato Chip and share my findings with all of you. Thoughtful of me, right? Consider this project a bit like Julie & Julia minus all of the hard work of actually preparing anything. Plus, I'm still breastfeeding so I figure nows the perfect time for me to continue to take advantage of this extra calorie freebie period!


After sharing this idea with my husband he started to look at my like I was crazy ask me a few questions, (like he usually does when I state I have a new idea for a project). His first one was, "Aren't those chips expensive?" My response was: "Yes, they are, but it also serves as a source of  entertainment." His second question was, "How will you rate them?" My response was that I'd have to think about that, but I now I think I've got it...

I plan to use the standard scale of 1-10.

1 being "I could live without" and 10 being "Oh, my gosh I'm still licking my fingers good!" The flavor this week is...

Fully Loaded Baked Potato™

Inspired by thousands of fan recipes in the Create-a-Chip Challenge, this creamy, smoky, cheesy chip doesn’t hold back on the flavor front. Dive into a collection of toppings straight from the baked potato bar – tangy sour cream, fresh green onion, rich cheddar cheese –and an all-natural smoky flavor that’s our and vegetarian answer to fans’ love of bacon– for a perfectly balanced bite straight out of the bag. Add this fan favorite to your football party spread and score a snacking touchdown! 

and I give it an.....8!!! This flavor is really, really good but the chips don't have the same thickness as the Ground Pepper flavor. This flavor definitely has more to it than any plain potato chip though, and I like the novelty of getting that sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onion all in one bite!


Next week's flavor: Honey Dijon

Never too early...

To learn how to play baseball! Yesterday during my daily walk with my son, we stopped by the local baseball field to watch some of the little league games going on. I found a nice shady spot for us, and there we sat to watch a game for a good hour! Those of you with kids know how hard it is to keep a 9 month old's attention for anything more than 15 minutes, so I think it's fair assume that he's sharing in his mother's love for baseball! Do you think it would be too early for us to order him a personalized Minnesota Twins jersey? Speaking of Minnesota, my sister Jenna just got accepted (we knew she would) to graduate school at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where she will be studying Comparative and International Development Education. Hopefully we'll be able to visit her sometime during her schooling there and catch a Twins game. My family is really looking forward to checking out their new Target Field...too bad they're already all SOLD OUT this season!!!!

FREE $5 giftcards at Old Navy!

I stopped in Old Navy in Logan last week and at check-out was given a receipt to take a customer service survey for 10% off my next purchase. I had been eyeing these adorable plaid shorts for my little one, so I went back in a couple days later to pick them up. After using my survey code for the 10% off, I was handed a FREE $5 gift card- SCORE! So I went back to the baby sale section and picked up some really cute onesies perfect for the upcoming hot summer months. I tried to find pics of the ones I picked up (all only $5) but all I could find online to show is this blue and white striped one (see below). I'm sad I missed the first intro of their nautical line...how appropriate to find at Old Navy! I love shopping for boys wear!

Bedroom Mini-Makeover

Our bedroom wasn't a huge decorating priority of mine, after all it was serving its purpose as a nice and comfortable place to relax and sleep. Then I met Organic Bethany Bedding from Pottery Barn and truly fell in LOVE. I knew it was meant to be the minute I came across it, and thankfully it was ON SALE! 


When we moved up here (around 2 yrs. ago) we luckily found a GREAT deal on a KING bed and not too long before that, had our engagement and wedding photos framed as artwork for our walls. After months of searching for a new duvet (are these hard to find or what?!) I found a steal at Downeast Outfitters: an ivory diamond patterned duvet from Pottery Barn. I thought I was happy with some Martha Stewart pillowcases for a bit of pattern and color, but part of me always kept looking....below are some before and after pics of the transformation.

BEFORE

Old view of our room from when you walked in. I guess we thought this was the best way to arrange the furniture since it didn't seem quite right to block the bay window, but as you'll later see, it looks MUCH better to do just that, and as I've read in many design sources, its actually advised for the bed to face you upon entering the room, or as Oprah says..."rise up to meet you."

BEFORE

Old pillows. My sister also made us this top quilt, but as you can see it's just a bit short on the ends since it was back when we had a Queen bed. It has now found a lovely place in our guest bedroom. Notice that desk lamp on one of our nightstands? Hello! We've since switched those out for two of my dusty blue lamps from home. MUCH nicer.


AFTER

Here's the new view when you enter our room. I like our tufted leather bench MUCH better at the foot of the bed and how our velvet curtains serve as a faux headboard to frame our bed. We've yet to invest in actual bedroom furniture since that's something we'd like to get once we've REALLY settled in somewhere....plus, we've yet to decide on the color/type/style of furniture that we want to commit to whereas bedding is so versatile and EASY to change! 

AFTER

I try hard to show respect for my husband by not doing an overkill of flowers or pink (even though that's what I love), but still create a feeling that's soft, relaxing, and romantic. Don't you just love these colors of golden yellow, tan, cornflower blue, along with slight hints of light green and pink? I love how it works so well with our existing pillows and who doesn't dream of a nice plump boudior pillow? I've ALWAYS loved neckroll pillows, especially this one which is down-filled and extra large! 

AFTER

Here's my new use for our coffee table...after baby proofing our living room I didn't want any sharp edges for Benjamin to hit, so it's now re-purposed as a shoe bench!

Here's a close-up of that tray I won on Michele Dunker Interiors blog. It's the perfect place for me to put my jewelry at perfume. Doesn't it look ultra chic?

Irish Drinking Toast

I know that the movie LEAP YEAR came out awhile ago, but I just saw it earlier this month. I thought it was pretty cute and recommend it (I'm a really big Amy Adams fan and loved her wardrobe in this flick. Oh, and the Irish guy who plays the leading man is super cute too!). For those of you who have seen it, perhaps you remember this Irish Drinking Toast....those Irish are so sentimental and sweet. ;)

May you never lie, steal, or cheat. 

But if you must lie, lie in each other's arms. 

If you must steal, steal kisses. 

If you must cheat, cheat death.

Swagger Wagon- this video is HILARIOUS!!!

No. 1 Song

I was talking with my sister, and somehow it came up to find out what the No. 1 song was on my son's birthday. She found this website that tells you what it was simply by entering the birthday, or date of any other special day. It turns out that Benjamin's was I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas, which is funny because that's what I said to Bart on the morning of our son's birthday when he asked me if I thought this was it (it as in labor) and I said, yeah, I've got a feeling it is! I'll be sure to add this fun bit of trivia to Benjamin's baby book along with the newspaper clippings his Grandad saved for him. 


I  also learned that my b-day song was Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes. It seems very fitting since I've always loved this song!

What I love about where we live...

This flyer came in the mail a couple months after we moved here summer of '08. I put it up on our fridge (yes, those are the flower magnets featured at katemarki designs) and almost 2 yrs later it still makes me smile because after both my husband and I attended college here (over 5 yrs. ago), neither one of us EVER imagined ourselves moving back. Well, life has a funny way of working out, and here we are living here again! It's been really good for us though and although very familiar, has surprised me with new things, places, and people. 

Here's a list of things I love about where we live...(listed in no particular order).

1. Gossners Dairy. I've never had cheese/butter/ice cream be so fresh, taste so good, and be so cheap! Aggie Blue Mint ice cream from the campus dairy is a close second. 

2. EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING we need is no more than 15 min. away. I'm talking the mall, grocery store, hospital, restaurants, movie theaters. We really enjoy being so centrally located.

3. Inexpensive rent. We were able to double, yes double our sq. footage and pay A LOT less than what we were paying in SLC for a 1 bedroom.

4. Friendly people. I feel really lucky to have met the great friends that I have here.

5. Scones and Vegetarian Eggs Benedict at Angies. Their motto is "Where the locals eat" and those who've been know why we flock there!

6. Elements restaurant. Beautiful ambiance and reasonably priced. Love their buy one get one free special they sometimes run on desserts!  

7. All the kids. It's fun to see so many little ones and have a good group of other tots for my son to play with.

8. Close proximity to lakes and resevoirs. It's so nice to be able to go to local spots that aren't crowded with people or packed with boats and other noisy water toys. The Riverwalk is hands down the best walking trail I've ever been on.

9. Logan Aquatic Center. I love that the kiddie pool is so huge and that they have swim classes for babies. 

10. The Wind Caves hike is one of my favs. and the Green Canyon is very pleasant too. Bart and I agree that we have a hard time living very far away from those mountains!

So yes, one could say that Cache Valley is a special place.

Gotta love Dolly

I recently caught Dolly Parton on Oprah and as usual, had a great time watching her. There's just something about her that always makes me smile. In terms of appearance, we couldn't be more opposite, but regardless of all that glitz and glamour, she gives off something much more memorable which is her surprisingly down-to-earth and true personality. It's not every day that you get to come in contact with someone who is as likeable, positive, and sincere as she is, and I admire how regardless of show business, she really makes it a point to remember where she came from. 

Here are my favorite Dolly quotes...

"I still close my eyes and go home - I can always draw from that." 


"I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else." 

"I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde." 

"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one." 

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." 

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." 

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." 

"You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap! "

"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try." 

Quick n' Easy Recipes

Here are 2 recipes that I think are great to have on hand for a quick n' easy dinner and dessert. I like this lasagna recipe because you don't have to worry about cooking the noodles, or the step of adding cottage/ricotta cheese. The dessert recipe is from my friend Cherise. I'm not a big chocoholic, but LOVE the homemade chocolate frosting part and the combo of pudding and cream. In my opinion, this cake is BETTER than actual eclairs. E N J O Y !

Fake It Don't Make It Lasagna 
Ingredients:
1 26 oz. jar of pasta sauce
1 30 oz. bag of frozen large cheese pasta ravioli (un-thawed)
1 bag or half a container of fresh spinach
1 8 oz. bag shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan


Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350.
Coat a 13x9 dish with 1/3 of sauce. Arrange ravioli on top and scatter spinach over them. Top with half of the cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli, remaining sauce, (I add in the mushrooms here) and cheese. Cover with foil and bake 25 min. Uncover and bake 5-10 min. until bubbly. Serves: 6

Eclair Cake  
Ingredients:
Box of original graham crackers
about 8 cups of milk (in total)
18 oz. Cool Whip
2 small boxes of French Vanilla JELLO pudding mix
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
5 Tbsp. cocoa
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp milk


Filling: 2 boxes of pudding, 3 1/2 cups of milk, 18 oz. cool whip
Frosting: 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 5 Tbsp. cocoa, 2 Tbsp. cooking oil, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 Tbsp. milk.


Directions:
In a lg. bowl, make both boxes of JELLO pudding mix as instructed on the side of the box. Once completed, add in 18 oz. of Cool Whip and 3 1/2 cups of milk. This is your filling. Then make the frosting by stirring together all of the ingredients listed above as frosting.  Next line your 9x13 pan with graham crackers (break to fit base of pan). Then spread on a 1/2 layer of filling. One more layer of graham crackers, rest of filling, one more layer of graham crackers, then frost with chocolate (easiest by picking frosting each graham cracker individually, then doing a final layer across the top with what's leftover). Serves 12-15 (depending on how big you cut them!)