thirty | on thursday

so i would like to say that life has been good today.
but it hasn't.
i got very sick.
that's the reason this post is up so late today.
& why the past few days you haven't seen a thing.
my apologies for that. all should return to normal soon.

so today's post rocks!
i am introducing you to a girl that is amazing.
she is like this little ball of energy in my mind.
& everytime i see her, she is so kind & funny.
oddly enough, we met through my little sister.
strange how life happens.
meet tomi.

she recently started a fun blog, the sprinkled scoop.
the blog is going to be great, i know it.
tomi has great fun with everything & finds the most quirky & amazing things.
so i thought it would be fitting to feature her, everyone needs a friend like this.
even if you can't meet her in person!

so here is today's thirty | on thursday post.
read it, enjoy. laugh. have some fun.
& please, please, please check out her blog...i am sure she will be posting soon.

tomi, i have to tell you...that i loved the part about juno.
i ♥ juno too. & i too, thought she was so selfless & fun.
i bought a hamburger phone after i watched that movie.
no joke. savannah used to say when answering "hello, its a cheeseburger calling you."
hilarious!

1 | where are you from? wellington, utah

2 |where is home now? Helper, Utah

3 | what's a favorite indulgence? Food wise? Bacon. Otherwise? Books. Lots and lots of books.

4 | what is your favorite thing to cook & why?
Rice Pilaf. It's super easy, and you can never make just a little. So you can eat it for days and days.

5 | any good reads to suggest to us...
Divine Misfortune by A. Lee Martinez and Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

6 | favorite movie & why?
Juno, it's eccentricities and lingo make it so much fun to watch, and it is a really touching story about a mistake turning into a blessing, what Juno does is a really selfless act.

7 | name one person you would want to meet & why?
Paula Deen, I love everything she makes and she just seems like a warm southern maw maw (grandma, LOL!)

8 | what motivates & inspires you?
I get motivated by setting goals, and giving myself rewards. Like, if I clean the kitchen, I reward myself with a nap. :) I get inspired by books and music mostly. It's funny the way I can hear a song and create a recipe to go around it. Also, My little boy, Ryley. He inspires me to put fun into everything I do. Life is better when it's silly.

9 | whats in your purse | bag? oh wow..let's see: Ipod touch, zombie brain flavored mints, 3 lipglosses, momspit hand sanitizer, tissues, wal-mart receipts, my wallet, some plastic  bangles, a matchbox car, and a couple packages of fruit snacks.
(it's a rather large purse)

10 | what is your biggest fear? eek. It's a tie between giant squid and prehistoric sharks.
The thought of both terrify me.

11 | if you could have any talent [besides, the many obvious ones.] what would it be?
I'd like to learn how to blow glass, I think that is more than a little amazing what they do with a tiny ball of glass.

12 | name 5 words someone would use to describe you? Sweet, Quirky, Stubborn, Showoff, Sassy

13 | what's your favorite food? Sweet: Cupcakes, hands down. Otherwise: Jacketed baked potatoes.
[p.s. tomi, what are jacketed baked potatoes?]

14 | what is one thing [no people or pets] that you can not live without? My ipod touch.

15 | something that is overrated? underrated? overrated would have to be dieting. For health reasons, that's understandable. Everyone needs to be healthy. But dieting to just make yourself look that much better is not good. That's how the world has developed it's body issues. I always say "I'd rather be fluffy and happy than skinny and miserable" Underrated would have to be plain ol' mac n' cheese. Just cheese, noodles, and a pinch of salt. Haha, of course I bring it back to food.

16 | name one person [famous or not] you most relate to or that best represents you & why? dont laugh..Cheer bear from the care bears. I relate to always wanting people to be happy and cheerful. The best way to do that is to be happy and cheerful yourself.

17 | tell us one thing that no one would guess or we would be shocked to know?
 I am a HUGE taylor swift fan. lol. [IM SHOCKED!!!!]

18 | name a blog [or a couple blogs] you stalk regularly?
Cakespy(this the most!)
♥ me some cakespy too! 
Bakerella,
[i happen to ♥ bakerella alot too! she is amazing!]
Your blog.
[thank you! i am absolutely TOUCHED!]

19 | tell us your favorite thing about your significant other? [this will be fun.] :) He is impossible to stay mad at. Whenever i'm mad, he cracks a joke, and the fight is over. I love it.

20 |tell us something you aren't good at? [or just wish you were.] Sewing. I fail at sewing, but I really want to learn how.

21 | what is your favorite color? what do you believe it says about you? pink. I think it says "wow, you really do have a totally girly side!"

22 | what is something that you have plans to try before the end of this year? fondant. I've dappled, but I plan to become a master. haha.

23 | your favorite holiday? Halloween. So spooky. I go all out every year.

24 | describe yourself in one word. Awesome :)

25 | what's your dream car? dream home destination? Dream car --Black nissan cube. Dream home destination--Seattle.

26 | where is your place for peace? [your most peaceful place to be.] [or your way of achieving it] My couch late at night, reading my book.

27 | what's your secret to balancing life? a career, marriage, etc.
taking things one step at a time, always.

28 | what's an item on your wish list? [for you or for someone else] Pink kitchenaid mixer! with attachments!

29 | what do you | or would you... do....to make the world a better place?  Sweeten it up a bit. I love to take goodies to people. A big plate of cookies always puts a smile on everyone's face.

30 | leave us with a piece of advice | inspiration.....

Never trust a skinny cook! haha, j/k. Actually, be true to yourself. Follow your rainbow, it will always lead you somewhere nice.

awesome advice tomi!!!
& the rainbow advice....AMAZING!!!
i will have to share that more!
keep following your rainbow, i know i will!

a little late.....

blame it on vacation again, its too hard to try & be fifty places at once.
i am sure you know how that is at times.
i want to make sure my kids have the funnest time ever...
we got sunburned yesterday, yes all of us. & we all had on sunscreen.
i bought a better brand last night. can't have that happening again.

anyway, i wanted to share with you a blog stalk | sunday post.
i had hoped to post this yesterday which was actually sunday....
but the 4th of july was taking place & well, that's important!
p.s. i hope you all had a safe & fun holiday!

so today i want to share with you.....a fun foodie blog.
THE OLIVE TREE
i recently participated in a giveaway there & i read it weekly for recipe fun & ideas.
so you really should check it out, its alot of fun.
& the food looks & sounds OH SO YUMMY!!!
Melissa really is talented with her kitchen skills!

so please check it out.
its stalk | worthy for sure. so stalk away.

happy birthday | to you.

today is my sweet ella's birthday.
she turns 3.
thats a big number for such a tiny girl.
ella is my sunshine on a rainy day, full of smiles, hugs & kisses whenever anyone needs them.

i cant believe we have already reached the number 3!
time flies when life is so good.
a few things about ella in her 3rd year of life....or right before it :)


*she loves MILK, i mean LOVES IT! has to have it all the time.
*she loves dresses, jewelry & anything girlie. a total girlie girl.
*she loves to be "my big helper" as she calls it. & she truly is such a great help!!!
*she eats only the icing off of cake & cupcakes usually. it's her favorite part.
*she requests noodles for breakfast on a regular basis. she loves them.
*she also loves broccoli & eats it like there is no tomorrow, boy am i lucky!
*her blanky is attached to her like a 3rd arm, she cant function without it.
  poor grandma greenwood has made like 5 already....too funny.
*she loves to sing, especially twinkle, twinkle & boom boom pow.
*being tickled is complete happiness for her.
*miss ella has an insane sense of humor & says the funniest things.
  after being told she couldn't go on the airplane without being potty trained..
  without hesitation, she told her dad "send me a message then!" hilarious!
*you almost ALWAYS share with anyone, you are so kind hearted that way.

i can't really think of everything to share about her because there are SOOO many good things.
ella you are an amazing little ball of sunshine, full of love & laughter & my days with you are sweet.
of course you aren't always well behaved or nice but that comes with the age...
& you are always quick to say sorry and offer a hug.

we love you miss ella bonana.
you deserve the best birthday a 3 year old could ask for.

XOXO - ♥ 

mommy. daddy. savannah & olivia.

happy| day of independence

happy 4th of july!!!

i feel we have so very much to be thankful for. 

life is certainly so sweet & there is SO very much to CELEBRATE! 

this has been a holiday unlike others....but joyously so...

we are in texas visiting our family & this year the change comes from..

meeting a new & amazing family member, a brother i never knew i had all my life.

he flew home tonight - back to phoenix. 

but our short visit was amazing.

its amazing to know you have another like you in some ways out there somewhere...

a relationship that we get to have now & build upon. amazing!

i hope to make it to phoenix to see you, cody!

[i will share photos later!] 

[photos taken by tickled pink studios - orange county based photographer - kim waldron]

much love from my sweets to yours....may your day be filled with fun, laughter, memories...

& of course, SAFETY! :) 

XOXO - ♥