THE PICS ARE UP

So, the awesome photographer put up some sample pics of the Eric & Danni's wedding on his website today and I posted them on the family blog if you are interested.

Here are a few sneak peeks.

If you don't have access to the family blog, but would like too, just shoot me an e-mail via my naptimenostalgia@hotmail.com with you e-mail and I will add you to the list.

Thanks!

LIVING IN UTAH

Remember THIS post on how to identify a convert?

Well, on Tuesday night I hosted a little Summer Salad enrichment in my backyard (holla to my HV peeps!). And guess what was the very first salad that showed up?

Yep. Green Jello Salad. It was all I could do not to laugh.

I love living in Utah.

TO MY DEAREST LOVING HUBS

Dear Hubs,

Okay, so my birthday. It's in October. A long way off I realize. However I just stumbled upon what could be only THE MOST FABULOUS BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER. And well, I'm hoping this little post-a-la-hint will do the trick.

So I have been loving Kathy Griffins stand up for quite sometime now. I love all her celebrity bashing. I think it's hilarious. As you know, I routinely laugh out loud in a somewhat annoying manner almost every time I see her on television. And, come on, admit it. You've giggled too. And wouldn't it be fun to giggle together to Kathy Griffin LIVE? Well now we can. Our chance is coming. November 21st to be exact. And I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday in November. Can you? And here is where you can purchase the tickets for my MOST FABULOUS BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER. Couldn't be easier, right?


Your loving wife,

Amy

And bloggers, if you happen to be a Kathy fan as well, feel free to join us. Trust me, she won't disappoint.

Gourmet Gifting

So, beginning sometime in March I started randomly receiving Gourmet magazine monthly in the mail. The first time I thought it was a fluke. Somehow they miss delivered or something. Looked on the mailing address and sure enough it was mine. Strange. Since I've never read or even seen this magazine I decided to open it up and see what it was all about. And it was fantastic. Well written articles about entertaining, traveling, and the latest in good food. It comes jam-packed with new and interesting ideas about cooking and tonz of easy-to-follow recipes. I devoured (pun intended) the issue and found myself curiously intrigued as to who would send me such a gift. Could it be Hubs sneaky way of "encouraging" me to cook dinner more often? Or maybe it was somebody who thought it might be a nice subtle way to send me some pointers on "good living" or way to spruce up my entertaining skills. I just wasn't sure. As I pondered on my good fortune I found myself anxiously awaiting the next issue and then the next.

I find it somewhat amusing that I waited so many months to find out who ordered this subscription. I kinda liked thinking that someone would care enough about me to order me a gift subscription to a magazine. Almost like a secret gift-giving admirer. But today, my curiosity got the best of me, and I went ahead and called Gourmet Magazine. I nervously dialed, and patiently answered all of the computerized questions until I could speak to a real living person and find out the identity of my Gourmet gifter. And the sender?

Well, I'd like to tell you some happy warm-hearted story about a thoughtful person, but instead I found that I received a free year long subscription when I ordered a Christmas gift for someone from the Napa Style catalogue. Not as whimsical an ending as I've been imagining all these months. Nevertheless, I think I will continue to enjoy my Gourmet Magazine just as much as I have been. I've tried a few new recipes, got some great advice about getting my children to eat better, and visited some amazing places via some beautiful, touching photographs. I love all things artsy. Photography, music, food and art are just a few ways my right brained self loves to be stimulated. But probably the best thing I've learned in my Gourmet adventure? That I just might start adding magazine subscriptions to my "great gifts for everyone" gift-giving repertoire. What a fun way to say "I love you" or "Happy Birthday" or "Merry Christmas". Giving someone a gift that keeps on giving. Every month that person is sure to think of you and be reminding of your love for them. Plus, isn't it just lovely to get something in the mail that isn't junk or a bill? So fun. Yep, I think this will be my new way to send love in '09. Keep your eyes peeled and your mailboxes open. Something fun just might be on it's way.

VENTURE OUTDOORS FESTIVAL

Have I ever told you all what a fantastic neighborhood we live in? We actually live in the Millcreek Township, and they are always planning free, fun, family-friendly activities. And since we like fun and free we are usually try to make it out to them when we can.

One such activity happens to be going on today. And if you are interested I'd thought I'd put all the info on here and maybe we will see you around. Today's activity is the 4th annual Venture Outdoors Festival. It is held at Canyon Rim Park (2900 E. 3100 S.). The hours are from 3-9 p.m. They have lots of different events and activities. Something for everyone. They will have two tents, the pavilion and amphitheatre filled with fun.

Over at the Millcreek Gardens Recreation Tent they will have:

3:00 -- Ruth Young from body works

3:45 -- Summer container Garndening

4:30 -- Dutch-Oven cooking with Roger B. Sounds delish!

5:15 -- Nordic walking

6:00 -- Bugsology

6:45 -- Kites with breakin' wind

7:30 -- Lund Grafx Works and Ayl Gadget guy

8:15 -- powertri --determine your cycling power and thresholds to maximize your cycling performance

Over at the St. Mark's hospital Recreation Tent

3:00 - REI bike Maintenance

3:45 - 10 tips for creating great photographs

4:30 - Edible landscape with joy bossi

5:15 - Salt Lake water quality

6:00 - Bike collective

6:15 - Herb gardening

7:30 - sports nutrition -calling all endurance racers!

8:15 - Dog safety

East Pavilion

3:00 - The UFOS --unicycling team for organs

4:00 - Canyon rim academy jump team

4:45 - Thalia condo -musical artist

5:30 - Duna international folk dance ensemble

6:15 - katie McMinn- singer songwriter

7:00 - United studios for self defense

7:45 - Duna international folk dance ensemble

Dans Foods amphitheatre

3:00 - Radio Disney

4:00 - Bre Larson - pop & r&b

4:45 - Scales & Tails adventure

5:30 - one voice children's choir

6:00 - west bench - band

7:00 - Josh Wilson - singer songwriter

8:00 - Josh Rosenthal

9:00 - incendiary circus & samba fogo - fire performers -- heck yeah!

Other activities going on daily throughout the park

Agility dogs

Astronomy

fly-fishing

k-9 sheriff demo

kids jungle fun-run

9-hole mini golf course

animal adoptions

art fun

atv mini safety course and ride

beachsold volleyball arena

BMI assessment with St. Marks

Dunk Tank -- um yes please

Giant obstacle course

giant slide

howdy da clown

kokopelli kfit

mountain boarding

paint a snow plow

pathways to fishing

PGA-utah section

salt lake sheriff's archery

speed pitch and soccer challenge

climbing tower

So, if you are in need of some fun today, head on over. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. If not, a little rain never hurt anyone. Right? See ya there!

THE PICS ARE UP

So, I just wanted to let you all know that the "Wedding Extravaganza Jersey Shore Excursion of '09" pictures are up on the family blog for those of you who are interested. Here's just a little teaser. Hubs and me posing outside Mud City with Clammy.

The whole week was a blast. And the wedding was off the hook. I am so happy for them. Congrats Eric & Danni!

FINALLLY. . .

Proof!! He is mine. I did carry him!! Well, after a good five years, I've finally found a trait in my son that he most definitely got from me. Seriously, he looks exactly like Hubs. From his head to his toe. Exact replica. It's kinda cute actually. But some days I find myself wishing that he had something of mine. You know. Like maybe my ears, or my toes or something. And well, after five years I finally found it. The gene he got from me.

This kid LOVES a good accessory.

Hubs is so proud.

And I can't think of a better gene for him to have inherited. Cause, well, lets just face it. Accesories are great, give you a little juje. And everyone needs a little juje. Accessories make you smile, they always fit, and can be useful (like tell you the time). Three cheers for accessories!

Every day he goes through this whole routine putting on his "stuff".

Hearing aids.
Hat.
Sunglasses.
Wristband --sometimes two.
Watch.
Wristband on ankle (yeah. I don't get it either)
and last but most certainly not least. His backpack that he MUST carry around at all times. But not like a normal backpack. He must wear it like a messenger bag.

I so love this kid.

911

Okay, so I know you are probably tired of reading about this on my blog (and if your my family, hearing about it at Sunday dinner), but I'm convinced there is more to 911 then just planes. Go ahead, give a listen. And educated yourself. Steel melts at 2700 degrees F. Maximum temperature jet fuel burns at is 1500 degrees F. You do the math.

TUESDAY'S TIP POST OFFICE LOVE

Summer equals vacation. Right? Or Holiday if your from across the ocean. I've always loved that word. Holiday. Not the halloween and valentines holiday, but the vacation holiday. And I think I'm going to have to start annoying people by using this term instead of the word vacation from now on.

Them: "Why are you so tan?"
Me: "Oh, I just got back from holiday."

Just sounds fancier, right? Okay, so this post does have a point. And what's the worst part of going on holiday (besides the post-vacay mountain of laundry)? Finding, or remembering rather, to have someone pick up your mail, and water your lawn etc.


Well, I found this little website that will at least help with one of these nuances. That's right folks. Your local United States Postal Service. Once you get to the website, you just look to the right hand side of the screen where it has a pull down menu for receiving mail. Click on that. Then click on "put mail on hold". It will take you here. Then, just put in your zip code. Then name and address. Next you can choose the date for your mail to stopped being delivered and a day to resume the mail delivery. Then you can have the post office either deliver all the mail they held on the day you get back, or you can choose to pick it up at your nearest post office at your earliest convenience. Pretty handy right?


You can schedule the holds in advance, or say you've had a slight brain fart and forgot? Just log on from your vacation destination and hold the mail from there. Pretty fantastic if I do say so myself.


Happy Traveling Friends!