Holy Pictures Batman

This is going to be one of those posts with a lot of pictures complete with Gabe-ified commentary. 

First. I have yet to completely finish a book. I have checked out probably 20 books from library in the past 6 months and can say I haven't finished, or even make it through half of them. Isn't that the pits??? I'm in a slump. I requested a book I saw in a bookstore while I was home, The Postmistress, and started it yesterday. It seems interesting so let's hope this one turns out to be a winner. However, tonight I found myself reading one of my favorite things: 

cookbooks

Yes I read cookbooks, from cover to cover. It's fun! 

Anyway. I went home last week (here's where I blow up your screen with pictures)!

I brought Scotty back to New England and into the loving arms of my brother and sis-in-law. He's back to stay. Lucky pooch!

 So. To make this brief, I was going to give Scotty some happy meds to make the flying experience a little better for him (because last time it most definitely was NOT enjoyable). Well, we were sitting a few gates away so Scotty wouldn't freak out being around a lot of people and all of the sudden they made a final boarding call over the PA system and that the doors were closing. FREAKOUT!!!!! So I ripped open my bag and tried to get Scotty to eat his happy meds. Well. He didn't, but he did eat his treats. Punk. I shoved the stuff back in my bag and ran to the gate, boarded the plane, got situated, and then realized the pills were in my backpack. In the overhead compartment. And I was sitting in the window seat. Great. Once again we were flying with Scotty un-medicated. I was so nervous that my leg was shaking and shaking so hard that the nice elderly gentleman next to me kept looking at me. Oh boy. Well, by some miracle, Scotty was actually very good on the plane and even managed to sleep for 45 minutes. He was none to happy with me as we tried to get off the plane but I can't blame him. I hate his stupid carry-on bag too. But we made it and that's all that matters. WAHOOO!!!!

Cuddling safely in my bed at home. Cutie. 

To say I was happy would be a vast understatement. 

 

 

 I got to have Squamscott Soda! 

The raspberry lemonade is delish!

 

 On one of our adventures, we went to Newburyport, MA. I love this quaint little place, especially their antique shops!

And whattayaknow I found this while I was thumbing through some golf cards-Prestwick is in Myrtle Beach! Whaaaaaat?

I bought some new sandals. Don't mind the outfit but daaaaang I love those flats!

We went into the Best of British shop where Emma and I coveted Hunter rain boots and then we overwhelmed our noses with the delicious scents of Crabtree and Evelyn. I want this new one! OHMYLATNUS it smells sooooooooooooooooooo good!!!!!

 And I also had to get my pound of chocolate covered raisins from the general store. I opted out of getting 2 pounds because I'll be back next month (bad sadly they are already gone...maybe I shoulda gotten more...?) 

I found this in my favorite antique shop, Flukes & Friends & Finds, and fed my anchor obsession. My mom also found an anchor skirt at a consignment shop...$12 later it was mine. Oh happiness! And thank you Mom for letting me get it!

Miss this furball. 

I was delighted to be a part of the surprise retirement party for my high school English teacher Mrs. Miles. 

She taught at my high school for 40 years. I doubt I will see that kind of commitment with my generation. The lives she has touched! She's a dynamic lady, if I've ever met one. A rare gem and a woman who has influenced me in more ways that I could ever say. It's a very special thing being part of a small community that becomes your family and I just can't describe how happy I was to be a part of this special landmark and to celebrate this amazing woman with the rest of our Sanborn family. 

Now. Tangent time. This is my grandmother Barbara.

She's a babe and also one of my absolute favorite people in the whole world. She's the best cook and baker I have ever known. She's also sassy and funny and I hope to be as witty and awesome as she is when I grow up. Whenever I go visit we like to go through her closets and play dress up in some of her old fur coats and things. She has the coolest clothes. I LOVE HER. I actually found that picture on my mom's phone (thanks Mom) and then as I was going through some of my old things from college, found some old pictures she had given me during a visit while I was in college. So, it's throwback Thursday time.  

Eh hem. Back to New England.

I like my traditions. And for the love of ice cream I have only be thinking/talking/dreaming about my favorite ice cream place since Christmas: Lago's. My mom tried to talk me out of it. Have you lost your marbles???? 

                          

 I got cookie monster and oatmeal cream pie with chocolate jimmies!

 It's all homemade ice cream and the flavors are sinfully wonderful. I can't wait to go back!

Home was great. Wonderful. Amazing. Exactly what this girl needed. I honestly can't be without New England for greater than 6 months and even that is stretching it. Someday New England, someday we'll be together again.

Can we talk about surprises for a moment? I love surprises (good ones...obviously). I have been and am being tortured by upcoming surprises. My mom has a surprise which she is very elusive about and usually I can crack her for information. Not this time. I'm going nuts. Then, Mark has some surprises and won't tell me, though I have been given some useless hints. My curiosity-meter is OFF.THE.CHARTS. I'm going to go mad!!!! THEN a few weeks ago, Amy said she had a surprise for me too but I would have to wait. Let me tell you friends, I cannot crack her. Nope. She is tight-lipped. She doesn't even humor me. Well. I got home Sunday morning and she came over with my surprise because she finally got it and couldn't stand waiting any longer!!!! 

She got me a Garmin. 

OH.

MY.

LANTUS.

I teared up after she left. 

A) That's extremely generous. EXTREMELY. B) Ohmygosh it's a GARMIN. That's for legit runners. And Amy, who I respect, admire, and deem a legit, hardcore, and amazing runner, called me a runner and said it was time for me to have one. That's a high compliment friends. Whoa buddy. C) She even got it in the color I had been eyeing. I've already used it a few times this week and it's SO COOL!!!!!

 I get to see Mark in 3 weeks.

FINALLY. 

By the time we see each other it will have been 3 months. Three. That's practically an eternity. I am not a fan. If I could even tell you how excited I am, if I could even somehow allow you to feel the excitement and anticipation that are bubbling inside of me, I would. But I cannot. 

Plus. We'll be in New England. Together. HAPPINESS!!!!!

AND! He's never been to New England before. 

He doesn't even know what's about to hit him.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And. I went to the doctor's today. I don't think my experience is blog appropriate so I won't share (sorry), but I will just say, Brian Regan was right. When they say, "you're going to feel a little pressure," IT'S A LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy catscans. Lies. But it was hilarious, albeit someone embarrassing. Jeepers.

Oh! And I  have a Dr. W story from today. I had a patient who was ordered to start TPN today (total parenteral nutrition aka feeding someone through a vein where they just absorb the nutrients because it's already "digested" for them). TPN is more of a last resort option and really only for patients with a gut that don't work because of surgery, obstructions, fistulas, etc. This patient does not fall into the TPN-appropriate category but some doctors love to order TPN willy nilly, which drives me NUTS. It's expensive and really not that great for the body in the long run. Well. I get really riled up when some of the docs order TPN because 80% of the time it's not appropriate. I was riled today because it was absolutely not appropriate. So. I fumed with the pharmacist about the TPN and had my case ready to argue. My argument was rock solid. I was ready to fight this one. So, I patiently waited for Dr. W to finish chatting with a patient and then said hello to him and asked about the patient and started to argue my case (calmly, despite the fact that I was totally ready to bust out the facts, especially since this patient is rather complicated), when 3 seconds into my prepared argument Dr. W said, "You had me at Hi Dr. W. That's fine. Cancel it."

That's it? That's all?

Why can't all doctors be that awesome?!?!? I'll admit I was speechless for a second and then skipped (yes, yes I did skip) merrily down the hall to the charting room to inform the pharmacist that there would be no TPN.

Gabe-1 TPN-0. SUCCESS! 

Week in Review

This has been a craaaaaaaaaaaaazy week! Good crazy. 
Read on for pictures and stories!

Sunday my best gal and I had a Skype date...while we baked...brownies (unplanned!!!)

I miss her badly. It was looooovely to catch up and to share the very exciting things going on in our lives (boys! food! job bashing! get together plans!). It was so much fun. Clary. A year ago this time you were here...during black biker week...ehh....at least we suffered through it together (and binged on "Once Upon A Time")!

THE (secret recipe) brownies

Now I was making brownies because I was asked to participate in a career fair at one of the middle schools on Wednesday. This is my second year and it's pretty fun. Last year they paired me with the woman who runs the Edible Arrangements here. She is so sweet and we had so much fun. She even had some chocolate dipped fruit delivered to me at work. So, to repay her for her kindness, this year I made the best brownies on the planet my mom's infamous secret recipe brownies...coveted by all who taste them. I've made a few tweaks of my own and LOVE these things. They are not for the faint of heart and even the most seasoned of chocoholics must pace him/herself. Mmmmmm mmmmm! I had left over peanut butter frosting from some cookies I made a few weeks ago and decided to spead that on a few brownies. I've decided PB/choc is THE BEST combo EVER. Ohmylantus so good!!!
The career fair was fun BUT this year I was left on my own. I was so sad. HOW in the world can I possibly make nutrition/dietetics exciting for a group of middle schoolers? Uh....Nutrition Jeopardy! Oh yesss! It worked! Well, they at least had fun. I think. 

On Monday, some pals and I from church decided to have a cake decorating contest. I made 2 confetti cakes, cut them in half and we went to town! 

The finished products.

Two of our other friends arrived late, as we were finishing up, so we declared them the judges. Which is your pick?

We decided this one looked like a frog!

The winner was the first one. And that was mine!!! WAHOOOO!!!!! Then we ate them with ice cream. Mmmmm. I love ice cream. We will discuss this later.


Next. Tuesday I went for a run and as I was walking back to my apartment, I turned the corner to walk up the stairs and there IT was.

A big black SNAKE.

Coiled up at the bottom of the stairs. Friends. I freaked. Except I didn't. I froze and mentally stuttered and I'm prettysure my heart stopped. I'm pretty sure I nearly had a moment of fear-induced incontinence. (Nearly. I didn't actually). I have never been a huge fan of snakes but this confirmed how much I detest, nay, abhor them. And I am not exaggerating when I say it was probably 2-3 feet long. I DO NOT DO SNAKES. After about 10 seconds of no brain activity, gawking in fear, shock, and amazement, and the flight-or-fight kicking in (which resulted in me just standing there, frozen. So much for flight!), all I could think was I can't get to my apartment. Well don't worry. After I remembered to breathe and got my brain function back, I remembered I could always go up the other set of stairs on the other side of the building (oxygen does wonders for the mind!). So I took the steps 2-3 at a time mentally screaming WHAT DO I DO!!!??? WHAT DO I DO?!?!!?? Now, my intentions were pure, ok? Let's get that straight. This sick, nasty creature was sitting a mere few feet from my sweet elderly neighbor's door and all I could think was, heaven forbid she opened the door, either the snake would lunge at her or she'd drop dead of shock. AND THEN I thought of all the dogs (uh, HELLO, SCOTTY!!!!??? and his pal Poppy, who lives next door) that live around these parts and what if I had been walking Scotty and unbeknownst to the poor pooch, he walked right up to the snake and it bit him?? So at this point I'm panicking. Sweaty, stinky, and freaking out. So I ran down the stairs again (only to the second floor because I was at least distancing myself by a flight of stairs) to see if the snake was still there and decided to...yup this is pure genius, I know...through a pebble at it to see if it would move. It did and it hissed. Great. At least I knew it was alive because there was NO WAY I was touching a dead snake. Well that still didn't solve my dilemma!!!! So then I called the HOA and left a message about this grotesque creature. I mean what if there was a nest nearby. AND WHY WAS IT THERE???? WHY???? Then I wanted to take a photo so I ran back down again and...

IT WAS GONE.

GREAT. What if it was now lurking under the stairs? OR in the wall??? OR in the bushes??? I decided I was never leaving my apartment again. Then I realized I was being overly dramatic and really, really, really girly. Mark called, after I sent him a frantic text about a snack (darn autocorrect) lurking at the bottom of my stairs. And being the awesome guy that he is, he called to tease me to calm me down and make sure I was ok. What a stud! :) Mostly we just laughed at how silly I was reacting. BUT SERIOUSLY. A SNAKE!!!! GROSS!!!! AHHHH!!!! Let me just tell you, that evening when I took Scotty out before we went to bed, he was not allowed in any bushes. Strictly asphalt and grass. I still look around whenever I walk down the stairs, waiting for it to lunge out of its hiding place. I have an overactive imagination, I know. I haven't seen that thing since and the director of the board of my complex returned my call the next day basically making me feel stupid for freaking out. He reminded me there was wildlife (he emphasized this, apparently thinking I didn't know this) around us including frogs so snakes are sometimes common. What I wanted to say, but didn't, was that A) I am from New Hampshire and grew up surrounded by plenty of wildlife and am well aware of what wildlife is and B) don't talk down to me mister. I did tell him I had been told (and this is true) that there was a nest of snakes a few buildings down and to be careful when walking my dog AND that I had never ever seen a snake around this area. So take that, crackerjack! 

Thursday Amy and I made our live TV debut. We're going to be famous!!! Local celebrities. Watch out. I joke. But we really were on live TV. We were asked by the local news channel if they could interview us about healthy grocery shopping for 2 live segments (~3 minutes each) . It was such a blast. Albeit, frightening and terrifying, but fun. We refused to let our manager come, but the director of marketing, who helped set up the times and details, came. Uh. Hm. I appreciate the support but I was not so much a fan. I didn't want an audience. Plus, she intimidates me. I didn't need the address stress!!!! Overall, we were pleased at how well it went over. In the first segment, you can tell we were nervous the first 30 seconds and then we took off and did well. I liked the second segment better. Overall, it was actually really fun. If you so choose, you may watch the interviews, but before you do, please remember I do not enjoy public speaking, my hair is huge, yes I talk with my hands and really fast (genetics...), and don't be too harsh, ok?  
Healthy eating Interview 1 Healthy eating interview 2
Afterward, our manager said we could go out to dinner but it has been so blimey hot, we decided to celebrate with... Sonic. I confess. I have only been to a Sonic maybe 3 or 4 times in my life. I got a strawberry creamslush....mmmmmmmm mmmmmm good! The next day, Dr. W asked me how it went so I said well, and then later---after the marketing lady POSTED the interviews on the hospital's website....YIKES!!!!---when I came back up the floor, Dr. W EXCLAIMED how well we had done. I blushed. Aww shucks! 

So let's talk ice cream for a sec. As you may or may not know, I. LOVE. ICE CREAM (soft serve, hard ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato...let's just lump it into one category because I love 'em all). It's summer, well not technically, but it may as well be here because it's HOT and all I want to eat is ice cream. Every day. Amy had to run to the doctor's Friday and she brought us back each an oreo McFlurry. It's been SO long since I've had a McFLurry. It was DELICIOUS. THEN Mark sent me a picture yesterday of a chocolate frosty he got from Wendy's (my second favorite fast food dessert, second only to In N Out's chocolate shakes, which are the best shakes I've ever had. To date.). I was jealous. So at 9:30pm I almost left my apartment to get either a chocolate Frosty or a vanilla cone from McD's but then I remembered it's Black Biker Week, and I refuse to leave my apartment unless I have to work or someone is dying because it's scary out there. Wrecks galore, too many fatalities, scantily clad women, awful drivers (I do believe the middle line separating two lanes of traffic DOES NOT COUNT AS A MOTORCYLE LANE!!!!!), gun-happy idiots, and the like have come to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. Not leaving my apartment. Looks like chocolate chips it is! 

I'M GOING HOME IN 9 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My time with Scotty is coming to an end. It's bittersweet but I'm happy about it. He'll be happier with Hemma (Heath + Emma, my brother and sister-in-law), in NH where he can run free and be spoiled rotten by Hemma, our neighbors and their dog, my parentals! I'm also TERRIBLY in need of a excited for a vacation. I get to see my family again (FINALLY, since I have been shunned while living in southeast where no one wants to visit me *insert very sad face here) and be home. Pure happiness. I can't wait! Along with lobster, Lago's, SHAKE SHACK (my first time!), seeing the Atlantic (and hopefully sea glass hunting), and all the wonderful things I can't list (because the post will be infinity long) that come with being home in New England, I cannot wait. I just have to survive the flight home...with Scotty...who hates flying...*gulp*

AND. Sara Bareilles is FINALLY coming out with a new album! I have been waiting FOR AGES. Whenever I hear her music, I think of baking because I always seem to listen to her stuff when I bake. I have already pre-ordered her new album. YESSS!!!!!! Also, her music always makes me want to live in a city. So then I dream about living in *Boston* or NYC one day. *sigh* Maybe one day. A girl can dream. 

Today is Sunday. Sunday means baking day and I can't think of one thing I want to bake. Well actually, that's not true. I wanted to make my copycat of Levain Bakery's dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookies but alas, I don't have peanut butter chips. FOR SHAME! I thumbed through all of my Pinterest recipes and flipped through my trusty recipe binder and couldn't find anything. This saddens me, greatly. I did make enough dragon noodles to last me through the week. Mmmm....I have a new found love for sriracha! But jeepers creepers it's Sunday!!! I need to bake something!!!! I'll have to look again. 

Yay it's May!

So. 

Let's recap. 

This may be a long post BUT it has lots of pictures (and yes, a lot of food pics. Don't pretend to be shocked)!!! That means it'll mostly be pictures with my commentary. Muahaha!

Ye have been warned. Birthdays are kind of A HUGE deal for me. The bigger I can make it, the better. My pal Amy had her 24th birthday on the 23rd and the day before I had brilliant ideas poppin' out of my brain cells. I couldn't wait. These are the results:

*Eh hem* FIRST of all friends, let me just say I made my own caramel...WITHOUT a candy thermometer. WHABAM! And it was great! The author of the recipe said I could do it and she was right. Boy I felt like a million bucks. Also I'm glad because otherwise I would have had to make a late night trip to Wally-world (eh...) for caramels to melt (aka the cheapo way). Well, thank goodness it worked. 

 I felt it completely necessary that I "taste test" some so I put it atop some leftover brownies I had in the freezer and then thought, "what the heck?" and topped it with some sea salt and whipped cream, or "keem" as my darling nieces used to call it. Delish friends, DEE.LISH.

Now the point of making the caramel? Well, Amy's favorite candy bar, or one of, is Twix and I had pinned (I will admit, I am a Pinterestaholic. Yup. *no shame*) a homemade Twix recipe months ago and now had a reason to make them! YES! So I made 'em, cut up in attempt to make them kinda, sorta look like Twix bars and then got all crazy (this is what happens when I am scheming, the ideas just FLOOOOOW. It's amazing) and decided to wrap them up so they looked like candies. 

AND THEN. I decided that Twix bars weren't enough, because, like I said, I like to go ALL OUT on birthdays. I decided to make some peanut butter pudding cookies. Amy and I had made these together months ago and I remember us both devouring them so I thought these would be a hit. Instead of peanut butter chips, which I didn't have because I kind of decided to make them on the fly, I just used Reeses Pieces, peanut butter M&Ms, and chocolate chips. 

SOOOO YUMMY! And you know I taste tested that dough about 5 times. I gave her 24 cookies and she was kind enough to share. Mmmmm! 

THEN. And this was the AHA! moment I had right before I left work on Monday and decided to gather all my goods to super surprise Amy on Tuesday: decorate her desk/half of our office. Oh I was bursting with excitement! I got to work super early and decorated and was so nervous she would come in extra early (she always beats me) and I would be in the middle of decorating. Well, as it turns out she was running late and ended up getting in loooong after I had finished. Thank goodness. She was surprised and I was pleased. 

Now we decided to throw a birthday bash on Saturday and I got all crazy and made spinach dip (from a packet but it was from Mark from this fabulous store in Texas!) with homemade pita chips, and, now this is a big deal, guacamole. For the first time. By myself (which means without the guidance of Mark, who showed me how to make it). Now I realize it's not rocket science but I'm a baker, ok? This means I like specific amounts with specific ingredients and clear cut instructions. Cooking is a little more lenient in amounts and ingredients so I was a little nervous making this for the first time, and for a party no less. Fortunately, Mark is amazing and walked me through about 5 times. He even Skyped with me while I made a test batch. Yes he is that awesome. And yes I am pathetic. It's the curse of perfectionism. 

THEN. In my attempts to get back into making dinners more consistently that are a little more wholesome than a PB/honey sandwich, cereal, or a Greek yogurt, I found a super easy salad recipe which involved black beans, corn, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade cilantro-lime dressing. Friends, it's off the hook good. I added some spicy tilapia and whoa buddy it was good. YAY for leftovers! 

This shouldn't be anything new but I just am not feeling running as of late. I don't know why. Actually I do. April, well, after April 10th, April and I were not on good terms. No siree. Work sucked the life out of me (you work 3 weeks straight sans a day off and tell me how you feel. Yeah that's what I thought), I was recently asked to be the director of a girls camp my church does every year and usually the director is given this assignment months ago and I have kind of been thrown into the whirlwind of planning (with a mere 2 months to go until camp) while trying to get myself up to speed, plan, etc. etc. etc., while trying to maintain my personal sanity. This is no small task. I believe many of you would say, "Welcome to being an adult" or "Welcome to reality. Yeah well...fine. At least hand me some more cheese for my whining. Provolone preferably. Or sharp Havarti. 

I was talking to Amy, who is running a marathon this weekend and another in Philadelphia in November. I was telling her I didn't really want to run the Myrtle Beach mini-marathon (half marathon; I don't know why they call it a mini-marathon because there is nothing mini about 13.1 miles thankyouverymuch) in October. I didn't like the course and, I donno, just wasn't feeling it. Amy suggested I run the half marathon in Philly when she runs the full. 

DONE. I am slightly more motivated though probably not until after the chaos of June is over. But still. Now I have a goal. AND it's my first distance race. We're making a little trip out of it and driving up with a group of friends, a few others who are running the half and a few coming to cheer us on. I am pumped! And you better believe I will be running up the Rocky stairs! 

Next month this cutie will be back in NH to live with my brother and sister-in-law permanently. I'm a little heartbroken because I love him so, but I think it'll be better for him: more room to run around and two people to care for him. So I busted out his dreaded carry-on bag to get him ready for the flight home. I can already feel my stress level rising. 

Per the request of Amy, I made rolo cookies for her because this week has been a bust for us both. Like I'd turn down a request for cookies and the opportunity to bake. NEVER! 

And now for today. I had yesterday and today off. Yesterday was devoted to errands and today was my fun day. I let my mane go free--and it was windy so I looked like a human Mufasa--and busted out my mint cords and loafers, and you know that means I'm in for some serious fun. 

The fun started with Iron Man 3. Dude. First showing of the day cost me a whoppin' $4.75. That pleased me GREATLY. And hooooooly catscans it was a GREAT flick. Robert Downey Jr. is one of, if not my favorite actor. This role was made for him. Go see it. You will not be disappointed! Then I went to get froyo for lunch. It's been awhile since I had some. I got hazelnut, chocolate, and vanilla froyo and topped it with--ready for this??--chocolate chips, brownie bits, chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds, cocoa puffs (why not??) and topped it off with chocolate jimmies (or for those of you not from New England, chocolate sprinkles). Ooooooh yes I loved it! AND this makes me SO excited to go home in June to a) see Heath and Emma and my New England family and b) go to Lagos, the best ice cream place EVER. I'm drooling already. OHMYLANTUSIMSOEXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I decided to "pop in" to Anthropologie. Right. Pop in. Ha. I don't shop at Anthro for their clothes. Not quite my style, though cute. I shop for their kitchen stuff, sometimes home stuff, and random books/literature/note pads/writing stuff. I honed in on this cup and plate (pictured left) when I walked and I ended up walking up with that plate because I have an obsession with nautical stuff and therefore I had to have it. I also loved these little ceramic sailboats (pictured right), but what would I really do with them? Eh. Not worth $24. But still cute. 

LOVED this tape dispenser.  

And my eyes popped out of my head a little when I saw these AH-dorable sticky notes. And hello! There were 480 in there! But I told myself I have enough stationary/sticky notes (For now. But that's a lie. It was a tactic to talk myself out of them and it worked...this time). 

 Then I got home and the top I had ordered for my new bathing suit had arrived!!! My new suit is ready! Now, woman to woman--or hey if you're a man, woman to man but let's face it, what I am about to tell you is probably more exciting and understood by a woman--I had to order a smaller size in my bathing suit bottom. Yeah. I almost died with happiness. You know that feeling right? Oh yes. AMAZING. 

Now. May I please just tell you how much I adore my brothers. I can't even tell you. There are no words except to say I am the luckiest sister ever. I love and adore and admire these fine men. They are some of the best friends I will ever have. 

Heath (on the left) graduated from Brigham Young University the end of April in Electrical Engineering (WAHOO!!!!!), was accepted to the University of New Hampshire's law program, and got a scholarship. I am SO freakin' proud. And I get to see him and his fabulous wife in a month. We're going to have some serious sibling time. I CANNOT wait. 

Dane (on the right) is rockin' and rollin' as a missionary for our church--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is doing very well and I am SO proud of him. You can read about his experiences and adventures here.  

Finally, OneRepublic came out with a new album in March and friends, it is AAAMAZING. I LOVE IT. Michael Buble also came out with a new album in April, but, to be honest, I like OneRepublic's better, at least right now. And I found a really cool recipe for homemade rosemary soft pretzels. I think I'll give 'em a try tonight. And I thumbed through a macaroon recipe book at Barnes and Noble today (and used my iPhone to snap some of the recipes; does that make me a bad person? I did't want the whole book!), and I think I might try to make some macaroons tonight, or tomorrow. Hmm...baking and listening to OneRepublic? Yup that sounds like a swell evening to me!