It's because we love the Smarts =)

My uncle Gordon passed away on Friday morning. It was so sudden and none of us were prepared for it. How can anyone really be ready for something like that? How blessed we are to have such a strong family to laugh and cry with. It seems like just about every year for the past few years we've had a family member pass away or get seriously ill. I know it's through faith, prayer, and love towards each other that we are able to get through it. I am so grateful that we will all have the opportunity to be together again. It is also a little comforting to know for a fact that my uncle was greeted by so very many friends and family members. I love the gospel.

I've thought a lot about Uncle Gordon this weekend and the things that stick out the most to me are his genuine interest in others and his ability to make people laugh and feel important. I remember in St. George if there was a little baby in our family at the time you can bet Uncle Gordon was making him or her laugh. He definitely had the gift of making others feel important and loved. You could always, always tell that he had a genuine love and care for you whenever he would ask you how you're doing. I had to steal this picture from Adrienne's blog. I love that so many of my cousins have stolen it as well. It truly captures the spirit of my uncle. My heart is so full of sadness and love towards the Smart family. I love you, Smarts! My prayers are with you all.

Cupcakes and PC's

"If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." - President Monson

It's been a while since I've posted on my blog. I would apologize, but then I'm not really sure why I should be sorry about the fact that I haven't posted anything...and I'm really not sorry. So I'm not going to apologize. =)

During this last conference session I noticed that gratitude was brought up quite a bit. I've thought a lot about the small things that I'm grateful for the past couple of weeks as I go throughout my days, and it has put me in the best mood. I have really come to realize that as I express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father (even for the really small things) I become much more satisfied with the things that I have than upset with the things that I don't have. In fact, I start to loose sight completely of the things that I don't have. I've started to make a list of the small/silly things I'm grateful during the week. I've posted a few pictures of some of them.

I'm grateful for flowers (white daisies especially!) My friend April gave these to me. She's in my new ward and is such a good friend to me! =) I am also grateful for good friends. My mom sent me that pumpkin decoration that's behind the flowers. I'm grateful for decorations, too! Chris and I took the train down to Salt Lake City. I'm grateful for free transportation! Actually, I'm grateful for free anything. Good thing I got my free pass for the frontrunner/buses right as gas prices are going down, right?
I am soooo grateful for ice cream cones!! While I was in Salt Lake with Chris I saw a group of grown men walking around with ice cream cones in their hands. I couldn't help but smile. They all looked like little kids on Christmas morning. I came to the conclusion that it's impossible to look unhappy while carrying/eating an ice cream cone. Unless, of course, your scoop of ice cream falls off your cone and onto the floor as my friend Mitchell pointed out. Next time you go get ice cream don't be boring and get it in a cup. Get it in a cone!! Don't we look happy? =)
Ok, I'll admit that I am the biggest nerd on the planet. Really. I love the smell of new books and scotch tape. Yeah, I know, I need help. I couldn't help but post this, though. That water bottle I'm holding is the darn cutest water bottle I have ever seeen. =) It fits perfectly in my hand, too! My aunt and cousins in Utah always compare me to the girl in the movie "Signs" because I leave glasses of water all around the house. I love water. And I love this water bottle. I'm not really sure why it has pictures of baseballs on it when it looks like a rocket ship...
See that ring I'm wearing? I'm grateful for that. Chris gave it to me for Christmas last year and it meant so much to me. My Uncle Ron designed it and I have had so many compliments on it-especially lately. It is a CTR (choose the right) ring. When people notice it it is a good opportunity for me to talk about the gospel. I have had some pretty cool missionary experiences lately with both members and non-members. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to share the gospel with others and watch it bring them happiness in their lives. I had the opportunity last weekend to go to a baptism. It has been quite a while since I've been to one and it was so good for me to be reminded of the covenants that I made when I was baptized, and to be reminded of the fact that I do have the gift of the Holy Ghost to be with me as long as I'm striving to do the right things. I didn't even really know the guy who was being baptized very well at all, but you could see the joy in his eyes. The missionary who baptized him was so full of joy and light that I thought he was going to be translated right then and there. =) I'm so grateful for the light of Christ that can be found in our eyes if we are doing the right things in our lives. People really do notice it.
I'm in charge of making a dessert for a murder mystery dinner I'm going to this weekend and I'm really excited about it. I'm going to try and make the dessert look spooky like the one above. Any one have any ideas? While we're on the topic of spooky things let me give you all some really good advice and tell you something I'm NOT grateful for. I'm not grateful for haunted houses. Don't go to one. Ever. They're dirty, and not scary, and you get fake blood all over your clothes. Sick.

I'm grateful for the opportunity I have had to cook so much and for so many people recently! Last Sunday I was in charge of making rolls for a dinner I was going to have with friends. I forgot the fact that my rolls were going to be used for sandwiches and made them too small. Doh! Don't worry, I traded the rolls for the sacrament bread that a guy in my ward is in charge of bringing. So, we used my rolls for the sacrament and his bread for the dinner. Win/Win. I also had to give him some homemade jam because he was really unsure about my rolls being good enough. I'm now in charge of making bread for the sacrament on Sundays. =) I think it'll be a good opportunity for me. I'll be posting a lot more often about the things I'm grateful for. I tend to be impatient sometimes and to overlook all the things I've been given. It's nice to be able to look back at the past few week and recognize the things which I'm grateful for.

Flirty Aprons and Snow

Wanna hear a funny story? I went up to Logan to visit my sister, Katie, and fell in love with this building. Don't worry...that's not the funny story.
This is the funny story:
Chris went up with me to visit Katie and we went to eat at Olive Garden. Our server was the most handsome guy I have ever seen outside of the movies. I'm not kidding. Chris asked him what he wanted to do as a career and he said he wants to be a marriage counselor because it's so important to him that his marriage works out so he wants to help others with their marriages. I kind of feel like that was a total line...but whatever. She told him he wasn't allowed to do that because he was too handsome and all of the wives would just fall in love with him. He totally blushed. I don't think he even KNOWS how cute he is. Which is perfect. Chris asked him if he was engaged (he's been off his mission for 4 months) and he said "no" to which she replied "well you should marry one of these girls." She pointed to Katie and I. Katie didn't want him so we left him a $2o tip on a $23 bill and wrote my number on there. Chris and Katie made me write "blonde" next to it so he would know whose number it is. That's my favorite part. It makes me sound like a total bimbo. Emily Price (blonde). Haha. Anyway, he came to pick up the check and I said something like "hey we're going to a movie...too bad you're working otherwise you could come." Turns out he was done with work right then and there. He went with us to see Eagle Eye and bought us all popcorn and drinks. The movie was awesome, but at the end of it I looked over at him and he was asleep. Don't worry - I'm really not so desperate that I have to tip a guy 100% and leave my number on a receipt. I'm sure I'll never speak to him again...it was just all in good fun. The end. The picture below is of Katie and I wearing "Flirty Aprons." Try and zoom in on the picture that I'm pointing at. Sooo funny. Anyway, the three of us had a blast and Katie really has a nice setup in Logan. If she doesn't show up to St. George for Thanksgiving it's because she turned into an ice sculpture and won't thaw until May.
The next two pictures are of the view from my balcony and my bedroom window. Usually you can see the mountains, but they tend to disappear when it snows. I'll admit-it's pretty. I just wish it could be in the 80's and look like this.

Look! My wall hates the snow, too!

My Favorite Shade of Brown?

Golden Brown. The picture below is of the dulce de leche apple bars that I made. You also cover the bars with a browned butter icing. I went to visit my sister, Katie, up in Logan this weekend and made these for her. I was sad to give them away. There is a layer of dulche de leche (the yummiest caramel you will ever eat in your life) right in the middle of the bars. I have a ton of apples that I need to use so any apple recipes would be much appreciated!! =) I got this recipe here.

It's Sunday morning. I cook breakfast on Sunday morning and this morning I wanted scones. So, naturally, I went online and looked up a scone recipe. They all sounded pretty bland so I looked up a recipe that included chocolate chips. =) Chocolate tends to give me headaches but once in a while I get lucky and don't have to pop any advil. I got lucky this morning. The picture below is before I put them in the oven. I was afraid I'd burn them (apparently scones burn really fast) so I wanted to make sure everyone knew I at least got the dough part right. =)

I added a powdered sugar/rasperry jam (homemade!!) topping. I saw the heart idea on another cooking blog and wanted to try it. The scones turned out pretty good - although they were just a little bit dry.
I made these pies for dinner last Sunday. I ate at my Aunt Chris's house with some of her family and played games. It was fun, and Travis and Katie brought yummy desserts as well, so we basically just had dessert for dinner.
I love cooking. I never thought I would, but I really do love it. I don't daydream about cute boys, or taking naps, or reading anymore. Nope. I daydream all day about what I'm going to cook next. It's hilarious. It snowed all weekend in Utah and all I could think about was how much I wanted to make soup! I even went to Barnes and Noble last night to look at books for a paper that I'm writing on the ridiculous price of tuition and spent most of my time looking at cool cookbooks. I wanted to buy them all-except for Rachel Ray's. I don't like her. There are so many kitchen gadgets that I want to get. Cooking is an expensive interest. Yeah, it's an interest-not a hobby. Hobby is another word that I hate. I never know what to say when someone asks "So, what are your hobbies?" I think that's the question I hate the absolute most on a first date. It makes me think of people who collect stamps or coins. Then again, I want to start a collection of cookbooks so who am I to judge? =) By the way, it's impossible to find a 9X9 inch baking pan. They're all 8X8. I had to go to three different stores to find one. Stupid. If anyone wants me to make them something I am more than willing!! I only have myself to cook for, and it would be fun to bake things for lots of people.

"A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water." - Carl Reiner

The first snow of the season is on its way. It will arrive sometime between now and tomorrow morning. My parents are in Tahiti. I hate my life.

Sorry, Utah. Better luck in the regular season. You're really going to need it.

I'll write more later. I'm kind of crabby right now. =)

The Phoenix Suns

The picture above puts a huge smile on my face. I can't believe I forgot one of the most exciting things about the month of October in my previous post. NBA season starts!! =) I can hear the bad referee calls and smack talk already. I grew up loving the Phoenix Suns and I can't wait to see what this season will bring for them with their new coach. I also can't wait to watch them squash The Lakers...especially Kobe. =) Their first preseason game is this Wednesday against The Hawks, and then they play The Jazz on Thursday - which means it'll be on TV here in Utah. No need to even really watch, though, because we all know who will win.

Happy October!

I love everything about October. It's not insanely cold but it's cold enough at night so you can still wear cute jackets. The leaves start changing all sorts of brilliant colors, there are Halloween decorations up everywhere, you can buy huge amounts of candy and not feel guilty, and people start to cook a lot more. I know, because I'm one of those people. I love Autumn. I even like hand writing the word "October." How's that for nerdy? It's just a fun word to write. Try it. I have a fascination with words and writing words. It's probably because I do crossword puzzles all the time. Anyway, I really have taken to cooking. Since I made the peach pie I have made crepes and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I've got recipes if anyone wants them. The picture below is of one of my crepes. It doesn't look all that appetizing but it was really good! I know what you're thinking. Yes, those are melted Hershey's Hugs. I melted them on top, spread them around, wrapped up the crepe and ate it! I didn't have any whipped creme, though, dangit!! This was breakfast. I love being an adult because I can eat dessert crepes for breakfast and nobody can tell me not to.
These are my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. If anyone has made these or is planning on making these make sure you use cinnamon and not cumin. Trust me. Oh yeah - add nutmeg to the recipe as well. If anyone has any good recipes please feel free to share! =)

These next couple of pictures are just of my brother, Brian, and I being nerds. I love it when leaves change colors and fall off of the trees. I really am grateful that we have seasons to look forward to. That's a nice little gift our Heavenly Father has given us. Oh, your summer totally sucked? Don't worry-it's Autumn now. Permission to start all over again with the start of a new season. I feel like every season we kind of get a chance to reflect on what we want to do differently. I love change and new beginnings. I'll be honest, though. I'm not a huge fan of Utah in the winter. However, this year I have a garage to put my car in, so I won't be scraping the ice off of it for 3 hours before my classes every morning. Score.