It's been so long!

The thing about blogging is i love it! And i've missed our wittle blog, and you. If i were to tweet about what KC and I have been doing these past two weeks the hash tag would look like this #beingsickgradingpapersmidtermsunpackingcatchingupatworkcleaningandeverythingelse. But guess what... twitter won't let you hash tag something that long and that ridiculous. So i'll just give you some pictures and sum it up for you.Utah was so so much fun! We did so much it felt like we were gone for weeks!

We got to participate in the Shine Project in SLC. KC's sweet cousin Ashley runs the Shine project and if you haven't heard about it yet,you need to check her out in action! What an experience!

We lived it up because we were on vacation... and we shopped our hearts out.

 Seeing our good friends (andy, jemaica, piper, troy, and carly thanks for coming to see us)!

We celebrated being back in Idaho with our frequent bbq/bonfire/cookouts

I spent 3 days knocked out sick/on meds/missed a lot of work...oops!

My sister in law's wedding reception is in less than two weeks, and I got to make her invitations! I'm working on decorations and table settings now and it's so much fun. I could plan weddings all day everyday I tell you!

*More pictures and maybe even a video of the concerts. After every song during Bon Iver Bryce kept saying was just shoot me now and i'll die happy. and wasn't that the truth.. it was magical!

Jam Filled Cookies

These cookies are delicious and so easy to make!  The original recipe is found here.  I also made a batch and used peanut butter and chocolate chips instead of jam.

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fruit preserves, any flavor  
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• a pinch of salt
• 
  

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F 
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and egg yolks. Mix in flour a little bit at a time until a soft dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Use your finger or an instrument of similar size to make a well in the center of each cookie. Fill the hole with 1/2 teaspoon of preserves.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Time for a vacay

You. guys. I can't even. I can't even because i'm so so SO exctied for 5:01pm. We are heading down to Utah tonight with KC and her lova and will have the time of our lives I tell you! First things first we are going to the Shine Project event tomorrow morning- anyone in SLC come! and then visit the new City Creek Mall that I have been dreaming about, visit family, friends, go hiking, eat at Settebello's and for the most exciting part..........

We will be seeing The Shins, Head and the Heart, and Blind Pilot on Monday night... this song right here just makes everything in the world so good..

And then this is where my dreams reach their max... Bon Iver on Tuesday night! It's real! and happening! and really happening! Bryce loves Justin Vernon probably more than he will our first child (joking! but...) and before Bryce and I started dating I remember the first time I thought "wow I think I realllly like this guy" was when we stayed up all night talking about how much Skinny Love changed our lives. So really I'd like to take this time to say, "thank you Bon Iver for making us fall in love and for that I will come see you Tuesday night, love ya bye!" Also p.s. thank you Ladd for the tickets, best birthday present ever! love ya bye!

Island Park

Last weekend we went to Island Park to hang out in a mabin.... (it was a mansion/cabin.)  When I think cabin I picture log wood,dirty floors and me peeing outside.  Well, this cabin had 4 bedrooms, a few bathrooms and an awesome view.  We went with Shane's brother, sister-in-law and their two cute kids.  We had a great time hanging out on the dock, riding motorcycles and feeding the seagulls.  Sometimes it's nice to get away for a little while and appreciate your surroundings.  Just looking at these pictures makes me want to go again tomorrow!

Bird Nest Necklace

This is my one and only jewelry project! I've always wanted to be one of those girls who makes all her beautifulllll jewelry that everyone loves but this is my only pride and joy. I made these nest necklaces for my mom and sister in laws for Christmas and just now made one for myself...(mom and sister yours are on the way!) and I love them!

Even though this is a DIY tutorial, it's so easy you don't even need detailed instructions- trust me!
All you need are some beads or pearls or whatever you want to use for the eggs, gold wire, a chain and lobster clasps (unless you are just making the charm for an existing necklace) and wire cutters. First I put each bead on one at a time and wrapped the wire around each one individually, then added as many as I wanted, doing the same with them. Once your beads are on and positioned how you want start wrapping the wire around, over, up and down and all over the dang thing to make the nest. Seriously so easy right? Once your little bird nest is the perfect size, loop the wire on the top for the chain/ clasp/ necklace to slide through and that's it! Wear that baby with the pride becayse you made it and it doesn't look like a comb sheath from day camp.... Am I right? ( also that was a Modern Family reference, there isn't anything wrong with making a comb sheath!) But I'm just saying...

Creamy Cilantro Dip

This dip is the bomb!  I use it as a dressing on salads, a dip for chips and veggies and I even pour it over homemade chimichangas!  It's honestly good on everything!  I've been making this recipe for a while now and I finally measured out all the ingredients so I can share it with you.

Creamy Cilantro Dip-

1 Bunch of Cilantro  (cut off an inch of the ends)

1 pkg cream cheese (softened)

8 oz. sour cream

1tsp. garlic powder

1tsp. chili powder  (If you like it hot add as much as you want!)

1 C. green salsa  (I use a medium heat to make the dip more spicy)

I always use my food processor to whip this dip up, but you could use a blender too.
Start by mixing/blending the softened cream cheese, then add each ingredient.  The dip will be a nice minty green color. Chill for 1 hour and then serve!  It's eassssssy!  

 Enjoy!   

Stamp & Tie it

Look at that cute boy! My baby brother graciously modeled his new bow tie for me and it looks so handsome on him! This is the perfect DIY for father's day especially if your papa is a snazzy dresser (yes I said snazzy). The step by steps don't really have any explanation because it's seriously that easy! I just used the end of an eraser and a stamp pad to make some polka dots and then folded that up and bow tie it is. This project would be perfect with any patterned or bright colored material too. What are you giving/making for dad's big day?

Pinspiration

Pinterest me crazy is what I've always said! Well I've said it at least a couple times so don't worry about it. The other day I got my craft on and it felt so good to just hang out, catch up on my TV shows, ( I heard the season finale of Grey's Anatomy was torturous and I don't know if I can handle watching it tonight) and get some ideas of apartment re-vamping from the Internet- I'm ready for something new! So here it is... my pinspiration from pinterest. Re-designs and pictures coming up!

images via my pinterest