The ABC's of Me

I saw this on Leslie's blog and had to do it! FUN! If you would like to participate, just copy and paste this list of questions and change to your answers and post it on your blog with a link to mine. (www.karenpedersen.blogspot.com) Then be sure to comment here and let me know if you have done it and include your blog address so I can come and learn more about you.

Here's ME:
Age: 42
Bed size: King
Chore you hate: ironing, unpacking after a trip
Dad's Name: LeRoy
Essential start your day item: scriptures
Favorite actor(s): Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Reese Witherspoon
Gold or Silver: Silver
Height: 5’7"
Instruments you play(ed): Flute
Job title: Close to My Heart Executive Director
Kid(s): Kori, Easton, Tannon, Dawson, Rick (son-in-law), Daci (granddaughter)
Living arrangements: own a home in Highland, UT and live with my hubby, Dan the Man and my two remaining at home kids (we call them the leftovers, in a very loving way mind you), Tannon and Dawson
Mom's name: Nedra
Nicknames: Kare Bear. My hubby calls me this but recently Tannon and his friend have adopted it too. Silly.
Overnight hospital stay other than birth: when I cut two toes off in the lawnmower
Pet peeves: unkindness
Quotes you like: from Thumper on Bambi, "If you can't find somethin' nice to say then don't say nothin' at all!"
Rightie or Leftie: Rightie
Siblings: Andrea and Gaylyne
Time you wake up: 6:45 (I've gotten later in my old age!)
Umbrella: no
Vegetable you dislike: asparagus
Ways you run late: I get busy on the computer with my job or browsing scrapbook artwork sites or blogs and lose track of time. I once was 2 1/2 hours late picking up my son. I TOTALLY forgot. Luckily, he forgave me! I can't believe I just admitted that.
X-rays you've had: right foot, right and left hands, nose
Yummy food you make: my family's favorites are chicken broccoli casserole, chicken enchiladas, chocolate chip bars and better than sex cake (don't shoot me. I didn't name it).
Zodiac: Virgo

Happy Memorial Day tomorrow everyone.

The Agony of De-Feet

With summer coming (sandal season) one of the things I am missing most with Dan being out of work is pedicures. Why didn't I appreciate them more when I could afford them? Isn't it just plain heaven to sit in the massage chair, reading a great book, having your feet washed, buffed, rubbed, massaged, snipped and painted? I have tried to duplicate the experience for myself, but it is just not the same. They are not as smooth, not as beautifully painted, and the pampering experience is just not there. Pedicures at the salon are definitely one of my favorite things.

I look at Daci's soft little feet and wish mine were as soft! The first thing I am splurging on when Dan finds a job is a pedicure! In the meantime I'll do the best I can on my own to make my feet sandal season ready. Notice I didn't share a picture of MY feet!

Beth's List

Beth shared her list. Love it! I love sleeping in too! I should add that to my list. Thanks, Beth!

1. Watching my children interact, look out for each other and love each other
2. Watching my amazing husband playing with our children
3. Date nights & weekends away with my hubby
4. Cozying up with a good "chick-lit" book
5. Breakfast with friends
6. Sleeping in
7. Creative time
8. Country music
9. Watching Grey's Anatomy (although it wasn't very joyful last night!)
10. Giving...whether it be a small gift, a handmade card, a hug or my time!

To read about these "10 Little Things That Bring Me Joy" lists and to share yours with me, go here.

Kori and Amy's Lists

Yesterday's post asked you to post a list of 10 little things that bring you joy. I am enjoying what you have posted so much. Please keep them coming! I have posted lists here today from 2 of my readers, my daughter Kori and my friend, Amy. Please go back and read yesterday's post if you haven't yet, and leave your list in the comments section. I'd love to see more lists! Your lists are a little thing that bring me joy!

Kori's List
1. motherhood
2. creating a successful meal
3. snuggling on the couch with my hubby
4. tuesday nights with my biggest loser and american idol friends
5. getting lost in Lost
6. winning doubles volleyball with hubby
7. watching my husband adore his baby princess
8. quoting The Office
9. scrapbooking with my mom
10. catching up with old friends
Amy's List
1. Seeing my children get off the school bus at the end of the day and come running to me
2. Quality time with my hubby
3. Quality family time
4. Walking into my bedroom and discovering that someone has made my bed
5. Fun mail in the mailbox!
6. Almond M&M's
7. A good workout-run,swim and/or bike
8. scrapbooking memories and stamping all kinds cards and paper projects
9. watching "Brothers & Sisters on Sunday night with my hubby
10. The Beach and sound of the Ocean
11. GIRLFRIENDS!

Little Things That Bring Me Joy

There is a blog that I follow called Rockstar Diaries. It is the blog of a darling girl, Naomi and her husband. Naomi danced with my daughter for years. It is really fun to see her all grown up and married and enjoy getting to know her all over again through her great blog. Check it out.

Anyhoo...about a week or so ago Naomi posted a list of 10 simple things that bring her joy and then asked her readers to do the same. The post is called "Here's to Happiness". She has been posting lists that her readers have sent ever since and I have been having so much fun reading them. I sent her my list, but since then have thought of several other things that just make me happy. Little things mean a lot, ya know? So I have amended my list.

Today I thought I'd share my list of 10 with you and ask you to do the same (thanks for the inspiration, Naomi!). Feel free to comment on this email and leave your list in your comment. I'm excited to see some of the little things in life that bring you joy. Here is my list, in no particular order:

1. BLT's with extra crispy bacon and miracle whip (not mayo!)
2. Tuesday nights with American Idol
3. Creating a scrapbook page while reliving the memories and feelings I felt when the photos were taken
4. Holding and smelling my sweet baby granddaughter
5. When hubby kisses my neck
6. Watching my boys play basketball and football
7. Sitting on a beach with nowhere to go and the sun beating down on me
8. Mrs. Cavanaugh's milk chocolate caramels after they have been in the fridge
9. Days filled with rain, thunder, lightning and grey skies
10. Laughing until my cheeks ache and tears are running down my face

Yummy!

I thought I'd share two of my favorite recipes today...they were the two I made for Daci's open house yesterday. I hope you enjoy them!

Chicken Curry Salad - Karen Pedersen
Serves 6 unless you are serving Pedersens, then maybe 4
(I usually double or triple this recipe)

2/3 c. mayo
2 tbs. lemon juice
1 tea. salt
1 tea. curry powder
2 ½ c. cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
1 c. diced celery
¼ c. slivered blanched almonds
1 c. seedless grapes (I do the red seedless for color)
1 c. pineapple tidbits
¼ c. green onions, thinly sliced

Optional: croissants, canteloupe, avacado, salad greens (see below*)

Blend mayo, salt, lemon juice and curry powder. Pour over all other ingredients combined. Chill.

*GREAT served on a croissant with salad greens, with a slice of canteloupe and a slice of avacado on the side.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Recipe from Karen Pedersen's Aunt Carol Thorderson (amazing cook!)

Makes one 12 x 17 cookie sheet (be sure to use the one with at least 1" sides)

4 eggs
3 C brown sugar
1 1/3 C. oil (I use canola)
2 tea. vanilla
3 C. flour
2 tea. salt
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 pkg. milk chocolate chips
1 C. nuts (optional)

MIx eggs, brown sugar, oil and vanilla together and beat well (you will want to use a large bowl). Then add remaining ingredients and blend well. Pour onto a lightly greased 12 x 17 cookie sheet with at least 1" sides. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. When mostly cool, drizzle with frosting (recipe to follow).

Cookie Bar Frosting

1 - 1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
3 Tbs. butter, softened
pinch of salt
1/2 tea. vanilla
3 Tbs. cocoa
milk

Beat ingredients together and add enough milk to be able to drizzle the frosting over the cookie bars.

2 Of My Favorite Things

I can already tell that today is going to be GREAT! It is starting out with two of my favorite things; watching one of my boys (Dawson) play ball and a rainstorm. Now if I could just add a BLT, a good movie with husband while cuddled up in my favorite blankie, and some Mrs. Cavanaugh's milk chocolate caramels it would be just about perfect. I hope your day is wonderful too!