Who doesn't love a fun project?

Lately I've really enjoyed having a project to work on. In the last few months I've:

1. Canned Apple-Cranberry Jam (I felt so domestic!)

I think it turned out pretty well. Check out the recipe here.

2. Made a Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

If you are a pumpkin lover like myself, you must check out this recipe!

3. Painted Pumpkins! This was one of my favorite projects. Melissa, Lisa & I got together for a painting party. I am really happy with how they turned out. Thanks for the idea, Les!

4. Scrapbook Paper Frames. This was my Oct 2011 General Conference project. We used to have a nice sized tv on this media console, but unfortunately Chels took it with her when she moved. None of my roommates were ready to invest in a TV, so this is what I came up with to fill the space. I think it is a great way to add some color to a room. Although it took me a couple of months to actually nail the frames on the wall, I am very pleased with the finished product.

5. Cut my own bangs (with the assistance of Melissa). This is what happens when you're sick for consecutive days, and your hair is driving you crazy. I mean, who really needs to get a professional cut anyway? Don't look too closely. Overall, I am happy with my bangs and think it is a fun change!

6. Pintrest inspired outfit. So this may not be defined as a "project," but I've been obsessed with Pintrest lately, and find so may fashion ideas to try and re-create. The model below inspired my Sunday church outfit. I however, substituted the gray sweater for navy. I am loving my orange skirt!!

What kind of projects have you been up to? I know so many of my friends/family are much more crafty than I. I'd love to hear what you're working on! With Brian's wedding coming up, I have a couple project ideas I am going to start. I also have been working on my DC Bucket List "project" which I will share more about in a future post.

Here's to 2012 and more projects to be completed!!

Talk'n Derby

Have any of you ever seen the hit movie, Whip It? The movie takes place in Austin, TX where young Bliss discovers a roller derby team. Her mother wants her participating in beauty pageants, while her passion lies in the rink. Before watching this movie I had no idea what roller derby was, and that it was even a real sport. I am here to tell you it exists and DC has their very own league--The DC Roller Girls! A year or so ago Chelsea thought it would be fun to start our own team. Unfortunately our Stormin' Mormon team never formed. One exciting aspect of the roller derby subculture is the chance to pick an alter ego stage name:

a. sharp shootah (it's also my go to bowling name)

b. brunette bombshell

c. Sporty Splice

AND MY FAVORITE for you Bach fans:

d. Michele $$$

Soooooo what will your derby name be?!? See you on the rink!

Ticket Purchased

I'm headed to Seattle in a month to meet this new beauty, Kylie Elizabeth Huff. Not being there is killing me. I called my mom every day last week to get baby updates. Today was Lesley's first day on her own with 3 girls under the age of 5. Impressive Les! It has been fun to watch my older sister experience motherhood. She is such a great mom!

Haley and Nat are getting so old! They are loving their new little sister. I know grandma Mick enjoyed playing with these two crazies last week. My favorite story was when mom took them to McDonald's to get lunch and play on the toys. Nat got stuck, and started screaming. Mom/grandma had to climb up the slide to get her. Needless to say, grandma stayed pretty busy last week.

Let the countdown to Memorial Day weekend begin...

Thankful List

I love the month of November. Really, I just love this time of year. So many things to be grateful for:

canned pumpkin (there are an endless amount of desserts you can make with 1 can of pumpkin)

well timed phone calls from family members

new job position

old and new friends

prayer

nuts 4 nuts

opportunities to progress

i-pod car game (best road trip game ever!)

Today I am especially thankful for three specific things:

1. sleep

2. zicam tablets, even though they leave an awful taste in your mouth

3. orange juice

National Adoption Month!

Every November is National Adoption month, a month set aside to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. This year's focus is directed towards adoption recruitment and ways to retain parents for the 115,000 children and youth in foster care awaiting adoptive families. This year's theme is, "You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent, kids don't need perfection, they need you."

In efforts to bring awareness to the foster care program in the District of Columbia, join in on the BET Documentary showing of eight beautiful girls and their journey to South Africa. If you have interest in going, let me know!

NYC Bound

Today I am headed to the big apple with a few friends. I have a meeting that starts in 30 minutes. As soon as that is over, I am off. I get super nostalgic whenever I visit the city. I love driving through the Lincoln tunnel, and as soon as you're out...bam! You've arrived. The nuts 4 nuts on every street corner, gray's papaya, the city lights, china town--dvd, dvd, dvd, coach, prada, you want? follow me-- empire state building, streets lined with skyscrapers, stores that I wish I had money to shop in, Bryant park, street vendors selling random junk, potential celeb sightings, corn-on-the cob from Cafe Habana, rats in the subway. The list could go on and on. I love this place. I can hardly believe it has almost been four years since I lived there. Many of my friends have since moved away. Thankfully, my friend Sarah is there and agreed to let us come visit!

On the Agenda:

Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Farmer's Market

Shopping at my favorite department store, Century 21.
Banana Creme Pudding at Magnolia's Bakery--oh, it's been so long!
Hopefully tickets to see this great show!
I can't think of a better way to ring in the holiday season!! NYC here I come!!!!!!

BET Documentary

Watching the clip below brings back so many wonderful memories of my South Africa trip. BET International documented the girls journey from the US to South Africa and captured the experience in a 30 minute, two-part docu-series which is scheduled to air Sunday, October 3rd and 10th at 7:30pm. The series will air in 54 countries (including Europe,Africa and the Middle East). Although the program will not air in the United States (yet), you can visit the XOL webiste: www.extra-ordinarylife.org –where the 30 minute clip will be posted.

I MISS SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!!!!!