Am I THE Luckiest Girl or WHAT!

Bryce has been promising me Wicked tickets for a while now. It has happened a few times but we never could shell out the cash. So, finally he promised me that he would take me before we leave Des Moines. Well, we leave in less that 4 weeks and I AM FINALLY GOING. Omaha is showing Wicked right now and we get to go. Bryce's Mom, Dad, and little sister are coming and they get to go with us. HOORAY!

Fail Proof Recipes for Scaredy Cooks Like Me!

So you all know how I have been hating cooking lately. I have been trying really hard to get over my fear and just go for it. I still cook something at least once a day, and I am getting a pretty good collection of recipes that I can actually make and not screw up. Thanks ALLRECIPES.COM. That web site is the best ever. If you haven't experienced it yet you MUST. You can sign up for free and you can ADD recipes to your own collection and refer to them whenever you want. I LOVE IT WITH ALL MY SOUL.
Anyway, I recently made few recipes of my own (well kinda my own. My own versions of someone else really good recipe) and they have been a big hit around my house. When I say "around my house" I mean Bryce. Because, I have no one else "around my house" so he pretty much sums it up!

Mexican Lasagna (Natali Style)

10 small CORN tortillas (flour tortillas will get too soggy)
2 lbs. ground beef or ground turkey (I use turkey)
3 cloves chopped garlic
1/2 small yellow onion chopped (you can use the whole onion, I dont like onion that much)
1 pckg. taco seasoning
1 can red enchilada sauce
1 small can chopped black olives
1 can FAT FREE refried beans
1 8 oz. tub sour cream
1 can sweet corn (or 2 cups frozen or fresh sweet corn)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or any variety you like)

*Chop onion and garlic. Brown in large saucepan with a little olive oil. Add groud meat and cook til brown. Add taco seasoning.
*Grease bottom and sides of 9x13 baking pan. Cut corn tortillas in half. Cover the bottom of the pan with tortillas. You will want to over lap them a little so they cover the entire bottom of the pan.
*Evenly spread the browned meat mixture onto corn tortillas
*Layer refried beans (entire can) over top of browned meat. (I find that a rubber spatula works well for this)
*Drain corn and layer over beans.
*Spread entire tub of sour ceam over the top of the layers. Layer on black olives. Sprinkle half the cheese over sour cream.
*Add another layer of corn tortillas over sour cream. Cover with enchilada sauce (I don't use the whole can. I save about half to set on the table for those who want extra over their lasagna).
*Top with remaining cheese.
*Bake @ 350 for 35-40 minutes until lasagna is bubbly and cheese is a little melted and a little brown.
*serve with rice and a vegetable. YUMMY DINNER! Let me know what you think.

CopyCat Lion House Chicken Salad

4 chicken breasts
5 stalks celery finely chopped
1 yellow onion VERY finely chopped
2 tsp. WHITE pepper
2 tsp. KOSHER salt
1-2 cups MAYONAISE (enough to moisten the salad to your liking)

*Microwave chicken 8-10 minutes until no pink is left. (This is the best way to cook it for the salad. You can boil it if you would like, that works just as well but it takes longer)
*Chop chicken. Allow to cool for a few minutes. THEN THE FUN PART. GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY LADIES. Using your hands, work the chicken into a tuna like consistency. Just by "kneading" the chopped chicken it will break apart nicely.
*Add celery, onion, white pepper, and salt. Work with hands again until all ingredients are incorporated.
*Add Mayo (Miracle Whip is fine, but the Lion House uses Mayo and it is the yummiest) and mix until desired moistness is acheived. (I like mine pretty wet and full of mayo, some like it more dry. You choose)
*Serve with leaves of RED cabbage, homemade rolls, and a pickel spear. Just the way the Lion House does it.

*NOTE: I worked in a Lion House Pantry for a few years and made this salad EVERY DAY. They might murder me when they find out I am sharing it with you all. But it is to yummy to keep to myself. It seems like very few ingredients, but it is delicious. I have played with it and added nuts and grapes and other deliciousness. But, I always like the simple recipe the best. The white pepper and kosher salt are a must. They really make the salad what it is. TRY IT OUT!

What Card Exchange Can Do To An Honest Girl . . .

Sorry about the amazing amount of pictures for one set of cards that all look exactly the same. I was having a lot of fun with the camera I guess. Anyway, here is another set of cards.

This is a new set of cards I made. However, those of you who are thinking that I am very creative and crafty . . . I actually stole this idea from a friend who I do a card exchange with. I really loved her cards and wanted to make a set all my own. These are a copy cat of yours Mandy. Thanks for the idea. Sorry I ripped it off!

I like these because the card isn't a perfect rectangle. That makes it fun huh.

As you can tell, a lot of my cards look similar. I guess I have a do have a style all my own. I try to get creative, but I always tend to turn back to the same things.

Another Sincerely Set

The cool thing about these cards is that the music paper I used is actually old sheet music. At the library they sell these ancient theory/practice piano books for $.25 a book. It is very pretty on cards.

I love the pink ribbon the most.

More Cards . . . Sorry

Seriously! I know I post a lot of cards on my blog, but I really don't have much else to post. I have no adorable children nor any on the way. I, myself, am quite boring and Bryce won't let me take any pictures of him. His life is a lot more exciting than mine. With med school ups and downs and all the drama within his rotation group, he really should be the one posting here. But, you get stuck with me so you get more cards.

My latest. Yes, they look very similar to the last I posted. I really liked the way those turned out so I copied it and did these just like them. With a little color and some ribbons of course.

Hope you enjoyed!
Sincerely, Natali

Goodbye Little Buddies!

I am an animal lover. I grew up having quite the myriad of pets. I had SEVERAL cats. I know I had a lot more cats that my parents wanted me too. I was an orphan keeper and I adopted many stray and lost cats as pets. We lived in the country where "barn cats" were a plenty so, needless to say there were many more adoptions going on that my parents would have liked. I had a little sheep once that I loved with all my heart. His name was Popcorn and he will always be one of my favorite pets. I had a couple rabbits that were very soft and wonderful. I never had a dog of my own, but my family has had many dogs throughout the years. My siblings and I were involved in 4-H so we had horses, pigs, and steers that we used for projects. My Mother is a genuine cowgirl, and she has a love for animals as well. I am pretty sure that is where this deep devotion for god's "furry" creatures comes from.

I longed to be close to all my pets. I quickly formed tight bonds with all the creatures that I took to love. I really loved them so much, I can't imagine how anyone would dislike any animal. I wanted to be so close to them that I almost treated them like humans. I wanted them in the house with me whenever I could get away with it. I even would sneak my little lamb Popcorn in the house on occasion. That didn't go over so well with the parental units. My cats slept many nights on my bed or even right on my pillow next to my head. However, I noticed that some animals just didn't enjoy my company like the others. I had a bunny that never really liked me. He wouldn't let me hold him and he would scratch me all over when I tried. He was scared of me and he lived in such a little cage. I felt so bad for that bunny, and bad for myself because I couldn't make him love me.

One day, I was pondering what to do and the solution came to me. HE WANTS TO BE FREE! He wants to run wild like the little cotton tails that hopped around our pastures. I became quite convinced that this was the only way for my bunny to live. I took my idea to my Mother and she agreed that this could be why my bunny was so restless. I believe she meant to just be a good listening ear, and that she wasn't really giving her consent to me setting the bunnies free. But, that is what I thought her agreeing with me meant. That very day, I took my bunny, and my brothers bunny along with it, and freed them both into the wild! I was in trouble with several people when this was discovered, but I still believe it was the way my little white and brown bunny wanted to live out his life.

From that day, I never wanted a pet that stayed in a cage all day and ran away when you tried to touch it. I feel like those creatures are meant to be in the wild and they shouldn't be domestic pets. I went against my better judgment this last year. I have been craving the company of an animal so desperately. However, living in a fairly large city in a small apartment leaves the pet option pool quite shallow. I really want a dog or a cat, and perhaps even a lamb. But, alas, that isn't to be at this time in my life. I did however get another caged creature. A creature that runs away when you try to touch it. A hamster.

I didn't get just regular hamsters though. I got the smallest of all hamsters. They are called Robo hamsters. Given their smallness, they are extremely fast and skittish creatures. I mean, wouldn't you be if a Giant came reaching into your home trying to grab you on occasion. I did love those little fur balls though. They allowed for some great entertainment and fun.

This post is very long to tell pay homage so such a small creature and I fear it is time for me to close. In short, I had to sell my little pets because we are moving in a few weeks. I have now been without them for a couple weeks. I miss them, but I know they are happy where they are. Goodbye my fun, furry critters.

Called to Serve

I was recently released from my calling as the Young Women's President. I really enjoyed being a part of the YW organization. I was in the program for nearly two years before my release. I thought I would enjoy the change of scenery, and I do to an extent. I miss my girls and their smiles and I miss hearing about their lives. I miss their hugs and their testimonies and how much they taught me. I miss working along side such extraordinary women who always kept me positive. I miss acting like a teenager and getting away with it. I also miss teaching a lesson to an attentive, participating class of intelligent young adults. It's funny how you never miss a calling until you are doing a different one. Then you miss that one when you are, yet again, called to another.

The same day that I was released, I got called to another position. I was called to be a teacher to our Sunbeams class. This was to be my very first calling in the primary. I was in the nursery before, but I don't really consider that primary. I was very excited. How fun, SUNBEAMS. Plus, I have spent the last three years teaching pre-school classes at the Y and I really felt that I was suited well for the calling.

I remember being a Sunbeam and being very proud that I was old enough to go to "real" primary. Especially because I had a few older siblings that were in primary at the same time as me and I was very happy to be where they were. I remember my childhood spent in church meetings with much fondness. I think what I loved the most about church was the opportunity to do so much singing. There were three and sometimes four songs during sacrament. Then on to primary for a whole hour almost devoted to singing. OH MY! I loved it, and to this day I remember nearly every word to all the songs I sang as a child at church. I loved all the aspects of church really. I loved getting into a pretty dress and getting to see my friends. I can remember very few, if any, poor memories of church as a young'n.

That being said, I am more than sure that my mother remembers it very differently. I know that I was a child who enjoyed being entertained and she must have had some pretty clever things up her sleeve to keep me occupied all through the sacrament meeting. I also know that I was quite the little devil about getting ready for church. Since my older sisters got to get ready by themselves I thought that I should be able to as as well. I would often choose my own dress clothes and do my own hair after my Mom finally gave in to my pleadings. I had VERY long, unruly hair as a kid and I sure shouldn't have been doing it by myself. I also had pretty poor taste in what was dressy. I was a bit of a tomboy, but also wanted to be just like my older sisters. So, my clothing for Sunday ended up being either too casual or too big because I was wearing a dress from my sisters closet. Plus, on top of me being a little bit of a struggle, my Mother had to get SIX children ready for church without any other help. My Dad served in so many demanding church callings that he was seldom at home on Sunday mornings or afternoons. Oh Mother, you are a Saint.

My sunbeams class is SO fun. They really are about the cutest set of children to walk that face of the earth. I always leave church with a couple good chuckles and I the always find a way to surprise me. However, they are a very busy bunch. During sharing and singing time, I feel very bad for the rest of the children in the primary room who are attentive and listenting because my half of the room seldom is. Me and my co-teacher are not only constantly trying to keep our group reverent, but just keep track of them. A few of my little sunbeams are movers and shakers. They really want to be up and around the room and that little chair is just too confining for their rambuctious spirits. I know that I was probably one of those children, and my teachers had quite the time with me.

By the time the lesson rolls around, those poor kids have been forced to sit in a chair for two hours straight and they are sick of it. Rightly so! I am sick of it, and I am an adult. Needless to say, we all make it through the day unscathed but ready for it to be over. I haven't have anyone want to stay longer, and I don't expect them too.

I am thankful that they Lord has called me to the positions I have held in the church. I am still very young, yet I have experienced so much in the church. The callings I have recieved have helped me become a better person, wife, employee, friend, and saint. I am sure that God grants us the opportunity to serve in the church for our growth, as well as the growth of those we serve with. I have experienced, first had, the blessings of giving your all to those who you are called to teach. My relationship with my Savior becomes more in tune when I am serving others in the gospel.

Happy Easter Eggs

I can't be left behind while all the kids get to color Easter eggs. So, we broke out the dye and colored some eggs this afternoon. Here are the fruits of our labors.

I tried to put the pretty ones close the the front of the glass. Then Bryce started putting all of his eggs in the glass so I had to take a picture of them too.

Yes, that yellow egg is covered in bullet holes and oozing blood. Very uplifting huh. I'm not sure who the blue egg is with the giant tie, but hey, its still awesome right.

Had to let you see the Easter Bunny Egg. Bryce started this and I embelished and "helped" it along. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

An Old Friend!

Oh what a joy it is to see a familiar face and hear a familiar voice. Wednesday I got an unexpected phone call from an old pal. Kacey, a friend I went to high school with, called and said she was in town. She works for Wells Fargo and was hear for some training meetings. Kacey flew here all the way from Deer Lodge Montana and decided she couldn't leave without giving her old pal a call. I was so excited. We all went out to dinner that night and then had some ice cream at my apartment. It was wonderful to get caught up on the news from home and enjoy the company of someone I haven't seen for ages.

I used to drag Kacey to early morning seminary. We were the ONLY two in our H.S. who went to seminary, and I am a few years older than Kacey so I became the driver. It was difficult because if one couldn't go, then we had no seminary. Our stalwart teacher prepared so hard and long for us. I regret that we may have been less than appreciate of his efforts. In has to be a trial to get up and teach a seminary class of two. Let alone, two silly, teenage girls who would rather be in bed. I did learn a lot and I am glad that I had Kacey to go with me or else I would have had to do it on my own. Looking back it seems a little unreal. I am shocked that I was able to graduate.

Kacey and I also played B-Ball together. I am a little embarrassed to admit that although I played basketball all my years of high school, I never played varsity basketball. I was the star of the JV team though. Since Kacey is two years below me in school, I was able to play some ball with her until she got shifted to varsity. Oh, well. I never have loved basketball, but I did love being part of a team. I am actually glad for my JV days.

Kacey and I were also in show-choir together. I have to admit that show-choir was my fav or all my school activities. When you live in a town with population 300 you get to do a lot with your fellow schoolchums.

It was good to hear someone else say that Des Moines is a "big" city and that the traffic is frightening. I have told that exact same thing to many of my friends who all look at me in a face of astonishment and then quickly tell me of places they lived that are larger and more hectic in traffic. I had some vindication this week though as Kacey feels the same way I do. I guess us country girls all think a like.

Thanks for the visit Kace, You are the best. Good Luck with the rest of life!

Sisters . . . Sisters. . . There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters

Nat, Emily, Whitney. Space Needle Seattle Washington)
Never had to have a chaperon, no sir.

(Whit and Nat. Tree Huggin in Seattle Washington)
I'm here to keep my eye on her!

(Nat, Pluto, and Whit Disney World 2002)
Caring, Sharing, every little thing that we are wearing.

(Emily and Natali. Em's wedding day Mt. Timpanogus Temple)
All kinds of weather, we stick together.

(Em and Whit Snowqualmie Falls)
The same in the rain or sun.

(Mom, Rufus, Holly, Emily, Natali and Whitney. All together at Holly's old house in Rexburg.)
Two different faces, but in tight places we think and we act as one.

(Whitney, Emily, and Natali. Star Valley Wyoming on the day of Emily's engagement pics.)
Those who've seen us know that not a thing can come between us.

(Holly and Natali Martins Cove handcart trail.)
Many men have tried to split us up but no one can.

(Holly, Natali, Emily. Christmas Morning with new dolls.)
Oh, help the Mister who comes between me and my sister.
And Oh, help the Sister who comes between me and my man.