Brianna, My Brother, and the Blog

written by Jack Weyland. I used to only read his books in middle school, and they are good, but this one is fantastic. i read it and was laughing out loud. It's got some great humor, a love twist and it was a quick read. 5 stars from me!

Make good choices

I didn't want to do any new years resolutions this year. I could make a list as long as my arm of things i'd like to change/be better at, and then i get overwhelmed and depressed and have to add fixing that to my list. I have 2-3 goals i really want to stick to though. 1- read the Book of Mormon again this year, i started it last year and never made it past 2 nephi -pathetic. my second goal is to work out for 20 minutes a day. we have a really nice elliptical that needs some miles put on it. my problem with this is i try and start out working out for 2 hours and eating really healthy and then 2 weeks latter i'm burnt out and quit. Last night i did good and worked out for 25 minutes, so here's to trying this again. In other news, i heard somewhere if you sing while working out you burn more calories. this is the song i was belting out last night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v_4O44sfjM odd? yes. did it work? i think so.

A fact about ME

We all get traits that are passed down generations, mom's eyes, dad's nose and so on. I got my grandma's gag reflex. Honestly. All it takes is thinking of something gross and we are gagging. Funny story: yesterday my 20 month old nephew, Brayden, had a chip stuck in his throat at lunch and his mom was trying to help him get it out. He ended up throwing up. yuck i know. So i'm sitting there covering my eyes and holding down the contents of my own tummy. and what do i hear? Brayden laughing hysterically at me! Mocked by a toddler! It did help me from having to run to the bathroom. So thanks for sharing this trait with me grandma!

** as a disclaimer i have to add that no i am not pregnant, i don't need any more rumors going around about this!**

Vicks Dayquil - ManCold & Canoe

Darren wasn't feeling good yesterday and it made me think of this commercial. Funny because it's too true!

Breadsticks Recipe

So my friend and brother and I have this idea of sharing recipes, but they have to be really good ones, and we have to know that they taste good. Tried and True. I make these bread sticks all the time and I love them, they are pretty quick and delicious!

The recipe to print and share

The recipe:
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 T yeast
2 T sugar
1/4 T salt
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/3 cup oil
3 1/2 cups flour
mix and let rest 10 minutes. Then you either;

A) roll it out onto your cookie sheet and add the toppings and slice or

b) roll it into twisty bread sticks and add topping. My toppings are; 2T butter, season salt, garlic salt, pizza seasoning, Parmesan cheese and reg. grated cheese. After you roll it out let in raise 10 minutes. Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes and eat!

When the Bough Breaks

also by Kay Lynn Mangum. I just finished this book last night. I couldn't put it down! I stayed up the last 2 nights until like 2 or 3am. I wouldn't call this the sequel to The Secret Journal of Bret Colton. They happen at the same time at the same school, so it mentions a few things from the other book. Read this one second though. It's about a teenage girl and her family, the death of her dad and the changes that take place  in her family. It made me cry a little, has some beautiful poems in it, and  situation that really made me think. I give it 5 stars too!

The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

by Kay Lynn Mangum. I read this book at least 4 years ago and I LOVED IT! It made me laugh, fall in love, and cry my eyes out (I literally used a whole box of tissues). It about a teenage girl, and that's all i'll say because i don't want to ruin it for you! Except i will tell you it has the best first kiss scene ever! I re-read it like 15 times! defiantly a 5 star!

Cowgirl Quilt

I thought I had a while longer to make this, but got a baby shower invite in the mail the end of last week, the shower is this weekend! My friend from childhood, Nicole, is having a little girl. I found the little cowgirl fabric and just had to have it! Even though it was $10.00 a yard! Some of the little girls look like her nieces even, so like i said i had to have it!

Lucky for me I crochet the boots a few months ago..
Anyways I thought I'd give the instructions for how I used the fabric.
I got 1 yard of the cowgirl print; cut it into a square (~36in)
My mom had the pink and brown stripe, only about half a yard. I cut 4 (so it's 45 long) 1 1/2 in strips, ironed it in half and basted it around the cowgirl square.
i found the pink rope fabric at walmart  I cut 4 (so it will be 45 in long) 4 1/2 inch strips and sewed and pressed them onto the cowgirl print. (there's extra fabric that you cut off, sew it on the 2 sides then the top and bottom).
I used the same rope print for the back, i just taped it to a table and safety pinned it, instead of using a quilt frame, and used a square hoop( its like 14inches) to tie it.
The stripe is used as the binding, i'm not good at explaining how to do it so you are on your own there. I love how it turned out!

Winter Decorative Quilt

I've had the hand stitched blocks done since before Thanksgiving, but I just kept putting it off until this week. We have the fabric for our Valentines quilts coming so I didn't want to be behind a quilt. I guess i should explain that we means my mom, sister in laws, friend and about 7 other people. It started with a Halloween quilt kit my mom bought for me, then we decided to make more with our own fabric and it's gotten out of control from there. The hand work is fun for after work while watching tv, everyone thinks it's relaxing. I really like the bright fun colors, especially in winter.

A Bride in the Bargain

By Deeanne Gist. Written in the Seattle Washington Territory, 1865, about a handsome lumber jack who needs a wife to keep his land and a war orphaned young woman who doesn't ever want to get married. It had some history in it. It's slightly religious, which one I'm not sure. Basically the religion is used to keep it clean. I've read 3 other books by Deeane  and only really like this one and one other, The Measure of a Lady. I hated Courting Trouble. In case you were wondering. 3 3/4 stars. And yes, I read all 3 books in the last week, I'm a freak.

Cross My Heart

Written by Julie Wright. Set in modern times this was a fun, witty book about a 28 year old woman in advertising and deals with love. Julie is an LDS writer and incorporates it in her books, in a good way, as opposed to when LDS authors go off on weird tangents and you're thinking was that really necessary?. I have read 2 other books by Julie Wright and liked them both as well. This one had a bit more of that snappy humor I appreciate however. I'd give it 4 stars. And if you are pressed for time this one is good because it was only 227 pages.  

The Legend of Shannonderry, Book Review

Before I begin, I thought it would be neat to review some books I have read. So here goes. This book is written by Carol Warburton. I've read 2 other books by her and really liked them all. I'd rate this book a 3 3/4 stars, 5 being best book ever 1 being a total waste of time. It set in Ireland and England in 1788, has to do with a race horse (all Carol's books I have read have so far), a young woman, some trials she faces and of course love. Go ahead and read it for St. Pattie's Day!

Just Getting Started

I was told Sunday I HAVE to start a blog. The bossy person who is trying to control my life will remain un-named "cough Mandi!" I'm just teasing, I do that a lot. I actually have been contemplating starting one for a long time. My goal is to blog about books and crafts and my life. I have a confession, I'm a blog-stalker. I have about 5-8 blogs i check almost everyday. It makes me sad when they don't update everyday. i have unrealistic expectations i know. so here is to hoping i can stay on top of this a be the blogger i expect others to be. Tomorrow I'll have something witty crafty and fun to post. But for know I'll just say Hi!