Utah Mountains

I'm astonished, as I flipped through the photos on my computer, that I don't have more pictures of the Utah mountains. As moving draws nearer I have been thinking about things I'll miss about this place: the mountains are near the top of this list. They're gorgeous, they help me (you, and everyone we know) find direction from anywhere, a phenomenal hike or gorgeous drive is merely minutes away ... It's my geographical "home," mountains and specifically canyons. I'll search for more photos, I'll take some this month, you'll see what I mean, you'll see. These particular photos are from a hike a few years ago to the top of Mt. Olympus. A doozy of a hike, the trail is ridiculous with no switch-backs--it goes straigt up. straight. up. A few miles up to the summit, a fun little rock scramble to the top, and you are literally on top of the city.

For the past year (or so) I have found myself enamored with them (the mountains) as I drive in the mornings for the lab, I've nearly gone off the road more than once. We are spoiled with scenery here, truly.

Bday

Today is the dear photo jennic's day of birth. A dear friend, great memories, missing her while she has moved on to bigger and better things in San Jose. Check out her blog to see some of her amazing photos, witness her vocal talents (esp. termites!) and see how creative and interesting she is. Miss you lady!

Busy

So busy. One more week until darling is in Memphis/Hotlanta. When he returns we have but 8 days to move from SLC to Memphis before starting work. eeegads, the poor lad is getting nose bleeds due to the stress again...
I like this photo right now, it seems especially nice.

Summer Sun Dress

Can we pause for a moment and talk about the part where I went to J.Crew today and wanted to take home everything?

Craving

Darling bought Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies routinely this winter. Now that summer is near, pumpkin everything is disappearing faster than I can blink. I had a craving (thanks to my new nightly snacking routine) for a delicious pumpkin-chocolate morsel and a small glass of soy milk so I decided to make a batch (or two). This is the best recipe for cakey moist cookies I've found so far. Anyone have a fantastic recipe for snicker doodles?

You Need:
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
*I'd like to try them with 1 teaspoon of nutmeg added

Baking:
1) Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well. (Mix should be the consistency of cake batter.)
2) Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts.
3) Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.

Anne Michelle Heirlooms--A Shop

My sister is already receiving orders and requests and is starting to get her hands into making some fascinators (pictured--I hate that they are called that). So, the etsy shop (albeit small) has officially opened. I'm going to begin working on some notions for baby as well as plotting more ideas for hairpieces. Please keep checking our blog and shop to see what we're up to, if you have any suggestions, requests or find things that inspire you let us know. It's always nice to have a little bird-friend on your shoulder as you begin a project!

Farmer's Market/CSA's

yum.

Salt Lake City: June 13 - October 17 2009 (8:00am-1:00pm Saturdays, Pioneer Park)
Memphis: Mid April - October 2009 (7:00am-1:00pm, Saturdays, Central Station)

Spanish Fork, UT: May - October (8:00am-1:00pm Saturdays, Parking lot of the City Center 40 South Main Street)
Provo, UT: May - October (9:00am-2:00pm Saturdays, 500 West 100 South)
Pittsburgh, PA: click here to see a complete list. Go Pittsburgh! 6 farmer's market/csa locations available 6 days a week! woot!

Buy Local:

Also check out eat wild to find local grassfed food.

Steinbeck = Love

"For it is not true that an uneventful time in the past is remembered as fast. On the contrary, it takes the time-stones of events to give a memory past dimension. Eventlessness collapses time."
--John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley

Central Gardens

Darling and I are looking at renting a house in Midtown. The neighborhoods in Midtown all have their own unique appeal but Central Gardens looks gorgeous...




Central Gardens is one of the safest neighborhoods and also one of the most expensive; however, Memphis in general is less expensive to live in than Salt Lake City so we'll see if we can't swing something nice.

For someone who has lived her whole life in the desert, I have a strange affinity for flourishing vegetation and plants. It's nice to know that humid Memphis has a long growing season and about 9 months of gorgeous weather (when it's not insanely hot).

I really love the lush parkways and old bungalows.

Walk Like An Egyptian

My dear friend Amy, who also happens to be my ex-housemate and current hairstylist (that is, when I get it cut every 6 months), just returned from a trip to Egypt. Her pictures make me hungry for new scenery and experiences.

Speaking of Storm...

Few things are as smooth as Smoky Robinson.

Stormy Sea

... I wish I could convince myself that I wear jewelry often enough to justify purchasing this necklace.

It's been raining

in Memphis.

Hopefully it's not too much of a spoiler for the Memphis in May International Festival. A month long celebration of music/food/culture. According to the website this week is the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. One thing I hear from everyone when engaging in a conversation about Memphis is "...the food!". The way it's talked about I am expecting to gain a full 30 lbs in the first month living there.

Next May, I'll be in on all the festivities and give you the gritty (or delicious) details...

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
for the mother's I know today:

a dainty monogrammed mug from anthropologie 6-


lotus and white cucumber tazo tea 4-


my go-to for every dry skin situation (hands, nails, lips, nose in winter) always found in my bag, rosebud salve 6-


I always give mugs and tea/coffee or books. Always. It may seem like the Sissy Jupe version of a gift card but it's sincere, I think it's both sweet and practical. (not to mention easy on the pocketbook--moving is so expensive)

Dinosaurus-Rex

I was scanning through old pictures on my computer and came across these cell phone pics I emailed myself. Did you know that I once worked as a volunteer in the Paleo Lab at the University of Utah's Museum of Natural History? It's true, I was taking a dinosaur class and was so fascinated I spent some time in the lab restoring fossilized bones like the Allosaurus vertebrae and raptor rib pictured above. "Let's have science slumber parties"

Going...Going...

I think all of the right people know now (and darling's graduation is this week):

I'm moving in July
to the banks of the Mississippi

Music is Magic:
home of this king

and this king's name, also known as "home of the blues"

this legend is known as Reverend Green in these parts

and he calls this place home

and so does she...sometimes


Yep, moving to Memphis, TN. If anyone knows anything about Memphis, or anyone living in Memphis (past or present) all advice is welcome now. We're thinking we'll live in Midtown. But it's all coming so quickly any bit will help.

Mystery Soda

At the top of Capitol Hill in Seattle, WA a lonely soda vending machine stands on the side of the street. Your choices are: Coke, Sprite, Root beer (etc.) and--Mystery. It produces a different can of carbonated corn sweetened beverage every time you try it.

A nice perk to a rainy day.