things i'm dreaming of {january}:

 via

this super awesome/girly shirt.
a heart rate monitor with great reviews. plus, it's cute.
this book that's highly recommended.
all of these.
and some sweet herb scissors.

one room down & only more a million more to go.

As you know, we recently moved out of our tiny apartment where most things were in storage (aka - useless) and into a house with enough space for us to finally stretch out and unpack all of our boxes.  I was intimidated from the start by all of the rooms that need(ed) decorating, so naturally, I started with the smallest one--the downstairs bathroom.  Try not to let that sticker on the base of the toilet bug you like it bugs me.  I need to go take that off ASAP. ;)  Up next, the living room.

shower curtain:   here (on sale!)
rug:  here (on sale!)
towels:  here
plant:  here
ampersand print:  here
frame:  here

capable.


Between my persuasive writing and public speaking class that I was not rushing to sign up for by any means and my literature class--both required--I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to navigate uncharted waters.  Pray for me. ;)

(ps - I'm back in school.  Wash U is so, so different from BYU.)


image source unknown

avocado & fruit smoothie.

Sorry for another smoothie recipe, but we just can't get enough over here!  I don't know if it's the fruit or spinach, but I feel like I'm doing my body a huge favor when I try to pack as many healthy* things as I can into a smoothie.  I haven't ventured into the whole almond milk smoothie world, but I think I will soon...  I just have to work up the courage first to try almond milk. ;)  This smoothie ended up being pretty creamy (and delicious!), so add more ice cubes if you like icier smoothies.

*Healthy is a subjective word, I know.

1 1/2 c. orange juice
1/2 c. plain yogurt
2 c. spinach
2 medium sized bananas
1/2 c. frozen strawberries
1 avocado
15 (or so) ice cubes

Add all ingredients to the blender.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into glasses and serve.

christmas break {denver edition}.

Ben and I are really fortunate to be at a university that gives employees and grad students several weeks of vacation time each year.  We had the opportunity to spend a week with Ben's family in Denver and a week with my family in Salt Lake City over the holidays, and we sure enjoyed every single minute of our break!  It's always nice to get away from home for a bit and be around family. :)

We spent Christmas Eve over at Ben's cousins' house where we had a dinner, played some Christmas songs on chimes, watched this movie for the first time, and had a Christmas program.  It sure provided entertainment (I think my favorite part may have been the electric guitar accompaniment to "Carol of the Bells")!  Later that evening, a few of us decided to go to a candlelight ceremony at a Presbyterian church because Ben's aunt and uncle were singing in the choir.  The arrangements were beautiful (lots of them were arranged by Mack Wilberg, who is amazing) and the accompanying orchestra was talented beyond belief.

Between playing this and watching movies all week, we did some shopping, reading, sleeping in, and more shopping!  It was just a terrific week, and I'm so happy that I get to call these wonderful people family.

strawberry orange julius.


1 (6 oz) can of orange juice concentrate
1 c. milk
1 c. water
1 t. vanilla extract
1/3 c. white sugar
10 ice cubes
1 c. strawberries (we used frozen)

Combine orange juice concentrate, milk, water, vanilla, sugar, and ice.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into glasses and serve.

Recipe adapted from here.

saying goodbye to 2013.

fun events of 2013:
April - celebrated our first anniversary!
May - started searching for a home to buy
June - celebrated our birthdays and also went camping for the first time
August - hit the one year mark of being in St. Louis and Ben committed to a research lab
November - moved into a house
travels in 2013:
Denver, CO
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, MO
Nauvoo, IL
Salt Lake City, UT
Boise, ID
St. George, UT
Portland, OR
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO (again!)
Salt Lake City, UT (again!)
things we were grateful for in 2013:
our church callings
the temple
date nights
Netflix
furnaces that work
our health
most things we bought in 2013:
moving boxes
movies off of iTunes
airplane tickets? ;)
favorite books of 2013:
Ben - Ender's Game
Lex - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

out with the old & in with the new.


"This year, mend a quarrel.  Seek out a forgotten friend.  Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.  Write a letter.  Give a soft answer.  Encourage youth.  Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.  Keep a promise.  Forgo a grudge.  Forgive an enemy.  Apologize.  Try to understand.  Examine your demands on others.  Think first of someone else.  Be kind.  Be gentle.  Laugh a little more.  Express your gratitude.  Welcome a stranger.  Gladden the heart of a child.  Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.  Speak your love and then speak it again."

Howard W. Hunter