Sunrise Service

 

For Easter nothing huge went on in my world. But it wasn't just a typical weekend. Not only was it Easter weekend but the opportunity to listen to General Conference made it all the sweeter. There was so much to take in and learn. On Easter Sunday at the Red Rocks Amphitheater they hold Sunrise Service. Rachel and I decided to get up just a few short hours after hitting the pillow; at 4:00!! We had fun enjoying the calm of the morning and taking part. We skipped out before the sermon but overall it was beautiful and wonderful to realize that so many people can come together to learn of Jesus Christ and feel of his love. Which is just what we continued to do as we listened to General Conference.

Hope you all had just as wonderful an Easter as I did; minus the Chinese Easter dinner! ;)

Sping has sprung

Or has it? And are we even ready for this time change?

All I know is that I'm going on 48 hours of NO sleep! Yes, I already had my meltdown. It was handled, no worries.

However the time has come to skip ahead an hour. Could it have come at a less convienant time than now? I think not-karma is out to get me. I just know it.

I'm taking some sleepy medicine tonight so cross your fingers that it won't kick me to the curb and keep me there...too long.

anyone for an update?

I have a new cast on...and I'm now afraid to shower...this could present a problem.

But on a non hygiene related note it's Valentines day and someone loves me...and I love that they know me so well!

It's been one of those days

What the heck it's been one of those months. I'm at my two week post surgery state of mind. I'm beginning to get irritable, lonely, hungry, and bored!

The highlight of my week - going to the Dr and getting my stitches out and a hard cast on. I was really looking forward to this for several reasons. One being I feel more safe in the hard cast, because I know that no matter what - if I don't do anything stupid ie kicking/pulling said cast off I am insured safety from harms way. Also the stitches were tight and pulling so to have them removed I figured would help bring me back into a zen state of mind.

Yeah, didn't exactly go that way. You see my Dr knows me, he has learned my ways. Therefore my cast is different than those in the past. Not going to go into detail but really he wanted to make it 'stephanie-proof' I kid you not I really thought he had succeeded. But I have a feeling give me a few more days with this nuisance and I'll have it cracked. So my skin is so dry and this cast is itchy and uncomfortable! I have been tossing and turning in bed for several hours now. But ah ha! What the tuna! I found the solution - and now I'm curious to know why I didn't ask Santa for this lil' gem this last Christmas. Either way my chopstick will have to suffice for now. I'm looking forward to the day it comes off...only to be replaced by yet another one. Oh lovely.

Good Grief

Another year has come and gone...and I love it! I have surgery again in a few weeks but if I weren't this would be my motivational video for the new year. What are your new year resolutions??

An amazing Christmas gift - wouldn't you say?

Twisted Christmas

As I sit here listening to Twisted Sister's Christmas album I can't help but smile. I've been a bummer mood all month not really caring whether Christmas came or not. LAME, I know - but we don't judge. It took a while but I love Christmas! And I'm not afraid to admit that Twisted Sisters had a lot to do with it. Ha ha ha, wow. Yes it really was that easy.

So one thing I love about this season is how much more friendly people become. Whether it is someone in your life or a stranger at the store you are bound to see it.

I just wanted to wish you all the merriest of a Christmas!

xoxo

a merry mormon christmas?

This is why the late shows are worth staying up for...



all in fun of course

oh the joy of family togetherness

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Dear Santa, define naughty...

It's that wonderful time of year again!!!

CHRISTMAS
have you all been behaving yourselves in hopes that you make the nice list? 

Dear Mother Nature, I've heard there is a storm moving towards my house. Will you please be sure it happens and that it isn't just talk. I look forward to it - I love the snow and I really want it come down so that I can go play in it! And silly commuters they are the ones that choose to make it a chore not an activity. So don't worry about them.

Dear music artists, Bring on the Chirstmas music! I think it is the best thing ever and although others may call my obsession a lil much it is just barely enough for me! Love it!! So please don't clog up my ears with the weird new age modern mumbo jumbo Christmas yakkity yak but just the fun classics. Is that too much to ask?

Dear artificial tree makers, You make me happy! If not for you my dream of one day having a white and pink tree adorn my house would be just that-a deram. But until that day I'll just enjoy the casa of my mum and pops house with two Christmas trees. Yay for lit trees with loads of ornaments adorning the branches! I love it!

Dear Louisa May Alcott, thank you for creating the wonderful world of the March sisters. They bring me joy each and every Christmas. I will forever love that they made a movie out of your brilliant words!

And dear hot cocoa industry, I will forever love you till the day I die. You make my heart melt with your delicious chocolaty goodness. Brilliant!

Dear city of Paris, Thank you for introducing me to your wonderful tradition of Buche de Noel! Long live the yule log!!

Familia

I love my family.

        That is all.

x.o.x.o


     oh and P.S.

Happy Thanksgiving week my lovelies!

a picture is all

Holleres eve

It was just what I don't do...tonight I mean. I don't do the whole getting dressed up thing all too often anymore. I'm not against the whole idea of the holiday. I mean I really did used to love it - and secretly still do. Shh don't tell anyone ;) K no but seriously it wasn't hard to talk me into a party...so I found myself dressed up and ready to go. And it was so much fun! I LOVE seeing how creative everyone gets! Long story short I went out and I loved it and I loved getting dressed up and I loved it all! People my friends rock, nuff said! Happy Halloween!!!

*I'll post pictures soon!

Anyone for cowtipping?

So at the dinner table tonight we were sharin some stories...totally normal and always a guarenteed laugh.

So here's one you may all enjoy...

Let me give you the background;
Christmas Eve 2006 - Denver - Dinner with the Gouldings {umm fyi pretty much the coolest family to date}

So sitting around enjoying some good conversation, great food, and not to mention awesome company when the older folk get on the topic of small town country/ranch/farm life.

Anyways Brother Evan tells us about the harsh winters he experienced growing up on the ranch. Some nights the cold conditions were enough to bring harm to the livestock.

So here's the conversation

Brother Evan: "It'd get so cold that the horses would freeze, standing up and we'd have to go out and tip them over." {and fyi not the case at all they actually go down on their own and then freeze}

Me obviously thinking OMG those poor animals ask in a manner described as so sincere "well they're okay when they thaw out right?"

The whole dining room erupted in laughter! Poor me was so confused...why was everyone laughing.

So there you have it peeps. That's the infamous 'cowtipping tale'* that comes up at least once during the holiday season in the Anderson and Goulding homes and I can imagine so for many years to come.

Oh to be me-it's hard to do but someone must do it. Who better than me?!
And than it made me think of this:



and yes I know I've had an overload of video clips this last month. But puh-lease you would too if you were recovering from surgery too! DUH now just watch the clip again.

*it got its title from more incriminating evidence than I care to share at this time..but you never know so stay tuned.

p.s. Sorry for the lamespice writing of the story...it's told so much better by anyone else BUT me. Just deal wit it

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

So we totally know how to throw it down in the Anderson household when it comes to holidays...love it! Anyways mum debated between going out or staying in. Hmm Claim Jumpers roasted turkey meal vs. home cookins! DUH! No brainer peeps. Need I say more?!?

Let's go for a walk...

So I had the opportunity to go out east two summers ago; spending a good chunk of time residing in Cape May, NJ. It was the best first exposure to the east coast and I couldn't have asked for more.

I stayed in this beautiful Italianate cottage known as the pink cottage which was built in 1891 and it was one door down from Beach Ave. Located in the historic district of Cape May. Just a two minute walk from the beach and get this right outside our back porch was a path that led you straight to the boardwalk. Where there were vendors everywhere with funnel cakes, corn dogs, lemonade, custard and just loads of yummy deliciousness!

Every night I would walk along the shoreline and find my way down to the lighthouse. Just a short jaunt down the beach. All was calm and the ocean spray would be warm with the sand under your feet and the dewiness from the humidity. Life stood still for a short moment; it's as if all had stopped to just take a breath and were caught in this day dream.

I would spend my days walking Washington Street and going to all the different shops. They sold any and everything. It was so whimsical and magical. I enjoyed people watching and getting to know the store owners who were a fountain of never ending stories of what Cape May means to them. I loved going and dining alone at all the different restaurants. Where I experienced warm 'feel good' home cooking, I loved it all! The names alone were enticing; Mad Batter and Tea by the Sea were some of my faves.

The architecture alone was breathtaking and had small town feel written all over them. I spent so much time just walking the streets admiring the homes. Thinking about the hands that had built them and created masterpieces of charm. There is so much history and legend behind most every single house. Some of my favorites were the sister homes. Seven homes for seven beloved daughters of one of the wealthiest Cape May builders. The homes are to die for and stunning and all identical.

I took naps everyday and swam in the warm ocean and built sand castles. I didn't have a care in the world and there was no schedule to keep up with. Everything was at my own leisure. I was thinking about all this today because sometimes I think we need these moments in life. Where there is no agenda or life to keep up with but rather just a life to embrace. I can't wait until I have the chance to return and fall in love all over again! But until then just enjoy these pics! None of which are mine because although I had my camera I took not one photo while there. I was so involved in just taking it all in and storing memories within*

remember the floods

So all this rain Colorado has been experiencing makes me miss Utah. I think the last time I saw this much rain was while living in Provo. Puddle jumping, dancing in the rain, taking runs up to the temple just to name a few of the endless possibilities of enjoying the rain. It would just flood the streets and it would be a warm rain! I loved it, absolutely just loved it. I remember how it would be nice and warm then all of a sudden the sky would open up and the rain would pour. It would come on slowly then all at once then eventually within a matter of hours to even days it would dissipate and the clouds would break and the sun would grace us with it's presence.

Isn't that how life sometimes is? We are enjoying life and pretty happy with how it's going and then sometimes out of nowhere stormy days appear. But we all know they come to an end and that silver linings are amongst even the most troubling of times. Without a little humility and tears on our part we may as well just forget that God will always be there. The Lord doesn't spare us from all our problems, but He does intervene; sometimes rain allows us to break out of our comfort zone of consistent weather. It is not a daily occurance and we must not get to comfy cozy right? That's how this rain is so incredible. Have you ever noticed how when it begins to taper off there's this silence unlike any other. It's our opportunity to listen. It marks the onset of what is to come. For me I see life happening; blossoms on trees and plants awakening, birth of lil' birds. It is a sort of spiritual experience because it is only here for a moment and if you aren't listening you'll miss it.

Although for some it is a nuisance I couldn't be more happy if it were just raining on me. It brings warmth and joy into my life and who doesn't like a day spent snuggled up with a warm blanket and good book?

So grab an umbrella, some galsohes and slicker because the rain is here and is showing no signs of just a one night visit. The earth is enjoying the quench so why don't we as well? Love to you all!*

One bottle pop* Two bottle pop* Three*

So in my family we have a tradition that I LOVE! Every year come Christmas time we make homemade root beer. Now when I've talked to friends about this they think extract and dry ice. And for the longest time I hadn't the slightest clue as to what kind of root beer that could make. Eventually I was introduced to it and it just isn't as good as the family recipe. It involves a bit of work and time but man it's worth it. It is the most delectable tasting beverage. So GOOD! It is a family tradition passed on from my dad's side so all my me and my cousins were raised on this once a year treat. Those that marry into the family warm up to it but I don't think most of them can bare to tolerate it. Anyways there are many stories and memories of finding bottles months after their birth. They have had time to ferment because this, like I stated is the good stuff. Meaning it is made with none other than brewers yeast, extract, and sugar. So delish peeps. The reasoning for this post is just humor. I have an uncle who recently found in the lovely month of March some stashed in his basement; and if I recall correctly a few had exploded. So he proceeded to bring them to the kitchen to open them and rid of the contents. Well needless to say things didn't go the way hoped for. He managed to get the first one open and it went all into the sink but upon the opening of the second bottle it popped and exploded. It went everywhere and he seemed to be wearin a lot it. Ick! So they decided to take the rest out back and pop 'em open one by one. And there were casualties. So lesson learned...never let it go to waste. Even if the batch is a lil' yeasty. It'll only make you stronger inside and out! I can't help but bust up laughin and if it doesn't even crack a smile then I guess it really is a family thing. Enjoy!

P.S. Thanks are due to a one Uncle Rotney who so lovingly adorned us with documentation of the said events...and adorned yourself as well! Love ya!

Feliz viernes santo!

Today and every day forward will be a holiday. Every day should be a holiday of great gooey goodness! I can picture it now; duh okay so I think in my own lil world I'm already livin it!

How I wish you could expereince California right along with me. Just tonight the scent of spring is lucious...totally to die for peeps. I don't believe words could do the evening justice. So i'll just leave it at that. Wish you all were here to enjoy the scentsational night with me.

Moving on to other topics HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY! (although when you read this it will be Easter Eve) For those who celebrated Good Friday I hope you found it enjoyable and to your satisfaction. Now I believe it was a good friday for myself. Good as any other - but way BETTER!
I fo sho appreciated it for the holiday it is and it prepped me for Easter but it was fitting to just know I had a good friday.

Yay for Easter!! So Easter is such a special time for me. It has to be one of my top faves; definately in my top three! I have so much love for my savior at this time of year. When I was in young women's Sister LillyAnne put together special envelopes for each of us and it was to help us learn of and grow in love and appreciation for our savior, Jesus Christ. She titled it something along the lines of 21 days of coming closer to Christ; to that extent anyways. I read this over and over year after year and have come to have a greater compassion of the Atonement and all it blesses me with in my individual life. I have had many wonderful experiences that remind me of this and more so in the month of April. So peeps just a shout out to wish you all a wonderful Easter! I hope it brings you as much love and joy as it does me.

What the ramblings?!

So I have so many things to talk about that would make perfectly lovely posts. Yet none of them are really any that strike my fancy at the moment. I'm lame and I have realized it, come to terms, and now I'm moving on. So I guess one thing I know I'm overly joyed about and I'm very content with sharing is the topic of Twilight! (the movie) I still am a fence sitter in coversation but as soon as I get it in front of me i'm sucked in. I think I spoiled it by having seen it so many times; by doing so I now can't decide if I love it or just like it. Duh com'n I can't lie-I LOVE it. So peeps if you haven't seen it get out from under the shell and embrace it. Even if you dislike it just knowing you saw it won't hurt your ego; at least if I were to have a say.

I am in California for those of you that don't know; visiting some family. Now it's been well a good 18 months since I have been exposed to humidity. The last time being mid summer on the coast of Cape May. I embraced the humidity while there because I was living on the beach day in and day out. Although California is a good place to be if you were achin for a visit to the beach-this is not the case. So peeps I am embracin the curls head on and maybe by the time I return to Colorado I will be in love wit them. Let's just say my hair is a fan of humidity but def not a friend to me if I make an attempt to style the norm. So pack up the round brush and straightners cause they ain't seein the light of day for a bit.

now where'd I put that mousse?