Better After....

I was hesitant to put these pictures up because my "before's" are so bad, but that's how they are supposed to be right? So the "after's" are more dramatic. Well, that's what I was going for -- right after the gym, 3rd day hair in all its glory. I present to you my Before and After. Katee my good pally has been my hairstylist for years and i love her! Yes, I was much over due for some hair care. TA-DAAA

Have a heart!

Last week I got a phone call from my Mom about my Pompa. She told me he was in hospital with what they called an aneurism that was close to his aorta the size of a small grapefruit!!! AHHHH!! He had surgery to make the needed repairs to strengthen the artery. He is such a trooper and made it through the operation well! 4 years ago he had a quadruple bypass where he was pretty down and out for awhile so I am grateful for every single day I get to spend with my sweet grandfather. He is dear to my heart! I am grateful for his story! His life is full of the highs and lows and he always has a story to tell.  Pomp has the biggest heart! He gives and gives. He values his family and wants nothing but their happiness. If there were ever anyone who has a heart it is Don E. Dawes!

Caramel Apples

 My sister Tami and I have decided that every fall we are going to perfect the art of homemade caramel apples. We are gonna be pro's! Our 1st attempt was last fall. We didn't do so hot. We tried really hard too. We had all the toppings imaginable that could go on a caramel apple, but they all ended up at the bottom of the cookie sheet. The caramel did not stick to the apple. They were a mess. This year as you can see, we are getting better right? yeah! We are learning some tricks. Mom joined us this year. She had a bit of a hard time with her toppings sticking. Can you tell? : ) It was really fun to hang out with the girls. We laughed and talked 'till late. It was a good time! ...and yes, I broke down, and just had to taste our yummy creations. We missed our sister Kari!! 

*Please excuse my horrible hair cut and cheesy grin haa!  I am so cute. wink : )

My new chocolate fix

So with my new no processed sugar, no processed flour diet I have been discovering new and creative ways to cook without processed sugar. In the past when I made a bowl of oatmeal I wouldn't think twice about adding a few spoonfuls  of brown sugar and butter etc. Well, now my oatmeal is my version of a no-bake cookie with no processed sugar or butter.

2/3 C whole old fashion oats,
pinch of salt,
2 tsp  or more if you want it more chocolaty unsweetened cocoa, 
water (how ever runny/thick you like it)
drop of vanilla,

and my new discovery 1 tsp more or less Agave nector
mix and microwave or cook for severl mins

after cooking, top with 2 tsp organic peanut butter (no sugar added) and ENJOY. yumm it is really good! If you are used to super sweet oatmeal it might taste a tinsey bit bland until you get used to way less sugar. Delicious and nutritious. To make it a 100% balanced snack have a 1/4 of cup of cottage cheese for your protein.

Monsoon season

 Well, Az didn't have much of a Monsoon season this summer, but the baby shower invitations and birth announcements were pouring in! I couldn't make it to all the showers there were so many. I am so excited for all my girlfriends having baby's. It's always a wonderful occasion.   Here 's couple I have pictures of. I was happy to get to help at my girl friend Jaime's shower. Some girls from our ward threw her a shower and I helped with the fruit. The shower was themed cookies and milk so I played off of that and did "peaches 'n cream"- pretty fruit cups with an orange cream sauce to drizzle on top and "strawberries 'n cream"- strawberries with a cream cheese filling.  The girls told me to plan for 60 people and that I did. I did costco sized portions and to say the least my fridge/freezer  is still full of fruit. I have got to learn some portion skills. It was a darling shower. I thought the cookies and milk table was very creative.

Barry's bff Jon's wife  Tiffany is due with a girl the end of December as well.