Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas! ps. i think i'm addicted to Pinterest

This Christmas was AMAZING. All my family was here. This may sound cheesy but what could be a better gift? Being an aunt is the best because these kiddos are crack-ups. absolutely hilarious. i love just sitting back and watching their excitement and their unique personalities. I also loved having siblings here just to chat with. I didn't get a whole lot of just chatting in for the past few months down in Utah.
I got some pretty grand gifts for Christmas and everything i asked Santa for. i'll be the coolest aunt around with my barbie convertible he brought me;) 
Carson also made me a calender and the sweetest snowman card which i'll probably keep forever. I love our family tradition of handmade gifts for our family exchange. Everything i made was inspired by pinterest, i would be lost without it. Another tradition that is simple but i love is sticking small presents in the tree. I don't know of many other families that do that so i'd consider it one of our traditions.
Our dinner was...unique. My dad and the guys went and shot a turkey, with a bow and arrow, gutted and cleaned it, smoked it, then we ate it. You know you live in Idaho when your dad hunts Christmas eve for your Christmas dinner. I'm sure we had the freshest meat around! He also smoked deer and pheasant. I'll just stick to turkey please. The rest of the dinner was delish! and i had the funnest time decorating the table. I tried a new napkin folding technique that i also found on pinterest. It's a Christmas tree!


Christmas 2012 was lovely <3

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Sister Smack

You know those friends you make and you don't even know how you became such good friends it just sorta happens? well that's how Kara and I became friends. We became besties i think mostly due to talking about boys haha and figuring out our problems with them.  Now she's one of my best friends and i love her so much. At school we had sleepovers, workout sessions, study sessions, and nights out on the town (if you can even call Rexburg that). We would skype all the time durring our off tracks at BYU-I while she was in Boise working her tail off and while i was in Utah. She called me the day of the October conference with the news that she would be going on a mission! it fit her perfectly. she knew right then and there that was what she was supposed to do in her life and i couldn't be anything but ecstatic for her!! She's been busy preparing ever since and this weekend of the 17th i went to her farewell in Boise. She is going to the Anaheim California mission, American Sign Language. Kara will be an amazing missionary and she is beyond ready to leave to the MTC on the 19th. I'm incredibly proud of her and love her dearly. She has been a part of many memories of 2012: which i blogged about some Here and Here.
 i can't wait to write Sister Smack soon:)





Sunday, November 18, 2012

My list of THANKS.

November=gratitude. I love thanksgiving because everyone just seems happier, probably because thy are looking at all the things they are blessed with. Here i have a list of the MANY things i'm beyond grateful for.

1. I have marvelous parents. They are an awesome example of LOVE, patience, and working on communication. They have taught me what a good relationship is. They have also been parents who have raised a phenomenal family. I couldn't have asked my Heavenly Father to place me in a better one:)
2. My eternal family. I have the cutest family that just keeps growing! i love to hear that another niece or nephew is on the way. It makes me that much more excited to have my own future husband and family. My siblings are wonderful examples of loving families.
3. Also, a shout out to my sis, Shelly. Just recently she brought Easton Judd into the world and helped me to put things into perspective.  She is awesome for letting me be there durring the delivery. It was such an experience. She is also a champ for going through what she did and being so controlled about it! #inspiring. the even crazier thing was 20 minutes after the delivery she was all concerned about my plans and asking me questions like when i'm leaving and in my mind i'm like "are you crazy?! you just went through unfathomable pain for hours. we should be focusing on you here!"so yeah my big sister just became even more of a role model for me after that. I love her.
4. Going to church. It is a habit that i grew up with, and maintain on my own simply because i love Jesus, God, others, and the Spirit.
5. Lifelong friends. They know who they are:) They shaped me into the person i am and i love that i can turn to them for anything at anytime, even if its for a good laugh or some good advice.
6. Going to college at BYU-I.  I LOVE IT. especially Tuesday devotionals. Going to school here not only makes me want to be a better person but it helps me do it.
7. Colors. I love painting, i love nature, i love beauty, i love fashion, i love nail polish and all the beautiful colors that these things come in.
8. That i live in America.  Freedom is priceless and it takes a humble heart to recognize what has been sacrificed to get us what we so mindlessly take for granted.
9. Peanut butter. It makes everything taste like it was sent from the gods!
10. My car that gets me where i need to be quickly and comfortably.
11. A welcoming home that my father built. A welcoming home in Utah with my Grandparents. A welcoming apartment with people who want to live with me in Rexburg.
12. Music. It is calming, exhilarating, happy, and sad all the same time. It can say exactly what you feel in a way you couldn't say yourself.
13. Missionaries. They save people's lives and save families. I'm so grateful to have a father and brothers who so willingly served and now i have so many friends who have/are/going to serve!! it makes my heart sing.
14. Challenges. I hate them, but they are worth it. I learn so much that i didn't think i needed to learn.
15. Institute.is.awesome.
16. The priesthood. Because it is power from God for worthy men to use here on earth. It is such a blessing to have.
17. My testimony. I don't share it often but it is unshakeable.
18. The atonement, even the things i don't completely understand about it. I love Jesus Christ for what he did for me.
19. Laughter. I love having that one kind of laugh only the special people you have in your life can bring out.
20. Prayer and communicating with my Heavenly Father.
21. Being able to have a job when so many aren't as lucky.
22. Sleeping is my favorite. I always have comfy beds too.
23. MY SMILE! it's an outward expression of the gratitude i feel for all of these things and many more.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Imagine


If we could all be a little kinder each day, not judge others, be peacemakers, love unconditionally, smile and tell people how important they are this world would be SO much better. Am i insane for wishing everyone to do this each day? yes? i know, but i'll keep wishing in hopes that someday the world can just be in harmony.
Do me a favor and try your best today, tomorrow and forever to make this world just a little bit better. Thanks:]

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tyler! Tyler! Tyler!

TYLER WARD!!! i'm in love. i always have been but now it's a whole new level. I went to his concert here in Salt Lake, it was at a small little venue that fits a total of 200 people and the tickets were sold out. (luckily i got mine like 2 months ago). But i got there and we ended up being pretty dang close to the stage. Like i had the PERFECT view.  His voice was angelic and he was unbelievably entertaining, but i can't get over how amazing he sings! I was in heaven for a solid 2 hours. Then afterwards we got to have him sign things, and i bought a shirt and had it signed all fan-girlish like. We also got pictures!! It was the best night i've had here in Utah and i couldn't wipe the smile off my face even if i tried:]





AHH i just love this picture:] It made my night.....and maybe my life

Take a brief listen. Be prepared to fall in love and feel free to explore his other stuff. i highly recommend it.----->Red


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Halloweeeeeen

Let's be honest. We all know Halloween just isn't my favorite. I would rather not focus on scary things or gory or evil things.  I don't even like the candy. But there is one thing that i do enjoy and that is dressing up with friends.  This year i didn't do anything on halloween night, except for homework for my online class but it's ok because at Great Harvest we all dressed up at work.  It was actually lots of fun! Last minute i threw a costume together. Thank goodness for Grandmas who have square dancing dresses and ruffly pantaloons!! It was fun dressing as a porcelain doll and we had a little photo shoot at work and took pics. That is just another reason i like working at Great Harvest. These girls are awesome to work with!!
I'm glad October is over and we're on to November!! It's a month of THANKS and gratitude is something you can never have enough of. Plus on thanksgiving i'll get to see my family again and hopefully that new little addition Easton that i only have seen for a few minutes. Can't wait!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Classy Pumpkins


This Saturday craft kept me plenty busy but boy was it fun:) it's the perfect centerpiece for the table. All i needed were some lovely home-grown pumpkins and gords, black paint, gold spray paint, some lace and ideas from Pinterest. Sometimes i feel like its hard to find halloween decorations that aren't tacky and i thought a centerpiece like this might class it up just a bit.
Happy Halloween!

Cozy and Delicious

I have to admit, I've sorta gotten addicted to these babies. It might just be the recent change in weather but the sound of pumpkin flavored things has caused me to experiment with pumpkin breakfast foods. I tried pumpkin oatmeal, which was okay but nothing  compared to pumpkin pancakes! and that's as far as i've gotten with the experimenting haha The fact that i know i'll be making them for breakfast is what gets me out of bed early while its still chilly outside. (that's what makes them cozy) I made the batter and saved what i didn't use. i've had these pancakes for 3 mornings straight and i'm still not sick of them. The combination of the warm festive pancakes, piping hot cinnamon syrup, and crunchy pecans is simply irresistible. So i thought i'd share the happiness.
Pumpkin Pancakes

Original recipe makes 12 pancakes  
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the first 5 ingredients first. Then the rest of the ingredients in a seprate bowl.  Then combine and mix just enough, don’t overmix. Bake on griddle.

Cinnamon Syrup

1/2 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
2 Tbs flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 c water

bring to boil. Stir until syrup consistency. 

YUMMM

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Weekend with Kara

This girl has gotten me through a lot! I met her up at school and spring semester she lived right below me and lets just say after we connected through our frustrations with boys our friendship has only THRIVED. I practically talk to her everyday. Best news yet: she'll be one of my roommates when we go back to BYU-I in January!!! yesssss:]  Anywho, while we're off track she's living life in Boise working away her life at a kick butt job where she's earning lots of cha ching$$$. (I'm jealous really). And I'm living in Ogden, soooo i planned a weekend visit with a convenient stop at home on the way there and back.  I had the greatest weekend. We shopped and pampered ourselves, hung out with some new friends, went to church together and honestly just being together was the best part #truefriendship.  The weekend was topped off with a lovely stop at home.  I love it. And I love my family. Moral of the story to walk away with: Great weekend trip!
Jessi Cray & Kara Smack <3

Monday, September 3, 2012

Celebrating 20 years of life!

September 1st was my 20th birthday and i must say it was a grand ol time. First off, i was surprised by a visit from my parents! They picked me up from work on friday (which i was not expecting) and we went off to eat at the delicious Ruby River. One of the things i was looking forward to my birthday was the fact that it was my only break day for 2 1/2 months on this no sweets contract. (and that will be the reason for all the pictures of the sweets i ate within the 24 hour period. Honestly by the end of the day i felt utterly disgusting!) At ruby river i got  free desert and it was DELICIOUS and i could actually eat it! i called it a mini pazookie:]

On my actual birthday I had a good friend Emily come to Utah because her family was going to this play/musical and it happend to be in Salt Lake on my birthday AND they had an extra ticket!!

So we went to the musical 9 to 5 which was pretty cool cause it was in a round stage/theater. I had never seen one like that before! Then we ate at Macaroni Grill. 

MMM! so fun. then off to shop at the new city creek mall and spent 3 hours in only 2 stores, Forever 21 and H&M. Unfortunately our trip wasn't as successful as we hoped but i did get some accessories! My favorite are these classy shades.
That's not where it ended! We finished off with a cheesecake that i so badly wanted to make and i got the recipe from a good friend Dustin Boyd. Let me tell ya....it's some goooood stuff!
This birthday was spectacular! i have so many good friends who texted me, Facebooked me, called and Skyped me.  I love them all so dearly and i realized i have some pretty amazing friends and i'm sure some people are jealous that i get to call them my BEST FRIENDS!  Even all my family called or Skyped. They are the best.  With all these amazing people in my life i really felt loved and that is what i think made it one of the best birthdays. I felt like i was glowing with happiness:]


The Contract

I signed my life away. Just kidding. I actually signed away to sweets! Yeah see i'm trying this new thing where from about the middle of August to the end of the year 2012 i will eat no sweets. To clear things up it's not no sugar, it's NO SWEETS. (cake, ice cream, brownies, cheesecake, sno cones, fro yo, candy bars, etc...) I would normally find this impossible to do however i have a trustworthy friend doing this with me! so not only does it make me obligated to do it, we also came up with consequences if one of us so decides to break and eat something sweet. Hence, "The Contract".  The lovely Kara Smack typed it up and pretty much if one of us breaks we have to take the other out to a movie and dinner date.  
For me it had to go farther cause so what if you have to blow 20 bucks, sometime i'm sure a brownie would be worth it if that was the only consequence. SOoooo we came up with this nice catch: whoever breaks first must call their ex of the other's choosing and sing T-Swift's We are Never Ever Getting Back Together.  It's a good song and i suggest checking it out but who wants to sing it to their ex?! The funny thing is my ex is her best friend, and her ex is one of my best guy friends.  This is enough to get me to not eat a single sweet until the end of the year.  Humiliation would be a killer consequence. We do realize that this is extremely strict and probably impossible if we didn't have any break days so we set aside 3: My birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas but that's it! It's a challenge but totally worth it cause it will prove to myself self control:]


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Let's stick with the Theme of CHANGE

I painted my bedroom. (see post below)

I've moved to Utah and live with my grandparents. 

I'll be making all new friends seeing as i don't know a soul around these parts of Utah. 

I started a new job at:


I'll be taking my first ever online class. 

My birthday's right around the corner and i'll soon be 20. 

My best friend who I've never been away from longer than 2 weeks is leaving for China for 4 months. 





And i upgraded my "Yeep"
to this baby...... 


Change-It's the only constant thing in life.
<3

Pinterest put to work

Change.  Sometimes it's nice to switch things up a bit. Such as my room! I've had the same look going in my room for at least 5 years and I wanted to do something drastic.  As I was browsing Pinterest (which is quite often) i found a cool idea and i've decided i wanted to be one of those people who actually tries to do a mojority of the things i post. So after a couple days of work this was the result and i must say that i absolutely LOVE it!! :) thank you Pinterest and your wonderful ideas.
BEFORE:
AND AFTER:


It's amazing what a brush and some paint will do:)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

I love these girls.  All of them.  They were so good to live with cause they kept all the rules, cleaned up the apartment, kept a great spirit in our apartment, supported me when i was nervous to teach lessons at church, comforted me when i needed it, and made me laugh, smile, and enjoy life.  Thanks girls for all you've done to not only be great roommates but also my friends:]






I see the light!

Less than two weeks until I finish my first year of college! woop woooop:] it's bittersweet. I've learned so many things in the past 7 months that have forever changed me for my life ahead. So many things I couldn't possibly list them or even think of them all off the top of my head, but nonetheless i'm forever changed.
  I can't wait for my visit, which is the week after i'm done with school, to New mexico to my brother and his adorable family!! after that my life is an unexplored adventure and i have no idea what to expect or where to go. It's going to most definitely be an adventure....and you know what? I think i'm ready for it.

Pizza....the healthy way


HERE IS A RECIPE I FOUND TO HELP ME OUT WITH SOME EXTRA CREDIT POINTS IN MY NUTRITION CLASS.  IT'S VERY HEALTHY BUT surprisingly GOOD!! I'VE MADE IT TWICE NOW JUST BECAUSE I LIKE THAT MUCH AND THOUGHT I'D SHARE MY DELICIOUS FINDINGS. IF YOU CARE TO TRY IT, ENJOY!

Gluten free cauliflower crust pizza

ingredients:


1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
olive oil (optional)
pizza sauce, shredded cheese and your choice of toppings*

directions:


To "Rice" the Cauliflower:
Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes (some microwaves are more powerful than others, so you may need to reduce this cooking time). There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself.
One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To Make the Pizza Crust:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).
http://www.eat-drink-smile.com/2011/04/cauliflower-crust-pizza.html
*This recipe was delicious. I topped my pizza with an alfredo sauce instead of red sauce, onions, fresh tomatoes, spinach and green peppers topped with mozzerella cheese.  The only thing is that it was time consuming.  Ricing the caulifour took me longer than expected but it was so worth it in the end! It is definitely pizza you have to eat with a fork though. This was a delishious gluten free, vegetarian meal!!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Bill Cosby- LIVE

Yes i can cross that off my bucket list! I went and saw the legendary comedian Bill Cosby tonight in person.   SOO fun!! i had a good friend Darin come with me and we had a grand ol time.  The seats were a tad uncomfortable for how long the show was but was it worth it?? YES.  2 hours and 15 minutes of the 75 year old Bill Cosby performing.  He also gave some advice to us college kids- it was to be honest.  Great guy and such a wonderful once in a lifetime opportunity! I'm so glad i went:)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Holy Hecticness!

LIFE: lately it has been spent away for hours in the library, classes, and homework. Surprisingly it's not overwhelming. Possibly because i know this hectic-ness will be over with by tomorrow.  Then it's back to the usual not-so-hectic-hecticness. 
The newest news:  Our apartment finally has AC!!! I have never had to live without air conditioning before (yes i do realize just how spoiled i have been my whole life) but all of the month of May it's been crazy hot outside and we didn't have AC.  Plus our apartments face the sun durring the evenings which seems to super heat our apartments.  I have never been so excited for the beautiful sound of cold air rushing into the room! i literally jumped and shouted for joy when i came home to a cool apartment!  
Also, the other day i just found out that I have a full tuition scholarship for my 2012-2013 school year.  Such a Blessing!!!! i don't know how it happened considering i've only completed one semester here, i have a theory that they used my grades from my transfer credits??  Also, i just found out i only have to take 3 more foundation classes and i have my associates! so after one more semester i'll be halfway there....what the....!?!? i feel like i just got up here to Rexburg.  But anyway yes, finding out that i have school completely paid for next year is such a relief and such a blessing:]
I have made lots of new friends within the past weekend. I love new friends! they make you feel cool.


FYI
so my latest snack food....yeah it's been bananas (which sometimes are frozen) with peanut butter, or apple with peanut butter, or a spoon and peanut butter. mmmmm in fact i think i might go have some delicious peanut butter right now.


over and out

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Avengers

One of the BEST movies I have seen in a while.  I absolutely loved this action intense show and thoroughly enjoyed the couple hours of my time watching it.



Earlier that night I also went with one of my roommates and saw Diamond Rio.  I had no clue who they were before i went and i didn't even know it was country...i'm not the biggest country fan but this was quite fun.  They were amazing live and it was a blast!

Monday, April 30, 2012

Sidewalk chalk and other new adventures

Whew!! It has been crazy here living the college life and it's sooo crazy to think that i have one semester of college already done. Time goes by so fast!! I've gotten right into the swing of things here and honestly i love it.  The school load is definitely harder this semester and i'm not enjoying it as much as I did last semester but i have a feeling it will get better from here.  Spring is honestly my absolute FAVORITE season and it actually is so much fun going to school in the nice sunny weather rather than the dreary cold stuff that I always went to school in my whole life.  One of my favorite things is just walking around campus from class to class in the beautiful weather:]
My new roommates are AWESOME!! I love them.  We all have so much in common but are still so different that it makes things exciting and they're all so sweet.  It's great. And i also love how every Sunday we invite someone new over for dinner! might I say it is a great way to meet guys AND show off your cooking skills to make you look even that much more desirable?!? hahaah;)
So i cut someone's hair for the first time the other week and ya know what?? it turned out ok. yes I did cut his neck with the dull buzzer....and it was a bit shorter than planned BUT he eventually has gotten many complements on it since.  We also ended up dying it because it was this nasty orange-blonde and people asked him if he was German and i guess that was all he could take. So now at college I'm known as the girl who cooks, sews with a specialty in sewing units, and now I give free haircuts(if you're desperate that is). 
So among all new roommates, new classes, new semester, i decided to try something else new. I volunteered to teach sunday school.  Might i ask how insane i must have been to VOLUNTEER?? first of all i have never taught sunday school before in my life, second, sunday school at a college ward is like 1/3 of your whole ward, and half of them are returned missionaries who know a whole lot about teaching the gospel.  Intimidation overcame me the closer it came to Sunday. Once i prepared and Sunday came around though i was actually excited to teach! with a little anxiety sprinkled somewhere among those emotions.  The end result?? satisfaction.  It actually went really well and i was able to recruit quite a few new friends to come and participate, not to mention my ever so willing roommates:)  It turned out great and i had many people tell me i did well.  Even though i enjoyed it I don't think i could handle the stress of preparing for sunday school for 4 hours every Saturday and when i went into an interview i was wondering if this was what my future would look like.  Instead i got the exciting news of being in the Relief Society presidency as the Secretary.  I absolutely love the girls and so this calling brought a huge smile to my face!  Life is great and i bet it just continues to get better.