the niccoli story

New York!!!

2011-02-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

After the first week of cinnamon rolls, I realized that there could be some potential. I decided that I would sell enough cinnamon rolls to go to New York...and eat to my hearts content!

And that is what I did.

(once again I am a terrible picture taker so there isn't much in the photo department)

I stayed with my good friend Nicole and her husband Spencer and their twin girls Elle and Sophie...who are just darling!

Nicole was great, getting around that city is like nothing for her! I would have been a lost mess without her!

She ate with me!

We ate some delicious food. We ate cupcakes before lunch. We ate donuts right after breakfast. I ate a warm bacon sandwich with tons of cream cheese on an everything bagel...right after I had already eaten an everything bagel with cream cheese!

We walked and walked till our feet hurt...at least mine did.

I saw amazing architecture and beautiful old buildings and so many wonderful things! New York is quite a place!

We made a delicious dinner at Nicole's house, I got to see how she grocery shops...I don't know how you do it girl!!!

We went to art museums, which I LOVE! I haven't done that in a long time!

(i felt like a true tourist...that IS what i was though...)

We talked and laughed and ate (did i mention that yet??) and just played!

It was a BLAST to say the least!

Thanks Nicole for being a delightful hostess and tour guide and friend!!!

(there was a massive elephant behind me...he didn't quite show up! so you just get beautiful me!!!)

New York....I will be back to visit...hopefully soon!!!

Cinnamon Roll Saturdays

2011-02-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

So I guess this is really old news.

I was going through pictures on my computer...that is such a trap, I can never stop! But I never really told the story of Cinnamon Roll Saturdays.

So here it is.

It was Thursday night and I said me and Armani are going to have a bake sale on the corner...and sell cinnamon rolls.

I got a few laughs and some, "are you for real??" 's and I said yes I am for real.

I made 3 dozen.

by : armani

(he LOVES Cinnamon Roll Saturdays!!)

In less than half and hour I had 3 dozen sold and been prepaid for 3 more dozen. Who would have thought?!!? Not I!

Anyway. It grew each week. I got up to making 20 dozen. We never didn't sell out. That was a really good feeling. Cause I worked REALLY hard and stayed up REALLY late week after week.

(mine and 3 other loaned kitchen aids...until i started using the kitchen at a Culinary Crafts, that saved me from going insane!!)

(10 dozen...thats only half of them!)

I had tons of help...thank you a million to all of my babysitting helpers. I really have a BOMB family on both sides. I love you all and could ask for better!

Now they are at Marley's Gourmet Sliders restaurant on Saturdays...and I might bring them back to life here in Hawaii...in time!!!

Anyway. I saw the pictures and I felt a weird sadness that that is all over. I don't wish I was still doing that, but is was such a huge part of my life and a really fun thing on Saturdays mornings!

Helpers! Madeleine was more of just a supporter/eater...haha! I love you both!

Not the greatest photo of us...but Savannah was a trooper! and so was I :) I love you Savannah!

This all led to my trip to New York!

That will be the next post...

Old Stuff

2011-02-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

The next few posts will be from some things I missed along the way. Old news can still be good...as long as there are pictures, right?!?

ENZO. SHORT FOR VINCENZO. MIDDLE NAME ROMEO.

He is not an ounce short of a HUGE handful. I can be ticked off at the kid (in a loving mother-ly way of course) and can't help but laugh at the same time because he is absolutely NUTS.

I see a mixture of a lot of strong personality characteristics from both Giovanni's and my side, (all fabulous ones from my side!) he is going to keep me very very busy for years to come. I have no doubt.

He turned 1 in October. I am realizing that I take very few pictures. For real, it is horrible. I have one really not so good, but the best of the worst, photo from his birthday breakfast. And I think that Gabrielle has the pictures of him destroying his cake on her camera...which reminds me that I need to get those!

He hated the breakfast I gave him too. I was trying to be all nice and put a big "dollop" of whipped cream on his french toast and he gagged and made a sour face. He does NOT like whipped cream.

He does however LOVE the marshmallows out of...ummm I think this makes me a horrible mom...chocolate marshmallow matey's! Kids come programed to just go for the marshmallows, even when the cereal is chocolate! Maybe my children are just sugar fiends like their father.

This is his latest "trick". He climbs into his little shopping cart and cries a super loud fake cry until Armani or I push him around. He is a demanding little fellow!

He also thinks he needs to sit on the vacuum, and it has to be on or else he screams a terrible scream at me.

I just want to squeeze the little man, and kiss his paw-like feet!

I love you a million Enzo!

Up and Running

2011-01-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

My computer is alive with the Internet...via our neighbors wireless...yea!!!!

It is a little bit hard to function without Internet, I must admit.

I have been doing mini-posts from my phone and I still don't really have a real camera so the ones from my phone will have to do.

We are here in Hawaii. Living. Strange and fun and hard. The weather is like a dream, and would be even dreamier if we had air conditioning...we will have to get the figured out. You can't really tell, put in the picture Enzo's hair is literally soaked from sweat, poor guy.

This is an adventure. We have met tons of really great, nice people. And thank heaven for Pat and Carrie and of course Ham their dog, they have made it a lot easier that it could have been!

We go to the beach lots, that is all Armani wants to do. Sunscreen and sandy bums. Yum!

We miss everyone but we are doing well!

Sorry if it's boring but I thought family would like to see where we are and what we do, so I will post little videos of some of the places we go!

2011-01-20T12:48:00.001-08:00

Just passed Jack Johnson on the bike trail today...I was pretty excited!!

2011-01-15T21:50:00.000-08:00

This should make everyone who doesn't live in Hawaii feel very happy...and no I did not buy the cereal!

2011-01-15T21:44:00.001-08:00

So it can rain pretty hard here. And it was insane the other night...I was soaked through 3 layers of clothing in about 30 seconds! Nutttts!

2011-01-15T21:42:00.001-08:00

Our new house, not the whole thing, but how is the view!?! It is very beautiful here!

family pictures

2011-01-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

Not always the most exciting, fun thing to do but Heather did a great job!!!

I really do not like photos of myself, I usually make some sort of silly face to make it funny rather than my awkward 2nd grade smile on cue look... I don't love myself in these but I do love that it is of me and my babies. I am usually always behind the camera and I really have VERY few of me and my little handsome boys.

Cute shoulder shrug Enzo! Where did your neck go??

These are Niccoli grandbabies.

Armani, Gianni, Luna and Enzo.

Maybe my next post will be of our new life in Hawaii. Less than a week left of this chilly weather! Excited and Nervous and Happy and Sad and everything

in between!

in other news

2010-08-09T09:42:00.001-07:00

is your mouth watering???

this is THE LATEST, other than
laundry, baths, spills, stories,
acting like a crazy wild lady to make my kiddies laugh,
costco, days market, etc...

CINNAMON ROLL SATURDAYS

you just might want to mark you calendars...EVERY SATURDAY
fresh baked cinnamon rolls.

i decided two saturdays ago to sell cinnamon rolls on the corner. it was a bit bigger than i planned. we were turning people away. making more to fill ORDERS. it was crazy! i take pre-orders or i sell them by the roll too! come be a regurlar, its a great saturday morning treat!
maybe this will be the ticket to my dream of my own little cafe!

POSTS COMING SOON TO
CINNAMON ROLL SATURDAYS
BLOG!!!

bestest friends

2010-08-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

since day one they have been something like

magnets.

im pretty sure it was love at first sight.

the cutest little set of buds ever.

if falling asleep holding hands isn't one of the
MOST PRECIOUS
things EVER
i don't know what is.
i love you both a million.
for ever and ever.

it's been a while

2010-08-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Are you all sooo excited?!?! Just kidding, I am not sure that anyone looks at this anymore...except for you Gabrielle, you're the best! (i know you know) (a little inside joke) But really, I have the BEST sisters in the whole world, they are ALL THE BEST!!!! I love you! My mom doesn't read this, but in case she does, I know her well enough that she is feeling like I left her out at this point. I love you too mama!

("mom does this outfit make my booty look big?")

So lots has happened since I posted last. The biggest thing is that we rented our house and are now living at my mother-in-laws...I kind of hate that term, it so often has negative connotations, my other mom's house! It may seem backwards, but its getting us closer to our next step forward. If that makes any sense. It has been great, I miss my house...a lot, but it is fun to have family around all the time and soooo many "babysitters"! We might all have withdraws when we move out!

We spent 2 1/2 weeks in in California. Fun. Long with two small children. Cold. Yes cold in July...crazy. We had so much fun, weddings, seeing friends, and of course that beach! (even if it meant wearing a hoodie!)

Lots of fun stuff! I can't believe summer is almost over. I though summers were about being a little lazy and not having much to do...I feel like I have been going non-stop!

(two peas in a pod, really.)

(cowboy boots. stripped pants. cowboy print top. gun made from pipes.)
(high fashion right there folks.)

a little over due

2010-04-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Armani turned 4. He had a "BOMB" (as he would say) party.

guess who?

Yes indeed.
The birthday boy. All cowboy-ed up.
The party: COWBOY THEME
Special Guests: THREE HORSES. Yes folks 3 HORSES.

thank you thank you thank you
to the Pitts FAMILY and your horses
and Stef and Meg for ALL of your help.
YOU are what made his party "BOMB"!
I think that is the last party Armani gets for a while.
I'm not sure I can top it...

peas.

2010-04-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

so ENZO eats.
i can no longer solely provide him with the nutrients he needs
to maintain his 90th percentile stats in height and weight.
so my "little" man eats.
he loves rice and oatmeal cereals.
he loves bananas, pears squash and sweet potatoes.
however, he does NOT love peas.

2010-04-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

Interview with Armani Bruno Niccoli age 4

what is your favorite…
food: pizza (he’s eating it at the moment)
drink: sprite

“Mom, ask me what my favorite weapon is”
weapon: a sword usually
uncle: my favorite uncle is Stefano
aunt: Meg
friend: Isaac
cousin: Dash...thats a good one right!?!
game: hide and seek
color: blue
candy: hmmmm...lollipops (really?? out of all the candies? and not just a
sucker, but a lollipop…?)
day: summer
place: Pirate Island
vacation: California
why: ‘cause its the best place you could be

For your entertainment...or mostly mine, here are just a FEW of the things
this child says slash thinks up in his little brain.

While passing a horse pasture… “Oh! Look at all those PONIES! Mom I really REALLY want a pony!” lollipops, ponies, where did this boy come from?!?

After being on the toilet for 10 minutes, just like a real man, “ooooh, (crying voice) my feet are all tingly...waaaahhh!”

Basama, “Mom, it means like two things mixed together.” He makes up words and acts like I am dumb as a rock when I ask what something means.

Little piggies to Vincenzo
“This little piggy stayed home
this little piggy became dead
this little piggy became alive
and this little piggy had a sword”
interesting rendition...

“Mom, you’re my BEST angel mom!”
heart is melting, until...
“Mom, are you pregnant again. It sure looks like there is a baby in your tummy.”

Me: “What should we have for dinner?”
Armani: “We could have like rice and some ketchup and sauce.”
Me: “yum!!! great idea but maybe we will try that another night!!!”

“Mom do you feel like you have front legs and back legs?”

Me (frustrated) : “What am I going to do with you!?”
Armani (sly grin on his face): “You mean, what would you do without me???”

And for all of you who are still reading, this is the best one yet.

While crossing the street in Las Vegas, a car was coming up pretty fast. Armani stopped in the the road, turned to the car and YELLED “What do we look like? Some kind of target!!!”

Happy birthday my little man! I love you a million!

happy spring!

2010-04-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

So it IS spring, even though it looks like the middle of winter outside.
I have a tree outside my front door that has these BIG beautiful flowers that bloom in the spring, as long as they don't freeze. In the (going on) 5 years we have lived here the crazy Utah spring weather has frozen my tree twice and I really hope it doesn't this year. I haven't seen any other trees like mine and I don't know what kind it is either but it is one of my favorite things about my little house. It is funny how I could find one thing after another that I didn't like about my house but now that it is FOR SALE I just keep thinking about the things that I love.
Yes our cute little house is for sale.
Sad, but hopefully it will get us to where we REALLY want to be quicker.
The only thing I know that we REALLY want is something a bit bigger for our growing family...I'm Pregnant!!!!
April fools.
ha ha.
Sorry I know it's not really april fools day.
No but really, a bit more space is at the top of my list.

I am ashamed that I was once pretty decent at taking pictures and setting up a back drop and what not...don't judge any of you picture takers that look at this, I really can do better! I had about 5 minutes and Vincenzo's handsome-ness makes up for lacking, right?

Happy Spring.

Right before we put Enzo in this costume, Armani decided he needed to try it on first. Because, "it really is mine, I'm just letting Enzo use it, right mom!?!?"

Well once he was in the costume he felt a little silly.
With my camera in hand,
Armani FLED.

This is him fleeing.
He was trying with all his might to dodge me and the camera.
He THOUGHT he found refuge when he dove into a pile of stuffed ducks on his bed. He didn't know that it made for some pretty funny photos.
Oh Armani. I love you.

chicks (baby ones) and swimsuits.

2010-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

My little Enzo reminds me of a baby chick. Sometimes he remindes me of a turtle. He is too cute to not post about.

I have several photos that I thought about putting up
and then probably several more.
Or maybe just this one.

So summer is on its way and I found a swimsuit

its from j.crew, however it is already sold out. lame.
maybe they will get more.
maybe I shouldn't even bother and just find a good moo moo to cover me up. As cute as that baby chick is...he left me feeling, um... not quite "swimsuit ready" if you will. However now that I am thinking about it, it wasn't even really the baby chicks fault. I felt like I was doing quite well, but the SICK feeling went away and I wanted all the things I missed out on during those long 9 months.
hummmmm.
Why does it have to be so easy to gain and so NOT easy to lose???
anyway.
I think I will still try for that suit none the less.
It looks like it will camouflage where I grew my baby chick quite nicely.

i wonder...

2010-03-03T21:20:00.000-08:00

I wish I could be inside Armani's head,

I wish I could know how his little mind works...
I mean I know the kid pretty well, but what would it be like to
BE Armani?
He is coming up on his 4th birthday.
Wow.
I have a four year old, that seems weird.
The kid is loved by all...at least most of the time.
He is VERY strong willed,
or we can just be honest and say that he is stuborn.
He knows what he wants and will not settle for anything less, which makes life a battle because he ALWAYS is wanting something, most of the time its something I don't want him to have. He never fails to get both Giovanni and I to laugh (hard) during his prayers...not reverent to say the least but I figure it's better than us being mad right? Who says,
"please bless mercy" during their prayers???
and a 3 year old none the less.
Oh, Armani. How I love you.
These are photos Armani took, pictures of his little world.

peter pan playing on the tv
swords he stuck in the couchhis dagger on the tablehis gun on the tableself portriat...I have taught him well. :)

On his birthday I will post, "Out of the Mouth of Armani"
you don't want to miss it, here is just a peak...

Armani: Mom you look like Joseph Smith.
Dad: No she doesn't.
Armani: Yeah she does. Her face does.

Thank you dearest Armani, I have always hoped to look like Joseph Smith.
Ah...maybe I should grow my hair out.

MEET GIGANTOR

2010-01-23T14:42:00.000-08:00

So my baby is a large baby.
Bad for my back.
but
oh so WONDERFUL
because there is a lot to KISS and LOVE and SNUGGLE.
I don't even care that his neck is a bit
SOUR
I still kiss it a million times a day.
And his CHEEKS and his LIPS...
delicious.

I pretty much love him.
A LOT.
There is nothing like being a mom and having a NEW baby around. Or maybe I should say a young baby, it kind of sounded like Armani is old news or something, and let me tell - he's not.
But when you have a newborn (even if they are the size of a 12 month old) and they smile the hugest smile at you just because you smile at them
or maybe raise your eyebrows at them.
Oh it is so WONDERFUL!

And then there is this guy.

My
pirate / knight / prince / armor guy / mick (as in mick dundee...that is the latest, he even uses an accent!!!).
He keeps things REAL interesting.
Always.
He melts my heart when I say...
"oh, you are growing up so fast. :( "
and he responds with
"but I will always be your little guy, sweetie."

Being a mother is GRAND.
I LOVE my babies.

the new year

2009-12-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

2010

Funny thing... I don't hate the New Years like I have in the past, you think I would being that I am home by myself, well I have a dog a three year old and a 2 month old here, so yes I am still pretty much by myself.
Normally I have anxiety in the days leading up to Christmas, because as soon as it comes it's gone. All the get togethers the good food and various activities and traditions, they are over till next year. I haven't had that this year.
I have been looking forward to the new year. I suppose its because this last year has been ummmm, not fabulous??? I was pregnant for nine months of 2009, and for those of you who know me, my body does not do well when i am growing a babe inside me. I am so grateful that I am able to have children, don't get me wrong, but being pregnant was the pits, just imagine feeling REALLY CAR SICK for three months and then "just" kind of regular car sick for the last 6 months...not fun. But yes, worth my little Enoz.
Giovanni has been WAY busy with work and school and starting his business. I pray that 2010 will give us more time together. I miss him and he isn't even really gone. It could be worse so I am grateful that I have a husband and he is a hard worker, that he has work and that he is starting something that he loves and will (soon) start paying the bills (and then some!). But is it wrong to want to be with him more and not have to say goodnight on the phone every night???
The past year has been filled with good things too, I don't want to sound like a "debbie downer" (you should really click on that link. i promise you WILL laugh!!!) I had a healthy baby boy and a three year old who is healthy as well. So many wonderful people have blessed my life in ways they will never know. I am grateful for friends and family who are thoughful and kind and loving, you are what keep me going and brighten sad days. The Lord really does use us to bless the lives of others, so many of my prayers have been answered by the people around me.
With all that said. I feel excited for the new year, to set new goals and accomplish lots of...stuff (for lack of a better word, but truley, more or less it is just STUFF).
So everyone, goodbye 2009. It has been fun and hard and sad and happy and long and busy and sometimes crazy. Thank you for everything, I have learned a lot and grown even more and now I am ready for another NEW year.

cheers! to a new year!!!

(don't worry about it. it's just a shot glass full of "fick milk". that would be heavy cream.
yes my child is drinking heavy cream from a shot glass. doesn't your child???)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!
MUCH LOVE.

hello again

2009-12-28T20:30:00.000-08:00

In the last year, more or less, I...

became pregnant and sickly(me trying to make easter fun, while being sick...the ears are a good look don't you think?)

Armani turned 3

I did this to the Jaguar...on Giovanni's birthday...not my fault...still scary though
poor car.
happy birthday?!?

We took our annual trip to Carlsbad
(a week at the beach left him tan and very very tired)

I put new shutters up (with the help of my man slave...aka: husband)

Armani started preschool

I remodeled Armani's room to make room for the babe and the bathroom too
I don't have final photos, sorry. However this is the mess I (and a wild 3 year old) created while in the process of beautifying.

My sweet husband surprised me with grass for the back yard for our anniversary.
You might think that is a funny gift but oh he knows me so well! This was a FANTASTIC surprise for me.

Alpine slides

FINALLY A BABY!!!
(1 day old)
Vincenzo Romeo Niccoli
8 lbs 8 oz
22 in

Halloween
Captain "Jackson" Sparrow
(armani and jane)
armani looks like he thinks he is mister cool guy here

My 26th birthday

More baby Enzo
how is that chin, i mean, those chins! yes, he is well feed, no worries there.don't you just want to kiss those lips??? i know i do.

Christmas
(limited because the battery in the camera died and the charger was at giovanni's shop...boo hoo)

Happy Holidays one and all!
Until next year!
(that way if I post sooner I will feel really good about my self!)

Happy Valentines!

2009-02-14T12:13:00.000-08:00

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women.

Interesting.

I made a LOVE-ly breakfast this morning for the LOVES of my life...

(not a picture from breakfast. we don't get ready for breakfast at our house.)
We had over-night french toast, but I cut hearts out of the bread for the top layer! It was pretty cute, I think I am the only one who appreciated it though.

I also made pink whipped cream and of course, BACON, which they both appreciated. Give them BACON and CANDY and they will love you forever! They are two peas in a pod.

So now that I am married and have a child, valentines is really more just about showing my family and those that I love, that I do.
I try to make it special, with little things like HEART overnight french toast and such. But I do plan on hanging the fact over my MAN's head that he is working today, how am I supposed to do nice special things if he is not even here?
Armani and I are going to go to
HAPPY SUMO
&
CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC
Just kidding.
Maybe Geej and I will do that next week. WINK. WINK.
(He doesn't even read this, so I am winking at nobody.)

JBN
(just be nice.)
(a pinegar reunion theme)
and
just LOVE everyone!

I did these myself, on myself. Tricky. Festive, don't you think???

HAPPY VALENTINES!

spell check...

2009-02-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Just so nobody thinks I am really really dumb, in the post below, I said that we are going to bread Gwen. No. We are going to BREED Gwen, not bread her.
Just to clarify.

IN HEAT

2009-02-13T13:28:00.000-08:00

Some of you know, we have an English Bulldog, and we are planning to bread her.
Crazy?
Yes. Probably.
At any rate she will be 2 this August and has not gone "into heat", until this morning. Exciting..ISH.
We went to the store, got some depends and what not, hence the "ish" part of exciting. Puppies, yes exciting! Taking care of lots of puppies, "ish". Lots of puppies in my little house, "ish". Armani playing with little puppies, exciting! Me playing with little puppies, exciting! Too bad we have to wait till her next cycle to breed her though.
THIS IS GWEN WEARING DEPENDS AND SOME HOMEMADE...SUSPENDER TYPE THINGS
SHE HAS MORE PERSONALITY THAN A DOG SHOULD BE ALLOWED. SHE WOULD NOT LOOK AT ME. SHE IS MAD THAT I PUT HER IN THIS LITTLE GETUP.STILL NOT LOOKING AT ME. WANTING TO GO OUTSIDE, BUT I WONT LET HER.Once again Geej has a catering event, on a weekend, surprise surprise! Well, he just called to say HI and check to see how Gwen is doing. First of all, he didn't ask how I was handling it and second, he NEVER calls to see how I am doing when it's my TIME OF THE MONTH. He said "poor thing". I never get any sort of sympathy, and I am pretty sure it is a little more tough on a human than a dog, plus that lovely time comes EVERY month, for a dog it is only twice a year!
I just needed to get that out.
I feel better now.
Thanks for listening.
I'm really not mad, I just found it interesting that the dog is getting my sympathy that I do.
I will remember this in the future...
I am done now.

Sugar Cookies

2009-02-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

Giovanni had a catering event so Armani and I made some delicious sugar cookies, a Valentines staple.

During the course of the evening I was called, Big Mama, Big Mama Chef, Big Mama Santa Clause, and Big Mama Cleaner. My little Handsome never ceases to crack me up, even if it is at my expense.

I said something about not droping a single one (sprinkles) on the floor and he got all excited and said, "SingleLadies?". There is no space for a purpose, he says it as though it is one word. Let me explain, a while ago we watched "All My Single Ladies" music video, which Beyonce sings, needless to say he LOVES it. You can watch it HERE.
Am I a horrible mother? I suppose there are a whole lot worse things I could be letting my child watch. His eyebrows pop up and his head cocks to one side when he hears it come on. The kid LOVES music and dancing, he is our little entertainer. I just want to squeeze him (and I do), he is so deliciously cute!

Whipped Cream

2009-02-09T19:42:00.000-08:00

So I was sitting peacefully on the couch one evening when my dear husband, sat down to chat with me. He, knowing that I am extremely ticklish, kept digging his elbow into my thigh, acting like he had no idea what could be the problem. I kept telling him to stop, anyway I tried to bump his water that he was taking a drink of, mind you it didn't do ANYTHING. Then he took a big gulp and stood up and leaned behind me and spit it down my neck!
WAR.
He ran into the kitchen and I followed, not sure what I was going to do to get him back.
Oh, what is that on the counter? A bottle of Whipped Cream?
Perfect.
I went after him spraying with all my might.
Somehow I got the worst of it. It's only cause his arms are longer though. I had a big mess to clean up but we did get a really good laugh from it all! My plans to get back always seem to backfire.

I didn't make it.

2009-02-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

Truth be told, I didn't not complete my little challenge of NOT going to the store for a week. I suppose I could have done it but we did run out of MILK and who can really go to the store and ONLY get MILK? Not me. I did make these though...

The Pioneer Woman is AMAZING. I love her. I don't really know her, but I know that she loves food and so far I have LOVED everything I have tried.
These little ditties in the picture are French Breakfast Puffs
They are TO - DIE - FOR, really, they could probably cause an instant hear attack from all the butter... They were worth every single calorie and fat gram, I have no idea how much there is exactly but even if I knew I would still make these and eat them again!
I also made these
Onion Strings.
I may need to go get my cholesterol checked.
They were very tasty.
Oh and another delicious item....
LITTLE CAKES
These are my sister Breanna's little German Chocolate cakes she made.
Are they not SOOOOOOO cute?!?!
I ended up making them on Sunday. My cake was a little thicker it seems so I only did two smaller circles. They were so delicious. And cute! Remember my new motto?
"you are what you eat, so eat something cute!"
I should feel sick about all this food I ate over the last week.
I don't.
I feel happy that I ate lots of good stuff!

Deliciousness

2009-02-04T13:13:00.000-08:00

My dinner last night was DELICIOUS!!! I did not take any photos, I was pretty hungry and just thinking about eating, plus Geej got home later than what I thought so we watched American Idol while we ate, plus I think a picture would only have made it look not-so-good, you know??? (at least my food photos)

the menu

Homemade BBQ Sauce
(Pan) Grilled Chicken
"Crash Hot Potatoes"
and salad with ranch

It made me feel a little like it was summer. Oh how I wish it was summer...
Doesn't it seem like the days are getting slightly longer? Maybe the sun has just changed positions, because in the afternoon the sunshine is coming through my blinds in my dining room and it makes that room all nice and warm - temperature and color.
ANYWAY.

You will want to add these recipes to you collection. I promise.

BBQ Sauce

2 cups ketchup
2 cups tomato sauce
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 1/4 cups red wine vinegar
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
4 teaspoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix together the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke and butter. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, celery seed, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to low, and simmer for up to 20 minutes. For thicker sauce, simmer longer, and for thinner, less time is needed. Sauce can also be thinned using a bit of water if necessary. Brush sauce onto any kind of meat during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

The sauce keeps for quite a while, so make all of it and just keep using it. It is so good!
When Armani woke up from his nap yesterday he laid his head on my shoulder and said "mmm that smells good" and I said, "do I smell good?" and he said "no. that dinner smells good." I was letting the BBQ sauce simmer while he was sleeping, so the whole house smelled like it!

Now, the "Crash Hot Potatoes" are originally from The Pioneer Woman's blog, but I saw them on Vegan Yum Yum. I thought if two "FOOD PEOPLE" are blogging about them. They have to be tasty. So here is a new way to do potatoes, just click on the link for the directions!

I absolutely LOVE food. I love to cook and try new things. I love to read blogs about food. You get the idea. So don't be surprised if I post more about food in the future. If I try something tasty, I feel the need to share. BTW, if you like food too, take a gander at some of the sites I listed under FOOD, over to the right. They have some DELECTABLE photos and recipes, even if you don't try them, they are just nice to look at and wish you were eating it!

I'm Out.

2009-02-03T14:42:00.000-08:00

I really hate when I run out of things. I'm sure its just because I am out, but it seems that I need whatever it is, twice as bad, when I am out of it.
On top of being out of plastic wrap, I am out of eggs, and a few other items that are not quite as high on my list of STAPLES, I had decided to NOT go to the store this week, UNLESS we run out of milk. PERIOD. Make it do or do with out...does that fit here?
(I am thinking too much about that phrase now and it sounds all wrong.)
Anyway, I have tons of stuff in my freezer and cupboards that I just don't use, but I could use. I always have leftovers, that are never used as leftovers, the poor things. I do not what to be a waster. I want to have more room in my house for the things that I use and need. (my house is small and storage is, what would you say...nonexistent, yes that is it, nonexistent.) I am not going to throw away my boxes of rice-a-roni, I am just going to use them up and then not buy them again, because I don't tend to reach for those when I go to make dinner.
This is not going to be easy. At this point last week I had already been to the store twice! I am sick of going to the store! From this week forward I will use more what I have and plan more so I don't have to go to the store EVERYDAY.
I feel good that I got that out!
Sorry for the not so interesting post, but I don't think I have anyone who reads this anymore, anyway.
None the less, I will let you know how it goes.

2009-02-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

No, our home was not broken into.
I was enjoying the peace and quite in the kitchen,
cleaning up dinner with my sweet husband.
HMMMM.....
it has been REALLY quiet for a while, meaning Armani hasn't come in screaming for one reason or another, he hasn't asked us to come play with him, etc...
the Husband went to check on him and found that the "little RAT", and I mean that with all the love in my heart, had DESTROYED every corner of his room.
Lovely.
Just lovely.

p.s. notice his outfit? he will not wear anything else. If I can somehow bribe him to wear other clothes when we leave the house, you will find these clothes underneath. Not to mention they are from last summer so they are a bit too small. Oh, the joys of a two year old! I do love however that he has an opinion, even if it is not mine...

you MUST try this place!!!

2009-01-31T11:36:00.000-08:00

So I just went to this place today. Today is their grand opening.

The Sweet Tooth Fairy Bakery,
Click HERE to go to their site.
The shop is darling.
The Cake Bites are delicious.
The Cupcakes are CUTE & TASTY.
Plus they have others cute little item for sale, like aprons and cupcake bath fizzers!
The whole experience was very YUMMY!
Above the door it says
"You are what you Eat so Eat something CUTE"
I think that is my new motto!!!

How cute is this???

2009-01-30T08:43:00.000-08:00

So my friend Bekah makes these and sells them on her ETSY shop. If you are like me, you take your camera with you in your purse. If you are like me, there may be some crumbs from something either you or your child ate at one point and the remainder was stored in...your purse. If you are like me you like cute things, I feel cute when I pull out my camera (because I have one of these cases!!!) I think I need this one though, it's pink, why wouldn't I want it! And if nothing else for $13 bucks you can protect your camera or ipod or phone from all the ailments of a purse.

Anyway. Bekah I hope you don't mind that I posted about you on my blog.
I just think these are SUPER cute! And VERY VERY functional!

NEW LOOK...

2009-01-30T08:20:00.000-08:00

same great taste! Just kidding. As you can see I am trying my had at CUSTUMIZATION. I like my background but how in the world do you make a header or banner or whatever? Any help?

So it has been a while since I posted last. A long while. Life has been crazy busy, Christmas was a blast. We have been to California twice since Christmas for weddings of good friends. The first trip we drove and the second trip we left Armani with the Grandmas and we flew. Flying is a DREAM! Lets see. 10 plus hours vs. an hour and 15 minutes. Take your pick.

I have lots of great pictures from the last little while but I am going to save myself some time and just start today and not worry about any sort of updating. Not that you really care anyway!

If you are odd like me

2008-12-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

You may like to try this. I don't know if any of you out there have ever had the desire to bite into CHALK or maybe a ROSE or PLAYDOUGH or SILLYPUDDY? I have had the desire to do these things and I have tried all of them, multipul times, even though some are just plain disgusting, that would be the playdough. Something might be wrong with me, but it just seems like these things would be fun to bite into. These things are also fun to cut with a knife. To make a long story short, today I was making S'MORE bars and it calls for quartered REESES PEANUT BUTTER CUPS. I stacked them by twos and then used a big sharp knife to cut them into quarters. It was satisfying. You should try it sometime, plus they taste good, but they are more fun to cut than to bite.
Just thought you might like to know.

Happy cutting and biting into odd things!

santa claus is comin' to town

2008-12-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

So this was a little while ago, the day after Thanksgiving, but we went to Santa's Grand Event, or something, at the University Mall. Santa came in on a HELICOPTER. My mom said, "What happened to the good old days when he came in on a SLEIGH???"

Either way, I think it is exciting! I LOVE Christmas!
Armani was THRILLED. So was I to be truthful. I have never been that close to a helicopter, at least one that was moving. It was really windy!
I was another fun CHRISTMAS activity!

So if the video doesn't work, I am sorry. It took a year to upload. Without the video the post is boring!

ooops...

2008-12-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

I had an enrichment activity last night, I signed up to bring a dessert. When I got home I was washing the platter that I put the dessert on, and on the back I saw this

ummmm. I hope I didn't poison anyone. I just was trying to make it look nice.

Armani found a Santa hat in my box of Christmas decorations and insists on wearing it, all the time. His latest FAVORITE activity is "doing dishes". I came in and he had given himself a beard of bubbles while wearing the Santa hat.

ho. ho. ho.

While I was climbing up a latter in our garage to get down a box of lights, he said "mom you better watch out, you better not fall, cause I'm tellin you why, I'm Santa" He makes me laugh!

This is a three in one post. This is the last thing for now. We went to the Lights On Festival in Provo. It was free. That is nice. They had singing and dancing performances and a band of all elderly men, it was cute. They didn't turn the lights on at 6:30 like a thought they would, the mayor needed to make it official by saying a bunch of stuff we didn't really care about. And then he tried to do a PRACTICE countdown, but Santa and the kids really threw the MAGIC DUST when we all said MERRY CHRISTMAS, so the lights didn't turn on and then they had to get MORE magic dust and we had to count down again. The lights did turn on with the second MERRY CHRISTMAS, and it was very beautiful, the trees in front of the Covey Center were loaded with lights. Armani loved it. My toes were frozen. It was a fun HOLIDAY family night!

I am trying to make the most of this holiday season, by filling it with all sorts of Christmas-y activities. Giovanni says that it is just going to make me more depressed once it is all over. He is probably right, but I like to believe that I am right till proven otherwise!

The front room makeover

2008-12-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

We have lived in our home for almost 4 years now. We originally planed on about 2 years. If I have learned one thing in life it is this, PLANS CHANGE. Like me, you may not want plans to change, but I believe it is just part of life. You never REALLY know what your plan will be.

So we have done things to our home along the way, but being that I PLANED to not be here for TOO long, I never really settled in and made this home MY home.

Now we are still here and I really have NO idea when we will make some other house our home. So I will take one room at a time and make it what I want it to be, so that I will be happier with this home that I spend the majority of my time in. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY grateful and feel VERY blessed to have a house that we own.

This is our front room before the recent makeover

this wall is pages from art books that we put up on the wall, I really like this wall. You can also see the GREEN wall. I really like this wall too, but it is time for a change.

Here is our brown wall.

The rug and coffee table are new additions (that we bought on by birthday). The futon is also new, well newish. Thanks Magleby's!

So here is what is looks like now.

new paint and some fun mirrors, plus we moved our computer desk to this wall

I am going to make curtains for that window and also paint the futon black, and make a new cover for it...that is the new fabric draped over it.

new tv (via some trade) and new tv stand

we are going to put a piece of wood painted white over the existing curtain rod and I am going to make new curtains

Last but most definitely not least, we are going to get a new fan. I would like to put just a basic white molding around the ceiling, like we have in our dining-ish room, but that is just more time and work, it looks good enough without it.

so you don't have to wait any longer

2008-12-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

I am sure you were not really waiting but I will now post about my birthday, which was on the 14th of November, I know, that was quite some time ago. Oh well.

My wonderful husband bought me these

for breakfast I made this

Armani also wanted this

Yes, for breakfast.
The french toast with fresh whipped cream and raspberries,
with a dusting of powdered sugar were not enough for him,
he had to have leftover mac and cheese too.

For lunch we went here

and ate this

the best MEATBALL sandwich in all the world...

maybe the MESSIEST sandwich in all the land too.
Sorry for the gross picture - that isn't even all the napkins I used either!!!

Then we went here

and got some new items for our front room!

Then we went here

the DELICIOUS Tepanyaki, with family, I love my families.

Then we went to this

and ate this

this

and this

I may have felt a bit sick at the end of the night, I am not sure why, my day didn't revolve around food or anything...

I planed it and he executed it, therefore I had a great birthday!

out of the mouth of babes...

2008-11-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

or just my babe, who called me babe this morning while I was getting ready for church. I said, "where is dad when you need him" (to help me choose black or brown tights and shoes to go with my outfit, (yes he helps me with those things when I can't make a decision on my own) so I asked Armani, "should I do black or brown?" and he being his stinking cute self said, "I like those babe. You look cute babe." He is just like his father in so many ways.

I have been thinking about my blog, and I am going to add some structure to it, sort of. Certain days will be dedicated to certain things, for instance on the 19th - or around about that date - i will post all about my little man, he was born on the 19th. He grows and learns and changes so much each month, little phrases he says come and go in a month and I want to try to remember as many as I can. I know it isn't the 19th, but I am trying to do some catching up, I haven't posted in a while.

If you don't like Armani then don't read on, but I don't know a single soul who has met him and does not like him, he is a charmer!

INTERVIEW OF FAVORITES

last month / this month

FAVORTIE FOOD:
hot cocoa (he was drinking it at the moment) / donuts (also eating when I asked)

FAVORITE CANDY:
"corn candies" / "mm's" and "kip caps" aka...kit kats

FAVORITE WORD:
"I don't know. What word?" / "ummm, my favorite word is milk" (it was on the table)
-This reminded me of BRICK, "i love lamp"

FAVORITE TOY:
box / tractors

FAVORITE BLANKET:
"my oder (other) one" / "my other one"
-he can now say other correctly, and that is just what he calls his blue blanket...

FAVORITE MOVIE:
"builder bob and nemo" / "lightning.... um chicken middle"
-i don't know where lightning came from??

FAVORITE DAY:
"I don't know." / "um my favorite day is, um, a new day, that's my day."
-in chicken little he says, "today is a new day"

FAVORITE PLACE:
"the chef place" upon saying this he looked as though he reminded himself of this place because he then said "I want to go to the Chef place, lets go!" / "Tepanyaki, the chef does fire and then he tosses the shrimp"
-he now knows the name of the chef place and asks to go there daily.

I added these questions this month...

FAVORITE SHOW:
"the train one, all aboard the train, lets watch that"

FAVORITE UNCLE:
"stefo, he plays with me all day"

FAVORITE AUNT:
"um, aunt jeanie... oh, MEGAN is and Stefo is my favorite aunt too!"

-Aunt, Uncle, Grandma and Grandpa, etc... are a little hard for him to remember which gender they belong to, sorry Stefano!

He is a little A.D.D. one thing reminds him of something and then that reminds him of something else, and so on.

As of late he is obsessed with taking PHOTOS. He uses the word PHOTOS, he is great! I enhanced these a TINY TINY bit, they are pretty cool shots!

If you can't tell, I love my little boy. I was always told by my mother that I wouldn't know how much she loved me till I had my own and now I know.
Now back to being a mom, I need to go awake him from his afternoon slumber...but stay tuned, I still need to post about my delightful birthday and my front room Make Over!

TAGGED

2008-11-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

I was tagged, as it is called, by my delightful friend Jessie. Here is the TAG..
List 6 quirky habits that you have...
tag 6 quirky friends & link the person who tagged you.
So when it says link the person who tagged me... what does that mean???
Anyway, here it goes

#1
I always have gum in my mouth. I don't chew it. I suck on it. My chin does a funny thing, I will see pictures of me and I can tell that I am sucking on my gum.

#2
I have a habit of taking self portraits. The funny thing is, the uglier I can make myself look, the funnier I think it is. This is a weird habit that runs true amongst my sisters.

#3
I don't know that it is a habit, but it may differ from other women of my age. I dream about the day that I can garden ALL day long. I even like just watering my garden or hosing off the sidewalk. I grew tomatoes for the first time this year and they were the best I have EVER tasted. (I am not the only person who thought so!)
I dream about landscaping and what my yard and garden will be like someday.

#4
I must brush my teeth at least 4 times daily. If I am somewhere and I think about it, and I can't, I start to feel uneasy.

#5
For some reason, at night, right before I go to sleep I feel like I have to clear my throat. I have to like sit up and cough and it is always a big ordeal. It is really annoying, because it is really RIGHT when I am closing my eyes, Giovanni and I are done talking, and then I get this itch in my throat...

#6
I feel like I am growing a mullet as soon as my hair on my neck line starts to get a little bit "long". I don't think I will ever be able to grow my hair out.

So I tag,
Beka, Breanna (this means you have to start a blog!), Lindsey, Traci M., Nicole C., and...um...I have expended all my resourses, anyone else that might read my blog has already been tagged with this tag.
Lood at me tagging someone who doesn't even have a blog.
Sad.

2008-11-06T12:43:00.000-08:00

So, I know way past the holiday of TRICKS and TREATS
but for journal-ing purposes
(my sister-in-law tells me I can get a bound book at the end of the year of my posts...)
I will share the last bit of our Halloween holiday
and then move on to bigger and better things.
We had a SPOOKTASTIC dinner.
Someday Armani will get more excited about it,
but I really do it because I like to.

This was the appetizer sampler.

This is the dinner menu. I won't tell you what is really was,
I will just let your imaginations wonder...

We had dessert too, Witch hats with frozen cow milk. Yummy!

Alright.
I am done now.
That is the END of Halloween until next year!

"HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!"

2008-11-04T14:00:00.001-08:00

This is what Armani says whenever he sees anything Halloween.

We had fun. The plan was for Armani to be a tooth, me a tooth fairy and giovanni a dentist. Come the 31st I had no costumes and Armani did not want to be a tooth anymore. Gabrielle went along with me to the costume store, something you should not do the day of. I would rather dress up than not, so Armani was Superman, he found a superman trick-or-treat bucket and had to have it and the night before my neighbor brought me over her little boys Superman costume! I was a pig in a 4XL pink tee and giovanni was a redneck.

My handsome little black-haired Superman, he just woke up so he is a little dazed.

The TRIO.

Armani did the Rock Canyon school Halloween parade with Grandma Ju-ju-bee. They were "NEARDS".

At Trunck-or-treat we saw LeeAnna and Chris and Jane. I was trying to get Armani to give Jane a little smooch, she was playing hard to get! Maybe Armani's manly muscles made her a little nervous, or his stunning blue eyes...

Close but not quite.

A hand on her back was as far as he got.

To sum up the day, we had loads of sugar. Provo Bakery donuts, glazed PLUS chocolate frosting, absolutely delicious. Candy, candy and some more candy, in fact new candy I had never tried, Reeses crunch stick things - tasty little things. Breanna's sugar cookies, about three. Some more donuts just because they were there. And more candy.

Happy Halloween!

Activities of Halloween

2008-11-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

So Halloween does not top my list of favorite holidays, is does however kick off the holiday season, which is my favorite. I consider November 1st through December 25th a great big holiday. Birthdays, including MINE, Thanksgiving, Holiday Parties, Driving around to see the lights, Christmas shopping, Christmas Eve festivities and of course, Christmas Day. All of this excitement and anticipation tends to leave me slightly depressed on the 26th. Anyway I am going to make the most of this season, and it got a great start with a fun Halloween.

We went to Cornbellys, or is it Cornbellies, I'm not sure, at Thanksgiving Point, it was my first time, I had no idea how much went into that place. Armani had a great time and he found his way to a carriage with some women, he told me he was just having a rest, as he ate some of the lady's popcorn...oh that child!

Armani MILKING a cow. Armani with a CHEESY smile.

Here are Jessica and Chelsea having a good old TETHER BALL match, the activity of choice in elementary school! I'm not some who won...?

We also we to Gardner's Village. It was fun and very Halloweenish. Armani LOVED the tractor rode with the Witch. She really got into her character, I was impressed. Surprise, surprise, Armani would not look at me for the picture when I really needed him to, it always seems to happen that way.

The Beginning

2008-10-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

So, here I am. I am attempting to be a blogger. I will do my best to keep it updated. I don't know if anyone will even want to read this, well maybe one person will, at least once a week...that would be you Beka, so you better!

I have a child who is full of LIFE and so I have some great material to write about, at least I think it's great material.

I have a husband who is BUSY and creative and always coming up with great ideas for all sorts of things. You will most likely hear about him in this here blog.

I have a dog, Gwen, she is an English Bulldog. My neighbor said, "She is a whole lot of woman!" oh how true that statement is.

I am Armani's mom or LOVEY as he sometimes calls me (because that is what I call him), I am Gwen's mom too, says Armani. I am Giovanni's wife and assistant and secretary, etc... That is me and what occupies pretty much ALL of my time.

I have a wonderful, exciting, and very busy life. And if you want you can read all about it right here on my new and fabulous (hopefully I can make it more fabulous as I learn all the tricks) blog.