Zoo stuff

This weekend Jack and I wanted to get out and do something fun. Jack came up with the zoo idea. We packed a picnic lunch and headed to Salt Lake early in the morning so we could avoid the crowds. The weather was supposed to be nice (57ish... which is nice compared to what we've been getting) so I dawned shorts and flip flops, forgetting the zoo is practically in the mountains. There was still snow on the ground and everyone kept looking at me like I was nuts. It wasn't too cold though- I was fine. 

We had SO much fun. I hadn't been to the zoo since before I was married and Jac

k had never been to the Hogle Zoo so it was a first for us in our marriage. We got there at the perfect time. There was hardly anyone there. I love being able to watch the monkeys in

 the monkey house without any little kids screaming and crowding the windows. So great! 

Jack loves monkeys so we spent a lot of time with them. If anyone want's to gift us a monkey we are totally okay with that. 

After the zoo we went downtown and had a picnic lunch at a park. Knowing that nothing was waiting for us at home we decided to spend the rest of the day in salt lake. We walked around a couple stores and then we went to a Nickle Arcade. It's so much fun to get to be a kid for a day. Jack and I rock at Dance Dance Revolution! And I even gave Jack a run for his money at Street Fighter 2. (sheer luck, but still) 

Our friend Higgs treated us to dinner at Rodizio Grill. Thanks Higgs! Such delicious food. Eventually we had to go home, but all in all it was such a great day. I need more weekends like that! 

Give away stuff

Hey everyone. Those of you who know me really well know that I do NOTHING at work. It leaves me plenty of time to blog stalk. And blog stalk I do. I found a bunch of long lost cousins and it turns out that one of them is pretty talented- who'd of thought. She's having a give away for the most adorable hats! Everyone should run over and check it out. Even if you don't win the giveaway you could still purchase something adorable for you or your kids. It's for a good cause.

To qualify for this giveaway, you must:

1. Go to http://wilkersonivffund.blogspot.com/2009/03/giveaway.html
1. Comment on the post so Lyndee can visit your blog to see if you fulfilled the requirements!
2. Copy and paste this post into a post on your blog.
3. Posts and comments must be received and submitted by April 10, 2009.

If you meet these requirements, your name will be entered into a drawing for a FREE hat of your choice! You pick the style, you pick the color!

Thank you to everyone for participating and for helping the Wilkerson Family!http://wilkersonivffund.blogspot.com/2009/03/giveaway.html

BBQing Stuff

Last Christmas my mom gave us a Charcoal BBQer. Jack LOVES to BBQ so this was the perfect present. Unfortunately we live in Utah and they frown on balancing your flaming fire BBQ on top of 2 feet of snow. For his birthday all Jack asked for was BBQ stuff. So he got some tongs, spatulla, platter and a meat tenderizer. He's been waiting so patiently for the snow to melt so we could try out all our sweet stuff. This weekend was the perfect opportunity. It was 68 degrees and beautiful.

We bought New York steaks at REAMS for a killer price and Jack treated them like his little babies. He seasoned them to perfection and delicatley tenderized them to perfection. They were SO good. Like beyond amazing. I threw in some potatoe skins and macaroni salad and we had ourselves a BBQ.

Reams Stuff

The following is a cameo from super awesome blogger Jack Ady, who also happened to be in the Kitchen when I started this post.

There are a few things in the world that will force the soundest minds to snap. For some, it could be migraine headaches. Others may find grinding background noises push them over the brink and into the abyss of insanity.

For me, it's Walmart.

Why you ask? How much space do I have to answer? First, every person in the world wakes up and thinks, hey I bet I could go to Walmart right when (insert your name here) goes and let my kids bite strangers while they're there. The scary truth is that they're right; they'll bite until they break the skin.

Walmart is constantly full. The shelves are dirty and understocked. The checkouts are understaffed with eternally recovering crystal meth addicts who are this-close to learning to read. Still, due to Walmart's ability to crush any other competitor with their evil empire powers, everyone will continue shopping there despite the cheap products, bad service and terrible employee hygiene.

That was why this Saturday was a breath of fresh air. After deciding to cook a meal, I went through the four steps of going to Walmart: denial, shouting, feverish sobbing
and finally a small coma.

This is a young woman shortly after shopping at the Orem Walmart.

But we wanted to buy some steaks for BBQing, since my great wife bought me a meat tenderizer for my birthday last month and I had yet to try it. We Googled Orem looking for a butcher or a special meat shop. We found Reams.

Convinced that we would still need to go to Walmart, we drove to Provo to get our cheap meat at Reams. Upon arriving, I noticed a few things. First, no one bit me the whole time. Not even a nibble. Next, the floor was clean, and although the aisles weren't as wide as Walmart's, they also weren't congested with throngs of people whose greatest strengths are to not notice people trying to get through said aisle.

The meat was half the price of Walmart. The cheese was WAY cheaper. We waited 17 seconds in line. And just as we were leaving satisfied and happy, there they were: jumbo-wide red vines. Walmart stopped selling them when they realized that everyone likes them better, and to avoid customer satisfaction had them completely done away with.

The moral of the story is two part: a) Reams is a terrific alternative for meats, poultry, produce and Red Vines, and b) I hate Walmart and you should too.

Prom Dress Shopping Stuff

I absolutely love spring/summer time for the mere fact that the roads are dry and that means my family comes to visit more. Last weekend my mom and sisters came to Provo to get Kim's prom dress. We met up after I got off work and went to dinner and did some shopping. So much fun! Then of course they all came over to our house to stay the night and we spent the next few hours laughing and talking. I LOVE when they come over. Of course what slumber party would be complete without random pictures.....

Dad Stuff

I have the best Dad in the world. I know you think you do, but you're wrong. There are so many reasons to love this guy... here are a couple reasons why I know he loves ME!

1. My Dad isn't big into scary movies. They bore him. But one evening when I was in High School he came home from work early and took me and Kim on a Daddy/Daughter Date. We went and saw The Ring 2. He was SO bored. I can still remember the look on his face through the entire movie. He would rather be anywhere else. But he wasn't. He chose to be there with us. That's the kind of Dad he is. He wants to hang out with us because we're cool- not cuz we're "doing" something cool.

2. Given the choice my Dad would definitely rather watch a basketball game than a dance recital. I think most men would. But my Senior Year in High School my Dad came to his first State Drill Team competition. I would have been fine if hadn't of come. It wouldn't have changed our relationship. But I remember when we took 1st place I was so happy to have my own little cheerleader. Someone who was cheering because 'I' won. Not because of the team.

3. Going to college was the first big life changing event in our family. I was the oldest and the first to leave the home and live on my own. I think it was just as sad for my parents as it was for me. My mom and Dad dropped me off in Logan. They took me and my roomies to lunch at Panda Express and then my mom loaded me up with enough groceries to last ALL my roommates at least 6 months. My Dad kept making jabs about how my mom would cry the entire way home. He hugged me extra tight when they got ready to leave. I don't think he cried the entire way home but I think I saw a tear in the corner of his eye. I knew I would be missed.

4. My Dad treated me like a queen when I got married. He paid for my wedding and went along with all my plans. Even when it meant he had to wear a pink tie. I felt like such a princess. The night before my wedding we went out to Salt Lake and stayed at the 'Inn at Temple Square'. It was the first time I had ever stayed somewhere with valet parking. Everything was gorgeous. It was the perfect last night with my family. He made me feel so special at such an important time in my life.

5. Since getting married my Dad has been there every time I needed him. He's packed up his truck and helped us move every time we find a new place to live. He's done my taxes, comes to visit, takes us to dinner. He's been there at every big event in our lives. I know I can count on him for anything.

I couldn't have asked for a better Dad. I'm the luckiest girl in the world. I love you Dad.
Happy Birthday!

Taylor Stuff

I'm not afraid to admit that I love Taylor Swift. She can totally sing my sorrows away. I listen to her in my car, at work, at home. I think she's adorable. It wasn't until today that I figured out WHY I love her so much. She totally gets me. Her lyrics are super deep for someone her age and they totally apply to my life. Need examples?

In "Fifteen" she says.... 'In your life you'll do greater than dating the boy on the football team, but I didn't know it at fifteen'. I feel like I had such a surreal High School experience. I felt like I was on top of the world and everything seemed to be going my way. Then I graduated and real life set in. People outside of Duchesne didn't know my name or all that I had accomplished in High School. I freaked out. I turned super shy and lost my self confidence. It wasn't until recently that it really set in that I was awesome in High School- but I am awesome now. When I'm old it's going to be super cool that I won State Drill Team but that's not what defines me. Life doesn't end at High School graduation. It truly begins. In my life I'll do greater than....

In "Best Day" she says.... 'I'm thirteen now and I don't know how my friends could be so mean, I come home crying and You hold me tight....' I'm 23 and I still don't know how people can be so mean. Sadly we don't all hit a magical age where we grow up and treat everyone with respect. Some people who were snotty 18 year olds are still snotty 45 year olds. I feel so lucky to have my family through it all. My mom and sisters are my best friends. When I have to deal with life's drama I know they are on my team. There are still days I come home crying. I still need my mom and I'm so lucky to have the greatest mom in the world. Love you!

In "You're not Sorry" she says.... "You don't have to call anymore I won't pick up the phone. This is the last straw, don't want to hurt anymore" I know this is technically about a boy- but I think it totally applies to my life. I know I have those people who are constantly bringing me down. I'm just realizing that I get to choose the people I surround myself with. I'm not going to beg and plead for you to treat me right. I don't need you around if you're going to bring drama and stress me out. It feels so great when I can be in control and stand up for myself.

So there you have it. I love Taylor Swift. Her and I are tight. Now you know why.

Delicio Stuff

Thank you mom, for blogging about how I will blog about my "Delicio (dee-lish-o)Wraps". Since I can't make a liar out of her I figured I better post this recipe for everyone to enjoy.

This is a recipe I made up when Jack and I were first married. It's sort of a tostada type meal (sorry I have no pics). I have no exact measurements. Just make as much as your family will eat.

-Start with homemade Tortilla Shells.

2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. shortening
1/2 c. water

Mix all dry ingredients. Add water to ingredients, gradually while kneading. Work dough until smooth. Form dough into 2 inch balls and let stand for 5 minutes. Roll out each dough ball with rolling pin to desired round shape. Cook on hot griddle on each side until lightly brown, turning frequently. (We fry ours in oil, but you can just use a hot griddle too)

-Prepare white rice (approx. 1/4 cup prepared rice per person) Once rice is cooked, combine it with canned chicken or cubed baked chicken (as much as you want) add a packet of taco seasoning and prepare as directed on the taco seasoning packet. Set aside. (you can use less than a packet of seasoning- depending on the level of spice you want)

-Heat a can of refried beans.

-You can use whatever toppings your family likes. Some that we've used
cheese
tomatoes
lettuce
sour cream
guacamole
salsa
ranch
mixed vegies (my mom claims it's really good)

Once you've got everything heated up and all your topping ready it's time to eat. Start with a tortilla shell, spread a layer of refried beans on top, then spread a layer of rice/chicken mixture and top with whatever toppings you like.

Jack likes to fold his in half and eat like a taco. I like to keep mine flat and cut into pieces. You can pretty much do whatever you want.

It's super easy and SO good. Give me your feedback if you decide to try it.