Be Happy Now on Etsy

ANOTHER REMINDER, MY NIE NIE AUCTION ENDS MONDAY, SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE INFO

I stumbled across this Etsy shop yesterday. I love the name. It really does make you smile. Cute stuff.

Entitled "Happy Walk" :)

Big City Soup

DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN TO MY NIE NIE AUCTION. IT IS OPEN UNTIL MONDAY AT MIDNIGHT.

We can all feel that fall weather creeping in on us, preparing us for cold weather. I am not a cold weather fan, but one thing I look forward to is the yummiest soup in the valley. (Sorry all you Soup Kitchen fans, but it's true.) They re-open for Winter on Tuesday, Sept. 2. I would tell you my favorite, but all the flavors melt in your mouth. Here is a list of their signature soups.

TOMATO & GORGONZOLA (V)
THAI CHICKEN NOODLE (DF,GF)
BOSTON CLAM CHOWDER
TOMATO BASIL (V, GF,DF)
CHIPOTLE BLACK BEAN (V,GF,DF)
LOBSTER & GOLDEN PEPPER BISQUE
CHILI w/ PORK & CHIPOTLE
CORN AND CRAB
HAPPY JACK'S CHICKEN CURRY

Nie Nie Day

Well, I guess it's better late than never. I am jumping on the band wagon. This story is heartbreaking, how could you not help? I am auctioning off a handknit cashmere baby kimono.

If I were to place a value on this item, it would be about $120. I usually give my handknits away, so don't quote me on that one.
If you are not in the market for a baby sweater, please visit Design Mom's blog for hundreds of other opportunities to support this beautiful family.

Here are the rules:
a} Leave a comment with your bid, reading the latest bid first, of course


b} I am in the middle of moving, so it will not ship until on/around Sept. 20


c} I accept paypal


d} Auction ends Monday, Sept. 1 at midnight


e} There is not a minimum bid


f} Shipping is on me


Happy Bidding

Stock Photo

An actual photo of one that I knit, sorry booties not included in this auction

Good & Fruity

Mmmmmmm. I found these in a grocery store in Wendover of all places. (Long story) Apparently, they were re-released in March because of an online petition to bring them back.

Old Version

New Version

Western Chief Novelty Rain Boot

These are only $13.90 at Nordtrom's 40% off shoe sale. And, they come in "W" sizes. So cute.

Gumball Machine on Etsy

As I mentioned before, I love gumball machines. This photo would be a cute addition to "W"s new bedroom that I will be designing.

Little Miss Scatterbrain

This is my favorite from the Mr. Men and Little Miss Series. Another set from my childhood that has been re-published. I have almost every book in this series. There is a song that goes along with this book, it is my theme song.

Mr. Sketch

I saw these on someone else's blog this week, can't remember where. These were a must have when I was a kid. I didn't know they still made them. They were and probably still are the best markers, not only cause they last a long time, but because they smell yummy, too.

Small Magazine D.I.Y. Dress Up

These are the best D.I.Y. costumes since the grocery collection in MS Kids. "W" would definitely be this Pinocchio for Halloween if I didn't already have something else up my sleeve.

Arbor Day Foundation

If anyone is looking for cheap landscaping. You can get 10 free trees with a $10.00 membership to the Arbor Day Foundation. The trees are very small and they only ship in the spring and fall, but you can't beat it. They are even guaranteed to grow or they will replace them for free. Their website is also an excellent source for finding the best trees for your zone, fastest growing trees, and identifying trees. I will be looking for some fast-growing hedges in the future. This one looks nice.

More Dwell Studio @ Target

I didn't know that Target had adult bedding in the new Dwell Studio line. Makes me think I need a change from my Anthropologie quilt.

Homemade Ice Cream

PBTB and I both come from ice cream making families. In my family it's Raspberry and in PBTB's it's Pineapple. They are both mouth-watering, but there is an on-going competition as to which is better. With "W"s 1st birthday coming up it was inevitable. The pineapple won out this time. Sorry for the vague instuctions, they have been copied down through a few generations.

Pineapple Sherbet

3 1/2 Oranges

2 1/2 Lemons

2 1/2 C Sugar

1 20 oz. can Crushed Pineapple

1 Qt. Whipping Cream

Milk

Strain orange and lemon juice, add sugar, stir well. Add Pineapple, add whipping cream, and enough milk to reach the fill line. Start ice cream maker. (after filling outside area with ice and rock salt) Done when ice cream sets.

Raspberry Ice Cream

1 Qt. Buttermilk

1 Qt. Whipping Cream

1 20 oz. can Crushed Pineapple

1 C Sugar

Juice of 1 Lemon

2 pkg. Frozen Raspberries

Mix and Freeze with rock salt.

American Apparel

I wish I would have realized there was an American Apparel at Trolley Square earlier. In case you hadn't noticed, the web is bombarded with their ads and I was always wishing I knew of a place where I could buy solid colored onesies in lots of colors.

i Fly Utah

Here I go with the local stuff again. Maybe it's just that urgency everyone feels at the end of the summer to get in those last few things before the cold weather arrives. This looks like so much fun. I am not an adrenaline seeker myself, but I think I could handle this.

Memo-Pause

Am I too young to need one of these? I guess all moms get momnesia. It think this is a great idea. Cute name. They could use a cuter website.

China Star

Sorry to any, non-locals out there for the abundance of local posts, but I don't have any rhyme or reason to what I post about, it's really just random. On that note, here's another restaurant comin' at ya.

I daresay the China Star in Bountiful has the best chinese food I have ever eaten. It's family friendly, which usually means wallet friendly, too. PBTB and I go there quite often. It is so fresh and delicious. They are experts at your basics.....ham fried rice, s&s chicken, but they also have specials that are to die for, portabella mushroom beef.

PS...this is not a real picture of their sign, but that's pretty cool that I found a photo of a commercial sign to match my post.

Ogden Valley Balloon Festival

Yesterday was my 8th wedding anniversary. PBTB and I are celebrating this weekend, going to the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival. I'm excited.

Blazing Needles

Yay for new yarn stores. Good thing the Yarn Queen keeps up in the online knitting communities. We went to Blazing Needles yesterday to check it out. It was very charming and definitely worth the visit. Can't wait to go back.

Dottie's

"W" was invited to his friend, Hunter's, 2 yr birthday party, which was hosted at this adorable miniature golf course. It was like taking a step back in time. Dottie's has been family owned and operated since 1960. The prices are unbelievably inexpensive. They rented the place for $20 an hour. "W" didn't golf, but he enjoyed putting the balls in the holes.

Prince Bertram the Bad

Now you know where PBTB got his name. This was a favorite book of mine as a child. It is now out of print. My copy is looking about like this photo I found on Amazon. I tried to purchase one that was in better condition. Anywhere from $60-$200......I guess I should have taken better care of mine :(
Hopefully they will re-publish it like many of my other faves.

Dear Lizzie

Wishing I could have stopped at one of my favorite places on the way to Timpanogos Cave today.

Party Artichokes

One of my favorite treats from childhood was eating artichokes. I bought a few on sale last week and was searching for a twist to the traditional lemon-butter. There are endless possibilities, here. (Who'd have thought artichokes would have their own website.)

4 Large California Artichokes(or an equal number to the people you are serving) Wash artichokes under cold running water. Cut off stems at base and remove small bottom leaves. Stand artichokes upright in deep saucepan large enough to hold snugly. Add 1 teaspoon salt and two to three inches boiling water. (Lemon juice, herbs, garlic powder or onion powder may be added, if desired.) Cover and boil gently 35 to 45 minutes or until base can be pierced easily with fork. (Add a little more boiling water, if needed.) Turn artichokes upside down to drain.

(This part is optional, I eat mine warm.) Cool completely; cover and refrigerate to chill. Makes 4 artichokes.

DIPS

HONEY MUSTARD DIP
¼
cup prepared mustard
2
tablespoons cider vinegar
2
tablespoons soy sauce
2
tablespoons honey
Combine all ingredients; mix well. Makes about 3/4 cup

______________________________________

CREAMY THAI DIP
¼
cup creamy peanut butter
¼
cup firmly packed brown sugar
2
tablespoons cider vinegar
2
tablespoons soy sauce
1
teaspoon sesame oil
1/8
teaspoon ground ginger
Combine all ingredients; mix well. Makes ¾ cup.Variation: For "Oriental Dip," omit peanut butter.

____________________________________________

HERBED MAYONNAISE
1
cup mayonnaise
1
teaspoon each chopped parsley and chives (or green onions, green part only)
¼
teaspoon chopped tarragon
Mix all ingredients well

Viva Baby

Why do you have to live in London to get cool bedroom sets like this? I guess it doesn't matter to me. I just solicit PBTB to build whatever it is that I want. I know, I'm horrible. He loves me anyways. I'm searching for something that "W" won't get sick of in a couple of years, something that I could design a room around.

Even though I am next to devastated about the sale of our home. I am excited about decorating the new one.

Yes, yes, they have girl room ideas too. They are really cute, too.

Rusig

I love this new rocker from IKEA. Simple, inexpensive, easy to clean (since when was I practical shopper?). Comes in black and red too. "W"s 1st birthday is just around the corner.....you've got to be kidding me!

Irish Isle Baby Polo

I am such on ON addict when it comes to clothes for "W". This is my favorite shirt of his right now. I love anything white on him.

Blue Plate Diner

This is my next venture in dining out. My nephew, otherwise known as P. Diddy (7), informed his parents he would like to go here after seeing it highlighted on the Food Network. It has to be good if it's on TV, right?

Kimball Arts Festival

Hoping to make it up to the Kimball Arts Festival this weekend.