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Gretti Spaghetti

2012-01-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

Gretti loves her spaghetti and at school she got her free ticket to the Old Spaghetti Factory here in SLC. Becket got one too through their reading program. I have always wanted to try it, so between the three of us we persuaded the other two (Mat and Micah) to join us for lunch.

It was pretty tasty-- the sourdough, the homemade salad dressings, the spaghetti squash and all the variety of sauces, and the spumoni too (included with the free kids meal!). I also love when we manage to order the perfect amount of food and get to try a little of everything. It's a sort of game yet strategy of mine when I sit down to look at a menu.

On our way out of Trolley Square, we discovered a lovely little art store. What got us in there were these posters of our favorite bands--Modest Mouse, Okkervil, Fleet Foxes and Explosion in the Sky. We bought 5 of them and then we stopped at Lowes on the way home and grabbed some wire. We threw them up on our wall that very night.

Comments:

Mrs. Mic: "Our pad is starting to look like a college dorm with all of our variety."
Mr. Mat: "We are in an apartment."

Bad Dream

2012-01-18T06:13:00.000-08:00

I woke up eyes openly startled today. I had a dream that the Germans were taking over and we had to hide in a basement with our extended family. We needed provisions so I decided to steal a German vehicle and grab food, blankets and a knife from the nearby camp. I hid the knife in the down comforter in case I got caught and fumbled my keys into the ignition. Just as I was about to reverse, I felt the soldier's hand grab mine. Then I woke up.

It's probably what led to this subconscious act when I packed the kids lunches today.

Just in case it might be the last time I see them before I go to detention camp.

As I was telling Mat--because I rarely remember my dreams, Micah offered to put her dream catcher in my room. Very nice of you Mike!

My First Jazz Game

2012-01-17T07:06:00.000-08:00

When you're offered Jazz tickets from KSL you take them BECAUSE it will not be your typical way of going to the Jazz game. We were given the title of Executive Club Members, although I had no idea who any of the players were. We received Club parking and a tasty dinner of shrimp, crab, top sirloin with horseradish, and a whole bunch of sides before the game. The waiter told us to come back at half time to get our dessert. Really! You know how happy that made me. On our way out we could fill up a drink from the soda fountain to take to our seats. Our seats were 6 rows back from the floor, so close that it made the court seem small.

After we had had our filling of pistachio raspberry cake and blintzes we got to witness a birthday cake being accidentally dropped from the top tier onto a young couple's head on the bottom tier. It was a total mishap. Good thing the lit candles blew out on the ride down. Crazy!

Of course we pay for it in advertising with them, but it's nice to know that this one was on them and it was a fun date night out.

Well Put Me In Time Machine

2012-01-16T17:15:00.000-08:00

I wish I would have gotten pictures with our good old college friends that we have recently met up with, but I got recipes instead. Bonus! These friends were before kid days and it is like I have been sent into a time machine to the future. I feel like we're the same, look the same, but now I'm watching my friends be parents and it's weird. After being away for ten yrs it's futuristic and out-of-body at times.

We had a wonderful time with the Larrabees and the Labrums who we both knew at SUU. Here's Amber's recipe, hope she doesn't mind me sharing these fabulous Taquitos.

Taquitos

Ingredients:

· 1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese

· 1/4 C green salsa

· 1 t fresh lime juice

· ½ t cumin

· 1 t chili powder

· ½ t onion powder

· 3 T chopped cilantro

· 2 T chopped green onions

· 2 C shredded cooked chicken

· 1 C grated pepperjack cheese

· 6-inch corn or flour tortillas

· 2 T vegetable oil (optional)

· kosher salt

· cooking spray

Method:

Heat oven to 425.

Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it's soft and easy to stir.

Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic.

Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions.

Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge.

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges, then roll it up.

Place seam-side down on the baking sheet in a single layer. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt on top. Place pan in the oven and bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown. Cool for 5 - 10 minutes and then serve with sour cream, guacamole or Pico de Gallo. Makes approximately 16 taquitos.

Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

· 1 C. mayonnaise

· ½ C. milk or buttermilk

· 1 lime, juiced

· 1 packet hidden valley ranch dressing mix

· 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

· ½ C. roughly chopped cilantro

· ¼ C. green salsa

· Hot Sauce to taste

Method:

Combine mayonnaise, milk, lime juice and the contents of the packet of ranch dressing in a blender.

Add garlic, cilantro and green salsa and blend to thoroughly mix all the ingredients.

Season with hot sauce, if desired.

Refrigerate for several hours to allow the dressing to thicken and the flavors to meld.

Ham Receives a Friend

2012-01-15T21:01:00.000-08:00

Just to update you, Becket suggested we make an ox pecker for our Rhino Ham about a week ago. A what? That's right, an ox pecker, more commonly known as a tick bird.

Becket: "Rhinos and ox peckers live together and help each other. They eat ticks and blood sucking parasites off of the Rhino." Not only was he insistent in making this quaint little bird THAT DAY, but so were his sisters. 3Xs a day we would hear...so when ya going going to make.... we heard it in our heads when we would sleep.

Ox Pecker was completed January 15, 2012 at 8:43PM by Mat, while we watched Ghostbusters. Why did our parents let us watch sketchy shows like the Ghostbusters? Not how I remembered it--just like Grease.

2012-01-15T07:03:00.000-08:00

Mat had completed our newest work of art : the Rhino

We'd been thinking about this for a while, but we weren't sure how to do it. Of course, he figured out that by using a sheet of foam and a hot foam cutter, you could sculpt anything. This is our completed project:

Gretchen came up with the name Hamburger, Ham for short and it stuck. The inspiration? It's our own unique version of Restoration Hardware's:

ALSO, while I was gone to Vegas

He did the girl's hair for church:

He took the kids sledding

All this while juggling being on call and cleaning my flat from top to bottom (learning from the past he knowing what a foul mood it throws me in--) Thanks dearest. I'll get planning the next girl's trip right away.

Face Forward

2012-01-12T11:24:00.000-08:00

We have been running a contest for a free eyelid lift and are down to our 10 finalists. Unfortunately, the contest app only shows the contestants pictures, but not the stories they sent along with them. We felt they were so compelling that we wanted to share them for anyone interested in voting. After reading, you can go to our Facebook fan page, "like" us and vote. Here they are in random order. Voting ends January 19th. It's hard to choose once you've read their stories.

Marian Jones

The eyelift is for my mom Marian who lives in Utah. She’s wanted an eyelift for about 10 years now as it’s been hindering her sight. She couldn’t afford it due to costs from breast cancer and other health concerns. After two mastectomies, she is now cancer free and has lost 50 lbs this past year! This would be the perfect Christmas gift for her to boost her self-esteem, restore her vision, and celebrate her and her accomplishments these past 5 years.

Sherry Weston

I need an eyelid lift because I am only 41 and my eyelids are way too droopy! (along with some other things). I am a newly divorced mother of 3 beautiful little girls all under the age of 10, I came out of a abusive 10 year marriage. I have overcame many obstacles in my life. And I have been through allot in my life and it really shows…All over my face.

Pat Rusk

I was an elementary school teacher for 33 years and it was a job that kept me young at heart – if not in face. Now I work as an advocate for teachers. As a working professional, it would be nice to be able to wear eye makeup that others could actually see. It would be nice to have visible eyelashes. I would love to stop hiding behind glasses, wear contacts, and maybe even hear comments about my big brown eyes again.

Jeff Wells

My family genetically has had fat eyelids. I have not mined it until recently when, on most days I can actually see the eyelid when I look normally at my surroundings in the distance. I feel self conscience about it. My regards, Jeff

Emilee Fike

When I was in fourth grade I injured my left eyelid by being bullied. I was pushed by a boy while on the monkey bars:( The result was me falling and anding face first on a rail road tie. I have a large scar and the eye socket was broken. The eye socket is not noticeable except by touch and photos show a uneven look. My parents never were able to repair this injury. We were the typical large Mormon family, and my dad was the sole provider. My oldest brother battles with schizophrenia and and younger sister with a paralized arm was the focus of any medical treatments for my parents. I now am happily married mother of three and own and run a small pet grooming business. I love my life! I would love to be able to be proud of my eyes. I have always swept my bangs to the left to cover this scar. The last 4 years
my eye lid has started to sag and droop because of
aging. The left eyelid is sagging a lot more, making
this scar alot more noticeable. I would love to see if it is possible to have my brow have a implant on the left side to match the right brow bone. Scar removal on the left eyelid and a lift so both eyes match. Thanks

Peggy Cummings

I am a middle aged woman with sagging eye lids and circles under my eyes. I also have a scar on my left upper lid that was repaired by an ER physician and not a plastic surgeon. I have always had beautiful eyes and received comments daily when I was younger. Now that I am overweight and middle aged; I no longer receive comments. I want to be pretty again and feel good about myself. I know many people who have had their eyes done by your facility and they look fabulous. In fact, I worked for a local plastic surgeon and we used to refer our patients to your office because we knew you would do a much better job. I am a very friendly vocal person and I will not be embarrassed to share my experience with others. Hopefully, this would bring your office many referrals. It would be a true honor and a dream come true if I was selected for this procedure. Thank you for being in the business of helping people feel good about themselves. PS: I tried taking new photos but I am too embarassed to post what I look like now. The photo I am posting is several years old.

Greg Davis

I am nominating my dad for eyelid surgery. We used to be able to see his eyes, now his eyelids have taken over, they are droopy, and he can hardly see. He has talked about having eyelid surgery, but it has been just all talk until now!! Now it is time to have something done about it, but we need Utah Oculoplastic Consultants help.
He as never won anything in his life, I believe winning this would be a life changing, eye opening experience and opportunity for him. My concern with him not getting this done now is, it will only progress and get worse. He has tags growing on his eyelids that he takes his clippers and clips them off himself…ouch! He wouldn’t like that I told you this, but……that’s a problem. Please help or else in a couple of years we will have to invest in toothpicks to hold his eyelids open. Respectfully yours,
Jen Schuster

Peter Denis

The skin around my eyes is so protruding and sagging that it actually gets sunburned before anything else on my face does. My eyes are so droopy that I get pollen and dust in them very easily. My eyes have become so sensitive to light I can’t bear it.Please Dr., help me with these troublesome eyes!

Jeri Nielsen

My name is Jeri Nielsen, I am 52 years old and think that overall I look and feel younger than I am, Except for one thing.
I look in the mirror and notice the bags that someone has packed for a long trip and stored them in the overhead compartment above my eyes.
I would not say that I am a vain person; however I do notice that my eyelids tend to get in the way sometimes. When I am very tired they tend to droop a bit more, could be my imagination, but it bothers me.
I have looked into having them corrected and have been told that unless you are of a certain age this is considered cosmetic and insurance will not cover it. Cosmetic or not, I would challenge whomever made that rule to take a trip through town with my eyelids. I am sure they would have a whole new outlook, assuming they could actually see.
I realize that there are bigger problems in the world. And I do not wish to convey that I think by being able to correct my droops that world hunger will be solved by any means but I do wish to impress the importance of how much this procedure would mean to me. Not a day goes by, not a hour, not a minute, that I don’t at some point think it would be so nice to be worried about something more important why this is such a deep issue for me cannot really be explained… it just is!
I heard about this contest through a friend and thought I may as well give it a try. What have I got to lose other than droopy eyes and a bit of insecurity?

Rusty Carroll

Would like my eyes to look younger, I am unemployed and I feel looking a little younger might help me

Last Day

2012-01-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

We dropped Heidi and Jocelyn off at the airport and we hit Hash House a Go Go one last time, because it was that good. Some group that ate before us decided it would be funny to gently unscrew the pepper shaker so that when the next person i.e. me, decided to put pepper on her eggs the whole container dumped out onto my eggs. It was actually funny.

Then we made our long 7-9hr trip home. The packing was a little tricky, but we managed it.

When you're with girls you find out all sorts of good info. Here is a list of things that came from our discussions:

Harmons everroast chicken

Nutragena face cream

Isablender

Xylitol mint

Revelon color stay

Do not use dryer sheets bleach fabric softener on micro fiber

Fabric softener only on cotton.

Wash clothes from walmart

Fage yogurt

Teff buy it Harmons

Kale in smoothie more fiber than spinach

Books-

Half broke horses

These is me words

Sara's quilt

The elephant's magician

Because of wind Dixie

Unbroken

Farenheit 451

Matched

Lord of the flies

Don't use microwave popcorn pop it in a pot instead

Recipes-

Black bean lasagna

Julies lasagna

Chicken tortilla soup

Pf Chang

Raspberry bread pudding
Movies-

Warhorse

We bought a zoo

Modbody shorts from Costco

Aroma therapy wallflower from b&b

Mintha lip gloss

Girl's trip day 3

2012-01-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

Saturday was spent doing a little shopping and forever 21, H&M, Bath and Body works and the nail place for the latest and greatest in French Manicures. We also ate at Brio Tuscan Grille. Yummo.

Then we headed to the Recycled Percussion show. We picked out our own instruments and got ready to make some noise.

Girls Trip Day 2

2012-01-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

Red Rock State Park

House House A Go Go for dinner (amazing mango coconut
pancakes and Andy's chicken and biscuits). We invented the dinner game called Pass where we have two mins to nibble on what is in front of us and then we pass our plates one to the left.

Fremont street: Jocelyn got her palms read--lucky days are Feb 18th thru 20th, purchased some Island nail polish, and witnessed sponge bob being attacked by Jazzy chair guy. Cops were called and justice to bikini bottom was served.

Fire Station: to visit Dennis and to pick up our tickets for the
concert. Do you know that the station had a fridge just for
condiments? It was one of the highlights of our trip.

Only in this family is leg wrestling and arm wrestling instigated after a day.

We later did facial masks to balance out our masculinity.

2012 Girl's Trip to Vegas

2012-01-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while the girls in Mat's family decide to take a trip together. Getting 8 mothers together is no easy task. Thankfully Mat survived a week of call, work and kids as well as making a rhino which I'll post later.

Trip started off a little rocky when we ended up in N Las Vegas on the side of I-15. Unfortunately, the lug nuts were not tight on our vehicle and after a trooper, a tow trucker and land rover personnel told us we were lucky to be alive, we reflected on our gratitude instantaneously. True, our vehicle could have flipped and dove down the over pass we landed on, but it didn't and we'll take our other 8 lives, well I have 7 now (birth story) and run.

After picking up the rest of our party at the airport, it was time for the girl's just want to have fun to begin.

Here we see Heidi packing in a cooler. It was the perfect size she said and from there on out she was on drugs after that. She would be the life of the party and very contagious.

After marking our territory in the hotel

We shopped. For fabric. We have a lot of craftys in our family and at $3 a yd, you go crazy.

Then we shopped. For food. We get excited for grocery stores and fabric stores, but I feel everyone can appreciate a Trader Joes. We happened to appreciate it 3X this trip.

That was a really nice checker by the way. I love nice checkers. Here are some favorites at Joes, Mango Granola and Peppermint Jo Jos. We also discovered triple ginger snaps, dried baby sweet pineapple, eggnog almonds, and chocolate covered dried cherries.

Hit Ceaser's Palace

For Anthropology--loving this couch MUST HAVE ..... a knock off:)

And some sushi that was knock your brain cells off good because I was starving.

The view was fabulous.

Heidi and I ran to get the last member of our party at the airport-Susie. Mr grumpy pants traffic control was so insistent that we move (almost causing our 2nd wreck of the day) that I had to get a picture of him. There he be in the background ALL smiles.

Tomorrow (hopefully) I'll share our favorite things and Jazzy Chair hits Sponge Bob.

Before the Summer Temperatures

2012-01-05T20:31:00.000-08:00

Snow not. This is what we did prior to our warm front blowing in, currently 50 degrees today.
I know, awkward kissing photo. blek. Just know Mat had planned a cross country skiing trip for my birthday with no kids and it was magic. I am showing how thrilled I am.

We also attempted ice skating over the break. The kids have always had it in their heads that this ice skating thing was easy and this what people were supposed to do in the winter. Must be all those movies. It was not so easy. In fact, my body hurt after 2hrs in the squat position.

Holding onto the sides of the rink was very common.

Welcome to the Harris Home

2012-01-03T20:27:00.000-08:00

We've been washer-less and dryer-less for 6mths. How did a mother of 3 survive? THANKFULLY my in-laws were kind enough to save us the laundromat trips and let us do our laundry at their house. And, THANKFULLY I just so happen to love my in-laws.

We bought our first pair of washer and dryers on black Friday. However, I got a call 2wks later after they got around to PROCESSING it (2wks really?) and they told me they sold out of the model I wanted. Ouch! The conversation was not pretty. There was nothing I could do about it. It was all in that fine print hoodie ha.

The second pair was purchased at 9PM after an all day shopping trip. Mat and I hate to shop. They arrived 3wks later. Here's the beauts Clark:

These are the Whirlpool Cabrios and they are quite social and technological. They are so interesting that my husband almost stood there taping a whole cycle.

I happened to experiment on my newborns with 6 loads of laundry. I was thinking of everything possible to wash. After that, the novelty wore off.

Alas, I am happy just knowing I can drop in a load at 9PM at night.