Sea Salt & Vinegar

I just polished off half a bag... I'm going to give myself the benefit of the very little doubt I have... a quarter of a bag of Sea Salt & Vinegar potato chips. My tongue is raw; I might not be able to taste anything for a few days. But with The Help [Kathryn Stockett] in hand, I'd pretty much lost all sense of the world around me. Including those stinging, delicious chips I was shoveling into my mouth like there's no tomorrow.

What a fantastic book, I'm on such a great streak lately. You know how sometimes you read a bunch of books but you just keep thinking back to that one you read _______________ [last, five months, five years?] ago and thinking, "I wish I could find something that good again!". I every book I pick up is better than the last. I know it has to end soon, but oh how I love it.

Other things I'm loving right now:
The sixty degree weather we've had for the past few days.
The weather forecast for Saturday, ready for this? 68-70 degrees!
My trip to Philadelphia this weekend. First time. Philly Cheese steak here I come.
A fun birthday package from Regan that's on its way to me!
March 20, ONE DAY, until it's officially spring.
My new library card, how have I never had one of these? It’s soooo economical!
Just 27 more days and my Mama is coming to New York to visit me!!!! {happyhappyjoyjoy}. I'm so excited to run her into the ground {in a nice way} dragging her all over NY/CT to play with me. {biggest smile}.

Did you hear about the storm we had out here? We weathered a pretty intense storm in these here parts. It's was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Oodles of fallen trees, 500,000 people are on day SIX without electricity, and rain & winds you wouldn't believe. It's all over now, but for a while there I was having serious doubts about ever seeing the sunshine again. My friend Allison is one of those poor, poor dears living in Greenwich, CT [oxymoron] with no power. And I thought I was in bad shape being cut off from the internet/cable for a few days... "peace and blessings" Alli!

I’m fed up with Montessori preschool. Today baby A. came home in ugly pants that were most definitely not the cute denim mini-skirt I sent her in. They said it was “too constricting” and “hindering” her ability to move and play. PUh-lease lady. Put her in a cloth diaper and a bubble then, when she’s your baby [not that she’s mine]. But until she shows up in a straight jacket lets just keep her in those tight, hoochy baby clothes that “hinder” her ability to play, mmmkay?!

I have a March Madness bracket thingy that needs my attention...
I'm flying blind, having never watched a basketball game outside of a high school gymnasium, "ise for fun"! Also, the games are apparently divided into categories... "Round One, Round Two, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four & the Championship". When I read those I had to giggle. Does it not seem funny that they have such cutesy names for them? Really?? Elite Eight? I don't see why the Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 etc. was not sufficient. Maybe women were in charge of organizing the brackets. [Probably].

Is it bad that I’ve been driving with an expired license since my birthday? Could I get in a lot or just a little bit of trouble for that?

Oh! Another thing worth mentioning. This last weekend Alli and I drove up to New Haven, CT for Ingrid Michaelson's concert. That was her birthday present to me, I was so thrilled. It was a tiny venue, some random pub near Yale. It was... interesting. Such the [not] good ambiance for two sweet Mormon girls. But we had a blast. There was an extra large Urban Outfitters nearby so of course I got a cute pair of floral tennies. [& now that I have them home with me, I SWEAR they smell like bacon. Eww. I might be crazy, I know.] The music was splendid. She is so talented. She forgot to sing my favorite [silly Ingrid] Far Away. Every time I hear that song I'm ready to pick up and run off to Maine to find me a lobsterman. You should YouTube it and know why.

Should I apologize for the fact that this post is all over the place? I apologize.
The end.

PS- This is what life looked like for a few days over here. Not just in this one spot, all over. Not exaggerating.

Veintiuno!

Tuesday, March 2nd.

This is how my day started:

"Knock, Knock!" {So loud in my dreamy state}. I jump out of bed, a little shaken, to open a door. I'm not sure which one... I'm still half asleep... but someone is knocking on something. Not the bedroom door, not the living room door. Must be the UPS guy {at 7:30am?}. Nope, it's just Mckay, at my front door so handsome in his work clothes. What is he holding in his hands? Breakfast. For me. Because I am the birthday girl. OH MY. My eyes took a little bit to adjust slash open all the way. I'm sure he was a little nervous, or at least amused, at the disheveled & scary sight of me. We crawled into bed and had a yummy breakfast together. Then we snuggled before he drove back to work. That was probably the best part of my day. Trying not to be too mushy... but seriously, can you blame a girl?

After breakfast, I had a pretty easy day as far as work goes. Kelly and Ariana went to the Cheesecake factory and brought home some coconut cheesecake {favorite!} I even got to blow out 3 candles, with Ariana's help. I opened some presents from the Akrams and we all ate cheesecake together. It was really sweet. Ariana sang part of the "happy birthday song" to me, until the candles and "cupcakes" were too distracting to focus any longer. Please note my delectable, glitzy TOMS. Thanks Mama!

Birthday dinner at PF Chang's that night, the Mongolian Beef is to die for. Friends came and we laughed and stuffed ourselves and read fortunes. {Happier days are definitely ahead of you}
At dinner my friend Ethan asked me, "What are you going to accomplish this year? What new and exciting things will you do?" Food for thought. Maybe I'll bungee jump, or traipse around Europe, or go white water rafting. Maybe I'll bake a creme brulee all by myself, or finish a Sudoku, or send a love note in the mail. Those would all be new and exciting, stay tuned!
After dinner Alli had us all over to her house for cake and presents and games. Alli and Lindsay made me my special birthday cake and you better believe all 21 of those candles were extinguished on the first try... I really want my wish.

And don't worry that I now own every single episode of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman EVER MADE {YESSS!}, am going to Ingrid Michaelson's concert, and have a little bit of greenery to spend on a new JCrew swimsuit. Birthdays rock.

Credit where credit is due: The ones I love for making it such a perfect day. XO!

A boy...

That teaches you about thermostats and how to read them, so that you’re not confused anymore at why your room is boiling when the dial is set at 70. {The bottom part tells you the temp. of the room, the top part just sets it!}

Or helps you remember the definition of the word “Pangaea” so you can understand his cute joke. {And remembers not to laugh too much at the above mentioned.}

Who brings you Taco Bell when you are at the church practicing piano until all hours of the night.

That will get so AMP’D over the ritzy bacon/shrimp cilantro cheesey things you made for the Super Bowl party, and tells everyone it was the best finger food he’s EVER had.

Who brings you a really big TV to replace the one in your room that gives you a headache to watch because it is so small & pathetic.

That takes you to dinner way too often, even when you’re not the best at returning the favor by making him a yummy home-cooked meal.

To be nice to you, and tell you you’re the best, and make you laugh.
{it's good to have a boy like that}.

10

My sweet cousin Ashley tagged me in her Honest Scrap. My first blog-tag. Oh wow. So the deal is this, I just have to write 10 honest things about myself. Honest and somewhat surprising or entertaining, I'm sure. We'll see. After my 10, I get to blog-tag 4 people. So here goes...

Thing 1. I am THE WORST at brushing my hair. It's so annoying. For most of my life, I've had short{er} hair. Which really doesn't require brushing. I'm sure many women with short hair would disagree, so this is obviously a not-so-recent problem, it's just becoming such a hassle as my hair gets longer. I will wake up and throw it in a pony tail and go about my day and when I want to go out at night I'll take it down to comb and maybe curl or something... when to my dismay I can't even get my fingers through it. And then I'll think about when the last time I brushed it was... sometimes DAYS. So then I have to put tons of conditioner in it, break it to pieces, and cry to get it smooth again. It's so sad. On these days I'm ready to shave my head. {I am really good at brushing my teeth though.}

Thing 2. I wish I had old-fashioned talents, {that's not an insult, it's just what I call them in my head}. But I don't have the time or patience to actually master them. I would love to sew or crochet or knit. Or bake bread or quilt or make homemade strawberry jam or can up summertime {peaches and pears} in mason jars or make pie crusts from scratch. I guess {and hope} one day I'll want to do an old-fashioned talent bad enough that I'll just discipline myself and learn. But for now I just think about it.

Thing 3. I'm obsessed with antique/vintage things. My eye is always open for a vintage necklace or plate or nic-nac. Whenever I'm in DI or Salvation Army, I spend most of my time in the dishes isle looking for an old piece of china and since moving out here, my best hobby is flea markets. I have dresses, jewelery, mirrors, clutches, plates, tea cups, lace, a type-writer and old tin cans. When I have my own home I'd love to do up a room with a vintage flare. And I will own a claw-foot tub.

Thing 4. I love books. Libraries are great, but I have real issues with not owning books I've read. When people give me books as gifts I'm always touched. It feels really personal to me, like they put thought into what I would enjoy reading. I love used-bookstores, especially ones with wood floors {idk}. I even love textbooks {truth!}. I want to have my own library one day. Oh, and I love talking to people about their favorite books, it gives a lot of insight into a person.

Thing 5. I think red is an awful color. It's sad, I know. I don't exactly know why I have this aversion to it. I don't own one red item of clothing. I don't like red flowers. I don't like red cars, paint, or furniture . I do like red lipstick, but it looks weird on me. Most of my clothes are blue, grey, or black. I do like red things I can eat, {apples, strawberries, peppers} and of course red is appropriate at Christmastime. There is just very little love of red in my personal life, especially if it's paired with black, yuck.

Thing 6. I secretly love getting shots. Not because it doesn't hurt, I just love watching the needle go into my skin. The nurses never let me give myself shots, annoying, and I can't wait to give them to people {not in a weird or mean way}. I just think it's so cool! Like a hot knife through butter.

Thing 7. In 3rd grade my teacher, Mrs. Moore, complimented my handwriting in front of the entire class. She said that she wished she had handwriting like me, and that made my heart almost burst with pride. {Even though she was lying, but at the time that never occurred to me}. So growing up I was always meticulous about my handwriting. I love cursive, trying new styles, and I always notice when other people have pretty or unique writing.

Thing 8. I write in my journal almost everyday. I've filled over 12 of them. It's become an obsession. I finish about one a year. Sometimes more and sometimes a little less. I always get excited when I'm nearing the end of one so that I can pick out a new one. I always look for one that's different or unique, and sometimes I just buy a plain one and decorate it myself. I especially like when the paper is uneven and looks old and worn.

Thing 9. I hate/am scared of animals. They gross me out and make me nervous. Especially dogs. I have nightmares about dogs. And kittens. {no joke}. Cows are especially terrifying. My heart is pounding just typing that & remembering this one time my Mom and I were 4-wheeling down in Southern Utah and we were on this mountain trail with cows on either side. I swear I almost peed my pants out of fear. I also hate raccoons and dragon flies.

Thing 10. I love to travel and can't wait until I have funds, time, and someone to do it with! My promise/reward to myself is that after I graduate nursing I'm going to London to see Les Miserables in the Queen's theatre. Every decade birthday I have, I want to celebrate abroad. I missed the boat on 10, left the country during my 20th year, but on 30, 40, 50 {etc.} I want to be off US soil on March 2nd.

Thanks Ash! And the 4 I choose. 1. Shey [my dear friend from high school, she has such a sweet, bubbly perspective]. 2. Ashley Keller [because she promised to blog and i just don't hear from her enough]. 3. Mama [she loves to blog, i love to read her blog]. 4. Mara Dear [she's so cute&creative and i miss her].

pictures+thoughts.

This is Peyton Manning, we like him. Last week was the 2010 Superbowl. It might have been the first time in my life I've watched it. [not entirely, but 3 quarters worth]. Alli and I cooked a bunch of yummy food and we had a Superbowl Party at Mckay's house. I am learning lots about this sport. Like, pass interference and first downs. With some patience and a lot of tenacity, I will soon be transformed into a foam-finger-waving football fanatic.

I miss these girls a lot. Sometimes when I'm bored, or procrastinating, I open random files on my computer and look at the zillion pictures we have together. That is a happy past time. My Mom sent me the sweetest Vday package. Red shoes (perfect, I know), cute heart-shaped baking tins (I've coveted Rachael's ever since Jan08), and heart-adorned plates and napkins. She's the best. I love this picture. It was taken over Christmas, it's silly slash cute. I miss my family. I love living out here but I don't like missing out on the day to day family stuff. He's so handsome. I like to stare at this picture. We have a hot Valentine's date tonight and I'm pretty excited. I even bought new earrings for it, oh wow. Alli Fife [far left] is my sweetest, sassiest, shopping best amiga out here. Last night we celebrated her 21st birthday at this place called Butterfield 8 Restaurant and Bar. We had dinner at 9, and by the time we left (11:30 or so) it had turned into a club-breasty drunk un-ladylike ladies and all. Fun. When we left there were bouncers outside. Little did they know I'm such the under-ager. It was a great night with good friends. I spend every single day with this little pumpkin. Sometimes I really like her. I've been here 6 months now {WOW} and I'm antsy. I'm dying to be back in school. Lest you think I'm unhappy, she's really adorable and I call her "love bug" & she calls me "Nick" [in the cutest 2 year old voice] and asks me 100 times a day to cross my eyes for her, she thinks I'm funny and I think she's precious, it works.

. And no picture, just a plea. Dear Summertime, Please, please, please just get here. I am so sick of snow and cold. I am sick of uglifying my outfits when I have to put on a coat and boots to go out. The white backdrop is boring nowadays and I'm sick of being indoors. I need to go swimming and wear shorts and eat watermelon. My skin needs some color. I need to lay in the grass and have picnics and read books. As we dig ourselves out of this nasty snow, I dream of sand and sunshine. I would appreciate your immediate compliance. XO, Nic.

a few things

valentine's day is my favorite holiday. {ok, besides christmas}. i love that it's a celebration of love! usually my blog is pretty plain jane, but with vday coming my excitement has spilled over onto my background. this month is adorned with love birds and sweet sentiments, best. why vday rocks my socks: it's a holiday everyone can celebrate. seriously, everyone has the capacity to love. growing up my mom always made a big deal out of it. not just for my dad, but for her kids. we always got sweet cards and little gifts. it made me feel so special and loved. when i was 13 my dad gave me a red carnation {bleck}, it was the sweetest. heart decor. flowers and chocolate. even if you have to buy them for yourself. my mom makes heart shaped chocolate biscuits with strawberries and whipped cream, i've missed them the last few years but last vday i made them with my roommates. even if you don't have a "significant other" the list is a mile long of people and relationships and love that can be celebrated. those people who say it's just a hallmark holiday and commercialized etc. etc. etc., pish-posh. every holiday is commercialized. embrace it.

also, had a great weekend. saturday i had brunch with my dear friend allison at alice's tea cup. It's an alice in wonderland-themed restaurant/tea room. The food is great and it's just so dreamy and whimsical. We saw a little girl there with her daddy {sweetest}, she got sprinkled with fairy dust and was so thrilled. it warmed my heart. after brunch we flea market shopped in the 15 degree weather, ouch cold. but i scored a lovely vintage clutch.

that night i made dinner for my honey. let me just share this super easy and impressive recipe. spaghetti squash with sage and walnuts: cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds & season with 1/4 t. each S&P. place 1T. butter and two sage leaves in hallowed-out core of each half. bake the squash at 400 degrees for about 1 hour, or until soft. remove and let cool. scrape the meat from the skin using a fork and set aside. in a large sauce pan over med-heat melt 3T. butter. once melted, add 1/2 c. chopped walnuts. toast the nuts and allow the butter to to bubble {about 1 min.}. add 15 fresh sage leaves. when they release their aroma and begin to crackle {about 1 min.} add the squash and stir to coat with butter and warm. season with more S&P serve with fresh parm. lastly, i've gotten a little hooked on the bachelor. i blame a few people. my cousin ashley because she posted about the girls on her blog and made me curious, my friend ashley because she started watching it on hulu and inspired me to do the same, and living 40 minutes away from my church because now that i'm caught up it's just so much more convenient to sit home on monday night and watch it rather than driving to connecticut for fhe. i'm pulling for tenley. she's so sweet.

xo, nic.

Holiday Highlights.

• dad on christmas morning passing out presents. i love the way he does it. so excited for everyone and trying to evenly distribute the loot. we take turns and see what everyone gets.
• seeing good friends. the picture of stac, ali, bryce and i is priceless. great summation of our relationship/personalities. i don't have a picture of the girls i met up with for brunch, four of my best friends who are always there for me no matter what. xo
• spending the night down in slc with ashley & scott, shane, josh & rachael. porcupine grill, temple square and a nickel arcade. so fun. i miss those byui people!
• sister time: we had a slumber party at regan's new place and then kenna took us all for a delicious sushi lunch. they are so hillarious and darling. i adore them. we have such splendid times!
• sledding! best. minus some not so minor injuries.
• spending time with my mama. always one of my favorite things about home. we shopped and talked and cooked and laughed lots together. i love her.
• bringing the boyfriend home to meet the family. wowza! [he passed.... right?]
• family dinners. thanks to my mom, the most magnificent cook EVER, we always have ridiculous feasts. i'm not convinced i have the cooking gene she got from her mother.
• trying to take a decent family picture, no one is ever satisfied!
• laughing. my family is so funny! kenna especially seems to have this thing where she doesn't really think before she speaks. the result is a constant stream of funnies coming out of her mouth. example? "mckay: what do you call a boy ballerina? kenna: a balla-weiner." you can't not laugh at that one. she's a funny girl.
• watching lots of good movies together. [my sister's keeper!!!!!]
• being around my dad. he's such a good man. and when i'm with him i just extract this happy aura and easy-going air. plus he always has the best advice for me, a given when it's coming from the "smartest man alive" [that's what he told me when i was a little girl.]
• telling ali that we were eating at one restaurant and then forgetting to tell her that plans had changed... leaving her stranded in logan. [really not a highlight al, just so funny it needs a bullet point! i love you.]
• playing games! phase 10, taboo, cranium, pictionary.... we love them.

2009: great year. i: finished school at byui, spent a wonderful summer with my best friends, decided what i want to do with my life, completed 2 of my 3 goals from 2008, moved all my stuff out of my parents house and into storage [tear], landed a sweet [allbeit semi-fake] job, moved to new york and adjusted to a new life, fell in love with the east coast, discovered new things about myself [i like teaching, i hate the game "mafia", i LOVE the city, i have no sense of direction...], met a boy.

2010: it's going to be a good year. i can feel it! i know everyone is saying that... let's just all be optimists for a bit. i'm going to focus on being happy and content with what i have! i think i've spent a lot of my life wanting more and breaking my back to be better and stronger and more ________ [fitb]. i don't necessarily think that's bad, but this year i just want to be content with who i am, what i have, where i'm going etc. less stress and more time enjoying my year. new goals include: apply and get into a nursing school, save more & spend less, be a more Christlike person on a day-to-day basis. turn 21 [ok, so that's not really a goal, but it's happening this year, and i'm excited for it. and surely i will not fail at having my birthday] I usually only pick three... that whole over-achieving and raising the bar business gets me all messed up.

anywho. 2009 was fine. twentyten... [what rhymes?] whatever, welcome new year!

Family Time!

There is no other organization that can so completely satisfy our need for belonging and happiness like the family. Why do we yearn for home and loved ones? I believe this yearning is a universal, God-given instinct that all people in all cultures are blessed with. I also believe that a loving Heavenly Father gives it to us because within the family we expierence most of life's greatest joys. The sights, sounds, and associations of family and home are among our most treasured memories and provide our fondest anticipations. {Marlin K. Jensen} It was a great two weeks at home. More to come on the Christmas-shabang & all the fun I had. But for now, I'm just feeling so blessed to have spent the holidays with my favorite people in the whole world.