Another stolen pix ... or two

Again, apologies to my brother! But, that's what you get when you only post photos to your myspace account and not your blog!

Merriment and mayhem

Just a week before Christmas and the shopping, wrapping, shipping and baking frenzy is just beginning!

Today I will haul Santa's ENTIRE bag of gifts to the Post Office, joining thousands of harried, grouchy and frustrated others, and ship a small toy store to my niece and nephew!

Then I'm off to the crowded stores in search of gifts for my hard-to-buy friends and family. (I'm thinking gift cards!)

So this early morning I'm gearing up for my venture out onto the holiday battlefield. Wish me luck!

Space Needle and Pike's Market

A day in the Emerald City

So in my four previous visits to Seattle, I've actually never been atop the Space Needle. So this trip today with my best friend Alicia began at the majestic needle! The views were incredible and we picked a beautiful, if a bit windy, day!




Outside the needle, there was a lovely little shrubbery version ... too bad you can't see it in this photo!

But there it is...


After the needle, we were off to Pike's Market! Great quirky shops and ... the Fish Market! This fresh fish shop is world-renowned for flamboyantly flinging and flipping fish from one employee to the next. Want to buy a Talapia? Watch it fly through the air from the ice to the scale. Amazing! Sadly, catching photos of this performance is not quite so easy ... Oh well, here's what I did manage to get.

Ummmm .... CRAB LEGS!!

After the market, we went down to the pier and found a sexy fisherman we just had to photograph! "I once caught a fish THIS BIG!"

And then I had to introduce Alicia to a Seattle institution!! You can't visit the waterfront of Seattle without eating a savory lunch of Clam Chowder and Clam Strips at IVAR'S. So incredible! It was a bit too cold to feed the leftover french fries to the seagulls near the water (a tradition, too), but it was delish!


After a bit more shopping, my throbbing feet decided they had had enough, so we gathered up our souvenir spoils and heading down the road ... me north to Everett, Alicia south to Tacoma. Hopefully I will be able to hook up with Alicia and her husband Anthony for dinner before I leave on Saturday .... maybe this time in Everett!

Stolen pix

I stole these from my sister in law's myspace page! ... Sorry Jeff, they are too cute not to share!!!

Music of the Season

I think it was even before Halloween that SLC station 106.5 started playing Christmas music 24/7 ... I do love listening to Christmas music, but the earliness was a bit extreme! Even so, I would still indulge in a song or two before Turkey Day, when I usually bust out my own music collection.

A couple nights ago I spent some time downloading some new festive tunes. I try each year to add at least one more holiday album to my collection. This year I did a little more than one. I bought the much-anticipated Josh Groban "Noel" but also hunted down his version of "O Holy Night" since it wasn't on the CD ... a major oversight since it's one of his best.

While perusing the holiday music section, I also found one of my old favorites! Back when I was at Ricks College my roommate Julie introduced me to two wonderful classic holiday music institutions. The Carpenters Christmas ... an all-time favorite; and Nat "King" Cole's Christmas Song album. I made audio tape versions of both these albums, but wore them both out. I have since replaced The Carpenters, but it wasn't until the other night that I was able to bring Nat back to the King Christmas Music Collection. I just love his version of "I Saw Three Ships"! And of course his quintessential "The Christmas Song."

A few more modern favorites I just added include: "Mistletoe" by Colbie Caillat, "Sleigh Ride" by SHeDAISY, "Carol of the Bells" by both The Bird and the Bee and Emmy Rossum (Christine from the movie "Phantom of the Opera"). I also love Jars of Clay's new Christmas album. Their "Drummer Boy" is fantastic!

The albums that get the most air time in my collection however, are the ones by Kurt Bestor! He is a genius when it comes to musically capturing that holiday spirit! Other favorite purchases from previous years include the "Elf" soundtrack, Michael Buble's "Let It Snow" and Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong."

What are your favorite Christmas tunes? Who does the best version?

Soakin' in Seattle

I've been in Seattle ... er, Everett ... just over a week now and it's been a lot of fun! I just hope I'm being helpful enough!!
After a few days of "training" and getting a feel for their schedule, I'm now able to free up some of my cousin Chris' time for her own family.

Chris and I have managed to escape on a few shopping escapades! I've managed to find a few Christmas gifts and, of course, bought a few things for myself.

Marge and I also went to the hospital Tuesday for her Physical Therapy sessions. It takes Marge some time to get to and from the car, but she's getting along great! I know she's frustrated that she can't get up and go like she used to and she's struggling with her eyesight, but it's obvious she's getting stronger and better every day.

It sure has been rainy! In fact that lovely snow storm turned into a huge mess with lots of flooding. Luckily we stayed safe and relatively dry!

We've enjoyed quite a few home-cooked meals that I have been so excited to prepare! Finally somone to cook for!! I tried to recreate Marge's famous Swedish Meatballs. I think they turned out great, but apparently not quite like the master's. Oh well!
The biggest hit so far has been my Chicken Enchilada Casserole. Awfully tasty and super easy to throw together! Here's the recipe:

CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE
2 cups shredded chicken (for ease, you can use the canned chicken, 2 small cans)
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup Sour Cream
1 small can diced green chilies
1 small can chopped olives
2 cups shredded cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
8-10 corn tortillas

Blend all ingredients together, including cheese. Then either layer between torn up pieces of tortilla, or, rip the tortillas into smaller pieces and blend into the mixture.
Place in 9x13 pan. Top with more shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Great garnished with sour cream and salsa. Don't forget the tortilla chips!

Santa's visit

I don't remember who it was, but there was an older couple in our ward who would dress as Santa and Mrs. Claus and, after hooking up their horses to an authentic sleigh, they would travel throughout the neighborhood on Christmas Eve, stopping at various homes, leaving presents of ribbon candy and oranges!

It was so exciting watching the jingling sleigh pull into our cul-de-sac. And those oranges ... what is is about oranges and Christmas? Oranges just taste better when you either get them from a visiting Santa or pull them out of the bottom of your stocking on Christmas morning! Oh ... and I nearly forgot the peanuts! Still in their shells, of course.

Christmas memories

I was sharing this crazy holiday story the other day and I thought it would make a funny blog post!

One Christmas Eve, as the excitment and anticipation of Santa's visit was building, my dad played a mean, evil, Scrooge-like trick. Thinking he was so clever, he pulled out a piece of cardboard and made a huge sign that said:
"Don't Stop Here, Santa! These Kids Have Been Naughty!"

After a lot of screaming and crying from us kids, and chiding from my mom, Dad brought the sign in the house just in time! Whew! I don't remember what we got that particular year, but I know that Santa did find the King Kids, despite my dad's "naughty" claims. Looks like Santa knew better!

So, now that I've stirred up these Christmases past memories, I just might have to share a few more stories. What are your fondest holiday memories?

Christmas ideas

It's time to deck the halls and my cousin has started a great Making Christmas blog that is full of clever ideas, recipes, holiday deals and more. Check it out!

The Perfect Purse

I am a purse freak! I have dozens and dozens of purses that I LOVE! I don't switch out my tote from my bevy of bags nearly as often as I would like. Something about transferring all the crap that just gets annoying!

I have found a solution! My friend Elaine and I were shopping with her family at Fashion Place Mall in Salt Lake when we ran across a kiosk peddling these nifty creative purses www.michebag.com

They are the perfect purse. One simple brown or black purse with dozens of interchangeable shells that magnetically snap into place. Want to match your shoes to your purse? Want to enhance your cute pink springy outfit, but swap out shell of the purse. GENIUS!

Now, if only Santa could somehow read this blog.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Beautiful snow was falling this afternoon as my cousin Chris and I were driving home from a great Christmas bazaar ... Victorian Christmas Village an hour or so south of Everett. The two of us both found a few Christmas gifts, tasty treats and enjoyed some great window shopping. A great way to get into the Christmas spirit!

The best part of the day, however, was the flurry of flakes fluttering fast on the drive home! The flakes were huge and were starting to stick to the ground. We planned our trip just right ... enjoy the shopping and still get home before the snow got too bad!

What a perfect way to welcome December!

Great Northwest!

Being actively unemployed, still searching for a job, I have volunteered to spend three weeks in Seattle, Everett, to be exact. I will be helping out my Aunt Marge (see, "She's a Pepper!") who is still recovering from a stroke she had over the summer. So I will become Nurse-Housekeeper-Laundress-Chef Jenn from now until Dec. 15.

I'm really excited. I've always loved Seattle and always have a great time with the Peterson Clan! And, hopefully on this trip, I'll also be able to spend even more time with Alicia and Anthony (see, "Vegas Fun") since they are at McChord AFB!

I'll be sure to post about all my adventures and fun stories that I'm sure my Uncle Lyle has ready to tell!

BAH HUMBUG!

No, I'm not Scrooge! Not in the slightest. I can't wait for Christmas this year.

There is one thing I really dislike about the holidays, however, ... those sappy, unrealistic, over-acted Kay Jewelers commercials. "Every Kiss Begins With Kay" ... UGH!

The torture is just beginning and it will only get more and more sickly sweet after Thanksgiving. Why must this jewelry store torment me?!? Finding the perfect Christmas tree, decked in diamond earrings ... BLEH! A sweet child's Christmas poem to his mom muddied by a diamond pendant from his dad ... YEESH!

Why can't holiday commercials be as witty and hilarious as the Heineken commerical where little old grannies fight over bottles of the ale? Or what about my favorite: "I didn't leave him cookies. I left him CHEEEESE!" Those are great seasonal commercials!
(Of course I will never admit that the real reason I hate these over-played commercials: I would give anything to have something so romantic like that in my life. Nope, never going to admit that! haha! )

Basement Dwellers

This is my new favorite term and I give all the credit to my clever friend Angie!
Here's the scenario when I discovered this newest bit of wit:

I drove an hour south for church last week. Angie attends a mid-singles ward and I thought it would be a great opportunity to possibly meet some new people ... and well, check out the "meat" market. First off, the ward was quite large. And through my quick, not-so-sly Sacrament Meeting glances, the prospects seemed encouraging. But, like is so often the problem in singles wards, the odds of men to women where horrible! Unfortunately I've come to expect this sad, sad ratio.

The meetings were great and the linger longer boasted an array of tasties, but the mingling was a little sparse for the two new girls. I guess that was the down-side of being one of the first people in the food line. As Angie mentioned, we shouldn't have let our growling stomachs impede our socializing options.

Recapping the day's events, Angie declared that the ward wasn't too bad, even though there were a few Basement Dwellers -- those unsavory men and women who might still be living in their parent's basement, haven't seen the sun in a few decades and lack refined social skills. What a great descriptor! Logging that term in my "to be used" file.

Now, a few days later, I've had an epiphany!!
I too could be considered a Basement Dweller! ARGH!
Yep, here I sit clicking away on my laptop in my basement abode: Converted sofa permantely made into a bed, makeshift closet hanging in the laundry room and ... oh yeah ... several job applications waiting to be filled out so I can once again return to the workforce! UH OH!

So many photos!

The King family officially welcomed baby Kohen Mitchel King this past weekend. The family flew out to New Jersey to participate in the blessing of the little prince. We had a great time cooing over Kohen ... a lot of bouncing to calm him down while Mom, Juline, prepared for feeding time ... and pulling out all sorts of new outfits.

The higlights of the weekend came from 2 1/2 year old Adilyn!
It has been about 10 months since I've seen Adi, and she has changed so much!! She has gotten so big and is so incredibly smart, and such a talker!

OK, enough jabbering ... on to the photos!!

Adi and her new Halloween-decked Teddy Bear!

Here's Kohen!

Watching the Backyardigans ... right before she fell asleep!

What a great big sister!

About to brush her teeth. Wearing cute new outfit from Aunt Lisa!

Waking up Cowboy Papa with a kiss!

Family portraits!

The Whole King Clan

Best Friends in VEGAS, Baby!

On my trek from California back to Utah, I made a quick, extra trip to Las Vegas to see my best friend from high school and her husband -- Alicia and Anthony!

We met up at Planet Hollywood Casino and ate a great dinner at a little restaurant and then visited and caught up while wandering through the shops.

It had been about 16 months since we had seen each other (last time was in New Jersey over lunch at Harold's with my brother, sis-in-law and niece), so it was great to catch up!

Alicia and Anthony just relocated from N.J. to Seattle! I'm so excited to have them so much closer. Next trip ... I'm going to have to go see them in Seattle!!

Adi's Halloween!

I didn't get to dress up for Halloween this year, so I thought I would post a couple of the pix from my niece Adi. Cutest bumblebee ever!

Utah ... at last!

Brrr... it's kinda cold here in Utah! But I guess this is what I wanted. I have missed the cold weather for the past year, so the chilly temps will be a welcomed change. Now if my blood would thicken up just a little!

The Budget truck is unloaded. The storage shed is filled. The basement is slowly becoming my own ... kind of. Now I'm working on hauling in all my clothes! Let the fun begin!

Oh ... and I've also found a few more blogging friends! Check out my links for more blogs.

The exodus begins!

Today was my last day at The Desert Sun! After working a 12-hour day Wednesday, today was a blessed short 1-hour long! Just enough time to have my exit interview and say a few goodbyes! Ahhhhhhhh......

Now begins the heavy lifting, literally.

I really hate, hate, hate moving! My head already hurts, I'm trying to get everything done and not forget any of the details. No wonder my head hurts!!

Fall favorites!

Lisa and I just went to see a sneak preview of "Dan in Real Life" with Steve Carell. This was one of the best movies I've seen in a really long time. Hilarious. Sweet. Poignant. Endearing. And ... the previews don't give away the whole story!
So "Dan in Real Life" is one of my Fall Favorites!

Also on the list is ABC's hit "Pushing Daisies."
What is NOT perfect about this show?
* Bright and colorful
* Romantic chemistry
* Love triangle
* Creative plotline
* He's a pie maker
* Great narration from great Jim Dial
* And ... Broadway star Kristin Chenowith! (did you see when she sang "Hopelessly Devoted? GREAT!)

The nose knows...

This morning I was getting gas and the stupid pump didn't switch off, so when I went to unhook the pump gas splashed on me and proceeded to pour out of the pump! UGH!
So all day I've been smelling like gas (no wonder I have a huge headache right now).

In honor of my smelly day I thought I would try and turn my thoughts to pleasant aromas ... So here is a list of my favorite scents:

* Freshly baked bread (my Lion House Rolls are the BEST!)
* Leather (especially when it's coming from a new purse or new shoes!)
* A new pack of spearmint gum
* Cologne on an attractive man (some faves through the years have been Polo, Drakkar, Armani Gio, Cool Water, Polo Black and others...)
* Clean laundry ... Tide, Bleach and a little Downy fabric softner: the perfect combination!
* Candles that smell like something sweet is baking: Sugar Cookie, Butter Pecan Pie, Vanilla, etc...
* Christmas trees
* Oil of Olay (memories of Mom always smelling like that)
* Rain

OK, I could go on for days, but not all I want is some good smelling man to cuddle up to while bread is baking in the oven, it's raining outside, the Christmas tree is shimmering, I'm snapping my gum and lighting a scented candle. Oh and unwrapping my new leather purse and getting ready to climb into clean, bleached sheets.
But wait ... I think I catch a faint wiff of gasoline still. Drat!

What are your favorite scents?

Big Ben and Prince William ... here I come!

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Utah bound!

It's official! I am moving back home to Utah in 2 weeks! I am so excited, relieved, anxious, and more. Being a very practical, responsible person, I am taking a huge leap in my newest adventure ...

I HAVE NO JOB!

Having realized over the past year that I am not a California Girl, I am excited to return to my familiar stomping grounds, friends and family who love me and actual DATING OPPORTUNITIES!!!

The downside to my "triumphant" return to Utah? Living with my parents once again. I think they now call people like me Boomerang Kids. Hopefully this will be a short stay with the 'rents. I'm hoping for a fabulous job and an adorable apartment in my very near future!
I keep telling myself that change is good ... that's been a mantra of mine for the past 18 months as my life has seen a good share of ups and downs!

Now on to the packing fun!

Tagged

A- Attached or single: Oh so single!

B- Best Friend: Where to begin... Alicia, Suzanne, Amy, Elaine, Brent, Joni, Shawna

C- Cake or Pie: Ooooo CAKE! Especially when it's from Costco. Also loving cupcakes from Bristol Farms.

D- Day of choice: Saturday for sure. But also enjoy a nice Sunday.

E- Essential Item: Chapstick and a hair tie.

F- Favorite Color: Green ... nearly all shades

G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Neither one. Yuck.

H- Hometown: Layton, Utah!

I- Indulgence(s): Cupcakes (see above!), Twinkies, Starbucks Chai Latte (working on cutting those out)

J- January or July: July in N. Utah, but January in either Palm Springs or St. George -- july is too hot!

K- Kids? Cannot wait to have them one day!

L: Life is Incomplete Without: My family, friends and dogs.

M- Marriage Date: I think Sept. 2008 sounds great! hahaha!

N- Number of Siblings: 2

O- Oranges or Apples: Apples

P- Phobias or Fears: Drowning.

Q- Quote(s): "Looking for my Mr. Darcy."

R- Reason To Smile: It's my BIRTHDAY!

S- Season: Fall (see previous Autumnal Abundance post)

T- Tag Three: 1, 2, 3 ... you're it.

U- Unknown Fact About Me: Unknown ... I'm an open book.

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Bring on the meat!

W- Worst Habit: I'm really bad about taking pills ... vitamins, medications, etc... Maybe I need one of those pill-a-day boxes.

X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: whatever finds the broken parts of me best.

Y- Your Favorite Food: seafood

Z- Zodiac: Libra.

Happy 34th Birthday to Me!! hehehe

Kohen Mitchel King

New Nephew!

Jeff, Juline and Adi welcomed Kohen Mitchel to the King family Friday afternoon! Isn't he adorable!! I can't wait to see him when the family all flies out to New Jersey for his baby blessing in November!

Autumnal Amazement

It's now my favorite time of year! I love FALL!! October, by far, is my favorite month of the year.
In honor of the first full day of fall, here's my list of Fall Favorites:
* My birthday ... October 4!
* Crisp fall nights
* Beautiful changing leaves and long, romantic drives to see the colors!
* Halloween costume shopping or creating! (see Hurricane Katrina)
* Dad's dramatic stories from the deer hunt
* Halloween Parties
* Digging out my fall/winter sweaters
* Warm apple cider -- Starbuck's Caramel Apple Cider is the BEST!
* Halloween/Fall crafts
* Pumpkin-scented everything ... even though I dislike pumpkin flavored everything.
* And ... Scary Movies!

Speaking of Scary movies ... here's a list of the movies that scared me the most.
1. "Watcher in the Woods"
2. "The Ring"
3. "Rosemary's Baby"
4. "What Lies Beneath"
5. "Wait Until Dark"

These are all great films! What are your scariest movies?

Beard Papa!

It's been more than a year since I returned from Japan ... more than a year since my last incredible Beard Papa cream puff. ... That is until yesterday! As posted earlier, I found a Beard Papa shop in Costa Mesa, just a couple hours away. So yesterday I embarked on a little adventure: Orange County Swap Meet shopping extravaganza followed by a sweet treat or two.

Well, the day wasn't as idyllic as I had hoped. I caught a cold (probably from the pretty drastic drop in temperatures ... 105 to 85 within a week ... not that I'm complaining!! It's beautiful outside). So I wasn't feeling so great, but I was determined to enjoy a nice Saturday morning. I enjoyed a great drive, complete with a lovely rainstorm, but when I arrived at the swap meet the effects of the rainstorm were obvious ... not many vendors. A little disappointed, I still managed to find a few fun things: knockoff sunglasses and a couple of really cute hats (yep, going to start wearing hats more!)

Starting to feel not so hot, I decided it was time to reunite with Beard Papa! The shop was inside a cute little Japanese grocery store. Kind of fun to see familiar sites: bakery items, people eating ramen noodles ... and fresh pastry puffs being filled with sweet cream! I splurged and bought a whole dozen ... enough to hopefully take to work and share.

Even though there were a few disappointments and I didn't feel well, it was a nice morning that was followed by a nice long afternoon nap!

Neurotic Dog

I can't even get a massage in peace!

New paint job

My apartment got a bit of a facelift on Tuesday. Well, I should really call it a botched facelift.

Making improvements to the complex, the management is repainting all the front doors and stair railings. Assuming they would just put a fresh coat of green on the doors (the complex is, afterall, Emerald Place), I instead came home to a door that is a bright shade of Coral ... or is it Salmon. UGH! It looks so horrible! And, to add to the ugliness, it's a high gloss paint ... so it's a shiny Coral!

The worst part of the whole door-painting was that the brilliant painters left my front door WIDE open once they were done. No workers watching the paint dry ... nope, they just left my apartment exposed, welcoming possible burglars, while my dogs sat in their crates. Luckily Lisa came to the apartment before anything could be stolen. Furious, I called the complex and they just blew it off.


Lisa came home today, too, to a wide open apartment ... but it's OK cuz it was a freshly painted door. What kind of idiots are running this complex?

Cream Puffs

I was reflecting today with one of my reporters about my favorite treats in Japan.
Beard Papa was a cute little bakery, located near the train station that served up the most dreamy cream puffs ever!
Well ... turns out there are some Beard Papa shops here in California!! The nearest is just over an hour away and I'm already making plans for a weekend day trip! A little shopping topped off with a selection of fluffy, warm, fresh Beard Papa cream puffs.
Check out the web site (click on the "Cream Puffs" title or follow this link... www.muginhousa.com) and learn about the story of Beard Papa in Osaka, Japan.

Top Watch-Anytime Movies

There are a lot of movies that I could watch over and over again. I know every line, every scene by heart and I've seen them dozens and dozens of times, but everytime they come on TV, or if I'm not feeling too good, or just in a mood for a comfort movie, I pop one of these whos in the VCR or DVD player.

Here's my Top 10 list ... in no particular order:
Mrs. Doubtfire
Army of Darkness
Addams Family Values
Hitch
Princess Bride
Bridget Jones
You've Got Mail
Breakfast Club
Star Wars

What are your favorite "comfort" movies?

Life's a beach ... at least for today

Ahhh ... Labor Day! Lisa and I finally had the same day off, so we set off on an adventure to Laguna Beach. A huge fan of laguna Beach the TV show on MTV, Lisa really wanted to go check out the scene. So we drove out, played in the water for a bit, ate lunch at a beachside French cafe and did a little shopping. Then we cruised up the PCH through Newport and into Huntington. Then it was to the huge South Coast Plaza mall for more shopping. After playing in the sand we really wanted to find a good mani-pedi place, but decided to head home and try and beat the holiday traffic instead. It was a great little trip and I wish I enjoy these kind of adventures more often. Guess I need to find some friends who don't work Saturdays!
Sorry the photos are kinda cruddy ... forgot my camera, so I had to make do with the camera phone.