Friday's Fabulous Find

This last Friday I didn't really have a new find but there is something that I wanted to share. Yes, I did see something new as I am sure a lot of you did as well. And yes, it was great and fabulous in many ways. But, I didn't really plan to go and experience anything new that day. In fact, I sort of forgot about it until later that night when my friend asked me what my find for the day was. For you see, lately, most everyday this week at least, I have been thinking a lot and it sort of just slipped my mind.

I have been thinking a lot about life and where I am headed in it. Once again, I no longer really have a plan. I had been working on a bunch of things these last couple of months to move forward in life and create a new plan. Needless to say, none of them have really worked out or turned out how I was hoping they would. Therefore, once again I am feeling like I am falling back into a rut. Once again, I have no idea where to go from here or what to do or try next. And once again, I don't know what to do about it and I don't like it.

So on Friday I went with a couple of friends to the gateway for dinner, caramel apples, and a movie. We went to the California Pizza Factory  for dinner, got our Apple Pie caramel apples and then went to see our movie. And I am sure you can all guess what movie we saw:

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2

Now the movie was great. I thought that is was really well done and it had some great character moments throughout the show that made me laugh and cheer. Then again, I am pretty bias and have loved Harry Potter since I got book 1 long ago. It has been fun to grow up with them and to see it all come to a close.

As most of you know this last movie is pretty much one big fight that takes place on two very long days. This is a fight that has been years in the making. A fight that has had blow ups and mini battles along the way, all leading up to this grand battle. This one last fight. A fight where only one can win and the other has to die.

So, there I was sitting in the movie theater watching Voldermort and his followers gather around the outskirts of Hogwarts castle. And as I am sitting there watching them get ready to strike the thought comes into my mind that this is how it is going to be in the end. This is how it is going to be in the last days of the earth and there is the great fight between Satan and his followers and Christ and his. And as I sat there and watched them fight it broke my heart. Because Satan will fight and he will have followers and people will die. But, just like in the movie there will be a good side fighting for truth and freedom as well. And also like the movie there will be a time to stand. A time to stand and pick a side to fight on. There will be no middle ground when it comes to this fight. Either you will be standing with Satan or you will be standing with God.

Now the battle will rage on and it will be scary and powers we have yet to see will be used. But in the end the good will stand. And the good will fight. and the good will prevail and win the fight. It is already know that Satan and his followers will fail and God and his followers will succeed and good will win over evil. The only question that remains then is which side will you be on. Will you be scrambling and scurrying around with Satan? Or, will you be valiantly standing and fighting for the good with God?

So there I was sitting and watching this movie and all the while thinking about this great fight that will one day take place. And I was wondering which side I would be fighting on. Now, I know where I want to be and where I hope to be standing. But then the question came into my mind If I was strong enough to be there and If I had enough courage to and strength to be on that side and to do all that would be asked of me. And it is a questions that I have continued to think about since.

But, the fact of the matter is, that just like in the movies, and the whole story of Harry Potter, this is a fight that is already in the making. And there are many small battles that take place in this world and in our daily lives that are leading up to this grand battle. and each time there is a fight we are already choosing which side we stand on. Everyday and every week we pledge our allegiance to either God or Satan.  Everyday we are faced with choices that bring us closer to one side or the other. And everyday we have the freedom to choose whose side we want to be on.  And everyday we either gain strength or loose it by those choices that we make.

A friend of mine had this video on her blog a little while back and I thought I would share it with you. It is something that I immediately fell in love with and listen to often. And yes, it truly does make me smile.

This video helped remind me that someone up above dose indeed send power down. And that this same person also has a greater plan that I ever could.  So, just because I don't know where I am headed or what is up next in life fr me, I do know where I stand at the end of each day.  I know who I have pledged my allegiance to and who I am choosing to follow and put my faith and trust in. and because of that, I also know that when the time comes to stand and fight in battles I will be strong enough and courageous enough to fight in them. And if I am not on my own, then I know that He will  make me strong enough and give me the courage that I lack. He will not leave me nor forsake me as long I as keep choosing him and doing the best I can.

Friday's Fabulous Find

I know I have missed a few Friday finds over the weeks. Life can be busy and sometimes finding a new place of adventure is a little hard to fit into the schedule for the day. So if I miss one now and then, I'm sorry. I really do love Friday finds though and am having a great time finding and experiencing new things. I am also finding out that the more places I go to the more places I keep adding to my list. I never seem to really get the list shortened because each week that I cross something off I usually add one or two more things as well. It's a good thing I enjoy finding them and that I plan on doing this for awhile.

This last Friday I had two Fabulous Friday Finds. And both of these amazing things were introduced to me by my good friend Maggie. The first place is a restaurant called  

O'Falafel

Location:790 East 2100 South Sugar House
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30am to 9:30pm
Phone:(801) 487-7747
Prices: Good
Description: Mediterranean Cuisine
Web Page:http://www.ofalafeletc.com/

This place was delicious. The atmosphere is fun and casual and the food is prepared quickly. I got a Falafel sandwich with fries, a drink, and a pistachio cookie, and every bite of it was fabulous. For those of you who don't know what falafel is it is sort of like fried huhmas. So if you like huhmas, then this place is right up your alley. They also have other food as well that sounded just as amazing. And the pistachio cookie was to die for. It looked really weird and like it wouldn't be sweet, but it was. Trust me and just get one. So if you happen to be in the area (you should just make yourself in the area) then you should stop by. Really, you won't regret going here and trying it out.

After dinner Maggie, Kendra and I headed back to Maggie's place to hang out for the rest of the night. We talked and laughed and went through a bunch of books. Then we decided to watch a movie and this is when Maggie introduced to the second Fabulous find. For you see, we watched

Anne of Green Gabels.

I had never seen any part of this show before but had heard many things about it. I had heard people referring to scenes in the shows and to parts of the books for years now. And after starting it I feel in love immediately. I liked Anne right off and fell in love with her spunky wit and attitude. The characters are great and the show will keep you entertained and laughing your way through it. We were only able to watch the first two parts of the show and one day will have to finish the rest. I am dying to know what happens next to Anne and Gilbert and all of the rest of the characters. I will have to make my way back over to Maggie's house soon to finish the story.

4th of July Weekend

How what fun it is to celebrate holidays with the ones you love. This holiday weekend was no different. It started Friday night with a community event at the local park. I have lived in West Bountiful for most of my life and this is the first year that I have ever gone over to the celebrations in the park. What made it even better was that I was going with friends and just happened to come across others friends there as well.

At this event they had a local band, which happened to include my bishop, food, snow cones, glow sticks, bounce toys, and lots of people. Melissa, Merissa, Taryn and I arrived at the park and found a lovely spot in the grassy field to lay out our blankets. We made sure it was in the shade and started enjoying the oldies music that was being played by the band. We took a few moments to look around and realized that we knew a few of the other people there. Some of them we new from being neighbors and others we knew from being involved in our new wards. It was fun to seem there and be a part of the community. Our group had brought some food with us and proceed to eat our dinner. Then we choose to play cards. We ended up playing Nerts which is always fun and entertaining. Especially when you are teaching new people to play it. After a few rounds of cards and listening to some great music we decided to move our blankets over to a spot to watch the fireworks. Once settled in we had Maryann come and join us and began to talk about things we could do this summer. There are surprisingly a lot of things one can do if they are wiling to get involved and look into thing in the communities. Things such as concerts in the park, movie at the capital, fairs, rodeos, and festivals. Around ten o'clock the fireworks started and they were fun to watch. My favorite ones are the ones that make the big "boom" noise when they go off. I have always loved them. When they were over we found our way to the car and headed back home. It was a great way to spend the night and one that I would be happy to do again.

Saturday started off with me going to work where I hung out with my students, hung up summer decorations, and played with toys. Not a bad day at work if you ask me. From there I headed home and then headed up to Park City with my mom's side of the family. When we got there everyone was off doing different things. I decided to go to the outlets with Ben and Wendi. We spent the next few hours walking through the stores and buying things for Breckin. The only other person who got something was Ben and he got a pair of shoes. I think we found more joy in finding cute clothes for Breckin then we did for ourselves. After the outlets we went to Micheal's and walked around to kill some time. and if you know me, you know that it is a bad idea to take me to a craft store. I like crafts and projects way to much to ever be set loose in them. You should be proud to know though, that I left the store a while later without buying on thing. I did however take Ben down all 3 isles of cake stuff and tell him everything I wanted and what they all did.

Once we left the store we went back up to the condo and helped get things ready for dinner. Ben was once again in charge of cooking the hamburgers and hot-dogs. The rest of us cut cheese, tomatoes, and onions, cooked corn, cleaned and moved tables, and ran up and down the stairs from the condo to the patio about a thousands times. We then gathered around and ate our delicious food. It is always fun to gather together and see everyone in the family. It was especially fun beacuse our cousins from Hawaii where there this time as well. After dinner a bunch of us changed and went swimming in the pool and hot tub. It was a great evening and one that will be repeated again.

Sunday was a day of relaxing and going to church. It was nice to just hang out and enjoy the weather and the day and not have to rush off to anywhere. Monday was a great day. I started it off with a bike ride on the Legacy Trail. I had never been biking on the trail before and it was fun to go along and see the surrounds and feel the morning air. I saw many fellow bike riders and runners and just smiled because we all choose the same way to enjoy our morning. After my ride I headed over to the church and helped my mom out with the tri-ward breakfast. They help put it on each year and it is always fun to go over and see the members of the home ward that I grew up with. After the breakfast I spent a relaxing afternoon cleaning my room and reading a book. That night I went to a BBQ with Jessica and Taryn at Taryn's house with her family, where I once again ate a Hamburger and laughed a whole lot. After dinner we played Just Dance and then roosted Marshmallows for smores. Then we watched the fireworks that were going off around the neighborhood. From their back yard we had quite a view and had a great time moving around in circles to see them all.

All in all it was a great weekend full of friendship, family, and love. It was a great way to spend the 4th of July and to remember all that we have because of the people who are willing to fight for and defend our freedom. How grateful I am for this country that we live in and all that it stands for. I could never forget the people who died to make it this way.

BBQ Birthday & Baby Blessing

This last weekend was full of fun adventures. It included Brett's B-day BBQ and Breckin's Baby Blessing. And I just happened to bake a blackout cake. Apparently we like to do all of the "B" things in one weekend.

Friday started with me going to work where I hung out with kids all morning. I really do love my job. After I got off around 1:30 I headed home and then to the store. I was in search of chocolate, karo syrup, strawberries, and candles. After I had the supplies I headed home to bake a Brooklyn Chocolate Blackout Cake from scratch. For you see, it was Brett's birthday party that night and she had requested chocolate cake for dessert. I usually get put in charge of making dessert at these things because people know that I enjoy it and that I usually end up going all out. Hence the cake from scratch. After 2 1/2 hours of melting, mixing, stirring, chilling, spreading, baking, cutting and layering I ended up with a cake that looked like this

Once the cake was ready I went and packed my bag, wrapped a gift, and headed up to Wendi and Ben's house for the party, praying the whole drive that the cake wouldn't melt or slide off the platter. Luckily my prayers were answered and me and the cake arrived safe and sound and just in time. I ran into the house with all my gear and set about helping Wendi get things ready. We prepared the food, ironed a sheet for the movie screen, cleaned off the tables and all the while watched baby Breckin.

Somewhere in the middle of this friends started showing up. When everyone had arrived and all was ready to go we set Ben to work barbecuing hamburgers for us. He is such a good sport to not only hang out with all of us girls but cook for us as well. And he is a pretty good cook. The evening followed with us all gathered around the table eating, talking, and most of all laughing. Whenever we are all together it seems that we can just sit and laugh for hours on ends. We ate our hamburgers, had cake and ice cream, and cleaned up things and got ready for the movie.

We hung a white sheet on the back of the house and then set up a projector and chairs around it in the yard. Ben was even smart enough to set up mosquito sticks so we wouldn't get eaten alive. We ended up watching What Happens in Vegas. It is a funny show and we all laughed our way through it. Once it was over we cleaned up, said goodbye to Bree, and then went inside to figure out where the rest of us were going to sleep since we had all decided to sleepover for the baby blessing the next day. Once sleeping arrangements had been made we all continued to sit around and laugh into the early hours of the morning. We finally said goodnight and went to bed sometime in the morning hours.

The next day started bright and early with the sun shinning through the windows. It is the perfect way to wake up if you ask me. The morning proceeded with making chicken salad, getting ready ourselves, setting up canapes, tables, and chairs, making the chicken salad sandwiches, cutting up brownies, getting baby Breckin ready, and making lemonade. all of this was quite the adventure, but fun at the same time.

Family started arriving at noon and soon all of us were crammed into the house. Ben gathered the worthy priesthood holders around him and Breckin and then proceeded to give his first son his first blessing. It always amazes me to be a part of things of this magnitude. They are such simple things that come with the greatest power and significance. It is such a great feeling to know that men here on earth are worthy and able to hold and use the priesthood power of God. There was such a great feeling of peace and joy as Ben blessed his son. I don't remember all that he said but I remember the feeling that came with his words and the power that was with them

After the blessing we all headed out to the yard to eat some great food. It is times like this when I am glad I have a big family. It means lots of good food when we all gather together. We had chicken salad sandwiches, brownies, potato salad, watermelon, grapes, bow tie pasta salad, regular pasta salad, peanut butter cookies, cake cookies, chips, cookies bars, and lemonade. It was a great afternoon with great people. And the clean-up wasn't bad at all with many helping hands to do it. And overall, it was a great way to spend the weekend. What better way is there then to spend it with people you love.

Friday's Fabulous Find

Last Friday I had two Fabulous finds as well. Well, to be honest I had been to one of the places before, but I thought it was Friday Find worthy and I took a Friend there for her first time. The first Friday find is another movie. Once again I had not heard much about it beforehand and went just for fun. The movie was called Midnight in Paris

This movie was really cute and charming. It had an old school movie feel to it and was just fun to watch. It is set in present day Paris and is about a man who wants to become a writer. He is in Paris with his Fiance' and her parents. They drive him nuts and he starts going on walk through the streets of Paris at midnight. If you know your literature and arts such as Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Fitzgerald, then it makes the show a lot more fun. If you don't, no worries, it is still a cute story and you will still get the concept. Plus, the music was great and you just left feeling happy and ready to live to the fullest where you are at in life at the moment.

The second Find is an Italian Water Ice shop called Zeppes

Location: 1095 N. Main street, Layton
Hours: Mon-Thur 11am - 10pm, Fri & Sat 11am - 11pm
Description: Italian Water Ice
Cost: Decent
www.zeppesice.com

This is a great little place. Driving by, you wouldn't think to go in and you really don't notice it unless you are looking for it. It is located across the street from Hobby Lobby in Layton ans is absolutely fabulous. It is cute, small, and charming once you enter. They have a variety of water ice flavors such as root beer, coconut, orange delicious, mango, and so forth that change with the seasons. They also have frozen custard, gelata, and shakes. I like to get the mix which comes with your flavor of water ice and frozen custard on top. The portions are a good size and the flavors are great. It is the perfect treat for a hot summer day or a nice summer night.