So what...

if my shoes match my Christmas Ornaments?

I did not know it was halloween.

Sketchy Santa from Coty Gonzales on Vimeo.

Rockin' Around

 

I love our Christmas tree. Last year I found some amazing ornaments to complete our bronze and gold tree. The one above is probably my favorite even if Joe says I will like anything with sparkles and sequins. (True, but I still love it) I also love these gold branches we have added into the tree.

 

It is the perfect little addition to add some holiday cheer to our apartment.

What the...?

Need I say more?

The Kings

Is it pathetic that when I finally made it home from rehearsal tonight Joe and I found ourselves in front of the TV with our friends Ben and Jerry and were somehow enthralled by PBS's special of the King Family Singers? Seriously hilarious. That is if you have a twisted sense of humor like us. See for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbjbfsPNu6Y

Bad for my health?

I was reading an issue of Women's Health recently about the importance of getting a good nights rest. One of the main things was that there has to be a tranquil design to create a tranquil mood. They mentioned that it is important to use greys and blues in your decorating because it creates a peaceful atmosphere. Automatically my wheels are turning as to what I can redecorate in our apartment. I realized is this why I always feel tired? :

Then I came to my senses. No it may not be tranquil on the color scheme I have been advised, but I love my Jacobean print bedspread. Yes it is bright and colorful and no I have not lost sleep because of it. I guess I'll stick with it a while longer.

I am thankful for...

Family

But mostly I am thankful for Ellie and Charlie's faces in this one.

Survival

The show is over. The kids did great. I might have forgotten why I love theatre, but I remembered why I love my husband so much. Thanks for the sleepless nights and endless hours of building sets with me!

Gluttony at its Best

 After wanting to pull my brains out the last two weeks, with a show that goes up tomorrow,  the initial stages of my research paper being due today, there was nothing I wanted more than a little break. I got it. The kids had school off today for Vetran's day. Joe and I went to the Grove for lunch later followed by Flying Star for dessert, and yes we indulged. Their new Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake is just about the most divine thing I have ever tasted. It was about time for gluttony like that!

Playing Dress Up

Can you guess who we were for Halloween?And can you see Joe's skin is shimmering? We worked really hard on that part. As Christan put it so gently : "Oh no! that is amazing- I am horrified and tickled all at once". Thanks Chris!

Here we are at Erin and Vince's party acting a bit more normal. Note the bite marks in my neck.

Etsy is after my heart.

If I had all the money and time in the world, you would all receive handmade Christmas cards that looked like this:

Maybe next year. Settling for the best Target has to offer isn't the worst thing I have done.

It's beginning to look....

Current Weather:

29° F
Partly Cloudy

Feels Like: 19° F

My little New Mexican heart jumped for joy to see all the snow in October. My bubble was also quickly deflated when I realized it melted fast and I will still have to go to school tomorrow. I guess I can still be happy, because when I went to the store to pick up some bread this evening, they were playing Christmas music. I say if it is snowing outside it is never too early for Christmas music.

Anniversary

Joe and I went up to Santa Fe where it all began (6 years ago) for our one year anniversary. It was beautiful. We hit it right at the peak of fall. It has been the best year yet and we suspect it will only get better!

Missionaries Beware

After much contemplation on how I could do better to serve more, the RS sent around the sign up to have the missionaries over for dinner. Because I am in YW most of the time I signed up for several months in advance. The last two times they came over there were some  "issues". I made homemade pesto and lemon chicken. Might I add that it was amazing if I do say so myself. I did happen to notice one elder did not seem so fond of it, so I decided the next time they came I would do homemade pizza. (I mean c'mon, who doesn't love pizza). I was tried to bite my tongue from releasing scathing comments about the ungrateful elder that meticulously picked off all the little toppings he did not like. Although, I do secretely wish he had been sent to Japan just so he would have to learn to love something other than meat and potatoes. This month, I would not be defeated! Joe knew I had signed up for a night when I would not be home until 7 PM. He said he would cook. He went and asked the elder what was their utmost desire for dinner. The response: Meat and Potatoes. So Joe, being Joe, cooked the most lovely pork tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes, a honey dijion gravy, and carrot and zucchini spears. 7:30 was the set appointment. 8:00PM rolls around...then 8:30. Finally we sit down to our table set for four...9:00PM we clear the dishes and still no word. (Joe had talked to them the day before, mind you) By 9:30 we get some weasley call that they got  "caught up" in things and did not call. Yup- You did not call. Because it would have been a real inconvenience to take 2 mins to tell us you were not going to be coming. I was so ready to lay a Bednar smack down on the inconsiderate missionaries. See if they get my refferals! 

Meet Molly. Meet DJ.

They are in love. They are adorable. They will be married November 21st. We are so happy for you both. DJ, you done good. Molly, you can totally plan a wedding in a month. Thanks for letting us be there the night of the engagement. Here's to marriage.

Balloons, Burrito, and Pete Yorn... The Perfect Fall Morning

What is better than the Fall in New Mexico? I don't think there is anything. Not only is it absolutely colorful and beautiful right now, but that crisp thirty degree weather we woke up to, to go outside and enjoy the balloons was the best. Alan, Julie, Joe and I braved the large crowds at the balloon fiesta this morning. We tried to stay warm by drinking lots of cocoa, going through craft tents (where I spent way too much money on beads made out of paper by Ughandian women...) and just allowing the sheer excitement pulsing through our veins. After the Mass Ascension we headed off to the Frontier. We got massive burritos, huevos, carne adovada and lots of green chile of course. As I drove home "Burrito" by Pete Yorn came on the ipod. Very apropos.

Here is right before they all lift off. (Do you like our matching scarves?)

Look at all the shapes. Best ones this year were from Brazil. My personal fave was the locomotive engine. Very cool. Joe's fave? Darth Vader of course.

Wednesdays

Wednesdays are the bain of my existence. I feel like I am running a marathon. I leave the house around 6:30 AM for the high school (like always). I run straight from school to UNM to go take some classes that I am doing for my master's. From there I change out of the heels and pencil skirt (I seem to be wearing all the time these days), quickly into tights and a leotard. From there I hop back on the freeway in rush hour traffic and head to dance class. After dance class I have rehersal, and when I am completely exhausted I get home just in time for the last half hour of Glee. (I have some priorities here). I do not know why I am even taking time out of my day to write about it. Truth is, I am a glutton for punishment. It is all things I love to do. I just wish it was spread throughout the week a bit better.

Sleeping on the Couch

In our marriage I have never spent a night on the couch. Joe however, spent his second night on the couch last night. Not because I was angry at him (C'mon let's be honest, who could ever get angry with the guy?) but because at 3:30 AM I was barfing my guts out until about 5 this morning. He just grabbed his little pillow and blanket and went to the couch. The time prior was for the same reason. Poor guy. I blame it all on the fact that I was trying to be a molly Mormon for the first time in my life, by making a casserole. See if I ever do that again!
Maybe I will just let Joe do the cooking. After all I did come home last week to him making fresh pasta. His very own ravioli stuffed with chevre, pine nuts and spinach. Served with a white wine mushroom and fresh tomato sauce. Gosh I love that man! Why am I so lucky? Sometimes I just have to wonder.

I left my heart in San Francisco...

We had such a great Labor Day in San Francisco. Oh how I love that city.
The hills reminded me of La Spezia:

I miss the sea!

The highlight of the trip was... Can you tell what it is?

WICKED! We saw it at the Orpheum Theatre. Phenonmenal.


Even though I hate this picture. I had to put it on here, because when I saw the Golden Gate Bridge, all I could think of was my roommate Megan singing along to the Full House theme song. Love ya Megs!

Wish I was there.

Sei tornato con onore

Dearest Brother of mine,
You are more handsome, more mature, and more italian. I could not be more proud.
Love, Tua Sorella

P.S. For more pics of his grand return- See Facebook

Venti Cinque

Oh how I love birthdays even when I am sick. What could be better than having Joe show up to my classroom with an obscene bouquet of flowers that the janitor so appropriately exclaimed when he walked into the room "Man, Someone really loves this lady!" And to make the day better, We went to Scalo. We had a cheese platter that made my heart patter. My favorite salad, with pine nuts and goat cheese croutons, Fresh Made pasta, and a bistecca that might be the only thing worth sending me into cardiac arrest. Mmm. Best of all. He is taking me to San Francisco as my gift.
I can't wait. Thanks for making my birthday the best JoeB!

I wish I could give you one of these right now:

Rodeo 2009

Joe and I had a really great weekend up in Farmington. We are getting used to the charming small town that it is. It has provided us with all sorts of opportunities, like going to the RODEO. Joe had never been. As we were sitting in the stands trying to figure out the rules, the woman in front of us turns around, and in a thick accent says "Where y'all from?" When we found out she was from NM herself I had to wonder about the accent, but apparently no matter where you are from, if it is a small town, you talk like that. Joe explained, "I am just figuring this all out. This is my first Rodeo..." She quickly responded "You've never been to a Rodeo!!? We joke about people like you."

It has kept us laughing all weekend.

Preist Gulch, Telluride 2009

This was one beautiful trip. We enjoyed nature's beauty, shopping, blitz and various other games, laughing with each other and laughing at each other, Hiking our hearts out, golfing our hearts out and just being with family. Here are some highlights:

The Group in Telluride



Joe contemplating something on the gondola into Telluride

Us on our hike that led to practically rolling down the mountain to find the way home

When I choose the music...

When Joe makes me listen to Willie Nelson...

Zoobies...

Finally after the treacherous school year, Joe and I have been been able to have sometime to enjoy being together. Joe's first real day off, he wanted to spend with his niece and nephews. So that is what we did. We took them all to the zoo.

They were so cute, and so good for us.

Joe, Matthew and Olivia are acting like the Monkeys.

Carter looking at the Polar Bears.(My favorite)

Joe showed off his parenting skills. Don't let Matthew jump in!

We ate lunch in the park, and made a royal mess. Note to self, red popsicles sound fun but are nothing but stains on everything.

Olivia took a picture of Joe and I. Another note to self: A five year olds angle is anything but flattering.

At the end of the day the heat had gotten to us. The kids ran through the fountains, and then we took them for ice cream. It was a great day!

Confession...

Generally speaking Joe and I don't eat a lot of sweets. Truth is, even when we have them around we would rather have a piece of fruit. I only bake if I know I will be taking it to someone in the ward. But as of late, I cannot keep enough delicious popsicles in our freezer. From whole fruit Creamy Coconut to all manner of other things. Currently we enjoy our coconut bars, along with Trader Joe's "Mango Floes" (I came upon these while browsing the frozen foods. The label read "Do you like fresh fruit? Do you like zero fat, and zero calories? Like it frozen and refreshing? I knew I had found a new friend) And of course for when we feel really indulgent... Skinny Cow's truffle bars, which are absolutely to die for delicioso! It might be what gets me through the summer.

Girl's trip

Thanks to my sister, I am able to remember all the wonderful things about our trip to Victoria, BC, Canada. Here is her blog post. Thanks Erika!

I get homesick for lots of things: green chile, the smell of sage on the mesa, turquoise, and people who can roll their “r”s. But most often I miss my mom, my sisters, and my England. And while BYU doesn’t pay nearly enough for a tea party in the Bath countryside, it did afford us a fabulous time in Victoria. I said it throughout the trip, and I’ll say it again: It was a blessed four days. We were blessed by weather. We were blessed by nature. We were blessed by food. We were blessed by serendipity. And we were blessed by each other. And the blessings didn’t stop there.

Blessed at the Airport

By some freak streak of FAA fate, we were able to arrive at the airport from three different states within about 40 minutes of each other. Granted, Mom could have disembarked the aircraft more quickly if she hadn’t made 30 friends on board before leaving. I think it had something to do with her socks. I had been at the Seattle airport before, but I hadn’t remembered the sleazy limousine drivers soliciting our company in the parking garage. But who could blame them? Again, I blame Mom’s socks. We were escorted to our hotel, instead, by a charming van driver and a neurologist who now knows WAY too much about our family medical history.

Blessed by Wild Ginger Recommendations

Two words: Chicken Chieu.

Blessed by Gelato


What better way to end an Asian Fusion meal than with Italian gelato? Oh, but if only every meal could end with tiramisu, coconut, and passion fruit deliciousness!







Blessed by Pike’s Market


Where else in the world can you gaze at a sparkling blue bay, cavort with Edward Cullen legally, AND buy chocolate linguini? But more importantly, where were all of those incredible fresh flowers when my polyester wedding bouquet was being hot glued together? And if those FSA folks at the airport thought they could get me to part with my Pike’s Market pumpkin butter (aka dangerous explosive material), they had another thing comin’.


Mine!

Flower Market

Paparadelle\'s Pasta

Blessed by Downtown Seattle

By Thursday evening we had already traveled thousands of miles, eaten ourselves silly, and maxed out our budgets. But what is to be done when you happen across a Ross, an H&M, and an Il Fornaio all on the way back to the hotel? (Wait! Did that deodorant just fall out of my fanny pack?) Restraint is not in our vocabulary. Just ask Hillary’s designer jacket, Mom’s new purse to replace the fanny pack, my gaudy glass ring, sunglasses, and jewelry (which mysteriously never made it home), Joe’s new shirt, and the risotto lingering on the corners of our mouths.

Blessed by the Victoria Clipper

The Victoria Clipper wasn’t the cheapest way to get to Victoria, but it saved us hours of travel time and a monotonous ferry ride. I think our hearts all sank a bit when we realized that Mom would not be able to sit atop a crow’s nest, or man the port bow in her sea-faring clothes as she might have supposed. The Victoria Clipper was one smooth-sailing, liquor-vending machine that got us to Victoria harbor in just under 3 hours. Now if only customs could have done the same. (And here’s another shout out to those friends Mom met in line by yelling “Go Utes!”)

Blessed by Prayer

When we started the voyage, I felt the Swine Flu hit. Or something like it. My body ached. My throat hurt. My neck perspired. All I wanted to do was get off the boat and climb into bed. I spent a good 5 minutes preparing my pitch to the B&B owners about letting me check in early. I didn’t care if I missed sightseeing. I didn’t even care if I missed afternoon tea. I closed my eyes and curled into the curves of my seat and pleaded with the Lord to spare me long enough to finish the trip. I didn’t need to be perfectly healthy; I just needed him to soften the edges of my symptoms. I exited the boat carrying my own little miracle. I didn’t feel great, but I gratefully felt good enough to enjoy the rest of our trip. As soon as I got on the plane home in Seattle, I felt the blessing lift and swine swarm, but I didn’t care. I had been given my own little miracle.

(Rod later told me that he had prayed and asked the Lord to send Grandpa to give me a blessing so that I could finish the trip. I’m not sure if that is what happened, but I like to think so.)

Blessed by Victoria’s Inner Harbor


The glistening inner harbor. Sailboat-lined docks. Copper-skinned Parliament. The ivy-covered Empress. Really? Is any city really as beautiful as this?

Blessed by Tea at the Empress

My heart doesn’t belong in San Francisco. It belongs in that mahogany-coffered hallway between the lobby and the grand parlor of the Empress Hotel. I could actually hear my ventricles getting teary. I was in good company because I could also hear Hillary’s mind whirring with home improvement lists for Dennie. We frittered away the minutes until tea time in the Empress gift shop, in the jewelry store asking about the price of the Lapiz Lady necklace (which I am quite confident has not yet been purchased), and in the basement restroom where we flooded the floor. (Ah, the frailties of 150 year-old plumbing!) And after thoroughly confusing the sweet woman at desk with our strange dietary requests (no caffeinated tea, but keep the chocolate coming), we sat down to the most decadent experience of my life: Afternoon Tea at the Empress.

Menu

Fresh Seasonal Fruit with Chantilly Cream

Raisin Scones served with Strawberry preserves and Devonshire Cream

Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

Mango and Curried Chicken Sandwiches

Carrot and Ginger Sandwiches

Cucumber Sandwiches with Horseradish Mayonnaise

Mushroom Pate Drizzled with Truffle Oil

Battenburg Vanilla and Chocolate Sponge Checkerboard Wrapped in Marzipan

Chocolate Cake filled with Vanilla Buttercream, Topped with Ganache

Lemon Curd Tart with Berry Garnish

Earl Grey Shortbread

Marble Chocolate Tulip

Note to self: Put Marlene (aka personal tea room servant) on Christmas card list.

Note to husband: Put mixed berry and orange-pineapple tea in my stocking.

Blessed by Hot Toddies and Breast Pumps



After a brief, self-guided tour of the Empress rooms, we retrieved our luggage and made our way on foot to the Beaconsfield Inn Bed and Breakfast. At that point we were missing our beds and our Dr. Scholls, but no one was missing anything quite as much as Hillary was missing her suckling Owen. We looked for kittens and other small animals who might do the trick, but to no avail. Luckily, we did find Hot Toddy. Todd was the fresh-faced innkeeper of the Beaconsfield who had an accounting degree and a green apron. (And in case any husbands and children are reading this, Todd wasn’t really “hot,” but how could you pass up a catchy nickname like that?) After Todd introduced us to the peacock-themed breakfast room, the leathern library, and our feathered Gatekeeper’s Suite, we took the liberty of asking him where we might find a store that specialized in “baby items.” He rummaged around in his bachelor’s brain for a few boutique options, but he could tell by the expression on our faces that we weren’t looking for anything of the sort. I think we might have thrown the words “medical” and “equipment” into the mix, and that is when he got nervous. He quickly suggested some drug stores in the area and made it clear that he “didn’t need to know” exactly what we wanted. Bless Toddy’s heart. And bless the inventor of breast pumps.

Blessed by Hearing Loss (Ah! The Luck o’ the Irish)

While Mom and Hillary located a breast pump, Miriam, Katie, and I strolled Chinatown and the tourist shops, barely escaping with our sanity from Lush and its “helpful” shop assistant who lacked a personal bubble. We met up with Mom and Hillary for dinner at a pub called the Irish Times. I think we naively thought the place “quaint” with its boxwood-framed windows and kilted hostesses. However, it quickly became Dante’s 10th circle of hell where people scream for help, but no one can hear them over the amped fiddles and mounds of bubble and squeak. I still have no idea what anyone said at that table. Ever wonder why everyone drinks in Ireland? They aren’t trying to drown their sorrows, they are simply trying to drown out the noise from the throbbing drum and pipes. In that case, this round is on me folks.

Blessed by The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

We left the ruckus of the pub for the quiet streets of moonlit Victoria, and slowly wended our way back to the B&B for our book discussion. We settled easily into the library with its glowing fire, tufted leather couches, hot cider, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. The mooncakes . . . not so much. We talked about World War II, the Chinese, the Japanese, our chances of making the same mistakes again, jazz, and the relationships between parents and their children. Katie fell asleep. We took the cue and exchanged the pages of our books for the comfort of our feather beds.

Blessed by Breakfast

The only thing that could be better than warm lemon poppyseed bread accompanied by smoked salmon and poached eggs in bearnaise sauce atop a spinach-stuff phyllo pouch would be all of this . . . served on toile. Oh bless my heart! Throw in a some peppermint tea and a humorous nod to pop tarts and you’ll have our breakfast. (Miriam, next time I’ll see if they will swap the salmon and eggs for a cheddarwurst.)

Blessed by Butchart Gardens


They didn’t have a chance. After all, how could Butchart Gardens match up to the grandeur of the Thanksgiving Point gardens? But we were in Victoria, so we went. After following the trellis-lined paths of tulips and hyacinths, we stepped into a woodland tunnel of trees and arrived at the sunken gardens. I hate to break it to LDS theologians, but the Garden of Eden is not in Missouri. It is at Butchart Gardens. Everything there felt holy. Legs stopped moving. Cameras quit flashing. Lips started whispering. Even our sighs were reverent. (Of course, we made up for all that reverence with our Napoleon Dynamite imitations in the Japanese gardens and our statue posings in the Italian gardens.) We balanced our sensory palates by finishing the experience with a luncheon at the restaurant overlooking the gardens and the distant ocean. Quiche. Scallops. Rhubarb bread pudding. Chocolate-orange decadence. Creme brulee. Our waiter’s cat eyes. All of it unworldly. All of it so worth the trip.

Blessed by Accident

I felt as though Grandma Jelte had aided our trip all along, but she was working overtime on Saturday. Not only did she manage to get us on the right city bus to Butchart Gardens and keep the weather to a refreshing mist of rain, but she saved us from nearly missing our bus, boat, and flights back home. What we didn’t realize when we sauntered to the bus pick-up outside of the gardens is that the bus only arrives once every hour on the weekends. It was 4:50. The last bus arrived at 5:04. Had we spent any more time in the gift shop, at the restaurant, or frolicking amongst the bulbs and bushes, we would have missed it. Another miraculous moment in our miraculous day.

(What is also miraculous is how much this boar looks like a little Shetland pony named “Star.” Someday, Mom. Someday . . .)

Blessed by Bathrooms

After being pinned into her corner seat by a man who could suffocate Texas with his left buttocks for the entire voyage home, Katie was a frantic female looking for a restroom on the Seattle harbors. Unfortunately, the customs officials were not sympathetic and wouldn’t let her in the building. Swelling ocean waves. Rain. Rushing waters everywhere. Katie had no choice but to beg the mercy of the Victoria Clipper. Thank heavens for womanly charms and male boat attendants. It was Katie’s own little miracle. After braving a harrowing storm on the docks and an equally harrowing cab ride to our hotel, we basked in the updated, upscale elegance of the downtown Sheraton. End the evening with a Cheesecake Factory chaser and a vagrant looking for money from Mom, and you have one memorable day.

Blessed by Living on the Edge

Somewhere in the Seattle airport we came up with the acronym EDGE for our trip: Extreme Dahl Girl Eating. As appropriate as the term may be, I wonder if we shouldn’t consider some other alternatives. Like what about LWFP: Living Without Fanny Packs? Or BPFC: Breast Pump Fan Club? Or what about TYCDIABHHAFAIFA: Tip Your Cab Driver Insane Amounts Because He Has A Family and is from Africa? Then again, “EDGE” is easier to say. And even if the name sticks, it will always mean food and much, much more to me. It was truly “Eternal Dahl Girl Enjoyment.” Let’s live on the “edge” again soon.

VIVA ITALIA

What can I say? It was amazing. We had more fun than you could ever dream. Here are the much awaited photos:




We went to La Spezia, saw friends, and Portovenere!




This one is for you Lizzie, and Mel. They have taken over Florence. I saw their tag everywhere!









We went to Firenze.









A bit blurry. Here we are in front of the vatican.



We got our sins forgiven by St. Peter.



We rode bikes through the Villa Borghese Gardens