Season's Greetings From The Millers

Very eventful month with parties, dinners with friends, co-workers, and family! Earlier this month i had a baking party with some of my gal pals- and then wes and I went to another friends annual christmas party- in which the white elephant exchange took about 3 hours (not really, but it was very extended).. the most popular items stolen were a nordstrom's gift card, cafe rio card, and victoria's secret underwear. that same night i attended an ugly sweater party - and it is the best i've been too! the sweaters were outstandingly hideous.

Wes and I are lucky to work for places that really spoil us for Christmas. We are just blessed and fortunate all together that we have great jobs.

First work Christmas party: E Trade @ Noah's

The main dishes were pretty average, but they had an amazing cheese platter. The Millers love love love cheese. There was also a fun casino area and ice skating up top.
My Favorite-Dancing! they  had dancing- i am not opposed to this going forward. The most funnest and goofiest time you can have with your spouse is on the dance floor.

I admit, the dress i wore may have been a little "brave", but i felt good knowing that it fit! It was borrowed from a gal who's seriously a size 2. She actually had me try on a few of her dresses- it was so fun to put on some fun and flirty dresses that i never would have taken a second look at.

Second work Christmas party: Utah Business

My boss was outstandingly generous to take us to Ruths Chris Steak house this year! if you have never been there, seriously ah-mazing.
we both got a huge rib eye steak. the steaks come out on a hot 500 degree plate- it keeps every bite, down to the last, hot. the sweet potato casserole was very good as well- i had a say in what was on the menu, and found out that the creamed spinach side wasn't a hit, although i love spinach- next year i will do double carb sides.
the finale- DESSERT- i really have to scream out loud at how delicious the creme brulee and the chocolate sin cake were. just out the window screaming.

This dress makes me look frumpy in the picture..it really looks better in person, but i love the fact that me and Wes match :)

Christmas Day

We started Christmas morning at my Mom's

her kids pitched in and got her a food deyhdrator. She is always drying her produce from her garden in the summer time..but a very old fashioned and probably not the safest way: on a rack covered with a cheesecloth on her deck. So this ought to help her manage that better. she loves drying peppers, fruits and flowers.

We ended our morning with a trip to Grandma and Grandpa Jordisons with a full on breakfast that included waffles, ham, sausage, cakes, hashbrowns and chow mein (my  mom's contribution) and then exchanging presents ( always the funnest part!).

my gifts from Wes were a new coat and boots. And family members gave us various gift cards and other clothing items. I have an issue giving Wes his presents early- he got an xbox game, a subscription to xbox live, jazz tickets, a lovely star wars shirt and a beard trimmer. 

More importantly- this Christmas has been memorable as it is my first with my husband, and my new extended family.

a gift from my mother in law

Christmas Baking and Yummy Salted Caramel

This year  i decided to try something different with my friends for christmas. I had the ladies come over for a baking and christmas wrapping get together. Being this is the first time, i have done this- hiccups during the event would naturally happen.

I didn't gather all the supplies until the night of . My only option close to work was Target.
the shopping part wasn't the hard part..it was the waiting in line and traffic coming home. so note to self...prepare ahead.

on the menu

Salted Caramel Sauce ( click for recipe)

I had never made caramel sauce prior to this..and so i thought i'd try to double the batch so i can get more done. The trick is to watch the pot- because that sugar can burn within seconds...please reference picture

this was the funniest chain of events! the recipe tells you it will take about 20-30 minutes before it turns colors so Heather and I just left the kitchen to chat...and then- we smelled something...and then..all we saw was smoke coming out of the kitchen! Heather hurried and picked up the pot and screaming at me "get something for me to put the pot on!" when i finally got outside the entire house and breezeway was filled with smoke! and a funny glare came my way from the neighbor- haha

we finally figured it out...don't double the batch and watch the dang pot!

Also on the Menu....

Eggnog Pound Cake

In my last minute preparation, i could not find the pound cake mix at target, so i bought a butter cake mix...later on i found a pound cake mix. Making this recipe with both mixes now, they are both equally delicious and moist..got so many comments on both. this cake is over the top with the caramel sauce drizzled on top!

Some of the girls dipped oreos in chocolate ( i even messed up the melting ) while we were waiting for everthing to cool. This took longer than i thought but after it was cool we wrapped  them all up in various boxes, cellophane, and ribbon. everyone got to take home a goody, or three :)

Thanks to these sweet girls we were able to have a fun time! love them all!

Junior League...paying it back and paying it forward

For the past 4 months I have been involved in the Junior League as  a provisional and last night i finally went active!  the experience i had as a provisional alone was life changing and eye opening, but now that i am active, i can really feel i am making a difference.

If you don't know what the Junior League is- It is a national organization that is made up of women volunteers, divided into committees in which assist different parts of the community, especially women and children. 

My first project i was involved in was Birthday parties for those housed at the YWCA. SO FUN! and so rewarding to see a celebration that these women and children could have not otherwise have had if not for the YWCA taking them into a safe place.  Second assignment i had was getting food to feed the volunteers for a meeting. I was able to get Pei Wei to donate a generous amount of food for us, and it was so appreciated. You probably think we don't need food donations as a group..but when we have to meet every monday right after work to discuss projects- its gets overwhelming and donated food helps us get through it :). Last project was our fundraiser and coatdrive. I was able to bring in about 20 or so coats from my work and 6 friends came to the fundraiser as well. The fundraiser and coat drive were very successful- we raised over $1600 in sales and over 100 coats, plus hats, scarves and gloves.

It did get a little dramatic at times, to the point i questioned if i really wanted to join. you know, when you get a group of confident, opnionated women together- it tends to get ugly at times. However, i am glad i stuck through it and received endless encouragement to do so.

My involvement with Junior League will be Kids in the Kitchen-
Kids in the Kitchen is an AJLI initiative designed to help our communities address the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor nutrition. With the help of program sponsor, Cartoon Network, and celebrity spokespersons, the program has made over 450 million media impressions to date.
The Junior League of Salt Lake City has developed a five-part curriculum that our volunteers take to local schools. Children in grades 3-5 are given instruction on making healthier lifestyle choices through activities such as :  "What's On Your Plate?", "Portion Size & Reading Food Labels", "Exercise, Activity & The Food You Eat" and "Make Your Own Menu". Over 250 children are served annually."

Im so very excited to be doing this...paying it back and paying it forward to those that have helped my family when we arrived into the United States, such as Ken and Fran Fish- our sponsors, and to those who continue to affect me everyday.

The placement I received this night at the holiday party- and  I had to scan the holiday party card with my name..for some reason i giggled when i saw my last name hyphenated.

My fun friends from the Junior League

Wait...Christmas is near?

Is anyone else in the same boat? As in, I can't believe its December! Months have been flying by!

The downfall of this is that I turn 31 this month, and Wes will laugh and laugh, cause he is still only 30.

But it really isn't a downfall, I am actually okay- wait...wait.....i'm only 9 years away from turning 40... FRACK! (instantaneous sulking and fetal position movement)


I feel like my life is running away from me... like this little guy- i'm shakin my booty as i go.

Yes, this actually resides in our home.