Tessa's Wedding

Tessa and Duffy finally tied the knot this past Saturday. The sealing at Timponogos was so wonderful - it was the first I've been to since my own. Tessie seemed so happy, as did Duffy (the happiest couple you've ever seen). The reception that evening went off without a hitch. The weather held up and it seemed that everyone loved the food and wanted to stay longer than usual... which is a tribute to the bride and groom!
All the plans turned out, the timeline (cake cutting, dancing, surprise song by Dean, etc) all went perfectly, and even the cake was delicious. I couldn't have asked for a better evening... a night like that makes the planning process so rewarding.
Heidi, Abby, Lacey and Ashton came and how fun it was to see them! I wish we could have visited longer. I have these pictures from Taryn's camera, and can't wait to see the professional photos and video. You'll see the personlized candy favors we made and also Taryn's yummy sugar cookie wedding cakes that were gifts for the wedding party.

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Olson!

I have all this free time now - I guess I need a new bride!

Just the beginning...

If this past weekend was a sign of things to come, then bring on the fun! My mom drove down from Montana on Friday - she's here for two weeks. On Friday night, Ben and I joined Tessa and Duffy, Mom and Uncle Pat, and Ben's sister Meghan for the BYU v. Utah baseball game. We had a blast eating peanuts and giant otter pops as the Cougars played their last home game with a walk-off home run to beat the Utes. A terrific combination: family, food, a baseball game, and beating Utah. :) Here is a picture of us after the 7th inning stretch.
Then, on Saturday, my Aunt threw a shower for Tessa - and then it was off to the temple for her. It was wonderful to be there for such a special occasion. Here is a picture of the 'after' - mom, Tessa, Duffy, and moi.
On Sunday, Taryn and Mike finally rolled into town after 2.5 days of driving. I think that trip should qualify as "coast to coast", don't you Taryn? I was elated to see them and to officially welcome them to our place! Having them here for the next 6 weeks will be an absolute ball. We drove down to Orem to have dinner with Granny - and I decided to take advantage of so many helpers... we gathered around the dinner table to assemble the monogrammed candy bag favors for Tessa's reception. I was slightly embarrassed at my level of quality control (sorry Mike!) - I didn't think I was that much of a perfectionist. We had a great time around the table - and after a short time, we'd finished all 300 baggies!

Scholars banquet

The past week felt like a blur - not checking e-mail, not blogging, not chatting with friends... totally submerged.
Last night the Board of Regents hosted a banquet for all qualifying Utah Scholars seniors. For those of you who don't know, this is the initiative I've been working on for the past year. Usually I'm in the office or working with school officials and students, but this banquet gave me the chance to return to what I love - parties!

Working within a non-wedding budget, I had some constraints. I booked Culinary Crafts for the catering (after all, they are superb!) and decided that I would do the flowers myself instead of hiring a florist (that no one in the office would think is necessary, ala, "you need how much money for flowers??"). What I thought would be a few small centerpieces turned into 21 tables and more! I had a blast though and everything turned out wonderfully. Luckily nobody was too critical. Banquets are so much less stressful than weddings - and once the party started, there was nothing to worry about. The Commissioner of Higher Education spoke, along with an Assistant Secretary from the US Department of Education. How fabulous!

We got some great media coverage from KSL (open in internet explorer for video) and also the Deseret News. Click either to see/read. I'll have to post a few pictures that I took at the event.



















Tessa reminded me that there are 18 days left until her wedding - I'm excited! There are a few last-minute arrangements to be made, but unlike this banquet and Tessa's shower, I won't be the florist or the caterer, I'll be the boss!

Shower for Tessie

Two weekends ago I had the fun task of planning/hosting/catering a shower for my little sister. It was a last-minute party as we realized that finals were around the corner and all her friends would be gone soon.

With 5 days to go, I made some e-vites (see below), and got a hold of the best caterer I know, Taryn. She sent menus and other recipe ideas as the rsvps started coming in. Love her. Every evening after work, I'd pull more serving pieces and collaborate on the menu more with her.
I figured that waking up at 6 the morning of the shower would leave me plenty of time... not so. I was bossing Ben around the kitchen only minutes before I had to drive to Provo - "hurry, shred that chicken, and can you dice those grapes?"

The shower turned out great - after a stressful drive of all the platters in my teeny trunk and all the food in tupperwares. ahh! Event planning I can handle, but long-distance catering, making it not only look good but taste good? I'll leave that to the pros. Congrats, Tessa - only a few more weeks until you're a Mrs.

Here's a picture of the table - fun that I got to use some of my wedding gifts for the first time. The second pic of me and Tessa turned out a bit blurry.

Dean

Before I was married, my favorite boy in the whole world was my brother. Now, it's such a toss up! :) My mom sent me this picture of my brother Dean, taken the other day at one of his baseball games. He's now a driving teenager, taller than me, and has a deeper voice than I ever imagined. He's as smart as they come, a sincere friend, and a mean athlete. Growing up, people always wondered about how he'd turn out, having 4 older sisters. Well, who's laughing now? He's the perfect combination of manly and sweet. Dean, you may be turning into a man now, but I'll always remember your days as the cutest little mush.

San Francisco Treat

What I thought would be a quick fun weekend in San Francisco turned into a fabulous, fun-filled and very memorable trip! My mom had the National School Board Attorney's meeting over the weekend, which was the perfect excuse for a getaway. While she was in meetings for a day and a half, Taryn and I walked around Union Square, weaving our way up and down the streets lined by high end shops like Burberry, Hermes, Gucci, etc., and of course Tiffany's. (we went into Tiffany's, but the others, no thanks for now)

After mom's conference finished, we devoted the rest of the weekend to getting out and about. Heidi drove over from Reno to spend 15 hours with us - so fun! Here is a picture we took inside Nordy's. Does it remind anyone else of the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty? Taryn and Heidi replaced their scarves after the photo, but I just couldn't. I paid for it without even taking it off. If you know me and scarves, well that's a whole different post.We went to a play one evening, the second night of the performance of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", starring Kathleen Turner. After the first of 2 intermissions, we just had to leave. It was no good. A bickering drunk couple who belittle each other for 3 hours?? Maybe the people who stayed could relate... but not us!
We called Scott and Michelle on Saturday to meet up for lunch - and had a delightful afternoon with them at Ghiradelli Square. What a fun and dynamic couple. Here we are at Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf. They were so kind to tour-guide us all around.
Then, just when I thought the weekend was winding down, my mom had the idea to sign us all up for the 5k that weekend. Our Triathalon-bound Taryn was excited and I was fearful. Three miles is a lot to someone who hasn't been to the gym in ten moths. But it turned out to be fantastic. I think there were 800 or so entrants, and Taryn finished at the top of her bracket. Go girl! Funniest part of the race is that after about 300 yards, mom and I passed a teenage girl who was walking and texting! what?!

This post was long, but there was so much to report! :)

Tiffany Diamond

I get the Deseret News e-mail every morning, and was so excited to discover this article amidst the stories about the Rutgers basketball team, the Holocaust, and the Iraq war death toll.
The Tiffany Diamond is on loan to the Smithsonian until September - it is over 128 carats and is yellow in color. I am in love. And how great is the "Bird on a Rock" that adorns the top. How perfectly appropriate.

Click here to view the story. Let's just say I'll be going to the Smithsonian before September. Not that seeing my twin sister isn't enough to motivate the trip, but this attraction has just put me over the edge!

Lunch hour

Today, on a whim, I strode boldly down to the TRAX stop on my way to Temple Square. (I’m a novice, how do you Subway and Metro people do it?) Two stops down from my office at the Gateway, I found myself in the bustling downtown “City Center” where Zion’s Bank, Temple Square, and Main St. all intersect. I was so proud of myself! I walked into the lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and although on a quick errand downstairs, I had to pause in the lobby as I heard DeBussy’s “Clair De Lune” (Bellagio fountain song on Ocean’s Eleven) played by the littlest old lady on the piano. Looking up at those beautiful chandeliers – it was like a glimpse of heaven. What a treat!

After my errand, I walked outside, and with 40 minutes left on my break, I thought, “hey, I should walk back to work.” So I started off – and remembered that the Tabernacle had just been reopened – so I went inside for a moment. It is unbelievable in there! The organ pipes are larger than life. Really, the whole structure is magnificent. On my way out, I saw groups of sister missionaries visiting with folks and it reminded me of Hermana Lindsey. Here are a few pictures I took today.

Then, I started back with 5 long blocks to work. It was nice to breathe fresh air and have a bit more time away from the ‘cube-ie” at the office. After about 50 steps, I realized that I should reconsider my shoe choice before trekking like this again. But all in all, it was a lovely walk. As I passed the Delta Center, an old Hispanic gardener handed me a tulip he had just cut from the grounds. “because you are soo beautiful”. Silly old man. Maybe he didn’t realize he could lose his job for cutting up the flowerbeds. It made me laugh. But thanks to him, I now have a pretty red tulip floating in a bowl on my desk in my small cube–

What a funny and random lunch hour. I’m glad I stepped out for a bit to catch a glimpse of what’s out there. I feel sometimes like I’m on a never-ending cycle of wake, work, home, tv, sleep, wake, work, home…etc., and that makes life feel so dull. Today I was entertained for free – well, for a small fee of $1.87 (my diet coke).

One-on-Four

Last weekend Ben and I stayed at his brother's house to watch their three boys. These mushers are so cute - Stockton, Branson, and Gannon - very well-behaved, and very active! Luckily the boys have plenty of playmates in the neighborhood... I looked up from the dishes to see all these little people around the house, "who are you? and you?"
The great thing about young boys is that they love to be outside! Lots of basketball all weekend. Branson, the middle-child, kept asking in his darling voice, "Lowen, do you wanna vewse (verse) me?" and when I accepted, he said, "just so you know, I'm gonna cweam you..."

Ben was brave enough to take the boys on Robb's toy - this gator or whatever it's called. I was like a frightened mother, "okay, you hang on tight, and don't let go, and Ben, don't drive fast!!!" I'm getting a glimpse of how mothers worry even when their children are in the hands of their own father :)

This picture is with Gannon, the youngest, who said, "Waren, get in da wagon, I'm gonna pull you"... he did surprisingly well considering the circumstances, the toughest part was me trying to get my backside to fit in the wagon.
It was a really fun weekend - the boys are so nice to their new "aunt lollipop".

Love this Lantern

I was reading the latest edition of Lucky, when I found this very chic throw blanket featured toward the back, citing wrapables.com. I was intrigued, excited, and as soon as I logged on - inspired!
I love to shop/window shop online - and beyond the usual hotspots I visit, aka, bluefly, or the classic sites I often browse, aka, banana or vs, or whatev, I LOVE finding new sites that are worth coming back to.
I would describe their stock as hip - while I wouldn't want to fill every room with it's items - I enjoyed searching through the site's various product categories. Cool patterns, modern ideas, and a selection that's extensive without being obnoxious (I hate that). Definitely a site to bookmark in case you ever need something unexpected to add to your decor.

My favorite thing I found? This gorgeous Chinese lantern.
Now, of course no one needs a Chinese lantern with Koi swimming around on it... but... I love to decorate with accessories that inspire me. If I only have one design instinct, that would be it. I find that I never regret those purchases, but always remember it as more like a great memory, a joyous acquisition!

Share the Wealth

One of the purposes of this blog is to share things that I've learned/ found to benefit the lives of my visitors. It dawned on me this past week that I must blog on this subject.

I've found the perfect sheets. I miss them when I'm staying away from home. Sometimes I take the flat sheet with me when I travel, is that weird? I have this maternal instinct that makes me crave soft towels, crisp sheets, fresh smelling soap -- the niceties of a simple yet comfortable life at home.

My freshman roommate, Niki, introduced me to the sheets in our dorm room six years ago. It was love at first sleep. I'll give her full credit. Although I've tried different thread counts, various colors and blends, I've never found anything that compares to the softness, the silkiness, and the coolness of this certain pair. You'd think that the higher the count, the softer the sheets, not so. (am I right, Taryn?)

Try them. If you aren't completely satisfied after at least two washings, I'll pay you for them and you can send them to me. The sheets are made by Wamsutta, 300 thread count Egyptian Cotton sheets. DON'T be fooled by imitations, if you're going to take my challenge, you must buy the exact pair.

Life Saver, Life Soother

I was a bit late in picking up John Mayer's latest album, Continuum. I've been an unabashed fan of Johnny's ever since he was 'running through the halls of his high school, screaming at the top of his lungs'. Not obsessed, but devoted.
I love the lyrics, the melody and his voice. The mood his music puts me in. Sedate at times, pensive, energized, you name it. I don't stay up on his social life or care much to, I just like (LOVE) his music.

All that to say that for the past two weeks, I've been listening to Continuum on repeat. At work. An attachment has developed. Listening to the album takes me to a place I'd rather be. Favorite tracks are 4, 7, 10, oh heck, and the rest of them too. As usual with John's albums, I find that I grow to most love the songs that never make the radio.

Just blogging about him makes me soothed. If you like John, do yourself a favor and download/buy the album. And if you don't need an escape while at your desk, try listening to the album as you're driving in the evening- one of my favorite moments of Spring so far.