Yummy yummy yummy...

Every evening Todd will come home from work and snack on pretzels. I hate pretzels!! I hate the amount of salt they put on those little things, I hate the crunchiness of them, and I hate how thirsty I am afterwords!! So last night I decided to make the only pretzels I have ever loved, the mall pretzels!! Yummy yummy yummy!! They were super easy and really really good. Anyone can make these...anyone!!
I topped half with salt and the other half with sugar/cinnamon!! You should all try these for your family, they are best right out of the oven..

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup bread flour
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
  

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.
2. Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan.
3. After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.

Born to Teach...

It was an amazing Sunday. Can I just mention how great my wife Brittany is. In Fast and Testimony meeting today, Brittany gets up and shares one of the most beautiful testimonies i have ever heard, fluttering everyone's heart with love for our Savior and his Gospel. During the 2nd hour she then proceeds to teach Gospel Doctrine. In a room full of very knowledgeable saints, she taught on the scattering of Israel and building the New Jerusalem, a topic not so easily conveyed. I have never felt the spirit so prevalent in that hour as I did today during her lesson. The room was captivated by a Sweet Beautiful daughter of God who sincerely taught of Zion. As a husband, I sat proudly as many remarked on the great lesson she so diligently prepared. I wish all of you were there, she did so well. I love you Brittany.

Goodbye Old Friend...

Today is a sad for me, I lost my oldest friend. He was my comfort, my strength, who I went to to decompress from the day, and the only one who has been there for me anytime of the day or night. He was my cable!!
This has been a long time coming, but today I finally ended it. With all the junk on T.V. these days I didn't feel right keeping it. I am sick of this evil world we live in, and I don't want to welcome it into my home anymore. Over the past couple of months I have tried to make this a little bit easier by cutting back on my watching time, and finally cut it to around an hour a day. So now was the perfect time to cut the rope.

I am looking forward to more time to study and read, more time to enjoy the company of my sweet hubby, and the chance to research and hear only about the things I search out and look for.

*I will let y'all know how I am feeling in a week or two, when it really hits!!!*

Weekend with Grammy and Amy...

This weekend was a fun one! Todd and I had a visit from my sweet Grammy and Aunt Amy!! They were traveling to see my great grandma Lola in Idaho, and stopped in Salt Lake on their way home! We had fun going to dinner and hanging out. Monday morning before they left we went out to Antelope Island to explore and see the buffalo.

Here in Syracuse we take great pride in Antelope Island. It is the largest island on the Great Salt Lake. It is home to wild buffalo and antelope. It was founding by the pioneers as a place to raise their live stock and herds. Its fun to visit and drive around.

It was a great visit and we are so glad we got the chance to hang out with them!! Hope you guys come back soon.

*PS we are all in mid-laugh in that picture because the man taking it made Grammy say a dirty word. Amy and I couldn't believe Grammy said it!!*

Halloween Party!!

This weekend is an exciting one for me!! I have not one, but two fancy Halloween dress up parties. I have always loved dressing up. My Mom and Dad told me just about every year after I was 15 that I was too old to dress up, but I never listened!! I dressed up every year until I was 19, and then Todd happened. (He is more of a hander-outer of candy kinda of guy!) This is my first year dressing up in a while and I am loving it!!!

Thursday night was a witches brew at a friend of mines. We all dressed up as witches and ate yummy yummy food. It was hilarious to see twenty women from our ward dress up, and their idea on what a witch should look like!! And then tonight (Friday) I am heading down to Lehi for a second party.

This is going to be the best Halloween year ever!!
Although I don't look happy here, this was the only pic that shows the entire ensemble!! Pointy shoes to pointy hat!!

My Spiritual Freakout!!

Todd came home from his meetings at church this past Sunday and said "I have 3 things for you". At the time that meant nothing to me and I had no reservations biting so I asked "Oh yeah, what?". Then he shook my spirit to the core..

"Well here I have you membership record", with his new calling being a clerk I just thought he was being cute. So I responded with a polite "Well thank you!", but he wasnt done.

"And the bishop let me know that sometime next month we are going to speak in sacrament meeting on gratitude", I have no hesitations with speaking, in fact I kind of like it, so I said "Ok, but we spoke a couple of months ago, are they sure?". Todd confidently said "Oh yeah they are sure."

Then he started to fiddle with this Book of Mormon manual on the counter and rather shyly said "And Brother Hampton (our awesome Gosple Doctrine teacher) asked that we teach Gospel Doctrine in two weeks." I freaked out instantly, my face turned red and I started to stutter. "I don't...I'm not...I can't...I don't know about this." Todd turned to me and with his gorgeous brown eyes gave me the look, the one that makes your knees go weak. And the conversation was over for now. We were going to team teach the lesson in two weeks.

I had all evening to stew on it and think about it, and I was still not sure how I felt. Well I come home this afternoon from shopping for my Halloween costume (I'm going to be a wicked witch) and Todd's beautiful brown eyes are smiling at me as I walk through the door. And my knees start to quiver and shake.

"I was thinking and pondering about this gospel doctrine thing and I get the impression that this lesson might be one for you to teach. I can do it if you want, or I can help if you want, but I really feel like you would be great at this lesson and its meant for you."

My hands start to shake and mind was trying to think of something, anything to get out of church in two weeks, but my mind came up blank. For the next five minutes I am debating with Todd and trying to get out of it somehow, but I cant help but feel like he might be right. I feel like this lesson, "The Gathering of Israel", might be a good one for me to take on. Deep down inside I am kind of excited and want to tackle this challenge.

So as of this moment I am spiritually freaking out!! I am nervous, excited, and overwhelmed with this task. Not to mention I am also going to be speaking next month in sacrament meeting, and I teach Young Womens every week! See the youth I am good with, I love the girls and feel like I can relate, but Gospel Doctrine I'm not so sure!! HELP!!!!

I've been tagged...

Ok here it goes...(thanks Sarah!!)

8 Things I am passionate about...
1. My handsome and sweet Todd
2. The entire Suppes'/Browning/Cottle clan really..we are crazy but a lot of fun!!
3. The gospel of Jesus Christ, I have been studying it a lot lately, and have truly come to appreciate and recognize its individuality and importance in our daily lives
4. Pickles....yummy yummy pickles
5. Food storage
6. A good book..always important to have on hand
7. Love; whether its romantic, friendship, or just giving out your love to those who need it.
8. Cooking and baking (new found hobby of mine)

8 Phrases I say often...
1. Are you flippin' kidding me (thanks Utah)
2. I love you
3. I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never going to get me down!! (song from my childhood)
4. Unbelievable
5. Yeah baby (thanks Dad)
6. That's what I'm talking about
7. Say it again Todd, I cant hear you
8. Kaylee I said No!!

8 Things I want to accomplish in the upcoming year...
1. Babies
2. A better understanding of the scriptures
3. Becoming more patient
4. Bettering myself as a wife and friend
5. Scrapbooking...I want my pictures tangible rather than on a computer screen
6. Magnifying my calling and really making a difference to the youth of the church
7. Healthy eating habits; I am determined to find healthy sweets!!
8. Become less dependent on the television

8 Places I would like to go and visit...
I feel so lucky in my traveling thus far and I feel almost ungrateful listing more places, but in spirit of the tag I will continue.

1. Africa, I want to go on a safari
2. Australia, I want to scuba at the reef
3. Italy, I want to see Rome and Venice and Tuscany and all of Italy
4. Phoenix, I haven't been in a while and would love to visit my family!
5. Washington DC, this was my favorite family trip as a kid and I would love to see it again
6. Teton Mountains, so I can snowboard down the biggest best mountains
7. Hawaii, I would love to go through the temple where we got engaged
8. Never Never Land, (Peter Pans not Micheal Jackson's) Finding Neverland was an inspiring movie and I wish I could visit

8 Things I Need or Want...
1. I need new jeans (my hips have spread apart and none of mine fit anymore)
2. A robe and slippers (just because)
3. A healthy happy family
4. My Savior, I am nothing without Him
5. I would love to expand our little family and add a few babies
6. Temples...I can't imagine life without them
7. Food, I get uber cranky without some
8. My Tottle (hes my love, my life and my eternity)

I would in turn like to tag Cassie Cornwall, Jen Lameroux, Mia Smith, Britt Nabrotzky, and Leslee Cottle. Have fun ladies!!!