Isabelle's Birthday

I am catching up on my pictures. I didn't get these blogged with all the holiday activities that were going on. She is my special girl!!

Isabelle turned 8 years old. We had a dinner for her and

I made her a chocolate cake with melted chocolate glaze.

Now it's party time.

Wes and Amy are showing Emerson how to play airplane.

Matt and Isabelle ....who is showing off her new fur lined sweatshirt.

Grandpa Wayne holds Emerson. There is evidence on Emerson's face that he consumed his share of birthday treats.

Colett gives the birthday girl a hug.

Cake just isn't enough. We need to drizzle everything with chocolate syrup.

Amy enjoys the cake

Isabelle is ready to blow out the candles. We don't bother with sissy candles here. We use real candles.

This is a 3 part blog about my birthday week. Be sure to scroll down to read them all.

OK I really am spoiled. Wayne came home last night with king crab legs, salad and french bread. This is his tradition for me for my birthday. So I am celebrating on yet another day. This made it week long celebration. There aren't too many things better than lemon/butter dripping off of these. He also gave me 6 Bing candy bars....my favorite and hard to find in Utah. I have never had six of them at once. I will stash them in a drawer and eat one each week. He makes me feel special because he goes out of his way to make me happy, and I really am.

Thank you to my sweet baboo!!

The beginning of my birthday week started out with a lovely luncheon with my buddies at the Olive Garden. We used to be in the Relief Society presidency together and this is the first picture we have ever had all together. Once you have been in a presidency like this, you love each other forever. I admire them all so much and count myself very fortunate to have them as my friends. Later on in the week I had luncheon #2 with some other friends but I neglected to take my camera. Thanks Lisa for organizing that one. It was fun too being able to eat with more of my friends.

This blog entry is about my 3rd birthday celebration of the week. Wayne just can't believe that it keeps going on and on. My grandson Nick is not in any of the pictures because he kept leaving the room to play computer games. My son-in-law Wes is not here either because he is on shift at the fire department. AGAIN.

I forgot to make a wish but I still have one. It is that our blessed country will climb back into prosperity, that our service men and women will get to come home and that I will lose 30 pounds.

Every photo shoot has to have a goofy shot. Matt jumped in just in time to make this face.

I really do think it's funny.

E hugs his favorite aunt

My beautiful Colett. Am I slumping or is she as taller than me?

My beautiful Amy. Don't you love her killer dimples?

Amelia

Matt and Colett

Isabelle stirring the lemon glaze.

Early Wayne

Emerson grabbed Isabelle's hair as I snapped this picture.

Wayne thought we needed two desserts this year. I am perfectly happy with cake but he also wanted chocolate banana pie.

If I can't have my Mom's famous chocolate cake, then this is the next best thing. Lemon cake with lemon glaze made by Colett. I get one big candle. No, 58 candles won't fit on this little bundt cake.

These are the gifts I received for my birthday this year. I am so appreciative of them. I love presents. They don't have to be expensive and I don't need a lot, but getting them reminds me that people care and that means a whole lot.

There aren't many women who love flowers more than I do. Wayne once again came through with a beautiful bouquet.

My sister Margaret gave me this manicure set made from Dead Sea minerals. I am looking forward to using it. My cuticles are a fright. The lotion smells so yummy. I love it.

A cute bon-bon dish from Susan Welton. It's made from a vintage cordial cup and mini plate. Don't you just love it? I do.

Pretty, pretty earrings from my Mom and Dad. I hardly ever go a day without wearing earrings. I just wish I had Mom's chocolate cake to go with them.

Tricia Garside gave me this most darling berry wreath. I will think of her every time I see it.

Can you say heaven in a cup? Creme brulee from Rick and Laura Turner. This is their new tradition for me....and this is the 2nd year they have brought it to me. Can you also say yuuuuummmmmm!

Who doesn't like fun makeup? I got 2 Mac eyeshadows and a new mascara from Colett. Now

my eyes will look just her beautiful ones.

You can't have too much glitter..... and I have 18 little jars. Now you may get a valentine or a birthday card from me all glitzed up. Thank you Amy, a crafter after my own heart.

National Popcorn Day

Today is National Popcorn Day. Not state popcorn day, but NATIONAL POPCORN DAY!! Don't you love the smell of fresh popped corn? And the taste.....yummmy! I was given a gift (twice) for caramel popcorn with nuts, white chocolate, dark chocolate and marshmallows, but have wished for the recipe. This is the closest recipe I have found although I haven't tried it yet. If you have a recipe that is tried and true let me know.

Click here: CHUNKY CARAMEL POPCORN Recipe - Land O'Lakes Recipes

Also, I LOVE theatre popcorn but know it is so bad for me. I break down and share a bag with Wayne when we do the movie thing but that's not very often. We usually only go to the movies a couple of times a year. I found this link for the flavoring that you can use at home.

Click here: Popcorn Oils and Butter Topping

The Orville Redenbacher microwave version is pretty good. It's Wayne's favorite, and mine is the microwave kettle corn. (also a Orville brand) You can get them in single serve mini bags so you don't over-do it.

GO POP A BAG TODAY!! You wouldn't want to miss a national celebration would you?