Love is in the Air!

I'm Engaged!!!!

On Friday, February 11, 2011, Cole Parker proposed.... And this is how it happened! (I am not a very good writer, so don’t critique it! :) )



During the week he accidentally told me when he was proposing...So all week I knew it was coming. On Friday he told me to come over to his house around 9, when I got there he had made crepes with peaches. He did a great job making them! After we ate, we packed up the car to go somewhere. I didn’t know where at the time. So we started driving south.

When we got into Brigham, he told me to reach in his bag and grab something out. I reached in and there was this book:



{A couple of months ago we went to Temple Square to look at the lights and we noticed on the west side it had the big dipper, and we were curious to find out the meaning of it. I borrowed the book, Symbols in Stone and we read it together, it was a fun memory that we had together.}



In the book he wrote a cute little note that brought me to immediate tears. It was very thoughtful. At that point I knew we were headed to Temple Square. I had already warned him not to propose in public or on Valentines Day, so I reminded him that he better not pull the cliche proposal on Temple Square or he would have to try again! (I was mostly joking!)

As we continued to drive south we stopped at Smith and Edwards. This store is fabulous! We stopped here to get candy once on a random drive. This store brings back a lot of memories from when I was little. We would always stop here with my dad. They have the best candy selection ever! Cole and I stocked up and treats for the rest of the day!

When we got back in the car he told me to reach in his bag again and I pulled out this:



I made a comment a while ago about how we don’t have any photos of us dating, because I don’t have a small camera. He bought us this, so that we can now take more photos of us together.

Cole grew up in Roy, we drove around a bit and he showed me some places from his childhood.

We arrived at Temple Square and a walked around for a bit and took a few photos. We didn’t have much time because we had to make it back to Logan. While we were there he told me that I get a shopping spree at my favorite store {Anthropologie}! I was so excited! While we were there shopping I went straight to the shoe sale section. I found the perfect shoes and they are the perfect color! (Don’t worry I already had the wedding almost planned before we were actually engaged! I work in the wedding industry I can’t help it!) The wedding colors are going to be plum, mustard, and slate. So the shoes are the perfect fit for our wedding! And they are from Anthropologie!!








After shopping we headed back to Logan to meet up with his sister and her family. After we hung out with them for awhile he dropped me off at my house to get ready. He picked me up at 8 and we headed to dinner, he didn’t tell me where we were going, but I had a place that I hoped we were going. When we got in the right turn lane on 1st north, I knew he was going to Le Nonne! I was excited, I have always wanted to eat there! It was very good!

After we got done eating we headed south towards Wellsville.

{When we were dating we went to Wellsville dam and walked around and looked at the stars. On his iPhone he has a star app, so we looked at the different constellations. This is when he got up the guts to put his arm around me for the first time and later he held me hand. When he first held my hand I was very hesitant, I was still dating a lot of other guys at the time. I was also scared to death of a relationship. I was still lacking trust in guys and I just didn’t want to get hurt again. I had honestly given up on trying to get married at the time, I was just sick of dating!}

When we got to the park, we got out and started walking around the dam, and I could see some candles in the distance. As we got closer I could see that it was one of my photo couches and my coffee table that I use for wedding shows. My quilts were all stacked on the couch, it was very cute!

While we were at dinner his sister Kendl and his brother in-law Tyler, broke into my house and got all of the stuff and and set it up for us. While they were waiting they made some funny videos that made fun of us while we were getting engaged! Kendl thought that it looked like a seance, it was pretty funny! Later they started to serenade us with some music from the truck that they thought was hidden. But it was very visible!

After that he knelt down and proposed, I can’t really remember the words he said....I was a little nervous! I kind of hesitated from nervousness, but eventually I said yes! And now I am engaged to Cole Parker...I will be Jessica Parker on June 25th, 2011!!!

The ring that I have is from my grandma Darleen Smith, she passed away several years ago. It will be great to have her apart of our marriage!

$400 Big Blue Scholarship Credit, selling for $350

KSL Classifieds

A Little Creature for Jenna

I made this for my friend Jenna, she is due on the 9th of February. I can't wait to see what her cute baby will look like!

Layered Skirt

Every time I go shopping, I see skirts like this and I wanted to try to make one. I figured out a pattern and made it work with some fancy fabric I found at the amazing D.I. Haha!

Bunchy Scarf

I have been wanting to try to sew with elastic, and it works about every other time. So I still need to figure it out. Thanks Erica for the photo, I don't know why I put my hands on it, I kind of covered it.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

I just love this pizza, I may be a little obsessed! My friend and I made this all of the time back in our college days. The first time we made it we were trying to impress some boys. It worked for her, she eventually married the guy. And now I can't count how many guys I have made this for...we will see if it ever works for me!

Pizza Crust:
I add all of these ingredients in order to my bread maker and use the dough setting.
1 cup warm water
1 tsp. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 tsp Kosher Salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp yeast
Make an indention at the top and make sure the yeast doesn't touch the water.

I also add a dash of garlic salt and a mixture of dry herbs. Push the start button and walk away! I use my stone to bake it. I put it in the oven at 425 degrees for about 8 minutes before putting any toppings on. Before I cook it, I put some olive oil on the crust and sprinkle with a little garlic salt, herbs and parmesan cheese. After it comes out of the oven, top it with desired toppings and cook until cheese is melted. Approximately 10-12 minutes

Alfredo Sauce
1/4 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

(Yes I know all of those ingredients are extremely fattening, that is why it tastes so good!)

For the toppings a lot of times I just throw on what I have in my fridge. So I may use all of these or just a few.
Sauteed Chicken in a mix of dry herbs, salt and pepper. I cut the chicken up before I cook it.
Spinach
Caramelized onions
Basil
Tomatoes
Peppers (any kind)
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Sauteed Mushrooms
Artichokes
Mozzarella
Parmesan
...or whatever you want!

Garbanzo Stew

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup stew and 1 cup rice)
Ingredients
• 1  tablespoon  olive oil
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion
• 4  cups  chopped seeded tomato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1  teaspoon  sugar
• 1  teaspoon  curry powder
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground turmeric
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 2  (15 1/2-ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
• 1/2  teaspoon  garam masala
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh cilantro
• Peanut Rice
Preparation
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomato and next 5 ingredients (tomato through pepper). Cook 8 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally. Stir in chickpeas and garam masala; cook for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cilantro. Serve over Peanut Rice.

Sorry no photo, but way good! Recipe from Cooking Light

Napkin Rings for my Mom

The other day my mom called me and wanted to finish some of her projects that she has had for years. (She hasn't been able to finish them, because I accidentally stole her sewing machine!) So she wanted to have a sewing day, when she said this I was so excited she wanted to spend time with me for an entire day! We have spent two entire days in the month of November together, shopping and sewing; two of my favorite things. She worked on some napkins, the fabric was by Alexander Henry and it was very cute, when I give her these rings I will have to take a photo of them with the rings on. I made these rings to match out of my good old DI wool stash!

Ruffle Pillow

This was a skirt, now a cute pillow!

Blossom Pillow

A friend needed a pillow pattern for a class that she is teaching, she told me how she wanted it, so I drew up the one she wanted and then I made my own version. I really like how it turned out. I really love designing patterns, it was fun to see how it turned up from my design. I used the wool from my DI stash! So it is all recycled except for the backing of the pillow. I even used old extra batting from quilts to make the pillow form.

Melissa's Earing Holder

I love this!! I usually use mesh and scrapbook paper behind the frame. As I was getting all of the stuff out to make it, I looked over and saw all of the doilies and such from my grandma and great grandma. I decided to use that instead of the other and I love how it turned out. The frame is an old one from my grandpas and then I think the doily is from my great grandma!

Sushi Attempt

I love sushi and I have always thought it would be fun to make, so me and my friend Cole found a sushi kit at Borders for six bucks and decided to try it. It wasn't too hard, and I think the next time it will be a lot better. I had a hard time with the rice, so if any one has suggestions on making sushi rice let me know! The rice was the only bad part...it was so thick it was hard to swallow! We just make California Rolls for starters and then did some teriyaki shrimp, cream cheese and cucumbers.

Spinach Artichoke Dip!

Mmmm...I love this recipe! I don't remember where this recipe is from...sorry!

BEST SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP
 
1 pkg. frozen spinach thawed
1 jar marinated artichokes, chopped
8 oz. Philly cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
3/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 stick butter
red pepper flakes to taste

Sauté onions in butter, adding ingredients while mixing and blending well after each addition. Add ingredients in this order: Spinach, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.
Remove from heat and put in crocks or microwave dish. Top with Monterey Jack Cheese and melt.
Serve hot with chips or bread.

Sewing Conference

I went to this sewing conference in the first part of November. It was put on by USU extensions, it was meant for Home Ec. teachers and 4-H sewing teachers. I am neither of those, but my aunt is, so I was lucky to go. It was so much fun, it was two full days of sewing all day! They gave us projects, patterns and fabric. The first night it was an open sew for a couple of hours, so while I was preparing to go I was trying to decide what to take. Little did I know I would have a million projects from the conference and there would be no time to even attempt my own.

During the conference there were speakers, my favorite was Joel Dewberry. I was so excited to meet him, he is such a talented designer and so down to earth. I was in awe just listening to him, I would love to be able to start designing, but I get too scared to try. You should check out his website and you will just love his stuff!

Joel Dewberry

I would love to teach a 4-H sewing class or just any sewing class, so let me know if any one is interested or if you know of some little girls that want to sew, I want to teach them.

Here are some of the projects we worked on, I still haven't finished them all. Some of them are basic projects, but they teach good sewing techniques for beginners.


Pin Cushion, inside they used walnut bird feeder which is supposed to sharpen your needles.


This pattern is from Joel Dewberry's book and it uses his great fabric!

Check out his book here!


Out of all the sewing and quilts that I have done, this is my first pillow case, I thought that was kind of funny. But this pattern is so great, there is a cool trick to get the seams hidden on the small piece of the pillow. Here is the link to the pattern. I want to use this trick for the hem line of a skirt!

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FL_ST_Construction_2006-102pr.pdf


This is a little snap bag, it is closed up by a measuring tape. It reminds me of those little snap bracelets that were in when I was little. Great project for little girls.





Don't you just wish you had this table runner??? Hahaha! The pattern is a good idea, but the fabric is not! Haha, we were laughing so hard about how this turned out. So if you come to a summer dinner party at my house you may see this sweet thing!

We also made a hot pad, I didn't look very good, I sewed random circles on it and when it finished it looked like something I would have given my mom when I was in kindergarten! We also worked on a quiet book, but I wanted to make it a little cuter, so we will see if I ever finish it. There were a lot of good sewing techniques to learn while making it and they are also good small motor skills for children. I started an apron, but didn't have time to finish it. Hopefully I get those finished and posted.