HAPPY BIRTHDAY--and food

here's a belated birthday wish to two of my favorite girls in the world! Daysa Oswald my baby sister turned 17.. crazy. and to one of my very best friends Katie Hellewell Holman! happy birthday girls. you are the best friends a girl could ask for.

on a side note. Clair and I recently made one of my most favorite summertime foods. its summer chicken chili. I love the colors and all the vegetables. It kinda has a kick so BEWARE!

Summer Chicken Chili
*This recipes works GREAT as a freezer meal. Double or triple the recipe and put the extra in Ziploc freezer bags for later (Clair eats it FOREVER at work)
1 medium zucchini, chopped (I also add yellow squash)
1 medium white onion
1 bell pepper, chopped fine (any color)
2 cans pinto beans, drained
2 cans black beans, drained
2 cans kidney beans, drained
2 cans corn, drained
16 oz. thick and chunky mild salsa
3 chicken breasts (uncooked)
1/2 -2 T. chili powder
14 oz. cans chicken broth (or 2 c. water and 2 T. chicken base/bouillon)
1 can diced tomatoes
8 oz. tomato sauce
1 garlic, pressed
1t. ground cumin
2 T. lime juice (fresh or from a bottle)

Sauté onion, zucchini, pepper, chili powder and garlic until onions are tender. Add other seasonings and lime juice. Add chicken breasts (cut in half or quarters) and the remaining ingredients. Simmer for 30 minutes after coming to a boil, or until chicken is tender and begins to fall apart. Take out large pieces of chicken and shred. Return shredded chicken to soup. Simmer until ready to serve. Top with chips, cheese, sour cream, extra lime juice, cilantro, etc

A Very Busy August

Our August has been NUTSO! super busy with weddings, visitors, dinners, work and getting Clair ready for school. So here's a little blip and there will be more to come of our exciting-ness.

first and foremost congratulations Justin and Zhenya Jaynes, my cousins, married on August 12 2011 and Clint and Shellee, Clairs brother,married on August 13 2011. Thanks for letting us come and be part of the festivity. both were beautiful.

A Love Hate Relationship

This video is dedicated to all my sisters, and Natalie... oh and Luke.(my sisters and Natalie because I believe you will literally dry heave while watching it and Luke because.. you know why) Don't ask me why but I have a love hate relationship with this video. It came on while I was watching HULU. Clair thinks its extremely odd but really? really?? Okay so yes its a little weird but also kinda sad and cute. This is NOT me promoting buying orphaned cats. I just like the video :)

18'S THE NEW 15

I'm sorry to all but I have to get this off my chest....

when tipping servers at restaurants... 18 PERCENT!!

18 IS THE NEW 15.

come on people.

tips are our livelihood its how we pay our bills...feed our spouse, children, and pets.

If you feel your server did a horrible job 15 is the minimum and TELL A MANAGER its how we learn and grow. If you feel your sever was amazing 20-30 (or more) is great and TELL A MANAGER its how we know.

Don't read too much into your server either. If she's wearing a pretty wedding ring be happy she is a hard worker. You don't know her... you don't know her life. Maybe she is trying to buy a house and put her husband through school. just sayin..Maybe. 

TANNER MILLS/COOLEST COUSIN-BROTHER

I know I said I would dedicate a whole new post to Clair... and I still will but first this ones for you Tan. 

Worlds best cousin/brother. (sorry everyone else but its true...at least in my life.)

We are extremely glad you are doing better, and hope you continue to recover. Good luck in surgery. You are in our hearts and prayers. You rock Tan Tan.

I am woman...hear me ROAR.

okay so maybe the title is a little dramatic but because my life is pretty monotonous I am going to post about my favorite high heals.I decided I just need to post to get in the habit of posting. And in thinking and making mental notes of possible posts this one stuck out to me most yesterday. Now I fully understand that I created a new blog to keep people updated on mine AND Clairs comings and goings so I will dedicate the full next post to Clair Bear.

Now back to my shoes... So basically this post is dedicated to anyone who loves wearing shoes that give them confidence and something to smile about. They aren't high heals as much as they are wedges but they make me feel powerful and beautiful. With these bad boys I will conquer the world.

(Please excuse the poor quality of picture, I used my phone)

There are those that will read and think.. gross I hate high heals, comfort first, fashion later... and there will be some (NATALIE ROBISON) that completely understand my ranting on my shoe fashion choices. I got these particular shoes from Old Navy for graduation. L.O.V.E.

A NEW BEGINNING

Yes... I am starting anew with blogging and a updated life. First of all... sorry for all those that had to change my URL to this new one but this one is better. SO back to my new and possible improved life.

1st. I graduated from Utah Valley University! YAY done with school. I'm a little sad because now i'm bored most of the time, but its Clairs turn to go to school and then I can go back. Clair starts at LDS Business College this fall studying yes business and entrepreneurship.
This is Kerali Wyatt. one of the only friends I made in my college career.

2nd. I have a new job.. yes i know i HAD a dancing job but it didn't work out. I still teach dance and am a competition director at a new studio and I love it. Im teaching and choreographing for the highest team and they are great. As much as i love teaching my babies ( I will keep doing that ) I also love choreographing, like real life choreographing. But most of all I am back at Harvest Restaurant as a lead server and part time manager. I quite enjoy it and its where I spend most of my time, and it has nothing to do with my major or my schooling but its a job and it pays the bills. 

3rd. We moved!!!! (into my parents mostly unfinished basement, but moved) and its great if you look past all the spiders. We are looking for a house in the Lehi area, so if anyone out there knows of anything let us know! We're hoping to move out semi soon, but really just want a great location that we can live in for a while and resell or make it a rental property.

Thats about all the updates for our life, and the blog may or may not be really boring since we don't do much but work and go to school and work some more. but I promise I will be a blogger. and hopefully have a small child (PUPPY CHILD) to blog about soon :)