Snapshot #268: Homemade Egg Rolls

April 4, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  For Dinner Dave and I made homemade egg rolls.  This was our first attempt at egg rolls and it went so well I am sure we will be doing it again.

Snapshot #267: Debating Cloth Diapers

April 2, 2011.   Orem, Utah.  Four months to go until our baby girl lights up our life.  The debate is on:  Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers?  Cloth diapers seem almost romantic; meaning idyllic and optimistic.  However I am somewhat daunted by the practicalities of them.  What are your thoughts on the subject? 

Snapshot #266: The Name Game

April 1, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  I have already just about driven Dave mad with the name game.  I enjoy it too much.  I can't help myself.  How often in your life do you get the privilege to name somebody?!  It's probably the coolest thing I will ever do.  

As of today, top on my list are Hazel Rose, Jayne Estelle, Anastasia, and Julia.

Snapshot #265: Lela's Library in Progress

March 31, 2011.  Riverton, UT.  Before 'work' today I went to Lela's and oversaw the installation of draperies for her sitting room.  We're nearly done...in time we will paint the walls, replace the mauve carpet, and deliver the ottomans.

Snapshot #264: Join the Change

March 30, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  This week Zaytoon got some good press in the Daily Universe on BYU campus.  Lately I've been attending weekly Cultural Trainings in preparation for the trip.  Did you know that it's extremely offensive to show a Jordanian the bottom of your shoe?

Snapshot #263: Contemplating a Half Marathon

March 29, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  I am going to enter a race this year...now it's just a matter of determining when, where, and distance.  I might try for the St. George Half Marathon; entry cap is limited to 7400 runners however.  Dang.

Snapshot #262: Ahuachapan, El Salvador

March 28, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  This evening I re-connected with a family that I met in Ahuachapan, El Salvador more than 8 years ago as a missionary for the church.  I spent a lot of time with this family and introduced them to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The oldest son recently returned from a mission of his own.  Thanks to Facebook we all "chatted" online for several hours.  It was beyond cool reminiscing the happy days I spent in their beautiful country.   

Snapshot #261: Easter Choir

March 27, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  Dave is the chorister for our ward choir...a challenge that he sometimes absolutely loves, other times not so much.  It has certainly been a challenge getting people to come to practice on a consistent basis.  This is the song we are preparing for Easter.  Listen here for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "As The Bridegroom To His Chosen."  Now if only Dave can get our small ward choir to sound so angelic...a task I'm convinced only he could do.

Snapshot #260: BYU Broadcasting Studio

March 25, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  Behind the Scenes of Morning Market Call.  

Snapshot #259: Mark Zuckerberg at BYU

March 25, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  My day off.  I went up to campus with Dave to see Mark Zuckerberg talk to his largest audience yet.  My favorite quote of the day, "Love and believe in what you're doing."  Oh yeah, Senator Orrin Hatch was also there. 

Snapshot #258: Old Homes

March 24, 2011.  Sandy, Utah.  Can't help myself.  When I see cool old homes I just have to stop and take a picture.  In addition to having two fireplaces, this home also has a greenhouse attached at the opposite facade.  Neat.

Snapshot #257: Green Drink

March 20, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  Starting the day off right with a "Green Drink".

Snapshot #256: Puzzling

March 19, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  We teeter-tottered back-and-forth between snow-shoeing the Wasatch or staying inside today.  Guess who won?

Snapshot #255: End of the Rainbow

March 15, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  I bet you didn't know that University Parkway was at the end of the rainbow.  

Snapshot #254: Freelance Consulting

March 14, 2011.  Highland, Utah.  I picked up a new client for my freelance work; offering consultation services for the selection of paint colors and interior finishes.  This will soon be an office for Millward Insurance Agency.

Snapshot #253: Home & Garden Expo

March 12, 2011.  Sandy,  Utah.  The Cabinet Gallery spent a whole lot of time and effort installing this kitchen for the Home & Garden Expo in Sandy.  I put in several long days over the weekend.

Snapshot #252: Sketch of a Fireplace Surround

March 10, 2011.  Draper, Utah.  Still working with what seems like an infinite number of clients.  Bidding, bidding, bidding.  I did however sell another big job.  Hip-hip hooray!  They will be getting a new kitchen as well as this new fireplace surround.

Snapshot #251: It's a Girl

March 8, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  I didn't want to break the big news (about gender) to Dave over the phone--certainly not via text message or email (our typical correspondence throughout a work day).  Instead I selfishly made him wait all the day long, then gave him a small gift to unwrap when I got home.  Inside was this darling pink onesie; inscribed, "My Heart Belongs to Daddy."  Ahhhhh

Snapshot #250: Ultrasound

March 7, 2011.  Riverton, Utah.  I had the incredible privilege to accompany our Angel Mother to her ultrasound today.  The most awesome part was witnessing that fast little heart beat just pumping and pumping.  Nearly took my breath away.  Oh yeah...and..It's A...

Snapshot #249: Carrot Cake

March 6, 2011.  Wendell, Idaho.  Nelson requested carrot cake for his birthday.  I made it for him from scratch and it was dee-lish!  

Snapshot #248: Burning Bush

March 5, 2011.  Wendell, Idaho.  Mom also had us clear some land for her new garden.  We happily obliged.  Who doesn't enjoy a little play with fire?

Snapshot #247: Pruning an Apple Tree

March 5, 2011.  Wendell, Idaho.  Living somewhat close to home, I try to make it to my parents to spend time with them on their birthdays.  Yesterday was Mom's birthday; so Dave and I are here doing our best to give advice on how to prune an apple tree (something we've never done before).  

Snapshot #246: American Gothic

March 4, 2011.  Wendell, Idaho.  Happy Birthday Mom.

Snapshot #245: Queen Alia International Airport

March 3, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  Skyline views of the Jordanian city of Amman.  We booked our flights late last night.  Dave will be going for 7 weeks in the Spring, and I for 3 weeks.  There's no turning back now.  This is getting exciting!

Snapshot #244: Turned Away

March 2, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  I stole this image from the internet.  I left work in time to make it to the BYU vs. New Mexico Men's Basketball game an hour early...assuming that would be enough time to get a decent seat.  I was wrong.  Dave and I were turned away at the door...All Sports Section already full for the night.  Instead we watched the game on campus in a classroom.  Turns out we weren't the only ones who didn't turn out for the game.  BYU loses 64-82.  Many more games like this and I'll end up with high blood pressure.  

Snapshot #243: "Never Let A Problem To Be Solved Become More Important Than A Person To Be Loved"

March 1, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  During my morning commute I often listen to discourses given by one of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church.  This morning I listened to one I go back to frequently--by President Monson.  His talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" is packed with tidbits of wisdom.  "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."  This advice helps to anchor the compass with which I direct my life.    

Snapshot #242: Happy Birthday Carla

January 26, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  Today is Dave's Mother's birthday.  We miss you Carla!  Dave wrote on Facebook this morning, "I miss your music, your baby voice, and your laugh."  Sending you our love from the other side of the veil.

Snapshot #241: Habersham

February 25, 2011.  Draper, Utah.  This kitchen is the inspiration for a kitchen that I am designing/bidding today.  So darling! 

Snapshot #240: Pedicures

February 24, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  Enjoyed Pedicures today with my Angel Mother. 

Snapshot #239: BYU Basketball vs. Colorado State

February 23, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  Crowd going wild after a Davies Dunk.    

Snapshot #238: Work Orders

February 22, 2011.  Draper, Utah.  Spent lunch at a cafe and sketched up a couple work orders for my freelance work.

Snapshot #237: A House with Character

February 21, 2011.  Salt Lake City, Utah.  After leaving a house call today I drove past this fantastic old home.  I get star-struck by architecture sometimes.  (less often than normal in Utah...sorry guys)

Snapshot #236: Eyring Science Center

February 18, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  After a recruiting session for Jordan, Dave and I made our way back to the car through the Eyring Science Center on BYU campus.  This pendulum is pretty cool.  I am far from a science major, but I think it rotates with the axis of the earth.  I remember visiting it with my family as a little girl.

Snapshot #235: Shopping & Dining with Lela

February 17, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  Great Food.  Great Furniture.  Great Prices.  Great Day.

Snapshot #234: Wrong Turn

February 16, 2011.  Salt Lake City, Utah.  I took several wrong turns on my way back to the office today after doing a house call.  I didn't mind too much; it was even more beautiful the closer I got to the mountains.  I managed to snap this shot at a stop sign before the car behind me started to honk.  

Snapshot #233: Basement Space Plan

January 15, 2011.  South Jordan, Utah.  I'm fortunate enough to still pick up odds and ends, design & drafting jobs in my spare time.

Snapshot #232: Playdough Heart

February 13, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  The object lesson in Sunday School today involved the molding of playdough.  Then Dave made me a heart.  Ahhhh!  

Snapshot #231: Cinderella Ballet

February 11, 2011.  Provo, Utah.  Today Dave and I celebrated 5 Years as husband and wife.  We spent the evening at a BYU Ballet production of Cinderella.

Snapshot #230: First Sell

February 10, 2011.  Herriman, Utah.  I got my first cabinet sell today.  Bookcases to flank a stone fireplace.  Yippee!

Snapshot #229: Dinner With An Angel

February 7, 2011.  Draper, Utah.  This evening Dave and I had dinner with our Angel Mother.  She gave us a gift...a book, "Your Baby's First Year."  She has made up her mind.  She would like Dave and I to adopt her baby.  Blessings from heaven are pouring down upon us.

Snapshot #228: 100,000 Miles

February 5, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  My Camry has hit 100,000 miles.  I remember when I bought it, it had only 19,000.

Snapshot #227: More House Calls

February 4, 2011.  Sandy, Utah.  More house calls.  This time in Sandy.

Snapshot #226: House Calls

February 3, 2011.  Herriman, Utah.  I did some house calls out in Herriman today.  Beautiful vistas of the mountains from the other side of the valley.

Snapshot #225: 2011 Planner

February 2, 2011.  Orem, Utah.  The last five years I have scheduled my life by a planner provided me by the textile vendor Maharam.  This year's planner failed to arrive, so I printed my own in a similar format.  I LIVE by my planner.  

Snapshot #224: Kitchen Hood Design

February 1, 2011.  Draper, Utah.  This particular hood is scheduled to install in front of an existing window...hmmm...too bad the cooktop is already installed.