Needed: Ziploc bags and Sharpies

I have no more excuses. I keep saying how much I want to draw or paint but I have no canvases. Well, I do happen to have quite a few ziploc bags. And this artist here has made these plastic bags into little works of art. I have another project!

(aren't they so cute!?)

What I'm doing today.

I'm going with these ladies

to eat here

and then shop here

(the gateway)

but we're mostly just going to this gem of a store (except that this photo is the one in Boston, which is equally as awesome) 

It's gonna be a fun day!! 

A Swell Party

Doesn't this look like the coolest most fun party ever? Designed by David Stark for the (dearly departed and much-missed) Swell line at Target  back in 2004. 

It's fantastic. 

photo from here 

I thought these were kind of awesome.

Only at Williams-Sonoma. If I had a few little boys, we'd definitely be having some Star Wars-themed treats. They also have pancake molds. Awesome. 

I want a fancy camera.

I don't know if you've noticed but the photographs on this blog are sometimes lacking in quality. I really want to have nice photos. Not just for the blog but for life. It's not like I have dreams of being a world-class photographer, but life looks so much better through a nice camera. My friend, Katie (who has a wonderful blog that YOU should check out) suggested the Canon Rebel. Katie is a great photographer.  Then, I was reading over on one of my other favorite blogs, MADE (which is ALSO cool and YOU should check it out) and she uses the Rebel. I think her pictures are very pretty. Dan just likes that it's called the Rebel. So I'm thinking this could be a nice Birthday-Graduation-early Christmas present? Any suggestions? I finally think I'm ready to move to the next level of picture-taking.

photo is from MADE's Camera FAQ page

Before And After: Part 5 (It's the BEST one!)

THE LIVING ROOM. I sorta forgot that I hadn't posted about this room because I think it's the one that's transformed the most. The difference between before and after is startling. I think I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. The wood paneling really scared me away from this place originally, but as you can see in the after shots, a couple of coats of paint goes pretty far. Since we found ourselves with all this extra space, we bought the matching sofa from Ikea (and scored the Ottoman for 50% off in the As-Is Section! I've had some luck there before!) We still have a few loose ends to tie up in this room, I'm planning on making a curtain-style door for the closet which is currently door-less. And if you were wondering, the flower arrangement on the buffet was designed by moi (I'm really enjoying my floral design class!).  We really love our living room :) 

The Art Ball!

One of the great things about living in Springville is that we are finally out of the "student" social scene. This weekend was the 44th Annual Springville Art Ball. It was the gala event of the season -- everybody who's anybody was there. This had all the elements of a fun party -- good food, dancing, free photographs, and an excuse to dress up all fancy.
 

We went mainly to support Dan's cousin, Tess, who was in the running for Art Queen (she's on the committee!) That's another great thing about living in Springville, we are so close to Dan's extended family! We can actually hang out with them.

Our favorite moment from the evening was definitely the souvenir photo we took. At the front of the line, there were an assortment of Masquerade masks and we thought it would be really great to pose with them (I think we were the only couple to do this! It was Dan's idea -- He's pretty awesome that way).

Guess who's coming to visit?

These two lovely ladies from Scotland! Jade (on the left) lived down the hall from me freshman year. She and Sarah (on right!) are coming on holiday in just a few weeks! I'm really excited because I haven't seen Jade in about 3 years! TIME FLIES! I just know that we are going to have a totally awesome time (and there are even rumors of a girls roadtrip to Disneyland in the works!)

Your Passport to Cheesy Goodness

OK. So This is possibly one of the BEST recipes I have ever made. Nothing hits the spot like really good creamy cheesy macaroni and cheese. This version is so delicious.

However, I feel I must warn all of you, this not only has 2 different kinds of cheese (Cheddar and Pepper-Jack) but heavy cream, half-and-half and a ton of butter. I made it in small shell pasta instead of traditional macaroni, and let me tell you - those shells had the unique trait of trapping in the globs of gooey melted cheese inside them. I am getting so hungry just taking about this.

Reserve it for special occasions.

And if there are just two people eating it for Goodness Sake, HALF THE RECIPE! I didn't and I had Dan eating this for a week and a half. Here's the recipe, if you dare - your soul will thank you but your waistline might not. I'm not even joking - BEST MAC & CHEESE I'VE EVER HAD!!!!

Ingredients -- For 6 Servings!

• 2 cups elbow pasta, cooked until almost al dente (Shells all the ay!)
  
• 16 ounces Cheddar cheese, 1/2 cubed, 1/2 shredded
• 8 ounces Monterey pepper jack cheese, cubed
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 4 slices bread
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Special equipment: 2-quart baking dish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, toss together pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into the baking dish. In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg and sour cream, egg, heavy cream and half-and-half. Pour over the pasta and cover with shredded Cheddar. Bake uncovered until top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-sized squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter, add cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

From the Food Network

I'm going to see A BEATLE!!

picture from here
Paul McCartney, SIR Paul McCartney, Rock Legend, Pop Culture Icon -- Whatever you want to call him, I'm GOING TO SEE HIM!!

This is the first (and maybe only?) time a Beatle has come to Utah and I'm going to see him! July 13...Less than 2 months to go!! Yippeee!

I really don't know what happened...

You'd think that with only two classes and hardly working at the Bookstore, I'd have tons of time on my hands for blogging.

While I truly do have the time, I seem to lack the desire.

I'm not really sure what has caused this recent blogging hiatus, but I'm making a goal -- tonight! That I will be a more consistent blogger and let all 9 of you followers know all the going-ons in my life.

Love, Candace

He's going to the land downunder!

Yep, my brother, Ethan, got his mission call. Adelaide Australia. How AWESOME is That!? He's speaking English and reports Sept. 1. I'm kinda jealous that he will get to go out of the country before I do, but now I have a great excuse to visit Australia!

Maybe he'll bring me back a Kangaroo!

Here She Is!

We have a niece!

Sandra Alice Workman
Born Sunday May 2, 2010
7:27 PM
7 lbs 12 oz
21 Inches Long

and cute as can be...

(She looks like she is in distress but, in fact, she is screaming for joy!)