road trippin'

This was what was in view:

When this came into view:

That's right... 100,000 miles on the trusty wagon. In the past, I'd thought that this would be the point at which we parted ways. But nah, I think we'll stay together for a few more years.

Hello, Hong Kong

Decisions, Decisions... Chop-Sticking To My Story, Red My Fortune Cookie, or Dim Sum Plum? Coming soon to a salon near you, this new collection from OPI makes me want to travel to the Far East and wear these colors on more than just my nails. Who can resist Panda-monium Pink? Go here to get the full scoop and try them on your own fingernails. I have to agree, A Good Man-darin Is Hard To Find.

I-da-ho?

2 of my favorite travel buddies- we've traveled across the seas, but this is our first time to Idaho together. And the Duncan farm* potato-growers did not disappoint.

My lifetime travel partner, together through the peaks and valleys.


*look for the "Mart Produce" label at your local Harmon's to find family owned and family grown potatoes from Rupert Idaho. And althrough "cane sugar" sounds nice, "beet sugar" is actually more local and delivers the same quality, again coming from Idaho.

oohhh, aahhh

A special Valentine's dinner just calls for a special dessert. Only those who are truly loved deserve something as labor intensive and tempermental as Chocolate Souffle. Oh, but when it's served piping hot, all smooth and fluffy with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream... it just melts your heart.

girls getaway

one man with about 16 girls? grandpa stander is a lucky guy!

dave's aunt jeanette was kind enough to invite all the girls in the family down to st. george for a weekend o' fun. we shopped, talked, got massages, relaxed, ate, and most importantly did lots of crafts!!
judy surprised megan and i with matching valentine's pajamas- oh, so comfy!
thomas, ashley, marianne, joan, judy

grandma stander collected thousands of buttons, so we decided to put them to use. you can't be upset in heaven, right?
just a glimpse of our many crafts- think bracelets, headbands, blankets, cake stands and more. you would think our last name was etsy.

can i get a woo-woo?

After going to Chicago to attend the American Burn Association conference in April 2008, I became greatly interested in some research possibilities. It sounded fun at the time, but after many hours spent in the basement of University Hospital going through medical records, I realized research isn't for sissys.

In conjunction with 2 other nurses, a research nurse, and our supportive physicians, we finished our paper. Not only did we finish, but it was presented at the 2009 ABA conference, and now it is published!

You can check it out here-- it may not be the cause of riveting discussion at your next book club, but I'm excited about it. And you thought I was just a nurse...

our winter stay-cation

We need not travel far to have a good time! We spent a day at the Homestead in Midway and had a blast. We started off with some tubing, lazy style- where the rope tow drags you up the hill. But the rides up were half the fun~

The mineral water natural crater served as our warm water destination. Oh how I love swimming when the water is warm!
These ice sculptures were quite the sight- the pictures don't do them justice. It made me want to be an ice princess and live in a castle like that.
I wish we could make a tradition of this and do it every year! I wanted to stay longer and go snowshoeing, x-country skiing, relax with a good book, and sleep in for a few more days. What a great way to start Dave's birthday celebrations.