i am now a grown-up of sorts...

So a while back I won a giveaway to get a year subscription to Woman's Day Magazine. I have never been a magazine fan, but lately I have found that I like reading about how to make a better home etc. One day I hope to use the many good ideas on a home of my own. So as I was reading I came across a couple of pages full of quotes that I totally love, and want to put all over my walls when I have the space. So I thought I would put a few up here so I can remember them down the road.

Knowledge is learning something new everyday, Wisdom is letting go of something everyday.

Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. today is the only cash you have. So spend it wisely.

A woman is like a Tea Bag, you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.

I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is 14 days!

Health is like money. We never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.

The Good Lord gave you a Body that can stand most anything. It's your Mind you have to Convince.

Laughter is brightest in the place where food is.

I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.

Kind of random I know, but I am a sucker for good quotes.
Our life is good, we are keeping busy, working alot, and counting down until we get to go on vacation. Only one more week, and we will be on our way here,


Will be eating lots of this:


Seeing a show with this funny guy:


Hopefully getting to see this face:


And getting to spend 11 glorious days with this great man!


I promise to blog about our many adventures soon!

* Pics courtesy of Goggle*

Some people bring out the worst!

I like to say that I dont hate anyone that I know. Hate is a very strong word. But there are a few people that I really really really can not stand, and they bug me so much, that I am almost tempted to use the word Hate towards them. You know that you dont really care for someone when you see them somewhere and you feel an instant feeling of dread come over you and you want to crawl in a hole and not come out until they leave. I have been having this feeling lately with a person that I come in contact with at least once a week, sometimes more. I dread having to deal with them and pray that the time we do have to be in contact will pass oh so quickly so that I will not have this attitude, as I find it makes me mean and not a very nice person to be around. I have talked about these feelings that I have with several people and am surprised that I am not the only one that has these feelings. Its sad that someone can have such strong feelings of dislike for another person that when you see them you want to run and hide or throw something at them and hope they go away.
A good friend gave me some advice, that I have been trying hard to put into practice. She told me that even though it may not be pleasant to be around a person that you really cant stand, since there is nothing I can really do about it, to do my best to ignore them, and not let it effect my work. I am happy to report that I am doing pretty good with this, but there are some days, today being one of them that I just dont have the energy or desire to make it work and to be nice and tolerate this person. If only the next six hours will pass by in a blink of an eye and I can stop being an angry bear to everyone I come in contact with.

Some respect please?!

I love my job, I really do, I promise. But sometimes I really really dont care for some of the people that I work with. I work at a hospital where we see all types of patients and work with all types of people. Most of those people I can handle, but there are some that I would rather jump off a cliff then work with. And then there are those people who dont come to our unit very often, usually only for a short time, a month or two and think they know everything about anything that comes their way. It drives me BONKERS!!!! I want to tell them to get off their high horse and listen to those around them as we know our stuff as well, maybe not as good, but still we know what we are talking about. I was talking to my husband the other day after a bad night at work and told him something that I believe to be so true. When you are a visiting staff memeber on our unit, it would be in ones best interest to not be rude or offend the techs and nurses that you are working with. If you do so, you will regert it for as long as you are on that unit. This is so true. The nurses and techs are the heart of the unit, we do so much and yet at times we are treated like dirt. Eventhough we are the lowest on the food chain, does not mean we are dumb. Have some respect will ya, we are trying just as hard as you to make those that come see us to feel better. It is all about RESPECT people!

*Three posts in one day, its all for you Nat! ;) lol

Cellulite and Tan Lines

So I quite enjoy the season of summer, for alot of reasons. One no longer has to wear pants, long sleeve shirts, sweaters, or shoes that conceal pretty painted toes. But at the same time, summer brings out some crazy attire and a lot of skin that should be kept hidden.

My least fav part of summer, is wanting to enjoy a nice afternoon by the pool, but then you have to stare at this all day:

(Pic found courtesy of Google images)
I tell you what, I am NOT a FAN!

Case in point. We were in Vegas this last weekend enjoying the warm sun and some time to relax. Now I am a people watcher, and Vegas is the perfect place to do just that. We stayed at a hotel to the south of the strip that is a pretty decent hotel for the price we paid in Vegas. As soon as we got there, we checked in and decided to hit the pool. It was busy, but not too bad for a weekend.
As we were getting settled on our chairs at the pool I took an interst in the lady across the way from me. She looked to be in her late 50s possibly eary 60s. Her hair was dyed a dark brown color and she was constantly applying lipstick and checking to make sure her makeup looked ok. As I looked more closely I saw that she had the straps of her swimsuit pulled off her shoulders and tucked under her arms to avoid getting any lines. Now dont get me wrong, I dont like lines either, but from the looks of it, this was not this woman's first trip to the pool this season. Her skin was a dark brown and looked as if it would feel like leather. Between that and the fact that she had a swimsuit on that was two sizes two small made me want to loose my lunch. And she was not the only one, it just kept getting better.

Now I am not saying that I have the perfect body but I am one that is pretty self conscious about that I look like in a bathing suit. But to each their own I guess.
Oh summer, you bring so many intersting things

Springtime is Here!!

So I was talking to an old friend the other day and asking how she was etc and what was new in her life. After we discussed our various things going on she told me that the only way she feels like she can keep up with people is through their blogs, and then she told me that I was slacking in that area. I tried to tell her that nothing really exciting ever happens in my life, but she didnt take that answer very well. So here you are Nat, our life as of late.

In the last month of April and beinning of May we had three birthdays, my dad, my brother, and my hubby. I talked my mom into having an all in one celebration to get it all done at one time. My mom made a great dinner and I was in charge of the cake. I made the cake that I posted about a few months ago but I used strawberry jam and fresh strawberries between the cake layers. It was a HIT. I sure do love spending time with my family. Too bad they all dont live close, I miss my bro in CA. :(
I took a bunch of pics that night but most of them turned out weird, but here a few of my favorites.

The three birthday boys. Of course none of them would be serious for the pic.

All the Arbon girls. Love them to death!

My cute brother and his wife. I sure love these two!

My parents are the best in the world! So surprised that my mom let me take her pic. Doesnt happen very often. I love that they are matching too, makes them look so cute.


May 2nd was Andrew's birthday and we both took the day off to relax and have some fun. There is a new restaurant that opened not far from our apartment so we thought it would be great to try for a birthday breakfast. It is a small little place that is made to look like you are eating inside of a cabin. The service was good and the food even better. When we left we felt like we didnt need to eat again for a week!

We decided to try a new place for Andrew's birthday breakfast and it was a good choice!

We got our food and suddenly realized we had ALOT of food to eat.

Both of our plates were full of tons of food!!

He finished the massive plate of food, and boy was it good!


After out HUGE meal we decided to enjoy the nice weather and go to the Tulip Festival. It never disappoints. I could spend all day there every day just enjoying all of the color. We have went the past couple of years and always take a ton of pics. So I only posted a few of them.

I love flowers. I cant wait to have a house of my own so I can have a huge flower garden!

More flowers

So I really like the pics that photographers take of a couple's rings when they get married. I figured I would try my hand at it since I had the perfect setting, flowers! What do you think?

Here is another ring pic. I think we took about fifty in all with our rings, too bad only about a fourth of them worked out. :(

I found this in one of the shops at the Tulip Festival. It has nothing to do with flowers but I really do LOVE marshmallows. I tried to talk my husband into letting my buy it, but since I could not persuade him, I took a pic instead. One day I will make one of my own.


So my husband really, really, really, really, REALLY loves to eat out. And at times, so do I. I have a friend who lives in downtown and is always trying new places out. So I tend to follow if she gives good reviews. We have not been disappointed. We went to an italian shop/store near Pioneer Park the other day and the sandwiches were massive! As we were leaving we could smell something amazingly good. And then we found this place. We have already been twice.
It is sooo good and we cant wait to go again!


This is what Andrew ordered. It's called the Machine Gun. It is two sausage dogs buried in a bun under a heap of fries and sauce. He devoured it up!


This is my favorite, a crispy belgin waffle covered in chocolate and sugar crystals. Oh it was sooooo good! Even better is the plate with two crispy waffles with chocolate melted in the middle and then drizzled on top. HEAVEN!


For Conference weekend we went down to St Geroge to get out of the cold and just relax. And we just got back yesterday from a weekend there.
We pretty much LOVE going to St George for weekend getaways. On this trip we took a drive out to the new airport that is in the middle of no where. We even found that the highway ended. Crazy!


So that is our life. Nothing too extreme, we like food, flowers, and being in the sun. We both got a decent sunburn this weekend and cant wait to get even more as the summer gets closer. We have a long vacation planned for later this summer and I cant wait! Unitl then, the Hills are signing out!

Thoughts on Grown Ups

Sometimes I wish that I didn't have to do grown up things like go to work every day, pay bills, do laundry, clean, and be responsible. It was so nice when I had parents that did that for me everyday and all I had to worry about was making sure I got my homework done. I was having lunch with a good friend today and we were talking about all of the hard things that we are going through in our lives and the difficult decisions that we have to face everyday. We both decided that we wanted to color in coloring books all day while watching TV and eating good food made by our mom. Oh how I miss it so much! Being a grown up is hard and is frustrating at times too. There are days that I am ready to give up.

But then I think of all of the good things that come with being a grown up and I don't feel so bad. I LOVE being married to the man of my dreams. I like my job (most days...) and helping the sweet little kids and their parents. I like leaving in my own place and doing whatever I want whenever I want.
And most of all, I love to cook in my own kitchen what I want to! It is fabulous. I love collecting recipes and ideas for things to make for me and my husband and one day our kids. Whenever I tell Andrew that I found a new recipe he rolls his eyes and tells me that I have too many recipes already that I don't and do I really need anymore? I stock a TON of food blogs and am always looking for new ways to make so many things. I just bought a new cookbook today and am thrilled to make everything from it. So with that said I want to share tow new recipes today. One sweet and one savory.


The first is one that I found while watching the Food Network during Valentine's weekend. I immediatly knew I needed to make it and searched the web to get the full directions. It is so sweet and so good and Andrew and I devoured it all! A perfect mix of peanut butter and caramel. YUM!!

Peanut Butter-Caramel Pound Cake
by Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network


Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 (9.5-ounce) bag soft caramel candies, unwrapped (recommended: Kraft Classic Caramels)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Directions
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch nonstick, metal loaf pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with a 14-by-3 1/2-inch piece of parchment paper. Spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the sides of the pan with a 14-by-7-inch piece of parchment paper. Set aside.

In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the candies have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and beat in the eggs and vanilla. With the machine running, gradually add the flour mixture in batches to form a thick batter. Beat in the peanut butter. Transfer half of the batter to the prepared pan. Pour 2 tablespoons of the caramel lengthwise along the center of the batter. Using the tip of a knife, swirl the caramel sauce into the batter. Place the remaining batter on top and pour another 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce lengthwise along the center of the batter. Swirl the caramel sauce into the batter. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs, 55 to 60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and peel away the parchment paper. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour (center of cake will fall during cooling). Slice the pound cake and place on a serving platter. Warm the remaining caramel sauce over low heat. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the pound cake slices or serve alongside.



Next a super good super easy way to have pizza. I made this one night when my husband was at work and I was tempted to eat them all before he got home, they were that good! Andrew liked these as well and requested that next time we add some more meat to the mix. I think this is going to be one of my go to recipes!
This recipe came from one of my favorite blogs, I actually just bought their book. You can take a look for yourself right here, www.ourbestbites.com
One look and you will love them! Our Best Bites rocks!



Stuffed Pizza Rolls
Recipe from OurBestBites

1 roll refrigerated pizza dough* (or make your own)
marinara/pizza sauce (or make your own)
2T grated Parmesan cheese
1 T olive oil or melted butter
1/2 t garlic powder
1 t dried Italian seasoning
mozzerella cheese, diced or grated
Pizza toppings of your choice: ie, ham and pineapple, pepperoni slices, sausage, etc.

*You can use regular pizza dough, or thin crust.

Preheat oven to heat specified on pizza dough package. Usually it's 400 degrees. If you make your own dough, 400 is usually a good heat as well.

Unroll your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll the dough so it's about 12" by 8". Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 24 squares.
Place cheese and desired toppings on each square.
When all of your dough squares have cheese and toppings on them, carefully lift up each square and wrap the dough around the toppings. Pinch to make sure each ball is sealed shut and then place them seam side down in a lightly sprayed pie pan (or similar sized dish).
Brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil or melted butter and then sprinkle with the garlic and Italian seasoning and top with Parmesan cheese.
Cook them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them! Doughs vary, so I'd check them after even 10 minutes.
Serve warm with warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

What do you think?

So one other random thing, a couple of weeks ago Andrew and I went to the Ice Castles up in Midway. The price seemed a bit much but it was still fun and we got some good pics and made a day out of it. Here are just a few from the day.

A year and then some

January 22, 2010. The BEST day of my life!!!!
I got to marry this guy:


Here:


Surround by these people:


And got to party the night away in this:


Life could not get much better, or so I thought. It has been a year and life keeps going and is full of surprises. We have had our ups and downs and been mad and happy, but we still love eachother. We took a week off and just spent time with us. We went to Sundance, Vegas, and St George. We had way too much fun, got little sleep, spent time with friends and probably spent a little too much money. But it was well worth it. I love being married and cant believe that it has already been a year. Cant wait for a million more!!!
* I have tons of pics from the trip but I am too lazy to post them all, hopefully one day soon I will get the motivation to do it and write about it. But until then they are all on facebook.

I love this man!!!!