happy happy sunday.

{weheartit}

sunday has become my very favorite day of the week because isaac and i get spend the entire day together. it seems like every other day one of us is spending part of the day working or at school, but not on sweet sweet sunday. he even has to work tomorrow, on memorial day! how dare his company stay open on memorial day. luckily he's getting off a little early and we're going to spend the evening in style. i'm hoping we'll go see the movie babies. have you seen the preview?! i can't wait to see it. i just love babies. and treats. isn't this image magical?! i'm going to use it as inspiration for a little summer party. and maybe i'll invite you!

a homemade life.

i recently finished reading the book a homemade life: stories and recipes from my kitchen table by molly wizenberg and i love love loved it. my mother-in-law recommended it and i can't thank her enough! it is written by the creater of the award winning food blog orangette {a new favorite} and it is so well written. it is filled with charming stories from her life and the most delicious recipes. but beware, this book is a killer to read when you're hungry. it will make you want to run to the grocery store and buy a bunch of ingredients that very second.

a few of the recipes i can't wait to try are the coconut macaroons with chocolate ganache, vanilla bean buttermilk cake with glazed oranges and creme, buckwheat pancakes, and her banana bread with chocolate and crystallized ginger. and that is only the beginning of my list. oh goodness, this book is gold in a foodie's hands. if you love cooking/baking/eating, you'll love this book. purchase it here.

i hope you all have the most lovely memorial day weekend!

i love days off.

today i made cupcakes just because i felt like it and it was awesome. i was working out and thought, "a cupcake sounds really good right now" and after i was done i went straight for the kitchen. now you know why it's so crucial for me to work out...ha. i just bought a new tip for piping on frosting and i'm in love. now i have 2 dozen cupcakes sitting in my house, and i'm too lazy to deliver them to any of my lovelies. maybe i'll take them to primary children's tomorrow for my fellow nurses.

guess what! my husband did another hilarious blog post. if you're a fan of 30 rock you'll love it. we can't get enough of the clip he posted, it makes me laugh so so hard. we love tracy morgan. i even bought isaac his book on audio {read by tracy himself} and we listened to it in one day. go to ike's blog here.

i tried another new recipe tonight. it was a different twist on hawaiian haystacks and it was delicious. get the recipe here.

tomorrow i'm doing another 12 hour shift and i'm not even scared. i just need to be in bed by 9:30 sharp and i'll be just fine. adios amigos.

i.love.weddings.

plain and simple. i love planning them, i love attending them, i love talking about them, i love dreaming about them, i love looking at pictures of them, etc etc etc. i love them. and i'll be honest, i was pretty sad when mine was over. of course i was so happy to be married to my sweetie boy and the fact that we didn't have to drive an hour to see each other and be in by curfew anymore was fabulous, but i was sad my big day was over. so much planning for one little day to go by in a flash...{i think i reminiscent post on my wedding might be just what i need...}

aj and jon's wedding was magical. i loved every minute of it, especially because my hubs was the dj and we got to stay and party all night long. aj, you were the most beautiful bride.

dj hubs.

isn't she a beauty.

spending the night with these two lovebirds was the best. amanda, i just miss you so much.

i love these girls so much. they always make me laugh so hard.
dear aj + amanda,
i hope california is treating you both supreme.
love you both,
emma

what a day.

hi friends. my first day of my capstone was aweeeesome. i loved every minute of it. the nurse i'm working with this summer is so smart and happily answers all my silly questions. i learned so much in just one day. it was my first full 12 hour shift and it wasn't even that bad! minus the leg aches {why do i get leg aches?!} and ratty hair, i'm doing just fine. go me, go nurse emma.

now excuse me while i go pass out in bed. i am one tired lady.

love it.

{we heart it}

my hubs and i agree that this is where i belong. isn't it delightful?!

wingin' it.

i got my wings! they were so tasty. isaac took me to rocky mountain wingshak in american fork and we loved it. it's this little locally owned place that makes some yummy yummy wings. all their sauces are handmade and are fabulous. i got the boneless pineapple bbq wings and i'm already craving more. we can't wait to go back.
isaac prepping to eat his wings.

we had such a relaxing weekend, i loved it. this week is going to be a busy one, i start my first day at primary children's tomorrow and i'm so excited to get started. let's hope i love it as much as i think i will. i also made the best cookies this weekend. unfortunately i didn't take pics so just take my word for it. they're called magical peanut butter middles and you can find the recipe here...you'll love them.

p.s. boo for monday.

hello.

image from our magical trip to washington

happy weekend people. i just got home from work and our possibilities of what to do tonight are endless!! we were hoping to have a little picnic but the weather here is not cooperating. not at all. i'm kind of craving wings {weird i know}, so ike is probably going to take me to a yummy wing place in lehi. let's hope they're good.

p.s. i posted the chicken taco recipe i won't shut up about over at just cook already, go take a looksie. they also have a fabulous giveaway happening right now!

anthro dreams.

every once and a while i love to do a little window shopping on my favorite clothing sites. anthropologie is right up there with j crew as a fav but i try not to go on the site too much because it just makes me sad i can't buy all their beautiful clothes. why must i have such expensive taste?! thank goodness for sales.

i love this dress. if i could, i would wear a dress every day. i would say goodbye to all my jeans, tennis shoes, and t shirts and say hello to little beauties like this every day.
oh these shoes! these shoes!!
this rose top is fabulous. enough said.

my bathroom is sooo boring. this shower curtain would perk it up nicely.

ohhh yes, this dainty little dress should be mine.

and lastly, this necklace. buy it for me mr. isaac.

friendsies.

one thing my very early graduation celebration made me realize is just how much i'm going to miss all my friends i've made this past year in nursing school. we've had so much fun together enduring all the crap the college of nursing puts us through. luckily i have one last semester with them before we officially graduate. then we'll all be off to be real life nurses all over the valley. crazy crazy.

here's to getting through the next 3 months!

funk.

i feel like i'm in a bit of a funk. i think it's because i just don't want to deal with school anymore. i am so excited to start at primary children's but the thought of tests/papers/quizzes this summer makes me want to scream. i just want to have fun! i just took my first quiz and it wasn't even that hard, but getting myself to do it was like pulling teeth. i'm just not in the mood for school. okay okay, i'm done complaining. i know i've got it real good.

especially since i get to hang out with this handsome fella all the time. he came home from work today to take me for a little lunch, such a sweetie. too bad our food was grossssssss. please excuse my sickie face. i make it all the time and then i wonder why why why?!! isaac just looks so cute!

this week...

today i was supposed to start my capstone at primary children's and my nurse was sick so i didn't get to go. boooo. i was actually really excited to start! now i have to wait until next week...i should probably use the time to get ahead in some of my other courses but we all know that isn't going to happen. i can't believe it's my last semester! soooo so happy.

so i decided that i'm going to start planning my menu for the week to help me grocery shop and actually get the things i need and not stress over what to cook for dinner. i was inspired by the blog this week for dinner where the lovely writer posts her menu for the week and all her readers share their own. i love it, it's given me lots of new ideas. check it out. so here's my menu...

monday: creamy taco mac
tuesday: leftovers {i have to work}
wednesday: steak & baked potatoes {i love it when isaac grills}
thursday: chicken with thyme, lemon and garlic cream sauce
friday: tortilla stack with ground beef {if it's yummy i'll post the recipe!}
saturday: date night

{weheartit}

and of course i've got to get some baking in there! i haven't baked for a while and i'm missing it. i just need a reason to bake someone treats...who wants some?!

i'm weak.

on friday i took a little day trip down to provo to hang out with my cousin dallas. she took me on a hike up rock canyon, we ate a yummy lunch and topped it off with cupcakes. it was my kind of day. i love to get any type of workout in while socializing and having fun.

unfortunately my turbo jam/hip hop abs workouts have not put me in good enough shape to climb to the top...especially while chatting up a storm. and there was a creeper climbing up ahead of us. so with those 3 factors combined...

we ditched climbing the steep mountain to the tip top and took this lovely trail. talking and catching up was much better than conquering the mountain. wouldn't you agree dallas?! but i'm determined i'll do it sometime this summer...my weak self will have to train. ha!

i love my cousin.

new new new.

have you noticed my new header?! the fabulous jenna from {q.a.} design created it for me and i absolutely love it. she was so great to work with and was so understanding when i was a picky mess. and she is so talented and affordable! check out her blog here.

thank you jenna!

bikes bikes bikes.

helloooo everyone. happy weekend! i myself am getting ready to spend the evening at work {boo} but wanted to share some pics from our week.

i love our new bike rack. before we were constricted to our very boring neighborhood, now we can go wherever we please!

of course we had to go to the jordan river parkway. want to hear a funny story?! isaac decided he wanted to sit on a little secluded bench next to the river and he walked up on some people doing the deed. yes, the deed. no, they were not naked...but they were up to no good. i wanted to go up to them and say "really?! you're really doing it in the park where children ride their bikes. really!!" some people.

so hardcore.

it was a cold night but we had fun on our ride. we also saw some baby foxes!!! when you ride on the jordan river parkway you see all sorts of nature. all sorts.

i hope you all have a lovely weekend, i'm off to work!

may 13th.

today has been such a lazy day. lazy as in i haven't really gotten out of bed yet except to pee and get a bowl of apple jacks...don't judge me. when i'm on a break from school and don't have to get up at the crack of dawn i can't help but spend a few mornings of my break in bed watching glee, reading my favorite blogs, and editing photos. i should probably get out of bed because my wrist is killing me. i am certain i have carpal tunnel syndrome...and my husband is certain it's from using my computer in bed. yet i don't stop. i just put on a tight little wrist brace and type type away.

dear isaac, i promise to try and stop typing while laying down. in fact, i just sat up and am using proper body mechanics. are you proud?!

i have been reading like crazy on my break. have you read the hunger games?! oh my goodness, if you haven't it's a must read. i read it in 2 days and could barely put it down. so exciting and suspenseful. read it. i can't wait to read the next one.

alright, i'm ready to start my day. turbo jam here i come.

i am so excited!

i am the newest contributor on my very favorite recipe blog just cook already and i couldn't be more thrilled! i am so excited to get cooking and start sharing some new favorite recipes. i just posted my favorite waffle recipe, head on over and check it out.

just cook already is also giving away a kitchenaide mixer if they hit 1,000 followers! i would die without my mine. become a follower so you can win!

celebrating year one.

what a weekend. the combo of our anniversary and mother's day was so much fun. i love any chance to celebrate. on saturday - after brunching at kneaders - isaac told me to get ready and pack a bag! he was taking me to park city to do a little shopping and then to spend the night in the hotel monaco downtown, where we stayed the night we got married. such a romantic. in park city ike took me to the j crew outlet and let me pick out a few things, i was in heaven! nothing better than a little shopping spree. for dinner we came back to slc to try something new - the red iguana. can't believe we haven't been there before. such yummy authentic mexican food, i can't wait to go back.

next time we go i'm not going to eat so much of my entree so i can get the fried ice cream! my sweet tooth was sad when my belly was too full to try it.

the next morning we checked out of our hotel and made our way to the cheesecake factory for brunch.

it was such a beautiful day, we had a great time soaking up the sun while eating. anniversaries rule. i can't believe we're now in our second year of marriage! i am so thankful for a husband who loves and appreciates good food as much as i do. ha! lucky lucky me.

little blossoms.

i love these cookies. such classic treats. if you don't have the recipe already...here it is.

peanut butter blossoms



48 hershey kisses

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

granulated sugar



heat oven to 375 degrees. remove wrappers from kisses. beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. stir together flour, baking soda, and salt then gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.



shape dough into 1-inch balls. roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; the cookie will crack around edges.



remove from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool. makes about 4 dozen delicious cookies.



this recipe can also be found on the back of the kisses bag!



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we had the best weekend!!! our anniversary was perfect. i can't wait to share more with you!

1 yearsie.

our 1 year anniversary is tomorrow and we're celebrating today! i can't wait to see what isaac has up his sleeve. we started off the morning with some chunky cinnamon french toast from kneaders - oh my goodness, so good! there is nothing better than spending all day with my hubs of 1 year! i guess i'm no longer a newlywed huh.

happy anniversary ike man, i love you.

off to graduate...

i'm pretty excited.

cinco de mayo.

tonight i decided to invite my dearies over for a very last minute cinco de mayo dinner and it was so much fun! i made these tacos again, they are definitely a favorite in our house. i love the freedom a break from school brings! after dinner malorie and i went with my mom and sis to the beehive bazaar. it was fabulous. so many handmade beauties. it goes through saturday so if you're in utah, i recommend you make your way there.

tomorrow i'm kind of graduating. they only have graduation once a year so since i'm finishing in august i get to walk with my class tomorrow. i'm actually pretty excited! they say 3rd semester of nursing school is the worst {and i just completed it!} so i'm feeling like it's okay to start celebrating now. whoop whoop!

this video had me in tears, i feel so blessed. it really touched my heart.
watch watch watch.

personal delights.

i'm not sure if you're ready for this...
katie, my girlfriend from nursing school recently invented her own personal desserts and posted the recipe on her blog and of course i had to try them. the recipe makes 2 personal chocolate chip cookies baked in ramekins! i loved the idea and i jump at any chance i get to use my beloved ramekins. the cookies topped with ice cream are delicious. katie, you rule. i think the two of us secretly wish we didn't have nursing school so we could cook, bake and eat all day! haha! go to her fabulous blog, get the recipe and try them out for yourself. i think i'll make them tonight to celebrate the end of finals!

our weekend.

isn't my hubs cute. too bad i have to wear those dang glasses. and have ragged hair. i need a new do in a big bad way. i'm considering chopping it off...what do you think?
we had a very mellow weekend. finals are looming so we took it pretty easy. on friday night we hung out with my sister and cousins and had such a good time. we dined at communal in provo and it was so fabulous. my new favorite restaurant. my cousin brian always treats us so well. on saturday ike and i lunched at costa vida - i am addicted to their mini pork salads. they always hit the spot. then i spent the evening at work reading my entire community nursing ati text book. i better ace my community tests. and come tuesday evening i'll be free!! {for 1 1/2 weeks}! then i start my last semester of nursing school. hells yeah!!