I LUV OCTOBER!

I must say, I LOVE THIS GLOOMY WEATHER. Everything just seems to slow down and chill out when the weather starts it's beautiful transition from Summer to Fall. I feel more relaxed and calm. This is probably the time of year that I enjoy the most. The hustle and bustle of summer has slowed down, the cooler air feels refreshing and invigorating, and the change of the colors makes me appreciate all the beauty that surrounds me.
I also just love the atmosphere of this season. Good food, family time, holiday spirit. :) It just makes me feel happy.

Speaking of good food, I have an EASY and TASTY treat I'd like to share. You may laugh at the simplicity of it. But it's one of my favorite treats.

Apple Slices & Dip

1 8oz package of cream cheese softened(don't microwave)(I usually opt for low fat cream cheese)
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Green Apples Slices(as many as you want :) )

When the cream cheese is softened, mix with brown sugar and vanilla. Mix until smoothe and there are no lumps of cream cheese visible. Dip apple slices and EAT AND ENJOY IMMEDIATELY.

Like I said, SUPER simple but SUPER tasty.
I will try to post more recipes as I make them. I think this is a great time of year to try out new recipes, especially comfort food. So if any of you have recipes that you really enjoy making in colder weather, please, share! :)


On another note, I am loving this month already. Allen and I have had lots of fun and have lots more planned. We've gone camping, spent time with friends and family, spent time together. Then we have a little trip up the mountains this weekend just to look at the colors changing. Then DISNEYLAND, here we come. I can hardly wait! 2 weeks from today in fact! Allen and I need a vacation just the two of us. It will be so great to be together, making memories, having fun, and also celebrating his 25th birthday! That's right! He'll be a quarter century old during our vacation! haha! YAY!

I love this time of year!
Happy October to all!

It's Time To Update!

My apologies to those who actually read my blog. Haha. I guess I haven't had much to say since March...but it also may be that I haven't had time, and all the things I've wanted to say also had accompanying pictures that weren't uploaded to my computer yet. LOL. :)

Anywho. It's been a busy few months. Allen found a part time job working with our neighbors. So that has helped our income each month. I've been busy with work, as usual. Nothing new there. May was full of birthdays and family time. Then we hit June and it was more family time. On June 18th, Allen and I took off for Lake Powell to spend time with my family, and my aunt and uncle and their 6 kids. We had an absolute blast. New speedboat, and newer houseboat=lots of fun. We really enjoyed the warm sun and the cool water. It was such a nice break from all the things back at home. On the 22nd we hustled back home and got cleaned up for Drew & Ali's wedding dinner. It was wonderful. The next day, we were up bright and early getting ready for the actual wedding. It was a perfect day.

I must say, it is truly wonderful to be able to walk into the temple with your spouse, and sit in the peaceful quiet and contemplate all the things you are grateful for. Especially when participating in a wedding. It's wonderful to watch the couple become sealed together for eternity and then think back to the day that you and your loved one did the very same thing. (I know this might be a bit sappy....but here goes...) I am so grateful that I have Allen and that we were married and sealed. It's such a strong bond to tie two people together. I am so grateful that I get to be with my best friend forever! :)

Anyways, lol, after the ceremony, the rest of the day was filled with: a quick nap, re-doing of the hair and makeup, donning the wedding garb, smiling this way for that camera, standing that way, shaking hands, and exchanging hugs and smiles. It was a GORGEOUS wedding and I'm so happy that another gal has joined the Engebretsen family! Congrats again you two!

After the joyous event, we had about a day and a half(if even that) to regather our things in duffles, (I worked one day) and then pack the bags, tent, food, etc. to go on our second anniversary camping trip. Whoo! Busy Busy.

I got home from work about 1:30 on Friday afternoon, we threw everything in the car(after a bit more packing) and were on the road by 3. We went to Upper Stillwater Campground which is located in Ashley National Forest, so about 40 miles from Duchesne. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive through some pretty and yet some desolate Utah countryside. lol. But once you get to the campground, it's nothing but pine trees and beautiful mountain scenery. LOVED IT! We set up our new tent, our hammock, a kitchen station, etc. A quick summary: it was a GREAT anniversary weekend. Nice n' quiet...just the two of us...enjoying one of the things we love most(camping). I will admit that Saturday we got a bit antsy because we couldn't go hiking(Allen's foot has been bothering him, so doctor's orders were to stay off it as much as possible) so, for whatever reason, we decided to drive to Vernal. Once there we discovered a movie theater that was playing The A-Team. So we watched a movie on our camping trip. hahaha. P.S. GREAT MOVIE! So humorous and very entertaining. :)

Sunday(the 27th) we came home and pretty much just crashed for about 3 hours. We were so completely exhausted from our previous 2 weeks of festivities. In fact, I'll admit...we are STILL recovering. Haha, we've limited time with everyone just for the sake of wanting to be HOME for a little bit. However, we've been very grateful to both families for the wonderful times we've had, and just so grateful that we were able to spend that time together as a couple. It was definitely needed.
June was definitely a busy month. BRING IT ON JULY! LET'S SEE WHAT YOU'VE GOT! :-P

P.S. I LOVE YOU ALLEN!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Why?

"sorry" sor.ry

-adjective

1. feeling regret, compunction, sympathy, pity, etc.: to be sorry to leave one's friends; to be sorry for a remark; to be sorry for someone in trouble.

2. regrettable or deplorable, unfortunate; tragic: a sorry situation; to come to a sorry end.

I'd like to pose a question. WHY is this such a hard word to say? It's actually thrown around and used quite often, but when you're asked to say it and mean it....why do we find ourselves unable or choking for other words that MIGHT fit in it's place?

Is it so hard to admit when you're wrong? I know, I know. Most of you are probably thinking "YES!" as you read that last question. But when you really think about it...is it REALLY so hard to admit that maybe, even just that one instance, you weren't the "most correct" at the time? Most of the time it's a matter of pride. And in reality, who really likes to admit that they were wrong? I know I don't. But it's something even I have learned to do. Sometimes it's embarassing and gives a nice jab to your pride...but in the end, it's usually for the best. Don't you think?

I guess I'm writing this because of a recent experience I've witnessed. Bear with me and try to keep up. lol. Person A owes Persons B & C an apology. But Persons B & C both know they probably won't get it. And because of Person A having too much pride and truly thinking they could do no wrong, B & C are hurt and angry. And because B & C are upset, the people around them are upset too. It's a vicious cycle that effects more than just the people involved. This is a simple situation that could be resolved with a few words. We all know what they are. "I'm S-O-R-R-Y" or "I was wrong." We could even go for the more formal approach, "I apologize for my wrong-doing." Whatever the preference, it still needs to be said.

But why do most choose to bite their tongue and let the situation fester? Yes, I used the word "fester." I figured it was the most fitting word. Because that's what ends up happening. If we are too proud to admit we are wrong and apologize to those we have wronged, then the problem within the relationship, friendship, or whatever, FESTERS. And sometimes it can turn into a scar, even after amends are made, that tiny scar is still there, reminding you of what happened, and what could have possibly been avoided.

I've decided to set a little goal for myself. I'm going to try to be more conscious of this very situation I've written about. I don't want to catch myself being the one unable to say "I'm Sorry." I would like to challenge everyone to do this. It might create a happier atmosphere for some. Some of you probably already do this and don't have issues with this, which is great. But if you do, give it a try. It's sad to see relationships in trouble just because we can't seem to swallow our pride every once in awhile.

Busy Busy

It's been a busy month so far. Since Valentine's Day we've been busy looking for a job for Allen since his job at Texaco didn't work out. He was let go because he wasn't working enough hours...I'm sorry, but I have to laugh at this. He didn't have enough hours because his boss wouldn't schedule him for more than one day a week. MONTHS ago he told his boss that he would be starting school in January and that it would take up his evenings. So he would be able to work during the week during the day, and anytime on the weekends. His boss said "Sure, no problem. We can work with that. Just remind me a couple weeks before you start so we can adjust the scheduling." SO, a couple weeks before, just like she asked, Allen reminded her that he'd be starting school and that he needed hours during the day. She got all pushed out of shape and said that SHE worked the day hours and wasn't willing to give him any of her hours. As, a result, he got scheduled every Saturday evening, IF that. And then, out of nowhere, she let him go. So here we are again, desperately looking for work for Allen. It's been fun, let me tell ya. lol

For the past month or so, my mind has been preoccupied with planning a baby shower for a good friend of mine. I had never planned a baby shower before and, this being her first child, and my first experience as host of a baby shower, I wanted everything to be perfect. I made a diaper cake like 2 months ago, I bought decorations a couple weeks priof, I had planned out the food about a month before, etc. etc. Then I just had to wait until the day before, before I could actually start getting things ready. Everything usually has to fall into place the night before or the day of. At that point, you just hope everything goes ok. Which it did.

Everyone that said they would come, came. All the food I had planned out, worked out great. The set up with the decorations and the seating worked perfectly. And everyone had a great time, including the guest of honor, Latissa Graham. She got a ton of wonderful presents for her little boy.

Even after being up all night sick sick sick, and hosting the party with a fever, I think I did an OK job of hosting and things went quite well.

Here are a few pics from the party:

Pic #1: The diaper cake I made for her

Pic #2: The guest of honor, Latissa Graham

Pic #3: The cupcake tree

Pic #4: The food table and decorations

Pic #5: The counter display(diaper cake and scrapbook papers for "advice for the new mommy")

Pic #6: The whole group of ladies that came to share the special day(THANKS GIRLS!)

Valentine's Day 2010

This year was a nice quiet Valentine's at home. We actually had to celebrate on Friday rather than Sunday. Saturday night Allen had to work, and Sunday, well, it was Sunday and options were limited. So after work on Friday, I hurried home and decorated.

(A quick little explanation: last year we didn't have a whole lot of money to spend on celebrating Valentine's Day, so we opted to make dinner at home together, then, just to change things up, we decorated our front room and made up a nice little bed on the floor. I guess it was kinda like camping in the living room. So again, this year, we didn't have too much money so we opted for a similar repeat of last year. )

So Friday, shortly after 3pm, we decorated our living room with cute but cheesy V-day decorations, and blew up our BIG and very comfy air mattress. We threw on our down comforter, and, as another cheesy touch, I tossed on some fake rose petals.

Across the top of our entertainment center I scattered cute little red heart confetti, more fake rose petals, 2 wine glasses(fake lol), and a bottle of Martinelli's. We also put the flowers he got me, our cards and gifts to each other on top. In our corner of our living room, we had a Valentine's Balloon Bouquet.

After decorating, we went out to dinner to Goodwood Steak House in Orem. It was DELICIOUS. MMMMM. We went to walmart and bought a couple movies, bought a snack to munch on DURING the movies, and then proceeded home.

So all in all, we had a wonderful evening together. Good food, fun atmosphere, cuddling. It was the perfect Valentine's weekend, and it didn't even cost us very much at all. :)

I love my hubbie very much. Thanks for a wonderful weekend, love!

Just In Case You Didn't Know....

A friend of mine posted a bio about herself, and I got to thinkin’ “ya know, that’s not such a bad idea.” Most of the people that know me these days, and actually follow my blog, have only known me for the past few years. Anything before that, I don’t really think they are quite aware of. Lol. So, here’s a reader’s digest version of my 23 year long life thus far, plus a more in depth look on how me and Allen came to be:

My name is Amanda Rae Dumas Engebretsen. I was born on December 18, 1986 in the Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California. I was an only child for 3 marvelous years, and then THEY started coming. The “they” that I’m referring to are my 4 younger siblings. 2 sisters, and 2 brothers. All are wonderful in their own way. And all are stinkers in their own way as well. We moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah just after my younger sister was born(1990). My family still lives there today.
I grew up playing the piano, getting good grades in school and being a somewhat shy little individual. I did various school projects throughout jr. high and high school that took me on to the next level of competition for my region. I guess that was my claim to fame growing up. I was either a smarty pants, or just really good at BS’ing. Haha, jk.
I enjoyed and still enjoy music. I participated in Acapella choirs in high school, and continued teaching myself on the piano. I’m not very good on the piano, I will admit. But I do enjoy parkin’ myself on the piano bench and playing some of my favorite hymns, and trying to teach myself new ones.
After highschool, I moved down to Cedar City and completed 2 years at Southern Utah University. The “shy little individual” was no more. I had tons of fun, possibly too much, and met many of the friends that I still have today. I started dating a young man at the time and thought “he’s the one.” We dated for quite awhile, and even considered marriage. At that point, I realized I needed some divine inspiration to help me decide if that was the path I was meant to go down. I felt very strongly that it wasn’t the right thing for me. We broke up, and just about 2 months later, I was introduced to Allen Engebretsen.
Allen and I hit it off from the very start. Not a day went by that he didn’t make me smile and feel special. He had just returned from his mission in northern Virginia. We made our courtship official on February 18, 2007 and we’ve been together ever since. That summer, we went separate ways for about 3 months to try our hand at selling pest control. He moved to San Antonio, TX, and I moved to Atlanta, GA. WHAT A CULTURE SHOCK! After coming home from what seemed to be an endless summer, we both came to the conclusion that, NEVER again would we separate like that, and NEVER again would we do a job like that. We dated consecutively for another 6 months before he popped the question on the last day of February. February 28, 2008. We went to a fabulous restaurant called “The Chef’s Table.” One of the best in Utah. I was SURE he would propose. We made it through our appetizer, our main course, and ordered our dessert, and I was starting to feel a little “iffy” about whether or not he would pop the question. I started getting frustrated and excused myself to go the restroom. As I was leaving Allen called to me frantically, “Don’t be long! I miss you already.” I continued walking, thinking that it was quite odd that Allen would be saying something so corny…I returned from the restroom and he let out a sigh of relief. I saw our waiter coming to bring our dessert. He set down a tray with a delightful little dessert on it in front of Allen. And then he started setting down a tray in front of me, which I was confused about, as we had only ordered ONE dessert. On the tray was a tiny black velvet box. The waiter said with a smirk “enjoy your dessert madam” and walked away. Allen knelt down and asked me to marry him….

BADDA BING BADDA BOOM. Here we are…over a year and a half into marriage. It’s been rocky here and there. But we were told it wouldn’t be easy all the time. The easiest part, however, has been knowing that he’s still my best friend, and I love him just as much now as I did the day I married him. We have set up our home in a cute little apartment in northern Orem. We have tons of fun, and he has held up one of his promises quite well. He has made me smile everyday since we’ve been married. Even when I’ve been SO angry at him, he still manages to get me to crack a smile.
I love my husband. I love our life together.
So there it is. This is who I am...for the most part. I feel very blessed to have the life I have and I'm grateful for everyone that has helped to make me who I am today.

I'm A Failed Blogger :(

I'm a sorry excuse for a blogger. I haven't written anything in quite a long time. I apologize for that. But I haven't had much to say that would be of much interest to any of you, so I thought I'd spare you from the boring reading. lol

Since the last time I have written, alot has taken place. Allen had his birthday and is a happy 24 year old. If I remember correctly, I got him a couple movies, some clothes, and a couple 2-way radios that he had been drooling over. lol We went out with our friends, Scott and Tissa, and went geocaching, one of our new favorite passtimes.

Thanksgiving came and it was alot of fun. We spent dinner time with Allen's family up in Layton and then afterwards went down to my parent's house where their dinner was being hosted. We got to see some of my family that we hadn't seen since our wedding. That was alot of fun.

As soon as Thanksgiving was over, the mindset went straight to CHRISTMAS!!! I will admit though, for some reason, I couldn't get into the spirit of the season this year. I participated in all the normal Christmas season rituals: singing along to Christmas music, shopping in the mall with all the crazies, wrapped presents, decorated the apartment top to bottom, read my scriptures about the birth of our Savior....and yet, I just couldn't seem to get into the spirit. I was hoping that after my birthday, things might change since we would be on the week countdown to Christmas.

Oh ya, I had my birthday on the 18th. haha. :) It was fun. Allen and my friends and family made it a special day for me. I took the day off and Allen woke me up at 7:30am. Not that I wasn't excited to open my gifts, he was just SUPER excited to see me open them. lol. He was so sweet. He got me a couple of movies. One of which was one of my favorite 80's movies: "Pretty In Pink" with Molly Ringwald. I made Allen watch it with me...and he's a total hater of the 80's. lol. The movie just about drove him batty. The clothes, the hair, the EVERYTHING. He's not a fan. It was hysterical to watch it with him.
But my big present for my birthday was 1/2 birthday, 1/2 Christmas present. And I absolutely LOVE it. I've never had a really decent camera. I got one for Christmas about 6 years ago. It was a Canon...which held 4 AA batteries. It was a brick. And this past year, it has been dying. So Allen decided that we would get a better one. And while we are truly wanting a digital SLR, those are 'spensive. So we got one that is a good substitute for now. :) He got me a Sony Cybershot 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera. I absolutely adore it. It takes GREAT pics. I'm so happy with it.

It even has a feature called Smile Detection. It's so funny. You turn on the feature and point the camera at someone, the moment they smile, the camera registers it AS a smile and snaps a pic instantly. :)
That will be a great feature for when we have kids. The zoom is awesome, it does little video clips with great sound, the picture quality is great. I just love it. Allen did a great job. We bought a memory card for it and a nice case. It might not be a massive camera or anything...but it's my baby for now. I carry it EVERYWHERE just in case there's a photo op. :)

Anywho, back to Christmas, even after my birthday, I had a hard time getting into the spirit of the holidays. Christmas Eve didn't seem to be all that fantastic. We just hung out. And I found myself going to bed that night, not feeling that the next morning would be Christmas. But it was. And it was still a good day. :)

Allen and I woke up and opened our presents together. We got each other movies, some clothes, some fun stocking stuffers. It was a great morning. We got ready to go and went to my parent's house. We sat and opened presents with them, then had a wonderful breakfast. After that we drove to Allen's parent's house and opened presents from them. And from THERE we drove up to Layton for Christmas dinner and presents with the rest of the family. It was alot of fun. Later that evening we drove down to my Grandmother's house in American Fork where Christmas dinner was being held. I got to hug my Grandma and spend some time with her since this year she was without her sweetheart.

It was a very long day. But it was good to see all of our family.

New Year's Eve was pretty basic. We hung out with our friends Scott and Tissa and had tons of food, watched Glee, and then watched the ball drop in Times Square.

Allen and I are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who care for us. We love you all and hope your holidays were as good as ours. :)

Let's bring in 2010 with happy faces and happy hearts!