Fly Away With Me

Last weekend I took a last minute trip to Denver :) I had planned to fly to Spokane, WA to visit my beautiful friend Angie, her husband Nick and their new baby Aubrey.

Sadly, the flights filled up and I wasn't able to go :(  I was so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to see Ang and meet Aubs AND I was going to be home alone for 4 days while Dan continued his 6 days straight flying. I was looking at the flight loads and decided to check Denver, which is always full so it was a shot in the dark. Surprisingly, there were plenty of seats open for Saturday at noon. Quickly I got a hold of my aunt and uncle who live in Golden and my college girly Alicia who lives in Highlands Ranch to see if anyone was free at the last minute. It would up working out perfectly!

I arrived Saturday afternoon and was greeted at the airport by my Aunt Michelle. We headed to her house where we spent the afternoon and evening gabbing away. I hadn't seen her or my Uncle Dave since our wedding almost 2 years ago! They cooked a beautiful dinner and we ate chocolate cake on the porch and enjoyed the amazing weather. Michelle and I stayed up half the night chatting about this, that and the other. The accommodations were wonderful, I highly recommend Hotel Skiba ;)

Alicia picked me up from Golden and we headed over to Highland's Ranch where we got new feet had pedicures and went out for lunch.

After lunch we took a "movie nap", our favorite college past time. That evening we went to "Canvas and Cocktails".

It is a art studio where you learn how to paint a certain painting (depending on the night) and drink cocktails and listen to music. It was superfun! They walk you through everything step by step so anyone can paint. I didn't think mine would turn out at all, but I was pleasantly surprised! (I had to channel my inner domestic goddess on this one!)

This is the print we were attempting to paint...

Alicia hard at work...

The finished products...not too shabby!

It was a blast! I really want to open a place like this in Gilbert, I'll have to recruit my artist sister in law Sadie because I can only follow the directions. After finishing our masterpieces we went for pizza, yum! Monday we hung out, ran some errands and were chased away from the pool by the lightening, boo! It was a very fun and relaxing trip, so great to catch up with Alicia!

Luckily the non rev gods were smiling on me and I managed to get a seat on the overbooked flight home. I have no idea why or how it worked out but I've vowed to take some time off from the friendly skies and quit while I'm ahead.

All in all, a great way to end my summer! I'm back to school Friday...eek!

Domestic Goddess

Today was interesting. With a full day to myself and a nice long to do list, I set out to be productive.

I gave my blog a makeover, what do you think?

I also finished my back to school letter, go me!

Then I set out to bake my sister in law Sadie's birthday cake and cupcakes. I made an almond flavored white cake that I'll frost with buttercream (maybe almond flavor) and fresh berries. We will celebrate her birthday tomorrow up in Prescott. I even made my own "buttermilk" for the recipe :)

While the cakes were baking, I started my mango salsa. The mangoes were on sale at Fry's 3/$.99, I couldn't resist! I was chop chop chopping while watching Sex and the City and had laundry running.

While eating the salsa cleaning up and admiring my domesticity, my hand started burning a little. Then it began to turn red and before I knew it my whole left hand felt like I was holding to my piping hot glass cook top. The jalapenos I added to the salsa not only burn your tongue, apparently they burn your skin as well. I'm sure the "capsacian" from the pepper got all over my hands and fingers while I was taking the seeds out. I didn't even think to wear gloves, I won't make that mistake again! 


My afternoon of productivity and domestic bliss was replaced with trying multiple home remedies to cure the burn. 6 hours later I have slight relief, enough to type at least! I washed and washed with soap and water, soaked my hand in milk (to neutralize the capsacian), covered it in vegetable oil, washed some more, tried a baking soda paste, vinegar and iced water. All only provided temporary relief :( DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! Looks like time will heal this wound, but I'm currently alternating ice and the rest of my chores. 


After nursing my wounds (read: watching tv all afternoon), I was able to make a pan of enchiladas for dinner and a jar of salsa to take to my parents this weekend. 

I want to give a shout out to my cousin Shannon, who is a new mommy, doctor and my source for all things fertility. She and her hubs are moving for her new job and she started a blog to share their baby Addi's milestones. You can read about their adventures at Dear Addi.

I still plan to pack for the weekend, put clean sheets on the bed, dust, run the vacuum and clean up the mess that my inner domestic goddess made in the kitchen. But first I must ice my hand...wish me luck!