His Office

I know... I know... As of late, I've blogged a lot about my photos. This has sorta turned into a photo-blog, but it's the easiest way for me to express what's been going on in my life. So, hope you don't mind!

Last week my cousin Annelise and I went to my grandpa's office- an office he had for over 30 years- and took photos. Here are some of those shots:



Glad I was able to document this part of his life.

Standing Here

Thank you for all your sweet words on my previous post; your words meant a lot.

Below is a collage of places that I stood in my grandparent's home. I have so many memories there. So many, in fact, that I wanted to record these images so I could always remember where I once stood- so close to my grandpa.



Oh, and I have to mention a sweet birthday wish to my best-est twin sister... happy birthday!

(Yes... that means it's my birthday today too. Here's to our 28th year!)

my sweet grandpa

:David Eugene Moench:

The earthly sojourn of a most choice man came to a close on Saturday, June 21, 2008.We rejoice that he has returned to the loving embrace of his Father in Heaven, dear parents and sisters, a sweet granddaughter, and many loved ones and friends.

David Eugene Moench was born to goodly parents, David Ballantyne and Zelpha Arave Moench on October 13, 1916 in Ogden, Utah. He grew up surrounded by loving brothers and sisters: Louise, Adele, Jesse, Lorin, Richard, and Suzanne. After he graduated from East High School, Gene attended Heneger's Business College where his father was the principal. While sitting in class one day, Gene noticed a beautiful young co-ed, and began to flirt with her. He certainly caught her attention, because on June 19, 1937 he married the love of his life, Elly Kamp. A few days ago, they honored their 71st wedding anniversary.

In 1937, Gene founded Moench Printing and Mailing in downtown Salt Lake City. Whenever he would walk down Main Street, he would know all the business owners along the street.

In 1944, Gene was drafted into the US Army, leaving his sweet wife at home to care for their four children. Later, he became a member of the Bonneville Kiwanis, Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), Sentinel Club, Wasatch Mountain Club, Fort Douglas/Hidden Valley Country Club, Mission Hills Country Club, and Willow Creek Country Club. He was an avid golfer, and loved his golfing with his buddies.

As his grandchildren began arriving, Grandpa Gene took "time to smell the roses." He adored his grandchildren.

Until we meet again, Gene leaves his sweetheart, Elly Kamp Moench, his dear children, Diane (Heber Lloyd), Donna (Joe Hopkins), David (Jane Baldwin), Darrell (Nancy Spendlove), and Pamela (Jim Carlson), 29 adoring grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. He also leaves his loving brothers, Jesse, Lorin, Richard, and his sister Suzanne.

Riley

Seriously... this little one is a natural in front of the camera:







So lucky she's my niece...

Mates o' State

Ali introduced me to Mates of State years ago, and I really liked to listen to them in small doses. But, just tonight I told Jeff how I couldn't get enough of their newest album "Re-arrange Us." It's really fun, catchy, and sing-along-able.

Listen up:



See? Told ya.

This Weekend...

We prepped our yard to plant basil, tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, and cilantro. And, tonight I put them into the fresh soil. I don't have much of a green-thumb, but I am hopeful these plants will grow.



We're still trying to figure out what this is? Anyone?

This weekend, I also got new bangs. Trying to figure out if I like them.

Oh, and I finally saw Sex and the City... gotta admit. I thought it was a bit over the top. (Okay, a lot over the top...)

This week I...

hope to take more pictures, work out, and find a dress to wear to my reunion- this weekend. Wow. June's going to be over before we know it.

Sneak Peak

Look how adorable my nieces are!


(Riley, Peyton, Jess and Jamie)


(Riley is seriously a natural in front of the camera...)


(Oh, and I couldn't leave out their puppy, Pop Tart.)

I loved this photo-shoot!

Best News!

This is the type of news that makes me all giddy:

-Andrew Bird+Josh Ritter (Though, we'll be at Feist that night.)
-Nada Surf
-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
-Broken Social Scene
-Neko Case

All for free this summer... yay! Details here.

To get you excited:



Thanks YHO for breakin' the best news of the day!

On a mission...

To decorate our new living room.

We're really close to putting the finishing touches on our family room (still need to hang shelves, order more prints for the wall, add some "things" to the book shelf). Now, it's time to focus on the living room...

This is the room that houses my beautiful upright piano. The room where we'll "visit" with neighbors and friends. You know... the room that isn't used much because it doesn't house a television?

Well. I'm trying to rid that habit and make this room the top-notch meeting place.

Today, I found a steal of a deal on side-tables. Thinking these particular tables were at least $50 or more (still- good deal, right?), I went to the cashier and she scanned one table in--- $15.00. Sa-weet. (Thank you Target.) So, I ran to get the other side-table.

And check. Side-tables purchased.

Currently, I'm eyeing this petal rug in yellow. I'm in love with this color. (Oh, and just so you know, I did in fact purchase this side-table but then promptly took it back. At the time, I think I was afraid to commit to that color. But, now I'm ready.)

For me, the decoration process all starts with a good rug. Seriously. Otherwise, my color choices could be all over the place... so, hopefully, I'm one step closer to deciding what my color palette will be.

Though, my spouse isn't in love with the rug- guess I'll have to try and convince him that yellow is cool!

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Got this recipe from a friend at work and made them tonight for my Recipe Club... Warning: they are so good they're evil.



Since I was in a hurry, I just baked a boxed cupcake mix.

Frosting:

1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter at Room Temp
1 8 oz Cream Cheese at Room Temp
1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
4 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Tablespoon Milk - Give or Take...

Beat Butter, Cream Cheese, and Peanut Butter on Medium until light and fluffy. Slowly add Powdered Sugar, 1 Cup at a time, continue on Medium until smooth. Add Milk, continue to mix until spreadable.

Wah-lah.

Yum.

June Music

Need ideas on what to do in the upcoming weeks? Check-out June's Music Guide on Your Heart Out. (I'm particularly excited for Tilly and the Wall.)

Lo Mein

Here's that Lo Mein Jeffrey made me last night. As I've said before, the man can cook! Here's the recipe he (loosely) followed:

Serves 4
Ingredients:
6 ounces vermicelli, uncooked
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
5 cups chopped bok choy (a Chinese vegetable with a white stalk and dark green leaves)
1 cup low sodium fat free chicken broth (We substituted this with Vegetable Broth.)
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/2 cup coarsely shredded carrot
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup baby corn
Additional low sodium soy sauce


Directions:
Cook pasta according to package. Drain and set aside. Coat a wok or large nonstick skillet cooking spray and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Heat at medium-high temp. (375 degrees) until hot. Stir-fry garlic for 2 minutes. Add bok choy; stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, soy sauce and red pepper. Stir fry for 1 minute. Add carrots, green onions, mushrooms and baby corn. Stir-fry for approximately 2 minutes. Add cooked pasta; toss gently. Sprinkle additional soy sauce (you can decide how much) over entire mixture; toss more. Serve and enjoy.

Our variations: no mushrooms, no baby corn, no sesame oil, added broccoli, and substituted Vegetable Broth. We also used fresh pasta.

As for the Plum Sauce, I'm not positive, but I know he used:

2 plums
Sugar
Water
Sesame Seeds

Both were delicious!

My Weekend...

I wanted to blog about my fun, yet very busy, weekend last night, but we started watching this, and I couldn't stop watching... we really liked the film.

As for Saturday, went to a lovely shower in the morning, and then I got to hang-out with this cutie in the morning:



(We took lots of pictures with him and his motorcycle.)

Then, watched a lot of this:



(Soccer, if you can't tell.)

And, ran lots-of-errands.

Sunday was oh-so-relaxing, plus I really enjoyed church. And! Jeff made us to-die-for Lo Mein with a yummy Plum Sauce.

I love weekends.

Love.This.

(via Jo and Chelsea)

(I think Ms. Lewis is so talented. And, how beautiful is the above picture?)

Photos by ah-mazing Autumn de Wilde.

Streaming This Morning: Will Stratton

Listening to Will Stratton this morning, and I like it. If you're a fan of Joshua Radin, think you'll also like Stratton.

(Perfect soundtrack for this rainy morning... who else wanted to stay in bed this morning?)

Listen.

Flutter

As my twin-sister can attest, I was sorta obsessed with butterflies when I was in high school. (Luckily, I chickened out of getting that butterfly tattoo- yeah, you know the one- on my foot.) However, I am still drawn to them; I think they're beautiful.

So... when I saw this little guy fluttering around my front yard, as I pulled in our driveway this evening, I ran inside to grab my camera.

He just stayed around going from flower to flower... so, I snapped away.

Sneak Peak: Angie's Bridals

I had my first bridal session this weekend... I couldn't have asked for a better subject:

Angie's a stunning bride...

(Hope you like them Angie.)