Presently

Sorry for the absence, guys. As you can see below, life's been a little hectic lately.

Spent 5 days in Vegas for work.  That's too many days.

Also it was really windy and dusty.

Routering the doors in the outside aluminum skin of the teardrop.

Dingo learned that she can in fact fit through the Dachsund's dog door.

Outside walls skinned and trimmed!

Only time to get outside was really early in the morning so we got up in time to watch the sunrise over the Salt Lake Valley.

Interior complete (sorry OCD people for the compass pillow being rotated).

 Interior cabinet, lit and decorated.

 Done!

What if we just drove away in this and never came back?!

Presently

Since I got to go climbing 'for work' last week, does that make me a professional climber?

Insulated the teardrop.

And attached the hatch!

Facetiming in the whole family for my sister's birthday.

Tiny Hank can crawl!

Nothin' wrong with these afterwork sessions.

Happy Hour: Blackcurrant Vodka Lemonade

Normally, looking at my calendar for the week is oddly relaxing.  I like to know exactly what I need to do and where I need to be - but these days, it's just too crowded.

The rest of the month isn't looking any better.  Neither is May.

Actually, I don't have a free day or weekend until our honeymoon at the end May.  At least it will make me appreciate that time off even more...right?

I don't really like to suggest that you need a drink to unwind or to take a break from your hectic, busy life, 'cause you don't.  But a cold, fresh, blackcurrant lemonade with a splash of vodka...well, it can't hurt.

DIY Light Up Headboard

I have never had a real, grownup bed.  I went straight from my bunkbed (which was awesome) to a just a mattress on box springs.  No headboard.  No footboard.

I don't really know if a headboard and/or footboard is what makes a bed 'real' or 'grownup,' but it does seem like a big step on the path to adulthood.

So, this is my attempt at being 'all grown up.'  Notice, that this is still pretty young and unsophisticated.  But it's super fun!

Salted Caramel

When I think about summer, the usual suspects come to mind.  Campfires, swimming, barbecues, long days, riding bikes and ice cream.

The last one is important.

Actually, I eat ice cream all year and I love it whether it's 100˚ outside or if it's 30˚.  Even though I'm not very discriminate when it comes to my ice cream consumption, I would say that I up my intake pretty significantly once the temps reach about 70˚.

Well, here in Utah, where we apparently don't have winter anymore, it's been 70˚ for over a month already.  Time to make a permanent spot for my ice cream maker in the freezer and start whipping up another batch of this salted caramel for safe keeping.

Presently

The Salt Lake Valley.

The teardrop has lights now!

I'm really liking these afterwork bouldering sessions.

The hatch!!

Who knew this was right above the dorms at the University of Utah? I definitely didn't when I was a student there.

On Friday, I got to go climbing for work, so I'm basically a professional climber. ;)  (Then, Austin crashed the ladies sending party.)

Happy Hour: The Guilty O.J. Cocktail

I don't really like the name of this drink.  I don't feel guilty for putting a little Malibu in my OJ from time to time and I don't like the implication that I should feel guilty.  But that's what it's called, so oh well.

Normally, I'm not much of a rum person, but Malibu falls more into the juice category than the liquor category in taste, so I can make an exception when it's mixed with more juice.

In less than 2 months, Austin and I will be heading off on our honeymoon and we'll hopefully be making our way to the beach at least once.  This drink, warm sand, a floppy sun hat and the crashing waves?  Yeah, that sounds perfect.

I guess we'll have to find some more room for Malibu in the teardrop!

Lemon Meringue Pie

There are some things in life that are worth taking your time with.  Other things may be fine to rush through and 'just get it done,' but others require a little more care and thought put into them.

For me, it's the difference between dinner and dessert.

When I make dinner, it had better be fast and easy and taste good.  It doesn't have to look perfect.  It doesn't have to be photographed (usually) and posted on Instagram.  It just has to give me energy to get through the rest of the night and into the morning.

Dessert, on the other hand, takes some more time.  I like dessert to look good and taste good and have the love worked right into the crust.  I like it to be presented in a pretty dish or on a nice plate and I like to look forward to it all day.

Dessert's not really practical.  You don't technically need dessert - not like you need dinner.  But dessert is what you look forward to.  So maybe you do need it after all.

Making your own lemon meringue pie is exactly the type of exercise in indulgence, patience and meticulousness needed to lift your spirits.  Waiting for the pie crust to cool, stirring the lemon custard until it's thick and glossy, watching the meringues brown through the oven window - it's what makes it special.

Next time you're looking for a special dessert for a special occasion or a special person or a totally un-special weeknight, I think this might just be the thing you're looking for.