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Saturday, April 30, 2011

April!

Well, I did it! I posted every day in April! I'm pretty proud of myself!

Now for a recap of the month of April.

Highlights:

- 1st: April Fool's Day. -
- 2nd: Alyson and I went to Chili's for lunch. She also had friends in town. It was nice to catch up with Tori. -
- 3rd: I finally got to kiss Kevin. Happiest day of my life! -
- 4th: Kevin and I spent the day enjoying each other's company. -
- 5th: Kevin and I cooked dinner for his parents, took pictures and went to the strip. -
- 6th: Saying goodbye to Kevin was about the hardest thing I've ever done. I miss him so much. -
- 12th: Interview at Creative Kid's Learning Center. I didn't get the job. -
- 16th: Went to Cedar City to visit my mom, aunt and cousins. -
- 19th: Job fair. Was offered a job I had to turn down because of transportation issues. -

Happiest Moment: 
Opening the door and seeing Kevin standing there. It was such an incredible feeling!

Saddest Moment: 
Standing in the same place that we had our first kiss and watching him drive away. My heart broke more than it ever has before.

New Movies Watched: 
An Education. Beautiful movie. The cinematography was breathtaking and the fashion was awesome! I definitely want a few of those pieces in my closet!

Favorite Food:
Pancakes with strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup. Pretty sure I ate that dish at least 10 times throughout the month.

Favorite Photos Taken:








Overall Impression:
This month has been a roller coaster of emotions for sure. I go from being so happy one moment to a complete mess the next. There are so many things to be happy about, but even more that is stressing me out. I don't have a job yet, I miss my man, I'm scared that I might have to move home. It's an anxiety attack month. Next month is going to be filled with greatness. Let's hope that it's better!
Friday, April 29, 2011

Time To Mend

I've been practicing the guitar for just over two years.

I taught myself how to play, and while I am definitely not a pro, far from it, I decided it was finally time to play my guitar so everyone could hear it.

This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands.

Time To Mend by Barcelona.

Barcelona has some of the best music! The vocals are lovely, the drums are incredible and the guitar is stunning! They are just that amazing! And sadly, no one seems to know about them. I think you should definitely check out their album Absolutes.

And so, without further adieu, my cover of Time To Mend.



How did I do?

What music do you love that you feel is vastly underrated? 

 
Don't forget to vote for Simply Kate on For The Love of Blogs for Blog of the Month!

The voting poll is in the side bar!

Once you vote, go enter my contest! You might be one of the six people I choose to guest post on my blog for the week of my birthday!

I'll love you forever if you vote for me! 

Please and thank you!
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Strawberry Shortcake


Fresh strawberries are one of the best things about this time of year. And one of the best things to do with fresh strawberries is make strawberry shortcake.


And I make them like any middle class white girl would.

With twinkies.

The awesome little angel food, cream filled treats are perfect for strawberry short cake!


Just slice up the strawberries, add some sugar and mix. Cut a few twinkies in half, top with strawberries and add whipped cream! I love spring!!

 


Don't forget to vote for Simply Kate on For The Love of Blogs for Blog of the Month!


The voting poll is in the side bar!

Once you vote, go enter my contest! You might be one of the six people I choose to guest post on my blog for the week of my birthday!

I'll love you forever if you vote for me! 

Please and thank you!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Flowers

Something that I don't love about Vegas is that in the summer, pretty much all life is dried out by the heat.

But in the spring, the flowers are in bloom, and they look beautiful!

So I took a walk and a bunch of photos to remind me of spring when the dried out desert summer shows up.

If only scratch and sniff computers were invented. 

Either way, we can pretend. Have fun smelling the roses with me.













Which one is your favorite?

Don't forget to vote for Simply Kate on For The Love of Blogs for Blog of the Month!


The voting poll is in the side bar!

Once you vote, go enter my contest! You might be one of the six people I choose to guest post on my blog for the week of my birthday!

I'll love you forever if you vote for me! 

Please and thank you!
 
I'm featured on Mommy Excuse of the Day! I write about a stupid boy from my past, and talk about how happy I am that he rejected me. It's quite entertaining! Check it out!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Best Pancakes Ever

I grew up with this pancake recipe. And I am going to share it with you.

I must love you all a whole lot.

I can't tell you how many Saturday mornings I have woken up to the smell of pancakes. My dad has made these since I was a child, and no other pancakes stand up to them. I can't even think about Bisquick pancakes. 

Recipe:

1 egg
1 cup of milk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Beat the egg. Add the ingredients in the order listed. Beat until smooth and fluffy.

Sometimes we will add fruit to the batter. Blueberries or bananas are my favorite.

Top with butter and syrup and you're good to go!

But lately, we've been loving our pancakes smothered in strawberries, maple syrup and whipped cream.


You can cut up fresh strawberries if you want. But I will admit I like frozen strawberries. The juice soaks into the pancakes and tastes amazing!


So pretty and absolutely scrumptious.

 
Don't forget to vote for Simply Kate on For The Love of Blogs for Blog of the Month!



The voting poll is in the side bar!

Once you vote, go enter my contest! You might be one of the six people I choose to guest post on my blog for the week of my birthday!

I'll love you forever if you vote for me! 

Please and thank you!

I'm also featured over on the always fabulous Rasha's blog and this is what she said! Go and check out my post and show her some love! She's awesome!
Monday, April 25, 2011

Vote for Simply Kate!


I'm thrilled to announce that Simply Kate has been nominated for For the Love of Blogs Blog of the Month!

I'm super excited, because if I win, it will be during my birthday month!

I know you've all been fretting hopelessly about what to get me for my birthday. Well now you know! 

All you have to do is go and vote for Simply Kate as Blog of the Month!

There is a voting poll in the sidebar. Just click a button and that's it. Pretty simple huh? I'm very low maintenance. 

And for extra fun, I will be picking SIX people who vote for me to guest post on my blog the week of my birthday! Yup! You'll get your very own post! You can write about whatever you want! You can even shamelessly promote your blog right here on Simply Kate!

Just head over to For the Love of Blogs and vote for Simply Kate! Then come back here and tell me you did!

For extra entries, you can:

1. Twitter the link and tell everyone to vote for me!
2. Tell your friends on Facebook to vote for me!

Just be sure to comment on this post and tell me what you did!

Thanks for helping me win, everyone! You're all amazing! It's going to be a wonderful birthday!
Sunday, April 24, 2011

Guest Blogger: Amber

Happy Easter!


The wonderful Amber from This Is The Life has been awesome enough to agree to guest blog for me this Sunday! She takes amazing photos on her blog and has the cutest style! I love checking out what clothes she's wearing in each style post!

First I would like to thank the wonderful Kate for having me as a guest blogger! Isn't she great?!


1. Tell us about you and your blog.

My name is Amber and I am a wife and mommy to a dog and two cats. I write the blog This Is The Life. My blog is a lifestyle blog that includes a lot about my little family with some fashion, interior design, d.i.y projects and more thrown in the mix.

2. What is your favorite book?

This is a tough one. I am so ashamed to say that I haven't read a book in a while, but I have a mega long list of books I would like to read. The last book I read was probably Time Traveler's Wife - loved it!! (but did not love the movie.)

3. What makes you a nerd?

Well, I wear glasses, so I fall into the four eyes category (although I do wear contacts most of the time). I like to do lists and itineraries, is that considered nerdy?


4. You have three hours to live. What do you do?

Oh wow. This is tough. Probably just spend time with my hubby. Maybe make some phone calls to people I want to say I love you to one last time. Geez this is a sad question to think about!

5. Describe the perfect sandwich.

Lightly toasted bread, turkey, tomato, lettuce, cheese, avocado/guacomole...

6. What would be your ideal job?

My ideal job would be to stay at home mom. That has always been my dream.


7. What is the most important thing in your life?

Family and friends. Without those two things, what do you have?

8. Would you rather fight two hundred two year olds or two hundred chiuahuas? 

Oh my word! What would we be fighting for?! haha. I guess I would have to go with the chihuahuas. Although I'm an animal lover, I would feel less bad about hurting dogs.


Thanks so much for posting for me Amber! You're a doll! Remember to go and check out her blog!


Also, I reached 300 followers yesterday! I can't tell you how much it means to me that you all like my blog enough to follow! It really makes me smile every day! Thank you for the support! I love you guys!
Saturday, April 23, 2011

Easter Eggs

This may be the first year of my life that I don't dye any Easter Eggs. And it makes me really sad to think about it.

Easter has a tendency to be a bit to-do with siblings and parents and nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles and grandparents and cousins. It's a big ol' party of dying and hunting eggs, playing games and laughter.

But since I won't be able to take part in those festivities, I've spent the day looking through pictures and watching videos of Easters Past. I thought I would share them with you!



Alyson vs. The Trampoline makes me laugh every time. I had to share it. She got a spring caught in her belt loop.

And yes. That adorable little thing is me. I'm the cutest.

Here are photos from the last five Easters. I miss you all!





















Happy Easter everyone! I wish I was there with you! 

Also! Congratulations to Julie (in the white coat) and Steve! They got married yesterday morning! I'm so happy for you both!
Friday, April 22, 2011

I Am Mary Poppins

Last night, while I was digging through my bottomless purse in search of something that I wasn't likely to find with the mess of receipts and other useless items taking up space, I decided that I should clean out my purse.

I started pulling things out one by one and laughed at some of the ridiculous things that I had in my purse.

Now, this time around wasn't as astounding as it has been in the past. I've cleaned out my purse countless times and found strange things inside. Things that I never use and have no business being inside of my handbag. 

Once, while hanging out with friends, a gal pal asked for some gum. I started digging through the contents of my bottomless bag in search of the double-mint. Because I was having such a hard time, I decided to clean out my purse on the spot. Everyone laughed at the random things that I felt I had with me. The craziest of which might have been the set of measuring cups that were inside. I don't remember packing those along... I had no idea how long they'd been in there.

In any case, they all affectionately named my bag "The Mary Poppins Bag."

So, as I emptied the contents of my purse, I remembered those "What's in my purse" posts that I've been seeing lately. And so...

HOP

I'm on the bandwagon.

1. Silver nail polish. The only color I ever wear. I never paint my nails in public.
2. A guitar pick. I don't use picks when I play and never take my guitar with me anywhere.
3. A mini flash drive. It's green and cute. And I checked. It's empty.
4. Eight hair ties. Because two isn't enough. I need eight.
5. Three packs of opened 5 gum. Because inevitably that I won't be able to find gum when I want it. Three packs give me better odds.
6. A hair brush. I have a lot of hair and it tangles easily. Finally something practical!
7. Sunglasses. A black pair AND a brown pair. To match any outfit, of course.
8. Stamps. For my spur of the moment mailing needs.
9. Car keys. Most of those keys are obsolete. But I like keys on my key ring. It's a KEY ring.
10. My camera. I've been using my sister's lately, so it's in there too. But I have mine as a back up in case her's dies or I forget it.
11. A tampon. Just in case.
12. Sadly, that's about all the money I have.


13. Christmas themed hand sanitizer. It's never been opened, but you never know when you need to kill some germs.
14. Lip gloss. Three of them. I like how they taste.
15. My mini notebook. I'm obsessed with notebooks but I never use them. But if I need it, it's handy to have.
16. A movie ticket to Beastly. I didn't enjoy that movie much.
17. Advil. The best thing ever. And definitely something that I use from my purse often. It has it's own pocket for easy access.
18. Kleenex. You never want to be caught with a big dangly booger and not have tissues. 
19. A random array of jewelry that I took off mid-day for some reason or another.
20. Pens. I always lose pens, so I take multiple pens with me everywhere I go.
21. Nail clippers. I have no idea why I have two fingernail clippers. They are handy, but I don't need two. And I assure you I never clip my toe nails in public. 
22. Matches. I think I stole them from my sister on one of her "quit smoking" kicks.
23. My wallet. I've had it since I was 12. It has one zipper compartment, and two pockets. It sucks. I love it!

My purse makes no sense to me. 

But I'm proud to say that it's just like Mary Poppins' bag.

Now if only I could learn to fly with an umbrella...