Bridal Shower for Kaci

On the 14th, Noura threw a bridal shower for our friend Kaci. As always with Noura, the decorations were awesome! Kaci chose a "pin-up girl" theme, and I helped by making the hanging pom-pom things.

Dessert table

Pin up girl food labels

Lovin' her new painting of Paris!

Congrats Kaci! 

Lunch in the Park & Art at FHE

Henry and I realized that we needed to get out of the house for a bit last Monday. We decided to grab some lunch from El Pollo Loco (I love their loco side salad with creamy cilantro dressing) and eat it in the park. I had to take some pictures of Henry's outfit since I picked it out...

It was so nice to get out for a bit. 

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That evening we went to our Armenian-Speaking-Group FHE. Brother Townsend gave a spiritual thought about the things that can make our lives peaceful and secure: obedience to God's commandments, church attendance, prayer, scripture study, and I can't remember the last one... Anyway, he did an object lesson using popsicle sticks, showing that you need five in order to make a shape that stays together securely. It corresponded with the five things he told us would help us feel happy and secure in our lives. 

Henry got a little creative with our popsicle sticks!

After helping with clean up, our friend Ashot and I drew pictures on the white board!

Love Notes Board

One of my New Year's resolutions is to be a more thoughtful wife. I found a cute idea off of the Dating Divas blog that I decided to try out...

It's a magnet board for love notes! I got an old magnet board that we weren't using, covered it with blue paper to match our dining area, and cut out and glued the letters spelling, "Love Notes." I also glued on a few cute love printouts. We've been writing each other sweet notes, and I'm finding it's a great way to help me focus on the things I'm grateful for about Henry! 

My First China Town Experience

I've been dying to spend some time in China Town every since I moved to LA 7 years ago, so I was super excited when a friend of ours wanted to meet at a restaurant there for dinner! I didn't get to do as much exploring as I had wanted since it was kinda late, but here are a few of the pictures I took...

This was the crosswalk.

I took this pic for mom and my "smiley face in random places" collection.

Our friend Leland's new wife Melissa, Leland who's leaving for training in Florida, me, Henry

I need to make another China Town trip soon!

New Year's Eve

This is a bit late, but I never posted about my New Year's Eve! We started out by going to breakfast with Junior and Chantel. We always have so much fun and great conversations with them!

Henry was still suffering with his "trigger point" problem, so Junior helped out a bit while Henry tried not to cry. :D

My eyes weren't open in any of the pictures we tried to take here...

I was lovin' my new haircut blowing in the wind!

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Then it was off to Henry's Uncle Bill's house for a family reunion/New Year's party. I always find it funny when we celebrate with Henry's family, because it's so so different than what I would be doing with my family. I love both!

Here are a few of things I find when we party with Henry's family that I wouldn't find with mine...

Dolma (stuff wrapped in grape leaves)! 

Arabic music and belly dancing!

 

Dubkee (that's what that circle dance is called).

Marriage brings all sorts of new things to your life! :D

Here are some pics of the fam...

Henry and some of his cousins

Noura and "Coco"

Coco and Henry

Noura and me

Henry and his little cousin

 

Henry, his sweet cousin from Chicago, Noura

Family pic! Well, part of the family...

Me and Ma

Henry and me

Happy New Year!

Stay Healthy All Winter Long

Do you by chance have a New Year's goal to be healthier? Here are two things I've discovered recently that  have made a huge difference in my energy level and overall health...

Green drinks! Yes, they look like Nickelodeon slime, but it's a super great way to get all those servings of veggies your body needs each day. It also helps to alkalize your body (a subject for another post). There are many different green drink recipes online, but here's what I do...

Ingredients:

2 handfuls of spinach

1 cucumber

2 stalks of celery

little bit of parsley

little chunk of ginger root

juice of 1 lemon

an apple or kiwi (or both) if you aren't used to the pure veggie taste

Directions:

Blend it all in the blender and enjoy! I drink at least two a day--one in the morning and one before dinner.

This next recipe has saved me from a nasty cold that keeps trying to get me for the past several months. Every time I feel a hint of sore throat, aches, chills, or whatever else I make a batch of this garlic soup. Within hours I feel all better! 

Ingredients:

2 entire bulbs of garlic

olive oil

1 lb. potatoes, peeled and chopped

4 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cut the garlic bulbs in half (hamburger bun style). Drizzle oil on them and wrap tightly in tinfoil. Roast in a 350 degree for 40 minutes or so. 

2. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a saucepan. Add the chopped potato and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 12 minutes or so until the potatoes are soft. 

3. Add parmesan cheese then, in batches, puree the soup in a blender. 

4. Eat with your favorite bread (then go rinse with mouthwash cause your breath probably stanks!)

Hope these will help you to stay healthy all winter!

Happy New Year!

I'm posting my New Year's Resolutions for all to see! Hold me accountable everyone. 

I put this image as my desktop wallpaper so I'm  reminded of my goals every time I'm on my computer. 

Here are some of the first pictures of the new year...

Henry and me at the LDS Temple grounds in LA.

2012 is going to be a great year! I can feel it. Anything is possible this year--don't forget it!

Eye Sketch

Lovin' my digital sketch pad! Here's an eye I just did...

I SEE you! :)

My New Digital Sketch Pad

For Christmas my sweet husband got me a digital sketch pad! My friend Liz is a professional artist, and she's helping me learn to use it. I've had so much fun with it already! I intend to play on it a bit every night before bed. Here are a few things I've done so far (as you can see, I'm getting better with practice). :)

A quick bird doodle. I love how I can get an airbrushed look with digital.

Another quick doodle.

This is last night's. Liz helped me find the right brushes and get the look. 

I'll keep em' comin!

Inspiring Pictures January Week 2

Again, probably my last "Inspiring Pictures" post. I'll put these types of pics on my Pinterest page from now on.

These are flowers my sister Paige bought me over a year ago. I found this pic in my folder and had to post.

The view from my kitchen window. Notice the lone rose? That's why I took the picture.

Two great pics I took in Utah!

Decor Ideas I Love!

This will, again, probably be my last "Decor Ideas" post since I'll be putting it all up on my Pinterest page from now on.

These first three are from A Beautiful Mess blog.

Love that needlework on the wall!

I really need to start displaying more pictures! I think there's only one picture of us in the living room, and it doesn't even show our faces...

Cutest...

You know I love peeling paint and fresh flowers.

Cutest baby room ever!