Do you know the secret to straight lines?

What is the secret to these perfectly. . . .

straight (sorry they're blurry) . . .

lines. . . ?

Well, here it is: first you tape your wall like normal. Then take the color UNDER the tape and paint just the very corner of the tape and the wall you are about to paint. For example, my wall next to the one I was painting, was red, so I taped the wall (the tape is on the red wall because I'm painting the other wall), and took my red paint and just painted the corner in red. That way, when that little bit of paint leaks under the tape (like it always do and then you don't get nice straight lines. . . even though you taped them!) is the color of the wall. So, in this case, the red paint leaks under the tape and onto the red wall. The paint then dries and seals the tape down so the color you are painting the adjacent wall does not leak. Brilliant, huh? I can't take the credit for this, I learned it from a friend in my ward. I am ever so grateful for my straight lines!!

Before:

After:

And that's it! It is so quick and easy and you get perfect lines every time! Happy painting!

Busy Painting!

This is what I did last week. . .



Antiquarian Brass for the living room walls (the wall opposite this one is the same color now-and I did the red last year - and it's the leftover paint from Bryson's office):

Shingle tan for the family room walls (I did this red last year, too):

Herb tea green for the kitchen:

I am on a total painting kick. We'll see if I'm burnt out yet. . . Nathan wants me to paint his room for his birthday. :)

What to do with that wheat. . . make nuts!

What are wheat nuts? They are like corn nuts, but made out of wheat. So, one thing you can do with all that wheat sitting in your pantry. : )



I had these for the first time last summer and have made them several times since. It is so easy and they are a yummy snack. Here's how to make them:



I use 3 cups of wheat (red or white) and about 8 cups of water. Put them in a pan on the stove and simmer for 1 hour. (Alternative: Put it in a crockpot on low before you go to bed and they will be ready in the morning)



When they're done, drain any excess water. This is what you get:

I take a medium sized pot and fill it with oil (about 2 inches from the top). I use a metal strainer ($2.50 at Wal-Mart) to create my deep fryer. Fry no more then 1/2 cup of wheat at a time. When the oil gets hot (this is tricky because I don't know what temperature my oil is at. I warm it up on medium-high (7-8 on my knobs) and then move the heat down to medium (6). Put 1/2 cup of wheat for 2 minutes. I then dump the kernels onto a paper plate to let dry and start another batch for 2 minutes. You have to fry them twice to get them crunchy, so after my second batch is done, I put them on a second paper plate and then put the kernels on the first paper plate back into the pot for another 2 minutes. Because life is kind of hectic, I put the lid over the wheat when it is the first time in the fryer. . .

And the second time in the fryer, I leave the lid off. That way, whatever I do in the two minute increments I don't have to remember how many times the wheat has been fried.

This is what it looks like after one fry:

Ater the second time frying, I put them ont a large cookie sheet covered with paper towels and then sprinkle them with some seasoning. Our two favorites are garlic salt, and cinnamon and sugar. They are a great snack (don't eat too many at first. . . it's a shock to the body if you haven't been eating whole wheat . . . and whole wheat bread doesn't count. Trust me). I like to sprinkle the garlic ones on salads to give them a little crunch or add it to trail mix or granola.

It sounds kind of times consuming, having to be at the stove every two minutes, but I tend to do a lot of organizing in my kitchen while I'm waiting for the timer to go off. It's amazing how much you can accomplish in those two minute increments while you're waiting for the wheat to fry.

So, here's the bottom line in case you've gotten lost in my explanation:

Cook your wheat either on the stove or in the crockpot. Fry it twice for 2 minutes each. If they are not crunchy still, fry them a third time and maybe turn up your heat. Good luck!

Garage Shelving Galore!

So, Bryson put up these amazing shelves in our garage last Saturday! Plus, he found them on Craigslist in Boise, drove over there, had to take them apart and haul them down a flight of stairs and a long hallway and they are HEAVY (I helped him unload). It's metal shelving like from a grocery store. The best part is, he got them for Free! I think the lady he got them from was so glad to have them gone. She was probably going to have to pay someone to come and take them away (they were in some store in a strip mall). There are four of those sections and five shelves on each section. Nice! It takes up just about the whole wall in our garage. I am so excited!

Now, what to put on the shelves. . .

Updates and Snow

Here's a more updated picture of Bryson's office. That's the Constitution hanging on that wall.

And here's our SNOW! We really didn't get that much, but the wind was blowing and over a foot of it drifted onto our driveway, of course. The back patio was completely bare. . .

So, the kids watched and played while I shoveled. Kayla wasn't so sure about it. I think she kind of liked the snow, but she couldn't move. . .

Nathan loves to climb the piles that end up on the sides of the driveway after it's been shoveled.

And now, it's pretty much gone. That's the way I like it. : )

Announcing the Grand Opening of . . .

Bryson has broken loose and opened up his own law practice! He has always wanted to be his own boss. :) He opened up on Monday, January 5th. We spent a lot of time the week before really fixing up his office. As you can see, it really needed it! Here's one before picture of the reception area (floor model is my sister, Lori):





Here's Bryson's office, with the great desk, credenza and bookcase he found on Craigslist:




Here's our paint job and Bryson making sure his diplomas are perfectly level. . .

This is looking from his office out to the reception area. There will be a door soon:

We are still getting things organized in these pictures, but here's the general idea:

And here is the reception/waiting room. We have stuff on the wall now and trees in the corners. I just haven't gotten an updated picture yet.

Here's an outside view. It is a small house built in th 20's or 30's, but it is a great location on a main street just 3 blocks from the courthouse. We might be painting the outside when the weather warms up.

And here is the ad he had in Sunday's paper! It was one of those sticky note ads right over the headline.

So, he's been open for three days now! It's been an encouraging start with several phone calls and meetings and a few prospective clients. And so the adventure begins . . .

Our Christmas Eve

We were able to drive down to Mesquite for Christmas this year! We broke up the drive by staying in Spanish Fork with family there. It had been a long time since we had been down there so we really enjoyed being with Bryson's parents and family there!



Here are some of our Christmas Eve pictures. We had all the kids dress up in Nativity costumes and "act" it out as Bryson's brother, Maurie, read the story. Kayla, as the youngest got to be baby Jesus. :)





Lily was the angel, but fell in love with the "Mary" dress and wore it the rest of the time we were there. Grammy was very nice and let her bring it home with her!!





These are the cool cousins. . . the wise men, Jayden and Jeremy.

And finally, Nathan and his great friend and cousin, Cameron. They were shepherds. Nathan was so excited to see Cameron and play with him. He will call him every so often and they will talk on the phone. It is so cute!

And yes, we saw Santa drive by Maurie and Christy's house on Christmas Eve morning. . . on a fire truck! I have never seen that before!

We really enjoyed the time spent with family on Christmas and all the games that were played! Thanks everyone!