Brenda Cookies

One of the first people I met in NYC was our dear friend Chelsea. She has showed up on this blog often and for good reason. She loves food as much as we do and she loves adventures. So yeah, we loved getting to hang out with her every chance we got (and will get).
Well, this adventurous social bug introduced us to her friend and roommate Brenda. Brenda has a gift. Anything she touches turns into the most delicious baked good you will ever lay eyes on, let alone eat. But really, she is an amazing cook and baker. She introduced us to her famous salted chocolate chip cookies. They have a unique and extensive creation process that turns these babies into THE best chocolate chip cookies you will ever have. They have a good amount of saltiness, high chocolate chip to dough ratio, perfectly thick, chewy, and dunkable.
One day I went to the mail box to find this package waiting. That's right a box full of individually wrapped Brenda cookies. Almost 20 of them. I quickly threw them all in the freezer to keep them as long as possible and started on my first one... Heaven. Pure heaven. 
I am so glad to have met such amazing women and to have a little memory of them each time I crack open a new cookie. Everyone needs friends like these in their lives.

Freebirds

 Huge, delicious burritos and foil creations covering every ledge. It's pretty dang good and the atmosphere is an experience in itself. I got the veggie and was able to eat it in one siting but the meat one my mom got was quite a bit bigger and had to be turned into leftovers. So if your looking for the best bang for your buck go for the meat, otherwise I highly recommend the veggie. Either way its a burrito I would definitely order again.

Smash Burger

After Zach got home from the Priesthood session of General Conference (A worldwide LDS church conference) we went out for some burgers. We thought we would give Smash Burger a try after talking about it every time we passed one. The burgers were good with the smash sauce but definitely over priced. The fries, though equally over priced, were some of the best I have ever had. They are thin cut fries making them perfectly crunchy and seasoned to perfection. The chocolate shake was also good but those fries, they really made the meal.

Koko Samoa

At Zachs mission reunion a few weeks ago we got to enjoy chatting with some of his old companions while drinking my favorite warm beverage.  A great way to spend an evening. 

The Pressure of Perfectionism

 While living in New York we had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some incredibly talented people. We were in the cheaper part of the city which put us next to the Julliard students and other up and coming creatives. Mary Sauer is a very gifted artist. She approached me at church one Sunday and asked if she could paint me. I was so flattered to be asked. During the photo shoot I started to catch a glimpse of her vision and quickly realized that I had underestimated her. Sure enough, when I saw the final product I was stunned. I absolutely love both pieces she did. 

The smaller piece shown below was on tour and is now currently being sold for $850+. The one above is currently on tour and is not for sale yet, though I'm sure it will be even more out of my price range. For a while Mary Sauer was featured at Sloane Merrill Gallery.

Micro Fashion

 We have learned that Anna hates boots, hats, and being made to stand against the wall. She loves tags, bare feet, and clothes she can crawl around in. She is such a good sport for letting me sneak all these adorable pictures of her.
Above she is rocking my dress from the late 80's early 90's that my aunt Laura got me, she was to me as Paige is to Anna. The adoring and doting aunt. We all need one.
And as you can tell by the swim wear, we are beyond ready for some warm swim weather around here. Stir crazy is an understatement.

Snow and Hail