Sweet Potato vs. Sweet Yam

I learned tonight that these are not the same vegetable. I love sweet potato fries and am happy to see them on so many more menus. I saw in a magazine an easy recipe for them and decided I'd give it a try since I'm trying to be more adventurous in my cooking life....my sweet tooth does not easily get a tasty home-cooked meal on the dinner every night. While at the grocery store I couldn't find sweet potatoes but did find sweet yams and they looked the same so I figured they were. Mistake number one. After cutting the potatoes into wedges I followed the recipe and covered each in a egg white and seasoning mixture. After baking them for 7 minutes I went to flip them over and exclaimed "oh no, the egg on each of them is getting cooked" and Dan asked what happened. Mistake number two...although it was what the recipe called for...(and Dan laughed at me for using that expression.) Long story short, they weren't good, and I will continue to order sweet potato fries from Guru's and Purple Turtle and won't mistake a sweet potato for a yam again.

Grand Junction Trip

We had a fun weekend trip to Colorado to visit my sister's family. On Friday we made a trip to the pool- my first this whole summer! And the kids wanted to come in our car because we are so cool :)





On Saturday we went up in the mountains to this waterfall and hiked around in these cool caves.





This isn't exactly our family picture...we borrowed Henry :)





This is a view from National Monument. It was a beautiful drive along the ridge.


Thanks Chipmans for a fun weekend! We're excited for many more!

Lovely Paper

I made these invitations for my friend's Bachelorette party with paper from Xpedx paper stores. I can't come out of that store without buying anything.

We're Going To...

Grand Junction, Colorado later this week and I'm really excited to spend time with my sister Stacey's family. My mom is moving here too later this summer so it looks like this will be the new "home".

Going Private

We are making our blog private. Please leave a comment with your email address so I can invite you or send me an email at meghanhollingshaus@gmail.com. Thanks!

ERIN

Happy 20th Birthday Erin! Erin and I are six years apart (that is right I am turning 26 very soon) and growing up she my "annoying little sister". I remember her wanting to play with me and my friends when they came over and I wouldn't let her. I wasn't always very nice to her. But I can remember so vividly the first Christmas I came home from college and her and Ashley weren't just my little sisters anymore...they were really among my best of friends. I have loved establishing that friendship with both of them and especially with Erin as I have gotten to live so close to her for the past year. (I can't wait for Ashley to be so close to me too this Fall!) Erin is an amazingly talented, creative, hilarious and beautiful person who I am so lucky to have in my life. I am so grateful for all the laughs and tears we have shared and look forward to so many more. Happy Birthday Bin, love you!

Photo Booths

Dan and I went to a photo booth on Saturday night at Kmart on State Street in Orem in case you want to go. It was really fun. The very first picture caught us off guard, we weren't ready obviously. We still didn't have the timing right on the second one, I was about to kiss his cheek but it looks like I am reprimanding him :)

153

153 Fairhill Drive will forever be one of my most favorite things. This is the home I grew up in. Thousands of memories are tied to this home. And today it sold. I am so sad that I won't be able to go home to this house anymore but I know it is the time for change. I'm so excited for the fun times ahead for my family and for the many new memories we will create together in our new home in Grand Junction, Colorado. I'm proud of you mom for all your hard work over the last several months and all the hard decisions you have had to make. I can't wait to have you just a car ride away!

Pretty Summer Bedding

Pottery Barn has this Yellow Paisley Duvet on sale. I think it is so pretty.

Target Commercial

I just saw this commercial tonight and loved it. I want to be a mom to some boys someday....even if they drive their toy truck into me while I'm working out and even if I have to wipe their dirty faces and even if they won't share their treats with me (but I will surely snatch some :)

Mixing Wood Tones

My brother just bought his first home (Congratulations again Brian!) and we've been chatting about interior decorating. I'm sure must people struggle at one time or another with mixing wood tones. My thoughts regarding the issue...do it! All of your pieces of furniture don't have to match. Contrast and variety are two principles of design that help to add interest to a room and to break up a monotonous feel. But I think repetition is the key so that you also create a unified look. Use various wood tones but use them repeatedly in your textiles, accessories, and artwork. In this bedroom (photo found here) both dark and medium wood tones are used and it looks great. Even though the storage piece and end tables have a medium finish the dark picture frames don't look out of place because the tone is repeated in the dark leather and in the bedding.

California Trip

Last weekend Dan and I were able to attend one of my friend's wedding in Newport, California. Kaitlyn and Dustin were married in the LDS Temple there which was beautiful.



They looked so incredibly happy and Kaitlyn was BEAUTIFUL! Her dress was actually strapless and the alterations to add sleeves were perfect...she was gorgeous!



We had a fun road trip with my one of my other best friend's Marlayne and her husband Travis. The drive included eating peanut M&M's, Cheetos, Oreos, Gummi Bears, and other delights that I now regret :)





I can't say that Dan and I have the desire to ever live in California but we, (well...probably more me) had a great time catching up with some of my best friends and getting to spend time with them!

Sensibly Styled

I came across this site, Sensibly Styled, today and loved it. The idea behind it is "all modest clothes, all in one place". This outift is shown on their site and it made me want to go shopping for summer clothes. I really need skirts and shorts because Utah is getting HOT!

Yummy Summer Drink

I bought some Minute Maid Cherry Limeade at the store tonight and I am in love. It is a delicious summer drink and I highly recommend it. I'm going to try freezing some of it to make it slushy and mixing it with some 7up.

Save Your Cell Phone

I got this email today and thought it was worth sharing. I'm not a huge fan of having telemarketers calling me.

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public next month. This means all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. You will be charged for these calls. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.