Doughnut Recipe

Okay, okay, I should have just included the link in my previous post, but here it is: the doughnut recipe. Once the doughnuts came out of the oil, I rolled them in a mix of the following:

1 cup granulated sugar
2 T cinnamon
2 t ground ginger
1/2 t ground cloves

The chocolate glaze recipe can be found here. Both options are completely delicious. Happy cooking and even happier eating!

My Creations of Late

I've been busy doing projects while enjoying my last two weeks of vacation from teaching; here are just two of the items I've crafted:

I made this carseat slipcover for Karli since her chair was becoming faded, torn, and completely crusted with disgusting material like crumbs, spilled milk, old french fries, and the like. I have to brag about fabric procurement: there is an awesome store in Draper called Design Company Fabrics. Every once in a while, they send me a coupon for one free yard of fabric valued up to $30. I had two coupons, so the Passion Suede (usually $30 per yard) I used in this project was totally free. Nice, 'eh? I used scraps and leftover buttons to make the flowers and it turned out to be really cute. The flowers are also removable so I can use this chair for our new baby when Karli outgrows it.

Next, my sister Marianne and I made these doughnuts that were divine! My favorites were those coated in sugar and spice mix, but all three toppings were delicious and I, of course, ate way too many. The dough itself was fragranced with a bit of nutmeg, which completely made the doughnuts. I think I may have to make this a Thursday tradition.

I also made a three-layer chocolate cake with 7-minute frosting for my dad's birthday party, and today I think I may paint the basement bathroom a divine color called Pyramid Gold (by Behr). We'll see how ambitious I feel!

Top Ten

Randomly, I feel like I want to share the ten things that delight me and the ten things that irk me at this moment.

Ten things I love right now:
1. Sewing
2. Crystal Light with lots of ice
3. String cheese
4. Abdominal crunches with my Body Ball
5. Sore abdominal muscles due to #4
6. Concerts
7. Rex's newfound cheesey smile
8. My kids' notice of recently-cleaned rooms
9. Alone time
10. Vacation from teaching

Then things I can't stand right now:
1. Neediness
2. Whining
3. Slow computers
4. Hot weather
5. Living in limbo
6. Debt
7. Bananas
8. Waking up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night
9. Facebook quizzes
10. Doing laundry

Thank Heavens I'm No Pioneer

Today, the temperature in Alpine maxed out at nearly 100 degrees. Hot, yes. Bearable, usually...especially when there's a swimming pool in the back yard and a nice, cool basement for retreat. HOWEVER, all these wonderful extra hormones in my body make the heat so miserable that no matter what I try to cool off, my sweaty forehead continues to glisten and my elbow creases never dry.
The upstairs air conditioner went out today, so it was 87 degrees when I last went into my bedroom and I wanted to cry! How lame am I? I know I am thoroughly spoiled and freely admit it, but come on...I could barely breathe!
I can't imagine how awful life must have been for the early Utah settlers who trekked across the United States in covered wagons, long-sleeved-petticoated-high-necked dresses and shoes (or no shoes...even worse!) and am very thankful that they were strong enough to do it so I don't have to. I'd much rather be a "pioneer of the 21st century" and find clever ways to avoid cyber addictions, text-bullies of my children and the like. I'm just not cut out to be a hardy, pregnant lass during the summer heat!