Time Magazine Mood Map

The latest issue of Time has a map of the states that shows how mood varies across the country.  You can take their quiz to see which state fits your personality.  This made me laugh (see below).  In the interest of full disclosure I will say that I took the quiz twice - not to get a specific result but to be more decided in my answers.  Apparently my true personality corresponds with where I was raised!

Lamb Sweater

When I was in Utah my mom and I visited DownEast.  I really loved this sweater, but they didn't have it in my size - so my mom got it.  So cute!

Dirty Diet Coke

I'm starting to wonder if this is just a Utah thing...  My sister introduced me to dirty Diet Coke: made with a shot of coconut syrup and a squeeze of lime.  Yum!  Find this photo and instructions at Our Best Bites.

Zions Mercantile Goodies

When we were in Utah over Thanksgiving, we stopped at Deseret Book.  I managed to bring home a couple of cute things from their Zions Mercantile line.  This glass honey jar is only $1.99!  And Sara's spoon rest inspired me to pick up one of my own.

Grand America

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We had a lovely meal with my father-in-law at the Grand America in Salt Lake.  It's a beautiful hotel.  I had not remembered all of the crystal chandeliers - they reminded us of Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.  (I also did not remember my camera - so I borrowed the chandelier picture from Flickr.)  The flowers in the lobby were beautiful and fragrant, as always.

 

Utah Print

I found the perfect frame for my Utah print from Dutch Door Press.  My sister and I both had the idea of making Utah-themed bathrooms, and I'm liking how mine is turning out.  This photo makes the frame look a little darker than it really is.  (I got it for $5 at TJ Maxx, and the mat was $2 at Hobby Lobby.)

Farr's Idaho Huckleberry Cordial

Huckleberries are all over the West, and they are delicious!  When we were passing through Idaho, we got one of these Farr's Idaho Huckleberry Cordials.  Yum!

Friday Featured Art: Beauty and Belief

While we were in Utah we visited a fabulous art exhibit.  It was at that school in Provo that I'm not allowed to name (big rivals...).  The exhibit, Beauty and Belief, included Islamic art from all over the world.  Some of the pieces were easily identifiable as Turkish.  This fragment is from Spain.  You should definitely go if you get a chance.

Blown Glass

After visiting my sister Sara's house, I was inspired to buy this beautiful blown glass drop at Olive & Dahlia on 25th Street in Ogden (she has a few lovely ones). I also got this cute little bird. I think they'll look great hanging in front of a window.

Turquoise Ring

When I was 11, my mom gave me a turquoise ring that her father had given her when she was 11. Sadly, it no longer fits my finger. So when we were in the Southwest, I searched for one that could be a replacement. I finally found a Navajo-made ring at a shop in Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah (not far from Zion).

The Lion House

When we were in Utah over Christmas, we spent some time in downtown Salt Lake City. It was a lot of fun. We ate lunch at the Lion House. It's a nice, tucked-away place to go, and you never know who you'll see (Elder Christofferson) - and of course there are the famous rolls.

Scones

Until our recent trip to Utah, I did not realize how much of a regional recipe fried scones are. Various restaurants that we went to offered scones with a meal or as a dessert. They're usually served with honey butter and are delicious.

Here's a link to instructions for making them using frozen roll dough:

http://saltlakecity.about.com/od/diningnightlife/r/Mormon-Scones-Recipe.htm

Daybreak

Sorry for not posting on Friday! We were in Utah for a week, and now we're home and trying to put things back in order. Development in Utah is usually at a breakneck speed, and it's rather distressing to us because we grew up with lots of pristine open space. One of the things that we really love, though, is the Daybreak development. We love the interesting homes with their large porches and garages in the back. We also love that Daybreak has walking trails and a pond and great landscaping. If we lived in Utah (and had a lot of money), that's where we would live.

Moda Home

When we were in Utah, I went with my sisters and my mom to Gardner Village for lunch and some shopping. It was very fun. I found a bunch of cute little things, and one that I've already put to use is this great apron. It's by Moda Home, and it really helps with my dishwashing!

Utah Arts Festival

If you're in Salt Lake this weekend, go visit Joe (and Sara) at the Utah Arts Festival - booth 8, to be exact. Joe's work is always a great source of inspiration.