28 things to do before i'm 29.

via solar-sisters.

1. take a ceramics class.
2. go to a barre class.
3. take tennis lessons.
4. get a passport.
5. watch all the best picture winners.
6. take a trip via train.
7. stay at a dude ranch, do dude ranch things.
8. make pickles.
9. get acupuncture.
10. visit havasupai.
11. read a book.
12. cross at least one hike off my hiking list.
13. go snow shoeing.
14. surprise someone.
15. help someone in need.
16. run barefoot (preferably on the beach).
17. play matchmaker.
18. go on a completely spontaneous trip.
19. bake a cake for a loved-one.
20. fall asleep on a grassy plain.
21. cook a five-course meal.
22. travel the world through food.
23. learn the art of graffiti.
24. understand the difference between jazz and good jazz.
25. study mormon pioneer women.
26. read the last conference talk of all the prophets.
27. have more technology-free days.
28. throw a dance party.

most of these should look familiar to you if you've followed along for the past four years (24 things, 25 things, 26 things, and 27 things). it's becoming increasingly difficult to come up with things to do and i'm getting up there!

but i guess the most important, number one thing i want to do this year, isn't on the list. it isn't really something i can check off. it's something that has been really hard for me in the past, and maybe is really hard for me currently. but that thing is be happy in the moment. my sister keeps a running list every year of "moments of happiness". things like "this person said something nice to me" or "me and some friends ate out and saw a movie and it was really fun". just simple but, i think, really significant! and the greatest idea.

so here's to another year.

and here's to making this year the happiest.

26 things to do before i turn 27.

^^^ this is how old i feel. 26! the sound of that is just dripping with antiquity. guys, i've got a lot to do in my life. here's what i'll focus on for the next year:

1. participate in a sprint triathlon.

happening september 1st!

2. ^^^ take swimming lessons to prepare. 

3. read the old testament.

4. read the new testament.

5. make pickles.

6. write and mail at least one snail-mail letter per month (preferably to a different person each time).

i'll count this as checked off, but i was REAL good at the beginning and then trailed off into awful.

7. throw a "pop-up" dinner party.

i'm counting a progressive dinner we threw in february for this one.

8. get a passport.

9. hike mount timpanogos and/or the narrows.

10. go camping at least 5 times.

11. search for the best late-night eatery in salt lake.

12. take a cooking class.

13. paint something.

14. become a rock climber.

15. go to a full day at the movies.

16. participate in a random act of service.

17. do a front flip into a pool.

18. grow trash can potatoes.

19. write a letter to my 30 year old self.

20. do stuff by myself.

21. stay at a dude ranch, do dude ranch things.

22. take a trip via train.

23. get a deep tissue massage.

24. make (and eat) and 6 course meal.

25. create a time capsule.

26. get acupuncture.

to see how i've fared in previous years, here's 25 things, and 24 things.

birthday trip to italy.

got this from my sister today, she is serving a mission in rome right now (114 more days!). and so far, BEST birthday present!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

did you know that you got to celebrate your birthday a few days early? take a sneak peek into how you and i spent your birthday in italia ...

we studied the gospel. we studied how to improve our teaching, the word of wisdom for emmanuele, and found a nice spiritual thought to share at correlation meeting.

we ate breakfast ... the classic "honey snackies" from the local discount store.

we knocked on doors and shared the message of the restoration with the greatest people on earth.

you played with our guard dog, zora.

you drilled sorella wiltbank on her past tense verbs.

and we went to bed on time, because we are always obedient.

happiest birthday to the most beautiful, wonderful, silliest girl that i love more than anyone else who has ever been born. i love you so much! thank you for your wonderful example and unique personality that has blessed me every single day of my existence.

love,
sorella wightman

it's coming.

it's almost my birthday (don't ask me about my 25 things list ...). i tend to keep a rolling list of things i want. if i don't get it for christmas it goes on the birthday list, and so on. i mainly do this to take advantage of the bi-annual occurrence of people buying me things for no reason. it's a pretty good deal really! that and i like saying "visit my website for further information" to people when they ask what i want for my birthday. ha!

here's what made the list for the big event:

^^^ nail polish! - a girl can never have too many shades; and for me, too many shades of red.^^^

^^^ a new set of legs ... no really some exercise pants - i'm really liking albion fit for sport gear.^^^

^^^ a bike rack - i desperately need this, what with my bike fetish phase i'm going through. the other day i thought i would just fit my bike standing up in my back seat. i do drive a box car! it'll work! ... no, it didn't work. i'm thinking this thule passage will do.^^^

^^^ a bike helmet - this should have been number one on the list because it's what i want most and ... i think ... yeah, i probably need this most too. BERN has what i want. well, what i really want is pictured above, but i'm not totally sure how to get my hands on one ... so the lenox in red, white, and blue will do.^^^

^^^ the house of the lord & the continuous atonement - jesus the christ is maybe my favorite thing that has ever been written. i teach the temple prep class in my ward and am interested in reading talmage's thoughts on the sacred subject. also i found it for $3 on amazon! have you heard this talk about grace from brad wilcox? life-changing in just 30 minutes. i'm sure i could learn a thing or two from his book.^^^

a phone case - preferably from my fave stationary supplier, rifle paper co. these are so cute i just can't handle it.

of course, i'm always in the mood for anthropologie and sephora (a seperate post entirely) gift cards and fancy soap. but mostly i just wanna eat cake and bask in the summer sun as i joyfully, blissfully, calmly skate into 26.

feb-elev.

happy feb-elev to you all!

this is the day, twenty-two years ago, that a star was born: my sister paige.

to celebrate i'm sharing my favorite things about this gurl right hurr.

1. she is one of the most charitable people i've ever met.

2. i think she is the funniest person i know.

3. she is truly an original and really creative.

4. she's a peace-maker and a care-giver.

5. she's smart and witty and cleaver and fun and silly and beautiful and every other good thing.

mostly she's my bff, my entertainment, and my most favoritest person.

tanti auguri paigey!

love you.

courtney and julia.

my happy birthday julia child! meal. taken with instagram.

happy birthday to julia child!

did you know that my childhood dream was to be a chef? i swear that up until i was in jr high i played restaurant with my little kitchen. and even still, my dream life would consist of me saving the world through cookies. 

so you can imagine my admiration for the great julia child. she turns 100 years old today. in celebration of her life, emily and i decided to cook dinner tonight julia style. here's what i'm cookin up:

mustard marinade with pork loin chops*

1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
5 pork lean thin cut boneless pork chops
non-stick cooking spray

1. in a small bowl, combine all the ingredients through the lemon juice. whisk and slowly pour in oil to emulsify the marinade.
2. brush each pork chop on all sides with the marinade. place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour.
3. heat a large non-stick skillet over high heat. spray with non-stick cooking spray and add the pork chops. sear until deeply caramelized on the first side before flipping them to caramelize on the second side.

cauliflower and broccoli cheese**

1 small firm cauliflower

1 small head of broccoli

3 1/2 tbsp butter

1/4 cup flour

2 cups milk

1 cup cheddar cheese

1/2 cup bacon

1 cup tomatoes, sliced and quartered

salt and pepper to taste

1. chop the bacon and fry over a gentle heat until golden brown.
2. meanwhile, wash the cauliflower and broccoli, divide into florets and add to a large saucepan of boiling water. put the cauliflower in the boiling water and the broccoli on the top as the broccoli generally needs slightly less time to cook. simmer for about five minutes, test every 2 minutes until cooked. drain through a colander and set the colander on the original saucepan, in a warm place to drain as you make your sauce.
3. melt butter, then add flour and mile to make a roux. let simmer for 10 minutes to thicken.
4. add 2/3 of the grated cheese to create a thick bechamel sauce. taste and season.
5. lay the sliced tomatoes in the base of a warmed, large, ovenproof dish. scatter over the bacon and add a third of the cheese sauce. arrange the cooked cauliflower and broccoli over this then pour the remaining cheese sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. place in the oven on broil for 5 minutes to brown.

vichy carrots***

3 (or so) julienne carrots

1 tbsp butter

a sprinkling of sugar

2 tbsp water

balsamic vinegar

1. put the carrots in a pan with the butter, sugar and water. 
2. cook on high heat, shaking occasionally, adding more water if necessary (all the water should have evaporated when the carrots are ready.
3. add a little balsamic vinegar before serving.

*via cookeatshare
**via cottagesmallholder
***via joannasfood

25 things to do before i'm 26.

via theblackapple**

for some reason i excel at to-do lists. and what better way to use this talent than by creating a year-long to-do list?

i have dubbed the making of this list a birthday tradition. thanks to those who know me best, who helped me come up with this list. i'll make you proud.

25 things to do before i'm 26

1. hike mount timpanogos.

2. travel outside of the united states.

3. make a quilt.

4. participate in some sort of competitive race > 5k.

5. visit texas.

6. hike the narrows.

7. buy a scooter.

8. visit havasupai.
9. grow my own garden.
10. throw a tea party.
11. perfect the ultimate sunday dinner. boeuf bourguignon? souffle a la orange? chocolate roulade?
12. get a passport.
13. invest in my future kitchen.
14. spend a day at the spa.
15. read 4 classic novels.
16. learn about sailing, then sail.
17. make my own jam.
18. take a week long technology hiatus.
19. write out my testimony, then sign it.
20. learn to love something i hate.
21. geocache.
22. become an expert on a historical figure.
23. master the scorpion pose.
24. rescue something.
25. write 25 years of my personal history.

here's to another year of growth and achievement, and feeling accomplished.

**primrose by emily winfield martin; this could be me at 12 years old, spittin image. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

**update! 1) coming to a blog post near you, next year! 2) ... this is probably a year or two out 3) SOMEday 4) done 5) done 6) this too will happen next year, if it's the last thing i do 7) not gonna happen 8) apparently this takes planning and hiking friends, both of which i lack 9) done 10) i have no excuse for this 11) done 12) next year 13) done; but i don't know that $9 china is an "investment" 14) not done. who's up for a day at the spa? 15) i just, i just ... i hate reading. there, i said it 16) saved for when i live in annapolis, md 17) might happen come harvest time 18) done with GREAT PLEASURE! 19) done 20) done 21) saved for when i'm a pirate 22) i thought about doing this, i thought about it a lot, but that's all i did 23) saved for when i'm buff 24) done 25) i wrote about one year, then gave up.

i have my eye on you.

in just 2 weeks i will turn the big 25. i'm usually much more prepared for this occasion and conjure up all the little items i've been wanting for a year. unfortunately, i have everything i could ever want {that and people usually don't gift husbands for birthdays}!

but here are some things i have my eye on:

 

 

 

 

agent 18 red chevron iphone case {also sold at target}, 36 hours: 150 weekends in the us & canada {also sold at anthropologie}, grasse concrete perfume in chant de bois, clarisonic mia {$119 at nordstrom}, ecote peep toe skimmer via urban outfitters, unfortunately my anthro headband is out of stock on the website - sad, 2013 paper source planner, in persimmon, violight toothbrush cleaner, panda style, laqa&co lip pencil in wolfman.

here's to wishin!

hbdad.

that guy, he's my dad. 

one of my favorite memories was about 6 years ago in an albertson's parking lot. i was wild/crazy that night and was running as fast as i could then jumping up on the cart and riding it around. when we got to the car my dad smiled at me and said, "courtney, you're a girl after my own heart, just like david was after the lord's heart." 

i loved that moment.

happy birthday to my dada who knows me perfectly and loves me perfectly.

the big 80.

my grandma wood is turning 80 years old this month!

of course a birthday like this merits a big party! i was blessed with the task of making the slide show. i say blessed because it gave me the opportunity to look through scads of old pictures, one of my very most favoritest hobbies. 

look.

grace kelly? no, my grandma.

this is just the cutest little scene. and isn't that dress to die for!

little lisa looks like little courtney here.

two things to point out in this gem: 1}that is marion g romney with my family {cool} and 2}look at my mom's hair!

 

hippies.

 we'll end with a picture of my mom opening up the best present: the family quilt. most comfortable thing in your life. sadly this was the early 80s and what was left of the quilt has long since been thrown out. here's to you quilt! nothing will ever replace you on our beds or in our hearts.

hb mb.

upon coming into work this morning:

{ten points if you can guess what my background is behind the chat.}

guys, have you been to the google home page today?

if not, go no further, because this design deserves it's very own post.

do you see what this is?

it is homage to the wonderfully talented mary blair, who turns 100 years old today.

hb mb.

i love ya.

presie.

as to mean present.

it was good.

24 things to do before i turn 25.

today i turn 24. and i think that is pretty old. is it? should i be more accomplished by now? i don't know.

to help myself feel more accomplished i've created a

24 things to do before i turn 25 list

{my dear, dear friend brittney used to make one every year and i loved it}:

1. go to disneyland.
2. hike mount timpanogos.
3. do more yoga.
4. travel outside of the united states.
5. finish reading jesus the christ.
6. read till we have faces. -- half checked off
7. go to paris with faux parisian {kenzie, this means you}.
8. make a quilt.
9. participate in a triathlon.
10. buy a condo and/or move to nyc. -- i'm gonna go ahead and count renting my little slc apt for #10
11. jump off the high dive.
12. go to texas to see this bundle of joy.
13. ride my bike with no hands.
14. apply to graduate school.
15. have 1/2 of a master's degree in education.
16. obtain a larger, age appropriate wardrobe.
17. learn the art of watercolor.
18. remember the art of ceramics.
19. watch 5 2, never before seen, classic films. -- gentlemen prefer blondes, strangers on a train, the bicycle thief, ...
20. get a {henna} tattoo.
21. take an overnight trip with paige so she can use her delta airline refund.
22. learn how to slalom ski.
23. hike the narrows.
24. have blonde hair again.

8.8.

8.8 through the years.

{first.}

{second.}

{third.}

{fourth.}

{fifth.}

{sixth.}

{eighth. at spag fact.}

{ninth. and the best. look how great those presents are! also the birthday my parents decided to stop taking pictures of me and my growth.}

{twenty first.}

{twenty second.}

{twenty third. on the mission.}

{twenty third. by proxy at home.}