Tour de Utah: Slab Pizza

Coach and I (and a few choice friends) have started a eating tour of Utah.

This started a while back as a result of gathering to visit one of our recent favorite finds.

Slab Pizza

We started thinking we should pick places around the valley, lesser known, (preferably cheap) rare find kind of joints, try them together and rate them accordingly.

We've been to a few now and I feel like I need to start documenting my thoughts to share with all of you.

So starting with our first stop...Slab Pizza.

How I love thee, let me count the ways.

There's been a lot of hype about Pizzeria 712, and as much as I love the Heirloom Family of Eateries I haven't been blown away by much of anything but the price at 712.

If you know me you know that I love good food and know good food.

I will never steer you wrong.

So the name Slab refers to the way it's served in slabs instead of slices. They only come in one gigantic size which equals a quarter of the pizza. Mmmm...so take a posse and share a variety of flavors amongst the group.

Slab has a diverse menu of classic favorites and funky new combos.

I of coarse was loving me some Veggie/Pepp/Sausage and the Hawaiian (which you can get with SPAM btw, not that I would...yuck) but that's boring so here's what you really need to try...

Rosemary, Potato, + Bacon, Pulled Pork, or maybe some Buffalo Wing Pizza (a favorite among the men).

You won't be sorry.

Their chill atmosphere, fresh local fare, good prices, ever changing specials menu, and quite possibly the best pizza crust I've ever had will get you returning again and again.

They are located at 669 East 800 North in Provo just east of the duck ponds tucked down and around the corner from JDawgs (another cult provo fav).

So check it out and check back for our next stop of the Tour de Utah.

Come join us or post where you think we should go...

Mommy Maven:Strolling in Style

Ahhh! Just talking about this and I'm so excited.

So I don't know how many times I've had a conversation about the fact that bugaboo has gotten a little behind the eight ball, no double stroller? I mean come on....and...

Bada boom bada bing, they deliver!

This has been rumored for over a year now and it's finally here.

May I present The Donkey

So get this, it expands from a single stroller with a storage case to a double complete with bassinets and toddler seats and all the other goodies we are accustomed to.

Is this totally awesome or a completely unnecessary nonfunctional doing it simply for the need to be new and different sort of thing?

I'm leaning towards totally awesome.

There are certainly times when I have my double and Etta ends up not wanting to ride in it and I end up pushing my monster Limo everywhere unnecessarily and vise versa.

If any of you know me you know I love LOVE my single bugaboo and though have toyed with the idea of selling it (now that we are a bit larger of a crew) but just can't bring myself to do it.

So I don't know about you but I might be a little to anxious to try this ASAP and not so anxious to find out the price tag.

I'm hearing $1200-2000 range talk...yikes!

I'm hoping I can find another half off killer steal of a deal like I did with my Cameleon.

Anyway, whether I just end up dreaming and drooling or if someday I really take the plunge I'll keep you posted.

For now check it out (I love all the videos they do) and tell me what you think about the donkey....btw donkey? Really? What were they thinking...

Mad Skills Yo....

I have this little friend Julie.

She's wildly talented and has impeccable taste.

She makes bibs, burp cloths, wipe cases, onesies, headbands, hair clips, and more.

AND she's doing a giveaway right now on her blog!

Check out her Sprinkles On Top store on Etsy.

I think she will customize any flowers you like into clips or headbands depending on the age of your little one.
For some reason I can't load any pics of her bibs and burps...so you must go look for yourself!!

Life as of Lately

We are tired over here at the Neilson house. So very very tired. I've been exhausted lately! Little Etta is being so cute but so crazy! Something happened when she turned one. She has turned into a crazy zombie banshee baby. She'll be the most adorable thing then at the flip of coin she's a crying mess.

I've just been having a really hard time figuring out the new schedule she's on. We were such clockwork before and now it's changed, which is totally OK but I just need to figure out what it changed to. We're on totally different frequencies. So basically days are just really long with my new hyper active non napping super adorable child. Any suggestions? Did any of you notice a big change in you babies at one?

So that's our problem, but then rob is tired too. Normally when I'm feeling extra tired I use a lot of help from Rob. And although he has still been really helpful, he's so tired! I almost feel bad asking because he seems just as tired as me. With all his volleyball camps ALL day and traveling here and there and everywhere he's just wiped. So basically what I'm asking is does anyone want to take Elizabeth so we can sleep for like three days straight?

Seriously? Seriously.

Please go to this website immediately if not sooner. http://mmike.com/#top

The artists name is Michael Murphy. He started making amazing works of art during the election process and gained a bit of fame. I don't know the whole story but it led to him trying to sell one of his works of art for something like 60,000 dollars in order to pay for the surgery of Ed Port. Very cool. You can now go to this website to do your part and donate. www.edneedsamiracle.com

So check it out and check out his art, it's unreal. Make sure you look at it all. This one is made out of 2500 twisted wires. Yeah. The craziest one has to be one that's made only of nails on the canvas. Seriously, you have to see. I cannot believe that people are this amazing...it blows me away.

This or That?

High chairs anyone? I don't know what to do!!!! Help, my head is going to explode. So...I've looked at so many and read so many reviews and it just keeps making me more and more confused. So i'm asking you for what you've heard and used. My mom was generous enough to expand our high chair budget a bit at christmas time so I've been looking at the Tripp Trapp, Svan, Kinderzeat, Kee Karoo, One Step Ahead blah blah blah. I love the idea of the chair being able to sit right up to the table so they can be apart of the family interaction, I also like they adjust and grow with the child. What I don't like is the lack of tray with some of them...is that a big deal? Should I just go buy the cheapest thing with four legs? So please someone just tell me what to do.

Sleep Sanity.

I know I already mentioned the book 12 hours sleep by 12 weeks old but I have to say it again. This book has saved me. Elizabeth sleeps from 8pm to 8am. Eats at 8am. Takes a nap from 9:30-10:30. Eats at 12pm. Sleeps from 12:30-4:00! Eats at 4pm. Awake from 4-8, sometimes takes a 20-30 min cat nap around 6:00. Eats at 8:00 (or just before). Sleeps again from 8 to 8! We put her in her bed awake, in her own room, typically without crying (although there was some crying in the process to get to this point), and we have to wake her up. When she can stay relatively close to this schedule she is happy, pleasant, and calm while she's awake. I'm not exaggerating, this is really her schedule. Granted I think Elizabeth is a very good baby however, I really believe it is mostly to do with diligently following this book. We read quite a few books and took advice from all of them but what I liked so much about this one is that it's practical not just theoretical. Many of the books we read gave generalized advice that was difficult to apply for first time parents. This books tells you exactly what to do and when to do it. That's what I needed! I've spoken with people that feel as though a strict schedule would tie them down and take away the freedom they love. Talk to those same parents a few kids later and I'm sure they might sacrifice some of that "freedom" for some sanity. I know I speak from little experience seeing that I only have my first baby and she's only 4 months old, but I'm not the only person that this has worked for. This book came recommended from 3 friends who's kids had similar success. I also understand that all kids are different, so I'm sure applying these rules may take more patience from some than others, but I just wanted to share my happiness with all of you and tell you that I believe if anyone is determined to follow this strictly their little one will have success.

Wow, that ended up being a much longer rant than planned! I really just wanted to post these sweet little pictures of Elizabeth snoozing a couple months ago and got carried away! Anyways, enjoy and let me know about your sleep success or woes and if you've tried this book! Xoxo-

Let me count the ways...

More pics of my little cutie. I'm excited that she can sort of wear big girl clothes. We got these 0-3 month jeans on loan (thanks ashley) and the top is a sagging 3-6 month. It's really amazing. Certainly these 0-3 month pants are better than her 3-6 months but still when I pick her up they almost fall off her little non-existant belly. Our little teeny weeny. Well, we can't get enough of her so come over and visit because I'm sure she's had enough of us! Xoxo... PS - How do you make an orange laugh?

Tastebud Alert.

Good ol' fashioned Cheesecake

Crust:

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup finely chopped almonds
3/4 cup finely chopped vanilla wafers
2 tablespoons melted butter

Filling:

1 1/2 lbs cream cheese
1 1/3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
16 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Crust Directions:
1. Mix all nuts and vanilla wafer crumbs with melted butter and press into a 9 inch buttered springform pan, trying to line the sides as much as possible about 1 1/2" up the sides of the pan, set aside.

Cheesecake Directions: (follow precisely or you'll get lumps my dears!)
1. All the filling ingredients should be at room temperature.
2. Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy with an electric mixer set on low (keep the setting at low during the entire mixing process).
3. Add the sugar a little at a time and continue beating until creamy.
4. Add one egg at a time and beat after each egg.
5. Add flour, vanilla and lemon juice, mix well.
6. Add the sour cream and beat well.
7. Pour cream cheese mixture into the springform pan.
8. Place on the top rack in the middle of a 325 degrees preheated oven for 1 hr and 15 mins.
9. When time is up, prop open oven door and leave in oven for 1 hr.
10. Remove from oven and let cool then refrigerate for 24 hours.
Remember this important tip : A cheesecake should season. The wait is worth it. The flavor ripens and becomes enriched.

BTW Dareth if you wanted cheesecake more on the funky side I have that too.

Good luck to all, bring me samples of your results!

I wanna walk like you, talk like you...

So everyone's always saying "you have to teach me to cook like you!" So...I'm going to start posting some of my favorite recipes and some I'm trying out. Give 'em a go and give me your feedback. I hope you enjoy!


So this is a family fav. Coffee Cake. And all you mormons out there, no worries, the named is derived from it's most preferred eating companion not what's actually in it! :) So here it is:

Topping:
1/2 c Sugar
1/4 c sifted AP flour
1/4 c softened butter
1 tsp cinnamon

Batter:
1 1/2 c sifted flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
3/4 c sugar
1/3 c melted butter
1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and prepare a well greased 13 x 9 in pan.
2. For the topping, in a small bowl combine dry then add butter and mix with fork just until incorporated.
3. For the cake, sift dry together (flour, salt and baking powder.) Beat egg until frothy, and add in sugar and butter, then add milk and vanilla. Beat in flour slowly until well combine.
4. Spread the topping evenly over the surface of the cake, may need to be gently plopped over cake.
5. Bake for 25-30 min, or until a knife comes out clean. Serves 9

Voila! Easy as pie...err cake. Good luck!

Breaking Dawn

Ok, let me just tell you now. I'm a little obsessed. Between reading these books in a matter of hours from breaking the binding to watching every preview, trailer, interview for the new twilight movie (yikes, i know), you could say I'm a bit of an enthusiast, even a twilight aficionado. These books all though juvenile and completely lame in there own right are captivating and appeal to the deepest corners of my sappy sensitive female heart which I try to ignore the existence of frequently. How could books about vampires appeal to such feelings? Bella and Edward. I cannot resist the passion, love, intrigue, anxiety, drama, taboo (I could go on)...everything about this relationship. This is why I love reading. Each part can speak to you in a different way than to someone else or even than the writer had intended. My imagination runs rampant as I'm caught up in Bella's emotions. Every time I'm done reading I find myself looking to my relationship excited to reignite our passion and romance. The suspense is riveting and you find yourself amazingly enough caring for and even envying the life of a vampire. (well more so in book 4 as I find myself wanting to go running through the forest on hunting trips with them) Anyway, I'm completely getting carried away. Book one has to be my favorite, book two pales in comparison mostly I'm sure due to the fact it's all about Jacob...yuck, book three is a close second for favorite, and book four I have to say surprised me. I can't say that books can often do that to me. I typically speculate and then wish that I hadn't when I spoil the ending for myself. Although this book took me the longest to get involved in (because honestly I thought the plot, at least for a while was pretty lame) it continued to catch me off guard with the direction it took and pleased me in the end. I'm a bit abashed by my enthusiasm and the small sad emptiness I felt when I finished! Stephanie, write more! But I'm declaring it loud and proud despite the smirk and chagrin on my husbands face I'm sure (although I'm convinced if he read them he'd like them...which he secretly knows...whiiich is why he wont). So in case he fails me, I'm taking sign ups to be my date on December 12th for the twilight movie! Ok, I think I'm done and it's out of my system. I hope you can all still be friends with me. By the way, did you guys love the host or what?

Confessions of a Provo Housewife...

My former life as a single women consisted of many things, most of which I would never say I miss. However, my former bustling social life does sound tempting from time to time. Pretty much these days my big night out is to the volleyball game. Isn't that terrible! I do have to say it gives me a wonderful oppourtunity to invite family and friends to catch up with. (i.e. Tiff and litte reagan baby...sooo cute!) Besides that large but lonely redeeming quality, it's a little sad that this is the big event I look forward to. So I'm thinking I've gotta plan something fun. Rob's just so busy and gone so often...and our Friday and Saturdays while he's here are sort of already booked...but we have to take advantage of this time before baby comes right? And I mean just look at 'em. He definitely deserves a hot date! Mmm mmm. :) Any great ideas?

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet...

So it's pretty much decided that the little ones name will be elizabeth. However, I'm struggling with the middle name...so I'm opening it up to discussion.

*Elizabeth Avery

*Elizabeth Sophia

*Elizabeth Delilah

*Elizabeth Chloe

Anyone? What do you think? Keep in mind, I most surely won't listen to you, and her name will probably end up being Talulah Fifi Trixibelle Honeyblossom LovelyRose (celebrities should no longer be able to have children), but I want your opinion just the same. :)