A Funderburk Halloween

To start the day off, I wanted to dress up for work but still be professional, so I pulled the old cockroaches crawling up my leg trick.

In the evening, Andy and I had a costume party to attend and we dressed up as Hulk & Linda Hogan!  Isn't that HILARIOUS! We cut the bottom of my wig off to create Hulk's hair piece. We ended up winning the costume contest at the party we went to - and there were some good costumes! I'm heavily bronzed!

Thirty, Flirty & Thriving

I loved that movie “Thirteen Going on Thirty”. I don't know if you saw it but my favorite line was "Thirty, Flirty & Thriving"! I turn 30 on November 2. We started celebrating early with a quick day of Las Vegas shopping – thank you ZARA for saving the day! This is the age I have been dreading for quite some time. But now that it is almost here, I am completely happy and content and excited to turn 30! I have been so blessed in so many ways over the past year, especially because of my sweet love, Andy. My perspective has certainly been strengthened.

Andy turns 30 on December 10 and to celebrate turning 30, we want to do something kind of special. Since I value all of your opinions, I want to hear your ideas. What did you do when you turned 30? I’m not too keen on going out of town since I feel like that is all I do. I think there has to be something that is low key, unique and monumental. Any suggestions?

Upon Request

Nicole’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

½ cup shortening
1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ cup white sugar
4 beaten eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 ½ cups flour
1 package milk chocolate chips

Cream together shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla; add dry ingredients and finally chocolate chips. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes. My secret is using an air bake cookie sheet and taking them out of the oven while they are still cooking (for soft and chewy cookies).

Test Drive

This past weekend Andy and I test drove a White '06 Volkswagen Touareg. We loved it. We are just dreaming for now, but it is fun to have a dream!

Wedding Gifts That Never End

We just keep getting them. And we love it. This is a favorite - "Couples Genealogy Tree" from Red Envelope. This came from a dear friend and we discovered it on our back doorstep the other day. We can't wait to map out our family tree. I hope it is not too heavy on the Bingham side!

This is what happened to me today

So, I have seen this in movies, but today it happened to me. The heel broke off my favorite pair of shoes! I stood up and felt something crumble under my foot. I was devastated! I had to prance around the last hour of the day on uneven footings. And to top it all off, Cedar City doesn't have a shoe cobbler!

Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps

I MUST SHARE!! We had this for dinner tonight and it was so easy, healthy, and delicious! We ended up mixing sweet thai chili sauce with soy sauce for a drizzle. And a tip on the ginger - peel, next slice into fine coins, and then chop.

THAI BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 small sweet red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 3 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 12 large Boston lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry
• 1 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 bunch each mint and cilantro, leaves picked, rinsed and dried
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Crumble in beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink.

2. Add sweet pepper, scallion, ginger, garlic, pepper flakes and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat; stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil.

3. To serve, put lettuce, cucumber, mint and cilantro on a platter. Place 1/4 cup beef mixture in a piece of lettuce, top with some cucumber, mint and cilantro. Squeeze some lime on top and roll up.

Utah Shakespearean Festival

Andy and I saw "The Tempest" at the Utah Shakespearean Festival last night. It was fun and this character "Arial" made the show - he was awesome!

We Love Sushi

While my family was down for the St. George Marathon, we had to hit up Samurai 21 for sushi and Japanese food. Andy and I are super excited because the owners of this restaurant are opening one up in Cedar City very soon!!

Southern Utah University

I have to spread the good word in case you all didn't know: I work for the most amazing institution - Southern Utah University. Our enrollment growth leads the state once again - see for yourself by clicking here!

Happy Birthday Amber!

It is Amber's Birthday today! She is such special sister - a darling mother and talented business woman all in one. She gives the best advice and has such a level head. The family gatherings never feel complete without her and her sweet family. We can't wait for her to come to Southern Utah to visit us. Amber, hope you are having a happy, happy birthday!

Our homey abode

Our cozy bungalow is starting to feel like home for me. The very first picture shows the pot rack Andy built for us and the custom concrete countertops that he built and stained. He is amazing. Generous wedding gifts of money made our new Z Gallery bedroom furniture purchase possible.

Reception - Texas Style

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