The Meandering Thoughts of Jan

Last weekend Danny and I had a small house warming party with a few close friends.  I came home from work exhausted, so while I had plans to be the perfect hostess with my hair done, the floors swept and treats on the table, that didn't quite happen. I took a nap instead.  However, 45 minutes before guests arrived, I threw together some refreshments, which I thought turned out really well.  Special thanks to my friend Lisa who got pulled into helping me put refreshments together since I was running behind on time. This is quite possibly my favorite food creation, doughnut acorns.  I got the idea off of pinterest.com, which was from a blog and they attributed the idea to Disney Family Time Magazine. All the little acorns in a row. The treat table!  We had a s'more buffet.  Also since our house warming party was the first day of Autumn, I tried to pick "fally" food.  It turned out quite well. Danny and I don't have a huge apartment, so we took our pa

*This may seem more like a journal entry than a post, but it's more for my own benefit since I print my blogs into a book each year. If you feel like an update, here you go.  Work This week has been insanely busy.  I worked on two different productions and that means 12 hour work days.  On Thursday, Friday and Saturday I had to get up at 5am and work until the evening.  I was pretty much exhausted when I got home each night.  However, the projects went well and I'm excited to see the final product.  Plus, I called Danny the last minute to come be an extra with me.  We just held hands and walked down the street in the background.  It was fun to spend time with the husband while at work. I also had a few funny experiences on set with the crew.   Funny Experience #1 - I played dress up and wore the most hideous dress from the 1990's.  Wardrobe and make up even did my hair, hilarious.  I sent Danny a picture via text of me all made up asking if he would have married m

I recently read the book The Alchemist   by Paulo Coelho   after hearing from multiple people that it is one of their favorite books.  Since it is one of the best-selling books in history, I'm guessing you may have already read it.  This book is truly inspired.  It is simply and beautifully written with much wisdom and truth woven throughout it. The book is an allegory told through a story of a young shepherd boy who is guided by a prophet to follow his personal legend.  Everyone has a personal legend (personal plan) and the soul of the world (the spirit) will guide them to achieve their personal legend if they listen.  God wants us all to achieve our personal legends, but there will be tests and trials along way.  We need not to fear, because everything is in God's hands.  The young boy sets out to follow his personal legend, which will lead him to treasure.  He meets different individuals, including the alchemist, along the way that teach him lessons and help him on his jou

We went to the State Fair this last week, something I haven't done since I was a kid.  It was mine and Danny's date night.  We enjoyed looking at the art, extra large vegetables and cute animals.  The goats were my favorite, which was even surprising to me.  My favorite part of the evening was the Ferris wheel.  Nothing screams Fair like going on the Ferris wheel, that and all things fried.

I was helping with a project and they needed another extra.  Of course I volunteered when I found out that it included wearing this awesome hat!  It is from the 1930's. 

I'm in a bit of a reflective mood right now.  This time of year seems to bring on the reflection and a little sadness.  The evenings and mornings are getting cooler, night is coming earlier, and summer is just about to fade away.  I'm a self declared summer girl. It is easily my favorite season.  I love the sunshine (and sunblock) , hiking, BBQ's, camping, road trips, swimming and all things summer fun.  So each year as summer comes to a close, I feel a bit of sorrow for its passing. Have you ever noticed patterns in your life?  There is one particular pattern I've noticed in my life that I feel like sharing.  For some reason even though summer is my favorite season, it seems the hardest times of my life come during the summer.  Ages 14, 18 and 21 come to mind as real summer doozies, but those are each their own blog posts for another time. Most funerals for loved ones have been during the summer (and a few in the spring) .  Most jarring life changing experiences that

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!  My weekend included a free concert (I heart Imagine Dragons),  football games (I heart BYU) , Church, naps, family dinners and visits (I heart my family) and scraping off lots of paint from my future desk, all of which were done with my honey.  Anyway, I'm always a little sad when 3-day weekends are over.  So to brighten your day and mine, I thought I would share some of the hilarious quotes I found on pinterest.com.  Enjoy! A shout out to all introverts :) This one is for Danny

I now have an awesome story for all you fine readers.  Once upon a time that was a girl named Jannifer (me) who was really bored and wasting time on Facebook.  I was scanning through my news feed (and FB stalking all you good people, come on you all know you do it too) when I came across a post from a local radio station.  It was a free giveaway for concert tickets to Death Cab for Cutie.  All you had to do was comment on their post.  What did I have to lose?  So I posted the following comment: "Ooo, my husband and I were introduced to each other through friends at a Death Cab concert.  I love them for multiple reasons now!  Pick me. :)" I kind of forgot about the contest.  However, almost a week later I received a Facebook message in my inbox from the radio station saying that I had won!  Hooray!  I think it was the smiley face in my message that got them.  It always pays to be nice.  I was so delighted, because I never win anything.   (My best bud Talena pointed out tha