Candice Jenkins

Picasa

2012-01-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

I just downloaded Picasa 3. This is me playing around with the program. Sometimes I am such an old lady when it comes to technology.

These pictures are from our trip to Rigby for New Years. We played and ate, and played some more. The kids really liked grandma's tub!

Chicken Pot Pie

2012-01-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

I have been working on updating my recipes and menu items as of late and I added two new dishes to my menu this month. This was the first. Homemade chicken pot pie from The America's Test kitchen. I love chicken pot pie and America's Test Kitchen is my food guru, so I was anxious to see how it would turn out.

I think it looks pretty good.

It was very yummy. It will definitely stay on the dinner menu.

Hair Frosting

2011-12-27T07:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2011-12-25T13:36:00.000-08:00

We decided to start a new Christmas tradition this year. On Christmas Eve we had a "fancy" meal. We used our nice china and made nice dishes. Here is a view of what we ate and how it went.

Alan set the table. He is very particular about where things go. It turned out very nice.

Bruce promptly messed his all up.

We wore our Sunday best and the kids were taught how to act and what was and was not appropriate for a nice meal. Karina really enjoyed the whole evening.

Even Alan dresses up. What a cheese!

I was exhausted but I was also very excited to taste everything.

Here is the salad course. Almond strawberry salad with candied almonds and dressing made from scratch.

Bruce loved the almonds and strawberries but not so much on the spinach.

The main course was an apple, cranberry and cornbread stuffed pork tenderloin. It was amazing if I do say so myself.

The lighting was bad, but you can see the inside in this picture. Alan also made garlic mashed potatoes.

Karina chose our desserts. This is a frozen raspberry mousse with a raspberry puree.

Karina chose one fruity dessert and one chocolate dessert. They both happened to be mousses. We used a french cookbook, so maybe that was why. this is a chocolate mouse cake.

The presentation was beautiful.

I felt that the meal was a success. We topped it all of with Martineli's Apple Cider. The kids loved it and I was satified with a job well done.

We now have a fridge full of wonderful leftovers and happy memories to go with them!

Trouble

2011-12-06T12:00:00.001-08:00

So I know that when I can't hear Bruce he is up to no good. I remember people saying that about kids before I had kids and I always thought they were being a little harsh. I have know come to see the error of my ways and i am a believer. The other day Bruce was being very quiet, and it always takes me a little while to figure out that it shouldn't be quiet. I went into the kitchen and he had emptied the chocolate chips on the lazy susan and was having a great time.

He looked at me kind of like, "Hey mom, want some?" Like he hadn't done anything wrong. Sometimes it is really had to be the parent. I wanted to sit down next to him and enjoy the chocolate treat.

But I had to be the grown up and clean up and move the chips to the tall cupboard.

Sometimes when Bruce is quiet he is being good. About a month ago my mom was here painting my house. Bruce and Dan really enjoyed each other. Bruce decided that Dan needed some books.

Dan didn't seem too interested.

Sushi!

2011-12-06T11:45:00.001-08:00

I like to surround myself with wonderful people. I would like to think that I am pretty good at picking friends. Not only do I like awesome people but they need to be useful as well. Let's take Sarina for example. Sarina has helped me make curtains for my living room, she is GREAT with my kids (the kids don't really get that Sarina isn't a part of the family), she is handy, she made me an AWESOME snowman to hang on the wall, she can chat with me while she is at work, and she makes homemade sushi!

I am definitely going to keep her around!

We ate this whole plate and made 4 more rolls after that. Yum!

Key Lime

2011-11-19T08:14:00.001-08:00

Karina was eating a key lime pie yogurt yesterday and she wanted to know what a key lime pie was. Teaching moment!

We made a pie.

This book is the key to all cooking knowledge. Best and most used gift ever.

I have never made a key lime pie but it looked pretty simple.

If you want the recipe let me know.

It wasn't ready until this morning but it was worth the wait. Very yummy.

Paint!

2011-11-12T11:56:00.001-08:00

My mom asked me a while back what I wanted for Christmas. I thought about it for a while and I decided that I wanted my house painted. My mom has been asking to paint my house ever since we moved in so I thought this was a great idea. We, meaning mom, painted the living room/kitchen, nursery, Bruce's room, and Karina's room. Pardon the mess, but here are some pictures.

Here is the living room pre-paint and pre-clean.

I am in the process of taking down hooks and prepping the room for paint.

Bruce wasn't quite sure what to think of the whole thing.

Mom was scared to climb up the ladder. She did it, but she was very nervous.

Here is the kitchen pre-paint.

Now for the after shots.

Here is Bruce's room finished. We need to put up some kind of a border in between the two colors but that will be a project for another day.

Here is the nursery. I went with a celery green. Mom called it radioactive when she started painting, but she was pleased when it was all done. I think it looks really nice!

Here is the another wall in the nursery.

Karina's room turned out really cute. I need a border for this room as well, but another day.

Here is the living room all finished and cleaned. It feels so homey!

The kitchen looks great as well.

Here is the living room all done.

Merry Christmas to me!

Clinic

2011-11-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday Alan came home and informed me that it would be nice if I could make some cookies to take to a few people. I made delicious peanut butter cookies and we took the kids out to deliver. Our last stop was at our across-the-street neighbor's house.

She invited us in and we chatted for a bit. While we were there she mentioned that she volunteers at the Canyon County Humane Society and asked if I would be interested. I said that sounded like fun.

She stopped by today with my volunteer packet and my hours. I am now an animal shelter volunteer. I will be working Wednesday's from 11:00-2:00 and Bruce will be there with me. Should be fun!

He he

2011-10-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hm...

2011-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

We have been working on getting Bruce to sleep in his new room and in his toddler bed. One out of two ain't bad.

Pie Time

2011-10-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

I make a pretty pie.

Fresh apple pie. YUM!

Shoes

2011-09-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

My boy is at a shoe stage right now. This morning Alan could not find his other shoe. Well that was because Bruce was wearing it and left it on the patio. He doesn't care who the shoe belongs to or what gender it is meant for. He loves shoes.

I think it is too early to be concerned, but check out that catwalk!

My Christams Project

2011-09-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am going to make these for the kids for Christmas. I am pretty excited about it.

New Family Pictures

2011-09-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

And here we are 2011.

Bruce and his Dad

2011-09-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

Bruce loves his papa.

He loves to watch his dad play soccer.

They both love animals.

They even watch football together.

Jumper

2011-08-31T19:12:00.001-07:00

Bruce loves to jump and I just think it is so funny looking.

He is pretty cute though.

Check out those ears!

He got those from his daddy.

My Future

2011-08-30T15:26:00.001-07:00

Well, I did not get a teaching job this year. I am a little bummed and the future is uncertain but I do have a plan. I am going to do this.

Chickens

2011-08-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here are the new chickens. Say hello to scrambled eggs, over easy, poached, and hard boiled.

Not fun.

2011-08-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

I spent my whole summer stressed out about my job. I was a first year teacher in my school district and when it is your first year you have no job security. All new to district employees have to reapply for their jobs after the first year. I didn't think this was going to be a problem. I re interviewed with my principal at the end of June and I expected to hear from him the next week or so.

I didn't hear from him until the middle of August and the answer was "no hire."

I was shocked. I had the highest test scores in my grade level, the parents really liked me, and I started and ran a student council. I didn't really know what I was going to do so I started to make plans to run an in home preschool. I had a few other interviews, but I didn't really take anything too seriously.

I got a call last Friday from one of the principals I interviewed with telling me that he won't be able to hire until Tuesday. This really threw me off because it made it sound like he was telling me because he wanted to hire me, so I put my preschool plans on hold.

Tuesday came and I was expecting a call. No call came. Preschool plans were back on.

At 7:00 that evening I finally got a call telling me that he could not hire until Wednesday...hopefully. Preschool plans were on hold.

That is today.

It is funny because I just had a conversation with a woman that I visit teach about following the promptings of the Holy Ghost and seeking Gods will. I feel like I am doing what I can to do that, but it is so unclear.

Sometimes the Lord tests you a little. I feel tested. Not knowing about the future is a scary thing. I like to know what is going on and so I can plan and be prepared. If I get this job I will be starting school in 6 days and I will be teaching 1st grade. Talk about scary. But I know that if I have faith and work hard it will all work out.

Time for eggs!

2011-08-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

We finally finished our chicken coop. There are a few minor things that need to be done, but the structure is done and we are ready to start collecting our own eggs. I never would have though that i would be doing such a thing, but I am. Here is our coop:

Yikes

2011-08-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

Alan went fishing and brought home...

a duck.

I made him take it back.

Like 2 sticks of buttah...

2011-07-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

I was in charge of dessert last night and I wanted to try something new. I made a two layer yellow cake with butter cream frosting.

2 hours and 6 sticks of butter later

Yum! All I can say is one piece will hold me over for quite a while.

He's Driving!

2011-07-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

Watch out world.

Rexburg Rapids

2011-07-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

Bruce and I spent the weekend at my parent's house. While we were there we went to Rexburg Rapids. It is a new water park in Rexburg. Bruce loved it. My nephew, Hayden, was also with us. He loved it. We will definitely return.

He was much happier than he looks in this picture.

Hayden got soaked!

By the end of the day Bruce was pretty wiped out.

It was a fun day.

Tapas Anyone?

2011-07-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

Tapas (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtapas]) is the name of a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold or warm. The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them. Also, in some countries it is customary for diners to stand and move about while eating tapas.

We had a Tapas party last night. Alan made all of the Tapas and I made dessert. Here is what we ate.

Gambas A La Plancha

Figs wrapped in Prosciutto

Olives with pits

Baguettes

Tortilla De Patata

Manchego

Croqueta De Jamon

Pate with Chicken Livers

And Chocolate Mousse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAsYwW7pt7o

Bruce's New Bed!

2011-07-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Because of Bruce's climbing skills I decided it was time to get him a toddler bed. We got it at Savers for $15. It had an oak finish that had seen better days. We took it apart and brought it home. I then sanded, primed, and painted it black to match the crib. Here is the finished product.

Here is the rest of the nursery.

I moved the changing table as well and put up the shelves.

I think he likes it.

Family Campout

2011-07-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

We decided that we needed to have a trial run campout in the backyard. We roasted hot dogs and made smores and then we slept in a tent in the backyard.

Alan is having a little too much fun with the facial hair right now.

I think we are ready for a real campout.

And we have a climber

2011-06-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

He did this without any help.

I really tried to be upset, but it was hard.

I am just waiting for him to climb up the bookshelf.

Politics

2011-06-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

I love teaching, but I HATE teacher politics. It stresses me out and it is mostly a lot of hot air. They talk and they talk, but nothing ever happens. I get to the point where I just cannot sit by certain people.

I love my job and I love being with my students and helping them grow and learn. That is why I went into this profession. That is my passion. Although I am excited to have two months off.

I hope my rambling made sense.

I will miss these guys!

What I like

2011-05-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

I like to feel like I have a purpose.
I like responsibility.
I like warm days with nothing to do.
I like accomplishing a task and surveying my work.
I like a clean house.
I like when my baby runs towards me with his arms in hug position.
I like when my husband tells me he loves me.
I like a full tank of gas.
I like when my students get excited about learning.
I like being a mom.
I like my cat.
I like stability.
I like knowing what is for dinner.
I like being positive.
I like rising above a challenge.
I like me.

Hurry Up Summer!

2011-05-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

12 1/2 days left of school and I am dreading every one of them. I am ready for summer, my students are ready for summer, and my kids are ready for summer. I heard a rummer the other day that we may get out of school if the busses run out of money for gas. Joy ride anyone?

Here is a preview of things to come this summer vacation. I am looking forward to it.

You would be excited too.

Karina's Green Thumb

2011-05-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Karina and I decided it would be a good day to plant some flowers. She really enjoyed getting to help.

She tried digging the holes, but the dirt was a little dry.

So she patted and filled in the dirt instead.

Here is one side.

And here is the other.

In other news, Alan's rhubarb is looking fabulous!

Happy Birthday Little Man!

2011-05-04T06:13:00.001-07:00

You are exhausting! You are amazing. You are so funny.

You are mine and I am so lucky.

Happy Birthday my little man.

Bruce Times Two

2011-04-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

Here is Bruce climbing and sliding.

And here he is rockin out.

Frasier, Carla, and Sam

2011-02-26T19:54:00.000-08:00

Where everybody knows your name...

Say hello to Frasier.

Carla. She's cute and cuddly till you tick her off!

Our newest addition, Sam.

They Like each other.

I think...

I never would have thought I would own 2 dogs and a cat.

-And 2 fish and soon to be 2 tortoises.

What Wierdos!

2011-02-19T06:44:00.000-08:00

Well, that is one way to use a barbie...

And here is our pretty little boy.

Strange

Three years and counting...

2011-02-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

Alan and Candice

Happy 3 years!

These are the flowers Alan got me on our first date. A little much, don't you think!?

I took Alan to a car show for one of our dates. I think that is when I won him over.

I got Alan his first Easter basket EVER!

First picture Alan and I officially took together. BIG moment!

Twitterpated...

The day I almost DIED.

Pre-engagement picture.

Engagement

Wedding

Happily married!

Family

What a crazy three years and I look forward to many (many, many, many, many) more!

And here it is...

2011-02-09T19:42:00.000-08:00

So I realized the other day that I have not had my picture taken in over 6 months. I don't think that has ever happened before. So here I am in all my glory.

I still have my Bruce security blanket. Here's to loosing the baby weight. Curse you!

Raindrops on Roses

2011-02-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things.

Bruce loves his baths and I love to give them, although I usually end up very wet.

It is worth it.

What a GOOB!

And we have a walker!

2011-01-23T19:44:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2010-10-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!

My Baby Sister

2010-10-31T17:55:00.000-07:00

My little sister's water just broke. It is hard to believe that my baby sister is going to be a mommy!!!!

In my mind she is still this little girl...

The Wiggle Fan!

2010-08-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

A Boy and a Girl in a Big Canoe....

2010-08-19T08:29:00.001-07:00

I went on a conoe once. To be honest I didn't really enjoy it. We went for a youth activity in Indianapolis and we were on a tiny creek. I remember seeing a water snake and that ended the fun for me. So when Alan suggested we bring a canoe on our camping trip I wasn't very excited.

To my surprise I really enjoyed it! The water was crustal clear. In the shallow areas you could see all the way to the bottom! We found a "lilly pad farm" (that is what I named it) and an island with huckleberries. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would.

Here are a few pictures from my canoe adventures.

Just beautiful!

Floor Time!

2010-06-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

I mainly posted this to show my momma, but enjoy if you wish!

Laying the Law

2010-05-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Bruce is a little needy and kind of fussy so it makes it hard to get anything done.
Today I decided to take a stand and let him cry...

Bruce Lawrence Jenkins

2010-05-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

I posted a few pictures on Facebook, but here we have the "Day of Bruce."

I was induced Tuesday morning at 7:00 am. at first it wasn't too bad, but after a few hours and several tears it was time for the medicine!

I am sure this picture was taken after the epidural. I was mislead about what an epidural does. I felt a lot of pain the last hour of pushing. No one had told me how much I would actually feel . I was a bit surprised. Labor made me VERY grateful for modern medicine. I don't know how people had babies in the olden times. I have a new respect for my ancestors.

Here we are shortly after the birth. The doctor had me pull the baby out when he was almost out. i was a little shocked by that, but it was kinda cool, although he was all icky and gooey!

This is Karina's first meeting with her baby brother. She decided she liked him and we could take him home. She is very helpful and a good big sister.

Here is Bruce after we got home from the hospital. He did not cry about the car seat at all. What a good boy!! And i only yelled at Alan once on the way home for his driving. I consider that a success!

Sleeping baby Bruce!

I love this picture. He is so cute with his eyes open. Very inquisitive!

I am excited and scared to death about this new adventure. Pray for me!!! :)

Tuesday or BUST!

2010-04-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

I had my last regular doctor's appointment today and I have decided to be induced. So, come Tuesday, rain or shine, I will be a mommy.

How strange!

Baby Bruce is on his way!

Perspective

2010-04-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

So I have been subbing this year and been in a lot of different classrooms and a lot of different situations. I got a call this morning to work at the Nampa teen parent school in the daycare. I took it because it sounded like an easy day for a 38 week pregnant lady. :)

It was an interesting experience. I saw these girls come in with 2 year old children and they were still children themselves. I heard the girls converse with each other about family members who were in jail, inept parents, and night school. It just sounded so grown up and hard.

It helped me to really appreciate my family, my future baby, and my husband. I am truly blessed!

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T17:17:00.001-07:00

I think tradition is pretty darn important and so I have tried to do all I can to make holidays in our home both fun and meaningful. Karina probably gets sick and tired of me telling her the true meaning of holidays like Christmas and Easter, but I guess after watching Conference today, it is my duty to do so. Here are a few pictures from Easter 2010 at the Jenkins home.

Here is our Easter dinner. It was a lot of work for a nine month pregnant lady, but it was yummy and I think the baby liked it!
Here is Karina searching for eggs in the bathroom. Now that I think about it, the bathroom may not have been the best place to hide eggs...

Karina with her Easter basket.Candid by Alan.

Karina on the hunt. This was yesterday.

I'm Back

2010-03-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

This "Blog" thing kinda freaks me out. I have never considered myself to be much of a writer and I feel like in order to be a good blogger I must have something profound to say at each blog. Well, I am not all that profound of a person. So I decided to just write. I want to be a better writer so I guess practice is the best way to get there.

I have spent my day napping and trying to become a more "thrifty"person. I printed out six coupons today with hopes of saving money. I feel pretty good about it, but I am also a little overwhelmed by it. I feel like I am starting a new chapter in my life and coupons are like the gateway drug to get there. I guess some addictions can be good thing. I am getting the Sunday paper for the next 8 weeks so I can check out the ads and get more coupons. I am considering creating a coupon binder to organize and date my coupons. I scare myself!

Pie Anyone?

2009-07-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pie, pie, and more pie!

So our ward had a 24th of July celebration last night and there was a pie contest. I enjoy a good pie so I decided to enter. My first thought was a peach pie. But then I decided to do a summer berry pie, a chocolate cream pie, and a sweet potato pie. I admit, it was a little overkill, but they were a lot of fun to make.

Summer Berry

Chocolate Cream

Sweet Potato

I ended up winning 2nd and 3rd place and a prize for the "Most Surprising" for my Sweet Potato pie. I am not quite sure how to take that last award. They were either surprised that it was good because it looked so bad, or they were surprised they didn't die. I am not quite sure...

It was all in good fun, but next year I am out for blood!!

Spring?

2009-03-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

So much for spring...

Alan and I went to Idaho for the weekend to take Karina back and we had quite the trip home yesterday. About 5 miles outside of Boise my front driver side tire blew out. It freaked me out. I pulled over and Alan put on the spare. It was crazy windy outside and very cold.

Then we had to turn around and go back to Boise to get new tires. Just so you know, NO ONE is open on Sunday except for Firestone. I know that for a fact. So $540 dollars and 2 hours later we were on the road. Again...kinda sucks.

As soon as we hit Rupert we ran into a snowstorm. I was clenching the side of my seat for aver an hour. It was no fun. The thing that makes me the most upset are the people who think they are indestructible and drive 70mph anyway! I dislike them very much.

By the time we made it home I was done and it was a good thing.

I am waiting for spring and I refuse to wait much longer.

My Complaint to Dairy Queen

2009-03-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

Alan, Karina, and I decided it would be fun to go to Dairy Queen this evening. Our experience was less than enjoyable. We went for a cool treat but all we got was frustration for fast food and stupid teenagers!!!

Here is the complaint I filed on the Dairy Queen website.

"The way that the restaurant was being run at this location was appalling! The service was incredibly slow and the boy behind the counter forgot to get us our food. When I saw him serve the people who ordered after we did, I reminded him that we needed our treats as well. He then looked at me with a blank stare and asked me what we ordered. I told him and then he started on our food. This was about 10 minutes after we had originally ordered our food. I then had to completely retell our order and even at that we got the wrong blizzard. We ordered a Georgia Mud Fudge and got an Oreo. I told them the mistake so they remade it. They made it with vanilla ice cream and brownie chunks, and that was all. I am pretty sure that was wrong. When we finally got our food we went to go sit down. We then noticed the run down condition of the establishment. The roof looked like it had experienced major water damage, the garbage cans were overflowing, and the tables were very sticky. We put our two-year-old into a high chair and it was extremely stick and dirty. My ice cream was soupy and the portions were grossly oversized. Needless to say, we will not be returning until we feel these concerns have been rectified."

I know this may sound petty, but is it too much to ask for?! I mean REALLY?!

New World

2009-02-13T19:23:00.001-08:00

So many changes, so little time.

I am a wife, a daughter-in-law, a step-mother, a Mrs. and a Miss, a sister-in-law, and who knows what else.

The other day Alan and I were upstairs and left Karina downstairs for a few minutes. She was coloring. She was happy.

Alan went back downstairs and he started laughing. I came downstairs and this is what we saw...

She was putting on lipstick with a green marker.

She was a little embarrassed...

Changes!

Frustrations

2008-11-17T19:14:00.000-08:00

I am getting married in 33 days and everything has been going smooth as can be except for one thing...I need to fill my place in the apartment. I was pretty confident at first, but my faith is beginning to waver.

As am writing, I did have a girl send me a message about the apartment. She has two little dogs, so we shall see.

Isn't it interesting how God works! As I am typing that my faith is wavering I get a response on my add. I should never question my Heavenly Father!!!

My main concern about starting a blog was that it would be too boring to read. I hope that I am wrong!