The Giant Reindeer Project

Two Saturdays ago, Tim and I made our giant reindeer prototype.  See here.  Because we liked it so much, and because we heard alot of great comments about how cool the giant reindeer was, we decided that we would try our hand at building and selling these steel reindeer.

 

On Friday morning, we decided to paint the prototype.  I chose a color called "antique oiled brass."  Tim was skeptical, but it turned out awesome.  Before we could paint, we had to clean the reindeer off with alcohol and then prime it.  Of course, Kona had to supervise.  I did put him in the house before we started the painting because I really didn't want paint paw prints all over my carpet.

After the primer went on and dried, we painted it the "antique oiled brass."  It is a dark brown with gold metallic in it.  I'm typically not a gold person, ever, but I think the shimmer in the paint really adds to the color.  I'm a fan and my reindeer will definitely be painted this color.

Once the reindeer was dry, we took it outside to see how it would look.  I'm pretty sure it looks fabulous, but I'm also completely and totally biased.

While we were having lunch at one of our favorite places, The Italian Place here in Logan, we spoke with owner about putting a couple of our steel reindeer in the restaurant and trying to sell them.  They said, "Of course" and also suggested that we put the reindeer in the local gallery walk on December 2.

So, last Saturday, we went back to IPACO and bought the steel to make six sturdy giant reindeer.  We spent the afternoon building two of these reindeer.

This morning, we sanded, primed, painted, and laquered the reindeer and now they're sitting in the garage drying.

 

Tomorrow morning, they're headed to the Italian Place to hang out for a few weeks with hopes that we can build even more super cool steel reindeer.  If you're interested in purchasing one, or a pair, let me know and we can definitely have a conversation about it!  Oh, and if you have any suggestions about how to make the giant reindeer cooler or fancier or a way to sell/market them more, please let me know!

The Ogden Half Marathon! We're In!

I woke up at 5:55am this morning to register Tim, Kyra, and I for the Ogden 1/2 Marathon in May.  This is one of my very favorite races and I'm totally excited because this will be Tim and Kyra's first 1/2 marathon.  Oh, and our friends Tom and Andrea and KeniaAnn and even my mom are signing up.  What a fun day we will have! 

Reunited...And It Feels So Good?!

Oscar and the trainer have been reunited.  I guess that's one of the joys of living in a place that has an actual winter...with snow and super cold temperatures.  Plus, I'm a total fairweather rider, so I've spent many a winters day and sometimes a spring and fall and even summer day on the trainer.

Today, I felt like riding, but I also wanted a serious leg-burner, so here's what I came up with.

5 min warm-up  -  easy spinning
5 min weights - 1 min each of squats, alternating lunges, dead lifts with 15lb dumbbells, side squats and plie squats
5 min pedaling hard in my big ring
5 min weights - same as above
5 min pedaling hard in my big ring
5 min weights - same as above
5 min pedaling harder in my big ring
5 min weights - same as above
5 min pedaling harder in my big ring
5 min weights - same as above
5 min pedaling in my big ring and smallest rear ring - hardest work
5 min cooldown with one-legged pedaling drills

My legs are toast.  In fact, I had a HARD time walking up the stairs after the workout was over.  However, it was an awesome workout.  I burned 694 calories and my average heart rate was 158.  I maxed out at 174.  I may have to try this workout again.

"Treading" #2

Since I had such a great run doing the "treading" workout, I decided I would hit the treadmill and see how today went.  I also thought maybe I should write down these workouts to see if I have any improvements.  Here's how the "treading" went down today.

5 min @ 11:32 min/mile
5 min @ 10:31 min/mile
5 min @ 11:32 min/mile
4 min @10:00 min/mile
4 min @ 11:32 min/mile
3 min @ 9:27 min/mile
3 min @ 11:32 min/mile
2 min @ 0\8:57 min/mile
2 min @ 11:32 min/mile
30 sec @ 8:31 min/mile
30 sec @ 8:00 min/mile
1 min standing on the edge of the treadmill taking deep breaths and keeping the puke down
2 min @ 12:00 min/mile (trying super hard to stop dry heaving)
1 min @ 11:32 min/mile
1 min @ 11:00 min/mile
1 min @ 12:00 min/mile

I ran for 40 min.  I burned 490 calories.  My average heartrate was 164 bpm. I ran 3.?? miles on the treadmill.  Darn it...why can't I remember. So, how does that compare to last time?  My warmup and cooldown and recovery times were at 11:32 pace instead of 12:00 pace. I'm pretty sure that my distance was longer this time.  My last interval and first intervals were not as fast.  I'm wondering if that's a difference from a first thing in the morning run to an early evening run. 

Anyways, that run is in the books.  Now, I just need to convince some of my running buddies that this is a fantastic workout!

A Monday in the Life of a Trophy Wife

I should probably explain the "trophy wife" in the title...I think being a housewife sounds so dull and drab and boring.  Trophy wife sounds WAY better and definitely more glamorous...so when people ask what I do, I tell them that I'm Tim's trophy wife.  Of course that comment gets all sorts of looks, but I'm amused by it.  Anyways, on to my Monday.

Mondays are always super busy for me.  I do that to myself on purpose.  I prefer to get all of my cleaning, laundry, errands, tasks, duties, etc etc etc done on Monday so that I have the rest of the week to hang out with Tim and to do whatever other stuff comes up. 

Here's what I've done today:

-Read my scriptures
-Worked on my lesson for Sunday
-Made oatmeal for breakfast.  Tim cleaned up breakfast so he gets lots of gold stars and lovin for that.
-Unloaded and loaded the dishwasher.
-Took the dog out to do his "business"
-Went over my calendar for the week
-Took the dog out to do his "business"
-Got ready for errands
-Went with Tim to Lowe's to buy paint for our reindeer project.
-Went with Tim to his dad's house to work on the welder.
-Went to Praxair with Tim to get parts for the welder.
-Checked out my mom's thumb since she's injured.
-Ate some of my dad's yummy pineapple.
-Took the dog out to do his "business"
-Ate lunch with Tim.
-Started the laundry

-Used the lady drill to unclog the shower drain.  I joked with Tim that it may be time for me to cut my hair.  He said absolutely not.

-Cleaned and mopped the bathroom.
-Cleaned and mopped the kitchen. Decided not to "restore" the floor since it takes 24 hours to be completely dry.  Who has time to not use their kitchen for 24 hours???
-Dusted, vacuumed and cleaned the ceiling fan in my bedroom.
-Worked on the laundry.
-Took the dog out to do his business.
-Worked on my blog while waiting for the kitchen floor to dry.

I still have 3 more loads of laundry to do, a workout to get done, a floor to "restore", dog school with Kona, and make dinner for my cute husband.  Oh and we need to do FHE.  Like I said, Mondays are busy, but hey...I'll take one busy day if that means the rest of the week goes smoother.

Happy Monday!

The Giant Reindeer

 

When Tim and I were engaged, I went shopping after Christmas and found these amazing reindeer on sale and brought them home.  They're great for the house, but I knew that I needed some giant reindeer for my porch.  Last year, we didn't even consider making the giant reindeer.  But this year...well, I guess this is the year of the reindeer.

Earlier this week, I mentioned to Tim that I would like some reindeer for our porch.  He said he would help me, if I came up with the plan and if they weren't too expensive.  So, I began figuring out what I wanted and I also started figuring out materials and cost and design and lots of other stuff. 

On Friday, Tim and I headed to IPACO to buy our steel.  We got to make an exciting drive with 7 pieces of 20 ft steel strapped to the top of the cruiser.  We dropped off the steel at my father in law's place and then Tim worked on the welder.  I also discovered that wearing a welding hood doesn't work for me AT ALL due to my big mop of hair, as well as my claustrophobia. 

 

This morning, Tim and I headed out to make our reindeer prototype.  First, we had to measure and cut out our pieces.  Once the pieces were cut out, there was grinding, welding, bending, welding, shaping, welding and decision-making.

After 2 hours of fun, this is what we ended up with.  I LOVE it!  I can't wait to put it, and it's buddy out on my porch.  Of course, I need to take a better picture of it...after I prime and paint it.

  

We have one more deer to make for our porch, a set for my parents for Christmas, and we'll even have a pair to sell.  We haven't decided on a price yet, but I hope someone will think they're as cool as I do and will want to buy them.  Hey, maybe I've found my new calling in life... 

Chocolate Chip Dutch Baby

When I was flipping through my cookbook, I saw this recipe and knew that Rylan would LOVE this for breakfast.  I also knew that I wouldn't like it...mostly because I have a very vivid memory of ordering chocolate chip pancakes, shaped like Mickey Mouse, when I was six years old at Disneyland.  My parents kept saying, "You won't eat it...You won't like it," and yet, I just had to have the disgusting mound of pancakes filled with chocolate chips, and covered with whipped cream, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup and probably a cherry.  Of course, my parents were absolutely correct. I didn't eat the chocolate chip Mickey Mouse pancakes.  Anyways, I digress...

So, yes, when I saw this recipe, I knew I would have to make it for Rylan.  When Tim and I woke up this morning, we decided he would try to make german pancakes (that didn't work out so well) and I would make the chocolate chip dutch baby.  The recipe was a roaring success with the kids.  I didn't try it.  Tim said it was too sweet.  I think we'll try it again, but use berries.

Here's the recipe if you're interested!

Ingredients:
3/4 c. 2% milk
1/2 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1/4 t. salt
2 large eggs
2 T. butter, divided
1/3 c. chocolate chips
3 large bananas, sliced diagonally
1/2 c. whipped topping

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 450.
2.  Place a 9-inch cast iron skillet in the oven for 15 minutes.  Combine the first 5 ingredients; stir with a whisk until smooth.  Melt 1 T. butter in preheated pan until browned, swirling to evenly coat the pan.  Add batter; sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.  Bake at 450 for 10 minutes or until puffed and brown.
3.  Serve with sliced bananas and whipped cream.

**The kids said they were very chocolatey...so use your judgement with the chocolate chips.  Also, Tim did say that eggs with chocolate chips in them weren't great...I have no idea what that means, but maybe this is just a kid recipe.

Anyways, let me know if you try this and what you think!