Just a Pageant Girl

If you've read my blog for awhile... you know how obsessed with pageantry I am.

If you haven't.... welcome to my obsession!

The Miss America Organization has been a huge part of my life. Four years competing in the Miss Idaho Organization, a year on the Miss Idaho board, and a year judging in the Miss Utah Organization. I have learned so many lessons, I have grown, and I have made lifelong friends along the way. The lessons learned through the Miss America system are invaluable and have made me the woman I am today.

This week was the official Miss America Week, and I was tempted to write a post every day like I did in January... but I did it in January. And also because I didn't want to overload you with pageantry again.. So here is a recap of my Miss America Week posts from January for all you newbies:

Sisterhood \\ Service \\ Talent \\ Swimsuit \\ Modeling \\ Parades \\ Hair \\ Role Model

For the past three years I have made the trip to Las Vegas in January with my mom to attend the Miss America pageant and cheer on my Miss Idaho sisters. This year the pageant made the big move back to September and back to Atlantic City. They took it back to its original place and time. My mom and I debated going, but it just didn't work with our schedule... so I decided to throw a Miss America viewing party. First step? Prediction and scoring sheets for all those attending.

Get the Miss America Predictions print out here.

Get the Miss America Scoring Sheet print out here.

Not sure if you can tell... but I am a little excited. Next on the list? Food and fun... I am thinking some treats for before swimsuit portion and some veggies for after. You can't watch swimsuit portion and not think you should eat more of the veggies. And I've got a few ideas for fun up my sleeve, but you'll have to check back next week for how the party went! Are you watching Miss America on Sunday? Who are you rooting for? Do you have a favorite portion of the competition to watch?

My Best Friend's Wedding.

Remember last weekend when I threw a shower? Well this weekend was the wedding. My best friend's wedding. But it wasn't a bummer deal like in the movie. Because. First, I am already married to the man of my dreams and so happy and in love. And second, my best friend is a girl and I like men... which is why I married one. But the wedding was SO perfect. And Sarah and Uriah looked amazing and happy. And everything just fit them and who they are. Here it all is summed up from instagram #uriahandsarah.

Cute right? When I was helping set up Sarah said, "I want it to look like a gypsy robbed a palace and put it all on display for her guests at this party." And she wanted the hair of her bridesmaids and herself to "look like we had just returned from a week in the wilderness." Well. Sarah. Here is to your gypsy's wilderness wedding. Love you dearly. I've never seen you so happy. 

Love,

Deidre

Dear Gingerbread House,

This week a bunch of my girlfriends from college had our monthly get together. It used to be a birthday dinner with just the girls, but lately we have started incorporating the husbands and dates... I know, we are so nice, right? Kidding... It is fun to go on a date night with a group of friends because it is like 5 dates in one as we all play catch up and chat. This month in honor of the holiday season we built gingerbread houses. And not just any gingerbread houses. Real ones. Because Michelle took the time to make all the gingerbread. Impressive. We had two houses and as the boys sat around chatting and the girls started decorating we decided... this should be a contest. Boys vs. Girls. And so the competition begins. Here we go!

It took the boys a little while to get started. They were busy talking about football with BYU's upcoming bowl game and the recent USU coaching announcement. So the girls had a little bit of a head start. But I was surprised, once they started going they REALLY got into it. The competition was on! Here are the finished products. Can you guess which one goes to which team?

Everyone at the house was pretty bias... obviously we all wanted our own house to win. So we put it to an Instagram (@lovetheskinnys) vote.

Looks like left took the cake. I was honestly surprised by how many votes the boys got... not that they didn't do great, but take a closer look... There house is not as tall as ours. That is because their foundation crumbled and so their house turned into... as Sue would describe it, a hobbit hole. Chito says they clearly won, even if the votes didn't state that, because their house was more sturdy.. and we all said. No on wants a sturdy gingerbread house. They want a cute one. So let's take a closer look at the winners. 

Wreaths, a snowman out front, a beautiful walkway, and icicles. Clearly, the right team won! We don't mess around. Sorry boys, better luck next year. Except next year, one thing is for sure. We will be buying the kits. Making gingerbread is super hard!

Love,

Deidre

Dear Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes,

That is the longest title for any treat. From here forward I am not calling these treats Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. I am calling them EPCC [Epic] Cupcakes. And let me tell you this. They are epic and easy. A few ingredients and 2 dozen delicious cupcakes will follow. And at the risk of making your grossed out because everyone hates this word, they are very moist even though it comes from a box. And I only feel the need to mention that because three people said that. First... you get to see a few nice photos of my making these treats because Adam loves to use the fancy camera.

Can't you tell how HAPPY I am to have these delicious goodies? They really were so good.

Ingredients
1 package spice cake mix
1 15 oz.can of pumpkin (I prefer Libby's)
3 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
1 container (16 oz.) prepared cream cheese or vanilla frosting

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Paper-line or grease 24 muffin cups.
BLEND cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, oil and water in large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.
BAKE for 18 to 23 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Spread cupcakes with frosting. I empty the frosting container into a bowl and whip it up. It isn't as dense and seems to go a little further.
Decorate with assorted sprinkles, if desired.

See? They look good. Right? And they were INCREDIBLY easy to make. And even better tasting. The party was at 7:30 and I baked them all starting at 6:30. I may or may not have put the cupcakes in the freezer right when they came out of the oven so I would have time to frost them... but either way. 2 dozen cupcakes prepared and ready to eat in an hour. That is what I like to call impressive. Also. I am slightly mad at my friends because they didn't take home the leftovers per my request... so I spent the next week eating cupcakes. I guess I am just putting on my winter coat a little early this year.

Love,

Deidre

Dear Birthday Freebies,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

And.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

And you know why I am saying Happy Birthday so early? BECAUSE.... we all know free stuff and attention is the best part about a birthday. So. FOR you today. I am giving a BIRTHDAY FREEBIE list! So happy birthday dear friend! Whenever your birthday is.

 

So now go enjoy all those birthday freebies that I know you have been looking forward to all year! Which freebie are you most excited for?

Love,

Deidre