Happy Birthday Jessa!

Today is Jessa's 17th birthday! At 17 Jessa is one of the most kind people I know. She openly give hugs and tells you she loves you. She works hard at doing a good job at school, being a good friend and a fantastic daughter!

I hope your 17th birthday is everything you hope for! You are an amazing daughter!

Football Season

Last week, Harold and I officially became Empty Nester's. Time to cut the apron strings and let Jay live his own life. It took me awhile to walk away. I still want to rush home and make dinner, do piles of laundry and spot clean the basement every day! It's amazing, the basement stays clean!

Rebel Creek Student Housing - We're not in Kansas anymore!

Thursday, is Kev's first game. My Dad informed me Kevin made the newspaper. He was mentioned in an article of key returning players. GO KEVIN! Harold and I stopped by a few practices last week. The mighty, mighty REBELS (okay, Red Storm) look great. Unfortunately, Kev took a bad hit and I walked in with him on the bench with ice on his neck. Never a good thing for a Mother.

He's going to need some Advil!

So next week we are off to St. George to cheer on our team. Kevin, Marston, Austin, Kyser are all buff and ready to play! I love football! Go #92!!

Kevin & Marston

The Spectrum - Sunday 8/23/09

Defensive End Kevin Wilks gave a hand bump to children as they passed by his seat. "It's fun to see all of the little kids out here and get them excited about football," he said.

A Perfect Day For A Foodie Like Me!

Grandma Wilks

Today was a perfect day. It started with coffee and The Food Network. The Barefoot Contessa was making chocolate gelato and I can't wait to make it for Jessa!

The weather was a bit cooler and I was lucky enough to wear a long sleeve shirts. Everyone knows how much I hate short sleeve shirts! You'd think Dr. Doorknock should be able to do something about my Relief Society arms?

Later, Harold and I did our shopping at Whole Foods. I love organic meat! Then to finish the day with a bang, Harold took me to go see "Julie and Julia." For a "foodie" like me, it was as good as a Sunday morning with Ina Garten!

Julie and Julia was fabulous! It captured so many of my feelings about cooking. We came home and I made a fabulous romantic dinner, which we enjoyed outside with a nice bottle of merlot. Ahhhhh!

In the beginning there was Mac and Cheese. We'd slather it with butter, Heinz ketchup and a sprinkle of salt, and it would make anyone a happy camper. Mac and cheese is a Kramer staple. Quite frankly, growing up I'd' much rather NOT cook. I'd rather be at the Front Page dancing with my big, plastered hair. I didn't think about food. I had no desire to cook...I'd rather do the dishes! You'd think, with my burrito heritage, I'd have instincts!

My interest in food, began with the "Nancys" Nancy Wilks and Nancy Milne made cooking look so easy. I knew every holiday was so going to be special, because they were hosting. The china, silverware and crystal always were on the table. The Nancy's wouldn't EVER buy a pie from a store. They would start slaving weeks before the holiday. I had no idea food could taste so good! Not only did we have the perfect dinner, Mr and Mrs Santa Clause always showed up to get the kids all excited about Christmas. Ahhh the final touch! The Nancys" could give Martha Stewart a run for their money.

So I started to get excited about food. After many bad dinners, I still didn't understand the joy of cooking. Then I realized, it's not really about the homemade pie. For me, it's about making the experience of cooking more fun. The cool kitchen gadgets, perfect ovens, gas stoves, good quality ingredients make things taste better and I have a riot doing it. I understand how much people appreciate the little things. So...bring on the holiday! Because this year, I'm going to find "frosty mugs!"

I've Got My Rock Moves

I love girlfriend time! It doesn't matter if it's at the hair salon, pedicure tub or local Starbuck's, chatting with girlfriends is healing. As Diva Hannie would say "Sometimes you need to hit the refresh button." Love that!

Many of you have heard my rock star analogy this week. Bottom line, everyone wants to be the star. They join a group, make it big and enjoy the good life! It's all good when you're at #1, but when things go wrong - shit hits the fan! You hear words like "I could do it better on my own." "They couldn't do it without me." Fleetwood Mac had Stevie Nick's on the team and they couldn't hold it together!

Okay, I believe it's time to hit the "refresh" button. We've given our opinions, had our team meetings and group hugs. Time to get down to work. After all, I still have my rock moves!