WICKED.... the Movie???

For my birthday, I got a Zune HD...... which I absolutely love!!! I can listen to General Conference & other motivating talks again, where ever I am! YEAH!!!

There is something else I've been listening to A LOT lately....... WICKED (the Broadway Musical).

I absolutely love musicals but especially this one! I am intrigued with the blend of amazing voices (from the original cast, because that's all I've listened to), the storyline, and the whole interpretation / plot that you get from listening to the music.

BUT, I haven't been successful at actually hearing the whole story. I tried reading the book.... that was a big mistake because, it was very naughty (I couldn't even get through 2 chapters)!!! I've been to the OFFICAL WEBSITE and seen all the video clips.... and it only made me want to see the actually musical more & more!!! But lets face it that is not possible because:

#1 It only shows in a handful of cities regularly (that aren't anywhere close to Idaho.... well, except San Francisco) and on tour to other cities that aren't close either. But, check this out. I checked the official website today and saw they will be touring in Boise, ID in ....... drum roll please........ 5/04 - 5/15..... 2011, then in Spokane, WA the very next week!!! Really, who can plan that far in advance at this stage of ones life?

#2 It is expensive. I've seen prices ranging from $50 - $150.

But, in all of my searchings today I did find 2 really good things. The first is Wikipedia's telling of the whole story, and best of all this little article telling about possibly making it into a movie!!!!

Please, please don't let me down. I'm dieing to see it!!! Does anyone else feel this way too?

Lot's of Little Things

I know, it's been a while since I've blogged. Nothing really big as been happening though. Here are some of the little things that have been going on lately.

We took Briant's brother Spencer to the MTC. We are so proud of him and his decision to serve in the Salt Lake City, South Mission.

We've been watching the flowers grow. I love having a yard, and learning all about growing different flowers. All the tulips are almost done blooming... and all the other flowers will be blooming before long. Hopefully I will be planting the Veggie Garden sometime in the next two weeks.... if the weather will cooperate!

I really like this picture, I think I'm going to call it... "Being Different".

I went outside to take pictures of the flowers that are blooming the other day. I even went over to Great Harvest were the trees there are gorgeous! I decided to take some pictures to put as a background on my blog... but I haven't figured out how to do that yet : /

Which one do you like better?

Picture A:

Or, Picture B:

Last weekend, my family got together for our Annual Baldwin Bash. We all had a great time together.

Sadly me, 'Miss Photog' only got this one picture the whole weekend. Got plenty of video... just not as many pictures. Sigh. You can see more pictures HERE and HERE and HERE.

We really had a great time though. It started off with a dinner at my parents house where we meet Gene's fiancee, Taylor, learned about Devin and Julie's SECRET(which we've actually known about for 8 weeks or so, so glad I don't have to keep that one in anymore), and did some playing outside despite the cold weather. Sydney stayed at our house that night. She is growing up so fast and she is absolutely beautiful! I think she and I look a little bit alike... don't you?

Saturday, we drove up to Jackson through a nice blizzard over the pass. Then we walked around a bit, and ate lunch. This is one Ky & Kat got of us by the arches... classic picture.

We ended up at the Recreation Center playing in the pool. It is a really nice place, and really fun to swim with everyone.

A couple months ago, my brother Kyle, gave me some tomato plants that he grew and I've been successfully keeping them alive. I really want the weather to warm up so I can finally plant them outside.

I planted a bunch of flower seeds inside... to try my hand at it. They came up... lets hope they stay alive!

Kyle, came and helped us clean out our gutters... ew. They needed it. Again, we are hoping the weather will warm up soon so he can come back and seal our gutters... they have a few leeks.

I went over to my Aunt's house. While we were looking at the blossoms on one of the trees we found this nest. I decided to climb the tree to have a closer look and found out it didn't have any eggs in it : (

While I was up there, we had a fun photo shoot...

Then, we took some fun pictures while she played with her cat, Shaker.

We've been selling a few things around our house on Craig's list, and have been successful!

June is suppose to be a busy month. We have a trip planned and I am going to be at CMM for a week. Yeah!!! I can't wait.

Yellowstone in Spring

Saturday was a beautiful day. Lately the weather here has been rainy (and sometimes snowy), and cold... weather that nobody desires, especially in May! I mean it's Spring already! But thankfully the weather cooperated with our road trip plans.
I while ago, my brother Mahon and his wife Cindy asked me if I wanted to go to Yellowstone. Of coarse I said yes (who could pass up an invitation like that?), and a plan was worked out. They would get me in with their park pass (expiring at the end of May), and I would drive. Wonderful arrangement, if you ask me... everything worked out great.

We had a glorious time. I brought my big fancy camera (Canon 20D), and all the lenses for Mahon to play with, and I used my Sony video camera that I love without a doubt!! Here are some the sights we saw:

Osprey...

Elk...

Mammoth Hot Springs...

No, this isn't a Rattlesnake this is a big long Bull Snake.

Very impressive!

Waterfalls...

A Grizzly Bear eating a beaver (that's what the Park Ranger said he was eating).

Sorry, these are a little light, we didn't see the camera had been switched to manual.

If you look close you can see his red snout, and red (the beaver) by his feet.

Lots, and lots of Buffalo!!

We saw this guy kinda charge a car (it was lingering a little too long and too close),

as if to say, "Get out of my face!" We also passed by some buffalo that were just standing on the road,

we were close enough to touch one! To close for comfort.

We called this place, 'The City of Rocks'

A baby buffalo!! It's cute now, but you just wait!

Lots of little lakes and ponds (it's spring), and beautiful reflections.

A coyote, hunting...

and pouncing! Good job, getting this Mahon!

If you look really close (in the left bottom corner), you can see a Grey Wolf.

It was far away, but we still got a glimpse of it!

We really had a great time!!! Thanks Mahon & Cindy!! I've never seen so many animals... Spring must be the time to go.

I'm ready for round two! Who wants to go with me?

My Mom

I am very grateful for my mom, she is an amazing women! She sacrificed so much for me, and she did it all in the name of love! I wrote a note for her on Mother's Day 2004 (I added a few more things to it, so Mom, be watching for changes). I think it still applies:

My Mom
Written by: Melissa Baldwin -- Mothers Day 2004

My mom has six children, and she always put us first. She could have chosen to work part time to earn more money for her large family, but she wanted the best for us. She stayed at home for many years to cook, clean, and teach us so that we could get the most out of life. She made sure we stayed happy and healthy. She taught us the laws of the land and she taught us right from wrong. She sent us to school every day and helped us with our homework every night knowing we would get a good education. She brought us to church every Sunday and taught us faith, hope and charity. She taught us strong values such as being trustworthy, honest and loyal. She taught us to serve and to be kind to others. She gave us chores so we could recognize & respect work and take pride in a job well done. She taught us how to laugh and to enjoy ourselves while we worked so it wouldn't ever seem like a chore. She taught us how to garden and was patient when we pulled the "wrong weeds". She taught us to eat our vegetables... even the ones we didn't like. She taught us good manners and how to behave around other people. She gave us consequences for our actions and she made sure we didn't get everything we wanted. Even though she is a busy women with many children and many responsibilities, she always took time out of her busy schedule for me. She loved me, talked with me, and made me feel special. We had times for just the two of us and she helped me with my challenges. She made sure I went to bed every night knowing that she loved me. She taught me many talents and encouraged me to follow my dreams. She didn't have to do all those things but she did because she loved us and wanted the best for us. My mom will never know what she has done for me. She has shaped my life and made me into the person I am today. Through her sacrifices I can see part of the Savior. She has forgotten herself and put all of her time into helping others. She is such a special person to me and someday I hope to teach my children what she has taught me. I love you Mom!!!

Here are a few pictures to tie in who my mom is:

She loves scouting...

She has always been there for me...

Sometimes she can be a little silly and goofy... now you know where I get it from.

And we always had lots of fun, where ever we go.

My mom is very special to me, and I'm so glad that we are very close.

Oh, but that's not all I have to say. I can't forget about another very special person. I have another mom in my life and that is MIL (meaning Mother-in Law, and I do actually call her "Mill"). She is always very encouraging, uplifting, happy, and hard to keep up with. She always has a good attitude and is a good example to me. She is an excellent mother and I love her so much. I haven't know her as long as my mom, but I am glad she is in my life and I look forward to many more years to get to know her.

I didn't take this picture, I found it on facebook.

LOVE YOU MIL!!!

Cake Making

I have this wonderful cook book that I swear by. Everything that I have made out of it has turned out perfect and scrumptious!

Once in while (at least once a week) I get a craving for something sweet. But, cheap candy & candy bars doesn't satisfy this craving (besides I am currently on a sugar diet with my Aunt and we aren't eating these things right now). My taste buds always crave something high quality, that you either have to spend some good money to buy, or you have to spend the time making it. Last week, I really wanted some tres leche cake from Cafe Rio, but I settled for ice cream.
So last night I took out this trusty cook book and flipped through to see if I could find something tasty. Well, I found a bunch of recipes under an OUT OF THE BOX section. Basically, you make a regular 'box' cake but you add stuff to it to make it fancy. I decided on a Cookies-and-Cream Cake.
Here is the finished product:

I finished it last night around 10:00 PM, so we covered it up without tasting it.

This morning Briant woke me up to tell me he was going to cut the cake, so he could take some to work. I quickly got out of bed to watch. Shortly after cutting the first piece and sticking it in a container (for his lunch) we decided to cut a little piece for us to try. IT WAS SO GOOD!!! What a great breakfast!! Can you really go wrong with Oreos? I say to you... NAY!

I really had fun making this cake, in fact, I felt like... I was... good at it. I think this may become a new favorite past time. I have lots of friends who love to make cakes... I just might understand why now.

I know that as soon as I post this, everybody will get mad if I don't put up the recipe, so here goes:

Cookies-and-Cream Cake

1 package 2-layer-size white cake mix

1 cup coarsely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling.
1 recipe Creamy White Frosting
2 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 tsp shortening

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and lightly flour two 9 x 1 1/2-inch round cake pans. Set aside. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, folding crushed cookies into batter. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans.

2. Bake according to package directions. Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove layers form pans. Cool on wire racks.

3. Fill and frost cake with Creamy White Frosting.

4. In a small saucepan combine semisweet chocolate and shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Drizzle melted chocolate over top of cake.

Creamy White Frosting

1 cup Shortening

1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 pound powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
3-4 TBS milk

In a large mixing bowl beat shortening, vanilla, and almond extract with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add about half of the powdered sugar, beating well. Add 2 TBS of the milk. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar and enough remaining milk to reach spreading consistency. This frosts the tops ans sides of two 8 or 9 inch cake layers. (Halve the recipe for a 13 x 9 x 2 inch cake). Freeze frosting in freezer for up to 3 months in container.

Spring Dresses

While growing up, every year around Easter, I got a new Spring dress. I have loved this tradition over the years. Sometimes my mother made me a dress (mostly when I was younger), but for the past 10 years we bought them.

Here are the ones I got this year:

The skirt isn't new but the sweater is.

This one is my favorite.

What do you think? Do you have traditions like this?

Easter 2010

What a great day it has been.  To start off, getting to sleep in on a Sunday morning doesn't happen anymore, so that was a real treat!  I have been feeling very ambitious the past two mornings.  Yesterday I made French Toast... with GH Cinnamon Burst Bread, and this morning I made waffles!  YUMMY!  After we cleaned up, we had ourselves a little Easter Egg Hunt.  We decorated eggs yesterday, while we were listening to Conference and had some that turned out pretty cool! 

We both had a turn hiding and finding the eggs, and it was pretty fun.  When I was little, my brother, Mahon, and I used to play this game for hours (with plastic eggs).... mostly because Mahon begged me to do so.  He always found my eggs easily, and it took forever for me to find his. 

I really wanted to go outside to hide some eggs, but since it was so cold... inside was just fine!

Notice Briant's hair standing straight up!  Ha ha!  He loved his football egg!

Conference was amazing.  I totally love the opportunity that we get to listen to our Prophet and Apostles!  I learn so much!  I actually got a lot accomplished too.  I organized our room... there were a few areas that I've been wanting to do something different with.  Mostly just organize.

After conference, I made these...

LOVE DEVILED EGGS!  And PS they are sooo easy to make... other than unshelling the dang things!

We invited my Aunt Pam over and had Crock pot, No Peek Stew over rice for dinner.  So yummy!

Even though we do lots of other fun things around Easter time, I know that the most important thing we celebrate and remember is that it is the time our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose from the tomb.  He was crucified on the cross, laid in a tomb, and on third day rose again.  Because Jesus rose and overcame physical death, he made it possible for us all to overcome death, and rise again too.  Jesus loved us so much that he paid the price for all of our sins by suffering through the Atonement.  He was the only one that could do this for us, because he was perfect. By doing so, we can overcome Spiritual Death through him and live with our Father in Heaven once more.  I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and the many roles he plays in my life.  He is not only my example and friend, but also my Savior and Redeemer.  I love him with all of my heart. 

I love this time of year, because everything is becoming renewed.  The sunshine and warmth sparks life into every creation.  If you look at this scenario symbolically, you can see that the sun is Jesus Christ, the "Light of the world".  He brings life and warmth into our souls, and helps us to grow and be strong.  I know that by bringing Him into my life, and remembering God's hand in all things, my life is better... happier.  I'm thankful for his matchless sacrifices and love that allows me to live eternally, if I am faithful.