Life is Beautiful

Ah, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, bees are beeing, life is beautiful. After three years and two months we've been released from our calling as Webelos leaders. It doesn't quite feel like it yet, we still have to get rid of all the stuff and train the new leaders; but still, it's official.

Restaurant Review...no, Eatery Evaluation…no, Food Box: Go or No Go

Olivia's Bistro
978 Expressway Lane, Spanish Fork

Superb! Olivia's Bistro is a little difficult to find but worth the hunt. It is located within Primrose Retreat Spa and Salon. According to the chef, who visits with the guest when he has time, bistros are commonly tucked in with different shops.

We enjoyed everything we tried. We don't usual order appetizers but we are glad we did. The fried mozzarella ravioli was wonderful on its own then when we added the house-made marinara it was amazing.

We enjoyed Olivia's Bistro so much, the whole time we were eating we kept thinking of couples to go out with so we could justify eating there again and again.

The service was good, our waiter was attentive but maybe a little too eager; we barely had time to start look over the menu and he was back to see if we were ready to order.

For dinner we each ordered something different and we each tried the different meals. Cynthia doesn't normally care for lasagna, but she found Olivia's lasagna to be excellent. The alfredo sauce was great. The dish Cynthia ordered was rich and delicious. Alan's meal was good but a little bland. We wanted to try the desserts, but were too full and completely satisfied with our meal.

After we had paid our check we had a nice visit with the chef Brad Keller. He was able to come out, as things were winding down for the bistro, and he was finding out how our meal was, and if things were okay. He was very personable and it made our dining experience that much better. Brad didn't just open a restaurant and tell people what they want, he found out what people wanted (by asking the community) and he has delivered — steak and Italian cuisine. "My vision is to bring the traditional recipes here, but to apply them to the local taste. I want to offer a culinary experience you're not going to find [in Utah County]."

Scrapbook

I have had a hard time getting back into digital scrapbooking. I thought I would share some, from time to time, to help me get back in the mood.

Super Easy Pumpkin Chip Cookies

Now that we are away from the fall season goodies, I get that, " I want a pumpkin cookie" craving. Anyone who is with me on that will enjoy this easy recipe.

1 box spice cake
1 14 oz can pumpkin
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix together. Bake 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Do not over bake.

I found out that Hershey makes cinnamon chips that are good when you mix it with the chocolate.

My Boy, The Ladies' Man

Austin took the phone out of my room and put it in his room. When I saw it in his room I called out, "Why is my phone in Austin’s room?" The girls replied, "Austin put it there in case any girls called, so he would have a phone handy."

After putting the phone in his room, no girls called so he put it back in my room.

Restaurant Review...no, Eatery Evaluation…no, Food Box: Go or No Go

La Casita Mexican Restaurant
333 N Main St, Springville, UT

Blah: I don't understand why La Casita is consistently busy. My wife and I didn't care for it fifteen years ago and nothing has changed . . . well, maybe it's a little cleaner than in the past. The food is okay at best. The chips and salsa are good. The service is adequate.

Chess (again)

Saturday was great. We spent the day cleaning and running errands, all the while we listened to the music from the Chess soundtrack and explained the story to the kids. That night we took them to the play and they loved it and haven't stopped talking about it since. I think we’ve created three monsters, today they’ve just wanted to play chess and listen to the music.