by Melanie

5 Star BBQ

April 30, 2014 in Guest Room, Out the Door by Melanie

I am a carnivore, a total meat and potatoes gal. I always like a good burger and LOVE a great steak. I have a hard time serving a meal without meat and calling it dinner. Meat, meat, meat. yum

So when I was invited to an event at 5 Star BBQ in Orem, Utah, I couldn’t get the car started fast enough. Barbecue? Yes, please.

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Cute, right? The restaurant is a house that was converted. It is easy to find with plenty of parking on the side and out back. When you walk in the front door, you find this menu board full of MEAT. Love.

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And of course, there are sides and salads, platters, and kids meals, too. The prices are reasonable and the serving sizes are definitely enough to fill you. I brought along my friend, Carrie from My Recipe Confessions, and we wanted to sample as much as we could of what they had to offer, so we ordered the Burly Sampler.

Burly. That’s us.

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The nice guys behind the counter started loading up our plate… and then grabbed another one and kept right on loading it up. Mmm, I’m craving meat now.

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Our Burly Sampler was full of smoked chicken, pork, brisket, and ribs, potato salad, baked beans, stew, garlic toast, and cornbread. For 2 of us.

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A little later in the meal, we had a cup of fresh cream corn delivered to our table because they had just finished a batch.

oh. my. yum.

You probably wouldn’t expect cream corn to be the highlight of any meal, but it was seriously amazing. If you’re thinking of canned cream corn, just stop that right now. This was fresh corn with an amazing creamy sauce that was simply the perfect addition to this meal. We loved it so much, in fact, that Carrie was inspired to create her own fabulous version.

As for the rest of the sides, I always love baked beans. I wasn’t a huge fan of the stew, but I talked to another guest who loved it. It just wasn’t my thing. I’m kind of a potato salad snob, and this one wasn’t my favorite, but it was much, much better than those inedible potato salads from the grocery store.

The meat was good, although it was a bit dry. I have never found ribs that I like as much as Texas Roadhouse ribs, but these did have a good flavor. It was fun to try out the huge selection of homemade BBQ sauces. I loved the white BBQ sauce.

Overall, we enjoyed our night and had plenty of good food to fill us up. While it may not be my new favorite BBQ joint, there are definitely some dishes worth trying. Visit 5 Star BBQ for lunch or dinner Monday through Saturday. And don’t forget to try the cream corn.

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Looking at that menu, what do you want to try?

by Melanie

April Visiting Teaching Printable

April 29, 2014 in Family Room by Melanie

If you are having a crazy April like me, and you just realized it’s your last chance to get your visiting teaching done for the month… you are going to LOVE how easy I’m making it for you to be a ROCKSTAR visiting teacher!

April Visiting Teaching printables


This sweet little handout comes from this month’s message. You can either print this front and back like I did OR choose one page or the other. Cut it out, punch a hole in the corner, and attach it to a treat.

Voila! Instant visiting teaching!

April Visiting Teaching printable


Personally, I didn’t even make appointments – just showed up at their doors and handed them chocolate. Can we all admit we LOVE that kind of visit every once in awhile? I even raided my stash of mini Cadbury eggs. That stash has to last me until next year! But I pulled out a bag for my sisters.

That is sacrifice.

But seriously, the month ends tomorrow. It’s not like they’re going to think I’m going above and beyond the call of duty…

Let’s all try to do better in May. Mm-kay?

April Visiting Teaching printable


Click on the previews for each download page. I printed the scripture and definition on one side and the quote without the border on the other side. Without the border it didn’t have to match up exactly and it would still look good.

April Visiting Teaching printable April Visiting Teaching printableApril Visiting Teaching printable

Honestly, what is your favorite kind of visit from your visiting teachers?

 

by Melanie

Kiss Under the Stars

April 28, 2014 in Great Room, Master Suite by Melanie

I love fun holidays, and today’s is especially awesome.

April 28 is “Kiss Your Mate Day,” which already sounds like a great day to me, but it gets even better when you add “International Astronomy Day.” What do you get when you add astronomy and kissing?

Kiss Under the Stars Day! Now that is something I can celebrate.

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Last year, Mr. 4018’s aunt invited our family to join them for a camping trip in Nevada. We went to a spot where we would have a great view of the Perseids meteor shower. And I just have to say… it was AMAZING!

I don’t think I had ever even seen a shooting star before, so watching meteor after meteor shoot across the sky absolutely took my breath away. For reals. I couldn’t help but gasp at each new streak of light.

So here’s what I’m thinking…

The next meteor shower is happening in about a week. So let’s have a belated celebration of Kiss Under the Stars Day on May 6, the “peak day” of the shower. That means it’s the day you should be able to see the most meteor activity.

What do you need to do? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Drive away from the city lights to a dark place where you can get comfy. You want your eyes to stay adjusted to the dark, so be sure you’re not in a spot where car headlights will shine on you. You don’t want trees or other structures to obscure your view.

Now get comfy and settle in. You may want snacks and drinks, a blanket, bug spray… basically bring what you would need to watch July 4th fireworks, but remember it’s May so it’s probably a bit colder than July. Make sure you’re snuggled close to your “mate” for the smooching part of the night. 🙂

When you’re all settled in, look approximately half way up the sky facing east. If you see heavy lights while facing east, turn more to the north or south. Don’t look directly up at the sky, and you should be able to see 10-20 meteors per hour a few hours before the sun rises.

Enjoy kissing under the stars while you watch nature’s great fireworks show.

Have you ever watched a meteor shower?

by Melanie

Time for a Vacation and an RV Giveaway

April 23, 2014 in Mailbox by Melanie

Writing is like breathing to me, but lately I feel like I have been drowning. You know when life just gets sooo busy you have to make hard choices about what you simply don’t have time to focus on? Well, that has been the whole past month for me. I am sooo ready for summer vacation!

Now I am finally coming up for a huge gulp of air and getting back to this poor neglected blog.

I really have been dreaming about summer vacation and talking with Mr. 4018 about all of the beautiful places I want to take our kiddos. We live in such a gorgeous place!

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

It seems only right that we visit the grand canyon at some point. I am from Arizona, after all, and we pass it every time we drive to my parents’ house. But so far all my kids have seen of the grand canyon is “Hey, kids! Look out the window right now and you can see the edge of the grand canyon way over there! Oh shoot, you missed it.”

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

I grew up seeing pictures like this and wondering why we didn’t visit that part of the grand canyon on our family vacations. Paradise in the desert.

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

We could visit Arches and show our kids the place where this whole 4018 family thing started. If you look all the way to the left edge of the photo about in the middle, that’s the exact spot where we were sitting when Mr. 4018 asked me that one question that changed our lives forever — and I said, “yeah.” Not quite the answer he was looking for… but 17 years and 5 kids later, we’re still traveling along this crazy journey together.

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

We have each been to Bryce Canyon separately but never together. It’s only a few hours away and such a gorgeous place!

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

Another one that’s only a few hours away and full of absolutely breathtaking scenery is Zion’s National Park. We have driven through, but it’s about time for us to stop and explore.

And there are so many more gorgeous places I dream of exploring!

I can hardly wait for camping this summer, but I’m, ahem, getting old, and it’s hard to get any sleep on the ground in a tent. Last year I finally upgraded to a fabulous cot that I love (the girls all fight over it when we have sleepovers), but our tent has mesh walls and I still freeze all night long and wake up over and over again just wishing the night would end. And yet, somehow I still love camping.

I used to pass a huge RV seller on my way home every day, and I was practically drooling at all of the amazing RVs in the lot.

Drooling over RVs? I definitely need vacation.

But seriously, how much better would I sleep in an RV?! And then I could love camping even more because I wouldn’t be too tired to be nice and have fun!

That’s why I am so excited to be able to offer you this amazing opportunity to WIN a 5-day RV vacation!

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

Hosted by Mamas Spot

Access RV is giving away a 5 night RV Rental vacation with 800 miles included in one of their current year 31′ double slide out motorhomes!! RV includes, TV/DVD with 5.1 surround, GPS navigation, back up camera, power awning, Serta Pillow-Top mattress, Air Conditioning, unlimited generator use, final cleaning and dumping and much more!

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

 

Our lucky winner will have until June 1st 2015 to use this amazing opportunity!

You and your family or friends could be going to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, The Grand Canyon, or anywhere the adventure takes you!

I want to #travel somewhere as gorgeous as this when I #win this RV #giveaway.

Ready to start your adventure? Hurry and enter using the rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Vacation Dates are not available from July 23rd through Sept. 2nd. Vacation does not include insurance which can be provided by your auto insurance company. Drivers must be 25 or older with a valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Additional miles can be purchased at $1.55 per mile. A refundable security deposit is required at the time or reservation. Sales tax is required of $156.47.  For additional information, floor plan, etc. visit our website at www.accessrvrental.com. This certificate expires June 1, 2015

You have until May 9th to enter. The ARV of this trip is $2150! That’s a lot of money you’re saving when you WIN IT!

Where will you go for your vacation?

by Melanie

Tax Day Freebies

April 15, 2014 in Mailbox by Melanie

I don't know what free food has to do with taxes, but I love a good Tax Day freebie!


Whether or not your taxes are done, you can enjoy some tax day freebies and discounts today! Who doesn’t love free stuff?!
Hard Rock Cafe – Perform a complete song on stage between 5-7 pm and get rewarded with a free entree up to $14.95. I kinda wish we had a Hard Rock Cafe close by . That sounds like fun.
Great American Cookie Company – Free chocolate chip cookie, limit one per person, no purchase required. No limit on how many locations you can visit.
California Tortilla – get free chips and queso dip with the magic words: “Taxes Shmaxes” (with purchase). Do you think anyone accidentally claims this one?
7-Eleven – Free medium slurpee. Chuck has been talking about slurpees every day for a week. We only get them once a year on free slurpee day, but now there are TWO free slurpee days. I’ll be the coolest mom ever if I take her to claim this one today.

Cinnabon – Get 2 free cinnabon bites. yum

Bath and Body Works – buy 2 get 2 free (online only)

Boston Market – get 2 meals, each including a half rotisserie chicken and a choice of 2 home style sides and freshly baked cornbread, for $10.40. Like the 1040 tax form – get it?

Sonny’s BBQ – half off the Irresistible Ribs Special: a plate of Sweet & Smokey or House Dry-Rubbed Ribs. I see what they did there…IRS. haha

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – fill your cup (yogurt and toppings) for $4.15 with coupon no matter how much it weighs (claim offer on their Facebook page). 4.15 like April 15th. Clever.

Office Depot -Shred your documents – up to 5 lbs. of paper – for free with this coupon. Wish I had known about this before I spent hours decluttering and shredding old documents

Sonic – 1/2 Price Drinks all day long. My kids think Sonic Happy Hour is the greatest thing ever. Now it’s all day long!

Arby’s – Free Value Curly Fries April 15 with this coupon. Ah, curly fries – the only pregnancy craving Steve ever went out of his way to get me.

Culver’s – $2 Turtle Sundae. Made with chocolate, nuts, and caramel – not actual turtles.

Melting Pot – Get 15% off your check, with code words “cheese me, please” Someone could accidentally claim this one, too, right?

Mimi’s Cafe – Buy One, Get One FREE Breakfast or Lunch Entree when you buy two beverages. It may be too late for this one. Sorry!

Schlotzsky’s – Free The Original Small Sandwich with the purchase of chips and 32 oz drink.

Freebies make any day a day to celebrate. Even tax day! Which one sounds the best to you?
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