"Or so she says..." came to be back in January 2009. Basically, I wanted to start a blog that was relevant to YOUR lives and would help improve mine. With every post, it is my goal to make you think "hey, now that's a darn good idear." Just like that. 

With the help of this blog, my hope is that you can find new traditions, ways to spruce up your marriage, enrich family life, get some yummy grub on the table, and more! I love getting to know you, and focusing on what YOU need ideas for. I have come to "know" lots of you through Facebook, Twitter, your comments, and guest posts...it's so fun! Thanks for reading, sending in your great ideas and for all of your encouragement!

A little about me...

I'm Mariel.  (Pronounced mahr-eeee-elle) My papa was a rolling stone...he couldn't keep his feet planted anywhere longer than four years. So, I was uprooted a number of times growing up. You can still find a piece of my heart in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and New York...and now in Utah. It wasn't always easy, but it's made me who I am today, a crazy person. :) I first fell in love with my husband (Dan) because of his facial hair, then his tricep muscles, and finally because he's so dang sweet to me. We got married 11 years ago and have five ridiculously cute kids.  (So, let's see...living in Utah...5 kids...yep, I'm a Mormon.)  Together, we run a finish carpentry business, Wangsgard Construction, Inc. He does all the work and I offer moral support....it's a really important job...he'll vouch for that!

So, I got a degree from Weber State University in Technical Sales. It's been really helpful at helping me negotiate with my kids (Cheerios vs. Cookie Crsip), to market myself to my husband (he STILL loves me, even though I wear lounge pants and no makeup almost always!), and sell myself to people like you (somehow I've made LOTS of you think I know what I'm talking about...when I may...or may not). Other than that, my degree has done jack. If I could go back in time, I wish I would have done horticulture. I love me some plants.

When I'm not blogging, you can find me folding laundry, sweeping floors, unclogging toilets, and complaining of a tension headache. If I didn't have to do those things, you would find me crafting, relaxing with my little rascals, playing volleyball, working in the yard, cooking, traveling, golfing, reading, and cuddling with the man.

P.S.  I don't really have red hair.  It changes colors regularly...also, it's not really straight either.  It's super curly!  I can't have people recognizing me on the streets, it would be madness.  Okay, not.  I just like to switch things up...and, I know you were dying to find out about my hair. :)

Some fun blog attention...

KUTV 2's "Fresh Living"

February 2011

My son, Caden, was invited to come share one his recipes.  He has been working hard to overcome his "picky-eater" ways...so, this was a great experience for him!  You can watch the video here.

ABC 4's "Good Things Utah"

February 2011

I was invited to come share one of my readers (and friends) idea of "glitter toes".  So, I took my little sis, Mariah, to be a foot model.  Can you hear my voice shaking?  TV segments never seem to get less scary!

KUTV 2's "Fresh Living"

January 2011

I was invited to come sit with Utah's First Lady, Jeanette Herbert, and share ideas for dealing with "picky eaters."  It was such an honor to be able to meet her!  The video can be found by clicking the link above.

ABC 4's "Good Things Utah"

August 2009

Several of our ideas have been talked about on the show, but it was extra fun to actually be ON the show! We shared a couple favorite recipes, the Avocado Salsa & Caramel Toffee Dip for Apples. You can watch the video, here.

Here(with my old blogging partner, Jessica) with two cute girls from the audience.

KSL's "Studio 5"

November 2009

Studio 5 has also shared some ideas of ours, so it was another treat to be on their show! Everyone was soooo nice! Mariel shared Thanksgiving recipes for Parmesan Smashed Potatoes, Mashed Cauliflower, and Butternut Squash Potatoes. You can watch the video, here.

Mariel's sis-in-law, Emilee, the host Brooke, and Mariel

Women's World Magazine

November 2009

Featured in a November 2009 issue of the magazine, sharing some suggestions for great cookbooks!

Notable blog features...

Mariel is a regular contributor, for the "Family Time" category at Make and Takes.

 Tasty Kitchen's Featured Recipe of the Day: 

Stuffed Mushrooms

Fried Avocado with Salsa Ranch Dip

An "inspirational woman" post on Today's Mama...

18 posts on Tip Junkie

 Christmas Crafts posted on Ucreate...

Craft Ideas for The Crafting Chicks

Valentines Menu on Your Homebased Mom

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