No Jumping- Ha!

Have I mentioned that one of the rules at Grandma's house is "no jumping on Grandma's couches!"

Sadie Jo and Nash- 2011

Kid's Book Review- No Jumping On The Bed by Tedd Arnold (who wrote "Parts"...a great book to give to a friend growing older! Love "Parts!")

Walter's father finds him jumping on his bed and warns him not to do it: "One day it’ll crash right through the floor." Walter tries to go to sleep but hears his friend Delbert in the apartment above jumping on his bed. Walter decides to have just one more jump himself, but instead keeps jumping higher and higher until the floor starts to crack. He and his bed fall into Miss Hattie’s apartment where he lands in her plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Walter and his bed continue to fall, along with Miss Hattie and the spaghetti, into Mr. Matty's apartment where he is watching monsters on his television set. Miss Hattie falls into Mr. Matty's lap, while Walter lands in his fish tank. The next stop for Walter's bed and the ever-growing crowd is Aunt Batty's apartment where her stamp collection gets scattered all over the floor. Aunt Batty and her stamps join the group as it falls into the next apartment, knocking over a castle of toy blocksthat Patty and Natty have been building. Patty, Natty, and Fatty (their cat) are added to the group as it falls down into Mr. Hanratty's apartment where he is painting a picture at his easel. Walter, Miss Hattie, Mr. Matty, Aunt Batty, Patty and Natty, Mr. Hanratty, the cat, the paint, the spaghetti, the television, the fish, and various toys now land in Maestro Ferlingatti's apartment where he and his string quartet are practicing. They too join the tumbling crowd who all end up safely in the dark and quiet basement of the building.

Walter is back in his bed and realizes that it has all been a dream, but he promises himself that he will never jump on his bed again and hopes that Delbert will learn his lesson as well. Then Walter hears Delbert jumping on the bed again, followed shortly by Delbert falling through Walter's ceiling...

April 30, 2011

Addi and I often sing the song, "I woke up this morning and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree." Yesterday I was admiring all the trees in bloom, pink and white and so fragrant! This morning I woke up and what did I see. AGAIN!

And these mounds in front of my wall? The herb plants I was so excited to plant the other day!

But I'm not complaining, honestly I'm not. This week has been a terror as tornadoes have ravaged in 5 states. Over 300 people have lost their lives and at some points, a tornado has been a mile wide swathing a path of destruction. It has been heartbreaking to watch the news. I dreamt about freight trains last night....everyone describes the sound of a tornado like a freight train running over you. Can you even imagine the horror?

Today, the 30th of April is Travis's birthday. Did anyone ever get a present and open it and there was a firecracker, lit, inside? That's my boy. Our lives would NOT be the same without him. We adore this boy.

Bon Appetit dinner tonight with the Cooks. Wait? I am the cook. How would YOU like to cook for my favorite cook, Valene Cook? Whew! Talk about pressure!

“Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway."

(What makes this quote funny is that it is from Maya Angelo, the poet. She's a large, large woman. Somehow I can't imagine Maya Angelo in a bikini! Which then reminded me of an Addi story. Addi and I were at a store and strolling through the aisles, up and down and we came to the lingerie section. On a mannequin there was a flaming red, sparklie-see-through ohh-la-la shortie nightie. Addi let out a long breath...."look how beautiful!" I said, "Those are jammies." She said, "Mommy and you would look beautiful in that." I said, "Well, mommy would but I think Grandma might look pretty funny." She replied, a little indignant, "Grandma, you WOULD look beautiful in it!"

Just the IMAGE of me in that hottie nightie makes me laugh! Kind of like Maya in a bikini....

Pruning

Yesterday a workman showed up with a buddy to start taming our trees. Not the cute Colorado blue spruce (2,000) that grace our front acreage but many of the old trees on our lawn (lawns) and the crazy volunteers that sprout up around the tennis court (7 feet in one year! ) (did I mention we don't play tennis?) and a willow that seriously, one day when I'm in a mood, is going to be turned into a lawn sculpture. The pruners cut and sawed and didn't even make a dent in what is left to be done. We have several pathways that you can't even travel.

Above is the wicked willow and some serious scarring. My MIL took a bad tumble a few weeks ago and had some nasty gashes on her arm. I have laughed and scolded her because she won't let the wounds heal before she starts pulling off the scabs. And then it is a wound again and needs to re-scab. It is easy to look at someone else's wound and put a timetable for healing. Not so easy to look at our own. I've thought of ways in life I continue to "pull off the scab" before the healing is complete.

There is a story told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeks and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, "Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?!" The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, "I am the path."

We ask the same questions, don't we? We ask God, "Where are you taking me? " I'm good at stomping my foot and demanding immediate healing. I think it is natural to question "why" instead of "what should I be learning." And another observation - the jungle keeps changing! You just think you are getting your feet underneath you and then the whole landscape changes. Again.

Pruning. It's tough. And there are alot of questions to ask that need time for answers. Patience is NOT one of my virtues.

So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself. Max Lucado

Quickie

Since I have a VERY short attention span, I have to do outside projects quickly and in spurts. I needed to expand my herb garden and planned on doing it in a little bed out in the back...but that would mean I would have to go downstairs and out to the backyard when I am cooking. I found these fabulous ceramic pots at Smith's Marketplace (Fred Meyers) at 25% off (which means I'd be ungrateful if I didn't buy them.) I loved the color and the variety of shapes. I stopped at the mall on my way home (Southtowne) at the Sticker Kiosk (vinyl lettering) ....to have the names printed.





When home, in less than 10 minutes, Ta-DA! I had the pots labeled, planted, smiling in the sunshine....

just waiting for the deer...

Random Thoughts

I have spent the last hour trying to find some information I knew I recorded here on my blog. While searching, I found several entries that I started but never finished. One was a draft from almost exactly a year ago today. It was a meme. Here are my comments on my year-ago thoughts:

I'm happy that:

1. I can wear my wedding ring again (I had been dieting and lost enough weight that my wedding rings fit. Well, the weight is back on, but my rings do fit...since I got a terrible burn on my hand in Dec. and they had to cut my wedding rings off. When I had my ring fixed, I had it resized. I know that is cheating but whatever works!)

2. that I planted flowers yesterday! (I know, I am a fool. We WILL have more snow...)- I have basil ready to plant. Basil makes me EXTREMELY happy! (Well, it has been snowing all week. Again. Enough already! I haven't planted flowers but I have planted tomatoes and basil in the greenhouse. And basil continues to make me happy.)

3. the pool is warm (The pool was warm last week but then the heating element sprung a gasket and so power is shut off. All that warming was for naught. What is it about workman- that say they will be here and a week later, they STILL aren't here? Oh well, not the end of the world.)

4. going with the kiddos today to the aquarium to see the new penguins! I hear they are hysterical. (As I posted last week, we went again to the aquarium. The penguins are alive and happy! As you know, I fell in love with a new fish. But I won't show him again since a neighbor (lol) said she was tired of looking at him...since I hadn't posted for awhile....)

5. Brandi is on a cruise (My son, Ryan, does, among other things, Bk of M. cruises and tours. He was doing one in the Caribbean and Marci couldn't go so he had a free ride and invited his sister! Isn't that awesome. They had a wonderful time.)

6. My mom and dad like their new apartment living. That they've made new friends. (over a year later and they still love their new place. This really DOES make me happy. The dining is exquisite, the activities fun and they've met wonderful people.)

Things I Need Help With:

1. summer salad recipes (would still like some suggestions! Kim, I'm getting ready to try yours!)

2. new children's book suggestions (preferably funny)....my friend's birthday is coming up and even though she moved away many years ago, I still give her a funny children's each year. I NEED A SUGGESTION! (last year I gave Trish "Chicken Cheeks." ) (my friend's birthday is next week and I've already bought her book. I've actually bought two. I found one in Portland that I loved "King Bidgood's In The Bathtub" but then when I got home, I realized that it was printed a long time ago and she's probably already seen it. The new one I found is called Chicken Dance and I think it is the funky winner. )

3. cleaning two fountains. (surprise, it's time to clean them again! I think I'm turning one into a flower pot....)

4. building a couple of grow boxes/raised beds (didn't get it done but still want it done. I'm thinking of buying a dog kennel and putting a raised bed inside of it for my plants protection. Have I mentioned we have delinquent deer and squirrels, not to mention (RIP) raccoons.)

Yesterday a small herd of deer came to prune all my spring growth. This isn't a good picture since I was taking from inside the house, through the window but look how scruffy they look from the winter. Not so much thin (they eat David's hay and grain in the barn all winter) but mangy. I love when they are in the yard. They are a form of meditation to me....

5. glass panes replaced on the greenhouse. (Ca-chinga. To the tune of $1000 or more.... More to replace this year.)

Life goes on, full of ups and downs. Got heartwrenching newconcerning a friend last night. I don't know what to do with grief that just keeps coming. Got a phone call from a niece in tears, who needed some love when her heart was breaking. It totally brought back HOW MANY YEARS AGO when I was at Ricks (now BYU-Idaho) and my dad called me long distance and started off by asking, "How are you?" I burst into tears blubbering about some boy and he immediately said, "Here, I'll let you talk to mom." and passed me off! I don't miss that drama/searching/doubt/heartache for anything. (and I'm glad my niece knows she has me to talk to.)

Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak; sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go. ~Author Unknown

and finally, this weekend is our Bon Appetit dinner with Valene and George. Soooo excited. I think I've put on 5 pounds just trying out new recipes. Can't wait to share the final menu with you later.

Tonight is a Relief Society activity. I've already made a double batch of Bratten's Clam Chowder for it. And now, oh goodie, I get to head off to the dentist for a little filling. I don't think it matters that it is a little filling, you still get a big shot. Truly the dentist is my LEAST favorite place to be!

Some tortures are physical

And some are mental,

But the one that is both

Is dental.

~Ogden Nash

Cookies

The other day I picked up some take-out from a Chinese restaurant (I'm trying to duplicate their hoisin sauce for lettuce wraps) and there was good fortune to be had in a fortune cookie!


Yay! I LOVE fortune cookies! Isn't there something so enchanting about anticipating your good fortune? I was secretly hoping for the winning numbers of a lottery ticket. (which I guess would be wasted fortune since I don't buy lottery tickets...) Or how about, the love of your life will show up on your doorstep. (which actually happens everyday when D. comes home from work.) (Sometimes he smells like manure...)

Or I love getting funny fortune cookies like
"Drinking a lot of fluids when there is no bathroom around for one hundred miles can lead to major discomfort." or "He who waits with mouth open for duck to fly in have long hunger."


Well, whoopee. Mine said "You shouldn't overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.."


I've left my annoying little fortune by my computer. I wanted excitement, anticipation or at least humor. But as I have re-read it, I know it is true. I would have good fortune if I would heed it.


I wonder why it is we resent good advice or correction.

Yesterday was our Stake Conference. I must admit I had a bee up my bonnet about something.

Well, life. With Stake Conference, we have an adult meeting on Saturday night, which is usually the best of the conference, and another meeting on Sunday. On Saturday, we usually make arrangements to go with good friends, then to dinner afterwards and it is always something I look forward to. This weekend David was roping both nights (and Saturday day) which meant I was a loner. C and K were out of town....and I was in the middle of a good book....with a lazy attitude. I decided not to go. Quickly after the decision, guilt guided me to change my mind. I knew I "needed" to go although I didn't especially feel like it. Part of my reasoning was asking myself how can I pray for guidance in rough waters and not make effort on my part to learn what God wants me to learn?

I read once that “To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one. It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives. Nobody is born a warrior, in exactly the same way that nobody is born an average man. We make ourselves into one or the other.” Carlos Castaneda

Several talks were given, both Saturday night and Sunday morning- wherein people shared particularly difficult trials they had experienced and how they found the tools needed to not just survive those experiences but to live in joy and peace. I needed to hear that. One talk that I really have pondered from Sunday was from a man who serves as the mission president here in South Salt Lake by the name of Miller. He is/was a dentist by profession and he said it was quite common for someone to call and demand to be seen immediately for a toothache. When in the chair, they have their finger in their mouth, identifying the tooth that needed attention. When the dentist would ask general health questions, the patient would quickly become defensive with "I don't want anything else done. I don't want x-rays, a root canal, teeth cleaning. I don't want to hear about flossing. I just want this ONE tooth fixed. Now." He likened it to our spiritual life. When we are in pain, we immediately want attention from God to fix "that one thing." We are the one who puts perimeters around our request...like "but don't ask me to change any of my habits" or "I don't want to pay the price to fix the rest of my teeth. Just fix this one thing."

Christ wants to make us whole, not fix just one thing. I know whole comes from the same root word as holy (I wrote a poem about that once...) Good things come with a price and I think that price is often our own self will, our own lazy desires. I don't always, easily, make the right choice but for this weekend, I "had the good fortune" to be where I needed to be. In evening prayers last night, I could refocus on many thoughts to ponder (some that I received in the temple this week as well) about how to improve my spirit. Another speaker quoted Boyd K. Packer when he said, "It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ lives, it's another thing entirely to know Jesus Christ." As the song and scripture say, "There is a balm of Gilead, and it is waiting there for me."

Your fortune is not something to find but to unfold. Eric Butterfield

Pot Pie

Last week I got a disturbing email from Cecily who lives in our Ward. She stated that while vacationing in Britain, her family was mugged outside their hotel....and their money and ID and cell phones were stolen but thankfully they had their plane tickets and passports...but that they couldn't leave without paying their hotel bill. And




the clincher was "....and I'm crying as I write this. Can you help?"





I checked the email address, and yes, it was Cecily's. I thought it was odd that out of all the people in the world, she would email me. But we ARE neighbors. What if she really needed help? I sent back a reply, "If this is really Cecily, call me." She emailed back where I could Western Union money. Then I noticed there was one more letter added to Cecily's email address.






Did I mention I am a blond? Underneath this brown and streaked and highlighted pokie up hair? We have a Ward Facebook page. I posted my worriesome adventure:





Okay, just so you know...if you are vacationing in Britain and you get mugged outside of your hotel....lose all your credit cards and money and cell phone, and the police aren't helping and your plane is soon to take off...and your hotel won't let you leave without paying, I AM the sucker to email. But later, when you email from the library and say Western Union the money, I'll catch on. I AM a blond in real life!






People who know me, know what a ditz I am, but at least I'm a kind ditz. A few hours ago I got another SOS from the Hunts in our Ward. Can you believe it? Dave and Nancy were just mugged in Great Britain as well (I think they were there for the big wedding. Dave was invited because he is our Sherlock Holmes look-a-like in our Granite parade each year.) They desperately sent me an email saying they knew if I would help Cecily, surely I would help them too! I told them I would gladly union them big bucks and even include a tip. But I suggested I would like a treat from London...perhaps a pot pie.







Look what just showed up on my doorstep.....

(I lOVE funny people!)

Tangled

Today I'm going to my nail gal today and we've had some thought provoking conversations in recent months. She has two girls going through rehab- one with drugs and one with alcohol. She has been going to AA to learn life skills herself. One of the quotes that she learned there was "Each time we bail our kids out, they find a new rock bottom."

I thought the quote was powerful. It reminded me of a conversation in "Tangled."


Mother Gothel: Rapunzel? Rapunzel, what's going on up there? Are you alright?
Rapunzel: I'm the lost princess.
Mother Gothel: Oh, please speak up Rapunzel. You know how I hate the mumbling.
Rapunzel: I am the lost princess, aren't I?... Did I mumble, Mother? Or should I even call you that?
Mother Gothel: Oh Rapunzel, did you even hear yourself? Why would ask such a ridiculous question?
Rapunzel: It was you! It was all you!
Mother Gothel: Everything that I did was to protect... YOU. [Rapunzel pushes past her]
Mother Gothel: Rapunzel.
Rapunzel:[walking down the stairs] I've spent my entire life hiding from people who would use me for my powers?
Mother Gothel: Rapunzel!
Rapunzel: I should have been hiding... from YOU!


I think one of the hardest parts of motherhood for me is to watch the challenges that our kids have to go through. Now I'm in the grandmother stage so it isn't just the continuing challenges for my kids but for their kids. My prayer list each day is immense! I'm so proud of all of them for digging in when life is tough and working hard to put pieces back together. There are many times I've wished that I could bail our family out from certain situations but it just isn't possible. I know there is growth from the struggle. It's just hard when you're in the middle of it. I'm proud of my "nail friend" that continues to breathe in and out during this difficult time in her life. We learn from each other. Scripture tells us that we have weaknesses that we "can be made strong" in the Lord. We can overcome with his help. There is a difference between supporting and bailing. One makes us strong. The other makes us weak.

Pioneer Memorial Museum

The Pioneer Memorial Museum ~ 300 North Main Street

Yesterday most of our Bucket Group went on a guided tour, hosted by Valene, of the Pioneer Memorial Museum plus the Marmalade District (old houses) of Salt Lake. It was so awesome although it was raining cats and dogs. I had never been to the museum before and I'm totally in awe and can't wait to go back. (Marci and the kiddos and I are already planning.) This museum is huge with so many areas and our tour guide was a little "chop-chop" (reminds me of my old day planner Inga....) and it was hard to keep my eyes focused where she wanted them focused and not google over the million other things I was interested in. I really did want to break out my camera but Valene reminded everyone that it was I that was madly taking pictures in the Museum d'Orsay in France....in the Van Gogh section....in spite of (which truly I did not see) ALL THE SIGNS saying if you took pictures, you'd be thrown into the gallows....) So you will have to picture all the things I wanted to take pictures of:

The museum is what it professes- a pioneer museum and it is filled with portraits, pictures, memorabilia, furniture, covered wagons, children's toys, all kinds of bibles that all the pioneers brought with them (including some just about 2 inches tall!)

Some fascinating things to me-

fireballs. These looked like beautiful blown glass (of course they would be) balls that were filled with water (truly could hold maybe 2 cups worth) and "in case of fire"...you were suppose to thrown the balls into the fire for retardation! Ha! (I was happy to see the first steam firetruck introduced in about 1902....it is beautiful...since I don't think the "fireballs" would really have done too much good!)

braided hair- the pioneers (and pilgrims I'm sure) found beauty in all arts and crafts. There were many wreaths and wall hangings made with woven or braided hair flowers and hearts. There were wreaths made of hair from all the famous early pioneers and families. I had never heard of this practice and was fascinated by the intricacy.

There were several portraits that intrigued me. Two that were pointed out were painted on the canvas from the covered wagons, that previously had hung in the Nauvoo temple. The pioneers salvaged everything and used everything over and over again.

Two-headed sheep- quite disconcerting.

a clump of petrified bread....that was actually part of the sacramental bread during the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple. Brigham Young brought it home from the dedication for one of his daughters who was ill and couldn't attend!

Susanna Bransford Emery Holmes Delitch Engalitcheff - often referred to as The Silver Queen since her money was made in the Silver Mine (and other mines) in Park City. She was quite the woman. Her first husband, Emery, worked for a mining company. The company leader couldn't buy stock in this company for some reason, so they had Emery buy stock for him, to later be transferred into the bosses name. Well, Emery died unexpectedly, then so did the company leader so Susanna ended up being a rich, rich woman by default! She lived quite the life...marrying rich men and poor men with titles...several of whom died mysterious deaths. When her second husband died, she was out to lunch with a friend in California. She received the telegram that he had died, she read it, put it in her pocket, and continued with lunch without mentioning it. She sent one husband (who was an Earl or something) on a cruise and told him she wanted a divorce and he hung himself. The last guy was on a cruise with her....he died...she told the ship people to put him on ice so she could finish her cruise! Anyway, they lived in a large mansion downtown (it has since been razed) and in San Francisco and New York and Europe. Her gowns displayed are incredible and could barely fit on my thigh. (enough to despise the woman for sure!)


Okay, that is enough of my little tour. Addi is calling and saying my "just a sec" is over. It is story time. This morning we are reading -

The Three Little Tamales (from my 3 Little Pigs collection)

Cinderhazel (from the Cinderella collection)

The Happy Hocky Family (this book is so worth getting used from Amazon. Truly, it is a laugh out loud bizarre humor book. I ADORE it! It is by Lane Smith)

and lastly, The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-to- Be (from the Princess and the Pea collection.)


Whew!

This and That

This past week has been busy which I know isn't anything new. Niece Mallory, roomie Kaitlin (she insists she's a niece as well and I think so too) came for the week. A cute boy came with them last weekend (who I got immediately attached to but he was gone before I knew it) and that meant tons of eating out, playing games and changing sheets. Changing sheets. Changing sheets. I'm putting that on my resume.....


The pool is hot! The pool is hot! I know swimming pools aren't suppose to be hot but I think we're finally to 90 degrees. I like to swim in a bathtub. The kiddos swam before it got that warm but I'm too finicky. Water aerobics starts this week. If anyone in the neighborhood wants to come and swim, you're always welcome. The Tijuana pool is open for business! (Just the business of fun.)


Today I got in two soccer games, a good grocery shop and, heart be still, tomato plant shopping. KMart of all places had gorgeous plants and although it is suppose to snow some more this week, they will be all nestled warmly in the greenhouse. Today I planted Big Boys, Early Girl and Celebrity. The Roma's and grape tomatoes will be next. I also planted three batches of basil. I think I'll dream of bruschetta tonight.


Yesterday I got to spend the day with Valene for her upcoming birthday. We always have the best time. We went to lunch at a new restaurant (Valene's little sister, Voila!...and my friend's recommendation.) It is called the White Grape and is downtown Salt Lake. We split several things but one of my favorite dishes was the butternut squash soup...on which they dolloped an apple and cranberry chutney. Of course I had to come home and google recipes. I realize squash soup season is about over but the chutney on top was a fabulous touch. We also perused a new Whole Foods store. Who else loves to just go up and down funky food aisles? We're total foodies. I also took her to Jolley's (my little heart thumping store) for her first time...she found a darling coat, I found a darling skirt....and I bought potato guns for my kids to get in trouble with. We also went plant shopping and ended the day with gelato. A perfect day with one of my best forevers!

Well, I have several recipes printed off. Chicken ready to saute. I have cabbage, onions, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, carrot, rice noodles and on and on and on. I have red curry paste, hoisen sauce, Thai peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce (Asian), teriyaki, soy, you name it. I'm going to experiment with lettuce wraps until the cows come home. Actually, thankfully, the cows (steers) aren't here yet (so that means we aren't feeding them!)

And drum roll, please! We have offically filled well over 2,000 eggs for the Eggstravaganza! When I brought home even more eggs to fill and more candy, Mallory just rolled her eyes at me. I think it counts when you KNOW YOU ARE AN ADDICT. That's not as bad as BEING an addict and not knowing it. I don't know, something about dozens of little kids running through our acres of yard looking for eggs just puts me over the top. I was hoping that we could do it Easter weekend, since the kiddos have bye's for ballgames that day. But the weather isn't cooperating, although Easter is late this year, so I imagine I'll have to bump it to the end of May. If I do, I'll have it on a Friday evening since most kids don't play on Friday night. I get so excited about it, I can't stand it...and then I have to put the brakes on. Each and every year. I guess that means I'll have to keep filling eggs....

Something Fishie

All men are equal before fish. Herbert Hoover

Last week I took 3 of the kiddos to the aquarium. I love the penquins and could watch them for hours. But I think I found a new favorite fish. Isn't he magnificent? I don't know, something about him just makes me happy. I can't wait to go back and see him again.

What do you call a fish with no eye? A fsh!

In Praise of Forsythia

When I woke up this morning to yet another snowstorm....I just felt "done." Enough already! We easily have another 4" but it is wet and melting fast (although still snowing.) Thankfully I had a 3- hour art class at my home. Creativity filled me up. Love the friends I paint with (Jan Kirkham, Rochelle Clark, Kelly Alter- instructor Arlo Johnson) Then my sweet Visiting Teachers hosted a lunch for us. Lynda Raddon just had an addition onto her already beautiful home and so it was a treat to get to see the finished project. This is how gray our day is. (picture taken from Lynda's new deck....you can almost see my house in the middle of the picture.) (not really but it is there somewhere!) I had to go out on the deck because this caught my eye. Spring is trying so hard to pop out in Utah in spite of the snow.

Lynda and Bertie Wardle (my V.Ters) had fixed a wonderful lunch- Mexican Puff ( a green chili quiche) with black bean salsa and avocado. Homemade cinnamon rolls. Great conversation (Cari Larsen and Debbie Stowell were there as well.) Love these dear friends.

(I just recently taught a journaling class and one of the "rules" we should all follow in journaling is to say people's full names. Apparently, in a few more years, I will "forget" my dear friend's full names. So I was laughing as I typed them in today....knowing they will serve as "reminders" to me in a couple of years when all the brain cells are gone.... lol)

April Bucket

Tuesday was Bucket Group at Valene's home. She had asked us to bring a favorite children's book or two. Her table was filled with some of her favorites...and it was awesome to be able to share new ones from our own collections.

Many of the books shared are ones that I've collected/or known about through the years (Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon- The Paper Bag Princess- I'll Love You For Always-The Empty Pot- Amelia Bedelia-The Giving Tree- Swimming- the Fancy Nancy books and more) but there were a few I can't wait to get, like:

Something From Nothing- by Phoebe Gilman

It's A Book- Lane Smith (Lane also wrote one of my favorite all-time funny books- The Happy Hockey Family)

Stephanie's Ponytail- Robert Munsch (also has written some funnies about "I've Gotta Go" and "Stinky Socks.")

29 Dogs by McCheevers

I Like Me by Nancy Carlson

Cookies (Bite Size Lessons)

I shared how I collect variations of The Little Little Pigs, Cinderella and The Princess in the Pea. For instance, in my Cinderella collection, I have Fanny's Dream (one of my all time children's books by Caralyn Buehner), The Egyptian Cinderella, Cinderhazel (The Cinderella of Halloween), Adelita (A Mexican Cinderella Story) etc. I hope someday to leave collections with the kiddos.

Valene served a wonderful southwest salad with cilantro lime dressing, homemade rolls and a delicious baked lemon pudding for dessert (recipe for pudding on cooking blog.) What a wonderful day!

Heart Be Still

"I never met a snowman that I didn't like." Marilyn Darley Williams

Yesterday I came home from our Bucket luncheon to find the girls had been busy at work. In the morning, our lawns were covered from snow (David tells me we have gotten 18 inches this weekend. The snow went higher than his gator boots) but it was quickly on the melt by the afternoon. This snowman family greeted me....and made my heart sing. How can you be sad when you look at a snowman's face?

This "snow head" cracked me up!

Don't you want to kiss this sweet face???

Thank you Gracie, Hallee and Addi for bringing sunshine to my soul!

Food Lust

Knock Knock-

who's there? -

Lettuce...

Lettuce who?

Lettuce in and we'll tell you!

(okay, can you tell I'm a grandma? I am great at knock-knocks and I drive my friends crazy by slug-bugging them ... since I have to keep in shape for my kiddos.)

Today I am a little bored with making my weekly to-do list . I thought, instead, I would make a cooking to- do list. Dreaming of cooking and food and recipes is my "Calgon, take me away." Well, I want the Calgon (bubble bath) as well but I do love food!

Recipes I Can't Wait to Try-

~Sweet Potato Oven Fries with Avocado Dip

~Breadsticks on a Stick- my favorite at Pizza Factory in St. George.

~Yeast Biscuits- at a wonderful serendipitious find- the Encinita Cafe- in California, we had the best breakfast I've ever had. They served biscuits and gravy...but the biscuits were more like a roll. I have several recipes I'm going to try out. ~

Vanilla Bean Butter Rum Poundcakes- they look ooey-gooey and sinful ~

Coconut Macadamia Shortbread- for my hubbie to score points

~Asparagus Parmesan- you dip asparagus in a wonderful mixture and gently sau

te it ~

Curried Halibut Steak- I'm thinking of this for our next Bon Appetit dinner. The magazine this month featured a lot of lamb recipes and I'm not sure I'm a lamb fan so I'll probably do side dishes from the magazine. I found this recipe in one of Mom's magazines "Healthy Cooking" while I was in Washington. ~

lettuce wraps. I brought home from mom's an electric food grinder (I actually sent home 4 boxes of treasures from mom. Like I needed more "stuff" but there are so many great things in those boxes!) and I'm trying to duplicate a great lettuce wrap from our local Asian Star where everything looks ground. I think we need to do lettuce wraps for our next Creative Cooking so I want to experiment.

~a peanutty turkey stir fry with edame. Another recipe I brought home from mom's.


Someone share 3 favorite things you've been cooking that I can dream about too. Or that you've eaten at a restaurant that we need to figure out how to make. Please, please, please share!

Food products I've recently discovered that make my heart go jump- 1-

Achiote seasoning (annato seed.) I mentioned this when I took a Mexican cooking class last month. I could only find it at a Mexican market. I'm anxious to make a Achiote Chicken with Black Beans recipe. 2-

Caldo de Tomate (Tomato bouillon) Pretty Patty Petty bought me some when she last came to town. I had just never noticed it before and now I see it everywhere. And while I'm on this tomato kick, I'll add tomato paste in a tube. Also learned about it in a cooking class. 3-

lemongrass. I'm on the lookout for lemongrass in a tube. I have several recipes I'm anxious to try with this (both fresh and the paste.)



Food is an important part of a balanced diet.- - - Fran Lebowitz

What a Weekend!

Friday night we went to the Jazz game against the Lakers with Kirk and Cathy. It was an awesome game for the first 3 quarters then the Lakers took it to us.

Niece Mallory and roomie Caitlin and guy friends came Friday night but I hardly saw them since it was a late game. Just enough time to hug and then go to bed.

Saturday morning I headed across the valley for Hallee's soccer game. It was the only one of the kiddo's games I went to. (5 are playing each week) She's such a punkin and loves to play. The funniest part was at the end, during the team huddle and I could hear all the kids jumping up and down, oblivious, "Who won! Who won!" When the coach said "The other team".....they said "how come?" Well, because they scored more points..... (actually it was a very close game.)

Watched our LDS conference on television during the day while cooking up company food. I made homemade chicken noodle soup, cabbage chicken top ramen salad, chili con queso dip for chips, and bbq chicken for sandwiches. Whew!

Saturday night we did dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then saw George Strait, Reba McEntire and LeeAnn Womack in concert. We had good tickets and a great time! (Cathy and I couldn't believe we could actually get two great date nights out of a weekend!)

Life's not the breaths you take

The breathing in and out

That gets you through the day.

Ain't what it's all about

You just might miss the point

Try'n to win the race

Life's not the breaths you take

But the moments that take your breath away. (George Strait song)

I don't know which is my favorite George Strait song but these are my top 4. Heard all of them Friday night.

1. I Ain't Her Cowboy Anymore

2. How Bout Them Cowgirls

3. I Can Still Make Cheyenne (this one is a family favorite with personal meanings)

4. I Cross My Heart

(what are yours?)

Reba is such an awesome entertainer. We've seen her before with Brooks and Dunn. You could listen to number one hits all night long with both George and Reba. I feel bad I didn't get pictures of LeeAnn -it was fun to hear her as well.

So, this is our LDS General Conference weekend. We look forward to this twice a year event all year long. It is a great time to hunker down in front of the television (it is broadcast all over the world) and get edified and inspired and motivated for another 6 months. Usually family comes for some or all of the sessions. Well, we woke up this morning with NO electricity. We had a storm that started last night (after a beautiful 65 degree day).....it was raining HARD when we left the concert....to a DUMP of snow. I bet we easily got 10 inches at our house. And it was wet and heavy and weighing down all the trees again. The storm blew out the power in 6,000 homes in our valley. We didn't get power until 8:30 this evening. With company here and family coming for dinner! So we huddled around the fireplace, listened to conference on David's IPOD, I sent the bread sticks and noodles up to Cathy's house to be cooked, brought in our emergency camp stove to finish the chicken noodle soup that thankfully I had prepared mostly the day before. Brandi and the kiddos came for dinner and to see Mallorie. Tanner and Brooke came afterwards since we haven't seen the baby since bringing him home from the hospital. (I went to Washington right after he was born, then I've had a stinkin' cold for the past week.) Tanner, Brooke and I played Mexican Train dominoes (David and Annee play Boggle) until we couldn't see (with flashlights and lanterns....that makes for quite the game) in the dark....and just when it was time for everyone to leave, the power came on. It's crazy how when the power does come on, every light in the house has accidentally been flipped on, radios and TV are blaring, fans in the bathrooms. Sometimes you just have to go without to realize how much we take for granted. It was a wonderful day to be snowed in with family (but I'll be listening to individual conference talks on the Internet all week to play catch up. The IPOD just didn't cut it!) At least we were in our homes- with a good fire, blankets and refrigerators full of food. I ached today thinking of those all over the world who are facing disasters in shelters and lucky to have access to those, with not enough food. My gratitude goes on and on for abundant blessings.

“The angels minister to God's servants in time of hardship and danger." Billy Graham

(note: we felt the angel's ministering with the conference talks though with hardship (ha!) -no electricity and the danger was cooking inside the house with our butane stove. We felt the house couldn't possibly burn down with this much wet snow dumping on us!