In Season

New Year Considerations

2012-01-02T16:34:00.000-08:00

I don't want to be too drastic and plan major changes to my life that I probably won't make so instead I'm making a list of activities I want to focus on in 1912. These are things I want to do anyway but I need to list them somewhere so I can prioritize them. Maybe I will even weed out a few that I feel are important but aren't so much.

After writing this post, let me warn you that it isn't that interesting! It will be a good reminder to me though and I hope, as I check things off, it will provide me with a sense of accomplishment.

The obvious things I need to do are
1. Exercise - for me that means getting up from my sewing or computer more times and more often than I do now. My mother couldn't sit for long periods without having to get up and move around but I can sit for hours on end. (No pun intended) And when I get up an move around a bit I am going to make a trip up and down the stairs. I know this sounds hilariously simple for most of you but for me it's a small step in the right direction.
2. Eat healthier - My friend suggested eating sweets only on days that have a 'u' in their names. I don't think I can go a whole day with NO sweets. Also, if I even tried the 'u' plan I'd eat A LOT of sweets on those days. So I'm going with cutting back on the sweets and saying yes to the veggies.

Now for the more exciting considerations. These are things I really want to do but I need to prioritize and focus on the important ones.
3. Reread the Bock of Mormon - I thought of this goal earlier in Dec. and decided to start immediately. I like getting a head start on things. Plus if a bad day or two comes along I have those covered.
4. Finish my Vegas quilt - while visiting our daughters in Vegas we went to a fabric store and Candleman saw a quilt on the wall that he really liked. We took a picture and I figured it out. All that's left is squaring it up and adding 2 borders.
4. Finish the Miss Rosie True Blue quilt that I started when I needed a break from Vegas quilt. My True Blue quilt is made of browns, teals, and reads. I feel like I've been making blocks for forever and I've only finished half of what I need.
5. Make a beautiful quilt from the beautiful fabric a daughter gave me for a Christmas present. I got to pick the fabric and I just love it. I've been looking through magazines and online to find the perfect pattern for it.

The next few are the items that most overwhelm me and I'm most confused about how to tackle.
6. Add IPTC data to all (or at least most) of Grandma Inez's pictures.
7. Put Grandma Inez's postcards in chronological order and then make a time line of where she was living before she married Grandpa.
8. Add IPTC data to Dad & Mom's family pictures. Continue searching for dates for the ones that don't have dates and putting all of their pictures in chronological order.
9. Read letters & postcards from Dad & Mom's collection and create a time line of events.
10. Read Mom's journal and add important items to time line.
11. Sort through Mom's pictures and scan important ones, then throw away or send to family member who would like them.
12. Write on my genealogy blog one last story about Grandpa Rasmussen and then compile all posts about him into a life history.
13. Add IPTC data to the Petersen pictures I collected and sorted into chronological order last year.

Some reading goals:
14. Finish rereading Louise Penny's Armand Gamache books. I'm ready to start book 3.
15. Put the brakes on accepting Advance Reader Copies. I was doing so well with this but lately I've accepted 4 or 5 and I'm starting feel stress to get them read. Reading should be a joy not a chore.
16. Finish the 4 ARCs I already have sitting on the shelf: Jane Barret, The Crown, Me Before You, and The Hunter. And write reviews for them.

House goals:
17. Continue going through closets and drawers and getting rid of stuff. Give to Deseret Industries anything in good shape and useful; toss the rest. Slim down the stuff!
18. Keep the kitchen cupboards cleaned off.

Eighteen new year's resolutions sounds like a lot but if I think of them as 1. Good health, 2. Genealogy, 3. Reading and 4. Home then it's not so overwhelming. Plus I have been pretty specific about the genealogy goals and listed them in more manageable units.

Here's to new starts, renewed vigor and saying YES to living a good life. YES to more fruits & veggies, YES to a clean house, YES to spiritual uplifts, YES to reading, and YES to increased bonds with my ancestors. Oh, and YES to creativity and building my talents, which this year means YES to quilts!

Happy New Year!

Do Not Spoil What You Have

2011-12-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

My Granddaughter's First Sewing Project

2011-10-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

We gave our granddaughter a sewing machine on her birthday. She practiced for several days and then bought a pj pattern with some of her birthday money and some cute Halloween fabric and whipped up her first pair of pjs in no time at all. Her mother and I helped with measuring and pinning the waist and hemlines but she did the rest. Her seams look terrific! She has fabric for another pair of pajamas that her mom will help her cut out and then she'll be set for a year or with pajamas. What we she make next? I'm thinking a cute pillowcase would be a fun idea.

In the first picture you can see our shared sewing table and the quilt I'm adding borders to. I was hoping more of it would show to help document which quilt I was working on while Little Miss sewed her pjs. The quilt is a scrap Jacob's Ladder variation with red scrap pinwheels interspersed throughout.

Ghost Quilt Wall Hanging

2011-10-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

I pieced the top of this wall hanging back in the early 1980s. Oh my heck, that makes me feel old just saying that! I think I had only made one other pieced quilt before this - it was also a wall hanging and a log cabin, but it was watermelons. Maybe I'll post it sometime.

Back to this cute little ghost. It's made of over 80 little log cabin blocks. I know. Crazy, huh? I don't think I'd ever have the nerve to give it a try today. It scares the bejebbers right out of me to think about it. It measures 18x24" without the borders.

I've had it folded up and tucked away in a closet, then a box because I've moved a couple times in the last 31 years, but I got it out last September with the intention of hand quilting it. (Okay, I accidentally discovered it and then had the intention to quilt it.) My sister and sister-in-law had been talking about their experiences with machine quilting - another idea that fills me with terror. They both seemed positive about their experiences and so I thought about it. It took me 10 months of brewing the idea before I decided to start practicing. Eventually I felt ready and started free motion quilting the ghost.

I couldn't believe how fast it went. Just 5 minutes and I had nearly half the ghost finished but I was so tense I had to take a break. There was a video that I watched on how to machine quilt and the gal said, "Relax your shoulders. If you don't, it will show in your work." Boy, did she have that right! I think I tensed my whole body and didn't even take a breath whenever I quilted on that poor little ghost. The night I finished the ghost I went to bed so downhearted. I had decided to throw him away and was just sick about it because he so darn cute before I started quilting him.

My sweet little granddaughter pleaded with me to not throw him away. She wanted him. With her encouragement I persevered. I actually thought the ghost looked pretty cute the next day but then I started on the sky. Ruined! I hid it for a few days. When I got it back out I decide it wasn't too bad so I kept going. Eventually I finished and I think, all in all, it looks okay but if I'm going to be passing on to my granddaughter I will need to sew something on the back to keep it from being seen.

I do NOT think I will be attempting to free motion quilt on a larger quilt. I was hoping this experience would lead me to that next, bigger step. It did not. I will be tying, hand quilting, or paying to have my bigger quilts done. Hats of to you quilters who do such beautiful work. I am in awe of you!

What Are They Thinking?

2011-10-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

I don't understand this sign on several levels. First of all, why does one religion spend it's time, energy and signs putting down a different religion. I think that's what their goal was, although it may have just the opposite effect.

That's the other thing that confuses me - If you want to discourage someone from investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints why would you tell them if they pray about the Book of Mormon they will receive a confirmation of it's truthfulness. What else can "That's how they get you!" mean? And since you are praying about it, who's going to provide the confirmation but God? One human cannot provide a life-changing confirmation of the spirit. That only comes from God and through his spirit.

The Book of Mormon offers the same message this sign does:

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." -Moroni 10:4

What does this sign say to you?

2 Quilts I Like

2011-10-15T02:56:00.001-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More quilts

I like Split Pea Soup on p. 15 and Venetian Dream on p.51.

Family Reunion

2011-06-26T15:32:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun at our Petersen Reunion this weekend. I have a few pictures ready to share. I can see now that I missed many opportunities for taking pictures of us playing games and visiting. I wasn't going to let that happen but I became so caught up in the visiting, game playing, eating, etc. that I totally forgot to take more pictures. Hopefully, some others had their cameras clicking and will share them with me. Click on each picture to see it larger.

Can You Help Me With These Pictures?

2010-07-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

I'm again reaching out to my Rasmussen side for help. I'm hoping to get dates, names, and perhaps places for these pictures. I actually know the people in the first picture but would like to be 100% sure that I have the right name on the right face. Can anyone provide a date, or a least an approximate date?

The next two pictures are my grandparents. I'm hoping someone can provide dates and places.

Happy Happenings

2010-05-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago my high school best friend called from Canada just to say Hello! She does that every once in awhile and we always have a nice visit. This time we talked about some of our favorite books and favorite authors. Always a fun subject. She provided me with some authors I haven't read before and am looking forward to. In fact I've already got two books coming in the mail from bookmooch.

We may go years in between phone calls but we always pick up like it was just yesterday when we last talked. Of course it's not; there are so many things that have happened in the last 40 years. She married a Canadian and moved to Cardston where she has lived ever since. I married a boy that we both knew but had never talked to in high school - he was a year older and our paths never crossed. She has 5 grown children that I've never met and I have 4. We were best friends for 6 years before out paths separated and yet those short 6 years were enough to allow us to build a bond that connected us for the next 40 years. Amazing and wonderful!

Easy Taco Rolls

2010-05-11T16:39:00.001-07:00

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. It was a big hit with those of us who enjoyed it.

1/2 C cooked rice	1 1/2 C shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 lb ground beef	8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
1 pkg taco seasoning	2 C salsa
1 (15 oz) can corn	1 1/2 C shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 C water

1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly and evenly browned. Drain and discard any excess grease.
3. Reduce heat to medium, stir in the taco seasoning, corn, 1/2 cup water, 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, and the cooked rice. Cook and stir until the cheese has melted and the corn is hot. Spoon the mixture into the flour tortillas. Roll into a tight cylinder, and pack into an 8x11-inch baking dish (it will be a tight squeeze). Pour the salsa over top and sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese topping has melted and is beginning to brown, about 10 min.

*After following the recipe as written, we think it would be good with more rice, brown rice, black beans or any of a number of possibilities. May have to reduce the amount of beef and add extra water; or just make more tortillas for left overs (it tastes great the next day and I'll bet it will freeze nicely. Serve it topped with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced avocados, sliced olives.

***Note - The 2nd time we made this recipe we didn't have any salsa so we used 1 can of enchilada sauce. We also used brown rice instead of white and used 1 can kidney beans. It was delicious this way, too.

Welcome Home Laptop!

2010-04-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

My computer will be coming home this afternoon - I think. I hope! My computer has been having BIG problems for months, ever since we installed Windows 7. Candleman installed it on his old computer causing it to run better than ever. The sound, which wasn't working, started to work again. We were impressed and quickly installed it on my computer. Bad decision. My sound quit working! How crazy is that?! Not only that, it developed problems all over the place. We finally took it the the computer vet who kept it for several days. He removed 350 viruses! I was so excited to get it back but, alas! it was still slower than cold tar in January.

I set it aside for nearly a month while Candleman was working away from home and I used his computer. Now that he's home he doesn't like sharing. I don't love it, either. So we took my computer back to the shop. After trying all sorts of things that didn't work, we told the fixer-upper to just set it back to factory configuration. When I stopped by yesterday he was adding some of the drivers that got removed in that process but he promised it would be finished today. Candleman will be bringing it home this afternoon.

I haven't checked my email for weeks. Egads! Can you just imagine how many there might be? I just realized that my address book will be gone and I'll have to start over trying to round up all those addresses again. I backed up most of my stuff onto my external hard drive, but I don't think I did the addresses.

As long as my baby laptop comes home and works and runs quickly, I'll be happy to build up missing info.

***BIG SAD FACE*** My computer is home. Candleman & TechGuy told me the first thing to do was reload the Windows 7 software. I put the disk in but the computer says there is not a disk in that drive. Next I tried an audio book disc in that drive. Again the computer didn't recognize it. We called the Techie and asked him about it. He said he used that drive and it worked fine. Candleman traded computers with me and said he'd give mine a try. I think he has been majorly distracted by the tv. He hasn't done anything for over 30 minutes now. Blame it on Dr. Oz! I think I'd be happy WITHOUT Windows 7.

More Help Needed

2010-04-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

Pictures sent via email from Becky to Steve. Can you help with any of the details? Names, dates, places, etc.

Cousin Photo

2010-04-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

I am hoping that my cousins will be able to help me identify all the people in this photo. I do recognize most everyone, but I want to be sure I have the correct names with the right picture. Please leave a comment if you can tell me anything about this picture - Who is in it? Where we are? When it was taken? What was the occasion? Do you remember anyone else that was at this event but not in the picture? There is evidence of 2 people standing on the left that didn't make it in the photo - Are there any kids in your family that aren't in the picture? Wayne, Steve and Susan Rasmussen are missing. Susan may be one of the kids standing on the left, not in the picture. Wayne or Steve may be on a mission. Brent Collett is also missing - is he on his mission?

Katie's New Blog

2009-12-18T20:14:00.000-08:00

Katie deleted her google account hoping to fix something going quirky on her computer. What she did accomplish was to delete all her blogs!

So . . .

She started a new blog.

Check It Out!

WHAT! a Trip! Part Two - The Drive Home

2009-12-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

We flew into Chicago on Wed. night, Dec. 2. Arrived at our hotel near midnight because our flight went from Salt Lake City to Phoenix and then to Chicago. Who schedules these strange flight patterns?! We ended up being delighted because we sat next to Bernadette who works in Phoenix and was flying home to Chicago to see her mother before a vacation in Aruba. We enjoyed visiting with her and sharing our views on such varied topics as illegal immigrants, civil rights, snowbirds, President Obama and Chicago sights and restaurants. The time went by so quickly.

We pricelined a lovely hotel in downtown Chicago - Embassy Suites. It had a sitting room with couch, table, chairs and tv, a little kitchen area and a bedroom with another sink and a second tv. It made a cozy 'home' for our 3 nights and 2 days in Chicago.

The day after we made our airplane reservations and the day before flying out of SLC, Candleman received a notice for jury duty. He called from Chicago on Thursday evening and was told by recorded message that he needed to be in court the coming up Monday. YIKES! We thought about calling the court but in Utah they are closed on Fridays. There was nothing to do but to drive from Chicago to Utah in 2 days. It can be done but we really wanted to go a bit more leisurely. I was hoping we'd be able to stop in Lincoln for a visit with Les. Every time I get to Lincoln, which is has only been three times now, I like to drive past our old neighborhood. I've pointed out the old stomping grounds to Candleman - the flagpole, park, Hawthorne and Millard Lefler schools, Golds Department Store, the favorite swimming pools and our house. Les and memory lane were not going to fit into our plans this trip. Can you imagine my sad face?

We woke very early on Saturday morning because we knew it was going to be a long day of driving. Met the airport shuttle at 7, rented a car at the airport and drove to Galena, Illinois where we were going to pick up Kristi's postal car. See earlier post for more detail s. The drive to Galena was beautiful even though it was and there was no snow. We both were grateful for the opportunity to drive on the back road and hope we get the chance again. After making the transaction Candleman got his first experience driving a right sided steering car on the right side of the road. I was driving the rental car while he followed me to the Dubuque airport. We were quite apprehensive of driving all the way home in this "weird" car. I kept thinking how weird it was going to be looking to my right instead of left to see my husband behind the wheel.

Little did we know that the driving situation was going to be no big deal compared to the temperature situation. Luckily, Saturday the sun was shining and the nationwide cold freeze had not hit yet. I was aware of an opening on my side of the vehicle that blew cold air right on my shins. We stopped a bought two lap blankets with pillows to stuff down there. Things got worse when the sun went down and we didn't have the greenhouse effect in our favor. We discovered the heater didn't work very well. With the temp and fan turned all the way up and the setting on heater, we were able to get something close to warm blowing out of the windshield vents. If we tried any other setting we got blasted with cold air on our bodies.

I wanted to stop real bad but Candleman thought we should push on until we couldn't stand it any more. Thankfully, he didn't have a hole on his side, but it was still very chilly. Finally, we stopped for the night in North Platte. I couldn't believe we had made it so far on the same day we had to deal with renting a car, buying a car and trying to find the rental car place in Dubuque.

I'm so glad Candleman pushed us on because Sunday was overcast and cold. Luckily, the record snowfalls didn't start up until Monday. We saw the sun for a few minutes just before sunset somewhere north of Baggs, WY. We relished those minutes! Another stop for a sleeping bag and some of those chemical hand warmers helped. Candleman put a hand warmer in each wool sock he bought and then slipped them over the pair I was wearing. I wondered what people thought as they saw us bundled in our coats with earmuffs and gloves inside our car. At one point we passed a bald man without a coat driving on the freeway and comment on how warm he looked.

It was quite an experience, but not horrible. We contemplated what the pioneers had to go through without freeways, sleeping bags, hand warmers, and no hope of finding a warm restaurant in the next city. We were in an enclosed vehicle traveling 70 mph on paved, split roads and our winter experience would only last 2 days not months. I can't even imagine what hardships they had to face. How did they do it?

Kristi is not going to use the car until after the Christmas postal pounding so she has time to get the heater fixed. After that, I think she'll really like her car. It drove well and the seats were very comfortable.

All in all, we are thankful for the experiences we had in that short 5 days. I was thrilled that Candleman was there by my side to enjoy it all.

WHAT! a Trip! Part One

2009-12-12T20:54:00.001-08:00

Our grand adventure started with the news that our daughter purchased a postal car over the internet. She is a rural postal carrier in our community. Rural carriers must provide their own means of transportation though they are reimbursed in milage and wear. The company she bought the car from would ship it to her for $1700 - a fair price, but Candleman & I could see an opportunity so we told her we could deliver it to her for $1000.

With our plane tickets paid we flew to Chicago a day and a half later. I admit I was a bit reluctant at first - Chicago in December was apt to be cold, but then I thought about seeing the holiday decorations and was excited. We were fortunate that our trip was a few days before the extreme cold hit Chicago and the nation. Temps were in the 30s both Thursday and Friday. We dressed warmly, bought some wonderful earmuffs in Chicago and rode the tour bus to our major destinations.

Our first morning, I slept in. Good grief! We enjoyed lunch at Macey's Walnut Room. That was such a delightful experience that we ate lunch there again on Friday. We loved the hot chocolate, the Swedish meatballs and, of course, the Frango mint chocolate cheesecake. It was fun seeing the beautiful architecture and Tiffany vaulted ceiling in Maceys.

We walked over to Daley Plaza where they had a German Christkindl village - little shops that sold ornaments, food, clocks, etc. We bought a pair of mittens for our youngest daughter. After riding the tour bus for the rest of its loop we enjoyed a Chicago hot dog at Portillos.

Friday, after our lunch at Maceys we went to the Chicago Aquarium. Fabulous! Our bus tour person, Rosetta, told us about this excellent Irish Pub, so we went there for dinner. Candleman was hoping for bangers and mash, but they were having a big Christmas party so we went to the Hard Rock and shared a chicken fajita dinner. Rosetta also told us about the great mayonaise chocolate cake at Portillos and since it was across the street we indulged. I'm not a cake lover, but their cake was delicious. We sat in Portillos for over an hour visiting and enjoying the friendly, happy atmosphere. We loved our time in Chicago. What a city! Can't wait to go back. We've visited in July and December, so next time needs to be in spring or fall.

My recommendations (based on my minimum personal experience):
*Ride the Chicago Trolley Hop On Hop Off City Tours and keep your fingers crossed that you get Rosetta as your tour guide.
*Visit Macys downtown after listening to the audio tour that you can find online. Eat in the Walnut Room. There was a 20-minute wait the first day, but they had us in our seats in less than 10.
*Take the Chicago architecture boat tour. (we did that on our summer trip - NOT this winter!)
*Try a hot dog at Portillos. And the chocolate cake!
*Enjoy borscht (beat soup - my new favorite soup) at the Russian Tea Room near the Art Museum.

We're Off to Chicago

2009-12-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

Candleman and I are flying to Chicago to pick up a postal vehicle for our daughter. Luckily we won't be driving around Chicago with a right-side steering wheel as we won't pick it up until after leaving Chicago, but we will be driving it from Dubuque along I-80 through Lincoln and Denver. Should be quite the experience!

I have had a busy month and haven't posted faithfully. I'm behind 4 or 5 or 6 reviews. I am taking an ARC to read on the plane, but I'm also taking a crossword puzzle book. Never know what kind of mood I'll be in so I better be prepared. Also, have the iPod for some soft background music if Candleman dozes off.

We're hoping the roads will be good - big hope for this time of year, I know. Looking forward to seeing the Christmas decorations and lights in Chicago, visiting the German village that will be set up downtown and of course, I'm looking forward to visiting Macey's and buying some Frango mints.

I'm leaving my computer at home. A decision made easier because we are traveling light and I only want to have one carry on and my purse. I hope they believe that BIG bag is indeed my purse!

Best wishes to you all as you prepare for the holiday season. I was hoping we'd get some outside lights up this weekend, but it's not to be. I'm not complaining too loudly - I'd take a trip to Chicago (or just about anywhere) in exchange for outside lights.

Shannon Hale Interview and Goose Girl Giveaway

2009-10-29T14:28:00.001-07:00

About a month ago, Katie contacted Shannon Hale's agent and arranged to interview Shannon after the Book Festival on Saturday. During the signing Katie tried to find a place with good lighting, but since the library closed at 6 pm her options were limited. Even though the lighting isn't the best the interview is great.

Summertime Pasta

2009-09-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

I posted a new recipe on my recipe blog. It's delicious, much better than it looks.

The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

2009-09-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

I decided to pass along some noteworthy items from other people. The first - Utah Mom's Life. This blog is hosted by my niece, Cindi Braby. Her posts feature guest appearances, recipes, tips, sources and giveaways. Right now she is giving away a family four pack of tickets for free admission to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point. That includes the Magnets, Motors and the Mind special exhibit. Skip on over to this site, enter the contest and have a look at the posts. Be sure to leave a nice comment - it will pick up your spirits and I'm sure it will tickle Cindi.

My next section mention is THE BAD! Last night I was watching The Biggest Looser, one of two shows that I watch faithfully. I was so appalled by the language that I ended up turning it off. I wrote the channel complaining of all the bleeps that did little to hide from my mind what was being said. Today I discovered I was not the only viewer who was upset. Check out Candleman's blog, LIVE AND LEARN. He is issuing a ban on the show and the sponsors until they do something about the language. He hopes that enough people will join him and the show will get the message that we want to watch but we won't until they clean things up. If you agree, stop over and leave a comment.

And last the Beautiful. Katie has started a new vlog where she reviews her books. I think it is really awesome and thought you would like to know about it. Here's her introduction.

And here's her first review:

Isn't this a fun way to hear someone's thoughts and opinions about the books they've read?! And you see what I mean by beautiful? You can find her at http://www.youtube.com/katesbookclub. Or if you are on the YouTube site you can type in kate's book club into the search engine to find her.

Summer Summary

2009-09-01T23:19:00.000-07:00

Since I didn't recap Jun and July and now August is over I decided to do a whole summer wrap-up.

June

6 - Mark was in town. We went to dinner with Mom, Shaneen, Steve & Verona at Don Pedro's.
9 - BBQ with the family
16 - Opening night for 7 Brides for 7 Brothers; Katie has a part.
18 - John's birthday. Katie and I went to a summer reading program class where we learned different patterns for folding paperback books. I didn't feel guilty because most were yucky romances. It was fun and we made several over the next week to give to the library for a huge mobile they are going to hang.
21 - Father's Day

Books Read:
The Texicans by Nina Vida
1st to Die by James Patterson
Split Second by David Baldacci
A Second Look by Lisa Scottoline
Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman

Netflix:
Boston Legal Seasons 2 & 3
Victoria Albert
Bramwell Season 2: Disc 1& 2

July

4 - Fourth of July Celebration - We held our traditional BBQ for both sides of the family who live in the area or who were visiting. After hamburgers and wonderful potluck dishes we watched the fireworks from our front lawn. Some of the group walk over to the park to watch them. It was an especially pleasant 4th.
7-9 - Mom, Candleman, Katie and I went to Cedar City to visit Susan and maybe see a play at the Shakespearean Festival. Dinner with all the cousins from Northern Utah at the Pastry Pub. Candleman and Katie saw Secret Garden. Went to Corey's one evening.
10, 11 - Candleman, Katie and I drove to Las Vegas to see Alyson. We had a wonderful time visiting and playing games. We went to 3 different Barnes & Nobles bookstores looking for their special $3.99 books. Sounds crazy now, but it was fun. Lunch at On the Border and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Drove down the strip and saw the fountains going. That was neat. The strip doesn't seem anywhere near as bright as it used to so maybe they are saving energy for the good of the planet. Couldn't believe how many people were crowding the sidewalks and streets. Absolutely amazing!
12 - Back to Cedar City and another good visit.
13 - Candleman's birthday. Ohhhh...he is getting so old! We stopped in Provo and bought him a ukele for his birthday.
15 - BBQ with some of my side of the family. Nothing like burgers on the grill.
24 - Dinner with family at Steve & Verona's.
27 - Went to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was good.
31 - Petersen reunion in Layton. Lots of fun. Mom, Mark, Susan, Shaneen, Cassie, Kevin, Kristi, Ronnie, Candleman and I attended from mom's part of the family. On the way to Layton we stopped at Zupa's for lunch. It was fabulous!

Books Read:
Relentless
The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut

Netflix:
Boston Legal Season 4 & 5
Monk Season 7
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Bramwell Season 2: Disc 3
Changeling

August

18-22 - My niece, her husband and 6 kids and her sister-in-law and her 3 kids were all staying at Mom's this week. J & J took their nice camper down for some of them to sleep in.
20 - Candleman bought 3 milk cans over the internet for a lot of money! so he could fix milk can dinners. Tonight he tried it for the first time. There were potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onion, corn on the cob and kielbasa sausages that are layered and then cooked over a camp stove for 1 1/2 hours then dumped in a big trough or metal tub. He made so much that we invited the whole crew back for dinner the next night and still had oodles left over. Jenny brought her luscious rolls.
21 - All Debbie's crew and a bunch of local family members hiked to Jone's Hole to play in the waterfall. Sounds like they all had a blast. Candleman and Katie joined the fun but I stayed home to enjoy the peace and quiet.
22 - Brett & Angela and Cassie came out and we all met at Mom's for sloppy joes. Shaneen must do something 'secret' to hers because they tasted especially good. We played the name game and had tons of fun.
30 - Candleman made Ebleskivers in his new cast iron Ebleskivers pan that I kidded him about buying. They were so yummy. Looking forward to having those often. He got very proficient at turning the little bundles of goodness.

Books Read:
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny (highly recommend - this is book 3 in the series)
Receive Me Falling by Erika Robuck
The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner (really liked)
The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block (highly recommend)

Netflix:

Doubt
Northern Exposure Season 5
Eureka Season 3: Disc 1 & 2
Eli Stone Season 2
Scarlett
Bramwell Season 2: Disc 4
The Closer Season 4

Overall Impressions:
I have loved this spring and summer. It's been cooler and wetter than most which made it great for enjoying the backyard. I really don't want summer to end, although it's always nice to get in a more set routine in the fall. Our tomatoes have produced and I'd like to go on enjoying them for several more months, along with the squash. I hurt worse than I ever have the first part of the summer but the last half has been basically pain free. It's been heaven! I do love autumn I'm just not ready for it so soon.

The Hare Hilton

2009-08-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer Candleman was on a shopping trip with Megan in tow when they saw some bunnies in a cardboard box being sold for only $5. We already had a small hutch at home so they bought two - one for Jeff and one for Megan. They are both black and to our untrained eyes they look identical. Jeff named his Light Saber and Megan named hers Angel, Daisy, Flower, Darkness, etc. depending on the day. Papa promised to build them a bigger hutch "one of these days."

"One of these days" came towards the last half of July and continued on until the middle of August! My backyard looked like it had been taken over by the school's woods class. Tools, saws and paint cans took over the patio, covering both picnic tables and the glider. Sawdust was everywhere. Parts of the rabbit hutch lay all over the yard. I couldn't water and the grass grew brown and bare where it was daily trampled on and overgrown where it wasn't. It was a sight to behold. I don't know why I didn't take any pictures - maybe because I didn't want to remember it. I'm sure now that pictures would have just brought a smile and a nod of disbelief.

Talk about a nod of disbelief! Just look at that hutch! I t has two stories with a refreshment center in both. There are four front doors and a magnetic swinging door into each of the separate climate-controlled burrowing suites, which come complete with hay and baskets and are totally insulated. Even the front doors are insulated and have weather-stripping to keep out the cold. The front doors on my house are not anywhere near so weather-proof. We're talking bone chilling drafts all winter long. I've gently mentioned that to Candleman. He agreed, but hasn't been even tempted to fix my doors. :( I may have to take matters into my own hands.

The day finally came when the hutch was completely built and painted. The day the grandkids had been looking forward to for 3 weeks. It was decorate the hutch day.

The first step was to put hand prints on the front doors of the bedroom suites. As usual, Papa decided if a little was good a lot was better. He slopped on the paint! We got him toned down after a bit.The inaugural color was yellow - 2 yellow hand prints each. Next came blue, followed by red and black. You can see that Candleman has got his technique down by now. Jeff is painting the top sections and Megan the bottom.

After all the hand prints were completed the kids moved on to the back and side. Jeff is painting a yellow truck and Megan is starting her rainbow.

The kids changed places so Jeff was on the side and Megan doing the back.

Every once-in-awhile the bunnies would come out and casually watch the process. I think they are very happy with their new home. I'm happy because a few days after the paint dried Candleman recruited a crew of 5 good, healthy, strong men to move the hutch off the lawn and to it's foundation next to the potato tower and the back fence. Several problems became apparent with the new location - the side and back artwork doesn't show and Megan & Jeff's dog barked at the bunnies a lot through the fence. Luckily, she has tired of the bunnies or become used to them enough that their hopping around doesn't bother her anymore. It remains to be seen if the bunnies will make it through the winter in their insulated bedroom suites.

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

2009-08-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

I have learned a new method of preserving tomatoes that I absolutely love. Absolutely!

Last spring when I was planning my garden I did some internet searching for recipes and preserving techniques. I was thrilled to find this one. It's so easy, not mess, not time consuming, and the results are delicious.
This works best with Roma tomatoes. Taking a leap of faith (because I hadn't tried this yet) I purchased and planted 8 Roma plants in the spring. You can tell which squares have tomatoes because they also have marigolds. (Click on the picture to see better)

The picture on the right shows my lovely tomatoes 3 months later. I have been so pleased with the tomato production this year. Already our yields have been tons better than other years.

Back to the reason I'm writing this post - oven roasted tomatoes. I have made 3 batches so far and am very pleased with how they've turned out.

I mentioned they were easy. Oh, yeah! Just wash those babies, slice them in half, cut out the stem, and place, cut side up, on a oiled cookie sheet. I just brush on a little olive oil. Stick a few garlic cloves among the tomatoes. I don't think this seasons the tomatoes but the roasted garlic is delicious. Then drizzle a little olive oil over the tops (about 2 tablespoons), sprinkle with salt and pepper, some fresh or dried herbs, according to your preferences. I've read that dried herbs will flavor the tomatoes more but I have fresh in the garden so that's what I used. Since I am going to be using the tomatoes in different recipes I don't want them to be seasoned strongly with herbs - I'll wait to season the dish.

I was making the second batch while Candleman was working at the kitchen table. He commented on the luscious smell of the fresh rosemary (I think it's one of my favorite smells, too) so when I had the pan filled I showed him how pretty it looked. He insisted on taking a picture. That man knows how to win my heart!

After all that work *smirk, smirk* you simply slide that cookie sheet into a 200 degree oven and let the roasting go for 8 - 11 hrs. Your house will smell divine - okay, not divine like when brownies are cooking, but mighty good in a homey, earthy sort of way.

When the tomatoes are roasted to your satisfaction, let them cool at room temperature before putting them in the freezer right on the pan. After an hour or so, put the tomatoes in a freezer bag. The pre-freezing makes it so you can pull out only as many tomatoes as you want to and refreeze the others.

My first meal using the oven roasted tomatoes was one Katie suggested. She had ordered Chicken Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes at a restaurant and was hoping we could duplicate it. We cooked the chicken, used store-bought Alfredo sauce and served it over noodles, but first we did a number on that bottle of alfredo sauce. We added roasted garlic (big, big help), seasoned it with some fresh basil and oregano, added fresh pepper and after it was warmed we added the roasted tomatoes. The sauce is a little pink after stirring in the tomatoes, but it was delicious! I can't wait to make it again this winter with some of those flavorful tomatoes from the freezer.

Another recipe I'm dying to try when it's colder - no rush, mind! - is Roasted Tomato Soup. If it's as good as it sounds I'll share that recipe.

In the meantime, if you have an abundance of tomatoes (I've read that you can use any variety) or can get your hands on some, you might want to try Oven Roasted Tomatoes. I wish I lived where there was a farmer's market cause I'd be putting up lots more. Here's to another month or two of good harvest.

Cool Temps

2009-07-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to make a record of this: it's currently 64 degrees at midnight on July 14. Also, it's 99 degrees in Las Vegas where Alyson lives - 30 degrees difference. I remember summers when I had 4 or 5 fans going and every door and window open to cool down the house at night. It wouldn't even be cool in the early morning hours. Remarkable!

Back Yard Update

2009-06-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

I realize this isn't interesting to anyone else but it provides me with a place to chronicle progress (or its lack) on our grow boxes and flower beds. Someday I hope to have some flowers in blossom all through the season, besides the marigolds. By recording pictures and notes I can get an idea of what blossom when and where there are empty spots in the garden and in the flowering schedule. I know I sound like such a Rasmussen, but I see that as a good thing!

Here's a picture of our grow boxes on May 13. (click on pics to enlarge)
Here's what the far one looks like today, June 15. I can't believe the growth. I counted 5 Roma tomatoes already set on. We may actually have tomatoes to eat this year. I think we had fewer than 10 last year (not counting the cherry tomatoes). We have already harvested some of the baby spinach and lettuces in the front squares. Just on the other side of the tomatoes are sweet peppers and 2 different types of eggplant. I hope we like eggplant!

The next picture is of the same grow box only from the other end. You can see how big the potato plants, cabbage & broccoli are. I think I better cut off some of those big, outside leaves of the cabbages.
The picture below shows 2 of the tomatoes - still small, but growing! In the same square is a Walla-Walla onion, a marigold and a nasturtium. All are supposed to be good companion plants for tomatoes. For me a garden is all about the tomatoes, everything else is just icing on the cake. Nothing better than homegrown tomatoes. The radishes are ready to harvest. Our temps have been below normal - usually less that 70 degrees and overcast. That's been great for the radishes and peas. It's suppose to warm up later this week which will be good for the tomatoes. I've loved the coolness, but others grumbled because it doesn't feel like summer.

In the picture with the radish (the middle grow box) you can see one of the squares where my carrots didn't grow, although they did in the square just below! Have since planted bush beans in that square (and 2 others). The other plants are beets. I made some roasted beet soup earlier this year that was to die for, so I'm planning on lots of beets for roasting.

I came up with the idea to plant peas in two hanging planters. That way when the hot days arrived we could move them into the shade to keep them cooler. I pictured the vines hanging down over the edge and I'd just pick a few while I was reading on the patio. Here's one of the baby peas on May 5.

The vines didn't fall over the side and seeds in the side holes didn't all sprout and we'll probably only get 15 peas from each pot so I wouldn't call this idea a big success. Live and learn.

This last picture is a banana pepper with a serano pepper behind it. You can see the little tops of the green onions between the two. Those huge leaves in the background are broccoli. Feed me, Seymour!

A Look Back - May

2009-06-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

May was a month of sowing for us. Most of the days included caring for the yard and garden. We set up 3 new grow boxes and amended the soil in the 2 older boxes. Time was spent weeding, pruning, transplanting and sowing seeds.

I've written 2 posts about our yard make-over and will probably do an update with pictures in the next few days. The hope is that what we sowed will produce an abundant crop in the fall that we can share with family and friends. We may be checking for unlocked car doors in the church parking lot so we can unload some zucchini!

Overall, May was a great month. It was fun to work side-by-side with Candleman in the yard. There were several bad days, though. I had some of the worst flare-ups of arthritis and fibromyalgia that I've ever experienced. So bad that I considered going to the doctor. Luckily I made it through without having to takes such a desperate action. There were a couple days of depression. I really felt bad that I was depressed on Katie's birthday, but I told her how I was feeling and she was most gracious to accept a birthday dinner a few days later. Alyson was able to come home for a few days and that is always a treat.

Highlights

9th - A large group of family went to dinner at Canton City Buffet to celebrate Mother's Day. I have the best mother in all the world and rejoice in the blessing she has been to me. She is an inspirtation and model of a gracious hostess, a life long learner and a faithful follower of Christ.

12th - Katie's birthday. Holy cow! She's twenty!

15th - Julie Beth's birthday.

16th - Jennifer Rae's birthday. She turned 29 for the 5th time!

23rd-26th - Alyson and Kristi came up from Las Vegas. Kristi has been staying with Alyson for a couple of weeks looking for a job. It was so good to have them home.

25th - Memorial Day. Steve & Verona invited everyone to their house for a brunch. It was raining, but they pulled off a lovely breakfast. That evening we had a bbq are at house and played games afterwards.

30th - Susan Kay was in town. We had a bbq at Mom's house.

TV Shows: Amazing Race, Biggest Looser and 24 all ended this month.

Netfix Movies, Miniseries and TV Series: Australia, Victoria and Albert disc 1, Bramwell disc 1-3, Boston Legal season 1 and part of season 2

Movies in the Theater: Angels and Demons

Books Read: Bound, The Secret Keeper, The Vigorous Mind

Yard Update

2009-05-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

Of course we didn't get everything finished that we wanted to on Candleman's day off, but we did accomplish quite a bit. If only he didn't have that church calling that takes him away on Tues. evenings. Let me rephrase that before I get struck by lightning - I wish that calling didn't require his presence on Tues; Wed. would be fine.We planted almost all the vegetables starts I bought from the nursery: 7 Roma tomatoes, 2 cherry tomatoes, 3 Siberian tomatoes, 1 tomatitillo, 4 cucumbers, 1 yellow squash, 1 zucchini, 1 butternut, 1 acorn, 1 eggplant, 6 red potatoes (for new potatoes & peas), 4 cabbage, 3 broccoli, 1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell, 1 yellow bell, 1 serano pepper, 1 Anaheim pepper, 1 banana wax pepper, several Walla-walla onions and lots of herbs (2 kinds of parsley, rosemary, sage, oregano, cilantro, basil, dill and 3 kinds of mint). And some marigolds. I hope our raised beds and square foot gardening will produce a good yeild.After the starts were all in place we planted seeds in the unused squares: radish, carrots, a different type of eggplant, peas, beets, 4 types of lettuce, swiss chard, spinach and green onions. We still have some garlic and leeks. Will probably plant those by the roses. Oh yea, I bought an unplanned for cantaloupe that we still need to decide where in the flower beds it will go.

Our little 4x4' gardens from previous years are still being put to use. This year they will have tomato and 1 tomatillo plant along the outside so they can be trellised to the wire. In the middle are the acorn and butternut squash.
In the top picture you will notice the lattice we attached to the existing fence. We attached 5 lattices for 5 different clematis plants. In front of each clematis will be a rose to provide the shade that the clematis roots like. So far we have just one rose and 1 clematis planted. In the picture you see the first bud of the Barbara Streisand rose - it's suppose to have light pink/lavender blooms, so I'll be watching to see if this red turns. That little blurry green behind the rose is an King Edward VII clematis. It may be years til it blossoms! When Candleman finished planting the rose he said, "I just burried Barbara Streisand and that felt pretty good!" I bought it for the color of the rose and the fact that it is suppose to be very fragrant, not particularly for the name; though I like Barbara. The reason we are doing the 5 clematis along that fence is to block the view into our neighbors yard. It's a mess - big time.

I asked Candleman to move the weeping cherry because it was right where the roses and clematis needed to be. He thought I was crazy. Not the first time he's thought that. I've learned to live with it and he's learned to satisfy my crazy requests. So the tiny weeping cherry (that's been in the backyard by the white fence for 6 years) was moved next to the front porch. I think it will show itself off better next to the brick than it did against the white fence, especially in the spring when it is covered in white blossoms. It's that tiny weeping 'tree' next to the porch. It doesn't even reach the window. This may be has tall as it will ever get, which makes it perfect for it's new home. You can see the tree in it's old place by looking at the 2nd picture in this post.I also wanted to show our gorgeous crabapple. It has a double pink blossom and is providing me with awesome glances as I walk through the house and catch a glimpse out the window. All the other crabapples in the area did not bloom worth a darn this year, including the one in our backyard. Interesting. The tree actually looks pinker than it shows in the picture.

Another project that Candleman has chosen to undertake - he wants to turn the side lawn(?) into a berry patch. He bought a boysenberry and 2 blackberry bushes to go here. I'll be found sitting in this patch reading and eating berries. Oh, yum! I hope they do well in our zone. They say they will. We'll see.

There was an extremely large amount of work to be done this year in the yard. Hopefully, next year we will just be able to sit back and enjoy it all. There will be the raking, weeding and watering (a sprinkling systems sounds good). And of course, we'll need to plant new veggies, but that sounds like a cinch after this year.

If you've inadvertently stumbled on this post, I hope you are enjoy your outdoors time and the lovely spring weather. And I hope the wind is blowing where you are. I am so-o-o tired of the wind this spring.

Yard & Garden Make-Over

2009-05-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is when the professionals step forward and fix our backyard problems, right? Wrong. This make-over is being undertaken by two amateurs. What problems are we talking about? Not that many really except that we wanted a garden and there wasn't a spot in our yard that received enough sunlight.

Our solution, after discussing all options, was to cut down the apple tree. The apples weren't worth saving - they never ripened on the tree, instead falling off the tree before they were ripe. The hard part was giving up the shade.

Here's a before picture, taken in 2005.

The tree in question is NOT the one holding up the hammock and Candleman, but the one in the back corner that is hard to see because it's blocked by the Linden, but you can see that it's been a fixture of the yard for years (over 25).

As I look at this picture I notice many changes we had made before cutting down the apple tree. The bridal wreath bush and lilac bush on the left side are gone.

Let's jump ahead nearly 4 years to this spring. This picture certainly doesn't look as green and inviting as the first picture. Keep in mind this is the start of spring, leaves aren't out on the trees and, well, the apple tree is gone. You can barely see the stump in the lower right hand corner. The green cage thing is one of four that Candleman set up for the compost. Just to the left of Candleman's leg is our little weeping cherry tree. (it's mentioned in the post above)

Below is Candleman with his helper Megan and her mother Jen (Jeff is in school). They are unloading the squares that will make a nice walkway between the garden boxes.

As of this writing, all three boxes have been assembled and put in place, along with a wooden frame under each box and a plywood aisle between the gardens. These will later be covered with the stone blocks from above.

In the picture below, Candleman and John are working on a watering sytem that Candleman designed to make watering easier on me. I will only have to snap the hose on a pipe on the corner of one box and it will send water to soaker hoses laid out in all three boxes. I love it! Thank-you, Candleman, you are truly amazing!

Here's a picture I took 2 days ago that shows our 3 boxes filled with amazing soil - a mixture of perlite, peat moss and compost. Candleman has been very busy the last week. The box on the left sits right on top of where the apple tree was.

Things that still remain to be done: attach the soaker hoses to the water pipe and arrange them on top of the soil, lay the cement blocks, plant the veggies (fun part!) and mow the lawn.

Whoops, almost forgot - the soil in our already existing square gardens needs to be ammended before we can plant veggies there. Hopefully, we get it all done this Tuesday on Candleman's day off.

Finally, a picture of the compost heap. He used a lot in the gardens. The rest will go to amend the little square gardens and all the flower beds. I've already added some to new flowers I've planted, but the rest of the garden soil is very pathetic. Hopefully, the added compost will help the flowers grow prettier.

April Afterthoughts

2009-05-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

It's just a few days into May, okay 10 days and my time might be better spent jotting down notes about May, but I'm still going to make a brief review of April.

Mostly it's going to be brief because not much happened other than my regular, day-to-day activities.

4,5 - General Conference - Even though I didn't catch all the talks I really enjoyed the ones I heard.

10 - Easter egg dyeing at Mother's house. Susan, Jason, Rachel, Robbie were in town. We played games several evenings.

15 - We sent our tax forms off just in the nick of time!

22 - We hosted a family barbeque to celebrate Mom's birthday.

23 - Mom turns 87 years old. She is still amazing - running circles around her kids and keeping up with the grandkids!

26 - Faith Denzer's farewell. She leaves on the 29th to the Uruguay Mission with a brief stopover in Argentina for language training. She is going to be a wonderful missionary.

TV series watched on TV:
24, Season 7 - I succumbed. Couldn't wait for it to be released on Netflix.
The Amazing Race
The Biggest Looser

TV series from Netflix:
Northern Exposure - finished Season 4
Wonderfalls Season 1 _watched the 1st episode and decided we'd had enough of that one.
1940's House - a family had to live in a home that was set up like it was really the 1940's. They had to build a bomb shelter, black over their windows because of Germany invasions. They experienced the rationing, grew a victory garden and all the other things experienced by families during the war. It was quite amazing and worth wathcing.

Movies from Netflix: Chaos Theory

Books Read:
The Whitatker Family by Shirley A. Roe
You've Been Warned by James Patterson
Belong to Me by Marisa De Los Santos
Life Sentences by Laura Lippman
The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Leiknes
Artemis Fowl Book One by Eoin Colfer
The Angry Smile (nonfiction, self-help)
Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
Stone Cold by David Baldacci
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

My Favorite Book Read: Among the Mad
Least Favorite: The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns

Overall impressions: April was more unsettled this spring than I think it usually is. Some beautiful, warm days thrown in with many cold, windy, rainy days. I have had fun planning for our vegetable gardens, which I'll post about soon. It was a quiet month, which is always restful and appreciated. Typically I have my most severe depressions in April, but this year I only experienced a few days at the beginning of the month and a few more towards the end. They were ugly, but so much shorter than I feared they might be. For that I rejoice.

Looking Back At March

2009-04-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to write about my March activities. As you read this you may draw a parallel between this small post and driving through a small town - "Don't blink or you might miss it!"

5-8 ~ Alyson was visiting from SLC. The 5th is her birthday!

18 ~ Saw Coraline with Katie. Enjoyed our evening out together and loved the show.

26-30 ~ Candleman, Kristi and Katie helped Alyson move to her new apartment in Las Vegas. Aly has a new job.

Books: Read 9 books. My favorites were Skeletons at the Feast, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Movies: Coraline (Katie and I listened to this book together when we drove to Colorado before Jeff was born in 2001. It was a neat experience to discuss this book with my then 12-yr-old daughter. I reread it several years later. I felt the they did a good job of capturing the essence of the book, but I am glad I read the book first.)

TV: 24, The Biggest Looser, The Amazing Race (Jenny and I have a fun tradition that started during the last season of The Amazing Race. She leaves the kids home with John and comes to my house so we can't watch it in peace and quiet.)

Netflix: Eureka Season 1 and 2, Northern Exposure (I think we're on Season 4)

Overall Impression: Much like a small town, what you can see isn't all there is. It was a good month. There were several warm, sunny days and about as many cold, dismal (weatherwise) days. I didn't write anything in my gratitude journal, but I feel extremely blessed. This is the first March since Alyson was born that I wasn't depressed. I remember most years dreading her birthday because I hurt from depression and could hardly drag myself through a regular day, let alone try to make the day special for my sweet little daughter. This year I was excited about it and so grateful to know that feeling. Hooray for March 2009!

"Oh, Bother!"

2009-03-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

It seems appropriate to quote that honey-loving Pooh Bear when it comes to KFC's Honey Sauce. That's right, HONEY SAUCE. I don't know how long KFC has been pawning off this little package of deception since I don't like honey and don't put their honey on my biscuits.

Last night we were sitting at the table eating our chicken when my daughter noticed that those little packets said Honey Sauce and not just Honey. Then she read the ingredient list: the first is high fructose corn syrup! Followed by sugar and then honey! Honey is the 3rdingredient. Was there ever a time that KFC served straight honey in these little pouches or has it always been a lie?

I realize that this is technically not a lie or a fraud on the the masses because it is clearly labeled as honey sauce, not honey. But it feels like a rip off plain and simple.

Of course, we are getting used to these types of things. We've watched the size of candy bars shrink while the prices continue to increase. Today's Hershey bar looks like the old 3-ounce bar but it's only 1.5 ounces. They haven't changed the height or the width, but they have made it a lot thinner, but the price is well padded. And then they add

Where these marketing tactics really infuriate me is when I'm cooking. The recipe calls for a 28-oz bottle of spaghetti sauce but you can only buy spaghetti sauce in 26-oz bottles.

I realize prices are increasing for the manufacturers, too. I just don't want them to water down, decrease size and all-in-all ruin

February 2009 - In Hindsight*

2009-03-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

Not much to report really. Everyday sort of blended into the next and before I knew it February was over. I haven't had that regular bout of depression that usually menaces me in the winter until late spring. This may the first year ever that I haven't been depressed on Alyson's birthday which is still a few days off, but I'm usually dreading how I'm going to make it a good day for her.
Anyway, back to February . . .

1 - John, Jen and the kids came over. Candleman made pancakes. Some watched the Superbowl.

4 - Shaneen's birthday.

6 - Katie and I watched Made of Honor.

9 - Naomi D stopped by this morning with breakfast from McDonald's. We had a good, long visit before she headed back to the city. She had a long weekend off work and came out by herself to visit her family.

13- Candleman and I drove out to Home Depot in Park City to pick up some interior doors for the upstairs rooms. We listened to Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and a little bit of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. We shared some good conversation time, too.

13 - Mark's birthday.

28 - Steve's birthday.

We had some sad news - Ronnie's mother passed away, so our hearts were heavy for him and Kristi.

Goals - I've been trying to cook more of our evening meals and, although I'm not doing great, I am doing better than I have in years.

Movies - Secret Life of Bees, Made of Honor

TV series - I watched episodes 1-8 of 24 on the computer and episode 9 on TV. Amazing Race started its new season and I've been watching Biggest Looser. From Netflix - Candleman and I have watched Shark (it only lasted for 2 seasons!), Eli Stone (season 1), Northern Exposure (season 3). Most of the ones from Netflix are carryovers from previous months.

Books - Still Life, Incomplete Revenge, The Tipping Point, Singer of All Songs, Seeing Redd, The Secret, Midori, I Feel Bad about My Neck, The Edge of Winter, Nutcase.

A few things I mentioned in my Gratitude Journal - My mother, cheese, car, book darts, tried-and-true recipes, warm fuzzies, meaningful movies, toilet tissue, Microsoft Office Word 2007, dictionary, my computer, audio books, Dryers Lime Fruit Bars, bed linens, home, music, my new library, words, traveling, Candleman.

*Quote - "...the problem with hindsight is that you never have it until after you need it." --- from Crossed by Nicole Galland

January 2009 Review

2009-02-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

I usually think of January as cold, dreary and dull; days dragging and spirits gray as the skies. January 2009 has been so different from that. I have felt healthy for the most part with only a few fibromyalgia flare-ups. My mind and moods have been clear and happy. We've had some good heavy snow storms followed by days and days of sunshine. The sunshine reflects off the snow and fills the house with light.

Most days were filled with reading, blogging, watching TV and routine duties. There were a few days that stood out from the rest.

20 - Carpet was laid in my new library and we moved the furniture in. I am so happy with the results. Over the next few days I moved my books to the shelves and arranged and

rearranged them until I was satisfied. I was able to add some nick-nacks that we bought on our Newfoundland trip. These items had been stored away until now, so it was fun to open them and have fun memories rekindled.

20 - Steve & Verona had a girl from Moldova staying with them. The night before she flew back to her country she prepared a big meal for our families and some fo the Winklers. The food was very different that what we are used to. She prepared 3 different salads - one with bologna, carrots, beets, potatoes, corn; one with dill pickles and chicken liver; and one with corn, eggs, crabmeat. Each item was was cut to nearly the same size - a small little cube. She also fixed borcht and chicken noodle soup. The borcht was delicious. The flavor of the chicken noodle was very different from American flavors and I didn't care for it. Luda came to Vernal to work at McDonald's. She lived in the house across the street from Steve & Verona. When she was able to extend her stay in Vernal, she moved into their home.

23 - Annie had surgery. She had 3 lumps in her breast removed that were in stage 3 cancer. The doctors feel like she will be fine. She still needs to go through radiation and chemotherapy. We had all beens so concerned and are happy that she is going to be okay.

25,26 - Wayne visited from Virginia. Every January he has a dental convention in SLC that he attends. He is able to go skiing and visit family, too. Sunday evening Mom and her Vernal kids had a real good visit with Wayne. Monday night several of us went to Mom's to enjoy sloppy-joes that were left over from the Aug Petersen reunion. We enjoyed lots more visiting and a game of 6-dice.

30 - Mom took us to lunch at JB's. This has become an annual event to celebrate all the winter birthdays - mine, Verona's, Steve's and Shaneen's. This was the first year Myke was able to join us. We had some good food and some good visiting.

Poo Poo Paper?! For Reals?

2009-01-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

A Look Back to Something I Can Still Remember

One month ago was Christmas and I wanted to record the presents I received and some of those I gave. I have two reasons for doing this: First, it will remind me next year who of my siblings and Candleman's siblings we gave to last year. Hopefully, that will make it easier to figure out who we give to in 2009. In both families we give to the person just younger than us, the next year two younger, and so on. For the life of me, I can't remember from year to year who gave to us or who we gave to. Maybe this will help. The second reason is to share with you the fun things we received.

Let's start with the MOST interesting present. Actually, I thing it's a safe bet to say that this is the MOST interesting present either of us have ever received. My brother and his wife, who live near DC, sent us each a journal made out of elephant poo poo paper! Here's the excerpt that helps sell the journals at their online bookstore: Be number one at doing number two with this ecologically responsible product. Help save Asian elephants and their habitat in Thailand by using 100% handmade, recycled “poo poo” paper made from eco-friendly elephant dung. The label says they are made from 100% Recycled and Odorless Paper Products Made from Elephat Poo! (The exclamation point is theirs.) Isn't that a hoot? Everyone at our Christmas Eve gathering at Mom's house got a big kick out of it. The paper is really pretty with a nice texture and absolutely no smell. I think it's a marvelous 'green' idea. They also gave us cute pens and an eco quiz game. Thanks, Wayne & Susan. We love it!

My Mom gave us some baggies filled with yummy mixes, along with recipes, for our food storage. There's a Cheesy Potato Soup, Raspberry Muffin Mix, Honey Wheat Pancakes and Tomato Powder, which you can add water to and make tomato paste or sauce. In fact, all you need to add to any of the mixes is water. As if that was not enough there was also a crisp bill so we could buy more food storage. She also included a 52-week buying plan for 2 people for a one-year supply of food. This is a most welcome present with the economy looking so sad. Thanks, Mom.

Candleman's brother and his wife gave us a set of Bocce boules (Italian for balls). We lent them a set that got chipped. Seems the grandkids had fun throwing them at the rock wall. I'll bet that was fun! Anyway we got a nice new set. YAY! Thanks Brad and Wendy. (Note to reader: if you haven't ever played Bocce you may want to check out the rules HERE. It's a fun outdoor game for 2 or more players. Two, four or eight people (or teams) can play with 8 balls. Borrow another set from a brother or nephew if there are more players.

Okay, I need to write shorter descriptions, or better still, write a list.

Presents to me
*from Jenny & John - a nice Nativity - carved from wood & similar to Willow Tree but even cuter.
*from Kristi & Ron - an Amazon.com gift certificate so I can buy music for my iPod and 1/2 box Frango mints Mmmm-Mmmm.
*from Alyson - an electronic picture frame filled with pictures of family.
*from Katie - an Amazon gift certificate (Yay, more songs), a long magnetic notepad and 1/2 box Frango mints.
*from Candleman - okay, I am totally embarrassed at how spoiled I am. All I asked for was a new window in my future library. Instead I got a completely finished library - new paint, carpet AND window with new bookshelves, a new desk and flat screen tv. And since my birthday is 5 days after Christmas all this counted as presents for that, too. Candleman did a fantastic job of building and finishing up this cozy little room for me.
*from my visiting teachers - a bottle of blackberry syrup.

Gifts given:
I've already forgotten. Which is a good thing because it is time to end this post!

Remembering Summer

2009-01-23T12:33:00.001-08:00

Today I became a thief. First, I stole the idea for this post from Alison over at We're All Mad Here. I thought it was such a great idea for this dreary January day. Secondly, I stole this picture of a scrapbook page made and posted on Alyson's Scrpabook blog. I hope I'll be forgiven because of the coincidence that both wronged people have the same name. Makes sense to me.

The second Alyson is my daughter and this page features pictures of my granddaughter on the hammock in our backyard. I love laying on that hammock, looking at the sky and meditating on the meaning of all things.

Oh, Happy Day!

2009-01-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

My library is ready (just about) to receive my books. I'm very excited and so, of course, I wanted to share it with the whole wide world. That means the 3 or 4 of you who read my blog. Love ya!

Last night Candleman and I stayed up until 11:00 finishing up painting the last coat on trim and doors. This morning at 9:00 the carpet layers came and banged around for 30 minutes. I slept right through it. Oh, I was aware of the noise but I couldn't roust myself from my coma-like sleep.

After lunch John and Candleman moved the furniture from where it had been stored for the last week in the living room. The 'little' desk I bought for me was a bit bigger than expected (and yes, I measured at the furniture store and had a blueprint of the room, too - what can I say - slight mistakes happen when I use a measuring tape! ) So they had to rearrange and rearrange, but eventually we settled on a plan that looks great and is very functional.

Then they hung up my flat-screen tv. It looks good. Candleman had to run to the store to get some cable stuff and then pick Katie up from work, so we haven't been able to test the picture yet or the possible glare from the window.

While he was gone RC Wiley's delivered the desk hutch and little drawer unit for the VCR, DVD, DVR, etc to sit on. When Candleman gets home we can hook up all the electronic stuff for the tv and computer. Both the cats have investigated the room thoroughly. Nally came in and rolled around on the carpet, luxuratingly. Itty Bitty has climbed on every shelf and tops of the bookshelves. He was quite impressed that he could look out side from his high perch.

There are 3 bookshelves, so I'm hoping to have room for all my books (Candleman has way too many so his are going to have to wait til his room gets finished in the basement.) The carpet is a deep maroon and the walls are 'linen' with white trim. It's a small little room - not quite 9' x 10' but it's going to be pleasant enough for a library/study for me.

Tomorrow we'll work on hooking up the printer, external hard drive and a few other electronic devices connected to the desk and computer. And, of course, putting books and a few momentoes on the shelves. We finally get our dining room table back.

Thank heaven for our good backyard neighbor (also, our son-in-law) for all his help. We would never have got the furniture arranged or the tv installed without him. It's nice to have the second room of our multi-room fix-up done.

Kreativ Blogger Award

2008-11-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

This a dual-post. Which means I posted it on A Reader's Journal as well as here.

Tamara from Thyme for Tea has awarded me the Kreativ Blogger Award. I feel so honored because I don't usually feel very creative. She did say that the hats I crochet entered into her decision to choose me. I didn't think it could be my way with words!

Tamara lives in Australia where she gardens, reads, speaks French, exercises and blogs. Isn't the technoworld great that we can communicate with people from all over the world. I love it!

Now along with the award, there's a meme. I have to complete this and forward the award to others. Here goes:

7 things I've done before
1. Taught high school biology, chemistry and study skills
2. Gave birth to four daughters
3. Drove from Utah to St. John's, Newfoundland (ferries were involved)
4. Attended kindergarten in San Fransico
5. Won a contest by holding the most grapes in mouth
6. Kissed a boy nonstop for over 2 hours (it was a dare) and (he was my boyfriend at the time)
7. Lived through two serious car accidents

7 things I do now
1. Crochet
2. Read
3. Travel
4. Hug my grandchildren
5. Play 6-dice or Farkle
6. Watch TV series on DVD
7. Blog

7 things I want to do
1. Visit Denmark, Sweden and Norway
2. Reduce the number of books on my shelves that I have not read
3. Finish remodeling my house
4. Sell more of my hats and scarves (enough to pay for the yarn I've bought!)
5. Loose weight
6. Live as long as my husband
7. Go on many more driving tours of the U.S. and Canada

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex
Since I've been married for 36 years, I'm going to list what still attracts me to Candleman.
1. Good kissing, hugging . . .
2. The way he smells after showering, shaving and applying after shave
3. Integrity
4. Love of learning
5. A love of Christ and a gratitude for His many gifts to the world.
6. Enjoys driving long distances and seeing new places
7. He's a loving, kind and wise Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son-in-law, Brother, Friend, and Person.

7 Favorite Foods
1. Bakeapple berries
2. Blackberries
3. Pomegranates
4. Chocolate Mint Truffles
5. Corn on the Cob
6. Salmon
7. The Borscht made at the Russian Restaurant in Chicago and my Mom's chili

7 things I Say Most Often:
1. Yes, I'd like a 3pc chicken select meal with apple dippers instead of fries and a diet coke.
2. Thank-you
3. Will you bring me . . .
4. I never win at this game
5. Do you want an ice cream bar?
6. All these channels and nothing worth watching!
7. Hello, pillow

And now the seven people I would like to tag for this award and meme: Tamara wrote such nice things about all the people she elected for this award, but I'm just going to list my choices.

Katie from Into the Rush and Katie's Scraps (such cute, creative scapbook pages)
Alyson from In Nuce and Alyson's Scrapbook (more cute, creative scapbook pages)
Julie from Mes Bijoux
Framed from Life's a Picture and Framed and Booked
Cyndi from Yeah, I like it too
Cardine from Cardine's Blog
Alison from We're all mad hereK

Our Oregon Trip

2008-11-06T18:44:00.000-08:00

If anyone's interested in reading or seeing some pictures from the trip Candleman, Mom and I just took to Oregon, you can do so by going to The Folks Aren't Home. I wrote these posts for my benefit, so please don't feel like you HAVE to visit it.

Win One of My Handmade Beanies!

2008-10-31T10:16:00.001-07:00

The Giveaway is hosting a drawing for two of my crocheted beanies. I hope you will stop over there for a browse and enter the contest while you're at it. If you aren't into stocking caps yourself, consider one for a gift.

Picture Tag

2008-10-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

Alyson from In Nuce tagged me for this while I was on vacation in Oregon. The idea is to post the 4th picture in the 4th file of your 'My Pictures' folder. Mine is of the Bloom Master building in Vernal, UT. They are the people who invented pots with hole in the sides. Their store is so beautiful. It's a shame that my camera doesn't show it as great as it looked in real life.

Here's another picture of the front. The flowers in front of the windows look like bushes, but they are really plants flowing out of the sides and over the tops of these Bloom Master planters.

In this folder of pictures I also have a couple of Vernal's Main Street that I'm going to share. It takes your breath away with its hanging baskets and arrangements of planters. It may be the prettiest main street in the U.S.

Big Chocolate Disappointment

2008-10-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

I didn't think I would ever use the words chocolate and disappointment in the same sentence, but that describes my feelings after visiting the renown Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe in Portland. I skipped dessert at Papa Hayden's, which boast 22 scrumptious looking desserts, in favor of a mint chocolate truffle from Moonstruck. Guess what, they didn't have one mint chocolate truffle - not in milk chocolate, white chocolate, or my preference, dark chocolate. I couldn't believe it. That is just wrong! They said it's not the season and that they would have some around Christmas. I settled on 2 pieces of chocolate that cost $2.50 each. Neither was anything to get excited about.

In all fairness, I did not try their famous root beer flavored milkshake made from white chocolate ice cream or their hot cocoa which is supposed to be delicious, so I can't say it they would have lived up to their promise or not. All I can say is that I won't be going back. Instead I will look for a Macy's and buy a box of their impossible-to-beat Frango mints.

Picture Tag

2008-10-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

Alyson tagged me for this fun activity, but this picture is actually NOT from my computer so I'm not really counting this. The idea is to select the 4th picture from the 4th folder in your My Pictures folder. Since I'm on vacation in Oregon this week I followed those requirements on Candleman's laptop - just to see if we pick the same picture or not. I wonder if it's like two people following the same recipe and coming up with something completely different.

So we'll see what picture Candleman posts when he does this tag . . .

I'm sorry to say that I did not crop the picture, but it's late and I'm in a hotel room and I'm not that familiar with Candleman's computer.

Some of my siblings may recognize the hotel as a place you stayed in 2002. It's the Best Western in Lakeview, OR. The little building on the right that looks like a gas station without pumps is the fabulous Mexican restaurant where Mom, Candleman and I ate dinner. Candleman said it was the best Mexican food he has ever eaten. He can't wait for a free weekend when he and my brother can zip up there and return home. I told him that would be one very expensive dinner! Seriously, the food was great.

The Last of My Kitchen Desktop

2008-10-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

During our basement remodeling, Candleman and I have had to give up our desks, but not our computers. Our computers have been moved to the kitchen table, which means we've also had to give up inviting all the kids and grand kids over for dinners or games. In the summer it wasn't so bad because we could use the picnic tables outside.

My table/desk serves as a bookshelf (a flat space to stack my books) until I could get my new books, either mooched or from publishers entered into my LibraryThing. It serves as my study area as I read and plan for our upcoming trip to Oregon. That naturally requires travel books, brochures and atlases to be ready and at hand. And when I need a place to add fringe to my crocheted scarves, this substitute desk has served me well.

Saturday evening I gathered yarn and some of my crocheted scarves so I could add fringe to them during conference on Sunday. Later I checked my email and there was a note from the owner of The Giveaway. I am signed up to giveaway two of my crocheted hats later this month. In the email she asked me to answer some questions and to submit a picture of my work area as it looked at that very moment. No cheating. The above picture is the result. What a mess!

Our family room is now ready for us. The dining table will be cleared off and life will return to some semblance of normalcy. The TV will be moved out the the living room. My current crochet project, yarn and hooks will all be moved. Our living room may stay clean. Dare I hope?!

I should be excited, but I'm not really. Right now everything I need is within short distances of each other - the bathroom, bedroom, my books and yarn, computer, tv, kitchen, snacks - and all on the same floor. Who knows, maybe I'll loose weight running up and down the stairs getting another skein of yarn, running to the bathroom, getting a snack, etc., etc. All that stuff will be upstairs while the computer and tv will be downstairs.

I've decided I want a smaller house!

May, June, July and August - A Glimpse at the Past

2008-09-16T21:57:00.001-07:00

I'm sure this review would have been easier to write if I'd done each month as soon as they were finished, but it still shouldn't be too hard. I probably wouldn't even bother trying to catch up but Framed said she wasn't going to post about her cruise to Canada until I did. Since I haven't heard a single word about her trip and I'm dying to, I accepted the blackmail.

So Framed . . . Please post something about your trip!

May
1 - Started another blog called An Eater's Journal.

2-7 - Aly came to town for a weekend visit. She had some car troubles and was stranded here a few more days. I was kind of glad about it.

5 - Jen and Kate crashed while 4-wheeling. Luckily no one was badly hurt.

12 - Katie's 19th birthday. My how time has flown. Nineteen years ago our little surprise bundle was delivered and she's brought us joy ever since.

24-26 - Susan and Julie came from Cedar City and Mark from SLC and Cassie from SLC. We all gathered at Mom's for Memorial Day breakfast.

Books Read:
Did I Expect Angels by Kathryn Maughan
The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
House of Secrets by Jeffery S. Savage
Garden of Beasts by Jeffery Deaver

June
Well, since neither Framed nor Katie wrote anything that happened to me in their June recaps, there's nothing I can steal. And I certainly don't remember anything happening!

Books Read:
Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

July
1-3,5 - Katie performed in the Outlaw Trail production of Annie. She was great! So personable and she sings wonderfully.

4 - our annual 4th of July b-b-q and celebrations were great. At least I enjoyed them.

5 - Alyson came home and went to Annie with Grandma Rae, Cassie Jo, Candleman and I.

13 - Candleman turns 58! He must of robbed the cradle because his darling wife isn't anywhere near that old.

14-17 - Candleman and Steve drove Mom & I to Duchesne where we met up with Mark who drove us to Cedar City. Candleman & Steve drove off into the sunset and were not heard from again until very late that night.
Mom, Mark and Susan Kay went to a couple of Shakespeare plays. We enjoyed a couple of meals with Julie and Cassie and a couple with all the relatives from northern Utah. It was a great few days.

26 - Katie moves to Layton to room with Alyson.

Books Read:
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason

August
1,2 - Petersen Family Reunion in Vernal

22-24 - Aly & Katie home for a visit.

Books Read:
Far World: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage

April In Review

2008-05-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a uneventful month, for the most part. Only a few highlights:
28 - 30: My brother and his wife were in town from Virginia. They were in Utah for their son's master degree graduation. We had some good visiting time. It was great having them there to confer with about the sale of Mom's house and land. She has two people offering to buy. No decision has been made yet.
28: Started a food/recipe blog. Check it out at An Eater's Journal.

TV series watched on DVD
Finished off series five of Monk
House
Foyle's War
Rosemary and Thyme

Books Read
Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear
Sixpence House: Lost in a Town of Books by Paul Collins
Crossed Bones by Carolyn Haines
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett
The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston
Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters

April was a bit disappointing because I expected spring and only received fleeting glimpses. There's still the promise though, because tulips and daffodils are blooming even though it's still chilly.

March Recap

2008-04-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Highlights
March 1 - Candleman and I continued on our quest for sunshine and warmth in Arizona. We drove from Cameron to downtown Phoenix where we picked up a Hard Rock pin for Candleman's collection. (Crazy, I know!) People were streaming in from all directions to the U.S Airways Center for a Phoenix Sun's game. Next we went to Mesa to see the LDS temple. It was much more impressive than in the pictures. We drove on to Tuscon to spend the night.

March 2 - We woke up to fields of saguaro cacti and the most amazing desert I've ever seen. When I think desert, I think dry, red or brown soil, only small growing things spaced many feet apart - basically - BARREN. The Sonora was lush with growing things, at least in the spring. We spent the morning at the Desert Museum. It was totally amazing. That afternoon we drove to Sunshine to visit Candleman's sister, Norma and her husband Victor. The last time we saw them was when they visited for Thanksgiving in 1989 when Katie was only a baby. It was so good to see them. We could have visited for hours/days, but we had limited time. Drove on to Kingman for the night.

March 3 - It was on to Hoover Dam, then a drive along side Lake Meade, onto St. George and finally to Cedar City. Dinner with Susan, Julie, Jason, Audree, Porter and Brooke at Bajitos. I had a tasty flauto. Lots of fun visiting, too.

March 4 - Mom, Candleman and I drove to Brigham City to visit with Aunt Carol and Pam. Uncle Gordon passed away in Feb and I was unable to attend so it was good to offer our condolences. Mom stayed the night with Carol. We went to Layton to wish Alyson a happy birthday. She's 30. We took her and a friend to dinner at McGraths.

March 5 - Candleman got up earlier than me and went to pick Mom up, then came back and picked me up. We visited the Hobby Lobby in Layton and I couldn't get over the variety of decorating stuff they had. I am definitely going back there when all our remodeling is done. We drove on home, arriving about 4:30. It was a wonderful trip. Some of the snow had melted, but there was still plenty more and it was in the low 30's. Moan! Spring is going to come, isn't it?

March 10 - Katie started her job at Andrea Flemming's Day Care today

March 11 - Even though Candleman is retired he feels too young to not to have a job. He started working today as a oilfield roustabout for Circle D.

March 30 - Snowed all day; big heavy snowflakes. And it was cold!

March 31 - Yesterday's snow all melted, but there is still some from earlier that needs to go!

DVDs
Psych
More Monk
Hamish McBeth
Enchanted
I Am Legend

Books Read
Never Have Your Dog Stuffed by Alan Alda
Far North by Will Hobbes
The Collectors by David Baldacci
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
Bones to Pick by Carolyn Haines
Crossed by Nicole Galland
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline
Maps of Bones by James Rollins
Yellowknife by Steve Zipp
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

In My Pink House . . .

2008-03-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

"In my pink house there's a hockey table," says my 4-year-old granddaughter. "My father's name is King Noah and my mother's name is Karen." King Noah has a swirly, Bugsy mustache. Even though her parents tell her that King Noah (from the Book of Mormon) is a bad guy, she says, "Not my dad, King Noah. In my pink house he's a nice guy."

Can you believe the imagination? I think it's amazing and absolutely darling.

In her pink house, Megan has a big, pink, 4-wheel drive, Ford truck. And since her pink house is in Canada she can look out the window and see the Puffins. (her Papa and Grandma took a trip to Newfoundland and brought her back a toy Puffin)

But everything about the pink house is not wonderful. For example in her pink house she has a brother that is very mean. (I guess that means that her brother in real life isn't mean?) And her mother, Karen, died. :-(
But she has a new mother. It's Hannah Montana!

We have to be careful in learning about her pink house. If we ask she gets very protective with the information, but if we happen to be talking, she may slip and reveal something. The other Monday night, Megan, Jeff and their real Mom were over visiting. Mom mentioned that it was getting too late and they would have to have Family Home Evening tomorrow night. Megan, who was coloring at the kitchen table, said, "In my pink house we have FHE every night.

Used to be that I felt deprived that I didn't have a stuffed animal to sleep with as a child, or an imaginary friend. I thought maybe I could make one up. But would it be the same if I KNEW that he was imaginary? Now I wish I'd had an imaginary house. Oh, what fun that would have been. Now I just hope that Megan holds on to her house in the clouds for several more years. (or forever)

February! A Month in Review

2008-03-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

I am a bit slow in getting this posted. Hopefully, late is better than not-at-all.
Highlights:
Feb 4 - New LDS church presidency announced with Thomas B. Monsen as president with Henry B Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf as his counselors. My sister's birthday, which I forgot and now need to do something magnificent to beg forgiveness. ;~D
Feb 5 - The new McDonald's opens. The old one was torn down five months ago.
Feb 10 - Katie moves home after living in Layton with Alyson for 3 1/2 months. The job market didn't cooperate.
Feb 28 - Candleman and I take off on a sun-seeking trip. This is what our front yard looked like on the morning we left. Mom comes along as far as Cedar City where she will stay with my sister for a few days. Susan, Julie, Mom and Candleman and I go to dinner at the Garden House. Delicious cream of asparagus soup and apple strudel. Then we played 6-dice for awhile. Of course, the best part was the visiting and laughing.
Feb 29 - Candleman and I drive to Zions Park. We did lots of picture-taking, some hiking and I even read a few pages from Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline. We stopped for lunch at the Rewind Diner in Kanab. I highly recommend it. We tried falafel and loved it. Then it was on to the Glen Canyon Dam. The drive from Page, AZ to Cameron was fascinating. Our world is so beautiful and varied. We spent the night in Cameron. Candleman bought a new flute and drum at the huge gift shop. Dinner included the best Navajo fry bread ever. Also, it's Leap Day!

Books Read:
Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters
Random Passage by Bernice Morgan
The Book of Atrix Wolfe
Magyk by Angie Sage
Wild Wood by Charles de Lint
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

On DVD:
Monk
Bones
Ballykissangel
Transformers

Thoughts:
We've had lots of snow and cold weather, but we have enjoyed some sunny days that caused our snow amount to decrease. Candleman and I have suffered from flu and colds on 2 different occasions. The basement remodeling is progressing. We are now completely plumbed for natural gas water heater, furnace, stove and fireplace. To escape the winter blues, Candleman planned a quick trip to Arizona.

In Review of January

2008-01-31T20:53:00.000-08:00

Highlights:
Jan1-3: Alyson and Katie were still here for the holidays.
Jan 25: Wes and Kristina were in Vernal and stopped in for a visit, along with their 2 sons, Leonard and Remington.
Jan 30: Mom took Steve, Verona, Shaneen, Myke and I out for our combined birthday lunch at JB's.

Books read or listened to:
We Shall Not Sleep by Anne Perry
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett
Austenland by Shannon Hale
Midnight for Charlie Bone by
Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs
Maggie Again by John D. Husband
The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Movies watched at the theater:
None

Favorite movies watched at home:
Amazing Grace
Horatio Hornblower
Persuasion
Mansfield Park

Favorite tv series discovered on CD:
Monarch of the Glen
Monk

Favorite new food:
Myke's chicken pot pies

Chicken Pot Pies

2008-01-19T21:00:00.001-08:00

I wish I could say I made this magnificent-looking chicken pot pie, but I can gladly say that I ate it! Candleman has been cooking for years and now that he has retired he has more time and inclination to experiment with fresh herbs and exotic foods. It hasn't hurt that I enjoy watching the cooking channel, which he's sat down and watched a few times with me.

I've been on the look out for the last couple of years for a really good chicken pot pie recipe. I've mentioned it to him and he put in on one of those back burners in his head. Every once in awhile he would mention something or I would that would be good in a pot pie. This last year for our Thanksgiving pies I decided to buy Pillsbury refrigerated pastry sheets. He loved the taste of them and decided they would be the perfect crust for pot pies.

Last week Candleman up and decided it was time to give it a go. I just stayed out of his way. When he brought one of these golden beauties into the family room for me to eat, I was astounded at how delicious it looked and then I marveled, bite after bite, at the glorious taste.

I am amazed that he could just imagine what ingredients to put together to get such scrumptious flavor. And I'm a bit bewildered because I always thought I was the cook of the family. It's not a fluke that most great chefs are men. Lest you think I'm complaining - I'm not. I always dreamed of being married to a chef and now I am! Didn't even need to change husbands. Isn't life full of surprises?!

So with this cooking success under his belt, as well as a few others, Candleman has started a blog about food. I have been begging him to write down his bean soup recipe and now his chicken pot pie recipe, so he did in his blog. Check it out at Fiddling With My Food. There's witty food commentary as well as 2 (so far) delicious recipes.

The Year in Review

2008-01-11T19:58:00.000-08:00

I have enjoyed reading several year-in-review posts by family and friends so I decided to try my hand at writing one. My major drawback is my memory. I think that if I ~~borrow~~ or steal a few topics from others I can pull this off.

New things learned Life doesn't usually turn out how we expect it to. It takes courage to let go of expectations and live the life you are given. And that courage must be renewed on a daily basis.

Life doesn't usually turn out how we expect it to and it's a usually a good thing it doesn't.

Something I still haven't learned: How to maintain a healthy balance of hope while accepting my limitations.

Favorite new foods: Bakeapple berries, especially when served over a slice of cheesecake. And that chocolate dessert in PEI.

Books read: I counted this year and discovered that I read 87 books. That pleases me but I sure wish I could read faster.

Favorite books: This was very hard to narrow down because there were so many that I enjoyed. I've listed my favorites in no particular order.
I Am the Messenger
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Anne of Green Gables
My Grandfather's Blessings
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Scarlet Pimpernel
Ship Fever
Devil in the White City
Barometer Rising
Wonderlust
Mistress of the Art of Death

Trips: Only one if you don't count the occasional trip to the city. BUT what a one it was! Our trip lasted 5 weeks, put 11080 miles on our car, and took us as far north and east as St. John's, Newfoundland. We drove from Utah to Wyoming, S and N Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario, Ottawa, Montreal, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and back to Utah. It was fabulous.

Regrets: Only one and it's not anything I had any control over. There were several times on my trip I wished my family could be with me, taking in the splendors and experiences Candleman and I were enjoying. Twice my mother has taken her seven children and their spouses on trips (Seattle, Boston) and we had such a wonderful times. I found myself looking around a few times on this trip to gage my mother's/siblings' feelings, but they weren't there. It would have been grand if they had been. I also wish my kids and grandkids could have been with us some of the time. All that said, it was absolutely marvelous being on this long trip alone with my husband.

Biggest disaster: The entire basement flooded while we were in Canada. Family and friends had to move all our furniture and stuff upstairs and into the garage. Those people deserve years of rich blessings.

Biggest blessing in disguise: The basement flooding! With everything moved out and the drywall removed by the clean up crew, we have redesigned the whole area. We've moved the stairs which enlarged our dining room so we can have the whole family over for dinner or playing games.

Items I won on the internet: I've won several contests on book blogs. Most of the prizes have been books. It's always a thrill to win and receive a new book in the mail. During Dewey's 24-hour Readathon I won a cell phone. The phone was worth $70 and I received a $20 calling card, too. I gave the phone to my youngest daughter when she sprouted her wings and moved away from home. She says it's a great phone. It even takes pictures.

Sightings: I've been interested in botany for many years and only dreamed of seeing real lady slipper orchids growing in the wild. I actually stood in a small field of several while in Newfoundland. It was a giddy experience. We also saw big icebergs off the northwestern tip of Newfoundland - in the latitudes of melt. Most thrilling was seeing puffins, also in Newfoundland but this time off the eastern shore. I nearly cried when I saw hundreds of them standing outside their nests, flying overhead and swimming in the ocean. They are so unbelievably cute.

Meetings: We met 2 couples traveling together in Thermopolis, WY. One of the wives gave me a mystery, Alone by Lisa Gardner as we all went our own ways in the morning. We were treated very graciously to dinner at a Moroccan restaurant in Ontario by Lotus and her husband. Lotus is the first person from the blogosphere that I had met. I was a bit nervous, but she and her husband and daughter put us at ease instantly. We had a remarkedly pleasant evening that we shall never forget. Oh, also Lotus gave me a book I had been wanting to read. She had remembered me commenting about it on a blog post. Later we had the privilege of meeting Raidergirl3 in PEI. It was fun to hear of the trivia games she and her husband had been involved in. We wanted to start up some trivia groups when we got home. It hasn't happened yet, but we do play lots of knowledge-type games with family. Raidergirl3 graciously presented me with the 2nd and 3rd books in the Anne of Green Gables series. She remembered that we were going to listen to the first on iPod before arriving in PEI. Can you believe such thoughtfulness? In Aug (or Sep) Melissa the Booknut was visiting relatives in my Utah hometown and we were able to squeeze in a desert at JB's. We had such a good visit. I just realized that I dropped the ball by not having a book gift for her like my 2 book-blogging hosts had for me. I'm feeling pretty crummy about that! Good grief! Melissa if you ever make it back to my little back-woods area, I promise to be a better hostess. We might could arrange for my sister, Framed, to take her lunch hour and visit with us, too.

Favorite movie: Amazing Grace

Best TV episode discoveries: Prison Break season 1 and Numb3rs (one of the things I like is watching the seasons from Netflix because we don't get any advertisements. I probably will never watch a series on regular TV again. I take that back - I still watch The Amazing Race on tv.

Favorite live performance: Anne of Green Gables the Musical - truth be told, it was the only live performance! It was so, so very delightful and heart-wrenching.

Biggest lifestyle change: My husband retired the end of June and I retired the end of October. Wheeeee!

Number of guys kissed: Two - my husband has got to be the best kisser in the whole wide world. I had to say that to gross out our daughters! I'll let you guess who the other guy was I kissed.

The BEST part of 2007: Being in love with my husband of 35 years.

Five Things About Me Meme

2007-11-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

This meme is from one of my darling daughters, Alyson from In Nuce.

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago: (I can't even remember yesterday!)
1. Getting ready to send my 3rd baby girl off to Air Force Boot Camp
2. Teaching 8 different science classes at the local alternative high school
3. Trying to think of a memorable way to celebrate our 25-year wedding anniversary
4. Wishing for a grand-baby
5. Enjoying my favorite snack - Mystic Mint cookies which have since been disguised as Dark Chocolate Covered Oreos and are not carried by any grocery store. Instead they carrie the Milk Chocolate version which is no way as delicious! GRRRRR!!!

5 Things on my T0-Do List today:
1. Get feeling better
2. Go to bed early
3. Watch the last 2 episodes of Prison Break Season Two
4. Read 100 pages in book 4 of the Cliff Janeway series, Sign of the Book
5. Finish this post

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Take my mother, brothers and sisters on a cruise to Scandinavia
2. Take my children and their spouses and my grandchildren to Disneyland
3. Pay someone to help my husband with the basement remodeling
4. Remodel my kitchen
5. Add dormer skylights to gather lots of light into my house

5 Things I'll never wear again (or have never worn):
1. Sleeveless blouses
2. Fake fingernails
3. Stiletto heels or any shoes with pointed toes
4. Maternity clothes
5. A bikini, although I will be wearing a swimsuit in the spring when I start going to water aerobics again

5 Favorite Toys:
1. Computer, obviously
2. iPod
3. DVR
4. Slow cooker
5. Food processor (I hope I get one for Christmas and so I can play with it by the hours!)

Bare Naked Trees

2007-11-11T15:04:00.000-08:00

Candleman and I decided to go for a drive around the valley today. With the building boom going on right now we want to keep abreast of what's happening. The first thing I said when we left the house was how I hated to see all the bare-naked trees and bushes this time of year. He said they are really quite lovely and just different than other times of the year. I think there are some beautiful tree specimens that look striking without their leaves, but most are not that wonderful to look at, besides they look cold. And a little unnatural.

I remember when a friend of ours moved to Utah from San Diego. He and his family came in the winter. After several weeks he asked us why we didn't cut down our dead trees, bushes and vines. We had a good laugh. In all fairness to our friend - he was young and had never lived anywhere besides San Diego. Heck, we moved to San Diego in January and found flowers in blossom. Why would we move back to cold, frigid, barren Utah you might ask. It's really a good question and one I ask myself every year after fall has ended. I always have a ready answer: I love the seasons and I love to look up at the night sky and see stars. I will put up with winter just so I can have spring and fall. Summer's okay, but I love spring and fall and I missed them terribly when we lived in souther California.

One trip home from San Diego I had fallen asleep and my head was leaning against the window. When I woke up I kept my head rested against the window and looked around and up. There were millions upon millions of stars twinkling in the sky. I was so shocked. Didn't we have stars in California, I asked Candleman. He affirmed that they were there but we just couldn't see them because of the bright city lights and the high level fog. I really hadn't missed them until I saw them so brilliantly on that trip home and I became aware of the vast differences in the night sky.

That trip home was over 30 years ago before any of our children were born and it was just the two of us. Now all these years later our four girls are grown up and out on their own and it's again just the two of us. I mentioned to him the other day that retirement is kind of like a honeymoon except we are more in love now, more comfortable with each other, and we like each other a whole heck of a lot. I feel bad for those young kids who don't stick it out, over the hills and dales, so they can enjoy the type of relationship that comes from shared struggles and triumphs. I guess what I'm trying to say is "Life is good right now." I know it won't always be this blissful, but that will come and go, too. It's just good to stop occasionally be grateful.

Eight Random Facts About Me Meme

2007-09-02T15:38:00.000-07:00

Cereal Girl has tagged me for this fun little meme. The rules are

I am borrowing Cereal Girl clever idea to include pictures along with the random facts. I fully realize that these facts and pictures are going to reveal things about me that may be better left unsaid, but what's the fun in that!

1. I went back to college when I was 41 yrs old. I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. After graduating at the age of 44 I became a high school science teacher.2. I enjoy looking at and identifying flowers. While in college I fell in love with botany and, even though only one botany class was required, I took 5 botany classes. I love dissecting flowers and keying them and identifying their scientific names.

Here I am at Casa Loma in Toronto trying to figure out what this cute little yellow-flowering bush is. (It's not kosher to dissect blossoms at a local sight-seeing spot.)

3. I usually eat lunch everyday during the school year at McDonald's. They know my order by heart and recognize my voice at the drive-through. I always get a 3-pc chicken select with sweet and sour sauce, apple dippers instead of fries and a large diet coke. (This helps explain that jolly looking person I've turned into in the above picture!)

I even take pictures of McDonald's on my travels. I know, I know! There's simply no explaining it. The picture is the Rock & Roll McDonald's in Chicago. It doesn't look any bigger in the pictures, but it IS! Chicago's is 2-story with an escalator and with the parking, the 2 drive-thru lanes, the Rock & Roll bldg and store it takes up a whole city block. Across the street on one corner is the Hard Rock Cafe, on another corner is a famous Chicago hot dog place (I have a picture, but can't read the name) and down the street a block is the famous Gino's East Pizza, home of the famous Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.

Just one more note before I leave McDonald's - Our local McDonald's shut down on Friday and will be closed until Jan. 2008. They are tearing it down and building a new one its place. I hope they know that I'll be weaned by then!

Okay, one more note - I can't stand McDonald's burgers!

4. I hated traveling when I was a child/teen. My dad was in the army and we moved a lot when I was growing up. My memories include a station wagon; 7 children and 2 adults (one who was quite strict); no air-conditioner; homemade sandwiches by the side of the road; camping by the side of the road; visiting Vernal, Utah; having to sit in the back seat sandwiched between my 2 older brothers and 1 brother just 13-months younger (you know who had to keep her legs tight together, don't you?); having to sleep sitting up with your head bobbing around; and, worst of all, the hot, desert air blowing through the windows. I have hated the desert ever since.

When I remember these times together in the car the Norman Rockwell picture of the family on vacation always pops into my mind. We didn't have a dog, though. (Couldn't find a picture on the internet. ;-p

5. I love to travel since I've matured and since the advent of air-conditioners. When my children were young we couldn't afford to travel. When my husband got a better paying job and I started working, we decided we needed to make some trip memories before our oldest daughters left home. Our daughter's were 18, 17, 16, and 5, so we decided Disneyland would be something we could all enjoy. And did we ever! Except that 2nd daughter didn't want to go and we missed her terribly. The next year we went back to Disneyland with my youngest sister and her 2 children and fell in love with it all over again.

Since then there have been several trips - some with immediate family, some for National Science Conventions and some with extended family. Two really memorable trips were when my mother took her 7 children and their spouses to the Northwest in 2002 and the Northeast in 2004. We made some terrific family memories and saw so many interesting things. Of course, there was much gaiety and laughter. Candleman and I fell in love with the Northwest and returned in the summer of 2005 with our youngest daughter and another car with some of our extended family. Before going to the Northeast with Mom and family, hubby and I spent 2 weeks touring the coastline of Oregon. Needless to say, I love the Northwest. (I'm fitting many random facts into each one of these eight, aren't I. Oh, well! This summer Candleman and I took a 36 day vacation to the Northeast and Canada.

6. Still on the theme of travel - I love to travel with my husband and best friend, Candleman. One summer we drove to North Carolina to see our daughter who was stationed there with the Air Force. When we returned I scrapbooked the trip. A good friend and fellow scapbooker and teacher was looking through my album and gasped at how many roadside pictures I had taken. She asked how I got my husband to stop because her's would never stop. Wow, I felt so blessed. Candleman will even turn around and go back for a picture (most of the time.) Sometimes he'll even pose crazy for a picture like!

Another good thing about traveling with Candleman is we both like to stop at a nice restaurants occasionally and we like to eat food indigenous to the area. Many of our best memories deal with food.

And still another is that we both like listening to books on tape interspersed with music. This last trip we bought 5 cds with maritime/Celtic/folk songs that we listened to between some good books.

7. When I'm busy doing something, I look sooooooo mean and I hate it! I've always wanted my face to look happy and pleasant all the time. I've seen people like that. And even though I feel happy inside, my face still looks grouchy, unless I'm actually smiling.

8. I've been going to water aerobics for 2 1/2 weeks. Maybe I'll post a picture after several months to see if my upside-down smile has disappeared along with a few inches around all the major parts of interest. Speaking of which, after my first time at aerobics I came home soaking wet and my husband asked, "How did that Dolly Parton life jacket work for you?"

Home Sweet Home

2007-08-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

We made it home from our wonderful trip on Sunday evening. It was a blessing to return happy and healthy, with no mishaps on the trip. No flat tires or car problems. BUT the same cannot be said for our poor house. A week and a half before our return the sewer backed up. Luckily our 18-yr-old was home to discover the 2 inch flood in the early morning hours. Can you just imagine if nobody had found it before we arrived home?! I shudder at the thought. We instructed K to call Service Master to come clean it up. Several members of our families and a neighbor came in the evening and put all the furniture up on blocks.

The next day Service Master informed K that all the furniture, washer, dryer, laundry, etc. etc. had to be moved out. We have a big laundry room, a bedroom, family room, bathroom, small workshop and a good-size study downstairs. What a nightmare! As often happens in an LDS community, friends and family rallied in force to save the day. My girls thought it would take days to do the job, but with all the help it only took an hour. I have spent more time than that trying to think of a way to repay the kindness. How do you adequately express gratitude for such great service?

A couple days later Service Master said they would have to rip out all the carpets, remove my craft cupboard, remove all the lower cupboards in the kitchen/laundry room and 2 ft of dry wall in every room. So my sweet daughter and her wonderful husband boxed and carried up all the scrapbook supplies, stored items in the laundry cupboards and the 30 yr-old wheat storage under the basement stairs, plus who knows how much more!

When we arrived home the carport was neatly packed with furniture, appliances (besides the washer and dryer there was a stove and frig in the laundry room), my new desk, filing cabinets, M's two desks, etc, etc, etc. The living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms were all stuffed with more prized possessions and junk.

The sad thing was that our daughter's boyfriend had snaked the sewer line a week before when K told us the toilet had bubbled. We didn't mention to him that there were two places that needed to be snaked. Seems it was the other pipe that backed up. Roto-router came in and cleaned it out. They said the pipe had ingrown tree roots, but that it should be good for another 6-7 years. We're not going to risk it. M is going to replace the pipe.

The clean-up crew from Service Master is still taking care of the damage. When they finish we will have to tear out all the paneling and drywall because they said the sewage crawled up between the paneling and drywall. It's going to be a major task. Thank heaven M is retired and doesn't have to go back to work and only do repairs in his off time. The insurance company has been very cooperative. Another blessing. We have made the upstairs comfortable for the 3 of us by moving everything that didn't belong under the back awning of the patio and surrounding the area with heavy plastic. Our computers are set up on the dining room table and we can eat on the picnic table. Hopefully most of the basement will be restored before winter.

We are a bit devastated, but not bad. A bit overwhelmed, but we keep giving each other the "one bite at a time" pep talk. I've decided I would like to move to a smaller home. Our four daughters are so in favor of that. Nobody ever wants to clean out our basement again. Mostly we feel grateful. We have the best daughters in the whole world. I can't believe how the 3 that live close have shouldered the responsibility while we were away. The husband of 1 daughter and boyfriend of another have done so much, as well. They are great guys. And our dear extended family and friends have pitched in so willingly to rescue us. K's friends (40 in number) and our bishop joined in to move things in no time. Our life is richly blessed by these willing people. I'm so afraid I will not be able to tell everyone how very much I appreciate them.

We're Off For an "Explore in the Woods"

2007-06-30T20:18:00.001-07:00

The time has come. Hooray. So much to do to get ready, but we' gotter done!' We'll be leaving Sunday for our long and wonderful drive across northern US, into Canada, through the Maritime Provinces and back home again.

Candleman and I have a blog where we're going to update friends and family of our whereabouts. Since you're all friends or family, please drop by and add more splendor to out trip with a comment. Just click the title.

The Folks Aren't Home

. . . Find out where we are!

Grandchildren

2007-06-12T12:38:00.001-07:00

My husband decided we needed a new, super-duper camera for our up-coming vacation. Of course, we had to try it out and learn all the buttons and whistles beforehand, so we took a gazillion pictures of our grandkids. I thought I'd share a few with you

This is Jeffery, age 5.

And this is Megan, age 3.

Jeff loves to play with any one of Papa's 10 - 20 squirt guns. He can play for hours with water. But watch out because he's the best 5-year-old squirter there is! (His words) And he's fierce.

Both kids love to play with the hose (if there's water coming out of it). Here's Megan watering the square foot gardens. We appreciate the help with our tomatoes and squash.

This is Megan posing for Katie. Don't those little feet make you chuckle?

And here's proof that miracles do happen!

"8 Things" Meme

2007-05-26T13:06:00.001-07:00

I've been so slow in responding to this meme. No real good excuse, either. Just been in a bit of a slump lately.

Eight Things About Me
1. I'm an Army brat. My family moved a lot when I was growing up. I hated it, because I would just make friends and then we'd move. The longest place we lived was in Lincoln, Nebraska (6 years). The next longest was St. John's, Newfoundland (3 years).

2. Now that I'm grown up(?), I love to travel. My husband and I do really well together on car trips. We also do well hanging wallpaper.

3. I didn't do so well when it came to spacing the births of my four daughters. I wanted children as soon as I got married. For several years I couldn't get pregnant. Then, in less than 3 years, my first 3 daughters were born. Eleven years later our 4th daughter arrived when I was 39 years old.

4. I graduated from college when I was 43 years old with a biology major and a chemistry minor and a secondary teaching certificate.

5. I married my husband 2 days before my 22nd birthday on Dec. 28, 1972. That means that Christmas, my anniversary and my birthday all take place within a 5 day period. We've been married 35 1/2 years.

5. I would like to move to the Northwest USA when my husband retires, but my children and grandchildren are in Utah, so we'll be staying put.

6. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters. I was the third child and first girl.

7. It's become a tradition to have a big 4th of July party at our house every year. All my family and my husband's family who live close by are invited. Everyone brings a pot luck dish. We barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs and I make 2 5-gal containers of home-made root beer. When it gets dark we haul the chairs to the front lawn where we watch the fireworks that are shot off in the nearby park. It's always great fun. This year we will miss that because we're leaving on our trip July 2. My youngest daughter is not happy, but I told her they ought to go ahead with the tradition. Hope they will. Hubby and I will be in Ashland, Wisconsin watching the fireworks on Lake Superior.

8. I was the first granddaughter in my mother's family and my grandpa spoiled me rotten. I loved it and loved him. He bought me my first hula hoop and took me in his old beat-up pickup truck to a drive in movie. I remember standing on the seat next to him mesmerized by Debbie Reynolds singing "Tammy's in Love" in the 1957 movie, Tammy and the Bachelor. I was 6. My grandpa died when I was 10 or 11, but he told Grandma to give me the big bible they'd bought from a traveling salesman years before. I used to sit and look through it by the hour.

Perfect Timing

2007-05-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

Jenclair posted a link to some great quotes by Kurt Vonnegut. I thought this one was perfect for me as I contemplate our upcoming trip:
"Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.
Another one that is worth pondering:
"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'"

My Map

2007-05-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

I posted this map a year ago on A Reader's Journal, but it's relevant again. Did you get that - it's relevant! Hot diggity dog diggity! We're taking a trip this summer! I'm so excited in case you couldn't tell. My husband called an hour or so ago and told me he will be able to retire earlier than he originally thought and asked me if I would like to take a month and go on a trip. A month! I said I thought 2 weeks was plenty. After two weeks I'm usually ready to be home. Of course, if he's retired and I don't have to teach until the last week of Aug, we could be flexible. Flexible, that's good.
Of course, my first thoughts were of the Northwest. I love Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Then I thought of New York City. I pulled out the atlas and started looking at Central Park, Manhattan; thinking about seeing a couple plays. Then my daughter asked if we would be driving and I thought about 'my map'. If we drove we could get some of those white northern states. We really enjoy road trips so that could be a fun possibility.

DH has always wanted to visit northern Michigan ( Sault Ste. Marie). I would love, love, love to go there. The question is where to from there? I'd like to see Toronto, Montreal, Quebec in Canada. Maybe we need 2 months and a million dollars!

The main thing is I wanted to let you know that M is retiring this summer and we're taking a vacation. Maybe a cruise? My mind won't be still. oh, but it is almost as much fun thinking and planning as making the trip. I did say, ALMOST.

An Interview with Me

2007-05-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Alison from "We're all mad here," said the Cheshire Cat to Alice asked me these questions and I'm finally getting this interview posted. It was fun to do.

1. Have many books do you read a year (on average)?
Even though I have recorded and reviewed every book I've read in the past 4 years I've never added them up at the end of the year. I'll estimate between 45 - 60.

2. If you could travel back through time and view any moment, what would it be? And why?
Wow, Alison this is a power-punch question. I would like to be witness any time people have been granted their freedom, when they have overthrown an oppressive rule, or when hope has been realized and freedom experienced. How can I pick just one? The more I think about this, I can't pick just one event. I guess the thing for me to do is keep my eyes and heart open for everyday victories, when people repent of sins, or behave with integrity, when they say or do what's hard but what will bring freedom, when someone breaks a bad habit, tells the truth . . . It's all about freedom, isn't it?

3. Who do you want to win TAR: All-Stars, and who is your all-time favorite TAR team?
I feel so silly! It took me the longest time to figure out what TAR meant. The Amazing Race - Duh! Who do I want to win for this season (the All-Stars)? I was hoping the coal miners would do better than they did. I was sad when Joyce & Euchina and Rob & Amber were eliminated. The race went downhill fast. If not for the beauty queens, I would have stopped watching. Now that there is only one more race and only 3 teams I am definitely cheering for the beauty queens.

My all-time favorite team? Well, I've only been watching for 3 1/2 seasons, so I'll choose from those only. I think Joyce and Euchina who won the million one or two seasons ago are my favorites.

4. What is something you like about living in Utah, and what is something you don't like?
I like the clear, blue skies and being able to see the stars in the night sky. When we lived in San Diego, I never saw the stars because of cloud cover or too much light from the city. I also like being relatively close to most of my family.

I don't like the dry, desert-y areas.

5. I know you attended a science convention in Florida once, but I don't know anything else about your science vocation/avocation. Can you fill me in a bit?
I went back to college with four children and a husband at home helping me through. I intended to major in Elementary Ed, but every semester I wanted to take all these science classes that I didn't need. So I changed to Secondary Ed with a Biology Composite major and a Chemistry minor. I graduated in 1994 at 43 years old. I was hired at my only local high school that summer. That was quite an unexpected surprise because high school teachers settle in and don't move very often. So I was very lucky.

I taught 1 year at the high school then transferred to the alternative high school. I felt like that was my 'calling' in life to work with troubled teens. They rewarded the teachers with hugs and appreciative praise - it was unbelievable. Of course, it was also hard. I taught 8 different science classes and 1 study skills class. Sadly the alternative high school was closed 4 years ago, so I moved back to the regular high school where I taught only Biology. Last year I quit teaching full time. This year I teach two study skills classes for 'youth in custody'. My schedule is a killer! I teach for 3 hour every other school day. Am loving it.

Open Your Eyes To Reality Moments

2007-05-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

This phase popped into my head today when I was making a comment on a post. I liked it and decided to write a post about it.

One moment that opened my eyes to reality was some 30 years ago when store-bought diapers were rarely used. I had 2 babies under 19 months, lived in a little college apartment with a husband who was gone all day and evening attending classes or working. I remember being extremely tired, probably suffering some postpartum depression while sitting on the side of the bathtub rinsing out a messy diaper before wringing it out and tossing into the smelly diaper pail. I thought to myself, (imagine a sob or two and a high-pitched groan) "This is what I've been dreaming about for the past 20 odd years? To become a wife and a mother?"

Sounds pretty trivial, I know, but it was definitely an "Open Your Eyes To Reality Moment". What is a moment that forced you to come out of fairyland and get-a-grip? Or a moment when you realized you needed to face life front on? Or a time when you got more than you bargained for? When you had to radically change your way of thinking because the old way wasn't working? I'd love to hear your "Open Your Eyes" moments. Sounds a little bit like Oprah's 'Aha Moments' but there is a noticeable difference in definition. An Aha moment is more like a cleansing breath, a refreshing breeze and an Open Your Eyes moment is more akin to a heart attack.

Ten Thirteen Books I Couldn't Live Without

2007-03-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Books I Couldn't Live Without

Kailana from Kailana's Written World is doing a survey and calling it the Blogger List of Books They Cannot Live Without. She is asking bloggers to submit their list of 10 books. She did say we could list a few more if we needed to. I take that to mean I can list 13 for Thursday Thirteen. I think she is going to create a list from the lists submitted. The same idea was done by the online Guardian Unlimited. Click here to see their list of 100.

I don't quite know what this title means - Books I Couldn't Live Without. Obviously, I could live without books as millions upon millions of people have done throughout history and do so even today. Would I want to - NO. Books enrich my life in untold ways, but if I lived when there weren't books, I could, indeed, live. So, is this list suppose to be my favorites? No, Kailana said "they do not have to be your favorite books of all time, just the books that you think that you or the world could not be without." She did say they should be books that I've actually read.

My list includes books I've read and that I think are important because of their message, the beauty of their language, their importance to a time period, and/or they alter our thoughts and conceptions, enlarging our view of ourselves and the world.

1. The Bible

2. The Book of Mormon

3. Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

4. Book Thief by Markus Zusak

5. History of Love by Nicole Krauss

6. Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett

7. Magic of Believing by Claude Bristol

8. Jane Eyre

9. Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

10. Pride and Prejudice

11. Hallelujah by J. Scott Featherstone

12. Folding Paper Cranes by Leonard Bird

13. From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz

Hooray for Spring!

2007-03-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of Spring - the Vernal Equinox - the day when the sun rises due East and sets due West. I love Spring! It's finally warm enough to sit on the back porch and read and feel the warmth of the sun on my bare feet. Sometimes for long spells I'll look up from my reading and look at all the plump buds on the trees and bushes - some promising blossoms and others green leaves. There are more varieties of birds singing their songs along with the quieter insects. Another delightful sound is the laughter and chatter of my grand kids, who are outside playing in the dirt or riding their little bikes.

Spring always brings a feeling of hope and renewal. My energy levels increase (be it ever so slightly). I've even been exercising a smidgen the last 2 weeks. I feel like cleaning house, cooking meals and writing in my journal. I want to paint inside and out, rearrange furniture and knickknacks. Unfortunately, it will take more than spring to get me in the mood to wash windows!

To those of us in the northern hemisphere - here's to a rejuvenating and relaxing spring, to hope and promises fulfilled, and to basking in the beauties that surround us. Happy Spring!

President's Day Weekend

2007-02-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

Aren't holidays great. Even if you don't do anything special they provide a day off work. This last President's Day weekend was special, though. My daughter, Alyson, came home for a visit. My other 3 daughters live in the same town as my husband and I, so we were able to meet often and visit. Of course we played a couple of rounds of Killer Bunny.

Saturday evening Kristi and her boyfriend, Ron, made us some delicious waffles with homemade, chunky blackberry topping. I hope that becomes a tradition. We played some more games in the evening. It made me think of all the times we have gathered around my mother's table to visit and play games.

Sunday my dear husband made his delicious roast beef, mash potatoes & gravy dinner. He makes the best roast beef, the best mash potatoes and the best gravy ever! Hands down! Jenny, who just lives through the back gate, brought baked rolls right from the oven. Oh, yum!

Before dinner Eric and Annie came by for a visit. It's so good to have them in Vernal after their time in the Navy. Eric is looking for a job, but Annie is not so happy with our cold, little corner of the world. Who can blame her after living in Hawaii for the past 3 years?!

Grandma, Kevin, Shaneen and Cassie joined us for desert. Alyson made her decadent baked cheesecake. Eric and Annie came back after their dinner appointment elsewhere. We enjoyed good visits and a couple more games. Some stayed up to play a rousing game of Nerts that Shaneen won. Even at her age she could shut down the 30 and below crowd! Cheers!

Monday was a quiet, leisurely day around the house. Today is a day to reflect on how much I love my family and what a blessing that we can get together and strengthen our ties.

Will This Be Us?

2007-02-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Just wondering if this could be me and my 2 sisters in years to come:

Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?" The 94-year-old yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses "Was I going up the stairs or down?" The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood." She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

Six Weird Things About Me - Meme

2007-01-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I've been extremely slow at getting things done. The truth is Cereal Girl tagged me 2 or 3 months ago for this meme and I'm just barely getting it done. Hope this is not going to be indicative of how my whole year goes.

I'm really a very ordinary person with nothing unusual about me at all! Just kidding. My whole family is quite idiosyncratic. Some things we share and others are our own unique weirdness.

1. I like whatever I'm spreading on my sandwich to go out to the edges. Peanut butter and jam - all the way to the edge. When I fist got married my husband would spread a large circle in the middle. That way he gets too much bread in those outer edge bits. Not good!

2. Similar to #1 but enough different to be worth mentioning: I like a sandwich to be put together in the right order. The other day I was taking dh to work. We stopped to get a breakfast sandwich on the way. I went to take a bite and had to turn it around and then around again. They had put the top bun on the bottom and vice versa. I said, "I don't know how to eat this!" He laughed and said, "It's going to be one of those days isn't it?" That's what I call real intimacy - when humor comes from the little crazy things we know about each other.

3. Okay, so this is another food item and still similar to the first two, but again it is its own deal. I like a tiny bit of mustard on a hamburger, hot dog, or meatloaf sandwich, BUT it cannot, let me stress, it cannot go right on the bread. If it does, the mustard soaks in and is too strong. First, goes the ketchup or miracle whip and then the tiny dab of mustard, which is then spread evenly around the bun or bread.

4. I need lots of sleep. I hate it! I need between 10-11 hours a night. That leaves so very little time to get all the stuff done I need to. Last night I slept 14 hours straight - no potty break, drink of water - just deep, deep sleep. I've always wanted to be a person who could get by on 4 hours, heck, I'd settle for 6. Just think how much more reading and blogging I could get done.

5. Another one that goes along with sleep. I went to a sleep study at the University of Utah years ago and was diagnosed with Delayed Sleep Onset Syndrome. That's pretty weird! If left on my own I will not go to sleep until 3, 4 or even 10 am the next day. Once I do fall asleep I will sleep soundly for the above mentioned 10-12 hours. Part of this syndrome includes twitchy legs. Sometimes the twitchy will keep me awake or wake me up, but it usually happens when I try to sleep at a normal bedtime and I'm not tired. I'll lay there for a while and sooner or later my legs will start twitching. So I get up.

6. This one has to do with sleep also. Due to the sleep problem, I have developed fibromyalgia. To help me get the sleep I need, so I don't hurt so badly, I take ambien every night, so I can sleep at the 'right' time and be able to hold down a 'normal' life. I don't know that I said all that correctly. I do not take the ambien for the fibromyalgia, I take it to go to sleep on time, which then helps me get enough sleep that the pain of fibromyalgia is not as bad. Wow! I haven't even got to what I was going to list for #6's weird item. Usually people take ambien and crawl right in bed. Sometimes I do, too, but sometimes I don't go right to sleep, so I get back up. If I have any conversations or do anything during this time, I usually have NO recall of it in the morning. I've read several chapters or even finished a book and the next day I pick up the book, thinking, "oh goody, I get to find out how this ends." No bookmark! Where's my bookmark. I have to go back and reread. So I don't usually read after ambien. My children and husband are always saying, "Don't you remember us talking about this last night?" They joke about my ambien moments.

Okay, this is definitely enough weirdness for now. It certainly makes life interesting to have these fun little, quirky items that set us apart. Gee, I only covered eating and sleeping - just think what I could have come up with if I'd branched out a little. Thank heaven my bowels are regular!! Funny, funny. ;~)

Ten Things I Love That Begin With the Letter "J"

2007-01-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Lotus for reminding me of meme's that I've been tagged to do, but that I had let slip my mind. One of those memes was to list 10 things I love about the letter 'J'. Orange Blossom from The Library Ladder assigned me the letter J.

1. I love Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the talents he has given me. Even more, though, I am grateful for the sacrifice he provided that allows me to heal spiritually as well as physically. I can make mistakes and be forgiven. I can do something wrong over and over again, but I can learn to do it correctly and fix it. He has made this possible.

2. I love these people in my family whose names start with J: Jenny, John, Jeff, Julie, Jason, Jordan and Janna.

3. Jokes - the ones that are truly funny and don't hurt peoples' feelings. A good laugh is healthy.

4. Journals - My mother and my husband keep good journals. They are often helpful in identifying pictures and keeping track of important happenings. My book journal is pretty good order, buy my personal one is way out of date. Years ago I decided to keep a journal for each of my four daughters. In it I write letters to them, saying the things I don't get said to them face to face. Unfortunately, I haven't written in them since before 9/11. Maybe that will be my resolution for this year.

5. Journeys - I love to travel. I enjoy the planning almost as much as the trip itself. There are times when I'm talking to my mother on the phone and a place is mentioned that causes us to get our road atlases out. Before long we are planning trips over the phone line. I think that's funny, but it's really fun. I love the memories of the trips I've been on. A few of my favorite trip memories are the two we took to Disneyland, the 3 to the Northwest, the one to Boston and the one to Florida. The list of journeys I'd like to take is endless.

6. Several years ago we discovered jicama. It's a mexican vegetable that has white, crunchy meat. It looks like a big, brown radish and it sort of has a radish texture.

7. Johnny jump ups are cute little flowers that show up in my garden right when some of the other flowers are spent. They are related to pansies.

8. Juice - Among my favorite juices are carrot, grape, prickly pear, lemonade and apple. Orange juice gives me heartburn, unfortunately.

9. jpegs - What would we do without those cute little pictures that we can transfer from camera to computer to blogs? Gotta love 'em.

10. And since I'm from Utah, I have to mention jell-o!
My sister-in-law brings an extra suitcase from Virginia just to fill with her family's favorite, peach jello. One of the top selling pins from the 2002 Olympics is the bowl of green jello. Wikipedia has an article and map about the Jello Belt. More jello is sold in Utah than anywhere else in the world.

If you would like to do this meme, just let me know in the comments and I will assign you a letter.

You Know You're From Utah When...

2007-01-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

You Know You're From Utah When...

Green jell-o with carrots mixed in doesn't seem strange.

You can pronounce Tooele.

The U is not just a letter - Neither is the Y.

You have actually eaten funeral potatoes.

You've gotten both heat and frost burns off your car's door handle in the same month.

You are not surprised to hear words like "Darn, Fetch, Flip", "Oh, My Heck" and "Shoot".

Your tulips get snowed on three times after they come up and twice more after they bloom.

Hunting season is a school holiday.

The largest liquor store is the state government.

You can go skiing and play golf on the same day.

30% humidity is muggy and almost unbearable.

Somewhere in your family tree is a polygamist.

You know the difference between a 'Steak House' and a 'Stake House'.

The elevation exceeds the population

You've broken down on the highway and somebody stops to help you

You can see the stars at night

You have a bumper sticker that says "Families are Forever."

You were an aunt or uncle before you were three.

Your spouse's mother was pregnant at your wedding.

You have more children than you can find biblical names for.

Your family considers a trip to McDonald'd a night out..

Your first child was conceived on your honeymoon.

You feel guilty when you watch Monday Night Football.

Your kids believe the deer hunt is a national holiday.

You drink Coke from a brown paper bag.

You consider a temple recommend a credit reference.

At least two of your salad bowls are at the homes of neighbors.

You believe that you must be 18 or older to order coffee at a restaurant.

You wonder why fire truck drivers honk when you drive 35 mph in the left lane on the freeway.

There is a similarity between a ward basketball game and the L.A. riots.

You think Jack Daniels is a country western singer.

You negotiate prices at a garage sale.

You can make Jell-O salad without the recipe.

You've heard about BYU football in a testimony meeting.

You have two gallons of ice cream in your freezer at all times.

Your father-in-law thinks Ronald Reagan was a liberal.

A member of your family wrote in Lavell Edwards for president in the last election.

Cars in the slow lane are traveling the fastest; cars in the fast lane are traveling the slowest; cars in the middle lanes are always trying to exit.

Sandals are the best-selling shoes.

You have to ask for the uncensored version of "Titanic."

Hotel rooms all have the Book of Mormon.

You buy your wardrobe at the local grocery superstore.

You learn about the Mormon Church by taking history in elementary school.

You live in a state where Democrats always come in third place, unless a zoo animal is running. Then they come in fourth.

You're on your own if you are turning left.

Schools stay open, even if two feet of snow falls overnight, but close for the opening of hunting season.

People wear shorts and T-shirts if the temperature rises above 32 degrees.

There is a church on every corner, but they all teach the same thing.

The most popular public transportation system is a ski lift.

People drive to Idaho (or Arizona) to pick up a gallon of milk so they can play the lottery.

In-state college football rivalries are bigger than the Super Bowl.

Beer drinkers don't shop on Sunday.

You don't have to breathe cigarette smoke until you walk outside a building.

The cost of living rises while your salary drops.

Every driveway has a minivan and a pickup truck.

When you buy a new vehicle, cigarette lighters are optional equipment but gun and ski racks are standard.

Every time a new family moves into your neighborhood, the local elementary school has to hire a new teacher.

Your paycheck has an additional 10 percent deduction.

"Temple recommends" is acceptable identification for cashing a check.

More movies are filmed in your town than in Hollywood.

You've never had a Mormon missionary knock on your door.

Your neighbors complain about where they live, yet refuse to return to the state they moved from.

You make a toast with red punch at your wedding reception.

You have more raw wheat stored than some Third World countries.

Your idea of a good time is playing Pictionary in the cultural hall.

Your idea of a wild party is a six pack of Pepsi and a PG-13 movie.

You and all your friends come to your mother for a haircut in her kitchen.

You measure Kool-Aid by parts per million.

You think "You're a 10 cow wife" is a compliment.

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Utah.

(I get most of these jokes!)

Get Your Own "You Know You're From" Meme Here

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2006 Advent Blog Tour

2006-12-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

Marg and Kailana came up with this fun idea of an Advent Blog Tour. I signed up for today. I wanted to share with you a few of the cute ornaments my husband used to carve BEFORE becoming a UPS man, which is synomous with Santa Claus this time of year.

Every year he would carve me a star or snowflake. Here's a sampling of the beautiful stars I have hanging on my Christmas tree. The middle picture is a star of David and even though we are not of Jewish lineage, it's this star that sits atop the tree. It looks quite big in this picture. In reality it is about the same size as the other stars.

This bottom picture shows three of the ornaments he carved for our three daughters.

At the time he was carving we only had 3 daughters. Now there's 4. Sadly, M had stopped carving, so daughter #4 only has store-bought ornaments. I'm hoping when he retires, M will carve some for her.

I love these 3 ornaments because they look similar to the girls at those ages. They are wearing the coats, gloves and boots they wore then. I made the youngest's coat out of a pleated skirt my mother had made me when I was 8th grade. Isn't that a terrific example of resourcefulness?!

The idea was that when the girls left home they could take their ornaments with them. It was a nice idea all those years ago, but now we don't have their darling ornaments to adorn our tree any longer. The only ones we wouldn't let them take were the 3 carolers. We felt like they needed to stay together until we are both gone. The kids enjoy putting their ornaments on their trees in their new places, though, so I'll miss them in a happy sorta way.

Christmas Movies

2006-12-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

This is my third post for the G.I.F.T. Challenge (on this site, anyway). Part of the challenge is to read, watch, etc. something you haven't before or at least not for a long time. So I rented a couple of movies that I'd heard other bloggers recommend. Our daughter went to SLC, so M and I could watch black and whites without receiving any flack. First we watched Going My Way with Bing Crosby. It's not typically a Christmas movie, but it came on the same disc from Netflix that Holiday Inn was on, so we watched it. Ohhh, it was good. Much slower paced from movies that are produced today, but still very good. It reminded me that there was once upon a time when boys wore their pants above their bottoms, not revealing any underware! Then we watched Holiday Inn, which is a favorite of M's, but I don't think I've ever seen it before. It was fun hearing Bing's beautiful voice and watching Fred Astaire dance. Such talent. And, of course, in the end, everything turned out just the way you wanted it to.

To start the weekend, we watched Scrooge on Friday night. I made mention of it in an earlier post. Again, a bit slower paced than we're used to, but a wonderful portrayal of Scrooge by Albert Finney. I had forgotten quite a bit so it was good to watch it again.

Finally, on Sat. night we watched Polar Express on tv. UGH! Those pesky commercials! The movie was truly a feast for the imagination. We really enjoyed it. It doesn't seem like a children's movie, though. More for older kids, teens, and adults.

Thirteen Christmas Traditions

2006-12-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

I'm combining my Thursday Thirteen list with Carl's G.I.F.T. (Giving Inspiration, Fostering Tradition) challenge. The challenge is giving of yourself for the shared edification and inspiration of others. Your favorite Christmas movie, story, song, etc. may just inspire others to try it out. At the very least we will share in your joy and enthusiasm as you give us a glimpse into who you are by sharing memories, traditions, and favorites.

This is entry 2 out of 4 for this challenge. Parts of this post have been posted previously in a meme. Sorry for the repetition.

1. We decorate our tree with colored lights and the hand carved ornaments that my husband did for the kids when they were younger. As the kids have grown and moved out, they have taken their ornaments with them, but we still have the carved stars that he made for me.

2. Every year each child, and now grandchildren, get a new Christmas ornament. They used to be carved, but now they are bought.

3. In my husband's and my family we buy gifts for one of the other siblings and rotate through the family year after year. In my family we used to draw names for the cousins to exchange presents, but that's fallen by the wayside since so many are married and moved to the far reaches of the US.

4. Every December, after all the family members in town have their trees up, we do a progressive dinner, moving from house to house for the next part of the dinner. That way we make the rounds and enjoy the Christmas spirit in each other homes.

5. At my house we try to watch the movie Scrooge starring Albert Finney.

6. We celebrate the joy of light during the darkest days of the year with a Danish tradition I read about years ago. I don't remember the real word, but over the years it's become known to us as Who Goolie. We turn on the tree lights and light all the candles in the living room. All other lights are off. We sing carols, retell stories and cuddle lots.

7. In addition to the Who Goolie we do in the living room, we do traveling Who Goolies. We pick up my mother and drive around the valley seeing all the lights and decorations. I love to think about the light of Christ chasing off the darkness and that all the decorative lights are symbolic of that.

8. Since I was just tiny and, probably before I was born, we have held a special family night on Christmas eve to celebrate the season of Christ's birth. I'm almost 56 and we still get together at my mom's home on Christmas eve. We all bring a dish and share a wonderful, festive dinner. Then there's a program that includes the story of Christ's birth with lots of songs thrown in. After the program we open presents to and from Grandma and our sibling exchange present.

9. Once back to our house on Christmas eve, each of our children open one present. It's always pajamas! My parents did the same thing with their children.

10. Our daughter, husband and the 2 grandchildren live right behind us, so on Christmas morning we wait for the call alerting us that the children are awake. Then we hurry through the gate and in the back door to enjoy what Santa has brought to them. Then we come back over here and enjoy our Santa presents.

11. Before opening wrapped presents, I slip into the kitchen and throw together a healthy breakfast casserole of eggs, sausage, and croutons that bakes for 50 min.

12. While breakfast is cooking, we take turns opening presents. Just as we're sitting back with a delighted sigh and the suggestion of hunger working its way into our thoughts, the buzzer in the kitchen rings. We gather around the table for breakfast casserole, grapefruit, juice and toast.

13. We enjoy the morning together, then start out on a traveling caravan that goes from one family members home to the next. At each stop we pick up more members for the caravan. Eventually we end up at my mother's house where we share pots of soup we've all made a couple days before Christmas. My sister makes a birthday cake. We sing Happy Birthday to our Savior and thank Him for all our blessings.

2006 G.I.F.T. Challenge

2006-12-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

The blogosphere's very own Carl V. is hosting another terrific challenge. For the Christmas season it's the 2006 G.I.F.T Challenge, which stands for Giving Inspiration, Fostering Tradition.

What you agree to do, if you choose to participate, is to partake of and/or post on any 4 of the following:
Christmas movies
Christmas novels/short stories
Christmas songs
Christmas poems
Christmas traditions
Christmas memories
For whichever 4 things you choose you will post about them. That is where the giving comes in. Giving of yourself for the shared edification and inspiration of others. Your favorite Christmas movie, story, song, etc. may just inspire others to try it out. At the very least we will share in your joy and enthusiasm as you give us a glimpse into who you are by sharing memories, traditions, and favorites.

My favorite Christmas movie is the musical Scrooge starring Albert Finney. The picture of him on this cover looks pretty dorky, but trust me, the movie is great, the best rendition of Dicken's Christmas Carol I've ever seen. Alec Guiness plays the part of Morley's ghost and he does an awesome job. In fact, all the ghosts are amazing. The flashbacks to Scrooge's past are heartwarming and heart-breaking. It's time to pull it out and watch it again.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Meme

2006-11-18T18:52:00.001-08:00

I found this fun meme done by Stace from Exceedingly Mundane. Since this week is the start of the Holiday Season with Thanksgiving on Thursday, let me wish you all the best. I hope you experience peace and joy and love. Oh, and good food!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate with a little whip cream on top, please.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Each child has a spot on the sofa or chair that has her name and a sock. Santa used to just leave all the presents in those spots unwrapped. Several years ago he started sending a few to 'the Mom' asking for her assistance in wrapping them and putting them under the tree before Christmas.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored lights both on the tree and along the eves of the house. A tree of two outside may be lighted all in white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I have a fake ball of mistletoe that we hang. Sometimes we get going on that song, "Who'll stand under the mistletoe with me? Who, who will come hither? Who, who will it be?" Then someone answers, "Hey diddly die doe, hey diddly doo, I'll stand under the mistletoe with you."

5. When do you put your decorations up? We usually start the weekend after Thanksgiving, unless we are gathering at my mother's house to play games and eat leftovers. In that case we do it the first Sat. in Dec.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Wow, I love the whole Thanksgiving dinner, but since I need to be more specific, I'd say the turkey stuffing.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: I used to snoop through the closets and other hiding places before Christmas. One year I discovered that I was getting the very present I wanted. I was so excited I could hardly wait for Christmas. On Christmas morning, about 4 am, I ran down the stairs and to my place on the couch. My present wasn't there! I looked around and there it was at my sister's place. My heart sank. (For the life of me I can't remember what it was that I didn't get.)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember a specific point, somehow the knowledge just edged in bit by bit until I knew.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Growing up we could open one present on Christmas eve after the our family Christmas program. It was always a new pair of pajamas from Mom and Dad. I've carried the tradition on with my children. We still go to Mom's on Christmas eve and have a special program. Afterwards we open our presents from "Grandma" and she opens ours to her. We also do an exchange present with one of the siblings in the family and we open that while all the families are gathered on Christmas eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I love our trees. As a young married couple we decided to buy each child a new ornament each year. When they grew up and left home they could take all their ornaments with them to their new homes. My husband decided he wanted to carve wooden ornaments. He made the cutest angels, snowmen, santas, etc. etc. It was such a treat to unwrap each one from the tissue and let the girls hang them. Unfortunately, he became a UPS man and doesn't have time to carve ornaments anymore. Our 4th daughter doesn't have any hand carved ornaments. It's a sad thing. The other 3 girls have grown up and taken theirs with them. We still have all the stars that hubby carved for me each year during those carving years. I have also bought ornaments from the places we've visited. Also, add lots of little red hearts, or bows, or silver sleigh bells to fill in and unify the decorations.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I don't mind the snow. We don't seem to get as much as we used to and it doesn't hang around as long. I do like a beautiful foot of clean white snow. I'm just not really fond of below freezing temps.

12. Can you ice skate? I used to skate often as a girl, but haven't done so in years.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Wow, there have been so many that have been given with love. The one that I'll never forget is the rocking chair hubby bought me on our first Christmas together. We had been married about a year and were poor like most newly weds. He bought me a rocking chair because I was pregnant with our first daughter. I still have that chair 34 years later. I painted it a few summers ago.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family and being overwhelmed with the gift the Savior has provided. He humble himself to be born in a lowly fashion and come to the Earth with the sole purpose of facing Gethsemane where he suffered for our sins. Because of his love and sacrifice, we each have the blessing of forgiveness. I have tried to teach my children that the lights, the decorations, the festivity is to remind us of the light of the world. When I see all the lights on the homes, I think of Him and how his light chases away the darkness.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Again, there are so many yummy treats this time of year. Hands down, my favorite has to be the naimo bars.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Oh, my. Our holidays are steeped in traditions that add so much meaning and joy to the holidays. One is the Christmas eve gathering of family to read and act the nativity story. The meal we eat together before the program and the opening presents afterwards. During the holidays we try to have a who-gooly or two. That is not the proper way to say that or the proper spelling. I am of Danish descent and I wanted to incorporate something of Denmark in our celebrations. I ran across this idea of a who-gooly, which is a celebration of light and the chasing away of darkness. We will turn off all the lights in the house, gather in the living room and light lots and lots of candles and the Christmas tree lights. Then we will sing as we cuddle and enjoy the lights. We also do what we call traveling who-goolies when we drive around the valley and look at all the houses so beautifully decorated and chasing away the gloom in their own ways.

On Christmas morning, we wake each other up and go into the living room together. We squeal over the nice presents Santa has delivered. Then while 'the Dad' and the children enjoy those presents, I brown some sausage and scramble some eggs and throw together a breakfast casserole. While it bakes, we open the presents from under the tree. About the time the we finish and become aware that we are hungry, the buzzer rings and we enjoy a healthy breakfast with grapefruits, sausage/egg casserole, juice and toast. Sometime during the day we go to each family's house of our relatives and wish them Merry Christmas and see what they've been blessed with. Usually this visiting becomes a train sort of affair with families joining in and going to the next place. We end at Mom's for a wide variety of soups made by each family. For desert there's a birthday cake and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

17. What tops your tree? A star of Judah that hubby carved.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Prefer?! Wow, it's a definite toss up. I thoroughly enjoy unwrapping presents and receiving gifts. I love acknowledging the thoughts of love from those who gave to me. I enjoy giving to those I know and love even more though. Equally wonderful is doing little acts of service or providing gifts for people I don't know. But I think it all comes out in a tie as to which I prefer. I wouldn't want one without the other.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? These are really hard questions! As a child my favorite was The First Noel, but now there are so many I love.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?? Yuck. Now if you'd asked about Hershey kisses that would have been a completely different thing all together.

NEW DRUGS FOR WOMEN

2006-11-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

I know you will all assume that I made these up, being that I'm such a clever person. I have to be honest. I stole them from another blog.

D A M N I T O L
Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to hell for up to 8 full hours.

E M P T Y N E S T R O G E N
Suppository that eliminates melancholy and loneliness by reminding you of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait till they moved out.

ST. M O M M A'S W O R T
Plant extract that treats mom's depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to two days.

P E P T O B I M B O
Liquid silicone drink for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and prevents conception.

D U M B E R O L
When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low IQ, resulting in enjoyment of country music and pickup trucks.

F L I P I T O R
Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers.

M E N I C I L L I N
Potent anti-boy-otic for older women. Increases resistance to such lethal lines as, "You make me want to be a better person. "

BUYAGRA
Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping Increases potency, duration, and credit limit of spending spree.

J A C K A S S P I R I N
Relieves headache caused by a man who can't remember your birthday, anniversary, phone number, or to lift the toilet seat.

A N T I-T A L K S I D E N T
A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories with total strangers in elevators.

N A G A M E N T
When administered to a boyfriend or husband, provides the same irritation level as nagging him.

13 Kitchen Gadgets

2006-11-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

13 Favorite Pampered Chef Products* That I Use and Love

(Listed in No Particular Order)

1. The Food Chopper (pic at left) I don't know what I did before I bought this. I use it for chopping everything from fruits and vegetables to graham crackers, Ritz crackers, nuts, and chocolate. It is great for chopping hot meat for fajitas. My mother bought a cheap version at a store and it didn't work anywhere near as well.

2. I use the family skillet all the time. It is large, with a non-stick coating that doesn't look the least aged even though I've used it for years. It can go from the stove top to the oven. I love it because I can double recipes and freeze one. I used to have to use 2 pans.

3. I love the stoneware with either the white or cranberry finish. I wasn't so sure I would because you need to wash them by hand, but they come clean so easily that is no longer a concern. They are a dream to cook with.

4. The springform pan is ideal for making baked cheesecakes.

5. The silicon basting brush is great because you can just pop it in the dishwasher after each use.

6. Sometimes I take the apple wedger (pic at right) to school and provide my 11 students with a healthy snack. This is another must have.

7. The bamboo spoons are great because they don't absorb food particles like wooden spoons do.

8. Love the microwave rice cooker. (pic on right) It works nicely to store leftover rice in the fridge, too.

9. The adjustable measuring spoons and cups are a real space saver.

10. My husband's favorite item is the garlic press. When I hosted a party 1 1/2 yrs ago, he sat in on it and kept saying he wanted the garlic press. I said, "For crying out loud, we can use a fork for that." We ordered it and I love it.

11. I use the Measure, Mix and Pour (pic at left) for my Raspberry Salad Dressing. It has amounts on the side so I can mix it, serve it and store it in the same container. Looks much nicer than a mason jar. And I can stir the dressing before setting it on the table.

12. Of course, the silicon spatulas are nice and come in several different sizes.

13. Maybe it has something to do with my age, but I couldn't get along without the jar opener (pic at right).

* I know this sounds like an advertisement for Pampered Chef and I guess it sort of is. No, I do not sell it and I get no commission from anyone for mentioning these items on my blog. All I know is since I've supplied my kitchen with a few really good tools, I enjoy cooking more and so does my husband. Now let me tell you about one Pampered Chef product that I am mad that I bought. It's the Ultimate Mandolin (pic at left). I owned something like this once and used it for 20+ years. I loved it, so when I saw this one I bought it since I loved everything else I'd bought from PC. The food holder thing is way to small to hold a half tomato or onion. So I don't use it and have to slice things for barbecues with a knife. They don't come out as even and the onion slices are not as thin.

I know, this is a weird post, but, oh well!

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

2006-10-30T16:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my husband, referred to by the grandkids as Papa, was taking the 2 cutest kids in the world for a short drive. The 5-yr-old Jeff says in a very sad voice, "Grandma doesn't go to church." According to Papa the concern for my eternal salvation was evident in his voice. Three-yr-old Megan chimes in, "Grandma goes to the library."

I'm hoping the library is closer to heaven than hell.

13 Things About Me A~Z Part 2

2006-10-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

N ~ Z

N What’s the story of your NAME? were you named after anyone? Do you go by a nickname? Any aliases?

I wrote a Thursday Thirteen about my name a couple months ago. You can find it here. My parents were thinking of naming me Carol, I think, but my Dad was called overseas before I was born. After I was born my mother received a telegram from Dad that said, "Name the young lady Cheya." Mom had to spell it to the records people. She didn't even know how to pronounce it. Dad later told me it meant someone who was dear or special to you. Needless to say, I like it.

O OBSERVANT - What’s around you right now? What do you see?

Do I really have to say?! There's quite a bit of clutter - we are talking about my computer desk! Let's just leave it at that.

P Who are the special PEOPLE in your life?

My family, both immediate and extended. My youth-in-custody students at school.

Q Any Little QUIRKs About Yourself:

My husband could list these better than I can. He says that's one of the things he loves about me. One that comes to mind - I like to spread the peanut butter and jam out to the edges of a sandwich. If having a hamburger or hot dog, I can't stand to have the mustard directly on the bun, it has to go on top of the ketchup. When I just pop up some popcorn to eat while reading, I hate to be interrupted. That's enough for now. I don't want to scare anyone.

R What do you like to do for RECREATION?

I love to Sunday drives around the valley. I enjoy blogging, reading, playing Killer Bunnies with my family (actually just about any game, but Killer Bunnies is the most recent), drawing house plans, scrapbooking, quilting, cross-stitching. Haven't cross-stitched in a couple of years and it's been months since I've scrapped. I love to lay in the hammock for a brief period everyday, but I think that's over until next spring. Mostly I like to read.

S Do You SING in the Shower? In the car? For your friends? Shower?

I never sing in the shower because I'm always courteous to those who might hear me. I love to sing in the car when I'm alone. My friends are still my friends because I DON'T sing in front of them. My daughter and some of her friends have beautiful voices and I love listening to her. Also, love listening to my husband. He tends to drive under the speed limit, but if I can get him singing hymns, he pushes harder on the gas, especially How Great Thou Art. Double bonus for me - listening to him sing and going faster!

T What’s at the Top of your TO DO list?:

I've been telling myself often lately that I need to start exercising, but I haven't actually written it on a list, so I haven't started yet. Do I need a to do list if I have a -to-be-read list? (My husband may think so)

U Any UNUSUAL Experiences:

A few spiritually related things that a bit too sacred to talk about over the internet. Nothing else I can think of .

V VEGAS,Vienna,Venice,Vladivostok… How far have you traveled? What’s your favorite City?

I've been from Tijuana, Mexico to Tofino, Vancouver Is., Canada (north to south) and Forks, Washington to somewhere in Maine (east to west). Also east to west from San Diego, California to the Outer Islands, North Carolina. Love to travel and I love to drive throughout the states.

W WINTER, Spring, Summer, Fall… What’s your favorite season?

I'm still torn on that one. I love both Spring and Fall. Spring because of the new life. Love to walk around the yard and see which bulbs are poking their little green arms up out of the ground, which trees are budding, etc. I love the anticipation of green and warmth. Fall is delightful because it's cooling off again and oh, the beautiful colors. The harvest is great, the abundance of food corn, squash, tomatoes, etc. (I do like July for the raspberries)

After living in Southern California for several years where they didn't have distinct seasons, I decided I would rather put up with summer and winter so I could have Spring and Fall. Each brings something delightful with it. I don't think I could live someplace that was mild and nice all year long. Give me the variety, please.

X EXes - Things You Don’t Do Anymore (but did, once (would you, again?))

I was going to say take hikes, but I never did that much anyway. Can't think of anything else.

Y Any secret/deep YEARNINGS?

There's always chocolate, but I guess that's not a secret to anyone.

Z ZERO to ZENITH - Where are you in your life? Still growing? On an upward (or downward) curve? Just skating along?

I'm skiing down a downward slope! Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I do know I'm not going upward, so I guess I'm just skating along. At my age that means down, though. Tomorrow I'm going to pull myself up by the nap of my neck, tho!

13 Things About Me A~Z

2006-10-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

A ~ M

I am borrowning (*cough* stealing) this idea from Karen at Write From Karen blog. She has some really clever ideas and her Thursday Thirteen posts are always super. Great site about writing, reading, and living.

1. A - If you were an ANIMAL, what would you be?

I'd like to be a cat that lives in an elegant home with owners that feed me in cut crystal bowls.

2. B - BOOKS: What’s on your reading list?

Birds of a Feather (book 2 in the Maisie Dobbs series) by Jacqueline Winspear
Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Bel Canto by Anne Patchett
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

3. C - COMPULSIVE about anything?

I guess you could say that I'm compulsive about reading - I must read everyday even if it's a little.

4. D - DREAMS - Do you … dream in color? remember your dreams? keep a dream journal?

I do dream in color, but I don't keep a dream diary. I did have a dream the other night that I felt held meaning. I kept accidently dropping things out the upstairs window, the cordless phone, the tv remote, and something else I don't remember. I struggle to get them but only sent them further down the sloped roof. There was much worrying and ineffectual effort on my part. Finally my husband, the hero, came home, put a ladder against the side of the house, and climb up on the periously steep roof and retrieved the items. The next day I figured out the meaning - There were jobs around the house that I couldn'd do but that I worried about. I needed Myke to do them for me.

5. E - EATING - what’s your usual snack?

Used to be Mystic Mint cookies until all the stores in the area quit carrying them. Now it's a mint chocolate cookie made by Dove.

6. F - A Few of your FAVORITE Things:

The lap quilt my daughter made me, my desk and computer, a phone that's close at hand when it rings, our comfortable and reliable vehicle, clean sheets from off the line, laying in the hammock in the spring or fall, bed and breakfasts, trips with my husband, the Oregon coastline, books, other people who share their talents, the scriptures,

7. G - GIGGLES! What (or who) makes you laugh? Do you have a good sense of humor?

It tickles me pink to watch my grandkids discover and enjoy things that I've grown callous to over the years. When they laugh, I can't help but laugh.

8. H - major HOT Button:

People who are inconsiderate, who are rude, who think they are the only ones that matter.

9. I - I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father.

10. J - What kind of JOKES do you like? Dislike?

I like jokes that are clean with an unexpected punch line. Or that touch on a quirky truth about human nature. I do not like jokes that make fun of someone or of a group of people. Here's a joke I think is funny in a cute sort of way:

Do you know what the snail said as it rode on the back of a turtle? "Slow down, you're going too fast!"

11. K - Also KNOWN As… Aliases? Screen names? A non de plume perhaps?

My only alias is booklogged, my blogging name.

12. L - I LOVE …

My family. I love being a grandma to a 5 yr old boy and a 3 yr old girl.

13. M - How do you feel about MEETING people? Do it all the time? Rarely? Parties or 1-on-1?

I don't like to meeting people, but sometimes I have to with my job. I think I'm generally poised and easy to talk with. I like gatherings with my family were I feel comfortable. We eat good food, have interesting conversations and play lots of games.

Week #13 Thursday Thirteen

2006-09-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Banned And/Or Challenged Books That I've Read

1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
3. Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling (I've only actually read the first 3 in the series)
4. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
5. The Giver by Lois Lowry
6. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
8. A Light in the Attic by Shel Siverstein
9. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
10. Where's Waldo by Martin Hanford
11. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman

I guess I've only read 11 from that list, but here's two more that I would like to read.
12. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
13. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

I see from the poster on the right that 1984 was banned once upon a time. That's another one I've read. There are some on the list I'd just as soon not read and there's some that probably don't need to be in elementary school libraries.

Banned Book Week is September 23-30. For more information and to see what books you've read from the list check out The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000.

A Meme

2006-09-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? If money was not an option, I would like to build in Jackonsville, Oregon. Close to the freeway, close to the ocean, close to mountains, close to Portland, relatively close to Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Only drawback would be the dry desert we'd have to drive through to visit family in Utah.
2. What's your favorite article of clothing? That's easy - blue jeans.
3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? Hands, I guess.
4. What's the last CD that you bought? It's been awhile (2-3 yrs), but I think it was Simon and Garfunkel
5. Where's your favorite place to be? At home around the kitchen table playing games, or in my recliner reading, or in the family room in front of the computer.
6. Where's your least favorite place to be? In a meeting or in the desert
7. What's your favorite place to be massaged? My feet--my husband gives THE BEST foot massages. Aaaahhhhh....
8. Strong in mind or strong in body? This one's hard -- I guess, strong in mind
9. What time do you wake up in the morning? Without an alarm I wake up between 9:30 and 10:00. With an alarm 6:30.
10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance? Dishwasher
11. What makes you really angry? Lying, cheating, inconsiderateness and students who think you're stupid because you're older. GRRRR!
12. If you could play any instrument what would it be? The piano.
13. Favorite color? Yellow, I guess, but I really like purples and pinks and blues and greens and peach. I'm glad we have all the colors.
14. Sports car or SUV? SUV, although I'd also really like an elegant and comfortable traveling car.
15. Do you believe in an afterlife? Yes
16. Favorite children's book? What Was That? and If I Were A Lion
17. What's your favorite season? Love spring because the flowers and leaves come back after that cold, bleak winter but I also like fall because it cools down again and there's the bounteous harvest.
18. What is your least favorite household chore? Cleaning the toilet
19. If you could have one super-power, what would it be? Speed reading
20. If you have a tattoo what is it? No tattoo
21. Can you juggle? No to both balls and life.
22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? I wouldn't want to go back and talk to him, but I would like to talk with him now -- my dad who died over 20 years ago.
23. What's your favorite day? A productive one, that has a bit of tranquil quietness tucked in when I can read.
24. What's in the trunk of your car? Two sports bags filled with emergency stuff, a blanket, a sweatshirt, and a spare tire.
25. Which do you prefer-sushi or hamburger? Hamburger, please.

Week #12 Thursday Thirteen

2006-09-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things That Make Me Say "Ahhhh"

1. A baby's laugh
2. Sleeping children
3. Realizing it's my day off so I can roll over and sleep a little longer
4. A clean window
5. A just finished project that turns out well
6. Having my back scratched
7. A foot massage
8. Receiving a book in the mail or having one come in at the library
9. Learning something new or seeing something from a different perspective
10. Being complimented
11. Finding a box of mystic mint cookies
12. A lone and beautiful tree
13. Laying my head on the pillow at night

Week #11 Thursday Thirteen

2006-09-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things About September

1. Summer ends: I know that I look forward to summer for nearly four months every year, but it's nice that it comes to an end.
2. Family reunions are past: Love to get together, visit, laugh, eat, etc. with people you love but don't see often, but it sure takes a chunk out of available weekends.
3. Cooler temperatures: Open the windows and doors and freshen up the house. It's pleasant to lay out in the hammock again and watch the clouds.
4. School starts: My daughter and I are able to see Myke in the mornings. We all have to go to bed a reasonable hours and wake up and get going every day. I get to see my students and help them learn.
5. Abundant harvest: There's corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes for BLTs. And the tomatoes taste 'real' not like polyester as those from the grocery store. Cucumbers and summer squash. Peaches and pears and apples for homemade applesause. Grapes for bottling grape juice. YUM!
6. Change: One of the things I love about seasons is the change, not just in the weather but in the activities. About the time you get tired of moving sprinklers, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden the season changes. Right now all those activities have slowed because of the cool temp. Soon will come shoveling the sidewalks. There's change in wardrobe,too. Bring out the sweaters and sweat shirts. Oh, and all those beautiful scarves we crochet last winter.
7. Soup: Every fall, just like clockwork, I develop a taste for homemade soups. Bring on the corn chowder, brocolli and cheese, clam chowder, white bean and hamhock, chili and chicken noodle. Oh, and the urge to try a few new soup recipes.
8. Fall menus: September is the perfect month to go back to making the comforting dinner of meatloaf, baked potatoes, acorn squash, and apple crisp that all go into the oven together and produce tantalizing aromas.
9. The colors: The different shades of green leaves turn into yellows, oranges, reds, maroons, and browns against a background of greenand brown grasses. A wish I have is to visit the Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont in Sep.
10. The smells: There are smells in the air that different in the fall. One is the smell that comes when you step on fallen leaves or rake the lawn. But there are other subtler smells, too.
11. More tranquility: September brings the renewal of more time at home alone. Awwww.
Time to walk through empty rooms and appreciate the quiet. Time to sit and quietly read without being interrupted. The feeling that for a little while, at least, no one is clamoring for attention, no one else needs you. You're your own person.

A now a couple of 'not so good' things about September:
12. School starts: lesson plans, meetings, whining students, and some of the control-freaks in the administration.
13. Summer ends.

Five Foods You Really Must Try

2006-09-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Lotus Reads. The foods she's listed are so exotic and sound so yummy. Mine are going to be much more mundane, but definitely family favorites.

1. Hamburger Rolls: This is a recipe from my grandmother, that my mother, my daughter and I still make regularly. I grew up on this delicious main dish. And it's so easy to make. Make up a batch of bisquits (we use bisquick). Roll the dough into a rectangle, about 10 x14 " or so. Crumble raw hamburger over rectangel except for one long edge. Pat hamburger down a bit. Sprinkle with salt and grated Parmesan cheese. Roll up, jelly roll style. Slice every 3/4", lay rolls on cookie sheet. Bake at 400* for 20-25 min, until golden brown. Serve with 1 can cream of mushroom soup diluted with 1/4-1/2 Cup milk. Also, drizzle ketchup over the sauce.

2. Cream Tuna on Crackers: Already you are all feeling sorry for my family, right? The reason I'm including this is because you shouldn't knock it til you try it. Make a white cream sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper. Add tuna. Serve over Ritz crackers or toast.

3. Summer Squash Sandwich: This is a recipe I created this summer. My daughter has requested it 3 times since. All three of us love it, but I haven't served it to anyone else so if you decide to try it you do so on limited recommendations. If you like veggie sandwiches and squash, I think you'd like this. You'll find the recipe here.

4. Naimo Bars: Over 35-yrs-ago a housewife from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, Canada submitted a recipe for these delicious chocolate bars. The recipe won a prize. I was given this recipe years ago from a neighbor. Now they are an annual Christamas treat at our house. A few summers ago Myke and I ate nanaimo bars in the quaint little village of Nanaimo. Indescribable experience. You can find the recipe here.

5. Tuxedo Brownies: Worth the cost - every penny! I found this recipe only 2 years ago in a Pampered Chef cookbook. You make a store-bought brownie mix. Spread some raspberry jam on top. Then fresh raspberries (or frozen). If you're lucky to get raspberries from Bear Lake, it will be just that much tastier. Then you top it with a creamy mixture of Cool Whip, melted white chocolate and cream cheese. Delicious.

Week #10 Thursday Thirteen

2006-08-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things I Love About My House (As It Is)

1. It's location in a small town in Utah. I may like it better if it were in a small town in Oregon or Washington. (Whoops! This was all going to be positive and I've messed up on the first item.)
2. It's location near schools, work, fast food, park, and grankids.
3. The backyard. It's little, but green with plenty of shade and a hammock. Plus hubby keeps it looking good. And it's a pleasant place for get togethers.
4. It's made of brick.
5. The family room since we've remodeled it. Used to be dark paneling, with small basement windows and ghastly red shag carpet. Hubby used a diamond-edge saw to cut the cement and make bigger windows. What a difference. Plus we added a shelf, new light-colored carpet and painted the walls a soft apricot and the wainscoting of bead board white. The inside of the cupboards are periwinkle which adds a bit of whimsy.
6. Big laundry room.
7. Good sized pantry.
8. Good-sized kitchen with lots of cupboard and counter space.
9. Four bedrooms.
10. Nice floorplan. I really like the layout.
11. Masterbath. Even though it's small, it's there and provides some privacy for the king and queen.
12. It's location, again. We're not on a busy street and so the traffic is minimal. Although on the 4th of July it provides a great parking place for people who want to view the fireworks at the park.
13. Well-built. We personally knew the builder and his work. He did a great job. Many of the new homes today are not built as well as this one.

Week #9 Thursday Thirteen

2006-08-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

13 Home Repairs/Fixups I'd Like For My House

1. Bigger dining room
2. New cabinets in the kitchen
3. New countertops to go with the new cabinets in the kitchen
4. New carpet in the master bedroom
5. New windows throughout the house
6. Sprinkler system
7. Fresh coat of paint in the living room
8. Sewer pipe replaced
9. Carpet in the living room and hall
10. New blinds and/or curtains on all upstairs windows
11. New tile in downstairs bathroom
12. New flooring in the laundry room
13. New interior doors

Week #8 Thursday Thirteen

2006-08-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Favorite Quotes from Books I've Read

1. "Truths walk toward us on the paths of our questions. As soon as you think you have the answer, you have closed the path and may miss vital new information. Wait awhile in the stillness, and do not rush to conclusions, no matter how uncomfrotable the unknowing."

-from Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

2. "It's okay to try out negative emotions and see how they feel, but it cetainly isn't a place one would wisely want to stay. When the soul is in human form you get to play--to see how it feels to be happy or sad, jealous or grateful, and so on. But you are supposed to learn from the experience and ultimately figure out which feels painful and which feels great."

-from Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan

3. " It is a fair, even handed, noble adjustment of things that while there is infection in disease and sorrow., there is nothing in the world so irresisteibly contagious as laughter and good humor."

-from The Christmas Caroll by Charles Dickens

4. "There are only two kinds of people in the end, those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' "

-from The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

5. "Knowing can be a curse on a person's life. I'd traded in a pack of lies for a pack of truth and I didn't know which one was heavier. Which one took the most strength to carry around? It was a ridiculous question, though, because once you know the truth, you can't ever go back and pick up your suitcase of lies, heavier or not, the truth is yours now."

-from The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

6. "And when you get down to it, Lily, that's the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to love but to persist in love."

-from The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

7. "Anybody could get worked up . . . it's peacefulness that is hard to come by on purpose."

-from Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver

8. "I prefer to be a widower of Ethel than a husband to anyone else, even in my imagination."

-from The Bird Artist by Howard Norman

9. "Sometimes simply getting from bed to bathroom can take the charm out of a new day."

-from Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

10. "We who survive must go on in the names of those who fall. Perserverance is impossible if we don't permit ourselves to hope."

-from Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

11. "When your're as hollow as Enoch Cain, the emptiness aches. He's desperate to fill it, but he doesn't have the patience or the commitment to fill it with anything worthwhile. Love, charity, faith, wisdom - those virtues & others are hard won, with commitment & patience and we acquire them one spoonful at a time. Cain wants to be filled quickly. He wants the emptiness inside poured full, in quick, great gushes, and right now."

-from From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz

12. "I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad--as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptations; they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigor. ... If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? ...Preconceived opinions, forgone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by; there I plant my foot."

-from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

13. "More than anything else, our understanding and use of language shapes us. Language is the way we express every idea, every thought. Sloppy thinking leads to a sloppy use of language. But the opposite is also true. Imprecise language causes imprecise thinking."

from Whispers by Dean Koontz

Seamless Pictures

2006-08-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

Crusty Carpe asked us to let him know which picture on Seamless Pictures was our favorite. It was a hard choice. I feel like I would like to study them a little longer. It would be nice to have a picture right next to the computer that I could rotate out on a daily basis. I suspect that many of the pictures have depth of meaning as well as perspective. Take the one of the man painting a picture that blocks out the people's heads. Instead of heads we see above the judge a court of law and a library above the librarian, and so on.I also like this one of the children who are in one sense part of the neighborhood and in another, swinging way up over the rooftops. The girl reminds me on myself right now, with school about to start again, pumping for all she's worth to get the last bit of joy from her summer (or her childhood).

It also reminds me of my grandchildren. Jeff being observant and reflective, trying to figure it all out, to see the layout of the streets, the construction of the houses, and looking for a big truck, wondering how it will seem to him from way up here. And Megan feeling the thrill of the height, the power of her own body, marveling at the rush of the wind, grasping for every ounce of joy in the moment.And how about that fence? What's it's meaning?

43 Things - Stolen Idea from Framed

2006-08-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

Read Framed's (Shaneen) new post and then decided to check out www.43things.com for myself. I looked up the top 15 goals out of 100 under the heading "Books".

stop procrastinating 10320 people

write a book 8804 people

be happy 7668 people

Learn Spanish 5444 people

Week #7 Thursday Thirteen

2006-08-10T18:31:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things on My Desk

1. Empty soup bowl left here by one of my daughters, who is the shower so I can't yell at her.
2. Lots of scrapbook stuff - straight edge cutter, box of pictures, eyelets, felt tip markers, etc.
3. CD player and CD case for Suit Francaise, an audion book which I'm listening to.
4. A turtle 'storyteller' art piece with little Native American children climbing all over him.
5. A box of Kleenex.
6. A glass of water on a sandstone coaster.
7. A stack of used books that I've ordered and entered on librarything.com.
8. A Jim Shore angel statue.
9. Off to the side is a pillow case with cute doodles that depict my daughter's inside jokes with her friends. K's been working on it today.
10. A telephone.
11. A few extra sweet and sour sauces from McDonald's for chicken selects. (They either forget to give you any or they give you three!)
12. Lamp
13. And of course, my computer.

TT Idea - Places I would like to visit

2006-08-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Places I Would Like To Visit

1. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in the Autumn.
2. Copenhagen and Randers, Denmark
This is where many of my ancestors came from before immigrating to the US.
3. Switzerland, Austria, Germany
Where my husband's ancestor lived.
4. St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada
My family lived here for 3 years, 1934-1956. Two of my sisters were born in Newfoundland.
5. Mackinac Island (and bridge), Michigan
6. Alyson's New Apartment in Ogden
7. Machu Picchu, Peru
8. London, England
9. Ireland
10. Nanaimo on Vancouver Island
11. Montreal
12. Alaska
13. Russia
13. New York City

Monday Memories

2006-08-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

My mother was at our house last night playing games with us and my sister. Mom mentioned having made hamburger gravy for dinner that night. The memories came flooding back as they often do at the mention of food. I started thinking about dinners at the Rasmussen household when I was a child. One of our favorites, by ours I mean the seven children, was hamburger gravy. Another was hamburger rolls. Mom would make up a batch of biscuit dough, roll it out and crumble raw hamburger on top, sprinkled with salt and Parmesan cheese. Then she'd roll them up and slice them jelly-roll style. They only baked for 25-30 min. We'd eat them with slightly thinned cream of mushroom soup and ketchup. Delicious! I still make hamburger rolls and my children and husband love them, but it's been years since I've made hamburger gravy. I will make it soon.

I remember occasionally coming to dinner and finding a teacup and saucer setting atop our dinner plates. In the cup was a slice of lemon. Mom would pour hot tomato juice over the lemon. I thought it was quite elegant for our very 'homestlye' family.

Recently Mom and I were talking about how we use to have fish sticks on a regular basis. I commented that I hadn't seen fish sticks in ages and Mom said that they just didn't make them like they used to.

One favorite meal, that my friends thought sounded very unappetizing, was cream tuna on Ritz crackers. When I married I was concerned that my husband would think it sounded awful, too. Fortunately, his family were familiar with it as well, only they served it on toast.

It's funny how certain foods from your childhood had to be eaten together. Like grilled cheese sandwiches and cream of tomato soup. They HAD to be served together or not at all.

Speaking of soup, I remember my brother S always liked the chicken noodle broth and I liked the noodles, so we'd pour back and forth to satisfy both of us. The same was true of vegetable soup - I wanted all those little alphabet letters. Unfortunately, when it came to fried chicken we both wanted the breasts. Ooohhh, the delicious chicken gravy my Mom could make. WOW!

Something else Mom could cook that I've never been able to duplicate is roast pork with sliced potatoes cooked along side the roast. Hers would turn out flavorful with just the right amount of crispness to them. They were to die for.

I'm sure more memories will keep flooding in, but I'll save those for another post.

Week #6 Thursday Thirteen

2006-08-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

13 Ingredients in Cheya's Summer Squash Sandwiches

1 1/2 Cups sliced yellow summer squash
1 1/2 Cups sliced zuchinni squash
1-2 carrots, grated
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 green pepper, sliced
2-3 cloves garlic
4 oz sliced mushrooms
extra virgin olive oil
Basil pesto
salad dressiong, such as Sweet Vadalia Onion, Asiago and Peppercorn, etc.
sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
provolone cheese, sliced
Asiago or ciabata bread, sliced

1. Steam the squash and carrots in a little water and olive oil, stir in 2 tbsp pesto after a few minutes of cooking, continue cooking until tender.
2. Meanwhile, sautee the onion, green pepper and whole garlic cloves in olive oil (or butter). When the onion is transparent and tender, smash the garlic cloves with fork tines and stir in well.
3. Sautee mushrooms (I prefer butter for this).

To assemble sandwiches: (you can prepare these sandwich-style or open-faced)
1. Spread the bread with a little pesto and salad dressing.
2. Layer 1 slice provolone and 1 slice cheddar cheese on bread.
3. Top with the cooked vegetables. If desired, add sliced tomato (my daughter liked it with the tomato).

This hot sandwich is to die for!

Five Things

2006-07-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

I thought this looked like a fun list.

Five things....
.
in my fridge: raspberry jam from Brigham City; fresh baby red potatoes, also from Brigham City fruit stand; Soy milk; several types of cheese; and, I am sure, several science projects in the back.
.
in my closet: shoes, clothes, a gunnesax dress that I made for my daughter over 20 yrs ago (similar to the picture in a size 4), a winter bathrobe, a Sorry game.
.
in my handbag: gum; my 'to-be-read book list; fingernail clippers; store receipts; and, I hope, my debit card.
.
in my car: 2 sports bags containing emergency items; a sweatshirt; an open bag of cookies -- Myke?!; The Opposite of Fate book on CD; cell phone charger.
.
Five people I am tagging...I don't know what that means -- so I guess nobody, although I hope bloggers I know will do this.

Week #5 Thursday Thirteen

2006-07-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Daily Rituals
(Summertime - Not during the school year)

1. First thing out of bed in the mornings I put on my glasses and head to the bathroom. The glasses are so that I can see what I'm reading. There's always reading material in a little flat basket behind the bathroom door.
2. I soak my hair, put in a little mouse, fluff it around and am set to go. (sometimes I use a curling iron on it.
3. After washing my face I put on Avon's ANEW ULTIMATE Day Transforming Lift Cream for women over 45. Love it and I'm almost out. Time to buy more.
4. Brush teeth and get dressed.
5. This is embarrasing to report because it's an unhealthy ritual, but it is indeed a daily ritual. Between 10:30 and 11:30 I head to McDonald's and order a 3-pc chicken select meal with apple dippers instead of fries and a large diet coke.
6. Since I usually have a wait at McDonald's I take my book to read during the wait.
7. I eat lunch in front of the computer checking blogs; sometimes playing Zuma or Pat Sajack's Lucky Letters.
8. Either in the afternoon or in the evening I sit down for an hour of reading with a bowl of popcorn. (sometimes it's fat-free)
9. I'm not doing this very regularly anymore, but I for years I've read a daily essay from Sarah van Breathnach's Simple Abundance.
10. A daily ritual that I want to reimplement into my life is reading the scriptures.
11. Another ritual I would like to perform daily is to prepare my family a nutritious and delicious dinner.
12. Of course, there's the nightly ritual in the bathroom - daily ablutions.
13. And finally, you've heard this one before, I thank the Lord for a bed and a soft pillow.

In Season

New Year Considerations

Do Not Spoil What You Have

My Granddaughter's First Sewing Project

Ghost Quilt Wall Hanging

What Are They Thinking?

2 Quilts I Like

Family Reunion

Can You Help Me With These Pictures?

Happy Happenings

Easy Taco Rolls

Welcome Home Laptop!

More Help Needed

Cousin Photo

Katie's New Blog

WHAT! a Trip! Part Two - The Drive Home

WHAT! a Trip! Part One

We're Off to Chicago

Shannon Hale Interview and Goose Girl Giveaway

Summertime Pasta

The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

Summer Summary

The Hare Hilton

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Cool Temps

Back Yard Update

A Look Back - May

Yard Update

Yard & Garden Make-Over

April Afterthoughts

Looking Back At March

"Oh, Bother!"

February 2009 - In Hindsight*

January 2009 Review

Poo Poo Paper?! For Reals?

Remembering Summer

Oh, Happy Day!

Kreativ Blogger Award

Our Oregon Trip

Win One of My Handmade Beanies!

Picture Tag

Big Chocolate Disappointment

Picture Tag

The Last of My Kitchen Desktop

May, June, July and August - A Glimpse at the Past

April In Review

March Recap

In My Pink House . . .

February! *A Month in Review*

In Review of January

Chicken Pot Pies

The Year in Review

Five Things About Me Meme

Bare Naked Trees

Eight Random Facts About Me Meme

Home Sweet Home

We're Off For an "Explore in the Woods"

Grandchildren

"8 Things" Meme

Perfect Timing

My Map

An Interview with Me

Open Your Eyes To Reality Moments

Ten Thirteen Books I Couldn't Live Without

Hooray for Spring!

President's Day Weekend

Will This Be Us?

Six Weird Things About Me - Meme

Ten Things I Love That Begin With the Letter "J"

You Know You're From Utah When...

2006 Advent Blog Tour

Christmas Movies

Thirteen Christmas Traditions

2006 G.I.F.T. Challenge

Holiday Meme

NEW DRUGS FOR WOMEN

13 Kitchen Gadgets

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

13 Things About Me A~Z Part 2

13 Things About Me A~Z

February! A Month in Review