Consider My Monkeys HAS MOVED...

Trying Something New...

2011-02-01T09:22:00.001-07:00

My blog address was set up when I first started blogging a few years ago. Now that I've been doing this for a while, It seems silly to me to have my blog titled one thing and the address be something different, so ...
I'm migrating to considermymonkeys.blogspot.com.

All you loyal followers, please update my addy and I'll see you at the new place!

Stubbornly Running in Circles

2011-01-24T11:25:00.001-07:00

I’m trying to be good about limiting spending, but I really needed a new office chair. I found one at a consignment store this weekend for $24! It seemed fine except for the broken bulbous part of the chair elevating mechanism. The mechanism works just fine - the bulb on the end is just gone.

I bought it.

Jon took one look at it and said he didn’t think it was any better than my other chair – except that it has arms. Of course that made me stand my guns and defend my thrifted chair. Dang stubborn self.

Here’s the thing – it pings (like a spring threatening to really spring) whenever I move. The left arm won’t raise as high as the right (by about half an inch – I just measured), and the back tips to the right. The seat is much more comfortable than the old chair, and the back is very much more supportive when I tip it back to the upright position (which it stays in until I get out of the chair).

So – here I sit in my forlorn chair in a conundrum. I called the store and they don’t do returns, but I'm welcome to bring it back and sell it on consignment… Hmm.

A Better Brother

2011-01-18T11:42:00.001-07:00

Some of you know the health issues that my younger brother has been having. He hates that I go public with these things, but he's the only brother that I've got, and I seriously worry about the guy.

Just before Christmas he had a colectomy, and I'm fervently praying that this makes things better for him. I'd sure like him to be around to raise his 4 adorable kiddos, support his beautiful wife, look after our stunning mother and step-dad, tease my boys, put up with my hubby, and annoy me to no end.

Anyway - he's going back to work in early February, but in the mean time he's getting things back in order for his other job. So this week he's in Las Vegas for Shot Show. I suppose he's having a great time. Last night he sent this photo -

Do you recognize her? That's Rachel Dratch! Hangin at the shooting range with my bro! Dang. Really though - it's so good to see him smile.

He's also got another article in another magazine. Check out the Jan/Feb 2011 edition of Successful Hunter magazine.

Love you Boog!

Giving Cozy

2011-01-17T11:20:00.004-07:00

I'm finally getting around to posting photos of one of the quilts I made for Christmas this year. You know the one I talked about here? Here it is...

You tell me - does it looked like stacked books? It screams it at me, but that may because of me being a bibliophile. Jon said it's a little abstract.

I gave my stepdad this quilt because I have been known to give him books for Christmas. I give him books because I enjoy the conversations where he calls me out of the blue and we talk about the book I've given. I'm hoping that he pulls this one over him while he's reading and still calls me.

The background fabric is Kona Mustard. I wasn't sold on it when it was one solid piece of baby poop, but it's become a favorite color after seeing it with these other fabrics - which I pulled out of the remnant bin by choosing the ones that seemed masculine.

The top is pieced with strips created by cutting my remnant to the desired thickness (I used some 1 1/2" strips and went up to 4") and then cut them in half (resulting in two 22"ish pieces). Then I cut a 22" piece of the background fabric into whatever thickness I needed and sewed each side of the background strip to each side of the book. This created a loop. Then I randomly cut the background fabric, which varies the amount of background on each side of each book. The trick was getting them arranged so that they didn't look like they'd fall over - see that one 7 up from the bottom? I think it needed to be pushed over more to support the books on top of it. Something about this just tells me they're going to topple...

I pieced the back with a luscious gray flannel (which again screamed to me) and a column of squares from each of the book bindings. I quilted in the ditch around each book. I don't remember what I bound it with.

I'm in serious love with this one - enough that I think I need to make me one. Silly that I didn't remember to take photos of the finished quilt, but I got so excited about giving it that I just rushed right through to wrapping. It makes me want to curl up with a book or one of my guys and spend an afternoon inside.

Gathering Bling

2011-01-11T18:39:00.004-07:00

This past Saturday I asked my SIL and niece if they'd like to sew while our hubbies and sons/nephews flew their helicopters and played Heroscape. She was way ahead of me and had been sewing with her friends the night before. So what's my stuff going to add to what she already had out.

I was assembling toppers, and she was working on pillows. She completely made me want to tackle that project - haven't done a pillow since this one...

So Sunday I went through my stash and found some lovely silver satin that we used when Carson was this for Halloween...

Do you know how difficult satin is to work with? It does not stay in one place. It moooooooooves. I cut mutiple strips in 1 1/2 to 3" widths - kind of. Honestly they were mostly straight. Then I got out my ruffler foot (did you remember to use your jazz hands?), and ran the strips through the ruffler. Then I rolled the ruffled strips just like I was told to over here and made 5 of these. (ignore that they're already attached in this photo - I took these when it was all finished - brain wasn't thinking photo in the middle of this project...).

Now this is where the 2nd diva fit of the afternoon/evening came in. (Tell me you can gather satin with a ruffler foot without throwing the first one) I drive 3 middle school boys in our carpool a few times each week, and they are notorious for finding whatever crap has been stuffed under seats or shoved in pockets or thrown in the back. Seriously. One of the favorite car toys is one of those butane lighter things that make fire starting fairly safe (or encourage it in strange places - so go figure). I don't know why it's in my vehicle in the middle of winter, but I suspect it's a leftover from a scout trip. Anyway - I've seen a lot of blogs that say you should burn the edge of these flowers and that the fabric will curl nicely. SO - I wanted that lighter. Well guess what... It's not a problem locating it on any random Thursday, but when I actually need the thing it's no where to be found. Unless you look in the cupboard where all of my candles are stored... And if I decided to just grab it and sit down without letting my guys know I'd found what I was demanding, so be it... Anyway. Satin burns/melts very easily, and it's a bad thing for a mother of 3 boys to discover this and think it's cool enough that she cuts another strip of fabric and gets caught singe-ing right at the kitchen table. All I'm going to say is that it's a good thing there wasn't any fuel left in that lighter by the time I was finished...

Anyway. I was going to stop with the flowers, but the remaining fabric was calling to me. I needed to make a pillow while my ruffler was still attached to my sewing machine. So - I ended up with this:

I think it's BE. YOU. TEE. FULL. Doesn't go so well with my white couch & chairs, but there's always a remedy for that isn't there?

I'd started out with 3 flowers and added the other 2 a little while later. When I had it how I wanted, I showed Jon, and do you know what his response was?!

Do you know how many times you swore while making that?

So not what I wanted to hear, but he was correct. There, I said it.

HE WAS RIGHT!!!

In my defense, allow me to say that you should NEVER under these circumstances attempt to make such a thing of purfled beauty. Yes that is a word, and when I'm asked for a word to describe me to a "T", that's the one I pull out - PURFLE. Look it up... What did my guys expect when I'd just switched my happy pill med two days before because my insurance company more than tripled the cost of my old medication? Were these guys supposed to know that I would be experiencing some withdrawal symptoms (headaches, nausea, dizziness, shaking, etc) from the old pills and that it may take some days before I find the new "normal" me? Was Jon really the wisest man when he said - and yes I'm going verbatim again folks,

Don't you think you should just man up and think about how you're acting. You're bigger than this.

Um. Really? You have no idea how upset that comment still makes me, and it's 48 hours later... Oh boy. But I really do love that pillow.

Linking to

We Should Do This More Often

2011-01-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

So I'm spending my Sunday morning/early afternoon perusing countertop resurfacing/painting websites and reading lots of blog posts that I've missed in my computer-free weekend.

Yesterday I started dejunking my home office so that I can move a bookshelf into a gift wrap/boy's school work/craft project hoarded corner. I found no less than 4 church bags (the bag that I use to take entertainment for the boys and whatever class I happen to be teaching or attending.) There were some very cool things in these bags, and I have quite the stash of objects that Griff has never seen. Boy is he going to be quiet the next few weeks. At least I can hope anyway.

One of the things I found was a kids meal toy from Faziolis. These things are cool! Funny thing is that yesterday I immediately assembled a space station with two detachable ships. Then I took it apart and put the pieces in a bag.

Griff came in and saw these, put something together and immediately started flying it around and shooting lasers, torpedoes, and sting rays from various parts of the ship. Great minds think alike.

He played for a bit then walked up to me and gave me a HUGE bear hug.

This is my favorite part...

Mom? We should do this more often.

Apartment 3

2011-01-04T11:22:00.001-07:00

First of all I must apologize for all of the background changes going on here at CMM. I just can't find one that I'm in <3 with. Ya know? I do like the books so perhaps that will stick for a while. Anyway. Back to our regularly scheduled program.

Yesterday I met up with three of the best roommates that a girl could ever have. In this lot there's a mechanical engineer, environmental engineer, AP English teacher, and nurse. There are 3 marriages and 9 children between us. See that knockout on the end? She's single. Know any successful, confident, attractive, desirable, single men near 40? Talk to me, and let's see what we can do...

When I've given roommate advice to my college-age nieces, the year I draw on the most is the year I lived with Lisa (pink), Karen (purple), and Julie (white). Apartment 3 was full of emotion. Two of us were engaged, so imagine 2 very tolerant fiancees, hectic school and study schedules, and the hormones associated with starting birth control. You know what? The 4 of us had an unforgettable time together.

At some point we found these 84321 (which was our zip code - think 90210 folks) t-shirts, and we wore them a lot. This photo was taken before one of our volley ball games. I'm not sure who we talked into taking the photo. I'm also not sure how they did it with a straight face...

84321 Angels

I learned a lot from these three:

They had my back
They wanted what was best for me and wanted me to do my best
Visiting teaching is completely enjoyable when done the first week of the month
Being motivated to go after what you want is a very good thing
Intelligent women can be powerful and female at the same time - and sometimes that includes nail polish, hair bows, and short skirts
Most times you need to shave before being seen in your swimsuit
Decorating is delightful
Sharing food prep, dinner, and cleanup multiple times each week strengthens relationships and makes home a place you love to be

Lunch was fabulous. And the company was even better. I miss you girls and can't wait until we get together next time.

What Ya Gonna Do with a New Year?

2010-12-31T10:37:00.000-07:00

Snowy morning - looks cold and quiet out there. Inside my house? Not so quiet...

I'm prepping for the annual Hill Family Fete. What's on my food list this year? Russian teacakes, stuffed mushrooms, habanero jelly w/ cream cheese & crackers, and pizza of course! I'm in charge of making dough for 6 pizzas and then taking whatever other munchies I'm dying for. So I'm going for sweet, savory, and spicy. Sounds like a fabulous mix to me!

Russian Tea Cakes / Mexican Wedding Cookies / Italian Wedding Cookies / Butterballs
1 1/2 c unsalted butter (or use salted butter and omit salt)
3/4 c powdered sugar
3/4 t salt
1 1/2 c chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans are my favorite)
4 1/2 t vanilla
3 c sifted, all purpose flour
~1/3 c powdered sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 325.
Cream butter & sugar. Beat until light & fluffy. Add nuts and vanilla. Blend in flour gradually.
Shape dough into balls (about 1 teaspoon in size) and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15-20 min. Don't brown.
Cool slightly on wire rack then roll in powdered sugar.

Sounds good eh?
Here's my stuffed mushroom recipe. I use my handy mini food processor when chopping these ingredients.

Stuffed Mushrooms
Large fresh mushrooms, stems removed (the original recipe only called for 12 large mushrooms - the stuffing fills many more than 12)
1 pkg dry stuffing mix
1 8 oz cream cheese
1/2 pound imitation crab meat (the last package I bought was 12 oz. We used it all and it was just fine)
2 cup butter
2 cloves garlic, peeled & minced
Salt & pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste
Shredded parmesan cheese (the real stuff)

Wash mushrooms. Remove stems (twist out) and reserve. Arrange mushroom tops in baking pan - bottoms up.
Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions.
Preheat oven to 350.
Place cream cheese in large bowl. When stuffing is finished immediately add it to bowl on top of cheese - this will soften/melt the cream cheese with little effort on your part.
Melt butter over medium heat and add garlic. Cook until soft (about 5 min).
Chop crab meat and mushroom stems.
Mix stuffing mix, cream cheese, crab meat, and mushroom stems.
Liberally stuff mushrooms (or if you've completely filled your baking pan with mushroom tops, you can spread the mix over the top and push it down so that it fills the mushrooms. It'll be more difficult to get individual mushrooms, but it'll still be ooey goodness.)
Drizzle with garlic butter.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Top with shredded parmesan.
Bake for 15 min (until stuffing is browned).

I've still got to go to the grocery store and get things cooking, so I'd better be headed out the door.

I hope you all have a safe, enjoyable celebration this evening. See you in 2011!

Post Holiday Wrap Up

2010-12-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

This morning I awoke to sun streaming through my bedroom blinds and realized that Jon had slipped off to work without waking anyone. So I called him a couple of hours later and was surprised to hear how happy he was that I'd called. I played with his phone a bit over the weekend and linked my photo with my name so it pops up when I call. He said he'd love it even more if I flashed a bit more cleavage (but don't tell him I told you...).

I sat down at my computer with the last of my mom's delicious cream cheese, lime jello, marshmallow, banana and pineapple salad (probably NOT the one you're thinking of. The cream cheese is in little chunks and mixed with partially jelled jello so that's chunky too) Yum Yum Yum. I've now spent a couple of hours catching up on all of the blog posts from the past week or so, and I discovered a fireplace that I am in LOVE with...

http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2010/02/anatomy-of-fireplace.html

I'm not in love with the pink couch and chair, but the blue of that fireplace took my breath away. So I spent the next hour reading about her $7500 treasure (bit more than my budget can handle right now) and looking for tile books at my county library. Let's just see what design ideas I can come up with this week...

Shortly after I figured out that the holiday came and went, and my camera never left its spot on the kitchen counter. Seriously - not a single holiday photo. Gack...

I got to talk to my stepdad about the quilt I made him for Christmas (I was thinking that perhaps I love it more than he did, but that's not necessarily the case...) and to my dear friend, April. I've let too much time pass since I had a good conversation with April, and now I'm missing her so much more. Never fear - I get to spend a weekend with her and all our boys in January!

My home office is a bit of a disaster area - wrapping flotsam here and there. Stuff piled on the dresser, couch, and corner that I don't know where else to put. The broken bunk bed ladder from a wrestling match gone awry is leaning against the closet door, and under that are some vacuum attachments, more wrapping scraps, and the crud that got dumped out of the boys' backpacks the day they came home from school last week.

I'm now officially a teleworker, and I need to box up my cubicle and bring all of that home. I'm dreading trying to find a spot for it in here! Jonny - those shelves would be very helpful right about now. If I do the more cleavage photo will you get it done soon???

Good thing I've got a few days to get things whipped into shape.

Christmas Breakfast

2010-12-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

We have a lovely tradition with our next door neighbors where we eat Christmas breakfast together. It's something I did when I grew up. We traded hosting with the Harrises for years, and I love that Jon and I have been able to renew this.

My dear neighbor, Debbie, has the exact same Christmas dishes that I do - and Target sold them YEARS ago. I love that we both fell in love with those silly plates the same year and then didn't discover our similar taste until we moved in next door to each other.

Last year we had pancakes at Deb's house, so this year it's my turn. I usually make a bread casserole that I put together on Christmas Eve day and plop in the oven when we wake up to open presents. Oila! Presents are open, and breakfast is ready. A couple of years ago I found a recipe similar to mine that you do in a crockpot. Yah - won't be trying that again. The eggs just can't take overnight heat plus the time it takes to open gifts. It was a little over done.

This year I'm hoping to make some kind of french toast. I know there's a recipe for pre-assembly that you bake while you open, but can I find it now? NO! I'm craving buttermilk syrup, and it doesn't go so well with egg casserole. I don't want to be standing in front of a griddle. I just want to play and enjoy company. Is that such a bad thing?

How about you - what do you eat for Christmas breakfast?

Home for Christmas

2010-12-17T11:22:00.002-07:00

You know I'm the sentimental type, and I'm particularly nostalgic about growing up in Provo (please note that I'm completely proud of myself for not attending university there...) Two of my favorite things about Provo are there no more.

This morning the Provo Tabernacle burned. The roof collapsed at about 6:00 am.

Such a magnificent structure! We used to attend stake conference there, and my seminary graduation was there. In fact, one of my most embarassing moments EVER happened during my seminary graduation.

Back when I graduated from seminary, the entire seminary graduated in the same ceremony. (Apparently stakes in the Salt Lake Valley hold individual graduations for seminary seniors now - is that how it is everywhere?) There were probably about 250 of us graduating. Graduates were presented alphabetically by stake and by ward. My stake was the very last stake, and my ward was the last ward. I was the only graduate from my ward, so that made me the very last graduate. I was wearing a navy blue dress with a cinched waist and large white polka dots (very Princess Di).

The tabernacle had stairs leading up to the pulpit, and we had to climb those stairs, walk across the stand, and then walk down the other side. Our stake president and bishop were supposed to be standing on the downward side, but I remember my bishop running up the stairs to get to his place. See how there are 3 or 4 steps and then a landing? Well I figured I'd just meet him further down, and in my haste I slipped off a landing and tripped down a few steps. My bishop caught me so I don't remember landing on the floor, but all of that grace I'd built in my mind flew right out the window...

I loved that the mother's lounge had a great big window so that the moms could still see who was speaking. I thought that room was where people took their crying children (I wasn't around many nursing moms). If I remember correctly it was beneath the balcony on the south side of the structure (that's too the left in the photo above).

The other Provo landmark? His name is Jesse Marrott. In my mind he was the bishop when my dad passed away, but that may not have been the case. Regardless, he was my bishop for a long time. He was also my home teacher, and by the time I was in high school he had been ordained the stake patriarch and gave me my blessing.

For a long time our bus stop was next to the Marrott's home, and I remember walking up the street, past the orchard, and waiting in line on the sidewalk. Jesse would be outside many mornings in his overalls doing something near his truck (I think it was a Dodge). He'd always smile and wave.

I remember his hands being pudgy and rough, but they had softness in them too. I never once doubted that that man loved me. Maybe that's why I loved him right back.

Tomorrow I'll be attending Jesse's funeral, which is being held in the church house that was built in that orchard. The church was built after I left home, but there are so many people who still live in that nieghborhood that I'm fond of. Can't think of a better place to spend a few hours remembering an incredible man.

Are We There Yet?

2010-12-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

So - have you reached the point that you realize that if you don't get everything done, the holiday will still happen without it all?

I'm quickly arriving. Just this morning I realized that the big day is two weeks away, and my village still isn't up. My very favorite nativity is still boxed up on the floor in front of the dry sink where I love to set it up most years. You know what? I just may not mess with it.

All 3 trees are out. The garland and wreaths are in place. There are already 5 nativities in my front room. Does it really need more?

I think it might be all right if the china cabinet that I bought specifically to display my village sits empty until 2011. (I took out all the usual display stuff when I boxed up Thanksgiving decor).

I have all of the components of my Christmas cards ready to go, but the surge to get them put together just isn't happening.

I also realized that all of the adorable items I was going to assemble for gifts for my book club are still unassembled. Nice. Book club meets in 39 minutes. Dang.

But really? I'm so ready to just sit back and watch holiday movies, drive around looking at holiday lights, and drink hot cocoa with my guys. I may still find it in me to make some toffee and peanut brittle. Oh and some Mexican wedding cookies (aka Russian tea cakes) and cinnamon rolls - got a couple of weeks to fit all that in.

Yep - I'm thinking I'm ready to just ssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllooooooooowwwwwwwww down. A couple of really cool quilt books showed up in my "hold" cache at the library yesterday. They're about modern quilts, which is something I haven't bought into until recently. So I'm very anxious to look through those books.

You?

Advent-itis

2010-12-01T14:58:00.001-07:00

Have you seen all the hubbub about advent calendars in the blogosphere? Well, I'm adding my own to that.

Last night while reading bedtime stories to Griff he asked about our Advent calendar. He wanted to know why we added an ornament to the tree every night. How does that help count down to Christmas? Seriously, dear reader. He has a point. No worries though. He made a paper chain at school and will be removing a link every day. Oh the anticipation!

Boy oh boy did I go overboard on my advent a few years ago - not the number of calendars but the type of things I stuffed in the drawers. Took me a couple month's worth of planning and I ended up hating it and not putting it out the next year.

My boys noticed. OH MAN DID THEY NOTICE, and I had to make some changes to my advent philosophy.

Let's back up a bit. I have a chest advent. It has doors that swing open to reveal 24 drawers of varying sizes. My SIL, Chris, gave this to me one year when she & Mike had me & Jon. As if the chest wasn't a gift in itself, they filled the drawers with miscellaneous items such as candy, small additions to my Christmas Village (I still include that tricycle every year), and numbers that corresponded to larger packages in a separate box. Some of the larger gifts included cake mix, frosting and candles (Jon's b-day is in December), a 12x12 paper keeper, movie passes, a duck call etc. They completely spoiled us!

I wanted to continue this fine feature, but it stressed me out more than any other part of my holiday festivities. So after not getting it out that one year, I picked up a set of small ornaments at Big Lots and placed one in each drawer. The boys get to put an ornament on a small tree every day.

Last year we figured out that the location of the chest was not good for anxious little boys who pull it over and drop all the drawers on the floor, shattering those ornaments on the tile. But don't worry - it was just what we needed to help us all jump out of bed that morning... So - I've picked up some even cheaper ornaments from Dollar Tree (not a glass one in the bunch!).

The advent chest and tree weren't out when the boys left for school this morning, but guess what they're coming home to this afternoon!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I just discovered another reason that I <3 <3 <3 quilting.... See how that shelf is kind of bowed under the weight of the chest? Well, I took the shelf out and couldn't open the doors because of the lip at the bottom of the bookshelf. So I grabbed one of those small phone books that show up on my front step every other month or so (I have a stack of them in my hall closet because they come in handy for cases such as this), topped it with a fabric scrap (I'm SO in love with the project that it's a scrap from) and oila!

Much better. It looks cozier. I didn't think that fabric was Christmasy - more Indian blanketish. But it's perfect!

See?!

A Tree Here... A Tree There...

2010-11-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

That last post had me thinking about all of the decorating I get to do in the next week or so. I don't always like the decorating process, but I <3 how it looks when it's done.

Today I'm going to talk about the Christmas tree. I do 3 trees (I used to think that was SO overkill, but now I LOVE it!).

One of them is a nativity tree. It's in the front room - or as my friend, B, called it last weekend - the "Grown-Up Room". All of the ornaments have something to do with the nativity. I try to add one to it each year. It makes me very upset how many retailers do not carry nativity ornaments. Last year I couldn't find a single one at Shopko. This year I've looked at Shopko, Smith's Marketplace, and Target. Guess what? NO NATIVITY!!! Shame on you retailers! It's a good thing that I have another trick up my sleeve... This tree has white lights, champagne-colored balls, and strings of pearls. It's where my newly completed tree skirt will be residing from this year forward.

The tree in the kitchen has my collection of Hallmark Nostalgic Houses and Shops. I stopped collecting these a couple of years ago because I have every single ornament and most of the special edition ornaments for the first 25 years of the series. I love the detail on these, but come on! There's only so much commitment I can give to tree decorations... This tree is one of those alpine trees that is prelit. Jon and I have found that it's fairly easy to leave all of the ornaments on this every year, wrap it in tall plastic bags, and carefully carry it to the basement. It's one of the first things I get out each year because it's so easy to just plug it in and have the instant gratification of one of my trees being finished.

The year we moved into our house I was anti-Christmas decor (we moved in the first weekend in December). My mother took pity on her grandsons and brought us the alpine tree. I don't think I've told her how grateful I am that she did that - I really would have gone without, but it's not always about just me...

The third tree is down in the family room - AKA the pit. It's a tree that has all of my annual ornaments (at least the ones before I started the Nostalgic Houses), the ornaments that the boys and Jon get each year, and the ornaments that the boys make. If we get a real tree, this is where it goes. If we borrow one from Jon's parents (like we did in this photo), then it fills the space. (One of these years I'm going to let go of the guilt and just get over feeling that I need to have a real tree. I think it will be much simpler). Anyway - the pit tree gets colored lights. Jon does the lights and then the boys hang the ornaments. I don't even intervene with the ornament hanging process. I just turn on the music, cook dinner, and watch them all at work. The pit tree is the one where Santa leaves the goods.

So - Do you have a real tree or a fake one? Do you have more than one? Where are they and how do you decorate them?

How Do You Wrap?

2010-11-18T16:54:00.002-07:00

Miranda asked a question about what my wrapping will look like this year (OK she didn't specifically as ME, but play along...), and I started to leave the following as a comment response. It was getting a bit verbose, so I decided to turn it into a post of my own...

My mother's wrapping made Christmas morning look like a scene right out of The Nutcracker. Her bows are BEAUTIFUL!!! She says the trick is using solid color wrapping paper, and she's right. Everything goes better when you use solid colors.

I used to try to duplicate, but then I had boy children and a hubby who grew up with presents wrapped in that green and white stiped dot matrix printer paper (his dad worked for IBM).

One year I wrapped everything in brown paper and tied it all up with rafia... That was our last Christmas in Logan, and I also madeour tree ornaments out of cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, and jute. My tree skirt was a couple of yards of burlap. It was very pretty, but Jon said he was going to take the tree to the elk refuge when we were finished. Did not go well from there.

Now each boy has his own color of wrapping paper. That way I don't have to put tags on anything. They get a gift with their stockings that tells them what their wrap is, and the chaos ensues.

Sometimes I'll fancy wrap stuff that's going to folks outside of my house. Depends how early I get it wrapped and who it's going to. There is just something about an incredibly wrapped package that makes me happy to give the gift.

GIVE-A-WAY!!!

2010-11-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hey all - there's a give-a-way happening over at Narrating Life. Guess who's wares are being given...

While you're there, take a minute to peruse. I'm sure you'll find some inspiration. I do. All. The. Time.

Craving Cozy

2010-11-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Evan, Griffin and I were at a local thrift store looking for bundt pans and books on Friday evening. No bundt pans, but I scored in the book dept... They also had the PERFECT reading chair-and-a-half! It was missing the back pillow, and it's in desperate need of TLC and reupholstering, but it was only $15!!! I can't get the silly thing off my mind.

I have a corner in my bedroom that's calling out to be reading nook. I have this unused bay window space that needs some attention. I'd recover that chair, make some pillows out of left over fabric from recovering my cedar chest cushion and my bedspread, refurbish a funky lamp, repaint and relocate a small end table from my computer room (doesn't see much guest use anyway) and Oila!

Can't you just see it?! Go ahead. Imagine with me...

eclectic living room design

I know that ottoman would DRIVE ME CRAZY, but there's something about it that I love.

I love this green table!

Now if I could only get the chair in the back of the Yukon and hide it somewhere so that I can get to it after Christmas without Jon pontificating about another undone project...

Do You Know Someone on this Ship?

2010-11-09T13:14:00.001-07:00

I do!

Our friends, the Tiptons, left Sunday to enjoy a week on board a Mexican Cruise. I have a feeling that they are not enjoying themselves very much right now.

Mr. Mouse - I will take you any day over being stranded at sea with thousands of strangers, 3 cooped up-uncomfortable children, and a stressed out spouse...

Wishing there was a window into the wall...

2010-11-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Dear little mouse that I can hear scratching inside the wall in front of me - please just go away until Jon can get you some delightful Decon. You can eat all you want and then you won't have to tunnel through the walls to find a warm spot. You'll get to be warm all the time. And I can get some work done without feeling like I'm going to kick a whole in the wall.

Because while it really bothers me to hear you, it would bother me even more to see you.

Oh - and please stay out of the dog food in the garage. It really freaks Evan out when he has to feed the dogs.

Thoughts for a Blah Monday

2010-11-08T11:08:00.001-07:00

Anyone out there know whether there's a pattern for creating a Wordle cross-stitch?

The recycle company missed picking up my neighbor's recycle can last Thursday. They're out there right now emptying it. Something didn't make it in the truck, and the driver hopped out to pick it up. It's raining and 34 degrees, and he's wearing shorts and a t-shirt! Guess he didn't pay attention to the forecast...

I was completely quilt productive this weekend. I finished 1 quilt (sandwiched, tied, and bound), pieced the top and sandwiched another, pieced a table runner and a square with the last of the fabric from the 2nd quilt and table runner.

My SIL asked me where I find quilt patterns. I told her that I typically wake up with one on my mind. Other times they appear in doodles while I'm on conference calls. Most of the time though, they end up being drawn in the fogged shower glass while I'm just standing under the warm streams of water. Jon's going to love it when he hears that.

Funny thing is that Griff must pay attention to what the shower stall looks like when he comes to sit in the warm, humidified bathroom once I'm all dried, lotioned, and dressed. I noticed that he's been drawing patterns on the shower glass too. I love that boy.

Evan asked me if I'd take him to the symphony. He said he only gets to go on field trips, and he would like to go another time. I love that boy.

Carson smiled at me from the bottom of the stairs when I walked out into the hall to mumble good bye to him this morning. I wish I'd hugged him. I'll do it as soon as he gets home today. I love that boy.

Jon and I enjoy sleeping under our down comforter with a window open. I didn't love the down comforter when we first go it, but Jon was persistent in asking when we could put it on the bed. Now I'm anxious for nights to get cold enough for it - heck I'll even put it on when it's not cool enough and just cover one leg. Jon wraps up in it with his - wait for it - seven pillows (seriously - 7 - I just went and counted). Guess what - I love that boy.

Happy Rainy, Cold Monday.

9 Degree Tree Skirt

2010-11-01T11:16:00.003-06:00

Seriously - WHAT AM I THINKING?! Smack in the middle of That Girl's Quilt Along I've suddenly got it in my brain that this is the year to make my own tree skirt. I have to say that I think I'm crazy, but I think this is going to be fabulous!

It's got a little more white than I imagined, and there sure isn't very much green...

I've got it sandwiched and pinned and ready to quilt. I'm thinking a stipple pattern. Maybe a meandering loop.

Oh the possibilities!

November 3
Hah! I finished it last night - except I forgot to stitch on ties. I'll post a photo of the finished project as soon as I locate that sneaky battery charger and the camera batteries are working again.

Decided to enter it in the Blogger's Quilt Festival. If you're stopping by from the festival - Hello!

So - here's what I learned while doing this tree skirt:

I could have and should have done this much sooner than I did
When you have the tools, it's much easier (holy 9 degree ruler! what have I done without you?!)
Even my boys are interested in what I'm doing when they hear "CHRISTMAS!"
I really had to pay attention to catch all of those corners
I need to remind myself that busy patterns don't always work well in small doses

The story of this quilted tree skirt is:

Last year I was making that pizza table topper for my MIL for Christmas (still one of my favorites - ever!), and I decided that there had to be an easier way to make a round table topper. I googled and googled and found Jen. By blog stalking I found out the name of the town where Jen lives. It's a town of about 35-40,000 people. Not small but not huge.

I also enjoy doing family history research, and a few months ago I stumbled across a line of ancestors whose names had been submitted by a woman who lives in the same town as Jen. How funny is that? Reinforces what a small world we live in and that when we're all nice to each other it's a much more enjoyable place to be.

Anyway - Jen was my inspiration, and now that I've finished one tree skirt, I'm thinking I'd like to do a quilt made from some of her quilts on barns series.

No really - Biblical significance

2010-10-31T18:21:00.000-06:00

I've been struggling with motivation lately, and it's been catching up with me. I know I need to do better, but I just haven't made myself do it.

Today I had one of those a-ha moments during church. Someone said

When much is given much is expected

My world stopped for a moment.

I'm sure you've all heard it as many times as I have. You can find the passage both in Luke 12:48 and D&C 82:3:

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.

I have an incredible employer. My work place has its own set of office politics, and I don't necessarily "fit in" with most of the people in my work group, but the company itself really is a great one.

My 10th anniversary with CH2M HILL was in September. When I started there in September 2000, I had been working for another environmental consultant and I was able to reduce my work week to 3 days, increase my pay rate by 26% AND work 20 hours per week and while still receiving insurance benefits (it does cost more than if you work full time, but it's still a great thing!)

My workload has varied over these past 10 years, and I'm currently doing things that I absolutely love doing. I'm working from home most of the time, and I've met and worked with people from all over the country. I get to be at home when my boys walk out the door for school in the morning. Most days I'm here when they return. I get to volunteer at school, attend school events, pick my boys up when they need me, and most of all I really get to be HERE where I want to be.

I didn't get to this point all on my own. Sitting there today in church I got it. I've been given much, and I need to act accordingly.

Is That Legal?

2010-10-28T18:44:00.001-06:00

I've been trying to jazz up our menu lately, and I thought I had a fabulous idea for this evening's dinner. Years ago I remember having cinnamon roll french toast at some random breakfast place. It was divine. Haven't had anything like that since, and I wanted to make something similar for my guys tonight.

I swung into Dunford Bakers to pick up apple fritters. They didn't have any today, so I got the last 3 cherry fritters and a few pershings.

Dunford Bakers Pershing

I cut these bad boys in half (think glazed hamburger bun), dipped the halves in the egg mix, and grilled them up.

I also made some divine buttermilk syrup (see recipe below) and we sat down to eat.

Evan had taken a couple of bites, and he said

Mom? How many calories do you think are in this?!

You know it's bad when your children are concerned about their caloric intake. Good news is that no one (including me) could eat more than one slice. That was one rich, delectable mouth full!

Griffin concluded our dinner conversation with

Mom? Do they let you feed your kids stuff like this? Can they take you to prison for feeding us doughnuts for dinner?

And for your viewing pleasure... Here is the nutritional information on the pershings.

Buttermilk Syrup
1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c buttermilk
1/2 c butter
2 T corn syrup
1 t baking soda
2 T vanilla

Combine all ingredients except vanilla in a pan. Bring to a boil. Cook for 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.

Oh YUM!!!

That Girl's Quilt Along

2010-10-28T14:04:00.000-06:00

Because I just don't have enough to fill my day, I've decided to join a Quilt Along. The directions were to use one charm pack (Martinique), one coordinating solid, and one neutral solid. So - this is what I went with:

That Girl---That Quilt - Quilt Along Week 1

Adventure Follow-Up

2010-10-26T21:23:00.000-06:00

I called and cancelled my Bromacleans subscription.
Never went to whatever website they were promoting, but I cancelled my acess to that too.
Got my 10-day Bromacleans sample, but am completely afraid of using any of it. I don't know what it's supposed to do or what's in it. Apparently it's a 3 pill a day deal, and I really dislike those.
Never got the $100 Walmart Gift Card.
Got to teach my boys what a scam smells like.

It's All About the Adventure - Right?

2010-10-14T10:36:00.000-06:00

A couple of nights ago Carson got a text saying that he'd won a $100 Walmart gift card for visiting a website. We called the number provided and were told that we would receive a 10-day free sample of BromaCleanse - some kind of weight loss stuff (and isn't that the least informative website? What is the stuff? What's in it? What does it do? Do you see any links?). AND we'd receive the $100 Walmart card after calling a 1-866 number the following morning to confirm that we'd talked to Harry Hernandez.

Now here's the deal. Harry Hernandez spoke of two separate products. One that's $29.95 per month - I think that one is for website access. The other was $79.95 and is for a 30-day supply of BromaCleanse. Both would be automatically charged to my account (isn't that convenient) unless I called to cancel my subscription. Huh.

I was told that we'd be charged $3.34 for shipping and handling and that I needed to call the 1-866 number the following morning because not very many people actually won the gift card. We went ahead with the order - any $100 before Christmas is great - right?.

I had a gift card with about 4 bucks and change still on it. Hello - I'm not completely naive.

So - now I just need to call another 1-866 number within 10 days to cancel my subscription if I'm not completely satisfied. Now here are my questions:

10 days from when? The day we made the call? The day they shipped the product? The day we received the product? The day we actually took the product - which I'm thinking may be some kind of diarhea inducing pill, and who would really want that?
Are those 10 days calendar days or business days?
What are the two separate charges? Do I need website access? I don't think I'm going to be going to your website to figure out why I can't get away from my porcelain goddess for more than 10 minutes at a time - I'm fairly sure I'd quit taking the product and then head to my nearest ER if that didn't fix things.
Why did the $3.34 show up in two separate charges? I've got one for $1.56 to DETXHLTH in Salt Lake City and one for $1.78 to CLEANDIET in Riverton.

I'm supposed to get my 10-day sample in 5-7 business days. The gift card is supposed to show up in 3-5 business days. Will they figure out that they can't charge additional $ to that gift card, or have they figured that out already and I'm wasting time trying to figure out if I can get around the scam?

Now Haunting Etsy

2010-10-11T13:30:00.000-06:00

I finally did it! I've opened an Etsy shop. You can visit me here.

What if...

2010-10-04T21:40:00.002-06:00

The last time I posted was September 25, which would have been my dad's 65th birthday; BUT today is October 4, and it's been 34 years since he died. That's a lot of time.

I've been feeling a bit of competition for Jon's time lately because I love to talk to the man, but so do his sons. I love to hear him tell me that I need to chill out. I love to gross out our boys by kissing in the kitchen. I love to joke around with him. I love having inside secrets. I love to watch him stop what he's doing and make sure that whichever niece is in the room knows that she is his most favorite.

I know that my dad loved to spend time with me. I know that he had a sense of humor. I remember one night when he got home from work a little bit late. I remember hanging on his arm while his hand was in his coat pocket and reaching into the pocket to pull out what he said he got for me. It was a piece of paper. Turns out that it was a speeding ticket, and he told me he got it so that I'd know what one looked like.

My dad died the Monday after General Conference, and my mom said that he decided to stay home from church with me & Cory that last Sunday. I guess that they didn't watch conference on TV or listen to it on the radio then. I don't have any idea what we did that day, but I like to think that he went to sleep content following his last day on earth.

There are a lot of things that would have been different for me if he'd been around. I have to wonder

Would I have been nearly as boy insane (that's right, not just boy crazy) if he'd been here?
Was I just seeking male attention?
Would I know more about cars and what makes them hum?
Would I have shot a gun other than at the birds eating my grandma's raspberries?
How often would I talk to him on the phone?
Would I know his LDS conversion story?
What would he have been like as a grandpa?
Where would we have lived?
Would I still have gone to Utah State and met and married Jon?
Would he have put Jon through the wringer?
Would I have been better at basketball because he practiced with me?

I am blessed with an incredible father-in-law and stepdad. Both of these men have taught me many things. I'm grateful for the relationship I have with both of them, for the understanding they offer and for the pearls of wisdom even when I think I don't need it. I'm grateful for the experiences they give me. I'm humbled by the times they do little things that only matter to me.

So - I guess tonight I'm meandering between pity party and gratitude. Kind of a somber place to be.

Brewing Napalm

2010-09-25T15:34:00.001-06:00

Last year for Christmas my friend, April, sent me a jar of habanero jelly. Boy were my taste buds in for an awakening! I'd never had it before, and April said that I only needed to use a little bit on a cracker covered with cream cheese. I took this to our New Year's Eve fete, and it about knocked my socks off. When April said little, she meant little. Once we got the hang of it, our one jar didn't last very long.

I'm such a chicken when it comes to heat that I really hadn't planned on falling in love with this concoction, but I've had this stuff on my mind for many months. So - while preparing or fall food preservation, I decided to make some of my own. I couldn't get a hold of April at first, so I used a recipe I found online for Napalm Jelly. There is another recipe, which is very similar to the recipe April uses. This morning I made 2 more batches. Today's batches were my last attempt at making this delectable stuff. I've done 4 other batches, and there's little to nil heat. I apologize for the science project format of this post, but I think i just did my own little project. Go figure.

Just in case you're wondering, one batch only does about 7 half pint jars - so it's not a HUGE storage commitment.

Materials:
1 1/2 c Vinegar
Green or red bell peppers (April's recipe calls for 3; Napalm recipe only has 1)
Jalapenos or Habaneros (April's = 12; Napalm = 2) - both say to remove stems, seeds & membranes
Sugar (April's = 7 cup; Napalm = 6 cup)
Liquid pectin (April's = 9 oz; Napalm = 3 oz; Surejell = 6 oz)
Blender
Non-Corrosive pan
Cheesecloth (April's you pour through into a 2nd non-corrosive pan; Napalm = no cheesecloth)
Jars, Lids & Bands
Ladle

Experiment 1: Jalapenos + green bell peppers
Used the Napalm Jelly recipe I found online. Only have to boil for one minute, add pectin, and boil for one more minute. This recipe didn't tell me to pour it through cheese cloth, so the jelly is very opaque. Not much light shining through the jar... Only used one 3 oz liquid pectin. This one had nothing in the heat arena. Set just fine. Labeled it Sweet Pepper Jelly.

Experiment 2: Half jalapeno/half habanero + green bell peppers
Used Napalm Jelly recipe. April said she strained hers through a cheesecloth, so I did this. I like the translucency after this sets. Used one 3 oz liquid pectin. Set just fine. This batch helped me figure out that I like the flavor of habanero better - it's a little smoky, but it still didn't cut it heatwise. Labeled this Not So Napalm.

Experiment 3: Habanero + red
Used April's recipe for Habanero Jelly. I <3 <3 <3 the way this looks and the way it set. It cleared my sinus right out while it was boiling, so I was so excited about it. I doubled the ingredients (so it counts as 2 batches, right?), so there is lots of sweet goodness to go around. You boil this one for 20 minutes before adding the sugar. April said this calls for 9 oz of pectin, but that set too firm for me. Guess what? Not so hot... Yummy yes, scorching no. Labeled this one Not So Hab.

Experiment 4: Jalapeno/Habanero + red
I used 3 red bells, 4 jalapenos (stemmed and seeded), and 4 habaneros. I stemmed and seeded 3 of the habaneros - one of them I just removed the stem and tossed it in whole. This one confirmed that I like the color using red bells. I happened to look at the menus included in the pectin box, and their jalapeno jelly calls for 2 3-oz pectins. I boiled for 10 minutes, added the 2nd pectin, and boiled for one more minute. I don't think I had the jars hot enough, and I forgot to boil the lids so that the glue would soften. I'm a little nervous about the seal on this batch. I'm also getting anxious because this is not setting. I don't know if I let some of the pulp slip out of the cheese cloth or if jalapenos just make the difference in color, but this is a bit redder than before. Currently nameless orange jelly

Experiment 5: Jalapeno/Hab + green
Today's 2nd batch. Until now I still haven't gotten to April's heat, so I decided to just go for it with this one. I used 3 green bells, 2 jalapenos (stemmed and seeded), and 6 habaneros. I left the seeds in 4 of the habaneros. Boiled for 10 minutes, added 2nd pectin and boiled for one more minute - then I strained through the cheesecloth and boiled the juice for one more minute. I tried a bit of the spillage after I had ladled this batch into the jars. I didn't get the punch of burn, but my mouth was warm for quite a while afterward. Same with this batch on the setting - it's not jelling. Getting anxious... Currently nameless green jelly

So here's what I have to wonder:

Why are you supposed to use more pectin for this type of jelly than other fruit jellies?
Does boiling for 20 minutes extract more of the heat from the jalapenos and habaneros?
Would I be OK with the heat from long-boiled jalapeno or do I crave the flavor and a little bit of heat from the habanero?
Do I <3 this jelly enough to start planting my own habanero plants each spring?
Does the 1 cup sugar difference (7 in April's, 6 in Napalm) matter when we're basically talking one cup per half-pint jar?
Was my pectin expired?
How do I decide which jars to keep for us and which to share?

My SIL, Shaunna, used Not So Napalm (because I did share a jar of that with her) to make Monte Cristo sandwiches (except they used fried egg on the sandwich instead of coating the sandwich French-toast-style and cooking both sides of the sandwich). I'm thinking that would be an excellent use of this jelly.

Drop Kicked to the Wolves

2010-09-18T08:40:00.001-06:00

Last night I got a phone call from the Utah Democratic party regarding the environmental practices of the Republican party in the state. The caller read from a script about missile testing in the west desert and power plant development in pristine wilderness. I don't know how long he pontificated (probably less than one minute), but that was enough.

I stopped him and informed him that I'm an environmental engineer who works on permitting projects in every arena that he had just discussed. I went on to say that for the good of my own personal financial livelihood, I was inclined to side with the Republicans on environmental practices within the state of Utah.

I'm fairly certain that my response was not on his list of "here's what to say when the public says this..." I was granted moments of silence. In fact if it hadn't been for the murmurings of other callers in the background I'm fairly certain I would have heard those darn crickets. He eventually thanked me for my time and ended the call.

I hung up the phone and tried to decide if I had ever or would ever have a strong enough political conviction that I would interrupt the public's evening with such a phone call. I still don't know what the real purpose for the call was (although I suspect it was a fundraising effort), but decided that I regularly back away from confrontation and would not be able to do it.

Then I thought about a lunch conversation this week with a coworker and a client. We were discussing the merits (or lack thereof) of wolf hunting. Again, I did not dive in and express a firm opinion. What if I had to back it up? What if I had to explain? Do I really have a preference on this topic? I definitely do - it's just that I prefer to keep that opinion to myself. I'm pretty friendly with this coworker and client, and I still was not comfortable confidently discussing the topic.

So - I'm sitting here on a lovely Saturday morning thinking about my lack of backbone. Is the issue that I don't have an opinion, that I'm afraid of conflict, or that I'm uninformed? I do a lot of reading, but do I need to read more about such topics and solidify my point of view?

I think I just like living in my little bubble where everyone inside this solitary shelter holds my same beliefs. I don't have to disagree or be uncomfortable if no one gets to share opinions other than my own. But then I just put this on a public blog, and I'm sure there are people out there who would slaughter what I've written.

I did it to myself - I broke my bubble for a moment, and I'm curious if anything's going to happen...

I Smell Trouble

2010-09-10T09:08:00.000-06:00

Griffin is the oldest of a group of 6 boy cousins that were all born within 9 months of each other. We call this group the Sinister 6. When they all get together we try to get photos of them. Not always an easy task. Here's this year's version...

No really...

Bake at 350

2010-09-08T11:09:00.001-06:00

Bam! One day of pleasant 70 degree weather, and I've got thoughts of fall decor, harvest baking, and food preservation in my head.

After the boys left this morning I swept the front porch, rearranged the trunk and flowers and imagined the mums that I'm hoping to use again this year. Griff is already talking about Halloween, but that's the next step.

I think I'm ready to do peaches. I can feel that macintosh apple fixation coming on (looking forward to apple sauce and more apple pie filling!). My cousin posted a pesto recipe today that has my mouth watering. Funny that she should mention gnocchi in her post - I've got some waiting for me to whip up some bolognaise - a good recipe for which confounds me. Do you think gnocchi would work as dumplings for a thick, beef stew? I'm salivating over hot pepper jelly with cream cheese on triscuits. I'm just waiting for April to send me the hot pepper jelly recipe...

So - all I need is a day off, some cooler weather so I can heat up my kitchen, unoccupied counter space, clean pans and canning supplies and the peppers, peaches and apples to preserve. Hmmm...

Dating Advice for Preteen Boys

2010-09-03T10:51:00.001-06:00

Here's the deal. My dear Evan would absolutely dig a hole and crawl into it for the remainder of his days if he knew I'd posted this, but HELLO I'm a mom and a blogger. I can't make this stuff up, and it must be shared.

So Evan has captured the heart of one of his classmates. He's had her heart since 3rd grade, but really who's counting. Anyway. This year the girl has found herself, and she knows that Evan is what she wants. Please note that they've only been in school for one week - AND - his devotion has never wavered. Evan accepts things as they are, and this thing just was. In his world she and he are and would always be...

Last year they weren't in the same class, but the spark was still there. I guess she needed reaffirmation of his devotion, and she's had the gusto to extract him from his posse during recess to draw the line. My poor boy is clueless in the love department (and I hope he remains so for the next 10 or so years), and he had to ask his resident expert (me!) what most of it meant.

Are you still into me?

Can I call you after school? I think we should discuss this without anyone else around.

Unh. We're through!

This was at 3 separate recesses all on the same day. My poor Evan came home from school and wanted to transfer classes. He was baffled! With the "into me" comment, he squeezed her shoulder and told her she was a really good friend. She responded by huffing off and stomping across the playground. He guessed correctly that he had not given her the answer she wanted. But to Evan's credit - he wanted to know how he could have responded any differently.

Because if I was "into her" what would we do about it? WE'RE IN 5TH GRADE!!!

He didn't get the "we're through!" and I explained that he'd been dumped. His response?

Shouldn't I be sad?

I told him that if he wasn't then it was OK. He was very nervous about going to school the next day - apparently rightly so. She apparently wasn't serious about breaking things off and spent her after school hours writing him a love song (on the piano!). Words cannot explain his exasperated expression when he came in the door and held the crumpled note up in the air and asked his brothers to leave the room.

Later I told him to tell her that he just wanted to be her friend, but his dad overheard me.

So now I give you dating advice according to Jon Hill. (As shared with me by Evan's older brother - this occurred while dove hunting - a trip attended by Evan, Carson, Jon, and 3 of Jon's brothers - do you see where this is headed?)

According to Jon, telling a girl that you just want to be her friend is the worst possible thing you can say. This is the part that really gets me. Then Jon referenced The Simpsons (Season 4, Episode 8 to be exact) where Bart has a crush on his older next door neighbor, who trance-literally rips his heart out, throws it against a wall, and watches it drop into the trash, when she tells Bart that she has a boyfriend. I was choking too hard to hear what Jon's advice for fixing the situation is, but I'm sure that all that testosterone offered something...

We all are fond of this girl at our house. She's adorable, and I'm in love with her for identifying Evan as the target of her affections so early. I always have thought that Evan would be the boy who would find one girl and stick with her (he's just that loyal) - I just didn't think it would happen before he was 10. She's just got to realize that she is pouring it on a little thick - you just need to take it as it is with Evan. He'll eventually catch on and react appropriately. It just has to be on his time - and he's not one for pressure so you may be in for the long haul. Be patient - he's so worth it.

The Happy Door

2010-09-01T11:24:00.003-06:00

Do you have one of these?

I know I haven't gone very far in the post, but I need to back up and start over.

I love my house - inside and out. I've talked a bit about indoor features, but I'm not so good about singing the praises of the outdoor spaces.

I don't love the weeds that overwhelm my yard, but that's something that in a good year I could fix. I love the mint that grows under the maple that Jon planted. I love the rocks that have been transplanted both from my back yard and from Michelle's yard. I love the daisies that came from Aimee's house. I love the lily and Russian Sage from Elaine. I love Griffin's strawberry patch that he lovingly weeds and waters.

There are just some characters in need of pruning. The burning bush (which is Jon's favorite) is taller than me. The Rose of Sharon and other beast on the corner? Those things are OUT OF CONTROL. I seriously think they're over 12 feet tall. They scratch on the house when the wind blows and that drives me CrAzY !!! I used to try to prune the corner shrubs/bushes, but they grow too much in one season and Jon attacks them with the trimmer - not even worrying about my angled cuts. So each spring there are lots of dead ends that result from his straight, ill-placed cuts. When they grow as fast and the thorns get as large as these do - Oh Well!

We've installed new light fixtures on the garage. I have my hanging basket on the porch. Jon's working on repairing the porch railing - while I'm dreaming of new, wider, angled steps that fan into the yard. A couple of years ago Jon painted our garage doors. I love that they aren't white, but they are taupe. It's a nice color, but there just isn't any punch.

Our front door was painted in Smokehouse (SW7040 - see swatch at right - if your monitor even does it justice - looks REALLY gray on mine). It was SUCH an improvement over the tired, sun bleached blue that was there before, but I have already grown tired of the monotone facade. So I got out my paint deck and started looking for color. I found one that immediately made me smile.

It's a close cousin for the shades of geraniums in my porch baskets. It's a shade that's going to liven up my winter. It's named for one of my favorite flowers - which does not currently reside in my yard... You ready?

Here she is: Coral Bells (SW6593)...

This photo shows Smokehouse (which is still the color of the trim) and our Coral Bells door.

My dear Jon said that it's a slap-your-face-pink, and I adore it. Know what else I adore? The names of the other colors on the strip -

Alyssum, Loveable, Amaryllis, Grenadine, Poinsettia.

Jon said I could keep Coral until after Christmas and then he'd need to change it. I'm thinking Poinsettia may be in order.

But for now Coral Bells makes me smile, and I think she says

Come on in!

Please do!

Blahland

2010-08-27T08:57:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was the first day of school at my house. This morning I'm thinking that I should be elated that the house is all mine - no one is here.

Instead I'm online in blogland reading an alarming number of posts that describe a situation that is so similar to mine. There isn't a single bed made, stuff piled in every single room, bathrooms in need of serious attention, and I just want to curl up in a ball and pull the covers over my head. I find myself angry - that's right absolutely angry - that the boys aren't cleaning up after themselves, but I have no motivation to do anything about it myself either.

I'm mad that Jon wants to go to sleep before 11:00, but I'm also mad if he stays downstairs and watches TV until after I've gone to sleep. The guy must be walking on egg shells trying to figure out what to do with me, and I have no idea what to tell him.

And it's supposed to rain today.

Really isn't looking good for me. Perhaps a walk on the treadmill would help - except I've already showered. Wouldn't want to have to do that twice...

Jeff - Take Two

2010-08-26T12:21:00.001-06:00

Jeffrey Roy Hasara was the first addition to the extended Hill family following me & Jon's July 1993 wedding. So - whether Jeff knew it or not, I always had a soft spot for him.

Jeff was born November 24, 1993 in Okinawa, Japan while the family was stationed there with the US Air Force (my BIL, Mark, flew tankers - KC-135s). I don't know how old Jeff was when I first met him, but I remember walking up the stairs into the kitchen at Mom & Dad's house and having Jeff's older sister, Rachel, jump into my arms yelling, "Aunt Staci!" That was awesome - and an incredible way to be welcomed - and from what I've come to love about Rachel, not completely typical behavior.

Jeff got to come stay for extended visits at Grandma & Grandpa Hill's house fairly often. (The majority of the Hasara family actually came for these visits, but this post is about Jeff.) Hill family summer fun typically involved this boy. This photo shows the beginning of Moon Lake memories when Carson was my only boy. Jeff is sitting on the fence next to Carson.

My boys learned so many things from Jeff (the least of which was tantrum throwing - don't really want to dwell on that, but Jeff was a master at expressing irritation when he was younger...).

Jeff was good about including my boys - making them feel accepted even though they were younger than him. He made a point to single each of them out to say hello, give a hug, or high five.
As he got older he encouraged them to listen to me and to do nice things for me.
He was a game player - board, card, computer, outdoor etc. My SIL, Shauna, and I got to play Ticket to Ride with him this summer - just the 3 of us. What 16 year old boy plays a board game with 2 aunts? I sure hope mine will.
He was a good brother. He was particularly close to his brother, Ryan, but he loved his brothers, John and Travis. My boys often talk about how their cousins interact with each other-they definitely pay attention.
He knew that when the entire family left him at that gas station in Evanston Wyoming 8 years ago that he just needed to pray, and we'd be back. He demonstrated that praying was a necessity.
He was hopeful. When Jeff was diagnosed last summer, he was ever optimistic about being healed.
He honored his priesthood, trusted Heavenly Father, actively strengthened his testimony, and encouraged my boys to do the same.

We were blessed to have Jeff in our family these few years. I'm grateful that I can call him mine.

Fair Fare

2010-08-24T20:58:00.003-06:00

When I was growing up, my mom always made a big deal about being in Burley for Fair Weekend. We'd go into town to watch my cousin, Miranda, primp her 4H steer (with glitter on the tail folks! Have you seen what cows do with their tales?! I have! And let me tell you that sparkled tails don't look any prettier than a regular tail does when it's got poop on it), and then walk it through the ring at the auction.

We'd also get to watch the rodeo. I seem to remember watching all sorts of injuries, but those just didn't happen this year. Dang lucky cowboys!

We spent this year's fair weekend in Burley with my grandpa. I always worry about what the boys are going to do to his house, but I think they were OK this time.

It really was a great weekend. We left Friday afternoon and got to stop at Maddox on our way north. If you haven't tried Maddox's fried chicken, I suggest you take a drive and enjoy some of the stuff. That is some good eatin!

Friday night we got to Grandpa's and ran around outside for a while. My boys marvelled at the size of the horse chestnut tree, and I missed the maple. Then we headed over to my Aunt & Uncle's house to let the boys jump on the trampoline and run through the feedlot. What? You've never done that either? Well - that's not necessarily something I'd suggest jumping in your car to go do. There's an odor problem. And sometimes you carry it home with you. Seriously - it seeps into your clothes, and you're treated to wisps of eau de bovine...

Saturday morning we got up, ate porridge (AKA germade) that Grandpa so kindly makes for us each time we visit (it's one of the things my boys look forward to - I make it at home, but there's just something about Grandpa's porridge...), and we went back to my Aunt & Uncle's house to stress out my cousin Miranda while she prepared for a brunch she was hosting.

We realized that we didn't have jackets for Saturday night's rodeo, so we drove into town to remedy the situation, drove in the face of danger by ignoring road construction signs and turning where we weren't supposed to turn, picked up a couple of hoodies, and shopped the clearance racks and propane supplies at CAL Ranch. Boy were we having a grand time. No really.

Evan asked if we could go see my grandma's headstone - it was something I wanted to do, but he asked if we could go before I'd even brought it up. I love that kid! So I got to demonstrate my Burley geographical prowess and navigate my guys through Heyburn and across the other bridge across the Snake River (which Carson still doesn't believe is the same Snake River he whitewatered on last summer in Jackson Hole). Spent time looking at headstones and leaving our mark in the cemetery - I want it on record that I disagreed with Jon doing it, but I am curious to see what happens...

Went swimming at the Burley pool where Griff surprised us all by passing the swim test (swimming across the pool and back without touching the bottom and raising your arms out of the water) so that he could jump off the diving board. Go G!

I went back to Grandpa's to shower and visit, and Jon took the boys to ride 4-wheelers at the feed lot. I don't know what happened, but Evan says he'll never ride a 4-wheeler with Carson again. It can't be as bad as watching my brother crash our uncle's 3-wheeler into one of the apple trees in the pasture 20+ years ago...

Finally - took my guys into the fair for dinner and the rodeo. The boys got Falls Brand foot-long hotdogs and Dutch oven ribs. I thought I'd try some taco salad, and was COMPLETELY disappointed. Here's my food tip: if you're at the fair, go with dutch oven or with a burger from one of the church-worked booths. I promise. My poor taco salad was from a lemonade trailer and was basically tossed salad dumped on top of round tortilla chips. Just not what I was looking for.

My boys are not at all familiar with rodeo events, so Miranda's husband, Nate, filled Carson in on the goings on. Griffin worried about the calves during team roping and especially bulldogging (although I've caught him pretending to bulldog since we got back. Scares me a bit).

Sunday morning my Aunt Connie came to visit, and then we drove through the smoke-filled air to our lovely metropolis.

One of those weekends that felt much longer than it really was. Wonderful!

I Think It's the Battery

2010-08-18T09:55:00.001-06:00

Things have been pretty somber at our house for the past couple of days. Yesterday Griff threw the mother of all tantrums over a silly sausage biscuit that he couldn't get at McDonalds because they were no longer serving breakfast. Honestly - think chicken nugget woman except in your own home. Wasn't pretty - and wasn't as bad as her.

Shortly before lunch time (a mere one hour later) Griff walked up to me, tapped me on the sore shoulder (that's right - it's still burned...) and said, "Jeff wouldn't want us to sit around at home all day. Jeff got really tired of sitting." I looked at Griff, realized I'd played so much Bejeweled Blitz that I was mentally trying to slide his nose up between his eyes, and decided that he was oh-so-right.

Took a quick shower, got dressed, texted Carson, and we were off!

Or not.

The Yukon would not start. No problemo! Sent Evan back in the house to get the keys to Jon's work van. We're all loaded, sweltering in the heat, and I quickly figure out that even though Jon didn't drive to work, he still managed to take the keys with him. Hunh.

Is there anything worse than being trapped at home? Even when about 20 minutes earlier you would have been content to sit and be a vidiot (it's a term Jon applies to the boys [or me] when we've been in front of a TV, video game, or computer too long).

So - time for my own tantrum - except my neighbors pulled up in their driveway and looked at me funny when I has yelling at Jon. I'm so sorry Jonny! Anyway - I walked back in the house with my head held high - only to discover that I'd left my keys inside and the front door was locked.

Yep - that kind of a day.

Today will be better. Jon charged the battery over night, and guess what didn't work... I've now been instructed on how to start the Yukon with the battery charger and have been directed to drive ONLY to the nearest Sams Club to pick up a new battery. My husband knows me so well. I can indulge in some retail therapy while someone else fixes my car. I love that guy.

Both Jon and the one who will fix my car.

AND I'll get to hear my name over the loud speaker - kind of like being called forward when you win an Oscar. That is pure motivation to get cleaned up and get out of my house today.

Jeffrey Roy Hasara

2010-08-16T18:31:00.001-06:00

I got one of those calls that we're never prepared to receive today. My nephew, Jeff, passed away. Not too many details yet. Just lots of emotion.

There are all sorts of thoughts swimming in my mind, and I just can't collect any of them yet.

I know you are in a better place, Jeff, and I know that they love you there just as much as we do here.

I just didn't know how heart broken I'd be when you were gone.

Summer Slump

2010-08-11T10:18:00.000-06:00

Do you get into a summer slump? I'm in the middle of one, and the pity party is absolutely raging. I'm even feeling left out that I didn't get to go to girl's camp this year - and I haven't gone to girl's camp since before I was a mom!

Gotta get out of this.

Baby steps.

Set some achievable goals - today that means answer the phone, shower, and make at least one bed. I get to help with Webelos this afternoon, so that will get me out of the house.

Ooo - how about one more goal - post the Hill cousin gift rotation on the family blog. That one I can check off!

I feel much (well maybe just a pinch) better already.

Fried Spam, Cheese and Baloney!!!

2010-08-07T19:05:00.001-06:00

My missing oldest child returned from scout camp today. I spent the afternoon hugging the boy and kissing his sweet cheeks. How did I forget how tall he is?

While I was figuring out which questions to ask so that I would receive more than one word answers, I stumbled across this little tidbit:

Me: So - what was your favorite meal?

Him: French Toast and sausage.

insert crickets chirping here

Me: Did you eat anything that you typically wouldn't?(This is based on me knowing that male scout leaders would not cater to the whims of picky eaters)

Him: Um, ya know, fried spam was not as bad as I thought it would be.

insert crickets chirping here - this time from me because I'm completely flummoxed.

They freaking fed my son fried spam!!!

Dear future daughter-in-law - I just want you to know that fried spam has never been something I have prepared for this darling boy to eat. He did that all on his own.

Is a Weed a Weed?

2010-08-04T10:19:00.001-06:00

This morning I was reading a blog post about sunflowers because my dear friend, Debbie, has been gone since Friday. She's in Phoenix because her grandson, Kody, was born yesterday. Even though I don't see her every day when she is home, I miss knowing that Debbie is right next door. Debbie LOVES sunflowers.

That post indicates that some sunflowers are weeds. I imagine those are the kind that grow in my back yard. How can something so happy looking be a weed? That led me to thinking about Dalmation Toadflax.

My friend, Jen, recently got married at Red Butte Garden. While I was wandering around, I found a noxious weed display that had samples of each species. There was Dalmation Toadflax. There's a colony of this species that we monitor on one of my work projects. I've never seen it in bloom, so I was completely surprised to find this:

Really?! Something that looks like my beloved snapdragon is a noxious weed?! And then I started thinking, what exactly is a noxious weed? Well, my friends, here is your educational tidbit for today. According to wikipedia:

A noxious weed is an invasive plant species that has been designated by county, state or provincial, or national agricultural authorities that is injurious to agricultural and/or horticultural crops, natural habitats and/or ecosystems, and/or humans or livestock. Most noxious weeds are introduced species (non-native) and have been introduced into an ecosystem by ignorance, mismanagement, or accident. Typically they are plants that grow aggressively, multiply quickly without natural controls (native herbivores, soil chemistry, etc.), and adversely affect native habitats, croplands, and/or are injurious to humans, native fauna, and livestock through contact or ingestion.

Those are some nasty buggers!

But really - suppose I had a hedge of those growing along my fence. Suppose I added sunflowers. Every single hot summer day would be full of minimally watered, golden yellow, blooming smiles! And maybe the glare from my neighbor's white vinyl fence would be tempered and I would avoid a migraine or 7.

I don't have any livestock to worry about (other than my completely intelligent, non-weed eating black lab, Kona) - and if that bulldog next door that bit the nice, young, pretty neighbor girl and left her with an ugly scar on her thigh decided to chomp away to aid his digestive issues, would I really be responsible?

Notice that I didn't mention my own not-so-intelligent, weed eating chocolate lab... I like Hilo, but he is just missing a brick sometimes. He's really good with my boys, and he's stopped chewing on things - except for the cable and the tube between the propane tank and the BBQ grill. Propane doesn't taste good. I keep telling you that! Silly animal...

I Think I Want One

2010-07-31T12:18:00.000-06:00

I'm hoping to become a 100% teleworker in the near future, and I'm seriously looking for ways to turn the $ I've been spending on fuel and lunches into weight loss. I saw this this morning and thought that I just may have found my first toy...

Griffin's Sunday Afternoon Question

2010-07-19T14:49:00.000-06:00

I'm thinking I may come up with a new feature here on Consider My Monkeys. Something that offers Griffin's inquisitive wisdom.

Yesterday evening we were driving across town to say goodbye to the last of the family visitors. Griffin says,

Mom, are you the kind of mom that has a boy who ran away?

I said that no I am not.

Hunh - so I don't have any missing brothers?

Best Primary Lesson - Ever!

2010-07-14T12:14:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday I was asking the boys what they'd learned in church.

I was all sorts of KO'd. I'd given my Relief Society lesson AND I spoke in sacrament meeting. Jon also taught (the deacons - and it was one of those lessons) AND spoke.

It took me a few minutes to catch on to what Griff was saying.

He was all sorts of excited and said:

Mom! We learned about the ten leopards! They tear skin off of people!

I had to stop what I was doing and ask him to repeat himself.

Yep - leopards.

There are 5 6-year-old boys in his class. I can just imagine all of them sitting on the edge of their seats, eyes wide. Griff is ecstatic to go back to class next week.

Creative Capitalism

2010-07-06T16:29:00.000-06:00

My nephew Kendan is spending a day or so with us before he returns home to Michigan. The boys have played Risk, Heroscape, and Xbox. They made their own breakfast and pizza roll snack. I contributed the lunch portion of their day. Things started getting a bit rowdy this afternoon, so I sent them all outside.

They asked if they could sell lemonade. We didn't have any, so they mixed up some Kool-Aid. They made signs, got a table and camp stools, and even asked for a tablecloth. I gave them a festive starred & striped one. It's sure to get noticed.

On their way out the door they mentioned that some other neighbors were selling liquid refreshment for $0.50 a cup. My industrious boys decided to underprice them and go for $0.25.

Evan came back a few minutes later to make another sign. Apparently the competition got wise and lowered their price. Forced the Hills to offer the "Most Rock Bottom Price Ever" - $0.10!!!

They'd been gone for about 30 minutes when Griff came walking in the door. He said they hadn't sold anything, and I'm confident that more than his share of the profit resides in that stache on his upper lip or in the confines of his belly.

Now here's the real creativity. Griff starts raiding the first aid box in the kitchen. He exclaims, "YES!!"
and runs toward the front door. He wasn't headed straight out, so I peered down the stairs to see what was going on. He was wrapping his arm with an Ace bandage.

I asked what happened.

He replied,

"Nothing. I just think we might sell more if I look like I'm hurt."

I think I feel a lesson about integrity coming on.

But really - if you're in the area - humor the kid. You won't be able to avoid his puppy dog eyes anyway. And the arm will just add to the experience.

Envelope Please...

2010-07-03T11:40:00.003-06:00

Thriftyba just gave me a versatile blooger award!

I love awards. Although receiving them embarasses me. While I'm in that moment. Give me a second or two and I will bask away.

Here are the rules for this award:

1. thank the person who gave you this award

Thank you BA! You da bomb.

2. share 7 things about yourself

Very soon I get to telecommute - 100% of my work hours.
The last time I unofficially telecommuted I developed an incredible wardrobe of sassy Target pajama sets.
I'm afraid to publish my goals. Something about public failure is real buzzkill.
When the time comes I hope I'm an understanding, non-over-bearing mother-in-law and that the girls my sons choose get my sense of humor and adventure.
I am always in search of the next science fair project.
I worry about my brother.
My life is good.

3. pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic! Not all of these are recent discoveries, I figured I'd share the love anyway.

4. contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Hereditary Talons

2010-06-28T13:00:00.000-06:00

This morning my boys had their semi-annual teeth cleaning. None of them had cavities!

On the way home, Evan was playing with his dino flosser and got it stuck between two molars. I tried to pry it out for him, and guess what popped out. A freaking filling! So - we get to go back to the dentist tomorrow. He's not in pain, and I think it's a baby tooth that should fall out soon. I'm hoping he can just live with the hole.

So - the other fun thing we found this morning is that Griffin's got a talon tooth. Do you know what that is? Well, it's where there's a talon-shaped tooth that either comes in between the front incisors or it attaches to the back of one.

Here's the deal: my dad had one...

AND - So did I.

Mine was attached to the back of my right incisor - the baby tooth version. I didn't think about that until the dentist said Griffin's could attach to the back of his tooth. I immediately remembered running my tongue over that bump. I swear that I held onto that tooth, but I've just searched everywhere I thought it would be, and nada.

It showed up on the xray they do to see whether he's got all his permanent teeth. So - we get to wait until it comes in to find out where it is.

It's a fitting feature for my Griffin... because you know what a griffin is, right?

The griffin, griffon, or gryphon (Greek: γρύφων, grýphōn, or γρύπων, grýpōn; Latin: gryphus) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. As the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle was the king of the birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. Griffins are normally known for guarding treasure and well valued priceless possession.

Thanks wikipedia...

One Sweet Ride

2010-06-22T14:22:00.002-06:00

This is a photo of my dad and his two baby girls.

I'm the one with pigtails...

Can you name the make, model, and year of the other one?

There's a sad story about the end of my dad's ownership of that sweet ride.

Apparently one of his baby girls couldn't keep her little digits off the windows of the other.

This drove him

C R A Z Y!!!

When prized son came along, the sweet ride had to go -

didn't quite fit the family man image I suppose.

Well, someone came to give sweet ride a test drive.

AND NEVER CAME BACK!!!

That's it - took the car - and drove off into the sunset.

Can

you

imagine?!

But look what my dad got in exchange...

That's a 2-door, 1976, 3-on-the-tree, Ford Granda folks!

With white walls no less...

It's what I learned to drive.

It's the car I drove into the Taco Bell sign

AND

t-boned into a guy in the University Mall parking lot.

I totalled the guy's brand new truck (he'd bought it that morning),

and the Granada's bumper wasn't even dented.

I wish I could say that I loved that car like I'm sure my dad loved that sweet ride.

Numb Nose

2010-06-17T22:30:00.000-06:00

Oh the diva fit that I am pitching!

I've been gone most of the day, and my boys have had enough of each other. One of them is tired and needs to go to sleep, while another is dry heaving and complaining that he's cold. So not good.

My neighbor is getting married tomorrow, and Jon and I get to go to the ceremony sans male progeny. I am so excited! I'm also excited to dance with same male progeny at the reception, but I'm looking forward to some afternoon romance with my man.

I had to get a cavity filled today, and my upper lip is nearly numb to my eye. The bulbous part of my nose isn't numb - just the bottom part that is my lip. You know that quilting woman - Nancy Zieman? - well, that's what I've looked like all afternoon. I've drooled, and I've had snot running out of my nose without me knowing it. Again - so not good.

Didn't get to do my temple service this evening because we were 10 minutes later than what they typically allow. Didn't go over so well with me. I was a bit peeved with my man I talked about up there ^ because he got home from work late.

I didn't get to eat dinner because I wasn't in the mood to try with a numb lip before the temple deal, and I was upset afterward because I felt like being upset. So now it's 10:23 pm. I'm hungry, ornery, and really jonesing for a Diet Coke - which I won't drink because it's too late. My man offered to make me a potsticker, but the thought of the belched-up flavor afterward has me doing those dry heaves.

We had one of those insulation companies come in and up the R-factor in our attic - then they get the rebate checks from Questar and RMP ya know? Well, I KNOW that I've got that RMP check around here somewhere. I put it somewhere safe so that I could just grab it and give it to them. They came tonight to pick it up and guess what... NO CHECK!!! If I have to pay them I'm going to go C-R-A-Z-Y!!! I was running around asking my guys for help, and do you know what they all did? They left! They went outside or to the neighbor's or to the basement.

So I did what any sane diva would do. I quit looking for the check and played a couple of levels of Sorority Life on Facebook. Because that's so fulfilling and productive...

Do you see how this Diva stuff comes on?! Sheesh. Now how am I supposed to get to sleep so that tomorrow can be a better day?

Eeyore's got nothing on me.

Here's to You

2010-05-31T11:19:00.002-06:00

Today is Memorial Day 2010, and in about an hour I need to leave to attend a BBQ at my brother's house. I'm looking forward to this because I'm particularly aware of mortality this year.

Without being overly sentimental, I would like to thank each of my loved ones who have passed - whether they served their country or not. I like to think that I possess a part of each of them and that I am a better whole because of these parts.

So whether my boys have your name or you taught me to appreciate my babies, played a mean game of Rummy, encouraged me to be a better daughter, helped my husband become the man he is, or encouraged respect through cleaning headstones on past Memorial Days, Thank you.

I also want to thank my Grandpa - thankfully he is still here. I don't think I tell him often enough how honored I am that he served his country, that he had the courage required to face a foreign foe in a strange place and that he came home, married my grandmother, and fathered my mom.

There are many others who currently serve our great country who also deserve my thanks. Davids Tipton and McIllece and Victor Ditingo - this one's for you.

So... I WON!!!

2010-05-23T22:52:00.001-06:00

I've been watching all these giveaways going on across blogland (especially Thriftyba because she's been incredibly lucky lately), and I decided to enter a couple. What the heck?!

Guess what!!!

I won - both of them! You can see what I won here and here.

Thanks to the give-away hosts. Look for a giveaway right here - SOON!

Perfume Cloud

2010-05-21T12:11:00.004-06:00

I was cleaning out my cedar chest this morning, and I found a box of stuff from my senior year of high school. It's got a pom-pom, some poetry books, the senior class panoramic photo, a t-shirt, etc. There was also a bottle of Jess.

My bottle's lid isn't so shiny - it's nicely patinaed. The problem is that the bottle is 3/4 full of a liquid that is several shades darker - honestly looks like urine and it is

r ~ a ~ n ~ c ~ i ~ d.

I <3 this bottle but I never really did like the scent (hence it being 3/4 full)... So guess what I did...

I turned on the water in my bathroom sink and figured I'd just dump the stuff down the drain. Couldn't get the vaporizer off the top, so in my infinite blonde wisdom I started spraying away.

What?! It should have worked. Paint booths use water falls to capture overspray and control VOC emissions.Why wouldn't that work for 20 year old perfume in the bathroom sink? I don't know - it just didn't. My upstairs now smells like rancid perfume. I'm pretty sure that I can even taste it.

You know how Febreze is supposed to neutralize odors? Would that work for perfume? I really don't want to add another scent to this miasma. I've got windows open (thank goodness it's a beautiful sunny day!). Perhaps all those awful scent particles will dilute with the fresh air. I'm sure my scent glands have shut down by now, so I'm probably not the best judge...

Won't Jon be surprised when he gets home from work? Maybe I can blame it on Carson and Evan and say that they rotated the clothing piles on their floor - thus disturbing some boy funk.

Really though. I still have 3/4 bottle minus 17 or so sprays. How do I get that stuff out of there and keep the bottle intact?!

Evan's 7! (+3)

2010-05-18T11:03:00.001-06:00

I've been trying to decide which photos to include in a 10-yr-old collage of Evan. One from each birthday? Halloween? Moon Lake? I decided to just put together a smackling. I wish everyone got his personality. He's the most sensitive of my boys, the most tempermental, the most stubborn, the most idiosyncratic.

So here you go: The Essence of Evan

This photo collage made with Smilebox

So NOT Mother's Day

2010-05-16T22:41:00.003-06:00

It's 10:33 pm, and my boys are not yet asleep.

I've been struggling to get Griff to go to sleep in his bed (not mine) for the past few weeks, and it's not going so well. Part of the problem is that I LOVE snuggling the little guy. He knows how to curl up just right, and he gets all mommy-lovey before he shuts down.

I've had to stay out of my bed (where I'm usually reading at this time of the evening) so that he'll go to his room. He can see me sitting at my desk working/typing/playing/facebooking from his bed. Some nights I've gone in and snuggled him in his room, but I've even been trying to ween myself from that.

I know it's hard to end a day, but I get really tired of the attempts to put off sleep just a while longer. Tonight was full of

Mom? My tummy hurts cuz I'm hungry.

Mom? Can I get out of bed for a drink?

Mom? Can I get out of bed to go tell daddy good night?

Mom? Do you know where the clippers are? My toe nails are off my toes and they're going to tear off on my sheets while I'm asleep.

Mom? Can I get another drink?

Mom? The clipper?

I'd had it after the last question and lashed out a little too loudly and too quickly. The poor guy has been receiving mixed signals from me, and he's just trying to go not-so-quietly-into-the-good-night. I just heard in the faintest little voice all full of sniffles...

Mom. I think you'd better sleep in your own bed tonight.

He's a manipulator that one!

Epic Failure

2010-05-05T19:40:00.002-06:00

On May 16, 2008 we bought a brand new Maytag Epic Z Washer and Dryer. Coming up on the 2-yr anniversary of front loading ownership.

This was monumental for my sweet Jonathan. He's not a big ticket item purchaser. To make this happen, I researched brands, prices, vendors, and rebates. Our laundry duo was purchased at a home store for about $200 less than I could find them elsewhere. Throw in the manufacturer, store, and energy rebates, and I had found a deal that was too good to pass up. Well, you know what happens when things are too good to be true? Uh-huh...

The first day that I used the washing machine, it locked up on me. This resulted in VERY STANKY LAUNDRY, which was fixed as described here.

Ever since the locking event, I've been wary of this washing machine. This is not a good thing when you do as many loads of laundry as are done in my house. Every. Single. Day. This past weekend I realized that if there were more than one pair of jeans (eventually even one pair of jeans - or one t-shirt!) in the tumbler there was no tumbling going on. It was like a wet blanket party - whole lotta noise, but not a whole lotta action.

I have some fabulous neighbors who washed, dried, AND FOLDED!!! an entire load of jeans for me. While the jeans were next door I got online to research the Epic problem. I found the part that seemed to be the culprit, and on Saturday afternoon Griffin and I took a drive to The Appliance Store to buy said part. Jon and his dad could tackle the part replacing - right? The helpful gentleman behind the counter said it was not a job for amateurs and figured that it was going to be around $400 to fix my washer.

SO. NOT. GOING. TO. HAPPEN.

I came home. Went to KSL Classifieds and found a 2-yr-old top loading Maytag for $75! That's right $75! Not that I wanted to spend $75 on a "new" washing machine, but it's a good feeling to have something that works and can't keep me away from my clothes.

Monday night for FHE, Jon, the boys, and I sorted our mountains (and that's absolutely accurate - ask my mom or my neighbor Gary) of clean clothes and got them all to the owner's rooms. Notice that I did not say that they are all put away. Griffin's laundry is done, and I have an entire 33 gal size garbage bag full of too-small items to prove it. Carson & Evan's room on the other hand? I'm scared of what lurks in there!

It is so nice to walk into my laundry room and see an empty counter. Almost enough to make it stay that way.

But that would mean that I'd have to fold and put away laundry.

SO. NOT. GOING. TO. HAPPEN.

Tell me - which is it that's an EPIC laundry failure? Me? Or that piece of crap that's sitting in my garage?

Grandpa's Ford

2010-04-23T22:56:00.002-06:00

Tonight I read this blog post about Annie's grandpa's truck and was reminded of my own grandpa's white 1967 Ford.

The bench seat had more springs than - well - this and had been reupholstered with something very scratchy (although I'm sure it was the most durable stuff available).

It took FOREVER to roll down the windows. I'm sure I rode in the truck during colder weather, but in my mind the windows are open and those seats are scratching the back of my bare legs.

The sound of the engine as it revved toward the next gear still has a soothing effect. The clutch was tight, so gear grinding was a fairly standard event. But even that sound doesn't startle me out of pacificity.

At the bottom of the gear shift column was something that resembled a stack of pancakes. Similar to this - except all the pancakes were the same size.

My OCD tendencies were in full force even then. I would stick each finger into a fold of that shift boot. Never mind that my fingers could get pinched during gear changes and that Grandpa would get upset that my hand was where he had no reason to expect it.

You know how Bella loves her 53 Chevy? Well I'd be the same way if I had Grandpa's 67 Ford.

What did your grandpa drive?

Operating Hours

2010-04-16T12:33:00.001-06:00

G just asked me why McDonalds is open 24 hours. According to him,

The only people there at night are tired Las Vegas people who can't even shower!

Staci in Blunderland

2010-04-08T16:51:00.001-06:00

Do you ever do something that makes you wonder if it's really you doing it? I had two of those today.

First off was an incredible book club lunch. Every single person in my book club made it today, and it was fantastic! Food = delicious. Conversation = divine. Basking in the wisdom and friendship of incredible women = phenomenal. I felt humbly blessed as I pulled out of the driveway. Uplifted. Grateful for good neighbors.
I followed this delightful lunch with a trip to the library - all by myself! I even sat on a couch, kicked my feet up on an ottoman, and perused American Patchwork & Quilting - discovered a new machine quilting design that I'm going to have to try this weekend!

I picked up my reusable green library bag and walked right out the door. This set off the alarms, and one of the nice libarians asked if I'd forgotten to check something out. I looked down into my bag and replied,

"Yep - everything!"

The librarians must have got a kick out of that. They were still laughing about it when I successfully maneuvered the sensors on the way to my car.

to·ma·to

2010-04-06T22:46:00.000-06:00

Pronunciation: \tə-ˈmā-(ˌ)tō; chiefly British, eNewEng, neVirginia, and sometimes elsewhere in cultivated speech -ˈmä-; chiefly Northern -ˈma-\

Have you ever really craved something? I'm not talking about that trellis & rose purse that was in the Tai Pan Trading ad. Nor am I talking strange pregnancy cravings (although I suspect this is similar to what's been going on). I'm talking about waking up at 4:00 am and immediately thinking - "Ooh - that sounds delicious!"

My craving the past couple of weeks has been tomatoes. No amount of spaghetti sauce, soup, or sandwich fixings has appeased. Jon took me to Chili's last week for date night. The only thing I wanted was chips & salsa (I didn't even have the queso!) and a house salad with extra tomato. Over the weekend, we ate very well with all of the Easter and Hill family "Scone Sunday" events, but I still wanted tomatoes.

I picked up some grape tomatoes for salad and ended up eating a bunch of them as a mid morning snack yesterday. I also made a batch of salsa (~ 6 cups) on Sunday morning and have eaten more than half of it already.

I had my girl part check up last week, and found out that I was extremely low on one particular mineral. Based on my craving, can you guess what it is?

Potassium

I knew bananas were good sources of potassium, but I wasn't craving bananas (except the kind that come in an Arctic Circle banana cream pie milkshake - that is some seriously yumminess) - unless they come in red, have seeds, and you can eat the skins.

I haven't been able to grow tomatoes the past few years because we haven't had a dedicated garden spot that we can keep the dogs out of. I tried patio tomatoes, and Hilo dug them out. Sometimes I really dislike that animal. This year I'm thinking about one of those TopsyTurvy things - if I can just figure out where to hang it.

Frustrated with Frances

2010-04-02T17:39:00.001-06:00

A friend of mine (OK - more of an acquaintance. She married a guy who was once a very good friend, so I adopted her - I don't know that she knows that... I got to sit next to her at my 20 year high school reunion, but she texted her next door neighbor most of the night... Doesn't bode well for our friendship, eh?) posted her March 2010 books today. One of them was A Bargain for Frances.

Can I just tell you that Frances is one of the most frustrating characters to make my acquaintance?!

When I was in 1st grade - can you see me? How about the kid to my left - that's Bart Cloward. I don't remember why, but I did not like Bart. I think you can tell that from my body language - see how I'm trying to lean away from him? Wouldn't you be so mad if your kid was the one turned around in the front row?! - we had a reading contest. We had caterpillars that were pinned to the cork strip at the top-of-the-chalk-board level all the way around the room. We got to lick & stick a star for each book that we read. Mrs. Brady said that whoever read the most books would win a prize.

Did you hear that?! A P-R-I-Z-E!!!!

At this point you know (if you know me very well at all - or did at the time this story happened) that there was never a doubt in my mind who was going to read the most books in my class. I'm fairly certain that I had a 4-5 caterpillar chain just to hold all of my lick & sticks.

So the day came when the winner was announced. Of course it was me, but this is where my story went horribly wrong.

When Mrs. Brady said there would be a prize, I knew that I would be the lucky recipient of an Easy Bake Oven. (Don't ask, that's just how my mind worked.) I eventually went to the front of the room after I'm sure I harassed poor Mrs. Brady until she could stand it no longer. I was anticipating the weight of that box being placed in my arms. I remember walking over to the reading area with her - upset that more of the class wasn't paying attention. She flipped a flimsy paper back into my hands.

That's right folks

Certainly not an Easy Bake. And certainly not a book that I have ever read.

Adventures in Wildness

2010-03-20T21:43:00.000-06:00

Griffin turned 6 yesterday, and we had a fabulous camping-themed birthday party! We had an incredible time, and I could not have done it without Carson, Evan, and my incredible neighbor McKenzie. Bday parties are so much easier when you've got older kids and willing teenagers to help!

Party activities included:

T-shirt painting
Snipe hunt (complete with sleeping like a bear - I'm not sure why laying on your back represents this - but I didn't have to run this activity to I am NOT complaining, slithering like snakes, crawling under branches, growling like a mountain lion)
Feeding the Bear (tossed balls into the grizzlie's mouth - there's some pitching talent in this young gene pool!)
Cups O'Fire (tossed balls into cups decorated like fire)
Bug Hunt (hid bugs, snakes, lizards outside for party goers to find)
Presents
Dinner (hot dogs, chips, carrots, olives - all served in a metal pie plate - and bug juice)
Marshmallow Roasting

Cake (Of all the ones I've made, this is one of my favorites)

Whew! After the party Jon, the boys and I all went to a dollar movie. Even with help I was one tired mama! I slept until 11:30 today!

Each of my boys has had a party that I'm fond of. Carson - backyard water party. Evan - pirate party. Griffin - daytime camping fest.

Thank You, Rush Limbaugh

2010-03-13T10:11:00.002-07:00

This morning I finished an incredible book: Winter Garden. This one is going on my top-10 list... My tears had subsided, but emotions were near the surface when I got a much needed call from my mother-in-law.

In December Jon's sister and her family got to have dinner with a famous talk show host. He and my brother-in-law had become friends during my BIL's tenure with the US Air Force. Here is what my BIL had to say about that evening.

We had the opportunity to spend an evening with Rush at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. We had a blast sitting around the dinner table talking and telling stories. The pictures were taken in front of the flag several of us flew for him during the Operation Iraqi Freedom air campaign. He comissioned a sculptor to create the bronze life-size Bald Eagle in front of the flag. It weighs 700 pounds!

Anyway - my MIL called to tell me that this generous host is sending his private jet to take Valerie, Ryan, and Jeff to Houston for Jeff's upcoming treatment. How cool is that?! Rush, thank you for providing excitement to a family that needs some positive vibe. You've brought me more tears on this sleety March morning.

My nephew, John, had surgery this morning to straighten his arm, and things went well with that. Hooray!

The oldest nephew in this family, Ryan, got his mission call yesterday. He's going to the Washington Everett, spanish speaking mission. Leaves at the end of May.

So good to have something happy to think about today!

P. 383 from my new dearest book contains the following:

And maybe that was how it was supposed to be, how life unfolded when you lived it long enough. Joy and sadness were part of the package; the trick, perhaps, was to let yourself feel all of it, but to hold on to the joy just a little more tightly because you never knew when a strong heart could just give out.

Abdominal Update

2010-03-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

This morning my brother wised up and drove himself to the ER. Yesterday they ruled out pancreatitis, but last night he couldn't keep anything down - even water. He's lost about 35 pounds thus far, and his color is off (not yellow, not pale, not green. Just off). Today he gets to have another colonoscopy and an endoscopy. They don't think the kidney stone went away after it was blasted. They'll also be looking for other sorts of blockage. Ain't that a kick in the pants? I'm hoping that he gets to sleep through it all or be medicated enough to not mind it all so much.

Thanks for your words of comfort. I'll keep soaking them up.

Abominable Abdominal Arms

2010-03-11T10:15:00.001-07:00

I have to apologize up front for this post. I typically try to be upbeat, somewhat humourous, positive, and a little quirky. Today you get nothing of the sort. Today you get maladies of the human body.

A couple of months ago I had an appendicitis attack. On a pain scale of 1-10, I'd rank it an 8. Woke me up at 4 am and didn't back off. Couldn't move most of the day and finally went to the doc on day 2. He sent me to the ER where I had a somewhat incompetent phlebotomist (I think that's what the guy was anyway) who started an IV so that I could have the contrast injected prior to my CT scan. 2 months later my elbow is still sore where he put that dang needle in. Findings? Slightly enlarge appendix (not enough to definitively declare appendicitis, but enough that it couldn't be ruled out either) but no elevated white cell count or other accompanying symptoms. Few weeks of bracing myself every single time I drove over our neighborhood's speed bumps, the pain disappeared.

Around this same time my brother started having painful abdominal occurrences. These were the result of multiple causes: Krohn's Disease, epididimitis, kidney stone, pancreatitis, etc. He hasn't been a comfortable fellow. Luckily (?), this week his test results came back normal. Same diagnosis: We have no idea what is wrong with you...

One of my favorite nephews was snowboarding last week, and he broke both arms. That's right folks, BOTH ARMS! This boy has already broken one of those arms twice. This was the first time he'd gone snowboarding since he broke his arm last year while snowboarding at Sundance. That Sundance trip had been his first snowboarding trip since he'd broken his arm at a board park in Albuquerque. The boy travels!

The older brother of the arm-broken boy is another of my favorite nephews, Jeffrey. Jeff is 16, has osteosarcoma, and lost his arm to this black monster a few months ago. Yesterday we got news that he has another growth/tumor in his arm pit - the lymph node - as well as spots on his lungs and heart. Don't know whether the lung and heart spots are related at this point, but another attack regime is starting immediately. My brother-in-law described the lymph node as a train station. I imagine it sending out locomotives of rot on tracks to various unsuspecting destinations.

Oh the questions I have and the words are not falling in line to allow me to ask them. Pathetically, I'm going to end on that note.

Serena

2010-02-20T17:37:00.001-07:00

Serena: A Novel by Ron Rash

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book conveyed a lot of emotion that I associate with the big business monopolies of the 20s. And oh the simmering angst I feel lurking. Or is it the hint of that dang cat always there just beyond your field of vision?

I really wanted to like Serena Pemberton - I thought she'd have a lot to offer. Desire to be seen as an equal in a male-dominant microsociety, feminine when required, and really in love with her husband. She failed me in all accounts.

I'd like to think that she got what she deserved, but I think she ended up bringing everyone down to her level and destroyed all that was good. Can you say evil incarnate? She couldn't even do it on her own - she was above that. She had to have someone else do it for her. Was she really above the law? In command of funds and all the right people? Don't know, but I found nothing revering about the woman.

So - how about the comparisons: 1) Destruction. It was emotional, environmental, and moral. It followed the Pembertons and their logging operation. 2) Snakes. Slithering, unsuspecting, and gutless. Serena had men and beast (I'm talking about that eagle) eating out of her palm, and she had them all hunting for snakes. The snakes went about their business until that eagle (or its one-handed Serena-worshipper) swooped in with the talon to rip out their inards. 3) Fear. Whether of a cat, a murderer, or the potential for job loss, everyone felt it. Serena manipulated that fear to her twisted liking.

Not a woman I'd want to meet on a moonless night.

View all my reviews >>

I Thought This Would Be Easy

2010-02-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Last week at book club my friend, Alena, made some delicious chicken fajitas using homemade tortillas. I got there just as she was rolling out the tortillas and putting them in the fry pan. The woman was walking around the kitchen, talking to me, talking to her daughter, setting the table, and not even acting stressed. Jennifer said she wanted Alena to come over and teach her how to make them. Then we decided that on our next movie night we'd have Alena teach us all how to make them.

This is NOT Alena or any of the other ladies in my book club...

I was talking to Jon later and told him about the tortillas. It was so easy to do, why did I need to wait for Alena to show me how? Yah. So not what happened.

I went ahead and mixed the dough - it was a bit lumpy, but I figured that would work out.

I rolled a couple out and put them in the pan - they were entirely too thick. It was like eating an unlevened fry bread. Too dense, too dry, too uneatable.

Jon suggested getting out my pasta maker and rolling them through that. Great idea - not great results. Although I think that some of the problem was that he was cooking them too long. The directions did say that slow cooking would dry them out.

We ended up with flatbread ham and cheese sandwiches that literally crumbled on the first bite. Jon was taking the boys to a $1 movie so they were in a hurry. They were great sports, but I'm afraid that most of the sandwiches were slipped out the door to the dogs.

See how fluffy and bubbly and round these tortillas are? Mine didn't look like that.

Alena? HELP!

Mon ami aime le rose

2010-02-14T14:07:00.004-07:00

or RETURN OF THE STIPPLE MONSTER

I made my friend, April, and myself table runners for Valentine's Day. I named these runners "My Friend Loves Pink" - hence the title for this post.

They are just a little bit different (different sashing on the two sets of 4 hearts and I forgot to add the ribbon to the center square on hers), but I think she got the point that I was thinking about her...

I do realize that the plant on my table is a Christmas remnant, but it's still thriving, and it's red. So it works - OK?

I had some left over charm squares, so I practiced meandering loop, grid, and squiggle grid machine stitches - because every machine quilter will tell you that it all takes practice. I doubled up the grid and squiggle grid squares to make a hot pad, and the other one I used to create "A Little Bit O Love". I'm currently using this in my living room. I'm going to have to make another one soon since the season has changed...

I don't think April knew what she was unleashing. I've got a small stockpile of table toppers building up, and I don't quite know what I'm going to do with them.

Oh - and if you're wondering who those handsome silohouettes (sp?) belong to, those would be my 3 offspring. That was last year's Mother's Day gift for my mom and myself (made by me).

Dang - where am I finding all of the time?

The Stipple Monster Pt 1

2010-02-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

Just before Christmas I used my FaceBook status to ask what gift you were most excited to give. I had 3 that were at the top of my list. One was an album for my brother. The other two were for my mom and my mother-in-law.

I got to spend a wonderful weekend with my friend, April, in November. She taught me how to machine quilt while I was there.

My mom's table topper and placemats
I cut 1 5" charm pack (42 5" squares) in half and the stitched them together in a sort of stair stepped fashion.

This first photo is a closeup of the loopy meandering stitch I used for quilting.

Here's the back.

And most of the front. I have no idea why I couldn't get the left side when there's so much extra space on the right....

I didn't quilt the placemats - I just stitched the half squares (aka rectangles) into a strip, and used duck cloth to complete the top. I used fleece instead of batting (figured it might wash better).

My Mother-In-Law's Table Topper

You don't have to be associated with the Hill family very long before you figure out that pizza is a fairly common component of family get-togethers. My in-laws have a large (probably 6 ft) round table with a 3 ft lazy susan in the middle. After Jon saw what I'd made for my mom, he complimented my work by telling me that I should make something like it for his mom. Well - my noggin went to work, and I came up with the perfect table topper...

Griff and I found two "cheese" fabrics, a pepperoni, an olive or sausage, and a striped one that's supposed to be green peppers. I pieced split rail or basket weave blocks using two strips of cheese and one strip of toppings. Then I cut that into a circle. I thought I could just sew a sauce binding around the edge, but the circle was too small, so that first sauce strip was unpicked, lengthened, gathered (wish I'd discovered my ruffler foot then...), and stitched to the pieced quilt. Next I flipped the sauce strip out and top stitched to keep it in place.

Stacked the quilt (with a brown crust), meander loop stitched it, and bound it with golden rod blanket binding.

Tada!

My favorite part of this was how we gave it to her. We picked up a large, empty, pizza box from a local pizzeria, folded the table topper up like a slice of pizza (couldn't locate a box large enough for a 30" pie), and gave her the box. She didn't quite know what to think about that, but once it was open I think she loved it!

Project-itis or Spiffying Up My Space

2010-02-07T08:57:00.002-07:00

I finished these back in September or October, but I haven't posted photos yet. A friend of mine said she saw something similar at Tai-Pan Trading, but I came up with this idea all on my own - no Tai-Pan inspiration...

Jon got our white couches in exchange for finishing a basement our 2nd Christmas in this house. I dreaded those couches and then finally decided to just work with them. They are a pain to keep clean, but everyone does their best.

I decided that my decorating motif for this room would be rustic elegance. I've tried to bring in some strong feminine elements as well as some masculine features - hence the 2x4s, 1x3s and plywood I used to complete these cornices (or are they valances?)

There are 3 of them. One hangs over the 6 ft window on the south side of the living room. The other two go over the 3 ft windows on the west side.

I spray painted the aluminum tiles with a champagney/coppery colored metallic base and then dabbed on the greenish-copper patina.

Then I stained the 2x4s and 1x3s with a mahogany stain.

Jon helped me screw them together. We mounted them on the walls with photo hangers. They are very light (big one probably weighs 15-20 lbs). If I decide to dress them up a bit more, I can put a tension rod inside each box and hang sheers.

Couple of things to finish up this room... I HATE the mantel. I'd like it to be deeper and wider. I also strongly dislike the tile around the fireplace and I'd like a book case on the wall where the ficus tree is. I'm also playing with idea of creating a coffee table out of the steamer trunk that sits on my front porch (came from Switzerland with Jon's Grandma when she was 8).

Note the green table. That was a $5 DI find that I sanded and painted last spring.

Sometimes I really do impress myself.

Fighting the Frumps

2010-02-06T20:20:00.003-07:00

Remember yesterday morning's dilemma? Well, I did end up making myself a pillow...

Cut 17" muslin circle, marked a spiral in with 1" spacing, and cut 1 yard of plaid into 2 1/2" strips.

Sewed all strips together and used my rolled hem presser foot (this is another new discovery) to hem one side of the plaid strips.

Used my ruffler (imagine me saying this with pretty-close-to-jazz-hands) to sew the strips onto the spiral marked on the muslin. This was not an easy task... Now - take a moment to really look at this ruffler foot. It's a little intimidating. It has moving parts. You can choose whether to gather every stitch, every 6, or every 12. You can also choose how full you want the gathers to be. For this project I gathered every stitch with a medium fullness.

I topstitched the plaid about 1/8" away from the seam so that I could control the direction of the ruffles. I forgot to take a picture of that part.

I cut two half+ circles (the "+" being ~1inch that I hemmed on each straight edge) and stacked the straight edges. Sewed the stacked half circles to the ruffled front, and created an envelope for a 16" round pillow form.

Here is the finished product! Can you stand it?! I think it turned out SO ADORABLE!!!

Couple of things I would do differently to avoid the white spots:

Cut to-be-ruffled fabric into 3 1/2" strips.
Use a base fabric that coordinates or matches the ruffled fabric.
Use a spiral that's a little bit closer together than 1".
First row of spiral would be on the edge of the base fabric. I started 1" in.

Not too bad for a Saturday morning, huh?

February Frump...

2010-02-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

It's Friday.
It's snowing.
There's no sunshine.
I'd really like to see blue sky.
The ground is moist.
My friend, Chalyce, doesn't like that word.
M-O-I-S-T.
The grass is dormant.
And ugly.

Griff slept 11 hours last night!
He was a baby polar bear this morning.
He only gave up-the-side-of-your-face-licking-kisses.
Yuck.

My friend, April, unleashed a stipple monster.
I want to quilt.
I've got one stacked.
And two waiting for starch.
My browns don't match.
On the back.
I need new thread.

Jon said I should try to go one whole day without spending any $.
I think I can pay for the thread with coins in my purse and car.
But then I'd see all that fabric.

And there's a Holiday on the corner.
With Diet Coke with Lime on tap.
That'd take more coins.

My modem doesn't work.
Because I confused it.
Only one phone in the house works.
Because of the confused modem.
It's not a wireless phone.

I want a new bedspread.
That I would sew.
With on-sale fabric.
Just 6 yards.
Of a designer tapestry weave.
That's too much $ per yard.
Even on sale.

I need kidney beans in food storage.
The canned kind that I don't have to soak.
But I can soak beans in the mean time.
In the crock pot.

I'm stuck in my house.
Waiting for the cable guy.
I could go for a walk.
But what if he's early.
Yep-that's my excuse.

I need an attitude adjustment.
Maybe I should just adjust a presser foot.
And make a pillow.
For every room.
With the ruffler....
And fabric scaps.
A Project!

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!

That's your baby polar bear kiss.
Thank me for sharing.

I really need a shot of Vit D.

It's Cuz I'm a Boy Mom, Right?

2010-01-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Thought you'd get a kick out of this...
Yesterday G came downstairs and said, "Mom - I'm kind of stuck." He'd been playing with color changing silly putty, and it was literally stuck all over his boy parts. The wrinkly skin on the sac is like a silly putty magnet if you know what I'm saying... Took quite a bit of peanut butter and a hot shower, but it did come off.
It was quite the sight! Green goo all over his little guy. He was so worried! I really wanted to take a photo, but decided it wasn't something I'd be able to share anyway.

I'm so glad his brothers were home - more witnesses for future humiliation.

January Funk

2010-01-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in my mind is an amazingly well written post about the doldrums of January. But - it's just not happening. Kind of like the storm that was supposed to clear the gunk out of the Salt Lake Valley air...

Last night I got to talk to my dear friend, April, for almost an hour. Our boys were doing their things in the background, and we still talked for 56 bittersweet minutes.

Today I read about my cousin cleaning out her closet (something that really needs to be done at my house).

Two of my boys are at school. Carson and Jon are playing Rock Band until Carson leaves for school.

All I want to do is quilt, read with Griff, perhaps take a trip to Hobby Lobby or a quilt shop, do a puzzle, build a Lego Milennium Falcon with Evan, conjure up some choc chip cookies, talk to Carson after school, and go on a date with my hubby.

Sounds like a good day huh? It's 9:11 am. Think I can make it happen?

It's a Love/Hate Thing

2010-01-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I was cooking dinner. The menu included Colosimo's sausage and mashed potatoes for most of us and something reminiscent of school lunch for two of the boys. Tell me if you ever had this - I used to love it!

It's a hotdog cut down the middle length-wise. Topped with two scoops of mashed potats and a slice or two of cheddar cheese. Stick it a hot oven to melt the cheese, drizzle that baby with ketchup, and there you have some kid-pleasing goodness. I was thrilled to watch these things disappear - especially into my most picky's pie hole...

Anyway - while grilling the sausage, I was using my beloved silicone alligator mouth hot pad (not as cute as the one on the left, but you get the idea). I grabbed the lid with my left hand, and that bugger rotated so that the flat part of the handle lined up with the flat part of the hot pad. Obviously this isn't me & my fam, but do you see the lid of the pan in the lower left corner? It's a little different than my 1993 variety pots, but work with me. (BTW - It appears that Calphalon has redesigned their lid handles - my story is an excellent example of why this was necessary!) So - the edge of the rotated lid caught underneath my watch band. I panicked for a bit, let go of the hotpad and ran for the sink. Do you see where this is going? It took me a bit to get my watch off, and I have a feeling that the heat had transferred to my jewelry and continued its damage.

I've now got a quarter-sized white, charred, blistered area on my wrist. I'm allergic to the adhesive on bandages, so I've got it covered with gauze pads and that first aid tape that sticks together without the sticky. It's a lovely wristband look I'll be sporting for the next few days. Perhaps I'll see if I can find some colored tapes... Won't be wearing a watch for a while - that's for sure.

New Years Food-A-Palooza

2009-12-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

You going to a New Year's Eve party? I am! My guys and I will be adding decibels at my in-laws'.
We'll be having pizza (of course) and assorted other snacks. My contribution includes:

makings for my favorite BBQ chicken & blue cheese pizza
Salsa ala Joni Blandford
my BFF's habanero jelly (she mailed it to me!) to top cream cheese on crackers
a spiced cherry cheeseball, AND
Russian tea cakes

How's that for a symphony o' flavors? Happy end of 2009 y'all! See you in 2010.

Christmas Letter Wordle

2009-12-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

I tried something new this year for my Christmas letter. I created a wordle.
I'm all about tradition so I mailed my fair share of cards, but I also believe in being green.
So - for those of you who live closer to me here's my Christmas letter.

Have a happy holiday season!

A Little Diva This - A Little Diva That

2009-12-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

I think I'd rate last night's Diva fit about a 7.3. It wasn't out of control, but it was heated. I don't even remember what it was about.

Jon and Carson were downtown looking at the lights at Temple Square with the other young men & women from our ward. So it was just me, Evan, and Griff. I was sitting here working on my Christmas Cards and Evan and G were standing in the hall. I heard Evan ask, "Is it here yet?"

Footsteps running down the stairs.

The garage door opening.

Griff replying, "Nope!"

Footsteps running back up the stairs.

A few minutes and tirades later, Griff braved my door, walked up behind me, gave me a hug, and said "Here Mom, the DC [that's Diet Coke for those not in the know] truck just dropped this off." He placed a nice, cold can of DC on my desk and walked away.

Then I heard Evan say from his room, "Jeesh. I sure hope that helps!"

Depredation

2009-12-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

So - depredation. Know what it is? For a long time I thought it was a word made up by my brother. Guess what. I was wrong. Gack - I know! Right? According to Merriam-Webster, the word means

to lay waste: plunder, ravage OR to engage in plunder

Huh.

My brother runs a depredation services company. [He guides coyote hunts] Anyway. If you will pull out your Dec 09 - Jan 10 Field & Stream, Cory is featured on pg. 50.

Just thought I'd share the love.

Way to go brother of mine!

Thanksgiving Primer

2009-11-25T07:18:00.001-07:00

I am thankful for:

Free therapy sessions with next door neighbors and far away friends.
Little boys who get their teeth pulled without being sedated.
Older boys who ask to play Phase 10 (or "just Phase 3 tonight"). Every. Single. Day.
Middle boys whose eyes light up while he drools over Star Wars Lego sets in the toy aisle.
World-stopping hugs from my hubby.
Friends and family who have or are having babies.
Surprise visits from my brother.
Conversations with sisters-in-law.
Coworkers who laugh at typos in my emails (Go tit = Got it).

And that's just in the last few days.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Engineer and the Sentimentalist

2009-11-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

So - The Actor and the Housewife. Have you read it? Are you going to? I only gave it two stars on Goodreads, but boy has this one given me a lot to think about this week.

A friend of mine said the book made her uncomfortable because it would make her husband uncomfortable. She also said that I probably wouldn't have that same issue. Hmm - consternation. My own hubby doesn't seem to have a jealous bone, but do I give that enough consideration? Do I give him cause to be uncomfortable?

I think my man is one of the best. Another friend described him as a huggable, teddy bear-type, and she nailed it. She said that as she gets to know him a little better, she will be hugging him. I love that. I enjoy hugging him often.

I have always had a few, really good, male friends. Growing up it was Shawn Stewart and Mike Verville. High school - Philip Walstad and Christian Faulconer. I met Matt my freshman year at Utah State. Kyle came on scene early sophomore year. I did a good bit of dating, but I don't remember spending more time with anyone than Matt & Kyle.

Matt & Kyle made up all sorts of names for the guys I dated, but they never could come up with one for Jon. We'd gone to Seattle for an ASCE convention in February 1993. Jon was picking me up at the airport. Our plane landed in SLC at about 11:30 pm on Valentine's Day. Matt & Kyle hurried to get off the plane before me, and they were stalling me in the tunnel leading up to the gate. I happened to look up, and Jon was standing there patiently with a rose. He proposed on the way back to Logan.

June 1993. Matt & Kyle were graduating. I was getting married in a month. Matt was going to Seattle to do his masters at UW. Kyle was staying to do his Masters at Utah State. Jon & I would be living in Logan while I finished up my undergrad.

My apartment was packed, and my car loaded. I'd gone over to Kyle's while he was packing up his house. Matt was there. I remember Matt all of a sudden saying that he had to go. He gave me a big hug and walked out the door, got in his truck, and waved. I stood there watching him drive away, thinking that I may never see him again. Shortly afterward I hugged Kyle and left myself. I cried the entire way to Salt Lake. I remember being so frustrated with my future MIL because she didn't understand how I could cry over these two guys when I was going to marry her son.

Kyle brought a girl named Kim to my wedding receoption. My MIL drove me to the airport when I flew to Seattle for Matt's wedding (he found Kathy at UW - they had an incredible romance that Matt shared in various emails). I was pregnant with Evan when a kilt-wearing Kyle & Marion were hitched (he went all the way to the UK to find her). Both of them have two kids that I've never met but get to see in Christmas cards.

I like to think that I had as much of an impact on Matt and Kyle as they have had on me. But, there is still another man that I chose over them. He is the one I created a home with, the one who I created our 3 boys with, the one who makes me laugh every day, and the only one that I miss when we're apart for long weekends.

So - Becky Jack - I completely understand why you couldn't choose Felix. He just isn't Mike.

That's Some Pie!

2009-11-04T07:07:00.001-07:00

Oh the symphony of flavors! Butternut squash -pecans - gorgonzola. This is one amazing pie!

I had to make two since the recipe only calls for half a squash. What was I going to do with the other half?!

I shared with my neighbor, and word on the street is that they loved it at their house, too.

Dupe or Delight - Prank or Pleasure - Halloween Thesaurus

2009-10-31T13:48:00.001-06:00

1:29 pm Halloween afternoon.

Made waffles for breakfast. Cleaned the kitchen. Grandma Norris dropped off sugar cookies, frozen berries, and jam. Spent an hour talking to one of my most favorite women (I love you Mom). Pumpkins are carved. Cleaned the kitchen. Boys are playing Battleship because I can't handle any more TV noise. Grandma's cookies are all gone. Cleaned the kitchen. The boys discovered the glazed doughnut stash. They're all gone. Cleaned the kitchen. See how my day has gone?

Jon's going to the U game tonight with his brother, nephew, and neighbor. I'm staying home to enjoy all of the ghouls and goblins that will knock on our door. I've got about 900 pieces of candy. I really hope I don't have a whole lot left over, but I can't imagine that many kids requesting treats.

I typically make some sort of festive dinner (tonight I'm planning hashbrown headstones, link sausage appendages, and scrambled body parts laced with ketchup streaks. Should be easy - right?)

Things to do pre-haul. Shower. Walgreens - face paint, pumpkin candles, and reading glasses. Candy in bucket. Figure out who is supervising each boy during candy gathering. Thread cross stitch needle. Feed boys. Anxiously wait for door bell ringing to begin. Whew!

Sit down. Start next row of cross stitch (I'm using linen that is much smaller than I thought - hence the reading glasses). Open door. Try to name each treater and remember their costume so that I can talk to them about it later. Close the door. Sit back down. Do few more stitches. Open the door....Then the evening will wind down and I'll start getting upset that so many older kids are out without even dressing up (had a bunch last year that showed up wearing backwards hoodies - using their hoods to hold candy. They got mad because I wouldn't let them in to have a drink of water. Not looking forward to that part. But until then...

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!

To Market, to Market

2009-10-26T11:23:00.003-06:00

Week 3! Only one more week left. This has been so much fun!

Cook Book Schmook Nook

2009-10-17T13:16:00.001-06:00

Here's the 2nd installment...
Enjoy.

Yoooo Hoooo! (said as I open your door and allow myself inside)

2009-10-09T10:37:00.002-06:00

You guys!

Look what I got asked to do!

My cousin, Miranda, has asked me to participate in a panel discussion about one of my favorite places - my kitchen - and what goes on in that beloved spot.

She's also hosting a giveaway... Check it out!

Skiwampusly Using My Think Juice

2009-10-01T15:31:00.001-06:00

Evan was quietly standing behind me this afternoon while I was watching a video feed online. I had just set my Diet Coke with Lime on the desk and was typing a new web address into my browser.

He loudly asked, "Is that your think juice?" Made me stop and consider how many cans and bottles have been placed in the receptacle at my side. I discovered that

Yes, Evan, DC w/ Lime is my Think Juice!

And my dear boy - here is what I'm thinking about:

Griff brought me a handful of M&Ms that had seen better days. He informed me that he'd picked them out of the Mountain Trailmix bag. Love it when that happens. He then showed me a blue one and said "Mom - how did this get so skiwampus?" I want to know how he came up with that particular vocabulary word...
It's supposed to be in the mid 50's today, but I'm looking at a thermostat right now, and it says 47 degrees.
Why is it so annoying and time consuming to apply for life insurance?
If I Google Tongan and Samoan funereal customs, will I find out how long my street will be clogged with visiting mourners?
Should I feel worse than I do about telling my boys the Xbox has to be turned off until tomorrow night - even though they are out of school for a couple of days and it results in one of them throwing anger tantrums in the basement? What's so bad about going to a friend's house (to probably play video games) anyway?
Will the neighbors hire my anger tantrum thrower as a professional wailer?
Why am I craving no-bake cookies?
Why does my scanner keep putzing out on me - especially when I really need it?
How do I let the day get away from me?

Gotta go do damage control and make the house a little cleaner than it was when Jon walked out the door this morning. I haven't done a thing, and I'm pretty sure I don't smell all that great. Thank me for sharing...

Nomenclature (or - I Like the Way That Rolls Off the Tongue)

2009-09-24T09:49:00.008-06:00

Hey! Guys! This is it!

100th POST!!!

My cousin, Miranda, is contemplating a blog title change. I was typing a response to her post and decided that the topic of blog names would be perfect for numbero hundredo. So - let's talk evolution of blog names.

First I did Go Tell It On the Hills that didn't work because my blog is about my Hills - not THE Hills. It sounded like I was going to be posting gossipy insights about every single Hill. There are a lot of those, and I'm not paparazzi. I decided I wanted something more personal and less hymnish. And I can hear all of your snickers about my hills. I know what you're thinking...

So - Random Deliberate Cogitation. Thesaurus anyone? Still one of my favorite titles, but it now graces the cover of my journal with a Volume 1 in smaller text below (just in case there are a volume 2 & 3). If they don't open the cover my progeny are going to think that I was one pompous diva. If they do open the cover, I think they'll lose the pompous perception, but the diva will pounce like a tiger sprung from a cage.

For now I am completely thrilled with Consider My Monkeys although I keep spelling monkies when I type it out or write it down for someone. Not so good. I love the title because in my mind and sometimes outloud my boys are referred to as apes, oragutans, and gorillas depending on what they're climbing on, how loud they are, how large of a mess their room is, whether they're flinging monkey poo, or if their mother has gone APE SHIT crazy... Sorry - got away from myself there.

Anyway - thanks for putting up with me through 100 posts, and please stay tuned for at least 100 more.

Oh - and I'm sure I could figure out some kind of give away if any of you can tell me how to fix the post header so that it doesn't cut off words...)

Yummy Fall Pot Pie - No Meat!

2009-09-19T09:43:00.000-06:00

Butternut Pot Pie
1/2 of small butternut squash - seeded, peeled and thinly sliced
3 T butter, melted
1/2 t Pumpkin Pie Seasoning
2 T Honey
2 T Maple Syrup
Salt
Pepper
1/2 Spanish Sweet Onion, sliced
1 large Portobello mushroom, grilled and sliced
1/4 cup chopped Pecans
2 T butter
1/3 - 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola
Slice of white cheese - Havarti or Swiss
2 9-inch refrigerated pie crusts

Mix 3 T melted butter, pumpkin pie seasoning, honey, maple syrup, salt, and pepper together. Pour over sliced squash and set aside to cool.

Saute onion in 1 T butter until carmelized. Remove from pan.

Add remaining 1 T butter to pan and saute mushrooms and chopped pecans over low heat for 5 minutes. Mix with onion and cool.

Assembly:

Place sheet of parchment paper onto large, flat pan (pizza pan, cookie sheet, etc) and sprinkle lightly with flour. Place one pie crust on paper.

Drain sweetened and sliced butternut squash and arrange on top of dough, leaving a 1-inch border.

Sprinkle squash with layer of Gorgonzola cheese, then cover with onion mixture.

Fold outside edge in over filling, pleating and pinching dough about every 2 inches. Place white cheese slice in center of hole. Using second crust, decorate pot pie using shapes, pastry "roses", etc.

Whisk one egg yolk and 2 T water. Brush over entire crust.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool to slightly warm before cutting.

Serve with a salad on a nice, sunny Fall afternoon.

Whip it - Whip it Good (Ode to Heavy Cream)

2009-09-09T21:29:00.003-06:00

This month my book group read Saints Well Seasoned: Musings on how Food Nourishes Us-- Body, Heart, and Soul It's a collection of 37 essays from LDS authors about food. Our assignment was to not only read the book but to write our own little ditty about our favorite food. So - here goes...

A few years ago I took some taking photos of my confectionary process and was going to compile them into a very personalized scrap/cookbook, but then I found Cooking for Engineers, and the need for me to create such a book was negated. So - these photos have been waiting for my attention near the bottom of my to-be-scrapped pile.

As I looked through the photos I discovered most of my favorite recipes have a very common theme.

CREAM

Here are 10 cream trivia-related facts for my house.

It's in Potato Soup, Twice Baked Potatoes, Rice Pudding, Alfredo Sauce, and Cinnamon Roll Frosting.
I love watching the butter and cream whisk together when making alfredo sauce.
When Jon whips cream, he adds a little bit more vanilla than sugar.
We prefer our whipped cream over the spray variety.
The favorite application of Jon's whipped cream is malts (at the top and bottom of the glass) and waffles.
I prefer the cream in screw-top containers that Walmart used to carry over the carton ones that don't reclose.
I liked Walmart's screw-top packaging more than Costco's.
My kitchenaid whips cinnamon roll frosting much quicker and creates fewer blisters than beating that stuff by hand.
You can make potato soup with just milk, but it just doesn't taste as good.
I have to hide cream in my refrigerator because my boys (all 4 of them) think they need a not-so-little bit in the center of their bowl of cold cereal in the mornings.

School is cool...

2009-09-03T10:13:00.004-06:00

The past couple of weeks have been very emotional for me. First of all - Carson started Middle School. He's quit talking to me other than in one word spurts when he gets home. Jon can get a whole string of stories out of him, but me? Not so much... A friend at work suggested that I wait a couple of hours to start asking him questions. I've done this the past couple of days, and CJ has taken to seeking me out and asking if something is wrong with me! Love it...

Evan started school the day after Carson, and it's his first time going without his older brother. I should have thought this through and realized that this would be a slight problem. We dealt with it by going out to breakfast before school on the morning of his big day.

Griff was the one I was the most hesitant about. I'll be the first to admit that I amped up the "He's my baby..." this summer. Jon informed me that I had to quit because I was stressing the boy out. Does this looked stressed to you?

This morning was pretty funny. Carson woke Griff up to give him some big brother advice about entering kindergarten. Evan hung back until Carson left. Once that happened, Evan swept into full on defensive big brother mode. I don't even know why I was here! Griff didn't need anyone else - it was all Evan. Notice the hand at Griff's back guiding him where he's supposed to go? The other hand was on the other shoulder... Also notice the length of the bus driver's beard. The kids are calling him skinny Santa, but his name is Jim.

I'll leave you with this beautiful image. I'm off to pop open a Diet Coke and bask in solitude on my front porch. I love today.

Now that's a samich

2009-09-02T20:04:00.000-06:00

Boy howdy did I make a scrumptious sandwich for dinner this evening.

It was Back-to-School Night at the Middle School, so I needed something quick.

Started with wheat kaiser rolls, sliced & spread with Caesar Mayo.
Added some chopped sun-dried tomato & blue cheese. Topped it with sliced roast beef and then broiled it just enough to start to brown the beef & melt the blue cheese. I think the only thing that would have upped the taste quotient would have been adding french-fried onions.

Served it up with a dill pickle spear & Maui Onion potato chips.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmmm....

I kissed a boy...

2009-08-18T21:49:00.005-06:00

Griff and I had an evening alone while we waited for the other guys to get home from hunter education (Both CJ & ED passed!).

We split a gyro from Apollo Burger, each had a slice of that crunchy stuff that falls apart - aka baklava, and shared a Diet Coke.

Then we went to the hospital to see our adorable new niece and cousin - Leah. Got to watch her first bath and left just in time to avoid a feeding and impending bed button pushing.

We've never been to the new hospital, and there are lots of new roads leading to/from the place. We drove on some of those and found houses that Griff didn't want to live in.

We went into Target, and I told G we'd look for a shirt and a pair of shoes for school. On the way in we stopped at the $1 Spot, and he found a Power Ranger sticker and activity book (a must for this boy of mine) and Spiderman socks.

Next we walked through shoes. He found some - although he was quite upset that they weren't "wheelies". Wasn't worth the fight to tell him the correct name - and then we walked through the boys section. He walked along the t- and polo-shirt risers, grabbed one of each shirt - regardless of size - tossed them in the cart, and proclaimed, "FINISHED!" Huh - that'd be the easiest trip ever if I really could have just waltzed on up to the checkout.

I had to talk him out of a few and be talked into one other. Ended up with 4 shirts for under $13 when one of them ended up being on clearance. Love it!

We meandered the CD/book area and the end caps with other clearance items. We found Color Wonder mini coloring books with 3 pens for $0.97! Grabbed a few of those for bday presents and sacrament meetings. Also found a fake potted rosemary plant for the same price. It somehow ended in our cart too.

We were finally headed toward the checkout when we found that machine that lets you sample all the misc music cds dispayed beneath it. Griff of course wanted to push each button as he matched it's photo to the CD below. I was looking at some of the college dorm decor next to the display when I noticed Griff bowing to me. He said in his most proper voice, "May I have this dance?" We swayed and spun a couple of times while Classical Music for Reading played. Both of us ended up with smiles, and I saw a couple of other customers smiling with us.

He said it was time to go then, so we headed out.

We finally pulled into our garage, and I was getting Griff out of the car. He puckered up, and I asked him what he was doing. He said, "Dad told me that when you go on dates, you usually kiss goodnight." I laid a huge one on him, and that's the end...

Are Those Minnie's?

2009-08-15T16:17:00.006-06:00

Jon, Griff and I were at Kohls last week. Griff was being very persistent about wanting to look at the toys. Jon was looking at shirts, and G went walking off by his independent self. He came back when I called him - but he was carrying a zebra print bra.

Now - G is definitely a boob man (lets me know what he can see when I float on my back in the pool, can demonstrate exactly what happens up front when I've got my bra on v. when I don't...). He holds the bra up saying that it would be really pretty on me. Then Griff slung the thing on his head, cups kind of over his ears, and asked me if he looked like Minnie Mouse. Jon was not really paying attention but looked up long enough to say under his breath (which doesn't come out as much under his breath as he thinks...) - Now, that's my kind of toy!

I'm sure you can imagine the conversation going on in the car when we left the store... I just looked out the window and let Jon deal with it.

1 dozen annual celebrations!!!

2009-08-13T08:52:00.006-06:00

Happy Birthday Carson!

I loved you before I saw you, and even when you push my limits I love you more.

With you I get to figure stuff out.

Thanks for making that so enjoyable.

When a Librarian Says "SHHHHH!!!!!!" You Better Listen

2009-08-04T19:03:00.004-06:00

.
.
.
This afternoon the boys and I ran over to the library to pick up my on-hold books, renew the checkout on Griff's Justice League DVD, and let Carson and Evan check out a book or two. Sounds like a plan, huh?

I'm a pretty lax library mom. We have a deal that Griff and Carson head to the kids DVD section. Evan grabs a book and then relieves Carson. I swing into the hold room and then stop by a computer to see when my next hold is going to show up. Then we all meet at the DVD section and narrow down Griff's selection. A boy's family should only have to put up with so many TMNT, Goosebump, and Sonic videos creating ambient noise you know?

Anyway - shortly after that we stampede to the auto checkouts, and see who can get finished first. While we wait for the others, we get to watch whatever animal happens to reside at our library. We've had chinchillas, sugar gliders, and now it's rats.

WELL, today we were approaching the checkout counter, and I discovered that I'd left my wallet home. This was a problem because not everyone has their library card bar code memorized (what is wrong with Carson, Evan, and Griffin?!) so most of us could not check out our selections.

Never fear - a plan popped into my head. The library has a program that allows you to read away your fines. You get $1 for each 30 minutes of reading done in the library. See that little earlier mention about renewing the checkout on Griff's Justice League DVD... Carson and Evan wanted to sit and read anyway, and Carson said he'd read to Griff. Please note that I was completely apprehensive of leaving Griff without my supervision, but the librarian said that as long as he was reading, he would be all right without me. That's as good as permission! Right??

So home I ran. Then the thought occurred to me that I needed to get the boys' Hunter Education Registration Certificates so that they could start the class tonight. What better time to do that than when I've got no boys with me? I took heed of my friend, Julie's, facebook status.. While I was waiting for the certificates to print, I remembered that I'd thrown my very short grocery list in my purse, AND I WAS OUT OF DIET COKE WITH LIME!!!!!

A mere 30 minutes later (that's 30 minutes after I decided to run through the grocery store) I pulled into the library parking lot. Now - any mom out there will recognize the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when I tell you that the librarian was standing outside - WITH GRIFFIN. I parked, walked over to them, and made some comment about how Griff must not have been reading. She replied, "Nope!" with a very strong emphasis on the "p", turned, and walked into the library ahead of me.

Good news is that Carson and Evan completely read away their fines. As for Griff? She gave him fine credit, but I ended up paying for the Justice League DVD because it's been missing for about 5 weeks anyway.

I hope I don't see that librarian for a while.

Sometimes I Don't Get It

2009-08-01T08:07:00.006-06:00

We were driving to Provo yesterday afternoon, and Griff starts asking me: Mom? What do blue and yellow make?

I responded: Green (which was NOT the answer he was looking for)

This went back and forth with increasing frustration on both our parts.

Griff finally said: You're supposed to say red - it's a joke.

A few minutes later: Mom? What do blue and yellow make?

Now - I know I'm supposed to say red, but that was not the correct answer, and I was in one of my moods...

I responded: Green

Completely exasperated sign from the back seat.

Evan pipes in: G, sometimes women just don't understand.

Lookin for Some Summer Magic

2009-07-31T14:13:00.005-06:00

So - Friday afternoon.

Jon and Carson are doing a whitewater trip with Jon's brothers and some of the older cousins.

Evan's at a bday party.

Griffin's playing power ranger megablox in the basement.

I'm sitting here at my computer almost chilly with the ac and ceiling fan working so well, listening to the boys across the street - one is mowing the lawn, and the other is steam cleaning a rug on the driveway. Uh-oh must be doing something wrong - Mom just came running out...

As soon as Evan comes home we're going to head to Provo to swim with Grandma Norris. All right - I probably won't swim. I've got a couple magazines that I'm going to peruse poolside.

When Jon leaves town I typically find myself either making large purchases (china cabinets, kitchen faucets, hall book shelves) or undertake a project. This time I opted for the project. Got my supplies from Home Depot last night, everything gathered today, and am going to spray paint metal ceiling tiles this evening. Tomorrow morning I'll faux finish the tiles and stain the wood for the frame. Hopefully tomorrow evening I'll be putting everything together. I've had this particular project in mind for almost 2 years, so it's about time I got it finished. I'm hosting book club in two weeks - that's my motivator.

Anyway - what do you think the chances are that some sort of summer magic will whip through while I'm gone this afternoon, fold and put away laundry, and get everything painted and stained so that all I have to do is assemble? I'm thinking the chances are about as good as me rolling 6 ones in my next game of FARKLE...

Summer Vittles

2009-07-23T15:14:00.007-06:00

Can I just say that I hate to cook during the summer? I love to eat grilled food, but I strongly dislike the prep. I think I'd be happy to set out a buffet of fruit, sun chips (or Stacy's pita chips), olives, pasta salad (one sweet, one savory), rice (jasmine rice [I think it's 4 cups], 1 can coconut milk, and 1 can chicken broth), and whatever meat came off the grill and just let everyone pick away. Notice that I said set out. I don't want to create any of these dishes - except the rice. I can handle open and dump methodology.

That doesn't happen very often, so I have a couple of standby's for hot evenings...

I don't have a name for this, so I suppose you can call it
Staci's Chicken Cucumber Pitas.

Chicken Breast
Cucumber
Parmesan Cheese
Ranch dressing
Pitas

Grill teriyaki marinaded chicken. You can also marinade in soy sauce & minced garlic. Or - you can buy and heat the frozen, precooked Mesquite Chicken Breasts from Sam's club.

Cube cooked chicken. Place in large bowl.

Cube cucumbers. Add to large bowl.

Toss in parmesan cheese.

Add ranch dressing to taste.

Serve on pitas.

Jon and my boys (except Carson) love this. I love it because it's yummy, quick, and doesn't heat up my kitchen.

Here's one more. It's another chicken pita deal, so I don't know what to tell you to call this one.

Maybe Staci's Chicken Food Storage Pitas

Canned chicken, drained and rinsed
Fresh garden-grown tomatoes, cubed
Mayo (I sometimes use a Caesar Mayo recipe that I found in Taste of Home - see recipe below)

Mix all together

Place desired amount on a Pita and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese (the real stuff - not Kraft's processed stuff). My boys like to grate the parmesan directly onto the sandwich because we have one of those cool spinning graters...

Broil until cheese is melted.

Remove from oven and serve.

I've made this one while camping, and that worked out great - we just didn't broil the cheese...

CAESAR MAYO:
4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese (I use the processed stuff here)
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

How about you? Have any cool kid-friendly summer dinners you'd like to share?

How about recipes for pitas? That's the one thing I have to go to the store for every time. I think I could make a good pita - or focaccia for that matter.

Now that's summer!

2009-07-15T19:13:00.004-06:00

It's been a great summer so far - Moon Lake, 4th of July, 16th wedding anniversary, cub scout day camp, 20 year high school reunion, visiting the Stauffers & McIlleces, and the Egan family reunion - and school's only been out since July 2!

I was going to say that the past week has been busy, but then I realized that school has only been out for that week. Dang - no wonder it's been such a good time.

Carson's week is indicitive of the type of summer I think every kid should enjoy remembering. Monday night he did a sleep over with a friend. Last night we all went to a Harry Potter midnight show (4 thumbs up from our house - I'm sure it'd be 5, but Griff fell asleep during the teasers, and there was no waking the boy). Tonight he gets to sleep over at Grandma & Grandpa Hill's so that he can leave EARLY in the morning for a hike to Blanche Lake with Grandpa, Evan & some cousins.
I can feel a grumpy kid coming on.

I'm gonna share my 2nd pedi of the season with you...

Can you stand it?! I think it's adorable - and so eye catching. I have to be careful when I'm walking because I catch myself paying more attention to my tootsies than to where I'm going. Dang I really am blonde sometimes.

One final thing that I completely enjoy each summer - reading Jennifer Cruisie's Bet Me. Doesn't necessarily take place during the summer, but I love Jen Cruisie's sense of humor, and Cal and Min are at the top of my all time fav couples list. I was reading it this afternoon and was reminded how much I love the little thing.

How simple is that? Cute toes and a great paperback. I love summer...