Day 15 - My Dream House

Sorry to disappear on you for awhile. I went to Washington State for a family reunion with Jared's family (more on that later). It was a great trip, and it took me a few days to recoup and feel like blogging again!

My Dream House...

-Would be just big enough for my family, but still have room for visitors

-Would be colorful, vibrant, and have lots of personality!

-Would have lots of kitchen counter space for preparing meals

-Would be in a place with a comfortable temperature year-round & have a wonderful cross breeze

-Would have large windows that I could leave open almost all of the time

-Would have a great outdoor living space (even more important than the indoor space) with lots of shade

-Would be paid for in cash

-Would be a happy home, where my kids are polite and kind to me (wow-that would be a change!)

-Would be a place I could be happy with my husband forever

In other words...this house would be in MEXICO!

:::sigh:::

Day 14 - A Non-Fictional Book

Okay, so now for a truly 100% Non-Fiction Book. I am currently halfway through this:

I am enjoying it thoroughly. It stresses the importance of time-management and work effectiveness, and also the importance of living your life now--instead of simply waiting until you are old and gray. I am a firm believer in LIVING LIFE now!

Day 13 - A Fictional Book

Gee...that title couldn't be any less specific. Should I be posting my favorite Fictional book? Or my least favorite? Or perhaps a Fictional Book am I reading right now? So many choices...

Hmm...I'll go with the last one. Right now I am reading (if you call picking it up once or twice a month, reading...) "The Last Run".

It is about an ocean rescue of Alaskan fisherman, which actually took place in 1998. In reality it is a nonfiction book, since it is based on real events...but hey...I'm not reading any true Fiction book right now! So I'm sticking with this!

Day 12 - Something I am OCD About

#1 - Vaseline lips. My lips have to be well-lathered at all times.

#2 - Personal Cleanliness. I absolutely cannot stand stinky feet, un-brushed teeth, and other bodily odors. If I had one super-power, it would be to be permanently CLEAN. My brother-in-law says that's a terrible waste of Super Powers....

#3 - Smells. I have one mighty nose. Beware. If you are slacking in area #2...I will know it. Yuck! ;)

Reusable Trash Liner

Perhaps you did or didn't know...I cloth diaper, and I LOVE it. I "converted" about 3 months ago, and have appreciated no longer needing to buy box after box of diapers that end up in landfills!

Anyhow, a friend introduced me to Planetwise wet/dry bags, which are essentially water-tight bags that you can store dirty diapers in until you wash them. I love them (I have a small one for the diaper bag, and one large one for big trips, etc), but they don't really cut it for everyday storage (they start to stink). So, I saw an online suggestion to make a reusable trash can liner, and since I happened to have a Dollar Store plastic shower curtain lying around, I got to work with the simple cutting/sewing project. The result? A fantastic, water-tight trash liner that I can throw in the washer with the diapers (and airdry)...and now there is no stink in-between washes! I'm going to have to make more trash liners for the house!

Day 11 - A Photo of Me Recently

How about a self-portrait taken this weekend?

Ratatouille

My sister introduced me to a TV Program starring Zonya, somewhat of a a lifestyle/eating coach. On her show she cooks up easy and healthy meals, and after watching one show with my sister (the only time I've watched it...I'll be honest), I got online and picked out some of her recipes to try. Almost a year later...I have finally gotten around to cooking up her Ratatouille recipe for the first time!

It was fantastic, and loved by everyone, except my hubby (he's the pickiest eater of the group...it takes a lot to impress)! We served it over noodles, even though that's not the proper way to eat it...and it was delicious! Soooo simple, and packed full of veggies! Have you ever made Ratatouille before? If not...try it!

Day 10 - A Photo Taken Over 10 Years Ago of Me

Day 9 - A Photo I Took

It's a bit hard to choose just 1 photo. So--dang--I chose a few.

I chose this first photo not because I think it is professional-looking, etc. I took it because it just captures a beautiful time of my life. Jared worked for the city bus in Skagway the summer before we had Ella, and his work reward was a free flight for both of us up to the glaciers on the mountain top. WOW! This would have been a $300 trip each, if paid by ourselves. It was pretty dang cool to land up on the glacier, and walk around. Helicopters are awesome!

Again...this was taken the summer before we started having kids and started our business (my last FUN summer...haha)!! It was the most perfect day EVER at the lakes on the South Klondike Highway (between Skagway and Whitehorse). I have never seen a day as still as this, since (then again--I rarely made that trip once we started the store)!!

And just down the highway a few miles I caught this:


You can't really go wrong taking photos of Alaska. It's gorgeous, even without a nice camera, or any skill :-)

Curried Cashew Couscous

I have to admit that I've had a bag of couscous hanging around for about a year...and I haven't figured out what to do with it, until now. I picked it up in the bulk section of the grocery store in Whitehorse, Yukon (because Canadians are healthy like that, eh?)...but I put it in a recipe for the first time this week.

I pulled out a recipe I found online, originally from the "Vegan Express" cookbook. The Curried Cashew Couscous was delicious, in my opinion...I had it for yesterday's lunch, dinner, and even breakfast this morning. My dad also ate it up! He supposedly hates curry...but he's never turned away from any of the dishes I make with curry (which is quite a few). Mom didn't feel like eating...but had one bite and said she liked it. Jared took a 1/4 cup of it (you could tell he had great faith that he would like it), and then told me he wasn't a big fan. Oh well...you can't win them all!

If you dare to try this recipe (I really did love it!), then I would recommend Craisins instead of raisins (I have no use for raisins in my life...ugh)...it was the key ingredient, and gave the dish JUST the right amount of sweetness!

Couscous was a completely new venture for me--I would compare it to a rice texture, but smaller...similar in flavor to white rice (but healthier)...and it cooked a LOT faster. I might have to try it as a replacement for rice, some time!

I Love this Baby...

How is that something so little, and so helpless...


...Can bring so much joy?

Day 8 - A Photo That Makes Me Angry/Sad

Please excuse the mess (in the photo, that is).

This is our beautiful trailer that we purchased in May 2009. It makes me sad to think about this...because, had we KNOWN we would close our business and leave Alaska (just 5 months later), we certainly wouldn't have gone through the trouble of getting this nice, grand new trailer. Coulda-woulda-shoulda!

We could have bucked up and spent 1 more summer in our tiny trailer, and we would have survived just fine. Now, we have the trouble of trying to sell this trailer, and not lose too much money in the process. So far--lots of tire-kickers...but no serious buyers. Dang. I would SO take it to Mexico...but really, that would be more complicated than it is worth.


So, yeah...thinking about this trailer makes me sad.
Although it really was a wonderful place to live during our last summer in Alaska :)

Day 7 - A Photo That Makes Me Happy

I love this photo for several reasons:

#1-It was taken in Mexico. 'Nuff said

#2-I am enjoying a beautiful, sunny day

#3-I am in a boat...out exploring a new place in that beautiful country

#4-I am holding a happy Maiya (when kids are happy, Mama's happy!)

#5-We had guests with us on this boat. I love sharing Mexico with others! I can't wait to move back, and have visitors!

Day 6 - 20 of My Favorite Things

Strawberries

A good book

The ocean

My husband

Happy babies

Veggies

Working for myself

Learning something new-and letting it change my ways

Good movies

Rain

Mexico

Outdoor Living

Family

Simplicity

Alaskan Beauty

My Giggling Kids

Cooking a recipe everyone loves

Meeting people who appreciate others' cultures

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Positive People

Day 5 - My Favorite Quote

Anyone that has known me for awhile knows that I LOVE quotes. In fact, in high school, I used to pour over quote books during my lunch breaks. My favorite quote of all time is oftentimes wrongly attributed to Nelson Mandela, and I remember always reading it on the desk of the BYU Key Office when I ran there for my job in college (yes, they have an office JUST for picking up keys of any sort...offices, mail boxes, lockers, etc). It is actually by Marianne Williamson, from her book entitled A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles (never read it-but maybe I'll have to).

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Day 4 - My Favorite Book

Enjoying a good book seems like such a luxury, since having children. I really really enjoy reading...but a book has to immediately grab me, or I can take years to finish it. If it is a great read--I usually finish it within a week or so.

I don't believe I have one particular favorite (at least, not yet!), but here are a few I have enjoyed lately:

A Train to Potevka
It is a true story about an LDS man on an US intelligence mission, who is hunted by the Russian Mafia. It's his amazing story of survival!)
Sarah's Key
A story about a survival of a girl caught in the Paris roundups during WWII. I learned a lot, but I was disappointed that the actual storyline wasn't based on any true person/event. Of course--the general events DID happen...so it was very intriguing!

Southwest Quinoa Salad

Lately, I like to go "shopping" for recipes at www.findingvegan.com
It is an awesome website that lets users submit recipes (with gorgeous photos)...and I can basically just look through all of the photos for an idea of what to make for dinner! Take a look...you'll be drooling, too!

I found this recipe, and made it yesterday. It is supposedly a "salad"...but I personally thing most dishes like this deserve to be a dip, too. So, out came the tortilla chips...yummy!! It uses avocados, fresh lime juice, and quinoa, which is literally one of the healthiest foods on the planet (and a staple in many South American countries). It's a shame I only discovered quinoa last summer...and that most people have still never heard of it, or tried it. I would compare it to rice (cooks the same way), but it is lighter, fluffier, and has a light crunch when you eat it. I often mix it with rice in my rice cooker, because I love its high fiber and iron content! You can find it in the health food section of stores, and it looks like a little tiny seed (which it is).

Get the recipe here!

Day 3 - My Favorite Television Program

#1 - "So You Think You Can Dance"

I only discovered this show a season or two ago, and I have been in love ever since. I don't want much TV, but I really have soft spot for this show. I admit I've never watched early episodes of auditions, etc...but I've enjoyed watching the Top 10 for the past few years.

I'd compare it to American Idol...but it is really so much more. American Idol has had some untrained, and actually, some pretty poor singers that have made it pretty far in the competition. However, in So You Think You Can Dance, the dancers are highly trained and talented. I love seeing the variety of choreographed numbers...and I'll admit that I love Contemporary best.

I have a few favorite dances, and my ABSOLUTE favorite dance EVER was by Ashleigh and Ryan (the married couple from Utah) last season. It brought me to tears--and still does:

My second favorite dance from that show was "Bleeding Love"...don't know why I loved that one so much:

As for runners up for my favorite TV program...I also really enjoy The Office (haven't seen it in almost a year) and International House Hunters (but specifically Latin America locales!).

Day 2 - My Favorite Movie

Who can pick just one?

I admit...I LOVE inspirational movies where the underdog triumphs! But I hate it when I find out one of these movies isn't based on a true story. I guess I feel cheated, or lied to, perhaps? Seriously now...you can MAKE up a good story...but a REAL one is SOOO much more uplifting!

Here are 3 of my favorites:

#1 Rudy (it ALWAYS makes me cry...and I hate football!!)

#2 Seabiscuit (I love how every character in this movie has his own struggle/triumph)

# 3 Stardust (Okay--it's fiction, and nothing like the 2 previous movies...but it is just plain entertaining!! Haven't seen it? GO RENT IT NOW!!)

Day 1 - My favorite Song

I like a lot of songs. But there are few that really "speak" to me in an uplifting way.

Back in my college days, I went to a Ward FHE activity at the Provo library. Cherie Call, a local LDS singer/songwriter, gave a mini-concert. There was one song, in particular, that really touched me. I liked it so much that I bought her CD before I left (and I've never regretted it since...which is a rare thing...since I usually have major buyers' remorse when I spend money)!!

It is called It Passes All My Understanding

You can listen to the song here (as well as see a beautiful, fitting slideshow): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ97JYiDg48&feature=related

Here are the lyrics...

I was sitting on a southbound plane,
I was buried in a magazine
When the man in the next seat over
Wanted to talk to me
He talked about the universe,
He talked about Saturn's rings
He said, "I might be an atheist,
Except for just one thing:

It passes all my understanding
How it all worked out just right
The distance that we live from the sun,
The stars that shine at night
We may prove that it was just an accident
But how did it begin?
It passes all my understanding"

I told him, "You are a scholar;
You know things that I don't know
But I believe a God in heaven
Made everything below
And I know we are his children;
I've known it since I was two
But when it comes to being struck with awe,
I'm just like you

It passes all my understanding,
All the beauty we have here
From the majesty of the canyons
To a tiny baby's ear
And even when I can't believe it,
He still believes in me
It passes all my understanding"

We watched the sun set through the clouds
In a tiny little airplane window
With people sleeping all around
And I thought of how we just expect this world to be
And when the flight attendant passed me by
I threw away my magazine

It passes all my understanding,
That the Lord knows both our names
And that He made this world for everyone
That was sitting on that plane
And in spite of all of man's distractions
He offers us His peace
That passes all my understanding

Day 1 - My favorite Song

I like a lot of songs. But there are few that really "speak" to me in an uplifting way.

Back in my college days, I went to a Ward FHE activity at the Provo library. Cherie Call, a local LDS singer/songwriter, gave a mini-concert. There was one song, in particular, that really touched me. I liked it so much that I bought her CD before I left (and I've never regretted it since...which is a rare thing...since I usually have major buyers' remorse when I spend money)!!

It is called It Passes All My Understanding

You can listen to the song here (as well as see a beautiful, fitting slideshow): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ97JYiDg48&feature=related

Here are the lyrics...

I was sitting on a southbound plane,
I was buried in a magazine
When the man in the next seat over
Wanted to talk to me
He talked about the universe,
He talked about Saturn's rings
He said, "I might be an atheist,
Except for just one thing:

It passes all my understanding
How it all worked out just right
The distance that we live from the sun,
The stars that shine at night
We may prove that it was just an accident
But how did it begin?
It passes all my understanding"

I told him, "You are a scholar;
You know things that I don't know
But I believe a God in heaven
Made everything below
And I know we are his children;
I've known it since I was two
But when it comes to being struck with awe,
I'm just like you

It passes all my understanding,
All the beauty we have here
From the majesty of the canyons
To a tiny baby's ear
And even when I can't believe it,
He still believes in me
It passes all my understanding"

We watched the sun set through the clouds
In a tiny little airplane window
With people sleeping all around
And I thought of how we just expect this world to be
And when the flight attendant passed me by
I threw away my magazine

It passes all my understanding,
Tat the Lord knows both our names
And that He made this world for everyone
That was sitting on that plane
And in spite of all of man's distractions
He offers us His peace
That passes all my understanding

30 Day Journal & New Blog Look

Hey Guys-

My sister-in-law, Devri, recently noted that she is going to do a "30 Day Journal" that asks you to answer some pretty basic questions that you don' t always share with others. Since this blog is technically my only journal, I decided that I should participate in this activity, as well! At least some of my preferences will be recorded for my posterity (that is, when I finally transfer my blog to a book to be printed...we'll see when that happens)! I will try to write a quick blog post each day for the next 30 days (which is a huge improvement over my once-a-month postings)!!

Also, I finally got sick of my header, and decided to re-design it. In the process, I decided to redesign the blog, altogether! Take a look, and let me know what you think!!!

Loving big sis'...

I can't tear this girl away from Ethan...

Vegan Cheesy Potato Casserole

Cheesy and Vegan...seems a bit like an oxymoron...
but let me tell you...it was DELICOUS!!

This recipe was developed by my old co-worker from college, who conveniently ended up vegan, as well (and is a fantastic cook)!
Here is her healthy version of "Mormon Funeral Potatoes"

I didn't pre-cook the cheese sauce separately (in a pan) before adding it to the potatoes, and it was still perfect.
Mom and Dad loved it as well...which is saying a lot! Overall...another big hit that had everyone going back for 2nd's and 3rd's!!

July 24th Celebrations

For those who don't know...Utah celebrates "Pioneer Day" on July 24th, to commemorate the arrival of the Pioneers in Utah. Mapleton has a big parade and plenty of festivities to celebrate the big day!

Ella and Maiya were both in the parade. Ella decorated her bike:



Maiya sat on the float (in blue above "Days")


Maiya feeling proud of her big accomplishment!


The park had lots of activities the girls could enjoy. Everything cost about 50 cents a pop...but Papa donated to the girls' fun afternoon...so they donned their swimsuits, and went on inflatables that included water! Here they are, patiently waiting in line!

Ella is a good big-sister, and is almost always willing to help take care of her little sister!

Later that evening the city did a first-ever "Ping Pong Ball Drop" from a helicopter. The fliers stated that they would drop "up to 800" ping pong balls from a helicopter, and 12 lucky kids (ages 14 and under) would win a free bike! What fun!

We arrived at the field to a HUGE turnout. They asked parents to separate from their children, which did not go over well (seriously--you want me to leave my children alone in a field of 2,000 kids, and other adults?).

They also requested that each child only catch 1 ball each, so that everyone could get a ball. Then came the exciting moment when the helicopter flew over!

A passenger in the helicopter dumped out 1 trash bag of ping pong balls into the center of the crowd (perhaps 200-300 balls?).. A lucky few got a ping pong ball...while the rest anxiously awaited the helicopter's return to drop more balls. And then we waited...and waited...and waited.

Alas, no return. One lousy bag of ping pong balls, and about 2,000 disappointed kids and parents.

I guess they underestimated the turnout? If they figure it out, however, it could be a VERY cool event next year!

We ended the night with the FANTASTIC Mapleton fireworks show that we were able to watch from the front porch at home. It was "finale...finale...and then a grand finale!" A great fireworks show!