Karlene tagged me almost a month ago. I planned on doing the tag the next day. And you know how that goes, the next day turned into the next, into the next, and on and on and here we are 1 huge run on sentence as well as 1 month later. So, for a leap day celebration? I decided to post the Meme.
How long have you been blogging?
I started my first blog in September 2006 to help me spread the word about Urban Botanic. This blog has been in existence since June 2007.
What inspired you to start your blog, and who are your mentors?
Well, as I said above, the need to inexpensively tell people about Urban Botanic. This blog came about so that I could post to Karlene's Summer Reading thing. It then evolved into a way for family to keep in touch with my life. It also gave me a creative way to have a journal. Of course the really private things are exactly that, private and kept in an undisclosed location.
Are you trying to make money online, or are you doing it just for fun?
I just said to the kids yesterday, "Too bad I don't make money by blogging. I could be happy if that is what I got paid to do." I have some ideas for that. When/if they come to fruition, I'll let you know. But I do have to admit to being bitten by the blogging bug. (much better than that stupid viral bug that is hovering around.)
What 3 things do you love about being online?
1. Being able to keep in touch with my family. My sisters (here and here) have started blogs and my family started a recipe blog to share old family as well as new family secrets/favorites.
2. All the new friends I have made and would never have met without the internet.
3. I have always said that if I didn't have to pay for shipping, I would purchase everything on the internet. The possibilities of new merchandise are incredible and I don't have to deal with driving to get there. (plus I don't have to wear shoes!)
Chat and IM.
I chat during meetings for my Urban Botanic team. That works best since they are spread across the US. I don't IM very often. I don't have a lot of contacts in my list, but I love it when I do have it turned on at the same time as someone else in my list.
Because it has been a looong month and my brain is fried tonight, I am not tagging anyone right now. If, however, you feel like sharing with us, let us know that you did the Meme so we can come over and read.
Friday, February 29, 2008
White Chili
Ok, this is my secret weapon that I take whenever a hot dish is requested. And believe me, this dish is requested over and over and over.
White Chili
6 (16 oz) cans Great Northern white beans (do NOT drain) 1 tsp cumin
1 large onion, chopped 3 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp garlic salt 1 tsp. chili powder
1 (7oz) can diced Hatch green chili 4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 lb chicken breasts cooked and cubed 1/2 cup shredded cheese
16 oz sour cream
Combine all ingredients and cook in crock pot for 2 hours or on top os stove for 30 minutes.
White Chili
6 (16 oz) cans Great Northern white beans (do NOT drain) 1 tsp cumin
1 large onion, chopped 3 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp garlic salt 1 tsp. chili powder
1 (7oz) can diced Hatch green chili 4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 lb chicken breasts cooked and cubed 1/2 cup shredded cheese
16 oz sour cream
Combine all ingredients and cook in crock pot for 2 hours or on top os stove for 30 minutes.
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
10 flour tortillas 2 cups grated cheese
1-2 lb. cut up cooked chicken
Sauce:
2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 can Hatch diced green chilies
1 cup sour cream
Put chicken, grated cheese, and a spoonful of sauce in each tortilla. Roll up. Place in baking dish and spoon the rest of the sauce over. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes at 325*F
1-2 lb. cut up cooked chicken
Sauce:
2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 can Hatch diced green chilies
1 cup sour cream
Put chicken, grated cheese, and a spoonful of sauce in each tortilla. Roll up. Place in baking dish and spoon the rest of the sauce over. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes at 325*F
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Chicken recipes
Today in 4-H we had some bad news/good news. It was bad news for Lindsey. Her club does not have enough students that 4-H will let it continue. On the other hand, Lindsey is now going to be helping me in the cooking club. I am so excited about that. Today she came in and just jumped right in helping me. She cut up the chicken so I could move on to the next part in the recipe. She washed the dishes while I was supervising the frying. She wiped down the counters, engaged the students when there was a lull in the instruction. And we finished on time!! I am so excited to have her thoughts, her recipes, her knowledge and really just her presence in our club. Thank you for agreeing to come in with us, Lindsey.
Now, on to the recipes for today. Today I cooked for the students. I made Fajitas for them. I also gave them 2 extra recipes besides that. So, here they are.
Weeknight Fajitas
1/8 cup Italian dressing 1 diced tomato (or 1 can diced tomatoes)
4 chicken brests, cut in strips 1 diced chile pepper
1 green pepper, sliced in strips 8 flour tortillas
1 onion, sliced in strips Sour cream
1 clove garlic Shredded cheese
1/2 tsp oregano Salsa
Pour dressing over chicken, peppers, onion, garlic, oregano, and chile pepper. Toss and refrigerate 10 minute. Drain and stir-fry until chicken is cooked. Stir in tomatoes. Wrap tortillas in damp paper towels. Microwave to moisten. Or wrap them in aluminum foil and warm in oven. Fill tortilla with chicken mix. Serve with salsa, sour cream, cheese, refried beans or guacamole.
You can substitute 1 lb. stew meat or pork cutlets for chicken. Don't drain dressing. Cook until meat is browned, then ad veggies.
That is the way the recipe is written. I like to put my chicken and veggies in seperate bowls to marinate and then to stir-fry them seperately as well.
I also gave them the recipe for White Chile and for Easy Chicken Enchiladas. I will post them in the next couple of days in seperate posts.
Now, on to the recipes for today. Today I cooked for the students. I made Fajitas for them. I also gave them 2 extra recipes besides that. So, here they are.
Weeknight Fajitas
1/8 cup Italian dressing 1 diced tomato (or 1 can diced tomatoes)
4 chicken brests, cut in strips 1 diced chile pepper
1 green pepper, sliced in strips 8 flour tortillas
1 onion, sliced in strips Sour cream
1 clove garlic Shredded cheese
1/2 tsp oregano Salsa
Pour dressing over chicken, peppers, onion, garlic, oregano, and chile pepper. Toss and refrigerate 10 minute. Drain and stir-fry until chicken is cooked. Stir in tomatoes. Wrap tortillas in damp paper towels. Microwave to moisten. Or wrap them in aluminum foil and warm in oven. Fill tortilla with chicken mix. Serve with salsa, sour cream, cheese, refried beans or guacamole.
You can substitute 1 lb. stew meat or pork cutlets for chicken. Don't drain dressing. Cook until meat is browned, then ad veggies.
That is the way the recipe is written. I like to put my chicken and veggies in seperate bowls to marinate and then to stir-fry them seperately as well.
I also gave them the recipe for White Chile and for Easy Chicken Enchiladas. I will post them in the next couple of days in seperate posts.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Just randomness
I cleaned my desk, again. Today you could not tell it. I just didn't get it. Now I do. Read this and you will understand it as well.
The other day I woke Brandi up for school. She rolled over and said, "Mom, can I have a couple more minutes, I am having a great dream and really want to get through this part."
The sun is shining again today, the snow is almost all gone thanks to the rain, can daffodills and tulips be far behind? I am so excited to see the results of all my planting from last year.
The other day I woke Brandi up for school. She rolled over and said, "Mom, can I have a couple more minutes, I am having a great dream and really want to get through this part."
The sun is shining again today, the snow is almost all gone thanks to the rain, can daffodills and tulips be far behind? I am so excited to see the results of all my planting from last year.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Eviciton notices
I took Brandi to the dr. today. For the last 2 weeks she has been not feeling well. One day she will run a fever of about 101*. The next day she is fine and goes to school. Then a couple days later she is throwing up. Then fine, then fever, then... you get the pattern. A couple of the rest of us have had the same thing. I wash the doorknobs, light switches, walls everything with bleach. I wash the bedding and night clothes almost everyday. I have got to ge this bug out of here but he will not leave.
Brandi has kept nothing down since Friday night and so today I gave up and took her to the dr. He said that he thinks it is what 60% of the population in Utah has right now. The strep test came back negative, but her throat is raw and she has fluid in her ears. He thinks it is a sinus infection and a bit of the flu. He gave her a decongestant and an antibiotic. People are so sick here that the pharmacy only had two pills- tonight's dose. They will have the rest tomorrow, so she will have to tomorrow morning's dose in the early afternoon and then her evening dose on time. Dr. Hafen said that if we had left it 1-2 days more she probably would have needed IV fluids. So far so good, she has kept down her meds and some mandarin oranges and 2 strawberries. (I hated to buy strawberries when they are so expensive right now, but she was craving them and at this point I am feeling like, whatever she keeps down- plus her body is probably asking for vitamin C since everything she was craving was a fruit)
Mr. flu, be warned. You have been served with a final eviction notice and this time I will not take not going for an answer!!
Brandi has kept nothing down since Friday night and so today I gave up and took her to the dr. He said that he thinks it is what 60% of the population in Utah has right now. The strep test came back negative, but her throat is raw and she has fluid in her ears. He thinks it is a sinus infection and a bit of the flu. He gave her a decongestant and an antibiotic. People are so sick here that the pharmacy only had two pills- tonight's dose. They will have the rest tomorrow, so she will have to tomorrow morning's dose in the early afternoon and then her evening dose on time. Dr. Hafen said that if we had left it 1-2 days more she probably would have needed IV fluids. So far so good, she has kept down her meds and some mandarin oranges and 2 strawberries. (I hated to buy strawberries when they are so expensive right now, but she was craving them and at this point I am feeling like, whatever she keeps down- plus her body is probably asking for vitamin C since everything she was craving was a fruit)
Mr. flu, be warned. You have been served with a final eviction notice and this time I will not take not going for an answer!!
Felicitations
Today is my brother in law's birthday. I downloaded some pictures into a post last night and saved the post so that I could come to work today and write a great birthday greeting to him while I was at work. When I opened my dashboard this morning, the post is not there!!
So, to see pictures you are going to have to go here to my sister's blog.
But I still want to say Happy Birthday, Isaac!! Hope it is a good day.
So, to see pictures you are going to have to go here to my sister's blog.
But I still want to say Happy Birthday, Isaac!! Hope it is a good day.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sunday Pet Peeves
Ok, this post is not an uplifting Sunday message but rather a couple of observations about things that I have observed most of us doing, but they are kinda annoying. Not the run screaming from the room annoying, but rather the shake your head and smile behind your hand annoying.
-Why do we insist on announcing that we are going to sing on PAGE # such and such when we are not? We are really singing HYMN # such and such.
(for those of you that are not of the LDS, or Mormon, faith, we do not have a paid ministry. Rather our leadership is all a lay ministry- we all take turns doing what needs done. On Sundays, the sermon is given by members of the congregation, usually 1-2 youth speakers and 1-2 adult speakers.)
-Why when we give a talk in Sacrament meeting do we tend to begin our talk telling how the bishop or member of the bishopric cornered us and then asked us to speak and we unwillingly said yes?
-Why after we get done with the above, do we then proceed to tell the congregation why we are not qualified to speak to them and why we should all just ignore them? If Barac Obama got up to give a speech and told his listeners why he was not qualified to speak to them, would anyone listen to him? Would anyone vote for him? So why do we do it when we are trying to teach a gospel concept?
I'm just sayin'
-Why do we insist on announcing that we are going to sing on PAGE # such and such when we are not? We are really singing HYMN # such and such.
(for those of you that are not of the LDS, or Mormon, faith, we do not have a paid ministry. Rather our leadership is all a lay ministry- we all take turns doing what needs done. On Sundays, the sermon is given by members of the congregation, usually 1-2 youth speakers and 1-2 adult speakers.)
-Why when we give a talk in Sacrament meeting do we tend to begin our talk telling how the bishop or member of the bishopric cornered us and then asked us to speak and we unwillingly said yes?
-Why after we get done with the above, do we then proceed to tell the congregation why we are not qualified to speak to them and why we should all just ignore them? If Barac Obama got up to give a speech and told his listeners why he was not qualified to speak to them, would anyone listen to him? Would anyone vote for him? So why do we do it when we are trying to teach a gospel concept?
I'm just sayin'
Friday, February 22, 2008
No Reservations
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Aaron Eckhart
From the back cover of the DVD:
"Want a perfectly prepared dish of tender quail in truffle sauce? Kate (Zeta-Jones), a workaholic master chef, can do that. But don't ask her what to do about the free-spirited, opera-loving sous chef (Eckhart) who joins the staff of her upscale Manhattan restaurant. Or what to do about the orphaned niece (Abigail Breslin), more partial to fish sticks than foie gras, who comes to live with her. "I wish there was a cookbook for life, with recipes telling us exactly what to do," Kate tells her therapist (B0b Balaban).
A love of life (and of great food!) spices up this warm-hearted and funny tale about a woman discovering a world bigger than her kitchen. Come on in. Something new and different is cooking at Kate's place."
This is your typical, formulaic romance. Girl has problem, meets boy, boy helps, they fall in love, they fight, they break up, they get back together and live happily ever after. Formulaic like all the great, sappy love stories: While You Were Sleeping, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Wedding Planner, all those old great Fred and Ginger, Doris Day Rock Hudson movies.
And I loved it. I even cried, through most of it. (but I had a hard day this week and I needed a good cry) In my life, in my heart of hearts I am so much Nick, but in reality and action I fear that I am more Kate. I get really uptight and perfectionistic and forget to live. I think that was also a source of the tears- I want to stop being Kate and be more Nick- someone that knows how to have fun, how to really live life in the moment and to cherish those moments, but to also know when to be serious and how to direct my life where I want it. Instead, I am Kate- afraid to live my life because I might get hurt. again.
Wow, where did all that come from? Well, back to the movie, if you haven't seen it, then see it. A great movie, one worth purchasing and watching over and over. In fact, I will be purchasing it and curling up on the couch with a blanket and cocoa and cookies and watching it again.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Forest for the trees
Do you ever listen to people talk about all the great things that happen to them and instead of being happy for them you wonder why good things don't happen to you?
Yeah, me too. All the time.
I have a lot of things I wish would happen in my life:
-new house
-major life problem gone
-debt gone
-rich uncle leaves inheritance (oh wait, that happened, but it was a rich aunt and by the time the money was distributed, there wasn't much to go around)
-business picks up
-I have a job that I actually like and pays me what I am worth
- and, and, and
Over the past couple of months none of this has happened for me. However, I am beginning to see that sometimes I get so focused on the whole big forest of my life that I stop seeing the individual trees around me.
Here are some of the individual trees that I have had lately:
-the cost of one of my medications was cut waaaayyy down
-The sun has shone for the last 3 days
-I have a family that loves me
-I have a grandbaby that loves me
-I have a job
-I have friends
-I have an iPod that I didn't have to pay for
-I didn't hit that deer that ran out in front of me on my way to work
There are many more small things that happen on a daily basis that I know I just ignore. I know I have said this before, but I am really going to try and see them more often. And I am going to try and post them more often.
Yeah, me too. All the time.
I have a lot of things I wish would happen in my life:
-new house
-major life problem gone
-debt gone
-rich uncle leaves inheritance (oh wait, that happened, but it was a rich aunt and by the time the money was distributed, there wasn't much to go around)
-business picks up
-I have a job that I actually like and pays me what I am worth
- and, and, and
Over the past couple of months none of this has happened for me. However, I am beginning to see that sometimes I get so focused on the whole big forest of my life that I stop seeing the individual trees around me.
Here are some of the individual trees that I have had lately:
-the cost of one of my medications was cut waaaayyy down
-The sun has shone for the last 3 days
-I have a family that loves me
-I have a grandbaby that loves me
-I have a job
-I have friends
-I have an iPod that I didn't have to pay for
-I didn't hit that deer that ran out in front of me on my way to work
There are many more small things that happen on a daily basis that I know I just ignore. I know I have said this before, but I am really going to try and see them more often. And I am going to try and post them more often.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Pepperoni or Veggie
Today in 4-H cooking class we are making Pizza
Quick and Easy Pizza
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup pizza sauce (I sometimes use spaghetti sauce)
1 pkg. (6 1/2 oz) pizza crust mix
1/2 cup hot water
All purpose flour
2 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
2 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
Other toppings as desired
Preheat oven to 400* F
Chop onion.
In 2 qt mixing bowl, combine pizza crust mix and hot water. Stir with wooden spoon until moistened. Continue to stir vigorously, about 25 strokes. Cover with a towel and let stand 5 minutes in a warm place. Sprinkle a small amount of flour over cutting board and knead the dough 10-12 times or until dough is smooth.
Place dough in center of Baking Stone or pan. Roll dough into 12 inch circle. Spread pizza sauce on top of dough. Place shredded cheese ad other toppings on top of sauce.
Bake on bottom rack of oven 18-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and cut into wedges.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Candy wrappers
Do you ever buy a candy bar that has a contest code inside? Then you open the candy and it always, always says,
"Sorry not a winner, try again" or some such thing.
Sometimes they have a code that you can enter at the candy website. Of course when you go to the website and enter the code it alway says,
"Sorry not a winner, try again" or some such thing.
Did you know that when you go to the website and enter the code that all sorry not a winner codes are entered into a second chance drawing (if you enter your name and address along with the code).
I didn't know this. But I found this out the cool way. I came home from work today and a package was waiting for me. I hadn't ordered anything. But I had been entered in a second chance drawing. And this is what was in the package.
"Sorry not a winner, try again" or some such thing.
Sometimes they have a code that you can enter at the candy website. Of course when you go to the website and enter the code it alway says,
"Sorry not a winner, try again" or some such thing.
Did you know that when you go to the website and enter the code that all sorry not a winner codes are entered into a second chance drawing (if you enter your name and address along with the code).
I didn't know this. But I found this out the cool way. I came home from work today and a package was waiting for me. I hadn't ordered anything. But I had been entered in a second chance drawing. And this is what was in the package.
An 80 GB iPod along with a car dock thingie and $100 gift card!
I've been wanting one, but you know there was always that bill thing getting in the way.
Now I just have to decide what to put on it. It will hold 20,000 songs!!! 20,000!
And movies. Oh, tell me what movies should I get. I do not have to share it with my kids, so I can get whatever I want. If you could only have 1 movie, what would you choose? Tell me your all time favorite, must have, must see before you die movie.
Day off
About 7 years ago I had to stop being a stay at home mom and go to work. I was also going to school full time. I hated leaving my baby in day care and not being there for my kids. My housework became spotty at best. I was tired, crabby, cranky and stressed and I hated it. (leaving my baby and all that, not the job, I had a great job and and even better boss who has become a great friend.)
To combat the stress, the kids and I invented Movie Day.
The first Saturday of the month became Movie Day. We would do all housework and laundry and homework on Friday night. We would go to either Hollywood video or Blockbuster and rent 1 movie each. Then we would hit the grocery store and purchase unhealthy, but yummy treats. Saturday morning, we would get up and have a good healthy breakfast. Then we headed downstairs to the familyroom, movies and treats in hand. We would then proceed to spend the entire day in a movie, junkfood stupor. We would laugh and giggle and eat. When one movie ended, we would start all over again. When the last movie was over, we would clean up the family room, take showers, gather up our clothes for church the next day and we would be happier and less stressed because of it. We knew that we could face the rest of the month and anything it threw at us because we would be doing it all again in just a few short weeks. We still laugh over jokes invented and stupid movies watched back then.
We did this ritual for about 1 1/2 years. Then in Aug. of 2003 our life situation changed, we hoped for the better, but it turned out not to be so. And Movie Day became something that didn't happen very often. In fact, it stopped altogether. Every once in awhile, one of the kids would wistfully ask if we could have a movie day and it was promised that "we should do that". But it never happened.
This winter has been long, hard and cold. Mr. Flu moved in right after Thanksgiving and no eviction notice served seems to get him to leave. This weekend, he moved into Brandi's space and I had had enough. I was tired, crabby, cranky and stressed. So, Saturday I worked hard to get the housework done. Laundry done as possible with 6 kids. I went to the grocery store and bought snack food.
Yesterday, Ethan and I went to Hollywood video and rented 6 movies. Then we went home and I made Picco de Galleo, Guacamole, Chocolate Fondue Spread, Carmel Fondue Spread, a veggie dip, cut up a bunch of veggies, opened two packages of tortilla chips, graham crackers, Lorna Dunnes, animal crackers, and Limeaid to drink. We headed downstairs, filled our plates and watched movies and noshed all day long. I was able to get all the bedding washed and dried while we watched, so we all had nice clean sheets to climb into.
I was relaxed and felt nice when the day was done. I didn't realize how stressed and crabby I really was. It was nice to have a simple day off and be able to reconnect with my kiddos. And the movies were really not as stupid as I thought they would be. In fact, I laughed and enjoyed myself all day.
*we saw, Air Buddies, Underdog (my favorite), Singles 2nd Ward (my friend is in this one, not as good as the first one, but 2nds rarely are), Spider Man 3, we rented 2 others, but will watch them later this week.
To combat the stress, the kids and I invented Movie Day.
The first Saturday of the month became Movie Day. We would do all housework and laundry and homework on Friday night. We would go to either Hollywood video or Blockbuster and rent 1 movie each. Then we would hit the grocery store and purchase unhealthy, but yummy treats. Saturday morning, we would get up and have a good healthy breakfast. Then we headed downstairs to the familyroom, movies and treats in hand. We would then proceed to spend the entire day in a movie, junkfood stupor. We would laugh and giggle and eat. When one movie ended, we would start all over again. When the last movie was over, we would clean up the family room, take showers, gather up our clothes for church the next day and we would be happier and less stressed because of it. We knew that we could face the rest of the month and anything it threw at us because we would be doing it all again in just a few short weeks. We still laugh over jokes invented and stupid movies watched back then.
We did this ritual for about 1 1/2 years. Then in Aug. of 2003 our life situation changed, we hoped for the better, but it turned out not to be so. And Movie Day became something that didn't happen very often. In fact, it stopped altogether. Every once in awhile, one of the kids would wistfully ask if we could have a movie day and it was promised that "we should do that". But it never happened.
This winter has been long, hard and cold. Mr. Flu moved in right after Thanksgiving and no eviction notice served seems to get him to leave. This weekend, he moved into Brandi's space and I had had enough. I was tired, crabby, cranky and stressed. So, Saturday I worked hard to get the housework done. Laundry done as possible with 6 kids. I went to the grocery store and bought snack food.
Yesterday, Ethan and I went to Hollywood video and rented 6 movies. Then we went home and I made Picco de Galleo, Guacamole, Chocolate Fondue Spread, Carmel Fondue Spread, a veggie dip, cut up a bunch of veggies, opened two packages of tortilla chips, graham crackers, Lorna Dunnes, animal crackers, and Limeaid to drink. We headed downstairs, filled our plates and watched movies and noshed all day long. I was able to get all the bedding washed and dried while we watched, so we all had nice clean sheets to climb into.
I was relaxed and felt nice when the day was done. I didn't realize how stressed and crabby I really was. It was nice to have a simple day off and be able to reconnect with my kiddos. And the movies were really not as stupid as I thought they would be. In fact, I laughed and enjoyed myself all day.
*we saw, Air Buddies, Underdog (my favorite), Singles 2nd Ward (my friend is in this one, not as good as the first one, but 2nds rarely are), Spider Man 3, we rented 2 others, but will watch them later this week.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
To the best people in the world
Today is my parents wedding anniversary and I would love to say
Here they are on their wedding day.
A few years later. (I am the baby)
Happy Anniversary to the best parents in the whole entire world.
Here they are on their wedding day.
And here they are this past Nov. with their first great grandchild, my grandson.
Hope it is a happy day!! I love you Mom and Dad.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Apologies
Something on my blog is making it load really slow. You have probably been getting a popup window asking if you want to run some kind of script. I have no idea what is causing this, the only change I have made is to make my playlist not start automatically. I will try very hard this weekend to see if I can figure out what the deal is and make it stop.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The color purple
My mom cleaned out her closet. Yay for free clothes shopping! I got a really cute brown sweater dress. Problem is, I don't look good in that color brown. But, Rit die and I are good friends, so I decided to die it black. I could never get it dark enough that it did not look like a dirty gray. So I decided to die it a pretty deep grape color. I look really good in purple. I was in the process of dieing it and Jacob came to me and said "Mom, could you do a load of jeans, I am out of pants to wear." (it would help if they would put their dirty pants in the hamper on thursday, the day I do jeans!). Anyway, I took the dress out of the die bath when it was the right color I wanted, drained the washer, did a hot load of nothing but hot water, detergent and bleach to clean the washer. I laid the dress on the top of towel hamper to rinse and set the die after I did the jeans. Then I did a load of jeans.
Of course after the jeans were done, it was 10pm and I was tired, so I put them in the dryer and decided to rinse the dress the next day. Guess what happened next? Ethan, bless his little heart, came home from school and decided that Mom needed some help and he was just the guy to do it. He decided to help me by doing a load of towels to surprise me when I got home from work. He put the hot water in the washer, he put a scoop of detergent in the washer. He DID NOT put bleach in the washer, because he did that last time, with my brand new purple towels and turned them a splotchy reddish color. But he DID scoop up the dress along with the towels. The dress that was still full of purple die. The splotchy reddish, no longer purple towels and the lovely cream colored towels that were a perfect accent to the purple/now splotchy reddish towels.
I thanked Ethan for doing a load of towels for me and remembering to not put bleach in with the colored towels. I then went to the store and bought more purple die to fix the dress that was now dirty gray again. I no longer have cream towels as they are all now a pale purple. But on the upside, I no longer have splotchy reddish towels either.
Of course after the jeans were done, it was 10pm and I was tired, so I put them in the dryer and decided to rinse the dress the next day. Guess what happened next? Ethan, bless his little heart, came home from school and decided that Mom needed some help and he was just the guy to do it. He decided to help me by doing a load of towels to surprise me when I got home from work. He put the hot water in the washer, he put a scoop of detergent in the washer. He DID NOT put bleach in the washer, because he did that last time, with my brand new purple towels and turned them a splotchy reddish color. But he DID scoop up the dress along with the towels. The dress that was still full of purple die. The splotchy reddish, no longer purple towels and the lovely cream colored towels that were a perfect accent to the purple/now splotchy reddish towels.
I thanked Ethan for doing a load of towels for me and remembering to not put bleach in with the colored towels. I then went to the store and bought more purple die to fix the dress that was now dirty gray again. I no longer have cream towels as they are all now a pale purple. But on the upside, I no longer have splotchy reddish towels either.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
You have spoken
McKenna wrote a post about how to annoy her and it involved playlists. Now, when I started a playlist it was at Christmas time and I had the song of the day at the top so that you could listen as you read my post and hopefully catch the spirit of my review. Then after Christmas I just kept it because I liked listening to it after school when I was hanging out in my room waiting for it to be time to go home.
Then one day it happened. I forgot to turn the volume off on my computer the night before and I was blog surfing during class time and hit a blog with a play list. Embarassing!
Then I read McKenna's post and thought, "You know, she's right." So I did a survey and you all told me that you prefer the music to not automatically start. So, it no longer does. It is still there, at the bottom of the blog, you just have to go there and click on the song you want to listen to to start it. Then listen to your little heart's content. Or not. I'm leaving it up to you.
Then one day it happened. I forgot to turn the volume off on my computer the night before and I was blog surfing during class time and hit a blog with a play list. Embarassing!
Then I read McKenna's post and thought, "You know, she's right." So I did a survey and you all told me that you prefer the music to not automatically start. So, it no longer does. It is still there, at the bottom of the blog, you just have to go there and click on the song you want to listen to to start it. Then listen to your little heart's content. Or not. I'm leaving it up to you.
Cookies with Heart
Our school is lucky enough to have a 4-H after school program. I am lucky enough that I get to teach one of the after school clubs, the cooking club. Today is my first day and we are going to make sugar cookies- of course they will be hearts.
Here is the recipe we are going to use. It is simple and easy and quick and not too sweet.
Cutout Cookies
from Christmas cookies 2001 magazine
Prep time 35 minutes
1 Cup butter, softned
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Egg
3 Cups all-purpose flour
Powdered Sugar Glaze
Decorative Icing
Heat oven to 375* F. Beat butter in a mixing bowl on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until combined. Beat in egg till combined. Beat or stir in flour. Divide dough in half. 'roll half the dough at a time on a floured surface till 1/8 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters; reroll and cut trimmings. Place cutouts on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Powdered Sugar Glaze:
Combine 4 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1/4 cup milk in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, till of drizzling consistency. Tint as desired with paste food coloring. make about 1 1/4 cups
Decorative Icing
Stir together 4 cups sifted powdered sugar and 3 Tablespoons milk in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, till of piping consistency. Tint as desired with paste food coloring. Fill pastry bags and decorate
Store: place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature up to 1 week or freeze unglazed cookies up to 3 months. Thaw, then glaze.
Here is the recipe we are going to use. It is simple and easy and quick and not too sweet.
Cutout Cookies
from Christmas cookies 2001 magazine
Prep time 35 minutes
1 Cup butter, softned
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Egg
3 Cups all-purpose flour
Powdered Sugar Glaze
Decorative Icing
Heat oven to 375* F. Beat butter in a mixing bowl on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until combined. Beat in egg till combined. Beat or stir in flour. Divide dough in half. 'roll half the dough at a time on a floured surface till 1/8 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters; reroll and cut trimmings. Place cutouts on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Powdered Sugar Glaze:
Combine 4 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1/4 cup milk in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, till of drizzling consistency. Tint as desired with paste food coloring. make about 1 1/4 cups
Decorative Icing
Stir together 4 cups sifted powdered sugar and 3 Tablespoons milk in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, till of piping consistency. Tint as desired with paste food coloring. Fill pastry bags and decorate
Store: place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature up to 1 week or freeze unglazed cookies up to 3 months. Thaw, then glaze.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Immigration and consequences
Last week there was a raid at a sign making company here in the valley. The first thing I noticed about this is the company is located next to where I used to work. In fact, I used to look at their flag pole every day. Second, the raid was to arrest 30 illegal immigrants that worked there. The next day at school, some of the students were passing around a petition to "Free the immigrants"
When asked to sign the petition I refused. At first the students were upset and thought that I was being unfair. This then allowed us to have a discussion about why I refused. The students informed me that the immigrants were "just trying to work. They aren't here to jack nobody or nothin" I then asked if these immigrants came to our country leagally, with all the correct paperwork and permissions or did they break our law to be here? Maybe they are not "jacking nobody" but they have already broken our laws just by being here.
I then went on to explain that if the workers were willing to come here leagally and with all the correct paperwork and permissions, I would be more than happy to sign a petition. I would be willing to fight with my dying breath their right to work. But as long as I have breath, I will not sign a petition for someone to be allowed to break our laws.
I have 2 boys willing to put their lives on the line for our freedom. They do so willingly. I signed the papers for them to enlist willingly. I will not willingly give them to die so that someone can break the law. We have rules and laws for a reason, follow them and I will stand behind you, break them, and you have the right to suffer the consequences.
Once you choose the behavior, you have already chosen the consequences. If you do not like the consequences, choose different behavior.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Whitney Awards
Voting is going on for The Whitney Awards. I was asked by a friend to read some of them and give my opinion. She had borrowed 5 of them from the local library and brought them by my house when she was done with them. They were due back today and I had about a week to read through them. I decided to give them each 5-6 chapters and see if they caught my attention and if I wanted to continue reading them or not. So here is my opinion of the 5 books, based on what I read and whether I intend on finishing them or not.
1. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians
Brandon Sanderson
A hero with an incredible talent...for breaking things. A life-or-death mission...to rescue a bag of sand. A fearsome threat from a powerful secret network...the evil Librarians. Alcatraz Smedry doesn't seem destined for anything but disaster. On his 13th birthday he receives a bag of sand, which is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians plotting to take over the world. The sand will give the Librarians the edge they need to achieve world domination. Alcatraz must stop them!...by infiltrating the local library, armed with nothing but eyeglasses and a talent for klutziness.
I really liked this book and wanted to keep reading, but I started it first and was afraid that I wouldn't get to the others if I did. Whenever Alcatraz's grandfather was around, I kept picturing "Doc" from the Back to the Future movies. The one thing I did not like about this book- it is written in first person and that could get really limiting as the book goes on. I'll just have to check the book out and find out. And as soon as I am done with the Robert Jordan book I am reading, I will do that.
2. Bullies in the Headlights
Matthew Buckley
The Buckley boys are headed back to school for another year. But unfortunately, so are the Hagbarts -- and they're out for revenge. Matthew Buckley and his brothers may have won a single small battle over the summer, but the war is far from over. Luckily, though the Hagbarts may be meaner, the Buckleys are smarter -- or were smarter. The sight of Matthew's underwear at the top of the school flagpole loudly states that the Hagbart bullies are getting expert help from someone quite clever.Soon the war of wits escalates to an incredible scheme designed to get the ultimate revenge on the Hagbarts. But now that Matthew has been learning that he's supposed to do good to those who hate him, what will he do when a little push becomes a great big shove?
Here is what I wrote in my notes: " a quick read. if you have ever been the picked on kid, you will like and "get" this book. If I had checked it out, I would finish it, but it is not a book I will go to the library to pick up. However, if I am there for another book and think about it, I'll get it.
What I didn't like about this book- written in first person and that had limited the book already by chapter 5.
3. The Deep End
Traci Hunter Abramson
Matt’s hands balled in frustration. . . . He couldn’t even acknowledge that he knew the dark-haired beauty down the street—much less that he was married to her. . . . He had walked into this marriage knowing full well that he would be married to a woman in the Witness Protection Program, and that they would have to spend their first year of marriage pretending they didn’t know each other. But little do CJ and Matt know the extent of the danger and loneliness that will haunt their lives. A world-class swimmer with Olympic aspirations, CJ faces overwhelming odds that threaten to drown all her hopes and dreams. Will the deep end prove to be a dead end for CJ and Matt?In a story where reality is as tentative as the waters of competition, and happiness is as elusive as the forces of evil that conspire to end all their dreams, CJ and Matt’s race for safety becomes a marathon of fear.
Caught my interest, in fact this is the one book that I completely read. It was also the one book that I had heard of before my friend gave them to me and one that I had intended to read. I liked the book. The story line was good, the suspense was good if a bit formulaic. The book was not written in first person and allowed Ms. Abramson to move the story along through different characters and places instead of limiting herself to only CJ's view point.
What I didn't like about this book: It was standard formula for this type of book and a bit predictable. When CJ is moved into one of the safe houses, I knew how the book would end based on the description and I was right. But I still liked the book.
4. Beyond the Horizon
Judy C. Olsen
Six men. Six journals. Six stories. An unbroken chain from the past into the present. The saga of the Madigan family begins with a mob on the shores of the Grand River in Missouri in the days of Joseph Smith. After risking his life to save his friends, Jedediah Madigan must flee the county to avoid persecution. But a firm foundation of testimony and faith will serve the generations to come as the family follows the Saints to Zion.The saga continues in the west as each succeeding generation of the Madigan family struggles to to face the challenges of his day with unyielding determination. From father to son, each family member is affected by the decisions of his forbearers, but like us, each can rise with the hope that lies beyond the horizon.
Maybe it was because I was reading this book when I had a fever, I don't know, I didn't read 5 chapters. I read the first part of Jedediah's journal and couldn't go on. To me, it felt like I was reading "The Work and the Glory" lite and I just was not in the mood, so I quite. Will I check it out and read it? Maybe. If I see it on the shelf and think about it and nothing else grabs my attention. And maybe if I were to read it without a temp. of 102*F I might give it a different review.
5. First Day
Allyson Braithwaite Condie
Jobs. Missions. College. Love. In the sequel to Yearbook, the characters are in the middle of it all. Two and a half years after we left off, Andrea Beckett is a junior at Cornell University in New York. She's caught up in the whirlwind of finals, decisions about jobs . . . and decisions about love, too. Dave Sherman has returned home from his mission, and they will have to decide where their romance is going. In addition to everything else, Andrea just received the assignment to teach early-morning seminary to a group of eight high school students, who all have their own decisions to make and challenges to overcome. Meanwhile, Andrea's brother Ethan is serving a mission in Brazil. The language is new, the culture is different, and sometimes being Elder Beckett is harder than he expected.
Sequel to Yearbook
I started this book, was able to read chapter 1. I even took it to work, hoping to get more read during lunch, but to no avail. It was that kind of day. However, based on the chapter I was able to read before I had to turn them into the library, I will check this book out and finish it. I will also check out Yearbook and read them in order.
I have a couple things I want to say about these books and other books in general.
* When writing a book, please think twice about writing it in first person, it is really a limiting point of view and is rarely done in a way that allowes the reader to know everything needed about the story. There are even times that it can turn the reader off. I really did not like the Twilight series and that is mostly because I cannot stand Bella. If the story had been told Third Person Omniscent, I might have liked them better. If you notice in my reviews above of whether or not I would finish a book, the only one I did finish was not written in first person.
*When I googled the titles of the above books, why oh why did I not find them easily? Come on authors, get yourself a webpage, or even a blog with a link to where your book can be purchased (even if that is your garage). If I like a book and want to write a review of it, I would like to be able to send my readers to you. If I have checked the book out of the library, and I like your book and want to buy it, I want to know where to get it. And I want to know about you. And if I have to search more than one page or google more than once, I am not going to keep looking. Let me know where to find you and your book(s).
I'm just sayin'
1. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians
Brandon Sanderson
A hero with an incredible talent...for breaking things. A life-or-death mission...to rescue a bag of sand. A fearsome threat from a powerful secret network...the evil Librarians. Alcatraz Smedry doesn't seem destined for anything but disaster. On his 13th birthday he receives a bag of sand, which is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians plotting to take over the world. The sand will give the Librarians the edge they need to achieve world domination. Alcatraz must stop them!...by infiltrating the local library, armed with nothing but eyeglasses and a talent for klutziness.
I really liked this book and wanted to keep reading, but I started it first and was afraid that I wouldn't get to the others if I did. Whenever Alcatraz's grandfather was around, I kept picturing "Doc" from the Back to the Future movies. The one thing I did not like about this book- it is written in first person and that could get really limiting as the book goes on. I'll just have to check the book out and find out. And as soon as I am done with the Robert Jordan book I am reading, I will do that.
2. Bullies in the Headlights
Matthew Buckley
The Buckley boys are headed back to school for another year. But unfortunately, so are the Hagbarts -- and they're out for revenge. Matthew Buckley and his brothers may have won a single small battle over the summer, but the war is far from over. Luckily, though the Hagbarts may be meaner, the Buckleys are smarter -- or were smarter. The sight of Matthew's underwear at the top of the school flagpole loudly states that the Hagbart bullies are getting expert help from someone quite clever.Soon the war of wits escalates to an incredible scheme designed to get the ultimate revenge on the Hagbarts. But now that Matthew has been learning that he's supposed to do good to those who hate him, what will he do when a little push becomes a great big shove?
Here is what I wrote in my notes: " a quick read. if you have ever been the picked on kid, you will like and "get" this book. If I had checked it out, I would finish it, but it is not a book I will go to the library to pick up. However, if I am there for another book and think about it, I'll get it.
What I didn't like about this book- written in first person and that had limited the book already by chapter 5.
3. The Deep End
Traci Hunter Abramson
Matt’s hands balled in frustration. . . . He couldn’t even acknowledge that he knew the dark-haired beauty down the street—much less that he was married to her. . . . He had walked into this marriage knowing full well that he would be married to a woman in the Witness Protection Program, and that they would have to spend their first year of marriage pretending they didn’t know each other. But little do CJ and Matt know the extent of the danger and loneliness that will haunt their lives. A world-class swimmer with Olympic aspirations, CJ faces overwhelming odds that threaten to drown all her hopes and dreams. Will the deep end prove to be a dead end for CJ and Matt?In a story where reality is as tentative as the waters of competition, and happiness is as elusive as the forces of evil that conspire to end all their dreams, CJ and Matt’s race for safety becomes a marathon of fear.
Caught my interest, in fact this is the one book that I completely read. It was also the one book that I had heard of before my friend gave them to me and one that I had intended to read. I liked the book. The story line was good, the suspense was good if a bit formulaic. The book was not written in first person and allowed Ms. Abramson to move the story along through different characters and places instead of limiting herself to only CJ's view point.
What I didn't like about this book: It was standard formula for this type of book and a bit predictable. When CJ is moved into one of the safe houses, I knew how the book would end based on the description and I was right. But I still liked the book.
4. Beyond the Horizon
Judy C. Olsen
Six men. Six journals. Six stories. An unbroken chain from the past into the present. The saga of the Madigan family begins with a mob on the shores of the Grand River in Missouri in the days of Joseph Smith. After risking his life to save his friends, Jedediah Madigan must flee the county to avoid persecution. But a firm foundation of testimony and faith will serve the generations to come as the family follows the Saints to Zion.The saga continues in the west as each succeeding generation of the Madigan family struggles to to face the challenges of his day with unyielding determination. From father to son, each family member is affected by the decisions of his forbearers, but like us, each can rise with the hope that lies beyond the horizon.
Maybe it was because I was reading this book when I had a fever, I don't know, I didn't read 5 chapters. I read the first part of Jedediah's journal and couldn't go on. To me, it felt like I was reading "The Work and the Glory" lite and I just was not in the mood, so I quite. Will I check it out and read it? Maybe. If I see it on the shelf and think about it and nothing else grabs my attention. And maybe if I were to read it without a temp. of 102*F I might give it a different review.
5. First Day
Allyson Braithwaite Condie
Jobs. Missions. College. Love. In the sequel to Yearbook, the characters are in the middle of it all. Two and a half years after we left off, Andrea Beckett is a junior at Cornell University in New York. She's caught up in the whirlwind of finals, decisions about jobs . . . and decisions about love, too. Dave Sherman has returned home from his mission, and they will have to decide where their romance is going. In addition to everything else, Andrea just received the assignment to teach early-morning seminary to a group of eight high school students, who all have their own decisions to make and challenges to overcome. Meanwhile, Andrea's brother Ethan is serving a mission in Brazil. The language is new, the culture is different, and sometimes being Elder Beckett is harder than he expected.
Sequel to Yearbook
I started this book, was able to read chapter 1. I even took it to work, hoping to get more read during lunch, but to no avail. It was that kind of day. However, based on the chapter I was able to read before I had to turn them into the library, I will check this book out and finish it. I will also check out Yearbook and read them in order.
I have a couple things I want to say about these books and other books in general.
* When writing a book, please think twice about writing it in first person, it is really a limiting point of view and is rarely done in a way that allowes the reader to know everything needed about the story. There are even times that it can turn the reader off. I really did not like the Twilight series and that is mostly because I cannot stand Bella. If the story had been told Third Person Omniscent, I might have liked them better. If you notice in my reviews above of whether or not I would finish a book, the only one I did finish was not written in first person.
*When I googled the titles of the above books, why oh why did I not find them easily? Come on authors, get yourself a webpage, or even a blog with a link to where your book can be purchased (even if that is your garage). If I like a book and want to write a review of it, I would like to be able to send my readers to you. If I have checked the book out of the library, and I like your book and want to buy it, I want to know where to get it. And I want to know about you. And if I have to search more than one page or google more than once, I am not going to keep looking. Let me know where to find you and your book(s).
I'm just sayin'
Winner
Here is our beautiful gift bag of goodies. What happens now is our winner needs to go to my website , take the personality test and then we will get together to create the most fabulous scent to make your signature custom products.
So, heitkampfam Pretty in Pink, if you are located in Utah, we can do this in person. If you are not in Utah, I will e-mail you with your options. (be sure to include your e-mail when you take the personality test.)
Everyone else, I will hold more contests throughout the year, but in the meantime, Feb. hostess special is that you get a home fragrance collection for 1/2 off. That's right, you pay $25 and receive an Oil Warming Plate and 3 of your favorite oils. This is an incredible value.
March Hostess Special
Back by popular demand! Receive a free perfume oil with any UB Home Collection. We held this promotion back in November and all we can say is WOW. Our customers loved the idea of that free oil. Make sure you contact me to schedule your workshop date before my March calendar fills up.
Too busy to schedule in a workshop? Or perhaps you don't live close enough for me to be able to come to your home? Schedule a catalog workshop and you get the same hostess benefits.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Channeling Meg Ryan
You know that scene in "You've Got Mail" after Meg Ryan's character has lost her business and she is home sick and her bed is covered with kleenex and she is miserable? Yeah, that's me today. Except I did throw my kleenex in the garbage can. And there is no Tom Hanks character to bring me daisies and fix me soup. But my son did clean te kitchen and my other son is fixing supper for everyone, so it really isn't that bad, I guess. I think my fever (102*) finally broke and I will actually make it back to work tomorrow.
I'll pick the winner for the Valentine's contest later this evening and post it tomorrow, so good luck and there is still time to enter!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Do they cancel life because of snow?
Here are some pictures taken last week and then again this morning. We got a ton of snow yesterday and yet 6 miles away at work, there was next to nothing!
Same planters this morning at 6 am
Same planters, other side
There is a pond and waterfall to the right of the picture and a pathway that goes on the left of the mailbox, past the pond and up to the porch. Really.
My front porch last Thursday
Same planters this morning at 6 am Same planters, other side
The chimes are sitting on a mounded flowerbed next to the bird bath, which is not on the mound, but on the same level as the path that really and truly runs next to it to the porch.
Lets hope the little birdies don't want a bath or that they come equiped with scarfs ala Woodstock.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Its Feb. 1st
That means its birthday time! I would have posted this sooner, but I spent the day in Salt Lake at Pres. Hinckley's veiwing. I'll post about that tomorrow because today I want to say Happy Birthday to Tawnya- my youngest sister.
Here she is with her sweet husband.
She is one of the smartest people that I know. She is studious and knows about things. In fact, sometimes I am a bit intimidated by her and feel really frumpy and stupid next to her. But I still love her and will be so happy when she moves back to Utah and I can see her more often.
Happy birthday Sweet Pea. Hope it was a good one.
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