Friday, November 19, 2010

Fill in the Blog

So, today was Jerry's "day off" and blog blog blog blog blog blog had to do military training. Blog blog blog blog left 7 a.m. blog blog running blog blog blog blog Katie blog blog blog happy. Meanwhile, Jonah blog blog blog Oliver and blog blog blog blog napped!
Jerry called and said, "blog blog dinner?" So, Katie said, "blog blog blog blog." And Jerry responded "blog blog blog take care of it."
Blog blog blog blog just in time for blog blog blog. So they made blog blog and Katie is an blog blog blog. And then, blog blog blog the balloons blog blog blog Oliver's birthday party!
And now, blog blog blog very tired and blog blog blog sleep. In the morning blog blog when blog blog Jonah and then blog blog. But then Oliver will surely blog blog blog. And Jerry will surely blog blog, again, blog blog "day off."
The Blog.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

It's really a shame about SPAM


and I'm not talking about unwanted email. SPAM the canned meat is so good and it has such a bad reputation, and I'm wondering why? Is it because there is a lot of fat? Bacon is super fatty and everybody loves bacon. Is it because it's ground up meat reshaped? So are hamburgers and hot dogs and who doesn't like hamburgers and hot dogs. Is is because it's in a can? Tuna comes in a can I don't know anybody who would refuse a good tuna sandwich.

Well, I love SPAM and I'm not afraid to say it. I've actually talked to quite a few people who say they hate it, but then I find out they have never even tried it!

In case you think that you hate SPAM, but haven't tried it in a while (or ever) why not give it a try? Just slice it pretty thin (about 1/2 in) and cook it just like bacon, on your griddle or frying pan and just cook both sides until golden brown. Eat it with eggs and toast for breakfast (it's surprisingly good dipped in syrup, too-like ham or bacon). Or, after it's fried, grill some onions, melt some cheese on it and eat it between toast with lettuce and tomato for a YUMMY sandwich.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What I really wish I was doing today


I've had a request to give some information on snow shoeing, so if you happen to live somewhere with snow, this post is for you. If you don't, then you can read it and wish you lived somewhere with snow.

I can't really give you too much information. The picture above is me snow shoeing up to my grandparents cabin in 2007 when I was pregnant with Jonah. Those are my mom's snow shoes that I borrowed. If you can tell from the picture, they are a modern snowshoe, which is what I would recommend.

If you have something like this...
You may want to consider updating. These will be very difficult and you will look really silly. Trust me, we used to have some of these when I was younger and they just weren't much fun.
This is what you want:
You just wear your regular snow boots, strap them on and walk on top of the snow. It's pretty fun. But it's mostly just like going for a walk. Actually, I hardly ever snowshoe. What I REALLY love to do is this:

Cross country skiing! It is the best workout, and the best part is when you get to the top of the hill, you can turn around and ski down instead of having to walk down like you do with snow shoes.

If you want equipment, you can rent it or you can buy. I know there's a great place by Macey's in Orem called Play It Again Sports, and they sell used sports equipment, so you could probably get a really good deal. One of the best things about getting your own equipment is that once you do snowshoeing or cross country skiing is totally free. You could even find any empty field or park and just go!

If you live in Utah county, I would recommend going up American Fork Canyon. There are a lot of places to go there, and there are two places that actually close to all snowmobiles and groom cross country skiing trails. They are Little Mill campground, which is about halfway to Tibble Fork Reservoir, and Granite Flat's campground. To get to Granite Flat's Campground, you park at Tibble Fork Reservoir, then ski up and to the right on the road until you get there. It is by far the best and most beautiful. It does take a bit more time to get there, but it's really worth it. It has the most snow, and it's really quiet and peaceful:
(This is me and my brother-in-law Jeremy in 2004, and yes, that is like 4 feet of snow on the roof the that building)
Groomed trails are really nice, but not necessary. From the parking lot at Tibble Fork Reservoir, you can also go right on the Mineral Basin road:
(Me and Katie B. in 2008 when we were both pregnant.)

Mineral Basin Road is nice and flat if you want a little easier workout, but there will be snowmobiles and the snow will be a lot more packed down and possibly icy depending how the weather has been. If you need someone to go with, let me know because my mom will seriously go with you. And she would probably let you borrow some gear to try out too. She goes all the time and is always looking for someone to go with her.

But where I really wish I was going today is my grandparents cabin in Midway. The only way to get there in the winter is by cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobile.

This is where I really found my love for cross country skiing. We've been going up there my whole life. When I was very small, my mom would put me on a sled or tube and pull me up, then when I was big enough I would ski myself. At the cabin we roast marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire, drink hot chocolate, boil snow for water, go sledding ALL day, and just spend time with my family talking and playing games.
By the way; If you want to know how to dress for snow sports, please see picture above that was taken with my mom when I was like 10. I'm wearing a green sweatshirt and pink sweatpants with a pink robe over the top, and the MOST essential thing to have in a freezing cold cabin: The big orange booties. Man, I was a pioneer in fashion since I was in elementary school! But the Pièce de résistance was the awesome coat and hat I wore up the cabin on this same trip:
Man, I was awesome!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Dessert Update

I attempted to make Pumpkin Dessert again. It is amazing how two baking experiences can be so different. I had all the necessary ingredients, my kids quietly played without disturbing me, and...it only took 15 min.

Yay!!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Lady Antebellum

This is what I did this afternoon. It was sooooo good! This video really doesn't do justice to how good they sounded. And we were so close, in the 7th row. The two guys are from Augusta, and they mayor came out after and gave them a key to the city, and a street sign because they are naming a street in Augusta Lady Antebellum Way. AND they are going to name a new huge park complex after them. When the County commissioner told them about the park, Hillary (the woman singer) got choked up and cried a little. It was so fun to see them be so excited!

They did this short "lunch hour" show with all benefits going to the MCG Childrens Hospital. I just love seeing star's that are so talented, and giving, and they just seem like really great people. I know I'm not a native Georgian, but I really felt proud that they are from here.

Enjoy!



Sunday, November 14, 2010

Book Review: These Is My Words


Summary:
A moving, exciting, and heartfelt American saga inspired by the author's own family memoirs, these words belong to Sarah Prine, a woman of spirit and fire who forges a full and remarkable existence in a harsh, unfamiliar frontier. Scrupulously recording her steps down the path Providence has set her upon-from child to determined young adult to loving mother-she shares the turbulent events, both joyous and tragic, that molded her, and recalls the enduring love with cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot that gave her strength and purpose.
Rich in authentic everyday details and alive with truly unforgettable characters, These Is My Words brilliantly brings a vanished world to breathtaking life again.

My thoughts:
I loved this book. It was such a wonderful love story. I read it in 2 days and pretty much walked around with a silly grin on my face the whole time just thinking about the fierce love between Jack and Sarah. The way he teases her and loves her for just who she is is so sweet. It doesn't just get up to the engagement and then leave you with "and they lived happily ever after". It shows the real hardships they lived through and how even though they grow and change, their love only grows deeper. The story is written from her perspective (obviously-it's her diary) but it includes some details about him and things he does or writes or says that proves his feeling for her is as deep and unshakable as her own. You never once doubt his feelings for her. The middle of the book is by far the best, but I really loved the whole thing. It reads like a real diary. Sometimes she writes everyday. Sometimes it's months or even years between entries. The characters really come to life and you can feel yourself living this story. I cried at the beginning and at the end and still can't believe how it ends, but it was so good. Did I already say that? It's so good. Read it.