I'm posting this here so i'll remember to try it..
This is from one of my student teachers I had in my classroom back in the day. Thanks Sharon!!!
One Hour Bread--THE BEST BREAD RECIPE EVER!!!!!
This recipe is for a LARGE mixer. If you have the standard Kitchen Aid (like I do) then you will need to half this recipe. You can also make it by hand--but it is written for a mixer.
**This recipe calls for 2 ingredients that you may not be familiar with. It is worth going out and finding the ingredients and keeping them on hand--you will never go back to your other recipes again!**
Ingredients:
10 1/2 c White Flour
1/2 c sugar
1 TBsp Salt
3 Rounded TBSP of SAF INSTANT YEAST (this is important--this is the kind of yeast that you don't have to proof before using it--you just add it to the dry ingredients.)
3 TBSP Liquid Soy Lecithin (This is sometimes found in the health part of the super market--by the supplements and stuff like that--it is awesome to use as it has an indefinate shelf life so it is great for food storage!
4 c Hot Tap Water
Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients together in mixer. Use a measuring spoon to make a well in the dry ingredients to pour the lecithin into. (The lecithin is the STICKIEST stuff to work with ever--if you pour it into a measuring spoon you will never get it out--so instead just make 3 little TBSP wells and fill them up with lecithin). Then add the HOT tap water and start mixing. The dough should be REALLY STICKY. It should be so sticky that you wonder what you did wrong and you will want to add more flour--BUT DON'T--and if it isn't sticky enough, add 1/2 -1 cup more hot water to reach the sticky consistency. Then turn your mixer on and let it mix for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, spray your counter and all your pans with pam spray. When the 5 minutes is up you can pam spray a spoon or your hands to scrape the dough out of the mixer bowl and onto the greased counter. Then you only knead the dough a couple times and shape into your bread, rolls, twists, pizza--WHATEVER.
Start your oven preheating to 350 and let your shaped dough rise for 25 minutes--covered with pam sprayed suran wrap (for breads and rolls--for pizza-just top and bake now without letting rise). Then bake. Bread for 25 mins. Buns, rolls, mini loafs for 15 mins. Enjoy! This is the easiest and quickest bread recipe you will EVER find! It is worth trying it for yourself! And I love that it takes such few ingredients! I really is an awesome recipe to have for food storage purposes as it only takes 6 ingredients.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard
The video is a bit long (20 minutes)—but caught my attention—and made me resolve to remember to take my bags with me to the grocery store!!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
World Digital Library
Doing some research for work… and just wanted to test this blog thing..
I thought this was an amazing site… Images, documents, etc. for the ENTIRE WORLD!!
Check it out!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Grandpa Memory
Grandpa passed away one week ago yesterday. So many people have memorialized him so beautifully, and I want to take some time to do that too, but this morning as I was contemplating my morning oatmeal, I wanted to capture a sweet memory.
We all remember Grandpa for his famous pancake breakfasts, complete with bacon and eggs and animal shapes. But he could make a wonderful pot of oatmeal too!!
One year, I made a goal of travelling to Twin Falls to visit with Grandma and Grandpa at least once a month. I think I hit at least 7-8 of the 12 months of the year. It was just me and Grandma and Grandpa, and I felt so close to them for a while. Pancakes were usually reserved for large family gatherings, so my short visits were more common place, and I was able to just spend an ordinary day with them. Usually we'd have cold cereal, toast and orange juice, or this fantastic oatmeal for breakfast. He would cook it on the stove top, boiling the water, and carefully adding the raw oatmeal and salt to the water. We had to be careful to turn the heat down, or stir it just right so it wouldn't boil over. We had brown sugar, white sugar, honey, cinnamon, peanut butter... and mocha mix to pour over the top-- everything you could think of to flavor your oats to your personal taste.
I don't think eating my oatmeal will ever be the same... no more microwaved oatmeal for me!!
I miss you Grandpa!!
We all remember Grandpa for his famous pancake breakfasts, complete with bacon and eggs and animal shapes. But he could make a wonderful pot of oatmeal too!!
One year, I made a goal of travelling to Twin Falls to visit with Grandma and Grandpa at least once a month. I think I hit at least 7-8 of the 12 months of the year. It was just me and Grandma and Grandpa, and I felt so close to them for a while. Pancakes were usually reserved for large family gatherings, so my short visits were more common place, and I was able to just spend an ordinary day with them. Usually we'd have cold cereal, toast and orange juice, or this fantastic oatmeal for breakfast. He would cook it on the stove top, boiling the water, and carefully adding the raw oatmeal and salt to the water. We had to be careful to turn the heat down, or stir it just right so it wouldn't boil over. We had brown sugar, white sugar, honey, cinnamon, peanut butter... and mocha mix to pour over the top-- everything you could think of to flavor your oats to your personal taste.
I don't think eating my oatmeal will ever be the same... no more microwaved oatmeal for me!!
I miss you Grandpa!!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
start blogging again??
I've been watching my rss feed on everyone's blog list drop... drop... drop... lower and lower on the list.
Jenni and Lisa took it up on themselves to tag me... in an effort to raise my blog up higher on their lists. :) Thanks Ladies..
Tag #1: Where were you?
20 years ago: 1988, really?
1. I was a sophomore in high school. I guess I was probably really wrapped up in all the things that go with being in high school-- wanting to fit in, but never really finding my niche. I was enthralled with all things marching band, choir and orchestra.
2. My family had moved to South Jordan just two years earlier. I think I was still adjusting to living in a new neighborhood and making new friends.
3. My sister, Lorie was at Ricks College and I missed her horribly. We were pretty close. I actually came across several letters from her and remembered how much fun it was to hear about her fun and exciting life at college.
10 years ago: 1998
1. My third year teaching school. Middle school home economics in Heber City Utah. I think this was about the time that I decided that I was ready to do something different from teaching school, but was scared silly to even think about doing something besides what I was specifically trained for. I decided to stick it out one more year.
2. I worked as a volunteer at This is the Place Heritage Park that summer. I got to dress up in the old fashioned pioneer dresses. I was stationed at the first house as you walked up the street.. they demonstrated how to spin and dye wool. I learned all sorts of things about one of the things I'm really passionate about.. fiber and fabric. I learned how to spin wool, and later actually purchased a spinning wheel. I also learned a lot about hand dying wool, and the different colors you get from different natural plants. I think this is where I really learned to love lavendar.
3. I was also diagnosed with Grave's Disease at the end of this year-- probably the following spring, but it's close enough. Grave's Disease is a Thyroid condition that affects every possible facet of life you can think of. It was kind of devastating at first, but under the care of an extremely competent doctor, I was treated and medicated and life was pretty much back to normal after a 1 year nightmare.
5 years ago: 2003
1. I think this was my true adventure year. I started working for a private institution of higher ed. It seemed to be everything that my previous job wasn't-- an opportunity to make drastic and quick changes to methods and policies to reform an outdated correspondence school into a dynamic and cutting edge online university. It was fun for a little while, but lost its luster when the quick changes and cutting edge technologies weren't as easy to obtain as we had hoped.
2. One of the perks of this job was the opportunity to return to school to obtain my masters degree of Education. What a fantastic experience it was. The program was a totally distance program administrated out of Logan, UT. Each semester I took 2-3 courses online and 1 course via a closed circuit television system called EDNET. It was a great opportunity to expand my mind and gain greater insight to the process of education. Even made me reconsider returning to the classroom so I could implement the new things I learned. -- Hopefully I'm using those skills in my current job to inspire other faculty in the classroom.
3. One of my personal goals at this time was to expand my social circle. I was tired of being single and knew the answer to finding the man of my dreams was in expanding my circle of male friends. I met several friends through a local Singles Ward of my Church and made concerted efforts with some existing friendships. One of these friendships was with a man who helped me find my inner athlete. I don't think I've ever been, nor ever will be in the kind of shape I found myself in that year. It started with a kickboard doing laps in the swimming pool and progressed to running several miles a day. Another friendship took me on lots of road trips and self discovery. Wow, the more I think about it, this was a great year!!!
3 years ago: 2005
1. This was the year that I decided the private institution was not in my best personal interest and I was fortunate enough to find a postition back at Salt Lake Community College. I was able to use my brand new M Ed as an instructional designer, helping faculty adapt their classroom materials for online delivery.
2. I was really quite involved in my singles ward-- serving in the Relief Society and still trying to expand my circle of friends.
3. I was also trying to sell my condo during this year... oooh.. kinda blocked all of that out. The whole condo experience was kind of a nightmare. While it was good to be out on my own and build some equity, the condo association was not set up in the ideal way and I found myself in the thick of trying to straighten it out. I thought I had a buyer for the condo, and naivly allowed them to move in with a rental agreement until they could secure financing to purchase the condo. It never materialized and I moved in and out of that place a couple times in the next couple of years.
1 year ago: 2007
1. oh.. what a wonderful year...I met my husband at an ad hoc church activity. We were on the same team for a local "Amazing Race" and while we won the "sightseer's" award for being the last team to complete the competition, we really enjoyed ourselves. We didn't start dating until later that summer after had left the ward, but it was a great time in my life.
2. I sold my condo-- at a profit-- the last thing I was expecting and moved to Holladay to rent half of a duplex. I'm finding that the equity that came out of that sale is a blessing in more ways than one.
3. John and I got engaged in October of that year and married in January of the following year. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things that happend that year, but that would make for an even LONGER entry than I've already got. He is the most wonderful blessing in my life that I've ever experienced. He is everything that everyone promised me my husband would be.
This year so far:
1. John and I went on a Carribean cruise for our honeymoon. 7 days on the high seas. It was a great experience-- one that we'd both like to repeat as soon as time and finances permit.
2. I've been working working working and learning how to balance that part of live with my new role as a wife-- and trying to be a housekeeper. You'd think it would be an easy balance cause I was keeping house as a single person, but it doesn't quite translate the same...
3. I'm also learning how to support my husband through school. One of the benefits I enjoy as an employee of the College is free tution for my immediate family-- and we are taking full advantage of that for John. He's studying his pre-pharmacy courses so he can continue on to become a pharmacist-- unless..... :P
Yesterday:
1. Work-- I had several meetings with faculty and colleagues working on the various projects that I'm assigned.
2. John and I go to school/work together-- lots to save on gas, but also because we are just at the same place all day. It's nice to eat lunch with him, or take a break between his classes. It also makes it easier to take some time after work/school to visit our families. I love going to visit and having my neice and nephews proclaim my name as we walk in the door and run to give me hugs and kisses.
3. I had lunch with three ladies from my previous job. We used to get together at least once a month, but it's become less and less as time goes on. We really bonded during the time we worked together. Of the four of us, only one remains working there. She's a trooper. It was wonderful to catch up with them and learn what each of them are doing.
Today:
1. hmmm.. work again.. more meetings
2. Grocery shopping-- our cupboards were bare.
3. Oreo cookies and milk for a treat when I got home from shopping.
Tomorrow:
1. the weekend!!! John's sister and her husband are in town from Cleveland, OH for a friend's wedding and we get to spend some time with them on Saturday.. That's not really tomorrow, but close enough.
2. Work-- no meetings.. I finally get some time to do some focused design work-- probably on a nursing course and a chemistry course.
3. oooh.. la la... one of john's good friends is dating a gal he really likes and he wants to go on a double date with us. John is trying in vain to keep my enthusiasm reigned in.
Next year:
1. wow.. this is hard. we'd love to have a little baby- only time will tell though.
2. We'll probably be applying to pharmacy schools for John... anticipating where he will get accepted and where we get to settle in for a few more years.
3. barring moving to far flung regions for school, I'd really like to purchase a home of some sort-- townhome, condo, single family home, and enjoy the freedom of a place of my own again.
I'm going to tag..... Austin... Tabitha.... and MaryJO!!! :D
Jenni and Lisa took it up on themselves to tag me... in an effort to raise my blog up higher on their lists. :) Thanks Ladies..
Tag #1: Where were you?
20 years ago: 1988, really?
1. I was a sophomore in high school. I guess I was probably really wrapped up in all the things that go with being in high school-- wanting to fit in, but never really finding my niche. I was enthralled with all things marching band, choir and orchestra.
2. My family had moved to South Jordan just two years earlier. I think I was still adjusting to living in a new neighborhood and making new friends.
3. My sister, Lorie was at Ricks College and I missed her horribly. We were pretty close. I actually came across several letters from her and remembered how much fun it was to hear about her fun and exciting life at college.
10 years ago: 1998
1. My third year teaching school. Middle school home economics in Heber City Utah. I think this was about the time that I decided that I was ready to do something different from teaching school, but was scared silly to even think about doing something besides what I was specifically trained for. I decided to stick it out one more year.
2. I worked as a volunteer at This is the Place Heritage Park that summer. I got to dress up in the old fashioned pioneer dresses. I was stationed at the first house as you walked up the street.. they demonstrated how to spin and dye wool. I learned all sorts of things about one of the things I'm really passionate about.. fiber and fabric. I learned how to spin wool, and later actually purchased a spinning wheel. I also learned a lot about hand dying wool, and the different colors you get from different natural plants. I think this is where I really learned to love lavendar.
3. I was also diagnosed with Grave's Disease at the end of this year-- probably the following spring, but it's close enough. Grave's Disease is a Thyroid condition that affects every possible facet of life you can think of. It was kind of devastating at first, but under the care of an extremely competent doctor, I was treated and medicated and life was pretty much back to normal after a 1 year nightmare.
5 years ago: 2003
1. I think this was my true adventure year. I started working for a private institution of higher ed. It seemed to be everything that my previous job wasn't-- an opportunity to make drastic and quick changes to methods and policies to reform an outdated correspondence school into a dynamic and cutting edge online university. It was fun for a little while, but lost its luster when the quick changes and cutting edge technologies weren't as easy to obtain as we had hoped.
2. One of the perks of this job was the opportunity to return to school to obtain my masters degree of Education. What a fantastic experience it was. The program was a totally distance program administrated out of Logan, UT. Each semester I took 2-3 courses online and 1 course via a closed circuit television system called EDNET. It was a great opportunity to expand my mind and gain greater insight to the process of education. Even made me reconsider returning to the classroom so I could implement the new things I learned. -- Hopefully I'm using those skills in my current job to inspire other faculty in the classroom.
3. One of my personal goals at this time was to expand my social circle. I was tired of being single and knew the answer to finding the man of my dreams was in expanding my circle of male friends. I met several friends through a local Singles Ward of my Church and made concerted efforts with some existing friendships. One of these friendships was with a man who helped me find my inner athlete. I don't think I've ever been, nor ever will be in the kind of shape I found myself in that year. It started with a kickboard doing laps in the swimming pool and progressed to running several miles a day. Another friendship took me on lots of road trips and self discovery. Wow, the more I think about it, this was a great year!!!
3 years ago: 2005
1. This was the year that I decided the private institution was not in my best personal interest and I was fortunate enough to find a postition back at Salt Lake Community College. I was able to use my brand new M Ed as an instructional designer, helping faculty adapt their classroom materials for online delivery.
2. I was really quite involved in my singles ward-- serving in the Relief Society and still trying to expand my circle of friends.
3. I was also trying to sell my condo during this year... oooh.. kinda blocked all of that out. The whole condo experience was kind of a nightmare. While it was good to be out on my own and build some equity, the condo association was not set up in the ideal way and I found myself in the thick of trying to straighten it out. I thought I had a buyer for the condo, and naivly allowed them to move in with a rental agreement until they could secure financing to purchase the condo. It never materialized and I moved in and out of that place a couple times in the next couple of years.
1 year ago: 2007
1. oh.. what a wonderful year...I met my husband at an ad hoc church activity. We were on the same team for a local "Amazing Race" and while we won the "sightseer's" award for being the last team to complete the competition, we really enjoyed ourselves. We didn't start dating until later that summer after had left the ward, but it was a great time in my life.
2. I sold my condo-- at a profit-- the last thing I was expecting and moved to Holladay to rent half of a duplex. I'm finding that the equity that came out of that sale is a blessing in more ways than one.
3. John and I got engaged in October of that year and married in January of the following year. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things that happend that year, but that would make for an even LONGER entry than I've already got. He is the most wonderful blessing in my life that I've ever experienced. He is everything that everyone promised me my husband would be.
This year so far:
1. John and I went on a Carribean cruise for our honeymoon. 7 days on the high seas. It was a great experience-- one that we'd both like to repeat as soon as time and finances permit.
2. I've been working working working and learning how to balance that part of live with my new role as a wife-- and trying to be a housekeeper. You'd think it would be an easy balance cause I was keeping house as a single person, but it doesn't quite translate the same...
3. I'm also learning how to support my husband through school. One of the benefits I enjoy as an employee of the College is free tution for my immediate family-- and we are taking full advantage of that for John. He's studying his pre-pharmacy courses so he can continue on to become a pharmacist-- unless..... :P
Yesterday:
1. Work-- I had several meetings with faculty and colleagues working on the various projects that I'm assigned.
2. John and I go to school/work together-- lots to save on gas, but also because we are just at the same place all day. It's nice to eat lunch with him, or take a break between his classes. It also makes it easier to take some time after work/school to visit our families. I love going to visit and having my neice and nephews proclaim my name as we walk in the door and run to give me hugs and kisses.
3. I had lunch with three ladies from my previous job. We used to get together at least once a month, but it's become less and less as time goes on. We really bonded during the time we worked together. Of the four of us, only one remains working there. She's a trooper. It was wonderful to catch up with them and learn what each of them are doing.
Today:
1. hmmm.. work again.. more meetings
2. Grocery shopping-- our cupboards were bare.
3. Oreo cookies and milk for a treat when I got home from shopping.
Tomorrow:
1. the weekend!!! John's sister and her husband are in town from Cleveland, OH for a friend's wedding and we get to spend some time with them on Saturday.. That's not really tomorrow, but close enough.
2. Work-- no meetings.. I finally get some time to do some focused design work-- probably on a nursing course and a chemistry course.
3. oooh.. la la... one of john's good friends is dating a gal he really likes and he wants to go on a double date with us. John is trying in vain to keep my enthusiasm reigned in.
Next year:
1. wow.. this is hard. we'd love to have a little baby- only time will tell though.
2. We'll probably be applying to pharmacy schools for John... anticipating where he will get accepted and where we get to settle in for a few more years.
3. barring moving to far flung regions for school, I'd really like to purchase a home of some sort-- townhome, condo, single family home, and enjoy the freedom of a place of my own again.
I'm going to tag..... Austin... Tabitha.... and MaryJO!!! :D
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Date night Adventures
We've been going, going, going all weekend. So, Saturday night we decided that we would lay low, rent a movie when we did our grocery shopping and watch it with some popcorn when we got home.
While we were at the store, a woman from our ward offered us symphony tickets! Never to turn down a free date, we eagerly accepted, knowing we had an hour to finish our shopping, get it home and put away AND drive all the way up the canyon to be in our seats for the symphony... yeah.. we wouldn't get there on time.
The Symphony started at 7:30. We were just getting started out the door at 7:15. We snagged some McDonalds and drove like crazy. As we got into Park City, it started raining... okay, this wasn't rain, it was BUCKETS of rain. The concert was outdoors, so we stopped at Smiths to see if they had any disposable rain ponchos. $10 later, we were on our way up to the resort.
We got parked, put on all our gear, in time for it to start drizzling. We presented our tickets to gain entry, and they pointed out--" These were for last night"
The sweet guy convinced his boss lady-- who is really quite mean-- that we could go ahead and go in-- because it was a horrible night. Everyone at the event was absolutely drenched.
We were a little confused-- there was a Beatles Tribute band playing and the concert we were excited to see was Beethoven's 5th. I thought maybe we'd get the symphony after intermission. So, we sat and waited for the show to resume, and it was still the Beatles.
Not that I don't like the Beatles, but I was tuned for Beethoven, and they kind of fell short. Both of us were quite miserable by that time. So we decided to call it a night and come home. Crazy, stuff, huh?
I think the best part was the Dots and Milk Duds John got at the store!!! :D
While we were at the store, a woman from our ward offered us symphony tickets! Never to turn down a free date, we eagerly accepted, knowing we had an hour to finish our shopping, get it home and put away AND drive all the way up the canyon to be in our seats for the symphony... yeah.. we wouldn't get there on time.
The Symphony started at 7:30. We were just getting started out the door at 7:15. We snagged some McDonalds and drove like crazy. As we got into Park City, it started raining... okay, this wasn't rain, it was BUCKETS of rain. The concert was outdoors, so we stopped at Smiths to see if they had any disposable rain ponchos. $10 later, we were on our way up to the resort.
We got parked, put on all our gear, in time for it to start drizzling. We presented our tickets to gain entry, and they pointed out--" These were for last night"
The sweet guy convinced his boss lady-- who is really quite mean-- that we could go ahead and go in-- because it was a horrible night. Everyone at the event was absolutely drenched.
We were a little confused-- there was a Beatles Tribute band playing and the concert we were excited to see was Beethoven's 5th. I thought maybe we'd get the symphony after intermission. So, we sat and waited for the show to resume, and it was still the Beatles.
Not that I don't like the Beatles, but I was tuned for Beethoven, and they kind of fell short. Both of us were quite miserable by that time. So we decided to call it a night and come home. Crazy, stuff, huh?
I think the best part was the Dots and Milk Duds John got at the store!!! :D
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A Walk Down Memory Lane
So, I've only ever been tagged once, and I never really played, but THIS is my kind of tag. :) Thanks Jenni!!!
- As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
- Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Oh, the domesticity of it all....
Yes, marriage is good to me, and it's about time I saved you all from the longest slide show event of your LIFE!!
Today, my amazing husband helped me buy WAY too many strawberries so that I could make frozen strawberry jam. His grandmother makes delicious frozen raspberry jam from the bushes in her yard, and I'm sure this will never compare to that, but it was so fun to make it! If any one has suggestions about what to do with the two more quarts of fresh berries, send them my way!
I think this is my favorite part of being married. I always knew there was a domestic side of me that was being starved to death as a single gal in a busy world, but now I can just let her blossom.
We've been spending our time enjoying time with each other, but I think we are starting to settle in to real life. John has signed up for a Math class at the Community College and we continue to think about further schooling for him. So many decisions to be made!
This is a short post, but I hope enough to let you know we are well and happy. I still take time to read and comment a bit on everyone elses posts, just not to post on my own.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Drum roll, Please!
I know that many of you have been chomping at the bit for these.
I'll take some time later to blog about the events of the day, but for now, enjoy the pictures:)
Here's pictures of the wedding day:
and here's pictures of the honeymoon:
If you'd like to see them individually you can go to my Picassa web album
I'll take some time later to blog about the events of the day, but for now, enjoy the pictures:)
Here's pictures of the wedding day:
and here's pictures of the honeymoon:
If you'd like to see them individually you can go to my Picassa web album
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Blissfully Happy
I am truly one of the most blessed people in the world. John asked me what I wanted the most. My response?? To be Blissfully Happy with him.John Western officially proposed to me on Friday, September 28th. I took a short day at work to enjoy the afternoon with John. A snow storm had been brewing all day long, and he was eager to take me up to the mountains to see the snow. After several attempts to make it up the canyon, we finally got a start around 9 pm and got to the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon around 10.
It was snowing beautifully, but it was COLD. John tried to coax me out of the car several times, before I got it and joined him standing in the beautifully falling snow. He held me for a few minutes before he got down on his knee-- on the wet cold pavement!! At this point my tears started gushing. He proposed beautifully and slipped the ring on my cold trembling finger.
As we started down the canyon... we had to stop the car as the reality of what we had done just struck us.. and we both whipped out our cell phones to send text messages to everyone we know and love. :)It took us about an hour to come back down the canyon because the snow was so blustery and thick. It wasn't sticking to the road, but it definitly made visibility difficult.
Again, I feel so blessed and marvel every day that this man has chosen me to spend all eternity with. He is more than I could ever have dreamed of. We will be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on January 4th, 2008.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Sigh....
I hardly know where to start with this entry... so much has happened since my LONG ago post in June.
At 34 years of age, and who knows how many crushes and hopeful new relationships, it seems a bit foolish to be so gushy and sentimental. Yet, here I am, feeling 13 years old and giddy as ever over the very thing that should be old hat by now.
The campsite had biking paths all over, and I was so eager to get my bike there and play. We packed both of our bikes on the back of John's car and got with it 24 miles of Bend when
We saw another fascinating phenomenon. Mom alerted us to it before we even got on the road. She saw this odd looking tree with some strange shaped branches, and as they got closer, discovered that it was full of shoes!!! This picture is only a small sampling. If you do a Google Search for "shoe tree" you'll discover that there are several such trees all over the country. This particular one is found outside of Juntura, OR.
I suppose new love takes priority.. yet it seems to run all together.
At 34 years of age, and who knows how many crushes and hopeful new relationships, it seems a bit foolish to be so gushy and sentimental. Yet, here I am, feeling 13 years old and giddy as ever over the very thing that should be old hat by now.John and I met in our Singles Ward, ironically, the last place I thought I would meet someone special. We were partnered up in an ad hoc church activity as team mates, and after several months of friendship chatter, we blossomed into something much more. Starting with a midnight hike on the 4th of July, a midnight showing of Harry Potter and a camping trip with people neither of us knew well, and the list can go on and on and on. There's hardly been a night since then when you couldn't find us together doing something fun. He's truly a blessing in my life and I'm grateful for the new experience of getting to know him and enjoy his zest for life.
My family has been fitfully planning a reunion for the last year. I was half in and half out for so long, wanting to give my relationship with John every chance to grow. But at the last minute, I couldn't resist the call of an adventure to get on the road and join them all in Bend, Oregon for a little camping, and canoeing and sight seeing. Unfortunately, it was so rushed (11 hours to drive there, and only about 1.5 days to play) that my camera didn't come out of it's case much.
The campsite had biking paths all over, and I was so eager to get my bike there and play. We packed both of our bikes on the back of John's car and got with it 24 miles of Bend when **** the rack broke****
I heard John calmly say "there goes your bike" and I turned around to see my bike bounce about 6 feet in the air, and launch into the weeds and dirt on the side of the road.
Of course, I'd much rather tell the story of my crazy descent from the top of a mountain, losing control just at the end of the trail resulting in the fabulous disfigurement of the tire rims. John likes to tell people that I found my way back from the one way Hades Trail. :D
I'm thankful that all that was damaged was my bike, and it is fixed easily enough. We've decided that if biking is important enough on future trips, we'll rent a bike instead of packing them with us. :(
We saw another fascinating phenomenon. Mom alerted us to it before we even got on the road. She saw this odd looking tree with some strange shaped branches, and as they got closer, discovered that it was full of shoes!!! This picture is only a small sampling. If you do a Google Search for "shoe tree" you'll discover that there are several such trees all over the country. This particular one is found outside of Juntura, OR. My mind has been spinning for a long time, trying to decipher the story behind the beautiful pair of pink ballet shoes hung relatively low on the tree, or the muddy football shoes hanging from the upper most branches.
There's a brief update on my life of late. Pretty consumed with living rather than documenting it. I'm truly blessed in my life and grateful for the things that make life worth living. :)
There's a brief update on my life of late. Pretty consumed with living rather than documenting it. I'm truly blessed in my life and grateful for the things that make life worth living. :)
Friday, June 29, 2007
The creek in Mill Creek Canyon
-- compliments of a good friend with a great eye for photography!
No hiking today, but a BIKE RIDE!
You may or may not remember that last summer I had knee surgery.. and today is the 1 year anniversary of that surgery. I didn't realize that, but that makes my bike ride today monumental!
Bike Maintenance is not one of my regular activities, so I have found that when I get a flat tire, or have other maintenance that needs to happen, I tend to get discouraged and fish around for anyone who might want to fix it for me. I'd had enough, and last Monday I replaced the front tire on my bike-- ALL BY MYSELF! (are you so proud?? )
I took a short spin around the block, and discovered, much to my dismay, that I haven't been very diligent in my strength training. Between moving and getting used to a new neighborhood and adjusting to new work hours, it just wasn't a priority. I did heavy duty strength training this week, and felt good enough to do a ride this morning in lieu of my regular hike.
I have also discovered that I'm MUCH closer to Sugarhouse Park than I originally thought. So, that's where I went this morning. there were only two hills that got my heart rate up where it should be for a good workout, and that was perfect! I was so surprised when I got home and it only had taken me a half hour to do the whole trip!
Reading...
I mentioned in my last post that I've been reading Emerson... but I've also been reading another book that's more business related. I haven't been sucked in to a book like this for a while. It's wonderful. Good To Great is about companies who have successfully crossed the line from being a pretty good company to become a GREAT company with miraculous returns and a solid future.
There are a million concepts in this book that I could share, but the one that is sticking out the most in my head is the "Hedgehog Concept." Basically it's finding the mission of your institution-- what is it that you are the best at? Once you've established the Hedgehog Concept-- it guides EVERY decision you make. This eases the decision making process, because rather than being caught up in the whim of the moment, you can pass up the "fantastic deal" that will take you off course from your ultimate goal. I like this because not only can I see it's perfect applicability in business, but I can see the benefit this would have in personal day to day issues as well.
Frisbees...
I went to a picnic with my family last night-- a wonderful, well organized event put on by my parent's HR department where they serve a part time service mission. They had goodie bags for EVERYONE! One of the items included was a flexible fold up Frisbee. I took my niece and nephew out in the backyard to play. My niece really has an arm!! She threw it right over the fence into the neighbor's yard. We timidly went to the door to ask permission to go back and get it-- which of course was granted. When we got back into my backyard, she use those muscles again then threw it into the OTHER neighbor's back yard. We had to circle the block this time to retrieve the errant Frisbee, and decided that it was time to put the Frisbee away for a while. It was adorable. I'm not sure how she felt about it as grandma and I tried, unsuccessfully to restrain our giggles at the second mishap!
Raspberries....
On our return from the second retrieval, my adorable neighbor was out on his evening bike ride. Tonight he had a treat! Fresh raspberries from his garden! Beautiful yellow zucchini and pale green cucumbers! I ate the raspberries for breakfast this morning-- definitely a little bit of heaven!
Well, that's my post for today! :) feels good to just write it all out for a bit. :)
Friday, June 15, 2007
Weekly Hikes
I've been taking advantage of my three day weekends this summer, and my close proximity to Millcreek canyon to go hiking every Friday. My intention is to go in the mornings, but it usually ends up being LATE morning.
Last week I got half way up the Porter Fork trail. The sign at the trail head told me it was 3 miles to the top, 1.5 miles to the actual wilderness trail. I only made it half way, because that first 1.5 miles, though paved, was UPHILL the entire way. There were cabins and beautiful summer homes all along the paved road, so I can't say that it was an entire disappointment. Another day, I'll go better prepared to hike in the actual trail.
Today, I hiked on the Pipeline trail. Again, quite a bit of uphill hiking before I got to some level walking, but it was refreshing and beautiful. We're in our first "heat wave" of the summer, so it was quite warm. Even that was enjoyable, though. The canyon wind was hot, rather than the cool breeze you would expect. I did fine respite on an obliging rock in the shade of some trees. It's in the lower left hand corner of the collage.
I've recently started reading the Essays and Poems of Emerson, and I took some time to read about Commodity and Beauty in relation to Nature. Beautiful stuff. Here's a quote:
"To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from
society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me.
But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from
those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and what he touches. One might
think the atmosphere was made transparent with this design, to give man, in the
heavenly bodies, the perpetual presence of the sublime. Seen in the streets of
cities, how great would en believe and adore; and preserve for many generations
the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! but every night come
out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing
smile."
Saturday, June 02, 2007
CONNECTED!
Well, don't fall out of your seats quite yet.
I finally got my Internet connected this morning! What a hassle.. that I'm going to wash my hands of right now and talk about positive happy things.
I've moved into a beautiful little duplex in Holladay. My wonderful realtor Aaron Oakeson is also a property manager. After several frustrating house hunting excursions, he suggested that maybe this wasn't the right time to be looking for a home to buy, and he had a duplex available for me immediately if that's what i wanted to do. After a few days to think about it, I decided to go for it. So, here I am... in a very quiet, quaint neighborhood, in more space than I ever had in my condo.
I'm still very unsure of what I want to do and where I really want to be, but this is a good stopping off point while I figure that out.
Several of you have been asking for pictures, so if you can bear with a few boxes.. I'll give it a go. :) Enjoy!
And the Backyard... (invites for the barbeque soon!! )
This is the front room, from the hallway...
And the front room from the front door...
And finally the kitchen from the back door.
No bedrooms.. they were too small to get a good picture of them... but the master bedroom is in the back of the house. It's so quiet here.. i can actually wake up to the birds singing-- usually around 4 am. :D but that's the miracle.. i can hear the birds.. very nice!!
I'm also only about 15 minutes from Millcreek canyon, I went hiking there yesterday afternoon/evening. It was beautiful and GREAT exercise.
I think that's it... but now that I'm connected again.. I hope to post a little more frequently.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Four Reasons to Celebrate
- I SOLD MY CONDO!!!
I listed it Wednesday night, and Thursday morning, I had an offer for MORE than my asking price. It is truely a blessing. I've been wanting to sell my condo for a while, and this completes the direction i feel like i've been needing to go in a long time. Closing is April 19th. Now i'll wait on another miracle to see where i'm supposed to move. A little unnerving, but exciting at the same time. I've got two apartments to look at tomorrow evening. We'll see how nice the neighborhoods are in comparision to the cute pictures they had posted on Craigslist.com. A good friend of mine is thinking about selling her townhouse, but her roommate is moving out this week, so that might be my best option until I can get my feet on the ground and really decide what I want to do with my life. - The last ski event of the season.
I finally got to go skiing with my friend Nate last friday night at Brighton Ski Resort. Despite my face plant and pulled muscle, it was a WONDERFUL evening. I really enjoyed myself. The weather was warm-- no frostbitten fingertips. Nate actually forgot his ski coat, so he was skiing in a triple layer of sweatshirts.. and as long as we were going hard, he was warm and comfortable. I might even attempt a snow board next year. ;) - General Conference.
What a wonderful weekend to spend with family listening to our priesthood and auxillary leaders counsel us on how to live and love. Elder Holland spoke so eloquently about using kind words with our families and loved ones. Elder Oaks spoke on divorce and the far reaching affects of a decision to divorce. It led to some very insightful comments on marriage as well. - Neices and Nephews.
The whole family was home for the conference proceedings. Usually they are all pretty shy and I don't get to have much quality time with each one individually-- there are 11 of them.. but i can honestly say that I was able to spend at least a few minutes talking and playing with each of my neices and nephews this weekend. They are all such beautiful children with sweet spirits that touch my heart. Makes me proud to be an aunt. :)
I think that's about it for today.. wish me luck with the apartment hunting!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Creative Concoctions
A friend came over to play Wednesday night, and I decided to cook dinner. The only problem was, my fridge was pretty bare. I grabbed out a few things and came up with this:
2 chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach
cook the chicken with the onion until onion is translucent and chicken is browned.
Stir in mushroom soup
Add the frozen spinach.
When warmed through, roll up a spoonful of the mixture in a whole wheat tortilla.
Gotta figure out the spices though, I used salt and pepper, some garlic and basil, but there's probably a better spice mix for it. . The spinach was a bit overwhelming... fun to play with though!
2 chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach
cook the chicken with the onion until onion is translucent and chicken is browned.
Stir in mushroom soup
Add the frozen spinach.
When warmed through, roll up a spoonful of the mixture in a whole wheat tortilla.
Gotta figure out the spices though, I used salt and pepper, some garlic and basil, but there's probably a better spice mix for it. . The spinach was a bit overwhelming... fun to play with though!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
More Pictures
Yes, I know, I took 6 days of vacation and only posted once! Pathetic indeed.
I'll repent by posting a few more pictures. Post note: I'm done with picassa!!! i had to fix this post about 5 times!!! Enjoy it!
The park had this HUGE activity barn that would have been so much fun, had it been opened. As it was, we had to settle for this single activity attraction. The instructions tell you to stand with the outside of your right foot flush with the wall, then place your right cheek against the wall (eewwww!! :P but i tried it anyway). Then you were to try, just TRY to lift your left foot off the ground. Sure enough, it wouldn't come up. I felt kind of foolish as I thought about the possible populations this activity was targeting in its day... interesting perspectives the South has to offer.
Here's a close up of some Ivy. There were so many cool photo ops.. just what I asked for! :D
Even in the wintery month of February, there was more green in Georgia than is even possible in Utah. Especially with our SNOWSTORMS of the week. Here's a shot of the trees with ivy growing all the way up the trunk. Beautiful!
This picture should give you a better perspective on just how big this stone mountain is. I took this one about half way up the grassy area the other one was taken about halfway again closer than this one. Kinda cool, huh? I'm a little more inspired to get to Mount Rushmore now. :)
I'll repent by posting a few more pictures. Post note: I'm done with picassa!!! i had to fix this post about 5 times!!! Enjoy it!
The park had this HUGE activity barn that would have been so much fun, had it been opened. As it was, we had to settle for this single activity attraction. The instructions tell you to stand with the outside of your right foot flush with the wall, then place your right cheek against the wall (eewwww!! :P but i tried it anyway). Then you were to try, just TRY to lift your left foot off the ground. Sure enough, it wouldn't come up. I felt kind of foolish as I thought about the possible populations this activity was targeting in its day... interesting perspectives the South has to offer.
Here's a close up of some Ivy. There were so many cool photo ops.. just what I asked for! :D
Even in the wintery month of February, there was more green in Georgia than is even possible in Utah. Especially with our SNOWSTORMS of the week. Here's a shot of the trees with ivy growing all the way up the trunk. Beautiful!
This picture should give you a better perspective on just how big this stone mountain is. I took this one about half way up the grassy area the other one was taken about halfway again closer than this one. Kinda cool, huh? I'm a little more inspired to get to Mount Rushmore now. :)
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