Protect Your Dental Floss...

...for there may be, lurking in the corners, a 2 year old who loves the minty freshness.

He'll pull it, lick it, then string it through the house.

(And sing a happy song all the while.)

A Space of His Own

Taiden couldn't be more enthused about his new room. He has an urban/industrial/skater vibe going on with a splash of BYU.

He's enjoying his independence in putting it all together and deciding the perfect spot for each and every thing.

(And, boy oh boy, are there a lot of things.)

The results are worthy of any 11 year old's approval.

This Elder (who doubles as a missionary bank) appears cheerful in his pursuit of converting those who have joined The Dark Side.

I wonder if The Church has ever considered Incognito Tracting?

Underdeveloped Tastebuds

Hard work should be rewarded.

Ideally, the hard work should be intrinsically motivated - the satisfaction of doing a good job and knowing it was done well being the prize - without any external carrots dangling above.

But when dealing with kids, I've learned this concept is sometimes a foreign one.

Two of my piano students (uh-hum, my only piano students) were challenged, by me, to learn to read all of the notes on the staff. You can't learn to read a book if you don't know your letters. Same is true in piano. Not knowing how to read the music staff makes for a difficult time playing Tchaikovsky.

I promised these two students (uh-hum, my only piano students) that we would go out for ice cream once they learned their notes. I did inform them that, as a former school teacher and currently the meanest piano teacher in the continental U.S., I was going to be tough when deciding whether or not they had, indeed, reached their goal. They had to rip through those flash cards as though their mellifluous lives depended on it.

I'm pleased to say that this week that goal was reached. Thanks to Elephants Get Big Dirty Feet, F.A.C.E., Good Boys Deserve Fudge Always, and All Cows Eat Grass, these two sweet girls accompanied me today to get some premium dairy indulgence.

The minute we walked in the door, the smell of waffle cones and gourmet cookies welcomed us. The ice cream case was lined with a wide range of flavors. A separate case contained Italian Gelato and Sorbets. Free samples were offered.

I sampled Chocolate Hazelnut. Fresh Coconut. Amaretto. Passion Fruit. Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet.

(Hey, there were no posted signs confining the number of samples to be consumed. My over analyzing is not limited to major life decisions, folks.)

I told the girls - sisters actually - that they could have whatever they wanted. Waffle cones, waffle cups, old fashioned sundaes, mix-ins, cookie sundaes, shakes, floats. Their hard work was much appreciated and their reward, if they so chose, could be grand enough to induce a sugar coma.

The younger of the two stepped up first. She had eyed the almost-fluorescent-pink-and-yellow ice cream affectionately named Cotton Candy.

"That's the one I want," she smiled.

I inquired about a waffle cone.

"I don't like waffles." More smiling.

Rather than point out the difference between a breakfast waffle and the ones on display in the shop (which are technically just a glorified ice cream cone), I just decided to be mute.

"Any toppings?" I encouraged.

"Um......................I want Nerds."

My gag reflex tickled slightly at this moment because I am a texture person. Food textures mean a lot to me and if the wrong combination is presented in my mouth - no matter how delicious the flavors - I can't partake.

I grinned at our ice cream artisan standing behind the counter patiently waiting for our order.

"I want caramel sauce too," she quietly added.

"Whipped cream and a cherry?"

"Yes, please."

Her older sister ordered the identical sundae - Cotton Candy ice cream, Nerds, whipped cream and a cherry - only she opted for raspberry sauce rather than caramel.

I ordered the Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet.

Their young palates thoroughly enjoyed their creations. They ate every last bite and didn't once notice the melancholy melty colors of the moistened Nerds.

(I wonder if Tchaikovsky ever ate Cotton Candy flavored ice cream?)

POST NOTE: This motivational tool for learning to read all of the musical notes on the staff will be available to any piano students that I have.

I have a few openings, uh-hum, if you know anyone who might be interested.

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Construction to Take Down The Wall

Welcome to our house, new addition.

We're glad you're finally here.

(And not just over there.)

Our kitchen table anxiously awaits its new positioning in the kitchen.

A new position that will center it more in the new dining area and allow it to breathe rather than being shoved up against a wall or the kitchen counters. Our chairs have been hammered these past several months. It's hard to be gentle and kind to your furniture when it is in your way all of the time. Once the flooring is all done, the table can relax and enjoy its new permanent residence.

Hello, My Name Is Kristen and I've Lost 8 Lbs. on the Construction Diet

{Is it possible to patent a diet?}

Kristen's Construction Program for Weight Loss

1. Buy an itty bitty house - preferably a cozy house with only one family room. No basement or bonus rooms. When purchasing this house, limit your offspring to either one or none.

2. Make certain that your itty bitty house has no garage.

3. Multiply and replenish the earth.

4. Allow your children to grow, take up more space, and accumulate throngs of toys through birthdays, Christmases, and potty training successes.

5. Multiply and replenish the earth some more.

6. Stuff every nook and cranny of your itty bitty house with the necessities of life. Practice shuffling piles of papers from one place to another. Organize one area only to find out that you've caused more clutter in another area. Enjoy and relish this ongoing game. Be creative in your endeavors to keep the recommended amount of food storage - behind entertainment centers, under beds, packed under desk areas in the kitchen (try and hide this behind a cute curtain and count how many times you have to straighten that d#$@ curtain each day). Store a lovely blue water barrel in your front coat closet.

7. Calculate how much square footage you have per person. (Ours was roughly 300 - 316.)

8. Realize that, as much as they love you, your teenager(s) don't want to be with you every minute of everyday and that their friends don't want to either. Notice that when these said teenagers have friends over, everyone else (including yourself) is exiled to their rooms for the afternoon or evening. (This exile is always by choice...not by force. But how much teenage foolery can you handle?) You will question yourself about how you ever decided to buy that itty bitty house with only one family room (and no basement or bonus room). This is normal.

9. Wait 6.5 years and then be blessed with one more multiplying and replenishing. Be faced with the challenge of housing 3 boys in one bedroom. Enjoy 2 years of no sleeping because when the baby cries, he needs to be moved away from his sleeping brothers. Learn to sleep in a diagonal position in your queen sized bed so that that small bundle of sleepless energy doesn't smack you in the forehead all night.

10. Decide a house addition is in order.

11. If you decide to be your own contractor, you can count on at least 2 - 3 times the weight loss of hiring someone to do it for you. Since we opted to hire that out, my weight loss is slightly less but I have kept my full head of hair (no need to rip it out). The choice is yours.

12. Orchestrate in your imaginative mind, what would happen if your sons found some mysterious bones during excavation. Paint an elaborate mental picture that if bones were found, could they possibly be the remains of one of the wives of the polygamist who built the home? Watch too many episodes of CSI to try and figure out how such a situation might be handled.

13. For kicks, have a wind storm blow down some walls.

14. During daily walk throughs, try and keep your toddler out of the sawdust. Then try and keep the sawdust from getting tracked into the existing house.

15. Get some exercise by getting your groove on.

16. Do a few projects yourself. I chose to paint my kitchen cabinets, 2 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. I'm hoping to still lose a few more pounds by painting the new pantry and kitchen dining area. Consuming fumes rather than real food is a surefire way to get the weight off. The brain cells that are killed in this process just add to your overall reduction in size.

17. For optimal weight loss benefit, bathroom projects are key.

18. To change unhealthy cravings and addictions to certain foods, take the targeted food into a bathroom in the middle of remodeling.

19. Try to enjoy your above mentioned food amidst the sights and smells of the bathroom makeover. Need a little more intensity? Closely examine the toilet seal on the floor and imagine its years of use.

20. Mmmmmm............

21. Plant yourself on the toilet that now resides in the shower and finish your good eats. If this doesn't ensure the food aversion you're looking for, I don't know what will.

DISCLAIMER:

Results will vary from person to person. While the construction diet did work for me, there were also side effects that included:

Bags under my eyes

Dark circles under my eyes

Irritability

Insomnia

Sudden outbursts of unexplained tears

Headaches

Bad Hair Days

Frequent outbreaks of cereal for dinner

Mood Swings

White trash tendencies

House Project 2010: Weeks 12 - 20 (PART ONE)

This post is 8 weeks in the making, so it is lengthy. I'm dividing it into 2 parts since I don't expect people to want to take an hour to read a single post. So, one post today and a second post in the next couple of days.

Life has been busy, but we feel so blessed right now. Feel free to just peruse through the pictures, but if you have time, read the captions as well. The story of our construction has ended up with some interesting facts that might interest you.

***

Looking back, the last thing I wrote about our house project was a post introducing you to The Great Wall of Separation.

I will be forever and always, eternally and endlessly grateful for this wall.

Although it has lacked in keeping out the construction sounds, has eaten up half of my kitchen eating area, and requires a person to scoot around it sideways to reach the laundry room or our current bedroom, it has kept the dust and mess and debris to a bare minimum. This thin divide has allowed me to keep my mental faculties (mostly) intact, and the dust has not been much worse than what it typically is. I chalk this up as miracle #457 in the last 4.5 months. It has been a life saver and I am its loyal fan. Would I go through this whole process again? I would shout a resounding "YES!" if and only if I could bring my plywood partner along with me.

The wall is still standing and should be removed within the next week or so. We still don't know what our new addition feels like in connection to our existing house, because we still haven't been able to access our new square footage through the new dining area/breezeway. I have learned great patience through this process and this is just one more thing for me to wait for and anticipate.

The whole kit and caboodle should be finished within the month. There are still a lot of things to be done, but I'm hoping that I can still follow through with my promise to Kennedy that she can host a Halloween party here. There may not be enough time to load the addition with furniture and decor (our carpet is on back order and we'll be cutting it close), but teenagers don't mind sitting on the floor, right? Kennedy just needs to think of it as one giant dance floor...

8 weeks of construction production has produced the following changes:

BEFORE - Old, weathered, unlovely porch...

AFTER: Every part of the porch was resurfaced. Decorative shakes were used and the columns were made a little heavier.

BEFORE: Stairs up to master bedroom, unpainted walls, untrimmed windows

AFTER:

BEFORE: Fireplace

AFTER: As the rock from our kitchen wall sat outside, Jeff kept insisting that we use it for our fireplace. I kept reminding him that our contractor said the cost of labor would be too expensive. We settled on the fact that we would have to use fabricated (fake) rock which we didn't love but it would have to do. Jeff would then bring up the fact that it was pertinent that we use our Farmington rock - handled by our authentic pioneers - and I would remind him that it wasn't in the budget. This went on for around 2 months. I finally asked our contractor to get us a firm bid. Long story short, it only cost us a few hundred dollars more to have our home's rock used rather than the fakey stuff. Jeff was finally content. The guys who did our finish work beat up an old beam for us to make it look weathered and worn. We love how it turned out.

BEFORE: Lockers for the kids' backpacks, jackets, and such. Notice the built in bench for removing shoes and the cute bottom cubby to put them in.

I had them line the inside and outside with bead board.

AFTER: just waiting for coat hooks

We ended up with a seam in the bead board (on the backside) that couldn't be hidden. We had them build another bench for shoe removal since it is right next to the door that heads out to the courtyard and back yard. Still waiting for this to be caulked and painted.

BEFORE: Our old red kitchen with green counters and those funky mirrors in the corner. WHO PUTS MIRRORS IN A KITCHEN? They were odd and a pain in the neck to clean. When we moved in 11.5 years ago, that was one of the first things I wanted to get rid of. We're kinda slow around here, so 11.5 years later and they finally got the boot.

Jeff removed the mirrors while wearing ski goggles for protection. It was quite a sight to see. I think the final count was 21 years of bad luck.

AFTER: WHITE SUBWAY TILED KITCHEN and chunkier new counter tops (Basalt Slate finish). LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this look and can't believe it's the same kitchen.

It was hard to get a good picture with the flash on (above - hello, shiny tile) but without the flash it looks dark (below - the construction wall in the kitchen keeps it kinda dark). When we have the wall down and our chandelier above our kitchen table, things will brighten up a bit.

The walls in the dining area will soon be painted a cheerful, pale green.

Any suggestions of what to do in the corner behind the sink, or what to do near or around the window?

This area is the only space in my entire house that is decorated and good to go. Everything else is in major disarray or is ready to be transformed into something else. This is the spot where I go to be put into a happy place. It's the only area that is clean and shiny and pretty.

CURRENTLY: Gregson Paint Center - in my kitchen, snuggled up to my bestest friend

Just One of the Boys

Oh, Brother - Here We Go Again....

A year later, a little less heated, but we're still having to give permission to our kids to watch the President's address at school.

I'm reposting my feelings from September 4, 2009 'cause they're still the same.

*****

Post preface: I don't get involved in a lot of conversations regarding the political world. Mainly because conversations I've had among family and friends don't usually end well and views and opinions run deep into people's souls. To the core of their beings. You tell someone you disagree with their political views and it's like you just kicked their dog or pinched their (ugly) baby. Jeff and I will discuss and banter because we've learned to agree to disagree. Neither one of us like to sleep on the couch, so we kiss and make up. I also know that he's a crazy Canook so he doesn't know much and he knows I'm just an imbecile of a housewife so I don't know much either. It's an even wash.

(Don't be hatin' on me, Canada! You know I love you!)

While we both have generally viewed ourselves as Republicans, he voted for Obama and I voted for McCain. So, in a sense, we cancelled out each other's votes. That's how much political clout we have.

...

Since it's swarming in the media, I know that most of you probably received the same letter or phone call I did yesterday. The ones with concerns over the upcoming address our current President plans to deliver to the students of this nation. The ones letting parents opt out of having their kids watch the address during school via TV.

By the way everyone is reacting, you'd think Obama was going to deliver the first ever Presidential address on sex education. With graphic posters and correct anatomical vocabulary. And free samples.

I really don't get what all the fretting is about. He is our elected President. He is the leader of our country. I'm assuming he just wants to encourage our students to stay in school, work hard, live up to their potential, and make the most of their education. You can see more about it here.

What's the harm in that?

Am I missing something? Is there a hidden message or agenda somewhere there that I, in my imbecilic mind, can't see?

Not everyone likes Obama or his politics. That is fine. But he is our President and, because of that, I will continue to have respect for that office. Does it mean I have to agree with everything he says? No. Does it mean that I have lost a voice of my own of how I think things should be handled in this country? No. But just because my views may or may not always be in line with his, it does not discredit his position nor does it make him all bad or all good. HE IS OUR PRESIDENT. He is in a position of leadership. Our countries' freedom to vote put him there. So whether or not you like what he is doing every second of everyday, does not make him a saint nor the devil incarnate.

We've forgotten how to be fair in this country.

I remember when Pres. Reagan was shot, I was in 3rd grade. All the students in our school wrote "get well" cards to him and we sent him bags and bags of jelly beans - that being the presidential candied treat of his choice. We were so excited to have some type of small connection with our President. Though we'd never meet him face to face, we were aware of him and he was aware of us.

But were people all up in arms thinking there was some political propaganda that we were being put through in the form of telling the President we were sorry he got shot? I think not.

So, now we have a situation in 2009 in which our President wants to talk to our kids. Not about stimulus packages and health care reform, or clunkers for cash, or the housing market. He wants to take the time to talk to them about what they are ALL experiencing right now. A common thread - their schooling. He, of all people, should be the one to deliver such an address. As the first American elected as President without Caucasian coloring, he has PROVEN that if you work hard, don't let shut doors get in your way, and never give up, you can do anything. Anyone can have success if they are willing to work for it.

He wants to talk and encourage and uplift.

But we're not willing to let him do that?

Really? I guess we haven't come as far as I thought.

Fall is in the Air (Along with Those Cutthroat Rivalries)

It's college football season.

In Utah, well, it brings with it a lot of intensity and buckets of animosity.

Neighbors against neighbors. Brothers against brothers. Friends become foes for the duration of the season, only to rekindle their camaraderie when the last football is thrown.

(I'll see you in December, Randee.)

Do you bleed red or do you bleed blue?

We've learned that the lines are drawn at an early age. Not only do our kids need to plant themselves firmly in moral values and principles, but they also have to declare allegiance and devotion to a team. A school.

It is as if their core, fundamental beings can't fully develop until they have chosen a side.

(Don't believe me? Seem too extreme? Go hang out in the elementary school cafeteria for 5 minutes September - November. They're discussing a whole heckuvalot more than fruit snacks and sandwich contents. )

In honor of this emotionally charged time of year, I thought I might share with you this clever video from my Alma Mater. You may remember the funny ads that I shared in a previous post - this is a play on the Old Spice commercial.

Very clever. Very smart.

(Thanks to my friend, Alysa, for sharing this. She is actually a Utah fan and I have never held it against her. Nope, not even for 1 day.)

Go Cougs!!

Either I Have a Severe Case of Short Term Memory Loss or My Toddler's a Klepto

Yesterday, while Kennedy was at an Ortho appointment, I took 3 minutes to run into a grocery store for some toilet paper.

(My family really likes TP and they start to get a little annoyed when we run out and they have to go without.)

(Yes, they're spoiled, I know.)

I had my little 2 year old buddy with me. I grabbed my package of unscented ultra soft 2-ply, and headed for the checkout. Thank heavens for the express line. One and a half minutes later, I was out the door with my toddler and tissue.

When in the driver's seat, I reached into my purse to rummage for my keys.

(Let me pause here to say that, indeed, some purses are too big. My purse would be one that would fit into the unnecessarily ginormous category. On a daily basis, I'm inconvenienced by the fact that the bottom of my purse is a deep abyss and I can't ever get anything out of it quickly. My wallet, checkbook, cell phone, keys and the occasional package of gum are all lost in the black empty chasm at the base of my handbag. Oh, and the pens which I have unknowingly borrowed from countless businesses.)

As I was feeling around for my keys, my hand brushed against something that crinkled - not a normal sound for my purse. I looked inside and found a package of Hostess Snowballs.

I honestly sat there for a full minute staring at them.

And that's when the 2 trains of thought - that named this post - went through my mind.

Let's take a vote.

I don't remember buying them, but with the amount of paint fumes being inhaled lately, it is a possibility.

OR

Was Shaw just securing an after dinner snack for himself using the stealth of a ninja?

What's your verdict?

And I Just Thought it Was a Pretty Color

Who knew Cherry Tart by Behr could have so much meaning?

I just liked the hue, the name, and was hankering for something sweet.

(Plus, I thought it would go splendidly with the new yellow on our house.)

(Pardon our dust.)

In Feng Shui, a red door symbolizes the mouth of the home. By painting our door red (or any bright color that stands out) chi (positive energy) is drawn to the house. It is the entry point in which abundance and opportunities find us.

The Chinese consider red to be the lucky or sacred color. Many doors are painted with a fresh coat of red just before Chinese New Year to invite good luck and happiness.

In Ireland, a red door is supposed to ward off ghosts and evil spirits.

In Catholicism, a red door represents that the blood of Christ has been smeared on it and that the area beyond the door is holy and sacred.

Also, according to the Old Testament, the Jewish slaves in Egypt smeared their doors with lambs blood as a sign that the required sacrifice had already been made, and those homes would be passed over by the Angel of Vengence.

Supposedly red doors were used as part of the Underground Railroad, and homes with red doors were "safe houses".

Albert Einstein painted his door red because he couldn't recognize his house without it.

And for homeowners (but not THESE homeowners), a red door announces that the house is paid for, free and clear.

One of the Greats in My Life

Several months ago, I wrote about my good friend Britni and her battle with cancer. You can read about it here.

She was in town a couple of weeks ago and we were able to get a group of friends together for lunch. It was so wonderful to see her. She is healthy and vibrant and strong and continues to be an inspirational source of strength to us all.

Simply put, she is amazing.

We love you, Britni.

After School Bliss in the Kitchen

I just got called to be the generic, no real name, Relief Society committee leader in my ward.

(Again.)

I feel a little bit like Prince when he ditched his stage name and was known by that weird symbol. Everybody just called him the artist formerly known as Prince. I guess everybody can call me the formerly known as Enrichment Night leader. Seriously, nobody really knows what the new name of my calling is. That's O.K. I've been through this duty before. I know the ropes.

Last Thursday our theme was Back to School Basics. We did 3 mini-classes: homework tips, ideas for home lunches, and after school snacks. Since I am a snack-a-holic, I chose that topic to demonstrate.

(I told the ladies they were helping me fulfill a lifelong dream of having my own cooking show. Since Food Network hasn't come knocking, I'll take what I can get.)

Here are the recipes I used. They do take a little bit of time and preparation, but the pay off is well worth it. Try them and you'll soon be the coolest, hippest, and tastiest mom on your block.

Fun and Creative After School Snacks

Crayon Pretzels

Pretzel Rods

Colored Candy Melts

Paper Crayon Wrappers (link is here)

Cut pretzel rods in half using sharp knife. Melt candy melts slowly in microwave (30 seconds, then stir) or place candy melts in double boiler and melt until smooth. Dip one half of pretzel rod in melted candy and set out to dry on wax paper. Once the colored candy is set on pretzel, dip the other half and set on wax paper again until dry. Wrap with colored paper using the wrappers listed above.

Caramel Dip

8 oz. cream cheese

¾ c. brown sugar

¼ c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients with mixer and chill. Let refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the sugar has a chance to dissolve. Stir before serving. Serve with any fruit of your choice.

Better Than Rio Dressing and Veggie Dip

1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix

1 c. mayo

½ c. buttermilk or canned milk

1 c. chopped cilantro

1 c. Herdez Salsa Verde (in Mexican food aisle)

2 cloves minced garlic

½ red pepper, chopped

canned jalapenos (to taste)

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Serve with veggies, salad, or tortilla chips. Also great on burritos or other Mexican dishes. Store extra jalapeno peppers in freezer for future use.

Squeeze Fudge

1 oz. cream cheese

1/3 cube butter

1 ½ T. cocoa

1/3 tsp. vanilla

1 heaping cup powdered sugar

Put all ingredients in a ziplock sandwich bag. Squeeze and squish to your hearts content. Slide fudge to one end of bag, snip the corner off, and squeeze fudge out to eat.

Pineapple Celery Sticks

1 jar Kraft pineapple cheese spread (see here)

celery sticks

Fill cleaned and cut celery sticks with pineapple cheese.

Crunchy Granola Chews

2 ½ c. Rice Krispies

1 c. dried apricots, quartered

1 ¼ c. oatmeal

1 ¼ c. sunflower seeds, toasted

½ c. brown sugar

¾ c. honey

¾ c. peanut butter, super chunky

Mix first 4 ingredients. Melt sugar, honey, and peanut butter in saucepan. Stir until bubbly. Pour over dry ingredients and pour in 10x15” pan. Cool and cut into any size you want. Store in air tight container in refrigerator.

Three Cheers for the Daily Grind

August 23, 2010.

Hip, hip, hooray!

Schedule and routine and daily purpose are back in fashion.

Hallelujah!

Bedtimes that elicit optimal functioning and pleasant attitudes are being strictly enforced.

Hot diggity dog!

9th, 6th and 3rd grade.

Coo-coo-cachoo!

Tales From Ye Olde Family Tree

I love hearing quirky stories from my ancestral pedigree.

Of course, I appreciate the stories of faith, obedience, and determination that many of my ancestors displayed. Ancestors that converted to our LDS faith, traveled across oceans to come to Zion, and endured many trials and struggles that the early pioneers faced. I respect their willingness to follow the counsel of the Brethren, and leave homes and families to serve missions in distant places. The strength many of my ancestors exhibited is admirable and inspiring.

With that being said, I also enjoy the unique, peculiar, and sometimes bizarre facts that dangle from the branches of my family tree. The following story is my case in point.

Jens P. Anderson is my great, great, great grandfather. His death was notable enough that it was written about in the local newspaper - The Herald-Republican. Here is that article:

***

Seized with the hiccoughs three weeks ago, Jens P. Anderson, a pioneer of this district, hiccoughed constantly until death ended his suffering yesterday. The aged man literally hiccoughed himself to death.

Though advanced in years, Mr. Anderson possessed a rugged constitution and was apparently in the best of health until seized with the peculiar malady that resulted in his death.

Every known remedy was brought into requisition in an effort to stop the patient's hiccoughing, but without avail, and the spasmodic jerking of the diaphragm continued until he died of sheer exhaustion.

Mr. Anderson was born in Denmark January 14, 1826. While in his native land he learned the trade of a miller, which he followed for some time, after which he served two years in the army. He joined the Mormon church in 1852 and came to Utah a few months later, crossing the plains in an ox train under Captain Olsen, arriving in Salt Lake City in 1854. Later he came to this city and assisted in the building of the fort, and took an active part in the Black Hawk war. In 1862 he moved to Glenwood, and was among the first settlers there. A home was built there by him, but he was driven out by the Indians. Anderson returned to Ephraim in 1866 and engaged in farming which he continued until his death.

***

What interesting facts do you know about your ancestors?

When Zucchinis Attack

This is the time of year when summer squashes - of all variety - band together in an attempt to overtake the world.

Some people may say that statement is a little extreme, but those people have obviously never planted a garden.

Zucchini, in particular, mass produce in quantities that are startling. Overzealous spring gardeners find themselves up to their gourds in zucchini in the fall. This green, fleshy produce soon becomes a ball and chain in the gardening world - dragging gardeners down with its overwhelming volume that can't go to waste and must be shared with family, neighbors, and strangers far and wide.

We have been recipients of the zucchini dispersal this year. We lightened the load for one friend. The next day a pile was left on our front porch from a neighbor. Guiltily, we did not partake of the zucchini from the produce exchange basket at church (but I could not resist the fresh green onions that someone had brought).

To all you zucchini growers out there who are wondering what-the-heck-you-have-done-to-deserve-this-zucchini-deluge-and-when-will-it-ever-stop, let me offer three bits of advice.

1. Next year, plant 1 singular plant.

2. Hold a neighborhood zucchini race. Build a wooden track, attach your zucchini to some sort of wheeled vehicle (Tonka trucks work great), decorate your zucchini and vehicle in some sort of theme, and let 'em rip. (A friend of mine in Bountiful does this yearly and says it is a blast.)

3. Use some of your crop for this recipe. It is moist and delicious and will soon become a family favorite.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE

1/2 c. butter or margarine

1/2 c. oil

1 3/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. sour milk (let milk + 1 tsp. vinegar sit for a few minutes)

2 1/2 c. flour

1/4 c. cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

2 c. grated zucchini

chocolate chips

Cream butter, oil, and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and milk. Add/mix in dry ingredients. Stir in zucchini. Pour into greased 9x13" pan and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 - 50 minutes.

Post note: Since random acts of zucchini abandonment are widespread in our area, we have installed video recording equipment on our front porch. If you recklessly try and discard any more zucchini on our premises, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the horticultural law.

A Remarkable Example

Love these Mormon Messages. They inspire and motivate and teach through the example of others.

This is one incredible man.

Thanks to CJane for sharing this one.

Name Them One By One

This summer has been an unusual one.

I hate to say it, but I think my kids will actually look forward to going back to school this year. In school, there will be some structure and routine. They will actually be able to see their friends. The adults around them will wear respectable clothes with hair and make-up (where applicable) done. And a home cooked meal? Well, it's sad to say that what they eat at school may be a little more thought out and planned than the hodgepodge vittles they've been consuming around la maison de la construction.

The semi-constant drilling, worker-men music choices, summer heat, and shrunken eating area (all hail to the great wall of separation), has all but squelched my appetite and desire to cook. Don't be too concerned - we are all getting fed and my kids go to bed with a full tummy - but the quality and variety of meals have been very lackluster and sometimes nutritionally challenged.

(I bow my head in shame, Ina Garten.)

(But I do sing praises to the construction diet. 6 pounds off, baby!)

Last week was really the first time I truly and thoroughly almost lost it. Coming back from vacation with mountains of laundry and hitting the ground running, I was teetering on the edge of waving a white flag, telling our contractor to "STOP!", and packing our bags for anywhere in the world where power tools and compressors are outlawed. I was walking around with a constant lump in my throat and in dire need of control over something....ANYTHING. My house is in transition, my yard is a mess, my kids miss past summers that were fun, and DIY projects have been a constant in our current living space.

The breaking point was when I received a letter from the city and a nicely printed picture of our basketball standard. They don't like the fact that it is in the street. Did they miss the visual clues that we have no driveway, that we are in full blown construction chaos, that we have no other place to put the basketball standard except in the street, and that my toddler runs around in his paper pants (sans clothing) most days? When I read that letter (coupled with the constant, nagging lump in my throat and the sound of drills ringing in my ears) I cried.

(I only allowed myself to cry for about 45 seconds, but what a therapeutic, cleansing 45 seconds it was.)

This week I decided to shift gears, take a DEEP breath, and shake the sawdust off my emotions. I started the week with a paint can half full view of my life and current situation and decided to look for every single blessing that I have. What a difference this mindset has made. One week later, and my attitude has had a major face lift. I can see the light at the end, the wonderful blessings that abound, and the direct hand of a loving Heavenly Father working in our lives.

* This week, I learned that interest rates are the lowest they've been. A 30 year fixed rate for 4.275% - 4.375%. We can't lock into our rate until construction is finished, but our loan officer thinks these rates will stick around for awhile. HUGE BLESSING. This will dramatically affect our end mortgage payment.

* On Monday, a gal in our ward offered us an additional 20% off (friends and family) card to a store where she works. We can use it towards back to school shopping. Shoes, clothing, school supplies....all the stuff we are still in need of. Another blessing.

* We love what is happening with our house and any former worries or concerns have passed by the wayside. We are feeling that we have passed over the top of a large mountain of stress. Our contractor says we have 2 months left and what we're realizing is we are approaching the fun part of the construction process (yes, there is such a thing). Cabinetry, tile work, doors, door headers, paint, carpet, lighting, trim, and other finish work. The addition's empty space is taking shape, with promises of a great place to gather lots of friends and family in the future.

* I have formed a long lasting friendship with DIY projects - something I swore I would never do. Painting no longer intimidates me and I've become a regular at Home Depot. 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom have been crossed off of my TO DO list this week and the end results have been so incredibly rewarding. Pictures to come - can't wait to show you.

* I got another piano student.

* Friday night, I was able to gather with extended family at a Mackintosh reunion. It's been years since we've all been together and it was so fun to see everyone again. I was able to give both of my brothers a hug and let them know that I love them. I miss them.

* We had a wonderful ward conference today and I was so touched by the Spirit. Our Stake President is a man that talks straight with a warmth and charity about him as to not offend. His words touched my heart and I know that I have so much that I need to do to be a better person and example of my Savior. I appreciate the spiritual recharge that I get every week at church.

I could go on and on about the small, seemingly insignificant happenings throughout the week that made me stop, make a mental note, and count the abundance of blessings in my life. It's been a good week and the sun continues to shine.

When we look, we will see. Our blessings are endless.

Blame It On The Fumes: Reposted

I wore a pickled sash with french fried rivers today. My piano cried because the buttermilk hiccuped and the calculator threw a corsage out the window. But what do you say when a book hugs a walrus? "Chaka Khan!"