Carl Bloch Exhibit

We went to the Carl Bloch exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art (visit this link about the exhibit and to get free admission tickets:  http://carlbloch.byu.edu/index.php) a couple of weeks ago.  It is so amazing.  Once-in-a-lifetime.  Don't miss it.  Can you tell I loved it?

We took our kids - which is not ideal in such a quiet setting, and if you love art, religion and being alone w/ your deepest thoughts like I do.  However, it was very much worth it to go and they behaved very well and were also impressed by the incredible paintings.  Children love the Savior and I'm glad we got to go as a family.  Wow - can't believe how much money we saved ourselves by not traveling to Europe to see all these paintings!  I hope to go again by myself when I go to BYU Women's Conference in a couple of months.  Here is a big thanks to the Musuem for giving us this incredible experience!

Utah Shakespearean Festival

In July, hubby (can't believe I just used that word) and I were able to go on a trip (w/out children) to the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and Tuachan Theatre (we saw Annie there in 115 degree weather)! We had a fantastic time and the plays were fabulous! I posted pics from the website (http://www.bard.org/). I was absolutely in my element to watch great art in action.

THE SECRET GARDEN
I love the story of this musical. I have to admit that I cried during it - yes, I am a sap. Loved this play! I wanted to go back and see it a second time. The set was lacking a little - but that was okay because this was just incredible. We got to meet the actors at a reception afterward and learned that they put this together in the equivalent of 3 wks. worth of time. Amazing. The Martha was my favorite of them all, though the Mary and Colin were delightful as well. I highly recommend this one!

HENRY V

This is one of Shakespeare's historical plays. Was it our favorite? Not so much - just because of the history thing. However, it was amazing to see Shakespeare live in a theatre similar to what those of his time experienced at the Globe. (Note: they don't use microphones and so you see a lot of spitting when the cast gets angry/loud. Interesting). Costumes were absolutely incredible. And I loved the actor's portrayal of Henry V. This was very worthwhile (especially if you enjoy classical literature) even though the plot was sort of like a boring history lecture. I still thoroughly ENJOYED the classical element of this play. Great production. I wonder what we'll think when we see a tragedy next time...

COMEDY OF ERRORS

Wow - this was funny! Who knew that Shakespearean comedies really are funny? Loved, loved, loved the humor in this. It was a total farce! The set was bright and colorful and the actors were terrific!

We had such a fantastic time. I got to hang out on the bus w/ mostly empty nester and retired couples (my favorite people) and discuss cooking, the difficulties women face in choosing careers or staying home, and religion) while Mr. Handyman of the Universe listened to books on tape. I sure hope we get to do this again! Thanks Classical 89 for a great trip and our amazing Sister and Brother in Law who cared for our kids so we could have a mini vacation!

Coupon fun w/ PYP

I am a couponer. I probably have a different opinion about coupons than you would surmise. And I pass up lots of coupon sales. Anyway, I use the site PYP (http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/) to make the most of my coupons. About 2 wks ago, Smith's had double coupon days. I had so much fun shopping w/ coupons! Here's my haul: 2 Tide, Mega pack of Charmin, 8 roll-pack of Bounty, 4 jars pickles (use those to take veggie trays to potlucks), 2lb block of Mozzarella cheese, 8 4-packs of dannon yogurt, 4 cups of yogurt, 3 hamburger helper (that's my emergency meal instead of fast food), 6 boxes of tampons, 4 cans of shaving gel, 4 toothpaste, makeup sponges, eyelash curler, 4 toothbrushes, 8 cheap deodorant, 2 nice/secret deodorant, 8 candybars (for the gift bin), 10 mentos gum (for the gum & mint bucket), 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 2 cans pineapple, can of olives, and a package of Wackymac pasta. All of that for $33.57. I am now stocked on feminine supplies, deodorant, shaving cream, and gum. And yogurt. That was a lot of free yogurt. I know - the stuff looks random. It is. But that's how I shop every once in awhile in order to create stockpiles of things for my food and household storage.

What in the world? Why I am posting?

Yes - you are probably shocked. I'm sort of catching up on posting. That's what a week at home while your kids have an enterovirus (most likely a coxsackie) does for you; you can blog! We've done this once before -about 2 yrs ago. It's horrible. I didn't think we would have it again, but oh well. I'm keeping everyone home to prevent spreading it. I have no idea where the girls picked it up. Irritating. Oh well. Tomorrow marks 5 full days at home. I think we'll venture out on Sat. as the contageous period is over now and anyone exposed to us on Sunday would have received this charming little bug by now. (Note: Other than my sister, if your kids come down with this, you can't blame us now because the incubation period is 3-4 days and we've been quaratined that long). Anyway, at least I got to share a few good things of the summer!

Shout Out to Designermom!

Somehow this post title will make sense. Last week was our county fair - a much anticipated event for me and the girls. We usually spend 2 or 3 days there just hanging out with the animals and eating free candy. The fair is nostalgic for me because that's how I met my friend Designermom. We had communicated by internet and decided that the fair was a good place to meet (and decide if we could stand each other?). I know - sounds lame. But she is such a fun, crazy, awesome friend and mom. She helped me at the fair 2 yrs. ago as that was my first outing alone w/ 3 kids. Now, she convinces me to do crazy stuff like enter exhibits at the fair. Wacky - I know. Ha, Ha! The sad thing is that I didn't even go to the fair w/ her this year of last year. Next year for sure Designermom, okay? At least we saw each other entering our food because she called me and told me to get out and get my jam entered. Anyway - here is my shout out to a wonderful friend!!! Bubby and her cousins convinced this girl to let them in the cage and pet the pony. We always meet people that let us go in the cages w/ the pigs, goats, sheeps, and ponies. Way fun for the kids!

Look - my apricot-raspberry jello jam got a 1st place ribbon! I was terrified to go look at the results because I didn't want to have the only losing jam in the fair. As it turns out though, every jam I saw had a ribbon. Blue is a good color! Designermom got a blue ribbon or 2 as well. She makes much more exotic things though - like Huckleberry Jam. Her and her husband also enter crops (i.e. vegetables from the garden). I love that she has helped me to find the "country" side of myself (which is a stretch for me since country anything isn't usually classic) and become a fair participant. Next year, I want to enter a pie! And figure out how to earn a judge's choice award on my jam. Hmmm....

Here's Bubby, Cakes, and Carebear looking at the sheep. Carebear was so funny to watch. She ran around screaming obnoxiously every time a sheep licked her hand. I love animals, so I think it's nice to have opportunities for the kids to become comfortable around animals other than a dog.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

In July, our family attended the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. (Here is a link to read more about the purposes of the temple: http://www.lds.org/temples/purpose/0,11298,1897-1,00.html). We had a great time together as a family - along with some of our extended family that came too. We were able to walk through the temple on a self-guided tour and signs gave brief explanations of what each room is used for. As our children felt and recognized the spirit present there, I was reminded of my experience as a 4 yr. old touring the Jordan River Temple during the Open House. I distinctly remember the pictures I saw of Jesus Christ and the way I felt. In my mind, I was alone walking through that holy place, and I sensed that Heavenly Father created the temple just for me. I felt loved and cared for. That experience was one of the earliest spiritual experiences I can recall, and it has had a profound effect upon my life. Now, as an adult, I have been able to draw upon the power of God and the spirit which flows from the temple.

I love that on each temple, you find the words, "Holiness to the Lord." The temple is sacred, and holy. I feel peace at the temple of our God. I also feel connected to previous generations - such as the children of Israel (led by Moses) and their worship in the Tabernacle. I have received many blessings - both eternal and immediate - from the temple. It stands as a witness to me of Heavenly Father's mercy and love in providing a way for us to return to Him as a family through sacred ordinances and covenants. I also learn more of our Savior's atoning sacrifice for human kind. I am thankful we could take a children to the temple and teach them of the crowing joys that come in life from the blessings of the temple.

Crazy for sure!

Most people have normal hobbies. My newest hobby is collecting fresh fruits and vegetables. While my husband may call me obsessed, I say that I am passionate about cooking with a variety of produce. I ended up taking over the PV site for Bountiful Baskets Produce co-op, and every 2 wks, my co-conspirator, Bekah, and I have a fun time volunteering and distributing produce for the participants. Yes - that sounds weird, but it brings me great joy. Just looking at these pictures - knowing that I am greatly improving the health of our family - brings me satisfaction. In conjunction w/ the food habit changes, I have maintained an exercise program nearly the entire summer and have never felt better! Don't laugh, but I just had to post pictures of the fun stuff we are eating. I don't have pictures from every pick-up, (sad that you didn't get to see our acorn squash or asparagus- ha, ha), but this gives a pretty good idea of the variety. In addition to the co-op, I have been collecting produce from my mother-in-law's garden, my sister's neighbor's fruit tree in California, and just random stuff from the grocery store. It's quite funny. I will never be a farmer, or a master gardener. But I am a great volunteer and avid fruit and vegetable lover. I would encourage anyone to add more quality foods - especially fruit and vegetables and high-quality grain to their diets. Each of the shares I've posted pictures of cost $16.50, and the co-op is every 2 weeks. If you went bare minimum, you could buy a basket each time and spend $33 a month. That's a fantastic deal for this much produce. I usually spend more though because I love buying cases of things to give away; plus, the bread is fantastic, and the ethnic packs are really fun to try. Spinach, broccoli, gala apples (my fav.), bananas, celery, green onions, radishes, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries.

This was in the tropical pack at our most recent pick-up. It cost $7.50 and included a pineapple, kiwi, mangoes, coconut, bananas, and key limes. Talk about fun to try new stuff! I am chilling the coconut and we plan to crack it this weekend.

Red cherries (burried), 4 lbs grapes, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, bananas, cauliflower, green-leaf lettuce, pluots, strawberries, apples, celery.

Broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, yellow squash, tuscan melons, plums, apricots, bananas, apples, oranges.

Mexican pack (I believe it was $5.50) - cilantro, green onions, jalapeno peppers, garlic, tomatillos, limes, onions, and corn tortillas. I made green enchiladas with the tomatillas. I still can't believe I made an authentic dish!

This is 9-grain bread. It's $10 for 5 loaves (that is pricey to me when I can buy bread for $1.25 at the Sara-lee store. However, this is healthy bread - awesome stuff).

Cantaloupe, spinach, bananas, corn, atalaufa mangoes, corn, tomatoes, avacado, fuji apples, apricots, pineapple, romaine lettuce, celery.