Recipe Contest

I have been in a dinner idea slump of gargantuan proportions. Since about, oh, February. Yes, I know it's October. That's a l-o-n-g time for my poor family to suffer for my lack of dinner genius. Even the Food Network hasn't revived my creativity.

Out of love for my dear family, and because we are sick of repeatedly eating pancakes and/or oatmeal for every meal, I am pleased to announce the first tRcg Dinner Recipe Contest!!

Here are the rules:

1. Write your favorite quick go-to meal in the comments.

2. Somewhere included in the meal there must be a vegetable or salad.

3. Recipes which include the following ingredients will promptly be disqualified: liver, brussel sprouts, pig's feet, tongue, and anchovies.

4. It has to be a recipe that YOU actually like and make.

5. All entries must be submitted by Sunday, October 12, 11pm MST.


Winners will be chosen in the following two ways:

1. All contestants will have their names put into a hat, and one winner will be chosen at random. (I promise there will be no peeking.)

2. After my family has had a chance to try the recipes, my family will vote on its favorite recipe, and that contestant will also win a prize. (This phase of the contest will take a bit longer, of course. But I promise that there will be a second winner, and they WILL receive a prize.)

The winner chosen at random will receive a $10 gift card to Target!

The winner for the best recipe (as determined by the taste buds of my family) will receive a $25 gift card to Target!

Tips: I love quick, one-dish meals. (Your recipe doesn't HAVE to be a one-dish meal. I do make non-one-dish meals too!) James REALLY loves FLAVOR.

Life is Fun

The other night, when Ben was supposed to be in bed, he came down to get us, and said that we should go check out the bathroom. He had cleaned the bathroom, and had left a note. The note read:

IhoptatyouluvewutididtoothePlas.

Translation: I hope that you love what I did to the place.

What a great kid. I suppose if you want to not get in trouble for being out of bed, this is a good approach!

*********

Why would anyone make these gross plastic cockroaches?? . . . I guess because there are little boys in the world (some of them disguised in adult bodies!)

***********

Brianna is certainly the life of the party. Whenever we are going to any kind of get together, I tell her we are going to a party. She gets so excited and says over and over, "Party time! Party time! Party time!"

When my mom and neices were coming, I tried to explain to Brianna that we would have a party when she woke up, because they would arrive after she was in bed. She kept asking, "Party comin'? Party comin'?"

Even though she's only two, she has a great sense of humor, and what makes it even funnier to me, is that she knows she's being funny.

A Very Fun Girly Weekend!

Well, I'm sure you knew that it wasn't fair to make a new blanket for Ben, and not make one for Brianna as well. So, here's her blanket:

Of course, I had help with hers. Last weekend I had the privilege of hosting the annual Granddaughter's Sleep-Over that my mom does each year with her, well, Granddaughters. What a cool Grandma, huh? As part of the sleep-over, they were so kind as to tie the quilt for Brianna. Aren't they cute?? We went for a scenic drive in our jammies, first thing in the morning!

Then we went to three different garage sales, IN OUR JAMMIES, with bed-head and all. Garage saleing in jammies was a high-light for the girls. (And, thankfully, I didn't run into anyone I knew!) As I passed one family at one of the garage sales I said, "If you think we look bad now, you should have seen us before we got ready for the day!"

We also did hair, and nails, and watched several movies, and visited, and ate yummy food! It was a blast! And after having been away for nine years, it was really fun to have this time to reconnect with them.

Random

**My head hurts.

**Ironically enough, I had actually ordered a parenting book for myself previous to my venting post. It came today. It is called Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic. Even with a migraine, I've read the first five chapters. It seems to hit the nail on the head with my two spirited children. I really like it's positive approach so far. (Thanks for posting about it J.L.)

**I really love my family. I have the best hubby and most wonderful children in the world!

**The last few days, Brianna has been noticing the sounds our refrigerator makes when the ice maker drops the ice; and then again when the ice maker refills with water. She always asks, "What's that??" with a very cute inquisitive look on her face. I keep telling her, "Oh, that just's the fridge making noise." Today, soon after we repeated this scenario, Brianna passed some serious gas. With a surprised look on my face, I asked "What's that?" Without missing a beat, she replied, "It's the fridge."

**My fridge is disappointingly small.

**ATT may have more bars in more places, but not around here. We have terrible reception and dropped calls all the time.

**Watching my kids do gymnastics is so fun and rewarding. They are both really good for their ages and exposure.

**I hate ironing clothes.

**Ben keeps writing nice notes to James and I and leaving them around the house for us to find. I love it. It's so unexpected and sweet, it really lifts my spirits. I need to follow his example.

**When I think of how hard James works, and what his work actually entails, I am amazed at his dedication and positive attitude. He's a pretty amazing man!

**I fixed our garbage disposal this week.

**Our sink in our guest bathroom broke. It's a fancy looking one, on a pedestal, and the top decided to separate from the pedestal and to let the water run out through that seam. Hmmm, anyone know a good plumber here?

**My migraines have become almost extinct since I purchased some orthotic inserts. Too bad nobody told my head that I was done with migraines today . . . or last weekend. Hmmm, . . . I wonder why they're back??

**What random thoughts are rolling around your head??

Interview with Brianna

I wanted to interview Brianna as well, but thought it would be more enjoyable if you could hear her responses from her own mouth.

Unfortunately, she is just a wee bit obsessed with seeing herself in the camera.

Still cute, but I guess we'll never know what her solution for the current financial crisis would have been.

An Interview with Ben

(Stolen idea from my sis.)

What was your favorite part of your trip with Dad this weekend?
Um, probably, going to Seth and Jezze's house. We played a lot. And I got to see baby Zach.

What do you want to be or do when you grow up?
I want to make a store of my own. just like i always wanted to do. And I'm going to make all of the stuff so that I won't have to pay for it. And besides, I do make stuff. And it will be called Ben's Inventions.

What are some of the things you are best at?
Making stuff. Like books and movies and toys, and well, making Christmas tree ornaments.

What do you like best about gymnastics?
Jumping in the pit and doing the bars.

Do you like school this year?
Not the mean kid named J......

What is your favorite thing to do at school?
Eat lunch and snack.

What is your favorite thing to do at recess?
I like to play on the playground with Z.... before school. We run away from Z...'s little brother.

Are you sad that you missed your Primary program this weekend?
I have no idea.

What do you miss most about our old town?
My friend C....

Would you rather marry gymnastics or a girl?
Myself.

Women Are Warriors of the Heart

When someone we love is threatened or injured -- physically or emotionally -- we as women are a force to be reckoned with.

Recently, my family and I ate dinner at a local fast food joint. Afterward, the kids played in the play area, and James and I got caught up in a conversation with another parent who was sitting there.

After a while, Ben came and sat on my lap and was visibly upset. He wouldn't tell me what was wrong, but wanted to leave. So, we got Brianna and our things and headed to the car.

In the car, he broke down. He said there was a kid in the play area who hated him. He said that he said mean things to him, and kept grabbing his foot each time he tried to climb anywhere. He also said the kid hit him.

Oh, was I mad. Ben wanted me to go back in and talk to the kid. I wanted Ben to know that I would fight for him, so he and I went back in. We couldn't find the kid in the play area, but then we spotted him. by himself. getting a napkin. I made my move. "Excuse me, were you mean to my boy in the play area?"

He stammered, and claimed that Ben had done all of those things to him. Being a realist, I decided that it was possible that the truth lay somewhere in the middle. So, I made them both apologize to each other.

*********

I want to thank each of you for wanting to protect me and fight for me. Thank you for being willing to go into the Nursery and talk to the leader.

I try to not write things when I'm upset like my last post, because the written word is a powerful thing. I want you to know that I'm o.k. now. I really, sincerely believe that she had no intention of hurting my feelings, and that she sincerely believed that she was helping. I'm not quite ready to be her best friend, and, to be honest, I may avoid her for a while, but I am really o.k. now. Thanks, in large part, to your encouraging words.

When I actually get to know her, I'll have to post an update so that we can all see the good in her.

The Toad Pictures

I found them!!

I told ya he was BIG!

Because A Wife Has A Right To Brag

Here's a letter that James' office manager received. I will take out any identifying info.

Mr. [office manager],

I am writing this letter to compliment you on your wonderful staff. Please have patience while I tell you my story.

During my yearly physical exam my general practitioner . . . took a biopsy of a growth underneath my tongue. . . . While with my three sisters, [my doctor] called and gave me a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Now, if you are going to get a diagnosis such as this it sure is nice getting it while eating ice cream with your three sisters who all just happen to be nurses!

After giving me a big hug, my sister . . . called [your office] to get me an appointment. An appointment was made with Dr. James . . . for the next day. . . . When Dr. [James] walked in the examination room, there sat my three sisters, two with notebooks in their hands, and my husband. He was not in the least bit intimidated. Dr. [James] looked so young one of my sisters asked him if he shaved yet. He had obviously had that question before because he had a good answer. Dr. [James] examined me and told me that my condition was type one, superficial and very treatable. The tension in that room just evaporated. We discussed options and everyone was in favor of surgery. . . .

Two weeks after diagnosis I was having my tongue operated on. Your staff . . . all made me feel at ease. Believe me, I was scared but knew I was in good hands.

The surgery went well and at my post-op appointment Dr. [James] had a big grin on his face and told me he had been waiting all day to give me good news. He told us that all of the cancer was gone. The margins were clear and we didn't have to do any more surgery. We would do follow-up appointments to keep an eye on the situation.

Mr. [office manager], after the initial surgery I knew there was a possibility of more surgery. All of the possibilities were explained to me in detail. The biggest compliment I can give Dr. [James] is that if more surgery was needed I had no qualms about him working on me again. He was so compassionate, caring, down to earth.

. . . Please let everyone know how grateful my family and I are for all everyone did.

-Patient signature

Hi, my name is . . .

O.k., so, one of the things I hate most about moving, is starting ALL over in the friendship department. I experience some social anxiety. (I don't know, maybe that's normal.) It takes me a while to get comfortable, and to feel close to people. I had such a strong wonderful group of friends in my last ward, that I've been in mourning over not being able to associate with them now. It literally wears me out to go to things when I know nobody. It's exhausting to feel like I'm "putting myself out there." Yet, I know that I need to keep going to things and to keep trying if I'm going to make the kinds of beautiful friendships that I've been priviledged to enjoy in the past.

So, last Sunday I was home from Church with sick kids. James comes home and says that there is a BBQ dinner being put on by the YM/YW as a fund-raiser this Saturday (today). We put it on the calendar and promptly forgot about it.

Well, tonight, as I was passing the calendar, I noticed the reminder about the dinner. This was at 5:30, and the dinner started at 6:00. James had just been called in to work. So, I called him to see if he thought he'd be back in time. My social anxiety goes down dramatically with James at my side. He said that he had three different people to attend to, and not to count on him.

So, the debate starts in my head: do I pack up the kids and go alone? Brianna does have pink eye, maybe we should sit this one out. Although, I was just thinking that I needed a Church get-together to start to get to know people. But, this really isn't convenient tonight. It is for a good cause, and I haven't started anything for dinner yet. This would be a good opportunity to support the YM & YW in my Sunday School class, and maybe I would even get to know them better.

So, in the end, I decide to buck up, be an adult, and take the kids to the dinner. Because it was a fund raiser, I knew there would be a charge for the dinner, so I stopped at an ATM. When we arrive at the Church, there are LOTS of cars in the parking lot. I get the kids out and go inside.

We walk in and are greeted by a friendly stranger -- not uncommon, as we are still "new". So then we walk over to the food, and on the way, I'm desperately searching the tables for familiar faces. Not one. O.k., don't panic, just get your food, and look again as you find a seat.

Not a single familiar face at the food table. They're friendly, though, and I introduce myself.

After we get our plates and head toward the tables, I'm scouring the faces again, looking for ANYONE who looks the least bit familiar. No one. So, we sit in some empty seats across from an older couple. I introduce myself, they introduce themselves, and then they explain that they are from another ward, and had thought that their ward was invited. I explain that I wouldn't have known the difference, since I was new. They don't stay long, and soon we're sitting there alone.

Again, I'm looking at all of these faces, and start to think, "I can't believe that there isn't a representative from the Bishopric, or from the Relief Society in sight. . . . In fact, there's not even any of the YW leaders that I know here."

S-L-O-W-L-Y understanding dawns. This. isn't. our. Ward. party. Nope, we're interlopers. Oh. boy.

So, I gather our dishes and clean our table. I quietly direct the kids toward the place to pay. On the way to the payment table, there are plates and plates of goodies that are up for auction. I think to myself, "I should buy one plate to kind of make up for our faux pas." I let Ben pick, and he chooses a plate of sugar cookies, but before I can say, "Oh, my GOSH I'm embarrassed!" Brianna has swiped a cupcake from another plate. Then, Ben starts to melt down, because he KNOWS I'm going to have to buy the cupcakes, and he was SET on the cookies.

So, I grab both plates of goodies, both kids, and march over to the payment table. I hand them all the money that I had on me, which was a $20. I'm feeling like that isn't nearly enough, especially considering the two plates of goodies that I'm now carrying. The YW are looking at me like I'm an idiot, and, at the moment, I'm in complete agreement with them.

I'm ready to bolt out the door, when they say, "We need to give you a reciept." So, I stand there for several moments more, with two melting down kids and two plates of goodies, while they ask me for my name and address. Seriously? I just wanted to kind of melt away into the night, thank you very much. If I'd had another $20, I'd have offered it to them to just let me leave and not prolong my humiliation.

Before we got married, I gave James a "Get out of the doghouse free" card. He has held onto it all these years. . . . Tonight may just be the time to redeem that dang thing!