Monthly Archives: May 2009

The new country lay open before me: there were no fences in those days, and I could choose my own way over the grass uplands, trusting the pony to get me home again. Sometimes I followed the sunflower-bordered roads. Fuchs told me that the sunflowers were introduced into that country by the Mormons; that at the time of the persecution, when they left Missouri and struck out into the wilderness to find a place where they could worship God in their own way, the members of the first exploring party, crossing the plains to Utah, scattered sunflower seed as they went. The next summer, when the long trains of wagons came through with all the women and children, they had the sunflower trail to follow. I believe that botanists do not confirm Fuchs’s story, but insist that the sunflower was native to those plains. Nevertheless, that legend has stuck in my mind, and sunflower-bordered roads always seem to me the roads to freedom.

A couple months ago I was walking in to my favorite grocery store (Macey’s) and saw these seeds. For years now I’ve wanted to plant giant sunflowers along my back fence – but like all things yard, I was at a loss as to where to start. It seemed all the sunflowers I saw in neighbors yards were  . . . not what I wanted. Last summer one of my neighbors had a fabulous sunflower patch. I know because Olivia and would walk by and see their giant heads peeking over the six foot fence. “Grey Stripes” she told me. I kept my eye out for seeds.

I never found them, but I found these. If they turn out like the packet promises (8-10 feet) I will be very pleased indeed.

I didn’t know how many seeds were in a packet – I guessed maybe five? So I bought six packets. When Olivia and I opened them to count – each packet averaged 30 seeds! 30×6=A LOT OF SUNFLOWERS!

Before we could plant we had to do our prep work: weed the back yard. Luckily weeding sand is a very easy task. Spread in Turkey Compost – I didn’t really know how to do this – I was warned if I didn’t get it mixed in right, stuff wouldn’t grow. But stuff wouldn’t grow without it (backyard=sand), so I did my best. Here’s hoping.

Then we planted about half our seeds (we have alot of seed!) along the back fence. Wish me luck that I have a beautiful fence of sunflowers this summer!

I have an idea for an art project, and I need everyone’s help. If you have or know of anyone who has, baby jars – you know, the little glass jars baby food comes in, please save them for me. I will come get them from you. I just need a BUNCH! Thanks, Andrea

And when I finish my art project, of course you will be able to see the results here

We were invited by our fun-tabulous neighbors, the Smiths, to go to their place in Manti for Memorial Day weekend. We had a really great time, even though the weather did not exactly cooperate. We went to Scandanavian days in Ephraim, where Olivia and Cal got to ride a giant turtle (among other things). We also helped the Smiths plant their garden. Olivia loved to help put the plants in the ground, and Cal just loved playing in the mud. We rode the tractor – Cal was absolutely distracted by it excitement. We had a barbeque and went to the Manti cemetary, where Marsha has family burried. All around it was just a fun, relaxing weekend. Thanks Smiths!

So here’s the thing: every year I make a “Summer CD” -okay, it’s more like a playlist on my IPOD now, but the misnomer isn’t important.

Every year it gets harder and harder to find songs to put on my summer CD. The reasons are various: I listen to the radio less and less, and don’t know what’s “out there” in terms of music. I’m getting old, and finding that I don’t like the music that I do hear. And finally, even the songs that I like, when I stop and think about it, don’t give messages that I want my kids listening to.

So . . . here’s my list for my Summer CD 2009:

Heads Carolina, Tails California – by Jo Dee Mesinna

Yep. That’s it. Just one song right now. So I’m taking – no, requesting – suggestions for my summer theme track.

The idea behind a summer CD is just that the music be catchy, upbeat and/or loud – think of the sort of songs you’d listen to on a summer road trip, with your barefeet on the dashboard, driving down the interstate. OR the music should be typically summer romantic – embodying all the ideas of warm summer nights. If you have a suggestion PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send it to me. I need help. This might be the last Summer CD ever.

PS – As a general rule I avoid vulgarity & or messages of depraved morals – I know, that cuts down the list by A LOT! But I listen to my Summer CD all year long. It has to be something the kids can listen to. I’ll admit, I’m more calloused, but I don’t want to inflict my indifference on my children.

Here’s my list for Summer CD’s of years past.

Today Olivia was wearing this shirt.

We took it as an omen.

Some days are just cupcake days.

6:49 am – wake up. Why am I awake? Go back to sleep.

8:20 am – Wake up again. This time to Cal calling “Dadda . . . Dadda . . . Dadda . . .” I close my eyes. He wants dadda.

8:21 am – Open my eyes just as Olivia climbs into bed with me. Wyatt passes Cal down to me. “I have to clean out the basement” he tells me, “keep the kids up here.”

8:43 am – Mommy and kids get up and head for the kitchen. It’s time for something to eat.

9:36 am – Showered and dressed, I begin make-up. Wonder: why don’t I put on makeup more often?

10:03 am – PANICK, can’t find the hairspray, and we’re supposed to be at the recital in less than a half hour.

10:41 am – dressed and hairsprayed, Olivia is ready for her dance recital.

11:00 am – Olivia’s first dance recital! Wyatt and I reminisce for a brief moment at how far we’ve come in 3 1/2 years.

12:13 pm – Dance recital is over. It’s time for ice-cream.

12:32 pm – Lunch. PB&J with Bananas. Yum.

12:52 pm – Cal is down for a nap. I lay down on the couch. I’m so tired my body hurts.

3:14 pm – Up again. Time to work on the yard.

4:02 pm – Find a postcard in my mailbox.

5:51 pm – What should we do for dinner?

6:30 pm – Pizza

7:49 pm – Bedtime. Hurry, hurry, read the books, get in the jammies, brush neccesary body parts, kisses, milk, hugs, find baby Kate, bed.

Today I told Olivia that I was going to the doctors to find out if our new baby was a boy or a girl. She told me she wanted a girl. She liked Calvin and Daddy, and they’re boys, but still . . . Later that day (when it was actually time to go) I reminded Olivia we (Wyatt and I) were going to the doctors. She asked if she could come, and I explained that she couldn’t. “Wait!” she called after me at the door, “tell the doctor I want a girl!”

Foot

Face

Profile

Boy

That afternoon, when we returned home, Wyatt and I sat her and Cal down and told them we were having a boy. “Can we name him Jesus?”

No Olivia.

And then at the realization that a boy was coming and not her requested girl, she burst into tears and was inconsolable for about a half hour. But I am confident she will love baby boy . . . as soon as she gets used to the idea.

This past weekend we went down to Santa Hor-Hay (St. George) for some much needed R&R. We went down with our friends, the Enghs. It was a low-key weekend (well, for everyone except Kellie, who participated in a Triathalon). We went to a splash park with the kids, took the kids horse back riding, went to my Grandma’s 88th birthday picnic in the park, went to dinner with my parents and brothers, and otherwise just had a nice time. Here’s some pics!

Calvin munching on an orange . . . one of his favorite snacks.

Wyatt is holding Kirtland while John relaxes sans baby. Come on John!

Carrie and Beth showing off on Sunny. Hate to break it to you girls, but Andi and I used to ride around like that when we were twelve!

John went all cowboy and actually kicked Sunny into a gallop.

Olivia and Jaxon were so excited to see the baby horse.

Logan sprayed SLY down after our ride.

Last week my sisters’ FHE brother, Hudson, came over to give us all a cooking class. He served his mission in Thailand, and now works in a Thai resturaunt. Thai is one of my FAVORITE FOODS! Right up there with Indian, Mexican, Greek, Russian . . . okay, I just like ethnic food. I was SUPER EXCITED for him to come. My only sorrow is that he couldn’t teach us more, although I’ll admit, after just making these three dishes, I was wiped out!

One thing I learned was that Thai cooking, like American, is not precise. You season to taste, add ingredients to taste, substitute ingredients as neccessary, etc. So I’ll share my recipe and notes with this caveat: make it a few times to figure out how to make it how you like it!

Gaeng Kiaw Waan (Green Curry)
This is the first food we made. I LOVE Curry, especially when I’m pregnant. I have a secret theory that it helps stave off my nausea.
Chicken cut to bite size peices
Zuchini cut to small bite size pieces (or eggplant as alternative)
Bamboo shoots
A little bell pepper
(of the above ingredients, think of stir fry porportions to each other)

We’re also going to need:
Fish sauce (the clearer the better apparently (less fishy))
salt
sugar
coconut milk
green curry paste – May Ploy is brand recommended.
vegitable oil
water
*Thai sweet basil
*Lime leaves (cafir leaves)
*These are optional

To start out, heat pan on medium low heat. Put in about a 1 to 1 of oil to green curry (maybe a little less green curry). We used about 1/4 C vegitable oil, and it made LOTS.
Stir in curry to oil, making a sludgy paste. Don’t let the curry burn. Stir until it makes you sneeze. Add coconut milk (1/2 cup-ish . . . we will add more as needed). Add chicken and lime leaves. While chicken is cooking, add a little water to thin sauce out. When chicken is almost done, add bamboo shoots (1/2 – 3/4 of a large can) & green peppers and about 2 teaspoons fish oil, salt to taste (fish oil is salty, so taste first). Add some sugar (~2 teaspoons) to curb bite of curry – to taste. Add zuchini & basil right at the end so it doesn’t get soggy. During this whole time, add coconut milk and water to make sauce consistency desired (soupy). Taste! Taste! Taste! to make sure spices are coming together right. Serve over rice. YUM

Nam Thok – Waterfall Salad
This is the second dish we made. I remember eating it in Thailand at all the street vendors . . . it was SOOOOOO SOOOOO YUMMY. MMM.

Ingredients: Again, all are approximate!
London Broil Round Steak
2t fish sauce
salt
1/4 C shallots cut to strips
2 T green onion
1 T mint
2 T cilantro
1 t ground chili powder from Asian Market-unfortunately I don’t know what this actually is. Hudson brought it to me in an unmarked container strait from the market. I will have to be sure and save some so I can take it with me and have someone help me find it when I need more. But it’s basically a mix of chili powders.
1/3 C fresh squeezed lime juice
Water to maintain sauce
sugar & salt to taste
2 T “Cow Coo Uh” – Phonetic spelling Ground up uncooked sticky rice.

Pat down the steak with a good crust of salt. The steak should be moderately thick and able to handle a lot of salt. BBQ it to medium rare, then cut into thin strips. (Again, think stir fry).

In a pot start with lime juice, fish sauce, water and salt. Add meat to finish cooking (from medium rare to medium well/well) add other ingredients making a soupy stir fry. Serve over sticky rice. By the way, be careful with the chili powder as it will add heat!

Mango Rice
This dish wakes me up from dreams and sends me off to Thai resturaunts. It’s also easy!

1/2 can of coconut milk
water (make 2 1/2 C liquid when combined with coconut milk)
4 C sticky rice, cooked
1 C sugar
1 t salt (1 1/2 maybe)
sliced mango

Heat coconut milk and water, add rice, sugar, salt until it thickens to a pudding consistency. Serve warm with sliced Mango on top.

Thanks Hudson for coming to share your skills. We had so much fun, and are so excited to actually know a little Thai cooking!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgOEnBeEXNw&hl=en&fs=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU0jW59XV6w&hl=en&fs=1]

This is how Tuesday night went:

Wyatt: Should we unpack Calvin’s room and go through stuff before we put it away downstairs, and get rid of extra “stuff?”

Me: Yeah. We haven’t done that in about three months, so we’re about due.

Wyatt: Are you being sarcastic?

Of course, we started with my stuff. At one point in the evening Wyatt pulled out an old leather camel from a box.

Wyatt: Now, I know there’s a reason, but I can’t remember what it is. Why do you call these your Chinese Lanterns?

It’s only happened twice in my life. Maybe that’s alot, I don’t know. But one of those times was when I met Morgen. I remember she walked through the door, to see if she wanted to rent a room at the house I lived in as a freshman. I saw her, and the thought that went through my head was: “She and I are going to be great friends all our lives.”

She moved her stuff in to her room the first day of the next semester, and then left. She had to have knee surgery, and was spending the first two weeks of the semester at her parents house, recuperating. I called her almost every day to fill her in on our other room-mates, our FHE brothers, what guys in the ward were cute, etc. etc. She didn’t know me from Adam, but I can be pretty chatty sometimes (I know, you’d never guess!), especially when I already know we’re friends.

By the time she came back we were best buds, and ran around campus doing all the typical freshman stuff together. By Christmas time the proverbial Road Trip was planned and eminent. Morgen had just bought a Mitsubishi Eclipse, and its sporty look was going to get us to the beach in Southern California. A gas card for food and gas and a place to stay at my aunts, and we were off.

We had visions of warm California beaches and great excitement. Instead, what we got was inclement weather, bad traffic, and a propensity for getting lost.

Prior to our departure, I had fixated on finding some Chinese Lanterns to hang from the ceiling in my room. Not those crepe paper things they sell at the dollar store, but the really big fabric ones you see at the tacky Chinese restaurants. I knew they would give my freshman bedroom that final decorating touch. Alas, none were to be found in any of the stores I frequented. I knew our trip to Southern California would be the perfect opportunity to find such treasures. We’d just hit China town!

Well, we did hit China town, and Vegas, and every other major shopping center two girls who don’t know anything could think of. I couldn’t seem to find such lanterns anywhere.

One day towards the end of the trip, we sat at Santa Monica beach. It was overcast and cold, but we’d come to go to the beach, so at the beach we sat. (Plus, with no money and no idea of how to get around, we were short on activities). But there was a creepy dude who just sat and watched us. We got sick of being fodder for his boredom, so we decided to cross the street to the Crazy Chicken (otherwise known as the Loco Pollo) for some free ice water. While there we saw a big banner at the Salvation Army across the strip mall parking lot. “FREE AIDS TESTING TODAY.”

We were bored, and it was free, so we headed across the way.

The testing was um . . . awkward . . . at best. Before they’d swab your cheek, you had to verbally answer all these really insinuating questions. As a doe-eyed little mormon girl from Utah, it was, um, awkward. After my cheek was swabbed, and I was given a slip to come back for my results, I began perusing the store. By the time Morgen came out, I had found two darling little leather camels. They were so random, and wierd. I bought them for $4.00.

When we got home to our own apartment, my failures in finding my Chinese lanterns was mitigated in my finding my camels. I took out some paper and wrote “Andrea’s Chinese Lanterns” in my most swirly handwriting, and pinned it to one camel. They sat on my desk for the rest of my college years.

Wyatt: So, are you going to keep them?

Me: (Hesitantly) No, we can get rid of them. They’ve just been sitting in a box.

Wyatt starts moving towards the garbage.

Me: Wait! I want to take a picture first.

Wyatt gives me a look that says he clearly doesn’t understand.

Who can understand another person’s memories?