Summer of Fun

In all my busy-ness and craziness lately, I decided to add some more!
First and foremost let me mention that things have calmed down a bit for me recently.
I got released from my calling in the ward YW presidency :(
And called to be the Beehive adviser :)
I also finished my nutrition class (uh, with an A!)
And am not planning on starting another class until the kiddos are back in school.
For the pure and simple reason that I want to just PLAY! ALL! SUMMER! LONG!
This year is the first year that Evan can really participate in many fun crafts and things.
And might be one of the last years that Allyson would really want to.
Plus, last summer was so ridiculous, that we just want to play this year.
SO! I have come up with LOTS of plans for my "Summer of Fun" with the kids.
Now, if you know me or know my kids (or both), you know that we thrive on schedules.
So despite the fun and games we will enjoy, there will still be routine and still be structure, don't you fret!
I doubt you want details of THAT though.
But, if you are interested in WHAT we are doing...
Here is a link to my calendar, where the major activities are posted.
Although, nothing is set in stone! I'll being changing a few things, I just know it.
And if you have suggestions...suggest away!
If you are interested in joining in our fun...
Just let me know what days you would like to join us!
We'd LOVE the company and friends!

A Revelation

I LOVE CHOCOLATE!
I always have.
But I just realized that as much as I love chocolate...
I prefer fruit for dessert.
Cobblers.
Crisps.
With ice cream of course.
Just delightful!
The other night I made an apple-blueberry crisp.
Nice and hot.
Gooey and crispy.
Sorry no pictures...but I do have a recipe.

Apple-Blueberry Crisp

3 cups chopped granny smith apples
1 cup fresh blueberries
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oats
3/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp nutmeg
6 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 375*. Grease an 8x8 pan (bottom and sides) with shortening. Put the apples in the pan and sprinkle the blueberries on top. In a separate bowl mix the sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon and nutmeg. Then cut in the butter. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream.

The Produce Section

We hit a great sale on produce today at Pros Ranch Market. What a fabulous place!!! My mom would have a heyday there!
5 1/2 pound of bananas
Almost 3 pounds of oranges
Just over 2 pounds of pears
Almost 5 pounds of tomatoes
Almost 7 pounds of zucchini
Almost 5 pounds of apples
10 pounds of potatoes
Almost 40 pounds of produce!! And we only spent $14!!
Oh, and the bluecorn tortillas, can't wait to try them.

Selfish Me

I got myself a birthday present.
Nothing much. Nothing (too) frivolous.
It came yesterday.
The best part about online shopping...getting packages in the mail!
And guess what?
Hooray for sales, that's what!

Today's Menu

Included:
Cream of Carrot Soup
Celery, Radishes, Olives
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Mashed Potatoes
Fresh Green Beans
Corn Oysters
Cranberry Sauce
Whole Wheat Rolls
French Salad
with Tarragon Vinaigrette

and for dessert:
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
with fresh Whipped Cream

So yummy!
So many leftovers!

Our nonconformist selves couldn't
handle turkey this year!

Best part? Not even starting cooking till 2pm!

Then we had games,
books, and movie.
And writing on a poster everything we are thankful for.

Hope everyone had as lovely a day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lost in the Crowd

I've always known I don't stand out.
I don't have any defining features.
Nothing spectacular that would make people remember me.
I would HATE it if I did.
Never liked being the center of attention.
But, I was amused this week though when two people confessed they always get me confused with someone else, or two somebody else's.
Just something for me to dwell on incessantly.
Although I also got the reaction from a teenager that I "look 20!" upon them hearing my actual age *gasp*.
I had to laugh heartily at that one!

Wish Me Luck!

Tomorrow I take my first midterm for my nutrition course! I have studied like crazy and HOPEFULLY will do okay.
Well, alright, I'm really not okay with just "okay." I want to do GREAT!
I'll drop the kids off at school, do some last minute looking over notes and head on in!
Is it odd that I get a rush from taking tests?
Maybe I'm just meant to be a perpetual student after all!
And for my reward, you ask?
I think I'll go old school (literally) and buy myself some lovely Pee-Chee folders to keep myself organized!