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.

Our "Sort of" Garden

It's been a long time since I've posted - sorry! Here's a post about our "sort of" garden. Basically, we threw a bunch of random seeds down, and added a few vegetable plants - cauliflower and crooked-neck squash - for variety. It's been so fun to have! The kids and us go out nearly every day to watch things grow, and because of this, my hero husband is going to build me some more boxes in the backyard so I can have a real garden next year. Overall, a very satisfying experience. And low stress. We didn't do much - weeding was easy and we have auto sprinklers in that bed. So it was just fun! Not very scientific, but who cares! One of our squash - probably my favorite vegetable to eat!

Here is our budding garden in June...

Much bigger in July! It's really huge now! The squash took over (yeah - it's really crammed; we learned some things for next year. By the way, the cauliflower was purple and tasted really bitter - but still fun to grow). The Zinnias are now well over 3 ft. tall. It's so funny to have vegetables growing in with our flowers. Very hodge-podgy, non-conformist and random - just the way we like it!

A close up of a squash plant and a marigold. Did I mention I love squash? We have 2 plants, and I need more squash than they can produce. I would eat one or two a day if I had them available. Not only do I sautee, grill, bake, and steam squash - but my mom taught me to cut them up and put them in a fruit smoothie (adds a serving of veggies).

Random Cooking Post...

My Fourth-of-July Peach Pie! It turned out great and was delicious. Yay that I can bake now!

My mother-in-law gave me these yellow zucchini, and it was fun to cook w/ them. It's easier to hide yellow squash in baked goods vs. green. Hee hee!

This is a picture of a cooked yellow crooked-neck squash from our garden. I eat them for lunch as frequently as they are available. I usually sautee one squash in about 2 teaspoons of butter (as little as possible but I still love the flavor of butter), and add basil, oregano, rosemary, or dill depending on my likes that day. I grind a little coarse salt and pepper over the top right as I serve it. So good!

Why am I posting a picture of plastic containers? These are Fridge Smarts by Tupperware. I use these to store all the produce I bring home. They are unbelievable! I cannot live without them. What these containers do for fridge storage is remarkable; you will be amazed! The life of my produce is extended greatly by these and I can easily keep a 2-week supply of fruits and vegetables fresh - thus reducing spoilage. However - these babies are NOT cheap. I saw a set of three (a large, medium, and small) for $50. But, if you luck out like me, you'll get all of yours given to you (through wedding, birthday, and Christmas presents). I think I have about 8 of them and they are always full. Even when they are full, my crisper drawer is also full of produce. I bring home the dirty produce and put it in the containers. Don't wash it (well, unless you are obviously storing cut fruit) as the produce will last longer when stored unwashed. For grapes, I pull them out of the bag and cut into small clusters. Then, as we need them, I pull a few out and wash them. I would never ever just bring a bag of grapes home and throw them in the fridge as they'll be soft w/in 1-2 days. In a fridge smart, grapes stay firm and crisp for about 2 weeks. If you buy any of these containers, I reccomend getting a large round one - works great for bulky and odd-shaped stuff like broccoli, pears/apples, cauliflower, cantaloupe, bell peppers, etc. You also need a really large rectangular one - for celery, spinach, tons of grapes, oranges/lemons, green beans, asparagus, etc. And the medium ones are perfect for a bag of cherries, a lb. of strawberries, plums, blueberries, or small summer squash. All around the most fantastic way to store produce.

Here's a picture of my new glass breadpan (the bread is banana bread). After several extremely frustrating bouts w/ my metal pans, I gave in and bought glass bakeware. I would bake bread and no matter what, 1/2 of the loaf would stick to the pan. Horrible. All I can say is, why did I put up w/ that frustration for 9 years? I am so happy with my new (blue) pyrex dishes. Plus, I got them for about $2 each from an online sale. Notice I said "them." That's because I bought some for presents, and I got 9x13 pyrex baking dishes for $3 each, as well as some custard cups/ramekins for .50 each. I seem to buy everything in bulk!