14 September 2007

Ode, to Cody

Ok, so I could not stop thinking about my bro. whilst on a little adventure. NOTHING like his much bigger ones, but still I wish he was with me on this one.

I love books if you don't know. I wanted to get some recently like Bourne Supremacy ( I found out they were a book series. . .) A good cookbook on bread, some Stephanie Meyer's books. Just thought maybe there was a 2nd hand bookstore around. Did some hunting around found one that was in Provo, Mark was home for a little while, thought I'd slip away while the little ones were napping, and big ones were in school.

Well, let the adventure begin. I walked into the store. And was blown over by the whiff of old, moldy books. Thought no way am I going to find anything worth while in here. But, give it a chance. Walk in to a room with PILES of books. I mean PILES!!!

I think I will not find anything even if they have it. . . Walk a little farther.

See a map on a whiteboard of categories. Hmmm, found the kids section. Look for what I was wanting. Didn't have it.

Still in dis-belief of this store. . .Start around the corner and realize there are MILLIONS of books! in a maze of shelves. Turn around go and look at the map a little closer (in the back of my mind wonder if Spencer was with me probably would have been wiped clean by now. )

Find the cookbook section. over the river (of books) through the woods (of books) to the cooking section I go. And find this little gem of interesting things. Magazines, Books of Mormons, and all church memorabilia from the beginning of church history. I couldn't believe it.

I sit down on the grimy floor and start my looking of amazement through this amazing little find. I am loving the smelly's ! So, I am just amazed by the time warp I am in. I cannot tell you the excitement and amazement of this store.

Then, I realize it's about lunch time. What if they close for lunch. Not one soul knows I'm back here in the inner workings of this store not even the cashiers. 2 teeney boppers talking about their dates last night. . . I get up out of the pile of books. And try to find my way to the front of the store. . . couldn't! Man, oh man. Found the front, they did not close for lunch

I go deeper. Find their fiction section next to the "Book Vault" like a real bank vault like on the movies. It says on the taped up there sign that it contained rare, leather, family histories.

Hmmm, interesting.

Needless to say grimy knees, dirty hands, and 3 books I went in there looking for and actually found in 1 hr. and no real problems. Came out happy!

I spend much more time than that in a BN let's say. Very good little find. Go to the front, ask the teeney boppers, How do you categorize their store? They actually have a website.

www.pioneerbook.com

Amazed. Cody, you probably found it while you were here. I wouldn't doubt it. If there is a book you can't find I bet they have it.

thank you shelley!

Shelley my cousin took care of us! We went over there and played beauty shop. My girls LOVED every minute of it!
Here's Brookey being silly with her 2 messy buns. Cute and just what she likes.








Here is Autumn being the trendy beauty. She's got an "updo"








This is the back. So darn cute! Autumn loved it! Shelley helped her be so loved. Now this is after going to a ward act. she did have a big fluff of curls every where. I also learned I don't use enough hairspray. So, we will be able to do it again thanks to Shelley teaching me.










OH, here's mine. I got some color! I love it. I love it, I love it!!!

11 September 2007

September 11

I watch a little poll on the news where they were stopping people on the street. (some big city like LA or something) asking everyone what was the year that 9/11 attacks happened. probably 10 did not know. I understand that it was edited to look as if no one remembered the day. But I do. I remember where I was what I was doing how I was feeling.

I was cleaning my house on Hoffman street

Mark had just left to go to school at Gonzaga, my little girls (1 yrs. old 3 yrs. old) wanted to watch Clifford turned the Tv on and it was on all channels, I was going to start doing the dishes.

I stopped everything I was doing. I started worrying about the what if's of are we next. very worried. Thought it was time to start traveling to "Missoura" with my family.

it was 2001. I WILL NEVER FORGET

Where were you????

08 September 2007

Just plain embarrassing

Ok, there is only one person I honestly feel comfortable sharing this story with. She's my beloved neighbor for 4 years. She has the most beautiful kitchen, and the BEST cook out there! She has taught me how to make chicken noodle soup to almond rocca. SHE IS GREAT! She would Truly appreciate this. So Shalise, this one's for you. Pretend like I'm coming over with this hot plate of goodness just for you!



I was a hankering for some brownies. Mark took the van to run some last minute errands, my kids were in bed. So, rummaging through my cupboards, I find this.





Makins for some brownies. . . and a recipe of the internet







Mix them all together, and add to pan.








Lick the batter bowl clean. . . yumm. If this is a hint of what is to come out of these brownies. . I'm in luck!






wait the 25-30 min. . . well I wait 25. (Justify by saying my oven runs hot)

















And here is the end result! YYYYUUUUMMMMMYYYY! Probably the best brownie I have ever had! No joke. Kind of crispy edges, and gooey center. I LOVED it! Very much worth the work. It wasn't that bad at all. And I've got a whole 9x13 pan's worth. I don't know if it is going to be consumed by me, since I gained way way to much weight this week, and I am on a mission to get it off! Anyway. Just thought you would enjoy the recipe.


Zingerman's Magic Brownies
from Midwest Living

13 T butter
6.5 oz unsweetened chocolate
1.5 C cake or all purpose flour
3/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
4 eggs
2 C sugar
1.25 t vanilla
1 C coarse chopped walnuts, toasted

1. Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 325.

2. In a heavy small saucepan, heat the butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring, till chocolate is melted and smooth; set aside to cool.

3. In a small bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt.

4. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes or till light yellow and fluffy, scraping side of the bowl occasionally.

5. Add cooled chocolate mixture and vanilla. Beat on low speed until combined. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Stir in walnuts.

6. Spread batter in pan. Bake 30 minutes or until brownies appear set. Cool in pan on wire rack; cut into bars.




Now for a few questions, and please sincerely answer, because I am looking for this.

1. What is your favorite sourdough bread recipe?

2. Do you know what green drink is? Do you make it? What is your recipe? (Auntie BB, I hope you have one)

3. How do you organize your recipes? What is your system? PLEASE SHARE!

Blog worthy

Maybe this post should be labeled ONLY IN UTAH!!


Autumn, Brooke and Mom went to a "women's expo" here in Utah. It was so much fun. They had fashion shows, 200 booths of the latest and greatest by Utah businesses. There were TONS of clothing, shoes, charm jewelry, and such. .

So, we got our toes done with glitter. It was so much fun. I keep forgetting we have them like this and look down. WOW they are GLITTERY!

I signed Brookey up for a dancing class. (As you might know Autumn is in choir at school. . .They were so much fun to be with. I am so glad I have these girls to have fun with!


I was at the grocery store this evening (which I dread on Sat. night, because they are PACKED) Anyway, got my staple foods, and left. I get in line at the store. Yawning every 3 seconds. . . have you heard my philosophy about how many times one has to "handle" their groceries before they are in your cupboard at home ready to use! WAY WAY TO MANY!!!!! 4-5 times.
Anyway, the couple in front of us smoochy smoochy (all the time in utah) turn around and start unloading my groceries onto the conveyer belt. HOW STINKING THOUGHTFUL! I couldn't believe it. It was a great pick me up!


At some point I should list all the websites that have he modest clothes. . . I am simply AMAZED at how many their are.

Until next time.

Free Burma!