eva dances 2010

Last year when it was time to get ready to go to dance.  Eva would start moving slower, get a little whiney, and drag her feet.  Since I am not a fan of quitting half way, I made her finish the year but thought we would not sign up again.  Waste of money and waste of time for something that she wasn't excited about.

Turned out, she just hated putting on her leotard.  

All that drama over something so simple.

A leotard.  

This year, we got a bigger one and now she loves dance.

If the scanner was clear in the other room I would scan in the real pictures, but it is just so far away.  So these are the ones taken from the sidelines with my phone.  

She also has loved taking a little tumbling class right after her dance class.  Turns out, when I do her bun right, she can do an endless head stand.  

And we can all conclude from these pictures that she is extra bendy.

This is her class before there recital.  They did a dance to a song called Go Bananas. We weren't allowed to take photos during the performance.  Why did I follow that silly rule?  Duh.  

Oh well.

This is a random picture of us eating breakfast in the backyard before church (ok, ok, during church.  What?  We got there eventually :).  9 am may as well be the crack of dawn for us.  We just don't function very early.  Never have).  

See Eva's hair?  I love doing her hair.  Maybe not when I have to wake up at 7:20 to do it, but I still like to do it.  I used to get in trouble in second grade because my friend and I would take turns braiding each other's hair during class.  Now I have my own girl to do her hair.  And I never get in trouble for doing it.  But she decided she wants it short.  Funny because years ago, she wanted it long but I begged, bribed, convinced her to have it short because it was so hard to get all the knots out and I happen to love little girls in an a-line haircut.  But this time she was convincing me.  The deal was she had to wait until her recital was done because it is hard to get short hair into the required bun.

Here is the before and after.  We are going to try and send the giant hunk of hair in to Locks of Love.  Just as soon as I do a billion other things...

When I was younger, I did as many did and got a perm.  We picked my brother up from the airport and the first thing he said was, "What did you do to your hair?  How long does that last?"

After Eva got her hair cut we picked Samuel up from preschool, and he said, "I don't like your hair short.  How long will it take for it to grow back?"  He likes girls to have long hair and boys to have short.  Period.  End of discussion.  No one taught him, it just happens to be his preference.  We were on our way to visit a friend in a care facility and I was explaining that was where our friend had to go to get better.  He asks, "Can they make Eva's hair better?"

I am glad Eva is confident enough to take Samuel's crap.  I guess brothers haven't changed much since I was young.  

Oh, I am still on my health thing.  More posts will come.  I am still totally passionate about it and believe it more now than ever. 

lake powell... nice friends and me

Years ago Eva took dance at a little studio near our house.  She danced with a few adorable girls and while they danced, us moms chatted.  The studio closed but we kept in touch.  Sometimes we have playdates so the little girls can play.  Sometimes we go to a late show so the big girls can play.  

These nice, cute moms happen to be generous, too.  And that is why we got to take the trip in the first place.

I have never claimed to be "with it" so it may be silly to say that I am totally out of it.  I had no idea that people surfed behind boats these days.  It was awesome.  

"Beach Barbie" surfing behind their boat.  It was so fun to watch.  

I knew about wake boarding.  But obviously not as much as these guys.

Michelle braving the cold water.  I think screaming made the water warmer.

Michelle's photogenic family.

(Michelle, I will get these to you as soon as I stop being lazy).

This crack was one of the best parts.  We climbed up into this long space.   We ended up in this huge crack.  The walls went up so far.  I'm not doing it justice.  I'll just say it was awesome.

This is my first time at Texas Hold 'em.  Karl and I were the last two in.  I always have beginners luck.  Then, as soon as I learn the rules and start thinking, I totally lose.  Just the way it goes.

The last day I finally braved the water.  Surfing is a lot more gentle than wake boarding (and a billion times more gentle than Flowrider!).  The falls are easy (as I demonstrated many times) and that is why I dared do it in my expecting state.  Don't judge, I promise I was really careful. 

I wish I would have taken more photos of the everyday stuff.  Like the wrestling matches or dinners or the girls playing or the kids all lined up in their sleeping bags.  Because those were some of the most memorable.  But since my memory seems to be going, I wish I had the photos to ensure those memories last.  

Lake Powell, recorded.  

(unless I end up recording the thimble story, the one that makes me chuckle every time I think about it).

Lake Powell... Eva and Samuel

I didn't get a whole lot (according to my standards) of photos of Eva.  That is because she was off with her friends most of the time.  Already?  

We missed her body boarding on the surf board.  She was in another boat.  They said they asked who wanted to do it and Eva just did it.  Freezing water and all.  She is a champ.

Eva and her cute friends.  (Thanks for the photo, Michelle!)

On a "Princess" ride on the tube, where they take it easy for the girls. 

 

Playing in the quicksand.

Feeding the big giant (gross fish) off the back of the house boat.

Helping clean up on the last day.

Samuel mostly hung out with us so I have more footage of his trip.

He usually sat at the front of the boat and yelled things like, "faster!" and, "go over their wake!"

Samuel was going to wakeboard with Karl but freaked out with the cold water and started getting mad because Karl couldn't get him out of the cold fast enough.

(Sometimes we think Samuel is so adventurous but then with things like snowboarding and now this, turns out Eva is the one with follow through.  Oh, wait, am I not supposed to compare?  I still feel pretty new at this parenting thing).

They let Samuel "drive" the boat for a while.  He was in heaven.

Out on the tube.  Since Paul, the one driving the boat, was making the ride easy on Samuel and rough on the other side Samuel kept yelling, "faster!" and the other kid kept yelling, "slow down!"

Looking like one of those crumb donut gems after getting in the water then rolling in the sand. Karl pulling Samuel out of the quick sand.

All the kids are feeding the fish.  Where's Samuel?  Feeding them from the deck.

Here's Samuel NOT helping clean up.

They loved the trip.  The whole idea of sleeping on a "boat house" was just amazing for them. Yesterday while we were eating breakfast Samuel looked at his half eaten waffle and said, "That looks like a house boat with lots and lots of windows!" and just smiled at it  until we made him eat (for the 10th time).  

remembering powell... Karl

Sometimes I want to post something really bad.  But the real memories are so big and great that I get overwhelmed.  Like Christmas.  We had a great trip.  Thanks to nice friends.  

I will start with just one photo. 

This one is funny for a few reasons.  

1- Uh, life jacket anyone?  We were wondering why he looked so slim.  He was wondering why it felt like he was drowning before the boat pulled him up.  You know how I say something is So Eva and So Samuel?  This one is So Karl.  Whoops.

2- If someone did a trick, Karl would try it.  So one day we spent a bunch of time telling Karl to do different tricks and he would try them until he got it.  We would say, "Just spin while you jump," kind of making stuff up.  And he would try it.  

3- If Karl's job doesn't work out, he can start being in ads for men's hair color.  He is growing the beard for a family contest.  The mustache is his own addition.  I look at this photo and I have to remind myself who it is.  It is not softening up.  I just don't like it at all.  And for whatever reason, Samuel hates it big time.  But if it made us some money...  

As the beard is getting bushier it is reminding me more of this.

Oh, but back to the topic...

Karl surfing.  Karl in one of his several attempts to do some spinny thing.  He finally got it and provided much entertainment in the learning process.

Karl playing in the quick sand.  I don't know if it was real but it was just like the stuff I saw on Looney Tunes (so it must be, right?).

shopping joy

Karl and the kids at the store with me.  It is a rare thing to find all of us there.  This trip reminded me why.  It was exhausting.  Kind of fun (like a circus) but exhausting (like a circus).

I try to do my shopping alone.  That way, it feels like a mini vacation.  In my younger years I never would have thought that I would find such peace in walking the grocery store aisles kidless.  

It took me a few years to realize that no matter how awesome of a deal that I found at the store, I wasn't going to get many cheers from Karl.  Can't really blame him.  If you aren't interested, you just aren't.  I used to ask him to talk about economics when I couldn't sleep.  It's the same thing.  I am just not interested.  I have learned that not everyone shares my love of shopping and great deals.  You should have seen me in China.  Deal heaven.  But Karl's step mom said she has just never really been a shopper.  I offered to teach her.  Karl's dad said he would pay me not to teach her.  

But I had such a great bargain day yesterday that I just HAVE to share it with someone.  Please, someone, share my joy.

Dropped Eva off at dance.  I had the time planned out in my head.  Without kids, I can get about 4 times as many errands done as with kids.  

Hit Old Navy.  Had a couple returns and needed some stretchy shirts for this awkward belly-looks-like-jelly-rather-than-a-baby stage.  After my returns and filling out the survey on my phone to get the code for 10% off I got me three stretchy shirts and a sweater for  $16.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Went to DownEast.  Needed a stretchy shirt to wear under stuff.  All of mine from last summer need to hit the trash.  You don't realize how shabby stuff looks until you pull them out a year later.  I had a gift card in my wallet.  For all I knew there was only a dollar left on it.  I couldn't remember at all.  Picked out two shirts.  Handed the nice lady my gift card.  I only had to pay a dollar something.  Awesome, right?  Like finding a $20 bill in your pocket that you forgot about (am I the only one that does this?).

Went to Whole Foods to get some marjoram because I want to try my friend's soup recipe.  I have always been afraid of split pea soup but this one looks good.  And, yes, it is still soup weather every other day here in my sweet home town.  I like to get my spices there.  If I only need a tablespoon, I only have to buy a tablespoon.  And I don't have to pay for the jar.  I like to check out the sales whenever I go and I passed by my favorite taste-like-I-am-indulging-way-more-than-I-am boxed cookies.  They are 100% whole grain and don't taste healthy at all, but they kind of are.  I am still a sugar freak.  The dark chocolate has a little bit and the cookie part is sweetened with evaporated cane juice and other fruit juices.. I tried the Kashi equivalent and they were so gross, but not these.  They are usually about $3.50 for 8.   This time they were on sale for $2.50 AND there was a stack of coupons next to them for a $1 off each box.  $1.50 for a box!  I grabbed a couple and a few coupons for the future. 

Yum.

The nerdy excitement continues...

Picked Eva up, dropped her off at home with Karl and Samuel, and headed to Target.

I had a couple of returns (stretchy shirts that weren't the right kind of stretchy.  I am in search of the perfect T), a stack of coupons, and a long list of things to buy.

The ad in the paper said if I bought a giant thing of Tide (though I try to like others, it is still my favorite) and a giant bag of the new stain release stuff (I don't even care if it really works, I tried some and just think that the Tide scent scientist people are genius) then I could get a $5 Target gift card.  I had 4 coupons for both of those things.  Couldn't find the giant bag of stain release stuff.  Was going to bag it but finally got the courage to ask someone, who asked someone, who asked the right person.  Because the right person just let me buy the medium bag for $5 less.  With the $5 off and my three coupons I paid $2.75 for at $12 bag off stuff.  

Then I found some stretchy (do you sense a theme here?  How did women get through pregnancy before jersey knit?) Liz Lange yoga type maternity pants marked $10.  So I grabbed the grey and black (I like to buy in twos).  When she rang them up they were only $5 each!  They are still $20 online. 

There were a few other bargains but I feel like I got the good stuff out. 

Oh, and I had a card for a $5 gift card when I spent over $50.  

Today I looked at the receipt just because I was so proud of all my savings.  How nerdy is that?  I got joy from saving money on toothpaste, mouth wash, maternity pants, laundry detergent, deodorant, salsa, and sunscreen.  

I know I am not the only one that feels this way about a good deal.  I just might be the only one in this house.  I think when I tell Karl he just hears, "Look Karl, I just saved us a billion dollars by spending two billion dollars!"  Either that or the voice like the teacher on Peanuts.  

I think I just felt the baby!  I think that baby is happy I found some prego pants for $5.

the amazing test

This is my amazing test to see if I should eat something.

Amazingly simple and easy.

Ask myself these two questions:

1- Is it amazingly nutritious?

2- Is it amazingly delicious?

Answer key:

1- 2 yeses- go ahead and eat it.

0 yeses- don't eat it.

Here are a couple of examples of two yeses:

Salad from my favorite Pho Green Papaya in West Valley and the Ichi Roll (far right) from Red Ginger Bistro.  Amazingly delicious and nutritious.  Bonus:  It is beautiful.  I love beautiful food.

Went to brunch with some favorite friends at Bakers de Normandy in Holladay, again.  I am not a breakfast fan, but for this place I make an exception.  I have loved this place ever since my mom would bribe us to go to piano lessons with a pastry from here.  They have the best eggs benedict.  This place is so cute and so tasty.  

It gets one yes for amazingly delicious.  So, it is worth it.  

These are some appetizers from Luganos in Millcreek.  That appetizer in the back?  Who knew Prosciutto, arugula, "torched" pears, marscapone, and 12 year balsamic could be so amazing?  I didn't.  But now I do?  It gets a big fat yes.

See that little bowl of while soup?  That is the best.  It is tom ka gai from Thai Orchid in Holladay.  I have had this at many a Thai places.  And this is by far the best.  By best I mean not too sweet.  Though this meal doesn't fit all my rules.  The soup's amazing flavor gets a yes for this place.

This is the very ugly smothered pork burrito (with cheese no onions) from La Puente.  There are several around the valley.  Nutritious?  No.  Delicious.  Yes.  So I let myself indulge.  Especially when I start craving it.  There is nothing I can do but go get one.  You should have seen me beg Karl to meet me there for lunch one day.  

Here are a couple of meals that were not worth it.  The flavor, the nutrition value and especially the way it made me feel.  The machine gun sandwich from Bruges Waffles and Frites... though it was kind of exciting to eat a giant sausage sandwich with fries in it.  My body just kept telling me no with every bite.  I will stick to the "frites" and their amazing sauce next time.  And maybe have a bite of someone's waffle with chocolate, strawberries and creme fresh.  

This pesto pasta from a super cute little cupcake place in St. George looked so good on the menu but was too bitter and bland when it came out.  Not worth it.

You would think this tower of chocolate cake from the Beehive Grill in Logan would be delicious but it wasn't.   We took a few bites, boxed it up, hauled the box home, put it in our fridge, and then threw it out a few days later.  Very good at denying that this just wasn't worth it.  

There you have it.  My test and few photos to illustrate my point.  I would also like to point out that there is a serious aspect of social eating.  I am a huge social eater.  But the question, "Is everyone else eating it?" just does not sound right, does it?  

whole wheat bread recipe

There is so much to say about the benefits of whole grains. Before I get into it, I wanted to post  my bread recipe.  My friend, Kristi, came over for a bread lesson a couple of weeks ago and I have been meaning to get the recipe to her.

Whole Wheat Bread

4 c. warm water

2 T. Saf Yeast

1/3 c. honey (or agave nectar)

4 c. whole wheat flour

1/4 c. Vital Wheat Gluten (or 1/2 c. white flour)- can get it at a Bosch store or Macey's

1 T. salt

1 1/2 T. Dough Enhancer- can get it at a Bosch store or Macey's

1/3 c. canola oil (or soy lecithin)

additional wheat- usually 4 to 5 cups

This is my wheat grinder.  My mom bought it for me 5 years ago and it is still going strong.  I even melted the lid one time and called the manufacturer and they were so nice and sent me another one for free, plus a free cookbook.  It is the only one I have used so I can't really compare it to others on the market.  For bread, I use a medium grind at medium speed.  

Here is my line up of refrigerated stuff.  They all live on the same shelf.

Lecithin comes in liquid or granule form.  They liquid is more like a goop and is stickier than honey.  The granules are easier to work with.  This is supposed to help the bread hold together better and keep it moist longer.  To be honest, I don't know if it makes a huge difference.  Oil works fine, but I bought this stuff so I am going to use it.

Put three cups of the water into the mixing bowl.  Add the Vital Wheat Gluten (or white flour) and the four cups of flour.  Mix on high for 15-20 minutes with the wire whisk attachment.  

This develops the gluten in the bread.  I learned this from my friend, Victoria, who bakes a ton of bread.  By developing the gluten with 1/2 the flour in the beginning, this method has saved me time and saved my mixer.  I almost killed my KitchenAid when I used mix all the ingredients first and then try and develop the gluten.  I was kind of hoping it would die so I could get a Bosch.  But it won't die.  If I had a Bosch, I would be able to mix more and not have to cover my mixer with a towel.  If I don't cover it when I I mix this stuff, it ends up all over the place.  I learned the hard way.

 

While the gluten is developing... measure 1 cup of warm water in a liquid measuring cup.  Add the 1/3 cup honey.  

I impressed Kristi with my water displacement measuring skills.  Honey is a pain to get out of a measuring cup so I just add it to the water until it measure 1 1/3 cup.

Stir and let it sit.

Prepare four bread pans by spraying them with baking spray.  

I started out making bread with metal pans but was always looking for ways to make the crust not so crusty.  Then, I started using glass.  That was better.  Then I picked up this Le Creuset pan at TJ Maxx and that was even better.  Finally, my sister in law gave me a cast iron pan for Christmas.  I was so excited (and rude) that I asked for another (at the time, she was working at a store that sold them).  Those are my favorite.  These bake up a tender crust, not a bitter, tough, crust.  

Prepare an area to shape and cut the bread.

I wash off the counter and then pour and olive oil puddle about the size of my hand.  Using olive oil instead of extra flour makes it so the crust is less tough (can you tell I am not a whole wheat crust fan?. I also get out the scrapers.  The white one bends and I use it to pull the bread out of the bowl.  The metal one I use to cut the bread and scrape the gunk off the counter when I am done.  

By the time you have prepared the pans and the counter, the flour/water/gluten mixture will look and sound different.  It will look less like cake batter and more like a big ball of gum.  Amazing, right?  The gluten is what makes a chewy bread.  You can slice it and make a sandwich and it won't crumble.  

If your yeast was good and the temperature of the water was not too hot or cold, your yeast/honey/water mixture will have grown to look like a big foamy root beer float.  

When the gluten is developed (the dough will be good and gummy, you can't over mix this) add the the yeast mixture and mix. 

Make sure to cover the whole thing with a towel or plan on wiping down your cabinets. 

Switch to the dough hook and add the salt and Dough Enhancer.  Slowly add 4 to 5 more cups of flour.  Depending on the humidity of the air and how much water you started out with, it will take more or less additional flour.

When the dough pulls off the sides of the bowl, it is ready.

Dump the dough onto the counter.  Shape the bread to make a smooth, flat, ball.  Cut into four equal pieces.  Flatten each piece and roll into a loaf.  Place smooth side up into a pan.  Place each pan in a large plastic bag (I got these at the Bosch store).  

Set on the counter to rise.  I put it on the (not turned on) stove because the stone counter tops are cold.  

When the dough has risen to about 1/2 inch above the edge of the pan, it is ready to bake.  It will take about 40 minutes.  

Place the loaves in a COLD oven.  Close the oven and turn it to bake at 350 degrees.  Set the timer for 38 minutes.  

I learned this method at my local Bosch store and for a bread rising phobic like me it works perfectly.

When the timer goes off, you will have perfectly baked bread!

Remove from the pans and let it cool on a rack.  

When we were dating, I was talking about the awesome 70's band and asked him, "Do you like Bread?"  He answered, "Yes, it's my favorite grain product."  He loves bread so so so much.  He also likes Bread but he REALLY likes bread.  Maybe I wouldn't go through the trouble if he didn't love it so much.  At any given time during the day or night, I can hear the door to the toaster oven open and shut... Karl making himself a piece of toast.  

From start to finish the process takes about 2 hours.   But the hands on time is only about 30 minutes.   I make four loaves at a time and it doesn't last us a week.  I only eat about 3 slices every batch because I don't think my body loves bread.  

I have been experimenting with ground flax seed.  1/4 cup was too much and weighed the bread down.  2 T. worked fine.  

I know I probably didn't explain everything very well.   So, if you have questions, ask away.  If you want a lesson, you are welcome to join me for my next batch.