13 Crazy Girls

Last night we had 13 girls (including Elise) over for a cooking birthday party. Crazy, silly girls but it was so much fun. They seemed to enjoy every minute of it. We made pizza, smoothies, cookie mixes in a jar, decorated small chocolate heart cakes, and opened presents. I had two great helpers, Annie Ross (my niece) and McKelle (my babysitter). Elise was a very a happy 6 year old. This party was so much work. Someone out there needs to open a great place for all kinds of girl birthday parties. People would pay because that was a lot of craziness for one kitchen.

My Babies Are Getting Big!

I am so tired. I just finished two big parties for my kids. They are getting big too fast. It is great to have them be so capable and not be in that little toddler stage. But it is really busy too. It is scary to me that we were just blessing them and now they are 4 and 6. In another few weeks, I will have an 8 year old and that will really be strange. I am so grateful for such cute, healthy, smart kids that are so full of personality. Some days they drive me crazy - persistence is Gavin's strength but it can be so draining. Elise thinks she is 12 and doesn't need help - EVER. But, those are pretty good qualities too. Happy 4th and 6th Birthday to Gavin and Elise!!

Pres. Hinckley

Isn't he so great? I love this picture so much. For some strange reason, Pres. Hinckley's passing was so shocking to me. He is plenty old and he has prepared us that his time wouldn't be much longer but for some reason it seems like it just couldn't happen. I have memories of past prophets but Pres. Hinckley has really been the Prophet who has most influenced my life. I love him. I love his sense of humor and smile. I love his optimism and positive outlook on life. I love his encouragement to be better in all ways. I love his temple work. We are so blessed to have the 2nd temple in site of our home to be underway. I love that he travelled the world. I love that he was so capable with the media and making our church better understood throughout the world. I love his example to all of us. He recently spoke to us at the conference center for our regional conference. I was so excited to be able to take my children to hear him speak in person. I don't know if they will remember it that well, but I am glad that we took advantage of that opportunity. We have been so blessed to have him as our Prophet for so long.

Sweet and Sour

Here is my new recipe for the week. Once again it comes from my cousin Katie's - Wirthlin Family Cookbook. I should have taken a picture of it. I thought it looked good and tasted great. However this is not one of the most healthy of recipes.

Sweet and Sour Chicken
3 chicken breasts cut into 1 inch strips (or use chicken tenders)
2 eggs, beaten
Cornstarch
Oil

Sauce
2/3 cup white vinegar
1 cup sugar
8 T ketchup
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 T soy sauce

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk sauce ingredients all together and set aside. Take chicken strips, dip in beaten egg, then cornstarch and fry in oil until golden brown. Place cooked chicken in 9x13 baking dish and pour sauce on top. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve with rice.

A Diaper Bag Project

I bought a new diaper bag pattern from Craft Apple http://www.craftapple.com/diaper_bag.html. It is very similar to the diaper bags I have been making except more pockets. I also really like the magnetic closure on the flap. I love doing these projects but I get a little carried away and now I need to do some catch up with the kids and the house...

Super time consuming project!

For an darling little daughter who is turning 6! She wants a cooking party (thanks to her cousin - she had one and it sounded like so much fun). Well, if 12 girls are going to be cooking in my kitchen, I thought they needed an apron. I couldn't just buy some boring canvas apron, I had to make one. And not just one, but one for each of the 12 girls - personalized. I have finally completed the project!! They turned out so cute. Now, I just need to get ready for the Party!!

Martin Luther King Day

So today was a pretty laid back day. The kids mostly played around the house all day and then we ventured out in the deep snow to go to the Dinosaur Museum. At dinner, I said something about the holiday being over and time to go back to school. The kids all looked at me. Elise said, "holiday? today was a holiday?" Oops. I forgot to mention that to the kids. I guess they just thought it was a free day off.

It turned into such a great discussion about who Martin Luther King Jr. is and what he did and how he died. Elise tied it into the story of Elpheba and Glinda from Wicked. (I know, I know...another post about Wicked). But it is a fairly good comparison. The are people who are different than us all around us and who make a stand for what they believe in. Dr. King had such courage and obviously died for what he was fighting for. My kids were so interested in this idea that people weren't allowed to do things because of the way they looked. I was so grateful that it had never occurred to them.

Yesterday in Sunday School we were studying the Vision of the Tree of Life. I thought it was interesting to consider who is in the great and spacious building and the attitude of mocking and pointing fingers. Often, we think of those people as the "wicked" people, but I think we can look back find that we have participated in this sort of activity. We want to be Popular or just fit in with the crowd rather than moving forward defending what is right.

Something to think about!

Lemon Squares

I got this recipe from my cousin Katie's family cookbook. I hope this is ok to post a recipe. Maybe one day she will sell the book and then you can all buy one. So, this is Sister Wirthlin's famous Lemon Squares recipe. I took them to a lunch and everyone LOVED them.

1 cup melted butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour

Mix the above ingredients and press in a 9x13 pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 or until lightly browned around the edges.

Filling:
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
zest of one lemon
1/2 tsp baking powder

Blend the above ingredients in a blender or mix well. Pour over hot crust and bake for 25 minutes at 350. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cool and cut into bars. Refrigerate any leftovers.

YUMM!!

One of my projects

So, my cousin's wife, Tara, gave me one of these cute clipboards and I decided it would be fun to figure out how to make it. So here it is...I made these for a couple birthday gifts to neighbors. Obviously, I have to modge podge a little better - I didn't notice until I took a picture.

True Colors

My friend Heidi took this test and posted it on her blog so I thought I would give it a try. I actually don't really like taking these kind of tests because it kind of stresses me out to answer the questions. I think too much about them, I guess. I am not sure my result is completely accurate - but not badk. I would like to be this green person - well not the green person pictured - but the green description.

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Green

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

Take this test >

Paris in Disneyland

Guess who we saw in Disneyland - besides my dear old friend from high school - Ryan Addams.

Yep - Paris Hilton getting special access to Splash Mountain. Quote: "Do skinny people get wet?" No lie that is what was said. The Disneyland guide promised to put her in the middle and she shouldn't get wet. I heard this as I walked by soaking wet. I sat in the front. That is my famous person sighting! No pictures though. I felt dumb when she looked right at me. I thought it would be kind of tacky.

Another blog about friendship

(While you are reading this - if you are interested - switch the music forward to "For Good" on my little music player.)

So here I go again... I had this all thought out in my head while I was sitting in Wicked and now it has left me but I will give it a shot. If you have not seen Wicked then by golly you had better find a way. LA, New York, Chicago, GO! In fact, I will go with you. They tell me it is coming to Salt Lake in 2009 but don't wait. Make that your 2nd time. The music, costumes, staging, performing are all fantastic. But really for me it is the story. If you haven't seen it then you might not understand the rest of the blog. For so long my daughter has only heard the music and she has done a pretty good job of piecing the story together but she asks me a million questions. She really wants to like Glinda - the blonde curly hair, and princess style is really her thing. She finds it really easy go by looks alone and not like Elpheba. We have talked so many times about what it means to popular and who is really the better person. I have tried to explain to her that being popular can be great but the danger of it is that you forget to think about others and you become very self-centered. She asked me one day if I always thought about others. I certainly don't and wish I did. I am working on that. Then she thought about it and said, "I think Grandma always thinks about others." (so cute - I am sure she doesn't either but she is working on that). After seeing the show, she really started to get it. It isn't about being popular but doing the right thing and having some courage. It is also about being a good friend.

I must be on some friendship kick because Kite Runner, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and now Wicked. They all tell such powerful stories of the friendships between two people - How they developed, the problems they faced and issues of loyalty and trust. There must be some deep issue I am dealing with and I don't even know it.

I do know that I am super blessed to have such amazing friends. I think maybe part of my little friendship kick has been the season. I love Christmas card season. I have so many friends that I only get to really stay in touch with through these letters. I love this connection.

My Celine

So, one of my dear friends has been to Celine Dion - A New Day (the one in Vegas) eleven times. She was even there on the closing night of the show. She is an extreme Celine fan. She is even a member of Team Celine. Did you know that even existed?

I am not a huge Celine fan but I have been to that show and it is pretty dang amazing. Too bad it is no longer in Vegas or I would highly recommend a trip to Vegas to see the show. But, other than that I can't say I even own a Celine song.

This friend gets teased a lot for her how much she loves Celine. It has made me wonder - is there anything I love that much that I would go 11 times and pay that much money.

In December, while I was in St. George I dragged my sister with me to see Peter Breinhnolt, Ryan Shupe and Sam Payne. It was such a great concert. As I was sitting in the concert, I realized that I have easily been to Peter Breinholt and Ryan Shupe well over 11 times. (although not the same show or same location). Could that be my Celine? Of course it is only 10 bucks a show but maybe...

Then last Saturday, my husband surprised me by buying me and my daughter tickets to Wicked in LA. Seriously, I can't tell you how excited I was. It is a good thing the show was only 5 days away because I could hardly wait. I love that show so much that I really could go 11 times. (This was my third time). Of course, part of my excitement was the thrill of taking E. She loves the Wicked music so much and she is fascinated with the story. That is going to lead me to another blog post but as for now... I guess Wicked is my Celine. What is yours?

Book Review - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I just read another great book - and it is along the same lines as The Kite Runner. It is by Lisa See called Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The setting the late 1800s in a remote area of China. It the story of two girls from different classes who are best friends. It is told by one of the girls in her old age reflecting back on her life. It is the story of loyalty, lies, misunderstandings, heartbreak, forgiveness, and repentance. It is also a wonderful story that explains or shed a little light on a culture so foreign to us. Foot binding is a central part of the story and the development of the characters. It is bizarre but fascinating as well. A side story is the relationship of this main character with her husband (an arranged marriage) and I really like that story line. In this Chinese culture these contracted friendships are so different than our friendships in many ways but at the same time we all long to have friends that will always be true to us. It is not a very long book and I felt like it was a pretty easy read. There many be a couple of scenes that are questionable but not too bad. I recommend it!

Hooray for Food!

Carrot Apple Nut Muffins
Description:Yummy muffins I made for Mom and Dad from my new Williams-Sonoma Baking cookbook.
Ingredients:1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oat bran or wheat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/4 cup grated, peeled tart apple (about 1 large)
1 1/4 cup finely grated, peeled carrots (about 2 medium)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
1/2 cup golden raisins or craisins
2 T granulated sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon
Directions:Preheat 400. Prepare muffin tins.In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients and sugar.In a large bowl, beat the eggs on low speed until blended then add yogurt and butter. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until half moistened. Add the apple, carrots, nuts and raisins and stir until just evenly distributed. Do not overmix.Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups filling about 3/4. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top (I forgot to do this). Bake 15-18 minutes. Sore in container for 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.Number Of Servings:Makes 16



I got 3 new cookbooks for Christmas. So fun. I am planning on trying lots of new recipes so I will post them as I try them. We all enjoyed these muffins - and pretty healthy too. Makes for a great breakfast.

Tonight for dinner I made a Skillet Penne with Chicken, Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. So yummy. That came from my America's Test Kitchen cookbook from Kenyon.

On the side I have posted my mom's Lemon Tarragon Chicken with Asparagus - great slow cooker meal.

So far my most favorite cookbook that can be purchased (my mom's is great - but not available) is Ivory Family Favorites - sold at the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can't go wrong with that cookbook. My cousin Katie has made a Wirthlin family cookbook and maybe one day she will sell them on her blog. It is fabulous and is very well done.

I am trying to plan a cooking birthday party for my daughter's birthday. If you have any great ideas of food kids can make let me know!! She is so excited about helping in the kitchen.