Tennis, anyone?

We just spent at week visiting my parents at the cool foggy Oregon coast. Since I'm not ready to sort through the photos, I'm not ready to blog about our vacation. This post will be about Hannah.

Hannah has decided that she wants to be on the high school's tennis team. Don't think she had ever even played before, but her good friend was joining, so Hannah did too. We're excited for her.

While in Oregon we picked up a nice racket at a thrift store. Got her a pair of sneakers and a water bottle at a yard sale. So, she's set. She's already been practicing the last few weeks.

In order to play sports, she needed a doctor's OK, so I took her on Wednesday. We learned she has mild scoliosis (my sister has that) and the doctor will keep an eye on that as Hannah grows. We also learned that she might have some hearing loss in her right ear. We will go to a specialist to have that tested further. We're hoping, of course, that it's just ocean water and pressure changes from the car trip on Tuesday and that the effect is temporary.

Besides totally de-junking her room (you should have seen the piles of stuff that were taken to the thrift store!), Hannah has been repainting her room this summer and that includes her door. She had the idea to write quotes on her door...

Kind of cute. I haven't had a chance to read them all yet, but I particularly like the quote, "There is no delight in owning anything unshared." I'll have to add that to my blog quotes.

It was a first

So, we all went yard saling today (and had a blast)...and Alex was just a teeny bit ahead of me and I heard a lady say to him that he needed to check with his grandma first. Then she paused and said, "Or your mother. You never know these days."

Her first impression was that I was Alex's grandmother.

I guess, since I had him at the age of 38 I am old enough to be his grandmother. If I had had a child at age 19 and that child had had a child at the age of 19...

And since I stopped dying my hair last summer, it definitely has a lot of grey in it.

But really. I was surprised to be taken for his grandma. Not enough to start dying my hair again, though.

Good finds for me today today: 37 manila folders for 25¢, a Taste of Home The Garden Fresh Cookbook for 75¢, and a quart-sized yogurt maker for $2.

Fun day.

one year as primary president

Today marks 1 year since I was called and set apart to be the Primary president in our ward. Somehow a year has gone by and I don't know that I've ever really posted about it.

July 12th, 2009, a Sunday, the Bishopric had an appointment to come see me in my home. I thought the Relief Society Presidency had been in a long time. I thought maybe the Young Women's presidency was being rearranged (I was then an advisor in the YW and was teaching the teenage girls on Sundays). NEVER did the word "Primary" enter my mind. Not even to then dismiss it.

I cannot convey to you the shock it was to hear the word "Primary" come out of Bishop's mouth. Maybe as much shock as seemed to cross his face when I said...after laughing for a bit, "But I don't like children." At least I hope that's what I said. I'm really not sure and I'm afraid I might have actually said that I hated children. The shock made me stupid, I think.

A few days later I amended my statement to the Bishop and clarified it by saying that I didn't feel I had a talent with little kids (like my sister does) and I was least comfortable serving in the Primary. I didn't really dislike (and certainly not hate) children. I just didn't feel like I knew how to relate to them. Sad comment from a mother of 5, isn't it? Sad, but true. I do much better with my own kids, though.

I accepted the calling, of course. And then after the Bishopric left I came up with a ton of reasons why I shouldn't be the primary president. There was a reason I tried to only sub at the high school and it wasn't because that's where Glen worked...I rarely sub at the junior high and only sub in elementary school when it's a job for 6th grade at Numa.

It was especially hard because I would be following Janet Stark as the president...Janet who has such a gift with children. And then she stayed on as a teacher and I had to pretend she wasn't there when I was presenting Sharing Time so my self-esteem would stay intact.

I also don't consider myself a good leader. I'm a good underling, though.

I don't like being visible. I like to be in the background and unnoticed...which is why I avoid the stage-- unlike most of my family.

The only thing I felt I had going for me was that I do what I'm supposed to do and so I had faith it would all work out.

And I think it has. Largely due to the wonderful people who work with me in the Primary. Nicole, Rayanne, and Stacy are dedicated and so good at what they do. It's really divine having them around. Our teachers and workers are so reliable and keep things flowing. It's really marvelous seeing how it all works. I hear horror stories about other Primaries and I feel so blessed.

So, one year down and who knows how many to go. Maybe just a few months if I get to replace Joyce as primary pianist. But I doubt that'll happen. I'm actually content to stay where I am, though when I conduct closing exercises or give Sharing Time I still have to ignore the fact that there are other adults in the room so I can get my part done without too much stress. And I love the kids. They are the sweetest and cutest things and it really is a joy to serve in the primary. I just hope that I'm giving them what they need...

2 new (to me) ideas for tracking expenses

I was watching Living Essentials on BYU-TV a couple of days ago and the topic was budgeting...only now that's considered a negative word like diet, so just like your diet is now your food plan, your budget is now your spending plan. They mentioned 2 interesting ways to track your expenses. For a complete transcript of the show go to this link:  http://www.byutv.org/livingessentials/episode.aspx?ep=411

First idea that I liked...and this is very similar to the system I used to use (and still do in a modified form) from the Rich on Any Income: the Easy Budgeting System that Fits in Your Checkbook by James P Christensen and Clint Combs...is to use a check register to help you track expenses. Ask for an extra register when you are in the bank, then use a ruler to make a few extra columns and then record what you spend in the different categories.

The method they mentioned that I am now going to try is the calendaring method for tracking expenditures.

You need a file folder that only opens at the top (we didn't have one, so I took a legal-sized folder, cut a bit off the ends, folded the ends in and secured the sides with double-stick tape). Paste a calendar page on the front...since our payday is on the 20th each month, I printed out a calendar that I made that goes from July 20th to August 19th. (they said if you get paid every 2 weeks, you could adapt your calendar if you wanted)

I then wrote down the due dates of various monthly bills on the calendar. Take a magnetic clip and put it up on the fridge. Now, during the month, when you spend something, write it down on the calendar date and put the receipt in the folder. If there are other notes to make, write them on the back of the folder. When the month is done, take the folder off the fridge and file it away. Put up a new file folder.

Here is a picture of mine:

This might be pretty useful...especially if I can get Glen to remember to drop his receipts in the folder.

funny commercial for the BYU library

Too funny.

Book and Recipe Club Meeting

We had our Relief Society Book and Recipe club meeting last night. I always really enjoy them, but last night it seemed especially fabulous.

The book was The Seven Miracles that Saved America: Why They Matter and Why We Should Have Hope by Ted and Chris Stewart (they are brothers). Since I recommended the book, I was so pleased that everyone seemed to like it...and a few seemed surprised that they did. It was like they were going to have to force themselves to start the book...and then they really loved it. It really is an eye-opener. We weren't aware of most of what the book talked about (did you know a Japanese submarine captain attacked an oil refinery in Southern California? or that Abraham Lincoln was not beloved by all but vilified in the press?). And it was easy to read.

The 7 miracles were: Christopher Columbus discovering America (instead of the Chinese), the miracle that the settlement at Jamestown survived, the summertime fog that allowed George Washington's troops to escape a desperate situation, the writing of the US Constitution, Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, the miracle at Midway in World War II, and Ronald Regan surviving the assassination attempt so he could go on and help bring down the Berlin wall. Fascinating book. I give it 2 thumbs up and a full 5 stars.

Now, the recipes were heavenly. The theme was the 4th of July and we wound up with a perfect variety of foods (which was a miracle since we didn't make any assignments but wound up with a drink, 2 different kinds of salads, a bean side-dish, chicken, and a dessert).

Kim brought 2 drinks with the surprise ingredient being jell-o.

LIME PARTY PUNCH     (makes 8 cups or 16 servings)
1 pkg (4-serving size) lime flavored jell-o
1 pkg (4 serving size) lemon flavored jell-o
2 cups boiling water
1 bottle (1 liter) club soda, lemon-lime soda, or lemon soda, chilled
1 orange, lemon, or lime, thinly sliced (optional)

Dissolve gelatins in boiling water, cool. Keep at room temp until ready to serve. Stir in soda and fruit slices just before serving.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE COOLER (makes about 3 1/2 cups or 4 servings)

1 pkg (4 serving size) orange flavored jell-o
1 cup boiling water
2 1/2 cups cranberry juice, chilled
orange slices (optional)

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add cranberry juice. Pour over ice cubes in a tall glass and garnish with orange slices, if desired.

Terra brought a leaf salad that had cheese, raspberries, and blueberries in it with a poppy seed dressing.

POPPY SEED SALAD DRESSING
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons accent
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1/2 cup oil

Blend and dress salad right before serving.

Joyce brought 2 versions of the same salad...and I realized later that it was basically the same recipe as one my mother gave me a few years ago with one tasty addition (toasted pecans)the really boosted the flavor.

SUMMER SWEET GRAPE SALAD serves 8-10 (regular version)
2 lbs grapes (1/2 green and 1/2 red looks great)
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 (8 oz) carton sour cream
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons (or more) toasted pecans

Mix first 5 ingredients. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecan pieces. Refrigerate overnight. Toss and serve very cold.


The second version of this salad that Joyce brought was a low-fat version...and what was utterly amazing is that we all seemed to prefer the low fat version! The regular version tasted great, but the low-fat was even better.

SUMMER SWEET GRAPE SALAD LOW-FAT VERSION
2 lbs grapes (1/2 green and 1/2 red looks great)
1 (8 oz) pkg non-fat cream cheese, softened
1 (8 oz) carton non-fat sour cream OR low-fat vanilla yogurt (omit the vanilla if you use this)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla (omit if using low-fat vanilla yogurt)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons (or more) toasted pecans


Mix first 5 ingredients. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecan pieces. If you like it more sweet you can add some Splenda. Refrigerate overnight. Toss and serve very cold.


I made a recipe that we have at the annual family 4th of July party every year. It's one of my favorite things there.

SWEET AND SOUR BEAN TRIO
½-1 lb bacon cut into pieces (the recipe says not to precook it, but I cut out a lot of the fat and do heat it to render it and get some more of the fat out…from 12 oz of bacon I wound up putting 6 oz in my dish)
1 onion, chopped

½ c brown sugar
2 teaspoons prepared mustard      (you can add more of these 3 ingredients if the flavor seems “flat”)
½ c vinegar

2-1lb can of lima beans, drained
1-1 lb can or bigger of kidney beans, well drained
4-1 lb cans of baked beans

(1 t liquid smoke) (this is not in the original recipe, but Deena suggested it)

Put in crock pot for at least 4 hours, 6-8 is better, or it can be put in the oven.

Deena brought the meat dish.

SPICY HONEY CHICKEN
8 chicken thighs (her chicken was deboned...and maybe she used breast meat and  not thighs)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Rub chicken with oil. Toss in spice rub.

Grill chicken until almost done.

Glaze:
3/4 cup honey
1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar

Warm honey, so it isn't so thick. Mix in vinegar and combine well. Reserve 2-4 tablespoons glaze for later. Glaze almost done chicken. Will be messy, but oh so good. use reserve glaze to dip.

Amber finished off our meal with a tasty dessert.

BROWNIE BITES
1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup butter (softened, but not melted)
2 eggs
powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350º and grease mini-muffin tin.

Cut butter into cake mix with a pastry blender. When it is starting to look moist, add the eggs. Continue to cut with pastry blender until it's completely moistened. It will be a thick and sticky dough.

Drop mix into the muffin tin; it does not expand, so use approximately a teaspoon per each tin. This recipe can also be used as cookies. Cook for 8-10 minutes. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar (optional).

Next month the book is "How to Stuff a Wild Zucchini" by Heather Horrocks...and the recipe theme is anything with zucchini, of course. Can't wait!

the 4th on the 3rd

Yesterday was the annual 4th of July party. Lots of food, fun, family, and then a firebowl program. We had more far-flung family come this year than usual to help us celebrate the birthday of our great country. How wonderful it was to gather and share time with these people we love and sometimes seldom see (boy, I'm into alliteration today, aren't I?).

Our niece Jessica and her family traveled the farthest to attend. Here she is with her husband Nathan and their 2 boys Thomas and Brendan.










Sunset progressing

Singing the National Anthem...of course Hannah is covering her face...

Kenny, Joseph, Hannah, Lillie, Alicia, Sarah, Becky, and Eric

Skit time...Ryan, Alex, Michael and Joseph doing the 2 suckers on the end of a stick candy shop skit.

Dad P. and Corinne singing "I'm a Little Teapot" in order to reclaim their lost items from Jacob.

Ryan and Michael retiring a worn-out American flag.












It was a full day...I guess I was too busy visiting and playing games earlier in the day to get any photos of anyone, but did take the chance to get photos at the firebowl. We had skits, sang patriotic songs, recognized our vets, and retired 2 flags. We also fed some mosquitoes.

Great day. Thanks everyone for all you did to make it so memorable...especially Mom and Dad P.

God bless America!

a small blessing and some fun

1-Last fall our fridge was acting up, so we bought a new one, but decided to keep the old one for as long as it lived. It passed away on Tuesday. I cannot tell you how much I loved having a 2nd fridge...especially since I grocery shop once a month in Reno and try and get everything I can so I don't have to shop in Fallon. We are going to look for a cheap, second hand fridge now.

So, the small blessing...I quickly noticed it had died so nothing was ruined. Also, we hardly had anything in the old fridge, so when we had to cram everything into our chest freezer and new fridge just about everything fit. What didn't fit was a few loaves of bread, 2 packages of bagels, and a few English muffins. So, we are currently eating a high bread diet and in the end might only wind up having to throw out a few dollars worth of bread.

2-Glen and I went to the temple today and when I went to the office I noticed on the counter a name card with familiar French Canadian last names on it (my mom's side of the family)...so I checked out the birth location and it was the same county (Monroe county, Michigan) but different town--just 5 miles away-- than where my mom's family is from. I flipped through a few more cards and recognized a few more names.

When Glen came out I mentioned this to him, so he went back into the men's locker room and brought out the man who had brought those temple cards--Brother Corier from Washington. Met his wife too.

So, we are positive there is some connection between us, but we don't know what that connection is.

That was just pure fun...