Garden Party

This week I co-hosted a Garden Party for our Relief Society. The day of the party the forecast said 100% chance of rain with scattered showers predicted all evening. We had planned to have the party in the breathtaking backyard of my dear friend Charyce. It rained and poured ALL day long. I held my breath, prayed and had faith that it would clear up. Everyone kept telling me we needed to change the location to the church. I held on. At 4:30, it was pouring rain. I moved the 5 long tables from the garage to the overhung porch and said a prayer. At 5:30 the rain had turned to a drizzle. At 5:45 I moved the tables to the soaking grass and set them up. The drizzle stopped. I layed out the table cloths, the clouds seemed a little less ominous. By 6:20, the sun was peaking through and as people started to arrive the weather was lovely. People kept saying, "you're sure taking a chance having it outside." It still looked like it might rain again, but we had faith.
The dinner was lovely, the games and prizes and spiritual lesson were wonderful. We had 45 women and the socializing was the best since girls at a tea party can't help but have fun. I wore my blond hair extensions and pearls. Kit wore this fabulous hat and looked amazing as always.

Erin even came in a boa. Charyce let us use her loads of vintage tablecloths, pitchers and gorgeous china. It was a night to remember. AND... it didn't rain a single drop. Thank you Heavenly Father. It was nothing less than a miracle.

I love these ladies!

50 lbs of tomatoes

This week I learned that 50 lbs of tomatoes may look like just one big box full, but it feels a lot more like a giant vat of tomatoes that you are drowning in. All I wanted to do was can some tomato soup, but this "small" task totally consumed me this week. Luckily my friend and partner in all things crafty (Kit) called to see if they could come to town this week. I said, "of course" as I secretly laughed my wicked mischievous laugh. Little did she know but that she would be helping me can a giant vat of tomatoes that night. She was a lifesaver and my hero for the week. When I was about to quit, she pressed forward. I think every dish, pan, pot, bowl, strainer, spoon and utensil in the kitchen was dirty at the end of our labors. Every cupbourd, counter, and wall was splattered. It was an immense mess, and for what?? About 40 jars of soup and salsa.

The next day the last thing I wanted to hear was the first thing I heard: "But mom, I hate tomato soup and salsa!" Of course, I didn't can it for the kids, it was for me. And, yes, I can go to the grocery store and buy perfectly good tomato soup and the salsa I like is only $1/ qt. at Aldi. So why go to the trouble? That is a good question I asked myself many times. And the answer is this. I feel really great that now I know how to can. I can preserve many foods now without intimidation. Knowing how makes me feel more self reliant, and prepared. There's something rewarding about strapping on an apron and doing what my grandma's have done for decades. In a way I am continuing tradition, doing a little bit to carry on a legacy. There's something earthy and good for the soul about the whole process.. even though I was about to tear my hair out through half of it. I do hope these beautiful jars will be comfort food this winter (even if it is only me that will eat it.)

I took the canner and the remaining jars to the storage unit this morning. I need some time to forget how hard the process was before I get ready for peaches or applesauce or anything. Again, I ask myself, is it really worth it? Maybe I will wait until I get my garden and orchard.

Celebrity Look-a-like?

We were flipping channels and came across Samantha Brown's awesome travel show. I have long admired her. I think she's charming, funny, great style and of course a great host. So when Eirik said "mom is that you?" was I flattered? Yes, very much so.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

This weekend we decided to go explore the wild outdoors. To us, this means camping. I had one night under the stars in mind, while Paul thought one night was not nearly enough, so we went for 2 nights.

(unfortunately Mom didn't charge the camera, so we got three precious shots .. not that great of shots either. Oh well.. )

On our first evening we made successful tinfoil dinners for us, hot dogs for the boys, and yummy s'mores. Then we went on a walk to the lake. The boys got to wade in the water and hold a frog and see bats. On the walk home it got dark. As we walked down a long dirt road with a thick canopy of trees in the dark watching the lightning bugs sparkle, the boys thought it was super cool and kind of spooky. On my shoulders Joren kept saying "Dark, dark" over and over again. When we had finally snuggled into our sleeping bags Eirik said, "I can't imagine what ever I would do wifout camping! This is so fun!"
In the middle of the night I woke up to check on the boys. I couldn't find Joren. I started to panic and wonder if he could possibly have unzipped the tent while I slept! As I looked through all the blankets again I finally realized that Joren had rolled over into Eirk so tight that it looked like just one kid! My boys spooned most of the night. (unintentionally).

The next morning we ate eggs and bacon and then went out fishing. Eirik got to reel in his first Blue Gill with his little Spider Man fishing pole. He's not very big into touching slimy things, but Joren is. Joren also couldn't get enough of the worms either.

After fishing we went to this farm called the Brighton Recreation Horse stables (or something like that). It's a great little place. We all got to go in the stalls and feed the sheep, goats, bunnies and tiny ponies. The sheep was as tall as Eirik and freaked him out, but we all had a fun time.
Then Eirik and I got to ride 2 horses on a 2 mile walk through the woods. Eirik was a sure fire cowboy. He kept a full on conversation going with our guide. I forgot how fun it is to ride horses. I committed to make sure our family gets to go on an overnight campout where you ride horses way up a mountain as soon as all the kids are old enough to go. Wouldn't that be fun!?
Paul got to lead Joren on a horse on a shorter ride. Joren loved it! He kept saying, "horse", "I horse now please!" "Helmet!" "Ride!" He freaked out when Eirik and I rode off on our horses without him and when he had to get off his horse he freaked out again screaming, "I horse now!!! nooooo, I helmet now!!!!! In saddle!!!" He was so sad. The tour guide said, "I have to admit, it's sort of freakish to see someone so little talk so well." Leaving the farm Eirik asked us in about 5 different ways if he could have his very own horse. While I am writing this (1 1/2 days later) Eirik just asked Paul if he can get his own horse when he is 17. I don't think this horse obsession will end any time soon. (I love it.)

That afternoon we drove around Brighton and stopped at a few garage sales and gawked at the beautiful homes. This is one I especially fell in love with because of the old world styling and because it was probably the most unique house we saw. I am not a cookie cutter, Mcmansion fan. I want an old farmhouse I can renovate, but I would love to give it some of this rounded roof (reminiscent of straw roof) craftsmen stone look. I love the huge timber entrance too.

Next we went on a little 2 mile hike through the beautiful woods. We carried the boys most of the way since they really don't get the concept of walking from one point to the next without stopping and rolling in the dirt or eating a leaf every few steps. It was a lot like pulling teeth, but really fun nonetheless.

That night we ate corn on the cob from the fire and sushi. (yes, sushi. My husband doesn't think a vacation is vacation (even camping) without eating out and spending money at a restaurant. Am I the weird one?)

In our tent that night Eirik helped Joren say the prayer. It was so cute. Eirk says one word, then Joren repeats it. Part of it went like this: "please (pees) help (hep) all (aw) my (my) brothers (broers) and sisters (sisers) to apologize (jize) to (to) thier (their) sins (sins). Please (pees) help (hep) all (aw) the (the) deer (deer) to (to) not (not) get (get) shot (shot).

On this trip Eirik picked up the phrase, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" This is really cute and unexpected from a 3 year old. Eirik has also been saying, "I do declare!" and "You are breaking my heart."
(What's really funny is that Paul's mom likes to tell about how Paul used to say that when he was a little kid. Paul remembers that as a child if he said, "stop guys, you're breaking my heart." it would work every time. ) I have to admit, I have little power when he says, "you're breaking my heart." It works on me. :)

Question of the day: How DOES a mosquito bite you through jeans!!??

Detroit Zoo

This Saturday we ventured to the Detroit Zoo to check out the new dinosaur exhibit. It was an extra $3 per person, but it was so worth it. These giant moving dinosaurs were so cool! I was expecting to see life size statues of dinosaurs in a big building like a museum. NO, these were outside in the jungle, moving and roaring and spitting water at you!
Cool!!
At first Eirik was having a great time, and then after a while he said, "I don't' like dinosaurs anymore. This is too scary!"
Joren loved it the whole time, but kept asking me to hug him. He was so cute.

Later that afternoon, out of the blue Eirik said, "MOM!!! Do you know what is even better than a striped mongoose?!!! Grandma's and Grandpa's and Aunts and Uncles!!"

Another funny thing that happened was while we were watching the meteor shower the other day before the kids went to bed. Eirik suddenly said,
"Mom, I'm scared of the meat-eater shower!"

Joren is talking like crazy and is so physical. He seems older because he is so mobile, so fast and such a great climber. His balance is remarkable. I think he'll be really good at sports. He loves balls and loves to throw things. He is coordinated in many ways. He could sword fight as soon as he could stand up and now he is actually quite skilled. He started talking in sentences yesterday. Guess what his first sentence was? "I need a knife." Nice.
I wonder where he learned that? (Eirik sleeps with a fancy butter knife under his pillow every night. He calls it his secret knife of warriors.)

On another topic, I got new contacts this week. I haven't worn contacts for 10 years. I got to wear sunglasses at the zoo for the first time in 10 years. I'm not used to them yet and kind of hate how hard they are to wear. I guess my prescription for an astigmatism is pretty severe and if my toric lenses rotate 10 degrees it's totally blurry so every time I blink it's blurry, focused, blurry, focused, but I geuss it's better than having broken glasses or having Joren rip them off my face every 5 seconds. I know you are all on the edge of your seats, so I will keep you informed about how it goes. :)

Joren 21 Months

Isn't he delicious?

Black snakes?

Does this look like a picky eater?

Yes this is my child who will only eat 3 out of every 100 things I offer or suggest, yet he will always eat..... duh duh duh.. Roman Noodles with blue or black food coloring in them. Don't ask me why. He will also never turn down beef jerky, hot dog or sausage. (yuk) I would love to be that mom who only feeds her kids organic healthy food, but I think my Eirik would starve himself to death. (I know.. kids won't do that, but please, he would seriously go days without eating.) What's a mom to do? Well, I just serve black noodles. Problem solved.

One of the best talks I have ever heard

If you're looking for something inspiring, this is one of the best talks about so many subjects of the gospel that I have ever heard.

Deseret Book Talk
Famous Last Words
Sister Sherrie Dew
(From the Deseret Book Audio Library)

I just posted a link on my sidebar to the new Mormon Channel that plays inspirational music and talks all day. I love putting it on while I cook or clean.