Par for the Course

We're Buying a House!!!!

2009-09-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

We just had a very successful inspection and signed the last paper (well, I'm sure there will always be more...) for our new home! Our settlement date will be November 13th. We can't wait to move in and make it our own! I can't believe we're going to be homeowners - we just feel so blessed, especially during such a time of uncertainity. Enjoy some pics and video of the house below!

pics of the house

2009-09-12T17:40:00.001-07:00

view from the front - talke about curb appeal!

2nd bedroom - with a stowaway...

2nd bathroom

3rd bedroom

more pics of the house

2009-09-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

master bedroom

front entry

dining room, directly left of the entry

kitchen

office/den/4th room

family room

video of the house - backyard

2009-09-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

video of the house - basement

2009-09-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Essential Oils

2009-08-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

I just returned from an Essential Oils conference in Utah with Dana Young, who makes the oils that I use - BE YOUNG ESSENTIAL OILS.

He and a team of Doctors, Dentists, and experts from all over the world lectured for 4 days about the uses/science behind oils. It was so incredible - my brain is just exploding with information. I can't wait to learn more.

The human body truly is an incredible instrument - we give it the tools it needs and it heals itself. We stand in it's way by eating unhealthy food and taking in nasty chemicals in the personal care products we use, and it falls apart. It's no wonder we are one of the FATTEST, UNHAPPIEST, SICKEST nations in the world. (The World Health Organization ranks us as 37th - that's right up there with CUBA, of all places - in health care). I'm so glad to have found these wonderful, natural products and have already seen miraculous results in mine and Kev's health.

Smithsonian

2009-08-03T09:22:00.001-07:00

We got the rare privilege the other day to visit one of the Smithsonians - the National Museum of American History. We were there almost 4 hours and only got through 2 exhibits!

This is the Star Spangled Banner - the acutal flag that waved over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the National Anthem. It was HUGE - much bigger than I thought - 30 feet x 34 feet! I can easily see how it invoked such awe!

This is a glass shard from the palace at Tikrit - the birthplace of Saddam Hussein. It seems such a shame that something so corrupt as the middle east government could produce something so delicate and amazing. It was a powerful lesson to me that we need to be looking for beauty even in the most unlikely of places - and WITHIN the most unlikely of people.

This is George Washington's ACTUAL uniform. I was staring right at it behind the glass. Absolutely amazing. I have such respect for him as a leader and as a man. His integrity, faith, and leadership never faltered.

The chairs of Grant and Lee

2009-07-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

One of the most touching parts of the exhibit were these 2 chairs - the actual chairs sat in by Gens. Grant and Lee at the Appomatox courthouse to officially signal the end of the Civil War. My brother Bry, somewhat of a history buff told us the story. Apparently the 2 Generals had served together in the Mexican American War almost 20 years earlier and spent most of the time getting acquainted and catching up on memories from that. It was Gen. Lee who had to bring up the business at hand, and when he offered up his sword (a traditional sign of surrender) Gen. Grant would not take it and allowed him to keep it as a sign of honor. Isn't it amazing that these two great men could have spent so much time on opposite sides of a brutal and war and then come together like old friends passing time in chairs on a porch. Perhaps without the Civil War, they could have been the greatest of friends.

Nauvoo

2009-07-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest parts about our cross country trip was that we got to stop for 2 days in Nauvoo, IL. This place has great significance for my church, because it is where the pioneers on the "Mormon Trek" left from to go west to Salt Lake City. But they left behind their homes, their temple and their city that they sacrificed so much to build because the people in surrounding areas could not accept their faith and drove them out. What is there now is a touching monument - a rebuilt temple, restored homes, a brickyard, blacksmith shop, and post office, all just like they would have had it in the 1840s. It is a tribute to their faith and their sacrifice and to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who restored our church.

Nauvoo

2009-07-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

The famous "sunstones" and beautiful stain glass red, white and blue stars on the side of the temple.
The temple at night. Doesn't it just glow? This was the view from outside our window. It was like being near to heaven.

One of the beautifully restored homes - this one was one of the bigger residences, built by Heber C. Kimball over many years.

Me on Parley Street - the famous "Trail of Hope" the pioneers walked leaving Nauvoo and going down to the banks of the Mississippi to cross over into Missouri.

Nauvoo

2009-07-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

A view of the mighty Mississippi - can you believe they crossed this
frozen with nothing but their belongings and their newfound faith?

This is a branding symbol we saw on the door of the blacksmith shop - can you see the C L U F?

Us in front of the Nauvoo Temple. One of the most sacred and beautiful buildings I have ever been to.

Bronze statue of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. "In life they were not divided and in death, they were not separated."

Us in front of the bronze statue of Joseph and his wife Emma.

traveling across the midwest

2009-07-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

When we drove from Arizona to Maryland, we crossed lots of the "bread basket" of the US. But I was struck with the fact that it all looks EXACTLY the same. Each day it would be like "What state are we in?" and then we'd realize that we had just passed through Indiana, Ohio, and were heading into Illinois without a single scenery change. Seriously, this is all you can see for miles and miles and miles. I never thought that when they sang "where the wind comes sweepin' down the range" in Oklahoma, it was because there was nothing in the way to stop it!

Me and My Love Affair With the Library

2009-06-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading, HERE I COME!!!!!

I am already taking full advantage of my time to read and have started posting my reviews of recently read books below (a tradition I hope to continue here on the blog).

All is well here on the East Coast - Kev and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. More to follow.

2009-06-14T18:23:00.001-07:00

The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ooooooh...loved this one. Very Twilight-esque. Great romance, fun fantasy, good plotline and interesting characters. Pretty much inhaled it from start to finish. I can't believe I have to wait until next summer for her to publish the next book! (What is it with me and series'?!)

View all my reviews.

2009-06-14T18:20:00.001-07:00

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fun retelling of the "Dancing Princesses" fairytale. A little slow because she digs so deep into Romanian/Transylvanian history, but that gives it a really authentic feel you don't find in most books.

View all my reviews.

Looking Glass Wars book review

2009-06-14T18:12:00.001-07:00

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is Alice in Wonderland turned on it's head! The Mad Hatter is really Hatter Madigan, bodygaurd extraodinaire, the Cheshire Cat - a deadly assassin, and looking glasses become a true method of travel. Fun, quick paced and action packed - can't wait to read the next one in the series.

View all my reviews.

Digging to China

2008-11-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

Kev was just offered the opportunity of a lifetime by Golden Key, a national honor society. He has been nominated to join 40 other US college students (think Stanford, Harvard, Yale and UCLA) to be part of an Engineering Laureate program in China!!! They will be there talking about the 3 Gorges Dam and the global impact it will have. (This dam will make China the largest producer of hydro-electric power in the world!) And my hubby gets to go opine with the best of the best about it!

We are in the middle of massive fundraising so that he can go - but as long as he gets the funds, he will be there for 12 days right after school is out in May. I'm so proud of him I could bust buttons!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

I was Mrs. Smarty Pants for Halloween this year and had a grand time of it.

Not only did I get a lot of great chuckles when people finally figured out what I was (lots of Smarties taped on pants - Smarties + pants - get it?) but because I was "shedding" all day, I got to pass out Smarties to help people "get smart."

It was a hoot. Mostly my students thought I was nuts but I had a fabulous time!

New Playlist

2008-10-23T20:03:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows just how much I love music. So, I just built a new playlist at the bottom of the blog with some of my old and new favorites. Enjoy!

Fireproof (Trailer)

2008-10-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

We just saw this movie this weekend and it was so powerful. It's really refreshing to see that someone in Hollywood is still making movies in defense of the family. What was even cooler to see was that the theater was still packed two weeks after this faith-based film opened. There definitely is strength in numbers!

National Gaurd song by 3 Doors Down

2008-10-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Having two military men in my family, it's hard not to bleed red, white and blue. I have so much admiration for both their dedication and their patriotism. Every time they play this little music video at the movies as a promo for the National Guard, I think of them.

Not only do I think it's well made video - it's also a pretty catchy song. And I highly respect 3 Doors Down for lending their talent to such a good cause. The song is called "Citizen Soldier."

Waxing Poetic

2008-10-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

ARLINGTON

The heat screams out in open isolation
Asking the daylight to embrace it’s red blur.
Freedom sweeps in too quickly for this bleeding heart.

Chrystilline tears scorch like rug burns
Metallic, but somehow
Uninhibited, inviting –
Time replaces the fleshy embrace.

The band of women
Living inside
Bring bright shooting colors of hope.

I will leave behind the broken
Kneeling beside crucifix finalities.
And make bitter promises sweet
Memories.

Aunt Jill

2008-10-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

THEN...This was taken on my wedding day

almost 3 years ago.

...

NOW - look at this shot. This was taken in August in Seattle - look at the difference! That baby isn't Annalee anymore!

Mai Pham Recipe - Coconut Curry soup to DIE for!

2008-10-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Makes 6 servings

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons chopped shallots
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons minced lemongrass* (from bottom 4 inches of about 3 stalks, tough outer leaves discarded) (I use a lemongrass paste I found at Fry's)
2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Thai yellow (I use RED) curry paste*
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek*
2 13.5- to 14-ounce cans unsweetened coconut milk,* divided
5 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)*
2 teaspoons sugar
3 cups snow peas, trimmed
2 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled red skinned
sweet potato (yam; from about 1 large)
3/4 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs, thinly
sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime (a few drops of lime juice for each serving)

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add next 4 ingredients; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in curry paste, curry powder, and chili paste. Add 1/2 cup coconut milk (scooped from thick liquid at top of can). Stir until thick and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add remaining coconut milk, broth, fish sauce, and sugar; bring broth to boil. Keep warm. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate until cold, then cover and keep chilled.

Cook snow peas in large pot of boiling salted water until bright green, about 20 seconds. Using strainer, remove peas from pot; rinse under cold water to cool. Place peas in medium bowl. Bring water in same pot back to boil. Add sweet potato and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Using strainer, remove sweet potato from pot and rinse under cold water to cool. Place in small bowl. Bring water in same pot back to boil and cook noodles until just tender but still firm to bite, about 6 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water to cool. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead.

Let stand at room temperature. Bring broth to simmer. Add chicken; simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add sweet potato; stir to heat through, about 1 minute. Heat noodles in microwave in 30-second intervals to rewarm. Cut noodles with scissors if too long. Divide noodles among bowls. Divide snow peas and hot soup among bowls. Scatter red onion, green onions, cilantro, and chiles over soup. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.

*Available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores and Asian markets, and online from adrianascaravan.com.