Hot Soup in the Clean House Tonight

I was not expecting to have the weekend to myself so when I discovered I would be alone of course the first thought is CLEAN HOUSE. Okay, I know most people would not be as excited, well no, lots of my friends would be excited so maybe I am not as nuts as I thought. Because I work full time and I try to be a super good, focused, quality mom sometimes the house takes the back burner but not this weekend.

The funny things is that I cleaned like crazy and THEN I started organizing and pulling things out and rearranging things so if you came over to my house today you might look around and think 'this is clean?' well yes and no. If you look at my super clean shower head then yes, super clean!

I tried this shower head cleaner idea I got from Frugally Sustainable I thought it looked easy so I gave it a try. I was amazed at how clean it was but even better how much better the shower sprayed. This is a keeper. Plus I think my son will love to watch the vinegar and baking soda reacting! (Maybe it will help him want to clean - one can dream!)

After a weekend of cleaning and organizing I wanted something yummy to eat and hopefully on the healthy side. So I tried Broccoli Cheddar Cheese soup. Now, I know what you are thinking - healthy?!? And you would be right. When I got this recipe from Pinterest it said, 'Broccoli Cheddar Cheese soup (light)' and I thought maybe it showed a lighter version of something with cheddar cheese in it. Well sort of this is the lighter version instead of heavy cream and tons o' butter. I still removed the '(light)' from the recipe card because it isn't, not really. I did use skim milk (as suggested - couldn't bring myself to try almond milk) but then adding four cups of cheddar cheese probably didn't help, not to mention the butter. Oh, well it was yummy and it has broccoli and carrots it is so it can't be ALL bad. It was easy to make. I love when recipes call for things that confuse me. Nutmeg for example. Who knew putting nutmeg in broccoli cheddar soup would give it that extra something special. Angie McGowan knew that's who - she wrote the recipe. I loved it - this one is a keeper too.

In my last post I said I was going to try healthy banana bread and a craft. I couldn't find 'almost' over ripe bananas at the store so they are ripening at my house as I type. Craft - hmm just could not bring myself to do it this weekend. Cleaning was so much more fun. Maybe next weekend. Since I call myself Mama Bookworm maybe the next post will be about a book or the very least Legos!

Pinteresting

I discovered Pinterest. It's like Columbus discovering America. The site is amazing and interesting and oh so fun. I found this quote "comparison is the thief of joy" (on Pinterest) and I wanted to make sure that I utilize Pinterest and enjoy it without allowing it to steal my joy. Thusly.

I decided to take something I find on Pinterest and use it - weekly. Whether it is making a scrumptious recipe or trying out a craft (which would be fun to watch, seriously me and crafts are like vinegar and water) or attempting a new and improved cleaning method or even (gasp) undertake a new exercise routine - I am going to USE my new knowledge not abuse my curiosity and interest in clothes or perfect homes.

So sit back and enjoy my "Pinetersting Experiment"

Experiment 1

Success! I tried the Over Baked Parmesan Seasoned Fries http://playwithsugar.blogspot.com/2009/07/oven-baked-parmesan-seasoned-fries.html. Holy Toledo! In a word - YUM. Even my child who is notoriously fickle about his fries asked me to make these delicious spuds again. Practically fool proof too, as I mentioned on Facebook, I was half way through baking - yes baking these little tots are good for you! - when I realized I forgot the Parmesan, truly a disaster as they are called oven baked PARMESAN fries. I pulled the tuber sticks out of the oven dumped the whole thing back into the Ziploc bag I used to get the other seasoning on the fries, added the parm and placed back in the oven. Even with my culinary skills these little darlings made this Idaho Potato smile. This recipe is now on our permanent love list.

Additional Note: I made this again last night and they were even better than the first time!

Experiment 2

Disaster! Here are the exact directions: Section hair into 5-10 big sections then braid each in a loose braid. Run a flat iron over each braid, let them cool down, spray hairspray and undo braids. Okay I don't know if I don't braid correctly or if my hair is just too short but my hair was kinky and frizzy and out of control, except on the top of my skull which was stick straight. I looked like the Mad Hatter without his hat!

Short guy was like whoa, what did you do to your hair! Fortunately I had plenty of time to straighten it before work! Now, I wouldn't dismiss this as it is highly likely that this was operator error but I don't think I will try it again.

Experiment 3

Indifferent. Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken. Eh. http://slow-cooker.recipes-network.net/smothered-chicken.html

I wasn't impressed but I didn't gag it up either. Chicken is always good in the slow cooker because it is so moist and just falls apart. I love that! But the combo of soups and flavors was just, well like I said, eh. The boy ate a couple bites and then proceeded to create his butter and salt rice creation. If I don't watch carefully he will dump WAY to much salt on it. I think I will move on to a different slow cooker chicken recipe. Call me a website snob but I also thought the website looked a bit amateurish. Not that I could do any better but I would figure it out if I was pandering to the masses.

I am excited to try my next Pinteresting Experiment. I think I will try 'healthy' banana bread - sounds mildly frightening. And a craft - sounds terrifying!

Vocal Point

I am sitting at my desk on Thursday afternoon and get a random email from one of the secretaries in the building. That happens more often than one would think, I was about to delete when I thought hmmm could have some interesting information. So I pop open the email and open the first attachment, classical music on a Saturday afternoon, hmmm no. Not that I don't like classical music, especially in the afternoon on a Saturday but I never know when I am or am not going to have Sam and he can only take so much classical music. Thinking that yes, I should just close the email and get back to work I open the next attachment. Vocal Point in the small theater - just across the street! Awesome. Not so awesome it is on Saturday, this Saturday. I call up the ticket office thinking they will be sold out. NOPE! I scored three tickets. I invited a friend that I was supposed to go see a movie with on Saturday but then I ended up having Sam so no movie for us but fortunately or unfortunately - depending on how you look at it - she couldn't go. Sam wanted to invite his friend Aiden.

We had perfect seats, not that there are any bad seats in a theater that seats 1,000 people. After we sat down my boss sat down next to us so I told the kids, "Be REALLY good!" I didn't really need to tell them that, they were well behaved gentlemen.

The concert was so fun. It was funny, uplifting, high quality entertainment. I asked the boys what their favorite songs were: Sam said his was Game Day which is very entertaining to watch and Aiden said his favorite was when 'that guy' (that would be Tanner) did the beat boxing thing. I have to admit that was one of my favorite moments too. I loved every moment but I thought it was hilarious when the 'deep base guy' (that would be Robert) did an Elmo voice, the best Elmo impersonation I have ever heard and then when one of the other members said "What part does Elmo sing?" He said in an Elmo voice, "Elmo likes to sing..." And then in a really deep rich base "BASE" So funny. They also sang some spiritual songs.

At the end they said they would be signing autographs at Deseret Book both Sam and Aiden looked at me with big eyes and pleading faces. Oh alright, we'll go. Happy children!

 Tanner and Robert were so cute with the kids asking them their names and what their favorite songs were both Sam and Aiden asked to see Tanner's 'neck' mic - I have never seen anything like it! We learned a lot about beatboxing!

 I wish the pics weren't so blurry but everything happened so fast. Sam was so excited to shake McKay's hand. They were all so friendly and great with the kids.

 Smiley happy people!

I couldn't pass up the chance to buy a CD and let the boys get signatures. Both of them were like "I am going to keep mine forever", "I am going to protect it from the ninjas" Seriously they were so funny about it.

The night was so fun. Thanks Aiden for coming with us we had a FANTASTIC time!

Party Planet

Sam got lucky this year. We found a groupon for Planet Play with the best deal. Seriously the best so Sam got to take three friends to play laser tag, bumber cars, lots of video games, eat pizza and generally just have a good time. We all had so much fun. Even I wanted to try out the laser tag it looked so fun and non threatening. We were all exhausted when they day was over but it was so much fun. Let's do it again!

2011 Misadventures

It's funny that last time I wrote I spoke of trying to be better about blogging and then I never wrote again in 2011. It was a busy year and we had 'stuff'. Here are a few highlights:

I was co-conspirator with my friend Michele Ebright in planning our mission reunion. I think it ended up being perfect. It was so fun to see so many sisters. I think the furthest came from Australia but we had lots of people from lots of places. Can't wait til the next one!

We had a blast with our family at the Wood Family Reunion. Sam loves spending time with his Papa and Dede and his cousins, especially Cambridge. He loves taking care of Beckett and Jude and playing with Lincoln, Spencer and Hayden. The whole trip was loads of fun.

We went to the Utah Scottish festival for the first time and I can tell you we will be back again next year. We had so much fun. Who knew there was so much to do! Plus the root beer is to die for, I think I would pay to get in just to pay to get root beer, honestly it is that good!
 

Sam and I had our first gun experience. My uncle is a gun kinda guy showed us how it is done, safety first and then lots of fun. We had a great time with my parents, aunt and uncle and cousin. I think we need to do it again ... and soon!

Sam finished up summer with his summer play. This is his fourth year and it was fun as ever. He was a Merry Man in Robin Hood's band as well as one of the three little pigs in a side skit. It was so fun to watch his facial expressions, he really gets into his part. He was amazing!
 

Then summer was over we spent the week before school hanging out at the pool, spending a day at the zoo and partying it up at the Children's museum. I have to say to that I LOVE Sam's teacher this year. If you have children at Adelaide pray for Mrs. Packard because she has been a God-send to us.

Sam was a pirate for Halloween but I have to say when he is next to our cousin Kellen who was Wesley from Princess Bride he could pass for Inigo Montoya, don't you think? He made out like a pirate in the candy department - funny he probably won't eat half of it, he is more a salty kid. His favorite treat a bag of microwave popcorn!

Sam loves his counsin Cambridge. They email back and forth and Skype from time to time but nothing is better than a visit! Thanks for visiting!!!

Finally the holidays. We loved Chuckarama with the Lanham family. Sam said it was the best Thanksgiving ever because he got pepperoni pizza. I think here is a new tradition in our family. We had so much fun setting up our Turkey Tree and remembering all the things we have to be grateful for. I got to sing in a Christmas Choir for the first time in years. Sam was a superstar and would come to practice with me every Sunday night for two hours. So grateful he is such a good kid. We also got to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas performance, wow was it amazing! Finally, Christmas day and New Years. I loved being with Sam on those holidays. Remembering our Savior and bringing in the New Year with Sam is the best way to celebrate. 

Now it is time for 2012 and I am sure we will have plenty of misadventures!

It's March ... Already!

I often think my life is boring, well if it is so boring how did January and February fly by so fast? I have a few clues that may lead me to understand how these two relatively long months flew past.

First, my Sam turned 8 years old on January 27th. He is such an amazing kid. He fills my life with laughter and stories and wild imagination. I went to his school the day after his birthday to share a birthday treat and play a game, we made Lego puzzles for all the kids. It was really fun. I loved watching Sam interact with his class. I don't get to do that very often but it is really one of my most favorite things.

We had fun planning Sam's Pirate themed party at the local aquetics center. My favorite part was watching him try to eat with a pirate eye patches on both his eyes.

Second, two weeks after Sam turned 8 he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a perfect day. And I do mean perfect. I had been stressing about the day for months, no need to go into the details but I just worried it would not be great. Then a couple days before I just felt peace, I felt that God was looking out for Sam and it was going to be a beautiful day and it was, it was perfect. I felt blessed to have so many family and friends come and show their love for Sam. He looked amazing in white and his smile was contagious. Brother Randy Benson baptized Sam. He has been our Home Teacher for over six years. Sam loves him like a grandpa.

Third, Sam joined the ranks of the cub scouts. I'll be honest scouts scare me (funny my sister Facebooked me the same sentence!) but really scouts scare me. It also seems to want to nickle and dime me into poverty but that is a story for another time. Sam looks so dang cute in his blue shirt. At his blue and gold banquet last week they had made short films to show the parents. Sam's group was the best. It really was so funny. I think I may have an actor on my hands. He did a really great job.

So the past few months have gone by fast and furious. I don't think it will slow down any so hopefully I will be better about blogging but probably not. Here is the update. I still can't believe it is March 2011.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I wanted to send letters to everyone but alas ... here is my Christmas letter to ALL my wonderful friends and family

Dear Family & Friends,

It has been a year of ups and downs. Mostly ups, a few downs.

This past January my grandfather, Ralph Wood, passed away. Over the year, I have been reminded of what a wonderful example of faith and love he was to me. I have missed him but I am grateful for the legacy he left for my son and me.

We took a couple of road trips this year, one of which was traumatic and financially painful but it was all worth it to see family. Many people know that I do not like to drive but I do it anyway. I may not take a road trip again for a time. I don't like to fly either so if you love me and want to see me I guess you will have to come to Utah!

Sam performed in summer theater camp again. This year they did several skits of twisted fairy tales. They did Falling for Rapunzel, The Emperor's Old Clothes, Ode to Humpty Dumpty and the Princess and the Pizza. Then they also did four dances, Sam was a part of three: Smelling the Roses, a contemporary dance; Hero Battle, a hip hop routine in which Sam had a kickin' break dance solo; and a Bollywood dance. He had so much fun with all his friends. I was told (by people that don't even know us!) that Sam was their favorite. He has such a great face and gets into all the difference characters. He had a great time doing the play and I had a great time watching.

I asked Sam what some of his favorite memories were from this year. He said his favorite memory of this year was spending time with family in California. It was so fun to spend time with my family hanging out at the condo, playing at Disneyland, seeing the ocean for the first time and swimming in the pool. The reunion produced wonderful memories that we will cherish.

Sam and I are going to spend a quiet Christmas at home. During this time of year, we have reflected on the many the many blessings that we have been given. We are so grateful for our family and friends that love and support us. I am grateful for my job and the people that I have the opportunity to interact with every day. We are grateful to live in this country. We are most grateful for Jesus Christ, for His birth and for His Atonement.

We wish you are the very best Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love Liz & Sam