Thursday, January 29, 2009
So Tragic
I am a little behind on my news and just saw this story today, although it happened a couple of days ago. I can't even imagine the fear this family must have felt when their father lost his job, then his mind and turned on his family. I hope we don't see more of this, but...we're living in extremely troubling times. I fear things will get worse, possibly much worse, before they get better. I am praying we all weather the storm well. I am so sad for this family.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Cooking Veggies
My friend, Shannon's, most recent post made me start thinking about cooking vegetables. I was a bit surprised to find out she didn't know how to steam vegetables (I hope you don't mind, Shannon, being that you already put that out in cyberspace), especially because her mom is homemaker extraordinaire and it just seems like something I would have expected her to see her mom do. After reading through the comments, it turns out a lot of people don't steam vegetables. This got me wondering how people normally cook their vegetables.
Growing up, every dinner we had at least two vegetables and a fruit as part of our meal. I am a picky eater, so I can't say I ate everything I was offered, but it was always there. At least one of the vegetables was almost always steamed. Every once in a while we'd have a salad or crudites, but mostly, steamed vegetables. The other vegetable(s) might have been part of the main course or something. Anyway, of all ways to cook vegetables, I am most familiar with steaming them because it was such a common part of my life. As such, we have steamed vegetables almost every dinner as well, and often, Adie and I have them for lunch as well.
Brett is a good sport about eating his vegetables because he knows I like him to. He slathers them with butter and salt, and eats them first and quickly to get them out of the way so he can eat the "good stuff". He has commented how he wouldn't be offended if I found some more creative ways to cook vegetables. I admit, I am a bit lazy and often still just steam, but I have found a couple of other ways to cook them, or ways to just mix them in with the main course.
However, I'd like to know, how do you cook your vegetables? Does anyone have some good, simple recipes to make vegetable-eating more exciting. I, admittedly, am very plain and like to eat plain, steamed veggies without butter, salt or anything, but I am not opposed to more flavorful versions either. So, please, enlighten me with new, creative ways to cook vegetables, because apparently, there are a lot of people out there eating vegetables who don't steam them. Who knew!?!
Growing up, every dinner we had at least two vegetables and a fruit as part of our meal. I am a picky eater, so I can't say I ate everything I was offered, but it was always there. At least one of the vegetables was almost always steamed. Every once in a while we'd have a salad or crudites, but mostly, steamed vegetables. The other vegetable(s) might have been part of the main course or something. Anyway, of all ways to cook vegetables, I am most familiar with steaming them because it was such a common part of my life. As such, we have steamed vegetables almost every dinner as well, and often, Adie and I have them for lunch as well.
Brett is a good sport about eating his vegetables because he knows I like him to. He slathers them with butter and salt, and eats them first and quickly to get them out of the way so he can eat the "good stuff". He has commented how he wouldn't be offended if I found some more creative ways to cook vegetables. I admit, I am a bit lazy and often still just steam, but I have found a couple of other ways to cook them, or ways to just mix them in with the main course.
However, I'd like to know, how do you cook your vegetables? Does anyone have some good, simple recipes to make vegetable-eating more exciting. I, admittedly, am very plain and like to eat plain, steamed veggies without butter, salt or anything, but I am not opposed to more flavorful versions either. So, please, enlighten me with new, creative ways to cook vegetables, because apparently, there are a lot of people out there eating vegetables who don't steam them. Who knew!?!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Date Night
The stake president in my old ward would always start less formal meetings out by inviting individuals to share ideas of cheap dates they'd been on lately. We'll here's one that's free. Watch movies on Hulu. It just requires an internet connection (something faster than dial-up). While the movie selection is hit and miss, Sabrina and I enjoyed one tonight called "The Family Man". We enjoyed it as it was mostly clean (skipping the shower scene). We had thought about renting from iTunes or Redbox, but hey, free is free.
Here's the movie if you'd like to watch it:
Here's the movie if you'd like to watch it:
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Gotta Love Jon Stewart Sometimes
This is a short, but funny video, especially the part about cheese on Chinese food. Please don't get me wrong, Obama did say some inspiring things in his inaugural speech, but you can't deny this comparison.
2 Years!
They always tell you your kids grow up so fast. I am here to attest to that. I can't believe little Adie is now 2 years old and not at all little. We just got back from her 2-yr check-up. She weighed in at 34 lbs and measures 37.5 inches tall. I know the measuring part differs from doctor to doctor, having been to a few different ones since Adie was born, but this one seemed fairly accurate. I even watched to make sure they got her heel at the right place (I've seen them measure to the toe before and that seems more inaccurate to me). Anyway, she is so huge, which we all already knew. It's just crazy to get that confirmation.
If we do the double your height at 2 and that's how tall you'll be when you grow up, she'll be 6'3. Granted, I was 36 inches at 2 and only ended up at 5'9, so I don't necessarily trust the accuracy, but I think there is a very good chance she'll make it to the 6 foot mark at least. Again, this isn't much of a shocker considering her genes. It's still hard to imagine that when she was born she was only 6 lbs 9.5 oz and 19 inches long, certainly not a large baby. She has been an incredibly quick grower. Crazy. Happy birthday, Adie! We love you so much and can't imagine life without you!
We'll post some pictures of our humble celebration hopefully within in a few days.
If we do the double your height at 2 and that's how tall you'll be when you grow up, she'll be 6'3. Granted, I was 36 inches at 2 and only ended up at 5'9, so I don't necessarily trust the accuracy, but I think there is a very good chance she'll make it to the 6 foot mark at least. Again, this isn't much of a shocker considering her genes. It's still hard to imagine that when she was born she was only 6 lbs 9.5 oz and 19 inches long, certainly not a large baby. She has been an incredibly quick grower. Crazy. Happy birthday, Adie! We love you so much and can't imagine life without you!
We'll post some pictures of our humble celebration hopefully within in a few days.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day
"Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday to me!
I get the gift of another president inaugurated who will likely trample more of our civil liberties and ignore the Constitution!
Happy Birthday to me!"
Just for the record, I'd still be singing this song if the "other guy" had won the election. Every 4 to 8 years, the presidential inauguration falls on my birthday. Maybe that's why I am drawn to politics. It's just always been in my blood. I was born on Reagan's inauguration, and while he was far from perfect, he is probably the only president that has been inaugurated since I was born that I would personally say did a decent job of it. Therefore, I don't look at the fact that I share my birthday with inauguration day as a positive thing. If Ron Paul had won, however, it would have been a miracle, first and foremost. Secondly, you would have been hard-pressed to keep from being in Washington DC to celebrate a most wonderful birthday gift. Oh well, I guess you don't get everything you want.
Sorry to those readers who are true Obama supporters. I hope for all of our sakes you are right and he will be a positive change for our country, but I remain skeptical. This next bail-out measure they are trying to pass as quickly as possible is just one example of more unconstitutional measures the federal government continues to pass. Until President Obama and Congress stop passing all these detrimental laws I will be skeptical.
On a non-political note, thanks to all of you who have called or written to wish me well today. It always feels good to be recognized. I am sure we'll do something fun to celebrate. Maybe watch American Idol and eat pizza.
Happy Inauguration Day.
Happy Birthday to me!
I get the gift of another president inaugurated who will likely trample more of our civil liberties and ignore the Constitution!
Happy Birthday to me!"
Just for the record, I'd still be singing this song if the "other guy" had won the election. Every 4 to 8 years, the presidential inauguration falls on my birthday. Maybe that's why I am drawn to politics. It's just always been in my blood. I was born on Reagan's inauguration, and while he was far from perfect, he is probably the only president that has been inaugurated since I was born that I would personally say did a decent job of it. Therefore, I don't look at the fact that I share my birthday with inauguration day as a positive thing. If Ron Paul had won, however, it would have been a miracle, first and foremost. Secondly, you would have been hard-pressed to keep from being in Washington DC to celebrate a most wonderful birthday gift. Oh well, I guess you don't get everything you want.
Sorry to those readers who are true Obama supporters. I hope for all of our sakes you are right and he will be a positive change for our country, but I remain skeptical. This next bail-out measure they are trying to pass as quickly as possible is just one example of more unconstitutional measures the federal government continues to pass. Until President Obama and Congress stop passing all these detrimental laws I will be skeptical.
On a non-political note, thanks to all of you who have called or written to wish me well today. It always feels good to be recognized. I am sure we'll do something fun to celebrate. Maybe watch American Idol and eat pizza.
Happy Inauguration Day.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Trip to Saguaro National park
We had some friends come visit this weekend, and so we took the opportunity to actually see a little bit of Tucson, which we hadn't had a chance to do yet. We took advantage of their national park pass and visited Saguaro.
Do you like how she sports the super model look with the wind blown hair?
There's nothing more interesting than gravel. I think.
Fortunately, we all avoided getting poked by anything cactus.
There are a lot of Saguaro cactus.
This is a picture of the top of a Saguaro cactus. Thrilling, isn't it?
It was a hot day. I bet it was getting close to 80 while we were out hiking. Adie likes to stay hydrated.
Do you like how she sports the super model look with the wind blown hair?
There's nothing more interesting than gravel. I think.
Fortunately, we all avoided getting poked by anything cactus.
There are a lot of Saguaro cactus.
This is a picture of the top of a Saguaro cactus. Thrilling, isn't it?
It was a hot day. I bet it was getting close to 80 while we were out hiking. Adie likes to stay hydrated.
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