Memorial…the Day

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This day has always been about families. Pulling everyone together to remember those who aren’t with us right now. In a lovely way, it is also about flowers.

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Bundles and bundles…

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of real flowers…

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to leave with a few people  we love, and miss very much.

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Great Grama Beck—the only doctor type person in town way back then and who sewed a neighbor’s scalp back on after a mule kicked him in the head.

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My momma’s brother who took one breath on the day he was born then closed his eyes again.

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My grama who once gave a kid a black eye for calling her little brother a “dirty farm kid.”

And my grampa who used to be a magician and could escape from being wrapped with chains–in 3 minutes.

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My great-great grandpa who gave Orson Hyde a purse of gold for his mission to the Holy Land a long time ago.

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We have spent this day remembering our family, with my mom and dad so many times–it seems impossible that now we are remembering them. How can it be?

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My lovely flower bearers…

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…and our tiniest blossom–so she will know the goodness that she comes from, and never forget.

I hope your Memorial Day weekend was wonderful for you all.

Get a Load of These…

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By load I mean…

busload.

So, there we were, April, the babies and I driving along, minding our own business.

I casually say, “Hey did you know there’s a new bakery in Provo, on University. It sounds cute–Fairy something.”

She says, “Ooooh. Let’s go. Right now.”

Pretty sure she meant, “Right now before we have time to think about it more clearly. Right now, before we have a decent, low fat breakfast of Cheerios and half a banana…for the 27th morning in a row. Right now before we add up the treadmill time this trip will surely cost us.”

As we drove around in the strip mall, trying to find the silly place, I’m looking on both sides of the street, saying, “Where? Where is it?”  Then, suddenly, as if someone turned on a huge floodlight–which would have been completely unnecessary, since it was 10:00 in the morning–but you know–like that, we could just FEEL that the place was near. Turning in slow motion, to the right…we found it.

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Sweet Tooth Fairy Bake Shop

Oh my…I think the theme song to Gone With the Wind might have been playing right about now.

We unbuckled the babies and walked cautiously towards the shop. I had goose bumps up and down my arms—no doubt because of the music–and had to suppress the urge to giggle like a 4 year old.

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Now, please believe me–I tried to be mature about this. You need to understand that this place was so perfect, all pink and sparkly and fairies and magic–and I haven’t even mentioned the cupcakes yet. That is because as I remember the experience my breathing screws up. I think I may be hyperventilating.

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The frosting alone was worth the trip. Heck, looking at the frosting alone, was worth the trip. Wisely,  April has a wrangle grip on Beckham and I had Lily on my hip to avoid any Tasmanian-type rampage. And how could we have blamed them if they had gone completely berserk? We were having a hard time not licking the glass ourselves. The only words that would come out of my mouth were, “Oooohh…man. We’re in so much trouble.”

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Sixteen month old, Lily takes one look at the display cases filled with enough sugar to send any regular Jane into a diabetic coma, points to the tray full of  cupcakes and says, “Do it!”

I couldn’t agree more.

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The pretty little gal behind the counter would have to admit that once we got the uncontrollable shaking stopped, we were pretty rational.  One each, we told ourselves. That didn’t work because I wanted the Key Lime but I needed the Strawberry Shortcake. So naturally that meant that April needed to choose two–just to be fair. She chose orange and peanut butter cup.

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Now most people know that you really can’t put four cupcakes in a box that is designed to hold six cupcakes. It totally messes up the balance of the box-not to mention life in a parallel universe, plus those empty spaces just look stupid.  There was nothing for it but to choose one more…each. She chose the vaNIEla (Named after Stephanie Nielson of NieNie dialogue fame) and I chose chocolate mint–because I had no choice. It was calling to me.

We came promptly home and cut the gooey little beauties in fourths so that we could all have a taste of each. They were all wonderful–of course, but Key Lime is worth crawling to Denver and back for…in my opinion. April’s favorite was the orange. Jillian loved the peanut butter cup. I’ll get back to you on Lyndi’s favorite.

What a heavenly, magnamonious, perfectly perfect afternoon.

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Oh, and no, we didn’t tell the men. What they don’t know, we don’t have to share.

hee hee…

 

 

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Week 10 Food Storage Prompt:

4 cans of tuna; 4 boxes of macaroni and cheese.

Our Day in the Field

…track and field, that is.

We are—even the shortest of us–very good spectators…

…as long as there is decent entertainment to keep us awake…

…and of course, plenty of snacks on this perfectly warm, breezy spring day.

A good time to try out the new hats…

even if some aren’t quite finished yet…

and some may be a tiny bit too big. The main thing is that we are finally, finally all outside in the fresh air and we’re together—watching our guy throw that funny little disk around…

Oh, and to pick up…

his…

medal.

 

 

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Week 8 Food Storage Prompt: 5 lbs. powdered milk

My Kind of Mom

In preparation for Mother’s Day–I’ve been thinking about some of the movie moms that have really struck a cord with me.  So, for the past few days—I’ve been making a list of some of my favorites. Now, I’m not trying to convince you to like a movie or a character–just because I do, but I’m curious to see if any of you feel the same about some of these moms. I’ve also noticed a common thread in many of these ladies, and that is, that they are positively ferocious if someone messes with their child. I guess I like that a lot. I’ve even added a couple of clips—so be sure to click on the links.

My Top Mother’s Day Movies


Australia

August Rush

Baby Boom

Freaky Friday

Dear Frankie

Steel Magnolias

The Incredibles

Step Mom

Safe Passage

Flight Plan

River Wild”

Blossoms in the Dust

I hope you’ll pick at least one of these movie from your stash or from Blockbuster and watch it before the big day. It will really get the mom vibes working.

Let me know if you have any favorite moms in the movies that I’ve missed. Please–please comment below. It’s the only way I know I’m not on the planet alone.

If you want to find out just what movie mom is most like you—take the quiz below.

Which movie mom are you?

The Ancient Art of Omelet

Having “sporty” boys in our house always means—that eggs are on the menu. Anytime. Any way.

Want to strike terror in the heart of one of my sons? Just shout, “We’re out of eggs!”

I’m not kidding.

Many a job in these parts, has been accomplished with the promise of an omelet, fried egg sandwich or a scrambled plate. If someone needs cheering up after a disappointing game–we whip up the Classic Egg Bake.

Beats a LifeSaver any day.

When the whole troop is here we make what the bald kid calls “a full skillet.” No, I don’t eat that sausage–

–but the big boys will fight over it–so I let them.

They are bigger than me.

In truth, I could probably get the house painted in exchange for those Egg Cups–that we save for Easter.

Since omelets are the quickest, I probably make them the most—luckily, they are really easy.

Melt a dab of butter in a small non-stick skillet. That’s probably too much in the picture–I know. So a little less than that.

Whip 1-2 or 3 eggs–depending on the size and hunger level of your audience–in a cup or bowl. I use a glass measuring cup and a fork. Add salt and pepper.

Pour into hot pan.

Gently scoot the edges of the cooking egg toward the middle of the pan–letting the raw egg move to the edges. Do this all the way around the pan…

…until there is hardly any undone egg left. Keep your heat down so that the egg doesn’t cook too much or scorch. I can’t stand brown egg–blaugh!

You may need a larger spatula than I was using to carefully turn the whole egg over. I’ve been really impressive at times and flipped the egg over in the air. I’ve also humiliated myself on numerous occasions by missing the pan entirely and wasting someones breakfast on the floor. So, I’d say–do “air flips” or flops as the case may be–at your own risk.

I use a big spatula.

Add cheese, or bacon bits, or ham or veggies.

Fold egg in half and rest the spatula on top-for a minute or so, to keep the egg from unfolding. Garnish with shredded cheese.

Feed it to the masses.

You’ll be worshiped as a Goddess…

..and life will be complete.

Week #6 Food Storage Prompt is:

1- Bottle of Asprin (500 count)