Memorial Day 2010

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO EVERYONE!

We had a great day.  Pretty laid back but lots of fun.  And Christine made the seafood pasta salad all by herself and did a fabulous job!  She's adding more and more things to her kitchen skills.

Remembering all the veterans who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms and protection.

Lots of lemonade.

This is not my picture collage.

It is from my cousin, Roberta, who is the most amazing photographer.  But, her family all the way in Idaho, had the same menu that we did and we did not collaborate!  We added a few steak kebobs as well.  I forgot to take pictures of the food, and her collage is so bee-you-ti-ful!  So I borrowed it, and give her all the credit!  I need to learn how to do them.

Flag cake and homemade ice cream with all the trimmings.

Then we ended the day with a bunch of friends over and a most rousing game of Perudo.  It is like B.S.  Nathan brought it over and I think it was such a hit, we just might need to add it to our collection of favorite family games.  Everyone left around 11:15pm, so it was a late night.  I'm making it even later because I sat down to watch a little tv and crochet to unwind and ended up becoming completely captivated by Band of Brothers.  I'm gonna pay for it tomorrow!  But I sure am enjoying it.

Marinated and Grilled Pork Tenderloin

This is a photo I got from Paula Deen's site of her grilled pork tenderloin.  It is one of our favorites, and so e.a.s.y. to do.  Did I say 'easy'? Because it is, and oh sooo good!  Paula has such pretty dishes, doesn't she!

This is our version of Paula's recipe. 
Ingredients:
Marinade:
--1/2 cup soy sauce
--Juice of 2 oranges (you can squeeze fresh, or use 1 cup orange juice.  I like Simply Orange.  1 orange = 1/2 cup juice)
--Juice of 1 lime (which is about 1 1/3 Tablespoons)
--1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
--1 teaspoon ground ginger
--1 clove garlic, or 1 teaspoon chopped garlic from the jar
--1 green onion, chopped
--1 pork tenderloin from Costco
--Olive oil for brushing

Directions:
--Combine marinade ingredients in a cup and stir to combine.  Place tenderloin in large ziploc plastic bag and pour marinade over.  Seal and place in refrigerator overnight or at least 2-4 hours.  I've done it for 2 hours and it's fine.  But if you want to prepare it the night before or earlier during the day you can.
--Preheat outdoor grill or oven to 350*
--Brush grill with olive oil.
--Remove tenderloin from bag and let marinade drip back into bag.  Place on grill and lightly brush with olive oil.
--Grill until done for about 12-15 minutes on each side.  Or roast in oven for 35-40 minutes.  Remove to platter and cover lightly with foil to let rest for about 10 minutes while you plate up the rest of your dinner.  Slice into 1-2 inch slices.
--While meat is grilling, place marinade in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Let simmer till it's reduced to about 3-4 tablespoons.  You can serve a little over the meat, but we just like it plain.  It is so juicy and good!

The Path

We woke up to a gorgeous morning.
Beautiful California spring morning.
The marine layer (fog bank) was rolling out to the ocean with each passing minute giving way to the crisp sunshine.

Our church meetings were exceptionally good today.  Lisa S. gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting that exposed such personal vulnerability tied to gospel principles.  She told of her learning about her adoption and a quest to find her birth father when she was older.  Her adoptive parents will always be her mom and dad in every sense that a parent can be, but she was curious to know of her roots.  Finding and meeting her biological father was sad and disappointing.  He was a 50 year old homeless, deadbeat man, whose own siblings were thrilled that his 'children' had connected with him and wanted to pass off every care responsibility to them.  For relief and a break I'm sure.  It takes it's toll on all.  The days, weeks, months, years following that meeting and interaction were devastating for Lisa who tried to make sense of WHO she really WAS.

As she prayed and studied the scriptures her answers came, and so did healing.  She WAS Heavenly Father's daughter.  HE is her Father.  All the other details leading up to this were part of her journey  to come to that fact.  She said a lot more in her very natural witty and self-depracating way, and then closed by testifying to her children and the congregation that no matter what circumstances in our lives present themselves, we have the perfect Parent and we can be anyone and anything regardless of them.  It was powerful.

We had a combined RS/Priesthood meeting during the 3rd hour.  The Bishop was our speaker.  He gave a 'state of the ward' portion first and then talked to us about this quote:

"We don't need to get a complex or get a feeling that you have to be perfect to be saved.  You don't.  There's only been one perfect person, and that's the Lord Jesus, but in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God and in order to pass the test of mortality, what you have to do is get on the straight and narrow path--thus charting a course leading to eternal life--and then, being on that path, pass out of the life in full fellowship.  I'm not saying that you don't have to keep the commandments.  I'm saying you don't have to be perfect to be saved.  If you did, no one would be saved.

The way is operates is this:  You get on the path that's named the "straight and narrow".  You do it by entering the gate of repentance and baptism.  The straight and narrow pathe leads from the gate of repentance and baptism., a very great distance, to a reward that's called eternal life.  If you're on that path and pressing forward, and you die, you'll never get off the path.  There is no such thing as falling off the straight and narrow path in the life to come, and the reason is that this life it the time that is given to men to prepare for eternity.  Now is the time and the day of your salvation, so if you're working zealously in this life--though you haven't fully overcome the world and you haven't done all you hoped you might do--you're still going to be saved.  You don't have to do what Jacob said, "Go beyond the mark."  You don't have to live a life that truer than true.  You don't have to have an excessive zeal that becomes fanatical and becomes unbalancing.  What you have to do is stay in the mainstream of the Church and live as upright and decent people live in the church--keeping the commandments, paying your tithing, serving in the organizations of the church, loving the Lord, staying on the straight and narrow path.  If you're on that path when deathe comes--because this is the time and the day appointed, this is the probationary estate--you'll never fall off from it, and, for all practical purposes, your calling and election is made sure."

--Bruce R. McConkie

"The Probationary Test of Mortality"

at University of Utah, 1-10-82

It was a really good meeting full of the spirit.  I sure left feeling uplifted.  I hope everyone else did too.  He expressed his love for us and told us life is hard, but the Lord has outlined and shown us the way to get through it and make it back.  So I'm re-evaluating just where I am in my basics and where and how I can make those better and be kinder to myself when I fall short.  We women can be so hard on ourselves when we feel we aren't measuring up 'just so'. 

We had a delicious marinated, grilled pork tenderloin and funeral potatoes and fresh green beans for dinner.  I'll post the recipe.  E A S Y , easy, and oh so tasty!  The green beans were to die for.  I could have just had them for my whole meal. 

BDay Berta!

Happy Birthday, Cousin!

Have a super day doing the things you love with the ones you love.

Sending our love through the miles to I-d-Ho.....

Duff and I were the early risers today while everyone else slept in.  He worked on some computer work, and I headed out to the vegetable garden to get some weeding done.  It was such a pretty morning.  Things are growing well.  I like the raised beds but have learned they need to be watered more often since they are above ground.  But the soil stays warmer and the plants like that.  My herbs are doing the best so far.  I planted those in square foot fashion.  I like it.  And I added a nice size terra cotta pot right in the middle with the rosemary in it.  It adds some elevation and something different visually.  But the beans have blossoms and the zuchinni plants are so close.  The peas, too.  We have a few green tomatoes going, but they won't mature for several more weeks to a month.  Then I deadheaded all the roses, geraniums, calla lillies, false garlic, etc. and watered really well.  I like my straw hat that I wear now to work out in the yard.  But I need some new gloves.  What are your favorites???

Grocery Store Experience:Cleaned the kitchen, folded the last of the laundry, and did the grocery shopping.  While I was there, a man came up the cereal aisle while I was going down.  He had a huge Y tshirt on.  We struck up a conversation.  He didn't go there, but has friends who played football there 'back in the day', and loves the college.  I asked him about who his friend was who played there and was responsible for the shirt.  He said that I probably wouldn't know him.  I said, well who is he?  He said Kyle Whittingham!!!  Hahahaha!
I started chuckling.  I said, oh yes, I know who he is! I said,  And he is a traitor.  He looked at me, kind of shocked.  I wondered how Whittingham's buddy would wear a Y tshirt where he had gotten his education and played, when he coaches at the rival university now?????  The man in the grocery store said to me, Well, you do know your football, don't you!  It is kind of an uncomfortable thing, huh?
Ya think?
We had a good laugh about it at home.

Friday Wrap-Up

Tonight, well, we've been rockin', and rollin', and raisin' the roof.

The house was full.  Pre-game and then the game.  Oh, and Boston pulled it out splendidly.  My ears have finally recovered from the whooping and hollering. And my refrigerator is cleaned out from every leftover that was in it.  Spaghetti, tacos, tuna, and hamburgers.  Tanner brought lots of soda and chips.  Hayley brought green and gold Celtic cookies and pretzels. 

Our 'May Gray' played hide and seek today with the sun.  Typical for Memorial Day weekend.  But they say it will warm up for the next few days.  Christine has a 5 day weekend.  I got a much needed  haircut this morning and then headed to the mall for some clothes shopping.  I am so not a shopper.  I don't think I've bought anything new for me in over a year.  I should be better about that.

Christine is doing her drivers training.  She is almost done.  Then she has her behind the wheel and gets her permit.  I've taken her to the church parking lot to practice.  She is really good so far.  And she loves to be the one to move the cars around when someone needs to get out!

Keep Mosquitos In Check!

I got this from a good friend.  She only passes things on if they work. I haven't tried this yet, but it sounds like a winner.  I do know that putting a Bounce sheet in your belt loop or pocket to keep them away really does work!  I did it last summer and NO bites for me!  And that is saying something because mosquitoes LOVE my blood.  I am a magnet for them.

HOW TO KILL MOSQUITOES

I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled
a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked
as well.. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing
area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.

OUR FRIEND'S COMMENTS: I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works - in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of Bug-spray you buy that doesn't last 30  minutes.

 So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days. Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house.

Did You See What I Saw?

Did my eyes deceive me or did it look like the refs threw the game tonight???!!!  Orlando didn't win.  The refs won.  Haha!  Brad and D:  what is the local media saying about the game?  We sat here stunned at what we were watching.  Oh, Celtics.  And now you have all these injuries...what is going to happen on Friday?

And Steve Nash's nose.  So ugly.  Makes me shiver just looking at how broken it is.  I'm clear on wanting Boston to win the eastern conference championship.  But I'm torn between the Lakers and Suns.

Howdy Do, Lolly!

Happy Birthday to Shelly!

Better known in the family as Lolly.

I hope your birthday is as sweet and lovely as this cake looks!

Love You--

Josh Sworn In

Josh was sworn in today as an attorney.

The ceremony was at Pepperdine University.

He could have taken it anywhere, but Richard, Meredith's dad is a law professor there so it was perfect to do it in Malibu.  Richard and Patti, Josh and Meredith, and Duff and I were able to go.

                                     It was so incredibly beautiful on the California coast!

That is the university sitting on the hillside.  Breathtaking.

Waiting for Judge Doyle and KEN STARR (yep, the big guy!) to enter the courtroom to do the swearing in.  It took place in the trial courtroom.

ALL RISE------(yes, there was a baliff!)

Taking the state oath, by Judge Doyle.

Taking the federal oath by his honor Ken Starr.  He is also the Dean of Pepperdine's Law School.  Richard introduced us all to them after the ceremony.  He is a very nice man.

Congratulations you two!

You DID it.

Now on to the next chapter.

We are so proud of you both!

We celebrated by going to Duke's on Pacific Coast Highway right on the ocean at sunset.

We had the most scrumptious food.  It makes you feel like you are in Hawaii when you are really in Malibu.  We had crab wontons, coconut shrimp, caesar salad, fish chowder, hibachi fish, and parmesan, macadamia nut, herb crusted opah.  It was my favorite.  Then of course HULA PIE for dessert!

It was a great evening.

Tomorrow Is Another Day.

I'm pooped and tired and my back is stiff.  I'm a bit emotional too.  I'm processing all the weekend's events.  I've been in 3 different beds and states in less than a week, so I kind of took the day 'off'.  I started the laundry and sat on the couch in-between loads to rest my back so I don't end up in bed because of it. 

We ordered pizza and Shaun had some of the guys over to watch the Celtics game.  Good gravy!  Could it have been any closer?  Overtimes are nail-biting!  We'll getcha next time Orlando!

Tomorrow is another day.

Gila Valley Temple Dedication

1 Kings 9:3

"And the LORD said unto him...I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."

Today was the dedication of the Gila Valley Temple in Safford, Arizona.

All regular church meetings were cancelled in the whole state and everyone was to attend the dedication who had a reommend.  When we got to Az. on Friday we received our tickets/recommend from my parents bishop who came over to Lisa's for our interview.

It is a beautiful temple.  They have waited a long time for a temple in their area.  This is where President Spencer W. Kimball grew up.  He would be thrilled at having a temple here.

We went to the 9am session.  It was the first one, and where they set the cornerstone.

Lisa got a hanky for each of us.

The spirit was especially strong.

I am so grateful for temples.

Our lives and families--individually and collectively--are blessed because of them.

Elder Costa was there as part of the leadership.  He was the visiting authority at one of our stake conferences when Duff was in the Stk. Presidency.  I met him briefly at the dinner before the Saturday evening session of the conference.  But I will never forget his remarks as he opened his talk on Sunday morning.  I felt as though they were specifically meant for me.  Shaun had just come home from his mission with his health problems, Mike was still floundering--so to speak--and I was feeling very burdened and a failure as a mother.  Elder Costa wanted us to turn to D&C 100:16.  We quote this scripture a lot but only use the part "be still and know that I am God."  He wanted to emphasize the first part of the scripture: "All flesh is in my hands.."  Heavenly Father does know His children and what they are going through.  ALL of them.  I needed to be 'still' and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and have patience on the Lord.  Things will work out--on His timetable and wisdom.  That was a 'light-bulb' moment for me.  I'm sure I wasn't the only person in the conference that needed to hear/learn that.  But it was one of those moments where it sunk in not only to my mind, but pierced my heart.  That scripture and new perspective of it has gotten me through many a day.

Tim and Rebekah

Pictures from Friday night and Saturday with Bekah and Tim.  We had such a good time!

Lisa made a delicious chicken alfredo dinner with salad and bread.

John-John happy to be out of the carseat and playing on the floor.  This little guy is just 6 months old today and he is doing early crawling.  He loved to move off of the blanket over to the tile floor and bang it with his hands.

A classic shot of Craig!

In his chair with his dinner watching the game!  Duff is into the game too.  It's the NBA playoffs, you know.

The Reisen candy paper tower that Tim and his friend Brady made.

Bekah and the baby.

We all slept in this morning.  Poor Duff.  When we went to bed last night he asked me to bring him some tylenol because his back was stiff/hurting from the move and all the driving.  I couldn't find any, so I grabbed 2 Advil PM out of Lisa's basket on her counter.  He didn't wake up until 10am!

We went to Chompie's for brunch.

Grandpa Great and Johnny-boy.

A classic of Grandma too!  She has always had trouble with her eyes closing for a picture!  We love her all the more for it! And  those pickles--the best, YUM.

It is not a trip to AZ if you don't go to the chickens.

Bekah gathering the fresh eggs.

Natalie and Bekah feeding some scratch to the Ladies and the Girls.

Mom and Bekah holding Lucy. 

Bekah is a model and actress in LA.  She is very pretty.  She just finished a movie that Ashton Kutcher was in, soon to be released!

Lisa and Miss Rotty Maxine.

We love our dogs way too much if that is possible!  Maxine loves to cuddle.  And look at that smile.  She is a 'happy' doggie!

We bbq'd some tri-tip steaks.  Lisa makes a mean good steak.  She throws in all kinds of things to marinade them.  Mom made garlic mashed potatoes and we had corn, asparagus, and a big yummy salad to round things out.

Tim has taught himself the guitar.  He plays in a band now in Provo.  He write songs too.  He gave us a concert after dinner.  It was really nice!  He will be back in school this fall in Provo after the summer with his dad in Alaska.

It was a great day!  It is more than wonderful to get reacquainted with them.  I am so happy they came.