Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part IV

A question that should never be asked: The only thing worse than chain letters is email recipe ones. I have been asked thrice and never responded . . . just not my cup of tea. (dear reader, this illustrates why i receive no response to my responses.)

Food you are renowned for preparing: Rolls and whole wheat bread.

A treasured object:  My blankie and BlackBerry.

Favorite scripture story:  When I was younger my answer was ALWAYS Nephi and his broken bow (1 Nephi 16). Now I love them all, especially King Benjamin and lots of the stories in the New Testament. I love reading about Christ's life here on earth and his parables. I guess my best answer would be whatever story relates to my life at the moment.

Best color to wear:  Navy blue.

Favorite See's candy: Used to be Victoria Toffee but has been replaced by their chocolate chips (yummy cookie recipe on back of bag).

Ideal species of animal: Chickens . . . at least they give you something in return.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? It takes every ounce of imagination I have to even muster the thought I would actually get a cat . . . "Short Lived Sally."

Favorite movie: Despicable Me . . . Tangled . . . Can you tell I could use some ME time? ALL TIME: Dirty Dancing.

A place you would love to visit: British Columbia.

Cake or pie: Oy, both! For breakfast!!!!  

What makes marachino cherries so red? UCCCHHH!!!! Did you mean to ask "What makes marachino cherries so gross?" (weak laugh. hummh. no.)

Best part of Disneland: Disneyland . . . I actually caught you with a TYPO? (gentle reader, i did indeed error and tried to correct post haste.) Hard call, I love it all! Small World is very high on the list . . . as is Adventure Land with pineapple ice cream . . . cute clothes shops and Indiana Jones. Not to mention the Jungle Cruise which mother will always offer to take young children on.

An object that should never have been invented: Microwave popcorn. YUCK!!!! Air pop or Bust.

A song you like to sing: The magic hair song from Tangled . . . Taylor and I are often found belting it together. I like to sing "Hey, Soul Sister" with Bodie. He knows all the words.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part III

Meet B. A gentleman of the old school. A passion for tradition, good form, the hearth, inclimate weather, classic literature, and warm cocoa. A lover of artistic food presentation, the beaker, and the tumbler. Pictured in December with Mumsie.

A question that should never be asked: "Did you enjoy sour cream added to the recipe?"

Food you are renowned for preparing: Spaghetti & Meatballs.

A treasured object: Vonette Bright's letter + Tonka Joe holding a cat coloring page.

Favorite scripture story: A man born blind (John 9).

Best color to wear: Navy blue.

Favorite See's candy: Truffles.

Ideal species of animal: Cat.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Wendy.

Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast.

A place you would love to visit: Vancouver, BC.

Cake or pie: Cake.

What makes marachino cherries so red? Their color.

Best part of Disneyland: Disney train + Castle.

An object that should never have been invented: Telephone.

A song you like to sing: Mercy (Casting Crowns).

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part II

At age 10, my oldest nephew blazes his own trail. On our road trip from Las Vegas to St. Jorge, we spoke of The Great War turned WWI, WWII, gassing, Jews, Hitler, power, deception, bin Laden, leaders, followers, 9/11, and Escape from Warsaw. Here, he is pictured lunching at Cafe Rio waiting for the results of the science fair.

A question that should never be asked: "Did you fail the test?"

Food you are renowned for preparing: milkshakes (mystery flavor).

A treasured object: an aced math test.

Favorite scripture story: 2,000 stripling warriors. (Alma 56).

Best color to wear: black.

Favorite See's candy: Victoria Toffee.

Ideal species of animal: mammal.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Tom or QB.

Favorite movie: Boathouse Detectives.

A place you would love to visit: Atlantis.

Cake or pie: cake, hands down, except if there is chicken pot pie. ideal cake is layered with three kinds of ice cream (chocolate mint, cookies and cream, chocolate chip) with the periodic table on top.

What makes marachino cherries so red? I hate marachinos so I haven't studied them.

Best part of Disneyland: California Screamin'.

An object that should never have been invented: Radiation.

A song you like to sing: Sweet Home Alabama.

Picnic Blanket for the Finger Lakes

I screwed on a darning foot and put this one on my machine. I've rented time on a long-arm machine previously (one time). It was a lot of work, lots of time, etc. Now I know I can do it on my own machine though I never would for a quilt I've put a lot of time into. Normally I turn them over to someone else. This is just two separate fabrics sewn together, scalloped, and bound. I enjoy the coral binding. I am really into quilt backs so it is ironic I've done very few cute backs. I hope to someday change that. My free motion quilting is meander or stipple. I've named this the Great Finger Lakes though. I have it in the trunk of my car with my other picnic blanket made in college. One day this one will be worn in.

Fabric Fancy

We met at Quilted Works on Monday after school. She loves fabric. So do I. I arrived early to do my own little shopping. I suggested we canvas the store, remembering favorite bolts. She agreed. Soon she began choosing bolts: swirls, cherries, dots, and many flowers. I proved a sounding board but insisted she make the decisions. I told my reaction to the feel of her fabrics and seasonal intent. After weeding through, she decided on a modern kelly green and hot pink graphic floral. On the way to the register, she asked how I liked this aqua green yellow floral. I said I did. We consulted with the cashier and the girl chose this bolt. We returned home and following this pattern, sewed, ironed, threaded elastic, and went to buy satin ribbon. I sewed the ribbon on late last night and we delivered the skirt after school. She unveiled to her mother.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Show

Stay tuned for a new round of guesting. We'll hear what the family has to say. Here is my debut. Photo by Brian.

A question that should never be asked: "Do you have anywhere to go for the holidays?"
Food you are renowned for preparing: breakfast, cheese souffle with Brian.
A treasured object: my bed and kiki.
Favorite scripture story: 1 Kings 17. The widow of Zarephath, the barrel of meal, the cruse of oil.
Best color to wear: red.
Favorite See's candy: anything marshmallow, milk chocolate, and caramel, and cashew brittle.
Ideal species of animal: seals (they get to swim all day).
If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Bonny Blue. (chances are slim I would have a cat.)
Favorite movie: Howards End.
A place you would love to visit: a rainforest.
Cake or pie: Texas sheet cake.
What makes marachino cherries so red? Mother Nature.
Best part of Disneyland: Main Street shop windows and the memory of the steps of those who have gone before.
An object that should never have been invented: the scale for humans.
A song you like to sing: "You Are My Sunshine" and Johnny Appleseed.

Mother's Day

Stout and Portly Cupcakes

Friends, I am swimming in a sea of confusion, upheaval, and waves wash the swabbed decks. Say you were to organize a recipe contest, let's say, for cupcakes. The cupcakes need to use Scharffen Berger chocolate. Many from the country send their recipes in hope of winning top honor and ten thousand dollars. That's right. So, everyone sends in recipes; you taste, you look, you decide. And all three of the top winners feature stout beer. That's right. How odd, you may think. Akin to five Oscar nominations for five films on Gandhi. Until you look at the rules.


Along with chocolate, these folks were required to choose at least one from a list of  "adventure ingredients": stout beer (oatmeal, chocolate, imperial or any other stout); ricotta; buttermilk; coconut butter, coconut milk or coconut cream; saffron; molasses (light, dark or blackstrap); adzuki bean; fresh beet; sweetened condensed milk; fresh or whole dried chili pepper; bee pollen; meyer lemon; almond flour; and Sumatra coffee bean.


In my world, one of the winners would use ricotta. And the exquisite meyer. I am also a sot for coconut flavor which I might spice with chili pepper. 

I took this picture of mother on Mission Bay earlier this year.

She starkly reminded me of this one of Karen Blixen. 

Dress-Ups + Happiness = Quite a Vision

I made a quiet vow: I will dress for dinner when people come over. It started last week with Easter when I slipped into a black skirt, loose black top, and black patent sandals before guests arrived. I tried to look comfortable and a bit snazzy as if to tell them, "welcome to the home; this is an occasion." Last night I changed into a new summer dress, graphically blue, white, and black. It was also loose. Perhaps this is a nice theme for a dinner party. Haha. In small ways I have consciously upgraded when going places. The easiest way to do this is nice shoes, lipstick or gloss, and earrings. Small differences.

The image of the fellows above is the completion of my March happiness goal. The second from the left is my grandfather on his mission in France and Switzerland. My goal was vision with a focus on photography. I have my grandfather's mission journal and his photo album from the 1920s. We served in the same mission (me in the 90s) so they are a great connection for me to him. He passed away in the 80s. He loved books, was an accomplished speller, played the organ, wrote poetry, had a particular sense of humor, and loved my grandmother and my mother.

First, I wanted to aquire a scanner since no one in my immediate family has one that works. Plus, I am more into photography than the average bear so it made sense. I scanned the above image first. Second, I continued to learn how to use my father's old Rolleiflex and shot my first roll of film on it. And had it developed. I still need help loading the camera but soon will go for my second roll. I love tools and believe I should know how to use them.

Chocolat, A Lot

A week to the day of the last dinner party, here comes another. This, less formal, more giggly, chocolate inebriation. Four of us indulged in Belgian goodness thanks to Andrea's most recent trip. Cami became intoxicated first. Followed by me. Kristen could hold her liquor and went most of the distance. Andrea presented her wares with realistic glamour, finesse, wit, and verve. I told her she could do this professionally.

We sampled chocolates from Milka to Mary. I am a low-brow chocolate girl, loving milk chocolate and avoiding the unsweet darks that give me a headache. They ate me under the table. I happily polished off the remaining squares of Milka and declined most of the dark. Mary is listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. Check.

We started with Italian drip beef, veggies and hummus, fresh perfect pineapple, and creamy roasted jalapeno salsa that I made very hot. Then our chocolate course and after rest and wailing, strawberry ricotta cake.

Topics of conversation included camping, Argentina, the French, waffles, Young Women, fireworks, diving, scuba, the monkey dance, opera, Italy, The Last Supper, dating, praying, marrying people off to who-cares-what male, canals, the Christmas markets, melted chocolate, Rick Steves, ricotta, Mary See, and mayonnaise.

Library Walk

Not Wanting

I read this article when I should have been doing something else. I'm sure you don't blame me. How could I not? Not only was I glued to how they have so little (almost nothing) waste but how they have so little in the house at all. The wife: "wanted to truly love and use and know everything she kept in her home. 'Even down to the vegetable peeler,' she says." Since I cleaned out my cupboards and closets this year, I know I could pare down more. I got rid of clothes, yes. But, I could be more cutting. The drawer in which I keep pajamas, long-sleeved tees, leggings, and workout clothes is my fullest. Hanging clothes need more room to breathe. This family has a handful of clothes per season. Being extreme like this would scare me; it makes the mother happy. Of course, I could do it. Changing a lifestyle is really huge. Sometimes I entertain the notion of walking away from my apartment without anything and starting new in a foreign city. I pick up a large wall hanging and live in a loft with pristine white bedding. I hang a few square snapshots or postcards. I hang a few skirts and blouses. Oddly, I have high heels. And then there is the foreign soon-to-be boyfriend. We go out to a concert, walking across laid brick.

Le Creuset: A Many-Splendored Thing

Among my earthly treasures I count pots and pans, blankets/quilts, jewelry, and photographs. Today I showcase a piece (mine is slightly smaller) I had no intention of buying, ever. I am a devotee of Le Creuset, dreaming about enameled cast iron is no joking matter. The heft, the pull, the look, the fast lane. As I live near a Le Creuset outlet, my pieces have multiplied over the years. I now possess three pieces of enameled cast iron in Cherry Red, Dijon, and Dune respectively. My shopping days are over.

Before I acquired the Dune braiser, I happened on a sale. Stainless steel pots and pans at 50 percent off. I averted my gaze and asked the eternal internal question, "Who would buy this?" Thanks to a knowledgeable excitable sales associate, low price, and cute size, I did. I keep it safe in my closet where I invite it out to greet and service company. Just this weekend, I used it for at least two dishes. Previously, I have made stove top rice and melted sugar in its luxurious heavy base. I would buy more.

That Glorious Easter Sunday

Menu

April 24, 2011

Easter Dinner

chilled cantaloupe soup with

tarragon syrup

balsamic roasted beef

grilled asparagus with

rosemary and goat cheese

spoon bread

creamed corn

vanilla ice cream with toasted almonds and

hot fudge, blackberry, and strawberry sauces

chocolate covered strawberries

minted water

Baby William had an egg. At his first Eastertide, he was the model of decorum and reverence. Audrey, Rob, and all passed him around and we exclaimed over his seersucker pant with matching belt. Todd sought the soft spot on his noggin and found it. Todd ate three filet mignon medallions. His cantaloupe soup with tarragon syrup was amorously greeted with "Who woulda thunk?" The asparagus was the first to go. One spoonful of spoon bread remains. We made inroads in the hot fudge with Todd and Audrey being most appreciative. Beth ate as much as she could and then pushed her ice cream bowl away. I used a few too many pinches of cayenne in the creamed corn. The sauce was pale pink. I served blackberry sauce in the jar Amy gave me gingerbread Christmas caramels.

Topics of interest included the feodora, millinery, food anthopology, language and linguistics, citrus fruit trees and their tempations, swaddling and the papoose, evolution, brine shrimp, salt and fresh water, Pink Floyd, Humphrey Bogart's son, whirlwind romance, the Royal wedding, bowls, Brigham City, Australia, opal mining, geology, Edna Lewis, Freetown, hollow bunnies, Bottlecaps, Easter Seals, dwarfism, honey mustard pretzels.

The Tide of Easter

Shopping is done. Eggs are drying (robin egg blue) and two simple syrups are chilling. I made tarragon syrup for the chilled soup. And blackberry sauce for the sundaes. The table is set. The almonds are toasted. The garden is at April's peak. This week I changed out the jade for a camellia, the shade lover. Also added a blue-grey succulent. I teeter between lush and arid.

The best has happened. I am hosting Easter dinner for five adults (including myself) and one newborn. There will be an honored elder. The menu is 80 percent complete. The guests have calendared. The time is 5 o'clock. A full report will follow the day. I am festooned with anticipation. My thoughts stray to place cards. I could not be more excited.

Pen and Ink

It seems that most of life's pursuits are begun alone.

Jerusalem: Tis the Season

Because I understand the frustration of finding a map online that is suitable for printing, I offer my map to the public. So that when you search high res, old jerusalem, jerusalem at the time of jesus, old city, easter week, holy week, and sundry indicators, you may chance upon my site. Please leave a comment with your email address and I will personally (oooh!) send you a high resolution pdf, suitable for printing.

Babette: Feast and Famine

In the recent past, I was surprised to find a few of my dear circle have not seen or read Babette's Feast. It is crazy how we think something is mainstream when it is off the chart of another. I question my own sanity. Truman Madsen and Jeffrey R. Holland have taught by teaching about Babette. There are some exciting ways to know more about the story and film. The most obvious is to rent the film, or read the short story. The film is really a knock-out. I go back to this most often. Spoiler alert! It is the story of a woman without a voice. She is a French woman in Denmark. She houses with two Dane spinsters whose religion requires simplicity. The French woman had been a premier chef in France. She wins the lottery and makes them a meal with her earnings. It is art, for art's sake. I feel like her when I dry my hands on a dishtowel or apron and have a moment of rest in meal preparation. I have set the elements in motion, and things are cooking.