whitneyingram

At the moment

2012-02-29T16:08:00.000-08:00

There are tortilla chip crumbs EVERYWHERE. Thanks Violet.

Violet is talking to Grandma on the remote control. "Hi Gamma. Hi Gamma". Who needs toy phones when you have remote controls?

The boys are in the neighbor's backyard. Van refuses to be left behind.

Ethan is nursing a headache. He cannot be sick this weekend. Three events on Saturday!

Laundry is drying and more is waiting to be folded. Because of said laundry, dinner is waffles, so as to make folding more possible.

There is an herbal tea sample on my counter from an Etsy shop. I bought my sister in-law some fancy organic tea for her birthday and the seller sent a sample. Can't wait to try it tonight. Best: workout, shower and hot tea.

Sicilian Orange candle burning and doing it's job of killing Violet's diaper smell.

Little cars all over the floor. Van is in a monster truck phase right now and has been using Matchbox cars as the crushed cars. The monster truck rally was last weekend and it left a huge impression on him.

I am fairly certain I have broken my tail bone. I don't know how I did it, but it hurts like the dickens. I can't find a comfortable way to sit. I haven't been sitting at all. Just standing. Anyone ever had a broken tail bone? Or at least one that hurts? What do I do?

SUNDAY

2012-02-26T22:36:00.004-08:00

Up early and dressed before everyone else
Rub husband's back to convince him to get up and get showered
Make scrambled eggs and buttered toast for the children
Little boys take a shower and wash off their stink
Van SCREAM because there is no hot water left
Little girl gets hair tamed
All little people get dressed in their Sunday best
Violet wears the cutest hand-me-down dress
Boys wear ties
Husband looks dashing in a purple striped shirt
All are loaded into the car and head to the stake center
Stake Conference is spent listening/chasing Violet around the halls
Boys won't stop asking for all my gum
Ethan finally heeding the Stake President's call to get signed up for Family Search indexing
Leave 10 minutes early to avoid the crowds that give Ethan anxiety
Drive home, get children undressed and make chicken sandwiches for lunch
Let everyone play and fight until nap time
Make a chocolate cake
Prep the brussel sprouts, brown the butter, toast the walnuts
Frost the cake with vanilla buttercream and quote lines from "The Muppet Movie" with Ethan
Shave chocolate on top of the cake
Ethan prep and roast big fat chickens
Jack play army and jump on the trampoline and beg to play on my phone
Violet awakes with a new radical hair-do
Parents and sister arrive for supper
Mom walks slow, still healing from knee scope
Mom brings me a new kitchen tool, a clever pot holder
Van awakes from his 4 hour nap
Ethan carves the chickens and makes the most succulent gravy
Everyone seated and we all marvel at the delicious meal before us
Mom names the gravy liquid bronze
Dad drowns his whole plate in the liquid bronze
Van cries a lot
Violet eats like a cave woman
Grandpa Jack quizes Little Jack on spelling words
Jack does awesome
Clean up commences and Mom and sister make quick work of it
Ethan whisks Violet upstairs for a bath and a nigh-night
Van yells at everyone
Jack cuddles up with Grandpa to watch the Oscars
Little boys head to bed
I use a tactic I never use and I bribe Van with a promise of candy to get him to go to bed
Continue to watch the Oscars with parents
Paint finger nails bright red, Mom chose color
Thrilled for Meryl
Annoyed by "The Artist"
In awe over Gwyneth's dress
Parents leave
Van still awake in his room due to 4 hour nap
Van allowed to come play downstairs
Van and Ethan play monster trucks for a long time
Van enjoying all the time alone with Daddy
Sitting on the couch menu planning and catching up on "The Office"
Laughing way too loud about Pam faking her water breaking
Trying to figure out clever meals to keep costs down
Getting tired and eager to go to bed
Good freaking day

Sacrifice. An amazing story for your Sunday.

2012-02-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

"John R. Moyle lived in Alpine, Utah, about 22 miles as the crow flies to the Salt Lake Temple, where he was the chief superintendent of masonry during its construction. To make certain he was always at work by 8 o'clock, Brother Moyle would start walking about 2 a.m. on Monday mornings. He would finish his work week at 5 p.m. on Friday and then start the walk home, arriving there shortly before midnight. Each week he would repeat that schedule for the entire time he served on the construction of the temple.

"Once when he was home on the weekend, one of his cows bolted during milking and kicked Brother Moyle in the leg, shattering the bone just below the knee. With no better medical help than they had in such rural circumstances, his family and friends took a door off the hinges and strapped him onto that makeshift operating table. They then took the bucksaw they had been using to cut branches from a nearby tree and amputated his leg just a few inches below the knee. When against all medical likelihood the leg finally started to heal, Brother Moyle took a piece of wood and carved an artificial leg. First he walked in the house. Then he walked around the yard. Finally he ventured out about his property. When he felt he could stand the pain, he strapped on his leg, walked the 22 miles to the Salt Lake Temple, climbed the scaffolding, and with a chisel in his hand hammered out the declaration 'Holiness to the Lord.' "
---Jeffrey R. Holland, "As Doves to Our Windows," Ensign, May 2000, 76–77

Black Bean Soup with Bacon and Cilantro

2012-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like sharing a recipe of my own. I usually guard these, thinking that if I share my goods, all will be lost in regards to future cookbook writing. But really Whitney, get a grip.

I made this for din-din the other night and I loved the way it turned out. Such bold flavors, perfect texture and a huge punch of protein. A secret to a great bean soup is blending up some of the beans to give the soup a creamier, thicker texture. One soup you might be familiar with that uses that techinque is Pasta Fagioli. And as usual, soup tastes better as a leftover lunch.

You will notice the recipe asks for a California bay leaf. Look for those in your spice and herb section at the grocery store. They are double the flavor power of regular bay leaves. Because they are so powerful, you only have to use half, thus you can justify the price increase. They have such an intoxicating aroma.

Black Bean Soup with Bacon and Cilantro
recipe by Whitney Ingram
7 pieces bacon, chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 dried California bay leaf
4 15 ounce cans black beans, rinsed and 1 1/2 cups beans set aside
4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

In a large pot over medium high heat, add bacon. Saute until bacon is cooked through. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon and set aside in a bowl. Reduce heat to medium and in remaining bacon fat, add red bell pepper, onion, garlic and salt. Saute until peppers and onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Add oregano, bay leaf, 2 1/2 cups black beans and chicken stock. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. In a blender, add reserved 1 1/2 cups black beans and 1 cup of the chicken stock from the pot. Blend until beans are smooth. Pour into soup and stir well. Simmer over medium for 10 minutes. Before serving, stir in cooked bacon and cilantro.

Yields 6 servings.

Kalli's Coconut Granola

2012-02-23T09:01:00.001-08:00

Thursday has turned into granola day. I pull out the oats, flax, nuts, coconut ect and make Kalli's granola. We go through quite a bit of this stuff. I usually making a new batch every week. It is my absolute favorite. And my kids like it too. It tastes especially great at 10:00 at night. And even better after a good gym swim.

What is so great about this 'nola? It is chewy and moist. Not dry. You get crunch from the nuts and chewy from the oats. Honey and coconut oil make for a perfect binder. There is no added sugar, just good raw honey. No raw honey at your grocery store? Whatever honey you've got is fine. If you can get local honey, even better. Local honey is said to help allergies. Makes sense to me.

Kalli's Coconut Granola
recipe by Kalli Verbecky
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup All-Bran cereal (look for the box of little pieces called Bran Buds. Those are my fave.)
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer pecans in this, but you can use a combination of any kind of nuts)
3 tablespooons ground flax seed
1 cup coconut oil, melted
1 cup raw honey
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Set oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl with a wooden spoon until combined and then using your hands, work the honey into the dry ingredients, combining well. Spread granola onto two baking sheets and spread into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheets completely and then transfer to a big jar or Ziploc bag for storage.

Jim

2012-02-21T14:03:00.002-08:00

I have had enough with this ugly weather making everything ugly. My lawn, my house, my garage, my sky. So I took down all the winterish decor and put up green. Green for spring and green for St. Patrick's Day. I even crafted a bit. I know, so unlike me. A simple little garland for above the mirror in my living/dining/entry room area type place. That part of my house doesn't really have a name. I live in a tiny house.

Now I need to find a place for all the winterish decor. Because of said tiny house, there isn't much room for storage.

After my quick case of crafting, I put the littles down for naps. Van obliged, Violet screamed like a little brat. But as usual, she gets her pink silky blanket in her clutches and it's off to dream land. Once they were asleep, I made dinner that I ended up wolfing down for lunch. Sesame udon noodles with chicken. Mmm hmm.

Dinner needs to be done early so that it is ready to go when we get home from Jack's BBall game. It's his last one and he isn't lamenting it at all. He now wants to do karate. We shall see. The last time we tried karate, he decided after one trip to the dojo that it wasn't for him because he wasn't allowed to go all Jackie Chan and beat the punching bag to death.

Later tonight, I am planning on a little date with my boyfriend Jim, I mean Gym. I won't lie, I have been a rockstar about going to the gym. 6 nights a week for the last 2 months. And if I can't go at night, I go during the day. More than losing the necessary 25 pounds left, I need to develop a habit. I need Gym to be a habit. Lucky for me, my husband is very supportive of my relationship with Gym. He, more often than not, is the one bathing our people, putting them to bed and cleaning up the house. So thanks Ethan.

When I got together with Gym, I broke things off with Soda. I quit soda a few months ago and it has been extremely worth it. Benefits are:

-Better skin

-Less water retention. Wedding ring needs to be resized.

-Better eating habits

-No money spent on soda

-Feeling awesome that I am in charge and Soda isn't.

Soda was becoming a problem. He was more in charge of my life than me. I woke up wanting soda. I wanted soda with every meal. Soda was wearing the pants in our relationship. So I kicked him out. The first week was rough. He kept wanting to hang out. But I resisted and he finally quit knocking on my door. Now, it's me and Water and we are very happy together. Water and Gym make for a fine threesome.

Regarding Downton Abbey

2012-02-19T19:24:00.001-08:00

"I don't see what is so exciting about that show. It's just a bunch of boring English people."
---Ethan

At the moment

2012-02-15T22:37:00.000-08:00

My legs are tingling from working out. Do your legs do that?

I have a bowl of Nutella and pretzels sitting next to me. Post gym treat? A little counterproductive. Earlier today, I had the wonderful opportunity of introducing my neighbor Mistie to Nutella. SHE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT NUTELLA! I felt like I was changing her life. Like showing someone the Book of Mormon.

Ethan is playing a Civil War video game. It swears a lot. "Burn in hell, ya Yankee sons a bitches!" or "Over my dead body ya son of a bitch!" Yeah, video games like this are played after the kids are in bed.

I am still reeling over the news of a high school friend being hit by a car while riding his bicycle to work and being killed. On Valentines Day. 28 years old is way too young. And he had a cute new wife. I talked to both of them at a party a few months ago and I keep thinking about seeing him that night. Nice, successful, handsome and had a wife who was so in love with him. It was obvious. Now he is gone. Tragic.

Another loss is Whitney Houston. And it matters to me. Whitney Houston's career was in it's prime when I was a little girl. If someone asked me my name, they would almost always ask, "Whitney? Like Whitney Houston?" Her death reminds me of having to respond to that for years and years of my childhood.

My counter has a few grocery bags on it from a late night grocery run. My mom is having a knee scope tomorrow and I offered to bring by some vittles to get her and my dad through a few of their recoup days. I am going to make chili and cornbread, pasta salad with veggies, chicken and red wine vinaigrette and some banana walnut bread. That should hold them over for a few days.

All three of my children are tucked snug in their beds and peacefully sleeping. Recently, I have realized that my children sleeping as well as they do is a huge blessing. They have all been great sleepers from the get go. Sleeping through the night by 4 weeks and taking good naps everyday. Would you like to hate me? I get to take a nap with Van in my bed everyday for at least 2 hours. While they are great sleepers, they have their downfalls. Like I will bet you will never go to a house that is louder than mine. Screaming, yelling, wailing. They might be silent when sleeping, but they make up for it when they are awake.

VALENTINES!

2012-02-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

I am pro-Valentines Day. I am not one of those people who refuse to fall prey to Hallmark and florists. Why? Because I like nice cards and flowers. Who just doesn't? This morning, I woke up to a nice card and flowers sitting on the kitchen table. And here is the card. Wow.

What you don't see is the lovey, mushy love letter written on the inside. Fun fact: Ethan is in love with me.

Last night, I set out Valentines for the children. A box of dark chocolate for both of the boys and a pink and red candy corn purse for Violet. And all were given love letters. With the littles, I don't write a lot because they don't care. Just enough for them to look back in their childhood binder and see that Mom and Dad actually liked them. But for Jack, because he can read, I wrote him a long letter explaining all the reasons we just adore him. He was very grateful and was blushing. And he gave me a big hug. Sigh, I love 6 years old.

The rest of today is fairly dull. Laundry, making food for my people, trying to avoid treats, drinking a lot of water, cleaning up books, blocks and babies. Jack left down the driveway to the bus stop with his Valentines mailbox and Valentines in tow. He has one Valentine he wrote a love note on and signed it with a question mark. He has been in love with little Haylee since we moved in this neighborhood.

Tonight, Jack has a basketball game. I told him tonight's game will be romantic because it's Valentines Day. He looked at me like I am the most pathetic person he knows. Since his game is early tonight, I am going to make dinner and have it ready to go in the oven right as we walk in the door. Tortilla and black bean pie and Mexican rice. I am still debating whether to send the children home with Ethan after the game and stay at the gym and get in a quick work out.

Once the children are fed, bathed, played and read to, Valentines Dinner will commence. I don't know what Ethan has planned, but I do know it includes a ribeye, my favorite cut of steak. Medium rare please, a little more on the rare side.

What do you have planned for Valentines Day with your Valentines?

Answering the cookbook release question

2012-02-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

I have been at this cookbook business for over a year now. At times, it has been fun. At times, it has been stressful. When I step back and look at this project, I feel awesome. It feels so good to have wanted to do something and then I just had the guts to do it. But then sometimes, I feel stupid. I had no clue what I was getting myself into. A cookbook is not a food blog. It can't be fixed, changed or gotten rid of completely. There needs to be exactness, continuity, variety. It isn't a matter or throwing a post up on a blog. It isn't a matter of making a recipe once and calling it good. While a cookbook isn't food blogging, I had a huge advantage of writing a food blog for so long. I know how to write a recipe well. But through this process, I have learned how much I don't know.

On a very regular basis, I get asked online or in person, when my book will be done. So many wonderful, supportive people want my recipes on their dining table and their family enjoying each bite. They trust me. They think I have the ability to get their picky eaters eating. That I can get everyone around the table. People, that type of trust overwhelms me. Not in a bad way though. I overwhelm myself. It's no one else's fault. I feel responsible to deliver a consistent, good product. I can't imagine not doing that.

The last few weeks have brought me to my knees in prayer. Yes, I have prayed about my stupid cookbook. I have had such concerns about the way I am doing this. I have been worried I have been rushing this. A rushed product is a sucky product. After a lot of conversation, thought and yes, prayers, I have decided to take a lot more time to get my book right. I cannot say when it will be done. I can say that I am giving myself at least another 6 months. Each recipe needs it's due process. And I feel really good about taking the necessary time to do it. And Sheena feels good about it too.

So to answer the frequent question: When will my cookbook be done? It will be done in late 2012. I want to have a fantastic cookbook for sale, not just a good cookbook. Thank you for your continued support and patience.

A quote for your Sunday

2012-02-12T10:56:00.000-08:00

"There seems to be a superstition among thousands of our young [men and women]... that marriage is a cottage surrounded by perpetual hollyhocks to which a perpetually young and handsome husband comes home to a perpetually young and [beautiful] wife...

"Anyone who imagines that bliss [in marriage] is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.

"[The fact is] most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration...

"Life is like an old-time rail journey- delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vista and thrilling bursts of speed.

"The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

---Jenkins Lloyd Jones, as quoted by Gordon B Hinckley "A Conversation with Single Adults," Liahona, November 1997

Grandma Betty

2012-02-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

On February 3, my Grandma Betty Lou Peterson passed away. My dad's mom. I haven't talked about it much, just quietly remembering things as my days go on. A few days before she passed, my dad sent this text to me and my sisters. I wanted to make sure I typed it out so I wouldn't lose it in my phone.

"I am here feeling and considering what a great example and role model my mom is for the women in my life. First, through thick and thin, she was a hard worker and committed to doing good. My dear dad put her through hell, but she remained faithful and in love with him, to the point that she made sure she got sealed to him in God's house. Remember I had the great honor or being proxy for him in the temple? I will never forget that day. Someday, I will tell you more about that. She was so loyal and true to her children, again, through the thick and thin we put her through. Her life was not a fairy tale life. She did not make good choices early in her life. I must apply her great example more fully in my life. It is so fitting that she can leave this life so peacefully, as she kept her first estate. She ultimately did as her Father (and her great earthy parents) asked her to do. I am so grateful that she can be forever a great example to us all. I love you and the other great women in my life. I know you will have great lives like my sweet mother."

What do I remember about my grandma? I remember her house. On Canal Street in Auburn, CA. She always hated the name "Canal Street". She had a lemon tree in her backyard and I used to bring one home with me on the drive back to Utah and smell it the whole way home. She had a room in her house with dog wallpaper. She had a white shag rug that looked like a dead bear. She had one of those cushy toilet seats.

Once when I was 12, I got to fly to California on my own and visit her. During my stay, we went to visit a lady from church. Grandma wanted to check in with her, said she didn't come to church much. This woman's house was a disaster. Much like the houses you see on "Hoarders". And this woman was probably 400 pounds. As a 12 year old, I had a hard time understanding why my grandma wanted to sit in this woman's house and be her friend. But she did. Through out visit, she talked to this woman instead of staring at her messy house. She laughed and chatted and asked her about her life and if there was anything she could do to help out.

When Grandma would come to visit us in Utah, she would sweep the kitchen floor a lot. She liked to sweep. And she would wake up early and unload the dishwasher so us little girls didn't have to do it. She would do crossword puzzles endlessly, I suppose that is where my dad got his knack for words.

I would say the one thing that sticks with me the most about Grandma Betty is one story I think about often. When we still lived in California, we came to Utah for a visit and my Grandma was visiting at the same time. I pulled a load of our clothes out of the dryer and sat down at the kitchen table next to her to fold it. She asked if I wanted help folding. As we folded and chatted, I watched my grandma closely. With her old, arthritic hands, she folded very precisely. My underwear is delicate and doesn't fold well, but Grandma Betty was so careful to fold them just right. She wasn't fast, but she was thoughtful in her folding. It taught me a lot. To leave my mark on all I do. To bring back homemaking as an art form.

I will miss my grandma, but take comfort in knowing she is in Heaven with Grandpa Jack. And maybe while she is there, she can drop Ethan's mom Carol a line and introduce herself. I think Carol would want to get to know her grandchildren's wonderful great grandma.

Not for or through, but with.

2012-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

"I don't want to live for my kids or live through my kids. I want to live with my kids, thus encouraging them to become who they are meant to be without me hindering them with my own agenda."

A few thing....

2012-02-06T21:55:00.000-08:00

Don't let me forget:

1. Jack playing army in his room and singing Frank Sinatra's "You Make Me Feel So Young" to himself.

2. Van calling our Memory card game "membery".

3. Violet sitting on the couch with Ethan when I came home from the gym late tonight and her sly little look as I came around the corner. A look that said, "Looky who woke me up to play and give me chocolate milk while you were gone!".

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The latest news of the autopsy findings in the murder of the little Powell boys is horrifying. I read it and couldn't stop crying. Absolutely horrifying. I take comfort in knowing that there is a special place in heaven for them to be with their mother and live happily ever after.
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This week's menu is me using up what I have and trying to see how low I can make this week's grocery bill. I like to do that sometimes. I like the challenge.

TUESDAY: Black beans and rice. Great for Jack to eat before his basketball game. Not heavy.
WEDNESDAY: Sweet soy chicken and rice with roasted carrots. Thank the heavens that I found a roasted vegetable that Van will eat like buttered popcorn.
THURSDAY: Vigo red beans and rice with kielbasa and steamed green beans. Click on the link. You will thank me.
FRIDAY: Steak, broccoli and potato skillet. Meal in a pan.
SATURDAY: Potato pancakes and steamed broccoli. Jack likes his tater pancakes with ketchup. Van likes his with smoked salmon and creme fraiche. Definitely Ethan's son.
SUNDAY: Roasted pork tenderloin with bearnaise sauce, mashed potatoes, Caesar salad and double chocolate cake. I love Sundays.

At the moment

2012-02-02T05:29:00.000-08:00

It is 6:20am. I am sitting at the kitchen table writing my day's to do list and enjoying some quiet before everyone and their needy needs wake up. I am also going to get in some writing for my book.

My leftover birthday cake is sitting on the counter. My bday was yesterday. Ethan MADE me a cake. A buttermilk cake soaked in simple syrup and then topped with fresh whipped cream. Up until yesterday, Ethan wasn't a baker. I am quite proud of him. While I was out to lunch with some friends, he saw the carton of buttermilk in the fridge and then looked up the recipe on my computer and made it exactly how I had written it. Adorable, really.

House is quite disheveled because it was my birthday. I really did take the day off. So today, my to do list includes vacuuming, lots of laundry, bed sheet changing, sweeping and general wiping of grimy surfaces. And we are also going to go to story time. Van loves it.

Formulating an email to Jack's teacher to let her know he now has to drink a lot more water. He has been getting bad headaches after school and our pediatrish said he is most likely very dehydrated. Poor little boy.

My legs are sore. And I like it. 4 miles last night at the gym.

Washing machine running. Gotta get some of Ethan's unders washed before he wakes up. Some how, he left about 4 pairs of unders in Hawaii, so I have been washing a lot lately.

Well, over and out. I have some writing to do. Hope your day is as productive as I am planning mine is going to be.

At the moment

2012-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

An empty bowl is next to me. It was full of delicious leftover chili from last night's dinner. Good good lunch. In between my typing hands is my water cup and I occasionally bend down little for a sip.

The fruit bowl in front of me is filled to the brim. It always is on Monday's- the day I go to the grocery store. By Saturday, it will look empty and pathetic.

Van is currently clocking in some daddy time. Van has had a rough day. He is a very emotional little boy. He gets so emotional sometimes that it takes a few hours to get him back to his old normal self. He loves and cries with his whole heart.

My sister is moving today. About 2 minutes away from me. It will be so nice to have her so close.

My entire Peterson family is having a rough.day. Ailing Grandma Betty is getting ready to go home to her Father and Creator. I have found myself reflecting quite a bit today. Thinking about the times I have had with her. What I have learned from her.

Currently so irritated by anything that comes out of Newt Gingrich's mouth. Colonize on the moon??? He is delusional.

Violet is wearing stripes and skinny jeans. She is such a hipster.

Getting geared up to try making whoopies pies for the first time. Going classic. Chocolate with white filling. Going to use THIS recipe.

Motherhood

2012-01-29T14:03:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about myself as a mother lately. Here are my thoughts:

1. I really want my children to remember how much I loved being a mom. I want them to know I loved rubbing lotion on their tiny little limbs after baths. I want them to know I adored making them meals and sitting at the table with them. I want them to know that I loved cuddling with them and massaging their little backs and heads. I want them to remember that their mother loved being their mother. To make this possible, I need to truly not let the mundane matter. Let things go a bit. It's not worth my children remembering me yelling all the time.

2. I need to spend more time on the floor. I need to be down on their level more.

3. I am so grateful for what motherhood has made me into. I have learned how to work hard. I have learned how to endure. I learned what sacrificing really means. I have learned how to really pray. I have learned how to serve. I have learned how to manage my time. I have learned how to respect my husband more.

4. I need to read in front of my children more. Move my books out of my nightstand and down into the living room. And my scriptures. I want them to see that I enjoy reading.

Weekend

2012-01-27T07:32:00.000-08:00

Weekend is looking like this:
Help Ethan with an event tonight. The soup one. Get his crew set up and then we drive to SLC for BRAD PAISLEY IN CONCERT! That was Ethan's birthday present from me a few weeks ago and now, the concert is finally here!

Spend Saturday doing some house cleaning (bathrooms, organize the horrid downstairs closet and if I am feeling ambitious, wipe down walls), a little grocery shopping and hopefully a luxurious afternoon nap.

Accept babysitting offer from sister Caitlyn and go get a quick bite to eat and then attend an endowment session at the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

Enjoy the long morning before Sunday church. I like 1:00 church, I have decided. Jack got to choose this Sunday's treat. Chocolate cupcakes. So we will make the cupcakes before church. And the chili too. Sunday's dinner is Redhill Chili and cornbread. Redhill Chili won we a prize at the ward chili cook-off years ago. I have completely revamped the old recipe and made it my own. The secret? Chorizo.

Recipe for Thai Coconut Curry Soup with Chicken

2012-01-26T10:46:00.000-08:00

Here is where I food blog for a sec. I am sharing a recipe that I am certain I will never put into a future cookbook. I keep all my clever recipes for my book(s). I share this because I know it is not authentic. I like authenticity in recipe. I like traditions. I hate recipes that demolish that. Like Southwestern Egg Rolls. Ugh. I have been guilty of making recipes like that in the past. But I have gotten wise and realized the error of my ways. While I know this recipe isn't authentic, it isn't too far off the beaten path.

This is an uncomplicated soup and a little bit different than the usual winter time soup. Jack loves this stuff. He says he likes it's "sweet hotness". Van has been a little harder to convince. But this last time I made this, he gobbled it up. I think it was because I eased up on the heat a bit. BTW, feel free to make this vegetarian and don't add any chicken.

And no, there is no picture with this. Get over it.

Try it, you'll like it.

Thai Coconut Curry Soup with Chicken
3 15 ounce cans coconut milk
1 cup water
1 tablespoons massaman curry paste, or whatever curry paste you prefer
3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 russet potato, peeled and diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 yellow onion, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
A few shakes of fish sauce
Cooked white rice, for serving
A handful of cilantro leaves, chopped

In a large pot over medium high heat, add coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil and whisk in curry paste. Stir in chicken thighs, potato, carrots and onion. Boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup is reduced and slightly thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Stir in sugar and fish sauce. Serve with a big scoop of rice on top and a sprinkling of cilantro.

Yields 6ish servings.

Rookie's Notes: With the curry paste, I would recommend you start with 1 tablespoon and then taste and add as necessary. I usually end up adding 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons. There are some feisty curry pastes out there that can surprise you with their heat. Where to get good curry paste? Try your local Asian market. It's cheaper than the regular grocery store and has much more flavorful. Sign of good curry paste? The can has only a few English words on it and mostly Thai words.

At the moment

2012-01-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

At the moment:

My jeans are too loose. I only own two pairs of jeans at a time. One blue, one black. I haven't need for any others. My black ones are sliding down my hips. That can be a good thing, but not. They were expensive and I don't want to think about dropping more cash on a new, smaller pair.

The counter is covered in my weekly grocery store load. Most things are put away, but the celery and radishes are waiting to be chopped and put into water in the fridge for quick snacks. The stove has a dozen eggs hard-boiling because this family has an addiction to hard-boiled eggs. And I also have all the makings for our weekly granola ready to be put to use. This week, I am giving into my children and not putting in any dried fruit. Bottom line, that hate it. They just pick it out. So no fruit anymore.

Chicken thighs are thawing in the sink, ready to be used for some Thai chicken curry soup. I am going to share this recipe this week. It's a goodie.

I am watching Giada on TV. Her house just kills me.

My brain is trying to wrap itself around the big task for this week. I have to make three soups for an event for Ethan this weekend. Soup from scratch for your family can be a production. Three soups for over 100 people can also be a production. I am thinking the key is going to be doing prep throughout the week. Roast the chicken, roast the tomatoes, chop all the vegetables. I CAN DO THIS! Right?

I can't get my mind off the little kid grocery cart for sale at the grocery store. I want Violet to have it so bad. Maybe I can justify it by getting it now and saving it for her 2nd birthday in May?

Contemplating Family Home Evening. I think we are going to talk about Nephi and his family.

This morning, Van was emotionally beside himself because he wanted gummy bears instead of oatmeal. He was literally begging Ethan to drive to the gas station to get him gummy bears. At 8:30am. It seemed so logical to him. The boy was alone in his principals.

Speaking of principals, I went to Jack's class today to help with whatever his teacher needs. She needed help putting together the scripts for the short plays the class is doing. And that amazing woman gave Jack the part of the troll in "Three Billy Goats Gruff". He is going to ROCK it.

Chinese New Year

2012-01-21T18:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year! While this is the year of the dragon for many, it is the year of the washer and dryer for the Ingram family. My washer and dryer are dying a slow painful death. The dryer especially is taking it hard. It was purchased used, refurbished. And boy it is in sorry shape for having been refurbished. It started with a C+ and is making no effort to improve it's grade. The washer has a very exclusive feature called "selective start". Only lucky people get this feature. It's when the washer will fill with water and then not start for hours. While it is in selective start mode, it also makes a funny rubbery smell that makes me just plain nervous. I told Ethan that sometime this year, our family is going to need some new textile management equipment.

Also something that will be needed this year is a solution for the boy's toy and crap storage. Violet will be in a big girl bed in a few months and that is when she will get to be sleeping in her own room and not the toy room. So the boy's toys will have to go. Anyone have any grand ideas for utilizing their extra space in their room and closet for storage? Maybe I can do my own little design reality show and have contestants make over their room in the spirit of efficiency? The winner gets nothing, just a high five for solving my problems for me.

I like, I don't like

2012-01-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

I like:
Efficient people.
Being feminine.
Real, authentic Mexican food.
My tan (or should I say khaki?) Target trench coat. Best purchase all winter. I wear it almost everyday.
Being good to my body.
That I had each of my babies in the spring and early summer.

White kitchen cabinets, black granite counter tops.

Cupcakes, brownies and cake. And cookies. I am more of a baked dessert kind of gal.
My iPhone 4.
Movie theater popcorn.
Curtains and drapes. They add color and dimension to a room.
My choice in a husband. We have been through quite a bit together.
Subway tile.
Sky lights.
Sleep.
Getting my eyebrows waxed.
Birth control pills.
Having a real feeling of my life having purpose and knowing exactly why I do what I do.

My own barbecue sauce.

My food processor shredding disc.

Long dinners at fancy restaurants with my husband.

Nail polish. Usually somewhere in the red spectrum.
Vaseline.
Leather shoes.
Watching my 6 year old learn to read and write this year.
Swearing. It's my front row, backstage pass to hell.

Cooking. And baking, sort of.

Getting things in the mail besides bills.
People that can write comically.

Roast chicken. Made by Ethan.

Avocados.
Open blinds in the morning.
That my wedding ring is two-toned, both white and yellow gold.

I don't like:
Breastfeeding. Never did, not for a second.
Toms and Crocs. You already know about the Toms, but Crocs too.
Cheese and mushrooms.
Being sick.
Period dramas.
Intolerance.
Home crafts. I like a more classic look instead of a homemade one.
The excuse people have of not participating in the Mormon church because of the culture.
Trashy, mindless television.
That we got married so quickly. We would have enjoyed dating each other more and growing up a little more.
Ombre hair coloring.
Fast food and chain restaurants.
Copy cats.
Name-droppers.
My teeth.
Derogatory use of the word "gay".
Scary movies.
Giant bows and flowers on baby's heads. Even if you still put those on your baby, I still like you and your baby.
Racist jokes.
My impatience.
Anchovies. Too strong.
Canned whipped cream.
Taking my kids out to a restaurant.

Terrible

2012-01-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in my bed enjoying a quiet house because Daddy Darling took the two littles somewhere. I actually don't even know where they are. I woke up at half past noon and they were gone. This morning, I woke up feeling exhausted. Like I-might-be getting-sick exhausted. I told Ethan of my plight and I told him I needed more sleep. I WILL NOT be getting sick. I have things to do, important things. Jack's basketball game is tonight and I was planning on a major big time hardcore workout at the gym tonight. I will not be interrupted by such things as a tired, achy body. So once the breakfast dishes were done and the house clean, I went to sleep. I will kill this thing. I haven't time for such frivolities as a body under the weather.

Would you like to hear a terrible, horrible story? It's a story about Van drinking his own pee. I know, terrible horrible. He peed in a cup in the shower and drank it, trying to make Jack laugh. It didn't make Jack laugh, it made him horrified and he ran downstairs in all his naked glory and told me about it. I yelled for Van to come downstairs and report to his disappointed mother. Van tried to play it off. "It's okay, I drank water after. No big deal." HA! No big deal??? You just drank your pee, dude! Ethan wasn't allowed to participate in the conversation with Van, because he couldn't stop laughing. But he did make himself useful and he took a picture of the scene.

I hope you can see my complete overwhelmed-ness in this photo. Because it's all authentic.

GOLDEN GLOBES GOWN CATEGORIES!

2012-01-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

The "Classy Fancy Lady" category.

As in, if only we could all look as good as you.

The "You look like you might taste like a grape Jell-o if I slurped you up" category.

The "I want to be you when I grow up catergory". As in, you age so well.

The "Why are you even here" category?

You are on a super dramatic, lame reality show.

Why are you at the Golden Globes again???

The "Why do you always look so mad?" category.

As in, why do you always look so mad?

It's all those kids, huh? Kids will do that to you.

The "bahhahahahaha" category. As in, you look ridiculous.

Looks like you were wrapped in a black tarp.

Looks a little "mini skirt and bell bottoms-ish"

Just ugly.

Unflattering.

Reminds me of the Britney and Justin demin matchy matchy a few years ago.

Ugh.

Ugh again.

At the moment

2012-01-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

Ethan and his barfy self are resting on the couch. He was in and out of bed all night, running to the bathroom. I am sure I am jumping the gun here, but I am pretty sure the rest of us won't get it. The children and I are heavily into probiotics right now and I have been good about disinfecting door knobs and such and using a lot of hand sanitizer. We have had a fairly healthy winter thus far.

Jack is playing Temple Run on my phone. My sister Caitlyn said I needed to play it because all the cool kids are, so I downloaded it. But Jack is the one who is playing it, not me. He is cool, I am not.

The two littles just got put down for naps. Before Violet fell asleep, she was shrieking in a terrified manner. I went upstairs to inspect the demon that had to have been in her room, but alas, it was just that she had dropped her blanket out of her crib.

The oven is baking off some granola. I decided to not buy cereal this week and just have us eat granola for breakfast. My boys love the stuff, I have just been to lazy to make it. This batch will have peanuts, pecans, almonds, raisins and dried apples. Also something they like is hard-boiled eggs and I just finished boiling a dozen of those. Hard-boiled eggs are like drugs for Van. He just can't leave them alone. He ate 5 of them for dinner the other night. Just hard-boiled eggs and nothing else. Kinda gross.

My kitchen is a disaster from making granola, because had Jack help. Kids help in kitchen=kitchen way messier than necessary.

I am missing my afternoon naps with infant Violet. In her first few months, both of the boys were still taking naps. I would get Van put down in his bed and then I would have Jack sleep with me in mine. Violet would be wedged in between me and Jack and we would snooze. For hours. When we would wake up, she would be soaked in sweat from being bundled and snuggled and she would get an afternoon bath. It was just the best. Lately, I am having some stark realities hit me. Last time using the high chair. Last time using the crib. While I am a little sad, I am totally okay with it. That part of my life has come and gone and it was just beautiful.

The sun is shining brightly, but it is a facade. It's freezing. If it has to be this cold, please snow! I am not looking forward to the summer water rationing. But I am looking forward to much much less mosquitos.

Creed

2012-01-15T22:15:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, while walking into the grocery store with my little curly blond pigtailed midget and I got a phone call from one of our very talented Relief Society teachers and she was asking me to do a favor for class. The lesson for this Sunday was about President George Albert Smith's personal creed. She asked if I would share my own personal creed with the class. I thanked her for the opportunity because this type of subject has been on my mind. What is it that I live by? What are the specific things I want to instill in the lives of my children? What type of person am I and what am I striving for? I decided to write it in the same style as President Smith's, beginning each sentence with "I would". How grateful I am for the opportunity I had to write up this personal creed. I will refer to this often in my life.

I would try to remember Heavenly Father in all I do, remembering that all things are for a reason and our betterment.

I would treat all people of different race, religion, sexual preference and social status with the same respect, acceptance and understanding as I would want for myself.

I would teach my children that everyone on this earth are God’s children and all are loved equally.

I would partake often of the scriptures and enjoy the teachings therein.

I would strengthen my testimony of the gospel by standing in holy places.

I would follow the prophets counsel by attending the temple as often as I my spirit needs it.

I would pay close attention to the opportunities I have to serve others.

I would use my time wisely, not wasting it on temporal things and always remember my charge as a wife and mother first.

I would remember my children are children of Heavenly Father and I would seek the Lord’s counsel in the best ways to care for, respect and nurture them.

I would honor and respect the priesthood of the worthy men in my life.

I would live a life of education, always seeking to learn more about the things that interest me and make me happy.

I would obey the Word of Wisdom, focusing on partaking of the good, healthful things God gave us for our strength and well-being.

I would treat my body with respect, not over-indulging it or neglecting it’s muscle and organ health and improvement.

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

2012-01-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

I should be typing up my recipes right now from today's photoshoot, but I am not. Today's shoot went very well. Sheen and I have finally gotten this thing down. We can photograph 6 recipes in an hour and a half. It's hilarious to think how it used to in back when we first started a year ago. 2 recipes in like 4 hours? Yeah. Today's menu was beautiful:

-Raspberry ice cream with chocolate
-Grilled flatbread with goat cheese, fennel and roasted red peppers
-Grilled tomato and onion crostinis with basil oil
-Cantaloupe agua fresca
-Spiced pear cheesecake
-Slow-cooker apple cider

I used to be nervous about writing exactly what recipes I am working on for fear some hack would steal my idea and it would show up on some stupid food blog. But I actually don't care anymore. I dare you to copy my idea and make it as good as I did. Ooh, I sound like such a brat. Plus, that kind of stuff is just fuel for Megan's ferocious typing tongue. She would rip them apart for me, like any good bulldog would.

Getting ready for a food photoshoot like this takes loads of time and planning. I shopped and prepped most of the food yesterday and was up early today to get things ready so that the shoot goes smoothly. Most would think this is torture, but I just love it. One of the many things I have learned in this cookbook process is how to cook lots of things at once.

***After going back and proofreading this post, I forgot the "a" in Sheena's name. And I am okay with it. I am going to start calling her Sheen.

Making Lady Friends.

2012-01-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

I wrote a guest post for Vanessa who writes a blog called I Never Grew Up. She asked me to write about making lady friends. I don't know if I am the best person to write about something like that, but I threw my thoughts out there anyways. Here is a link to it.

If you have made your way over here from Vanessa's blog, welcome. I am almost sorry you found my blog. I have no focus. I just write piles of self-indulgent crap about myself and my family. But nevertheless, you are here. Welcome. Sit and stay and read through my archives of nothingness.

Dear

2012-01-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

Dear balloons on the wall, I am glad you are here. You make Ethan's birthday better.

Dear Ethan, Happy Freaking 31st Birthday! While I love you, I don't love that you are claiming it is Birthday Week. Like I said earlier today, my birthday passes like a ship in the night, so I don't know why I need to participate in your birthday week.

Dear Caitlyn, I am so offended that you took the flower painting of Mallory's that I wanted.

Dear cookbook I am writing, I am in the process of evaluating you. I am realizing I shouldn't rush those recipes I have worked so hard on. They are mine. All mine. A piece of me. I need to make sure I give them their due process.

Dear dishwasher, pipe down, will ya? No need to let the whole house know you are doing your job.

Dear Jack, I am so excited for your basketball game tomorrow night!!! I love watching you play with your whole heart, really wanting to get better and better.

Dear Camelbak water bottle, you are cool. Glad you are mine.

Dear Camelbak backpack I bought on clearance 5 months ago that is sitting under my bed waiting to be used, I promise you will get your turn soon. Once this stupid weather isn't stupid anymore.

Dear Chocolate, lay off of me.

Dear Swimming Pool, I can't get enough of you. Your water is cool and blue. I love being able to stretch my whole body as I go through the water. I love that I have no music, just my thoughts. Thoughts of to-do lists, ideas, plans. I look so forward to doing laps and just thinking.

Dear Elder Ingram on a mission in the Carolinas, I can't wait for you to come home in a few months. We are all excited. I am especially excited to show you that I can make a BOMB Thai curry- better than Rosie Thai. We will feast.

"Lest We Forget"

2012-01-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

Ethan's mother was Carol. She passed away suddenly when he was 6 years old, the same age Jack is. People are always ready to share stories about her with me. She was magnanimous. She made everyone feel special. Many, many women who have talked to me have said, "She was my best friend." She was funny, beautiful, creative, artistic and spontaneous.

Out of all of the things she was, her favorite thing was being a mother. She was one of those women who truly ignored the laundry and would just sit with her babies and play all day. She loved being a mother so much that she had 7 babies. When she delivered her 3rd baby and discovered at that moment that there was another one, a twin, she was ecstatic. Not afraid, nervous or caught off-guard, but thrilled at the thought of getting to have two babies to dress up and feed and take care of.

This poem was her favorite poem. It always spoke so deeply to her. I thought I would share.

"Lest We Forget" by Anonymous

She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl that I used to be.
And she gazed at me with her earnest eyes
And questioned reproachfully

"Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes that I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
All wonderful things to do?"

"Where's the mansion of stately height,
With all it's gardens rare?
The silken robe that I dressed for you
And jewels for your hair?"

And as she spoke to me, I was very sad
For I wanted her pleased with me.
This splendid girl from the shadowy past.
The girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping my babies lay,
Innocent, sweet and fair.

I told her that these are my only gems
And precious they are to me.
That silken robe is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love.
The only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltering walls
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that woman that I am now,
Pleased the girl I used to be.

Parent

2012-01-07T22:10:00.000-08:00

Oh me, oh my, I am so done being a single parent. Ethan comes home in the morning and glory hallelujah. Bring on the daddy to listen to Jack's 20 minute long stories about playground drama, answer to Violet's incessant demands and cater to Van's unstable emotions!

All was well until today. Truly, I had this whole single mother thing down. Up early, dressed early, keep to the schedule, stay with the meal plans, calm, cool, efficient. But then here comes Saturday, coming in to mess with my vibe. All of the sudden, Violet's crazy blond hair, snotty nose and poopy bum are insufferable. INSUFFERABLE. I blame her for me going against all I try to enforce and giving my kids Chickfilla for lunch. That isn't how you spell it, huh? Meh, oh well. Here is a tip- never give your kids fast food because then when you do, they think they have won the child lottery. They get excited like it's Christmas morning. They treat the kid meal toy like it's a collector's item.

Finally, I got my wits about me (hahahaha, WHITS!) and was able to wrap my head around the damned laundry so I can be ready to wash sun-soaked, Hawaii laundry. But then Violet awoke from her afternoon slumber and inflicted her bad attitude on me again and I just couldn't imagine the agony of trying to make dinner with her tugging on my pants and yelling, "MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM!" So I folded and ordered take out from Barbacoa. Boom! I am lazy. And can no longer handle my own kids.

Freak, Daddy Darling, come home.

Meakly Weel Plan

2012-01-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

Until 6pm last night, I thought Jack started school on Wednesday. But it was actually today. So I had to do some laundry, find his lunchbox and have him transfer his school papers into his new Christmas backpack. I liked having him home for the break. He is funny, helpful- but he also likes to fight with his brother all the damn time. And he also likes to eat chips on my couches when that is totally against the rules. Now he is school and I am so afraid for summer.

Guess what? I quit soda a few weeks ago. I hated feeling the urge to have soda. Like it was in charge of me. So I quit. The first few days were tricky because I wanted it so bad, but I stuck to my guns and chugged water. Now, I don't need it at all. I am drinking lots of lots of water and I already notice such a difference. Like no crazy urge to have soda and my skin is nicer. Sure, I might have a soda when out to dinner or something, but no more Sonic and no more slave to the fizz. I win!

Oh yeah! This week's menu! I have forgotten all about it. Here it is. Maybe you get an idea or two? Natalie? Kalli? Where are your menus, slackers?

MONDAY: Leftover creamy chicken and rice soup and bread
TUESDAY: Seared salmon, roasted carrots and brown rice. Trying really hard to like brown rice as much as I like white rice. It's taking more time than I thought.
WEDNESDAY: Black bean and corn nachos.
THURSDAY: Sauteed shrimp, shallot and herb rice pilaf and roasted broccoli. Have you ever tried roasted broccoli? It will change your life.
FRIDAY: Thai yellow curry and quinoa. This is Jack's favorite thing right now.
SATURDAY: Waffles!
SUNDAY: Black bean soup and cornbread

And hey you. Post your weekly menu too. Post a link to it in the comments.

Tropical

2012-01-02T15:42:00.000-08:00

Right now, it sounds like summer right now. My cul-de-sac has about 8 children running around, riding bikes and playing. And it's January. There is something fishy going on with this warm winter weather. Like it's the second coming or something. Everyday for the last month and a half (I AM NOT EXAGGERATING), I have woken up and checked the upcoming weather on my phone, always hoping for a blizzard. And I have been shut down each time. So sue me, I like snow.

I think it was Carina that introduced me to one of their family rules. "If someone invites you to go to Hawaii for free, you have to go." We are currently keeping that family rule. Ethan just landed in Maui. Or would I say ON Maui? I dunno. Either way, in or on, he is there. And I am not a bit bitter. I wanted him to go from the beginning. He is a hardworking man and he deserves some downtime on a tropical golf course in the sunshine.

Oh! By the way!!! My sister Haley had her baby! Claire Katherine Hall! And I deCLAIRE, she is the sweetest little thing I have held in a long time. I was the lucky one to get a phone call at 1:45 am from my sister who was laughing about her water breaking 9 days early. I climbed out of bed, put on shoes and didn't put on a bra and I drove over to her house to sit with her sleeping first born while her and her husband went to the hospital. As I drove over there, I couldn't stop smiling. These are the best moments of life. Driving down a deserted freeway in the middle of the night because I get a new niece. Life is good.

In closing, I need to get something off my chest. This has always been an issue, but lately, I just can't take it anymore. I cannot be silent. You need to know something. TOMS ARE ACTUALLY THE UGLIEST SHOES EVER. Phew! I said it! I don't care if they are comfortable or if free shoes are given to shoeless children if buy Toms. None of that makes them cute. It also doesn't make them cute if everyone around you wears them.

Okay, I am done now. Thanks for reading.

My 2011 Dining Awards

2011-12-29T18:53:00.000-08:00

DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Welcome to this year's dining awards! This last year was a great year for food. Some monumental flavors and textures were consumed. Some made by me, most made by others. Sadly, I am not much of a traveler. I hope to be someday when my time and pocketbook allow. So there aren't a great variety of locations here. Nevertheless, here is what blew my mind in 2011.

BEST DESSERT
Butterscotch pudding from The Copper Onion in Salt Lake City, UT
Luckily, this one came in a generous portion. It was thick and rich and had the most delicate butterscotch flavor. I am usually a chocolate kind of gal when I go to restaurants, but this one made me a believer in the realms outside of chocolatedome.

BEST JAPANESE
Lobster roll from Arigato Sushi in Upland, CA
A normal California roll topped with giant portion of hot lobster. This bad boy was so good that we ordered two.

BEST SEAFOOD
Fish n' chips from T. Phillips in Glendora, CA
This delicious dish was ordered after a long road trip to Southern California. I had spent the day eating mostly crap and then I had this. The fish was fresh, crisp and light and did well with a squeeze of lemon. The chips were light a fluffy inside. It was an absolute perfect fish n' chips. It was one of those times I out-ordered everyone at the table.

BEST COMFORT
Chicken n' dumplings from Kalli Verbecky's house in Highland, UT
I am going to sound like such a jerk right now, just be advised. But it isn't often that someone else's food is completely epic. This was. The broth was homemade and so full of flavor. The dumplings were light and melted in my mouth. It was definitely the ultimate comfort food in 2011.

BEST CRAZY WIERD
Bloody mary sorbet at The Tree Room at Sundance Resort in Sundance, UT
This was amazing because I just couldn't figure out how someone even comes up with this in the first place. We were at dinner and the first thing brought to the table was a little chef teaser. In a little spoon was a small round ball garnished with a minescule celery leaf. At first, we thought it was some stewed cherry tomato or something. But it was a sorbet with all the flavors of a bloody mary. It was incredible. I could have eaten a whole bowl of it.

BEST MEXICAN
Killer nachos from Red Iguana in Salt Lake City, UT
Everyone knows I like real good Mexican food. And everyone also knows that Red Iguana does Mexican food like no one else in the area. So of course this year's Mexican favorite came from there. The killer nachos are exactly what they claim to be. Crisp tortilla chips covered in refried beans, cheese, jalapenos, shredded beef, chorizo and guacamole. And we also have enchilada sauce added as well. It is not only fantastic, but it is also affordable.

BEST BEEF
Pot roast from my house in Lehi, UT
This was a recent dish, one I hadn't intended on being so good. But I suppose it's the mistakes that taste the best. This meat was moist, fall-apart tender and even seemed to have a silky texture to it. It was easy to prepare and filled my house with such a rich, beefy smell. My sweet husband couldn't get over it.

BEST COOKIE
Homemade oreos from Dippidee Bakery in American Fork, UT
This last summer, we ended so many days at Dippidee. I think I have tried everything they have in the case, but it's this cookie that I found to be my favorite. The cookie is dark brown, almost black. It is soft and thick. Two of those perfect cookies are sandwiched together with a light shortening frosting. The cookie is huge and luckily, half of it is still moist in the morning for breakfast.

BEST DRINK
Horchata from Red Iguana in Salt Lake City, UT
This is the perfect fire extinguisher to eat with spicy nachos. It is smooth and has a slight cinnamon flavor. It comes to the table ice ice ice cold and I go through too many glasses of it in one sitting. And I always get a cup of it to-go.

My happiest congratulations to the winners this year! This next year should be full of more great food. So until next year...

Christmas came!

2011-12-26T14:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas came and went. All went well. Good food was eaten, gifts were unwrapped, house destroyed, toys EVERYWHERE.

Christmas Day began with Van coming in my room and announcing to me that he knew what everyone got in their stockings. Turns out he emptied everything out of them and put it all into a big pile on the couch. Luckily, Jack hadn't seen yet, so I had a chance to spank Van and then put everything back in the right stocking.

Stockings this year were much more low-key than usual. Instead of a bunch of cheap candy, the boys got a few nice chocolate truffles and a big, thick candy cane. And instead of a bunch of dollar toys, they got a few nice, more expensive toys. Stuff that won't break in a week. And everyone got a new buzzy toothbrush.

After breakfast etc, we drove to Salt Lake on the empty freeways to pick up Daddy Darling. We picked him up at the curb and him and I switched seats. As we drove over to the 15, Ethan instructed me to reach under my seat. Under the seat was a little box and in it was a topaz and white gold necklace and earrings. Classy fella, that Ethan. The car I had driven around in for the last few days had a gift hiding in it and I didn't even know. So now, I have a topaz among my jewels! (Go watch "Gigi".)

Once home, the children opened the gifts that Santa Neighbor left in our house while we were gone. Things like air craft carriers, pirate boats, new backpacks, new shoes, ponies, movies, puzzles, bike pegs and nesting dolls were opened. The best gift was a big, heavy box from my MIL full of Trader Joe's goodies. Truly, that woman knows me too well. Bless her.

Since the gents were in a toy coma, Ethan and I snuck away for a long, luxurious NAP. Good golly, best 2 hours of my day. And the boys- they just played army for two hours. Oh, except for when I woke up and called down the stairs and said, "What are you guys doing?" And as the sound of ethereal music floated upstairs, I heard Van say, "We awe doing yoga!" Looks like they found the kid yoga DVD I bought them.

In a quick, mad rush, we piled into the car and headed to Grandma Sue and Grandpa Jack's house. Between bites of coconut shrimp soup and terrible tasting fudge from some unknown neighbor, my children and their cousins unwrapped an unrealistic amount of gifts from various family members. Nerf everything, blond pig-tailed baby dolls, joke kits, bouncy horses, Spiderman everything and the very best one of all, a real Radio Flyer wagon for Vanny Boy. My parents have no stop button. It was like Christmas all over again. By the end of it all, Violet was inconsolable with overstimulation. The poor baby just wanted to nestle in with Grandpa and suck her thumb. The boys on the other hand, they were busy with that wagon, or as Van calls it, his "dragon".

When we got home, I sat on the couch in the dark and stared at our multi-colored Christmas tree. Good heavens, we are blessed. Not the blessed with toys and the "things" of Christmas, but blessed with family, happiness, warmth, comfort and peace. How did I get to be so lucky? And also, how did I eat so much sugar and butter in two days? To try and tell my body I do actually love it, I spent part of my morning swimming laps at the community pool.

Merry Christmas to you and yours! I hope you were able to feel that same content, peaceful feeling I felt.

Christmas came!

2011-12-23T13:50:00.000-08:00

It just didn't seem like Christmas until I got these in the mail.

Aunt Jenn's Christmas cookies. We get these every year and we all fight over them until they are gone, like 3 days later. Ethan likes the white ones, I like the chocolate ones. The children like whatever is thrown at them.

Once Christmas came in the mail, I officially started planning our holiday menu. It goes as follows:

Christmas Eve:
Herb roasted chicken, gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts with browned butter and also some bubbly to drink. Some of the divine pear Kristian Regale. Mmmm.

Christmas Morning:
Scrambled eggs, candied bacon, blueberry lemon muffins and clementines.

Christmas Lunch:
Our grande sandwich buffet. Fancy meats and cheeses, veggies galore, spreads, breads and good chips. Ingram's love a good sandwich spread.

Christmas Dinner:
Grandma Sue and Grandpa Jack's house!

There is a small glitch in the system. Ethan won't be here on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. I know, poor us. But also, lucky us. He has been blessed with almost more work than he can handle. This holiday season has been very busy and we haven't seen much of him and we couldn't be more thankful because that means his business has a chance to grow. Apart of that is him flying to Southern California to chef it up for some wealthy clients on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas morning, we will drive to the airport to pick him up. While we are gone, Santa/neighbor will be placing all the gifts in our living room so we can open gifts with Daddy Dearest.

While this isn't the traditional way of doing things, I am kind of enjoying the idea of us going to get Ethan on Christmas morning. It's a good memory for all of us. It also makes me laugh because it seems like our little family can't ever do things the way everyone else does. It's us that get cigarette butts in our trick-or-treat bags. It's us that have our house ransacked by thieves looking for prescription pain medication. And of course it is us that have a daddy that doesn't go to court on his court date and he has a warrant and gets arrested and goes to jail. Didn't know that story? Maybe I will retell it someday. It's a goody.

Read this and I mean really read it

2011-12-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something.

We have to learn to be content with who we are." -Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Wednesday

2011-12-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

Today shall be Wednesday. School is out and as I type this, my three littles are eating breakfast. Some smoothies, some toast, some honey cereal (honey nut Cheerios). Once breakfast has been complete, I will clean it all up and then get everyone dressed. Van has gymnastics this morning and Jack gets to come. Jack has planned to get in some exercise and run on the track while Van does summersaults and gets in trouble for running around the gym and not listening to the teacher. Violet will spend the time walking around and getting compliments on her curls and her purple Chuck Taylor's.

After gymnastics, we will go to Target and buy batteries for the pending Christmas toys and also pick up some little gift for our cute babysitters we love so dearly. We will also buy the children's Christmas ornaments. I have really been a slacker on that one.

After Target, home we will go and I will make lunch. For me, a tomato, avocado and sprout sandwich (my latest lunchtime addiction) and for the children, I will make hot chicken and cheese sandwiches. This is technically a grilled cheese with thin slices of chicken breast inside. Most likely, Jack will want to dip his sandwich in barbecue sauce.

After lunch, I will put the two littlest down for naps in their beds. Violet will welcome the nap, Van, not so much. When I present him with the idea of a nap, he will yell at me and tell me he doesn't take naps anymore. But then, once I get him snug in his covers in bed, he will smile his big smile and curl up with his gee-gee (his blanket) and go to sleep.

While they nap, Jack will have quiet time. Most likely, he will make a train set and watch a movie. He also might work some more on his poster for his toothpaste stand he plans to construct. I am not completely sure how he is going to do it, but I do know that at Target today, he has asked that I buy 12 little tubes of toothpaste. Me? I will maybe take a nap. Or paint my nails. Or prep dinner. Or wrap Christmas presents. Or read a book. Currently, I am finishing up "A Christmas Carol" and it has proven to be delightful. Charles Dickens was a hell of a writer.

Once naps and quiet time have been completed, it will be snack time. Maybe popcorn? Or maybe polish off the last of the clementines? Not sure yet. Most likely, a big glass of milk will be in order for Van and Jack. They love milk.

The rest of the afternoon will be lots of toys, book, coloring, movies and probably fighting. And the fighting will most likely start with Van. He is a bit of an irritant. He will be spending some time in time out and will need lots of hugs as he cries and says, "Mom, I am having a hard time."

Dinner will be tacos, Mexican rice and guacamole. For the children, I have some boneless, skinless chicken thighs. BTW, don't ever make tacos with chicken breasts. It just isn't good. Try chicken thighs. I won't be having chicken, for I am cutting out lots of meat from my diet. I will be having red bell peppers, corn and zucchini. Oh I can't wait! When I told Ethan that was my dinner, he couldn't have looked more disgusted.

Speaking of Ethan, today the man has two events. Both Christmas parties for various businesses. He was out the door by 7:30am this morning. Bless him and his hard work ethic. Really, bless him.

After dinner is through and cleaned, all three will head upstairs and I will bathe and shower them. Violet will head straight to bed after that and we will all stand around her crib and say good night. She will clutch her bee-wee (her blanket), suck her thumb and go to sleep.

The boys will have some extra time before bed and they will probably color or play trains. If they are extra good, they might get some type of treat.

Today will be a good day. I can feel it. Productive, patient and fun. Please bless I am right.

Saturday Breakfast News Flash

2011-12-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

This is a breaking news update:

The best breakfast ever. Tart, sweet, crunchy, soft.

One whole grain waffle. I like the Bob's Red Mill Pancake and Waffle Mix in either 10 grain or 7 grain. The Buckwheat one is a little weird for me.
Peanut butter slathered on top.
Topped with half a green apple, very thinly sliced, peel on or removed.
A light sprinkling of cinnamon on top.

It is so delicious and good for you!

And that concludes this breaking news update.

High

2011-12-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

There are a few pinnacles in motherhood. The moments when you are filled with love for your job and your little people you care for. Moments like first smiles, messy spaghetti faces, clapping little hands, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", the first climb up the school bus steps. And things like the image above. Golly, it's things like that that make my mother heart explode. I can't seem to get enough of the high I get from it.

The real Christmas newsletter

2011-12-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

I could write the good version of the family recap like everyone else does, but instead, how 'bout I keep it real?

This year has been a goodie! We have all grown and learned and become better people.

Ethan's feet are still problematic. We like to call them his two failure or two disappointments. Because they have failed at their job of being feet, Ethan has contracted scoliosis. So that means lots of money handed over to the eager chiropractor. Ethan continues to be a stellar golfer. Stellar golfers require a lot of time on the course, so that can cause stellar fights between us. Good times.

Jack has had a banner year in comparison to kindergarten, which I would call a disaster. This year, he is learning to read and write really well. He really enjoys art too. We consider this year better than kindergarten because he has yet to draw a picture of our family with Ethan sporting a massive triumphant penis.

Van enjoys crying about everything for no particular reason. He has also gotten really good at screaming at a very high pitched frequency. When he does that, I spank him like it's a reflex. Kidding. Van also specializes in getting up in Violet's face at any available moment. She doesn't respond well to his tactics. She usually screams at him and hits him. They are best friends.

Violet FINALLY decided to walk. After lazing about for 18 months, she decided to get a little exercise and start moving. And boy could she use it. That caboose of her's was getting a little too rotund for my liking. Violet likes eating crackers and not a whole lot else. If the world's food supply was suddenly zapped away by aliens and all that was left were graham crackers, Violet would be the queen of the world.

As for me, I am still over weight with no good excuse for it. I like to make food for my family that they think is too healthy. I spend lots of time folding laundry after the kids go to bed and I work hard to run a tight ship. I spend a lot of time volunteering at the school so Jack is the teacher's subconscious favorite. And after a whole year, I finally learned to curl my hair right.

Merry Christmas and Happiest of New Years from the Ingram Family

At the moment

2011-12-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

SNOW! There is snow outside. Ethan looked at it and flipped it off in his mind. I pulled all the blinds up so we can watch it fall from the sky. Violet sat next to the glass door and rocked back and forth and hummed to herself as she watched the snow. Jack made plans to make giant snowballs at school with his friends during recess. Van cried because I wouldn't let him go outside in it in his pajamas. The general opinion around here is that snow is good.

Van is playing with Ethan's electric foot massager. In fact, Ethan woke up to Van ripped his sheets off and rubbing the foot massager all over his feet.

Violet is carrying my keys around the house and saying "bye bye!". She is also wearing a purple t-shirt dress and gray leggings. And she has her hair up in a side pony tail. She looks very Whitney ala 3rd grade.

Ethan is gearing up for another day of event catering. You people wouldn't believe how many engaged couples wait until the last minute to book a caterer. Like yesterday he booked a wedding reception for this Friday.

Since there is snow and I don't feel like battling it, we won't be going anywhere today. Today will be laundry folding, laundry washing, book reading, naps, dinner prepping and wheat grinding. Yes, wheat grinding. I borrowed my mom's fancy wheat grinder and we will be making whole wheat flour. The thing sounds like a jet engine and makes Violet cry when I turn it on.

Some of the Christmas tree lights are out. Thanks Violet. Maybe I should turn on the wheat grinder just for fun so we are even.

I really want to go up to Salt Lake to the Grand America Hotel and see the holiday windows and get fancy candy at their fancy candy store. Ideally, I would stay there with Ethan and eat at their fancy restaurant.

On Thursday is Jack's school Christmas Sing. He is quite excited. It's sort of a big deal. Does anyone know if he is supposed to wear his Sunday best like last year?

And excuse me, but these two are pretty cute.

Cupcakes

2011-12-10T20:30:00.000-08:00

What do you do when you have a great day? You blog about it so you don't forget it. So that is what I am here to do.

Today. Today was just great. The type of day I wish we could have everyday. But alas, life is real and so are responsibilities and we can't just have fun and food all the time.

We started the day by sleeping in until 8:30am. That is a BIG deal. This house is usually rockin' and rollin' by 7:00am. But not today! Why, 8:30am rolled around and where was I? Not in the kitchen cleaning up breakfast. I was in bed with my lover and we were just waking up. But no canoodling involved. Children were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

All were dressed and brushed and then we got in the car and drove to Kneaders for some of that magical syrup of theirs and their buttery cinnamon French toast. And instead of eating the whipped cream with a spoon, Violet dug her little paws into the cup and just ate it by the handful. BTW, Kneaders has some of the most amazing cute Christmas decor that I want to put all over my house.

Once breakfast was over, we went to Target to exchange some shirts for Jack (one superhero, one with marshmallows wearing sunglasses and sitting in a hot chocolate hot tub). While in the checkout line, our children were admiring the Zhu Zhu pets on clearance. An old woman saw then admiring and immediately told Ethan that he needed to buy them for our children RIGHT NOW. Our boys looked right at him, with their pleading eyes. He agreed, because he is a sucker. For agreeing to buy them, the old women kissed Ethan on the cheek three times and hugged him. WHAT? It was adorable, she was weird.

Once home, music was turned on loud and the Saturday jobs commenced. Ethan manned the vacuum, Jack the upstairs bathroom, Van the doorknobs and me the kitchen. All Violet did was laugh and scream at her Zhu Zhu pet. Not very helpful.

The rest of the afternoon was a mix of naps, Coke Zero, me beating Jack at basketball in the cul-de-sac, laundry and cupcakes. I felt like making cupcakes and I never feel like making cupcakes. Ethan determined I should do chocolate with peppermint frosting. They looked perfect. The trick is using the piping bag and piping tips from the restaurant supply store. They are HUGE and make for dramatic frosting. Want me to get you some? I will. Just lemme know. I am special. I get a discount at the restaurant supply store because my husband is a caterer.

The afternoon also included Ethan and the boys taking our old, broken Playstation into the road and throwing it around and breaking it. Why do boys do that? Why can't they just throw away a broken DVD player or cell phone. Why do they have to beat it up with a hammer or throw it in the air? Like the TV Van broke a while back? It's in our storage unit, waiting for when Ethan takes it to the desert and shoots the hell out of it with his gun. Why???

Dinner was delicious. Grilled pork chops seasoned with Spade L, steamed broccoli, herb rice pilaf and cupcakes for dessert. Violet has a new word. "Bucake". She eats her cupcake so daintily. Just little bites at a time. She doesn't make a big mess. I love having a little girl.

Dinner cleaned up, our people bathed and we were off to the Christmas lights at Thanksgiving Point. They weren't anything special, especially for the LONG line we waited in. But the children loved it and that is why we do things like that.

Now they are all asleep, snug in their bed with visions of cupcakes dancing in their heads. Gosh, it was nice to have a husband today. No events to prepare for, no phone calls to make. He was just all ours for the day and it was fantastic. When there are days that Ethan gets to be a dad to his children and doesn't have to work, I see him in his fatherly element and find him so attractive. Now we move onto next week and there are 5 events to prepare for and cater. So at least we got to enjoy him for the day!

A love letter to my mom

2011-12-07T14:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom,

Today my house was a disaster. Dishes piled in my tiny kitchen sink, clothes, papers, food and toys all over the floor in every room. My room had a mountain of clean laundry stacked at the end of my bed and my bathroom looked like a bathroom shared by 6 teenage boys that hadn't been cleaned in 2 months. There was mail all over the counter and garbage spilling out of the trashcan. It was just bad. After feeding my two little people lunch and putting them in their beds for naps, I looked around and decided to fix everything. So I made a list of what to do, put on my headphones and turned up my music and got busy. I mopped, vacuumed, straightened, repaired, dusted, folded, organized, wiped and shined my house in an hour and half. Now, all is well. It's clean and organized and tidy. The dishwasher is humming and so is the washing machine.

As I was cleaning my house, I thought of you. I thought of how I know how to do all this because of you. I know how to run a tight ship and how to teach my children to as well. I know how to make my home clean and comfortable and organized. And it's because of you that I know this. I know how to maintain all my hardwork. I know lots of people that can clean and such, but not many know how to keep it that way. I do. Because you showed me through example and through teaching. Thank you so much. Your skills were passed to me and I will pass them to my children.

I love you so much.

Love, Whitney

Vegetable

2011-12-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

If you husband owns a small catering company, discourage him from doing 3 events in one day. He will be so incredibly stressed out and want to curl up in a ball and cry. But he can't, for he has contracts and lots of dollars involved. So he will have to buck up and make it happen. Today is that day. I will be in charge of picking up like 1000+ desserts from a local bakery and delivering them to these events. And they are things like little key lime pies and chocolate mousse cups. They won't miss one or two of them, right? Maybe 10?

While Ethan is so busy and stressed, we are glad there is work to be had. We won't see a whole lot of him in the next few weeks, but he is doing his job as the hunter gatherer and for that, we are grateful.

Looking for a delicious meatless meal? Try vegetable cassoulet. Cassoulet is a rustic French stew made with white beans a topped with crunchy bread crumbs. I made it exactly as the recipe says and it was incredible. If you are wanting some meat with it, I would go with roasted chicken or kielbasa sausage. FYI, use vegetable stock instead of water and if you make half of the bread crumbs, that's plenty. Using a tip from Sandy Hanks, I froze the leftovers in meal-sized portions and I can defrost some delicious soup for my lunch sometime.

I want to follow more people I know on Instagram. Go find me and follow me. whitneyingram.

Just look at their perfect little faces.

2011-12-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

Taken at Laguna Beach.

http://www.amelialyon.net

t-bone

2011-12-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

I am on my computer because I need to look on KSL Classifieds for a new book case. We just broke ours while trying to move it so the Christmas tree can take it's place. Sad we broke it. Happy we have so many books that made it break.

This morning, I went upstairs to wake up Ethan who was snug in our bed. I rubbed his back and whispered in his ear that it is December 1st and he needs to wake up and get dressed because he is going to take us to buy a Christmas tree. He has been insistent upon waiting until December to get a tree. Lame. I have been ready since a week before Thanksgiving. But in my zeal, I got overly excited and demanded we get "the tallest tree we have ever had!" Well, it is too tall and we won't be having a star or anything of the like on top this year. I feel a little like Mr. Willowby. Do you know about Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree? One of my favorite Christmas books. Get it.

At the moment, I have a mess on my lunch plate. Potato and black bean enchiladas and some Mexican rice leftover from dinner last night and it's all dressed with some good salsa (Amy's Organic. Try it). Honestly, I don't know where the meat would fit in with this meal. With everything I stuffed in these enchiladas that makes this taste so good, there is no room for chicken or beef. People, I think I might be a vegetarian soon. And my children will be coming along with me while my husband sits on the side of the road and chews on a T-bone.

Meekly Weal Plan

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

More forays into less meat eating. We will have meat once this week- chicken saltimbocca. Otherwise, I am sticking to my guns and not cooking any meat. I am also using other people's recipes a lot. Usually, I just do my own thing, but for some reason, I am feeling like following someone else's ideas. Lots of link below.

Monday: Baked nachos with corn, black beans and green chiles. My children's favorite. I make a big pan of nachos and then set it on the table and everyone just goes at it like animals.

Tuesday: Sesame udon noodles with steamed broccoli. Going to add edamame to the noodles.

Wednesday: Potato and black bean enchiladas with Mexican rice. Gonna follow Sweet Pea's suggestion of spinach added in.

Thursday: Thai massaman curry with quinoa. No chicken in this but just potatoes, carrots and onions. I made this a few weeks ago and it vanished from Jack's bowl at a record breaking pace.

Friday: Chicken saltimbocca with lemon sauce and couscous. I am not going to use white wine like the recipe calls for- just all chicken stock. Generally, a good substitute for wine in recipes is stock. But if the amount is something as small as 2 tablespoons, like this recipe, just eliminate a substitute all together.

Saturday: Veggie pad thai. Currently hating myself for just throwing away my jar of tamarind paste last week. Off to the asian market I go. Southeast Market is my favorite asian market. It's in Salt Lake by Liberty Park. They have the best selection and prices. Like cans of curry paste for 50 cents and udon noodles for $1.

Sunday: Fettuccine with tomato cream sauce and braised kale. And dessert. Chocolate cream pie. A favorite of my two little boys.

Texting

2011-11-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, texting with Ethan went like this:

Me: Good luck tonight. I hope all goes smoothly. And btw, tomorrow, I will be leaving and going somewhere, anywhere, alone without children for a few hours. Without any screaming, tattling, whining, fighting children.

Ethan: That's cool. Who's babysitting though?

Me: Oh, that's hilarious.

I had had the children all to myself for 6 days and was able to get my fill. So to Target I will go today. I will be finishing up the stocking stuffers for my children and then after that, Christmas is pretty much done. Glory be! Christmas gifts have been showing up on my door step every other day. I got wise and found every free shipping and discount coupon around and got some great deal on everything for my children. The tricky part has been hiding the gifts. For now, I have everything in a big box in the garage and I laugh inside every time I see one of the boys walk right past it and not know what is inside. Christmas will be complete as soon as I finish writing the Christmas cards and order our family photo. Then, I can enjoy the month.

This morning was Saturday jobs. Van finishes his jobs, comes downstairs and says, "Okay, I am done with my jobs! Now what do I get?" And quick on the draw, I responded, "To be in our family." Service is the price you pay for the space you occupy, dear son.

Oh, Thanksgiving was grand, BTW. Even though Ethan was gone, my sisters and I had a great time. My BIL Jon wanted to make everything, which was fine by me. He is currently gearing up for the last of his classes at the Art Institute's culinary arts program (jealous) and he is a whiz bang of a chef. A beautiful, golden brined turkey, bourbon sweet potatoes topped with pecan granola, bacon brussel sprouts, mushroom, sausage and herb stuffing, gorgeous mashed potatoes and perfect (and I mean perfect) gravy. Luckily, there were plenty of leftovers so we got to have Thanksgiving again last night. Some families fight over the last piece of chocolate fudge cake or crispy bacon. Us? We fight over the last ladle of gravy. And last night was no exception. That gravy was superb.

Speaking of my BIL Jon, you should visit the restaurant he manages in South Jordan. Sweet Home Chicago Pizzeria at The District, right by the movie theater. Some of the best pizza around. My favorite is the veggie pizza. Tell him Whitney sent you and he will give you your meal for free. But not really.

Two lists

2011-11-22T19:42:00.000-08:00

A first. We met another Van. We have never met another Van. Until today. He was probably 5 years old and his mother and I talked about how cool we are for using such an old name. And that we don't spell it weird. I will admit that once, when asked for the 50th time how I spell Van's name, I responded with, "Vhanne". But I only did that once.

We met the other Van at the library, which we sufficiently inflicted our noise on. But once home, there was silence. Happy is the home that has a new load of 30+ library books, for it is exceedingly quiet. While I prepped dinner, all three were reading. Ahhhhhhh. Speaking of dinner, I made my children's favorite. Paula Deen's barbecue meat loaf. I have made it dozens of times and it never gets old. It's what Jack's requests on birthdays and such. My changes are as follows:

I use 2 pounds of ground beef. BTW, Draper Harmon's has local grass-fed beef right now from a ranch in Springville. We have used it a few times and it has such great beefy flavor. I highly recommend it.
I only use half an onion and I saute it in olive oil before adding it to the mix.
I cook it for 10-15 minutes extra to get to the right internal temp.

With the meat loaf, we also had steamed cauliflower and Violet was a big fan. Who knew she would like cauliflower so much?

I just finished "Brother and Sisters" last night. Seasons 4 and 5 were.... eh.... okay. It seemed that the writing got a little lazy after the third season. But I did enjoy the huge drama of Michelle lying about the miscarriage and keeping the baby! SHOCKER! Overall, it was a good show to fold laundry too. Any suggestions for the next show I should get into? My criteria goes as follows:

It has to be streaming on Netflix.
It can't be slutty. Like no "Gossip Girl".
I hate shows with lots of cheating. I just tried the first episode of "Mad Men" and was totally turned off by all the infidelity in just the first episode. Blah.
It can't be one of those 20 minute comedies like "Parks and Rec" or "The Office". I can't watch those without Ethan. I feel like if I am laughing that hard and he isn't here to laugh with me, I am basically cheating on him.

So knowing my criteria, I would love some show suggestions. I need to watch something while I fold the everlasting hills of laundry I have.

The Santa Debate

2011-11-19T21:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas is approaching. I am dying to decorate my house. My house looks it's best when the halls are decked. Almost all of my Christmas shopping for my children is done. I love the Christmas music in the house and car. I can't wait for a Christmas tree to shine in my living room. This year, we are getting a flocked tree and we haven't had a flocked tree in 4 years. (Myth: flocked trees are messier than regular trees. That is false. So false. The flocking actually holds the pine needles on.)

While I love this time of year, I feel so confused and conflicted. The whole Santa thing is hard for me. Flat-out lying to my children.

Since Jack has been a little boy, he has been mystified by how I can know what he is doing when I am not looking at him. You know, the whole thing how a mom has eyes behind her head. Whenever I would tell him to stop doing something and I wasn't looking at him, he would demand how I knew he was up to no good. Eventually, my response was "I have magic eyes." Over the years, he truly started to believe it. He would refer to my "magic eyes" all the time and how much he hated them because he would get caught being naughty. As parents, Ethan and I thought it was so funny to watch him fall for it. We thought it was adorable.

One night, about a year ago, Jack and I were ending a day where we had been on edge with each other endlessly. Out of no where, he looks at me and says, "Mom, are your magic eyes real or not?" I was about to give him my usual lie and say yes, but I decided to be straight up. "No son, they aren't real." His face turned to shock. Pure disappointment. He cried big fat tears, really sad ones. Through his tears, he asked, "Mom! Why would you lie to me? Why?" I felt horrible. I am his trusted parent and friend and I had betrayed his trust. Most people would tell me that it doesn't matter, he is a child. But he is a person. A person I love so much. And the truth is, I did lie to him. I had lied to him for years. I was taking advantage of his naivety for my own entertainment. Watching his reaction was too much to bear. I held him and we both cried. I apologized over and over again. What a parenting moment that was! Oh the things I learned!

I have thought a lot about this experience over the last year. It has taught me a lot about Jack. He doesn't like being duped. It hurts him badly when he finds out he has been tricked. You would think that a child with such a vast imagination would be on board with any fantasy. But I have found that he would like the reigns when things are being made up. At some point, he will want me to address the Santa issue and I know it will be sometime in the next month. I am still formulating my answer, but I do plan on telling him the truth. I can't lie to his face. I am not exactly sure how I am going to say it, but I am going to do it in a sensitive manner.

After watching Jack's reaction to my lying to him about magic eyes, I have realized I need to phase out a lot of Santa Clause in our Christmas. No letters to him or visits to the mall imposter. Do I allow letters to Santa? Of course. But I don't initiate it. We don't read "The Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve. We read Luke 2 instead. Santa still leaves gifts in stockings and one big gift. I feel like there will still be enough Christmas left once he knows the truth.

What does your family do to focus on the birth of Jesus during the holiday season? Have you had to address the truth about Santa Clause with any of your children? I need pointers.

At the moment

2011-11-17T17:23:00.000-08:00

Floors are cleaned up and vacuumed, the two littles are bathed, homework is done, dinner is doing it's thing and it's only 6pm. Sometimes, I am on my A-game. Sometimes not.

Jack said, "Remember when you had your hair in a bun the other day and then you have it long and pretty today? I only like your hair long and pretty." How is it that he even has a preference?

Jack's school class write each other letters to practice writing. He has had some really great ones come home in his backpack. Todays said, "Dear Jack, You are Jack."

Violet is doing that thing 18 month old babies do. They follow you around and hold their arms up, wanting to be picked up. You pick them up and then they lunge themselves toward the floor, wanting you to put them down. You grant their wish and then they just want to be picked up again so they can do it all over again. WHY DO THEY DO THIS??? A sippy cup of warm skim milk solved the problem.

Jack and Van are drawing pictures to send to Grandma Ingram in California. They owe her. She sent them an amazing Halloween box. Cool, creepy candy, homesewn Halloween pillow cases, Halloween flashlights. She always does it up right.

I am making lists and plans for Thanksgiving Week. In a bittersweet blessing, Ethan has been summoned to Southern California to cater Thanksgiving dinner for some clients. And their bundles of money were too enticing to turn down the job. So it will be and my littles all week and I am trying really hard to have a good attitude about it. I have been putting together ideas of things for us to do while Jack is out of school for the holiday break to keep us busy.

I have a new niece as of yesterday. She isn't quite named yet, but she is safe and sound and healthy. Moving away from Southern California a few years ago was hard but the hard things have faded as time has gone on. One hard thing that has remained and I doubt will ever go away is how much it kills me to not be around when my sisters in-law have new babies. I wish I was there to help with meals and their children. I wish I was there to visit them in the hospital and hold their new babies. It seems to get harder each time a new little one joins the family. If I think about it long enough, I get emotional.

Tonight after I put my people to bed, I am going to mess up my kitchen a lot. Food shoot tomorrow and I am doing all my food prep tonight. And I am kind of excited to cook in silence.

Mallory Robin Bouquet Sale

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

I have 5 sisters. I am number 2. 6 girls in my family and no boys. Growing up, that aspect of my family was always a sense of pride for me. "How many kids are in your family?" "6 girls, no boys." I have maybe said that 1,000 times in my life.

All of us girls are very different. If we could combine all of our diverse, wonderful qualities, we could easily create the perfect woman, both in personality and appearance. Today I get to brag about one of my sisters. Sister number five. Mallory.

I stole these images from Ashley Thalman's website. I hope she doesn't get mad at me.
But remember Ash, I did give you that artichoke recipe pre-cookbook release. Just sayin'.

Mallory is an absolute babe. She is the tallest of all of us and slender with perfect curves. She has perfect skin and hair down to the middle of her back. She has always had impeccable style in both decor and clothing. She has always been way too cool for everyone around her. If you met her, you wouldn't believe that she is my sister.

What makes Mallory unique and cool is that she is a real-live artist. Like with a studio covered in paint splatters, colorful tubes of oil paint and long fancy brushes. Most of her pieces are enormous. Like the canvas can't fit in her car. The walls of her studio are covered in magazine clippings, cool fabric patterns, handmade stencils and photographs. Her studio is really an extension of her personality. In fact, when her husband Nick walked into her studio for the first time when they were dating, it took his breath away. In that moment, he fell hard for Mal.

A few years ago, Mallory stopped working and decided to make painting her full time job. And once she made that decision, she dove in whole-heartedly. Soon after, she finally put up a website so more people could see her art and purchase their favorites. One of her most popular series is her florals. Bright colors, abstract shapes and creative arrangements. It's these paintings that I often find myself scrolling through on her website.

Today and hopefully the next few Thursdays, Mallory will have a bouquet sale. All her floral paintings 20% off. This is a great chance to buy some real art. Not some cliche print from Ikea or Target. A real oil painting with texture and shape and vibrant color. Something that can be a centerpiece and not a wall cover. If anything, you now know my sister's website and you can just enjoy all the eye candy.

Click HERE to go to Mal's website. Under paintings, click on "Flowers". Find the one you like and then fill out a contact form to ask Mallory if your favorite print is still available.

ROAST RECIPE!

2011-11-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

Sundays consist of organization and planning. More that than actual spiritual enlightenment at this point in my life. That's why personal home scripture and gospel study is so essential when you have kids. We do church to create patterns and habits for our children. And if I get a change to feel the Spirit, it's a winner day. Today was both. Between the little girl ripping her hair bow out and the bags of pretzels and peanuts, I got sit in on a lesson on the gathering of Israel that was superbly given by the RS teacher. Truly, she did an amazing job.

After church, we drove home in Ethan's new truck and once in the driveway, I sat in the car for a few moments, relaxing in the large, cushy passenger seat, gearing up for the moment when everyone needs to barrel inside and be stripped of their Sunday duds and they need food.

Well, I actually had Ethan do that part. I got busy getting a chocolate cake in the oven and getting my beautiful Sunday roast on the heat. Sundays are the day I get to really cook. When Ethan is home and he can take care of all juvenile needs and let me do my thing in the kitchen. I made a great chocolate cake (Auntie Shar's recipe) and it was served with some vanilla ice cream made earlier in the week. Dinner was a success. I threw together a recipe for pot roast and Ethan said it was the best meal I had ever made. I will write it out and post it on here. Because I am feeling nice.

After dinner, I was on dish duty whilst Ethan was on children cleaning duty. Once all bathed, Violet decided she had definitely had enough of the day and she screamed like Satan's little helper until she was given a sippy cup and put into her bed. The boys watched "Mars Needs Moms" and then were tucked tightly into their beds.

It was a great day. It was great because we all jived. No huge fights or disagreements. There was team work with Ethan and I and good food. Days like this are nice and few. But still nice.

HAPPY SUNDAY POT ROAST WITH ROOT VEGGIES
Kosher salt and pepper
Flour
2-3 pound beef chuck roast
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
3 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
1 rutabaga, peeled and chopped
2 cups beef stock

Set oven to 325 degrees.

Season the roast with salt and pepper. Sprinkle on flour and rub it all over the roast, pressing it into the meat. In a large cast iron dutch oven over medium high heat, add olive oil. Once oil is very hot, add roast and brown on all sides. Remove roast from pan and set aside. Remove the pan from the heat to cool off a bit. Add pan back onto the heat and add the onion and rosemary. Saute until the onion is softened, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for an additional minute. Push all the onion to the sides of the pan and add the roast back in. Add all the vegetables and the beef stock. Cover and braise in the oven for 2 hours. Remove roast from the pan and slice and serve with the veggies.

With the pan you use, I would prefer you use a cast iron enameled dutch oven. Those are ideal for even heat distribution and a perfect seal on the lid. If you don't have one of those, get yourself to TJ Maxx or Marshalls and look for one there. They have those on sale often. My newest one is 7 quarts and was $75. For a roast like this, don't use anything smaller than 6.75 quarts. As for what brand, any will do. I have a real Le Creuset one, a Sam's Club one and a Cuisinart one and really, I can say they all do the same thing the same way. If you don't have a cast iron dutch oven, you could brown the meat and onions etc in a skillet and then add everything to a roast pan and cover it very tightly with foil and that will work fine. BTW, chances are, you won't have any pan juices left because the potatoes absorb them all.

At the moment

2011-11-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

At the moment:

Jack playing in the neighbor's backyard while she fertilizes her lawn. Or something.

Milk chocolate peanut butter pretzel bar. My emotional fuel.

Van's toy set up on the floor. An army boat, a tow truck and a sand pail, all hooked together with a bungee cord. I dunno.

Soup simmering. Salad chilling. Bowls and plates set out on the counter.

Ethan and Van at the storage unit putting away equipment from last night's event. Which was a total success, as usual.

Jason Mraz "Live High".

Violet and her curly curls snoozing in her cozy crib.

Car loaded with supplies for the ward craft night. I am in charge of making some cool bracelets. This and this. Turns out that finding 260 hex nuts is a bit of a big deal. Caitlyn and I ended up going to some hardware warehouse and the guy asked me what in the hell I would need 260 hex nuts for. In that moment, I realized that telling him they were for bracelets would make me sound like a complete idiot. I tried to quickly think of a reasonable lie, but failed. So I told him it was for a church craft night making bracelets. He looked at me like I thought he would. "Really lady?"

Jack's spelling test is on the kitchen table. 100% baby! That's my boy! Also on the table are crumbs from a pumpkin sugar cookie from Kneaders. The best part of having a husband that is self-employed is being able to let him sleep in after a late late night and then waking him up to tell him he is taking me and my children to lunch. A delightful lunch of a veggie sandwich and chocolate cupcake.

Nothing special going on for 11/11/11. Barely realized it happened.

BTW, my family totally copies me and posts their own "At the moment" posts. It should be known that I AM THE ORIGINAL! They are all freaking copy cats.

But I do invite you to do your own.

2day

2011-11-09T22:30:00.000-08:00

Today:

Today, Jack came home from school with a cough and an overall under-the-weather feeling. He promptly turned on "Singin' in the Rain", lounged on the couch and didn't move. Well, he moved, but that was just to take a shower and then turn on "Oklahoma".

Tonight, we devoured too many artichokes. And bulgur. And that will mean terrible things for Violet's diaper tomorrow. That much fiber fixes her lickety split!

Today, Van had gymnastics. He was given a sticker at the end. Which Violet ate later on.

Today, Violet was a walking machine. Just strolling around the house. In the last few days, she has gotten remarkably better at her balance. It is very surreal to me. One day I had a developmentally-delayed bum-scooting baby girl and the next day, I had a walking one.

Today, Ethan shopped for an event and got all prepped. I am so bummed I forgot to tell him to pick up more Coke Zero at Costco. Did I tell you Ethan got a new truck? He did. It was time. Rockwell Catering was in need of some better transportation and a lower vehicle rental bill.

Tonight, I put the kids to bed, cleaned up and then made a big fat mess in the kitchen. Caramel pecan shortbread, pineapple sorbet with strawberry coconut sauce and vanilla ice cream base. It felt good to break away from my usual evening activity of folding laundry and watching "Brothers and Sisters".

Today, the laundry didn't get folded. All 3 loads are the opposite of folded right now.

2011-11-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

Together

2011-11-07T20:00:00.001-08:00

Ethan returned home last night from being in California for a couple of days. They were pretty horrible at the end seeing as Van decided to turn on the Terrible to full power. Once Ethan was home, he was everyone's favorite family member.

This morning, the children sat on our bed waiting for Ethan to get dressed so they could all sit at his feet (as screwed up as they are) and worship him. It was a jolly time, as Ethan held court and each child vied for his affection and adoration. Joke telling, trick showing and impressive farting impersonations. And then Violet stole all of his attention. At this moment in time, she decided to walk. Slow and shakey, yet determined. We all were amazed. She would take a few steps, teeter, take a few more steps and then fall on her bum. Then she would get back up and try it again. Over and over. For over an hour. We cheered, clapped and video-taped. Jack wrote me a love note for giving birth to her (Dere Mom and Vilite, I love that you had Vilite becase Vitlite is walking.) and Van kept hugging me and Ethan simultaneously. For the rest of the day, Violet spent her time walking all around the house pushing her baby stroller. It is very surreal for me. I have pictured her doing that so many times and then here she is. Her blond curls held out of her pretty face with a green bow, shakey strolling around the house.

The biggest deal with all of this for me isn't that she walked. It's that God answered my prayers in the hugest way possible. This moment could have happened while Ethan was out of town or while Jack was at school. But it didn't. It happened in a rare moment where I had planned on letting Jack be late to school and Ethan didn't have to rush out the door to a work appointment. Together, as a family, we got to see something amazing. I had spent many many moments praying out loud and in my heart that Violet would walk soon and ease my fears of her delayed development. But never did I pray that we would all see it together. People, God loves my family. I know it now more than ever.

Meekly Weal Plan

2011-11-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

MONDAY!
Grilled pork chops and grilled asparagus and perfect mashed potatoes. Ethan was hankering for a meat and potatoes meal. He has been longing for a big piece of meat on his plate. So I obliged. And it was great. Harmon's had some beautiful pork chops. How to make perfect mashed potatoes? Buy a potato ricer. and look it up because I am too lazy to link up right now.

TUESDAY!
Veggie and shrimp stir-fry with quinoa. Quinoa is a winner around here. All people enjoy. Veggies in the fry will be broccoli, carrots and cauliflower.

WEDNESDAY!
Baked potatoes and roasted broccoli. I bought these giant russet potatoes big enough for a, well, giant. Toppings will be butter, salt and pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream (barf), green onions and bacon for those who bitch about not having enough meat in their diet (Ethan).

THURSDAY!
Baked artichokes with lemon garlic mayo and bulgur pilaf with red peppers and almonds. This menu appeared a few weeks ago and was a winner with the fam. So I am doing it again.

FRIDAY!
Black bean and ham bone soup and Caesar salad. This was supposed to be last week. But Ethan requested it be postponed until he was home to enjoy it. Like I said, ham bone soup is the best in the land.

SATURDAY!
LEFTOVERS!

SUNDAY!
Pot roast with root veggies and gravy. I have potatoes, carrots, parsnips and rutabagas. A fall veg festival. I am also going to make a chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. I have a plethora of half and half and cream and eggs. Lucky me. It's ice cream time.

Hours

2011-11-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is me with my Jack and Van back in July when we were in California. Amelia took our pictures and I just got the images today. And I can't stop looking at them. I have such beautiful blue-eyed blondie babies. And I have a handsome, fun husband. I don't know if I could be more grateful and content.

This week, I have clocked in over 4 hours in Jack's classroom helping with testing for the report cards next week. I was in charge of time-telling, shapes and sight word writing. And I enjoyed it so much. I loved watching the kid's little brains work as I asked them questions. They all seem so fresh and innocent. Life has yet to take it's toll on them. They were all so adorable.

Today Van decided to:
1. Clog the bathtub with toilet paper.
2. Throw a big fat rock at Jack's friends head.
3. Generously sprinkle cookie crumbs all over my freshly shampooed carpet.
4. Tell me the food I make is terrible.
5. Tell me we are "a lot best friends".

Help me remember #5 and not the rest.

Meekly Weal Plan

2011-11-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

So you are wondering how our almost-vegetarian week went. It went well, except for my husband hassling me about it a lot. Just because a potato soup doesn't have bacon in it doesn't mean it doesn't taste amazing. My children loved the tortilla and black bean pie. It was a big big hit. I highly recommend it for you and yours.

This week, we have a few appearances of meat. To cut out meat for our other meals, I won't be buying any breakfast bacon or lunch time deli meats. Ever tried an avocado tomato sandwich? Delicious! You will not miss the meat.

Tuesday: Chicken chile verde enchilada bake and Mexican rice.

Wednesday: Refried beans and Mexican rice leftover from Tuesday with cheese quesadillas.

Thursday: Spaghetti with roasted vegetable tomato sauce and baked garlic bread.

Friday: Thai massaman curry with quinoa. Using THIS recipe, but substituting the yellow curry paste for massaman curry paste because that is what I have. I am also using carrots instead of baby corn because baby corn is creepy. And then using quinoa instead of rice. Good way to get my littles to eat their grains. If it snows like it is supposed to on Friday, this will be the perfect warm bowl of heaven to have for dinner.

Saturday: Black bean and ham bone soup and romaine salad. Ethan had a holiday food tasting and had most of the ham and the bone leftover. YIPEE! It went into the freezer until I was ready to use it. And I am now. Soup made with a ham bone is so much better than any soup made without it. ANY SOUP.

Sunday: Sunday dinner at my parent's. I am making chili. Two kinds. My usual beef and bean chili and then a vegetarian one. Other accompaniments are green salad and fry bread.

This week, I am also working on some frozen dessert recipes for my cookbook. A berry ice cream and a tropical sorbet. Should be fun.

At the moment

2011-10-31T14:46:00.001-07:00

I am way too busy with Halloween preparations to even think about blogging.

Happy Halloweeny.

BAM!

2011-10-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

We beat the dang system with my car registration. Short version of why it was an issue to register my car.
-car has overdue registration by like 6 months. Dodge a lot of cops.
-check engine light on
-won't turn off no matter the tricks I try.
-diagnostic test states I need to spend over $1200 to get my car register-worthy.
-find out repairs don't effect actual performance of said car.
-"know a guy" who says a different county doesn't require emissions inspections for registering cars.
-with a few tricky tricks, register the car in another county.

BAM! Stick it to the man! You don't have any idea how good this all feels. So good... Makes me want to drive in front of cops all day long.

Today:
-Thai red curry carrot soup made for a church activity.
-Not going to church activity. Opted to babysit my mini niece instead.
-Tomato and avocado sandwiches with my mom.
-Violet playing with the duck pond game endlessly.
-Tortilla and black bean pie for dinner.
-Enjoying the new cute snow boots my mom sent me in the mail. CUTE I TELL YOU!!!
-My mom's dogs came over and cleaned my floor.
-Continue to be disappointed by the quality of the produce at Macey's. Rotten onions, molded strawberries, limp lettuce. Boo. The Draper Harmon's will always have my heart.

Meekly Weal Plan and my opinions all over the place

2011-10-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

This week is an experiment in vegetarian eating, except for 1 day. And I am hoping Ethan doesn't read this blog post until the week is over. He isn't anti-vegetarian, he is just pro-meat. And I cut him some slack because as a caterer, every meal must be complete in the way the rest of the world thinks. Protein, veg and starch. Bless his heart, he has a hard time when that isn't the case at home. My children do just fine when I don't cook meat. They don't mention it missing. I would say on average, we eat 3 meatless meals a week. But this time, I am going for 6. And I don't think it will be a problem, especially because my grocery bill will be cut by a lot because I won't be putting much meat in the cart.

One might ask why I don't like us eating too much meat. Here are my reasons: (BTW, this part might get long. Skip ahead if you wish.)

1. Meat costs a lot. And good quality meat costs even more. The sad fact is that the more expensive chicken has such better flavor. I like better flavor, less often if that is the way it has to be. And think about ground beef. What if you don't have ground beef for a week or two and then have a big flank steak marinated and grilled? Worth the wait? Yes!

2. The food system us American's have created is incredibly screwed up. The way food is produced and distributed is unhealthy. The way American's think a meal isn't a meal without meat is unhealthy. One of the most important things for me to implement in my children is eating habits that will keep them healthy all through their lives. And I think one of the ways to do that is by having them see that a meal doesn't need meat all the time. I want them to be familiar with vegetables and whole grains. I have three friends that are brothers and sisters and they share morbid obesity, early stages of diabetes and high blood pressure and all at a young age. I know the way they grew up and none of them were ever taught how to eat and what food is for. I would rather my children not have to experience a huge lifestyle change to avoid these terrible conditions.

While I find healthy food choices important for my children, I also think diversity is terribly important too. I don't want them to scoff at a quality medium rare ribeye or crispy fried chicken. I want to keep their minds open to the food available to us, but also be very aware that we are what we eat. And with that in mind, am I a prime ribeye once a month or a giant hormone-grown chicken breast everyday?

Monday: Sweet Pea's Meatless Monday Challenge Baked Penne and braised kale

Tuesday: STEAK AND CAKE! Prime rib by Ethan, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and green beans by me and cake by Kalli. (One would think I am obsessed with Kalli because she seems to be the only friend I mention on this blog. Either that or I have no friends. Maybe both.)

Wednesday: Baked artichokes with lemon garlic mayo and bulgur pilaf with almonds and red peppers

Thursday: Tortilla and black bean pie and Mexican rice.

Friday: Potato leek soup and rolls from Lehi Country Bakery (the best) and pumpkin pie (for good reason. It's the 28th of October. More on that later.)

Saturday: Lemon and thyme pasta and steamed broccoli. And BTW, whole wheat pasta is an abomination. Just thought I would let you know.

Sunday: Ethan is in charge. Probably meat and potatoes.

Monday: Slow-cooker tortilla soup. Using this recipe for the first time, omitting the chicken. And probably cornbread or something to go along with it.

Does your family have any certain vegetarian dishes they love? Anything incorporating whole grains? I would love to know what they are. Please share.

BTW, the recipes underlined are cookbook recipes. And they are great. Just so you know.

Dear

2011-10-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

Dear My Kids, Stickers are for paper, not furniture.

Dear Jack, If you won't stop bugging your brother at bedtime, I will throw away your tube of fake blood.

Dear Ethan, I love being in the kitchen and cooking with you. We need to do one of those put-the-kids-to-bed-and-cook-dinner-for-ourselves things again soon.

Dear CD Collection, It is time. We need to break up. First, I am going to download all 200+ of you to my iTunes and then throw you away. Peace out.

Dear Little Red, Good news! I think we are going to have a few more miles together! I actually have mixed feelings about this. I was kind of getting used to the idea of saying goodbye, but I also know that if I sold you or left you for dead at a dealership, you would flip me off as I looked in the rearview mirror of a newer car.

Dear Essie Nail Polish in Wicked, We make each other look good.

Dear "Brothers and Sisters", Kitty's cancer is heartbreaking. Makes me cry. Please do not let me have cancer. If I had to lose my hair, I wouldn't survive. My hair is my best asset.

Dear Front Porch Pumpkins, Sorry that Ethan brought home those two giant pumpkins. I am sure they make you feel insignificant. You aren't. Can't wait to carve all of you next week.

Dear Waffles From Breakfast, You are the best I ever made. I think it's because I used oil instead of butter in the batter.

Meekly Weal Plan

2011-10-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Kalli suggested that more people post meal plans and add links if possible and then we all get great ideas. Honestly, I don't know how people can efficiently run their household and feed their families nutritiously without a meal plan. Maybe you do and you are good on the fly. Me? Not at all.

Tuesday: Oven-fried chicken and rotini pasta salad with red wine vinaigrette and summer veggies.

Wednesday: Black beans and rice and some steamed broccoli

Thursday: Grilled cheese and baked potato wedges. (food for the road while we are on our way to Grandma Sue's Spooky Halloween Party)

Friday: Sweet Pea's slow-cooker chicken taco soup (You can replace the beer for chicken stock if you don't drink or keep beer in your fridge) and some cornbread muffins.

Saturday: Sourdough pizzas. Happiest, easiest dinner. Get some good sourdough bread (like from Kneaders) and then pizza sauce, shredded cheese and pepperoni. Everyone makes their own pizzas and makes a big mess and has a grand time. Tip: Line the baking sheet with foil and then you can write on it to know who's pizza is who's and it's easy clean up.

Sunday: Creamy chicken and rice soup- again. Ethan felt like he didn't get his fill when I made it last Sunday. This soup is his favorite meal I make. And I use it to woo him. With this, I might try my hand at my mom's delicious, pillowy whole wheat dinner rolls.

Monday: Refried beans and rice and chicken quesadillas. I put the whole grocery store staff in a tizzy when I asked for lard and they didn't know where it was. It isn't often enough that I ask for an ingredient that they can't find or don't know what it is. So when that does happen, I smile inside. They ended up special ordering it for me, so back to the store I shall go.

My people.

2011-10-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Van Ethan Ingram. 3 years old. Newly toilet trained. Very particular about his privacy when it comes to that. Specializes in tormenting, loving and adoring Violet, all at the same time. Giggling and wrestling partner with Jack. Just starting to do more things out of his comfort zone, like going to the kid's play place at Ikea. Likes to lay in bed with Daddy and watch "Wipe Out" on Daddy's iPad, calls it "vijoes." Pretty terrible eater. Often tells me that we are best friends. "Mom, we awe fwends."

Jack Rockwell Ingram. 6 1/2 years old. Looks best with a shaved head. Wants to buy every piece of Shawn White clothing at Target. Excels at doing chores and organizing. Dare devil on his bike. Much improved handwriting and reading since 1st grade started. And behavior has improved a lot as well. Secretly loves cuddling his mother. Openly loves old musicals. Prefers chocolate over candy. Loves getting dressed up for church in his suit and looking handsome.

Violet Caroline Ingram. 17 months. Screams really loud when she is especially happy. Wears holes in the bum of her leggings because she scoots. Blond ringlet curls for hair. Is her Daddy's one year old girlfriend. Takes marathon 4 hour afternoon naps. Competent thumb-sucker. Likes to lounge on the couch and watch "Baby Einstein". Demands her bah-bahs get warmed up in the microwave- for precisely 30 seconds.

At the moment

2011-10-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

Billy Currington is playing on my iTunes and I am hating it. Hold on while I change it. There- done. Next best down the list of "Bs" was Bob Marley.

Van is supposed to be taking a nap and he is upstairs messing up his room. I am not in the mood to give him a beating.

My sister Haley made me buy Violet a baby stroller to help her walk. But all Violet does is push it while she bum scoots. We have some work to do.

Today I met Dale Murphy at Home Depot. He is a retired Braves baseball player. Ethan was so jealous.

Last night I had my pregnant sister take a pregnancy test for me and then today I showed it to Ethan and said I was pregnant. He was frantic. It was pretty cool. And he wasn't even that mad at me for playing the prank of all pranks on him.

Vanilla cupcakes are in the oven. Tonight is dessert and pumpkins at Beesley Farm. And a tractor ride. Van is unable to focus on anything today because he knows he gets to ride on a tractor tonight. That's probably why he isn't asleep right now.

I have been thinking a lot about the pastor/preacher/priest or whatever he is saying Mormonism is a cult and that I am not a Christian. Mormons have been getting lots of press these days. Our numbers are constantly growing and now we have people like Mitt and Huntsman in the spotlight. Someone publicly insults a group of people or an individual when they feel threatened. And this guy went all out by insulting a group of 14 million people. And it wasn't just insulting them about their favorite color or their hair in middle school- he attacked the way they raise their families, spend their time and live their lives. Pretty low. But you know what, because I love Jesus Christ and have learned from him how to be, I forgive this guy. Christ taught to turn the other cheek. So pastor/preacher/priest, you aren't perfect and because of that, I forgive you and your choice of words.

Movies of recent- reviewed

2011-10-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

"Moneyball"
Enjoyed it. I liked Brad Pitt and how well he developed the character. All the little habits and rituals. He really gave his role life. I liked how easy going the movie was. Very reminiscent of an actual baseball game.

"50/50"
Enjoyed it. Makes light of cancer, but also touches on the serious parts. A good balance. Acting by that one kid from "10 Things I Hate About You" was really excellent. Really. I wanted to punch Bryce Dallas Howard in the face. Two movies now where I want to kill her. Oh and there was loads of language I don't use.

"Ides of March"
Snoozefest. That's all.

At the moment

2011-10-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

The house is quiet. I only hear the tapping of my keyboard and the hum of the baby monitor. Love being in a quiet house before everyone gets up.

The fridge is a disorganized mess and today I will be tackling that.

Ethan is asleep. I always let him sleep in the mornings. Always have.

Trying to think of what to pack Jack for lunch. Probably leftover mexican rice (BTW, I finally nailed down the perfect recipe for good good Mexican rice) and some apples and carrots.

Contemplating the day. Volunteering in Jack's classroom, Van swimming lessons, grocery list and weekly menu planning, recipe writing, possible rain, find renters insurance.

Grateful for my warm house. I love my house. I will live here as long as possible. Cozy, not too big, open floor plan, great neighborhood. We were sure watched over when we found this house.

At the moment

2011-10-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Van, Jack and Ethan are beating the hell out of each other with fly swatters. From their noises, it's barrels of fun.

Violet is asleep. Her and her bad attitude are asleep.

Tyrone Wells is on. We saw him once at the House of Blues on Sunset in Hollywood. He was so good live.

Dinner is cleaned up and the house is clean. If I wake up to a dirty house, I wake up with a bad attitude.

My hair smells like salon hair. My sister hair stylist Caitlyn convinced me to start using good shampoo on my hair and it has made the difference she promised it would. It's called Moroccan Oil. I highly recommend it. BTW, if you are looking for a hair stylist who's strengths are BOTH cut and color, my sister is your girl. I wouldn't recommend her if I didn't think she was good. Because then if you hair sucked, you would blame me. Click here for her info.

Jack's school teacher's wedding announcement is on our fridge. She is getting married next month and because she has had so many little kids ask if they were invited to her reception in Washington DC, she decided to have a little wedding reception at the school for her students. Yes, his teacher is that cool. Jack had parent teacher conference last night and what a good, smart boy I have. He is doing really great in school. One of the things that helped the most with his schooling is doing work over the summer. He is right on track because we worked on math, reading and writing all summer. I hear a lot of people say that summer is just for fun and no school. I beg to differ. It took me about the entire duration of Jack's kindergarten year to grasp the fact that I have to being very involved with Jack's schooling. Once I got that, he has excelled.

If

2011-10-04T19:48:00.000-07:00

If you were my neighbor, this morning, you would see Van in my front yard remove his unders, remove the poop in it and throw it on the lawn. I thought I was going to die. That boy, he is just plain trouble.

If I cut my right thumb knuckle on some type of kitchen tool one more time, I could be convinced to just amputate the whole thing.

If I wouldn't have put so much ginger in my teriyaki turkey burgers tonight, they would have been perfect. And if I eliminate the jalapeno mayo all together, it will be even better.

If Violet keeps up with practicing standing up on her own, she will be walking so soon. She will situate herself in the middle of room and then very precariously stand up. And once she is up, she claps and says, "YEAH!!!"

If I can convince her, Kalli is going to a movie with me tonight. I need popcorn, candy and soda so bad.

If that little Lunchables-toting 1st grade girl makes fun of Jack's homemade turkey sandwich one more time, I will be going to the school to eat lunch with Jack and bring some type of amazing, enviable lunch and make sure I look like a really pretty mom.

This Week's Menu

2011-10-03T22:44:00.000-07:00

Mostly, when I say, write or hear the word "menu", I think of Fronk on "Father of the Bride" saying "mon-you".

Tuesday:

Turkey teriyaki sliders with jalapeno mayo and corn on the cob

Wednesday:

Braciole and Caesar salad

Thursday:

Corn chowder and buttermilk biscuits

Friday:

Ethan's macaroni and cheese and steamed broccoli

Saturday:

Chicken tacos with refried beans and rice

Sunday:

Bacon lasagna and whatever green veg is looking good at the grocery store

Rediscovered

2011-10-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

Fall can come now. I pulled out our Halloween box and distributed colors and symbols of fall throughout the house. I also uncovered our Halloween CD and "Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin". So as I made pizza for dinner, we shook it to "Thriller" and "Flying Purple People Eater" and after baths, the boys watched "Charlie Brown". I am certain that we will watch that movie everyday until Halloween. Every holiday, I have such great ideas on how to make the most out of it and enjoy it. But so much of them never come to fruition. But this time, I swear they will. I am going to make a list in my trusty notebook so I don't forget anything.

General Conference was today and I feel old. I feel old because I enjoyed it so so much. Only old people really get the gist of conference and savor every word. And I felt like an idiot when dear President Monson announced the burned Provo Tabernacle being turned into a temple and I burst into tears. What is wrong with me? I think it is because I grew up in Provo. Stake conference was there. School choir concerts were there. Now it will be a temple. Just amazing.

I am already looking forward to tomorrow's sessions of conference. The churchy coloring pages are printed out and the new crayons are out. The living room has been dusted and polished (even the dirty couches were scrubbed) in anticipation of lots of conference watching. And the fridge is filled with ingredients for delicious conference food. Actually, here is the menu.

Breakfast:
Scrambled eggs, candied bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, english muffins, cinnamon butter and orange juice. And I will probably only eat eggs and fruit because a heavy breakfast like that kills any energy I woke up with.

Dinner:
Grilled hamburgers, good hamburger buns, toppings of bacon, avocado, tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, red onions and then some good, salty kettle potato chips. Pizookie with Breyer's vanilla ice cream for dessert.

I love cooking. And I love writing menus. Almost more than I love cooking.

BTW, I rediscovered the Jason Mraz "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" album. I am in love.

2011-09-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

"Violet, darling girl, come on. Get back in. You are going to ruin your swimsuit if you keep bum scooting on the pool deck. Come on, get in. And stop eating so many Cheetos."

I like "At The Moment" posts. I think I will do another one.

2011-09-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

At the moment:

In a happy, familiar place. On my red love seat, watching "Brothers and Sisters" and tapping on my laptop.

Choxie Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffle Bar.

Ethan just left to go get me a Slurpee. His idea, not mine.

Ethan in the middle of prepping for a major event this week. Like catering for 450 people in one day. Oh and then two more events on Saturday. Basically, Ethan is off limits until next week.

Floors freshly vacuumed by my new sleek vacuum. I love.

Looking over the Visiting Teaching message for this month.

Besides the voice of Sally Field in the background, the quiet buzz of the baby monitor is serenading me. I have heard that noise everyday for over a year. I might miss it when it isn't needed anymore.

Trying to think of what to put in Jack's lunch box tomorrow. Leftover pasta, chicken and broccoli? Turkey sandwich? Quesadillas? Chicken breast strips with barbecue sauce? Probably the chicken strips. He loves BBQ sauce. It's the house sauce of this family.

Thinking about Van's toilet training for the day. He hasn't had an accident in two days. He goes all by himself and washes his hands by himself. We even ran a bunch of errands this morning and he didn't have any accidents. He is basically good to go. And it took 4 days. Hurry someone, give me a book contract and I will write a whole sentence on how to toilet train your kid in 4 days. It will go something like this: "Wait until they are old enough to do it all themselves." Ding!

Just remembered that yesterday, when Van was watching "Toy Story", he said to the on-screen Woody, "Hey Loody, I have you on my unduhway." Good luck deciphering that one. I could barely make it out and I am his mother.

At the moment.

2011-09-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

"Toy Story 2" for Van. He is also eating taffy. Toilet treat. Toilet training has been going extremely well. Very few accidents since we began 3 days ago.

Ethan watching "Breaking Bad" on his iPad. Completely addicted.

Jack playing army in the backyard. A fort has been built with the blue picnic table.

Two whole chickens roasting in the oven. Green beans prepped and ready to steam. White rice ready to go. Buttermilk cake cooling, strawberries sliced and cream whipped. Table set with my Sundee silver and china from my mother in-law. Anxious for a good ol' Sunday dinner. It has been too long.

Violet snoozing peacefully in her room. Pink blankie, box fan on, room has a yellow hue from the sun shining through her closed yellow curtains.

Thinking about the Primary Program at church today. Jack had a speaking part and did great. 175 kids in our primary. One seven five. True story.

Hair dyed darker. Dark brown with red tones. I am much happier having dark hair.

3 loads of little kid laundry needs to be folded. I'll do it tonight while watching a movie.

Speaking of movies, watched "Red" last night. Brilliantly funny. Loved it.

Last night also entailed a really great evening with my little family. We rarely take our three littles out to dinner. Money, chaos and I never really get to enjoy it. But last night was awesome. Teppan grill, sukiyaki beef, shrimp and happy children. We all had a magical time. I love all those little people and their dad.

Nerf

2011-09-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Above is a picture of motherly desperation. If Jack gets an "excellent" on his behavior report 5 days in a row, he gets the 50 Nerf darts and ammo bag. He has had two excellent reports come home, so I know he can do it. So against all I believe in, I am resorting to old fashioned bribery, bribery with toys. A toy Jack has gazed lovingly at for the last year whenever we end up in the toy section at Target.

Today I called Ethan.

"Hi, when you come home, bring a new vacuum with you. A bagless one."

And he did because my current vacuum I use on a daily basis has died a slow death. Like 10 passes wouldn't pick up a measly Wheat Thin crumb. Today I had had enough. I told Ethan I wanted to get his gun out and shoot it.

The new vacuum and I are going to get along swimmingly. She is sleek and purple and- bagless. After I performed the maiden voyage, the canister was filled with dust, dust and more dust. It was both satisfying and revolting.

Toxic

2011-09-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

Went to the temple this morning with Ethan. Good times.

Sisters Haley and Caitlyn watched my littles. Van decided to have diarrhea.

Speaking of that, Van wants to be potty trained- badly. Last night, he got out of bed, took off his diaper, put his pants back on and went to sleep. At 3am, we were woken to a crying 3 year old because he decided to have some serious diarrhea in his pants without a diaper on. Low point.

Because the aunts were here and cousins were in tow, Van didn't have a nap and he became toxic around 5pm. The terror threat level was set to red. He screamed and screamed and screamed and screamed. "I hate dinner!!!" "I hate Violet!!!" "I hate everyone!!!"

Van's dramatics and consoling them made feeding Violet dinner a failure. So I fed her a Tootsie Roll Pop for dinner. And she loved it.

My day ended on a very, very high note. Jack read "Green Eggs and Ham" in it's entirety, on his own. He even used the punctuation to add effect to his reading. The whole time I couldn't stop smiling. Such a high point in motherhood. I even wrote the date on the inside cover of the book so we could remember this day. "Jack read the entire thing on his own!"

At the moment.

2011-09-19T15:47:00.000-07:00

Grilled pork chops, steamed green beans and roasted potatoes. All prepped and ready to go.

Baby Einstein on and Violet entranced.

Van singing, "Old McDonald had a frickin' horse".

Jack grounded for the week for taking off while I was on the phone when he was already not allowed to play with friends for the day because he didn't ever give his teacher his behavior paper for her to mark off whether he behaved well or not. I should be grounded for just writing such a severe run-on sentence.

Hair being done tonight. Lied to Ethan about my appointment being at 5:30 so he would be home on time. It's not until 6:30.

Ethan on his way home from the Apple store. Stupid phone case broke.

Floor littered with toys and throw pillows. Throw pillow that are ugly and need to be recovered some how. I am not much of a sewist.

Walls need to be painted. Our landlord says we can't paint, but I am starting to not care since we just saved him from short selling this house by increasing our rent by $250 a month. But I don't like painting. So I am hoping for someone to magically call my husband and offer to paint our house for trade in catering services. Probably won't happen. Oh well.

My laundry needs to be hauled downstairs so I can have underwear tomorrow. If all goes as planned, it will all be done by the time children are in bed so I can fold and watch "Brothers and Sisters".

Violet is sporting her first pony tail today. I love that I can take a picture of it and then send it to all my sisters and all their responses are joyful. "LOVE!!!" "This made my day!" "What a doll!" "Yeah for our Violet girl!"

An apology

2011-09-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom and Dad and Van and Violet, I am sorry for ever saying shit. I love you.

From an apologetic little 6 year old.

Yellow

2011-09-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Everyone should name one of their children a color. Dressing them is so much funner. Violet has more purple clothes than anyone else in the world. And I don't even buy all of them for her. People love a color-named child, especially a girl, and they buy her purple clothes. So my tips are: 1. Have a girl. 2. Name her a color. Back when I was pregnant with Van, my two sisters in-law were pregnant as well. We were all due at the same time and spent loads of times dreaming up names together. Jacque and I tried so hard to convince Emily to name her baby Yellow. Yellow Stringfellow would be so fun to dress up.

I don't often talk about my husband's business on this here blog. I don't know why, I guess it's all just old news to me. But lately, I have been thinking a lot about how proud he makes me. He just cares, you know? Like cares so much about each event he produces. He doesn't make shortcuts and tries to please his clients. His newest account is the Apple store in Salt Lake City. I am sorry, but that is just rad. Way to be awesome Ethan. (He probably won't see this for a few weeks. He binge reads my blog when he is on the john.)

Gay isn't an adjective

2011-09-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Everyone,

You can't say something is "gay". Not only does that not make any sense, but it's also so incredibly rude and ignorant. When you say that something is "gay", you make yourself look uneducated and immature. When someone uses "gay" to describe something, I automatically discount whatever they are saying. My brain says, "Note to self, this person doesn't seem to be able to say intelligent things. Stop taking them seriously, ever."

Also, as a mother, I really need you to not say this around my children. I am raising them to know that being gay isn't something to make fun of. I am trying to build tolerant, kind children who see all people as equals. And I can't do that when you try and use "gay" as an adjective.

There are a myriad of other perfectly wonderful, sensible words to use instead of "gay". Take the time to look them up and you are already well on your way to becoming a mature adult.

Love, Whitney

Dear

2011-09-13T22:00:00.001-07:00

Dear Everyone,

Please stop saying "crock pot". It makes me think of someone saying "crock of crap". And that is ironic because often, people makes things with cream of something soup in their "crock pot" and it looks like crap. Let's say "slow cooker" instead.

Love, Whitney

Meat!

2011-09-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

As a family, we would like to formally welcome Bungee into our home. Bungee is Van's latest imaginary friend. He is sometimes a girl and sometimes his green hair changes to pink.

I went to the eye doctor this morning. I hate the eye doctor so much. I have very sensitive eyes. Sun is my eyeball enemy and I can't even talk about eyes or I start to tear up. So when Dr. I-Don't-Even-Remember-His-Name shines his lights and shoots his puffs of air into my eyes, I get a little crazy. I would rather have a pap smear than an eye exam.

Yesterday, Ethan had an event. Some duck hunting pow wow in Salt Lake. It was 75 guys and guess what their menu was:
Grilled tri-tip
Barbecue chicken
Pulled pork
Potato salad
Mashed potatoes.

Literally meat and potatoes. Doesn't anyone else find that funny like I do? I think it's hilarious.

Great

2011-09-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Today,

You were awesome. I slept in 45 minutes later than normal. I helped my husband choose a hat for his golf get-up. My children were sweet and cuddly and spent most of the day in their jammies. The boys did their Saturday jobs without any hassle. I buckled down and really taught Jack how to clean his bathroom and he did great. I made my three beautiful children roast chicken grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and took them swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's. They swam their little hearts out- well Jack did that, but Van mostly screeched about having to wear arm floaties. While swimming, Daddy Darling showed up and all three children yelled for their dad. "Daddy, watch me go down the slide!" "Daddeeeeee!" "Dad Dad Daddy Dad! Hold me!".

We came home after swimming and ate the most perfect BLT's. Toasted whole grain bread, thin layer of mayo, crisp thick-sliced bacon, deep red in-season tomatoes, cracked black pepper, flavorful green leaf lettuce. After having an inner-battle trying to decide if swimming counts as a bath, I gave everyone a bath and put them to bed. After doing the dishes, I went to my blessed drink fridge/popsicle freezer in the garage to get a Coke Zero and suddenly noticed boxes of clothes I hadn't noticed before. I happily uncovered an entire hand-me-down winter wardrobe for Van I didn't know I had.

It was a really great day. Children were funny, kind and agreeable and a few times today, I literally was stopped in my tracks because I was overwhelmed with how much I love my children and husband. Thank you so much for giving me a really great day, Today.

Love, Whitney

Grand

2011-09-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I do really stupid things. Like introduce Van to Nutella and peanut butter on graham crackers. Now that is all he wants. I am an idiot.

Things I am not doing:
Potty training Van. Just not high on my priority list. Nowhere near the top. I am hoping that it will be like cleaning out the garage. Like one day, I wake up and I just can't take it anymore and I clean that dang garage. I am hoping that happens with potty training. One day, I just make it happen. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. Go ahead and criticize. I don't care. Van is not my first rodeo.

Jack, Ethan and Van arrived back from Zion's safely and filled with great stories and experiences. The most memorable for Ethan was when they took a quick day trip to the Grand Canyon and Van threw a Grand Tantrum. Ethan even got it on video for me. It was probably Van's greatest performance. But I am glad I wasn't there to witness it.

Jack learned how to ride the kids quad and he did great. He is dying to go back already. You might ask why I didn't go with them? I don't like to travel with my children. They are little, grouchy and require a lot of equipment. Jack does fine and Van is getting there, but Violet is still a production. So once she can walk, pee in a toilet and not scoot around and get her booty dirty, I will go to the ranch. I think I am seen as a bit of a pill for being the only sister in-law that doesn't love the family ranch. Whatev.

Bow

2011-09-05T07:05:00.001-07:00

This weekend, she has:

Been introduced to the cinematic wonder of "Baby Einstein".

Taken long, long naps.

Eaten way too much ice cream.

Worn an incredibly cute, classic dress.

Had her mother all to herself.

Leap frog

2011-09-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

This toy was given to Jack by the Marsilios when he was a little baby. He learned to walk with it as it played it's obnoxious music. "Walk along, walk along, take a step and sing along!" Once he was done learning to walk, it was given to a friend and then another friend and then back to us for Van to learn to walk. Then it was leant out again, given back and then leant out again. As of this afternoon, it is back and ready to teach Violet how to walk. This toy has taught approximately 8 children how to walk and it still works as good as ever. High five to Leap Frog for making a high quality product.

This weekend, Daddy Darling, Jack and Van are all going down to the Ponderosa in Zions National Park. Jack has plans of playing army for the entire duration. It will be much better than normal because Grandpa Ingram just got a kids-sized quad and it is painted camo. Jack's imagination has been busy for days.

While they are gone, I plan on swimming at my parent's house a lot and cooking a lot. A vegetarian stuffed zucchini, a baked rice casserole/bake and some creative cupcakes. Oh, and some ice cream, of course. I will also give Violet long bathes. Whenever Van isn't around, I give her long long bathes, like 45 minutes. She can play without any interruption. Lucky girl!

Vanny and Violet Girl

2011-08-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

These two little people, Van and Violet, are the greatest of friends. Jack is now in school and they spend their days together. Eating together, playing together and laughing together. They play together better than I ever could have imagined. It is not an unusual sight to see them both laying on the floor and laughing at each other about nothing inparticular. They spend large amounts of time sitting in front of the bookshelf, taking all the books down and maybe reading a few. They share snacks and laugh at each other's burps. They sit in their car seats next to each other in the car and have screaming contests. Violet even calls him by name. "Mammy!" They really are true friends.

All the credit for this goes to Van. He is so sweet to her. He pays so much attention to her and tries so hard to make her happy. Of course, there are plenty of times that he is so rotten to her and mean. But I can truly say that the good out weighs the bad on this one. The best thing I ever did for Van was give birth to Violet.

Pretending to food blog

2011-08-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

Peach sorbet

2 pounds peeled peaches
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar

Boil the water and sugar together until the sugar is dissolved. Put it in the freezer to cool off.

Use you immersion blender or food pro and blend up the peaches until smooth as silk. Pour the simply syrup into the peach puree and whisk. Cover and refrigerate until really cold.

Pour peach sorbet base into your ice cream maker and churn until the perfect peach sorbet is thick and frozen, about 30 minutes. Scrape it into an air-tight container, put the lid on and freeze until solid.

I kid you not that this tastes like biting into a friggin' peach.

(I promise I am not writing my recipes for my cookbook in such a flippant manner. It just feels good sometimes to not write a recipe the right way.)

STAR

2011-08-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I am feeling very American. Grilled burgers for dinner and apple pie with maple ice cream for dessert.

So get this- Violet is a rock star. Remember how she has a gross motor skills delay? Well, I think the days of that are coming to a close. She is starting to go up the stairs and she can walk around the furniture. And she can also crawl. I caught her crawling under the kitchen table a few weeks ago and I clapped and said, "Yeah Violet! You are crawling!" And she looked at me with a look that seemed to say, "You actually weren't supposed to see that." Tonight, I put the baby gate up at the bottom of the stairs so she would stop crawling up them. And she was less than thrilled. She looked at the gate and then screamed at me. Not like a "I'm in pain" or "Van just pulled my hair" scream. It was a "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS??!!" scream.

I am pleased as can be that my Violet Girl is making such great progress. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I think about it.

For those that care, cookbook is going quite well. I have over 60 recipes developed. Basically that means my kids are sick of having to try something new for dinner every night.

TODDLER

2011-08-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

Do you have a toddler? Then read THIS NOW. It will take you a sec and you will laugh, I promise.

Theme

2011-08-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

So Jack went to school this morning. He was counting down the minutes. And he woke up in the middle of the night and got dressed in his new school clothes and went back to bed.

He eased right into his new class. His teacher is already adorable. She walks around her classroom in bare feet. I love that.

Once I got home from dropping him off, I sat on the couch and pouted. I don't like having to let go.

My first indications that Jack was gone were:
1. I had to take the #2 diapers out to the trash. That is usually his job.
2. I had to bring in the bags from Target. That is usually his job.

Boo.

Oh and we have a school year theme. Having a school year theme is popular among families, particularly young families. And we just happen to be a young family. Last years theme was:

"Put your damn clothes in the laundry basket."

That theme went well, for Van especially. He is my A student when it comes to cleaning up his dirty clothes.

This year's theme is:

"Stop talking to your parents like they are

the stupidest people you know."

I am hoping for a stellar impression on Jack with that one.

Tramp

2011-08-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

Violet has hair.

School starts tomorrow. Very mixed feelings. Happy I will be down to two littles during the day, sad that Jack won't be home for lunch. I really relished our kindergarten afternoons last year. Get off the bus, eat lunch, littles down for naps and Jack and I have quiet time for a few hours. I have real-live anxiety about Jack eating lunch at school. I worry that he won't eat and just be too excited to be at lunch with his buddies. But that won't stop me from making him amazing lunches. Today I got some lunch box snacks. Annie's granola bars, good fruit leather, vanilla sandwich cookies, good juice boxes and high fructose corn syrup-filled fruit snacks. They will be kept up high, away from child reach. If Van only knew what dwelt in the cupboard above the fridge... Did I ever tell you about the time he got all sneaky and drank 15 juice boxes in one sitting? He is an addict when it comes to snacky snacks.

To prepare for school, we got a few new shirts, a new pair of cool shoes and some patches to sew on his backpack. You know, give the kid a little more personality, because he is just lacking in that department. No point in getting a bunch of new clothes when it will still be hot for another month or two.

Speaking about it being hot, I am actually hoping for it. Grandma Sue and Grandpa Jack's giant swimming pool is in it's final week of completion. Almost everyday after school, we will meet Jack at the bus stop and head down to Elk Ridge and swim until dinner.

We have a trampoline now. It's the trampoline I grew up with. It is the bounciest thing ever because we never took it down in the winter, so it got bouncier and bouncier with the snow weighing it down each year. In the last few mornings, Van has been out jumping in his jammies and dirty nighttime diaper before I have come downstairs for the day. Best part? My best friend Ashley reminded me that having a trampoline gives you a chance to put the word "tramp" into your everyday conversation. "Van, get off that tramp!" "Jack, if you finish your homework, I will let you jump all over that tramp."

BTW, just thought I would throw it out there that I am so content right now with having a small house and an old, small car. I am luckier than anyone else that I don't feel the need to keep up with the Joneses.

Sip

2011-08-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

Van has been detoxing from sippy cups for almost a week now. Sippy cups have to go for a few reasons:

1. I am sick of being his bartender all day. "Mom! Mook!"

2. His is 3 for heaven's sake.

3. Toilet training starts next week.

I have told Vanny Boy for about 6 months that as soon as Jack goes to first grade, he starts going in the big boy potty. And his reaction has been, "No potty! I go diapuh!" This little fellow of mine does best with change when he is given plenty of time to mull it over. So I have given him loads of time. In an effort to eliminate unnecessary bathroom trips, we have eliminated his source of unnecessary liquid. He has done pretty well. But gets unreasonably jealous when Violet gets her sippy.

May I receive strength as I trudge through hell itself and toilet train my second born.

And BTW, isn't he just incredibly handsome for a 3 year old?

paper

2011-08-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

I hate paperwork. Anything that has to do with me having to keep it organized or keep it at all. You see, I am a thrower-awayer. This aspect of Whitney is something Ethan hates. Socks left on the floor? Throw them away! Bill from a month ago? Throw it away! Receipt from new clothes? Throw it away! Toys on the floor when I am sweeping? Throw them away! I even throw away the Dish Network bill and just pay it when they shut it off. I don't like keeping anything unless it has sentimental value. And then when it comes to that, I have no organization to it at all and it just goes into a "special box". Tonight, I have a bunch of wretched paperwork to go through. Hate hate hate. Papers that have been sitting in my nightstand for almost a year. So I am turning a movie on and just doing it. I feel like Ethan should bring me home a Route 44 Coke Zero with vanilla on his way home tonight.

Today Violet Girl took a 4 hour nap. So today, I made a big mess in the kitchen. Ice cream, pizza and meringues. All new recipes. Feeling pretty good about myself. Learned a little about making perfect meringues, dropped a big "dammit!" when I realized my ice cream maker bowl wasn't in the freezer yet and the mozzarella on the pizza was sliced too thick. Learning learning learning.

Thoughts I think

2011-08-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

You know what is a problem? Sheet cake. It's not some thick piece of cake that makes you feel guilty. It's this thin little thing with a light layer of icing. So you think you can eat "just one more piece"- like I am doing right now.

BTW, "The Help"? I dare you not to cry.

Sometimes keilbasa, when done right, tastes like heaven.

I am excited for winter, but only because my fountain drink won't melt as fast.

A lot of people are so much cooler and less pretentious in person compared to how they are on their blog.

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about why I do righteous things. Am I doing them to receive blessings or am I doing them because I want to make Heavenly Father happy? I want to make it the last one.

Rank

2011-08-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a very easy recipe.

(and a post full of stupid formatting. Just because)

Take all your leftover veggies in your fridge. Shred, chop or dice them. Put them in a pan with some onions and garlic and whatever herbs you like. Cook everything together until they are softened and most of the liquid has evaporated. Cool the veggie mixture and then put little bits in some puff pastry and then top with some more puff pastry. Make a few slits on top and then bake it at 425 degrees for 25 minutes. There you have it! An incredibly easy, delicious way to use up lots of veggies. And your kids will like it too.

At the moment, in my oven is this very recipe. Shredded carrots and zucchini, fresh oregano, parsley and sage, sun-dried maters, onions, garlic and some green beanies. Sometimes, I feel like a damned genius.

Violet Caroline is not herself at the moment. Her teeth, her fever and her incredibly rank burps are what is upsetting her.

Jack is somewhere on his bike. I am assuming he isn't too far away. He very well could be. But oh well.

Van is hoarding all the free balloons we got at the grocery store this morning. I actually hate that the grocery store is some type of circus.

"Step right up! We have suckers and balloons for your children that have behaved like complete fools whilst you were doing you shopping! Let us reward them for their poor behavior!"

Ethan is currently at a golf tournament. He was begged to come be what he called "the ringer". The guy on the team that can come through with the good shot and carry the team. No pressure or anything. I love Ethan, but pressure in golf just isn't his flavor.

Dinner

2011-08-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's dinner time. And I keep telling Ethan to go turn on the grill, but he is playing with Violet on the floor. Actually, it's more like Violet is beating him up. She keeps throwing baby wipes on him and hitting him in the face.

Dinner this night is orange and herb marinated tri-tip steak, foil potatoes with thyme and sage and steamed broccoli. My stomach is ready for some of that action. Dessert is undecided, but maybe something like a cupcake. Cupcakes are cool.

BTW, Sister Girl was standing in her crib this morning when I went to get her. And again after her nap. Oh happy day! Therapy is working!