What's for dinner?

When my children were little, I used to fix many things green for dinner on St. Patrick's Day. The famous green Jello salad, green beans, etc. I also would color the milk green and the rice green.

When I discovered that I enjoyed it more than the children, I stopped doing it. But this is what would be found for dinner on St. Patrick's Day long ago.

I have even colored bread green, but I didn't have time to bake bread today, so Russ just got the enjoyable green-colored rice and milk with the rest of his dinner tonight.

Did I mention that I also made this colorful table cloth? Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm in love...............

Yes, I’m in love with Momofuku's Milk Bar. It began when Russ and I went to New York City with Brad to the Emmy’s. We took in all the touristy attractions in NYC.

One of my favorites was the Momofuku’s Milk Bar. When Brad, Russ, and I visited Momofuku’s, we ordered three different cookies and three different slices of pie, and ate every crumb of them with great zeal and pleasure. I’ve been in love with Momofuku’s ever since.

So, I was naturally thrilled when Kelly (from Live with Regis and Kelly ) went to Momofuku’s to learn how to make one of their most famous cookies, the “Compost Cookie.” I was glued to my television set and savored every moment as if I were there myself. The chef, Kristina Tosi, whom I had talked to briefly during our visit in September was there and took Kelly through the process step by step. I talked to that same chef right there in that same establishment---so it’s kind of like I’ve talked to Kelly, too, right?

Well, I went to the Regis and Kelly website and copied down the recipe for these wonderful cookies and then baked them. I was so pleased with how mine turned out that I mailed off some of them to Brad, since without him, I never would have discovered my new love------Momofuku’s. I’m in love.

Compost Cookies made by me

Our Visit to Momofuku's Milk Bar in New York City ~ September 19, 2009

Memories Preserved

Russ has put together this post.

As I have been helping Joel type old Barber Pole entries, I was reminded of many memories that would have likely been lost without the Pole. Enclosed are a few of the entries from the early years and a couple of pictures of our family back in 2002.

May 2001 - An early Barber Pole Banner

Lisa and David (January 2000) – We were excited to get a snowfall last week. It came on a Saturday and we enjoyed a glorious day of sledding and snowball fighting. Church was cancelled the next day and Lisa had some explaining to do to the kids when they heard her say “Yeah!” upon hearing the news of no church.

Troy (January 2000) - January has been a busy month full of change. It was fun and a chore to move into my new place. Willi, Brent, and Caesar generously lent a hand on a dreary Saturday to get all the big stuff over here. The main roadblock we ran into was my smallish elevator which prevented the 88 inch sofa from arriving to the 8th floor. So I’m sitting on the floor for now and shopping for a new one shorter than 85 inch.

Brad (September 2001) - Finally, at the end of my travels, I saw my Susan again. I missed Susan so much I thought I might die at any second sometimes. I’ve never missed anyone like I missed her. I tackled her at the airport and the whole experience of seeing her again was just as good or better than all our daydreams about it. She never ceases to talk about how impressed she is with the barbers and cruzes out here which have been good enough to not scare her off completely (yet) as well as with mom, and the whole family she hasn’t met yet but heard about. I think everyone will like her.

Apr 2002 - Family at Brad and Susan's wedding

Julie and Allen (April 2002) - We’ll start out by talking about the biggest event of the month, going out to Utah to celebrate in the union of Brad and Susan. Leaving Jared behind was hard, but definitely the right decision. When we reunited with him, he was all over his big brother; the two kissed, hugged, danced, laughed and ran together. Leaving us parents wondering why we had even come back.

Lori and Scott (June 2002) - This month also marked Emma’s first endeavor in lying. For a few days in a row, the same scene repeated itself every naptime and bedtime. We would tuck her in at the normal time. We would hear her in her room, singing, kicking the wall and in other ways not sleeping for about 15 minutes. Next she would open the door and prance out with a happy declaration, “I had a goooood nap. And I woke up!” No way, can’t fool us, sister. Back to bed. “But I had a good naaaap…” Another example of her growing mistruths..
Lori: “Emma, please put that toy away.”
Emma (defiant): “No!”
Lori (threatening): “What did you say?”
Emma (complying): “I said, ‘sure’!”

Mom and Dad (July 2002) – I asked Allie what her favorite vacation was. Her response: “Hilton Head.” I said, “Oh, yes, I bet that was lots of fun." Allie thought for a few minutes, and then said, “Grammy, you were with us, right?” I said, “No.” She quickly said, “Then no-way, that was not my favorite. It couldn’t have been if you weren’t there.” She thought some more and asked me, “Were you there on our BYU vacation?” I said, “Yes.” Her reply: “Well, then that was my favorite vacation.” She’ll make a good politician. But mostly she is just a sweetheart that wants to make everyone feel good. And she certainly brightened my day!!

Sept 2002 - Family at Gathering in Townsend

Joel and Jenica (May 2003 – one of first classic entries that became the monthly “Overheard at our house”) - Finally, here are a few random quotes from our favorite precocious preschooler:

- Explaining why Jenica is not able to carry him somewhere: “I’m too deep for you mom.”
- Blurring honesty and orneriness: “What happens if I don’t want to tell the truth, do I juss have to be honery?”
- His eyes having got used to a dark room: “Dad, I can see in the dark now, I got confused to it!”
- Completely unexplained but oft repeated question about the Langford’s bathroom: “Is that the Neurall’s bathroom?”

May 2001 - Just how much does Dad make?

Candycandycandycandycandycandy..............

It’s not just for breakfast any more. We have a winner for our candy giveaway! Lori is the grand winner and will be presented with a plethora of assorted candy. Since candy is just such a sweet idea, I decided to take the giveaway a little further. So I drew out three more names and those three people will receive the “favorite” candy they listed in their comment. Here are the three additional winners: Cara, Lisa, and Will.

I hope each of you have received your favorite candy from someone who loves you. My sweetheart gave me a lovely box of assorted chocolates from Bradley’s. Got to love that man!!

Candy Mania

A look inside "Bradley's" Chocolate Store

Just say the word candy and my mouth starts to water. Put chocolate with it, and I’ve got my keys and am out the door to buy some really good chocolate candy.

Candy Trivia Quiz:
1) Who was the candy bar “Baby Ruth” named after?
2) What has been one of the most successful longest running advertising campaigns in history?
3) Why are Hershey’s Kisses called “Kisses?”

Other Trivia:
1) The first candy was consumed by cavemen, who sought honey in beehives.
2) Chocolate was introduced into Europe by the Spanish after having enjoyed the “hot drink” (the original meaning of the word chocolate) in the company of Montezuma.
3) By the mid 1800’s there were over 380 American factories producing candy.
4) During the 1920’s in the USA over 40,000 different candy bars appeared and either became a big hit or disappeared into obscurity.

Now to answer those trivia questions:
1) The Baby Ruth candy bar was named after the first child born in the White House, daughter of President Grover Cleveland in 1891. Little Ruth died in 1904. (FYI – The candy manufacturer strongly denies any association with the famous Yankee ballplayer, Babe Ruth.)
2) Wrigley’s Doublemint, introduced in 1914. Gum advertising campaigns utilized all sorts of double images from double violinists to double talking comedians. The most famous were the twins, which actually began in the late 1930’s and continues today.
3) Hershey’s Kisses get their name from the sound and motion of the machines that produce them. It looks and sounds as if the machine is kissing the conveyor belt as it moves along.

More interesting facts:

The most popular American candy bar introduced in 1930 got its name from a horse—Snickers.
In 1896, a candy was introduced by Leo Hirshfield and carries his daughter’s nickname—Tootsie.
The Three Musketeers bar was originally introduced in 1932 and was three separate bars featuring chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry nougat covered in chocolate.

Since all ages love candy, every member of your family may enter this contest and may the winner share their prize. Each person must list their favorite candy bar in their comment. Don’t forget!
The prize: a wonderful plethora of assorted candy.

My corner of the world............

January always means “scrapbooking” for me. Last year, I was scrapbooking two years worth of photos (2007 and 2008). So right now just doing the year 2009 seems like it should be a snap, but January is almost over, and I’m only about half way through the year 2009. So I spend my days tucked away here in my little corner of the world---scrapbooking.

I’ve been scrapbooking all my life---long before it became popular. And even though I enjoy my photos in their neat little electronic files, and have made “books on line,” I still just have to scrapbook a family photo album each year.

Checking with Wiki, here are a few fun facts about scrapbooking:

Did you know that Mark Twain was an avid scrapbooker?? He dedicated Sundays to enjoy his hobby and had 57 different scrapbooks that he sold through Montgomery Ward catalog.

The peak decade for scrapbooking was 1880-1890. Magazines of the times included articles on what to include in your scrapbooks.

I don’t know who said it, but here is one last quote on the subject:

“Scrapbooking today comes in many forms. Traditional books, computer scrapbooks and family web pages. Scrapbooking a fad?? I don’t think so. It has been around for centuries. The popularity comes and goes, but one thing is for sure, scrapbooking is for all generations! Remember that when you're scrapbooking, and think of whom in the future will see your book and how will they scrapbook?!”

Doing the NYC photos - September

Paper, borders, decales, stickers, etc.

I Aim to Please............

Every once in a while I like to have a “blind” giveaway. I call it that because no one can see it coming. It’s a giveaway that no one knows about. To kick off the New Year, I’ve drawn the winner’s name from all those who commented on the Nativity Pageant post. And the winner is: Joel. Your Target gift card will be sent to you within the week. Enjoy!