Michael & Amber

Welcome

2012-01-28T11:18:00.000-08:00

More posts to come...hope your January has been fine! :)

Holiday Fun

2011-12-26T19:46:00.000-08:00

Lots has been happening since our last post. The best of which is we got to visit family in New Mexico for Thanksgiving, we celebrated our 12th anniversary and Michael had a birthday! Above is a picture of him as a baby with his sister-in-law and nieces. Sorry we don't have more pics to post - we have been having so much fun lately we forgot to take photos :).

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends and were especially blessed to spend some time with Michael's oldest brother and his wife this year. We are looking forward to the adventures 2012 will bring.

More "Circle City" Fun

2011-10-14T09:21:00.001-07:00

Here are some of our photos from Indy. What fun it was to have such an adventure!

Below: Sister Sneed (who came from our ward back in California) fresh out of the MTC and serving in Carmel, IN

We took a drive one Saturday and found The Dan Quayle Museum!

Michael had a trip to Gorbel in New York and couldn't pass up the chance to visit Palmyra...

I LOVE this picture he took!

During "In-Doc Week" at Bastian, the company took everyone to the Indiana State Fair...

For a special dinner during In-Doc Week, they treated everyone to the very fancy Hollyhock Hill which was given the title of BEST Fried Chicken in America by Travel & Leisure...

On another Saturday drive around the great state of Indiana we spotted this Giant guy with an ice cream cone and couldn't resist...

On Labor Day we drove out to Ohio again to see the...

Wright Patterson Air Force Base Air Force Museum!!! It was Fantastic!

Michael spent a week in Atlanta, Georgia where they have this awesome law (so does Indiana)...

One evening in Carmel we decided to go to Bub's Burgers (of Travel Channel's Man vs Food fame). And Michael tackled the BIG UGLY...

Adam Richmond ate two...

Michael polished off one and won himself a spot on the wall of fame! Forever linked to this amazing restaurant.

Zionsville - one of the shop keepers said it is like Mayberry - pretty close!

Around the office...

We have a few more adventures to post about but we have to get the photos off the cell phone first. What a great time we had exploring Indiana!

F.Y.I.

2011-10-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

Just a little update...we are in Modesto now. Michael LOVED his job with Bastian Material Handling. We enjoyed our time in Carmel, IN and were looking forward to the new adventures in Pomona, CA with the company but Michael was offered an Astronomy teaching position at MJC. One which, after much thought and prayer, he decided to accept. I was heartbroken to be leaving the Bastian family so soon but we are excited to see where this new position will take us. I guess if everything turned out the way you wanted it to or thought it would life would be pretty boring. I don't think either one of us thought we would be back so soon, yet here were are...hoping for good things to come. :)

Pourin' Like an Avalance Comin' Down the Mountain

2011-09-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

We've all had those times where the old adage "When it Rains, it pours" exemplifies the place we are currently in life. I won't lie, I have been feeling like that recently. What with being in a new city, without our family or our friends, living in a hotel for 3 months waiting for training to end so our life can begin. With my mother going from campground to jail to basically homeless and out of contact with everyone, with the opportunity to adopt a beautiful baby boy slipping through our fingers all the while searching frantically for a place in L.A. that we can afford to rent. I know that many of our friends and family are going through similar rough times and for that matter so is most of the country. I feel bad just typing complaints because I'm afraid it makes me seem ungrateful for the things we do have. Sometimes I hope for better days but then I remember a quote from Marjorie Paye Hinkley:

"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead."

So, today, I got up early and fixed my hair and make-up, put on a nice outfit and a scarf I knitted

And I thought about the things I am grateful for, and why these are the best days, not be wished away. We have a sort of family motto in our household and it goes like this...

We can not direct the wind but we can adjust the sails
and I feel the winds of change a blowin' :)

Something Lovely and of Good Report

2011-09-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my favorite things...

"The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful."
- Marjorie Pay Hinkley

"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl (or handsome guy :) for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity."
-Albert Einstein

Mashed potatoes
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Sunsets
Dancing in the Kitchen
Baseball
The movie Elf

Minute 45:33 "KETCHUP"

Greetings From Indiana

2011-08-22T08:32:00.001-07:00

It was a Super Saturday here in Indianapolis. Michael took me out to the Indiana State Fair (This year's theme was "The Year of the Soybean") :)

Below are some of our favorite Home Economics Entries:

For some reason these three painted gourds cracked Mike up. It was hilarious to see!

The fashion show below gave us both a good chuckle. It was a 4-H fashion show with amazing clothes the girls had sewn themselves, set to the music of the sweet old lady on the organ in the bottom right of the photograph. She was playing lots of hymns and funeral-type marches for the girls to walk down the runway to.

We indulged ourselves with a few of our favorite fair food treats including corn dogs, fried dill pickles and lemon shake-ups as well as multiple cups of delicious chocolate milk from the milk barn. We also visited the livestock barns - the draft horses were phenomenal! After that we took a ride around the fair on the soybean oil powered tractor ride for 75 cents a person.

We skipped the midway rides but we did visit the Germany village exhibit complete with garden gnomes - which also made Mikey laugh (and that made me laugh).

After a morning at the State Fair, Michael took me downtown to the Canal District for a paddle boat ride. Along the way we saw Lucas Oil Stadium (the home of this year's Super Bowl).

The paddle boat canal goes right through downtown and is about a mile and a half one way. We had so much fun sight seeing and paddling along in the heat. Here are some of the things we got to see...

I know what you are thinking! How can a day like this get better? We thought it was perfect until we passed the Chicken Limo on our way home! I wonder who rents that thing?

I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who misses me when I am away, who takes me out for creative dates and still makes me laugh every day! Mikey, just being with you makes everything more fun.

Fun In The Sun

2011-08-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Last week Michael got to go to Atlanta for work and I got to go back to California for a visit. It was so good to be out of the humidity and among friends and family. Here are some of my adventures....

Prop-plane ride from San Fran to Modesto Airport. I was so happy to have a window seat!
I got to weed and harvest our garden (which had gone wild while we've been in Indy). I bagged about 5 one-gallon bags of peppers and 4 of tomatoes. We also harvested some strawberries and mini pumpkins. The larger pumpkins are growing up the grape vines and should be ripe in time for carving!
My dad took me fishing at Clark's Fork...
My cousin Jenny and her family came along. It was so much fun!

I used Mike's tackle box and pole - I lost two lures in the swift, tree strewn water but...
I caught 4 fish - 2 of which were large enough to keep! Oh-yeah!
My niece Novalee and nephew Braylon came over for a hike down by the creek and a dip in the pool.
I spent Tuesday at the temple. It was a lovely day and I was so proud of myself for driving all the way there without getting lost that I treated myself to In-and-Out Burger on my way home.

The Ricks invited me over for their "Shark Week" party! It was awesome! Themed food and lots of amazing "Shark Week" shows! I loved the watermelon shark head fruit salad with blue jello for water and whipped cream for foam. Gail is so creative!

The family also took a trip to the Sunsplash Waterslides in Roseville. We met up at the Lodi Airport and arrived just in time to watch people skydive. The waterslides were more fun than I remembered. We all wish Michael could have come with us on all our adventures. Everyone kept asking when he was coming home. It was wonderful to be back in California but everything would have been more fun with Michael around. We missed you Mikey!

Cheddar Garlic Chicken with Bread Crumbs

2011-08-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

We found this recipe on the back of a bag of shredded Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese. We decided to give it a whirl and it was AmAzinG!! Easy to make and oh-so-delicious. We served it with a green salad.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded thin

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, and cook the garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
In a shallow bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano, pepper, and salt.
Dip each chicken breast in the garlic butter to coat, then press into the bread crumb mixture. Arrange the coated chicken breasts in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Drizzle with any remaining butter and top with any remaining bread crumb mixture.
Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Spicy Potato Corn Chowder With Shrimp and Bacon

2011-08-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

I miss cooking (as you can probably tell from the most recent posts). I've always loved to cook and after a month of not being able to cook anything here in Indy I long for the chance to chop, mix, saute and stir. I am hankering for the opportunity to hand-knead some bread dough or try out some new recipes. In the meantime I pulled up some of the food pictures I had taken in the last few months and decided to blog the recipes. They are best-loved by us and we hope you like them!

This Chowder was a weekly staple in our house over the cooler months. It is quick, takes familiar ingredients and is delicious!

Spicy Potato Corn Chowder {with Shrimp and/or Bacon}

Recipe adapted from one given to me by the fantastic Cindy Ortland - she is an amazing cook!

Ingredients:

1/2 chopped yellow or white onion

1/2 C chopped bell pepper (I always keep a bag of frozen bell pepper strips in the freezer - they are perfect for lots of dishes, especially this one!)

1 large potato, peeled and chopped into very small pieces (think O'brien Potato size - you can also use frozen O'brien Potatoes as a substitute)

1/2 tsp celery salt

1/2 to 1 tsp red pepper flakes (or more if you like it extra spicy)

3 TBS Butter

2 TBS Four

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

2 ½ C milk (whole, 2%, non-fat - it all works in this chowder)

1 can creamed corn

1 can corn nibblets, undrained

1/8 tsp sage

1/8 tsp parsley

1/2 Shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for toppings)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Optional:

1 C frozen, precooked shrimp, trimmed and tails removed

Toppings:

1/2 lb to 1 lb crisp cooked bacon, crumbled

Bread Croutons

Shredded Cheese

Chopped Chives

Directions:

Saute onion, peppers, potatoes, celery salt and red pepper flakes in butter in large pot. Gradually add all other ingredients while stirring. Stir! Bring just to a boil then reduce heat and simmer on low for 20 minutes (until potatoes are cooked) up to an hour stirring occasionally to avoid scorching. (Or put in crockpot on low setting)

If you wish add frozen shrimp during last 5 minutes of cooking (we've also added ham and it was yummy!).

Add 1/2 C shredded cheese during last minute of cooking - stir.

Serve with toppings - the bacon is fantastic and so is the cheese!!

Italian Zucchini & Tomato Skillet

2011-08-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

We love this recipe and when I say "we" I am including my 3 year old nephew, my 7 year old niece and the pickiest vegetable eater of all...Michael. The consensus among those three is that it tastes like pizza. I hope you give it a try and that you like it! Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your own tastes - I think we always end up adding more or less of the things we really like :)

Italian Zucchini and Tomato Skillet
{aka Pizza Veggies}

Ingredients:

Olive Oil (enough to coat the bottom of a skillet)
1 clove minced garlic (I used the pre-minced kind sold in a jar)
2 or 3 medium zucchini, cut in slices and then in half
1 large tomato, or 1 C of cherry tomatoes, cut into half moon circles
1 Tbs parsley
1 Tbs Basil
1 Tbs minced chives
1/2 to 1 Tbs "Jamaican Me Crazy" Sea Salt Seasoning {to taste}

1/2 C {or more!} grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In large skillet cook zucchini and garlic for 5 minutes in hot olive oil, over medium heat, stirring often - until zucchini is crisp-tender.

2. Stir in tomatoes and garlic, parsley and basil. Cook one minute more.

3. Add chives and Jamaican Me Crazy. Cook one minute more.

3. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top of dish, remove from heat and let cheese melt.

Cinnamon Crackle Chocolate Zucchini Bread

2011-08-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

I tried this recipe last month, just before we left for Indy. We had so much zucchini in the garden the only thing to do was try out some new zucchini bread recipes! Luckily for us there was a plethora of delicious recipes in our cookbooks and online. I combined a few and this was the hands-down favorite. On a side note, Michael vetoed the cinnamon from the subsequent batches - he really doesn't like cinnamon. As a cinnamon lover, I thought it was fantastic! The moist bread tasted like chocolate cake {with the hidden benefit of loads of zucchini in it}. The Chocolate chips gave it a little something extra but the crackle topping was the kicker. Michael liked it so much he suggested I whip up a batch as a layer cake and instead of the crackle crust frost it with cream cheese frosting!

If you've got some extra zucchini this summer I hope you give it a try :)

Cinnamon Crackle Chocolate Zucchini Bread
{makes 2 loaves}

2 C flour
6 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 C sugar
1/4 C brown sugar
1-2 tsp cinnamon (Optional)

1/2 C canola oil
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C sour cream
3 C grated zucchini {squeeze out excess liquid - I wrapped grated zucchini in paper towels and squeezed out extra liquid}
1 C chocolate chips {mix chips with 1 tsp of flour to help them not all sink to the bottom during baking}

Crackle Topping:

1 tsp Cinnamon {optional}
2 Tbs brown sugar
2 Tbs white sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 2 loaf pans and set aside.

Mix dry ingredients together, use a whisk to make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed. In a separate bowl mix up the wet ingredients. While whisking, add dry ingredients to wet and keep whisking until full incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Evenly distribute between baking pans.

In small bowl combine ingredients for crackle topping and sprinkle over the top of each bread mix in pans.

Bake in oven for 50-60 minutes. Allow to cool completely on wire rack before removing from pans - or keep it in pans and take some to someone special!

Enjoy!

Baseball (and Other) Stuff

2011-08-01T17:25:00.001-07:00

Two weekends ago we attended the Bastian Summer Picnic. It was excellent! They had a caterer who whipped up a feast including cheeseburgers and BBQ chicken, mac and cheese, potato salad and yummy desserts. They had multiple bounce houses, about 10 giant ice chests filled with anything you could want to drink, fans to help keep everyone cool and games!
Michael and James (the other newbie) teamed up for the Corn Hole Tournament. Word to the wise, Corn Hole is HUGE in Indiana. Everyone has their own equipment and everyone practices all the time for just such an occasion as a tournament. Anyhoo, Michael and James were pitted against the big boss - Bastian Jr. himself and his lovely wife Nan in the first round. Wouldn't you know that Mikey and James spanked them?! They ended up taking 3rd place.
Last weekend, on a whim (because Mike got out of AutoCAD training early), we hopped in the car and drove to Cincinnati to see the Reds take on the Giants. We had originally decided against going because it is so hot and humid outside all the time here but we couldn't resist the siren's call.

Here is the Great American Ballpark! Below is one of the mosaic murals they have inside the park.

Our seats were amazing! Things are so much cheaper here - we got basically front row seats for what we would have paid for view reserve in SF...
We got to see the Giants up close and personal doing things like the fist bump :)...

The Panda blowing a bubble with his gum...

They were so close I could have reached out and touched them (had I wanted to leave in handcuffs)...

The Giants ended up losing and we were both puddles by the 13th inning but we did get to see the Red's Chapman pitch - he consistently pitches over 100 miles per hour! They call him "The Cuban Missile"! It was outstanding - although way too hot. We are in agreement that baseball in SF is so much more enjoyable to watch.

Indy - Week #1

2011-07-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

After a pretty long first week of doing a whole lotta nothin' ;) Michael and I struck out to see some sights...

Like: The Indianapolis Zoo

Megan (the wife of one of the other new emplyee's) and I toured the zoo. She is going back home to Atlanta this week to move into their new house and get her kindergarten classroom ready for the new year.

The baby elephant was swimming! So amazingly graceful underwater!

My cousin Jenny and her kids, along with my aunt Kathy stopped by for a night on their way from Tennessee back to California. It was so nice to see them!

We drove into Ohio and here is what we saw...
The Columbus Temple...
The "A Christmas Story" house...
Michael reenacting the famous Ralphie scene where he says, "Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window. "

Crazy "Elf from Higbee's" hat, complete with jingle bell!

A can of Simoniz!

Mike tried out the punishment for saying "The F _ _ _ word!"

We went up to Kirtland to the first temple - no longer owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

And we also toured the church owned Historic Kirtland sights including...

The Newel K. Whitney Store

The above fireplace is the one located on the second level of the store in a room used for the School of the Prophets and is the same fireplace that after receiving the revelation for the Word of Wisdom the men threw their pipes into.

A bishop who was in our tour group shared that he was going to take a picture of this fireplace to help remind him to always be mindful of what bad habits he might need to "throw into the fireplace" to draw closer to God.

After one week in this "foreign land" :) I have concluded that I would not have made a very good pioneer. When I first joined the church I was convinced that with my fire of faith I could have crossed the plains and whistled a tune along the way. I have come to realize that I might not have been afraid to strike out along the roadway but I would have cast many longing and backward glances at the place I was leaving behind. I imagine that I would have suffered mightily even unto heartbreak. Just think, they were not able to call their family or write to them along the way. Some probably didn't even know if they would ever see them again! Maybe those pioneers felt a little like I imagine I would and still they took their broken hearts, pointed their feet to the west and one step at a time followed their faith and hoped for the best. I am in awe of their sacrifices and I am thankful for telephones :)

Why We Love Modesto

2011-07-11T09:57:00.001-07:00

Concert in the Park

American Graffiti

Knockout Burger and Scenic Drive at Sunset

Close enough to the Giants

Farmland - Orchards, Vineyards, Dairy Farms and Produce Fields. When the weather gets warm it smells like peaches!

The abundance of classic car enthusiasts

Great growing weather for amateur gardeners.

Only 2 hrs to our favorite camping spot - Bass Lake, CA.

But what we love most about Modesto is the people, family and friends who make the everyday extraordinary!

Firsts and Lasts

2011-07-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been filled with many firsts and lasts. Some bittersweet, some exciting and some sad. Here is a peak...

Michael and Dad's first time canning on their own. My dad wrote "M & J" with the date on all the jar lids :)

Our last family picnic at Sutter Creek - my cousin Jenny and her family, Aunt Kathy, my dad and the niece and nephew enjoyed one fun day of swimming, picnic foods and baseball.

Our last 4th of July Concert in the Park - one of my very favorite summer activities of all-time!

Our last 2nd Ward Pancake breakfast and flag ceremony for the 4th of July, what a great tradition!

Our first time selling a car ourselves, the Golden Flash went to some dear friends of ours. We also took our last car ride with the kiddos - they were so sad to see it sold, especially Novalee as it was the car we took her around in when she was smaller and spent lots of time with us.

My very first pedicure - not as weird as I thought it would be. Thanks Kim!

Our last trip to the Organic Farmer's Market downtown. I would go once a week and pick-up farm fresh fruits and veggies and amazing breads. The kids loved to sample the fruits and talked Michael into buying them an Icee on our last time round...what a softie he is ;)

Our first and last SF Giants game this year. We were lucky enough to pick up some Club Level tickets on the first base side. We carpooled with our good friends and enjoyed a night of great baseball and super yummy ballpark food (Garlic Fries!).

Last time hanging out with our friends the Grimsmans, who moved to Folsom a few years ago. They are always so much fun! We played Bananagrams in the dentist's office while they got their teeth cleaned and then went for a picnic.

On our last night in Modesto we picked up our niece and nephew and took them out to their favorite spot - The Yogurt Mill in Roseburg Square...

They loved it!

Mikey's first time waiting for room service. Our flight in DC was cancelled and when we finally got a hotel for the night room service was the only food available...it was delicious!

First time in DC - okay so we really never left the airport, except for the shuttle to our hotel just outside the airport and we saw no sights but it was still our first time.

In between all that we also took one last trip to the Oakland temple, where we were sealed, it was a beautiful day!

We were also blessed to have an open house thrown by some friends of ours so we could spend time with our ward family and eat yummy desserts. We attended a ward BBQ (tri-tip!). Thank-you to everyone for your love and kindess all these years we love Modesto and we love you too!

Like Father, Like Son

2011-06-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Michael's dad was a photographer. Michael loves taking pictures of the sky and landscapes. He took these on they way home from our Bass Lake Campout. I think they are beautiful!

Graduation Celebration

2011-05-24T08:07:00.001-07:00

Just a few photos of this last week's graduation activities...

Us at the College of Math & Sciences Selected Assembly 2011, Michael was receiving the CMS Outstanding Thesis Award!

This is Michael's AMAZING and oh-so-helpful Thesis Advisor Fred Ringwald. I kept trying to get pictures of the two of them together but our camera is on the fritz. Dr. Ringwald was such a great advisor and mentor for Michael and they are going to be publishing their paper in the journal New Astronomy this summer...

If you look closely you'll see Michael's name on the right page :) Here he is (below) accepting his award from the Department head and the Dean of the CMS.

Michael with the Physics Department Head, Dr. Singleton and Dr. Tenney, discussing physics stuff.

This is the Physics Department's graduation dinner. It was so much fun! It was held at the Veterans Memorial Building in Clovis, CA. We had a scrumptious dinner and Michael got recognized again not only for his thesis work but for being one of only a handful of graduates this semester.
Here is his "major award" (...think "A Christmas Story") and it really is FRAGILE :) Somehow the glass was made in a linear accelerator...they explained it all but I still don't get it.
And now the moment you've all been waiting for...Introducing Michael J. Gariety, Master of Science, Physics!!!

We took a few pictures outside after the ceremony. I was so proud of him and seeing him walk into the arena while they were playing Pomp and Circumstance I had to hold back tears. It meant so much to me to see his dreams fulfilled. Michael is incredibly smart but he is also kind and deserves so many wonderful things out of life...

Saturday we celebrated with a little party at the park- thanks to all those who came out to wish Michael congratulations! You made the day so special for him. He couldn't believe that so many people cared about him enough to come by and share in his special day.

Gariety's Garden

2011-05-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

Our plants have been loving the weather lately. Warm days and cool night have put them in the mood to grow!

sugar snap peas

Bibb lettuce, strawberries and rhubarb

squash

Habanero, Jalapeno and Thai Peppers

Heirloom tomato

We also planted 6 Cinderella Pumpkin plants and 1 Jack-Be-Little Pumpkin. Last year none of our heirloom pumpkins survived until maturity so we are implementing some new pumpkin-survival strategies, including starting them earlier and placing them in different locations in the yard. We have a few more trays of seeds left to be transplanted when they are a little larger (bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, onions and banana peppers) and we'd like to add some herbs to the garden like cilantro, chives and basil.

Research Symposium and Cheesecake

2011-04-14T19:18:00.001-07:00

This month Michael participated in the Central California Research Symposium held at Fresno State University. He was selected out of many hundreds of applicants to present his research. It was so interesting to watch as many people came by to see what he'd been researching. I am so proud of Michael and the hard work he has put into getting his Master's degree.

Below are some excerpts from the FSU CSM Newsletter coming out next month...

"Michael Gariety’s M.S. thesis was selected as Outstanding Thesis for the College of Science and Mathematics for 2011. It was a theoretical analysis of three recently developed methods of estimating distances to cataclysmic variables, compared with Hubble Space Telescope and other observations.

Astrophysics Research at Fresno State is carried out by Dr. Frederick A. Ringwald and his students. It mainly concerns cataclysmic variable stars and related objects, such as novae and black holes. We also observe exoplanets, which are planets of other stars, and stellar flares.

In a cataclysmic variable, a normal star (like the Sun) spills gas onto a burned-out cinder that once was a star, called a white dwarf. The normal star and the white dwarf orbit each other very quickly, in as little as 80 minutes, so the gas deflects around the white dwarf into an accretion disk, or cosmic whirlpool.

The disk can easily dominate the light, so we use cataclysmic variables to study accretion disk physics. There are disks of many kinds across the Universe, from the rings of Saturn, to star formation, to the disk of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The Milky Way rotates once every 250 million years, though. Cataclysmic variables operate on human timescales: the wonders of the Universe unfold before our eyes.

Most astrophysics research at Fresno State uses Fresno State’s station at Sierra Remote Observatories, which Dr. Ringwald and his students operate by remote control from campus, over the Internet. It is at a superb dark site in the Sierra Nevada, near Shaver Lake."

AFTER the symposium Michael took me out to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory...

We sampled the corn fritters...

And Michael tried the super-fantastic, ultra-delicious Memphis Burger. It was a burger with slow roasted BBQ pork, bacon, cheese, crunchy onion straws and coleslaw on top. Amazing!

Gariety's Garden

2011-04-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks Michael and I have been preparing the garden. We decided to try a few new organic "tricks" to help us have a weed free garden. We added organic compost to the soil, covered it with a barrier of recycled paper (which is supposed to break down gradually into the soil) and added a layer of cocoa shell mulch. Two weeks ago we started our seeds and yesterday in between conference sessions we planted a few choice vegetables and fruits.
In the top left we planted 6 rows of peppers (jalapeno, thai chili and banana) with more to come when our seedlings sprout. Mike uses them for homemade salsa in the summer time. In the top right is zuchini and tomato (also more to come from seeds), the bottom right has strawberries, rhubarb and pickling cucumbers and the bottom left was left open for all the rest of our seedings once they are big to plant.
Here are just some pics of walkway we added. Last year it was hard to get to the middle of the garden so we put our heads together and decided to divide the garden into 4 quadrants with the walkway and then stepping stones on either side.

For The Beauty of The Earth

2011-04-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

A couple of picks from a hail storm we had last week. These pictures were taken about 2 hours after the storm. Even after a few hours the sides of the road were piled with mounds of hail - it looked a bit like snow :) And that rainbow was Fan-TAS-tic!

Whacky Weather

2011-02-26T14:29:00.001-08:00

We've had pouring rain, hail, sunshine, forecasters calling for snow flurries - it's been awesome! The only thing we've missed is some good lightening and thunder...

Hope you enjoy my "weather girl" audition. Nancy Hicks-Gribble you better watch your back ;)

Quick and Easy Dinner

2011-02-26T14:19:00.001-08:00

5 Minute French Dip

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. sliced roast beef (from the deli)
4 slices Provolone Cheese, cut in half
4 Sandwich Rolls
1 Can Campbell's French Onion Soup
3 TBS Worcestershire Sauce

Preheat oven to 350.

Halve rolls and place 2 half cheese slices on cut side of bread. Place on baking sheet and put in oven to toast bread and melt cheese.

In sauce pan heat soup with 1 C water, roast beef slices and Worcestershire sauce until boiling. Remove bread from oven, top melted cheese with roast beef slices, close sandwich. Ladle leftover soup into cup or small bowl for individual dipping.

Makes 4 sandwiches

We tried this last week and loved it - we had sliced fruit and oven-baked steak fries with it. Campbell's has some pretty good recipes on their website.

Be My Valentine FHE Fun

2011-02-26T14:05:00.001-08:00

This Valentine's Day fell on a Monday and we wanted to share the love :) so we baked up some goodies and dropped them off at a few friend's houses. It was so nice to see everyone - we only wished we'd made more so that we could have visited more people!

Blondies and Lemon bars

I also had the chance to make some bouquets for family members who wanted them for their big nights out.

Photo Faves

2011-02-09T07:57:00.001-08:00

Here are some of the photos we loved best from the session Tami did for us. We hope you like them too :)

SETI's Dr. Seth Shostak

2011-01-29T08:29:00.000-08:00

Dr. Seth Shostak on The Colbert Report

Last night we were privileged to hear Dr. Seth Shostak from the SETI Institute in Mountain View. He was the featured speaker at M.A.P.S. Not only did he come prepared to share information about the search for intelligent extra-terrestrial life he was FUNNY! The lecture hall was packed full of people (standing room only) and everyone stayed at the end to hear his answers to audience questions. Mike and I loved it! One of the best we've been to over the years.

A great lecture + mexican food = another fantastic night out!

Friday Night, Date Night

2011-01-15T19:06:00.001-08:00

Friday nights, as you know, are "date nights" and this last Friday Michael took me on an amazing date. We went to a M.A.P.S. presentation of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom presented by Peter Gros. Along with video clips from some of his adventures Peter Gros had lots of animals with him including a beaver (who would JUMP for bread), small and large alligators, many monkeys, a large kangaroo who loved crackers, a huge anaconda, a porcupine from Africa, leaping lemurs and a kimodo dragon who used his tongue to smell the audience. It was hilarious, informative and the animals were showstoppers! Peter ended the presentation with a bit of wisdom for the packed auditorium...he said that our planet is resilient and we shouldn't feel lost when we hear all the news stories about calamities around the world. Basically, that things aren't as bad as the news would have us believe when it comes to our natural world.

We finished up the night by trying out a new BBQ restaurant Buddy's.

It is always so nice to get dressed up and go out on Friday's. I'm so glad I have a husband who realizes how important it is to plan dates for us. Date nights are so wonderful!

Happy Happy Birthday

2011-01-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hello 31! This year for my birthday I asked for a kitten but instead I got the stomach flu, which is almost the same amount of mess to clean up. Just kidding - well not about the flu part but I did have a pretty awesome B-day considering. Michael kicked his birthday spoiling into overdrive since my birthday fell on a Monday and he had to work most of the day. I had a hot stone massage in the morning (by "Helga" who was as strong as she sounds) and we went to Outback for dinner (not the best idea, me having the flu and all but on the bright side we hardly ate anything). Michael joyously allowed me to "pull rank" all evening long even watching my new favorite TV show with me Hawaii 5-0! I was so grateful for all the birthday cards, phone calls and well-wishes I received. Thanks to everyone for making my day such a special one! I am looking forward to 2011 hoping it will be the year of the Garietys!! :)

Our Fallow Field

2011-01-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

2011 brings with it so many exciting opportunities including what to plant in the garden this spring!

Here is our wish list so far:

Kentucky Blue Pole Beans
Sugar Snap Peas
Pickling Cucumbers
Grape Tomatoes
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Thai Chilies
Zucchini
Banana Peppers
Strawberries

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-01-05T13:06:00.000-08:00

Our annual, early morning Christmas Tree photo. Unfortunately our 4 month old camera's flash has stopped working. Maybe Santa will bring us a new camera for Christmas next year...

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

"...As happens so often if we are not careful, the symbols can cover that which is symbolized. In some of our lives the manger has already been torn down to allow for a discount store running three-for-a-dollar specials on gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Maybe Christmas Doesn't Come From A Store
By Jeffrey R. Holland

After working a seasonal job for the largest toy company in the world I have struggling to feel the magic and peace the Christmas season usually brings. Day in and day out I have watched people stalk through the isles of stores searching for "things" to buy, there were very few smiles and even less mention of a Merry Christmas. I know Christmas wasn't always like this and my Christmas wish is that our little family might more fully realize the true meaning of Christmas. Michael and I would like to wish all of you, our friends and family, a very merry Christmas! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas day filled with love, laughter and peace.

Happy Days

2010-12-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

This last week has brought with it two very special occasions, our 11th anniversary and Michael's birthday.

Per our anniversary tradition we went out to dinner. This year Michael choose a restaurant in Turlock called Mi Casa which had a very authentic atmosphere including a strolling acoustic guitarist and an amazing dish called Mocahete.

Mocahete is a simmering dish served inside a lava rock mortar (mortar/pestle) it had steak, chicken, shrimp and octopus (Octopus?! I know but it was yummy) in a spicy tomato based sauce with a mountain of cheese on top. It was unlike anything we've ever had before. Then we drove over to Christmas Tree Lane in Ceres, after stopping to pick up some hot cocoa, and walked around admiring the lights and holding hands under our umbrella. We were the only people walking around that night because of the rain but tradition is tradition and the rain didn't bother us a bit!

For Michael's birthday he wanted to go bowling so after a day of "Pulling Rank" (our tradition of the birthday boy/girl getting everything their way on their birthday...if someone isn't complying you just "Pull Rank" and get what you want. Totally fun!) we headed out to McHenry Bowl where Mike smoked us all and I broke 100! We ate dinner at Fudrucker's. Michael had the Bison burger (tasty and healthy). Then we went home to eat cake and open presents. Mikey requested his favorite Chocolate Cheesecake Cake with Cream Cheese frosting. He got a new watch and the card game Five Crowns along with a load of well wishes and phone calls from his cousin Mick in Australia and his brother Arthur accompanied by our nieces and nephews. Thanks everyone for making his B-day so special!

Michael is a wonderful guy who makes everyday fun - Happy Birthday honey :)

Season of Love

2010-12-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

Tami gave us another preview of her handiwork. What do you think? I love Michael's leather jacket (a birthday gift last year from my dad). We are excited to see how all the photos come out. :)

Way Back Wednesday

2010-12-08T09:49:00.001-08:00

Michael made this little beauty in honor of our amazing friend LeeAnn (who loves Mt. Dew) a couple of years ago. We would play board games until late at night and laugh until our bellies ached. Once we played Yuker and each hand the losing team had to eat a random "Every Flavor" Jelly Bean - LeeAnn and I lost every hand but one. Disgustingly hilarious :) We went out to dinner together almost every Friday night and it was always more like dinner and a show when Mike and Mark got together. Since they moved to Idaho a few years ago we have missed them mucho but they are doing well and love their new home.

Sneak Peak

2010-12-03T20:47:00.001-08:00

Here is a little preview of the family pictures our friend (and uber-talented photographer) Tami took of us.

Wicked Weather

2010-12-03T20:27:00.001-08:00

We had some wet and wild weather on our trip home from NM. Here are some pics we took from the car on I-40 and into California. Some of them are kind of beautiful.

An Enchanted Thanksgiving

2010-12-03T20:10:00.000-08:00

We have been blessed for the past few years to be able to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico for Thanksgiving. Michael's brother Arthur lives there with his wife and 5 kiddos. This year was extra special because another brother, Matthew, flew out from NY to join us. Here some pics from our trip to the Land of Enchantment...

To Arthur, Sharee, Dallin, Daphne, Sean, Hayden and little Sydney: Thank you for so graciously opening your home to us. for the delicious feast and all the good times! To Matthew: we are so happy you got to come out and spend Thanksgiving with us! And to all the rest of the Gariety clan - we missed you all and hope that maybe next year we can all be together.

Decking The Halls

2010-12-03T20:06:00.001-08:00

Our new Christmas wreath was made out of "extras" in our Christmas box. The plain wreath was given to me by a friend, the berries, pine cones, bells, Santa ornament and Believe sign all were part of past decorations. Waste not want not! It is always fun to create something new out of a bunch of misfit items. :)

Toffee Bars

2010-12-03T20:01:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe in one of my old cookbooks and decided to try it out. These bars taste a lot like Almond Roca - delicious!

Toffee Bars

1/2 C room temp butter
1/2 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 C flour

1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 Tbs butter
2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C chopped almonds (or Heath chips)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar together. Add salt, stir. Beat in flour. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9" x 13" pan. Bake for 15 minutes
2. Meanwhile, in a heavy stock pot heat condensed milk and butter, stirring constantly, until boiling. Turn down heat a little and continue stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over crust. Bake 15 minutes.
3. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle with chips. Return to oven for 1 minute until chips begin to soften. Smooth out chips with spatula to make a layer of chocolate. Sprinkle with almonds.
4. Chill in freezer until set. Loosen edges and slide out of pan. Cut into bars (will be a little hard to cut through - that's the way it's supposed to be :). Let come to room temp and ENJOY! :)

Marley & Me

2010-11-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

"Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all."
— John Grogan (Marley & Me)

Join John Grogan as he retells the story of his life with Marley, a playful "clearance puppy" purchased for his wife Jenny as they began their lives together. Marley was with the Grogan family from their trying-to-have-a-baby stage to the birth of their third child, from Miami to Pennsylvania, from chewing through walls and running wild during thunder storms to never leaving Jenny's side when she lost the baby. Filled with heartwarming stories, laugh-out-loud moments and life lessons this book is the perfect read. Pretty clean and good. Even if you've seen the movie the book is still worth reading (it's true- the book is always better)!

"A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his."
- John Grogan (Marley & Me)

Marley & Me Movie Slideshow

Isabelle

2010-11-20T08:49:00.001-08:00

(Hanging around the BBQ - one of her favorite activites)

Yesterday our sweet doggie Isabelle died. She was 16 years old and had been our family pet for more than half of my life. She came to us when my mom worked for Stanislaus County Animal Control. She had gone out on an animal abuse call and found a sweet, starving, beaten, scared puppy that she didn't have the heart to take to the pound. This little puppy and I loved eachother from the beginning. I would take her for walks and she loved to climb into my lap anytime I sat down, even when she grew into a large adult dog. She loved to be in the front yard where neighbors would stop and pet her and children would play with her (and on her).

You can learn a lot from a dog. Isabelle taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. She taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk around the block, sitting in the summer warmth, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as she grew old and achy, she taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, she taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty. (Marley & Me)

(Watching everyone carve pumpkins last year)

"Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them"
— John Grogan

The Nicest Old Gal On The Block

Old-Fashioned Southern Moon Pies

2010-11-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a classic dessert that will please both kids and adults alike try this Old-Fashioned Southern Moon Pie recipe. These moist and chewy chocolate cookies are paired with fluffy marshmallow filling for the perfect after-school snack or FHE treat.

Ingredients

Cookies:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened (room temp)

Filling:

1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup marshmallow creme

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
To Make Cookies: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine and white sugar. Add egg, evaporated milk, and vanilla. Mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Add flour mixture slowly to sugar mixture while stirring. Mix just until all ingredients are combined.
Drop the dough onto greased cookie sheet by rounded tablespoonfuls. Leave at least 3 inches in between each one; dough will spread as it bakes.
Bake in preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, until firm when pressed with finger and top begins to crack. Allow to cool on wire rack at least one hour before filling.
Marshmallow Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, blend together 1/2 cup butter or margarine, confectioners' sugar, flavored extract, and marshmallow creme. Mix until smooth. Assemble pies by spreading 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of filling on flat side of a cookie crust, then covering filling with flat side of another cookie crust.

Happy Baking!

Way Back Wednesday

2010-11-17T10:26:00.001-08:00

Next month will mark 11 years since our honeymoon to Catalina Island. When Michael and I left the island we promised each other we would go back every year for our anniversary. Things happen, as they always do, and between finals, birthdays and Christmas we have never had the time or the money to go back. We loved our time there and hope someday to return. Besides the Keys, Catalina is the only island we've been to. For us there is something magical about islands and who couldn't use a bit of magic in their lives this time of year? :)

A Happy Halloweenie

2010-10-31T18:28:00.001-07:00

Saturday, October 30th Michael and I hosted a little Halloween Party for some of our family...

We had a taco/nacho/burrito bar and Michael made a special holiday punch that was amazing!

After lunch we played a few games including "The Great Cookie Face Race" (as seen on AFV). The object of the game is to be the fastest to use just your facial muscles to move a cookie from your forehead to your mouth - it is fun and super funny. Here are some pics of the action...

We bobbed for apples, one of the favorite games of all the kids, trying to be the fastest to pick up an apple. The slowest was also recognized with lots of giggling and cheering on :)

Braylon spent his day cheering on all the bobbers and his night defending Gotham City...

We wish a very happy Halloweenie to all our friends and family!

Go Giants!

2010-10-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

World Series 2010
Giants vs. Rangers

Let's Go Giants!

Just Us and Our Jack-o-Lanterns

2010-10-23T18:30:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful day to carve our Jack-0-Lanterns! It is rainy and cool in Modesto today and Michael and I took advantage of an hour of down-time before the Giants vs Phillies game got underway to have a little Halloween fun...

These babies came straight from our garden!

I love squishing my hands around inside the pumpkin - it feels so goopy!

For mine, I decided to go with a "G" (for the Giants?!)
Michael decided to etch out a cool design we found online...

Don't they look cool? I love Mike's etching!!

And when the carving was all over we roasted the pumpkin seeds. The perfect snack for the Giants game!

Let's Go Giants! Let's Go!!

Neat-o Knitting

2010-10-23T18:28:00.001-07:00

Here is one of the beanies I knitted. I've knitted 4 so far but have given the others away. I'm so excited to knit - it is not only fun but in the end you get something you can wear (or share)!

Pao de Galinha

2010-10-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is Michael's all-time favorite recipe. I wanted to share it with you because it is easy to prepare and super delicious! (Always a favorite with the Elders and a RS cook-off winner) :)

INGREDIENTS:
6 to 8 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
2 bricks of cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter, softened
4 to 5 cans of refrigerated crescent rolls

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 small tub sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

Boil or cook chicken in crock pot until it is shreddable. Shred into bite-sized pieces. Mix chicken with cream cheese and butter until well combined. Fill 1 uncooked crescent roll with 1 to 2 tbs of chicken mixture and seal edges (we usually just wrap the roll dough around the meat to form it into a ball and smooth edges so they are sealed). Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Continue to fill all crescent rolls. Bake according to directions on crescent roll can (most of the time it is 375 for 13 minutes).

While rolls are baking combine sour cream and cream of chicken in sauce pan and heat through. When rolls come out of the oven serve with sauce. We like to accompany this dish with garlic parmessan mashed potatoes and a fruit salad. We hope you like it!

When You Wish Upon A Star...

2010-10-19T08:32:00.001-07:00

Dreams came true this weekend as Michael and I took a trip to Disneyland. We felt so blessed to experience that special Disney magic with some of our family. It is a whole different adventure when you go with children, they were so excited about everything - it was wonderful!

Day 1

Dad, Hannah, Novalee, Aunt Kathy, Braylon, Jacob, Travis, Michael and I just inside the main gate. None of the kids had ever been to Disneyland before and they didn't know what to expect. The older boys thought it might be like the rides at the fair - not even close boys!

Our first "ride" was the train that travels around the park, so the kids could get a look at everything they had to offer. All was well until we came to the Dinosaur portion of the train ride - it made Braylon cry. That mean old T-Rex! He pulled his hood over his face and wouldn't look at anything else until the train stopped.

Nothing made this girl cry - not Space Mountain, not the Tower of Terror - she enjoyed every last minute in the park. She was a joy to have along.

Loving "It's A Small World"

Aunt Kathy bought mouse ears for all the littler ones. She was so much fun to have along - just as excited as one of the kids!

Mike and I enjoying the pumpkin-y decor around the park.

On day 1 we enjoyed The Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Captain E-O, Indiana Jones, Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and we stood in line for the Matterhorn but when we got to the front the ride went down and we were out of luck, It's a Small Wold, we Soared Over California and we got to see the fireworks show and we had a midnight meal at IHOP.

Day 2:

After going to bed at almost 2 am everyone was up and ready to go by 8! I've never seen children get up and ready so fast :)

Say "Disneyland!!"

Day 2 - We rode Space Mountain, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan and The Tower of Terror! We shopped on Main Street and ate at the Space Port. Everyone was so impressed with Disneyland. I was impressed with how well behaved the kiddos were, they are always good but they were on their best behavior for Mr. Disney!

On the ride home, Mike and I took all the younger kids in our car so they could play together. After two nights of not getting to bed until after 1am and being up at 7am can you believe they stayed awake all the way into Bakersfield? What a bunch of crazies :) They made everything more fun!

The Great Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin

2010-10-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

These muffins come out so moist (but not sticky) - they are bursting with fall flavors and delicious chocolate. The perfect late night snack to hold you over while you're waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive.

One of my favorites!

Ingredients:

4 Eggs
2 C sugar
1 can pumpkin (16 oz)
1 tsp vanilla
1 & 1/4 C oil (vegetable or light olive oil)
3 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice * optional *

In large mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla and oil until smooth.
Mix dry ingredients together and mix into pumpkin mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.
Fill paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full.
Bake at 400 degrees for 16-20 minutes.

** We also substitute shredded carrot, raisins and chopped walnuts for chocolate chips**

Zuppa Toscana - A Family Favorite

2010-10-08T09:10:00.001-07:00

The overcast skies, drizzling rain and cool breezes officially signaled the beginning of "Soup Weather" at our house. We kicked off the season by whipping up a pot of Zuppa Toscana, a delicious potato based soup with kale and sausage, perfect for those rainy days or any day when you want to warm up with a nice bowl of homemade soup.

The new meat grinder attachment to our Kitchenaid Mixer arrived a few weeks ago and so I made my own sausage for this soup. It allowed me to control the amount and quality of ingredients and I was able to use a lean cut of meat which meant less fat.

I hope you get a chance to try this one - it is excellent! Very close to the Olive Garden version.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb ground Italian sausage (we make our own by grinding lean pork loin chops with crushed red pepper flakes, course salt, pepper and fennel seed)
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced onion, white or yellow
2 strips bacon, chopped finely
2 tsp garlic, minced finely
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
¼ to 1/2 of a bunch of Kale

Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Remove sausage from pan & drain any excess dripping from the pan and set sausage aside.

In the same pan, sauté bacon pieces, garlic & onions for about 15 minsutes or until the onions are soft.

Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and bring to a boil.

Add the sliced potatoes and cook until soft, about 1/2 hour.

Add the heavy cream and heat but don't boil, stir often.

Return the sausage to the pan and add the kale, let all heat through about 2 minutes. Top with shredded Parmesan Cheese.

Serve With This Homemade Rustic Bread

Happy Harvest!!

And The Winner Is...

2010-10-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Mike and I won a two hour photography session with our friend and amazing photographer Tami! We are so excited to get a nice picture taken. It will be our first family picture since our wedding day.

Please click on her logo above to see her work. Not only is she very talented, she is sweet as pie! We love you Tami and are so excited to work with you!!

Let The Countdown Begin!!!

2010-10-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

Finished our family Halloween Countdown Calendar just in the nick of time. Now to fill the pockets with some yummy treats (and a few tricks)...

** >{OOO}< **

Mexican Fiesta!

2010-09-28T08:52:00.001-07:00

For our Date Night Friday we went to 2nd Ward's Mexican Fiesta. 2nd Ward was our home (and still feels like our home) for 8 years. A lot of previous 2nd warders still attend activities and special events in the ward and try to keep in touch. As one of the less affluent wards in our area Modesto 2nd outshines all others when it comes to service and caring for it's members. At the RS Broadcast dinner last Saturday I overheard another ex-2nd warder say that 2nd ward "...is just LOVE!" And it is! Thank you for inviting us and for keeping us part of the "family" :)

Halloween Countdown Calendar

2010-09-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Pottery Barn has a super cute Halloween Countdown Calendar in their Early Fall catalog this year but at $60 + tax it was way out of our price range. With $20 and some creativity I came up with one of our very own...*

Supplies:

Pkg of 36" x 36" black felt
6 sheets orange felt
2 sheets cream felt
Pre-cut felt pumpkins, cats and an owl
Pre-cut felt numbers and letters enough for all 31 days, "Happy Halloween" and our last name
Carpenter's square
Scissors
Fabric Glue
Wooden dowel
Ribbon

Fold down a 2" section at the top of your black felt and glue on edge to create a sleeve for your dowel (to hang calendar on the wall later).

Center 4 orange felt sheets into a large rectangle 1" from left side of black felt and 2" from top. Use Carpenter's Square to help get everything lined up. Measure 1" on right side and cut away excess black felt. Leave bottom as is for now.

Glue orange squares in place.

I couldn't find everything to make the Pottery Barn calendar exactly like it is in the catalog so I decided to concentrate on trying to add some of the things I loved about it. Like this spooky tree and the fantastic orange and black (Go Giants!) colors.

Using a white crayon freehand the tree onto black felt that was cut away from main 36" x 36" section and cut it out. Cut out a moon from cream felt.

Glue tree trunk first, then the moon behind the branches and then all the branches to the orange felt.

Cut a slightly curvy edge on the bottom of the black felt and fold it up so that it overlaps the bottom of the tree trunk slightly (it will make the ground around the tree). Glue along the curvy edge to secure in place. See below where the pumpkins and cats are placed.

Using the bar code sticker on the felt, I cut out 31 orange squares out of 2 sheets of felt placed back to back. I also cut out a few black squares and 3 bats from my left over black scraps.

Glue stars or pre-cut felt images to front sides of pocket. Top with numbers. Glue pockets onto calendar making sure to glue only the side and bottom edges of the pockets and leave the middle and top open to accept treats.

Spell out "Happy Halloween" on the bottom

(Which I still need to do when I've got time to get to the craft store for white felt lettering).

Fill pockets with candies and begin the countdown!!
It was so fun to make this tricky-treat holder and we can pull it out every Halloween.

*as you can probably tell the calendar isn't finished yet but I hope you can still get an idea of what it should come out like :) Happy Crafting!

Summer's Final Curtain Call

2010-09-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

With tomorrow being the Autumnal Equinox, Michael and I decided to try out a new tradition...

Cocoa Sunset!

I am forever concerned with traditions in our home. We haven't been able to have a family of our own (yet) and I sometimes feel like we miss out on a lot of family traditions. I don't want life to pass us by without being able to enjoy some sense of tradition so today Mike and I decided to watch the final sunset of summer on the lawn while enjoying some hot chocolate (it was actually fairly breezy and cool outside).

We talked about the things we experienced this summer and we each took a turn saying one thing we loved about this summer:

Mike - Doug and Aly's Wedding...
Amber - sitting club level at the Giants game for the first time.

Goodbye Summer 2010!

Deaf Church

2010-09-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today Michael and I had an experience we will never forget. We met a group of saints who were the embodiment of all that is good in the world and in this church. Today Michael and I attended the Carmichael 2nd Branch, a deaf branch. We spent the three hour block with some of the most amazing people you would ever have hoped to meet.

In Relief Society I stood in awe as the sisters, sitting in a circle, asked me questions and through one of the girls I used to have in YW's I answered them (thanks Kaitlyn!). They "clapped" when I signed my name and hugged me calling me by name when the lesson was over. I met the most amazing woman, Velma, who was beautiful and had a smile as big as the heavens. She was deaf, her parents were deaf and she had both deaf and hearing children. It was almost like you could see her testimony radiating from her, like it was a tangible element. Instantly she was the friend you never knew, you'd always longed for.

In Sunday School, we were witness to one of the most insightful lessons on the book of Hosea. Again, the Spirit was so strong it was as if we felt we could reach up and swipe it away from our faces. One of the sister missionaries translated aloud for Michael and I during the lesson so we could understand every word.

In sacrament meeting everyone sat together in the middle. We watched as they signed the sacrament prayer, word for word. We joined in as everyone signed the hymns and we laughed when the Branch President gave a talk about pride. He, jokingly, called out his 2nd counselor as a "sinner" for choosing 1 lolly pop now instead of 2 lolly pops later in a made up scenario where a little patience would have gained a double return. Everyone was rolling with laughter. Laughter is laughter, even for people who can't hear it. It was pure and good.

I am so grateful for this wonderful experience, for the witness I received. Even when I could not understand what was being signed I was granted the blessing of knowing what was being communicated - a love for the Lord and for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank-you Carmichael 2nd we will always remember you!

Lucky Girl

2010-09-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off to Time Out For Women in Sacramento. I look forward to this event every year. Not just for the chance to listen to some amazing speakers and musicians but also for the opportunity to spend some time with my friends. The only down side, and for me it's a BIG down side, is that I am away from my sweetheart. Sometimes I find myself enjoying something a speaker is saying and wanting so much to share it with him or wishing that he were there to join in the fun (which I'm sure wouldn't be much fun for him - way too much estrogen at an event like TOFW). I guess what I'm trying to say is that in the end, I feel lucky. Lucky to be able to go, lucky to have friends to share it with, lucky to have a husband that I love so much that I miss him after only a few hours, lucky to know that families can be together forever.

Cold Train Coming

2010-09-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

"In Fort Benton, Montana, an old collie's master has died and the casket has been put on the train. For the next six years, four times a day, Shep meets every incoming train hoping to see the old sheepherder." Cold Train Coming, set in 1942 Montana, was music to my heart. I enjoyed reading this book more than once and have passed it on to many a family member and friend. It tells the story of 13 year old Ben Colby and his family as he befriends the dog, finds his first love and gets into some hilarious predicaments. It is a *good, clean* read, a truly wonderful story. Perfect fall or winter book. So, make yourself some cookies and curl up on the couch with this literary gem. You won't be disappointed.

Scrumdidlyumptious Cookies

2010-09-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
2 C Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C butterscotch chips
1/2 C chopped walnuts
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten
2/3 C butter slightly softened but still cool
1/4 C water

Directions: 1. Mix all dry ingredients together.
2. Add Vanilla and butter and mix until well combined.
3. Add egg and water and mix until all are incorporated.
4. Drop by ice cream scoop fulls onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 375 for 9 to 11 minutes.
5.Remove to a rack to cool.

"Little surprises around every corner, but nothing dangerous."
-- Willy Wonka

Applesauce

2010-09-07T20:28:00.001-07:00

The apples on our tree ripened this last weekend. We are in the middle of a short cool down this week and so this morning I made and canned some applesauce. I've never peeled so many apples! And, in other news, one of the baskets of apples had a big spider in it and I almost stabbed myself in all my flailing and screaming. Luckily I survived and I think the spider did too (I threw it out along with a few apples).

Things

2010-09-07T20:21:00.001-07:00

Just a glimpse of what's been happening in our casa this weekend...

We harvested three more pumpkins from the garden...
We went up to the Oakland temple last Thursday and Friday nights. What a treat to go two nights in a row. We had so much fun Thursday accompanying the Young Single Adults from the branch for their temple night and Friday we went on a double date with our good friends the Rawes. They are awesome and such good company!
And we got a new bed (ta-da!!)! We have been debating on if we should get a new mattress for a while. We loved our Cal-King but after 10 years it was getting a little too many hills and valleys. The Labor Day weekend sales were too good to pass up. We got a Serta pillow top and our first EVER headboard/footboard. We downsized to a queen to save money and so far we haven't rolled off the bed :) Oh! I almost forgot the most important thing! Michael found us a steal on 800 (that's right 800) thread count Vera Wang sheets. They are so soft and luxurious. Great find Mikey!!

What To Do With Black-eyed Peas??

2010-09-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

This "Cowboy Caviar" comes from our friends the Adams family. They brought it to a get together our little FHE (Family Home Evening) group was having and it was such a hit! Everyone begged for the recipe and they were nice enough to share. It is a healthy alternative to fattier cream dips and can be a welcome change to salsa. In fact, Michael took it to his work's potluck today.

Adam's Family Cowboy Caviar

2 cans black-eyed peas, drained
1 can of "Shoepeg" corn - it is canned white corn (Green Giant makes it), drained
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 C cherry tomatoes (or any tomatoes) chopped
3-4 avocados chopped

1/2 to 3/4 C olive oil & vinegar salad dressing (or any other vinaigrette/Italian you enjoy)
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

Hope you enjoy this one - we sure do! Thanks Adams family!!

Have A Little Faith

2010-08-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

I read this book at the beginning of summer for our book group. I've been meaning to post a review of it for any of you who might be looking for a good read. Have A Little Faith was an amazing and uplifting book. Non-fiction and autobiographical, it chronicles the struggles two men had in finding faith again. One grew up in a Jewish household and the other in the projects. I found it to be delicious to the soul and engaging to the mind.

Getting Crafty

2010-08-31T08:12:00.001-07:00

With the start of school this week and the onset of a cooler spell of weather I've been feeling the fall crafting bug. I LOVE the fall season. It means that the holidays are coming along with cooler weather and however slight the chances are I always hope this year will bring a white Christmas.
Some friends and I get together once a month and try and learn a new craft or skill. In August we decided to make fall wreaths. They all turned out incredible and we had so much fun making them together! Our next project will be making flannel pajama pants.
Last summer I began learning how to knit. Since then I've completed a few simple projects. My newest attempt is a "denim blue" beanie. I was surprised how simple it was to knit in-the-round. I hope to finish it this week and begin learning how to knit mittens.
Rhubarb was on sale this week so I decided to make a strawberry-rhubarb pie (my dad's favorite). Rhubarb pie is sweet and tart - one of my nieces said it tastes like a Sour Patch Candy pie :)

Ingredients:
Pie crust for a two crust pie

4 cups of washed and sliced rhubarb
1 pint of strawberries, washed and sliced
1/3 C flour
3/4 C sugar

Combine above ingredients and allow to sit for 15 minutes until juices begin to flow.

Fill pie shell and cover with top crust. Crimp edges and slit top to allow steam to escape.

Bake at 375 for 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to completely cool before slicing

Enjoy!
I also did some random canning this week, finishing up the last of our pickles, carrots and green beans. I decided on spicy dill spears, spicy dilly beans utilizing the Thai Chilies Michael has been cultivating and sweet and sour pickled carrots.

As much as I love Autumn and wait in anticipation for the holiday season to be enjoyed with family and friends, I am trying this year to savor the last few drops of summer, to let it's warmth fill me up and tide me over until next year when it will begin all over again.

Summer Sun by Robert Louis Stevenson

Great is the sun, and wide he goes
Through empty heaven with repose;
And in the blue and glowing days
More thick than rain he showers his rays.

Though closer still the blinds we pull
To keep the shady parlour cool,
Yet he will find a chink or two
To slip his golden fingers through.

The dusty attic spider-clad
He, through the keyhole, maketh glad;
And through the broken edge of tiles
Into the laddered hay-loft smiles.

Meantime his golden face around
He bares to all the garden ground,
And sheds a warm and glittering look
Among the ivy's inmost nook.

Above the hills, along the blue,
Round the bright air with footing true,
To please the child, to paint the rose,
The gardener of the World, he goes

Go Giants!

2010-08-31T08:04:00.001-07:00

A few months ago Michael went on a guys night to the Giants game with some friends. They got to sit on the club level and even met Giant's tv personality Amy G! One of the men snapped this pic of Mike and Amy G after she did a spot right next to them during the game. (We just got the pics in an email).

This was also the game where Michael caught his first Major League foul ball...Go Giants!

Stuff

2010-08-27T09:45:00.001-07:00

What's been happening...
One of Michael's brothers, Matthew, came for a visit this week and along with family friend Paul these guys spent hours making each other laugh. Someday we hope to be able to visit Matt in N.Y., someday...
The garden is producing pumpkins. There are 4 right now and more growing...
Mike and I are serving in the Singles Branch in our Stake (at church) and are doing our best to show those kids that marriage is AWESOME :)

... that's about it for us these past few weeks.

Wuv...trwu wuv...

2010-08-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Doug & Aly
est. August 14, 2010

Last weekend Mike and I drove down to Los Angeles to attend Doug and Aly's wedding. We have both known Doug for many years and Micheal had the privilege of being one of his groomsmen. Doug introduced us to the kind, funny, smart, lovely Aly last year and we are so glad! They make a beautiful couple and their wedding was a fairytale.

They walked down the isle on a carpet of rose petals on the grounds of a swanky country club. The groom teared up when she came down the isle. His father officiated and spoke beautiful words of love and encouragement for both of them. The reception after the wedding was so much fun! We danced and ate amazing food and watched a slide show put together by the grooms sister about the happy couple. It was amazing and we are so happy to have shared in their happy day! Congratulations Doug and Aly :)

On the drive home we took Highway 1 for a few hours to see the coast line. Being in the car for that long reminded us of our yearly trip to New Mexico and we can't wait! We talked about how much we love those trips, not just the drive and the chance to have that time together but seeing our family whom we love so much and miss all year long. Can't wait to see you Albuquerque Turkeys!!

Taco Truck Tacos

2010-07-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

This is a great recipe to help you use up some leftover roast beef, pork or chicken. You can also brown up some ground beef or turkey if you don't have any leftovers handy.

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
Juice of 1 lime or lemon

Leftover Meat (enough to feed your family) shredded (We like pork or beef)
Oil
Taco seasoning

Corn Tortillas
Cholula Hot Sauce
Pickled Jalapeno slices, drained
Lime wedges
Salt

Directions:

Combine onion, cilantro and lime/lemon juice in a bowl and set aside

Warm tortillas in an ungreased cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place between damp paper towels when warmed and cover all with a clean dish towel.

Heat oil in a skillet and brown/crisp. Add a few shakes of taco seasoning for flavor if desired.

To Serve:

Place 2 small corn tortillas together on plate, top with meat, onion/cilantro mixture, jalapenos, Cholula and salt. Serve with a lime wedge.

Buen Provecho!

Who Are You?

2010-07-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Our True Identity

August's Book: The Coffin Quilt

2010-07-26T22:33:00.000-07:00

I just finished Ann Rinaldi's The Coffin Quilt and I loved it! For some reason I was so drawn to poor Roseanna who was "so purty that just being next to her is better than a piece of rock candy". And when she ran off with Johnse Hatfield "teeth so white, smile so sassy, eyes so blue...and dimples! What was it Ma said about dimples? "Sometimes you don't know if the Lord poked his finger there or the devil" that I felt my heart swelling and breaking right along with hers.

A good, clean read.

___________________________________________

""The Civil War conditioned men who fought in it to kill and to hate." Consequently, men came home from the war to their mountains with minds and rifles primed to react to the slightest trespass upon their exaggerated loyalty to kinfolk. The story is told by Fanny, the youngest of the fourteen McCoy children, who traces the beginnings of the famous feud to a confused Civil War shooting and a dispute over a herd of pigs. When her favorite older sister, the beautiful Roseanna, runs off with handsome Johnse Hatfield, it's like a bucket of gasoline thrown on the smoldering hatred between the two families."
--Amazon Review

Kentucky Coffin Quilt

Going Out With A Bang

2010-07-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from my uncle Brian's retirement par-tay!

He is an amazing guy! More than 300 people came out to wish him well and boogie down with him as he retired from the police force. His fellow officers told the funniest stories about his career in law enforcement...

Uncle Brian (Cliff) with his sister (my auntie) Kathy

Mike and I decked out in our luau party wear :)

Kat and (my cousin) Allyson were the (Wal-Mart) greeters for the evening...

Food, food and yep you guessed it, more food...

Some of his co-workers put together an 18 minute slide show of his life and his career - it was hilarious and touching. They got the best video of him dancing to his cell phone ring tone (he's famous for his crazy dancing - I think it runs in the family...)

Kat and I and Aunt Kathy and I

My cousin Roland, Kathy and Roland's girlfriend Sam

My dad and his date for the evening

They hired an amazing live band to play for the night. Everyone danced until well past midnight and we even got to sing with the band (Last Dance with Mary-Jane)!

It was a crazy, fun-filled night full of family and friends but the best part was that we were all able to show our love and appreciation to a man who has made a difference in so many lives. Happy Retirement Uncle Brian!!

How Now...Purple Cow?

2010-07-20T19:36:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Stanislaus County Fair...This year's theme "Flavors Of The Valley"!

Mikey's favorite flavor was the Chocolate Milk Barn. He had three large chocolate milks and you can see by his expression that he enjoyed each and every one of them :)

Our niece and nephew loved standing on the "Footsie Wootsie" vibrating foot massage machine. For only a quarter it was the cheapest "ride" at the fair!

Everyone had their favorite exhibits and animals...

Except our nephew who was terrified of the cows and had to cover his eyes so he wouldn't have to look at them.

Good Times!

Better Bargains

2010-07-20T19:21:00.001-07:00

I had a great yard sale day last Saturday! With 20 minutes and $5 in my pocket I struck out in search of something we could use. I hit three yard sales and was lucky enough to find not only some clothes for my dad (reversible vest, polo shirt and cashmere pullover - all for $1) but some pretty great stuff for me as well. Here is a peak into my haul...

Adorable, Strappy Mary-Jane's For - $2

Ralph Lauren Charcoal Gray Cordoroy Pants - $1

And my favorite purchase, a wool blend pea coat in lime green for $1! I tried on this coat at Target last winter and loved it but didn't have the moola in our budget to buy it. I guess good things really do come to those who wait :)

For those of you who have never ventured out to a yard sale, tag sale or garage sale - take a few bucks and see what you can find. And don't be afraid to bargain over the price!

Gariety's Garden

2010-07-13T13:56:00.001-07:00

There is something new in the garden this year...

Neptune's Harvest Crab Shells and recycled newspaper mulch!

A baby watermelon

One of our butternut squashes

So far the plants are loving it! Recycled newspaper is a good source of carbon for an urban garden as well as a weed prevention cloth and it is budget friendly. Crab shells are great fertilizers and help keep certain garden pests at bay. It is 79 cents a cup at the local nursery so it is budget friendly as well but be forewarned it stinks! It smells just like you would think dead crab would smell.

July's Campout

2010-07-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

Last Friday and Saturday night Michael and I went "camping" with the Underwood and Corona families. The Underwoods have a family camp on the river up past the Big Trees. On the way there we stopped at Giant Burger for dinner.

The food was delicious and the people were so nice!

We arrived at the camp just before dusk and everyone walked down to the river to check it out.

Kim, Mercedes and I

This is our room, inside the screened in area was a full sized bed with mattress and a bench. It was like the Hilton! :)

Here are some pics of the deck, dinning and kitchen areas. We loved relaxing in the swing chairs on the deck and eating Scott's great cooking.

The Corona's set up a tent by the fire pit and did an old-school campout.

Here we are on our way home Saturday night after a super relaxing and fun time. Some of the highlights were swimming in the freezing water and riding an air mattress down the (1 foot) rapids with Kim and Mercedes. Good Times!

"Feats of Strength" FHE Idea

2010-07-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Family home evening is a special time set aside each week that brings family members together and strengthens their love for each other, helps them draw closer to Heavenly Father, and encourages them to live righteously.

Song: Hold to the Rod

Discuss how recognizing the hand of the Lord in all things can bring us strength and help us "Hold to the iron rod."

Scripture: 1 Nephi 15:24 and/or 1 Nephi 8

Watch the following video clip and start a family home evening (FHE) journal wherein you and your family take turns recording your answers to the question, "Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us?"

"O Remember, Remember"

Family Activity:
From the July 2010 Ensign Article "Strengthening at Every Opportunity"

“Each of us is in a different family situation. Some families have a mother and father with children at home. Some couples no longer have children at home. Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers living alone.

“No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others.

“[Once] I stayed in the home of my niece and her family. That evening before the children went to bed, we had a short family home evening and a scripture story. Their father told about the family of Lehi and how he taught his children that they must hold fast to the iron rod, which is the word of God. Holding fast to the iron rod would keep them safe and lead them to joy and happiness. If they should let go of the iron rod, there was danger of drowning in the river of dirty water.

“To demonstrate this to the children, their mother became the ‘iron rod’ that they must cling to, and their father played the role of the devil, trying to pull the children away from safety and happiness. The children loved the story and learned how important it is to hold fast to the iron rod. After the scripture story it was time for family prayer. …

“Scriptures, family home evening, and family prayer will strengthen families. We need to take every opportunity to strengthen families and support one another to stay on the right path.”

Treat: "Dirty Water" Fondue and Pretzel "Rods"

Chocolate "Dirty Water" Fondue

¾ cup of heavy cream
12-oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 tbsp of corn syrup

Take a saucepan and heat the cream in it, without allowing it to boil. Take it off from the heat and add the chocolate pieces into it, and let them soften for a few minutes. Then add the corn syrup and whisk them all together. Pour this chocolate syrup into a fondue pot (if you have one or you can dip right from the pan), using its heating element to keep it warm.

Serve w/ Pretzel Rods

Sweet Land of Liberty

2010-07-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

This year we spent some time reflecting on what the holiday really means. How our forefathers, so fed up with being ruled over by an unjust government, decided to draft the Declaration of Independence to formally sever all ties with Great Britain. Our hard-won independence and freedoms is part of what makes this such a great nation. The Gariety family is continually grateful to those who have gone before us and prepared the way that we might live in the "Land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE."

May God Bless You and May He Continue To Bless This Great Nation

History of the 4th

Independence Day Celebrations

2010-07-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

Our Independence Day celebration kicked-off this year with a patriotic concert in the park...

We finished canning all the pickles...
And we went up to Twain Harte to picnic with the family...

Michael purchased his first box of fireworks ever! He had so much fun lighting them. After Mikey's Fireworks Spectacular we sat on the lawn and watched the sky light up with (illegal) fireworks set off by people all around Motown until well past midnight. Aren't fireworks beautiful?

We made some old-fashioned moon pies...

And we spent some time with one of our nephews and one of our nieces.

What a ham this guy is - he loves to get his picture taken :)

Buffalo Gal (and Guys)

2010-07-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

What could you add to a night out for Mexican food and fro-yo that would make it PERFECT?

Our best Buffalo BFFs - Keith, Erin and Kai! Lucky for us Keith had to come to Cali for work and Erin and Kai came along for the ride. We have missed them so much since they moved to N.Y. ! We had an amazing night of food, friends and laughter (and frozen yogurt!)...

Little Kai being adorable and entertaining us while we waited in line at the restaurant

Mikey and Kai saying "Cheese!" for the camera - what a bunch of hams :)

Erin and I at the Yogurt Mill. She is such an amazing person! She is a constant inspiration to me and I felt so happy to be able to see her. If we ever have a baby I'm using cloth diapers and making my own baby food - you'll be sooo proud of me Erin :)

Erin, Mikey, Kai, Amber and Keith having fun. These guys are the best! Almost makes us want to move to Buffalo but then we would have to root for the Bills...(j/k Keith, we wouldn't root for them even if we lived there ;)

Garden Glimpses

2010-07-01T14:33:00.001-07:00

I just graduated from school and haven't found a job yet so I've been trying to keep myself busy with gardening and canning.

Here are some photos of our bounty...

Purple-black gladiolus from the bulb garden

We didn't have room in the garden this year for cucumbers so I picked up these beauties at our local farmer's market at $1 a pound. We are going to have homemade hamburger dill chips and whole dill pickles again this year! (Below is a pic of the lime bath, to help them stay crisp.)

“We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden as neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities.”
Spencer W. Kimball, ‘Family Preparedness,’ Ensign, May 1976, 124

This week I canned apricots for two days, along with fresh blackberry jam (we made friends with a local farmer who has berry bushes on their property line - free for the picking!). This is one day's work.

So far I've put up 40 quarts of apricots, 24 quarts of peaches, 12 pints and 7 half-pints of dilly beans, 6 pints of strawberry lemonade concentrate, 8 pints of peach jam, 8 pints of spiced peaches, 12 half-pints of blueberry syrup and a dozen jars of blackberry jam. I'm hoping to add the pickles, some blackberry syrup and cranberry as the season goes on that is unless I get a job (that would be SWEET!).

Good Things to Come

2010-06-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

One of the Joys

2010-06-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

"Stolen kisses are always sweetest."
- Leigh Hunt

I read the following quote today and thought I'd share it...

"We knew before we were born that we were coming to the earth for bodies and experience and that we would have joys and sorrows, ease and pain, comforts and hardships, health and sickness, successes and disappointments, and we knew also that after a period of life we would die. We accepted all these eventualities with a glad heart, eager to accept both the favorable and unfavorable. We eagerly accepted the chance to come earthward even though it might be for only a day or a year. Perhaps we were not so much concerned whether we should die of disease, of accident, or of senility. We were willing to take life as it came and as we might organize and control it, and this without murmur, complaint, or unreasonable demands"

--Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 106

Black Bart, Windhorse and Peach Italian Soda

2010-06-21T12:39:00.001-07:00

Saturday Michael and I took a little road trip to Sutter Creek to visit with family. My aunt was playing with her band "Windhorse" at the Black Bart Days. Some other family had driven down to see her and meet us there.
The restaurant where she was playing had trivial pursuit cards at all the tables - oodles of fun! And Michael and I shared a delicious peach Italian soda.
Aunt Kathy with Connie playing one of their original folk songs. Below is her brother Brian, my uncle who hails from Redding, California where he just retired from his job as a police detective after many years.

The town staged lots of old-west style shoot outs during the day as well as some fun demonstrations. The best part? Getting to spend a few hours with Michael!

Homemade Strawberry Frosting

2010-06-21T12:33:00.001-07:00

Homemade Strawberry Frosting

Yields: Enough to frost 12 cupcakes and one 2-layer cake

Ingredients:
1/2 C strawberry puree
1 cup butter, slightly cold and still a little firm
1 brick of cream cheese, room temperature
3 1/2 C confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Beat Butter and cream cheese until creamed (do not overbeat)
2. Add sugar in 1/4 C at a time until incorporated.
3. Stir in strawberry puree and vanilla

It should be the consistency of ice cream.
Refrigerate until ready to use.

ENJOY!!

Strawberry Covered Chocolate Cake

Concert in the Park

2010-06-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Thursday night we went out to Concert in the Park, a free summer concert series featuring the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County affectionately called "Mo-Band." Our niece and nephew tagged along.

The weather was perrrrrfect and Michael got us a great spot on the lawn where we could see and hear all that was going on on stage.

Dilly Beans

2010-06-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Fresh From The Garden Dilly Beans

With a plethora of green beans growing in the garden I decided to venture out and try and to can some "Dilly Beans" or pickled beans. Using the same seasoning as for dill pickles, I ended up with 7 half-pints of beans.

My niece and nephew loved them, they polished off 3 jars in one day. They even took some to Concert in the Park and made some new friends by letting our neighboring concert-goers try them.

Canoe Trip

2010-06-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

Since Thursday Michael has been on a three day canoe trip down the Stanislaus river with the Boy Scouts.
The first night they traveled more than 25 miles down the river, beginning at Knight's Ferry. They reached their first camp site at McHenry Recreation Area at 8:45pm. The leaders and boys had just enough energy to cook an amazing dinner (chicken and beef burritos) and head off to bed.
The second day they paddled another 20 or so miles. They saw a school of huge fish and had lots of fun along the way. That night they camped at Caswell State Park where the families met them for a pizza dinner. It was so nice to see Mike and hear how the trip was going.
The last leg of the canoe trip brought them all the way to "River's End" at the confluence of the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers. Where they took some time to enjoy the water.

Michael couldn't stop talking about what a wonderful adventure this was and how great it was to have so many scouts participate. While he was gone I watched a lot of late night Nick-At-Night T.V. trying to fall asleep - I forgot how good The Cosby Show was! I am so glad to have him home and to hear about this fun trip.

Blueberry Syrup

2010-06-12T21:06:00.001-07:00

Fresh, local blueberries were on sale this week.
It was the perfect opportunity to make some
homemade blueberry syrup!

Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used -
Raley's has 32 ounce bags of blueberries for $3.69
or an 18 oz basket of fresh berries for around the same price

INGREDIENTS:

7 cups blueberries (Fresh or Frozen)
2 TBS Lemon Juice
7 cups sugar

EQUIPMENT:

7 half pint jars with lids and rings
Fine Mesh Strainer
Water Bath Canner

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix blueberries and lemon juice in enamel or other non-reactive pot.

2. Heat until boiling, smashing berries with a potato masher as you go.

3. Boil for 5 minutes.

4. Strain berries through fine mesh strainer, pressing out as much juice as you can.

5. Add juice and 7 cups sugar back into pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Boil one minute.

6. Fill sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.

7. Wipe rim with a clean cloth. Place lid and tighten band.

8. Process in water bath canner for 10 minutes (for 0-1000 ft. elevation)

We are excited to try the homemade syrup on pancakes and waffles! Maybe we will have breakfast for dinner on Sunday :)

Where "All the Women Are Strong, All the Men Are Good Looking, and All the Children Are Above Average"

2010-06-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

A great little pick-me-up, "The News From Lake Wobegon" has been a weekly favorite of radio audiences for years.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

2010-06-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

Best roast chicken I've had in a while, easy to prepare and only one dish to wash! That Martha Stewart, she really knows her chicken :)

Ingredients

Serves 4.

* 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, halved
* 3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
* Coarse salt and ground pepper
* 1 package cut-up whole chicken (about 3 pounds)
* 1 bunch asparagus (1 pound), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
* 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
* 6 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place potatoes and half the butter in a roasting pan; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing once, until potatoes are golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Place chicken, skin side up, on top of potatoes; season with salt and pepper. Roast until chicken begins to brown, about 20 minutes.
3. Scatter asparagus, lemon, remaining butter, and thyme around chicken. Roast until asparagus is tender and chicken is opaque throughout, 5 to 15 minutes. Serve chicken, vegetables, and lemon drizzled with pan juices.

A First Time For Everything

2010-06-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Michael woke up with extreme lower right abdominal pain and vomiting. After a few hours and lots of prayer he asked to go to the ER. Fearing that it might be his appendix we drove on over to the local hospital. The triage nurse saw him and got him right in. Despite his pain he had a good laugh when we couldn't figure out which way the hospital gown went. Neither one of us has ever been to the ER or been admitted to the hospital before. They hooked him up to an IV line to get some fluids and pain medication into him while they waited for the trace they had him drink (which he promptly returned) to work it's way through his body. The Dr. ordered a CT scan because after examining him they thought it was his appendix too. The pain medication they gave him via his IV was very effective, so effective that he was too relaxed to breath right. They put him on 3 liters of oxygen and switched meds.

An hour and a half later they wheeled him down the hall to get the scan done. We didn't have to wait long - the Dr. (who liked talking physics with Michael) came right down and told us that there was good news and bad news. The good news was his appendix was fine (I was so happy I think I clapped) but the bad news was he had a kidney stone and he still had to pass it. The M.D. said women who have had them say they are more painful than giving birth without an epidural. Yikes! Later, after we were home and he was resting comfortably we decided it was kind of funny - at least one of us will get to experience child birth :) Sunday, he "gave birth" to a 2 mm little guy. He named him "Rocky."

Kool Aid Playdough

2010-06-03T07:55:00.001-07:00

This playdough is fun to make, smells delicious and is safe to eat (not very tasty - but safe for your little ones). We made endless batches of every color last year in class. The kids loved it!

1 cup flour
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid (Any flavor/color)
1/2 cup salt
1 cup BOILING water

Mix dry ingredients together first, add boiling water and stir until combined (let dough cool for 5 minutes, until it can be handled) knead until smooth - the kids loved this part. Store in a plastic bag and refrigerate when not in use.

Freedom Isn't Free

2010-05-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

- Moina Michael
"In Flanders Fields"

Happy Memorial Day to all who have served this great country. We are all better off for your sacrifice.

Indy 500 FHE Party

2010-05-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

Start Your Engines!! Zion and Melinda's annual Indy 500 Party was a hit. Mark, LeeAnn, Erica, Larry, Jamilah and Brian --these pics are for you. We missed you!!

The kids played in the backyard on the water slide...

The girls played many rounds of "Golf" before letting the boys join in the fun...

Garth explaining to the kids the proper water slide etiquette...

Jess cooked!

The guys watching the game - I should have panned around and gotten the other guys too. Opps!

Angie brought lots of yummy cherries.

And there was plenty of meat. "The Steaks of Zion" grill was in full swing. Zion BBQ'd up 9 rib eyes, 2 racks of ribs, chicken and hot dogs. Mikey got the meat sweats.

Sweet Emma. Isn't she adorable?

The boys with their Indy car suckers - homemade by Melinda. Caleb is wearing his Scott Dixon T-shirt and rooted for him during the race.

Good food, great race and the best of friends...it was a priceless day! We are so grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Jeff and Jess had us all rolling with their "sweaty" story and Riley was a crack up when she told us all that "she loves Jesus but church is boring." Emma walked around the backyard singing "I Like To Look For Rainbows" to herself. I took a "bullet" in the right buttock from Garth's air soft gun. All the little boys formed a no-girls club and at one point had the girls surrounded with all their nerf weapons. The girls told Melinda and she helped them get weapons of their own :). Some of the men took Jessica's cell phone when she left the room and took about 50 pictures of random things...they thought they were hilarious! The kids are all growing up so fast. The Adam's youngest is going into first grade in the fall, Asher is walking all over the place, Logan is such a good baby he eats, sleeps a lot and jabbers while he plays. The best part is that we are all trying to plan a summer camp-out just like in the good ol' days.

BBQ & Softball... 8th Ward Style

2010-05-31T08:23:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, Ethan was baptized. We're proud of you Ethan!

Then we had a great Ward BBQ and played some softball. Mikey loves to pitch.