Wyoming

Weekend trip to visit my sister Rachel and her adorable son TJ who live in the wide expanse called Wyoming. He was sooo cute and got attached to me very quickly. He always chose me to be the one to read him stories before nap or bedtime, to help him pray, to play games with, etc. He is also so smart. He is talking a lot now but I still love signing with him (he now knows more signs than I do). What other 2 yr old do you know that can fingerspell? So cool. Oh, and he is very serious about his chocolate milk.

I was also the lucky winner of the first wind-less weekend in Laramie. I think it was just because I brought my kites so I could finally fly them... Oh well. It was a short but fun trip.

Annual Limerick Contest

Remember last year about this time when I unleashed some of my poetry madness upon you all? March came around real quick again this year. I love seeing what my very creative family members come up with during the month. Here's what I came up with this year for my family's annual March Limerick Contest:

When I see death's misery

I turn to a fond memory

of "Blin, blin

blin, blin,

Do remember me".

(an inside joke for my family-but it still got a reader's choice honorable mention)

The snow this morning made the trees bend

but I still felt that it was my friend

because I will ski

tomorrow for free

with an instructor from Switzerland.

(won 3rd place from one of the judges)

To cook can be a wondrous joy,

especially if it's for a boy.

They love to eat

any food's a treat

Unless, of course, you try to make soy.

(won 1st place from one of the judges)

Do you remember that night by the fire

all dressed up in camping attire,

playing chubby bunny

it was so funny

now marshmallows we'll never desire.

If the doc sees the signs of necorsis

and your friends say you have halitosis...

Is your blood sugar high?

Death might be nigh

from diabetic ketoacidosis. (won a reader's choice honorable mention)

The overall winners of the contest were these two:

All we like sheep go astray

Each to his own way.

Through dark and fear,

the Shepherd's near--

A touch of his staff will stay. (by Dad)

When a limerick is

split into two, feet seeming

chopped up and askew,

Count all the sounds, on

syllable bounds--you might find

IT'S MADE OF HAIKU. (by Paul)

My favorite:

Ben thinks he's a Swisser

but I beg to differ

1) cinna bears

2) brown-like hairs

But to Em, he's still a good kisser. (by Kim)

I actually followed a recipe!

My mother gave me a new cookbook for Valentines Day. I finally decided to put it to some use. It is Rachel Ray's book of top 10 lists. Back in the days when I watched TV regularly (it's been quite a while), I loved her show...this was actually before she got too famous. I took an evening to study the book (much more laborious when they don't have many pictures) and select the ones I would want to try sometime. I had dinner group tonight so it was a perfect opportunity to use them.

The ones I chose allowed me to accomplish 3 things I haven't done much:

1. follow a recipe exactly

2. cook red meat

3. use the wasabi I got for Christmas!

the menu was: Ginger Flank Steak, Wasabi Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus, and Ginger-Poached Pears with Ricotta and Blueberries.

Lessons Learned:

1. Shame on me for following the recipe too well. Rachel Ray has a good sense for flavors but stinks on her portion estimates and cooking times.

2. I'm unsure why I have been intimidated by cooking steak in the past-it's pretty easy.

3. It was all delicious, but I have lots of leftovers... anyone hungry?

Cruisin' to Mexico

Spontaneity was the name of the game for this vacation!
Just after I got back from Vancouver, Kimi sprung the idea of going on a cruise for spring break, which happened to be in about 2 weeks. I'm always up for the idea of a trip, and we actually convinced my parents to join us for the ride on the Fun Ship Carnival for 5 days to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Arrangements were made fast and off we went! Once in the ports, we just got off the boat and did whatever caught our attention. Completely "tourist" but lovin' it. I especially enjoyed the sunshine and blue water! Mmmm. We came back with a couple sunburns, lots of mexican merchandise, extra pounds from the yummy, plentiful food and many pictures of Clyde.

This is Clyde with the deep blue, beautiful ocean and whales.

Dear Time

Dear Time,Why are you going so fast? I blink and suddenly it's been a month since Valentines day! I am busy every minute of each day but yet when I look back, I have no recollection of some because they sped by without me noticing. Eek.

Please slow down.

Love,

Emily

p.s. forgot i hadn't blogged about all my Valentine culinary creations, so you get them a month late. (Homemade love-note fortune cookies, heart pancakes with berry compote, chinese new-yr/valentine dinner)

Whoever thought you could curl a stone?

Curling is a very interesting sport. Seeing a live curling event made it better. For the Olympics, there were 4 games going on all at the same time in the event center. It was difficult at first keeping track of what was always going on. I admit to paying most attention to the U.S. vs China game...I'm biased, I know. Luckily, we also sat next to a woman who had "curled" almost her whole life and she answered all of our questions about strategy, terms, etc. I was super impressed at the accuracy the guys had at placing the stones wherever they wanted. I really kind of want to go try it out myself at the Olympic Oval now, although I am told it is much harder than it looks.

Don't worry, there was plenty of Canadian spirit about Curling as well.

This guy also had a sign that read "Curling. Invented by Scots, Perfected by Canadians."

Canadians sure like their Hockey

I have always enjoyed hockey games. But, I don't think I've ever enjoyed them so much as watching them with all the Canadian fans. The national pride and hockey enthusiasm was evident EVERYWHERE. From commercials that said: "Let's show the world who's game they are playing" to chants of "Go Canada Go" even during the Russian vs. Czech game to the crowds of people hovering around any and every television set during a game (we made it a point to eat at restaurants with TVs during big games). I don't think I've even seen that much red and white at a U of U football game. Needless to say, I was still pretty excited when the U.S. beat them anyway in the first game and can't wait to watch them do it again today. Go U.S.A.!