An Introduction - Part 1 of 6
Several times before, during, and after our recent trip, people have asked us, "Why Costa Rica?" We then explain about Gerald's Spanish language website, his desire to improve his language ability and to experience the culture first hand, his interest in Latin American countries, etc. So I thought that as an introduction to this series, I would outline the history of these trips over the past 20 years. You are welcome to come along for the ride.
1990
In the summer of 1990, we left Luke and Shulamith with my mother and traveled with friends to Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This was my first time outside the U.S./Canada, and I don't suppose I was fully prepared for it. I was unprepared for the overall conditions there: the incredible poverty, the broken roads, the decrepit bathrooms, the sweet children begging in the streets. On top of all that, although I tried to be ever so careful about everything I ate and drank, I was sick within the first 24 hours. Gerald and our friends were sick as well, only they could take the excellent anti-sickness medications we brought with us. I could not. At the time, I was beginning to suspect I might be pregnant although I didn't know for sure. All that good medicine is contraindicated in pregnancy, so I couldn't take the risk. Good thing, too, because indeed, about 8 months after we returned, our little Isaiah was born. (Note, this means that, aside from everything else, I was also a mass of raging hormones the whole time we were there).
So yeah, I was pretty miserable a lot of the time. I do have a couple good memories of that trip. I remember our friend Rebecca ordering food in restaurants but never ordering what was listed on the menu. She always asked for something else, and most of the time, she got it! I also remember the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the hundreds of people walking on their knees on dirt roads and then hot pavement just to see it. As we stood and looked out at the crowd, it was like a sea of black hair progressing slowly forward toward the Shrine. I was, and still am, so impressed by the immense dedication of these people to their faith.
After that trip, however, I succeeded in keeping myself happily pregnant or busy raising little ones, so travel to these third-world countries was not an option for me. :-)
1995
In 1995, Gerald traveled to Guatemala for a two-week intensive Spanish course. To be perfectly honest, I know very little about that trip. I know he visited a place called Quetzaltenango and liked it there. I know he got an abscessed tooth and had to have it pulled. I know he came home wearing a big hat. That's really all I remember. I was pretty much occupied at home caring for our children ages 10, 9, 4, and 2.
2000
In 2000, when Seth was just a month old, Gerald took our oldest son Luke to Peru. Shulamith and I stayed home to care for the two little boys and our brand new baby. Again, I don't know much about this trip, other than that they went to the temple in Lima where Gerald attended a session while Luke did proxy baptisms in a font filled with ice-cold water. I have often wondered whose bright idea it was for Gerald to leave the country when I had a newborn baby. I still can't answer that other than to say that the "bright idea" wasn't all that bright.
2005
As 2005 approached, and Gerald was once again itching to travel in Latin America, he began to explore the idea of me going with him. Hmmm. Was I pregnant? No. Did I have very young children? Well, Seth was five, so not really. Shulamith was coming home for the summer following her first year at Westminster, so she would be here with the three boys ages 14, 12, and 5. It had been 15 years since my one and only visit to Latin America. Was I ready to try it again? Sure. We went to Ecuador. I'm embarrassed to say I don't really remember much about this trip either, which is somewhat pathetic because this time, I WAS THERE! I remember going to the equator which was sort of fun. I got sick right away from the food, but this time, I could take Imodium, so that was better, but as you know, I live to eat. And when I'm on vacation, that is more true than ever. So no, it's no fun to feel nauseous on vacation. I remember that both Gerald and I took Spanish lessons and that I learned a lot.
2010
Which brings us to now. Gerald and I just spent nine days in Costa Rica. It was fun. And it was hard. It was beautiful. And it was challenging. It was an adventure for sure. There is much to tell. And I will do that in a series of posts of which this is only the first.
So Pura Vida! This is the slogan in Costa Rica. It appears on everything: coffee mugs, t-shirts, posters. I like the slogan. Pura Vida = Pure Life. How lovely to live a pure life. That's a goal we should all have, don't you think?
2015
Where will we go in 2015? I'm thinking Hawaii.
Wait, no. What?
They don't speak Spanish in Hawaii? Are you sure?
Oh, I'm pretty sure we can find somebody there who does.
..............to be continued......................
Monday, August 23, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Cribbage, anyone?
Once upon a time, I loved to fly on airplanes. Airplane travel was a novelty for me, and it was always exciting. I was 13 years old the first time I flew on a plane. My cousin Lynn was joining Rainbow Girls, and I flew all by myself from Portland to Seattle to attend her initiation ceremony. The whole experience was thrilling. I loved everything about it. I loved going through security, boarding the plane, listening to the flight attendant's safety presentation, and eating the in-flight meal. Yes, back then, even on a short flight, they always served food. Through my early adult life, I got to fly maybe once a year at the very most, so the thrill never diminished.
That was until six years ago. In the fall of 2004, we moved from our home in Washington to Billings, Montana. Five days later, we drove Shulamith to Salt Lake City to begin her freshman year at Westminster College. Thus began my life as a frequent flier. I would fly down to see her once in October and once in February, and she would come home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer vacation. This worked fairly well for the four years she was a student. I knew from the start that her time in Utah would last four years, and I adjusted myself emotionally to deal with that, as long as there were lots and lots of visits for both of us.
What I didn't know was that her time there would extend beyond those four years. I didn't exactly sign up for “I got a teaching job here in Salt Lake City, so I think I'll stay here for a couple years and teach,” or “I've met the love of my life, so I think I'll get married and live here year-round.” No, neither of those scenarios was part of my long-range plan. But as my friend Lorrie likes to point out, “Life is what happens when you're making other plans.” Indeed, Shulamith stayed in Utah and began teaching kindergarten. That same year, while attending Luke's mission reunion, she met our sweet Mathew and ultimately married him.
And I became an even MORE frequent flier.
Now, it seems, I fly almost monthly. Before I even return from one trip, I'm searching for decent rates on the next. To bring both Shulamith and Matt home to Billings requires two airline tickets; it makes more financial sense for me to go there. So that's what I do. Often. Additionally, now that Luke is attending grad school in Indiana, I fly out there occasionally to visit him. Flying is no longer a novelty. It is no longer a thrill. It is an efficient way to get from Point A to Point B, and I'm thankful for it, but it's hardly cause for excitement.
At this very moment, I'm sitting on an airplane 37,000 feet in the sky flying over Cuba. Gerald and I are headed to Costa Rica, so he can speak Spanish and gather ideas for his website, and so I can bask in the sunshine and relax by the ocean. This is our second 4-hour flight today. First, after leaving Seth in the loving care of Shulamith and Mathew, we boarded a plane from Salt Lake City bound for Atlanta. As I said, flying just doesn't offer the excitement it once did. The flight to Atlanta was smooth and uneventful (which is good!), but it was also long and boring. To pass the time, the first thing I did was sleep! Sleep is such an amazing time passer. Shulamith lent me her neck pillow, and I drifted off peacefully for nearly an hour. When I awoke, it was time for the complimentary soda and peanuts Delta provides. With another two hours left on the flight, the question was: What do we do next?
The answer: cribbage! Now you need to understand something. Unlike Scrabble, cribbage is MY game. I've played it since I was a little girl. My dad loved to play cribbage, and he taught me when I was very young. I remember watching him play with my grandfather. My dad had a system for cribbage. He never had to wonder which cards to deposit into the crib; he had a system. One part of his system was the rule that you always hold out for the potential double run, even if that means sacrificing some combinations of fifteen. To this day, I think about that rule whenever I play. Sometimes I follow it, and sometimes it works. Other times it doesn't, but either way, when I play cribbage, I think about my dad. And it makes me happy.
Yes, cribbage is MY game. Consequently, I tend to be just a little competitive. I really do like to win. I really don't like to lose. I get pretty cranky when that happens, especially if I lose to Gerald. After all, I'm the one who taught him to play. Fortunately, I won handily in the game we played on our earlier flight. Whew! We wouldn't want a cranky traveler, especially on the very first day of our vacation. By the time we finished, there was just about enough time to listen to a bit of music and work one crossword puzzle before the plane landed in Atlanta. Two hours in the airport gave me just about enough time to eat lunch and talk to all five kids while I still had cell coverage.
That brings us to right now, 8:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. We have passed Cuba on our way south to the beautiful, lush, rainy Costa Rica. This flight has not been any more exciting than the first, except that this time we're almost to our final destination. I slept once again, this time lying down with my head on a pillow on Gerald's lap and my feet on the empty seat next to us. He watched the sunset while I slept. I awoke and began to draft this post. At this point, I'm ready to be done. Whatever thrill there once was in air travel is most certainly gone. I've been on an airplane nearly seven hours already today; enough is enough. I just want to be there. But Gerald tells me we still have another hour and fifteen minutes left to go. Whatever will we do?
Cribbage anyone?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Transitions
Yesterday, Eli and I took Seth shopping for school supplies. Eli always loved buying his yearly school supplies, so he enjoys accompanying Seth each year. Purchasing school supplies: such a landmark event in an elementary school student's life. As he scanned the sheet for Bitterroot Elementary School, Seth proudly announced, "Here it is! Fifth grade!" I fought back the tears. Fifth grade? Are you kidding? My little baby boy is in FIFTH GRADE? How can that be? Sheesh, I remember fifth grade. Clearly. I had a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Faight, who didn't dog on me about my horrible handwriting. My teacher the previous year was not so forgiving. She made me stay inside during recess and write countless pages of these stupid loops; this was somehow supposed to improve my penmanship. Guess what, Mrs. Knudson? It didn't work. My handwriting is no better now than it ever was.
Backpack and supplies purchased, Seth is fully prepared to begin the school year just two days after we return from vacation. Transitions.
I am not a person who does well with transitions. My anxiety just loves to rear its lovely head when I have to deal with change. I can feel it, even physically. Last night, I lay in bed contemplating the transitions coming in the next four weeks. Seth's school supply shopping was only the beginning. Additionally, I mailed off the first of 10 installments for Isaiah's tuition to Westminster for his sophomore year of college. You'd think it would be the $1,000+ depletion in my checking account that would cause me stress. But no, that's only money. The stress comes from sending him off once again into the unknown. I can't protect him when he's 500 miles away. Not that he needs my protection, but I am forever a mom. Summer was so short. I feel like he just got home. Can it really be nearly time for him to go back again? I rejoice with him as he moves forward to a new and exciting year, but I also really miss him when he's away.
Then there's Luke. He and his friend are driving all the way from Indiana to Texas in the next two days to visit her family there. I know they will be fine. The are grown adults and safe drivers. Still, I'll be relieved to receive an occasional text message from Luke assuring me they are fine. When they return, Luke jumps right into the second year of his PhD program, and this one promises to be even more crazy busy than the last. Because he was on fellowship last year, he was not allowed to work. This year, he'll teach two communications classes as well as continuing his ongoing research projects for one of his professors in addition to his coursework. He can do it, no doubt, but I think I'm glad I'm not Luke.
Transitions. I don't really like them. They make me anxious, which doesn't accomplish a single thing in the future and robs me of every ounce of strength in the present. Blah!
I think I need a vacation. What a good idea! How about Costa Rica? Okay. I can settle my mind and relax within the next few days before we leave, right? Luke will be safely in Texas by then. Seth will be in the loving hands of Shulamith and Mathew (his favorite playmate on the planet). Isaiah and Eli will be home in Montana slaving away at Walmart and Albertson's, but they too will be safe. All six kids accounted for. All safe.
Costa Rica: here we come!
Backpack and supplies purchased, Seth is fully prepared to begin the school year just two days after we return from vacation. Transitions.
I am not a person who does well with transitions. My anxiety just loves to rear its lovely head when I have to deal with change. I can feel it, even physically. Last night, I lay in bed contemplating the transitions coming in the next four weeks. Seth's school supply shopping was only the beginning. Additionally, I mailed off the first of 10 installments for Isaiah's tuition to Westminster for his sophomore year of college. You'd think it would be the $1,000+ depletion in my checking account that would cause me stress. But no, that's only money. The stress comes from sending him off once again into the unknown. I can't protect him when he's 500 miles away. Not that he needs my protection, but I am forever a mom. Summer was so short. I feel like he just got home. Can it really be nearly time for him to go back again? I rejoice with him as he moves forward to a new and exciting year, but I also really miss him when he's away.
Then there's Luke. He and his friend are driving all the way from Indiana to Texas in the next two days to visit her family there. I know they will be fine. The are grown adults and safe drivers. Still, I'll be relieved to receive an occasional text message from Luke assuring me they are fine. When they return, Luke jumps right into the second year of his PhD program, and this one promises to be even more crazy busy than the last. Because he was on fellowship last year, he was not allowed to work. This year, he'll teach two communications classes as well as continuing his ongoing research projects for one of his professors in addition to his coursework. He can do it, no doubt, but I think I'm glad I'm not Luke.
Transitions. I don't really like them. They make me anxious, which doesn't accomplish a single thing in the future and robs me of every ounce of strength in the present. Blah!
I think I need a vacation. What a good idea! How about Costa Rica? Okay. I can settle my mind and relax within the next few days before we leave, right? Luke will be safely in Texas by then. Seth will be in the loving hands of Shulamith and Mathew (his favorite playmate on the planet). Isaiah and Eli will be home in Montana slaving away at Walmart and Albertson's, but they too will be safe. All six kids accounted for. All safe.
Costa Rica: here we come!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Scrabble, anyone?
I would like to announce to anyone who cares, which is probably no one actually, but I'm going to announce it anyway, that I recently beat my friend Rebecca in a game of Facebook Scrabble. Why am I announcing this? Does it sound like I'm bragging? Basking in glory at someone else's expense? Let me explain. Rebecca and I have played probably 20 games of Scrabble in the past few months. And I NEVER win. Seriously, never. Generally, she beats me by more than 100 points. I not only lose; I lose humiliatingly. In the beginning, I tried to justify these losses by saying things like, "Well, there's really a lot of luck involved in Scrabble. I just get terrible letters." Seth was the first to point out the error in this thinking. "Face it, Mom. She's just way better than you."
As I've mentioned in other posts, Seth tells it like it is. He's right. Rebecca is way better than I am at Scrabble. Sometimes when I'm right in the middle of a frustrating game, losing miserably, knowing that I can't catch up no matter what I do, Gerald will ask, "Why do you keep playing with her???" Here's the answer: Because she is my friend. She is a friend from the distant past. About 20 years ago we both lived in a little town on the Columbia Gorge called The Dalles, Oregon. Rebecca (or Becky, as she was back then) was probably my best friend during the time we lived there. Much has changed in both our lives in the past 20 years. She moved. I moved. She had a child who is now 14. I had three more children who are now 19, 17, and 10. She finished graduate school in theology and became a pastor. I continued in my "career" of raising five children. We lost touch. Thanks to Facebook, we reconnected. And now, it's Scrabble that brings us together.
So even though I lose, and lose, and lose, and lose, I don't care. I'm thankful to have this connection with her, my good friend from so long ago. It makes me smile.
Oh, and by the way, in case you forgot, in our most recent game, like just the other day??
I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I've mentioned in other posts, Seth tells it like it is. He's right. Rebecca is way better than I am at Scrabble. Sometimes when I'm right in the middle of a frustrating game, losing miserably, knowing that I can't catch up no matter what I do, Gerald will ask, "Why do you keep playing with her???" Here's the answer: Because she is my friend. She is a friend from the distant past. About 20 years ago we both lived in a little town on the Columbia Gorge called The Dalles, Oregon. Rebecca (or Becky, as she was back then) was probably my best friend during the time we lived there. Much has changed in both our lives in the past 20 years. She moved. I moved. She had a child who is now 14. I had three more children who are now 19, 17, and 10. She finished graduate school in theology and became a pastor. I continued in my "career" of raising five children. We lost touch. Thanks to Facebook, we reconnected. And now, it's Scrabble that brings us together.
So even though I lose, and lose, and lose, and lose, I don't care. I'm thankful to have this connection with her, my good friend from so long ago. It makes me smile.
Oh, and by the way, in case you forgot, in our most recent game, like just the other day??
I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Randomness
Randomness. Is that a word? The spell check did not pick it up, so it must be. Is it okay to be random sometimes, to not have a clear focus for a blog post, but simply have several very different things to say all at the same time? I hope so, because that is the situation today.
First, I am super excited because Luke is coming home tonight for a 4-day visit. I plan to go to Indiana in October, but after this week, Luke's dad and brothers may not see him again until Christmas, so I'm glad they will have some good time together now.
Second, I'm also super excited because Celeste is coming to Billings this weekend too. And not only that, she's bringing her four beautiful daughters, including 5-week-old Noelle Elise (http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html). No, I'm not kidding. Noelle will be right here in my house. Have I mentioned how much I love babies, especially brand new ones? Can I just say right now that my "empty arms syndrome" is flaring up, and I can hardly wait to hold this little girl?
Third, and entirely unrelated to the about two items (this is called "Randomness" remember?), I am in need of an editor for this blog, and you are hereby appointed. By "you" I mean everyone who reads it. I abhor writing errors of any kind, but like everyone else, I cannot edit my own writing effectively. The human brain is the most amazing organism; when we proofread our own writing, no matter what is says on the computer screen or even on the printed page, we read it exactly the way we intended it. Ack! It is so maddening. We read right over skipped words, duplicated words, incorrect use of homonyms, spelling errors, and every other typographical glitch. I tell my students never to hand me a paper that has not been carefully proofread by someone else. Then, in total hypocrisy, I publish blog posts all the time that only I have read. Why? I don't have an editor available. Then I go back and read the posts later and cringe at all the errors. Fortunately, errors are easy to correct, but still, I don't want them here in the first place. So welcome to your new role! If you see an error in a post, please, I am begging you, message me right away. I want to know! I will not be hurt or offended. In fact, I'll be overjoyed and beyond appreciative. Thank you in advance!
Fourth, I need to say that I am really missing Lindsey a lot. For those of you who don't know, she and her family moved to Rexburg, Idaho five days ago. This is a tremendous opportunity for them; David can go back to school, and they can be united again after a year of ridiculously erratic schedules. So I'm trying to be brave. Really I am. But I miss her. So far I haven't been able to go by her house (which is right across the street from mine) without getting teary. My only solace is I will get to see her a week from Saturday when we drive through Rexburg on our way to Salt Lake City, en route to Costa Rica.
Which brings me to my fifth random thought for the day: Costa Rica! When we began to plan this trip, it seemed far in the future, but alas, it's almost here. In less than two weeks, I'll be basking in the sunshine on the beautiful beaches of Santa Teresa, eating scrumptious seafood, zip-lining through the canopy of the rain forest, and listening to Gerald practice his Spanish with the natives. Ahhh!
Lastly, I saw a Facebook status I liked, so I thought I'd share it. We all have folks in our lives who, for whatever reason, don't like us or don't treat us especially well. Keep in mind the following: "You may not like me, but Jesus thinks I'm to die for."
There you have it, some randomness just for you. I hope your day is lovely!
First, I am super excited because Luke is coming home tonight for a 4-day visit. I plan to go to Indiana in October, but after this week, Luke's dad and brothers may not see him again until Christmas, so I'm glad they will have some good time together now.
Second, I'm also super excited because Celeste is coming to Billings this weekend too. And not only that, she's bringing her four beautiful daughters, including 5-week-old Noelle Elise (http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html). No, I'm not kidding. Noelle will be right here in my house. Have I mentioned how much I love babies, especially brand new ones? Can I just say right now that my "empty arms syndrome" is flaring up, and I can hardly wait to hold this little girl?
Third, and entirely unrelated to the about two items (this is called "Randomness" remember?), I am in need of an editor for this blog, and you are hereby appointed. By "you" I mean everyone who reads it. I abhor writing errors of any kind, but like everyone else, I cannot edit my own writing effectively. The human brain is the most amazing organism; when we proofread our own writing, no matter what is says on the computer screen or even on the printed page, we read it exactly the way we intended it. Ack! It is so maddening. We read right over skipped words, duplicated words, incorrect use of homonyms, spelling errors, and every other typographical glitch. I tell my students never to hand me a paper that has not been carefully proofread by someone else. Then, in total hypocrisy, I publish blog posts all the time that only I have read. Why? I don't have an editor available. Then I go back and read the posts later and cringe at all the errors. Fortunately, errors are easy to correct, but still, I don't want them here in the first place. So welcome to your new role! If you see an error in a post, please, I am begging you, message me right away. I want to know! I will not be hurt or offended. In fact, I'll be overjoyed and beyond appreciative. Thank you in advance!
Fourth, I need to say that I am really missing Lindsey a lot. For those of you who don't know, she and her family moved to Rexburg, Idaho five days ago. This is a tremendous opportunity for them; David can go back to school, and they can be united again after a year of ridiculously erratic schedules. So I'm trying to be brave. Really I am. But I miss her. So far I haven't been able to go by her house (which is right across the street from mine) without getting teary. My only solace is I will get to see her a week from Saturday when we drive through Rexburg on our way to Salt Lake City, en route to Costa Rica.
Which brings me to my fifth random thought for the day: Costa Rica! When we began to plan this trip, it seemed far in the future, but alas, it's almost here. In less than two weeks, I'll be basking in the sunshine on the beautiful beaches of Santa Teresa, eating scrumptious seafood, zip-lining through the canopy of the rain forest, and listening to Gerald practice his Spanish with the natives. Ahhh!
Lastly, I saw a Facebook status I liked, so I thought I'd share it. We all have folks in our lives who, for whatever reason, don't like us or don't treat us especially well. Keep in mind the following: "You may not like me, but Jesus thinks I'm to die for."
There you have it, some randomness just for you. I hope your day is lovely!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday-worthy Recipes
Some of you may remember a two-line conversation I had recently with Seth. I believe I posted it as my status on Facebook. It went like this:
Me (in desperation): Seth, why won't you eat anything I cook?
Seth: Because you're a terrible cook.
Those of you who are familiar with 10-year-olds may not be too surprised by this answer. If 10-year-olds are anything, they are honest. Especially boys. You don't have to wonder what they're really thinking. No worries that they will sugar-coat their ideas in order to be diplomatic or tactful. Nope. Ten-year-olds tell it like it is, and Seth is a classic.
So yeah, to be writing a blog post about recipes seems....uh...what's the word I want? Wrong? No, that's a bit strong. Hypocritical? Maybe a little, but that's not really it either. It feels odd, strange, like it goes against the grain of my very personality. On the other hand, because of my lack of culinary ability, I am indeed constantly seeking simple recipes that I might be able to cook. And if they are Sunday worthy, well all the better.
I guess I should define Sunday worthy. Those of us who are LDS go to church for three hours on Sunday. I don't know about people of other faiths, but maybe they're in church about that long too (?) or maybe not. Anyway, when we come home from that 3-hour block, we are positively famished. What IS it about church that makes human beings so hungry? Seriously, I know we can go three hours without eating on other days, right? But on Sunday, we get home and we want to eat. Now. Not in half an hour. Now! So a Sunday-worthy recipe is one that cooks while you are at church and is ready to eat the moment you enter the house. Okay, maybe you need ten minutes to prepare some rice on the side or a vegetable, but essentially, the dinner is done.
Last week, Shulamith sent me such a recipe, and I posted it as part of my blog "Again? Seriously?" (http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2010/07/again-seriously.html). That post was the impetus for several other recipes to follow from good friends who love me and want me to be able to cook things my family will eat, especially on Sunday. Thank you Shulamith, Susie, Lindsey, and Diane. Thanks in advance to Silvia and Elisa, who both say more recipes are coming! I decided to post them here in order to have them all in one place for my future reference and also to share them with all of you.
French Dip Sandwiches (from Shulamith)
1 packet Italian salad dressing mix (I finally got this right, Patty!)
1 packet au jus sauce mix
1 beef roast
Combine Italian salad dressing mix with au jus sauce mix in a crock pot with 2 cups water, and stir with whisk. Put roast in crock pot. Cook on low for several hours. Shred meat apart and place on hoagie rolls. Sauce in crock pot makes delicious dip for sandwiches.
Sherried Beef (from Susie)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 packet dry onion soup mix
1/2 soup can cooking sherry
1 pound stew meat
Stir above ingredients together in 3-4 quart baking dish. Susie says it won't be pretty, and it's okay. There will be lumps, and it's okay. Whew. I'd be nervous, so I'm thankful she warned me.
Add 1 pound of stew meat, and stir it up again. Cover baking dish, and cook at 325 degrees for 3 hours, the exact amount of time you are at church. When you get home, uncover dish, and stir it all up again. Serve over rice or noodles.
Salsa Chicken (from Diane)
Chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
1 jar salsa
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Put chicken breasts in crock pot. Cover with salsa. Cook on high for four hours. Shred chicken. Add corn and beans and stir. Serve with cheese in flour tortillas
Shredded Beef (also from Diane)
1 boneless beef roast
1 jar of sliced peperoncini (I don't know what that is, but I'm sure Diane will tell me)
1 package Italian seasoning
1 can beef broth
Place roast in crock pot. Sprinkle seasoning over roast. Cover with peperoncini. Pour beef broth over that. Cook 4 - 5 hours. Shred meat. Serve with barbecue sauce on rolls, or use as filling for tacos or burritos.
Chicken Tacos (from Lindsey)
Chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
2 cans El Pato Mexican Tomato Sauce (bright yellow can located near other tomato sauce)
pepper
Put chicken breasts in crock pot. Cover with El Pato tomato sauce. Add some pepper. Cook 4 - 5 hours. Shred. Fill taco shells with shredded meat, and add refried beans, corn, cheese, and any other taco ingredients you like.
There you have it, five amazing Sunday-worthy recipes. There should be even more to come, so stay tuned.
And for the record, I'm still the same person you know. I have not been kidnapped and replaced with a woman who enjoys cooking and talking about recipes. I promise. I'll go right back to doing the things I like to do: giving talks, teaching lessons, working out, editing papers, walking, running, traveling, and writing blog posts on subjects other than cooking. However, we all need to eat. Especially on Sundays. In fact, some of us live to eat! So I'm grateful for these new recipes to try and for those who sent them. You are much appreciated.
Ah, this just in. Another recipe! This one from Elisa, a dessert because everyone wants dessert on Sunday, right? And it takes only a few minutes to prepare.
Mousse in Almost a Minute (from Elisa)
1 bar (7 oz) Hershey's Symphony Creamy Milk Chocolate (Elisa says you MUST get the Symphony kind)
2 C. heavy whipping cream, whipped (Does that mean I can't use Cool Whip?)
In a small saucepan, melt chocolate over low heat. Cool. Gradually add melted chocolate to whipped cream. Eat.
Me (in desperation): Seth, why won't you eat anything I cook?
Seth: Because you're a terrible cook.
Those of you who are familiar with 10-year-olds may not be too surprised by this answer. If 10-year-olds are anything, they are honest. Especially boys. You don't have to wonder what they're really thinking. No worries that they will sugar-coat their ideas in order to be diplomatic or tactful. Nope. Ten-year-olds tell it like it is, and Seth is a classic.
So yeah, to be writing a blog post about recipes seems....uh...what's the word I want? Wrong? No, that's a bit strong. Hypocritical? Maybe a little, but that's not really it either. It feels odd, strange, like it goes against the grain of my very personality. On the other hand, because of my lack of culinary ability, I am indeed constantly seeking simple recipes that I might be able to cook. And if they are Sunday worthy, well all the better.
I guess I should define Sunday worthy. Those of us who are LDS go to church for three hours on Sunday. I don't know about people of other faiths, but maybe they're in church about that long too (?) or maybe not. Anyway, when we come home from that 3-hour block, we are positively famished. What IS it about church that makes human beings so hungry? Seriously, I know we can go three hours without eating on other days, right? But on Sunday, we get home and we want to eat. Now. Not in half an hour. Now! So a Sunday-worthy recipe is one that cooks while you are at church and is ready to eat the moment you enter the house. Okay, maybe you need ten minutes to prepare some rice on the side or a vegetable, but essentially, the dinner is done.
Last week, Shulamith sent me such a recipe, and I posted it as part of my blog "Again? Seriously?" (http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2010/07/again-seriously.html). That post was the impetus for several other recipes to follow from good friends who love me and want me to be able to cook things my family will eat, especially on Sunday. Thank you Shulamith, Susie, Lindsey, and Diane. Thanks in advance to Silvia and Elisa, who both say more recipes are coming! I decided to post them here in order to have them all in one place for my future reference and also to share them with all of you.
French Dip Sandwiches (from Shulamith)
1 packet Italian salad dressing mix (I finally got this right, Patty!)
1 packet au jus sauce mix
1 beef roast
Combine Italian salad dressing mix with au jus sauce mix in a crock pot with 2 cups water, and stir with whisk. Put roast in crock pot. Cook on low for several hours. Shred meat apart and place on hoagie rolls. Sauce in crock pot makes delicious dip for sandwiches.
Sherried Beef (from Susie)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 packet dry onion soup mix
1/2 soup can cooking sherry
1 pound stew meat
Stir above ingredients together in 3-4 quart baking dish. Susie says it won't be pretty, and it's okay. There will be lumps, and it's okay. Whew. I'd be nervous, so I'm thankful she warned me.
Add 1 pound of stew meat, and stir it up again. Cover baking dish, and cook at 325 degrees for 3 hours, the exact amount of time you are at church. When you get home, uncover dish, and stir it all up again. Serve over rice or noodles.
Salsa Chicken (from Diane)
Chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
1 jar salsa
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Put chicken breasts in crock pot. Cover with salsa. Cook on high for four hours. Shred chicken. Add corn and beans and stir. Serve with cheese in flour tortillas
Shredded Beef (also from Diane)
1 boneless beef roast
1 jar of sliced peperoncini (I don't know what that is, but I'm sure Diane will tell me)
1 package Italian seasoning
1 can beef broth
Place roast in crock pot. Sprinkle seasoning over roast. Cover with peperoncini. Pour beef broth over that. Cook 4 - 5 hours. Shred meat. Serve with barbecue sauce on rolls, or use as filling for tacos or burritos.
Chicken Tacos (from Lindsey)
Chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
2 cans El Pato Mexican Tomato Sauce (bright yellow can located near other tomato sauce)
pepper
Put chicken breasts in crock pot. Cover with El Pato tomato sauce. Add some pepper. Cook 4 - 5 hours. Shred. Fill taco shells with shredded meat, and add refried beans, corn, cheese, and any other taco ingredients you like.
There you have it, five amazing Sunday-worthy recipes. There should be even more to come, so stay tuned.
And for the record, I'm still the same person you know. I have not been kidnapped and replaced with a woman who enjoys cooking and talking about recipes. I promise. I'll go right back to doing the things I like to do: giving talks, teaching lessons, working out, editing papers, walking, running, traveling, and writing blog posts on subjects other than cooking. However, we all need to eat. Especially on Sundays. In fact, some of us live to eat! So I'm grateful for these new recipes to try and for those who sent them. You are much appreciated.
Ah, this just in. Another recipe! This one from Elisa, a dessert because everyone wants dessert on Sunday, right? And it takes only a few minutes to prepare.
Mousse in Almost a Minute (from Elisa)
1 bar (7 oz) Hershey's Symphony Creamy Milk Chocolate (Elisa says you MUST get the Symphony kind)
2 C. heavy whipping cream, whipped (Does that mean I can't use Cool Whip?)
In a small saucepan, melt chocolate over low heat. Cool. Gradually add melted chocolate to whipped cream. Eat.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
It's Not Love
When Shulamith and Mathew and I were smack in the middle of the 6-week whirlwind of planning their wedding, it seemed like every time I turned around, there was something I needed to pay for. Well, let's be honest. It didn't seem like that; it was like that. Weddings cost money, lots of it, no matter how frugal you are (they were extremely frugal). So each time we discovered something else that needed to be paid for, I would look at Shulamith and say, "It's okay. I have unlimited money!" This joke sort of caught on, even with others. Sometimes as we discovered new expenses, Shulamith or Gerald or Lindsey or even Seth would say, "It's okay. You have unlimited money!" Of course that wasn't, and isn't, the case, but it definitely taught us to put the whole idea of money in its proper place and perspective.
Lately, I've altered that expression somewhat. Instead of saying, "I have unlimited money," I say "It's only money." And that is absolutely true.
It's only money. It's an economic unit of trade that we use to negotiate our way though this very human experience. It's necessary, yes. It needs to be handled responsibly, yes. But it isn't on the same level as anything that really matters. Giving it too much importance has caused a plethora of problems throughout history and has led people to lie, cheat, steal, and even commit suicide or murder. It has caused people to compromise their very integrity as human beings. Can it possibly be worth it? I don't think so.
It's only money.
It's not love.
It's not health.
It's not family.
It's not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It's not anything that truly matters. The expression "You can't take it with you" couldn't be more true. What can we take with us when we leave this world? We are told in the scriptures that we can take any intelligence we have gathered along the way, and we can take our precious family relationships. No mention whatsoever of money. None. I often think of this when we are investing so heavily in our children's college educations. We are investing in something that lasts.
The other day we learned that the recent hailstorm (http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2010/06/sometimes-god-calms-storm.html) damaged our roof beyond repair. The insurance adjuster will recommend total replacement. That means we get a brand new roof! It also means that while homeowners' insurance will cover most of it, there's still this tiny thing called a deductible. Which happens to be $1,000. I have our budget mapped out for summer, and no, $1,000 toward a new roof was not part of it. Not at all. I will need to figure out a way to squeeze that in somewhere because, well, we need a new roof, and if we want to sell our house next year, we have to get one.
One thousand dollars is a sizable chunk, no doubt, but then again, it's only money. It comes and goes as easily as the wind and hail that damaged our roof. One hundred years from now, or even ten, or even two, no one will even remember this $1,000.
It's only money. It's not love, or health, or family, or the Gospel. It's not anything that lasts or matters in the long-run.
Lately, I've altered that expression somewhat. Instead of saying, "I have unlimited money," I say "It's only money." And that is absolutely true.
It's only money. It's an economic unit of trade that we use to negotiate our way though this very human experience. It's necessary, yes. It needs to be handled responsibly, yes. But it isn't on the same level as anything that really matters. Giving it too much importance has caused a plethora of problems throughout history and has led people to lie, cheat, steal, and even commit suicide or murder. It has caused people to compromise their very integrity as human beings. Can it possibly be worth it? I don't think so.
It's only money.
It's not love.
It's not health.
It's not family.
It's not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It's not anything that truly matters. The expression "You can't take it with you" couldn't be more true. What can we take with us when we leave this world? We are told in the scriptures that we can take any intelligence we have gathered along the way, and we can take our precious family relationships. No mention whatsoever of money. None. I often think of this when we are investing so heavily in our children's college educations. We are investing in something that lasts.
The other day we learned that the recent hailstorm (http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2010/06/sometimes-god-calms-storm.html) damaged our roof beyond repair. The insurance adjuster will recommend total replacement. That means we get a brand new roof! It also means that while homeowners' insurance will cover most of it, there's still this tiny thing called a deductible. Which happens to be $1,000. I have our budget mapped out for summer, and no, $1,000 toward a new roof was not part of it. Not at all. I will need to figure out a way to squeeze that in somewhere because, well, we need a new roof, and if we want to sell our house next year, we have to get one.
One thousand dollars is a sizable chunk, no doubt, but then again, it's only money. It comes and goes as easily as the wind and hail that damaged our roof. One hundred years from now, or even ten, or even two, no one will even remember this $1,000.
It's only money. It's not love, or health, or family, or the Gospel. It's not anything that lasts or matters in the long-run.
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