"Mortification, taken in slow motion, has phases: First you think you are going to die. Then when you realize that you are not, you wish somebody would kill you"

from Peony, who got it here.

A quilt

I have not made a quilt in a long time, five years, I think. I have been collecting some fabric for a few years, and the other week, I officially got started! I had decided to make a quilt that I can do a little block at a time, because I don't have a lot of time, and most especially, I do not have large chunks of time.

5 minute brownies that you can make on campus if you carry around baking ingredients in your backpack

We are writing technical instructions for a class and today we had usability testing. I was kind enough to test another group's instructions on microwave brownies, and for real, it was easy and delicious. A brownie from scratch with ingredients that could stay in a locker. Dear printmaking students: You could probably make this on the hot plate in the intaglio room, too, but that is probably also illegal. So easy, I remember the instructions by heart:

In a mug, combine together

• 4 tbsp flour
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa power
• dash of salt

Stir in

• 2 tbsp veg. oil
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/4 tbsp vanilla

Microwave on high for 1 minute and 15 second. Remove from microwave and allow to finish cooking and cool for 5 minutes. At this time, I suggest purchasing some BYU Creamery milk since you are probably using a microwave just by the vending machine. The top will be a little gooier than the inside. But it is perfect. And, being that it is egg-less, super easy to clean the mug and spoon.

This really works. And tastes delicious. And I don't have a photo, because it tastes better than it looks. And I ate it too quickly.

A take on what English sounds like to foreigners

Skwerl

An opinion article I read, written by a mom of a boy who won't live past his third birthday. I think this is good: "The only task here is to love, and we tell him we love him, not caring that he doesn’t understand the words."

Good friends aren't hard to find

I had a few lovely things from good friends this weekend. Thursday night I received this hand-made gem on canvas in the mail from one of my dreamboat hiking buddies who moved away.

Then, this morning I had a nice little surprise email from my boy's mom. Just saying hello, but perfect.

Then, I attended a nice little 1-year-old birthday bash with some of my favorites. Such a good time just hanging out and eating cake and playing with the baby and watching the game, which we won. Go Cougs.

And these are the things that get me. Great people, they are.

Half Dome, Yosemite

I like lithography a lot. It requires precision, and that is satisfying.

beginner

Innovation is more than new ideas

This week I read three articles in the NYT about advancements being made in technology as it relates to the fields of science and, ultimately, health. People talk all the time about the scientific advancements that are helping us to be healthier and live longer! but I am excited about these advancements because they are all known health issues with known treatments that have been studied by minds dedicated to making healthy bodies and minds available to more people. The first is a new method for detecting and fighting cervical cancer, which was, for a long time, the No. 1 cancer fatal to women. In developed countries, it lost that spot after development of the Pap smear. This article proposes an innovation that uses little more than household vinegar has the potential to bring down cervical cancer in less-developed countries. It is already changing the lives of many women in Thailand. The second development, by Harvard Doctor George Whitesides, is a disease-testing instrument the size of a postage stamp, and costs roughly a penny to produce. So far, this innovation is promising to help AIDS patients with tuberculosis by testing for liver damage. They literally use an $800 Xerox machine to produce the test. The third was created by art students in California: a shower cheap to make and easy to use, tested with displaced families after a natural disaster. Showering with soap is one of the most basic ways to fight disease, especially with children, but there are people that do not have access.

The funny thing is that I read another article in the opinion column about our general lack of willingness to adopt simple solutions to health problems (sort of like Naaman). I think it's a line easily blurred: between advancements that make health more accessible and efficient and advancements that make health more complicated. Perhaps there are easy solutions that are available to most in developed countries, but innovation can produce solutions that make a healthy body available to those who have never had it.

"Prettiness is a not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked 'female.'"

http://www.dressaday.com/2006/10/you-dont-have-to-be-pretty.html

south

Let me tell you an adventure story...

The Four were down at Huntington Lake for the little triathlon, and the old Mr. Announcer spoke a little about some dinosaur tracks and bones (!) across the highway, offering directions to anyone with interest. The croc-clad animal and adventure and grandpa enthusiast took his little self over and talked to Mr. Announcer, who said, Yes, I love this county, and would love to personally give you a tour of the specimens, tell me when you're ready and we will go.

It was time to go, and Mr. Announcer got his cooler loaded into his truck, which he asked the four to follow him in, and we will go across the highway, just a little drive to the bones. They Drove across the highway, onto a dirt road and they follower Mr. Announcer, now Mr. Tour Guide and he motioned for stopping to tell the four the plan. Are you a farmer's daughter? You drive like a farmer's daughter. We're going to drive here in a figure eight, out to The Wedge, then the track and the petroglyphs and the pictographs, then we'll come back across this spot and go that other way to the dino bones. Follow me, but don't worry, you don't have to eat my dust. I'll wait for you along the way.

It was hot and the four had the windows down on the dirt roads while they followed Mr. Tour Guide and it was a longer drive than they anticipated, but it was a good time. They already loved Mr. Tour Guide. He drove and they drove and he took them to The Wedge. No one told them what The Wedge was so they weren't prepared for this:

They wanted to climb down into the canyon and hike and play, but they had more adventures for the day, and Mr. Tour Guide said the rest would be good, too. One of the four asked his name. J.R. Nelson, Emery County Commissioner, and you can come down again, here's my card, come to my home and we'll take my four-wheelers here and we'll come back. I can't hike, I have arthritis, but we'll come back.

They hopped into their little cars again and drove, and Mr. J.R. The Cowboy Commissioner told them where they were going and said to follow and they were going to take a shortcut. Does your car run on gas? I forgot to ask if you have gas. They drove and they talked about J.R. Nelson because they already liked him a lot and maybe wanted him for a grandpa, even. "I bet he was the best teacher. I would like to have a teacher like J.R. Nelson. He's probably an awesome grandpa."

Then they were at the track and Mr. Nelson the Schoolteacher stopped to give them some health food and pointed the way and hiked behind them because they had to find the track themselves. They found it, but because Mr. Nelson the Schoolteacher showed it to them, really, because it was under rocks.

A true dino track. Allosaurus. Confirmed by paleontologists.

Back to the cars. On to the next spot.

An outlaw's John Hancock, and proof he stole cows that could have been Mr. Nelson's inheritance.

Then, here. Petroglyphs first, then pictographs. Then Mater and Honcho.

Does anyone know the difference between petroglyphs and pictographs?

Petroglyphs are carved and pictographs are painted, right?

Exactly.

(Three of The Four were not previously aware that there was an archaeologist among us.)

Mr. Nelson then took us to finish the figure eight drive with some dino bones. Real, confirmed by paleontologists. Would not have recognized this as bones without help:

Other things we spotted on the drive: antelope, mysterious tunnels.

Well, that's the tour. When we get to the highway, I'm going to turn left to go about 2 more miles to the Maverick, where' I'm buying drinks. If you go right, that will take you home. I'll know what you're doing by the way you turn.

Mr. Nelson, you know we're going left.

Okay, let's go.

I work like it's my job.

I have a most excellent internship at the BYU Law School. I am lucky. Most PR interns spend their time doing menial tasks and writing press releases. Someone has to write the press releases, and writing is fun and it is good experience and these people become adept and turning out these articles. However, I am grateful that I get to write press releases AND spend time planning. I love strategic planning. We have autonomy here and lots of freedom to accomplish assignments. I do good, better work with some freedom because we all work differently and we should foster growth by inviting people to work in such a way as to develop their natural abilities instead of boxing them into other abilities that may not exist for that person. Another reason I am lucky is because I work with neat-o people. We are so good at getting distracted. I love public relations.

These are some of those great people:
super fun mrs boss
emily is good for a good time
mark is gone right now because he's dang smart and i miss him bad
matt makes sure we get paid, and dress right

As Good a Thing as a Road Trip

The first time I ever drove on the freeway was with my dad. In fact, this was also the first time I drove outside the Quince Street chapel parking lot. I was to practice driving, as I had a permit to drive, 15.5 years old, and as I drove around SC, he suggested we get on the freeway. I trusted this was a good idea, as I trust my father, not blindly, or he was perfect, but because I have always known that he knows me: my best interests, my limits and my potential. So I drove onto the on-ramp at Lawrence and I drove onto the freeway. He suggested a Road Trip to Stanford, and I drove us there and we went and strolled a bit and I drove back and had to remember to slow down when I got off the freeway.

Now, you see, a Road Trip is a good thing. This is what he taught me. Driving to places far was not simply a chore because someone lived far, but when it was us, me and him, he called it a Road Trip and it immediately became a thing to want to do. And there are few things as good as a thing as a Road Trip.

Before I became able to participate in the driving during a Road Trip, we Road Tripped to Fresno to see GA. When I learned to drive we Road Tripped to Stanford. Then, after I graduated high school and it came time to go away, my dad was there for a Road Trip. When I came back from Chicago and it was time to go back to P, UT, I was pleased to find that he still likes this, that he wanted a Road Trip with me. A Road Trip doesn't have to be very far, it just has to be to a place you want to go, or with a person you want to ride with. These are facts (my dad taught me a lot of important Facts, and I will tell you more about those).

So, this is to tell you that Road Trips are quite nice. This is to tell you a thing I learned from my dad. This is to tell you that if I invite you on a Road Trip, it is because there is a place I want to go, or I want to ride in a car with you, but more than likely, it is both.

Natural Baby Goods is having a giveaway for a gift certificate for one of my favorite clothing makers to look at, but never buy because it's quality, so it's pricier! The Emersonmade trench dress is what they review, and that's the item I most want: a trench dress that is actually on the long-enough side, because they're always always too short, even though I'm of a tiny stature.

banana breads

I had quite an abundance of ever-ripening bananas, and the anticipation for banana bread can't be beat. My mamacita has always made the most delicious banana bread, with a recipe from The Lion House. I remember, as I'm sure my brothers do, being so excited for a slice of warm banana bread with butter. I know my dad likes banana bread, as he always expresses concern that we are going to burn it when it's baking--you can smell it halfway through its bake time, causing one to believe it is ready NOW. A sorry fact when it is not, in fact, ready.

On Sunday night (We had quite the baking bonanza here--H, H and I also made these coconut cupcakes from Ina Garten, and H pretended gluten doesn't hurt her for the night) I decided to make up two batches because I had that many bananas, and I had even purchased mini-loaf pans from the dollar store so that the loaves could be used for various purposes more easily. As a last-minute decision, I added toppings. I happened to have four things that taste delicious with bananas, so I tried them: chocolate chips, coconut, fresh blueberries and sliced almonds.

They turned out quite nicely, and because I was using them for various purposes, I decided to split up the toppings, so I cut each into four and made new loaves. They were wrapped for their various destinations. You can find the recipe in the Lion House Bakery cookbook, which can be purchased here. A worthy investment. I know you can find a million b bread recipes online, but this is the best. Posting the recipe would probably be the same as pirating music, and I do not want to go to jail. FYI, I do substitute the margarine for 2 parts silken tofu, and 2 parts applesauce. Most delicious.

How To Butcher A Chicken

On Sunday, I invited Kelsey and Kendra over for dinner to show off my domestic skills: I baked bread and roasted a whole chicken. Now, this was my first time roasting a chicken, but I have been preparing for years, because my aunts love to suggest roasting a whole chicken as an economical meal for a dinner party (it's always a dinner PARTY when the K's come). Ina Garten also helped prepare me because she recently showed me how to carve a chicken. I even asked my mom a few more questions when she was visiting the few days before (Do you usually roast it covered or uncovered? What if I don't have a roasting pan?). However, I was unprepared for came out of the sealed plastic bag that encased my whole chicken. NO ONE PREPARED ME FOR A NECK. Luckily, we have the interweb, so I googled "Chicken remove neck" and was led to this: butcherachicken.blogspot.com. Thank goodness for those who blog about things they know about this. So now I am blogging about this blog that I know about, in case any one else needs any of the steps for chicken preparing. (It turned out delicious, rosemary infused and moist.)

Sycamore, IL

This is what I love about Illinois. Lots of pretty little things in random places, like the side door to a garage with beautiful stained glass.

A good little Mormon Message

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light.

I like what Chris said: That he is just a vessel for the Lord's forgiveness and love to shine through. The brilliance of Christ shone through him and he just doesn't get in the way. This makes me consider: How can I stop getting in the way of letting Christ's light shine through me? I think I like it worded that way, that our more whole and real state is when His light comes through us.

Mommy blogger never took a blogging class

I don’t think they really have blogging classes—maybe that’s the problem?

This sucks for MommyNetwork: The reason this kind of stuff happens is because the Internet facilitates getting the word out quickly and to a lot of people at once—maybe too quickly, and to too many people. (If you didn’t hear about the Mommy Blogger/ Toyota fiasco, read it here!

Some things could be a recipe for disaster, or really awesome.

Sometimes it ends up like the mommy blogger's tearful apology, but sometimes it works out! Did you hear about what happened with the Red Cross? An employee sent a personal Twitter on the Red Cross organization’s account, “Ryan found two more 4 bottle packs of Dogfish Head’s Midas Touch beer… when we drink we do it right.” Red Cross followed up with this Tweet: “We’ve deleted the rogue tweet but rest assured the Red Cross is sober and we’ve confiscated the keys.” People were inspired to donate blood and Dogfish even encouraged people to donate blood. I think it’s pretty funny. Too bad it didn’t work out so swimmingly for MommyNetwork…

just a little sweet, just a little tart

A tasty treat I enjoy that, just now, as I am enjoying it, I thought you might also enjoy:
(it is very hard to make)
1. Pour 1/2 glass of Silk Vanilla Soy Milk.
2. Fill the rest of the way with frozen blueberries (from the grocery store. The brand matters. It has to be the cheapest brand. Tastes better that way).
3. Let sit for 4-8 minutes. Should be slushy.
4. Bring it to me.
5. Repeat 1-3.
6. Enjoy. It tastes better than my picture looks.

Our mothers would be proud.

Kelsey and I biked on Saturday. We're preparing for the bike2bike at the end of February. We had planned on Saturday's ride so even though it snowed the night before, we were all set to go. The route we did is about 10 miles, but all of the hard part is in the beginning--miles of uphill with no break. There is one little part where we have to carry our bikes because it can't be rode across. It was real cold during the second half. We had a good time and it felt good. Kels and I have discovered that it is possible to hike, bike, have fun in the snow.

"Do you know this dog?"

On Monday night--Family Home Evening night--my "family" and I drove to Spanish Fork, Utah for the evening. We were headed to the home of one of the members of the bishopric of our congregation. After a delightful time of introductions and a spiritual message and pumpkin cookies, we headed down the road a little way to see the house that Mel grew up in. We also saw this little guy in the road:

We looked at the lovely home now inhabited by others and another home with gargoyles--unusual for Utah valley. We decided that if the little abominable snowman pup was still there, we'd stop and check for tags. We did. He had a collar, without tags. The shelter was closed. This was a cold night, so I picked him and we began knocking on doors to find his home and family. In each neighborhood, someone would tell us he lived the next block over. It sort of felt like tracting.

We tried calling him every name we could think of: Rover, Snowball, Fluffy, Marcello, Spot, Trixie. We tried putting him down and following him. He would just dash off and then come back and ask to be picked up. Maybe because he was shaking like crazy from the cold. We called the police and dispatch told us they were sending someone to the church parking lot where we waited in the car.

Unfortunately, the officer called and said they were unable to pick him up until morning, and could we please take him home for the night? Well, we live in an apartment, 30 minutes from where we were at. Doug, a neighbor to the place we found the little abominable snowman, offered to take him in for the night. So he did. This was our family home evening: Our apartment family grew to include a little adopted dog, who did not stay, and his smell, which did.