juror.

I just had the most interesting week {which I could not blog about until now}.  I was called to jury duty and selected to be a juror out of 75 people.  I know what you are thinking, a nursing mother?  Being on jury duty is inconvenient for everyone; this judge would not dismiss even a nursing mother.  

Gregg was awesome.  He totally played to roll of "mother" all week.  I had to be at the court house at 8:30 AM every morning and was gone all day.  Every few hours he would load both the boys in the car and drive them to the court house so I could nurse Bodie.  Sometimes I could not even see Gregg.  He would hand Bodie to the bailiff and the bailiff {the sheriff in this case} would bring me Bodie and I would nurse.  It was very inconvenient - but we survived.

The case was an alleged rape.  It was a really sad case of an LDS girl who said she had values and standards but didn't show that by her actions.  She just kept going further and further with the guy until one night it went too far.  She accused him of rape because she had previously stated her values.  We found the guy innocent of the charge of rape and fornication.  She was equally responsible for what happened.  

I feel like I have learned a lot of really valuable lessons from this experience.  I learned a lot about the court system {like the fact that because this was a criminal case all the jurors had to agree on a verdict}.  I felt like I did my civic duty!  But I also feel like I learned first hand about the importance of the values that we are taught and trying to teach our kids {or our young woman or young men, etc.}.  The alleged victim kept saying she had standards and values - but she did not show that by her actions {and that does not justify the behavior}.  She went against so many of the values in the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet and that got her in trouble.  She was saying one thing but doing another.  And unfortunately instead of just taking care of her mistake {repentance} she was trying to blame others for what happened.  I truly hope that both parties are able to get over this trial and move on with their lives.  

hummm.

I wanted to share this cute picture of Bodie.  I was taking pictures of him in his blessing outfit {a couple of weeks ago} and thought this picture turned out funny.  I especially love the drool coming out of his mouth!

I have been MIA {missing in action} this week - can't blog about why...but when I can, I will have lots to tell...stay tuned :)

basketball.

Truman thought our the little green tomatoes looked like basketballs so he picked them and was throwing them into the top of the wire stand - we might never have red tomatoes to eat this summer!

FHE.

 We met with a couple of families in the neighborhood for an FHE in the woods tonight.  We roasted dinner over the fire, had s'mores, heard a scary Indian story by Scott and sang family night songs.

 Is there anything better then s'mores?

 S'mores with a bite of chocolate cake in it!

The Curly's

The Phillips.

{the other families left before I pulled out the camera - we will do it again soon!}

happy father's day.

{June 19, 2011}

Happy Father's Day Gregg.

Gregg is a great dad - Truman and Bodie are lucky to have such a loving dad.  He loves to play sports with Truman outside - then once Truman goes to bed he likes to snuggle Bodie in bed.  He is very patient and loving. We both love seeing our boys grow up and learn new things; it is very satisfying as a parent
{can you believe we have two kids already?!}.

I promise Truman and Bodie each got you a gift, the UPS man has just not delivered them yet :)

{June 1987}

and, Happy Father's Day to my dad.
He is always full of wisdom.  

Golden Gate Bridge.

We were in San Francisco this week for a little trip.  What a fun city to visit and even more fun now that my brother Nathan and his wife Lauren live there!

Right before we left to go home Gregg asked if there was anything else I wanted to do ... yes ... drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.  You can't go to SF without going across the GGB!

Total stranger took our picture...I should have mentioned we wanted the bridge in the picture :)

ghirardelli.

One night we took the bus down to Ghirardelli Square for some dessert. 

Picture above, waiting for the bus {I forgot my camera so these are all cell phone pictures}.

I learned that Lauren is a dark chocolate girl!  The calories in our desserts were totally worth it!

Gregg is always talking about Doner kebabs from his mission {to the Netherlands}.  Nate is headed to the Netherlands this week for a business trip so we decided to see if San Fran had a good restaurant that made doner kebabs.  I liked what I got, but Gregg said the doner kebabs are better in Amsterdam!   

{my meal - I can't remember what is was called - lamb with mozzarella ...}

...and, the famous "Bob's Donuts." Donuts are my down fall - I can not say no to a good donut!  We bought this huge donut to take to my cousin Abe.

Nate and Lauren's apartment building - right down town.

pier 39.

Nate and Lauren took us to a restaurant they have been wanting to try "The Stinking Rose"  - it was fantastic - look it up next time you are in San Francisco.

Garlic everywhere in the decor. 

After dinner we walked down to Fisherman's Wharf.

You can't go to San Francisco with out going to Pier 39. 

They had a store at the pier that sold ONLY LEFT HANDED STUFF!  They were closing so I had to beg them to let me in - I knocked on the door and said "I am left handed, I have to buy something"
I have always said I was going to open a left handed only store - but it looks like someone already took my idea.  I did buy some left handed playing cards.  I can not wait to use them!!!
{if you were left handed you would realize what a handicap it really is}.

funny.

I saw this and had to post it - kind of funny!

Asparagus Risotto

Asparagus Risotto

1 pound asparaguse, trimmed and cut into bite size pieces

1 tablespoon butter

3 small shallots, minced

1 cup uncooked arborio rice {has to be arborio rice}

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

4 cups chicken broth

1/3 grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Fill a large bowl with ice water.  Add asparagus to pot; blanch for 2 minutes.  Immediately remove asparagus from pot and place them into ice water {stop them from cooking and help retain their bright green color}.

Coat a medum pot with cooking spray and set over medum heat; melt butter.  Add shallotsl cook, stirring requently, until translucent, about 5-7 minutes.  Add rice and toss to coat; cook for 2 minutes.  Add lemon juice; cook, until all lemon juice has been absorbed, stirring continuously so rice does not stick to sides of pot, about 1 minute.

Meanwhile, bring brother to a simmer; keep warm.

Add ½ cup of hot broth to pot at a time to the medium pot with the rice; stir until absorbed.  Repeat with remaining broth, making sure each addition of broth is absorbed before adding more.  This process takes about 20 minutes.

When rice turn creamy and just done {should be slightly chewy and not mushy}, remove pot from heat; add cheese and stir well.  Stir in asparagus; season with salt and pepper.  Yields 2 scant cup per serving.

*Add in grilled or baked chicken to make it a more complete meal.  Very, very good flavor.

Buffalo Sliders

Buffalo Chicken {or Turkey} Sliders

2 onion, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 pound ground chicken {or turkey}

2 tablespoons Buffalo wing sauce

8 mini whole – wheat buns

8 green-leaf lettuce leaves

8 tomato slices

2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

Spray large nonstick skillet or ridged grill pan with nonstick spray and set over medium heat.  Add onion, red bell pepper, and garlic, cook covered stirring occasionally until liquid is evaporated and vegetables are very tender, about 8 minutes.

Transfer to large bowl and let cool 10 minutes.  Add chicken breast, buffalo wing sauce, and salt; mix well.  With we hands, form into 8 patties.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.

Spray skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-low heat – cook patties until desired doneness {or grill them}.

Serve on buns with lettuce, tomatoes and blue cheese.

Spring Goat Cheese Salad

Spring Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese

3 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon oil

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

4 cups mixed greens (spinach or

1 cup sliced strawberries

¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

2 tablespoons salted dry-roasted pistachio nuts, chopped

In a cup, stir together juice, oil, vinegar, pepper, salt; set aside.

Arrange mixed greens in a large shallow bowl; top with strawberries, cheese, and nuts.  Just before serving, stir 
dressing and drizzle over salad; toss gently but well.  Yields about 1 ¼ cups per serving.