24th of July Celebration

Pioneer Days

I have looked forward to Pioneer Days every summer since I can remember. As a kid it was soooo exciting. Growing up in such a small town, this was the highlight of the summer. There was so much to look forward to. My mom always bought me a new outfit to wear to the celebration. Aunts, Uncles and cousins came into town for reunions and if you were lucky you got to ride on a float. As I got a little older I rode my horse in the parade with our 4-H club and then rode in a rodeo. The community puts on a pageant portraying some aspect of our pioneer history. I remember being in it a few times growing up. It's non-stop fun from then on with a pancake breakfast, parade, program, barbecue, foot races and dances in the evening. If that wasn't fun and exciting enough there are two more days of celebrating in Manassa. I always loved Manassa's parade because it was so much longer than Sanford's and the floats were bigger and more elaborate. I'll always have fond memories of the celebration.

Fast forward to present day. I still look forward to Pioneer Days because I get to go home and see old friends from school that I don't get to see very often and I'm still a fan of the parades. My kids love the parades, races and carnival. Although there is still fun and excitement it's different as a parent. Keeping track of the kids in the crowds is always fun and standing in long lines for hamburgers at the hamburger stand is equally enjoyable. The carefree days of being a kid and just enjoying everything available are long gone. I can still experience the festivities but I'm the one paying for tickets and over priced carnival food, putting on the sunscreen, packing chairs and drinks and diaper bags all over the place and dealing with melt downs from over tired children. In the end I guess it's all worth it, it must be because I keep coming back. Everyone had lots of fun this year. The kids loved the parades and all the candy that gets thrown their way. Eric and Charles could hardly wait to go to the carnival. Eric is adventurous and went on the hammer by himself. I tried to talk him out of it but decided to let him go. He didn't feel too good after that ride. Charles loved the Swinger and Katie couldn't get enough of the Carousel. I ran in a foot race which I haven't done in many years. I didn't' win but it was fun. We're already looking forward to next year.

As Seen On TV

Eric and Charles seem to get sucked into As Seen on TV infomercials. Lately they have shared some of their favorites that would surely make my life much easier and save a few dollars. The first is the Topsy Turvy tomato planter. Not only would I have many beautiful, ripe, delicious tomatoes, but I wouldn't have to do any more back breaking bending, digging or weeding. We wouldn't lose our tomatoes to spoilage on the ground either. Charles always reminds me of what a good idea this is.
The next brilliant product is the Touch N Brush. This is the hands free toothpaste dispenser. This is the product that Eric really thinks we should invest in. Besides being hands free it dispenses the perfect amount every time. It also uses every last bit of toothpaste, therefore saving me money. No more wasting that last little bit at the end of the tube.
Then there is Nutri System (admittedly, I have put on a few pounds since Katie was born and the boys have even told me that it looks like I might be having another baby). Eric thinks this would be good for me because I could eat what I want and still loose weight AND the food is delivered right to my door. How much better could it get?
The last item is more for them than for me and would keep them entertained for hours. Bendaroos, the magic wax super string. There is no glue, no stains and no mess (maybe that part is for me), they don't break and you can use them over and over again.
After reading this don't you agree that maybe this would make my life a little easier and think of the money I could save from the toothpaste!

Yummy Chicken

I found this recipe a while back in Cook's Country magazine. I'm not a huge chicken fan but this recipe is sooo good. I hadn't made it in a long time but decided to fix it last night. It looks fancy and tastes really good. You can taste all of the different flavors at some point during each bite. It would be a good dish to make for company. Here's the recipe. P.S. we added about 1/4 cup more chicken broth.

Chicken Cutlets with Bacon, Rosemary

and Lemon

5 slices bacon, chopped

1/4 cup all purpose flour

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed

salt and pepper

1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, sliced thin

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1. Fry bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5 min. Transfer bacon to plate lined with paper towels. Spoon off all but 2 Tablespoons bacon fat.

2. Meanwhile, place flour in shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper, dredge in flour, and shake off excess. Add butter to reserved bacon fat in skillet and high heat, swirling to melt butter. When foam subsides, reduce heat to medium-high and cook chicken until browned on both sides, 3-4 min. per side. Transfer to plate (leaving fat in skillet) and cover loosely with foil.

3. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, rosemary, and pepper flakes. Cook until garlic is browned and crisp, about 2 min. Add broth and lemon juice, scrape up browned bits from bottom of skillet with wooden spoon, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 4 min.

4. Return chicken and bacon to pan and simmer, turning chicken once or twice, until sauce is thick and glossy, 2-3 min. Adjust seasonings and serve.

11 Years

On June 20th Dean and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary. Looking back, there have been a lot of changes over the years. Many ups and downs but more good times than bad. We got married in the Denver Temple. I was so excited (and sick). I think it was just nerves. My uncle, a pharmacist, was giving me tips on which medicines might help me feel better. It all turned out beautifully. We honeymooned at Disney World. The first day I about died because of the heat and humidity. It was a really fun trip. Three moves, three kids and a few career changes later we're still happy.
We got a babysitter to come a little earlier than our dinner and movie plans so we could spend time together and go shopping. Friday he came home from work early and surprised me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, purple and yellow like my wedding flowers, and a gift card. We had a wonderful night together.

Summer Fun

There probably won't be a big summer vacation this year so I'm trying to do fun things at home. When we went to Sanford a few weeks ago we went to an indoor water park. The kids had a blast swimming with all of their cousins. A few days ago we went mini golfing. Eric had to wear a red golf shirt like Tiger. The boys played pretty well. Eric and Charles both got a hole in one on the same hole. Katie was my helper. She carried my putter in the beginning then would get my ball out of the cup for me. I don't know which they liked better playing golf or playing in the water and on the animals. Yesterday a bunch of moms and kids from church got together at America the Beautiful. We played in the fountain and at the playground. The fountain was so much fun. The playground is amazing. The equipment is really unusual. We spent hours playing yesterday.