Question 31

Q:  Who do you want to be?

A:  A better parent.

Question 30

Q:  What do you want to forget?

A:  The blister on my palm.

Question 29

Q:  What was the last television show you watched?

A:  The Chew.  It is on at noon and I watch while I eat my lunch.  Very entertaining and yummy food.

Day Twenty-eight - Question 28

Q:  How would you describe home?

A:  In the moment?  Stress filled.  What I would like to say?  Calm, peaceful, cooperative, fun, loving, smells great.  I need to change this.

Questions 24, 25, 26, & 27

My computer died (now it is all better!) and I got sick (not completely better).  So, to catch up:

24
Q:  If you were going to start your own company, what would it be?
A:  Can I start two?  I want a book store where I don't really sell books - it's just a place to read.  And I want a bakery.  Maybe a bakery/reading room?

25
Q:  What makes "you" you?
A:  Hmmmm, my love for my kids. (be your best!)  My fear of being old. (keep running!) Tenacity. (dog it!)

26
Q:  Today you needed more ___________________.
A:  Sleep and air. (I have the flu and can't breath well.)

27
Q:  Which art movement best describes you today?
A:  Beaux Arts

Elaborate and formal architectural style characterized by symmetry and an abundance of sculptured ornamentation. New York's old Custom House at Bowling Green is an example of the style.

                                     (I am feeling block-ish, staid but classic.)

Lamb Stew with Brown Butter Garlic and herbs

2 lbs lamb - 1" cubes
2 Tbs olive oil (more if needed)
3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbs fresh ground black pepper
6 Tbs butter (making brown butter)
4 cloves garlic - shaved or minced fine
2 Tbs fresh rosemary minced
1/2 cup red onion minced
1 cup carrots - sliced into disks
1 cup red potatoes - 1" cubes
1 cup yams - 1" cubes
1 small yellow squash - 1" cubes

In a large skillet heat oil until sizzling.  Flash fry the lamb in two or three batches seasoning with sea salt and pepper.  Lamb should be well browned.  As batches are done place on plate with paper towel to drain briefly.  Add butter to skillet and cook until nicely brown (if you've never done it before read this http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/10/exactly-how-i-brown-my-butter/ ).  Now turn down the heat to medium-low and add your garlic and rosemary.  Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it is nicely suffused.  Now add back your meat and coat it with the butter mixture.  Let it simmer lightly for about 5 more minutes.  Now scoop out the meat and most of the herbs.  DON'T THROW OUT THE BUTTER!  Add the onions to it and cook until just softened.  (The house smells so good right now!)

While the onions are cooking put your broth in a medium-large crock pot.  Turn crock pot on to low (if you are starting in the a.m.) or high (if you are starting at lunch).  Gently put the meat in the broth.  Scoop out the onions and add to broth as well. 

Add your cut vegetables about 90 minutes before you want them to be done.  Serve with crusty bread and salad.

Question Twenty Three

Q:  Do you need a break?  From what?

A:  I'm a mom, of course I need a break.  Let's see ... from kids, work, stress, boring cooking (what my kids like vs what I want to cook), technology (as I am using it), the list just goes on....

Question Twenty-two

Q:  Are you seeking security or adventure?

A:  Security in adventures.

Day Twenty-one Question Twenty-one

Q:  What are you looking forward to?

A:  Short term; for today to be over.  Long term; vacation. (We don't have anything planned but I need one!)

Tylor (almost) Takes State!

Tylor's soccer team has been in a month long State Final competition.  They have had to travel three of the last four weekends to Elk Grove.  Yesterday they won their last game to get into the final match of the competition: Tylor even scored a goal as a defender.  Nice.  Today they played really hard but just missed out on winning by a score of 2 to 4.  Tylor was happy with his efforts so all was well.  I am really proud of how dedicated he is and how he trains and practices without complaining about it.  Way to go Tylor!

Question Twenty

Q:  Are you holding a grudge? About?

A:  I would like to say no but I can't.  I'm working on it: much prayer and more fasting is needed. No need to share.

Questions Eighteen & Nineteen

Q:  What was peaceful about today?

A:  The 20 minutes I read in bed before falling asleep.

Q:  List three foods you ate today.

A:  English muffin with honey, split pea soup and teriyaki chicken over rice

Question Seventeen

Q:  What's the oldest thing you are wearing today?

A:  A white button down shirt I have had since about 1995.  A classic never goes out of style.

Question Sixteen

Q:  Do you owe someone money?  Does someone owe you money?

A:  Yes.  (The bank.)  Yes.

Day Fifteen - Question Fifteen

Q:  On a scale of one to ten, how was your lunch today?

A:  Let's see, companionship made it an 8.5 (had lunch with Lauren and Grandpa Voydat).  Food about a 6. We had Mexican: I ate more of Lauren's food than my own.

Day Fourteen - Question Fourteen

Q:  Are you a leader or a follower?

A:  Debbie says we are leaders. I'm doing what she says... Haha!  I am more of a leader.  I can follow but I tend to interject my opinions and get a little frustrated if things are moving in the wrong direction or too slowly.

Question Thirteen

Q:  Where do you want to travel next?

A:  Does "anywhere that my children are not" count?  I would love to go to....

 

Trinity College Library, Ireland

Aside from being absolutely gorgeous, with two story dark wooden arches, this is also the largest library in all of Ireland. It serves as the country’s copyright library, where a copy of all new books and periodicals must be sent when they apply for copyright protection. The library is also home to the famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript created by Celtic monks around the year 800.

Questions Eleven and Twelve

Q:  Today you lost ______________?

A:  Half a step.  I used to do a solid 8 minute mile.  About a year ago my hip started hurting and then my back.  I went in to our GP and he said, (what no man should ever say!) "It's age. Slow down a bit." I backed off to about a 9 minute mile and my hips are good and my back is much better.

Q:  What's your favorite accessory?

A:  I bought a "boyfriend" charm necklace for my 49th birthday. It reminds me of Jim everytime I see it.  I wear it a little too much :-)

FHE Topics

I have to admit something.  I didn't like FHE growing up.  I'm not a big fan now.  It was definitely NOT what is pictured on the church web-site now.  I have a hard time getting my act together and find almost anything will supercede it if I let it.

One of my goals for the year is to do FHE each week.  I'm not going to force the Monday night but once during the week we will do FHE sometime.

Now that I have put the goal out there I need some help.  I need to interest/engage my teens.  I need to find a site or such that can give me direction and help to make them more meaningful - not necessarily longer - and more fun.  I also need topics.  I can think of a lot but the kids aren't really interested in my GD topics for D&C.

So, I'm asking.  Gimmee whatcha got!

Day Ten - Question Ten

Q:  Write down something that inspired you today.

A:  "It's better to look UP!"  ~ Thomas S. Monson  (half full, half full, half full, .....)

Question Nine

Q:  Was today typical? Why or why not?

A:  Typical; Run, drive Connor to school, stress, carpool the ACS kids, Tylor to soccer practice, work, drive kids to YM/YW, cook dinner, make breakfast, do laundry, sneak in a little The Chew

Not typical; Dental cleaning, wrote letter to Lauren about communication, boring lunch, letter from Australia (oh, help me!)

Question Eight

Q:  What song is stuck in your head?

A:  Nothing today.  My go-to song when a bad one is stuck in my head is "We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet", I know all the verses and can sing it as an alto in my head.

Day Seven - Question Seven

Q: You are lucky: how so or not so?

A: I don't believe in luck.  I believe in the Lord's tender mercies.  I receive many, many tender mercies.

Mini Mint Brownies

Santa brought me two boxes of Junior Mints in my stocking.  I love Junior Mints but I needed to share.  I decided to go simple.  I did these in mini cupcake liners so I could share with friends.

                                                Mini Mint Brownies

                                 Photo courtesy of foodgawker.com

Any single box of brownie mix - prepared per instructions to batter stage

Preheat oven to 350'. 

Fill mini liner half full of brownie mix.  Place one mint in center.  Put about 1/2 a teaspoon of brownie mix on top.  Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes.

Mint Frosting

3 Tbsp butter, softened

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

dash salt

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

2 - 3 Tbsp milk  

few drops green food coloring

 

Cream butter, peppermint, and salt; gradually add 1 cup confectioners' sugar, creaming until light. Add remaining confectioners' sugar and the milk. Beat until smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring. (Note:  I frosted mine but you could use more milk to make this a drizzle as well.)

Makes about 3 dozen.



 

Question Six

Q: Today was tough because ____________________?

A: New church time, 9 a.m., had my kids whining all week and trying to convince me to change wards last night. It hasn't even started today and this is the hardest part.

Day five - Question five

Q:  What was the last restaurant you went to?

A: (I am excluding fast food as they aren't really restaurants.) Cheesecake Factory to pick up Tylor's birthday strawberry cheesecake.  The last one I ate at? Aqui's with my friend Diane Egli.

Day four - Question four

Q:  The best part of today?

A: When Jim and Tylor left: alone at last! (Debbie thought that it would be actually being by myself but, no, it was the leaving. :-)

                                          Tylor fell asleep watching a movie on my bed

Question Three

Q:  What are you reading right now?

A:  A More Perfect Heaven by Dava Sobel, Quiet by Susan Cain, (listening) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Day Two - Question Two

Q:  Can people change?

A: Yes. I have changed. It takes determination, practice and a willingness to keep trying. Also, you need a plan and support. (Go sisters!)

                                             Sherri and Debbie at Honeyman Park

Day One - Question One

Debbie gave me a cute little Q&A calendar book for my birthday.  She and Keira have one too.  I am going to try and post the question and my answers, if not daily at least once a week.  Please feel free to join in my reflective/fun/introspective future.  :-)

Q:  What is your mission?

A:  To raise up my children in the way they should go.
      Be a good example.
      Be happier.
      Learn each day.

                                           Marcy                  Sherri                   Debbie