Want to be Published?

My sister is on the cookbook committe for The Junior League of Salt Lake City. If you have a favorite recipe you are willing to share with the world, read on:

What's Cooking Salt Lake?
Calling all chefs! The Junior League of Salt Lake City is collecting recipes for our fourth cookbook, so start sorting through the recipe file. We are searching for a wide-range of wonderful dishes that will include main courses, side dishes, appetizers, deserts or even that special cocktail you enjoy at summer get-togethers or holiday parties. Whatever it may be, please send it our way because we want to know, “What's Cooking Salt Lake?"

Our fourth book will focus on recipes using fresh ingredients; if they happen to highlight a local specialty, even better. Think of what you may serve at your next family gathering. Imagine what appetizing recipe you might create after a trip to the farmer’s market or your favorite grocery store. We want the recipes that you love serving to your friends and family. Think wholesome, fresh, simple, elegant and outside the (cardboard) box as much as possible!
If it is an original recipe, not previously published, please share it with us. We are looking for recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts. Recipe submission is open to the community. Tell your family and friends so they can be part of the newest Junior League cookbook. The cookbooks produced by the Junior League of Salt Lake City play a major part in our efforts to raise the funds that support our community projects, and we need your help to make this a success!

For your convenience we've got a recipe form here. Recipes can be submitted by email, fax, or mail. If you've got a great recipe, we'll find a way to accept it!

Cookbook contact information:
EMAIL: eat@jlslc.org
MAIL: New Cookbook, Junior League of Salt Lake City, 526 E. 300 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84102
FAX: (801) 328-1048

We can't wait to see “What's Cooking Salt Lake?”

Too Cool 4 School

First day of school was a hit. I can't remember why Greta was so grumpy - probably because she was cold & mad she couldn't take her pillow pet to school. Charlie refused to believe me when I told him his shirt was on backward - why would they put the fancy stuff on the back of the t-shirt where he can't see it?
Both Greta & Ella made new friends the first day. Favorite thing about school - Seeing my friends again (Ella), Seeing my friends again (copy cat Greta), playing outside 3 times (Charlie).
Life has been a bit crazier than usual here. We found out last week that Nick got a job in New Mexico. He moves in the beginning of October so we are scrambling like crazy to get the house on the market. This weekend - garage sale.

Habitat for Humanity

We tried one last Farmer's Market Visit with Grandpa before our Indiana adventure 2010 was over. Charlie is a little sad his first balloon popped.

It was really rainy, but we still had fun (but used the phone instead of my camera).

Habitat for Humanity is very active in town & two friends from high school happen to work closely with the organization.

So in addition to helping build a storage shed, I got to catch up with some friends. I'd say it was a successful adventure! Now we are off to the Indianapolis Children's Museum!

Indiana

Mud. Mosquitoes. Ice Cream. Swimming. Markets. Flowers. Cows. Lakes. Butterflies. Birds. Fossils. Itchy grass. Friends. Movies. Donkeys. Playgrounds. Parties. Geodes. Horses. Artists. Fences.
And the week's not over yet.

A Boy & His Tractor

It's been a big year for Charlie. He's had tremendous growth in so many areas. Height. Speech. Relationships. Food. He climbs & runs like a boy. Loves his Dad. Mimics Nick's walk. He's so close to loosing his training wheels. Still loves all cars, trucks & things that move. Balances trying to be helpful with pretending not to hear a word that we say. Sneaked 8 cars in his packback to Nina's house. Loves the water. Talks out of the side of his mouth. Runs with his feet turned outward.

Wants to be a fireman when he grows up.

And, he's going to have a tractor - just like Grandpa's - to mow his lawn.

Happy Anniversary

12 years ago today, we were dancing & celebrating with our friends and families.
We've been blessed with twelve years of unexpected adventures.
Here's to another 12 (and another . . . )
Love you!

Park Silly

I have a handful of very close friends who live too far away. So far away that I've never met their kids. I find it unsettling to have such important friends & not know their children. So, I was thrilled when a friend from high school said her extended family was planning a vacation in Park City.

Caitlin & I spent a lot of time together in high school and college (with Katy and Stephanie too). I haven't seen her (or her brother or parents) since her wedding (when I was pregnant with Ella). We met at the Sunday Park Silly Market - kind of like a farmer's market without the produce.

We ate breakfast & enjoyed the usual kid friendly routines.

Ella & Sean immediately hit it off. It made me wonder if they would be friends if we lived closer. I have so many happy memories of Cait et al. - driving around town in her cute silver convertible listening to the BEST MIX TAPE EVER. Caitlin was Canadian (and Irish) so her musical taste was much more sophisticated than us Indiana girls raised on John Mellencamp. During 80's music weekends on the radio, any New Order or Echo & the Bunnymen have me thinking of Caitlin. (Sting - Katy & Depeche Mode Stephanie in case you were wondering)

But, back to our visit. We bounced.

And played games.

And bounced some more.

The kids were very impressed with the balloon clown.

Only one balloon popped prematurely - not too bad.

It was an extremely hot day so Caitlin's older brother entertained the troops in air conditioning while we helped Caitlin move hotel rooms. He read the same book 4 times to Charlie without missing a beat. Seriously Best Dad material here.

I was very impressed with his ability to remain calm in the presence of 7 amped up children.

Nick rode his bike to Park City & was very dirty upon arrival. Nick, Kevin & Grandpa Cameron managed to walk all 7 kids (Ella was the oldest) to lunch & back. Nick said Grandpa did a quick head count as they were leaving lunch & said "Oh damn, we've lost one!" Luckily, the missing grandchild was merely on Grandpa's shoulders.

Of course, despite our lengthy visit with the kids & second visit just chatting, we failed to get a picture together. But, that's OK, we look exactly the same as we did 7 years ago.

Except, of course, that the bump in my belly is now a scary tiger:


Ok Rachel, Monica & Stephanie - your kids are next on my list of must-meets!

Summer Storms

I caught the glimpse of the beginning of a gorgeous sunset.

Then, Nick & Ella started shouting for me to come outside.

Nick grabbed the camera to capture the skies.

The colors and textures were amazing.

I don't know when we'll see another sunset like this one. Truly magical.

Master Teppanyaki

Nick didn't come up with any Father's Day gift ideas this year.

So, the kids and I brainstormed.

Maybe he would like some orange flavored gum?

Ella & I decided to do a family dinner at Benihana - with a twist.

Welcome to Benihana!

Nick trained for the night with a special master & was ready to go.

He diced & sauteed like a champ.

Would you believe he flipped a raw egg in the air & caught it?

Well, it was close, but this guy did it.

He did make an onion volcano that impressed the 4 feet & under crowd.

While he worked, the kids noshed on soup

and salad and fried rice.

Nick pulled out a few tricks flipping shrimp onto our plates.

He's a bit taller than most of the chefs.

We had a feast. Uncle K joined us & took home some scraps for Buster (who is on a dog food hunger strike). Ella enjoyed the steak. Charlie gobbled down the shrimp & rice while Greta nibbled & saved room for the strawberry ice cream.

After some green tea ice cream, Nick was presented with a certificate indicating that he shall now be known as Master Teppanyaki. It was a really fun & memorable meal. Nick did a fantastic job. Next year? Iron Chef.

SMILE!

It's not Monday anymore!


The computer is back up & running. I'm working furiously to get caught up on photos from July. The kids are busy with their last week of camp. In anticipation of the bi-annual dental exam, Ella had me pull out her tooth (it well past its time to fall out). She looked visibly relieved that it was a painless experience. And the day was capped off with a very special dining experience - watch for those photos tomorrow.

Disconnected

My computer has been getting a "stress test" since Tuesday. When does my stress test start? While the files on the computer & back up drive are safe, I can't access any of them. So July photos will have to wait for a bit. I hate these learning experiences. The next project is setting up back-up access to the back-up drive.


Miss Greta has been on a roll lately. She is very upset now that she understands that her BFF's in the kindergarten class won't be coming back this fall. She cries that she won't have any friends when school starts (and she ignores Charlie's adorable little comments that he will still be her friend). She is OBSESSED with gum. She's trying to understand where everything comes from (grass, sky, rocks, flowers) and who paints it all. She LOVES to brush her hair and paint her toes. She's trying to laugh more which is very fun to see & hear (Dad told her that clean up goes faster if you laugh). She gave Ella one half of her new BFF necklace until she understood what it said. Then, she asked Ella if she could have it back to give to Olivia (Ella got to keep it).
She can't wait to go to Indiana to visit Nina & Grandpa. She's an EARLY bird - if she sleeps in until 6:30 it's a miracle (and we pay for that in the afternoon). She loves going to camp at St. Paul's and doing Stretch & Grow (can you see my lungs Dad?) She & Charlie constantly threaten not to invite each other to their joint birthday party. She likes to pretend that she is four. She dreams vividly.
We love you Greta!

One Good Ride