Hodge Podge Mish Mash

So many little things to report.  Plus...this catches me up (I think)

Did you notice the new blog design.  My bff Wendy did it for me.  She has some major talent especially when it comes to using the My Digital Studio by Stampin UP to design stuff.  I am lucky to have her for a friend.

Books I have read in the last little while...

• The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall- I enjoyed the book - thought it was funny yet thought provoking.  There were parts that I thought could have been left out.  I really feel like the author captured the polygamist lifestyle.
• Against All Enemies by Tom Clancy - Typical Clancy style.  It was a good read
• At town like Alice by Nevil Shute - recommended by a friend and loved it.  It wil be my next book group choice if no one has read it.  About a woman who was captured during WWII by the Japanese.  Her experiences during and after the war. 
• Major Pettigrews Last Stand by Helen Simonson - had a really difficult time getting through the book.  So not worth it.
• A Red Herring without Mustard by Alan Bradley - Another story in the Flavia Deluce series.  Loved it - great story and kept me captivated as always.  A murder in a small town and a meddling young girl to figure it out.

Pie 'n Beer day (pioneer day) weekend was celebrated by not doing a whole lot. Here is the run down-

•  We did get to go to the Tabernacle Choir concert guest starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Linda Eder.  Two of my favorite soloist/broadway artists.  It is great to have friends that have access to tickets.
• Later we went and got a milkshake at Shivers.  The line at Iceburg was way to long.  One of my all time favorite flavors is almond joy with raspberies. Coconut, chocolate, almonds, raspberries and vanilla ice cream.  I actually think Shivers does a better job with it than Iceburg.  Yum Yum
• Weeded the garden - because it needed it.  The onions, potatoes, corn, peppers.  Dang them morning glory weeds are the worst.  My hams are still feeling it from bending over the whole time and my arms were tired too.  It was either pull weeds by hand or use the hoe.  Makes me tired just thinking about it.
• Scoured (deep cleaned) the upstairs bathroom - Not so much fun
• Lots of fireworks in the neighborhood so glad Riley doesn't freak out.
• Our dinner group met on Monday - good food and company. peach and mango gazpacho, chicken picatta, wild rice with butternut squash, and chocolate cream pie with berries and creme anglaise.
• Watched the parade on TV - didn't even have to fight for the remote.  Ralph wasn't home. 
• We did celebrate by having a piece of pie at our dinner group and we substituted the beer for diet Pepsi.

My blow dryer decided to give up the ghost.  I have had it a long time and it has served me well, but  ya gotta hate it when you are standing there with wet hair and it goes out.  So I sat in front of the fan and scrunched my hair until it was dry enough to move on.  I have got to go find me a new one.

Since our office has moved 3 blocks west I have come up with a new walking route.  It has felt really good to get out and exercise - despite the heat.

Help I Can't Breathe

Salt Lake City has the worst air quality in the whole country.  Ugh!  I look out the 19th floor window at work and can see the thick air that we have to breathe everyday.  Oh, it looks gross.  I pray for wind or a good storm to come through and get rid of it.  We are supposed to have rain tomorrow night - lets just hope it is enough to clear the air.
We have found a place to live.  I once again am so thankful my Heavenly Father is taking care of me.  We saw this great place on the classified ads and went to take a look at it.  It was excited about it and then we came home.  All I could think about was all my friends I would be leaving from my ward and how this house was so not Mar friendly.  I didn't feel good about it.  Ralph and I spent a lot of time on our knees trying to get answers.  You see, good houses to rent fly off the market as fast as they are listed.  We know we have a little time to play with, but we just weren't sure we were going to find a better deal.  We talked to the owner and met him on Sunday.  At the start of our visit he told  us he does a criminal background check and a credit check on each renter.  By the end of the visit he was offerring us a two year lease without either check.  We filled out the application and told him we wanted to think about it a little longer.  He gave us 24 hours.  Long story short.  We sorted through the real reasons for conern and decided to go with it.  Mar - I am sorry you were the only con to renting this home!  Will Gary still let you come see me?

We are putting on a skit at work for a 2 hour meeting we have this week.  Hopefully, it will break up a very mundane meeting.  We made it through skit practice today.  I dont' ususally like to embarrass myself, but this is going to be a whopper.  I will be so glad when this is over. 

I finished another book today - Mortal Friends by Jane Hitchcock.  Not a bad mystery.  I thought I had it completely figured out, but I was way off.  Language - not too bad.  The plot didn't stay real close the the original murder mystery, but it had a lot of social intrigue.  A "girl" mystery book.  I call in chic brain candy.  I would recommend it for anyone needing a break from real life.

Well, I am off to practice lines and then take Riley for a walk.  He lives for his walks.  Doesn't matter what time of day - he LOVES to go.  It is a great payoff for me too.  It gets rid of the gas and it helps work "things" out.

Ta Ta for now!

An original Thursday

The title of this blog post was brought to you by Ralph.  He suggested I call it Thursday  - I said  "well that is original"  So he said call it original Thursday.  So there you have it.

Time is a flying by...I can't believe we only have 15 days left before the big day.  There is a part of me that is in no way looking forward to Christmas and then there is the rest of me that can't wait to spend time with family and take a break from life's worries.  At least try to anyway.

I thought I would take a minute and tell you about my most favorite Christmas Story.  Aside from the one told in the King James Bible and Book of Mormon I love "The Adventures of Nicholas" by Helen Siiteri.  Our cousins sent us the book for Christmas whe I was little and I have read it almost every year since.  A confession...I kifed the book from my Mom and have had it my possession to enjoy.  I noticed the book is back in print so I will have to see what I can do about replacing it.  I highly recommend this great story about a little boy named Nicholas and how the traditions of Christmas came to be from the tree to stockings and delivery of the toys by chimney.

So, Riley got upset yesterday when Ralph wouldn't let him outside to follow me to the car as I headed out to work  -Riley proceeded to go upstairs behind Ralph's back and pee all over the bed in our guest bedroom.  He is such a little stinker with a whole lot of attitude.  He was in a whole lot of trouble when he got caught.  Here is his "what?" pose.  And then his Babushka pose (thanks to Ralph)  He snuggled down into the blanket after he came in from outside and then popped his head out. 

Another holiday recipe to share....I got this recipe from another one of my sister's in law.  It is so good.  Give it a try!  The flavors totally say Christmas!

Susan’s Cranberry Wassail
2 cans frozen cranberry juice
1 can frozen orange juice
1 can frozen apple juice
15 cups water
3-4 cinnamon sticks
12 whole allspice
12 whole cloves
8 oz. cinnamon red hots.

Warm slowly and keep hot but do not boil.

Ta Ta for now!