Just eat it—I promise there are no surprises!

They don’t trust me!  Everything I served them today they smiled and inspected closely but wouldn’t take a bite.  “I bet there’s lots of salt in it!”  “She probably made it really spicy.”  “I think there’s paper inside.”

Who me?  Would I do that?  In past years, yes.  But this year I was normal as can be, not a single trick up my sleeve.  I loved watching them squirm, looking and waiting for the unexpected all day long.  Which never came.  All part of my plan.  Until dinner, when I served this:

Taco Salad (sundaes)

And bundt cake (stuffed pizza with cheese on top).

I love April Fools’ Day!

Table Makeover

We bought this table and chairs while we were in graduate school in Boulder, CO.  I was pregnant with Evan—that’s how long ago it was.  A family in our apartment complex was moving to Europe and selling all of their furniture.  We needed to replace the card table we’d been using since our wedding.  Sold.

We’ve gathered around this table for hundreds and hundreds of meals, eaten in five different houses over the past 15 years.  It still fit all of us, but I was tired of it.  It was the same color as the floor.  The chairs were getting a bit wobbly.  So I started looking at the local classified ads online.  For weeks and weeks.  Until I found this.  A used Pottery Barn table with 2 leaves and no chairs.  Sturdy.  Nice lines.  Great legs.  (no, I’m not talking about myself.  Except maybe the sturdy part.)  $75.  Sold.  (wish I had a better before picture—this is the underside and the legs are to the right)

I needed chairs.  I found these.  They came with a table.  The set was blue.  Ugh.  But I like ladderback chairs.  $50.  Sold.

I paid Grant to help me sand the table top to the bare wood.  Jillian helped.  (the table is sitting on top of a dresser that I’ll refinish as soon as the weather gets warmer.)

Looks beautiful, right?  Nice job, Grant.  (Not pictured are the two leaves.)

I lightly sanded the legs and all of the chairs, and then carefully wiped away all of the dust.  That took longer than the table top, even though I wasn’t taking them down to the bare wood.

I painted the legs and the chairs a creamy white (oil-based enamel).  I distressed the edges, and then applied a walnut glaze to give them an antiqued look.

I stained the table top and skirt a dark walnut color.  I wish I’d applied another coat of stain for a more even color, but I didn’t think of that until after I’d applied a several light coats of polyurethane.

And then, while I was at it, I did the same to the extra table—the one with blue legs.  (I’m planning to sell it because I don’t need it—it’s still sitting in the garage.)

I started this project in August.  I worked on it a little almost every day—just an hour here and there.  In October I listed my old table and chairs on KSL.  Sold.  $200.  The kitchen was empty.  I was motivated to finish.  I ordered fabric for the chairs online, and then recovered the seats.  And finally, we moved the new table inside in November.  I love it.  Last week someone called me and said, “I heard you refinish furniture.  Could you do my bedroom set for me?”  “No,” I said.  The end. 

My Perfect Day

a long retrospective post with no pictures
Last night I went to bed with the most wonderful feeling.  A blissful, I-can’t-remember-the-last-time-I-ever-felt-this-way kind of feeling that “today I accomplished everything I needed to do and more.”  That never happens.  As I said my evening prayers and then lay thinking about my day, I marveled that it was only one day.  I thought of all that had happened since I woke that morning and I felt gratitude when I realized that the entire day had gone smoothly—there was nothing I could think of that I would have done differently. 
Now don’t roll your eyes when you read this.  Like I said, this never happens to me.  And please don’t hate me when I report that it gets even better.  Not only did I feel extremely productive, but my children were cooperative and helpful and fun to be around.   (Yes, I’m sure there’s a connection there.)  I had to shake Brian awake and point out to him how amazing our day had been.  Unfortunately he was too tired to analyze it with me and figure out the secret so that we could duplicate such success in the future.  Before I went to sleep, I knew I had to document this day so that I could learn from it, but more importantly, so I’d have proof that my life at this time isn’t always as hurried, crazy, disorganized, and discouraging as it sometimes seems.
So, Mirien, how was your day, you ask?  Let me tell you all about it.

8am-After a great night’s sleep (a full 8 hours—so rare for me!), I made pancakes for breakfast.  Two different recipes for taste testing purposes.  Both were good.  (recipe coming soon on my cooking blog)
8:45-Brian left for Provo with H, C, and G.  Purposes of trip:  take G to purchase a used game system and games that he found on KSL (not so excited about this one but trying to teach money management and help kids learn valuable lessons about saving, bargain shopping, and negotiating while they still live at home, blah, blah); pick up J from cousin sleepover, drop C off at different cousin’s for a day of play.
8:45 I cleaned the kitchen, worked on laundry, exercised, and showered—ALL WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS!
I didn’t expect to see E or A until late morning—it was Saturday and they’re teenagers—but A came downstairs just after 8 and started on homework. (?)   A friend came over to study with her and they worked for much of the day on AP US History.  As for E, he came up for breakfast, checked the job chart (!?) and said, “I’m glad the basement is my job today—I’ve been wanting to clean it.”  No joke, he really said that.
11-Brian returned H and J back home and then left with G for his swim meet across town.
11:30-I packed  some snacks/lunch for myself and H, then buckled her back in the van and took E to his basketball game (a little sad I couldn’t stay and watch today), drove J to a friend’s house so she could ride with them to play rehearsal later, and then headed to G’s meet.  I spent the next couple of hours catching up with Brian (yes, I need to catch up with my own husband) and his parents who joined our cheering section, entertaining (and being entertained by) H,  and watching G do something he LOVES.
2-Back at home, I did more housework along with G, who wanted to finish his chores so he could play his new games and then go to a friend’s house.  Brian left with E and H (Daddy’s little shadow) to his parents’ house to watch the BYU basketball game (we don’t get the games on our TV).
3-Drove to pick up J from rehearsal.  They weren’t finished yet, so I sat in the car and read the Book of Mormon for 15 minutes.  Then I convinced J to stop at Home Depot on the way home to pick up supplies for a mudroom project I’ve been wanting to tackle, and then a quick stop at the grocery store for some ingredients to make a giant ice cream cake for the big family birthday dinner on Sunday.
4:30-Both J and A wanted to go to the library, so I told them I’d take them as soon as they finished their Sat jobs.  J was tired and dragged her feet a little, but A stepped in and helped her finish.  I put dinner together and started it cooking.
5:15-A drove us to the library (while I stayed nice and calm in the passenger seat—I promise!) where she and J split up to find books.  I headed to the children’s section to find books for C and H until I stopped myself.  That’s what I always do, but for once I had a few minutes to myself in the library!  I headed to the periodicals and scanned cooking magazines.  30 minutes later I had some great dinner ideas and a few new ways to use the kale that had been sitting in my vegetable drawer. 
6-We returned home and I finished dinner prep while J and A curled up on the couch to dive into new books.  B, E, H, and C arrived, along with G and 2 friends.  While the kids ate, B and I changed clothes for our date.
7:15 B and I left for the temple.  As we pulled out of the garage, I commented—”we left 8 kids inside and it was amazingly calm in there.  Hope it stays that way!”
7:30 Dressed and ready in the temple (I know, we’re spoiled to live so close!) but it was a busy night so I had time to continue my Book of Mormon reading while I waited.  Usually I feel a bit rushed and stressed, but I just relaxed and enjoyed the peace.
9-Dinner at a Mexican restaurant with Brian.  We talked, enjoyed our food, talked some more, and took our time.
10:30 Back at home, we discovered C & H bathed and in bed (thank you, A!), dishes done, E on the computer, J still reading a book (we sent her to bed pronto!), and G and friends just finishing up a movie.  I mixed up the dessert for tomorrow.  While it was baking, B and I played a game with E and A until midnight and I didn’t win, which I loved because I got to observe just how SMART my kids are getting!
12:30  All kids are in bed, the house is quiet and somewhat tidy (not perfect by any stretch, but good enough),and I climbed into bed glad that I didn’t need to stay up and prepare Sharing Time for the next morning—my turn was last week. 


My perfect day.  Does it get any better than that?  Some of you are thinking, That was it?  Big deal.  And others may be thinking, Good for you, but you should see my messy house and look at the huge list of things I never have time to do!  I get it, I really do.  We’re all in different stages of life, and we all have good days and bad days.  Sometime I’m going to document one of the “not-so-perfect” days—I have so many to choose from.  But for now, I’m going to enjoy the sunshine a little bit longer.  What made this such a good day?  Here’s what I think.

• The obvious:  Brian had Hayley for much of the day, and Corinne was gone from breakfast until dinner.  I love those little girls so much and I am glad I get to stay home with them, but I realized how much time I spend meeting their demands needs every day.  The little break was just what I needed—thank you Brian and Stephanie!
• I read from the scriptures.  Not first thing in the morning like I’m striving for, but I still fit it in.  It was enlightening.
• I exercised and showered one right after another, and both before noon—what a concept!  Enough said.
• Maybe there is something to getting a good night's sleep...
• I had time for myself in the library reading about something I’m interested in. 
• I made progress towards home organization. 
• I spent quality time with each of my children.  (except for Corinne, but I made time for her on Sunday afternoon—just the two of us.) I really enjoyed them. 
• Brian and I worked as a team today—often apart, but with common goals.  And then we had time alone together.
• My day really wasn’t perfect, of course, but I was in such a good mood that the normal little annoyances didn’t even annoy me.

Most days I struggle trying to squeeze all of those elements into my waking hours.  I know that I need to take care of the essential things each day, and then be selective about the rest of the things that easily fill up my time.  I’m learning.  Today just happened to be one of those days where it worked.  I cannot control all that happens or doesn’t happen, but I can control my choices and reactions.  Each night I have the opportunity to evaluate and try again the next morning.  I love what I do and I know that the Lord will guide me through the daily tests and challenges to help me become the woman He knows I can be.  One day at a time.

Seventeen

  Does that number shock you like it does me?  Alyssa turned 17 this month!  I am the mother of a 17-year-old.  She is in her 18th year.  Next year is her last year of high school.  She is taking college classes.  I am still trying to grasp these facts. 
This week I have been reflecting upon December of 1993.  For the first time in years, I was no longer in school or working.  I spent my days in a little Wymount apartment getting to know our sweet little girl.  I curled up on the couch with her in my arms, staring at the tree lights and listening to Christmas music and thinking about Mary and her newborn son.  What a calm and peaceful Christmas.  I didn’t realize at the time how simple my life was.  Barely any cleaning to do in a 450-square-foot apartment.  Cooking for two—easy.  Christmas shopping?  Not much to buy at all, and not much money to buy it with, either.  No wonder that was a magical Christmas. 
A few things have changed since then, but I am still as thankful as ever to be Alyssa’s mother.  These are 17 qualities I love about her.

1. intelligence
2. beauty—inside and out
3. sincerity
4. artistic ability
5. musical talent
6. sensibility
7. honesty
8. sensitivity
9. obedience
10. integrity
11. kindness
12. example
13. good friend
14. testimony
15. faithful
16. helpful
17. self-confidence

Happy 17th birthday, Alyssa!

Naptime

Hayley is barely two.  She still needs naps.  I still need her to need naps.  See exhibits A and B below:


But she won’t admit it.  She fights the nap war every single day.  Lately, however, she’s become a little more resigned and logical about the inevitable.  This was our conversation one day last week.
We eat lunch, take Corinne to kindergarten, read a story—the usual routine.  “Hayley,” I ask, “now what time is it?”
“Naptime!” she exclaims.
I carry her up the stairs while she tells me that she wants exactly 3 blankets in her bed.  I put her in her crib and cover her up with the right number of blankets.
“Mom—I’m going to be crying soon,” she informs me.
“Why are you going to cry?” I ask.
“Because you’re going to leave.”
“You’re right, I am going to leave your room.  But I’ll be downstairs and I’ll come and get you when you wake up.  Good night, Hayley.”
“Okay, good night, Mom.”
I leave the room and close the door as the crying begins in full force.  Between sobs she is saying, “I. Don’t. Want. To. Take. A. Nap.”
I go downstairs and jump right into project mode.  In a few minutes, all is quiet.  She’s sound asleep.
I love that girl.  She knows a nap is required but has to warn me that she’s really not as grown up as she often acts and that sometimes she feels like crying.  It’s so much easier to handle when she has prepared me first.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just finished all my Thanksgiving baking!  Spinach gratin, cranberry orange sauce, pumpkin roll dough, homemade crackers, roasted squash, and a salad.  The pies are all baked (chocolate pecan, cranberry-apple galette/almond tart/peanut butter cream/ cranberry cheesecake)—I couldn’t choose so I made them all!  We’re heading to Brian’s parents’ home for dinner so my work is done.  Hooray.  And now I can enjoy Thanksgiving!   I’ll try not to think about Christmas yet and all the shopping, baking, planning, sewing, wrapping, mailing, gifting, crafting, singing, etc. that I need to do in the few short weeks before the big day.  See, I’m not thinking about it at all.
Here are some pictures of one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions.  The tablecloth.  Yes, I know it needs to be ironed, but it’s not going to happen before tomorrow.  We’ve been adding to it for at least 6 years now.  Here are some of my favorite entries.  As I’ve read what we’ve been thankful for over the years, I realize that this is also a record of important events.  The things we are grateful for reflect our life experiences and growth.

  


If you could come over and sign my tablecloth, what would you write?

Halloween

See Alyssa’s Hermione robe?  I made it for her in 3rd grade.   And Hagrid’s Grant’s robe?  Made it for Evan in 2nd grade.  I think those costumes have been worn in some form by someone every single year.  Jillian could not figure out what to be.  The night before the school party, she found a picture on FamilyFun.com that she wanted to create.  I present the throw-it-together-in-1 hour washing machine costume.  Corinne couldn’t decide, either, so she was a witch for school and a cowgirl for trick-or-treating.  And Hayley?  A princess all the way.  With boots.  Where was Evan?  Too cool to dress up, but not above begging and stealing candy from Grant and his sisters when they got home.  See the granny/wolf and Little Red in the background?  Loved those costumes, Mitchell and Erin.  Thanks for partying with us!