The first summer we lived here and hardly knew anyone we were surprised to hear a knock on our door one evening. There was a group of kids, various ages, standing on our porch, asking if our kids wanted to come and play 'Night Games'.
Even before school gets out the 'Night Games' commence as soon as it's warm enough to do so.
It's tradition in our little town for the children to get together as it starts to get dark and play games.
I remember playing some of them when I was a kid. 'Kick the Can', 'Sardines' and 'No Bears Are Out Tonight' have been around for a long time.
There have been some new games introduced since I lived here as a kid. 'Fugitive', 'Come to Court' and 'Murder in the Dark' seem to be the popular ones currently.
These games are played all summer long, as many nights as they can get a bunch of kids together.
I like that it's a tradition that includes all types and ages of kids, (even some who are only kids at heart).
My 6 yo son still talks about the time his big brother took him to play because we were out of town and big bro wanted to play so little bro got to come along. I like that it's an inexpensive way to have some summer fun in a small town where you have to make your own fun.
I will readily admit that I am not the best cook in the world. I cook more out of duty and expediency than love of cooking. Beyond that, baking is my nemesis. I get so frustrated when I bake because it rarely turns out as I wish.
So I love the fact that I've become very proficient at making really great bread. I suppose it comes from years of practice. Perhaps my brownies would be better if I practiced making them more often.
Here is our family's favorite bread recipe. I got it from a friend, who got it from her mom, who got it from a Bosch store I believe. I'd been trying to make a bread with texture for a time and hadn’t been successful at finding a bread that had texture but didn't fall apart when cut and used for sandwiches. When I tried this bread I knew I HAD TO HAVE the recipe!
Super Multi-Grain Bread 2 C hot water 2/3 C 6,7 or 9-grain cracked or rolled cereal 1Tbsp + 1tsp millet 1Tbsp + 1tsp sesame seeds 1Tbsp + 1tsp flax seeds 1/3 C sunflower seeds 2Tbsp vital wheat gluten 1 Tbsp yeast 1/4 C honey ____________________ 1/4 C oil 2tsp liquid lecithin 2tsp real salt 3 C whole wheat flour ______________________ 2tsp dough enhancer
Measure the first group of ingredients into a large mixing bowl or bowl of a bread mixer. Gently fold together with a spatula and then let the mixture rest for five minutes, until the yeast begins to foam. Then add the second group of ingredients. Begin mixing with a dough hook until all ingredients are combined. Add enough extra flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough begins to clean the sides of the mixer bowl. Knead for 8 minutes. At this point the dough enhancer can be added. Knead the bread for an additional 2 minutes. This dough does not need to rise twice. Just form the loaves or rolls straight from the mixer.
Multi Grain Bread: Form dough into two large loaves. Cover and let rise until dough is doubled in size. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack.
Super Multi Grain Rolls: Form dough into 24 round balls, placing 12 rolls per large greased cookie sheet. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a cup. Using a sharp knife cut an X in the top of the rolls and pour a little melted butter on the top to fill the X. Cover and let rise until the dough is doubled in size, about 30-40 minutes. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter while still warm. Remove from cookie sheet to cool.
The recipe above is the original that I got from my friend. Depending on what I have on hand I have varied the ingredients with no problems Here are my variations:
I never have millet or sesame seeds so I never put them in. I do purchase ground flax seed and the multigrain cereal that I use already has the sunflower seeds in it.
I don't use the liquid lecithin or the dough enhancer. Neither did my friend.
I generally use 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 unbleached white. I have also used all whole wheat flour.
I always double this because I need 4 loaves for our family for a week. When I'm adding the flour, I add the initial 6 cups of whole wheat and then use the unbleached 1/2 cup at a time til the dough cleans the bowl.
I always knead it in the machine for 12 minutes. I like the light texture that results from the longer kneading time.
Here are some pictures to show the process. I have had my K-Tec mixer for almost 10 years. I've had to replace the drive shaft several times, but the mixer is still going strong. I really only use the mixer for bread and smoothies and use my KitchenAid for cookies and cakes and such. I would not part with it unless I had a new one to take its place. It is a woman's best breadmaking friend.
Here is the first group of ingredients soaking in the warm water. Notice the flax floating on the surface.
Here it is after soaking. Notice the foaminess and bubbles.
Sorry, not a great picture but you can see the dough cleaning the sides of the bowl here.
After taking it from the mixer I knead it a few times by hand til the dough is quite smooth in texture.
Here I have cut the dough into quarters.
These two photos show one 'quarter' kneaded and rolled into a rectangle, then each rectangle is rolled up jelly roll style and pinched shut. The ends are pulled over and pinched shut as well.
Here you see the loaves in the pans. I have one really nice Pampered Chef stoneware pan and 3 crappy aluminum pans that I'd love to replace. I keep using them because I like the size of them.
'
Here is the bread risen and ready to be placed in the oven.
And here is the final product. Fresh out of the oven and brushed with butter to soften the crust. Looks like this batch got left a bit long in the oven. Oh, well, that didn't stop us from devouring it. You can see that one loaf is already gone!
So here is the progression of my wolfberry sprouts. We have little green plants.
I have actually planted these little plants in a planter now. They aren't much bigger than what you see here though. I'm not sure what they need to grow bigger. I'm not sure if I'm overwatering or underwatering. Such an experiment. Thankfully I have lots more dried berries I can get seeds from if I need to.
I had the privilege of going to girls' camp this year. Our theme for camp was Shine, to correlate to the 2012 Mutual theme of Arise and Shine. It was also the 100th year anniversary of Girls Camp. We have a beautiful place to camp here in SE Utah. Our stake owns a recreational property between here and Blanding and it has a big pavilion for eating under and other activities. It has a big kitchen where all the good food is cooked for the campers. It has nice bathrooms and a wonderful amphitheater for special meetings and skits and such. There is a big open grassy area for the tents and playing around. So much better than what I remember from my own girls camp experiences. I disliked girls camp intensely as a youth. It was dirty, grimy and tiring. After a couple of years I had a job and never got the time off to go to camp. I regret that now.
But, I do think that the emphasis has shifted from camping skills(still talked about but not the focus) to a more spiritual experience. I think that has made a huge difference in what the girls get out of their girls camp experiences. I know that as a leader I have enjoyed each of the 3 times I have been able to attend.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of camp, we each got a balloon to release simultaneously. It was fun to watch them all rise into the air and sail away. Not too environmentally friendly I realize, but it was cool to watch.
1st level tent. It was huge.
I got to be one of the leaders for the 1st level girls. These are the 1st timers. Girls who may not even be in YW quite yet. We had 20 girls under our supervision. I had two other great women to work and camp with. I really appreciate all they did to make camp a good experience for these girls. I really had no idea what I was doing and was essentially a 1st level myself!
Hannah (in lovely green slippers) doing her level's lip sync.
Nina(Black shirt and jeans) doing her level's lip sync.
In this stake they camp by level. That was a new experience for me. The other times I've been we've camped as wards. I liked camping as wards a bit better I think. I missed the unity developed by all the YW when they camp as a ward group. I also really missed getting to spend time with my own daughters who were in other tents with other leaders.
Jewish Wedding Feast
There were many terrific activities planned for the girls. We enjoyed game night, dancing, hiking?, a Hebrew market, a commitment hike, and it culminated with an amazing Jewish Wedding Feast on our last night there. We had been divided into our levels and had been scattered through the area. As the wedding processional came by we all joined it until we were all together. We followed the 'rabbi' to where the feast had been set up. As we walked around a corner it opened to our eyes. I was so struck by the beauty of what had been created in the wilderness for us. It was simply breathtaking. I wish I had a good picture of it, but the tables were literally covered with food for us. As we ate, we listened to a sister talk about the symbolism of it in relation to our Savior and his second coming. As the sky darkened our little oil lamps were lit and it was something to see.
Me, ready to hit a shower and my own bed!
I am so thankful that the Church provides this opportunity for our YW. Besides the temple, I know of nowhere else where it's as easy to feel the Spirit as out in the beauty He created for us to enjoy. I'm so thankful I had the chance to be a leader and share this experience.
One of the hardest parts of being in a large family is finding a time or place to be alone. To just be.
Time to think your own thoughts, to dream, to ponder. Even locking yourself in the bathroom isn't a great solution, cause the door reverberates loudly when it is being banged on. LOL
On a Sunday afternoon, I looked out the window and saw Soren(6) sitting on the outside of our trampoline's net. He was just sitting in the quiet shade.
I've wondered what was going through his head. I'll never know.
I enjoyed quietly watching him as he enjoyed his time to himself.
I failed to get this post ready before Father's Day and since I don't use the computer on the Sabbath, it will be posted a day late. That's about par for me. Never quite getting things done on time.
Below is a wonderful video clip about an amazing man. I could hardly watch it, I had so many tears in my eyes. This is the story of a true man. One who honors his covenants, honorably fulfills his family duties with no thought of self. One who was not too good to take a job most consider menial so that he could provide for his family. I admire this man more than I can say. Here is Bill's story.
I am blessed to have two such fathers in my life. First, my own father.
I am the first child in my family. This is my cute dad holding me when I was little. We have the same round face and 'pinchable' cheeks. This the smile I remember. My dad always wanted to be a rancher like his dad and grandpa before him. The reality was he always had to have another job to allow him to support his family and ranch on the side. Dad never had any fancy jobs, never was a bigwig, but he was a darn hard worker and did whatever he had to do to provide. Usually it was something involving trucks or heavy equipment. Lots of hours spent alone on a road. Not too different than being alone on a horse, I suppose. I think he liked the solitude. Lots of thinking time.
These are the last pictures we have of him. The one above was taken in Oct 2011 at my nephew's wedding. The one below taken on Nov 9, 2011, right before we dropped Montana off at the MTC to begin his mission. Dad and Mom had dr. appts so we rode up north with them. They are holding maple leaves to signify Montana’s mission to Canada.
It's been 6 1/2 months since Dad died. It's still so hard to think of him without crying. I miss him so much. He was a wonderful father who quietly took care of things and made sure we were all taken care of. I miss his tender heart and quick tears. I know those things I inherited from him. (along with the round face and turned up nose) I look forward to seeing him again. I'm sure he's getting things done and ready for his family to join him. Making sure we're taken care of.
Secondly, the father of my children. I have been married to this marvelous man for almost a quarter of a century. I find it hard to believe we've spent that much time together. We still have so much to talk about and do. He is my best friend and my best supporter. He is always encouraging me and teaching me. He is a fantastic father. He loves children and interacting with them. I love watching him play with our kids. He leads our family in the gospel, sharing his wisdom and insights with us, and encouraging us to live as we should and teaching us by his example.
He has never been able to pin down one thing to study and pursue as a career in his life. He has had many different jobs in his quest to provide for us. Like Bill in the video, he has never been too proud to accept a job that most would consider menial. He is currently working as the head custodian at our local high school. Not the most prestigious job, but it provides for us and allows him the opportunity to interact with the local youth of our town. He has a gift for working with children and teens and feels very strongly that it is something he needs to do. His job has allowed him the time and opportunity to help coach sports and be a mentor and guide to young men and women. Because he is not a teacher, he is less restricted in how he can share with them. He is often able to share gospel truths and principles with these youth as he coaches them or talks to them at school. I know he has had a very positive impact in the two years he has been there.
I am so thankful for the 'fathers' in my life. The Father of all of us, Heavenly Father, has blessed me abundantly. That's what fathers do.
Nina running a relay. Either the 4x400 or the 400 leg in the medley.
Ford and Nina participated in Track and Field this spring. Curtis was the throwing coach again this year. It is a good way for them to spend time together. I was able to go to a couple of meets to watch them compete. Track meets are quite fun!! LONG but fun!
Ford sprinting for the line in the 200 meter.
Ford letting one fly in the javelin.
Another javelin throw.
Ford in the 100 meter. Tough competition.
MHS took 1st place in region. Nina was the region champ in the 400 meter. As a freshman! Pretty good stuff. Ford should have been region champ in javelin, but someone else got a really good throw and he wasn't throwing that well at the region meet. Both the boys and girls teams took 2nd place at the state meet.
Showing off that empty diploma folder! Ford graduated on May23. We were so happy to celebrate this moment with him. We were also so happy to have Curtis’s parents be able to come as well as my mom. Mike and Ellen liked the quick program and small class size. They're used to classes with upwards of 400 students, not 47.
Squeeze from the next in line to graduate!
Happy, tired parents.
The next day, May 24, was the awards assemblies at the elementary school. Sadie, of course, got lots of certificates for being an exceptional student and scholar with high marks in all her studies. The one I got the biggest kick out of was winning the Speed Stacks contest on Field Day. My kind of field day event!
receiving her certificates
Soren also received some recognition for his work in school. An award for outstanding work in math? What in the world? Our family is not known for its math prowess. Maybe that's going to change?
He was so fast getting there to get his certificate, he's a blur!
We are so happy that we all survived the end of the school year rush. There were also trips for State FBLA, State Band and State Choir as well as State Solo and Ensemble thrown in there. May is always a blur and we come out on the other side hoping we got it all done.
We are thankful to have yet one more high school graduate in our family. He had a great Sr. year and I hope he can look back on it fondly. Now it's on to bigger and better things. Fort Jackson, get ready cause here he comes!!
