Dinnertime Table Tales

I wish my table looked as fancy as this setting? Nahh! So it was Grandma and I at the dinner table eating Easter Dinner. My Grandma is such the comedian. I thought I would record this, cause this made me laugh so much! And I love to laugh...so here goes the table tale.  Grandma and her friend Henrietta went to the Bunkers Mortuary to go price the mausoleum space for Henrietta. So Grandma tells me about how she had hers paid off a long time ago, she made her arrangements after my Grandpa died almost 30 yrs ago. So, grandma goes and sits down and talks to the representative for Bunker. And she asks her, "So. If mine's all paid for, can I just change my mind and be cremated instead and get back my $10,000?  " The lady was speechless. And my grandma was serious. Henrietta started to cry..and I started to laugh at the end of the story. Well, Grandma said times were tough!  ;)

Another time at the dinnertable, Grandma was with Theo and Andrea. Now, mind you this is the first time we're all sitting down together for dinner. And , all of a sudden my grandma starts this funny story about how my grandfather told my grandma to go to the hardware store to get the ball that goes inside the toilet, you know, the thing that measures the water? Anyway she goes into the hardware store and asks the guy "Where are your brass balls?" .  We about choked on dinner that night. 

The other part of our conversation Easter evening was the indispensable Emergency Toilet. I told my grandma about this one. I was laughing so much at the thought I was in tears. I was sitting and listening and a member of the Relief Society Presidency passes around a sign up. She said be sure to sign up for the emergency toilet kits. And I said to Sister Erickson "When did they do this?" and she said "Oh they showed the commode at the Ward Dinner."  The Ward Dinner?? Then, Sister Erickson says dryly "I wonder how many I should order."  And I replied well, your kids birthdays are coming up...and don't forget about Christmas!  ^_^    Dinnertime tales are always the best!

What I Want...

Picture says it all doesn't it? I've got a brown thumb.

I'd like flowers to bloom....

And green grass to grow....

Not quite....but almost. And it got me thinking about summertime. What do I want?? Now this blog posts is about my wants, not actual plans....but these sure sound good to me!! :)

First is this. Its a definite. For the first time in two years i'm back on...for the cure. I'm even thinking of creating a team. Our team name would be Team Mom- MHJB . Our mother's passed within a short amt of time. And although one did lose her mom to complications from cancer, I thought it would be fun to do it in their memory. Its a good race, good cause. Its May 7, downtown. Come out and walk with me, I'll be doing the 5k walk. :)

I would like to go here. The Springs Preserve. How sad is it that its been a couple miles down the road and i've never been? How can this be? I need to go in the morning before it gets too hot.

Hope this isn't as crazy as it looks. I've never been to the Grand Canyon either. I really want to experience this. Does this sound ridiculous? I know they charge, but I honestly want to go experience it just once. Thats all. Again this is a want list....we'll see.

And lastly.... I want to go here

I can picture it now....

And I want to go here....its so beautiful.

And I want to go , I want to sit all day on the beach, swim in the ocean, occasionally ingest the salt water, LOL...and just watch the waves.

And I want to feel the sand beneath my toes...

I'd like to walk around and go people watching and store carousing here.

And...I've been to San Diego a few times, but I don't ever recall getting to visit Old Town, and visiting the area of The Mormon Battalion. Or Balboa Park. I know. I think this a do able thing...its not that far away. :)


And lastly...I wanna go here. I hear this is the Mecca of home furnishings. I hear you can spend a couple of days in here and still not see everything. I don't need to buy anything, but doesn't mean I can't look now can I? Better get some good walking shoes. :)

And some good .Mexican food wouldn't hurt either.

Well, thats it for now. Its what I want. Will I get what I want? Only time will tell.... ;-)

What is This Thing That Men Call Death?

What is this thing that men call death? This quiet passing in the night? ‘Tis not the end but genesis ...Of better worlds and greater light

O God, touch Thou my aching heart. And calm my troubled, haunting fears. Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure . Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change. With recompense for vict’ry won. The gift of Him who loved all men. The Son of God, the Holy One. -President Gordon B. Hinckley

I have to tell you the story behind this. It was late last night and I couldn't sleep. I wasn't really upset, but I knew that my dad's anniversary was tomorrow and I guess I was looking through songs on youtube as I reflected. I stumbled on to this. The story behind this story is really sweet. Our past Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley was asked by Janice Kapp Parry to visit her niece who was stricken with cancer. He visited with her and gave her words of encouragement, along with this poem. Her niece's favorite verse is verse two. ( As is mine) She knew that she was dying, and asked President Hinckley if they could use the poem on her funeral program. He said yes. She passed away two weeks before the Prophet. Janice was compiling a songbook and had written President Hinckley the week before his death and had written to ask his permission for his poem to be made into a song. He passed the next Saturday, and she was heartbroken that she hadn't received his permission. That Monday, a letter came from Church Headquarters, and it was the letter from President Hinckley, giving her permission. This was the first and only time that I know of that this song was performed.

Bee Gees e Celine Dion

I don't have much to say. Except that I am missing my Dad this week. Time makes it better, but it still hurts. Life is good, it isn't always easy..but I am so greatful for the blessings in my life. I sometimes wonder what he would say to me now. I think one of the things would be to hang in there. Even though its been 14 yrs, it seems like yesterday that I talked to you. I Love You Dad.

Sharing Time- Steak and Mango Salad from Our Best Bites!

Best Salad....Ever!

One of my shortcuts... Stars of the dressing.......its so good.

Another shortcut...you'll see! I'm breaking a rule. But how can I not share with my friends the most delicious salad recipe? Steak, Mangos, Avocado, Red Onion, Macademia Nuts....oh my, as Naomi Judd would say...its a girdle buster. But when you have those evil thoughts, just remember your eating your fruits and vegetables. Enough Said. Time to share the blog love!

Steak and Mango Salad from Our Best Bites

1 lb flank steak

1 head romaine or red leaf lettuce

1 red onion thinly sliced

2 mangos sliced

1 lg or 2 sm avocados, sliced

1/2 c roughly chopped cilantro

1/2 c carmelized macademia nuts

Dressing/Marinade

1/2 fresh squeezed orange juice

6 T fresh lime juice

6 T soy sauce

1/2 c brown sugar

1 1/2 T. fresh grated ginger (look below at hint hint)

4 cloves of garlic pressed or finely minced (hint hint)

1/4 c olive oil

1/2 c canola oil

Directions

Whisk together dressing ingredients, until the brown sugar is dissolved. Continue whisking while stirring in oils. Reserve abt 3/4 c. and put the rest in a ziploc bag.

*Make sure to keep whisking while you pour out your 3/4 c dressing...its oily! *

Lightly score diagonally (I pierced w fork) and place in ziploc bag w marinade for 8hrs or overnight.

Carmelize Macademia Nuts ( See hint hint)

Let the steak and the dressing sit on counter for 1/2 hr.

Cook steak on your outdoor grill, grill pan or broiler for 5-8 minutes on each side. Should be seared on outside, slightly pink in the middle. When done, remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Next, divide lettuce on to large dinner plate. Top with sliced mangoes, sliced avocado, sliced red onion, pieces of steak, cilantro and macademia nuts...and top with dressing.

**Hint Hint**

First this salad is to die for! But I'm a shortcut person. I am not so anal when it comes to cooking, I make my food and I eat it...thats all. No fru fru cooking here folks! I don't have time or want to take the time to mince and dice and freshly grate this and that. Sooo...first hint comes with the dressing and marinade. I love gourmet garden. In my store, its in the produce section, and I use the garlic and the ginger in the tube. I don't taste a difference at all and it saves so much time. For this recipe I thought 1tbsp of the garlic and1 tbsp ginger was good for me!! You really should try it, its great. I used Simply Orange for my juice, again a shortcut. As for the oil. I don't like an oily dressing, but since I'm sharing the blog love, i posted it as I saw it. But I only used 1/4 c olive oil and 1/4 c canola oil. I also used reduced sodium Kikoman Soy Sauce. More than enough for me. As for the carmelized macademia nuts...The link didn't work for the recipe. And I had no clue..and I thought it would be time consuming. So I found honey roasted Macademia Nuts from Mauna Loa, I think it has the same effect. I made this for myself, but I just used a sirloin steak, yummy leftovers.Take that on if you dare, but enjoy!!