A neighbor girl, overheard

"Ladybug? Come back!"

"Please?"

Ladybug, I'm really sorry. Please come back!"

...

"Ladybug, give me one more chance. Please?"

"Ladybug!"

The girl pleaded and cajoled the best she knew how, for the better part of ten minutes, until she was summoned inside.

Hardhearted ladybug.

Blisters, Pomp and Circumstance

Last Friday we made the trek to our beloved Logan. Now that I go back I realize that Logan is kind of a dumpy little town,but I still love it. I especially love the temple, so we had to go visit.
I also just love the campus. USU really is beautiful, and we had good times there. But now, for better or worse, our times there are over. Officially.
Levi running the hooding gauntlet. We stressed over how to make sure we put this stupid collar-hood thing on, not realizing that we were supposed to do nothing but carry it. Why, if you're not allowed to put it on yourself, do they send it with instructions on how to wear it? They had an assembly line of five pairs of professors, and as the graduates lined up to walk the stage, they'd systematically be stopped and hooded. It made us both think of Hugh Nibley, who Levi paraphrased when he said, "Here I am, clothed in the robes of a false priesthood."
College can only teach you so much. I need to remember that, because I ridiculously love school. I didn't love the stress, but I loved learning new things, hearing others' ideas, and learning about a wider world than my own small experience. If I were not home having babies, I'd probably be at school earning degrees. As they played Pomp and Circumstance as the graduates filed into the Spectrum, the song filled me with nostalgia of my own graduation (three years already!), excitement of what Levi has accomplished, and anticipation of someday going back to continue my own education.
The only drawback to the day was the blisters. By the end of the day, walking the temple grounds and all over campus in heels had taken its toll on my feet. Levi tried to console me by saying that I had gotten my blisters supporting him, but it wasn't so. I know it was all in the service of my own vanity. And that is a false priesthood, indeed.

Lots of practice makes a clean boy

Lots and LOTS of practice.

This big boy was so pleased when I turned the spoon over to him. He actually did pretty well feeding himself applesauce the other day. For a while.
But I really should have put a bib on him. By the time he was done, so was the outfit.

Potty Mouth

Today while I was brushing my teeth, Nathan realized it was bathroom free-for-all playtime. It's a really great time. Today, as usual, he made a fast break for the toilet (he loves to dip his fingers in the water) but I got the lid down in time. He then turned to his next favorite thing, the toilet paper roll. Usually he just tries to spin it, but today he turned his little face up and took a bite.

Gross? He thought so too. He spat out the little bit of paper rather faster than usual. I guess having teeth on the top and bottom made him able to bite off a little more than he could chew.

Mmm...

I've been promising this recipe to people, so here it is, to everyone at once. Even if you hadn't requested it, it's quite delicious. I found it on a blog, somewhere, but unfortunately have forgotten where. So I'll send the credit out into the void, instead of claiming it for myself.

Emilie's Whole Wheat Bread

Makes 4 8x4-inch loaves

7 c. whole wheat flour (grind your own if you have a wheat grinder)
2/3 c. vital wheat gluten
2 1/2 T. instant yeast
5 c. steaming hot water
1 T. salt
2/3 c. oil
2/3 c. honey or 1 c. sugar
2 1/2 T. bottled lemon juice
5 c. whole wheat flour

Mix together the first three ingredients. Add water all at once and mix for 1 minute; cover and let rest for 10 minutes (this is called sponging). Add salt, oil, honey or sugar, and lemon juice and beat for 1 minute. Add last flour, 1 cup at a time, beating between each cup. Beat 6-10 minutes until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This makes very soft dough.

Preheat oven for 1 minute to lukewarm and turn off. Turn dough onto oiled counter top; divide, shape into loaves and place in oiled bread pans. Let rise in warm oven for 10-15 minutes until dough reaches top of pan. Do not remove bread from oven; turn oven to 350 and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks. This recipe can be halved to make 2 loaves.

I usually end up adding more flour than called for because it does make a very soft (sticky) dough. I also let it rise at least once before kneading it, and then shape it into loaves (something of the purist in me).

I'm not usually a fan of homemade whole wheat bread, but this was delicious. It stays soft and moist even after the bread has cooled. Mmm. I've been making bread way more often than ever. Enjoy.

Happy Easter, Happy Birthday

Easter was beautiful. The rain and cold of the day before were gone and the day was warm and sunny. We were glad, so we could have our Easter dinner outside, since many people + my kitchen = claustrophobia.

All the grandkids were especially glad to be outside because: (1) there was dirt! and (2) we had an Easter egg hunt.

Ethan and his very dirty knees.

And what's a first birthday without getting terribly sticky? Nathan loved his cake(s).

I'm expecting

Expecting? Oh, yes. Tomatoes and beans and onions and cantaloupes. Cosmos and african daisies and marigolds. Chinese lanterns and forget-me-nots.

Yes, I have taken a stab at developing a green thumb this year. Last year my garden was less than impressive, since we didn't plant until the end of May. We got a crop of tomatoes that was not really something to write home about. And let's not mention my usual ability to kill every houseplant I've ever been responsible for.

So this year I'm starting early. With seeds, no less. I figured I could get a lot more for a lot less this way. And it got me excited about spring. Now if only it would stop snowing.

Oh...expecting? You thought I meant...? Happy April Fool's Day.