Sunday, September 29, 2013
Church Callings
Today I was released as ward music chairman and ward organist. I've only been the music chairman (choose songs for Sacrament meeting and set up special musical numbers) since December 2011, but have been the organist for many years. Maybe 2005 or earlier....all I can remember was it was when Brother Gardner was in the Bishopric. I now have a new calling as the Primary pianist. Today was the Primary program (the kids did great) and they had ice cream with toppings during Primary time. I guess I picked the best day to start going to Primary! I did keep my choir accompanist calling, have been doing that for awhile too, through many directors (Ethan Dexter, Becki Stevens, Mike Fosburg). By the way, I think the new Primary Chorister (Britany Cusick) is a riot! Will definitely enjoy working with her.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Safeway DC
They have been working on the Safeway distribution center for about a year, changing the entrance, making one area for employee parking, re-paving, etc. Here are a few aerial pictures that were shared with me. Nice to be done.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Celebration!
After working hard on our music room, we decided to stop by Music City and just window shop for pianos. We called to make sure they were open and got there about 20 minutes before they closed. I played on a few brand new Yamaha baby grands, mainly looking at black gloss finish ones, but none of them seemed right. The salesman asked if I'd be interested in a used piano and I said "sure". He took us to another room and the first thing I saw was a white baby grand. A little too much for my taste. I turned and saw a red mahogany high gloss finish piano and sat down to play. I loved it - and we bought it - talk about impulse shopping. Not really. As many of you know I used to own a baby grand (bought it while I was in high school) but had sold it when we were cash-flowing one of the home remodels we were working on. Bought a spinet from someone in our ward so I had a piano to play, but we had talked for a number of years that we would replace it someday. Fast forward 10 or 12 years and "Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas to me!" We are still finishing our music room remodel so it won't be delivered until late October.
But the original reason we had gone out was to celebrate Audrey's new job! Yay for her! She got a job (none work study) at EWU in the Vice Provosts office. She will be able to work a few hours, go to class, and then work a few hours. The position is only 14 hours a week, but being able to work around her school schedule is wonderful. Earlier this spring Audrey had helped someone at Eastern with a computer question and that person (Jeni) remembered Audrey and told her about the opening and put in a good word for her. She starts on Monday (9/23) and then starts school on Wednesday (9/25).
We went to The Onion for dinner and ordered the Hula Burger (Sam), the Backyard Burger (John) and the Bake Spaghetti (Audrey). We splurged and had the Fried Oreos for dessert. Yum!
But the original reason we had gone out was to celebrate Audrey's new job! Yay for her! She got a job (none work study) at EWU in the Vice Provosts office. She will be able to work a few hours, go to class, and then work a few hours. The position is only 14 hours a week, but being able to work around her school schedule is wonderful. Earlier this spring Audrey had helped someone at Eastern with a computer question and that person (Jeni) remembered Audrey and told her about the opening and put in a good word for her. She starts on Monday (9/23) and then starts school on Wednesday (9/25).
We went to The Onion for dinner and ordered the Hula Burger (Sam), the Backyard Burger (John) and the Bake Spaghetti (Audrey). We splurged and had the Fried Oreos for dessert. Yum!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Fun Map Sign
Saw this metal state sign at Hobby Lobby (what a fun store) and decided it needed to come home to my house. Put it in my office and I'm going to make magnet stones (with years) and put one in every place we travel to. My bucket list is to hit all 50 states. I've got a ways to go!!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Talk Like a Pirate Day
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Fair
Some years we don't even attend the Spokane Fair and Expo, but this year we went 3 times!
Friday 9/6 - The Young Men went to the fair as an activity. Tonight all kids 17 and younger got in free, so it was a great night to attend. Normally opening night is busiest, but it was really cold so the crowds ended up being the smallest of the entire 10 day run. John and I met up with the Whalen's as they have a booth at the fair and we used that as a meeting spot for the youth. The youth paired off together with instructions to check in and meet back at a certain times. We ended up spending the evening with a new family in our ward, the Dubois - Stephanie, John and girls. It was so much fun to see the fair through the eyes of their youngest. She was more than excited to see the little pigs and wanted to take one home to her house!
Monday 9/9 - John, Audrey and I went to the fair today after work. We found the pictures that John's mom had on display as well as a welded art project his brother Ralph entered. We split a caramel apple, an oriental noodle bowl and a gyro. We find if we each order something it is too much to finish.
Saturday 9/14 - Audrey and I met up with Mickey Vermillion and went to the fair with her. We had a great time! Mickey and I split the Italian Sausage that is served with sauteed onions, peppers & basil in a hoagie bun while Audrey had a turkey leg. She had been on a hunt since Monday, so I was happy she was successful in finding one. Later we all split the Hawaiian chicken and pineapple coleslaw. We bought some Kettle Corn to take home to John and picked up a few items (wax for the car and a whisk) that we only find at the fair each year.
Friday 9/6 - The Young Men went to the fair as an activity. Tonight all kids 17 and younger got in free, so it was a great night to attend. Normally opening night is busiest, but it was really cold so the crowds ended up being the smallest of the entire 10 day run. John and I met up with the Whalen's as they have a booth at the fair and we used that as a meeting spot for the youth. The youth paired off together with instructions to check in and meet back at a certain times. We ended up spending the evening with a new family in our ward, the Dubois - Stephanie, John and girls. It was so much fun to see the fair through the eyes of their youngest. She was more than excited to see the little pigs and wanted to take one home to her house!
Monday 9/9 - John, Audrey and I went to the fair today after work. We found the pictures that John's mom had on display as well as a welded art project his brother Ralph entered. We split a caramel apple, an oriental noodle bowl and a gyro. We find if we each order something it is too much to finish.
Saturday 9/14 - Audrey and I met up with Mickey Vermillion and went to the fair with her. We had a great time! Mickey and I split the Italian Sausage that is served with sauteed onions, peppers & basil in a hoagie bun while Audrey had a turkey leg. She had been on a hunt since Monday, so I was happy she was successful in finding one. Later we all split the Hawaiian chicken and pineapple coleslaw. We bought some Kettle Corn to take home to John and picked up a few items (wax for the car and a whisk) that we only find at the fair each year.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Lake Cabin
Another day at the lake during our vacation, this time we went to Reflection Lake. John's mom invited us up for the afternoon since Robert & Carmela were in town visiting. She invited my mom too, so we stopped by to pick her up before heading up. John took the canoe out while I stayed inside and visited. Then we all enjoyed a potluck lunch.
Everyone brought something to the potluck. I tried out two different salad recipes.
CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
16 oz package bow tie pasta
2 cups cooked, diced chicken
1 cup diced celery
1 large can pineapple tidbits, drained
2 cups red grapes
3 green onions, chopped
6 oz package Craisins
1 cup cashews
1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
16 oz bottle coleslaw dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl combine pasta with chicken, celery, pineapple, grapes, green onions, Craisins and mandarin oranges. in a small bowl whisk together dressing and mayonnaise. Add to pasta and toss to coat evenly. Chill at least one hour. Add cashews immediately before serving.
GREEN BEAN PASTA SALAD
1 cup chopped pecans (toasted in the oven)
12 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 pound thin fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half
8 oz package penne pasta
2 cups seedless red grapes, cut in half
1/3 cup red onion, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1 3/ cup red wine vinegar
Dash salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted. Cook the bacon in a skilled until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Cook beans in boiling salted water 5 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge the beans into ice water to stop the cooking process so they stay crisp. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Mix together the pasta, beans, grapes, onion, past and bacon in a large bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and salt. Pour over the salad and toss well. Cover and chill 3 hours.
Everyone brought something to the potluck. I tried out two different salad recipes.
CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
16 oz package bow tie pasta
2 cups cooked, diced chicken
1 cup diced celery
1 large can pineapple tidbits, drained
2 cups red grapes
3 green onions, chopped
6 oz package Craisins
1 cup cashews
1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
16 oz bottle coleslaw dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl combine pasta with chicken, celery, pineapple, grapes, green onions, Craisins and mandarin oranges. in a small bowl whisk together dressing and mayonnaise. Add to pasta and toss to coat evenly. Chill at least one hour. Add cashews immediately before serving.
GREEN BEAN PASTA SALAD
1 cup chopped pecans (toasted in the oven)
12 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 pound thin fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half
8 oz package penne pasta
2 cups seedless red grapes, cut in half
1/3 cup red onion, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1 3/ cup red wine vinegar
Dash salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted. Cook the bacon in a skilled until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Cook beans in boiling salted water 5 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge the beans into ice water to stop the cooking process so they stay crisp. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Mix together the pasta, beans, grapes, onion, past and bacon in a large bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and salt. Pour over the salad and toss well. Cover and chill 3 hours.
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