My South

As I had mentioned earlier, I went with my mom to her book club while I was home.  It was my mom's turn to review a book she had read and the one she chose really struck me.  It was called "My South: A People, A Place, A World All Its Own" by Robert St. John and Bryan Curtis.  It is a collection of poems from people all over the South explaining their South.  I come from a southern heritage, as my mom's family has been in Virginia since forever.  As my mom was reading some excerpts from the book, I couldn't help but get teary-eyed as I thought of my grandparents.  They both passed away July 2006.  They both meant so much to me as did the words my mom was reading about the South.  When my mom was finished, she, along with almost half of the other ladies there shared memories of growing up in the South.  I decided to also come up with my own tribute which I will include later.

Going Home

I went home to my beloved Texas this past week for Celeste's wedding.  I always love going home, there is just something about Texas that I can't get over.  This trip was a little bittersweet however, because I would be gone for our anniversary.  It was on Wednesday the 18th, the mark of three years of marriage bliss.  Ryan had no problem telling people that we were going through a trial separation.  That crazy kook.  I was pretty much my mom's shadow, following her wherever she went.  We did some fun things like go out to lunch with my dad, help Mindy pick out paint colors, buy a washer, and of course go shopping.  Now that she doesn't work anymore, she has no problem shopping more; my dad doesn't quite understand it.  On Tuesday night we went to Celeste's bridal shower, and on Wednesday we went to my mom's book club.  Ryan surprised me by flying in on Friday.  Apparently everyone in my family knew and had been trying to keep it quiet, which is hard for a bunch of loud Texans.  Friday was our usual Texas Pride trip.  It is one of the two best BBQ places around.  Just imagine eating meat on wax paper, sides in styrofoam cups, 99 cent loaves of bread, bins of pickles, and picnic tables, and that is the glamorous Texas Pride.  That same night they were having a live band and fish fry so we went back and watched for a little while.  Saturday morning was Celeste's sealing and she looked beautiful.  Her little niece kept saying, "Celeste, you look like a princess."  Between the wedding and reception we picked up Josh from Youth Conference and I was able to talk to Mr. Wilson.  He was my band teacher in middle and high school and was also in the bishopric in a ward in our stake.  We then went to Bracken Cafe where they make delicious 1/2 pound burgers and frito pie, among other things.  Sunday morning we went to church and it seemed to drag on forever.  The chorister and organist looked like they were going to get into a fight, the youth speaker had the most monotone voice in which she explained that she was excited to be giving a talk, and the music and congregation sounded like a funeral session.  But it was all worth it to go home to some homemade fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, salad, and homemade biscuits.  Food is definitely a big part of my family's life.     

DISNEYLAND!

That's right! Disneyland!

On the way to church, Josh turned to Jade and said that he wanted to go to Disneyland before they left for Chicago. She said no unless we went with them because I had never been as a child. Who has never been to Disneyland as a kid? That poor child would be me. So they presented the idea to us after Sacrament Meeting and I immediately said yes. I was so pumped that I was even thinking about what I was going to pack during Sunday School.

We met at Oregano's (one of Ryan's other favorite places to eat) on Thursday to plan our trip. One of my favorite things from there is Pesto Bruschetta, which is also easy to make at home. Here's how to make it...

Pesto Bruschetta

French Bread

Pesto

Red Onion

Tomato

Mozzarella Cheese

Parmesan Cheese

Cut the French bread in half lengthwise. Spread pesto on both sides of the bread. Dice the red onion and sprinkle on bread, then top with thinly sliced tomato. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. Cut into sections.

So Friday was awesome. Not only was it the day we left for Disneyland, but it was also the day I finished my last college class. I am completely finished with college and never have to go back!

Anyways...we had a lot of fun on the 6 hour drive to California. On Saturday we got to Disneyland around 10:00 and didn't leave until about 1:00 in the morning. I felt like a little kid going to Disneyland for the first time. The rides were great, Ryan had his first churro, and we got to see Fantasmic. Those people at Disneyland sure know what they are doing.

On Sunday, we drove around Newport. It had cute stores and even cuter houses. I forgot to take pictures because I was in awe. The houses were beautiful and each one different than the next.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

On Tuesday, April 29 we were given 4 tickets to the Diamondbacks vs. the Astros baseball game. But these tickets weren't just any tickets, they were section 120, row 29, seats 10-13! Behind the home plate! They were great seats, three fly balls came practically to us, and we got free Diamondback towels (I don't know what I will do with them, but they were free). The interesting thing about the game was that it was the same night and time as the Spurs vs. Suns game. About the same time as the end of the 9th inning was the last 13 minutes of the basketball game (which they were showing on some TVs by the concession stands). I split my time going back and forth to see both games. There was a group of about 50 people at the one TV I was at, all of which were Suns fans. I was the only one there cheering for the Spurs, trying all the while to not get beat up. There were 2 cops that came over to "make sure the crowd stayed contained" and noticed that I was a Spurs fan. It was funny. Anyways, the Spurs ended up winning and moving on to round 2. It just proves that even though the Suns add Shaq to their team to try to beat the Spurs, they still can't do it. Better luck next year. And to all of those people who booed me for wearing my Spurs shirt, HA! I'll have to write about team loyalty at another time.

House Hunters

On April 19, we spent the day with Josh and Jade. We first started out by going to Vincent's in Phoenix. Vincent is a French chef who owns his own restaurant; the restaurant hosts a "mini fair" that includes food and different vendors selling things like jewelry and homemade jam. Because we can't get together without eating a ton of food, we went there for lunch. Jade and I got pizzas that Vincent made himself in a brick oven. I got the Caesar Chicken Pizza and it was absolutely delicious. It was so good that I craved it for the week after and had to make it at home. Now it won't taste quite the same as if Vincent made it in his brick oven, but here's how I made it...

Caesar Chicken Pizza
1 Pizza Crust (Store-Bought or Package)
Chicken Breast
Fresh Thyme
Mozzarella Cheese
Salt and Pepper
Romaine Lettuce
Croutons
Caesar Dressing (Homemade or Store-Bought, I like the new Kraft Caesar Dressing)

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cut the chicken breats into bite-sized pieces and cook in a pan with some olive oil or in a George Foreman grill. Put some of the mozzarella cheese on the prepared pizza crust, then top with cooked chicken and fresh thyme. Add more mozzarella cheese and bake according to the pizza crust directions. While the pizza is cooking, make a caesar salad with the romaine lettuce, croutons, and dressing. When the pizza is finished cooking, top with the salad, cut into slices, and serve.

Ryan and Josh got BBQ that was also absolutely delicious. It was tender and the side of potatoes were smothered in cream. Everything tastes better with cream. All the food was so good. After we were finished stuffing our faces, we went antiquing! I love going to antique stores. I was really excited, however, because one of the stores had old doors, windows, banisters, trim, corbels, and tin ceiling tiles. It may sound like trash, but to me it's treasure.
As if that wasn't enough for one day we still had to go see some million dollar homes that Josh's dad built. The first house was about 5-6 million dollars and was amazing. The kitchen was my favorite part as the island was about the size of my own kitchen. Just the island! The refrigerator and freezer were disguised as furniture and the stove had something like 8 burners. And that's not even everything. The second house cost about half as much as the first and was also beautiful. Then we saw Josh's parent's new house and all of its English Cottagish glory.

By that time it was conveniently dinner time. One of Ryan's most favorite places to go is Costa Vida and it happened to be down the road from where we were. And we couldn't finish the day off without homemade ice cream (compliments of Josh and Jade's new Kitchenaid ice cream attachment) and a movie. So the ice cream was a little on the soupy side, but like I said before, everything is better with cream.

A Tale of Two...Fish

I was organizing my house this week, as I have done every week it seems, and came across something full of memories. Our first apartment as newlyweds was appropriately called Harmony Square and was located right across the street from the BYU Girl's Soccer Field and directly down the street from Brick Oven (or as my mom remembers it, Heaps of Pizza). We celebrated my 19th birthday a few months after we moved in and invited my old roommates, friends from The Glenwood, Ryan's old roommates, and his old mission buddies. All of those people crowded into our little 700 square feet apartment and were having an awesome time when an unrecognizable head popped through our open front door. He happened to be the neighbor directly under us and explained that his wife was a 3rd grade teacher and was exhausted. He asked if we would be quiet so as not to disturb her. Can I just mention that it was 6:00 p.m., it was my birthday, and that his wife should stop complaining. If she couldn't handle one day of 3rd graders, someone obviously chose the wrong profession.

Somehow I became distracted and did not realize that the boys had set up fish tank on our bookshelf. I turned around and became very confused when I saw a very unique fish swimming mindlessly in a little tank. The boys couldn't hide the joy in their face as they explained that they bought me this particular fish with the intent of finding the ugliest one possible. Everyone agreed that they had done just that. It would have been a regular looking chubby goldfish except for the massive bubbly cheeks on either side of his mouth. And when I say bubbly, I mean that his cheeks were bubbles of skin projecting off of his face.

Even though this was the ugliest fish I had seen up till then, I embraced this special little guy and named him...well I can't remember his name, but I am pretty sure it was along the lines of Melville or Herman.

We had a good time together, Melville or Herman and me. But one day he was not acting himself. He was usually very excited in the morning when I would turn on his light and feed him before I got ready for school. He wasn't very excited and he didn't eat anything. I said good-bye to him as I left our apartment hoping that he would be fine. But, as I came home from school that fateful day, Melville or Herman was floating in his little home. I didn't want to believe it. He was a good fish. But I guess you can't expect much from a WalMart fish that probably cost a dollar. Ryan helped me "bury" him because I just couldn't do it. And I am not going to lie, I did cry. I for some reason get really attached to my pets, and ever since I was little and my first pet died, I cry.

After Melville or Herman passed on to animal heaven, and yes animals go to heaven, I couldn't bear to think of getting another fish, for fear that the same thing would happen. But, the next semester I took Physical Science. I hated that class. It was so hard. I am not a logical person at all. I struggled so much and when it came to the first exam it truly showed. I had gotten the worst grade I had ever received on a test. Now some may laugh, but I got a 42%. I know, you learn physical science principles starting in elementary school. I probably cried as I walked down the long stretch of hill towards our apartment. I knew Ryan would ask what I got and I would break down and tell him. He felt really sorry for me and asked if I wanted to get another fish. He promised that we could get one that had a long lifespan. In my vulnerable state I agreed. We drove down Center Street to the pet store and looked at all the fish in the tanks. One of the workers suggested getting a Beta Fish which he said was indestructable. I picked out a pretty pink and blue one and named her Jodie. She too was a good fish. She lasted way longer than Melville or Herman ever did. I thought we would have her forever.

Ryan decided to go down to Mesa to work for his dad that summer, so we packed we packed what we needed and took Jodie as well. She withstood the drive from Provo, Utah to Mesa, Arizona. She survived our time in Mesa, but didn't quite make it back home. On our way back, driving through southern Utah, we discovered that Jodie was floating. That inevitable sign of fish death. It must have become too hot for her in her little travel cup and she just couldn't take it anymore. I cried. Ryan pulled the car over to the side of a nice southern Utah 2-lane road and buried her. He said a few nice words and then we left. She too, is in animal heaven.

After my experiences with Melville or Herman and Jodie, I have sworn off fish. They die to quickly and randomly.

As I had led to in the beginning, I had found that old fish tank in a box in a closet.

And I was able to pull a B in Physical Science that semester.

First Day on the Blog

So my friend Julie has been telling me lately that I should start a blog. Tonight during Book Club I found out I was one of two people who didn't have one. I decided to follow the trend and here I am.
As exciting as Book Club was, I was really excited for the return of The Office. However awkward the episode, it still held up to its good name. Thursday nights are now back to normal and I can look forward to seeing John Krasinski on the small screen. It's not like he's extremely hot or anything, but there is just something about him.
My sister-in-law Kim gave me an "I Love Jim" magnetic note pad for Christmas. As she handed me the wrapped gift she said "You need this."
I love Ryan. He understands my non-obsessive obsession.