Brian • Bonnie • Avery • Aspen • Tristan: August 2012

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Ward Choir Director

This is my first experience directing a choir of any type ever! Been in plenty a choir, but this directing thing is a whole new ball game for me. I felt that maybe someday I'd direct a ward choir - the idea seemed kind of cool while I was in college - and now that it's here, I feel small to say the least. But, I also feel a lot of encouragement that gives me courage! I also feel honored to be given this calling (It says that people see me as a musical intelligence, in some way or another, I suppose).

Today was our first performance in church (with me directing anyway) and it was awesome! We sang "How Can I Keep From Singing" which is such a beautiful piece and it came together lovely.

You never know how many choir members will show up the day of performance which can make one fidgety, but I knew that things always work out no matter what. I have confidence in that.

I also like how some of my own choir experiences start flooding in my mind and help me know how to direct practices and what to work on. It's all there, just has been dormant I guess.

I'm kind of excited about my new calling.... and I have lots to learn as well. I like to think of a couple of my favorite choir directors and envision myself mimicking them. Who knows if that's what's happening! Either way, it's nice to find a groove of how it feels comfortable to direct and then look for ways to improve. wohoo! here we go.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Happy Birthday, Brian!

I think Brian has been spoiled this birthday.... We spent our Christmas budget early on a 60" TV (which happened to be around his birthday time), I got his mountain bike tuned up and brake pad replaced, mom sent discs for disc golf, we saw Batman in the theater, and.......

He got a Dual Sport Motorcycle!!!! 2001 KTM LC4 Enduro 640. The seller said it was too big and bad for him ;) well, not for Brian! (This should save him gas instead of having the truck as a commuter to work.)

The kids recently

Avery loves to wear pretty shoes and skirts or dresses & bows in her hair everyday.

A tour of the fire station.

Learning to throw a frisbee. She caught on very well!

Quemazon Nature Trail

This is our second time on this trail, but we went a little further. This area is covered with dead trees upright and all over the ground from the fire 10 years ago. There are new trees growing, though, which makes you feel hopeful for its future. There's also a nice view of the town. The weather was really nice- I like the fall weather creeping in!!!

The backpack was intended for Aspen, but Avery was having a hard time with the constant uphill climb. Thus Brian got a good workout.

A bag of jerky makes the trail easier.

Lunch time

On the way down, the girls were much happier and enjoyed throwing rocks at trees.

Homemade Yogurt

Along with milk, bread & eggs, yogurt is now one of our staples and must be stocked in our fridge constantly. This all happened when I started making homemade yogurt. I had put off trying it for a long time because it sounded tricky, but not so!

I particularly love to use homemade yogurt on top of muffins & pancakes and in smoothies. My husband was never a yogurt fan until now. He likes it with frozen blueberries or strawberry jam.

Each time I make it, it turns out differently, so you can probably expect the same! It's a simple thing but requires you to be home; I usually start mine around dinner time and it's ready to sit overnight by bedtime. All you need is a crockpot, candy thermometer, small cup of plain yogurt, towel, and maybe other add-ins. If you're daring to try it, here's how it's done:

Homemade Plain Yogurt:

1. Heat a half-gallon (8 cups) of milk in the crockpot -I use high setting- (or double broiler) to 185 degrees (that's just before boiling, you should see some small active bubbles around the edges). I use a candy thermometer to tell for sure. This takes about 2-3 hours-ish.

2. Let milk cool to 110 degrees. (To speed this up, put the crockpot in the sink with ice water... be careful because it cools off fast this way- maybe less than 20 minutes)

3. Scoop some milk out into a bowl and add: 1/2 cup of plain yogurt to whisk then return to pot.

4. Wrap pot in a towel and sit overnight. Yogurt is done!

For Vanilla Yogurt:

During step 3, Add about 1/2 - 1 cup of sugar (or other sweetener...I like brown sugar & honey) and 2 Tablespoons of vanilla. You can do other extracts as well... I've sometimes added -on top of the vanilla- 1 teaspoon of almond extract. Some people add cinnamon or other spices. why not!

Tips:

1. Ways to thicken yogurt is to: use whole milk, add about 1/2 cup of powdered milk during step 3 OR add a small package of unflavored gelatin during step 3, after yogurt is done you can strain out the whey by dumping batches of yogurt into a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter.

2. Certain flavorings should not be added in step 3, like strawberry jam or fresh things... those should be added in the end.

3. If you do a flavored yogurt, you can set aside a very small amount of un-sugared and un-flavored mix from step 3 in a little tupperware (wrap it up in the same towel as the big pot) to use for your next starter when you need more yogurt.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Sixty Inch!!

At long last, we've up and purchased our massive new 60" TV! Our good ol' box TV has been great for us for 5 years and is still kickin' (that's why it's in the guest room for the kids). Now you all have need to visit us and watch movies on the big screen! :)

BEFORE