8th International LDS Art Competition

Check out the beautiful works of the 8th International Art Competition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here.

So grown up!

Mavis came out of the toy room yesterday with some little fake birds that she's not supposed to remove from the little bird cage hanging in her bedroom. They're just decorations that break easily. Now that she's four she likes to show how much more grown up she is.

"Mom, when I was free (i.e. "three") me and Sophia took these (the birds) out of my room. I have to put them back now." Later to Jack she says, "Me and Soph were naughty, Jack, when I was free." When she came back from returning the birds to her room I asked if she'd put them back in the cage. She responded, "Yes, and I lockeded the cage so naughty girls can't get them out; no free-year-olds!"

Well, she's still naughty on occasion, such as yesterday, when she cut her hair herself . . . or maybe Katie, the neighbor girl cut it. Each says the other did it, so who knows. It's her second hair cut ever. Remember the first one? Another neighbor friend. :)

Following are before and after shots from the same day (thanks to Erin for the lovely blue dress!!).

So much work!

Me: Mavis, please wipe up your mess with this cloth.
Mavis: Ughh! Mom, you always want me to do ALL of your work.

Quote for the day

A people may prefer a free government, but if...they are unequal to the exertions necessary for preserving it; if they will not fight for it when it is directly attacked; ...if by momentary discouragement, or temporary panic, or a fit of enthusiasm for an individual, they can be induced to lay their liberties at the feet even of a great man, or trust him with powers which enable him to subvert their institutions, in all these cases they are more or less unfit for liberty....and [are] unlikely long to enjoy it.

John Stuart Mill. Considerations of Representative Government. 1861.

Spark

Last night we tried to go out to a new restaurant, Gloria's Little Italy in Provo. But the wait was too long so we headed next door to Spark. What a lucky change of plans. We've been to Spark a few times before and it's one of the top restaurants in Utah Valley, by far. When it comes to presentation they may be first. When it comes to flavor, there are a few others that can compete, such as Pizzeria 712, and, umm, well, maybe that's it.

Anyways, about the food: the fettucine dish was DELUXE! We were so in love. Also, the potato leek soup was excellent — very rich and full flavored. Both dishes were enhanced with truffle oil, and wow, that always makes for something extra special. I also had hebi (fish from Hawaii — I'd never heard of it before) served over braised carrots and a red lentil cake, all very delicious.

If you don't want to go all out for dinner, just go later and get dessert or a drink. They've got some fun drinks. I especially like the apple martini (even after it's gone it's wonderful to put your nose in and inhale the leftover aroma), and the shirley temple (to be fair, although it does taste good, I'm mostly just in love with the shirley temple because it's so CUTE, but in a chic, dressed up sort of way — all pink with a stick of cotton candy on top.

First Birthday

Somebody turned 1! And we had a party, although the birthday boy was sick so he wouldn't delight us with any exciting cake chomping and smashing. Also, the cake was pretty but the texture and flavor didn't hit the mark. It was a yellow cake recipe that I substituted kamut flour in, and I didn't have butter so I used a recipe calling for coconut oil in the frosting. Maybe I just haven't found the right recipes. Kamut works so well in chocolate cake that I thought it might have a chance in a yellow cake, but no such luck. It was edible, but just barely. Nonetheless, we had a good time and the kids really liked the streamers.

Venturing into the Big Blue

We have really enjoyed swimming lessons with Pam. We did 2 weeks of lessons at the beginning of February.

First Chocolate

I think the boy enjoyed his first chocolate, given to him by his sister.

Kamut for Valentine's

Kamut Pancakes again. I used the squirt bottle technique to make heart shapes this time. Layered with strawberries and cream this was simple to make, and lovely to consume. The strawberries were macerated overnight in sugar and crushed soft green peppercorns. The peppercorns add a bright tangy flavor to the juice that releases from the strawberries. I find it delightful. I've eaten it with whole peppercorns instead, but they are much more intense and thus better paired with something a bit heavier (like a big dish of vanilla bean icecream—I got this from the dessert menu at Café Madrid, a favorite restaurant of ours in Salt Lake City).

A Painting for the Taylors and a purple headdress

I did this painting for my sister's front room. When I got out the camera it was to take a picture of the painting in progress, but the photo seems to be more about a certain purple headdress in the bottom left, don't you think?

The final painting. Hmmm . . . I'm not sure which one I like best, the final, or the "in progress" version. It would be lovely to have both. This is the framed final version hanging on Jennifer's wall. I really like the frame with it.

The Lion and the Lamb

Janet made this outfit for Josh when he was a baby.

Toddling

Make a Smilebox slideshow I wanted to have the slides move super quickly to give the effect of a lurching, wobbly toddler, but you may have to click through as fast as you can to get that effect as I can't seem to get the pics to move very fast from one to the next. Little boy has been walking for two months now, but really took off and started cruising only one month ago.

Peek-a-boo

Kamut Pancakes

These are my favorite pancakes. I like them thin, but with a light, fluffy texture inside.

1 large egg
1 cup kamut flour
1 1/4 cup milk (add a little more if you want the pancakes even thinner)
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
2 Tablespoons oil (I usually use olive oil)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt

Oil the griddle or skillet and heat to medium low. Meanwhile, fill a plastic squeeze bottle with the batter (think honey bear, or ketchup bottle with the pointed tip). When a drop of water in the pan sizzles and dances around the pan is hot enough. Use the bottle of batter to draw fun shapes in the pan. When pancake is covered with bubbles, and fairly dry around the edges flip and cook on the other side for about 15 to 30 seconds (give or take, depending on how hot your pan is).


My second favorite recipe is Janet's whole wheat & flax pancake. Someday I'll find that and post it too.

Butterflies, Princesses & Ponies for the Birthday Girl

We started the glorious morning with delectable kamut pancakes in delightful shapes. I put the pancake batter in a plastic squeezable bottle with a pointed tip (like the ketchup bottles or honey bears). It makes it relatively easy to create detailed shapes such as

a butterfly,

a princess crown,

or an initial.

Shiny butterflies adorned the invitations for the party held in the afternoon. We folded the wings before gluing to help them get their flight on.

Princess attire was the only appropriate form of dress for the occasion.The party started with plenteous carousel rides.
Then we had a royal feast of butterfly-shaped pb&js, and fanciful crudités cut out with cookie cutters.
More carousel riding ensued, followed by butterfly birthday cake (100% whole grain, and DELICIOUS!)