My Insanity--Gourmet Group Edition

Barry and I have a saying about any project I get involved in that requires creativity. We call it my insanity. I used that term to explain to him once that although there were much easier gifts to give our neighbors at Christmas than the home made star cookie Christmas trees (which required about 25 cookies a piece) that my artistic vision was involved and I was going to complete the project, even at the risk of my sanity. (In other words, "back off, and try and support my crazy ideas, because they are part of what makes me, me.") Why is it that things are always so much simpler in my head than in reality?

Anyway, when I joined the gourmet group, I realized that this is a group of women just like me (except that most of them are better cooks than I am). Women who care that there is a centerpiece and notice what it looks like. Women who work their tails off to create a gorgeous and delicious meal that will be devoured in a couple of hours and all that will be left to show for it are the pictures. And still take pleasure in the creative process and in doing something out of the ordinary.

August was my turn, along with my friend (and really good cook), Kim. The difficulties included the fact that I am pregnant and tired, and have a Trenton all day, and that Kim has two very young boys, a young business, and had the gall to move to the other side of the valley in January. Planning was a challenge. Every event we have gone to all year has been beautifully done with delicious food, so slacking wasn't really an option.

We eventually settled on a Northwestern theme--I have never set foot in the Northwest, but Kim just returned from a trip to Washington state and has relatives there that could help in determining appropriate cuisine and decor. She was mainly incharge of the menu (I helped cook) and I was mainly incharge of the decor, etc. I made the invitations above, with real ferns behind the vellum (I have blotted out personal info to keep Barry happy so I don't have to shut down my blog.)

My big frustration was that my vision was an outdoor meal. And we did everything possible to make that happen in Phoenix in August. We scheduled the meal for 7:00 in the evening, bought misters and installed them around our patio and had fans to blow it all around. Alas, since we were in the process of breaking our record of days over 110 degrees, all of our efforts just didn't seem to be enough. So at about 6:30pm we abandoned the plants, fountain, and all of the white Japanese lanterns we used at our wedding 8 years ago. And moved the tables indoors. I admit, my head was throbbing so badly at this point, that I left Barry and Kim to try and come up with some way to fit two long tables in our small living room. It wasn't pretty, but the couch ended up in the kitchen (almost) with just one walk way in and out. Ofcourse, this put us behind on cooking, but despite my disappointment (which always comes from unfulfilled vision), I believe the meal was a success.

Everyone enjoying appetizers and our place settings. Kim made the rock napkin holders/ bracelets for our guests to take home (They also got to keep their rocks that I painted. :-)).

Our Menu:
Blueberry Italian Soda
Crab Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Smoked Salmon and Pesto Appetizer Cheesecake

Crab bisque

Northwest Stuffed Salmon
Squash and Couscous Risotto
Berry Poppy Salad with Poppy Seed Ginger Vinaigrette

Iced Chocolate Chaud (French hot chocolate, served iced)
Blueberry Frozen Yogurt

Our group enjoying dessert.

He's a Rocket Man

Lately Trenton has been obsessed with all things to do with space and astronauts. He decided these swords (which his dad made from pool noodles and pvc pipe) looked like jet packs and asked me to help him stick them up his back so he could blast off into outer space. I'm not sure he made it more than a couple of inches off the ground, but it is fun to watch his very active imagination developing!
Ready for Blast off!

But Mommy, I don't need a nap...

Sure you don't, Trenton. Why is it when I am feeling that I desperately need an afternoon nap each day, Trenton is so determined not to take one? Of course, he usually ends up crashing somewhere around 5:00pm, messing up evening and bedtime schedules. Why do they think naps are bad things, when I think naps are perfectly wonderful?

Kira in the morning

There is something I love about this picture of Kira. I think it is the morning light. Of course, she is in her jammies and hasn't brushed her hair, so I probably wouldn't hang it on the wall. But I guess sometimes it's good to see your kids in a "different light".

Grandma and Elmo

Still catching up on fun photos from the summer. These were from when Barry's mom came to help us get ready to sell our house. She took on perhaps the most daunting task, which was going through the kids room with them and putting clothes/toys in storage, cleaning, etc. Anyway, she did a fabulous job with many fewer tears than there would have been if I had done it. She had given Trenton this Elmo shirt and wore her own for the fun factor, so we had to get some pictures. THANKS GRANDMA!

Getting to know Cousin Talia (July 07)

School Girl!

Kira started 1st Grade on Monday and here are some pictures from her first day of school. So far we have gotten mixed reviews from her about her first week, but that isn't surprising from Kira. I must say it is a little more calm and quiet around here during the day with out her.

All your beautiful hair...

Before and after

I am in mourning just a little today at the loss of Trenton's long locks. For the last several months I have been in love with Trentons "surfer boy" shaggy hair. Barry has been less so, and admittedly, lately it's been a little bit out of control. He needed some kind of haircut, and it seems like it grows fast, so when Barry proposed that he take care of it while I was at choir last night, I gave him the green light. When Trenton found us in bed this morning, I was not sure who's child I was looking at. He looks so different to me! When I put a little product in it, it didn't look too bad (I am finding some spots I will have to go back and clean up a bit), but I must admit, I am missing the long hair.

I guess while they were cutting the hair, Kira kept telling Trenton that all of his beautiful hair was gone. So that is what he told me this morning. But when we asked him what he thought of his haircut, he said "great!" I guess if he is happy, I shouldn't complain.

Arizona Sky

I have a lot I'd like to catch up on from the summer, but there are some more recent photos I want to share. We have had some nice monsoons here this year, and one of the Arizona's true beauties is amazing sunsets. These pictures were taken after a recent storm. Too bad we have too many neighbors and couldn't see the whole thing.

The Anniversary Waltz (or should I say tango?)

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary. 8 years ago today, Barry and I were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple. That is starting to sound like a long time. It wouldn't seem like so long, but our 2 1/2 children are good reminders that the time has really passed. Because of all that is going on, we kept things pretty simple this year. Barry's sisters were kind enough to have the kids over for a slumber party so we could have a night to ourselves on Friday. We went to dinner and mainly spent a lot of time talking about all of the stuff we haven't had time to talk about during the week. It was nice to sleep in Sat. morning a little, instead of being awakened at 6:00am by Trenton's announcement "I'm awake, I'm awake!" or "The pees are coming!" THANK YOU MIKELLE, BOBBY, & KRISTIN!

But ours is clearly not the only anniversary this time of year! My beautiful parents have now been married 45 years as of Aug. 2!

And yesterday, my sister, Trina and her husband, Guy celebrated 13 years of marriage! (Happy Anniversary, you guys!)

I wish I had everyone's wedding pictures!

Last night we went to an anniversary celebration for Frank & Kristy Nelson--Good family friends who have been married for 30 years! I wish I could have seen that wedding picture with the powder blue tuxedo!

Anyway, Happy Anniversary to everyone out there who is making it work year after year. In tribute to our marriage here is a look back at our romance through the years.

WARNING: Schmaltzy pictures to follow. Jared and others who are strongly opposed to PDA, should not press play. View at your own risk!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

4th of July Montage

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We spent the 4th of July in Prescott with the whole Halterman clan. It was my first time attending The World's Oldest Rodeo, eventhough I grew up there. It would have been a lot of fun except for the heat wave which turned the normally cool and pleasant Prescott into an inferno like the Valley.

First Utah Trip--Album

So I tried to post the above album as a regular post, but could only get it to show half of the album. I guess we'll do it like this for now. I don't know of a way to see the pictures any closer, but if you move your mouse over the captions, it magnifies them. It was the best way I could think of to consolidate a lot of pictures from the same trip. I still have several more events to blog about.

8-5-07
I've moved the photo book to the very bottom of the page, so I can add more current entries. If you haven't seen it yet, scroll all the way down by the tickers.

A Real Superhero

Trenton just brought me his Superman pajamas to wear tonight and he had insisted that we check out a Superman book at the library a couple of days ago. I asked him, "Trenton, who is your favorite superhero?" With out hesitating and in a loud voice he exclaimed, "Jesus!"

The LAZY days of summer???

Ahhhhh! The lazy days of summer!

Laying out in the sun, or splashing in the pool....

Making lemonade (or homemade lemon ice cream, in this case)...

Sampling the fruits of the season. Not a care in the world....

I wish we were having that kind of a summer, but it would be more appropriate to title this entry, "The CRAZY days of summer!" Kira starts school in a week and a half, and I feel as if I have barely had time to come up for air. I have tons of fun pictures to share from 3 family reunions (2 of which I had to do a lot of work for), 2 trips to Utah, fun with Grandma while getting our house ready to sell, 4th of July, The World's Oldest Rodeo, meeting new cousins, tons of birthday parties and more. I going to try and post every day or two and see if I can't get caught up, but no promises.

We are still trying to sell our home while meeting with the new builders (design, sales, mortgage, construction, etc.) and contemplating where we will go if we do happen to sell soon. Meanwhile, I am entering my last trimester and remembering what it feels like to have baby up under your ribs, getting Kira ready for a new school (uniform shopping, etc.), and trying to get Trenton potty trained. I want to say that things will slow down once school starts, but didn't I say that about school ending? :-)

FOR SALE!

If someone had told me a month ago that my home would be on the market today, I would have told them that they were crazy and that that would be impossible. Impossible things are happening everyday, thanks largely to angels who mascarade as family members and drop their lives to come to the rescue.

A couple of weeks ago, Barry and I put down earnest money to buy a new home a few miles from here that will be bigger and better for our growing family. The builders were offering some incentives that weekend only, that made this become a realistic option for us. I nearly backed out when the salesman said we would only have a week or two to get our home on the market. In fact, my words to him were something like, "you don't understand, I haven't done housework since I got pregnant!" (Which might be funny if it weren't mostly the truth). Barry thought we could make it happen, and with a tremendous amount of help from his family and some good friends, our house is now listed on the MLS (# 2799699--if anyone is interested). As part of our program, we are having to sell it at a lower price than we had hoped, but hopefully that will ensure a sale in time to satisfy the new builder. Though we have definately outgrown it, I have loved and put a lot of myself into this home. It is kind of bittersweet to sell.

So this is why I haven't posted any of my fun pictures from my Utah trip or the 4th of July, etc. I have posted pictures of most of the rooms in my house. Mostly because they have never all been this clean at the same time before, and I am sure, that some people (like my Mom who was just here during our Hawaii trip) would never believe it is this clean now, with out some photographic evidence. Also for those who have questioned my design taste, you can finally see what the rooms were mostly meant to look like with out all of the clutter.

Downstairs

Kitchen/Dining Room

Living Room

I couldn't get a very good shot of this room with all of the windows, but you get the idea.

Entry/Stairway

(The Nauvoo brick is not supposed to be there) I have read that for staging, it is good to take down a lot of personal pictures, but I wasn't ready to take down my gallery. Hopefully they see it as decor, not just our stuff.

Guest Bathroom

It is hard to take good pictures in such a small space. I bought new white towels for showing this room, so I have to make the kids go upstairs to wash their hands so they don't mess it up. (It is hard to be a nice Mom when you are trying to sell a home).

Backyard
I like what we did with our small backyard. If you are wondering what that structure is in the picture that shows the grass, it is Barry's attempt to give our little garden some partial shade in this infernal summer heat.