Adventures in Cooking

Happy Halloween! During the month of October I found I have come back in touch with domestic Amy. I used to cook a lot--but I haven't been much of a cook lately. So--one of my personal goals recently has been to work more on cooking and learning to make more food from my mom. So--this post is all about FOOD :)
My friend Jill and I decided this month to have a Witches' Tea Party. We decided to make food and have a good time as Witches.

Here's some photos from the tea party:I also designed the invitations for our tea party--another one for the crafty Amy!

Jill and me in our witch costumes, which I designed my own hat too...what is happening to me!

Target had these cute little cupcake tins--and I couldn't walk past them.
So I made "Boo Brownies"

This one is a family recipe for haystacks, but I cutesied them up with mini candy corn pumpkins.

In all, we had about 25 girls show up with treats and witches outfits to our party. It was a success! Jill and I are currently planning another tea party for January--details to come later.

Today, my roommate and I decided to test my Thai cooking skills. Mindy and I worked together to creat Pad Kee Mao--my favorite Thai dish. A few months ago, my friend Larry and I set a goal that I would take advantage of the fact that my mother is an amazing cook and that I would learn how to make more Thai dishes from her monthly. So--I have been attempting to do so. This month, I learned how to make Drunken Noodles. Here are pictures from my first attempt.

It was delicious! And I usually am my worst critic! But--I actually thought I did a good job.

So--here's to October! I feel like I accomplished a lot!

What do you say?

I really don't know that anyone reads my blog or cares, but I just needed to write about this somewhere.

So I spent this weekend with my parents. I love them so much and they always give me the escape from my life that I seem to need--and this weekend--I just needed a mental one.

But--this weekend, my parents told me they have been working on writing their will with Uncle Joe and that they would like to ask me to be the executor of the will. What do you say to your parents when they put a trust of something like that on you? Granted...being the oldest sibling comes with responsibility. But...when I think of this happening--it makes me sad.

You see...I love my parents and I don't want them to leave me. They are all I have. And that is more important to me than things...

I am grateful to help them out with this. But--this change is not welcome at all. I hope it does not come for a while...

My Amazing Mother

October 15, 2010

I am awake late at night--and I have not written for a long time--so I decided to let my mind go.

The month of October is an important month to me. I love the fall and the celebrations of reaping in the harvest. As I was spending time today--the thought crossed me about how October is also the month we honor Breast Cancer Awareness. I have many women in my life who have been affected by breast cancer and they have been amazing examples to me of perseverance and hope. But--there is one woman who has made a major impact on my life.

About four years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember how shocked I was at the idea of this happening to me. I could not believe how unfortunate this situation was. I love my mom and this was just unthinkable.

But--fortunately for us, her cancer was found at a stage 0--meaning that she was not that bad. I was so grateful that she was going to be okay. I remember driving her to her radiation treatments as they took care of her. I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with her then--and the chance I had to serve her and be there. I am so lucky to have this amazing lady in my life.


Mom--I love you. I am so glad you are there for me and an example to me in my life of what a woman should be. Thank you for being there for me.

My Library Angel

Friday, September 3, 2010

Sister Hepworth works in the library at BYU-Idaho. She was my angel when I was there. She always had a treat for me and she was always smiling and happy. She had some difficult things that went on in her life and she always stayed positive.

I happened to see her this weekend when I was in Rexburg. She has just recently been diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer. She has recently undergone chemo and is still smiling. I love this lady.

We had the chance to talk though and she reminded me of how not in control over life we are. It is in the Lord's hands and we have to trust his timing in our lives. She mentioned how she was prepared for anything at this point, but obviously Heavenly Father has a plan to keep her here longer.

I for one am grateful He has. She was an angel in my life this weekend to remind me of how precious life really is. Thank you Sister Hepworth!

My New York Holiday Part 2

So--I need to finish my Holiday story! I've been so crazy the last several weeks that I haven't had time.

One of the most amazing places I went in upstate New York was to the Peter Whitmere home. This home was the were several events in church history took place. The translation of the Book of Mormon took place here and the Church was reorganized here. I feel that this visitors center taught me the most about the gospel and the way that the church works. After the tour, it all made sense to me. I was able to see that every time the church was reorganized--or even organized--it followed the same pattern, with a prophet, the 12, and other offices as necessary. I think the flow charts they had there were awesome. Plus, to see what circumstances Joseph and Hyrum had translated and get an idea of what it was like really made an impact on my thinking. I also remember that all the Whitmere's were involved in the restoration as well--that made me think of how important their family was to the restoration.

Me in front of the Peter Whitmere home.

The Visitor's center and the church that they meet at in Palmyra.

We also went to the Hill Cumorah. It was amazing to see the beauty of this place. To think of how much happened at this hill. The pageant reminded me of the different prophets who had actually gone to this hill. Moroni with the plates to bury them and Joseph Smith to uncover them. This hill really is sacred and important.

In the visitor center here, they have a statue of the Christus. I love the setting behind it of the Sacred Grove.

Me with the monument at the top of the hill. We had to climb up this slippery hill because it had rained the day before in our flip flops and flats. We weren't as prepared as we should have been. But, it was great to see the view at the top and see the symbolism in the monument.

When we got back to New York, it was time for Penny's blessing. This is us on her blessing day. I was grateful I had the chance to attend and be with Amanda and her family this day.

We went to church in the Manhattan Temple. This is where Amanda and I met many years ago. This temple reminds me of the importance of the temple and families. My testimony was strengthened here several years ago from our miracle that happened.

This holiday was much needed and I appreciate Amanda for letting me come and visit. It was a great spiritual experience for me and helped me to see that I need to be where I am for a reason.

My New York Holiday Part 1

I happened to be sitting at church in Manhattan last sunday, and these two cute ladies from England were visiting. The daughter mentioned that they were on holiday--so I decided from now on--all my vacations are going to be called holidays!

So--I spontaneously decided a couple weeks ago that it was time for a holiday. I have been stressed with work--this Chinese Immersion program stuff--has been making me work way hard! I also have been a little overwhelmed with my dating

life here in Utah--but that is a totally different story. I just needed away! So--my

cousin Amanda invited me to come out and visit with her and her in-laws because they were coming and they were going out to upstate to visit the church history sites and attend the Hill Cummorah Pageant. They were also blessing the baby that weekend too, so I decided that this would be a great time to go. It was a perfect

break from my life and now I feel rejuvinated.

Here are some highlights from my holiday. I wish I could post all of my pics on here, but there are a hundred +. So, here's some of the important ones!

My "Cousin" Owen! He kept calling me "Cousin Amy" the whole time I was there. Cousin Owen bonded with me over a bag of white cheddar Cheetos. We were instant friends!

On Wednesday--it was so hot! We decided to go to the Met to enjoy the AC. We explored a few different things there and were educated about musical instruments and Greek art. It was a fun museum to explore.

Penelope (or Penny) slept a lot on our road trip, or she cried. But for the most part, she was good for her big adventure at 6 weeks old. She was blowing bubbles in this pic and I couldn't resist not snapping a photo of her.

When we got to Palmyra Thursday evening, we were able to make it to the dress rehearsal for the Hill Cummorah Pageant. We saw some of the performers before hand and took had them pose for a picture with us.

The Van den Akker family and me at the Joseph Smith home. Many amazing things happened in this home!

Me at the Frame Home. This home was built for the parents as a step up after the first home.

The Alvin Tree--This tree was planted by Alvin Smith--and is still alive. It is over 180 years old. It is a black locust--apparently they don't live that long.

My cousin Amanda and me outside of the Sacred Grove.

Just one of many of my pictures of the Sacred Grove. I love this place!

Me at the Palmyra Temple. This building was so beautiful with the stained glass windows that represented the Sacred Grove. I remember this temple from the live broadcast dedication when I was young. I also have this obsession with taking pictures with signs--call me crazy!

This is the site in Palmyra of the first publication of the Book of Mormon. We didn't take the tour because it was a long one and the kids were tired. But, it was neat to think it happened on this street in Palmyra.

I will continue with part two of this later! It takes a long time to download pictures! But--I want to share them here!

Into the Unknown...

So--I've been pondering a lot lately about things. And I know this entry may sound depressing--I don't mean it to. I am totally ok and happy with my life right now. But--I feel lost.

Those of you who know me well have known my dreams and aspirations. I am a builder--I always have been striving to build others and try to help people make the most of themselves. It used to be my dream to teach college someday and maybe work in the department of career advising. Or do some curriculum development. Or teach education classes. Part of the craziness of me becoming who I have--Miss Masters National Board teacher--is because I'm trying to build a good resume to become what I want someday--it's been a dream of mine.

But--I think I have taken a step away from that direction for the moment. It was accidental. But it has happened. I no longer know what I want out of life. I do--but I don't. It's this weird state of mind I've been in for the past couple of months. It all started when I said yes to the Chinese program.

My school has gone Dual Immersion in Chinese this school year. My principal asked me to take on the role of English Immersion teacher. I accepted...not realizing what this would do to my plans in life. It hasn't been a bad thing by any means--it is going to make my resume look amazing I believe. But--it will delay my future plans. I had plans within the next year of joining up with the DOD to also continue building up my resume by teaching abroad (an by abroad--I thought Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti, someplace exotic!). But--I have come to realize that this program I have agreed to participate in is not something I want to just put a year into. It is a lot of WORK. To turn around and walk away after a year of it is not me. I am a person who when I commit to this kind of a task--I commit.

So--in the meantime, I am looking for a reason, roaming through the night to find my place in this world (just like Michael W. Smith sings it...). I don't really know where I belong right now. I feel a little lost and confused about life. But...amazingly--I feel okay with it for the time being. I think God is aware of me and what I am doing--and I feel that I was not put in this position by accident. Part of me wonders why though. It seems when I make decisions, other things happen.

For now, I will keep looking for my place. I think for now--I am in it. And someday I will make those dreams of mine--from motherhood to my teaching career goals. But--I have come to realize it is all about timing.

I wanted to also remind all my mother friends out there--you are so lucky to have the privilege of raising children in this earth life. I am jealous--but yet supportive of you. Cherish what you have...and love these children. They are special spirits of our Heavenly Father--I see them everyday and am grateful for the chance I have to influence them in the smallest way. But you--you can do amazing things for them. You are their mother--and nothing compares to that.

For now for me--here's to a new beginning--this Chinese Adventure. It has already opened my eyes to the amazingness of God's children. It has made me see how precious they are and how much they are capable of. I feel blessed to have this opportunity to play the role I've been assigned right now--even if it is off the beaten path. It may be as Robert Frost wrote...

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.