Decisions, decisions...

So here are my favorite family pictures from our photo shoot with our friend from our ward. Does this mean we are getting out a Christmas card this year? Why, yes it does! Which is why I need your help pronto! Which do you like best?

 

 

A New Calling...

Well, I was released from Cub Scouts on Sunday after serving there for over three years here in San Diego. Can you guess where I'm serving now? It has to do with these lovely colors, white, blue, red, green, orange, yellow, purple and gold.

 

Aaron's Watercolor Portfolio

Aubrey started a Rhythmic Gymnastics class on Mondays and I found out that the center also has teaches art classes so I signed up Aaron. He's been coming home with some really great art work.

 

 

 

 

November Card Swap

Jen's Sumi Salad

Mike and I recently discovered a tasty Japanese grill close by our house. I loved the sumi salad. It reminded me of a cabbage salad that my mom used to make except hers had ramen noodles in it. I decided to experiment with my own version. So here it is!

I'm not sure why the picture turned out tiny but it is definitely big on flavor. badabing! Okay, so here's what you want to do. First, start out by going on down to Trader Joe's and picking up a bag of shredded cabbage, a bag of chopped kale, and a bag of the broccoli slaw. You'll thank me later.

Ingredients for Jen's Freakin' Awesome Sumi Salad:

1 bag shredded cabbage (about 2-3 cups)
2 cups of chopped kale (rinse, remove big stems, and chop into smaller size)
1/2 bag of broccoli slaw (about 1 1/2 - 2 cups)
4 stalks of celery, chopped
2 cups of rinsed, chopped cilantro
5-7 green onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 orange bell pepper, chopped
1/3 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Dressing:

2-3 T. sesame oil
3-4 T. rice vinegar
2 tsp agave, OR a couple packets of Stevia (that's what I used)
1 tsp kosher salt
Lots of fresh ground pepper

Toast the sesame seeds and almonds on the stove top in a dry nonstick pan or in the oven at 400 for a few minutes and then set aside to cool. Combine all your veggies in a big bowl. Whisk your dressing and add to veggies. Stir to coat evenly. It won't look like you have enough dressing but trust me, it will be fine. You can add choose to add the sesame seeds and almonds now or before serving. I just added mine. Chill salad for a few hours. Tastes great for days and is a tasty way to get in your veggies!!!

You can add or subtract any veggies you want. I tried chopped parsley in my first batch and wasn't too impressed but you know how healthy parsley is so maybe I'll just add less next time. I usually buy my peppers in the 3 pack from TJ's and you could opt to add the yellow pepper too.

Extraordinary Stake Relief Society Activity

Our Stake Relief Society performed a vignette entitled "Extraordinary Calling" for the 170th birthday of the Relief Society last month. A friend from my ward, wrote the vignette about the founding sisters and asked me to get involved after a cast member fell ill. I was a little nervous and apprehensive but after the first rehearsal, I knew this would be an amazing production to be a part of. So, I accepted the invitation to play Martha Knight. I even got to work with the wardrobe designer to figure out my costume. I ended up making a dickie with collar and sleeves to coordinate with the apron and skirt.

Janet Hogstrom, myself, Tina Jacobson

Ruth Taylor and myself

Here's most of the cast after the play. We had some really neat bonnets and costumes. My friend Jeanette, in the brown dress with white shawl, played Emma Smith. She did a great job.

The stage appeared as an old school house with old fashioned chairs and furniture. I was able to lend my old fashioned chair that went to my roll top desk that I used as a teenager.

One of the miracles that occured the day of the performance was Mike's unexpected early arrival home from a business trip. He had been scheduled to be in India until Friday and I had booked my babysitter weeks ahead of time. Well, my babysitter contacted me Thursday morning and had to cancel because she was running a fever and quite sick. I was scrambling all afternoon to figure out what I was going to do with the kids. And then Mike walked through the door at 2:00 in the afternoon! It was a huge relief!