Table for Eight

Ozzy Lusth, Dawn Meehan--ME!, and Whitney Duncan. (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. Last night I had a dream I was on Survivor South Pacific competing in a challenge against Ozzy from Micronesia AND a country singer named Whitney Duncan. Wait a minute. That wasn't a dream! Holy moly. Can you believe this-- I'm on Survivor South Pacific.  Quick, someone get a camera. I'm going to need a picture to prove this all really happened. I mean, really--what in the honk?  How did this happen?  How did I go from dreaming about this game to actually PLAYING it? Ahhh ... best feeling ever. Episode 4: Shoulder the Load Challenge. (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. (PS: In case you didn't know, Monty--the photographer--is actually a native Utahn. Woop woop!) It's nothing short of incredible, I tell ya. And I mean that wholeheartedly: INCREDIBLE. And one day, I'm going to share more with you about that--about how this big dream of mine became a realit

My Redemption Island Dual. (See, I get mad, too. And it looks like I'm about to swear, no?) (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. (*With thanks to SurvivorFever.net for the video capture.) Well, it's the day before my dual against Whitney and Ozzy at Redemption Island--and I'm nervous. It definitely feels like game time, and my brain/noodle won't let me think of anything BUT Survivor today.  So for today's post, I thought today I'd answer a few Survivor-related questions people have emailed me over the past week. (Oh, and if you have a question, you can definitely email me. I'll try my best to answer it: dawn_meehan@byu.edu) First Tribal Council for Savaii. (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. **** Your Questions Answered Sidenote:  If you're new to my blog, I should mention, all cast members are under contact with  CBS NOT to answer certain questions about the game.  SO, while I can answer  questions about myself, there are some thin

Whitney during the Redemption Island Dual. (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. (*With thanks to SurvivorFever.net for posting the video captures.) This is a huge week on Survivor South Pacific: Whitney, Ozzy, and I have our dual at Redemption Island. And from the looks of the promos, it's going to be a nail-biter.  I can't wait. Ozzy during the dual. (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. (*With thanks to SurvivorFever.net for posting the video captures.) Me during the dual--holding my breath. (I don't think this is what they mean by "put on your game face.") (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. (*With thanks to SurvivorFever.net for posting the video captures.) Ahhhh: a recovery? (C) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2011. (*With thanks to SurvivorFever.net for posting the video captures.) PS:  If you watched the recap, I HAVE to share a couple of my thoughts and questions as a viewer (Remember, I'm watching the show for the first time just

Our family really loves December.  In addition to the holidays,  it's a month PACKED with special days for us:  --our daughter's bday, --Dave's bday, --my mother-in-law Mary's bday, --the anniversary of Jr. & LuLu's adoption (2 years now). --and this year, the finale for Survivor South Pacific. There are so many reasons for us to celebrate.   December is really going to be one big THANK YOU to the universe for all of the love and good in our lives this year. And here's how we're going to celebrate: 1. Making the annual gingerbread houses. (Some years they are homemade house,  some years they are store bought.) 2. Seeing the Nativity and lights at Temple Square. (in Salt Lake City, UT) 3. Playing in the snow. (And having our Pet Shoppes play in the snow.) 4. Eating a lot of birthday cake. (Although not that much for me--Survivor Finale on December 18th. Can't be going on nation

Here are some of the things on my mind this November morning: 1. Thanksgiving. I've mentioned this before, but I'd been dreaming about Thanksgiving since summer this year. Something about being very very hungry-- for a very very long time --makes you DREAM for a day where your plate is filled to overflowing. And, a day when your family is all around. (With their plates filled to overflowing, too.)  SO . . . in my mind, yesterday was a perfect day: food and family. My first plate. Three of our 6 kiddos--just before dinner. (Sparkling cider in tea cups, PS. Not champagne . Ha.) After dinner, we took a drive to find "The Best Lights In Our Neighborhood." We dubbed this one, "A Very Very Blue Christmas," the winner. 2. Black Friday. I'll be honest, I've never really been a BIG Black Friday shopper, but after spending the summer in one outfit (my pink dress), without a roof over my head, without my family, with zer

Potatoes are peeled, cinnamon rolls are rising, turkey is nearly trimmed, and the kids are still asleep. Isn't this THE best holiday ever?! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Much love, Dawn *** PS:  We'll talk leftovers, Black Friday, Christmas, Hannukah . . .  and Survivor South Pacific tomorrow.

Me, Whitney, Cochran and Ozzy's arm . . . "preparing" a chicken dinner. Survivor South Pacific video capture, (C) CBS, 2011. (* With thanks to SurvivorFever.net for posting) Well, I must say, it feels so good to know that this is one night in the game I'm not going home. What? Did I win the dual against Ozzy and Whitney? Well, I can't say that. But what I can say is that tonight's Survivor South Pacific is a recap--or review of the season-- with all new footage . So, no Immunity Challenges, no Tribal Council, no Redemption Dual--just plain old Survivor fun. Can I get an amen.  Amen. **** PS: Just as a warning, for my PETA friends . . . the promos for this episode do seem to show the chickens "crossing over." If you know what I mean. (Apologies in advance--to the chickens and viewers. I was starving and just couldn't say no.  Well, I could have said no,  but you know what I mean.) PPS: I hope you

Yesterday four of the cutest small people (ages 3-8) came to visit me at BYU--and take a picture with their "favorite Survivor." (Could you die? I did.) They were in town from Colorado for the Thanksgiving holiday . . . and so they came by meet ME ( and Jimmer! ). Anyway, they were such cute kids. And they had a lot of questions for me.  BUT, one of their questions really got me thinking: They wanted to know "if I was still friends with other players in the game?" In other words, had forgiven other players for things they'd said  or actions they'd taken in the game? ( Specifically, Cochran. Tee hee.) Deep, no? I thought so.  And while I wanted to answer and say, "Here's how I feel about player X or player Y," I couldn't . . . because of the contract we have with CBS not to talk about production/game/post-game while we are still in the game (And I'm still in it--even on Redemption Island. Don't forget.). So here

Have a great Monday. Lots to smile about this week: 1. Short work week. (For me, Monday is last workday. Wow.) 2. Short school w eek. (For kids, Wednesday is last day.) 3. The chickens are the only ones "going home" this week on Survivor 23. (Ep 11 is a recap--no dual, just deleted scenes. They look good, too, CBS.com has the promo. I've also hyperlinked linked this text.) 4. U.S. Thanksgiving on Thursday (holiday). (Family, food, fun, football, parades . . . love it.) 5. Christmas kick-off on Friday. (Love December. Winter weather. Christmas. Hannukah. Kwanza. And a New Year on the horizon. Seems like December has all the fun.) **** PS: I shared my family's Thanksgiving Menu on Saturday's post (below). There are links to the recipes if you want to try something new. (I love recipe swaps, so please send me one of yours, too . . . if you have the time. Oh, and if it takes me a few days to reply, please know that I'm g

My first homemade pie crust--2010. I have been planning this Thanksgiving menu since about Day 23 in the game/Survivor. Truly. And there's SO MUCH much I want to add on that topic, but I can't at this time (CBS contract). Dang. However, I can share that menu with you. Yay. It's comprised of our family's traditional Thanksgiving dishes-- with a twist. I've added a few new dishes to honor some of "my family" in the South Pacific. (Dishes I heard them speak about . . . a lot!) *wink wink* Our Thanksgiving Menu PS: Most recipes are hyperlinked. (My family ones will be under Recipes of the Week by end of day.)    Turkey (prepared in this brine from The Pioneer Woman) My Mom's Sage Stuffing (See Recipe of the Week) Dave's Glazed Rosemary Carrots (See Recipe of Week) Everyone's Green Bean Casserole Thyme-Roasted Sweet Potatoes SC's Brussel Sprouts with Chestnuts