Table for Eight

It has been almost impossible to blog the last 10 days or so: 1. We've had strep throat--all 7 of us (and it's been staggered in terms of when/how sick each of us have been). 2. It's been snowing a bit (and our commutes have been a little different as a result). 3. Our dearest family friends the Conleys learned that their father/husband/Dave's amazing boss for many years--Bill's--leukemia is no longer in remission. And in fact, it has spread to his nervous system. So time is short. He's in the hospital now and family is rallying around him. We know he's surrounded by love. But it is hard to process. We feel so much sadness. And I could go on an on, but I don't want to be a downer. I just feel like I can't really take time to write a recipe or post too many photos. It feels more important to BE in the moment right now ...  and not writing about the moments. But I will for sure blog when I am able. PS: I hope  you are well. (And thanks so mu

  I began blogging March of 2006. That's right, March of 2006! (That's hard to believe.) So in honor of Throwback Thursday, I thought it would be fun(ny) to share a recipe from one of my earlier blogs (8/18/09).  Wow! A lot has changed since 2006 (For instance, our kids are GIANTS now.). And yet, not much has changed. (For instance, I'm still making Potato Leek Soup these days. See below.) ZuZu--the year I began blogging. (At BYU Bowling Alley--how hilarious is that? We were just there Monday!)   O riginally posted 8/18/2009: I didn't even know how to "categorize" the leek until I made Julia Child's potato and leek soup last night. How can I be in my late 30s and not know a thing about leeks? That's just crazy! And it makes me wonder how many other life experiences I've passed over so far? Eeek. That nearly gives me an anxiety attack, actually. But, back to the soup--which is actually called "Potage Parmentier&

There's a great scene i n the movie The Bird Cage , where Robin Williams' chara cter is concerned about his partner's sta te of mind ( played by Nathan Lan e ).   A s he ( Williams) laundry-lists his concerns , Lane's character heads o ver to their "Humble Man-Servant" ( Hank A zaria) and says, "Give me a PIRIN" tablet and I'll be fin e." To which William s' character says, "You're giving him drugs?" To which Azaria replies, "No. Shhhh ! It's A spirin with the 'A' and the 'S' scratched off. " Fol ks. I think Dave and I have been living that scene over and over again these past two weeks--as life has dealt us some pretty overwhelming challenges. And honestly, if it weren't for the PIRIN tablets (and a n insanely funny /supportive family ) , I think I'd have a head ache the size of Tex as.   So, what are the challenges? Well, I think they're norma l every d

Lu and me--many months ago (However, I did wear this cardigan yesterday, so it feels like yesterday. Ha!) About three or four times a week, I'll see a friend and we'll each say our normal "How are yous?"--only my friend's  "How are you?" seems to have much much more emphasis on the HOW . And at first I'm thinking, "I must really look like heck today--if they are putting that much emphasis on the HOW ." (Like, HOW on earth did you go outside looking like that, Dawn?) And that's when it hits me: this is a friend who reads my blog ... and since I haven't been blogging regularly, they're really wondering HOW I am doing . So, I just want to make sure everyone knows, I am doing well. I'm healthy and happy--and grateful for each day.  But, I'll be honest, life has been really wonky these past 5 months and it's made it hard to blog daily or even weekly sometimes. But I am doing well.  A

BYU, Provo Utah. (Where I teach.) It's Finals Week at BYU--woo hoo! That means two things: graduation AND lots of grading. Be back to blogging soon. *** PS: Survivor tonight. What are you thinking--who's our next jury member going to be? I'm thinking Leif.

About 8 years ago, I went to an "Enrichment" class at church in California. The class was taught by our Bishop's wife (whom I absolutely love PS). I signed up for the class because SHE was teaching it. I really didn't know what we'd be learning that night (these monthly classes run on all kind of topics--service auctions, birthday dinners, game nights, etc.); I only knew that I needed to bring a pie-tin if I wanted to participate. And so I went. Pie-tin in-hand--and learned to bake bread. And the rest, as they say, is  history . What I mean to say is, that night literally changed my life. And I'm not exaggerating. To date, I think I've made bread--rain or shine, feast or famine, sickness or health--at least once a week EVERY week for the last 8 years. (Well, minus 2 months when I was in Samoa playing Survivor.) Learning to make bread was like a revelation to me. I love love love the process of making bread . . . * I love the m

I'm ready to celebrate! As of yesterday, I've been blogging for SIX solid years!  (Minus a month or two last summer when I played Survivor). I feel like that's a pretty big accomplishment. I mean, outside of breathing, eating, and praying, I can't think of anything else I've done--consistently--for 6 whole years. ( How about you? ) Anyway, my point! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog (Dave, mom, dad, kids, Janae, Caralyn in Canada, Liz, Whitt, Rita the Mosquita, Megan in California--to name a few). It has meant so much to me to write each day, share my life, and connect with other people here on the blog.  Truly, thank you. Mwah-- from me to you! Oh, and wait! The giveaway! I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway for 3 temporary lip tattoos--since I learned all about them on my layover in Las Vegas this weekend. They really are all the rage. And the glitter ones are my fave. (c) Violent L