A Shenanigan of a Crock

This past month of summer, I think I have averaged making some sort of breakfast food for dinner at least 1/2 of that time. Most of the other nights have been filled with fast food or pizza--and a few nights of me actually cooking something worthwhile.

My excuses are abundant--but the biggest one is soccer and swim are 4 nights a week right during the cooking of dinner hour. So, by the time we get home--it's too late for anything but a bowl of cereal, pizza or french toast.

Saturday I decided enough was enough. I got out my trusty never been used since I got it for Christmas "Fix-It and Forget It Cookbook" and began planning out my shopping list according to meals I thought sounded easy to throw in the crockpot--yet tasty for my family. I call it, "A Crock of a Week."

Monday, as you well know, I was at scout camp from morning until night--and so we had leftovers. Crocking requires some availability around 12 pm.

Around noon on Tuesday, I got my ingredients going for "Chicken ala Coco" (I have renamed some of the crockpot meals so my kids will think what they are eating is cooler than it really is).

On Tuesdays, the twins swim from 5-6 and have soccer practice from 630-730--which doesn't leave much time for cooking dinner (on the way home from soccer, Aussie actually asked if we were having pizza or cereal). As we walked in the door around 745 pm, the house smelled great and the kids were excited to try "Chicken ala Coco".

DH and Jay had already eaten and said it was great. DH actually raved on and on about the gloriousness of it and even gave it an 11 out of 10--and if you read my post about DH's rating system--you'll know this is a rare treat.

I got the kids' plates ready--serving the "Chicken ala Coco" over rice with some veggies on the side. It did smell divine & look good too.

Before I had even sat down to take my first bite, Aussie said, "This tastes weird--can I just have cereal?"

"Give it a chance," I answered.

I took my first bite. Aussie was right--it did taste kind of weird. But, I gave it a chance. Still weird. I gave it so many chances that I lost count--and it was still weird tasting to me.

As I was cleaning up dinner, DH came in the kitchen and said, "I think I have a new favorite meal! That was the best chicken I have ever had--did I tell you I give it an 11 out of 10?"

"Yes, you did," I answered, thinking, too bad I'm never making it again.

"Did you not like it?" DH asked increduoulsy.

"No, it was weird tasting," I answered.

"You've got to be kidding me! That's like the best thing you've made in months!" he replied {bordering on a compliment turning into an insult}.

DH continued to try and convince me of its fabulousity--and I continued to try and tell him that the Chef didn't like it--and what the Chef doesn't like, the Chef doesn't make. And so it goes.

{By the way, I've decided the weird tasting ingredient may be the cloves--so when I make this on March 5th, 2009 (DH's birthday)--I think I'll omit that ingredient.}

Recipe for Chicken ala Coco

{3 out of 5 Hansen's LOVE this recipe}

(I modified the recipe out of the book--so you are getting my take)

1 c coconut milk
1 c water
24 chicken tenderloins (from the frozen bag at Costco--the recipe called for 8 chicken thighs, skinned)
1 c brown sugar
4 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp ground cloves
3 garlic cloves, minced
1. Combine coconut milk & water. Pour into greased slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients in order listed.
3. Cover. Cook on low 5-6 hours.

P.S. I thought last night's "Cowboy Casserole" was a whole lot better--but DH only gave it a 8.5--and then when he had his second plate--bumped it up to a 9. The kids all liked it too.

P.S.S. Tonight I'm crockin' "Chicken Cacciatore"--wish me luck!

Draper Temple, Angel Moroni, and One Sheepish Mama

I got an email yesterday (after the fact--or I would've gone up to watch the action)---that said, "A gold-leafed pedestal and statue of the angel Moroni were hoisted atop the single central spire of the Draper Utah Temple today. The Moroni raising marks an important milestone of construction and coincides with completion of the exterior granite facing of the building."

Click on this link if you'd like to see pictures of the event.

So, the twins & I went up after soccer practice and saw Angel Moroni, high up on the temple, with the sun setting behind him--in all his glory. What a sight! It was awesome to see.

Savvy said, "Wow, he's golden. I always thought Angel Moroni was silver." {what the?}

Aussie said, "Mom, what if someone tries to steal Angel Moroni. People like to steal gold." {I told him it would likely be a hard thing to steal.}

Then they asked me who the "Moroni" was in Angel Moroni. I thought he was Captain Moroni--the title of liberty Moroni--but the twins disagreed wholeheartedly with my answer.

Aussie said, "Mom, you know how there are like 5 Nephi's in the Book of Mormon? Well, there is more than one Moroni too."

Aussie wanted me to call the Bishop and ask him. Savvy thought I should call & ask my friend, Mary.

Yes, loyal readers, I finally figured out (on my own--well with a little help from lds.org hehe) that it was Mormon's son, Moroni (cut me some slack--he was named after Captain Moroni) who is the one that buried the gold plates in the first place.

LDS.org says, "Moroni is a Book of Mormon prophet who was the son of Mormon. He received the record of his people from his father, and after writing a final message he buried the gold plates in a hill until they could be brought forth and translated. He appeared as a resurrected being to Joseph Smith and gave him the gold plates for translation, as well as instruction pertaining to the Restoration of the gospel. A statue of Moroni, with a trumpet to his lips, appears on almost all temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has come to symbolize the proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ in latter-days to every creature."

Feeling sheepish, I told my kids they were right! And they graciously gloated all over the place.

I guess it's true what they say...

...And the children shall lead.

The Scouting Chronicles

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

Dear Diary:

Went to Cub Scout Day Camp with Aussie and 11 other 8 & 9 year old boys today. It was a good time. I liked it better than last year--the theme was a kick--Superheroes. Best of all, there were only a few shenanigans to speak of.

Shenanigan #1--Missed out on doing the ever-important head count BEFORE we left the church. The gal I was carpooling with (forgot to bring her cell phone) -- pulled alongside me ON THE FREEWAY at 65 mph -- during rush hour -- and yelled through open windows. "Do you have *Eddie?

Quickly checking my boys, I yelled back, "No!"

"AHHH!" we both yelled.

I made a frantic phone call to one my girlfriends and asked if she had seen said *Eddie. She had seen him at the church.

I thought about it and remembered seeing *Eddie climbing trees in the church parking lot. As I pictured our lost cub scout crying in a tree--the boys in the back seat said that they saw Eddie get in my carpooling companion's (CC) vehicle. So, I pulled up alongside CC--and at the same time we both yelled--

Me: "You've got him in your car!"

CC: "I've got him in my car!"

Whew. That was a close one. Thank goodness the only witness were the 12 cub scouts--and who's going to believe what they say anyway?

Shenanigan #2-- Gotta love that canyon dirt. It provided better coverage than the sunblock our scout moms so fastidiously applied to their young. Of course, I remembered the dirt from last year--so I opted out on the sunblock and went straight for the dirt block. "Aussie! Stop! Drop! and Roll!" I yelled. He complied along with 11 other freshly oiled boys.

Shenanigan #3--They turned me loose with a BB gun. We had two fun Boy Scouts leading our group around the day camp. One of our rotations was a BB gun shooting range. Secretly, in my head, I wanted to shoot the guns. But, I tried to play it cool. Then, during the last rotation of boys there were two spots open--and our Boy Scouts asked if me and CC wanted to have a turn on the range! I locked, loaded, and pumped that gun like there was no tomorrow. {I only shot 6 out of 11 targets--don't tell my brothers!} But, it was the most fun I had all day. {And when our boy scouts said--time to put the guns down--I pretended I didn't hear and shot off another round. Aren't I a good example to our scouts?}

Shenanigan #4--Flies like me. With my new do, I have to use this stuff called hair wax. Who knew that flies would think my hair was honey--and get stuck in it a couple of times. NASTY!

Shenanigan #5--Cub scouts lose things. Note to self: next year tell parents not to send hats with their boys. Only 4 boys out of our 12 wore hats (mine was one of them--but he never lost his)--and I think I retrieved the same 3 hats at least 10 times each!

Shenanigan #6--Port-a-potties at scout camp. Do they ever empty them? Oh man! They were soooo bad that even the scouts didn't want to use them--and what do they know about sanitary conditions--they were covered in an inch of dirt? One of our scouts said to me, "I need to use the bathroom." I offered to walk him up to the portapoopies. He said, "No, those are gross. Can I just go in those trees?" We informed him that if every boy went in the trees then the trees would smell like the portapoopies. He opted to hold it for 2 hours (as did the rest of us). P.S. To the pregnant scout leader of troop 201--you are a brave and courageous woman. Every time I took a scout to the nasty portapoopies--there you were--exiting the nasty place--with a horrified look on your face. You my sista have earned a place in the celestial kingdom.

Shenanigan #7--Cub Scouts need a pack mule--and I'm a good one. At each station our scouts would get something to take home with them--a homemade map of their neighborhood, their fingerprint, an emergency number list, etc. As we walked away from each station, they'd hand them to me to carry (CC was smart and said no to the first request). By the end of the day, I was wishing I was a mama kangaroo with a pouch to put everything in.

Shenanigan #8--A twenty minute ride to the scout camp will turn into an hour long ride home if there is an accident on the freeway. Plan for a marathon game of I-Spy--and be sure to have extra snacks in the car.

As you can see dear diary, a good time was had by all. (and it only took 2 showers to get the dirt off of me and 3 showers for Aussie).

Sincerely,
One Sassy Mama

*names have been changed to protect the innocent...

...well mostly me

Ode to Cubscout Day Camp

Dirty, Dusty

Smelly, Musty

Filthy, Messy

Grimy, Grubby

Fun

Friday Gems

"If we would maintain the independence and freedom the Founding Fathers intended, we must work to preserve and protect the moral foundation upon which they built the U. S. government. We must stand boldly for righteousness and truth, and must defend the cause of honor, decency, and personal freedom..."

M. Russell Ballard, “Religion in a Free Society,” Ensign, Oct 1992, 64

I Heart LDS Gems!

For the past year, I have subscribed to a fabulous email from LDS.org called LDS Gems.

They have various themes--Family Gems, Daily Gems, Youth Gems, & Family History Gems. I receive the emails almost daily and each gem contains an inspirational quote on various topics from prophets & general authorities.

But, what made me Heart LDS Gems all the more--was when I got an email a few days ago informing me that I could now access LDS gems via my

google reader.

The best part about having the Gems on my googler is now I have tons and tons of inspirational quotes on many gospel topics saved in one easy location to use in talks, family home evenings & lessons (which by the by I should be working on right now instead of singing the praises of LDS gems).

A Gem Sampling...

I loved this quote so much I used it in

my talk on Sunday

...from Family Gems.

"Perhaps most significant of all classrooms is the classroom of the home. It is in the home that we form our attitudes, our deeply held beliefs. It is in the home that hope is fostered or destroyed. Our homes are the laboratories of our lives. What we do there determines the course of our lives when we leave home. Dr. Stuart E. Rosenberg wrote in his book The Road to Confidence, 'Despite all new inventions and modern designs, fads and fetishes, no one has yet invented, or will ever invent, a satisfying substitute for one's own family.' " Thomas S. Monson, "Precious Children--A Gift from God," Ensign, Nov. 1991, 68

I really liked this one too...

Talking with God Personally

...from Daily Gems.

"It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our solicitation can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer."
Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 2007, 8.

So sign up for LDS Gems today! It's easy--Just click on the giant LDS Gems above. (And if you don't have Google Reader shame on you yet--then be sure to sign up for the Gems via email.)

P.S. I heart LDS Gems so much...I feel a theme day coming on--watch for "Friday Gems"--starting tomorrow--{after I've finished my lesson of course}.

A Repeat Performance

You know how they say history repeats itself?

Well, unfortunately so does procrastination.

In my last post, I mentioned how my talk didn't get itself written until the night before. Well, I'm headed down the same path with my RS lesson for Sunday.

Is it really already Thursday?

Or have I stumbled into a time machine and ended up 3 days further into the future than I wanted to be?

I was going to get my lesson going on Sunday night. Really, I was. But, c'mon I'd just given a talk--didn't I deserve the night off?

Monday. I had to clean the house. Then I sent a carefully crafted email to the RS ladies. Re-upped my subscription with Paper Crafts Magazine. Took the kids to the Library. Swung by Albie's for some smokin' deals on groceries. Dropped Jordyn off at swim team. Family Night. But, I promised myself I'd get to my lesson on Tuesday.

Tuesday. Time for the monthly Sunrise Temple group. We left at 4:30 am for the 5 am session and if that isn't going to put a kink in my cog I don't know what will. After the temple, we headed to Mimi's for breakfast and a meeting. Got home around 9am. Picked Jay up from swim team and dropped the twins off at swim lessons at 930 am. Registered the twins at Summit (their new charter school--also the home of my new TA job in the fall). Picked the twins up at 1015 and headed home for some summer slavin'. After the slavery, sent Jay off to the movies with some friends. Picked up Jay at the movies. Took the twins to swim team from 5-6 and then soccer practice from 630-730--tried to read over my lesson but instead of bringing May 2008's Ensign--I brought May 2007's Ensign. Made a late dinner. Went to bed around 915 {I'm telling you, that 345 am rising is for the birds--and maybe my Grandpa}. As I drifted off to sleep, I promised myself I'd get to my lesson on Wednesday.

Wednesday. Went to a swim meet {I have the sunburn to prove it} with Jay. We left at 715 am and got home at 130 pm--on the way home we stopped at imitation Inn-&-Out burger Chadders & a quick stop to buy a couple of birthday presents for Savvy's drive-inn birthday party she had been invited to that night. Tried to take a nap (me+sun=not a good thing), tried to read a book, tried to blog, talked on the phone, tried to clean the house {and with the assistance of the slaves succeed on that goal}, went to the twins soccer game from 530-630 pm (curse you summer soccer league!), did visits with the RS presidency, visited some more in my driveway with the RSP till 11, fell asleep quickly at 11:30 on black beauty. But, I promised myself that I'd get to my lesson on Thursday.

Thursday. Got DH and Jay off at 715 for another day at the pool. Checked some emails. Blogged. And now I'm headed upstairs for some whip-crackin' -- this house will be shining like the top of the Chrysler building by 11 am--cuz I've got a Family BBQ here tomorrow night!

And then? I'm pretty sure. Almost positive. That I will start my lesson for Sunday.
{P.S. My lesson is from April's General Conference. It is on Cheryl Lant's wonderful talk on Righteous Traditions--one of my favorite talks from GC. If you have any fabulous ideas, object lessons etc--and I use it--I will send you a fabulous prize that has yet to be determined...Promise! }

{Fine Print: Please allow 10-12 weeks for the crafting of and mailing of said item--or just come and visit me and eliminate the tricksy & troublesome post office step.}