EDITED MOVIES

There was an edited movie website that was going out of business and I ended up buying a few of my old favorites. I know that it is changing the 'artistic integrity' (trying not to scoff) of the movie, but so what? I LOVE the idea! Why should I have to listen to bad language or watch bloody gore if I don't want to?

Braveheart is a great old standby that I still love. The soundtrack is amazing too. I love the edited version because all the blood and guts are gone.

I love all the Terminator movies (well, I haven't seen #3). Time travel has always been fascinating to me. I got both 1 and 2.

Last of the Mohicans is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies! I am so happy that I own it, but I watched it last night and they edited out the kissing scene! SUCH a shame. It is one the best kissing scenes of all time! I'd forgotten how much I love the music too. I used to own the soundtrack on cassette once upon a time...

SKI DATE

D got Big C and I some ski passes to Park City and we used them yesterday. It was a good ski day. The wind was chilly, but some of the runs were protected so we just stayed there. I am tired, sore, and sun/wind burned today, but it was worth it!

I also got a new ski coat and got to try it out. I LOVE IT! Plus, it was 50% off! If you need a new ski coat for anyone in your family, Park's Sportsman (link) in Orem has everything 50% off.

Then we got Big C some new skis for 40% off at Kirkham's in SLC. We are both thrilled with our new purchases!

RIVER GUIDE

My daughter got a job as a river guide for the summer. I have mixed feelings about it. I KNOW she will be great at it, but I am not very fond of the lifestyle she will live. I think she will be living in a tent all summer long. I don't want her becoming a hippie (which is exactly what she wants to be).

CASCADE (click for link) is the company she will be working for. They do trips on all the Payette Rivers up by Boise, ID. So if you're looking for adventure this summer, head on up. She'll do a great job for you!

TORTELLINI SOUP

I just got this recipe from a friend (we'll call her 'Chuck') and LOVE IT! One of the first things my kids commented on what how pretty it is. But it is just as yummy as it is pretty.

TORTELLINI SOUP

1 lb Mild Italian Sausage (brown with 2 cloves garlic and 1 med. onion)

2 cans Chicken Broth

4 cups water

1 can diced tomatoes (plain)

1 lg. can tomato sauce

3 large carrots (slice thinly)

1 Tbsp. Oregano

2 tsp. Basil

1 Bay leaf

30 min. before you eat, add:

2-3 sliced zucchini (I left that out)

1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach- thawed and drained

2 cans Kidney beans (I only used one- we are not fans of legumes)

In separate pot cook tortellini (8 0z.)only 4 min., drain and add to soup.

Grate parmesan cheese and sprinkle on top.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

Today would be my mom's 72nd birthday. I really miss her. She is such a part of who I am. Happy birthday, Mom! I love you!

This was her 64th birthday.

This was her 67th birthday.

20 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Holy smokes! I can't believe it has been that long! Big C and I are getting old, but we're doing it together, so that's okay! I thought I'd do a brief timeline of our 20 years, so read on if you like, or skim through, or just skip it all together. It is more for me than anyone else.

20 YEAR TIMELINE:

• 1991- Married in Manti temple, S was born 11 months later (to the day)
• 1992- I graduated from USU and we moved down to Ephraim.
• 1993- Built our own house, Big C worked for his dad, I taught art at Manti High
• 1994- D born, I became stay-at-home mom
• 1995- Taught art at Middle School in Ephraim, Trip to Southern Colorado without kids

1995- Moab

• 1996- A born, Became a stay-at-home mom again, started annual trips to Denver in Summer.
• 1997- S started kindergarten
• 1998- Took kids skiing for the first time
• 1999- D starts kindergarten, Big C starts kayaking
• 2000- S baptized, Little C born, Nana passes away

2001- Ephraim

• 2001- Start running rivers regularly, A starts kindergarten, I start teaching at Snow College
• 2002- Olympic torch run past Mom's house, D baptized, Trip to Chile
• 2003- Trip to Hawaii (Big C &I), Princess P born
• 2004- First trip to Disneyland, A baptized, Gma Black passes away
• 2005- L killed in avalanche, my first trip to NYC

2006- Green River

• 2006- My mom passes away, D receives priesthood, Little C starts kindergarten
• 2007- My trip to DC, Snake River Trip, Big C starts snowkiting
• 2008- Built roof over patio, A receives priesthood

2009- Ephraim Canyon

• 2009- My trip to Chicago, 1st Payette Rivers Trip
• 2010- Princess P starts kindergarten, S graduates high school
• 2011- 2nd trip to NYC, 20 year anniversary

SHEEP SKULL ON A MAP

I haven't done any art for a LONG time, so I thought I would post something I just did. A colleague asked me to sub for them on Tuesday and I owed him big time, so I said yes.

Turns out the students were just drawing and he wanted me to as well, so here we are. Very reminiscent of stuff from the Drawing 2 class I took last year because it is the same colleague that taught it. If you look really closely you can see that the paper is actually a map. (You can click on it and zoom in if you really want to).

17TH BIRTHDAY

It is my oldest son's day of birth today. I am blown away that my second child is 17 years old. I really do not feel that old. He is such a great son I just wanted to take a few minutes and brag about him.

There have been quite a few posts on my blog lately with him in them. He is kind of our quiet boy (sometimes), so it has been fun to spotlight him a bit more than usual.

Here are some fun things about him:

1. He is kind to everyone. Don't get me wrong, he loves to tease EVERYONE, but he is kind.
2. He is a great drummer.
3. He is an amazing snowboarder. (I'm sure you've seen the photos).
4. If I ask him to do something, he does it without me having to remind him. (All you moms out there know what a wonderful quality that is!)
5. He has shot up 6 inches this year, and is still growing (much to his relief).
6. He honors his priesthood.
7. He has been mistaken for Justin Beiber.
8. He has a fun sense of humor.
9. His hair grows like a weed.
10. He's been a good driver so far, no wrecks, just a little bit too much speed.

FRIENDS IN JAPAN

I have a friend from Japan that I met at Snow College. We had an art class together and have stayed in contact ever since (over 20 years now). She is a very good correspondent and I've always loved writing letters too, so we know quite a bit about each other's families. Now that we have email we probably communicate less, which sounds strange, but is true.

She sent me this picture of her with her family (she is top right) on Christmas. She and her husband own a bakery and they always have the most beautiful food in their photos.

Her daughters are the same ages as my oldest and my third and have written my kids letters and sent us lots of Pokemon and Hello Kitty stuff through the years.

Needless to say, I was very concerned about her when I heard about the earth quake. Luckily they live on a different island (Hokkaido) north of the tsunami and were untouched, with no damage at all. I am so happy they are fine and doing well.

MY EAGLE SCOUT

We finally got around to having D's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. The card he received gives the date of last June, so we are VERY behind, but finally got it done.

Here are Big C and I with his buddy, K (an Eagle Scout), and his mentor that presented his Eagle to him, Brother D.

Here are the cousins in their uniforms. What a handsome group. My mom and dad would be so proud.

Here are all my men in their uniforms. I love them and am so proud of D. He is a very good kid and I SO appreciate that! (Little C looks thrilled to be there, huh.)

JUNIOR PROM #2

It was D's Junior Prom! He looked so handsome! For those of you that have forgotten, our small-town schools have what is called a 'Promenade.' During their Junior year they are introduced and do a 'dance' with someone of similar height.

Here is D and his Promenade partner. I thought the Eiffel Tower was pretty cool. I guess the shop class made it.

After the Promenade, there is the parent dance. Here I am with my handsome boy.

This is the group of kids that went together. Their dates last all day here. They started out at breakfast and he didn't get home until 2 am.

Here he is with his date. I love the orange! He had a great time.

THE BIG APPLE

I am apologizing in advance for this extremely long post. I haven't blogged for a week, though, so count this as one a day...

My second trip to New York was a success. I went with the Snow College Art Department again and we had a good time. I will hit some highlights for you:

As I mentioned previously, I went to see 'Wicked.' I had heard it was great and was not disappointed. I cannot believe people can sing like that night after night. The costumes and set were amazing too. I had the song 'Popular' stuck in my head the whole trip.

Down in the lobby of The Gershwin Theater with my Broadway-going Buddies!

Here is one of my purchases from Canal street this time. I bought one for a friend too, but I am VERY tempted to keep it!

Of course we went to the museums (The Met, The Frick and the Moma). Here are a few of my favs from these places.

We also went to LOTS of galleries this time. There was plenty of bad art to be found. It was very disappointing. Here are just two examples from Chelsea:

The first one is a stalker-type homage to Linsay Lohan. (It actually looks like my room when I was growing up, except the photos were of Duran Duran). 'Why is that art?' you ask. 'It isn't!!', I reply. The second photo is a gallery where goats roamed free. Needless to say you had to watch where you stepped. WHY??

The Uptown galleries we went to were actually quite a bit better (most of the artists actually had skills). I was VERY impressed with these two shows. The Robert Cottingham painting (the first one) sold for $300,000!

Those of you who know me well know that I am very unadventurous when it comes to food, but for some reason when I travel I will try new stuff. This time I actually ate (and enjoyed very much) a lamb gyro off a street vendor cart. Who would have thunk it?

We also had some good Indian food at a tacky, but fun place in Midtown by our hotel.

One of my favorite discoveries this trip, however, goes to...

I'd heard many wonderful things about it from multiple sources and now I proudly report- I am a convert! The red velvet cupcakes were my favorite, but I also liked the s'more ones too. I even bought a t-shirt!

*NYC DISAPPOINTMENTS:

1. S couldn't go with me
2. Missed the Guggenhiem
3. Didn't ride the ferry
4. Got blisters on both heals
5. PS1- helping to give art a bad name since... whenever.
6. Paid $18 to get into the Whitney- 2 hours of my life I will NEVER get back!

NY ITINERARY

I know you're all dying to hear what I am going to do in New York, so I thought I would share the plan with you.

The first night (tomorrow), I have tickets to see Wicked. I am VERY excited!

This is the Whitney Museum of American Art. Lots of interesting modern art.

The Frick is an old mansion turned into a museum and it is an amazing place to be! Older, more traditional art.

We are going to ride the Staten Island Ferry once or twice past the Statue of Liberty. Last time we went at night and it was beautiful!

The Museum of Modern Art is a definite MUST SEE!

And the alternate site, P.S.1 as well.

Of course we are going to the Met! There is no way to see it all, but I am going to do my best!

And of course the Guggenheim! Walking in this museum is like walking into a work of art. LOVE IT!

We are also going to see lots of galleries in Chelsea, walk through Central Park and Times Square and see the Armory Show! I am so excited! It would be twenty times more exciting if S could go, but hopefully we'll get there together some other time. Well, gotta go pack! Bon Voyage- to me!