Duck Commander

I LOVE the show Duck Dynasty!

Maybe it is the small town girl in me.  Maybe it is the fact that I grew up in a family of hunters. Maybe it is the fact the show is hilarious! What ever it is, I have this strange fascination with a family of multi-millionaire rednecks in Louisiana. So after a quick google search we found the Duck Commander headquarters on our way to church.

For those of you who are wondering, yes, the duck decoys are still on the roof.

Since it was Sunday morning there weren't any Robertsons around and the store was closed. There were several other yuppie tourists in the parking lot taking photos near the sign.

We saw the RV and semi....

the snowcone shack.....

and the lawnmower race track.

I even took my camo shirt so I wouldn't look like such a yuppie girl. The problem is that I had to put it on over my dress and ended up looking like an even bigger yuppie.

My kids refused to get out of the car while we were there and when I put on the camo shirt, they were hiding under the seats. I feel like it is the duty of the mother to embarrass her children. I'm glad I accomplished my mission.

Hey. All I have to say is being there made me happy happy happy. Jack.

My Favorite Things

The girls have recently wanted me to tie pillowcases around their necks as they pretend to be a queen or a superhero. Well, I decided to sew them capes. (This is as far as my sewing abilities can carry me). I remembered the previous owners of our house had some silky off-white colored curtains in one of the rooms that I took down shortly after we moved in. The curtains made great capes. The song My Favorite Things kept running through my head. I guess it was a Maria von Trapp moment for me. Watching my girls play together using their imaginations is one of my favorite things.

Ohio

A few years ago, we found a website that listed all the states and how many songs mention each state. I don't think Utah or Idaho had any, other than the state song (I've never even heard the Utah state song). Texas, by far and away, had the most. I think it is partly because the state of Texas is so huge. Here are some of our favorites. There is "Deep in the Heart of Texas" by Moe Bandy. It is from the album titled "A Taste of Texas, Songs 'bout Texas by Texans" (need I say more). This song is a family favorite that is sung during the 7th inning stretch at all of the Houston Atros home games. We also liked to sing "Amarillo by Morning" by George Strait on our long road trips. We learned to appreciate what it meant to drive all night between San Antonio and Amarillo.

We recently discovered a new song to add to the list. Ohio (Come back to Texas). Although the title of the song is Ohio, it's all about Texas. It was released in 2005 by Bowling for Soup yet, Lauren recently introduced it to us. We probably appreciate it more now anyway.
The premise of the song is that a girl leaves her boyfriend in Texas for another guy in Ohio. The boyfriend is trying to convince her to come back to Texas. One of my favorite lines is when he sings "There's nothing wrong with Ohio (or Utah) except the snow and the rain." I started taking a morning walk/jog recently. It was so cold! Even with all of my layers of clothing, I came home a popsicle! The air literally burned my lungs. I realized that late fall is not a good time to start a outdoor exercise routine.


The song also states, "the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway" Isn't that the truth! I've mentioned this before. When we visited our old stomping grounds last summer, the very first night we ordered a botana. I took a picture of it to share on the blog. Just looking at it makes my mouth water.

Botanas are a South Texas thing as far as I know. They are this huge platter filled with tortilla chips beans, cheese, and tons of meat. (I prefer beef over chicken). Then they are topped with quesadillas. On the side are onions, peppers, tomatoes, and avocado. (I avoid this plate. I know it's weird to love Mexican food while hating onions, green peppers, and tomatoes. That's just me.) I also have to mention the homemade tortillas (Not anything at all like the rubbery things they try to sell as tortillas up here). Anyway, botantas are free-for-alls. Everybody just dogs in. They are so delicious! (I'm am so hungry after writing this paragraph. Oh, the sacrifices I make for this blog.......)

So there it is. Whenever I hear this song I get homesick for Texas. Something about the mentioning of Mrs. Baird's fruit pies and Bluebell ice cream. Plus, the Bush twins want us back.

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

I've had several requests for the Zucchini Chocolate Cake Recipe I use. It is Aaron's favorite cake because it is so moist. If you peel the zucchini, you can't even tell it's in the cooked cake. I'm sure peeling the zucchini decreases the nutritional value but, when have we ever been concerned about nutritional value while eating chocolate cake? I still like to count it as a vegetable serving. Is that cheating?

I've thought about posting recipes but, never got around to it (that is the story of my life). Good intentions never get you anywhere.

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
3 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
(I use cocoa. Follow sustitution directions on the box)
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini (Again, I preffered grated and peeled)

In a large bowl combine oil, sugar, and eggs. In a separate bowl sift (I don't sift)dry ingredients; add to first mixture. Add milk and mix well. Melt baking chocolate in the microwave for 20-second intervals, until just melted. Blend chocolate and vanilla into batter. Stir in zucchini. Bake in 9x13-inch baking dish at 350 for about 25 minuets. I've found that it takes a lot longer to bake than the directions say. It is probably closer to 40-45 minuets.

The recipe is found the "The Essential Mormon Cookbook" by Julie Badger Jensen. This is one of my favorite cookbooks and I LOVE cookbooks.

I would post a picture of the cake. I made one this past week for Sunday dinner. It disappeared faster than I thought.

Hand-Me-Downs

I am very grateful for the generosity of my younger sister, Laurann. She is single and a very talented career woman. I am a mother with more-than-four kids living on a strict budget. It is not uncommon for her to buy several pairs of shoes at a time. I do this as well, except the shoes are not just for my feet.

Almost everything I own was once owned by her. Most of the clothes I wear come from her. I am sad my feet are a couple of sizes smaller than hers (I would love to take advantage of some of her shoe shopping sprees alas, I have to buy my own shoes). She also passes on purses, jewelery, coats, jackets, etc., etc.

Her latest hand-me-down was her ipod mini (she upgraded to the nano). I'm not the only one in the family that has appreciated this particular gift. The kids are obsessed with itunes. It has become a great way for Aaron and I to introduce them to the world of music. We have always liked a wide variety of music genres. Aaron has taught the kids to love eighties rock. I love disco. We both love music from the fifties and sixties.

Each of our kids have created their own playlist on the ipod. Ethan's top 10 are as follows:
1-What a Wonderful World-Luis Armstrong
2-Colors of the Wind- Vanessa Hudgens (he liked this new version better than the old one)
3-Holding Out for a Hero-Bonnie Tyler
4-One Little Slip-Barenaked Ladies
5-You Raise Me Up-Josh Groban
6-Kokomo-The Beach Boys
7-God Bless the USA-Lee Greenwood
8-Fur Elise-Beethoven
9-Stand-REM
10-Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen

He has a longer list but he carefully selected these songs as his most favorite. He no longer does extra chores for money or for time on the Playstation but, he works for itunes songs. We are so proud of him. He is such a product of his parents, as scary as that may be.

Thank you, Laurann.

I'm Back!!!

It all started last Friday.

I stood in line to get a Borders wristband in the morning even though we pre-ordered our books months ago. At the "Harry Potter" party later that night, I stood in line with Ethan so he could have a golden snitch painted on his face by a Professor Trelawny look-a-like. Then, I stood in line for our copies of Deathly Hallows which we received shorty after midnight. (Yes, that is supposed to be plural, we bought two books).

The party was fun! They had a costume contest there. My favorite costume was a house elf (some people are so creative). They also had kids crafts, palm reading, trivia questions and more. The best part was just being a part of the excitement. I was amazed at the variety of ages: grandmas, toddlers, college students, teenagers, our family, etc. etc. I am also amazed at how many times this last week I have seen people carrying the book in public trying to read it every chance they get. I know how they feel.


Aaron had the book finished by Saturday night, Esteban finished Sunday morning, Ethan and I finished reading it on Tuesday. I avoided the Internet for a few days before I finished the book due to the fact I heard of spoilers popping up on home pages.

It took me a couple of days to catch back up on all my housework that was ignored while I read. (It was such a nice little vacation.) I found that trying to read an almost 800 page novel is difficult as the mother of four-n-more. I would just settle down curled up on the couch, only to hear, "I need a drink." or "I'm poopy." I started to wonder why my kids need to eat, drink or wear clean clothes while I'm trying to read. (Yeah, I had to face a few reality checks along the way and thankfully, we all survived.)


Back to Harry, this was one of my favorite books. Ethan claims it is his favorite of all time (although, that may change after the next book he reads, but for now, it is tops). In order not to ruin it for anyone who hasn't had to chance to read it, I would go into details, but I won't. However, anyone who wants to psycho-analyze the future of fictional characters is more than welcome to contact me via telephone or email.


And so it is, my life has returned to "normal". I find myself always thinking, "If I can just get through all the things that need to be done this week, than things will calm down." They never do. That's why it is so nice to escape into fantasy every once in a while, even if it makes it harder to return.

OoTP

Yesterday, we took the boys to see Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix. I loved it!!! I thought it was by far the best movie of the series! It is one of my favorite movies ever! I thought Evanna Lynch, as Luna Lovegood, did a great job. I also loved the Weasley twins. Neville Longbottom is still my favorite character after Harry Potter, of course. There were several times throughout the movie I felt tears come to my eyes. I found it to be very moving. The best part for me is the fight against evil, knowing you have to choose which side you are on, and the importance of love and friendship.Ethan felt differently. After the show he turned to me and said, "Well, that wasn't very exciting was it?" I guess you can decide which movie review you agree with.

We are a Harry Potter crazed family at the moment. Ethan re-read all the books at the beginning of the summer. Aaron just finished books 5 & 6 again. I wanted to re-read book 5 before the movie came out and book 6 before book 7 comes out next week. I am only half-way through book 5. I haven't had a lot of time to read this summer. I guess that comes from having four-n-more. So it is, I'll just keep reading along, wishing I had a time-turner. Now that would be nice....

Texas Trip

We just returned from a short little trip to Texas. Aaron had work in San Antonio and Dallas so, he decided to take the family along for the ride. We drove 4000 miles in 7 days. I can honestly say, the kids traveled exceptionally well.

The girls were our "backseat drivers". Vanessa loved to hold the map. She would tell Aaron, "turn here" or "over the river". I'm sure he was grateful for the turn-by-turn navigation.

Savanah was also willing to give advice. One time she said, "Daddy, you need both hands on the wheel and keep your eyes on the road." I've often thought she was 4 going on 16. Now I know for sure.

It was nice to have our feet back on Texas soil. With the recent rains, everything was really lush and green. As many of you know, other than the people, I miss the humidity of Texas the most. The weather was actually nice and pleasant. It rained several times while we were there. One day, the rain cancelled plans to visit my sister who is in Austin (which I'm still bitter about). Other than that, the rain was nice (especially since it hasn't rained in Utah for over a month and none is in sight anytime soon). The clouds kept the temperature down therefore, it was hotter in Utah than it was in Texas which is very strange for the month of July.

We spent two days in the San Antonio area than headed for "The Valley". This is where we lived for 10 years and just to clarify, it is not a geographical "valley". It is the Rio Grande Valley in name only. Aaron and I went shopping in Mexico on Saturday morning, we visited some families that afternoon, and on Sunday, we went to church. We were happy to see so many friends again.

After that, we headed for Dallas and eventually home. It was a whirlwind trip, but so worth it. I love family vacations and this was definitely one of my favorites.

I'd Like S'more Family Home Evening!

You can probably tell that I love FHE. It is honestly one of my favorite events of the week. This week was especially fun. Esteban started a fire in our fire pit (he is becoming such a great Boy Scout.) Then, we burned the boys schoolwork (I saved some of the really good stuff). It was great way to celebrate summer vacation. YEAH!!After our lesson, which truly was fireside, we cooked s'mores. My favorite s'more is the traditional-ooey-gooey-melted-chocolate-bar-toasted-marshmallow s'more. So delicious. My mouth is watering remembering it.

Our activity was hide-and-go-seek outside. We had a lot of fun, but next, I'm going to wear camouflage.

This FHE was definitely one of my favorites of all time.

I'm Such a Music Critic

This is the first season of American Idol I have ever watched. I know, I know, I'm way behind the rest of the country. In the past, Aaron and I always had meetings during the week so, I never had the chance to watch. (That was before we had DVR. I can't imagine actually watching AI live, there are way too many commercials.)

During, the first episodes I felt a little guilty for laughing at some of the auditions. Obviously, some people were there for their 15 minutes of fame, others appear to be mentally ill and shouldn't be laughed at. I felt it showed a lack of compassion for some people.

Now that we are down to the final 8, I find myself thinking I'm a music critic. As the contestants are singing, I pretend like I know enough to analyze their performance.

I have to say, my favorite is Melinda. She has amazing talent and yet, she is so humble. I also like Jordin and Lakisha. Blake is my favorite guy, hands down. Sanjaya has got to go. Thanks to Howard Stern and other websites encouraging people to vote for the worst, I think he'll be around for a while. We were all sad to see Gina go. I was hoping she would make it to Bon Jovi night.

Even the kids love the show. Savanah is the only one that cheers for Sanjaya. It is her favorite show after cartoons. It seems to be the talk around the elementary school as well. I was talking with a couple of Esteban's friends about it the other day. Fifth graders are big critics just like me. Maybe that is the draw for so many people. It makes us feel smart and important, like our opinions really matter. I guess we have to wait to see how the rest of the season goes. For now, I'm quite addicted to the show.