Riding the Snowy Trails

We took a fanastic weekend trip to snowmobile up to Warren, Idaho with our good friends the Labaus. We have made this trip once before with them and it is definitely a family favorite! Warren is a hundred year old mountain town that can only be accessed by plane or snowmobile in the winter. It takes a few hours to reach, but at the half way point there is a wonderful old hotsprings and small log lodge to warm up and change in. The hotsprings is like a large log enclosed swimming pool. We were raisins by the time we forced ourselves out of the luscious warm water.

Lunch was another highlight in at the Warren Winter Inn...the only gig in town. It was classic country diner food at its best! After we stuffed ourselves silly, we were back on the machines for the ride home. Heather and I (pictured above) jammed out to our ipods...a very enjoyable way to speed through the mountains. Ben and Bridger are pictured above catching some air. My jumps and speed were so impressive that Heather just couldn't catch me on film. (I think it was all the Mario cart warm up the night before...I was ripping up the trails!)

Be A Fan

BE A FAN of courage.

BE A FAN of determination.

BE A FAN of hope.

BE A FAN of joy.

BE A FAN OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS!

(Special Olympics Motto)

We're a fan of Jan Hingstman!!! Jan, our athlete from the Netherlands, called us yesterday. What a treat to hear his voice! He had just participated in the Netherland's Winter Special Olympics and proudly shared the details of his FIRST PLACE finish. He also shared updates on other members of the Netherland's Delegation that we were so anxious to hear about. As you look through the pictures above, you may notice all the blue and white scarves. There is an amazing story behind those beautiful scarves! Several months ago, some local folks thought it would be nice to wrap each athlete in a blue and white hand-knit scarf when they arrived in Idaho for the games. They figured that they would need about 5,000 scarves for the athletes, and their coaches. Somehow the idea ended up on a few knitter's blogs, then websites, then magazines...by the start of the Special Olympics over 55,000 hand-knit scarves had arrived in Boise from all over the country. The stories of kindness and love that accompanied these scarves were so moving. One woman was dying of cancer and only wished to finish the scarf before she passed away. She desperately wanted to serve someone else as all those around her were serving her. She died two days after its completion. One young girl that didn't know how to knit had learned so she could send a scarf to an athlete in rememberance of a dear friend with downs syndrome that had died just a year ago. Another 82 year old woman in Florida knit over 200 scarves herself. When Reed went to pick up our athletes, the organizers handed him a scarf for each of member of our family. When I went to open the zip lock bags that each of them were packaged in, little individual notes came falling out with the scarves. The notes were from the knitters of the scarves and said things like, "Do your very best. I'm rooting for you!" "You are special! You are loved! You can do it!" "I knit this especially for you while you are competing in America! Welcome!" I was so touched by these loving gestures. Who knew that the goodness of humanity could be expressed in the kind hands of knitters across the country. As thousands of fans, coaches, and athletes from every country around the world waved their individual scarves above their heads during the Opening Ceremonies, we were a united world.

So You Think You Can Dance...Liv Can!

Girl's weekend in Seattle! Hooray!! Actually, it was a dance competition and convention weekend for Olivia, her first with her new Youth Company team, but it involved enough good food, great shopping, and late night talking to be called a "Girls' Weekend!" We had a ball with the other moms and girls. We stayed right up the street from Pike's Place market in downtown Seattle. An added bonus was seeing Grandma Patty, as well! Grandma treated us to a lovely brunch at Etta's at Pike's Place on Sunday morning before we flew out. We also had a great time wandering the market and watching the "fish guys" fling a few fish with her.

However, the best part really was seeing Liv's dance team "wow" the judges and enthusiastic audience with their dances. They took home two golds! With my classical ballet training, I was not familiar with the competition dance world and didn't really know what to expect. But the girls had such a positive experience, and worked so hard over the weekend, I was really impressed! We were so proud of them. This is such a fun group of girls (and moms!) and we are looking forward to more trips and competitions with them.

Special Olympics Idaho-Style

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”— Special Olympics Athlete Oath

Our family had the incredible opportunity to host two members of the Dutch delegation to the World Special Olympic Winter Games being held here in Idaho a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to Olivia and the sensitivity and organization of her fellow student council members and advisor, our school decided to be a host community, allowing 10 or so families to have athletes and coaches stay with us before the games began.

Jan Hingstman was our athlete, a speed skater from Assen, Netherlands, and Frits Spiering, was a coach, and father of another speed skater, Rick, who stayed with another family. In the several days that we spent with the coaches and athletes of the Netherlands, we came to love and admire these dedicated, warm, gifted individuals. The Dutch spirit was totally contagious! They were such a funloving group of athletes and coaches! We had a great time cheering on the speed skaters as they gracefully glided to several team victories.

We took Frits and Jan to see the "sights" of our little town...the historical museum, top of our tallest building (a mere 20 stories), the Olympic Village, a meeting with the Mayor, and a real favorite, the behemoth Cabela's outdoor outfitters store! Jan ate his first taco at a little Mexican place down the street, and enjoyed playing games with the kids. NaNa particularly liked Frits and his bright orange hat. (Imagine, on day one of their visit, I, in all my ethnocentricity, thought that the Dutch team were wearing their orange and royal blue sweat outfits in honor of our local college football team, BSU! Hmmm. I quickly learned that orange is the color that represents the royal family, and red, white and blue are the colors of the flag. I donned my orange sweater to support the Dutch!)

Splitz for Pizza

I knew there was NO telling this story without PROOF! So please, take a closer look...that is MEEEEEE doing the splitz for the best FREEEEEE pizza on the face of the planet! (Okay, that may be a stretch (no pun intended). It is definitely the best pizza in Boise.

The Flying Pie Pizzeria (30 year history in Boise) posts a name on their bill board every day. If its your name, and if you are one of the first 20 "Bobs," or "Adams" or "Penelopes" in the joint, you are invited back to the kitchen to put on a crazy hat and apron and join the cook to in making your very own pizza. Last week, the name sign read "Anyone who can do the splitz!" Meredith came home nearly jumping for joy...."Mom, you can finally make a pizza!" (We've been watching the sign for years hoping for "Gayann.") One small little problem-o...I hadn't done the splitz in about 15 years! I had exactly 24 hours to get my splitz back...oh, the agony. There was just a tinsy bit of pressure here. You see, every year on my mother's birthday, she insists in proving her physical prowess by dropping into a full split. So, you can imagine the pressure..."Mom, if Gramma Lynne can do it," they all chimed.

Well, the proof is in the pudding, or rather pizza, so after a fair bit of pain, and more pressure than one should have to endure from one's children, off we went to prove ourselves. It was a glorious moment met with cheers from the onlooking patrons when I hit the ground for a fraction of a second in grinning Cougarette style. Oh, the glory days...and what I won't do for the love of food.

Move Over Norma

Yes, this is my first recipe post...could call it "Yummy Tummy Sunday" in honor of my cute sister-in-law, Melissa, who posted this AMAZING recipe on her equally amazing blog on her very clever "Yummy Tummy Tuesdays"! I think that the few (oh, so very few) readers (thanks for all the encouragement...I literally giggle with delight every time I see comments...I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!) that occasionally take a gander at my blog will all appreciate when I say, "This recipe is WORTHY OF NORMA'S!!" Yes, the one in NYC! (Am I overstating Mel?) All I can say is hurry up and find a good excuse to treat yourself to these yummy wonders! We enjoyed them this very Sabbath morn and were all the more edified for it!

Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter
Ingredients for pancakes: (Makes 14 pancakes...you need at least 2-3 per stack/person)
2 cups buttermilk
3 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
4 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and finely ground (not chopped)
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
3 bananas, peeled and sliced in 1/4-inch circles
Directions:Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.In a large mixing bowl whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla together so they are well combined. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry and stir with a spoon to get rid of the lumps. Fold in the pecans, most of the melted butter and whisk until batter is smooth. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium low heat and swirl around a little melted butter to keep the pancakes from sticking. Using a ladle pour the batter into the pan.Cook the pancakes on 1 side until they are set and then lightly press the bananas into the batter. When small bubbles appear on the uncooked surface, flip the pancakes and cook until golden on both sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer pancakes to a warming plate in the oven while you make the rest.
Ingredients for Maple Butter:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons honey1 piece parchment or greaseproof paper
Directions:In a mixing bowl, using a spatula mash the butter with the maple syrup and honey until well blended. Roll it up in the paper, like a tube and twist the ends. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.To serve, slice the maple-honey butter, layer it between the stack of pancakes and place in the oven to melt for 1 1/2 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and candied pecans.
Candied Pecans: The easiest way I know to have fool-proof candied pecans is to put equal amounts of pecans and white sugar in a non-stick saute pan. Saute over medium heat tossing frequently. When the sugar just starts to turn to liquid remove pan from heat and continue to stir. Cool on parchment.

Birthday Guy Wants a Break

Okay, friends, I do realize the irony here...one post since Matthew's last birthday but...

It's Matthew's birthday....again! Oh, how I wish they'd stop. Really. He has been such a delightful 6 year old. I really have issues with my kids growing up. I'd like them to just stay little for a whole lot longer! Couldn't they stay 4 and 5 and 6 for two or three years each...then maybe 13 and 14 for maybe just half a year, or less. It makes so much more sense.

Matthew has been planning his party for, well, about 364 days now. Not sure how a SOCCER PARTY INSIDE is going to work! Its supposed to snow tomorrow for his party! So much for the soccer obstacle course and pinata and races.

Upon his request, he was treated to breakfast in bed this morning with waffles topped with bananas, strawberries and whipped cream--he's awfully specific about these things. Meredith picked him up in the middle of the day to take him out to lunch--another tradition that continues--or a nice ruse for my teenagers to skip school. And NaNa has offered to do all Matthew's jobs form him. All one of them. When I tried to hurry Matthew along this morning to avoid a tardy at school, NaNa corrected me, "Mom, you have to talk very nice to the Birthday Guy!"

On the way to school as Olivia and I were discussing the afterschool schedule...ballet, Kumon, friend's going away party, achievement days, etc., Matthew said, "Why are you guys doing things on my Birthday? I don't know why they don't just give everyone a vacation on your birthday?" Wish I knew who "they" were, and wish "they" would schedule that birthday-vacation!

I'm on my way to do "Art Mom" in the "Birthday Guy's" classroom...

Still Christmas

So its a week into January and I still have not taken one decoration down! Usually I have it all packed up by now, but I'm procrastinating...and recovering from an emergency root canal...and, well, still revelling in the Christmas magic that we enjoyed over the holidays.

Since bits of my Christmas have been described on two dear friends' blogs, I thought I might add some of my own musings on the season to the blogosphere...

Did I mention magical???

Christmas eve began with a chorus or two at our assisted living center. The Neymans (see "Christmas at El Sauzel Orphanage) joined us as we sang, played with our chimes (thanks, Mom!) and acted out the Nativity to Geoff Neyman's beautiful accompaniment. Marge, Jack, Ruby and the gang were an enthusiastic audience to our less than angelic performance.


We then joined our dear friends the Andrews and Robbins, for carolling, cocoa, and a long winter's walk through a snowy white storm at the edge of the Boise River in the neighborhood. As we were strolling along, breaking into song, and dodging Ben's snow balls, we ran right into Santa himself. If I could freeze time at a given moment, it might have to be the moment we came upon Santa "looking for his reindeer who were taking a break to graze along the river." The kids were so surprised they didn't know what to do with themselves. The Jolly Old Elf, in cahoots with Janet, had treats for all. The moment could be summed up in the words of our twenty-year-old, Bekah, "My eyes literally filled with tears when I saw Santa standing in the falling snow. I was as excited as any kid there." It was simply magical.

The cocoa and visit from the Magi (a.k.a. Mark Robbins) to read the Christmas story was a treat as well.

The Neymans

Snow Mania

We not only had a White Christmas, but the wonderful white stuff stuck around for just about the entire Holidays. This is NOT typical Boise weather! We like to think we live in Camelot...it may snow 3 or 4 days a year, but it always melts by noon (We didn't own a snow shovel until this year!). Normally we have to drive 30 or 40 minutes to the sledding hills...NOT this year! We had an awesome sledding hill right in the neighborhood. The kids had been going over there for hours every day before Christmas, but it is tucked away in some trees so Reed and I had not fully comprehended just how good it was. The day after Christmas we bundled up for some serious fun!

Ben and his buddy Bridger had built a couple jumps that sent us soaring on the sleds. Mere and Liv made a snow fort just in time for a crazy snow ball fight. Bekah brought Jake (collegiate baseball player) who never missed a target. Matthew and NaNa came up with the idea of pelting the sledders as they went down the hill. They actually enjoyed getting hit by the snowballs.

Christmas 2008 Bests

Best Homemade Gift: Matthew's prolific homemade gifts...not only to his secret exchange, Bekah, which included a bulletin board for her apt., a picture of himself, a frame for the picture, and a BYU Bank made out of a tissue box...Matthew also gave just about everyone in our family as well as friends homemade gifts as well. A homemade wallet for NaNa (NaNa had made him one, too, and put his birthday dollar in in), bookmarks, cards, ornaments, a car (out of paper), and other very useful items.

Best Surprise Gift: Ben's i-pod from his siblings (His parents had refused to get him one as he as put two through the washer and dryer! And his siblings seem to be more flush with the dough anyway! See photo above.) Close second could be that I finally finished Meredith's homemade stocking--it took having her as my exchage name two years!!

Best Unwrapper: NaNa's tower of gifts was twice as tall has he was. And I don't mean pile, I mean verticle footage--he stacked them singly all the way up the wall.

Best Christmas Dish: Reed's gorgeous standing lamb chops interwoven and almost too artistic to eat. The Robbin's chocolate moose cups with an almond in one dish and a present for the lucky eater was a close second! (Okay, I admit, there is some defective characteristic called indecisiveness in my make-up that contributes to all these "close seconds.")

Best "Oops" Moment: After travelling for the last three Christmases, we literally forgot some of our time honored traditions...the little boys didn't remember to line up at the bottom of the stairs, claimed they had no idea what we were talking about. And Reed and I woke up Christmas morning to NO Christmas Kringle (one of the best DeMordaunt traditions!). We both had completely forgotten! Boo hoo! We'll make it for Valentine's Day...

Best Christmas Day Game: DS Brain Age--obsessed! We passed the DS around non-stop (Can I really still get smarter? Oh, pleeeeaase let it be true!) Late, late night rounds of Nerts, a close second (we could have used Aunts Claudia, Chochi, and the Neymans!)

Best, best, best Christmas Day Moment: Serving cookies at the Boise Rescue Mission for the Homeless.