Sports Fans

So, I have been informed recently that to be a sports fan you must choose one team to follow. You must be loyal to that team regardless of the coach, players, etc. My question is this... why? Players and coaches change every year! You are never really rooting for the same team. Are fans not simply rooting for the name or logo? (Unless that changes too, of course) I realize that I am in the wrong in my thinking, as my questions to certain BYU fans have caused quite a defensive uproar. Not being able to explain this phenomena, these certain fans have indicated that it is "bandwagoning" to look at all teams and choose the best one of each season. They have also been unable to explain this strange mindless following. Some blame it on attendance of a school, or family members being employed by schools. Others come up with strange stories of childhood pencils. It all seems a little strange to me! (hehe)

Trajen

Trajen LOVES books. He will always bring over a book, hand it to me and jump on my lap. A little while ago Trajen had been to look at Brandon's books. He came back, handed me a book and jumped on my lap. I looked down and saw that it was Lord of the Rings. I had to "read" it to him three times before he was satisfied!

Recipe Recommendation

Butternut Squash Tortellini with Brown Butter Sauce Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
See this recipe on air Tuesday Aug. 05 at 4:30 PM ET/PT.

Show: Everyday Italian
Episode: Giada's New York Twist






Squash Tortellini:
1 butternut squash, approximately 2 pounds, cubed (about 3 cups)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
1 1/2 teaspoon herbs de Provence
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
2 large shallots, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
4 small amaretti cookies, crushed (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 package small wonton wrappers
Brown Butter Sauce:
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2 tablespoons torn fresh sage leaves
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries, or chopped dried cherries, or mixture of both
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese


To make the tortellini, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. On a foil-lined baking sheet toss together the butternut squash, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper. Bake in the oven until soft and golden, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Cook the shallots and garlic until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
In a food processor, combine the butternut squash mixture, the shallot mixture, and the ricotta cheese and pulse a few times to blend. Add the crushed amaretti cookies, the nutmeg, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse until smooth. The tortellini filling can be made one day ahead.

To make the tortellini, lay out 6 wonton skins, keeping the remaining skins inside the package or under a very lightly dampened paper towel. Place 1 tablespoon of squash mixture in the middle of each skin. Dip a pastry brush in a little water and wet the edges of the skin. Gently fold the square wrapper into a triangle, making sure the edges are securely closed and there are no air pockets inside. Dampen the two bottom corners of the longest side of the triangle and gently bring them together, pressing lightly to secure. Place the formed tortellini on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Before laying out another 6 wonton sheets, be careful to dry the work surface. This will help keep tortellini from sticking to the baking sheet. Continue until all the butternut squash mixture is used. There should be approximately 36 tortellini. (The tortellini can be formed, frozen on the baking sheet, transferred to a tightly sealed plastic bag or container and stored for up to six months. To cook, simply toss the frozen ravioli into the salted boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.)

To make the sauce and serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.

Add the sage, walnuts and cranberries and let cook until the butter starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat off and season with salt, and pepper.

Stir to combine. Then, gently place the tortellini in the boiling water and gently stir. When they begin to float they are done, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, gently spoon the tortellini onto a serving platter, Top with the brown butter sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

TAGGED - ABC Tag

A-Attached or Single? Attatched
B- Best Friend: Brandon
C- Cake or Pie: Pie
D- Day: Saturday/Sunday
E- Essential Item: Clothing
F- Favorite Color: Purple
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms
H-Home town: West Valley City, UT
I- Indulgences: Spinach Florentine bagel from Einsteins (mmmm)
J- January or July: July
K- Kids: Trajen
L- Life is incomplete without: family and friends
M- Marriage Date: May 15
N- Number of Siblings: 4 – 1 sister, 3 brothers
O- Oranges or Apples: Fuji Apples
P- Phobias or Fears: Spiders – talk about creepy
Q- Quote: If you love someone, let them go. If they return they are yours forever. If not, hunt them down!
R- Reason to Smile: Giggling Babies
S- Season: Fall
T- Tag Three: ha ha ha
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I love listening to horrible singers... I find it fascinating to pick out their vocal flaws.
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Animals are good
W- Worst Habit: I am never on time. I blame Brandon entirely for that.
X- Rays or Ultrasounds: both
Y- Your favorite food: dairy
Z- Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Heroism or Homocide

Sometimes it is hard to tell the intent of others. Take for example my experience on Wednesday. Brandon was getting an MRI at the New Cottonwood Hospital. We woke up early that day, so we just left Trajen in his PJ's hoping he would fall asleep in the car. Once we arrived, and it was determined that Trajen was up for awhile, I decided to change him into his clothes, and get him out of his newly soiled diaper. Not being familiar with the hospital, I found the closest bathroom. It was one of those one person bathrooms, not gender specific. Sadly, there was not a changing station in this restroom, so I had to change him on the floor. I laid Trajen atop his clothes so he wouldn't get dirty from the floor, and began my task. Trajen normally LOVES his diaper being changed, and is a perfect angel (sarcasm). He decided that this time he would be even more angelic than normal. His screams of torture were sadly unheard, as no one came to his rescue. I had his diaper and shirt on when a sensation of toe nail ripping from the flesh temporarily left me in agony. My big toe nail had been caught on the grate of the floor drain.

Distracted, I let go of Trajen just long enough for him to bound across the room, shove hand to elbow into the toilet water, and splash as much water as possible. Luckily, I was able to come to from the shock of blood pooling into my flip flop before the water left the toilet. I rushed him over the sink and scrubbed him up to his arm pits. Being a big fan of water, he decided he would splash the water about, soaking his nice clean shirt. I quickly finished dressing Trajen, then wrapped my toe in a wet wipe and found my way back to the waiting room. Brandon was still there waiting to get his MRI. I limped in scowling, handed over the soaked baby, then informed Brandon as the father of the child - he could have him.

Obviously Trajen was trying to make my life miserable in his attempt to kill me. However, if you think about it.. if he realized that my toe had been stuck in the grate of the drain.. perhaps he was trying to be heroic by lubricating my toe with the toilet water in an attempt to free it from the grips of the latching demon.

More Mind Games

In my keyboard class several years ago my teacher got a little off subject, and we had a class discussion about visualization. Apparently some people see things in color. I'm not talking about The Wizard of Oz. I'm talking about days of the week, numbers, months being associated with a color. I realized that I don't think in color. I think in shapes. All of my days of the week are rectangular, but they are all different sizes. Monday is tall and wide. Tuesday is tall and very skinny. Wednesday is short and wide. Thursday is medium wide and tall. Friday is almost a square it's so short, and Saturday is so large the edges are nonexistent. Sunday is still a rectangle.. but it curves around to Monday.

Numbers aren't quite as exciting. 1-10 is a vertical line w/one at the bottom and 10 at the top. 11-20 veer off to the left in an upward curve, then it is diagonal switchbacks moving to the left every 10 numbers to 100. I could go on, but I fear confusing people.

I am sure there is a method to my madness. If you figure it out, please let me know!

Mind Games

I find it a rather strange phenomenon... I can always find something to rant about. I can go on and on, and get pretty dramatic about subjects that I am passionate about. As I sit here wondering what I should post on my blog... I have nothing. Isn't the mind a beautiful thing?

Speaking of mind games... I recall several years ago, I was driving down the street (this fact is very important to note) my friend in the back seat realized that she had lost her keys. As she frantically exclaimed her concern, I realized that I didn't know where MY keys were! (Please refer back to the fact that I was driving down the street)

Child Abuse?

In an attempt to keep Trajen out of the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas he is not allowed, we have created many barracades. Being an optimistic child, Trajen simply looks at the barracade as an exciting new game he must conquer. He has learned to jump over, crawl under, and chuck previous barracades in order to achieve success.

This evening, we had dinner with G & G Farr and my little sister, Heather. Trajen was trying to help Grandpa with the dishes, which of course created more trouble than help. So, in order to prevent him from going into the kitchen, Heather put a chair in the way. Well.. naturally this was a really old trick! Trajen simply crawled under the chair and back into the kitchen to help. The next barracade was two chairs right next to each other, leaving no room to crawl under or around. Trajen tried his hardest to push his large head through the small opening.. but was unsuccessful. Despite his failed efforts, he pushed on and tried again. Heather (being extremely competetive) just looked on and laughed. With each new attempt, Heather laughed harder and harder. The more Trajen cried, the more Heather laughed.

In the end, Trajen was unable to penetrate the barracade, and Heather was highly entertained.

But this begs the question... did Heather go too far?

Sibling Rivalry

Okay, so I have been reading my BOM and it really is frightening what can become of sibling rivalry! I know.. I know.. I have heard the stories a thousand times.. but Laman and Lemuel were so upset about Nephi getting more than them, generations of hatred and war came about. I would hate to think that I was the cause of so much destruction, simply because I was jealous and spiteful.

Don't get me wrong, I am not jealous or spiteful of my siblings. I just find it scary how extreme things can become with such a slight error in judgement.. which we all can do every day of our lives! YAY!!

I would hope to be like Nephi, and be consistantly unwavering. (Wouldn't we all?) But alas, much work is still required. KEEP FORGING AHEAD!

Security Issues

So.... I don't know how many people enjoy their jobs so much that they don't think of mischevious things to do to co-workers. : ) There has been a horrible outbreak of "hacking" going on at my work. There are a few people who have been spying to see when someone leaves their computer unlocked. If the computer is left unlocked, the spy will sneak over to the computer, send Instant Messages or emails to random people, then leave before the victim returns.

If you have read my previous postings, My "Sister", you will know that there has been some confusion as to whether my sister likes me, or even acknowledges my existance. Well.... I received a very disturbing email on Thursday from Heather (she works with me). It stated that I was the "worst sister ever" and implied that she wanted to leave her job so she wouldn't have to see me every day.



Heather claims that this was not sent by her, as the post script read "Love, Heather". Afterall, she would never write anything like that.

I hope those responsible for this email fraud are brought to justice! ;)

Dating is not like Riding a Bicycle

The other night Brandon and I went on a date. We dropped off Trajen with Grandma & Grandpa and had an official "date night."

We went to a movie.. which if you are a Jackie Chan fan, I would recommend seeing it.. Forbidden Kingdom. Anyway, Brandon started opening doors for me. He tries to do that every once it awhile, so this was a piece of cake. Well... we went to Leatherby's after the movie, and went to sit down in my seat. Brandon followed, and grabbed my chair! I turned and glared at him, and said, "Fine! I'll take the other seat!" As I took my seat across the table, Brandon still stood a little dumbfounded, and said rather sheepishly, "I was just holding your chair for you."

HA HA HA Boy did I feel silly!!! We are still laughing!

Trajen

Trajen has recently learned how to clap. He LOVES playing Pat-a-Cake with his grandma. This past Sunday Brandon sang with the ward choir. It was a surprisingly good number they perform. Trajen was quiet and still through the entire song. He was so moved by the song, he shouted "YAY" at the end, and started clapping!

My "Sister"

"Do you remember what it was like watching conference as a kid? I started reflecting on that after the session was over. For me the first few talks I could make it through, after that it was either fall asleep or quietly play with my brothers."
-- Heather F.

This is a section from a blog recently posted by my "Sister". At first I was a little surprised at the entry. It seemed so mature, so well written.. I simply assumed she had someone else write it, or perhaps she was quoting someone.

As I researched this further, I found that Heather was actually the author. Thinking night and day about why this didn't make sense, it finally dawned on me. I WAS MISSING.... "....it was either fall asleep or quietly play with my brothers.".......

I was shocked at the realization that Heather has erased me completely from her memory! HOW SAD!!!!