Swig cookies, with 'dirty' fountain drinks are the new rage. Dirty means adding coconut syrup. A small snack shop named Swig offers these delicious drinks. They are also known for their fabulous cookies. The 'Swig' sugar cookie is among the favorites.
Pinterest has had an abundance of recipes mimicking the 'Swig sugar cookie'. We have made these delicious cookies twice - once with the original sour cream frosting, and once with cream cheese frosting. Half the kids life the original frosting the best, and half the other. I like them without frosting. I'm not much of a frosting fan.
Sunday after dinner, we made Swig sugar cookies. We realized after making them that we didn't have any diet coke. You have to have a 'Swig' cookie with a 'Swig' drink. After reading our instagram, Molly and family came to the rescue. They dropped off a case of diet coke, with a bottle of coconut syrup. How nice is that! We shared our cookies with them, and all had a great time! Thanks Larsen Family!
Later that night Lizzy and I drove to Centerville to take my sister a be-lated birthday gift. As we were turning from 5th South onto Orchard Drive, I saw some flashing lights in my rear-view mirror. Dang! I always seem to get pulled over, but this time I wasn't speeding.
I had the dog on my lap, and a smile on my face, hoping we could leave ticket free. The women police officer stated, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" "No, I do not, I wasn't speeding," I honestly replied. I was as kind as possible to her since, I REALLY didn't want a ticket. "I'll need your license and registration," she demanded. "I pulled you over because one headlight and one brake light is out," she pointed out. "Why, thank you officer, I had no idea," I continued to brown nose.
She returned to her vehicle to check things out, while I prepped Bella for the finale. Bella sat on my lap with her best look, when the police officer returned. "My, what a cute dog you have," she stated. Yes, my plan was working. "I could have given you a citation, but since you were unaware of the situation I'll let you go with a warning," she said. "Where are you going? she questioned. I wanted to say, none ya business, but decided to be polite. "To my sister's to give her a birthday present," I stated. "Ok, well drive safe," she ended. Phew! No ticket!
On the way home from our delivery, I was driving up Mill Street when I saw flashing lights behind me. I couldn't believe I was being pulled over again! Lizzy and I burst out laughing because we knew why this time. When the officer came to my window we were still laughing. He got a big grin as I said, "We just barely got pulled over by a female officer, so I can guess why you pulled us over." He made me describe her and promise to get the problem fixed as soon as possible and let us go.
Watch out......the cops are out this Memorial Day Weekend! Good thing I didn't have my coconut syrup in the car with me or things may not have gone as smoothly;).
There are many times in a single parent's life when you have to miss a game, concert, or dance recital due to conflicting events. Tonight was one of those nights. I was at Bountiful High watching Mike's "secret talent", while Ben was playing baseball.
All of my children were dispersed either watching Mike, or other wise occupied. I didn't have enough tickets for Lizzy to attend the performance at Bountiful High, so she and a couple friends went to support Ben.
I text Lizzy frequently throughout the concert asking for a baseball up-date. Her responses were, "He caught the ball", and "he can't pitch." What? "He caught the ball" meant, he caught the ball and made a double play. "He can't pitch" meant, that he had already pitched too many innings this week and was not allowed to pitch. She is NOT the person to have in charge of disseminating sports up-dates.
I left as soon as possible from the concert since I thought "he can't pitch", meant that he wasn't pitching well. When I arrived at the ball park I was met with a very happy boy. Ben had hit an over-the-fence, home run! His home run brought in 2 players and himself. Not quite a grand slam. He had the ball in hand, grinning from ear to ear. I was so excited for him! Way to go Ben!
Our yard has needed some tender loving care this year. It was time to lay new mulch; re-sod some areas; and do a general clean-up. Between school, work, and an extra yard job, Mike hasn't had a lot of time. I wanted to hire it out, but he insisted on completing the work himself. He said that this was his way of helping to pay for his mission. What a great kid!
Mike spent countless hours preparing the yard for mulch. He even laid outdoor fabric in the gardens to eliminate weeds. The many hours he spent in the yard, sometimes involved working until late in the evening.
Today I purchased some beautiful flowers, and plants to finish off the yard. I asked my good friend, Becky Parry, to help me arrange the flowers. She has a great eye for decorating - both inside and out. We arranged the flowers in the front yard, removing them from their cartons and placing them where she thought they would look the best. I was invited to Sarah's for dinner, which was fabulous, and was planning on returning home to plant flowers into the night.
As I drove up to my house I couldn't believe my eyes. All of my flowers and plants were planted! It looked beautiful! I was a little stunned, so much so, that I stopped the car jumped out, left the door to the car open, while taking in the situation. I thought perhaps Mike had a little extra time before he left to plant them. As I walked around, I realized that ALL my flowers and plants were planted, and that they were planted by someone who had a great eye for design.
My front and backyard look absolutely gorgeous! My back patio was even cleaned off, another job that was going to done another day. As I was viewing my beautiful yard, I got teary knowing that someone or several someone's had done us a great service. When I told Lizzy I was getting teary she said, "Well, flowers are hardly something to get teary about." Kids - someday they will have a house of their own and realize how happy that makes a mother.
When I called Becky Parry to thank her, she him-hawed around about who had done such a great service. She finally confessed to calling several families in our neighborhood to come help plant. Thank you Parry's, Stobbe's, and Smith's! What a wonderful surprise!
The Mueller Park Little League baseball fields are just a hop, skip, and a jump from our home. If you love baseball like I do, there is something special about the hometown baseball fields. Ben enjoys spending time at the fields even when he isn't playing. He gathers with friends to watch each other's baseball games, hang out at the snack shack, assist with announcing, or congregate with the fans. Hopefully, mischief is minimal.
Baseball if such a fun game, but it can be intense. In recreational baseball, exceptional, good, bad, and mediocre games are inevitable. You have to endure the good, the bad, and the down right ugly.
Friday night Ben had a great game. Ben pitched the first 3 innings. The first 2 innings, there were three batters up, and three batters out. He struck them all out. The third inning, he walked two, and struck the rest out. One walk was a good friend of his, a few smilies were exchanged as they went head to head. He had a good game at the plate too, with one hit to the fence; one walk; and one grounder.
The Cub's (Ben's team) played a completely different game tonight than last night. Thursday night was hard to endure with a loss against the DBacks. Friday night the entire team was playing well. They had a great win against the Cardinals.
What a fun night at the ballpark! Way to go Cubs!
Believe it or not, I failed to take any pictures on Mother's Day. So, you'll have to imagine in your mind as I describe a wonderful Mother's Day.
I was awaken in the morning by breakfast in bed, from Ben. He not only served me breakfast, but made it himself. It was a wonderful breakfast consisting of, Captain Crunch cereal, and a piece of toast with a heart in the middle that he had cut with a cookie cutter. How adorable is that?
The kids all came over and made a fabulous meal of pomegranate chicken, with Parmesan potatoes, and grilled vegetables. They topped it off with a wonderful chocolate bundt cake with vanilla ice-cream. We laugh every time we make a bunt, and put flowers in the middle where the hole is. If you haven't seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding you might no understand our humor.
The kids spoiled me with wonderful gifts, and touching notes. Ben's note made my heart melt:
With the onset of warm weather comes the desire to be outside. Lately, we have enjoyed the abundance of hiking trails, in "our neck of the woods". Kate and I began the week climbing the small hill (or as I refer to it mountain) located directly East of the Temple off of Bountiful Boulevard. It is a short hike, but to save time we hiked directly up the face of this magnificent hill. My energy level was low from already walking from our home to the trailhead. We brought Bella just in case we happened upon a snake. Yes, we may have referred to her as "snake bait". We figured if someone had to be sacrificed it should be a non-human. Really now, we love Bella and would have fought for her. With Kate's loud noises, and my heavy breathing, I am sure we scared away any would be predators. This short hike is worth the exertion. The view of the temple and valley are gorgeous!
Steve served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, from 1980-1982, in Anchorage Alaska. Mike has been called to serve in the exact same mission as his dad. He will be serving from 2013-2015.
As word got out about Mike's mission, Steve's mission companions from 23 years ago began disseminating the news. They were thrilled and excited for Mike. Within days, a plan was established for several of Steve's old mission companies to meet up with us at El Matador to get to know Mike, and share stories and photos from their mission.
Brent and Angie Carling, Brett and Cindy Hales, Marilee and Brad Cordery, and Tracy Arave and his lovely wife, all joined us for dinner and a delightful night reminiscing about their adventures in the Anchorage Alaska mission. They had some great stories! I even learned what a "hooter" is. Much different than my definition. Steve was always a character, and his shenanigans didn't stop on his mission. Of course it was innocent, not breaking the rules type of mischief. We laughed until we cried, about some of the pranks he pulled while serving in the mission office, and as a tracking missionary.
We spent 3 1/2 hours laughing (there were some serious stories) and getting to know one another. Mike and I had a wonderful time, and were so grateful to such amazing friends that would take the time to share with us their experiences, and wonderful stories of Steve and his mission. Mike is more excited than ever to serve in his Dad's mission. I know he will come back with his own experiences, and his own love for the great people of Anchorage Alaska.
Do remember the "Churro Man"? This past weekend has been just as frustrating as Disneyland.
Sunshine Cafe was the breakfast spot to celebrate Meagan's 25th birthday. Ben came along to help with the celebration. We love the Sunshine Cafe and were enjoying our meal and conversation when I noticed that Ben had left. I always assume he is leaving briefly for a visit to the restroom, but when he doesn't return promptly, I begin to wonder.
Quinn, kindly went to look for him, and found him lounging on the top of the covered bed of the truck. When I inquired about what he was doing, he stated, "Just resting". Well, okay, then! "Let somebody know next time", I smirked.
I had a busy Saturday, dropped Ben at basketball practice only to return an hour later, and take him to Lizzy's dance recital. I knew it wasn't his "cup of tea", but didn't have time to take him home. I LOVE to watch Lizzy dance, and really enjoy all of CAA dance recitals. This one was no different.
After he watched Lizzy dance, he began to get fidgety, and impatient. "Mom, lets go. We have seen Lizzy", he barked. "No Ben, I'm enjoying the concert, I whispered. "Well, I'm walking home", he snapped. Knowing, he would NEVER do such a thing, I ignored him as he walked out of the auditorium in the middle of a dance performance.
Thinking he was waiting for me in the foyer, I waited for a dance performance to end, and went out to find him. Ben was nowhere to be seen. Knowing Lizzy had already danced and could leave if she wanted, I called her to see if she could help me find Ben. We went out to the car.....no Ben. Up and down the streets to and from Bountiful High School....no Ben. In our house.....no Ben.
I returned to Bountiful High where Lizzy entered the lobby to look for him once more. She happened upon Molly and Lindsey (our friends that we went to Disneyland with). As she told Molly our predicament, Molly said, "Well, we saw Ben leave the building, but he seemed to know where he was going. One thing you don't have to worry about, is there are no Churro Stands on the way home", she chuckled.
After quite some time driving around we returned home again, where we found Ben. "Where have you been"? I scolded. "I walked home, I was bored", he recounted. "We searched the streets and you were no where to be seen", I refuted. "Well, I hitched a ride with a neighbor", he admitted.
I'm beginning to think maybe 10 year olds need leashes....not toddlers.
Contemporary, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, classes from Creative Arts Academy preformed in the recital - Words That Move Us. A narrator spoke about positive words and phrases that can change our lives for the better, as the dancers preformed.
Midnight in Paris was Lizzy's first dance and Rush Hour her second. She has become proficient in tumbling, so they added a few tumbling tricks to the dance for her to perform. She was fabulous!
It is also so fun to watch friends and neighbor girls dance! What a great performance!
