In the last 6 months or so I noticed a strong earthy smell when I turned on the water in my kitchen sink. I rinsed it well, ran baking soda vinegar and hot water down the disposal, read up on where the smell might originate. Nothing conclusive and I wasn't ready to accept it was some weird water standing in the pipes somewhere or some mildew growing in a hard to reach place. It didn't always smell, but was noticeable when I first ran the water. It was not the dishrags.
I finally figured it out. By mistake.
I was cleaning in and around my sink and scrubbing the rubber thing that sits inside the drain opening. It came out with the sponge into my hands! One look and I knew where the smell originated. Apparently our disposal is so powerful (YAY) that little bits of food and pulverized debris get tossed UP into the rubber thing instead of it all draining down through the blades of the disposal (BOO) and drain pipe.
So now I just have to regularly pull up the rubber sink drain thing (does it have a name?) that is supposed to stop a spoon or knife from entering the disposal, and scrub the gunk off!
Sorry no photos. Use your imagination.
Friday, April 16, 2010
heartaches
Yesterday I was so sad to learn of heartaches experienced by some sisters in my ward. Mostly involves decisions by their grown children to cut off all contact with the parents. This is hard for a family who was super involved in their children and grand children's lives. We talked of the difficultly to overcome hurt, pain, anger, and learn how to depend on the Lord for strength and forgiveness every day. It is a huge hurdle to let go of hurt feelings when loved ones turn against you .
Another sister told us of her recent brief visits with a daughter whose husband made her cut off all contact with the family for the past 6 years! Talk about heartache. She is so fearful of the husband cutting them off again. and these are her only grandchildren who live in state.
Then my neighbor told me of another friend whose 30+ son just committed suicide, and this jsut one year after the friend's daughter committed suicide because of a very emotionally abusive marriage. I can't fathom the heart and pain. How can she even get out of bed each day? All these stories I heard in the past two days painfully teaches me again that there is sadness, struggle, pain and heartache in so many people's lives. It's people we know and may not even suspect any hardship. I want to be the one to offer friendship, love, acceptance, and hope to all in my little part of the world. How we all need it!! How it hurts to feel judged, rejected, and not wanted. My heart aches with them now.
Another sister told us of her recent brief visits with a daughter whose husband made her cut off all contact with the family for the past 6 years! Talk about heartache. She is so fearful of the husband cutting them off again. and these are her only grandchildren who live in state.
Then my neighbor told me of another friend whose 30+ son just committed suicide, and this jsut one year after the friend's daughter committed suicide because of a very emotionally abusive marriage. I can't fathom the heart and pain. How can she even get out of bed each day? All these stories I heard in the past two days painfully teaches me again that there is sadness, struggle, pain and heartache in so many people's lives. It's people we know and may not even suspect any hardship. I want to be the one to offer friendship, love, acceptance, and hope to all in my little part of the world. How we all need it!! How it hurts to feel judged, rejected, and not wanted. My heart aches with them now.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
In a pinch
Tonight I wanted to use up some stuff in the fridge. So I made up a recipe as I pulled things out.
-Sauteed chopped onion in olive oil in large skillet.
-added 2 cups brown rice that I had cooked two days ago
-added 1 can diced tomatoes with basil and garlic, liquid drained
-large handful of spinach, torn
Heat all this till the spinach is wilted, then add:
-1/2 large cooked breaded chicken breast leftovoer from previous dinner, chopped
stir in, heat through and top with 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese. cover till the cheese melts.
Quite tasty for not knowing where I was going with all the things I pulled out of the fridge. But not photo worthy :(
Clyde liked it and I might make this again - very healthy and low fat! We added a mini cucumber and microwaved asparagus to round out the meal. Four veggies in one meal!
-Sauteed chopped onion in olive oil in large skillet.
-added 2 cups brown rice that I had cooked two days ago
-added 1 can diced tomatoes with basil and garlic, liquid drained
-large handful of spinach, torn
Heat all this till the spinach is wilted, then add:
-1/2 large cooked breaded chicken breast leftovoer from previous dinner, chopped
stir in, heat through and top with 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese. cover till the cheese melts.
Quite tasty for not knowing where I was going with all the things I pulled out of the fridge. But not photo worthy :(
Clyde liked it and I might make this again - very healthy and low fat! We added a mini cucumber and microwaved asparagus to round out the meal. Four veggies in one meal!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Good Vibes
Today I reported my good news in RS - that I had visited the triplets and had a great time; that the babies are happy, healthy and growing so well. One sister commented that I still had the "triplet glow" all around me. I'll take that as a compliment! It's kind of fun as I have noticed that others will come up to me and marvel about having triplet grand babies, or how much work it must be for the parents. I tell them how organized Emily is and how well the babies are sleeping now. Even strangers on the plane, the cab driver, people I work with across campus and others get all gushy and happy when they learn that I have been visiting the triplets. They talk about what a miracle it is, god's love, how great families are and how blessed KC and Emily are. I love it! It brings good vibes to me all the time for a good happy reason.
Thanks Emily and KC.
Thanks Emily and KC.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Good times for grandma
I just returned from a great time visiting KC, Emily and Alex, Bennett, and Ruby.
We enjoyed good weather some of the days I was there. Every moment with the babies was a joy and they are so fun and developing very unique personalities. My favorite was getting them up after naps or nighttime. Even though they may have been crying, they were so happy as soon as they joined us in the living room. I loved talking to them as Emily prepared their bottles. Such fun to tickle and hear them giggle.
Here are a few favs:
It is serious business to learn about the world - babies are hard at work.
Emily looks great and really happy to be at this doctor visit. Maybe because she had two helpers (Nicole and myself) to help hold and cart babies?
Look out world, Bennett will be on the move soon!
KC the dad and his ukulele time with the babies.
I loved feeding time!
We enjoyed good weather some of the days I was there. Every moment with the babies was a joy and they are so fun and developing very unique personalities. My favorite was getting them up after naps or nighttime. Even though they may have been crying, they were so happy as soon as they joined us in the living room. I loved talking to them as Emily prepared their bottles. Such fun to tickle and hear them giggle.
Here are a few favs:
It is serious business to learn about the world - babies are hard at work.
Emily looks great and really happy to be at this doctor visit. Maybe because she had two helpers (Nicole and myself) to help hold and cart babies?
Look out world, Bennett will be on the move soon!
KC the dad and his ukulele time with the babies.
I loved feeding time!
I also stopped to see the cherry Blossoms in full bloom at the Tidal Basin on my way to the airport. Gorgeous!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Cousin's dinner recipes
Just enjoyed one more cousin's dinner! We love visiting with the college age cousins who live in UT County.
We have enjoyed a loaf of hot Artisan bread the last two dinners, and Julie has requested that the recipe be posted on the blog.
the menu:
Chicken, broccoli, mushroom Alfredo
Linguine
brussel sprouts
spring mix salad
no-knead Artisan Bread
Chocolate covered cherry cake
hot fudge sauce & ice cream with the cake
Alfredo: saute onions and mushrooms. Micro cook a chopped head of broccoli.
water saute 2 chicken breasts, sliced into three slices each, then chop into small pieces.
Dump all into a large sauce pan, and pour 1 or more jars of classico Alfredo sauce over. Add 3 T water per jar to thin the sauce. Serve over hot noodles.
Brussel sprouts: buy large bag at costco. place a bit of water in a casserole or pyrex, add some sprouts, cover with plastic wrap. Micro cook on high for 6 - 10 minutes, depending on how many you are cooking.
Chocolate covered Cherry cake:
1 devil's food cake mix, 1 can 20 oz cherry pie filling, 2 eggs. beat all together for 2 -3 minutes. Pour into 9 x 13 and bake 30 minutes at 350.
HOT FUDGE SAUCE
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. cocoa (mixed with a little water)
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 can evaporated milk less 2 tbsp.
1 tsp. vanilla
Heat butter and cocoa until melted. Keep stirring. Add salt, then sugar. Mixture becomes thick and grainy. Now stir in milk and cook additional 5-6 minutes, until slightly thick. Stir frequently.
Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour into a jar. To use as hot fudge sauce, put jar into hot water for 30 minutes. Keep well if tightly covered.
no-knead Artisan Bread recipe here:
I added a bit more water since my flour was pretty dry. I let mine rise on a floured and cornmeal covered cutting board - easier to flip. I cover my pan with a pie pan, since I don't want my lid handle to go in a 450 degree oven. Perfectly easy and so crusty and moist at the same time.
No - Knead Artisan Bread ( Sullivan bakery in NY)
3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
¼ teaspoon instant yeast
1¼ teaspoons salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed.
1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.
2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.
3. Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.
4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.
Yield: One 1½-pound loaf.
large loaf: 6 cups flour, ½ t yeast, 2 ¾ c water 2 ½ t. salt,
We have enjoyed a loaf of hot Artisan bread the last two dinners, and Julie has requested that the recipe be posted on the blog.
the menu:
Chicken, broccoli, mushroom Alfredo
Linguine
brussel sprouts
spring mix salad
no-knead Artisan Bread
Chocolate covered cherry cake
hot fudge sauce & ice cream with the cake
Alfredo: saute onions and mushrooms. Micro cook a chopped head of broccoli.
water saute 2 chicken breasts, sliced into three slices each, then chop into small pieces.
Dump all into a large sauce pan, and pour 1 or more jars of classico Alfredo sauce over. Add 3 T water per jar to thin the sauce. Serve over hot noodles.
Brussel sprouts: buy large bag at costco. place a bit of water in a casserole or pyrex, add some sprouts, cover with plastic wrap. Micro cook on high for 6 - 10 minutes, depending on how many you are cooking.
Chocolate covered Cherry cake:
1 devil's food cake mix, 1 can 20 oz cherry pie filling, 2 eggs. beat all together for 2 -3 minutes. Pour into 9 x 13 and bake 30 minutes at 350.
HOT FUDGE SAUCE
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. cocoa (mixed with a little water)
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 can evaporated milk less 2 tbsp.
1 tsp. vanilla
Heat butter and cocoa until melted. Keep stirring. Add salt, then sugar. Mixture becomes thick and grainy. Now stir in milk and cook additional 5-6 minutes, until slightly thick. Stir frequently.
Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour into a jar. To use as hot fudge sauce, put jar into hot water for 30 minutes. Keep well if tightly covered.
no-knead Artisan Bread recipe here:
I added a bit more water since my flour was pretty dry. I let mine rise on a floured and cornmeal covered cutting board - easier to flip. I cover my pan with a pie pan, since I don't want my lid handle to go in a 450 degree oven. Perfectly easy and so crusty and moist at the same time.
No - Knead Artisan Bread ( Sullivan bakery in NY)
3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
¼ teaspoon instant yeast
1¼ teaspoons salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed.
1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.
2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.
3. Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.
4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.
Yield: One 1½-pound loaf.
large loaf: 6 cups flour, ½ t yeast, 2 ¾ c water 2 ½ t. salt,
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
work work work
This afternoon felt like a hurricane hit at my desk.
After a busy morning talking with three groups at a workshop, the afternoon just hit like a ton of bricks/ problems.
a sampling:
- looked up 10 ids, researched each one on 4 screens to discover why the programmer was missing their current endorsement date; sent email; responded to several ensuing emails and phone calls and conversations about this bug.
- worked with Claire in my office on an email response regarding a new online page/ process that will soon be rolled out; tested a few pages while crafting the email and discovered new bugs to report.
- took a 6 minute phone call about creating test apps to run against a fix for the webapp upload and test of English status
- discussed early morning bug of dates printing on the email address on the letterhead; sent scanned copies to developer; afternoon suggested staff member try reprinting - or requeing. reported back that worked - bug solved. sort of - someone still needs to reprint all those letters.
- talked to another developer about running the batch to load the Law admits; found only 36 added out of 90. got a call from data entry staff. scanned reports to send to her. scanned reports to send to developer. took about 5 calls from several on this issue
-crisis call about three ETD templates that suddenly became "not found"; quickly had pubs intern upload a different version;
- back and forth 3 times email conversation with a BYUH faculty, needing to submit his ETD and having navigation issues. Called library programmer for assistance, forwarded this info to the student.
-couple calls from front desk
-visit from Kevin reporting more craziness from two depts.
My current assignment is to create a procedures manual for what I do. How in the world will I do that?
I love my job - never a dull moment!!
started on the test apps at 7:30 - done by 9:40
no wonder I feel wound up some days!
ready for bed now.
After a busy morning talking with three groups at a workshop, the afternoon just hit like a ton of bricks/ problems.
a sampling:
- looked up 10 ids, researched each one on 4 screens to discover why the programmer was missing their current endorsement date; sent email; responded to several ensuing emails and phone calls and conversations about this bug.
- worked with Claire in my office on an email response regarding a new online page/ process that will soon be rolled out; tested a few pages while crafting the email and discovered new bugs to report.
- took a 6 minute phone call about creating test apps to run against a fix for the webapp upload and test of English status
- discussed early morning bug of dates printing on the email address on the letterhead; sent scanned copies to developer; afternoon suggested staff member try reprinting - or requeing. reported back that worked - bug solved. sort of - someone still needs to reprint all those letters.
- talked to another developer about running the batch to load the Law admits; found only 36 added out of 90. got a call from data entry staff. scanned reports to send to her. scanned reports to send to developer. took about 5 calls from several on this issue
-crisis call about three ETD templates that suddenly became "not found"; quickly had pubs intern upload a different version;
- back and forth 3 times email conversation with a BYUH faculty, needing to submit his ETD and having navigation issues. Called library programmer for assistance, forwarded this info to the student.
-couple calls from front desk
-visit from Kevin reporting more craziness from two depts.
My current assignment is to create a procedures manual for what I do. How in the world will I do that?
I love my job - never a dull moment!!
started on the test apps at 7:30 - done by 9:40
no wonder I feel wound up some days!
ready for bed now.
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