Some of my favorite things of late

Spring Flowers

couldn't resist buying them, and a pot, and some soil. I liked it so much I think I could have planted a whole flower garden just then. I'll have to just be satisfied with pot outside our front door. 

The Book Thief
I read it, in a few short days because it was that good...and cried at the end. If you like this book, watch this Anne Frank movie. I've never cried so hard at a movie before. (but that may have involved the fact that I watched it post break up though ironically I can't remember exactly which one)


My new apartment
love being able to go home at night and not hate my life


Jane Eyre
the new movie is good, but not nearly as good as this version from 2006. If you have four hours to invest, this is so worth it. The "he finallly tell her he loves her" scene is much more fulfilling in this one. The new movie is beautifully done, but you just can't do the book justice in 110 minutes.

Moments like these
when Nico isn't crying or fussing...which isn't exactly all the time.

Best Tomato Sauce Ever

So, I'm not the type to put recipes on my blog. I leave that up to the amazing women at ourbestbites.com
But this one was sooo good, I didn't want to lose it. So I thought I might as well put it on my blog where I can have it forever, and then I can share at the same time. Stick this on some ravioli, or spaghetti, add some toasted bread, and you've got an amazing meal every time. Best part is, it makes a ton and freezes well, and you're getting your daily dose of veggies x 10 every time you eat this.

Chop:
2 small onions
1 small leek (thoughly washed, use only white and light green parts)
2 stalks of celery
2 red bell peppers

Grate or use a food processor:
2 zucchinis
2 carrots

At this point you will be really tired of chopping and grating, but will think, "I didn't know veggies could smell this good"

Heat large saucepan to medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil.
Add veggies (prepared above)
Add large pinch of dried oregano
2 bay leaves
Cook slowly, stir occasionally, 20 min, lid on
until veggies are soft but brown

Meanwhile peel, scoop and seeds and grate
1 small butternut squash
Add to pan.
Also add:
 4 (14.5 oz) cans of plum tomatoes with juice
2 cups water
pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 minutes until squash is soft

Take pan off heat, spoon out bay leaves
Let sauce cool slightly before blitzing with stick blender until smooth (or use a blender or food processor in batches)

Makes 13 cups

Seriously. good. tomato sauce.

Prep time: 15-30 min
Cook time: 1 hr.

who knew?

So I have a roommate who recently has made my living situation rather miserable. And I've spent considerable effort the last few weeks, trying to devise a way to get out of my lease and move out. Somewhere between the loud music, the strange guys getting drunk in the room next door, her new boyfriend using the shower and dirtying the bathroom every night and every morning, (and much more)-- I've been rather enraged by the whole situation. And several people who have endured my complaining can attest to how hate/frustration/annoyance I've felt towards roommate during the whole ordeal.

Tonight her boyfriend needed a ride. And though they didn't solicit one from me, from somewhere inside of me, I felt the prompting to offer him one. In the course of the 30 minute drive to drop him off, I found this roommate of mine complimenting me for my religious beliefs, conviction, intelligence, and encouraging me. It was an almost shocking experience... the realization that somewhere in the course of trying to keep my standards, and having to rebuke her for not keeping the rules we've agreed to live by as roommates, she still has at least an ounce of respect for the way I live. It's really hard to truly hate someone like that. In fact, it feels as if I might survive the next three months until I can move out in tact. Who knew one kind action could make such a difference? (Ok, so maybe that's what they try to teach us at church and conference and such, but when it actually has real results in my own life, it's remarkable.)

Give me a few nights, and I'm sure she'll do something else to annoy the heck out of me, but the odds that it will make me hate her have considerably diminished.

I'd recommend...

These girl scout cookies, because they are best.

Serving in the Taiwan Taichung mission because... (The chinese characters mean: There IS a way)

...then you'll get an awesome mission president like President Hoer-- who I'm looking forward to hearing from this weekend at my mission reunion! (please excuse the middle of the summer in Taiwan, almost made it home, sister missionary look I'm sporting)

and awesome companions like Hannah and Kristy (who I got to celebrate with this last weekend)

Taking your kids to Jump Around Utah in Salt Lake City because they have the awesomest climbing playground ever (which you can't see in this picture, but you can see the really fun jumping pillow.) Downside: $10/kid, adults free. Until March 28th you can get a $5 deal at living social.

Sanuk flip flops because they are super comfy and don't make your feet hurt, unless you walk an hour from the national mall to the Pentagon, and then your feet are going to hurt no matter which flip flops you wear.

Spending time pondering in/near the temple

Shopping at the new super sweet whole foods in Salt Lake City and buying these.

Listening to this CD when you want to feel like you've just taken a deep breath and somehow your life includes peace and  beauty.

Having a sister like I do, cause she's the best

I'd also recommend...

listening to your parents most of the time.

not signing a lease with crazy roommates.

this talk about living in the present.

this awesome recipe website: Our Best Bites

staying in touch with the few good friends you had in high school (seeing Diana this weekend was great, and I love that I can still tell my friend Emily all my dating drama.)

Finding something useful to do with your Sunday nights (a trick I have yet to master, thus spending all this time blogging about stuff no one else cares much about).

I {heart} Jimmer

So excited for the Jimmer show tonight... I mean the cougars in the sweet sixteen. I tried to show my support through decorating some cookies for the big game tonight; I think it's pretty obvious cake decorating skills are not my strong point. Oh well... GO COUGS!

May 1915 by Charlotte Mew

Let us remember Spring will come again
To the scorched blackened woods, where the wounded trees
Wait, with their old wise patience for the heavenly rain,
Sure of the sky: sure of the sea to send it's healing breeze,
Sure of the sun. And even as to these
Surely the Spring, when God shall please,
Will come again like a divine surprise
To those who sit today...
At one with love, at one with Grief: blind to the scattered things and changing skies.

Moab... with a handsome guy named Sterling

Most of these pictures are from our Sunday morning drive. All 3 days were fabulous though... from rock climbing to making it all the way around Slickrock, and even eating all our the yummy leftovers on fast sunday after church.