A lesson from my Mom

Since being in Utah, I have listened to A LOT of talk radio!! Not because I like talk radio, but because my Mom has a bit of an addiction to it. If it's talk radio, it's for her. So of course most of them have been talking politics and immigration, gas prices, etc... I guess the usual subjects that are going around right now. But yesterday a caller made a comment that really struck me because I had been thinking a lot about it lately. I think they were talking about gas prices and how some people were really struggling because the prices were so high. And this caller commented something to the affect that maybe we are all getting a slice of humble pie because now were are having to cut back and take a better look at our spending and our priorities. And he went on to talk about how so many people now really confuse needs and wants, and that what people think they need now, it took our parents or grandparents a lifetime to acrew. So that got me thinking about all the little luxuries that we enjoy now that we consider to be needs, but in reality, they are totally wants. Sure it's hot outside and air conditioning is nice, but didn't we get a long without for many a year? Fans. Sure having new furniture that all matches is nice, but does it really matter? If it's comfy, it works just as good matching or not. Sure an epilady would be great to allow me to not have to shave my legs as often, but should I run out and get one today because I decide I want one? I guess I can shave for awhile longer. Anyway you get my point. Another reason I've been thinking about this is being with my Mom, and not for talk radio this time. She's a funny lady, she often has a really strange Christmas or Birthday list that includes things that honestly most of the time I think to myself, why did you wait until Christmas to ask for an oven mitt? Just go and buy one at the store, I mean they are like $5. Or she had an small umbrella on her list for about 3 years in a row, again you would think she would just go and buy herself one. But instead, Zack and I finally broke down last year and got it for her. (Mostly I think because we were all sick of it being on the list!) It was a happy day!! So I've been thinking about that. It made me realize that I have become spoiled. Okay, not outlandishly spoiled because I think that would be hard considering we live on a student income right now, but in reality, I am. I wouldn't have thought twice about just picking up a new oven mitt or umbrella, or pair of socks at the store for no particular occasion. But I should. I think it's the consumer hungry society that we live in now that tells you just to buy, buy, buy. There is no need to go without something, just get it. What happened to waiting and putting something on your birthday list? Or saving up for something? Okay, I'm not saying I would save up for an oven mitt, but I should for a kitchenaid, or food processor that I seriously wanted and was just going to buy for myself given the opportunity. I think back when I was little, and we didn't just get a new toy whenever we wanted, or new clothes, or whatever. Those things came on gift giving holidays and rarely inbetween. And we survived just fine. So I've been thinking that I might need to gear my thoughts back to that way of thinking rather than filling my cart with my wants during my weekly store visits. Just a thought. I'm glad I can still learn a lesson or two from good old MOM! (Whew, that was long!)

Boston Baked Beans

I thought I would post some pics of our few adventures before coming to Utah. We went to Boston one day to have some fun and in true MA fashion, of course nothing goes smoothly since we moved there, we ran into a few snags. We had picked out a subway stop to park at and go into Boston on. But of course once we got there, it was closed down for the day. ARGG.....but luckily a worker was there to help guide us to somewhere else and it ended up that we could catch a bus into the city a little further. And then we found out that the subway was still running in Boston, just not in the outer areas. Whew, disaster averted. So finally we got there, and managed to have a really nice day. And for once, the weather was nice which hasn't happened once on an outing so far in MA. We went to the Christian Science center something, something....which has this really cool 30 foot world globe made out of stained glass built in the early 1900's. It was really cool, but we couldn't take pictures of it inside. But you stand in the middle of the globe on a clear bridge, it's pretty fun. Then we walked along some of the fun streets in Boston with all the shops, went to a park, and then made it in time to see a little of the Fine Arts Museum before it closed. All in all it was a fun Family Day!!

A really pretty picture outside of the Museum.


Talk about a big baby head!


Oli having some snacks out side the Museum, Me having a big yawn.

This is inside the globe place at this great hall they have with all sorts of ispirational quotes floating around the room. It was kind of cool. This picture is actually of the light fixtures they had in the room. I thought they were neat.

This is the Church next to the Christian Science whatever.

In the Land of Milk and Honey!

Hey all, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. This is largely because Zack finished up his first year of Grad school in MA and so has been home more to play with us! It has been great! Then shortly after that, we took the first plane out of Crazyville and headed to Utah for some fun in the sun! We are enjoying being in Happy Valley once again with all the things it offers, mainly FAMILY! After having no family or friends around and living in a gross dirty city, we sort of feel like we have come to the Land of Milk and Honey here in Utah. It's great! I haven't seen one piece of trash lining the streets and people actually have yards! Not to mention the fact that they have some delicious mexican food, and lots of icecream! And I haven't seen many run down factories which is always a plus. I haven't downloaded any pics yet of our trip here, but I will. Oliver is having the time of his life with 2 sets of grandparents to adore him and cousins to play with. I think he may have even forgotten that Zack and I exsist! Anyway, here's to Utah: A Pretty Great State!

Cape Cod!!

We went to Cape Cod on Monday for a fun day trip!!! Unfortunately as you can see, the weather was rather COLD!!! Good thing we had a back up plan besides just going to the beach! We went with our German friends that are in Zack's program at school. Martin and Carmen wanted to swim, but quickly saw that only the polar bear club were swimming that day!! So we visited the Heritage Museum in Sandwich. It had a car museum and really beautiful ground to walk around, which we did very quickly since it was freezing. They also had an old carousel that we got to ride as much as we wanted!! How about that? Oliver wasn't sure he liked it, but he rode it anyway. Then we had a little picnic on the beach, we braved the cold and ate quickly! Looks fun eh? ha ha. The we visited the Sandwich Glass Blowing museum. It was fun to watch someone demonstrate how to blow glass. He made it look so easy! Anyway, it was a fun day, I guess you have to learn to live with freezing in May when you live in MA!

The Battle at Lexington and Concord

In April we went to the Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. It was also a cold day, but not as cold! I kept meaning to post the pictures, but just got around to it. It happens on Patriot day here in MA. It's the day we officially kicked the Brits hinny's!! So we missed the real battle with the Paul Revere ride and the "shot heard round the world," mostly because that was at like 5:45 am. But we did go later to the reenactment. It was really interesting to see and it was fun because as the battle moved, everyone had to kind of move along with them along the road. It was amazing to see how different war was back then. All the soldiers staying in formations and taking turns firing. It was really interesting and best of all they shot off the cannon a few times! And I guess we showed them whose boss!! Get out of here you Red Coats!!

Pringles anyone?

Let me see....how many "rules" are being broken in these pictures?? No food out of the kitchen, no shoes on the couch, no eating on the couch, no watching T.V., no junk food........what can I say? We aren't very good enforcers. I guess it's hard to say no to that face!! We just came into the living room and there he was all set up with his Pringles lined up on the couch watching some Sports Center. I can see I've already been outnumbered! sigh.

A rather delicious meal!

So now that I actually feel like eating something, I tried out this recipe yesterday. It was really good. I have never been a huge meat loaf fan, but this one is seriously good. Zack and I both really enjoyed it. It was easy and tasty!




Turkey and Roasted Red Pepper Meat Loaf

1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey
1 small yellow onion, chopped*
1 egg, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 T Dijon mustard
1 cup flat-leaf Parsley, chopped
1 7 oz. jar roasted red peppers, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Heat oven to 400F.

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Shape the meat into a 7x11 baking dish.** Bake until no trace of pink remains, about 45 min. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 min. before slicing.

* This was quite a bit of onion, it tasted good to us, but if you're not huge on onions, I'd cut down on this a little.
**You could do it in a loaf pan like usual, but the tip on the recipe siad that it isn't the best choice for baking meat. It said a larger pan would allow the heat to circulate over the meat, cooking it evenly.