Yogi

I went to Yoga at my gym last night for the first time in 2 or 3 months (now that I can breathe through my nose again). I almost forgot how much I love Yoga!

I also forgot that I hate the Yoga instructor at the gym. After a great hour of strengthening, stabilizing, centering poses...she ends with the traditional relaxation.

Except it is not relaxing for me on account of her CONSTANT TALKING. Her voice is not that pleasant. Just when I find myself centered in a very powerful relaxation...she starts in her robot voice..."imagine you are by a trickling pool of wa-ter..."

shut up.

Feel-the-cool-breeze-on-your-face (shut UP.) Feel-the-sun-on-your-left-side (SHUT UP!) See-the-white-fluff-y-clouds-in-the-sky (SHUUUUUT UP!)

She totally killed my Yoga buzz.

Pied Pipers

I don't know if we can do much for your rat-infestations...but we will try to lure you all the same.

Utahns, --Come spend Family Home Evening with us!
Perhaps it can be weird music appreciation night.

Alex + Jen = Kalaloch
Monday, August 25th 8:00 pm
Muse Music
151 North University Avenue Provo, UT 84601

It costs 5 bucks...but I think you get $1 off if you bring canned food. Plus...what's 5 bucks really? Some of it might even go to us (which won't even begin to subsidise the cost of gas...)

I'm certain I will post more tour info later.

Baba Ghanoug and Balloons

Yum. Last night we ate at Nicholas Restaurant (Lebanese and Middle Eastern Cuisine) in Portland. It was a tiny, bustling restaurant that offers the quintessential Portlander plenty of vegan options with a friendly cafeteria atmosphere. I'm not really sure what the difference is between Lebanese food and Greek food. I have only eaten the latter in a restaurant once, but my plate had most of the same names.

By favorite is Baba Ghanoug ("fresh oven roasted eggplant, peeled and ground with tahini, garlic, lemon juice and garnished with parsley and olive oil"). I have tried eggplant once before and thought it was terrible. But baba ghanoug was one of the yummiest things I've ever had.

I also had a "Mezza Platter" with spinach pie, manakish, humus, falafel, tabouli, and fresh (REALLLY fresh yummy) pita bread. For dessert: Riz bil Halleeb--Lebanese style rice pudding topped with a sugared pistachios layer and a little whipped cream...YUM!

I don't remember the last time I was so very full.

We also went to the Portland Rose Garden last night. It was a gorgeous summer night. The roses were in bloom (and my allergies are finally under control, so I could enjoy it!), the accordion player and Shakespearean dances were fun, and there was a balloon lady passing out balloons to the kids playing in the amphitheater. Then it was on to the Doug Fir Lounge to see Retribution Gospel Choir. RGC had a new bass player. He danced like a chicken while he played. Other than that, it was a great show.

Exploding Jell-O Salad

Oh! I didn't get a picture of my Exploding Jell-O Salad! Shame on me! Well here's the recipe:

1 box blue Jell-O
1 box raspberry Jell-O
Fresh blueberries
Fresh raspberries
Cool Whip
Red and/or Blue Pop Rocks (that's right--Pop Rocks).

1. I prepared 1 large box of blue Jell-O as directed and poured it in a medium sized pretty glass bowl. There was too much Jell-O, I only added enough to fill the bowl about 2/3 full. Add enough blueberries that they completely cover the top of the blue layer (they will float).
2. When the crane fly lands in the hot blue Jell-O, dump that batch out and run to the store before it closes at 1 a.m. for another box. Then prepare again as directed above. Don't try to just fish it out. That is gross. Plus--it's tough to get all the legs out.
3. Let that layer set for a few hours (or overnight).
4. For the next layer, I prepared a small box of raspberry. (I would have done a large raspberry and small blue--but I couldn't find those sizes). I prepared the raspberry by following the Jell-O layers directions on the side flap of the box (3 cups boiling water, 1 8 oz tub of Cool whip (frozen)).
5. Let the red layer cool to lukewarm before pouring atop the blue.
6. Top with a layer of Cool-Whip and some fresh raspberries.
7. JUST BEFORE SERVING (and not any sooner), sprinkle 2-4 packets of red and/or blue Pop Rocks (candy) on top. They will immediately react with the moisture in the topping--so don't add until it is ready to serve. Don't worry--there will still be enough pop to rock your mouth.
8. Enjoy!

This was a huge hit with the kids--and I loved it too (=

If I were to do this again, I would prepare the blue layer with club soda to make it bubbly.

The credit for the idea behind this Jell-O creation goes to Alex--it was his idea to combine Jell-O and Pop Rocks. Incidentally, these two amazing creations came from the mind of the same man!

The idea for how to implement Alex's idea came from another awesome recipe I googled during my research.

Patriotism: Ribs, Wrestling, and Godzilla

This year's Fourth of July, while very fun, was quite tame when compared to past year's. We didn't even start the hay field on fire. Not once! We did have one semi-serious injury. My nephew cut his thumb with a very sharp knife while trying to decapitate a Cabbage Patch Kid. He's 27. But we only had one injury! And it wasn't even gun-powder related.

We had some great food. (Including my Exploding Jell-O Salad.) This is The Gipper discovering RIBS.

Contributing to the AWESOMENESS of the day, Laura and Lon borrowed a Bounce House! It was a hit with the kids (and Alex).




It didn't take the kids too long to discover the fun in waiting for the Bounce House to fill with people, and then to turn OFF the air and watch it collapse upon the screaming giggling kids (and Alex).

Peter Pan's got nothing on these best friends: Alex, Gavin, and Garrett had a great time playing with fireworks. Gavin acquired some Godzilla-like friends and a Cabbage Patch Kid at a garage sale that morning. They were specially bought with a purpose in mind...a purpose that involved many packages of firecrackers, dozens of ground blooms, some bottle rockets, and a few sparklers. Many a heads were blown apart yesterday.


And what's a party without Masked Wrestlers? LUCHA!