I've learned...

that this

(stone ground mustard)

is not the same as this

(ground mustard)

and think these items shouldn't have such similar names since they are such different things. One is in the condiment aisle with the regular mustard; the other is in the spice aisle. One needs to be refrigerated after opening; the other is kept on your pantry shelf. Very different. Not to be confused.

I've also learned that this is a simple and tasty salmon recipe. You should try it. But be sure to use the stone ground mustard from the condiment aisle (like the recipe calls for) and not the regular plain old ground mustard from the spice aisle, cause if you used that instead I'm pretty sure the recipe wouldn't turn out quite the same way. Just a hunch.

Lucky!

I get to spend all day with this cuteness!

Video Overload

My apologies for the many videos below. Watch them if you like.

Thinking of Pioneers

You can't see my face (the video is kinda poor quality and taken from far away) but I'm in there somewhere. This is one of the 6 songs we sang.

out to breakfast

Sara was surprisingly unsure about applesauce the first time she tried it, but as you can see here, she is now thoroughly enjoying it!

Also, we did not finish all that food. It was a ton. Yummy though!

door stop

kicking

Preaching to the Choir

So a little more info about the Sunrise Service choir I'm singing in at the Tabernacle on Temple Square THIS FRIDAY July 24th at 7:00 AM.

It is a multi-Stake choir from up here in Davis County. I was so excited when they announced it, and glad I got picked to sing! (only 9 of each part from each Stake, so I was one of 9 altos from my Stake--yay!!) Coincidentally (or perhaps not) it was one of my life goals to sing in a "real choir" again (aka, not just the Ward choir) and I'm counting this as fulfilling that goal! There are 300+ people in the choir (enough to fill the choir seats in the Tabernacle) and the director is awesome. We've been practicing twice a week for the past two weeks, and each practice is 2 1/2 hours long!! We're not messing around!

So I know 7:00 AM is super early to try to attend this thing, so if anybody wants to attend the dress rehearsal you are welcome to do so. It won't be the same as the actual performance, but it could be fun to watch. It's tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 7:00 PM in the Tabernacle. Oh ya, and children are welcome to attend both the dress rehearsal and performance, so bring 'em along if you decide to come!

Monster

I've learned that Sara is afraid of me when I come out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my head after showering. I wonder what it is she thinks she sees? Doesn't she recognize my face and voice? Does she think a big purple monster is eating my head? I don't know, but I do know that it makes her cry her scared cry!

Yes Please

Rob said to me the other day, "How about every time I come home later than I say I'm going to, I give you $10.00 to put toward shoes."

I'm normally not this good at baking

Banana Bread Muffins

{Recipe from the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook}

You know what I hate?

Rob and I went to Old Navy tonight. We got there at about 8:30; a solid half-hour before closing time. While I was in the dressing room, the lights dimmed and the music stopped playing. Thinking we had somehow stayed until closing, I looked at my phone to check the time . . . but it was only 8:45!! Hey Old Navy, I've still got fifteen minutes of good shopping time left. Turn those lights and music back on right this instant! -- ARRGH, I just HATE when stores close early. The sign on the door says you close at 9:00, so don't turn off the lights and music until then! What they don't realize is I just might have purchased that cute little fall jacket I was trying on if I hadn't felt so pressured and uncomfortable and rushed. Seriously, it made me feel like my patronage meant nothing to them. All they cared about was locking the doors behind them promptly at 9:00. Store Hours until nine does not mean you get to go home at nine, it means I get to shop until nine! Show some courtesy to your customers and give them every second of shopping time your little "Store Hours" sign says they have. GRRR! Anyway, let's just say a strongly worded complaint has been sent to Old Navy headquarters. Let's hope the big bosses feel the same way I do.

In a much better display of customer service, before our Old Navy excursion we also stopped at World Market (love that store) and got a free tote bag! No purchase necessary!! -- although we did end up buying some dark chocolate almond cookies and a bottle of pink grapefruit soda. -- See Old Navy, make me feel valued and special, and I'll walk out of the store with a receipt in my hand.

And to end the evening, I walked out of Target pushing a stroller with a screaming baby inside with several onlookers sending looks of disapproval my way. Always a pleasure. Next time we'll have to do our shopping during the day to avoid all such catastrophes, although the screaming baby one can unfortunately happen any time of day without warning! But I had it coming walking into the store at 9:15 (they close at Ten, mind you). Don't try to squeeze in one more shopping rendezvous when you're already out past baby's bedtime! Lesson learned.

Sunrise Service

Here in Utah we have a State holiday on July 24th, Pioneer Day, that celebrates the arrival of the first pioneer settlers to the Salt Lake Valley. Well this year I will be singing in the choir for the Sunrise Service at 7:00 AM in the Tabernacle on Temple Square, and you are all invited to attend!! It should be really great. The choir will be led by Michael Huff who is a Music Professor at the University of Utah and also the Musical Director of the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir. We are singing 6 great musical numbers and there will also be a speaker and other musical performances. And IT'S FREE! No tickets required. So for anybody who likes getting up with the sun on your holidays (and I know you all do!) come and join us! I'd love to see you there!!

(Click here for more info.)

Let's go swimming now, everybody's learning how

Sara's first swim, on the 4th of July.

I made this

And yes, it was as delicious as it looks!

(recipes here and here)

jail bird

sweet dreams

I'm pretty sure the noise from the camera woke her up when I took this shot, but she just looked too cute and peaceful not to take it.