What's for lunch and Sunday dinner? & 2 days left to win an Everneath ARC!

To all you Everneath ARC hopefuls just today and tomorrow until midnight to enter!  The clock is tick, tick, ticking away.

Now on to Grandma Florence's cookbook!.

September begins in my grandmother's cookbook with a discussion of the school year looming in front of all those homemakers and what to make for those pesky lunch boxes.

"Nine months of lunches lie ahead--lunches to be carried to school! These lunches must contain all the nourishment of a good home 'sit down at the table' lunch.'" 

My sit down at the table lunches this summer have been mac and cheese, hot pockets and noodles prepared by my own dear children--so I am actually hoping school lunch is a bit more nutritious. In my defense I do supply fruit for them to snack on too--will that save me in the motherhood department!?  Will I still have nutrition services knocking at my door?

I love her suggestions--but if you are going make these sandwiches make sure you buy a meat grinder--because it is used alarmingly often:

Big Boy Sandwich:  Rye bread, butter, Swiss cheese, chopped mustard pickle.
Mock Ham Sandwich: Ground bologna, mixed with sweet relish and mayonnaise.
Meat Loaf Sandwich: Hamburger roll, meat loaf, sliced dill pickle, lettuce
Peppy Sandwich: (Don't you just love that name!) Whole wheat bread. Add 1/3 cup evaporated milk to 2/3 cup soft yellow cheese, cream well.  Add 1 cup shredded dried beef, 2 tablespoons drained horseradish. Makes 6 large sandwiches. (Where do I buy dried beef? Is it just beef jerky? Oh the mystery.)
Salad Sandwich: Whole wheat bread, grind 1/2 pound of bologna or cooked ham and 3 hard-cooked eggs, mix with 2 T chopped pimento, 1/2 cup drained sweet relish, 1/2 cup salad dressing. Makes 6 sandwiches.
Irish Sandwich: Put through meat grinder 1 1/2 cup corned beef, 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 slice day old bread, 5 sweet pickles and mix with 2/3 cup salad dressing and 1/4 cup dry mustard, pepper, 1/4 cup shopped ripe olives, and about 1/4 cup salad dressing (I think that is Miracle Whip).
Deviled egg sandwich:  Whole wheat bread. Mix together 6 chopped hard-cooked eggs, 1 teaspoon grated onion, salt, pepper and about 1/4 cup salad dressing.
Ham and Peanut sandwich: Grind 1/2 pound of ham or bologna, add 1/4 cup finely chopped salted peanuts, 3 T drained sweet relish, about 1/2 cup salad dressing. (Ham and peanut, who would have thunk it.)
Beanie Sandwich:  Whole wheat bread, try mixing drained cooked navy beans, ground ham, grated raw carrots and salad dressing.

Although I find these recipes intriguing and kind of want to try them, (the same way I want to try nachos at the movie theater--did that sound snobby and rude?) the one thing the sandwich creations have in common is--my kids would not eat a single one of them! (Well, maybe my older kids would eat the Deviled Egg Sandwich, maybe.)

Later in the same chapter grandma moves onto safer ground--event meals, but most specifically, Sunday Dinners.  I found the recipe below old fashiony yummy!

Pork Chops on Rice

6 loin or rib pork chops cut 1 inch think (I just used the Costco boneless pork chops--I just love them!)
1 T fat
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 cup rice (okay so I did 2 because my family loves rice)
1/2 cup raisins (I used dried cherries--family still inexplicably hates raisins)
3 cups water (6 if you double the rice)
3 bouillon cubes (I did 5 for doubling --in the future I would only do half of the bouillon, it was too salty)
Dash of nutmeg
1 1/2 cups milk (3 if you double the rice)


Brown the chops in the fat, seasoning with salt and pepper.

The meat would have been prettier if I had just browned it a bit longer!

I wanted to make this a one pot meal so I used a pan I could put in the oven and wiped it out after browning the chops to prepare for the rice.

Add the rice to the water and bouillon cubes.

Bring to boil and stir, cover tightly, and simmer about 15 minutes or until rice is tender and water is absorbed.

Add nutmeg and raisins (dried cherries)

Add milk, and season to taste.  

Pour into baking dish--In my case I just kept using the same pan.  Place seasoned chops on rice mixture.

Cover tightly and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.  Uncover and continue baking for about 15 minutes.

I let the meat rest for a minute and then sliced the pork to serve. You could serve the pork chops whole--they were very tender. This was an old fashioned dinner, but quite yummy. It was also definitely a guilty pleasure meal because the rice was creamy and trending towards mushy--but good mushy (if you can imagine that).

I loved the dried cherries, but I think the raisins would have been better. The sweetness of the fruit added a nice counterpoint to the salty rice (a little too salty--I will take out one of the bouillon cubes when I cook this int the future).  I paired it with broccoli and butter braised figs. Everyone loved the dinner.

By the way what was your favorite lunch to lug to school?

The ride to Wendover definitely has its moments.

Sunset at Grantsville, Utah

I Know I'm Crazy When. . .& 4 more days for you to win an Everneath ARC!

All right everyone 4 more days left in our "Everneath Arc Giveaway Extravaganza." Here is a quick recap of the rules:

1. Comment on Brodi's Blog
2. Comment on My Blog
3. Become a follower of my Blog

Then you are in the hat! I will choose a name out of said hat Friday at Midnight!!! (I thought midnight added quite a bit of drama.)  I will post immediately thereafter.


Now onto "I Know I'm Crazy When:"

1.  I become part of a fruit co-op and every Saturday morning I have to wake up at 6:15am to go get fruit and veggies.

2.  I blow dry my hair on my way to work by opening all the car windows and sun-roof. When I arrive at work I close my office door to curl my hair, hoping no one will notice I went in with fly-away, disheveled hair and came out perfectly coiffed.

3.  I keep getting optical migraines where I see glimmering, iridescent triangles and I don't think they are all that bad, kind of pretty.

4.  I join Weight Watchers and immediately have an unshakable craving for Carl's Jr. Jalapeno Burger (20 points), KFC Mashed Potato Bowl (18 points) and pizza (10 points a slice). There are about 30 points allocated a day. Who needs to eat the rest of the day?

5.  I like to jog, but it hurts my back.  I like to jog, but it hurts my back.

6.  I decide at 4:00pm on a beautiful fall-ish Saturday that I have to see Wendover, Nevada.  I wake up normal, buy my fruit, do my chores, go grocery shopping, watch a Lacrosse game, take a little nap and then have an unquenchable desire to see the Great Salt Lake, Salt Flats and Wendover, Nevada. I even try to talk my husband into it, but for some strange reason he wants to watch a football game--lame! (Because if I can talk him into it for some reason I seem less crazy!)

So, I set off on my own. Wendover is the arm pit of the west dessert, but it is wonderful in its unapologetic pandering to the vices of wayward Utahns--because no one else in the Universe would find it convenient to go to Wendover, Nevada.   It was just a 4 hour round trip--that's not too crazy--is it?

Take a gander at Wendover Will with his cigarette in his mouth. You would have to be crazy not to want to make the trip!

Now tell me when you know you are crazy.

Everneath Contest--Because I care for you that much!

I know if you  have stopped by my blog over the past couple of months all you have seen or heard has been  crickets--my mind has been empty and my life has been distracting. I know--excuses, excuses.  I have to tell you that I have been thinking of you and trying to find a way to kick off the blog again, well this weekend an opportunity of a lifetime arose.

Last Friday my brother nonchalantly stops by my office at work and sets a book down on my desk.  Nothing unusual there because he is quite the avid reader and likes to share his favorites. I look over and see that it is an advanced reader copy (ARC for those of us in the know) of my sister-in-law, Brodi Ashton's book, Everneath.  I became really excited, because I had yet to read the fully edited, gone to the presses version and I thought he was letting me borrow it! (I've been in a family line waiting for the ARC for weeks.)

Then he said "This is yours."

I look up in disbelief--"Mine" I ask in a muted whisper, my voice stolen by unbelief.

"Yes, yours to do with what you will!"

(The above version of events is dramatized because in reality there was some embarrassing squealing.)

So, after reading it greedily and letting my daughters read it greedily it is now up for grabs to you--because I just have to share the joy!

Thumbs up from Daughter L

Not only am I excited that I know someone who has an agent, editor, and publishing powerhouse behind her book, but I am excited because it is a truly, truly, truly exceptional book. It is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance. While that industry description says a lot it doesn't say nearly enough.  It is beautifully written (as good as any literary fiction), it has soul, wonderful characters, absorbing plot, consuming twists and turns and it makes you cry, smile and sigh.

I loved it from beginning to end and the first time I finished it (after I had that moment of sadness when you finish a book you love and know that you have to leave that wonderful world) the hair on the back of my neck stood up on end--yes, it was that good--it was as if I could see it being published and loved by millions.  I also was a little sad because now everyone would know what a great person Brodi was and I would have to share her.

So, I have this crazy good, signed by the author, book to give away.  It has already been read by some reviewers, so it has the slightly worn look of a beloved book shared by a few respectful readers.

Here's the deal--I am giving this ARC away--but not for free. You have to do three things:

1.  Make a comment on my blog--any comment on any of my posts in the past or until Friday the 23rd of September, 2011.

2. Make a comment on Brodi's blog.

3. Become a follower of my blog.  (If you are already a follower--then good for you and you are already a step ahead!)

Then I will put the names in a hat and choose!

Stay tuned because the countdown to release has just begun--other prizes coming soon!

Sunflower at Wheeler Farm

Who knew Hickory Burgers would give me a feminist crisis!

Cooking these burgers sent me into a feminist crisis. I grew up a no holds barred feminist--a product of the Seventies. My father actually gave me Gloria Steinem books to read. I went to college fully intending to mix family and work, but I turned out to have a very conventional mother/housewife life. For almost 2 decades I turned out to be a feminist in thought more than deed.

My grandmother as I have said was quite amazing, she taught at the University of Utah, wrote articles and wrote a book. She was on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Young Women General Board for decades. She traveled with the church extensively throughout the world, so I asked my mom how she did it. My mom told me that all their dinners were prepared ahead of time and frozen and that Grandma did most of the housework. On Saturday mornings everyone worked, but they did different things. I say she was pretty liberated in deeds, but I am not sure about thoughts. Her book is full of advice for women taking care of families and the importance of that role.

I went to work several years ago, when my youngest was 9. I kind-of always knew I would be the kind that would want to work outside the home. The only way I can describe myself when I am home all day is lethargic--I stretch out the most mundane tasks to take all day and end up feeling like I never get anything done. I don't like housework and I wasn't disciplined enough to get it done and then go on to other things. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mother and I am really grateful that I was able to stay home with my kids while they were toddlers. I am also grateful that most days I am off by three and can be home when my kids get home from school.

When I went to work my husband got everyone to do their own laundry, but other than that I am still mostly in charge of the house and cooking. We all clean up after dinner and everyone helps clean the house on Saturday, but if I want the bed made or our bedroom cleaned, I do it. I work 30 hours a week and my husband works 40-50 hours a week--it makes sense that I do most of the housework. Is it a gender role?--probably. Although I have no problem asking for help and I make my children do all the same chores regardless of gender.

I am going to take you back in time (insert wavy lines here emphasizing time travel) where men are men and women are there to prepare things for men--yes, back to the 1960's. This time travel brought to you by a section in my grandmother's cookbook labeled "Barbecuing--A Man's Delight:," note the italics added by me:

"A man loves an informal party, especially an outside barbecue, calling for no tie, sport shirt, slacks, and soft shoes.  It isn't just the comfortable clothes that sell the barbecue idea to him, but outdoor cooking is man's cooking.  He is king, and the food has a zest. It's fun, as a guest, to watch dinner in preparation,and as an added dividend here is the wonderful fragrance of tangy sauces, of charcoal, and of sputtering meat.  The following are recipes he will enjoy preparing. As a wife, see that all ingredients are handy and that there is a big apron to cover the expanse of him, and then stop hovering, walk away, and be the happy hostess."

I totally love that big apron line to cover the "expanse of him!"

In today's world, where many of the lines are blurred between gender roles, I find it really interesting that not that long ago there was such certainty in who does what and why. Grandma makes statements that are quite funny to read today and she said them without a hint of irony. There was no hedging--this is what he does and this is what she does. In some ways in a world where we don't really have to accept any limits or roles this certainty seems confining, but also just a little comforting to know exactly what is expected. I don't know--I think it's better to negotiate in a family and come to a conclusion that is fair to everyone.

Anyway, all I really wanted to write about was burgers!

Hickory Burgers

1/3 c catsup
1/2 c finely chopped onion
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
4 soda crackers, finely crumbled (I put mine in a sandwhich bag and rolled over it with a rolling pin.)
8 slices Cheddar cheese
Hickory Salt (I couldn't find a hickory salt so I used McCormick Grill Mates Mesquite)

2  pounds ground beef

2  eggs

Combine all ingredients except cheese. Mix well. (Isn't all that raw hamburger appetizing?)  I ended up having to use my mega spoon and then fingers!

Form 16 thin patties.  Place the cheese slices on half the patties; completely cover with the second pattie.  Seal edges well. Sprinkle with hickory salt (Mesquite), grill. (I had to broil mine due to weather issues.)

Serve on toasted buns with sliced tomatoes and sliced dill pickles.

This is a really flavorful hamburger and putting cheese in the middle made it quite moist. The only problem was I couldn't really taste the cheese--which I like to do on a cheeseburger.  I think because of the mesquite salt, it ended tasting a bit like a sausage burger, which was really quite yummy.  The hickory salt added a smoked flavor that I liked, but I think I would like this better as meatloaf rather than a hamburger.

The kids and husband gave it a thumbs up though and would eat it again.

Hearing Voices

I've been thinking about voices. I am the type of reader that once I find an author I enjoy I will read everything they've written just because I love the voice of the writer (without regard to quality). I am  like that with blog authors as well. The voice of some bloggers just resonate and I miss that when they don't post.

I've been nostalgic lately which is not really in my basic personality. I don't have many regrets and am always ready for the next thing in my life, but lately I've been looking back.

I went to the wedding of the daughter of a great friend. I used be a neighbor too and many of the wedding guests were dear friends. I saw parents of another great friend whom I had known since 7th grade. I went over to talk to them--the dad had been my Bishop as well as my Stake President and the mom had always been a lovely person in my life and I suddenly got really and embarrassingly teary! When I saw them I realized I just plain missed them.  I thought of how much they and their daughter had been a big part of my formative years and I felt lucky, but also sad that their voices were heard so little in my life.

In our house their are many sounds. My husband learning a new guitar song, my daughter playing hymns, my youngest daughter and son playing and fighting together. I love to hear my children practice their instruments, no matter how bad or good they sound. My daughter who is a flutist would practice for hours and I loved her warm-up scales and TOFU as much as concertos. (I am still not sure why we called it TOFU.)  There is a real beauty to learning music.

I also love the voices of my children; one of my most driven and focused daughters has a laugh filled voice, while another's voice is musical and gentle, one is a person of few words--but each word is either hilarious or insightful and often both. I have one daughter who often speaks in a monotone, but she has the most original thoughts of anyone I've ever known. My son's voice is energetic, negotiating and love filled. Anyway, I love their voices and when they are out of the house there is a real void.

This is the first summer I've spent without my twin daughters. One decided to serve a mission and is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the other decided that she would like stay and work in NYC where she spends the rest of the year. (By the way, doesn't New York get enough of her--NY is very selfish!) When they are around they are non stop talkers so their voices are sorely missed.

The traveling twins.

Then their are other voices I miss. Those of people that have passed on. Every extended family gathering I really miss my grandmother and she's been gone for 22 years. She had a strong, true voice. I never met my husband's father, but I miss him too.

I've moved around a bit and had the opportunity to meet some really lovely people and some stay in my life and some just naturally drift away. Each one with their distinct personalities. Some friends were toxic and it was better to just let time and space create distance, but I miss them too.