Mish-Mash

So I started this post as a list a list of things we've been up to; but things got boring. And long. And really really not good. I realized that really, all I was talking about was books. And our trip to southern Utah. So I decided to stop the list making.

Instead I'm just going to tell you that one of the items on the list not involving one of the topics above was that I deep cleaned my kitchen. I feel proud of this accomplishment and needed to post it. (In reality, it's my mom's kitchen and she'll be home in 2.5 weeks, so it was time.) But since I even pulled the stove out and cleaned behind it, I feel justified in sharing.

We even cleaned the oven, people! I mean, I was all involved in spraying the oven cleaner and then Rich did the actual scrubbing! He's so great.

The Power of Observation

As I walked out of the west wing tonight and into the main lobby, I saw a moth flutter out of the main tower elevators. I imagined that he had taken a ride down from the observation deck, just to check some things out--to have an adventure. He was a little disoriented after his trip, and almost ran into a wall. I did not rush to lead him out the rotating door. Because, ya know, I don't like moths (read: hate). I'm sure he found his way later. Perhaps he'll write a best-selling children's book.

While waiting for the bus I watched two girls, who were holding hands how the escort holds the new debutante's hand, run across the street to make the light. They promptly cheered for their accomplishment. And continued to cheer and then mock the rest of their apparently not-so-fast family. Then a troupe of girls in flapper dresses high-stepped it across the street in the other direction. I hope they rocked whatever stage they were heading for.

Once I was on the bus I saw a large man standing in the middle of the street directing traffic. He wasn't being paid. I like to think of it as a public service.

I also saw a man wearing a Slash-esque top hat. He was not a Slash-esque type person. He was rather a middle-aged man who was not trying to be ironic at all. In fact, I could almost see a thought bubble that said, "This hat is jaunty. It's covering my balding pate."

Then I tried to sleep. So I missed a lot from 400 S to 10400 S.

But when I was walking home from the bus, my neighbor stopped me by the deserted school field asking me if I could see a mama duck. Her and some teenage boys had rounded up her ducklings into a box because they were out in the street. But the mama flew away. She came back. She was very worried. Our newly formed team guided mama back to her kids by shielding her get away and by ensuring she could hear her ducklings squawking for their mom.

I then went on my way.

Lala, la, la, la, lala, la, la

So remember two weeks ago? How it was so great and full of flowers and goodness? This past week was not a repeat. Nothing horrible. Just not a GOOD week. More, meh.

But there were some good things to fill in the cracks.

*I got a sunburn on my back in the shape of smiley face due to my boat neck sweater.
*I played tennis for the first time (not counting that one time when I was 12), and it was fun! And it didn't hurt my arms!
*Ryan and Jill did not get mad at me when I hit no less than 5 of their tennis balls over the wall, never to be seen again!
*My mom and I had an hour and a half conversation. CUTEST MOM EVER.
* I finally passed off "Three Times a Lady" at piano. Because every lady needs to know how to play this song. (Though Kate did tell me that some of my actions this week were "not even one time a lady.")
*Rich made dinner all by himself one night. Spaghetti! And it was good!
*The world was put back in order when America got it right and finally sent Gokey home on AI. (Yes I watch this, and no, I don't vote. But I do like to yell about the results.)
*I discovered that the 88 cent saltine crackers from Smith's are REALLY good (perfect amount of salt!). And I'm picky about my saltines.
*I went to a wedding reception for a girl I lived across the street from my entire life and then persuaded to go to SUU where she could then meet her eternal companion--whose high school graduation I just happened to attend because he graduated with my roommate's twin brothers. IT REALLY IS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL.
*The reception boasted the cutest fancy doughnuts, which was fun. Plus, I received many hugs from people I've known my whole life and who are all like second mothers to me.
*Rich agreed to get takeout from Lanikai Grill, and I felt good about helping the independent restaurant chain.
*WE PLANTED OUR GARDEN. So many wonderful things. Everything is in the ground! I even bought some flower seeds to grow in pots! (I'm sunburned from being outside. There is no cute pattern.)
*We went to a baseball game and got to hang out with our great friends! Sheena needs to live in Salt Lake.
*There was a Sunday dinner invite from some ward friends.
*Rich and I went for a walk and then ate ice cream outside on our newly arranged outdoor furniture (so glad my parents have these comfy outdoor chairs).
*I didn't have to make sandwiches for lunch today because I remembered we had some frozen chimichangas in the freezer.

Mr. Brightside

The Britton household is growing! That's right, I'm all sorts of on top of the vegetable garden this year. And after last summer's successes in the produce department (see, giant, mama zucchini plant), we decided to expand our agricultural horizons. Because we're all about improving and becoming better and such.

We've already planted Brussels sprouts, spinach, and onions. One of the onions may have already died. It's going to be touch and go. I'll keep you posted. I was nervous to plant things in the freezingness of March/April, but miraculously the plants have been growing! We have cute little lines of spinach that I'm sure are going to taste great in that spinach dip I've been trying to make but never turns out as amazing as the lady's at work.

I just love being able to go out at night to see what I haven't killed yet!

Last night I went to get the rest of the plants that will provide sustenance to our wee bodies. We are going to be eating good this year! We'll be able to shop for the following come mid July or sometime thereafter: tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, red, green, and yellow bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, butternut squash, and blue buttercup squash (we've never even eaten this kind of squash; it's an experimental planting). I'm going to plant some herbs again too, but I need to do some further soul-searching on what I want to plant. DON'T WORRY, I WILL DOCUMENT ALL OF THIS. Because I know you need to know all the veggies we will consume during the summer months.

I'm not sure why gardening, even though I'm bad at it, gets me all excited. Perhaps it's the feeling that comes from being so self-sufficient? idk.
I'm sure it's not too deep of an answer.

Of all the plants, I'm most excited for the Brussels sprouts, because that just seems like a vegetable that must come from a grocery store and not my backyard, and for the butternut squash. The squash because Rich and I discovered this veggie together since being married.
So it's like our love's vegetable mascot.

The Mommers

To celebrate the wonderful woman-ness of my mother, Rich and I called her on our Saturday to ensure that we were wishing her a happy Mother's Day on her exact, special day in the Philippines. I think this means that I am the best child. And the best planner. In other news, I forgot to send my mom a card for it to get there in time. So you know, ups and downs in the planning department. But she did get to Skype with us and get to see our lovely, shining eyes that are like the stars that twinkle way up in the bright blue skies. (Believe me, Rich's eyes really do twinkle.)

In the end, my mom knew that we loved her. And that we think she's the best ever. EVER.

(Please note that yes, I did crop my dad out of this family Christmas picture, and yes, my mom is wearing poinsettia earrings in honor of the season. CUTENESS.)

On Mother's Day here in America, Rich got to talk to his own wonderful mother! Love her! And to complete the day's plans, Rich and I decided that we would take dinner to my grandma. We are the nicest grandkids:) It was a lot of fun to go over and talk with Grandma and Dee. It's really sad that we live around the block and hardly ever see them! I made a spectacular feast of Italian turkey meatloaf and other various and amazing things. Then we had a twirly bundt cake! I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure that I will never get tired of making the twirly bundt cake.

Here's a pic of my cute grandma! And me!