Muffin Tins

I have a new favorite kitchen helper. It is known as the extra-large muffin tin.

A few weeks ago, I used it to make muffins for quick breakfasts.

This week, I steamed up some vegetables and froze them in serving sizes. Frozen Dinner expense halved, and other than the baggie, more environmentally friendly. Plus, I can add my own seasonings to my veggies. (Below is steamed zucchini, yellow squash, onions, carrots, with a sliver of butter and a generous dousing with parsley.)

After freezing my veggies, I re-used the tins to make my entree.

Great serving sizes, my own flavors, and smaller budget? Big Pluses.

I'm excited for lunch tomorrow.

What do you use your tins for?

Le Artiste

I heard about it on iTunes...I heard about it on NPR...I heard about it on Pandora.

Then my cousin, Kari, said that she loved it.

Mom and I saw it this afternoon.

I'm in the club; this film was phenomenal. Deeply moving.

I recommend that everyone see it.

On a separate note, I was "digging" through some photos-- (now do I say scrolling?) and I cam across this treasure. I can hardly believe this little guy is 4 years old.

El tiempo vuela!

Happy Birthday, Madre!

Today is a glorious day, as it comes after yesterday, and it celebrates the life of a woman most dear to me. Happy birthday, Mom!

My kindergarteners wish you a happy birthday as well. And Dad, not to be left out, (although I can't remember how up you are in the blogosphere....ahem....) one of my kids said today, "No, it's your Dad's birthday." I explained to him that yours was five days ago, and he said "Your mom AND your dad birthdays?" Wow.

This month had been marked by fun family times and also by frigid weather. I have chosen the following photo to represent my life as a basement dweller.

There were some days last week where I looked at the temperature update on my phone and thought, "Really? I would like to bring iPhone's local weatherman into this side of town, because I am positive it is far colder than 25 degrees."

The weather is warming up....another sign of the sunny influence my Mom and Dad have in my life. ;-)

Tardiness, BEWARE.

My TA sent me this article. We have a mom who doesn't like the school calling her when her daughters come to school late. So tempting to send this home.... but I won't. Not my job, and I am glad of it.

On a separate note, I very much am endeared to today's Google-face.

Happy Birthday, Tulkinghorn, Nickleby, Ebineezer, Dorrits, Oliver, Fagin, Dodger, Bitzer, Havisham, M'Choakumchild, Dedlock, Cratchit, Jellyby, Honeythunder, Skimpole, Nemo, Snodgrass, Tattycoram, Tiny Tim, and Woodcourt alike! You live because so did Charles.

January

In January, I continued to teach my Kindergarteners, I certified to administer their ELL testing, I went back to the Shenandoah Ward, I switched to working in the Temple Saturday afternoons, and my life is getting busier and busier and busier.

Today, being sick, I updated this blog. Now I'm pretty tired.

The only thing I can promise is that February will be much better and more photographic.

Que disfrute!

December

In December, I found that my teaching job would teach me a great deal, I got my VA teaching license, the house was officially finished, we invited people over, had Christmas, enjoyed Grandpa Bezzant's company, and then tried to recover a little from the holidays. We enjoyed some choice films; Nacho Libre, Downton Abbey, Hugo, etc... (if that isn't a multi-genre list, I don't know what is...). I gave the nieces and nephews some vests and dresses, and all-in-all, it was a great month.

Oh, and I got a serger!

I'm tired of posting....sorry. Go to my Facebook page for photos!

November

In the month of November, a whole set of life events were set in motion. The house progressed, ready by Thanksgiving, I got to be a Nanny-aunt to Reuben and Miriam (which is one of the most meaningful times I have ever had. I love those kids, and I am the better for the time I lived in Aaron and Katy's basement). I made Thanksgiving Dinner, I started a teaching job with Kindergarten ELL, Jenny and Nathan visited, and enjoyed being a ward missionary. FULL month.

The Quintessential gift: thanks, Jen and Nathan!

October Videos

October

This month is perhaps the most documented month since I have come home from the mission; mostly because I dug my camera out and took it with me on my Utah trip. I had a delightful time visiting... I saw Melinda, Lived for a few weeks Teichert-style (which was absolutely delightful and included one or two Star Trek movies from the library-- Shelly and I showed our true secret Trekkiness. I watched conference with the Bezzant clan, had a mission reunion, drove to Idaho with cousin Marshall and Heather (+Amy, roommie), and ate ice cream at Sammy's. Spent three days in Idaho (which included a date!) and came back for a roommate reunion, lunch with a friend, breakfast with another friend, and before heading to the airport, I went to the Church History Museum and found Norway there. It was a good month.

(By the way, these are not in specific order. Too tired to fix that....)

Melinda in the BYU Spelling Bee

Profundi Reunion!

N311 Reunion

Michelle and Greg's Creative Musicality

This might be my new favorite picture of Melinda. Ever.

Melinda and I at B-Stokes' concert. Oh my! It was stellar.

September

I think that monthly updates will be most appropriate to get me up to date.

Accordingly: September!

Celebrating Aaron, Heather, and Trina's birthdays, Heather leaving for BYU-I, school starting (which meant an influx of teachers coming into the fabric store), and a house renovation beginning--this was quite the month! I continued to work in the Temple on the Friday morning shift, and I loved each minute of it.

A few pictures to illustrate the month :

Aunt Julie also came to visit, and she helped us with an organization project for our family photos. As we sifted through boxes and boxes, I came upon this trove. I can't believe it was 14 years ago, but we all went through a Poetry project, and helped by neighbor Annie Brockmeir (sp?) they were framed. I remember being so proud of my poems.

Summer Remains

Woa....to catch up (if that's possible) here is an end-of-summer glance:

Family Harper's Ferry Trip:

Last picture of Heather I have before she went off to school!

This was in July (I think). We saw "Liberty Smith" at Ford's Theatre, and it was absolutely fantastic. Family friend Millie joined us on Joel's first date.