Brussel Sprout Experiment

So we were at Apple Hill on Saturday, of course, and I saw brussel sprouts on the stalk. They looked kind of cool, and I thought, Maybe we should try those. So I bought some.

And I cut them off the stalk.


And cooked them, using a recipe that sounded really good.



This is how they looked after they were done.



Mike and I both tried them, and so did Natalie. Natalie, who likes them anyway, said they were really good. Mike and I both felt they were pretty yucky and that we will never have them again. But at least we tried them.

October 24th

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I am 29 today, which is a little weird. It is one of those much joked about ages and it seems like a large number. I realize that I have probably changed in the past ten years, but I still feel like I am the same, so it is strange to realize I just keep getting older. Last night Mike and I went out to celebrate (Chantara Thai, where they have the most delicious yellow curry) and tonight we are having cake and a few friends are coming over.

The thing I am most excited about, though, is that we are taking a little mini-vacation next weekend. Mike is taking Thursday and Friday and we are going to . . . The Sea Ranch. We originally thought about King's Canyon or Yosemite, but at this late notice, the only accomodations available were, uh00undesirable for staying in with a two year old. So we found a house at the Sea Ranch through a rental company that is running a special--stay two nights get the third night free. The house looks nice and it has a hot tub and it is close to the beach. We are looking forward to some R&R and star gazing :)

This week has been one of the lower weeks for us. Jens has been sicky since Saturday and threw some fine tantrums yesterday. Luckily the weather is nice, so yesterday and today we spent a couple of hours at the park with friends, which helps, since he seems to be done with me. We did all the normal things--storytime, park, music makers, and we had Harrison to play on Friday. We (of course) went to Apple HIll on Saturday and I got apples for making sauce. There is no sauce like homemade!

I think that is it. We are a little boring this week! I will send a few piccures--they are of Apple Hill and there is one of Jens, reading to his vacuum cleaner.

Have a good week.
Love,
Alison

October 17th

Hi Everyone.

We had a busy week!

Last Thursday after music makers I went to a cake decorating activity. It was fun practicing with the different tips. I think I could actually make a pretty fun looking cake if I ever had the occasion to. The pproblem is, a decorated cake is not my first choice of desserts. There are so many other things I would rather have if I am going to indulge! Also Thursday night was my first watercolor class. It was so fun to go out and do something creative and quiet and by myself (but with a friend). We did a techniques sampler, trying lots of different ways of using brushes and other materials to create different effects. I enjoyed it a great deal and yesterday I actually got all of my stuff out and painted a little picture. I always did like doing art projects.

Friday I finished my talk. I have to say, many thanks to everyone who gave me thoughts or ideas. I used little stories and ideas from everyone who sent me something or told me something. (Kristin, I even ended up using your little story you told me on the phone :). I felt really good about how it came out, and I even felt good about how I gave the talk. I have to say, divine intervention was definitely there because although I got a little teary, I didn't get TOO teary, if you know what I mean. I was able to talk in a pretty normal voice and I didn't feel embarassed, which is usually my problem and why I dislike giving talks so much. In fact, when I got over the fear aspect, there was a tiny (very tiny) part of me that enjoyed giving the talk. It must have been the teacher section of me. A large part of me enjoyed preparing it. I got lots of nice comments afterwards, which is always nice, and I also got new shoes and a cute new shirt to wear, which was fun.

Saturday we took Jens to do pictures. Boy, that is an experience that tries your patience. It is so hard because a part of you wants to make him stand in the corner because he is being so bad, but the other part of you realizes that you are never going to get a decent picture if you punish him and he throws a huge tantrum. We actually ended up with two really cute portraits (miracle of miracles) and one cute action shot where it looks like he has just thrown a discus or is doing a fancy dance move or tai chi or something. Afterwards we pushed the limits and stayed at the mall too long, resulting in a huge melt down. I had to carry him out of the mall, and he was so worn out that he laid his head on my shoulder while crying. That doesn't happen much.

Sunday was my talk in church, and also we practiced for the primary program. May I just say that 2 hours of practice with a class of 8 4-5 year olds is just a little much? I will be relieved when it is over. I am trying to decide what to wear Sunday given that I spent about half of the time kneeling on the floor trying to convince at least one of the kids to a. come out from under the bench, b. settle down after a microphone melt down, and c. stop touching everyone. Oh, and d. stop a little girl from putting her dress over her head. Have I mentioned I will be relieved when it is over?

Monday we went to the train museum with two other moms and their kids. Jens had a great time. By far his favorite thing was the model trains they have set up, although he also liked the play tables that are set up for the kids with wooden trains and cool tracks. Sadly, on the way home he fell asleep for about one minute (seriously. One minute.) and as a result took NO NAP. He got in bed and played for two hours, which meant he was a little cranky for the rest of the evening.

Yesterday Mike went to storytime with us, which was fun. It is nice to see him during the day and have him see what we do. Today we had Sarah and another little girl, Katelyn come over this morning so I could babysit. We walked to the park, which is a block away. It took us 25 minutes to get there. On the way home we dropped Katelyn off at kindergarten. It took us 40 minutes to get home! I couldn't believe how slow we were moving, and that was with us "running" for at least half of the walk. It would have been a really nice time killer if I 1. had had a chair to sit in or one of those motorized scooters and 2, if I hadn't really had to pee the whole time.

Ooo. This is a long e-mail. I'd better finish up. In Jens news: he has had "digestive problems" on and off for three weeks, so we are on a very strict BRAT diet. I feel sorry for the kid because I just keep offering him the same boring food every meal and snack. I did make him applesauce yesterday, which is delicious. Also, he is in to singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." In fact, he is singing it right now while he digs in the dirt outside.

Last plea for recipes--Bradfords, I didn't include you in my earlier request, but I will include you now. I am working on our Famliy Cookbook, Second Ed. and if anyone has some delicious recipes to contribute, that would be great. Summer, Collin, and Alissa, I know you guys cook all the time and make some good things. If you have any fun ones that you think we would enjoy trying, let us know.

Ok. That is it. Except that I got Jens his Halloween costume, and I will send a picture.

Love,
Alison

Here is Jens flapping his "wings"

Our Dinner

Tonight we dined in true Thomas style. I am sending you a picture to make you all jealous.


Love,
Alison

October 10th

Hi Everyone.

We had a good week because Grandma and Grandpa Helquist came to visit! They got here on Friday and Jens was so excited to see them. We told him earlier in the week that they were coming, and he talked about it every day until they got here.

We went out for dinner Friday to Chicago Fire, our favorite pizza place. We also walked across the American River Bridge, which was very chilly. Jens was quite well behaved considering how long we spent for dinner.

Saturday we got up early and went, of course, to Apple Hill. We were glad we left early because there was an amazing amount of traffic that day! We went to old favorites, Boa Vista and Denver Dan's, and stopped at a couple of new places, Kids Inc. where I picked my own pumpkin out of the pumpkin patch--Jens was supposed to choose one there, too, but he choose one at Boa Vista, our first stop. He had been talking about picking a pumpkin for several days and couldn't wait. We also stopped at a very funky El Dorado Farms, where they had a "train." It was an old car engine put into a plywood train like structure on wheels. The conductor sat on an old driver seat ripped out of a car. It was klassy, let me tell you, and of course, Jens loved it.

My special highlight was that Betty bought me an apple peeler/corer/slicer, which I have used every day since. I debated about whether I should admit that this was a highlight, as it is so dorky that I would be that excited over a kitchen gadget, but hey, that is who I am.

We got back in time to watch half of the second session of conference on our NEW TV!! Yes, Mike picked one out for us on Friday and we still have it, although we have talked about returning it every single day this week. It is plasma, and we hear there are problems with image retention on those. If you have any advice for us, let me know.

Sunday we watched conference and went to the park to enjoy the beautiful day. I do love California weather! I made an apple pie using my new handy kitchen gadget, and let me tell you, it made quick work of those apples.

Monday Grandma and Grandpa left us and Jens turned into a huge cranky-whiny pants. Also, he is taking very short naps which makes him more cranky AND me more cranky. When Mike came home from work he could see that me energy and patience were totally sapped and kindly took Jens for two hours worth of "errands."

We did story time yesterday and afterwards he turned into a library nightmare, namely running through the library while screaming, and if I grabbed him, he screamed even louder. Also, while we were going to the car, he "forgot" how to walk, which meant that I had to drag him by one arm while also carrying 7 library books and the diaper bag. Oh, and he was screaming all the way. We were, as a result of his behavior, late for visiting teaching. ARGH!

In happy news, tomorrow I am going to a cake decorating class in the morning and my water color class starts tomorrow night. I am taking the art class with Sophia Little, a friend from church, and I am looking forward to a little creative outlet. Also, time out of our house child free.

In cute Jens news, (I figure I should end on something cute since I have complained about him so much) he and Sarah played together so nicely today. He was very concerned about helping her into her coat and making sure she had her cup and snack. Also, Mike sneezed and Jens said "Bless you, Daddy." Then he turned to Sarah and said "Say bless you Daddy." She doesn't talk much, so she didn't do it, but he was trying to be so helpful.

Also, Jessie, he has started saying "Got forgot," like Abbie used to. It is cute.

We are off for a family bike ride. I will send some pictures of our weekend.

Ok, I just looked at the pictures and I am sending a lot of them, but mostly because they are so cute and the pumpkins are so pretty.


Love,
Alison

October 3rd

Hi Everyone.

We are having a pretty quiet week here, except that the skunk came by our house about four times last night, I swear. I don't know how an animal can be so stinky and live with itself, and I wish it wouldn't share its stench so willingly with others!

I guess the biggest thing this week was our short lived new tv. Our old tv has a picture problem which costs about $400 to fix, which I think is about how much the tv cost in the first place, so we are upgrading. On Friday night after going out to eat with the Harrisons, Mike and Mike Harrison went and bought us a new tv. They brought it home, put it up, and I said Wow. It was a huge tv. So big that when you came into the front room, you thought, hmm. These people must watch a lot of tv. In fact, it was so big that it looked like tv was the most important thing in our lives! Which it isn't. We have a no tv while Jens is awake rule, just so you all know. Except sometimes for football games. Anyway, the tv went back the next night and we are picking one that is a little smaller and less expensive, which is a plus. We joined Costco so we could get it there because they have a good warranty and return policy. Plus, I just love Costco. We feel like traitors giving up our Sam's membership, but oh well.

Saturday we went to Apple Hill and visited some new places. One had a bunch of animals you could pet and feed. Jens especially liked the rabbits. Saturday night I went to the Relief Society Conference, which was really nice. I was very glad that I went. Sunday morning we decided to squeeze in a family bike ride in the morning. It was so lovely. We are having great weather here right now. Unfortunately, Jens got motion sick and puked all over himself and the trailer on the way home. "I spit, Mom," he told me when we pulled into the driveway. It took a while to get him cleaned up and we missed the first part of church. We got there in time to practice the primary program, which was a real treat, let me tell you. Nothing like sitting with 7 five year olds for 2 hours.

We had friends for dinner Sunday night--the Littles. They have a little girl almost a year older than Jens, but the two play together so well. They have so much fun, and she is really nice to Jens, which we like. I made chicken pot pie with a biscuit top, which I had never done before. It was very tasty!

Monday Natalie came over and we watched a movie. It was nice to have some company while Jens was sleeping.

Last thing to report, I lost my perscription sunglasses yesterday at the library. I am so sad and mad! I put them in my bag instead of on top of my head, and when I got home they were gone. I don't know if they fell out somehow, maybe when I was checking out books, or what, but I didn't even set them down and walk away, so I feel like it wasn't even my fault. I called the library but no one has turned them in. It makes me sad because I know that if they got stolen, whoever took them tried them on and threw them away. Boo.

That's all the news from here. We are excited to see Boyd and Betty this weekend, and we are looking forward to conference.

Love,
Alison