My mom is famous

I was on the Fayetteville library website and accidentally found this page honoring my mom

here

The highlight of Benji's summer is....

...mowing the lawn with Daddy. He is so happy to finally be old enough to help.



Hopefully his enthusiasm will not wane with the years... that way one day he can do it all by himself and give Daddy a break!

Big apple

Shearn Yoong and I went on a 5 day trip to New York City, arriving back home yesterday evening. My mom graciously watched our two little guys while we were gone. This was the first time we ever left them for more than a night. They didn't seem to miss us, though it seems that one of them gave Nona a run for her money in the attitude department. We were sad to hear the attitude problems and plan on spoiling her rotten for a belated Mother's Day treat. We, on the hand, had a great time. It was kind of like a second honeymoon. Since we don't normally splurge everyday, it was a chance to just do what we felt, when we wanted, and have a good time. I thought I'd share a few random thoughts and events from the trip.

* I bought 2 pairs of shoes on my last trip (California in November) and 2 pairs on this trip. I think this might be a trend worth keeping - my feet will be happy with this idea.

* If I lived in New York I would not have to worry about gaining weight from all the delicious food - the walking would help me stay trim.

* I have serious awe for the many women of NYC who seem to walk for hours and hours in VERY high heels. I wish I had your stamina. Perhaps someday. But for now, I was very pleased with my new Chaco's sandals - no blister to be seen on my feet anywhere!

* I cannot reconcile the fact that I was shopping for clothing and shoes in the morning on Thursday ... and then crying that afternoon at the UN when seeing the pictures of Rwandan women who were raped during the genocide and their children who came from those rapes.

* Time Square just has too many people for my taste.

* I now want to learn to cook Middle Eastern food (inspired by my delicious Afghani lunch on Sunday before catching the flight back to NWA).

* People watching is a lot more fun there than in Arkansas. I saw some great fashions.

* Where are all the pregnant ladies in New York? Seriously, there is a shortage of pregnant women. Will they be able to re-populate the city? Or maybe they're counting on Arkansans moving?

Moroccan chicken recipe

We had this for dinner tonight (grilled not baked though). Though it sounds somewhat spicy, it was not, which is good because our two boys are sissies when it comes to spicy food - something we're trying to work on since they are half Malaysian afterall!

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 whole chicken (4 pounds), quartered, skin on
• 1 lemon, quartered

Directions

1. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the center rack of oven, and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix spices, 2 teaspoons salt, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, and the oil in a small bowl. Rub spice paste all over chicken.
2. Carefully arrange chicken in a single layer on hot sheet, and arrange lemon wedges around chicken. Bake until chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and juices run clear, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with pan juices and roasted lemon wedges on the side.

Gone with the Wind

Our book club decided to read it this month, and though I knew it was a classic, I was unsure how much I'd actually like it, thinking it might be dull and antiquated. Oh... my... word.... it is a beautiful book. If you have not read, go to the library RIGHT NOW and start reading. I have not enjoyed a book this much in ages.

I started it last Monday and finished all 1,000+ pages by Saturday night. I tend to be a fast reader but that might set a personal record for me. I was up past midnight every night - ending at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday (well, technically Sunday). It was that good!

All well and good, but here is the problem. The author, Margaret Mitchell, did not write a sequel. The ending begs a sequel, so why didn't she write one? She died in 1949 after she was struck by a speeding automobile. But according to extensive internet research (haha), her untimely death was not the reason for no sequel. She refused to write one (though her estate authorized Alexandra Ripley to write the sequel "Scarlett" in 1991). I keep on pondering what Mrs. Mitchell wanted for the characters. Would Scarlett and Rhett eventually get back together? Will Rhett ever recover from the death of their dear daughter? Would Belle play a larger role in their futures? (She would pop into the story here and there but never became as large of a character as I thought she would eventually become.) Will Scarlett ever become a better mother to her children? Is Ashley out of Scarlett's life forever?

I cannot get the story out of my thoughts ...

I do plan on reading the sequel "Scarlett" (my name is on the list for that book at the library in fact), but what I really want is Margaret Mitchell's sequel. I guess this would be called unrequited love because I know my wish will never be fulfilled.

What's a girl to do

I am going to the Walton Arts Center with my dear hubby tonight and spent the morning rummaging through my closet to see what still fits, what looks good, etc. I found several nicer dresses that both fit and look good (yipee)... but the problem is that I am ALWAYS cold - especially inside where people seem to love to blast the A/C (even if it's 100 degrees outside in August). So often I just opt for dressy slacks instead of dresses and skirts, since it's not fun to eat fancy food or see Broadway plays if you're shivering so bad you can't sit straight.

So that's where you all come in (if there is anybody reading this poor neglected blog, that is). Any advice in looking good but staying warm at the same time?

(Or maybe I should just wear the sexy clothes but bring a portable heater with me??? Hmmm, this is not a bad idea!)

Happy Easter

A few pictures from our family egg hunt in our yard. We decided to do it a day early because of the weather forecast. It was beautiful yesterday for the hunt ... and today is rainy and cold, so I am glad we listened to the weatherman!

Zac: "See my amazing stretching ability... I'll do anything for chocolate!"

Benji: "I'm so glad Daddy told Mommy that they should buy M&M's this year instead of all that healthy stuff. Daddy is smart!"

Check Out My Woman - The Half Marathon Runner

So all the training over the last 3/4 months came to this - Laurel's inaugural half marathon, together with good friends Kristin and Britni. They finished the race!!!! Yay!!!!

Here's me and the boys cheering them on.


Look at them go. Hardly breaking a sweat.

Tackling one of 'em killer hills. No problemo.

(Rocky soundtrack as the background) The triumph of finishing the run!

Laurel did it, and I'm so proud of her! Congrats, sweetie!

Recent pictures

The boys climbing a tree that fell from the ice storm

Benji

Here are my serious boys

Here are my normal boisterous boys :)

Sweaty Samson

This morning during our Bible time we were reading about Samson in the Old Testament. The picture showed how he had long hair. Out of nowhere, Benji said, "He must have been hot with that long hair. He would need to take lots of showers." Benji is a very clean boy if you did not know. :)