Getting Settled

Here's the run-down on our lives, list-style. :)

Our apartment is perfect (for us), and we love our ward. The neighborhood is so safe and cozy--we don't feel that we're in the city at all. (Very different from last summer--we had a very urban place.)

Also, Michael is loving his job, which is the key element.

We've dived (doven?) right in at church too. I've already sub-ed in the Primary, we're doing a ward temple trip tomorrow, I've been to one enrichment with another one on Saturday, and the Bishopric is stopping by tonight to visit us. Also, we're having the missionaries over to teach us a discussion on Saturday.

Wow. No wonder I'm tired. When I put into words, I'm doing a lot.

As for the home front, I'm grinding wheat and baking bread Little Red Hen style. I've been "grocery store shopping" the past few weeks. That is to say, I'm shopping for a grocery store. I've found a few good ones, but now it's time to price compare! :)

Otherwise, I've been working on getting up earlier so I can have some time to myself before Nathanael's up, as well as reading the Book of Mormon in that time. It's an uphill battle, but I'm still climbing! :)

It is amazing how not-new I feel. It seems like I remember so many people from last summer! That part is very good news! :) Well, I guess I get to go back to making our clean-out-the-produce-drawer-before-it-goes-bad dinner.

This moment has been duly noted, and will be deducted on your timecard, "That is all." (Michael, do you ever read this--'cause you're the only one laughing. Well, maybe I'll send a link to Peter too.)

And, my photos for the day.

Memory Lane

Here is a fun little game I found on Melissa'a blog (thanks!)

If you're reading this, please leave a comment on this post of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

I'm excited to drum up some comments as I've been absent for awhile in both reading and writing blog posts.

...but I came back! (Michael, are you reading this?)

Anyway, have fun with this. I'm looking forward to hearing the goofy things you all remember about me!

Also, if you leave a memory about me, I'll go to your blog and leave one about you.

On your mark... get set... comment!

Labor Day, Play Day

Today Michael got a new bike. Nathanael sucked the juice out of an orange. And I got to go to the grocery store by myself!

It may seem that I'm being sarcastic, but actually, this was a great day for me.

The grocery store did happen to be the Whole Foods Market on Denny in downtown Seattle. It is huge for either a city grocery store or a health food store, and I had a hay day. This also came after the realization (in the car on the way there) that for me food isn't just for survival or familial duty--I love it.

I love to eat it, I love to prepare it, I love to think about ways to make it fun. I especially love to serve it to others. (And I really love it when they like it!)

Realizing that food is fun for me, somehow made it even more so. It allowed me to celebrate the new basil putting down roots on my windowsill, and the freshly ground flour in my freezer. (Thanks, Michael!) And now I feel empowered to roast the eggplant and summer squash from the farmer's market, and to plant lettuce for the end-of-the-summer season. I am ready to take on the Chicken Cacciatore my husband got excited about tonight* and prepare lunches and snack foods for a new week dawning.

Plus, now I have a dishwasher, so I get to have all the fun, and let an appliance clean up!

*I just learned this tidbit from Wikipedia. "Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian. In cuisine, "alla cacciatora" refers to a meal prepared "hunter-style" with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, herbs, often bell pepper, and sometimes wine."