Able Men Envy It

Which of you clever wordsmiths out there can determine a more appropriate phrase to say on February 14th than "able men envy it" by using the same letters? (Yes, it is an anagram, one of my favorite word games to play. Thanks for indulging me.)

More fun and games: During our Valentine's Day feast (which was held one day prior to the actual holiday due to the fact that all of us had our own fun agenda for Valentine's Day . . . except Sean. His agenda wasn't so fun. Work, don't you know). Anywho, we played a game during dinner which I will try to recreate here. Since we were celebrating the day of LOVE, we played a game where we each named something we loved, starting with the letter "A," and worked our way through the alphabet repeating the previous words and adding our own. If you look close enough I'll just bet you can determine the exact four-person rotation of the game (the players, in no particular order were Dave, Dee, Sean and Christian). Every fourth entry is by the same person, and there seems to be a theme with each. Check it out, (and I'm hoping I can remember them all):

I LOVE . . .
Animals
Basses
Candles
Desserts
Elephants
Fenders
Grapes
Halloween
Isocoles triangles
Junipers
Kitchen Aids
Licorice (black)
Monkeys
Naperville
Opera costumes
Popcicles
Quail
Rickenbachers
Shopping
Tempura
Unicorns
Valentine's Day
Weddings
X-rays
Y, ummmmmm, yeah, Y, ummmmm think, think, think, drat!

Zebra!

I can't believe I can't remember "Y." In any event, can you determine the order of the players by their word choices? Spoiler alert: Don't read on if you haven't figured it out. The first player was Christian, then Sean, then Dee, then Dave. And what was "Y?" It's going to bug me all day . . . .

Okay, I'm Just Going to Give In

I can't hold it back any longer, I've tried, but I'm just going to give in and brag, brag, brag. My kids are the greatest. Period. There. I said it. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. What has prompted this latest brag session you ask? Well, besides the fact that I recognize on a daily basis that each of my children is stuffed to the brim with all sorts of goodness, kindness, obedience, maturity, empathy, spirituality, brains, and love, among other things, during this past week or so they each coughed up an unbelievable array of straight "A's" and phenomenal test scores. Every one of them. And I can't stand it anymore--I have to shout that I AM SO PROUD OF MY KIDS! But beyond the test scores and grades, I am so proud that my children are so obedient and so close to the Lord. I often say that I would be so jealous if someone else had the privilege of being their mother. I am so blessed to have that role, and it reduces me to sloppy tears at the very thought. Excuse me now while I go blow my nose.

Before and After

HANDSOME BEFORE!

HANDSOME AFTER!

After not such a very long time of wearing braces (easy for me to say) Christian is free of the wire trappings and canker sore producing devices on his pretty chompers! Hurray! He received a boatload of extremely sticky stuff with which to celebrate his liberation. His biggest pleasure? Being able to eat an apple without having to slice it up first. Alas, to his dismay, he discovered that a worm had taken up residence in one of the first whole apples he ate. Cutting up an apple may not be such a bad idea after all . . . .

Christian Receives Top Prize!

Christian is the big winner in our Super Bowl contest, having guessed a score which was nearest to the actual outcome of the game (whatever that turned out to be--I don't know because I was into watching the commercials). Congratulations Mr. Christian! A big batch of Chex Treats awaits!

Speaking of the Super Bowl ads, two of my favorites can be found here . "Live the Flavor" was made by a bunch of young adults for $12.99 in four days' time. The big ad companies should be running for their lives and/or fearing for their jobs. "Not What It Seems" was hilarious because of its subtley; you must listen closely to the names. Enjoy!

By Wagon, By Bus, By Air?

During our trip to Boise, we had the pleasure of stopping off near the outskirts of Rupert, Idaho (nice place to visit, wouldn't want to live there--EVER). Although Sean was very tempted to hitch a ride on this lovely little covered wagon number (above), Christian was gunning for this Partridge Family wannabe (below). But alas! In the end, these poor boys had to finally settle for a boring ol' plane ride home in their very kind uncle's spiffy private plane, causing them to beat their parents home by several hours. It's a tough life, isn't it?

Tuesday Trivia Answers

How did you do with last weeks questions? For those of you who are playing along, here are the answers:

1. The most famous portrait of whom was first titled "What Are You Doing for Preparedness?" when it debuted on a "Leslie's Weekly" magazine cover in July 1916? That would be good old Uncle Sam.

2. The human - and canine - names of the Shaggy D.A. were…? Willby Daniels/Elwood (woof!).

3. What is the world's first palindrome? Think now, you can get this one . . . the world's first female also claims the first palindromic(?) name: Eve.

One Amazing Woman!

In honor of Mom on her 89th birthday (January 28) I am publishing this photograph which was taken about four weeks ago. She is unbelievable, isn't she? Sean said that when she jumped into his arms for the photograph, she actually "jumped" into his arms. What a gal. Her accomplishments far exceed anything I have ever accomplished in my life--and she's still going strong!!! I have always looked to her for my role model in my life, and I always will. I LOVE YOU MOM!

Tuesday Trivia!

Well, the results are in and two of you partially answered last week's questions correctly. Congratulations to Sean and Ashley! So are you ready for the answers to last week's questions?

1. What would you find between the carapace and the plastron? Unless it's dead, a turtle or tortoise. (The carapace and the plastron are the two halves of a terrapin's shell.)

2. What unusual physical feature did Odin, in Norse myth, share with Polyphemus and the Graeae in Greek myth? They were the Peter Falks of European myth: only one eye apiece.

3. What unusual distinction is shared by these pop songs? The Band's "The Weight," the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine," the Carpenters' "Close to You," the Eagles' "Hotel California," Gary Lewis and the Playboys' "This Diamond Ring," Genesis's "Invisible Touch," the Romantics' "What I Like About You," and Yo La Tengo's "Little Eyes." Each song features lead vocals by the drummer of the band in question, so to that I say, go Christian go!

Thanks to all who participated. Are you ready for more? These may be a little easier than last week's questions . . . you be the judge.

1. The most famous portrait of whom was first titled "What Are You Doing for Preparedness?" when it debuted on a "Leslie's Weekly" magazine cover in July 1916?

2. The human - and canine - names of the Shaggy D.A. were…?

3. What is the world's first palindrome?

Da Bears!

So the Chicago Bears made it into the Super Bowl! During our 16 years in Illinois we saw the good, the bad and the ugly Chicago Bears. I, for one, am excited that they are back on top despite not having Mike Ditka busting a vein as he lets loose a string of @*^%&$*@# at the refs every other play. Man, that guy was definitely high-strung! (Great quote of Mike Ditka's: "Sucess isn't permanent, and failure isn't fatal.")

Do I have anyone willing to make a prediction on the outcome of the game? Anyone? Anyone?
I'm going to say . . . Bears 28/Colts 16. (Is it possible to score 16 in football?) Come on, make a prediction--I'm making Chex Treats for the person who makes the closest prediction!!! Bring it on!

For Your Consideration

I would like to recommend a great movie: "Stranger Than Fiction" starring Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson. Everyone who saw the movie with me gives it a thumbs up! Will Ferrell does a great job of playing his part with sincerity and without sarcasm; Emma Thompson manages to be likable and yet a little offputting at the same time. The movie is a bit stark, but gives a lot of food for thought. YYY(out of four)

Tuesday Trivia!

Courtesy of Ken Jennings of "Jeopardy!" fame, test your knowledge of useless but somewhat interesting facts with these questions. Write in if you know the answer! I might even come up with some prizes for you little brainiacs who get all three correct:) Oh, and I'm selecting some of the easier questions to get us started. (The answers will be revealed next Tuesday.)

1. What would you find between the carapace and the plastron?

2. What unusual physical feature did Odin, in Norse myth, share with Polyphemus and the Graeae in Greek myth?

3. What unusual distinction is shared by these pop songs? The Band's "The Weight," the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine," the Carpenters' "Close to You," the Eagles' "Hotel California," Gary Lewis and the Playboys' "This Diamond Ring," Genesis's "Invisible Touch," the Romantics' "What I Like About You," and Yo La Tengo's "Little Eyes."

I'm So Hungry I Could Eat a . . .

While most of us went through our eating the school paste stage in kindergarten, Sean seems to have stumbled across a variation of that with the new taste sensation that is sweeping the nation! Mmmmmmmmm, creamy, refreshing, just the right amount of adhesive to make it a wonderful "stick to your ribs" kinda meal.

New Jammies

Christmas Eve brought the traditional new jammies to the Sagers children. Just when Sean and Christian thought they were far removed from the days of their mom dressing them in matching outfits (horrors!), lo and behold, they are twiners once again! Actually, it is worse than that because Jordan received the same jammie top as well. Triplets!!! Sorry guys. It's just so darned cute. Ashley escaped from the matchy/matchy trap and received her own cute-as-a-button brown and pink pair of pj's.

One thing I can't stand is the noise, noise, noise, noise!

Narrator: All the Whos down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville, did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Oh, please don't ask why, no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or maybe his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the best reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
Cindy Lou Who: Santie Claus, why? Why are you taking our Christmas tree, why? Narrator: But do you know, the Grinch was so smart and so slick, that he thought up a lie and he thought it up quick. Grinch: Why my sweet little tot, Narrator: - -the fake Santie Claus lied -... Grinch: ...there's a light on this tree that won't light on one side. So I'm taking it home to my work shop, my dear. I'll fix it up there, then I'll bring it back here. Narrator: And his fib fooled the child. So he patted her head, he gave her a drink and he sent her to bed. And when Cindy Lou Who was in bed with her cup, he crupt to the chimney and stuffed the tree up. Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar, and the last thing he took was the log for their fire.

(Personally, I think mean ol' Mr. Grinch (above) looks suspiciously a lot like Jack Nicholson playing the Joker in "Batman". Who knows, maybe they are the same people, just like Michael and Janet Jackson. Are those two really separate people?)

Behind the Scenes

Above and following is a behind the scenes look at the construction of the lovely Hansel and Gretel Subdivision created by Sagers & Company Real Estate, Ltd. A deliberate effort by the Utah-based company is being made to ensure the subdivision remains fairytale-friendly, and a spokesman stated that cynics and non-believers are definitely not welcome here!

White Elephant Gamers Score! ( . . .well sort of . . .)

At the New Year's Day gala, everyone had a great time while playing the ever dicey White Elephant Game. Some made out like bandits--others were not so lucky and went home with a gift(?) which I'm sure will turn up at next year's white elephant game. All of the players were good sports about it all, and no out-and-out sobbing was heard.

You Be the Judge

The Temple of Gingerbread and Doom

The Palace of Confectionary Excess

The Swiss Chalet de Fructose and Corn Syrup

The Bungalow of Bliss and Sticky Sweetness

Christmas Eve brought sugary goodness to our home in the form of some lovely, creative and adorable (or not) gingerbread houses. You decide for yourselves which one should receive the "Hansel and Gretel Award" for 2006. And before you judge too harshly, bear in mind that some of the building supplies were lacking in quality, although the work crews did labor with integrity and diligence.

Let the voting begin!

"That's What Christmas Is All About, Charlie Brown"

Sean portrayed a very humble and faith-filled "Joseph," while Christian portrayed a shepherd who was in search of the Christ child in our ward's youth's presentation of the Nativity story. The night was frigid cold with snow in abundance, but the young men and young women were very sincere and earnest in their parts. We were touched by the simple story and came away feeling a little closer to the true spirit of Christmas. Thank you Sean and Christian for reminding us of what Christmas is truly about.

That's My Boy!

Christian showed up the other day with a nifty certificate, some cool swag and the news that he has been selected as "Student of the Month" for the eighth grade class at Mountain Ridge Junior High. By my reckoning, only nine eighth grade students receive this honor during the entire school year, and gee whiz, I am ding dong darn proud of Christian! The process of selecting the student of the month falls to the teachers who nominate a student for the honor and then they collectively decide on the student of the month.

Just indulge me a moment (this is like payday for mothers--and no taxes are taken out of the paycheck!) as I share a couple of comments made by Christian's teachers about him: "Christian is an excellent student and a fine person. He is one who comes to class and does all the work that he should. He does an excellent job on his work. Christian is one who others really like. He is fun to be around and is a person with good ideas. He is aware of others' feelings and is a great person to have in class."--Jacque Peterson; "Christian is a top notch student. Before I got to know him better, I thought he was in ninth grade because of his talent and abilities as a percussionist. It's unusual to see an eighth grader play percussion as well as he does. Christian works hard, is a great example to all those around him and is a great asset to the band."--Mr. Bateman.

Can you blame me for being as proud as a peacock?

. . . and a DIET Sprite with that please

Just in time for the holiday festivities--a pumpkin pie to beat all pumpkin pies. Please take special note of the "trans-fat-free shortening" called for in the recipe. I appreciate the author of this recipe looking out for my health by including the "good" kind of shortening, but call me crazy when I hesitate to jump to the conclusion that it will make any difference among the rest of the artery clogging goodness within. But then again, I'm not a dietician so I may be wrong. Check it out:

Crust
3 cups flour
1 cup trans-fat-free shortening!!! Yea!
1/4 t. salt
1 large egg, beaten
1 T. white vinegar
6 T. ice water


. . . and now for the fun stuff . . .


Chocolate layer
2/3 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 T. butter
3/4 t. vanilla
3/4 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts


. . . keep going . . .


Cream cheese layer
1 8oz. package cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 t. vanilla
1 egg, beaten


. . . and then . . .


Pumpkin layer
1 15oz. can pumpkin
1 1/2 cups melted vanilla ice cream
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 t. salt
1 1/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ginger
1/2 t. ground nutmet
1/4 t. ground cloves


. . . oh, here is some more . . .


Topping
1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
1 T. confectioners' sugar
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 cup sugar


. . . not done quite yet . . .


Chocolate drizzle
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
1 T. butter
1/4 to 1/3 cup crushed macadamia nuts


Holy moly! Just when you've gotten to the end of the recipe, SURPRISE! There is yet another 1500 calories to add to the previous layer. And just think of how fat ladden this would be with "regular" shortening! Luckily, the macadamia nuts, whipping cream, vanilla ice cream, blocks of cream cheese, chocolate and a small mountain of sugar won't even count.