March 26, 2016
I think today is Papa Herb's birthday. I hope he enjoys it. Call him if you can. Grandma got some medication for her cough. Hopefully she is feeling better. Kathy Currit's Mom, Janet, died. The funeral was Friday. Kathy was going to take the whole extended Hummer family out to dinner to be together after the funeral. She said her mom would be thrilled that they did that.
It's still snowing and raining here, although none sticks to the ground. But it's cold. Don't care no more.
Alex just finished his second big exam, his qualifying exam. He was testing and writing for seven days on his two areas of specialty. If he passes, he will just have his dissertation to write and defend. Congratulations to him on surviving a pretty rough week! He is on his way to Washington D.C. today to present a paper at a conference, then on to Texas for a friend's wedding.
We enjoyed talking to Travis Sunday, and Danny's family and Rilee and Tommy. A woman in Travis ski group broke her leg the second to the last day on the slopes. She opted to go back to Poland for surgery. Other than that it sounds like it was a fun trip. He said northern Italy is beautiful.
Rilee is entering the last trimester of her pregnancy. I knew this would go fast. The pregnancy basically covered a normal school year. Soon we will see this little girl. We are all very excited.
Dawn and Tyler have rented a cabin in the mountains next week. They are looking forward to a family get-a-way. I look forward to hearing about it. Travel safely!
Next week we fly to New York to see Alex. We fly into Buffalo. That should be interesting. I imagine it is always raining there. We hope to visit, kick back and enjoy the beautiful lakes and country in upstate New York. Dennis wants to explore some country hand tool sales while he is there.
Someday we will plant a garden. We are already picking sorrel from our herb garden. I love it on sandwiches and in soup.
I had three immunizations updated and moles burned off this week. It was a toxic combination. I don't recommend it. I realize now I finally feel good and I can think again. I missed that. And I don't hurt or itch. But other than that life has been good. Dennis went to a tile class on Saturday and learned how to set tile. We are still working on our fireplace project. Probably we went into it without a plan. (When will I learn?) but I do believe it will turn out to be nice. I guess I always want things to be amazing, and sometimes they aren't bad.
I realized this week that the temple dedication we went to last week has broader meaning in my life. I believe we need to be dedicated to the Lord to have His spirit with us. Our homes need to dedicated to the Lord so that His spirit can be here in the place that we live, and our country need to be dedicated to Him so that He can be with us to guide us and help us. I think that's what's basically wrong with our nation. I know that's simple but it feels so clear to me. We are wandering in the dark otherwise.
Take care and keep in touch. We love you!
Mom
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Thursday, March 17, 2016
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY
BOWL OF CHOCOLATE AMAZINGNESS
Travis has requested the Bon Appetit Chocolate-Avocado Pudding recipe. It's in the March 2016 issue on page 97.
Scoop flesh from 2 large avocados into a blender and scrape in seeds from 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, discard pod. (or use pure vanilla extract maybe 1/2 tsp?)
Add 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (got that? unsweetened)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup agave nectar (good stuff.)
1/4 cup fresh orange juice,
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
blend to a coarse puree. With motor running, gradually stream in 3/4 cup hot (but not boiling) water, blend, adding more orange juice as needed, until smooth and creamy. Divide pudding among eight 4-6 oz ramekins or small bowls and chill at least 2 hours and up to 3 days (cover once set). To serve, whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream in medium bowl to soft peaks and spoon over pudding. If desire; top with 1/4 cocoa nibs and/or chopped hazelnuts. 6 servings.
Yikes! four of us have been eating the whole thing. We have been topping it with whipped cream and chopped, lightly salted cashews.
Don't substitute for the agave. Agave is stronger than sugar and has a flavor. It lasts a long time and is very healthy. Good to have around. I have used the vanilla pods. They cost a lot. I found some liquid vanilla with crushed pod in it that I'm going to order. It's kind of messy to get out of the blender. You will have to lick the spoon, your hands, maybe your arms.
This is a very rich dessert. Vegan friendly, gluten and dairy free. and good.
Happy St. Patricks Day! Celebrate silly holidays that require very little expense whenever possible.
BOWL OF CHOCOLATE AMAZINGNESS
Travis has requested the Bon Appetit Chocolate-Avocado Pudding recipe. It's in the March 2016 issue on page 97.
Scoop flesh from 2 large avocados into a blender and scrape in seeds from 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, discard pod. (or use pure vanilla extract maybe 1/2 tsp?)
Add 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (got that? unsweetened)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup agave nectar (good stuff.)
1/4 cup fresh orange juice,
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
blend to a coarse puree. With motor running, gradually stream in 3/4 cup hot (but not boiling) water, blend, adding more orange juice as needed, until smooth and creamy. Divide pudding among eight 4-6 oz ramekins or small bowls and chill at least 2 hours and up to 3 days (cover once set). To serve, whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream in medium bowl to soft peaks and spoon over pudding. If desire; top with 1/4 cocoa nibs and/or chopped hazelnuts. 6 servings.
Yikes! four of us have been eating the whole thing. We have been topping it with whipped cream and chopped, lightly salted cashews.
Don't substitute for the agave. Agave is stronger than sugar and has a flavor. It lasts a long time and is very healthy. Good to have around. I have used the vanilla pods. They cost a lot. I found some liquid vanilla with crushed pod in it that I'm going to order. It's kind of messy to get out of the blender. You will have to lick the spoon, your hands, maybe your arms.
This is a very rich dessert. Vegan friendly, gluten and dairy free. and good.
Happy St. Patricks Day! Celebrate silly holidays that require very little expense whenever possible.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
MARCH 15th
March 15, 2016
Hi family,
What a whirlwind retired life is. We still have the family room kind of torn apart and the bedrooms are full of stuff that I no longer care about. The highlights of my winter were Christmas, seeing everyone, going to California, blessing Finn at our house, taking off for a few winter days in Bryce Canyon, driving to Seattle during the only good-weather week we had. It's been a long dark, icy winter.
Rilee finally looks like she's expecting a baby. She just started her last trimester. I can't believe we're that close to seeing this little girl, and holding her. We are going to New York to see Alex the first part of April, then to Port Hueneme the first part of May. Then we come home to wait for the baby. Somewhere in there we hope to finish the electrical at Danny and Jenni's and see Dennis' Mom and Dad.
Grandma is doing a normal recovery from a heart attack. She is very weak and tired and not able to eat much, but gaining strength each day. It takes about a month and a half to get back to somewhat normal. She should be able to recover. The Relief Society is bringing in meals and Meri and Steve are helping when they can. Papa Herb seems very grateful and happy with her life and progress. We are all grateful.
We have booked tickets to go to Poland and Italy in September. It's sounding like so much fun. Travis is going skiing this week in the Alps. Wear a helmet, Travis. Most people do now. Good idea. Alex has a busy two weeks writing an important exam and presenting a paper at a big conference in DC then flying to Texas for a wedding.
Dawn is doing well with her pregnancy. They are thinking of names for the little one. Those are lucky girls to come to a home full of love and sisters. I can't wait to hold her. I wonder if she has an ultrasound picture yet? Lilah and Laurel looked quite different from each other in their ultrasounds.
I plan on growing lots of tomatoes this summer. I'm kind of into gourmet catsups. They are delicious. Maybe I'll try to make some.
We are busy downtown and still enjoying it. I feel like we are strengthened so much by the members' faith and simplicity. Many of them live on a small income and are happy and grateful people. We talked in church Sunday on service. Then I played piano in Primary. We had one child come. Her name was Juniper. Then I accompanied the music in Relief Society. We had corned beef and cabbage for dinner with Tommy and Rilee and played hand and foot, then watched a new Netflix show based on Michael Pollard (?) 's book about cooking. It was a good day. Wish you all were with us.
They moved our neighborhood cleanup at the last minute from April 26 to today. And it snowed. Of course. Nobody has much out in the street. Dang. I love to see all the garbage get picked up. It's too early to do yardwork!
Hope the bushes are blooming, the tulips are growing, the sun is shining and you're walking outside, wherever you are! Keep in touch! We love to hear from you.
Love, Mom
Hi family,
What a whirlwind retired life is. We still have the family room kind of torn apart and the bedrooms are full of stuff that I no longer care about. The highlights of my winter were Christmas, seeing everyone, going to California, blessing Finn at our house, taking off for a few winter days in Bryce Canyon, driving to Seattle during the only good-weather week we had. It's been a long dark, icy winter.
Rilee finally looks like she's expecting a baby. She just started her last trimester. I can't believe we're that close to seeing this little girl, and holding her. We are going to New York to see Alex the first part of April, then to Port Hueneme the first part of May. Then we come home to wait for the baby. Somewhere in there we hope to finish the electrical at Danny and Jenni's and see Dennis' Mom and Dad.
Grandma is doing a normal recovery from a heart attack. She is very weak and tired and not able to eat much, but gaining strength each day. It takes about a month and a half to get back to somewhat normal. She should be able to recover. The Relief Society is bringing in meals and Meri and Steve are helping when they can. Papa Herb seems very grateful and happy with her life and progress. We are all grateful.
We have booked tickets to go to Poland and Italy in September. It's sounding like so much fun. Travis is going skiing this week in the Alps. Wear a helmet, Travis. Most people do now. Good idea. Alex has a busy two weeks writing an important exam and presenting a paper at a big conference in DC then flying to Texas for a wedding.
Dawn is doing well with her pregnancy. They are thinking of names for the little one. Those are lucky girls to come to a home full of love and sisters. I can't wait to hold her. I wonder if she has an ultrasound picture yet? Lilah and Laurel looked quite different from each other in their ultrasounds.
I plan on growing lots of tomatoes this summer. I'm kind of into gourmet catsups. They are delicious. Maybe I'll try to make some.
We are busy downtown and still enjoying it. I feel like we are strengthened so much by the members' faith and simplicity. Many of them live on a small income and are happy and grateful people. We talked in church Sunday on service. Then I played piano in Primary. We had one child come. Her name was Juniper. Then I accompanied the music in Relief Society. We had corned beef and cabbage for dinner with Tommy and Rilee and played hand and foot, then watched a new Netflix show based on Michael Pollard (?) 's book about cooking. It was a good day. Wish you all were with us.
They moved our neighborhood cleanup at the last minute from April 26 to today. And it snowed. Of course. Nobody has much out in the street. Dang. I love to see all the garbage get picked up. It's too early to do yardwork!
Hope the bushes are blooming, the tulips are growing, the sun is shining and you're walking outside, wherever you are! Keep in touch! We love to hear from you.
Love, Mom
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