Gammie and Potts

Friday, February 20, 2009

Humpty Dumpty

I fell out of bed! First time in my life that I can recall. I can't blame Randy for shoving me out, he was in Vegas. I just rolled over and fell on the floor. Made quite a thump and gave myself a rug burn on my elbow. Ouch! Yes, a person can get embarrassed when they are the only one around.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

What Is This Doing Here?

This is CUPID. He's about 26 years old. (We had another one before him, but he, unfortunately, was chewed up by the dog.) Why is he in the cereal box? Because it was my turn to hide him for

Randy to find! Cupid is a little reminder of our love for each other. He has been found in the oddest locations, shoes, luggage, glove compartments... On Saturday, I found him tied into the back tie of the dress I was wearing. He makes me smile. It is nice to be reassured that I am still loved after all these years!

"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."

-- Robert Heinlein

Friday, February 13, 2009

Friday the 13th... or... All He Wants Tomorrow are His Two Front Teeth

We were playing racquetball. It was game point for the both of us (only because Randy plays left-handed when he plays with me.) Randy served the ball then faced the front wall ready for his next move. I wasn't about to let him win, so I swung with all my might to hit the ball against the back wall, but I hit Randy in the face instead! He kept spitting pieces of tooth. I honestly thought I had taken out his whole mouth. Turns out I crushed the bottom halves of his two front teeth and loosened them good. He looked pretty scary -- like he came from the back woods of Arkansas or something. I was mortified and had difficulty sleeping that night.

I so wanted to take back those few seconds! Randy is supposed to work in a trade show in Vegas next week! We raced home and made an emergency call to Dr. Bigelow who was good enough to spend three hours of his Valentine's Day fixing Randy's front teeth -- a temporary fix, but they actually look quite nice! I am SO relieved.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Draper Temple Open House

Our new Draper Temple is holding its open house. It is expected that one million individuals will tour this new temple before it is dedicated in March.

Audrey and I were asked to provide three sessions of music for the VIP receptions held in the adjacent Stake Building the week before the public open house began. The Stake Building's cultural hall was transformed into a beautiful reception room with paintings, and murals decorating its walls, sitting areas, and tables at which to enjoy a nice buffet of appetizers. One would never know that this room usually houses basketball games!

On Wednesday of that week, my pianist friend, Jan Clayton, and I were scheduled to play from 4:30 to 6:30. We were asked to stay and play for an extra hour or so; Elder Perry was expected to come through the reception area. He did...and stayed for about an hour. He attentively watched and listened, then ventured over to tell us how perfect our music was for the occasion. Such a kind and gracious man.

Other General Authorities who ventured through during our assignments? President Henry B. Eyring, Bishop H. David Burton (who mentioned the we should have put a tin can out so people could drop millions of $ in), Elder Yushihiko Kikuchi, Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Sister Julie B. Beck (her husband talked to Audrey while she was playing to see if she could answer his questions and still keep her concentration - quite a character!) and other familiar faces.

Randy and I had our first opportunity to see the inside of the temple on Thursday morning when President Christensen took us through before our sealing room assignment. I found these photos on the church's "Newsroom" website

Waiting Area

The temple's exterior is made of white granite from China. It's interior includes limestone from Lyon, France, and Makore wood from Central Africa. The Art-glass and murals were created by local artists and the sego lily (Utah's state flower) motif is used throughout.

The beauty of the Celestial Room took my breath away.

The Baptismal Font

I picture my two youngest girls in this Bride's Room on their wedding days.

As a group of visitors was ushered into the sealing room every five minutes or so, Randy and I were asked to explain the room's significance and to bear our testimonies of the doctrine of eternal families. This was a very special opportunity. When our 7-11 am shift was over, I had difficulty leaving the temple. What a glorious experience to participate in this way.

It takes about 800 volunteers each day to host the open house. We were so happy to be a part of it all.

The interior and exterior of the temple are stunning, but it is the spirit felt within that gives it its true beauty. It is the house of the Lord. When the temple is dedicated in March it will serve 60,000 members in the area. What a great blessing! For tickets to the open house, visit this website.

"I would hope that we might go to the house of the Lord a little more frequently. . . . In this noisy, bustling, competitive world, what a privilege it is to have a sacred house where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Evylee's First Birthday Party

Evylee's official birthday party was held at our home the Saturday following her birthday.

She was very curious about her very own cake and touched it gently here and there.

Anxious to get a good messy picture, her daddy encouraged her to stick her hand into the cake!

Evylee was not happy about it!

She really preferred using a fork.

I think we have a "little lady" in this small fry.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Recipes from our February Birthday Bash

Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken Salad

Café Rio Dressing

1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make as per recipe)

2 tomatillos (tomato like vegetable with a husk around them)

½ bunch of cilantro

1 clove garlic

Juice of 1 lime

1 jalapeño (Use the seeds too if you like it spicy.)

Blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.

Cafe Rio Chicken

1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

1 T chili powder

1 T cumin

3 cloves garlic—minced

5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour. (Makes enough for an army -- we just save it for left-overs.)

Café Rio Rice

4 c water

4 t chicken bouillon

4 t garlic –minced

½ bunch cilantro

1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh

¾ t salt

1 T butter

½ onion

2 c rice (see note)

Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes. (This also makes up a boat load. Might want to make half a batch for family size meal.)

Black Beans

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cook garlic and cumin in olive oil. Add beans and salt. Place on medium heat and stir until heated through.

Toast flour tortillas in skillet and top with shredded cheese. Layer beans, rice, chicken, lettuce, guacamole, salsa, and a sprig of cilantro. Top with crunchy tortilla chips and dressing.

Everyones Favorite - Homemade Hot Fudge Topping

Boil together until smooth.

1 cube butter

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup canned evaporated milk

Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and 1/4 cup corn syrup.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Happy Birthday, Emily!

I was looking through my journal and found an entry about Emily written on her birthday when she turned TWELVE-YEARS OLD.

Monday, February 3, 1997 - Happy 12th Birthday, Emily! Let's see if I can describe you accurately:

"Spirited, fun-loving, ever-smiling. Mostly silly, seldom serious. Contagious cackle. Crazy about cooking, piano doodling, singing, and listening to broadway soundtracks. She can often be found pounding nails with Dad or gardening with Mom. Nickname - "Ed" but right now it's "Honey" because it's close to Valentine's Day.

Want to know her friends nicknames? They're Sugar, Foxy, and Babe... but just for the month of February. Whenever she uses barbecue sauce or ketchup, WATCH OUT! More often than not it ends up all over her plate, her front, and her fingers. She still isn't too crazy about the dark. Often she can be found sleeping with Audrey... in the same small twin-sized bed. She likes to be casual... VERY casual; she doesn't mind being grubby or having mussed-up hair... until she dresses up for fancy events, that is. Then wow, is she ever a knock out. She knows her scripture stories, has already read the Book of Mormon on her own. She really is a Honey."