brand new beauty

Today I used a brand new vacuum. This was quite exciting as I have never used or owned a new vacuum before. We began our newly married life (almost 13 years ago) with a 1981 Electrolux. It was Grandmother Darling's pride and joy, but the canister was proving too heavy for her and she and Grandpa were very happy to present this machine to us. We were happy to have it as we didn't have a vacuum and knew that there are some parts of marriage that really did need to suck (mainly the carpet that you'd walk on day in and day out).

Years later the Electrolux began to show her age. About this time we were presented with a much less heavy Oreck from my mom. She acquired this when I was about 12 or 13. (You can do the math on that one). It was awesome until the last few weeks.

So last Friday, I talked the kids up and filled them with excitement as we headed to the Vacuum Store after soccer. Jimmy was well prepared to face whatever came our way with his shin-guards, but he gratefully relinquished his ball to the confines of the car. He and Grace graciously checked out all the Vacuum Store had to offer. Grace then settled into her library book (because, you never know when you might need to read your library book in the exciting Vacuum Store) and Jimmy took it upon himself to notify a Vacuum Store employee their floor was very dirty (he had found their demo area and it truly troubled him, probably because shin-guards were no match to the mess the demo area provided).

The Vacuum Store regretfully informed me the repairs on my "elderly" vacuum would be over 100 bucks. I regretfully informed them I would not be seeking a $100 plus repair on my "elderly" vacuum. We did leave as friends, but I was sure not to impart my phone number.

After days of pondering, searching, researching, and hemming and hawing, the day arrived to purchase a brand-spankin'-new vacuum. As Grace had a previous engagement that particular afternoon, only Jimmy was there to accompany me on the purchase of a new vacuum. While cruising the aisle approaching our new-to-be acquisition, Jimmy pointed to each and every vacuum and said,

"Hey, Mama, check out this beauty!"

"Oh, look at that beauty over there!"

"I think this could be our new beauty, its purple!"

"Wow, what a beauty!"

It made buying a new vacuum even more awesome that it could have been.

This afternoon I assemble my new Beauty. It totally sucks.

I'm very happy.

into the light

It was light. It seemed far too early for the sun, but no doubt about it, the light was peering right into my eyelids. I blinked them open. It was light all right. Man, did it feel early!

Time on the clock - 1:57 a.m.

Huh?

Blinking a few times I discover its not the sun causing this disturbance, its the lamp on the bedside table.

Nate is sound asleep. "Honey," I say, "Did you turn the light on?"

"Yes," he says, "I turned it on to examine the neck adhesion."

"Of course," I say, "well the procedure is over, will you please turn the light off now?"

"Oh, yeah."

Its now dark. And I've got about four more hours of darkness to snooze!

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pee-wee

Have you ever seen little pee-wee shin guards and soccer socks? I'm not sure if there are many things cuter than they are.

Have you ever seen a little boy dash across the field full-throttle wearing the said pee-wee shin guards and socks?

Well, you should. It really will make your whole day better.

for you, kathy b.

We received terrible news today. A member of our ward (congregation) was killed. He was Grace's Primary (Sunday School) teacher. Our prayers continually are in behalf of his wife (who also teaches Grace's class) and his family.

However, I find that my hands need to be busy. After cleaning the house, they were still in need of work. They really seem to be the most at ease in the kitchen. To prevent myself from baking cookies (you know that is my stand-by in times of stress), I considered baking brownies. But I saw the effects of both would be the same - I would consume far too many of each. Instead I busted out the cookbooks and whipped up an old favorite I haven't made in eons; and while doing so I realized I promised faithful reader, Kathy B., I would post Nate's Favorite Pork Chops. She said she wasn't interested in pork that turned out dry. Never you fear, my dear, these are wonderful!

So here are two family classics:

Savory Summer Pie - adapted from a Southern Living magazine dated ages ago

1 unbaked pie crust

1 small red pepper, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped

4 large eggs

1 cup half and half

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack

1/3 cup shredded Parm cheese

3 plum tomatoes, sliced

Fit pie crust in a 9 1/2 inch deep pie plate. Prick bottom and sides. Bake at 425 for 10 min. Remove from oven and set aside.

Saute bell pepper, onion, and garlic in hot oil for 5 minutes or so. Stir in basil and remove from heat.

Whisk together eggs and the next 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in sauteed veggies and cheeses. Pour into crust; top with tomato slices.

Bake at 375 for 45-50 minutes or until set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

(Also, someone I know loves some Tabasco on his serving of this)

Nate's Favorite Pork Chops

1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

6 pork chops, not the skinny ones mind you, make sure they are nice and thick!

olive oil

2 medium tomatoes (or one can diced tomatoes with all the juice)

1 onion, sliced

3 Tbsp soy sauce (the secret ingredient, if you will)

1/2 cup water

Combine flour, garlic powder and pepper; coat the chops with the mixture. Brown both sides of pork in the hot oil over medium heat. Sprinkle tomatoes and onion pieces over top of the chops. Pour soy sauce and water over all. Simmer, covered for 45 minutes (or less if you weren't able to get those nice, thick chops), until tender, turning once.

Please, please, please serve over rice.