Greek Not-So-Festive(al)

This year was the 36th annual 2011 Salt Lake City Greek Festival. I've always wanted to go. Now that I have...no need to go again. I guess my expectations were a bit too high, although, I really have no idea what I was actually expecting.

I wanted to try some Greek food. We had Chicken Souvalki (shishkabob). I kind of wanted to try other things, but you had to stand in a long line to get other foods and other meat options...like lamb...and I wasn't really wanting to stand in a line. Anyway, I saw this after eating the chicken and was VERY happy to have chosen the the short line...and the chicken!

Holland experienced TRAX for the first time and she was thrilled about it...obviously!

 

The dancers that we saw and the tour of the Greek Cathedral were actually pretty cool. The cathedral was beautiful. I'm amazed that they just let anyone in there...in street clothes. I wanted to take a picture, but decided it might not be respectful to do so. But the windows were gorgeous!

While in the cathedral I did see a girl that used to be in one of my singles wards forever ago...the Madison Ward. Her name is Betsy and she has a bet stuffed animal she call squeakers. Oh the memories!

We went to the festival with Tyler's parents, his brother Brandon and Brandon's kids. It POURED RAIN while we were in the cathedral, but afterward it was perfect weather to walk back to mom and dad's condo near Memory Grove.

While walking back we saw a very special wedding taking place at the Gallivan Center. Loud, rocker music while the wedding party walked down the isle and the "minister" was a very tall girl with a very short dress on and very high heels. Interesting! Or should I say, VERY INTERESTING!

I think the best part of the afternoon/evening was back at the condo: dinner, dessert and watching the BYU game (even though they lost...boo hoo!)

ToMAEto...ToMAto!

On Labor Day my mom and I made salsa...with Tomatoes from my very own garden!

My mom sent me the recipe via email, thinking I was actually brave enough to just make salsa on my own. She's silly! I opted for the hour drive (each way) so I could have some hands-on training...and some one-on-one time with my mom. Best decision ever because she was just putting home-made bread in the oven when I arrived. Lucky me!

Thanks, mom, for teaching me. Next time I'll be able to do it on my own. But, we both know that won't happen. I'll just come home again so we can make it together!

SALSA

8 QUARTS PEELED TOMATOES –DICED-SQUISHED

6-7 JALAPENO PEPPERS (11 IS HOT)

4-6 GREEN PEPPERS

3 CUPS CHOPPED ONION

1 CUP SUGAR

½ CUP SALT

AFTER YOU SCALD AND PREPARE THE TOMATOES PUT THEM IN A COLANDER AND LET THE WATER DRAIN OFF THEM FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHILE YOU ARE CHOPPING UP THE OTHER INGREDIENTS.

THEN, COOK 1-3 HRS  ON MEDIUM HEAT IN A HEAVY PAN.  STIR OFTEN SO IT DOESN’T STICK TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN.

PREPARE PINT BOTTLES.  WASH IN DISHWASHER SO THAT THEY ARE HOT WHEN YOU ARE READY TO FILL THEM. 

FILL UP TO THE NECK.  WASH RIM AND PUT LIDS, THAT HAVE SOAKED FOR 5 MINUTES IN HOT WATER, ON TOP AND TIGHTEN RINGS.

STEAM OR COLD PACK FOR 20 MINUTES, AFTER THEY START TO STEAM.

MAKES ABOUT 14 PINTS.

YOU COULD HALF THIS RECIPE IF YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TOMATOES FOR THE FULL RECIPE.

LOVE YA, MOM

Go BYU!

We watched the game on Saturday, and thank goodness, WE WON!

I think we might have a future-Cougarette...

I sewed the Y onto her onesie and the boots were made my Sheri's sister-in-law.

Holland looks like she is totally into the game!

Is This How You Do It?

Holland's doctor suggested we try feeding her some rice cereal. She said that if she doesn't act interested we can wait a couple weeks and try again.

Well, I think she likes it!

Like Mother...Like Father?

I think Holland is a pretty good mix of the two of us, but...from these pics, I'm thinking she looks most like her daddy! What do you think?

Four Months!

Holland turned the big 4 months on Sunday, August 28!

I know it's cliche, but yet again, I must say that the time is really flying by and I just want to hit "PAUSE" now and then. Now=when she's sleeping so perfectly in her little bed. Then=when she tried rice cereal for the first time earlier today. More on both of those topics later. But for now...here's our little lady looking all fly.

I swear she looks like she wants to say, "That's right peeps, I'm four months old. Word!" Or maybe she's thinking, "Hmmm...four months? Seriously?" What do YOU think she's thinking??

Current Stats:

Height - 26" (95th percentile - but the doctor said she is actually off the charts, they just have to give a percentage. Seriously - MY child is off the charts for height? Who would have thought?)

Weight - 12 lb. 12 oz. (35th percentile)

Head - 41.5 cm (70th percentile)

She had her check-up with the doctor yesterday and she did SO GREAT getting her immunizations. She, of course, was SHOCKED and started crying as soon as the needle went in her little leg. It breaks my heart when she starts to cry and looks at me like, "Why did you let them do that?" Ugh. I really hate it! I do love that Tyler is able to be there for her doctor appointments. I think he handles it better than I do...maybe. By the time we got to the reception desk she was all done crying and only whimpered a few times throughout the evening when her leg would get bumped by her...or me or Tyler (oops!)

Holland Tried Ceral

It's hard to see just how much of the cereal was on her face, but it was definitely there! She wasn't sure what to think at first - I can only imagine how strange it must be to "eat" for the first time.

Here is a little glimpse, in order, of how the event went down. I think she ended up liking it...sort of! What do you think?