Thursday, August 12, 2021
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Word of the Year: 2019
As 2018 came and went I had more time than usual to think. As a person who loves organization and goals, this is not a New Years norm for me. Normally I am ramped up and ready to go with several goals in each of my previously specified categories all organized in an attractive layout. Having had ankle surgery four days before 2019 I couldn’t bring myself to make up any New Year’s Resolutions. I found myself tired and enjoying the rest. I have been going at full speed for so long when I first broke my ankle it was a nice respite from the go-go-going. I also went part time at my work starting in the fall (.75 time) which meant I would be sleeping in a glorious hour, arriving at work later, and not having to prep for another new class. However this past fall I found myself unable to enjoy the autumn leaves and the scents of the season because I was so busy planning lessons, grading papers, and spending lots and lots and lots of time at physical therapy. My dreams of getting to bed on time, having no work on weekends, and having time to read were just that, dreams.
I guess I’m trying to say, or maybe justify my not wanting to have New Years Resolutions. There is already so much pressure and so many distractions, and my dream of less stress to get to, why would I want to put the pressure back on?? I have read about people choosing words of the year instead of making resolutions. I feel like 2018 my unofficial word was BRAVE. I decided that 2019 I would make it official. I made no New Year’s Resolutions but I would find a word. The word. My word. I searched the web and had a word that stuck out to me instantly and intensely. It was not a word I was expecting giving my desire to turn it down a notch, but my word for 2019 is most definitely IGNITE.
Ignite passion, ignite dreams, ignite spirituality, ignite joy, ignite longevity.
I want to ignite passion in my relationship with my spouse. I want to ignite my dreams and find a passion. So many people speak of finding their passion. I don’t know mine yet. I want to ignite my spirituality. With the hustle and bustle of being a working millennial, my spiritual relationship with my father in Heaven is in no way what it should be and is in pretty poor shape. I relished in the announcement of the church for the new home study program- my chance to ignite spirituality! I want to ignite joy. I envy those people who seem to be living life so joyfully. I want to find that for myself. I want to ignite longevity. This is one I stole from the hubby, L. He is all about not just being strong or “in shape”, but doing things and making choices to be able to live life at a high quality of physical health for as long as he can. To me this is much more liberating than trying to becoming skinny or sticking to a certain diet or working like mad to lose those extra five pounds.
What does ignite mean to you?
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Italy Photos
Leighton and I spent a dreamy spring break in Italy!
We made Firenze our home base and went on several day trips to:
Venice
Sienna
Lucca
Pisa
and went hiking in the ever-dreamy Cinque Terre National Park
Pictures can be found by following the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154520195813513&type=1&l=7938d3a9df
We made Firenze our home base and went on several day trips to:
Venice
Sienna
Lucca
Pisa
and went hiking in the ever-dreamy Cinque Terre National Park
Pictures can be found by following the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154520195813513&type=1&l=7938d3a9df
French Cooking
Over the winter Mari decided to dive into the French culture and take a cooking class. Each week the class focused on a different region and their different foods.
Week 1
tarte tatin
cheese fondue
Week 2: Brittany & Normandy
onion gratin
seared scallops with beurre blanc
fiery crêpes suzette à la Julie Child
It was crazy lighting the orange infused crêpes on fire! The onion gratin was incredible!
Week 3: Northern France, Belgium
steak frites
glazed asparagus with a bearnaise sauce
tarte tatin
This was probably the third best steak I have had by sheer luck. It was fun to make our own fries. The bearnaise sauce was very temperamental but delicious on the steak. Tarte tatin is the French version of an apple pie. It is very easy because you take a puff pastry and put it over apples that you have cooked in butter and sugar for a while.
Week 4: Burgundy
This week was pretty technical I'd say. The boeuf bourguignon we started a couple days in advance, but was well worth the trip to the liquor store to get Pinot Noir. I was severely disappointed that they didn't card me though. We made pomme purée with a ricer & homemade escargot! It was much better than the escargot at La Caille. We made it in shell and in mushroom caps which was my favorite. I HIGHLY recommend Harmon's baguettes. For dessert we made pears poached in red wine with marscapone cream filling. Sadly I burnt the syrup that was supposed to go on top, which I think would have made the pears taste a lot better.
Week 5: Provence
Heading south was definitely my jam! Roasted chicken with a lot of garlic served with olive tapenade, ratatouille, and tarte au citron!
Week 6: Southwest France, Aquitaine
Chateaubriand, Chateau potatoes, Apple, Pecan, & Blue Cheese Salad and crème brûlée.
The crème brûlée was out of this world and much easier to cook than expected!
Week 1
tarte tatin
cheese fondue
Week 2: Brittany & Normandy
onion gratin
seared scallops with beurre blanc
fiery crêpes suzette à la Julie Child
It was crazy lighting the orange infused crêpes on fire! The onion gratin was incredible!
Week 3: Northern France, Belgium
steak frites
glazed asparagus with a bearnaise sauce
tarte tatin
This was probably the third best steak I have had by sheer luck. It was fun to make our own fries. The bearnaise sauce was very temperamental but delicious on the steak. Tarte tatin is the French version of an apple pie. It is very easy because you take a puff pastry and put it over apples that you have cooked in butter and sugar for a while.
Week 4: Burgundy
This week was pretty technical I'd say. The boeuf bourguignon we started a couple days in advance, but was well worth the trip to the liquor store to get Pinot Noir. I was severely disappointed that they didn't card me though. We made pomme purée with a ricer & homemade escargot! It was much better than the escargot at La Caille. We made it in shell and in mushroom caps which was my favorite. I HIGHLY recommend Harmon's baguettes. For dessert we made pears poached in red wine with marscapone cream filling. Sadly I burnt the syrup that was supposed to go on top, which I think would have made the pears taste a lot better.
Week 5: Provence
Heading south was definitely my jam! Roasted chicken with a lot of garlic served with olive tapenade, ratatouille, and tarte au citron!
Week 6: Southwest France, Aquitaine
Chateaubriand, Chateau potatoes, Apple, Pecan, & Blue Cheese Salad and crème brûlée.
The crème brûlée was out of this world and much easier to cook than expected!
Saturday, April 8, 2017
I'm Not Throwing Away My Shot
West Lake STEM decided to make a music video to cheer our students on.
Enjoy my musical début!
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Oh The Places You'll Go!
I just need to brag about my hubby a little bit!
About a month ago Leighton was prompted to start studying insurance. He did so and got P&C license in less than two weeks! He went to a local agency the next day who referred him to a friend who basically offered him a job on the spot!
Leighton has signed on as a producer with Insurance Network. To do so he created his own company- CIA or Carroll Insurance Agency. He absolutely adores the team and the company culture. Since it is a network they sell different "brands" of insurance so he can help people get the best deal. He pops out of bed every morning excited to go and learn. I am so proud of him for all that he is doing! (If you haven't checked out his website verslapro.com you should!)
For this new job in Salt Lake we thought it fitting to find him a newer vehicle for his commute.
We are happy to introduce you to Luna Lovegood, our 2007 Toyota Prius. Leighton loves having an electric car. (I made him take this picture before it started snowing!) We feel so very blessed to be led by the Lord. I was nonchalantly looking on KSL cars one day when I found Luna. That weekend we went to see her & then drove her home!
About a month ago Leighton was prompted to start studying insurance. He did so and got P&C license in less than two weeks! He went to a local agency the next day who referred him to a friend who basically offered him a job on the spot!
Leighton has signed on as a producer with Insurance Network. To do so he created his own company- CIA or Carroll Insurance Agency. He absolutely adores the team and the company culture. Since it is a network they sell different "brands" of insurance so he can help people get the best deal. He pops out of bed every morning excited to go and learn. I am so proud of him for all that he is doing! (If you haven't checked out his website verslapro.com you should!)
For this new job in Salt Lake we thought it fitting to find him a newer vehicle for his commute.
We are happy to introduce you to Luna Lovegood, our 2007 Toyota Prius. Leighton loves having an electric car. (I made him take this picture before it started snowing!) We feel so very blessed to be led by the Lord. I was nonchalantly looking on KSL cars one day when I found Luna. That weekend we went to see her & then drove her home!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Sweethearts 5K
This weekend my hubby was a sweetheart and ran his first race with me. We ran the Sweethearts 5k in Bountiful, Utah. It thankfully wasn't snowing, raining, or windy, just a little chilly. Leighton helped me set a stellar pace and I finished in 24:29, my fastest time yet. I won my age division (hurray!) and hate to think how much better I might have done if I had actually trained for this race!
Mari with her first place teddy bear
Mari with her first place teddy bear
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