Here Comes the Bride

I got to do Nancy's bridals the other day. I guess you could say it was my first real photo shoot. Anyway, we had a lot of fun. Mom was a big help, and quite a trooper! Our cousin, Dawn, did Nancy's makeup (thanks, Dawn, for doing such a beautiful job) and Nancy did her own hair. Here are a few of my favorites. Some of them could use a little editing, but these are the results so far.

The Test

"What do they want me to try this time? I'm not so sure about this."

"I hope dad knew what he was doing, and I hope this branch holds. This tree looks kind of dead."

"It tastes ok. Nice texture."

"Hey, not bad."

"That was pretty fun."

"Ok, I'll keep it!"

Easy Artisan Bread

My friend, Erin, shared this link to a video recipe for easy, no-knead bread. It looked good, and Erin had positive results with it, so I thought I would try it. Well, it turned out great, and both the taste and texture rival any good bakery. As easy as it was, here are a few tips:

You have to let the dough rise for about 12 hours, so your best bet in terms of timing is to mix the the ingredients the night before and let the dough sit overnight.

You are also supposed to use a cast iron or dutch oven dish with a lid. I didn't have a cast iron pot, but I borrowed my mom's big Corning Ware pot with a cast iron bottom, which worked great. I am now planning on investing in a cast iron pot!

There is also a link you can click from the video site that has a printed recipe. I compared the printed recipe to what the guy in the video said. There were some slight variations between the two, but nothing too critical. You might want to consider both.

Chloe's Great-Grammy Grace

Duncan's grandmother traveled from Florida to Utah last week to visit family, and for another special reason. She was sealed to her deceased husband and to three of her children, in the Provo temple. Paul, Duncn's dad, was one of those children, and Duncan acted as proxy for Paul's brother, Mark, who died when he was twelve. Chloe and I met everyone outside the temple, and then we went to Uncle David and Aunt Patsy's for a family lunch. It was sure fun to visit with Grammy Grace, who is a native of Georgia, but who married a New Englander, and thus raised her family in Maine. Now she spends half the year in Maine and the other half in Florida.

Homecoming and Easter

After eighteen long months, Elder and Sister Brown returned home from their mission. Many of their children and grandchildren welcomed them at the airport and filled their home for the next several days. We are so happy to have them home!
As if Mom and Dad's homecoming wasn't exciting enough, the morning after they returned, Amanda gave birth to Liza Jane, her and David's sixth child. We are so blessed to still have Amanda with us, as the complications relating to the delivery almost took her life. By Easter Sunday, she was home and recovering well. This was truly a miracle.
We had a wonderful Easter. Chloe looked pretty in her new Easter dress.
Mom and Dad spoke in Sacrament Meeting that day, and they did a wonderful job. Duncan played a beautiful arrangement of "Because I Have Been Given Much" (Dad's favorite hymn). It was fun to be able to spend Easter Sunday with Grammy and Papa!

Dennis and Audra and their two children were able to come that day. They had flown to Vegas for business and made the drive up to Utah County. Thanks, y'all, it was great to see you! Here is pretty Caroline holding baby Liza.
Will playing with Chloe.

The kids had fun hiding and then finding Easter eggs. Lucy found the prized "golden" egg. She was so excited!!

Chloe had fun, too. She loves being outside!

38th Birthday

It happened last Tuesday (hence the green). I can't believe it's been 20 years since I graduated from high school. Duncan and I went out on a date, just like we did last year on my birthday. And, like last year, Nancy sat with Chloe for us; last year Chloe was only a few weeks old, and I was still recovering!2009

Senior picture 1989 (Actually, the picture was taken Fall of 1988).

I miss using my Galvanic Spa!!! I haven't used it since I've been pregnant, because it uses an electric current (albeit a very low one) and I haven't asked my doctor yet if she thinks it would be safe. It has never been tested on pregnant women. But I do miss it, because it makes my skin look and feel younger.

"Je veux un petit frère!"

Translation: "I want a little brother!"
Chloe's wish just might come true. Eight weeks down, 32 to go. Please pass the saltines!