My friend and Grandmother Helen

It has taken me years, but I am finally determined to finish typing my Grandma Berger's (Helen for short) life story into the computer. The pages are huge and seem to take forever to type, but I am attempting one page a day (with some success) so that I can finish it by April.
It has been really fun to learn about my Grandma. I consider Helen and me kindred spirits. I we are a lot alike (well actually maybe I am a lot like her). I talk to random strangers EVERYWHERE, I pick food of other people plates and I have been known to wrap up food in a napkin and taken it home from a restaurant in my purse. Surprisingly, these were all things that embarrassed me as a child...haha I was destined to be just like her.

Here are a few things I am learning and finding entertaining while typing Grandma Berger's life story.

• I come from a long line of chatters
  Turns out Helen's mother was also a Chatty Cathy. Grandma points out how Grandma Rees loved to take the train back and forth from Utah to California because she liked to talk with her train compartment neighbors. She made friends with everyone and easily made conversation. So talking is something I inherited. Sorry for all those who try to get a word in when I am in the room, I was born this way. 
• Thought this little note about my Aunt Nan's grades was funny.
  Nancy "got an “A” in sewing, “outstanding” in cooperation but “unsatisfactory” in obedience.”
• Who is Sharon?
  When I was reading about my Great Grandma Berger's death from cancer (also a fact I never knew) I discovered a half sister I have never heard of. My Grandpa Tom Berger was previously married (news to me) and had a daughter Sharon. Who knew? Not me.
• My mom is so cute
  I know everyone thinks this about their own mother, but my mother's baby and childhood photos are so cute. Now I know where I get it from.

Told you my Mom is cute

Menu Planning: Three weeks and counting

When I was little I wanted to be a chef. But over the last few years I have become really lazy. I never cook or bake or grill. I wanted that to change. I wanted to cook and bake more. Not only because I love it or because it makes me feel like a real adult or the fact that it is a great "mommy skill", but because it is great for my pocket book and for my waistline. (Ok I am not really that concerned with my waistline, but I think it is important to be healthy.) So all around good things, right?!

As part of my goals this year I wanted to be better at making meal plans for my week and shop for only the things on my list. I am usually terrible at this because I eat out a lot and hardly go shopping and usually don't take a list. A few weeks ago I was out shopping with my mom and found cute menu planners at Anthropolgie. Maybe it is just because I love everything in that store or because it has a good simple cute design or because it is actually helpful, but I have actually planned out my meals with these little sheets of paper for the last 3 weeks. Look at me being healthy and all adult like. This also means I am learning new recipes for item 27 on my list (add tomato bisque to my list).
Check out these "What to Eat" notepads if you are like me and need a little extra (and cute to boot) help planning out your meals.

How I do it:

1. I review my week and mark days that I will be going out for dinner with friends or on a date and mark those immediately. 
2. I then review what I have in my cabinets and fridge to see if there is any food I need to eat before it spoils (usually not now that I am using this plan).
3. I try to pick a combination of new recipes and standard favorites. 
4. After filling in the menu I review the ingredients and use the back of the meal planner to write a grocery list. 

Don't forget to mark things for breakfast, lunch (usually my leftovers or easy stuff) and snacks.


If I can steal a Martha Stewart line, "It is a good thing."

Half way to 29

It was my half birthday this week and I didn't even celebrate...sad. But I guess that means it is time for a half way to 29, update on my 28 list post. So here goes.

Rockin' 28

1. Build a bike
2. Repair and refinish wardrobe
   The first step has been completed. The wardrobe has been moved to my parent's garage and my carpenter brother has assessed the repairs needed. 
3. Visit Canada
4. Visit Glacier National Park
5. Visit Banff National Park
6. Compete in 2 triathlons
   Done and Done. Check out details the Salem Tri and Camp Yuba Tri. I still find it entertaining that I got the exact same time.
7. Compete in 2 bike races
   Couldn't have done this goal with my trust bike buddy Joni. We did the MS 150 in Logan and the ULCER in Lehi.
8. Grow a garden
   One of my favorite goals thus far. I am really enjoying gardening. Things I have learned. I do much better with plants that grow above ground. Water is key to a good garden. Tomato plants will get out of control a lot. Check out my progress...from killing spiders to planting to eating.
9. Enter my photography into a competition
10. Read all the conference talks for April & October
    I just finished reading all the April Conference talks in prep for October. I re-learned so many great things. Love the words of the apostles and prophets. You should read them.
11. Visit the temple twice a month
    I love to see the temple and I go there every month. It is a blessing to have so many temples close to me. It is sad how busy I make my life that it sometimes is hard to make it to the temple, but I am so grateful for my goals that help me keep motivated when life gets busy. The temple brings a lot of peace when I am so busy.
12. Visit 4 new temples (previously never been to)
    My friend Marne and I went to the Jordan River temple a couple different times. Other temples on my list include Logan, St George and Provo.
13. Start scholarship fund
14. Sew one article of clothing
15. Learn to use a map and compass (left over from 27)
16. Hike Lone PeakDone and never doing it again. 
17. Hike Mt. Nebo
18. Read one book on Geology
19. Post at least twice a month on this lovely blog
    What do you think?
20. Go on 2 backpacking trips
21. Share the gospel
    Not always successful, but I try
22. Design a calendar of family and friend's birthdays
23. Go to Spiral JettyI didn't actually get to see much of it, but I did go. That has to count for something.
24. Float in the Great Salt Lake
25. Take at least one class in a subject I am interested in
26. Create at least 12 week-long meal plans
27. Learn 12 new recipes
    Here are 2 recipes I have tried. I also made tomato pesto this week and found a recipe for Tomato Bacon Pasta (can you tell my garden was a tomato factory).
28. Finish typing "Helen's" (aka Grandma Berger) life story

Not so campy Camp Yuba

Earlier this year I was overcome by the love for a good discount and signed up to do two triathlons (bulk discount). A couple weekends ago was the second of these tris, Camp Yuba organized by RaceTri. I was only slightly better prepared for this race. And I say only slightly because I did start training after the tri in June, but with some recent changes to my life (I got called to be the Relief Society President in my single's ward) I didn't work out for at least the month before the race. It wasn't a pretty race time, but I did at least as well as June. I got exactly the same time as the Salem tri...down to the second. Now that is talent.
I don't have any pictures of me racing at this event, but I do have an awesome story. Brian and I drove down to Gunnison Friday night to stay in a hotel so we wouldn't have to get up too early before the race. What we didn't know was that the side of the lake we were staying near was not the side the tri would be raced on. So after sleeping in longer than we planned we got in the car and drove to the lake where we discovered we were not on the correct side. We hurried to the other side of the lake, grabbed our race packets and got our numbers painted on our legs and arms and immediately after we put our bikes down the race horn was signaling the start of the race. Now that is one way to start a race. Not the most ideal situation, but we did it. And thus completes #6 of THE LIST. I promise I do do things outside this list.

Spiral Jetty...does this count

Trying my hand at a couple HDR images

Proof I was there...photo by Hoopes

I finally went to the Spiral Jetty a few weeks ago. It has been unofficially and officially on my list for the past several years. But I am not sure if I can I really count it as visiting it when the jetty was completely covered with water? I think there were three stones visible above the water. So I'm half counting it, with the hopes that I return, but with the understanding that this busy girl may not have time before the snow falls.

Another HDR image...thoughts?

At least you don't have to see the spiral jetty to take some cool photos. My awesome friend and camera buddy Hoopes came with for what we decided would be our photo field trip. We rented a couple extra lenses from Pictureline and set out. Be warned, it does take a long time to get there, so don't be like us and get there a little late. You will want time to plan out photos and set up shots. Another tip is to take a jug of clean water to wash off your feet after wandering around in the water. Trust me you will thank me.
Sorry I got lazy and I only edited the HDR images. I am just learning about HDR and so I am not really sure how to do it best. Hopefully, I will play around with this some more. I hope you enjoy the photos and if I happen to return before winter I will post some more photos.

I like this slight angle, but what do you think?

I think editing would make this awesome

Playing around. Neither one of us had done this before, but had seen it done

My photo buddy being masterful with the camera/car tripod

Checking it off...#7

Pre race

I like my number

Two weeks ago my friend Joni and I rode in the U.L.C.E.R (Utah Lake Century Epic Ride). This was my third time riding in the ULCER.  Three years ago I rode my first 100 mile ride at the ULCER and then I did it again two years ago. But last year I skipped the race because I had a lot of injuries and didn't have time to train. But the tradition is back in 2011.

Half way point

Joni and I rode the MS ride in June and during that 40 mile ride we came up with a genius idea that we would ride the ULCER together. This is the best idea we had. If it wasn't for Joni I would probably have given up and never rode in the race. We would get up by 6AM every Saturday to train. Mind you, I am not a morning person and every week I hated us for getting up that early. Until we got home and we had the entire left and we had beat the heat and then I loved us. I also love us, because now I can check off #7 from my yearly list.
The race was really fun and painful. We rode 60 miles. By mile 40 my knee was killing so the last 20 miles was not so fun. But we snacked and chatted which helped a lot. Joni is my favorite riding buddy. We help push each other but understand when one or both of us is having an off day. Love that girl.
Even though I have completed the bike race goal, Joni and I are still planning to ride together and I still have to keep training for my last Tri to complete #6. Wish me luck.

Oreo teeth

Orange teeth (I know we are dorks)

I'm stuffed

As part of my goals this year I wanted to learn some new recipes.  Especially ones I could easily memorize and adjust based on what was in my fridge at the time. So this week I decided to stuff a few things. I made these simple stuffed bell peppers for dinner Sunday (FYI the sauce is the best part) and then sort of made these stuffed jalapenos for a BBQ today. I say sort of because as I started making the filling I realized I was only using 2 of the same ingredients and was adding a few of my own. So I can't vouch for this recipe as much as I can for the one I made up, but it was a yummy experiment.

I forgot to take a photo so here is theirs.

Oh and these jalapenos are from my garden.
Didn't get an after photo, but they looked awesome. 

How does your garden grow?

The garden is coming along very nicely. Well, at least for my garden. I was biking pass a house this weekend and looked at their garden then came home and looked at my garden...well let's just say her plants would eat mine. But my garden is producing, even if it ends up being really little I am happy with my first gardening attempt. Maybe I don't have a black thumb.

First jalapeno growing slowly but surely

I love bell peppers. I planted 3 variety, this is looking the best.

Oh Yeah! That is a bean.

I'm starting to see a few tomatoes on each of my plants.
But my cherry tomato plant is going crazy. Can't wait to eat them right of the vine.

This garden thing is great, lunch time

I am really enjoying this garden thing. The sprinklers have been doing great keeping all my plants alive. I give of few areas some extra water every few days, but really sprinklers are great. I have been coming home everyday and pulling any pesky weeds I find. Those vine weeds are the worst.
It was my brother's 30th bday on Monday (Happy Birthday Matt!) so at family dinner I got a few plant tips from my mom and sister.

• Cut off the flowers on my cilantro...check. 
• Dish soap and water in a spray bottle will get rid of my bugs...check. 
• And I can plant carrots every 2 weeks and keep harvesting all summer...check.

Today, was particularly fun. I came home for lunch and made a salad. But not just any salad, a delicious salad with delicious lettuce. Delicious lettuce that I grew in my little garden. Yes, that is right I am already harvesting some food. When my lettuce gets to a reasonable size I cut off the leaves for my dinner. It then grows back for me to cut again and again. I like this lettuce thing.

So lunch today was a steak salad with garden fresh lettuce, slivered almonds, crumbled feta cheese (my favorite), tomatoes (from the store, but soon to be replaced by garden fresh) and a little cube steak all topped with my favorite spicy chipotle dressing. I do say it was a great lunch. Don't you think?

The MS Ride and Number Seven

Half way to completing list item number seven. Saturday was my annual MS ride. This marks year six. I am sure I have talked about it a lot so I will only say this, my riding experiences haven’t always been positive (check out what I'm talking about here and here).

Joni and I at the start of the race

This year was a good one though. I rode with my friend Joni. She is so fun. We rode 40 miles through the beautiful Cache Valley and chatted about travel, boys, bikes, work, boys, bike pains and even tried to come up with names for our team. We have decided next year to create a team in her honor. Joni has MS and has been doing this ride for the last four years.  Next year you might see us sporting our team jerseys for team "Smedium" (sometimes you are not small or medium and you need a in-betweener) or "Hunt for the Cure" (sadly it might be taken) or something else awesome, but definitely not something lame like "Team Joni."

Four years and she still smiles

Six years and counting

Participation medals are the best

#8 Plant a garden...check

The plants are in the ground. And they only look half dead. Last weekend while I was in Moab I left the plants on the balcony to get the sun and showers. Most of the plants were looking a little worn when I got home Sunday evening. They are very happy to be the soil.
My friend Analiesa, who is a super smart botanist, came over to help me plant Wednesday. She is so nice to me. I am pretty sure she thought I was a plant killer when she saw how desperate my plants looked. She helped me determine where each should be planted based on sunlight, water drainage from our roof (I noticed some pretty intense waterfalls from our rain gutters during the last few storms) and how each plant grows. She taught me how to harvest each plant. She even taught me which plants are good bug repellent (who know jalapenos were a good repellent). I planted most from starts I purchase at J&L Nursery and two from seed.

Hopefully, this won't be a common occurrence this summer, but there was already one plant casualty.  One of my lettuce plants tore right off the root when I went to pull it out of the container to plant. Luckily, I had lots of backup.
So let's take an inventory of my garden. After weeding, re-terracing (check out my handy-work), more weeding, adding "good" soil, planting and watering I have a garden. Hopefully, throughout the summer and fall I will be harvesting:

• Carrots
• Beans
• Zucchini
• Cucumbers
• Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Jalapenos
• Tomatoes (3 varieties)
• Bell peppers (Red, green and orange)
• Cilantro
• Chives

Is it too much to ask for no spiders?

I can handle a lot of crawling things, worms, babies, potato bugs, ants, but not spiders. I hate spiders. Is it really too much to ask that there be no spiders in my garden?
Today, when I got home from work I decided to spend the beautiful sun-shinny day pulling weeds. Let's call it weed relocation. I relocated the weeds from my flower boxes (soon to be garden specular) to first the stairs, then to the compost trash bin. And while doing this I encountered what I deem too many spiders (at least 5 creepy critters). They just scamper across the dirt and rocks so quickly I freak out every time. I left most of them alone, but there was one really big one that I just couldn't let live in my garden. Thank goodness for gardening gloves.

Here is the transplanting/relocation action.

Transplanted my weeds from here

To here

Til finally it looks like this

Now to re-terrace, add good soil, build drip watering system (all those years at Orbit Irrigation are going to come in handy) and plant. This is a great start for my list.

A List For 28

Twenty-eight is going to be a great year, I can just feel it. Twenty-seven was a tough year and I am determined to make twenty-eight stellar. I was planning out my summer trips with some friends today and I can't wait to get going. A combination of our summer planning and reading my awesome sister-in-laws list made me really excited to finally (2 weeks late) seat down and write out my list of goals for this year. The ideas have been floating around, but I needed to get them all down on paper (or electronic blog format).
I have modified my list this year, it is simplified since last year. I discovered last year was hard to accomplish. What is the point of a list if you can't accomplish it. So without further ado here is the list for twenty-eight.

Rockin' 28

1. Build a bike
2. Repair and refinish wardrobe
3. Visit Canada
4. Visit Glacier National Park
5. Visit Banff National Park
6. Compete in 2 triathlons
7. Compete in 2 bike races
8. Grow a garden
9. Enter my photography into a competition
10. Read all the conference talks for April & October
11. Visit the temple twice a month
12. Visit 4 new temples (previously never been to)
13. Start scholarship fund
14. Sew one article of clothing
15. Learn to use a map and compass (left over from 27)
16. Hike Lone Peak
17. Hike Mt. Nebo
18. Read one book on Geology
19. Post at least twice a month on this lovely blog
20. Go on 2 backpacking trips
21. Share the gospel
22. Design a calendar of family and friend's birthdays
23. Go to Spiral Jetty
24. Float in the Great Salt Lake
25. Take at least one class in a subject I am interested in
26. Create at least 12 week-long meal plans
27. Learn 12 new recipes
28. Finish typing "Helen's" (aka Grandma Berger) life story

Update on THE LIST

Seeing as my half birthday is only a couple weeks away I thought it would be good to give an update on my progress thus far in my yearly list. 
Here is THE LIST

1. Learn a new “mommy” skill -  I asked my sisters, sister-in-laws and my mom for their help with this goal.  Some of them said it was one the job training, others offered to teach me things we shall not share here, but mostly I haven't done much.  My sister Kelly has been sharing fast reciepes I can cook for myself or a family.
2. Take a class in a subject that interests me - I want to take an interior design class, but with limited time to take classes just for fun now that I am actually in school for real I am counting my design classes because I am interested in all of them.
3. Develop a relationship with the library - Not too shabby.  I have checked out a few books, but I am also using friends as a library.  I haven't purchased new books (besides my textbooks) since April.
4. Design a personal scripture study program and use it - My plan is to do an hour of study every Sunday morning and 15 minutes daily.  Not so great at keeping up with it, but as all things it is a work in progress.
5. Learn about nature - I would like to learn more about geology.  Nothing done yet unless you count the little booklet I picked up in Bryce earlier this year.
6. Learn about my family - I just bought my first ever computer and one of my first plans is to finish typing my Grandma Berger's life story.
7. Gain a personal testimony of the temple & temple work - I made the decision in July to attend the temple to receive ordainces for myself.  It was an amazing experience and I am so happy.  I am currently finishing "The Holy Temple" as part of my church study and I have been attending the temple at least twice a month.
8. Experience a different culture - Any ideas?
9. Teach someone a skill - I taught Talena how to set up a slackline for her family reunion. 
10. Pick up a new outdoor skill - Marne is going to teach me how to use a map and compass.  I'm old school
11. Understand the body and how it functions - Want to learn more about nutrition
12. Expand a passion - I have a photography project planned, but waiting to purchase a new camera.
13. Research a topic that confuses me til I understand - Computers!  I just purchased my computer and I spent a lot of time talking with my computer smart friends about the components and hardware.  I still think I need some additional study, but I think I get it.
14. Be creative - I am doing more crafts.  I made a easter door decoration, created a necklace frame (still needs to be completed) and I attemped to make cork covered containers.
15. Improve grammar and spelling - I am creating a spelling list.  I follow a grammer blog. Talena loaned me a grammer book.  And Lindsey (see #25) is going to be my teacher.
16. Acquire a new resume skill - I think I have this covered.  I am taking 2 classes at SLCC; Design & InDesign.  I love them both and I'm learning a lot.
17. Expand a talent - Learn 10 new songs on the piano and/or guitar
18. Learn from the past - Improve my communication skills
19. Develop a Christ like characteristic - Oh I have a list of charachteristics of who I want to become.  Now to narrow down the list and get to work.
20. Explore my surroundings - Explore downtown SLC.
21. Challenge myself physically - Maybe a marathon since last year's didn't work out.
22. Participate in my community - Not sure what to do yet.
23. Share the gospel - I don't shy away from sharing my testimony as much as I used to and I have given the BofM to 2 people I work with.  I hope they have read it and felt the Spirit.
24. Record my experiences, thoughts and feelings - I am horrible at keeping a journal.  I have started and stopped many times in my life and even after setting this goal I have been struggling.  This is a work in progress.  But the goal is to write at least once a month. (And yes I know the blog could count, but I want a little more detail).
25. Discover an old friend - I have been going to lunch with my old roommates, Marne & Lindsey once a month.  And I recently started a penpal with my friend Melina. (we have been friends since we were 5).  I have great friends and getting to spend time with these ladies again is so fun.
26. Serve in secret - I can't tell you then it wouldn't be a secret.
27. Develop a healthy habit - Not sure what habit I should start