Pregnancy and Motherhood in 2008

I just have to say that I'm very thankful I'm done having children. Not that I don't love my three amazing kids because I do. A LOT! I'm just saying this because of all the things pregnant mothers must avoid eating now just takes away the one true pleasure of being pregnant, which is being able to eat whatever you want, when you want. Isn't that what every woman secretly looks forward to when being pregnant? Well, it was for me.

I've had many conversations with my sisters about this and hear them talk about the foods they must avoid. In fact, I have a sister who's currently expecting in February and I just feel down right sorry for her. Back in the day, a long, long time ago, when I was pregnant I ate a lot of things that would just make pregnant women now days just gasp in fright. I ate things like hot dogs, albacore tuna fish, raw cookie dough.... yes, yes it's true.... you pregnant women out there don't run away screaming. I even enjoyed eating alfalfa sprouts and ate them quite frequently with my lunch meat sandwiches. I know you're all shocked and dismayed and find it hard to believe my children turned out healthy and normal. At least you would think that if you followed the exacting guidelines on foods to avoid when you're pregnant.

Don't believe me? Take a look at this article, http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/foods-to-avoid-when-youre-pregnant. I don't mean to make light of the wonderful advances in medicine. I'm just saying.... I'm glad I was able to eat alfalfa sprouts with out having to worry. That's my two cents on pregnancy and motherhood in 2008. :-)

Nina Shoes

The shoes I purchased at our Gardner Village shopping trip. Love them! .... just had to share. Nina Shoes

2008 Blogger Ornament Exchange

My sister Lilly has this link on her blog and I think it's a fun idea. If you're interested in participating just click on the picture. Christmas is just 2 months away! Yikes!

Annual Gardner Village Shopping Trip

Our fun annual event has come and gone. I'm sad it's over but it was so dang fun while it lasted, which wasn't long enough. Every year the Clawson sisters try to meet for some shopping, conversation, and good food (of course) at Gardner Village. I don't think we've yet been able to get ALL of the sisters together for the event but we sure try. Now that Mom is living back in Utah she has been attending with us to make things even more fun! This year it was just me, Kayce, Carol, and Mom that were able to go. Some amazing, wonderful year we will have all the sisters attending along with our one sister-in-law. In the meantime, those that do attend will be sure to shop and eat for those who can't attend.

No, this is not four sisters and a Mom. ha ha This is three lovely sisters and a lovely Mom posing with a friendly Gardner Village witch.

Me with two amazing sisters. I love you guys!






















Always the good sport. Kayce enjoying her doughnut at the bakery, one of our most favorite shops. Along with the restaurant and the candy store.






















So, they have this shoe shop at Gardner Village.... yes, I did buy shoes. mmmmm hmmmmm and hallelujah.


















Me and Kayce. (Luv U!)


















I just love this picture. Mom is smiling! It was a beautiful day.

Chicago

I recently had the opportunity to attend a conference in Chicago. What a beautiful city. While there I had a chance to go on a tour of the city by boat on the Chicago river then out to Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is incredible and just huge! It really looked like the ocean to me with waves and no opposite shoreline visible. The tour of the city highlighted the beautiful architecture of the city. It was great! Also, while I was there, I got a chance to walk down Michigan avenue and windowshop; shops that were way, way out of my price range. I was also able to visit a fire department and get my hot husband his very own, authentic Chicago fire department t-shirt. It really was a fun visit of the city, oh, and the conference was great also. :-)

So of course I have to start the pictures with food and eating. We ate at so many fun and yummy restaurants while there, it was great! While in Chicago we had the famous Chicago deep dish style pizza, we had a famous Chicago hot dog, and we went to Greek town and had authentic Gyro's. All good stuff.

Here's a picture of our famous deep dish pizza. This pizza is to die for I tell ya! It was basically crust and then swimming with tons, and tons of mozzarella cheese with a little sauce. So, so good.

Here's the start of our tour of the Chicago river. Behind me is the river and the boat we went on. The hotel I stayed at is right across the street.






















One of the buildings we floated by going on our boat tour. Two incredible round buildings.. and very tall.



















This huge building fills an entire city block and has it's own fire and police departments. It houses 30,000+ employees.




















Out of Lake Michigan looking at the Chicago skyline. Doesn't it look like an ocean? Pretty dang cool.





















This is the inside of the government building. Can you guess what it's designed to look like? huh? Not able to guess? It's designed to look like an American flag. The picture doesn't do justice but it really is super cool.






















On the top of the Sears tower.... freaking way up high. Had a hard time keeping my lunch down standing so close to the window there. Yikes!


















I was able to visit this 100 year old fire house right in the heart of downtown Chicago. The guys there were very nice and I was able to get an official fire dept. t-shirt for Todd.

I should have gotten pictures of me drooling over the shoes in the stores on Michigan Avenue and other great clothing items. If you get a chance to visit Chicago take a walk down Michigan Avenue.... loved the shoes. :-)

My Three Children

Evan and Tori recently brought home their school pictures and I had to share them. My children are the most beautiful children in the world. I don't care what you say or how much you argue that it's possible your children might be more beautiful, I just won't listen because mine are the most beautiful and talented and amazing!





















Here's my amazing Evan. He's now in 8th grade and doing fabulously. He's always done well in school and shows a talent for math and science. He dreads his English and history classes but still manages to plow through and get the grades. I love Evan's quiet self-confidence and his great laugh. If you can ever get him to really let loose and tickle his funny-bone, he's got a laugh that will put a grin on your face and start you laughing also. He's a great baseball player and really just all around talented at everything he does. I love you Evan!

Here's my beautiful daughter Tori. She's now in 7th grade and loving every minute of it. She tells me that everyone in the school knows her and she just "loves" 7th grade. Tori is very smart, quick witted, and can carry on a conversation without any response from you. :-) She just loves to talk. Tori is talented academically and physically. She's a great softball player, gymnast, volleyball player, and cheerleader. She always wants to try new things. I love you Tori!

Here's my handsome oldest son, Spencer. He doesn't have school pictures anymore but, of course, he had to be included in the praise of my wonderful children. I love Spencer's way of intuitively knowing your moods and his ability to cheer you up or comfort, along with the sweet kindness he gives to those around him. He has a real talent for making friends with everyone he comes in contact with. He's currently working full-time and enjoys the friendships he's made at his work. Evan and Tori adore their older brother and just love it when he plays board games with them or speaks in his "squeegie" voice or Cartman voice. He's a wonderful son and I'm blessed to have him in my life. I love you Spencer!

Speaking of Recipes...

I think I'll just continue my ramblings on recipes by posting a couple family favorites. The other night I made my famous potato recipe. I call it Marcy's Potatoes. I probably shouldn't take full credit for the recipe because I could have easily gotten the idea from some book or article or neighbor but over time I've forgotten where the recipe came from and have just made it my own. So, I'll just go ahead and take credit. All righty then!

Marcy's Potatoes

3 large potatoes (3 usually is enough for my family of five)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. rosemary

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Wash and scrub potatoes. Poke each with a fork 3-4 times. Cook in the microwave then let them cool for 10 minutes. While potatoes are cooling, mix olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary in a large bowl.. Cut the potatoes into bite size pieces then toss in the olive oil mixture. Make sure the potatoes are nicely coated with olive oil. If it looks to dry, add a little more oil. Spread the potato mixture on a foil covered cookie sheet. Cook for 20-30 minutes, depending on how crisp you want the potatoes.

Here's my lovely daughter enjoying her meal with the lovely potatoes. I think Spencer found my camera on the table and took this picture. Had to add it 'cause it gave me a chuckle.

So, hopefully my potato recipe is easy to follow. I don't think I've ever written a recipe. Fun times. Do you like my picture thrown in for visual effect?

Another favorite family recipe is Ranch Chicken. I don't have a picture of this tasty recipe so you'll just have to visualize on your own.

Ranch Chicken
5 thin boneless chicken breasts (you can buy the thin sliced chicken breasts or pound them out, up to you)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (must be fresh shredded)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine chicken breasts, ranch, and parmesan all in one bowl and mix together. (please note: I've never actually measured this, I usually do it by sight, so you may want to add more dressing or parmesan if it doesn't look coated enough). Place foil on a baking sheet. Place 1/4 cup butter on baking sheet and place in the preheated oven for a few minutes to melt the butter. Place chicken breasts on melted butter in the foil lined baking sheet. The chicken should be thickly coated with both ranch and parmesan cheese once it's all mixed. Cook for 20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked (time depends on thickness of chicken breasts). Enjoy!

Have I shown off the love of my life? Oh, wait, Of course I don't really mean this beautiful oven and microwave.... my hot husband is the love of my life.... but I do truly love my oven and microwave set-up. My hot husband is responsible for my fabulous kitchen and I just love it and had to share with all of you!

Hope you enjoy the recipes. Happy cooking!