New Holm Feet Posts

Since Holm Feet is private and you can't get updates on new posts, here's the update for ya.

I posted A LOT on Holm Feet yesterday.

There are pictures of tea parties, goats, a wedding, a dust storm, a book mountain, a snow storm, many many family members, and a couple cute girls.

And some not-so-witty, possibly boring writing attached to the pictures, including stories about a sing-along toddler CD, diaper breaks in the BYU Wilk, and our take on Wyoming's economy strategies.

Hope to see you on Holm Feet! If you want access to this private blog, send me an email at mariko.holm@gmail.com. I keep it better updated, and it includes pictures of two cute girlies. :)

Book Comments: The Shack

Notice I didn't write book REVIEW? That's because I haven't finished the initial view, so I can't REview yet. My amazing friend Brooke gave me The Shack by William P. Young. I completely trust her choice in books, so I'm excited to dig into this one. It's written to have the potention to be a modern day Pilgrim's Progress. That bumps up my enthusiasm a notch.

Reading the first few chapters has taken me for ride. The protagonist's six-year old daughter is kidnapped and presumed dead. Oh sad sad! I'm grateful that there are many more chapters to read, as the main character heals spiritually.

What this book has done is made me recognize my greatest fear in life: to have one of my children kidnapped. Especially if they are never found again, and the what/where/why and big IF is just left hanging over your head... all.... your... life. Oh my goodness. As of right now, I don't know how I'd mentally handle the stress. I guess that is what William P. Young plans to explore.

Has anyone read The Shack? I'd be interested to hear some comments, some cheers, some rootings as I continue this great read!

Coconut Chicken Curry

I'm on a blog/facebook/email/internet burnout these days, so when I actually get an itch to blog, I have to take it and run with it. Every once and a while I run into a new recipe that I not only label a "keeper," but I continue to think about days later. This is one of them:

Coconut Chicken Curry


Curry has not been a favorite of mine, so it's a big deal that I still drool at the thought of this dish. It's a crockpot recipe, which gives it extra points in my book. The recipe is so easy I can tell you the basics off the top of my head:
- browned boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I cut them into 2-3 in. chunks)
- 1 cup light coconut milk
- 2 Tbsp. curry powder
- 2 medium potatoes, diced

Dump it all in the crockpot and cook on low at least 5 hrs. That's the general idea. Serve over rice, and waa-laa!

This came from my all-time favorite food magazine/website, Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking. They always have fun stuff to try: tonight I tested out their Spinach Feta Frittata and tomorrow it'll be their Apricot-Glazed Salmon. Fun times. I'm no chef: my goal is to not burn or ruin any expensive food. Sounds easy, right? Ha.

Temples

A link to this video was put on LDS.org in response to the controversial Big Love episode. Great little video.

Creative Juices...

... are flowing. I needed something light-hearted and fun in my life, so here goes.

I have come up with our future bedroom. The idea first came to me when I saw this:

(Barefoot Contessa's bedroom in her barn)

and then I was reminded of this beautiful artwork:

(found on Cluck Cluck Sew)

My friend Heidi warned us not to look at her cousin's quilt blog to avoid addiction, but I paid no heed since I'm not a quilter. Well, now I am an aspiring one. Her work is so dang cute and fun, it makes me want to go to a fabric store tomorrow!

But, those pictures are just the inspiration. Picture the quilted cover (not tied) made out of a variety of white-on-white patterned fabric. You may say boring or disasterous (and for any other room in the house, I'd agree) but I say beautiful! When joined with the Contessa's inspiration room, it sounds lovely.

It looks simplistic and bland, but a nice, clean escape is just what we need in a bedroom. The kids don't really go into our room, so the whiteness shouldn't be TOO big a deal. I'm also picturing fake plants instead of real ones (no green thumb here!), our collection of temple pictures put in white frames, a dab of dark wood just like the picture, and a big white dresser that we really do need. Oh, and a jet bathtub in the adjoining master bathroom, but let's not get carried away here. :)

Call me materialistic- I call it hopeful, fun, creative planning. I'm excited to slowly start this transformation once we move. No rush here, I'll probably gather fabric pieces for at least six months. And then spend the next six months learning how to quilt...

The Silver Quill, Silver Words

Today I ran into this Letter to the Editor in the Idaho Press-Tribune.  It looks like the paper awards one letter per week the "Silver Quill Award," and this letter received it.  I also give it two thumbs up.   

In the past several months I have sat idly by as people I love and admire have fallen victim to negative remarks regarding their political and social views.  I am ashamed of my passive stance, and hope this post can show my support of family and friends.  This article voices my own recent sentiments. Since it's not too long, and the link is probably not permanent, here is the actual letter:

Saying that ‘church’ must help means we all must help
Friday, February 20th, 2009

During conversations with several family members who happen to be very politically opinionated in one direction over the other, I heard the statement that the "churches" need to pick up the slack socially and financially where the public (government) can not as they did during the Great Depression.

I find this statement hypocritical, as they always seem to exclude themselves from "the church." More than once I've asked them, "Who is the church, and aren't you part of that?" I'd also like to ask them, "What part of someone's medical bill are you willing to pick up or who's mortgage payment can you pay, in addition to your own, until that family finds work again and can get back on their feet?"

The only response I've gotten is that they don't want government involved in regulating business in any way and, again, that the churches need to get more involved. I'd also like to remind them there were not many churches during the Great Depression that were able to save people's farms, homes or businesses or pay outstanding medical bills.

What many churches were able to do was to open their fellowship halls to provide meals and a place to sleep and wash up until those suffering got back on their feet.

I try to convince my family members that for the most part social programs are not a bad thing, that they help people recover and become productive again, but I get labeled a liberalist, socialist or, heaven forbid, a Democrat, which somehow calls my relationship with Christ in question.

The sad thing is that this view is sometimes spoken from the pulpit. Regardless, I'll continue praying for my family and my country and ask that God bless them and America.

Written by Michelle Turner of Greenleaf, Idaho

You Are Not Alone (Michael Jackson)

I got a kick out of doing this Facebook survey. I'd love to read anyone else's answers who do it. Some of the answers are great!

1. Put your music player (i.e. iTunes) on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing the game as well as the person you got the note from.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Girl (Beck)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
High Speed (Coldplay)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL
Original of the Species (U2)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Allstar (Smashmouth)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Silent Night (Enya. Yes! Silent nights are my goal!)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Holy, Holy, Holy (Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Haha! I doubt it.)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Strength, Courage & Wisdom (India Arie. Very true.)

WHAT IS 2+2?
Families Can Be Together Forever (LDS Chorus. This totally fits with our little family!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Philadelphia Orchestra. What does this say about my choice of friends?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Canned Heat (Jamiroquai. Yes, the heat is all canned up.)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Before I Take The Sacrament (Primary Chorus)

WHAT WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Too Darn Hot (Ella Fitzgerald)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Boot Scootin' Boogie (Brooks and Dunn)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Bless the Broken Road (Rascal Flatts)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Brown-Eyed Girl (Van Morrison. Sorry, this one isn't true.)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Love You Madly (Cake)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Castle on a Cloud (Les Miserables)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
I Love You Anyways (Travis)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Reverence Is Love (Primary Chorus)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Human Hands (Sondre Lerche. Oh no! By human hands?!)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
The Last Emperor- Theme (John Williams, London Symphony)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Yesterday (James Taylor version. So true, so true.)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Cross My Heart (George Strait. Yup, a broken heart.)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Freedom For My People (U2. Being already married, this title makes me laugh.)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Nine Million Bicycles (Katie Melua. Oh yes, this song reminds me of China.)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Across The Universe (Rufus Wainwright. Maybe someone across the universe, somewhere.)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
If I Had A Million Dollars (BNL. Haha!)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Shake My Sillies Out (Raffi)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
You Are Not Alone (Michael Jackson. Hopefully I am not alone in getting a kick out of doing this note!)