Do Re Mi in Train Station

I wish I had been there! I'm pretty sure I would have been trying to push Grace and Mari onto the dance floor, even if it was just so I could join the fun. I love the old woman at 2:47.

Maybe this could become a regular tradition at malls, train stations and airports, but with the Electric Slide or the Margarita... familiar dance moves. :) Who would I bring that up with? Maybe President Obama would be in support? :)

Book Reviews: The Wednesday Letters and Eggs

Just finished Jason Wright's The Wednesday Letters. I was sad when it was over. I love books that give hope to the institution of marriage. And not just those Nicholas Spark marriages were everything is always lovey dovey and perfect. What relationship is actually like that? This story shows a few relationships that withstand and endure some very tough and real problems. It's also pro-life and emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. Sometimes the writing was a little bland, but overall I loved the story.

Within the last 24 hours I finished this quick read: Eggs by Jerry Spinelli. I can always trust Spinelli (author of Maniac Magee) and his wife Eileen for some good entertainment. Although this is a young adult novel, I'd rate the writing much more entertaining and artistic than The Wednesday Letters. Spinelli strings words together in a refreshing, unusual way. There were many sentences that I read over again just to appreciate the art and image created.

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...