The Essence of Norway

My Mother's Day was so great, once again. I didn't have to lift a finger. Even though our traditional "breakfast in bed" didn't work out this year because we had to go to Ali's homecoming at 9am, I got breakfast, nonetheless, at the kitchen table...and it was yummy. The dinner didn't work out either until Monday night, but that was all prepared again by Rod and Alex. Great steaks!

For Mother's Day I requested to receive a bundt pan (can you believe I didn't have one!), and one of my all time favorite perfurmes "Laila", or as the bottle promises, it is the Essence of Norway. Next time when I go to Norway (not just the airport bathroom), I expect everything to smell like Laila.

Now I can bake like crazy with my new pan, and while doing that, smell like Norway.

Last Soccer Game as Wildcats

Wildcats played their last soccer game on Saturday against Wizzards. We lost the game 4-1, and placed 4th in the league. The sad thing is that the Wildcats have played together for the last 5 years or so, and the team won't play together ever again. The coaches will move on, and the players will move on. It is a sad, sad day for all.

Jr. High Choir Concert

Last night was the Jr. High School Spring Choir Concert. It was wonderful and the kids performed well. They have a very talented and disciplined choir director. (Alex has a black arrow pointing to his head in the picture).

There were 4 boys singing in the choir that also belong to the Wildcats soccer team, so while they sang, the team was playing in the semifinals. No subs, and a player short, we lost 4-1 to the # 1 team in the league. We are now going to play for 3rd place on Saturday.

A Tale of the skinny pants

It was a somewhat sunny morning when I opened my eyes to realize that it was yet another morning I had to get out of bed, and go to work. Rod had been up for hours with an early morning visit to the gym at 5am. All of a sudden I heard a lot of commotion from the guest room. Rod keeps his suits and pants in the guest room closet, and after a while he emerged with his nicely pressed khaki pants on with a huge grin on his face. "I haven't been able to fit into these pants for years", he said. To demonstrate, he turned around and showed me his butt. It was droopy. I was genuinely happy for him, even though I wanted to flip him off. How can't I have some of that will power? I want to wear my skinny pants to Maui, oh wait, I don't have any.

29 days until Paradise.

Awkward Wednesday confession

I have been holding onto this moment when I can actually tell you about one of my deep-rooted secrets. It actually didn't manifest itself until this week, and I don't think I can hold it in anymore.



-This has been going on for the last 20+ years now since I was introduced to it.
-Many of you probably know about this secret, and will be happy that I come out with it.
-I have denied myself too long.
-I can blame one of my friends who re-introduced me to it about a month ago.
-In the past, I could hardly stand for it.
-It used to disgust me.



Yes, the secret is out.




My deep-rooted secret is that




I think I like





PEANUT BUTTER

Wildcats win again!

Alex had a quarterfinal soccer game last night, and we beat the Santos team 4-0!

YEA us, again. Now we are going into the semifinals tomorrow night against # 1 team in the league. I must say, we are doing well, because we went up a year this year, which means that we are playing in the U14 boys league, where most of our players are either 12 or 13. Carsen, for example, is still 11. So, our boys can definitely hold their own against bigger and stronger boys.

Must see movie of the summer!

IRON MAN. You MUST go see it, but make sure you will stay until the very end of the credits. Very seldom you walk out of a movie saying:"That was a great movie". Iron Man will make you say that. I promise you. Go see it.

Friendly and Sporty Weekend

We had another fun weekend with lots of sports and friends.

Friday started early with a luncheon with my old friend, Nancy from the BYU Health Center. We worked together for 5 years while I was going to BYU in the early 90s. She is a fabulous friend. We also share the same birthday. One year we traveled to Southern CA to watch BYU and UCLA play a football game. That was such a fun trip with her.

Nancy flirting with a little boy behind me.

Saturday morning started with a soccer game at the Complex. The grass was crunchy and slippery. We beat Crew 4-1. YEA us! We advance to the quarterfinals that will be on Tuesday. Stay tuned for that score.

Here Alex is in full action.

After our Saturday soccer game, we headed up to the Bingham High School in West Jordan. There we watched a Jr. High basketball game. 7th, 8th and 9th grade players played in the tournaments.

A player from Park City sitting on the bench.

Because we were low on lingonberry jam, black currant juice and köttbullar (meatballs), we went to Ikea after the basketball game. Had a delicious lunch with salmon and meatballs. Then shopped the fun market place. Alex loves Ikea's four-wheeling shopping carts, so he was having a fun time wheeling all over the place.

Alex going backwards with the shopping cart, narrowingly missing all the glassware.

Sunday we went to the Williams for Taylor's 20th birthday party. I made my bread pudding to act as a birthday cake (Taylor's favorite, or as Alex calls it Taylor's kryptonite). Everyone loved it, once again. I'm telling you, it is a hit. Four grandkids kept us entertained. We just love the Williams' and their extended families. And have you seen Sharon? She looks fabulous!!! So does Katie, by the way. These two sisters are going to waste away soon. I have to keep them in bread pudding, you know, the low calorie alternative.

Ali's home

Last night we went to the Williams to see Ali. She got home from her mission in Brazil just yesterday. She looks so great and happy, and it is good to have her home again.

Ali and Alex hugging each other after 18 months. We just love Ali so much.

Happy May Day!

When I was growing up in Finland, there were a few sure things that happened every year around May day.

1) People got hugely drunk.
2) There were balloon vendors everywhere. I seldom got a balloon!
3) It usually rained.
4) Communists had a parade with red flags and singing songs praising The Soviet Union. Our family would go and watch the parades.
5) My mom wore her high school graduation hat (yes, it is a tradition still today).

6) Donuts and "sima" (citrus drink that had been fermented) were plentiful.
7) Funnel cakes were yummy.
8) Happy people walking all over the city (if it happened to be a sunny day).
9) A Men's choir singing on the steps of the city hall.

So, what tradition did I bring to this country?

Yep, you guessed it...

Donuts. Made them yesterday. This morning, hardly any left.