This was our Father’s Day dinner done a day early since Justin travels on Sunday evenings. Really yummy!
We have searched for good home made ice cream recipes forever! Usually, they just taste like eggs and that’s not good eats. This one comes from “The Perfect Scoop” by David Lebovitz. I figured if he could do a whole book on ice cream, he probably knows his stuff. We did use this recipe to make cookies and cream ice cream. It was a hit!
I’m having one of those weeks where things just kind of feel “off.” Nothing specific, just a general feeling, although I did mess up the dates for a birthday party of my daughter’s dear friend and she missed it and I hated that look in her eyes of such disappointment. But even that isn’t the cause of my “funk.”
I had a conversation a while ago with a friend of mine from my college dorm days. We were talking about my husband working out of state and how hard that was. I made the comment that I really shouldn’t complain, since Justin’s not in the service where I couldn’t call him when I needed him, he was safe, and he could return home if something happened. She relayed the following story (it’s been awhile so I'm sure some of the details are wrong):
There was a Holocaust survivor who had written a book. Somebody was talking to him and said, “I don’t have the right to complain about my life when I think about what you’ve gone through.” He replied to her that she had the right to feel what she was feeling. Pain, difficulties, hardships, joy, happiness, etc. is like air inside a balloon. Once the air is inside the balloon, it’s all the same, whether it’s my balloon or your balloon. Your pain (joy, grief, etc.) is yours and is all encompassing because it fills up your balloon. My pain, etc. is mine and is all encompassing because it fills up my balloon. They can’t really be compared because they are different.
In essence, he spoke of “feeling what you feel” and allowing yourself to feel it. While I certainly have my moments, I try not to be one to “wallow” in self-pity. Yes, sometimes things in my life aren’t ideal, but in all, I have a wonderful life that I wouldn’t change for anything. But sometimes, I think it’s okay, even necessary, to feel what you feel, so that it can be processed and experienced.
I definitely think there comes a point where “feeling” your feelings isn’t healthy. At that point, feeling your feelings turns into “It is what it is.” I think that’s a healthy place to be. At that point, less energy is spent on dread/concern/fear/anger and turned into something more productive.
Wow. I thought I started this with an idea in mind of where I was going with this, but I’m thinking I’m rambling. I think where I meant to go was that while I’m feeling a little “off,” rather than trying to ignore it, I’m going to try to “feel what I’m feeling” and see where that takes me.
We’ve spent more than a few Saturdays outside working on this corner in our backyard. This past weekend, we got the opportunity to enjoy the fruit of our labor! Since it was cold and rainy on Saturday, we went to our fire pit and made smores. We were joined that night by Debby Jones (Justin’s mom) and Ron Jorgensen and our neighbors Aubrey and Garrett Garside!
For the recipe below, I used wild Copper River Salmon, which was a first for me. It was some of the best salmon I have ever had. The color was a rich coral/pink color that made regular salmon just pale in comparison. It was significantly more expensive than other salmon, so it’s not a once a week splurge. But once a year or bi-annually would be acceptable.
I do not frequently made dessert for us, but since we had company for dinner, I made a totally yummy, new recipe dessert. Try not to drool on your keyboard while reading.
Emma’s dance recital was outdoors at the Sandy Amphitheater. After last year’s monsoon-like rain during the performance, we were hoping for clear skies. Hmmm…not so much! We did get rained on a few times, but it wasn’t much more than sprinkles! Whew!
Emma and her best dance friend, Kierra. 
The girls starting to get a little crazy! 
Below is my so very lady-like daughter. So graceful, so elegant, so… oh, nevermind. She’s Emma!
Somehow, that’s my daughter! : )
Here’s some picture of her dancing. I was videotaping, so my photographer was Tyson.
As for the video, Austin was traveling up and down the stairs between me and my mother-in-law, Debby, so my attention was divided a lot! I know, what kind of mom am I?
Just in case it’s difficult to tell, Emma is the tall blond on the left side (from my position of facing the stage) of the tiny, short blond! Sorry for the super amateur video. I’m hanging my head in shame.
On her second dance, she’s to the right of the cute, little, shortie! : ) Please forgive the wobbly camera or me yelling to keep Austin from wandering off!
Austin didn’t like some of the music the girls were dancing to and this was his response. (He did like when they played one of the Toy Story songs during transitions).
Photo by: Gary Kramer
I came across this story this morning and thought it was worth repeating:
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
Good reminder!
