The fact that I like arugula does not make me a Liberal.

I've had a seriously full schedule these past few days: 48-hour case of stomach flu, weekend in Oakland for niece's baptism/visit with in-laws, re-stocking a depressingly empty refrigerator and pantry, taking car in for the previously mentioned $650 repair only to be told it would now be a $1200 repair. Therefore, quality internet time has been lacking. And since my head is full of useless thoughts such as "is it really necessary to have a working air conditioner in our car?" or "Wow, the price of gas has gone down, but the price of cottage cheese sure hasn't!" I don't have anything with which to dazzle you--except the fact that the other day I literally wanted to munch on my child. Don't believe me? Just get sick for two days, let him watch Sponge Bob Square Pants in his underwear for obscene amounts of time, and then see him come in to your bedroom where you're writhing in gastrointestinal discomfort, plant a big wet kiss on your forehead and ask, "Are you unsick yet, Mom?"

That doesn't make you want to munch on my child?.......Hmm.

How about munching on arugula then?


Yeah, that picture probably isn't going to do much for you. My camera is incapable of taking tasty pictures. Or perhaps I'm the one lacking, but either way, I promise you this was good. I feared it would fall into the "too girly" category (along with Kneaders and focaccia) for Allan, but he really enjoyed it. So much, in fact, that I'm making it for his office Christmas party this weekend.


Dark leafy greens, with romaine and spinach being the exception, intimidated me for a long time--mostly because I'm shy and don't like asking people for directions in the produce section. Then I discovered the wonderful world of CSA programs and started getting bunches in my weekly basket. We're talking swiss chard, curly endive, bok choy, kale, and of course, arugula. Nothing shakes up your weekly menu planning like mounds of leafy greens.


Arugula is pretty similar to spinach (in fact it works as a substitute in this recipe if you, like me, clam up in front of the produce man), but has a more peppery flavor and stiffer texture. It's pretty punchy for a green, and I love it. Oh, and this recipe also highlights my favorite herb, sage, and my favorite starchy vegetable of all time: the butternut squash.


Stop making fun of me. Right now.

Pasta Salad with Walnut-Sage Pesto
From Cooking Light (again, you need this magazine)

2 1/2 c cubed, peeled butternut squash**

3/4 t salt, divided
1/2 c fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (use fresh, it's important in a pesto)
2 1/2 T chopped walnuts
2 T fresh sage leaves (see parsley, above)
2 T fresh lemon juice (see parsley, above)
2 T olive oil
1 garlic clove
1/3 c chicken broth
3 c cooked pasta (think chunky shapes--penne, bowtie, cavatappi)
4 c torn arugula
1/4 c thinly sliced shallots (hint: they look like baby red onions, use red onion as a substitute)
1/2 t ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450.

Arrange squash in single layer on a sprayed jelly roll pan. Lightly coat squash with cooking spray and sprinkle evenly with 1/4 t of salt. Bake at 450 for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Combine 1/4 t of salt, parsley, and next 5 ingredients (through garlic) in a food processor; process until finely chopped, scraping sides. With processor on, slowly pour broth through food chute, processing until well blended.

Combine remaining 1/4 t salt, squash, pasta, and pesto in a large bowl, and toss well. Add arugula, shallots, and pepper; toss to combine. Serve immediately.

**Unless you have the sharpest knife known to man, incredible hand strength, and an extra hour, do yourself a favor and buy this already cubed. Available at Costco, in the refrigerated produce section.

License to steal.

We dispensed with the optional pomp of Allan's swearing in and decided to walk across the street from Allan's office and do it at the courthouse. We know a judge (Allan will get to know many judges from here on out, I'm sure, but we've been in this one's home. We ate smoked turkey. Mmmmm....Oh, and his daughter lived downstairs from me my junior year at BYU. AND as is probably quite obvious to you at this point, he's LDS. Part of the huge population of LDS judges and attorneys here. If I wasn't LDS myself, I'd probably accuse them of conspiracy to take over the justice system in the SJ Valley. Especially since I heard that during testimony meeting about eight years ago a woman who didn't quite grasp the concept of a testimony went up and tearfully thanked one of the judges--NOT THIS ONE--for "going easy on her son," but I digress...).

Here we are listening to the judge talk about Watergate. In other words, Allan has new power to either do a lot of bad or a lot of good. Hence, a license to steal--pause for courtesy laughter. When the judge listed off a bunch of the attorneys associated with Watergate, I was waiting to hear a specific name. Because then I could pull out one of my many "My mom dated his son!" (Mom dated a lot of important people's sons...it's quite frightening, actually). But he didn't list off that name. So the crowd missed out on my dazzling connection. What a shame, what a shame. Oh, and if you think I'd reveal the name on the world wide web, you're quite mistaken, my friends. Quite mistaken.


Here he is being sworn in. In my wildest fantasies I'd be standing up there holding a Bible, ala Michelle Obama on January 20th, but Allan was being sworn in as an attorney, not as President of the United States of America.


When all was finished we posed for some incredibly unflattering pictures, Jack got the Reese's peanut butter cup he'd been ogling the entire time, and Allan treated us (at my nagging insistence) to an incredibly overpriced "Italian" lunch.

I should have gotten that flu shot.

I woke up this morning thinking, "CRUD." This year's version of the flu has serious dizziness, plenty of throwing up, cold sweats, and a headache. I sure hope you don't get it.

While I took a nap, Jack watched two hours of tv this morning. Then watched a bit of Fantasia (after about five minutes he came in to my room and said, "I don't want to watch the news!" I feel ya' buddy, I still can't get excited about that movie). Then he watched Alice in Wonderland. 

All of this time in front of the television has been brought to us by PBS Kids and our local library--turning malleable brains into mush for free (at least when moms can't function, or don't want to function).

Buffy's back.

I am proud to report that I was not institutionalized over the weekend as I had feared would happen. I'm feeling 100% emotionally stable once again. 

Apparently all I needed was four days with my husband. A house full of six high-octane kids under eight years old who entertained themselves marvelously. A sister-in-law with whom I never run out of things to talk about. Major gnoshing on some of my favorite foods (rotkohl, cranberry chutney, mashed potatoes.....mmmmmmmm). A new membership to the gym. A drive in the foothills to look at houses. The spiritual blessings received from giving a sacrament meeting talk, teaching my sunday school class, and substitute teaching in Relief Society all on one Sunday (The Buffy Bailey Triple Play). Cuddling until 8am. And a big long sobfest, complete with painful chest heaving, as to why I still can't get pregnant. Followed, of course, by more cuddling and a conversation with my husband who may be the only person on this planet who can effectively remind me that someone greater than I knows what I'm going through and giving up hope that He will help me is the worst thing I can do.

I love my husband. I love my son. I love all of my family members. I love my friends. I love this Gospel. And I love long weekends--especially Thanksgiving ones.

It's good to be back.