Happy Birthday mommers!

mom, I think we can all agree that you are an amazing human being and we wouldn't be the same without you... (in fact, we wouldn't be here at all without you:) Hope you have a wonderful day!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Grapes

About two years ago we decided to plant a row of grapes along the border of the front yard, as much to define the boundaries of our home as to create "edible landscape." Last year, the birds ate all the grapes before they could mature. This winter and spring (yes, it took a while) we put in posts to string wire for the grapevines to cling to and also to hold up bird netting. I was a little late pruning the new growth in March, and a little late in training the vines, so it's a little wild-looking, but about 8 weeks ago we could see tiny clusters of fruit, and we draped the bird net over the whole row. We checked on the progress of our little vineyard from time to time, picked a bunch a couple weeks ago, but they were hard and sour and small. I figured maybe it takes more mature vines to produce good fruit, and maybe patience would pay off next year.

This morning I went out to pick figs, and went over to the row of grapes, just to see if any of the grapes had grown or sweetened. Sure enough, there were bigger clusters of bigger fruit, looking a little bit shiny in their coppery skins. I plucked a few and popped the warm globes in my mouth, and, Surprise! They were sweet and tender and full of good flavor!

There were enough to fill two big bowls, and there are still

more on the vines, hiding in the shade, getting bigger and sweeter, just waiting until we have eaten these, or dried them into plump juicy raisins, or given them to our friends and neighbors.

How I wish we could just trot across a field to your houses and bring some to you!

More of My Apartment

This is my study room, where all (most of) the magic happens.

My bathroom. At least twice as big as my old one, and this one's my favorite color.

My bedroom set, which I love. Thanks again to Amy.
The kitchen, I still haven't taken a picture of. I need to take the garbage out first.

The New Apartment

As you all know, I moved from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor this weekend. I thought I'd show you a few pictures with more to come. This is the apartment from the front. My window is the one just to the right of the awning. It has nice ivy-like vines crawling up it and a tree just below.This is a view of the little street it's on. The other part of the complex is on a busy street, but this one's in the back on a street opening onto a quiet neighborhood. (It's the one at the far end in the corner on the right.)
View as you walk in the door. One challenge in the living room is that there's no light fixture.
The window wall brings in lots of light.
The living room. I work in the corner on the "coffee table." There is an orange throw that goes in here that is not pictured as I must have dragged it off somewhere.
Our favorite bookshelf.

I will save the rest for other entries to draw out the suspense. The apartment complex is pretty big and it's close to the U of M stadium, so that should be interesting on game days. I also have a "spare oom," or a spare room (yes, it was the best deal all things considered), so if anyone wants to come visit, all we have to do is figure about a bed. :) It also has free internet that works pretty well!

Amy was such a huge help to me this last week. (Amy, your strength inspired me.) She gets the gold medal of furniture moving, shopping construction, apartment cleaning and miscellaneous tasks/emotional support. Give her hugs for me in honor of all the work she did during her "vacation" here.

I wanted to show you guys some of the fruits of our labor of the past week. If I had had the time and moving means to shop for all used furniture, I probably would have, but this worked out and I think it will be a very comfortable place for me. I'm looking forward to the next year.

Next time, I'll blog about my new (used) bike. I already took it for a spin to school and it felt great. Hope all is going great with you all at the family reunion. Don't cry for me. I am happy.

Get Away with the McDonald Family

Everyone should pack:

Hiking/tennis shoes

sleeping bags/blankets

pillow or pillow case

Games

Drinks to share

Treats to share

Assigned food item


Emily:Sunday dinner and Monday breakfast
Kate+Jen: Monday Lunch
Mom: Monday dinner and Tuesday Breakfast

Here's what little I've been able to find out about Amy's Mission. this is her last night in DC and she's saying goodbye to 135 new BFFs, so I am compensating by filling in the gaps myself. When she gets home, maybe we'll see a few more details from her end. Just teasing, Amers, with lots of love. So proud of you.

Christina M. and Ryan V. Pagaduan

Ryan Virola Pagaduan, 36, and Cristina Diaz Magbitang Pagaduan, two children, Philippines Iloilo Mission; Quezon City 1st Ward, Quezon City Philippines Stake. Brother Pagaduan serves as a counselor in a stake presidency and is a former bishop and counselor, high councilor, stake Young Men president, stake Sunday School president and missionary in the Philippines Cebu Mission. Manager of Training and Operations, Philippines Missionary Training Center. Born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, to Arsenio Abraham and Aida Calara Virola Pagaduan.

Sister Pagaduan is a counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency and is a former ward Primary president, counselor in a ward Young Women presidency, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, gospel doctrine teacher and ward enrichment leader. Born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, to Crispino Castro and Florentina Lapuz Diaz Magbitang.

Anybody

Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions and Feta Cheese

here is the recipe I promised to share with mom and melissers yesterday.

we rated it a 4/5 on our dinner rating scale...which means it is pretty much really really delicious.

here is the link... We put it on a bed of spinach to make it a complete meal ( I hate making side dishes) and it was good. I also forgot the basil and it was still really good. Did I mention this was good?

http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-breasts-with-tomatoes.html

BTW: I like this blog for yummy recipes when I don't have any ideas. They are usually pretty healthy.Here is what mine turned out to look like.

and a picture of me to send you off... :) ha

I came to Utah.

where were you guys?

me + emily.