French Toast Frenzy

October came so fast! But I'm glad because French Toast Frenzy. That's why. This time I made Honey Apple Challah bread. The top is slathered in melted honey and butter. I enjoyed the process of making it. I really do like baking, I just don't do it often because...well...it's not exactly the healthiest...aaaand I usually end up eating most of it myself...because I like it so much...Sheesh. Sigh.

Other things on the menu, french toast made from Texas Roadhouse rolls (best idea EVER), cinnamon chunk chewy bread, several fruits, maple syrup and lemon syrup, maple whipped cream, strawberry cream cheese whipped cream, drinks, bacon, and sausage. I do enjoy this tradition of EATING before settling in to watch General Conference. Ha!

Summer Trip: Idaho Family Reunion

A few days after I arrived in California, we drove out to Twin Falls, Idaho for a family reunion—Mom's side. Part of the activity included a service project for grandma. The melting snow around her house has caused flooding in her basement. So we dug trenches, and built up the space around her house with dirt and rock—using shovels and buckets—so the melting snow would flow away from the house.

 It was hard work. And took a long time. And it was hot.

 The kids enjoyed playing in the dirt and rock piles and got filthy. Who can blame them?

 But they also did try to help too.

Mo was definitely an asset.

After that we went to the canyon for reunion activities...

...which always include a Hakka. My grandpa (who has passed) went to New Zealand on a mission for our church when he was a young man. Then later, in retirement, he and my grandma (second from the left) returned to serve another mission as a couple. My uncle also went there on his mission as a young man (he's the one with the war paint). So....that's where the tradition comes from.

Unfortunately...I had become overheated from the yard work that day and never was really able to cool off enough to participate in most of the activities during the hot afternoon. Sorry Sally! I even soaked my shirt in water from the bathroom faucet a few times to help, but I felt a little sick all day.
Luckily there was an ice cold stream to put my feet in which did help, but I didn't discover it until later.

When the Hakka was over...everyone took off! Since Hayden and Michael came in the same car we stuck around a bit to do a little exploring and picture taking before going back to the hotel. 

Then the next day on a whim we stopped to walk up to the Canyon rim before driving back to California. It was awesome. 

We watched as several base jumpers went off the Perrine Bridge over River. It was pretty awesome. I'd do it.

Regrets: I didn't get many photos of family. None of Dwynne (who I enjoyed rooming with, thanks Sis!) and none of Natalie...how? Bummmmmmmerrrrr. Sorry guys.

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Feed My Starving Children - A Service Opportunity

As the Activities Specialist (my current responsibility at church) one of the most difficult activities to find is a service oriented activity that a large church group, including children, can participate in. So I got excited when someone told me about Feed My Starving Children.

FMSC is a Christian non-profit that provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children. Volunteers hand-pack the meals. Meals are donated to FMSC food partners around the world, where kids are fed and lives are saved! 

Volunteers can be ages 5 and up. Group reservations can be made. Also, a sitting position can be provided for those who can't stand. So it was perfect!

They have permanent locations but a couple times a year a mobile pack opportunity comes to town. So, I reserved spaces, everyone signed up online, we wore our Helping Hands T-shirts and we had a great morning of head banging to loud music and packing dry meals! CLICK HERE for a video of the packing at our station. Each box equals 216 meals, our station packed 28 boxes—enough to feed a child for seven months!

Below our friends Nick and Stacy.

Marla, Lex (in the background) and Adam

Though it is usually a Christian church who hosts, the FMSC runs the training and sessions, so they hold contests like, "Who can pack the most meals in the next 5 minutes." And every time your team finishes packing a box your team screams. So for two hours everyone is working and at high energy. It was the PERFECT activity. I don't know if we will do it again, but I know that people want to! Score.Below: about 1/2 of the entire group. Including other volunteers of other faiths and groups etc.

This would be a fun date night, or family activity if you have one of these events going on near you. Since the meals are for children...I think it's a wonderful activity for kids to help them gain a bit of insight and was told so by one of the parents who had taken the time to explain the activity to her kids before they came. Double thumbs up.

Summer Trip: California Caverns

There's nothing like visiting caves when it's hot outside. They stay around 55 degrees year round and we could feel the cold air blowing out of the cave opening and cutting through the heat. Niiiiiice. These caverns, called California Caverns are found in Cave City, the Mother Lode region of Northern California and only a short drive from home.

The caves were discovered when in "1849 or 1850 when Captain Joseph Taylor was target shooting on a rocky outcropping and noticed that his targets were being moved by a breeze which seemed to emanate from the rocks." It was then that he discovered the entrance to this cave.

 The photo above is taken directly below soda straws. Hollow mineral cylindrical tubes. They drip water from the inside. However if they become blocked or water starts flowing on the outside of them, they can turn into stalactites. Below is what they look like from the side.

Part of the tour includes a room that was purposefully hidden and protected for years after the initial discovery of the caves. The only way to get inside is to squeeze through a very narrow corridor which Mom is bravely going through below. Admittedly... once inside the corridor, I panicked a little from claustrophobia and had to crouch down to make myself feel like there was more room surrounding me. Hayden did the smart thing and waited outside the entrance until people had cleared so she could see ahead of her and go through more quickly.

Inside was a large room full of features that hadn't been destroyed by early visitors. That's me below...I think....

  Back into and out of the tunnels. Not so bad coming out now that we know what to expect.

 Below, this room was one of my favorites, Dad too.

 Below: The birth canal. Want to see someone go through it? Click Here.

 This is at the exit. Mom was already half way down the road before I could get a group shot. Khee hee.

 But we caught up to her. The end.

Summer Trip: Megan, Food, and Forensics

Right after landing in Sacramento, I raced to meet Megan for a late lunch at Bacon and Butter. Everything on the menu looked SO good that we decided to order THREE plates to share. So worth it.

 We tried the Chicken and Waffles, the Peach and Pecan French Toast, and Biscuits and Gravy.
I love trying new food with my friend!

Next she took me down the street to the city crime lab where Megan works as a forensic scientist. And she turned me into one for the day.

Testing bloody footprints.

Megan demonstrates the shooting of a gun into a water tank.

Anna looks for the bullet.

Indoor shooting range for ballistics.

About 1/5th of the gun collection kept under lock and key.

The lab where Megan analyzes 5 types of physiological fluids: saliva, semen, blood, urine, and poop for DNA typing.

Even though she has no idea what she's doing...Anna is a total pro at this and makes it look easy. Ha!

Thanks again Megan. I really did have a great time!