Technolgy: a blessing and a curse

The other night I was driving home from jogging with a friend like at 9:30 at night, and as I was turning a corner close to my house, all of a sudden I find myself slamming on my brakes and swerving as a confused/scared teenage girl looks up at me. Do you want to know what this girl was doing in the middle of the road at 9:30 at night? Text messaging!! Are you for reals girl? Was it really so important that you text message that you had to stand in the middle of the road! I also become furious when I am driving and a driver cuts me off or does something dumb when they are on their cell phone. It's not that I probably don't ever do dumb things driving on accident... it's that they are endangering my kiddos so that they can have the convenience of talking on the phone whenever they want. Okay... I am done venting now.

Book Reviews (I know you have all been anxiously awaiting my next reviews :)

Three Cups of Tea-This book is great great great. Everyone should read it. This book proves that one person can really do their part in changing the world. Greg Mortenson begins his mission building schools in Pakistan after he wanders into a remote village after attempting to climb K2. After seeing the kids writing on the ground with sticks, he promises the village that he will build them a school. With no idea of how to even start, this book shows his journey of how he goes about building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson shows perfectly what our political leaders are doing wrong. Education changes countries much more effectively than bombs. I know that war is sometimes necessary, but really, doesn't it make more sense to help people learn to help themselves from within though education than to throw billions of dollars into bombs? I know that that may seem too simplistic, and like I said, I know war is sometimes necessary and that the Taliban is freaky, but our leaders could learn a lesson from Greg Mortenson! This book was inspiring... and I am now wondering what I can do to make an impact locally and globally!

Twilight-I fought reading this book for a long time. After it had been recommended to me a handful of times, I still couldn't picture myself liking a "dumb" vampire book. I finally gave in and read the book, and finished all 500 pages in 2 days (thanks for watching the kids Chris while I ignored them). I am not going to lie and say that this book is not cheesy or even laughable at times, but I couldn't put the dang thing down. It is a guilty pleasure like the bachelorette or Grey's Anatomy. I can clearly see that they are ridiculous, yet I am sucked in. I am just now starting the second book.... so we will see how that goes. If you want a quick read, this is your book!

Attention: Easy Recipe Ahead

I just got this recipe out of my REAL SIMPLE magazine. It involves absolutely no cooking and is great for a hot lazy day.

Chicken and dill souvlaki

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher Salt and Pepper
1 2 1/2-3lb rotisserie chicken meat sliced
2 cucumbers (I used English)
1/2 small sweet onion thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh dill
4 flat breads
1/2 cup plain yogurt, preferably Greek style (I used Nancy's)

In a large bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the chicken, cucumbers, onion, and dill.

Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the flat breads and serve with the yogurt!

"I'm Leaving on a Jetplane....." and pictures

This is Sofia's new favorite song to sing. It's funny how out of all of the songs that we sing with her, this one seems to hit the spot. Other new things on the home front: Sofia named her new doll "Chuck." I don't know where she knows that name from, but I thought that it was an interesting choice. This week we having been hanging out bare bum (just Sofia, not me :), eating popsicles, swimming in the kiddie pool (I have been doing that), picking berries, and hosting play dates. I love summer!

Summer Salad

This is my new favorite summer salad. It is so yummy and refreshing and perfect for a potluck or BBQ!!! Thank you Kristin for the recipe. Let me know what you all think about it if you try it!

Orzo Salad with Chickpeas & Artichoke Hearts
Recipe courtesy EatingWell.com
Orzo Salad with Chickpeas & Artichoke Hearts
Quintessential Greek flavors—feta, lemon and dill—combine perfectly in this hearty salad. To complete the Mediterranean mood, try pairing it with a Greek Retsina or a Portuguese Vinho Verde.

1/2 cup orzo or other tiny pasta
1.5 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed and peeled
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 7-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 large tomato, chopped
2 cups baby spinach leaves

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Cook orzo until just tender, about 9 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Press to remove excess water. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with oil.

Mash garlic and salt into a paste with the back of a spoon in a medium bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and pepper. Add the cooked orzo, artichokes, chickpeas, feta, dill and mint; toss gently to combine. Add tomatoes and toss again.

Divide spinach between 2 plates and top with the salad.

A world record in bad blogging

We have been home for a week from our Utah/Colorado trip, but I have been too busy to blog. The longer I have gone without blogging, the more overwhelmed I feel to start, so I thought that I would just hurry and write something to get started again. We had a lovely time visiting the Nemelka family in Utah (I am having problems uploading most of he pictures from your house). There's never a dull moment with the Nemelka clan. We love you guys lots!! Thanks for everything.
Then it was off to beautiful Eagle Colorado (about a 30 minute drive from Vail) to see Jeremy and his familia. We had fun going on lots of walks and enjoying good company. Sofia had lots of fun playing with little Adelyn. We drove straight home from Colorado (a 19 hour drive), only taking a 3 hour break!! It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but I don't plan on making that kind of drive again anytime soon! Overall a very good trip, but it feels good to be home!

Here is my friend Lia's little cutie pie Eden. I finally got to meet her!

We got to go and hang out with my friend Elisa and her adorable little boys Asher and Isaiah. Elisa was my Spanish teacher at BYU, and she has been a dear friend ever since!


We went up in Provo Canyon for a Bbq with the Nemelkas! It is so pretty up there!



We went to Vail and rode the Gandala up the mountain. Sofia loved loved loved the ride. Vail is so beautiful! Man... the only family picture up there, and my eyes are closed.
I will post more pictures when I get the chance!!