SEND IN THE CLOWNS-- or not.....

So, I was driving to work the other morning. As I passed a garage sale going up 23rd East I thought I heard my name. I happened to glace to my left and I swear this clown waved at me. I had to turn around and go back and see if I was imagining "THINGS N' STUFF"- we know it wouldn't be the first time for that! Anyway, it turns out he wasn't calling my name (mainly because he didn't know my name). He had just yelled 'hey you in the jeep' to get my attention. It seems he had somehow heard about our big Halloween party and he wanted to make sure he was invited. I told him I couldn't invite him because I don't really hang out with clowns. But, decor... Hmmmm. I may not hang out with clowns but I could HANG a clown somewhere.... BWAAAHAAAHAAAAAA!!!!!

Do you know it is only 62 days until "All Hallows Eve"! Oh, so much to do, so little time.

ULTIMATE FRUIT BOWL!

Of all the 'things and stuff' we eat in the summer, is there anything better than a huge bowl of fresh fruit? I think not!

Sami was going to an Accadian swimming party the other day and her food assignment (actually, my food assignment!) was fruit. It was an incredibly hot day and I knew there was no way the fruit would last in the sun. Then inspiration hit!! I had this giant serving bowl in the attic left from some event. I filled the bottom of the bowl with ICE, covered the ice with a layer of plastic wrap to keep the fruit out of the water and then layered in the fruit! Beautiful melons, two kinds of grapes, giant juicy strawberries! I added some wedges of lime for color (and to complement the honey dew) and then finished it off with sprigs of fresh lemon mint from the herb garden. Delicious and easy, but it looked great too. The fruit stayed cold and I heard that the party rocked! I also heard that there was not a tiny piece of fruit left-- it was cold and juicy to the last bite!

DENI HAS A BIRTHDAY!

"Oh, somebody had a birthday, our little Deni dear... May Father in Heaven bless you throughout the coming year. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Deni. Happy Birthday to you!".

Five candles?


Really, she is only five! Seriously, it feels that way. Life has gone so quickly that it is hard to believe that I have a child "this" age. I won't reveal her exact age, but remember I have only been married twenty eight years. No... she is NOT twenty eight. Not twenty seven either! She is blowing out the candles on the chocolate mouse cake her sister Erin made for her birthday. We used to make this cake every year for Deni's birthday until Scott was born. Then we started celebrating both birthday's together (his is August eighth, hers is August fourteenth) and having pie. Since Scott is on a mission this is the first time in twenty years we have celebrated just Deni's birthday. Erin made the cake from scratch with a recipe we have had since college just to celebrate a special occasion and make the day just hers. It is always amazing the 'things and stuff' kids remember from growing up. The mouse cake is something Deni remembers from her toddler days. At least her love of chocolate comes honestly and from a very young age!

The gift presentation was another adventure in custom wrapping. We used standard gift wrap and ribbon but we cut the "Happy Birthday" salutation from card stalk using a new die from "Stampin' Up!" that runs through our "Sizzix" machine. (Almost as cool as "Cricket" but non-electric). We then ran the word strips through our "XYRON" to turn the die cut strips into stickers. Technology and a well stocked craft room make for easy projects that are totally custom to the situation. Maybe I should write a blog about our craft room... it is an amazing place for creativity!

When a package is so cute it almost doesn't matter what is inside! In this case however, the inside was as good as the outside!

Happy Birthday Deni! Your Mom and I love you very much and we are very proud of you! Keep up the good work and always know that we are here and we want nothing but the best for you!

XOXO

By the way, the song we sing for birthdays is a tradition in the Rogers family. On a birthday morning every one that is home sneaks into the birthday person's bedroom and wakes them up singing this version of the birthday song. If the birthday person happens to not be home they can plan on receiving several text messages with the words to the song all written out. You know how we are in the Draper family... Tradition! It is a good thing!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MY LOVE!

Dear Suzie;
Twenty eight years! Wow! What a trip it has been! We are the greatest team and together we have proven that anything is possible. Oh, the 'things and stuff' we have done over the years...
We have traveled far and wide, but at times we have preferred to stay close to home. Who but the best of friends and lovers could spend a vacation traveling around the valley searching for the best sugar cookies available.
We have lived a beautiful and blessed life. We have created a beautiful home and a beautiful family, built great careers and lasting friendships. But most of all we have created a love that will last forever. As you like to point out, we have at least thirty more productive years. It has been a great journey so far... imagine how many great things the future holds.
I love you.
Michael


The flowers on our wedding day were lavender roses so it shouldn't surprise you knowing how we are in our house about traditions that the flower tradition goes on every year. Lavender roses to celebrate the passing of another year together! And to celebrate the fact that we actually survived another year!

This beautiful arrangement is from Every Blooming Thing (and stuff?) in Salt Lake City.

And what did Suzie give me in return? Some-'thing' that I am 'passionate' about....

....a lavender SUGAR COOKIE that is bigger than my head! I have always said that you should not eat anything bigger than your head, but I think this time I am going to make an exception!

This cookie is from Cutler's in Bountiful. (www.cutlerscookies.com). In the search for the best sugar cookie, Cutler's is VERY high on the list. I am still not ready to post the results of the quest, but I am getting close. There are a couple of cookies I need to test again to be sure I have made the right decision.

NEWS FLASH!!! ZUCCHINI BANDIT STRIKES BIG!

It is that time of year when zucchini is prolific and you don't dare leave the windows down on your car for fear you might end up with a front seat full of the big green squash! The sad thing about zucchini is, as you know, that it is best when it is small and tender. What do you do with zucchini when it gets big (or in this case, huge)?

This 'beautiful' piece of decor was left on my front porch in the middle of the night... Surprise!! Obviously, when a common thing like zucchini is looked at with a creative eye, the 'things and stuff' that can be done are truly unlimited.

I am flattered that Martha thought of us, however, I have my doubts that the Queen really took time out of her busy schedule to craft a custom door stop just for us. No, I think that the designer actually lives a little closer to home. Perhaps the designer even lives on our same block...

If by chance our door stop really was created by Martha herself, I don't think I will be the one to tell her that it is NOT a "good thing"!

PIONEER DAY BREAKFAST!

There are some 'things and stuff' that we have been doing for years... like a traditional Pioneer Day breakfast at Ruth's in Emigration Canyon. Honestly, is there anything better than Ruth's Huevos Rancheros?


Apparently not! They even give the huevos at the Plaza Cafe in Santa Fe a run for their money! YUM!

SO, THE LESSON'S ARE PAYING OFF!

OK, admit it... the thought of sitting through most recitals is worse than having teeth pulled. There are 'things and stuff' that are worse, but at the moment I can't think of what those things might be. We know why we are at the recital; to see our own adorable children perform whatever dance and/or singing number they have been working on (and you have been paying) for the last year. I must admit that I LOVE watching my children perform! Everyone else's kids, not so much. Oh come on, admit it! You feel the same way, as well you should! We love our children and we would do anything for them. We are so happy and proud when they are successful and our hearts break when they have challenges. Attending performances and recitals is just one of the many ways we express our love and show support for our children. But honestly, I have sat through some of the longest year end concerts on history. Remember the 2009 Singers Unlimited concert? Really.

Sami (left) and Sara Thornock (photo: Luke Isley)

This year the Ballet West Academy changed the way I look at year end concerts. We have been with the Academy long enough to see a major transformation in the program and product. Admittedly, in years past the Academy Spring Performance was not on my list of fun things to do. Former Artistic Director, Jonas Kages' idea of a recital was simply bringing the ballet barres out on the stage and conducting a choreographed studio class for us to watch. The programs were boring and uninspired. Since the arrival of Adam Sklute, and under the direction of Peter Christie, there has really been a change in direction and emphasis at the Academy. Some change is good and some change can be bad, but the change that has come overall to the program and the dancers is amazing. The concert last year was very good with a 'Don Q' suite and an amazing piece called 'Paco', which was choreographed by the students in the upper school at the Academy, but this year's performance seemed to take a huge step up in quality and entertainment. It could be that Sami was dancing some big parts (in a paux and as a demi soloist), but I thought many sections of the show really were professional quality. Quite frankly, it was amazing (I could say 'awesome' if I used that word!). From the time the curtain went up I was completely enthralled. The concert had two versions, each performed two times. Suzie and I attended three times because Sami was dancing in all four concerts but performing different roles in three of the four shows.

Grande Finale of the Sleeping Beauty Suite

I won't bother regurgitating the program notes. I am just going to attach some fabulous (I don't usually use that word either) photos to give you an idea of the quality of the performance. The beautiful costumes are by David Heuvel and the Ballet West Costume shop.

'Retro Shifts' by Caine Keenan (photo: Luke Isley)

Merdedes Rice, Sami Draper, Miranda Beck (photo: Luke Isley)

The 'Sleeping Beauty Suite' performed by the upper school of the Ballet West Academy.

Lucas Horns, Theresa Schuyler, Matthew Helms, Sami Draper (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami Draper and Theresa Schuyler (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami and partner (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami and Theresa (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami and Max Hall do the 'White Cat' and 'Puss 'N' Boots' (photo: Luke Isley)

Thanks to Luke Isley for his amazing photos. His link is attached.

Also a special 'Thank You' to Jan Clark Fugit and Jeffery Rogers, the teachers whom I have had the most interaction, for their great teaching, but most importantly, for their kindness, support and nurturing of Samantha. They have helped her become a beautiful and talented dancer.

Finale (photo: Luke Isley)

Oh, I just noticed that all of the photos are of Samantha. Sorry. Oh well, I can choose the pictures because I am the Dad and this is my blog. You can put the photos of your kids on your own blog. LOL!