Nora, Adult Dinner Party, August

...in a cool location, with outdoor lighting, and no mosquitoes.  That was the goal. 

It's been in my mind and heart to host an adult, outside, dinner party for about a year.  Two years ago I hosted a book club outside in September and learned a few details.  Let me expound on what I learned and did this time!

1.  In Utah, August is an ideal month for outside eating with outdoor lighting, because the sun goes down a bit earlier when people still have appetites but it's still warm.  I did this dinner party on August 30th and the high was 90 that day.

 2.  I just moved to Davis county, which is right next to The Great Salt Lake and surrounding wetlands (aka mosquito breeding territory).  I called Davis County abatement and asked if they would "abate" Smoot park, the park we'd be at.  The mosquitoes came out for about 10 minutes, at dusk, and ate James legs and ankles.  He was the closest to the water...the stream that runs through the park... and then they were gone.  It's been almost a week and I saw James today scratching between his toes.  So sorry love.

3.  A dinner party is hard when worlds collide (as my husband puts it) so a common link is good.  Church friends or family or groups of friends are ideal.  I had to move the date because of a school night, and Susan Fitch from PC couldn't come, so I invited and celebrated Robyn's 40th birthday (a week late) instead, with the Thurbers, too, because they live close, and know Robyn, and miraculously didn't have a young women or Aggie commitment. kidding...kinda...

4.  Leave the kids at home!  I almost had them come when I had all but given up on outdoor lights.  But then the lights were a go, so we kept the kids away, and it was super awesome!
  
The Menu:
7 layer dip and chips
Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas (made with corn tortillas and it was divine!)
Black Bean and Corn Quinoa
Brazilian Lemonade
Garden Salad
Fruit cake  

  

James and I set up which took about half an hour, It would have been faster if I had thought out more about how to suspend two strings of lights from branches and brought something stronger than cotton yarn!  The yarn could hold one line of lights!  Ladder back chairs were almost nixed too but in the end I loaded them up!  Cool, no?

   It took Four extension cords to reach the park's utility shed which had an outlet.  But I seriously considered hitting up the houses that backed the park, for power, so badly did I want the outdoor lighting.
















  

We finally ended the night when we realized it was 9:30.  Take down took all of 15 minutes with help from guests.

Reaction comments:   

"That's something you'd totally do for a dance date when you're 17 for a person you could possibly care less about tomorrow. I wish I could have been one of the passerbys wondering what the occasion was."   (I'm still mad I didn't get a faraway shot, in the dark!)     

"A scene straight from Gilmore Girls!"  Ha!

 

Steve is playing Fruit Jenga--going for the peaches in the middle.  

I had a moment at the store earlier in the day about how the details were not going to perfect.  There just wasn't time.  I had spent the night in Midway (Swiss Days!) the day before and had not grabbed a shower when I should have.  I was so late with the kid pizzas I had to ask Robyn, the guest of honor, to pick them up.  Only half the lights worked--grrr.  I had half weaned the baby so my milk was "in".  My foot hurts so badly right now from plantar fasciitis which is flaming so I had loaded up on the vitamin I (Ibuprofen).  I had just started the intense fitness challenge the week earlier, so no treats, soda, or eating two hours before bed!  CRAZINESS

But the evening could not have been more perfect.  It was such a relaxing end to the hopped up slap-it-up-ness that my projects/ideas always exuded.  I still can't believe I did this goal.  It was one I really wanted to do, and I had a million excuses not to, but it happened!  Thank you project connects!

For September I'm going vegetarian.  Since I make most dinner meals I'll keep track of what I make and include a link to a recipe if there is one.  So far it looks like this:

2nd   Pesto Pizza (made from Basil I stole from your garden, Donna!)
3rd   Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli      
4th   The kids had hotdogs, I had celery with peanut butter also roasted cauliflower w/balsamic vinegar.    

 My goal is to find 3-5 new dishes, that my family will eat; meals or sides highlighting alternative protein sources like beans, quinoa or dare I try tofu?   
   

Nora, July, Hiking up the hill every day

My original goal for July was to ride the Antelope Island Moonlight ride on July 11th, and I really wanted to do it--but my Paige was getting baptized on the 12th and I knew physically I wasn't ready for 24 miles, finishing late, then have my ducks in a row to speak at the baptism and  host an after party.

In June, I felt myself slipping in the mental health arena.  You might ask what kind of slipping I noticed and it was mainly postpartum kookoos with a touch of all-of-my-kids-all-of-the-time blues.  I knew exercise could really help and I'll just mention that this is the only time I've ever started "exercising again" purely for the brain clarity and not for weight loss or race training.

I have a 1/2 mile trail that leaves from the park in my front yard, up to the Bonneville Shoreline trail.  It has 17 switchbacks, smooth terrain, and warning signs about rattle snakes. I decided to hike it everyday, either in the morning or evening, which ever worked better for my schedule.    

Y'all aren't going to be clamoring, "Wow, I can't believe you hiked 1 mile everyday for a month!"   But, besides lowering the loud level of mental chatter, benefits abounded.  Let me see if I can sway you to the a mile a day way! 


1.  SLEEP!  Huge I know but I had a hard (and I still do!) time making myself go to bed and it's a vicious cycle.  Without exercise I can stay up until 1am without even trying.  With exercise, 10:30 and I'm out!

2.  PEP! (do you order pizza from Hot and Ready? One pep!)  You might wonder how I can tell if I'm slipping into a mild funk and no energy is always my very first clue.  I had none.  Well, enough to do the basics but cleaning up lunch to make dinner and then eating breakfast around the dinner remains was getting typical.  I couldn't think about Lagoon with all the kids in June, because I knew the sun and stairs (at the water park) would slay me in an instant. But stamina and energy have returned!  In fact I took all of Vanessa's kids to Lagoon during cousin week and and we stayed the whole day! 

3.  SOLUTIONS!  For example: What do we do about Adelaide's migraines?  New medication!  How to keep the 1/2 bath livable during the summer: Create "P" patrol as a job the boys do everyday.  What it was really: a time to think without interruption.

4.  tmi tmi tmi REGULARITY!  tmi tmi tmi Success in the bathroom! 

5.  DATE NIGHTLY?   James came with me about a third of the time and talk about a bonus!  I like the guy and this is an activity that we've both enjoyed in the past.  I also hiked with Jennifer Hatch, when we did a girls night!

6.  GIRL'S CAMP CONDITIONING,  A couple of times, Addie, and some of the YW came with me in prep for a backpacking overnight-er for camp.  

Paige, Ali, Maggie, and Adelaide

BONUS!  At the beginning of August I took off up the hill with Paige as my hiking companion, and we saw a tarantula!  It had just crossed the trail when we came upon him.  It was the size of my palm and the black hairy toothpick legs are still etched in my eyes! On the way down I realized why I had been feeling a bit achy and mentioned out loud to Paige, "Oh, I'm ovulating, that's what it is..."  She responds, "what's ovulating?"  And before you know it, a full explanation of the birds and bees with anatomical vocabulary, ensued!  Adelaide met us at the door coming in and I told her, Paige and I just had "the talk".  Addie told Paige, "I couldn't even think about it" and then Paige starts counting, "You've had 7 babies, you've done it 7 times?"  I then take on the cheerleader role, "More and it's awesome!"   Poor Paige, imagine her dreams that night...

My goal for August is to host an adult dinner party in a cool location, with outdoor lighting.  It'll for sure be on Friday, August 29th.  Sushi (Susan Fitch) and her husband can come, anyone else want to come, and bring their spouse? Location: Some where in Davis county.

PS.  August is the first month in the last three that I wasn't doing something everyday for my goal and I missed it.  I took a photo a day in May, played the piano every day in June, and hiked everyday in July.  However, so far, this August, I went to girl's camp for a night, a family reunion for 3 nights, and tomorrow, we're heading to the Mother Land, the Tetons, for 4 days!  So, a dinner, Labor day weekend, is doable!

PPS.  I'm starting the same Facebook fitness challenge my sister, Sharon Thacker, did (and won $150) this Friday (the 22nd).  The buy in is $35 and it's intense, as far as rules and points, but results are expected.  Want to do it?  I can add you to the group on Facebook.  $ is due Wednesday & photo of toes on the scale is due Friday.  I could be your contact person even.

PPPS.  I apologize for such a late late post on projects connect!  But follow my example.  If you missed your day or you haven't done a post in a while, tell us what you've done (and I know you've all done something) and commit to another project.  I have loved the documentation of what I've done, don't tell me you don't love the proof!   

Nora Mair, June, Play the piano everyday and learn Spindler's Sonatina

It popped up on KSL and with a mini inheritance from my parents a few years ago, and some savings that we didn't have to use on the house, the Boston 5'4" was ours.

My thoughts on playing the piano at this point in my life: 
1.  It is such an escape from the monotony of home duties.  Kind of like running, swimming, and biking were before the Mckay.   
2.  It doesn't become undone the way many of the things I spend my time on during the day.  I keep all the notes I acquire.
3.  It's a challenge.  My brain used to control my fingers but now there's a missing gap from my head to the tips.  I really have to think and even then the finish work is marginal.  I chalk it up to the 90% done level. 

 

   In July I'm planning on riding my bike to Antelope Island, at night.  Except I haven't ridden since last August so wish me luck.  Anyone else want to go?    

Nora Mair, May, Take a picture everyday,

I loved this goal!  I chose it for it's easy factor, knowing I'd have a new baby and the camera would be out anyway.  I add the addendum of learning to shoot pictures in manual with my Dslr but I'm so distract-able right now, I just couldn't focus on any informational text or instruction. 

 Jennifer Hatch was here for lunch one day and did a great tutorial but I couldn't figure out how to turn off the auto flash.  However the pictures I took in auto mode have quality and pixals my iphone and point and shoot lack, so now I'm more motivated to pull it out and use it. 

Below are pictures from my iphone, and DSLR. I can see now why an upgraded iPhone might not be a bad idea, especially if it's the camera I always have on me to use.    

   

What I wish I had done differently was commit to posting a picture daily somewhere (blog, instagram) to be able to look back effortlessly at a month of pictures.  

 While doing the goal, I always tried to take a more pleasing picture.  I practiced the rule of thirds. 

We went hiking at a trail in Muller Park. 

   


An egg sandwich with potholder from my wedding, the sky ride with Ben and Ike.  Spiderman at the library and the ingredients for Pecorino Ramano Pasta. 

  Isaac under the mat, the first smile caught on camera and diggers that fixed the basement leak.

Out of all them, I am most proud of the next three shots of real live situations, where I grabbed my camera instead of... 

The baby's first smile, look how little he is. 

Score from KSL--a $40 beach cruiser for Adelaide.  Her shirt matches her bike!

Those lips and his nose...  And the hair looks like it might be strawberry.  Yumm

 

Pokemon trades and coming home everyday in 4th grade to show Isaac the new cards.  

 

One day I will understand the trifecta of ISO, aperture, shutter speed, however I really liked the result of this goal.   

My original for goal for June was to organize a mother daughter book club but it's clear I can't be "in charge" of anything at the moment--so I passed on that.  I didn't know I'd be getting a new piano back in January, but this baby grand was meant to be in our home.  KSL landed it into my lap, and, well, anyway I wanted to learn a new song.  I'm drawn to classical -- or at least the type of pieces, I might play if I lived in a Pride and Prejudice novel where I'd be asked to play, to pass the time.  To give you a taste, here is a video, I'd played it though maybe two times before recording.  It's 5+ painful minutes of me hacking at a Sonatina by Spindler.

   

And and apology for the back boobs.  I'm a bit lumpy at the moment but what do you get when you take pictures and play the piano all day?    I'll have Adelaide record me tomorrow and post the "After". Even I'm surprised.   

Have a Baby, April, Nora Mair

I was induced on a snowy Sunday, March 30th, knowing for sure that this would be the last time I could possibly carry a baby for 9 months, I really wanted to soak it all in.

 We showed up, chatted with the nurse,  

gowned, i-Ved, pitocined, epiduraled, and then waited. I really was trying to relish, but like all my inductions, it just seems to take a long time. But I had company with Robyn, photographing and this guy: 

  

He told me jokes because I asked for diversions, and the best one of the morning was this ditty:  

What do you call a short psysic who has escaped from prison?  A small, medium at large!

 

I guess you had to be there.  

  When I finally was dilated to a 10, I was elated, can you tell?   This was around 4:09--It took about 5 minutes to ready the room. Meet JoRay, my pregnant labor nurse and surprise, Becky, from my Ticklegrass neighborhood.  She assisted in the birth!

 

 Meet Dr. Lloyd.  He's delivered all my babies and he loves his job!

With a push and a half, baby's head was out.  Another 1/2 a push and Dr. Lloyd put baby right on my stomach. The nurses worked suctioning and apgaring, while I did the wiping, inspecting, and ooooing.  He was perfect!

 Introducing McKay Allen Mair.

 

He was born in March, but has taken up every last minute of my April--which is as it should.

 

James cut the cord.

 I really like delivering babies.

  If it weren't for the 9 months of pregnancy and the 18 year rearing commitment...

   I'd have a baby everyday. 

He was born at 4:14 pm, weighing 8lbs. 8oz, well, technically, 7.5 oz but we rounded up when Dr. Lloyd reminded us of the rule in grade school: "5 and above..."  

He measured 20 1/2 inches long.

Delivering a healthy, living baby is miraculous, euphoric, empowering, thrilling, joyful, happy, and life changing.

And really, it's all those things, because that new life and spirit is entering my life and joining my spirit.   

 I think he looks like all of my kids, a lot like James, and really, just like himself! 

 

So why a 6th child?

When Isaac (#5) was born, James' mom died a few days after, James was in the bishopric and his job was really stressful at the time.  I felt pushed to my limit and because of that, our family was perfect.  

Almost two years later, things had mellowed out, minus me being the YW president (nothing about that gig is mellow).  We talked about having another one.  "Why?" James asked, "Do you feel there's a spirit there that's supposed to be in our family?"  I answered no, only because I've never felt that.  I felt like we could "do" one more and still keep up, handle it, maintain the chaos, enjoy that new life...

 

In a joking sense, if asked why six I could say:  well I made it to 5 and I still had my health, sanity (debatable), and the support of my husband. The reality would be I made a choice.  I know many of you have had loss and hardship when it comes to growing a family.  My heart feels your grief and knowing loss, it really feels like I won the lottery.  Jackpot baby! 

This "project" was a bye for me really...I really didn't have a choice whether or not to "do" it. So I'm excited for this next month because I really want better photos.  This month I'll be taking a picture a day with my Canon Rebel. My goal is to some time soon, take the camera off auto and have shots that need little editing.  On hanging 50 things--I'm still at about 25--and totally unmotivated.  But the baby blessing will be June 1st and that might propel some action.  My family blog is going great--it's over run with pictures of Mckay!   

Also, all the shots above were taken by the amazing Robyn who is the real deal.  Facebook here.  Website here.