Shot Heard Round the World

Last month during Patriots Day weekend, I was able to see more reenactments of the Revolutionary war. Hooray! April 19th found me in Concord at the Old North Bridge. I already blogged about the history last time I was there, so I'll just describe a few things. The event was carried out in real time, as it happened in 1775, so my friends and I were up bright and early that morning. When we arrived, there was a colonist regiment preparing in the parking lot. It is quite a process to load their muskets (which were inspected to make sure no one was actually using a ball). At sunrise, there was a musket and cannon salute while a rider came through shouting that the Regulars were out (not "the British are coming," because everyone was British then). Two buglers played taps, echoing eachother from opposite sides of the river. The first time the cannons fired, it startled me so, even though I was a football field away. I jumped every time... I could feel it in my core, shaking my entire being. It didn't get any better until we were close enough to see them. I got a little taste of what it would be like to live during a time of war, being in constant fear and noise. It made me so grateful for those who have fought and died to make this country great. Though I don't know that I will never live through a war, I am also grateful that I haven't had to yet. The reenactment followed at 8:30 a.m. with the colonist militia chasing away the Queen's soldiers. As a side note... the British uniforms were red with a trim showing what company they were in. The musicians uniforms were opposite, like in the first picture, yellow with red trim, so they stood out and weren't fired upon. The musicians were essential to give commands, as the soldiers couldn't always hear the officers shouting.

Christina, Me, Rachel & Denise with a Redcoat

Later that afternoon, we assembled near the Hartwell Tavern at a place on the Battle Road back to Boston called the Bloody Angle. Here, at a bend in the road the retreating British were surrounded on three sides by colonists hiding behind walls, trees, fences and eight soldiers died. This may seem like a very small number, but only one in a hundred shots actually hit somebody. The muskets used were all different sizes, so the ammunition supplied was the smallest possible to fit all of them. However, if the ball was too small, it would bounce around the barrel and ricochet out in an unpredictable direction. It wasn't until later rifle technology that made shooting much more accurate. We met a family that had all come from New York to participate in the reenactment. I think that it would definitely be a fun family vacation in the future.

Look, It's Spring!

I have a new love this Spring... magnolia trees. They are simply beautiful. I am so much more aware of Spring here in Boston than I ever was in Utah. This is probably a combination of the depressing New England winter I endured and the abundance of trees and flowers here. I am also currently reading the Anne series which are filled with praise for the beauties of nature in springtime. I only wish I were as eloquent as L.M. in describing them. It is thrilling to me to walk past trees and see the budding flowers beginning to show their faces. Last weekend, I called out to show my friends a particulary adorable bud and a passerby said, "Look, spring!" I had to smile and blush (just a little). Life really is about little pleasures.

In an effort to enjoy the beautiful weather, which has been unusually warm in the 80's, some friends and I went walking after church in the Mt. Auburn cemetary, just down the street. It was a lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon.
As a side note... I dyed my hair last week. This was the first time I attempted the matter all by myself. It was a messy affair, but I'm happy with the result. It made me wish I had roommates to help... hopefully I will before too long. I had just a few grey hairs *sigh* to cover up and I have had so many different attempts at highlights in the last year, it is nice to have all of my hair the same color at last. I think that I am going to cut it short now. I've been toying with the idea and have almost completely made my mind up to do it.

Buy Me Some Peanuts

I don't think that you can have a complete Boston experience until you go to a Red Sox game. There is just something about Fenway Park, the hot dogs and cracker jack, and the devoted fans who watch every game (even though there is one almost every day for the next eight months). Just a few things will tell you that you are not in Utah.... When there is a call the fans don't agree with, along with the usual booing, there are chants of profanity... Along with the beach balls bouncing around the audience, there was a blown-up condom floating in the breeze..... The majority of fans leave the game intoxicated, instead of the occasional tipsy fan. It makes for never a dull moment to watch the reigning World Champs. There are also the fun traditions of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "Sweet Caroline". Bethany and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. She has been my inspiration to attend games decked out in the appropriate gear. Do you like my pink hoodie? Oh, and remember how I'm bad luck at Celtics games? Don't worry... I am good luck for the Red Sox... they have won both games I attended since being in Boston. Woo-hoo!

Final Score: Red Sox 12 - Tigers 6

Call Me Imelda

Due to popular demand... here are the famous green sneakers. I don't really consider myself a "shoe lover," but as I look into my closet, I realize that I have many a pair of shoes. I attribute this to the fact that I go through different phases in shoe-wearing. At one point, I only bought flats because I was worried about being too tall and they really are so much more comfortable. Then, I realized that heels really do make you feel and look sexier (at least your legs... instant calf lift). Of course, I also have shoes that I bought because they were adorable... then wear them once and decide they hurt way too much to wear again... but don't throw away because they match that one outfit perfectly. And who can live without a pair of red shoes?

Trashy

What I would like to know is how I can manage to drive in Utah for years and years... during the Olympic construction when every highway was under construction... and never get a rock chip, but I'm in Massachusetts for less than a year and get two in one week. I know that you can get them fixed... but it rained hard the next day and my windshield wipers made it spread... now my car looks trashy. Poor Liberty! :(

Sugar, Sugar

Last Saturday before General Conference, my friend Jeffra had a maple sugaring party at her family's farm in New Hampshire.

I got to sap a tree... first, I drilled a hole; next, I hammered in a spout; and then hung the bucket and attached the lid.
The finished product:
Next we gathered the sap from all the existing buckets. This will only work in maple trees. You can sap the same tree each year, but have to drill a new hole. If you leave the spout in during the year, it will just grow in and not drip anymore. Its better to put the hole in the south side of the tree, because the tree warming up after freezing overnight is what makes the sap run.

Jeffra's dad siphoned all the sap we collected into a drum so it could be fed into the contraption to the left. The sap when it comes out of the tree is little more than sweet water. It needs to be boiled and boiled and boiled before it becomes syrupy. At that point you can do all sorts of things with it...

Jeffra's aunt made us some "leather aprons", a candy you make by pouring syrup onto snow until it freezes into a chewy, taffy-like substance. We also had a yummy blueberry pancake breakfast with the homemade syrup, and two more maple syrup candies. All so tasty!

Their house is off the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, which even in winter was beautiful. We went on a little hike up to a tower made for looking out for fires. The drive up to New Hampshire was amazing. This year, the leaves didn't fall off of the trees, so there were amazing views of white trees in the middle of the evergreens. (This picture doesn't do it justice.) It was so nice to get out of the city and enjoy this beautiful world. Thank you to Jeffra and the Burkes!

Disappointed

I was one of those girls who loved New Kids on the Block. We had their tapes, memorized the words to their songs and even learned their dances. My favorite was Jon... my sister Jessica loved Joey and our cousin Jenni loved Jordan. We were so jealous that Jenni got to go to their concert and took pictures of them. When Jess and I saw Wicked in New York a few years ago, little did we know that Joey! was playing Fiyero. I had to giggle because Jessica's face lit up when Joey appeared on stage. So... can you imagine how excited I was to learn that they were going to be in concert!!! and in Boston!!! which is where I happen to be living!!! and is where they are from!!! and they are still just as yummy to look at? :)
But, alas, I am to be disappointed after all... their concert in Boston is on a Sunday. :( Perhaps I will have to take a road trip to see them in New York the night before...

This Is The Right Place

As the plane was descending into Utah two weekends ago, I appreciated two things:
1. The glorious snow-covered mountains.
2. Straight, wide, parallel, streets (Thank you Brigham Young!). Anyone who has ever driven in Boston knows what I'm talking about. I didn't need to get out my nuvi even once the whole weekend in Salt Lake.

When I landed, I appreciated even more things about being home...

1. All the time I was able to spend with my family. It was my mom's birthday on Friday (one of the many March birthdays in our family). Our whole family took her to her favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, for some steak.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

I got to see all six of my adorable nieces and nephews. Savannah and Audrey got out to shake it with the line dancers at Texas Roadhouse, while Julian enjoyed playing the cowboy. It is so fun to see them and just get to play and talk with them. I love that they get excited to see me, it makes me miss them more every time I leave. I can't believe how big they get so quickly. Preston, Ethan & Audrey (with her princess necklace... such a girl) to the left and Danika to the right. My family loves to come together often... as the in-laws have to get used to.
2. All the good friends that I was able to see. One of my Sugarhouse roommates, Tamara married Brian in the Timpanogas temple. I loved the advice from their dads and hearing their sweet stories at the wedding breakfast.

It was a good reunion with the Downington girls: Nancy, me, Sue & Kisty to the left and Nancy, Patricia, me, Tam, and Sue to the right. That weekend, I also met Kim (who was also in town from San Diego) for Costa Vida (yum), some good friends, Amy, Katie, Holly & Mike for salsa dancing (arriba!) and got to stay up late talking with Joy the night before I went home. I love seeing friends that have known me for so long and that I know so well.

3. All the spirit that we felt seeing Ethan get baptized.

It was so special to get to see Ethan enter the waters of baptism. He just has a way about him that is endearing and can be the most loving boy ever. We used to call Ethan Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because he can be just as bad as he is good... but we love him for it. I'm so proud of my Nan for choosing to be baptized and can't wait to see all the wonderful things he will accomplish in his life. I love you!

J-F-K Kennedy!

The day before Easter, some friends and I headed to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum . They had a display called "Jacqueline Kennedy Entertains: The Art of the White House Dinner" emphasizing how Jackie transformed and restored the White House. We happened to get there at just the right time to see a short film about Bobby Kennedy, who was very important and close to his brother.

The Kennedys were rather inspirational and did a lot of good. The museum started at the Democratic Convention in LA, where John won the democratic presidential nomination, through the Campaign Trail, to the Inauguration, to the White House & Oval Office.

Some of my favorite things to see were Jackie's. In her high school yearbook she said that her aspiration in life was not to be a housewife. ;) I really think I would have liked living in that time... having a coming out party, getting to dress up, hosting parties

(planning seating charts, table decorations, name cards, programs). Jackie had some gorgeous, classy dresses and jewelry. Perks of being married to a President. :)

Just as a side note... remember Captain Preston from the massacre? He works at the JFK museum! I recognized him when he sold me my ticket and I guess I flirted just enough. He came and brought us pictures of JFK in nice folders while we were waiting for the movie to start. I'm holding mine above. To the right: Me with Trina and Kristie.

Green?

Thanks to the large Mormon network of which I find myself in Boston, I can say that I am a Celtics season ticket holder. As such, I was able to participate in a shoot-around in the Garden! I have to admit that when I first heard about this, I was under the impression that I would be shooting around with the actual Celtics instead of a hundred and fifty other season ticket holders. Granted, it wouldn't be the safest thing for the team members (as a coworker pointed out) to be tripping over adoring fans, but I really thought I'd get to rub shoulders with them. Anyway, it was still pretty fun to get to be on the floor of the arena. I did make one basket... my layup on the left... and get to sit on the bench. Yeah! Bethany, unfortunately, was not able to steal away from the office in time to make it to the shoot around. But, we did have some time before the game to see a little bit of Boston. There were some loud singing Irishmen in the pub we ate dinner at. Quite entertaining. We also were able to see the Massachusetts State House (not to be confused with the Old State House where the massacre was). It reminded Bethany of her days as an intern in DC. The codfish hanging in the Senate & House reminded me of my nephews and Peter Pan. :) Then back to the game.

Now, Bethany is a real basketball fan. We bought tickets to two Celtics games. The first one we went to was against the Bobcats. We sported our Jayhawks wear in support of Paul Pierce. For this game however, we decided that we needed to get decked out in green. I know, I know... I grew up in Utah and they were playing the Jazz... but first of all, it was right before St. Patrick's day... and second of all, I would have feared for my safety with all of the obsessive fans. Plus, Bethany talked me into buying these really cute green sneakers (which just happened to be half off... I love sales!).

I also love that the meter says "Wicked Loud." Boston is just wicked cool. :) Now, I'm not claiming any sort of responsibility... but the fact remains that the Celtics lost both of the games we went to... and they've had such a good year. The first game we went to, they had only lost four games prior... a record of a record. What are the chances? Am I bad luck? Oh well... at least my Jazz won. :)