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. :)

What It's All About

Two hundred and thirty-eight years ago on March 5, 1770, this star marks what was the site of a "massacre". Five men were killed by British soldiers in the culmination of days of unrest. On Saturday, March 8th, we helped to reenact this historical event. As my friend Denise said, that is what living in Boston is all about. First, there was a reenactment, where I got to play the part of one of the victims, Patrick Carr, taunting the redcoats with shouts of "Lobsterbacks!" and "Go back to England!" and throwing (styrofoam) snowballs and ice. After we were shot in all the confusion, we proceeded to have a trial in the Old State House. This was nine months later, after the acquittal of their leader, Captain Preston.

The soldiers holding their bayonettes at the ready to hold back the crowds.... and.... the soldiers waiting patiently to hear their fate... these boys were so cute! When two were convicted they looked down at their nametags to see if he were the unlucky one. When he saw that he was, the boy in the blue pants pounded his fist and said 'Shoot!'

During the trial, I played the part of Dr. John Jeffries, who attended to Patrick Carr that night. I heard his dying confession that they went there looking for trouble. I was called as a witness for the defense by the soldier's lawyer, John Adams (who was the second U.S. President). Six of the soldiers were acquitted and two found guilty of manslaughter. Mr. Adams then requested the 'benefit of the clergy' and the two men had to prove they were literate enough to read the Bible. Their punishment was to brand an M on their thumbs to prevent them using the same defense in the future. Don't worry, though, Paul Revere was still able to use the event as propaganda to fire up the colonists to war against Britain.

Me, as a witness, being cross-examined with the objection of John Adams for questioning my judgment as a doctor... and... the Mercy Branding.

Afterwards, we enjoyed seeing the rest of the Old State House museum, including a printing demonstration and the original engraved depiction of the massacre. I really liked this gem of a pitcher to the right:
We continued the night with yummy food at the Cheers bar, eating pickles and enjoying tropical drinks, then watching an old movie with Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston called The Big Country. A favorite quote from the movie: "I'm not responsible for what other people think of me, only for what I am." It was such a fun day to get out and enjoy this "interesting" old town with great girls.

Charlotte, Rachel, Kristie, Denise, Christina

Super Star

A friend recently asked me what five alternate lives I would choose. Now, this probably isn't a surprise to anyone who knows me, but one of them was to be a star on Broadway. My cousin Jenni got me hooked on musicals. I recently found a cassette tape of Showboat she made for me in high school and have recently been listening to a Musical radio station on the internet at work. It is not rare to hear me suddenly break into song, and when I'm not singing, there's usually a song in my head. Since I love singing, I love karaoke in any form. On March 1, I went with a few friends to Do Re Mi for a little singing. We got our own private room and did a little dancing to songs like My Hips Don't Lie and even Part of Your World. I seriously sang myself hoarse, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Big Bad Wolf

I remember learning about lunar eclipses in junior high and thinking it would be pretty cool to see. My science teacher, Mr. Keddington told us that the moon turned red and that they happened often... as opposed to solar eclipses that only happen every hundred years. As it turns out, I have never actually seen one in the decade or so since then... until a couple of weeks ago (2/20/2008) and this was the last lunar eclipse until 2010, for two whole years. So... my first lunar eclipse... The moon didn't exactly turn blood red... or turn all red... but it was pretty howl-worthy nonetheless. ;)

Revolution

One thing about living in Boston is that people like to come visit here. My friend Jeremy and his friend, Kiley, were here last weekend. Jeremy was in my Sugarhouse ward and is doing an internship in DC this semester. It's actually pretty fun to play tour guide. :) We went on a little day trip Saturday, starting in Lexington. The British Regulars arrived here on April 19, 1775 at 6:00 a.m. and were greeted by 77 members of the Colonial militia. When the colonists saw they were outnumbered they began to disband when a gun shot rang out and the Regulars opened fire. Eight colonists were killed and nine wounded. The Regulars then proceeded to Concord, where their mission was to conduct a raid of colonist arms and destroy them.

Kiley & Charlotte in front of the Lexington Minuteman Statue on the Lexington Green

We also headed to Concord next, but we drove the five miles that it took the British about an hour to march. Here is the Minuteman Statue near the Old North Bridge. This is where "shot heard round the world" was fired and the beginning of the Revolutionary War. This was the first time American fired into the ranks of British soldiers. They were then fired on by colonists behind buildings, walls and trees for the sixteen mile march back to Boston.

The next stop on our trip was Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived and worked for two years beginning in 1845. The water on the pond was frozen over... and just a little scary to walk on. Yikes!

Jeremy being "chummy" with Thoreau

That night we met my friend Kristie for dinner in the city and a stroll on the Esplanade. I had so much fun with some great friends. It was good for me to have a reason to explore Boston and shake some of the New England Winter Blues.

Jeremy, Charlotte, Kristie, Kiley