Week of 80's movies

My Dad raised me on karate/ kung fu/ Steven Seagal/ Jean Claude Van Dam movies. This may not be very interesting to most so I will throw in a few faves from my Dad's influence and a few faves from my big sister's influence.

Starting with Day 1- Can't Buy Me Love

Order it on Netflix TODAY! The story of geeky high-school kid trying to buy his way to popularity. I think this is one of my top ten movies of all time. My sister and I had this baby memorized!

Day 2- Karate Kid- the original

Mr. Miyagi and Daniel son kill it in this movie. Also in the top ten.

Day 3- The Naked Gun.

Hilarious cop movie! My poor mom, here she would leave us kids in my dad's capable hands thinking we were watching Sound of Music and practicing our piano. Fortunately for my sister and I, my dad had no such plan and our home turned to mayhem. We were fighting and shooting and learning all about compound fractures (in Bloodsport). Ahhh, Women's Retreat was always a fun weekend at our house. ;-)

Day 4- Exile.

It was a Disney Sunday night movie about a group of kids who get stranded on a deserted island. It has Cory Feldman in it- nuf said. I am not sure where you can find it. If you do find it, let me know!

Day 5- I've said it before and I will say it again, last time. Anne of Green Gables!

It is a must- have for any personal movie collection. I know you've heard of it so I won't waste your time. If you've seen it, watch it again. If you haven't seen it, where have you been?

Day 6- Indiana Jones- Raiders of the Lost Ark

I am really judgmental about movies. I hear the name or I hear of the lead actor and I think I will hate it. That is how I felt about this movie. I saw this when I was a young buck, probably 6 or 7 (while my mom was at Women's Retreat) and I was completely freaked out by it. I grew up hating Indiana Jones movies. Fortunately for me, I married a guy who likes Indiana Jones and I have seen the light. Raiders of the Lost Arc is my favorite of the series.

Day 7- I think you should try The Veggie Tales.

It's not Kung Fu or 80's but it will make you wish you were a cucumber. Go on Netflix and they have a bunch of them available on "watch instantly". They have good "love your neighbor" messages but just as important, they have great comedy.

Enjoy this week of 80's-kung fu-veggie movies. I'll be back soon!

Viva Mexico! and a week of Salt Lake City area restaurants.

I really wish I could figure out how to make the upside down exclamation points! This August, we hit our ten year anniversary. However 10 years ago on Valentines Day, Jared flew down to Arizona and we began the weekend that got us engaged. If we really want to get down to business, Jared and I started dating in highschool on Valentines Day---15 years ago. I dated some great people for a few years in there but everyone was always compared to Jared. My dear friend Kirsten used to tell me in college at Western- when we would go on long walks and share our boy troubles-, "Kim, Jared will always be the guy". There you have it, he was and he is. So we have some big news! Probably only big to us but you are still reading, I can't leave it hanging now. We are NOT having any more babies but we ARE going to Mexico City and Veracruz in September! Our first mega trip since our honeymoon. I am getting more excited everyday and the excitement is causing a slight bit of sleep deprivation. It's Allgood ;-). These have been the best ten years of my life. I can't wait for the next 10-20-30-40-50 more.

Now for a week of local restaurants....

Sunday-
Carrabas- Best Italian food in Utah in my opinion. Try to convince me otherwise! The marsalas are really great but Jared really likes the seafood pescatore and salmon. You'll be dropping about 15-20$/ entree and you have to be sure and get dessert- Chocolate Dream- it's a dream come true. (We don't do out on Sundays but I wanted you to have all the days of the week covered!)
Monday-
The Red Iguana- The menu is extensive but they are famous for their mole (mole-ay). Try something different because you probably won't be disappointed! 12-18$/entree
Tuesday-
Cedars of Lebanon- Fantastic Lebanese food! They also make homeade fresh chocolate mousse. Normally, I wouldn't drive an hour for mousse but I do for this mousse. 15-20$/entree
Wednesday-
Santa Monica Grill in Highland- Get one of their calzones to share. Yum! 10-12$/entree
Thursday-
Another favorite Mexican restaurant- El Mexiquense in American Fork, UT. It is the most authentic restaurant in Northern Utah County and maybe even all of Utah. You'll like it. 6-10$/entree
Friday-
Z Tejas because of their Grilled Shrimp Tostada Bites appetizer- OR you can find the recipe HERE. Normally I wouldn't suggest a restaurant based on only an appetizer but I am for that appetizer. We love it! 12-18$/entree
Saturday-
The Tree Room up at Sundance. Oh my goodness, best steak I have ever had. Mighty pricey but wow. If you have a company expense account or a rich uncle, go there! 30-40$/entree

and, a new haircut.
Photos and recipes of valentines dinner, coming soon!

So over 2010- new focus for blog

So 2010 came and went, like a really fast thing. Like a puma (see Napoleon Dynamite). I am finding a lack of focus for the blog equals a lack of desire to blog. I am feeling a little "Seriouslysoblessed-ish" and while it is a lovely feeling, it isn't for the massive viva following I have obtained over the years. New blog focus: "A Week Of..." Some weeks, it will be "A week of Crafts for kids". Other weeks, we will have, "A week of healthy meals" or "A week of desserts" or "A week of documentaries". Hopefully through the weeks, you will find some useful info and wicked humor.

This week we celebrate
"A WEEK OF DOCUMENTARIES"- I am borderline crazy when it comes to documentaries. I get obsessed with the messages about corporate fraud, government conspiracy, food, fat, war, credit cards, marathons, and I eat it up. I am the target audience for ANY documentary about ANYTHING. So, my reviews may not be particularly helpful because I find them all entertaining but here goes. Kicking off "A WEEK OF DOCUMENTARIES".

Monday- A favorite of mine: Food, Inc.
You must watch this if you never want to go into a normal grocery store again. It is amazing how much the government has gotten involved in what we eat. It is financially impossible for me at the moment to buy entirely organic but the minute we get a big raise or sell our business for millions or billions, Whole Foods will be my only grocer.

Tuesday- Sicko
I am sure most of you have heard of this. Injustice after injustice committed against folks that can't take the hit. It idealizes France and Canada kind of a lot but when you watch this next Tuesday, let me know what your ideas are for healing the healthcare system.

Wednesday- King Corn
All about our reliance on corn in America and how it is in EVERYTHING and how most of the corn that is planted in America today is corn that is actually not edible. Yikes.

Thursday- Food Matters
This is about how raw foods can heal what ails you. People share their stories about how they have been healed of cancer through the consumption of raw foods. It is pretty remarkable and if I ever get cancer, I will be a surviving raw foodie.

Friday- The Spirit of the Marathon
Alright, this is a good one to watch without anyone else around. I loved this show- it follows people as they train for the Chicago Marathon. I laced up my running shoes and ran in place the entire show and as I did so, tears streamed down my face as the Olympian crossed the finish line after having in injury during her training. It was very powerful and done very well. It will make you want to run a marathon. Atleast for a few days.

Saturday- The Future of Food
I know, there is a theme to my documentary love: food conspiracies. Also a good one.

Finally, for sabbath viewing- Stealing a Nation
About the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. It used to be a peaceful, beautiful group of islands, now housing an American military base. The citizens of these coral islands, were peaceful and benign mostly Creole. They were brutally expelled from their homes so that America could build their base and police the world. Warning: It may provoke a personal desire to move to Switzerland.

Most of these can be found on Hulu, Netflix or Veoh. Happy Viewing!

A few loose ends before closing for the rest of the week...

We had a ladies day out when we were up in Washington for Christmas. Aunt Kate, G-ma, Future Aunt Dea, Great Aunt Ali, and me and my girls went to the Pacific Northwest Ballet performance of, "The Nutcracker". It was very exciting (minus Rebecca's emotional and loud outburst)

Peter found some food in the garbage to eat because apparently he is wasting away!

One more thing...

More Ten!

Ten for today.

1. I am thankful for my Mom everyday but especially today because it is her BIRTHDAY! Happy 6-0! (Don't kill me)
2. bountifulbaskets.org (produce co-op- it's so fun!)
3. Good sandwiches, such as: California Grilled Veggie Sandwich (click on link and be sure to add portabello mushrooms!)
4. Peapod still takes 2 naps
5. Fun crafts
6. Pushups, because they are the one exercise I can do well and I don't mind doing them
7. Arizona winters- enjoying one in a couple of days!
8. wikipedia.org
9. Lame romantic comedies on Netflix- for those nights when Jared is away
10. Dishes that are DONE!

Where we been at.

Going backwards with the photo documentation because it is the order they were downloaded and I don't feel like changing it. Starting with October!Finishing up walking through the corn field. It was supposed to be a maze but it wasn't even close.
FINALLY, they picked their pumpkins. I love the pumpking patch.

Went to the canyon to take pictures of los kiddos and every time leaves were thrown up in the air, Peapod made some version of this face.
Tibble Fork Reservoir on an insanely gorgeous October day.
I love this photo of Rebs.
Pedro making, "leaf face".
It's raining leaves!
I know, right?!

First day of school!

Oh my goodness.

While Jared and I were at trek, my sister, my mom and niece and nephew came to babysit our kids. After the ladies all went home to Arizona, my nephew stayed to play for a couple more weeks. I hope we get to do it again with him! Rayz, we love you! Here is us after the hike up to the caves, inside the caves. Rebs peed her pants so she made the journey in a diaper. Memories.

MJ's strawberries and cream birthday cake

Photo day when my mom and sister were in town.

All the grandkids- La'Ray and Brooklyn, we love you so much and can't wait to see you again soon! Like, in a week!!

Here are the ten (since I have missed months of ten, I will attempt to make up for it)
1. The Hunger Games, Book 3
2. I haven't ever really thought about Pumpkin Bread one way or the other. Well, I think about it now, thanks to this recipe.
3. The Dixie Chicks (the older stuff- classic)
4. Actual classical music
5. When husband picks up takeout!
6. Watching 24
7. When my kids dance together in the family room and I get to join in but don't have to feel like an idiot (like I do when I dance by myself).
8. Making Halloween costume for MJ because I can sew! (it was my first time without help)
9. My Nephew, La'Ray

10. Road trippin' to the 480 in a week!

*We are saving the Halloween costumes for next post- my 60 minutes is up.

Overwhelmingly behind, but I don't feel guilty.

I have been meaning to do this for a while now but just can't find the time. I am not sure I can right now but I will get started anyway. Jared and I were asked to go on Trek. Trek is something that our stake (our local congregations for church combine to make a stake) puts on every 4 years for the youth (12-18 year olds). We were asked to be a Ma and Pa for the event. It is a 3 day, 2 night experience where we were organized into families, we pushed a handcart, slept in tents, hiked a bunch and had an extremely enriching experience. Here are some of our photos...

Here is the Allgood family. Looking glam for 5am.
Here with our handcart, just starting out.
Glad I only have one boy in real life- these guys were precious but I am still grateful.
Here we are in our pioneer glory. I'll have you know I made that bonnet!

The fireside- the first evening. Freezing cold and bug infested!
Our kiddos provided some entertainment at the fireside.

Good morning, day 3 with no shower!

I couldn't pass this super photo-op up.
Here is our Utah extended family. We love you Poyfairs!
No Pioneer Trek would be complete without Ma and daughter doing sky jump showing off our killer pioneer clothes.
up a hill.
This is the Sweetwater Crossing memorial. When the Pioneers were crossing the plains, a storm came through at this point. Young men saved the lives of hundreds of elderly, women, and children while giving up their own.
The Women's Pull- this is where (in actual Pioneer times) the men were called away to war and the women had to pull the handcarts on their own. Reenacting this was a very powerful experience.
The men of the family.
Here is the whole group (well all that would fit in my lens)
Ma and Pa singing Ipod karaoke on the bus. Everyone should have this experience.
Well that is it for now. I am going to try and catch up over the next couple of weeks.

Here are my ten-
1. Apple Pear Blueberry Crisp (recipe on post below)
2. The Pioneer Trek
3. Pedro, who is STILL not walking and I love it!
4. MJ who is growing up in a really good way.
5. Dee who is shy but incredibly confident so I don't feel bad saying she is shy.
6. Rebs who has learned her letters and sounds!
7. When chaos somehow gets made peaceful with classical music.
8. A clean bedroom.
9. Neighbors who are really great to me.
10. People you can really get into with over politics and everyone comes away feeling edified and happy.

Winter Dessert

Well, I got sick and lost a couple of pounds and I thought how great it was to be able to start the holiday season off to a decent start. However, I made this Apple Pear Blackberry crisp and well it is perfect for a cold snowy day. I want to make one again right now. You will not be disappointed! fyi: the top crisp layer may not seem like a traditional crisp but it is um, amazing. And it has fruit, so it's healthy. ;-)

• 2 pounds pears (4 pears)
• 2 pounds apples (5 apples)
• 1-1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blackberries
  
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 
  

For the topping:

nocoupons

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Peel, core, and cut the pears and apples into large chunks. Place the fruit in a large bowl and add the zests, juices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch oval baking dish

For the topping:

Combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, until the mixture is in large crumbles. Sprinkle evenly over the fruit, covering the fruit completely.

Place the baking dish on a sheet pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is brown and the fruit is bubbly. Serve warm.