What you do when you are bored.

Wes has been home all week because of some dumb kid at school...but you can read about that somewhere else (hmmmm, I wonder where? what a shameless plug for my blog ). Here is an example of how creative you can become when you are bored. (I've spent a lot of time on the internet...he was much more constructive.) 

Introducing Wes' Neighborhood for Geckos!

Does your Gecko NEED a new neighborhood? Is the old neighborhood becoming seedy and rundown?Let Wes design and build a new one for you.

Lovely swimming pool is close by the homes...(homes are the red cups)

The Gecko Mart is mere steps away!

Every neighborhood needs a lookout. (Reminds me of "The Truman Show")

Even Geckos can't resist a bargain. (Yeah, that's 2 geckos. They do everything together.)

Leave a comment and Wes will get in touch with you about your specific needs. Be patient, he's in high demand right now. Must be the stimulus package; we're all feeling a bit more confident. not.

PoPcOrN

This is a family favorite recipe; favored mostly by Kristen, Jessie, and Mom. 

 

Introducing a whole new revolution:

Air-popped Popcorn!

Basic ingredients:

Popcorn

Butter

Salt

PoPpItY pOP pOp!!!

Tossing the melted butter and salt together

ENJOY!

Too much enjoyment, perhaps?

Not possible.

Move over Microwave Popcorn...Blech!

Spring has Sorta Sprung

These pictures are from last Sunday afternoon. The weather was the weird combination of warm/cold that is Utah in the spring. So while Jessie and Wes are basking in the sun, they are wrapping themselves in blankets at times. It was a really lovely day.

Serious Air. Nice Pants.

Poetry in motion. My favorite part is the black Sunday socks.

The signature Buckner children thumbs up pose.

HAPPY SPRING!

jake is special

If you noticed the last two posts featured the 2 daughters of the family and a unique talent they possess. 

Well...
If you ask Jake if there is anything unusual or unique about him that perhaps no one knows, he draws a blank. Especially if you are trying to get this information from him in a devious manner while texting:

"jake tell me something odd about you"

"huh?"

"just do what I said"

"why?"

"just do it"

"what are you talking about?"

"something that makes you special"

 (Not that I don't think that Jake is special; of course I do. But I am communicating in text and I am trying to be efficient in my wordage.)

"but why?"

At this point I am done with the texting. Apparently communicating such a request is too difficult for someone with my insufficient texting ability. So I try regular phone talk and end up with pretty much the same results. 

"But, WHY?"

This Jake, is WHY.  Although I can think of a thousand unique and wonderful things about you, (which I am sure I will write about at some point), I choose to take you at your word and tell the world just what it is that you think makes you special. 

Jake does not like fried chicken or orange soda. 

After some discussion amongst our family we discovered this: Wes is the only one who actually does like fried chicken or orange soda. I am confident he will grow out of such nonsense. And Jake, next time you had better take me srsly when I text 2 U.  ;)

Jessie=Dance

That is what it was. Jessie+hours of hard work=Dance. She started down the typical dance path at age 3 with the normal jazz/tap/ballet combo. She loved it from the start. She danced for 14 years; the last few years her life were almost entirely comprised of dance, mostly ballet, nearly every day of the week. And this was almost entirely what Jessie wanted. Over the years, I had many moms ask me how I made Jessie to go dance class. I never did have to make her go to dance though; she just loved it and worked tremendously hard at it. Over the years it was a joy to watch her progress and to watch her dance. Although this may seem odd, among my fondest memories of those many years of dance was driving her to lessons, most especially over the last few years. 

There comes a point when a person has to make the choice and you ask yourself: is your passion still your passion? Is this going to be your passion for the rest of your life? Jessie gave up a lot of things for dance and there is life to be had outside of it. And while dance itself may be beautiful, behind the scenes it is less so. And after so many years of intense work you can simply burn out. Last summer she made the hardest decision she has had to make. After a lot of tears and discussion, she realized that she wanted to live a "normal" teenage life and explore the other areas of talents she possesses. And although it has been very difficult for her, (and me), I know she made the right decision. It's been just as enjoyable to see her live a "normal" life.  

These pictures are from the Grand Prix Competition in February 2008. Above is from her Contemporary Piece; the bottom her Ballet Variation. 

I think she is beautiful. Inside and Out.

Free Food

This time I am so going to write about my most smartest child, Kristen. Sorry other children, but as far as I know, none of you have thus far achieved such brilliancy. 

Kristen knows where to get free food. Not the kind of food you get from "borrowing" from your roommates.  Or from patting your pockets thereby signaling that you have "forgotten" your wallet and "You'll pay next time" when out to eat. No, Kristen has used her cunning and strategic abilities so wisely that she makes getting free food an almost guiltless endeavor. 

She goes to the Episcopalian church in Cedar City where every Thursday night they serve FREE food to ANYONE. Her favorites are Mac & Cheese and French Fries. She is a college student, so she doesn't have real high standards as far as food goes. I almost said she doesn't have high standards without mentioning food, and that would be wrong. Kristen has very high standards and a unique quality not found in many children. Any children. She is frugal and is not picky about her free food. 

yumyum chip dip

A yummy, EASY and FaSt recipe to dip your chips in: 

Dump all of these ingredients together in a bowl and stir it up. 

1 Can Black Beans (rinse and drain them; I don't care what they say, they are best that way.)

1 Can Petite Diced Tomatos

1 Can Corn (I use frozen corn, cause I hate canned corn)

cilantro, chopped. (I hate cilantro, so I don't use it)

1 Cup Italian Salad Dressing (use fat-free, then you can eat more)

YUM YUM. This is not my recipe; it is from Good Things Utah, who got it from I don't remember. But it is too good and too easy to not pass along.

Enjoy!!

Making Sushi

Jessie had a Mutual Activity where she learned to make Sushi. After that she was determined that she was going to make it at home. I say, if anybody wants to volunteer to cook in my house, go for it. Sushi making ingredients are apparently too exotic for our local markets so she had to do some shopping around to get everything she needed.  

Here are some pictures of the

occasion. I had them all uploaded and realized the one where she is seeding the cucumber is sideways, so turn your head to look at that one. Like I needed to tell you that. She did an absolutely fabulous job. I quit putting that much effort into cooking a long time ago. The sushi was incredibly tasty, and even Wes gave it a chance. He only ate one bite, but at least he tried.  
He really has no 

idea of the yummy food he misses out on .

I haven't mastered this whole bloggee thing and the art of arranging the pictures cleverly; but I think you get the gist of it. Pictures of Wes just disappeared and these pic's are out of order. arghhh

I can't wait for the next recipe night at Mutual. 

Video Of Harvard Panel

If you get a chance (and do make yourself get a chance); check out the article on:

mormontimes.com

"Video of Harvard Panel Discussion Thriving" -Steve Fidel

March 1, 2009

There is a link in the story to the video of Rachel Esplin, who is a student at Harvard...You'll get what I mean once you get to the story. 

Sorry, I'm no good at the whole link direct thing. I can't even say it in a sentence.