Fire ... Not

So my new responsibility (calling) at church is the "compassionate service leader". Really what this should be called is the event planner/phone caller. My basic responsibilities include arranging for meals/home support for families or individuals with special needs like after a surgery or a baby birth. I also arrange luncheons for families following a funeral. There's a lot more that my calling could be, but that is the starting point.

So this last weekend was my first funeral - well second, but the first was pretty much taken care of for me. I spent the week on the phone and running errands and trying to line things up perfectly for a smooth, lovely family luncheon following the funeral services.

On Saturday morning, I met a couple other members of my ward at the church building in Martinez to set up tables/tablecloths/centerpieces and deliver supplies to the kitchen for the crew who would be serving up the luncheon. We had CLEAR orders to be finished with set-up by 9:30am as the family would start arriving at that point for the viewing that would begin at 10am. So we did it! Finished exactly at 9:30am.

Then I took my two tag-a-long kids to the bathroom.

Then Ben pulled the fire alarm.


With NO idea how to turn the thing off, I paced in a panic, hoping the fire department would come and turn it off. The Bishop who was there to oversee the services was not familiar with this building, and so he began searching every nook and cranny of the building for the "panel." I had no idea what he was talking about so I basically just paced with my heart racing out of my chest.

The family began arriving and I calmly explained the problem and apologized my brains out. I called the fire department - they claimed to have no idea how to turn it off. The hearse arrived and they rolled Kathy in with the fire alarms blaring. I was horrified.

And Ben sat happily in the van, drawing maps on his magna-doodle. He had no idea of the contextual dilemma here.

So anyways, long story almost over, the Bishop found the panel and the necessary tool for turning off the fire alarm. At about 5 minutes to 10am, the alarm stopped ... but my heart didn't. I think it took a full two hours for my anxiety to return to a level state.

The good news is the rest of the funeral services and luncheon proceeded beautifully. And now I know what to do the next time someone pulls a fire alarm.

A Favorite Vegetarian Recipe

If you want to try something yummily vegetarian, try this favorite. It's from Moosewood Cookbook, and it's kind of a wintery recipe but who cares, it's yummy all the time. I usually buy premade pie crusts (in a two-pack) to make it even easier and then I double the recipe and freeze one pie or give one to a friend. Who knows, maybe your kids will eat it because it's a pie!

Old Country Pie

serves 4

1 unbaked 9- or 10-inch pie crust
1 Tbsp. butter or oil
1 1/2 cups minced onion
1 tsp. caraway seeds
1 tsp. salt
1/2 lb. mushroom, chopped or sliced
1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage
1 medium stalk broccoli, chopped
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
2 tsp. dill
lots of black pepper
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup cottage cheese (lowfat ok)
2 eggs
2 medium scallions, finely minced
optional: 3/4 cup sour cream or yogurt; paprika

1) Prepare pie crust. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Melt butter (or heat oil) in a medium-sized skillet. Add onion, caraway, and salt, and saute over medium heat until the onions begin to brown (10 to 15 minutes).

3) Add mushrooms, cabbage, broccoli, carrot, and dill, and saute until everything is just tender- about 8 more minutes.

4) Stir in black pepper, garlic, and flour, and cook, stirring, for just a few minutes more. Remove from heat.

5) Beat together cottage cheese and eggs. Add this to the saute along with the scallions and mix well.

6) Spread into the unbaked crust and, if desired, top with a layer of sour cream or yogurt. Sprinkle with paprika, and bake for 40 minutes or until set. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

SNOW

The last weekend of January was snow weekend for the Smiths and friends. With the Michaelsen family, we rented a cabin for a couple of nights and enjoyed some SNOW! We went to a new location - up the highway above Sonora - and will definitely go back there!

Here's Ethan and Eliza, happy to have arrived! Mom and Dad were happy too because the kids were VERY naughty on the ride up ... until we finally turned on the dvd player, of course. Why don't we just do that from the very beginning of the trip???


Snowball fight. Ethan was a little too persistent with his snowball throwing, as any 9 year old boy might be ...


Ben was very proud to have dug out the propane tank.


Though we spent some time driving through the beautiful winter-y canyon looking for a great sledding/snowplay spot, it turns out the best spot was in our own backyard. This little sled run was just right for our group of kids.





We did find an ice skating rink just down the highway. As usual, Ethan clung to the wall like he'd die if he let go. Eliza happily tried whatever, but mostly liked holding mom or dad's hand(s). Ben was the bravest, skating out to the middle independently.





So that's about it. I know, not very exciting, witty or entertaining for you readers, but I've officially documented the trip now for our family. I do wish we could fit in more than one snow weekend a year, but time just flies and life is just too busy. For now, bring on SPRING!