Zucchini Galore

I'm sure you'll all be able to relate to the too many zucchini thing.  This year we are no different, as you can see...

I've decided that one family needs only one plant. Or maybe one neighborhood needs only one plant?  I'm amazed by their colossal size.  We found a few yummy recipes.  This one is a hit with Ben and me (from my mom's old Mormon Country Cooking)...

...though the kids prefer things like chocolate zucchini cake or double chocolate zucchini bread from Lion House. Oh, and my friend said she liked Zucchini Chili Nachos. I'm sure there are an endless amount of recipes.  I would LOVE your comments and you can share your favorite way to use zucchini!

Raspberries Galore

When we bought this house we knew we'd also be getting big raspberry patches.  Little did we know how many raspberries could come out of them.

This week, so far, I've picked enough to make 8 batches of raspberry jam (freezer and boiled). That doesn't include those harvested by two sets of neighbors before that.

I got the frozen raspberry jam recipe from my wise neighbor:

• To 5 c. crushed raspberries add 1 box of MPC pectin and let sit for 20 minutes.
• Stir 3 1/2 c. sugar plus 1/2 c. corn syrup into berries and cook until "blood" or "bottle" warm. (Just to dissolve sugar. DO NOT BOIL.)
• Pour into freezer-worthy containers.

The raspberry jam recipe comes from my mom:

• To 6 c. crushed raspberries plus 2 c. crushed blackberries (or more raspberries) stir in 1 box MPC pectin and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Measure 8 c. sugar in a separate bowl (later you will need to add it all at the same time).
• Bring mixture to a boil stirring continuously.
• Add all of the sugar while stirring, to avoiding clumps, and return to a rolling boil.
• Turn down temperature to maintain a good simmer (I learned the hard way that if it is not rolling then the jam doesn't get cooked good enough).
• Boil for 8 minutes.
• Test jam by putting some on a cold dish; if it "sets up" then it is done.
• Pour into clean jars, wipe jar rims, top with heated canning lids, screw on band hand-tight and turn jars upside down. Leave for ten minutes, then right the jars and let stand. You will hear the lids begin to pop/seal.  (Note: because I don't bathe the jars the jam may not last as long on the shelf, but at my house it never lasts long enough to worry!)

This morning I used the rest of the leftover raspberries in raspberry-blueberry muffins. They turned out fabulous. A good way to spoil the family after all the hard work put into making the jam!

thursday thoughts

It seems the Pack family has been adjusting well to Blackfoot, Idaho.

Hyrum "loves doing his homework as long as he gets Mommy to bribe him. When he's behind a week the big kahuna-bribe has to come out--extra time on Mommy's iPad! (Can't really take a photo of him playing on my iPad, but you get the picture.)

Ally made me promise not to post this one, but it is so Ally! She must be feeling comfortable to come out with her creative drawings like this one.

And Benji, what more can I say! (He loves playing Monopoly. He got Monopoly Deal for his Christmas present and loves it too.)

Daddy captured the essence of our holidays with this picture. We have become TV-holics where Psych, Once Upon a Time, Studio C or Sue Thomas FB-eye are involved. Before you get hot and bothered let me just tell you that the cold here will drive you to do things like this. ;)

I must say that this was another vision of our holidays as well. See, the TV didn't swallow us up entirely....

We've loved having so much time together as a family, even on a day to day basis. We appreciate Ben's sacrifice and love the blessings that have come with having each other through this change. We miss our friends and family but have so enjoyed not being "distracted" by an overly busy, friendly schedule.

Here's to many more family days!

thursday thoughts: A Month in Review

Just over a month ago I was privileged to attend a celebration of the life of my friend's mother (who has battled brain tumors for nine years).  She is a beautiful woman.  Her smile and hugs are an indelible part of my memory. Thanks, Teri, for sharing her and being my friend all these years.  

(Photo by Trent Nelson)

After spending a cozy night at my brother's house I enjoyed freezing my tail off at a BYU football game the next day.  I treated myself to a hot dog and extra long maple bar, hoping to warm up a bit. The Cougar Tail (no pun intended) may not have warmed me up but it took my mind off the cold for a while. Yummm! (No comment, Clark--who witnessed me tear the bag apart and lick the frosting.) I had the best chauffeurs too.  It just so happened that my Blackfoot neighbors were going down to attend the same game.  They managed to get me to and from Utah in one piece.  

Then, Sunday we had our first visitors.  Our Orem neighbors, the Goates, stopped by on their way to and from Yellowstone National Park. (There is an open invitation to all who might have the same inclinations...good food and comfortable sleeping arrangements...and most importantly, good company!)  It was good to see them and catch up on the latest in our old stomping grounds.

It didn't take long for the snows to come.  Hyrum takes advantage of it no matter how deep.

Our next big event was a Czech meal at Ben's missionary trainer's house--the McCalls.  His wife is Czech chef extraordinaire.  She asked me ahead of time to find out what we'd like to eat.  I just happened to tell her my all time favorite, albeit one of the most difficult dishes to make.  The picture above doesn't capture how amazing it actually was to the taste buds.  It's svickova na smetane--roast beef, dumplings with vegetable cream sauce, topped with cranberry sauce.  I think I may have to adopt this for future Thanksgivings it's that GOOD!  (I'm hoping to post a link to her recipe blog soon.)

Here is Ben with Walter McCall, both obviously full from dinner. Oh, and I didn't mention that after filling up on dinner Marketa served up ovocne knedliky (fruit dumplings) for dessert.  Let me just say that I was sick with pleasure.  (Fruit dumplings satisfy as a meal all by themselves, so you can imagine how full we were.  Don't hesitate to request this Czech dessert during your stay here at the Pack Motel.)

wednesday whimsy: Welcoming Back the Packs and Autumn

"Welcome BackPacks!"  Hee, hee! So fitting for our name.  And yes we are back in Idaho, in case you haven't heard. 

 If you wondered if Idaho was advanced enough to have a corn maze, well they are and they do--the Wild Adventure Corn Maze...it's even in Blackfoot!

Here are the before and after shots of the kids painting their pumpkins: 

Don't mistake the arms for a moustache.

 WELCOME TO AUTUMN! 

I thought I would also include the letter my oldest three kids recently wrote to their Grandma:

Yes our house is big enough.  I like having my own room.
I like school because I have a nice teacher.  I have eight new friends.  One lives down the street from me.  One I played with the first time we lived in Blackfoot, but we didn't know until she came to my birthday party.
I like the swing the best.  Yeah sure, you can come see us!  ~Kayla

Our house is too big, I hate doing chores round here.  I love the swings though, and I enjoy having a horse behind our back yard.  School isn't wonderful, but what can one expect?  It's SCHOOL!! :)  I have some friends, but I still miss Orem.  I also get to take Ballet, and it's fine, but it has been a while, so my skills are a bit rusty.  Come and see us when ever you want.  ~Ally

huge enough that no one can find you even if your in the room next to it. great for reading. out side is fine the swings are great. tramp should go in the ground though. seminary and school are fine the seminary is my fav. a couple friends. we did a mountain man rondevous. with weapons it was fine we also won archery. sure come up that would be great bye.  ~Benji

sunday summary: UnPACKing and Kayla's 11th Birthday

We have a great backyard...the swing stands over ten feet high.  The kids love to play helicopter by winding their two, and even three, swings together. 

 Luckily the kids could play outside while I unpacked.  (Unfortunately they packed by the size of the book so we had to reorganize every book in Ben's study.)

 Ben and I couldn't stay away from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert (even though we had to pay to get in this time).  No matter where I go, the choir makes me feel like I'm home.

 This is my good Orem neighbor, Rob Rowberry, who sings in the choir with his wife, and through his generosity provided tickets for us to go to the concerts in Salt Lake.  I'll miss going so often.  Even more, I'll miss the opportunity to sing with them.

 Kayla turned 11!  She got the chance to eat our traditional birthday breakfast in her new bedroom.  Daddy made her favorite, German Pancakes! It's not often that they get their favorite when I'm awake (especially since I'm not a morning person).

I've been impressed how quickly the kids have been able to make friends. Here are the friends Kayla invited to her party. 

 Kayla has become our cookie baker. She is very thorough and likes to ensure that she doesn't miss any of the ingredients.  My favorite is getting to snack on the cookies as we bake together.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAYLA!!!

The End of one Chapter and The Beginning of a new Chapter

Before leaving Orem I finished performing in the Scera Shell play--Fiddler on the Roof. (Thanks to the support of my family and friends.) It was fun to be on the stage again (reminiscent of 22 years ago doing Oklahoma).  I performed with the same director, Jerry Elison, who has been with the Scera 27 years.  

It was a beautiful production.  I love it's message of courageous living even through the worst of times, knowing that God's in charge and will never forsake those that choose to follow him.  It really was a dream come true!

We said our goodbyes to our friends and family.  We will miss everyone!

 (Luckily Ally was able to cram in a birthday celebration.)

We took a slight detour to Southern Utah for some R&R and to spend time with Grandpa Moss and Grandma Judy.

On the way home we stopped in Brigham City to see the temple open house, a quaint but magnificent structure.

This is our new abode--home sweet home.  So far it's exceeded our expectations.  The kids spent the first week "card" boarding down our staircase.  The last week or so they have turned our swings into a carnival ride.

Hyrum hit a new milestone in all the chaos.  He's going to Kindergarten.  He even gets to ride the bus. (He turned 5 at the beginning of August.)

Thanks for visiting our blog!  We hope you visit often to keep in touch.