One Word

rULeS: aNsWeR tHe quEstIonS wItH OnE wOrD oNLy!!

Where is your cell phone? purse
Where is your significant other? preparing
Your hair color? honey
Your favorite thing? music
Your dream last night? forgettable
Your life dream/goal? family
The room you're in? cubicle
Your hobby? performing
Your fear? meaningless
Where do you want to be in 6 years? playing
Where were you last night? home
What you're not? bored
One of your wish list items? organized
Where you grew up? theatre
The last thing you did? work
What you are wearing? sweater
Your TV? companion
Your pet? nonexistent
Your computer? necessary
Your mood? nonchalant
Missing someone? often
Something you're NOT wearing? shoes
Favorite store? book
Your summer? delightful
Love someone? absolutely
Your fave color? jewels
When is the last time you laughed? Christmas
When is the last time you cried? today
Your significant other's hair: erm...
Your life in one word: surprising

Now it's your turn!

Hello? (Echo)

Um, I realize it's the day after Christmas, and there is a crazy load of snow in the valley, but last I heard today is still a workday for my company. So, how is it that it's 10 a.m. and I'm the only one here? No e-mails, no voicemails.

Boy, do I feel like a chump.

Oh, well. As long as I'm here, I might as well get some work done.

Cue the loud music.... bwahahahaha!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve is a much-anticipated event for the Smyth clan, mostly because we love celebrating with the Craven clan -- my mother's brother's family. My Aunt Elaine prepares clam chowder, salad, homemade bread and plenty of candy, we act out the Nativity story (never mind that all the kids are now in their 20s and 30s -- we still dress up!), we have a little talent show, and then us "kids" watch t.v. Christmas specials while the parents of kids do... actually, I don't know what they do. Chat? Maybe I'll ask this year.

Our two favorite programs are "Garfield's Christmas Special" and "Wil Vinton's Claymation Christmas Special." They are funny! And since we've been watching them for 20-plus years, we often quote the best lines right along with the animated characters. I'm looking forward to it!

Claymation We Three Kings

The California Raisins sing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

I hope that you enjoy the holidays and are surrounded by loved ones. I am very thankful for the Savior that we celebrate on this holy night, for His teachings and His Atonement, and that because of Him I can be sealed to my darling family for eternity.

Happy Christmas!

Singles' Ward Primary Program

On Sunday as I perused my neighbor's program during Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, I noticed something you don't normally see in a Singles' Ward: an announcement that the Primary would be performing their Christmas Program. Now, there are a few people in the ward who do have kids, but they're pretty small, and we don't have enough for a Primary. Heck, I've never been in a Singles' ward that did have a Primary. So, I double-checked the program, and sure enough, it was for my ward. Hmmm.

Brother Cameron from the Bishopric announced that the 12th Ward's Primary was visiting to perform for us. Then a single little girl walked up to the podium, said she was going to play "Canon in D" and "Away in a Manger" on the piano, and wished us a Merry Christmas. She couldn't have been older than 8, but her playing was phenomenal. We in the audience were all a little confused -- this one girl was the Primary? -- but when she finished, another lady got up and started playing an interlude while 16 more kids, still dressed in their Sunday best at 3:15, ranging from probably four to eleven years of age, walked up to the podium. It was pretty much the cutest thing ever. They sang three songs, and as I looked into the audience, I saw that everyone's eyes were riveted to those children. They sang very well and it was such a welcome change!

As soon as the children finished and left, Brother Cameron stood up again and said, "That's what you have to look forward to." We all cracked up and he added, "How's that for a marketing event?" Oh, how I loved that remark! This Bishopric is really good at encouraging marriage without making us all feel guilty for being unmarried in a church that stresses the importance of family. I'll admit, it was true. Even though I didn't know any of those kids, I felt the spirit as they sang, marveled at their attentiveness and dedication, and hoped one day I'd get to be one of those proud/embarrassed parents watching to see what my own kids will do on stage!

To finish the meeting, a young man in our ward sang "O, Holy Night" and then the Stake President gave a Christmas message. I've mentioned before I've needed more "Christ" this Christmas season, and I'm grateful that's what we focused on Sunday. It was a great meeting.

Let's Go -- GNO!

Closing night was awesome because SO MANY of my friends were there! It was the only night I was nervous, isn't that weird? I just wanted them to have fun and to think I was great and I wanted it to be a really good closing performance. It went well, and all of the other cast members were totally jealous that I had my own fan club! What a way to end the run!

With Tiffanie and Z

Back row: Tiffanie, Sarah, Emily H, Debbie, Candice, and Stephanie J
Front row: Rachael, Olivia, Emily B, me, and Mandee

After the show, these lovely ladies waited for me in the lobby while I changed -- man, that costume took forever to take on and off -- and turned in my skirt and vest and zils. Thirty seconds later I realized I should have kept the zils so my friends could play with them, and then I thought, "Hey! I could make my own!" I said good-bye to my castmates. I would have been sadder about it if I hadn't known I'd see a bunch of them on Monday for the other cast's closing night and at the cast party in January.

Turns out, the ladies had met at Rachael's house and carpooled to the theatre. The plan was to go back to Rach's and hang out, so I got to drive Rach and Sarah over. Laren met us there and we talked and laughed and ate Reeses peanut butter cups, chinese pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, and clementines, and drank fizzy fruit juice and V8 Splash. I adore these women! We totally talked until after midnight and I had a great time. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am that they all came to the play, and that we got to hang out together afterwards. My friends are awesome and I don't get to see them enough! Thank you Rachael for organizing the whole thing, and thanks everyone for being there! You have no idea how much I needed that Girls' Night. You are the best.

No Longer 12 Days to Christmas

But I still think this clip deserves a gander:

The Monday Cast

Since neither my double nor I had any conflicts during the run of the show, we decided to pick a random day to switch casts. We both wanted to perform with the others -- we made friends in both casts, and each one has such a different dynamic. It's really fun!

Well, we picked Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th to switch. As I drove to the theatre on Monday, I was kind of nervous! It occurred me that most of the people I was close to in the show are in my cast. Of course, as soon as I walked in everyone was completely welcoming. They were all excited to see me there, and to see how the show would be different. I imposed my preferences on them -- my Vadoma is a lot more huggy than Skye's -- and they imposed their charm and talent on me. I hung out backstage with Shauna, Nate, Stormy, and Tara for the most part.

Tara, Shauna, Stormy, and me

The show went by too quickly, and before I knew it, it was over! I was rather bummed that I wouldn't get to perform with them again. At least, not all together like that. Sami, the Monday cast's Allan, gave me a hug and said it had been a pleasure. It was just one of many well-wishes, but I felt so loved and appreciated. To think I'd been nervous!

Well, Wednesday night I had just sat down to dinner at Rodizio Grill for my office party, and I happened to check my phone and found a message. It was Skye. She was having car problems and wasn't sure if her parents would let her borrow their car. She asked if I could do the show. Did I mention it was 6:20 when I saw that message? I kind of flipped out. Not only did I not want to ditch the party, a free meal, my friends at work, and the chance to make my boss look good in front of her boss, but I was not at all sure that I could drive home to pick up my show stuff and get to the theatre in Magna in time for the performance. If I wasn't in the first act it wouldn't have been a problem, but I'm the second character onstage and the first to open her mouth! I told Skye I couldn't do it. I felt guilty, but I knew if I'd tried to make it I would have been stressed, the performance would not have been good, and I would have resented Skye for making me miss my party. I called Skye later that night, and she said she'd been able to borrow her step-dad's car and made it in time. The show was fine, we are still friends, I had a good time at the office party, and all was as it should be. Phew!

So, when at 5:45pm today I saw two messages on my phone -- one from Nolan the director, and one from Skye -- I rolled my eyes. It turned out that not only was the freeway closed up in Lehi where Skye lives, but so was the road that leads to the freeway. Fortunately, all I'd had planned for tonight was Christmas shopping. It was a little hectic driving home from work and then to the theatre. On a good day it would have taken 45 minutes. Because of the snow, it took me and hour and 15 minutes, which was actually about what I expected. I was able to go slow and the roads were not too bad. The funny thing is, at 5pm, a coworker had suggested that if I had the show tonight I should have left then. At the time, the messages were on my machine, but I'd been in a meeting when they called so I had no idea... Oh! The irony!

I arrived at 7pm and discovered I can get ready in 20 minutes -- who knew? It helps that I don't do anything special to my hair. I signed in, did mic check, and saw a whole bunch of people in the cast, so I was quite surprised when Nolan called to see where I was at 7:15. At that point, I was dressed, in make-up, and putting on jewelry in the dressing room. He was in the room just outside and had no idea I was there.

I was thrilled to get to perform with this darling cast again. Such neat people, and I felt like I got to do everything I wanted to. I'm excited to see them perform on Monday -- the show's closing night.

The audiences since Saturday have been awesome! For the first week, we had maybe 80 people in the audience each performance, if we were lucky. Since Saturday, we've had full houses, and they are the kind of audiences that laugh and applaud. If you've ever been in a show, you know that performers feed off of an audience's energy, and if we can tell the audience is having a good time, we can relax and give them an even better show.

Saturday was possibly our best performance so far; we were all focused and everything seemed to go right. We all felt we'd performed a magical show, and then we went outside and it was snowing! It was like the fairy tale we just finished sharing with the audience was just continuing!

However, last night was the funnest show by far. We made all sorts of mistakes and had a few odd problems, but the audience loved us, and we just started goofing off and really having a good time. Not technically our best, but man, we enjoyed being together and appreciated all the whooping from our friends and family! Emily A, Wendi, and Michele S. from work all came. They've been hearing for awhile about how I love to perform, but they had never seen me onstage. I think they were a bit surprised -- they knew I had it in me, but knowing and seeing are two different things -- and I know they had fun. I watched them during the last scene, and they were laughing as hard as anyone (yes, I break the fourth wall all the time. It's a weakness of mine).

Sam, Aubrey, and me

'Twill be fun to perform twice tomorrow. We have a 3pm matinee, and then our closing performance at 7:30pm. It occurs to me that the last time I was double-cast in a show, I ended up doing either 9 or 11 shows in a row. My double got sick. Four shows is nothing. I did that in Birdie and loved every minute of it. I am really excited that a group of my Birdie friends are coming to the show! Nothing better than having some support from people I admire and adore.

And here's a photo of my brother, Aaron, my grandmother, and my mom after the show on Opening Night. You know, that was before the weather suddenly got bitter cold and snowy... Don't we all look fantastic?

Dreams

Tuesday night, I dreamed that I was living in a duplex with my manager, Beth, and fellow co-worker, Wendi. It felt very much like a college-type situation. We were on the last day of our contract, and although we'd still be at school for the semester that started the next day, we had to move out. The problem was, I had absolutely nothing packed, and absolutely had to finish a bunch of work projects that day. If I didn't get my stuff out of the house, my stuff was forfeit, but not finishing work was unthinkable. I woke up feeling completely frustrated and never having reached a conclusion on what to do.

Wednesday night, I dreamed I was on vacation in Hawaii, with my friend Michelle B. I wanted to go out on the gorgeous, stormy beach, but she wouldn't let me. All we did for a week was sit in the beach house on a cliff overlooking that wonderful beach. Then all of a sudden it was time to go home, and I was with Candice and director Steph making our way to the airport via subway tunnels (in the cliff) and fancy elevators. We kept running into detours and burrowing further down and deeper into the mountain. I never did get home before I woke up.

Sometimes my dreams are really wonderful. And then I have nights like those! It's not hard to see where all this is coming from. I am officially 2 days behind in my projects at work, and just found out that I have even more to do before the deadline in four weeks. Thankfully, starting next week I can work until 8pm if I need to. Though the weeks are short, the days will be long. I can do it! I hope.

January 16th. I just have to hold on until January 16th...

A Potter Christmas

Once upon a time, I wrote Harry Potter fanfiction and posted it online. I didn't have the guts to write about Harry and his friends, so I made up stories about his parents and the Weasleys instead. Just for fun, today I want to post one of the Christmas stories. It's a little sentimental, but hopefully y'all don't mind!

A Christmas Post

CRASH!!

The Christmas tree lay in a heap on top of James's lanky frame. Lily nearly choked with laughter as her husband pushed it off and muttered a few choice words.

"It's not funny," he growled.

The redhead grabbed the tall tree and helped James stand it up again. She reached over to comb the stray needles out of James's hair, but he playfully slapped her hand away. "I'm sorry, James." Lily tried to keep her face straight. "But why didn't you just levitate the star up there?"

"Because I put it on myself last year. It's tradition."

"Yes, but last year the tree was about three feet tall."

James smiled that dopey half-grin he knew Lily found irresistible and replied, "I know."

Lily rolled her eyes. "It's your neck, not mine. By the way, weren't Sirius and Remus going to help you with this?"

"Nah, they're coming over later to put up the lights."

"Thank goodness. I really don't want you getting hurt—especially if you insist on not letting me help."

"Why thank you, Mrs. Potter. So what are you giving me for Christmas?" He asked matter-of-factly. He'd been doing it for days. Apparently he figured if he asked often enough, and at odd times during the conversation, Lily would slip up and actually tell him.

"You'll find out next week," was the standard answer.

James put on a pouty face. "Please?"

How could she resist those big hazel eyes? "James, if I give it to you now, what will you open Christmas day?"

"You could rewrap it and I could open it twice!" he replied quickly. "I can pretend to be surprised again. Look!" He gasped dramatically and affected a surprised expression.

Again, Lily rolled her eyes. "Fine. If you're sure…"

The sound of James's joyful "Whoop!" could be heard through the house as Lily ran to fish the gift out of her hiding place.

James tore through the paper like a little boy, but his face dropped as he saw the box.

"An easy-bake oven?" The disappointment in his voice was clear. Then he brightened. "Is this one of those things where you use an old box to throw me off?"

But when he pulled the old, battered toy out of the box, the sadness was back full-force. "Gee, Lily. It's great, thanks."

Lily saw that he was about to cry, and felt terrible. "That's not all, James. Look inside."

Now dubious, the wild-haired boy put his hand in the oven. He looked seriously confused when he found a sticky bun inside. "Erm. It's a bun."

"Yep. In the oven." Lily was bursting with nerves and excitement. She watched his face closely because she never wanted to forget the look on it when James realized what it meant.

"In the—?" His eyes and mouth popped open wider then Lily had ever seen them. He looked into his wife's glowing green eyes, then down at her stomach, then back into her eyes. "You're...?"

Lily nodded.

"Really?"

"Yep."

There was a pause as James continued to look at the freckled woman in front of him.

Then "WAHHHHHHHH-HOOOOOOOO!" He bellowed. He grabbed Lily around the waist and swung her around in a circle. "I'm going to be a fa-ther! I'm going to be a fa-ther!" Suddenly realizing that Lily looked a little green and dizzy, he quickly placed her on the sofa and apologized profusely for the next two minutes. "How—when?"

"Well, the 'how' I think you know," she replied cheekily. "And the when...I think after the Halloween party..."

"Oh yeah." James blushed bright pink. "So when are you... when is he...?"

Lily giggled. "It's a 'he' is it?" James blushed again. "The baby will be here in July."

James crowed again and proceeded to dance about the room by himself, again chanting "I'm going to be a fa-ther!" When he'd gotten it out of his system, he knelt in front of Lily and kissed her softly.

"Thank you, Lily. This is the best Christmas gift ever."

Lily wrapped her arms around the darling man and kissed him back. "It isn't Christmas, yet, James."

"It is to me."

Clarification

I mentioned in a previous post that a child bit me. I should clarify that the little boy didn't mean any harm. He was goofing off and didn't realize that biting me would hurt me. According to his parents, it was the first time he'd ever bitten anyone. The poor kid was very confused and upset about being punished, but his parents made sure he knew biting was bad. I wasn't mad; I accepted his apology right away. I got the "good and unrelated-to-the-situation cry" I desperately needed, he learned an important lesson, and now all is well.

I Dare You

to try to watch this without smiling:



Just kidding! Smile all you want. I adore this scene from Love Actually. Thanks again Aaron for buying me a PG version of this darling movie last year!!

Stressed and Blessed

Well, Christmas-time doesn't feel very Christmassy for me this year.

Perhaps it's because I'm not living at my parents' house anymore, and haven't been able to put up my own decorations due to lack of time and my belongings being every place but where they're supposed to be while I finish painting my newly-installed shelves.

Perhaps it's because the next release at work rolls out in the middle of January, which means we have to have all documentation-related stuff finished on January 9, which means I have to have everything written and passed off by January 2, which means I'll be trying to write my last twelve features in the next three weeks, not including Christmas and New Years Days.

Perhaps it's because the nights I'm not doing my show are already filled with FHE and dating (okay, one date) and other extra-curricular activities and I don't have any time to just sit around, unless it's after 11 pm. Perhaps it's because I've been staying up until after 1 am trying to find some time to myself and am of course exhausted.

I am completely stressed out, and have needed to cry for at least four days. That's why it was a relief when a child bit me today and I finally had the release to just cry and cry! I love the play, but I'm excited for when it's over and I can work late into the evening and just get things done. I am so excited to finish my shelves and put my condo back together. I can't wait for Aaron to come back into town and hope I get to spend some decent time with him. I'll miss Adam's family for Christmas Eve and Day, but I'm glad they get to spend some quality time with Lindsey's family. I don't fit into much of my clothes anymore, thankfully the sweaters cover up most of the awkwardness. I have waaaay too much money left to spend in my FSA spending account, but I'm having fun thinking of new things to do and buy to use as much of it up as I can before the deadline at the end of the year (two weeks?!). It's a different type of Christmas season for me. I guess that's what it is to be an adult.

So, since it hasn't been a conventional holiday season for me, I'm really making an effort to notice the little tender mercies Heavenly Father has been sending to me. For example, I was late to my FHE Committee meeting this morning, and as I made a U-turn to find the co-chair's house, I hit the frozen show on the other side of the street. There was a huge bang, and my heart sank as I imagined the flat tire, or dent in my front bumper. Payment for car repairs was all I needed. But when I parked and looked at the side of the car, there wasn't even a scratch! My car was fine, the tire was fine, I was fine.

I've also been very lucky driving the last couple of days in the snow. I heard today there were 200 accidents yesterday, but I didn't even get close to hitting anyone. Not only that, we had a full house at the play in spite of the snow! They were the best audience and all of us in the cast had a great time. Thanks again Wadsworth family for coming!

My cast also thought it hilarious I was tromping around in my snowboots between scenes yesterday. But, hey! My feet weren't cold! I am very grateful to Aubrey, and Sam, and Danny, and Dallin, and Rossy, and Amanda, and Brady, and Nolan, and the rest of the cast for making this such a gorgeous show and fun experience. They definitely make it worth it. I am glad I decided to be a part of this play!

The best of all, though, has been preparing for the sacrament Christmas program. We performed today (we generally perform early in the singles' ward because a lot of folks like to go out of town or to their family's wards the Sunday before Christmas). I had forgotten how fun it is to sing in a choir! After I got acclimated to choir-singing -- like being able to breathe during words, or not at the end of a phrase because someone else can pick up the slack -- I was able just to enjoy the comraderie. We sang "Wexford Carol", "Star Carol", "Lo, A Rose E'er Blooming", my favorite, "O Come, All Ye Faithful", and a few others. The last number was "The First Nowell" and the spirit was so strong and the music so lovely that all of us in the choir had a difficult time not crying through it! I love to sing more than anything else in this world, and am so grateful that I have so many opportunities.

I admit, I have forgotten these past two weeks to remember the reason for the season. I haven't felt the spirit and I have missed it terribly, though I didn't realize it. I determined today to spend more time during my personal study to focus on the teachings and mission of Jesus Christ. I can't help but feel that I will feel more peace as I strive to accomplish everything else I have committed to. I am thankful that as I sang today, my testimony of my Savior was strengthened, as was the knowledge of what I need to do to feel happiness again. I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of me. He is doing all He can to help and support me. I promise I will be more mindful of Him.

I am blessed.

Once There Was a Snowman

I have no idea how long it's been since I built a snowman...or sledded down a hill, come to think of it. This year, when we actually get some decent snow, I'm going to make one, either at my mom's house, or at the park (are we allowed to make snowmen at public parks?).

In preparation for this project, I have done the following research. What do you think?

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That last one is my favorite. Isn't it a scream?

Thanksgiving Day 2008

Thanksgiving Day started the way all holidays/days off from work have been starting for me lately: I slept in and then cleaned my condo.

Mom hosted Thanksgiving dinner for my family and our nearby cousins; when I asked what time I should arrive at her house to help, she said I didn't need to be there until noon to set the table. Turns out, my aunt Elaine was in charge of most of the side dishes, so Mom didn't have too much to take care of. I set the table and put together a shrimp drink that most of my family loves (I can see how it would be good, but since I don't like shrimp I didn't eat any). As I was doing that, most of my brothers arrived, and Adam and Lindsey brought Lindsey's brother, Russell, and Russell's son Kellan. Lindsey volunteered to help Mom and I with dinner preparations, and the boys -- Dad, Adam, Aaron, the G-unit, Russell, and Kellan -- went outside and played football; it's the only time I can remember the boys doing that! They played for quite awhile, and then G decided he, Dad, Adam, and Kellan needed to play on the front porch with the two lego castles. It was pretty darn cute to watch them all play together.

Soon, the rest of the relatives came, bearing potatoes, rolls, sweet potatoes, beans, and other yummy things, which kicked off the official "Let's Hang Out and Remind Ourselves How Much Fun We Have When We Get Together" time. I really do love these people. I am so lucky to have interesting and cheerful extended family! We were sad not all of the cousins could make it, but I can accept the fact that they have lives of their own. The salmon-and-cream-cheese-on-crackers appetizer was a big hit, though I stuck to the cream cheese and hot pepper jelly option. About 2:30pm, we sat down at the tables and started in on the feast. I must say, Mom makes a turkey and stuffing that I look forward to all year long, but ever since I discovered that I like sweet potatoes (thanks again Marilynn!!) they've become my favorite. Mom had asked previously whether I wanted to sit at the "old people" table -- consisting of everyone who is a parent and the two younger kids -- or the "young people" table. I chose the young people, and had a blast talking about everything and nothing with Aaron, David, Natalie, Rich, and Spencer. Even when we had finished eating we weren't finished talking!

I had resolved to help with the dishes this year, but when I made it into the kitchen, I found Mom looking a little harried, and the G-unit clinging to her legs, begging her to play legos with him, so I volunteered to play. I admitted to the four-year old that I have little experience with legos, but he very patiently taught me the basics. That kid cracks me up; he has the best facial expressions. He got this look on his face every time I veered off script that very plainly said, "Megan is really lame at playing legos." (What? Evil knights and wizards might kidnap a princess to learn her quilting secrets, right?) When I got tired of trying to follow his storyline and figuring out who was good and who was evil, I suggested G play with Uncle Aaron for awhile. However, we found Aaron catching up with the cousins, and since I desperately needed a nap I asked G if he wanted to watch Scooby-Doo. Thankfully, he did, so I put in the DVD in the sewing room, grabbed a pillow and blanket and lay myself down on the floor. G laid down next to me (he did not cuddle but was wonderfully warm anyway) and we watched the first episode on the DVD until I fell asleep. I woke up just as the second one was starting and when an exasperated G asked if I was going to sleep during that one too, I truthfully replied "probably".

David woke me up not too much later, and asked if I wanted to see Casino Royale with my brothers, Spencer, Lindsey, and Jordyn. Of course! Peter and Jordyn had eaten dinner and Jordyn's family's house, so they met us at the theatre. We arrived at the Century 16 too late to find seats all together (I really thought the family I asked to move down two seats was going to murder me), and I would have preferred not sitting in the third row of the front section, but I enjoyed the movie anyway. I didn't quite understand what was going on the whole time, but the action was good, and Daniel Craig is an exciting Bond. I'm just so excited that the Christmas movie season is here!!

from left: Peter, Aaron, Jordyn, me, Adam, Lindsey, David, and Spencer (am I short, or what?)

We ended the day playing Trivial Pursuit as a family -- Dad, Mom, Adam, Lindsey, the G-unit, David, Aaron, Peter, Jordyn, and I. It was the 1981 edition of the game and we were quite surprised at how much we actually knew (and how cryptic many of the questions were). David and I held our own quite creditably as a team. I couldn't remember even the next day who won the game, but I know we had a blast... and we're thinking of getting an updated version of the game for Dad for Christmas.

Such a good day, and like all good days it ended too soon. I'm looking forward to Christmas and New Year's weekend, though! Hooray for time off work and time with the people I love the most. I am very, very blessed.

Last Thanksgiving at Disneyland

A Perfect Pie Night

The Thanksgiving holiday was pretty much just four-and-a-half days of bliss. Bliss and exhaustedness. Bliss and exhaustedness and yummy food. Bliss and exhuastedness and yummy food and my favorite people and... well, you get the idea. It was such a relief to just forget about work and enjoy the four-day weekend!

Pie Night - One of the best parties of the year. What's that you say? You've never heard of Pie Night? Pie Night is based on the idea that on Thanksgiving Day there are so many other tasty foods to eat the pie doesn't get the attention it deserves. So, we invite friends and family to our house the night before Thanksgiving and only eat pie. It's an excuse to get together and hang out. We love it because a lot of the time it's the only time in the year we see some people! We have friends who have been coming for years and years. There's some debate about how it all got started. My mom claims she found the idea in a newspaper article, but my dad says he came up with it. Either way, it's become a tradition that we all look forward to.

My pies turned out rather well! I could have taken them out a few minutes earlier, but they didn't taste burned. At least, that's what people who tried the pumpkin said. Both of the pumpkin pies I made were nearly gone by the end of the night, even though I didn't have any. (What? Pumpkin isn't my favorite.) I LOVED the pecan pie! I had two slices. What? I'm not selfish! They were small ;o)

Every year people make delicious pies to bring to the party, and this year was no exception. We had lemon merenque, cherry, key lime, mincemeat, razzleberry, coconut cream, rhubarb, strawberry, peanut butter, apricot pineapple, chocolate, cherry cheesecake, and apple, along with the pecan and pumpkin. The secret to Pie Night is to come at the beginning, because that's when you have the best selection. Most people just take a taste of a bunch and then come back later for more of their favorites if there's any left. I tend not to be terribly brave, so I ate the pecan, cherry, and rhubarb, but I quite liked the peanut butter one, too! (Thanks again, Amy!!)

I rarely have more than two or three of my own friends show up to Pie Night, so I cannot decribe how thrilled I was to have fourteen attend this year! It was really fun to hang out with Michelle B, Emily A, Elisa C, the Wadsworth family and Maida's boyfriend Jon, Stephanie M, and Kate and Brandon. Thanks for coming everyone! You really made this the best Pie Night to date.

I took my camera to my parents' house with the intent to take photos of everything. Well, I forgot. So the only photo I got aside from the before-and-after of the pies was one of my brother Aaron and I together. But, hey, it's a good photo of the two of us.



Pie Night is over for another year, and I'm already looking forward to the next one! I would tell everyone to throw a Pie Night of their own, but then they couldn't come to mine! So, I'm claiming you all RIGHT NOW (except those of you who have other plans already). Please come next year! I promise it will be a blast!

Opening Night at Last!

My double, Skye, and I

Well, I must say that Opening Night was a great success! At least, the Opening for my cast. The Monday cast opened last night. I went to FHE so I missed the show, but my double, Skye, said aside from expected minor mistakes it went very well.

My Opening Night was a lot of fun. We had a small audience, but they were family and friends and laughed at all the appropriate and even some surprising moments. (You know how you watch a show often enough that you get used to laughing at certain lines and don't even notice that others are funny...?) My cast's last rehearsal was on Saturday, so I was worried I would have forgotten key dance steps or words in a song (which I forgot on Saturday even though I'd run the show on Friday). I have, of course, been reviewing them in my mind and practicing on my own a bit. Fortunately, with the dancing at least, I've done them so much they're somewhat automatic now. How I love the choreography in this show! (And I'm not just saying that because I know Jann sometimes reads my blog.) It was fun to perform and play to a new audience! The energy between the cast and audience was wonderful. I was so proud of my little show!

Afterward, the whole cast went outside to greet the audience, and that's when I realized I should have brought slippers or something. It was, like, 30 degrees outside and I had bare feet. I'm such a silly! It was worth it though to have the chance to hug my mom, my grandma, and my brother Aaron. I noticed during the show that my grandma was beaming at me from the audience! I am so grateful for such a supportive family. It's lucky Aaron was in town long enough to see my show. I can't wait for the rest of them to come, too!

Speaking of feeling grateful, I really, really appreciate Skye for coming and doing my make-up tonight. It looked so cool! Make-up is one aspect of theatre I haven't yet mastered, and she does a fantastic job.

One down, nine more to go!

Book Tag

Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, use the CLOSEST

Here's mine:

"With a moan, she gripped the glass-cut doorknob and turned it."
- from Stephen King's It*

Tag, you're it! (no pun intended)

*This was the first book I noticed while walking past the bookshelves at work. Why do we have 50+ fiction novels just hanging around at a place where we should be working? Your guess is as good as mine. I may need to borrow this one, though; I've never read anything by Stephen King, and I was intrigued by the few paragraphs I read.

On second thought...no. No I don't need to read this. I live alone and my bedroom's right next to the bathroom. That's just asking for trouble.

Pumpkin and Pecan Pie Kits

Pecan pie kit


Pumpkin pie kit


I very much wanted to help bake the pies for Pie Night this year. Unfortunately, I have rehearsals every night, so I didn't think I'd get the chance. I mentioned my dilemma to Mom last week, and she said if I really wanted to, I could do the pecan and pumpkin pies. According to her, those are the easiest.

Yay! I get to help! I called Mom on Saturday to ask what ingredients I needed to buy. She went through the recipies and decided she had everything for both, so I didn't buy anything. Sunday, she went through the list and asked what I had. I have eggs -- that's it! She said I didn't need to get anything! So, like the incredibly patient and sweet woman she is, Mom put together two kits with all the incredients I'd need for both pies...she even made three pie crusts for me to take home, while I played cards with my brothers. Yes, I know that makes me look bad, but I was so excited to have all of us home. Hope you're enjoying your vacation, Aaron! Can't wait to see you again while you're in town!!

So, I returned home from rehearsal tonight at 11:00pm, preheated the oven to 350, took photos of the kit, got angry at my DVR for NOT RECORDING THE SEASON FINALE OF DANCING WITH THE STARS (seriously?! It's been perfect for 8 weeks, and it doesn't record the LAST SHOW?!), mixed the pecan stuff together, and put the pie in the oven. I may have burned it, but I got worried when I tried to take the pie out and it was all jiggly! I would have called Mom to make sure that was okay, but it was 12:30am at that point, and I didn't want to wake her. I really hope I didn't ruin it. After all, I'm still not terribly used to my oven. What if it said 350 but was really warmer or colder? Hmmm.

I'm working from home tomorrow so that I can put together the pumpkin pies. Mom said they sometimes take longer to bake then expected, so I thought I'd play it safe. I am grateful to my boss for her support in this endeavor.

Maybe I should not have agreed to pies that are such a staple. If I screw them up I could ruin someone's pre-Thanksgiving and I don't know if I can handle that pressure.

Okay, I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed, and when I wake up I'll be brimming with all sorts of self-esteem.

Next year, I would like to make at least one pie myself from scratch...

Oh! How I love pie and Pie Night!

Babes in Toyland Information

Babes in Toyland opens next Tuesday! Yaaaay! I am so excited to get to perform this show. Have I said before that the cast is brilliant and the music is wonderful? Well, they are and it is. I hope that all of you who choose to come enjoy it!

Details:

Babes in Toyland
Empress Theatre 9104 West 2700 South in Magna
December 2-20 (I'm in the Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday cast, but my double and I might switch Monday, Dec 8 and Tuesday, Dec 9.)
To order tickets, call (801) 347-7373, or order online here.