Moroni

The Angel Moroni was placed on the temple in September. Ben and I went out after the crowds had diminished to see. It only took us ten minutes from the house. I didn't think I would ever live ten minutes away from a temple. It's so amazing.

Canned Meat

Ok. I canned meat. I can't believe I did it without having a complete breakdown. It was only partial. I have been canning beans for the past month. I figured that I'd practice using the pressure canner making beans for a while before doing meat. I needed to return the pressure canner, so I finally did some steak and chicken breast. Next time, more meat and smaller jars. We ended up barbecuing the residual steak and chicken. Boo hoo.

AIMS Awards Assembly

Ben and his friends after the Awards Assembly and before the refreshments.

Ben and Leia the Snake

Ben and I went to Pack Meeting last Thursday night at the Blakes. Sue Blake asked a family who has a whole bunch of reptiles to come and show the boys. The boys enjoyed it. They taught the boys about each snake then let the boys hold or touch the snakes. It was great! I stood at the doorway and watched from a distance.

Lazy Sunday

Chris and Ben have been ill today. We all stayed home from church because H1N1 is going around and we didn't want to contaminate anyone, just in case. I thought I should finally update our family blog since it's been so long.

We pulled these butternut squash and spicy yellow peppers from our garden this afternoon. I love that you can have a good winter garden in Arizona. It's fantastic. Great vegetables with great weather, finally. At the rate our pumpkins are coming in we will probably be eating a lot of baked pumpkin and pumpkin pie. Awesome!

Star

Ben had his board of review for scouts tonight. He will be getting his Star on May 27. We are excited. He is MORE excited. He would really like to finish his Eagle before he turns 14. He is so motivated. I don't know where he gets it from. He is my favorite. The ward is planning on going to Camp Geronimo this summer, and he can't wait to pass off more badges. I think he will have a great time. I don't know if Chris is going with him, but I know he'd like to.

Trishie

The Temple

Today Ben went to the temple for the first time. I think he had a great experience. It was with the whole stake, so it was a large group. I'm so glad that he had a chance to go and serve there at the temple.
He's lounging on the couch right now with his left hand playing with his hair. He will probably start snoring in a moment. They left this morning at seven, so I think he's tired.

The Bunny

This was published last week in Ben's core newsletter.

Which Came First, the Easter Bunny or the Easter Egg?
By: Ben Murphy
The Easter bunny originated in Alsace and southwestern Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1600s. During the 1700s, German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country introduced the bunny to America. According to tradition, children would bring brightly colored nests, often out of caps and bonnets, in selected areas of their homes. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany in the early 1800s and were made of pastry and sugar. Clearly, the bunny came first.
The bunny may be credited for leaving and laying the eggs today, but originally the eggs came from a strange bird. The Oschter Haws (means ostrich chase) would, if the children had been good, lay brightly colored eggs in their nests or baskets. So, instead of looking for the Easter bunny, look for the Easter ostrich.
The Easter bunny is depicted as an anthropomorphic (has human characteristics) rabbit. In legend, the creature brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy, and toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The Easter bunny will either put baskets in a specific place or hide them somewhere to find when they wake up in the morning.
In conclusion, remember to be good this Easter, but don’t try to catch the bunny or the ostrich because then you would be considered really, really bad.

Dorothy

I miss her.

I have been reading a book about a small town in Northern Ireland situated in the south across the border of its sister the Republic of Ireland. I have to post something for my class, and I found a great rendition of a song that I love sung by Cara Dillon. It's called "There were Roses," and it talks about the religious conflict in Northern Ireland. I thought since this is the week of St. Patrick's Day, I should post this live version of the song. The recording is incomplete, so I included the words below.



There were Roses
Words and music by Tommy Sands
Sung by Cara Dillon

My song for you this evening, it's not to make you sad
Nor for adding to the sorrows of our troubled northern land
But lately I've been thinking and it just won't leave my mind
I'll tell you of two friends on the time who were both good friends of mine

Isaac he was Protestant and Sean was Catholic born
But it never made a difference, for the friendship it was strong
And sometimes in the evening when we heard the sound of drums
We said it won't divide us, we will always be as one

There were roses, roses
There were roses
And the tears of a people ran together

It was on a Sunday morning when the awful news came round
Another killing had been done just outside Newry Town
We knew that Isaac danced up there, we knew he liked the band
But when we heard that he was dead we just could not understand

Now fear it filled the countryside there was fear in every home
When late at night a car came prowling round the Ryan Road
A Catholic would be killed tonight to even up the score
Oh Christ it's young McDonald they have taken from the door

There were roses, roses
There were roses
And the tears of a people ran together

I don't know where the moral is or where this song should end
But I wonder just how many wars are fought between good friends
And those who give the orders are not the ones to die
It's Scott and young McDonald and the likes of you and I

There were roses, roses
There were roses
And the tears of a people ran together

There were roses, roses
There were roses
And the tears of a people ran together

Friday was Pizza Day - the best day of the week

Tonight we ordered pizza for dinner. It was nice. We don't do it very often. It's cool that we can order Pizza Hut online. Ben loves pepperoni pizza like most boys. Chris and I had a supreme.

Today Ben went to Sierra Vista for Royalz Core. They went on a field trip to The Cove, a pool with cool slides and a wave pool. Ben was quite happy about going. He loves to swim. He was also excited to go to the mall, mostly because we never take him. Is that bad? I just hate shopping at the mall, probably because we used to work at the mall. He called me from the mall to tell me that the bookstore had this book that he wanted to read - If you're reading this, it's too late by Pseudonymous Bosch. Ben read the first book in a couple of days. He loved it, and I haven't heard him laugh out loud while reading ever. It was awesome. Anyway, Ben didn't get it because he didn't want to buy the hardback version of the book for $16. I told him we'd check it out from the library.

Snow campout and Gila Idol

Last night, Ben went with his scout group up to Mt. Graham for a snow campout. He was very excited. He just got home, his face covered in chocolate from the chocolate-covered doughnuts from this morning and the s'mores from last night. Hmmm. They stayed at Twilight. They weren't as cold as they were at the Camporee. Ben said he was toasty warm in his new sleeping bag. They played capture the flag until 10:30 and went to bed around midnight. He went with his friend Kale to watch the sunrise. He didn't get enough sleep, so I know he's going to be crashed on the couch in a bit. They ate breakfast then went to go play in the snow. He looks tired. I think I will do my homework in the other room, so he can sleep on the couch while he watches the Disney channel.

Last night was the Gila Idol audition that the store sponsored. Last year when Richard's sponsored it, they had it at the bowling alley which worked out great because it was a wide open space (the years before we had it outside in front of the store in the cold). It's great for the bowling alley because people eat or get a soda or stay afterward to bowl. It works out good for everybody. Last night, Chris did a headcount. There were around 300 people there with about 130 cars in the parking lot. It was a great turnout. While I was there I went out to the car and fell in a hole in the parking lot. I am such a clutz. But it really isn't a surprise.

Reading, remodeling and competition

Not much has been going on lately. Chris has been so busy with remodeling the store, and I feel like all I do is read and sleep. One of the other students in my folklore class said the funniest thing the other day. We were talking about our "everyday" activities, and he said "I read. I think about reading, and I write about reading." It is an example of the life of literature graduate students and the story of my own life lately.

Chris has decided to remodel the store again. He hates when it stays the same way for too long. He is moving things around to make each section of the store its own mini-store, i.e. the guitar section has a counter with pics and strings and the school band section has its own counter with clarinet reeds and saxophone cleaners. It looks good so far. I will have to take some pictures when he gets finished.

Ben is doing well. Last Tuesday they went to Band competition at EAC. Their band got a Superior for their performance. He was very excited about it. He played trombone for "Aardvark Parade" and drums for "Stargate 6." I think it's great that Dr. Sullivan lets Ben play drums along with trombone.

Gila Valley Temple Groundbreaking

It was great! We watched the groundbreaking from the Stake Center. I'm so glad that we got to hear the words that were spoken. It's so exciting to know there were be a temple so close.

Cookie Gram

Ben came home from school yesterday and told me they were having Cookie Grams. I remember the humilation of not getting the flower or cookie or whatever whenever they had these activities at school. Ben is smarter than I ever was. He told me he bought one for himself. I laughed when he told me and said they were HUGE and they were only a dollar. A typical 12-year-old boy. He gave me the heart-shaped slip of paper he plans on turning in. It said "Dear Ben, Uhh, I don't know what I'm going to write. I've never done this before so umm I guess that I have to say BYE From Voldemort." With "Harry Potter must die" scribbled on the side. I'm glad he will get something from himself on Valentine's Day.

Here we go Steelers...here we go!

What a relief! I am so glad they won, mainly for my own selfish purposes. I hate when they lose because I can't comfort Chris at all. The Cardinals played very well. They actually played better than I thought they would, and I think they gave the Steelers a run for their money. It was a great game!

Addiction

I made some granola on Saturday for us. I made it a couple of months ago after finding a really easy recipe on the church website (providentliving.org). Apparently now the recipe isn't there now, but I will post it with my own little additions. Good thing I saved it on the computer. I added vanilla this time because it needed it before. I also added some toasted almonds, toasted unsweetened coconut chips, and dried cranberries to the recipe. I love granola cereals, and after making this, I will never buy it from the store again. It was inexpensive because I used my food storage and bought a few things from the healthfood store (the coconut and cranberries). Chris and Ben LOVE it. They eat it for snacks and dessert, not really for breakfast. I figured out that with all the ingredients, the whole concoction cost us about $3 for 12 cups instead of the $4 for 12 ounces.

Granola
2 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. water
6 T oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
10 c. rolled oats
1 T vanilla

In a pan combine the sugar, water, oil and salt. Heat until sugar is dissolved, but do not boil. Stir in vanilla. Then pour syrup over oats and stir until well coated. Add a little more rolled oats if the texture seems too moist. Place in pans or sheets about 1/2-inch deep. Bake at 425 degrees, 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Bake 15 minutes longer if you want it crunchier. Makes 11 cups. Store in an airtight container.

Lion King

Ben went to Phoenix yesterday with the band to see The Lion King at the Gammage Theatre. He was very excited. They were planning on going out to eat and going to the mall. Ben was very excited about that because I never take him to the mall. Hate shopping. Anyway, he called at about 10:30 to tell us that they were barely leaving Phoenix. Great! Chris slept on the couch while I listened to an audio book and made hot chocolate mix. He came home and went straight to bed. This morning he showed me his program and ticket and told me all about the show. He purchased a Simba keychain. He loves keychains! This was Ben's first Broadway experience, and he said he would go again to see The Lion King. He had so much fun.

January 12 - 18

Chris just got home from the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show. (I'll post some pictures soon). He went with Derek this year, and they always have a great time together. He had been gone since Wednesday. My mom and Stan were here from Monday to Thursday morning, and Amanda came on Friday and will leave tomorrow. We had a nice time with my mom and Stan. They took us out to eat on Monday. On Tuesday, Chris had class, so we just hung out and watched American Idol. I took them out to the bowling alley on Wednesday.
My first class was on Thursday. My teacher never emailed me about what books I needed, so I left extra early to be able to stop by the bookstore then look for my class. The bookstore didn't have my book. The class was so different from my first experience with a graduate class. One guy introduced himself then introduced everyone in the class to me before the teacher arrived. Everyone was friendly. The teacher arrived and wanted to have class at her home. Cool. Then, I don't have to walk across campus by myself after 9 pm. I followed some other classmates to her home. I am excited about the class and the things I am going to learn. The teacher is excited about the topic which rubs off on all the students. We got out of class late, and I still had to drive home and pick Ben up at his Grandma Cookie's. It was a long drive.
Amanda and I have been hanging out talking and watching movies that Chris won't watch with me, like most period films.
Right now, we are watching football. I fell asleep during the Cardinals game. I'm glad they won. In our household, the most important game is the one on right now, the Steelers. I hope they win.

Wookiee Cookies

Ben has been on this cooking kick. Yesterday, he wanted to make some French toast from one of our Star Wars cookbooks called Oola la French toast. He did pretty well. I have been trying to encourage him to cook because I feel it's important for boys to learn to be able to survive on their own on other things besides mac and cheese and hot dogs. After church, Ben continued his Star Wars themed food and made some Yoda soda consisting of lemon-lime soda with lime sherbet. He's already drank 2 glasses. Now he's in the kitchen making Wookiee Cookies. I don't know if I should hide the cookbooks or just let him do his thing. I guess whatever makes him happy. I better go because the oven's ready...

2008

I thought I should start a family update blog for friends and family that I don't see very often, and also for myself to keep track of our own doings. This past year has been very event-filled, and I thought I'd start off with that.

January:

• Chris and Ben went to the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show in Anaheim. Chris and Ben went alone because I had school the same week. I started my final semester for my Bachelors. I took American Literature, Creative Writing, World Literature in Memoir, and Grammar. Yeah!
• Chris was made a Lieutenant on the fire department.

May: I graduated from UA on the 15th. It was nice to be finished with a degree, especially when it has taken so long.

June:

• Ben spent his days swimming at the pool for swim team which is only one month in the summer.
• My mom got married on the 7th. She had been dating Stan for what seems like years. He was an old boyfriend that she was engaged to while she was at BYU, and because of a misunderstanding (and no cell phones or email) they lost contact. They are now living in Freeland, Washington. They are planning on moving back to Arizona when Stan retires from the Washington Ferry System in 4.5 years.
• We went to Winkelman, Arizona for the annual VFFA (Volunteer Fire Fighters of Arizona) conference. It was so hot, like at least 110. It's a really bad time of year to have outside activities in Arizona. Chris had been president for almost four years, and they voted in a new one. I was kind of relieved because our local fire department takes up a lot of his time, and this added on top of it was just too much.

July: We drove to Washington to visit my mom and transport her piano. Chris moves pianos with his business, so it made sense for us to take it up there for her. We also transported a lot of her other things. After our first day of driving, we were supposed to stay in Flagstaff. We didn't have a reservation, and BB King was in town. Flagstaff was packed with people, so we had to stay at this nasty motel on the edge of town. We wore flip flops in the shower. We drove to Provo the next day and stayed the night there. Then, we stopped for a couple of hours in SLC. We used to live there and love the sites in downtown Salt Lake. Plus, I needed a couple of hours at the Family History Center. Our last night on the road, we stayed in Oregon somewhere. We got to Mukilteo, Washinton to take the ferry to Whidbey Island where my mom and Stan lives late at night. When we got to my mom's new home, Stan was asleep and my mom was still on the other side of the water. Derek was there the first couple of days we were there to help Chris unload my mom's grand. While he was there, we went to the Boeing factory. That was amazing! While we were in Washington, we went to Pike Place Market a couple of times. I couldn't get enough of the fresh fish and the bakeries. Yikes. We went to Fort Casey - a abandoned WWII army base with a lighthouse. It was neat. You could explore all the tunnels and rooms. Stan told us to take a flashlight to see where we were going. Ben LOVED it. We went to Deception Pass which totally freaked me out. I didn't realize how scared of heights I was. It's beautiful though; I would go back again. Chris loved buying fresh cherries on the side of the road. We missed the blackberries being in season by a week or two. Stan's neighbor brought crab over for us that he had caught that day. It was so good, and what a wonderful experience. Chris loves that kind of stuff. We drove home through California. We saw the evidence of the terrible forest fires in northern California. Horrible. We stopped north of LA at a fruit stand and bought melons we'd never heard of. It was a long trip, but I was so glad to be home when we got there.

August:

Ben started middle school. I cried that morning. Junior high was the worst time of my whole life, and I didn't want it to be crappy for Ben. He signed up for football. He was totally excited to play.

• I started taking my first graduate class as a non-degree seeking student. I got into an American Literature class, focusing on the Romance (like Don Quixote) and how it affected American novels. We read a lot of books I'd never heard of.
  

September:

• Ben sprained his good ankle. (Yes there is a bad ankle.) He was unable to play without a doctor's note. He had to go to a foot specialist because of his flat-footedness which is the cause of his ankle trouble. I felt like a bad mother because I never noticed.
• I took the GRE at the beginning of the month because I am trying to get into grad school.

October:

• Ben was ordained into the Aaronic Priesthood. I can't believe he is so old, and that he's going to Young Men's. Anyway, my mom and Stan came from Washington, Bek came with her kids and Amanda, and Derek came. It was nice to have the family together. Bek stayed up at the cabin on the mountain, and we went to see her there.
• It was also Fair weekend, not my favorite time of year because Chris has to spend the whole time down there at a booth for the store (Thursday through Sunday). I don't see him if I don't go and hang out at the Fair. One of the best parts of the Fair is the green chili burros that the Catholic church sells. They weren't there which made a lot of people upset. (They're really good.) The church decided to sell them at their church, so I went and bought more than a dozen.
  

November:

• I took the GRE Subject Test which didn't stress me out as much as the GRE did. It was fun studying and remembering the literature that I would have to know for the test. I was really glad that the test was given in Thatcher. It was nice to get up and drive 10 minutes instead of 2 hours to Tucson.
• We spent Thanksgiving at Jean's (Chris' mom), and because I had been ill, I didn't get to make anything which I love doing and don't get to do much since I started school.

December:

• Chris was made captain on the fire department.
• Chris' brother wanted us to go to Disneyland with the whole Murphy Clan for Christmas. All we needed to pay for was our tickets in and gas to get there. I had never gone before. I know strange, but I never had a desire to go because I'm not really big on rides, etc. Anyway, we had a wonderful time. I think I liked the Indiana Jones ride the best. And I don't think we'll ever forget being stranded on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride for almost an hour. We had a great time. We also went to Hollywood Blvd. and Newport Beach in between our two Disney days. It was nice to go to the beach although it was SO cold. We went to eat at the Crab Cooker where Chris used to go eat when his family would vacation in Newport.