Damian had an Accident!

Today Damian slid on some ice and drove off the road, flipping his dad's truck twice, falling 20 feet . . . I think his neck is hurt badly, and his torso is bruised, but he's waiting to see if it will go away, before going to the Doctor. Silly man . . .I'm glad he's OK . . . he keeps saying, "I thought I was going to die!" I guess the truck is totaled. Maybe he can stay home and rest tomorow, while I hike Table Rock with Josh's class . . .

Alaska: Part Two "A Lot of Bull (Moose)"

Moose and Caribou are an important part of Alaska. Most men hunt and/or fish, in Alaska. My dad liked to talk about all the money we saved, eating from the land. He didn't mention the cost of his airplane, 4-wheelers, guns, hunting licenses, etc. I think our Moose-Burgers must have cost dad about $250 each. But the taste made up for it. NOT!! If I never eat another Caribou "Steak" or Bear "Stew" or Dall Sheep "Meatloaf" I will die happy. So far, so good.


Moose weigh between 850-1200 lbs. and a collision with one can kill everyone in the car. Please be careful people, if you drive in Alaska! Moose are very dangerous animals! Dad, were any of those burgers made from ROAD-KILL?

If you've been to my home, you may wonder where the inspiration for my landscaping comes from. We have many gorgeous rocks and hardy weeds, just like these Alaskan specimens. This landscaping design photo was taken near Lake Eklutna, my old Girl's Camp stomping grounds. We had to pull handcarts for 8 miles, back in 1986, with all our gear, over this terrain. Let's take a closer look at the lovely green plants:

It's "Moose Grass", according to my friend Emily. I am still trying to find the scientific name. When she and I hiked around, remembering our good times at girl's camp, I saw this plant and squealed, "I remember this!" Probably because I pulled that handcart, while looking at the ground for 8 miles.

Moving onto Parade Time in Alaska at the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival. Look at all the beautiful, creative Moose (not Meese) that will be auctioned off for charity. Do you recognize Mickey Moose?

And this Moose is a Can-Can Fishnet Stocking Wearing, "When I am Old, I Will Wear Purple," Red Hat Society Woman. Only in Alaska will you find such a tastefully painted sculpture. We Alaskans are an artistic breed.

Artistic in more ways than one! Look at this lovely use of old snowshoes. And the Caribou Antlers serve as a functional piece of beauty. My goodness, if you run out of nails to hang baskets on every available inch of wall, you can use antlers! Alaskans are true creative geniuses!

Basque Leek Soup

Apparently, there were 5,000 entries, and I didn't win!

I just entered http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ kitchen mixer givaway. I think I recieved one of those for my wedding, but returned it! I've been entering all sorts of contests for giftcards and scrapbook supplies. . .mostly on Pioneer Woman and Becky Higgins/Lisa Bearnson's blogs. I would just really like some free stuff, what can I say? For the mixer you had to enter a favorite recipe, and since Lasagna is so boring, I had to go to my second best receipe, both stolen from Suzanne, my mom-in-law. Here is entry #406:

I'm married to a Basque guy, and this is his mom's recipe, from France. He says I make it better than she does, now! I purree it, so I can chop everything roughly and get it done quickly. My kids like it that way anyway, so they don't see the veggies. It's a beautiful, light orange, creamy soup, perfect for a cold day.

Basque Leek Soup

(Serves 8-10)

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1 leek (I cut off the top, but mother-in-law leaves it on!)

2 celery stalks

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

5 peeled carrots

6 peeled potatoes

Sautee onion & garlic in olive oil, add to broth in stock pot.

Roughly chop (because you'll purree later) leek, celery, carrots & potatoes.

Bring to a boil, cover and boil for about 30 min. (You can accidentally forget and boil for a few hours, since you'll purree, it doesn't matter)

Blend (in your blender) and liberally sprinkle the pepper!

ENJOY with a crusty french baquette.

Underoos vs. Cabbage Patch Dolls

I've talked about a bikini in a few posts and I figured I'd better quit teasing you all and let you see the real deal. This lovely photo was taken in 1982, when I was in 2nd grade, during the Underoos craze. I never got the Strawberry Shortcakes or Cabbage Patch Dolls that I wanted so badly, but I did get this cute little Supergirl number. Sadly, I wore that bra until Junior High.

My sister, Briana (3), is the cute curly-headed Wonderwoman and my brother, Jonathan (5), is Superman.

Twelve Apostles Music Video

This is a fun video that was aired on MTV on Feb. 32nd. Great for FHE!! Click on the HUGE link below to watch the video. (can someone please teach me how to add links that don't take up a whole page?)

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My TREK Kids!

Damian and I are "Pa & Ma" to nine teenagers, for a 4 day Pioneer Trek Re-enactment that we'll be going on in July. Today we had the kids over for breakfast and tent practice. We also picked our "family" name. The kids are really full of energy and a lot of fun. I can't wait!

Alaska: Part One "Wild and Rugged"

Disclaimer: There are many slanderous, offensive remarks about Texas in the following post. Please forgive me. When I get in my "Alaska Mode," all my weakest thoughts hang out for all to read, and I just can't stop myself.

I was raised in Alaska. I left for BYU in '92 and my parents moved to the Southern Utah Desert. I didn't go back to Alaska, until last year. My best friend, Emily, flew me up for a week. We spent a few days in the "big" city of Palmer (pop. 7,000) and a few days in rural Talkeetna (pop. 772). Talkeetna is wild and rugged and reminded me of my hometown of Valdez, minus the ocean. It's a staging ground for those crazy enough to climb Mt. McKinley and it hosts a HUGE Moose Dropping Festival (MDF) in July.

Don't believe me? Look here! http://www.talkeetnachamber.org/event-moosedropping.html

Look at those haphazardly planted flowers! There aren't too many manicured lawns in Alaska, sprinklers can freeze in the winter. There is a lot of GRAVEL, lots of large hanging flower baskets, and TONS of propane tanks (notice in the background?)

Emily runs a cotton candy business in the summer. I was her assistant while at the Talkeetna MDF. Mostly I did a lot of tasting and giving the wrong change. I also did a lot of NOTICING. I will share my brainy insights in this six-part Alaska Mock-umentary. Let us begin:

1. Alaskans have an interesting personal style. Sort of messy/spazzy meets colorful/eclectic. Why would you hang one basket when you can hang them on every available inch? I think as we explore Alaska together you will understand me, THE ALASKAN, much better. Some people think I may have ADHD. No, I'm just Alaskan.

And what about antlers? Why hang one pair, when you can hang a dozen? You don't have to kill anything to get these, you just have to walk around in the woods, they're all over the place (like Moose Droppings!) Hey, FREE decorations!! And I'm talking about the droppings, here.

2. We Alaskans have a quirky, weird sense of humor (sound like anyone you know?) It comes from being cooped up too long in the winter, in the dark (kinda like solitary confinement, which leads to insanity!) Let me give you some ideas of things I've seen, made from REAL Moose Droppings (and sold in the Palmer Wal-Mart): "Moose-el-toe" (hang it at Christmas in the doorways), "Shellacked Moose Drop Earings" (big sellers on the cruise ships!) and my personal favorite, "Moose-el-Stix" (Swizzle sticks with a nice dropping on the top, what a fun way to stir your Virgin Shirley Temple!)

4. Now, let's explore the Alaskan Attitude: I've tried to explain to Damian that everything is just BIGGER in Alaska. Sorry, Texas, we're over double your size! And all our animals/fish/waterfalls/mountains/oil fields are bigger, too. We're basically just better than everybody, and we know it. For example: look at those Marigolds in the back of the planter. Those aren't grown with Steroids, that's how they do it in Texas. Those are just grown with ALASKAN SUN (22 hours-a-day worth) and ALASKAN RAIN (pure glacier fed). Here is a bigger picture for you Texans:

Yes, they look a little gangly and freakish and they are over 26" tall. Those flowers are ecking out a survival in very harsh soil, much like we Alaskans eck out our survival surrounded by all of you people from smaller, less showy states.

And now, coming back to personal style. Let us examine a typical Alaskan woman. Notice, she is being stared at by a tourist from Texas and she has a lot to say . . . to herself. She has an interesting outfit, considering it's only 62 degrees outside (that's a HOT day!) Her tank shows off her lovely breast tattoo, nicely. In her rush to get to the MDF, she didn't have time for shoes (even though everything is paved in gravel!) She did take time to braid some nice pieces of leather into her hair (stringy things hanging on right side of her head), that match her stylish purse. I don't actually like this fellow Alaskan. Not because of her sense of fashion or her obvious quirkiness. I don't like her because she bought corn, instead of cotton candy. And I was a professional candy seller, for a week, at the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival.

My Movie-Star Kids!

Tonight we had a really fun opportunity. The local Children's Musical Theatre of Oregon performed "High School Musical" last year. Disney/ABC saw it on utube and called the director, wanting to come out and film the cast doing it again, for a reality show, this summer. In less than a week, the camera crews were here. The play was filmed tonight. The audience was encouraged to be LOUD and cheer, sing, dance, etc. There was a lot of energy and it was very fun

Emma, Josh, Rachel and I went down at 5:15 and waited in line, Emma was REALLY hoping to be interviewed on TV. The interviewer stopped at a group of people near me and asked them if they had any kids in the production (NO). He then asked if they'd seen the movie, "High School Musical" Again, the answer was NO. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he would interview my daughter. He hesitated (I must have looked LESS-"L.A." than usual) and said, "Well, is she shy?" Emma ran up and said, "No! I'm not shy! What do you want me to say?!"

We signed away the farm and took photos, so they could match us to our interview/forms and then Emma "practiced what she's say" for about 45 minutes. Finally, the camera crew came over and SHE DID GREAT! She was ready. She'd packed a purse for "Her Big Break!" She'd put on makeup, combed her hair, changed into a HS Musical Tee shirt and had some new sunglasses perched on her head (even though it was cloudy, windy and about 45 degrees outside!). I borrowed a camera from a friend (of a friend of a friend), and when I figure out how, I'll get those pictures to post!

A few minutes after her interview the man found her and said, "Your interview was GREAT! We need to find your mom and get some forms signed." (He didn't recognize her from before she broke out her make-up bag!) We assured him that we were "Legal" and Emma was on cloud nine. She keeps saying, "This might be my big break, Mom!" and "I can't wait to tell my friends I'll be on TV!" I keep assuring her she MIGHT be on TV and to keep it humble! She is so cute.

During the show, she sat with some friends, and I sat with my sister-in-law, Tea, her daughter, Bosom BFF, and my Rachel. Bosom BFF is a dancing machine. As the numbers were performed, BBFF would stand up and sing along, dance like a rubber-band maniac and cat-call like nobodies business. She ran up to the stage, for the closing number, and she may have been filmed too. Josh and his buddies were up at the stage, too . . and of course, Miss Movie-Star, Emma, with her sunglasses still perched on her head, was front and center!

One parting thought. Right before her interview, Emma said, "Hurry Mom, give me my purse, I need it to look cool!" I am definitely enrolling her in some drama classes, and enjoying the start of her teen-age years. Heaven help us all!

Stay tuned, and don't forget to watch for MY MOVIE-STAR KIDS in July!

SOOC, Before Photoshop!

I REALLY want to get into photography.

I bought my dream camera (but it's too big to take anywhere)

I checked out 12 books on photography (and paid $12 in late fees before returning them, unopened)

But I AM learning.

For example. SOOC means Straight Out Of the Camera Then, of course, you can photoshop the image and make it look WAY better than what you started with. Before I got all "Into" photography, I had a point and shoot and these are some photos I took, of Rachel (5 years ago), at the park. I have to say, they look pretty darn good, SOOC!


I think I was a better photographer before I spent all the money and tried to learn the lingo!

She is such a cute little button!

Table Rock BIKINI

OK, Remember that photo of the Table Rock Mountain, taken from my backyard? Today I climbed it, with Rachel's 2nd grade class . . . it's only a 5 mile round trip hike, but my body feels like I hiked 10!

Yeah right, if I hiked 10, I'd be dead.

It was great, I learned a ton (we had a BLM tour guide along). Even though it snowed lightly, misted a little and Rachel forgot a jacket, so she used mine A LOT and I had none, it was fine. I'm from Alaska, remember? I really wish I would have listened to the teacher and dressed in layers, though. I'll remember next month when I hike it again with Josh's 3rd grade class. Of course, with the crazy weather we've been having, it will probably be 100 degrees for his hike! Maybe I'll make my bottom layer a bikini.

NOTE TO SELF: Buy a bikini by May 1st for Hike. Can use on my cruise to clear ships deck of innocent bystanders . . .

I enjoyed hanging with my Best Pal, Julie (in the first photo). The second is of her daughter, Rachel's cousin and Rach. . .all best friends in the same class at school.

My Music

I added music to my blog and just wanted to comment on my choices.

"Fire and Rain" by James Taylor is my all-time favorite song . . . I've put it on every mix tape I ever made . . . I downloaded it right away onto my itunes account . . . I know all the words by heart. I start dancing around the room, when it plays. I ordered an old favorite movie, "Running on Empty" with River Phoenix, from Blockbuster Online (you can find all sorts of weird 80's movies on there!) I loved watching this one, over and over, back in 1989 with my BFF, Emily. Watching it as an adult wasn't as fun, but when this song played during the movie, I realized when I first fell in love with the song. . .That's a 20 year crush, people. If you can have a crush on a song.

"Short People" by Randy Newman is so funny. My blog inspiration, Kari, put this on her blog and it cracks me up. It's a new favorite. If you listen to the words, like, "They wear platform shoes on their nasty little feet, I don't want no short people round here!" you'll laugh out loud! I think as I "age" I am getting quirky, and liking this song proves it.

"Sweetest Thing" by U2. I have to say, my all-time favorite band is U2. My before-mentioned BFF, Emily, had a VERY hot big brother, Shawn. He had great taste in music, and he looked great in his speedo, on the swim team. Sorry Emily, the truth had to come out. Don't tell your brother. I'll get even more red in the face the next time I see him, if that's even possible. I just realized, it's probably because of him that I joined the swim team and did student council . . . Wow, what an influence he had on me! OK, back to THE MUSIC, I first heard this song as a bootleg, in college, and LOVED it. Later, after I was MARRIED, it came out on an album. I've always loved it because I first heard it, ILLEGALLY!!

"For Good" by Kristin Chenoweth "Glinda" and Idina Menzel "Elphaba" (from the original cast of "Wicked") I saw this on Broadway last Feb. from a front row seat that I won on the daily lottery for $25 (the women behind me paid over $400 for their tickets!). I've never experienced anything quite as moving, as front row seats on BROADWAY, other than childbirth (And I didn't actually like childbirth, even though I kept repeatedly doing it) I wanted to put all the Wicked songs on my blog, but this one is the sweetest. "Defying Gravity" makes me cry and I didn't want to do that to you people. You should only cry during childbirth. And I didn't want those of you that aren't familiar with the Musical to get the wrong idea about me, with the song, "Popular." But it's really my favorite.

"Faithfully" by Journey is my favorite love song. In theory. I love the words, but every time Damian and I chaperone a dance, or go to an adult dance and it plays (because I always request it) I realize I have too short of an attention span to slow dance. And this song is 4:30 long. It is very boring to slow dance that long. Especially after the 3rd minute and all the Whoa, Oooh, Ooohs . . .Poor Damian. I am faithful to him, just not a faithful slow dancer.

"Que Sera Sera" by Doris Day reminds me of my Grandma Goold. She used to sing it to me, and it wasn't until I was in college that I realized it wasn't, "OK Sarah, Sarah" I think my Grandpa Prince sang it too, and my Great-Grandpa Levie . . . I come from a long line of singing fools. Too bad all they passed onto me was the fool part!

"You're Beautiful" by James Blunt reminds me of my France trip. If you know me well, you know I loved that trip for one particular reason. This song was popular on the Euro stations . . . before it was popular in THE STATES. I really love being cool and it doesn't happen often.

OK, so those are my top choices to share with you, but I have a few more up my sleeve, so I may add some at a later date . . .

L'Heure Bleue

Damian and I went to Portland on a romantic get away a few months ago and we ate at a FABULOUS restaurant called BLUEHOUR. I'm salivating right now, thinking of that divine food. Apparently, French literature describes "The blue hour" as "any time of day of heightened emotion." I'll tell you what, eating food at that place definitely was an emotional experience. I wanted to drown myself in the cream sauce and run away with my dessert.


Another source describes "The blue hour" coming from a French expression which refers to the hour experienced between the hours of daylight and darkness. The time is considered special because of the quality of the light at this time of day. I think this picture describes it all, for those of you that can't get away to Portland.




This is the view from my back porch, during the blue hour. It only snowed a few days this winter and I captured this glorious moment. The air really was that color and I was glad Damian had us all up to read scriptures at 6:30am, so I didn't miss it! As I walked from my back to front yard, the light changed, enough sun had risen and the magical effect wasn't the same. I'll probably never be friendly with the blue hour, since I've vowed to never rise before 7am (now that we read at night, again!)


So here's the view from my front yard, about 5 minutes later:

"Daddy Sunday"

I think most of my devoted readership (ha, ha) probably knows about my cute husband's article in our church magazine . . .but if not, here is the LONG link to take you there. If you aren't Mormon, some of the lingo, like "Fast Sunday & Stake President" won't make sense, but I can hook you up with some nice missionaries who can explain all that to you!

Anyway, with a church membership of 13, 200, 000, I think the Idiart name might not be so obscure anymore. OK, that probably isn't going to change. Our name is still weird, and most people don't notice the author of a very small article, but I am proud, non the less.

I just read this post out loud to Damian. He is embarrassed. He refuses to read my blog, I think he doesn't really want to come to terms with how crazy I am, or details I may disclose about his personal life. Poor, Poor Man.
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=12b77e6832ce8110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

Benjamin turned FOUR on April 6th!!

My kids are WEBKINZ crazed, and brought all their "Pets" to help Ben open his gifts. It's funny, but Ben doesn't even have one . . . (More on my interesting parenting style/level of neglet later.)

I really can't believe I haven't been pregnant for four years. I thank the Lord for this every night in my prayers. I haven't nursed a baby for 3 years . . . and I haven't had to change a diaper for almost a year . . . oh, wonderful bliss! When my non-potty trained nieces and nephews come to play . . . I pretend I don't know that they need changing and pass them off to their mothers, upon pick-up.

As much as I thank the Lord for a new phase in my life, I also thank Him for my sweet baby (he hates it when I call him that!) He is so fun, cute, and ALL BOY (very refreshing in a house full of girls.) He and Josh are such blessings in my life. Please excuse Josh, he had a momentary lapse of psychotic-ness, during this photo. This is Ben's favorite present, BY FAR. For once, I'm thrilled with my bowling alley dining room, he has a complete race track for his scooter.

We had a special breakfast for Benny on Sunday, but I never did get around to organizing a birthday party for the kid. I bought him a pinata a few months ago, with the intention of throwing him his first FRIENDS party. I remembered to buy him presents, and I hurried and wrapped them while Damian cooked the special breakfast . . . so I missed that (and dang it, all the sausaged were gone, by the time I got there!) I didn't even have a family party with all the Idiarts that live within a mile of our house. I don't consider myself a bad mom, though. I don't have time to even entertain those thoughts.

I did entertain myself with thoughts of the GREAT parties my oldest had, at that age. She had the "Birthday Fairy" come every year and decorate the whole house with streamers, balloons, signs . . . and leave her little miniature notes. She had elaborate theme birthday parties with scores of friends, creative cakes and games, etc. etc. etc. Poor Ben didn't even get a birthday cake, yesterday. But tonight, Damian baked a pan of brownies and I grabbed 4 candles and stuck them in, and Ben blew them out.

Hey!! That's better than last year, when we went to dinner at Damian's brother's, three day's AFTER Ben's birthday, and I remembered that Ben hadn't had a cake yet. We stuck candles in a half eaten cake and tried to turn it, so you couldn't notice that the back half was already gone.

No, I won't entertain thoughts of what a poor excuse I am for a mother . . . and don't you do it either!

Art Gallery, Katrina Style

I posted about our Family Talent Show. My 5 year old, Katrina, didn't want to participate. She does have mutiple talents that I thought I'd blog about . . .

1. Katrina can grow the longest, most luxurious light brown hair! She has beautiful skin, hazel eyes and the cutest smile to go with it! She is talented in the looks department, if you know what I mean.

2. If you know her, you know she ALWAYS wears a jacket/sweater. She has quite an assortment, her favorite is pictured above. She wears them anytime she leaves the house, around the house, and to bed. She also wears socks, EVERYWHERE!! She rarely has a cold and I've never seen her with a runny nose. That is a wonderful talent!

3. Katrina has a totally sweet personality. Those who know her will be surprised at this photo. That's why I blew it up and put it in this Art Gallery, to shock the world. She is the kindest, gentlest little mother in her group of cousins. She looks after and plays with all the "littles" and they adore her. She loves her baby dolls and playing house. She is a tender-hearted darling!

Family Talent Show

NOTE: You'll have to turn off my new music feature to enjoy the videos . . . or they will overlap and drive you mad!! Scroll down and push "Pause"

These two cuties have the most adorable laughs. What a great talent! Damian's sister, Allison and our little Katrina, can be heard in the background of the video clips, with the most angelic giggles, this side of Heaven. Love those gals!

Grandma Suzanne enjoyed watching her posterity display their talents. . .while balancing one or more grandkids on her lap! One of her talents is her ability to love and snuggle everyone, making them all feel like they're her favorite! She is holding her newest grandboy, Noah Nadauld.

The long awaited video clips are here, and there are A LOT! We had so much fun playing and laughing together, at our First Annual Family Talent Show. First, I'll show you the funniest, most-talented comedian, I'm related to. . . Jared Arnaud Idiart (middle name pronounced "Ar-NO," although he tells everyone it's Arnold. What a goofball!) Please notice his appropriate costume and stretching exercises!

His wife, Christine and I did a violin/piano duet, but I didn't record that (on purpose!). She arranging the recital and had it at her home. She is our niece Bosom BFF's, violin teacher. She also did a piano solo, and it's great. . .watch for Damian, Rachel & Bosom BFF at 2:10, and watch for :30 seconds after that, to see Jared at the end! Damian's really "INTO" the music, and the girls both have their fingers in their ears, VERY FUNNY!!

Now, for my own talented kids! Miss Emma, newly eleven, playing "A Song for John"

Josh, our 9-year-old protege, playing, "Guitars of Seville"

A little duet, "Trumpet Song," performed by myself and Rachel (seven years of cute) and yes, that is my big butt, in the corner of the screen, please ignore me completely, in this clip. I look like an idiot.

Katrina, our kindergartener, was too shy to perform, but Benjamin, our 3 1/2 year old, wasn't!

My Nephew, SpideyHulkMr.Incredible, did some very cute magic tricks, with quarters. . .

I wanted to post the last video of all the cousins dancing but it is too big and won't upload properly. I can burn you a CD of all these clips, Idiart family, and Christie D, my biggest fan, you'll just have to come over to check out the fun!