A Fair is a Veritable Smorgasbord

This post is about a week late, but I've been sidelined for most of the last five days or so....better late than never, eh?

We went to the Topsfield Fair--and I love fairs. Like, in ways that I can't even articulate. So I absolutely cannot even begin to describe how disappointing it is to go to a fair and Not Even Be Able to Stomach The FAIR FOOD. I'm sorry, but fried dough is one of the great pleasures of life, and I nearly cried when I looked at the vendors and realized that it didn't look good.

And that, folks, was my big takeaway from the fair this year. That, and the fact that a person who is fighting second trimester morning sickness should know better than to walk into a building labeled "POULTRY BARN."

But considering the fact that I love fairs--pregnant or otherwise--I had a great time. Joe and Ian had a blast. From the cow sculpted out of butter to the pig races to Ian making his own beeswax candle, it was a fantastic evening.

Witness: Time Flying

(other than the initial gasps in my head saying, "Wow. I used to fit into that dress," I think it's kind of cute, eh?)

On October 9, 1999, I went on my first date at BYU.....with a blond kid from Tennessee who claimed that I was his "first choice" for homecoming. (That part is still up for debate.....wouldn't you agree, Brianne?). I didn't know him well at all--I wasn't in his Freshman Academy group (heck, I wasn't in Freshman Academy at all), we didn't have any common classes, and we never really ran into each other during the day..... He did, however, live in a neighboring dorm and we did go to church together every Sunday and we did tend to pal around with the same group of people on the weekends.

He was safe, he was funny, he was a great overall choice for homecoming.

We were going on a train--as in, I would have to dance on a train--but it sounded fun, right? No matter how silly I looked? Right? (Please nod in agreement for the sake of my self esteem.)

Thank you.

And really, looking back, it was the perfect date. (Especially when I look back at a lot of mediocre-or-worse dates I endured at BYU before Joe and I started dating in 2002....I realize now that BYU men everywhere should have been a fly on the wall of that train that night. Or at the 7-11 in Heber when we got slurpees. Or in the car when it broke down on the way to Squaw Peak {scandalous...}).

And to think that I married that blond kid from Tennessee is the best part, I'd say. But I'm biased. Because I look at those pictures from that night and realize how lucky I got.

'Cause, lest you haven't paid attention during my years of blogging, I married myself a CATCH-of-a-man, I did.

(And today, as a present to you, Joseph, I officially forgive you for making me take that special library tour.)

Comes with the territory.

Hi. It's Joe. For the record, I made Jen dinner tonight. Three times. I feel somewhat at liberty to post this since the previous post alludes to the possibility of changing eating habits in our near future. The first dinner (Mac'n'cheese mixed with peas, and green beans and carrots on the side) Ian and I ate alone downstairs. Good boys who finished their dinner got to have a popsicle. Jen was sick in bed. I figured this one might get snubbed.

After dinner, we came upstairs and received Jen's special order: "Please bring me what rabbits might eat." Kind of a strange request. We don't have spinach shoots or watermelon rind. So instead Ian and I made a green salad. Ian's job was tearing the lettuce, which he did a great job. He placed the carrot sticks (abandoned from the first dinner) around the edges, then sprinkled the diced tomatoes over the top. He even added a layer of croutons for good measure. I carried the dish upstairs, but Ian was proud to make the presentation. After spending too much time trying to find a suitable salad dressing, I was informed that the salad would no longer be required. Snubbed again. I'll admit I was just a bit frustrated.

Round three. This was about two hours later. I figured Jen was getting hungry. "Baked potato please." No problem. I can do baked potato. "Anything on it?" The simple response, "Sour cream." Well, I upped the ante. I topped that beauty with butter, melted sharp cheddar, salt/pepper, and THEN sour cream. It was a sight to behold. The simplicity... the elegance. She took the bait.

I was rather proud of myself for having the patience to present three meals. One of them even seemed to take! I really am glad to take care of Jen and I was happy that she wouldn't have to go to bed hungry. Except, now she is asleep, hungry, and sad, because she lost it all right before bed.