Day: February 2, 2014

cooking, skiing, museums, and lots of family history

I was so awake last night that I crawled in bed and talked Abe’s ear off, even though he was already unconscious and couldn’t actually form verbal responses. Then this morning rolled around…and I wished I hadn’t been so talkative last night. Nevertheless, I rolled out of bed and headed to school.

While there, I tried to conquer my fear of frying by making tempura. My fears were realized when I: sliced a knife through one of my finger nails, permanently scarred my arm from bumping a burning hot metal spider, set some towels on fire, and got splattered with hot oil. I swapped in sweet soy sauce for regular and my dipping sauce came out bland (sweet soy sauce doesn’t have the same salt content, fyi), and my tempura was pale and soggy. I was scared of taking the oil temperature, so my oil went from being so hot that the chef lectured me on fireballs that happen when oil that temperature erupts into flames…and so low (because I was appropriately scared out of my mind by that lecture) that my tempura didn’t brown or crisp. Argh. But at least now I’ve tried frying foods, and I know with certainty that I hate it.

Then Abe, Balu, and the girls met me at school so we could go straight to Sundance, where Abe and Balu skied away. Well, actually first we went to Qualtrics so Abe could pick up the ski passes (free at his new job!). I loved seeing his office and how open, friendly, and fun everything felt. It made me happy to think of Abe spending happy, productive time in that positive environment.

THEN we went to Sundance, where we dropped off Abe and Balu.

Abe doesn't have sunglasses, so he borrowed my sparkly ones.
Abe doesn’t have sunglasses, so he borrowed my sparkly ones.

The girls and I then headed to the BYU museum to see the Sacred Gifts exhibit I learned about on Wednesday. We had to go through the exhibit twice at a fast clip because Mary was antsy and didn’t like it when I stopped in front of a painting. Lydia was quiet, although tired and miserable because she had wet her pants right before and we didn’t have any extra pairs on hand. After viewing the exhibit, I made a quick tour of the rest of the museum before getting back into the car and going to Abe’s grandma’s house five minutes away.

We had a terrific visit full of family history stories. Here are some pictures I took to remind me of the stories:

This is Christina, Abe's great grandmother, who immigrated from Greece. In Greece, her father was kidnapped by the Turks for ransom. Her family was well off and paid the ransom, but the kidnappers took the money and killed her father anyway. Her mother died of a broken heart.
This is Christina, Abe’s great grandmother, who immigrated from Greece. In Greece, her father was kidnapped by the Turks for ransom. Her family was well off and paid the ransom, but the kidnappers took the money and killed her father anyway. Her mother died of a broken heart.
This is the husband of Dorothea, Grandma Darais' Swedish grandmother. His brother saved up money for a ticket to America, and he loved his brother so much that he gave the ticket to him and stayed behind to earn another ticket for himself.
This is the husband of Dorothea, Grandma Darais’ Swedish grandmother. His brother saved up money for a ticket to America, and he loved his brother so much that he gave the ticket to him and stayed behind to earn another ticket for himself.

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This is a picture of Abe's grandfather, Alex Darais, with a piece of art he entitled, "The Song has Ended."
This is a picture of Abe’s grandfather, Alex Darais, with a piece of art he entitled, “The Song has Ended.”
The original piece is still in the living room. Alex fashioned a paper canary to sing in "The Song has Ended."
The original piece, which won an award, is still in the living room. Alex fashioned a paper canary to sing in “The Song has Ended.”

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Norma's father made this for her before her third birthday. He died when she was three, and so this is a treasure to her.
Norma’s father made this for her before her third birthday. He died when she was three, and so this is a treasure to her.
A photograph of Alex Darais.
A photograph of Alex Darais.
Alex did not like this family photo, so he had the picture redone.
Alex did not like this family photo, so he had the picture redone.
This was his preferred version. Abe's dad, Tom, is the second to youngest son in the picture.
This was his preferred version. Abe’s dad, Tom, is the second to youngest son in the picture.
A portrait of Alex by Andrea, his daughter (Abe's aunt). Her self portrait is on the left.
A portrait of Alex by Andrea, his daughter (Abe’s aunt). Her self portrait is on the left.
Lydia recited her scriptures (1 Nephi 3:7 and 2 Nephi 2:25) and the first article of faith for Norma. That made both of them happy.
Lydia recited her scriptures (1 Nephi 3:7 and 2 Nephi 2:25) and the first article of faith for Norma. That made both of them happy. (Lydia’s not wearing pants because of her accident in the car. Norma lent her socks for the ride home. They came up to Lydia’s thighs!)
Mary got a kiss.
Mary got a kiss.
The girls hugged each other a lot today.
The girls hugged each other a lot today.
They loved the real cat outside.
They loved the real cat outside.
Playing in Grandma Darais's toys.
Playing in Grandma Darais’s toys.
A happy shot.
A happy shot.

After we picked up Abe and Balu, we all went to the museum again and took turns going in so that all the adults could absorb the exhibit. Abe and I just love how enthusiastic and joyful Balu is–he appreciates everything, from nature to art to food to awesome Qualtrics prize wheels. We were so happy to spend Saturday with him!

Then we ate pizza in our already trashed car and felt sticky, greasy and gross for the car ride home.

Our water heater turned off in our absence, so I have to wait until tomorrow to shower. Since I didn’t have time this morning or yesterday, it’s starting to feel like I’ve been camping…