Stalkers (and Friends) Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are

I'm going to give away something to people. I am a blog stalker. I hate leaving comments. It has to be something really big for me to leave a comment. I guess I never have anything great to say. I check blogs daily. Google reader makes it so convenient. I check my email, then my friends blogs, family, sewing, cooking, SAA, rhett's friends, and I have a category on there titled "Stalker List".

So there you have it. I think most people blog stalk, but to reward those that stalk this blog.

1. I won't think anything of it. I won't think you're creepy, or question why you're looking at my blog, think how random are you, etc. I stalk, I know you stalk. So enter to win something like a normal person.

2. I think I'll let the winner choose what they want within reason. I'll make it for them. Here's a bunch of things I've made, to give you ideas of what you could choose/ design:

A lot of stuff for kids. But what if you don't have kids, don't want kids, and don't know kids?

Maybe this stuff:

If you're not a girl, or if you just don't want some handmade crafty junk:

Everyone likes cookies and I could air pack and ship them.

But if you look at this blog and none of this is appealing, then I'm sorry...maybe I have a book or something you might want? A pack of gum?

3. RULES: Leave a comment. It doesn't have to say anything, because I hate leaving comments myself. Maybe type something: jkljkj-- gibberish at least. For extra points, you could say how you found this, through which friend of yours you stalk, that might be interesting, but not required. Maybe I'll have a bonus gift for the person that I think has the most random stalk chain to have found me.

**But I guess if you have a private blog I can't send a comment back to say you won, so you'll have to leave your email address. Or stalk back to see if you win because I'll post it on here if I can't get a hold of the winner.

That's all. I guess with these things I have random.org pick a winner. The lucky winner can then choose whatever they want from my etsy store stuff or anything from my project blog or whatever. It doesn't have to be these things, these are just ideas. We'll work out all the details of your colors, cookies, project, etc. That part will be fun. Then I'll ship it to you. Because lets face it, we don't actually want to see the people from high school or friends of friends that we stalk. That's why we stalk so we can keep in touch without communicating at all right? So you won't have to see me, don't worry. And if we're friends, not many of you live near enough to see me anyway.

Because I kind of expect to know most people, according to statcounter.com I don't have many people look at this thing, and most I recognize anyway. So let it begin. I don't know how long to have this go though....I'll have to get back with you on that.

He Clicked Submit

Remember Rhett didn't know what he was going to be when he grew up?

Well he clicked submit and applied to residency. Family practice, rural emphasis. That decision has been such a killer. For 1 1/2 months he was physically ill with the weight of it all. It's amazing what stress can do to you physiologically. But once he decided Radiology was out that relieved a lot of stress and from my perspective, he coasted gradually into this area where it all feels right. I think he was really trying to love Radiology because I was pretty vocal about how great it would be, plus I love it myself that's why I went into it. I should have known to keep quiet, knowing Rhett would try to do whatever I wanted, even though he might hate it. So I'm glad God is involved in these things to tell Rhett where he should go and to tell me to shut up basically. We were both kind of regretting next putting so much research into Pediatrics. More for Rhett, but I did fill out his spreadsheet ranking 60 different programs. So if anyone has any questions on M.D. Pediatric Residency Programs, Rhett and his spreadsheets would be an excellent source.

It's so interesting the process of making major life changing decisions and seeing where God funnels you to be. We feel good about it. Every area has pros and cons. I think most common opinions about Family Practice focuses on the cons. It's so funny to hear different people's reactions when we tell them Rhett's future course.
My favorite so far: "Don't you realize you're going to be poor your whole life?" I guess we have different definitions of being poor. I would love to be that poor right now.
And news flash: If Rhett chose his career based solely on getting rich, he'd be an idiot because there are much faster, easier, and less demanding routes then medical school if that's your only priority. But to be fair, money is a great temptation, probably one of my top 5 perks for Radiology, but maybe that is why I had the experience to work at Home Depot the first 6 months we lived in Kirksville.

Anyone who knew me during those months knows how much I loathed that job--I was pretty vocal about it. Some days I would just go sit in my car on my lunch break and bawl for a while, dry my eyes and realize how pathetic I was, think of starving kids in Africa, or illegal immigrants begging for jobs, put my mental "big girl panties" on and went back to work, listening to white trash yell at me all day (customer service). But how I hated it. So I had the chance to get a different job in the hospital working worse hours, for less pay, and it was AWESOME! So blah blah blah. It's much more important to have a job you enjoy and have fulfillment in than the money. Everyone knows this, but it's surprising not everyone makes choices based on this. Just thinking of anyone going to work and feeling the same way I felt about Home Depot, I don't think the millions help that much...don't get me wrong. It would definitely help you get through the day. But you could be happier elsewhere, with less. So those that love their job and make all the millions, please become my friend and take me on your yacht when we all grow up...Natalie, Jayne, the rest of you who know who you are, hint hint.
With all of this, I'm not trying to portray as our career decision taking the higher road or anything superior, just our road is good for us so people stop telling us why you think it is bad for you! Maybe I'll just make copies of Rhett's elaborate spreadsheets, have them on hand, and give them a copy with all the stats and end the conversation. Like slapping someone with silence...or a spreadsheet.

I burned my Home Depot apron when I quit. That was really satisfying.

Reviewing this post, I kind of sound whiny and as if I'm dragging my feet behind this decision, or Rhett's decision. If that's what it portrays, I'm not. I'm excited and also feel this is right for our family. As I contemplated deleting everything I wrote, I decide: No one really reads this blog anyway, so I don't care. My mom already knows all this. As one person put it earlier this year: "Do you thrive on not getting any comments?" Was this a tip to blog suicide Jessica? Give the dying dog the bullet? I have considered it. Maybe my next post will evaluate why I blog at all. Hmmm. Maybe I need to create a great giveaway to pull any blog stalkers out of the closet and show themselves. But that may depressing when I whip open my imagined closet to find no one. Maybe I should do a giveaway. Those that do read should have pretty good odds to win. So if you read all this personal crap I've written, comment on what you want me to give away. I could make something, or whatever. Maybe the giveaway should be I have to make you whatever you want when you win. But all this is a totally different matter. I didn't want all that to sound like a blog whine....but I guess...it is?

Someone get me some cheese to help sop up all my whine tonight.

Farmer's Market

"First rule in roadside beet sales: the most attractive beets on top. The ones that make you pull the car over and go: wow, I need this beet right now..... those are the money beets."

-Dwight K. Schrute-

We're taking Dwight's advice as we have too much produce from my mom's gianormous garden and are sharing her gardening creations with those that would like some fresh, organic food. The main draw are the raspberries, which we are selling for $3.00/lb, a smoking deal considering they are fresh of the vine and less expensive than Costco or grocery stores on sale. I have to wait for the dew to dry before I pick them, and then it takes about 2 hours, so they are usually ready in the near afternoon. We are averaging 15lb per picking, and people have been buying like 10 lb at a time, so they sell out each afternoon. We are on a strict picking schedule: MONDAYS & THURSDAYS.

So if you are near and want to make some jam, or freeze them, raspberries will be available on Mondays and Thursdays through the end of the harvest. Or tell your Mom if she's in my area too. Mom's are always looking for a good deal and like to make jam right?

Email me to find Kelly Farm: jessica.crapo@gmail.com

Also available right now:

***All this produce you'll pick fresh out of the garden. If you've never eaten a tomato that's warm from the sun on the vine, come over!

-beets, 4 beets/ $1 (I wasn't making the dwight connection for nothing)

-green bell peppers 3/$1

-anaheim peppers 2/$1

-cucumbers 3/$1

-tomatoes Roma: $.50/lb Slicing: $.75/lb

-parsley, handful for $0.25

We're trying to make the prices less expensive then stores, because fresh out of a garden sometimes isn't perfect. But it is organic....for those who are into that. No pesticides, if that's how you define organic.
Next month we'll have PUMPKINS!

Rhett in Belize

Rhett is in Belize for the next month on a medical rotation. If you want to read about it, here is his blog: http://rhett-belizemission2009.blogspot.com/

At first it was a disapointment, they wouldn't let him do anything this week, mon-thurs. Then Friday rolled around and they put him in charge of the hospital and said see you Monday, if anything is over your head call this other Dr.

He delivered a baby today and had some patients with the flu, broken arm, etc.

The first night is the funniest to me, so scroll down if you want entertainment more than medical experience.

Rhett hopes international medical missions will be a big part of our family. Take a "vacation" with our older kids and go serve in under served areas once he's a real doctor. Help the people and show our kids they should be grateful they have a toilet and to stop complaining they can't have a touch ipod. Hopefully those future opportunities will work out, and lucky for Rhett I enjoy camping, although after he describes the scorpion/crab spider and rats running around his head and hissing from the jungle, maybe I won't be such a great asset on his future medical missions.

photo from his Dominican Republic medical mission in undergrad in 2005

Goblins

Saturday we were able to play in the goblins. We played Ghost in the Graveyard, which is pretty much Hide & Seek. It was fun and crazy. The boys would hide on their turn up in the rocks so you'd climb up and they'd jump down on top of you almost. Then you'd run around screaming because you're lost in the goblins and can't find base, then you're it because you are old and out of shape and an easy target.

the hike

In the morning we had planned to go on a short hike in the narrows. Kyle had the stomach flu so RJ and I stayed at the camp with him while Rhett took the rest of the kids on the hike. They all loved it and told us how fun it was.

Rhett said at one point they took off their shoes to cross some deeper water and Macey said: "I just don't know what this will do to my pedicure." She's really cute and funny and told the boys she is a total girly girl and isn't very good at hiking--even though she likes it. I was glad she came so I wasn't the only girl.

Summer Is OVER

To end our summer, we went camping one last time. We took 3 nephews and a niece with us to Goblin Valley, and it was a ton of fun. They have really nice camp sites that have nice bathrooms/ showers nearby. We lucked out and got the camp that was behind a rock wall which made it more isolated and the kids had fun climbing the cliffs.

We had so much fun the first night running around the goblins. We played night games, then RJ fell asleep on Rhett's shoulder and it was 10pm so we decided we'd better go.

the group on a goblin

they found us when we were hiding playing "Sardines". I've had that t-shirt for so long. Before I had it, it belonged to my older sister. I have plans for it...when I detox my wardrobe next spring. More details on that to follow.

Cole just loved that this rock looked just like a butt

this family couldn't win any good-looking awards, even our baby looks like bonch! Rhett's sister, Amber is letting us borrow a bunch of clothes for the little guy. This is one of the outfits. It's a silky track suit. Big Rhett kept unzipping it half way and flipping the collar so all the kids could call little Rhett "the Hoff". Mainly I think of the scene from The Office where Michael is trying to become friends with the warehouse guys and they call him Hasslehoff, and he quietly buttons his shirt back up.

group shot. I looked even creepier (if it's possible) before I fixed the red eye

SMORES. But instead of a cold bar of chocolate, a Reeses peanut butter cup melting between two toasted marshmellows.

more to come from our weekend later.

St. George

Rhett's just finished a rural family practice rotation. The doctor he's been following is a coach for the high school football team and also the sidelines medic. So we went down to the Delta v. Hurricane football game. Rhett enjoyed the game, and a kid busted the skin on his head open that needed stitches so win-win. I spent the majority of the game sitting in the gravel under the bleachers throwing rocks with RJ. I'd run out to check the score or see why the crowd cheered, and run back before RJ could escape from my sight.
We stayed in St. George and swam, ate, the usual.

You Like Things That Are Free?

Today you can enter to win one of my backpacks. Friday, Aug 14.


It is a giveaway, and you can enter multiple times.


The winner gets to pick any backpack from my little etsy shop, or pick any backpack custom as you can see all of them I've ever made here.


So if you have a kid, want a kid, know a kid, or just like winning something free,
ENTER HERE.


also, Lynette is having a giveaway on her blog too: http://www.ladydanburrysews.blogspot.com/

Pizza On the Grill

Pizza made on your outdoor grill. I've seen these on blogs for a long time, but just recently tried it...and I loved it. Lynette loved it too. My dad wouldn't try it because it was too "weird". To my dad, "weird food" means gourmet and really tasty.





There are probably lots of instructions out there, but this is what I did--just winging it.
1. Make your pizza dough.
2. Get all your toppings ready and have them handy next to the grill. Heat your grill.
3. Roll out your pizza crust to desired thickness. Brush olive oil on one side and flip it onto the hot grill. The oil keeps the dough from sticking. Let the first side cook for 3-5 minutes until it is starting to crisp up.
4. While the first side is grilling, brush the raw side that is up with olive oil.
5. Flip the crust over. Now the second side is cooking and you are looking at a beautiful, grilled circle of crust. Quickly spread sauce over it and throw your toppings on.
6. Cover the lid of the grill to cook for about 5-10 more minutes unti the cheese is melted and the crush is firm and a little crunchy.
7. Eat it and love that it is summer!



For our pizza, I used prepared pesto as the sauce. We love pesto. Then I threw on mozzerella cheese, bacon crumbles, pine nuts, tomato sliced thin, and fresh basil. IT WAS GOOD. We really liked the crust. It's slightly crisp and has the great grilled flavor. Lynette suggested adding cooked chicken to this pizza next time. I agreed and I have a great lemon chicken marinade from this chick I met in Kirksville.
We had it with fresh corn on the cob. Actually, before we ate, I just ran out in my mom's garden and grabbed the fresh basil, corn and tomatoes. It's great to live with a garden addict.

Especially fresh corn on the cob. It is so delcious. Butter. Salt. Corn. Heaven must have stacks of fresh corn on the cob. Tonight Lynette and I were loving our "hand shucked" corn and observed how much better it is fresh. "FROM STALK TO STOMACH IN 30 MINUTES." I think when I grow up I will like to grow some corn of my own. RJ liked it. (Yes, his shirt is dirty and his nose had just quit bleeding...that is life)

Summer Update

Rhett is continuing on through his last year of med school. Really busy and starting applications for residency. Everyone asks which specialty he's going into, including me. Last time we discussed it he said: "Jess, my decision isn't final until I click "SUBMIT" on the application." He has narrowed it to three choices so that is progress. I've made a guess at which of the three it will be and so we'll see if I'm right when he chooses to click submit. He finished a rotation in Newborn ICU and is currently in a family practice rotation.

Me. Jessica. The mom. Nothing too new. I've been sewing a lot and that has been fun for me. Harvest season is starting and we'll be canning/freezing beans, corn, raspberries, making jam, applesauce and everything. Harvest is a busy time of year so that will probably be the majority of the activities going on soon. I'm thinking of starting a little Kelly Farmer's Market for when we get sick of a certain produce item and want to sell the leftovers....so my mom and I don't have to can it. Also enjoying summer with the little boy. He is not a baby anymore. He turned 12 months and sprinted right into the Terrible Two stage. I'm hoping it will end sooner since he started it sooner. He's been such the perfect baby, but now he is challenging and I've never felt so stupid, inadequate, overwhelmed, and impatient, which I guess is what being a mom is all about and I'm hoping to get in a groove soon with the new behavioral challenges. He's still cute though.

RJ. Loves to run around and rough-house. Learning lots of new words and signs. A little independent, stubborn personality erupted. He knows what he wants, but needs to learn how to communicate it. He loves games and playing. He's a smart little guy and loves to give really tight hugs around your neck. His favorite food is pasta. We love him.

Sister's Boutique

My sisters and I are getting together to offer all our handmade items in a boutique!

Heather makes handmade jewelry with authentic stone and fossil.

Lynette makes handmade totes, satchels, clutches, and she'll be featuring some clothing too. She specializes in vintage and unique designs.

I'll have my Primo Bambino stuff for kids. I've been sewing like a mad woman. I have lots of superhero capes (I will be introducing Supergirl capes!!!), totes, and we'll see how many backpacks I can get done. Here's a preview of things that are being reserved for Thurs:

o it will hopefully be pretty great. You can find unique, handmade, items for yourself, teenagers, and your kids. So I recommend you run to Costco across the street and get a hot dog and drink for $1.50 and maybe a churro for only $1.00 and then come hang out with us. I think my favorite aspect will be hanging out with my sisters and any friends that stop in!

This Thursday and Friday (August 6 and 7) we're getting together to sell the things we make. We'll be at:
Bangerter Jewelers
476 North 900 West
American Fork, Utah (just east of Costco)
from 10a to 6p.
Look for us under a white canopy!!

don't let these photobooth photos scare you...we are normal most of the time