Progress and the Pursuit of Things Bright and Shiny

I bought a solar oven. Several months ago Richard told me that his parents regularly used one. I was impressed. It sounded so new world to me. So I did some research and I came across the Global Sun Oven, "Rated as the top solar appliance in the world." It looked like just the thing; but it was pricey. Of coarse part of that price goes to help provide the same product to the underprivileged chefs of underdeveloped countries. But still, we do have a budget.

Luckily, the firm settled a mega million dollar case, and I got a little bonus. I'm a careful spender, so I thought and thought about what to dispose my discretionary cash on. I bought Emily a dress, and there was still some money left over. I went back to the Sun Oven website and read that, "Purchasing a SUN OVEN® may well prove to be one the best investments you ever make." It rang true to me. I went to ebay and found a brand new one for about $50 below normal retail. I thought some more, and then I committed to the transaction.

We had our second meal out of it today. I wish I hadn't waited so long. Just picture it -- the rays of that hot Arizona sun, concentrated into the black box, off of the shiny reflectors, ramping the chamber up to as high as 350 degrees -- causing steam to wisp up from my pork roast, brown rice, peppers, and quinoa. The kitchen stays nice and cool. Don't have to pay for the energy. Cooks while we're at church, ad no danger of burning the house down.

It just makes me feel happy. It just makes me feel confident in human progress and the pursuit of things bright and shiny.

As it turns out, solar cooking isn't new world at all. One of those websites in my research stated unequivocally that people have used the sun to cook for thousands of years.

Thanks for the tip, Rich.

To Pam and Laurie

Happy anniversary
Happy anniversary
Happy anniversary
Hap-py anniversary!

(That was a song!)

Here's to 35 more!

Go

Let's "Go" people!

(Hope you're ready for a rocket ride!)

I am sure I am not doing this right. It took me a half hour on the phone to figure out how to get the pictures on here and now I don't have anyplace to write. I guess that is the next lesson Nancy. Anyway, here are some pictures from our long weekend. The purpose of the trip was to go to the wedding reception for Hermana sellers and her husband, Shane Larsen of Rexburg. She is from California where they got married and he is from Rexburg. One of the other Sisters that we served with had come to her wedding but she had gone back to D.C. However, her parents were there and it was fun to meet and visit with them. None of the bride's family came to the reception - a cousin getting married this weekend and Hermana Seller's sister is getting married the following weekend. It was an outside reception at the Church with cake and green punch with ice cream in it. Afterwards we went out to dinner, but found no restaurants in Rexburg (a big business opportunity for any of you who want to be in the restaurant business). The only place we could find to sit down and eat dinner was J.B.'s but after an hour of waiting no food so we got up and left (after I explained to them fairly nicely that their service, or lack their of was abysmal. They blamed it on lack of grill space because they were so busy but there were less than a dozen people in the restaurant designed to hold 100 at least. If this is your competition, a good restaurant should do well there. I must have calmed down in my old age - I wasn't nearly as vocal as that time in Chili's that I am sure you remember, but I was pretty disgusted with them. One picture is from the barbecue at Angela and Brian's to celebrate Mom's becoming a U.S. citizen. The other pictures were taken in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks which are right next door to each other. Unfortunately I did not bring my elk gun with me so no elk meat for those of you who acquired a taste for that delicacy when Stephen took the big one. Last night on the history channel they were showing the same smoking caldera in Yellowstone and saying that it is the largest in the world. There was another about this same size that went some many thousands of years ago and nearly wiped out all living things from the face of the earth. Fortunately, it did not go off while we were there. The new temple is in Rexburg - It sits on the top of a large hill right next to the BYU Idsaho campus and is going to be very impressive. It looks like they are about done with the exterior anyway - even Moroni is in place. The drive through the area was very pleasant - beautiful scenery the whole way. Lots of fields of wheat and potatoes, lots of rivers and streams, and just beautiful mountain scenery. We went looking for a nice cabin that we could buy and rent out when not in use. I figured a couple of million but the ones we liked were in the 10 million dollar range. I am not sure what the weekly rental would be but I am sure I could not afford too many payments on the 10 million loan if we failed to rent it out, so maybe I'll have to do a restaurant in Rexburg instead. It was a fun trip and we decided we needed to do more of those kinds of things. Love to all, Dad and Mom

All the Buzz

I just found this the other day. I was looking at a film teachers blog where he mentioned a ringtone that only young ears can hear. A bit like the high pitched dog deterrent Dad got one year for his birthday or fathers' day. I guess NPR did a story on it.

Can you hear it?

I'll bet your kids can.

I played it at work. I could hear it. The 19 year old receptionist could hear it. But my 27 year old manager, the 29 year old sales rep, and even a 26 year old sales associate all couldn't hear it AT ALL. Not even a little bit. Wow. That is fascinating.

Honest, get your kids around and try this out. They'll be able to hear it from the next room, you might not be able to hear it even if you put your ear up to the speaker.

PUJ in Utah!

Okay, you Utah folks. Puj is now in Utah. You can find us at the Flower Basket or Soel in Provo. And also "Expected" in Midvale. Spread the word folks...it's for a good cause :) There is also a link to our site on my friend Kelli's site, www.acheekyblog.blogspot.com If you know anyone else with a blog (nancy, austin) I'd love to give them an image of the logo. I haven't heard back from all of you about the site. Give me some feedback and become my "friend" www.pujbaby.com

Cheeseheads

Anyone who has spent any time at all with Hallie over the last six months knows the nickname that she has given herself: Cheesehead! Not because she or her father are GreenBay Packer fans, but because the girl can't get enough of cheese! So when I went to Wisconsin (see my blog) this past weekend I couldn't resist the little cheesehead for her souvenir, don't worry she already broke it!