Fries, Waffles and Coco

To celebrate the end of a long week on Friday my friend Chloe and I spent the evening in Salt Lake.

We went to this wonderful Belgian waffles and frites restaurant: Bruges. The fries were divine and the waffle was delicious.



And then we went and saw Coco Before Chanel. (I miss seeing indie films at Lincoln Center!) It was one of the most honest films on the subject of modern feminism I’ve seen. Coco's struggle and determination to become a self-made woman in an era when women were not supposed to make anything was inspiring. And Audrey Tautou was perfect.


It was fun to have an evening like this right here in Utah.

Reason 1,568,998 I Love My Sister

"I feel like he doesn't treat me like I'm as awesome as I am."
- Sister, specific identity withheld to protect the innocent because we are all . . . wait for it . . . awesome

My Special Guest Blogger "Friend"

Kelli's friend Michelle loves me, well, for obvious reasons. Kelli and Michelle met in Provo - when I was also living in Provo. They moved to DC together (ish) and now are roommates - and I visited often when I lived in NYC. I like to call Michelle "friend," since she has become my friend too. There are a few things you need to know about Michelle.
1) She wishes she was a Brooks sister (who doesn't)
2) She feels the need to try to out-do me (good luck)
So without further ado, I'd like to introduce a very special guest blogger, Michelle.

Find Kelli a Husband Trip by Michelle

Our story begins over two years ago on Kelli’s 26th birthday, and since it is being told by the best friend, I’ve taken the liberty to . . . we’ll call it embellish, for dramatic effect.

Dave Brooks was beginning to feel his age when his oldest daughter Kelli celebrated yet another birthday as a single, unattached young woman. Despite his pride at all she accomplished so far in her life, what he really wanted were the two things that his daughters seemed intent on not giving him: a son and grandchildren.

As he pondered how and when this would one day happen, he thought there might be a way to help it along. Afterall, he had raised 5 daughters on the incentive program and they’d all responded just as he’d counted on them to. Why not apply the same concept to getting them married? It was only fair to start with his oldest daughter Kelli and work his way down from there.

So, he had a conversation with Kelli that went something like this:

Dave: Alright Kelli, it’s time for you to start looking for a husband.
Kelli: Haha, very funny Dad.
Dave: I’m serious. Here’s the deal I’ll make with you. You have 2 years to find him all by yourself. If you can’t make anything happen within that time, I’ll come to DC myself to observe and evaluate the guys in your ward and find someone for you.
Kelli: Well, do I have to be married 2 years from now?
Dave: No, but a ring, or a relationship heading towards a ring will be required.
Kelli: Okay Dad, sure, whatever you say (she says sarcastically).

Over the next two years Kelli makes no progress whatsoever, despite Dave consistently reminding her that he is coming if she doesn’t take care of it herself. Kelli is sure that these are empty threats and barely gives it a second thought, but as the deadline approaches and her Dad is still talking about the impending visit, she starts to get a bit concerned. Will he come? Will he actually do anything when he gets here? Kelli assures herself that it’s all just empty threats, and yet . . .

The deadline comes and goes and still no guy, so a week after Kelli’s 28th birthday Dave and Darla make a trip up to DC for the weekend, as promised. When Sunday rolls around Dave heads off to Elders Quorum with a mission: find at least 5 potential men for Kelli. Dave shares his top picks with Kelli after church and finds that a few are real possibilities and gives her a mission to begin her due diligence. He tells her he will be back in a month to continue the job and Dave and Darla head back home to Atlanta, feeling better about their chances of becoming grandparents some day.

While all these events are *true* and did take place, I’m pretty sure that Dave and Darla’s real reason for coming to DC was just to visit Kelli. The problem was though, that Dave and Darla wished the whole family could be with them and decided not to let a stupid thing like geography get in the way. So, the heads of the 4 missing Brooks sisters were printed up, mounted to sticks, and they all joined us on a few activities in and around DC.

First stop: A Segway Tour of our Nations Capital . . . get your helmets on girls, cause we’re about to get started:


Oh look, it’s the whole family!


And here are just the girls on the Segways; don’t they look like they’re having fun!



Of course no tour of DC would be complete without a stop at The White House.


And since we didn’t want to leave you out of the rest of the days activities, we brought the girls along with us to dinner.


to TangySweet


and of course, to the movies!


And then, as a reminder of where the whole “heads on a stick” phenomenon began.


I’d say you were missed, but in reality we felt you with us every step of the way and immensely enjoyed your company. Glad you could all join us for a great weekend in DC, can’t wait to do it again soon!

Shannan: The Food Service Worker

Shannan is studying dietetics here at BYU, and as part of her program this semester she has to work in a student run restaurant on-campus: The Pendulum Court. I've actually left the Tanner Building a few times to have lunch with her. Seeing Shannan in a hairnet always makes me smile.

KC and J Dawgs

The wonderful KC was deported (which isn't entirely true but way more fun to say), and on her way back to Canada stopped in Provo for a day! It was so great seeing and chatting with her, and she helped me with my Things Kristan has Never Done List. We went to J Dawgs.

Those of you outside of the Provo world probably have no idea what J Dawgs is. It's a little hut south of campus that sells hot dogs, and it has quite the cult student following. For those of you familiar with the Provo world, you probably can't believe I've never had a J Dawg. It's true. (even though my childhood summertime lunch memories usually include of a hot dog and ketchup)

I ordered a polish dog with special sauce and a pickle. Properly named: The Lady. It was delicious.

#7 Channeling Matty Saracen

Add this to the list of things you never thought I would do: Play Flag Football. That’s right, this year I decided to play on the MBA women’s intramural flag football team. And guess what else, I had a blast.

Before September had I ever really thrown, caught or really even touched a football – no. Luckily I wasn’t the only one. Put a bunch of type-A personalities who don’t like to lose and usually are pretty good at everything they do and ask them to play flag football – against a bunch of girls 5 to 10 years younger than them. Hilarity ensues. And a bunch of penalties. Caisa and Shannan said they loved coming to my games because they were so entertaining. It was a great season.


Here are some of my favorite moments:

1. Practice. Yes, we had practices. It was pretty funny watching two guys in the program try to teach us football. Some favorite moments:
Coach: “Okay, I want you to be the slot.”
Girl: “You want me to be what?”
Coach: “The slot.”
Girl: “Slot. So not what I thought you said.”
Girl: “Wait. I don’t know what that is.”

Coach: “Here are our routes. In, Slant in, Out, Slant out, and Streak.”
Girl: “Oh so now I’m a streaking slut.”

2. About five minutes into our first game it started to rain. I looked at my teammates and asked why we were still playing. I’d never played football before and there I was playing – and freezing – in the rain. Another thing I thought I’d never do.

3. Game 1: 0-0 We didn’t lose!
Game 2: 0-something high
Game 3: 0-something high
New Goal: JUST SCORE
Game 4: 6-something!!! (WE SCORED!!)
New Goal: WIN!
Game 5: 7-6 WE ACTUALLY WON A GAME!!!

4. Captain Erin: "If we can’t win, get ejected."

5. Coach Rett: "Go for the knees and you shall prevail!"

6. Shannan screaming from the sidelines: "MAKE RIGGINS PROUD!" (Always made me smile)

7. After an illegal defensive tackle or some crap penalty like that. Erin, “But ref, wouldn’t you just call that good defense?”

8. Always laughing hysterically - at and with ourselves.

9. 1 tie. 2 loses. 1 win by forfeit. 1 legit win.

And #10. I. Caught. The. Ball. This deserves the story. I played defense. I’m not the fastest, and I can’t catch. But as Caisa puts it, I’m really good at getting in the way. I had quite a few sacks. Which let me tell you is fun. In Game 5, the other team was going for their extra point. I went to rush the quarterback and noticed she was going the other direction, so I decided to pop back. The next thing I know the ball is coming toward me. I throw my hands up thinking there is no way I’ll reach the ball, but I should at least pretend. And then miracle of all miracles the ball is in my hands. It felt like I was literally standing there just looking at the ball in my hands for forever thinking, did I really just caught the ball?! I really just intercepted the ball! Wait. Now what? I’m in the end zone. Doesn’t that mean this is a touchback or a safety or some football term I have no idea what it is or means? So I’m just standing there. The ref isn’t blowing the whistle. No one is grabbing my flag. No one is really doing anything. I’m just staring at the ball in my hands. The next thing I know I hear everyone on the sidelines telling me to run. So I start running. (The story from everyone in the sidelines is that I look at the sidelines, smile and then while still looking smiling I start to kind of running while still so excited I’m smiling and looking at everyone in disbelief.) So, I caught the ball. I had an interception. And that interception helped us win the game by not allowing the other team to score the extra point. And I also learned an important lesson: when you catch the ball, run. :)

It was a great season. I'm so glad I decided to play.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream for Breakfast

I went on a bit of a pumpkin baking spree last week, and I found a new favorite recipe - Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream. The recipe is from Closet Cooking and it is divine. It tastes just like pumpkin pie filling. Add some graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips and caramel. Last night Caisa, Melanie, Shannan and I couldn't stop. And then I had some for breakfast this morning. Dare I say it may just be better than pumpkin pie for breakfast. I'm having the Monday blues and all I want to do is go home and eat the leftovers. ("leftovers" sounds so much more exciting when I'm talking about dessert!)

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
4 egg yolks
1 cup pumpkin puree

Directions:
1. Heat the cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a sauce pan until it almost boils, about 5 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to low.
3. Add one tablespoon of the cream mixture to the egg to temper it.
4. Add the egg to the sauce pan.
5. Cook at low heat without boiling, until it is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Add pumpkin puree and stir.
7. Chill the mixture in the fridge.
8. Freeze according to the instructions for your ice cream machine.