Rasmania 101

Monday, October 9, 2017

Fancy dinner in Logan with Crista

I was able to take Ollie and Doyeon out to lunch for their birthday's this month. It was Ollie's actual B-day (the 3rd) and he had a crown from pre-school to prove it. Apparently, he wore it all day! I took them to Chick Fil-et. One of the workers was throwing candy at them, I was wondering what was going on. Then he came over and asked Ollie if it was his birthday and he said it was, so the worker gave him a stuffed cow. I said, "It's her birthday next week," and he said, "she can have one when she comes back on her birthday." Okay, then. She didn't seem to mind in the least. They came over afterwards to play for a couple of hours and had a great time. Later we went up to the Green's for some yummy Tikka Marsala and cake and ice cream.

Gunnar, Adrienne, Ollie, Finn, Caitlyn (and if I knew how to edit
myself out of this picture I'd do it)

Wednesday night we took one of Roy's business partners and his wife to "A Tale of Two Cities." I would've thought I'd read it or at least heard the story. I knew the beginning and ending lines of the book, but it was pretty unfamiliar to me. The beginning line, of course, is "It was the best of times it was the worst of times." the ending: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” It did make me want to read the book.

Friday, Roy and I semi-fasted because we were going to an elaborate charity dinner in Logan with Matt and Crista. Matt's company has hosted this dinner for a couple of years. Last year they made about $22,000 for CAPSA, a non-profit charity in Logan that helps people that have suffered abuse. We had been told by Crista that there would be 9 courses. That made us a little concerned about our diets. We needn't have worried because most of the courses had about 2 Tbs. of food on the plate. It was wonderful, unusual, and tasty food. We got to see Ruby for a few minutes before we took her to the babysitters, and Greta came along with us.

Matt had to serve, so he didn't get to eat with us. There were really more than 9 courses because they didn't count the appetizer, the dessert or the pallet cleansers ( of which there were 3). About half-way through I told Roy I might need a hamburger after. Of course, I didn't. The last dish was short ribs, and there were four small pieces, but I think it was meant to fill everyone up. I was finally full. Below are pictures of the courses. They look bigger than they were.

cotton candy around a piece of pork belly
the cone had goat cheese and veggies.

salad--the middle piece is fennel. It was really good.

Marlin ceviche (I love ceviche!)

goat cheese with borscht

Palate cleanser, lime and cucumber sorbet

Greta was the perfect baby

Roy and Catharine

This may have been my favorite. seared Ahi Tuna

Matt serving our table

Palate cleanser--carbonated melon

Salmon with sobe noodles

Pork loin

Duck (the cherries were brandied--didn't care for them)

Roy's favorite--short ribs. This is the dish that finally filled us up.

palate cleanser, jello with edible orchid. Most
people didn't eat the orchid, but we had to try it. It
tasted exactly like you think it would taste.

Dessert tree. The desserts weren't that good, but the presentation
was fun. There was a homemade marshmallow covered in
dark chocolate that was pretty tasty.

Crista with dessert ornament.

Saturday I spent the day at the Rec Center in a Water Aerobics workshop. It wore me out. After going to bed very late Friday night, sitting in class and working out for over 2 hours on Saturday, I had a very hard time getting up this morning. I was glad I did, however, as I love going to church each Sunday and feeling the Spirit, taking the sacrament and renewing my covenants. We had a great lesson on Prophets in Sunday School and were able to share things that we loved about general conference last weekend.

We were privileged this week to eat dinner at two or our children's homes. Adrienne's on Ollie's birthday, and last night Jieun and Dan had us over for Bulgulgi (Korean BBQ). We enjoyed being in their home and playing with the kids. Dojin was especially entertaining while he was eating. They have replaced the carpet on their main floor with wood and added a few pieces of furniture and it looks great.

Roy and Jennie left at 4:00 today to go up to Flaming Gorge and retrieve the trailer before it freezes (since it's supposed to snow there tonight, he is making it in the nick of time).
Some pictures from the last couple of weeks:

Ori and Yuna in their trial ballet class.

Effie's so sweet, but you'd be surprised how busy she is
when she's awake!

Last week we had the privilege of babysitting these guys;
Ollie, Finn and Gunnar. Grandpa took them to the hot tub. That's love!

Conference Sunday: Ruby and Yuna coloring.

Crista, Jennie and Caitlyn kept a tradition going by
going to Deseret Book on Ladie's night out (Priesthood session)
I stayed home and kept the girls and so they could actually
enjoy themselves. Jieun and I played some games while they
were gone.

Jieun sent me this picture on the 28th of Sept. and said that this
picture was of the same day in 2013. I miss my dad.

Dojin loves his food! Also, he has to feed himself.

Roy visited his mom in the care center in Payson.
Some days are better than others. This was a good day.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Happy Birthday to Ollie, Doyeon, Dan and AJ

October brings a lot of birthdays, so I'm just going to say "Happy Birthday" now, so I don't miss anyone in the next few weeks. So, happy birthday to Ollie, Doyeon, Dan, and AJ. Dad and I wish you the best this year. Enjoy every minute because the years go by too fast.
It's been a slow week for news, but there are a few things worth sharing. Caitlyn had a Homecoming date for last night. Luckily, they did the pre-activity Friday (bowling and a Brave's tailgate party at the High School) because her date was in a downhill mountain bike race on Saturday morning and broke his knee and his femur. It was a bummer, especially for him, but Caitlyn has good friends and they talked her into coming to the dance anyway. She went and had a good time. The people at the door were nice and let her in free when they heard what happened. Her date, of course, had bought tickets, a corsage and everything else. Jieun was going to do her hair for her, and when Caitlyn told her she didn't have to come over anymore, she came anyway with dinner for Caitlyn (and Roy and me).

Caitlyn's date is the one making the
peace sign.

Annika Anderson, Rachel Anderson, Caitlyn

Today was the primary program for Gunnar and Ollie, and Hyeji and Doyeon. The Green's program was at 9:00 and the Rasband's program was at 1:00. We heard about Gunnar and Ollie's program late yesterday, and made arrangements to be there. After attending their program, Caitlyn and I went to our ward for the last meeting of the block. Jieun texted me about their primary program at about 11:20 a.m. Somehow when I read her text I saw, 11:00 (instead of 1:00), so I got up from the meeting and went and got Caitlyn out of young women's. When we got in the car, I reread the text and realized their meeting wasn't until 1:00. Caitlyn and I went home anyway. She and Roy went to a farewell of a missionary leaving from our previous ward, and I went to the primary program.
I held Dojin for a few minutes. He had a little cold so he was tired and didn't feel well. Then Yuna sat by me. I found her a little colored pencil someone had lost on the floor and had her drawing on all the programs. However, when she tried to draw on my shirt. I whispered, "Don't draw on my shirt." She replied, "Just wash it."
I don't believe in taking pictures in Sacrament meeting, but Caitlyn took a couple :0 Ollie was either not having fun, or trying to look cool. I'm not sure which.

Ollie

Gunnar: Most of the time we couldn't
see him very well. He was behind the piano.

I didn't have my phone at their sacrament meeting, so I asked
Dan to take a picture before they changed their clothes,
and send it to me to commemorate their primary program.

Sunday evening, after the home teacher came and we'd had dinner, Jennie, Caitlyn, Roy and I watched the women's conference that I'd completely forgotten about yesterday. It worked out well, though, since last night, Caitlyn was involved with dance stuff and Jennie was a little sick. It was a great conference, as usual, and a foretaste of what is to come next weekend.

Monday, September 18, 2017

The Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum

Before I get started on this week's letter, I have to mention that it was Gunnar's birthday a couple of week's back and with everything going on, I failed to mention it, so, Happy Birthday Gunnar. He had a swimming party at his Green Grandparent's home and it was a blast for all the kids that came. Adrienne made some yummy cupcakes (and cake for after the kids left). It was a fun celebration.

Gunnar receiving a "turtle" painted by Aunt Jieun.
He was thrilled.

I've had two weeks off from teaching water aerobics because of the pool closure. That has meant more skating. My body has been a little sore and stiff from no rest days. I'm back in the pool on Tuesday. It's good because the pool keeps me limbered up for everything else I like to do. It was a nice break, though.
Tuesday evening, Adrienne invited us up for dinner because she had made quiche. It was eat and run for me, because I had a visiting teaching conference, but even though it was short, it was nice,--yummy, too. Adrienne's a great cook.

Roy and Finn

Finn

Early in the week, Roy had to drive all the way to Cordelaine, ID. While he was on a very long drive, I went with my Daughters of the Utah Pioneer group (DUP) to visit the DUP museum, by the capital building. We were told that they have 2,000 framed pictures of pioneers around the museum and another 25,000 (I can't remember the number exactly, but it was high) in storage. With that many pictures, it was a wonder to find any we can claim as our own, but these two were pointed out to me by the other ladies in my group:

These are your dad's great great grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth Giles Rasband.

I was sort of on the lookout for Cooks or Clydes, etc. but again, there were a lot of pictures!
They also had a really cool fire engine. It was restored beginning in 1994 for $125,000. The original cost to build was $8.900.

I can't believe I've never even been inside this museum. It'd be a great family night. They even have a stuffed two-headed lamb.

Thursday afternoon I had a grandma date with Ori and Yuna. I forgot to take any pictures, but they were darling and had a great time. I was surprised at how willing Yuna was to go home when her mom picked her up.

Roy and I attended a Young Single Adult Stake Women's Conference with Sheri Dew as the keynote speaker. It was a nice morning with a delicious salad lunch and I enjoyed spending the day with Roy. We also went out for date night Saturday night. Jed and Patti Cook had posted one of their dates on Instagram. We were intrigued so we decided to follow suit. This included dinner at "Current" Restaurant, which was delicious but pricey. I especially enjoyed the sushi grade ceviche we had for an appetizer and the apple cobbler we shared for dessert. The apples were cut into small pieces, nuts were added, and it made for a very tasty cobbler. I would go back, but I think it'd have to be a special occasion. After dinner we hurried to the Broadway movie theater and watched a quirky but entertaining film called, "Lost in Paris" I guess you have to expect quirky at the Broadway.

Roy at "Current"

Sunday was wonderful, as usual. We attended meetings, and, also as usual, Roy attended more meetings. It was High Council Sunday so he spoke in another ward. We had the family over for dinner and enjoyed their company. Unfortunately, little Effie came down with a cold, so we didn't have most of the Nick Rasband family. We managed to snag Ori, though, who was not sick.