Pete and the bike rack

Farmington Bay

Went to Farmington Bay bird refuge this evening for a walk. We love it there and there were birds everywhere chirping and the sky was incredible. I feel close to the spirit being outside and it rejuvenates me. Pete was adorable and he loved riding in his stroller and eating his tiny fruits as he got pushed around. 

Edgar Gets Ready For Bed Craft on Paging Supermom

I had the fun opportunity to create a kid's craft based on a kid's book for the cute site Paging Super Mom. Check it out here.

First Word

Pete's first word (besides some unassociated "mamas") was ball. He started saying it a week ago and I've never said the phrase "Where's your ball?" more in my life.

Also I have to post some of these Pete pictures from a mini photo shoot I did in the backyard a few weeks ago. His outfit coordinated with our worn down fence. So obviously, I had to take some pictures.

So, I'm taking that as a "no"?

Talking with his hands

Grins

GQ

No, really…have you spoken with my agent? 

I call this my "jungle cat". It's fierce.

Where to start?

I've come here to write a post after a long absence about 12 times. How do you just pick up and start writing again? I feel like I need to document everything that's happened to me in the last 3, 4, 5 (how long has it been?) years! That's a daunting task. So I guess I better just start with something and not feel like I have to fill in the gaps. The gaps are documented in notebooks, random slips of paper, and my phone. I'll just think of it as giving my posterity something to compile…like a detective game! Yeah, I like that.

But really, the biggest change since I've written IS my posterity. That would be Pete (so far).

"bbnbbv  bv  bb nbvnv  b mn  nm, nbbvc       bvbn vb bv vbn"

In fact, the little blurb above is from Pete and he was in high heaven while I let him play with the keyboard to produce it. He likes everything he can't have.   Here's a picture of him a few days after we brought him home from the hospital.

Oh man. I better put another one in.

Oops. That was two…What a little squish face! Not nearly as squishy as he is now. He is a champ with so much personality it can hardly be contained in his little (albeit fat) body. Let's just end with a couple more shots of when he was teeny tiny and we were worried he wasn't gaining any weight.

More Pete to come soon with some ramblings from his mom (and maybe his Dad [if he isn't scared and has his blogging pants on]).

I might start posting again

I need a way to journal and have a place to post pictures. Most of the pictures I will be posting are of my baby, so I'm going private. If anyone is still following this blog and you want an invite, let me know.

Later!

M

Pocket Post

Dear Blog,

You are so sad that I haven't written on you in a while. Unfortunately, I have no guarantees that I will be a more faithful writer in the future. Life is just busy. Mostly a good busy.

Dear Persimmon Floral,

19 weddings! In one year! That's a lot! Makes me tired.

Dear Pears & Nectarines from Costco,

You have been so delicious and lovely to have around the house to snack on. My new favorite breakfast is a sliced pear, laughing cow lite cheese, and pita chips. A little sweet, a little savory, a lot awesome!

Dear Zumba,

You make me very aware of my "whiteness", but also make working out soooooooo much fun! And sexy (if I don't look at myself in the mirror).

Dear Mom,

Thanks for being so nice and caring. You helped me out with my lesson, came and cleaned behind my fridge, looked for new sheets for me, and always show how much you love me. I love you!

Dear Raspberry Cream Pie, 

Mmmmmmmm. You were good and gone in about two seconds. We liked your tartness and crumble topping. I'd try you again!

Love,

Megs

Oh. It's going to be one of those posts

You know, the posts where you are like "Hey, we haven't dropped off the face of the planet" or "Let us tell you about all the fun we've been up to" or "We're going to be better bloggers we promise". Yeah, it will probably be like that.

So, turns out The Dunfords are still around. Feeling pretty good overall. We are working. Working out. Eating. Sleeping. Tripping (like we go on trips, not falling down). Starting new bidnesses. Eating. Redecorating the living room. Pinning things on Pinterest like champs. Doing wedding shows and teaching classes at conferences. Researching new ways to build aquariums. Churching. Watching movies. Listening to books on tape. Cabining. Building stuff.

So we're busy. And happy. And a little sleepy. But good.

Tom had a birthday. Megan made him go to IKEA, but also let him go fishing, so she seems like a pretty great wife.

This is her smiling because she loves those plants sooooooo much.

We went to the Cabin for the first time this season and smoked meat and pizza. And were so happy.

This is on the way to the cabin. Oh, those aspens will get you every time!

We went to California to visit family and see a brand new baby that never cries and visit new soda stores and get crazy with envy because we don't have our own soda store and to go to the temple and to visit the Getty and stock up on delicious treats from Trader Joe's and play Settlers of Catan and eat tacos in East LA and go to the beach.

I had two horchatas and was in heaven.

Rows and rows of any soda you could imagine.

At the Getty. Posing awkwardly. 

Added a life lister at the beach (Black Turnstone).

Cute family. Lovely temple. 

We started a new business this year. It's called Dunford's Sweet Cream Soda Pop. We think it's great. We're biased. We hope other people think it's great. We may just have a soda cart now. Who knows? You gotta try things. That's our motto. When we're feeling adventurous.

The cart that Tom built with help from Doug. Oh and I painted the pink parts.

I taught a flower class at a blogging conference and it was really fun!

Love those colors!

There's probably more to share, but there's a lot of house to clean. So, bye!

The Gospel & Birds

Perfect combo in our opinion.

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#rescued-by-christ

The Big 3-0

has come and will be gone in 1 hour and 7 minutes. I had a lovely day thanks to Tom, Lexy, Mom, and all my other friends and family wishing me well. Thirty feels pretty great. I have finished most of my 30x30 goals and will be updating the blog soon. I have really enjoyed doing them and hope to finish up the ones I'm half way done with shortly. I think Tom and I might do a joint 40x40, although right now that seems crazy ridiculous. But anyway, it was a lovely day and now I'm super sleepy. I guess that's what happens when you are an old lady like me.

Oh and make that 1 hour and 3 minutes now...better go eat more pie before it all ends.

#22 - Make a garland

Being the overachiever that I am, I ended up making three garlands. And made a video tutorial for each of them. Check it out here. I haven't finished the ruffly one yet, but plan to...after I'm done with my list!

#23 - Serve at the church bakery or cannery or other assignment.

I had the opportunity to serve two places this year so far. Our Young Women group served at the Bishop's Storehouse in January and it was such a great opportunity. I had not served there since my Young Woman days and it was amazing to see all of the good work going on there. We stocked shelves and it was great. I enjoyed serving with the girls and just doing good.

I also volunteered to help clean the Salt Lake Temple this month. Tom and I went after hours to the Temple and vacuumed. It was also a fun experience, although I have to admit, the vacuuming is very unrewarding :) It is so clean in there! There is hardly a thing to vacuum up. Oh well, I guess that is another reason the temple is such a lovely place to be. I suppose I could strive for the same cleanliness in my house. Probably not going to happen though.

Salt Lake Temple, 2011
Photo by Tom

#14 - Cook one dish out of every cookbook I own

This week I chose to cook herb-crusted pork tenderloin from Robin Miller's Quick Fix Meals. Check out some of her videos here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/quick-fix-meals-with-robin-miller/index.html

What I love about this cookbook is that she takes the first recipe (pork tenderloin) and then morphs it into three more recipes. So this week we will have pork and swiss quesadillas, pork with apples, and pork medallions. I'm excited! I've got six more recipes to try after this.

#7 - Listen to Lord of the Rings

I have finished the first book! Fellowship of the Ring.

Nay, say rather that I have completed an epic journey. A journey fraught with peril and magical lore. I will now delve into books two and thrice in order to become a full member of the fellowship of the fair LOTR fan club. I hope that I will be worthy of  the honor and become known as Megan of the Avenues! Or, as the elves might say, Inwe Surion. The hobbits will most likely call me Esmerelde Bracegirdle of Hardbottle.

Yes, I just translated my name into Elvish and Hobbit. You can too, if you click on this handy link.
http://www.chriswetherell.com/elf/

Tom, I know you want to know yours. I took the liberty of doing it for you. You're welcome.

Elvish: Orodreth Surion
Hobbit: Moro Bracegirdle of Hardbottle

I hope the nerdiness doesn't last. But I have to say that I am enjoying the books very much so far and would go as far as recommending them.

A letter from my friend Brandon

Friends -

As many/most of you know, about a year and a half ago I lost my right index finger in a fight with a table saw. It was rather unfortunate, but I haven't stopped playing music. There will be a benefit concert for me to raise money for a prosthetic on February 11th, 2012 at the University of Utah Post Theater in Fort Douglas. I would like to invite you all to come and hear my band, Fictionist, and some of my other talented musical friends. Admission is free and donations are greatly appreciated (excess donations will go to fund prosthetic research). You can read more about it, find concert info, donate online, and help to "give me the finger" at this blog:

http://www.givebrandonthefinger.wordpress.com

Thank you all so very much! If you know of anyone that would be interested, please pass this link along to them.

Cheers,

Brandon

Orange you glad?

I think it's great that God made winter (often a gloomy season) oranges' (such a sunny, happy fruit) peak season. Just something that occurred to me last night. Thought I'd share.

Source

Look alike?

Does anyone else see the resemblance? I think it is kind of crazy. Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Joshua Jackson - Source

Thomas Dunford

Cecil Lily

I have to post this, so I can pin it. Long story. Enjoy the lily. Here's where I got it.

30 x 30

Okay. I'm scared. A thoughtful friend asked me how I was doing on my list. So I looked. And that's when the worry set in. I really thought I had done more than what I'm about to show you. Granted I have made progress on a few...but...Ah! I need to get crackin'. Here's the run down.

1. Make an entire wedding out of paper flowers.

(I kept hoping a bride would let me do this, but I'm thinking it's just time to do a photoshoot on my own)

2. Become a mother.

(This one is proving more difficult than my high school health teacher said it would be ;) )

3. Learn song by "The Swell Season" on the guitar. And sing it in front of at least 5 people.

(I'll start practicing)

4. Learn "Nunley's Carousel" by Billy Joel on the piano.

(I'll keep practicing)

5. Catch a fish by myself.

6. Memorize a poem.

(Working on it)

7. Listen to the "Lord of the Rings" on Audio CD.

(Will reserve it today!)

8. Hike King's Peak. Or just go on a hike.

(A hike will have to do. Katie? You there? Can you take me on one where I won't be too cold?)

9. Read a book by Charles Dickens.

(Kay, I've listened to the Christmas Carol on CD several times - does this count?) (I don't think so, but it might have to if I don't get my butt in gear)

10. Paint a picture.

(I was picturing a masterpiece, but my doodles might have to do.)

11. Do something with my washer collection.

(Got an idea - just need to execute)

12. Sew a shirt or skirt.

(A skirt, need to find simple pattern)

13. Make lots of pies, until I find the very best recipe. Become known for my pie-making skills.

14. Cook one dish out of every recipe book I own (got this idea from Katie).

(Need to get rid of some cookbooks)

15. Have a party. A sit-down dinner party.

(Got an idea board on Pinterest - maybe this should be for my birthday party? Great idea Megsie!)

16. Knit a scarf.

(Would it count if I told Lexy exactly what kind of scarf I wanted?) (Nope) (I'll get on it)

17. Go camping with Tom 7 times.

(I've been 3 times and I don't know if I'll make it 7. We'll see)

18. Go on a trip to a place I've never been. Can be just a little trip.

19. Design something using "Sketch-Up".

(I'll do it)

20. Get sucked into a made-for-TV drama. (I have to have something to check off, right?)

21. Attend the temple at least 12 times.

(I've gone 6 out of 12 - I'll get on it!)

22. Make a garland.

(It is started and it is so flipping cute and ruffly)

23. Serve at the church bakery or cannery or other assignment.

(I've tried several times to sign up, but they always are in the middle of the day. I might have to count cleaning the church - I'll do it next time)

24. Go see the daffodils at Red Butte Gardens.

(Have to wait until March)

25. Write at least 10 letters to people, instead of an email or phone call.

(I'll do this on Sunday)

26. Take some family photographs.

(Haven't blogged these yet, but we got a couple good shots)

27. Write down 10 childhood memories in my journal.

(Sunday)

28. Plant a garden and bottle some of it.

(Well, I sure did miss this one! Maybe I'll do some jam. Mom? Gonna need some help here)

29. Make rock candy.

(Won't be too bad)

30. Go to Antelope Island and/or Spiral Jetty.