Is there a better meal than Fondue? Really, I don't think there is. I love to sit and enjoy a good night of fondue eating. Not talking dessert fondue here. No. We're talking the steak, chicken, shrimp, crab, veggies of many varieties, tempura and a little deep fried action or some broth cooked stuff. It is absolutely delicious and perhaps my favorite all time meal. Don't fret all, I have not forgotten the cheese and bread. It is the best part. It is probably a good thing that we really only do this once a year.
We did host a fondue party in Florida and it was great. There was a little dessert fondue there, a first time for me. It was a welcome addition and probably one that I need to convince the fam to include in the next fondue party... quite possibly a year from tonight. Anyway, there was melted chocolate for the dipping and a few dipping choices. Most memorable to me were the strawberries, pineapple chunks and the peanut butter balls Wow. Good stuff.
Tonight at the folks we had the folks, Laura and Nigel, Amy and then myself. Also included in the meal was Donovan Jack. Oh goodness. It was a great time. Natty did a great job watching the boys tonight and her cousin Shey. It is nice to have that built in babysitter. She does a good job when I call on her. I am grateful for that as she has been a huge help to me.
It is also New Years Eve. It is officially 2012. Pretty crazy just how fast 2011 went by. It was a flash really. I suppose the years just continue to go faster and that is a good thing because it means we will be eating fondue again in no time. Sweet!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
A Chamber Meeting
Time to get the ears checked. Had a rough go of it today and am not quite sure what happened. There were four gals that came in for lunch today. I was working the register and helping them with their order. The first gal had completed her order and before the second gal placed her order the first asked if we had a back room. I told her we did but that it was currently being used by the Chamber of Commerce for a meeting. I jokingly said they could join them and they all laughed a bit and declined. I took the second gals order and then asked if there were more ladies coming, if we needed to move a couple of tables together so they could fit. They told me it was just the four of them. I asked of they were just wanting a more private setting for their meal. No, they were fine. Well, seems we managed to connect enough dots and found out we were not speaking the same language.
The first gal did not ask if we had a back room, she asked if we had a bathroom. Oh my goodness. I was embarrassed. To make things even better I had Dave and Amy listening in and the laughs were already starting. Oh, but it didn't end there. No. Dave was really enjoying himself and kept up a pretty funny dialogue going - he and Amy would just snicker the entire time.
The gals took it pretty well and all had a good laugh. I had a good laugh as well. It was pretty dang funny. We already know that Dave and Amy were laughing. I took fudge out to the ladies a little later and they did give me the report that nobody from the chamber was meeting in the bathrooms - at least not together.
I told Dave earlier today that I needed to write down all the little comments he kept making for the blog tonight. I can only think of two at the moment.
"Yes we have a bathroom but the Chamber of Commerce is meeting in there, doing a lot of paperwork"
"The Chamber is meeting in there, taking care of some business".
I probably have ruined both of his lines and this story was probably a lot funnier live and in person. Oh well. That was a fun group and I am sure to have made their visit to the Little Brick House a memorable one.
The first gal did not ask if we had a back room, she asked if we had a bathroom. Oh my goodness. I was embarrassed. To make things even better I had Dave and Amy listening in and the laughs were already starting. Oh, but it didn't end there. No. Dave was really enjoying himself and kept up a pretty funny dialogue going - he and Amy would just snicker the entire time.
The gals took it pretty well and all had a good laugh. I had a good laugh as well. It was pretty dang funny. We already know that Dave and Amy were laughing. I took fudge out to the ladies a little later and they did give me the report that nobody from the chamber was meeting in the bathrooms - at least not together.
I told Dave earlier today that I needed to write down all the little comments he kept making for the blog tonight. I can only think of two at the moment.
"Yes we have a bathroom but the Chamber of Commerce is meeting in there, doing a lot of paperwork"
"The Chamber is meeting in there, taking care of some business".
I probably have ruined both of his lines and this story was probably a lot funnier live and in person. Oh well. That was a fun group and I am sure to have made their visit to the Little Brick House a memorable one.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Motion Sickness
Tonight I made a grave miscalculation. Oh, it was bad - is bad. I sat down with the kids to play some of the new Wii games that they got for Christmas. Monster Jam being one of them. I don't do real well with these driving games - they make me car sick. What happened to the simple games of my youth? There was none of this motion stuff. I am just picturing it as I am typing and it is making me queasy. I pressed forward trying to spend some quality time with the kids and we did have a good time. We graduated from Monster Jam to a Pac Man Party game of sorts that Laura got for us. That one wasn't as bad but there was some motion that got to me. My head started to pound and now I am not enjoying my decision very much. Hoping for the ibuprofen to kick in here pretty quick.
Seriously though, I remember the first time I played Halo. I was turning green in moments. Unfortunately there was a second time at Halo - so not worth it. There was a James Bond game that I played as well. Oh man, I really wanted to be a great James Bond but my double O status just couldn't cut it. Maybe it was my natural looking camouflage, that green pigment in my skin that was the problem. Surely I am not alone in this video game caused nausea. Very sad that all these advances and tricked out video games only make me sick to my stomach and head.
Alas, sometimes we do things that are not necessarily our top choice. Sometimes we do things simply because they need to be done. Personally I would love to not get sick while playing video games. There are a few that I can handle just fine but so many that I won't bother with - it's just not worth the pain.
A post complaining about video games. Wow, I really am getting old. Well as old as I may be getting I did the very best I could to give my kids a run for their money and this is most likely the cause of my suffering. In the end some things are worth it, even a little motion sickness.
Let me close with a little follow up and a previous post. I must declare a partial "oooohhhhh ffffuuuuddddgggeee! The pretzel/peanut butter fudge didn't come out so hot. The taste is fine but it is not real easy to work with. It doesn't hold together very well with the little pretzel peanut butter sandwiches. Should have thought of that. Oh well. Next time we'll do it a little different, if there is a next time. Peanut Butter cup tastes like a peanut butter cup. It is okay. Don't know that it is the perfect answer for a peanut butter fudge though. Still have some work to do.
Seriously though, I remember the first time I played Halo. I was turning green in moments. Unfortunately there was a second time at Halo - so not worth it. There was a James Bond game that I played as well. Oh man, I really wanted to be a great James Bond but my double O status just couldn't cut it. Maybe it was my natural looking camouflage, that green pigment in my skin that was the problem. Surely I am not alone in this video game caused nausea. Very sad that all these advances and tricked out video games only make me sick to my stomach and head.
Alas, sometimes we do things that are not necessarily our top choice. Sometimes we do things simply because they need to be done. Personally I would love to not get sick while playing video games. There are a few that I can handle just fine but so many that I won't bother with - it's just not worth the pain.
A post complaining about video games. Wow, I really am getting old. Well as old as I may be getting I did the very best I could to give my kids a run for their money and this is most likely the cause of my suffering. In the end some things are worth it, even a little motion sickness.
Let me close with a little follow up and a previous post. I must declare a partial "oooohhhhh ffffuuuuddddgggeee! The pretzel/peanut butter fudge didn't come out so hot. The taste is fine but it is not real easy to work with. It doesn't hold together very well with the little pretzel peanut butter sandwiches. Should have thought of that. Oh well. Next time we'll do it a little different, if there is a next time. Peanut Butter cup tastes like a peanut butter cup. It is okay. Don't know that it is the perfect answer for a peanut butter fudge though. Still have some work to do.
Nice To Be Home
Well my goodness I am back home tonight after 10 nights of camping out at my folks house. It is nice to be home again. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem staying at the folks, having zero responsibilities on the home front and all of that but I missed my kids. I missed the interaction and everything that goes along with being a parent. Well, maybe not everything. I didn't mind at all not having to constantly clean. Anyway, it is good to have my brood around. I hope the word brood makes sense and fits there. I was just thinking of Bob Wiley asking Doctor Leo Marvin about his brood.
I came home around 10:30 and though I needed to get to work I spent a while just hanging out with the kids. They had some exciting things to show me and the entertainment center somehow took a dive yesterday - the electronics in it took a dive. Not quite sure what happened so I shut it all down and powered up again. That seemed to have worked. Really, it is because I am Cedar City Guy!
Quick note - I have no real experience with pumpkin seeds. The experience I do have was very brief. I am not mastering how to eat these things. Having a hard time loving them. A handful in the mouth does absolutely no good as the shells just kind of turn to mush.
Just had to mention that. I am actually going to close. There were other things of not like Jack coming to work with me, Andy wanting me to hold him at all times, Natty not separating from the computer and of course the Monster Jam rally that I was going to mention but now I am beat so I am calling it and turning in.
I came home around 10:30 and though I needed to get to work I spent a while just hanging out with the kids. They had some exciting things to show me and the entertainment center somehow took a dive yesterday - the electronics in it took a dive. Not quite sure what happened so I shut it all down and powered up again. That seemed to have worked. Really, it is because I am Cedar City Guy!
Quick note - I have no real experience with pumpkin seeds. The experience I do have was very brief. I am not mastering how to eat these things. Having a hard time loving them. A handful in the mouth does absolutely no good as the shells just kind of turn to mush.
Just had to mention that. I am actually going to close. There were other things of not like Jack coming to work with me, Andy wanting me to hold him at all times, Natty not separating from the computer and of course the Monster Jam rally that I was going to mention but now I am beat so I am calling it and turning in.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Oooohhhhh Fuuuddddgggeee!
I believe that I made mention of the picture Jay put together for the Little Brick House Christmas coloring contest. It was fantastic. It was Ralphy from Christmas Story sitting at a table with a Brick House sandwich, holding a piece of fudge and saying mother of all... well, saying "oooohhhh fuuuudddgggeee!" It is a great picture. I probably made mention of the fact that I need to past that picture here for all to see. If I managed to do this already then I apologize. I really just cannot recall. Alas my topic really wasn't about this image but I thought I would write on it quickly because of how great that picture was. Should have seen the winning picture. It was amazing.
So, my oh fudge reference isn't exactly to the movie. It is actually a reference to my fudge making endeavors today. The folks are usually in charge of the fudge. We are running tight on it and they are out of town. I have taken on the task of being the fudge maker. I feel it went well. Managed three batches. The first was a pretzel and peanut butter fudge. I wanted to try it and so it is done. I have no idea how it will actually taste or hold together. The next fudge was the standard milk chocolate fudge and it turned out just about perfect. The final fudge, a peanut butter cup fudge. We'll see what comes of it as far as sales go. I am hoping they all turn out well. If they are simply no good I will shout out my best "Ooooohhhhh Fuuuudddgggeee! for all to hear.
So, my oh fudge reference isn't exactly to the movie. It is actually a reference to my fudge making endeavors today. The folks are usually in charge of the fudge. We are running tight on it and they are out of town. I have taken on the task of being the fudge maker. I feel it went well. Managed three batches. The first was a pretzel and peanut butter fudge. I wanted to try it and so it is done. I have no idea how it will actually taste or hold together. The next fudge was the standard milk chocolate fudge and it turned out just about perfect. The final fudge, a peanut butter cup fudge. We'll see what comes of it as far as sales go. I am hoping they all turn out well. If they are simply no good I will shout out my best "Ooooohhhhh Fuuuudddgggeee! for all to hear.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Cedar City Guy
I was in Costco today down in St. George getting our usual weekly supplies. Padre usually makes this trip on Tuesday but since they are out of town I ran down today. We were closed today so it was the best time to make the trip. Anyway, I was all loaded up with chips and pushing the cart around for other items and kept getting looks and comments about the number of chips I had. I just smiled and laughed with people. After checking out I was headed towards the door and made eye contact with a guy sitting at one of the snack area tables. Is it a snack area? Don't know what they refer to that as. Anyhow, we gave each other a little nod and then he said "Hey Cedar City guy, I eat your sandwiches". I thanked him and continued on my way.
So it is official. I have graduated from Pete's brother to Cedar City Guy. They can just give me the key to the city now. Perhaps I need to work on a costume or something. Being Cedar City Guy is a big responsibility. I am truly feeling the pressure. Do I go with tights and a cape or something a little more rugged? If my big deal is that people eat my sandwiches do I go with an apron? I don't know. Such a hard gig to figure out. I've never been the official guy of a city before. Rest assured I will do my very best to bring honor to the City of Cedar and I will also do all I can to ensure the people of Cedar have plenty of my sandwiches to eat. No job is too big, no fee is too big, I am Cedar City Guy.
In my first official role as Cedar City Guy I may have committed a most grievous sin. I was feeling the pressure of this new appointment and in a moment of weakness I decided to skip the Costco Dog deal in favor of a quick trip to In N Out Burger. Is that considered a sin? Probably not to most. For me however a Costco Dog deal is a long standing tradition. I have gone many times without the dog deal but never because I was going behind the dogs back. Oh the horror. The trip to In N Out was a rarity. I do enjoy a good Double Double. Went animal style on it and enjoyed it immensely. I do need to figure out how to delicately treat this situation. Both a Costco and an In N Out would be welcome additions to Cedar City and I feel duty bound in my official capacity as Cedar City Guy to do my part in helping these fine institutions find their way to our home town. I guess in that light, skipping the hot dog deal in favor of the In N Out trip can be looked over. I was merely doing my part in patronizing both of these fine establishments. There it is, I was actually providing a tremendous service to the citizens of Cedar - there was no grievous sin there. All is well.
So there we have it, another fine day for the record books. And now it is time for me to get my beauty sleep. Cedar City Guy has to protect his image and this requires adequate rest. I guess a healthy diet and exercise are also in order but after a good long day the adequate rest is in need of some attention. Sleep well my friends, sleep well.
So it is official. I have graduated from Pete's brother to Cedar City Guy. They can just give me the key to the city now. Perhaps I need to work on a costume or something. Being Cedar City Guy is a big responsibility. I am truly feeling the pressure. Do I go with tights and a cape or something a little more rugged? If my big deal is that people eat my sandwiches do I go with an apron? I don't know. Such a hard gig to figure out. I've never been the official guy of a city before. Rest assured I will do my very best to bring honor to the City of Cedar and I will also do all I can to ensure the people of Cedar have plenty of my sandwiches to eat. No job is too big, no fee is too big, I am Cedar City Guy.
In my first official role as Cedar City Guy I may have committed a most grievous sin. I was feeling the pressure of this new appointment and in a moment of weakness I decided to skip the Costco Dog deal in favor of a quick trip to In N Out Burger. Is that considered a sin? Probably not to most. For me however a Costco Dog deal is a long standing tradition. I have gone many times without the dog deal but never because I was going behind the dogs back. Oh the horror. The trip to In N Out was a rarity. I do enjoy a good Double Double. Went animal style on it and enjoyed it immensely. I do need to figure out how to delicately treat this situation. Both a Costco and an In N Out would be welcome additions to Cedar City and I feel duty bound in my official capacity as Cedar City Guy to do my part in helping these fine institutions find their way to our home town. I guess in that light, skipping the hot dog deal in favor of the In N Out trip can be looked over. I was merely doing my part in patronizing both of these fine establishments. There it is, I was actually providing a tremendous service to the citizens of Cedar - there was no grievous sin there. All is well.
So there we have it, another fine day for the record books. And now it is time for me to get my beauty sleep. Cedar City Guy has to protect his image and this requires adequate rest. I guess a healthy diet and exercise are also in order but after a good long day the adequate rest is in need of some attention. Sleep well my friends, sleep well.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas 2011
Christmas morning. It always seems to come really early when you are an adult. Now I did stay up late watching a movie last night so that doesn't exactly help but still. Actually, we did pretty good. I don't think we were really rolling before 8 so that was nice. The morning was the usual Christmas morning in the Fontano household. We all gather in a room other than the living room and then we venture in together. When we were young kids dad would always turn the Christmas tree lights on and then we would go in. I would always have to pretend to be surprised because I had already managed a covert operation and scanned the room for presents. If my parents knew this they never let on which leads me to believe I was just a good actor.
So it was this morning. We gathered in the family room for the long walk to the living room. I didn't take note on the tree lights and so I reserve comment there. Katherine and Marien played Santa and distributed the presents from under the tree. Once everyone had their pile of presents we started around the room taking turns opening gifts. Everyone seemed to have a good time and to enjoy the gifts they received. It was a good morning. The kids were enjoying Christmas morning with their mom and I do have it from a reliable source that they had a great morning as well.
We had a special Christmas sacrament meeting today. No other meetings held. There was a musical presentation that included a reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke chapter 2. It was a good meeting and the choir, though small, did a great job. I was sitting and waiting for the meeting to start when Jack came and sat beside me, followed by Andy and Natty. It was so nice to have them with me. I love these beautiful children. Jack was excitedly telling me all about his gifts. He was great. At one point the primary went up front to sing a few songs. Actually they lead off that portion of the meeting. Andy started up, stopped came back and said "I choose not to sing". You can't argue that. I found it humorous as did a few others.
I did pick up the kids to come over for the family Christmas dinner tonight. They were excited to show me some of their gifts - radio control helicopters. They were fun. We made it to Grandma and Grandpas house and spent a few hours together with dinner and then more present opening for them and other family members that were not there this morning - Jay's fam and Dave and Dani. Everyone seemed to have a good time and it was a good visit. I took the kids back to our house and they showed me a few things. They have had a good time this last week with their mom and I am happy for that. I remember writing about this last year and the pain that I felt for them and for her when she went back home. I am certain that pain still exists and that departure will be hard again. We press forward doing the very best that we can do.
I was reflecting on the Savior this morning as we went through our Christmas routines. I thought about a message from President Monson where he asked what would you give? I am usually pretty quiet when it comes to posting things on certain social media sites but I decided to write a little something. I expressed my gratitude for the savior, his life and what he makes possible for each of us. And then, my gift - to be more valiant in my testimony of him. So it is. I want to be better tomorrow then I was today. I want to constantly work towards becoming more like the savior. I need to have a greater focus in this regard. I think it is easy for me to live in routines - granted most of my routines are pretty worthy ones. Is it enough? I can do better. I need to do better. I need to be more valiant in my testimony of Jesus Christ.
So it was this morning. We gathered in the family room for the long walk to the living room. I didn't take note on the tree lights and so I reserve comment there. Katherine and Marien played Santa and distributed the presents from under the tree. Once everyone had their pile of presents we started around the room taking turns opening gifts. Everyone seemed to have a good time and to enjoy the gifts they received. It was a good morning. The kids were enjoying Christmas morning with their mom and I do have it from a reliable source that they had a great morning as well.
We had a special Christmas sacrament meeting today. No other meetings held. There was a musical presentation that included a reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke chapter 2. It was a good meeting and the choir, though small, did a great job. I was sitting and waiting for the meeting to start when Jack came and sat beside me, followed by Andy and Natty. It was so nice to have them with me. I love these beautiful children. Jack was excitedly telling me all about his gifts. He was great. At one point the primary went up front to sing a few songs. Actually they lead off that portion of the meeting. Andy started up, stopped came back and said "I choose not to sing". You can't argue that. I found it humorous as did a few others.
I did pick up the kids to come over for the family Christmas dinner tonight. They were excited to show me some of their gifts - radio control helicopters. They were fun. We made it to Grandma and Grandpas house and spent a few hours together with dinner and then more present opening for them and other family members that were not there this morning - Jay's fam and Dave and Dani. Everyone seemed to have a good time and it was a good visit. I took the kids back to our house and they showed me a few things. They have had a good time this last week with their mom and I am happy for that. I remember writing about this last year and the pain that I felt for them and for her when she went back home. I am certain that pain still exists and that departure will be hard again. We press forward doing the very best that we can do.
I was reflecting on the Savior this morning as we went through our Christmas routines. I thought about a message from President Monson where he asked what would you give? I am usually pretty quiet when it comes to posting things on certain social media sites but I decided to write a little something. I expressed my gratitude for the savior, his life and what he makes possible for each of us. And then, my gift - to be more valiant in my testimony of him. So it is. I want to be better tomorrow then I was today. I want to constantly work towards becoming more like the savior. I need to have a greater focus in this regard. I think it is easy for me to live in routines - granted most of my routines are pretty worthy ones. Is it enough? I can do better. I need to do better. I need to be more valiant in my testimony of Jesus Christ.
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