Other Things Going On Besides Valentine's Day

Besides Valentine adventures, we celebrated or pretended to celebrate some other holidays. 

I'm sure when I finally blog about Valentine's Day(s), it will be anticlimactic.

In the meantime...

February 11 was National Peppermint Patty Day. I ate one. I wished Jr. a happy National Guitar Day that day. He can play the guitar.

February 12 was Charles Darwin's Birthday. I thought of a discussion that happened during our Galentines activity. We were talking about the comedian Tim Hawkins and someone brought up how he has a bit about Darwin. I mentioned that Charles Darwin's birthday was coming up and we joked about celebrating. It turned out I was too busy that day to do anything except think about how it was Charles Darwin's birthday.

February 13 was National Tortellini Day. I realized the tortellini we had was too old so I made something completely different for dinner- red-and-white mostaccioli (with penne). 

I have no pictures to go along with these celebrations. Huh.

Oh well. Blog later. Bye. 

Mostly Valentines and Galentines

Galentines!

Nichole and I took some bonding time together near Valentine's Day. It was actually on February 11 which was Peppermint Patty Day. We went to the Orem Library and picked up a movie to watch. It was Follow the Fleet with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Then we had some fun with shadows in the park. It was one of the last days they had the lights on. 

We stopped by Winco and picked up some peppermint patties (and other treats since Nichole doesn't actually like peppermint patties) then we went home to watch our movie. 

Jr. made us some popcorn. What a sweetie.

Love bonding time with my gal. 

 

February 13 was National Tortellini Day. I made Hamburger Soup and added tortellini to it. 

February 14 was Valentine's Day of course. Here's how I celebrated:

When I sent the kids off to school in the morning, I encouraged them to spread love and kindness.

I went on a walk by the lake and got to see some cool ice stacks. I saw a bald eagle in a tree as I was looking around.

I stopped by the library to pick up a book on hold, the movie, Penguin: Spy in the Huddle, because I completely forgot to get it for Penguin Awareness Day in January, and my own "Blind Date with a Book." The book turned out to be Meet Me at the Museum, which I still haven't read because I've been reading so many other books.

I said "Hi" to Libby the Librantula. I always love it when she's out where I can see her.

At home I cleaned up the aftermath of Valentine box construction. I love to see the creativity in my family.

This is how Lucky's Rockhopper Penguin box turned out. 

Jeremy helped Lucky design Valentine's for the kids in his class. Each design had a different bird with courtship info about that bird.

I baked bread.

I made sack dinners for Jeremy and Nichole to eat at Life, The Universe, and Everything symposium they went to again this year.

Jet and I picked up Nichole to take her to the conference with Jeremy.

We had heart shaped pizza for dinner. The boys made sure I cut it in a zig zag way. Oh no. It's a broken heart.   

I got to listen to Jr. Jr. and Jet laughing together and just being plain cute.

 

February 15 was National Gumdrop Day. I forgot to get the gumdrops out for that holiday so we had gumdrops the day after with cookie candy flowers the boys put together.

 

February 16 was National Almond Day so I had a salad with almonds in it for lunch. 

I had Jr. make a Valentine's dinner for Jeremy and me since Jeremy wasn't available on Valentine's Day. Jr. made Ogre Stew from The Fablehaven Cookbook.

Wow. Plenty busy around Valentine's we were.

Orem Reads: Fahrenheit 451

I enjoyed Orem Reads so much last year when we read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I enjoyed the kickoff, the Chat & Snacks, the finale. 

This year I looked forward to participating again. This year's book? Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I had never read it before this program. It's not one I would have just picked up on my own. I'm glad I was able to read it for Orem Reads. It was interesting and definitely made me think.

The kickoff had a presentation by Shannon Hale. Before it started, they were playing music that had to do with fire or books. "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. "Paperback Writer" by The Beatles. I got a kick out of that. I also enjoyed what Shannon Hale had to say about book banning.

This year they had something new during Orem Reads. A murder mystery date night. Stephanie Blanchard wrote a murder mystery for the library to use for this event. It was a potluck so Jeremy and I brought rolls and got to enjoy some yummy food while trying to figure out whodunnit. It was my first murder mystery dinner and I enjoyed it.

Before we left, we made sure to feed the boys. What they ate? Dino nuggets because October 16 was National Fossil Day. Teehee. It was also World Food Day so that fit with both chicken nuggets and potluck.

The next day I went to the only Chat & Snack I was able to go to for Fahrenheit 451 because of other commitments. It was another good discussion with mostly librarians and a few others. Since it was a lunchtime Chat & Snack, I brought cucumber sandwiches... and Peppermint Patties because I know Amy Sorenson (in charge of programming) likes them.

Speaking of Amy, she once again did a great job with this program, along with the other librarians who helped. Have I mentioned I love the librarians at Orem Library?

The day I went to the Chat & Snack, October 17, was also National Pasta Day. Nichole made cheeseburger pasta and sent me a picture, then she and I met at the Bean Museum for a UCB meeting about Boreal Owls. Jeremy watched most of it online when he got home from work. 

Nichole drew these while we were there. "If you give Nichole a medium." This medium was... "Inktober"... sort of.

The Orem Reads Finale was a Titles & Treats Gala. It was like trick or treating but with books. Tables were set up with librarians to give recommendations of books. We were also given a little treat bag to get candy at each table. So not just trick or treating with books but with candy, too.

I loved chatting with the librarians (some of it wasn't even book related). Costumes were welcomed so I dressed up as a birder with camera, binoculars, hat, and field guide. 

I also made sure to get a picture with Amy and her fun "book fairy" costume.

Besides the book recommendation tables, there was also a book craft and Fall treats. 

Mmmm, hot chocolate.

I am again grateful I got to participate in Orem Reads this year. I let the kids know this is my October thing and I appreciate them helping with their little brother so I can go to these events.

Once again it was a great program from kickoff to finale and I'm grateful for my participation in it.