PRID

I had the most amazing experience this morning.  

But, let's back up.  About a month and a half ago, I stepped on some graphite from a mechanical pencil that Abraham had left out in his room.  It really killed.  When I went to take it out, the top broke off in my hand.  I tried to get it out with tweezers, no luck.  I tried basically every imaginable way to get it out.  As far as I could go in my foot, the graphite was still there.  I could only scrape at the tip of it (which I could see), but that didn't solve anything.
I also tried to ignore it, but that didn't work.  I had no idea how long it was, but it wasn't coming out on it's own.  I finally gave in and went to the doctor in preparation for a weekend in NY that was going to require a lot of walking.  The foot doctor wasn't really that helpful.  She also scratched at it until it hurt, and then told me to get an x-ray to see how long it was.  That sounded like surgery prep.  I didn't like it.  So I tried the "ignore approach" again.  It didn't work.  My foot was getting sore all over because I was walking on it funny, and I started to think about a life devoid of serious exercise, and probably lots of back pain.  Thankfully, however, it didn't ever get infected.
Weeks passed, and I went to a nice relief society activity.  Long story short, I happened to mention to my RS pres about my predicament.  She told me about PRID!

I ordered it online, and told Andrew to (again) put off calling another doctor.  I applied PRID on twice in 24 hours.  I noticed the spot on my foot was getting sore, so the PRID was at least agitating the spot.  This morning, after soaking my foot, I pricked the skin with a pin and released some fluid.  As I was pressing my foot to release the fluid, guess what else emerged!

Fully intact and about 3/4 in long.  I was so happy I cried.  That was a few hours ago, and I can walk straight without feeling anything at all!  I am so grateful.
My take away lessons?  Going to the doctor may or may not be helpful, but going to Relief Society definitely is.  And use PRID. 

Rare Father's Day Footage and a Best Actress

We had a blast making this Father's Day tribute for my dad. We pulled the interview footage from DVDs given out by Aunt Mary. Everything's easier with iMovie. Enjoy! Oh, and please take note of Ariel's awesome acting. She's so fun. And beautiful. And amazing. Father's Day rocked. Life is good!

Bobby McFerrin On Leadership

This weekend rocked. Friday: I came home to these signs (pictures taken after getting out of my bike get-up):

 To a movie party with (drumroll) hamburgers!

 Saturday: We went to Wesminster Park in DC to catch up with a friend and former colleague of mine. And they happened to be having a free neighborhood party, with free food, face painting, games, and a splashpad! Awesome! Only downside? We forgot the camera. But here are few phone pics. 

Later Saturday: we went to see one of the most remarkable concerts I've ever attended. This guy:

We had a terrific time. One of the things I took away from it was watching Bobby trust the audience. He let us sing with him! He was still leading, still guiding, still in control, but he wasn't afraid to relinquish some of his control for the good of the cause. And it made us all alive and connected us with the music and the mission of the evening in a way that would have otherwise been impossible. His trust in others to sing with him and improvise (he asked for volunteers from the audience to come up and literally jam out and improvise with him. We were in the balcony, so I was stuck) with him was also completely inspiring. Even on the finale we sang for parts of it (backed up by the amazing Afro Blue from Howard University! A once-in-a-lifetime experience!) Incidentally, it was all the more appropriate because we first saw Afro Blue at the DC Sculpture Garden almost exactly two years ago, an experience that helped us know and feel that DC was for us. Here's a sample of some of Bobby's awesomeness.




It was a blessing to be both a consumer of the finest vocalizations in the world while also being part of the production. I've thought a lot about producing and consuming recently. There is great value in both, and consumption of words, thoughts, ideas, music, film, art, sports, etc. ought to relate to the production of those same things in some measure. I have spent a great deal of time recently consuming. Reading the History of the Church, listening to TED talks, eating Ariel's delicious meals, etc. But I need to produce more to balance out.  Journal entries, blog posts, exercise routines, cooking, celloing, etc. It kind of relates to the idea of edifying vs. being edified. Some wards demand that long-time members spend more time edifying (producing) than being edified (consuming). Which ward-type is better? Ideally there is a healthy balance, I think. Though I have yet to find it in a church unit, most of which I have attended are heavy on one side or the other. How did I get from Bobby McFerrin to this?

Anyway, we had a rockin' good time at the DC Jazz Fest this weekend! 

A great weekend means a great week! Rock on.

Donna’s Soup

I just made this soup with the young women in my ward and was reminded of how delicious it was.  It's my go-to when I'm taking dinner to someone who's sick or pregnant with a sensitive stomach.  It says to let it cook for a long time in a crock pot, but over the stove is fine if you're in a hurry.  This soup can take a long time if you're cutting everything by hand.  Tell your husband you want this for Christmas (sorry for the shameless advertising, but it's my favorite kitchen tool.  It can save you 20 minutes a night.  It can even process dough.  Check it out.  You won't regret it).



Donna's Soup
 
Ingredients:

2 cans diced tomatoes -- undrained
1 large onion -- chopped
4 cloves garlic -- pressed
2 tablespoons olive oil -- divided
2 large carrots -- chopped
2 small celery stalks -- chopped
1 medium turnip -- chopped
2 cups green beans -- cut in 1" pieces
6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1/4 head cabbage -- chopped
1/2 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper to taste
2 small russet potatoes -- peeled and chopped

Directions:

In a large soup pot, heat the one tablespoon of the olive oil over
medium high heat. Add the onion and cook till nearly translucent,
now add the garlic. Don't let the garlic brown and sauté another
couple of minutes.

Add the rest of the chopped veggies, sautéing for just a minute or
two; the extra tablespoon of olive oil is if you need
it for the rest of the veggies. Remember--you're not cooking them--
just sautéing them for the wonderful flavor this quick step will infuse
in your soup. Add the thyme and salt and pepper while sautéing.

Now put the veggies in the crock-pot, add the tomatoes and broth.
Cook on low 7-9 hours (depending on your crock-pot) or high 4-6
hours. Just before serving, gently mash some of the potato chunks
against the side of the crock-pot to thicken the soup, give it a stir
and serve.

NY: Spidey, Parks, and Peeps

 We had a fantastic time in New York over Memorial Day weekend! After a night camping in Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey . . .

 we pulled in bright and early to Times Square . . .

where I got in line for Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark tickets. After a two-hour wait, I realized I didn't have enough cash for the cash-only $30 rush tickets. Luckily, the gal next to me spotted me the cash literally as I was walking up to the box office, and as we walked to an ATM afterward so I could pay her back, I discovered she was a Cougar! Go Cougs. The show was awesome. We were on the front row, and our seats ($300 value each for $30...sweet) literally looked like this (taken from the online trailer):

Yeah, that guy's head in the corner of the picture? Exact spot where Ariel and I were sitting. Lots of cool stunts, a story we love with just the right twists, some really good (and some not-so-good) music, and terrific acting. If you love the webhead, you gotta see it. It was a lot of fun cheering him on while in the action. Spider-man and musical theater combine to make a happy Andrew.

We had a great time with our friends Joe and Whitney Hardie. They are an easy-going, fun, engaging, powerhouse of a couple who we're grateful to call close friends. It's amazing how connecting in reality as opposed to virtual reality brings so much more meaning to a relationship. We had many thought-provoking, funny, and edifying conversations over the days. They're awesome. Oh, and doubly awesome is them taking Abe and Ben (and their daughter Ellie) around Central Park, through the Museum of Natural History, and back home on the subway while we went to Spider-man.

 

Abe became attached to Ellie, which is understandable considering she's the cutest twod (pre-toddler) he's ever seen.

All it takes is Ariel's magic touch for Ben to fall peacefully asleep, no matter where they are.

We also caught up with some other old friends, Megan and Elijah Milne. We had a good time at Riverside Park with them after a stop at Zabar's to pick up lunch. A good time in the fountains and streams. 

One of the best pictures ever of B-Jam.

Benjamin and little, little Abigail.

After going to Chicago and New York in the last month, Washington seems small, but of the three, it's still the favorite.

Two bonuses for those who made it all the way down here. One: Hammer, Jammer, and me enjoying donuts at the National Zoo last Friday to celebrate National Donut Day. Two: Ariel, Abe and Ben jumping in the water for our first swim of the summer.

Have a great week!

Books and Salad Dressing

I realized I haven't been blogging because I've been reading instead.  Can you blame me?  We took a really fun trip up to NYC over the long weekend.  I'll bet we'll blog about that soon.  Until then, here are a few recent reads:

• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
• Buy, Buy Baby: How Consumer Culture Manipulates Parents and Harms Young Minds
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

What have all of you been reading?

Now the recipes.  I have been loving this Sesame Ginger Dressing.  We ate it yesterday on a bulgar salad, and it was absolutely delish.

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons peeled and minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons water

Blend until smooth!

I don't put quite that much honey in, I think it's sweet enough with just one tablespoon.
Ginger and sesame oil have become staples in the Marshall Family Kitchen.  Don't let the cost of the sesame oil steer you away; just one drop will add lots of dimension to your stir fry.  The ginger you can add to all kinds of things, especially stir fry.

Another dressing that I've been enjoying is my mom's lemon dressing.  It's easy as pie:

• 1/2 c. olive oil
• 1/3 c. lemon juice (fresh only please)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• whatever fresh herbs you have--basil and parsley work great
• water to taste if you want to tone it down a little

Again, blend till smooth.  Yum!  I just had lunch and I'm getting hungry again!