Our latest diner adventure was at Ruth's Diner, which is located up emigration canyon just past the Hogle Zoo. It was yummy, yummy. Here are just a few of the awards it has recieved:

Salt Lake Magazine Dining Award for 2008

BEST BREAKFAST

"Like Having Dinner at Mom's in the Mountains"

Cincinnati Enquirer

"In a perfect world, every town would have a Diner just like Ruth's"

Ted Scheffler - CityWeekly

"Cooking is like grandma's — with a few sassy additions"

Stephanie Tanner-Brown - Deseret Morning News

And, of course, a feature on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Ruth's was recently remodeled, and it is gorgeous.

Ruth's has been around for a long time, and has a colorful past.

You can read about it here.

Little W's Adoption Story

Nan has published our Little Man's adoption story on the r house, a blog dedicated to adoption.

Thank you, Nan, for your beautiful words. I have tried many times to write this story down, and have not been successful. For one thing, my memories are not reliable. I can remember the day, months after we lost him, that I realized that I had no memory of most of the previous months. The memories I did have were fuzzy and colorless. I was concentrating on breathing in and out. For another thing, I find that my emotions are still, after 8 years, too raw to write objectively.

So I really mean it when I say thank you, Nan. You have such a gift for words, and we are blessed to be the recipients of them.

Although the names have been changed, here is our story. And we lived happily ever after!

3 Glovers in the 2nd Grade Veteran's Day Program

Timothy was waving at Thomas and it was so cute I had to take a picture. So by the time I changed my camera lense so I could take a close up shot, he was finished waving. But he's cute anyway, right?

Rachel and Worthy are both looking so thrilled. I wonder who's idea it was to put them in the same class again?

Rachel saw me and decided to smile. It looks like someone is sticking his finger in W's ear.

Thomas is thrilled, too.

1/2 of a smile is better than no smile at all. (?)

The program was well done and all of the cousins made us proud.

One of the Many Reasons We Love Our Home. . .

Okay, so I complain EVERY time I go to the grocery store. And we spend way too much money on gas, hotel rooms and actual stores when we go to civilization (Which we have to do to survive). But just look what we have in our own backyard!! Love it. We love climbing in the car and driving just a few miles for adventures. And just look how happy Bear is, not to mention the kids. What a fun November day.

Tasty Table

So here's the story. My recipe situation is a disaster. I have an old recipe box that is stuffed full of recipes I've gathered through the years. The best method for finding a recipe is to dump it out on the counter, haphazardly rummage through it, and hope I'm lucky enough to chance upon the recipe I'm looking for. Most likely, it doesn't exist. I have had bad luck with my recipes, to put it nicely. I won't go into all the details, but I'll give you the worst example. I finally started to get organized with my recipes when Worthy gave me a laptop for Christmas a few years back. After diligently typing them into the computer, I would throw the wrinkled, folded, scribbled (and dribbled) on recipe into the trash. Well, some mean person stole my laptop out of our car in the mall parking lot. I lost a lot of things, including my recipes.

So since then I've done a lot of crying, gnashing of teeth, and renting of clothing. And calling people to beg for their recipes. And searching the internet. The problem is, I don't have a good system for keeping the good ones. I often print them off the internet, then put them, folded, into the black hole that is my recipe file. Or I don't print them at all, thinking I can always search for them again. But of course when I search for them again I can't remember which one I used originally. I'm also famous for calling someone, scribbling a recipe on whatever is available (a wrinkled receipt, my kids homework, a bubble gum wrapper) with whatever is available (a crayon, a thick magic marker, a pen with no ink). Then I have to call them back months later. It's a mess!!!

So I have decided to start a new blog, mostly for myself, to organize my recipes. Whenever I find a good recipe I'll add it to this blog, and then I'll be able to find it when I need it. And maybe some of you will be able to benefit from it, too. And if some mean person steals my computer, or if it (heaven forbid) crashes, my recipes will be safe in cyberspace.

My new blog is called Tasty Table, and it can be found at www.glovertastytable.blogspot.com
I am a big stealer of recipes, so I will try my best to give credit where credit is due. Bon appetite'.

Hurst Halloween Howl

Cowboy Winston
Grandma Kathy feeling like death warmed over

Merritts

Grandma and Grandpa are soooo good looking

Rock on, Fellmeths

The Glovers forgot to dress up.

Hursties

Morgan the gypsy

Mr. Bones, our veggie tray, was to-die-for.

Yabba Dabba Doo!

Awww, LW is so pretty.

Cutie Patooties

Kate and her awesome vampire teeth.

Thanks Hursties. We had a fabulous time.

Report Cards!!!

A shout out to my children is in order, so here goes: WooHoo! ! ! !

Morgan pulled off straight A's with a challenging schedule including some difficult classes, tryouts, rehersals, performances, and work. Add to that the fact that she's 15, and therefore should really technically be brain dead, and . . . Woo Hoo. I'm so proud of that girl.

Kate is finally figuring this whole school thing out. You know, the part where you actually have to complete things and turn them in? I'm so proud of her. I remember third grade being so tough on Moog--going from getting Satisfactories and Outstandings just for showing up and breathing, to being accountable for your work and understanding how grades work. It's a big step for anyone, but for Kate it was BRUTAL. She spent a lot of time in third grade under her desk, or rocking back and forth in the fetal position, or tantruming. She's so smart...so capable...but let's just say the traditional school system doesn't match her learning style. We got grades (mostly D's) last year but we were so focused on behavior that they didn't matter much and there was no connection in her little head with what she did every day and what those little letters meant.

Our little girl has really matured. I'm so proud of her! She is, for the most part, staying on task and finishing her assignments at school. She is finally figuring out that her teacher can't read her mind...she has to turn things in to get credit. We're doing a lot of homework at home, but Kate is engaged and turning her work in. Amazing. She's proud of herself, too. It was so fun to see her bring her report card home with a sense of pride and accomplishment. No, she didn't get all A's, or even all B's. But there were some A's and B's, and there wasn't a D in sight. I expect next quarter will be even better because she understands the system. Woo Hoo Kate!

Worthy is still in the second grade, so his report card consists of satisfactories for breathing in and out and showing up. Keeping his seat warm. But this little guy has taken off as a reader (whew!--I was wondering when he was going to prove me right and shame his first grade teacher) and he has matured in so many ways. He does his homework every night without a fight. He sometimes remembers to turn it in, too! I'm proud of him and his ability to keep on going, even when he'd rather be playing the X-box or playing with his legos. Woo Hoo Little Worthy!

The Standard Diner, Albuquerque

My Mom, Dad, Jen and I went to The Standard Diner in Albuquerque on our way home from a crazy road trip over the weekend. Now I can put a cu-ching on another Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives suggestion from Guy. (In case you're wondering, that was the sound of a check mark).

The Standard Diner is definitely NOT a dive, and not a drive-in. That leaves diner, but this is the most upscale diner I've ever eaten in. It was a great experience. The setting is in an old Route 66 service station, but it has been turned into a beautiful little space with great food. If you're ever in ABQ, check this place out. It's right off the 1-40 and 1-25 interchange. Easy to find and so worth it.

Let's see if I can remember what we got. Mom and I got the Burbon Butter Burger (low calorie, I'm sure) and sweet potato fries. YUM. Jen got a zuccini stack that was to die for. Dad went with a panini. They also had homemade ice cream, although we were way too full to try it. But this one sounded interesting: red orange basil ice cream. Huh?

Thanks, family, for helping me out with my eccentricities. SOOOOO much better than Applebees, though, right?

Here's the link if you want to see this place on Triple D: http://www.standarddiner.com/

Break A Leg, Morgan

Morgan is headed to Cedar City today for the weekend with the SJHS Drama program for the Shakespeare competition. Good luck to Moog and all of her insane thespian friends.

Last night we were entertained by them at "Shakespearience," an evening of silliness and drama, some spoofs on classic plays as well as some serious stuff.

We're always glad to have our Grandmas and Grandpas so close to us. Thanks for coming, Grandma Gail and Grandpa Worthy. Little Worthy especially loved sitting on Grandpa's lap and snuggling when he got tired. And eating a brownie at intermission. (Thanks to Nan, by the way. Kate was much happier hanging out at the Bartons!)

Love you Morgan! Good luck at competition.

Weird Things Make Me Happy

I've been waiting for this album to come out for MONTHS. It comes out today, and that makes me happy. You can follow this link http://www.billboard.com/#/news/listen-brandi-carlile-ghost-album-debut-1004016743.story to hear the whole album free. It's worth it. Awesome.

I'm feeling very good, by the way. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and well wishes.

Morgan is in a production tonight and tomorrow, so wish her broken limbs and I'll be posting about it soon.

Why Do We Have So Many Unnecessary Body Parts?

So, apparently a person can survive just fine with only 1/2 of a thyroid. Which is a good thing, because next Wednesday I will only have 1/2 of my thyroid. Fun, fun. I'm really looking forward to the scar on my neck, especially because I tend to get those gorgeous raised scars (I have a caterpillar on my shoulder from a car accident I was in at 18). I can't stand turtle necks, so maybe some large necklaces are in my future? Scarves?

On the bright side, I'm seriously hoping this will help with fatigue, depression, weight gain and the lovely, persistent hairs that keep growing on my face. I know, I know...WAY too much information. I inherited that trait (TMI) from my grandma Z.

Seriously, I hate that I have to have surgery. But I'm really glad that the growth on my thyroid is not cancerous and that there may be a light at the end of this tunnel.

Baptism Times Two

Two of the best lookin' boys around were baptized today. It was a great event. Thanks, Kd, for all of your hard work. Thanks, Grandpa Worthy, for a very heart-felt confirmation. Thanks, Grandma Gail, for the (already cherished) comforter. And thanks, Glovers, for sharing this day with us. We love you all.

Happy Birthday My Little Man!

Happy Birthday Little Worthy!

As long as it's sweet, LW will eat it. Or wear it.



Stockton to Malone, 2003



4th of July baby




Kate and Mom feeding brand new Little W0rthy.

I can't believe my baby turns 8 on Monday. We love him beyond words, and he has been our miracle at least twice. So here are 10 fun facts about my little man.

1. Worthy has a big heart. He is genuinely upset when Kate is unhappy. This sometimes leads to a bit of manipulation on her part, but he doesn't mind. He's usually happy when she's happy.

2. He has a bloody wicked Brittish accent, thanks in part to his love of Harry Potter.

3. He loves to carry things around with him in his pocket: legos, rocks, sticks, magnets, marbles, and other small items that wreak havoc on my washer and dryer.

4. Worthy is a VERY picky eater. His definition of good food is sugary food. Everything else, besides macaroni and cheese from a box, is nasty. I was quite sure, before Worthy, that my perfect motherhood was the reason my girls were good eaters. Ahem. Not so.

5. He is so fun to tease that we all tease him constantly. Want to make Worthy smile? Ask him about his girlfriend. Or tickle him. The poor guy is constantly being tickled by Morgan because he is ticklish EVERYWHERE. And he has the best giggle ever.

6. Worthy loves Legos, but he doesn't enjoy putting the big elaborate sets together. He prefers making original designs with the tiny, obscure pieces. And he LOVES the little Lego characters (see #3)

7. Worthy is our little miracle. First, he miraculously joined our family when he was a brand new baby. We were ecstatic to have a new son and brother. We drove all the way to Georgia in the wake of 9/11 since there were no planes flying over America when he was born.

8. He proved to be our miracle again. After we drove him back across the country to meet his sisters and his extended family, he was ripped out of our arms and taken back to Georgia. We were devastated, thinking we would never see our son again. He returned to our family as the best Christmas present we've ever received.

9. Worthy LOVES to go golfing with his Dad. So far he hasn't developed a love for the game as much as a love for being out on the course finding treasures. I have this great picture in my head of The Three Worthys out golfing together in a few years.

10. Our Little Man loves to snuggle. Since Moog is a teenager and Kate loves me from a distance, this Mom will take all the snuggles she can get. I hope to still be getting hugs and snuggles when he is taller than me.

Happy Birthday Little Worthy.