Paul and Georgie
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Georgie and Abish
Monday, April 28, 2008
Could I be more excited!!!
Each year, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents a concert to celebrate the 1847 arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. This year, the Choir ‘s special guests will be the Osmond Family—including the Osmond Brothers, Donny, Marie and Jimmy—to celebrate the pioneers of today and the faithful souls who crossed the plains over 150 years ago.
“We are honored and pleased to have the Osmond Family join us as guest artists for our Pioneer Day concert this year,” said Mack Wilberg, who will direct both the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. “The members of this wonderful musical family are true pioneers, not only as Latter-day Saints in the entertainment business but also as landmark recording and performing artists and so they are a great fit for this concert. Our program will showcase the Choir and feature a wonderful variety of the songs the Osmonds are famous for.”
The concert will include a retrospective on the Osmond’s musical legacy and will also take advantage of the Conference Center’s multi-media capabilities to showcase past performances by the Osmonds.
For the Osmonds, their concerts with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will bring to a spectacular close their 50th anniversary tour. “This has truly been an amazing year for our family,” said Jimmy Osmond, youngest of the Osmond brothers. “After performing concerts all over the world, there is no better grand finale to this year-long 50 Years of Entertainment celebration than to return home to Utah where it all started. Being invited to perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square is a great honor and will make for memories none of us will ever forget.”
The concert will take place in the Conference Center on Friday, July 25th and Saturday, July 26th in Salt Lake City. Tickets are required but are free. Because of the anticipated high demand, tickets will be distributed through the same random selection process used for last year’s Christmas concerts. Those interested may register for the opportunity to receive tickets on the Internet at www.lds.org/events starting Saturday, 24 May, at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, 2 June, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. Those without Internet access may register over the phone at (801) 570-0080 (local) or at 1-866-LDS-TIKS. All registrations received during those ten days will have equal chances at receiving tickets in the random selection process.
Birthday Extravaganza
So Paul surprised me Friday night with a dinner at Trio, which was delicious, and then concert tickets to go see Celtic Woman at Kingsbury Hall for my birthday. We've seen them once before, but they are amazing and so fun to watch. If you've never seen Celtic Woman on PBS, they are like an Irish girl band extraordinaire, and the best part is this little violinist woman who jumps and dances around the stage while she plays. Hilarious. And the music's great, so who can complain? I've included a live version of one of my favorite songs entitled "The Voice" and a picture of the lovely lasses.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
MMMMMM - Delicious Cake
- 2-3 fresh oranges
- 1 package (18 oz) yellow or lemon cake mix*
- 1-2 drops red food color, optional
- 1 1/2 cups cultured 1% buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar, divided
- 1 bottle (18 oz) orange marmalade
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 cup fat free sour cream (not imitation)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the sides and bottom of three (3) 8-inch round cake pans** with non-stick spray. Cut circles the size of cake pans from parchment paper; place parchment paper in bottom of pans. Set aside.
Finely grate peel from the oranges (or zest oranges); measure out 4 tablespoons orange zest and set aside. Juice oranges; measure out 1 cup juice and set aside.
Combine cake mix, optional red food color, buttermilk, eggs, and orange zest in mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds then on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape sides of bowl and beat 1 minute longer. Divide batter evenly in prepared pans; evenly spread batter in pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool in the pans for about 20 minutes.
Leave cakes in pans. Poke holes in cakes using a skewer or long tinged fork, at 1/2-inch intervals. Stir together 1 cup fresh orange juice and 1/4 cup sugar until sugar is dissolved. Equally spoon juice over cakes a little at a time, allow juice to be completely absorbed into cake before adding more. Allow cakes to completely cool in pans.
Place marmalade in microwave safe bowl; microwave on high in 30 seconds intervals, stirring after each 30 seconds, just until melted.
Invert 1st layer of cake on serving plate, remove parchment paper. Spoon 1/3 the marmalade over cake; spread to within 1/2 inch from the edge of cake. Repeat with next two layers, stacking cakes on top each other.
Stir 1/4 cup sugar into whipping cream; whip until stiff peaks form; gradually whisk in sour cream. Frost sides and the top outside edge of cake with whipped cream, leaving marmalade exposed on cake. Refrigerate 2-3 hours before serving; refrigerate leftovers.
It appears that both Alison and Georgie (big suprise) were big fans of the cake - and who can blame them!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Another brush with fame!!!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Two brushes with fame in less than 24 hours!!!!!
Me - "Hi, we really enjoyed your show tonight - thank you"
Anna - Silent
Kenneth - "Thanks"
Me - I then give him the CD
Anna - Still silent
Kenneth - Big smile - but silent
Me - Silent
Anna - Silent some more
Kenneth - to Anna "you're sweet"
Me - Silent
Anna - "Thanks"
Kenneth - Silent
Me - "Well thanks - have a good evening"
Kenneth - "Thanks"
In short 'twas a little awkward but we got our CD signed and had a fun night out - on a weeknight too!
Then brush with fame number 2! - I just appeared on Studio 5 "Utah's hour-long show that focuses on improving the lives of others" on channel 5! I know how very exciting, I was there to do an interview about taxes and to encourage all of those last minute filers to get to a VITA site. I had quite the fun time, even though I was quite nervous. My segment was only a couple of minutes long but I think it went well - we'll see when we got home from work as we VCR'd it ( nothing like keeping up to date with technology). I was interviewed by Brooke (the co-host lady) and she said after we were done, and I am quoting here "you did really good, I am guessing you've been on TV before" and the answer is no (unless you count the Food Bank commercial where I am standing behind Siegfried and Jenson). Now I realize that she may just say this to everyone but I'll just pretend that I was just that awesome. All in all - I think it went very well and just went so fast, although I am nervous to watch it back as I'm sure it'll make me look about 400lbs. I'm not sure if I'll be able to post a clip but if I somehow get one I'll make sure to post it! Oh one last thing - they made a delicious Marmalade cake during the show and I got to eat some after we were all done- bonus!