Sippin.

If you are bored, over heated, thirsty and looking for something to do, whip up some ice cold lemonade. 

Not the canned stuff.

 We are talking homemade, hand-squeezed fresh lemon delight. 

(Courtesy of Brooke's lemon juicer)

  (I swear it tastes better with a straw while sitting outside.)

Nothing like sipping on ice cold lemonade.

P.S. A special congrats to my older brothers for their exciting week of medical school news. 

A officially decided on Chicago for medical school and Christian officially submitted his first round of med school apps. 

Man, what a bunch of studs. So proud of you guys! 

OUT OF THIS WORLD

[This post is 2 weeks late]


Last night Jeff and I went to the 
U2 concert. 
I was not prepared for the spectacle we were to behold. 

It has been called the biggest rock tour in history, costing more than $750,000 per show, according to Rolling Stone. I wasn't a hard-core U2 fan before the concert- but Bono won me over. It was fantastic.


"The 360-degree stage--which allowed huge numbers of fans to watch from behind--featured a 90-foot-tall steel structure, topped by a center pylon reaching 150 feet in the air; the innovative video screen atop the stage weighs 54 tons... including components to illuminate 500,000 pixels... as well as 150,000 machined pieces."


[I was in such a rush to get ready that I forgot to bring my camera. Blast.Very uncharacteristic of Claire Pingree.]


So here is my pathetic phone picture from the eeeediot that forgot her camera. 

And a phone vid

There were some truly awe-inspiring moments, as there is very little on Earth like the sound of thousands and thousands of people singing together.

In the words of Jack Black, Bono is out there on the front lines liberating people with his music. 

In conclusion, the concert was BOSS. Wonderful music, great weather, excellent company.


There's only a week and a half left before I head home for the summer. THE CLOCK IS TICKING and I don't like it one bit.

This quote that I used to see on my piano teacher's wall keeps coming to mind...

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

-Gandalf  

A Scattered Week's Thoughts 

This past week has a been a little rough patch in what I thought what be a Spring of smooth sailing. I came home for some surgery, but I'm trying to keep trucking along.

Some thoughts for my week 
(because heavens knows I have had plenty of time to sit and think this week):

1. Never ever again will I watch the movie A Walk to Remember home alone while on pain killers. 

One of the worst ideas I've ever had. But one thing that I did gleam from my pathetically heart-rending viewing experience was this quote:
 "Find out who you are. And do it on purpose."

I like that.

2. Some words of wisdom from Fae that have been on my mind,

"In tough situations, just remember to breathe and exist, bc that's all we can really do sometimes." 

I've been thinking a lot about the value of positive thinking after my dear Looney shared some insight with me last weekend. 

I watched Elder Busche's BYU devotional again. It's practically become a daily staple.

"Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks."

3. I am [still] so extremely grateful for my family. 


4. I just watched my dog eat a moth. Nasty. 

5. "The greatest wealth is health." 

 ~Virgil

{An apology in advance- I am going to be doing a little bit of catch up in my next few posts since I have gotten behind.}

Taking off

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

Heavens, I'm ready for a break. 

I'll be back in the blogging world after the long weekend. 

California, heeerreee we coooomeeee!!!

Hot & Dangerous. HA.

Disclaimer: I realized while packing last night that I have a full outfit of matching seersucker material. I can't wait to rock this outfit. 

(I keed, I keed- California would hate me.)

Mouthwatering Goodness

On Sunday my world changed. 

I didn't know a dessert could do that. 

But it did. 

And it will for you. 

Brooke, Lauren and Looney made the king of all royal creations and shared it with the rest of us hoodrats/ the bike gang. Bless them forever.

Okay, picture this. 

   Pie crust
 + Chocolate chip cookie dough
 + Funfetti cake
 + Frosting
 + Sprinkles = 
So sinfully good.

 Don't tell your momma. 

Brooke, we are eternally indebted to your discovery slash creation. 

Check out Brooke's blog for deets or find the full recipe here.

Oh, and happy PRW (Post-rapture week). 

This is awkward...I'm still here. 

Fambam

Here's a fun fact from someone who makes the drive to Salt Lake twice weekly: 

The billboards in Utah are horrible. Ugly. Stupid. 

Other thoughts from this morning's drive:

I am so grateful for my family. 

So, today I would like to give you a little glimpse into the Pingree family.

We have a lot of family hugs. No, I'm serious. At home we always try to have a family hug before we go to bed. Sunny, our canine princess, understands  "family huuuug" (said in a high tone) and comes running to be in the middle.  

My dog is brilliant, shhh. 

The Ping Party:

Timbo, Loulou, Jandro, Larry, Chin, Hales and G.

If you would like to meet Tim Ping, I would refer you to a cross between George Banks (Steve Martin in Father of the Bride) and Bill Murray. Hilariously quotable. The most optimistic and cheery guy on the planet. 

If you would like to meet my Mom, LouAnn, I would tell you these things: She is self-less, she's a saint, and she's got serious class. 

My brother A is the most mature, patient and giving guy I know. Only seen him mad once in my life. The example for the rest of us kids and always my "defender."

My sister-in-law L is a bug whisperer and an ever-curious, bundle of fun. She is part fish (loves to be in water), part bug (she is the bug-whisperer), and part dog (if you are looking for dog training tips, she's your woman).  An amazingly loving and insightful friend.

My brother Christian (although we call him chin) is a gentle giant. Comes off serious, but goofy as heck. Such a thoughtful brother. An intelligent, gentlemanly baller.

My sister-in-law Hayley is about as eloquent as they come. Graceful and an expert homemaker. Bubbly, with a silly side of gold. A younger sister that I look up to in many ways. 

My little brother Graham is one talented, yet humble, kid. He loves family time, which is more than most high schoolers could say. A mature, loyal brother and my little snugglebutter.

 I will spare you the descriptions of "the girls" (our dogs).

Just know that I love my dogs more than most mortals in this world.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 8 people [and 2 dogs] I love most.     

                                               

Most people don't really know how weird we are when we're alone. You will probably never fully understand unless you marry into the fam. 

That leaves only two other humans in this world.

Good luck making the cut.

A Rainy Day in Provo

Top of the morning to ya.

Today I'm loving this rainy weather.  My classes were cancelled for the day, so I slept in for the first time in a LONG time. I woke up on my own to pattering raindrops outside my window. 

I made a thick piece of homemade whole wheat toast (thanks to my wonderful Nana), lathered on a good amount of homemade jam (seriously- my Nana is a gem), then brought it upstairs to eat while reading in bed. 

Song choices of the morning: 

1. Blackbird by Sarah McLachlan 

2. Re: Stacks by Bon Iver

3. See You Soon by Coldplay 

4. Why Georgia by John Mayer

5. Shoot the Moon by Norah Jones 

6. Heartbeats by Jose Gonzalez (sweet video worth watching)

7. Nowhere, No One by Adam and Darcie (you will just have to itunes this one, can't find it on the internet)

Looney and I designated today for some serious missionary shopping. Wish us luck and hope that we don't come back looking like frumpy lumpies. 

 It's days like today that I am grateful for my yellow rain boots Momma Ping gave me for Christmas. 

I'm starting to wonder whether I'm living in Provo or Seattle this week. It's May. 

Weather man... bring back the sun soon because I'm starting to feel a little squirrely. 

And on this rainy day, a bit of cheer for your day...

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."