Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?!*

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Krista

My little sister, Karly Barley, and my new brother-in-law, JJ!

They’re driving up from Arizona for Conference weekend and I’m positively pleased as punch to have them visit. Our littlest sister, Kayc Face, is coming on Sunday so it’s going to be a “party in the U.S.A.” right here with the Maurer girls. (shakin’ my hips like yeah!)

And speaking of Conference, if you’re in need of some spiritual upliftment, a boost to the soul, are curious to hear what a Prophet of God and the Twelve Apostles have to say, or just want to know what we Mormons subscribe to, you should tune in this weekend for the 179th semi-annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sermons and instruction are given from 10:00 a.m. to noon on both Saturday and Sunday and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (MST). I’m really looking forward it. It’s my tall drink of water every April and October.
Just click here if you’re interested. (You can watch it online, or check out the additional broadcast options.)

*Sometimes I think I’m SO funny! I really cracked myself up over that one. Although it’s not quite as funny as the time mom gave Karly a Christmas card with a black Santa on it right after she and JJ started dating. Talk about hilarious.

The Family Biz

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Krista

If you’ve been following happenings here at the Haystack for any amount of time, you know that I come from the ocean, adore the ocean, wish I was at the ocean, and will live by the ocean again someday. You see, I grew up on an island off the coast of South Carolina. But more than that, I was raised on the docks of this island off the coast of South Carolina.

My formative years (and then some) were spent working in the family business, also know as: Adventure Cruises (Hilton Head Island’s premier nature cruise and dolphin watch company). Even while I was swimming in my mother’s belly, she was on the deck of a boat–working. Once born she would strap me on her back and off on a cruise I would go, babbling at tourists, growing my sea legs. There was even a cradle in the engine room just for me where I would fall asleep to the gentle rocking of waves and the hum of machinery.

Once old enough, I became part of my dad’s crew, tying and untying the lines, running the snack bar, welcoming our passengers. During my teenage years, when I became opposed to the idea of sweaty work, I ran the office, answering phones, taking reservations and selling tickets, but (much to my chagrin) was still the pinch hitter if a deck hand didn’t show for work. Like most teenagers, I didn’t know what I had, even though it was right in front of me.

It wasn’t until college that I understood how dreamy my life was. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I began to cherish those hours in the wheelhouse with my dad. It wasn’t until recently that I began to fiercely crave the tidal flow of our marshy waterways with all her colors and critters and sounds and stirrings. And the craving only grows more intense with every passing year.

So when I was home last month for “Wedding Week“, a cruise on our boat was a must. And what a better way to meet our new brother-in-law’s family than on a sunset cruise?

(My dad, the Captain, in the wheelhouse)

(Karly & JJ enjoying the view from the top deck)

(Dolphin, Starboard bow)

(Julie, Me, and Baby Kayc Face)

(Picnic dinner … Southern style)

(Sunset through the Palmetto trees)

(Harbour in Broad Creek)

(JJ’s grandma and my mom)

(Final moments of a fabulous sunset)

(Harbour lights after cruise)

[sigh]

The Best Part of "Wedding Week"

Posted on August 2, 2009 by Krista

Hands down, the best part of the Maurer-Barksdale Wedding Week Celebration was the boat-load of sister time I was able to enjoy. I am the oldest of three girls. There are no boys, and while, when I was younger, I thought it would be so cool to have an older brother, I now wouldn’t trade coming from a family of all girls for anything.

I am totally enamored with my sisters.
And a week with my girls was just what the doctor ordered.

From singing at the top of our lungs and dancing in the living room…

(you should immediately download the Glee cast version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”. Immediately.)

… to dressing up to pick people up at the airport …

P.S. we have THE most incredible dress up closet in the entire world at our house.
(The girl in the pink street walker dress is our “adopted” sister Julie. She looks just like us huh?)

… to mani’s and pedi’s at our favorite local salon …

… to belting it out on stage at Kaycie’s concert

(she’s a singing mermaid at a show for the tourists who visit our island)

… to beach trips and bike rides …

… to doting and lovin’ on a gorgeous-in-every-way bride …

… my week with Karly Barley and Kayc Face (the Baby) was so perfect, I found myself missin’ them somethin’ fierce when Monday arrived, “Don’t Stop Believin’” popped up on the iPod shuffle, I was in Utah … and they were not.

Yes. Sister time was definitely the best part of the whole week.

Tea Lights and Color Brights: A Birthday Dinner Party

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Krista

Who doesn’t LOVE hostessing a dinner party!? Between planning the perfect menu, dreaming up the table settings, extending the invitations, and then actually cooking the meal, I am a happy queen bee. I love the domesticity of it all. I must say I’m happiest when I’m creating something lovely within the walls of my own home. And for me, a dinner party is quintessential of all things home and lovely.

Kaycie came up to the homestead last night with 5 friends and appetites to boot in tow. The occasion–her birthday. And as such she got to choose the menu. We had Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and freshly grated Parmesan, Kaycie’s favorite creamy spinach pasta, and a 4-layer chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream/dulce de leche filling, and cream cheese frosting. Oye!

I set up our 6′ portable banquet table and covered it with a white tablecloth and then placed a brightly patterned runner down the middle. (Truth be told, it was actually a couple curtains I found for $6 that I crafted into a runner.) I also found these amazing chartreuse linen napkins at the local thrift store (8 for $4) so I placed those on top of every other plate. Then on the alternating plates in between, I placed fuchsia napkins that I cut out of another curtain set I found for $5. Just call me Fraulein Maria. (Speaking of–I’ve got to remember to hem those this weekend.) In any case, color was the key! Kaycie loves all things bright and colorful.

For the centerpieces, I bought a couple of flower bouquets and split the blooms between 4 small vases, staggering them evenly from tip to toe of the table. Then I scavenged the cupboards for any small glasses, jam jars, vases, condiment holders, etc. and placed tea-lights inside each glass and covered the table with them. This created lighting divine. Oh! And on each of the water glasses I placed an orange slice and a lemon slice. The effect was as such:

It was quite the party if I do say so. Delicious in every way! The recipes, invented by yours truly, are easy and perfect for feeding lots of people. So Enjoy! And have a dinner party this weekend! You’ll not regret it!

Homemade Croutons for Caesar Salad
(can be made a day ahead and kept in a large zip-lock bag)
preheat oven to 200 degrees

Slice a loaf of French bread into 1″ cubed pieces and place in a single layer on a cookie sheet (or 2 sheets if it’s a large loaf). I swear your local Wal-Mart Super Center has the best French bread this side of France. Just trust me on that one.
Heat 1/2 c olive oil in a skillet and drizzle over bread
Toss to coat with hands and sprinkle with salt and pepper
Place in pre-heated oven and bake for 1 hour (shake the cookie sheet every 20 minutes or so to loosen the bread from the bottom of the pan)
After 1 hour, increase the heat to 400 degrees and watch the croutons closely. that’s a hot oven and you can burn your croutons to a crisp if you’re not careful! you just want to lightly toast the outside of the bread … give it a little color. once it’s to your liking, take the croutons out.
Let cool before serving. Oooo, you’ll never buy croutons in a box again!

Creamy Spinach Pasta
(serves 10-12)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 sm. block of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained of all juices)
1 box of pasta (you can use bowtie, penne, fusilli, etc. Any will do!)
1 sm pre-cooked ham about the size of 2 fists
1 jar of alfredo sauce (or you can make your own)
shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook pasta and drain.
Cut the ham into bitesize pieces (or buy it pre-cubed to save time)
In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. There’s no rhyme or reason to the amounts. Just toss in what looks right. Do less or more of anything based on what you like/don’t like.
Spoon into 13″x9″ baking sheet and sprinkle with shredded mozarella.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Layer Cake
(with chocolate butter cream/dulce de leche filling, and cream cheese frosting)
serves a lot

1 chocolate cake mix, baked in 2 8.5″ rounds, and cooled (I used a Betty Crocker Devil’s Food mix)
1 can of dulce de leche
to make dulce de leche, take one 12 oz can of sweetened condensed milk and peel paper label off. place can in large pot and fill with water so that the water is just barely covering the can. boil for 3 hours. the can will rattle around but it never boils over. after 3 hours, carefully remove can from water and open slowly. it will “spit” a little from the pressure inside. stir vigorously until the consistency resembles a spreadable caramel.
1 recipe of chocolate buttercream (see below)
1 recipe of cream cheese frosting (see below)

Slice rounded tops off each cake round.
Now slice each round in half (you will now have 4 cake layers).
Place one layer on a plate or pedestal (I highly recommend pedestals)
Spoon 1/2 the dulce de leche on to cake layer and spread to edge
Top with another layer of cake
Spoon chocolate buttercream on top of 2nd layer and spread to edge (don’t use all the butter cream, just enough to have a thin layer … use the leftovers on graham crackers or your fingers)
Top with another layer of cake
Spoon rest of dulce de leche on top of cake layer
Top with last layer of cake
Frost with cream cheese frosting
Die from delight…

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 box (1 lb) powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 Tbsp milk

Cream the butter and cream cheese with a mixer.
Add the cocoa and vanilla.
Add powdered sugar in small batches and blend on low until combined.
Scrape sides often.
Add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until you get the consistency you want.

Cream Cheese Frosting
6 oz cc
2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp milk
1 1/2 sticks butter
3 1/2 c powdered sugar

Combine all ingredients.
Blend until combined and creamy.

22 Years Ago

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Krista

Twenty-two years ago, there was a really cute second grader named Krista. OK … maybe she wasn’t so cute. But give her a break. It’s was an awkward transition between 1st and 3rd grade. She (thankfully) got cute again in 3rd grade. Things went downhill again in 7th grade, but that’s not the point of this story. This story is about the day this 2nd grader got a new baby sister.

She had been awaiting the day for what seemed like for-ev-er. And finally it was time! Her dad dropped her and her other sister, Karly, off at their grandparents’ house and took her mom to the hospital. Grandma dropped them off at school and ALL morning long, Krista was beside herself with excitement! Every 5 minutes she would ask her teacher, Mrs. Neale, if she could go to the main office and call the hospital to see if the baby had come yet.

Thankfully, Mrs. Neale let her go every time she asked, and Krista would RUN to the main office to call the hospital (whose number she had memorized). She got caught by the hall monitor for running one of those times and got in a little trouble but that was the only time in all twelve years of school that she ever got in trouble–except for the time later that year when she hit Joseph Chisolm over the head with her clipboard and had to write her name on the board (he so deserved it). Oh and there was that one time in 10th grade when she got a detention for not being in her seat when the bell rang. But that was it.

But anyway, finally after almost an hour of calling the maternity wing of the hospital the conversation went something like:

Hospital: Hello, Hilton Head Hospital
K: Yes, maternity please
Hospital: Please hold
K: Thank you
Nurse: Maternity wing
K: Hi, has Lori had her baby yet?
Nurse: She sure has! Let me get your dad for you.
K: Thank you (her mom was really big on manners)
Dad: Hello?
K: Hi dad! So we have a new baby sister?
Dad: Yup. [Then dad tells some really lame joke]
K: [humoring her dad] Oh brother.
Dad: Nope! Not a brother … It’s a sister.
K: [humors her dad a bit more] OK well, I’ll see you later. I’m going to go tell Karly we have a sister!

Krista hung up and ran-walked to the kindergarten wing and found Karly in Mrs. Compton’s class where she told her they had a new baby sister!

After school, she had to go to ballet before she could go to the hospital. But as soon as ballet was over she raced to the hospital. She had on white stretch pants and a pink t-shirt. She was waiting in her mom’s room when they brought the new baby in. Krista can still remember everything about those next few minutes. Baby had on a pair of little white jammies with tiny purple flower buds on them and a white lace collar. A tiny purple bow was taped to the top of her head. Krista was sitting on the left side of the bed facing the bathroom and a crocheted afgan was laying beside her on the bed. And when they placed Baby in her arms, she fell in love.

***

Kaycie Baby, Happy Birthday! Even though you’re 22 today, you’ll always be our Baby. I’m so amazed at who you are. You are a wonderful woman with a tender heart and strong spirit. You are the gem of our family and we love you more than you could ever know.

Kaycie
Born 8:42 a.m., March 9, 1987
7 lbs. 4 oz., 20 1/2″ long

Easter 1988: 1 year old

Shnuggling with her big sister Krista

Halloween!

Kayc and her best friend

Our beautiful ballerina

All growed up

What I’m Holding Out For

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Krista

Dear Kaycie,

Talking to you tonight got me to thinking. Thinking about where I was when I was your age. I know you might not think so, but lately, as you’ve gotten older, I forget that you really are only 21. You just seem so grown up these days. But like I said, talking to you tonight got me to thinking about time. Thinking about the eight years that separate where you are, from where I am, and what happened in between.

Lets just say nothing happened the way I saw it in my head. When I was 21.

And I know that maybe this isn’t what you want to hear tonight. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear back then. And maybe it won’t be what you want to hear tomorrow, or the day after that. But maybe in a week, or a month, when your heart has quieted just a bit, you’ll be in a place where you’ll see that this is more than me, your big sister saying, “well, when I was your age.” Because it is. It’s so much more than that.

But in order to get to the “more than that,” I have to say…

When I was your age …

I lived in the Foxwood Apartments on the west side of University. I was a junior at BYU. And I liked a boy. I don’t think I ever told you about him. His name was Troy and he had a really cute bum. It makes me smile to remember that. Whenever Katie and I saw him from behind, we would sing, nay, we would rap that line from the Salt-N-Pepa song, “you’re packed, and you’re stacked, ‘specially in the back. Brothuh, wanna thank your mothuh for a butt like that” (to ourselves of course). Ha ha. I really did love that bum. But I digress.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes. I lived at Foxwood, was finishing my junior year, and I liked a boy. We were good friends and we hung out, but at the end of the year, he decided he liked one of my friends, and just like that my little heart was crushed. Looking back, I wonder why it hurt so much. It was just a silly crush. But that’s the beauty of time I suppose. It offers perspective. Regardless, at that time, it did hurt. And it hurt bad. And that’s ok. Don’t let anyone tell you different. It’s ok that it hurts. And it’s ok that you need to cry. I cried. I cried a whole heaping lot. Ultimately, I think I cried not because of what it was, but because of what it represented. Which was me, once again, not winning the boy. Not being married. Not getting what I’d always seen myself getting by the time I was 21.

After a few more tears and a long, hot shower, I drove up to the temple to read my scriptures. I soon came to a verse that I can honestly say, though cliché in every way, changed my life. But it’s true. It was in Mosiah 24 where the people of Alma are weighed down with heavy burdens and they are pouring out their hearts to God that He’ll deliver them. And the Lord comes to them and says:

Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs … and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Kayc, this isn’t my point, but I must, like the people of Alma, stand as a witness that the Lord God does visit His people in their afflictions. I know you know that. But it’s easy to forget. He visited me that night and on many more occasions since then. I can’t count the times he has eased the burden and given me strength to carry it. And I know He will do the same for you.

After reading that scripture I was at peace. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t a surging rush of calm. It was just quiet. And I knew it was ok. It still hurt (bad). But it was ok. And then I bowed my head. And prayed the prayer I’d not yet had the courage to say. “Am I supposed to go on a mission?”

My life changed dramatically that night, when I finally bent my will to His. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about that prayer on the hill. It’s good to remember.

Serving that mission was a jumping off point to an amazing life. It provided a foundation for building block upon building block of experiences and opportunities. But before there could be a foundation, there had to be a place to put it. An open space. A space that was dug and created by the humility that came from not getting what I thought I wanted.

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying I think you should serve a mission. Only you know that. I just want you to know, that I know, that sometimes the present hurts. And that sometimes the future seems dark. But if you can just hold on one more minute, read one more verse, say one more prayer, I know, the path will lighten. And I know that the road, the one He leads you down, will be filled with more joy and happiness than if you’d gotten what you wanted.

No, my life isn’t everything I want it to be yet. Even since my mission, I’ve had mashed-up, broken hearts. I’ve told the Lord time and time again what I want to have happen, only to be given something different. I’ve asked Him, “Why? Why me?” And I’ve cried some more too. Yes, I’m lonely sometimes. I used to think that I wouldn’t wish my current situation on anyone, but I don’t think that way anymore. Because in my current situation? …

I’m learning patience. I’m learning faith. I’m learning hope. I’m learning who He is and where He is and just how much I really need Him. He and I … we’re getting closer every day because, at the end of the day, He’s all I have. And when it’s all said and done, when I finally get what I want most, I’m certain there will never be another wife or mother who loves being a wife and mother more than me. Because I had to wait for it. Because I know what it’s like to be without it.

And in the meantime, I learn. And allow myself to be led to glorious things–things I never could have done and places I never could have gone, had I been given what I wanted when I wanted it.

And because of that, this is what I know … that sometimes, before the joy, there’s perhaps a bit of sorrow. And often before the blessing, there’s sometimes a bit of emptiness. It’s like the tide. Before it rolls in, it must roll out. And the sun–before it rises, it has to set. But, my sweet sister, the light always comes. It always comes. And that’s what I’m holding out for.

You Have Sisters

Posted on July 25, 2008 by Krista

I have a hilarious story about how my roommate and I got stuck in the elevator at work last night ☺ … but that’s a post for another time. Today I have to, need to, want to share a story about my sisters.

I have two amazing younger sisters. One, who at times can be the most difficult person you’ve ever met, can also be the most loving, caring, and sensitive. She’s a fighter. A scrapper. And always a friend to the underdog. She’s climbed mountains in this life. Rugged and steep. And she always makes it to the top, no matter how long it takes. I admire her. And I look up to her.

The other is our baby. And that’s what we call her. And for the most part, that’s what we’ve always seen her as. But today, my baby sister had to do a really hard thing. It may have even been the hardest thing she’s ever had to do in her life to date. And while it’s utterly impossible to love her more than I already did, I’ve perhaps never been more proud of her. Today I saw her for the woman she has become. And what an amazing woman that is.

Now for the story … A few months back, the three of us went to the Colbie Caillat concert here in Salt Lake. We were so excited about it and I was particularly thrilled to be going with my girls. We arrived early so we’d get good seats and waited through the openers. After the first act, they announced the second – Trevor Hall. The name sounded familiar to us, but we didn’t think twice about it until he came on and Kaycie (our baby) screamed “Ohmigosh, it’s Trevor Hall!” He and Kaycie had gone to school together back in South Carolina. Actually we’d all gone to school together but he and Kaycie had been in the same grade.

My sisters and I all went to a private school that included grades 2 through 12, so although Kaycie was age 10 and in 4th grade when I graduated, we were in the same school. And we loved that. Even when “we” (i.e Karly and Kaycie, or Karly and I, never Kaycie and I) fought, like siblings do, we were always super close. And going to the same school, I think, gave us each, particularly Kayc, a measure of security. If something went wrong, we knew we could find our sisters. And we were really quite an anomaly. Most of the other siblings we went to school with were definitely not as close or as nice to each other. I even remember Kaycie saying one day how her friends thought it was “so cool” that her older sisters were so nice to her and included her and hugged her in the halls. But we never thought much about it. That’s just how it was for us.

So anyways, back to the concert. Trevor finished his set (’twas fabulous). Colbie came on (’twas seriously fabulous). And after the show we waited around to say hi. When the lines finally died down and Kaycie could get up to the table, she said, “You probably don’t remember me, but we went to school together …” and as she was finishing her sentence his eyes lit up and despite the fact that he was higher than a kite, he said, “Ohmigosh!” He recognized her and then added, “You have sisters!”

We all laughed and she said, “yeah they’re here!” And Karly and I waved. It was a seemingly funny thing for him to blurt out at that moment – “you have sisters!” But over the last little while I’ve thought a lot about his reaction. I’ve thought of all the things he could have said at that moment. Of all the memories from grade school he and Kaycie shared. But of all those things, the one thing he remembered about Kaycie was that she had sisters. And I love that. To me it says we three Maurer girls are “tight.” It says that the people around us know what, and more importantly, who, is most important to us. I love my girls and I love knowing that each of us has two cheerleaders in our corner no matter what. And I’m glad THAT is what people remember about us.

Kayc … I know you know that we love you most. But today especially, I hope you’ll remember that “You have sisters.” I can only imagine how your heart must hurt. I can only imagine the number of tears you’ve cried. But you are one amazing little woman. One amazing little baby. ☺ Kar and I are here. Your cheerleaders. Your safe place. You have sisters and I couldn’t be more grateful to be yours, especially today.

Tell me: Do you have siblings? What do you love about them?

+++

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Category Archives: Kaycie