I am a female who has been married to the love of my life for, well, a very long time now! Jeff and I have four children, two girls, two boys, ages 19, 18, almost 17 and 14. I was born in Bloomfield, New Mexico. I was 7 of 9 children and born into a prominent mormon home where I was raised in a strict, conservative fashion. We had no television because mom thought it was evil. We had limited radio because, well, mom thought that was mostly evil too. We did listen to a lot of MoTab, Afterglow, classical music and the Carpenters though! My activities growing up largely included scripture reading, lots of prayer, little interaction with those who did not share the same belief system, and school and church attendance. It wasn’t all bad. I cultivated a fairly active imagination, and my little sisters and I spent an enormous amount of time playing with paperdolls, or making things out of mud. This being the desert and all. I also compensated for having nothing to do outside of a certain set of proscribed activities by dumping all of my energy and focus into the said proscribed activites like school and church. I was a very good student. Reading was an accepted activity and I read an enormous number of books. I loved reading because it was an escape, the only place I knew where the boundaries were endless. I am adding my book list to this blog for those books I have read as an adult.
I also took piano lessons. All of my older brothers and sisters did, and some were/are still quite accomplished pianists. A few knew how to play the guitar as well, so there was quite a bit of music in the home. This fostered an enormous love of music within me. I began playing for church when I was 13, took voice lessons, started teaching piano when I was 17, began composing new age music when I was 24, and have produced a cd with my compositions, as well as a cd that was produced with my women’s barbershop quartet. I have all sorts of music in my home now. Classical with Mozart being my all-time favorite, rock, techno, jazz, I even manage to get some country/bluegrass with Alison Kraus and the Union Station. Oh, and lately I have a particular love for John Mayer. It may pass after a few years.
Dumping my energies into religion also started a “fury of which hell hath no” (Capn Jack, At World’s End). But that is a post for another day.
I am fiercely independent, quite feminist, have strong intellectual leanings, am generally known as being quick and aggressive, and I love to cook. This blog contains my running artistic expression of the love of food. You can buy my recipe book right here:
http://www.blurb.com/books/1628266
I love movies of all sorts, especially romantic comedies. I love the outdoors and you will find me spending most of my summers up the canyon or on a lake somewhere. Our family does quite a bit of travelling and we enjoy seeing new places and new things. You will find a lot of my landscape photography on this blog.
I put 110% into just about everything I do. It’s exhausting and rewarding at the same time because I always get this supreme sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
My favorite topics of study and discussion are theology, books, business, music, and art. Oh, and sports cars. I worked at eBay Motors for many years and I’m afraid I will always have a little bit of engine oil running through my veins.
My current book list is here: http://froggey.wordpress.com/froggies-book-list-as-of-1210/
I currently reside in Cedar Hills, Utah where I am surrounded by lovely mountains, friendly neighbors, and about a foot of snow!
I am looking for LDS bloggers to review the new LDS film out on DVD, “Passage to Zarahemla.” Would you be interested in receiving a free copy of this film to review? If so, please contact me at erinm at cobaltcg.com
Thank you
Froggie!
I grew up with Froggie! I can affirm that what she says is oh-so-true! A word about her mom, though. Her mom was my seminary teacher for a few years, and one of the most caring ladies one could ever hope to meet. She was strict just as Froggie describes, but she was gentle to boot.
Good family, those people! 
I love ‘em with all my heart. And I love Froggie too. I’ve known her my whole life. 
well…i didn’t grow up in bloomfield, but i wanted to say that i knew her mum, and loved her dearly. she was my seminary teacher for a year. great family, every one of them. great website chris! keep the faith!
This Fall season makes me melancholy about mom. She loved this time of year and she would often send pictures she had taken of sunsets and trees and such in letters she sent to me. Once, she even mailed me some dried autumn leaves! She was great that way.
Andy. My mother loved you. LOVED you. She was reserved and sincere in complimenting others, it was not often she found people who touched her. And you were one of those she really admired because of your character, your diligence, and your spirit. She only had high expectations for people she cared about. Funny how you easily fell into that category.
Deb, I’m so enjoying our recent reconnection! Email me pictures of your Renaissance festival. Do you ever come up to the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City? It is an annual event and is huge. http://www.bard.org/#
Wow Chris! You are so accomplished. I’m very impressed with what you’ve done with your life. You write beautifully. Ive enjoyed reading some of your posts and checking out your recipes.
I know I’m a few years younger than you and I didn’t spend much time with you, but I remember your family and I loved your parents. I love the stories my grandparents tell about your mom and dad. I always loved seeing your house across the fields, and I will always be grateful your mom taught my dad to love Chinese food. I think that one act broke him out of his same ol’ same ol’ existence and gave him the desire to try new things.
That is awesome, Carla. I’ve never heard the story about the Chinese food.
But I do remember you! I babysat you kids many times when you were much younger. You were all so full of energy and cheer. I am enjoying watch your goings on Facebook now.