Happy Birthday Shout Out

Today is Birthday Number Three

for Grand Number 11

Happy Birthday "Lead Guitar"

Love You So!

Marketing

It is interesting to me how we can be drawn in by the marketing ploys of advertisers.  If they say it is good for us, it must be.  If they say I will lose "x" amount of weight; I'm sure I will.  If they say my hair will be shiner; I'm sure it will.  The list goes on and on.  So who do you believe?  Sometimes they make it so confusing, because sometimes they don't even know what their product will do.  Case in point.  I buy baking soda and keep a box in my fridge to keep it smelling fresh; because they tell me it will do that.  See.

They are even kind enough to tell me that for best results I should change out the box, every 3 months and provide me with a little spot to write in the date when I need to replace it.  These people are so helpful that way.  But wait.  It is time to replace the box, so I buy a new box.

Hello, what happened to 3 months, now you are telling me to change it out every 30 days.  Really people.  What we weren't buying your soda fast enough.  So what the next time I buy a new box are you going to tell me I need to change it weekly.  Seriously people, who are you trying to kid.

So I did some homework on the soda subject and this is what I found out:

First, a bit of background on the stuff. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is about four times stronger that baking powder and is used in recipes with an acidic ingredient like sour cream, buttermilk, and chocolate. Baking soda neutralizes the acids in the recipe and gives you a tender crumb, along with some leavening. This is why, you should whisk your dry ingredients together so that your baking soda is evenly distributed throughout, or you can end up with large holes.

Generally, baking soda does have an indefinite shelf live, but it does lose it's effectiveness over time. A way to check that is to mix 1/4 tsp baking soda with 2 tsp of vinegar, and see if it bubbles immediately. If it does, you are good to go!

The best way to store your baking soda is in a sealed container. An open box on the shelf allows it to absorb all the lovely odors around it, which might not be what you want.  So if you are using it in your refrigerator and you have a peculiarly smelly refrigerator you may need to change out the box more frequently or just toss out the smelly stuff.  Either way I think I will stick with the 3 month plan.  It has always worked for me in the past!  

Bread

After running driving up to the store Saturday and purchasing my missing ingredient (lemon juice) I finally made this new bread recipe.  It is wonderful.  So easy.  So quick.  So tasty.  So perfect.  I used half white flour and half wheat flour.  You could use all wheat if you like.

Bread

2 1/2 c. warm water

3 c. flour

1/3 c. wheat gluten

1 T. yeast

Mix and let sit for 10 minutes.

Add:

1/3 c. oil

1 T. salt

1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 T. lemon juice

3 c. flour

Knead for 10 minutes. Form into 2 loaves. Put into 200 oven for 35 minutes. Don’t open oven but increase heat to 350 for 25 minutes. Turn out of pans to cool.

Doesn't it just make your mouth water!

Light of the World

 Matthew 5: 14-16 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Bones

This morning when I received my 6:00 a.m. wake up call courtesy of Kala I thought I would start the day out by making a new bread recipe D1 shared with me.  Sadly I was missing an ingredient so I decided I would make bones instead.  Dog bones.  I've had this recipe for ages and finally tried it.  The girls loved them.  And they were so easy and cheap to make.

Rolls out so easy

Ready for the oven

Hot out of the oven

Can I try one?

Enjoy!

Cleo’s Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons dry milk
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 cups brown rice flour *
1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
Preheat oven to 350.
In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin to smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and dried parsley (if using, optional). Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (can use the brown rice flour) and if dough is still rough, briefly knead and press to combine. Reminds me of pie dough.
Roll dough between 1/4 – 1/2″ – depending on your dog’s chew preferences, ask first – and use biscuit or other shape cutter to punch shapes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as you go. Place shapes on cookie sheet, no greasing or paper necessary. If desired, press fork pattern on biscuits before baking, a quick up-and-down movement with fork, lightly pressing down halfway through dough. Bake 20 minutes**. Remove from oven and carefully turn biscuits over, then bake additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on rack before feeding to dog.
* Brown rice flour gives the biscuits crunch and promotes better dog digestion. Many dogs have touchy stomachs or allergies, and do not, like many people I know, tolerate wheat.
**Cooking time will vary with the thickness of the biscuits. My girls like crunchy so I rolling mine out about 1/4", so my cooking time was 15 minutes on one side and about 10 on the other.  You want the biscuit to be cooked through.

A.M. or P.M.

I've never been a great lover of the early morning hours, especially when I'm still in bed.  It is so hard to just get up.  It is easier just to see those early morning hours by never going to bed. I do that sometimes and I love to see the night turn to day.  But I for one at some point need some sleep.  So some days I say to myself, "get to bed early so you can get up early."  So much can be done in those early morning quiet hours.  But then the evening comes, I get my second wind and struggle to get to bed at a reasonable hour.  Then the early morning wake up comes (4:30 or 5:00) and my struggle to get up starts all over again.  This is making me tried just thinking about it.  I think I'll go take a nap so I can stay up late but wait that messes up the getting up early.  I'll just sleep in the car, it is easier that way!

Do-Over

Sometimes in life we just need a do-over.  Sometimes  in our process of “doing” we somehow get off track just a scosh.  So we must step back and rethink our performance and do it again.  I like do-over’s because it gives me a chance to try again to get right whatever I was “doing.”  Sometimes when Mr. Man and I have a difference of opinion (it does happen from time to time) one of us might stop and say, “how about a do-over?”  It is a great way to break the tension and do-over the conversation.  It works for us and I love it.  But it is not just conversations that sometimes need do-over’s other things do as well.  Like ones yard for instance.

Once I had this.....I love it....

 But then I got this....I love her...

 And now I have this!

Time for a do-over!

(Okay she didn't do it all, we helped her, but she started it!)

Excuse Me

I do have a question.  How, oh how did my email inbox turn into a breeding ground for junk mail?  It seems to multiply like rabbits.

Silly Sil

Our Sil left his keys, wallet, and phone on top of their car; silly Sil!

Then his lovely bride drove their car to town.

Together they looked and looked for his keys, wallet and phone.

They found the keys, but alas the phone and wallet are no more.

Our Sil mentions to his mother that he needs to teach his lovely bride to do a 17-point inspection of the car before she drives away.  

To which his mother replied,  

"or you could put your things where they belong!"

I love his mother!

Yum

Take this:

1 stick of Butter

1 Can of Peaches

1 White or Yellow Cake Mix

and

1 Can of 7-Up

Put them in the above order in a Dutch Oven*.  

And this is what you get!

*Heat up your Dutch Oven, then add the butter and melt it before adding the remaining ingredients.  Place 8 coals below your Dutch Oven and 14 to 16 on the lid.  Let it bake for 40-45 minutes.  You won't be disappointed, it is so so good.

Happy Birthday Shout Out

Today is Birthday Number 60 for Mr. Man!!

(I know I don't usually reveal those numbers but what a great number; I just had to share)

Me and My Man

 

My Good Looker!

My Good Cooker!

My Hard Worker!

Happy Birthday Mr. Man!

I Love You So...........

A Dog's Purpose

Have you ever wondered what a dog's purpose is?  I haven't.  But if you have this book is for you.  I loved it.  It made me laugh and it made me cry.  And it also confirmed what I believe to be true.  Check it out and you will learn what I know.

Thanks Sil for the great recommendation!

Happy Birthday Shout Out

Today is Birthday Number ??? for Dil1

(remember age is just a number)

Happy Birthday Dil1?
Love You So!!

So Simple

My mornings are so rushed.  When you have an hour plus commute (depending on traffic or road construction or whatever) something in the morning has to give.  And that something is usually breakfast because if I can squeeze 10 extra minutes of sleep, the sleep always wins.   Hands down.   I don't leave the house on an empty stomach.  My breakfast is usually a piece of toast.  So by mid morning I'm usually a bit on the hungry side.  So lately this is what I turn to.  And I just love it.  Greek yogurt with honey.  Sometimes I throw in a handful of granola.  So yummy.  So thick.  So tasty. So Simple.  Plus it hits the spot; and bonus, it is good for you!

Kitchen Sink

Since this is the month of cooking it up, I thought I should add something about what I like to cook up from time to time but especially in the summer.  I love it because its simple and tastes good.  What is it? Taco Salad!  Love it. Take a little, iceberg lettuce, tomato, green onion (or purple), kidney beans (or black), corn, avocado, grated cheese, ground beef (or turkey) (cooked of course and seasoned with some taco seasoning) top with crush some corn chip. Then dress it with a dressing of your choice.  I mix up some mayo, sour cream, ketchup, pickle relish and lemon juice for our dressing.  It just tastes good to us.

This isn't a great picture
but it sure tastes good!

Never in the Dark

Last night we were in our standard evening places. Mr. Man in his recliner with his remote and I on the couch with my laptop on my lap. I'm reading the newspaper, blogging, shopping and watching a movie (on the TV). I have a dog beside me and two at my feet. It is a perfect evening. Then pop! We have no electricity. So we have no movie and no Internet and no lights. So time to run downstairs and get the iPad and a few flashlights and we are good to go. I love technology! But I do have one question. Why is it when you know you have no power and you are walking around with a flashlight that every room you walk into you still automatically flip the light switch? When we finally do have power our house will light up like a Christmas tree!

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Yesterday

From time to time we are given the opportunity to speak in church.  Yesterday was my turn.  In my preparation I learned so much about the topic and about me and my feelings toward it.  So I decided to share.  Maybe it will touch you like it touched me.

I remember a conversation I had years ago with a friend about what we take away from sacrament meeting.  As we discussed the idea, it became clear to both of us that what we take from sacrament meeting is what we put into it.  Now that might seem logically but the truth of the matter is do we come prepared to listen and to learn and to be touched by the spirit?  Do we look for ourselves in the message? Do we come with an attitude of learning? As I have prayerfully approached this subject I've been asked to speak on, I pray that your hearts and minds are clear and receptive to this message.  It could be considered a tough subject. And many may well be turned off by it, thinking it doesn’t apply to them.  But the topic of Gossip is real, it is vast in its meaning and all of us myself included have room to improve.  I know I have learned much from the time I have spent in the scriptures, in studying the words of our leaders and in prayer in regard to this subject.  I have also learned that sadly it is sometimes considered a women’s issue.  However, just like the symptoms of associated with heart disease are more recognizable in men than women, it is still equally important for each of us to guard our heart and understand the symptoms of heart disease.  So too must we guard ourselves against the pain and symptoms of gossip. Although at times associated with women, the fact of the matter is all of us need to guard against the matters of the tongue.  The tongue can be much like a weapon and used for evil; it can be hurtful and be a destroyer.  No longer true is the age old adage, sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.  While we do have a choice in the issue of letting go and looking beyond the hurtful words directed at us and untruths that might be spoken about us it is still sometimes the sting of those words that can be long lasting and in many cases difficult to overcome and erase. Words can ruin a reputation, alter a relationship, and change the course of a life.

 So what is gossip?  Gossip by definition is considered idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others.  But gossip is also judgment of others.  In Matthew 7:1-2 we read:  “Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with that measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” That scripture back in my seminary days was a scripture mastery scripture.  It packed a powerful punch then and continues to today.  The whole idea about “measured to you again” was then and is today very real to me.  Here we are taught that we will be judged for judging others, we should be mindful of that before we speak, it is hard sometimes, I know.   We can learn more about that in James 1:19-21, “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…”

In a conference talk in October of 1938, Stephen L. Richards teaches us that: “… a large part of the unhappiness in the world results from inconsiderate judgment.  Many a pillow is wet with the sobs of those who are its victims.  We cannot read the hearts of man.  We may not know their good intentions.  We often judge them by their failures, and we are unkind enough to circulate our judgment in the form of rumors and gossip and thus do irreparable damage.”

So some might wonder when is it gossip or when is it just plain conversation?  You might ask yourself these few questions:

1.       Does it make a person look good or bad? 

2.      Is there a sensational, larger-than-life, worse-than-bad aspect to it?

3.      Would you feel good repeating it to the face of the person involved?

4.       Do you feel uplifted or degraded after hearing it?

Each of these questions can help us going into any conversation.  However, simply remembering the words from the 13^th Article of Faith is also enough …“If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”  

In an Ensign article in 1981 entitled “Gossip: Satan’s Snare” by Gene R. Cook, he said: “May the continual cultivation of the Holy Spirit drive out evil thoughts and inappropriate words, so that spirituality will grow and prevail, for as we bridle our tongues we are able to bridle our whole beings. Let each of us be careful that we do not contribute in any way to what the prophet Enoch saw in a vision thousands of years ago, when he recorded in Moses 7:26: “And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced.”  The image of that is real and so very disturbing to me.  Satan is real and delights in bringing us down through any means. He loves to see us pass judgment on each other and contend with one another.  In 2 Nephi 28:20 Nephi prophesied that in the last days the devil would “rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.”

Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, then the Relief Society General President in an October 2003 conference address said: “We cannot allow ourselves to feel inadequate by focusing on who we aren’t instead of on who we are! We simply cannot criticize, gossip, or judge and keep the pure love of Christ.”

Elder Marvin J. Ashton beautifully observed: “Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”

Ultimately we do make a choice each time we engage in a conversation. The apostle Paul counsels us in Ephesians chapter 4 to: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith counseled us as well by stating, “The tongue is an unruly member—hold your tongues about things of no moment.”

And in Proverbs 21:23 it simply states: “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

In conclusion let’s remember the words from the hymn:

Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words

Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live
And sunshine forever impart.
Let us oft speak kind words to each other;
Kind words are sweet tones of the heart.

There should be no room in our conversations for judgment of others nor should we sprinkle our conversations with gossip.  Let each of us guard our tongues and remember as in Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”  We can be better and we will be better when we choose kindness in our conversations with each other.  May we each guard the health of our tongue as we would our heart….

Simply Put

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue 

keepeth his soul from troubles.”

~~ Proverbs  21:23

Yesterday and Time

Four years ago yesterday was the day my mother graduated from this life to the next.  For some reason I never seem to remember that day.  Not sure why.  I hope that doesn't make me a bad person.  I just prefer to remember the day of her birth into this life and the life she lived.  Birthdays for me are happy days.  Death days not so much.  That's just who I am.

Determination

No one, I mean no one has determination like this girl.  Especially when a critter is involved.  She will dig forever if I let her although she will stop if she knows I want to take a picture of her.  She is accommodating that way.

Triple Crown

Seems like we barely get home from one trip when I'm cooking up plans for another one.  I just can't help myself.  Besides it gives me something to look forward to.  The last stop in the Triple Crown.  Baptism number three.  Look out Kansas here we come!

Stewing

I've been stewing over my test results.  The wait was killing me.  Each day checking, checking, checking.  Well today the moment of truth arrived!  No need to stew. I PASSED!  Happy day.  But before I get all excited now I have to wait for the results of my finger prints.  This has always been a problem for me.  For some reason I lack good, clean, clear finger prints.  Today I went and had a live scan of my finger prints done.  When they finished I was told, "you will probably get a letter from the State rejecting your finger prints."  I said, "can't you just do them over, maybe do a better job???"  "No, when you get your rejection letter just come back and we will do it again."  Really??  And so the stewing continues..............

Bending

A friend emailed me today and shared this thought with me. 

"Life just may not turn out the way we plan, but we need to just deal with it.  We don't have to like it, but endure and enjoy the parts we can."  

Then she shared one of her favorite quotes: 

"We often grow more by bending with the wind than standing in rigid defiance." 

Bending, I can bend.  It is a lot less painful when I do.

Brown Rice

Brown rice.  Love it.  But sometimes I don't know what to do with it.  Until I started adding stuff to it!  First I grill up some onions, chopped of course. Then I chop up some mushrooms and add them to the onions.  Next comes some zucchini chopped up as well.  Lastly I add some fresh spinach which I have chopped up a bit.  So when all this loveliness gets cooked up.  Then I add my cooked brown rice.  Mix it all together and give it a splash of fresh lemon juice, yum!

Enjoy!

The Train, The Train

Although we had a some what rocky beginning.  The train was six hours late, yicks!  Which caused for an over-worked and probably underpaid staff.  Over all despite those few missteps we loved trained travel.  The view at times was breath taking.  The motion of the train was rhythmic and so restful!

Train pulling into the station in SLC

Donner Lake view

Ocean view

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

This trip of ours included planes, trains and automobiles. The plane was late and the train was really late. The automobile was the only on time mode of transportation. The jury is still out on our love of the train since we have yet to get on it. I'll keep you posted.


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We Knew

The mind is a tricky thing. Some things it remembers and some things it does not. Maybe it is a space issue. I don't know. But I knew it was important for Mr. Man to be able to see his dad this trip, who although he doesn't remember him, Mr. Man does. It was wonderful for us to be able to visit with this happy soul, even if he had no idea who we were. I know he enjoyed the time we visited with him and the ice cream we brought him. (thanks for the heads up on the ice cream Nyla) He will be 90 years old in a month from now. What a life. Even though he doesn't remember the recent years, months, weeks, or even who visited hours before, he does remember the happy days of his youth. I'm glad he has those happy memories and that he shared them with us.

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Bear Lake

I love this place for its beautiful lake so so blue. But I especially love it for its raspberries. They are so good. They make my mouth water just thinking about them! Sorry no pictures of the raspberries. They disappear when they are around me!



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I Did it

For the past 8 months with the help for the family I have been cooking up a family gathering without Mr. Man having any knowledge of said event. I am happy to say it went down without too many glitches. He was blissfully unaware of anything. I'm not sure how long it will take me to regain his trust. I guess that is the price one pays for such trickery!


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What's Cooking

In August the theme will be "What's Cookin' for 31" I'm a day late in making the announcement because of the anniversary celebration yesterday. So please forgive me. So what is cookin' in August. Could be food. Could be fun. Could be whatever you please! So won't you please join me in August for "What's Cookin' for 31"

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Happy Anniversary

Today Mr. Man and I are celebrating (let me get the calculator) 38 years of marriage!

Wow, that is all I can say!

Oh and who are these people?