Sunday thought

"Will prayers that do not demand much of your thought merit much attention from our Heavenly Father? When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don't have to be grand or glorious. Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one's voice. Thinking of things we are grateful for is a healing balm. It helps us get outside ourselves. It changes our focus from our pains and our trials to the abundance of this beautiful world we live in."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin

Pretzel Bites

The first time I had these babies (Pretzel bites) my daughter was having her Girl's Night Out party in our cabin.  I watched her make these, then bit into one and fell in love!  (that's Brandi, second from the left- love her too- AND her friends!)

When I was going through my Pity Party (i.e. the other day) and having a cooking frenzy, this is one of the Rhodes dough variations I made.  The first picture is the cheesy savory one Brandi did (a little garlic and Parmesan cheese and salt.)

This is the cinnamon and sugar one that had me going the other day.  So good.  So addictive!

Last night happened to be my Girl's Night Out as well.  Elaine hosted.   We heard all about Elaine's month in Puerta Vallarta and Terri's trip to St. Martins.....   

and Brendalyn and Funny Kathy couldn't join us...because they are bicycling in Italy and Loretta couldn't join us...because she was leaving for Amsterdam.....

and here I am, (pity party- ha!)- cooking up a storm with Rhode's dough!  Recipe on the cooking blog.

Zesty Lemon Rolls

Zesty Lemon Rolls recipe on the cooking blog today.  Light and yum.

Stuff

Last week was Jenny's birthday.  Jenny loves her birthday (remember the surprise party we did for her last year?)

This year she was at her sister's on her birth date- but sent me a letter telling me all her favorite things and to please not forget her birthday this year.  I called her and told her we would celebrate...only a week later.  Jenny's dad is buried at our beautiful cemetery close by.  She had wanted to go say hi to her dad and also another good friend who is buried there.  I was so happy when these girls showed up to celebrate Jenny!  We put a pinwheel on her dad's grave....then had a scavenger hunt to find her friend's grave.  Success!  Jenny loves frozen yogurt so afterwards (and between rain storms)- we went to the yogurt shop where the two worker boys sang Happy Birthday to sweet Jenny.

These girls showing up meant not only the world to Jenny but to me.  Just a little thing that means so much, this thing called service......and friendship.

Love, love, love Thursdays.  I finished a picture today that was so fun to paint.  A little bit of Scandinavian style. It's called Peg's Cup of Tea...since I was thinking about BFF Peggy the whole time I was painting it- since she loves all things Scandinavian. 

One of my grands- Rylee plays on the Sparta Competition Comp. league.  They were just rated tops in the nation by gotsoccer.com.  They worked so hard (and dare I say....missed MANY important family functions) to achieve this.  Happy for her (and trying to be mature about the other.....)

and can I say I'm loving this weather.....rain a little, shine a little, storm big time, sun comes out a smiling, rain a little more.  Our lawn looks like pasture and it is hard to get mowed inbetween storms.  Still more planting to do...but you know how good I am at "tomorrow."

Oh My Goodness Butters

Yesterday and today I've been in a cooking frenzy for whatever reason.  Mallorie's husband, Sam-I-Am, is sick with pneumonia, so I made him some chicken noodle soup and rolls. 




When I took Sam his food yesterday, I was treated to Mama Ducks and babies.  (I'm kind of the duck Grandma.  My phone quacks like a duck and I always make the kiddos quack when we play marbles and they get a marble home.  4 quacks and you win!)

My next door neighbors have been sick as well so I made extra for them.  Nothing fancy for the rolls since I used Rhodes frozen dough...but then I had a huge bag of dough I thawed (what was I thinking?) and David's been gone today and I've already been to the temple this morning (with Valene and Cari Seiverts) and came home and took a nap...and read some in the good book I'm reading  (Maisie Dobbs....the first in a series)...and thought I really needed to do something productive.  Unfortunately productive isn't conducive to losing butters...especially since the recipes I've been making today (okay just FIVE of them!!!!) all pretty much called for butter, glorious butter.  Just call me Paula Dean.....

I'll just share a recipe a day on the cooking blog.  These are killer cheesie bread sticks...the secret ingredigent?  Feta cheese.

On the way to the temple this morning, we were talking about things being stolen.  Cari said all her husband's large batteries had been stolen from his work site...and that the police don't even come to check it out.  I told her about David's truck being stolen from our house...and nada- no help from the police as well.....except when they found the truck abandoned a month later, battery dead....and a call in the middle of the night (2 o'clock...well after my Ambien had settled in....) saying "Come and get your truck or we're impounding it immediately."

I don't think I was home today for an hour when Cari called.  Her daughter had just called....and her CAR was stolen .......  what are the odds?  And the police said, "If we find it, you'll have 20 minutes to come and get it or it will be impounded...."

Okay, so the policemen aren't like Tom Selleck on T.V.  Or Kate Beckett and Castle.  I was feeling so bad I just had to cook something.  And drench it in butter.  And eat it.  What can I say, life happens!

(The crazy part of this story is that I have been cooking for hours.  Hours.  Now it is almost time to take my neighbor's dinner....and I'm too tired to make dessert.  I might run out and buy something......)

HOME

I just got back from a trip to Vancouver where my family (my growing-up family, not my kids) lives.  It was wonderful being with my parents- going out to dinner with my brother and his wife, Cher.  Got to see most of Gary's family as well. Played games.  Ate too much.  Laughed a lot.

The flowers there are beautiful.  These pansies were easily a foot tall!  We celebrated my dad's 88th birthday at Rib City.  I asked my brother if he would do anything for me....

Look what a good sport he was!  Love him! (We are a little crazy in our family....)

Cher fixed a wonderful Upside Down Cake for dad's birthday cake.  Yum!

Love this time with my fam......

Got home last night but today David is roping in Farmington, Utah.  500 teams so it will be a late one.  Today being a holiday has been a little lonely (although Brandi and family called to invite me to the movies and dinner with them.)  I got laundry done and clean sheets on beds and a flat of ground cover planted then went to the bookstore and got a stack of books that have been recommended! I made easy homemade tomato basil soup with feta cheese and buttered crackers. (1 can of diced tomatoes, 1/2-1 cup cream, Basil to taste, crumbled feta cheese.  I blend the diced tomatoes and basil, then heat until hot- turn off the stove and add the cream.  Sprinkle with feta cheese.  Oh yes, and butter those crackers and have a pity party.....)

 I seldom eat crackers and never buttered crackers unless I'm homesick... which is silly since I just left my parents.  I wonder how long it will be before you don't miss your childhood....(Unfortunately I also made chocolate chip cookies....

back on anti- butters tomorrow.....)

Went by the cemetery by our house (it's huge)...and it was filled with flowers and people and flags.  Always makes me a little teary.  We don't have family buried here and I've never lived in a place where we did - so going to the cemetery on Memorial day is just really a drive-by for me.

So thankful for my dad's service in the Navy, my brother's service in the trenches of Viet Nam, my nephew Jason's service in the middle East.  

I thought this picture says it all:

Just Stuff

 I got the sweetest and funniest thank you note in the mail today.  My girls, Hallee and Addi went back on track this week at school.  Sunday night I was missing them already.  I usually let the girls invite friends one day of the week to play with us.  Sydney and Kyle came last week.....we saw the movie Home (loved it) and I taught them to say "Chick-a-fill" instead of Chick-fil-a(because that's what I call it)....and I totally forgot about the car accident!  (I got a new car for the back camera....and a car pulled out of parking behind me so fast the beeper didn't even beep until we hit.) (pretty exciting for the kids.)  Love these sweet girls and their friends.  

Valene and I have been going to the temple once a week for awhile.  This morning was our morning and was lovely.  Great way to start the day.

I came home and planted about half a flat of things...in my dress!  there was no time to change and so I was  very careful not to get dirty.  I still have a lot more to plant before I leave town on Thursday.

THEN  I got to go get pampered (my Mother's Day gift from David) by Melia Joy who does facials.  More than a facial....like 2 hours of pampering.  Heaven!  Really, she is a gift.

Grocery shop on the way home plus med pick-up.  A new prescription just cost me over $200!  Wowzer!  I also had another one that costs even more but I said I'd pass on that one.  I'm getting too expensive for my skin!

Tonight I watched the grand finale of Dancing with the Stars.  I called Jenni (my sweet neighbor with Downs...it is her birthday today....plus my grandson, Nash) and Jenni was rooting for Noah (a military amputee and incredibly nice.)  I was rooting for Allison and Riker.....since I was roomies with Allison's mom and dated her dad.  I thought they were amazing.  But they came in second so I guess Jenni and I can mourn together. (not really for me...) (Allison's husband is tWitch....the DJ (and dancer himself) on the Ellen show.)

Tomorrow is a big day.  Someone I love, that has had a hard lot in life, is getting married.  I hope the day is beautiful and a beginning of a whole new life.

I love it when the sun comes out in someone's life.  We sure need the rain but there just is something so lovely about sunshine.  God is good!

Packets of Light

I mentioned that Sunday I taught in Young Women's- and it was a special experience for me because the topic is one near and dear to my heart.  When I told David what I was teaching on, he said, "Of course you are."  since he knows that is one of my loves.

The topic was on the importance of reading the scriptures.  I didn't say this but am reminded of the adage that says "one that can't read isn't any worse off than one who doesn't."  I'm so glad that scriptures are to me like dessert (and you know how I love dessert!)  Learning to love them was for me like learning a foreign language....you can't expect to be fluent right off the bat.  At first they put me to sleep.  Then I was clueless about what many verses meant.  Don't even talk about the Old Testament!  Now, though, they are an every day part of my life, part of my thoughts, part of my conversations.  And do I dare mention, I LOVE the Old Testament.

None of this I said in my lesson.  I took most of my remarks from a talk by Richard G. Scott- "The Power of Scriptures"- (for the full talk, go here)

(https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-power-of-scripture?lang=eng )  

and we talked about many of his key points.   I printed a handout of these key points and had them circle the blessings that come from reading the scriptures.  I've highlighted a few:

~Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. 

~They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

~The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly. 

~They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed. 

~Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. 

~Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.  (I LOVE THIS!!!)

~Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change. 

~Pondering a scripture like that gives great direction to life. The scriptures can form a foundation of support. They can provide an incredibly large resource of willing friends who can help us. A memorized scripture becomes an enduring friend that is not weakened with the passage of time.

~Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. 

~Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. 

~They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.

~Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs. A scripture that we may have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and insightful when we face a new challenge in life.

I just want to say that I'm so thankful for the scriptures in my life.  Indeed they have been a best friend.  They have been with me through joy and pain. I've read and reread and grown through their pages.   Last week, one of my Laurels took a look at my scriptures (which  are happily worn and weathered) and said, "I love these."  I do too.  They are irreplaceable to me.  A BFF (Best Friend Forever)  and ever and ever...

Just for Me

Okay, this post is just for me.  Since this is my journal, I wanted to tuck this in for me to read forever.  Yesterday I found this posted to my timeline on Facebook.  I doubt the video will repost but it is a story about a Ward and neighborhood and friends that have lifted a woman with MS into bed every night for 7 years (plus arranged her meds, plugged in her wheelchair, listened, etc.)  Thank you for your sweet words.

"The dichotomy between healing the body and healing the soul....when we heal the body, it's always an inward effort, we're always paying attention to ourselves. When we heal the soul, turning inward doesn't work and the triage of the soul is turning outward to other people." I loved this message! I am so grateful for the many people who have blessed my life through their selfless service and most grateful to be raised by parents who constantly exemplified their willingness to serve others even "with no end in sight". Truly blessed...Marilyn Darley Williams

Lift
“What if your neighbor asked you to take 20 minutes one night to help him? Would you do it? Most decent people would. But what if he asked you every night following, with no end in sight? Would you be willing to do it? … When would serving your neighbor...
mormonchannel.org

Oh, the Places You Will Go!

Yesterday morning, Sheryl Ipsen (our Young Women's president) and I hosted all the graduating senior girls to my house for brunch.  (We're lucky we have 1:00 church).   I made a Mexican brunch with a Mexican Puff quiche with black bean salsa and sour cream and avocado and also a quick cinnamon and cream cheese churro, fresh fruit, pina colada's.  I also made graduation hat picks for them to take home (!!!) and also had cute quotes about growing up and moving on- on the table.   I'm going to miss Abby Ward, Sydney Barton, Meghan Ahlstrom and Claire Kirkland so much!!!!  What outstanding girls! I'm excited for them for this next step in their lives.

  







   Education is the most  powerful weapon which you  can use to change the world.   
       Nelson Mandela



 “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” 
    Sarah Ban Breathnach



If opportunity doesn’t knock,  build a door. 
          Milton Berle 



You have to expect things of yourself before you can do  them. 
        ~Michael Jordan 



Don’t let anyone steal your dream. It’s your dream, not theirs. 
          ~Dan Zadra 




Share your sparkle wherever you are. 
          ~Dodinsky 


You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
           ~Dr. Seuss 


Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.    
         ~Henry Ford 

I

If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
      ~Thomas Alva Edison 


There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them. 
         ~Charles D. Gil 



God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them. ~Author Unknown 

Little Happys

Here are a few happy things I'm grateful for:

~this morning I looked out the window (it has finally stopped raining for a minute!)....and saw a Western Tanager!!!  My first of the year.  This is my favorite bird and I know it sounds like such a little thing but these birds MEAN something to me.  They actually live up in the canyon and come down usually just in spring (to have babies, I'm sure) and when I see one, I know God loves me.  

~We had a surprise party here for Tanner on Friday night.  He turned the big 3-0.  Yikes!  Brooke came here to help set up (they live in Lehi, about 1/2 hour away.) and Tanner called (about 3:30) and asked what Brooke was doing.  She said, "Errands."  And he said, "For my surprise party?"  Dang him!  He was here to surprise the guests when they arrived.  We had a great crowd- I loved seeing Tanner's high school friends that I seldom get to see now that they are all grown up.  One of his friends, Wes, said he often thinks of when I would (and BFF Cathy)  take the boys on spring break.  We're talking when they were like 16-18!  We would go to St. George and Las Vegas.  It was like they were on their own with someone to check on them.  What great kids!  Another good friend, Stephen, sent me a note expressing love to David and I for always opening our home and good influences and for raising such good kids.  Love, love, love these boys (and now their wives.) They BBQ ed and most swam or just sat around and visited.  (The sun came out at the perfect time so we could be outside on the patio!)  Love my baby boy!

~a neighbor of Tanner and Brooke sent Brigadeiros.  They are a Brazilian birthday cookie/truffle/bite of heaven.  It was instant love when I bite into one.  Can't wait to try them on my own.

~Saturday, Brendalyn and I did our errands in the pouring rain.  Honestly, it has rained for weeks and weeks now.  This is so not our desert!  I'm totally loving it.  We do lunch, run our errands, bounce ideas off each other on what lesson we are teaching the next day, then got pedi's.  Brendalyn is heading off to Italy this week with Funny Kathy and 2 other almost friends.  I started out thinking this was a trip I wanted in on, until I heard hiking and biking and hiking and biking.  I passed.    I was imagining sitting on the hillside balconies of Cinque Terre and painting and eating prosciutto and gelato, then taking a cooking class and then eating some more gelato. One hike, yes.  One bike ride, yes.  But not hike and bike and hike and bike.
Slugs don't do well not being slugs.

~David's been sick all week.  Of course he doesn't stay in bed.  He still goes to the gym and rides and ropes and then hacks and is miserable.  I am staying far away from him since I am flying home to my parents on Thursday.  I can't go and give something "else" to them.  I will be there for my dad's birthday!  Yeah!

~We have a million birthdays in May so it seems like we're celebrating nonstop.  David and I went to the Cheesecake Factory with Ben and Susie (her birthday is the day after my dad's) and had such a nice evening.  Got to hear all about their recent trip to the Sawtooth Mountains- to hike and ski (no eating gelato there either)....and I got to share how I just got some new doggie treats for their dog Bridger (he is HUGE) and how the package of  Doggie jerky sticks was laying on the counter, and David unwrapped one without reading the package and started chomping away.  You've never seen so much choking and spitting.  It was pretty funny.

~Yesterday was a busy Sunday.  First I had the graduating Laurels to my house for brunch, then church, and I taught Young Women's (I'll share later), then had a meeting for the 4th of July celebration.  (We were called as chairmen over the community breakfast, parade and carnival, publicity, etc.  Whew!)  It was a BIG day...but I was so happy every single thing went well....and I gave thanks for really a beautiful, busy day.

~I went into the greenhouse this morning and saw my trumpet vine has started to bloom!  I feel it is like seeing old friends!  Happiness!

Surprise!

 Thank you, Peggy, for the surprise in the mail!!!!  I don't know if I want to fix all the recipes first or paint all the incredible pictures in the book.  I do know that I'll be cooking up a storm (and re-reading yummy recipes curled up in my bed with fuzzy jammies...perfect for a rainy evening...)  Can't wait to share~!

You're a doll.  I love our friendship.  I love that you had to work so I got David's blind date by default.  I loved all the years of being roommates.  I love to remember your response to Bob Barker's question, on why you wanted to be Miss USA and you did a Mae West imitation, "because I want to be a sex symbol."  It still cracks me up.  I love that we can not talk for months and we know how much we love each other.  I love that we can talk about the stages our folks are going through and we totally understand.  I love that our husbands are alike in so many ways.  I love that neither of us are perfect...and that's okay.  I love your Scandinavian decorating sense.  I loved our time on the boat dock at McCall...just reading and enjoying the fall.  (and the fox that came to eat an egg on your porch.)  I love that if it is funky, we know we'll both love it.  I remember taking you to a store I loved....and watching your face for an impression...and you were dead silent....then said, "I might cry."  I knew you GOT it!  I love that even though I made you dress like a gingham farm girl with a white floppy hat for my wedding, you still asked me to be in yours  and didn't do paybacks.  I love that we can share secret things.  I love that you like happy colors.  I loved that you shared Jenny with me.  

Thanks, bestie.  I feel blessed.

Rain

Give thanks for the rain in your life

which waters the flowers of your soul.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

There are a few defining moments in one's life.....particularly when your daughter mentions "how mature" you are handling something.....

Hundreds of dollars were spent on yard care and winter clean up and getting the pool filter fixed/ready and planting and planting and planting.  The yard looked great.

Hundreds of dollars were spent on treats to fill the Easter eggs.  3,000 of them.  Hours and hours to fill them.

Friday I made 150 ham and cheese sliders, had packages of hot dogs and buns ready to go, chips and drinks and several grape salads.  Aunt Pat made a huge oriental chicken salad.  Friends were cooking as well.  Family too.  Big time.

It started raining last week.  I keep looking at the forecast, which certainly didn't look too great.  But who believes in weathermen?  I was calm.  And kept working.  Even planting in the rain.....

When you're in a drought, how can you fault a week that rains and rains and rains?  Saturday was suppose to be our 11th Eggstravaganza.  I cried uncle about noon.  When all the flower beds can't even drink all the water being poured on them, I didn't think a muddy egg hunt would do.  But I didn't even cry.

My family came anyway.  Aunt Pat and Casey came.  We ate BIG!  Then I had all the kids gather around tables and start rolling dice.  If they rolled doubles, they collected an Easter egg.  If anyone rolled double sixes, EVERYONE got 5 eggs each.  It was crazy mayhem!  The kids loved it.  I loved everything about the day.  It was perfect.  Not what I had planned.  One of my favorite events of the year just washed away.  

People ask me if I am rescheduling.  I'm not.  I've given away tons of eggs to family and friends.  I got to be with my family....with my kiddos- who are the reason I do all of this.  I missed all the neighbors and friends and kiddos coming and running through the yards and trees.  But hopefully they'll come next year.

Until then, I'm good.  As Brandi would say, "so mature....."

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was the best.  I loved every minute at church.....(two missionaries reporting- Alex Parkinson and Jacob Hall)- thought-provoking Sunday School lesson, one of my Young Women doing an incredible job teaching in YW (Abby Ward).....

then getting to go to Brandi and Doug's for dinner.  Doug is a great cook and dinner was delicious.  He grilled steaks, smashed potatoes, roasted asparagus and made a decadent raspberry bread pudding with cream sauce. I took grape salad.  I think all the recipes are on my cooking blog except for the asparagus.

Loved all the pampering from my family.  All sorts of fun gifts-a facial, cooking stuff, flowers, the cutest Secret Garden book and yummies.  Thanks kids!!!!!

I was especially thankful that my mom came home from the hospital in Washington, where she has been most of the past week.  That is always so scary for me when I am so far away.  I try to fly home to them every other month and will leave next week for my next visit.

I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me.  Antonio Villaraigosa

On Monday, David and I took Addi and Hallee (last week off track for awhile) to Idaho to see David's mom.  A favorite aunt of mine had a major stroke (in Rupert, Idaho) and was transferred to Pocatello so I got to stop in there on the way to hug my sweet cousins and tell my aunt I loved her.  I'm glad I got that moment.

The girls loved seeing Grandma (Addi- age 9 said, "Thanks for letting us come.  I really needed to see her."  ahhh.....)  We took her to lunch and pie and a tour around the Idaho Falls temple (a first for Hallee and Addi).  

Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life.  Sophocles

We spent 8 hours in the car and the girls were GREAT!  Not a moment of discord.  Love them to death!  Love the Idaho Falls temple and for the girls to see where we were married!

Motherhood:  All love begins and ends there.  Robert Browning.