Less Shame

Okay- I dreamt about the  Shameless dog last night and came up with a solution.  Today's dogs turned out much better!  Just trying to redeem myself.
Recipe on the cooking blog.

Shameless Dog Fail

I just got back from our Charm Girl's Trip to the Oregon coast.  It is soooo fun being 14 yrs. old again without the drama- just raucous laughter, jabbering, eating, shopping and playing games.  Did I mention laughing?  And eating?

I won't share now but the best thumbs up on our "eats" was at our farewell at the Portland airport.  The Bahama Grill serves a dish called the Shameless Dog.  We were intrigued.  It was a hit!

The idea is a Vienna sausage, wrapped in bacon, then dipped in tempura batter and deep-fried.  It was served with an onion/sweet relish mixture and Dijon mustard. Soooo good.

I pre-cooked my sausage with the bacon wrapped around it so it would be nice and done.  I found a good tempura batter but dang- even after resting (the batter, not me)  I couldn't keep it on the dog.  So that is my goal.  Maybe I need to chill the dog before the tempura although I did have it at room temperature.  I will keep trying.  It tasted delicious but failed in the delivery!  Boo!  Any suggestions welcome.  Meanwhile, I will keep working.....

"who let the dogs out- who, who?"

Positive Quotes

I taught Relief Society on Sunday- a talk about Overcoming the World (which is done by increasing our love for the Savior.)

Here are a few quotes that I just shared as a handout.  I love positive, uplifting quotes.

 

“The heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth”- Uchtdorf

 

Often in life we forget the things we should remember and remember the things we should forget.

 

“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their  spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their soals, and pour out peace.” Pres.Benson

 

We don't pray because we're worthy. We pray because we need help. We don't take the sacrament because we are perfect, but because we are willing to be perfected. We don't go to the temple because we've made it, but because God is making us better there. We are not earning a treasure in heaven, but learning to treasure heavenly things. ~Brad Wilcox

 

 

The Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion.  Richard G. Scott

 

Your faith will grow not by chance but by choice. Neil L. Anderson

 

You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment you will ever make.  President Hinckley

Rodeo

In August we had our 2nd Williams' Rodeo, thanks to the encouragement of our Empty Nesters group.  David gets some roping buddies, we rounded up chairs and trailers and rented bleaches- and had about 80 people attend.  There were some sheep for mutton busting (the grands got included)- because this year we insisted no "wild hide ride" like last time.  We're getting too old for that stuff!

Nancy T. sang the National Anthem- she looks like an angel and sings like an angel.

 

We had a big BBQ in our backyard.  Nick and Cari Larsen brought their chuckwagon and had grilled ribs and chicken, corn, baked beans- the works.  We had peach cobbler with ice cream for dessert.

 

David and I called it a huge success because no one got killed or hurt.  That's our criteria.  No it really was fun!!!!  I love our neighbors and friends!

And I found the perfect epitaph for my hubby someday. 


"When my time comes, just skin me and put me up there on Trigger, just as though nothing had ever changed."   Roy Rogers

Total Eclipse of the Heart

 The eclipse was coming.  The eclipse was coming!  I thought, "no big deal."  Well, the closer it came, the bigger deal it became and until frantically, at the last minute, I was scrambling for glasses.

The Parable of the 10 Virgins came to mind.

I was one of the unprepared.  Like half the world, we didn't think "the coming" was any big deal.  And when we realized it, our lamps were empty.

Thankfully, for a scalper on the roadshow, we were able to secure good glasses.  It was cool to watch.  We only had 91 %- which meant it didn't get dark and total but what we saw was amazing.  I had friends scattered across the country- some in totality- and everyone that saw it exclaimed it was an amazing and spiritual event.  The majesty of Heavenly Father's creations and orchestrations is just beautiful.

I will always think of the eclipse now when I study about the Virgins.  I realize the sudden panic I felt at missing out.  That's not going to happen next time!!! I loved this except from a talk by David Bednar:

As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.

“Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17).

 

The crew at Brandi's house.

Nations, like stars, are entitled to eclipse.  All is well, provided the light returns and the eclipse does not become endless night.  Dawn and resurrection are synonymous.  The reappearance of the light is the same as the survival of the soul.  Victor Hugo

A Marilyn-ism

I used to call them Funny Kathy-isms but now I'm taking ownership.


Labor Day weekend, on Saturday, I thought I would get all the groceries for kids coming over for BBQing on Monday.  (David was roping.)  But Monday, I realized that I forgot a couple of things and had to go to the grocery store again.  Before I went, I couldn't remember where I had put the hamburger and cheeses that I purchased on Saturday.  When I got into the car on Monday, I found them.  Woo-wee!  Nothing like meat sitting in a hot car for two days.....

So I got my groceries and was in the check out.  The kid helping me asked if I had a Value card and I said I didn't.  He asked if I wanted one and I said no.  He asked for my phone number....and me being silly answered dramatically, "It's been quite a while since a young man has asked for my phone number."  The checker smiled.  "Well, I'm not a guy...."


Yikes!!!!!  I make myself crazy!  Oh well, another great story for my kids......

Family Catch-Up

Summer after Lake Powell and vertigo has been busy.  We've had lots of parties at our house- birthdays, birthdays, birthdays!  Lots of swimming and washing towels and groups camping!  Throw in an eclipse and friends and family going through extreme challenges, another trip to see my dad (whom I love!) and our temple service (which keeps me sane)- and I can't believe September is already here!  Boo!

This is what Ben does in the summer......looking for snow wherever he can find it. (I had to steal this picture from Facebook) 

Gracie and friend-

 Rylee had her 15th birthday party here.  Swimming.  These giant balls (a riot!), S'more and pizza oven pizzas.

 

 

Ryker had his birthday here too- I love the cakes Brooke makes for all the kiddos!  He's a monster truck boy. 

 

Had a baby calf here.....which was fun and stressful!  I was happy when it got sent elsewhere because the howling coyotes were CRAZY all night long and I was worried sick.  Worse than having teenagers!

 

 

Speaking of teenagers, Parker headed off to college at SUU in Cedar City.  I hope this is a wonderful year for him.  He has to come back for Dr.'s appts. every 6 weeks and that is a pain to miss classes but it's what he has to do.  I can't believe he is this old....No back to school picture for him. Bummer.

 

 

 

Connor is back to school in Juneau for his second year.  Here is his back to school picture. He's got a pretty good gig!

 

 

We have Elijah and Noah most of this week while Ryan and Marci (and niece Mallorie and Cambria and their mom Angie and others) on a Humanitarian trip to Guatemala.  I thought it would be easy peesy since the kids are homeschooled but whew!  Elijah has to read 17 Shakespearean plays this week and Noah and I did an Egyptian  diorama before 10.  Finally I said- at 11:00 a.m. that it was time for recess and to hit the pool!  I needed a nap already!

 

 

 

I've missed tons and tons of family stuff but that's what happens when you play catch-up.  I have promised myself I'm going to get better!!!!

 

 

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. ~Sam Keen