CHAOS ---Be Gone

The Pantry…………..

The Bathroom Cabinet………

 

The Medicine Cabinet…………

 

 

 

Keep the Smiles – Forget the Tears…..it’s a brand New Year!

Christmas Countdown #11 - Handprints

 Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
I always leave my handprints
On the furniture and walls

But everyday I'm growing big
And soon I'll be very tall
Then all my little handprints
Will be so hard to recall

So here's a special gift
Just so that you can say
This is how my hands looked
On 2012 Christmas day!

Christmas Countdown #10 – Wish Lists

At this time of year when people are making out their Christmas “wish lists” it is easy to forget everything we already have. There are many blessings in disguise that aren’t always apparent to us, and many of these blessings are afforded to us simply for being alive!
Like this little amazing blessing that puts a smile on my face each and every day! I love you Kendry!

All I want for Christmas I already have! 

Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy

Christmas Countdown #9 – Christmas Spirit

Where do I find the Christmas Spirit.

It’s in your heart, my friend.  It feels warm and shimmery, like a mother’s love for her child.

 

You can’t buy it at any store and you can’t get it from anybody else. It dwells there the whole year through, with faith, hope, and charity. 

It lives next to Forgiveness, Love, and Friendship.  The Spirit of Christmas is Time spent with friends and family sharing all those wonderful traditions.

Even though everyone is busy with Doing Christmas…this year Kendry and I will focus on being Christmas.

Compassionate

Charitable

Faithful

Forgiving

I believe the real Christmas spirit is a deep-seated lingering joy in knowing that the story of the first Christmas is true!

The little child born in the town of Bethlehem was God himself, come to Earth to save the ones he loves. The baby in the manger was real and all of the things the Bible says about him are true. You can know the peace that comes from knowing that you are loved, that you are forgiven and that there is a God who not only exists, but knows that you exist too and believes in you as well.

Christmas Countdown #8 – Santa Time

Slightly concerned?  Sure. Who wouldn’t be concerned when placed on a stranger’s lap. 

At least I’m not crying…but I’m thinking about jumping down and getting away from whoever

this Jolly Old Man is!!!

Christmas Countdown #7 - TIME

When you have a handsome, beautiful, and delightful son like Kendry things like lots of presents and toys don't seem important.  I don't want to spend my time running around like crazy buying toys and presents for him when soon they just end up as clutter and junk in the landfills. 

What I do want is to spend time with the people I love the most.  That is what Christmas is all about to me.  Making memories, laughing, loving and sharing time with those you love.

The gift of time is to give our loved ones the time they deserve. Because nothing is more important in life than FAMILY... and they shouldn't be put off until "SOME OTHER TIME.”

Before you know it he will really be doing this…Because TIME goes by so quickly!

So if you love me and Kendry what we really want is your time!

All I Want For Christmas is Homemade Wind chimes

 

1.) Gather Materials

Round up at least 5 feet of Type M ¾-inch copper tubing, seven eye screws, five No. 6 1-inch machine screws and nuts, nylon twine, and 1 x 6 lumber.

2.) Map Pipe Mounts

Center a 4½-inch-diameter circle in a 5½-inch-square cut of lumber. Mark the circle at five equidistant points. Insert eye screws at the circle's center and at all five points.

3.) Cut Pythagoras

Cut five pieces of tubing to the lengths in the table below and deburr. The chime's five notes, which correspond to a piano's black keys, make up the minor pentatonic scale. The notes are pleasing in any order. The ancient Greeks such as Pythagoras were the first to study the link between the length of a vibrating body and the notes of a musical scale.

4.) Tie With Twine

Drill a 5/32-inch hole through each pipe as listed in the table. These hanging points produce the best chime resonance. Insert a machine screw through the hole and fit a nut onto the screw shank. Tie a 7-inch length of twine from the circle of eye screws to the screw shank in each pipe.

5.) Hang the Chime

Use a 2½-inch holesaw to cut a clapper from a 1x scrap. Use more 1x waste to make a V-shaped, 3-inch-long wind scoop. Hang each from the center eye screw. Cut and glue two smaller 1x squares to the top of the first square. Top-center-mount an eye screw in the smallest square. Hang the chime in the breeze and enjoy

Quote of the Day

Christmas Countdown #6 – Eyes All A Glow

 

Our streets begin to twinkle and the neighborhood becomes winter wonderlands. It doesn’t take much effort or money to enjoy these glittering displays and start a fun Christmas tradition. 

Every year we load everyone that wants to go in the car, tune into the Christmas music radio station, and drive around our area ooo-ing and aahh-ing at all the sparkly Christmas lights.

There is something about the sparkling displays that’s just magical. Every blinking light just makes Little Man grin and smile.

 

There are always a few dozen neighborhoods in our area that transform to streets of glittering gingerbread houses each year and bring smiles and laughter to each of us. Our Christmas just wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t venture out as a family to admire all the glittering houses.

This year we have been to Thanksgiving Point, Ogden and Layton Parks.  

Christmas Countdown #5 - Nativity

Several years ago I found an awesome plush nativity set that has been a favorite with Halie and Brevin. We are sure hoping that Kendry will have just as much fun with it as they did.   It came in a fabric storage bag with the Christmas Story printed on it and tonight Kendry spent some time doing what Kendry does best….. Looks like he loves it already…………

All over the floor……………..

A Kiss/Beso for the camel…………..

This is what it is suppose to look like…………………it will never stay like this!

Christmas Countdown #4 – Grandma…I NEED

Words spoken by a 2 year old…..Grandma (MAMA)  I need I-pad!

Dear Kendry

Today my sweet baby you are 2 1/2 years old and oh my goodness are you a handful. I adore you. You fill me with wonder every single day with how smart and strong you are. But the terrible two’s have come to our house for an extended visit.  It is a good thing your level of cuteness is equal to the level of trouble you can cause.  It never fails when we are out shopping, many people stop us to tell us how absolutely darling you are! Sometimes you like it….sometimes you don’t!

Let’s tell everyone just how much you are growing:
Weight: 27 lbs

Height: 36 inches

Teeth: 16

Shoe Size: 9 …you probably still wear some of your size 8’s, but we only buy 9’s now

Clothes:  Yes you can still wear size 2 …you are a little thing with big feet!

On to the things that keep us going every day!

First, we have an imaginary friend around these days: Her name is Brylie. Now this is a little confusing because we actually have a cousin named Brylie.   At first we thought you were just talking about her, but that is definitely not the case.   Brylie gets to play with some of your toys, but not all of them.  Brylie gets to eat with us and go for rides with us in the car.   She never has a last name and she often gets told “No, Brylie”!  You love imagery play and it is lots of fun for us as well, we are often brought a handful of something to eat from off the floor, the couch, or just pulled out of the air.   

How about the physical activity…you dance, climb, hop, skip and run….did I say run…oh that is an understatement! You’ve never really been the kind of kid to fall down much and you continue to be very coordinated. One of your favorite things to do is throw any kind of ball – you can't catch very well yet, but you love throwing anything.  The living room couches cushions have become our gym.  They are thrown on the floor every night for a dancing session!

You love to travel, be it by car, train or airplane.  Frontrunner is going to Utah County soon and Grandma will be taking you there often…I don’t know who is more excited you to ride the train again or Grandma!!!

Playtime is all about opening the garage door!  You enjoy it so much that you have over heated Mommy’s, Grandma & Grandpa's, and even Aunt Julie’s & Uncle Jason’s.  Not only the real garage door, but the fridge has a perfect door for opening and closing…hours on end!   Another one of your favorites is the paper airplane.   You will play with an airplane for days and days.   You probably love them so much because Grandpa makes them for you and he takes you to the airport often to see the real thing! 

Eating is a definite “I’ll do it when I’m ready!” You adore fruits of all kinds (especially raspberries right in the store)! Vegetables you love are corn and carrots.   During Thanksgiving dinner you loved to say I need more cado’s (That’s avocadoes)  Since Halloween we've been battling a new love for suckers (awful things) and not just one you need one for each hand.  I'm beginning to think there is a strong connection between unruly behavior and sugar! Not a problem to avoid candy for a 2 year old anyway, right??? Whoever said “Like taking candy from a baby!”….didn’t have a 2 year old!

There is much life ahead for both of us and having you has changed everything within me, it has truly defined me.  I count myself as so much more than just blessed. I've only "peeked" into visions and dreams for your future, and already who you are and who you will grow into entirely blows me away. I love you so much, my Little Man and because of you my spirit is full of joy, continually overflowing….25/8….you see 24/7 just isn’t enough time for all the love I have for you!  Thank you for calling me Mommy, you are my everything!

I love you to the moon and back!

Mommy

12 Days of Christmas for Grandkids Teachers….my daugther in love is amazing!

For the 1st day Christmas,
something for you to use,
I’m giving you this clipboard,
so your papers you won’t lose!

Christmas Countdown #3 – Homemade Bread

So glad we were out of store bought bread this morning….I love Challah fresh from the oven!  Homemade baking just brings the spirit of Christmas sharing and giving.  AND Kendry is such a good helper!   Cooking is just one of those things we love to do around here!  Stop by and we’ll share the love with you! 

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 eggs – 1 is for the egg wash
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (Plus – my last loaf took 5-6 cups)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over barely warm water….let the yeast rest for 10 minutes.  Beat in honey, oil, 2 eggs , and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens. Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed. Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.

2. Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board. Divide into thirds and roll into long snake about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the ends of the three snakes together firmly and braid from middle. Either leave as braid or form into a round braided loaf by bringing ends together, curving braid into a circle, pinch ends together. Grease baking tray and place finished braid or round on each. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4. Beat the remaining egg and brush a generous amount over each braid. Sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired.

5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 40 minutes, watch closely it may not take this much time. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.

We will be back tomorrow with another addition of Christmas Countdown! 

Christmas Countdown #2 Purpose

We need to remind ourselves, not only during this Christmas Season but everyday, that we are not here on Earth by accident; we were created in the image of God and our lives are filled with purpose. 

Not only does our purpose involve our own Happiness and Destiny, it also involves bringing good to the lives of others and adding value to the people around us. The way each of us live our lives matters! 

Crock-pot Shredded Beef Tacos

Tonight we enjoyed Shredded Beef Tacos….good bye ground beef!

There is a very special sauce that goes on the bottom of the flour/corn tortillas that makes this just burst with flavor.   Here’s what I did to make this delicious meal!

For the Shredded Beef:

2 large onions, cut in quarters

3 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup water

1 beef roast (whatever is your favorite cut..)

1 can rotel

Put the onions, garlic and 1/4 cup water in the crock pot and then lay the meat on top.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 – 10 hours or until the roast is tender.

Take the beef out and shred it.  Dump the crock pot drippings out and put the shredded beef back in the crock pot with the rotel; mix well.

Cover crock pot and cook until warmed.

FOR THE TACOS:

Tortillas, either flour or corn

Shredded Cheese

Crumbed feta cheese  - gotta have it!

Chopped fresh cilantro

Diced Red Onion

Shredded lettuce

Anything else you love…avocados, tomatoes, etc

Salsa

and now for the amazing sauce:

CREAMY GARLIC SAUCE:

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. butter

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Sauté garlic in butter over low heat until golden (about 5 minutes).   Add garlic/butter to 1 cup mayo and blend.  Add pepper and garlic powder.  Put on your Tortilla Shell first and LOVE IT!

 

TO SERVE:

Spread the Creamy Garlic Sauce on a hot tortilla, put some shredded beef in the tortilla and start adding your favorite toppings.

Christmas Countdown 2012 - #1

If you’re happy, then that’s all that matters to me for I love the sound of people’s laugh. A smile that is capable of making me smile or at least the genuine ones. I love the sound of happiness. Sometimes, people take simple things for granted and never noticed to appreciate the things around them even if it just means witnessing a person’s happiness.

I cherish moments because they vanish pretty fast. It’s simple for me because making others happy makes me learn to treasure moments and I’ll feel good about it too because a part of everyone’s happiness becomes a part of mine.