Memorial Day Weekend

The backyard water hose and sprinklers are put to good use today with the temperature reaching into the 80’s ….

Tomorrow the forecast is for a high of 86 degrees……..we couldn’t be happier!

Flowers for Decoration Day

Yes, I know it is now called Memorial Day.
Yes, I understand the purpose of this day is to honor those who have fought for our freedom.  Yet, I am not a fan of war.  War kills people and destroys human creation; but as though mocking war's devastation, flowers inevitably bloom through its ruins and life returns to what war has destroyed. I am grateful to all those who have fought for our freedom and I  honor their service. 
Yes, because of my family traditions I know it is also a day devoted to picnics, road races, graduation celebrations, and hopefully a few double-headers. 
My grandmother was one to celebrate this day with flowers from her garden – taken to the cemetery to adorn the gravesites of those who have passed on.  She did it faithfully every year of her life.

Driving along the road I happened to notice the flowers she always used on Decoration Day. Memories immediately came to mind about how much I loved being her granddaughter and being able to walk along side of her as she carefully placed those beautiful flowers. 
The quote from Neil Gaiman seems so fitting for how I remember her wisdom and Decoration Day.

“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously,
that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it,
that you will be loved and that you will be liked,
and that you will have people to love and to like in return.
And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now),























that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.”

May we all enjoy our freedom, our blessings, and our loved ones.  And may our gardens grow with peonies, snowball bushes, and bridal wreath…to celebrate life anew!

Our Last Day of Toddler Baseball Camp ~ And We Are Already in Love

What kind of love is the best kind of love?
The one above all the rest of the loves?
Grab a hat, a bat, a ball and a glove
It's the love that I feel for you.

 
What kind of day is the best kind of day?
Makes up for all the rest of the days?
The park, the backyard, I don't care where we play
As long as I'm with you.

 

You know I miss you deep inside.
I wish we could go outside
To have a catch or two...

 

What kind of place is the strange, scary place?
And who put these tears and this dirt on my face?
No matter the score or the count at the plate,
I'll still be swinging for you.

Cause I need you in my life,
I wish that we could go outside.
Just to have a catch or two,
Me and you.

What kind of love is the best kind of love?
The love above all the rest of the loves?
Take the ball, the hat, my bat and my glove
They're a whole lot of nothing without you.

And I'll be waiting here outside
Spring or fall, rain or shine
To have a catch or two. . .
Cause your kind of love is the best kind of love
The best that love could ever do.

Maeve Binchy’s Last Novel ~ A Week in Winter

Ms. Binchy passed away in July 2012, shortly after she completed this book.  A Week in Winter is a warm and cozy read that looks right into people’s hearts and lets us see intertwined lives touching one another. I am sad to say it wasn’t my favorite Binchy book. The book starts with Chicky who grew up in Stoneybridge, on the Irish coast, and ran off to America with a boy who came for the summer.
Chicky’s family thinks she’s a wicked fool to run away with him. So Chicky doesn’t tell them what’s really happening:

She wrote home week after week and believed in the fairy tale more and more. She started to fill a spiral notebook with details of the life she was meant to be living. She didn’t want to slip up on anything.
To console herself, she wrote to them about the wedding. She and Walter had been married in a quiet civil ceremony, she explained. They had a blessing from a Franciscan priest. It had been a wonderful occasion for them, and they knew that both families were delighted that they had made this commitment. Chicky said that Walter’s parents had been abroad at the time and not able to attend the ceremony but that everyone was happy about it.
In many ways, she managed to believe this was true. It was easier than believing that Walter was becoming restless and was going to move on.

Chicky does quite well, even after Walter leaves her. When her nieces talk about coming to visit, the kind husband of her letters suffers a tragic accident. And then, after some time, she goes back to Stoneybridge and purchases the Stone House on the water, using a “legacy” that is really her own hard-earned savings. She works with the last remaining Miss Sheedy (of the three sisters who had owned the house) to make it into a hotel.
Next, we take a look at Rigger, the son of one of Chicky’s friends. He gets into trouble, and needs to leave Dublin for awhile. He comes to work for Chicky, and meets a girl and starts settling down.
Then there’s Orla, Chicky’s niece, wanting some change after her best friend in Dublin gets married. She comes to work for Chicky, only for a year, which turns into more than a year!
Chicky is finally ready to welcome the first guests to Stone House’s big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms.
1. John, the American movie star, thinks he has arrived incognito.
2. Winnie and Lillian are forced into taking a holiday together….and get trapped in the cave when the tide comes in and must be rescued. 

3. Nicola and Henry, husband and wife, have been shaken by seeing too much death practicing medicine…and leaving Cruise Ship Doctoring behind!
4. Anders hates his father’s business, but has a real talent for music.
5.  Miss Nell Howe, a retired schoolteacher, criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone’s relief.
6. The Walls are disappointed to have won this second-prize holiday in a contest where first prize was Paris.
7. Freda, the librarian, is afraid of her own psychic visions.
With each person who comes to visit, we get to look at their life leading up to this momentous week, as well as at how the week changes them.
The story is gentle and cozy. No big earth-shaking moments, but lots of rejuvenating ones and life-changing ones for the guests involved. One guest does manage to shake off the charm of the place….the ornery Miss Nell Howe (Retired teacher)  but most will leave the better for their vacation.  My biggest complaint about this book….there were so many “Short Stories” about people’s lives.  It seemed to me like Ms. Binchy knew this would be her last and she wanted to touch on each of the character she still had in mind for novels.   Each short story could have been made into it’s own.
Thanks for the photo Mary Clare…the real deal!

Alphabet Blogging Letter B.

I came across a study on Books in the Home and was pleased with the findings.  For years, educators have thought the strongest predictor of attaining high levels of education was having parents who were highly educated.

But, strikingly, this massive study showed that the difference between being raised in a book-less home compared to being raised in a home with a 500-book library has as great an effect on the level of education a child will attain as having parents who are barely literate (3 years of education) compared to having parents who have a university education (15 or 16 years of education). Both factors, having a 500-book library or having university-educated parents, propel a child 3.2 years further in education, on average.parents who have books in the home increase the level of education their children will attain,  
And that is why the library in our home is well over 500 books….

There are several copies of the Bible on our book shelf…one for each of us!  As I looked for reference to books I realized that His Word is the Key to our salvation.  Therefore reading, the scriptures is of utmost importance in furthering our knowledge.  

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

President Ezra Taft Benson stated:  “Encourage students to be more consistent in their scripture
study so that they might be fortified against the evils that surround them.
“This is an answer to the great challenge of our time. The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life” (“The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 80)

REMEMBERING CHILDHOOD:

There are perhaps no days of our Childhood we lived so fully as those we spent  with a favorite book.   Here is Little Man - "Baby Boy" retelling his favorite story from his book The Three Little Pigs...the big bad wolf scares him right into submission...but he still insists on reading it on a daily basis. 




I am so grateful to have been a part of  BC (Book Club) for so many year.  It has forced me to pick up a book when I thought that life was to busy to do so...Love the little suitcase filled with books taking us to places we never really get to go.   

Between the pages of a book is a lovely place to be!

Cold Springs Trout Farm

A day trip to Cold Spring Farm ….there is nothing better than being able to enjoy a day outdoors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful May day with the sun finally giving us the warmth we have been waiting for!

Water splashing under the bridge …….

Fish swimming in school after school after school….this place is stocked!

It is just simply magical to help this little man catch fish…..7 of them today!

He would have fished all day long without food or drink, if we would have let him. 

 

As I watched his determined face, his eyes fixated on the pond below as he tried to lift his pool out of the water, and then as he grabbed it from the ground and carried it to the water bucket,  that’s all it took to make me the happiest mom around.  

Home to cook up our catch… Citrus Grilled Fish

Strewing citrus slices over a grill keeps fish from sticking and infuses it with flavor at the same time. Slice oranges, lemons, and limes about 1/4 inch thick, then spread the fruit generously over tin foil which has been sprayed with Pam.  Place the fish, skin on, on top of the citrus. Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings.  Cooking times will vary according to the thickness of the fish. Today it took 12 minutes and it was done to perfection!

Happy Mother’s Day & Father’s Day

As the two holidays approach I have thought about all the lessons that I have learned from my amazing parents.   It often isn't until you're grown that you realize all of the lessons that your parents tried to teach you was because they love you and only wanted the best for you. Their  ultimate goal was to give me a better life than they had and prepare me for the real world and independence.  My parents both worked hard to provide me with nice things, vacations, a safe place to eat, love and pray, they did mold me into the person I am today  by instilling good values and teaching those very valuable life lessons. Sometimes these lessons come easy and sometimes they are learned the hard way. Either way, the goal was to help mold me into a good quality person who would be able to make a positive contribution to society.  Some of these lessons took longer than others and today I am only sharing a few of the most valuable lessons that my parents taught me.

Live within your income. My parents always made adjustments in their spending based on their income. They taught me the value of frugality when necessary. But more importantly, they taught me the joy of living within my means.  I am very careful with how I spend my money…I pray that I will always do it wisely!  Cause…”Money doesn’t grow on trees!”

Education is worth pursuing.  I am grateful every day for the opportunity that was given to me to attend BYU and eventually graduate.  My parents have also made this possible for my children.  Not the BYU part, but attending USU and WSU was still a gift from them! 

Growing up is hard. Be nice to your kids.
I think I gave my mom and dad a run for there money as a teenager. They handled my wit (read: sarcasm) and spiritedness (read: defiance) with patience and resilience. I hope that I was able to do the same with my children and that they can do the same with theirs.

 

My favorite lesson……….. Live in Spanish Fork, Utah We never moved from the home I grew up in.… and that’s where my parents  continue to live today. Some days I so want to be back home in Utah County surrounded by family.

Love you so much.  Happy Mother’s Day  Happy Father’s Day you have giving me blessings unnumbered that I will forever be grateful for.  XOXO

Fear Nothing

Do you have things that get on your nerves, under your skin, and just drive you absolutely crazy?  We all do! I don’t usually talk about those little (and big) problems, because….well I just don’t like to go there.  Today, I thought I would share with you how I like to deal with those things…Because, unfortunately, your DH will leave the toilet seat up, while driving someone will do something stupid, right in front of you, desserts will always have to many calories, and cotton shirts always need to be ironed. Right? The bugs probably aren't going anywhere…unless of course you have a good exterminator (http://buffospestcontrol.com/index.html).

I would love to share a few ideas on how I  keep those “BUGS” from driving me crazy, and hoping that I don’t become the “Fly in someone else’s ointment”  Before I begin I must admit that I am not good at sharing what bugs me and for the most part I like to keep it silent, just cause that is the way I deal with life!

1. Do Random Acts of Kindness – Think about those mosquitoes that buzz in your ear as you are trying to fall asleep…let’s drowned out that noise for someone by doing something kind.   When we do something kind, others are probably going to see the good rather than all the noise of things that are bugging them.  And don’t you always come away with a skip and a jump after you have done something kind for someone else…wouldn’t it be great if we could can that feeling and use it as an aerosol – A Natural “Bug” Spray for happiness!  Today my yard is filled with the smell of wonderful lilac…I’m going to make a bouquet and put it on the kitchen table for the family to enjoy that beautiful aroma.  Simple things! I love RAoK

2. Let’s turn off our electronic devices -Let's have some manners!  I harp on this all the time with my children...It is one thing to be available for an emergency but those who can't live without their phone to just stay in touch with friends, etc. worry me.... Unfortunately it’s the majority of today's population, a generation who can't think for themselves and need subconscious insurance that somebody cares.  Utah’s new law against texting while driving will hopefully save lives…. texting while driving can be deadly. Staying connected with the phone robs us of staying connected with what is going on around us. I think  most of us are mindful of this, but often find it difficult to stay away from as well.  Myself included!

3. Have Gratitude - Many days, I try to humble myself and hold a 2-minute gratitude session. I simply sit or kneel, with no distractions, close my eyes, and think about what I’m grateful for and who I’m grateful for.  Giving thanks for even the negative things (things that bug) can be helpful. There’s always two ways to look at something....half full/half empty!  Many times we think of something as negative — it’s stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate, difficult, but that same thing can be looked at in a more positive way. Giving thanks for those things is a great way to remind yourself that there is good in just about everything. Problems can be seen as opportunities to grow, to be creative.  Kneel in prayer often!

4.  Be Still – My Soul 

5.  You are You - Stop Comparing - 

Yes - I am a daughter, mother and grandmother and I am enough...So are you my friend.

Each day I am enough when I choose to sit still and enjoy my Chai Tea instead of cleaning up the breakfast dishes.  

I am enough when I leave the clothes in the washer well beyond the essential 24-hour period and it bugs DH to no end!

I am enough when I try with all my might to have patience with everyone around me and then something inside snaps and like the branch of a tree I'm broken.

I am enough when I choose to read a book, play the piano, laugh, smile, sing, instead of cleaning the house!

I am enough when I cry because the day was so incredibly difficult and I had trouble keeping my eyes open because of exhaustion!

and when did I ever have hair like this..........DREAMING because my hair has always BUGGED ME!

Burrito Casserole

We are always looking for new dishes, and this casserole did not disappoint.  We all really liked it..(Said ahead of time!)
It was easy to put together. The best part was I had almost everything in the pantry and fridge to put it together in about 30 minutes.  It is a very hearty dish and we will have plenty of leftovers for lunch tomorrow.  Another good thing about this dish is, it can be assembled well ahead of time and plopped into the oven when you are ready!
I made this in a 9.5 x 13.5-inch 3 quart dish, and it was right to the top of the dish!  I also think this would be a great neighbor dinner 

INGREDIENTS:
2 pkgs Curly’s Sauceless Pulled Pork (24 ounces total)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 T butter for sautéing onion
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans (Drained)
1 (10 ounce) can rotel **Of course Mild at my house
2-3 cups shredded cheese of choice
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can cream of onion soup
1 cup sour cream
6 large flour tortillas
DIRECTIONS:
1. Sautee’ onion in 2 T butter; add pulled pork and cook over medium-low heat 5 – 10 minutes until pork is hot.
2. Stir in refried beans, rotel, and black beans
3. Mix soup and sour cream in a separate bowl.
4. Spread ½ soup/sour cream mixture in the bottom of a 3 quart casserole dish. 9.5 X 13.5
5. Tear us 3 tortillas and spread over sour cream mixture.
6. Put ½ the meat mixture over that.
7. Add a layer of cheese.
8. Repeat the layers
9. Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake, uncovered, at 350◦F for 20-30 minutes.

Alphabet Blogging Beginning A

 

Yes there are 26 letters in the alphabet…and I promise I’ll do my best to get through every letter before the end of the year…with 33 weeks left I have a little wiggle room…..  I’m starting today with the letter A and I chose the word Attitude
 
First I looked at what the Bible had to say about the word and there are many many many verses that could be used, but
Ephesians 4:31-32 was the one that spoke to me most.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
How can we maintain a positive attitude…as I see it!
1. Focus on Family & friends – Spend more time with loved ones and friends.  Enjoying close relationships is the best predictor of happiness.
2. Get Rid of the Negative – If you want to live a positive, joyful and happy life, you cannot –- absolutely CANNOT -– be surrounded by negative people who are not encouraging your happiness. Negative people tend to attract other negative people…steer clear!
3. Now Look for the Positive - There is the positive aspect in everything. In every person, in every situation, there is something good. Most of the time it’s not all that obvious. We have to look. And sometimes we have to look hard.
4. Share Happiness with Other – Pay it Forward – Acts of Kindness - Be nice to other people, no matter what. Tell someone he or she looks nice today. Tell someone they did a great job on that presentation. Tell your parents or children (or both!) how much you love them and how great they are.
5. Practice Gratitude - Count your blessings. What has God blessed you with? Healthy children? A good job? A comfortable home?  A refrigerator full of food? By focusing on the good things in your life instead of the bad or the not-good-enough, you will cultivate a positive outlook.

I want my attitude to be remember by those closest to me as loving, caring, and that I am very generous with the time I give to others.  It is not always easy to be the positive and on top of the world and I certainly don’t wake up that way every morning.  On those morning that I wake feeling a little down I say the words to Robert Frost’s Poem

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

I will close this Blogging the Alphabet with thanks to my parents who have instilled in me the attitude of love, learning, and growing each day.  God Bless each of us with a positive attitude towards all.