christmasOn A Personal Note December 10, 2013

On A Personal Note

We have had 2 new grandbabies join our family this year.  Jason and Celeste had their 4th girl, Molly Alice.  Brian and Ashley had their second boy (they have a daughter in between those 2 boys) Bridger Robert.  We now have 8 grandchildren with 6 girls and 2 boys—pretty sure we will never even that score.  🙂
Celebrating 33 years with my very bestest BFF!  Been reflecting a lot recently on how many twists and turns we have encountered along the way.  I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.  I must have done something right in the previous life (‘cuz it certainly hasn’t been in THIS one!) to deserve such an amazing man in my life.
I feel extremely blessed and grateful. 

With two trips in the last few months to visit our sons and their families– we will be staying home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It has been a long time since we have done that and I am really looking forward to it.

Reflecting also on how fortunate I am to be able to call most of my clients friends.  My clients are what keep me engaged and looking forward to my work day.  So thankful for all of you!
Mostly, I have been thinking about Christ and his amazing life and the gift of the atonement.  None of could make it back to our Father-in-Heaven without him.  So thankful for my knowledge of the gospel, for the eternal perspective to get me through the trials in life, and for “hard things” that teach me to be humble and to recognize that I am not in charge—and that help me to learn to trust Him in all things.  He really does have our backs and it is through Him that we will get through those difficulties we are sure to encounter.  We sometimes turn from Him, but He is ever at the ready—just waiting for our invitation.  Thankful that He loves me in spite of all my imperfections.  Merry Christmas to you all and may 2014 be a blessed year!

christmasdecoratingfamily December 7, 2013

Advent Calendar

So, my pics are not very good, but I whipped up this advent calendar for a “Secret Santa” family with stuff I already had on hand.  We had an advent calendar growing up and it brings back fond memories.  I hope it will be fun for them too.  Each pocket is filled with treats for the children in the family.

I liked it so much, that I ran out and purchased additional supplies (different, but still fun) and made three more so I could share with my grandkids.  They will have a few days to “make-up” since I just finished today and have to mail them, but they are really fun!

 

Pics are not the best, but give you an idea.  🙂  The kids are really enjoying them!

christmasOn A Personal Note December 5, 2013

Instrument of Peace

This post is from my December newsletter.

You might want to play this first.

I first heard this song in November this year and cannot stop thinking about it-playing it over and over-and striving to become an instrument of peace to those around me.  The song is found on The Canadian Tenors Christmas album and I want to share the words with you in hopes that it will change this Christmas season for you too.


******************************************************
“Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is falsehood, let me bring truth.
Where there is pain, I’ll comfort you.
Where there is silence, let me sing praise.
Where there’s despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is blindness, let me bring sight.
Where there is darkness, let me bring light.
And with these words I speak
Grant that I may not seek
To be heard but to hear
To be consoled but to console.
Not to be seen but to see.
To be loved but to love.
For when we give love, we will receive.
When we forgive love, we’ll find reprieve.
It is in dying we’ll be released
Make me an instrument of peace.”

*****************************************************************
Happiness truly comes from putting others’ needs in front of our own. 

pastarecipessalads December 2, 2013

Avocado Basil Pasta

Found this recipe at http://dearcrissy.com/avocado-basil-pasta-recipe/ and tried it as a side for Thanksgiving dinner.  Wonderful flavor!  Loved it-very unique combination of flavors that are delish together.  NOTE:  Does not keep well as avocados brown in spite of the lemon juices-may double the “dressing” next time. 


Ingredients:

8 ounces bow tie pasta
2 medium avocados, halved, seeded, peeled, and chopped
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 medium ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
2/3 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook bow tie pasta according to package directions. Drain.
2. In a large bowl combine the avocados, chopped tomatoes, crumbled bacon, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, pepper, and salt. Add the pasta and combine, then sprinkle with cheese.
cakechocolatedessertrecipes November 15, 2013

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cake


Good thing I use my own blog to access my recipes.  Reminds me when I have forgotten a really good one – like this one!

Pour 1 3/4 cups boiling water over 1 cup oatmeal

Add:
1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon cocoa

Pour into a greased and floured 9X13″ pan.  Spread 12 oz. chocolate chips over top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.  (Don’t over bake or it will be dry.  Should be a bit gooey.)  

Love how fast and easy this is.  Because you top with chocolate chips there is no need for frosting!  Everyone loves this.  

antiqueshome decor November 4, 2013

Uh Oh – This Is Gonna Get Me Into Trouble!

beefmain dishpastarecipes November 4, 2013

Spaghetti Casserole

Once in a while I come to my blog to look for a recipe-imagine my surprise when I could not find this one!  Truly one of the favorite when my boys were teenagers.  

1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage (Italian is especially good-you may have to buy the links and remove the casings)
1/2-1 onion, diced
1/2-1 pound fresh sliced mushrooms (optional)
1 pound bacon, cut in small pieces
1-2 cans of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 16 oz pkg spaghetti
1-1.5 pounds grated cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese

Brown ground beef and sausage in a skillet with diced onion and mushrooms (if desired).  Drain off excess grease.  Brown bacon in skillet to desired crispiness (you may cook the bacon with the beef and sausage if you like it soft-I prefer mine crispy).  Add spaghetti sauce-I like mine pretty moist, so I tend to add more sauce, but if you like a drier spaghetti, start with 1 can.  

Cook noodles to desired consistency.  Layer 1/2 noodles; top with sauce and meat; sprinkle with cheese.  Repeat layers.  Top with Parmesan cheese if desired.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and melted.  NOTE: You can also add cheese to the meat sauce before layering for more cheesy goodness.  There is something about the combination of flavors that makes this divine.  I grew up eating “baked” spaghetti and prefer it over the noodles with sauce spooned over the top variety.  LOVE that this can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen.  Babysitters used to love me for leaving this for dinner.  🙂 

decoratingexteriorhome improvements October 14, 2013

Finally-Shutters!!!!!!

About five years ago, I met a guy named Doug Barlow of DaVinci Details at the Home Show at South Towne.  I kept his information determined that someday, I would order shutters for my house.  Doug custom makes them for you and has several styles to choose from.  They are more than 2″ thick and are very well made.  The hardware looks like something you would see in Europe.  I had ordered hardware for the garage door when I purchased it, but sent it back as you could not even see it.  That was lucky for me, as we were able to match the shutter hardware on the garage door as well.  Because it has a copper bleed-thru you can see the hardware very well.  Doug did my shutters in a very timely manner and I am jumping up and down to have them after all those years of waiting……


The pictures really do not do them justice, but alas, it is the best I can do for now.  Perhaps I should enroll in a photography class…..

Doug Barlow with DaVinci Details can be reached at 801-766-2411 or davinci65@comcast.net.  He ships all over the US.  His website is www.davincidetails.com or www.davincidoors.net.  He was a pleasure to work with!  


My new wood shutters

Front view of home with new shutters

Garage door hardware

Detail of garage hardware

Detail of garage hardware

decoratingfallHalloween October 14, 2013

Falling for Fall!


I don’t go too crazy for fall/Halloween decorating, but wait for Christmas!  THAT is a completely different story!  I grew about 36 large pumpkins and about a dozen minis – I honestly don’t know what happened with the minis – I planted several vines, but only one came up.  Last year I had tons of them.  All but the gourds in the kitchen centerpiece are from my own garden. So much fun to plant my own pumpkins!  I put them ALL over my yard to decorate!

One of the 36+ larger pumpkins I harvested from my garden this year


Front porch all decked out for fall


Living room coffee table


Living room shelf


Entry way table


Family room mantle


You have been warned!


Dining room buffet


Next to fridge



Kitchen table

Wishing you all a happy and safe Halloween!

home improvementsmake-over October 1, 2013

Just A Little Thing…..

BEFORE

AFTER

Sometimes I get kind of antsy for a change.  Just a little one.  

I was getting tired of the couch pillows and had been looking for just the right ones to no avail.  Went onto Etsy and did some “research”.  I ended up ordering these covers from The Pillow People (ww.thepillowpeople.etsy.com).  Mandy was very fast and I had them within a week (mail time included).  They are very well constructed and I love how bright and fun they are!  Check her out if you are needing a little pick-me-up!  LOVE me some red!