My thankful heart

 A long time ago, when I was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Germany, my companion and I began a "game" of naming things we were grateful for as we went door to door. It was an effort to focus on the positive and push the negative thoughts and the homesick feelings away. And it worked. I can still remember some of the things I named, aside from the obvious ones. I recall expressing gratitude for my hands that allow me to do so many versatile things. I can't imagine having to do without my hands! And helicopters because they allow one to soar above the earth and yet have a wonderful view from above. I've only been in one one time, when a special date took me for a ride on a helicopter above Niagara Falls. I'll never forget it though...it was amazing!

At this very special time of year, I reflect on all the many things I have in my life, both material and spiritual, and play this "game" of gratitude with myself and my Heavenly Father. I want him to know that I recognize all that I have, all that He has given me.

This blog would be endless if I were to begin to name them all, so I will just identify one that fills me with gratitude, and that is my family, both my husband and three sons and my extended family. They are all such a gift to me and enrich my life, and inspire me to be a better wife, mom, sister, daughter, and aunt.

Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays, and not just because I get to eat Pecan Pie without guilt, but because it reminds me to pause and give thanks for this wonderful life I have.

My heart is full.

The White Stuff Surprise

I'm in shock...that's why I'm blogging on a Sunday morning at 6:40 a.m.! Here's my story...last night The Chief and I went on a date. We went down to the District (just 7 minutes away) to see the movie, Unstoppable (with Denzel Washington and Chris Pine...sooo good...plan to see it if you haven't!) at 5:30. We were thinking of getting dinner afterward. However, when we came out of the movie at 7:30, we discovered that 2 inches of snow had fallen, had already covered the cars and was sticking on the roads. I was already feeling some anxiety about the boys at home (McKay was tending his brothers) as they had texted us a few times at the start of the movie. So, we just stopped at Subway and got The Chief a sandwich and headed home. It took us over 10 minutes to get home (we were following someone going REALLY slow!)

It looked like it slowed down during the evening, and the weather report said maybe a little more snow expected through the night and then more on Sunday night into Monday and even more on Tuesday!  However, this is where that weather guy got it completely wrong...

The snow is up to Penny's chest! She didn't love it!

There is just something wrong about my fall foilage being covered in so much snow.

I'm guessing we got 12-15 inches of the White Stuff overnight. My boys are completely OVERJOYED. The Chief not so much as I woke him up extra early on a Sunday to go shovel so we can get to church on time! Me, well, I'm trying to remain positive about it. I haven't really had a positive relationship with the White Stuff in the past, and I'm trying to think better about the stuff. It's easier on a Sunday when I don't have to drive 12 miles to work...we'll see how I think about the stuff tomorrow!

The Chief makes good!

When we bought our home over 5 years ago, I asked for two things: that we replace the carpet, and get granite countertops. We did replace the carpet about 3 years ago. It was absolutely hideous, and I'm so thankful we got rid of it.

 But the countertops, they are not hideous, just a tan formica, that are lackluster. Thankfully, we've reached the point where we can afford to finally replace the countertops. We went to a slab yard, and this is one we really like:

This image doesn't really look like the sample we have, but it is really pretty. You'll just have to take my word for it. Today was all about getting bids. The 4th guy just left a little while ago. I'm anxious to see all the numbers and go forward. If we're lucky we'll be enjoying them before Christmas. Thanks Chief for indulging me!

Homemade Graham Crackers

I tried making homemade graham crackers last night for the first time. My purpose was to use them for a graham cracker crust. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they were to make and how tasty! They didn't necessarily look like the graham crackers you buy in the store, but I didn't take the time to make them look prim and proper either as I knew I would be crushing them in the next step! So, here is the recipe, which I learned about from Pie Love You
Graham Crackers:
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons water
4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
6 tablespoons sugar
1 egg, well beaten
¼ cup honey
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt, and set aside.
Dissolve the baking soda in the water, and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, sugar, and egg until they are light and fluffy. Add the honey and baking soda mixture, and mix until well incorporated. Add the flour mixture gradually, scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally, and mix just until uniform.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 2 lumps. On a generously floured (use all-purpose) surface, roll out the dough one lump at a time to 1/8 inch thick. Cut the dough into approximately 4x4-inch sections, so that they will be easy to flip with a spatula during baking. Place the sections on a baking sheet 1 inch apart and roll out the rest of the crackers in the same way. Poke each cracker several times with a fork.
Bake the crackers for 6 to 8 minutes, then flip them over (the underside should be lightly browned). Bake for another 4 to 6 minutes, until the other side is lightly browned. Turn the oven off and open the oven door. Loosen the crackers with a spatula, and let dry out in the oven (with it off) for 1-2 more hours. If you want it for a pie crust, you then crush it, add melted butter and sugar and put in a pie pan! So so yum!

Seth

My blue eyed boy

His personality shine through here.



Seth turns 5 in just a month...he's growing up too too fast!



Love you Setheroo!

A traveling we go!

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Stay Tuned

I hope I have something fun to share...if I can figure it out!