Status Symbol of Choice

This man can change your life. He is a Christian financial advisor who believes that the paid off home mortgage replaces the BMW as the status symbol of choice. Follow Dave's simple steps and be debt free in a matter of months. He talks 3 hours on the radio, five days a week.I like his wisdom on the blessings of paying tithing which is 1/10th of your income. You tithe to make something of yourself...to mold your character. It's a "no brainer" as far as Dave is concerned.

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

4-5 frozen chicken breasts...or 1 pre-roasted chicken

6 c. water with 6 chicken bouillon cubes...or 6 c. chicken stock

full stock of chopped celery

small package of baby carrots

1 chopped onion

3 cans cream of chicken soup

2-3 c. milk....or cream:)

1 package cooked extra wide noodles

Cook the chicken with your favorite method. Boil together the next 3 ingredients until vegetables are tender. Add the soup, milk, cooked chicken. Add cooked noodles last.

Serves 8-10

I like to Sandra Lee this recipe and buy the pre-cooked chicken. It is more flavorful. If I'm not dieting, I add cream! I like 'Country Style' homemade noodles.

I don't know what exactly it is that makes this the best chicken soup you will ever eat, but trust me, it is! Thanks to Lanell Ferguson for sharing this with me over ten years ago.

Party Potatoes

This recipe from my friend, Lou Stout, has been the way I make mashed potatoes with gravy. I haven't put in the bacon or cheese and baked it ,but I know that would taste great, too.

Party Potatoes:

1 five pound bag white potatoes, peeled, cut in half and boiled
1 8oz. sour cream
1/4 c. chopped chives
1/2 pint whipping cream, whipped........I use cool whip
1/2 pound bacon, fried and crumbled
1 8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c. melted butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
salt & pepper
8 oz. grated cheese

Drain potatoes, mash. Mix with all ingredients except whipped cream, cheese and bacon. Spread in 9x13 casserole. Ice with whipped cream. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. If not browned, put under broiler for a minute or two. Serves 10-12.

Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes from Paula Deen

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons whipping cream

3/4 sour cream

2 pounds small red potatoes

1 teaspoon salt

One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons roasted garlic (from a jar or homemade)

1 teaspoon Paula's House Seasoning

1 teaspoon Paula's Seasoned Salt

1/2 stick butter, slivered

1/4 cup sliced green onions, green and white parts

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

1. Prepare the creme fraiche ahead of time by combining 1 cup of the whipping cream with 1/2 cup of the sour cream. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours or until thick. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Creme fraiche will keep for up to 2 weeks.

2. Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Add the salt and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and peel as soon as they are cool enough to handle.

3. While the potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 2-quart round casserole.

4. With an electric mixer, beat the potatoes with the cream cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons whipping cream, the garlic, House Seasoning, and Seasoned Salt. Stir in the butter and green onions. Spread the potatoes in the casserole. Spoon the creme fraiche on top and sprinkle with the chives. Bake until the potatoes are hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Fruit Plate

I loved this idea of dividing fruit on a platter with orange slices. Very nice presentation, don't you think?

Step Away From the Cookies!

My family knows that I am like a crack addict when it comes to sugar cookies. Lynnette R used to feed my habit when we lived in Az. in the 80's. She even mailed me a batch after we moved to Portland) The following recipe is from my cousin, Susan. Sara made several batches for Christmas and we think the sour cream is a magic ingredient:

Cream Together:

2 eggs~
2 c. sugar ~
2 c. shortening ~
2 T. vanilla ~

Add in this order:

1 t. soda~
2 rounded t. baking powder ~
1 t. salt (may omit)~
1 c. sour cream ~
6 c. flour~
Refrigerate at least two hours. Roll out and cut into desired shapes. Bake 350 degrees 9-12 minutes.

Frosting:

1/2 c. butter~
3/4 c. shortening ~
2 egg whites~
1 t. vanilla~
4 c. powdered sugar~
Cream together this mixture and add food coloring. Don't refrigerate. Will keep up to 1 week on the shelf.

OR

Royal Icing:

4 c. powdered sugar~
5 T. meringue powder or 2 lg egg whites ~
1/2 c. water ~
Mix together sugar and meringue powder on low speed. Add a little water at a time until the icing is the right consistency. Icing should smooth out in ten seconds or less when dropped into bowl. Make a little thicker consistency for writing or decorating on top of a base.

I got this recipe for Rolo Turtles at the Superbowl party at the Miners. Three ingredients make up this delightfully yummy treat; pretzels, rolo candy and walnuts. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Put rolo on top of pretzel and bake in 350 oven for 2-4 minutes. While still warm, put on the walnut and smush. Enjoy! I used the square pretzels because they have smaller holes in them and the chocolate doesn't melt through as much as the pretzels pictured, but they still work also.

Santa's Key

Great for those who don't have a chimney!

look at frosty go.

Nose So Bright

Yummy Pinterest Treats

It's a Wrap

Find all your holiday photos, old and new, and make them into a collage by simply placing them next to each other on a printer.  Take that print and go to a print center and copy up large sheets.  Cool right?

JoY

Calgon take me away....

Our Western Caribbean cruise took us, out of Miami, to Grand Cayman, Belize, Roatan Honduras and Cozumel Mexico.  We booked with Cruise Lady to get the benefit of an LDS musical entertainer and an in-demand speaker.  We enjoyed uplifting, private concerts and inspiring lectures at sea, a church service on Sunday and gourmet delights. 

We acted inebriated at Cozumel and posed for some shots for the grands!  You know which ones I'm talking about......

We had two fabulous entertainers on our cruise.  Let me speak of Michael Ballam first.  He is the general director of the Utah Festival Opera, a professor of music at Utah State University, an accomplished operatic singer, pianist and oboist.  His professional operatic and recital career has spanned nearly three decades and four continents.  He has performed in the major concert halls in America, Europe, Asia and the Soviet Union, with command performances at the Vatican and the White House.  His operatic repertoire includes more than 600 performances of over 70 major roles.  He has shared the stage with the world's greatest singers, performed regularly with companies such as the Chicago Lyric, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Dallas, St. Louis, Kennedy Center and San Diego Operas.  At the age of 24 he became the youngest recipient of a Doctor of Music with Distinction in the history of Indiana University.  He lives in Logan, Utah.

John L. Lund was our in-demand speaker.  His work has taken him on a thirty year journey where he has taught as adjunct faculty at major universities throughout Washington, Idaho, California and Utah.  Because of his research in interpersonal relationships and communication, Dr. Lund has been able to serve both the business world as a consultant in "Improving Communications" and the private sector as a family counselor.  He has served as a marriage and family mediator, relationship expert, BYU Education Week speaker, retired Institute Director, and is an avid Book of Mormon scholar.  He and his wife, Bonnie are the parents of 8 children.

It was pure heaven to have both of these men on the same cruise.  Usually they don't travel together.  Michael doesn't just sing, he educates as well about the history of the songs.  We could listen to him for days on end.  He is one class act.  John Lund knows more about the Book of Mormon history than one would ever want to know!  What I like more than that was his relationship wisdom.  I am a disciple of his!

More Cable Knit Ideas

What's in your collection?

A home doesn't exist to impress other people~it should be filled with all the things that delight YOU. That's the first commandment of great design. Whether your tastes run to vintage or modern, any house can be captivating if it tells the stories of those who reside in it. Our homes are a tribute to our greatest pleasures.
A collection is a group of things gathered or collected. A person has a collection when they bring items together into a group. Collecting is a great hobby because it can be different and unique for everyone. Each found item has its own 'story'. All of us go through our lives collecting and discarding things around us.
I enjoy collecting many different things. My collections have changed over the years. Things I once found interesting, perhaps I no longer do. Take for instance my collection of pickininny craft objects! They are now 'gone with the wind'. I started each of the girls with their own collections during the 80's. They are no longer fascinated with bunnies, bears, music boxes or 'precious moments' porcelain. They have grown into different interests. I still love collecting; old alarm clocks, bird nests, birdhouses, old books, old reading glasses, baby shoes and bone china teacups and saucers~ to name a few!
A few years ago I decided to start a collection for each of my grandchildren when they turn 8. My hope is that someday, years from now, they will cherish these items, so lovingly gathered by their grandmother. But it's not a guarantee. I am collecting for them; (Josh) old boys books, (Rachel) bone teacups/saucers, (Daniel) measuring tapes and sticks, (Griffin) skeleton keys and padlocks and(Camdyn) crystal salt and pepper shakers. Because I love antiques so hard, it is a labor of love for me. Time will tell about the rest of it.
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?

post script:  this post was first written in 2008 and since then my girls have kicked me to the curb with the collections for the grands :/

Fall andThanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

These centerpiece ideas came from Martha, StoneGable, and Home is Where the Boat Is. Enjoy!

Then a Hero Comes Along

I am in the process of updating some of my histories and putting pictures and mementos in my journals.  I came upon this "presentation" Stacey gave to our family when we were in Thailand in 2007.  It is entitled HEROES and it goes like this:

There's a hero, if you look inside your heart, you don't have to be afraid of what you are.  There's an answer, if you search within your soul and the hurt that you know will melt away...Then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on and you push your cares aside and know you can survive, so if you feel like hope is gone...look inside you and be strong and you'll finally see the truth, that the hero lies in you...

Who among us is a hero...The early pioneers of the church.  They left their homes, lands and inheritance to follow in the footsteps of faith a young prophet boy who, by the power of God, set forth the establishment of his true church in the Land of Zion.  How often do we awake and say, "Gee I'm grateful for my ancestors who trekked across the plains in blinding sun and bitter cold...losing loved ones along the way so i can partake of the blessings of the restored gospel?  Does our family know of the reverence we feel when we ponder the sacrifice of these early pioneers?

Who among us is a hero...The Presidents of our Country.  They have protected and governed, fought for liberties and justice, they too have governed our freedoms: to vote, to worship and have equal rights.  How often do we awake and say, "Golly, our government is really top notch.  It must be difficult to govern an entire country when half of them have "I hate Bush" decals on their bumpers.  Do our neighbors know of the patriotism which we hold for our founding fathers?

Who among us is a hero...The teachers in our schools.  Our children are in their care 8 hours out of the day.  They are those who mold and shape their futures.  From learning how to write the alphabet to algebra.  How often do we awaken and say "I really appreciate the knowledge and care my children's teachers bestow upon them...and for little pay I might add.  Do our children know what the impact education will make in their lives?

Who among us is a hero...Christ.  He is the center of our lives.  He is the reason we are here.  He has made us who we are.  It is his Father's test we are here to take.  I am certain we awaken every day and say, "I am thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me with."  Do WE know how important HE is in our lives?  If we are willing to pattern our lives after HIM, then I can answer one last question...

Who among us is a hero...I AM!!!  We all need hero's to honor and admire.  So many figures that come in and out of our lives can make an impact.  What sweeter knowledge than knowing YOU have been a hero in someones life.  While contemplating this assignment, I have thought about my own children.  Who is their hero?  The fuzziest feeling I get as a mother is when my children put their arms around me and tell me what a great mother I am....usually it's in conjunction to buying them a gator-ade and candy bar, but it's 10 times better when prompted directly from their hearts.  One Mother's Day Griffin wrote me a poem, he was 9.  The simplicity of it brought me to tears:
     My mom is unique
     She is a biker, biking almost as fast as Lance Armstrong
     She is a walker, walking all around the neighborhood
     She is a Sunday School teacher, with 12 girls in her class!
     She is an exercise club teacher, pushing people as hard as she can
     She is an exerciser, from doing marathons to iron mans
     She is a Mormon going to church with me
     She is a reader, reading the Book of Mormon
     She is a salad eater, eating big bowls of salad every day
     She is a mom, my mom
     I love her.

It's been told to us time and time again, that there is no greater calling than to rear our children in love and righteousness.  From that will stem respect.  From that will stem love.  From that will stem honor, and WITH that perhaps we shall become that HERO.

That's why we call them hero's.  That's why we know their names and once you've heard their story...you're never quite the same.  That's why we call them hero's, the best thing they ever do...is point to the best in us all, and say, "If I can, you can too."

Let's look at the story of a hero here tonight.  Look around you, can you guess who I'm thinking of?  There's an activity we play in FHE called Spotlight.  Each Monday night I focus on a member of the family.  I start out by saying the things this person does or likes and eventually the answers become personalized to that one individual.  It goes like so:

This person likes cookies.  This person likes to shop.  This person likes to travel.  This person like to read.  This person likes to bike.  This person likes to spend time with family.  This person likes bunnies.  This person is very creative.  This person likes to decorate.  This person drinks diet cola.  This person eats cookies for breakfast.  This person forgets when they loan you money :)  This person is a movie star...no, that's Diane Keaton.  This person is a mother.

Stacey with her daughter, Kennedy, in 2007.

This person changed 100's of diapers.  This person stayed up late with sick daughters.  This person took girls to dance, piano, ballet, violin and cello.  This person held foofetts.  This person made a beautiful home This person said nightly prayers with her children.  This person thanked the Lord for trials and blessings.  This person taught her daughters to love and reach out to those in need, to recognize everyone as children of our Father in Heaven.  This person asked her daughters to skip school to enjoy a day of bonding together.  This person admired her father, loved and honored him.  This person documented her life and gave us the example to do the same.  This person upholds her family heritage and instills in her daughters the reasons to do likewise.  This person shows her daughters everyday the joy she found with the man she married.  This person brings the spirit into family home evenings in creative and unforgettable ways.  This person goes to great lenghts to show love for her grandchildren.  This person has helped so many members in our family This person has been a hero to every single one of us. 

She has listened to that prompting that on more than one occasion may have brought her to your bedroom door, your front door, or perhaps your telephone.  She has given of herself and helped you rise from whence you had fallen.  She has been the rock of your foundation whether through the influence of friends dragging you to lowly ground, raising children as a single mother, financial burdens of life or the heartache that prevails from decisions made on a path unworthy of travel.

Even outside of our own family unit we see her path as it winds it's way into the lives and homes of others.  She is like Gretel, dropping crumbs along the path of Earth Life.  We are then picking up these crumbs and partaking of her goodness and generosity.  She won't need that trail to return home, because the path she is taking and the crumbs she is dropping will eventually lead to our Father in Heaven.  Then wouldn't it make sense if we follow her example that we are following Christ's example.  We are following that path that will lead us to become the HERO we know is inside us.

...and then a hero comes along with the strength to carry on and you know you can survive, so if you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong.  And you'll finally see the truth that the HERO lies in you.

Obviously I loved this presentation!  It has reminded me of the opportunity we all have on a daily basis to influence the lives of those around us.  Many times we don't even realize that we are being watched and emulated.  Thanks again Stacey, for such a loving tribute. 

Never a Dull Moment

Lindsey and I took the littles to Dinosaur Park in Ogden, much to their delight.

Trace's sister and husband came for a fall visit.  We drove BettyWhite past Hardware Ranch to enjoy the beautiful fall colors and happened upon a family of moose.

Stacey flew down to join us for Witch's Night Out at Gardiner Village in Salt Lake.  My oldest granddaughter, Rachel, also got in on the fun.  We thought we were rocking our costumes until we got there....not even!  Such creativity I've rarely seen.

I dressed some of our garden pumpkins up all snugly and warm in sweaters from D.I.

Some of our activities from Stacey's delightful visit.

Lindsey and I took Emma and Lydia to The Gateway in Salt Lake to see an IMax movie.