Friday before Christmas...

The last Friday I work in December.  Can I hear an AMEN!  or a Halleluiah?  (there was much rejoicing...lol)
Anyway - I hope everyone is ready for the next two weeks, they say we might even get snow on Thursday - wow, snow on Christmas?  AWESOME.  ;)
Just to get us all started in the right spirit, today is national Oatmeal Muffin day.  Hmm...  sounds good - though I stuck with cottage cheese and blueberries this morning..no time for muffins.  ;)  Would have been nice.
It's also look for an evergreen day, but I think most of us already have a tree that want one.  ;)
Next week is Festivus day (Remember Seinfeld? This is for those who don't like to celebrate anything...the 23rd)
National chocolate day (24th), national egg nog day (24th - big surprise) and national pumpkin pie day (25th).  I would have thought that would be thanksgiving, ya know?  I love pumpkin pie though, so I don't care.  ;)
The 26th is boxing day, which my family has always celebrated by going to a movie together.  My hubby lived in Canada for 2 years and boxing day was a big deal (sort of).  We still haven't figured out what movie we'll go see, but it will be fun.  ;)
However you spend the next two weeks, be it celebrating Hanukkah or the birth of Christ; shopping, partying or staying home where it's warm and dry, curled up in front of a fire and reading with a large mug of hot cocoa, I hope you relax and enjoy!
I wish you all the merriest of holidays and a happy new year. 
Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukka!

In case anyone is counting, 3 more days till the break...and less than 10 days till Christmas!  Are we all ready? hmmm....
Anyway - today is the first day of Hanukkah!  In honor of this holiday that's been around longer than Christmas, here is a song that we get a kick out of every year.  It drives my hubby crazy, but ya know... lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qSJCSR4MuhU

You would think sometime during the next 8 days it would be a national fried doughnut or food day of some kind...like Latke day, lol.
Anyway - today is also my favorite thing:  Chocolate covered anything day!!!
Isn't that the best??  Anything you want to cover in chocolate!  okay, my hubby heard of a strange one the other day.  Apparently Lays now makes a chocolate covered potato chip...not sure I'd be into that one.  I don't know that I like that combination.  I'm not a big chip eater anyway...
hm.
Well - let me know what your favorite chocolate covered item is!  We started the candy making last night, which was the usual chaos - I'm not sure what I'll think if we ever make candy without all the kids there.  We'll wonder if we lost our hearing, lol.  But as a result, my treat today is a chocolate dipped pretzel.  ;)  (No caramel this year!!)
Have a great day!  

It's Friday!!

and we have less than 2 weeks before Christmas, I thought you'd get a kick out of this one...
Today is National Ding-a-ling day. 
That's right.  Ding-a-ling-day.  I think someone was totally off their rocker, but ya know.  The site I looked it up on said they couldn't find any factual information, just a reference to it being a national day.  Go figure.
For some reason it brought to mind a song from when I was a kid...something about my ding-a-ling.  I don't want to look it up - it's probably something dirty.  ;)
anyway - I figure you can tell everyone they're ding-a-lings and have a legitimate excuse, lol.
Today is also national Poinsettia day...so if you like that red/white flower, you can go crazy with it.  There's a cute little story with it:
"According to Mexican folklore, there is a story of a little poor girl who had nothing to bring to church for Christmas. On her way to church, she picked some plants by the side of the road. As she entered the church, the leaves at the tips of the branches turned into bright, brilliant red flowers...Poinsettia's!"
So, you've had your trivia for the day.
Tomorrow is national ice cream day, so look forward to that!  Hope you have an awesome weekend!

More Craziness - Happy Friday!

Well...as I mentioned the other day, I'm trying to blog more on the lighter things in life, so here is today's post.  ;)
Happy Friday!  And boy, is there lots to celebrate today!! 
Not the least of which is International Ninja day!!  Coolness!  I think all of us have a bit of Ninja, especially us moms and grandmas...you have to be on your toes with kids in public places -- you never know what they're gonna do or when!!  lol  And don't they say that moms have eyes in the back of their heads?  I'd say that was Ninja like.  ;)
It's also Bathtub Party day...which for those of you who like to take baths...bubbles are required, lol.  Might be a little TMI for most of us...  ;)
Faux Fur Friday - I guess that's a promotion of the PETA people...sorry guys, I have a coat I bought at DI last year that has real rabbit fur on the hood!!  Anyone want to come to my house and feel it, lol?? (don't hate me!)
National Salesperson day...well, I guess that's for all those that work in retail during the Christmas season...smile next time you go shopping, right?
Then we have Sachertorte Day.  Anyone ever hear of a Sachertorte before??  I hadn't, so I looked it up on Wikipedia (the worlds most inaccurate dictionary, but user friendly, lol) and this is what they said:
"Sachertorte is a specific type of chocolate cake, or torte, invented by Austrian Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties"
(this is their photo by the way - all credit to them!!)

Hm....didn't know you were going to be educated, huh?....

huh - okay, a little too much of that - onto the last celebration of the day...
It's World Soil Day!!  Yes people, we are celebrating the dirt beneath our feet!  ;)  For those of us who are not really into dirt...that's like eww - dirty.  ;)
So I'd ignore that one, find some Sachertorte (or a cheesecake, looks awfully similar to me) and relax.
I mean hey, it's FRIDAY!!  and there are only 20 days left till Christmas!! (I sound like the little man on top of the building by the clock in The Grinch..."20 more days till Christmas!")

National Fritter Day!

Well, I realized that it's been tooo long since I've posted anything.  I'll be reading a foodie blog and realize that I'm apparently just not cut out to be a blogger, I guess.  At least not a consistent one, lol.  I do emails at work for silly thoughts on various days, and realized that it could be the same for this blog.  sigh.  Inspiration does hit sometimes. ;)

Hopefully you've all had a marvelous Thanksgiving!!  I know we did.  And my son has announced that he's engaged, so we have a wedding to look forward to next year!!  uh I feel like the Grinch "But what will I wear?" lol

Anyway - it's Tuesday!  Aren't we excited??  Well...sort of, right?  ;)  The second day of December, that month of months where almost everyday is a party...or stress, lol.

I decided I needed a holiday thought...so I looked it up and today is national Fritter day!  For those of you who like those deep fat fried confections, this is your day, lol!  Personally, they're just a little too much for me.  I might have to go make some baked doughnuts...  ;)
And - because I thought it was amazing as I work for SPED...today is also National Special Education day!!  Isn't that awesome??  Who knew? You would have thought we'd have heard more about that one.
Anyway - you should all have recuperated from the pie buffets and turkey comas and be ready for fritters, so go enjoy! 

I'm going to find my doughnut recipe and make doughnuts with my granddaughters.  ;)  Life is good!

Free eBook!

I decided to offer my ebook for free this Christmas.  So, if you're in need of something new to read, it's relatively short, and if I say so myself, awesome.  ;)  check it out! 
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/261673


And yes, obviously I did the cover myself...  ;)

I'm a Romantic....and Always Will Be ;)

Just in case you ever had any doubts....lol.  I am definitely a romantic.  I love romantic stories, especially true life ones, and I love romantic movies where there's a happy ending.  I don't like the ones where everyone dies at the end or where one of them dies at the end...ARGH. That's NOT a happy ending to me.

I just finished watching Letters to Juliet for like the 3rd time...lol and watching that woman find her first love and have him recognize her is such a wonderful story.  It makes the heart beat faster, makes you think of how wonderful life is, and how stupid the girls fiance was.  ;)

It makes me think of my husband and how supportive he is of me.  He loves my painting (he's always talking about the judges need glasses when I enter competitions, lol) he puts up with my writing -- though I'm not sure how much of my stuff he's actually read.  He loves my cooking, and is always willing to try a bite of whatever I'm making.  He's told the kids there's only been one time he didn't like something I'd made, and it was no wonder...I didn't even like it!!  ;)

But yesterday while we were driving, he was talking to me about how upset he is with the kids and how they are taking so much for granted.  We still have five living at home with us, (sigh) and they are all struggling in their own way, but yet - they can afford to go see movies, or buy fast food.  He expressed to me how he'd like to be able to take me to movies or buy me flowers, without worrying about the money.

Just knowing that he wants to do those things makes it all better.  Does that even make any sense?  Probably not, but it does.  Just knowing that he loves me and wants to do things for me is the most wonderful feeling in the world.  He jokes that if he dies before me, I'll be fine -- but if I die before him, he'll starve to death in a week because he's forgotten how to cook.  He hates being without me. 

I love him and he loves me.  And as long as we have that love, I'll be a romantic.  ;) 

Chao.

West is Best book review!

Hey all - I've done it again - Promised someone I would review their book on my blog for a chance to get a free read.  ;)  Well, if you have 6th graders who like to read, like horses and drama, well, you've got the book for them!  This would have been a better review for the beginning of summer, as this would have been a great summer read!  But since this is when I could post it, we'll go with that.  Perhaps you have a kido that reads fast and would finish it before school started anyway...lol.

Anyway - Have ya'all heard of the book series called the Ginnie West series by Monique Bucheger?  This book, Being West is Best, is the 4th in the series.  If you like series reading, you might want to start at the beginning, there are bits that mention things that have happened, and when that happens you feel a little lost, but otherwise, it's a great read on it's own.

The story is well written, and takes you into the minds of two 12 year olds with emotions and drama that give you a clear view of how they feel and the emotional turmoil of preteens, and what they're in for.  The subject matter is a little adult, in that it deals with parental abuse, just a heads up - but it deals with it in a steady and firm hand, no gratuitous scenes of bloody faces, etc.  You get to know Ginnie and her best friend Tillie and like them.  You come to like her large family and appreciate the safety and sturdiness of her uncles.

And horses.  I would have loved this book when I was 12 -- I was way into horses back then.  I wanted one for my own, but hey, I lived in the city and there wasn't any way I was getting one, so I read everything about them I could.  This series would have been tops on my list.  ;)

Anyway - if you've got readers, they'll want this book.  It's got adventure, fighting, friendship, romance (sort of), no pirates, but hey - it's a West-ern...lol.  Give it a look!  (I know, I sound like I'm promoting Princess Bride, right?)

Have a good one!

It's Raining and the Humminbirds are back!!

I love this kind of weather.  Not only does it take the temperature down a bit, but it greens things up for a short time.  I used to think August was such a hot horrid month, but then I realized a year or so ago that we get lots of thunder showers in August and September.  My granddaughter's birthday got shut out because of thundershowers, lol.  Poor girl...I'm hoping this year is a little less crazy for her.

And we finally got our hummingbird feeder back up!  We found a cool little hook at a yard sale last year and we got it put up last week.  It's been fun watching them come back.  When hubby and I went to Fish Lake a couple of weeks ago, it was so much fun watching them, that he was inspired to put it up for us at home.  He's just the best, ya know??  I kind of like him a little...or a LOT!  ;)

Anyway, just wanted to share some thoughts on life real quick, as I haven't been as consistent at writing as I would like to have been.

I've got a new critique group I'm part of now, which is great - only I haven't had time to read any of their critiques yet!!  sigh.  Fortunately that should change this week...(if I can get out of bed!!)  They are great, and I'm excited to be back with a group again.

I've only got three weeks left of summer vacation before I go back to work.  Sigh.  Have I mentioned how I like my job?  I work with some of the best people!  I just would prefer to be home, but ya know.  I told my hubby that I need to work till we pay off his student loans.  He isn't thrilled with the thought of me helping with that, but it's also a good thing for me.  If I weren't working, I'd probably get even lazier.  It's scary.

I have two paintings I need to get done before then as well.  One I need to get done this week and framed if I'm going to enter the county fair.  I'm not sure about the state fair this year...I'm getting a little discouraged with the atmosphere promoted by the judging.  I guess we'll see.

And so...I've been editing my writing this past couple of months, trying to get the three books in my Hibiscus ladies series ready to sell together.  I'm not sure that they're going to work with a publisher, but I promised hubby that I'd submit this year, so I've got to get going on that.

I haven't been cooking as much lately, I realized.  And it's interesting.  I'm not sure why that is.  I'll see if I can't get some photos of the zucchini that I've been adding to everything because it is almost literally coming out our ears!!  It's sooo crazy.  We haven't had zucchini like this in years.  It's awesome!!  We wouldn't be adverse to anyone that wanted some though...  ;)

So I will probably do a couple of posts on my cooking blog, so you'll probably want to check it out next week.

I was hoping to post a photo of my hummingbird feeder with a hummingbird, but I can't find any!  I'll have to take one so you can see.  ;)

Have a great day!!

Happy 4th!

Well, I know it's past the 4th, but I wanted to post a small bit about it.  It was gorgeous here, HOT, but gorgeous, and it truly made me thankful that I live in this beautiful country.  We have so many blessings here!!

We have many things that we take for granted that many other countries struggle to just live.  Like electricity, clean running water, indoor toilets, land that we can grow food on, grocery stores that carry an amazing selection of foods, protection from crime (for the most part, lol) and the opportunity to vote and elect our leaders.  While I don't think that is working very well right now, I do still love this country and am thankful for those that are still willing to fight for it.

Thanks everyone who ever has, and currently is -- serving our great country.  You keep America strong.  Thanks for all you do and your families for all their sacrifice as well.

My Dads

Yesterday was the day we take once a year to celebrate the men in our lives.  Mainly, our fathers.  Well...I've had several fathers.  My 'real' dad, so to speak, who I lost when I was 7, my first foster dad who tried his best, but didn't know what to do with a girl, lol, and my second foster dad who wasn't really there...that's why I haven't mentioned him before.  ;)  And then my second 'real' dad...at least in my book.

I have been very fortunate in having these men in my life.  They taught me about unconditional love, morality, honesty and integrity. 
My first 'real' dad was a Ranger back in the days when that was a new and big thing.  He was part of that regiment that is told about in Saving Private Ryan.  He was a radio operator and when they landed on the beach, he and another soldier ended up remaking bullets to fit the guns they had because they'd run out of ammo.  He got the silver star for it...and went on to serve in Italy and Africa.  He never told us about those times...

We found out that he was even in Italy from one of his old friends that I spoke with a couple of years ago.  His second wife made him toss all his souvenirs from WWII, which makes my brother fume to this day.  He was a carpenter.  He helped form a credit union for the carpenters.  I heard he actually helped build the Oakland Temple!  wow.  You're awesome, dad.

My last dad...he was amazing too.  He was in Korea.  He had to identify the bodies when they came in...talk about gruesome.  ugh.  But he never let on that it had been difficult.  He told a few stories, but not many.  He came home and went to law school and became an awesome lawyer.

When he and mom took me in, it was as if we'd been meant to be.  They were my kids grandparents.  Their children are my brothers and sisters, and my kids aunts and uncles.  There is no doubt, no questions... only confusion from outsiders, lol.  I remember one time when I was shopping with mom and she ran into someone who had known them before me.  She asked who I was, and Mom said her daughter.  They looked really confused, and then mom laughed.  "Well, our adopted daughter."  Though it was never official.  It never really needed to be until dad became an emeritus patriarch and couldn't give my kids blessings because he wasn't legally related to them.  sigh.
Oh well...a couple of them were able to receive them from him.
Anyway - one has been gone for almost 50 years, and one less than 8 months.  It doesn't really lessen with time...in some degree.  And yet, it does.
Well...Love ya Dad.  Both of you.  And miss you sooo much....
Thanks for all you taught me.

My Mothers

A while ago a friend gave me a CD that talked about listening to the voices in your head.  I thought it was rather odd, I don't really have voices in my head other than my own...but sometimes I think we do end up beating ourselves up that way...
Anyway, one of the points was that we can ask for help from the good voices.  That we can ask the Lord to let someone help us, such as a scripture hero, or historical hero.
Suddenly it occurred to me that I could ask for my mother's help!  My mother was a wonderful woman.  I just wish I had known her...or had memories of her.  She died when I was 4.

My aunt tells me that she liked to sing and was always smiling.  My cousin tells me she was like her best friend.  She was a second mother to her.  It makes me kind of jealous...  I imagine that we have lots in common.  Just looking at that photo tells me she enjoyed cooking.  ;) 
She and my dad were apparently a wonderful love story, and I feel that it was the loss of the love of his life that caused him such unhappiness afterward.

They married when she was barely 18 and dad was 25.  Doesn't that sound like a wonderful love story?  I would love to have her influence in my life.  My parents were converts to the church.  They were able to join and be sealed before I was born, so I was born under the covenant.  I was truly blessed.
Then I entered another phase of my life.  I discovered another mother. 
When I was 17 I moved to Utah and was introduced to the Beans. 

They were a large and strange lot and decided that I fit right in.  We ended up informally adopting each other, and I gained another set of parents.

And that's when I got Mom Bean.  Look at that face!  Isn't that the sweetest face you've ever seen?  She tried to give me a motherly example, but I was old enough that I was clueless.  I wish I'd learned more.  Even now, I look at the photo in my room and ask her, "what would you do??"  sigh. 
I was greatly blessed.
I have been so fortunate in my life.  At times Heavenly Father has truly watched over me and given me such amazing blessings. 
My mothers.
I just wanted to share them today.
Thanks mom.  For loving me, and leaving me a legacy of kindness and love that I have tried to emulate for my children.  I feel that success has been limited...but I do try.

Thanks.  I love you.

My 4 minutes...

I loved conference, it was wonderful as usual.  ;)  We were even able to watch every session.  I listened to a little of the preisthood session, but had too many things to do in between...  ;)

Anyway - my favorite talk was the one about the Olympics.  If you've read my blog before, you'll remember that I'm quite the fan of the Olympics.  I love to watch them and I watch as many of the games as I can.  When Bishop Gary E. Stevenson compared our lives here on earth to the Olympics, and Noelle Pikus-Pace, it made sooo much sense to me. 

It also made me panic a little.

I mean, I'm over 50.   (shocking, I know, lol)

But, that means I've already used up at least 2 of my minutes.  Really.  The chances of me living past a 100 is pretty slim, my ancestry isn't known for their longevity, but I don't really know.  I mean, my uncle is currently in his 90's and still lives on his own...

But anyway.  What have I done so far with my 2 minutes?  Not as much as I'd hoped to. 

Sure, I've done some stuff.  I went to college, got a 2 year degree, went on a mission, found the perfect Guy, got married, had children, tried to raise them correctly...enjoying being a grandmother!

But I still haven't figured out what my purpose here is.  What my mission in life is.  I'm trying to become a published author, trying to do more with my art, trying to teach my daughters and hopefullyl granddaughters some hand crafts...

We spent millions of years (possibly...who knows...) preparing for this moment in time.  This little blip of time where we get a chance to show Heavenly Father that we can do what He wants us to do.  That we can have faith and grow and improve so we can return and live with Him eternally.  The biggest goal/prize/medal we could ever earn.

It's still hard to comprehend that this life is going to seem so small when we get to the other side.  It's hard to realize that so much is riding on this  moment of our race.  Are we strong?  Are we healthy?  Are we spiritually fit? 

I hope conference gave you much to think about.  I hope you're working on making these 4 minutes the best you can.  He wants all of us back.  But we've got to want it to.

Give these 4 minutes your best shot.  Your VERY BEST.

You've got one heck of a cheering section rooting for you.  I know I do at least.  At my age?  It keeps getting bigger ever year...  ;)

Spring Break...

Guess what??  I'm pregnant!!!

NOT! lol

That's about as silly as I get on April fools...I can never remember to pull of anything crazy. 

Well...how um, un-exciting can it get?? lol  Hey, I'm just enjoying not having to go anywhere and be doing anything.  Today's list??  Find out how much synthetic oil changes are and get the grocery shopping done.  Then I get to babysit my girls!!  ;)  Life as a grandma is so tough, let me tell ya.
Last night we went to see the new Hobbit movie.  sigh.  I'm sorry folks, but I didn't like it as well as the first one.  Just sayin'.  And where they left it???  Seriously??  sigh.

Anyway - spring in Utah continues to be the 'guess what the weather is going to be' in 5 minutes.  ;)  One of our neighbors who teaches school and is off during this time was mentioning to me on Sunday that she was not excited about having it rain or snow on spring break.  Then she reminded herself how she sooo much would like to stay home some days when it's raining or snowing and curl up in a chair with a book.  This time she can!  lol
I like that mentality...  ;)
So...off to figure out a menu for the next 2 weeks.  Happy April Fools!  ;)

School Economics

my hubby took me out on a date last night.  It was to one his schools that he does computer work at.  It's a jr high and they put on the Disney Little Mermaid (jr) version.  At first glance, it seemed like they were going to do a cute job.  As it started and progressed, I could tell that they'd spent a lot of money and time on the costumes and sets. 
It also seemed like every kid in the school was in the production.  There were lots of dancers and chorus people.  It was interesting how despite the amount of people, there wasn't a lot of voice.  The girl that played the part of Ursula, the sea witch, was amazing.  She was probably the best thing about the show.
It saddened me the most to see the sponsorship of the play.  There were two pages of sponsors listed, and it started with $1000 donations.  $1000 for a school production???  Really? I mean, it looked like they garnered over $10,000 for this school production.  Once they started and we saw the costumes, I saw why. 
Now, I'm not one to say get rid of the arts.  I'm an artist, I paint, I write, I sang in school - though it never would have occured to me to participate in something that big.  But I think the arts have a place in our schools.  I would even say athletics have a part, because I think it helps students to think in terms of team and sportsmanship.  Unfortunately, there is as much money thrown into sports as there is into everything else. 
But especially this show.  I still can't believe it.  We are talking professional costumes.  These would have rivaled Tuachan, and there was a mention of thanks to them as well.
My husband and I both work for school districts.  We both have seen the crunch of budgets with the cuts in spending.  I work in special ed, he works in technology.  His district is smaller than mine, but his district spends a heck of a lot more on technology than mine does.  Not that we have outdated stuff or anything, and there has been an influx of Ipads in almost all the schools, but still...
None of the schools in my district would have been able to put on this production.  There simply isn't that kind of money.  Yes, we have our affluent neighborhoods, but nothing like that.
We saw a production of the Scarlet Pimpernel last month at a high school.  It had excellent costumes, though I thought they might have been made by the parents - they weren't perfect.  The sets were good, but I think they were done by the students.  Which is as it should be.
I remember seeing a production of Aieda at Davis several years ago.  Now that I think about it, the costumes were pretty ritzy - but apparently that didn't bother me then.  It wasn't as large a production as this jr high's was.
Our discussion focused on how a west side school would never be able to pull of that kind of production.  They would never have that kind of support.  My hubby mentioned that one of the vice prinicpals came to one of the west side schools from an east one.  The east one they used to hold art auction once a year and they funded everything for the year.  This new school they have to sell popcorn every week.  All of my elementary schools have candy and popcorn sales once a week to raise funds.
I have no idea what the high schools do, or the jr highs.
We went to a production my niece was in several years ago in her jr high.  They did the jr Disney Aladin.  It was cute - they did a good job.  But it had nothing for sets and costumes like this other school did.  It was obvious that it was a school play, not trying to be a professional production.
It's sad when you think about it.
Are these kids thinking that they have to do a production like this??  Was it pushed by the director or the parents?  And what about when they get to high school?  Are they going to be disappointed in the drama department then?  What are they going to expect from life?
Oh well.  It seems that nothing really changes.  Everything is run by the almighty coin.
It's still sad.
It would be so much fun to see a west side school pull off something like that and see the kids take interest in something outside of gangs, poverty and the like.
you think?

Olympics are over...but Controversy Reigns...

Well...it was a good Olympics - bizarness and all...I'm hoping we get to watch some of the Paralympics! 

But anyway - was listening to a radio program today by Doug Wright, and he was commenting on the whole Gay rights thing.  His point got me thinking, which I'm sure was the point.  I'd heard about the bakery in Oregon that refused to serve a gay couple a wedding cake.  I'd heard about the photography thing.  And at the time, I thought - well, they have the right - it's their business, right?  Well, Doug Wright pointed out that how would you feel in their shoes.  If the government made them provide you with business, despite how they felt about you - how do you think they would feel?  I got to thinking to a post I saw in Facebook a while back where they had someone with the sagging pants and the tagline...like if you want saggy pants banned.  I thought - huh, no way.  If we start banning how people dress, what am I going to wear that someone doesn't like?  Forget that.
It's kind of the same thing with this whole situation.  I may not agree with their lifestyle and choices, I think they're in serious need of help - but - when you think about running a business, are we going to start doing the whole 50's and 60's thing where we say, no blacks?  White's only?  Isn't that about the same thing?
sigh.
So...I have to say that I think we should buck up and if we own a business, and want people to buy our product, we need to sell to whoever comes in the door.  We may not be thrilled, but do we want someone to serve us if they don't agree with our beliefs or philosophy?  I mean, there are lots of people who would freak out about Mormons.

So - that's my take on the whole thing.  I don't think marriage should be allowed between anyone but man or wife - but I would agree with the partner bit so they could have insurance and stuff.  And I would not prohibit them from purchasing my products.
Who knows...if they purchase something from a friendly person, that might lead them back to a whole heart, you know?  Charity never faileth...even with those we don't like.

Sochi 2014

Well, it's that time again!  The Olympics!!  YEAH!! 

Can you tell I'm a little excited?  I am a die hard fan of them.  I always look up everything about the host country and try to serve food from it.  I tape all the stuff that they televise (that we can get anyway) and watch all of it I can.  It drives my hubby nuts, but he's pretty patient about it. ;)
What kills me is how people react to things.  I've decided that our society is compulsive in over-reacting by nature.  That's all they seem to do now. 
There was an article in the Deseret News about the medal counts of past Winter Olympics.  Someone had to comment that a count is not what the Olympics are all about, and it should be world interaction, getting along, etc. not the count!
Well, it just made me laugh.  I'm sorry, but it IS about the count.  The games are nothing if not totally political!  It's a sad fact, and one that I don't think is going to change any time soon.  However - I do think that in general, the PEOPLE of the Olympics are what they are about.  I think the people are the main story.  Everyone from around the world come together and support one another.  Yes, we are all trying to win for our country, but everyone respects each other and roots for each other.  That's what this sport area is about.
I think it's a way for us to interact with the world despite the people who run the thing, the governments who try to take center stage, and the wild political stuff around it.  sigh.
Anyway - They started today and the opening ceremonies are tomorrow.  Are you ready?  We are!!

It's National Pie Day!!

Not that I need an excuse to celebrate anything - okay, I look for excuses to celebrate anything, lol.  But I decided this year that I was going to celebrate silliness.  I'm hoping to bring a little sunshine out, okay?  So anyway, today is national Pie day and I made pie.  ;)

I decided (for those of you who haven't read previous posts) that I'm giving up processed sugar and white flour.  This also means I'm being creative in the cooking department again.  Yesterday was blonde brownie day, so I made brownies from a recipe out of Lean and Free 2000 cookbook and left out the cocoa - they turned out a little dry, but very edible.  I like them...so that's all that's important, right?  lol.

I was thinking on the way home from work the phrase "have your cake and eat it too" doesn't make a lot of sense.  If we are holding a piece of cake, aren't we going to eat it??  Wouldn't it make more sense to say, 'make your cake and eat it too?' I think so.  Anyway, my desire in life is to make it possible to not only make our cakes but to eat them too.  And have them be of a healthy variety that doesn't make anyone feel guilty or like they've fallen off the wagon, so to speak.  ;)

So anyway - I digress (as usual)
Today's recipe is yet again a little different twist on the recipe I found Here.  It seemed the simplest at the time, and I've kind of stuck with it.  This is my initial remake of it at Sparkpeople.  But today I felt like doing something different.  Unfortunately, my brain didn't transmit the need for the skim or low fat canned milk to my son when I asked him to get it...so, alas, it's not as healthy as I would like, but it's still better than the original.  :)  I haven't put the whipped topping on it yet - so it looks a little naked, but it's still good.  ;)

Enjoy!

Banana Cream Pie

Crust - I didn't use one!  If you want one, go ahead and use your favorite kind.  The one I made before had vanilla wafers as the crust.

filling:
2.5 cups canned milk (next time I'll used the low fat variety)
1/2 C Land O Lakes Fat Free Ultra-Pasteurized Half & Half
1 egg
Xagave, 1/4 C
Cornstarch, 4 T
1/4 C powdered Stevia
Vanilla Extract, 2 tsp
Banana, fresh, 3 medium
1 Tsp butter

Combine the milk, cream and egg together, whisk till well blended.  Combine the sugar and the cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Whisk in the milk mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.  (don't ask me why she does this...but well, go with it)

After 5 minutes stir the mixture constantly until it comes to a boil , about 5-7 minutes. (I ended up turning the heat up a little, and I admit, I didn't stand there and stir it every second, like she says to.) Boil and stir the mixture for one minute.  (it got really thick at this point, and it wasn't much of a boil - more like an erupting hot pot)

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter.

Let the filling cool down a bit before adding the sliced bananas. When cooled, add the sliced bananas and pour into the pie shell and smooth.

Now - I didn't let it cool.  I sliced the bananas and lined the pie plate with them, so they are kind of the crust.  Then I poured the filling on top.  I'm letting it cool before I put the whipped topping on, which is going to be Spiffy whip.  Have you ever heard of it??  It's amazing stuff, I tell ya.

Anyway.  Good stuff.  Enjoy!

New Year Vow

First - I'd like to say thank you for all your kind thoughts on the passing of my father.  Thanksgiving and Christmas was really different, and his Bday was empty - but I know he's totally happy and going about doing awesome things, so I'm good.  Life definitely goes on, you know?  ;)

Now - If you've read my blog at all before, you'll know that I don't hold much by way of New Years Resolutions.  I think they just bring more stress and frustration than anything else, and they are usually broken before the end of the month.  I DO believe in goal setting and determination.

Several years ago I determined that I was going to be more consistent in brushing my teeth.  A minor thing, you might say, but it was something I felt I'd been inconsistent on long enough and I cared about my teeth enough to decide I didn't want them falling out before I was 70.  (I HOPE) lol.  That is what I mean by determination.

Also, about 5 years ago, I started on a path to loose weight.  I've commented now and then about how it's been a struggle.  I found success for the first 2 years - hiring a personal trainer, etc., and managed to drop almost a 100.  Well....it's found it's way back.  Not all of it, but enough that I want to just sit down in a corner and cry.

At least I'm keeping myself from "eating cookies and cakes and blowing up like my Aunt Roberta...".  sigh.  (anyone name that movie?  Hm?)

But - it's desperation time again.  I've got to figure out what to do, and what it's going to take.  So today - for starters, I'm going to publicly denounce ALL white flour and refined white sugar.  I would say brown sugar too (which is only white sugar with molasses, did you know that?) but I can't be sure I'll hold to that one, I bake too much.  sigh.  I'm working on it though.

I realize that it's a small thing - we already eat wheat everything possible - but it does help when you think of sweets.  One of my biggest failings is the pastry.  I can not eat one for YEARS...but when I see one and it's calling my name...I have to have a bite.  I can actually eat only a partial piece, but ya know.  It's still there, haunting me.  At least I got the boys to eat the rest of the goodies my sister-in-law sent home the other night...UGH.

Anyway - so.  Not that anyone will care, lol, but I am making this commitment and sending it out into the world. 

Wheeeee!!!    ;)