Happy New Year!

I'm posting my first recipe and it isn't one of my tried, true, and traditional recipes, but a new one I made tonight. You're probably wondering why I would indulge in such a decadent goodie. I am suppose to be losing weight, but we're watching a movie and playing games and I thought a treat would just add to the fun. Happy New Year, it's a keeper!

Chewy Chocolate Bars

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon salt

Melt chocolate chips with milk; set aside. Cream butter and brown sugar until soft; beat in eggs. Blend flour, rolled oats, and salt into creamed mixture. Spread half of batter into greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Spread chocolate mixture on top of batter. Spread remaining batter over chocolate layer. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

From Christmas at Home with Mary & Martha: Stirrin' Up Chocolate and Joy, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.

"I never met a chocolate I didn't like."

Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Janna, the next generation that's all about chocolate.

2009 Resolutions

Tonight I'm babysitting grandkids, even so, I have a little time this evening to wrap up the old year and ring in the new. 2008 is coming to an end and I have been reflecting and thinking of new year resolutions for 2009. I have lots of goals to set, but I won't make them all public here.

Let me quickly refer to my 2008 resolutions. First I declared to keep a blog which I have faithfully done. The blogging bug has bit me. I enjoy keeping in touch with family and friends via blogs. I'm learning more and more and will hopefully continue learning about all this computer doing.

The second goal concerned temple attendance. I was to double my usual 12 sessions a year to 24, alas, I was somewhere inbetween. Oh, to live in the days of my Provo, Utah experience; to just pop over to the temple easily every week because of the closeness in vacinity. Does it sound like I'm making excuses? I hope not. I so wish there was a temple in the Antelope Valley, but that is not my lot.

Now, 2009 - I will continue to make 24 my goal for increased temple attendance; and of course, I always want to lose weight, but #3 is my mystery goal. I'm not going to tell you, but I'll give you a hint. I'm hoping for a change in my behavior and maybe, just maybe, you'll see a change in me. I'll let you guess if you have the opportunity to associate with me during the year. See if you can see something different about me as we progress through 2009? Oh the anticipation of it all. I will report at 2009 year's end.

"While many of us take seriously our New Year’s resolutions, some of us may not have made any because of our prior problems in keeping them. [Welcome to my life!] We must not overlook the power that making good resolutions can have in helping make our lives happier and more successful—regardless of our past performance." - Elder Joe J. Christensen, “Resolutions,” Ensign, Dec. 1994, 62–67 [I'll keep trying!]

Elder Blair's Phone Call

I can't begin to express how pleased I was to receive Tommy's phone call yesterday. He sounded more mature and entrenched in his missionary work as well he should be. Hughie asked him to bear his testimony at the end of our speakerphone conversation. His testimony lifted me. I'm so grateful for his goodness and service. I love Tommy. I miss him so much, but I wouldn't have him any other place. Like Elder Blair, I'm all about Texas.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
“Teaching them to observe

all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.”

(Matt. 28:19–20.)

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart,

and try to keep it all the year".

~ Ebeneezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

We are all together today. We'll be getting a phone call from our Elder Blair tonight at 5 p.m. We're all looking forward to visiting with him. We'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, from our family to yours!

"God Bless Us, Every One."

~Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

Our Winter Wonderland

Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow,

Filling the sky and the earth below,

Over the housetops, over the street,

Over the heads of people you meet.

J.W. Watson

Sammy, Becky, and Janna in a rare snow.

The snow was a delightful thrill in spite of the cold and mess. They should have canceled school on Wednesday, but they didn't. Thankfully there was no school yesterday or today. We're all enjoying the extra time for our Christmas vacation. The kids got out and played in it, but Hughie and I are showing our age. We hunkered down in the house and tried to stay warm.

Kingdoms of Glory

"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory." 1 Corinthians 15:41

Kingdoms of Glory

by Martha Blair

oil, 24" x 48"

Well I did it. I entered a painting in the Church's 8th International Art Competition. The deadline was in October. I wasn't very optimistic, but hopeful. I boldly sent in a digital photo for judging. I got a very nice rejection letter this week. Out of 1,100 entries only 20% are displayed.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin 1917 - 2008

"Since the days of Adam, the Lord has spoken to His prophets, and while His message differs according to the specific needs of the time, there is one consistent, never-changing theme: Depart from iniquity and journey to higher ground."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin,
"Journey to Higher Ground,"
Ensign, Nov. 2005, 16

Elder Wirthlin passed away December 1st with funeral proceedings being held last Friday. I pay tribute to him here for his long standing example, devotion, and testimony as a special witness of Jesus Christ. I loved him. I'll miss him.

THE WORST SUBSTITUTE EVER!

Last month I substituted Sammy's class for the first time. Considering the class already knew me, I wondered how things would go. I'm fun with music on Thursday afternoons as a volunteer, but now I needed to make sure we got all the work done assigned by their teacher.

It was getting close to recess time and the kids were getting a little lax in accomplishing the task that had been set before them. I announced that anyone who hadn't finish would stay in during recess to finish and I would be available to help them. Groans filled the room, but the children were quickly motivated.

Sam had enough presence of mind not to announce his displeasure in front of the entire class. Instead, he marched up to the front of the classroom where I was standing and purposely stood in front of me keeping his back to the class. He looked up at me; clenching his teeth, quietly, but with great drama proceeded to inform me, "MOM, YOU ARE THE WORST SUBSTITUTE EVER!" I smiled and couldn't help laughing. I gave him a hug around his shoulders as I escorted him back to his seat and assured him that he would probably get it all done in a timely manner; there was still time.

I wasn't shaken by his angst. It comes with the territory. I mean, I've already been designated the "WORST MOM EVER" and the infamous, "MEANEST MOM IN THE WORLD", that's unfortunately life when it comes to discipline.

I'm always on a learning curve when it comes to being in a different classroom everyday. Every school, teacher, schedule, and age group, etc. are different. I learn something every time I work in a class and I'm better for it. Fortunately, my greater understanding helps me be a better substitute and being a better teacher means I'm serving the children better.

I taught a 1st grade class for an entire week in November. I was surprised how I easily got into the routine and learned everyone's name. Just the consistency of being in the same place every day made it easier. I also observe in classrooms how I could improve on things if I could only be there on a consistent basis rather than my one day appearance, but then that's not my lot as a substitute.

Well, was I the worst substitute ever? I asked Sam that question at the end of the day. He admitted that maybe I wasn't that bad. There is one thing I know and I'm confident of, if I have the opportunity to substitute Sam's class again, I'll do better.

A teacher affects eternity;

[she] can never tell

where [her] influence stops.

Henry Brooks Adams

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I enjoy the food. I enjoy the family. I enjoy the thanksgiving. I feel humbled and thankful to God for all my many blessings. We're in Arizona for this special day this year with Bill and Chelsea.





















Count your many blessings,
Name them one by one.

"Worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye

live in
thanksgiving
daily,

for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." Alma 34:38

What's a Mother to Do?

I'm home today, for a change. The subbing has taken off and I'm working almost daily. I stayed home today because my Janna was sick.

Janna and I last Sunday after church. I'm 5' 7 1/2". It looks like I shrunk. Janna is 5' 10 1/2", but with her "America's Next Top Model" stilettos on, she's a good inch or two over 6 ft.

I want to be home with my children, but in spite of my best efforts, there have been times where subbing has taken me longer than my children's school schedules. Because of different school times there have been a few days where I have arrived 15 minutes to an hour after Janna and Sam get home.

Janna has seen me home her 16 1/2 years. The other day she came home from school wanting to tell me about her day. I wasn't home. She found herself disappointed that I wasn't there and concluded that she didn't like her mother working, but truth be told; how many times have I not been home because I was tending Grandma or at the grocery store or on another errand? What's the diff.? Some how there was one in her mind and she was distressed by the situation. I walked in minutes later to hear about her feelings. Anyway, what's a mother to do?

“I know who I am, and I know what I am supposed to do. The rest just follows.” [I]...will build faith and character in the next generation one family prayer at a time, one scripture study session, one book read aloud, one song, one family meal after another. [I am]...involved in a great work. [I know]...that “children are an heritage of the Lord” and “happy is the [woman] that hath [a] quiver full of them” (Ps. 127:3, 5). [I know]...that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily mothering is far more lasting, far more powerful, far more influential than any earthly position or institution invented by man. [I have]... the vision that, if worthy, [I have the]...potential to be blessed as Rebekah of old to be “the mother of thousands of millions” Gen. 24:60).

Julie B. Beck, “A ‘Mother Heart’,” Ensign, May 2004, 75

Fall Planting

Puttering in my garden use to be part of my "stay-at-home" routine. Picking and digging was a daily delight, but now subbing has usurped my time; the weeding and other gardening duties have unfortunately been set aside. Consequently, because of neglect, my once therapeutic ritual has loomed into a chore. What needs to be done seems a bit overwhelming, but happily we've had good weather and some special visitors this weekend.

I had some help on Saturday with a fall planting of flowers. It added some color to our front garden that was looking a little drab. I also was a recent recipient of two fun stepping stones that my grandson's, Jeremiah and Joseph, painted at school. Those were gladly placed in strategic honorary spots. The garden still needs more work, but it's looking a lot more perky for the coming Thanksgiving holiday.

Joseph, Sam, and I - digging, planting, and cleaning up.

Another great helper this weekend,
Jeremiah, my grandson.

I'm happy the garden and lawn are looking better, but I'm even more pleased that in working together relationships have grown.

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, [how colorful my garden was], or the kind of car I drove . . . . but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."
Kathy Davis

TAGGED

I've been tagged by my friend, Danette.















1. I'd prefer not to "work". I miss my freedom and a lot of things that I use to do with my time.
2. I use to walk everyday (40 minutes to an hour). Now I'm riding a recumbent bike (20 minutes a day).
3. Outside of my family, I have two piano students.
4. I'd like to adopt.
5. I've always wished I had taken ballet lessons.
6. I'd like to take more Art classes.
7. "I hope they call me on a mission."

I tag Annie, Paige, Yvonne, Wendy, Chelsea, Cassie, and Michelle!

Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.
Lyrics by Rodgers & Hammerstein

FHE - Let the Blessings FLOW!

"If the Saints obey this counsel [to hold regular family home evenings], we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influence and temptations which beset them." (First Presidency letter, 27 April 1915 - Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose, emphasis added) (Uh.....sign me up!)

We strive to have family home evening every Monday even though some things get in the way of our efforts. Some things happily help our efforts, like the Primary activity Sam attended some weeks ago. Sam came home with a family home evening presentation he made at the activity. We were happy to have him give the lesson tonight.

Sammy's Lesson on GRATITUDE

As a child, I remember my family always tried to have one day a week for a special time together. My dad wasn't always available on Monday nights (the traditional day set aside by the Church for FHE) so we selected different days to accommodate his changing schedule.

FHE had an impact on me. I remember the good feelings I had when we met together. My family certainly wasn't perfect, but I felt the Spirit profoundly as we gathered for a lesson, singing, games, and activities.

I remember years later bearing testimony in a Relief Society meeting of the importance of family home evening. I was a young mother at the time, but very confident in my witness of the blessings that come by faithfully having family home evening. I had experienced it. I oh so knew of it's spiritual significance and strengthening power. After the lesson, a sister approached me. She questioned whether such devotion would bring such great benefits. Her obvious doubts made me reflect on the story from the Old Testment of Naaman, who was "captain of the host of the king of Syria." He went to be healed of leprosy from the prophet Elisha:

"And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."
(2 Kings 5:10-15)

I remember what I felt as a child. A simple weekly gathering has strengthened and blessed me and my family more than I know, then and now. I cannot deny it. I believe in the direction of a prophet of God. Our hearts and homes can easily be blessed like Naaman dipping himself in Jordan's waters. I know if we do it, the blessings will flow.

VOTE AMERICA !

“Bad politicians are sent to Washington

by good people who don't vote.”

William E. Simon

PLEASE.......

Glitter Word Generator

This election I voted absentee ballot for the first time. My ballot went in a week ago. Hooray for the red, white, and blue! Hooray for the U.S. of A.! Hooray for the democracy in which we live. I'm grateful I can vote. I want to make America better!

“We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. … such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people. …” (D&C 134:1, 3.)