General Conference Weekend

I love General Conference weekend!  I love gathering my family around to be fed spiritually and physically.  I love all the traditions that have evolved over time. I wish I would have taken more pictures, but this will have to do...

Saturday morning began with Matt and I going for a bike ride in the foothills east of our home.  Once we got home we whipped up some french toast and had fresh raspberries and cream to start the day.

Then we grabbed paper and notebooks and settled in to hear the prophet and apostles. I did my semi-annual ironing marathon during the first session.  I sat down for Elder Holland's and President Monson's talks so I could really pay attention and this is what happened both times...

But I was not the only one, Addie and Boomer both had great naps.

PJ's, Pizza and Pedicures during Priesthood is one of my favorite traditions on the Saturday night of  Conference weekend.  The girls on my side of the fam hang out together while the boys go to their meeting.  This year my sisters got a better offer (curse you, Jim Gaffigan/Satan!).  But it was still and great night with my girls.  

American Fork Canyon is spectacular this time of year.  We went for a little hike up at Horse Flats.  I am so thankful Aly will go on hikes with me.  

My heart gets a little sad to think that this was probably Aly's last conference with us.  She and Michael will be moving to Houston in January.  

Keeping with tradition, we ate pizza at Malawi's and did a little shopping at the Outlets. 

The boys were lucky enough to get tickets to go up to The Conference Center.  

Sunday morning we all fixed Conference Crepes together.  Grandma and Grandpa R joined us and brought whipped cream and fresh raspberries. 

Usually I come away from Conference feeling like I got a little pat on back and "you are doing good and hear are a few tweaks".  But this time I felt a call to repentance, maybe because Elder Scott shook his finger at me.  I need take more responsibility for my own spirituality and teach my children that also.  The things we do or the things we fail to do as a family does not give them an excuse.  Each person is responsible for their own spirituality.  We strive to have a gospel centered home where our children feel loved and supported, but we miss scripture study here and there.  Our FHE lessons are too often short thoughts and a trip to Orange Leaf for the kid cups 4 for $10 special.  I need to be more intentional at making sure gospel basics are done. And done well.  Or at least a little better. I need to give my best effort to creating a family that doesn't just put a check in the to-do list of the gospel, but that we 'become' disciples of Jesus Christ in everything we do. Sheesh!  I need a nap and then a trip to Orange Leaf just thinking about it! 

Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

How can I sum up how much my mom means to me with a few short words?  Every time I'm with my mom and we run into someone she knows (and she knows everyone) they ALWAYS say to me, "Oh, I just LOVE your mom!!".  I think everyone loves her because she is so kind hearted and humble.  She includes everyone and is always looking for ways to help others.  My mom also makes THE  best banana bread. Ever.  I have tried to make this recipe and it's good, but I swear my mom must have a secret ingredient she is not telling us about, because there is nothing like my dear mother's banana bread.  It is comfort food to me and I can't hardly control myself when there is a loaf sitting there calling my name.

Sharon's Best Ever Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs, beaten 1/3 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 cup mashed bananas 1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray one 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray coating.
2.	Blend together the eggs, buttermilk, oil and bananas.
3.	Sift together the sugar, flour, baking soda and salt. Add to banana mixture and stir in pecans. Mix well.
4.	Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2014 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/13/2014

Jonah and I have a lot in common

Matt and I were called as the Young Single Adult advisors in May and we love working with these amazing people, but every week we have to teach a lesson from the Old Testament. I struggle with the Old Testament!  I have a hard time with how God is characterized and how the many stories seem to have almost a Hollywood feel to them. But I have learned a lot the last couple of months.  I have learned how to apply these people's crazy experiences to my own like and to realize that I'm probably a lot more like them than I would like to admit.  Last week I realized that Jonah and I have a lot in common.  Thankfully I have not been swallowed by a whale, but I have been running from a prompting I have had again and again.  

Probably about 3 years ago I had the thought that I should start a blog.  I remember thinking, "I wish my grandmothers had kept a blog or journal that I could refer to when I needed some inspiration or encouragement". They were both amazing women who had great wisdom and found beauty in all things.  They raised incredibly strong families and I wish I could see what their day to day lives were like and read the thoughts and intents of their hearts.  Unfortunately, I can't do that, but I could do it for my grandchildren.

My problem was that I let the illusive idea of perfection stop my progress. Again.  This has been a problem my whole life.  If I don't think I can do something really well/perfect then I'm not even going to try.  Piano lessons, singing, art, mountain biking, bread making and this list could go on and on.  Well, writing is also on that list.  I came up with every excuse in the book as to why I shouldn't spend time writing a blog. I hated sitting at the computer.  I'm a doer, not a thinker.  I don't know what to write about or how to.  I don't take good pictures.  My life is not exciting and I have nothing insightful to say. Blah, Blah, Blah.  All excuses!!!  

Every time I got serious and asked God what I should be doing I got the same answer, "Start a blog". I have run from that for years and I have felt inspiration being withheld from me because of my stubbornness.  So I have decided to make a commitment to myself to spend 15-20 minutes a day writing.  I am letting go of perfectionism and just letting what comes be good enough. 

Oh, what I would give to have writings and photos from my grandmothers!   I would love every word and event recorded, no matter if the photos were blurry or there were grammar and punctuation errors all over the place.  So I will share what is happening in our family and what thoughts are in my heart, so that someday my granddaughter might know that she should do things that scare her and that the imperfections keep it real.

In remembrance of my angel grandmother's...

Carolyn Davis Shuler

Joyce Nelson Provstgaard

New Family Pictures

I am a big believer in family photos.  

I love that in a small way you can capture a moment and freeze time.  For one frame or two you can stop these kids from changing and growing up.  I am so thankful to Ashley Taylor for her amazing talent and for making it such a fun evening- and that was a miracle in and of itself- we did not have any tears and the smiles were mostly genuine.

 

I love that the little lane in this picture leads to the
home where I grew up in Elk Ridge.

These pictures were taken in May and since then my little chicks have spread their wings and left the nest.  Aly and Michael are in Louisiana for an internship.  Davis is in Peru as a missionary and Addie is in Arizona on a humanitarian trip.  It is such a bitter/sweet thing.  I have spent every day the last 21 years loving, teaching, and training these kids to grow up to be happy, responsible, contributing adults and now that they are spreading their wings there is a part of me that wants to ground them all and make them promise to never leave home.  But then there is that part of me that is so thankful for the wonderful people they have become and to see the difference they are making in the world.  I wouldn't want it another way.  So I am thankful that I have these pictures that capture us all together and look forward to the day that I can gather them back in the nest if only for a moment or two.

Authentic

There has been a buzz about choosing a word to focus on for the year.  I admit I rolled my eyes at first, but a few days later I had a light-bulb moment and I knew what my word would be.... Authentic.

By definition it means being genuine, real, true, original.  

I consider myself an honest person, but upon further reflection I realize there are many layers to being truthful (full of truth).  I absolutely love this quote...

Go here  for original link.


So this year I want to focus on being true.... true to who I am, true to what I know.  

My True Love

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me.......

6 Reasons I Love and Adore Matt

1.  He works so hard to provide for all our wants and needs.  He doesn't love to travel for business, but he does it because he loves us.  He has supported all of my dreams, especially my dream to be home while raising our kids, and I will forever be grateful for that.

2.  My heart is safe with him.  He has proven time and time again that he is fiercely faithful. For example when we have been in situations where there are scantily-clad women her will mutter under his breath "Look into their eyes". (That always makes me smile.)

3.  He thinks I'm pretty and tells me so, even before President Monson suggested it last conference.

4. He puts first things first.  He often tells our kids "you will never be truly happy if your relationships with God and your family are not right.  It won't matter what awards you win or how much money you make if those two things are not taken care of first."  So wise.

5.  He is the best dad I know.  He reads with Isaac almost every night.  He loves to take Addie out driving and might even stop and get her fries from Iceberg.  He massages Davis whenever he gets a chance.  And he calls and chats with Aly on a regular basis.  Those are just small examples.  Really everything he does is to show love and support for the kids.  Sometimes I feel like a bad mom, but I find consolation in the fact that they have the best dad in the world.

6.  Sister Hinckley said that President Hinckley gave her wings to fly and I have felt that Matt has done the same for me.  He believes in me and has supported me in many crazy endeavors whether it is painting a room or kitchen cabinets, spending a year certifying to teach yoga or going on an adventure together. 

Each Christmas comes with a long to-do list and sometimes I end up letting the one who I love the most slip down towards the bottom of the list.  So this year I bumped Matt to the top and decided to do the 12 Days of Christmas for him.  

So each day he has received a gift that starts with "On the ___ day of Christmas my true love gave to me"  that I printed from here.  On the first day it was "a partridge in an Asian pear tree."  Matt learned to love those on his mission.  Day 2 was 2 tickets to the Mormon Tab Christmas Concert, which was A-mazing!  Day 3 was tickets to the movie Lincoln at 3:10 (be sure to see it!).  Day 4 was tools 4 fixing things (which he is really good at and should have been included in the post above).  Day 5 was $5 Zupas gift card to go towards meeting him for lunch someday soon.   This post was going to be day 12 because there so many things I love about Matt, but he was not going to be in town to get his gift today, so hence just 6 are posted here.  

Vine Ripened Tomatoes in December

Here is a great way to have fresh tomatoes long after the growing season is over.  I always hate to just throw away all the green tomatoes when we are cleaning out the garden.  A friend recommended just cutting off the plant and hanging it upside down in the garage or basement.  Voila! We have had fresh tomatoes all fall and it looks like at least through December.  They just ripen a few at a time.  They do not taste as good as sun ripened summer tomatoes, but they are as good as the yucky store ripened tomatoes and they are organic and basically free.  So, here is our favorite recipe to use them in.  

Black Bean and Avocado Salsa (aka Cowboy Caviar)

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup olive oil

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper

Mix above ingredients well.  I like to use my stick blender.

3 (15oz.) cans of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels

1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced (I say at least 2)

1 red bell pepper

6 green onions, thinly sliced

3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2  fresh tomatoes, chopped ( that you just got off the vine in December)

1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced small

Combined the ingredients above and then add the dressing and stir well.

Leave the avocado pit in the dip until you serve it to prevent the avocados from turning brown.  

I love to serve it with Tostitos  Artisan Roasted Garlic and Black Bean Chips.

If I am in a big hurry and we are craving this I will sometimes just throw La Victoria's Green Salsa over the beans, avocado, tomatoes and corn.  It's fast and easy and pretty darn good too.