Yup, here's my nerds! I guess they are desperate for a pool. Go figure.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Apples
I don't own a dehydrator but I found this easy was to get around that. Just peel, slice and core your apples. This is made much easier if you borrow your daughters nifty little device, (thanks Sarah), lay them out on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake on 200* until they are dry.
This makes for a yummy little snack that is healthy too.
Today, I tried bananas. And, no, I didn't try to use the nifty little device to slice them. I will let you know how they turn out.
This makes for a yummy little snack that is healthy too.
Today, I tried bananas. And, no, I didn't try to use the nifty little device to slice them. I will let you know how they turn out.
YUM!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Got Milk Cans And Memories?
Several years ago, after my Grandpa and Grandma Peterson had both died, I was feeling a little nostalgic about them and longed to have something that belonged to them. I just wanted something that was uniquely them. Now, my grandparents were not wealthy people. They didn't live in a big house, drive fancy cars, or travel the world wearing the finest clothes or jewelry. Quite the opposite, they lived humbly, worked hard until they couldn't anymore, planted and bottled their veggies out of their own garden, and loved their family more than anything.
Grandpa worked outside his whole life, planting crops and working his farm. Many years before I was even born, he raised milk cows. During this time, he collected several large metal milk cans for storing the milk in so it could be transported to the dairy. Grandpa's milk can number was A-122. All of his cans were marked with that number so that the dairy would know what milk was his and who to return the cans to.
I'm not sure exactly when, but at some point he got out of the milk business and focused on planting hay and alfalfa crops instead. That is all I remember him growing in his fields but when my dad was a teenager, he apparently grew sugar beets and he and his 7 siblings all helped out.
I have very fond memories of traveling from California every summer to spend several days at the farm. I loved it then and I still love it now. There is a little slice of Heaven in that valley that I cannot explain. Maybe it's because I felt free to roam around with cousins, felt loved when Grandma would bake cookies for us, watch my Grandpa work so hard and come in the house kinda smelly, okay, a lot smelly (they only bathed on Saturday nights). They always seemed to have a ripe watermelon ready to slice, ice cream in the freezer and they were always willing to take dinner up Monroe canyon for an evening with family.
One day I was wandering around the farm, enjoying the memories that flooded my mind, I thought of that stray dog who stayed in the crawl space under the house. I thought of the many games of hide and seek that were played, the sweet memories of my uncles pushing me in the tall swing, climbing the hay stacks and the few cows I remember in the corrals. As I walked around their house, I spotted two, old, rusted milk cans. They were sitting in the old milking shed, covered with mud and the bottoms were filled with crank case oil that had been put there long after they were used for milk. They looked beat up and worn but other than that, they seemed to be in fairly good shape.
Dave and I pulled them out, took them down to the local car wash and blasted them with hot soapy water. Dave spent well over and hour pressure washing them but he never could get all of that grease out. Since then, we've carted them around from house to house, where they sit on our front porch today.
I've looked at them many times and wondered what I should do with them. Should I prime and paint them? Should I put some decorative twigs or flowers in them? Or should I just leave them alone? My Grandpa's number (A122) is rustically painted on one of them. It looks like Grandpa must have dipped his finger in blue paint and drawn his number on in a hurry. I can't bring myself to cover that up with shiny new paint. I like they way they look. It's true to form coming from our farm.
Those two cans are all I have from the farm as far as tangible things, but I will always have my memories of a blessed childhood. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Peterson!
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| G and G's home in Monroe Utah |
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| Hay fields in the winter time, looking towards the "Red Hill" and the Cemetery |
I'm not sure exactly when, but at some point he got out of the milk business and focused on planting hay and alfalfa crops instead. That is all I remember him growing in his fields but when my dad was a teenager, he apparently grew sugar beets and he and his 7 siblings all helped out.
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| G and G raised 8 kids on the farm. (Five boys, Three girls) |
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| Our kids love the farm almost as much as I do. |
One day I was wandering around the farm, enjoying the memories that flooded my mind, I thought of that stray dog who stayed in the crawl space under the house. I thought of the many games of hide and seek that were played, the sweet memories of my uncles pushing me in the tall swing, climbing the hay stacks and the few cows I remember in the corrals. As I walked around their house, I spotted two, old, rusted milk cans. They were sitting in the old milking shed, covered with mud and the bottoms were filled with crank case oil that had been put there long after they were used for milk. They looked beat up and worn but other than that, they seemed to be in fairly good shape.
Dave and I pulled them out, took them down to the local car wash and blasted them with hot soapy water. Dave spent well over and hour pressure washing them but he never could get all of that grease out. Since then, we've carted them around from house to house, where they sit on our front porch today.
I've looked at them many times and wondered what I should do with them. Should I prime and paint them? Should I put some decorative twigs or flowers in them? Or should I just leave them alone? My Grandpa's number (A122) is rustically painted on one of them. It looks like Grandpa must have dipped his finger in blue paint and drawn his number on in a hurry. I can't bring myself to cover that up with shiny new paint. I like they way they look. It's true to form coming from our farm.
Those two cans are all I have from the farm as far as tangible things, but I will always have my memories of a blessed childhood. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Peterson!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tonight's Dinner & Amanda's Babysitting...
On our menu tonight is:
Chopped chef's salad with grilled chicken. Yum!!
Just thought I'd share...
While I was chopping and dicing, Amanda was baby sitting one of the most adorable little guys ever. His name is Jack! She's gets to hang out with him all day today. While they were here for a visit (because their house is too quiet) Jack tried some new things. He tried bread, a couple of chili beans (that should make for an interesting diaper later) and drinking from a cup.
After such events, he got tired. He fell asleep. Amanda put him...
In the "trunk" of my van!!
Chopped chef's salad with grilled chicken. Yum!!
Just thought I'd share...
While I was chopping and dicing, Amanda was baby sitting one of the most adorable little guys ever. His name is Jack! She's gets to hang out with him all day today. While they were here for a visit (because their house is too quiet) Jack tried some new things. He tried bread, a couple of chili beans (that should make for an interesting diaper later) and drinking from a cup.
After such events, he got tired. He fell asleep. Amanda put him...
In the "trunk" of my van!!
He didn't seem to mind!!
What does your "bucket" look like?
If I had to describe myself while using the metaphor of a bucket, I would probably describe it like this: Kinda tattered, bend, stained, maybe even a little bit rusted, but sturdy, capable, useful, and still able to accomplish many things.
How would you describe your "bucket"?
This is the question that was posed at our Stake Relief Society this last Saturday at a fantastic meeting in which Sheri Dew and Wendy Watson Nelson came to speak to us.
They wanted us to realize that we don't all look, feel or act the same. None of us are perfect, shiny and new. In fact, all of us have dings, dents, and stains but that doesn't make us worthless. Those imperfections actually make us stronger because we are still here, trying everyday to make a difference.
Now, Sheri Dew happens to be one of my most favorite speakers/writers in the world. I love her books because she is plain spoken and just seems to tell it how it is. Not much fluff, just meaningful, understandable, yet deep thoughts. She is really quite funny as well which made her even easier to listen and pay attention.
I hadn't seen or read too many things about Wendy Nelson (wife of Russel M Nelson) but I really liked her too. She has been married to Elder Nelson for only about 5 years and this is her first marriage. They were married when she was 50 years old and she became a step mother to his 10 (grown) children! She is really funny and charming and in fact she kind of surprised me how funny she is.
Sheri talked about how she had decided to plant some flowers in her yard a few Saturdays ago. When she was done it was late in the evening so she cleaned up and went inside. In the morning she looked out her window and found that ALL of her flowers were gone! She slipped her shoes on and went out to look. Every single flower was gone, leaving only the holes that she dug behind. She followed the trail of dirt to the next door neighbors home and found all of her flowers lined up sitting on top on the soil there.
She couldn't believe her eyes! So, she rang the doorbell and asked if they knew anything about the flowers, to which, the parents said "No", but we think we might know who does...Out came a darling little 6 year old girl. It turns out that after Sheri had gone in the house, this little girl, who loves flowers, came over to pull a flower bud off and the whole thing came out because it had just been planted. The plant hadn't had time to take root. After one came out, she decided that they all should be together and would look really nice in her yard. She said she just loves flowers! The parents made everything right and all is well in the neighborhood.
What Sheri wanted to use this story for was to illustrate that we need to have deep roots and don't let the little things derail us in this life. She couldn't believe that this tiny little 6 year old could do such damage. Sometimes, it doesn't take much of uproot us. She asked these questions: "Are you easily offended?", "Are you side tracked by meaningless things?", "Are you complacent in going along with what the world says is okay?".
She said she is grateful that so much is required of us, grateful that God has high expectations of us, grateful that He trusts us to make those choices. Are we? She challenged us to have a Spiritual experience, everyday. It's our choice to do so or not. It is all in how we look at things.
Wendy Nelson asked the question, " Is it a greater miracle to be taken out of the "Lions den" or is it the greater miracle to be in the "Lion's den" and still be safe? Both would be miracles, but one takes greater faith to see it as a miracle.
So, do we have the faith to make trials go away or do we have the faith to endure those trials and still see His hand in helping us?
She posed the idea that if we were each given the chance to see just 10 minutes of our "pre-mortal life video" (if there was one), that we would not be afraid nor would we falter in this life. We would see what we had already done and already committed to do before we were born. She asked if during that "video" we could see our "to do" list for our life, what would be on that list? What have we already accomplished and what do we still need to accomplish? Then she asked, "How do I /you fill the measure of our creation?
Then she asked, "How would a woman be Holy?" "What would that look like?" "How would they act, behave, dress, talk, live etc."
An easy question to ask yourself is "Whose agenda are your actions, dress, conversations, attitudes, behavior etc. supporting?" "Are the movies and music you watch supporting Heavenly Father and Jesus, or the adversary?"
I know that my "bucket" was filled that day and I am better for it.
How would you describe your "bucket"?
This is the question that was posed at our Stake Relief Society this last Saturday at a fantastic meeting in which Sheri Dew and Wendy Watson Nelson came to speak to us.
They wanted us to realize that we don't all look, feel or act the same. None of us are perfect, shiny and new. In fact, all of us have dings, dents, and stains but that doesn't make us worthless. Those imperfections actually make us stronger because we are still here, trying everyday to make a difference.
Now, Sheri Dew happens to be one of my most favorite speakers/writers in the world. I love her books because she is plain spoken and just seems to tell it how it is. Not much fluff, just meaningful, understandable, yet deep thoughts. She is really quite funny as well which made her even easier to listen and pay attention.
I hadn't seen or read too many things about Wendy Nelson (wife of Russel M Nelson) but I really liked her too. She has been married to Elder Nelson for only about 5 years and this is her first marriage. They were married when she was 50 years old and she became a step mother to his 10 (grown) children! She is really funny and charming and in fact she kind of surprised me how funny she is.
Sheri talked about how she had decided to plant some flowers in her yard a few Saturdays ago. When she was done it was late in the evening so she cleaned up and went inside. In the morning she looked out her window and found that ALL of her flowers were gone! She slipped her shoes on and went out to look. Every single flower was gone, leaving only the holes that she dug behind. She followed the trail of dirt to the next door neighbors home and found all of her flowers lined up sitting on top on the soil there.
She couldn't believe her eyes! So, she rang the doorbell and asked if they knew anything about the flowers, to which, the parents said "No", but we think we might know who does...Out came a darling little 6 year old girl. It turns out that after Sheri had gone in the house, this little girl, who loves flowers, came over to pull a flower bud off and the whole thing came out because it had just been planted. The plant hadn't had time to take root. After one came out, she decided that they all should be together and would look really nice in her yard. She said she just loves flowers! The parents made everything right and all is well in the neighborhood.
What Sheri wanted to use this story for was to illustrate that we need to have deep roots and don't let the little things derail us in this life. She couldn't believe that this tiny little 6 year old could do such damage. Sometimes, it doesn't take much of uproot us. She asked these questions: "Are you easily offended?", "Are you side tracked by meaningless things?", "Are you complacent in going along with what the world says is okay?".
She said she is grateful that so much is required of us, grateful that God has high expectations of us, grateful that He trusts us to make those choices. Are we? She challenged us to have a Spiritual experience, everyday. It's our choice to do so or not. It is all in how we look at things.
Wendy Nelson asked the question, " Is it a greater miracle to be taken out of the "Lions den" or is it the greater miracle to be in the "Lion's den" and still be safe? Both would be miracles, but one takes greater faith to see it as a miracle.
So, do we have the faith to make trials go away or do we have the faith to endure those trials and still see His hand in helping us?
She posed the idea that if we were each given the chance to see just 10 minutes of our "pre-mortal life video" (if there was one), that we would not be afraid nor would we falter in this life. We would see what we had already done and already committed to do before we were born. She asked if during that "video" we could see our "to do" list for our life, what would be on that list? What have we already accomplished and what do we still need to accomplish? Then she asked, "How do I /you fill the measure of our creation?
Then she asked, "How would a woman be Holy?" "What would that look like?" "How would they act, behave, dress, talk, live etc."
An easy question to ask yourself is "Whose agenda are your actions, dress, conversations, attitudes, behavior etc. supporting?" "Are the movies and music you watch supporting Heavenly Father and Jesus, or the adversary?"
I know that my "bucket" was filled that day and I am better for it.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Ouch!!
Today, I burnt myself, dang it! It really hurt, dang it! I resisted swearing but I did squeal loud enough that Jeffrey came to see what I had done.
I was making a wreath for Sarah and Chris (I know, Chris is dying to have one of these gems) and apparently I need a lesson on using a HOT glue gun. Man it hurt! I showed it to Amanda and she thought I had sour cream on my finger. Haha! Well, we were having tacos for dinner...
I was making a wreath for Sarah and Chris (I know, Chris is dying to have one of these gems) and apparently I need a lesson on using a HOT glue gun. Man it hurt! I showed it to Amanda and she thought I had sour cream on my finger. Haha! Well, we were having tacos for dinner...
Here's the wreath I made for my door...
And the one I made for Sarah and Chris...(you're welcome Chris Haha)
Painless and easy, unless you're a idiot like me!
Summertime!
For those of us that wondered if Ol' Man Winter would ever leave, today was a good sign that he did. Oh, I know he'll be back but for now I'm really enjoying this fantastic weather. Usually by this time in June I've become somewhat of a hermit, hiding from the scorching heat of the Mesquite sun but this year, I'm a LOVING this weather! Not too hot, not too cold, not humid, it's just right for my taste. The only thing that is bothersome is my allergies have been acting up but I can handle that.
Amanda, Jeffrey and Becca rounded up some of the neighbor kids for a game of splash kick ball. The found kiddy pools, buckets, foam balls and had a blast. Afterward, they made snow cones with some pretty weird combinations of flavorings. Yuck! I suppose I would have eaten them when I was their age too.
Amanda, Jeffrey and Becca rounded up some of the neighbor kids for a game of splash kick ball. The found kiddy pools, buckets, foam balls and had a blast. Afterward, they made snow cones with some pretty weird combinations of flavorings. Yuck! I suppose I would have eaten them when I was their age too.
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| This is the "before" picture |
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| Transporting the pool across the street to the park |
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| Still transporting... |
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| Amanda and friends |
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| Snow Cones!! |
Monday, June 13, 2011
Suckers and the Twelve Tribes!
Today I made suckers. I've never made them before so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Why, you ask?
Well, Dave and I have been asked to go help with our Stake Youth Conference this week and I wanted to give the kids something yummy. We will be in charge of approximately 15 kids, ranging in age from 14-18. We will sort of be their "mom and dad" for three days while they attend this conference. We are going to invade a small Utah town named Loa (population 520) with our group which consists of about 300 kids and about 50 adults. So we will almost double the size of this little town. But do not fear, we come in peace and mean no harm. In fact, while we are there, we will be doing some service projects like making 12 picnic tables for their city park, picking up trash, sanding and painting old tables, etc.
Fast forward 5 days...
We are back! I never had time to finish the original post so now I'll just post what we DID do.
There is not much to Loa. It's your quintessential "small Utah town". Lot of fields where crops are growing, Quaint farm houses sprinkled over the land. One large chapel where they meet for church. One grocery store, one hardware store, and one hotel. Yup, not much to it but kinda cute.
When we got there, we all piled out of the cars and met at the city park. This was to be our home base for the entire time we invaded this town. We got a few instructions on what the plan was and then we were off and running to Capital Reef State Park which is about 30 minutes from the park.
Once in the park, we were sent on a hike through what is known as the "Grand Wash". The only thing we were told as leaders was that is would be about 5 miles and then the shuttle cars would be there to pick us up. Okay, fair enough, I thought. So we set off walking...The thing is, is they didn't tell us that we should wear cool clothing, and pack lots of water and that we would be walking in a dry river bed, which meant SAND the entire way! I was able to get some pretty cool pictures. See below.
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| Starting off down the path... |
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| Along the way they had people of the "Old Testament" times there to share short stories about their lives. |
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| Dave walking behind the kids to make sure there weren't any stragglers. |
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| Our girls |
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| Cool canyon picture |
We were then taken back to Loa to set up tents (where the kids slept) and to drop our stuff off at "The Barn" where most of the leaders stayed. Now, when I say barn, this is in no way what you are thinking a barn should look like. The owners converted a barn into a bunch of vacation rentals that are used for reunions and such.
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| Dave and I stayed in the room closest to the chimney with the red door. |
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| The boys pitched their tents outside of the barn |
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| Jeffrey and his buddies |
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| Some of our boys |
I didn't get any pictures of the place were the girls pitched their tents. They were about 1 miles from the boys, outside of two Victorian homes. Some more of the leaders stayed in the homes while the girls tented it outside.
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| Add caption |
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| Amanda is on the stake youth counsel so she gave one of the devotionals |
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| KIDS everywhere! |
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| FOOD everywhere! |
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| SERVICE everywhere! |
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| Clearing rocks and boulders out of a field so it could be planted. |
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| One of "our kids" handling a boulder. |
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| This is just ONE of four large rock piles that they collected. |
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| BUILDING everywhere! |
While the kids were busy doing things around town, there were a handful of men who constructed a Tabernacle, just like the one Moses built. No kidding! It was the exact measurements and specs as talked about in the Old Testament. This thing was HUGE! On the inside, they constructed the inner sanctuary or the Holy of Holy's where the Arch of the Covenant was placed. The men who built this did an amazing job and worked from sun up to sun down for 2 days straight! Then afterwards, they tore it all down!
These pictures don't do it justice but it's the best I could do.
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| The outer wall |
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| The inner sanctuary |
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| "Tribes" entering the sanctuary |
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| The "alter" where "sacrifices" would have been made back in the day. |
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| The sheep that were used to demonstrate why Jesus is our Shepard and we are the "sheep" that follow Him |
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| The demonstration also talked about how they used to make sacrifices. NO, there wasn't any bloodshed! |
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| We made it home and the kids were worn out! |
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