Primary Chorister Idea

I just got released as Primary Chorister in our LDS ward.  I couldn't go without posting one of my favorite object lessons.  We were learning a song "My Eternal Family" and it talks about building a righteous family by doing our part.  On one side of my "Mega-building-Blox" I taped key phrases of the song.  On the opposite side I taped a puzzle of our family photo.  


When the children were done learning the phrases I turned it around to reveal MY eternal family!

Another memorable moment was making cinnamon rolls to feed the Primary children. I "bribed" each class in the older Primary...if they learned all of the 13 Articles of Faith I would make a baker's dozen of cinnamon rolls per class.  I ended up making 75+ rolls (3 batches, 24 rolls each)--plain cinnamon, cinnamon craisin, and orange.  Mmmm...mmmm...good!  Luckily they were in the sharing mood and we were able to feed the entire Primary.

I love my mom's heavenly recipe:

Basic Roll Dough

(Cinnamon Rolls)

Combine: 

1 1/4 cups water, warm

  1/4 cups dry milk

 (may substitute 3/4 canned milk and 

3/4 warm water for above mixture)

Add:  

1/4 cups sugar    

1/4 c margarine, softened 

1 teaspoon salt       

  2 eggs

Add 2 cups flour and 

Mix to form batter

Incorporate 1 1/2 tablespoons SAF dry yeast  

(if you must activate your yeast, add that mixture now)

Add remaining flour: 1 1/2  cups or more 

(depending on the size of eggs)

Stir until dough begins to follow the spoon or beater around.

Let rise twice, beating down each time.

Form into rolls and place on cookie sheet.

Let rise 30 minutes or until double in size.

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Cinnamon rolls: Roll dough out to 1/2" thick. Spread on

1/4 c melted margarine and cover in brown sugar. Sprinkle with  cinnamon

and raisins. Roll up into a log and cut into desired width.

(Tip: use dental floss to cut rolls by slipping under log, crossing over top and pulling).

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Frost while warm with a medium thick frosting: 

1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 2-3 cups powdered sugar,

canned milk for desired consistency (may substitute sour cream in a pinch).

Orange rolls: Roll dough out to 1/2 inch think, brush on mixture of 1/2 c

sugar, 1/2 c margarine and

2 grated orange rinds. Roll into a log and cut.

Bake at 400 for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Glaze while warm with a thin frosting:  1/4 cup butter, 2+ cups powdered sugar,

orange juice for desired consistency (may substitute sour cream in a pinch).

Twelve, almost teen

I can't believe I'm even writing this blog.  It sounds so old to say that my son just turned twelve (not as old as some my age who are saying their kids just turned 18).  Benji is moving from boy...to young man.

Just in this month he has been winter camping, passed the sacrament and given a lesson in his Deacon's quorum.  Oh, what fun it is to be 12.  

I must mention too, that he had a grand time celebrating his birthday with...  

breakfast in bed (a new family tradition regardless of when they have a party)...

...and a party with his favorite neighbor friend and family. (*Note Sammie not wanting her picture taken.)

If you can't tell there is one and two candles to represent "1" and "2" respectively. He finally got some Nerf guns, though probably not big enough for his liking.

See those beautiful shoes?  Well, a few days later, I asked him if he liked his new shoes.  He said, "Mom, only the kids who want to be cool, but aren't cool wear shoes like that."  Oh boy, I think I'm in for it.  Since when did he have a taste for clothing/shoes?  Is this the point when you start giving gift cards?


Well, despite the latest "teen" developments, he is an amazing kid!  Love you, Benji!

"Feel Good" Movies and Quiet Restaurants

For some reason in the last little while I've been a "feel-good" movie person.  Maybe it's the state of life that I'm in right now...confused and impatient.  I think since my husband hasn't been employed I've tried to make up for it by raising the quota of my everyday activities.  I need to do this...I should do that...and don't forget this...ugh...  Sure life changed to include him more, but the most dramatic change was my expectations of life.  I guess that's why the slower movies appeal to me more right now.


Last Friday, I went with my mom to see Blindside.  I also watched Forever Strong again (similar premise) and enjoyed it even more the second time.  Let's see...there's Saving Sarah Cain, It's a Wonderful Life, and Fireproof.  (Half of them aren't even "Hollywood", but a good movie for me doesn't always have to be approved by movie critics.)  I'm glad movie makers haven't drifted away from pleasing the sensitive types.  I just need a movie, a bowl of popcorn and a box of Kleenex...sniff...sniff. (Don't get me wrong I like exciting ones too, like UP and The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.)


Oh, and then today, I was eating out at  Five Guys Burgers and Fries (brother's treat) and remembered that noisy restaurants don't appeal as much to me either.  Give me a nice, quiet restaurant where I don't feel like I have to speak loudly in order to be heard by my spouse.  I get enough noise and loud speaking at home.  If I'm going to eat out I want it to be a peaceful experience.


Here are my favorite couple of lines from Blindside:
Mrs. Tuohy's rather snobbish friend comments: "I think that what you are doing by opening up your home to him, why you're changing that boy's life."
And Mrs. Tuohy thoughtfully replies: "No, he's changed mine."