Reflection

Just thought I'd share...

I was thinking about what today signifies...one year without a job.

One year of change for my husband and I.

One year of family funs, mostly free.

One year of anxiousness, wondering where life will lead.

One year added to the age of each child.

Hyrum's almost potty trained. (I'm "losing" my baby.)

Benji is going into Junior High.

One year's growth on our newly planted trees. (Yay! Our yard is finished.)

One year of ups and downs--high hopes and dashed dreams.

One year learning how to be on the receiving end of service.

One year feeling blessed...

Banana Bread from Cleo Smith

[This recipe was acquired from my mom's friend from American Fork, where she grew up.]

Makes 2 loaves.

Grease and flour TWO 9x5x3 bread pans (may use whatever combination of pans you prefer).

Mash in a medium bowl:

5 large bananas

In mixer, cream together:

1 c. shortening

2 c. sugar

Add bananas

and

4 beaten eggs to mixer and combine.

Sift:

4 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1-2 tsp. salt

Stir into banana mixture.

(Optional: 1 c. walnuts may be added now.)

Do not over mix.

Pour into greased, floured bread pans. (Fill each pan 1/2 to 2/3 full.)

Bake at 325 for approximately 50 min. or until poker comes out clean.*

*Hint: If poker is almost clean and crust is getting too dark, I take them out of the oven and cover them with a clean towel to allow residual heat to finish baking.

Wee Bit of Scottish in Us

(I'm repenting! After talking to some of my friends, I've decided to no longer neglect my blog. Facebook keeps me in the loop with a lot of people, but I'm unable to really say everything that's in my little brain. Oh, and more importantly, share pictures of our families' events.)

This past weekend we went to one of the local Scottish Festivals. We preferred the "no-cost" aspect of Payson's Scottish Festival over Thanksgiving Point's version. Anyway, we loaded up the family and our Scottish expert--better known as Alison (my lovely mother-in-law)--and traversed I-15 to Payson. We made it in good time but were a little too late to see the bagpipe band extraordinaire. Luckily, we got a bit of it at the end.

We found the Highland Games intriguing. Though there wasn't much fast-paced action involved, the kids still seemed caught up in the activities--ball and chain throw (not pictured), dumbbell throw, and "hay" toss.

The best part was to see very robust men wearing kilts. (I guess that's why Ben is so hip on buying one for himself?)

I come from the Clan McAlister (MacAlisdair) and Ben's line from Clan Lamont (or Crawford--just discovered). They were not represented that day, but Roger and Melissa were successful in finding Melissa's Scottish Clan Matheson.

Oh, and we got to see Highland dancing. Grandma says she used to dance over swords too.

[What's an outdoor activity without a little bug sitting on your shoulder. Sammie is covering up the lady bug with her hand, but I thought it was a sweet shot of her face.]