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.]

Cupcakes for Carrie

I thought it was about time that I blogged something. Well, the freshest experience that comes to mind happened just this past weekend. I was throwing a baby shower for my sister-in-law. I had decided to attempt to make gourmet cupcakes for the special event. (I've seen all of these new dessert shops pop up with these kinds of cupcakes, was tempted to eat them, but never wanted to pay gourmet prices.) I was up for the challenge...I bought all of the ingredients including 1 lb bitter-sweet chocolate, 1/2 lb white chocolate, limes, buttermilk, and heavy cream. I was ready to go!

Quickly I learned that the cupcake making process is similar for pretty much any cupcake. (Is this true for homemade cake as well? Not sure.) Cream butter and sugar, incorporate eggs, alternate dry and wet ingredients and walla! When the first batch came out I was very hopeful, based on the look of the cupcakes. After taste testing the first cupcake it turned from hope to guaranteed success...mmmm...good. Three hours later. The end result? Strawberry (with real strawberry pieces), coconut lime, and devil's food chocolate. (I picked these three to represent the baby room color scheme: pink, brown, and green.) The first step in the process was complete with no major casualties, whew!

The next day I planned just enough time to make the frostings/toppings. I started with the white chocolate cream for the coconut lime cupcakes. Yummy! Then I pursued the strawberry fluff (don't pay to how much butter). I ended with the chocolate ganache and didn't realize it need so long to cool, so it was more like chocolate "drip."

Once I tallied the votes on likes and dislikes (if there were any), I'd have to say it was an overwhelming success--delicious gourmet cupcakes without the gourmet price. (Thanks, Carrie for giving me a good excuse.) Oh, and I have to tell you. I got a call the next evening from my neighbor (with whom I'd been generous and shared some chocolate cupcakes) who said that it was the best cupcake he had ever eaten. I replied with a giggle and a "yeah right" and a "thanks!" "No really," he said, "I stood in line at a dessert shop in NYC that supposedly had the best desserts in town and I'd have to say this beats all." Well, to say the least, I went to bed feeling content with a job well done. Now, don't get me wrong! I can only pat myself on the back because of the great recipes I used. So a big thanks to Martha Stewart and Nie's Cuisine (or Kate, whoever you are). If I can do it, you can too!

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."