Well, It Isn't Florida...

The birdhouse is currently vacant...

The kid's were supposed to return to school today, but were blessed with a late Christmas present: deep fluffy snow, prompting the first snow day of 2008. We have a foot so far, and the snow is still falling. It is very light and powdery. Utah snow! I think it is because yesterday I took down the Christmas decorations in favor of winter ones. Including putting a sign that says "Let it Snow" on the front door.



Maddy is sure it is because she wore her jammies inside out last night. Either way, we are all happy about it!

Care to take a turn about the garden?

The sedum seed heads are wearing fluffy snow caps.


The flattened forsythia.


My raised garden beds are only visible because of the raspberry canes.


Mother Nature made cushions for my chairs. Do you think I should store these inside?


The Evergreen feels quite at home.

Ornaments!

This year I learned how to make these ornaments:




I was inspired by The Ornament Girl. I am even more in awe of her work after trying to duplicate some of it. I used these directions as the basis of making mine.

It was fun to try a new Christmas project!

A Few of My Favorites...

I took pictures over Thanksgiving Weekend to put on my MIL's shop's website and thought I would share my favorites... I really wish we had brought the better camera to use, though!

Resolution Review

Just a quick review of my progress on my 2007 resolutions:

Spring clean and organize my house before the baby comes in March. I got a lot of this done, but not all. But, enough to be satisfied. Of course, that was months ago and it really needs to be done again!

After the baby comes, lose my pregnancy weight gain and get into good shape. The baby weight is gone. But, I could still improve on my physical fitness.

Read scriptures as a family more consistently and effectively. We are doing LOUSY in this area. Now that my son leaves at 6 am for early morning seminary, we no longer are eating together as a family for breakfast. Subsequently, we are no longer reading scriptures together. We tried reading with family prayer just before bed, but evenings are often crazy around here, little ones are tired and cranky, and I am too. I really need to think through how we can start this habit up again. Any suggestions?

Use my time more wisely. I could still do better in this, as well. I'm just not much of a routine person, but I know my days would flow better if I were. And I am so easily side tracked!

Help my daughters memorize the first 7 Articles of Faith. Actually, we did the first 10! We will probably continue working on the remainder.

Learn to decorate cakes. Emily and I took two classes together. It was quite fun, but I could still use practice. Since 2008 is the year of the birthday parties, opportunities are coming!

I have worked on my goals, but as usual there is more to be done. I'll be perfect someday. Just you wait!

Turtle Pumpkin Pie. Holy Yum!

We made this for the treat for family home evening tonight. I made my graham cracker crust from scratch, using cinnamon graham crackers, 4 T butter and 1/4 c sugar baked for 10 min at 350 degrees. And then I whipped a cup of heavy whipping cream with a t. of vanilla and 1/4 c. powdered sugar to use in place of the Cool Whip. Very easy and a big hit with everyone in the family!

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
Makes: 10 servings, one slice each


1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping, divided
1 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. PLANTERS Pecan Pieces, divided
1 cup cold milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

POUR 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans.

BEAT milk, dry pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk until blended. Stir in 1-1/2 cups whipped topping. Spread into crust.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Top with remaining whipped topping, caramel topping and pecans just before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Raspberries

Not the slobbery on your belly kind. The luscious, juicy red kind.

My favorite thing I grow in our garden is the raspberries. Not only are the just about the tastiest thing I grow, they are also one of the easiest, and the best value for my efforts. If I had to buy my raspberries from the store, my family would rarely get them because they are so expensive!

Picking them was so much fun with Elsie this year. There is just something satisfying about seeing your 2 year old delightedly picking and eating berry after berry until her mouth and fingers are stained red. I really should have put down the berry bucket and taken some pictures, huh?



Raspberry harvest is over now, and I had accumulated a large stash of cleaned, smashed and frozen berries. So, yesterday was jam making day. I finished with 64 cups of raspberry and raspberry pear freezer jam. I ran out of freezer containers and even used a couple baggies. It was either that or sippy cups. And believe it or not it will all be long gone before the tasty berries are back next year.

And in case anyone was wondering, some if it will soon be found in a freezer in NJ...

Conference Notes

Ideas from General Conference that really touched me...


Golden- We can't do it along, but we can pray for help and we will recieve it.

Bednar- Becoming sanctified is not a result of working harder or having increased self-discipline, but rather through the atonement of Christ. It is done through slow, steady spiritual growth, not sporadic bursts.

Eyring- Ask each day, "How have I seen the hand of God touch my life or the lives of those in my family today?"

Beck - Be a mother that KNOWS. Create a climate of spiritual growth in the home. Point children towards the temple. The home is an MTC. Have children work alongside you during homemaking tasks. Growth occurs best in a home of order. PLAN for the future of your family. Simplify. Don't try to have it all. Preparing this generation is true influence and power.

Cook- We will be most effective in our callings when we focus on love, faith and prayer. I need to get a copy of the "Preach My Gospel" to use as a resource in our home.

Callister- The first opportunity for sharing testimonies should be in the home. We only need one witness to have a strong testimony, our own. Pray not to lose it.


Snow - Look for opportunities to serve- don't just say "call if you need anything". It is better to do many small, seemingly insignificant acts of service, than nothing at all. Our church calling does not let us off the hook from serving families, neighbors and community.

Oaks- Just because something is good, doesn't mean we should do it. Some choices are good, others are better, others are best. Pick the best. Super family activities are good, but not better than one on one time with a parent. Don't magnify the work, simplify it. In our callings what matters most is not frills and embellishments, but that individuals are administered to, uplifted and changed.

Possible Goals:

1. Spend less time on the internet. Make my "me" time truly restorative instead of vegetative. Spend my time doing the "best" choices.

2. Plan for opportunities for one on one time with each child.

3. Spend more of my time serving, even in little ways. Actively seek ways I can do this for my family, friends and neighbors.

4. Focus on love, faith, prayer and administering, uplifting and changing individuals in my calling.

5. Have a family testimony meeting for fhe one night.

6. Order a copy of "Preach My Gospel." Use it to make our home an MTC.

7. Streamline and simplify our home. Seek opportunities to have children work along side me during homemaking tasks. (Have a different child each night help me make dinner?)

8. Do better in my personal study and prayer. Study the role of the atonement in the process of sactification. Stop thinking I need to do it on my own, humble myself and ask for more divine help.

9. Focus daily on the blessings that the Lord has given me and my family. I have to still figure out exactly how to do this.

As usual, I went into conference feeling pretty good about things and came out realizing how far I have yet to go. But, feeling inspired to try to go there!