Christmas in Hawaii

Don't fall over because I'm actually posting something. Evelyn's ballet recital was last week and wanted to share her beautiful performance.

Spring Ballet Recital…

Evelyn’s spring ballet recital was a few weeks ago, but we were having computer issues so I couldn’t upload it until now. She has come so far since starting with Harbor Bay Classical Ballet. We are so proud of her.

Thought…

"We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the 'thick of thin things.' In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."

—Thomas S. Monson, ""What Have I Done for Someone Today?""

Seeing Clearly…

Yesterday the Mr. washed the windows. I knew they were bad, but wow! It’s like seeing the outside world in a whole new way.

This past weekend we were able to listen to and watch General Conference. It too helps me see more clearly. I can’t wait until the Ensign comes so I can study and read the words again. I’m not a very auditory person, so seeing and reading the words helps things to sink in.

“Now brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please do not hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.

So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work.”

- Elder Jeffery R. Holland

Blueberry Muffins…

Topping

• 2 T. flour
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 2 T. butter, cut into pieces
• zest of one lemon or orange

Combine with a pastry blender or 2 knives, set aside.

Muffins

• 1 c. sugar
• 3 1/4 c. white whole wheat flour
• 1 rounded T. baking powder
• 1 1/2 t. salt
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 c. coconut oil
• 2 1/4 c. buttermilk
• 1 T. vanilla
• 2 1/4 c. frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 375*. Prepare muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt together in large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Using rubber spatula, fold in blueberries until just combined.

Using a cookie scoop, divide batter equally into prepared muffin tins. Sprinkle on topping and bake for about 20 minutes. Cool muffins in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 2 dozen muffins

Whole Wheat Bread…

• 2 1/2 c. very warm water
• 1 T. yeast
• 1/2 c. honey
• 3 T. oil
• 1 T. salt
• 1/3 c. powdered milk
• 3 T. gluten
• 1/3 c. wheat bran (optional)
• 1/3 c. wheat germ (optional)
•  6 - 7 c. whole wheat flour (I highly recommend using white wheat flour.)

Dissolve yeast in water. Let sit 5 minutes to activate. Mix all other ingredients, starting with 2-3 cups flour. Mix for about two minutes, then start gradually adding the rest of the flour until dough leaves the side of the bowl but is still slightly sticky. Knead for ten minutes. Let raise about an hour. Punch down, shape into loaves and let raise again until double in size. Bake at 325* for 30-35 minutes.

Thoughts…

"Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it's a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day--and then one more and then one more after that--until we've lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness."

Thomas S. Monson, "Believe, Obey, and Endure", Liahona and Ensign, May 2012

"When you take the path that climbs, that harder path of the Savior, there are rewards along the way. When you do something right, when you resist temptation, when you meet a goal, you will feel very good about it. It is a very different kind of feeling than you have when you violate commandments--an altogether different feeling. It brings a measure of peace and comfort and provides encouragement to press on."

Richard G. Scott, "Finding the Way Back", Liahona and Ensign, May 1990

Thoughts…

"The onslaught of wickedness against our children is more subtle and brazen than it has ever been. Building a strong family culture adds another layer of protection for our children, insulating them from worldly influences."

—L. Tom Perry, "Becoming Goodly Parents", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

 

"Parents must have the courage to say no, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony. Your children need to know that you have faith in the Savior, love your Heavenly Father, and sustain the leaders of the Church. Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes."

—Quentin L. Cook, "Can Ye Feel So Now?", Liahona and Ensign, October 2012

The Jar…

We’ve started a new forced labor incentive program for the kids to be obedient. If they whine, fight, I have to ask them too many times to do something, etc. they have to pick a job from The Jar. This job has to be done in addition to their other jobs that day. Some aren’t so bad, some are even nice… others not so much. The incentive is, if they are obedient they don’t have to pick from the jar. The whole obedient this is genetic… I’m hoping this will help me not lose my cool so often with the kids. Plus I’ll have some really clean toilets!

I wanted to come up with some cute name for this whole thing, but The Jar has kind of taken hold… so that’s what it’s called. I’ve seen it on a couple other blogs, here & here.

This is the list we are using.

Clean out the truck.

Straighten up pantry.

Rub mom’s feet for 10 minutes.

Clean a sibling’s room.

Wipe down little bathroom toilet.

Clean a bathroom mirror while singing any song.

Clean out silverware drawer.

Wipe down outside of fridge.

You are free but this is a WARNING!

Scrub upstairs bathtub.

Wipe down walls by in mud room, including the door.

Wipe down garage door inside and out.

Empty all garbage’s.

Write a letter to someone who has done a service for you and tell them thank you.

Rub dad’s head for 10 minutes while telling him how thankful you are for him working so hard.

Rub mom’s head for 10 minutes while telling her how thankful you are she cooks for you.

Sweep front porch and ride your bike around the block.

Dust family room.

Tell all of your siblings 3 things you love about them.

Write 50 times “I will not leave my things out.”

Do 25 jumping jacks while singing, “I am a cleaning machine.”

Run around the house for 1 minute and see how many things you can pick up and put away.

Draw a picture of you picking up things and your mom and dad smiling BIG!

Make your bed blindfolded.

Clean out a heater vent.

While hopping on one foot, wipe the kitchen counters off.

Choose 2 items of yours to donate to DI.

Scrub an air vent with a toothbrush.

Hand wash 3 dishes.

Scrub your toilet while singing, ‘whistle while you work’.

Design a machine on paper that cleans the whole house and gets you ready for the day.

Clean the outside of the fridge.

Tell us the story, ‘The Little Red Hen.”

Vacuum the stairs.

Dust the shutters upstairs.

Dust the shutters in the family room and kitchen.

Dust the shutters in the living room and mom and dad's room.

Clean the kitchen garbage can, inside and out.

Clean the recycling can in the mudroom, inside and out.

Do 20 pushups and then kiss your mom 10 times.

Dust the piano.

Clean the windows on the back doors.

Wipe down chairs and stools.

Thoughts…

"God knows our gifts. My challenge to you and to me is to pray to know the gifts we have been given, to know how to develop them, and to recognize the opportunities to serve others that God provides us. But most of all, I pray that you will be inspired to help others discover their special gifts from God to serve."

—Henry B. Eyring, "Help Them Aim High", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundance Life", Liahona and Ensign, January 2012

Thoughts…

"Let us resolve to follow the Savior and work with diligence to become the person we were designed to become. Let us listen to and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions", Liahona and Ensign, October 2012

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundance Life", Liahona and Ensign, January 2012

Christmas 2012…

Another Christmas has come and gone. Where does the time go? We hope you each had a blessed Christmas, we sure did.

Christmas 2012 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Thought…

"I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Consider the Blessings", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

Thanksgiving…

“Thankfulness is measured by the number of words; gratitude is measured by the nature of our actions.”

President David O. McKay

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

Cynthia Ozick

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie…

2 c. pumpkin puree
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese (room temp)
1 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. ginger
1/2 c. milk or cream
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. almond extract
1 pie crust

Cream the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Mix in sugar and spices. Add liquid ingredients and mix until completely blended together. Pour into pie crust and bake @ 375 for approx. 60 minutes. (May be longer.) Pie is done when a metal knife inserted comes out clean.

Thoughts…

"I pray that we will humble ourselves as little children and reach out to protect our little children, for they are the future for us, for our Church, and for our nations."

—Dallin H. Oaks, "Protect the Children", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

"The most powerful teaching of children is by the example of their parents."

—Dallin H. Oaks, "Protect the Children", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

Thought…

 Don’t think too much.

You’ll create a problem

that wasn’t even there

in the first place.

Happy Halloween…

The Minnie Mouse costume Evelyn is wearing this year was my sisters… my mom made it 20+ years ago.

Tips for Crochet Beanie Size…

0 to 3 months
Hat circumference 11.5" - 13"
Hat height: 4.5” to 5"
3 to 6 months
Hat circumference: 14" - 17 "
Hat height : 5.5” - 6"

6 to 12 months
Hat circumference: 16" - 19 "                                               
Hat height: 6.5"

12 months to 3T
Hat Circumference: 18" to 20"
Hat height : 7"
3 to 10 years
Hat Circumference: 19" – 20.5"
Hat height: 7.5"
Pre-teen to teens
Hat Circumference: 20.5" - 22"
Hat height: 8” - 9"
Women's
Hat Circumference: 21.5" - 22.5"
Hat height: 10"
Men's
Hat Circumference: 23" - 24"
Hat height: 10" - 10.5"

Measure the size of the head. Wrap a measuring tape around the head (forehead, back of head, above ears) to find out the circumference of the head. Remember the hat will stretch., so make it an inch or two smaller. A hat that has been made using a double crochet will stretch more than one made using a single crochet.

For example, you want to crochet a hat of 12.5-inch circumference. Divide this measurement by 3.14 (value of pi). So, 12.5/3.14 is approximately 3.98, which can be rounded off to 4. Stop expanding when you have reached a diameter of 4 inches.

• Ch 2.
• 8 dc into the 2nd ch from hook. Join with slip stitch to beginning of round.
• 2 dc into each dc (16 st)
• Increase in every alternate stitch, i.e., 2 dc + 1 dc + 2 dc + 1 dc + ... (24 st)
• 2 dc + 1 dc + 1 dc + 2 dc + 1 dc + 1 dc + 2 dc ... (32 st)
• 2 dc + 1 dc + 1 dc + 1 dc + 2 dc + 1 dc + 1 dc + 1 dc + 2 dc ... (40 st)

Keep increasing in this manner until desired size has been reached. As mentioned earlier the hat measures 12.5 inches in circumference, so stop expanding when 4 inches diameter is reached. From the next step onwards start working even, i.e., 1 dc into each dc. Once you have stopped expanding and started working even, the edges of your circle will start to bend. Continue working even until desired length has been reached. Any stretch can use any stitch: sc, hdc or dc.

Thought…

"Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012